FANG For a FANG

Chapters

Chapter 1 Last School Days
Prologue
Chapter 2 Rising Chaos
Chapter 3 The Woman In The Mirror
Chapter 4 Dance Of A Lifetime
Chapter 5 The Invitation
Chapter 6: A Glimpse Into Darkness
Chapter 7 A Rough morning
Chapter 8 A Little Light
Chapter 9 A Troubled Heart
Chapter 10 Next Step
Chapter 11 Think A Little Bit
Chapter 12 Boiling Over
Chapter 13 Fragments
Chapter 14 Family Struggles

Chapter 1 Last School Days

With the smell of the morning air filled with sweet flowers coming from her perfume and the daisies that showed summer's close at hand, Fluttershy practically skipped through the halls of her school as she headed to her locker. Her smile was as wide as she would allow it.

“My, it is a warm day,” she said as the morning light shined through the window onto her back. She hummed a little tune to herself while trading her backpack for her history book, just as a shadow much larger than her walked up behind her, catching her attention. “Oh, you’re here early,” she smiled with little fear as she stepped aside, giving the boy access to his locker right next to hers.

“Morning,” he said in a rich voice as he traded his bag for a math book.

“Good morning, Big Mac,” she squeaked out in a high-pitched tone, making sure that her red-hot face was hidden under her hair.

“I’m actually a little early on purpose this morning. I want to, uh, ask you something,” he told her, turning around to face her, standing like the jock he was. He wore a red shirt that matched his fiery red hair to a tee. Despite his massive size and strong frame, his expression showed a timid personality. His eyes and lips dashed nervously as he searched around the room.

“Yes, ba, ba, Big Mac,” she stuttered, peeking one blue eye out from under her hair.

“Wa, well I, I’m not good with words but. He returned to his locker, pulling something out of his bag, and showing Fluttershy.

If her face wasn’t red before it certainly was now at the sight of a little black box that stood in front of her. “Big Mac,” she gasped.

He lips, curled into a smile as he chuckled, with his eyes dashing away. “You think she’ll say yes.” He whispered .

Causing Fluttershy to crash back into reality. “What,” she asked, barely audible.

“Sugarbell,” he shrugged one shoulder, as his eyes danced into a love struck grin. “you think she’ll say yes. I mean we’re just graduating high school and,” he whispered as he fell to the lockers behind him, pocketing the box. “We’re still Young and I’ve only dated her for a year but,” he clenched his eyes shut. His heart a flutter, as he sighed.

Fluttershy turned her head away from him, glad her hair hid her broken expression. “Of course he’ll propose to her, why would he choose you? Why would anyone choose you.” She told herself. “Yes Mac, Sugarbell will say yes you silly, she loves you. Fluttershy told him in a chipper voice despite her heart feeling like it split into two.

“Really! Thanks Flutters see ya in gym class.” He snorted before clearing his throat. “Uhh I mean, yep,” he giggled to himself, before running off, leaving the shy girl standing alone in the hallway.

Just when she thought she had a chance to let out a whimper and shed a fear-driven tear, a girl wearing high heels and a golden bracelet crossed her path.

“Fluttershy, what do you think of my new shoes?” she asked.

The young woman raised her head slightly, muttering, “Nice as always, Rarity.” Her voice was on the verge of breaking.

Rarity's eyebrows raised for a second as she heard her friend's voice. “Everything alright, dear?”

“I’m fine,” she sniffled and shook her head. “Big Mac is going to propose to Sugarbell today.”

Rarity’s jaw dropped as she gasped, covering her mouth with a hand. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Flutters.” She hugged her friend and cleared her hair out of her eyes, revealing a crooked smile on Fluttershy’s face.

“It’s alright. I’m happy for them. Besides, I got over my crush on him a long time ago,” she tightened her grip on her book as if it were a shield protecting what was left of her distraught heart. “Besides, I’m too old for him anyway,” she said, gazing back at where he had just been standing.

“Oh dear, your makeup,” groaned her friend. “Come now, Fluttershy, what’s the point of putting on makeup if all you do is hide your face?” Rarity said, pulling a brush out of her purse and going to work on her friend’s hair. “Besides, I thought you said you didn’t want a guy distracting you from your schoolwork.”

“That’s what my mom says,” she rolled her eyes as she sat there like a stubborn pig waiting for Rarity to finish her makeup on her.

“Fluttershy Breeze, please report to the vice principal's office. Fluttershy Breeze, please report to the vice principal's office,” the announcement repeated.

“What does that vampire want with you?” Rarity crossed her arms.

Fluttershy shrugged with a tilt of her head and began walking down the hall.

As she walked, with each step she could feel her body grow empty inside. Her footsteps on the tile floor soon became her only companions as she thought back on her time in high school.

“It wasn’t all bad,” she thought as she remembered her friends. But she couldn’t shake the feeling deep in her heart. “Where did I go wrong?” she mumbled as she thought about Big Mac. “I mean, I never really wanted a boyfriend, or at least never thought of it.” She bit her bottom lip. “That’s a lie, and you know it,” she whispered to herself. “All your friends have at least dated, all except you.” She groaned. She was so fixated in her mind that had she not looked up at that very moment, she would have walked right past the door. She turned to look at it, hearing a sound around her. On a little card, it read the principal's name: Luna Star. Her eyelids softened as she gulped down whatever feelings she was currently dealing with. With an inhale, she felt the air lift her body out of her droopy mood. Putting on a smile as best she could, before reaching for the door handle.

…

In a dark office, with little light peeking through the window shades, sat Luna staring a folder on her desk. Narrowing her eyes, she read a letter.

Deer Luna Star, it has come to my attention that you're not holding to our agreement. And I will be considering to sue, if you do not show case the necessary action, we agreed upon. I want to…

At the sound of knocking Luna shot her head up. She closed the file as she called out, come in.

The door opened revealing Fluttershy, with one eye peeking out from behind her hair until she moved her hair out of the way revealing the other one. You could see the hint of powder on her nose, and her pink eyeliner but otherwise she kept her looks to a minimum, “You… wa-wanted to see me, Vice Principal Luna?” She stuttered , with roses, red lipstick on her lips.

Luna gave a small but warm smile. “Yes, Fluttershy, please come in and take a seat,” she said as she grabbed another folder and placed it on top of the other one, opening it up to show Fluttershy’s school records.

“How are your last days of high school?” the vice principal asked her as she sat down.

“Oh, well, they’re fine, I guess,” Fluttershy smiled weakly as she wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m actually really excited to be moving out with my friends after graduating. The girls helped me to move out, but I’m a little nervous about living on my own still.” She giggled, despite her obvious discomfort.

“You'll get used to it. There was a time I moved out on my own too. It’s exciting, but it’s okay to be a little nervous about the future,” Luna said as she raised the folder, giving Fluttershy’s file a once-over.

“You moved out too? What was it like, if—” Fluttershy bit her bottom lip.

“I don’t mind; in all honesty, it was good at first. I felt like I was finally standing on my own two feet until I made a few mistakes. Luckily, my sister was able to always support me, though,” she said as her eyes softened.

Fluttershy tilted her head but chose not to ask any further. Instead, she shrunk back in her chair, waiting for whatever would come next.

“And how are your extracurricular activities going, specifically your college classes?”

“Hmm, oh, they’re fine. I’m maintaining good grades in them, but the college classes are a lot trickier than I first thought.” Fluttershy shifted in her stance. “My unpaid internship has agreed to let me become a paid intern once I graduate high school and move on to college.”

“That’s good,” said Luna as she read Fluttershy’s future goals. “You’re going to become a great veterinarian, and I’m glad to see the clinic has agreed to pay you. You’ll need that if you plan to pay those bills. Now, the reason I called you in is because of this form,” she said, picking up a paper and showing it to Fluttershy.

“Oh, that. Yes, the clinic told me to fill it out if I was to get paid,” she said, fiddling with her fingers.

“And yet, Fluttershy, it says here you used the name Star.”

“Yes, well, I figured…” She lowered her head, letting her long hair hide her eyes. “I shouldn’t use my made-up name anymore.”

“It’s not made up. Your father was Mr. Breeze. There is no point in changing your name now; it’s on your birth certificate and everything.”

Fluttershy raised her shoulders and tried to shrink under the pressure as she looked at the cold, emotionless expression on the principal’s face.

“It’s okay; I understand why you did this. I do think it’s sweet, but you are a Breeze. You don’t have to change your name to mine. I don’t want you to. It would be a disservice to your father, who was a good man,” she smiled wide. “And I know he would be just as proud as my sister and I are of you.”

Fluttershy raised her head to see the warm, gentle smile on the pale woman’s face.

“Th-thank you, Mother,” Fluttershy whispered with a grin.

Luna sat back in her chair, observing the shy woman in front of her. “You know, I used to be just like you when I was in high school. Of course, a lot younger, but that’s neither here nor there,” Luna told her fiddling with a pen between her hands.

Fluttershy in responce nodded as she began to adjust and sit more relaxed in her seat, amazed at the idea her mother was ever like her.

“Tell me, is that old silly rumor about me still going on?” Luna raised an eyebrow.

“The one about you being a vampire, yes,” Fluttershy giggled, making Luna grin, and opened her mouth wide showing two large fangs on the roof of her mouth, before giggling along with her daughter. “Why did you ever do that to your teeth,” fluttershy shook her head.

“Because I thought it would make me look cool. And I slipped with the shadows, and with the shiny hair, I do look like a blood-sucking monster.” Luna laughed harder, sounding close to an evil cackle.

Fluttershy smiled as she thought about the woman in front of her. She rarely ever showed this side of herself, her true self, in Fluttershy’s mind. She always came off as a scary and strict lady, which she could be, but it was nice to see some of her true tender nature finally show.

“Well, my dear, you best attend your last day of school. I will not interfere with your fun any longer.”

Fluttershy gave a nod and got up from her chair, heading for the door, only to stop for a moment. She then spun around and ran straight at Luna, tackling her in a hug.

Luna’s eyes widened at this sudden outburst, but she embraced her daughter, if only for a moment, before they went their separate ways and pretended the only relationship they had was vice principal and student. It was easy, thanks to their last names being different. As Luna watched her daughter wave goodbye and head out the door, she couldn’t hide how proud she was of her, a full-grown adult woman. But when the door closed, her smile faded to one of worry as she looked back at the folder with the note inside. “Oh, Fluttershy,” her lips quivered. “What have I done?”

Author's Note

Ok totally being honest... I HATE THE BIG MAC SHIP WITH FLUTTERSHY! but in terms of the story it actully made the most sence. I promiss you this is Fluttercord, as always, since its the only ship I like.

Prologue

“A year… Twelve months. What could possibly change so much in a year that would change one’s whole life completely?” said a soft, familiar voice among a room full of old high school friends as she walked in. “Many things, I suppose,” she giggled, as the clouds outside rolled in, darkening the scene before them. The sound of thunder began grumbling in the background as the lady took her seat in front of the others and grabbed an apple from the table, tossing it up in the air. She was flanked by four others who looked anything but nice.“It’s been so long since we had a chance to catch up,” she continued before taking a bite of the apple, exposing two large fangs as she bit into it.

Surrounding her was a cozy country living room. Its drapes, patched chairs, and couch all screamed the word “country.” A large man with reddish-orange hair, mouth agape, stared and watched as the woman waltzed into the room as if she owned the place and proceeded to take a seat in his house hold. Surrounded by his , wife—a woman with purple hair—and their many friends, sat around a cake under a banner that read, “Happy one year anniversary to the Apples.”

The lady, dressed in leather, along with red high heels and dark blue jeans, contrasted with a bright yellow shirt featuring a pink butterfly. Her rosy pink hair was tied back in a ponytail, except for two bangs that framed her face. She wore no makeup of any kind—a pure natural beauty—with white gold and black gothic earrings. Eventually, she opened one eye halfway, exposing a bright teal iris, when they did not say a word at her arrival. “Hmm, oh,” she said, her mouth still half full. “Don’t mind them; they’re just my security,” she told her friends, thinking it was just those who came in along with her that had everyone so spooked. “Anyway,” she shrugged and turned her attention to the three young teenagers in the corner, “look at you, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo—you’ve gotten so tall since the last time I saw you!”

The three girls she called out, only shivered in the corner at the sight of her.

“And you, Rarity,” the woman continued, turning to a lady with purple hair and a simple but elegant white dress. “Still stunning, as I remember.”

“Twilight,” the woman gestured to the lady next to Rarity. “I heard about your scientific achievement in the paper the other day.” In response, Twilight could only stare blankly, blinking in awe. “I can see that after high school, you really have achieved your dreams; the same goes for Dash.” Dash, a girl with rainbow-colored hair, was dressed as if she had just come right out of the army. “Applejack,” she said, pointing to the farm girl sitting behind her brother, “and Pinkie.” The woman smiled as a girl with pink curls stood there, jaw dropped, wider than everyone else.

“I brought Gilda,” she said, pointing at a rough-looking lady on her right. Gilda wore her greasy hair in bangs but gave a friendly smile to the rainbow-haired woman across the room. “Sup, Dash,” Gilda gave in a cool, smooth fashion

“What in the world?” Dash gasped.

“Yeah, I knew you’d like to see her again, so I brought her. She was supposed to be my only security detail,” the woman remarked, lowering her eyebrow, clearly irritated as she emphasized the word "only."

“Forgive me, Miss Shy, but the boss put us on this assignment. We couldn’t refuse him, now could we?” replied a bored voice.

Shy rolled her eyes and lifted her head toward the man who spoke. “The one in the red trench coat here is Capper. Let me introduce you guys.” She half-sighed as she leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs, sitting comfortably, confidence radiating from her body language. “This,” she said, pointing one finger upward to indicate the big, oversized muscular man behind her, “is Bulk.”

Bulk was dressed head to toe in a thin black suit that, truth be told, looked too small for him. Even his tie and white collar couldn’t hide the oversized veins in his neck. His chest looked about ready to pop out of his jacket, held for dear life by one button on the front. He wore black sunglasses, had one gold ring in his left ear, and a black coms device on the other.

“This,” she pointed her finger at the guy on her left, “is Thorax.” Thorax gave a twitchy, nervous smile and an equally squirming wave below. He was the shortest of them and was clearly also the youngest. His brown, almost black, messy hair had green stripes in it, completely contrasting with Bulk's little blond shave for a haircut.

“Fluttershy-,” dash muttered echoing everyones thoughts at the moment. But it was another lady with fiery orange hair and a leather jacket that finished it.
-“What happened to you,”

“Oh, don’t worry, Sunset,” chuckled Fluttershy, sounding anything but the girl they used to know. “A lot has happened since I left high school, is all, but we’re still friends. And,” she took another bite of her apple as she spoke, not caring, “when I got the invitation to come to the little family reunion, I just had to see you. Besides, it gives me a good chance to tell you all the good news. I was going to call you soon because—” she then brought out her other hand that she had kept in her pocket the entire time. The crowd gasped at the sight of a golden band with a butterfly-shaped white diamond on her finger. “I’m getting married,” she ended, her lips curving into a smirk.

“What?!” they all yelled out in unison.

Fluttershy merely smiled. “Yep, remember Sugar Belle?” Fluttershy turned her gaze to a lady holding her own child. “We made a deal at your wedding, didn’t we? You said you would be my bridesmaid when it was my turn.”

“Oh wow! You have to tell us all about him—how you two met, how you fell in love, how he proposed, ohhh!” squealed a pink, bushy-haired girl who jumped across the table.

In seconds, Bulk leaped over Fluttershy and grabbed Pinkie by the front of her shirt.

“Easy, Bulk, easy! They’re my friends,” she commanded, snapping her fingers. With that, Bulk let go of her and set her down gently. “Forgive him, he’s only doing his job, even if he’s a bit,” she shrugged, “hard-headed.”

“How did you get so much security anyway?” asked Twilight, momentarily straightening her glasses. “Who is this guy you’re marrying?”

“Oh yes,” Fluttershy sighed. “I guess we should start from the very top.”

“Ahem, hate to interrupt here, but I must remind you that—”

“Capper, these are my friends,” Fluttershy raised her nose in the air. “And I shall not hide one aspect of my life from them. Is that understood?”

“But, ma’am, are they even trustworthy with—” he stopped when he turned his cat-like eyes on her, realizing she was glaring at him. With an eye roll, he stepped aside and leaned against the wall. “As you wish. Frankly,” he let a smirk grow across his face, “I am curious about how, in the world, a sun-side girl like you got mixed up with one of the most ruthless thugs I have ever met.” He gave a hearty laugh.

At his words, jaws dropped and gasps were heard all around as they turned back to Fluttershy.

“Da—my dear,” Rarity nearly fainted on the couch. “Please tell me that he’s lying.”

In response, Fluttershy giggled at their expressions of shock, worry, and fear. “Come now, Rarity, Twilight, Dash, Applejack, Sunset, Pinkie, and Sugar Belle,” Fluttershy let a conniving smile spread across her lips, her white fangs glistening in what little light shined from the window as the sun was slowly swallowed by dark clouds. “Let me tell you my story…”

A fang for a fang…

Author's Note

Ok been siting on this stupid idea for a while now and- here it is. when i have time to uplord something i will, and just had some time to dish this one out, hope you all like it.

Oh and as the tag suggest, certin jokes in the later chapters are not for everyone. Im even surprised by myself that I wrote some of them, Im ussly not into crud humor, but thought it was funny so i kept it in. If you dont, feel free to down vote me and read some of my more tamer stories.

Chapter 2 Rising Chaos

“Your mom is the vice principal!!! The room shouted at Fluttershy, each with a look of confusion edged on their faces.

“Was,” sighed fluttershy as she laid a hand on her chest, in the present day. “Though I’ll get to that later.” She winced, lowering her head. “What’s important now is the information about my stupid little crush on your husband, and how I let my own jealousy tear our relationship apart.

“She’s right,” principal Luna went missing after graduation but no one found her,” twilight set a finger to her chin.

“Ah still got questions,” Applejack through in with her country accent. “Why did you never tell us, we were your best friends. We went to you house everyday and never saw your mother once!”

“I know you got questions,” mumbled sky as the storm outside began to let lose on the little farm outside the window. “And I’ll answer them all I will but please,” she rose her head, the look of determination in her eye was unrecognizable to those who knew her from long ago. “Here me out. It was graduation night, we all know what happened that day. The day before my mother… went missing.” She said as the lightning struck outside.

…

A door opened, revealing Fluttershy carrying boxes into an empty space. She set them down on a countertop, stepping back to get a good look at the place. It was pretty much all one room, with a couch and a TV that hung on the wall across from it. A little kitchen sat in one corner, and her stairway to the second floor sat in the other. The little place was filled with boxes to unpack, and once she got a good look at what she had to do, she let out a tired groan before a small smile spread on her lips. “Well, better get to work,” she told herself as she tossed her keys aside and opened one of the smaller boxes she had just brought in. With a wave of her hand, she swept her pink hair out of her eyes. Reaching in, she pulled out the first thing her hands could find. It was a framed photo of her and her six best friends standing in front of a school building that read "Canterlot High," just as another woman walked in carrying a large mirror with her.

“Oh Rarity, let me—”

“No, no, no, I got it, Fluttershy,” she replied as she struggled to place the heavy object against an empty wall.

Fluttershy gazed at herself in the reflection. She didn’t think much of it at the time, but her smile looked fake, and it was clear just from her eyes how upset she really was. “Thank you, Rarity, for helping me move,” she said.

“No problem, Flutters! I’m just glad your mom decided to let you move a day early. It makes it easier to get everything done, especially since the wedding is… uh, sorry.”

“No, no, you’re fine,” she said, keeping her back to Rarity. “I don’t even know why it’s bothering me so much, Rarity. I mean, yes, I like him, but I’m not that into him. I don’t even think it’s him; I just think it’s…” she groaned, frustrated. “Never mind.”

Rarity fluffed her curly hair. “It’s a big step for a lady to move out on her own, ya know,” she smiled warmly. “I’m proud of you, Fluttershy. I never thought you’d be the first of us to move out.”

“I am the oldest,” she sheepishly grinned.

“And the shyest,” Rarity said as she ruffled her friend's hair. “Fluttershy, all you really need to do is decide on just what you want, not what I or your mother or anyone else wants.” She said this before automatically fixing the mess she made with Fluttershy’s hair.

“Do you think I made the right move? I mean, moving out on my own like this… Maybe I should have a roommate,” Fluttershy tapped her chin. “I do have an extra bedroom.” She gazed at the door in the far right.

“Nonsense! You’re perfectly safe here. Why, I checked all the statistics myself.” Rarity pulled out her phone. “This is a perfect spot! It has access to the train station, a fifteen-minute walk, you can take your bike, and there’s a police station in the opposite direction. You can make it from your college and your part-time job in a matter of minutes. And if that’s not all, you have access to some of the finest restaurants in the darn city!” Ahhh,” she squealed. “If it weren’t for the fact that I’m going to the most classy game designer for studying, I would love it here. That and,” she shrugged, “I’ll never move out of my mansion; why would I? It’s a mansion!” She giggled. “Besides, what if you get a man in here?” she mischievously and seductively smiled.

Fluttershy snorted at her friend's enthusiasm before tapping her fingers together, only for her nose to catch a whiff of French fries. She turned to see another woman in a leather jacket bringing in more boxes.

“Are you two going to help, or just stand there?” Sunset Shimmer groaned as she placed her load on the counter, before noticing the picture. “Hey, I remember when we first took this. Ha, back in freshman year.”

“Yeah, it’s when we all really became friends,” Fluttershy smiled at the thought.

“I can’t believe it—four years of our lives, and now it’s just gone,” Rarity sighed, reminiscent of the old days.

“Mhmm, it’s crazy to think that we’re all just moving on,” Fluttershy replied. “I’m sorry, it’s just…I’m really gonna miss all of you,” she winced.

Sunset laughed at the sight. “Come on, save the tears for after graduation. We still have a day to enjoy high school,” she said, smoothing out the creases in her leather jacket.

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right, but it just won’t be the same,” Fluttershy shook her head. “Rarity, you're going to be a great fashion designer; Dash is going into the military; Applejack is taking over her farm; and Twilight is going to her university.” She said this with a wave of her hand. “Pinkie already started her business with her boyfriend Cheese as a part-time caterer, and you, Sunset—” she stopped when her friend held up a hand.

“No need to mention my job,” her left eye twitched.

“Oh, come on now. Working at McDonald's is nothing to be ashamed of,” Rarity said, setting her hands on her hips.

“I smell like French fries all day,” she groaned. “Besides, I never really thought of a career move.”

“It will come in time,” Fluttershy assured her friend. “Besides, I like the smell of French fries,” she giggled.

“Oh har har,”\Susnset rolled her eyes. “Alright then girls let’s get unpacking shall we,” she said ripping open one of the boxes she brought in, revealing kitchen utensils. The three wonders, and soon went to work, opening boxes, sorting out where things go. And hanging up photos, and paintings on the wall.

After that, within the hour, the place transformed from a bare apartment with little furniture to a home befitting Fluttershy. She had a birdcage with her parrot, her rabbit sat in the corner, a fish tank on the counter, and a snake in a cage, along with a pet spider above its place. Rarity jumped back when she saw Mr. Eyes; she wasn’t too keen on spiders, but as long as it stayed in its cage, she ignored it and continued placing pots and pans in the kitchen. The room became a cluttered mess quickly, and just as quickly, it was cleaned up.

With the last box set on the floor, the three friends all laid back, exhausted, on the couch in front of the TV, smiles on their faces, just in time for the clock to hit four.

“Oh dear, we better get a move on or we’ll be late to the wedding,” Rarity clapped and hopped off the couch.

“Yeah, the wedding,” Fluttershy rolled her eyes as she stood up and joined the other two.

…

Meanwhile…
A police guard approached a dark prison cell. The sound of a loud chomp on an apple echoed through the room as a figure sat with his back turned.

“Get up, dirt bag!” yelled the guard as he pulled a trigger, causing a taser to glow with the sound of an electric hum.

The inmate rose from his bed, tossing the rest of the apple on the ground without even bothering to aim for the trash can before setting his hands on the back of his head and approaching the back wall. The only thing that could be seen was his tall, intimidating height lurking in the shadows of the room. His head was only inches from the ceiling. The sound of chains could be heard with each of his movements. His hands and legs were chained together, ending in a heavy ball.

He sat motionless as the guard opened the door and entered his cell. He didn’t dare flinch as the guard patted him down and checked his chains, tugging on them slightly to make sure he was secure.

Then the guard pulled out his keys and inserted them into the key slot.

The man’s eyes flew open. They were a blood ruby red, the white of eyes a frightning amber yellow. “What are you doing?” he growled in a dark and raspy voice that seemed to crack at times.

“Your bail has been paid,” grumbled the cop.

“What? Who in the world would free me?” the inmate raised an eyebrow.

“She’s waiting in the interrogation room. Why don’t you ask her yourself?” spat the cop, not even trying to hide his destain for the man.

“Interrogation?” He scrunched his nose. “Why there and not in the lobby?”

“She wants a word in private with you before you leave.”

“But I’m free! I can just leave, right?” the inmate tilted his head as the guard finally finished unlocking his chains.

“Sure, I can’t make you stay, but don’t you wonder why anyone would let a scumbag like you out? I sure do.’ the cop grumbled leaving the cell. “This way, " he remarked before leading the way.

The inmate cautiously followed, wincing for a second when he finally saw the light of day. He had long, black, messy locks with white streaks scattered through them, and his facial hair gave him a rugged appearance. Gritting his teeth, revealed a sharp, canine-like fang from the top of his mouth. Even when his mouth closed, the very tip of it was still visible. As he stretched and rubbed his wrists, clearly thankful for being out of his shackles, he began to ponder the guard’s words. Why would anyone let him out?

Finally he was brought to a large steal door, and wasted no time punching through it. As he did so, his eyes widened when they landed on the woman sitting in a chair.

The woman had dark hair, almost velveteen blue, and cold violet eyes. She was almost as pale as he was. But unlike him, who stood in orange overalls, she sat in a nice sweater with a simple skirt.

“Luna Star,” he whispered in awe at the sight.

The woman squinted her eyes at him as she muttered in a bitter tone, “Discord Grogar, we meet again, my old friend.”

With a snort he replied, “Since when were we friends? The way I remember it, you’re the reason I was locked up here in the first place,” he groaned as he took a seat across the table from her. “Miss Fangs.”

“That was your own doing, and I am no longer part of the Fangs,” she spat rapidly back.

“No one leaves the Fangs, Luna,” sighed discord as he leaned back in his chair. She rolled her eyes at his tone but didn’t engage further.

“Alright, let me guess: you need something from me, and you think breaking me out of prison means I’ll help you.” He dropped his head into a puppy-dog look.

Luna groaned at the sight of his foolishness but gave in. “I was hoping we could come to an agreement, but no, I set you free to make my own amends with you.”

“Oh really? Is that so?” he replied with a sly grin CREEPING ON HIS FACE.. “I could be—” he drew his words slowly, “persuaded,” he finished in a seductive tone.

Her expression turned into a dark glare.

“What? I’ve been in prison this whole time!” shrugged discord with a sinister chuckle. “I haven’t had access to the opposite sex in nearly a decade.”

“Did you ever change!?”

“Nope,” he added comedically, making her sigh and bury her head in her hands.

“Okay,” she snapped her head back up. “Let me be clear: I—” She pointed her finger at herself. “Hate you. I really do. But you might be my only option out of this!” slamming her fist down, she added “The Fangs are gathering again, and I want nothing to do with it. I got out and made a good life with my sister. One that I plan to keep!” Luna hissed. “I need you to work with me. Together we can uncover the Fangs' criminal acts, clear your name, and with any luck, we’ll go our separate ways by the end of this and never see each other again, deel!?”

“You're standing in the middle of a bunch of cops; why aren’t you going to them?” he sarcastically rolled his eyes.

“Because you and I both know the only way to take down a Fang is another Fang,” she half yelled half whispered keeping her voice down.

“An inside job, huh?” discord pressed his lips together in thought, swaying side to side, like a child.

“You and I both know that you can’t go back to them,” she leaned over the table.

He smiled at that. “No one leaves the Fangs.you clearly got yourself into something if your willing to aske me, what is it im walking into hear?” he asked clearly amused by her atempts.

“I can’t, not here.” She darted her eyes to the camera in the corner of the room.

Discord choked on a laugh at her plea.

“Do we have a deal or not? I’m asking you from one wrong soul to another,” Luna begged, her eyes softening.

Staring at her, his lips twitching in annoyance, before ultamitly giving in. “You’re lucky I always had a soft spot for ladies,” he grumbled. “Fine, princess,” he snarled sarcastically. “I’m in.”

Chapter 3 The Woman In The Mirror

“So while we were setting up your house, your mother let out a criminal from prison. Let me guess,” Sunset leaned on the table in front of her. “He stole your mother, and now you have to get her back.” She narrowed her eyes.

“Uhhh, I thought this was a love story,” Sweetie Belle interjected.

“Still, it’s crazy to think that not only is Vice Principal Luna Fluttershy’s mother, but that she would let out a horrible villain like that Discord fellow,” Scootaloo noted.

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom nodded.

“But you are wrong about him; he never hurt my mother,” Fluttershy smiled.

“What? But Fluttershy, I read the—"

“The police reports about him are wrong, Applejack,” Fluttershy leaned back in the chair. “Actually, if it wasn’t for him,” she let a twisted evil smile spread over her lips, once again showing them that the girl they all knew was long gone. “I would have killed myself a year ago.” She whispered in a dull voice, with no hint of fear or sadness in it at all. “But more on that—"

“No,” a booming male voice spread over the room. They all turned to Big Mac, who now stood up and walked over to Fluttershy. “No! You tell us what in the world happened to you now! How dare you say such a disgusting, foul sentence in my house!” He shook her, only for Capper and Thorax to pull out guns and aim them right at his head, freezing him on the spot.

The woman formerly known as Fluttershy held up her hand, stopping them in their tracks. “It’s alright; I get it. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t say such awful things,” she said, brushing her fingers through his hair. “But you must understand, Mackey,” she smiled. “After all, don’t you have your wife?” She patted him on the head and gave him a playful push away. “You shouldn’t be so worried about me; you’ll make her all jealous,” Fluttershy giggled as she straightened her clothes. “I fell in love with a man far greater than you or anyone could ever know. But here, let me tell my story,” she said and snapped her fingers, ordering her men to put their guns away, which they did, sleeping their eyes fixated on Big Mac.

“Now, if you please, I would like to continue my story.” She said and tapped on a seat next to her for him to sit down. He did so cautiously due to the second guards with guns in their pockets, all watching him closely.

“Alright, now if there are no more interruptions, I would like you all to hear this. Because,” she nodded her head, “you’re not just my friends; you’re my family, and therefore, you have a right to know.

…

As Fluttershy stood in front of a mirror again, now in a bridesmaid dress that looked almost like a wedding dress, she sighed as she observed herself, taking a few spins. The dress was white and trailed out into an ornate flower pattern. It was skin-tight but not revealing in any way. Fluttershy patted down the sides, making sure it fit properly. She turned to see a bouquet of blue lilies. Her eyes widened for a moment as she looked around to see if anyone was near. With no sign of anyone in the bathroom, she picked up the flowers, giving them a sniff. Their sweet aroma was just as beautiful as they were. She held them close to her chest and looked back at the mirror. As she did, a smile spread over her face.

“Wow, you look lovely,” said a voice from behind her. She snapped back, finding a woman in a similar but over-the-top dress.

“Uh, I’m sorry,” she winced with a grin.

“No worries, but I’m pretty sure those are my flowers,” laughed the bride.

“Of course, I was just—”

“I used to do the same thing. Always dreaming about the day I’d find my prince,” she snorted. “And today’s the day,” she squealed. “Oh, I hope one day you’ll find yours too.”

Fluttershy smiled as she gazed at Sugar Belle. “She was so sweet, even Fluttershy could not be mad at her, despite the circumstances.”

“Umm,” Fluttershy lowered her lip, “can I ask you something?”

“Of course, on one condition,” Sugar Belle winked at her.

“What condition?”

You let me be your bridesmaid when you find someone,” she said in a sing-song voice, making Fluttershy stifle a laugh.

“Honestly, what?” Sugar Belle shrugged.

“Umm, well, it’s just I’ve always been so,” she looked away. “How do you, you know, talk to a guy without freezing up or—” she trailed off.

“Oh, that’s simple: you don’t,” snorted the bride.

“Huh?”

“It’s always going to be awkward at first, but you just gotta ride that wave, push past your fears, and just go for it. Have some fun, and you’ll never know where it leads. So what if this guy’s not the one? At least have fun in the moment, right? We can’t get back today or the past, and tomorrow is so far away, so why not just enjoy right now?” Sugar Belle blushed. “Oh, I’m sorry, I always get a little philosophical,” she snorted.

Fluttershy smiled at that and handed her the flowers. “You’re going to make Big Mac a great wife. He’s lucky to have you,” she smiled softly.

“Thanks,” Sugar Belle hugged her out of nowhere, just as Applejack walked in.

“Hey, girls! The party is starting; let’s get going! Hey, Fluttershy, you and I better take our seats or we’ll miss the show,” she said as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Applejack,” Fluttershy hugged her.

“Oh, don’t mind me; I always cry at weddings,” she sniffled. “My big brother’s getting married and graduating the same day.”

“Yeah, I’m not married to him yet. Hold the tears for later,” Sugar Belle instructed her.

“Sorry, sorry, you’re right, you’re right.” Applejack nodded before heading out the door, dragging Fluttershy along with her. Fluttershy and Sugar Belle had one last giggle before she was pulled out the door by Applejack.

…

Fluttershy sat on a bench inside a church hall, listening to the grand piano play "Here Comes the Bride." Everyone looked back when the sound of the doors opened, everyone except Fluttershy, who kept her eyes on the groom. Big Mac fidgeted with his collar, waiting for his lovely bride to meet him at the altar. He turned around to gaze at her and froze at the sight of Sugar Belle in awe as she was walked down the aisle by her father.

As the two came closer, Fluttershy watched as if it were a movie playing, but when he lifted the veil, it was herself she saw in his hands instead. She hated the fact that she was envisioning this when Sugar Belle was indeed so sweet and kind, but it was the only way she could watch. She sat in front of the stained glass window of Jesus himself, as the setting sun blazed through the skies above, shining through the window like a glowing light.

“You may now kiss the bride.” At those words, Fluttershy dashed her head away from the sight as Big Mac tilted Sugar Belle’s head back and kissed her lips. The crowd went wild as Applejack burst into tears. Rarity blew her nose as everyone clapped for the happy couple. Fluttershy clapped too, despite keeping her head down. She wished she were in the back row instead of having a front-row seat to the whole ordeal.

As the summer sun began to set, shining through a stained glass window at the altar, a thunderous applause roared in the back for the happy couple, who were bathed in the glow of the sunset. Two young kids, fresh out of high school, lovebirds shared a kiss surrounded by their friends and family. As they parted from the kiss, they stared into each other's eyes as if time stopped for both of them. The groom, dressed in a nice suit, held his bride close to his heart, his green eyes staring into her violet purple ones. “Sugar Belle,” he whispered her name as his eyes teared up.

Sugar bell only pecked his lips shouting him up, as her own tears began to swell. She the. Clutched her newly wedded husband tightly savoring the moment, best she could.

For most this was a joyous occasion, a wonderful moment, that couldn’t be ever taken away. But sitting in the back of the room, watching the happy love birds was Fluttershy who’s tears were filled with nothing but sorrow, and despair, as she lifted her head gazing on the groom with longing eyes. Not long when the crowd began to stand and congratulate then she ducked her head under her rosy pink hair, as she hid away from the crowd.

…

As dusk turned into night and the happy couple shared their first dance, Fluttershy did little more than sit on the side, drinking the darkest wine she could find until she could feel a familiar gaze on her. “Not now, Rarity,” she grumbled.

“Really? You can’t even be happy for your friend?” Rarity raised an accusing eyebrow.

“I am happy, I just—” she winced.

“You wish it was you,” Rarity said, placing her hands on her hips.

Fluttershy lowered her head in shame as she shrank in her seat. Her lips quivered at Rarity’s words.

Rarity sighed, placing her own drink down on a nearby tray before sitting next to her shy and emotional friend. “Hey, it’s okay. Lots is happening, but I’m glad to see you’re moving on,” Rarity reassured her.

“Moving on?” Oh, Rarity,” she winced as a shiver ran down her arched back. “Big Mac, the coffee guy, Marty or Steve—Rarity, I’m not over any of my crushes.” She shook her head. “I don’t think I ever will be and I—” she greeted her death as her voice began to slip into a cry full of moans. “I’m a failure.”

“You’re not a failure,” Rarity cleared the hair away from her eyes. “You’re a vet in training, and you already have a fancy internship at one of the best veterinary clinics in town, and you have your friends to support you.” Rarity lifted her chin. “You’re just shy, that’s all.” She shook her head, saving Fluttershy’s eyes from ruining her makeup… again. She giggled. “Look, the next guy that catches your eye—all you have to do is not let your fears get in the way. Got it?” She winked.

“Oh, Rarity, where did I go wrong in high school?” she groaned. “What chance do I have now of finding a guy?”

“Fluttershy, you’re still young; there are plenty of chances for you and—” Rarity booped her nose. “You were great in high school.”

“But you had how many boyfriends and had so much more fun? I just sat in my room all day playing video games or studying for tests.” She lowered her head into her hands. “I may have graduated at the top of my class, second only to Twilight, but I feel like such a failure.” She winced, choking on a cry. “Sure, I made my mom proud, but—”

“Enough,” Rarity leaned into her, making Fluttershy’s eyes grow wide. “You just have to—”

“Don’t tell me to do what I want because what I want is”—she raised her head defiantly—“what I want is…” She breathed out as she thought about the veil lifting again, but instead of Sugar Belle, it was her.

“It’s not even Big Mac that has me so hooked up; that’s the sad thing,” she shrugged and leaned back in her chair. “Sugar Belle is his soulmate. I just wish I found mine.”

Rarity closed her eyes furiously but calmed herself with an exhale. “I get it, Flutters, I do, but you’re so shy all the time. How are you ever going to meet someone if all you do is hide?”

“I—I don’t know! Are you happy now?!” She yelled before jumping to her feet and running off.

“Fluttershy, wait!” But before Rarity could move, it was Sugar Belle that stopped her. “Sugar—”

“I’ve heard enough. I was going to invite her for a drink, but I think it’s better if she goes home. When she comes out of there, please let her know she’s free to leave, and no, I am not mad at her.” Sugar Belle smiled before turning around and heading back to her husband.

Fluttershy ran to the bathroom, finding, thankfully, no one inside. She locked the door and tossed her bag onto the counter before setting her back against a stall and sliding down as tears began to ruin her makeup. She shook her head as her heart pounded against her chest, feeling like it was breaking in two. She placed a hand over it as she lifted her head, seeing herself in the mirror once more.

What she saw was a miserable woman, broken down in tears. Other than her hair, she was unrecognizable. As she stared at herself, Fluttershy shivered, watching as the stranger copied her every movement. “Is that really me?” she asked herself. “Is that what I want to be?” She shivered at the thought.

“No,” she spat, jumping to her feet. She quickly wiped away her tears and her makeup, revealing her true natural self. She then reached into her purse and found a rubber band. It wasn’t a hairpin, but it would have to do. She pulled her hair back, fixing it in a ponytail. Once she was done, she closed her eyes with a sniffle and took deep breaths to calm herself. When she opened them, she saw herself anew. A look of determination struck her eyes. She also looked completely unrecognizable, and Fluttershy shivered once again at the different person, only to literally grab hold of herself and stifle her shivering.

“This is who you want to be, isn’t it?” she whispered to herself. She straightened her back, standing tall, before adjusting her cross necklace. She took a moment to study the woman in the mirror. She was anything but the Fluttershy she had been a moment ago, and far from the Fluttershy she was inside.

“No more hiding,” demanded the woman in the mirror. She set a hand on her chin and began thinking. “Hmm, now what to—” Her eyes widened as an idea came to her mind. She smiled, nodding to herself. Even her smile was different. It was not innocent and foolish, but confident and sly. She grabbed her purse and marched out of the bathroom. Once she was back inside the hall, she searched the walls around her until she found who she was looking for.

Gilda was eating a piece of cake, listening to the happy music in the background when Fluttershy approached her table. “Whoa! What happened to you?” she asked.

“You can get me into that club of yours, right?” Fluttershy raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” Gilda replied, lowering her own eyebrow.

“Let’s go. You said you’d leave after a slice of cake anyway. Take me to that club.”

“What? Now? Why?” Gilda spat in disbelief.

“'Cause I need to get out of here, please.” Fluttershy clenched her eyes shut.

“Ummm, yeah, okay. If you think you’re up to it,” Gilda replied before finishing the rest of her cake and gobbling it up in one bite. “Let’s go,” she huffed as she headed out of the church hall.

An excited, sly grin crossed Fluttershy’s face as she narrowed her eyes and headed out the door.

Chapter 4 Dance Of A Lifetime

“And that was the last time we ever saw each other, the events afterwards along with Gilda, and my life after I left that party would change everything once… I met… him… fluttershy grinned.

…

A car rolled up to the outside of a club that was blasting the sound of music. Boom, boom, boom, the music was loud. All around were people waiting to get in, some already dancing in their spots.

Fluttershy and Gouda got out of the car and headed their way there. Everyone's eyes widened at the sight of her, making her flinch. “No, you can do this; they're just eyes,” she reminded herself as she calmed her mind and strolled across the parking lot. Her white dress was in stunning contrast with everyone else. The crowd mostly wore dark colors and were usually dressed casually. There were a few in suits, but they were mostly security by the looks of it.

Gilda and Fluttershy walked right past the line; she noticed some of the grumpy looks she was getting from the crowd for cutting, but she kept close to Gilda.

“Name,” grumbled a guard.

“Gilda, she’s with me. Put it on my tab,” she said and flipped the guard a coin. He caught it and undid the red tape, letting the two in.

Once inside, the music was louder than anything Fluttershy had ever heard. A live DJ was playing her music, tapping to the beat as she went.

The crowd was filled with dancers on the first floor. A bar sat in the back, and there were stairs leading to a second floor with booths and gambling games.

“So why did you want to come here?” Gilda raised an eyebrow.

“I needed a break, and this,” she smirked, “is just what I needed.” She said before joining the crowd. With her white dress and rosy pink hair, she stood out like a white flower in a field of dirt. While her nerves tried to tug at her every which way, she ignored them and spat, “What are you looking at?” before catching the beat of the music and pining and locking into the DJ's groove.

Gilda rolled her eyes and went upstairs, not caring what happened to her.

As she danced inside, a fancy bright red car rolled up on sight. The driver jumped out of it and ran over to the side letting out who ever sat I. The back.

The guard lowered his sunglasses curiously of who the new comer was, only to jaw drop at the sight. “You,” he whispered, before turning around and quickly undoing the red tape. Letting the man in with no questions asked.

…

Fluttershy was now dancing with a drink in her hand, spinning around in circles, never noticing a figure walk through the door. She tripped over her own feet and fell back, only to be caught by someone dressed in a bright orange suit, complete with an elaborate purple tie and gloves.

“Ha, well I know girls fall for me all the time, but this is a bit ridiculous,” said a deep yet crackly voice.

Fluttershy’s eyes shot wide, her jaw dropping as she looked upon her savior.

He had blood-red ruby eyes that almost seemed to stare right through her. She was starstruck, unable to move an inch. His cold black hair had white streaks in both it and his beard. A curly mustache sat below his lips, and an old-fashioned goatee completed his look. He pulled her back to her feet with a snicker that sounded anything but friendly. Yet his grasp on her was strong; it never hurt once, as his hands seemed to mold to her form easily. “It’s just a joke, sweetheart.” He grinned, showing a fang-like tooth.

Just by the sight of him, Fluttershy could tell he was dangerous, and yet, there was something else beyond those eyes. Something she strangely recognized, despite the grotesque color. It was as if she could see herself in them, yet she didn’t know why.

“Tell me,” he said as he removed his grasp. She immediately wished he hadn’t. She had never felt so warm. “What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?” He tilted his head. “That’s a nice dress you’ve got on,” the man continued, drawing closer to her. He was tall—exceedingly tall. She barely stood at his chest. She swallowed a shudder as her mind went blank for a moment. “Hello, anyone in there?” His eyebrow raised. “Or are you one of those airheads?”

That did it. She snapped back into place. “I am not you asshole.”

“Ohhh,” he pursed his lips, “feisty,” the man grinned with a nod before whispering, “I like that.”

Fluttershy now glared into his eyes as she set aside the advice she had gotten from her friends. “Come on, Fluttershy, you can do this,” she reminded herself.

She returned his smirk with one of her own and set a hand on her hip. “I needed a break from my life; I figured I could find one here.”

“Is that so?” He tilted his head in the other direction. “Well, if it’s fun you’re looking to have, why not count me in?” He bowed slightly extending his hand out towards her. “Care for a dance, my dear?”

“I wouldn't mind,” she said, placing her hand in his purple leather glove. Externally, she was as smooth and confident as ice. Internally, she was screaming to herself, “Oh my god, how in the world did I get here? Dancing with a guy like this? I don’t want to judge a book by its cover, but he’s far from the nice guys I usually like. Ooo, but he’s got a charm to him; he can’t be all bad, can he? And what about me? Why, why did I do this? This is soooo stupid. I want to run and hide. Yes, that is what you should do. You should bolt for the hills and go home; you’ve already come far enough!” she squeaked with every footstep until they reached the center of the dance floor.

“I’m not dancing to that garbage. Why not play some real music?” he snapped his fingers.

The DJ heard the snap across the room and looked up. At the sight of the man, his eyes shot wide, and his mouth dropped. He pulled the song that was playing at the time and retrieved an old record player, grabbing a record from a dusty shelf.

As it played, an old-school jazzy hip-hop song filled the air while the man wrapped his arms around his dance partner. “Let’s see if your Feistiness can also do a few moves,” he said with a mischievous grin as he pulled her around. They stepped into the beat easily, with a saxophone playing over the air, accompanied by a powerful drumbeat, followed by a piano and guitar duet. He spun her around and lowered his hands to her hips. She kept her arms around him, surprised by the speed of the dance, as he asked with a raised eyebrow, “Not bad, first time?”

“No, just wanted to see what you could do,” fluttershy remarked before grabbing him and taking the lead. She broke free from his grip, dancing almost like a ballerina, only for him to grab her arm and spin her back into him, so he had his arms around her again. “Okay, now you’ve really got me intrigued,” he chuckled as their hips moved in unison. Her lips curled into a wider smile as he spun her back, and the two began stepping toe to toe, never missing a beat, perfectly in sync.

Up ahead on the second floor, a voice grumbled as footsteps approached the edge. “Who changed my music?” barked a dark shadow, with eyes similar to the man’s but filled with anger. His eyes widened at the sight of a man in an orange suit dancing with a woman in a white dress. They looked like light in a sea of shadows as they danced. The man above narrowed his eyes and raised a cigar to his lips. “Of course, it had to be you,” he whispered as he watched the two continue.

Fluttershy was enjoying herself as she laid her hands on his chest. The man spun her around, and as a final touch, just when the music came to a climactic end, he dipped her. The two stood for a second, ignoring the crowd as their eyes locked together, their chests rising and falling at the same speed, completely out of breath.

“Great show, Mr. Grogar,” said a voice from above.

He pulled Fluttershy back to him before fixing his suit. “Please,” he said with a roll of his head, as if stretching his neck. “Mr. Grogar is my father,” he chuckled. “Discord will always do, old friend,” he growled as he looked up.

The shadow above entered the light as he began to step down the stairs. “Yes, quite,” he muttered bitterly as he approached. His hair was similar to Discord's—long and wavy, almost like flames. But he had no white streaks and no facial hair. Yet his eyes were the same color as Discord’s; they were also far colder and lifeless.

“Just the man I wanted to see,” Discord said with a hint of sarcasm, as if mocking the man.

“Yes, I’m sure,” Sombra glared.

“Oh, how I miss the days when you and I used to argue about music all the time,” laughed Discord.

Finally, Sombra’s cold demeanor broke, revealing a crooked smile. “Since when were you let out?”

“A few hours ago; it’s actually why I’m here,” he said as he approached Sombra, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I wanted to chat,” Discord laughed, before looking back over his shoulder at Fluttershy.

From her perspective, she watched as the man’s entire focus shifted away from her. The knot in her stomach told her she wasn’t happy about it. She wanted to continue their dance. But as he glanced over his shoulder at her, it was clear he had had his fun and was now done with her. He looked at her as if she were merely an object of less value—like a toy given to a child to keep them entertained only to be tossed aside when something else came up.

Sombra cut the tension with a clap of his hands. “Get my music back, and bring us some drinks,” he smiled as he and Discord headed their way up the stairs. Fluttershy watched as the man she was so infatuated with for a moment disappeared into the shadows above. “Discord,” she whispered, a shiver coursing through her body, one that she couldn’t tell if it was good or bad.

Gilda walked down the steps, never noticing the two who walked past her. “Okay, well, it’s getting late; time for you to go home, Cinderella.”

“Fluttershy,” she corrected Gilda.

“Whatever. Look, if I don’t get you out of here, we’re both in trouble. I may have lied about getting you in; only members get a discount. Come on, before the security kicks us out.”

Fluttershy choked on her own surprise before rushing out alongside Gilda, hoping to find no trouble.

...

While Fluttershy and Gilda escaped, Discord and Sombra continued their chat.

...

Discord and Sombra walked into his private office, with a waiter behind them carrying drinks.

The office had a straight view of the party below through one of the closed windows; the other was lit by the moon and the city outside, serving as a backdrop behind the desk. Discord glanced at the stain-covered bed off in the corner but said nothing as he took a glass of whatever was in his cup and sat down across from Sombra.

Sombra cleared his throat as the waiter headed out, closing the door behind them. “So, how the hell did you get out?” he asked, swishing his drink around in his hand.

Discord grew a sly smirk as he settled back in his seat. “A previous fang who wanted out paid my bail.”

Sombra lowered his eyes and scoffed. “Luna, huh?”

“Yes, she apparently paid my bail in hopes that I would work with her. With me in charge, she hopes to get out of whatever contract she made with Tirek. I told her, ‘Once a fang, always a fang,’” he said, showing off his own. “Before agreeing with her.”

Sombra snickered at that. “You’ll never let her go,” he muttered lowly before taking a gulp of his drink.

“No,” Discord shook his head. “However, I will renegotiate her contract once I take back my stance.”

“So what are you doing here then? Shouldn’t you go to the boss?”

“He’s not your boss; I am,” Discord squinted his eyes and warned the man before returning to his laid-back attitude. “And I am no idiot, my old friend. Tirek will definitely try and keep his power,” he said as he raised his glass to his lips. “But my family's names are all on the documents. I can freeze the bank account and put a stop to his funds with a snap of my fingers.” He said before taking a sip.

“So why haven’t you? Why did you come to me instead?” Sombra muttered, emotionless.

Discord stifled a laugh before diving in. “I may have most of the cards, but I fear he holds my aces. If I make a move, he’ll come after me. I doubt his loyalty; you, on the other hand…” Discord took another sip before continuing, “I am sure you have only grown stronger in my absence.”

“You’re here to see if I’m still loyal to you?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Well, can you blame me? In the ten years I was gone, not one of you tried to visit me in the stony lonesome or pay my bail, despite your success,” Discord spread his lips wide. “Even though,” his eyebrows sharpened, “I’m the one who raised you from the dirt,” he growled, his lips morphing into a frown.

Sombra remained still and silent as he stared at the man across from him. With a deep breath, he avoided Discord’s gaze, turning his head away. “A civil war will not bode well. I’m staying out of it.”

“And when the time comes to choose, because it will happen,” Discord said almost robotically. Sombra turned his gaze, finding a bored expression on Discord’s face. “What’s he planning?” he asked in the same tone as before.

“Something big.” Sombra shifted in his chair. “Something that, if it goes according to his plan, could change the very nature of this town for good. We’d be rich beyond our wildest dreams—same with you.” Sombra grew a smirk. “He’s about to do something you always wanted to do—well, sort of.” Sombra chuckled. Discord’s eyes shot wide at that, but he tried to hide it by lowering them back. Too late; Sombra already saw. With a grin, Sombra showed his own fangs as he leaned forward on his desk. “This isn’t the right time to do this. Lay low, Discord; keep in the shadows, play your part, and I’m certain you’ll get everything you ever wanted,” Sombra said before he raised his glass again.

Discord broke eye contact with a head shake before gulping down the rest of his drink and slamming the glass down on the desk. “The fangs are mine, not his,” he hissed. “And I will rule this city, not him,” he growled.

Sombra's laughter rose from the depths; his entire chest shook. “I missed you, Discord,” he said as he tried to regain his composure. He shook his head, grinning as Discord's scowl grew darker, making Sombra wince in amusement. Once he gained control of himself, he cleared his throat and settled back in his chair. “For old times' sake, how about I get you a room and a couple of girls of your choice?” he proposed.

Discord groaned but managed a smile despite the fury in his eyes. “What about that girl in the white dress? She one of yours?” he asked as he got to his feet, fixing his suit.

“No, I never saw her before tonight.”

“Too bad,” Discord said as he headed out the door. “I would have paid double for a night with her,” he darkly chuckled before finishing his sentence with, “Don’t worry about it,” as he stood up.

“Discord,” Sombra called out in a sing-song voice, “You know I can’t just let you leave after everything you said.”

Discord gave a low laugh before looking over his shoulder. His gaze alone tested Sombra on his words, as if to say, try it, see what happens, I beg you. He watched as Sombra closed his eyes and looked the other way, as if to say, go ahead, I’ll look the other way just this once.

Knowing full well Sombra could change his mind at any moment, Discord took off out of the club as quickly as possible. He tore through the front doors and stomped to his red car, getting in the back and telling the driver to get going.

“So, how’d it go?” Luna asked as she drove.

“As well as you think. I got some useful intel,” he said as he pulled out his phone, which had been recording the whole time. “Now’s the part where you and I renegotiate our deal.”

Luna looked back, sweat forming on her brow. She then returned her gaze to the road, her lips quivering as she whispered, “Forgive me, sister. Forgive me…”

“Fluttershy…”

Chapter 5 The Invitation

Chapter 5 the invitation

When Fluttershy awoke the next day, it felt as if the night before—dancing in that club with a dangerous yet alluring man—was nothing more than a grave dream brought on by her hangover from the party. “Eleven thirty,” she mumbled as she looked over at the clock. She was still dressed in her bridesmaid dress, with no makeup on her face and her hair in a rubber band. She ignored this and crawled out of bed, trying to push aside the lingering feelings of him wrapped around her. She quickly fed her animals, who were more than upset with her for being not only late this morning but also for the night before. When had she gotten home? She couldn’t remember, but flashes of her walking into the room and dancing with the statues while laughing to herself about the night with the man flickered through her mind.

As she fed the snake, she twirled in a goofy motion over to her fish tank, repeating the same moves she had made when she got home last night, as well as the moves she had made while dancing alongside him. The snake gobbled down its dead mouse before wrapping around her arm, thankful for its meal. But its strong grip wasn’t what she felt when it crawled up her arm—oh no. Instead, she envisioned the way he pulled her back to him in his grip as she turned around to feed her parrot, letting the bird fly out of its cage and encircle her. But was it the bird she saw, or was it him dancing around her as he held on tight, much like the snake was now? When she felt something trace up her back, she turned to see her spider giving her a hello. But the spider wasn’t there when she looked at it. Instead, it was him with his mischievous grin as she fed the little creature some fruit flies and headed to its cage. She felt its legs crawl over her until it landed on her hip, just as his hand did when they danced backward.

She inhaled a peaceful breath as the animals retreated to their homes, now satisfied with their meals. She opened her eyes to find herself staring at another woman. She recognized her—it was herself in the mirror, her true self. To her surprise, she saw a grin on her face. The smile was not only mischievous; it was genuine and happy. Cool, collected, and confident—everything she had ever hoped for and wanted to truly be. Letting out a happy sigh, she watched as the smile faded, remembering how the end of her night played out. The man she was with, immediately after he was done with her, turned his back on her and left with someone wanting to talk business with him—apparently an old friend.

The memory of how much it stung to watch him leave her side, as if she were nothing at all to him—just a bit of fun and nothing more—shook her newfound confidence. She watched as the woman in the mirror undid the rubber band from her hair, letting her long locks drape over her face once more. It had only been a night of freedom—something she needed at the time—but her true reality began to set in quickly after that.

A thumping from below caught her attention, and she found her little bunny rabbit thumping his foot on the ground, crossing with her as he waited for his breakfast.

Yes, she had fed the other animals, but she hadn’t fed him yet. The creature that, at that moment, truly represented her truest reality. She soon grabbed a bowl of lettuce and chopped a few carrots. She had to feed the rabbit and shelter it, just like she needed to be sheltered and fed herself. Once again, she was no longer that amazing woman she found in the mirror. No, she was a rabbit who needed to be sheltered by her master, who had fed her for years on end. And right now, in all honesty, she needed that.

After feeding the little bunny, she went up the stairs and changed into her normal clothes. She put on her makeup and grabbed her purse, heading out the door to the one person who could comfort her unlike any other—despite the fact that she was still a rabbit—her mother.

…

Fluttershy walked up to a large wooden door, taking up as little space as she could when she walked. Keeping her arms wrapped around herself, her head down and her hair mostly hiding her face, she hesitantly lifted her hand and gave a gentle knock.

But just as she did, the door cracked open, catching her off guard and making her flinch back, startled by the sound of the door creaking. “That’s strange; my mother and aunt never leave the front door open,” she thought as she lifted her head to peek inside. Due to her emotional state, it never occurred to her that something was amiss until she saw a glimpse of broken glass inside.

Her jaw dropped as worry began to creep in, and she lunged through the doorway to find herself in what could only be described as a crime scene.

Inside the house was a complete mess. Glass from broken pictures and flower vases lay on the floor, and what looked like bullet holes sat in the white walls, with a large red stain ominously spread over them. Flowers and broken pottery were strewn across the couch, and the coffee table was broken clean in two.

“My mother! Where’s my mother? Mom!” Fluttershy cried out, stepping through the field of sharp glass as she tread over to the other side of the couch. But before she could look, something stopped her in her tracks. Almost as if an invisible force field created by her own emotions brought her to a halt, a chill ran down her spine.

“Mother,” she mumbled in a cold tone as she tried to brace herself for whatever was on the other side of the couch. A reality she didn’t want to face would be staring her dead in the eye if she so much as glanced from here. She should just turn away now, she thought. Turn away and pretend this wasn’t happening—that it was all a dream, no, a nightmare. A nightmare, yes, it was just a nightmare; I’m probably at home right now asleep,” she told herself, hoping to calm her rapidly beating heart. Soon, she began gasping for air, her lungs making it increasingly hard to breathe as her anxiety bubbled up to the surface.

“Breathe, damn it,” she cursed at herself. "A panic attack won’t help you right now," she yelled at herself as she clutched her chest. She took in a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Thank goodness she did, since a strange, pungent yet familiar scent crossed her nostrils.

She sniffed it a few times, trying to remain calm. “Wine,” she mumbled as she flashed back to her childhood. There wasn’t a day she could remember when her mother and aunt didn’t share at least one cup at night together. She recalled the one time she almost took a glass for herself at the age of eight, and her aunt stopped her.

“No, no, Fluttershy, that is a very adult drink, silly,” she smiled, holding a glass in her hand.

“Yeah, Fluttershy, here I got you some lemonade instead, kiddie,” her mother had said, pouring her a glass.

“Adult drink? What does that mean?” she asked, tilting her head.

“Oh, well, you see, it makes you dumber, and because of that, only adults who are big enough to fight off the dumb-dumbs can drink it,” her mother said, handing her a fruity lemonade instead. “When you’re older and become super smart, I’ll share a glass with you, alright, my big girl?” she smiled, showing off her fangs.

Her mother always had fangs and often refused to show them to anyone but her. Seeing them made her childhood self feel special and happy.

The warm feeling carried through her today, calming her mind. “Mom,” she let a tear drop over her chin. “I still haven’t had that glass with you yet,” she whispered to herself, reeling from the memory. The remorse she felt knowing she had tasted adult drinks without ever telling her mother about them or sharing one with her yet was overwhelming. It was a mix of emotions—remorse, longing, but most of all, relief. Why? Because she smelled her mother’s favorite red wine, not the scent of blood.

With this newfound mix of emotions, she turned and looked over the couch, finding a broken bottle and glass in a red pool, confirming Fluttershy’s suspicions about what was on the walls.

Her eyes moved from the red pool and trailed upward to find a crumpled piece of paper.

She cautiously picked it up and unrolled it, hoping to figure out just what was going on. The paper held several receipts—one from a tailor, one from a car dealer, and one for a motel called “Out Stars.”

“Out Stars? That’s not far away,” she bit her bottom lip and tried to think for a moment. Rising from the ground, a whole group of ideas ran through her mind. “Perhaps I should call the cops, or my aunt, or… or perhaps this was a silly accident and she’s at the motel,” she said, feeling hopeful. “Yes, that’s it! I’ll go to the motel and find her, and she’ll tell me how she made this silly mess, and we’ll laugh about it over a drink of wine.” She giggled to herself, trying to cope with reality as best she could, as she headed out the door, leaving the mess behind.

Fluttershy walked along outside the motel. It was clearly an older building, and a dirty one at that. The chipped and cracked wood of the structure, coupled with the pungent smell of piss, left the place looking anything but friendly. Fluttershy nearly gagged as she passed by. The sounds of cars and the smell of old gasoline didn’t help her keep her stomach down. Luckily, she hadn’t had much to eat that morning; otherwise, she surely would have barfed it up by now.

She stumbled a few steps, swaying slightly as she pulled out the receipt from before. She was going to lean against the wall, but decided against it when she saw how grimy and gross it was. She wasn’t a clean freak like her friend Rarity, but this place did leave an unsanitary impression that she wanted no part of. She glanced at the number on the receipt: “Room Thirteen.” “Huh,” she mumbled as she checked the door numbers. “Ten, eleven… Thirteen must be,” she questioned as she walked around the corner, finally finding the door she was hoping for.

As she approached, she could hear the sound of running water. “Someone has to be in there,” she thought before she gave the door a few taps, serving as a knock.

With that, she heard a groan coming from inside, confirming someone was in there at the very least. She knocked on the door louder in hopes of getting their attention.

“Oh great,” growled a deep, crackly voice from inside. Fluttershy stepped back just in time as the door flew open, revealing a large man in a towel, full of sweat and water droplets that dripped from his long, black, greasy hair.

Fluttershy’s face flushed brightly as she came face to face with the man’s bare chest, inches from her nose, giving her a scent of his body—a mix of sweat, fresh steam, and cologne that nearly made her faint at the sight of a thin but slightly toned naked chest in front of her.

She leaped back, hoping to block out the memory of it, as she tried to recollect herself and get right to the point. “Uh, sorry sir, but I am looking for my mother. Do you know—”

“Well, well, well,” a familiar smooth voice made her eyes shoot wide. “No, no, no, it couldn’t be,” she whispered as she prepared to look at the man in the towel again.

With his teeth bared, it was easy to see one larger tooth shaped like a fang from his upper lip. His fiery ruby eyes fixated on her, and an unsettling grin crossed his face as he raised one hand and knelt on the door frame.

“ I don’t have that kind of money on me. But you can tell your boss I’m thankful for his offer,” he said, squinting his eyes specifically at Fluttershy’s chest. “Unless you’re paid for,” he finished with a lick of his lips and a wiggle of his eyebrow.

The sudden seductiveness of his voice made her shiver, and not in a good way. But to both her and his surprise, it wasn’t fear that welled up in her but rage. She didn’t even think about what she was doing when she suddenly raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

There was little more than a bee sting from her slap. It wasn’t the pain that left him in complete and utter shock. His jaw dropped, his eyes wide, but it was just the fact that she slapped him that had him so perplexed. “Who in the world is she…” he mentally growled as he raised his gaze to look at her face. In that fleeting moment, he saw her determination. “It’s you,” he mouthed as she yelled back,

“Not on your life, asshole,” she replied with a groan of her own. If it were anyone else, that stare, that look in her eye, would frighten anyone; anyone but him. Instead, it brought an amused smile to his face, as he enjoyed the incoming chaos, only for it to come to an abrupt end the moment her hair hid her eyes again.

“Uhhh—I mean…” she stumbled back, tripping over the curb and falling flat on her butt.

A different kind of chaos, then. The one he was expecting, that was for sure. His lip curled and his scrunched nose showed his confusion at the moment. “Is this really the same girl?” he thought as he watched her shiver on the ground.

“What am I doing? What did I just do? It’s him! How in the world is it him?” she questioned over and over again in her mind as she stumbled to her feet, ignoring whatever liquid she sat in, staining the bottom of her pants.

“L-look, I, uh—” she stuttered, trying to regain her composure and failing to do so, until his creakily gruff voice brought her scrambled mind back into focus on him.

“What do you want?”

She turned to see who was standing there, gloating in the sunlight due to his damp body. But she ignored it and got right to the point. “My mother apparently paid for this hotel room, and I find you in it. Do you know Luna Star? Is she—” Fluttershy’s lips momentarily quivered. “In there with you?”

The man’s eyes shot wide at the mention of the name. “W-wait, you’re—” he raised his finger toward her. Suddenly, a convincingly evil laugh erupted from his throat, shaking his entire form in front of her. “You’re that bitch’s daughter,” he said between laughs as he banged on the door side.

“She’s not a bitch!” Fluttershy yelled back, showing her rage once more. “And she’s missing! I’m looking for her.”

“Missing?” he gasped, before readjusting his stance to his full intimidating height, ending his laughter abruptly. “Oh, that’s not good. Come on in, close the door,” he ordered, nodding his head for her to come inside after him.

Fluttershy momentarily flinched at his request, but knowing it was her only chance, she saw no other option but to follow him.

…

Inside the building was just as disgusting as outside. The white walls were now a musty yellow, and the dark red velvet drapes looked anything but comforting. The cracks along the wall and the cockroaches in the corner were anything but sanitary. A bed sat in the middle of the room, untouched by the look of it. Yet Fluttershy could tell she would rather not pull back the blankets and sleep there. An old TV sat chained to a TV stand, alongside a VHS tape and a list of movies she would rather not know the names of. An old dresser served as a nightstand, and on top of it, a duffle bag and a suitcase were the only nice things in the entire room.

Discord retreated to the bathroom, pulling a woman out by her hair.

“Hey,” she groaned as he tossed her onto the floor.

She was half-wrapped in a towel.

“Get dressed and get out!” Discord told her as he walked past and turned off the shower.

“Not without my money,” she replied as she grabbed a very thin jacket that did little to hide her large cleavage. Discord snatched his wallet from the bedside table and pulled out a few dollars.

Once the woman had her pants back on, she took the cash and counted it quickly. “This is only half,” she moaned. “We agreed on a hundred.”

“Half the time, half the pay,” Discord snorted. “Thank you for your services,” he mischievously smirked before grabbing her by the hair again and tossing her out the door.

“Hey, my jacket!” she yelled back. He grabbed a blue hoodie from the back of the room and threw it at her face before slamming the door shut.

He turned back, realizing he was still in his towel, and rolled his eyes. “It’s going to be a long day,” he groaned, mostly to himself in a bitter tone, as he turned his back to her and grabbed his underwear.

Fluttershy darted her eyes away, just as the towel slipped below his waist, her face burning hot as she covered her eyes.

Once he buttoned the last of his shirt, a passing glance was all he gave her. “You can look now,” he muttered before stepping back into the bathroom and looking at himself in the mirror.

Fluttershy peeked out and saw the man now dressed in the exact same clothes she remembered him wearing the night before. She watched as he slipped on his purple tie, contrasting with his orange pants and matching orange jacket, which he threw over his white polo shirt. He fixed himself up, pulling his messy hair back over his head with his hand. “Alright, let’s start with names. I’m Discord Grogar, and you?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

“Fluttershy Breeze. Tell me, what do you know about Luna Star?”

“Your mother? I can’t believe she actually had a child,” he gagged before walking out and fetching his hat. His cold gaze locked onto her for a moment, and Fluttershy retreated back under her hair, wondering if he recognized her from before. If he did, he didn’t show it. Instead, he placed his hat on, shading his eyes from her completely.

“My apologies,” he said, changing his tone. It shifted back to the smooth one she had met that very night at the club. “I should be more careful with my word choice,” he said, lowering his body a few inches before standing back up. “Forgive me, Luna and I were never really on friendly terms,” his lips curved into a frown. “But I didn’t think she was in that kind of danger.”

With his statement and sudden shift to a serious tone, Fluttershy could only feel her muscles tighten. He invited her to sit down with a gesture to the bed as he pulled on two celeste purple gloves. “What do you know of the Fangs?”

“You mean that weird club?” she mumbled as she cautiously sat on the bed, her face scrunching at the gross creaking sound it made.

Discord shrugged as he walked over to the dresser and pulled out a box from the top drawer. “I’m not surprised you think that way,” he said, with a slow beat to his words. Gone was the off-putting man she had just met a moment ago. Now stood an entirely different entity. “Most think the Fangs are just a silly club full of street thugs, and on the outside,” he shrugged his shoulders. “They’re not wrong... But,” he raised something from the box, “on the inside, the Fangs are one of the most notorious gangs in the world. That and the richest and wealthiest.” He turned to her with a pistol in his hand.

Fluttershy shrank back at the sight of the black metal object, but he only placed it in a holster on his back and pulled his jacket over it. “Your mother has some type of contract with its leader—one she wanted out of,” he said as he pulled out a pair of socks and put on a pair of black shiny, pointy dress shoes. After getting them on, he shook off the dust from them before continuing. “I was once in charge of said gang. She came to me, freeing me from prison in hopes I’d be able to get her out of whatever deal she made. However,” he raised his head to the shy girl, “she refused to go into too much detail about what said deal was until she had proof I was reliable. So I did a little job for her and got some intel that wasn’t really helpful. We agreed on dinner tonight; I was supposed to meet your mother for a meal and re-discuss our deal, but...” Fluttershy couldn't meet his eyes as he calmly spoke, as if this were just an everyday topic of conversation. “It seems he got to her. I shouldn't have left her alone, but she insisted I didn’t go home with her.”

“He—who’s he?” aske fluttersh.

“Tirek von Horns,” an old associate of mine who took over when I went to prison. I am more than certain he is behind this and probably had one of the Fangs kidnap her in order to get her to comply with whatever it is he wants.

“And you, what is it that you want?” asked Fluttershy, barely audible. Her body shivered for a moment, but she tightened her grip on her arm in hopes it would stop.

“Simple, really,” his lips curled back into a playful grin. “I want my power back. I’m planning to go toe-to-toe with Tirek and whatever he has in store. You see,” he raised a gloved finger, “I am, in fact, the holder of the banks. If I say so, I can cut him off, but…” he flattened his hand. “Tirek will come after me. I’m certain by now that Sombra has told him of my release.” Storming near, Discord sat there for a moment quietly, then added, “I don’t know what he wants with your mother, but I’ll figure it out. It seems he doesn’t know about you, or he’d already have you, so,” Discord shrugged, “stay out of it and leave it to me.”

“No,” Fluttershy shook her head. “I can’t do that. She’s my mother.” She sniffled in distress. “Please, Discord, I need to find her. I need—”

“You need to stay safe. That, I’m pretty sure, is what your mother would have wanted.” He chuckled sinisterly. “This is your last chance.” He raised his head just enough for his blood-red eye to peek out of the shadow from his hat.

Fluttershy felt her entire body shiver under his piercing gaze, but as he held up his hand, clearly inviting her into the shadows, she stared at it, remembering how far she had come already.

The determined, confident woman who lived without fear and smiled a genuine grin—she saw her reflection in the mirror. Along with the comforting words of Rarity playing in her mind.

“You’re just shy, that’s all. Look, the next guy that catches your eye, all you have to do is not let your fears get in the way. Got it?”

“Though it was indeed boy advice, it was life advice too. Her mother was now in danger, and all she had to do was take his hand and become that lady once more in order to save her. She couldn’t sit and shiver and roll up into a ball this time. She had to do whatever it took, and without hesitation, she placed her hand into his leather glove again. The same figure who had once shown her a glimpse of this life would bring her fully into it.

And so, as he shook her hand, he pulled her to her feet and gave a resolute nod before he began leading her out the door.

Chapter 6: A Glimpse Into Darkness

“So where are we going?” Fluttershy asked as she sat in the passenger seat of a red hot rod car. The driver flashed a goofy grin as he increased speed. “With your mother now gone, we’ll have to be on our toes. The fangs are going to be out looking for me, at the very least. But—” He raised his head as he rolled the car into a gas station in a rougher part of town, by the looks of it. The houses were old, and many of the buildings, grocery stores, and skyscrapers were dilapidated, some with signs that read "condemned" on boarded-up places. “I know where we could at least start getting some information,” he told her before hopping out and heading inside. Fluttershy got out and followed, remembering how he told her to stay close to him.

Yet her mind was elsewhere. She couldn’t stop thinking about the dance from the night before. Just her luck that not only did her mother go missing, but it would lead her right back into the arms of the man she had dreamed of ever since their dance. However, the sting of him walking away from her, his back turned to her as if she were nothing, still hung in her mind as she stared at his back.

“Why am I so hung up on this?” she asked herself, crossing her arms. “I just met him; it’s not like I’ve known him for years, yet—”

The memory of the way he held her in his grip as he spun her into him surfaced. “It felt so nice to be held,” she thought as she lowered her gaze to the floor. “Come on, Fluttershy, it’s not like he’d ever love you; it was on a whim he danced with you, nothing more. Your mother is what’s important now. Forget about this shoot nonsense and—” Her mind was abruptly halted when she saw him slip his hand into a passing bystander’s back pocket and snatch his wallet.

She immediately ran up to him and snatched it out of his clutches before he could put it in his jacket. He spun around furiously as he watched Fluttershy momentarily return it to its owner.

“Sir, sir, you dropped this,” she smiled.

The man checked his pockets at the sight of his wallet in her hands. “Thanks, lady,” he said, taking it back from her and wondering how it fell out in the first place.

Fluttershy watched him as he walked away, glad she did the right thing, before turning around and seeing Discord quickly storming down the street. In hopes of catching up with him, she picked up the pace.

“Hey, hey, slow down! Why—”

“You!” He snarled, turning his heel on her. The look in his eye startled her, making her stumble back and tumble into a trash can. “Let’s get one thing straight!” He raised a finger at her. “I do what I want; you listen to me, and if you’re lucky, I might get your mom back, and we can go our separate ways!”

“But, but, I—”

“If you think that pickpocketing a little cash is the worst thing you’re gonna see, then you got another thing coming!”

Fluttershy opened her mouth to reply but was ultimately too scared to say anything back. It was only a moment ago that he invited her into his world. It was almost romantic in a way, his hand held out to her from the shadows, yet here that was all gone in the blink of an eye. Did she imagine it? Was it all in her head? Was she actually that gullible to believe there was something more when she looked into his striking red gaze? The dance before the dream, she had — was it nearly just her own drunken mind mixing her up? Was this who he really was? Was this Discord, Grogar?

“I’m talking bloody fistfights and bullets flying around your damn head,” he said, fangs bared. Though his larger one did hang out of his mouth, when he bared his teeth, he showed three other smaller ones, perfectly canine-like. “Never get in my way, or you’ll be the first one this dog bites!” He jumped forward at her, making her lunge back onto her backside again. She quickly nodded, scared of what he’d do if she refused him or, worse, made him angrier.

“Good,” he smiled, letting his demeanor fade back into a happy mood as if the frightening fury never existed at all. “Get in the car; I’ve got an old friend to meet up with,” he told her nonchalantly as he got inside.

Fluttershy dusted herself off, still shaken by the sudden shift in his tone. Her lip quivered for a moment as she walked over to the other side of the vehicle. But before she opened the door, she caught herself reaching her hand out on top of the car for a moment, collecting her nerve before ultimately getting inside and joining him. She didn’t dare say one word to him after that for fear of pissing him off again. Instead, she sat back, watching the landscape turn from bleak to worse. The sight of those on the streets grew increasingly rougher the further they drove.

“Welcome to the south side of town. Stay close, alright? This place is crawling with fangs. If the fang club is the heart of the gang, then we’ve just entered its lungs. This territory is pretty exclusive to them.”

“If that’s the case, then why are we getting so close?” Fluttershy lowered her head onto her shoulders, hoping that he wouldn’t snap at her again.

“Simple. Ever heard the expression 'an eye for an eye'? Well, this is pretty much a 'fang for a fang.' That is essentially the motto of the fangs. It means two things,” Discord said as the two of them passed down a street leading to more of the suburbs, if you could call this part of the town that. “What goes around comes around; scratch my back, and we'll scratch yours. Bite my hand, and we'll bite yours.” Discord narrowed his eyes at a house on the corner he was approaching.

“The fangs are loyal—up to a point. That is number one of its two meanings.”

“And the other?” She inhaled the scent of ash and debris as the car rolled to a stop.

“Never give up till the last man standing,” he half groaned, half whispered. “It means that as soon as we walk in there, if they choose not to play ball, this could result in a bloody mess. Luckily for you,” he puffed up instantly, “you have me. Let’s go.” He tapped her on the head like a pet before getting out of the car.

Fluttershy momentarily sat disjointed at his sudden switch in demeanor. But ultimately, she got out of the car and joined him. “You know, not that it’s not a nice car and all, but…” She eyed the vehicle as she joined him on the curb. “It stands out—a lot.”

“Never said I was hiding. Why hide when you hold all the cards and have nothing to lose?” Discord replied before clicking the lock on his key. In response, the car honked as the lights flashed before he walked over to a building that looked worse for wear, despite the obvious signs of someone living there: laundry hung outside to dry and cats swirling around the place gave it a lively feel despite its rough exterior.

Discord didn’t hesitate to pound on the door. When it opened, a rather skinny tall man, much like Discord himself but far weaker, popped his head out. “What do you—wahhh!” he yelled as he tried to close the door, only for Discord to kick it open, overpowering the man and flinging him back against the doorframe.

“Ahh, you remember me,” Discord cooed as he shoved his hands into his pockets and walked right past him into the place.

“Wah, what are you—why are you—” the man spat as he got to his feet.

“I distinctly remember a time when a kid down on his luck stumbled across my path,” Discord said as he began observing the house. It was more or less one long hallway, with a bedroom on one side and a kitchen on the other. The place was filled with cats and the smell of tuna.

Discord took one sniff and scrunched his nose, covering it for a moment before continuing. “By the time I went into prison, that kid was well on his way to becoming a full-fledged fang member, and now look,” Discord spun on his heel, giving the man an over-the-top bow. “You worked your way to the top as one of the head fangs. Congratulations, Capper.” Fluttershy walked in, unsure of what to do as the man known as Capper brushed himself off and began fixing his door.

“You're not here to congratulate me; I know you too well, Discord,” he groaned as he tested the door, but it only fell off its hinges, making it worse. He rolled his eyes, tossing it aside before returning to his unwanted houseguest. “Does the boss know of your escape?” he grinned.

“I’m the boss!” Discord momentarily snarled before righting himself. “And I didn’t escape; I was set free—bail paid by Luna Star,” he smirked warningly.

“Is that so? Well, it’s only a matter of time before Tirek finds out,” Capper leaned his back against the wall, ignoring the black cat that walked his path.

“Which is why I’m here. I’m looking for… I tell you, I’m hoping the sly cat boy I remember back then can help me.”

“Is that so? And why me, when I learned everything from—”

“Me,” but—” Discord flung one finger in the air. “I’ve been in the slammer for the last decade. You may know a way or two…” Discord dropped the nice guy act momentarily and put on a look of intimidation as he slowly approached Capper, towering over even him. And Capper wasn’t exactly short either, but he was nothing compared to Discord's height and stature. “One that might get me closer to Tirek without going through the entire gang. I don’t want to slaughter every member on my way to the top.” He finished, setting his arms across his chest.

At the dark implications, Capper let out a half scoff, half pitying laugh. “You need a friend out there then, huh? Well,” he slid across the hall and gave a bow as equally over-the-top as Discord's. “A fang for a fang,” he smiled, showing his own sharpened teeth. “I’ll see what I can dig up from the old radio reports and let you know in say…” He tapped his chin in thought. “Three weeks, maybe four,” he shrugged. “These things take time, ya know.” He waved his arms out, indicating the clock. “And I have so many other obligations as a fang among fangs—”

“Enough games!” Discord yelled, picking Capper up off the ground and holding him by nothing but his coat. “Luna Star was kidnapped, and I have no doubt who’s responsible for it,” he growled, furiously frightening Fluttershy, who could only stand frozen in her spot by the door.

“Kidna—b-but,” Capper choked as Discord's grip never wavered. “But the code—”

“You know as well as I do that the code is merely guidelines. However, if I can get proof that Tirek is behind it, I can submit it to the high fang court. I can band the division together and uprise against him. Now—” Discord tossed him onto his butt. “Now spill it! What can you give me?!”

“Tha—that won’t be easy. Besides, Luna left the fangs, so most fangs are not gonna care if she goes missing,” Capper said as he rubbed his backside, where he hit the ground. “She turned her back on us and—”

“A fang is a fang!” barked Discord. “And no fang ever leaves the fangs.” His eyes narrowed. “A fang for a fang; she has the right to bear hers just like we all do against Tirek.”

“Even so, even if she was a proud fang member that everyone loved—which she’s not,” Capper raised a finger before flattening it. “The fang leaders are all made up of loyalists to Tirek, including—” Before he could finish his sentence, Discord let out a grumpy snort. In response, Capper decided it was best to avert his eyes and not finish his sentence. Instead, he changed the subject immediately. “If you’re going after him, it will cause a civil war among the fangs. And even as a gang leader, I don’t think many of my own members will agree to join a losing side. So how are you going to convince them to follow you? 'Cause I don’t think any of them will just for Luna’s sake.”

Discord turned his back to him as he tightened his grip. “The same way I always have.”

“Oh, I see; that’s a good motivator, I guess. So,” Capper lowered his head, “I pledge my loyalty to you, sir. My loyalties born of fear.”

“Good. Then I have a simple task for you. Gather a dozen fang members you can trust and bring them to me. Oh, and you also need to keep our little meeting a secret from all the other fang leaders, while subsequently—” A conniving and disturbing grin slid onto Discord's lips. “Spy on them and gather what info you can that can help me build a case against him.”

Capper rose as he nodded. “Yes, sir. And who is she?” he asked, tilting his head at Fluttershy.

“Oh, I’m—”

“Not important. Her role in this is classified. Tell no one you saw me with anyone else, got tha—? Hey!!!” He yelled as a liquid dropped from the ceiling above. It was a cat letting some out.

“Watch the suit,” he said, brushing himself off. “It’s all I have,” he growled.

“Mr. Whiskers,” groaned Capper. “Sorry, sir; I can have it washed if—”

“No, it’s fine. Come on, let’s go.” He said, retreating to the door.

Fluttershy could only follow obediently, hoping she wouldn’t set him off again.

…

It didn’t take long after they left Capper for her stomach to begin to grumble. By the light of the sun, it was dusk, and she was not only nowhere closer to finding her mother, but she hadn’t had a bite to eat since the night before. Even then, with the wedding going on and everything she was momentarily going through, she had barely had a full meal in about three whole days. The strain was now catching up to her body, and she began to feel sick as her head ached for nutrients.

“I’m hungry,” she muttered to the driver.

“Sure, we’ll stop by McDonald’s,” he said, never taking his eyes off the road.

She chanced a glance, hoping to find him in a good mood. But neither a smile nor any rage was seen on his face. Instead, his eyes looked heavy, and his lips were set in a monotone, bored expression. Was he tired? Was he unhappy? She couldn’t tell, but ultimately, she dared not chance another outburst like she had gotten earlier.

…

Discord rolled up to the front, parking in a siding. He didn’t even bother with the drive-through, and Fluttershy was just happy to finally get out of the car. She wasted no time the second the vehicle came to a stop, quickly opening the door and hoping that once she was out, she’d be able to breathe. The silent tension she felt in the car had nearly choked her.

With an inhale, she smelled the scent of French fries, and a smile spread across her face as she remembered Sunset from the other day coming into her little house with the same smell. It caused a giggle to escape her throat. The sound of her own laughter gave her a little spark. She hadn’t laughed since the moment she met Discord just hours ago, and yet so much had changed in such little time; she wondered if she would ever laugh again. Even so, she pulled out her wallet from her purse and began heading inside, only to stop at the curb when she noticed he wasn’t following her. She turned around just as she saw him lean back in the car, making no attempts to get out.

At first, Fluttershy turned towards the McDonald’s, utterly confused, before turning back to see him sitting in the car. For a moment, she looked back at the McDonald’s as if it were her salvation away from him. But her puzzled expression about why he wasn’t following her began eating away at her, and despite her growling stomach, she couldn’t help but wonder why. Finally, she turned back and headed to the car once more, thinking, “I must be insane.”

As she approached the car, she tapped on the window, catching Discord's attention. He lowered the window but remained where he was, asking “What?” in an empty tone.

“Coming?” Fluttershy asked, barely audible.

“Nope,” he replied dryly.

“Well, what do you want? I’ll get it for you,” she offered in her typical quiet voice.

“Nothing,” he rolled his eyes.

“But you’re hungry?”

“I am no—” Suddenly, his stomach gave him away. He groaned in frustration at his body’s betrayal.

Fluttershy giggled with a high-pitched tone at him. “Come on, we’ll—”

“I can’t,” he said with a sharpened eyebrow.

His dull response made her blink in confusion. “Why not?”

“Doesn’t matter, just—” he growled, growing furious once again. In fear that he would lash out at her again, she took a step back. But he only sighed, the fury melting away as his stomach grew louder. “I don’t have any—” he mumbled the last word.

“I’m sorry,” Fluttershy replied with a tilt of her head. She was usually the one mumbling and being asked to speak louder. For once, she was on the opposite side of the question, surprisingly.

“I don’t have any money.”

“I can’t hear—”

“I said I don’t have any money!” he barked, scaring her again before banging the side of his car and slumping in his seat. “I spent the last of it on gas, alright? Now go and eat before I take you home.”

Fluttershy blinked and turned to the restaurant. She then looked back at him, moping. “I can get you a—”

“I didn’t ask you for your charity,” he spat at her. “Now either get in the car or go and get your food,” he warned.

“Come on, I can get you a hamburger. What do you want on—”

“I said no!” he grumbled, sliding his hand through his hair and then onto his face with a moan. The last thing he heard was the sound of the woman's footsteps fading away. He opened one of his eyes and watched her figure in the rearview mirror, focusing on her hips swaying from side to side until she disappeared into the restaurant.

With a low laugh, Discord shook his head. “Gotta admit, she looks good at least,” he grumbled to himself as he popped his lips and set his hat over his eyes.

…

Fluttershy ate in silence, enjoying the taste of a simple hamburger with ketchup, mustard, and sweet pickles. The tangy taste from the onions filled her mouth with fleeting joy. Despite her long day, at least she could eat, taking her mind off of things if only for a fleeting moment. She devoured the whole burger in just a few bites and scarfed down the fries, feeling like a pig. Despite her physique not appearing overweight at all, she needed to keep her strength up if she was ever going to find her mother. She got up and threw her wrapper away but lifted her bag that held a second burger she had no intention of eating. It didn’t take long for her to wrap it up in a bag and return to Discord, hiding the bag of extra food in her purse.

…

Returning to Discord, her plan was to hide it until the last minute when she could leave it in his car for him. She needed him to keep his strength up, despite his pride. The moment she got back to the car, they rolled away. The only words exchanged between them were directions to her apartment.

Once they pulled up, Fluttershy stepped out, tossing the brown paper bag containing his hamburger aside.

“What’s this?” he growled.

“You have to keep your strength up, whether you like it or not,” she said, standing outside the door with her back to him. “You may not like it, but until my mother is returned to me, this will be my payment.”

“I didn’t ask for—”

“No, but this is my money, and I’ll buy what I want, thank you very much. It isn’t charity,” she replied before closing it and heading inside.

…

She walked inside her house, her pet rabbit jumping in the corner for his food. All her animals were hungry except for her snake, which she had fed that morning and would be good for a week. She quickly fed her fish, the bunny, and the bird, a look of fatigue spreading across her face.

Afterward, she climbed the steps to her bedroom, tossing her purse aside. Her eyes were heavy as she did so. She didn’t even bother to change into her pajamas. She finally covered herself with the blankets and laid down. For a moment, she lay there in silence, worn out from the day’s events— from dining out with her mother being kidnapped, to meeting Discord and ending up in a rough part of town. The day’s events finally caught up to her, and her vision quickly grew murky from tears. Finally, she opened her mouth and let out a powerful wail.

“Mommy,” she cried as she began to feel her anxiety take hold. Her body started to itch all over as she swirled in place until she could no longer breathe. She shot up, realizing it was happening again. Her heart pounded as if it were about to burst through her chest. She leaped from the bed and got on the floor, pulling out a small box labeled “Emergency” from underneath it, and quickly opened it, revealing a little bag full of leaves with a marijuana sticker on it.

Chapter 7 A Rough morning

Author's Note

I know I uploaded a chapter this week but chapter 12 of this turned out so good I wanted to get to it a little faster, so I’m uploading chapter 7 a bit ahead. Hope you all enjoy the double upload this week

Chapter 7 A Rough morning

Fluttershy lay awake in her bed, her body feeling drained of all energy. She wanted so desperately to get up and feed her animals. But that morning, despite being fully awake, every ounce of her didn’t move as she lay there, helpless. Her mind couldn’t even think of a single thing, her head feeling so foggy. Suddenly, a loud knock coming from downstairs, along with the ring of her doorbell, caught her attention. With a drained moan, she tightened her muscles, trying to stand. Stumbling out of bed, her legs felt like jelly as she swayed left and right. But as she got to the steps, her senses became clearer. She could smell the awful, familiar stench and looked down to her hand, finding the source in her right hand.

A half-smoked joint of weed sat between her fingers. With a wave of her left hand, she looked at it, trying to remember the events of yesterday. Finally, it came to her like being hit by a bus.

Her mother was missing, her attempt at finding her, of course, meeting Discord and the way he snapped at her—all finishing off with going home empty-handed. Until she headed up to bed, thinking she would cry herself to sleep when a panic attack struck her, and she pulled out her emergency stash and lit the whole thing up in one go. “Damn it,” she thought as the knock on the door became ever louder. Stumbling out of bed, she rushed to see who it was, finding the last thing she wanted to see that morning.

“Cops,” she internally panicked and snapped her eyes back to the substance in her hand. “Oh God.”

“Fluttershy,” she heard a familiar, otherworldly voice from the other side of the door.
“Celestia,” her eyes shot wide. “My aunt Celestia is with them,” she internally screamed, before verbally saying, “Uh, just a minute,” she said louder for them to hear. She then ran through the apartment, leaping up the steps, not even bothering with the danger of slipping down them.

…

Meanwhile, in the hot rod parked on the side of the curb, not too far away from the door, Discord stumbled in his sleep until he rolled over. Big mistake, since the second he did, he fell, hitting the car floor. With a groan, he was finally awake, his body in knots. He tried his best to stretch in hope of finding relief, only for a surge of pain to strike his body. “Ouch,” he groaned, before clearing his eyes of whatever dust he had accumulated. “Still better than sleeping in that prison cell,” he mumbled to himself, as he remembered the stale brick of a mattress he once had no choice but to use. He could still feel their metal springs on his back. For months, he was more comfortable sleeping on the ground of his cell than what they provided him. But as he slapped his lips and yawned, he opened his eyes just to a sight that immediately spiked his heartbeat.

A woman sat just outside Fluttershy's house, along with three cops. He immediately ducked just in time before one of them turned in his direction. “Damn it, what are they doing here?” he groaned as he pulled the back seat down, revealing a space into the trunk of the car. The real reason he got this vehicle was for this purpose. Sure, he liked the color and the flashy design, but it also had a great hiding spot for him if need be. He crawled into the back, pulling the back seat over him, once again submerged in darkness. “Ha, if it weren’t for my nerves, I’d go back to sleep back here,” he chuckled to himself, as he wondered what on earth they wanted.

…

As soon as she got to her bedroom, the stench of weed made her gag. “God, I can’t let them in here with this,” she thought, running to the window and popping it open before turning on her fan. She then ran to the bathroom and came back with a bottle of lavender perfume, spraying it all over the area. She tossed her half-joint in a lunchbox and hid it underneath her bed. “God damn it, of all the times for the cops to show up,” she thought as she sniffed her clothes. Turning to her closet, she changed into her pajamas and sprayed herself down with more perfume before running back downstairs to the door. With a swift motion, she opened it and set her sights on her aunt and the officers.

“Ca-can I help you?” she stuttered.

“Yes, Fluttershy, hi you—” a man dressed in a coat tried to say, but Celestia rushed in instead.

“Oh, Fluttershy!” her aunt interrupted the cop and immediately wrapped her in a hug. “We have some awful news to discuss, dear. I’m sorry, but my sister—” she sniffled, trying to hold back tears.

At that very moment, reality slapped her right in the face. It was bad enough she was dealing with all of this by herself; the fact that she wasn’t the only one who lost someone only made her heart ache worse. As she stood there, hearing the whimpers in her aunt's voice—someone she always looked up to as the brave, strong, confident adult—fall apart before her, Fluttershy could only stand still and listen as her aunt did everything she could to hold it together. And why was she doing this? For herself, maybe, but mostly it was all too clear she was trying to stand strong for Fluttershy, for her niece who was also going through the motions at that moment.

But Fluttershy had already had her time to process and cry, and now she needed to be the one to stand tall. Slowly, but surely, her body moved on its own, wrapping her arms around her aunt, holding her as close as possible, surprising Celestia in the process.

Her eyes shot wide as she felt Fluttershy hold her in a comforting embrace. She looked down, expecting to see tears falling down her niece's face, but instead, she saw a look of burning confidence strike the young woman’s eyes. Despite being much taller than her and older, Celestia couldn’t help but feel like a child as she stared at the bravery of Fluttershy. With a sigh, she shed her last tear, and her lips quivered into a smile as she softly said, “You’ve grown up, Fluttershy…” before undoing the hug and turning to the officers waiting.

“You remember Detective Rhubarb, don’t you?”

The man in the trench coat lifted his hat in a friendly gesture. “Detective Rhubarb at your service. Yes, hello, Mr. Pie. How’s your daughter?”

“Oh, Pinkie is working today; otherwise she’d be here too, I’m sure. Maybe come in, Miss Breeze. There’s a lot we must discuss.”

Fluttershy blinked, emotionless, before stepping aside and letting the cops into her home. As one of them walked past her, he caught wind of a strong lavender scent and sneezed. “Sorry, allergic to laven—achoo.” He sneezed again.

“Oh, it’s my perfume. I still must have some on from yesterday,” she wiggled her lips into a convincing smile, hoping the officer wouldn’t catch any other scent on her at the moment.

Once all were inside the room, they sat down on the couch and chairs in the living room. The detective cleared his throat and was the only one standing in front of the TV. “Miss Breeze—”

“Please, Mr. Rhubarb, I’ve seen you at Pinkie’s birthday parties, just call me Shy,” Fluttershy mumbled, barely audible as usual.

“Yes, well, Shy,” he continued. “I am looking into the missing case of your old vice principal. When Mrs. Star here came home yesterday from working late the night before, she found her house in shambles and her sister missing. She called the cops, and since then I’ve instantly begun a full investigation as soon as I could. As I began looking through files, however, I stumbled onto something that threw me for a loop.” He said, grabbing a briefcase from another officer and setting it on the table. Once opened, it revealed a set of files, and he searched through them until he found what he was looking for.

“Oh great, here it comes,” Fluttershy thought to herself as the detective pulled out a paper.

“Luna Star’s name is on your birth certificate. I brought this up with Celestia, and she said it was best to come to you. Since I found your fingerprints at the crime scene, I was going to have to come and talk to you anyway, but Miss Star here insisted she came along too. Care to explain?” He raised an eyebrow, speaking as professionally as he could.

Fluttershy inhaled and let out a depressed sigh. “When my mother was very young, she got pregnant and had me. She gave me my father's name, though, and due to my anxiety and shyness, she did whatever she could to give me a life free of worry, including…” Fluttershy rolled herself up into a ball on the couch. “Letting me go to school without being labeled the principal's pet. But yes, Luna is my mother, and Celestia is my aunt. I know they’re missing because I went to their house yesterday and saw the scene. I then went searching for her but found no evidence and came home.” She winced as she began sniffling. “I was going to call the cops as soon as I woke up, but—”

“Oh sweetie, I am so sorry,” her aunt wrapped her arm around Fluttershy.

“I see. That explains why we found your DNA at the scene of the crime,” the detective placed a hand to his temple. “I see… Well, whoever did it is good. They not only destroyed the camera footage, but they also took Luna’s phone as well. We’re trying to track them down but have had no luck on the case. I stayed up all night last night looking for a possible solution.”

“Th-thank you,” Fluttershy mumbled as she dried her tears.

“Oh, but we do have one lead,” he said, holding up one finger and kneeling back over the case.

“A lead?” Fluttershy raised her head, her eyes glinting with light. “Perhaps they’ve found out about Tirek and the fangs. Perhaps they know where she is and how to get her.” With this in mind, her heart felt a flutter of hope lifting her spirits, only for them to fall apart the moment the detective opened a new folder. All her hope came crashing down as she looked upon the image of a mugshot.

“This is Discord Grogar, a very dangerous criminal,” he said, handing Fluttershy the folder. She looked in awe and horror as she took in the information on the page.

Crimes include resisting arrest six times, four robberies, fifteen street fights, and eight disturbances of the peace. “One act of arson and one attempted murder charge at the age of seventeen, leading him to fifty years in the state penitentiary.” As Fluttershy read these claims, her heart ached as she looked back at the photo. He was clearly younger in it, but she could tell by his red eyes and sharp fangs that it was him.

“He spent ten years in maximum security prison, but we have security footage of your mother paying his one hundred thousand dollar bail in cash. How she got that money, we don't know, but why she would let out a scumbag like him, I hope you can provide us answers.”

“No,” she infamously declared on the spot. “No, I—I don't know anything,” Fluttershy lied and diverted her eyes downward, hoping no one would catch it.

The detective raised an eyebrow at her but let it go. “Alright, thank you,” he said, taking the file back and closing his case. “It may be possible Mr. Grogar has kidnapped your mother, holding her hostage until he gets whatever he wants. He may have threatened your mother into doing something; I’m not sure yet.” He said as he took his case and turned to the door. “Either way, I promise you, as a friend of my niece and daughter, I will not rest until I find this Discord and get to the bottom of this crime.” He told her, looking over his shoulder.

Fluttershy could only lower her head further down, almost into her lap, thankful for his help and secretly wishing he’d leave it alone.

“Now, normally I would set a police guard on you, but seeing how much distress you’re in, I think it’s best if I just let your aunt take it from here. Besides, her house is a crime scene, and so she will need a place to stay anyway.”

“Thank you, officer,” Celestia nodded, before turning to Fluttershy, her lips still quivering.

Fluttershy lifted her head, giving her aunt a small nod, silently confirming that she could stay in the guest room.

With the matter settled, the officer wasted no time and headed on his way. But before the last one could leave, he stopped and turned back. “Oh, uh, one more thing,” said the sneezing cop. “Ma'am, is that sports car outside yours?”

“Sports car? Uhhh, yeah,” she fumbled, remembering who actually owned it.

“Well, ma'am, it’s a nice car, but it’s in a fire lane,” he said, fixing his hat. “I should give you a ticket, but instead, I’ll let you off with a warning. Please remove it when you can.” He told her before leaving with the others. But before he left, another sneeze struck him.

“Uhh, yes, officer. I’m afraid I was just so caught up yesterday that I parked it there, so I will—thanks again,” Fluttershy quickly said, sounding nearly as fast as Pinkie, before closing the door behind her and crumbling to the wall.

“A sports car? When did you get that?” Celestia tilted her head.

“Oh, uh, no, never mind that,” she dashed her eyes away from her and began thinking, Where’s Discord? “Anyway, I’d better get ready for work, so feel free to take a look at the guest bedroom.”

Her aunt was thankful for the room, but she was smarter than that. Crossing her arms and adjusting her hips, she smiled but gave her niece a ‘mhmm’ sound that told her she was not convinced. “If you don’t want to talk about it, I understand. But—” she raised her pitch and widened her eyes, as if to say, I’m watching you. “When you are ready, I am here to listen.”

With a groan, Fluttershy headed back upstairs, wanting to distance herself from her aunt's all-wise gaze. “I have to get ready for work, and so do you.”

“Is that really a good idea?” Her aunt's voice echoed off the walls, surrounding her as if it were an arm wrapping around her. “Such a traumatic event, I am taking the time off, and I think it’d be best if—”

“No,” Fluttershy's voice snagged Celestia's attention back as an odd silence built between the two ladies. “I have things I have to do. I can’t fumble on my responsibilities just because my mother is missing. She wouldn’t want me to do that.”

“But fluttee-“

Fluterhys didn’t give that aunt a chance to say a mother word before running up the steps, to get ready for work.
…

Meanwhile Discord in the trunk listens carefully for any sign of the cops. He could hear them leaving, giving him a sigh of relief for the time being. “Hmm now what,” he argued with himself as he began to crawl out the back seat, only for the sighting of fluttershy along with someone walking up to the car. In seconds he dashed back in the trunk.

…

“Alrighty, if that’s what you wish to do, I won’t stop you, but—” Celestia raised a finger as she tightened her grip on her purse. “I will not let you break the law; your mother would kill me if I did.” She finished, setting her free hand on her hip.

“Break the law? But I have a—”

“A permit not a license,” her aunt chirped. “I cannot let you drive by yourself, so I’m coming with you.”

“But—” Fluttershy tried to interject before giving up completely, knowing her aunt.

“You can go to work, and with my free time, I will go shopping. Maybe catch a movie,” Celestia said, placing a hand on her chin as a frown edged on her face.

Fluttershy, for a moment, stared at the woman before her. Celestia was tall and beautiful, with a rainbow of pink, green, and blue hair that seemed to sparkle in the sunlight. A bit of jealousy for her height stuck in Fluttershy, but she was amazed at how strong her aunt stood as the principal of a school. The one thing that always puzzled her, though, was why Celestia never had kids of her own. With her looks, it would have been easy to snatch a man, and yet here she was, the only family she ever had being Luna and herself.

Now, with her sister missing, Fluttershy felt bad being the only family member Celestia had left; here she was already ditching her. The guilt was already swelling in her stomach, but she knew she had to if she was going to get anywhere to find her missing mother.

“Alright then,” Celestia said, bringing Fluttershy out of her thoughts as she headed to the trunk of the car. “You drive, and we’ll see how you do.” She continued, unlocking the handle. “But if this car has anything to do with you feeling like you need to catch some eyes, let me give you some auntie advice,” she said, raising the trunk but never taking her gaze off of Fluttershy.

“You don’t need some fancy car and a change of personality to get what you want.”

“You—you know about—”

“Shy, the whole town knows about your crush on that Big Mac fellow. There were endless rumors around the school about it, but I am glad, mostly for your mother’s sake, that you chose to be more professional. But sneaking away from the wedding and then showing up with some hot rod clearly shows there is some room to grow…” She said, never noticing the man who lay in the trunk. She tossed her bag in over Discord's face.

Fluttershy’s eyes shot wide, and she immediately jumped between Celestia and Discord, hiding him in an instant. She tossed her bag in and closed the trunk quickly, hoping her aunt didn’t see him. “Uhh, okay, yeah, I get it, I just…” she stumbled as her mind began to race.

Great, of course, this had to come up now: her old crush marrying one of her friends and the whole issue with her mother. “Damn it,” she cursed herself in her mind as she turned to her aunt. She had to say something and say it fast.

“Alright, fine, I got the car, trying to look cool so I can attract a man. Happy?” she stomped, lowering her eyebrows to a sharp point. She just hoped Celestia would buy the lie that it was even her car and not Discord's.

Her aunt stifled a chuckle at the poor girl’s expression. “Fluttershy, you’re getting older, and we’ll…” her aunt looked down, with a smile that was filled with sadness. “I’m proud of you and your mother. One day we won’t be here, and I—”

“I know,” Fluttershy turned her back to the tall woman. “But believe me, I know what I’m doing.”

Celestia lifted her head at her niece’s strong words, a proud smile crossing her lips for the brave woman Fluttershy was turning out to be before turning around and getting into the sports car.

…

Fluttershy, once she knew her aunt was in the car, gave her a moment—a small moment to let her eternal panic bubble to the surface. She smiled a twitching smile, letting out a crazed giggle escape her throat as she felt her face grow warm. “Okay, calm down; it’s just a ride to work with your aunt teaching you how to drive… and a wanted criminal hiding in the trunk of the car that you're taking. Great, what could possibly go wrong?” She shook her head before sighing away her nerves and getting into the driver's seat.

“Alright, here we go to my work,” she said in a raised voice so Discord in the trunk could hear her.

“I may be old, but I am not deaf,” her aunt grumbled, pulling on her seatbelt.

Discord in the trunk rolled his eyes at Fluttershy’s attempts to communicate with him.

“Okay, first thing we do now is—?” Celestia raised a hand.

“Seatbelts,” Fluttershy responded, putting on hers.

“Right, next—”

“Start the car,” she said, turning the key. With a loud roar of a fast, furious engine, the car started.

“Alright, now put it in reverse and gently press on the gas pedal,” Celestia instructed, and Fluttershy did so carefully.

As the car moved, Discord’s head banged across the side as it came to an abrupt stop and started again.

“Okay, good. Now give it a little more speed when we hit the road, alright?” Celestia told her, ignoring the hard stops of the car.

Fluttershy tried to do as instructed, but as they drove through the town, coming to very abrupt stops, she could hear Discord's body slam into the side of the car.

“Uh, probably just our bags; ignore that, Flutter, you're doing great,” Celestia tried to encourage her. But the tightening of her seatbelt told Fluttershy everything she needed to know about her aunts true opinion on her driving. “I’m going to—” she began again as the sound of Discord's body hit the back of the trunk again.

“Damn, this bitch can’t drive; she better not scrape my car up,” he grumbled to himself as his head made contact with the side again. “Ouch!” he groaned, clutching his forehead.

…

“Hmm, did you say something?” Celestia asked.

“Na, no, we’re almost there,” Fluttershy stated, not really to her aunt but to her companion in the back.

…

“I’ll get your purse,” Fluttershy told Celestia as she jumped out of the car the moment they pulled up. She dashed to the back where she grabbed her and Celestia's, ignoring Discord’s glaring red gaze as she closed the trunk and returned to her aunt's side.

“Alright,” Celestia sighed as she took her purse and turned toward the shopping mall. “I guess I’ll see you for lunch then. Eleven thirty, right?” She asked with a smile, yet her eyes gave away her sadness.

“Yeah, lunch. Thanks, Aunty,” her niece replied, giving her one last hug before heading off her way to work.

Celestia took a moment to watch her stroll away. “So grown up,” she thought before heading in the opposite direction.

…

The moment Fluttershy felt her aunt’s gaze gone, she instantly redirected her path back to the trunk, popping it open. “She's gone, but stay hidden,” Fluttershy said in a low voice, hoping no one else heard her.

Discord rolled his eyes and rubbed his head as best he could as he leaned on one elbow.

Fluttershy was amazed that such a tall figure could scrunch down so small. Even so, he filled up the entire trunk, looking anything but comfortable.

“What’s the story? I saw the cops earlier and hid in here,” he muttered.

“Oh, not much,” she gave a twitchy grin. “They’re just looking for my mother and subsequently you.”

“Oh, is that all?” He rolled his eyes, nonchalantly as if it were just another average day. “Well, that complicates things a bit,” he deadpanned. “They’ll be out looking for me, hmm.” Stroking his beard, he tried to think of a solution.

“Why not just tell them? I mean, all that stuff about Tirek and the fangs.”

At her remark, Discord scoffed. “Do you really think they would listen to someone like me? No.” His lips pursed. “No, not without proof that we both don’t have. So what about that other chick?”

“My aunt,” she rolled her eyes. “Since her house is a crime scene, she moved into mine for a few days. She also thinks the car is mine.”

“I got that, sweetheart,” Discord sarcastically smirked. “What now, I’m just supposed to sit here in a trunk while you go to work?”

“Yeah, pretty much. Sorry I don’t have time to grab you breakfast, but I’ll get you something for lunch.” She raised her head and looked over the horizon, scouting for police. “Just stay hidden today, and I’ll think of something,” she instructed him.

“Hey, since when are you in charge?” he grumbled.

“Look, when we’re in your world, you will be, but when we’re in mine, you’re going to have to listen to me, or do you want to go back to prison?” She replied with a scrunch of her nose.

He gave an amused laugh at her bravado before ultimately throwing something at her.

She turned just in time to catch it, her eyes fixating on it. Before he himself pulled down the trunk, ending the conversation right there and then, leaving her holding a crumpled-up McDonald’s hamburger wrapping.

Though not a word was said, a smile came to her lips as she cradled the paper ball in her hands. The message symbolized in it was clear: I’ll work with you, at least.

Chapter 8 A Little Light

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Chapter 9 A Troubled Heart

As she sat inside an old red booth of a diner, Celestia made sure to keep Discord at a distance on the other side of the table. She pulled Fluttershy to her side. She sat next to her, who could only rub her head annoyed, thinking, “How could today get any worse?”

“So, Disssy,”

“Oh, that’s how,” Fluttershy deadpanned in thought as her aunt began asking questions about him, right after they ordered their food.

“You want to become a vet, is that right?” Celestia asked him.

“Uh, yeah, yeah, I do. I’m, um, more of a volunteer, working in the Kendal’s, so,” he tugged at the back of his neck as he took a look at the menu, trying to look away and get out of talking to her.

“Alright, and what is it you do outside of school? Any hobbies or…?”

“Aunty, leave him alone. Dissy is just a friend,” Fluttershy assured her, just as the waiter stopped by their table to take their order. “I’ll have the chicken salad with a strawberry milkshake, please.”

“Same,” her aunt said.

“A burger with fries, a side of onion rings, and a chocolate shake,” Discord ordered, handing the waiter back the menu, wishing he was anywhere else but there. “So, what do you do then?” He set his head on his hand, kneeling on the table.

“I’m a school principal,” Celestia replied, turning her nose up at him. “And what about you? Got any family?”

“Na,” Discord smirked. “Family’s dead, but my dad was a contractor. Just didn’t seem like the life for me, ya know? I just love pest—I mean pets. Dogs, cats, fish,” he said, trying to keep up the charade.

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow at his comments about his family. “Hmm, I wonder if there’s any truth there,” she thought, lowering her gaze. “Come to think of it, I really don’t know a thing about him.

Oh, and where are you from?” she continued to ask, never blinking once as she stared him down.

“What is this, an interview?” he snickered. “I’m from the south side of town. Really, though, I don’t have much of a name for myself.” He smirked, hoping she’d buy the lie. It was a half-truth at least; he was from the south side of town.

“I see,” she narrowed her eyes at him. Fluttershy noticed how she clutched her purse and refused to let it down near him. She could only rest her head on her hand and wait silently as her aunt continued to ask personal questions.

“And what about the future? Got any goals, hopes, and dreams?”

“Oh sure, sure, I plan to rule the city,” he laughed at his own words. “Get to the top and then lay back and have some fun.”

“Really? That’s it? You just want to have some fun.” Celestia’s smile began to falter.

“Look, not everyone has a great future, alright? Sometimes you just got to go with the flow while you can before you kick the bucket. Ha, that’s my motto at least,” he told her before lunch arrived, much to his own relief, and Fluttershy’s for that matter. With their meals here, the three of them fell silent as they ate.

Despite the smell of fresh-cooked onion rings and a burger, the longer they sat there, the more awkward the silence became.

As he ate his lunch, his first meal of the day—and most likely his last—he could feel Celestia's eyes watching him the entire time. She only blinked here and there as she ate her lunch, but it was clear by her stiff posture that she did not like him. Finally, in hopes of breaking the silence, Discord decided it was best to address Fluttershy, who remained quiet the entire time. “So tell me, Fluttershy, what about you? Your work and dreams, I mean?”

Startled at being addressed, she dropped her spork, only for her aunt to catch it. “She’s a veterinarian, going to college for her degree. And what about you? What school do you go to again?”

“I never went to college, and school wasn’t really my thing. I just started volunteering and got my points up. Besides, I’m not exactly fresh out of high school,” he replied and took a bite of his burger. The ketchup of it splashed onto his mouth, and with the sight of his fangs, it looked like blood splatter.

The sight of it made a chill run down Celestia’s spine as reality seemed to hit her in the face. “Luna,” she muttered in a low tone, catching her niece's attention.

“Is something wrong, Auntie?” Fluttershy asked, placing a hand on her, startling her in the process. “Huh, usually I’m the one being startled,” she thought as she watched her aunt clutch her bag tighter.

“I’m fine, Fluttershy. If you’ll excuse me, I have to use the little girl’s room,” Celestia said, blinking rapidly, and it was clear by her voice that she was about to crack. She leaped out of the booth and headed her way, leaving Fluttershy in awe.

“Oh, finally! I thought she’d never leave,” he chuckled, once she was far enough away to hear him, only for Fluttershy to return her attention to him with a glare. “What?” asked Discord, raising a hand defensively.

“She’s worried about my mother, perhaps more than I am, and you’re not helping,” she groaned before taking a bite of her salad.

“Well, excuse me,” Discord scoffed, before grabbing a fry.

Fluttershy rolled her eyes and picked up a piece of chicken with her fork, but didn’t eat it. Instead, she spat crossly, “Is any of that true?”

“Is any of what true?”

“Your parents—your dad being a contractor,” Fluttershy nibbled on a small piece of her lunch.

“Sure, as true as my name is Dissy Crooks,” he grinned an unfriendly smile, before diving back into his burger.

In response, Fluttershy only turned her attention to her meal and didn’t look back up.

“What did I do?” he asked, only for her to reply, “Nothing. I’m just going through a lot, is all.”

Discord’s eyes softened for a moment as he heard her tone. “Way to go, idiot, of course she’s going through a lot,” he thought, allowing his gaze to soften. “Wow, do I actually feel sorry for her? That’s a new one,” he half-chuckled to himself before raising his head and looking back at her.

As an awkward silence filled the air again, he could feel his own frustration tensing his muscles. “I need to find something to talk about, but wha—” he thought as an idea came to his mind. “So what’s this about a crush I heard earlier?” he snickered towards her before popping another French fry into his mouth. “Big Mack or something?”

At the mention of the word crush, Fluttershy could feel her faceturn crimson. “You were listening to our conversation!”

“Yeah, look, a car trunk isn’t exactly soundproof,” he smiled happily, knowing he had finally gotten under her skin.

She groaned in response, placing her head into her hands. Keeping her face covered, she responded to him; it came off a little drawn out due to her face being covered, but he only sat and watched, intrigued by her story. “It was only a high school crush, and I didn’t even like him that, much, alright? It doesn’t matter since he’s married now anyway.”

“So,” he said coyly, “is that right? So that’s the reason why you were at that club the other night then, isn’t it? Boy troubles.” He rolled his eyes, but his smile never wavered.

“She half groaned, half sighed, lifting her head. “So you do recognize me then.”

“I never forget a face, especially one as pretty as you. Though I must admit,” he tapped his chin, “I wasn’t sure due to your haircut,” he told her as he continued to devour his meal. He didn’t even bother swallowing as he talked. “You look better with your hair up, by the way, and if you ask me, your makeup is a bit much; you are much prettier without all that shit on you.”

Fluttershy raised both eyebrows at the compliment, staring bluntly at him.

“Don’t get too excited, feisty. Just an observation. Anyway, I wouldn’t worry about it; just wait a year or two, and you’ll get your chance with him—I’m certain of it.”

“What do you mean by that?” she asked lowly.

“Exactly what it sounds like,” the boy shrugged. “What do you honestly think, those two will stay together long? Hell, let me paint you a picture. High school sweethearts all in the hobby moon phase, la-de-da,” he waved his hands around before deadpanning, “how many of those relationships end in divorce? Face it, love and all things fuzzy like that doesn’t exist, not in my world or yours.” He pointed his finger at her before leaning his elbows on the table.

Fluttershy could only let her jaw drop at his words; she tried to say something, but before she could, he continued.

“All that stuff is a fairytale; best to keep it like that, too. You learn that quickly, believe me.” He rolled his eyes, sighing blissfully. “Best just to find someone you like, have a bit of fun, sleep with them, and move on to the next when they no longer serve their purpose. Keep your heart out of it, and it can never be crushed.”

Hearing his words, she could do nothing but take them one at a time like a slap to the face as she remembered his words from the night they first met.

“Well, if it’s fun you’re looking for, count me in. Want a dance, my dear?”

This was him; this was the real Discord Grogar. She fell for his charms and his looks, but now seeing the real him, she could only sit there in awe at how he was everything but the man she thought he was. “He doesn’t care about me at all,” she thought as she stood up from the table. Their first meeting played in her mind: from the way he caught her from falling, to the dance they shared, all the way up to the way he held his hand out for her when they made the deal to find her mother. Turning her back to him, she pulled out her wallet and paid for the bill, knowing he had no money.

“Hey—was it something I said?” he snorted.

She looked back at him, catching a glimpse into his red eyes that sparkled in the light of day, despite sitting in complete shadow. As she looked at them, though, despite his true nature, there was something there she could not put into words. Something she recognized in herself. Her old self. And that’s when it struck her mind: “I pity you,” she told him before walking away.

“I pity you.” The words brought him to a halt before he could take the last bite of his hamburger. He sat there frozen as the words echoed in his mind. He dropped his food and jumped after her, pulling her by the hair to face him. When she was back to eye level with him, her heart fell silent, but the initial fear she felt from being torn away subsided into a defiant stance against his rage, bubbling just beneath the surface. She waited for him to say something, to yell and scare her again, but instead, to his surprise, he let go of her, and soon the reason why was clear.

“Well, sorry for the wait. All done eating then?” asked Celestia, who stood not too far from her.

“Aunty,” Fluttershy half-said, relieved. “Yes, I think lunch is over. Come on, I’ll take you—“

“And here I thought you said you’d give me a ride home,” Dissy interjected, making her turn with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, since I live in the same apartment complex, we could start carpooling.” He narrowed his eyes on her, never blinking. He was clearly cross with her but couldn’t act on it, not with Celestia here.

“Yeah—that—that’s right,” Fluttershy stated half-heartedly. “Come on then, Aunty, I’ll drive.”

Celestia looked between the two, unsure of what to do or say next. Instead, she only gave a nod and wrapped her arm around her niece’s waist as Dissy followed not too far behind.

…

The three of them stayed coldly silent, listening only to the radio music as they headed home. Pulling up to her apartment, Celestia kept a close eye on Discord, who did nothing but look out the window grumpily the entire time until the car came to a stop.

“Better than being in the trunk again,” he told himself as he stretched his legs before stepping onto the ground. “Thank you for the ride home,” he replied with a grateful smile, despite it clearly being fake and not really bothering to hide it.

“Of course! See you tomorrow for work,” Fluttershy replied, knowing full well she was going to get it from him later. Would he hurt her, really? That she didn’t know yet. For some reason, she felt no fear as she stared him down, eye to eye. The moment was only broken when he pretended to walk down the street.

…

Once inside her home, Fluttershy could only let out a tired groan. A simple thought crossed her mind: “I could really use a smoke right now, but I can’t do it with her here.”

“Fluttershy,” her aunt caught her attention, “not that I want to control you or anything but—“

“Let me guess, you want me to stay away from him, don’t you?” she raised her head to her aunt as she pulled her rubber band out, letting her hair fall over her face again.

“Did you see his teeth ? I think he might be in that fang club, Fluttershy. That’s why I’m worried that—” Celestia came to a stop when her niece pulled her into a hug.

“I’m okay, don’t worry. Dissy is—” she lowered her gaze. “A friend,” she mumbled uncertainly. “Now I don’t know about you, but I think I’ll take a shower and relax, alright?” She told her aunt before heading upstairs.

Celestia only watched her as she went, thinking to herself, “Oh Luna, when did our little Fluttershy grow up so fast?” She softly smiled, only for the grin to quickly fade under her troubled mind.

Chapter 10 Next Step

With the sound of the window opening in the morning, Fluttershy stuck her head out, breathing in the fresh air. A smile spread on her lips—a small smile, but a smile nonetheless. It surprised her as she saw her reflection in the glass catch her attention due to the soft wind blowing through her hair. How odd it was that she was still able to smile after all the things happening in her life at the moment.

She turned her attention to the city in front of her. Though her apartment was across from a nice park, with plenty of foliage, she wasn’t exactly near the woods by any stretch. The sounds of car horns and roads passing by were sounds she had become accustomed to since moving there. Despite this, she did miss the sounds of the forest she had in her backyard near the suburbs where she grew up. And as she heard the morning chirps of a mother bird landing in a tree to feed its hungry hatchlings, Fluttershy was almost transported back to those days.

She could practically hear her mother’s voice behind her. “Stop letting all the cold air out of the house! If you want to go get some fresh air, then go outside!” her mother would bark.

Fluttershy giggled at the memory, only for her chest to grow tighter, causing her to lower her gaze from the city above to the streets below. It was almost odd how the city kept moving forward, never stopping despite all her troubles. And as she lowered her gaze, she found a red sports car that only reminded her more of her reality. For a moment, she let herself feel sad, but she tightened her grip, finding the strength she needed to continue. Raising her head, she said out loud to herself, “I’m going to find you, Mother; I promise.”

As she said this, as if on cue, something came into her line of sight, making her raise her gaze a little to find him. Discord leaned over the top of the car, his eyes staring back at her. For a moment, the two gazes met, locking into one another.

“Oh great, now you want to talk to me,” Fluttershy thought as she gazed upon him. He had been all but avoiding her all week. Every time she brought him food, he would snatch it and leave without saying a word to her, avoiding eye contact. He had never looked at her once, as if she were the worst sight he had ever seen. Yet today, out of the blue, his gaze dimly met hers, and part of her wanted to say whatever and blow him off. But despite the fury in his eyes, she still had to work with him, and perhaps now he’d finally found a lead.

“Fluttershy!” she heard her aunt call out her name from inside the house, catching her attention.

“Be right there, Aunty! Hey, I’m actually going out today and don’t know when I’ll be back. Do you need anything while I’m gone?” she asked as she headed down the steps, finding her aunt watching the news.

Celestia sat in her pajamas, a cup of tea in hand, watching the reports. “I was going to ask you the same question. Now you’re not driving without—”

“Dissy’s coming with me. Remember, he carpools with me, and he has a license.” She told her aunt, only to come to a stop and think. “Huh, I actually don’t know if he does actually.”

“Fluttershy, that boy—”

“I know, Aunty, I know, but he’s actually really nice when you get to know him,” she lied and thought, “when he wants to be, that is.”

Her aunt blinked, clearly dispelling judgment, as indicated by the frown on her face. But she ultimately decided not to pester Fluttershy and instead changed the subject. “I’ll be heading to the market today. Do you—”

“I could use more lettuce for Angel Bunny,” she said, giving her rabbit a pat on the head. “Anyway, I’ve got to go. Dissy’s waiting for me by the car.” She said as she headed outside, shouting back, “Love you, bu—”

As soon as the door was closed, though, Fluttershy shook her head, knowing that was a horrible way to leave her aunt, who had only worried about her since her mother’s disappearance. Even so, she headed to the car, finding him in the driver’s seat.

She got in and could just feel her aunt's eyes watching them from the window as they drove away.

…

Inside the car was little better. Discord remained silent as he watched the road. She bit her lip and took a deep breath before extending her arm toward him with her offering.

Discord snatched them without batting an eye, loudly chomping on a muffin as he drove.

His actions startled her, but Fluttershy could only smile as she watched him grumpily eat his breakfast. “So, uh,” she tried to sound happy, but the crack in her voice gave away her nerves. “Where are we—”

“To meet up with Capper. Hopefully by now he has something that can help us find your mother,” he growled as he chomped on the muffin.

She sighed, leaning her head back in her seat. “Okay, but come on, are you really—”

“Just keep your mouth shut,” he ordered her. “Once we find her, I promise you we can go our separate ways and never see each other again, alright?”

“Dis—”

“Until then,” he threw the leftovers back at her face, “you can keep your pity and soon return to your fairytale life, princess,” Discord spat sarcastically.

“Prince—oh, that’s it!” Fluttershy slammed her fist on the console of the car.

“Hey, watch the car!” Discord told her, without so much as a glance.

She lowered her eyebrows to a sharp point but ultimately decided this conversation was going to lead nowhere and turned around, looking out the window as they entered the rougher south side part of town again.

…

As they rolled up, Fluttershy could see Capper along with a few cats sitting at benches and tables that sat just outside a gas station.

“Wait, isn’t this—”

“Public, yes. It doesn’t matter; now get out of the car,” Discord ordered her before getting out himself. Fluttershy expected him to be in a bad mood the entire day, but as soon as she got out of the car, it was as if she was standing next to a totally different person altogether. Discord wore a grin on his face as he walked over and greeted Capper with a friendly, “Hello there.”

Capper turned to him with a confused look, quickly putting two and two together. “Discord, is that—”

“Like the disguise?”

“A disguise, but I thought—”

“The cops are after me. They think I kidnapped Luna, so I had to make do with what I could.” He explained as if it were no big deal. “Anyway, let’s get down to business… Alright, so where are the others?” asked Discord nonchalantly.

“Uhhh, yeah, about that—” Capper smiled, but it was clear by the look in his eye that he was anything but confident. It didn’t help that Discord's own smile drooped and his eyes became cold. “N—now hold on,” Capper held up a finger and raised the other hand defensively. “I told you this was gonna take some—”

“I gave you two whole weeks to scrape up anything and everything you could. You should already have the location of Luna Star and my army by now!” Discord yelled in a hushed voice.

“Two weeks isn’t a lot of time—” Capper assured him as he quickly regained control of his nerve. “And I’m sorry, but there are a lot of newcomers to the gang. None of them know your name. So your name doesn’t hold much fear like it once did; most of that goes to Tirek. Sorry, but it’s true.”

“Oh, is that all? What about the older members like you?”

“Those who do remember your name, I am hesitant to ask since they have all aligned themselves with Tirek.” Capper then pointed his thumb at himself. “You do realize if I get caught with you, Tirek will have my head since I initially aligned with him, right?”

In response, Discord could only groan, hating the fact that the man was right. Fluttershy watched as the two went head-to-head, wondering why on earth she was even there if it wasn’t going to lead to finding her mother. With an eye roll, she rested her head on one hand, trying to find something to do as the boys continued their meeting.

“So why did we meet up if you don’t have anything useful for me at all?” Discord lowered his brow.

“First off, you’re the one who wanted to meet with me,” Capper deadpanned. “Second, I actually do have something. A fellow gang member who was quite young told me his higher-up was unwilling to reveal themselves but would like to have a word with you about…” Capper then pulled out an envelope from his jacket mid-sentence and raised it toward Discord. “A possible team-up against Vonhorn. This letter is addressed to you and only you, but it could be a scam.”

With two fingers, Discord took the letter from Capper’s hands and ripped it open, revealing a crumpled-up small paper. He unwrapped it, finding only an advertisement for a restaurant called Starlight’s.

“Starlight’s? I know that place,” Fluttershy said, noticing the flyer. “It’s kind of an expensive tourist trap. My friends and I once went there for lunch and found out it was quite the money pit. We had a good time, but all agreed never to go back.” She said before returning to her drink, only to stop when she felt Capper’s eyes studying her. The question was clear: Who are you, and what are you doing alongside Discord? Fluttershy turned to him to say something, but before she could, Discord spoke up, catching Capper's attention again.

“So it’s a fancy-smancy place. Big deal. Though why a gang member would want to go there to meet up, I have no idea. Still, it’s clear from this flyer and what that guy said that this is clearly the place to go,” he said, stroking his goatee in thought.

“And what if it’s a trap by Tirek or Sombra? Are you really thinking about—”

“Not alone, Capper. You’re coming with,” Discord chuckled. The man’s eyes flew wide, and he opened his mouth to protest, but before he could, Discord turned his attention to the lady next to him, ignoring Capper's reluctance. “It might be better if you sit on the sidelines for this. If it does go south—”

“No, I’m going,” Fluttershy replied, leaning back into the booth. “If it is Tirek, or even better, someone close to him, then we’ll know just how to trap them. That is what you’re thinking, isn’t it?”

Discord smirked at that before returning his attention to Capper. “I had hoped we could at least find a little muscle to back us up on this endeavor, but—” he widened his grin, showing off his fangs. “You can’t make an omelet without cracking a few eggs. Capper, I want you to find a suit and a gun, ASAP, and we’ll meet you Friday night.”

“But—but,” he tried to get out of it, but Discord wasn’t taking any chances.

“Splendid, meeting adjourned,” Discord said as he stood up with a stretch. He then turned around and held out his gloved hand for the lady, who took it without question as she rose out of the booth. “See ya then, ta-ta for now,” he said, and along with Fluttershy, walked back to his car, finding the flyer in his pocket.

…

Once inside the car, the two didn’t drive very far before Fluttershy began to grow curious once more. “Discord?”

The driver only gave a low “hmm” in response, clearly happy that he at least now had something of a lead.

“That is the second time Capper has been curious about my involvement. Why haven’t you told him anything about me?” she asked, carfully hoping his good mood ment he wouldnt lash out at her again.

With a shrug, Discord kept his attention on the road, as if it were nothing at all. “If he or, for that matter, any of the men I have recruited get caught, Von Horn will torture them for information on me. I don’t mind that, but as far as they should know, you’re just a chick I’m trying to hook up with. That’s what I want this to look like, so next time, please, if you have any ideas, let me know more suddenly and don’t just spit them out!” he roared, growing more irritated with each word.

“Hook up with—” Fluttershy’s face went red.

“Yes," he said with a half sigh, half-groaned. “Sorry for the context, but most who do know my reputation with the ladies won’t think much of it. However,” Discord's smile drooped back into a serious expression once more, “if they know you are the daughter of Luna, they’ll most likely try to capture you and use Luna to do whatever Tirek wants with you as bait. Even worse, if they know I’m protecting you, then they won’t fire at me but you,” he emphasized the word "you." “You see, you have to keep in the background here, a nobody, understand? Because if you don’t, it makes my job so much harder! Once we find your mother, you’ll be out of my hair for good,” Discord finished with a narrowing of his eyes.

Hearing his tone shift to one that wanted nothing to do with her, Fluttershy crossed her arms and turned to look out the window, a scowl on her face.

The only reason Discord even noticed was because of how quiet she was on the way home, and he glanced at her. “What, your pity got the best of you, feisty?” he growled as they pulled up to her apartment.

She snapped back, her seatbelt flying off of her. “Are you going to be mad at me forever? ‘Cause Discord, we have work to do—”

“Oh, sure you, bitch—get out of my car!” he ordered.

“Not until you tell me what I did wrong!” she stomped her foot and flung her hands out. “Hey, what was it that I did so bad to you? I fed you, clothed you, and this—this is how you treat me?”

“You only did that to get your stupid mother back,” he grumbled, falling back against his chair and looking out the other window, away from her. “Like mother, like daughter, I guess. News flash, chick: she’s the reason we’re in this mess in the first place. She was a fang after all—a gangster! Ha, some mother you got!”

“Don’t you say a damn thing about my mother!” Fluttershy could feel her rage boil to the surface. She had had enough of this, enough of him, and without saying another word, she spun around and got out of the car, slamming the door behind her.

Once outside the car, she steamed for a moment before taking a deep breath and letting it out. “Oh, if he wasn’t such a jerk,” she sighed, and began walking back to her home, only to catch a glimpse of him crawling into the backseat of the car.

With a head tilt and a few confused blinks, she thought, “That’s odd; shouldn’t he be heading to the motel?” Walking over and tapping on the window, she gained his attention. He rolled down the back window and yelled in her face, “NOW WHAT!”

“I thought you were staying at the motel,” she asked him.

“Oh no, no, I just—” he shrugged. “I needed a place with a little more room to—” his grin turned dark. “Well, never mind that.”

Fluttershy's face grew bright red at the memory of their first meeting. “Well—” wait, then how do you shower or—”

“I’ve used your garden hose once or twice; nearly got caught by your aunt,” he rolled his eyes.

“You what!”

“Hey, I’m clean, aren’t I? Mind your own business, feisty bitch, and get out of my face!”

“Stop calling me that!” she yelled, only to inhale and exhale her fury away. “Look, if you need to take a shower or something, then—”

“Don’t invite me in, sweetheart,” he hissed furiously.

“But I have an extra—”

“I’m not the type of person you want inside your house, believe me.” He bared his fangs. “And I don’t need you or your damn pity, got it?”

“I—but you're helping me find my—” Fluttershy stuttered, only for him to interrupt her again.

“'Cause we have a deal, nothing more.” He bobbed his head. “I am not your friend, and trust me, if your mother saw you anywhere near me, she would freak.”

Fluttershy fumed at that. “Oh, you have no idea how right you are about that,” she growled, resting her head in her hands, tired of the mess she was in.

Discord raised an eyebrow and waited for her to elaborate.

“She was always against me being near any boys. All through school, even in my high school days, I wasn’t really allowed to, you know,” she shrugged and shifted her stance. “Date or—”

“So you never dated, virgin,” he scoffed. “Believe me, I can just look at you and see your purity.” He gagged. “Trust me, doll, you come from a good place. No need to be anywhere near someone like me. You wouldn’t last a day in my world,” he shook his head with a conniving grin.

“I’ve been to your world and back. I—”

“Ha! You think putting on a little dress and a simple dance at a club means you know my world?” He scoffed. “You know nothing about what you’re getting into, but if you want to find out—” he whispered in the same unsettling way she remembered from that night.

She wrapped her arms around herself and shivered—not from the wind that blew through her hair, but from his evocative gaze.

He laughed at her and settled back into his seat. “Like I said,” he closed his eyes and turned his head away from her, a smirk on his face as he imagined her form in his mind. “You can keep your pity and grow the fuck up.” He chuckled a genuine laugh before rolling up the window. “See ya Friday, feisty bitch.”

She stared at her own reflection in the window, her teeth bared at being called that. Letting out a furious groan that sounded anything but herself, she lowered her head into her hands again, trying to regain what little strength she had. As she raised her head once more, a deadpan struck her face, grumbling mostly to herself, “Asshole.”

“Yes, yes I am,” he replied from inside, loud enough for her to hear.

With an eye roll, she stomped away from the car, wondering what she ever saw in him in the first place.

…

The moment she got through the door, she let out an exhausted, furious groan, tossing off her purse and collapsing onto the couch. As she sat there for a moment, she tried to calm her furious mind, letting in some air into her lungs. Once she was relaxed, she sighed away the extra air and looked around her little home. It wasn’t much, and it wasn’t like she had been there very long, but she did feel at home. Surrounding her were not only her pets but also the images on the wall of her times in high school with her friends, which caught her attention. As she drew her eyes down the wall to the rest of the room, she remembered how her friends had put her house together alongside her. The sight of Rarity trying to bring in that heavy mirror brought a giggle as she recalled unpacking the boxes alongside her and Sunset Shimmer.

“Sunset Shimmer, I wonder what she’s up to,” Fluttershy quietly said as she grabbed her phone and went through it, finding Sunset’s number. But before she could press it, a card sitting on her coffee table caught her eye instead. Fluttershy lowered her phone, placing it on the table before picking up the paper to see what on earth it was.

“Mr. Houses, Realtor: Sell your home fast, just call—” she gasped as she read the card on the table, just as her aunt walked in on the phone.

“Yes, yes, it has three bedrooms and a grill in the backyard. How much do you think it would sell if—” Celestia’s eyes shot up when she noticed Fluttershy holding the card in her hand. The surprise in her nice face brought a tinge of regret in her chest. “I’ll have to call you back; there’s something that I have to deal with,” she said and hung up the phone. Fluttershy sat staring at her aunt, not letting up for a single moment.

“Now, Fluttershy,” her aunt calmly began, only for Fluttershy’s rage to boil over—something Celestia was not used to from her shy little niece. She backed up in surprise when she heard her yell, “What is the meaning of this?”

“Fluttershy,” her aunt gasped before adding under her breath, “Wow, you really are like your mother.” “Look, the house is—”

“You’re selling my childhood home! Are you serious? Just what about my—”

“Fluttershy, finding your mother isn’t cheap! Not only that, but… but…”

“But what!”

“Well, it’s been weeks and—”

“It’s only been weeks!”

“Yes, and every twenty-four hours, the chances of finding her alive go down dramatically!”

Her aunt’s outburst sent a chill through her spine. “How can you just—just—”

“I’m not!” Celestia stomped. “But right now is not a good time. I tried to talk to you this morning about it, but you ran out on me before I could get a word in.”

As her words settled in the air, the two adults sat silently staring at each other as if they were complete strangers to one another. The older of the two lowered her head into her hands, rubbing her forehead for a moment before lifting it. “Look, the investigation and cleanup of the crime scene has already taken place last week, and when I went over there—” Celestia shook her head before crumbling into the couch next to her niece. “I can’t stay there. It’s too big of a place for one person, and—” her arm trembled as she tried to express what was on her mind. “You can go and get your things from the old house. Anything you want to keep, you can bring here, but I am moving out of it.”

“Where are you going to go?” Fluttershy asked, her words trembling.

“I’ll find a place. Don’t worry; I won’t move in here.”

“Yes, you can. You ca—”

“No, no, Fluttershy,” her aunt raised her head. “You have a life now; you’re an adult. And while I may not like the company you’re associating with,” Celestia placed her hand over Fluttershy’s, “you are strong, and I know you’ll be fine.”

Fluttershy didn’t know what to do as she sat there with the news about her family home—the place she grew up in and all the memories she had there. Her birthday parties, playing in the forest behind the trees—the memories flashed through her mind, and soon it all just sank in. Before she even knew it, she was already in her aunt’s embrace, who held her tightly. Fluttershy could do nothing but tighten her grip on her aunt as she let the tears fall from her face.

“Fluttershy, I know that things have changed quickly—from you graduating high school to you moving out on your own and your mother…” Celestia trailed off for a moment. “Look, I don’t want you thinking about this anymore, you hear me?” She pulled Fluttershy away from her only so she could see her niece’s face. “You worry about yourself. I still have my job, and—and I’ll be just fine on my own, you hear me? You have to move on. You can still have hope, but I want you to live your life. Got it?” She said, giving Fluttershy a small but firm shake.

Fluttershy sat speechless, frozen in place, listening to her aunt’s mighty words. With nothing else to do, Fluttershy only gave a weak nod.

“Good,” her aunt replied once she was sure Fluttershy’s strength had returned. “Now,” standing up from the couch, she walked over to the kitchen and pulled out a pink-decorated cake. “I got this today at the store, and it looked really, really good. Why don’t we have a slice and a cup of tea to go with it?” A single nod was all she got from Fluttershy. A single, slow, weak nod.

Chapter 11 Think A Little Bit

The week passed quickly, yet due to their argument, Fluttershy had to either walk or take the bus to work. Every time she went near the car, Discord would lock it, not letting her in. She couldn’t go to her aunt, or else risk exposing Discord. So instead, she walked. She did all she could to get out of the house and away from her aunt, who only reminded her of her missing mother. Her aunt was now grieving, believing her sister to be gone, and despite it only having been a few weeks, that didn’t help her at all. While she was already trying her best to move on, Fluttershy knew better. Tirek VON-Horn wanted something from her mother; he wouldn’t kill her—she was alive, Fluttershy knew it. But she had to admit, while the days passed by, there was definitely less and less hope for her mother, and the cops searching for Discord instead of the real threat only made things worse.

Walking through the streets of town, Discord’s mugshot was posted everywhere, labeled "armed and dangerous," a kidnapper on the loose.

She didn’t know what was worse: the fact that they actually thought that, or the fact that she couldn’t go more than two steps without seeing his face. Whatever feelings she had for him were all in her memory. Despite that, the dreams of being in his arms—the night of the dance, the night they first met—only continued to haunt her. She wanted to dream about anything else but him. She wanted to see anything else but his face. Instead, she raised her head and began thinking of her other crushes as she walked to work that Friday morning. Big mistake. Her heart ached even more at the thought of Big Mac's wedding.

With a gruff, sleepy groan, she fell over, only to catch herself on the traffic light post. “I could really use a friend right now,” she said out loud on accident.

“I’ll say, you look worn out,” chuckled a voice from behind her. She turned to see an ice cream vendor standing by his cart. The size of his cart, being so small, made the man look huge in comparison. While he wasn’t that tall, the size of his frame looked comedic as he opened the freezer and pulled out an ice cream cone. “Here, this should cheer you up,” he smiled, holding the cone toward her. Fluttershy took it silently, thanking him for the kind offer as she undid the wrapper. “Just don’t tell my boss; I’m not supposed to hand those out for free, but you look like you could use it. What’s on your mind, anyway?” he asked, kneeling over his cart. Fluttershy raised an eyebrow as she brought the ice cream cone to her lips. “Oh, don’t worry; it’s a slow day anyway,” he shrugged, his large shoulders.

The man was extremely muscular—in fact, a little too muscular. He looked like a bodybuilder, and the little white cap he had on, sitting on a small patch of shaved blond hair, along with his white shirt that looked way too tight, only made Fluttershy bite into the ice cream cone, hoping to stifle the oncoming laugh at how ridiculous he looked. “Owie, damn, that’s cold,” she said to herself, causing him to laugh along with her.

“Yeah, best not to eat it in one bite like that,” he replied with an innocent smile. “I’m Freddie, Freddie Bulk, but everybody just calls me Bulk. Can’t you tell?” he said, flexing one of his massive biceps.

She giggled at that before introducing herself. “I’m Fluttershy Breeze, nice to meet you, um, Fre— or Bulk. I’m alright, I promise. It’s just that, well…”

“Feel free to tell me. It’s not like I have a lot of customers today anyway,” he encouraged her.

But as she looked at him, her mind went berserk as she thought about what she could tell him. Should she tell him? He was a complete stranger to her. But as she looked at him, a certain wanted poster behind his head caught her attention. Discord's wanted poster. “I hate him,” she blurted out of nowhere, at least to Bulk.

“Him? Who—” But before he could finish his sentence, she began spilling her guts.

“He’s so arrogant, so full of himself, so rude, so mean, so handsome, so kind, so alluring, so distant! All I want to do is have him trust me, because if he doesn’t trust me, how in the world is our partnership ever going to work?” She stomped her leg and turned back to him. “And with my mother God knows where, and my aunt already acting like she’s dead, plus my old interstate mate with some other chick, I’m left driving myself crazy! All I want to do is smoke, but I can’t in front of my aunt who moved into my house! I already blew through my stash all at once, and I don’t get paid till later on today by my bitch of a boss!”

“Whoa, okay,” Bulk leaped back, holding his hands defensively. “Take it easy. Just breathe in,” he demonstrated, and she followed. “Breathe out,” and take a lick of that ice cream. It really helps calm the nerves, ya know,” he pointed at the object in her hand. She did as he suggested, finding the cold surge feel of the vanilla shock swirl clear her mind. “Yeah, sounds like you’ve got a lot to deal with, but if there’s any advice I could give, it’s that no matter how hard things get, you’ve got to look on the bright side.”

“Oh yeah? And what bright side do I have?” she snorted back.

“Well, for one, you’re alive, right?” he told her. In response, her mind went blank for a moment as she thought about it. “For another, you’re obviously in love with this guy. He’s probably going through a lot too, ya know. Sometimes, you have to think of the other person in a relationship like that and figure out what’s actually bothering him. Can you think of any—” Bull raised an eyebrow.

Fluttershy tapped her chin in thought about Discord's past. She didn’t know much about him, but the way he spoke, the way he carried himself, the look in his eye—it all felt familiar. Her eyes widened with realization. “Could it be—” she questioned to herself out loud.

“Ah, see? Now you’re thinking,” Bulk crossed his arms and nodded. “Yeah!” He held up a flexed arm. “That’s what I do when things get tough. I take a step back, breathe in, breathe out, and remember I can do it! I have the confidence I can.” “YEAH!” he yelled out louder, popping the veins in his neck. “Oh, oh, sorry! I just get so pumped when I think of it. It can really help you. Give it a try.”

She giggled at that and soon finished eating the rest of her ice cream before breathing in and out and yelling, “I can do this! I can—yeah!”

“Haha, there you go,” Bulk encouraged her, only for his watch to beep. With a startled look, he jumped in fright. “I wasn’t watching the time!” he yelled, snatching off his hat and closing up the cart for the day. “Sorry to run; it was really nice meeting you, but I’m late for my next job.”

“Your next job?” she tilted her head.

“Yeah, I’ve got like five, all working for the same boss. It helps pay for my gym,” he handed her a flyer from his pocket. “Not a lot of people in this town want to work out, so to keep the place running, I have to run back and forth, doing odd jobs,” he said, pulling out a hard hat before pulling down his ice cream cart with a dollar sign. “It was really nice meeting you, but I’ve got to go. Bye!” he yelled back, turning away with his cart.

She sat there, jaw dropped, watching him storm off before her own phone rang. “Oh, damn it! Crystal’s gonna kill me if I don’t get to work,” she yelled.

…

Later that night, Fluttershy found her aunt asleep on the couch, an entire half-eaten cake on her lap. She let a small smile spread on her lips at the sight before heading upstairs and quietly getting ready for the evening. As a large shadow crossed her path outside, she looked to see, knowing exactly who it was and why they were there.

Discord sat in front of his car, staring up at her, dressed no longer in his disguise, but in his orange suit. She gave him a nod from the window and headed downstairs, hoping she could get out of the house before—

“Oh Fluttershy, where are you going?”

“Too late,” Fluttershy rolled her eyes before putting on her best smile and greeting her aunt. “Uhm, Aunty, I uh—”

Her aunt gasped at the sight of Fluttershy standing in a green and blue gown. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a date tonight?” Her aunt whirled around and pulled her niece against her chest, gasping again. “Oh no, please tell me it’s not with that dizzy fellow!” her aunt groaned. Fluttershy momentarily winced at the smile, only for her aunt to scowl at her. “Fluttershy, I told you to—”

“It’s not a date! I got invited to a party, and Discord agreed to come with me.” She lied, thinking quickly on her feet.

“A party? And what kind of—”

“My boss,” Fluttershy spluttered out. “Yeah, it’s a business party, and I, uh, wanted to look nice is all. I’ll be back by midnight, I assure you.”

“Midnight!?” Celestia’s eyes nearly popped out of their skulls.

“Yeah, uh— I’ll see you later, Auntie—” she quickly dodged another question and went through the door, leaving her aunt with a puzzled look once more.
…

Once outside, she let out a defeated groan before joining Discord, who didn’t even bother holding the door open for her.

As she sat in the car again, she was caught between the awkward silence and wanting to work alongside him. But as she chanced a glance up at him, it was clear by the twitch of his lip that now was not a good time to say anything to him. So she retreated back in her seat as she thought about earlier that afternoon with the ice cream vendor.

*“He probably is going through a lot too, ya know. You sometimes have to think of the other person in a relationship like that and figure out what’s actually bothering him. Can you think of any—”*

The answer was yes, of course. Discord had just gotten out of jail, and she didn’t even know why he was arrested in the first place. Sure, she knew the crimes he committed, ranging from theft to arson and even an attempted murder. But the last time she tried to bring it up, he all but avoided the question and played it off as a joke. As she tapped her chin, she soon began to realize he didn’t really treat her badly until the moment she said she pitied him. Though it was true, she did pity him for his horrid view on relationships, she now questioned how he even developed that view in the first place. Was it possible his heart was hurting? Was that what she saw in him? She always did, ever since the first time she looked into his ruby eyes—she saw something familiar to her in them. She saw herself in them, despite not knowing exactly what.

As she rested her head on her hand and chanced another look at him, she soon remembered the way he always acted. The confidence bravado, the way he’d switch personalities on a dime. Was it possible? Could it be? She glanced over at herself in the rearview mirror. She could see the very edge of his arm just behind her. She could feel the gears turning in her head as she finally came to her conclusion, as ridiculous as it sounded: he too hated what he saw in the mirror. It had to be. The pieces all fit, but what was it he hated so much? Could she help him get through it? If she did, would they finally be working on even terms? The only answer to that was to know more about him, but it wasn’t like he was going to talk to her. So who— Fluttershy’s eyes grew at the realization, and a small smile, one she hid under her long, flowing hair, crept onto her face.

Discord remained ever quiet as they drove up to the house of the only person Fluttershy might be able to get intel on Discord from.

Once they picked up Capper, who was dressed in the dorkiest tuxedo imaginable, given to him by his cousin, the three of them rolled up to Starlight's.

They walked into a large dining hall painted in a fancy purple and wood. All tables and booths were lit by the ambient lighting of candles and dimly lit lanterns, giving the place a sophisticated feel.

“Whoa! This place is a lot fancier at night than it is during the day,” Fluttershy chuckled, a twitchy smile on her face.

“Be on your toes; this is the enemy's territory after all,” Capper warned her as he looked around. “There’re no cameras in sight, but there are several tough-looking men keeping an eye on everything from the second floor.” He noted in his mind and counted them one by one. “Three doors, seven in total, huh? Not very good odds.” He mumbled to himself as he looked around the room again.

“Shut up, will you?” groaned Discord as he walked over to the front desk, tired of Capper’s pestering.

“Ahemm, miss, sir, can I get your name?” asked the man at the front desk.

“Uh, we don’t have a reservation,” Discord replied with a smile. “But if you can just get us a table, I’m sure I can make it worth your while,” he said, pulling out a hundred-dollar bill. Fluttershy thought it best not to ask where he got the money.

“Hmm, sorry sir, but if you do not have a reservation, we can’t let you in. Tonight’s totally booked, all bought out.”

“Discord,” the man raised an eyebrow. “Yes, we have a Discord at table six—the best table in the house. Are you—”

“Yes, sorry, but a friend booked me the table. I didn’t know they made reservations for me.”

“I see…” The man raised his eyebrow. “One problem: you’re supposed to come alone. I have it said here that your date has already been at the table, and it is just for two.”

“My date? Yes, I suppose they forgot about my friend. Mind fetching a few extra chairs at the table?”

“Sorry, sir, but like I said, we’re packed. I’m afraid your friends will just have to wait outside.”

“Alright then, please give a message to my date: ‘goodbye,’” he said, turning around only to bump into a man who was shorter than him but far bulkier and larger.

“We insist you stay, Mr. Grogar, sir,” smiled the man behind the counter. “Your friends can at least wait against the wall, where they won’t distract from the show.”

“Show?” Discord raised an eyebrow cautiously.

“Yes, we have a great magic show tonight for entertainment—one that I’m sure will impress. Now, I am Film, and this is Bulk. He shall be your waiter tonight. But if there are any problems, you can ask for me, the manager. Now, Bulk, take Sir Grogar to his date, and I shall see to it that his friends get to see the show at least.” He clapped and began walking in a direction. “Right this way, you two.”

“Great,” Capper rolled his eyes. Fluttershy looked at Discord, hoping for a solution.

“Connor, take Sky here and follow the good man,” Discord said, turning his head to face Bulk, who gave a nod and began heading into the room, leading Discord away.

“Connor, good nickname, Discord,” Capper groaned as he grabbed Fluttershy, now Sky, by the arm and followed Film, irritated at the fact they were being split up.

…

Sky and Connor were led to a wall in the back of the building, while Discord was led to table six, a nice round table lit by a candle literally in the middle of the room. To his surprise, not a person in sight sat at it except him.

“Here is your menu,” Bulk presented it to him and pulled out a chair for him to sit.

Discord took it cautiously, giving it a once-over as he sat down.

“Can I get you anything to drink?” Bulk asked.

“Your strongest alcohol, I think will do,” Discord grumbled. “And I want to try the chocolate cake. I’m not much for the fancy dinner here, so that will be all,” he told Bulk before handing back the menu and asking, “So where is my date, then?”

“Oh, Miss Starlight will be here in a moment. She’s just going to help her friend with the magic show,” Bulk replied before walking away.

“Starlight, as in the restaurant owner? What does she want with me? She’s not—” Discord tried to say, but suddenly all the lights went out, all except for the candles. A spotlight then shone on stage, catching Discord's attention.

“Hello and welcome! I am Trixie, the Great and Powerful! I shall dazzle you all tonight with my partner in crime.” A woman with white, sparkly hair said, dressed in a witch hat and a wizard cloak. “Oh, but as you can see, I stand up here all alone. Oh dear, I wonder where Starlight could be?” Trixie called out, looking over the crowd far and wide. “Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to do the show myself,” she chirped, before walking up to a colorful cabinet and pulling it along.

Tossing off her cloak to the side, the audience watched as it seemed to float in mid-air. No strings attached by the looks of it, as Trixie also tossed her hat over it, which actually did fall to the ground. She then opened the cabinet's top door and gave a little scream. “Ahh!”

Inside sat Starlight—at least her head and arms.

“Hello,” Starlight waved to the crowd, causing everyone's jaws to drop at the sight. “Sorry, Trixie, you forgot to put me back after our last show,” the head laughed.

Trixie gave a bow to the audience and opened the rest of the cabinet, showing Starlight’s body parts all in the wrong order, before closing it up again and tapping on the cabinet three times.

Starlight emerged in one piece, giving the audience a bow.

“There’s my assistant, folks!” Trixie called out to the crowd.

Discord rolled his eyes at the magic show, wanting it to be over as soon as it started.
…

Meanwhile, Fluttershy and Capper — now Sky and Connor — were given a table in the way back, clearly hastily put together. They weren’t kidding when they said the place was full tonight and could barely fit them in by giving them only a small table and two bar stools, not even chairs. Still, at least they would have a chance to sit down.

“Now’s my chance,” she thought as she watched Connor sit across from her. “Umm, ca—”

“Connor,” he emphasized, making quotation marks with his fingers. “Uh, I’ll have the soup, and please bring some bread,” he told the waiter. Fluttershy let out a pitiful sigh and threw out, “The chicken salad sandwich, please,” without even looking at the menu. “I’ve been here before,” she rolled her eyes and handed the waiter her menu. “Anyway, uhh, I was hoping, Connor, that you could tell me something.”

“Oh great, here we go,” he groaned to himself. “What did Discord put you up to this?”

“No, no, actually—look, I uh—” she paused as she realized she had to be careful. Despite his rude attitude, Discord was right; if Capper knew her importance, it could cause trouble. So what exactly was she going to say to him?

“Look, Sky, or whatever your name is, I don’t know how you got mixed up in this, but you seem like a nice girl, so I’ll give you some advice: whatever Discord has on you, keep your head down and with any luck, when you see an opening, run. Trust me.” He rolled his eyes.

Fluttershy blinked a few times as she began to think she could use that angle. “Uh—yes, yes, quiet. Look, I’m looking for something to have on him, to uh—get me out. So if you could—”

“Could what?” he muttered bitterly. “’Cause if you haven’t noticed, I’m already in a mess I can’t get out of; I don’t need another—”

“I just want to know what he was like before. Can’t you tell me anything?” she begged, putting her hands together.

“Before—like before he got arrested?” he asked, puzzled.

“Yes, anything! I really kind of need to know, it just might help me. Let’s leave it at that—please?” She winced and shook her hands toward him, begging for anything. “You knew him from before; you’re his student or whatever. I need to—”

“Okay, okay! Hush up, will you?” He raised a hand and leaned closer to her so no one would hear them. “I don’t know exactly what you’re looking for, but—” He took a quick glance at Discord, hoping he was watching them. To his relief, Discord was watching the magic show. Capper turned back to the lady across from him and began spilling what he could.

“Alright, so I don’t know him all that well. You see, when I was about nineteen, fresh out of high school, I got to hanging with the wrong crew. Some real big street thugs, to whom I borrowed money to help me pay for my mom—it’s a long story—but then I eventually met a gang leader by the name of Sombra, and his boss.

“Vonhorn?” Sky asked.

“No, Vonhorn was just another nobody; Discord was the leader of the gang, despite being the youngest of us all. He inherited it a year before from his dead father.”

“His father was a gang leader, then? How old are—”

“Not exactly. Discord inherited the power, sure, but his gang, the fangs, he made himself. It was a little club back in the day, but soon, within a year of his control, the gang spread like wildfire. Soon, if you were anybody, you were in the fang—at least in the south side of town.

“I owed his dad a lot of money, and so I was doing odd jobs when he suddenly went missing and Discord rose to the top. Rumors back then said he must have killed his old man and took the throne, but everyone is far too afraid to ask him to confirm it. When I first met him, to be honest, he wasn’t that much different—except he was a lot quieter.”

“Quieter?” Fluttershy tilted her head.

“The only people who ever talked to him were the gang leaders. He never so much as took a glance at me; no one except Sombra Shadows, Luna Star, Tirek, Vonhorn, his brother, Stygian and Lady Bug, could talk to him.”

“Lady Bug?”

“Crystal, Bug, yeah, she was a real pice of work.”

Fluttershy’s eyes shot up at the name.

“Though a lot call her Chrysalis. Anyway, thire the fang among fangs. He kept them close and everyone else distant, including me. From time to time, he would come out and teach us a few tricks, but otherwise, he kept to himself, partying with only those closest to him. Sure, I got invited to some of his parties, but other than sitting on his throne, marveling at some girls, he never really seemed like a bad guy. In fact, I remember a lot of the time, if any member, especially females, had any problems he heard about, he would often send one of his top minions to handle it.

“Minions?”

“The fangs of the fangs served not only as his elite but were pretty much subservient to him. That’s how he ruled us; that’s how Tirek rules us now. Though it’s even worse. Only one person is ever allowed to see Tirek, and I can’t get anywhere near her location. Without that, I’m afraid it’s all but a fever dream to get to him. Oh, but please—” Capper gave a nervous chuckle, “if you tell Discord that, he’d kill me.”

“Hmm, do you, uh, know why he got—”

“Arrested? No, no one but the fangs know, and none of them are talking. Even when I stepped up and became a new leader of the fangs due to Tirek taking on the top role, I still was never let in on exactly why he was arrested. I know the charges, but I don’t know the story,” Capper shook his head. “All I know is it has something to do with Luna. Discord and her were constantly arguing; I’m still amazed she ever made it to be one of his fang leaders.”

“Arguing?”

“She was the only one who ever got away with challenging Discord. And one thing I can tell you is that you should never test him like that; he hates that most of all.”

As she took in this new information, Fluttershy thought back to her experience with him—the way he snapped at her if she dared to challenge his views at the dinner, or how he snapped when she gave back the wallet he stole on the day they first started working together. She didn’t mean to, but just like her mother, she challenged him. Or, at least that’s what he must have seen in her. As she darted her eyes back to the man in question, one thing was on her mind: “What did my mother do to him?”

…

Meanwhile,

After another six tricks, Starlight jumped off the stage and joined him just as his dessert arrived, brought by none other than Bulk.

“So, you’re apparently trying to become the leader of the fangs then, huh?” She smiled as if it were a simple question.

“You’re no fang, so how in the world should I expect anything from you?” he raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, I’m not a fang, but I do business with them all the time. And today—” she clapped her hands, and a net fell over Discord. “I’m afraid that this though is actually a personal endeavor, Hope you liked the show,” she called before the entire audience jumped up, tackling him to the ground.

Fluttershy and Capper both leaped up the second they saw trouble, but neither of them could dare intervene as the scene quickly turned into a dire situation.

Chapter 12 Boiling Over

Fluttershy watched in shock as a net flew down over Discord, who yelled out among the crowd, “What is the meaning of this!” to the lady across from him.
She chuckled an unfriendly grin as she snapped her fingers, and the boys around the room leaped up and held Discord down.
“Fact is, this is a little bit of payback—nothing much,” said Trixie, who stepped over to Discord and began rummaging through his pockets.
“Payback for what? I don’t even know who the hell you are!” he growled as he tried to wiggle his way out from the net, but the men holding him down made that an impossible feat. Soon, she took away his gun and pulled out his wallet. “Really, ’cause the last I saw you, you didn’t pay me what you owed. Now I’m going to take everything away from you. Say hello to the cops, boy. Trixie’s gonna win!” she smiled as she pulled out her phone.
Discord’s eyes shot wide as he looked at her, blinking a few times. “You—but, wait a minute,” he shook his head. “You’re that slut from the other day! You don’t look like—”
“I prefer the term ‘specialist,’” Trixie scoffed with a shake of her head. “I was wearing a wig, you idiot.”
“Yes, and you chose not to pay up my best friend for her services, but unfortunately for you, what you didn’t know was that it wasn’t her money you didn’t pay; it was mine! Starlight kicked Discord in the side. “You may have disappeared, but the moment your mug shot went up, Trixie recognized you, and I knew where to go to get information on you. The Fangs were more than willing to toss you to the curb, so after making some arrangements, I had one of my spies wait until they heard a certain cat lover mention you by name.” Starlight clapped her hands, and soon Capper found himself struggling in the arms of Flim and his brother Flam.
Fluttershy jumped at the sudden action, and as she turned to help, she was suddenly captured herself in a massive strong grip. She looked up to find the ice cream vendor from earlier that day holding her tight. “What is it that you want us to do with— you…?”
“Bulk!” Fluttershy raised her head.
“Do you know that woman, Bulk?” asked Starlight, whose grin only twisted into an evil smirk.
“Uh, not really, but she’s not gonna be any trouble. Let’s just not hurt her, okay? I’ll deal with—ow.”
Fluttershy bit down on Bulk’s arm, causing his grip to loosen just enough for her to climb out. She soon dashed away, only to trip over a figure in the crowd. As soon as he hit the ground, though, a booming sound that made Fluttershy’s ears ring in the air filled the room. The crowd soon fell to the floor at the sound of a gunshot. Screams of terror were heard as they all leapt for their lives.
The confusion and the chaos gave Discord what he needed. Soon, he bit the net rope clean in two. With that, he ripped it apart and wiggled out from under the others.
“He’s escaping!” Trixie pointed out as Discord got to his feet. Soon he was surrounded by the so-called guests who were clearly staged muscle to help capture him.
Baring his fangs, he watched as they encircled him, ready to pounce. “What did you think these things were just for show?” he chuckled, inviting them to tussle with a gesture of his head.
Soon a large man tried to take him from behind, but Discord was quick—despite his height, he was actually very agile and very fast. He spun around on the man, grabbing him by the arm, and using the momentum of his swing, he launched the guy into another before leaping back as the other four tried to tackle him. They were simple knuckleheads—nothing to speak of. If it weren’t for their nice suits, Discord would guess they were your run-of-the-mill bodyguard types, with more show than actual muscle. They looked tough, but when it came down to it, they didn’t know the first thing about how to fight. And it showed in their tactics. The way they lunged at him or swung their fists, it was easy to see how useless they were. He effortlessly dodged them. That aside, they did have one thing in their favor: their numbers. They just kept coming. And due to that, Discord couldn’t waste time getting a punch in. He could only dodge and make fools of them. As one came running toward him, he grabbed a tablecloth nearby and used it as a bull cloth, yelling, “Toro! Toro!” as he effortlessly evaded their idiotic attempts. Due to his cleverness, as he pulled the cloth in front of his view, they smashed into other tables, sending food and water everywhere.
“This is fun, but I can’t do this all night,” he said as he tossed one cloth over a guy, blinding him and then pushing him into a few other spectator women who were more than frightened due to the gunshot earlier. As he did this, what ran through his mind was simple: Who had the gun, and who set it off? Was anyone shot? Was Capper okay? Was Fluttershy okay? He couldn’t see her after she took off running from that big fellow.
…

Meanwhile, Capper was being pulled away and held down by Flim and his brother Flam, but as soon as the gunshot went off, they panicked and leaped for their lives, forgetting all about him. He rolled his eyes at their fright but soon leaped onto a table, not wanting to let the chance for escape pass him by. He knew he needed to get to that girl, Sky, or Discord would have his head.

“Hey, stop there!” yelled a woman who tried to catch him, but the second he pulled out his gun, their tune changed quickly. “Get back!” Capper yelled as he leaped from table to table as agile as a cat. He soon scanned the room for the woman but didn’t find her. Soon he heard the fighting behind him as they tried to go after Discord. With him being their main target, it left Capper with an easy job. He could easily escape, but not without Sky—not if he wanted to stay alive. With another leap, he launched himself into the air and landed, swinging on the chandelier, trying to get a higher vantage point.

…

Fluttershy shivered, endlessly frightened by the sound of the gunshot. She was frozen stiff, unsure of what to do. The sound of fighting began, and all she could do was hide. She was currently underneath a table not far from where the gunshot had first rang out. Turning to the way she came, she took a peek, finding the man responsible. A guy in a dark hoodie, who was hiding in the back of the crowd, had a gun in his hand and was currently rubbing his head due to falling on the floor, thanks to Fluttershy tripping him. Who was he, another hired jerk from Starlight? Sure, that made sense, but as he stood up, he seemed too short to be any hired muscle. It was clear from his baggy clothes that he was far from being strong. She didn’t hit him that hard, and yet he was acting like he had been hit by a bus. Clearly a weakling if she was able to do that much damage to him from that little bump.

She watched, terrified, as he stood up with his back to her. He cocked his gun again and looked over the crowd, just as the sound of Capper swinging from the chandelier filled the air.

…

Discord growled furiously before leaping into the air, tossing two more idiots into each other. It wasn’t long before the others tried to tackle him again. He leaped up over the crowd, jumping onto the chandelier and rocking it back and forth as he kicked a few of them in the head. “Having fun?” he asked Capper, who rolled his eyes. “Let me get this straight: you didn’t pay a slut, and that’s why we’re in this mess?!”

“Hey, half the time, half the pay! Anyway, where’s Fluttershy?”

“Fluttershy, huh?” he said, musing over the name. He still wondered who she was, but that question could be asked later. “Don’t know, but who else has a gun?!” Capper asked as he searched the scene. “I don’t know, but that one had her,” Discord growled and leaped off the chandelier, landing next to Bulk. He stood at his full height, towering over the muscular man, but Bulk shook off his fright from the gunshot earlier and raised up to him. Though he didn’t match his height, his strength was more than enough to go toe-to-toe with Discord and threw a punch at him.

Discord easily dodged it and the oncoming blows from the crowd. The fact is, while Bulk had his oversized muscles, he was actually pretty slow, and Discord was more than capable of wiggling out of the way and smashing Bulk in the face. But amidst the fight, the man with the gun caught sight of his target again and raised his gun to strike Discord down.

“He’s going to—NO!” Fluttershy gave a blood-curdling scream, alerting Capper, who finally turned his eyes just in time to see her direction. He caught sight of the gun in the man's hand and quickly tried to shoot him down.

The sound of a second gunshot brought Discord's and Bulk's fight to a halt. Capper unfortunately missed the shot, and the man fired back, hitting the chandelier, causing Capper to tumble to the floor among broken glass. At least he wasn’t shot.

The moment Discord caught sight of the hoodie man, he took off, forgetting all about Bulk, who quickly followed suit, wanting to catch the biggest threat in the room.

The man in the black hoodie leaped back as his target now hunted him down. Discord was no longer like a human. He was on all fours and moved like a wild beast. The man took off running. Why he didn’t just try to shoot him again, Discord didn’t care. He leaped over the threat, as did Bulk a moment later.

Discord tackled the hoodie man to the ground and stood on all fours over him, snarling and snapping his fangs like a wild dog. The man could only toss and turn, trying to get out of Discord’s grip. His face was still covered by the hoodie. Finally, Discord had enough and soon sank his teeth into the man’s weak arm, finding little flesh and mostly bone. A blood-curdling scream came from the assailant, who dropped the gun immediately. As it landed, one last gunshot went off, echoing off the walls. The bullet's trajectory was clear as day, as the sound of a cold thud hit the floor, echoing among the crowd.
…

The sound of the last shot and the ominous thump made Fluttershy jump as she thought of the worst possible outcome. “Someone’s… Oh no,” she thought as she soon felt her heart racing. “Someone’s, so—someone’s,” she stuttered again and again, as her heart pumped faster. Soon, she found it hard to breathe as she chanced a peek at the body of whoever it was. “Please don’t be Discord, please don’t be Discord,” she begged as she looked. Her eyes widened as she saw Discord standing.

It wasn’t him, but the sight of him didn’t help her one bit. His eyes were filled with rage, nothing like the Discord she knew. Instead, as he undid his jaw, pulling his teeth out of the thin, exposed arm of the enemy he was fighting, blood splattered across his teeth as the man he bit cried out in pain.

Fluttershy just watched in a daze as she took in the sight of a bloody flesh wound on the man's arm, who cowered beneath Discord and crawled up into a ball.

But if it wasn’t him, then who? Who was shot? Suddenly, a groan from a nearby object crossed her path, and she looked over to see Bulk on the floor.

A pool of blood dripped from his shoulder, but from his agonizing groans, he was clearly alive.

Discord used his knee to kick the gun on the ground away from him and over to Capper before grabbing the man by the shirt and tossing him to the wall, holding him in place with one arm.

Fluttershy sat wide-eyed at the sight as the moon hung low. She bit her lip as her eyes dilated. Discord could see the reflection of the wet blood in her eyes. “We’ve got to get out of here!” he growled to Capper and turned to face his would-be killer. “But not before I finish this!” he snapped as he pulled off the man’s hood, coming face to face.

But as Discord prepared to let a final strike go, he came to an abrupt halt at the sight of a young face with two small fangs quivering in his gloved hand. Wide-eyed, Discord sat staring at the young man in complete awe and utter confusion as he stumbled back. “You’re just a kid,” he said, haunted by his own words. “You, you have fangs? How old are you?” he snapped, shaking the kid by his hoodie. “How did you get those fangs!” he snarled, his bloody teeth inches from the boy's face, but in response, the boy only shivered, terrified of him.

“Discord, we’ve got to go now!” yelled Capper as he saw someone pull out a cell phone, clearly calling the police.

Discord sighed and snatched the gun out of the boy's hand, handing it and him over to Capper. “Make sure he doesn't leave your sight!” Discord ordered as he turned around and went back for Fluttershy. The very second she felt his gloved hand land on her, she snapped back into reality. “Fluttershy, we have to—”

“NO!” she shouted and pulled her arm out of his grasp. “We can’t leave him,” she said as if in a trance. She pulled back her hair into a ponytail using the same rubber band she had and began to crouch down to his side. “You there! I need your hairpin; I can use that as tweezers!” she ordered as she pointed directly at Starlight, who only blinked in confusion. “Now, or do you want him to die?!” she barked. With a life on the line, Starlight tore out her bangs and gave Fluttershy her hairpin.

Not missing a beat, Fluttershy began to go to work. “Discord, I need you to come on and open his shirt!”

Discord had the same expression as Starlight, but with Fluttershy’s second order, he ran in and tore a hole, exposing Bulk's chest.

The wound was just above his shoulder, very close to his neck. But luckily, it was completely through. Unluckily, the wound was a fleshy mess of red and pink.

Discord and those around all quickly began feeling queasy at the sight, but Fluttershy ignored their looks, focused on Bulk. She quickly dug the hairpin into the fleshy wound and began fishing for something. “Come on, come on,” she muttered as Bulk's cries of agony became louder. “Almost,” she narrowed her eyes, “got it!” she yelled and pulled out a black object covered in both a pink layer of flesh that was half-burned into it and blood.

“He’s alive!” shouted Trixie as Bulk groaned again.

Fluttershy wasted no time taking the rest of his shirt and tying it tightly onto his wound. “He’s alive for now, but we’ve got to close that wound; we’ve got to get him to a—”

“He’ll die! No!” Discord yelled out to her, catching her attention. “Below, if I go anywhere near a place like that, I’ll be arrested! Now come on before the cops come!” He tried to grab her arm, but she pulled it out of his reach.

“I know where we can take him, somewhere safe, but you’ve got to trust me,” she said, not to Discord but to Starlight, who quickly nodded.

“So long as I can come with you! I’m his boss; I’m responsible for him,” she replied, much to Fluttershy’s relief. With that, she turned to Discord, who rolled his eyes and pushed her and the others out of the way. He quickly picked up the bloody and beaten Bulk and placed him on his back. His legs trembled under the weight, but the adrenaline of the moment kept his strength in check as he ran out of the dining room, Fluttershy and Starlight following.

…

The second they ran to the car, they all began to squeeze in tight. The sports car was barely big enough for four passengers, let alone six, especially with two large men, but they had no choice, squeezing Bulk and Starlight into the back. Capper crawled into the trunk and held the mystery kid at gunpoint the entire time. Starlight sat in the passenger seat as Fluttershy tended to Bulk's wound in the back. Discord took the wheel, and with the sound of the wheels screeching, he made sure to blast out of there, flying down the road. Once they were a good ten blocks away, he slowed down and began following the speed limit in hopes of not being caught. “Where are we going?” he asked Fluttershy, who told him to take a right as she pressed on Bulk's wounds. In response, a painful wince followed by a growl came from the large man.

As they drove down the road, Fluttershy gave simple directions from time to time; otherwise, the car fell quiet, except for Bulk's grunts and groans.

…

The quietness of the car did little to help Discords mind. The taste of young blood still on his lips. As he drove, his mind became blank for anything but the road. He didn't shake or shiver, or any other movement except for the mundane turns of the drive. Otherwise he was completely still. As if in shock.

“Discord,” Fluttershy called out his name, but he didnt stop, his mind a dazed.

“Discord!? She called out louder, catching his attention. Finally he raised his gaze so he was looking at her in the rearview mirror.

“My friend's house is the third one on the right you pass it, I told you where to go!” flutershy sternly said. Her voice stern and calm… too calm for his liking.

He pulled the car over, and turned sound, thinking to himself, “how in the world is she so calm at a time like this… is this really that same girl, he thought of the day when she first recruited him to find her mother. The shy fearful girl on the floor in front of him, who just fell back after stumbling over the curb, just after she slapped him. “Who in the world was she,” he thought back then. And now that same thought crossed his mind as they pulled into the driveway of an old run down house.

Fluttershy was the first out of the car, and Discord watched as she scoured to the front door and knocked it sporadically. Even the way she knocked was nothing like the timid girl he was used to dealing with. Then again, did he even know her? Did he really know anything at all about her? The question plaguing his mind would have to wait. The door opened, and a wildly drunk or high girl stumbled out of the house and wrapped her arms around Fluttershy. The sight of her badly dyed red and green hair, along with her stumbling around in panties and a tank top, was anything but what Discord expected Fluttershy’s friends to be.

“Fluttershy, hey, how’s it going, girl?” the woman chuckled as she used Fluttershy for balance more than anything else.

“Hey, Tree Hugger, I need a favor, and—”

“No problem, I got you covered,” she laughed before pulling something out of her shirt and holding it up for Fluttershy to see. “That, dear, is your share. I figured you’d be here sooner or later to collect.” What sat in her hand was a plastic bag full of some smelly crushed-up plants.

“I hadn’t rolled it yet; I can do that for you before you—”

Fluttershy snatched the bag out of her friend's hands and pocketed it. “Thanks, but that’s not what I was talking about. I have a hurt friend and can’t take him to the hospital because…” She froze, not knowing what to tell Tree Hugger. How could she tell her she had just been in a shootout and was trying to keep a man alive, and had the guy who shot him tied up in the trunk, held there by gunpoint?

“Whoa, Fluttershy, your aura is so different. So much more mature and steady than normal. What happened to you? Been in a shooting or something?” Tree Hugger said before jabbing Fluttershy in the elbow.

“Ummm, or something. Look, I really need my friend to stay with you and—”

“No problem.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I’m too high right now for it to be a problem anyway, haha,” she laughed and turned around loopy as she stumbled back into the house. “Oh, but I must warn you, the smell can be strong for those who aren’t used to it.”

She wasn’t kidding; the smell nearly made Fluttershy gag, but she shook her head aside and thanked Tree Hugger before returning to the car. “Starlight, can you help me get Bulk inside? Tree Hugger said you can stay a few days while he recovers.”

As Starlight turned her head back to Fluttershy, her gaze showed a confused look. “Why are you helping us?”

“What?”

“Why are you helping us? I mean—” Starlight shook her head. “I just tried to capture Discord and throw him in jail. Why are you—”

“Yes, but that's all you did… you weren’t the one trying to shoot him. That boy was.”

“He's a gang member, though—one that I used to talk back and forth with his boss.”

“Do you know his boss?” asked Discord, who, until then, had sat silently observing the entire scene before him.

“No, I was told to capture you and bring you to them for payment. I wasn’t ever going to call the cops; I just said that to rile you up.”

“And those at the restaurant?” Discord asked with an eye roll at her remark.

“They won’t speak. Everyone there was either working for me or is a close associate of mine. I didn’t let anyone in except the most trusted to take you down.”

“Gee, aren’t I special?” he retorted as he lowered his head into his hands.

“I know all about you, your reputation. I know who you are,” Starlight narrowed her eyes on him. “So why are you working with a guy like that?” She snapped back to Fluttershy.

“I have my reasons. And for your information, we never meant to hurt Bulk or anyone else in your group. Now come on, I have to stitch Bulk up, or the wound will get infected. So help me get him inside,” Fluttershy stated, nearly ordering, as she turned her attention to the back seat.

“Fine, but this is to help Bulk, not you.”

“I’ll pay the damn fifty; that's what you want, isn’t it?” Discord snapped, enraged.

“Oh yeah, and with what money? Your wallet was empty,” Starlight retorted, throwing back his wallet. “Not even a fake ID in there. You sure you know what you’re doing?”

“Alright, that’s enough,” Capper called out, his voice echoing through the air. “Right now we have a common goal, don’t you think? Get Bulk to safety and get to the bottom of who wanted Discord dead. I’m thinking Tirek or Sombra,” he said before raising his gun to the kid in the trunk. Suddenly, the sound of sniffles was incredibly clear. The boy was trying everything he could not to burst into tears.

A sudden surge of empathy struck Fluttershy as she turned to him. She wanted to comfort him—a crying child—despite his dark deeds. But she had more important things to do at the moment, and with Starlight's help, she turned to the one who needed her most.

…

Starlight and Fluttershy carefully pulled Bulk out of the back seat, barely able to carry his weight. As Capper and Discord turned their attention back to the young boy in the trunk, neither man made an attempt to make a sound until the girls were safely inside with the injured. The moment the door was closed, Capper finally raised his attention to Discord, who sat partially still and dazed.

“Hey!” Capper called out toward him, trying to catch his attention.

“Hey yourself,” Discord retorted, before nearly collapsing on the ground. He caught himself on the side of the car and sat there with his arms crossed over his chest.

Capper stood for a second, letting his gun hand go limp as he blinked a few times in confusion. “Who the hell are you?” he asked with a shake of his head.

Discord only looked away, barely paying attention to him.

“Discord, you’re Discord, the man who ruled by fear. What the hell is—”

“Shut up, okay? Shut up!” Discord snapped back. Much to the surprise of Capper, who only sat waiting for more. Discord could feel his condescending gaze. With a head shake, he took a deep breath, trying to calm his mind. “That’s a kid I almost killed… that’s a kid I was going to kill, Capper…”

“So… you were once leader of the most dangerous gang in the city?”

“A gang full of men! Not children!” Discord barked, before his voice became hushed and shaky. “Is this what Tirek has turned the Fangs into?"

In response, Capper only looked away.

“Tell me,” Discord barked, making Capper jump back, startled by the veracity in Discord's voice. “Yeah, there’s a lot of young new members, alright. Troubled kids looking for a place to go, you know. I mean—” he shrugged. “Wasn’t that what your gang was supposed to be?”

“No, no it wasn’t! My gang…” Discord stomped his foot and grew closer to Capper, raising himself to his full height. Capper had to admit he was intimidating, but even so, he only stood there as he listened to Discord's rambling. “Is supposed to be warriors. A place for me, and me alone, to, to—”

“To what?”

“Have a damn family!” Discord barked. “But not one where kids, where innocent minds were—” Discord winced. “It was just somewhere to have fun, drink, do what we wanted, be badasses, get some hot girls, but this!” He pointed at the kid who sat crying in the trunk. “This was not my idea; it’s his, and I’ll kill him for it. I'll kill Von-Horn for this.”

“And there it is,” Capper chuckled, much to Discord's annoyance. “For a second there, I thought you cared about anybody but yourself.” He mischievously smiled before patting Discord on the shoulder and turning his attention back to the kid in question.

“Alright,” he sighed, putting away his gun. “We’re not gonna hurt you; we just want to know why you did this. Who are you working for? Got it?” Capper bobbed his head. The young man only shivered as he held onto his bloody arm.

“That— that psychopath bit me,” he winced.

“And will bite you again if you don’t talk, kid,” Discord replied. The way he stood, as a shadow against the moonlight, teeth bloodied, only added to the boy's fright. But to his surprise, there was no anger or rage in Discord's eyes, only a cold gaze as he asked, “Who did this to you?”

The kid whimpered, dashing his gaze and wallowing up in a ball as he seemed to hide his wounds from the monster that inflicted them.

“Got a family? Someone we can call?” Capper asked, trying to move the conversation along.
“Why? So you can go kill them?” the kid snorted back, trying to sound tough, but the way his voice cracked and shook gave away the exact opposite.

“No, kid, so we can get you home,” Capper rolled his eyes. “We’re not gonna hurt you—”
“Unless you don’t talk,” Discord added. Capper turned to him with a narrowing of his eyes, as if to say, "Really?" But a small part of him was happy to see Discord acting normal again.

“Is he gonna be okay?” the boy stumbled as he asked this, getting out of the trunk. “The man I—” Soon he sniffled, and tears welled up in his eyes as he clutched his stomach. Discord and Capper backed up just in time as the boy's face turned green and he barfed all along the driveway.Before another word could be spoken, the boy soon collapsed into his own vomit, passing out instantly.

As he fell, the two watched him, their eyes following him as he went down, only to shoot back up once he was out. “Well, that went well,” Discord added in a somber yet comedic tone, as Capper just rested his head in his hand.

Neither of the two men noticed Fluttershy, who was watching from a distance with a candle in her hand. She said nothing and did nothing; she only turned around and went back inside, a look of exhaustion on her face.

Chapter 13 Fragments

**Chapter 13 Fragments**

With the sound of a paintbrush on the walls in the background, Fluttershy walked down the halls of her old family home, carrying a cardboard box of mementos. She stood, staring at the old wooden architecture of the place. Despite being a little old-fashioned, the house was very beautiful in its own ways. The old stone tile floors, wooden beams, and crown molding all had an old-world feel to them, even though the walls were painted an eggshell white.

But it wasn’t really the way it looked that had Fluttershy so fixated on it. It was the memories that played in her mind from not too long ago. From running up the steps, her aunt chasing her when she was eleven, to her thirteenth birthday party, where she stood in a princess dress. Or the time her mom cooked a full pasta dinner for her rabbit to make her trip, and then threw it all over her aunt.

The memory of her aunt’s gorgeous hair, covered in spaghetti sauce, meatball slices, and noodles, brought a quivering smile to her face as her eyes landed on the sight of a family photo on the wall. It was one of those old-fashioned family portraits of Fluttershy, as a little girl, standing in front of a happy Aunt Celestia and a tired Luna Star, her mother.

As Fluttershy's hand lifted to pick up the picture and take it off the wall, she could feel her own sadness take hold, and a frown dawned on her face as the paintbrush sounds came to an end.

Discord, now done with his work, took a step back to both admire his handiwork and make sure he didn’t leave any other spots. But a neutral, somewhat bored expression stayed on his face as he observed the scene around him.

“Thanks for painting that for me,” said the woman down the hall. He looked up to see Fluttershy standing with her hair over her face. A mix of awkwardness and sadness for her filled Discord's gut, for reasons he wished he didn’t know. His eyes shifted from the girl to the rest of the living room. The once red stain from the wine glass was gone, thanks to him, as well as the old broken coffee table now gone. Otherwise, despite the couch, TV, and fireplace, the room felt utterly empty with nothing on the walls. Vases and home decor were now gone, leaving only a few average books on the bookshelf just to keep the place from being completely bare. With an inhale and a tilt of the head, he finally spoke up. “I can see now why your mother didn’t want me to go home with her. I would have stuck out like a sore thumb,” he half-laughed, trying to lighten the depressing mood in the room.

She raised her head with a smile, but it was clear by her eyes she hated the fact that her childhood home was being sold.

“Yeah, you really had it made here, didn’t you, princess?” he teased as he walked towards her, each step calculated, not wanting to overwhelm her once more and make her cry.

“I should have,” she weakly giggled. “When I was very little, my mother and I once lived in a run-down motel room, if not the back of a car. But when I was five, we moved in here with my aunt. Apparently, my grandparents were sorta rich and left the old place to my aunt. This home was also their childhood home for a long time.” Her eyes lowered to the ground. “I just can’t believe it’s being sold is all, but I do understand why my aunt is doing it.”

“Yeah, well, your mom’s not dead; we’ll get her back,” Discord reminded her, in hopes of cheering her up. “It’s just a house,” he continued before taking her box from her and heading out the door, leaving her with one last look at the place.

She decided after a moment or two to climb the spiral staircase up to the second floor. She slowly went through the halls, each inch of the place giving her another sweet memory of her, her friends, her aunt, and most of all, her mother. Walking into her old bedroom, her bed and dresser were still there, but nothing of real value. She only walked past the room, and slowly past her mother’s old room and her aunt’s, looking for anything she wanted to keep and anything she had to clean up.

…

Discord set the last of four boxes, along with house curtains, in the trunk of his vehicle. As he closed it, though, his eyes shot up at the sight of himself in the rearview mirror.

Around him, the houses all looked mostly the same. A little bit cookie-cutter, but all with a bit of old-fashioned charm to them. Each had old painted sidings, wooden window frames, and classic green grass lawns. Fluttershy’s home, in particular, was clearly the best-looking one out of every single one. It had both the look of the other houses, along with brick paths, the greenest of grass, the cleanest of yards, and the fanciest of little iron gates.

It was a big house, with a basement and attic, with bedrooms on the second floor. In many ways, it was a castle befitting of Fluttershy and her upbringing. A family with decent wealth, love, and good times, now brought to their knees, and here he was, standing in the middle of it looking completely out of place.

His black and white messy streaks, along with the edged look in his eyes, and a fang-like tooth, all looked out of place there among the kid-friendly suburbs. Despite being dressed rather casually, there was nothing he could do but seem to stand out, and as he noticed strange looks from the onlookers around him, he could only feel more out of place. He narrowed his eyes at his own reflection, as he could feel his fists shake from how tightly he held them, as the events of the other night a week ago played in his mind. He could still taste the metallic sensation of the boy's blood in his mouth, and he wondered what kind of monster he would see in the mirror that night. With a shake of the head, he tried to push it away, but the feeling still lingered—one he would never be able to shake off. Setting his hands in his pockets bitterly, he headed back inside to find Fluttershy just walking downstairs.

“Are you uh—” he paused for a moment to clear his throat, suppressing whatever fury he had at the moment. Now was not a time for him to be worried about himself, not when she needed it the most. After all, wasn’t he used to this by now? She, however, wasn’t. “You really had a nice place here,” he weakly smiled.

“Oh, you can’t even see my favorite part,” Fluttershy giggled, taking him by the arm. “Come on; I’ll show you. I want to take one more walk before I leave anyway.” She told him, pulling him to the back door and towards the woods.

“The forest?” Discord raised an eyebrow as the two came to the closest tree.

“That’s right,” Fluttershy weakly smiled, as she raised her head to the treeline. “I used to run around in these old woods for hours,” she said, reminiscing. Her smile twitched, but she couldn’t shake her sadness as the two of them walked slowly through the woods.

The sounds of their footsteps snapped a few branches as they headed down what looked to be a man-made path of footprints left by her long ago. The slithering sounds of the animals around, the smell of fresh air, and a hint of rain in the atmosphere all added to its charm. It almost looked magical, despite its creepy shadows, overgrown bushes, and leaves.

“I would come and get lost in here all the time, even though I would get lost. Though I strangely never felt panicked or scared,” she continued as the two took in the sights.

The light of the forest striped through the canopy of trees, lighting the path just enough to see through its thick foliage. Discord remained quiet as he watched her methodically step, carefully not to trip over the many broken branches and sharp rocks that littered the area.

As she came over a small hill closer to a tree, Fluttershy’s eyes widened for a moment only for her eyebrows to sharpen. “Oh, those kids,” she groaned, bending down to pick up a horde of broken and crushed soda cans and fast food trash. “The one thing that I don’t like is how so many just throw their garbage everywhere in here.” She complained as she hopped over a large tree root and continued to pick up old wrappers and streamers. “They wouldn’t like it if I went to their home and made a mess in their rooms, so why do they think it’s okay to make a nest in the forest?” She retorted.

Discord remained silent, watching among the trees, keeping his distance. What could he say or do, he thought, as he looked around the landscape. He stood for a moment and watched as a bird did somersaults and landed on a branch not too far away from him. “You really are a fairytale,” he whimpered, out loud by accident.

“A fairytale? What do you mean by—”

His jaw dropped, realizing she heard him. “Ah, no—nothing, don’t worry about it,” he grinned, but the feeling of his sweaty palms didn’t help him at all.

But just as he turned to see her, something else caught his eye, bringing him to a complete halt.

On the trunk of an old oak tree, there were several large hearts carved into it. Some with little drawn arrows and all with a familiar set of initials. FB+ and some other name. MA, PP, JJ, AA. A full dozen of names, some crossed out over time, years ago by the looks of it.

Catching what he was looking at, her face turned bright red. “Uhh, da—don’t mind that, I was a—little girl, and…”

“There are so many of them,” Discord blinked a few times.

Swirling under her hair and dashing behind a tree, due to her embarrassment. “There’s, na—not that many. I was a girl, alright? And some of those aren’t even boys I could ever date. Some were popular singers and celebrities I just happened to like, okay?”

Discord blinked a few more times as he lowered his gaze onto the tree of Fluttershy’s forgotten crushes, reading off a few of the initials to himself.

When he didn’t say anything else, she stuck her head out from behind the tree. Realizing he was trying to figure out who they were, she spoke up. “Mac Apple, Peter Parker, Justin Jocks, Ann, Mario, okay? There’s a lot,” she slumped over into the tree.

“Peter Parker and Mario, hahaha,” he laughed, only to gain control of himself when he noticed how unhappy she was. Soon, his laughter once again became awkward as he turned around. “Alright then, umm, we should probably—”

“Ye-yeah,” she choked before stumbling out from behind the tree and began heading back. Discord kept his mouth shut, for fear of talking again, as he took one last look at the surroundings and thought, “a fairytale indeed.”

…

The car ride was quiet, to say the least. Not one word came from either of them as they pulled up to Treehugger's house. Both of them sat there as the engine noise died when Discord turned off the car. Only for Discord to lower his head, using the steering wheel to hold himself up. Fluttershy watched as he quietly sat there, head on top of crossed arms. Taking in the tired sight of him, he seemed a completely different Discord than the one she used to know, as she began to reflect on her short time with him. From his charming yet dangerous introduction, to his absolute maniacal outburst of rage, to this, she didn’t know who Discord was anymore. He kept changing on her, and quickly too. Their last big fight wasn’t too long ago, but that all seemed so little compared to the grand scheme of things now. Not only was her mother gone, Bulk was shot and recovering, and the boy who shot him was tied up in the bathroom. Compared to that, their argument seemed like a lifetime ago, despite being only a few weeks apart.

But it was that fight that kept her mind racing as she watched him lift his head. His gaze was as lost as ever. Was she right? Was there something in his past that had him act this way? She recalled the information she got from Capper the night of the incident. Was it possibly something to do with her mother that had him act the way he did? She remembered his outburst to Capper that night. From the shock of nearly killing a kid to wanting Tirek’s head. Something about family.

“What?” Discord asked when he noticed she was staring at him.

She still knew so little about him, and knew one thing for sure: she couldn’t ask him. If she was going to learn more, she would have to get to the bottom of it herself.

“Nothing,” she replied softly and headed out of the car and to the house. After a few seconds of watching her, his eyes fixated on her, he shook his head and muttered, “You really are an asshole, aren’t you,” to himself before wincing his eyes shut and getting out of the car to join her.

…

Walking into the living room, the stench of weed was nearly unbearable as Treehugger sat on the couch smoking the substance when they walked in.

“Hey Flutters, want a taste? This new batch is something, I’m telling ya,” Treehugger greeted them, holding out the joint in her hand.

Fluttershy hesitated at first, but realizing she wasn’t going to get a chance at home, she took her friend up on the offer, silently thanking her as she inhaled a little.

The very fact that it was anywhere near him made Discord gag, as he waved Fluttershy’s smoke away. Before almost vomiting, he took the liberty to distance himself from the ladies and turned his back to them.

“So how’s Bulk?” asked Fluttershy cheerfully, as if this were an average Tuesday conversation over tea.

“He’s fine. That Starlight girl left about an hour ago for work. Otherwise, he’s upstairs resting,” Treehugger said as she took the marijuana back and huffed a puff of it for herself.

The two girls shared it as they continued their conversation. “And what about Capper, is he—”

“Gone too. Said he had a meeting with the gang.”

“That’s good; he needs to keep up appearances or they’ll grow suspicious of him,” Discord grumbled as he tried to open a window.

“And what about the kid?” asked Fluttershy. The moment the conversation turned to that boy, a slight tremble hit Discord's nervous system. But he quickly grabbed a hold of himself, trying to hide it.

Little did he know Fluttershy saw every action. She immediately wished she could comfort him, but right now was not the time. Instead, she only took back the marijuana as Treehugger replied, “I fed him and everything, but he’s still not talking. Just sits there and moaps. I did give him a TV to watch, though.”

“A TV?” Fluttershy asked, taking a puff of smoke before handing it back to Treehugger.

“Yep, but it only plays VHS tapes. He’s watching Bambi right now,” Treehugger snorted.

“Oh, well that was nice of you. Anyway, I finally figured out who that kid is… it’s all over the news. My aunt was watching TV yesterday when I saw it. Fourteen-year-old Thorax Beetle is reported missing and possibly kidnapped by—”

“Alright, I get the picture,” Discord grumbled, dragging his hands slowly over his face.

“He still won’t talk to you, hmm?” Fluttershy lowered her eyebrow. “You know I could—”

“I don’t care what you do,” Discord replied and walked off.

“Where are you going?” Fluttershy called back.

“To get some air; I can’t stand the stench in here any longer,” he barked, storming off out the door.

Fluttershy sat there for a moment, staring at where he just left, thinking, “Oh, Discord, what’s wrong?” But before she could make another move, it was Treehugger that brought her out of her thoughts.

“I swear, where did you meet that piece of work? He’s such a negative aura, it’s messing with my chakras.”

“It’s a long story. Thank you for letting him and the others stay here,” Fluttershy said sweetly, but her gaze only lowered to the floor.

Treehugger sat on the couch observing her for a moment before gasping dramatically, startling Fluttershy.

“What—what?”

“Oh, now I get it,” Treehugger said in an amused, somewhat mischievous tone, with a smirk to match.

“Uh-oh,” the pink-haired woman muttered in a high-pitched tone at the sight.

“You like himmm; it’s all over your chakras.”

Fluttershy grew a blush but said nothing in an attempt to hide it.

“Oh girl, ask him on a da—”

“No,” she chirped, far higher pitched than she meant to, startling herself in the process. “I me—” she cleared her throat. “Now is not a good time; besides we do, after all, have Thorax to deal with right now.”

“Oh yeah, the boy tied up and stuffed in my bathroom,” Treehugger rolled her eyes. “You got yourself into something, I can tell you!” She glided up her hair. “Never really thought your type was the bad boys… I tell ya, my last boyfriend thought he was but couldn’t even beat me in a wrestling match, if ya know what I mean.”

“Okay, I don’t need to know anymore,” Fluttershy shook her head, a little disgusted by the notion her friend was employing, and soon took to the stairs to go check up on Bulk.

….

Once she got to the second floor, she peeked her head in to find Bulk, who was too preoccupied with a comic book to notice her walk in. She decided to give the door frame a little knock, alerting him of her presence. He glanced over at her and gave her a grin, setting the book down.

“Don’t tell me it’s time to re-bandage my wounds again,” he said tiredly.

“No, but we do need to change them from time to time so you don’t get infected. How are you feeling?” she asked.

“Like I got shot,” the muscled man said with a slow beat to his words. “It’s sometimes a bit painful just to breathe, because that stretched the skin there!” He groaned, feeling the full damage of the wound.

“Afraid I can’t do nothing to help that, but if you need something—”

“I’m fine, Fluttershy; thank you. This wasn’t your fault.”

“No, but it’s still a mess… a mess I want to help fix if I can,” Fluttershy sighed.

He studied her for a moment. Fluttershy stood, her arms wrapped around herself, as if trying to protect herself from the troubled situation she was in. Bulk only grew a puzzled look as he gazed at her. “Ca—can I ask you a—”

“Let me guess, how do I know Discord?”

Bulk stood quiet, but it was clear by his expression he was waiting for an answer.

“It’s a long story, but in short, my mom went missing and I need to find her. He’s helping do that and—”

“And he doesn’t make it easy for you, does he?” Bulk finished with a straight face, allowing Fluttershy to give a nod.

“He’s the one that had me so worked up that night when we first met.”

Once again, just as downstairs with Treehugger, she couldn’t deny that but chose to remain silent, still not giving an answer. Yet her silence was what he needed to understand the situation.

“I see,” Bulk lowered his gaze.

“Now hold on, I—”

“I don’t want to see you hurt,” he said, bringing her to a stop. “Fluttershy, he’s dangerous. Just before I blacked out from the pain, I saw him. I saw what he did to that boy. And granted, the kid shouldn’t have had a gun, but if it wasn’t a child, I don’t think Discord would have let him live.”

“Bulk?”

“Trust me, Flutters, I know what I’m talking about…my mom…” Bulk winced, both from the pain of his wound and the memory of his past. “I was always very, very stupid as a kid and was very, very fat. My mom wanted me to get healthy because she feared of me getting sick like her. She soon got real bad and—and—” he trembled only to cry out in pain due to his wound.

“Bulk,” Fluttershy rushed over, but he stood his ground and kept speaking. “I needed money and needed it badly. So I got involved with the circus. But it was god-awful, and while there I met Trixie, who wanted to escape and live a normal life, as well as the other carnies. Starlight gave that to us, but before I met her, I did terrible things just for a good reason, for bad people.” He shook his head and looked Fluttershy in the eye, catching her gaze. “Fluttershy, even Starlight is pretty shady, but I got no way out of it. You do, though.”

She stood there listening to every word he said, with a blank stare. But when it was over, she simply smiled and replied, “You’re wrong about that; I like you, as stuck if I ever want to save my mother, just like you.”

“Fluttershy, it’s one thing to work with him, but don’t get too involved with him or you’re going to end up just like me, or worse,” he warned her.

She could only raise her gaze to his words and stand silent, unable to say a word to him. She soon got up and turned around, not wanting to continue this conversation at all. He only shook his head as he watched her leave, before returning to his comic book.

…

She entered the bathroom on the second floor, finding Thorax tied up on the toilet, watching Bambi, who glanced at her for a moment but kept his attention on the movie.

The moment she walked into the room, it was clear how awkward it was. The room felt claustrophobic, being only a small room, barely big enough for the tub in the back corner. It took her all she could to squeeze in and close the door to face Thorax.

“Alright, Fluttershy, you can do this,” she mentally told herself and took a deep breath before turning around to face the teenager. With a smile, she greeted him in a friendly manner as if this was a normal occasion. “Hey, how’s ah—your wound?”

Thorax lowered his gaze to his bandaged hand but couldn’t move it much due to his restraints. Fluttershy gently grabbed it; even with her light-as-a-feather grip, the pain made him wince and vocalize a high-pitched “ouch.”

“Still that bad, huh, Thorax?”

The second she said his name, he shot up at her, panicked.

“Relax; I learned it from TV. You’re reported missing by your mother, who wants to know where you are,” Fluttershy said in the friendliest manner possible before undoing his bandages, exposing the wound. “Now this is gonna sting, but it will help you heal.” She said, placing a dab of medicine over the bite marks before re-bandaging them in new clean cloth.

“What are you—ow—what are you going to do with me—ow!”

“All we want to do is know who you’re working for, and we’ll let you go. It’s really all that simple.”

Thorax winced and groaned from the pain before he sat back and lowered his hand. “I can’t—if she finds out I’m helping you, then she’ll hurt my mom.”

“She?”

“Dammit, I shouldn’t have said that,” he cursed himself, bracing his head, a furious look in his eye. “You don’t know who you’re messing with!”

At his words, she met his gaze for a moment, pausing her bandaging, only to lower her gaze back to her work. “You’re protecting your mother; I get that.” With a tight knot, she finished with his hand. “My mother’s missing, and my only lead right now is you.” She raised her head just as the sound of the gunshot that killed Bambi’s mother rang out in the bathroom, echoing off the walls.

“This woman you speak of might be the only way I can save my mother before that happens to her. So please…”

As Thorax sat there staring at the young woman with pink hair, a glimpse into her eyes gave away something he’d never thought he’d see in a girl like her. Her eyes showed a sharp darkness within them—a sharp darkness along with a burning determination that wouldn’t stop until she got what she wanted. This was not the same woman a moment ago who shyly walked in here and wrapped his bandages. This was Fluttershy, and as he heard her give a simple plea, Thorax felt not fear, but sorrow for her. His lips quivered as his eyes softened, and his young demeanor became loose, despite his throat growing dry.

“Crystal Bug—”

Fluttershy narrowed her eyes at hearing her boss's name come out of the boy's mouth.

“She wants Discord. I was to make sure he was captured by all means necessary.” As he told his story, the teenage boy only shivered on the toilet. He began sniffling at the memory of the gun. “I was only supposed to hold him at gunpoint, scare him into submission! I fell out,” before lowering his head as far as he could due to his restraints. “I was never supposed to shoot; I swear, the gun was even empty!”

Fluttershy stood in silence as she watched the sniffling young teenager in front of her, thinking to herself how ironic it was. Not too long ago, only a month and a half in fact, she was lent too far off where he was now. With a blink, she pushed that thought away and returned to the glaring issue, as his next sentence struck her like a ton of bricks.

“She said if I did it, she would help pay for high school. It’s on the collapse because my principal, Luna Star, stole money from the school. They’re shutting it down, and if I didn’t become a gang, I was scared I’d be bullied in another school. I thought this would be the best way to protect myself and—and—” his voice went high pitch as he began to ball his eyes out. “Maybe help my school get the money it needs. I love that school; it’s the only place I can just be me, and I didn’t want to lose that.”

Fluttershy’s eyes went wide as she inhaled. “La—Luna Sta—…”

“I have to be mommy’s good little top boy. I hate it, so that school is my escape from her. I couldn’t lose it, and now!” He choked on his own tears.

“That’s why my aunt’s selling the house,” Fluttershy gasped, catching the boy’s attention.

“Wa—what?”

“I’ve got to stop her; I have to!” She yelled and ran out of the bathroom, leaving the boy as is, with a look of confusion, sadness, and fear.

…

Discord walked along the streets on his way back to the house when he heard a car door slam. He looked up to see Fluttershy leaving in his car and tried to catch up to her, but she drove off, leaving him draining after her. His jaw dropped in awe as she took off, leaving him on the streets.

With a growl, he grumbled, “What the hell got into her all of a sudden?”

Chapter 14 Family Struggles

Celestia was sitting on her niece's couch, catching up on her mail when one envelope caught her attention. With a quick, swift slash of her fingers, she tore it open and unfolded the paper within, quickly giving it a look over, mostly scanning and skipping to the end. But before she could take a look at what she was hoping for, the door flew open, and she snapped her head up to a tense-looking Fluttershy.

“Aunty,” she said calmly—too calmly; her tone of voice was clear, and Celestia knew she was in for it. With a blink and a sigh, she simply stated, “Hold on a minute; I have to—”

“I found out why you’re selling the house. And it has nothing to do with it being too big for you, does it?!” The younger of the two ladies set her hands on her hips, not letting an ounce of her attitude at the moment go to waste. With a raise of her head, Celestia stared blankly at Fluttershy, who was more than willing to continue. “Why didn’t you tell me my mother stole from the school?”

“How did you find out about that?!” Celestia’s hands shivered.

“Not important, what is—is the school, and for that matter, you.” She crossed her arms.

“Fluttershy, I—” her aunt tried to continue, but with the repositioning of Fluttershy's hips, it was all too clear she wasn’t going to get out of this by shit-talking. “Alright, fine!” Celestia snapped. “I have been trying to hold it together for days,” she swung her arms and stomped on the ground. “Your mother stole every cent from the school's funds! And now…” her voice grew loud only to falter. With a dip of her head, she gave in to everything that had been bothering her up until that point. “Now the school is facing bankruptcy… all thanks to your selfish bitch of a mother.”

“Auntie,” Fluttershy's arms dropped to her sides.

“Fluttershy, we could barely keep the lights on when you were attending. Why do you think we had you kids do all those fundraisers? Yes, some of it was to help you go to prom and graduation, but most of that money was to keep us from going out of business entirely.” Her aunt sputtered quickly; she wouldn’t let up. She was going to lay it all out on the coffee table—every built-up rage she had for the past few months. “Now, without that money, I can’t keep the lights on, let alone pay my teachers' salaries, the janitors, or the groundskeepers! We already had to let so many teachers go last year. Now over a hundred employees are going to lose their jobs, and nearly half a thousand students are going to lose their school!” Celestia rose from the couch and stood closer to her niece. “And it’s all because of your selfish mother! And I know exactly why she did it too!” With a furious swipe of her forearms, she continued, enraged more than Fluttershy had ever seen. But the young adult never let a single waiver of her expression change as her aunt continued to yell at her. She usually was someone who hated yelling—someone who was easily frightened by conflict. But she knew Celestia was not angry with her. That, and she knew she had to remain strong. Strong not only for Celestia's sake, but for her mother's too.

“She not only drained all of her pockets, she drained my bank account and the school’s just so she could let out that criminal. She isn’t kidnapped, Fluttershy! She and that criminal Discord are probably running amok, doing who knows what. She’s probably sleeping with him right now in some disgusting motel, like she used to do to all the gang members back in the day when you were just a child!

Fluttershy didn’t know what was worse: the idea that her aunt truly believed her mother wasn’t in danger, or the idea she was with her Discord. “Wait, my—dis,” oh, doesn’t matter,” she thought and shook her head back to the reality at hand. “Aunty,” Fluttershy finally let her voice break into sorrow. “If you’re broke, why didn’t you say something?” She tried to hug her, but her aunt stepped out of reach.

“Because, Fluttershy, this doesn’t concern you,” she shook her head. “You’re an adult. You live on your own, you’ve got a job, a car,” she raised her hands and slapped them against her sides. “You have a life, Fluttershy. I refuse to take you away from it. I just needed a place to stay, but I will be out of your hair soon enough, I promise—

“I can help you, I can—

“NO, You pay for your own apartment and your pets; it’s bad enough I’m mooching off of you as it is.” Her aunt shook her head and then set her fingers to the bridge of her nose. “If it wasn’t for the fact that I only have two hundred dollars in my wallet, the only money that no good sister of mine didn’t steal, I would have gone to a hotel and not here.” She grumpily stated before leaning herself against the wall, arms crossed. “If I ever see that woman again, it will be too soon, I swear!”

“Aunty!” Fluttershy gasped.

“She’s my sister! I do hope she’s alright, Fluttershy, but let’s face it—she never changed. Even after you were born, she never changed. Half the time, I’m the one who looked after you. At least she waited till you were out of the house, but the moment you were, she snapped back into the no-good brat she’s always been!”

Fluttershy turned around in circles, letting out a groan of frustration at all this. But as she returned to the direction of her aunt, she collected herself as best she could and asked, “What are you going to do now? Sell the house? Find a new one? What? Tell me!” Her voice raised a notch. It was quite impressive for the normally shy and introverted girl to do so. Mentally she wondered if all the stress in her life was catching up to her.

“I will be fine… eventually…” Celestia added under her breath. “When I sell the house, it will be barely just enough to keep the school open for a few months. With a few fundraisers, I can get the money to keep the school going and I will find a place of my own; there’s no need to—”

“What if I figured out a way to raise the money without selling the house?”

“Fluttershy, you need—

“I understand why you don’t want my help, but it’s just like you said!” The young woman stomped her heel and stood up straighter. She was nowhere near her aunt’s height, but even so, it was clear she wasn’t backing down. “I’m an adult; I can do whatever I want. So if I want to help find a solution to a school that I very much hold dear in my heart, and a childhood home that has been in the family for years, are you really going to refuse me?” She tilted her head and stepped over to the taller woman by the wall.

Celestia’s eyes widened at the sight of her niece’s confidence. So grown up, so strong. An odd sense of pride and fury developed within her, as she muttered, “You remind me of your mother, and no, not in a good way.” She warned Fluttershy before fixing her own posture off the wall. “Very well, Fluttershy, the house doesn’t go up for sale until the end of July. I need the money by mid-August, so you have till then to scrape up what you can, under one condition!” Her aunt raised a finger. “Not a dime comes from your personal pockets, understand?” She raised an eyebrow at her niece. “You need that money for your own home; there is no need for both of us to go homeless, especially when you have all your pets to think about.”

Fluttershy mulled over her aunt’s request for a moment, but eventually gave a nod, silently agreeing with her, before heading back out the door.

“Where are you going?” Celestia asked, only for Fluttershy to reply, “To figure out how to save my home,” before loudly closing the door on her way out, leaving Celestia utterly speechless. For a moment, she fluttered her eyelids before returning to the letter in her hand that had sat there the entire time. She quickly drew her eyes to the end of it only to read, “Denied city loan.”

With a grumpy sigh, she muttered to herself, “Well, seems I might have lucked out with Fluttershy after all,” before tossing the paper in the trash can by the couch.

…

As she sat in the driver’s seat watching the road, Fluttershy mentally felt exhausted. If not for the fact she was currently not only technically driving a stolen vehicle, since it was Discord’s, she was more than certain she would collapse. Narrowing her eyes, the urge to smoke a joint was only growing stronger with every passing moment. Coming to a stop sign, she brought the car to a halt and mentally gave in for a moment, lowering her head to the steering wheel with a sound of pure defeat from her throat.

Taking a deep breath, Fluttershy raised her head just to check if there was anyone behind her. Luckily, there was no sight at all, which meant she could sit there for a moment or two and try to collect herself. A small, short glance at herself in the rearview mirror caught her attention. For a moment, she closed her eyes to study the woman in the mirror as she often did before. Somehow, she looked even more unrecognizable to herself than when she was a crying mess. Here she was driving a car of all things, when not too long ago, she took her bike everywhere. Not too long ago, she was so fed up with herself that she chose to change for the better. But looking in the mirror now, all Fluttershy could see was a woman way in over her head, with no direction to get herself out of it.

Yet despite this, she noticed there was something in her eyes, something that she longed to be forever and now had achieved: determination. And for a moment, a smile crept onto her face as she said, “At least I have that,” with a partially hearty laugh. One she was surprised she could even produce in a time like this. But when another person could be seen in her mirror, her eyes shot wide as she snapped her head back to find Discord stomping down the street along with Capper, arguing, judging by the look on his face.

…

“Discord, stop! Are you crazy? You can’t do this!” Capper yelled out as he tried to stand in Discord’s path. But with a swipe of his arm, Discord only pushed him aside and continued walking down the sidewalk.

“Shut up, Capper!” he barked as he increased the distance between them.

“Discord…” Capper quickly caught up to him. “If you do this, you’ll be—”

“Hey, what’s going on? What are you doing all the way out here?” asked Fluttershy as she jumped out of the car and jogged over to the boys.

“Oh good, maybe you can talk some sense into him because I sure can’t!” Capper rolled his eyes. “He’s trying to go down to the bank.”

“The bank?” Fluttershy cocked her head to one side, waiting for more.

“If what that kid says is true, then I have no other damn choice!” Discord stomped.

“Really? 'Cause it seems like you’re making a dumb one.” Capper nodded, making Discord turn on his heel to face him. In seconds, he closed the distance between them, his ruby gaze burning with rage.

“Listen here, cat boy!” he snapped, causing Capper to shrink back under Discord’s demanding presence. “I’m fucking responsible for all this shit, and I’m not gonna let this continue any longer.”

“Responsible? But—” Fluttershy tried, only to freeze at his furious gaze.

“That money your mother stole was my bail! Which means that school, your damn house—I’m the reason why you’re losing it!” He growled before letting out a sigh and lowering his head into his hands. “Your mother probably thought that once we were done with Von Horn, I could repay her easily once I was back in charge, but clearly, things didn’t go to plan, and now!” he said, his tone rising back in level with each word. “Now an entire stock of kids will lose their campus because of me. I’m not taking that chance.”

“Why do you care anyway? You never cared about anything but yourself!” Capper shouted sarcastically.

His tone of voice only made Discord’s lips twitch, but he calmly—too calmly—said with a chill in his next words, “Tirek is recruiting children. And sure, while some of those kids are probably going to a better school, how many of them are gonna end up like that kid? A dozen? Two dozen maybe! There are more lives Tirek and Chrysalis will use as cannon fodder. I can’t let that happen again!” He finished with an animalistic snarl, his fangs bared perfectly.

“And you think getting yourself caught is gonna help anything?” Capper retorted, despite the chill he felt, causing his left leg to twitch. His voice was shaky due to fear, but he carried every word with strength. Fluttershy had to admit he was brave for a somewhat cowardly cat type.

“If you go down, even if they don’t recognize you thanks to your disguise, the moment you reveal your identity to the bank teller, the security will arrest you! And most likely, they’re all dirty, working for Tirek! You’ll be playing right into Von Horn's hands.”

“Who said anything about registering?” Discord snapped back.

“What, you’re gonna rob the place?” Capper threw in sarcastically, with a wave of his arm.

“Is it robbing if all I do is take back what is mine? That money belongs to me! And not his little army!”

“Even so, you’re only going to get yourself arrested! No, you can’t do that!” Fluttershy yelled as she stepped in front of him, blocking his path along with Capper.

“Oh yeah? Any bright ideas?” He snapped his jaws at her.

“Not right now, but I’ll think of something!” She paused to take a deep breath and calm down. “I have to think of something before my aunt sells my home. Please, just give me a bit of—”

“You have till the end of this week!” Discord snarled before marching his way to his car. “If you don’t, I’m taking back what’s mine by force if I have to.” With his last words hanging in the air, he sat in the driver’s seat and slammed the door, its sound echoing off the quiet streets they sat in.

Capper let out an exhausted moan as he pulled his hand down his face before joining Discord, leaving Fluttershy to timidly get in the back seat, unsure of what to do next.

…

With the sound of a constant pen clicking that echoed off the quiet, blanket halls of Treehugger's empty living room, Fluttershy sat staring at a document that was as blank as her own mind. It had been four days since this fiasco began, and she now had to save her missing mother and somehow save her childhood home and school, neither of which she had any idea how to do. Her pen clicking only became more constant as she tried to think of an idea.

“Maybe sell chocolate,” she mused, only to realize that even door-to-door chocolate salesmen made very little, even for the cutest of kids, which she was not. Not to mention she needed real cash, not pocket change. What about an event, a show of some kind? Ooh, a concert! Maybe from the band or...” she paused, realizing how many were probably not going to care about a school concert, and instead went back to her clicking as she rested her head on her hand, propped up by her elbow on the table.

Finally, she set down her pen and gave a frustrated groan, followed by an impending sigh, muttering under her breath, “No, that isn’t going to work.”

Growing increasingly tired of looking at the blank screen, her gaze wandered over the room. Despite the constant smell of weed, it was actually a nice little place. Kept up decently, other than the corona shirt or jacket thrown across the couch or floor. There were many musical chimes made to center your aura, whatever that meant, hanging from the ceiling.

Fluttershy didn’t exactly understand everything Treehugger said, but she did like the gentle chimes that came from them when the air from the vent passed through, creating a strangely peaceful tune. She began to wonder if perhaps she should put one or two up at her home just because she liked the sound. There were also dream catchers and little unique trinkets all along the walls. Some more bizarre ones, like a rat tail, butterfly remains, and a stuffed owl, but generally, they were kind of nice to look at among her friend's strange home. In an odd way, the place made her feel more at home than her own apartment, surrounded by her pets, due to the increasingly reminding family dramas.

It was a nice distraction, the room, but as her eyes drew back to the screen in front of her, Fluttershy was pulled right back into the task at hand. She slowly blinked and shook her head a bit, wanting to take a break but knowing time was of the essence. She knew she had no choice but to remain in her spot despite wanting to be anywhere else.

The problem was, the longer she sat there staring at a blank screen, the more her mind began to drift. And drift it did, to one situation she wished she could stop thinking of.

“Discord, oh why does he trouble me so?” she said out loud, remembering what Capper had told her and the awful crimes he committed according to his police file.

With that in mind, her curiosity started to grow, and soon she set down her pen and began typing the name Grogar to find out anything about him.

She remembered something about him; Mr. Grogar, his father, preferring to be called Discord rather than hold his father’s title.

After a few searches, she found the name in a newspaper article from over a decade ago. Reading through it didn’t tell her much.

“Today, the town of Newville is here to accept new constructions of properly owned businesses, funded by some of the most generous taxpayers. With that money, we will see a rise in new factories providing jobs—all thanks to Mr. Rich, who is currently working alongside the city and Mr. Grogar to put together the necessary contracts to ensure our future.”

She then clicked on his name, hoping to find anything more. What came up was little more than your standard personal file.

Lord Lokilius Grogar, born—— died ——, was a perfectionist, construction contractor who built a majority of the buildings in the city, including refurbishing City Hall in —— and contracts under Business Code 4 of the Cheesecake Factory and Car Manufacturer Wheels Are Us.

As she scrolled down his profile, Fluttershy noticed a long list of building constructions he was involved in, and it was nearly all the city except for the housing market. But was this the right Grogar? She remembered Discord saying that Mr. Grogar was his father, back when that one man called him by his name. And she remembered Discord saying that his father was a contractor, but that he also said it was as truthful as his disguise nemesis, Disy. So what was the truth, and how could she get to the bottom of it?

She soon began scouring the entire article, hoping to find a photo of him, only to have her eyes grow wide. There was no mistaking it. Except for his teeth and orange almost volcanic eyes, contrasting with Discord's ruby ones, he was the spitting image of his father. Discord looked so much like him it was nearly uncanny. He wore a bright blue business suit, had a goatee, and wore black gloves. There were some small differences. He wore his hair trimmed short, almost military-like, and looked nice. Even his beard was nicely kept, unlike Discord who kept his as strangely as his own mop head. Other than the small wrinkles here and there, Fluttershy would have mistaken him for his son in an instant. Which only begged the question: How did he die?

But before she could think of this anymore, the sound of a footstep coming down stairs caught her attention, and she looked up to find Bulk holding on to the wall to support himself. Not to mention shirtless.

“Bulk, you shouldn't—”

“I can't lie there all day; it's driving me crazy,” he groaned, thanks to the pain in his neck. “Besides, I'm healing; it's not that big of a deal,” he said, taking a shaky step off the wall.

It was amazing to see such a strong physical being, arguably in top physical state, shiver due to pain. He looked as if not a single person could ever hurt him. But in the end, he wasn't made out of stone. And as he continued to take shaky steps across the floor, Fluttershy could watch in awe and sadness at his physical state.

It wasn't like they knew each other that long. But in the short days, Bulk seemed more like a friend she could lean on for support than anyone. And considering his state, the opposite was increasingly true.

Is there anything to eat? I'm starving, he asked between groans and grunts as he moved his body over to the kitchen.

Yes, there's some peanut butter and jelly; I'll make you a sandwich. She hopped up from the couch and quickly rushed to his side.

She could tell by the annoyed glance she received from him that he didn't like being babied and wanted to get it himself. But since she got to the fridge before him, he didn't argue as she began preparing a snack. Instead, he generally guided his way to the counter and leaned over in wait.

She was about to offer him a seat when he said, “I’ve been lying down for days; it’s nice to finally be on my own two feet again.” He half-groaned the end of his sentence, wiping his forehead. Fluttershy quickly went back to making him a sandwich, and once it was done, she gave it to him on a napkin.

“Let me see your wound?” she asked, not waiting for him to respond. She quickly began to undo his bandages, exposing it to the air. It stung to have it unwrapped, but giving him the ability to move a little more, he didn’t complain as he munched on his sandwich.

The wound itself was now a black and purple bruise, and no blood was coming from it anymore. He was healing quite quickly for a gunshot—a testament to his health, Fluttershy guessed, as she checked it from both sides.

Bulk’s massive neck and shoulders didn’t actually make it easy to see the wound. But to say he was lucky to be alive was an understatement. Had the bullet hit an artery, there would have been little she could do to save him that night. The fact that he never went to a hospital and chose to stay in Treehugger’s home healing made her all the more concerned about it.

“Wish I had some meat in this thing; protein's important, you know,” he grumbled as he tried to flex his arm, hoping to get a giggle out of Fluttershy, who only smiled at his attempts to joke around but turned away and threw the bandages in the trash.

“You should let it get some air for a while. But before you go to bed, it will need to be rebandaged.”

“Your the vet; I’m just the guinea pig,” he replied sarcastically, only to groan when he turned his head too quickly. “So what’s new?” he asked, hoping to have a normal conversation and ignore his pain.

“Not much,” Fluttershy replied, rummaging through the cabinets looking for the painkillers she bought for him. “Just trying to figure out what to do about my old school.”

“Oh yeah, I overheard. So what about the kid, what’s his name?”

“Thorax. We did unbind him, but he is currently spending the night at Capper's. If Thorax goes back to his home now, he might be in worse danger thanks to Chrysalis.”

“Your boss, what’s she like?” he asked just as she found his meds.

“Chrysalis? Oh, she’s…” she paused, thinking of the right words. “… unpleasant,” Fluttershy said with more disdain than she meant to. “She only became a vet for the money and has no heart for animals. That, and she never gets her hands dirty. If an animal comes in sick or injured, she leaves it to me or my coworker to deal with. Other than the initial check-up, she really doesn’t do much at all.”

“She sounds like a piece of work,” Bulk replied, taking the last bite.

“Yes, but working under her has given me the ability to keep an eye on her at least.”

“And?”

“And nothing. Not one thing in her behavior has changed,” Fluttershy rolled her eyes. “I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not.”

With that, Bulk gave a little laugh, only to stop due to the ache. “So what have you thought of to raise that money?”

“Nothing as of yet.” She shrugged. “I have no idea at all what to do, but it has to be big, like a music concert or something, and it can’t just be the kids; it won’t raise

A concert, yeah that won’t do. What about a fair or, or a carnival. I mean a lot of us were carnies back in the day.

Fluttershy’s eyes nearly popped from her skull. With her expression, Bulk could bob his head, which only caused him more pain. “If I wasn’t shot already, I’d be startled for telling you this.” He smiled despite wincing. “That’s how we all met. We were all part of an absolutely terrible carnival—really more of a circus—and we hated every second of it. So when we got the chance to get out, Starlight did so and then did all she could to provide for all of us. That’s actually why her restaurant is so pricey. She bucks and dimes everyone, but I promise you it’s all for a good reason. None of us, including her, even own a house. We’d all be on the streets if not for her. Same with my gym. I tend to nickel and dime people just to help out.”

“Really? Wow, that’s…” Fluttershy was nearly speechless at the story. “That’s actually really sweet. But,” her eyes blinked rapidly, “a carnival? I don’t know if—”

“I bet they would help you; after all, you saved my life. We all owe you for that. And trust me, I think Starlight would accept if you asked her.” Bulk slowly nodded.

“Cou—could you?” she stuttered.

“Yeah… yeah, I could,” he said with a grin spreading across his lips. “On one condition.”

She tilted her head at his remark and waited for more.

“You help me get a date with Trixie.”

“A what?” Fluttershy giggled, making him grow red and lower his head.

“I’ve liked her for years, and…” he turned away, his face growing redder by the moment. “I just nearly died, and, and what if I never got to…” His voice broke as if all the air in his body had been sucked right out of him.

Fluttershy set her hand across her mouth, trying to hold in her laughter. “Sure, if we do this—the carnival—I’ll let you get a chance to spend some time with her, okay?”

“It’s a deal then,” he turned back to her. “I’ll give Starlight a call and we’ll set it up. Hey, the Fourth of July is only a week away! If we have a carnival run all the way through it, you’d make some good cash fast—all we need is a location.”

“I can get permission to use the school grounds; that won’t be an issue. My aunt is the principal, after all.” She replied with a growing warmth in her stomach, bringing her to a sudden and surprising stop. She hadn’t felt anything like hope for weeks now, and this small gesture was as if an entire truck had been lifted from her shoulders. It didn’t take everything away, but it was one less thing to deal with. A growing smile curved her lips, along with a new feeling.

“I’m hungry; do you want another sandwich?” she said, realizing she hadn’t eaten very well in days.

In response, Bulk could only nod as he watched her grab another slice of bread from the pantry.