All Hail Empress Fluttershy

Chapter 2:

Morning arrived in Equestria. Fluttershy opened the door to her cottage, slamming it against the wall. There were bags under her eyes and a wobble in her step. Angel Bunny was laying on her back, asleep. Both of them were covered in dirt.

" This is going to take a little longer than I thought," Fluttershy grumbled with exasperation as she moved forward, causing Angel Bunny to fall onto the floor.

" Ow," he yelped as he woke up.

" I'm going to go take a hot shower," Fluttershy mumbled bitterly as she trotted upstairs.

" Right behind you," Angel Bunny uttered as he stood up, pointing to the air.

" Don't even think about it," the Pegasus hollered. " I will use you as my personal loofa, I swear."

" On second thought, I'll go take a nap," Angel Bunny's eyes widened, his words quivering as they left his mouth.

An hour later, Fluttershy emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her head and a robe hugging her body. Angel Bunny was asleep in his bed, snoring. The Pegasus rolled her eyes and went into the kitchen, grabbing an apple. She took a large bite out of it. Fluttershy pondered as she began chewing. Is it possible Discord mislead her? Maybe she missed something. It is a good thing she wrote the directions down. Her diary. She put the note in her diary. The Pegasus flew upstairs and into her room. Once she entered her room, she went over to the bed and reached underneath the pillow, pulling out the journal. She cracked it open and reread the note.

" The Emerald of Chaos and Destruction can be found in plain sight," the note read. " Just go to where your friends delight. Pass the ruby jewels, you've gone too far. Take a left at the topaz and you'll be a czar."

Discord gave it to her in the form of a riddle. It only took a minute to figure it out. She widened her eyes, though.

" We were digging in the wrong spot," Fluttershy muttered to herself then turned her head to yell. " Angel Bunny, get up here, now!"

Angel Bunny entered the room, soaked from the shower. Fluttershy looked away, covering her face with her wing.

" And put something on," she snapped.

Once Angel Bunny put his robe on, Fluttershy began explaining.

" We've been digging in the wrong spot," she repeated. " The jewels we were by were amethyst, not topaz."

" And how would you know that," Angel Bunny argued. " They look the same."

" Because jewels are one of the main things Rarity talks about," Fluttershy answered. " That's how I know. If you hung around that prissy little fashion snob for over ten years, you would, too."

" Fair point," Angel Bunny agreed then changed the topic. " Hey, don't you have a party to go to?"

" Yes, I do," Fluttershy retorted as she walked over to her wardrobe. " And while I'm gone, you get to go to the mine and keep digging for that emerald. We need it before the Summer Solstice begins."

" Aww, why do I always have to do the hard work," Angel Bunny whined.

" Because I'm the boss and I provide the roof over your head," Fluttershy spat, getting in the rabbit's face.

" Right," the rabbit chuckled with a nervous smile, sweat dripping down the side of his face.

The Pegasus turned back to her wardrobe.

" I won't be gone long," she announced as she dug through her clothes. " I'll only be there for a couple of hours and then I'll join you."

" Okay, Cindershy," Angel Bunny snarked then left the room.

Fluttershy rolled her eyes, got dressed then left for the party. On the way there, she ran into Discord, who was disguised as a flower.

" Oh, hello, Discord," Fluttershy said softly. " What are you doing here?"

" I'm here to escort you," Discord uttered. " Twilight said you seemed kind of down, so I thought I'd keep you company."

Fluttershy fake smiled. The draconequus turned back to normal and held out his claw.

" M'lady," he bowed.

The Pegasus placed her hoof in his claw and they continued walking. Discord was gazing in the direction of the trees, grinning. Fluttershy took this opportunity to scowl, roll her eyes, and shake her head.

" So," Discord turned to Fluttershy, making her hastily put her farce back on. " How are you holding up?"

" I'm doing okay, I guess," Fluttershy then frowned. " I still can't believe she's gone, though."

" I have to be honest," Discord stated. " Me, neither…I know I don't seem like I care, but I do. I just have my own way of showing it, which nobody seems to appreciate."

" That's because you're in pony society," Fluttershy chuckled. " We do things differently here. I'm sure if I came to your world, I would be ostracized on the spot, just like you were when you first came back here."

" You're absolutely right," Discord beamed. " That's what I like about you, Fluttershy. You seem to have this understanding that nobody else has."

" Hey, we're here," Fluttershy cut him off.

They were now in front of the entrance to Twilight's castle. Fluttershy went to head inside, but Discord turned her around.

" Oh, that reminds me," Discord tweeted. " How would you like to come over to my place for tea afterwards? It'll help cheer you up."

" No thanks," Fluttershy rejected. " I promised Angel Bunny I would be home by a certain time to feed him. Maybe next time. Okay?"

Before Discord could answer, she went into the castle, slamming the door on him. The draconequus lowered his head as he shrunk down.

" That'll be…fine…," he muttered in disappointment.

Once inside, the Pegasus went to go track down her friends, who were hanging out in the room where the map was. They were all gathered around the table. Everybody was dressed up. Pinkie Pie turned to her, mouth full of cake.

" Fluttershy, you came," the pink pony chimed. " I knew you would."

" How are you holding up, Sugar Cube," Apple Jack asked.

" And, my, what a lovely dress," Rarity tweeted as she eyed the green ensemble. " Where did you get it?...Oh, wait. I made that..."

" Guys, give her space," Twilight giggled. " She just got here."

" Oh, it's alright," Fluttershy replied. " I don't mind."

The Pegasus then looked over at the empty seat with Rainbow Dash's cutie mark on it. Everyone followed her gaze. On the seat was a picture of their late friend, with flowers and "Daring Do" books surrounding it.

" Let's go to the ballroom," Twilight offered. " There's supposed to be more ponies coming."

The group agreed then headed to the ballroom. A few minutes later, the rest of the guests arrived. Everybody who knew Rainbow Dash was there. Fluttershy stood in a corner, watching the crowd. Some of the ponies were complete wrecks, while the others seemed to be doing okay. A couple of ponies in particular stuck out, though. They were Rainbow Dash's parents. Her dad was recollecting all of the great things his daughter did, while her mom hastily wiped the tears from her eyes, smiling softly. Fluttershy glanced down at the floor, narrowing her eyes. She looked over at the clock. The party had only started a half hour ago. She leaned against the wall, letting out a sigh. Her ear twitched when she heard sniffling coming from nearby.

" Why did it have to be her," Scootaloo wailed as Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom tried to comfort her. " She was, like, the coolest pony ever."

" I don't know," Apple Bloom explained. " It was her time, I guess."

" Out of all the ways she could have died, it had to be this," Scootaloo screeched. " Young and in her sleep? Somepony had to have murdered her. Rainbow Dash…She…She wouldn't have allowed it."

" Why would somepony want to murder her," Sweetie Belle asked, raising an eyebrow.

" And more importantly, who," Apple Bloom added.

" I don't know," Scootaloo answered then paused, glancing down at the floor in thought. " Come on. Let's go to her house. There has to be a reason. There just has to be…"

Scootaloo walked passed her friends and headed toward the door. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle followed suit. Before they could open the door, Fluttershy flew in and blocked the way.

" And just where do you three think you're going," she asked sternly.

" To Rainbow Dash's house," Sweetie Bell answered. " Scootaloo thinks somepony murdered her, so we're doing an investigation."

" Not without permission, you're not," Fluttershy stated. " Besides, the police have already investigated the place. They couldn't find anything. Now, back to the party, all of you."

The Cutie Mark Crusaders walked back toward the group, annoyed expressions on their faces. Fluttershy watched them for a moment then walked toward Twilight.

" Hey, Twilight," Fluttershy uttered. " I think I'm going to head home now. Angel Bunny's not feeling well and I promised him I wouldn't stay too long."

" That's okay, Fluttershy," Twilight chimed. " See you tomorrow. And fly home safely, okay?"

" I will," the Pegasus tweeted then sped out of the castle.

She made a flutterboom on her way over to the cave. As soon as she got there, she met with Angel Bunny.

" Have you found it, yet," she asked impatiently.

" Not yet," Angel Bunny replied, still digging. " I found a bunch of topaz, though."

He gestured over to the pile of jewels. Fluttershy rolled her eyes, groaning.

" Nice dress, by the way," the rabbit commented.

" I didn't have time to change," Fluttershy spat. " Okay?"

She picked up a shovel then started digging. Soon, she hit something hard. The Pegasus put her shovel down then began digging with her hooves. Under the dirt was a black jewel with red and orange edges. In the middle was a silhouette of one of Discord's ancestors. Fluttershy picked it up, examining it.

" The Emerald of Chaos and Destruction," she awed.

" That's it," Angel Bunny scoffed, peering over. " We came all the way over here just for that?"

" Now, Angel Bunny," Fluttershy stated, dusting it off with the hem of her dress. " Never judge a book by its cover."

She pointed the emerald toward a bat, which was hanging from a stalactite. Her face was full of malice as she smirked. The bat stared at her, blinking.

" You don't know how to use it, do you," Angel Bunny asked.

" Of course I know how to use it," Fluttershy turned to him, yelling. " I just need a spell is all!"

" And what, pray tell, is the spell," Angel Bunny taunted, putting his paws on his hips.

" I'm going to have to go to Discord for that," Fluttershy muttered as she turned away, looking toward the cave entrance.

Meanwhile, in Chaosville, Discord was laying on the couch in his home, watching soap operas and eating ice cream.

" Danny, I've never loved you," a female's voice cried. " I only wanted you for your money. You should marry my twin sister. She loves you more than I do."

" But, Marie," a male's voice hollered. " I love you, not your sister. I don't care if you love me for my money. Please, marry me. Marry me, Marie."

" Unrequited love," Discord sniffled, wiping a tear from his eye. " It's so beautiful. The pain, the torture, and the chaos."

There was a knock at the door. The draconequus looked over at it and turned off the tv, which was hanging upside from the ceiling.

" Now who could that be," Discord poofed over to the door and opened it, his face brightening. " Fluttershy? I wasn't expecting you. I thought our tea party wasn't until next week."

" Oh, I know," Fluttershy chimed. " I just thought I would surprise you. Surprise."

She pulled her tea set out of her saddle bag.

" And what a surprise it is," Discord uttered then stepped aside. " Do come in."

Fluttershy entered the house, looking around. She noticed the tub of ice cream, which was tipped over on the couch.

" Sorry about the mess," Discord apologized then poofed it away with his magic.

The Pegasus began setting everything up on the coffee table. Discord grabbed the tea pot and headed into the kitchen.

" Couldn't wait, huh," he asked as he filled the pot up with water.

" Afraid not, no," Fluttershy answered as she pulled the plastic wrapping off the crumpets.

" Me, too," Discord admitted as he put the pot on a burner. " I just love spending time with you, Fluttershy."

" And I love spending time with you, Discord," Fluttershy chimed, trying to keep the bile from coming up her throat. " Hey, I have a question for you."

" What kind of a question," Discord entered the room with a now steaming pot of water.

" It's about that emerald you were telling me about," Fluttershy took the pot from him and set it down on the table. " Was there by any chance a spell to it?"

" Why, yes," Discord stated then folded his arms, smirking. " But I can't tell you what it is. My mother would have a cow."

He poofed a cow into the room. The cow mooed, confused at its surroundings. Fluttershy giggled.

" I figured you would say that," she said then starting brewing the tea.

" Oh, but who cares what Mother thinks," Discord snorted as he swatted a claw in the air.

" So, you'll tell me," Fluttershy's eyes sparkled.

" Absolutely not," Discord snapped, making Fluttershy recoil. " That emerald is far too dangerous. In fact, just talking about it is enough to put everyone's lives in danger."

" Oh, but you can tell me, Discord," Fluttershy batted her eyelashes. " You can trust me. After all, you told me where it was and nothing bad happened."

" True," Discord deflated then regained his composure. " But the only reason why I told you is because…Because reasons I can't tell you just yet."

" Oh, really," Fluttershy uttered. " And what reasons would those be?"

" Oh, it's stupid," Discord rolled his eyes. " You would laugh at me."

" Discord, we're friends," Fluttershy stated, making Discord cringe. " And friends don't laugh at friends."

" But that's just it," Discord squeaked. " I don't want to be friends, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy gasped, her eyes widening. She went to go storm out of the house, tears threatening to spill down her face. Discord grabbed her by her hoof turning her around.

" I want to be more than that," he admitted, smiling.

" Oh, Discord," Fluttershy dried her eyes. " I'm very flattered, but…I'm a pony and you're a draconequus. Our worlds could never be. I'd rather just be friends, if you don't mind."

" Oh," Discord's confidence plummeted as he looked down at his feet. " I…understand…"

" But you know what," Fluttershy uttered. " I'm willing to give us a chance, if you are."

" Really," Discord grinned from ear to ear. " You mean that?"

Fluttershy nodded, smiling. The draconequus zipped up to the ceiling, doing loops and cheering. After a few minutes of celebrating, he landed back down on the floor. Fluttershy giggled, again.

" Come on," she ushered as she walked passed him. " The tea is getting cold."

She slipped something into Discord's cup when he was not looking and then proceeded to grab hers. Discord grabbed his cup then sat down on the couch. Fluttershy sat next to him. The two started drinking their tea.

" Ooo," Discord groaned as he held his head. " My aching head."

" Are you alright," Fluttershy asked, feigning concern.

" Nothing I can't handle," he grunted then the room started spinning. " Very funny, Fluttershy. Spin the draconequus with a giant headache."

" But I'm not doing anything," Fluttershy replied. " Come on. We better get you to bed."

" Yes, that would be a good idea," Discord stated, now feeling nauseous.

Everything was turning blurry. Fluttershy began assisting him. All of a sudden, everything went black. When he woke up, Fluttershy was gone, along with her tea set.

" Some girlfriend," Discord huffed then grinned. " And yet, I still love her."