Twilight Sparkle, the alicorn princess of magic, sat alone in her castle, watching out the window of her castle. Her eyes gazing over to a patch of the Everfree Forest, she noticed Fluttershy creeping carefully into it. A saddlebag accompanied her, and Twilight wondered if Fluttershy was visiting Zecora.

However, the shy little pony veered from the path to Zecora's house and only went deeper in. She checked to see if she was followed then retread the letter Discord, the Lord of Chaos, had sent her.

"My dearest Fluttershy,

It is with sincere apologies that I must decline our weekly tea. I seem to have caught the flu after attending Luna's Lunar Festival and having to stand so near your sick, but very stubborn, friend Applejack. She just happened to sneeze on me as I leaned down to you to point out how beautiful the moon looked that night. I hoped I wouldn't catch it but woke up this morning feeling awful. I am so sorry to cancel. However, my castle is located on the other side of the Everfree Forest and if you would like to visit, I would surely welcome the company. I have a mask ready for in case you do.

If you wish to see me and I hope you do, for you always cheer me up when I am down, take the path to Zecora, then turn sharply left and follow that path. Just keep on it and my castle is not that hard to miss. If you rather not come I understand, since I am sick and honestly I'm debating on whether or not I should've actually asked you to come cause I don't want you catching the flu. But it's your choice, dear Fluttershy. Hope to hear from you soon.

With chocolate rain and Tuesday tea,

Discord"

Fluttershy looked at the path before her and smiled. She didn't mind visiting Discord and actually packed some medicine and food to help him feel better. She knew he loved her potato leek soup so she made some just for him. As the castle came into view she noticed that the landscape was...askew. No matter, he was the Lord of Chaos.

She ring his doorbell, er, banshee, and waited. His voice sounded from a speaker.

"Who's there?" Fluttershy couldn't help but cringe at how bad his voice sounded. He must be really sick.

"Fluttershy," she managed to speak loud enough for him to hear.

"Oh Fluttershy! I'm glad you decided to visit! Come in, come in! Just head up the stairs and my room is the door with pink polka dots," Discord somehow chirped, rather raspy, through the speaker and the door opened.

Fluttershy found Discord in his bed, looking absolutely miserable. A mask covered his mouth and nose, while blankets were piled on top of him.

"Fluttershy, I hope the Everfree Forest didn't scare you too badly," he smiled a little before sneezing snowflakes everywhere.

"Its not so bad during the day. I normally go to Zecora's when I need medicine for my animal friends. Oh, speaking of medicine, I have some, along with your favorite soup. I hope it's still warm," she dug the medicine and soup out of her bag and presented them to her friend.

"Thank you Fluttershy, it's been hard eating anything. I've had nothing but jello and peaches as that's been the easiest on my throat. I tried eating an orange but the acid hurt too much," Discord just used his magic to reheat the soup and took the medicine.

"It's not a problem Discord. I'm glad to help," Fluttershy smiled and fetched a cold washcloth to put on his forehead.

Discord looked longingly at her. She was so kind and gentle, the only pony who actually saw him differently than everypony else. They all saw him as a monster, but she saw him as a good friend, a kind, misunderstood soul. His affections for Fluttershy grew stronger each time he met up with her, but he couldn't confess them. After all, he was a draconequus and she a pony. External species relations weren't exactly looked upon with understanding, but more or less so with disgust and hate. Even donkey/pony relations were viewed as taboo, even though that was the most common external species pairings. However, this caused offspring to be sterile. Though most ponies tried to not offend mules, they were part of the lower castes of society. How could Discord think about Fluttershy in a romantic way when they would be shunned, if she returned his affections? He knew Fluttershy wouldn't care, but he wasn't about to let her go through such pain.

"Discord, is everything alright?" Her voice broke through his thoughts.

"Oh, yes, um, excuse me. I was thinking. What were you saying my dear?" Discord quickly recovered.

"I asked if the washcloth helped, and then asked if you were done with your soup," she was completely oblivious to his blush, which then again, was probably a good thing. She would think it's part of his fever.

He looked down to an empty bowl. He must've ate when absorbed in thought, "Yes to both questions, dear Fluttershy. Thank you."

She took the bowl away and rewet the washcloth. After placing it on his forehead she laid her head down on his lap, obviously tired.

"Long night?" Discord asked.

"Yes, I was up till ten making soup, then one of my otter friends had a hard birth. I went to help her. It was so sad. She had two pups, but one was stillborn. I helped the family bury their baby. I couldn't sleep at all after that," her eyes teared up.

"It's ok Fluttershy, the baby is in a better place. It's up in otter heaven playing in the brooks and catching big fish," he petted her mane comfortingly.

"I know, but I didn't realize that she was having a hard pregnancy. She didn't either. Everything seemed normal, then she went into premature labor and somehow, the surviving baby was healthy enough to be outside of the womb," she sighed, "I'm just thankful for that. I can't bury another baby."

"Another? How many of your animal friends lost babies?" Discord seemed shocked. Even deaths of infants was saddening for him. He wasn't heartless after all.

"Just her," Fluttershy looked into Discord's eyes, "Promise you won't tell anypony else this?"

"I promise," Discord felt his heart clench.

"I lost a foal. When I was a teenager I met a colt named Black Diamond and I thought he was the handsomest colt ever. I was, of course too shy to approach him but he approached me. After a few months of dating he forced me into...you know. I became pregnant because of it. I fell in love with my baby, but it made him more violent. When it came near time for me to foal, he threw me against a door in order to try to force abort my baby. He was arrested, and soon after I gave birth...to a filly that was stillborn. Only Rainbow and my parents knew I was pregnant, as Black Diamond kept me locked in a house. But even then, since my parents wanted me to abort anyway, only Rainbow showed up to my baby's funeral. I named her Angel Wings, for she was born pure white with Pegasus wings, though her father was a unicorn. To this day I try and make sure none of my animal friends go through that," Fluttershy started crying.

"Fluttershy, I'm so sorry," Discord hugged her and held her until she cried herself to sleep. He couldn't believe she shared that secret with him, but he would make sure he kept it. Safe and sound.

That prompted he write a letter though. He carefully placed Fluttershy beside him and picked up a pen and paper.

"Dear Princess Celestia,

I know this is out of the blue but I have one favor to ask. What do you know about a unicorn stallion named Black Diamond? I recently found out he hurt a friend of mine and was arrested for it, but I would like to know his whereabouts. Out of courtesy, I'm not revealing which friend and my reason behind this, but I want to keep them safe.

Thank you,

Discord"

After he sent it he had a reply in minutes.

"Discord,

Black Diamond is imprisoned along side Tirek. After his first initial arrest, he was released after a year but went on to murder several pregnant ponies. Though being found insane, he had enough sanity that he planned out every murder whenever he saw another pregnant pony. Luna and I are considering a death sentence, as his crimes are too heinous, though we are burdened with the fact that other ponies could find out. Shinning Armor however agrees to the death sentence, as does Princess Cadence for her mother was killed while she was pregnant with her sibling, and her father soon after for trying to protect Cadence. This is still in debate, though if you have more evidence on him it would make it easier to decide. But I do respect your wanting to keep confidentiality with your friend, so I will honor it by pressing the matter no further.

Celestia"

Discord threw the letter into the fireplace, satisfied that Balck Diamond would be getting what he deserved. Only a heartless creature would do such a thing! Especially to such a kind hearted and loving pony like Fluttershy. Discord then vowed to always protect her. Oh, if this gentle mare only knew how he felt for her, but still, it would probably be better if they were just friends, and for her to find a good stallion to take care of her. Even if it broke his own heart.

Fluttershy woke up next to Discord. She didn't realize she was that tired, but the sun had gone down. She didn't want to make the trip home in the dark, since timber wolves prowled around. Glancing over to Discord she noticed he was reading a book.

"Discord? How long was I asleep?" She blushed.

"A few hours. But it's gotten terribly dark outside. Would you care to stay the night?" He looked and sounded much better than earlier that day.

"Oh I wish I could but I promised my animal friends I'd fix a nice dinner for them tonight," she looked out to the dark.

"I can escort you back. That medicine did wonders for me. I feel myself again," Discord smiled, "I'd be glad to help."

They set off for her home, and upon arriving, Discord found himself enjoying a wonderful meal and settling in her spare room for the night. He sighed in happiness to have Fluttershy as a good friend, but, could they be more? He only hoped. Still, he knew a stallion would be better for her, but the more he thought about it, the more his heart threatened to crack.