Myths and Birthrights: The Archive

Myths and Birthrights

By Tundara

Interlude Two: To Date a Goddess

Fluttershy sat in front of her vanity, heart beating like a war-drum. The mare staring out of the polished glass had a haunted cast to her features. A look that bespoke of a desire to fling herself across the room and hide beneath her bed sheets.

Shifting a little, Fluttershy took a peek at her cutie mark.

The three butterflies that had comforted her since she was a gangly filly had been replaced by thirty-seven smaller, yet more detailed, butterflies. If she stared long enough, Fluttershy swore that she could see them moving.

The swarm of butterflies on her flank echoed in her stomach and after a moment she had to look away. Nopony was sure what her special talent now entailed. No, Fluttershy corrected with a shake of her head.

Her Domain.

Luna had confirmed that Fluttershy was a true alicorn, not a ‘pegacorn’. Not that pegacorns were anything more than storybook myths.

She was a Physical, embodying some tangible aspect of the disc.

Artemis had been the Goddess of the Wilds, connected to any wild and untamed place, and the monsters and beasts that made such lands their home. From the great forests to the mountain peaks and scorching deserts, Artemis had embodied anywhere untouched by civilization. Artemis had explained that she had protected the mortals of her world from places that instilled fear into their hearts. She took that fear into herself, lending her strength to those that prayed for her protection from her beasts.

Fluttershy was certain that she had nothing to do with deserts and mountains. Well, maybe a little to do with mountains, she corrected.

She could feel an uneasy curiosity mixed with old anger and suffering coming from the Everfree, and the roots of the Equestrian mountains the forest covered.

Like the essential piece of a jigsaw puzzle, it all clicked into place.

Forests! She was Forests!

She was the Goddess of Forests.

There was no giddiness or relief at the realization, just a heavy weariness. Fluttershy had promised to help Artemis. Instead Artemis had sacrificed herself to protect her. Reaching out, Fluttershy picked up her comb and began to brush her mane, sweeping the pink locks forwards and around her horn. As Fluttershy went through the slow motions, Luna and Iridia stepped into the room.

Fluttershy could feel the pair now. Well, she’d been feeling them since she’d awoken; both physically that morning and divinely the previous evening. Luna was like the moon to which she was bound, a soft, cooling light that banished the darkness. Iridia was different... like an April breeze rushing down from the Canterhorn; both chill and warm with a refreshing after sensation that made Fluttershy’s pinions tingle.

Iridia frowned at how Fluttershy held her brush, giving a disapproving click of her tongue. “That’s what we forgot, Lulu.”

“Forgot? Um, forgot what, exactly?” Fluttershy shifted a little to watch the pair through the mirror, her wings fluffing a little at Iridia’s gentle laugh.

“Basic magic. Levitation, that sort of thing.” Seeing Fluttershy’s confusion written plain across her brow, Iridia clarified. “We’ve been discussing everything you’ll have to be taught.”

“Oh,” was all Fluttershy said, concentrating on making her mane look as nice as she could.

She had to look her best. Not just for herself, or impressing Big Macintosh, but for Rarity.

A small pang of guilt mingled with sadness punctured Fluttershy for a beat of her now immortal heart. Rarity should be with her, helping her prepare. The two had discussed for years what they would do on their ‘perfect’ first dates.

Rarity’s naturally involved a high class dinner, followed by a Manehatten play or perhaps orchestral performance. Sometimes there would be a romantic stroll through the park, other times sitting upon a patio overlooking a glass smooth ocean and the stars twinkling above.

Fluttershy had almost always let Rarity lead the conversation, keeping her ideal date, and date candidate, to herself. She wondered how Rarity would react to learning that Fluttershy had been pining after Mac for years.

“Fluttershy!”

The sharp bite put into her name snapped Fluttershy out of her thoughts. Ears pressed flat, she turned to see Luna and Iridia watching her with concerned eyes. Striding forward, Luna took Fluttershy’s head in her hooves, turning her this way and that while gazing into her eyes.

“I-Is everything okay?” Fluttershy stammered, worried by the concern the princess carried.

“You were lost in thought, again. You’re not losing yourself, are you?”

Fluttershy gently pushed Luna’s hooves away, setting the brush down at the same time. “W-What do you mean?”

“Forgetting who you are and becoming one with the voice, or voices. ” Luna clarified.

“I’m not hearing any voices... well, other than the birds.” Two blue jays had been arguing for the past hour just outside Fluttershy’s open window, but she’d been pointedly ignoring the pair. She’d managed to forget they were even present. “I did figure out what I am, though,” Fluttershy said before relating the thoughts and realizations she’d had just before Luna and Iridia joined her.

“Forests... It would explain the treants,” Iridia hummed to herself, tapping a hoof to her chin. “So, shall we begin then! You have a lot to learn, and the sooner the better. We don’t want a repeat of the Sol Incident.”

“The... what?” Fluttershy tilted her head a little, while Luna shot her aunt a sharp look.

“Tia made us promise never to mention that to anypony, ever, Iridia.”

“Nonsense! It’s a good story!” Iridia protested as she brought up some cushions from the living room and settled down. “The Sol Incident happened the first or second time little Tia went to set the sun. Now, there are two things you need to know about Tia when she was younger. The first is that she was nothing like she is now. Headstrong, proud, with a confidence bordering on arrogance. She wasn’t a bad pony, but it was hard to really like her, at the time.”

“That is partly your fault,” Luna snorted. “You spent twenty years filling our heads with how special and important we were.”

“Yes, yes, and she was Faust’s ‘Most Brilliant Student’,” Iridia gave her hoof an airy wave. “Reasons aren’t as important for the story Lulu. Fact of the matter is we were all wrong in some way back then. I... I was overly clingy. Faust was intent on her grand games. Tia was the perfect little noble. And you... You were probably the best of us, spending the most time with...” Iridia cleared her throat and shifted uncomfortably.

Fluttershy could sense a small wave of profound sadness wash over the queen. It was gone quick as it came, Iridia thrusting herself into the tale.

“Anyways, the second thing is that Tia wanted Faust’s adoration and praise more than anything. Faust had more time for Tia than Lulu, but was a lot sterner and extremely enigmatic. When Tia Awakened, she wanted to impress Faust. For years Tia had been the head of the Cabal of the Sun, leading the hoof picked unicorns that raised and lowered Sol each day. Well, that first or second night, doesn’t really matter which now, she ordered the rest of the Cabal to wait while she moved the sun, alone.

“Only trouble was Tia hadn’t fully adjusted to her new power yet. Also, Sol was very happy to listen to Tia. When she told the sun to come down, it came down. Straight down. Hitting the disc and bouncing a couple times before coming to a rest at the bottom of the Peycific Ocean.”

“Oh no!” Fluttershy covered her mouth with her hooves as she gasped. “Was the sun okay?”

“Sol was fine. Took several hours to fish her out of the ocean though.” Iridia giggled at the old memories, her eyes growing soft, losing the hard edge they usually carried. “The point of the story is that adjusting to being an alicorn isn’t quick, and you have to be careful. Take things slowly. It could take you and the others years to fully understand your—.”

“‘Others’?” Fluttershy interjected, her ears perking forward.

Iridia looked a little flustered as she said, “Well, yes. I have faith that Twilight will save Lady de Lis, and that Rarity will conquer this ‘Serene’.” Iridia used hoof quotations. “I’ve seen a lot of things, and I believe in my sister. She is exceptionally good at choosing champions for the Elements of Harmony. All you mares are powerful in your own rights, and Rarity perhaps has the most hidden potential. Yes, even more so than you, my dear.”

Fluttershy didn’t know how to feel about the praise. Iridia certainly didn’t lack for confidence. But, her, powerful? If asked ‘use one word to describe yourself’ before meeting Artemis, Fluttershy would have used ‘weak’. ‘Timid’, ‘useless’, and ‘kind’ would have contended for runners-up. Yes, she had The Stare, but that hardly made her powerful.

Now, however, Fluttershy couldn’t deny Iridia’s assessment. She felt so much stronger than before, well, physically that is. Fluttershy’s heart still beat like the drum of a race pony’s hooves when she thought about interacting with other ponies. Especially her date with Mac.

Her date!

She’d almost forgotten about it.

Glancing at a clock she saw that they’d only been talking for a few minutes. There was still plenty of time to get ready and meet Mac.

Pressing a hoof to her chest to settle her breaths, Fluttershy gave Luna and Iridia her most sincere smile.

“I hope you’re right,” Fluttershy said as she got down from her stool.

“Well, my record isn’t the best, I’ll admit, but mostly that’s been from underestimating my sister and her Elements of Harmony. Thuëlya is as powerful now as it was four thousand years ago.”

“What is that?”

“It is my sister, and my sister is it.” Iridia tapped her hoof a few times, her face contorting a little as she struggled to find a way to describe it. Luna just looked on with a bemused grin. “Thuëlya can be be described as ‘Friendship is Magic, and Magic is Life’. To the ancient Thuëlesians Friendship, Magic, Life and Harmony were the same things. You’ve read the Book of Names, right?”

Blushing a little, Fluttershy admitted she’d only read a few bits and pieces when she was little.

“Nevermind. The Thuëlesians lived in what is now... I’m not sure what it is now, actually...”

“The area is controlled by the Azure Legion of the Great Pegasus Horde, Iridia,” Luna supplied.

“Really? They are still around? And so far west? They truly are the exception, aren’t they...” Shaking her head, Iridia gave a little laugh. “As I was saying, however, Faust is the Namegiver now, but back then she was called the Il-Shia, and while that now means Great Leader, to the Thuëlesians it meant ‘She who Shepherds’. They didn’t take names until discovering their cutie marks.”

“I’m a little confused what this has to do with, well, anything.” Fluttershy admitted, quickly adding, “It’s nice to hear about ancient history, I’m just a little lost.”

“What I am trying to say, Fluttershy, is that once upon a time, Faust wasn’t the Namegiver or ‘Fate’, such a silly idea. I tried to get that out of her head, but she really got stuck on that one. Ahem, no, what I was trying to get at is that while I am now the Goddess of ‘Life’, which, strictly speaking I am not, when were were younger, Faust held that title. Well, Goddess of Thuëlya, but it was the same thing at the time. You’re exceptionally fortunate to be a Physical. It’s hard for a forest to not be anything other than what it is. Intangible concepts suffer more on the whims and perceptions of society. I’m a bit more fortunate in that I am Birth and The Spring, and thus more grounded. My poor sister, she changes almost with the seasons. But, while we may have trouble describing her Domain from century to century, it doesn’t make it any less potent.

“My sister is a power to be reckoned with, Fluttershy. It was she who chose you and the other four core Elements of Harmony. You are without a doubt the most powerful ponies in character, magic, and strength of your generation. If you weren’t, she’d have manipulated the strands that bind all ponies together to make certain that the stronger pony got the right Element.” Iridia gave her head a definitive nod. “Rarity will succeed in conquering the shade of Serene.”

Fluttershy gave a soft smile of her own, one bolstered when Luna concurred with Iridia. It settled one of the many knots of anxiety clenching deep in Fluttershy’s breast. As soon as Twilight woke up they’d learn where Rarity had gone, and then they could go retrieve her. Fluttershy almost glowed at the warmth the image of her and her friends all together again brought her.

“For now, however, we need to teach you about your new abilities,” Luna said, taking the lead from Iridia. “The first, and most important, will be learning how to stretch out your essence and bring it back to your physical form.”

“Oh, um, that will have to wait; I have a date,” Fluttershy said, still smiling, her thoughts now turning to the impending evening with Macintosh. The smile didn’t last long when she remembered she hadn’t prepared anything. Yesterday she’d been hoping that Artemis would have an idea or two, though in retrospect that had been a rather niave idea. She’d known even less than Fluttershy about dating.

“A date?” Luna and Iridia asked at the same time, sharing surprised looks.

“Well, yes... Except I have no idea what to do for a first, or any date!”

“Truly?” Luna looked more shocked, while Iridia simply rolled her eyes. Quickly recovering, Luna gave a slight frown. “While a... date, is important, not—.”

“Tosh!” Iridia snapped. “This is very important! There will be enough time for lessons on magic and the nature of being an alicorn later.” Jumping up from her cushion with an almost predatory gleam in her eye, Iridia approached Fluttershy. “Sit back down, my dear, and let’s get to work.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened as Iridia pushed her back in front of the vanity. A green aura of magic grabbed brushes, tweezers, combs, perfume bottles, and even threw open Fluttershy’s closet and began pulling out an assortment of dresses.

“Now, among my Halla, the first date is traditionally conducted by the stags when he finds a hind he wishes to add to his harem. Mind you, there is a lot of ritual combat involved. I don’t think you’ll have to duel anypony. I’ve not been keeping abreast of how ponies go about things, truthfully. You still herd, yes? Mares approach the stallion? Do you offer him a flower? No? Hmmm... When did that change?”

Fluttershy answered as best she could, her voice coming in frightened squeaks as Iridia took up her mane and began to apply the brushes and perfumes, adding a bit of blush and powder to her coat.

“You are lucky. We physicals and nature goddess have an almost effortless beauty. The petals that fall from your mane certainly help. Hmmm, green, yes, green goes best with your colours.” Iridia mused before beginning to wind and tie ribbons into Fluttershy’s mane, braiding the long locks together. “What tribe is your date?”

“Oh, um, he’s an earth pony,” Fluttershy mumbled, yelping as Iridia gave her mane a sharp tug.

“An earth pony, that’s appropriate. No, Lulu, the dark green dress, white is purity and red for fertility, put those other ones back. I know my colours at least.”

Using the mirror to see what Luna had been doing, Fluttershy saw the princess had been holding up a few dresses, presumably testing to see which Fluttershy would look best wearing. Her thoughts were confirmed when Luna pouted and hung the dresses back up, saying, “I was just curious. It is not often I get to help in this manner.”

Iridia gave a ‘harumph’, continuing on her work.

“So, have you decided how to go about courting this fine young buck?” Iridia gave Fluttershy a playful nudge as she shifted her attention to the new alicorn’s tail. “Shouldn’t be difficult.”

“W-What do you mean?”

Fluttershy couldn’t imagine it being anything other than stressful and difficult. There were so many little nuances and things that could go wrong. A thousand different ‘What If’s’ circled through her thoughts, from gaffs in conversation to taking Mac to the wrong place.

“Why, you’re a Goddess!” Iridia said as if it was the most obvious thing. “You could have a dozen stallions to yourself. Sun and Moon above, I’ve done so on several occasions.”

“Y-You have?” Fluttershy couldn’t even comprehend such a scenario.

“Oh yes. Mares too. Love and companionship knows no bounds!”

“Iridia, I don’t think either of us need to know about your... conquests,” Luna snapped, pulling her head back out of the closet.

“Oh, if you want to hear about conquests... no, another time.”

“But, I don’t want a dozen stallions!” Fluttershy protested. “Especially not because...” She finished the thought by pointing at her horn.

Iridia sobered quickly, her eyes taking a sad cast. Even Luna looked a little saddened.

“Lady Posey,” Luna began, Fluttershy wincing at the use of her title and the heavy seriousness in the princess’ tone, “It is as unavoidable as the passage of time. There will be many ponies who seek you out as a trophy. Another thing to consider is that you will outlive any consort you take.”

Fluttershy stiffened as the words struck her. She hadn’t considered that she would outlive Mac, and not by a few years, but by forever. It now dawned on her that other than the princesses, every pony Fluttershy knew would die and become dust while she would remain. Just before the worry and melancholy could really grip Fluttershy however, Iridia spoke up.

“Oh, don’t let that get to you. It just means you have more opportunities to find new friends and loves. And the way the mortals are reborn means you even have the chance of finding past loves in new lives. Why, I’ve encountered my first love no less than six times. Right now he’s a half blind zebra. If I didn’t think he’d either laugh in my face or have a heart attack if I approached him, I’d go visit him right now. Oh well, always next life.”

“You mean, Mac will come back?”

“Don’t get your hopes up,” Luna shook her mane and gave Iridia a disapproving glare. “Iridia is the Goddess of the Spring, which entails rebirth. It’s easy to find past loves when you are the one guiding them to new lives.”

“Oh, please, all I need to do is put a simple mark on this Mac’s soul and I’ll know whenever he’s coming back. I’ve done the same a couple times for my sister. Might do so again soon.” Iridia gave an evil grin. “Oh, coincidently, our family might be growing again soon. I have that feeling in my hooves.”

Snapping her mouth shut, as it had begun to hang open, Luna continued her glare. “You’ve certainly grown bolder today.”

“What can I say? Fluttershy brought me out of my funk. That is what youngsters call it now, yes?” Iridia gave Fluttershy a little nudge, before adding in a bright voice, “There, done. I tried to re-create the Thuelesian maiden style, they really loved their ribbons. Seemed appropriate somehow.”

Fluttershy nodded mutely, too off-put by the little squabble between Iridia and Luna. A daze settled around her as she looked herself over. Her mane and tail seemed even more voluminous, the former draped down her right side. Green bands criss-crossed her pink hair, and seemed to make her eyes brighter. A bed of petals had settled around her chair while Iridia had worked. Carefully, Fluttershy brushed them aside as she, again, stepped away from her stool.

“Thank you,” Fluttershy said, a grin taking to her face. “It looks lovely.”

Donning a fairly simple green summer-dress, Fluttershy was almost skipping on the spot.

She couldn’t believe that after years of watching and waiting and dreaming she would finally be going on a date.

Fluttershy was about the thank Iridia and Luna again for their help and patience, when the door to her room was violently thrust open to reveal a fuming Angel.

‘Where’s. My. Lunch!” He bellowed at the top of his lungs, his little voice coming out as a grating screach. “I’ve been waiting and calling for you for almost ten whole minutes.” He added as his left foot began to thump-thump-thump and arms crossed.

“Oh, I’m sorry Angel, I didn’t hear you,” Fluttershy cooed. She turned to trot towards the kitchen, but was stopped by Iridia.

Stepping in front of Fluttershy, Iridia gave Angel a look that could cut through mountains; one he returned in equal force.

“Listen here you little rodent, if you don’t want to spend you next life as a termite, I would recommend a correction to your attitude. Do I —Ow!”

Iridia reeled back clutching her nose, of which Angel had just bitten before scampering down the stairs and out into the garden.

Eyes wide with shock, she turned to Luna and Fluttershy, exclaiming, “The little monster bit me!”

“I can’t say I blame him,” Luna smirked, while Fluttershy covered her mouth in shock and said, “Oh, he’s never done that before! Angel’s always been more of a kicker. Maybe I should...”

Fluttershy trailed off as Luna held up a hoof.

“Iridia and I will deal with Angel, you need to get going if you are going to make it in time to your date.”

“I know, but I feel so bad about not hearing Angel. He gets so put out if he doesn’t eat on time.”

Luna, moving to usher Fluttershy down the stairs and out of the cottage, said, “Nonsense. Besides, it is my fault you didn’t hear him. I put a silencing charm on the room so we wouldn’t be disturbed.”

“I-If you insist. Well, maybe I should just—.”

“Go, Fluttershy,” Luna insisted, almost tossing Fluttershy out the door with her magic before closing the door with a resounding snap.

Standing in front of her own door, ears pressed back, Fluttershy whispered to herself, “But, I didn’t get anything ready...”

Chewing on her lip, Fluttershy stood there for several tense minutes, glancing between the door and the path to town. She didn’t know what to do. There was no plans, no nothing. She didn’t even have any bits on her. Eventually, the pressure to see Mac and not disturb the princess and queen won out, and Fluttershy slowly made her way into town.

Maybe she could ask for some store credit. It wasn’t as if she was poor, what with the stipends her and the other girls had received upon being made Ladies of the Court. Added to her wages as Ponyville’s animal warden, and she had far more than she needed. Surely somepony would be willing to let her have a little, tinsy credit for just the day if she explained things nicely and carefully.

It took Fluttershy until the time she reached the shops to finally settle on the plan. She really disliked the idea, but it was marginally better than confronting Luna and Iridia, or failing to meet Mac.

As she meandered through town, trying to come up with something to get for Mac —she was evenly divided between chocolates and flowers— Fluttershy failed to notice all the ponies staring in her direction. More than a few shared whispered words, pointing as they did so. A couple stallions, Caramel and Snowflake, both stopped what they were doing to stare slack-jawed.

Slowly, Fluttershy stepped up to Bon-Bon’s Confectionary. Compared to Sugarcube Corner, Bon-Bon’s shop was small, cramped as it was between Quills and Sofas and Ponyville’s smithy. This lent the confectionary a smell something between sweetened iron and musty chocolate. Not good for in-store business. For this reason, and Bon-Bon’s own eccentricities, most of her orders were supplied via delivery.

The run-up to the Season was the busiest time of the year for the candy maker. That was a few months ago, and now the storefront was more often grey and quiet. In a few months it would be Nightmare Night, and time to make all the sweets and candies needed for the annual ‘sacrifice’ to Princess Luna.

Fluttershy giggled at the rapid transformation Nightmare Night had taken since Luna’s return. The bright smiles of the foals as they appeased ‘Nightmare Moon’ was rivaled only by Luna’s own smile. Even Fluttershy had started to take part in Nightmare Night the previous year.

She wondered if she’d be able to this year.

Fluttershy made a small mental note about asking Luna and Iridia about holidays and ‘special days’, and if they had any meaning or significance to alicorns. The Summer Sun Solstice was said to be Celestia birthday, for instance. Which it couldn’t be... unless Celestia hadn’t been born during the Celebration of Life like other foals. It was possible.

Why would she, or Luna —Luna’s birthday supposedly being Nightmare Night— have to have been born like everypony else?

Or, maybe those were the days they—

“Um, Fluttershy, you okay?”

With a little ‘eep’, Fluttershy leapt a few metres into the air, her wings poofing out to carry her gently back to the street to land in front of Lyra. The town’s harpist covered her mouth with a hoof, rapidly saying, “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to frighten you. It’s just... you’ve been staring at Bonie’s shop for the past half-hour... and... You’ve got a horn!”

“Uh, yes, I do.” Fluttershy scoffed a hoof and looked away.

Lyra’s face contorted between shock, curiosity, and joy before returning to a more neutral expression.

“I’m guessing you’d rather not talk about ‘it’,” Lyra stated as she stepped past Fluttershy and up to the shop’s door. Pulling a key from her saddle-bags and sliding it into the lock, Lyra continued to speak. “And I’m also guessing you’re here to see Bon-Bon, what with the way you’re dressed.” Lyra glanced over her shoulder to see Fluttershy’s confirming nod. “She’s out east for a family affair. Won’t be back until Thursday, at the earliest.”

“Oh no,” Fluttershy gasped, her wings extending as Lyra beckoned her into the small shop.

Like most homes in Equestria, the bottom floor was a store or work-area, while the upper floor was a home. The front room of Bon-Bon and Lyra’s home had a small desk-slash-countertop, a few display cases for candies, and a door leading to the large kitchen and stairs. With a flick of magic, Lyra ignited a couple candles and pulled the curtains over the windows open, letting in a shower of golden light.

“So, what were you after?”

“I had hoped to, um, get some chocolates.” Fluttershy scanned the display cases, but what she saw didn’t give her much hope.

“Chocolate, huh? You have a da-ate?” Lyra giggled and gave her brows a little wiggle.

The blush that burned across Fluttershy’s face screamed the truth more than the timid little squeak her voice made.

Taken aback, Lyra’s golden eyes shot wide.

“Really?” A wide grin split Lyra’s face as she began to move from counter to counter, looking in all the display cases. “This is great! I mean, with that dress, it was obvious, but, I mean, it’s you, Fluttershy! Who is the lucky stallion? I bet it’s Thunderlane. No, Snowflake! I bet you like your—”

Abruptly, Lyra clamped her mouth shut. She gave Fluttershy a little, apologetic smile.

“Sorry, my mouth runs ahead of my head when I get excited.” Lyra hardly paused before she was again talking at a mile a minute. “So, who are you seeing?”

“Oh, um, Macintosh Apple.”

“Big Mac!?” Lyra froze mid inspection of some half-stale chocolate glazed strawberries. Her mouth hung open, then it curved up into the widest grin imaginable. Fluttershy would have sworn that Lyra and Pinkie had to be related, the smile was so big. “Ha! Always wondered who it would be that’d catch him.”

Lyra’s abundance of energy pressed down on Fluttershy. Slowly, she shrunk back towards the door.

Maybe Mac would be okay with just some flowers, or something, Fluttershy thought to herself. Candies had been a silly idea anyways. Decided, Fluttershy excused herself, three times, but Lyra seemed oblivious as she darted about the small shop.

“There isn’t much fresh chocolate, the fillies tend to buy that up quick, but there are some... No, that’s no good. Neither is that. Nor those. Sour Drops are definitely out. Maybe the... Fluttershy?” Lyra halted in the middle of the store, wildly glancing about, only to see she was alone. “Oh, you are so lucky Bonny wasn’t here to see you chase another pony away, Lyra,” she tsked to herself, while simultaneously reaching for a broom. A moment later she was sweeping the store, whistling a merry tune, waiting for the next customer.

Having escaped the mad-mare, Fluttershy trotted towards the market. As before, a few ponies stopped to stare at her and the petals that danced out of her mane and tail. Tucking her tail a little lower, along with her head, Fluttershy made her way straight to Roseluck’s stand. She had the nicest, tastiest roses in town everypony agreed.

“Afternoon, Fluttershy,” Roseluck said around a slight, tremorous smile, her eyes never shifting off the space just above and between Fluttershy’s eyes. “By Celestia, so the rumours are true... your...” Roseluck gulped. “H-How can I help you, your majesty?”

“Oh, no, I’m not...” Fluttershy stopped mid-explanation, deciding it would take too long, and she was already so late. “I’d like some roses, if that’s okay with you.”

Roseluck nodded vigorously, “Oh, yes, what kind of roses would you like? I have Floribunda, Hybrid Tea, Climber, and Miniature varieties.”

“Ah, Hybrid Tea sounds lovely.”

Falling into the role of vending, the traces of Roseluck’s anxiety melted away. Pointing to several different groups of flowers, she asked, “do you want Memorial Day, Elle, or Love n’ Peace?”

“The Love n’ Peace, please.”

“Okay, that’ll be three bits.”

“Oh, Princess Luna kind of kicked me out of the cottage before I could get any bits. Could you maybe give me a credit?”

Roseluck’s expression became a stern mask. Without saying anything, the florist pointed to a sign tucked between the Albertine and the Emmie Grey that had three small words printed in simple lettering that read, ‘No Store Credit’.

“I’m sorry, Fluttershy, but rules are rules.” A hint of sadness crept into Roseluck’s voice as she spoke.

“N-No, I understand, but, can’t you make just a teensy exception?”

“I...” Roseluck’s eyes darted left and right, taking in the dozens of ponies staring at her and Fluttershy. With a defeated sigh, Roseluck folded some paper around the roses stems and pushed them towards Fluttershy. “I’ll make an exception for you, Fluttershy, this once.”

Thanking Roseluck profusely while she tucked the roses underneath a wing, Fluttershy promised to bring the bits first thing tomorrow.

Gift attained, Fluttershy hurried down the road towards Sweet Apple Acres. It was close to dinner by the time she crested the final rise and saw the Apple family homestead. Pausing in front of the small gate, Fluttershy found her belly swarming with butterflies. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself the remaining steps to the door.

The tension in her stomach was joined by a knot in her throat as Fluttershy lifted a hoof and gave two taps on the door so light there wasn’t even the hint of an echo in the house. At once the door was yanked open to reveal a madly grinning Sweetie Belle. The smile died the instant the filly recognised Fluttershy.

Without a word to Fluttershy, Sweetie turned and trotted away, her tail dragging across the floor and ears drooping.

“Howdy Fluttershy!” Applejack called from the living room, inviting Fluttershy into the home and to close the door behind her. The farmer gave a low whistle when she got a good look at her friend. “Landsakes, ‘Shy, you look amazing. Don’t she granny?”

“What’s that? Milkshakes are demonstrating?” The old mare looked up from her knitting, rocking her chair and squinting ancient eyes at Fluttershy.

“No, granny, it’s Fluttershy. She is here to go on a date with Mac.”

“Oh, yeah. Boy’s been going on about that all day.” Granny Smith gave a gummy smile, waving Fluttershy. “Come here, I ain’t going to bite you.”

“G-Good evening, Mrs. Smith,” Fluttershy gave the matriarch a timid smile as she stepped over to the older mare. “Is Macintosh ready?”

“He’s up in his room gussying his self up,” Granny Smith snorted and gestured for Fluttershy to sit beside her. Leaning over in her chair, she gave Fluttershy a stern glare as she said, “You be careful with my grandson, understand? His back is strong, but his heart’s still torn. I’m trusting you, Fluttershy. I may be almost a hundred years old, but I can still take you across my knee if you hurt him.”

“Granny! That’s enough,” Applejack snapped, a hint of a scowl on her face. “Stop scaring her.”

Fluttershy trembled a little, scooting away from the flame burning deep in Granny Smith’s eyes.

“I was just doing my duty. Didn’t get to put the fear of Celestia into that stallion that went and—.”

“I said, ‘that’s enough’,” Applejack’s scowl deepened.

The two Apples glowered at each other while Fluttershy scooted towards the walls. Her wings pressed against her sides while her ears laid flat along her head. Staying as quiet as possible, and as small as possible, she sat and waited in the space between the kitchen and outside doors.

After a few moments of sharing the glare with Applejack, Granny Smith tossed her head back and let out a short cackle.

“You’ll do good, Jackie, you’ll do good when I’m in the fields.” Granny Smith nodded once, then went back to her knitting. She began to hum an old tune to herself, a faint smile on her wrinkled muzzle.

A few moments later Mac came down the steps and into the living room. His yoke was gone, and he wore just a simple dark vest with a matching stetson. The left breast pocket had the slight bulge of a watch. Mac’s red coat had been brushed to a shine. His eyes widened as they settled on Fluttershy, and she would almost swear that his face grew redder.

“H-Hello, Macintosh,” Fluttershy gave a wide smile as Mac approached. “I brought you these,” she added, revealing the twin roses.

Mac looked at a loss for words, before giving his head a slight incline and saying, “Thank you kindly, Miss Posey.”

After finding a vase for the roses, Fluttershy and Mac stepped out onto the porch.

“Where we headed?” Mac asked, sending a chill up Fluttershy’s spine.

“W-well, I...” Fluttershy paused, noticing at the top of the steps to the porch sat a basket the same green as her dress. Cautiously she stepped up to the basket, noticing a little slip of paper tied about the handle. A few words were written in flowing script, saying, ‘Have a pleasant and wonderful eve. -L.’ Peeking inside the basket, she saw it had a couple baked plum duff, mini-quiches, a bottle of wine with the symbol of the moon, and glasses.

Gently closing the basket, Fluttershy asked, “know a good hill nearby we can watch the moon? If that’s okay? We can—.”

Mac gave a low chuckle, and said, “Follow me. I know just the place.”

He set off at a gentle trot, keeping a quick pace, but not one where Fluttershy would have to hurry to keep up. They made their way through the orchards, Mac leading. From the trees Fluttershy felt a small wave of hazy interest. The feeling was both similar and yet nothing like what she felt from the nearby Everfree.

As they moved through the orchard’s heart, Fluttershy slowed a little, her gaze pulled to the side, and to an old, dying tree. Sensing Mac slow and look over his back to her, Fluttershy wrenched her eyes away from the tree.

“Where are we going?” Fluttershy asked as apple trees made way to a low grassy hill nestled in a nook where the orchards met Whitetail Woods.

“Almost there now,” Mac responded with a slow chuckle. At the top of the rise he came to a stop, setting down the basket. “Here were are, Miss Posey.”

Fluttershy gave a little squeak at the sight that greeted her. To her right was Whitetail, the forest herself seeming to straighten as it noticed Fluttershy’s presence, like a filly whose parent walked into her room. Unlike the ancient Everfree, Whitetail was young and playful. A happy, golden place. To the left Fluttershy could see the Everfree River as it wound from forest towards the Ponyville reservoir. Ponyville herself was somewhere behind, the thatched roofs and chimneys peeking out just beyond the orchards. Ahead was nothing but untouched, rolling green hills. Here and there a tree poked out of the green fields.

“It’s so pretty,” Fluttershy breathed, her wings spreading slightly along with a little smile.

“Eyup,” Mac agreed, though he didn’t look upon the scenery.

They sat that way for some time, Fluttershy looking outward, Mac at her. Occasionally she’d steal a glance towards Mac, like when they took the food from the basket. Each time she noticed him watching her and a furiously blush would creep along her cheeks. They didn’t speak much, but then again, neither pony was renowned for their verbosity.

They didn’t need words to share their thoughts, Fluttershy realised. It felt like she’d waited a thousand years for this day. All of her doubt melted away, Fluttershy leaning against Mac’s muscled side. She let out a contented sigh through her nose.

As dusk approached, they opened the basket and took out the meal. The quiches had a pleasant hint of cumin and turmeric, just enough to tingle the senses. The plum duff was nice and soft, with a rich aroma and the tingle of brandy. It was certainly a different recipe than Fluttershy used for her plum duff’s at Hearthwarming Eve.

But it was the wine that truly stole both their breaths away.

When Mac uncorked the bottle, a welcome spicy scent filtered out into the air. The wine within was a bright silver, almost white, colour. It fell into their glasses like a sheet of sparkling moonlight, and indeed the image was only reinforced when they took their first sips. Their lips were chilled, as were their tongues, almost like the drink was ice, yet it was not unpleasant. Fluttershy would almost say it was minty, but that would have done the taste a great injustice.

“I thought it was only a myth,” Mac chuckled as he lifted his glance to his lips a second time.

“What was?”

“Moon wine,” he explained, pointing at the label. “It hasn’t existed in a thousand years.”

The name tweaked a memory within Fluttershy, one of Twilight a few days before her coronation, telling a story about a trip she and Luna had taken.

“W-We should be careful then. Twilight told me moon wine is very strong.”

Mac chuckled, but nevertheless corked the bottle. It would be a shame to rush through such a gift.

“So, you going to be a Princess now?” Mac asked, shifting his gaze from Fluttershy to the gently rolling hills of Equestria’s heartlands.

Fluttershy didn’t answer him straight away, her thoughts still lost in the moment, and flowing a little along natural currents and eddies. She marvelled at the sense of peace and tranquility that flowed out of the dozens of wooded areas throughout the surrounding lands. Far to the west and east were the small enclaves of industrialization. Fluttershy could feel like a sliver jabbing her in the heart the sadness of the forests that had been harvested over the last hundred years for their lumber.

Still, it was just a small portion of the emotions the forests of not just Equestria but all Ioka constantly sent to the new alicorn. Somewhere to the south a great jungle, one almost as large as all of Equestria, laughed. To the north the Taiga half-slumbered, the forest older than any other, almost as old as the World Turtle herself. Then there was the sullen moodiness of the nearby Everfree, potent in its proximity.

With her new awareness, Fluttershy could feel the scars to the forests magic left by the final battle between Celestia and Luna so many years before. Yet, the anger the forest felt towards ponies was but a single note in the song that created an ocean of comfort around her.

It took Mac repeating the question to bring Fluttershy out of the haze of warm feelings.

“Me? A p-princess? Oh, no, no-no-no.” Fluttershy stiffened a little, the wing not pressed between her and Mac shooting out. “I’m not part of their herd, so, um, no. T-that’s okay, isn’t it? You don’t want me to be a princess, do you?”

Mac chortled as he shook his head, leaning down to nuzzle Fluttershy behind the ear. She gave a little giggle as his nose passed through her fur and mane.

“I couldn’t care if you were a princess or a pauper, Miss Posey,” Mac stated, the softness of his voice calming Fluttershy and settling her frightened wing. “My families worked these lands for four generations now. It’ll soon be five, if my sister’s foal has an ounce of Apple in her. Which she will.”

Fluttershy stiffened again at the mention of Applejack and foals. She wondered how much Mac knew, or just suspected, and how much she really knew herself.

“I... Um... W-well...”

Fluttershy struggled to find something to say.

“Applejack ain’t told you yet, has she?” Mac sighed at the little shake Fluttershy gave her head. “Huh, thought for sure she’d tell you and her friends first, if just to get some moral support. Only told us, uh, Granny, Bloom, and I, last night just before them royal guards showed up.”

“We suspected,” Fluttershy admitted in a fragile squeak. “For some time, actually. But she always said it wasn’t possible.”

Mac nodded at this, and Fluttershy felt some of the tension in her back and wings lessen.

“Eyup. She’s a headstrong one, but tends to worry too.” Mac grew silent, contemplative, thinking about something. “Family is important to Apples.”

There was something about the way Mac said those words that filled Fluttershy with a calming resolve. Smiling, she brushed her mane back from her face and looked up at Mac, at her stallion. The moon sat behind Mac, framing his strong jaw and the gentle slope of his muzzle as he stared at something beyond the horizon. His rough-cut mane waved in a slight breeze that tickled Fluttershy’s nose with the scent of apples and grass. Her heart fluttered when he turned a little and smiled at her, the corners of his soft green eyes crinkling.

“I’ve had a good time,” Mac said as he stood, offering Fluttershy a hoof to help her stand.

“M-Me too,” Fluttershy admitted.

They walked slowly back towards the farmstead. As they approached the dying tree, Fluttershy found herself again being pulled towards it. Altering her path, Fluttershy approached the tree. Her eyes glazed over as the wind whispered the tree’s name.

“Hello Appleberg,” she whispered, running a hoof down the rough bark. Through the contact Fluttershy could feel the last glimpses of life flowing through the roots. She could also feel the disease festering throughout the tree’s core, strangling the life from the poor thing. “Oh, my,” she added, leaning her head against the tree’s side. Ear pressed against bark, Fluttershy could hear a steady thrum of energy.

“Flutteshy?” Mac’s voice held a note of slight confusion, his hoofsteps stopping just behind her.

She ignored him, all her attention firmly held by the tree. Fluttershy felt so sad for Appleberg. The tree should have had several more good years, at least. She wished there was something that she could do to help.

A cool breath of wind tickled her mane as she remained against the tree.

With a start, Fluttershy realised that it wasn’t the wind tickling her mane, but magic. Aether rushed over her feathers and through her horn, flowing down to the frog of her hoof then into the tree. A real wind filled the orchard, emanating from Fluttershy as she spread her wings wide. Pink tendrils of aether leaked from her eyes, Fluttershy trying to push herself away from the tree, but finding herself stuck to the bark.

She didn’t know what was happening, only that it felt good and right. Fluttershy had no idea how she was performing the magic, only that it was as natural as flying. More and more magic entered her body, using it as a conduit into the tree. She could see renewed life erupt deep in the roots and trunks, rising up to touch yellow leaves.

The wind grew fiercer, plucking Mac’s hat and hurling it through the ordered lines of trees. In a breathless howl, Fluttershy threw back her head, drawing her hooves away from the tree’s trunk. Wings beating softly to keep her on her hind hooves, Fluttershy drew the disease from Appleberg as a grim yellow-green film. Surrounded by her pink magic, the disease hovered in a little, apricot sized ball.

The ball began to bubble and hiss within her magic, and slowly shrink until it was gone.

Panting, Fluttershy fell back to her hooves. Looking up she saw that Appleberg was green and full of life again.

“What was that?” Mac asked, drawing up to Fluttershy, offering his side for her to rest against as she regained her strength.

“I... don’t know...” Fluttershy admitted. “It must be part of being the, um, Goddess of Forests. I could feel how sick it was.”

“I ain’t never seen the like,” Mac muttered as he ran one of his hooves over the refreshed bark. “It’s like Appleberg weren’t ever sick.”

Little more was said as the pair sat staring up at the tree. Fluttershy wondered what other abilities and gifts she had gained. A feeling of being overwhelmingly small, and yet big at the same time, wormed its way into her heart, making her shudder and lean deeper into Macs side. Fluttershy wondered if it was the same feeling Twilight had when learning she was an alicorn and princess.

At least she wasn’t trying to understand all these changes alone, Fluttershy mused to herself. She had the princesses and queen for guidance, and Mac for support.

Closing her eyes, Fluttershy leaned her head up and just enjoyed Macs presence. Tomorrow she'd have to deal with being an alicorn. She couldn't begin to image the days afterwards. Fluttershy hoped Mac would be part of those days, there to support her as she learned to be a goddess.

But for that night, she just wanted to be Fluttershy.