Twilight flew as hard as she could through the storm, buffeted by the wind, her cutie mark still flashing. She knew precisely where she was going, even if she had to squint through the falling sheets of chocolate milk. She dove to land in front of Discord, once more seated on the Throne of Chaos.

“Hello, Twilight,” he growled. His gripped tightened on the armrests. “Lovely weather, isn’t it?”

“Discord,” Twilight pleaded, “why are you doing this?”

“Oh, don’t pretend like you couldn’t see this coming.” Discord’s scowl deepened as thunder roared behind him. “You think I can’t hear what goes on during those Princess Summits? You five aren’t nearly as subtle as you might think.”

Twilight pushed her sodden mane out of her eyes. “You-you don’t have to do this.”

“Don’t I?!” Lightning flashed in his eyes as he shot up from his seat. “What do you expect me to do, Twilight?!” He collapsed back into his seat, burying his face in his hands.

Twilight took a shaky step forward. “Discord…”

He slowly lifted his head. “Harmony has named the new Element.”

Twilight’s step faltered. Her voice could barely come out as a whisper. “Who is it?”

“You tell me, Twilight,” he said, sitting up straight. “I’m sure you’ve had your suspicions.”

Twilight flinched and bit her lip.

“…Fluttergust?”

“Yes…” Discord hissed. “Dear, sweet little Fluttergust.”

“But she’s so young!” Twilight cried. “She doesn’t even have a cutie mark yet!”

“Oh, I’m sure her powers as an Element will reveal themselves in time,” Discord said casually. “Here’s a thought: why don’t you fetch her, and round up Applejack and Pinkie Pie, and Thunder Flash and Sterling, too, while you’re at it. I bet they’ll awaken when you all stand together against me!”

“Discord…” Twilight said in disbelief. “Why…?”

“Why, Twilight?!” Discord demanded. “She’s gone! Fluttershy’s gone and there’s nothing I can do about it!”

Neither one could break their gaze.

“Please…” Discord said quietly, his body shaking. “Please turn me back to stone, Twilight. I don’t want to live in a world without her. I-I just can’t.”

“Discord,” Twilight said as she stepped closer. “I know it’s hard, but this isn’t the way.”

“How do you do it, Twilight?” He looked into her eyes. “How do you carry on without them?”

“It hurts,” she admitted. “Sometimes it hurts so much, I can barely get myself out of bed. The memories come flooding back and I just…”

She met Discord’s eyes with her own. “I think you know what you have to do.”

Discord folded his hands, and a wave of magic echoed outward.

---

Discord entered the cottage and was greeted by a little filly.

“Uncle Discord,” she said as she walked up to him.

He lowered himself to his knees. “Hello, my dear,” he said softly. “How are you, Fluttergust?”

Fluttergust looked down. “Mommy said Grandma went to a special kind of sleep where she doesn’t wake up.” She looked up at him again. “Is-is she alright?”

Discord gently stroked her mane. “Princess Luna always watches over sleeping ponies and makes sure they can rest peacefully.”

Fluttergust rested her head against him. “I’m going to miss her.”

“I will, too,” Discord said. “Fluttergust, do you remember those stories your grandmother used to tell you?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Good,” Discord said softly. “Don’t… don’t ever forget them, alright?”

“Okay.”

A mare walked into the room, causing Fluttergust to get up.

“Mommy.” She went over to the mare’s side.

“Go find your father, Fluttergust,” she instructed. “I need to talk to Discord.”

Fluttergust nodded and left the room.

“Hello, Flutterbreeze,” Discord said quietly. “I’m sorry I’m late.”

“It’s okay, Discord,” she said. “I’m glad you’re here.”

The two stood together in awkward silence.

“It’s her, isn’t it?” Flutterbreeze asked.

Discord sighed. “Yes, it is.”

“I… I always thought it’d be me,” she said distantly. “Discord, was I not…?”

“Don’t think that way, Flutterbreeze,” Discord said. “You have a heart as kind and pure as any I’ve met before. Destiny has something else in mind for you, that’s all.”

“You’ve always watched over me,” she said with a smile, “and I know it’s because my mother asked you to.” She turned to look up him. “Can you do the same for me? Will you watch over Fluttergust and make sure she’s safe?”

The words echoed in Discord’s mind:

I don’t want to live in a world without her. I-I just can’t.

“…Yes, Flutterbreeze,” he said softly. “I promise I will always be there.”