The Endless Summer Sun Celebration

After leaving the throne room Twilight let Fluttershy lead and tried to talk to her as they walked the paths out of the castle, "Uh, Fluttershy, I-I don't know what's happening to you, but no matter what, where or when I'm here for you."

"Oh, Twilight, if you could only know what it's like. I haven't felt happiness for days now, every day I wake up in my bed with Angel looking at me angrily wanting food, and then the bird spills my tea if I forget to close the window, Rarity is rude, Pinkie is - Pinkie, and you make Spike write checklists until he can't move his claws. Except for a few changes that happen when I pull one of you aside."

Perking up Twilight had an idea, "Fluttershy, that's it! You're the only one who knows things change, none of us do."

"Yeah, so what good is that?"

"Well, if you can find how to make a big enough change, maybe you can change the rules of the day and find out the riddles answer! All you have to do is keep making changes with us until something happens. Then, you can just figure out what love has to do with it and voila, you're out. Tomorrow is today and life goes on.' Twilight had stopped walking to listen to herself talk and was feeling very proud. She looked around and didn't see Fluttershy, "uh, Fluttershy, where'd you go?"

Fluttershy took to the air as soon as she heard Twilight stop walking, knowing that the ideas would be useless to her. Why me, and why can't the princesses help me. With four of them they should have some magic spell in their horns that should be able to stop this from happening. Celestia didn't even try anything. This is so frustrating, why. Why? "WHY" she shouted at a volume beyond what she was capable. She began coughing as she flew toward Ponyville.

"No magic is going to stop this. I don't know what that stupid riddle means and the advice I got was as useless as thinking of tomorrow happening."

She looked at the view, admiring its beauty and closed her eyes, feeling the breeze against her mane, "I can do this."

She flew to Ponyville and landed at her cottage, went in and went back to bed.

Dear Friends,

I'm sorry to leave you like this, but I have been cursed and can not live this day any longer. I have consulted the greatest users of magic in the world and none of them can help me. I hope you can understand. Your friend always, -Fluttershy

Flying higher and higher above Ponyville Fluttershy didn't bother to think anything yet, she didn't want to cower out. This was what had to be done, for her friends and her loved ones to see tomorrow.

The wind had stopped, the air became biting cold and her breaths became shorter as she stopped and looked down.

I wonder how many other ponies have come this high? Why would they, there's nothing up here, no clouds, little air, it's cold even though the sun is right above me."

She folded her wings and began to fall.

It was a sensation she hadn't felt since training in her youth in Cloudsdale, the air began to thicken and all she could hear was a heavy loud 'Whoosh' as she closed her eyes, she moved her body slightly angling herself head first toward the ground, the air stinging her scalp as she fell.

I hope tomorrow will be a glorious day. I wonder where I'll land, probably in the Everfree forest. I'll be gobbled by some beast that is hungry, and in my last action, I'll still have helped a poor critter. I feel clouds, only a few more seconds."

Opening her eyes to see where she was going to land, head first to end her suffering, she saw... the library. "Oh no-"

"What in tarnation was that?" Applejack said.

"What are you talkin about, AJ?" Rainbow Dash asked puzzled.

"Well, if you ever walked anymore the ground just shook for a quick second like an apple tree fell over."

"Oh, for Petes sake, you use country-isms like they're the only way to speak, you still don't have the class that a manager/owner should have," Rarity said, obviously trying to start another argument for fun .

"Okay, let's not start, it was just a bump, don't worry abo-" Twilights comment was cut short by a scream from outside.

Bursting through the door the group ran to the source and stopped dead in their tracks... None of them could speak or move while they stared at the horrific sight before them.

"Angel?" Fluttershy asked as she looked at the upset bunny on her chest, she felt numb.

Fluttershy stood at the edge of the forest with her saddle bags on as she walked into the darkness and shade.

Her saddle bags were full of dried fish she was saving for various bears. She went into the forest and began singing loudly to the trees that lined her path into the darkening brush.

"Grrrrrr"

"Oh, a manticore. How lovely to meet you, my name is Fluttershy and I am a pony that has a gift for you," she said with a smile as she walked closer to the beast. It could understand her but said nothing in return; a gift from a meal is still a gift so it waited as she walked slowly. She stopped and pulled out a fish and tossed it to the creature who hopped and caught it before it hit the ground, slobbering as it swallowed it hole.

More, it said.

"Oh, of course, it's in my bags right here. Just, let me get them for you," she reached and pulled six out and dropped them at her feet, then eight from her other pack and scattered them around her, "I'm in the way, please, move me so you can eat the fish."

You are in my way. Move. it said as it bore it's teeth.

Fluttershy lowered her head and laid down, it could hear her whimper.

YOU WILL MOVE. It commanded as it approached, mere feet from her now, OR I WILL DO AS YOU ASK AND MOVE YOU.

The manticore wasted no more time as to lowered its mouth to Fluttershys head, she shook in fear and she felt her heart beating as the heat from it's mouth and drool began coating her head and neck.

It smelled her fear then it backed up looking at her confused, "I remember you, from years ago. You helped me when I was in pain. Now you offer me food and your life. I do not understand.

"Please, I need you to kill me. If you don't I'll find another who will. I'm in pain, please, help me."

That is not our way. You can not simply request death at my paws, I will eat what you offer and leave you to the timberwolves.

Fluttershy began crying as the manticore ate the fish, moving her aside as it needed, then left.

I really believed this would work. I guess I have to find a timberwolf, Fluttershy said as she got up and smelled herself, I reek of fish, that should help.

Walking back through the forest she began singing again, louder than before as she flapped her wings, spreading her scent around.

Hours passed and nothing stirred that could harm her. She was getting tired and hungry and was losing hope as the sun set, "Where are all you monsters?!?" she shouted, her voice breaking as the sun completely set.

She heard a rumbling beneath her and felt the vibrations making her body tremble as the ground behind her burst open revealing a gigantic creature that could have been a snake or at least related to one. It stood as high as a house and was covered with slime with a tooth filled circular mouth it leaned over and fell on her, sucking her into its body before she could run, if she was even going to.

Smiling as she felt the pressure squeeze her so tight the breath escaped her and she heard nothing but the sounds of the beasts digestive systems pulling her in she thought her last thought, I'm free, finally.