Shy Timeby inuboy7ChaptersOh I'm Sorry I Didn't See You ThereSprinters Tale of TellFluttershys First KissChord Progression of the HeartstringsSprinters ConfessionOh I'm Sorry I Didn't See You ThereI was shopping out shopping for groceries, as usual, taking care of so many animals took up a lot of my time. I had a lot on my mind lately, all of my friends had recently found a coltfriend. Pinkie Pie had even settled down with a hyperactive pony named Binky Doodle. He planned parties too it was how they had met two years prior. I was one of the oldest of my friends, but due to my shy nature I felt I would never find the right colt. I was twenty and still had never even had a coltfriend. As I walked I kept thinking of these things, how could I talk to somepony when I couldn't even approach one. Even Twilight had to urge me to talk to her when I first met her. As I trotted through the street, I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't even look where I was going. I hit something big and red. I fell to the ground seeing stars. I looked up and saw the yellow eyes of a maroon colored pony staring back at me, his black mane fell over his eyes as he looked down at me. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you..." I told him looking down. He lowered his head to look me in the eyes, I blushed. "Oh, come now, don't be shy." He said to me, I looked up at him, "I'm new here." I looked up, he smiled, I blushed again. "I'm Spinter, Sprinter By." He said, "it sounds like 'bee' but its spelled like 'by'" He explained. I laughed I had never heard a pony talk about there name like that. "So what's your name?" he asked. "Fluttershy," I said quietly. "So, ya mind showing me around?" he asked me, I frowned. "Um, I don't think I'm the best pony to ask," I told him, I could introduce you to my friend-" "Naw that's alright, I just need to know my way around town." he told me, "I want you to show me what do you say?" He looked at me and smiled encouragingly. I wasn't sure but I didn't like saying no, so, "Ok." I told him. I began showing him around, we went past the shops I explained where the good ones were. He listened to every word I said, it was kind of nice having somepony who listened to me so closely. As we passed Sugar Cube Corner he asked what it was. "Oh that's Sugar Cube Corner," I told him, "this is one of the most popular sweets shop in Ponyville." "Hmm, back in Haymill we had Sweet Tooth Central, I could got for a bite how 'bout you?" He asked. "Oh, I don't really have much money, everything I get goes to taking care of my woodland creatures," I explained. "Don't worry," He told me, "my treat." We walked into the doors and were immediatly were greeted by the magenta hyperactive pony Pinkie Pie. "Oh hey Fluttershy, how's it going, I don't see you here too often," she spoke so rapidly that I could hardly keep up, "so, who's your new friend huh?" I blushed at the mention. "Uh I'm just showing him around." I answered. "Sure." Pinkie winked "Hey Binkie-cakes," Pinkie called a bright blue pony popped his head from behind the counter. He had the same poofy hair as pinkie in a different shorter cut, he also had the same hyperactive demenor. "Yup, yup, hows it goin' sugar bear," he said bouncing over. "Get 'em a table for two." Pinkie said happily. The blue pony saluted and sped off to set up a table. We trotted over and took our seats. Pinkie returned with two menues. "Just go ahead and take a look over the menues, I'll be back to take your order" Pinkie bounced off to check on the other pony's. I felt bad taking advantage of his generosity, I didn't want to get anything too expensive, even though I was rather hungry. I hadn't eaten breakfast I was in such a rush. My stomach let out a low growl seeing all the tasty items, I blushed again. Sprinter looked at me, he smiled. I blushed harder because I thought he was really cute. "Hey, Fluttershy you don't have to worry about my money, get someting to eat, ok?" he assured. It was as if he read my mind. "Ok." I said quietly. There was the new Apple Cinnamon Buns that I had always wanted to try. Pinkie came back in a flash, "So what can I get for the two lover pony's today?" Sprinter laughed, "I'll take the Apple Cinnamon Buns those sound delicious." I was a little taken aback, "And what about you Fluttershy?" "Um," I looked at Sprinter, I smiled encouragingly, "I'll take the same, and a cup of tea please." "Okie dokie lokie." Pinkie said and again she was off. She came back almost instantaniously with two steaming plates. "Here ya go, fresh out of the oven." She told us, I'll have your tea out in a minute ok, Fluttershy." I nodded we thanked her. "I swear I don't know how she does it." I said, I flinched at my own sudden comfortableness around him. "I know what you mean," he said, "food's really good though." We talked and ate and laughed for about a half an hour then decided to leave. I had never had this kind of experience before. As we lift the table he payed his tab and left a hoof full of bits on the table for Pinkie. She came to collect and thanked us for coming. As we left I was still laughing at one of his jokes. "So," he said suddenly, I found myself looking at him wide eyed and smiling, "we should do this again sometime." He said, more of a question though. "Oh," once more I blushed, I felt my heart race, "well I think I have some free time tomarrow." "Great were do you live I'll pick you up." I told him, we waved goodbye and I went off to finnish my shopping. The rest of the day I felt happy and a little giddy inside. Is this what it felt like to like a colt. I didn't want it to end. Sprinters Tale of TellA day had passed as I awoke to the sound of my doorbell ringing. I got up and rubbed the sand from my eyes as I answered the door, it was the mailcolt. "Package for Miss. Fluttershy." he said handing me a brown box. "Oh, thank you." I bid him farewell and shut my door. I never got mail, what could it be. I read the tag, it was from Sprinter, and there was a card on it. I took it off and read the card before opening the box. It was polite to read cards before opening gifts after all. Dear Fluttershy. I remember you saying that you took care of alot of animals, I used to take care of a few myself when I was a foal. I thought I'd get you something to help you out. I know it can be rather difficult taking care of so many little critters. This oughta help though. I'll pick you up around tenish today. P.S. Don't worry about paying me back, I talked to your friend Twilight, nice gal, she told me the way you are when you get gifts. I opened the box, inside were six vouchers for a fifty pound bag of 'All Feed' pet food at/from 'Madlines Animal Necessities'. Twilight must have also told him about the food I used, it was expensive too, but I gave the very best for my little friends. I couldn't belive he had gotten me these, and six of them! It would keep me stocked on food for the winter. I smiled to myself, he was generous, funny and cute to boot. I once again felt giddy. Angel was curious as to what was in my package. "Look Angel Bunny, I got vouchers for food for the other animals, now I can have some extra money this time." I thought, I had to get him something to repay him for his kind act. "Come in Angel, were going shoping." I told Angel. He jumped into my saddle bag and we headed off for the shopping center. I bought Angel his usual lollipop that he couldn't go without, this time it didn't burn a hole in my wallet. I got cupcakes at Sugar Cube Corner, and a jogging suit for Sprinter, he had told me that he was training for the Wonderbolt's tryouts this season, but hadn't gotten around to getting proper equipment yet. I had to help out somehow. I stopped by Carousel Boutique to see how Rarity was doing. The bell rang as I entered, Rarity spouted her usual greeting, "Welcome to Carousel Botique where-" she stpooed when she noticed it was me, "Oh, hello Fluttershy. How are you?" "Fine, and you Rarity?" I replied. "Oh, Fluttershy come now, Twilight has already told me all about that handsome new stallion in town. I heard he has taken quite an interest in you." Rarity said getting straight to the point, I immediatly turned red. She laughed at my reaction. "Oh, Fluttershy darling, it's nothing to be embarassed about. I've also met him, so has Applejack. Rainbow Dash already knew him apparently, she was in flight camp with him it seems." "Yes, well he is a nice colt but I don't want to rush into anything." I told her. "Oh, of course not dear, take it as slow as you'd like. But do keep in mind that he is quite the looker." Rarity said the words made me turn bright red once more. I told her about yesterday when I met him, every now and then she would break out in laughter at the way I would describe his demeanor. The entire time she smiled through my story awaiting each detail of it. I glanced at the clock and was suddenly startled. It was nine fourty-five. I had fifteen minutes until he was supposed to pick me up. I told Rarity I would be seeing him today very soon. "Well then, what are you possibly still doing here? Get going!" she rushed me out I told her good bye and she waved me off. I rushed home, I got back in ten minutes. Still had time to get ready. I brushed my hair and straightened it up a bit. After I fed my animals I glanced at the clock and frowned. it was ten-ten, had he forgotten? I sat on my couch, sad that he had compleatly forgotten about me. Five minutes later I heard another knock on my door. I opened it and saw the maroon colt standing in my doorway. "Hey there, ready to go?" he asked. I laughed, I had forgotten myself the letter said tenish. I followed him to the taxi he had come in, "Yes, for a minute I thought you had forgotten." "Ha, sorry about that, I got a little caught up. I was getting wing bands so I coud practice flying with resistance for my training." That's when I remembered, "Oh, hold on one second please." I ran back into my house and brought out the white box with a little bow on it. He laughed apparantly amused that I hadn't followed his direction to not repay him. He opened the box and pulled out the red and black jogging suit. "Aw, well thanks Fluttershy my old one was getting worn. But I told you you didn't have to." He laughed and my stomach fluttered a bit. We set off for a field in the Central Park. Before we got out of the cart he pulled a picnic basket out from the back seat of the taxi. He pulled out the blanket and we set out the food. "So tell me Fluttershy, how did you come to be a pegasus who takes care of animals on the ground?" he asked. I told him my story. He listened intently hanging on to the details. "Uh-huh, well you never thought of opening up an adoption clinic?" He asked. "Oh, well I never thought of that, I usually just talk to pony's and get them a pet that suits them." "I think you'd get a lot more customers if you had a shop to work with." he told me, "I could help you, I used to run an adoption clinic." "Well what happened?" I asked. "Uh... we took in a phoenix." he said, I lauged thinking of my experience with Philomeena. Then I saw his expression, he looked sad. I apologized. "Naw, it's ok you didn't know." he told me. "Well what happened?" I asked. "Well..." he paused thinking where to begin. I sat in my office filling out paper work. It was hard work but in the end it was totally worth it to see the kids happy with their perfect pet. I noticed out my window some of my animal control officers handling a crate. I left the office to see what it was, I asked one of them. "Well," Nets said, I had known him for four years prior, originally a fishercolt, "apparently, this little bugger was pestering some young fillies in Appledale, so we scooped him up and brought him here." I looked into the small holes curiously, "Well what is it?" I asked him. "It's a phoenix." he said. I was going to ask how in the world he had caught a wild phoenix, but after all he was Nets, he was the best there was. We took the fire bird to his cage and let him loose. He was glad to finally be able to stretch his wings, and he was quite the majestic specimen. Of course we had to tame him before we could adopt him out to the proper owner. His red, orange and strangly purple feathers glistned in the sunlight. I went back to my office to finish my work. A few hours later, I heard the fire alarm going off. I rushed to the sight. The phoenix had set the entire hall ablaze. He soared over me and continue to burn the place. I rushed to the cages to unlock them. It was too late the locks were all melted. I tried kicking the doors down, it wouldn't work. I watched as the fire consumed the rooms. In the cage in front of me I heard a small whimper, a tiny puppy, maybe not even six weeks old looked up at me with big brown eyes. He squeezed through the bars. I picked him up by the scruff and dashed out of the building. There was absolutely nothing more I could do, tears streamed down my face as I thought of all the innocent lives that would be lost. It was all because I didn't take precautionary measures with the legendary bird. No wild phoenix could be caged for very long, I knew that. All of this was my fault. I burst through the doors and set the little pup down. He looked at me and I looked back at him, he was the only thing left. I named him Miracle. When he finished his story I had tears in my eyes, I couldn't believe that he had been through that. I wouldn't be able to handle it. I patted his shoulder to comfort him. He looked at me and smiled. "Thanks Fluttershy." We trotted home after the picnic, he seemed to recover. As I got to the door of my cottage it had gotten really late really fast. "Well that was fun right?" I said. "Yeah," he said, "I had a great time." We looked at each other a bit longer than I expected to, in complete silence, it was a bit awkward. I looked down, "Well, I guess I'll see you later then." I told him. "Ok, maybe I'll swing by another time." he waved and took his taxi home. I sat in my living room for a bit, I thought about what had happened. Why was that so awkward, I could have said something, goodnight or something. I drifted off to sleep. Fluttershys First KissIt had been a couple of days since Sprinter had come to my house to see me. Everypony kept asking how it was going out with him, as if we were already in a relationship. I told them I hadn't seen him lately, they always smiled and said the same thing, "Oh, you will." Though I didn't know what they ment I kept waiting for him. I had sometimes begin to think that he had forgotten, was I really not interesting to him. Had he met another mare, well he was rather good looking he could probably meet another one easily. After all there was nothing special about me. I heard a knock on my door, I bolted to it and opened it. It was Sprinter, and he had a basket in his mouth. Were we going to go on another picnic? I didn't think so he had a serious look on his face, he put down the basket. Then he lifted the cover. Inside was a small brown and black puppy, sleeping it looked like. "I need your help." he said simply. It turned out he wasn't avoiding me. The pup he told me that he saved he actually took in. Miracle had apparently become very sick. He'd been taking him to every vet in Ponyville but nopony could diagnose it. So he decided that there was only one other pony he could take him to. I was a bit flattered that he thought of me. I took a look at the little pup. Even though he was sick he wagged his tail rapidly. He seemed like such a sweet dog. I looked inside his mouth and ears and saw nothing, but then I looked at his belly and knew exactly what was wrong. "He ate some Bellyache Grass." I told him. "Bellyache Grass?" Sprinter looked confused. "Yes it's a common flower here in Ponyville, in most animals it doesn't do anything. But if a dog eats it, it will give them terrible stomach aches, it can also make them get the hiccups and even a bit of vomiting." I explained, "You can tell because the viens on his belly turned green, they're supposed to be blue." "Huh," he was impressed by my observation, "so what's the cure?" He asked. I laughed the cure was actually pretty silly, when I told him he burst into laughter, Miracle seemed confused at the context being exchanged. "Don't worry Miracle your gonna get all better." I chopped an onion in half, the smell made my eyes water, then soaked it in vineger, then poured hot sauce on it. The stench was foul. I broke off a small piece and stuck it to a doggie biscut with peanut butter. As I appoached the pup his tail wagged, his tongue dribbled out in anticipation. "I can't believe this is supposed to cure it, if anything I'd think it would make it worse." "Sometimes the oddest combinations can come out to have the strangest outcomes." I told him, he smiled as he looked at me while I fed Miracle the treat. I turned away and blushed a little, there was his awkward way of looking at me again. The pup lapped up the last crumbs of his treat and burped loudly, a green mist coming from his mouth. It to smelled awful. Sprinter let out another laugh, and if I thought that the dog had energy before, he was almost literally bouncing off the walls. "So we gunna got out today?" he said the abrupt question caught me by total surprise. I didn't answer at first. Then I got a chance to shake the initial shock and responded, "I'd love to" even my own entusiasm seemed a bit surprising. I seemed to be more comfortable around him than I thought. He dropped off his pup and we got a taxi to the pier. As we walked the wooden platform that led to the off shore line, we said nothing. We just walked, the sun had begun to set. We sat at the edge of the pier and gazed at the sunset. It was quite beautiful, the orange and purple colors that streaked the sky in an unchartable pattern. The few clouds that were caught in the transition between night and day, they reflected the bright sun on one side and dark gray of the night on the other. I sighed as I watched all the beauty unfold before me. "Fluttershy?" Sprinter said snapping me back to reality, "I know this may seem a little sudden..." he drifted off, I could see the sparkle in his yellow eyes, even though he wasn't looking directly at me they caught the suns light and glowed a golden hue. "But?" I pressed. "I was wondering," he continued, he looked me straight in the eyes, I could feel my face turn red but I was captivated, I didn't look away or try to avoid his eyes. They sparkled in the sunsets glow. "it's just you're different than the other mares I've met, you're kind, caring, you listen." He continued as he turned away, I was expecting butterflies but I didn't get them. "I was wonderin if..." I waited intently for his last words, "maybe you wanted to be my marefriend?" He said finally. I made almost no hesitation when I said, "Yes!" He smiled, that's when I got my butterflies. "I was a bit nervous there for a minute," he said. We sat on the pier talking a bit more, lauging, sharing stories, and as the sun finally set he did something I didn't expect. He put his forehoof over my shoulder and pulled me closer. I felt him, warm against my body. I hadn't noticed how chilly it had gotten. I moved in closer. He leaned his head on mine. We watched as the last bit of sun trickled over the horizon. That's when something else happened that I didn't expect. He lifted his head from mine and moved his forehoof a bit off my shoulder. I looked up at him, was something wrong? No, it didn't seem like it, he looked at me, his eyes still sparkling. We said nothing, I saw the shadow of Lunas moon on the right half of his face and the orange glow of Celestias fading sun on the left. He leaned in closer, I didn't expect what happened next, and to this day I cannot put words to the pure and absolute bliss I felt as his lips caressed mine. I closed my eyes enjoying the short experience. When he moved away I felt out of breath. He smiled, I smiled back. It was my very first kiss, from my very first coltfriend. The next day Rarity came by to pick me up for our weekly spa date. We trotted and talked as we went. "So darling, have you seen you-know-who?" she questioned. "Actually yes," I said proudly, as we entered the check-in office of the Spa Sisters, Rarity gasped at the news of this juicy gossip. "You simply must tell me every detail." "Ok, but you have to Pinkie promise not to tell." I told her, she crosed her hoof in a 't' shape over her chest and pressed her hoof to her eye. "Ok, well," I paused, Rarity held her breath, "he asked me to be his marefriend." Rarity squeeled with excitement. "Wow Fluttershy," Lotus, the blue filly said, "that colt sure is a looker too, I've seen him around. Little hottie that one." "Now girls," Rarity prompted, "that's Fluttershy's new colt your talking about." She smiled at me. I smiled back. The spa was amazing, and when we left I told Rarity the rest of the story, the spa sisters were after all renowned for gossip, Pinkie Pie promise or not. Rarity almost lost it when I told her about him kissing me. "It was your first kiss?" she said, "Oh, and how romantic, he is good Fluttershy, don't let this one get away." I blushed at her compliment, to think of how lucky I had been to bump into him, if I hadn't been thinking about not having a colfriend I may not have one. That got me thinking though, I met him while thinking of something I lacked, was there something that pushed us together or was I really that lucky? Chord Progression of the HeartstringsSprinter and I had been spending more and more time together over the last three weeks. He and Rainbow only had a few days until their Wonderbolts tryouts. Sprint had asked me to meet him in the park, he said he had a surprise for me. Which didn't surprise me, everytime I met him he had a new surprise. The gifts were more than I could ever ask for, I felt so happy. I had never received so much attention from anypony. It was as if all he had was me, not to be selfish but he hardly seemed to interact with anypony else. I thought it was strange, I asked him once on the issue when we were out for tea. Although when the question came out, I made it seem casual, but he sort of shut down for awhile. As I trotted into the park I listened to the birds chanting their usual morning songs. As I approached Sprinter, he met me halfway. He held a small yellow envelope in his hands, my name was on the front of it. I took the envelope and ripped it open, what was inside made me almost want to yell with excitement. Two tickets to Lyra's Concert of the Heartstrings tour. I had told him many times how I enjoyed Lyra's music, there was something about the way the harpstrings glided into each note, and then faded as she plucked the strings in her rythmic manor. She was an amazing musician, she was my favorite. I hugged Sprinter and thanked him, but that's when he said, "That's not the only surprise I have for you" I looked at him confused, of coarse it wasn't, he always had something up his hoof. He raised his hoof to his mouth and whistled loudly, I heard a similar screech from the sky. I looked up and watched as a huge firey bird soared right at us, I flinced away as it landed firmly on Sprinters forehoof. I was amazed, most ponys other than Celestia weren't able to handle a phoenix, even docile and tamed ones were dangerous. The claws, were sharp enough to rip through stone, they could radiate a light that could blind you. Not to mention the pheonixes most powerful defense, the solar flare that one could emit was known to decimate entire forests at full power. These truly were majestic forces of nature, the legendary fire birds were definately not to be trifled with. It was well known that a phoenix could sense nerves, and were known to be masters of body language. At the moment I was fearfull of the bird, and I could see from his eyes that he knew it. He glared at me, staring me down. "Isn't he a beautiful specimen." Sprinter told me, "I was given this bird by a friend of mine to study." He explained, "would you like to hold him Fluttershy?" "Um, I don't think that would be a good idea." I replied. "Oh come on now, this one's not wild, he's been captive raised since he was a chick." He assured. I belived him, I nodded my head and held out my hoof. The phoenix seemed startled at first but it settled down. "There ya go buddy," Sprinter cooed petting the fire birds coat. I smiled, but then something happened that startled me, a pony crashed their cart into a tree, I turned back and in the process let my hoof down. The sudden motion startled the pheonix. "Fluttershy, watch OUT!" Sprinter yelled, I turned back around to see the pheonix had let off a small solar flare that was coming straight at me. I put my hoof up to protect myself, I felt a small singe on my forehoof. I looked at it, then up, the phoenix had flown away. I looked for Sprinter to thank him, but he wasn't to my left anymore. I looked down and at my feet I saw him lying there unconsious, with a large red and black burn on his flank. He had jumped in front of the flame to take most of it. I teared up, then called out, "Somepony get a paramedic!" The ambulance came and picked him up, I layed by his side up until then. I sobbed silently until he woke up, he saw me crying and put his hoof on my cheek. I gazed into his yellow eyes, he smiled at me, then fell back into unconsiousness. I waited in the waiting room for the news with my five friends. They had heard about the incident, and had immediately come to see what had happened. I was quickly treated in another wing of the hospital for my burn. I had a small bandage on it. It hurt a bit to walk on but I wasn't too worried about it, I wanted to hear from the OR as soon as I could. I must have waited silently for hours, which I was used to, just not with this much stress. All of my friends waited as quietly for the news as I, even the usually rambuctious Pinkie Pie sat quietly in her chair, playing with the single dangling lock of hair in front of her face. Eventually the doctor came out and gave us the news, "He's going to be fine." He said. I let out the breath I had been holding this whole time, I was relieved. "So," I asked the doctor, "when can I see him?" "Right now if you'd like, he's on a respirator, just so you won't be shocked." the doctor explained, "The burn was deep near his rib cage and it's difficult for him to breath." I entered the room alone, all of my friends agreed that it would be best for us to handle this alone, I saw the breathing mask on his muzzle, and the heart monitor next to his bedside. I sat in a stool next to him, he looked at me and immediately smiled. I smiled back and nuzzled his cheek. "Glad to see you're ok?" he said, I couldn't help it, I teared up. "But you're not," I told him. "Don't worry about going to the concert with me, take one of your friends," he offered to me, "I heard Rarity likes Lyra." I was tearing now, I didn't want to go to the concert with anypony except for him, I spoke and my sobbs were heard in my voice, "I want to go with you." "Well," he said, " the doctors said if I recover quick, then I can get a pass for one day, as long as I return for physical therapy." He looked into my eyes and smiled, he and I knew that his Wonderbolt tryout was only a few days after the concert. It was him telling me that he was choosing me over the Wonderbolts, I smiled, but then burst into tears. "What's wrong, I thought you'd be happy to hear that." he said. "It's just," I said through sobs, "It was my fault you got hurt." I told him. With much strain and effort he sat up and looked me in the eyes, he smiled, "It's not your fault Shy," he told me, "I want you to just come back and see me anytime until the concert. Just wait at your house and I'll pick you up, we'll go to the concert, then I'll check back in." I smiled and nodded, tears still streaming down my face. I left the room after visiting hour were up, before I left I pecked him a kiss and we said our farewells. My friends were outside waiting still. "So how'd it go?" Rainbow said. "Fine." I told her. "He's going to make it to the concert right?" Rarity pushed. I looked to her and winked, "He wouldn't miss it." I told her, she smiled as my friends all pushed more questions, I didn't answer them I simply smiled as I went home and fell asleep. Rarity still hadn't told anypony about my kiss with Sprinter at the dock. And that's how I wanted it to stay, for now. She only knew what had happened, I wasn't ashamed of him I just didn't want anypony getting too personal. Although Sprinter and I had become quite close I couldn't help but feel something was between us. As if he were hiding something, I shook the thought away, he would tell me anything, we had no secrets. But I could not ignore the nagging feeling that I was wrong, was there a secret he didn't want to reveal? Sprinters ConfessionIt had been several days since Sprinter had been burned. I went to check on him every day from eight in the morning until closing. I only left to feed my critters twice a day like always, once at ten and again at six. I always stayed as long as I could, sometimes Sprinter would ask me to bring him things, cupcakes from Sugar Cube Corner, or a book from the library. We would talk all the while, how he was doing mostly. He even began to walk very soon, when the nurses came to bring him his food I would always ask for a doctor. When the doctor came I would ask how he was doing, the doctors would all say the same thing, 'He's recovering quite quickly'. I always smiled and thanked them. It was the day before the concert and I was heading over to the hospital to see Sprinter, when I came through the doors I noticed a pony in a white lab coat and sunglasses leaving. I stopped to say hello, I was greeting ponies now that I'd met Sprinter, I was getting over a little of my shyness. But he took one look at me and bolted, I was confused at first but passed it off and continued to walk on. When I reached his room I saw him standing at the window, looking out at the beautiful morning sun. I greeted him as usual, he only grunted in response, this was unusual. He was usually ecstatic to see me. "What's wrong?" I asked simply. "Take a seat Fluttershy, I have to tell you something." He said, I could hear the concern in his voice. At this point I began to get nervous, was he going to break up with me? The day before the concert? "Fluttershy," he started, "I haven't been completely honest with you..." he stopped, I urged him to go on. Was this his dark secret that I sensed? "You see I didn't ask you out because I liked you," his words shocked me, I began to well up with tears. "Well not at first," he spoke erratically now trying to cheer me up, "at first I thought you were too shy for me, but then I saw how you really were." His words touched my heart, "You understood me on a different level, the incident I told you about, I've never told anypony else about it." I smiled but he still hadn't said everything, "Then why did you ask me?" I asked coldly. He sighed as if thinking of where to begin, "It started when I burned the building with the phoenix," he began, "I didn't really run an adoption center, it was an animal testing facility." I gasped, "I was sent here to get you to sign some documents, releasing your animals into my care so that we could run experiments on them." I teared now, letting them drip freely, he seemed to look distraught as well. "That colt in the white coat was here to check on me, to see if I had been sucessful." I glared at him, he was here only on a mission to sabotage my animals so that they could run medical testing? "I told him I wasn't going to make you sign them." He told me, I was shocked, "you see that over there." He pointed his hoof at a shreaded pile of paper on the desk beside his bed. "I ripped those up in front of him, I told him I would never allow them to take your animals, I know that you love them more than anything." I looked at him with tears in my eyes, he was truly sincere. "I couldn't possibly take them from you, I know you probably hate my guts right now." He looked out the window. "So I'm leaving back to Haymill," He said, I hadn't said anything until now. "You can't leave," I said. He looked at me astonished, "you came here to take my animals," I began his ears dropped and he put his head down, I leaned in closer, "but instead you gave me something I can never forget." I said softly, his ears pricked up and he looked at me meaningfully. "You showed me that even with bad intentions, somepony can put their hoof down and take a stand." He smiled at me and I smiled back. "You've showed me something too Fluttershy." He said, leaning in closer to me, I blushed, "you showed me that just because a pony is shy on the outside, doesn't mean she can't be somepony that means a lot to you." He said, his muzzle came close to mine, I felt his breath as his lips touched mine. This was only our second kiss, it was just like before, as his lips caressed mine the butterflys came to my stomach. I did a little flutter, apparently litterally because I was lifting off the ground. Our lips broke and he saw me hovering there, he laughed as I fluttered back down. I blushed again. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow at the concert." He said. I nodded. I waited at my cottage for the colt to arrive, the concert wasn't until ten, but I was so excited I even canceled with Rarity on our weekly spa date. As I waited I fed my animals and talked with Angel, although he couldn't respond he always had a way of showing his appoval or disapproval of what I said. When I heard a knock on the door I bolted to it, it was Pinkie and her husband Binkie. "Hey I heard you were going to Lyra's concert, mind if we cartpool?" Pinkie said smiling widely. If I hadn't known Pinkie I would have thought that Binkie was her colt twin. The two of them had the exact same hyperactivity. I nodded and the two of them immediately made themselves at home. We all waited for Sprinter to arrive, talking and playing board games. Eventually Sprinter came to the door, he asked why Pinkie was here, I told him they wanted to cartpool with us. He laughed at the two hyper ponies. "A double date it is then." we all climbed into the taxi he had brought. As we arrived to the amphitheater I could hear introduction music emiting from it. Lyra and Octavia would be performing tonight. We entered and took our seats. The lights dimmed, the music began. Sprinter put his hoof over my shoulder, I snuggled in closer to him. I knew the song, it was called 'Tugging at the Heartstrings'. We all listened as the music started soft, then became a little sad. It welled up emotions inside of you that went with the music. It could only be explained by experienceing. The song went on, feeling hopeful, climbing in its pitch, then back down, as emotions of a little sorrow struck in. But the song portrayed a hope, glimmering that someday something would come to take away all the sadness. I looked at the colt, was he the one to take away my sadness. He looked at me, and smiled. I didn't want this concert to end, well I guess it was this moment. I felt so happy here in Sprinters hooves. I felt as if all my troubles could wash away. Lyra and Octavia played some more songs that night, even breaking into what I believe was an all out music war on stage. The crowd cheered at the end of the concert, they recieved a standing ovation. After it was over, we dropped Pinkie and her husband off. Then the taxi took us to my cottage, we walked up to my door. It was that awkward silence again. I started to turn around to go inside but Sprinter stopped me. "Shy wait," he said, I looked at him, wondering what else he could say that would make this night anymore perfect. He looked at me, I gazed into his sparkling yellow eyes, he smiled. I began to feel my face getting hot as I blushed furiously. He leaned in close, but passed my muzzle and pressed his cheek against mine. I felt him nuzzle me, then he whispered into my ear something that made my butterflys flutter. "I love you Shy." he said, he pulled away and looked me in the eyes. He was truly sincere, he really did love me. I looked back at him, tears of happiness in my eyes. "I love you too, Sprint." Finally I had somepony who loved me for who I really was, and I loved him with all my heart. The End Written by: inuboy7 Edited by: TheXIIILightning (Thanks for all the help Light)
Oh I'm Sorry I Didn't See You ThereI was shopping out shopping for groceries, as usual, taking care of so many animals took up a lot of my time. I had a lot on my mind lately, all of my friends had recently found a coltfriend. Pinkie Pie had even settled down with a hyperactive pony named Binky Doodle. He planned parties too it was how they had met two years prior. I was one of the oldest of my friends, but due to my shy nature I felt I would never find the right colt. I was twenty and still had never even had a coltfriend. As I walked I kept thinking of these things, how could I talk to somepony when I couldn't even approach one. Even Twilight had to urge me to talk to her when I first met her. As I trotted through the street, I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't even look where I was going. I hit something big and red. I fell to the ground seeing stars. I looked up and saw the yellow eyes of a maroon colored pony staring back at me, his black mane fell over his eyes as he looked down at me. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you..." I told him looking down. He lowered his head to look me in the eyes, I blushed. "Oh, come now, don't be shy." He said to me, I looked up at him, "I'm new here." I looked up, he smiled, I blushed again. "I'm Spinter, Sprinter By." He said, "it sounds like 'bee' but its spelled like 'by'" He explained. I laughed I had never heard a pony talk about there name like that. "So what's your name?" he asked. "Fluttershy," I said quietly. "So, ya mind showing me around?" he asked me, I frowned. "Um, I don't think I'm the best pony to ask," I told him, I could introduce you to my friend-" "Naw that's alright, I just need to know my way around town." he told me, "I want you to show me what do you say?" He looked at me and smiled encouragingly. I wasn't sure but I didn't like saying no, so, "Ok." I told him. I began showing him around, we went past the shops I explained where the good ones were. He listened to every word I said, it was kind of nice having somepony who listened to me so closely. As we passed Sugar Cube Corner he asked what it was. "Oh that's Sugar Cube Corner," I told him, "this is one of the most popular sweets shop in Ponyville." "Hmm, back in Haymill we had Sweet Tooth Central, I could got for a bite how 'bout you?" He asked. "Oh, I don't really have much money, everything I get goes to taking care of my woodland creatures," I explained. "Don't worry," He told me, "my treat." We walked into the doors and were immediatly were greeted by the magenta hyperactive pony Pinkie Pie. "Oh hey Fluttershy, how's it going, I don't see you here too often," she spoke so rapidly that I could hardly keep up, "so, who's your new friend huh?" I blushed at the mention. "Uh I'm just showing him around." I answered. "Sure." Pinkie winked "Hey Binkie-cakes," Pinkie called a bright blue pony popped his head from behind the counter. He had the same poofy hair as pinkie in a different shorter cut, he also had the same hyperactive demenor. "Yup, yup, hows it goin' sugar bear," he said bouncing over. "Get 'em a table for two." Pinkie said happily. The blue pony saluted and sped off to set up a table. We trotted over and took our seats. Pinkie returned with two menues. "Just go ahead and take a look over the menues, I'll be back to take your order" Pinkie bounced off to check on the other pony's. I felt bad taking advantage of his generosity, I didn't want to get anything too expensive, even though I was rather hungry. I hadn't eaten breakfast I was in such a rush. My stomach let out a low growl seeing all the tasty items, I blushed again. Sprinter looked at me, he smiled. I blushed harder because I thought he was really cute. "Hey, Fluttershy you don't have to worry about my money, get someting to eat, ok?" he assured. It was as if he read my mind. "Ok." I said quietly. There was the new Apple Cinnamon Buns that I had always wanted to try. Pinkie came back in a flash, "So what can I get for the two lover pony's today?" Sprinter laughed, "I'll take the Apple Cinnamon Buns those sound delicious." I was a little taken aback, "And what about you Fluttershy?" "Um," I looked at Sprinter, I smiled encouragingly, "I'll take the same, and a cup of tea please." "Okie dokie lokie." Pinkie said and again she was off. She came back almost instantaniously with two steaming plates. "Here ya go, fresh out of the oven." She told us, I'll have your tea out in a minute ok, Fluttershy." I nodded we thanked her. "I swear I don't know how she does it." I said, I flinched at my own sudden comfortableness around him. "I know what you mean," he said, "food's really good though." We talked and ate and laughed for about a half an hour then decided to leave. I had never had this kind of experience before. As we lift the table he payed his tab and left a hoof full of bits on the table for Pinkie. She came to collect and thanked us for coming. As we left I was still laughing at one of his jokes. "So," he said suddenly, I found myself looking at him wide eyed and smiling, "we should do this again sometime." He said, more of a question though. "Oh," once more I blushed, I felt my heart race, "well I think I have some free time tomarrow." "Great were do you live I'll pick you up." I told him, we waved goodbye and I went off to finnish my shopping. The rest of the day I felt happy and a little giddy inside. Is this what it felt like to like a colt. I didn't want it to end.
Sprinters Tale of TellA day had passed as I awoke to the sound of my doorbell ringing. I got up and rubbed the sand from my eyes as I answered the door, it was the mailcolt. "Package for Miss. Fluttershy." he said handing me a brown box. "Oh, thank you." I bid him farewell and shut my door. I never got mail, what could it be. I read the tag, it was from Sprinter, and there was a card on it. I took it off and read the card before opening the box. It was polite to read cards before opening gifts after all. Dear Fluttershy. I remember you saying that you took care of alot of animals, I used to take care of a few myself when I was a foal. I thought I'd get you something to help you out. I know it can be rather difficult taking care of so many little critters. This oughta help though. I'll pick you up around tenish today. P.S. Don't worry about paying me back, I talked to your friend Twilight, nice gal, she told me the way you are when you get gifts. I opened the box, inside were six vouchers for a fifty pound bag of 'All Feed' pet food at/from 'Madlines Animal Necessities'. Twilight must have also told him about the food I used, it was expensive too, but I gave the very best for my little friends. I couldn't belive he had gotten me these, and six of them! It would keep me stocked on food for the winter. I smiled to myself, he was generous, funny and cute to boot. I once again felt giddy. Angel was curious as to what was in my package. "Look Angel Bunny, I got vouchers for food for the other animals, now I can have some extra money this time." I thought, I had to get him something to repay him for his kind act. "Come in Angel, were going shoping." I told Angel. He jumped into my saddle bag and we headed off for the shopping center. I bought Angel his usual lollipop that he couldn't go without, this time it didn't burn a hole in my wallet. I got cupcakes at Sugar Cube Corner, and a jogging suit for Sprinter, he had told me that he was training for the Wonderbolt's tryouts this season, but hadn't gotten around to getting proper equipment yet. I had to help out somehow. I stopped by Carousel Boutique to see how Rarity was doing. The bell rang as I entered, Rarity spouted her usual greeting, "Welcome to Carousel Botique where-" she stpooed when she noticed it was me, "Oh, hello Fluttershy. How are you?" "Fine, and you Rarity?" I replied. "Oh, Fluttershy come now, Twilight has already told me all about that handsome new stallion in town. I heard he has taken quite an interest in you." Rarity said getting straight to the point, I immediatly turned red. She laughed at my reaction. "Oh, Fluttershy darling, it's nothing to be embarassed about. I've also met him, so has Applejack. Rainbow Dash already knew him apparently, she was in flight camp with him it seems." "Yes, well he is a nice colt but I don't want to rush into anything." I told her. "Oh, of course not dear, take it as slow as you'd like. But do keep in mind that he is quite the looker." Rarity said the words made me turn bright red once more. I told her about yesterday when I met him, every now and then she would break out in laughter at the way I would describe his demeanor. The entire time she smiled through my story awaiting each detail of it. I glanced at the clock and was suddenly startled. It was nine fourty-five. I had fifteen minutes until he was supposed to pick me up. I told Rarity I would be seeing him today very soon. "Well then, what are you possibly still doing here? Get going!" she rushed me out I told her good bye and she waved me off. I rushed home, I got back in ten minutes. Still had time to get ready. I brushed my hair and straightened it up a bit. After I fed my animals I glanced at the clock and frowned. it was ten-ten, had he forgotten? I sat on my couch, sad that he had compleatly forgotten about me. Five minutes later I heard another knock on my door. I opened it and saw the maroon colt standing in my doorway. "Hey there, ready to go?" he asked. I laughed, I had forgotten myself the letter said tenish. I followed him to the taxi he had come in, "Yes, for a minute I thought you had forgotten." "Ha, sorry about that, I got a little caught up. I was getting wing bands so I coud practice flying with resistance for my training." That's when I remembered, "Oh, hold on one second please." I ran back into my house and brought out the white box with a little bow on it. He laughed apparantly amused that I hadn't followed his direction to not repay him. He opened the box and pulled out the red and black jogging suit. "Aw, well thanks Fluttershy my old one was getting worn. But I told you you didn't have to." He laughed and my stomach fluttered a bit. We set off for a field in the Central Park. Before we got out of the cart he pulled a picnic basket out from the back seat of the taxi. He pulled out the blanket and we set out the food. "So tell me Fluttershy, how did you come to be a pegasus who takes care of animals on the ground?" he asked. I told him my story. He listened intently hanging on to the details. "Uh-huh, well you never thought of opening up an adoption clinic?" He asked. "Oh, well I never thought of that, I usually just talk to pony's and get them a pet that suits them." "I think you'd get a lot more customers if you had a shop to work with." he told me, "I could help you, I used to run an adoption clinic." "Well what happened?" I asked. "Uh... we took in a phoenix." he said, I lauged thinking of my experience with Philomeena. Then I saw his expression, he looked sad. I apologized. "Naw, it's ok you didn't know." he told me. "Well what happened?" I asked. "Well..." he paused thinking where to begin. I sat in my office filling out paper work. It was hard work but in the end it was totally worth it to see the kids happy with their perfect pet. I noticed out my window some of my animal control officers handling a crate. I left the office to see what it was, I asked one of them. "Well," Nets said, I had known him for four years prior, originally a fishercolt, "apparently, this little bugger was pestering some young fillies in Appledale, so we scooped him up and brought him here." I looked into the small holes curiously, "Well what is it?" I asked him. "It's a phoenix." he said. I was going to ask how in the world he had caught a wild phoenix, but after all he was Nets, he was the best there was. We took the fire bird to his cage and let him loose. He was glad to finally be able to stretch his wings, and he was quite the majestic specimen. Of course we had to tame him before we could adopt him out to the proper owner. His red, orange and strangly purple feathers glistned in the sunlight. I went back to my office to finish my work. A few hours later, I heard the fire alarm going off. I rushed to the sight. The phoenix had set the entire hall ablaze. He soared over me and continue to burn the place. I rushed to the cages to unlock them. It was too late the locks were all melted. I tried kicking the doors down, it wouldn't work. I watched as the fire consumed the rooms. In the cage in front of me I heard a small whimper, a tiny puppy, maybe not even six weeks old looked up at me with big brown eyes. He squeezed through the bars. I picked him up by the scruff and dashed out of the building. There was absolutely nothing more I could do, tears streamed down my face as I thought of all the innocent lives that would be lost. It was all because I didn't take precautionary measures with the legendary bird. No wild phoenix could be caged for very long, I knew that. All of this was my fault. I burst through the doors and set the little pup down. He looked at me and I looked back at him, he was the only thing left. I named him Miracle. When he finished his story I had tears in my eyes, I couldn't believe that he had been through that. I wouldn't be able to handle it. I patted his shoulder to comfort him. He looked at me and smiled. "Thanks Fluttershy." We trotted home after the picnic, he seemed to recover. As I got to the door of my cottage it had gotten really late really fast. "Well that was fun right?" I said. "Yeah," he said, "I had a great time." We looked at each other a bit longer than I expected to, in complete silence, it was a bit awkward. I looked down, "Well, I guess I'll see you later then." I told him. "Ok, maybe I'll swing by another time." he waved and took his taxi home. I sat in my living room for a bit, I thought about what had happened. Why was that so awkward, I could have said something, goodnight or something. I drifted off to sleep.
Fluttershys First KissIt had been a couple of days since Sprinter had come to my house to see me. Everypony kept asking how it was going out with him, as if we were already in a relationship. I told them I hadn't seen him lately, they always smiled and said the same thing, "Oh, you will." Though I didn't know what they ment I kept waiting for him. I had sometimes begin to think that he had forgotten, was I really not interesting to him. Had he met another mare, well he was rather good looking he could probably meet another one easily. After all there was nothing special about me. I heard a knock on my door, I bolted to it and opened it. It was Sprinter, and he had a basket in his mouth. Were we going to go on another picnic? I didn't think so he had a serious look on his face, he put down the basket. Then he lifted the cover. Inside was a small brown and black puppy, sleeping it looked like. "I need your help." he said simply. It turned out he wasn't avoiding me. The pup he told me that he saved he actually took in. Miracle had apparently become very sick. He'd been taking him to every vet in Ponyville but nopony could diagnose it. So he decided that there was only one other pony he could take him to. I was a bit flattered that he thought of me. I took a look at the little pup. Even though he was sick he wagged his tail rapidly. He seemed like such a sweet dog. I looked inside his mouth and ears and saw nothing, but then I looked at his belly and knew exactly what was wrong. "He ate some Bellyache Grass." I told him. "Bellyache Grass?" Sprinter looked confused. "Yes it's a common flower here in Ponyville, in most animals it doesn't do anything. But if a dog eats it, it will give them terrible stomach aches, it can also make them get the hiccups and even a bit of vomiting." I explained, "You can tell because the viens on his belly turned green, they're supposed to be blue." "Huh," he was impressed by my observation, "so what's the cure?" He asked. I laughed the cure was actually pretty silly, when I told him he burst into laughter, Miracle seemed confused at the context being exchanged. "Don't worry Miracle your gonna get all better." I chopped an onion in half, the smell made my eyes water, then soaked it in vineger, then poured hot sauce on it. The stench was foul. I broke off a small piece and stuck it to a doggie biscut with peanut butter. As I appoached the pup his tail wagged, his tongue dribbled out in anticipation. "I can't believe this is supposed to cure it, if anything I'd think it would make it worse." "Sometimes the oddest combinations can come out to have the strangest outcomes." I told him, he smiled as he looked at me while I fed Miracle the treat. I turned away and blushed a little, there was his awkward way of looking at me again. The pup lapped up the last crumbs of his treat and burped loudly, a green mist coming from his mouth. It to smelled awful. Sprinter let out another laugh, and if I thought that the dog had energy before, he was almost literally bouncing off the walls. "So we gunna got out today?" he said the abrupt question caught me by total surprise. I didn't answer at first. Then I got a chance to shake the initial shock and responded, "I'd love to" even my own entusiasm seemed a bit surprising. I seemed to be more comfortable around him than I thought. He dropped off his pup and we got a taxi to the pier. As we walked the wooden platform that led to the off shore line, we said nothing. We just walked, the sun had begun to set. We sat at the edge of the pier and gazed at the sunset. It was quite beautiful, the orange and purple colors that streaked the sky in an unchartable pattern. The few clouds that were caught in the transition between night and day, they reflected the bright sun on one side and dark gray of the night on the other. I sighed as I watched all the beauty unfold before me. "Fluttershy?" Sprinter said snapping me back to reality, "I know this may seem a little sudden..." he drifted off, I could see the sparkle in his yellow eyes, even though he wasn't looking directly at me they caught the suns light and glowed a golden hue. "But?" I pressed. "I was wondering," he continued, he looked me straight in the eyes, I could feel my face turn red but I was captivated, I didn't look away or try to avoid his eyes. They sparkled in the sunsets glow. "it's just you're different than the other mares I've met, you're kind, caring, you listen." He continued as he turned away, I was expecting butterflies but I didn't get them. "I was wonderin if..." I waited intently for his last words, "maybe you wanted to be my marefriend?" He said finally. I made almost no hesitation when I said, "Yes!" He smiled, that's when I got my butterflies. "I was a bit nervous there for a minute," he said. We sat on the pier talking a bit more, lauging, sharing stories, and as the sun finally set he did something I didn't expect. He put his forehoof over my shoulder and pulled me closer. I felt him, warm against my body. I hadn't noticed how chilly it had gotten. I moved in closer. He leaned his head on mine. We watched as the last bit of sun trickled over the horizon. That's when something else happened that I didn't expect. He lifted his head from mine and moved his forehoof a bit off my shoulder. I looked up at him, was something wrong? No, it didn't seem like it, he looked at me, his eyes still sparkling. We said nothing, I saw the shadow of Lunas moon on the right half of his face and the orange glow of Celestias fading sun on the left. He leaned in closer, I didn't expect what happened next, and to this day I cannot put words to the pure and absolute bliss I felt as his lips caressed mine. I closed my eyes enjoying the short experience. When he moved away I felt out of breath. He smiled, I smiled back. It was my very first kiss, from my very first coltfriend. The next day Rarity came by to pick me up for our weekly spa date. We trotted and talked as we went. "So darling, have you seen you-know-who?" she questioned. "Actually yes," I said proudly, as we entered the check-in office of the Spa Sisters, Rarity gasped at the news of this juicy gossip. "You simply must tell me every detail." "Ok, but you have to Pinkie promise not to tell." I told her, she crosed her hoof in a 't' shape over her chest and pressed her hoof to her eye. "Ok, well," I paused, Rarity held her breath, "he asked me to be his marefriend." Rarity squeeled with excitement. "Wow Fluttershy," Lotus, the blue filly said, "that colt sure is a looker too, I've seen him around. Little hottie that one." "Now girls," Rarity prompted, "that's Fluttershy's new colt your talking about." She smiled at me. I smiled back. The spa was amazing, and when we left I told Rarity the rest of the story, the spa sisters were after all renowned for gossip, Pinkie Pie promise or not. Rarity almost lost it when I told her about him kissing me. "It was your first kiss?" she said, "Oh, and how romantic, he is good Fluttershy, don't let this one get away." I blushed at her compliment, to think of how lucky I had been to bump into him, if I hadn't been thinking about not having a colfriend I may not have one. That got me thinking though, I met him while thinking of something I lacked, was there something that pushed us together or was I really that lucky?
Chord Progression of the HeartstringsSprinter and I had been spending more and more time together over the last three weeks. He and Rainbow only had a few days until their Wonderbolts tryouts. Sprint had asked me to meet him in the park, he said he had a surprise for me. Which didn't surprise me, everytime I met him he had a new surprise. The gifts were more than I could ever ask for, I felt so happy. I had never received so much attention from anypony. It was as if all he had was me, not to be selfish but he hardly seemed to interact with anypony else. I thought it was strange, I asked him once on the issue when we were out for tea. Although when the question came out, I made it seem casual, but he sort of shut down for awhile. As I trotted into the park I listened to the birds chanting their usual morning songs. As I approached Sprinter, he met me halfway. He held a small yellow envelope in his hands, my name was on the front of it. I took the envelope and ripped it open, what was inside made me almost want to yell with excitement. Two tickets to Lyra's Concert of the Heartstrings tour. I had told him many times how I enjoyed Lyra's music, there was something about the way the harpstrings glided into each note, and then faded as she plucked the strings in her rythmic manor. She was an amazing musician, she was my favorite. I hugged Sprinter and thanked him, but that's when he said, "That's not the only surprise I have for you" I looked at him confused, of coarse it wasn't, he always had something up his hoof. He raised his hoof to his mouth and whistled loudly, I heard a similar screech from the sky. I looked up and watched as a huge firey bird soared right at us, I flinced away as it landed firmly on Sprinters forehoof. I was amazed, most ponys other than Celestia weren't able to handle a phoenix, even docile and tamed ones were dangerous. The claws, were sharp enough to rip through stone, they could radiate a light that could blind you. Not to mention the pheonixes most powerful defense, the solar flare that one could emit was known to decimate entire forests at full power. These truly were majestic forces of nature, the legendary fire birds were definately not to be trifled with. It was well known that a phoenix could sense nerves, and were known to be masters of body language. At the moment I was fearfull of the bird, and I could see from his eyes that he knew it. He glared at me, staring me down. "Isn't he a beautiful specimen." Sprinter told me, "I was given this bird by a friend of mine to study." He explained, "would you like to hold him Fluttershy?" "Um, I don't think that would be a good idea." I replied. "Oh come on now, this one's not wild, he's been captive raised since he was a chick." He assured. I belived him, I nodded my head and held out my hoof. The phoenix seemed startled at first but it settled down. "There ya go buddy," Sprinter cooed petting the fire birds coat. I smiled, but then something happened that startled me, a pony crashed their cart into a tree, I turned back and in the process let my hoof down. The sudden motion startled the pheonix. "Fluttershy, watch OUT!" Sprinter yelled, I turned back around to see the pheonix had let off a small solar flare that was coming straight at me. I put my hoof up to protect myself, I felt a small singe on my forehoof. I looked at it, then up, the phoenix had flown away. I looked for Sprinter to thank him, but he wasn't to my left anymore. I looked down and at my feet I saw him lying there unconsious, with a large red and black burn on his flank. He had jumped in front of the flame to take most of it. I teared up, then called out, "Somepony get a paramedic!" The ambulance came and picked him up, I layed by his side up until then. I sobbed silently until he woke up, he saw me crying and put his hoof on my cheek. I gazed into his yellow eyes, he smiled at me, then fell back into unconsiousness. I waited in the waiting room for the news with my five friends. They had heard about the incident, and had immediately come to see what had happened. I was quickly treated in another wing of the hospital for my burn. I had a small bandage on it. It hurt a bit to walk on but I wasn't too worried about it, I wanted to hear from the OR as soon as I could. I must have waited silently for hours, which I was used to, just not with this much stress. All of my friends waited as quietly for the news as I, even the usually rambuctious Pinkie Pie sat quietly in her chair, playing with the single dangling lock of hair in front of her face. Eventually the doctor came out and gave us the news, "He's going to be fine." He said. I let out the breath I had been holding this whole time, I was relieved. "So," I asked the doctor, "when can I see him?" "Right now if you'd like, he's on a respirator, just so you won't be shocked." the doctor explained, "The burn was deep near his rib cage and it's difficult for him to breath." I entered the room alone, all of my friends agreed that it would be best for us to handle this alone, I saw the breathing mask on his muzzle, and the heart monitor next to his bedside. I sat in a stool next to him, he looked at me and immediately smiled. I smiled back and nuzzled his cheek. "Glad to see you're ok?" he said, I couldn't help it, I teared up. "But you're not," I told him. "Don't worry about going to the concert with me, take one of your friends," he offered to me, "I heard Rarity likes Lyra." I was tearing now, I didn't want to go to the concert with anypony except for him, I spoke and my sobbs were heard in my voice, "I want to go with you." "Well," he said, " the doctors said if I recover quick, then I can get a pass for one day, as long as I return for physical therapy." He looked into my eyes and smiled, he and I knew that his Wonderbolt tryout was only a few days after the concert. It was him telling me that he was choosing me over the Wonderbolts, I smiled, but then burst into tears. "What's wrong, I thought you'd be happy to hear that." he said. "It's just," I said through sobs, "It was my fault you got hurt." I told him. With much strain and effort he sat up and looked me in the eyes, he smiled, "It's not your fault Shy," he told me, "I want you to just come back and see me anytime until the concert. Just wait at your house and I'll pick you up, we'll go to the concert, then I'll check back in." I smiled and nodded, tears still streaming down my face. I left the room after visiting hour were up, before I left I pecked him a kiss and we said our farewells. My friends were outside waiting still. "So how'd it go?" Rainbow said. "Fine." I told her. "He's going to make it to the concert right?" Rarity pushed. I looked to her and winked, "He wouldn't miss it." I told her, she smiled as my friends all pushed more questions, I didn't answer them I simply smiled as I went home and fell asleep. Rarity still hadn't told anypony about my kiss with Sprinter at the dock. And that's how I wanted it to stay, for now. She only knew what had happened, I wasn't ashamed of him I just didn't want anypony getting too personal. Although Sprinter and I had become quite close I couldn't help but feel something was between us. As if he were hiding something, I shook the thought away, he would tell me anything, we had no secrets. But I could not ignore the nagging feeling that I was wrong, was there a secret he didn't want to reveal?
Sprinters ConfessionIt had been several days since Sprinter had been burned. I went to check on him every day from eight in the morning until closing. I only left to feed my critters twice a day like always, once at ten and again at six. I always stayed as long as I could, sometimes Sprinter would ask me to bring him things, cupcakes from Sugar Cube Corner, or a book from the library. We would talk all the while, how he was doing mostly. He even began to walk very soon, when the nurses came to bring him his food I would always ask for a doctor. When the doctor came I would ask how he was doing, the doctors would all say the same thing, 'He's recovering quite quickly'. I always smiled and thanked them. It was the day before the concert and I was heading over to the hospital to see Sprinter, when I came through the doors I noticed a pony in a white lab coat and sunglasses leaving. I stopped to say hello, I was greeting ponies now that I'd met Sprinter, I was getting over a little of my shyness. But he took one look at me and bolted, I was confused at first but passed it off and continued to walk on. When I reached his room I saw him standing at the window, looking out at the beautiful morning sun. I greeted him as usual, he only grunted in response, this was unusual. He was usually ecstatic to see me. "What's wrong?" I asked simply. "Take a seat Fluttershy, I have to tell you something." He said, I could hear the concern in his voice. At this point I began to get nervous, was he going to break up with me? The day before the concert? "Fluttershy," he started, "I haven't been completely honest with you..." he stopped, I urged him to go on. Was this his dark secret that I sensed? "You see I didn't ask you out because I liked you," his words shocked me, I began to well up with tears. "Well not at first," he spoke erratically now trying to cheer me up, "at first I thought you were too shy for me, but then I saw how you really were." His words touched my heart, "You understood me on a different level, the incident I told you about, I've never told anypony else about it." I smiled but he still hadn't said everything, "Then why did you ask me?" I asked coldly. He sighed as if thinking of where to begin, "It started when I burned the building with the phoenix," he began, "I didn't really run an adoption center, it was an animal testing facility." I gasped, "I was sent here to get you to sign some documents, releasing your animals into my care so that we could run experiments on them." I teared now, letting them drip freely, he seemed to look distraught as well. "That colt in the white coat was here to check on me, to see if I had been sucessful." I glared at him, he was here only on a mission to sabotage my animals so that they could run medical testing? "I told him I wasn't going to make you sign them." He told me, I was shocked, "you see that over there." He pointed his hoof at a shreaded pile of paper on the desk beside his bed. "I ripped those up in front of him, I told him I would never allow them to take your animals, I know that you love them more than anything." I looked at him with tears in my eyes, he was truly sincere. "I couldn't possibly take them from you, I know you probably hate my guts right now." He looked out the window. "So I'm leaving back to Haymill," He said, I hadn't said anything until now. "You can't leave," I said. He looked at me astonished, "you came here to take my animals," I began his ears dropped and he put his head down, I leaned in closer, "but instead you gave me something I can never forget." I said softly, his ears pricked up and he looked at me meaningfully. "You showed me that even with bad intentions, somepony can put their hoof down and take a stand." He smiled at me and I smiled back. "You've showed me something too Fluttershy." He said, leaning in closer to me, I blushed, "you showed me that just because a pony is shy on the outside, doesn't mean she can't be somepony that means a lot to you." He said, his muzzle came close to mine, I felt his breath as his lips touched mine. This was only our second kiss, it was just like before, as his lips caressed mine the butterflys came to my stomach. I did a little flutter, apparently litterally because I was lifting off the ground. Our lips broke and he saw me hovering there, he laughed as I fluttered back down. I blushed again. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow at the concert." He said. I nodded. I waited at my cottage for the colt to arrive, the concert wasn't until ten, but I was so excited I even canceled with Rarity on our weekly spa date. As I waited I fed my animals and talked with Angel, although he couldn't respond he always had a way of showing his appoval or disapproval of what I said. When I heard a knock on the door I bolted to it, it was Pinkie and her husband Binkie. "Hey I heard you were going to Lyra's concert, mind if we cartpool?" Pinkie said smiling widely. If I hadn't known Pinkie I would have thought that Binkie was her colt twin. The two of them had the exact same hyperactivity. I nodded and the two of them immediately made themselves at home. We all waited for Sprinter to arrive, talking and playing board games. Eventually Sprinter came to the door, he asked why Pinkie was here, I told him they wanted to cartpool with us. He laughed at the two hyper ponies. "A double date it is then." we all climbed into the taxi he had brought. As we arrived to the amphitheater I could hear introduction music emiting from it. Lyra and Octavia would be performing tonight. We entered and took our seats. The lights dimmed, the music began. Sprinter put his hoof over my shoulder, I snuggled in closer to him. I knew the song, it was called 'Tugging at the Heartstrings'. We all listened as the music started soft, then became a little sad. It welled up emotions inside of you that went with the music. It could only be explained by experienceing. The song went on, feeling hopeful, climbing in its pitch, then back down, as emotions of a little sorrow struck in. But the song portrayed a hope, glimmering that someday something would come to take away all the sadness. I looked at the colt, was he the one to take away my sadness. He looked at me, and smiled. I didn't want this concert to end, well I guess it was this moment. I felt so happy here in Sprinters hooves. I felt as if all my troubles could wash away. Lyra and Octavia played some more songs that night, even breaking into what I believe was an all out music war on stage. The crowd cheered at the end of the concert, they recieved a standing ovation. After it was over, we dropped Pinkie and her husband off. Then the taxi took us to my cottage, we walked up to my door. It was that awkward silence again. I started to turn around to go inside but Sprinter stopped me. "Shy wait," he said, I looked at him, wondering what else he could say that would make this night anymore perfect. He looked at me, I gazed into his sparkling yellow eyes, he smiled. I began to feel my face getting hot as I blushed furiously. He leaned in close, but passed my muzzle and pressed his cheek against mine. I felt him nuzzle me, then he whispered into my ear something that made my butterflys flutter. "I love you Shy." he said, he pulled away and looked me in the eyes. He was truly sincere, he really did love me. I looked back at him, tears of happiness in my eyes. "I love you too, Sprint." Finally I had somepony who loved me for who I really was, and I loved him with all my heart. The End Written by: inuboy7 Edited by: TheXIIILightning (Thanks for all the help Light)
