Wicked Temptation

Just before the entrance to the dark, foreboding Everfree Forest was a friendly, welcoming cottage, its treetop-like roof peppered with bird feeders. Twilight and Spike looked around as they approached, seeing that the many feeders for wild animals were filled and clean. The wild flowers surrounding the cottage were overgrown, but that was nothing out of the ordinary.

“No sign of disrepair or neglect,” Twilight noted with relief in her voice.

“Maybe it’s not as bad as we thought,” Spike hoped.

“We need to see for ourselves.” The two got to the porch and Twilight politely rapped her hoof on the wooden half-door. Immediately on the third knock, the door’s top half swung open and a narrow face leaned right out at the alicorn, prompting her to yelp and stumble back.

“Ugh, another of those purple ponies,” he said with a roll of his yellowed eyes. Their red pupils immediately locked onto Twilight. “Hold on, you can still walk properly… ahh, Princess Twilight Sparkle! And Spike, too!”

The face’s tall, noodle-like body slithered outside and loomed over the two. Twilight would recognise those slender, mismatched features anywhere. Mainly because there was only one draconequus in Equestria.

“Discord,” she panted, a hoof on her chest. “It’s only you.”

The god of chaos bowed before Twilight, bending over so much he was eye-level with the alicorn. “Such a pleasure to see you two again, and both in your right minds too. Means we can get in a game of Ogres and Oubliettes when Big Mac returns from his little errand,” he added while ruffling the frills on Spike’s head.

“In our right minds?” Twilight repeated. “So you’ve seen what’s going on around Ponyville?”

“Indeed I have,” said Discord, before defensively raising his arms. “And before you ask, it wasn’t me this time. My kind of harmless mischief, I will say, but not my kind of execution. If I wanted to fatten up Ponyville, I’d be breaking out the clouds of chocolate rain.”

Twilight hadn’t considered Discord to be behind the epidemic, though she was indeed too calm to be his doing. Discord was the god of disharmony, who had a history of trying to turn Equestria into the chaos capital of the world and being turned into a stone statue for his efforts. Though, Twilight’s friend Fluttershy had managed to befriend him and cause him to at least attempt to behave himself. He still made his fair share of messes, but at least nowadays he meant well.

“It is pretty low-key for you,” Spike agreed.

“Exactly,” Discord said. “My paws, talons, hooves and claws are clean.” He hovered in the air and pointed all four limbs toward Twilight and Spike. They were indeed polished to a shine.

“Don’t worry, I believe you,” Twilight assured him. “Is Fluttershy home?”

With a white flash, Discord was suddenly wearing a footman’s suit and he pushed the bottom half of the door open. “Right this way, esteemed guests,” he said, politely ushering the two inside.

Twilight was relieved to see the inside of the cottage was just the same as ever, clean and sporting some soft inviting furniture. She could pick up the aroma of scented candles trying to mask the smell of kibble and animal fur.

“I think I do a good job keeping things presentable, don’t you?” said Discord, who was suddenly in a maid’s dress. He conjured a duster into his paw and brushed at the knick-knacks on the shelf. “Not exactly my idea of ‘neat and tidy’, but it makes Fluttershy happy.”

“Where is Fluttershy anyway?” asked Spike.

“Up in her room,” said Discord, before adding in a low voice, “and I’d suggest you keep any comments to yourself.”

Twilight shivered. When Discord got serious, it had to be dire. His glare was so icy she almost expected a blizzard to throw the front door open.

“We’re just here to check if she’s okay,” she said after a deep breath. “You know, with what’s going on in town.”

Discord immediately flashed back to a friendly smile, as if the thinly-veiled threat never happened. “Oh, I know.”

Twilight travelled upstairs, steeling herself for what she was expecting to find. Though, as much as she understood why Discord answered the door, why did Fluttershy never come downstairs to join them?

She apprehensively knocked on the bedroom door. “Fluttershy? It’s me.”

“Twilight?” a familiar voice gasped. “Oh, please come in!”

Twilight pushed the door open, and where was once Fluttershy’s bed was indeed a huge, purple-coated blob with a dark pink mane and tail. Like Rainbow Dash, her wings were lazily flopped on her round stomach sides. Her cutie mark had become a trio of fat butterflies that looked like they were asleep. But what shocked Twilight this time was, while Rarity and Rainbow Dash were at least somewhat mobile, Fluttershy’s stomach had grown so much that her hooves were nowhere near the floor. Her thick legs were buried into her blubber, and they wiggled pathetically with her excitement.

“It’s so good to see you again,” said Fluttershy, her voice just as soft as her body.

“You too,” Twilight muttered, managing a smile as she approached. Her wings ruffled when she realised she had to crane her neck up to look at Fluttershy, who was normally the most demure and petite of her friends.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t come downstairs,” Fluttershy said, her head lowering as much as her thick neck fat would allow. “I, um, can’t really move right now.”

Spike was about to make a comment, but kept his mouth shut. Not only did he feel Discord staring holes into the back of his head - almost literally - but he saw what she meant: mice, squirrels, robins and other small animals were nestled against her stomach, happily dozing away. Twilight gently flew up and saw more of them were curled up amongst Fluttershy’s back rolls. She couldn’t help but find the sight rather sweet.

“You’re like their mother, huh?” she asked.

“I suppose you could say that,” Fluttershy agreed with a little smile, her purple cherubic cheeks flushing a shade of pink. She suddenly let out a squeak of surprise, followed by a giggle that sent her expanse bouncing softly. “Oh, something’s tickling…!”

“Wow, no wonder they’re so comfy,” said Spike as he gently kneaded his claws into Fluttershy’s stomach. “You’re so soft and warm.”

“Spike!” Twilight admonished him.

“Oh, it’s okay,” Fluttershy assured her. “All my little friends say the same thing. It’s quite flattering, actually.”

“I’m guessing you’ve had some of Pinkie Pie’s new cake?” asked Twilight. She already knew the answer, but as many perspectives as she could get, the better.

“Oh yes,” said Fluttershy, her tail flicking happily at the mention of it. “Just the other day, she started going around town and sharing it with everypony. And she keeps making more and more!”

Guuurrrrrgle…

If Fluttershy’s hooves could meet in the middle anymore, she would have tapped them together while she smiled bashfully. “Oh dear, just talking about it gets me hungry.”

“Allow me, my dear,” said Discord, and with a snap of his talon, one of those black and purple cakes was hovering in front of Fluttershy.

“Oh, thank you so much, Discord!” she chirped. “Would you like some, Twilight?”

Twilight was quick to politely decline the offer, already hearing the voice starting to pipe up in her head. Fluttershy busying herself with taking dainty bites gave Discord a chance to chime in.

“I’ve been doing a little investigating myself,” he said, sidling up to Twilight. She turned her head and saw him suddenly wearing a tweed jacket and hunter’s cap, blowing bubbles out of a pipe. “It seems to only work on ponies.”

“You didn’t try giving it to Fluttershy’s animals, did you?” asked Spike.

“Of course I did,” Discord answered bluntly. “Fluttershy asked me to give them little crumbs of the stuff as a treat, but none of them seemed interested. Not even her little long-eared friend wanted anything to do with it, and you know how he is with treats.”

“Did you try it?” asked Twilight.

“Just a little taste,” he said. “Tasty, but not quite so the cats’ pyjamas as everypony is making it out to be. And I’ve seen some fashionable feline nightwear in my time, let me tell you.”

Twilight rubbed her chin in thought. “That explains why Spike can’t hear the temptation. The griffons and changelings and such around town seem to be perfectly normal too.”

“I’d have looked into it deeper, but I’ve been keeping busy around here,” said Discord, suddenly in a pair of overalls and a straw hat. “Taking care of the little critters while Fluttershy’s… indisposed. I’m just lucky I can get in my chaos quota.”

“We’ll look into it, Discord,” Twilight promised. “We just need to check on Applejack, then we’ll hit Sugarcube Corner.”

“I haven’t seen your pome-preferring pony pal, I’m afraid. Though I couldn’t taste a lick of apple in those cakes, so chances are she hasn’t touched it.”

“That tracks,” said Spike. “Maybe we’ll get some extra help after all.