A limp, panicking Fluttershy flew weakly up to Twilight Sparkle, who was conversing with Princess Luna and Mayor Mare about preparations for the upcoming Nightmare Night festivities.

Twilight noticed her and smiled. "Oh, hey Fluttershy!" Her smile faltered as she noticed Fluttershy's obvious state of panic and erratic flight. "...are you okay?"

Fluttershy made a rasping noise somewhat quieter than her usual frightened squeak.

"Would...you like to tell me what's wrong?" Twilight asked.

Fluttershy nodded and clutched at her neck.

"So...are you gonna tell me what's wrong?"

Fluttershy shook her head and frantically grasped at her neck.

Twilight frowned. "You know I haven't learned how to read minds yet, right?"

Fluttershy dropped weakly to the ground, pawing vigorously at her own throat and rasping wildly.

Luna frowned. "I believe perhaps fair Fluttershy is choking," she said.

Fluttershy nodded frantically.

Twilight's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh!"

"I shall handle this," Luna said. She stepped forward, swept Fluttershy up in her hooves, threw her over her shoulder, and squeezed hard.

With a sharp, violent cough, Fluttershy expelled everything from her lungs and bronchial tubes.

A fat green frog flew out of Fluttershy's mouth, bounced twice on the ground, and spun in place, croaking in confusion and mild anger before hopping off into the brush.

Everypony stared.

Fluttershy took several deep breaths, then gingerly extracted herself from Luna's grasp. "Thank you," she rasped. "Could...could somepony get me some water, please?"

A glass of water appeared out of nowhere, suspended in Luna's aura. Fluttershy drank it slowly.

"I think I saw Zecora over at the flower shop," the Mayor said absently. "I'll...I'll see if she has some of that cough remedy..." She galloped away, casting the occasional confused glance back at Fluttershy.

Twilight stared at her friend. "Uhh...Fluttershy? How did—?"

Derpy swooped down over the group. "Hey Fluttershy, I think I lost a couple of those frogs you wanted me to carry...oh, wow, you don't look so good...you okay?"

Twilight facehoofed.

Author's Note

Inspired by the comments thread on this post.