Discordant Harmony
Pony's Log Number 712: I always knew Discord has a special place in his heart for Fluttershy, but I don't anypony thought he'd go this far to impress her...
Disclaimer: Any attempt to replicate Discord behavior will be ill-advised!
One afternoon as the birds were chirping happily outside of Fluttershy's cottage, Fluttershy, Discord, and Shenran were having their regular afternoon tea party. Discord was sitting on the sofa while Fluttershy and Shenran each sat in their own armchairs. Discord had cracked another joke, which made Fluttershy and Shenran laugh.
"Care for a carrot-ginger sandwich?" Fluttershy offered the draconequus.
"It's my wife special secret recipe," said Shenran.
"Oh! You remembered to cut off the crusts for me," said Discord as he reached out to grab...one of the sandwich crusts that Fluttershy had put on a separate plate.
"Of course I did," said Fluttershy, "I know how you like them." While Shenran knew Fluttershy was just being considerate, something about hearing her say that made him angry with her, but he quickly shook the feeling off and took a long sip of his tea. Discord then lightly dunked his crust into his tea and ate it. Discord then reached out for one of the other sandwiches that had no crusts. His fingers detached themselves and started to goggle up a sandwich together.
"You really do make the best finger foods," said Discord.
"That we can agree on, buddy," said Shenran, raising his tea cup in agreement.
BURP!
The finger that belched blushed heavily, especially when Discord gave it a death glare.
"What do you say?" Discord asked the finger.
"Excuse me," said the finger in a high pitched tone. Discord just scoffed.
"I really can't take them anywhere," Discord grumbled as he slammed his palm on top of the fingers to reattached them. Fluttershy just giggled. Shenran just rolled his eyes and gave a chuckle as well. By now, Shenran had gotten used to Discord's random behavior and jokes...mostly.
At least he isn't making me the flank end of his chaotic jokes anymore Shenran thought to himself.
"Can I trouble you for another sugarcube?" Discord asked. Fluttershy went to open her sugar cup, but found that it was empty.
"Oh, no," said Fluttershy, "I'm so sorry, but we seem to be out." She turned to Shenran, "Honey, I thought I sent you to the market the other day to get some more sugarcubes?" Shenran took offense.
"You didn't write sugar cubes on the grocery list," Shenran replied in a stern tone, "It's not my job to check the pantry!"
"Well, you could've checked yourself," Fluttershy retorted, "I'm not the only one who uses sugar in this house!"
"I use the granulated sugar, not sugarcubes," Shenran shot back, "I'm sorry I let you down okay! I goofed! I'm a terrible husband! ALRIGHT?!" Shenran was in the verge of tears while Fluttershy looked stunned while Discord was rather stunned.
"S-s-sorry," said Shenran with a stutter as he tried to recompose himself, "I have no idea why I snapped like that. Look, from now on, I'll double check the pantry for anything were running low on so this doesn't happen again. Okay, dear?" Fluttershy gave her husband a concerned look.
"Um...okay," said Fluttershy slowly, "I didn't mean to make you feel bad, Shenran. It's just sugar after all." Shenran just sighed and said nothing. Discord then appeared from inside the teapot.
"Well, I can just pop us in some more," said Discord.
"Hey, that's true," said Shenran, "Go for it!"
"Oh, that's all right," said Fluttershy, "Shenran and I need to go to the market anyway."
"We do?" Shenran remarked as he looked over to where the grocery list and found a long list was on the corkboard, "I'm really having an off day. I didn't even see the list until just now..."
"It happens dear," said Fluttershy sympathetically, "We need to restock my pantry for our tea party next week." Discord then reappeared back on the sofa.
"Oh, I never realized how much work you put into hosting these tea parties," said Discord.
"Seriously?" Shenran remarked as he extended a fore-hoof. Discord looked in the pointed direction to see a serving cart with various treats on it, the nicely decorated table with their tea cups and sandwiches, and the embroidered pillows which one of those had Fluttershy and Discord together.
"You have no idea how much Fluttershy begged me to put those designs on the pillows," said Shenran, "But...her happiness over mine I guess."
"And I appreciate it, my cutie," said Fluttershy cutely. Shenran just rolled his eyes and sipped his tea.
"Would've been nice if you had a pillow with us on it," Shenran muttered bitterly into his cup.
"With my husband here to help," said Fluttershy to Discord, ignoring Shenran's remark, "it's really not that much."
"No, no, no, no, no!" Discord protested as he stood up and started pacing about, "I've been taking advantage of your hospitality for far too long. It's high time I do something about it. What to do, what to do..." Discord sat down on the sofa, stroking his goatee as he pondered to himself. Shenran gave a light sniff of the air.
"What's that burning smell?" Shenran said curiously, "Oh right! Discord's thinking again."
"Oh, Shenran, stop it!" Fluttershy scolded, but still smirked since she knew he was joking. Shenran snickered. Discord wasn't paying much attention and then a copy of himself appeared upside down wearing some glasses.
"Why don't you host the next tea party?" Discord two suggested.
"I've got it," said Discord as he jumped into the foreground with a number one finger glove on his claw, "Why don't I host the next tea part at my place?"
"Hey, that's my idea," Discord two protested. Discord's reply was snapping his fingers and making a cartoon black hole appear under Discord two's hind hooves.
"Why didn't I see that coming?" said Discord two as he fell through the hole. Discord then punctured Discord two's sofa so it whistled and zoomed about the area. Fluttershy and Shenran just smiled and watched the deflated sofa zoom about.
Then it plopped over Shenran's face like a deflated balloon, making Fluttershy and Discord laugh. Shenran groaned as he put on a long face that was hidden under the deflated sofa.
He thought only Mario got the receiving end of these kind of jokes.
(Main Theme)
"So, Fluttershy, Shenran," Discord replied once they had settled down, removed the deflated sofa off of Shenran's face, and munched on an actual sandwich, "Mmmm! What do you think of my brilliant, genius, amazing idea of having the next tea party at my place?" Discord then saw that his claw was dirty, made a facet appear in mid air, and used it to wash his claws.
"Aside from the fact your overselling the idea, as usual," said Shenran as he munched a sandwich of his own, "If I can put up with you and your behavior, I think I can handle your idea of a comfy household. What about you, dear?"
"I love the idea," said Fluttershy, not realizing that by saying the word "love" that Shenran was giving her a jealous look, but didn't notice it as she kept talking to the draconequus, "But are you sure? I wouldn't want you to go through any trouble."
"You? Trouble?" Discord replied, leaving the facet running, "Never! I insist! Besides, even Shenran would agree that anything for you is totally worth it."
"Here! Here!" said Shenran, raising his tea cup in agreement, but his tone wasn't as enthusiastic as it could have been. Discord then found that his claws were still wet and used the wool coat of a nearby sheep to dry them off. The sheep baaed in reply.
"Then count me in," said Fluttershy, "I'm already looking forward to it." Once again, Shenran gave her a glare that went unnoticed.
"Me, too!" Discord replied, "I'm so excited! I can't wait! No, really. I can't! How about we have the tea part tomorrow afternoon?" Shenran did a spit take in surprise.
"Wuh?! So soon?" Shenran exclaimed.
"Then count me in. I'm already looking forward to it," Fluttershy told the draconequus. Shenran glared at his wife once again before sighing and staring into his cup as she kept talking, "You know, Discord, I've never been to your house before."
"Sure he even lives in one?" Shenran muttered to himself.
"Well, that's okay," Discord remarked, "because I've never hosted a tea party before."
KA-BOOM!
Discord froze as his mind literally exploded.
"Oh!" Discord exclaimed in horror, "I've never hosted a tea party before! So much to do!" He quickly sipped his tea and made his cup disappear, "Thank you so much for the tea and nibbles, but I really must be going!"
"Uh, Discord?" said Fluttershy, "Before you go, would you mind helping me tidy up?"
"Yeah...Eevee doesn't take kindly to water," said Shenran as he looked up at the trembling little chaos fox on his head.
"Evoy..." Eevee whimpered. In the foreground, Angel was riding a bucket to stay float as he paddled about. The sheep Discord dried his hands on was just using a basket to stay afloat. Discord snapped his fingers and all the water was gone, as well as Angel's paddle bucket.
"There you go. Back to normal, just the way you like it," said Discord, "See you both tomorrow." Discord then poofed away. Shenran watched Eevee jump off his head with a deadpan look on his face.
"3...2...1..." Shenran counted down when Discord reappeared once again. Fluttershy was so startled that she nearly dropped her tea cup.
"I can't wait!" Discord told Fluttershy before disappearing for real. Fluttershy giggled to herself. Surprisingly, Shenran looked upset at seeing Fluttershy giggle and the yellow Pegasus took notice.
"Shenran?" Fluttershy asked.
"Hmm? Oh! Y-yes dear?" Shenran replied, startled at being spoken to and tried to recompose himself.
"Are you alright?" Fluttershy asked, "You were quiet during our tea party and you got upset when I...umm...accidentally accused you of not checking the pantry for sugar." Fluttershy gave him a cute but sheepish smile. Shenran just sighed.
"Just have alot on my mind," Shenran replied, not feeling in the mood to talk about what was really bothering him, "This are pretty busy around here since we've got the sanctuary up and running."
"Want to talk about it while we clean up, honey?" Fluttershy asked cutely.
"Not right now, dear," Shenran replied quickly as he hovered out of his seat and grabbed the list on the corkboard, "I'm gonna go take care of that grocery list since I've still got alot to do before the day is over. I'll see you later." Shenran left so quickly that he ended up accidentally slammed the door a little harder than he should've. Fluttershy flinched at the door slam before looking worried.
"I wonder what's gotten Shenran so upset," said Fluttershy, "This isn't the first time he's been acting extra quiet or defensive lately. I know he can get a little shy and reserved like I do, but this is me! He never has a problem opening up with me when something's bothering him. And I'm not gonna let him keep bottling it up inside. He's seen what happened when Mario was doing that and how much he hurt Twilight because of it. Shenran is not gonna do that to me! I'm gonna get to the bottom of this, one way or another!"
"Evoy!" Eevee called out.
"What do you mean I don't have to?" Fluttershy asked the fox curiously.
"Evoy! Voy!" Eevee replied with a concerned look before Angel grabbed his ear.
"Zip it! No one needs to know about that!" Angel retorted in a harsh whisper and in his own dialect.
"The other animals already told Daddy and now's he really upset about it!" Eevee protested sternly, "Momma might as well know about it too!"
"Well, you don't need to tell her that I was the one who..." Angel tried to warn, but Fluttershy stood between them.
"Okay, what's going on here?" Fluttershy asked in a gentle but firm tone, "Are you two fighting again?"
"Mmm-mm," Eevee replied as he shook his head. He then jumped up to Fluttershy's shoulder and whispered to her what was going on. Angel whimpered and quietly tried to tip toe away.
"I...think I better go before..."
"ANGEL BUNNY!" Fluttershy retorted angrily. Angel just gulped, blushed, and gave Fluttershy a very sheepish smile.
The fact she was giving him the "Stare" meant he was in BIG trouble.
Outside of Ponyville, Discord reappeared in the park, still deep in thought.
"Okay," said Discord to himself, "Since Fluttershy, and Shenran, always goes out of their way to host the perfect tea party for me, how do I make my tea party for them even more perfect?"
"I'm sorry, dearie," said a elderly pony named Pearly Stitch. She was sitting on a nearby park bench, "Were you talking to me?"
"Actually, madam, I'm talking to myself," Discord replied as he showed Pearly Stitch his copy sitting next to her and feeding the birds.
"Well, I'm not talking to you!" said Discord two indignantly.
"It's for Fluttershy!" Discord protested and then added quickly, "And Shenran too."
"Oh, all right," said Discord two as he and Discord leaned forward and squished Pearly Stitch in the process, "No more holes, though." He then snapped his fingers so he was holding a baseball bat and wearing a baseball uniform, "You have to knock this tea party out of the park for her and Shenran." He swung his bat to score what sounded like a home run, "She was our first friend, after all. Well, Mario was as well, but he doesn't host tea parties for us like Fluttershy does. Shenran may not have been found of us at first, but he's learned to tolerate and even enjoy our chaotic company. And in exchange, we don't mess with him anymore...mostly."
"You don't have to tell me that," Discord retorted, "She, and Mario too, gave us a chance when no other pony would. And Shenran has proven to be a cool dude...second to me of course."
"But unlike Mario, Fluttershy and Shenran make us want to be a better draconequus," Discord two added, "Fluttershy and Shenran both deserve the best of everything."
"Of course!" said Discord, "I should get them the best of everything. Why didn't I think of that?" He then looked at Pearly Stitch.
"Well? Are you going to answer me or not?" Discord asked Pearly Stitches.
"Me?" Pearly Stitches replied in surprise, "I thought you were talking to..." Pearly Stitch turned to find Discord two was gone.
"No time!" Discord protested as he got up from the park bench, "I'm off to prepare a tea party worthy of Fluttershy and Shenran!" Discord then put on a helmet and jet pack, revved it up, and disappeared just as he was about to take off.
Inside the tea shop was a grape colored pony with a short lavender colored mane and tail wearing a light blue ascot around her neck. Her name was Jasmine Leaf. She was taken by surprise when Discord appeared out of the blue like he usually did.
"Excuse me," Discord asked as he leaned on the counter, "Is this where Fluttershy and Shenran usually buy their tea?"
"Why, yes, it is," Jasmine Leaf replied.
"Oh, wonderful!" said Discord, "I'll be enjoying their company tomorrow, so I will be needing your very best tea, please. Something especially special." Discord made some confetti appear from his claws.
"I'm sure Fluttershy and Shenran would enjoy some of our rose hip green tea," Jasmine Leaf suggested as she grabbed a box and put it on the counter. Discord chuckled.
"Oh, interesting," said Discord, "Does it decorate your hips in roses or turn you green?" Discord turned around to show roses blossom on his hips and then his entire body coloring turned green.
"Uh...neither?" Jasmine Leaf replied slowly, "It just tastes delicious."
"How boring," Discord remarked as his coloring returned to normal and the roses on his hips wilted and fell all over the floor. He began to browse to the shelves a bit, "Pass. Hold on! Ginseng tea! Now that sounds promising. What does it sing?" He then made his jazzy orange zoot suit appear, "I'm partial to something upbeat and jazzy." The vender gave Discord a funny look.
"Again, it's just tasty like all of our tea here," Jasmine Leaf replied.
"So...all of this is just tea you simply drink?" Discord asked slowly.
"Uh-huh," Jasmine Leaf replied.
"Ohhhh, it seems that I got here just in time," said Discord as he took a box of ginseng tea and snapped his fingers. The tea bags floated out of the box and began singing. Discord laughed.
"Singing ginseng! I'll take it!" Discord replied.
"Are you sure you're friends with Fluttershy and Shenran?" Jasmine Leaf asked, "You seem so very different from her."
"Well, of course we're friends!" Discord replied, taking offense, "She gets me, Shenran does too (kind of), and you obviously do not!" Discord then mocked imitated Jasmine Leaf, "Are you friends with Fluttershy and Shenran?" His face returned to normal and Discord scoffed, "The very nerve!" Discord then poofed away indignantly, only to reappear three seconds later.
"I'm sorry. Do you validate?" Discord asked. Jasmine Leaf just gave him a funny look and said nothing. Discord just stomped off indignantly.
"Honestly, of all the nerve," Discord grumbled as he climbed into a freight car and sulked, "asking if I'm friends with Fluttershy and Shenran. How rude!"
"Uh...Discord?" said Diamond Tiara since the draconequus had climbed into one of her freight cars, "This station is meant for goods, not passengers." Discord then blinked and quickly poofed and re-poofed beside the tiara wearing filly.
"My bad," said Discord.
"Why were you at the tea shop?" Diamond Tiara asked, "Did Fluttershy and Shenran run out of tea at your weekly tea party?"
"Actually, I'll be hosting the next tea party," said Discord in hastily, "I'm just going shopping for what I need. (And dealing with indignant shop keepers while I'm at it.)"
"Oh, cool," said Diamond Tiara, "where are you off to next?"
"The china shop if you must know," Discord replied.
"That's on route to my next delivery," Diamond Tiara replied, "Hop in! I'll give you a lift!" Discord couldn't resist a smile.
"Oh! Why thank you, Diamond Tiara," said Discord as he poofed back into the freight car, "At least some ponies know how to treat a draconequus around here." Diamond Tiara blew her whistle and off they went.
At the china shop, a tan colored mare with a short blushy hot pink mane and short tail was nervously trying to put a tea pot onto a shelf. Discord made her presence known, startling the mare and making her fall off her ladder. Fortunately the teapot she was trying to shelf didn't fall off and shatter. The mare's name was Raspberry Vinaigrette and Discord caught her with his magic so she didn't land on her back.
"Uh, can I help you find something?" Raspberry Vinaigrette asked.
"Yes, you can," said Discord as he made sure the pot the clerk was putting on a shelf was secure, "Your finest tea set, please. I want only the best for my friends, Fluttershy and Shenran."
"Uh...you're friends with Fluttershy and Shenran?" Raspberry Vinaigrette asked.
"Yes...judgy...clerk...pony!" Discord replied indignantly, making the mare land on her head and left dizzy. He didn't wait long for her to recover before getting into her face, "Why is it such a surprise? Sure, she and Shenran are both on the quieter side, and I'm a bit, well, more showy." Discord made peacock feathers appear behind him to emphasize his point, "But I'll have you know we're besties. And that's why I need the..." Discord put on his threatening, echo voice, "...best tea set!"
"Uh, perhaps then you'd be interested in our classic tea-for-four set," Raspberry Vinaigrette suggested as she walked up to a table that had a teapot and some tea cups and poured some tea into a cup.
"A teapot that just pours tea?" Discord remarked, "How positively dreadful!"
"But that's all teapots are supposed to do," Raspberry Vinaigrette said as a matter of fact.
"Not anymore!" Discord replied as he snapped his fingers and made the teapot grow wings and hover about. Discord made the teapot land on the tip of his finger.
"Much better!" said Discord, "Don't wrap it. I'll walk it home." Discord then snapped his fingers to collect the rest of the tea set and buried the mare in a huge pile of bits. Then he left the shop and walked about town to his next destination.
"Now, let's see," Discord pondered to himself while pushing a shopping cart, "I have the perfect tea and perfect tea set service. What else do I need for the perfect tea party?" Discord then realized something, "Decorations, of course!" Discord wasted no time heading to the pony-version of Party Central. A shop that sold various party items. The first item Discord grabbed was a piñata and examined it.
"Good...but not nearly good enough for Fluttershy or Shenran," Discord thought aloud. He then snapped his fingers to make the piñata come to life. The piñata gave a loud sneeze and smiled. Discord then grabbed a lava lamp and turned it into an actual lava spewing volcano.
"Better," said Discord and then noticed something on a nearby shelf, "Oh! I'll need napkins. I'll simply make them...ah, well, I could...or...No. I've got nothing. How do I make these better? What should I do? Make them..." Discord held his head for a bit before he gasped as he got an idea and snapped his fingers, "Make them glow! Oh, that's not good enough for Fluttershy and Shenran. Should I make them fly? Glow, fly, and..." Discord chuckled, "...fold. Glow, fly, fold into fun shapes, perhaps?" Discord pondered some more as the napkins, glowed, floated around him, and folded into various shapes.
"Uh, Discord? Are you okay?" asked a voice. Discord turned to see a familiar pink pony nearby with her own shopping cart filled to the top with party decorations. It made sense Pinkie would buy supplies in large quantities since she was always throwing parties several times a day.
"Pinkie Pie!" said Discord as the pink pony walked up to him, "Just the pony I need. As the party pony and Fluttershy and Shenran's close - but not best - friends, I need your advice. I'm hosting a tea party for them, and it has to be perfect. No, it has to be even better than perfect!"
"Oh Discord," Pinkie replied, "You're waaaaaaay overthinknig things. All you have to do is make Fluttershy and Shenran feel comfortable. It should be pretty easy for you. You know them so well!" Discord's head literally lit up like a light bulb.
"And that's why you're the party expert," Discord replied and shook her fore-hoof, "Thank you, Pinkie Pie. I feel so much better now."
"Eh, it's what I do," Pinkie replied smugly. Discord then headed past the checkout counter, snapped his fingers so a huge collections of bits appeared on the counter, and left the store. Pinkie then rushed up to the clerk pony, who was Cherry Fizzy.
"Excuse me! Where can I find the glowing, flying, self-folding napkins?" Pinkie asked. Cherry Fizzy could only reply by giving the pink pony a funny look.
Back at Fluttershy's cottage, Angel was now cleaning and dusting the house with a long face. Fluttershy had wasted no time punishing the bunny with extra chores and none of his favorite rabbit treats for a month after hearing what Eevee had told her. Eevee was just sitting in Fluttershy's lap as she sat in the kitchen. The yellow Pegasus was still feeling very upset.
"I can't believe Angel was saying such horrible things about me," said Fluttershy before groaning, "Why would he go behind my back telling the other animals that I'm falling in love with Discord? That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard! I can't fall in love with Discord! I'm married!"
"Evoy..." Eevee said wearily. Fluttershy blinked and then sorted.
"Eevee, sweetie, that was a long time ago," said Fluttershy, "In the end, I was only trying to see the good in Discord and he need at least one pony to have some faith in him!"
"Evoy-voy," Eevee replied, trying to defend Angel.
"Even if Angel was just concerned," said Fluttershy, "He should've spoken to me about it instead of spreading rumors about me. I can't imagine how upset Shenran must be hearing from the animals that I wanna marry Discord. I wouldn't be surprised if Shenran hates me now and it's all Angel's fault!" Fluttershy panted heavily as she felt tears prick her eyes. Eevee gently walked up and gave Fluttershy a loving nuzzle on the cheek.
"I'm sorry Momma," said Eevee sadly, giving the yellow Pegasus teary eyes, "Angel wasn't the only animal who could've come to you about this instead of just believing what was being said. I should've spoken up sooner before Daddy found out..."
"It's alright, sweetie," said Fluttershy as she gave the little fox a hug, "Now you know not to listen to rumors. Next time you hear something about somepony or animals that doesn't sound right. Come talk to me and I'll make sure we find out the truth. Okay?"
"Evoy!" Eevee replied, feeling much better and jumped into the air. Fluttershy giggled.
"Oh, you are such a cute little boy," Fluttershy cooed as she scratched Eevee's stomach, making him purred. It was Shenran arrived carrying some brown bags filled with groceries in his fore-legs.
"Honey, I'm home!" Shenran called out in a very cheerful tone. Fluttershy hovered out of her chair to greet him.
"Welcome home, dear," said Fluttershy as she kissed his cheek, "Are you feeling any better?"
"Yeah, I just needed some fresh air to clear my mind and such," said Shenran before quickly changing the subject, "But I had some extra bits of my own, so I bought the ingredients for your favorite dinner tonight." Fluttershy gasped.
"Oh, Shenran!" said Fluttershy excitedly, "You know how much I love homemade fresh herb pizza. Are you gonna make the parmesan breadsticks too?"
"Absolutely, my love," said Shenran, "and once you've satisfied that cute tummy of yours. I'm gonna give you a nice, long mane and tail brush because you are so precious to me!" Fluttershy clapped excitedly as Shenran gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
"Now if you'll excuse me," said Shenran, "this chief has to prepare a feast for his princess." Fluttershy giggled with glee.
"Would you mind if I watched?" Fluttershy asked. Shenran chuckled.
"It is my honor to entertain you," said Shenran as he blew her a kiss with his fore-hoof. Fluttershy giggled again and blew him a kiss back before watching him cook with lovesick eyes. Eevee just watched the whole scene and then rolled his eyes. But deep down he was puzzled. Eevee thought that Shenran was trying to distract Fluttershy from speaking to him about Angel's rumors. But nothing Shenran said or did gave off any implication that he was doing that. In fact, all Eevee sensed was a husband trying to make his wife happy. All he could do was hope that Fluttershy would bring the situation up during dinner or when Shenran brushed her mane and tail.
But to his surprise, Fluttershy never said anything during dinner and when Shenran started brushing her mane, Fluttershy got to cozy that she fell asleep.
Meanwhile, somewhere beyond the very fabric of space and time, possibly even reality, where the parodies of Wonderland, the world of Dr. Seuss, and possibly even Pinkie's inner mind were all melded together to create their own dimension.
This...was Discord homeland.
There on top of a small floating island, not to be confused with Angel Island for all you fans of Sonic the Hedgehog, was a modest looking cottage where the draconequus called home. Discord had just appeared in the front yard.
"Make Fluttershy and Shenran feel comfortable, make Fluttershy and Shenran feel comfortable, comfortable, comfortable," Discord muttered as he paced about the yard, "Well, I mean, that shouldn't be a problem." Discord then walked inside his house and stepped into the living room. Inside his volcano was on the ceiling, spewing lava all over the surrounding area. Other pieces of furniture were also on the ceiling. There were stairs that led to nowhere. A coat rack made out of a broom and wizard's hat as well as a potted plant made out of books and another plant made out of popcorn. There was also a purple portal in the middle of the floor as well as a armchair made out of clouds and a sofa made out of the parts of a piano. The flying teapot crashed head on into a painting of himself and Fluttershy, making the painting crash into the floor. The piñata was hanging nearby as it gave another sneeze and smiled. The ginseng tea continued to sing and hover about as well as the floating, glowing napkins.
"Oh, dear," said Discord worriedly, "That might be a problem." The ginseng just kept singing as it floated past the foreground.
"Maybe it's not as bad as I think," Discord said to himself, "Maybe Fluttershy and Shenran would be comfortable having a tea party here." Discord then ducked to avoid the flying teapot, singing ginseng, and floating napkins as they raced over his head. In the foreground, the piñata was now standing on the piano sofa and gave another sneeze.
"Maybe I just need another set of eyes on this," said Discord and turned to find Discord two sitting on the cloud sofa reading the newspaper, "What do you think?" Discord two lowered his paper and gasped dramatically.
"That bad?" Discord remarked.
"No, worse," said Discord 2, waving his rolled up newspaper to Discord's face, "Fluttershy and Shenran would never be comfortable here! What have you done?!"
"I was trying to make the tea party different and special like me," Discord replied sadly, "But all I did was make it chaotic and weird...like me." Discord then curled up into a ball as Discord two gave him a blunt look, "What if those ponies at the tea shop and the china shop were right? What if Fluttershy and Shenran see how crazy this place is and realizes how different we are? And then doesn't want to be friends anymore?!" Discord two gave Discord a brown bag as the latter started to hyperventilate.
"Relax!" Discord two retorted, "We can fix this. Time to call in the team." The door opened and four more copies appeared before the already two draconequuses.
"Okay, chief," said Discord two, "What's the plan?"
"What to do, what to do, what to do..." Discord pondered as he paced about and the other copies followed right behind him, "Oh!" Discord then stopped pacing, and the other copies crashed into him from behind. Discord two gave copies three, four, five, and six a glare.
"Got it!" said Discord, "We know Fluttershy and Shenran, and we know what they likes. First of all, we need to get rid of all the new stuff."
"You heard him!" said Discord two as he put on a red hardhat, "Strike the new stuff!" The other copies put on yellow hard hats and orange vests before poofing away. Two copies quickly vacuumed up the lava around the volcano, put the volcano on a rolling dolly, and then poofed it away. Then the two copies shared a high five with each other. Another copy gathered the glowing, floating napkins into a jar and sealed it. Another copy captured the flying tea pot. Then two copies watched the piñata bouncing on the piano sofa. Then one snapped his fingers to make some bats appear. The piñata sneezed, spewing candy all over the floor, and ran away for dear life out of the window.
"Piñatas hate bats," Discord three said to the others. Then the singing ginseng appeared. Discord gathered them all up into a box and sealed it shut.
"Enjoy your all-expense-paid trip around Equestria!" Discord, wearing an orange hat, told the tea bags before making the package disappear.
"Well done," Discord told his copies, "but there's still more to do." The other Discord were about to take their lunch break and grumbled to each other.
"We need to make this place more Fluttershy and less, well, me," said Discord, "and, yes, I am aware I excluded Shenran. Maybe I'll consider a thing or two for him, but when it comes down to it, that cottage he lives in was Fluttershy's to begin with before she decided to give Shenran his one percent share." The other Discords mumbled and nodded in agreement. Discord was then seen reclining on a nearby sofa.
"One thing I know about my dear friends is that they both love comfy chairs," said Discord before adding, "But not on the ceiling." Discord then snapped his fingers and set the sofa on the floor.
"And I'm almost certain they like stairs..." Discord continued as he stood at the top of a staircase leading to a dead end, "...that lead somewhere." Discord two gave Discord a thumbs up and flicked the stairs into a long carpet and turned it into a hanging wall decoration. Discord then noticed that two copies were sitting at a table on the ceiling playing cards with each other.
"And although we've never discussed it," said Discord, "I'm pretty sure Fluttershy likes gravity. I know Shenran does." Discord then snapped his fingers to make the table fall off the ceiling, including the two copies so everything landed on the floor with a loud THUD.
"Okay, fellas," Discord told his copies, "This is a good start, but stand back. Let me show you how it's done. We just need some of this." Discord then snapped his fingers to give the walls some pink wallpaper with butterflies on it. The popcorn and book plants became normal plants and the sofa was given a more cutesy design.
"And a little of that," said Discord as he snapped his fingers again, "adding a grandfather clocks, a long wall mirror, and a table top with a smaller plant on it. The other copies oohed and awed in amazement.
"And a whole lot of those!" said Discord as he snapped his fingers again, making the rest of the house decor match the other furniture.
"Phew!" said Discord once he had finished and used a fan to cool off his smoking thumb.
"How boring," Discord two remarked, but quickly corrected himself, "I mean, normal."
"Thank you!" Discord replied.
"Good job," Discord two replied as he examined the window drapes, "The window treatments are perfectly unexceptional."
"But we're not done yet," said Discord.
"You don't mean..." Discord two said dramatically.
"Mm-hmm," Discord nodded with a smirk on his face.
"Makeovers!" said all six Discords with anime eyes.
Some fashion runway music began to play. Discord two and the other copies were waiting by the sofas for Discord to come out in his new outfit ideas. The first outfit Discord came out with was a long green trench coat with thick white scarf, a black cane, and donning a black aristocratic wig.
"Hating it," Discord two said as the other copies continued to text and look at their smart phones.
Discord then went back behind the dressing curtain and came out wearing some hip-hop dancer style clothes, which included a red backward baseball cap, shades, several mediation necklaces, and some very baggy pants that had the top of his underpants visible. Discord posed, making his pants fall down, and he used his claws to cover up.
"Hating it," Discord two replied as the other copies kept looking at their smart phones.
Discord then came out in a cosplay of Henry VIII.
"Hating it," Discord two replied as the other copies kept looking at their smart phones. Discord looked worried and quickly ducked back behind the dressing curtain. While the next outfit wasn't visible to the audience, one could see that Discord was wearing a pair of black pants.
"Hating...how much I love it!" said Discord two as the other copies smiled in approval.
As some scissors snipped across the foreground, Discord was now sitting in a barber's chair with an apron over himself. Another copy when got to work trying to fix his hair. The first hair style was a mockup of Fluttershy's mane, which Discord stroked the curly bangs. Then the copy spun the chair about and Discord now had a pompadour hairstyle. Discord gave a wink before the copy spun the chair about again. Now Discord had a beehive hairdo with fake bee decorations sticking out of it. Discord went to tweak one of the fake bees when real bees came out of his hair.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Discord screamed as he ran off with the bees in high pursuit. The copy just shrugged his shoulders innocently before a spray can fired across the foreground to change the scene.
Once Discord recovered, he was sitting in an armchair with four of his copies standing behind them.
"Okay, let's give these conversation cards a whirl," said Discord as he held the cards to read them and cleared his throat, ""It is very nice to see you today"." Another copy was sitting on the sofa smiling and wearing a Fluttershy costume. Sadly, no copy wanted to dress up as Shenran, ""Have you read any good books lately?" "Your garden looks positively lovely."" All the other copies smiled and gave Discord a thumbs up.
A few minutes later, the six Discords joined hands in the center of a circle, cheered as they broke away, and all the copies disappeared to leave Discord alone. Discord was wearing a red sweater with a white shirt and tie, and some black pants.
"Huh. Quite strange," said Discord, "For the first time in my life, I don't feel quite strange. In fact, I feel...completely normal." He then put on some glasses to complete his look, "Everything is finally perfect for Fluttershy and Shenran." It was then the clock chimed.
"And just in time," said Discord as he snapped his fingers. Outside his house, Fluttershy and Shenran poofed before the front door.
"Hmm," Shenran said as he looked around, "Twisted...like Discord...yeah, this is so kind of what I'd expect around his neighborhood." Fluttershy gave him an annoyed look. She still couldn't believe that she had forgotten all about talking to Shenran about the rumors. She didn't even remember about it until this morning when she reminded Shenran about the tea party at Discord's house. She noticed that he had gotten rather quiet and reserved, especially when she told how excited she was about it. Then something else came to mind.
Did Shenran do all those things last night so she wouldn't confront him about the rumors?
"Shenran?" Fluttershy asked in a firm tone.
"Yes dear?" Shenran replied.
"Why did you make me dinner last night?" Fluttershy asked, "and brush my mane and tail?" Shenran looked indignant.
"Don't like me taking care of you?" Shenran retorted.
"Answer my question!" Fluttershy snapped, "And you better tell me the truth!"
"Fine!" said Shenran, "I wanted to be close to my wife. I wanted to spoil her cause I love her and I wanted to know that she loved me, okay?! OKAY?!" Fluttershy kept a firm look, but deep down she was puzzled. Shenran was telling her the truth. He made full eye contact with her as he was talking to her.
"Are you sure there isn't something you're trying not to talk about with me?" Fluttershy asked in a skeptical tone. Shenran raised an eyebrow at her.
"If something was bothering you, why didn't you talk to me about it last night instead of right at this very moment?" Shenran asked plainly.
Before Fluttershy could speak up, Discord opened his front door.
"Discord!" said Fluttershy happily, "I'm so excited to finally see where you live!"
"I bet," Shenran muttered with a discreet eye roll as Fluttershy jabbed his side with a fore-knee.
"G-Greetings, friends," said Discord politely, "Please do come in."
"Both of us?" Shenran asked bluntly.
"Stop it!" Fluttershy scolded under her breath as she shot him a stern glare. Shenran just blew Fluttershy a raspberry.
"Of course I mean both of you," said Discord, "Make yourself comfortable!" Fluttershy walked in first with Shenran trotting behind her with a long face.
"I can't wait to see how...uh...oh..." Fluttershy was taken aback by the interior decor of the living room, including the tea set and refreshments. Shenran was just as stunned.
"Wow," said Shenran, "This is...quite cozy."
"Is something amiss?" Discord asked.
"Um, no, no, not at all," said Fluttershy, not wanting to be rude, "It's just not what I expected. It's quite...lovely."
"Please have a seat, the both of you," said Discord.
"Where is it?" Fluttershy asked eagerly.
"On the ceiling, the walls, in the air?" Shenran added.
"Right here," Discord answered as he pushed over a couple of armchairs near the coffee table.
"Oh," said Fluttershy.
"Didn't see that coming," Shenran remarked as he and Fluttershy took a seat.
"I think you'll both be quite pleased with the green tea I've selected for us today," Discord told the Pegasi couple as he poured some tea into the cup.
"Oooh!" said Fluttershy with interest, "Does it actually turn us green? Is it really envious of the other teas? What's it do? What's it do?" Fluttershy smiled excitedly. Shenran chuckled until Fluttershy glared at him.
"What?" Shenran asked, "The way you were getting excited was cute!" Fluttershy just rolled her eyes as Shenran just scoffed and rolled his eyes as well.
"Uh, well, it tastes delicious," said Discord.
"Oh...okay," said Fluttershy as Discord gave her a teacup.
"Umm...cool...I guess," said Shenran as he took his cup as well. Discord then took a seat on a nearby sofa.
"What particularly nice weather we're having," Discord remarked. Fluttershy and Shenran both gave him funny looks.
"Yes...yes, we are," Fluttershy replied.
"It did rain the other day, however," said Discord as he sipped his tea.
"Uh-huh..." said Fluttershy slowly as she looked at her tea cup.
"What kind of rain was it?" Shenran asked, "I know you're partial to chocolate milk." That got Fluttershy excited since she was wondering that as well.
"Just water," said Discord, leaving both Pegasi disappointed, "but the weather today is particularly nice...As I previously mentioned. Would you care for some milk toast?" Discord then offered them a plate with the toast, but neither pony took one.
"Uh, Discord, you don't seem to be yourself today," Fluttershy pointed out, "Are you feeling all right?" Discord was taken aback.
"Whatever you mean?" Discord asked casually.
"Well, it's just..." Fluttershy tried to explain as Shenran gave him a skeptical look, "what you're wearing. And also what you're saying. And also the way you're saying it. And, um, pretty much everything else."
"Mmm-hmm," Shenran hummed in agreement.
"Oh dear Fluttershy and Shenran, worry not," Discord replied despite the concerned looks Fluttershy and Shenran were giving him, "I can assure you that for the first time, I'm feeling perfectly normal." Fluttershy just stared at her tea cup while Shenran just looked away, "Now, let me top you off." Then Discord surprised Fluttershy and Shenran when he dropped the teapot.
"Oops! Butterfingers! How embarassing," said Discord. He bent down to grab the teapot but his claw went right through it.
"Wuh?!" Shenran said in shock.
"Uh, what's going on?" Fluttershy asked.
"I have...no idea," said Discord as he looked at his claw. It was then Fluttershy and Shenran saw that Discord was starting to look a little transparent. Shenran cringed and Fluttershy gasped loudly and dropped her tea cup.
"Discord! You're starting to fade away!" Fluttershy exclaimed.
"Oh, you don't say..." Discord remarked, "Have you read any good books lately?" He gave a light but nervous chuckle. Fluttershy just winced fearfully. Shenran simply looked at his wife and said nothing. As Fluttershy continued to look worried, Discord spoke up again.
"Huh. Have you tried to scones?" Discord asked, "They're positively delectable. The secret is in the extra butter."
"Umm...okay," said Shenran and went to grab one before Fluttershy slapped his fore-hoof off.
"What is wrong with you?!" Fluttershy snapped, "You're acting so normal, which is not so normal for you!"
"I know I asked you to tone down the chaos behavior, buddy," Shenran added, "but I didn't expect you to completely turn it off."
"Well, whatever do you mean?" Discord asked, "This is just me being me." Shenran blinked.
"Oh, okay then," said Shenran, "It's a nice welcome change. Don't you think so dear?"
"No, it's not!" Fluttershy bellowed and looked at Discord firmly, "It's you being like everypony else!"
"I prefer to think of it as fitting in," Shenran replied. Fluttershy gave Shenran a disapproving look. Discord then gasped and put the dropped but empty teacup back into the saucer. This caused his body to become even more transparent.
"Eeeek!" Fluttershy squeaked, even Shenran winced as well, "The more you do it, the more you fade away!"
"But...why though?" Shenran asked. Fluttershy soon figured it out.
"Of course!" said Fluttershy, "You're a creature of pure chaos! Being normal is destroying you!"
"Say what?" Shenran exclaimed in shock.
"How interesting!" said Discord with a laugh, "That reminds me of something I heard of at the market today." Discord then faded even more, now loosing color due to being so transparent.
"Stop it!" Fluttershy snapped as she hovered up into his face, "Please! You need to go back to being your not-normal normal self! Quick, Discord! Uh, do something chaotic before it's too late! Please!"
"Do something chaotic?" Discord replied wearily, "I'll try..." He tried snapping his fingers, but his thumb went right though the other finger.
"Ohhhh, that's not good..." Discord remarked. Fluttershy whimpered. As much as Shenran wanted to feel jealous, he actually felt very worried and concerned.
"Oh no, Discord is about to destroy himself...and...and I care!" Shenran said aloud before looking...at you readers?!
"WHAT IS THE DEAL?!"
Before any of you can answer his question, Fluttershy is going to deal with him first.
"Could you please excuse us for a second?" Fluttershy told Discord politely before she hovered over to her husband, grabbed him by the ear with her teeth, and pulled him away so they could speak in private behind the armchair.
"Ow! Ow! Ow! Hey, stop that!" Shenran yelped as he got his ear free from Fluttershy's teeth, "What do you think I am? A foal?!"
"Then stop acting like one!" Fluttershy snapped sternly in a hushed tone, "I can't believe you actually want Discord to disappear!" Shenran gave his wife an unapologetic tone before blurting out the first thing on his mind.
"Because with him gone, I won't have to worry about losing you to him," Shenran remarked before sucking his lips into his mouth. Fluttershy was shocked and indignant, even though she knew exactly why Shenran felt that way.
"Excuse me?!" Fluttershy remarked and then said sternly, "What's that supposed to mean? What makes you think I would ever leave you to be with Discord?" Fluttershy's glare then softened when Shenran began to cry.
"Shenran," Fluttershy said in a firm but gentle tone, "Why...why would you think I want to be with Discord over you? Talk to me, sweetheart, Stop avoiding the issue and just talk to me, please?" Fluttershy already knew the truth, but she really wanted Shenran to be honest with her. Shenran sniffled as his tears increased.
"Because I've been hearing all the animals talking and saying that you have a crush on him," Shenran sobbed, "I didn't want to believe it. Since you married me after all, but...the more I see you two hanging out at these tea parties. I see how much closer you two are getting and how much fun you have when he's around. I...I got jealous...and I...I just feel like I'm seeing proof that what the animals are saying is true. I can't compete with him! He can do far more talent-wise than I ever could. You take away the fact I can use dual swords, I'm nothing special. Why stay with the boring retired soldier stallion when you can have a draconequus that will make your life exciting and fun all the days of your life!" Shenran buried his face into his fore-hooves and cried harder. Fluttershy could help but breathe a sigh of relief, grateful that Shenran had finally been honest what was bothering him. Fluttershy didn't wait for Shenran to calm down before she grabbed his fore-legs, looked into his brown eyes, which were still pouring tears, and planted a soft kiss on his lips that lasted a good second before she pulled away.
"Shenran, my love," said Fluttershy, "What the animals said...isn't true. I mean...I'll admit that I did have a little crush on Discord back in the day. But I got over it because I fell heavily in love with you!"
"Really?" Shenran croaked.
"Of course, silly," said Fluttershy, "Turns out Angel was just spreading rumors because he assumed, just like you did, that I was falling for Discord and want to marry him. This whole misunderstanding could've been avoided if you had just come to me about it. Instead of just assuming that I would just dump you for him. Why didn't you just talk to me? You've seen from Mario and Twilight what happens when you're not honest with each other." Shenran blushed and sniffled.
"It just felt so weird to ask you about it," Shenran admitted, "the idea of walking up to you and asking, "Flutters, are you falling in love with Discord?". I could totally see you looking at me as if I laid an egg!" Fluttershy giggled.
"Well, I'll admit that I would be surprised at the question," said Fluttershy, "But if you explained why you asked me that. I could've cleared the air." Shenran nodded in agreement.
"I'm so sorry, my love," said Shenran, "but you don't have to suffer gloominess like Mario does have that fear that one day the mare you love with all their heart could decide their done with you and leave."
"Shenran..." said Fluttershy, gazing into his eyes with firm but teary eyes, "As Celestia as my witness, I promise you that will never, ever happen! Discord has a special place in my heart, but it's the same way Mario says I have a special place in his heart. It's nothing romantic. I want to be with you forever! I, when I'm ready, want to have foals with you and start a family. There is no other pony, or creature, I wanna be married too! You believe me don't you?" Fluttershy gently wiped Shenran's tears away, making Shenran giggle a little as he pulled her into a hug.
"Can you forgive me for being so selfish?" Shenran asked sadly, "I just don't want to lose you."
"I already have," said Fluttershy, "and you won't. I love you, my prince."
"And I love you, my princess," Shenran replied as they shared another kiss and nuzzled each other with their noses.
"Now, will you help me save our friend?" Fluttershy asked, "After all, I know you care about him too and don't want to see him disappear forever." Shenran smiled.
"Yeah, let's save Discord together!" said Shenran with a determined smile. Fluttershy gave a cute giggle, clapped, and gave Shenran another hug and a cheek kiss. Then the two Pegasi came out of from behind the armchair.
"Is everything alright?" Discord asked with concern, "I heard crying."
"I'll tell you later," Shenran replied quickly, "Right now, we need to get you solid again, buddy. But that might be tricky since you can't summon your magic with your fingers anymore."
"Yes...I noticed that..." Discord said slowly, looking at his see-though claw. Fluttershy whimpered worriedly.
"Then I guess it's up to us," said Fluttershy, "Okay. All right. How about..." Fluttershy whimpered.
"Keep calm, dear," said Shenran, "Panicking won't help Discord right now." Fluttershy then got an idea and knocked the tea cup off the saucer.
"Oh no!" said Fluttershy in an over the top tone, "I tipped over that cup! That's pretty chaotic, right?" Discord just yawned in reply.
"Honey, that's more triggering Twilight and Mario's hyper-organization," Shenran remarked as Fluttershy whimpered again.
"What if I..." Fluttershy then rushed over to a plate of sandwiches that had the crusts removed. She spun the plate around and bit them before talking with her mouth full, "Oh, my! Talking with food in my mouth after taking a bite from every sandwich!" Fluttershy gulped and dangled her tongue from her mouth, "How wacky!" Shenran giggled until Fluttershy gave him a low growl.
"Sorry, I don't mean to laugh," Shenran replied in his defense, "But seeing you do that was really cute."
"I agree with that," Discord remarked. Fluttershy rolled her eyes.
"Thank you both, but I'm trying to be chaotic, not cute," said Fluttershy as she looked at Discord, "Do anything for ya?" Discord just faded even more. Fluttershy whimpered again.
"Okay. Hmm..." Fluttershy pondered.
"If I may interject, sweetie," said Shenran.
"Please do, I'm drawing a blank right now!" Fluttershy replied.
"I don't think baby steps are going to work here," Shenran told his wife, "We need to think big and bold, like Discord always does."
"You're right," said Fluttershy, "Maybe we need to start thinking like Discord. Oh...what would Discord do?" Fluttershy paced about as Shenran stayed put.
"Never thought I'd ever try doing that," said Shenran before saying with a determined face, "But this is an emergency!" Shenran tapped his head to concentrate, "Think, Shenran, think...oh, if only we had a few more ponies to help us." It was then a light bulb went off above Shenran's head.
"Wait...doesn't Discord like to make more than one of himself?" Shenran asked his wife.
"Well, I guess Discord would probably make another version of himself to bounce ideas off of," said Fluttershy as she grabbed the silver platter, tossing off the sandwiches and looked at her reflection, "But one wouldn't be enough! He'd need more. Way more!"
"Honey, what if..." Shenran then whispered his idea to Fluttershy. Fluttershy smiled excitedly.
"Let's do it!" Fluttershy replied as they split up and looked about the house for a mirror, a toaster, a handheld mirror, a wall mirror, and a few other things that they could see their reflections from. Discord just smiled and watched the two Pegasi gather the items into the living room.
"Hey there, Fluttershys!" said Fluttershy to the reflections Shenran had helped her set up, "Any ideas on how to Discord up this tea party?" Shenran then whispered something into Fluttershy's ear, but made it look like it was a copy of himself whispering to another copy.
"Hi there Fluttershy! Thanks for asking!" said Fluttershy two in a higher pitched tone, "This Shenran and I got an idea! First of all, you gotta redecorate this place this place."
"She's got a point," Shenran two said in a higher pitched tone, "Discord did a great job with the fung suei here. But the harmonious energy is what's making him fade away. If we can disrupt that energy, Discord will return to back to his chaotic self again."
"For starters," said Fluttershy two, "this is where Discord lives! And you're telling me there aren't any stairs that lead to nowhere?"
"On it!" said Fluttershy, "Can you help me please, honey?"
"You got it!" Shenran replied. The two Pegasi quickly zipped away. Fluttershy and Shenran worked together to push the grandfather clock, a side table, one of the arm chairs, and a pillow to create a makeshift set of stairs. Fluttershy then pushed the side table into place and knocked the potted plant over.
"Better...but it still needs something," said Fluttershy.
"Honey, what about that?" Shenran asked as he pointed at the wall carpet. Fluttershy smiled as she hovered over to the wall carpet and draped it over their hoof-made stairs.
"Now that's more like it!" Fluttershy said happily as Discord walked over. Fluttershy and Shenran noticed that Discord was looking less transparent. Fluttershy and Shenran gasped.
"It's working!" said Fluttershy.
"Let's keep it up!" said Shenran.
"Okay, what else?" said Fluttershy as the two Pegasi rushed off and looked around, "Furniture on the ground? So predictable! Let's put them where they don't belong!"
"Flutters!" Shenran called out as he reached into the saddle bags he had brought with him and pulled out two hammers and goggles with his right wing. Fluttershy smiled excitedly, kissed Shenran on the cheek, and grabbed a hammer to fly off. Shenran then put his hammer in his mouth, grabbed some nails, and together, they nailed the furniture on the ceiling. Discord just smiled and watched the two Pegasi work. Once they were done, Discord was looking even less transparent.
"All right!" said Shenran. Fluttershy clapped excitedly as the two Pegasi shared a double high-hoof with each other.
"And he'd have a chaise longue that would actually chase you!" Fluttershy suggested, "Because he's funny like that!" Fluttershy and Shenran then rushed over to a nearby chasse sofa.
"Bet you can't catch me!" Fluttershy taunted the sofa as Shenran sat on it and Fluttershy rushed away.
"Giddy up little chasse," said Shenran, "We've got a cute Flutters to wrangle! Yee-haw!" Discord chuckled lightly, tried to snap his fingers. This time...it worked! He was able to do so and was now fully restored. As he snapped his fingers, the sofa came to life, and chased after Fluttershy with Shenran riding the panting chasse sofa. The Pegasi couple played chase, running circles around Discord a bit before Fluttershy stopped and Shenran jumped off the chasse sofa.
"Oh! And Discord would have a special kind of tea! Like a ginseng that could really sing!" Fluttershy suggested.
"I would," said Discord, "I-I would!" Discord than snapped his fingers to make a package that was covered in stamps appear. He then opened it so the ginseng could float out and sing to the Pegasi couple. Fluttershy and Shenran smiled as they enjoyed the music for a bit.
"And he serve it on a floating table!" Fluttershy said out loud, "We never talked about it, but I'm sure Discord hates gravity!"
"I do," said Discord, "Who wants to be tethered to the ground when you can do this? Wait...I thought Shenran couldn't stomach zero gravity?!"
"No, no, no, no, no," Shenran corrected, "I can't stand swirling and spinning zero gravity and low gravity physics. Floating around in zero G? Totally down with it."
"Oh, well by all means!" said Discord as he snapped his fingers and made everything float around. Fluttershy and Shenran laughed.
"Now that is more like it!" said Shenran happily.
"Now this is exactly what we were hoping for!" Fluttershy added.
"This is what you were hoping for?" Discord said in surprise, "But this is the complete opposite of your tea parities."
"My husband and I wouldn't expect you to throw a tea party the way we would," said Fluttershy, "We're different."
"I know," said Discord in a sad tone as he turned away from the Pegasi couple, "I was afraid that if you both say exactly how different we are, you wouldn't want to be friends anymore. And I'm referring to the both of you, not just Fluttershy." Shenran was taken aback at that comment.
"What?!" said Fluttershy as she hovered up to the draconequus and gave him a sad face, "Why would you ever think that?"
"I know you can get on my nerves sometimes," Shenran replied, "but I've learn to deal with your quirks just like you've learned to deal with my own. Guy's night has gotten alot more fun since you joined the group and I only got quiet during the recent tea parties was because I thought you still wanted to take Fluttershy away from me."
"Shenran, let's get one thing straight," said Discord, "I'll always have a special connection with Fluttershy because she saw the good in me even before I saw it in myself. And while Mario did see it too, Fluttershy made a greater effort to show just how special friendship was by going out of her way to make time for me and get to know the inner me. Not to mention she was willing to forgive me for foolishly giving Tirek the opportunity to destroy you. Yes, back then, I was trying to steal her away from you, but it wasn't romantic, I was just...possessive. The last Grand Galloping Gala taught me that you can have other friends and sharing them doesn't mean you're no longer important to them. I think you'll agree that we are both very special to Fluttershy. Before you got married, you were all she ever wanted to talk about. She couldn't wait to marry you. I'm not really a fan of romance, but even I can't help but feel like my day is whole lot brighter whenever I see the two of you together. It makes me feel good to see how happy you two make each other." Shenran and Fluttershy smiled and nuzzled their heads together when Discord continued, "The only thing I'm getting impatient about is when I get to become Uncle Discord." Shenran and Fluttershy both blinked and blushed heavily.
"That's...more of a matter of being ready for parenthood," said Shenran slowly.
"Yeah, raising a foal is alot harder then raising baby animals," Fluttershy added timidly. Discord sighed.
"Well, it's a subject for another day," said Discord, "and I'm glad Shenran understands that I'm not gonna destroy your marriage. I want Fluttershy to be happy. But...lately I've been wondering if I make both of you happy. Because the two of you and I...don't make sense to anypony else."
"That may be true," said Fluttershy, "but we make sense to me, Don't we dear?"
"Eeyup," Shenran replied, not resisting to imitate Big Mac.
"We never would've thought to make singing ginseng before we met you," said Fluttershy, "But you've opened us up to so many possibilities and impossibilities."
"She's right," said Shenran, "You've learned that being chaotic doesn't always have be disruptive. Instead, it can open minds to new ideas and solutions. You take thinking outside of the box to whole another level. And that, buddy, is what makes you cool." Discord smiled.
"So I guess what we're trying to say is, we like you because you're so different from us," said Fluttershy.
"You do?" Discord replied.
"Indeed," Shenran answered, "Right my love?"
"Of course I do," said Fluttershy, "Besides, what's discord without a little chaos?" Discord gave a hearty laugh.
"Well! In that case," said Discord, "I certainly don't need to be wearing this. Discord then removed his tea party attire and was found wearing the Fluttershy costume.
"Oops!" said Discord as Fluttershy and Shenran snickered, "I forgot I still had this on!"
"Oh, honey," said Shenran in a over the top, but teasing tone, "Didn't I warn you to stay away from that taffy pulling machine?" Discord and Fluttershy laughed as the former removed the costume.
"Now, about that tea party," said Fluttershy.
It wasn't long before Discord, Fluttershy, and Shenran were all sitting in some chairs for tea. The conversation was much more lively now that Shenran wasn't feeling so quiet and jealous anymore.
"You know, your garden really is looking lovely," said Fluttershy as she and Shenran held some sticks with roasted marshmallows on them.
"Your rubber pants appears to be well read," said Shenran, "it might give Twilight a run for her money."
"Why, thank you for noticing," said Discord, "I also couldn't help but notice that you need a refill!" Discord then grabbed a cup, held it upside down, and poured tea into Fluttershy's cup. It was then the piñata appeared before them.
"Aye-ye-ye-ye-yaaaaaaa-achoooo!" the piñata sneezed.
"Gesundheit," said Fluttershy and Shenran before the piñata broke off its rope and fell.
"It's really nice having you both here," said Discord. The scene then flipped over to show that Discord, Fluttershy, and Shenran were all sitting upside down.
"I'm happy to be here," said Fluttershy, "How about you dear?"
"Even with all the chaos, it's actually very cozy," said Shenran.
"Agreed," said Fluttershy, "we both really do like your place. Because it's so you." Shenran nodded in agreement.
"Why, thank you, Fluttershy," said Discord, "You too, Shenran."
"Now, how about we try some of those delicious-looking sandwiches?" Fluttershy suggested. It was then a some actual butterfly shaped sandwiches hovered by. Discord then snapped his fingers to give both Pegasi and himself a bug net.
"You read my mind!" said Discord. Fluttershy giggled as she swung her net about to try and capture a sandwich. Discord then tried to sneak up to a butterfly sandwich when another butterfly sandwich landed on his nose. Fluttershy swung her net down so it was now over Discord's head. Shenran then chuckled as he tried to catch his own butterfly sandwich.
"Oooh!" said Discord as he swung his net over Shenran's head.
"Hey!" said Shenran.
"Fluttershy, just look at the butterfly I captured," said Discord, "it's a total keeper!" Shenran glared until he saw Fluttershy smirking as she looked at him.
"You're right Discord," said Fluttershy, "This butterfly is really cute. I think I'll marry this one." Shenran blushed. Fluttershy giggled as she removed the net and kiss him on the lips.
"Still don't think I want you?" Fluttershy teased. Shenran chuckled and kissed his wife back.
"No anymore," said Shenran. It was then the ginseng tea gathered about and started singing again. Fluttershy, Shenran, and Discord then appeared around the tea bags upside down, laughing and enjoying themselves.
They all agreed that it was the best tea party ever.
Fluttershy and Shenran couldn't wait for Discord to host another one!
And that concludes this chapter. What did you think of me adding a sub-conflict involving Shenran getting jealous? The friend that Shenran is based off of has already been against Fluttercord for obvious reasons. So it would make sense that Shenran would get jealous at how close Fluttershy's friendship is with Discord. Plus it was semi-confirmed by Andrea Libman that Fluttershy does have a tiny crush on Discord. And we all know after watching that one episode in season nine that Angel firmly thinks Fluttershy wants to marry Discord. It made sense that Angel would be spreading rumors about that. Plus wouldn't you think Shenran would get worried that Fluttershy would dump him for Discord? You pony fans all want to see Fluttershy and Shenran together, and have foals, so it makes sense to address this issue in this chapter.
Kudos if you caught the live action Grinch joke!
Next time: One of the most highly anticipated chapter of season seven. Pony Fans have been telling me ever since I started they learned that Mario was related to Applejack that they've been waiting for this very chapter. The chapter when Mario, Big Mac, Applejack, and Apple Bloom learn a little more about their parent's love story...as well as meeting a long last relative!
(Tissues recommended...It gonna get emotional.)
Peace Pony Fans!