It was quiet on a small hill outside of Ponyville. Fluttershy frowned, adjusting her position on the ground. She was curled up, almost like a cat, mane and tail covering her up in the late autumn chill. She didn't know why she was still out here. The first snow was due for tonight. She shook her head sadly, closing her eyes, tears spilling over. Her body trembled, silent sobs racking her figure. A few flakes of cold snow started to fall to the earth, meeting in a harmony that made her cry even harder. She wanted that sense of peace, tranquility. At least... She wanted it again. The flakes mingled with her soft buttercup coat, then trailing down as her body heat melted them. It darkened her color a little, leaving streaks, almost as if her whole body was crying, not just her blue, shimmery eyes. She couldn't make herself get up. She tried though, diligently, only to fall down again like the fawns she helped. She shivered. It was cold. Much colder than she'd expected when she first came here. The snow continued, the soft powdery whiteness landing in the grass that still was a healthy emerald. She wrapped her tail tighter around herself. She didn't want to go home. Home is where she smiled, and played nice for her friends, and her animals, until she could go upstairs and release the sadness she felt. The night goes on around her, the stars invisible, as well as the moon.
--
The lights at the royal wedding shined on everypony's coats. Fluttershy sat at the edge of the courtyard, her dress glowing softly. She admired as Cadence and Shining twirled each other around the floor, the gold trim on Cadence's dress sparkling. She sighed, glancing over at her friends, then down at her hooves.
"That dress looks lovely on you.", said a soft voice. Fluttershy squeaked and looked up, her gaze settling on Cadence, who looked even lovelier up close. She immediately hurried into a curtsy, at the same time as shrinking in intimidation. "Oh please don't, not after all your help."
"I-it was nothing...", she whispered.
"Your name is Fluttershy, right?", Cadence asked. She nodded.
"Y-yes..."
"It's pretty."
"Thanks... uh..." Cadence smiled at her, waiting for her to continue. Come on, Fluttershy, say something! She berated herself racking her brains nervously. "You're pretty." She blushed. How could she say that, she sounded so lame!She shrunk even further into herself and went back to watching the dancers.
"Are you not going to dance?", Cadence asked, her mane flowing slightly and sending Fluttershy a wave of pomegranate. She blushed, her heart speeding up.
"N-no, I'm kind of clumsy...", she whispered, looking down and shuffling her hooves awkwardly. She could dance, but she didn't want to embarrass herself here of all places...
"Haha, everyone can dance with practice!" Suddenly she felt a warm pressure on her hoof and she was pulled onto the dance floor. She flushed as she felt Cadence guide her through the steps of a slow dance, their body heat mingling, Cadence's scent overwhelming Fluttershy, who immediately stumbled in her effort to keep up. Cadence laughed, a musical laugh that wrapped around her heart and made her smile a tiny bit. When the dance was over, Fluttershy gave a soft curtsy before fleeing, into the garden where she'd snapped at the Grand Galloping Gala. Her heart was still beating fast, faster than ever before, and her face burned. She laid down under a tree, looking up at the stars. She could feel the lingering presence of Cadence, almost as if she was still dancing with her, could feel how close she'd been. That was when her first crush began.
--
The next morning, Fluttershy awoke with a start, and started her day, trying to ignore the fact that it was the one-year anniversary of the royal wedding. She felt awful, and it was apparent to everypony else.
"Look at her hooves! She's just letting them drag and get filthy! Fluttershy usually has more decorum than that!"
"Her wings... They aren't even folded properly! She could hurt herself if she lets them hang like that! That was the number one rule at flight camp! She would never forget that!"
"Aren't y'all missin' somethin' here?", Applejack asked, pointing at Fluttershy's eyes, where the familiar sparkle was completely faded out.
"You know, she has been acting weird ever since my brother's wedding.", Twilight pointed out.
"You don't think...", Rarity trailed off hesitantly.
"What is it?", Twilight asked.
"You don't think she had a gentlecolt calling on her in Canterlot, do you?", Rarity exclaimed, eyes wide and sparkling. Pinkie and Twilight gasped.
"Fluttershy? Are you kidding me?", Rainbow asked, nearly falling out of the sky she was laughing so hard.
"It doesn't seem likely, sugarcube. Fluttershy ain't the type for somethin' like that."
"Fluttershy is just as likely to find her special somepony as I am!", Rarity protested, flicking her mane back. This made Rainbow laugh even harder.
"So, never!" Rarity's eyes narrowed darkly, and she looked positively murderous, until-
"I'VE GOT IT!", Twilight yelled. We'll take her to the Crystal Empire to be sure!"
"To the Crystal Empire? That don't make a lick'a sense Twi."
"Did none of you see how she was better when we went to visit there?"
"Well of course, but no one's there right now. And since she seems to be happiest at Canterlot AND the Crystal Empire, we can safely assume that it's a member of the Royal Guard, which means Canterlot is still our destination!" Rarity smirked triumphantly and let that sink in the other's minds. "Oh how scandalous! Fluttershy falling for a member of the guard, that would make a wonderful courtship, and he could pull her away and shirk his duties, resulting in his banishment and then they would meet for secret midnight trysts!" Rarity swooned, ignoring the others' incredulous looks in her bliss.
"...Okay, so we'll all meet at the train station in half an hour?" Twilight asked, attempting to take charge of the conversation again.
"Sounds all right to me.", Rainbow said, wiping the tears that came with her laughter away. "Thought I still think you ponies are crazy."
One by one they dispersed and Twilight went off to find Fluttershy, who, as it turned out, was by the lake, watching clouds. Her blue eyes reflected one that was shaped like a rose. She gave a sigh, then sat up, face to face with Twilight, who looked in her eyes suspiciously. Not the purple-colored eyes she longed for, but it still startled her for a moment, until she felt the now-familiar fake smile working it's way up to her lips.
"Hi Twilight.", she said softly. "Is there something you need?"
"Yes. We're all going on an impromptu trip to Canterlot." Fluttershy's heart leaped, then fell down into her hooves again. She blinked away the tears that threatened to quell over as a flash of Cadence's beautiful face flashed in her mind.
"That sounds lovely, Twilight, only, I have other engagements, and..." She shrunk in her heels, then looked down, unable to lie to one of her best friends. "Okay..." She followed Twilight to the train, head down, eyes half-closed. When they arrived, the others' cheered.
"About time you slowpokes!", Rainbow yelled, flying a circle around them.
"Y'all almost missed the train.", AJ said, pointing her hoof at the smoke that loomed closer and closer. Pinkie whistled along with the train.
"WHOO-WHOO!" As soon as it stopped she was on it, bouncing all the way to her favorite seat. The other filed on, Fluttershy being the last aboard, despite the fact that her smile was the widest. Rarity elbowed Rainbow pointedly.
"You see?!", she hissed. Rainbow shrugged noncommittally.
--
As soon as the train stopped, Fluttershy excused herself and went to the castle. She found her way to Shining and Cadence's room easily, mainly due to the river of people leaving. She hurried up the stairs and knocked hastily, oblivious to the rainbow-maned follower she had.
"Who is it now?!", Cadence yelled, flinging open the door, stopping in surprise as she saw Fluttershy. "Oh... Hello Fluttershy, I didn't expect you today." Her tone was pointed, as if she was saying she had other plans and wanted Fluttershy to leave.
"W-well... Twilight and everypony is here... And I came on ahead... Since they're going to visit..."
"Twiley's here!", Shining cheered, grinning and appearing beside his wife. Fluttershy avoided his gaze, instead looking at the violet, sparkling jewel-like eyes she'd been thinking of this morning. She gave another smile, real this time.
"Yes, so... If you don't mind... I'm kind of chilly..."
"Of course! I'm sorry! Celestia was just lecturing me on my horrid manners this morning." She flushed, chagrined, and Fluttershy squealed on the inside. Cadence was cute when she blushed! The butterflies on her cutie mark felt as if they'd materialized in her stomach and she giggled softly.
"I think your manners are just fine.", she said, surprising herself with her own daring. Cadence laughed, and she beamed. She had made Cadence laugh! Her! Not Pinkie, her! Her heart soared in happiness. She relaxed in her seat, which was right between Cadence and Shining.
--
"She went straight to visit Cadence and my brother?! Do you know what that means?!", Twilight yelled. An hour later, everyone but Fluttershy was at a restaurant, dining on the finest the establishment had to offer.
"She's not only in love with a member of the royal guard, he's the captain and MARRIED!", Rarity squealed, trying hard not to fall of her seat in excitement.
"She thinks she can just latch her hooves onto him like SHE'S the one who's known him her whole life!"
"Twilight.", Applejack said sharply.
"She thinks she can just COMPETE with the best foal-sitter ever as a spot for my sister?!"
"Twilight!"
"SHE THINKS SHE CAN JUST WALTZ IN AND TRY TO TAKE HIM?!"
"TWILIGHT!" Twilight stopped mid-rant, fury evident on her face. "Ah'm sure there's got to be another explanation." AJ looked over at Rainbow who had been silent since reporting this. AJ knew of the pegasus' feelings for the shy mare.
"Well let's go see then!", Rarity said, only to be stopped.
"Y'all know we ain't got room for tonight, right? We gotta get on the next train."
"Well we have to hurry and get Flu-"
"Hello." The soft voice surprised them, and they looked up to see Shining, Cadence, and Fluttershy.
"CADENCE!", Twilight yelled, running up to the alicorn. "Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" The two giggled after their dance and Fluttershy stared, entranced as the two rushed to embrace their old memories of each other. AJ shook her head, a wry smile appearing on her face, one that was bittersweet as she glanced between Cadence, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash.
--
"Fluttershy, darling, would you mind doing me a favor?", Rarity asked, smiling softly at the yellow pegasus, knowing that she had gone back to her lonely self almost immediately, and had been acting as such still, two week after the trip.
"O-of course not, Rarity, how can I help you?"
"Will you deliver this to Cadence for me?", she asked, levitating a package over to Fluttershy. Fluttershy's heart nearly stopped.
"What is it...?", she asked softly. Rarity winked.
"A new nightgown. I wouldn't suggest looking at it, dear. It's kind of scandalous." She giggled. Fluttershy's stomach dropped and she felt sick. Her heart was aching, kind of like a migraine.
"Sure...", she said, picking it up gingerly in her mouth and beginning the flight to the castle. She could hear them before she even got there. It sounded like they were fighting. She bit her lip nervously, averting her gaze, praying for the flight to never end. Her prayer went unanswered, and it wasn't long before she landed in front of their door. The yelling was louder, and there was a feminine crying. She nudged open the door gently, only to see Shining's horn glowing as Cadence was cowering in a corner.
"I'm so sick of being undermined by you! You think you're so much more important than me, huh, 'goddess of love'?! Well I'm the best!" A heart-wrenching scream filled the air as suddenly, Shining directed his flow of magic to the alicorn lying on the ground. She spasmed, her eyes wide and tear-filled. Fluttershy immediately started crying, silently watching in sickening horror as Cadence's body writhed in pain. Shining continued, the glow shining in his eyes. "I worked hard to get where I am! Can you claim the same?!" The scene dragged on, seeming as if it would never end, and Fluttershy's legs buckled. She slid onto the floor, watching, dumbstruck, as the beam of light grew thicker and more concentrated. She dropped the package, and it created a soft thud as it hit the floor. Shining swung to face her, unfortunately blasting her with his magic. Fluttershy's body curled up tightly and her tears got even harder as a high-pitched shriek tore out of her throat. Her eyes closed tightly, and her heartbeat increased. It didn't even register when the pain stopped, she just laid there. Eventually, she lifted her gaze, to see Shining Armor passed out on the ground, and Cadence kneeling by... Was that...
"NO! RAINBOW!", Fluttershy screamed, rushing over to the small, cyan body on the ground. She started sobbing again, audibly this time. She looked over at Cadence. "WHAT HAPPENED?!"
"I... I got Shining off you with a spell... And she attacked him... She flew right in the way while I was trying to make him stop..."
"WHY IS SHE DEAD AND HE STILL ALIVE?!"
"Shining was military-trained and Rainbow wasn't. That spell would kill all but the strongest ponies..."
"Rainbow was strong...", Fluttershy whimpered. She wrapped her legs and wings around the body, burying her muzzle in Rainbow's mane. Cadence attempted to pull her away but she latched on tight. She cried into the silky rainbow, trembling. Slowly, she fell asleep, clutching Rainbow tightly.
--
When she woke up, she was on a soft bed, covered in a silk blanket. She took a deep breath and was instantly surrounded by the pomegranate scent she knew and loved on Cadence. Cadence! She sat up, and seeing no one in the room she was in, started running. She didn't know where she was going, but she knew she needed to get out of here. She flung the doors open, but was immediately stopped by two guards.
"Fluttershy, we have been ordered by Princess Celestia to keep you here."
"No! RAINBOW!", she said, struggling. The steady clipping of a bunch of hooves sounded, and suddenly she saw Twilight. "Twilight! Please! Tell them to let me go!"
"Why, so you can get someone else's brother banished? I don't think so.", she said, glaring.
"But Twilight! He was-"
"Says you and Cadence! Shining Armor would never do something like that! You're lucky this isn't up to me or you and Cadence would be out of here. You hear me?"
"T-Twilight..." The alicorn's mane flicked up and swatted Fluttershy.
"Goodbye, Flutterlie.", she spat angrily.
A few hour later, Celestia came into her room, where she was crying and curled back up, hugging Cadence's pillow.
"Fluttershy."
"Y-your highness..." Fluttershy looked up at her, her tear-filled eyes sparkling.
"I would like to commend you for your bravery. Not many would stay after such an event."
"B-but what about Rainbow?"
"She will be given a hero's honor and will get a special grave in the Wonderbolts graveyard, just like she'd want."
"Is Shining Armor-?"
"Banished and imprisoned."
"Twilight..."
"Do not let my student grieve you, Fluttershy. She is just in shock."
"I... I..." Celestia smiled and nuzzled the small pegasus gently.
"I believe a welcome to the family is going to be in order in the future. Luna and I have seen what is in your heart and we wish you the best in your future endeavours into Cadence's life. There is no pony on earth we would trust more than you to mend our niece's heart." Fluttershy stood and bowed, tears still falling.
"I'll give it my all." Celestia took her leave and Fluttershy lay back down.
--
When Fluttershy opened her eyes, she was alone. Maybe she'd dreamed it? All of it? She was still in Cadence's bed, which meant... Rainbow! No! She shook her head pacing nervously and quickly, looking for a way out, but she couldn't find one. It took a long time for anyone else to come see her. When it finally happened, it was Celestia, who lead her to the royal graveyard, where she could see a pink, blond, and purple mane splayed out on the ground.
"She couldn't bear the thought of herself taking a life...", Celestia whispered sadly. Fluttershy stared. Cadence's wings were splayed and bloody, some of the feathers bent. Her body was bent at an unnatural angle.
"No...", she whispered. Cadence was an angel... Her angel... She couldn't be dead! She couldn't! This time she didn't cry. She had nothing left to cry for. She had no hope left. After a bunch of court proceedings, she went home. her cottage was empty. Not even Angel Bunny was around to talk to her. She laid down in her cold bed, alone.
--
She didn't know why she was still here. The snow was piled up on her body, and it was cold, but at this point it didn't matter, she was numb. She was numb. She couldn't feel anything anymore. She looked down at herself and stood up. Sometime during her revelations, she had felt a blinding pain, but it hadn't seemed to matter at the time, it compared little to her pain at losing her best friend and her love. She knew now it mattered. Her cutie mark was gone. Her body,mane, and eyes were all solid grey. She was spectral. It didn't matter to her. Nothing mattered to her anymore. She spread her wings and leaped into the air, and as she did, she looked down and saw the remnants of her body finish getting covered in snow, and a single flower bloom out of the ground. It was a mostly white blossom, with pink and purple on the tips of the petals. She sighed, then looked skyward, become enveloped in a soft white light. It was over. She wasn't here anymore.
