First Love

The sun had set and the moon had risen. There was not much in the way of light though as it was a waning crescent, headed towards the new moon phase, leaving the castle very dark. Rarity felt very nervous and continued to look around. While her horn did create enough light for her to see Fluttershy, it did not create enough to where they could see any dangers coming their way. While Rarity was nervous, Fluttershy was perfectly calm. This really confused Rarity as she knew how Fluttershy gets when it is dark.

Rarity asked, "Fluttershy, why aren't you nervous? Aren't you worried that something will get us?"

Fluttershy sighed, "Rarity, this castle still has a special energy about it that drives away the wild and dangerous animals. We have nothing to worry about."

Rarity asked, "What about the pony of shadows?"

Fluttershy grunted, "Rarity, the pony of shadows is just an old mares' tale. Just calm down, everything will be fine."

Rarity asked, "But what about........."

Fluttershy snapped, "Look, Unloved Fluttershy is trying to get some rest. Just relax, nothing is going to happen."

Fluttershy laid down and was able to get to sleep fairly quickly despite Rarity continuing to light the room with her horn. Rarity continued to hear noises in the old castle and continued to worry what it was. A bit after midnight Rarity began to hear very faint pipe organ music. She wanted to wake Fluttershy up and hold her but with the mood her friend was in, Rarity knew that doing so might not be in her best interests.

The organ music continued to get louder and louder until Rarity couldn't take it anymore. She walked over to Fluttershy and nudged her. She asked, "Fluttershy, do you hear that?"

Fluttershy snapped, "Can't you see that Unloved Fluttershy is trying to sleep." She perked her ears up and could hear the organ. She continued, "Yes, Unloved Fluttershy hears it." She rolled her eyes and sighed, "Don't worry about it, it's nothing to worry about."

Rarity asked, "What do you think it is?"

Fluttershy replied, "It is probably Pinkie coming out here and playing that thing again." Fluttershy got up and headed towards where the organ was located and continued, "Come on, let's go get her to quit it. Unloved Fluttershy needs her sleep."

Rarity sighed and followed Fluttershy down to the organ room. They looked in and sure enough, there was a figure at the organ playing. This music sounded different than what Pinkie would play. It sounded much darker and more evil. The two sneaked up behind the figure and Fluttershy ripped the cloak off of it. This caused a black mist to go flying out of the room. Rarity shrieked loudly, "THE PONY OF SHADOWS! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!"

Fluttershy sighed, "Rarity, it took off to another part of the castle. It must be more scared of us than we are of it."

Rarity shouted, "Speak for yourself Fluttershy! I don't care anymore, I'm going home."

Fluttershy sneered, "Unloved Fluttershy figured as much. She knew you didn't really love her like you claim you do."

Rarity began to cry, "Fluttershy darling, what has happened to you? You're not even the same pony I have known for so long. You're not the same pony that I do secretly love. It seems like in less than a day you have went from being shy and timid to brash and overly brave."

Fluttershy snapped, "Well getting yelled at and getting kicked out of bed will do that to a pony." She headed over to the organ and began to play the same tune the pony of shadows was playing. She screamed, "Just leave Unloved Fluttershy alone! She knows you don't love her so go back to the safety of your precious bed! Maybe Fancy Ass or Trenderpuke will come visit you sometime!"

Despite the fact that Fluttershy's nastiness was getting worse, Rarity continued to hope that time would cause Fluttershy to calm down. She replied, "Fluttershy sweetness, I've come to realize who is really important. I know they don't want me but I know that you do. I do truly love you so I'm not going anywhere."

Fluttershy snapped, "Oh, what happened to you not caring anymore? What happened to you going home?" Fluttershy then thought more about what else her friend said. She continued, "Oh, so if one of those fancy ass stallions were interested in you, you would say 'oh buck you Fluttershy, I'm going to hook up with this idiot?'" She kicked the organ so hard that she did some damage to the front leg of it. She continued, "You do know that they would just use you don't you? You know that Unloved Fluttershy would always be there for you don't you?"

Rarity began to cry further, "I can't take it anymore! Either you stop being so awful or I'm leaving!"

Fluttershy sneered, "Oh so you can't make up your mind now, can't you? If you don't want anything to do with Unloved Fluttershy just say so. Unloved Fluttershy is getting sick of this."

Rarity hugged Fluttershy and broke down, "Ok Fluttershy, I'll tell you the truth. The reason I haven't pursued you is because I'm afraid of what everypony would think about me hooking up with another mare."

Fluttershy asked, "Seriously? You're worried about what other ponies would think about you being with another mare? Why?"

Rarity replied, "Well there are no other same gender relationships in Ponyville." Rarity had a thought rush through her mind and continued, "Fluttershy, why didn't you pursue me sooner than you did? Were you worried about what other ponies would think too?"

Fluttershy replied, "No, Unloved Fluttershy was scared of how you would react. She was afraid that you would reject her, which you obviously did."

Rarity sighed, "Fluttershy darling, I have told you many times that it was just a reaction that resulted from being shocked. I wish you would understand that."

Fluttershy yawned, "Rarity, how about we just drop this for the night? Unloved Fluttershy is tired and needs her sleep."

The two headed up to the room they were in earlier and just like earlier, Fluttershy was able to get to sleep quickly while Rarity continued to toss and turn on the floor. This time though it was not noises that were keeping her awake, it was the realization that she may have not only lost any chance of winning back Fluttershy's love, but that she may have even lost her as a friend.