Page 1103 – Self Diagnosis

Oh, hey, tomorrow’s my birthday! Neat. Anyway…

Fluttercruel from the show was always going to be a challenge to adapt because, well, in real-life you can’t force a person (especially an inexperienced actor) to instantly behave opposite to how they normally act, especially when it goes against their best interests. And I already wrote a joke (>>2143903) where Fluttershy is really bad at being menacing to things she isn’t mad at. So this was always going to have to come from a different, slightly more understated angle.

DM: Guess what time it is.

Twilight Sparkle: Time for another wall to conveniently open up?

DM: You see Fluttershy in the rounded clearing beyond.

Twilight Sparkle: Heyyyyy, Fluttershy… You okay?

Fluttershy: I’m… I’m fine, more or less.

Twilight Sparkle: Not under any weird effects?

Fluttershy: Um… Maybe.

Twilight Sparkle: …Do you want to elaborate? Maybe we can identify this.

Fluttershy: You… haven’t figured it out yet?

Twilight Sparkle: I mean, I have an idea or two, but… Everyone’s been real cagey and confusing. I think I understand “how”; I just don’t get “why.” He doesn’t seem to have put us in physical danger… So what could Discord gain from making us all act strange?

Fluttershy: Is it really that mysterious, or do you just not want to believe it?

Twilight Sparkle: Huh…?

Fluttershy: The Elements of Harmony are his only weakness. He’s attacking our friendship. It’s not as invincible as you might think.

Twilight Sparkle: H-How do you know for sure?

Fluttershy: Because I’m cursed too. Duh.

DM: Um…

Fluttershy: Discord never said I had to keep it a secret.