It All Starts in a Basement
It All Starts in a Basement
Fluttershy’s Stoned Quest for Cheesy Puffs
Written by TheCrimsonDM
Most ponies think of Fluttershy as being the calm, kind, and shy pony. The one pony who would never be up to anything mischievous, or sly. But little do they know her secret, the secret that she’s only shared with a very select few, the few that she found to be cool enough to keep it. Rainbow Dash, and Tree Hugger were amongst those said ponies.
Fluttershy, like most ponies, had a basement. Although in her case this basement was kept hidden and secret from the outside world. If one were to simply pull out the correct book on her bookshelf, they would find a switch. Pushing the switch would cause said bookshelf to slide to the right, revealing a secret staircase leading down into her basement.
If they continued onward into the basement they would, right at this moment, find a darkly lit room. The green light bulb in the ceiling cast a green shade of light over everything it touched, the thick haze that currently filled the room was filtered out by a vent in the side of the wall. Three ponies currently sat in the smoke, Fluttershy took up space on one of the bean bag chairs while Rainbow Dash laid on the couch. Tree Hugger was in the middle of the room and shifting through the box of snacks.
“Hey, Flutterpoo?” Tree Hugger asked. “Where’s the Cheesy Puffs?”
Fluttershy sat up, gave a serious look to Tree Hugger and with a dread filled tone she replied, “There’s no more Cheesy Puffs?”
For a moment Tree Hugger stared almost blankly at Fluttershy. When Rainbow Dash started laughing like a mad mare. Both Tree Hugger and Fluttershy turned their attentions towards the silly pony and joined in the laughter.
The fit of shared laughter lasted a few minutes before Fluttershy finally managed to ask, “Why are we laughing?”
Rainbow Dash began laughing again and quickly covered her muzzle in an attempt to stifle it. She sat up and took a deep breath, held it in for a moment, and exhaled. “I ate the last bag of Cheesy Puffs a few minutes ago.”
Tree Hugger began laughing again. Fluttershy couldn’t help but giggle a little as well. In one swift motion, Fluttershy stood up, fell on her face, picked herself back up and proclaimed proudly, “Than I shall acquire us a new bag of Cheesy Puffs.”
“Awww,” Tree Hugger said. “You don’t have to do that for me, it’s like, okay.”
“But I want some too,” Fluttershy said. “I shall return post haste.”
Tree Hugger wrapped her forelegs around one of Fluttershy’s legs. “I love you, Flutterpoo.”
“I love you too, Treezy.”
Rainbow Dash grinned madly and said, “Pick up some cider while you're out.”
Fluttershy pulled away from Tree Hugger and nodded at Rainbow Dash. As Fluttershy headed towards the stairs she gave one last look at Tree Hugger. I will get your Cheezy Puffs, my dear.
***
In all of Ponyville there was only one store that imported Cheesy Puffs, and that store was called “Lady Moon’s, everything you need plus some you don’t.” it was an apt title for this little store. It did usually have anything one could need, plus quite a bit more. One could even order specific items that were truly difficult find.
Fluttershy went straight to the snack aisle and found what she was searching for. The fabled Cheesy Puffs, wrapped in their legendary orange bag, with the picture of the little round crunchy snacks on the front. Carefully Fluttershy grabbed the bag before staring into it’s cover, the mere thought of munching down on these at home with Tree Hugger had her salivating.
“Hiya, Fluttershy,” A bubble sounding pony said cheerfully. “What’s you doing?”
Fluttershy looked over at the pink pony standing next to her and smiled. Fluttershy leaned in and whispered into Pinkie’s ear, “I’m on a secret quest to get Cheesy Puffs. So don’t tell anypony.”
Pinkie Pie smiled, nodded, and then sniffed. Pinkie pulled her head back and covered her nose. “Ew, Fluttershy, you smell bad. You smell like a skunk, did you get sprayed again?”
“Um…” Fluttershy replied. I don’t think it would be a good idea to tell Pinkie about my secret. Maybe I could lie to her?
“Don’t worry, I won’t ask for details. I know it must be embarrassing to smell like that in public,” Pinkie Pie said casually.
Fluttershy nodded and stared at Pinkie Pie in silence for several minutes. What was I supposed to do next?
“Uh, Fluttershy. You in there?” Pinkie Pie asked while waving a hoof in front of Fluttershy’s face.
“Pinkie,” Fluttershy said kindly. “What was I doing again?”
“Weren’t you buying Cheesy Puffs,” Pinkie Pie said.
“Oh yeah, that’s right,” Fluttershy said. She looked down at the bag in her hooves and said, “Oh wow, look I already have a bag.”
“Classic Fluttershy, always so spacey,” Pinkie Pie said. “Oh I have to buy a pen, they have pink ones here.”
I’m not usually this out of it… am I?
Pinkie Pie bounced off merrily to the front desk and began talking to the shop clerk. Fluttershy sat there in silence for a couple of minutes. Something was wrong. She couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Maybe I’m just being paranoid?
Fluttershy pushed herself up off the floor and trotted to the front counter. The young mare behind the counter was only fifteen but she was a good shop keeper despite her youth. Ladybug looked up at Fluttershy, and quickly brushed her messy red mane out of her face. Fluttershy always liked how the blue fur looked against Ladybug’s red mane, it was somehow fitting.
“Hello, Ladybug, I wanted to get these,” Fluttershy set the bag down on the counter.
“Okay,” Ladybug said excitedly. “That will be… um…” Suddenly the excitement dropped from her voice. “I don’t actually have a price up for those yet… How much do I usually charge you, five bits right?”
“Yep,” Fluttershy said.
“Okay, then since I forgot the price how about… four bits,” Ladybug said.
Fluttershy reached down to pick up her purse, and suddenly she realized what was wrong. I forgot my purse at home.
“Um,” Fluttershy said. “I… might’ve forgot my money at home.”
Ladybug squinted and said, “Two bits?”
Why did she go down on the price.
“No you don’t understand, I forgot my money, I’ll have to go home and come back,” Fluttershy said.
A serious look crossed into Ladybugs eyes for a moment. “I won’t go any lower.”
What’s going on?
A pink hoof landed on the table and two bits slid over to Ladybug. Pinkie Pie wore a friendly smile. “Good job haggling, Fluttershy. But you kinda need money for that tactic to actually work.”
Ladybug took the two bits and grinned. “Thanks for shopping with us.”
Fluttershy nodded and smiled. I’m not sure what just happened, but now that I have the Cheesy Puffs, it’s time to go home.
***
Back at home, in the basement. Fluttershy saw Rainbow Dash napping on the couch. Oops, I forgot to get the cider… maybe she won’t remember.
Tree Hugger relaxing on a large bean bag chair. Fluttershy crawled onto the chair and snuggled up to Tree Hugger, the bag of Cheesy Puffs in her mouth. Tree Hugger gave a smile to Fluttershy.
“Flutterpoo, you like, got these for me?” Tree Hugger asked.
“Nope, I got them for us.”
That made Tree Hugger’s smile increase.
“I’m loving your aura right now,” Tree Hugger said.
Fluttershy leaned in and gently kissed Tree Hugger on the cheek. “Rainbow Dash is asleep, do you know what that means?”
“What?”
“We don’t have to share,” Fluttershy said giddily.
“Righteous.”
The End
