Chapter Text
Chapter 4: The Decision
“I hope we don’t run into any timberwolves,” Fluttershy quivered as they walked through the forest.
“Don’t worry,” Applejack assured her. “If we come across those things, I’ll take care of ‘em.”
They approached the zebra’s tree and knocked on the door.
“Who is coming to say hi?” Zecora asked as she opened the door. “Why, it’s dear Applejack and Fluttershy. Won’t you come in with me and have some tea?”
She poured them both a cup of tea, which eased their nerves a bit.
Fluttershy was still too nervous to speak, so Applejack decided to speak for her. “As I’m sure you’ve noticed, Discord is back.”
The zebra narrowed her eyes and stomped her hoof on the table. “I am fully aware that the creature's back in town, when I came back to find my hut upside-down!”
The orange pony glanced around, noticing the broken bottles and messed up furniture. “I can see that. Have you heard of his.. Demands?”
Zecora nodded. “News in Equestria travels fast. It has passed my ear that he has asked a.. Mare to wed?”
“That’s right.”
“And if he doesn’t get a bride by tomorrow, he’ll hurt the Princesses,” Fluttershy added, fiddling with her cup. “And I… Well..”
“Fluttershy’s thinkin’ of bein’ that mare,” Applejack finished for her.
Zecora looked at the pegasus with wide eyes. “Is that so? You wish to go?”
“Yes,” she muttered. “No? Maybe? Oh, I don’t know!”
“I keep urgin’ her not to,” Applejack cut in, “but she thinks she’s the only one that can do it! I brought her here so you could knock some sense into her, Zecora.”
“Perhaps I can help lift your spirits up,” Zecora remarked, holding out her hoof. “But first I need your tea-cup.”
Fluttershy handed her empty cup to the zebra, who studied the tea leaves closely. “For such a long time, I see, you have been the most unhappy.” The pegasus hung her head. “You are haunted by fear, of the very creature that brings you here.”
“You can tell all that from a tea cup?” Applejack marveled.
“But look!” Zecora pushed the cup up to Fluttershy’s face, making her look at the leaves. Inside the cup, the tea leaves had formed the shape of a sun. “In your future, I see great happiness, and this is if you go with the draconequus.”
“What?!” Applejack took the teacup. “How could she possibly be happy with Discord?!”
“He may not be an angel from above, perhaps all Discord needs is some love.”
“Love?! That varmint? Now I know you’re makin’ this up!”
“You mean..” Fluttershy paused. “He just needs somepony to love him?”
Zecora shrugged. “I may be mistaken, but I assure you if this path is taken, no harm will be brought upon you. It could be that Discord is unhappy too.”
“I hadn’t thought about that..”
Applejack slammed her hoof. “Because there’s no way in the wide world of Equestria that a creature like him could ever…!”
“Do you not remember what you thought of me when you came crashing through my tree?” Zecora interrupted. “Were not your judgments of me wrong, yours and that of the massive throng?”
“That.. That was different!” Applejack insisted. “We didn’t know ya then! But Discord.. He’s terrible! Do you know what he did to us? What he did to Fluttershy? What he's gonna do to the Princesses?”
Zecora waved her hoof at Applejack and smiled at Fluttershy. “The key to happiness is to show kindness.”
“Now Applejack, shall we see what is in your tea?” The zebra asked, peering over into the earth pony’s cup.
“I’ll pass, thank you.” She said with a huff.
“Really? You don’t want help to clear your clash of feelings for Rainbow Dash?”
“How did you..?” Applejack blushed. “I mean, I told you that comin’ here was a waste of time! Come on, Fluttershy.”
As the pegasus followed her friend out of the door, she turned one last time to look at the zebra.
“Tell me, Zecora. Is what you said.. About Discord.. True?”
“Perhaps, perhaps not,” she said coolly. “But perhaps it’s worth a shot.”
Fluttershy nodded in thanks and stepped outside. The two friends were quiet on their stroll back, until Fluttershy recognized a certain part of the woods. Abruptly, she flew down a path, and Applejack raced after her.
“Fluttershy, what are you..” Applejack’s voice trailed off as they looked over an old, rickety bridge. The one leading to the ancient castle of the two sisters. On the other side, a dark castle floated in the air. Discord had obviously fixed up the place and made himself at home. Fluttershy stared at the land in wonder. Is this where she would spend the rest of her days if she accepted his deal?
“We should get out of here,” Applejack whispered.
Her friend nodded and followed her back.
“Fluttershy,” Applejack started speaking seriously. “I know what you’re thinkin’, but you can’t do it.”
“You don’t suppose Zecora was lying?” Fluttershy asked.
“I’m not calling Zecora a liar. It’s Discord I don’t trust.”
“What if she’s right? What if Discord just wants somepony to love? I mean, why else would he ask for a bride? All those years, he’s never even had a friend.”
“Well, he should’ve thought about that before he took over Equestria and messed up everypony’s lives!”
“Applejack, somepony has to go with him. What choice do I have?”
“There are plenty of ponies in Equestria! It doesn’t have to be you!”
“But how many do you think would be willing to go?”
“I.. Well..”
“This is my choice, Applejack. I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can, sugar cube. I’ve seen you face up to a manticore and a full grown dragon. But Discord..” Applejack sighed. “The others and I just don’t want to lose you to that..”
“If I don’t go, the sun may never rise again and Cadance’s baby may never be born. Applejack, it’s either me or all of Equestria!”
Applejack stared at her friend for a few moments with bleary eyes before she hung her head.
“If this is your decision, sugar cube, I’m not gonna try an’ stop ya, but… You do realize I’ll have to tell the others what ya did? I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t apologize. They have a right to know.”
“Just.. Promise me this. If nopony comes forth by tomorrow, then… You may do what you wish, but.. Hold off until then?”
Fluttershy embraced her friend. “I knew you’d understand, Applejack.” When she pulled away, she smiled. “So, what’s this about Rainbow Dash?”
Applejack turned red. “It’s nothin’! Really! Just a schoolpony crush, nothin’ more!”
“When did this happen?”
“When we did the Running of the Leaves together, but it’s kind of been goin’ on and off. It’s embarrassin’. Ya can’t tell anypony, ya hear?!”
Fluttershy giggled. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”
— — —
“Was Zecora any help?” Twilight asked as the two returned to Canterlot.
Applejack hesitated. They had told Twilight that they were visiting Zecora, but didn’t specify why.
“She.. Um.. Gave some advice. Has anypony stepped forth yet?” Applejack asked.
The alicorn shook her head. “No. I’ve tried to reach all three of the Princesses through different divination spells, but I’ve had no luck so far.”
Fluttershy said nothing and decided to head towards her room. Applejack caught up with her before she could close the door.
“Fluttershy,” she called, “I just wanted to let you know.. No matter what you choose, I just want you to know..”
Fluttershy turned to look at her. “Yes?”
“You… Might just be the bravest pony I’ve ever known.”
Fluttershy smiled, knowing it was always the truth with her. “Thank you, Applejack. That means a lot to me.”
— — —
That night, she dreamt of Discord, and the words Zecora had spoken. He may not be an angel from above, perhaps all he needs is some love. The words soothed her, almost. The more she thought about it, the less worried she was. She was still terrified, though not as much as before. She liked to think it was all true. After all, what if Discord was just a creature that needed to be tamed, like the manticore or the dragon?
Even if Zecora hadn’t been right, somepony needed to go. So, when Fluttershy awoke the next morning, she knew what she needed to do.
Twilight gazed out of her window. The sun hadn’t risen in three days, and the stars were starting to fade. It would soon be nothing but darkness, and the deadline was near.
A cry from Rainbow Dash broke her from her thoughts. “Twilight! Twilight! You’ve got to come, quickly!”
“What is it?” The princess demanded.
“It’s Fluttershy, she’s gone!”
Twilight didn’t waste a second and followed the pegasus to Fluttershy’s room. Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack, and Spike were all also in the room. The dragon held the note in his claws. The alicorn took it with her magic and read it aloud.
“Dear friends, I am very sorry, but this is the only way. Do not come after me, this was my choice. Applejack will explain. Please, take care of my animals, especially Angel. Tell them I’m sorry. Love, Fluttershy.”
Everypony suspiciously turned towards Applejack.
“Do you know anything about this?” Twilight asked.
The farmer stomped her hoof. “She did it! She’s gone and did it! I tried to talk her out of it, I really did! She made me Pinkie Promise not to tell ya’ll before she did it!”
“Calm down, Applejack. What happened?”
She took a deep breath and looked up at them with tears in her eyes.
— — —
Fluttershy stood at the entrance of the cave. A part of her was telling her to turn back, but another was telling her to go in. She had to do this for her friends, for the Princesses, for Equestria. She took a deep breath, and walked in.
It was dark, but that’s not what frightened her. She had the feeling that he was going to jump out at any moment. Stop it Fluttershy, she told herself. You need to be brave.
“Hello?” She called out weakly. “Is anyone home?”
“Well, well, well.”
She yelped and spun around to find the draconequus behind her, only a couple feet away.
“If it isn’t the Element of Kindness herself? How kind of you to drop in!”
Suddenly, the ground beneath her disappeared under her and she fell, screaming as she did so. She landed with a thump, just to find the same cave around her.
“How did..?” She stammered.
Discord laughed maniacally. “Oh, that was priceless!” He wiped away a tear. “So what brings you here? Come to ‘negotiate’ some more?”
Fluttershy was struggling to stand, her knees were shaking from fear. “Well… I have come to negotiate something..”
“Strange that Twilight would send you of all people to try to negotiate with me. Well, you can tell your precious princess that I will take a bride and nothing else!”
“And a bride you shall have!”
Discord stared at her, a bit surprised by her outburst. “Is that so? Well, where is the lucky mare?”
Her teeth started chattering. “R-right here..”
He blinked. “Say again?”
Fluttershy straightened up, closing her eyes. “I.. Will be your bride.”
For a long while, there was silence, and she opened her eyes to see a face full of confusion. Then he erupted into a roar of laughter.
“Oh, I get it! This is a joke, right? Alright, who set you up to it? Twilight? Pinkie Pie?” She didn’t respond. “Rainbow Dash?”
“They.. Don’t know I’m here. Well, they should by now, I did leave a note. They should’ve seen it.”
“Why would you leave them a..?” His laughter faded as he stared at her face, examining her expression. “You’re… serious about this?” She nodded solemnly. “You?”
He would have never expected her to show up, the pegasus afraid of her own shadow. Actually, he was beginning to believe nopony would come forth at all.
“Yes,” she squeaked.
“And nopony put you up to this?”
She shook her head. “This was my decision. But..” She backed away nervously. “If you’d rather have somepony else..”
“Now hold on!” She jumped as he appeared behind her. “I didn’t say I wasn’t interested.”
He circled her, studying her from different angles like it mattered. Fluttershy squeezed her eyes shut, her heart racing. She flinched when he touched her mane, but tried not to react.
Discord had to admit, for a pony, she wasn’t that bad. Her silky pink mane was well-groomed and smelled like roses, her big turquoise eyes were almost adorable, and her voice was as sweet as honey.
“You’ll do,” he said with indifference. “But you are certain this is what you want? Remember, once you agree to this, there’s no going back.”
Fluttershy looked up at him boldly. “If I were to marry you, would you keep your promise and let the Princesses go?”
“Fluttershy,” he said with a small bow, “You have my word.”
“And… My friends?”
“Will never hear from me again.”
She gulped. “Not even me?”
He stooped down to her level, his face just a few inches away. “Think of it this way. You could spend eternity living comfortably at my estate, catered to your every need, or you could spend the rest of your short life living in darkness.”
“Catered to my every need?”
“If we are married, what’s mine is yours. If it is in my power, it’s yours. Call it incentive.”
She couldn’t tell if he was being serious. She had to admit that having anything she desired sounded tempting, but why would he do that for her? Perhaps Zecora was right, maybe he was just desperate for a companion.
Seeing that he was getting to her, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “So what’ll it be?”
It didn’t matter. Equestria needed the Princesses to return. She took a deep breath in.
“I’ll marry you.”
“Excellent!” He practically leapt into the air.
“Now, where are the Princesses?” She asked.
Instead of answering, he just smiled. “Why don’t we make it official?” He snapped his talons and a box materialized in his paw. He opened it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring.
“Oh dear,” Fluttershy muttered.
“Then I’ll ask again. Will you marry me, Fluttershy?”
“Fluttershy, don’t!”
The pegasus turned to see Twilight racing towards them, the others not far behind.
“Get away from her, weirdo!” Rainbow cried, her face filled with anger.
Discord stopped them all with his magic. “Do you mind? I’m in the middle of a proposal here!”
“Put them down!” Fluttershy begged. “Please, just let me say goodbye to them!”
He rolled his eyes and released them from his spell. Fluttershy rushed to Twilight’s side.
“I told you not to come after me.”
“We couldn’t let you go with him!” The alicorn bellowed, pointing her hoof accusatorily at Discord.
“You don’t understand, I have to do this.”
“No, you don’t! There has to be another way..”
“If I don’t do this, Equestria will be doomed in eternal darkness, and Cadance may never have her baby.”
“But do you have any idea of what this monster might do to you?!” Rainbow shouted.
“No pony chooses my fate but me.”
“Fluttershy,” Rarity pleaded, “you can’t possibly marry this… Beast!”
Discord brought his talon to his chest, the gesture wrapped in mock offense.
“I’m sorry, but this is my decision.”
“But Fluttershy,” Pinkie sniffled, “We’ll never see you again!”
She looked at her friends sadly. “I know.”
“We’ll find another way to get the Princesses back! I’ll even go in your place! We’ll..” Twilight insisted.
“She’s right!” Applejack interrupted. They all turned to look at her in shock. “Fluttershy’s the only one in control of her destiny. If her decision is to save Equestria, we should respect that decision.” She walked up to her friend. “Take care of yourself, ya hear?”
Fluttershy nodded and embraced the earth pony. “Make sure my animals get everything they need.”
“Of course, Sugar Cube.”
“Fluttershy,” Rainbow started to say as she flew down to her. “You can’t… you won’t..”
“She hugged her childhood friend. “You stood up for me so many times. Now I can return the favor.”
She fluttered over to Rarity, giving her a tight hug. “You can keep my clothes, if you’d like.”
The unicorn was astonished. “You can’t expect me to… Oh, I’ll keep them. But only as a reminder of you.”
Fluttershy then turned towards Pinkie. “Pinkie Pie, I..”
Pinkie let out a wail and flung her hooves around Fluttershy’s neck. “Don’t forget us, okay? I mean if you’ll never see us again, don’t forget our names! I mean it’s easy to forget someone’s name after not seeing them for a while, and-”
“I won’t forget you, Pinkie.”
She only cried harder. “I know!”
Once Pinkie had loosened her grip, Fluttershy turned to Spike. Before she could say anything, Spike wrapped his arms around her leg. She then looked up at Twilight, who was on the verge of tears.
“I’ll be fine,” she assured her. “I promise.”
“How can you possibly keep that promise?” The Princess choked out.
“You know how good I am with creatures,” Fluttershy whispered. “Maybe I can tame him.”
“But.. But..”
“For Cadance.”
She nodded, and embraced her friend. Discord was about ready to gag.
“Hello?” He called, waving the ring box. “I’m still waiting for an answer here!”
Fluttershy pulled away from her friends, courageously facing the draconequus. She stuck out her hoof. “Yes.”
Discord smiled in triumph, and zapped the box away. The ring then appeared on a chain, which he tied around Fluttershy’s neck as a necklace. The draconequus cackled as he scooped her up, the ponies watching in horror.
“If you hurt a hair on her head..!” Rainbow warned.
“I assure you, she won’t be harmed as long as you don’t try to take her back. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have a wedding to plan!”
With a final laugh, Discord with Fluttershy and in their place, the three Princesses appeared.
“What happened?” Luna demanded. “Where’s Discord?”
The ponies burst into tears, Applejack being the only one with enough strength to speak.
“He’s… He’s taken a bride.”
Their eyes widened. “Who?” Celestia asked. Having received no response, she beseeched her student. “Twilight, who did he take?”
The purple alicorn buried her face in her hooves, knowing her friend was gone because of her failure as a princess. “I’m sorry, Fluttershy. I’m so sorry.”