The Shy Warrior (Sister Slaves)

Chapters

A Dear Sweet Filly
Like Father Like Daughter
A New Friend
The Sleepover

A Dear Sweet Filly

Chapter 1: A Dear Sweet Filly

Sun-Loch looked out over his fields of grain, ten acres of lush golden stalks dancing in the soft breeze. His home resided in the town of Cameroon near Ponyville and Ashmore. The town of Cameroon was a fish and bread town; their main export. The town was a main hub for the Earthen Empire’s naval fleet to dock during training exercises or its coastal patrols of the region.

Sun-Loch was a strong earth pony, his years of working the soil strengthening his muscles. His long dark red hair flowed over his dull brown eyes. His golden fur glowed in the sunlight of the day. His worn blue trousers aged with work. He was a son of a wheat farmer; he was the third generation of his family’s line to work in the business. Though the pay wasn’t great, above the average of the standard pay most ponies or families made; he liked the work. It was calming for him when he was stressed. He would work when he was depressed he would work. Today was like any other day, he’d walk the field, inspect and prepare the grain for the harvest that was to come in the next four months but one thing though kept his mind a-buzzing, giving him more stress than usual this day. His wife, Posey was due to give birth.

As a soon to be father, he was nervous, would he be a good father, could he handle the stress, would his foal be accepted within the community of his small town?

Sun-Lock gave a deep sigh as he sat on the porch of his home. With a pipe resting on his lips, he thought just that.

Posey was a pegasus mare, her pale yellow fur and long pink mane and tail glowed in the sun, her eyes a light cyan, spoke of a calming beauty. Sun-Loch met Posey in a bar in Cameroon. He had found out that she had run away from her home in Cloudsdale. Posey told Sun-Lock of her father and how he had abused her and of her mother who was never there for her. Feeling for the mare, Sun-Loch offered Posey to stay at his place until she found a place to call her own. With Posey staying at his home, Sun-Loch began developing feelings for the mare. Over the many months of her staying with him in his home, they began to get romantically involved with one another. With Posey’s living with Sun-Loch for over two years, they married in secret.

Of course with his act of kindness and his eventual love for the mare, a majority of the locals in his hometown found out about their marriage and began to give him grief. In Earthen, like in the empires of Wingthington and Unicorpia, the majority race of each empire never developed relationships with other races outside of a business or mutual acquaintanceship. It was uncommon to see other races of ponies conversing with one another in friendly or romantic manners during the day.

Sun-Loch let out a sigh, the rich tobacco smoke leaving his nostrils. Looking out into the fields he got up from his seat on the porch, walking down the steps he began his daily chores. Sun-Loch wiped his brow. Looking into the cart, he inspected the four bushels of wheat, ripe and ready for milling. A smile came to his face, gazing up to the sky he saw the sun was past high-noon and making it’s decent into the horizon. Smiling he made his way back to his home with cart in tow.

Another successful day was marked down in Sun-Loch's book. Locking up the barn doors, Sun-Loch walked into the house, letting the screen door close gently behind him. A soft mumble reached his ears. Raising a brow, Sun-Loch focused on the sound which was coming from his and his wife’s upstairs bedroom. Making his way up the stairs, he heard soft cries coming from behind the door. His wife’s cries reaching his ears made him frown. Sighing, Sun-Loch rested his forehead on the door and lifted a hoof to the door. Raping the door with his hoof, the cries stopped. With hooves scuffing the ground, behind the wooden door, Sun-Loch waited patiently for his wife to open the door. A rush of wind blew past his face as the door swung open; in front of Sun-Loch stood his wife, Posey. Tears matted her fur on her face, her eyes bloodshot and her dress dotted with tears. Sun-Loch placed a hood on his wife’s cheek and began softly stroking it. A rugged sigh came from his wife as she laid her head on his chest, his soft fur acting like a pillow.

Sun-Lock knew his wife was going through a lot of hormonal changes thanks to her pregnancy and she was having a harder time with them than other mares would. Giving his wife a kiss on the head; he let out a deep sigh.

“What’s the matter dear, what’s troubling you?” Sun-Loch asked; his hoof stoking Posey’s back.

Posey looked up at her husband, tears returning to her eyes.

“The ponies in this forsaken town Sun-Loch, they chastise our love!” Posey wept into her husband’s chest.

Looking down at his wife, Sun-Loch sighed.

“Is that all dear? They have done it before and like I’ve told you, ignore their words…”

“But when they insult our unborn foal, how can I do such a thing?!” Posey interrupted her husband, her sorrowful cyan eyes gazing into his calm brown eyes.

A scowl came to Sun-Loch’s brow, he took a long inhale of air, letting the air out of his lungs slowly, he embraced his wife; his hoof stroking her stomach.

“Now dear, don’t fret over such a thing, half of the town is just stuck in their racist ways, soon times will change.” Giving his wife a kiss, he looked into her eyes. “I’ll always be here for you, and the foal.”

Posey smiled at her husband, resting her head on his chest once again, they stood at their bedroom’s doorway for some time, enjoying each other’s embrace.

Sun-Loch ran his hoof across his wife’s stomach, her silky dress allowing his hoof to glide easier. A soft thud knocked against his hoof. Looking down at her stomach, Sun-Loch gave a smile.

“Well I say, he has a strong kick.” Sun-Loch chuckled, looking at his wife.

Posey just rolled her eyes. “You don’t know if it’s a filly or a colt dear.” She replied, softly punching his right shoulder.

Sun-Loch smirked at his wife. “How could it not be a colt, I felt his kick and it was strong!” He replied, grabbing his wife and twirling her around before throwing her and himself onto their bed.

“Or a filly that has her father’s strength…”

“And her mother’s beauty.” Sun-Loch fished Posey’s statement, giving her a passionate kiss; they laid with each other in a romantic embrace for the rest of the evening.

Early the next morning Sun-Loch sat by the fire, eating his meal of corn bread and coffee. The early fall chill of the morning making its way into his home, the only source of heat was his fireplace and an iron furnace that heated the home. Looking out the window, he looked at the grains of wheat that were near their day of harvest. Letting out a sigh, he sat back in his chair and lit his pipe.

Closing his eyes, he let the soft winds from the outside world grace his ears. A smile came to his face as he let the smells of his pipe, the outside world and the hints of nutmeg enter his nostrils.

Soft hoof-steps made their way over towards his location. He knew the hoof steps were his wife’s, her walking was always light. Posey’s hooves never assaulted the ground, they always kissed the ground. Never really seeing any other pegasi other than his wife in his hometown, Sun-Loch had guessed they always walked gracefully like his wife. Looking up he saw soft eyes looking down at him. A smile adorned Posey's lips. Smiling at his wife, he wrapped a hoof around her neck a rubbed his forehead against her forehead.

“How are you this morning dear?” Sun-Loch asked, before sucking in some smoke from his pipe.

Giving her husband a smirk, she plucked his pipe from his lips and held it away from his face. Raising his brow at his wife, he got up from his seat.

“Good sweetie, just cleaning up the kitchen,” Posey replied giving Sun-Loch a smirk.

“That’s good dear, um, how come you’ve taken my pipe from me?” Sun-Loch asked his wife, his hoof reaching for his pipe.

“You know the rules, dear, no smoking in the house when I’m pregnant or ever for that matter,” Posey spoke, walking towards the front door.

Looking at his wife, Sun-Loch followed her, nearing her, he gave a chuckle, with a swift hoof he grabbed his pipe and placed it back in-between his lips. Giving her husband a smirk she gave him a kiss on his snout.

“Is your grain ready to harvest dear?” Posey asked looking at her husband.

Looking out the screen door, Sun-Loch gave a sigh.

“Yes they are dear; I plan to get around 15 bales of wheat by high noon.”

“Maybe 30 by the end of the day and maybe next week I’ll help with selling them in town with you,” Posey commented; her hoof stroking Sun-Lock’s left cheek.

“That would be lovely dear; I should leave now for our little one is not near my pipe smoke,” Sun-Loch replied, walking out of the house and out into the field.

Several hours passed by since the morning hours. Posey walked around the house dusting and straightening up her home. Some sepia photos lined the walls and bookshelves of the living room. Every month, Posey liked to rearrange her home’s furnishings; a compulsive behavior that developed over the years. Posey moved the chairs in the living room, away from the fireplace and near the front porch window; the couch moved near the fireplace. The rug in the living was laid out in the center of the living room and the dining table was turned 90 degrees from its last position.

Heading up to her and her husband’s room, she felt a twinge of pain coming from her hips; liquid running down her hind leg. She stopped in her tracks; a painful moan escaped her lips. Taking an inhale of breath she looked over her shoulders at the bottom of the stairs; she was nearly at the top of the stairs. Another sharp pain racked her body. Leaning against the wall of the stairs to support herself, she took a breath of air, her nerves getting the best of her.

“Oh sweetie, you picked a bad time to come into this world,” Posey spoke to her unborn foal.

Looking down the stairs, she knew there was no way for her to make it to the front door to call out to her husband. Thinking of the only thing she could do, she took a deep breath.

A dull thud echoed through the grain fields. Sun-Loch wiped his brow as he loaded his thirteenth bale of wheat on his wooden cart. Smiling to himself he grabbed his scythe to cut down another stack of wheat when a faint but recognizable scream graced his ears. His head shot up at the noise, with his gaze on his house, his ears twitched, trying their best to pick up the sound better. Another scream reached his ears.

“Posey?... Oh No!” Dropping his tool and forgetting his task, he booked it towards his home.

Running at full speed he reached his home within two minutes. Bursting through the door, the painful moans of his wife graced his ears. Nearing the stairs, he look up them to see his wife sitting on the stairs, one hoof holding the railing and one hoof hold her stomach; fluids ran down from her hind legs and onto the wooden steps of the stairs. His eyes bulged from the realization at what was happing to his wife.

“Honey the foal is coming!” Posey called out to her husband, sweat covering her brow.

Shaking his head, Sun-Loch ran up to his wife. Getting a hold of his wife he moved her into the restroom. Nearing the tub, he placed her into it and began running semi-warm water, filling it above her waist. Preparing towels, he got up to head out when his wife spoke up.

“Dear where are you going?” Posey asked giving Sun-Loch a look of confusion.

Looking at his wife, Sun-Loch gave out a sigh.

“To get the doctor dear, I’ll be right back.”

Posey gave a scowl at her husband. “There’s NO time to get a damn doctor, we live thirty minutes from town and there is no way I’m giving birth to your foal without you here, DAMMIT!” Posey screamed, pointing a hoof at her husband.

Sun-Loch was going to protest when his wife gave a shriek of pain. Taking a deep breath, Sun-Loch rushed to his wife’s side.

Stallions prided themselves in being tough and strong, especially for their wives. But for Sun-Loch and for most stallions, when a mare was giving birth it was hard to watch especially if it was their wives. Sun-Loch smiled at his wife; taking a hoof he stroked her head, running his hoof through her damp mane. Smiling at her husband, Posey took a deep breath to prepare for the long haul.

“Ready dear?” Sun-Loch asked looking into his wife’s eyes.

Looking back at her husband, Posey began to speak up when a sharp pain racked her body. Grabbing a hold of Sun-Loch’s hoof with great force, Posey hardened her glare at her husband.

“What do you think, you numskull! You did this to me and now I’m doing all the WORK!”

Sun-Loch’s ears fell back as he looked at his wife. Another pain hit his wife as she began to push the foal out of her womb. Grabbing her husband by his worn white work shirt with her free hoof, Posey drew his face towards hers and looked into his eyes.

“Get in the TUB to help me or you’re sleeping on the couch!”

Shaking his head, he got into the tub. He knew his wife’s hormones where all messed-up and it wasn’t a good idea to get on her bad side.

Two hours past, Sun-Loch held his wife in his arms as they both laid in the tub; fresh warm water replaced the dirty water from earlier, the warm liquid soothing their muscles and nerves. Posey was covered in sweat, tears of pain and joy matted her face as she laid against her husband’s chest. Their wet clothes scattered on the floor. Both Sun-Lock’s and Posey’s eyes weren’t looking at the restrooms chaotic state but on a small pony’s form nestled in the thin pale yellow arms of Posey.

Resting in Posey’s arms was a small filly. Her fur was a rich deep shade of canary yellow. Her mane and tale a bright pink; like her mother’s. Her legs were long and thin like her mother’s her father knowing that they would be strong like his. The filly’s wings fluttered in her sleep, they looked strong to her parents, who knew she would be a strong flier when she grew up.

Sun-Loch stared at the small filly in his wife’s arms.

‘It’s official!’ He thought to himself. ‘I’m a father.”

Giving a kiss on his wife’s head, he moved his hoof and stroked his daughter’s head. At his touch, the little filly’s wings began to flutter. Smiling, Sun-lock let out a little chuckle.

“Her wings are pretty active for a newborn!” Sun-Loch commented on his daughter’s wings.

Posey moved her head slightly to get in a better position. Looking down at her daughter, she let out a hum.

“Fluttershy.”

Looking at his wife, Sun-Lock gave a chuckle.”

“Flutter sounds nice but why add shy at the end of it?” Sun-Lock asked tightening his gripped around his wife’s waist.

“I like the name; it has a nice ring to it.”

Sun-Loch looked down at his daughter with a smile.

“So Fluttershy, do you like that name sweetie?” He asked his daughter.

Slowly Fluttershy opened her eyes, her father’s question waking her up. The world around Fluttershy flooded her eyes, her small brain trying its best to process the information.

“Hello sweetie, welcome to the world.” Posey cooed to her daughter.

Hearing a soft silky voice, Fluttershy moved her gaze towards the noise. In front of her were two large beings. One was a rough looking pony with golden fur and its mane was a dark red; its gentle smile made her happy. The other one was a pale yellow pony with wings; its yellow pink mane covering her left eye.

Sun-Loch and Posey saw their daughter’s eyes; they were a cyan. Smiling at the filly, Posey spoke up.

“Hello Fluttershy, do you see mommy a daddy? I’m mommy and that’s daddy.” Posey told her daughter, as she pointed to herself and her husband.

Fluttershy looked at her mother and father and gave a little mumble as she cuddled closer to her mother chest. Posey looked down at her daughter, her little eyes fluttering to a close. Posey smiled, a tear of joy rolled down her cheeks. Sun-Loch smiled and kissed his wife.

“She’s beautiful,” Sun-Loch whispered.

“Yes, yes she is,” Posey replied, dosing off in her husband’s embrace.

Like Father Like Daughter

Chapter 2: Like Father Like Daughter

“Daddy! Daddy! Did I do it right?” A small squeaky voice called out.

Turning his head, Sun-Loch looked down at the small canary yellow filly, her pink mane and tail flowing in the wind. Her small wings buzzed from excitement she was feeling at the moment. Smiling at his daughter’s enthusiasm, he let a chuckle escape his lips.

“You did good sweetheart,” Sun-Loch told his daughter, patting her on the head.

“Really?” The filly spoke up, looking at her father with large hopeful light greenish-cyan eyes.

“Yes, now let your father carry the bale of wheat to the cart…”

“Can I do it?!” The filly asked, pointing a hoof at the wheat bale she had cut and tied together.

Sun-Loch playfully raised an eyebrow at his daughter.

“Now Fluttershy, we been through this before, you’re too young to lift heavy things.” He spoke walking to the bale of wheat.

Being the swift filly she was, Fluttershy moved in front of her father. Putting a hoof down, Fluttershy let out a huff.

“I’m only six daddy and I can lift that bale of wheat all by myself!” Fluttershy stated, sticking out her bottom lip at her father.

Shaking his head, Sun-Loch backed away and extended out a hoof, pointing to the bale of wheat.

“All yours, sweetheart,” Sun-lock spoke, smiling at his daughter.

Smiling, Fluttershy quickly turned herself around. Looking at the bale of wheat, she eyed it with a determined gaze. Remembering the technique her father always used when lifting bails of wheat, she lifted the short sleeves of her dress up her forearms and placed her tiny hooves under the bail. Dipping her head down, she wedged herself up against the bale, prepping it for her back. Seeing his daughter preparing to lift the bale, Sun-Loch humored himself and helped her with the process. Biting down of the ropes, he hosted the bale at the same time Fluttershy lifted her body up from the ground. Fluttershy felt ecstatic that she had lifted the very heavy bale of wheat all by herself smiled and happily trotted up to the cart. Bending her knees, she hopped-up to launch the bale into the cart but as she did so, something was off on the trajectory of her toss. The able flew farther than she had thought it would go. Looking up she saw her father looking back down at her giving her a smile.

“Nicely done sweetheart,” Sun-loch told Fluttershy.

Fluttershy wasn’t a dumb filly; she knew when she was being doped. Looking at her father, Fluttershy gave a pitiful scowl and sat on her haunches.

“You said you would let me do it all by myself!” Fluttershy pouted, looking down at the ground.

Sun-Loch knew her little games she played with him. For only being six years of age, she was very independent, something that drove his wife mad. Sun-Loch knew his daughter wanted to grow up fast and be just like him, but he knew what was best for her. Fluttershy just needed to slow down and enjoy life; she wouldn’t be a filly forever.

“Now sweetheart, you know you can’t lift such a heavy thing, I thought I would give you a hoof,” Sun-Loch spoke, sitting next to Fluttershy.

“But h-how am I gonna be s-strong like you… i-if I don’t lift heavy things?!” Fluttershy moaned, tears staining her face as she looked at her father with sad eyes.

Smiling at his daughter, Sun-Loch draped a hoof over her and began rubbing her back.

“When you get older you’ll be strong like me.” Sun-Loch calmly spoke looking out into the fields.

Looking at her father, Fluttershy let a frown adorn her face. Her father always kept telling her, she’ll get stronger when she gets older. Not liking the answer, she let out a huff.

“But how, when you won’t even let me carry heavy things!” Fluttershy cried out in frustration.

By this time, Sun-Loch smiled to himself, he knew how to win these discussions and quite his daughter’s woes.

“But you’re a getting stronger by doing the little things, when I was your age I wanted to be just like my dad but I first had to learn to do the small things and work my way up until I got to the harder stuff.” Pulling his daughter into a hug, he gave her cheek a nuzzle. “Soon, after doing all the small things, your muscles will become big and strong and you’ll be able to lift the all heavy things you want.” Looking into his daughter’s eyes, Sun-Loch began to see her smart little brain of hers work out his statement.

Fluttershy thought about what her father said it sounded right to her, her father wouldn’t lie to her. Looking up at her father she let out a little whisper.

“Really?”

Smiling at his daughter, Sun-Loch gave a hearty chuckle.

“Yes dear, yes you will.”

Fluttershy laid her head on her father’s chest and let out a moan.

“But I hate waiting.”

Letting out a chuckle, Sun-Loch got up and walked up to the cart.

“Do you want to help me pull the cart? You can work out your leg muscles this way.” Sun-Loch called out to his daughter.

Smiling Fluttershy quickly got up and rushed to her father.

“Yeah!” She cheered.

Several hours past, the sun was setting in the horizon calling an end to the day. Sun-Loch stood near his cart, watching the setting sun. He let out a sigh, the days works catching up to his sore muscles in his legs. Smiling at the calming sunset he did good, he and Fluttershy harvested about 25 bushels of wheat; a job well done in his books.

“Sweetheart you’re missing the sunset,” Sun-Loch spoke, turning his head over his shoulders.

Behind him draped over his back was his daughter; her limbs swung gently in the breeze along with her mane and tail. With each breath she took, soft murmurs escaped her lips. Sun-Lock let out a chuckle at the sight of his daughter. She had overworked herself and had fallen asleep. Sun-Loch watched his daughter rise and fall with every small breath she took. Stretching his neck, he set out towards his home with his sleeping daughter and chart in-tow.

Stepping up the steps of his porch, Sun-Loch gently opened the front door with a hoof and walked into the home. Upon entering the home, a warm sensation graced his body, soothing his worn muscles.

“How’s Fluttershy, dear?” A soft voice asked.

Gazing over at his wife Posey, who sat in a rocking chair knitting a scarf, made of blue and pink wool, Sun-Loch gave a soft chuckle as he walked up to her, giving her a kiss on the lips.

“Good dear, she fell asleep about two hours ago, she almost made it a full day this time,” Sun-Loch replied to his wife’s question.

“Well, we should wake our little one for she can take a shower and eat supper before she goes to bed,” Posey commented getting up from her seat and walking up to her daughter who still slept on her husband’s back.

“Wake up sweetie; it’s time to get cleaned up for supper.” Posey cooed to her daughter, gently shaking her awake.”

Fluttershy slowly opened her eyes only to close them once the harsh light of the lonely ceiling light bulb flooded into her eyes. After getting used to the light, Fluttershy saw two large cyan colored eyes staring back at her. A smile adorned the filly’s lips as she rubbed her tired eyes with a hoof.

“Good morning, mommy.” Fluttershy squeaked.

Both Posey and Sun-Loch let out some chuckles at their daughter’s words. Stroking her daughter mane, Posey replied back to her daughter.”

“Thank you for the gesture dear but it’s not morning, it’s almost supper time.”

Fluttershy instinctively looked out the window to see the last sliver of sunlight past behind the horizon. Looking back at her mother, she looked down at the hardwood floors.

“Oh.” Fluttershy softly mumbled, her embarrassment making her shy away from her mother.

“Oh don’t be shy dear, you and your father are going to wash up and then get you’re getting dressed in your nightgown before you eat supper.” Patting her daughter on the head, Posey walked away from her husband and daughter and walked into the kitchen. “Now you two get going, we don’t want to eat too late now.”

Walking up the stairs with Fluttershy still on his back Sun-Loch made his way up the stairs and down the hall to the restroom. Nearing the door, he opened it up to reveal soft oak walls and a pine roof and floor. On his right side were a basic porcelain toilet and an iron sink. To his left was a large iron tub with a bronze shower head connected to a ten-gallon water-heater tank. Slipping off her father’s back, Fluttershy waited for her father to start the shower before she undressed but her father never turned on the shower. Looking up at her father, Fluttershy gave a puzzled look; Sun-Loch returned the look his daughter was giving him.

“What’s the matter sweetheart?” Sun-Loch asked looking down at Fluttershy.

“How come you haven’t started the tub?” Fluttershy asked, pointing a hoof at the iron tub

“Well, sweetheart I was thinking that you should take a shower all by yourself,” Sun-Loch replied, starting the shower.

Fluttershy looked at the tub then back at her father then back at the tub. Did she hear her father correctly; her father was going to let her take a shower all by herself. Her father was going to treat her like a big filly. She was so excited.

“What! But what if I drown!?” Fluttershy cried out, fear gripping her.

Sun-Loch looked at his daughter, her distress clearly on her face. Shaking his head he turned off the water and sat down by his kin.

“You won’t drown dear.” Sun-Loch cooed, stroking his daughter’s head.

Fluttershy looked at her father as she whipped away some of her tears.

“But we always take showers together daddy,” Fluttershy mumbled, looking down at the bathroom’s floor.

Sun-Loch gave a little smirk, he knew this day would come, she was growing up and he couldn’t baby her any longer, she was going to have to do things on her own. Lifting her chin up with a hoof, sun-Loch gave a low sigh.

“You’re growing up sweetheart, your six now and I can’t take showers with you forever.” Sun-Loch smiled at his daughter.

“But… I don’t want too, I’m scared.” Fluttershy replied, looking at the iron tub, her imagination turning it into an iron beast.

Looking at the tub, Sun-Loch walked back up to it and turned on the water. Stepping away, he made his way out of the bathroom, with the door slightly shut Sun-Loch looked down at his daughter. With a smile, he spoke up.

“You’ll be fine, you do want to grow-up and be a big filly don’t you?”

Looking at her father with a sad expression, Fluttershy nodded.

“Yes.” Fluttershy meekly replied.

“Well, then why not start tonight… and don’t be long now, I still need to take a shower.” With a wink for good luck, Sun-Loch shut the door.

Fluttershy stared at the shut door for some time, hoping her father would come back, but he never did. With a sigh, she slowly made her way towards the tub. Looking at the tub Fluttershy began to scan it up and down. It was tall; Fluttershy still had to climb into it to take showers or baths. Letting out a sigh once again, she undressed herself from her work dress and hesitantly slipped into the tub.

The smooth painted wet walls of the iron tub made Fluttershy’s hooves lose their grip, causing her to slide down the walls of the tub and down into the bowl. Looking up she saw the water from the shower head fall onto her bare body. She was alone in the tub, all by herself without her father. The walls looked a lot bigger to her now without her father. It was like a canyon you couldn’t climb out of.

‘You can do this, do you want to make daddy proud.’ Fluttershy told herself. Pulling the curtain to keep the water in, she walked up to the body wash and the bathing sponge. Nearing the items she let out a sigh. ‘I want to be strong and big like daddy… I’m a big filly I can do this.’ She thought once again.

Looking at the large bottle of soap, Fluttershy grabbed it with her small hooves to pour onto the bathing sponge. She began to struggle with the bottle. Holding the pouring cap with her teeth and holding the rest of the bottle tightly against her chest, she began to twist the cap of the bottle. With all her might, she twisted the cap off. The pressure of her holding the bottle caused the majority of the soap to spew out of the bottle and all over the walls of the tub, the curtain, and herself. Looking around at the soap covered tub and herself, she gave a frustrated sigh.

“Oh come on!” She angrily grabbed the sponge to bathe her body with.

Thirty minutes passed by since Fluttershy spilled the soap all over the tub. By now the soap was washed away; except for some of the soap on the tub’s curtain. Fluttershy was giggling with glee as she slid across the smooth bowl of the tub.

“A lone survivor in the rainy jungle, taming the wild animals that are behind every tree and every raspberry bush… MMM yummy raspberries!... oh… and, um she will find the most ferocious and evil beast ever in like the whole world… ah! there it is, it’s the! DUN! DUN! DUN! Sponge!” Pointing a hoof in a dramatic pose, Fluttershy eyed the lonely bathing sponge lying on the bowl of the tub.

Getting closer to the sponge, Fluttershy gave a scowl as she pointed a hoof at the depressed looking sponge. “Don’t you make me do it, you evil meanie! I know you evil kind… I know…”

“Having fun in there, sweetheart? You know your father still needs to use the shower.”

Pulling the curtain back and poking her head over and out of the tub, Fluttershy looked at the door in embarrassment.

“Yes, mommy!” Fluttershy squeaked.

Turning off the shower, Fluttershy slipped out of the tub. Grabbing a clean towel from the towel basket she began to dry herself off. With herself dry she went up to the door. On the other side was her mother. Looking down at her daughter, Posey gave her a smile.

“Ready to get dressed dear?”

Nodding her head, Fluttershy began to walk out of the restroom, only to have her mother stop her with a hoof.

“Wrap your towel around yourself dear before you head to your room.”

Nodding Fluttershy tied the towel around her waist with the help of her mother. With the towel firmly tied around her, Fluttershy walked down the hall to her room. Opening her bedroom’s door, she walked in and came up to her dark oak dresser drawers. Opening the bottom drawer, she got dressed in a simple white nightgown for supper. Before leaving her room, she ran to her bed and grabbed one of the many bunny dolls she had on her bed. Walking down the stairs with her white bunny doll on her back, Fluttershy made her way into the kitchen where her mother and father sat down waiting for her. On the table was a medium size pot, steam danced all around the brim of the pot. Fluttershy gave a smile; her mother made her favorite, cabbage stew. Getting to her seat she got up and placed her doll on the table next to her right.

“Ready to eat dear?” Posey asked her daughter, who smiled back and nodded.

Getting up from her seat, Posey pour a decent amount of stew for her daughter. Smiling Fluttershy tapped her hooves together and bowed her head. Both Sun-Loch and Posey did the same.

“Would you like to start the thanks sweetheart?” Posey asked her daughter.

Nodding her head, Fluttershy began her prayer.

“Dear Luna, please bless the meal mommy made tonight and to keep the nightmares away from our dreams tonight and dear Celestia, please let my mommy, daddy and I to have a good tomorrow, amen.”

“Amen”

Several minutes passed by during the families supper and now the family was piecing on their food and making idle conversations. Fluttershy played with her bunny as her parents talked about local events and things need to be done around the house. Making her doll bounce up and down in place, Fluttershy moved her gaze over at her father to show him what she was doing. But she stopped. She eyed his glass as he poured a golden liquid into a glass cup. She had seen her father drink this golden liquid before, she had tried to taste what it tasted before like but her mother told her no. She wondered what it tasted like, she knew what it smelled liked, her father breath always smell like it, it was like a bitter chestnut flavor, she liked that smell.

“Daddy?”

Both Posey and Sun-Loch stop what they were saying and looked down at the canary yellow filly.

“Yes, sweetheart?” Sun-Loch replied, sipping his drink.

“Can I have a sip daddy?” Fluttershy asked pointing a hoof at the filled glass cup.

Sun-Loch looked at his drink and mulled over the question. Out the corner of his eye, he saw his wife giving him a glare that said ‘don’t you dare’. Looking back at his daughter he gave a sigh.

“Sure sweetie.”

“What! Sun-Loch she’s six, I’ll not have my daughter start drink at a young age!” Posey spoke in shock at her husband’s reply.

“One sip won’t hurt her dear.” Sun-Loch rolled his eyes.

“One sip and then its two and then three! No, she’ll not take one sip until she’s at least 15!” Posey spoke, slamming a hoof down on the table. Fluttershy slowly sank into her chair, she hated when her mother and father got into an argument.

“Um… I’m… um…” Fluttershy mumbled.

“Posey please she won’t end up a drunk.”

“Like you!” Posey glared at her husband.

“I-I… I’m no drunkard and you have no room to speak, you also drink!” Sun-Loch hissed.

“Wine is different than hard liquor Sun-Loch!” Posey retorted, getting in her husband’s face.

“STOP!”

Both Sun-Loch and Posey moved their gazed over to a crying filly.

“I’m sorry I asked, I-I was just c-c-curious of what it taste liked because d-d-daddy drinks it a-all the time!” Fluttershy mumbled holding her white bunny tight against her chest.

Both Posey and Sun-Loch sighed, both were upset that they made their daughter upset. Looking at each other then back at their daughter, then back at each other, Poesy gave out a sigh as she put her head in her hooves.

“Let our daughter have a sip of whiskey this one night, but no more, got it Sun-Loch.”

“Yes dear sorry, I didn’t ask you before I said she could take a sip,” Sun-Lock replied, with a deadpan stare.

“It’s ok dear… Would you like a sip of your father’s drink sweetie?”

Wiping her tears away, Fluttershy nodded her head. Looking at his daughter, Sun-Loch slid the cup over to his daughter.

“Now don’t drink too fast, only slow sips dear.”

Looking at the golden liquid, Fluttershy licked her lips as she picked up the cup with her front hooves. Slowly she brought the glass up to her lips and tipped the glass forward. A small amount of the golden liquid burned down her throat, a sweet hazelnut flavor touched her lips, a sour tang stuck to her lips. Both Posey and Sun-Loch watched her reaction, at first her nose and eyes scrunched up in disgust then in a split second her eyes shot open in amazement.

“Mmm, this tastes yummy.” Fluttershy hummed.

“Oh Celestia, help me.” Posey moaned.

“Ah, just like her father, she likes the good old whiskey,” Sun-Loch spoke with a chuckle.

“That’s what I was afraid of, she turning into an exact clone of you except, she like dolls, knitting and she’s a filly,” Posey replied in mock dread, the previous argument forgotten.

“Oh dear don’t fret.” Sun-Loch grabbed his wife into a hug.

Fluttershy smiled at her parents, it amazed her how fast her parents could forget and argument so fast. Smiling she held out the glass cup towards her father.

“Here daddy.”

Gazing at Fluttershy, Sun-Loch grabbed his cup back and nodded at his daughter.

“I should take a shower before I head to bed, which means a certain filly should get the to bed as well.” Sun-Loch got up from his seat making his way up the stairs.

“But I’m not tired!’ Fluttershy replied giving her best pouty face; her head resting on her bunnies head.

“Come on sweetheart let mommy tuck you in bed,” Posy spoke to her daughter. Fluttershy shook her head.

“I’ll sing you a lullaby.” Posey sang.

This broke Fluttershy defenses as she jumped out of her chair, past her mother and rushed up the stairs. Seeing her father nearing the door of the restroom, Fluttershy grabbed onto his hind leg and embraced him in a hug.

“Good night daddy, see you in the morning!” Fluttershy called out before she let go of her father’s leg and ran to her bedroom.

"Good, night sweetheart.” Sun-Loch chuckled. “So I take it you’re gonna sing her a lullaby?” Sun-Loch asked his wife who came up behind him.

“Yes I am, don’t be too long in the shower,” Posey replied, flicking her tail at her husband’s face.

“Yes, dear,” Sun-Loch replied, shutting the restroom door behind him.

Fluttershy lay on her bed under her covers, surrounded by her bunny dolls. Fluttershy eyed her mother walk into her room and up to her bed where she sat down. Fluttershy wiggled under her covers to get into a comfortable position.

Posey looked down at her daughter with a soft smile.

“Ready for your lullaby?”

Nodding her head, Fluttershy intently gazed up at her mother with anticipation. Taking an inhale of air, Posey let out a soft melody.

“Hush now, quiet now,

It's time to lay your sleepy head,

Hush now, Quiet now,

It's time to go to bed.

Drifting off to sleep,

Leave the exciting day behind you,

Drifting, off to sleep,

Let the joy of dreamland find you.

Hush now, quiet now,

It's time to lay your sleepy head,

Hush now, Quiet now,

It's time to go to bed.”

Soft snores sounded off as Posey finished her melody. Looking down at her daughter, she gave her a kiss on the forehead.

“Good night sweetheart, see you in the morning.” Posey cooed to her daughter. walking out her daughters room, Posey shut out the light and closed the door.

It was early morning; a cool breeze entered the kitchens window. Fluttershy sat in her chair at the dining table practicing her writing skills. Her parents’ home schooled her. She didn’t understand why she didn’t go to school like other fillies and colts. She had asked her parents before, the only answer they gave was that she could learn better skills if she stayed home. So she dropped the thought altogether.

“I’m done mother!” Fluttershy called out, facing her mother with her paper held up in the air.

“Let me see sweetie,” Posey replied, grabbing the paper and looking over a paragraph she had her daughter write out in cursive, which was taken from a novel. “Well Fluttershy you skills are getting better but you still need to work on your p’s and q’s, there a little off, later on tonight we'll try again,” Posey replied still looking at the paper.

Fluttershy huffed.

“Yes, Mother.”

“You can take a break now; go see what your fathers doing.” Posey replied, giving her daughter a kiss on the top of her head.

“Ok.” Fluttershy squeaked as she bolted from her chair and ran towards the front door.

On the stairs of the porch sat Sun-Loch, the warm sun bathed his body is a soft glow. In his lips sat his pipe. Next to him on his left side was a box with two other pipes and a cloth bag filled with tobacco. Hearing the door open behind him with a squeak which was followed by light fast thuds of small hooves, he gave a sigh as his daughter sat beside him.

“Whatcha doing daddy?” Fluttershy spoke up, looking at her father’s bright cheerful brown eyes.

“Smoking my pipe sweetheart,” Sun-Loch replied with a slow sigh, smoke flowing from his mouth.

Fluttershy sat a little closer to her father; she liked it when he smoked. The smoke that lingered on his clothes would soothe her when she would cuddle up with him and her mother on the bed, when they read stories to her. Fluttershy watched her father’s pipe for a while. Watching the tobacco go from red hot to cool every time her father took a breath; it was fascinating to her.

“Daddy?”

“Mmm,” Sun-Loch replied not looking over at his daughter.

“What’s it like?” Fluttershy softly asked.

“What’s what like, sweetie?” Sun-Loch asked moving his gaze at Fluttershy.

“What’s smoking like?” Fluttershy asked pointing a hoof at her father’s pipe.

Sun-Loch looked down at his pipe and then back at Fluttershy.

“Um, It uh…” Taken back by his daughter’s question. ‘Why is she so interested in my habits all of a sudden?’

“Uh, it’s just something I do when I’m bored and sometimes I like the flavor,” Sun-Loch replied.

“Can I try?” Fluttershy asked with a hopeful smile.

Sun-loch stared at his daughter with a dumbfounded look. ‘Is she trying to get me in trouble with her mother?’

“Sweetie I don’t know, your mother…”

“Please?” Fluttershy begged sticking out her bottom lip.

With Fluttershy giving him the bottom lip, something he found just adorable; Sun-Loch couldn’t say no.

“Why not, hold on let me fill you up a pipe,” Sun-Loch replied, turning over to his left to fill up a pipe with a small amount of tobacco.

Fluttershy watched as her father filled one of his extra pipes with a soft-looking brown colored plant into the wooden bowl of the pipe. When he was done he placed the pipe to his lips and lit a match lighting the tobacco. With smoke escaping past his lips, he handed the pipe to Fluttershy. Fluttershy took the pipe gently from her father’s hoof only to stare at it in awe.

“Put the bit to your lips sweetie, like this.” Sun-Loch showed Fluttershy, putting his pipe up to his lips.

Fluttershy kept her gaze on her father as she copied his movements. With the bit in her mouth, she looked down at the pipe, the tobacco glowing red, with small whips of smoke hitting her nose. Looking up at her father she gave him a puzzled look.

“Now you suck in some smoke but don’t inhale, you’re supposed to keep it in your mouth, enjoy the flavor and exhale it out, like this.” Sucking in some smoke and blowing out past his lips. Smiling, Sun-Loch looked down at his daughter and gave her a nod.

Fluttershy looked down at her pipe and gave it a try. Sucking in the smoke, her taste buds were racked with flavors as the smoke touched her tongue. It was sweet like raspberries with a hint of smoky apples, but a burning sensation came up from her lungs. Taking the pipe out of her mouth, a torrent of coughs racked her body; her body rejecting the smoke.

Sun-Loch gave a chuckle at his daughter’s reaction. She had made a rookie mistake.

“Silly filly, inhaled too much?”

*Cough* “Yeah.” *Cough* Fluttershy replied.

“Try again,” Sun-Loch told Fluttershy.

Looking at the pipe with an unsure gaze, Fluttershy plopped the pipe back into her mouth and gave it another try. This time she did it correctly, enjoying the pleasant taste of the tobacco.

“Why was Fluttershy coughing dear… WHAT THE! Sun-Loch you’re letting her smoke NOW!?” Posey yelled at her husband giving him and Fluttershy a dumbfounded look.

“Oh, Posey you can’t disagree that she looks so adorable, look we’re like twins,” Sun-Loch replied leaning up close to his daughter, his face next to hers as they looked up at Posey, smoking their pipes.

Posey looked at them, her voice trying to form words.

“Oh let me get the camera for you can take a picture of us,” Sun-Loch commented, running into the house for the camera.

Fluttershy looked up at her mother as she took several puffs from her pipe. Posey looked down at her daughter and gave a long sigh.

“You’re just like your father,” Posey said in a huff, rubbing her temple with a hoof.

Fluttershy just smiled at her mother’s comment as she sat on the porch enjoying her pipe.

A New Friend

Chapter 3: A New Friend

“Are you sure, what if the town’s ponies hurt her feelings, what if she gets lost? What…!” A kiss silenced Posey woes. Breaking the kiss Sun-Loch looked into his wife’s eyes; caressing her cheeks.

“Now dear she’ll be fine, she needs to see the world, she can’t stay locked up in her home forever, she needs to make some friends,” Sun-Loch spoke, checking his cart over.

“Oh, but I’m worried that she won’t be accepted, it took a while for most of the town to accept our marriage,” Posey spoke looking out into the fields of dancing wheat.

“I know dear but honestly, I don’t care if only a small portion of the town accepts my daughter, let their prejudice blind them for all I care!” Sun-Loch growled pulling on a rope; tightening up several metal poles against the wall of the cart.

Posey gazed at her husband and sighed, she shouldn’t worry so much she thought to herself. Fluttershy would be fine with her father; after all, all they were going to do was sell some bales of wheat, pick up their groceries and head home.

“I’m ready!” A squeaky voice called out.

Posey looked over towards the house to see her daughter running towards them. Fluttershy’s mane was done up in curls with a little green bow; her tail braided with a green bow at the end of it. She wore a small light blue wool jacket over her white dress. On her back was her favorite white bunny doll.

“When are we going?” Fluttershy cheered looking up at her parents; her wings fluttering with excitement.

“Soon, first you have to say bye to mommy,” Sun-Loch called out throwing a small leather bag into the cart.

Fluttershy trotted up to her mother and hugged her leg.

“See you later mommy,” Fluttershy told her mother, rubbing her cheek against her mother’s leg.

“You be safe now you two and you better listen to your father, you hear,” Posey spoke as she stepped back, watching her daughter and husband climb into the cart’s front seat.

“I will mother.” Fluttershy squeaked.

“We will be fine dear, see you in a couple hours.” Grabbing a set of leather reigns with his front hooves, Sun-Loch whipped them up over his head. At a great speed, they came down onto a large ox-like creature. “We’re off!” Sun-Loch cheered along with his daughter’s squeals of joy.

The creature gave a low growl as it pushed forward, carrying the cart into town. Posey waved goodbye before walking back into the house.

Fluttershy looked around her surroundings as the cart slowly made its way along the dirt path. Fluttershy leaned against the armrests of the cart. The trees danced in the breeze; birds flew across the sky. Fluttershy’s bunny doll sat next to her; the black orbs of its eyes reflecting the world around it.

“Look Mr. Angle Bunny, that tree out there, it’s so big!” Fluttershy spoke to her bunny doll who wore a smile on his face. Out in the distance was a large redwood tree in the middle of a vast forest. Towering over the others; casting a formidable shadow across the land.

Sun-Loch looked at his daughter and gave a chuckle.

“Are you two talking about that tree over there?” He asked.

Fluttershy whipped her head around at her father and nodded her head.

“Well, sweetheart that tree over there is called ‘The King of the Many’, of the Everfree forest.”

Fluttershy looked at her father, Mr. Angle Bunny held up against her chest as she listened to her father’s story.

“Why is it called that?” She asked.

Sun-Loch looked down and smiled. “It’s called that because of the great ‘Seven Days of Honor’ a battle that took place in that forest.”

“When was that?” Fluttershy asked holding her doll closer to her chest.

Sun-Loch chuckled. “Many years ago sweetheart, a commander named Geyser held off a formidable dictator named Monrovia. Geyser was a leader of a rebel force that fought to free the earth ponies of Earthen from Monrovia’s total rule.”

Fluttershy looked at her father with interest. “Did he win?” She asked her eyes full of wonder.

Sun-Loch smiled and looked down at his little angle and smiled.

“He sure did, stop Monrovia’s army in their tracks and freed the ponies of Earthen and gave them the freedom they longed for.” Giving her a kiss on the head he returned his gaze back towards the dirt road. ‘A freedom we’re slowly losing once again.’ Sun-Loch thought to himself.

Fluttershy smiled at her father before turning her attention to the road. Out in front of her vision sat the small town of Cameroon. Tall two story buildings rose above the skyline. Numerous ships docked at the harbors that lined the coast. Tall smokestacks stood erect over the buildings; black smoke leaving their mouths’. Fluttershy was full of excitement, she never been in town before. She had always wondered about the town. Was it full of awesome gadgets or toys, was there fun things to do? Fluttershy couldn’t keep herself in her seat. Bolting up, she placed her front hooves on the front rim of the box of the cart. Her wings fluttered with excitement as she eyed the town getting closer.

Sun-Loch chuckled at his daughter’s display of foal like wonder.

“You’re excited?” Sun-Loch asked his daughter giving her a smile.

“Yeah!” Fluttershy cheered.

Fluttershy stood close to her father as possible. Her eyes nervously glanced around at her surroundings. Ponies of all shapes and sizes walked past her father’s stall. The market was full of earth ponies going about their day, buying food, supplies and conversing with one another; the noise of the town was very loud to her ears. Fluttershy’s thoughts ran wild with imagination. The ponies that were around her were big and scary, the things they were selling were strange and not of this world. Fluttershy’s mouth slowly opened in wonder as she saw a contraption that was making electricity by spinning a large gray ball inside a golden-brown cup.

“I’ll take two bushels of wheat.” A masculine voice asked.

Fluttershy looked up to see a tall lanky earth pony stallion, his out of control yellow mane stood out from his brown fur. Freaking out, Fluttershy inched closer to her father, grasping his hind leg.

“Will do, my good sir.” Sun-Loch replied looking down at his daughter.

Looking down at Fluttershy the stallion gave a chuckle.

“Is she your little one?” He asked.

Sun-Loch smiled. “Yep, say hello sweetheart.”

Fluttershy, who never took her gaze off the stallion, slowly brought her shaking hoof up and waved. The stallion gave a chuckle.

“Little winged runt is a scary-dee-cat.” The stallion mumbled to himself.

Sun-Loch’s ears picked up the stallion’s comment about his daughter. Gritting his teeth he took a deep breath and walked back up to the stallion with the bushels of wheat in his hooves.

“That will be 24 Earthen Tokes.” Sun-Loch commented to the stallion.

The stallion gave a smirk and pulled out 24 tokes. Placing them on the table he was about to take his product when he spotted the sign of pricing for the wheat. Gritting his teeth, he let out a low growl.

“What’s the big idea with raising the price, 24 tokes!? You’re selling two for 12!” The stallion hissed.

Sun-Loch gave him a dull stare. “Well, I thought of raising the price, for ponies like you.” He replied gazing down at his daughter.

The stallion saw his gaze and gave a snort. Grabbing his bushels with haste, the stallion stormed off. Once the stallion was away from his stall, Sun-Loch went to put the tokes in his bag. Fluttershy moved with her father, her bunny doll on her back. Fluttershy stood up on her hind legs and laid her front legs on the wooden table her father set up.

“Why was that stallion, mad daddy?”

Sun-Loch looked down at Fluttershy’s cyan eyes.

“Some ponies wake up on the wrong side of the bed, sweetheart.” Sun-Loch sighed.

“Maybe we can cheer him up? Maybe I guess…” Fluttershy asked, looking down the street the stallion stormed down.

“He’ll get over it.” Sun-Loch mumbled.

Fluttershy rested her head on the table as she looked around the area of the market they were in. She let out a huff; her father heard her boredom and looked down at his daughter.

“What’s the matter sweetheart?” Sun-Loch asked sitting next to Fluttershy.

“Nothing daddy, just looking at all the different ponies walking around.” Fluttershy sighed.

“And what about them, interests you?” Sun-Loch hummed stacking some bushels of wheat.

“How all of them don’t have wings like me or mommy.” Fluttershy spoke with sadness.

Sun-Loch fidgeted with some of his product, scooting closer to his daughter, he draped a hoof over her shoulder.

“Daddy?” Fluttershy spoke up.

“Yes, sweetie?”

“Are my wings a mutation?” Fluttershy asked, looking up at her father.

Sun-Loch gave his daughter a bewildered look.

“Why do you ask that question, sweetie?”

Fluttershy looked back down at the ground.

“Because when we got into town daddy, some of the ponies look at me funny.”

Sun-Loch looked down at his daughter. “Sweetie, you and your mother are the only pegasi who live in this town.”

Fluttershy looked up at her father with curiosity.

“Pegasi?” She asked with confusion.

Sun-Loch gave a chuckle. “We knew one day you were going to be curious as to why I didn’t have wings like you or your mother… so I guess since you’d asked, I’ll tell you… You see I’m an earth pony and you’re a pegasus.” Sun-Loch commented to his daughter.

“So I’m a pegasus and your and earth pony?” Fluttershy asked to make sure of it.

“Yep, several years before you were born, I met your mother here in town. She was the only pegasus in our town and came from the city of Cloudsdale.” Sun-Loch replied pulling his daughter into a hug.

“Where is Cloudsdale?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well, your mother told me it’s a city that floats in the sky.”

“Where in the sky?” Fluttershy asked looking up at the sky.

“Well, it’s not over this city or a part of the Earthen Empire. It’s part of the Wingthington Republic.” Sun-Loch replied to his daughter’s question; pointing his hoof out towards the eastern mountains.

Fluttershy looked out towards the eastern mountains and smiled.

“I would really like to see Cloudsdale.” Fluttershy hummed. “Would you daddy?”

Sun-Loch got up and walked towards his cart.

“Sure would sweetheart.” Picking up a small bag he walked up to his daughter. “Hey, Flutters.”

Fluttershy looked up at her father.

“I know it can get boring sitting with your old man, I saw you fidgeting earlier today. Do you want to go walk around the market for a bit.”

Fluttershy looked around then back up at her father.

“By myself!?” Fluttershy asked.

“Why not, you’ll be fine.” Sun-Loch reassured her.

“But all the other ponies…”

“Again you’ll be fine. Here are some tokes if you want to buy a snack.” Sun-Loch interrupted his daughter, handing her a small bag of tokes.

Fluttershy looked at the bag for a second before looking at her father.

“What kind of snacks are there?” She asked.

“Well I know there’s something called cotton candy.” Sun-Loch pondered, looking down at his daughter with a goofy grin.

“What’s that!” Fluttershy wondered.

“Well is very fluffy candy and when you eat it, it melts in your mouth.” Sun-Loch mention moving his face closer to his daughter’s

“Really!” Fluttershy squeaked.

“Really!” Sun-Loch repeated.

Fluttershy looked behind her at the busy streets, tapping one of her front hooves on the ground, she nervously looked around.

“Well, I guess I’ll go… daddy.”

“Well, what are you waiting for, get going. Oh and bring me some cotton candy when you get back.” Sun-Loch replied, patting Fluttershy on the head.

“Um… ok... Let’s go Mr. Angle Bunny…” Fluttershy took one step before stopping; she slowly looked around at the ponies passing by. Sun-Loch seeing his daughter’s hesitation, he thought up of something that would get her going.

“Oh please sweetie hurry, my stomach…

Fluttershy whipped her head around to see her father in mock agony.

“Sweetie, my stomach’s craving some of that fluffy, candy, goodness!” Sun-Loch called out, holding his stomach with a hoof and giving Fluttershy a goofy face.

Fluttershy stifled a giggle at her father’s terrible acting.

“Go, hurry young one, before it’s too late.” Sun-Loch rested his head on the table, his arms sprawled out. Passer-byes looked on at the scene in from of them with little to no interest. Holding a hoof to her lips Fluttershy let out a giggle.

“I will daddy!” She called out to her father.

Sun-Loch raise his head and waved to his daughter. With a giggle she trotted off into the crowd of ponies. Sun-Loch rested his head on a hoof and let out a sigh.

“Be safe dear and make some friends sweetie.” He thought out loud.

Fluttershy walked down the dirt streets of Cameroon. Market stands littered the streets, filled with many different products for sail ranging from lettuce, fish, fruits and various crafting tools. Different looking and sized shops lined the streets, factories’ smoke stacks towered over the town; black smoke billowed from their tops, causing the day to become overcast. Fluttershy’s young mind was flooding with so many different sounds and smells. She caught glimpses of several conversations about ponies’ plans for the weekend, couples talking sweetly or fighting or business matters taking place and sweet smelling goods.

She tried looking for the cotton candy her father told her about but every stall she went too didn’t have it. She slowly hung her head as she left her 20th stall. She was having no luck; in frustration she kicked a stone.

‘Why won’t they tell me where the cotton candy is!? Their either meanies or they won’t listen to me!’ Fluttershy thought to herself.

Hearing a group of giggles, Fluttershy shot her head up to see a group of fillies and colts running around through the streets. Fluttershy smiled as she eyed the fillies and colts. They were playing a game of tag; their delightful screams of joy graced Fluttershy’s ears. When they ran around a corner down another street, Fluttershy took off towards them. Rounding the corner, Fluttershy eyed the kids as they climbed onto a docked ship. It looked like fun. Fluttershy looked back at her doll that sat on her back.

“What do you think Mr. Angel Bunny? It looks like fun.” She asked.

The doll slumped over a little. Fluttershy didn’t really have any friends, literally none. Her child urges kicked in as she kept eyeing the children. Their game was turning into a game of pirates. She had read books about pirates and their many adventures plundering and looking for gold. Fluttershy inched closer to the group.

‘I want to join, maybe I could ask.’ Smiling to herself, Fluttershy took a breath and made her way over to the group.

Fluttershy walked up to the group of children. As she neared a small filly called out, announcing her arrival. A brown colored colt with black hair and white shirt looked at Fluttershy with his amber eyes. A sly smirk came to his lips as he made his way down towards Fluttershy.

The colt came up to Fluttershy. He towered over her; he was big for his age. He gave his best mad face as he stared at Fluttershy. Fluttershy being nervous slowly bent her knees and cowered to the ground.

“What do you want?!” The colt asked.

Fluttershy shook from her shyness. “I just wanted t-to know if I-I could play… with you?” She responded. There was no response from the colt so Fluttershy continued. “I have no one to play with at my house so I was walking around when I saw you guys, so I thought it would be fun to join you and…"

The colt gave a laugh, which caused Fluttershy to jerk with fright.

“Really!? You play with us! Do you even know how to play pirates?” The colt asked.

Fluttershy shook her head which caused some of the children in the group to laugh. The colt gave her a look over and stood back.

“Wait a’nt you that filly that lives out on the wheat farm?” The colt asked getting in Fluttershy’s face.

Fluttershy let out a nervous murmur. “Y-Yes.”

The colt stood back a little and laughed. “You are… Your one of the winged freaks my mom and dad told me about.” He said; letting some giggles leave his lips. The rest of the children followed suit.

Fluttershy’s mouth hung open in shock and anger. “I’m not a freak!

The colt laughed again.

“I-I’m not a freak! I-I read a lot of books, I’m smart and I-I-I can to play pirates j-just as well as you can!” Fluttershy huffed.

The colt laughed and got closer up to her.

“I would let you prove it but my mom says we should stay away from ponies like you.” He hissed pushing Fluttershy, making her fall onto her flank. Fluttershy looked up with tears in her eyes.

“B-But why?! All I-I want to do is play with you guys?!” Fluttershy asked out in despair.

“If you haven’t notice we got no wings, unlike you-you bird mutant thing!”

“But I…”

“You already messed up our game! Beat it…”

“Hey you, leave her alone!”

Both Fluttershy and the colt looked towards the voice’s owner. There standing on the small road leading up to the docked ship, stood an orange filly with a blonde mane. She wore a red dress; her face was covered in freckles and her mane was done up in a ponytail. Fluttershy stared at the orange filly as she approached her and the colt.

“Why should I?!” The colt asked, shoving his face into the fillies.

The orange filly gave a huff. “Because it’s not nice.” She pointed an accusing hoof at him.

The colts stared at her and lifted up his hoof. The filly looked down at the colts brown hoof and smirked.

“You’re gonna hit a girl?”

The colt looked at her with a smirk.

“Yeah, I already did it to her.” He nodded his head over towards Fluttershy, who sat on the ground in tears.

The filly looked at him and punched his nose. The act made all the other children including Fluttershy to gasp in shock. The colt grabbed his nose and looked back at the orange filly with tears in his eyes

“Now leave her alone and go play yer stupid pirate game!” The orange filly huffed.

The colt nodded his head and scrambled back to his posse. The orange filly smiled at the fine job she had done and looked down at Fluttershy. Fluttershy was looking up at the filly with a small smile.

“Thanks for saving me…” Fluttershy mumbled.

“No problem; the names Applejack.” Offering her hoof too Fluttershy which Fluttershy gratefully took.

“My names Fluttershy…” Fluttershy mumbled, looking at Applejack while holding her bunny doll.

“So whatcha doing out here?” Applejack asked Fluttershy.

“Well I-I was looking for something when I-I saw them playing and it l-looked like fun.” Fluttershy mumbled.

“What were you looking for?” Applejack asked tilting her head to the side.

“Cotton candy…” Fluttershy sighed. “I can’t find any.”

Applejack smiled and grabbed Fluttershy by her hoof. “I know where we can find cotton candy!” She proclaimed pulling Fluttershy back into the busy streets.

“You do!” Fluttershy squeaked.

“Yeah I do, come on!”

With that said they ran off into the crowded streets in search for the sweet treat. Fluttershy smiled, Applejack was nice to her. She hoped she had made a friend.

Fluttershy was never this wowed in all her life. The cotton candy she held in her hoofs was soft and light, like a pillow. The sweet flavor coated her tongue as the soft sugar melted in her mouth. Fluttershy looked over towards Applejack to see her enjoying her own piece of cotton candy. Applejack seeing Fluttershy looking at her, gave her a smile. Fluttershy blushed at the gesture and waved.

“So do you like it?” Applejack asked.

Fluttershy looked down at the pink fluff and shook her head.

“I knew yer would… Hey, how old are you by the way?” Applejack asked Fluttershy, sitting closer to her.

Fluttershy looked down at her hooves that dangled from her seat on the docks.

“I’m six… you?

“Eight and mah brother is only 11.” Applejack smiled. “Do you have any sisters?” She wondered looking at Fluttershy.

Fluttershy shook her head.

“Brothers?” Applejack asked tilting her head to the side.

Again Fluttershy shook her head. Applejack sat back and put a hoof to her chin. For a while, silence fell around them. The long spell of silence started to get too Fluttershy’s nerves.

‘Does she think I’m a freak for not having any siblings?” Fluttershy thought to herself.

Then a smile appeared on Applejack’s lips.

“You want to be friends?!” Applejack cheered, stretching out her arms.

Fluttershy looked at Applejack with wide eyes. Was she hearing her right, Applejack wanted to be friends with her.

“Y-You don’t think I’m a freak?” Fluttershy asked by demonstrating with her flapping wings.

Applejack shook her head. “I think it’s cool.” She replied.

Fluttershy smiled. “Oh, I would like to be friends.”

Applejack gave the biggest smile and pulled Fluttershy into a hug, startling the yellow filly.

“Yay, I made a friend.” Applejack cheered.

Fluttershy raised a brow.

“You never had any friends?” She wondered.

Applejack released Fluttershy from her hug and nodded her head sheepishly.

“Well… not any real friends… oh, I hope we can be best of friends, though!” Applejack held her hooves to her chest with a hopeful smile.

Fluttershy gave the biggest smile she could have mustered and hugged her newest best friend. Both fillies gave squeaks of joy at their new friendship. The sounds of dull splashes graced their ears, interrupting their hug. Fluttershy and Applejack looked over the dock’s edge to see their treats, dissolving in the water below.

“Oops…” They both said in unison. Looking at each other they gave a chuckle.

“Looks like we’re gonna have to buy some more.” Applejack sighed, looking into the water.

“Yep.” Fluttershy huffed.

Fluttershy and Applejack walked along the dirt paths, eating on their newly bought cotton candy. Fluttershy was heading back to her father’s stall to introduce him to Applejack. Applejack smiled, her ponytail bouncing with each step she took.

“Hey’yah Fluttershy?” Applejack chirped.

Fluttershy looked to her left at her friend.

“Yeah?”

“Um… Would you like to come to my house for a sleepover too night?” Applejack asked with a sheepish smile.

“Sleepover?...” Fluttershy asked, giving her friend a puzzled look.

Applejack just stared at the yellow filly.

“Yer telling me is, you never heard of a sleepover?!” Applejack asked in shock.

Fluttershy shook her head. “What’s a sleepover?”

Applejack paced around Fluttershy with excitement.

“It’s when you invite yer friend to come over to yer house and do fun games like tag, hid n’ seek; ghost stories, pillow fights and a whole bunch of other stuff! Or at least that’s what I’ve heard of.” Stopping in front of her friend, Applejack scuffed the ground. “I always wanted to try it, but never had anyone to do it with…”

Fluttershy smiled at her friend for the longest time.

“That’s sounds like fun!” She squeaked pulling her friend into a hug. Applejack smiled and returned it.

“Aw shoot I can’t wait, let’s go ask yer dad if you can go!” Applejack cheered. Fluttershy stood in place with a worried look on her face.

“Oh, I hope he says yes…”

The Sleepover

Chapter 4: The Sleepover

Fluttershy saw her father in the distance, selling some bushels of wheat to a tall muscular red colored stallion with a dark-green mane wearing a brown Stetson and blue overall pants. Fluttershy was nervous that her father would say no too Applejack’s offer. Taking a gulp of air she stepped forward….

“Papa!

Fluttershy watched her friend run off towards her father’s stall. Applejack jumped onto the red stallion’s back, embracing him in a hug. The stallion let out a chuckle as he rubbed his cheek on hers.

“Papa! Papa! Papa, I’ve made a new friend!” Applejack cheered standing on his back, her dress blowing in the wind.

“You did? Who is it sugar-cube?” The red stallion asked.

“Her names Fluttershy.” Applejack responded, pointing a hoof at the filly in question.

Fluttershy shyly waved her hoof at the red stallion as she made her way too her father. Sun-Loch had a smile on his face from hearing Applejack’s words. His daughter had made a friend. Letting out a chuckle he pulled his daughter into a hug.

“So sweetheart what did you and your new friend, do today?” Sun-Loch asked patting Fluttershy on the head.

“We walked around the town’s streets and ate some cotton candy by the pier.” Fluttershy replied too her father’s question looking at Applejack and her father.

“Yeah and I saved her form some bullies.” Applejack cheered, draping her hooves over her father face.

“Well, I’ll be, did yer teach them a lesion?” The red stallion asked, smiling at his daughter.

“Yep, I and Fluttershy are the best of friends, now.” Applejack squeaked.

“Well shoot, mah filly made a friend. Well Mr…?”

“Sun-Loch.” Sun-Loch replied looking up at the red stallion.

“I’m glad mah daughter is friends with yer kin, she’s been very lonely back on ther orchard.” The red stallion commented.

Sun-Loch gave a smile.

“I’m glad as well…”

“Core Seed.” Core Seed replied, extending out his hoof and shaking Sun-Loch’s hoof.

“I’m just glad Fluttershy found some-pony that doesn’t judge her by her looks.” Sun-Loch commented nodding at his daughter’s wings.

Core Seed looked down at Fluttershy and gave the filly a smile. Core Seed’s smile made Fluttershy blush and hide underneath her father.

“Ah shoot, we Apple family folk at least in these neck of the woods don’t mind what race of pony yer is, as long as you gots a good heart.” Core Seed proudly proclaimed smiling as he said those words.

Sun-Loch gave a smile and a nod.

“That’s good to hear. Your family is welcome to come by if you want for diner whenever you’re able too.”

“That’s a mighty fine offer, the same goes too you.”

Both Fluttershy and Applejack looked at each other and gave each other a silent nod. Smiles plastered on their faces.

“Daddy!?” They both asked in unison. Both stallions looked at their daughters.

“Yes sweetie?”

“Yeah sugar-cube?”

“Can Fluttershy spend the night?” Applejack asked squeezing her father neck with a pleading hug.

“Well… I Don’t Know…” Core Seed choked.

“Daddy, can I… please?!” Fluttershy begged with her bottom lip sticking out.

“Well I don’ know…”

Both stallions were at loss for words; their daughters covertly and at once, asked them a big question. They both thought about their question for a while, each giving each other a perplexed look. As fathers of small little fillies, they wanted to spoil their little angles, but there was an obstacle they had to face before they could do so.

“I don’t know, we’re gonna have to ask your mother.” They both said, their replies earning them wails of frustration form their little ones.

“But I want to have a sleepover with my new best friend.” Applejack mumbled, laying on her father’s back, her hooves dangling against his sides.

“Oh…” Fluttershy mumbled, dropping her head in defeat.

Both stallions looked at their daughters and gave an internal sigh. One thing was for certain, fathers’ hated to see their daughters cry. Taking a deep breath both stallions let out a low sigh.

“I guess it’s alright. You can have Fluttershy over for a sleep over.” Core Seed spoke.

“Yay” Applejack cheered, giving her father a hug and jumping off his back.

She landed with a thud and pranced up too Fluttershy. The both trotted in place with smiles. Each of them listed off things they were going to do.

“Is that all right with you Sun-Loch?” Core Seed asked placing a hoof on Sun-Loch’s stand.

Sun-Loch gave a nod.

“We’re just gonna have too pack a little overnight bag when we get home, where do you live?” Sun-Loch replied, staring at the fillies that were planning out their night of fun.

“Oh just up the ways, that a way.” Core Seed commented too Sun-Loch, pointing a hoof behind him at the southern hills; large trees dotting the landscape. “But don’t worry none, we’ll help out with yer stand and come with. Since I’m heading back home I’ll just take Fluttershy along with Applejack, my older son Mac and I.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Sun-Loch replied, pulling his daughter into a hug, earning him a sequel form the filly. “Where is your son by the way?” Sun-Loch asked.

Core Seed put a hoof up too his chin.

“He should be almost done with packing up the apple stand as we speak.”

“Well let’s get going for our fillies can have some day light left for their games they’re gonna play.” Sun-Loch chuckled.

Fluttershy rode in the cart heading too Applejack’s house. She was glad that she was able to spend the night at her friend’s house. It took some convincing but her mother had given in and allowed her to go. She had packed up her night gown and an extra pair of clothes, for tomorrow morning, a blanket and a pillow and her pipe her father gave too her.

Sitting next to her left was her doll, Mr. Angle Bunny. On her right sat her friend Applejack and next to her sat her older brother Mac. Core Seed manned the reins as the cart moved slowly along the dirt path.

“I was thinking, when we get too my house we can play hide n’ seek.” Applejack spoke looking at Fluttershy.

Fluttershy looked up at the orange colored filly and smiled.

“That sounds like fun.”

“Yer bet, and when we get home mah brother will be the one that’s it.” Applejack proclaimed, her statement making her older brother grunt in frustration.

“I just want ter relax sis.” Mac sighed looking at the apple trees that were coming into view.

Applejack looked at her brother and gave a frown.

“Yer are gonna play with us!” Applejack huffed standing on all fours.

Mac looked at his sister and gave a huff.

“I don’t want too…”

“Why not?” Fluttershy asked.

Mac looked at the yellow filly and gave a sigh.

“I want ter read mah book.”

Core Seed gave a chuckle.

“You can read your book son after yer help wear out the fillies here.” Core Seed pointed too Fluttershy and Applejack.

“It will take a lot before we get tired.” Applejack piped up. Fluttershy nodded her head in agreement.

Core Seed gave a chuckle, while Mac gave a sigh. Fluttershy smiled and looked away from her friend and Mac to see a small log cabin off in the distance about 50 feet away. The home was two stories. A metal roof covered the home’s interiors. A large window was in the front, for ponies within the home could look at the outside world. The lights were on and Fluttershy could see two ponies within the home. One was sitting in a chair and the other was walking around, doing something. Next to the home sat a large barn off in the distance next to a pile of farming tools. A large apple tree stood tall in front of the home covering it in shade. Around the base of the tree were several colorful flowers.

“That’s grandma’s tree.” Applejack spoke up. Fluttershy turned her gaze towards her friend.

“Why is it your grandma’s?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well she always called it her lucky tree.” Applejack cheered, spreading out her arms. “And she says that the tree grows really huge apples!”

Mac gave a chuckle at his sister’s silliness.

“Really?” Fluttershy wondered with excitement.

“E-yep.” Mac replied; his reply earning him a giggle from his sister and her friend.

Core Seed smiled as the cart came to a stop.

“Well we’re here.”

Applejack and Fluttershy with excitement jumped out of the cart and ran off into the orchard.

“Tag, you’re it!” Fluttershy screamed with joy as she ran off; flowed closely by a giggling Applejack.

Core Seed gave a chuckle at their playfulness and took his boar by the reins. Mac looked at the fillies as they ran off into the orchard.

“Pa what about them helping us unload ther stuff?” Mac asked pointing a hoof at the cart.

“We’ll get it. Let them wear themselves out a bit, so when it’s time for you to play with them, you can have an easier time and they won’t end up wearing you out.” Core Seed spoke placing a hoof on his son’s shoulder. Mac nodded and went straight to work.

Mac hid up in the rafters of the barn. The small flakes of dust and hay floated through the air, giving off a comfortable aura too the colt. The small amount of light of the fading day shined through the small cracks. A lantern hanging from a hook on the first floor lit up the barn with some decent light. Mac kept his ears at full attention, listening for any girlish giggles.

As expected he heard the voices of the ponies he was dreading. Peeking through a hole in the rafters, he saw an orange colored and yellow colored filly slowly trotting into the barn. Their heads moved back and forth, scanning the whereabouts of their target.

Mac held in a chuckle. They were clueless too where he was at. He had brought the ladder with him to make sure they weren’t able to come up too his hiding spot. Sure he was cheating but he didn’t care. He wasn’t gonna lose too his little sister and her new best friend.

“Where can he be?” Applejack sighed lifting up a bucket. With no big brother under said bucket, she tossed it with a huff.

“He’s really good at hiding; maybe his knows magic and is invisible?!” Fluttershy wondered as she looked inside a chest.

Applejack let out a giggle.

“If mah brother grew one of them horns them uni-corns have, then yes but I don’t think he can do that… He’s an earth pony!” Applejack squeaked.

‘And proud of it!” Mac thought to himself.

Applejack letting out a huff looked up at the rafters and pondered for a moment. She noticed that the ladder was missing.

‘Could he have?...’

Moving her gaze over too her friend, she saw Fluttershy lifting up a tarp that covered a plow. Her wing fluttered with excitement of finding her victim only to be limp from disappointment. Applejack stared at her friend, a smile slowly forming on her face.

“Hey Fluttershy!?” Applejack called out.

Fluttershy looked up at her friend and tilted her head.

“Yeah?” She asked.

“Can yer fly up there and search fer the ladder!” Applejack asked pointing a hoof at the rafters.

Fluttershy looked up at the spot her friend was pointing and got the hint. With a little grin she shook her head.

Mac’s eyes went wide when he heard his sister say those words. How could he have been so stupid and forgot her friend had wings. But he wouldn’t let fear get him, he read somewhere that pegasi couldn’t fly until they turned 15. With a smile he peaked over an old wooden box as he watched Fluttershy prepare for flight.

Fluttershy was nervous. She barely knew how to fly. Her mother just only started teaching her the basics of hovering. She looked over at her friend and gave a sheepish smile. Applejack gave a nod and a smile back to her friend. With her friend’s calm smile, Fluttershy started fluttering her wings.

Mac’s jaw hit the floor of the rafters. She was actually flying. With cheers from his sister, Fluttershy had made it up to the rafters. Mac cursed too himself as he inched closer to the corner wall. He hoped that if he stayed still, Fluttershy would miss him.

Fluttershy landed on the rafters. Landing hard, she caught her breath as she let her sore wings rest. She did it, she screamed with joy in her mind. Her mother and father would be proud. Standing up with renewed vigor, she looked for the ladder.

Applejack was hopping up n' down. She knew now that they were gonna find their target.

“You found the ladder yet?” Applejack asked putting more emphases on the word ladder.

Fluttershy shook her head as she scanned her surroundings. She climbed on boxes, old chairs and different knick-knacks that lay strewed across the rafter’s floor. Mac inched closer into the corner until his flank touch the wooden walls. Fluttershy was getting closer to his location. Mac pulled the collar of his polo shirt with a hoof. His nerves getting the best of him.

‘I ant’t going out like this!’ He told himself.

Fluttershy came up to a ladder that lay on the floor of the rafter. Smiling she found their targets only way out.

“Hey Applejack, I found the ladder!”

“You’ve found it!” She spoke with joy looking up at her friend.

“No I found the ladder, ladder.” Fluttershy replied holding up the object in question.

Applejack bowed her head. Seeing her friend’s reaction, Fluttershy quickly replied.

“Hey he can’t be far, we have his only way out!...”

A loud crack resounded throughout the barn. The barn shook causing both fillies to shake with fright. They heard a boyish scream sound off as well as wooden and metal objects falling to the ground. Fluttershy whipped her head around to see a good sized hole in the rafter. Steeping closer to the hole, Fluttershy looked down into it. At the bottom laid a red colt looking dazed and confused, his head nodded back and forth as a little blood seeped from his brow.

Both Fluttershy and Applejack look at the scene with worry. Applejack nervously ran to the door of the barn.

“PA, MAC HURT HIMSELF!”

Mac lay on the couch, a bag of ice laid on top of his head. Bandages wrapped around his head and right hoof. Several pillows were under him, supporting him in a semi upright position. Mac lazily moved his head to see Fluttershy and his sister playing with some toys they had dragged from Applejack’s room.

Next to the fire place sat his mother, Autumn Gold. She sat reading a book. On his mother’s right sat his grandmother, Granny Smith who had fallen asleep while knitting her seventh scarf of the day.

With a sigh Mac moved slightly to get into a comfortable position. A sharp pain ran up his lower leg. With a whimper he laid back down.

Hearing her son’s discomfort, Autumn Gold looked at her son.

“You need me to get you some medicine, sweetie?”

Mac looked at his mother, quickly drying his tears way. He was a colt and colts don’t cry. Nodding his head his mother let out a chuckle and got up. Mac heard his mother’s chuckle but the giggels coming from his sister and friend made him frown.

“Whats so funny!” he moaned looking at his sister and Fluttershy.

Both Fluttershy and Applejack held a hoof to their lips.

“Yer crying!” Applejack giggled.

“Well yer cry too when its dark and yer need a candle next ter your bed too sleep!”

Applejack let out a huff.

“Hey that’s not… true…” Applejack dropped her head and looked away from her brother. Fluttershy let out a giggle at the sibling’s banter.

“Ok children stop this nonsense, here sweetie, take this.” Autumn Gold replied giving her son a cup of apple juice and two red pills.

Mac took the drink and the pills. With one swift motion he downed the pills. With a little burp, he placed the cup on the night stand next to the couch. Autumn Gold smiled and looked down at the fillies playing with their dolls.

“So what are you two playing?” Autumn Gold asked as she got down on the floor with them.

“We’re playing knights.” Fluttershy spoke up. “Mr. Angle Bunny is the king and he’s trying to save the queen, Daisy.” She pointed too one of Applejack’s stuffed animals; the stuff dog doll with a happy smile on its face.

“But there are evil bears that are in the way but King Angle Bunny and his armies are gonna save the day.” Applejack proclaimed holding up a wooden army pony, wearing the armor of a private from the Earthen Army.

Mac looked at the toy and his eyes grew wide. How did he not notice his own toys, Applejack and Fluttershy had five of his action figures.

“Hey those are my action figures!” Mac pointed an accusing hoof at the fillies.

“Their Angel Bunny's soldiers!’ Fluttershy huffed. Applejack crossed her arms, agreeing with Fluttershy.

Autumn Gold put a hoof up too her temple and shook her head.

‘Will they ever get along?’ She thought.

Then like a saving grace, she heard her husband walk from the kitchen into the living room with wonderful news.

“Suppers ready!”

Three hours passed since supper. Applejack and Fluttershy were in the restroom brushing their teeth. As they brushed their teeth, they made goofy faces in the mirror causing them to laugh and spit out some of the tooth paste onto the mirror, which intern made them laugh even more.

Autumn Gold looked at the fillies brushing their teeth and let out a laugh of her own. When her husband came home, he told her that their daughter had made a friend and that he couldn’t say no to their daughter’s plea of having her friend come over for a sleepover. So when Autumn Gold met her daughter’s new friend, she was shocked at first that Fluttershy was a pegasus. She knew there was a pegasus that had moved into their town and married a stallion a while back, she just didn’t expect her daughter would make friends with their child.

“Out of all the fillies in town.” She had thought too herself.

Seeing that the fillies where done with their brushing she guided them too Applejack’s room. Before they entered, Applejack and Fluttershy ran into Mac’s room and dog piled on top of him. Autumn Gold heard her son’s grunts of frustration as his sore muscles were once again agitated by Applejack’s and Fluttershy’s hugs. Autumn Gold couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

After their hug the fillies ran into Applejack’s room and jumped into her bed. Fluttershy laid near the wall on the right side of the wall from Autumn Gold’s perspective. Applejack took the left side next to her night stand.

While Fluttershy messed with her pillow and set Mr. Angle Bunny next herself, while Applejack wiggled around to get comfortable. Autumn Gold sat next to the bed, taking out a book entitled ‘Into the Wonderland.' Looking at the fillies, Autumn Gold noticed both of them looking at her with interested eyes gazing at the book she held her hooves; each of them holding their favorite doll against their chests.

Autumn Gold smiled as she cleared her throat. She slowly read the story to the fillies. The tale of two young friends going on a magical and wacky adventure throughout a land created from their dreams soothed the active minds the fillies. Slowly Applejack and Fluttershy started too nod off. When Autumn Gold got too the second chapter, she heard soft snores. Pulling her gaze from the book she saw Applejack and Fluttershy cured up in a fetal position; their foreheads touching each other. Autumn Gold smiled as she set down the book.

Core Seed slowly walked into the room to see his daughter and her friend sleeping comfortably. Walking up too his wife, he laid a hoof on her shoulder.

“Mac’s asleep sugar-cube.” Core Seed whispered. His wife gave a hum as she laid her head on his hoof. “I’m so glad our sugar-cube found a friend today.” He whispered.

Autumn nodded her head and rubbed a cheek against her husband’s.

“Let’s get too bed, I have a feeling these two will be very active in the morning.”

Core Seed nodded. Autumn lit a candle for Applejack. Making their way to the door, she shut off the light and shut the door behind them. When the door came to a close, Applejack slowly opened her eyes. She looked at the dimly lit Fluttershy, who was softly snoring. Tapping Fluttershy on the fore head, Applejack waited for her friend to awaken. Slowly Fluttershy woke up.

“What’s the matter Applejack?” Fluttershy asked looking at her friend with tired eyes.

Applejack gave a big smile.

“I just want to say that I’m so glad that we’re friends.”

Fluttershy looked and at her friend and smiled.

“Friends for life?” Fluttershy asked.

Applejack nodded her head and pulled Fluttershy into a hug.

“Friends fer life!”