fLuTtEr

Author: Annonymouse
MLP:FiM is property of Hasbro. This is a free fan-fiction, not to be sold or traded for any money, goods or services.
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WARNING: GRIMDARK. Contains graphic writing. Please do not read if you do not like gory violent stories concerning MLP. Contains murder, slaughter, vore and swearing (like this last one really matters, lol).
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fLuTtEr
tEn
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Holed up in the small cabin on the ground, within view of Rainbow Dash's lovely cloud home, a certain yellow Pegasus Pony was starting to get annoyed, but hid it behind her calm, and gentle facade.

(Damn you Dashie. I need to get out and find food for my baby. He must have finished off Carrot Top by now and must be hungry.) She smiled at some of the animals she was caring for at the moment.

A glance out the window told her it was only late afternoon.

(Tonight, I have to go out and hunt. Maybe in Maneboro to the south. I haven't hunted there yet.)

Rising to her hooves, Fluttershy walked to the front door and peeked out. She knew it would take only a couple hours flight to the small village, as she had taken that trip on occasion in the past.

“Hey Shy.” Dash's voice called out as the cyan and rainbow pony landed a few lengths away. “Remember when you said you knew how to fly like a hawk? Think you could show me? There's plenty of daylight left to burn, and I'm bored.”

Fluttershy whimpered a little. “I... I only know how they can fly.”

“You said you knew how to fly like a falcon. Come on. It'll be fun.”

Fluttershy sighed inside. There was no getting away from her 'forceful' friend at times like this. Still, she had to at least try. “I don't know... I'm so worried about what happened to Carrot Top. What if whatever took her comes after us while we're flying?”

“Yea, as if anything could catch me in the air at any time, and if you can fly like a falcon, then you'll be impossible to catch too.” Dash was really pushing her luck.

(Damn it Dashie... You're just pissing me off now.) “Well...”

“And besides, I'll protect you.”

“Alright... If you really want me too.”

Dash grinned and spread her wings. “Come on, let's go.”

Fluttershy followed Rainbow Dash into the sky. The pair finally reached cloud height, and Fluttershy settled down on a cloud.

Dash landed next to her friend, fluttering her wings before folding them. “This would be the perfect morning if it wasn't for all this strange and horrible stuff happening.” The rainbow maned mare sighed. “I can't wait for Twi to get back. We'll find whatever has been doing this and deal with it really fast.”

(Not likely my friend. Not if I have any say about it...)

“You know.” Dash suddenly stated. “It's strange. This seems to have started all shortly after you got stung just before spring.”

Fluttershy's ears perked up. “Why do you say that?”

“I dunno.” Dash eyed her friend. “I mean, you got stung. Not long after, Angel dies. Puddle Jumper goes missing. About that time we find that skeleton. I've also been hearing stories about ponies disappearing off the roads along the Everfree. And that Pegasus from Trottingham. I knew Crash back in Cloudsdale, and he was a hell of a fighter. His home was not far from the Everfree Forest.”

“Yes, it's all horrible.” Fluttershy whimpered, looking away. (What are you getting at Dashie?)

“And oddly, you live right on the edge of the forest but you haven't been touched. Kinda odd, isn't it?”

“Maybe I'm just lucky so far.” Fluttershy replied.

Dash sighed. “Fluttershy, we've known each other all our lives. I know when something is wrong with you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I've been by your place a few times at night to check up on you, these last few weeks...”

“You have?”

“Yea, and you were not home all those times.”

Fluttershy glanced up at Dash, but said nothing.

“Oddly, those were nights that I've heard ponies have disappeared.”

(Shit... Of all the ponies to figure something out... I didn't want to hurt Dashie, but I might have too.) “What were you doing out on those nights?”

“Checking up on you Shy. I'm always worried about you. You're like my little sister after all.” Dash nuzzled Fluttershy's chin. “I'd hate to think you might be the next one to go missing.”

“I'm staying with you now. I'll be fine.” Fluttershy nuzzled back. “I know you can protect me.”

Dash nuzzled her a little more. “But... I need to know... Are you trying to find this thing on your own?”

(Oh Dashie... I'm relieved to hear you say that.)

“Or are you somehow involved?”

(Damn it.) “How could I be involved? I'm not strong or tough. You know I'd never hurt another living creature.”

“Would you?” Dash looked oddly serious. “Come on Fluttershy, this is Rainbow Dash your talking too. You know you can tell me anything.”

Fluttershy stood up suddenly. “Dashie? If you want to know, catch me.” She ran and jumped off the cloud, vanishing from view.

Dash blinked. “What the hay?” She rushed after Fluttershy and dove after her. Ahead of her, Fluttershy was diving for the ground, her wings partially folded, allowing her maximum falling speed, but perfect control.

(A falcon dive? That's a dangerous stunt.) Dash thought as she folded her wings the same way and focused on her friend. She could clearly see Fluttershy's wings, and again, just like that one time, they looked odd. (How can she fold her wings like that? She's diving faster than me too...) She flapped her wings to build speed.

Without warning, Fluttershy spread her wings and pulled up at a very sharp angle.

Dash couldn't believe that move and tried to pulled up to match the yellow Pegasus. (Falcon wings?) She could see hem clearly, even as Fluttershy caught an up draft and shot up past Dash, gaining height rapidly.

Her own wings flared out and caught the same up draft, yet Fluttershy was gaining altitude even faster.

(This is impossible. Fluttershy's always been a weak flier... How can she have gotten so good without me noticing? Has she been going out at night and practising?) Dash shook that thought from her head. That was impossible. There was no way that Fluttershy could have gotten so good in such a short time.

Fluttershy banked and weaved, moving with amazing grace, speed and agility.

Dash knew she was faster if given the right circumstances. She flapped harder and started to gain on Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy, what's going on with you?” Dash called out.

Fluttershy didn't answer as she lead Rainbow Dash over the Everfree Forest. (Come get me Dashie. I know you're a strong flier, but now, so am I.) She flapped, gaining speed before diving, her wings flapping to push her speed even further.

(What he hell is she thinking?) Dash rolled and dove, gaining a quick burst of speed. She took aim at Fluttershy and flapped as fast as she could. Even as she could feel a certain pressure building, Fluttershy kept out of reach.

Dash gasped as the air started to form a cone around Fluttershy.

Tears poured from Dash's eyes from the wind pressure alone, as the air started forming into a cone around her.

(She can't be thinking of pulling of a sonic rainboom. It's hard enough for me to do.) Dash pressed the speed, feeling the cone narrow, and watched as Fluttershy's narrowed as well, and her friend was still gaining speed in her dive.

Fluttershy gave one more flap and folded her wings into the falcon dive, and pierced the sound barrier.

It was a beautiful sight, the ring of soft pink radiating out with the loud boom.

A moment later, Dash pulled through the barrier herself. The twin rings radiating out in such an awe inspiring display, assuming there was anypony around to be so inspired.

Dash was blinded momentarily from flying through Fluttershy's contrail and sonic burst. She couldn't see anything but pink.

She spread her wings and tried to pull up, not wanting to crash into the ground, but something struck her back and wings, hard. She screamed as she felt feathers get ripped out from one wing, throwing off her attempt at controlling her flight.

She spun out of control, the world spinning around her as her vision cleared.

The last thing Rainbow Dash saw before hitting the trees was a strange yellow Pegasus Pony with red and black mane and tail, and brightly glowing red eyes.
...

Flutter flew down and examined Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash had crashed into a spear thorn tree, with expected results. The blue Pony had been impaled brutally on several spear length thorns.

“Poor Rainbow Dash. Such a horrible accident.” The cruel creature laughed. She then heard Dash cough and felt hot blood splatter on one of her legs. “Oh? Still alive?”

Dash looked into the eyes of this monster. “What...” She coughed again. One of her lungs had been pierced, and her coughing brought up more blood. Her entire body was in agony.

“Oh my dear, dear Dashie. Don't you even recognize your oldest friend?” Flutter admired her friend.

Both wings pierced by multiple times each. Her abdomen pierced by no less than half a dozen of the thin, needle tipped thorns. There was even some through her legs, four in her chest, and even one piercing her right ear.

“Flutter...” Dash's vision was fading fast.

“Yes. Flutter. I'm not so shy anymore you know.” She grinned. “You know, after you bleed out and die, I think, rather than eating you, I'll have you brought back to Ponyville. We have to mourn your death properly, and seeing you're no Unicorn, you don't have any special memories hidden away. But to make sure nopony can use magic to make your corpse talk, I'll have to make sure there's no head left.”

Dash couldn't believe it. She was going to die, right before a monster that she had always thought was her oldest and dearest friend.

“Dashie? Don't worry. I'll be very distraught. Unfortunately, we WERE attacked and you did sacrifice yourself to save me. How... Loyal.” She laughed in her kind, gentle way.

Dash didn't hear the laughter, her life having left her moments before.
...

Fluttershy came crashing into the center of Ponyville, right outside Rarity's Boutique. The 'poor' mare was covered in small cuts and scratches. She was crying and sobbing hysterically.

Rarity rushed outside and gasped. “Fluttershy? Oh Celestia, what happened to you?”

“R...” Hick. “Rainbow... Dash...” She clung to Rarity and bawled.

Rarity paled. “”What happened to Rainbow Dash? What happened to you?”

“M... Monster. Attacked us...” She hiccoughed a few times. “Dashie... she fought back... I... I flew away.”

“Oh no...” Rarity went stiff. “Where? Where did this happen?”

“Everfree...” She then fell limp, having passed out.
...

Fluttershy lay in Rarity's own bed. The Unicorn Pony didn't care one bit that some blood had gotten on her designer sheets and comforter. A little magic and careful washing and they would be fine.

Rarity tended to the many claw scratches on Fluttershy's body. They were not deep or life threatening, and there was only a few.

(Whatever hurt Fluttershy... These claws were sharp. She's so lucky to have gotten away. I hope Rainbow Dash did as well.) She sighed as she heard the front door to the Boutique slam open.

Rarity came down to see a stern looking Pegasus Pony, wearing the armour of a Royal Guard. “Are you Miss. Rarity?”

“Yes. I am the one who had Spike send the letter to the Princess.”

He nodded. “I need to speak with the witness.”

“She's sleeping. She was totally exhausted from this ordeal.” Rarity remained calm, but her worry was written in her eyes.

“Then bring me to her. I'll wake her and question her. She is the first pony to survive these attacks.”

“I think she should be left to sleep for...”

The Guard glared at Rarity. “We didn't find any clues at the last murder scene. This little pony is our only chance to find out what did this.” He stormed past Rarity and headed up the stairs to the upper floor.

Rarity was very insulted. She remembered this Stallion from his investigation into Carrot Top's disappearance. He was not a pleasant pony to deal with. He had made Fluttershy cry when he had interrogated her. Dash had been very shaken up herself from her own interrogation.

“Where is she?” He spun and glared at Rarity.

“In my room...”

The Pegasus turned and kicked the first door open, revealing rarity's bedroom.

Fluttershy was awake, and string in fright at the door, which was no longer on its hinges.

“YOU!!!” The Guard stormed up to the bed and was in Fluttershy's face. “What attacked you and Rainbow Dash?”

Fluttershy cowered back and nearly fell out of the bed.

“Celestia damn you to hell Mare. Answer my questions her or I will bring you in to Canterlot for questioning.”

Fluttershy did fall out of the bed this time and scurried away, cowering in the corner and crying loudly.

“Stop this at once.” Rarity demanded. “You have no right to burst into my home like this and attack my friend.” Rarity wanted to use her magic and send this uncouth ruffian flying out of her home, even if it cost her a window. Still, he WAS a Royal Guard. To attack him would be a very bad idea.

“I have all the right when it comes to this case.” He turned on Rarity and was right in her face. “I have all the authority of Princess Celestia behind me on this case. I want to know what happened to my Daughter.”

He suddenly froze at his outburst and staggered back.

Rarity had been ready to scream back, her own voice catching in her throat. “Daughter?”

“Dash... Rainbow Dash...” He pulled off his helmet, revealing a striking rainbow mane and white coat. His eyes were a brilliant blue, but filled with anger and pain. “Please... If my daughter was attacked... I... I don't know what I'll do.”

Rarity's own anger faded away. “Sir, please calm down... If you give Fluttershy and myself some time, and if you calm down, maybe we can answer your questions. Fluttershy is a very shy pony, and this attack has shaken her up even more.”

(Oh yes, I am so shaken up. By the time those Ponyville Pegasus Ponies find Dashie's shredded remains, oh, the sight they will behold.) She had wanted to eat Rainbow Dash, but knew better. She didn't need blood on her breath after all, not while playing this game.

“I... I'll wait downstairs... And I'll pay for your door...” Dash's father slowly walked out of the room and down the stairs to wait in the kitchen.

Rarity slowly approached Fluttershy, who was looking even more terrified now than when she had crashed outside the shop.

“Fluttershy? It's alright.”

“Was... Was that...?”

“Rainbow Dash's father.” Rarity knelt down and comforted Fluttershy. “Shh, it'll be ok. Dash must have lived. She's very strong and fast.”

(Oh, she's not so strong now. Well, let's play this little game and see where it takes us.) “I didn't know... Dashie's dad...” She rise shakily to her hooves. “I... I didn't know...” She sobbed again. “Oh Dashie... that monster...”

(Time to throw them off the trail.)
...

Fluttershy followed Rarity into the kitchen. She saw the familiar Pegasus Pony. He was indeed Rainbow Dash's father.

“Sir?” Rarity spoke softly. “Are you alright?”

“No... I'm worried about my daughter. I've always worried, but now I'm worried sick.” He wiped tears from his eyes. He was just a pony after all, not some heartless machine.

“Crystal?” Fluttershy spoke ever so softly as she stepped out. She was still shivering, looking like she was still very nervous.”

“Oh Fluttershy... I'm so sorry I scared you. I... When I was given the letter... Oh Celestia, I thought my heart had stopped. I flew here as fast as I could...” He sat by the table, not making any moves. “Please forgive me.”

Fluttershy nodded and approached. “I... I'm sorry I'm such a coward.”

Crystal nodded. “Can you tell me... what attacked you and my daughter?”

“It... It had red and black mane. It was covered in black scales.” Fluttershy shuddered. “Large black wings, like a dragon's wings. It was larger than a pony... And those eyes... They were red, like blood.” Fluttershy grabbed hold of Rarity and shuddered. “It was a horrible monster. I didn't see it well. Dashie... she saw it and told me to fly. It attacked me, scratching at me, but Dashie attacked it and saved me.” She walked over and sat next to the larger Pegasus. She wrapped a wing over his back. “She's strong... She can't have been killed...”

Crystal hugged Fluttershy back. “I... I believe in Rainbow Dash. I raised her to be strong.”

Rarity smiled a little, even though she was worried. She was glad that this Pegasus was not as mean as she had thought. She could see a lot of him in Rainbow Dash.

A knock came at the front door, shaking all three ponies. Rarity hurried and answered the door.

“Is Captain Dash here?” A lower ranking Royal Guard stood before Rarity, looking almost sick to his stomach.

“Yes he is. Please, come in...” Rarity could feel her heart skip a beat at the sight of his face. This pony had either seen something horrible, or been given the news to deliver.

Captain Crystal Dash stepped out of the back room. “Private Rainsong, what news have you?”

“We... We found Rainbow Dash...” He choked. “Oh Celestia... I... I'm so sorry Captain... I...I'll take you there right away...”
...

Twilight closed yet another thick tome. She glanced at Silence Grave, her only physical company. “So, Silence. Another week to go. I bet you're 'dying' to get out of here as well.” She grinned, small fangs visible.

She levitated all dozen of her personal tomes around her. She stopped at the last one that still had some pages available. “Bring me the Necronomicon Exhaltum. The last book I need to study.”

Silence Grave nodded and flew off to fetch the book.

(Soon. Soon I can get out of here and find out what's been going on these last three bucking months.) She looked at her flank, at her cutie mark, and the four stars that remained. One of them had vanished just this morning.

Still, as worried as she should be, she wasn't. She was more... excited. She wanted to try out her new powers.

Necromancy, she had originally intended to learn a single spell that would let her find the Unicorn skeleton's skull, and hopefully, her horn. But now, she was thinking of other things.

Dark things.
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To Be Continued...
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Author's Note:
Good grief... four false starts, three total rewrites, and four more total overhauls of this entire chapter... I think I've finally gotten past my writers block at he very least. Hope you enjoyed.