Shy Can See

The sun was approaching over the horizon, lighting up the dark night sky. The sun's arrival served little help in brightening the gloomy nature of Everfree. Birds chirped and sang in the trees, which somewhat relieved the forest of its depressing attitude.

In the midst of Everfree, Fluttershy held Angel in her arms the entire night. Her pink mane was frizzy and contained blades of grass from sleeping on the cold forest ground. A gentle sigh protruded her lips as she woke from her unsatisfying slumber. Her nose nuzzled Angel's forehead as she slowly opened her eyes. She lifted her head and brushed her messy mane away from her face. She gently took her arms away from Angel, who was still asleep. Angel's chest heaved greatly with every breath. It was most obvious to Fluttershy that he was having difficulties breathing. A blue and purple bruise could be vaguely seen from under his white fur. It seemed to cover all of his neck.

Oh Angel, I'm so sorry I didn't listen to you.

Fluttershy raised herself up onto her hooves, and stretched her legs. Her wings extended out over her head, and folded back to her sides. It didn't take long before she found that it was no longer just her and Angel in the field. She turned herself around, and her eyes quickly caught King Sombra on the other side of the prison. He sat quietly with his back facing her, looking out at the wilderness. How long had it been since he returned, and how come he's just... sitting there? Fluttershy pondered these questions as she had her sights fixed on the king. He turned his head and looked directly at her, as if he sensed her gaze. His expression remained impassive. She quickly broke eye contact, afraid of being confronted by him.

She laid back down and took another look at Angel in an attempt to ignore Sombra's presence. After what he did to the poor bunny, she was more wary of Sombra than ever.

Hoof steps were caught by her ears. She looked back behind her out of the corner of her eye to find Sombra trotting towards her. Her eyes became pinprick, and she covered her head with her hooves. Every muscle in her body tensed as she could hear him coming closer.

Please, just leave me alone.

His trot slowed to a complete stop, two feet away. "It is fairly unfortunate for your pet to be in a faint condition." King Sombra stated in an inscrutable tone, "Take heed that it has been 5 years since I've had any outlet."

"Stop acting as though you feel nothing!" Fluttershy yelled. Angel jumped up from the sudden noise, now awake with his ears perked up. There was an unnatural silence within the field. Fluttershy's voice lowered back down to her usual volume. "I know you're not that strong, Sombra..."

...

Sombra's facial expression remained. Finally, he spoke up. "My facade is not easily seen through."

None of what he was saying was making any sense to Fluttershy. All she knew was that she needed to get out of this confinement as soon as possible.

"Just let us go. I-I won't tell anypony." She stuttered.

King Sombra ignored her words and stepped over to Angel. The bunny's ears drooped down, and he shrunk lower to the ground in fear. Sombra's horn illuminated red as he leaned towards Angel. Fluttershy started to panic, assuming he'll do only the worst. She hastily got up and intercepted the king from Angel. "What do you think you're doing!" Fluttershy exclaimed as she stood in front of her pet.

Sombra moved her out of the way with his hoof as he stepped closer to the bunny. "Don't make me change my mind." He snarled. Fluttershy gulped nervously, and pushed down her urge to get the king away from Angel. She knew she couldn't fight him off.

He shifted his attention back over to his target. He closed his eyes and clenched his sharp teeth, struggling trying to perform whatever he was in the process of casting. Angel covered his eyes with his paws and tensed up, bracing himself for what is to come. With a spark of his horn, Angel's entire body appeared to give off a soft glow. The bruise around his neck began to diminish down to nothing. Angel felt a strong tingle move throughout his injured leg. The glow subsided, and Sombra's aura faded from his horn.

Angel took large breaths of air, relieved to find he can breath smoothly again. He stretched his once wounded leg to find that it was fully functional.

Sombra backed away, still clenching his teeth and snarling as he rubbed his head. Fluttershy picked up Angel and inspected him for any new injuries. "Did he hurt you at all, my little Angel?" She asked as she continued her inspection. With a smile, Angel bunny shook his head. "You're okay!" Fluttershy exclaimed as she hugged her beloved pet. She put him back down and looked at Sombra, who was in obvious pain. She cautiously took a few steps back, making sure to keep a good distance away. "Are you.. alright?"

No response was given. He began to throw a fit, growling and stamping his forehooves on the forest floor. Uncertainty washed over her. Should she dare touch him? There was no way to know how he'd react. Perhaps if she showed that she could be of use, he'd let her leave?

Fluttershy took a few steps forward, followed by a few more. Angel pulled at her hind leg in disapproval. "But... he needs help." Fluttershy whispered to Angel. He frantically shook his head. Fluttershy looked back at Sombra, and moved closer, despite Angel's opposite views of the ordeal. She slowly outstretched a hoof, ready to touch the side of his head. Before she could do so, the distraught king reared and let forth a booming roar. The ground below them felt as though an earthquake was triggered. Fluttershy gasped and fell on her haunches in surprise. Angel quickly hopped to her aid.

Everything seemed to spin through the eyes of Sombra. He sank to the ground, unable to stand any longer. He let his head carelessly fall to the floor, and shut his eyes. No longer did he make any noise. He just laid there in sudden silence.

* * *

It was nearing evening. Twilight was in her studies, contemplating what she could do.

"Where in Equestria could she be?!" Twilight exclaimed as she paced back and forth the Library. "I searched the Everfree Forest for hours!"

"I don't know, Twilight. She's only been gone for a day. It's not that big of a deal." Spike said.

"Not that big of a deal?! Spike, not even Fluttershy's animals are at her Cottage!"

"Have you tried talking to Zecora? Maybe she knows where Fluttershy is."

Twilight gasped, and stopped in her tracks. A grin spread across her face. "You're a genius!" She praised as she hugged the little dragon. "I swear, you never cease to amaze me."

Spike smiled proudly, "I know. I never cease to amaze myself."

Now with a new plan, Twilight cantered out of her home and flew into the Everfree Forest.

If I'm going to find Fluttershy, I can't afford to waste any time.

Soon she hovered over Zecora's hut. Twilight landed on the front step, and knocked on the door. The door creaked open, revealing Zecora. "Twilight, good day! May I ask why you're visiting my hut today?"

"Hi Zecora. Have you seen Fluttershy at all today, or yesterday?"

Zecora shook her head. "Fluttershy I have not seen. How come you're asking me?"

"It seems she and all of her animals disappeared from her Cottage yesterday. I've yet to find her..."

Zecora gasped slightly. "How shocking that must have been to see! If this helps to the slightest degree... I've noticed an unusual black smoke moving throughout Everfree."

Twilight's eyes dilated from this new piece of information. "I'm truly sorry, but I need to cut my visit short. I need to find Fluttershy!"

Twilight trotted away from the door without a 'goodbye', and unraveled her wings. As she took off, she heard one last thing from the zebra.

"Beware, my dear Twilight! This grim unknown wanders at the dead of night!"

Twilight landed over at Rarity's boutique. She banged on the door aggressively, showing great anger. At the doorstep she waited, but there was no answer. Twilight sighed and impatiently teleported herself into the boutique using her magic. She found Rarity laying in her bedroom, reading.

"Twilight! How dare you enter my house without my permission! I hope you know you could have just came back later and--"

"Rarity, I could care less about your privacy right now. I'm going to find Fluttershy tonight, and YOU'RE coming with me."

"... She's not at home?" Rarity muttered nervously.

"No, she's not."

Rarity merely stared at Twilight, unsure of what to say. She opened her mouth as if she was ready to say something, but quickly shut it.

"We don't have all night, Rarity!"

Rarity's ears folded down. She gulped, and took her eyes off of Twilight. Her focus was instead back onto her book.

"Oh, so that's how you're going to be?"

* * *

"UNHAND ME, TWILIGHT!" Rarity screamed as she was being levitated out of her home. Twilight left the boutique trashed from trying to get Rarity to comply.

Twilight galloped down the street with Rarity still levitating by her side. "If you just did as I said, I wouldn't have to be using my magic on you right now!"

"Alright, alright! I'll follow along. Just let me go, Twilight. Please?"

Twilight's gallop slowed down to a trot. She sighed and put Rarity back to the ground. "If I catch you bailing, expect me to carry you." She warned.

An hour passed before both ponies made it to the forest. Due to Rarity's inability to fly, Twilight had to remain on the ground. The sun was now almost completely below the horizon. Twilight smiled and turned to her companion. "It's time to get to searching."

* * *

Fluttershy was laying all the way on the other side of the field, watching over the unconscious King Sombra from a distance. Most of all, she was contemplating about why he was the way that he was. Everypony had a past, and that included Sombra. She quickly grew interested about him after what he said.

Angel crept forward and stood just inches away from Sombra. He looked him over quizzically. Angel must have been just as curious as Fluttershy as to why he acted up to such a high degree.

A low-pitched groan startled Angel, and caused him to hop towards Fluttershy. King Sombra rubbed his head and raised himself upright. Fluttershy gave a soft smile, but didn't bother approaching him, as much as she felt the need to. "What happened?" She asked quietly.

Sombra stretched each of his legs, and adjusted to his regal posture. "It has been awhile." He said, showing a hint of weariness beneath his gruff voice, "I suppose I've forgotten just how pain racking it is for me to perform anything other than dark magic." Sombra approached Fluttershy. She slowly backed up until her rump met with the edge of the force field. She let her mane drape over her face, uncomfortable with the lack of space between her and the tyrant. Sombra's voice shifted to a low growl. "Don't expect me to be doing you any more favors."

With a slight whimper, Fluttershy nodded. If he truly meant what he said, there was no way she was going to get out of there.

She looked back into his exotic eyes through the curtains of pink that hung over her face. Sombra suddenly lifted a hoof and brushed her mane away from her face, causing her to flinch. He took a moment to look her over, making her undeniably nervous. His expression softened down to where it seemed he was reminiscent of something... or somepony else. "State your name." he ordered.

"It's F-Fluttershy..." she stuttered, slightly blushing.

Sombra gave off a faint, almost unnoticeable smile. He brought his hoof away from Fluttershy's face, letting her mane fall to its previous position. Without another word, he left her to herself and walked to the edge of the force field, ready to leave once more.

"Wait!" Fluttershy yelled. Sombra came to a halt before the wall, but didn't turn around to look at her. She then recoiled and covered her mouth, afraid that she angered him.

"Speak." he demanded, his back still facing her.

"Where are you going? Aren't you still hurt after what happened?"

The king stood still in silence. He exerted a low chuckle as his horn bubbled. "It's better if you wonder." A mischievous smirk was seen on his face just before he shrouded himself in his dark spell, and stepped through to the other side.

Fluttershy sighed, and propped her body up against the field's wall. "Stubborn..."

* * *

"This is absolutely foul. Why me? My mane is already getting messy just from walking through this wretched place!" Rarity whined while both her and Twilight walked through the forest

"Because you're the one who caused all of this." Twilight grumbled in response as she lit up a small chunk of the ground around them with her magic. "You know... why do you all the sudden have such a problem with Fluttershy, anyway? Ever since the Grand Galloping Gala a few years ago, you've been acting hateful towards her. It seems to get worse every Gala, now that I think about it."

Rarity stared at the ground as they continued walking. She didn't want to talk about this with anypony. Especially not Twilight. "That's none of your business, Twilight."

"Actually, it arguably is my business. Why? Because I'm out here searching for Fluttershy all because you have some sort of problem with her. I have to find her in order to keep the Elements of Harmony intact. I won't be able to do that if you're going to make her run off like this!"

Rarity pouted at Twilight. "I'm never going to perfect my dress for Sapphire Shores now..."

A faint scream was heard in the distance, sending bats flying out from the trees and into the night sky. Both ponies stopped in their tracks. "I think that sounded like Zecora!" Twilight exclaimed. She flew above tree level to try and spot Zecora's hut. It was a long way away from where they were standing. She shot back down to the ground in front of Rarity. "Now, Rarity... I need you to trust me."

Rarity looked at her, puzzled. "What are yo-- Oh my!"

Twilight swung Rarity onto her back, and ascended into the sky hastily. Rarity clung desperately onto Twilight's neck, trying to stay on her back. "Is this really necessary!" She yelled above the drowning sound of Twilight's wings.

"This is our only option. We won't make it to Zecora in time if we run there!"

Both ponies soon made it to their desired location. Twilight came to a harsh landing on front of Zecora's hut, nearly throwing Rarity onto the ground. Rarity scrambled onto her hooves, grateful that the ride came to an end. What they both looked upon was what use to be the front door of the hut. It was shred clean open with fragments of wood scattered all about the ground. They ran inside, and found Zecora backed up against a far corner. Along her legs were multiple gashes, some deeper than others. A large bruise covered almost the entire left side of her face, and an additional bruise covered around her entire neck. Blood ran down her nose, and onto the wooden floorboards. The figure looming over her: King Sombra.

Zecora's entire hut was trashed. Most of the zebra's potions were knocked off of the shelves and shattered, staining the possessions that were also knocked off. The various liquids covering the floor mixed with one another, forming unpleasant resulting colors. The walls that were once adorned with trinkets, paintings, and relics, were now layered with thick gashes and scratches with the occasional blood stain.

Rarity's mouth dropped open in shock. "How is he here?"

"KING SHADOW!" Twilight's voice boomed throughout the hut, and raddled the remaining potions on the shelves and decorations on the walls. She stood tall and confident with her wings unraveled. King Sombra twirled around and faced the princess. His nostrils flared as he growled viciously at Twilight and displayed his glistening fangs. Twilight maintained her stern expression. "Step away from Zecora, Shadow. Now."

Saliva dripped down Sombra's fangs as he spoke. "I remember you all too well, Princess. Almost as well as that damned Mi Amore Cadenza..."

"Don't think I'm afraid to kill you, Shadow! We don't know how you escaped your imprisonment, but we do know that you have Fluttershy. We want her back."

A devious grin appeared on Sombra's face. "A friend of yours, I assume? I have some unfortunate news for you, my dear princess..." The king's voice dipped lower in pitch, and became much more guttural, "You really thought you could save her? I must admit, Sparkle: You're much more sluggish than you used to be. She has already met her demise."

Rarity gasped in shock of Sombra's words. She turned away in disbelief, and forced her now dilated eyes shut.

Twilight's rage boiled over. A bright beam of light suddenly shot from her horn, and hit the king directly in his rib cage before he could even react. He grunted in exertion from the blow, and staggered to the side. Twilight's aura expanded and emitted enough light to brighten further, about to send more bolts directly at Sombra. Another shot was fired; that time aimed for his face. Sombra's reflexes kicked in, and his physical form dissipated into an amorphous black cloud. Twilight's attack went right through him, and instead hit the wall. The shadow which now filled the entire hut sped out into the protection of the grim night. Twilight raced outside and prepared to take flight after him, despite the fact that he was already nowhere to be seen. Rarity sprinted to her side before she was in the air, and grabbed her hoof. "He's gone, Twilight. There's no point."