A Friendly Shadowby artanisjerin89ChaptersChapter OneChapter TwoChapter ThreeChapter FourChapter OneAuthor's Note The following story is a final attempt at writing. It might not be polished just yet, but hopefully, all will go as planned. As always, I can take criticism of the constructive kind. Please don't be a douche. And if you like it, go ahead and follow me and stay tuned for more. Chapter One Her heart pounded in her chest as they advanced. "This is it." She thought. "This is how I go out." She clamped her eyes shut, her doom upon her. Tending to her animal friends was always Fluttershy's passion. In fact, that how she got her cutie mark. Whenever her friends stopped by for a visit or to bring her supplies, she could always be seen tending to an injured animal, or feeding her chickens. If there was one thing she loved more than her animal friends, it was her friends. Rarity, Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie, and Rainbow Dash. One particularly sunny day, she decided to go to Zecora's for some much needed ointment. Fluttershy had a reputation for being not so brave. But, she knew if she stuck to the main paths, avoiding the poison joke patch, she would be there in one piece. So, she packed up a saddlebag and struck out for the Everfree forest. Fluttershy always looked around for danger. She had a nervous habit of twitching and flexing her wings. She may not have been the best flier back in Flight School, but it was the best way to hot hoof it out of danger's path. Something felt different on the air as she trekked father and deeper into the woods. Every instinct told her to turn back and hide in the safety of her cottage, but Fluttershy needed Zecora's ointment for treating injured animals. "It's ok Fluttershy." She said aloud. "You stared down a cockatrice and survived, you can walk a path in a... dangerous... forest..." Fluttershy tensed up. The hair along her spine stood up on end. Her ears twitched back and forth. Something was following her. Her head whipped from side to side. Yellow eyes shown from either side of the path. She ran for her life towards Zecora's hut. She looked behind her and saw those eyes chasing her. She ran faster, her hooves pounding the ground in fierce desperation. Suddenly, something jumped out of the brush. "Oh no, Timberwolves!" She diverted her course, which took her away from her intended path. Fluttershy kept running as fast as she could. Her saddlebags came loose and fell off. She tried to turn back, but her pursuers kept coming. It wasn't worth it, so she kept running. Just then, a timberwolf tried to jump her but failed. Fluttershy yelped as she tripped over an exposed root. She tumbled into a tree and hit it. She heard a snap, followed by blinding pain. Her right wing was broken. She sat up, trying to look at the injured wing. Her coat was a mangled mess of sap, sticks, and scratches from dodging brambles. Then, the wolves jumped out of the bush and slowly stalked up to her, fangs bared. Her heart pounded in her chest as they advanced. "This is it." She thought. "This is how I go out." She clamped her eyes shut, her doom upon her. Just as the wolves were about to pounce, something jumped out of the tree and landed in front of the injured mare. It was a tall creature, covered in a brown cloak. The being turned to Fluttershy. The eyes of the creature were the only thing she saw. Blue eyes... what creature has blue eyes, she wondered before a surge of pain shot up her wing and back. The cloaked creature turned back to the wolves. They snarled and barked at the figure. A staff appeared in the creature's... hand? Fluttershy knew Lyra Heartstring's obsession with these creatures called humans. Lyra always had a deep fascination with these appendages that were known as hands. Was this creature a human? Fluttershy's train of thought was interrupted by a yelp as one of the wolves hit a tree. The hooded figure had batted an attack aside. Two wolves charged the creature, but he shunted them both away. Another jumped him from behind and sunk it's jaws into the figure's shoulder. The hooded figure let out a grunt. It was a low, male grunt. So this creature is a male. The male hood then snapped the wolf's jaw and tossed the body back into the pack. Seeing their pack mates being mangled was enough for the rest of them to run away, yelping and howling as they went. The hood looked around to see if any stayed behind. Once the danger was gone, it turned back to Fluttershy. She began to shake in fear. She let out a squeak. "P-p-please don't eat me..." Tears ran down her face. But then, she felt a warm sensation on her face. The creature wiped her tears away. "Relax." It said in a low, gravelly voice. "The wolves are gone, you're safe now." Fluttershy opened one eye. The creature pulled the hood back to reveal a face that was not pony-like, but rather human-like. His hair was a dark color, the length reaching his scruffy, bearded jawline. He smiled at the mare as he wiped her tears. "S-s-so, y-you're not gonna eat me?" She said in a harsh whisper. He chuckled. "No little pony. I'm not gonna eat you." He noticed her wing. "You're hurt." She nodded. "M-my wing, I think it's broken." She tried to move it, but yelped instead. "What is your name?" The human asked. "F-Fluttershy..." She said. "James. James McMillan. Listen to me Ms. Fluttershy, I have to reset the bone." He reached out and grabbed some sticks and a roll of tape. He pulled out Fluttershy's saddlebags. "I found this shortly after you rushed past me." He smiled as he set his calloused and scarred hands on the bone. She tensed up. "Alright, I'm gonna reset the bone ok?" He looked into her eyes, and a feeling of relief washed over her. "W-will this hurt?" She asked. He nodded in response. "Alright. We'll do it on the count of four, ok?" He said. She nodded and readied herself. "See, when you get a break in the bone like this, you have to do something that is called reducing it by- FOUR!" HE quickly reset the bones and used the sticks he found as a splint. She cried out in pain as she kicked out. "Celestia! That hurts!" She kept kicking and screaming as the pain hit it's crescendo and atrophied. She looked at the stranger through tear-clouded eyes. He smiled. "I reset the break, but Zecora will have to do the rest." He gently picked her up in his arms, saddlebag slung over his shoulder, and set out for the hut. "Y-you know Zecora?" She asked in utter disbelief. He nodded and kept walking. So many thoughts ran through Fluttershy's mind like one of Rainbow's Buccaneer Blitz moves. She looked around and knew where she was. She then settled into the stranger's arm as they made their way to Zecora's hut at last. -To Be Continued- Chapter Two"I can't. This world isn't ready for me. It would be best if I remained a shadow." With an injured Fluttershy in tow, James carried her to Zecora's hut. He knocked on the door. No answer. He knocked again. Still no answer. "How strange." He said. "D-do you think she's out?" Fluttershy asked. James shrugged. "It's possible. Zecora is always out looking for ingredients for potions." He opened the door and peeked in. Not a soul in sight, though the massive pot that dominated the room was still on a full roil, which indicated she might have stepped out. James brought Fluttershy in and laid her down on Zecora's bed. Fluttershy looked around, taking in the sights and smells that was of Zecora's home. James went to the counter that kept all of the ingredients for potions and ointments. Looking around, he took down some petals, some sort of green powder, and something that looked like leaves. He then put it all into a mortar and ground them all up. James then added the newly made powder into the boiling water and stirred it with a massive spoon. Once the color of the water had turned a blue-ish green color, and smelled of mint, he poured the mixture into a few vials and set them into Fluttershy's saddlebags, along with the ointment she needed. James took a spoonful of the mix to Fluttershy. She tried to back away. "It's ok. This will help with the pain." He gave her a reassuring smile. Fluttershy returned the smile and drank from the spoon. She smacked her lips after swallowing. It tasted of mint and had a syrup-like consistency to it. "Not as bad as some medicines I have taken." She admitted with a small laugh. He laughed as well. "Well, I tried to make it as tasty as I could. Most medicines are nasty." He smiled at the yellow mare. She responded in kind. "Now," he said. "The syrup will help with the pain. Take one vial a day for a week. This will also assist in the healing." James pulled a vial out of her bags to indicate what it was meant to do. "Your wing should heal in that time." Fluttershy nodded as she stood. "I-I can feel it. There's almost no pain." She hopped off of the bed and trotted up to James and hugged him. She only stood at his chest, but her hug was tight, as well as soft, James noted. He returned the hug. After a few moments, James let go of Fluttershy. "I should get you back to the entrance of the forest. You have had a long day, I think." He smirked at her. Fluttershy nodded and walked out of the hut. They made their way back to the edge of the forest, as James kept a watchful eye out for anymore attacks. Soon after, they made it to the edge. Fluttershy looked out at the open meadow. It was nearly sundown, she had to get home. Fluttershy turned to James and looked at his shoulder. She gasped. "You're hurt!" James looked down at the wound. She grabbed James' hand and pulled him to her cottage. "F-Fluttershy! W-wai-" She stopped and gave him her stare. "You're hurt. I can help you since you helped me. You're coming back with me. Is that clear?" James stared back and blinked in surprise. He simply nodded as Fluttershy took him back to her home. Once inside, she sat him oh her couch as she grabbed some supplies. He sat up straight, never setting a foot out of the forest. He looked around, as if looking for an exit. Fluttershy came back, supplies on the table. She looked at him. "Let's get started." He nodded and removed his white shirt. Blood, which had already began to brown from exposure, traced down the shirt. Fluttershy set the shirt aside, noting the holes it had. She turned back to James and gasped once again, staring at James. James blinked. "What is it?" He asked. She wasn't able to form words at what she saw. Every inch of James' body was covered in scars from battles past. He looked at where she was staring and followed her gaze. He then chuckled. "Don't worry about those. They're old." "B-but... so many..." She was still aghast at what she saw. But she shook it off and focused on the puncture wounds in James' shoulder and tended to them. She applied the ointment and began wrapping his shoulder. He watched her work. He then looked at Fluttershy's body, taking in everything about her. Her hair, eyes, coat, even her cutie mark. Everything about her was lovely, even the way she fluttered her wings as she worked. "There, all better." James looked down at the patch work and whistled. "Not bad." He looked back at Fluttershy and smiled. "Thank you." She blushed a bit and smiled back. "You should stay here for the night. It's dangerous now." James looked out the window and nodded. "I suppose. Are you sure you're OK with this?" Fluttershy nodded and went upstairs. He stood and tested the bandages. It felt as if a nurse had worked on his shoulder. He looked around at the space around him. Her home was adorned with bird houses and a catwalk. None of the animals were present. He sat back down as Fluttershy came back down with a blanket and a pillow. She gave them to James. "I do appreciate this Fluttershy. You didn't have to though." She simply smiled at him and beckoned him to the kitchen. He shrugged and walked to the kitchen where two bowls were on the island of the kitchen. "Soup." She said as she settled down to eat. He sat on the stool, and takes up the spoon and eats. "So, what are you?" Fluttershy asked. James looked at her. "I am a human." Fluttershy's eyes widened a bit. "I thought humans were a myth." He looks away with a puzzled look. "Funny, I keep getting that." He explained to her how he was found. James wasn't too sure of how he got here, but he knew it was Zecora who found him and gave him refuge in her home. He said he has been here for almost two years, learning all he could from making potions and defending himself. From the scars, most of those victories were hard fought. Fluttershy stared and listened to him. "That's it, really." He ended. Fluttershy's jaw was to the floor. He chuckled. "Yoo-hoo, Fluttershy." He waved a hand in front of her face. She shook her head and looked at James. "So, you really have been through a lot. But why not show yourself?" He looked away. "I already have, almost got killed." "But, ponies can't be that afraid." He looked back at Fluttershy with sad eyes. "I can't. This world isn't ready for me. It would be best if I remained a shadow." Fluttershy looked a bit shocked, but returned to her meal. They sat in silence. Some time passed as James laid on the couch. He looked up at the ceiling and thought of everything he did that day. It wasn't long before he fell to sleep. Morning came as Fluttershy came down the steps. She was greeted by a fully ready James, standing by the door. He gave her a smile. Fluttershy looked at the couch. The blanket was neatly folded and the pillow rested on top. "Y-you're leaving?" She asked. He nodded. "I have to get back before I'm spotted." She walked up to him, eyes brimming with tears. "I-I was hoping you could stay." She whispered. James knelt down and took her face in his hands. "Fluttershy, I would love to. But me staying here will put you at risk. I cannot do that to you. You've done a lot for me, and for that I'm grateful. But it would be best if I stayed in the Everfree." Fluttershy was sullen. Tears cascaded down her face. James wiped them away. "But, you can always visit me." She looked back at him with a small smile. "I-I'd like that." She said. He smiled, kissed her cheek and headed out. She watched as he walked toward the forest. "James!" She shouted. He stopped and turned back. "How can I find you?!" "Follow the main path, avoid the poison joke patch, and I'll always find you." He shouted back. He turned and continued walking as Fluttershy watched. She touched her cheek where he kissed her. -To Be Continued- Chapter Three"You really mean that?" He asked. She smiled. "I do James, more than you know." Over the course of a few months, Fluttershy and James met on a regular basis. Meeting her on the edge of the forest, they walked to a small clearing to have picnics in the woods. This happened at least three times a week. One day, they met up at their usual spot by the forest' edge. Fluttershy trotted to the entrance, scanning the tree line for a familiar hooded figure. She could almost point him out. She smiled as she saw him and quickened her pace. "Hello James." She said cheerfully. "Hello Ms. Fluttershy." He smiled as she walked up to him. "So, I had an idea. He said. "What is it?" She looked at him curiously. "Why don't we go to your place and eat?" He said with a smile on his face. Though he still wasn't wholly comfortable with the idea, seeing her smile always seemed to make his day. Her face lit up and she gave out a small squeal of delight. Without a word, she grabbed his hand and practically dragged him to her dwelling place. She let him inside and had him sit on the couch in the living room. "We'll eat here." She said eagerly. She then pranced to the kitchen. James looked around again. Though only having been there once, he found the setting quite comforting. He closed his eyes and took in the smell and the sounds of the house. Then, something grabbed his pant leg. He looked down and saw a small white rabbit. He stared at the creature curiously. The rabbit returned the gaze, it's small, black eyes looked him up and down. Thinking this creature needed a further look, the rabbit hopped up into his lap and looked at James with growing curiosity. Fluttershy then came back with some things to set down when she saw the white rabbit. "Angel Bunny, what are you doing?" Angel regarded Fluttershy with a slight frown and a few nose twitches. Fluttershy looked at Angel, as if she understood him. "This is James, my c- friend..." She stopped herself. Her face flushed red for a moment before beckoning the animal to get down. The rabbit shook his head and stayed put. "Please Angel, get down." "He's ok, Ms. Fluttershy. I don't see too many creatures as curious as this one." James said. He smiled and gently pointed a finger toward Angel. Angel then turned toward the digit, gave his finger a few sniffs, then hopped off. Fluttershy watched as the rabbit bounded off toward the kitchen. "I have never seen Angel do that before. He normally stays away." Fluttershy seemed dumbfounded. "He seems to like you." "That sounds rare for him." James said. "Oh, it is." Fluttershy said. She set the table and sat next to James as James made some small sandwiches. He assembled two of them. It was the same food as their normal picnics in the woods. James never minded, because he knew it was brought by Ms. Fluttershy, one of the sweetest ponies he had ever met. James had little to no memory coming to Equestria. The only ponies he knew were Zecora and Fluttershy. Anytime he tried to make himself known, it was normally met with a scream, running, and the sound of armor fast approaching. He ducked into the woods where he met Zecora. She eyed him with curiosity. James told his story to the zebra shaman. Zecora then gave him a smile and agreed to let him stay with her. And for two years, Zecora taught him the ways of potion making. He quickly learned everything she could teach him. On most occasions, Zecora always had James make the potions. "Making potions, you have learned quick." She said, cantering to the cabinet where she kept her ingredients for making potions. "Now, as a final test, you shall make a potion that will make it stick." She always spoke in rhymes. At times it seemed a bit cryptic to him. But over time, he knew what she meant. He made a potion, he drew upon everything he knew. And with a few creaks of the cork on the vial, it was done. Making a sandwich wasn't as hard as making a potion. He gave one to Fluttershy, made just how she liked it. He then assembled his own. They both toasted each other with their food. An accidental joke he made, mistaking his sandwich for a glass of juice Fluttershy brought one day. She giggled as the 'clinked' their sandwiches and ate. "Fluttershy? He said, looking at her. "Hm?" Her mouth was still full of sandwich, limiting her reply. "I wanted to ask you something. But, I'm not sure how to say it, nor how you'll take it." He laid his sandwich down, wiping his fingers on the napkin. Fluttershy looked at him, her blue eyes making him melt. "James, you know you can tell me anything." She gave him a warm smile, to which he returned. "Fluttershy..." He began to stammer a bit. "I-I wanted t-to ask..." He coughed. "W-what am I to you?" He finally got it out. His chest tightened in anticipation. Fluttershy's face took on a light red blush. "W-w-well..." Just then, her ears perked up. The sound of a screeching animal could be heard. A large bird appeared in the window and screeched at Fluttershy. "What?! Where?!" The bird squawked some more. "Hold on Angel!" She dropped her sandwich and ran out of the house toward the forest. James leapt up from the couch and followed her. They entered the forest. Howling could be heard. James grabbed his staff as they ran. Timberwolves. Their paced quickened as they neared a clearing. Angel was backed against a tree, with three Timberwolves closing in. With a flying leap, James landed in front of Angel and kept his staff up. Fluttershy landed behind him and scooped up Angel. "Fluttershy, get Angel out of here! I got this!" James said, watching the wolves as they drew closer. "But what about y-" Fluttershy tried to get out "Just go!" He roared. Fluttershy took off through the clearing. James readied himself to fight. All three lunged at him. He threw one back and caught the other two with the heavy end of the staff in the head. They dropped as the remaining wolf circled him. The wolf growled at James, fangs bared. James stared the wolf down, he roared at the wolf. The wolf charged at him. James thrust the staff toward the wolf's gaping mouth. Fluttershy managed to get Angel home safely. And after getting an explanation from the rabbit via nose wiggles and miming, Fluttershy then ran back toward the woods. She got to the forests edge and looked around. "James?" She called out. Nothing. "James!" She called out again. Still nothing. She walked a few steps into the woods when she noticed a figure approaching. It held a staff in one hand and a timber wolf's head in the other. Hands. James! She ran to him and tackled him to the ground, hugging him and crying. He held her face in his hands. "You ok?" He asked with a smile. She smiled then slapped his face with a hoof. He looked up at the yellow mare in shock. "Don't you ever do that again, mister! You got that?!" She glared at him. He nodded sheepishly. She then kissed him deeply. He was floored, but returned the kiss. She looked at him. "You wanted to know what you are to me? There you go." She smiled. "So, are you saying you want to be with me?" He asked. She nodded. "You really mean that?" He asked. She smiled. "I do James, more than you know." -To Be Continued- Chapter FourSomething has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
Chapter OneAuthor's Note The following story is a final attempt at writing. It might not be polished just yet, but hopefully, all will go as planned. As always, I can take criticism of the constructive kind. Please don't be a douche. And if you like it, go ahead and follow me and stay tuned for more. Chapter One Her heart pounded in her chest as they advanced. "This is it." She thought. "This is how I go out." She clamped her eyes shut, her doom upon her. Tending to her animal friends was always Fluttershy's passion. In fact, that how she got her cutie mark. Whenever her friends stopped by for a visit or to bring her supplies, she could always be seen tending to an injured animal, or feeding her chickens. If there was one thing she loved more than her animal friends, it was her friends. Rarity, Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie, and Rainbow Dash. One particularly sunny day, she decided to go to Zecora's for some much needed ointment. Fluttershy had a reputation for being not so brave. But, she knew if she stuck to the main paths, avoiding the poison joke patch, she would be there in one piece. So, she packed up a saddlebag and struck out for the Everfree forest. Fluttershy always looked around for danger. She had a nervous habit of twitching and flexing her wings. She may not have been the best flier back in Flight School, but it was the best way to hot hoof it out of danger's path. Something felt different on the air as she trekked father and deeper into the woods. Every instinct told her to turn back and hide in the safety of her cottage, but Fluttershy needed Zecora's ointment for treating injured animals. "It's ok Fluttershy." She said aloud. "You stared down a cockatrice and survived, you can walk a path in a... dangerous... forest..." Fluttershy tensed up. The hair along her spine stood up on end. Her ears twitched back and forth. Something was following her. Her head whipped from side to side. Yellow eyes shown from either side of the path. She ran for her life towards Zecora's hut. She looked behind her and saw those eyes chasing her. She ran faster, her hooves pounding the ground in fierce desperation. Suddenly, something jumped out of the brush. "Oh no, Timberwolves!" She diverted her course, which took her away from her intended path. Fluttershy kept running as fast as she could. Her saddlebags came loose and fell off. She tried to turn back, but her pursuers kept coming. It wasn't worth it, so she kept running. Just then, a timberwolf tried to jump her but failed. Fluttershy yelped as she tripped over an exposed root. She tumbled into a tree and hit it. She heard a snap, followed by blinding pain. Her right wing was broken. She sat up, trying to look at the injured wing. Her coat was a mangled mess of sap, sticks, and scratches from dodging brambles. Then, the wolves jumped out of the bush and slowly stalked up to her, fangs bared. Her heart pounded in her chest as they advanced. "This is it." She thought. "This is how I go out." She clamped her eyes shut, her doom upon her. Just as the wolves were about to pounce, something jumped out of the tree and landed in front of the injured mare. It was a tall creature, covered in a brown cloak. The being turned to Fluttershy. The eyes of the creature were the only thing she saw. Blue eyes... what creature has blue eyes, she wondered before a surge of pain shot up her wing and back. The cloaked creature turned back to the wolves. They snarled and barked at the figure. A staff appeared in the creature's... hand? Fluttershy knew Lyra Heartstring's obsession with these creatures called humans. Lyra always had a deep fascination with these appendages that were known as hands. Was this creature a human? Fluttershy's train of thought was interrupted by a yelp as one of the wolves hit a tree. The hooded figure had batted an attack aside. Two wolves charged the creature, but he shunted them both away. Another jumped him from behind and sunk it's jaws into the figure's shoulder. The hooded figure let out a grunt. It was a low, male grunt. So this creature is a male. The male hood then snapped the wolf's jaw and tossed the body back into the pack. Seeing their pack mates being mangled was enough for the rest of them to run away, yelping and howling as they went. The hood looked around to see if any stayed behind. Once the danger was gone, it turned back to Fluttershy. She began to shake in fear. She let out a squeak. "P-p-please don't eat me..." Tears ran down her face. But then, she felt a warm sensation on her face. The creature wiped her tears away. "Relax." It said in a low, gravelly voice. "The wolves are gone, you're safe now." Fluttershy opened one eye. The creature pulled the hood back to reveal a face that was not pony-like, but rather human-like. His hair was a dark color, the length reaching his scruffy, bearded jawline. He smiled at the mare as he wiped her tears. "S-s-so, y-you're not gonna eat me?" She said in a harsh whisper. He chuckled. "No little pony. I'm not gonna eat you." He noticed her wing. "You're hurt." She nodded. "M-my wing, I think it's broken." She tried to move it, but yelped instead. "What is your name?" The human asked. "F-Fluttershy..." She said. "James. James McMillan. Listen to me Ms. Fluttershy, I have to reset the bone." He reached out and grabbed some sticks and a roll of tape. He pulled out Fluttershy's saddlebags. "I found this shortly after you rushed past me." He smiled as he set his calloused and scarred hands on the bone. She tensed up. "Alright, I'm gonna reset the bone ok?" He looked into her eyes, and a feeling of relief washed over her. "W-will this hurt?" She asked. He nodded in response. "Alright. We'll do it on the count of four, ok?" He said. She nodded and readied herself. "See, when you get a break in the bone like this, you have to do something that is called reducing it by- FOUR!" HE quickly reset the bones and used the sticks he found as a splint. She cried out in pain as she kicked out. "Celestia! That hurts!" She kept kicking and screaming as the pain hit it's crescendo and atrophied. She looked at the stranger through tear-clouded eyes. He smiled. "I reset the break, but Zecora will have to do the rest." He gently picked her up in his arms, saddlebag slung over his shoulder, and set out for the hut. "Y-you know Zecora?" She asked in utter disbelief. He nodded and kept walking. So many thoughts ran through Fluttershy's mind like one of Rainbow's Buccaneer Blitz moves. She looked around and knew where she was. She then settled into the stranger's arm as they made their way to Zecora's hut at last. -To Be Continued-
Chapter Two"I can't. This world isn't ready for me. It would be best if I remained a shadow." With an injured Fluttershy in tow, James carried her to Zecora's hut. He knocked on the door. No answer. He knocked again. Still no answer. "How strange." He said. "D-do you think she's out?" Fluttershy asked. James shrugged. "It's possible. Zecora is always out looking for ingredients for potions." He opened the door and peeked in. Not a soul in sight, though the massive pot that dominated the room was still on a full roil, which indicated she might have stepped out. James brought Fluttershy in and laid her down on Zecora's bed. Fluttershy looked around, taking in the sights and smells that was of Zecora's home. James went to the counter that kept all of the ingredients for potions and ointments. Looking around, he took down some petals, some sort of green powder, and something that looked like leaves. He then put it all into a mortar and ground them all up. James then added the newly made powder into the boiling water and stirred it with a massive spoon. Once the color of the water had turned a blue-ish green color, and smelled of mint, he poured the mixture into a few vials and set them into Fluttershy's saddlebags, along with the ointment she needed. James took a spoonful of the mix to Fluttershy. She tried to back away. "It's ok. This will help with the pain." He gave her a reassuring smile. Fluttershy returned the smile and drank from the spoon. She smacked her lips after swallowing. It tasted of mint and had a syrup-like consistency to it. "Not as bad as some medicines I have taken." She admitted with a small laugh. He laughed as well. "Well, I tried to make it as tasty as I could. Most medicines are nasty." He smiled at the yellow mare. She responded in kind. "Now," he said. "The syrup will help with the pain. Take one vial a day for a week. This will also assist in the healing." James pulled a vial out of her bags to indicate what it was meant to do. "Your wing should heal in that time." Fluttershy nodded as she stood. "I-I can feel it. There's almost no pain." She hopped off of the bed and trotted up to James and hugged him. She only stood at his chest, but her hug was tight, as well as soft, James noted. He returned the hug. After a few moments, James let go of Fluttershy. "I should get you back to the entrance of the forest. You have had a long day, I think." He smirked at her. Fluttershy nodded and walked out of the hut. They made their way back to the edge of the forest, as James kept a watchful eye out for anymore attacks. Soon after, they made it to the edge. Fluttershy looked out at the open meadow. It was nearly sundown, she had to get home. Fluttershy turned to James and looked at his shoulder. She gasped. "You're hurt!" James looked down at the wound. She grabbed James' hand and pulled him to her cottage. "F-Fluttershy! W-wai-" She stopped and gave him her stare. "You're hurt. I can help you since you helped me. You're coming back with me. Is that clear?" James stared back and blinked in surprise. He simply nodded as Fluttershy took him back to her home. Once inside, she sat him oh her couch as she grabbed some supplies. He sat up straight, never setting a foot out of the forest. He looked around, as if looking for an exit. Fluttershy came back, supplies on the table. She looked at him. "Let's get started." He nodded and removed his white shirt. Blood, which had already began to brown from exposure, traced down the shirt. Fluttershy set the shirt aside, noting the holes it had. She turned back to James and gasped once again, staring at James. James blinked. "What is it?" He asked. She wasn't able to form words at what she saw. Every inch of James' body was covered in scars from battles past. He looked at where she was staring and followed her gaze. He then chuckled. "Don't worry about those. They're old." "B-but... so many..." She was still aghast at what she saw. But she shook it off and focused on the puncture wounds in James' shoulder and tended to them. She applied the ointment and began wrapping his shoulder. He watched her work. He then looked at Fluttershy's body, taking in everything about her. Her hair, eyes, coat, even her cutie mark. Everything about her was lovely, even the way she fluttered her wings as she worked. "There, all better." James looked down at the patch work and whistled. "Not bad." He looked back at Fluttershy and smiled. "Thank you." She blushed a bit and smiled back. "You should stay here for the night. It's dangerous now." James looked out the window and nodded. "I suppose. Are you sure you're OK with this?" Fluttershy nodded and went upstairs. He stood and tested the bandages. It felt as if a nurse had worked on his shoulder. He looked around at the space around him. Her home was adorned with bird houses and a catwalk. None of the animals were present. He sat back down as Fluttershy came back down with a blanket and a pillow. She gave them to James. "I do appreciate this Fluttershy. You didn't have to though." She simply smiled at him and beckoned him to the kitchen. He shrugged and walked to the kitchen where two bowls were on the island of the kitchen. "Soup." She said as she settled down to eat. He sat on the stool, and takes up the spoon and eats. "So, what are you?" Fluttershy asked. James looked at her. "I am a human." Fluttershy's eyes widened a bit. "I thought humans were a myth." He looks away with a puzzled look. "Funny, I keep getting that." He explained to her how he was found. James wasn't too sure of how he got here, but he knew it was Zecora who found him and gave him refuge in her home. He said he has been here for almost two years, learning all he could from making potions and defending himself. From the scars, most of those victories were hard fought. Fluttershy stared and listened to him. "That's it, really." He ended. Fluttershy's jaw was to the floor. He chuckled. "Yoo-hoo, Fluttershy." He waved a hand in front of her face. She shook her head and looked at James. "So, you really have been through a lot. But why not show yourself?" He looked away. "I already have, almost got killed." "But, ponies can't be that afraid." He looked back at Fluttershy with sad eyes. "I can't. This world isn't ready for me. It would be best if I remained a shadow." Fluttershy looked a bit shocked, but returned to her meal. They sat in silence. Some time passed as James laid on the couch. He looked up at the ceiling and thought of everything he did that day. It wasn't long before he fell to sleep. Morning came as Fluttershy came down the steps. She was greeted by a fully ready James, standing by the door. He gave her a smile. Fluttershy looked at the couch. The blanket was neatly folded and the pillow rested on top. "Y-you're leaving?" She asked. He nodded. "I have to get back before I'm spotted." She walked up to him, eyes brimming with tears. "I-I was hoping you could stay." She whispered. James knelt down and took her face in his hands. "Fluttershy, I would love to. But me staying here will put you at risk. I cannot do that to you. You've done a lot for me, and for that I'm grateful. But it would be best if I stayed in the Everfree." Fluttershy was sullen. Tears cascaded down her face. James wiped them away. "But, you can always visit me." She looked back at him with a small smile. "I-I'd like that." She said. He smiled, kissed her cheek and headed out. She watched as he walked toward the forest. "James!" She shouted. He stopped and turned back. "How can I find you?!" "Follow the main path, avoid the poison joke patch, and I'll always find you." He shouted back. He turned and continued walking as Fluttershy watched. She touched her cheek where he kissed her. -To Be Continued-
Chapter Three"You really mean that?" He asked. She smiled. "I do James, more than you know." Over the course of a few months, Fluttershy and James met on a regular basis. Meeting her on the edge of the forest, they walked to a small clearing to have picnics in the woods. This happened at least three times a week. One day, they met up at their usual spot by the forest' edge. Fluttershy trotted to the entrance, scanning the tree line for a familiar hooded figure. She could almost point him out. She smiled as she saw him and quickened her pace. "Hello James." She said cheerfully. "Hello Ms. Fluttershy." He smiled as she walked up to him. "So, I had an idea. He said. "What is it?" She looked at him curiously. "Why don't we go to your place and eat?" He said with a smile on his face. Though he still wasn't wholly comfortable with the idea, seeing her smile always seemed to make his day. Her face lit up and she gave out a small squeal of delight. Without a word, she grabbed his hand and practically dragged him to her dwelling place. She let him inside and had him sit on the couch in the living room. "We'll eat here." She said eagerly. She then pranced to the kitchen. James looked around again. Though only having been there once, he found the setting quite comforting. He closed his eyes and took in the smell and the sounds of the house. Then, something grabbed his pant leg. He looked down and saw a small white rabbit. He stared at the creature curiously. The rabbit returned the gaze, it's small, black eyes looked him up and down. Thinking this creature needed a further look, the rabbit hopped up into his lap and looked at James with growing curiosity. Fluttershy then came back with some things to set down when she saw the white rabbit. "Angel Bunny, what are you doing?" Angel regarded Fluttershy with a slight frown and a few nose twitches. Fluttershy looked at Angel, as if she understood him. "This is James, my c- friend..." She stopped herself. Her face flushed red for a moment before beckoning the animal to get down. The rabbit shook his head and stayed put. "Please Angel, get down." "He's ok, Ms. Fluttershy. I don't see too many creatures as curious as this one." James said. He smiled and gently pointed a finger toward Angel. Angel then turned toward the digit, gave his finger a few sniffs, then hopped off. Fluttershy watched as the rabbit bounded off toward the kitchen. "I have never seen Angel do that before. He normally stays away." Fluttershy seemed dumbfounded. "He seems to like you." "That sounds rare for him." James said. "Oh, it is." Fluttershy said. She set the table and sat next to James as James made some small sandwiches. He assembled two of them. It was the same food as their normal picnics in the woods. James never minded, because he knew it was brought by Ms. Fluttershy, one of the sweetest ponies he had ever met. James had little to no memory coming to Equestria. The only ponies he knew were Zecora and Fluttershy. Anytime he tried to make himself known, it was normally met with a scream, running, and the sound of armor fast approaching. He ducked into the woods where he met Zecora. She eyed him with curiosity. James told his story to the zebra shaman. Zecora then gave him a smile and agreed to let him stay with her. And for two years, Zecora taught him the ways of potion making. He quickly learned everything she could teach him. On most occasions, Zecora always had James make the potions. "Making potions, you have learned quick." She said, cantering to the cabinet where she kept her ingredients for making potions. "Now, as a final test, you shall make a potion that will make it stick." She always spoke in rhymes. At times it seemed a bit cryptic to him. But over time, he knew what she meant. He made a potion, he drew upon everything he knew. And with a few creaks of the cork on the vial, it was done. Making a sandwich wasn't as hard as making a potion. He gave one to Fluttershy, made just how she liked it. He then assembled his own. They both toasted each other with their food. An accidental joke he made, mistaking his sandwich for a glass of juice Fluttershy brought one day. She giggled as the 'clinked' their sandwiches and ate. "Fluttershy? He said, looking at her. "Hm?" Her mouth was still full of sandwich, limiting her reply. "I wanted to ask you something. But, I'm not sure how to say it, nor how you'll take it." He laid his sandwich down, wiping his fingers on the napkin. Fluttershy looked at him, her blue eyes making him melt. "James, you know you can tell me anything." She gave him a warm smile, to which he returned. "Fluttershy..." He began to stammer a bit. "I-I wanted t-to ask..." He coughed. "W-what am I to you?" He finally got it out. His chest tightened in anticipation. Fluttershy's face took on a light red blush. "W-w-well..." Just then, her ears perked up. The sound of a screeching animal could be heard. A large bird appeared in the window and screeched at Fluttershy. "What?! Where?!" The bird squawked some more. "Hold on Angel!" She dropped her sandwich and ran out of the house toward the forest. James leapt up from the couch and followed her. They entered the forest. Howling could be heard. James grabbed his staff as they ran. Timberwolves. Their paced quickened as they neared a clearing. Angel was backed against a tree, with three Timberwolves closing in. With a flying leap, James landed in front of Angel and kept his staff up. Fluttershy landed behind him and scooped up Angel. "Fluttershy, get Angel out of here! I got this!" James said, watching the wolves as they drew closer. "But what about y-" Fluttershy tried to get out "Just go!" He roared. Fluttershy took off through the clearing. James readied himself to fight. All three lunged at him. He threw one back and caught the other two with the heavy end of the staff in the head. They dropped as the remaining wolf circled him. The wolf growled at James, fangs bared. James stared the wolf down, he roared at the wolf. The wolf charged at him. James thrust the staff toward the wolf's gaping mouth. Fluttershy managed to get Angel home safely. And after getting an explanation from the rabbit via nose wiggles and miming, Fluttershy then ran back toward the woods. She got to the forests edge and looked around. "James?" She called out. Nothing. "James!" She called out again. Still nothing. She walked a few steps into the woods when she noticed a figure approaching. It held a staff in one hand and a timber wolf's head in the other. Hands. James! She ran to him and tackled him to the ground, hugging him and crying. He held her face in his hands. "You ok?" He asked with a smile. She smiled then slapped his face with a hoof. He looked up at the yellow mare in shock. "Don't you ever do that again, mister! You got that?!" She glared at him. He nodded sheepishly. She then kissed him deeply. He was floored, but returned the kiss. She looked at him. "You wanted to know what you are to me? There you go." She smiled. "So, are you saying you want to be with me?" He asked. She nodded. "You really mean that?" He asked. She smiled. "I do James, more than you know." -To Be Continued-
