All Fluttershy could think was it felt as if it was a summer night. The air felt thick with heat, her body uncomfortably hot. Looking around as she lifted her head, she saw she was in a revolving area of scenery. Places she knew from her world, passing through like one was flipping through pictures. Even places she'd never been were passing.
She went to stand, not seeing the freckles on her shoulder changing color and lighting with magic; Discord's magic, making pony ears sprout from her head, the wings settled against her Human back and a tail at the base of her spine.
The butterfly tattoo on her back, her Element of Kindness, was glowing as well with the magic she'd absorbed from the bug-pony, her body unable to hold onto all the magic for long.
Fluttershy must've been dreaming, remembering she passed out. That…or she had died. She snorted, "what irony that would be." She widened her eyes. "No, Fluttershy! Dissy and the others would be sad if you joked like that." She told herself, scolding for her pessimism.
Hearing a loud noise, she jumped, squeaking in fear.
"Still not her! Why are you making me do this?! OVER N OVER N OVER!" A loud voice boomed in anguish, a sob slipping through.
Looking for the voice, since she recognized it, Fluttershy ran towards it until she stopped still. In front of her was Discord, his body glitching and distorted, bits and pieces of him switching between a chimera like creature and his Human self. Surrounding him were at least a dozen corpses, each one looking like Fluttershy, each one maimed in some way, and judging from the blood, it was by Discord's hand. She remembered what he'd warned her, over and over, about not underestimating him in that state, but she needed to see if this was him, or her own mind frying. "Dis-Dissy?"
She startled as he did, his head turning back. Discord's eyes were red rimmed, sore from tears and the color changing was rapid again. He looked confused, searching her.
The magic she absorbed began to act up again, making her whimper and her fangs enlarge with venom. She fought the urge to curl into herself. "Dissy…help. The-the magic…there's too much. It's making everything warm."
He began to approach her slowly, causing her to attempt to back up. "Fluttershy?" He whispered, reaching a bloody hand out, which she allowed.
Upon touching her cheek, it seemed he couldn't believe it. "Heh…hahahahaha! I've truly lost it. You're not her either. You can't be because you're dead!" He gripped his head, letting out a sigh.
Fluttershy jolted at that as if she'd been slapped. "W-what? Who-who told you I was dead?!" Her wings flared out, shocked and a little angry.
His head lifted, looking at her deeply, of which she stared him back in the eyes, her heart beating erratic, but not from pain. He suddenly reached out, pulling her into his embrace tightly. "Is it you?" He whined, his voice high.
Her lip wobbled, tears building. "How can I prove it is?" She went limp, allowing him to do as he pleased.
He chuckled. "I'm not sure."
Her eyes drifted to the scenery behind them, a picture landing on the front of the school. Her eyes widened. "There!" She pointed to the school statue. "Zephyr shot me there and I fell through!" She went quiet. "I'm not sure how I did though." She clenched her jaw, her fangs dripping with venom filled drool.
He turned his head, eyes finally normal. "There? Through it?" He asked, pulling her tighter, causing her back to sear, making her hiss in pain.
"Ow. Yes. That's why I look like this…or, I guess in the world I'm currently in, I look like a pony. I hate it, if I'm honest. They can see my my scars…I'm not sure how I'm talking with you though. I thought my brain was frying from the heat." She giggled, wanting more or his embrace.
He didn't loosen his grip. "I see. That's why she said you were dead. Didn't you tell me once, you turned after hitting your head on it?" He asked, still looking.
"Did I? It's true though. I was chasing an owl who took Angel and wasn't thinking." She nosed his chest.
"Hmm…I see the the venom, by the way. Want a bite?" He bared his neck.
She scrunched her brows. "No…I keep thinking about Chrysalis. Her scent."
"Good to know. Your back…" he traced the mark, causing her to whimper out in pain.
"…it hurts. I ate a weird looking pony, so I wouldn't starve, but ever since, it hurts." She admitted.
Discord stayed silent, caressing her gently. "Let me try something." He finally looked to her, one hand digging into her back, as if to pull something annoying from one's hair.
Fluttershy clenched her jaw and her eyes tight, the pain dizzying. "D-Discord." She gasped.
His eyes began to glitch out again, as he tried doing something Fluttershy wasn't sure of. She wasn't aware of the scenery changing to the room in the castle where the mirror was held. "Do you trust me to try something? I promise it'll get to Chrissy. Besides, this isn't either of our bodies right now, is it?"
"I trust you. Magic doesn't make sense to me." She nuzzled him, hoping this form didn't bother him.
He began to pull at the green magic, glancing carefully to the scenery as he began to shape it. If the mirror connected them, all he'd have to do was make sure the magic got through and got to him. He hoped what he was doing in the dream space was happening where Fluttershy's physical body was. This dreamscape wasn't enough. His mind was already beginning to buzz and the voices felt like hissing snakes in his ears. Even as he saw the changes happening to his own body, he kept holding tight, seeing he was finished with his task. Floating above his hand, was a jade butterfly. He blew on it, causing it to flutter through the scenery. He wasn't sure how come magic and utilizing it came so naturally to him, while Fluttershy was struggling.
"Discord." She whimpered, causing him to look to her. "I'm so tired." She let out the tears. The cries she kept hidden away for a week.
He played with her hair, allowing her to sob. "We'll find you. Promise."
When she opened her eyes again, she was immediately getting tired of passing out. Her body had to be stronger instead of passing out wherever it pleases. Not thinking of where she could be, she sat straight up, letting out a yell. "I HATE BEING TEASED LIKE THAT! IT'S NOT FAIR! I WANT MY DISCORD RIGHT NOW AND NOT IN SOME STUPID DREAM!" She huffed, breathing hard. If she had a middle finger, she'd use it.
"It's alright, let down the shield." A calm voice broke her out of her ranting. Looking over, she saw Twilight and Rarity lower the magic shield she had over her, making Fluttershy blush hard, realizing she could've been heard.
There were many crystals and magic items surrounding her, each glowing as if the stones were breathing. "Good, it seems the crystals worked to stabilize the magic. How are you feeling?" Celestia asked. They were so focused on Fluttershy, they didn't see one of the crystals shape into a jade butterfly and slip out of the room, the magic being called to Discord in haste.
Fluttershy open and shut her mouth, unable to form words. Her eyes went back and forth, avoiding eye contact until they landed on pony Fluttershy, who looked at her with worry, cautiously deciding to walk to "Breeze". Pony Fluttershy smiled sweetly. "Hello. I'm Fluttershy. You're safe, so it's okay. Are you injured? Though we did check and your injuries were minor. My friends have told me you're a little cautious of others, but don't worry!" She smiled largely, reaching out, until Mr. Discord put his eagle clawed arm in front of her, causing both Fluttershys to look to him, one in confusion and the other in slight shock. Mr. Discord was glaring at her, at Breeze.
"Don't get close to her. You've shown your true colors." Mr. Discord glared hard, nostrils flared and eyes aglow.
In that moment, Fluttershy's eyes widened before a conflicted look came across her face, then realization. "You saw…" she whispered, turning her head, a horrified look in her eyes.
"So what are you playing at? Acting all nice and chummy when really, I've seen what you're capable of. So have these lousy Princesses, now that you've slipped up." With his lion paw, he lifted her in the air, making her unable to move.
"Discord! Let her down! She hasn't done anything!" Pony Fluttershy yelled, trying to get his attention.
Fluttershy began to panic. She could remember the last time she was held immobilized and she never wanted that again. Why was it one bad thing after the other?! Was this karma for back in her world? "Please…I'll talk, just let me go! Let me move! PLEASE!" She screamed, a bolt of iridescent magic leaving her shoulder to cut off Mr. Discord's own magic.
She landed with a thump, the other's unsure if they should intervene. Discord never got this serious or angry, not unless Fluttershy was in danger or he was jealous.
Fluttershy panted, standing. "I harbor no ill will towards you all." She closed into herself, subconsciously looking for an escape.
Pony Fluttershy went over, again cautious, though her eyes held warmth. A jealous pang hit Fluttershy's gut. "That's good. I am sorry about him. He won't hurt you again." She waved a feathered wing.
"If you don't mind us cutting in, we'd like to ask for you to explain why Discord treated you such so suddenly." Celestia asked, her voice still calm, authoritative.
Fluttershy looked over to the head Princess. "I had to eat. I had to…" she furrowed her brow, trailing off, unsure how to reply.
The others looked confused. If it was that, why was Discord still on edge? Looking to him, they saw his eyes were hardened. "Ah, yes, like this is hunting a few birds or berries. She ambushed THE Queen Chrysalis!" He shot his arms out to gesture to her.
It went deathly silent.
The eldest Princesses looked to each other. "How can that be? Yes, Queen Chrysalis was betrayed, but she is still a strong enemy." Luna spoke.
"Princess Celestia, what does this mean?" Twilight asked, the others looking to Fluttershy as she froze.
Princess Celestia was silent, thinking things over and deciding how much trouble was beginning to brew.
"Let me go back." "Breeze" whispered before she turned to the Princesses. "LET ME BACK NOW! I-I-I have to make sure Chrissy is still alive in my world! I didn't know! I didn't know she was this world's-" she stopped, tears blurring her vision as she begged.
"I'm sorry, Breeze, but you weren't even supposed to come through. Only those who need to be banished are sent through." Celestia explained, pity in her eyes.
Fluttershy clenched her jaw. "That's not fair. YOU'RE STRONG ENOUGH, SO WHY?!" She couldn't bear it, stomping her hooves and flaring her wings.
"Please, it takes a lot of magic-" Princess Celestia tried calming the hysteric pony.
"THEN ASK YOUR UNICORNS FOR ASSISTANCE! If you're anything like Dean Celestia, then I know you have everyone at your hand and hoof! I don't know what's going on back home and I'm worried sick about my loved ones since Twilight and the others have the Elements of Harmony and could kill them and then what reason do I have to hold on?!" She screamed, not meaning to take her stress out on someone. She panted, hiccuping. "I'm sorry."
Both Princess Celestia and Luna looked alarmed, shocked, suddenly in a panic, their ears back as they looked to each other. "Sister…it couldn't be…mother and father-" Luna started.
"I thought it was a myth. But how could she have…?" Celestia gulped, then looked back at Fluttershy. "You're certain you saw the Elements of Harmony?"
Fluttershy huffed. "Yes! They looked almost identical to their cutie marks!" She pointed a hoof to the group who looked confused.
She didn't expect Princess Celestia to open the doors, her sister following suite. "Come with us, all of you. I fear we are all in more danger than any we have before. That includes more danger than Queen Chrysalis, King Sombra, Tirek, and even you, Discord, have ever brought upon Equestria."
