Darkness

Fluttershy was stunned, to say the least. Twilight's story had shocked her beyond belief. She never expected Pinkie to be so...sad. "She...cut herself?" She asked, squeezing her eyes half shut. "Yes, she did. And I want to stop her but...she wont let me" Fluttershy's heart started to ache. She knew that she was too busy with the Animals to help her empty friend, but still felt guilty, as if she may have caused it somehow. "I should have been there for her" She said, hanging her head in shame. "No, it's fine. It's not your fault. Pinkie's just...stressed, I guess"

"Why?"

"I don't know. That's what I'm trying to find out" Twilight took a deep breath in, trying to remain calm. "She's not letting up, but I can tell I'm almost there. I just need to persist more"

Fluttershy's eyes widened slightly. "So, you're...annoying her until she tells you what you want?"

"Pretty much" Twilight said shamefully. "it's the only thing I can do. I've talked to Mr and Mrs Cake but they say they have no idea, I've told Princess Celestia but she's never seen anything like this, I even read some books, but..." Twilight's eyes met the cold, mocking ground. "It just wont work...she's tight lipped"

Fluttershy was lost for words. It was like trying to open a box with no lid. She thought to herself, raising her hoof to her chin. "Would you like to talk about this inside?" She asked. She felt it wasn't kind of her to leave Twilight on her doorstep in the rain. "Thank you" The Unicorn said, walking inside. Fluttershy sat down on the couch while Twilight sat next to the fire. Fluttershy thought long and hard about her next question. "Does she like us anymore?" She said, trying not to sound like a Filly.

"Well...yes, I'm...sure she does still like us. She's just forgotten how to show it"

"What do you mean? She's the happiest Pony in Ponyville"

"Not anymore she's not. I wish she was" Twilight looked out of the window into the rainy darkness. "I don't know how, Fluttershy, but I will bring her back to normal. Whether she likes it or not"

Fluttershy stared at her. "I...don't know what to say, Twilight. I had no idea this was happening"

"It's okay. Things like this aren't easy to see unless you look pretty hard. We just...looked too late" Fluttershy scratched the back of her head, pondering over her answer. "So...what can I do to help?" She asked. Twilight looked at her. "I...I don't know. Maybe you could talk to her. You're the expert on kindness"

Fluttershy nodded her head. "Yeah, okay...I'll try"