Twilight blinked as a wave of magic cascaded over Equestria. In an instant, she found herself standing at the steps of her castle, a sense of disorientation washing over her. The memories of the past few months—the chaos, the turmoil—seemed to have evaporated as if they had never existed. Puzzled but not overly concerned, she shook off the confusion and made her way inside.

One by one, the Mane Six were returned to their normal lives, their memories wiped clean of the horrific ordeal. Though they were left with a vague sense of something being amiss, they soon settled back into their routines, their homes and lives resuming their usual rhythm. Equestria, too, shifting back into its familiar lively state.

Discord, however, was far from his usual self, slumping to the forest floor. He had never felt so drained, so utterly exhausted. Each ounce of his chaotic magic had been poured into restoring order to Equestria. He had mended homes, revived ponies and landscapes, and erased memories, all in a frantic effort to undo the horrors that had overwhelmed the land. Now, as a result of this monumental effort, he found himself walking. Actually walking. His mismatched legs ached with every step, his wings hung limply at his sides, and his head drooped like a wilting flower as he cursed the consequences of his good intentions under his breath.

Despite his overwhelming fatigue, Discord couldn’t bring himself to stop—Not yet. Not until he saw her.

After what felt like an eternity, Fluttershy’s cottage finally came into view. The quaint cottage was surrounded by a chorus of birds and critters all going about their peaceful little lives, just as blissfully unaware of the chaos that had unfolded as the rest of Equestria. Discord paused at the door, trying his best to pull himself together. The strain of using his magic in a way it was never meant to be used had taken its toll. He sank to the ground with a huff, still feeling light-headed. His restoration was supposed to fix everything. Everything was supposed to be normal again. He needed to make sure she was all right.

He knocked on the door with a shaky paw, and it swung open almost immediately. There she was—Fluttershy, her gentle eyes widening in surprise at the sight of him practically melting onto her welcome mat.

“Discord!” she gasped. “What happened to you? You look awful!”

He managed a weak smile, waving his claw dismissively. “Oh, you know, just a bit under the weather is all... No big deal.” He wheezed, betraying his exhaustion.

Fluttershy’s concern only deepened, and she quickly began guiding him inside. “Oh, come in. You shouldn’t be up and about like this!”

Discord let her usher him into the cottage without protest. It felt strangely comforting—perhaps too comforting—like stepping into a patch of sun after a storm. He sank into the couch, trying not to look too relieved, and watched fondly as Fluttershy flitted about, preparing tea and snacks.

“I’m fine, really,” he insisted, though he could feel the weight of his eyelids growing heavier. “I just… wanted to check in on you. After everything that…” He trailed off, catching himself before he said too much. He didn't want to risk stirring up certain memories. “How are you feeling?”

Fluttershy paused, holding the teapot awkwardly as she poured tea into a delicate cup. “I feel fine,” she said slowly, as if testing the truth of her own words. “Though… I’ve had this strange headache all day. I don’t know why.”

Discord felt his chest tighten, but he forced a chuckle. “Yes, headaches can be tricky things, you know. Probably just the stress from— well, nothing! Nothing at all.” He said with a strained smile.

Fluttershy brought over the tea and a plate of muffins, setting them down on the small table between them. She took a muffin and nibbled at the edge absentmindedly. But after a few bites, her face contorted in disgust, and she set it back down on the plate, pushing it away. “Oh no, maybe the flour’s gone bad. That tasted awful…”

Discord raised an eyebrow in concern. “Awful? Really?”

“I don’t know,” Fluttershy admitted, frowning as she looked down at the plate. “Everything has been tasting off today… I didn’t think much of it, but now I’m not sure. Maybe I’m coming down with something.”

“Hmm,” Discord murmured, leaning back in his seat. He studied her closely, a nagging sense that something wasn’t entirely right gnawing at the back of his mind. But she looked fine—no visible signs of her past ordeal. She was walking, talking, fussing over him as she always did. Everything was fine.

“Perhaps you should get some rest,” he suggested, his tone deliberately light. “Headaches and bad muffins—sounds like a recipe for an early bedtime if you ask me.”

Fluttershy smiled at him, though there was still a hint of worry in her eyes. “Maybe you’re right,” she agreed as she stood up. “But you need to rest too. You’re not fooling anyone, Discord. You’re clearly unwell.”

Discord gave a theatrical sigh. “Yes, yes, but I’ll be fine after a little shut-eye.”

As Fluttershy tidied up and prepared to settle in for the night, Discord leaned back on the couch, attempting to shake off the persistent sense of unease.Everything was fine. He had fixed it. He had to have fixed it.

But as Fluttershy disappeared into her room, Discord’s gaze fell on the half-eaten muffin, and the unease that had been gnawing at him grew sharper. He shifted uncomfortably, trying to dismiss the disquiet, but the uncertainty lingered in the corner of his mind.

Author's Note