The Blacklit Tale of Fighter Shy

THE BLACKLIT TALE OF FIGHTER SHY
Chapter one: standing up
Written by TheCrimsonDM

A few weeks have passed since the mugging incident inside Manehattan. At first everypony was exceedingly worried about Fluttershy and Rarity. Though after a while things began approaching normal again. Something however was wrong inside of Fluttershy. She had become increasingly angry, she was also easily agitated now, but the worst thing for her was that no matter what she did, she couldn’t find any satisfaction.

After nearly yelling at Pinkie Pie over a silly mistake, Fluttershy finally decided that she needed help. She had asked Twilight Sparkle for help with her anger issues, and Twilight joyously accepted. That is why she now lay on her back, on Twilight’s couch. With Twilight at her side, Twilight wore her hair in a bun.

Twilight held a clipboard and a pen with her magic as she asked. “Tell me Fluttershy, what are you feeling right now?”

Fluttershy looked deep inside herself for the answer and said. “Unsettled. I feel like I need to be doing something, but I’m not sure what. And it makes me angry to…not know myself.”

Twilight wrote something on the clipboard and then asked. “Do you feel angry often because of this?”

Fluttershy closed her eyes and said. “I’m always angry anymore, I-I’m just so angry inside and I want to explode…”

She could hear Twilight writing something down, then Twilight asked. “What other things have been making you angry?”

Fluttershy didn’t know where to start, so many things made her angry. She took a deep breath and then let it all out in a single breath. “Rarity is prettier than me, Applejack still has a family, Pinkie Pie is happier than me, Rainbow Dash is better than me, and You’re a genius….and I’m nothing.”

Twilight sat the clipboard down and walked over to Fluttershy who was beginning to shake from all the inner torment. Twilight gave Fluttershy a hug and helped her calm down. Twilight then said. “You’re not nothing. You are the kindest pony I know, and you’re one of my best friends….I think you just need to do something to make yourself feel worthwhile again.”

Fluttershy would have loved to give Twilight a hug back, but right now all she could do was think about how being kind was the only thing she had. She pushed Twilight away gently and said. “Is that all I am? The kind pony? The gentle pony? The pushover?” with her anger rising she sat up and said. “What has kindness gotten me? A scar on the back of my head, and Rarity hurt? Is that all I can do?” She began flapping her wings and hovering in the air she said. “Screw that. I won’t be a pushover when all it does is get my friend’s hurt. I could take all the pain for everypony, but I can’t let them be hurt.”

Twilight looked a little shocked at Fluttershy’s actions. Twilight then said. “And what are you going to do?”

Fluttershy looked at Twilight and gave her a smile and said. “I’m going to be…assertive.” And with that Fluttershy was done here, she flew out the window much like Rainbow Dash would have, only she liked to think she added a touch of grace to her flying that Rainbow lacked. She then flew into the sky. Wind rushing by her she made a commitment to change herself into something better than she had been in the past. She could be assertive, and strong, and still be kind to her friends. It would just take balance…there was no time for self doubt, she had to do something.

***

Fluttershy met up with Rarity later that day at the boutique. Rarity had some new pop song by Sapphire Shores being played in the background, while she worked on a new dress for her winter line of clothing. It was near the end of fall and winter would be arriving soon. Fluttershy stood back watching her work and making small talk.

Fluttershy had a hard time looking at Rarity’s face anymore. It wasn’t that Rarity was ugly, far from it. It was the bandage that Rarity always wore over the scar she had gotten in Manehattan. Fluttershy felt so guilty over it, but Rarity still offered her friendship. The element of kindness would be better worn on Rarity then by Fluttershy.

Rarity gave a concerned look towards Fluttershy and asked. “How are you doing darling?”

Fluttershy gave her a false smile and said. “I’m okay.” She gave it a second and said more excitedly. “In fact I’m doing awesome.”

Rarity let out a small laugh and said. “Wow, it sounds like we’ve got a new contender for the next Rainbow Dash.”

Fluttershy replied. “Oh my no, I don’t want to be Rainbow Dash. I want to be better then Rainbow Dash.”

Rarity gave her a more serious expression and asked. “Oh do explain.”

Fluttershy happily explained. “Well, I’m usually a pushover. And I used to enjoy that, I really did. But ever since Manehattan I’ve been thinking that I need to be…something more. So I’m going to try and be more assertive.” At Rarities worried expression Fluttershy added. “Oh but nothing like last time, that was horrible of me to do those things to you girls. I’m only trying to be…important.”

Rarity stopped working on the dress and gave a caring smile to Fluttershy. She then said. “But you are important. To all of us…especially to me.”

Something felt off about how Rarity said that last sentence but Fluttershy couldn’t put her hoof on what it was. Fluttershy stood up and said. “I know that I’m important to you girls, but I want to be important to other ponies as well.”

Rarity pouted for a moment and then said. “But what are you going to do?”

Fluttershy had no clue as to what she was going to do, in fact she hadn’t even really considered it. She then admitted. “I don’t know…”

Rarity thought for a moment and said. “You could try doing something with your love for animals.”

Fluttershy thought about this idea for a few minutes, letting Rarity continue working in silence. She would have loved to do something with them, but unfortunately she had known something about herself for a while now. It was something that made this very hard for her. Fluttershy finally said. “Whatever I do, it can’t involve animals.”

Rarity looked over to Fluttershy with a shocked expression as she asked. “Why?”

Fluttershy closed her eyes and explained. “I…I don’t have the best intentions for taking care of my animals. I...I think it’s just a way for me to feel like I’m loved, because I…I’ve been so lonely before I met you girls.”

Rarity gave her a sad smile and said. “Darling, it’s okay. I was lonely before as well. I always wanted to join the upper class ponies, but…since becoming friends with you all, I’ve learned that true friendship beats all.” She then gave a nervous cough and said. “Especially…close friends like you…and me…”

Fluttershy began to get that awkward feeling from her again. Fluttershy had noticed that ever since the Manehattan incident whenever she spent time alone with Rarity, things ended up getting weird. Fluttershy looked away from Rarity who was now wearing a small blush, and then she said. “I know that we all had social problems before meeting Twilight, but I just feel like whatever I do to make myself important has to be…new, exciting, and from inside.”

Rarities blush turned deeper and she said. “I..uh…um…I guess if you really wanted…I could help you with that.”

Fluttershy ignored the awkwardness and rushed toward Rarity overjoyed to have such a good friend, Fluttershy embraced Rarity and said. “Thank you so much. I might need a lot of help. You really are a great friend.”

Rarity smiled but looked a little down after Fluttershy finished speaking. Rarity then said. “I’d do anything for you.”

The rest of their time together stayed between friendly small talk, and awkward moments. Fluttershy wasn’t sure what was wrong with Rarity, but she assumed it had something to do with the attack. Fluttershy hoped that it was nothing serious.

***

Later that day Fluttershy was spending time with Rainbow Dash and watching her perform acrobatic feats in the air. Fluttershy was always excited to watch Rainbow Dash performing, and she secretly wished that she could do the same kind of things. Unfortunately she was never a very good flier. Sure she could move fast in short bursts, but over the long haul it was hard for her to keep up. Endurance was a weak spot for her.

Rainbow Dash finally landed on the hillside that Fluttershy had been watching from. Fluttershy watched Rainbow Dash walk over and sit next to her. Rainbow Dash then laid on the back, stretched her leg’s out and said. “Enjoy the show?”

Fluttershy felt her face warm up a little as she looked away and said. “Of course. I…um always enjoy…watching you.”

Rainbow Dash looked up at her with a grin on her face. Rainbow Dash then said. “Oh is that right? Then maybe I should let you watch me do something a little more entertaining.”

Fluttershy felt her face going red, Rainbow Dash always liked to tease her like this, it wasn’t very nice. Fluttershy decided that if she was going to change who she was, she needed to be more assertive. Fluttershy looked right at Rainbow Dash, and building up her courage she began to say. “Well if that’s what you really wa-,” she stopped suddenly and squeaked as all her courage suddenly dissipated.

Rainbow Dash blushed a little herself and said. “Well…that was…different.” She then smiled a little and said. “Tell you what, if you really want me, all you have to do is kiss me.” She closed her eyes pouted her lips and stuck her head out towards Fluttershy.

Fluttershy gave out another squeak and jumped back. She was not that assertive, at least not yet. Rainbow Dash opened her eyes and took one look at Fluttershy before breaking out into laughter. The thought occurred to Fluttershy that Rainbow Dash had been toying with her, Rainbow Dash had to know how Fluttershy felt about her. Fluttershy turned away from Rainbow Dash and feeling an odd mixture of pain and anger building inside her, she walked away.

Rainbow Dash only continued laughing as Fluttershy walked away. For some reason the fact that Rainbow Dash didn’t notice her leaving hurt her more. And the more hurt she felt, the more angry she got. She needed to find somewhere to calm down.

***

Fluttershy thought about how many times she had tried to tell Rainbow Dash about her feelings, and how many times she had failed. Rainbow Dash always teased her with pretend kisses, and with flirtatious behavior. Did Rainbow Dash even know how much it tormented Fluttershy’s sensitive hart? She was just lucky that Rainbow Dash was only teasing her like this in private.

Fluttershy continued thinking along these lines for a while before she finally looked around herself and realized she had been walking away from Ponyville. In fact she was a good ways away from Ponyville now. Looking around she fearfully realized just how far away she had wondered.

There was a sudden cry of pain from somepony somewhere in the woods near her, and Fluttershy jumped back out of fear. She stood very still listening to the sounds for a few seconds and she nearly screamed when she heard another cry from the distance. She needed to go get help, somepony in Ponyville could help out. Maybe Twilight, and then she could hide somewhere as everything was fixed.

Fluttershy instantly crushed those idea’s, she couldn’t let others do things for her. Not anymore, new Fluttershy had to go and be brave, whoever was in pain needed help. And she was the only pony who could help them. Maybe she could be a hero, just like Rainbow Dash?

Fluttershy took a deep breath and released it along with her fears. Then she walked into the woods looking for the injured pony. She was going to save them, because she was awesome.

She continued walking until she found a small clearing where she saw two mare’s fighting, a blue earth pony with black mane, and a yellow earth pony with a red mane.. The blue pony had the other one pinned down on their belly and held their leg in between her hooves. With a sudden twist the blue one broke the yellow pony’s leg, causing her to scream in pain and terror.

Fluttershy knew she couldn’t just sit and watch as the yellow mare was tortured like this. The blue pony made her way to the yellow mare’s other leg and picked it up. Fluttershy jumped into the air and charged towards the blue pony. The blue earth pony grinned madly as she tightened her grip on her victim’s leg. Fluttershy then punched the blue pony in the face. The blue pony went flying back a few feet and landed on her side.

Fluttershy looked at the yellow pony and noticed that two of her legs were bleeding terribly from being broken. Fluttershy turned her gaze to the blue one who was now standing and she looked very angry. The blue one then said angrily. “You stupid slut, what do you think you’re even doing?”

Fluttershy gave her response in the form of a hoof blow to the face. The blue mare rocked back from the blow. Fluttershy took another swing, and hit nothing but air. The blue one had ducked at the last second going underneath Fluttershy’s attack. Moving under Fluttershy the blue one wrapped both of her forelegs around Fluttershy’s waist. She then lifted Fluttershy into the air and then leaned back slamming Fluttershy’s head into the hard earth behind her.

Fluttershy lay there for a few seconds feeling numb. Her head didn’t hurt but then again she couldn’t feel much of anything. The blue mare walked around Fluttershy and said. “Now you’re gonna get the same treatment bitch.”

Fluttershy’s head began to clear, and pain came rushing into her entire body. She felt one of her rear leg’s being grabbed and lifted into the air. Fluttershy knew exactly what was going to happen, and she wasn’t going to allow it. Fluttershy began flapping her wings furiously and shot into the air. The blue mare held on for a few seconds before losing her grip and falling.

Fluttershy looped in the air and flew back to the ground towards her opponent. She gained speed and momentum before she punched the blue mare in the face. The force of her blow along with the gained momentum sent the blue mare down to the ground hard.

Fluttershy landed near her and felt a twinge of pain in her rear leg, the blue mare’s grip must have caused a sprain in her leg. She walked very carefully over to the blue mare that was lying on the ground curled into a ball. The blue mare was crying from the gash in her head. Fluttershy felt excitement coursing through her entire body as she looked at her defeated opponent.

Fluttershy realized then that she had been the one to do this, she had been the one to defeat a pony in battle. With no help from her friends she had finally done something by herself. No more pitty for Fluttershy, because she was now awesome. Fluttershy looked down at the blue pony and still running off the combat high she put a hoof over the defeated mare’s head. Fluttershy began pressing her hoof down and said. “If you ever try and do this crap again I’m going to break you. All of you. Do you understand me you…bitch.”

Fluttershy felt a little naughty and giddy from using the swear word. Her excitement only increased as the blue mare nodded in understanding. She was in a position of power over somepony, and if felt good. Fluttershy looked over to the where the yellow mare was and realized that she still needed help.

Walking over to her Fluttershy leaned down next to her. She could smell urine from where the mare had wet herself. After having two legs broken like that, anypony was bound to lose bladder control. Fluttershy noted that one foreleg, and one rear leg had been broken on the yellow mare. Fluttershy then asked softly. “How are you holding up?”

The yellow mare had a very soft voice almost like Fluttershy’s as she spoke. “Shitty,” sniff, “my legs…I can’t walk. I can’t fight.”

Fluttershy brushed the red hair out of her face and looked into the ponies red eyes. Fluttershy then asked. “I’m Fluttershy, what’s your name?”

She was crying as she said. “My names, Carmine Savant. I’m also known as the Crimson Fighter in the arena.”

Fluttershy looked back to where the blue mare was still lying; she was just out of ear shot of the two of them. Fluttershy then asked. “What’s the arena?”

Carmine Savant explained through her tears. “It’s where ponies go to fight each other, I’m pretty good at it…or at least I was. This stupid slut decided to ruin my chance in the competition, and without a replacement I’m screwed. Ten thousand bits, all gone now.”

Fluttershy was shocked to hear about that a fighting competition existed, and that the prize was so high. Fluttershy took a good look at Carmine Savant, and then at herself. They had the same color of fur, their manes were close in length, although it looked like Carmine’s was not as taken care of. Carmine’s cutie mark was a set of three moths. In a similar fashion to her own.

Fluttershy began thinking of a crazy plan, one that could be on the level of Rainbow Dash’s crazy. Fluttershy then asked. “So you need a replacement?”