Chapters The moon high in the night sky, a cloaked figure journeyed through the Everfree forest. The light from the celestial beings in the sky made it easy enough to navigate the forest that was correctly in a thin fog. With a sigh the figure leaned down to pick up some herbs, the same herbs she had come every few nights to collect. As the figure used its mouth to bite the vegetation, it was rather harder to pick them up than usual. With a strong tug the herbs were ripped from the ground, but also made the figure fall backwards and landing on its hind. The hood of the cloak was pulled back by the sudden impact with the ground it a black and white face was revealed. Zecora, the zebra that lived in this oh so strange forest groaned as she stood up again, her flank in some pain from the abrupt fall. With bags under her eyes she placed the herbs into her saddle bag and began to make her way back to her hut.
The forest continued to make strange noises and sounds that would frightened any pony, but she was used to it all. If anything, she had proven time and time again how she was the scariest thing in the forest if angered. She had a certain way with magic even though she wasn't a unicorn, so her magic was one that was seen as 'exotic'. That being said, lots of ponies came to her for help with strange illnesses that she usually knew how to heal in seconds. The last few nights were no different, somepony would come and ask for help but it seems that this was a little….different. The zebra's hooves echoed in the forest, and as she approached her home the door opened with an orange pony waiting for her.
"Did you get what you needed Zecora?" The earth pony said with a southern accent. In response she nodded and said.
"I hope the trip was worth the climb, and that the remedy will work this time." Zecora spoke in rhythm as she walked in, setting her saddle down. Before her was her patient, the same patient she had for last few nights which had left her without sleep.
"Zecora my friend, you should really get some sleep, just look at those awful bags under your eyes. You'll get early age wrinkles if you keep this up." A pony said as she hung upside down from Zecora's ceiling.
"I am more worried about finishing my brew, and healing what ails you." The zebra responded as she walked around the pony and reached over towards a stack of apples. With her yellow hoof she picked it up and took a bite into it with her long fangs, sucking the apple dry and throwing it aside. Applejack, the one who brought the 'patient' ducked as the shriveled apple flew overhead, landing in a basket full of other apples that looked the same.
"But nothing ails me, I feel perfectly fine." To this Applejack interjected.
"But yar not fine Fluttershy. Every single night you keep turning back into a batpony." The pink maned pony stretched out her bat wings as she yawned.
"Oh silly girl, I'm not Fluttershy. Fluttershy comes back in the morning. I'm…oh what was it your friend called me? Flutterbat?" She said before giggling to herself and reaching up to undo the knot she had made with her tail, detaching herself from the ceiling, and softly landing close to her 'friend'. "Or are you perhaps mad that I keep sneaking into your farm to pick an apple or two?"
Zecora was just about to finish making her potion as she listened to the duo go back and forth.
"Fluttershy, I don't care that you get some apples from my farm, ah'm just concerned for your well-being."
"Flutterbat my dear, I'm Flutterbat." The batpony said as she circled around Applejack, holding a devilish grin on her face as she teased the orange pony with her tail, gently poking her nuzzle with it.
"This form you might adore, but it would be best if you drink this and be a bat no more." The zebra said as she stepped closer holding her finished brew. Flutterbat quickly maneuvered around and grabbed the potion with her tail, stepping a few feet away from the zebra and pony without making a sound.
"So I just drink this and poof, I'm back to 'normal'?" She asked as she eyed the potion rather intently. The last few times she had tried her remedies they never worked, so she seemed rather confident this one wouldn't work either.
"That is correct…if it has the right affect." Zecora responded rather hesitantly. She was quite stumped with how to cure her friend and her confidence in her potions working right had diminished ever so slightly over the last few nights. Without hesitating the yellow bat gulped down the potion, as she held up the cup and allowed the final drop to fall on her tongue, she dropped it and began to gag. Her body fell on the ground and coughed uncontrollably. The other two ran to her side.
"Fluttershy! Are you ok? Zecora is this suppose ta happen?!" The coughing soon died out and the limp body laid on the ground as both remained quiet, in both shock and suspense. In a sudden jolt, the batpony sat up, her eyes closed.
"Uh…Fluttershy?..."
"How many times must I tell you? I'm Flutterbat." She quickly responded as she opened her eyes, the red irises staring intently at Zecora, whom she directed the next statement to. "You really must work on the taste, that last one was horrid." Without missing a beat she quickly took to the air and stretched her arms. "Now that we're done, may I go? If I wait too much longer I won't be able to enjoy the cool night sky before morning."
With a sigh, Zecora nodded and went over to her desk with a journal in which she had written down the ingredients she had thought would have worked to restore Fluttershy to normal and crossed it out. Flutterbat smiled and flew out of the hut and into the sky to enjoy what time she had before the sun rises. Applejack walked over to her zebra friend.
"Oh dontcha worry, you'll get it eventually."
"I am sorry dear Applejack, the skills to cure her I seem to lack." She said, sadden by her failure.
"It's fine. Fluttersh- FLutterbat doesn't seem to be hurting anypony, and she turns back to normal in the morning. You don't have to beat yourself over it." Disgruntled, the zebra nodded and decided to stay up some more to work on the next potion. Applejack took that as her cue to go and she grabbed the basket full of sucked apples on her way out. She too was tired of this routine, but felt it wasn't too bad. After all, Fluttershy doesn't seem to remember her time as Flutterbat in the morning; the problem is keeping it a secret from everypony. She wasn't comfortable with doing so, but it was Flutterbat's sole request for coming to Zecora's home every night to drink her remedies and if she had any chance to keep her calm and in line she had to follow up with her demand.
Meanwhile, Flutterbat seemed to be having a very relaxing glide through the night sky. The clouds in the everfree forest were her favorite to fly in since they seemed to have a different texture to those outside of it. They were thin and moved on their own, not to mention that she could fly through them without hitting them like a surface, something her Pegasus heritage made it hard to do. She closed her eyes and allowed the cool wind blow against her face as she fell into bliss, her freedom of the night. Every day she would be trapped inside Fluttershy's mind, seeing everything she did but unable to control her body, but at night, when her other self fell into slumber, she was free to roam at her own leisure, at least, until morning came. For some reason the morning sun would push her back into the cage of Fluttershy's subconscious and there she would remain until unset. She didn't quite understand it, but she wasn't curious enough to ask Twilight about it, after all, she'd sooner use a spell to 'cure' her than answer her questions. She'd rather remain in the dark, so to speak, and enjoy her time.
Over time, her wings started to become tired, understandable since she and Fluttershy shared the same body, so the weak wing endurance was something they too shared. It was a little troublesome, but what else could the batpony do? Over time her wings would get stronger and get a longer flight time, so for now she would simply just take a break. Flutterbat softly landed just outside of the everfree forest. She looked around to make sure nopony was around to see her and began to walk down an empty field. The cool night breeze gently moved the grass. It was sad to her that most ponies would never get to see such a beautiful and relaxing sight. They would all rather sleep the night away. Princess Luna took no short cuts in making her nights as beautiful as ever, and tonight was no exception. The yellow bat laid down on the soft grass and looked up at the stars. Their light shining down at her, unlike the bright sun of the day, their shien was gentle enough on the eyes to allow ponies to look up at them without hurting their sight. The night was just so much better than the day to this little bat and as she thought this she cutely smiled to herself.
"Oh yes, the day has nothing on this beautiful night of yours Princess Luna." Flutterbat said to herself as she continued to gaze at the night sky. Her happy thoughts, however, were interrupted by the sound of hooves hitting the ground. Flutterbat's long ears picked up the sounds much sooner than she normally would have and had enough time to sit up and look for a place to hide…only, there wasn't one. She stretched out her wings and in own strong flap of them, propelled herself as far up as she could, if she could not hide from whom ever that was, she was to disappear from their field of vision. She continued to fly up as much as she could before coming to a halt. She gasped for air slightly as she tried to steady herself from such an abrupt take off. However, she could somehow still feel eyes on her. She was much too far from the ground for anypony to see her, and there was nothing in the air around her, but that feeling continued to creep on the little batpony.
Feeling like perhaps it was time to go back home, she began to fly in the direction of 'her' cottage. Sure enough, the sun was just about to rise as she made it through the front door, Fluttershy's animal critters were all fast asleep except for the bats she kept, which all were heading to bed themselves. Flutterbat yawned and flew up once more to tie her tail to a ceiling pillar so she could hang and sleep soundly. As she did, she could feel herself being pulled back into Fluttershy's mind, a rather unpleasant feeling. Her body began to numb until she no longer had control of her limbs as she hung. She slowly closed her eyes to allow herself to drift into sleep until the next night, perhaps Fluttershy will go to sleep early today and allow her more time to roam. Who knows?
Applejack gulped as she walked by Fluttershy's cottage. It was just the middle of the afternoon and she had finished with most of her chores, so she decided to pay her friend a visit. She still had a hard time looking at her in the eye since her 'other self' started coming around, but more than anything, she was worried about what sort of strains it might have her on body or mind. With her hoof she gently knocked on the cottage's door.
"I'll be right there." Applejack heard a sweet voice say from inside. It didn't take long for the door to open, infront of the orange pony stood her old friend, who had a large bandage on her forehead. "Oh hello Applejack. How are you?"
"My goodness." The earth pony began. "What happened to your head?" The yellow pegasus looked up at her head and with a nervous laugh spoke.
"I uh, I'm not sure. I woke up when I hit the ground this morning. The ceiling plank above me was broken, so I can only assume that maybe I flew while asleep and hit it with my head or something." Fluttershy said as she gently poked at her bandage, one eye squinted as a small jolt of pain flashed as her hoof grazed the wound.
"Pegasi can fly in there sleep?"
"Well, maybe? I never heard of one that did, but what other explanation is there?" Applejack looked away as she sweat nervously. Obviously Flutterbat went to sleep upsidedown without thinking that the pillar she hung from would break. Well, at least she didn't wake up still hanging, then it would have been even more awkward for her. Applejack thought to herself.
"Anywho, what brings you here?" Fluttershy asked with a smile, trying to get back on to the matter at hand.
"Oh uh, nothin' in paticular. Just wanted to see how you were doin' is all." Fluttershy gave a strange look, out of the 6 of their friends, she and Applejack weren't exactly the closest of the bunch, but maybe she as trying to change that.
"Oh, well ok. Want to come in?" The pegasus asked as she stepped to the side, giving room for her friend to walk in. With a nod, the other pony walked in and had a look around. "Sorry about the mess...and the smell. Living with animals makes it hard to keep tidy." Fluttershy said as they sat down, blushing slightly as she looked around at her messy little cottage.
"Don't you mind, I'm used to animal smell. Ah live on a farm remember?" Applejack said, nudging at her friend.
The two of them continued to talk for hours. Since they never really had a moment alone before, they had a lot to talk about, almost as if they were meeting for the first time, only without Fluttershy having her shyness impact her conversation. They shared life stories and laughed as they remembered stuff they had done together. Fluttershy even poured some tea for them to share.
"Oh man, I haven't had some tea since last time I visited Rarity." Applejack said as she took a sip.
"Yes, I actually got this recipe from her. She's into all of that high class Canterlot stuff, so she showed me how to make a special kind of tea."
"Well that's mighty kind of her, I often see ya'll together when ah sell the apples in the market." As those words left her mouth she suddenly realized that she still had some chores to do and stood up right. "Is it really this late already?!" She exclaimed as she looked out the window at the sun setting.
"Oh dear, did I keep you from something?"
"Well, you didn't exactly keep me, I just still had some chores to do. I'mma have my work cut out for me tomorrow, that's for sure. She said before yawning, which surprised her. Fluttershy giggled as she took another sip.
"Yes, this tea relaxes the body, I often get sleepy after drinking it." The pegasus said before yawning herself. "I might just go to sleep soon." She said as she stood to see her friend out. As she said this, Applejack's expression changed to one of worry. Since her back was towards Fluttershy at the time, her friends didn't notice.
"Oh, well then...Have a good night sleep." The orange pony said as she was led out.
"Yes, you too. And good luck with your chores tomorrow."
The two friends said their good byes and parted ways. As the farm pony walked down the road she couldn't help but let her mind race at what could be happening to her friend at that very moment. She was so deep in thought she didn't notice that there was a soft flapping of wings a little above her.
"Oh ah hope she's alright." Applejack said to herself as she continued to walk. "Ah've never actually been around her when she 'turns', ah wonder if it's painful. Think she would have said something if it was, then again Fluttershy IS kinda quiet about things that make her uncomfortable. She might not even want to tell us so we don't start worrying about her."
"You worry too much, she's fine."
"Yeah, you're probably right." Applejack responded to the voice she heard. "Still, ah can't help but worry about her, she's ma friend after all."
"You're a good friend, but if it's not too much trouble, may I ask you for a favor?" With a sigh, APplejack stopped and turned around to face whoever was talking to her. As she did, her jaw dropped as she gazed up at Flutterbat flying just in front of her. "Could I trouble you for an apple? I am famished." Flutterbat asked with a sly smile.
Flutterbat flew up and down Applejack's apple fields with the farm pony watching nearby.
"Oh goodness." Applejack began as she looked over at the sun setting. "Ain't it a bit too early for her to come out?" In a flash, her bat friend appeared right beside her.
"I know! It's so weird how early I came out, maybe it's cause dear Fluttershy drank some of that tea that made her go to sleep." Her voice caused the earth pony to shout out.
"Oh buck! Could you please stop appearing out of nowhere?!"
"But I'm not my dearest, I'm just good at flying and walking quietly." She added with a wink before going back to apple picking just as quietly as she arrived.
"And could you stop the flirtin'? It's a little creepy since its technically Fluttershy's body..." Flutterbat went from apple to apple on the trees nearby, looking at the apples in the worst shape, ones that would not survive the fall from their bucking.
"I am not flirting." Flutterbat said as she took an apple and sucked the juices out. "It's just my personality."
"So when was it that you made the change from hissing at everypony to becoming flirtatious?"
"I was hungry."
Flutterbat continued to feed for a while before coming down to sit next to the orange pony who was dozing off. She found it kind of funny to see her friend's head nod back and forth. She simply laid down quietly on the porch Applejack was sitting on. She placed her hooves at her cheeks to hold her head up as she stared at the rather drowse pony.
"Maybe you should head to bed, you drank some of that tea too right? Not to mention you have an extra long list of chores tomorrow." Flutterbat's voice woke the half asleep pony and looked to her side to see her staring at her. She restrained her shout since she knew it was what her bat friend wanted to hear, so she cleared her throat to regain her composure before speaking.
"As much as ah want to, ah can't leave you alone, especially since we can't go to Zecora's tonight."
"Why not? Is she finally taking my advice and sleeping a little?"
"Well, no. She simply can't find another remedy that might help your...uh, condition. So we're stuck like this for a while." To this Flutterbat rolled over, now laying on her back and stretching her arms out to relax.
"Oh how sad. So what shall we do tonight?" Applejack yawned as she looked over at her friend before shrugging.
"Don't know, you're free to fly around as long as you stay close to the farm, not many ponies comes by and even less at this hour."
"Oh come now, can't we have some bonding time like what you had with Fluttershy?"
"You were awake during that time?"
"I'm a light sleeper. Oh and she lied to you slightly when you asked if she liked someone, she has this small crush on Fire Streak."
"Wait what? The Wonderbolt?"
"Yeah, she probably doesn't know it herself, but that one day he came around to pick out a pet she was sweating bullets and her heart was racing."
"Ain't that just normal Fluttershy? Anyway why are you telling me this, it's wrong to share other pony's secrets."
"Aw come on, it's called gossip, mares do this sort of thing all the time." The yellow bat said as she rolled over again, her hooves at her chin once more.
"And gossiping ain't really my thing, that's more of Rarity's thing."
"Yeah, but I can't talk to Rarity now can I? Oh, and peaking of which, Rarity was right. She said how you kept your mane in such poor shape, I mean just look at those split ends."
"Ah don't wanna hear that from you, your mane is always a mess." Applejack said as she turned away, a little bit offended by Rarity's comment on her mane. With a gasp, Flutterbat took to the air, holding her long pink mane with her hooves, gently trying to tidy it.
"It isn't my fault, when I transform my mane gets all spiky!" She said trying to comb her hair with her hoof. "But I need some major product to fix it, products Fluttershy doesn't have!" Applejack snickered as the bat went on trying to fix her mane, earlier Fluttershy had spoken about how she sometimes frets over her appearance. Maybe Flutterbat is just Fluttershy without the shy. She thought to herself as she yawned. Hearing the orange pony yawn knocked the bat pony back into reality. She gave a gentle smile, a rare occurrence for the devilish bat. "Really, you should head to bed, I'll stay out of trouble until Zecora gets her brew ready, I'll meet her at her hut on my own."
"Are you sure? I can stay up..." Applejack was interrupted by another yawn. "To walk with you."
"Pish posh, I can fly there much faster, besides you need your sleep if you're to get your work down tomorrow." Flutterbat said as she pushed the earth pony into her home.
"Well, ok...Goodnight Flutters." Applejack said as she sleepily waved good bye, walking inside and covering an incoming yawn. As Flutterbat waved back still standing behind the door she felt odd. It was the first time she had any real interaction with anypony since she began her quiet nights. It felt kind of good having someone to say goodnight to. She stood in front of the apple family's door for a while longer, staring at her hoof, the one she used to wave good bye.
"I'm lingering, I should go." She said before taking flight. It was still much too soon to head to Zecora's hut so she decided to fly into Ponyville. She made sure to stay clear any of any ponies that may still be out, but it was apparently early curfew for everypony today. She had no trouble making her way in, and even less just walking around the empty streets. As the night began to rise, the air around her began to cool. She took a deep breath as she atmosphere around here became chilled and silent.
"Ah yes, this is more to what I'm accustomed to." She said as she gave one of her devious smiles. Having friends is nice and all, but it still pales in comparison to the calm sensation the night gives her. She took to the air again as she heard hoof steps come close. She thought it might be fun to poke around and mess with some civilians while she was in town. And so she hide in a tree nearby. As she waited, the echos of the hooves became louder and louder. Soon she saw a cyan colored pony begin to trot by with some groceries held by magic.
"That's Lyra if I'm not mistaken." Flutterbat said to herself as she gazed at her victim. The unicorn happily hummed to herself as a lingering shadow swooped down and slinetly flew beside her. Lyra soon caught sign of some pony beside her but as she turned to see who it was Flutterbat moved around her. The poor unicorn was baffled as she began to slowly start to walk again only to be startled by a munled whisper in the ear. Again she looked around to see what was causing her distress, but Flutterbat's agile movements allowed her to stay in her blind spots at all times. beginning to freak out she called out.
"Wh-Who's there?..." The bat pony couldn't help but take the chance, and so she silently flew off, leaving the poor pony to her own fears as she began to rustle a nearby bush, causing Lyra to jump up, dropping the groceries she was carrying. She slowly began to step back away from the bush, but Flutterbat was already elsewhere. As she continued to back up, she suddenly felt her plot hit something. Lyra slowly turned her head to see a beastly figure followed by a loud lighting and thunder. The unicorn shrieked as she ran off home. The beast she had seen turned out to be a pile of rocks, twigs, and leaves arranged to look like a beast's silhouette. Flutterbat laughed to herself as she sat ontop a storm cloud which she had used to cause the lightning.
"Oh Luna, how marvelous. Ok, that's enough fun, perhaps I should head to Zecora now." But as she began to fly off she noticed the bag the unicorn had dropped. Usually, it wouldn't have mattered to her, but since she WAS the cause of it, she felt kind of guilty. The bat sighed as she flew down and grabbed the groceries. "Well, maybe I'll do this first then..."
Using Fluttershy's memory of the town, Flutterbat navigated the streets back to Lyra's house where she could hear shouting coming from inside.
"But Bonbon! I swear I saw a monster!"
"Yeah yeah, just let me check who's at the door, then you can go on about this 'monster' of yours." The door before the bat pony opened and Bonbon, Lyra's close friend stood there staring at her. "Oh hello Fluttershy, what brings you here." As she stood, Flutterbat was wearing a scarf around her head and nuzzle, to hide her bat like appearence.
"Oh, I noticed Lyra dropped her bag." The bat pony said, trying to sound as much as her other self as possible. "I thought I'd bring them by for you." Bonbon smiled as she saw the bag of groceries in front her.
"Why thank you." She thanked 'Fluttershy' before shouting inside. "See Lyra? It wasn't a monster, just some prank." The pink and blue maned pony walked inside as Lyra stepped out to thank the 'good Samaritan'.
"Oh thank you so much Fluttershy !"
"It was my pleasure." The bat pony turned around and begin to walk away, but one had forgotten one big detail about her disguise. A sharp gasp was heard coming from the door way and as Flutterbat turned around she realized her bat wings were out for all to see. Seeing as there was no turning back, she took her scarf off and threw it aside. The unicorn was left speechless as she trying to scream but the shout was stuck at her throat. Flutterbat winked and gave her infamous smile before flying off into the night sky. Lyra sat at her doorway, shocked and unable to comprehend what she had just witnessed.
"Bonbon!"
Unexpected Turn of Events
The yellow bat began to glide as she neared the Everfree forest. She had taken this path so many times she could probably close her eyes and fly straight to Zecora's door. It was almost just routine: Wake up, go to Zecora, Cheer up Zecora for another failed potion, Go have fun. A gentle grin spread across Flutterbat's face as she saw the smoke in the distance. Zecora always kept her chimney on to cook up some brew or another, so finding her hut was easy enough from the sky, but some how this seemed...different. The bat squinted her eyes, the red irises looked closely and noticed how much darker the smoke was than normally. Compared to the almost white steam that came from her hut, this one seemed to be much thicker too. A quick glance to her surrounds and she soon realized that she was still much too far away for her to have possibly had seen the usual steam. This was smoke from a fire. With a strong flap of her wings, Flutterbat thrusts herself forward to get to the hut as quickly as possible.
Her fore legs stretched forward, Flutterbat couldn't help but wonder why she was in such a hurry to see if everything was alright. How was Zecora's safety any of her concern? No Zecora meant no more terrible potions. She shook her head trying to focus on the matter at hand, as she saw the hut close by, her stomach sank.
"Zecora?" The bat asked as she looked around, gently landing at the now ripped open hut. Flutterbat's ears perked up as she heard a soft grunt from under some rubble. Hesitantly, she walked over and began to move some debris and soon saw what she had imagine, a wounded zebra. Not knowing what she should do, Flutterbat simply dug her out and looked around the broken hut for some useable ingredients.
"Heaven's save me....is that Flutterbat I see?...." Zecora asked out as she began to come to.
"Try not to move, you'll only injure yourself more." The yellow bat responded, her voice a little cold for some odd reason. The zebra did as she told and soon Flutterbat came over with a freshly mixed potion. "Here, this is the first potion you brewed for me, you told me it heals most ailments and small injuries."
Astonished at how she could have possible remembered the recipe for a potion she had only seen brewed once, Zecora took the cup that was being offered to her. She took a quick sniff of the brew before confirming it really was said potion. She quickly drank the entire thing in one go before gasping for air, her tongue in full view and strangely colored green from the potion.
"How was it?" Fluttershy asked.
"The taste is a bit disturbing, but that simply means it is working." Zecora said as she began to stand, her body aches beginning to disappear. Her physical wounds, on the other hand, were still present.
"What happened?"
"I was trying to gather an ingredient from a sea snake, but somehow ended up making a grave mistake. I accidently found myself at the edge of Equestria, and unwanted attention from hunting I did draw."
"Unwanted attention?"
"Demons of the night." Zecora began as she started to clean up her hut. "Came to me looking for a bite. I ran as fast I could to the safety of my hut, but their talons made it easy for them to cut."
"Where are they now?"
"I managed to make a potion which sent them back while they attacked, but I fear they will soon another raid, reenact."
"So what are you going to do?" Flutterbat asked as she began to see Zecora not just clean the broken pieces of her home, but also place things on a saddle. and wagon that had survived the assault.
"I must venture out and hide, and soon change the current of the fighting tide."
"Say what now?"
"I mean to say that it would be wise, to go out and gain some allies."
"Oh...Well best of luck to you." Flutterbat said as she spread her wings and took flight. She was already a few yards away when she heard Zecora call out to her.
"Not so fast little Flutterbat, come down so we might have a little chat." The yellow bat was caught mid flight when she heard Zecora's words. Her ears folded down as she gently flew back, her body limp with a hint of sadness form being called back form her 'freedom'. "Now do not rue, for you I will continue to make some curing brew." Zecora said as she began to make the potion she had risked her life to gain the ingredient she needed. It didn't take very long and soon Flutterbat held the potion in her hoof with a grim look on her face. The zebra chuckled as she saw her expression, but gestured to drink it. Flutters did as she was told and soon gaged at the taste...like usual.
"Oh dear Princess Luna, I thought I told you to please work on the taste..."
"Please don't kid.....Flutterbat dear, I did!"
As if on cue, Flutterbat's eyes widened and she held the potion's cup as far away form her as possible, her tongue out as she looked in disgust at the brew.
"Still no good results it seems, perhaps I should go to more extremes."
"Please....no..."
The rest of the night Flutterbat assisted the zebra in gathering her more intact belongings and setting her off. The bat pony waved good by as the zebra made her way out of the Everfree.
"Well, at least I won't be getting more strange potions for a while." She took a moment to look around and sigh, now that she was alone again she felt....lonely. It was such a shame that she ended up wasting her precious night time with the zebra and didn't have any real time to enjoy herself....well that might be a little bit of a stretched lie. Fluttershy did go to sleep early. She did a few more hours of freedom than usual so sad it was all coming to an end now. With the sun about to rise, Flutterbat made her way to 'her' cottage. She almost had to drag herself in form how tired she was. She was sure her body would be sore in the morning...well, at least it wouldn't be her it would be hurting.
With a cute yawn, Flutterbat flew to her bed, wobbling on the way there and landed roughly on the sheets as sleep began to take over. It wasn't long before Celestia's sun began to shine through the window and gently caress Fluttershy's face. Her turquoise eyes slowly opened and she sat up and stretched like usual. Except things weren't like usual...
"Oh Ouch! Why am I so sore?...."
The sun was barely over the horizon, but a certain farm pony was already up doing some chores. The previous day she had slacked off and now she was paying for it. Applejack wiped the sweat form her forehead and looked up at the sky, the sun was just now in full view and she could vaguely guess the time.
"Hmm, looked like it's almost noon..." The orange pony said as she looked over at the field she had just finished plowing. She had awoken before even the roosters had began their morning call to not just finish all the work she had to do for the day, but to go back to Fluttershy's place again. Partly to see how she was doing since their meeting the day before had to end abruptly, and partly cause she had a strange feeling Flutterbat did something strange the night prior.
"Well, ah figure it might be time to start doing some apple buckin'." Applejack said as she began to trot towards her apple orchird, her pride and joy in life. Placing baskets under some trees, she began to kick the trucks with her hind legs, knocking almost all the apples off the tree at once. Most ponies think apple bucking is easy since all that is done is kick a tree, but it was more complicated than that. Unless you manage to kick the tree just right, you could either hurt yourself, or the tree. Neither of which was a favorable option. The farm pony continued to buck trees until she had about eight basketsful of apples, which she proceeded to carry over to the farm to store.
Waiting for her at the apple storage was a breakfast plate, something she really wasn't expecting. Upon closer inspection, Applejack noticed a note attached.
Hey bis sis!
Big Mac told me that you were probably gonna get up early tomorrow to finish the chores from today and we both knew you weren't gonna eat anything for breakfast, so we decided to make ya something tonight and leave it here until morning! Don't cha worry, Big Mac also helped me make it, I know how ya'll don't trust me with the kitchen after that one incident and all.
Applebloom
Looking at the note and breakfast, Applejack couldn't help but smile. She so loved her family, even more when they looked after her, something she was accustomed to do herself. She took off the cloth covering her breakfast to find a sandwich with a variety of sides that clearly did not go together with the main meal, but ate it all anyway.
After finally catching up with her work, she decided it was high time to head into town, today was Wednesday and so it was sales day. Packing the wagon she was all too accustomed at pulling with the quick assembly sales stand and plenty of apples, Applejack made her way into the now busy streets of Ponyville. As the farm pony walked with a unusual hop in her step, the townsfolk greeted her.
"Starting a little late today?" One pony asked as he passed her.
"Mornin' was a little rough, but Ah'm catching up." Applejack responded with a smile. She was usually very on schedule so when she was off key even a little, ponies tended to tease her about it. Nothing mean, just to play around a little. Once she got to the market place Applejack did her usual thing, she set up the stand and decorated it with freshly picked apples with the ones from the previous sales day mixed in to make sure they were sold as well. Some might call it cheating a little, but applejack never purposely gave her costumers the older apples, they were free to choice whichever were on display and if they asked her for an opinion she always offered the most ripe and fresh apples.
Some time passed and every pony must have been exceptionally hungry since practically all of her merchandise was sold safe for one apple. As Applejack began to close up shop, she hear something in the distance, her ears perked up when the name 'Fluttershy' was mentioned.
"I'm telling you I saw Fluttershy with evil red eyes and fangs and evil looking ears and devil wings and and and you HAVE to believe me!" Applejack's stomach sank fast then uncle Cinnamon Apple's self constructed boat after 8 barrels of ciders 2 family reunions ago.
Leaving her supplies behind, the orange mare dashed over to where the sound came from and remained behind a corner while she listened to who she now recognized as Lyra and Bonbon.
"This again? Lyra I told you that you were just stressed out form that prank that was pulled on you."
"But you said you saw that Fluttershy had red eyes too right?"
"Well yes, I did see a tint of a red color in her irises, but it was dark, it was probably the lighting or something."
"But how do you explain the scarf that she was wearing so weirdly? She was trying to hide her ears and fangs!"
"Oh maybe she was just cold? Seriously Lyra, you acting like a filly."
As the pair continued to walk their route Applejack remained concealed. When they finally did pass, she sighed in relief.
"What in tarnation was Flutterbat doin' lastnight? Thank Celestia it was just Lyra who saw her." Lyra was never taken very seriously after her last 'human' incident. This would probably pass over...at least she hoped it would. This was definitely the last time she allowed the bat pony to stay alone, but speak of the devil and he shall appear, well, the angelic part of the devil it seemed.
"Are you alright Applejack?" A sweet voice asked from behind her. With a quick jolt of the body the farm pony looked back to see Fluttershy with a saddle of supplies no doubt for her little critters. With a second to clear her throat, the blonde mare responded with a composed tone.
"Yeah, never better. Just, ya know, taking in the town gossip..."
"Oh? I never took you for a mare into that kind of stuff." She responded as she stepped closer, as she walked, however, there was a slight limp in her movements.
"You alright sugarcube? Yer walking a little funny."
"Oh, yes. I'm just a little sore this morning, not sure why. It's almost like I spent all night doing some spring cleaning." She added with a smile. "After I'm done here I think I'll head home and take a quick nap."
"Sounds like a good idea....That way ya can stay up later and Flutterbat won't be around to pester no pony" She managed to say under her breath, soft enough so that her friend didn't hear her. They chatter for a little bit, just a simple catching up on the day's work and agenda before saying their good byes and getting back to their routine. Finally getting back to her stand, she took the apple that was left over and thought about eating it herself, but with the large breakfast she was given, she wasn't all that hungry. The first pony that came to mind was Fluttershy of course, with a sore body she was sure she could use an apple of two. That in mind, she rushed home and finished up what was left of her chores before getting a small saddle of apples to take over to her friend.
Again she had a certain joyful hop to her step as she trotted over to Fluttershy's cottage. After all, it was always nice to visit a friend, something she solemnly had time to do with chores and work always getting in her way. The road to her cottage was generally short since Applejack decided to take a short cut through the woods and over a few rivers that were no fuss to jump over once she climbed a tree or two. Since both of them living in the out skirts of Ponyville, it was much faster to go around the perimeter of Ponyville instead of crossing through the busy streets of it. That being said, Applejack would arrive from the east side of the cottage instead of the path that leads to her front door.
As she crossed over the small creek surrounding Fluttershy's home, she couldn't help but see a silhouette on one of the windows move around. It was probably just Fluttershy and that she was awake, so Applejack wasted no time going up to her front door and knocking. As she stood there waiting for answer, the sound of rambling and clutter was heard from the inside.
"Uh...Fluttershy? Ya alright in there?" As if her voice was that of a savior, a call from inside came almost as soon as her words had left her lips.
"Oh Applejack it's you! Please come inside I need your assistance!" The orange mare knew that wasn't Flutterhy's voice, much to loud to be, but she definitely recognized it. With a quick kick, she bucked the cottage door open to find Flutterbat flying from corner to corner of the ceiling, avoiding the objects being thrown at her from the small animals in there.
"This animals are crazy !" The bat called out as she ducked, avoiding a pan that had been thrown at her by Fluttershy's dear Angel Bunny.
"Thanks for coming to my rescue..." The yellow bat pony said quite dryly.
"Yer very welcome." Applejack quickly responded with a smile.
"...That was sarcasm."
"Ah know."
Flutterbat gave the farm pony a glare as she struggled against the rope Angel Bunny had tied around her, and for good measure also placed her in a large pot. The rabbit was staring at the orange pony as if asking for an explanation.
"Ah have no idea either, Ah just know she wasn't 'pose to change 'till nightfall. No idea why she changed in the middle of the day." All that was heard after that was a constant thumping form Angel's foot hitting the wooden floor.
"Don't give me that, Ah wasn't planning on letting anypony know as per Flutterbat's request. Can't we work something out?" Her question was quickly answered by a quick flail of the rabbits arms before shaking his head in frustration and storming off.
"What he say?" The bat asked from her restraints.
"Ah ain't as good as Fluttershy when it comes to animals, but Ah doubt he's happy to see his caretaker transform inta...well, you." Flutterbat rolled her eyes as she scoffed, there really wasn't anything she could do about it except wait to change back, it wasn't her fault she was woken by angry animals who saw her an immediately thought of her as a threat. "What happened anyway? Last Ah heard you could only come out at night."
"I don't know either. As soon as came to I was bombarded by whatever was on table tops by that little devil." She said as she passed a death glare in Angel's direction, not that he saw, he was still upset and keeping his back towards the bat. "Can you get me out yet?"
"Can she?" Applejack asked as she glanced over at Angel. The rabbit turned his head, his brow still wrinkled. He waved a paw in compliance before running off to his bed and covering himself completely, not wanting to see anymore than he already witnessed. An expert when it came to ropes, the farm pony quickly untied the rope around Flutterbat and tossed it aside, finally allowing the poor bat some range of movement, more importantly the ability to fly again.
"Ah, freedom at last." She said as her wings spread open and she took flight. The rest of the animals in the cottage quickly fled as she come to a pillar she used as a perch. "Still can't believe you helped the little fur ball tie me up."
"Sorry, but Ah had to do something to calm him down, not that it was going very well for yerself either."
"Yeah, well I'm not Fluttershy, I don't have that special connection she has." She quickly responded to save face, though this quickly drew in Applejack's attention.
"Now that ya mention it, everytime you switch places with Flutters her cutie mark changes too." Flutterbat took a quick glance at her cutie mark and noticed the three pink bats instead of the butterflies Fluttershy was known for.
"Didn't know you paid so much attention to my rear." The bat pony teased, but she was only met by narrowed eyes that conly showing how not amused the farm pony was at her joke. "Still, must mean I myself have a different calling than dear old Fluttershy."
"Whacha think it is?"
"No idea, communication with bats? I'm guessing I ony got my 'calling' since Fluttershy already got hers. SO I basically got the prize without the work. Your sister would be so jealous!" Flutterbat finish with a chuckle, as she did, the bat took notice of something near the door that had escaped her senses until now. "Now what do we have here?" She asked as her wings silently moved her to a basket of apples Applejack had brought for Fluttershy.
"Oh those, Fluttershy had mentioned how sore she was this mornin'...wait a sec, why was she so sore? Whatcha do lastnight anyway?"
"Oh nothing really...." Flutterbat said as she took hold of a particularly shiny apple from the basket. She breathed against it and then used her arm to shine it further to clean it before opening her mouth to reveal her long hidden fangs. Fangs she used to puncture two holes into the apple and drain it's contents, all to the farm pony's dismay. She had seen the bat pony do this before, but she had always been kind enough to eat the worst of the litter, saving the better looking apples for her family to sell. It had clearly been a while since she had had a 'good' apple. "Just helped Zecora move out of the Everfree Forest."
"Ya did what!? Good gravy girl, I left ya alone fore one night, one night !"
"Hey now, it wasn't my fault she wondered into some dangerous part of the forest and had herself attacked by who knows what." Flutterbat said as she finished 'drinking' form the apple and tossed it to the side before taking another one form the basket.
"What? Details, give me details."
"Don't have them, I was just as shocked as you when I arrived lastnight. I must say, you grow the best apples by the way." Applejack wasn't sure how to respond. The bat had used these tactics before, always trying to give compliments to slither away from getting into trouble. Finally she sighed and tried to regain her composure.
"Thank ya, but that doesn't change the fact that now we can't get Zecora to give ya some potions at night, which remind me, how long you wanna stay in Fluttershy's place?" This legitimately brought concern to Flutterbat who even paused as she was about to take another bite.
"I...I'm not sure. Like I said, I don't even know how it is that I'm even awake right now." After a second or two, however, the bat took to the air and closed much of the distance between her and her farm friend." Why? Do you not want to spend some time with little ol' me?"
"Ah didn't say that, and even if Ah didn't, Ah kinda have ta. Can't leave ya alone after this little incident where ya almost got eaten by Fluttershy's clritters."
"Oh? So what are we going to do? Play some board games?" Flutterbat asked as she flew around looking for said games. She quickly found some and brought them into view for Applejack to see.
"Slow down there nelly, ya really think staying here is the best thing to do right now?" The orange mare asked as she brought some of the birds and other clitters to the bat's attention. They all held a certain displeased look about them.
"Heheh, You're probably right." Flutterbat said as she gently put down game and made her way back to Applejack. "So what do you recommend?"
"Ah recommend going to Twilight to see if she can help, but Ah'm sure ya wouldn't like that idea."
"No...I wouldn't."
"So how about ya find yerself someway to hide them ears and wings and we head to town, see if we can find some way to pass the time while until night time?"
"Sounds like a plan."
Flutterbat was strangely energetic about it, and the orange mare took notice. Back when she had first discovered Flutterbat had ravaged through some of her apples the batpony had a certain air about her, something that just screamed 'get away form me'. Over the last few month however, she had seemed to have gotten used to the farm pony's company and even seemed to enjoy it, though she suspected she simply liked to poke fun at her. This time though, it felt like legitimate care and interest on Flutterbat's part. Applejack's train of thought had broken off and she head a sudden thud from the stairs not too fair form her. As she turned around she saw a rather embarrassed Flutterbat as she looked up at her. The scarf she had placed around herself had come loose because of the sudden impact with the ground.
"Uh....I forgot I can't fly with my wings covered up..." She said meekly as she came to her feet, trying to dust herself and the sweater she had on while trying to bring back some grace to herself. Applejack laughed softly as she come by to try to help her get herself straightened out. It was rather fun for the farm pony to be the giving end of the tease, she couldn't help but smile as the bat awkwardly stood stiff when applejack fixed the scarf around her head. Had she been a unicorn, she would have used her magic to wrap the scarf properly, but since she was an earth pony, she did so with her mouth, making it hard to keep personal space in mind as she did. This wasn't anything know to Applejack, she had done tings like this on winter when Applebloom wanted to go outside, it was more a motherly love and care than anything else, but it still made Flutterbat blush slightly.
"Uh, thanks."
"No problem, now lets go, we don't wanna wait 'til Angel decided to stage another revolution against ya." That being said, the duo took off and went down to the town. The sun was just now beginning to set, giving the whole town an orange tint to it. The streets, which were busy one moment was starting to lighten up. Sun set was the normal time for when most for the shops decided to close. It gave each pony ample time to repair for the next day while still being able to have some free time for themselves. As they walked, however, they seemed to have missed a certain turquoise pony begin to follow them.
Lyra, who had still not given up the idea of what had happened the night prior to simple 'lighting' had noticed Flutterbat and Applejack walk into town. She was sure she saw Fluttershy with demon wings and she wasn't about to quit on it now that she saw her again curiously using the a scarf and sweater that just happened to conceal her wings. "I'm gonna show every pony, just you wait." She said to herself as she slide against a wall, keeping herself at a safe distance while she did her best to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"So what's on the list?" Flutterbat asked, her voice almost muffled by the scarf around her muzzle.
"How about we hit a donut place, do some sweets sound good to ya?"
"I prefer apples, but sweets are nice too." She said as she walked along. She certainly wasn't usued to walking everywhere, but for now, she had to endure this 'torture'. Applejack led the way and soon the bat figured out where their destination was."Sugarcube Corner? They're still open?"
"Only for a little while longer. The Cakes used to only keep it open until sunset like everypony else, but when Pinkie came and worked with them she took the 'night shift'.
"Oh I see, so we're going to go see Pinkie Pie then?"
"Eeeyup, that a problem?"
"Of course not. Just have to mentally prepare myself is all." Applejack raised a brow as she studied her bat companion. She wasn't all too sure what that meant, but she rolled with it. The bell sounded as the door to Sugarcube Corner opened and they were met with a high pitched welcome.
"Hi Applejack! Oh hello Fluttershy! Almost didn't recognize you with that get up. What's wrong? You cold?"
"Howdy Pinkie."
"Hi Pinkie." Flutterbat began, to Applejack's surprise, in a rather sweet and soft voice almost a match to Fluttershy's. "Yes, I've been feeling a little sick lately and wanted to make sure to keep myself warm."
"Awww, yeah getting sick would be no fun." Pinkie said as the duo reached the counter. Though Pinkie had been cleaning a table when they entered, the pink mare suddenly popped up form behind the count and placed and elbow on it before continuing the conversation. "So you girls looking to buy something?"
"Eeyup, just a couple of donuts."
"Okie dokie loki, what kind?"
"Umm, what kind do you have?" Flutter 'shy' asked in a soft voice.
"What kind? All the kinds! We have chocoloate, glazed, powdered, éclairs, cinnamon..." Pinkie began. With each donut she mentioned she pulled out one of said kind, before they knew it, the entire counter was filled with donuts, all of different flavors and sizes.
"Aww heck, we'll take one of each." Applejack said, it had been a rather successful day of sales for her and thought it was fine with wasting just a little bit of money, it had been a while since she had enjoyed herself a little and donuts were definitely a better option than wasting money on cider.
"So a regular Pinkie combo." Pinkie said as she pressed a button on the cash register that had been specifically mapped for her when she bought stuff. Applejack took off her hat to reveal a small pouch of bits she usually hides under there and paid Pinkie for the sweets. After the transaction she grabbed the box of donuts and placed it on her back before signaling to Flutterbat it was time to go. They said their byes and began to make their way out.
"Have a goodnight you two! Oh and Fluttershy." The batpony turned stiff for a good second before turning to face Pinkie. Applejack had already stepped outside and didn't hear the brief exchange of words that followed.
"Y-yes?"
"You might want to wear some sunglasses next time." She said before getting back to work. Flutterbat's mouth hung open under the scarf as she tried to think of what to say, but all Pinkie did was wink before waving good bye. The bat pony cleared her throat and exited to see Applejack waiting.
"What did Pinkie want?" She asked rather casually, clearly not thinking too much of what happened."
Oh, uh, nothing, just wished me to feel better." Flutterbat said as she and her farm friend found a nice bench to sit and share the donuts.