Title:           Discord Quest 4
Author:          Phobetor
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/L81AbP5B
First Edit:      Tuesday 21st of February 2012 08:41:09 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Tuesday 21st of February 2012 08:41:09 PM CDT

Zipping over to Sugar Cube corner, you descend a short distance away and look across the street at the bakery.
 
A crowd of disgruntled and hungover ponies have gathered in front of the bakery with a weary Mr. Cake out front trying to calm things down.
 
"Alright everyone, just settle down. We had a bit of a mishap with our inventory today and we're working on getting everything set right. Your orders should be ready by this evening or tomorrow morning, promise."
 
"What do you mean some kind of mishap?" shouted one pony from the crowd.
 
"Did Pinkie Pie eat all the sweets AGAIN?" asked another.
 
"No, no. Nothing like that I-" Mr. Cake paused as he heard his children crying from upstairs. "I'll be right back." Ducking inside, the yellow earth pony closed and locked the door.
Calling out from the back of the crowd, you try and stir things up a little more. "Ever since he got those rotten kids he's been too busy feeding them to feed us!" A chorus of agreement meets your ears as you rose into the sky, turning invisible and heading straight back to Fluttershy's cottage.
 
You arrive quickly; it looks like nopony is home.
Going invisible, you dive behind the couch and peep just around it to watch what happens next.
 
The front door opens and Fluttershy steps through. Her mane and tail had been cut short, freed of the fire damage you accidentally incurred earlier. It was quite short now, and styled in a slightly punkish way. Not a good match to her personality, you thought, but it looked adorable on her all the same.
 
"Are you sure you're going to be alright?" Twilight asked. The purple unicorn was standing just outside the door. It seems that she doesn't notice you. "Between your accident and the trouble at the bakery, I get the feeling something strange is happening. I can't put my hoof on it but..."
 
Fluttershy shakes her head. "It's probably nothing Twilight. Thanks for worrying about me. I'll be fine, honest."
 
Twilight sighs and shakes her head. "If you say so, Fluttershy. I guess I'm just worked up after having to calm down that angry mob. Pinkie Pie looked exhausted in there."
 
Nodding, Fluttershy bid Twilight a good night and closed the door, watching her leave out the window. As soon as she judged her friend a safe distance away, she turned back to the room.
 
"D-Discord? Are you there?"
Not hearing a response, Fluttershy sighs heavily and hangs her head. Walking to the rear of the house, she exits through the back door and begins checking on all of her animals, making sure they are settled in for the night.
Slipping outside, you decloak behind Fluttershy and clear your throat.
 
The startled pegasus squeaks and spins around, gasping when she sees that it is only you.
 
"What's a nice mare like you doing out on a night like this?" you ask, a chill autumn breeze shaking the branches of nearby trees. "You could catch a cold."
 
"You... you startled me," Fluttershy said, still catching her breath.
"Well pardon me for being a little cautious with Celestia's little helper around. I've got to keep on my toes around here." You stop and spread your claws apologetically. "Not that you would rat me out, after all the kindness you've shown me. I like what you've done with your mane, by the way. It suits you."
 
Fluttershy blushes slightly and tries to hide her eyes behind sleek locks of hair that are no longer there.
 
"Out of curiosity, what was it that Twilight was talking about? Trouble at the bakery?"
 
Fluttershy nodded. "All of the Cake's hard work was ruined, it was terrible. Cakes, pies, muffins, pastries... all spoiled! Did you... um, did you have anything to do with that? There was almost a riot..."
"Oh honestly, Fluttershy. You've seen the way I run things. I'm ALL ABOUT the sweets. Why would I go and ruin some perfectly delectable delicacies like that?"
 
You ponder a moment when an idea comes to you. "What if I go to Sugar Cube Corner and help them out of their jam? With my magic, I can make spoiled food good as new! Maybe even multiply it. If nothing else, I could help them bake. What do you think?"
 
Fluttershy blinks. Nopony asks her for advice except when it comes to caring for animals. It felt kind of nice. "I think it's a great idea, but... wouldn't they be scared of you? You know, if they knew it was you?" She scuffed a hoof on the ground nervously. "How would you get them to give you a second chance like I did?"
"Well unicorns can see through my disguises no matter what, it seems. I'm bound to be discovered sooner or later." You sigh and put a hand on her shoulder. "I think I can convince them if they would only let me help them. Will you come with me? I... I think I can do it, if you are with me. They trust you a lot. I trust you a lot."
 
Fluttershy blushed and leaned into your hand a little. Smiling, she nodded her agreement.
 
The sun had fully set behind the horizon at this point, night had come to Equestria. No doubt the Cakes would still be hard at work getting everything back in order, but it still might be best to wait until morning.
A twinkle entered your eye and you knelt down next to the yellow pegasus.
 
"Let's make it a surprise! We can wait until they're asleep and then sneak inside to make more sweets. No doubt they'll be really happy with us after they see all of our hard work, they'd have every reason to be thankful to me, to us!"
 
Fluttershy considered it for a moment and then nodded. "That sounds fun. And maybe if they see what a big help you've been, they won't go tell anybody like the Princess. They can see you're being good now."
 
"Then it's settled!" you exclaim, laughing. "Tomorrow you and I will make the Cake's day."
 
Fluttershy smiled and stood. "So... what do you want to do while we wait?"
"You know, during that time in the Labrynth you were the one that impressed me the most."
 
Fluttershy looks at you quizzically.
 
"You're stronger than everyone takes you for, Fluttershy," you tell her. "You are at piece and at ease with who you are, and that is the greatest kind of strength. Something your friends don't understand or don't readily see."
 
The yellow pegasus turns her head away. "They're not that bad," she mumbles.
 
"And I didn't say they were," you tell her, recapturing her attention. "I didn't have the chance to spend much time with you or any of your friends the last time, I barely know you. Why don't you tell me about you and your friends? I would love to hear whatever stories you have to tell."
 
And so the two of you settled into the grass and she began to talk. She told you about how she never really saw much of anypony except Dash and Pinkie Pie after she moved down here to Ponyville. it wasn't until Twilight came along that the six of them were really brought together as friends. She mentions Dash and Applejack's competitive nature, Rarity's obsession with perfection, Twilight's level headed bookishness and Pinkie's drive to befriend everyone she came across. She even delves into the story about how they all came together against Nightmare Moon.
"Fascinating," you respond after her talking dwindled. "An unbreakable bond forged by the perfect balance of harmony and chaos."
 
"Chaos?" Fluttershy looked up at you with questions in her eyes.
 
"Yes, chaos. If it wasn't for Luna's exile and return as Night Mare moon, it is very likely Twilight would never have been sent to Ponyville and the six of you would never have met. All good things are the result of a mix of chaos and harmony, a balance between change and order."
 
Fluttershy frowned, thinking about this for a while. "I... I guess you're right, Discord. Change is a good thing. In bits and pieces at least. But it's still scary."
"Change is scary, nopony likes it much. Not even the Princesses. But sometimes good things are scary." Giving Fluttershy a soft hug, you look into her eyes. "I am a creature of change, Fluttershy. And you are helping me change for the better. For now at least, we should get some sleep. Bakers rise early and we will want to be up even earlier if we want to surprise them."
 
Nodding, eyes water from sleep, or perhaps something else, Fluttershy followed you into her home. Wishing her a heartfelt goodnight, you occupy one of the couches while she goes up to her bedroom.
 
*Such an innocent fool,* you think to yourself as you settle down for the night.
 
You can only hope that tomorrow will go smoothly.