What Comes Next

The morning was harsh. Not because of a headache, not because of her surroundings. Fluttershy just was not ready for the day to start. Outside her window the rooster was crowing as the first rays of sunlight peeked their way above the trees.

She groggily reached for her pillow, scooping it up in her hoof she threw it across her head with a soft "fwump". Try as she might to stave off the sunshine around her, the morning would not delay for anyone.

She felt a soft tapping on her back. "Mmph" was all she could manage, sleep still clouding her mind. The tapping only became more insistant.

"Angel, I'm not ready yet, just five more minutes." she groaned from under her pillow. The tapping stopped, replaced now by the entire weight of the small rabbit jumping up and down on her side. Angel Bunny was not known for his patience. With a flick of her wing Fluttershy knocked him into the floor.

Pulling the blanket over her she was suddenly struck by a large square object. She jumped up, throwing the pillow and blanket off and flaring her wings. She cast a glare at the doorway as the poofy cotton tail dissappeared behind it. Between angry breaths her eye caught the offending object sitting on her bed beside her, a large notebook, pages crumpled as it lay open, face down beside her.

She picked it up, smoothing the pages, and turned to the most recent page. It was her to-do list for the day.

With a sigh she mumbled to herself, "I guess going back to sleep isn't an option anymore." and crawled out of the bed and into the cold room.

Fluttershy was still groggy as she made her way to the bathroom. As she brushed her mane, looking into her reflection she saw her neck. The bruises were lessening, but were still quite visible. She put the brush down and reached for the makeup Rarity had given her. Rarity said it didn't quite match, and swore she would get some of the proper color, but Fluttershy could't tell. She was sure nopony else would be able to either. She only needed it till the hickeys were gone anyway.

She tried to remember exactly how Rarity had shown her to reach the skin below her fur. She rarely ever used makeup of any sort. All things considered, she was doing rather well.

Examining her work, she gave herself a smile. Truly, you could not tell anything was wrong. Her smile quickly faded though, something WAS wrong. Something a little makeup could not fix.

She caught herself starting to frown. Looking into her own eyes in the mirror she put on her most determined face possible. After her visit to Applejack's farm last night she had promised herself she was going to stay positive. Whatever happened the previous night was already over, she just had to put it behind her. Still...

Exiting the bathroom, she sniffed at the air, catching the scent of fresh baked muffins. Angel must be making breakfast.

As she decended the stairs the sounds of singing birds filled her ears. She smiled. First on her list was to feed the critters in the house, then bake new treats to sell. Today was going to be better, she had a full schedule ahead of her, perfect for getting her mind back on track.

All that could wait for a muffin though. Fluttershy's wings gently flitted in excitement, Angel rarely made breakfast and his muffins were to die for. Rounding the corner into the kitchen she was greeted with a tiny scowl. Angel was sitting on a stool in front of the oven, paws crossed and tapping his feet impatiently. It seemed the muffins werent quite done yet.

No matter, she was in no hurry. She squeezed her way past Angel to the pantry, removing several bags of various sizes as well as a variety of bowls. Her critter friends were no doubt just as hungry as she was.

Balancing the large stack of bowls on her back Fluttershy grabbed the largest bag in her mouth and made her way to the living room. She knew just where every bowl went. The smallest bowl sat beside the hole in the wall for the mouse family. The pink ceramic one went beside the couch for the tabby visiting from Fillydelphia. The bowls for the birds went atop the dresser, they would have to wait till last, it's hard to fly up there while holding too many bowls.

When she had placed the last of the bowls, she floated gently to the coffeetable where she had left the bag of food. She was humming a tune she made up as she went. Seeing all her critter friends patiently waiting for breakfast always had a way of putting her in a good mood.

She was well into filling the various bowls when she was startled by a knock at the door. Spilling a large amount of the dry nuggets on the floor she shouted, "I'll be right there!". Scooping the spilled food into the nearest bowl she was met with a frown by the raccoon it belonged to. "I'm sorry dear, I'll fix it in a minute." She brushed her hooves off and quickly trotted off to answer the door.

Slowly swinging open the front door, two very worried faces awaited her. "Oh, hi Zecora, Bonbon. How are you this morning?"

"Fluttershy, we need your aid. You see, our nerves are rather frayed." Zecora began. Her mane was tangled with small leaves and twigs, Bonbon's also. "In the forest we found this beast. I'm afraid it's mother is deceased. You can see it's in a sad state. Perhaps you can save it from sharing her fate."

Bonbon spoke up, "We rushed here as fast as we could, it seems this little guy was in a terrible accident. His mother didn't make it." She stepped around Zecora revealing a scaled creature about the size of a small dog lying limply across her back.

Fluttershy's pupils shrank, a quiver entered her voice, "Oh dear, where did you ever find a baby hydra?"

Applejack shot up in bed, awakened from dreams of drowning in a turbulent, inky sea by a hoof on her side. Focusing her eyes she saw Big Macintosh, surprised, standing beside her bed.

"AJ," he said, "we have a problem."

The two quickly trotted to the living room, there Lyra sat on the couch staring at a small envelope on the coffee table. Big Mac began, "When we woke up, Granny and Apple Bloom were gone and this note was on the table. It's for you."

Lyra floated the envelope over to Applejack who took it in her mouth and sat down beside her on the couch. On the front was written in plain letters "APPLEJACK". It was sealed on the back with a small piece of clear tape. Lyra placed a hoof on Applejack's lap and offered a reassuring smile.

Applejack took a few breaths, surely whatever was in there was not as bad as her thoughts would have her believe. She broke the seal and pulled out the letter within. She read silently to herself...

Dear Applejack.

I can't tell you how to live your life, and I suppose that if I tried you wouldn't listen anyway. But when you are living under my roof you are expected to obey my wishes. I don't know what you were thinking bringing that filly-fooler into our house, but I would assume you know my feelings on her type.

Then Apple Bloom tells me last night that you're one too. What am I supposed to think when, on the same day I find you're gay, you have Lyra move in? I could handle having her stay for a little while, and I suppose I could even get used to your lifestyle. But I cannot abide you trying to sneak your marefriend into our house under my nose.

Apple Bloom is staying with her friend Sweetie Belle at the Carousel Boutique and I am visiting family in Appleloosa. I want you and Lyra packed and ready to leave when we return on Tuesday.

Granny Smith

"What's it say?" Big Macintosh asked.

"She's kickin' me out" Applejack's heart sank, she could feel the tears returning, as well as the now familiar twisting of her stomach. She tossed the letter to Big Mac who immediatley began reading.

"Well look here," Big Mac said, pointing to a particular sentence in the letter, "it's just a misunderstanding, we just need to explain what's goin' on and ah'm sure everythin' will be fine."

Lyra, remaining silent, rubbed Applejacks back, attempting to comfort her friend who was obviously on the verge of tears. Again.

"No, it's not that simple. Ah should'a told her years ago. Ah should'a known that things would end up like this. Ah should'a never went to that party an ah definitely should'a never done those things with Fluttershy." Applejack was starting to hyperventilate.

"AJ, gettin all worked up ain't gonna fix this. Ya need ta stay calm, get yer thoughts together, and maybe…" Big Mac hesitated "…maybe ya should ask around ta see if one o' yer friends will keep yall fer a bit while we get this worked out with Granny."

Applejack breathed deeply, Big Mac was right, this was exactly the wrong time to panic. Wiping her eyes she turned to Lyra. "Well, looks like we got some packin' ta do."