Bags were under Fluttershy's eyes, but she didn't care; she was going back. She looked out the train window seeing snow, but then saw the Crystal Empire up ahead. Discord, as a stallion, was wandering the train station when he saw the train pull up and Fluttershy was getting off. He quickly panicked and hid, She's back! Already? But I'm not ready, I need a speech! He popped back to normal and was at his camp, summoned the rose, and said random things.

"Dear Fluttershy, how fair are thee? Let me count the ways… Yuck! What was that?! Okay, again… Fluttershy, I… You are the chocolate to my rain clouds… Blech! Why are you even being sappy with this nonsense?! Just tell the girl out right how you feel! So, one more time, and you will say those words…" he shuddered, "Look, you care for this pony, right? Yes! Now say those three words… but… I had no use for them before; I've been on my own for years… eons… how is it she makes me feel this way? Why is it I can say those words to her?! Because… I… I… I love her! *gasp* I did it! I said it!" he fist-pumped, "Now… to really say it to her face…" he gulped, "And it's not going to be easy…"

Fluttershy looked around the empire, hoping to find Discord, but saw no sign of him anywhere. Feeling crestfallen, she went back to the petting zoo. But before she entered the barn, a voice said.

"Fluttershy!" Twilight approached her. "Back so soon? Where's Rarity?"

"Still in Canterlot, but I went ahead. I couldn't stay away for so long."

"Are you feeling alright, then?"

"I will be, as soon as I do something."

"Okay… if you're really sure… by the way, we got a new addition for the petting zoo." she pointed to two stallions bringing a large crate with air holes on top, "It just arrived this morning from the train. If you need anything, I'll be inside the castle working with Cadence."

"Thank you, I will." Twilight goes as she went inside to make sure the stallions put the crate near a stall, then went to see Little Lady. She was unaware that the crate started moving and wooden claws were punching through the air holes…

After a while of playing with her, who should appear with a dangling carrot in front of him, "Now how's our little champion doing?" he feeds the ewe.

"Oh, Discord! I'm so happy to see you!"

"I'm happy to see you, too."

They both said, "There's something I want to tell you-"

"Oh, sorry, you can go first." she said.

"No, no, I insist you go first."

"Well… okay… I…" but had to stop when she suddenly smells something vile.

Discord smelled it too, concern filled his face.

"No…" she whispers.

"Only one way to find out… stay here…"

"No, I'm coming with you."

"No way! I'll not have you at risk again!"

"This is different! When it comes to the animals, some pony has to protect them!" she flies in front of him. He was impressed, but worried just the same.

They moved around the barn looking in different stalls, and then up ahead, they froze at the sight of the back of a Timberwolf releasing its smelly breath. Fluttershy was about to scream, but Discord hushed her by putting his paw over her mouth. He backed her up slowly, but then Little Lady bleated, causing the Timberwolf to face them.

"Oh, yuck!" Discord waves his paw, "Have you ever heard of a breath mint?"

It roared.

"Apparently he hasn't, Discord…" Fluttershy whimpered.

"Time for some mouth wash!" he snaps his fingers and a gallon of spearmint mouth wash appears above the wolf and pours on him! Discord guffaws, while Fluttershy was slightly amused. Unfortunately, that agitated the wolf to move closer to Fluttershy, who whimpered in fear. Discord moves in front of her.

"Not another step, pal!" his paw glowed as he holds a ball of light in his fist. He throws it, disarming the wolf by pieces. The light balls glowed through the barn windows, causing attention.

Ms. Harshwinny went to check it out by looking through the window, only for her view to be obscured and misinterpret the scene at hand.

"Oh, no! That horrid creature is hurting the animals!" she gallops off, thinking Discord was the bad guy in all this.

The Timberwolf was finally smashed to pieces; Discord gave a sigh of relief. Little Lady bleated in delight. Fluttershy smiled while he returns it, they hold hooves or hands.

Outside, Ms. Harshwinny brought the royal guard pointing to the barn, "The perpetrator is in there!"

Discord starts to say, "Fluttershy, I want to-"

A guard shouted, "Come out with your hooves up!"

"You don't suppose…" Fluttershy realized what was happening, "No! He didn't-" she was about to go outside, but Discord stopped her.

"What's the point, Fluttershy…?"

"Wha… What?"

"They're not going to believe to us… No matter what, I'll always be the spirit of chaos in their eyes… They'll just think you were under my spell."

"But… I can convince them!"

"And if you can't?"

She gave a solemn glance.

"It's for the best, Fluttershy…" he puts up a force field between them.

"Discord? What are you…?"

"Good-bye Fluttershy… Know that you truly made a difference in my life…" he leaves for the door.

Tears formed in her eyes, "No! Discord! Please! Don't do it!" she bangs on the field.

Discord did not look back. He made a vow to protect the pony he loves even if it meant protecting her from him… Now that he was accused of a crime, she can't be anywhere near him without other ponies thinking negative of her and that was the last thing he wanted for her. She had a life; he didn't.

He got out the door lifting his hands, looking smug to the cross guards, "You got me."

The guards chained him up from his hands, feet, and neck.

"Princess Cadence shall determine your sentence." said a guard.

"By all means, take me to her."

Fluttershy forced herself with all her might to escape the force field. Naturally, it would not budge, with it being Discord's magic by the time he would remove it, it would be too late to clear his name. The odds were stacked against her of any pony believing her, but she had to try.

Discord was before Cadence and Shining Armor while Twilight and Rainbow Dash were at the side giving him hard glances, but he paid no heed to them as he already had this work out.

"I'm surprised, Discord…" spoke Cadence, "I never thought of you as to stoop so low…"

"Well, I never meant go so far, I was just messing around being the chaotic being I am."

"So you admit it?"

"I do, I am guilty. I have nothing to hide." showing himself as prideful when deep down he was frightened of what was to come.

"Then… I have no choice but to send you to Princess Celestia to decide your fate."

That was to be expected, since they cannot turn him to stone again but could Celestia have a magic to imprison him in another way? He about to find out as the guards took him away, but it'll all be worth it when Fluttershy is safe away from him.

Fluttershy felt all hope was lost; she gave up on beating the field. She cuddle into fetal position and released small tears, thinking what was going to happen, the Elements were gone, so he couldn't be turned to stone, but could he be imprisoned some other way? If so, would she ever see him again?

Suddenly, the door to the barn open, Apple Jack and Spike walked in, "Fluttershy?" AJ said with a tone of surprise.

Spike said, "Whoa, not only did Discord try to hurt the animals, but imprisons you, as well?!"

"No! It's not what you think! It was a Timberwolf!"

"Timberwolf?!" both shout.

"But then why would Discord put you in a bubble?" Spike questions while something caught AJ's eye.

"He's trying to protect me!"

He scoffs, "Yeah right."

"And that's exactly why he did it! No one would believe him."

"Spike…" Apple Jack picks up some large sticks with claws on them, "I think… she's right…"

Discord was escorted into a closed iron cage on a chariot; Cadence oversaw the locking by putting an extra locking spell. When the chariot lifted off the ground, the force field surrounding Fluttershy was gone.

"No…" she kneeled in sorrow, "I'm too late…"

"Maybe not," AJ lifted her chin, "Come on."

When Cadence returned to the throne, Twilight was pacing the floor.

"Something doesn't seem right." she said.

"It is strange," agreed Cadence, "but Discord did admit it, so we have no choice but to take his word."

The door bursted open and Fluttershy galloped in with AJ and Spike right behind her, "Please! Tell me I'm not too late!"

"Discord didn't do it!" AJ yelled.

"What?!" the group questions.

"It was a Timberwolf!" Spike pointed.

They gasped.

"Are you sure?" asks Cadence.

"I found this," Apple Jack lifts the clawed stick up high, "in the barn."

"Discord was saving the animals!" explained Fluttershy.

"But why would he…" started Twilight.

"He took the blame because he knew no one would believe him! He made sure I wouldn't try to help!" she begins weeping.

Twilight's eyes widened, "He… took the blame?"

"I could have saved him! I… I love him!"

Every pony's jaw dropped in shock.

Apple Jack finally spoke, "Whoa… I knew somethin' was going on, but I never thought…"

"And he did rescue you…" Rainbow admitted, she slapped herself, "Duh! If Discord did do something wrong, would he actually take the blame? No!"

"You should have seen him… so brave…" tears came dripping down, "Now… I'll never see him again…"

"Who says?!" yelled RD, "They can't be in Canterlot yet!"

"What are you-"

"I say you and I go fly at the speed of light just like we did when creating the tornado!"

"But-"

"Look, I may not like Discord and would actually enjoy see what's coming to him, but I can't let anyone suffer something they didn't do even if that is Discord… and you said you love him, right?" saying under her breath, "As gross as that is… You still want to save him right?"

"Yes! More than anything!"

"Then what are we waiting for?!"

"But Dashie, you know my wing span wouldn't get me far… I'd be too late! Unless…"

They all looked at her in confusion.