Chapters Time. What is time? Time, as we know it is the change of one state of matter to another. No change, no time. But what if there was more to time? What if time exists in multiple dimensions just like space does? And what if the flexible time we experience in our everyday lives (flexible since we know time can be sped up, slowed down and if the energy and technology are great enough, reversed), is but one dimension, one facet, one sliver of time. What if somethings were changeable but some things fixed? For one young girl; she is about to find out. Her fate in one timeline was to be killed. But that timeline was erased. So what carries over? And what shall be new? She shall soon see.
It was near the end of the school year. In only a few short weeks; the kids would have three months to relax, work, and party. It should have been a happy time but for Fluttershy it was fear inducing. Summer meant being at home with her mother even more. It was a fate worse than any school assignment. Fluttershy's mom was an abusive alcoholic who went out of her way to put all the blame for her failures in life on Fluttershy.
Crystal Shy was about 5'5" - 5'7" and north of 350 pounds. She walked with a cane because her knees could no longer support her bulk. She had short, thinning hair and a face prematurely aged by too much drink, smoking, and anger. She hadn't always been this bad. Oh, she always had a mean, narcissistic streak to her; but she also used to be hot. And being hot covers a multitude of sins for most boys. She had many would be suitors. She played them all to get what she wanted. A little eye flutter, a little pout, and they gave her whatever she wanted. She never took any of them seriously; until she met Hank Shy.
Her father had been a geeky, but good looking boy. Unlike the others, he showed no interest in her. She was so shocked by his lack of interest, she pursued him as the other boys had pursued her. Eventually she wore him down and they started dating. After graduation, they got married. He went to college to become an engineer and she stayed home. A year later, they had their first child, a boy. Three years after that, they had Fluttershy.
As Hank graduated, got a job, and started to climb the corporate ladder, Crystal became bitter and resentful. Instead of celebrating his success; she blamed him for not supporting her and what she wanted to do in life (although she never really made it clear what that was). She started drinking and smoking and binge eating. She would lash out verbally and sometimes physically at the others. Eventually Hank had enough and got a divorce. He got custody of the boy, she got the house, alimony, and Fluttershy.
Fluttershy often wondered what she did that nobody loved her. Her dad took her brother, but left her. She hadn't seen either of them in years. Why didn't he take her? She remembered her dad being nice and kind to her, but he still left. Was that all an act? Did he really only love her brother? How could he leave her behind knowing what she had to put up with? And her mother had crushed her spirit inside. Always yelling and cursing at her; throwing her sometimes down to the ground. It was why she was so quiet and shy. She didn't want people to know what she was going through and she learned earlier on - people equal danger. Only her friends kept her going. And her best friend was Rainbow Dash, whom she had known the longest.
Fluttershy was taking a long time to get dressed; her mother had been drinking again and she didn't want to wear anything that might set her off. She decided to go with a grey pair of sweat pants and an oversized green shirt. She put on a pair of sneakers, tied her hair back, and didn't even bother to put any make-up on; which she hated. Fluttershy was a girlie-girl. She loved fashion and dressing up and make-up and just being a young girl. It was the reason she and Rarity bonded so quickly. But now was not the time for that. Now was the time for caution.
Slowly and gently Fluttershy made her way down the stairs. Slowly and quietly, she made her way to the front door. She had just grabbed a hold of the door when she heard her mother call out.
"Fluttershy! Where you at girl?"
Fluttershy cringed. So close, yet so far from escape. "I'm here momma. I'm just on my way to school. You need anything?" she called back.
"Yeah, a daughter who isn't a whore! But that ain't gonna happen now, is girl?" Crystal drunkenly sneered.
"Momma! Please!" Fluttershy pleaded to her mother.
"'Momma, please! '," Crystal mocked back. "Don't Momma please me! I know what you're up to. That outfit isn't fooling me. Same way with that 'band' of yours with your whore friends. The only thing you're shaking is that butt of yours for all the boys." Crystal got up and waddled over to Fluttershy. "Well guess what girlie? - I aint takin' care of any of your bastard children for you."
"Momma, I'm not like that! I haven't even been out on a date yet. I'm a good girl momma." Fluttershy was in tears now.
Crystal shouted, "LIAR!" and brought her massive arm down across Fluttershy's face, causing her to fall out of the door. " You ruined my life! You caused my husband to leave me and take my son with him! I lost everything cause of you!"
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Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo were walking to school. They preferred to walk. Both were athletic and saw walking as another opportunity to workout. Rainbow was Scootaloo's idol. She was a tom boy like herself and was a world class athlete, which Scootaloo also wanted to be. The only difference was Rainbow tended to go for more team sports, like soccer and Scootaloo was more into individual, "extreme" sports. Also, both were only children and saw in each other the sister they always wanted. So every morning, Rainbow walked to Scootaloo's house, then they both went to Fluttershy's, and they all walked to school together.
As they got to Fluttershy's house, they gasped at what they saw, Fluttershy falling out of the front door with her mother coming out after and yelling at her. Rainbow knew the hell Fluttershy had to endure. Rainbow started running over to the house yelling, "LEAVE HER ALONE YOU FAT DRUNK!"
Crystal looked over to Rainbow. "Well, well. If it ain't little miss; it is miss now, cause I can't really tell."
"Why? Too drunk to see you old witch?" Rainbow angrily responded back.
Scootaloo grabbed Rainbow's arm to hold her back. When Rainbow was mad, she didn't think straight. She would try to take on this mammoth woman and lose.
"Your little boyfriend there has the right idea. You better all just get now," Crystal mocked, hoping to get Rainbow to attack.
Fluttershy, who was still down on the porch saw an opportunity and knocked her mother's cane out from under her mother; causing her to fall forward. "RUN!" Fluttershy shouted and all three took off.
Crystal yelled from behind them, "YOU GOTTA COME HOME SOMETIME GIRL! AND I'LL BE WAITIN' ON YA!"
Rainbow turned around, shot Crystal the finger, and yelled, "EAT IT WITCH!", and turned back around. All three ran all the way to school.
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The three of them made it school, out of breath, their hearts ponding. Fluttershy's one eye was quickly becoming black from being struck by her mother.
"Fluttershy, do you really have to put up with that?" Scootaloo asked in amazement. She didn't really know Fluttershy that well. Sure she had met her and hung out with her and Rainbow sometimes; but she didn't really know her in depth. She certainly didn't know Fluttershy was dealing with something like that.
"Yes, for years!" Rainbow sneered. She hated seeing Fluttershy being abused. She had tried over the years to get her to turn her mother in; but she always refused.
Fluttershy was about to offer up her usual excuses when she heard the others approaching her. She quickly tried to cover the black eye with her hair but it was too late. She heard them all gasp. They all came running over: Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Sunset Shimmer; and started asking her what had happened. She tried to assure them she was ok and that she had only tripped and fell. That was when Rainbow lost it.
"Tripped? TRIPPED! Yeah sure, fine Fluttershy; 'you tripped'! You tripped today, you'll trip tomorrow, and then you'll trip into the grave!"
"Rainbow! Please, not now, not here," Fluttershy pleaded.
The other girls looked back and forth between Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash in confusion and embarrassment. They didn't know what was going, but they knew it was bad.
"When Fluttershy? When you're in the hospital? The grave? When? When will finally be the right time to talk about how your MOTHER is a drunk, abusive, witch? You all wanna know where she got that black eye? SHE GOT IT FROM HER MOTHER!" Rainbow yelled the last sentence and everybody started to look around and stare to see what was going on.
Fluttershy burst into tears and grabbed a hold of Rainbow. "Ple-e-e-ase Rainbow, sto-o-o-op."
Rainbow looked at Fluttershy with smoldering anger. "She is going to kill and then I'll be without my best friend ever. I'll do whatever it takes to prevent that. If I'm gonna lose you, I'd rather have it because you hate me than because you're dead!"
Dead. Dead. The word echoed inside Fluttershy's head. Something about it made her feel suddenly cold and trapped. She suddenly felt a major pain in the back of her head and blacked out.
Everyone started screaming and yelling. The students grabbed their cell phones and started calling 911. Someone went in and got Celestia and Luna. Both women came running out as fast as they could with the school nurse. The made the other students get back until the ambulance arrived and took her away.
After everything had calmed down, Celestia looked at Luna, "Luna, take the students inside to the auditorium. Make an announcement over the intercom for everyone to come there. I'll address everyone once I get there.
"Of course," Luna responded and quickly started to bring everyone inside except for Rainbow Dash who Celestia requested stay behind.
Once everyone went inside; Celestia asked Rainbow what had happened. Rainbow started crying and hugged Celestia. She told Celestia everything. She told her about Fluttershy's dad leaving and how her mother abused her and how Fluttershy never wanted her to say anything about it. Rainbow felt horrible and blamed herself for everything.
Celestia hugged Rainbow back and told her it wasn't her fault and that she was doing the right thing now. Celestia called Rainbow's parents and asked them to come and pick her up and why. As she was done, the police showed up and asked what had happened. That's when Celestia and Rainbow told them everything.
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Crystal Shy heard a knock at her door. She looked at the clock on the wall. It said 9:30. Must be about that whore daughter of mine. Might even be her. Stupid slut, takin' off school, probably got a boy with her. Come here to fool around. Well I aint havin' that crap! , she thought to herself. She slowly got up and made her way to the door. "Girl I'm gonna bash your brains in you little piece of . . .," she stopped dead as she saw it was two cops standing at her door.
"No need to ask any questions," the one cop said to the other. "Crystal Shy, you are under arrest for abusing your daughter Fluttershy."
Author's Note
Yes, a lot of it comes from my first story, but, honestly it is kinda of the same story just a little varied at the beginning so it can fit into this timeline. So, elephant in the room, yes, Fluttershy lives! I couldn't kill her off twice. This story will follow her growth and development as a person. There will be more elements of "Mountains" in the upcoming parts, but there will still be plenty of new stuff as I'm taking it in a new direction.
Love you all.
"Come on, come on, I want to see how it looks!" Rarity gently teased Fluttershy while she tried on the outfit Rarity picked out for her. Fluttershy had been released from the hospital about two weeks ago with a clean bill of health. She moved in with Rarity's family and finished up what school work she needed to complete her sophomore year. Now she was officially on summer vacation and to celebrate Rarity had taken her to the mall for a shopping spree.
As soon as they got there, Rarity took Fluttershy straight to the salon where Fluttershy got her hair, nails and make-up done. Then it was on to the clothing stores. Rarity let Fluttershy pick some things out at first but grew frustrated by her picks. So Rarity decided this time she would pick for her.
The outfit Rarity picked was a tan vest with a white back, a pair of distressed skinny jeans, and a pair of strappy, wedge sandals. Fluttershy had protested, but not overwhelmingly. She eventually agreed to try it on and went into the changing room. After what seemed like forever; Rarity started to needle her friend into hurrying up.
"Rarity, I don't think this is really me," Fluttershy called out in a mixture of fear and embarrassment.
"No offense darling, but you don't know what really is you and what isn't. Now let me see."
Fluttershy pulled back the curtain and stood in front of Rarity, turned around, and asked, "Well?"
Rarity gasped. "Oh darling, you look AMAZING!"
Fluttershy smiled briefly before starting to complain again. "I feel ridiculous. The pants are too tight. I can barely move. And the vest is crushing my boobs."
Rarity smiled. She knew her friend was protesting just for show. "No honey, it's showing the world you have boobs. As for the pants; limited mobility is worth it for what it's doing for your butt there. No offense, but that booty is banging!"
Fluttershy looked at Rarity with a strange expression on her face. "Um, does this conversation feel familiar to you? Like we had it before?" Fluttershy asked.
Rarity returned her friends odd look with one of confusion. "No. I can't say this gives me deja vu . But then, those things are subjective, aren't they?" Rarity smiled but felt a little worried inside. The hospital did say Fluttershy was fine; but she still worried her friend might have hidden brain damage that they had missed.
Fluttershy shook her head. "I guess they are."
"Good. Now let's try on those other outfits I picked out for you."
"Oh Rarity!" Fluttershy rolled her eyes and closed the curtain again. This was going to be a long day.
By the time it was all said and done; Rarity had bought Fluttershy ten new outfits. Fluttershy protested but Rarity insisted. A new life needed a new wardrobe she argued. Fluttershy felt bad though. She didn't like her friend spending that much (or any) money or her; but Rarity was determined and it seemed to make her happy.
As the girls were headed to the food court for lunch, Rarity's phone began to ring. She fished it out of her purse and answered. At first she looked confused, then irritated. She tried to make some arguments with whoever she was speaking to but then backed off and acquiesced. She put the phone back and sighed.
"That was Mother. She's coming to pick us up," Rarity said with a tired frustration.
"Oh," Fluttershy said, surprised. "I didn't think she was picking us up for another two hours."
"She wasn't; but apparently plans changed."
Mrs. Geisel picked the girls and drove home in silence. Rarity tried to ask her mother what was going on but she would not answer. She would simply bat the questions away and say to keep quiet. While Mrs. Geisel was the sterner of Rarity's parents; this was a bit much even by her standards.
Mrs. Geisel pulled into the driveway and parked her car in front of their garage. As the girls were getting out; Mrs. Geisel stopped Rarity. "Rarity, why don't you join me and Sweetie Belle in the back yard. Fluttershy, you can go inside. There's someone there for you."
Rarity and Fluttershy exchanged glances. It sounded strange, almost ominous, but if it was anything really bad, Rarity's parents wouldn't allow whoever it was inside the house. They both nodded and Rarity went with her mother while Fluttershy went inside the house. Once in, Fluttershy knew why Mrs. Geisel had been so secretive.
"Dad!" She called out in surprise.
Her dad was standing with Rarity's dad in the front entrance way. She hadn't seen her father in four years. His hair was a bit longer, his glasses were gone, he'd put on a little bit of weight and had a tan, but it was still him. Fluttershy looked back and forth between him and Mr. Geisel; not knowing what to think.
"Hi honey." It was all he could think to say. What do you say to a child you haven't seen in years and who you just found out was sent to the hospital by your ex-wife? "Um, I know this is a bit strange. I . . . I was informed about what had happened. I thought we could talk."
"I'll be outback if you need me," Mr. Geisel said and started to walk off.
"Mr. Geisel said we could go into the family room and sit down if you want?" Mr. Shy said.
"Ah, . . . no. I'm fine here." Fluttershy was still in shock and couldn't process her feelings. All she knew is she wanted to stay as close to the door as possible.
Hank nodded. "I understand," he simply said.
"No, you don't. You don't understand. You don't understand what it's like to have your father take your brother and leave you behind to be yelled at, cursed, hit! You don't know what it's like to cry yourself to sleep, wondering why nobody loves you! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE YOUR SOUL CRUSHED INTO A TINY BALL AND TO BE SO AFRAID OF OTHER PEOPLE YOU DON'T SAY ANYTHING TO ANYONE!" The pent up rage and resentment were now coming out of her like a flood. Repressed emotions burst forth in hot, steaming jets of lava from her subconscious.
"YOU LEFT! YOU LEFT ME THERE! WITH HER! KNOWING WHAT SHE WAS LIKE; KNOWING WHAT I WOULD GO THROUGH! YOU LEFT ME THERE! NEVER, NOT ONCE CHECKING UP ON ME TO SEE HOW I WAS DOING! YOU LEFT ME THERE TO SUFFER AND DIE! WHY? WASN'T I GOOD ENOUGH? WAS IT BECAUSE I WAS GIRL AND YOU ONLY WANTED A SON? WHY? WHY! TELL ME! JUSTIFY YOURSELF TO ME! I deserve as much!" Fluttershy calmed down just a little one her last sentence; but the fire still raged within her.
Hank looked down and fiddled with his pants pockets. "I deserve that. And you're, you do deserve an explanation. I wanted to take you with me, I did, believe me. Your mother was becoming unstable. I knew it. I felt I had to get out. For my sake, your brother's, yours'. I went to Family Court and tried to get custody of both of you. But you have to understand, being a man in Family Court is like being black at a Klan rally. At first I thought I wasn't going to get either of you. My lawyer and I argued over and over that Crystal was an unfit mother, but he didn't want to hear it. Eventually I did get him to give me custody of your brother, but he said a daughter's place is by her mother's side. So I had a choice, save your brother or leave both of you behind to suffer."
"So, I was collateral damage?" Fluttershy asked bitterly. "An acceptable loss?"
Hank looked down and then into his daughter's eyes. "Yes." It was all he could say. It tore his heart out to say it and he felt like a monster for saying it; but it was the truth.
Fluttershy stood for a moment with her mouth open before she could go on. "And you never checked on me; to see how I was doing?"
"I couldn't. If I were to have visitation with you, she would have had to have visitation with him. I didn't want that. There's no telling what she might have done to him, to you. I couldn't run the risk."
Fluttershy just nodded her head. "Ok Father. You made your decision, cut your losses, that's fine. Now get out!" She pointed to the door.
"Fluttershy, baby, I suffered everyday knowing I left you behind. I . . . "
"YOU suffered! Oh, yes, forgive me! Here I was being selfish. I never considered how you were the suffering one. Get out. GET OUT! You made your choice, cut your losses, so live with it. Just get!"
"I can make amends now! What about your brother? Don't you want to see him? I'm remarried now. We can have a good life," Hank pleaded.
Fluttershy shook her head. "You made a hard choice. Fine. You got to live with it. You don't get a do-over. I can't have one, so neither can you. Now, for the last time, get out!"
By law, she was his daughter and he could take her. He could have the police bring her to him. But what for. The anger, the hate, the resentment she felt for him was real. She would never accept him; especially under those circumstances. No, he would do as she said. Maybe she would come around, maybe she wouldn't. But, as she said and he knew back then, that was the risk he took when he left her behind. It was a horrible decision, but the best he knew to make at the time. In a way, maybe this was the price he had to pay; his pound of flesh.
"As you wish." The Princess Bride was one of her favorite movies when she was really little. Every Saturday and Sunday night they would watch it together. It had been their thing. And at a time like this, all he could do was quote the movie. He then walked out the front door.
As soon as he had left; Fluttershy collapsed on the floor in tears. The Geisel family came running in and comforted her. But this was more than just crying, this was an exorcism. All the demons, all the baggage, she was letting go. The years of pain and hurt were being released on tear at a time. When she was done, she didn't feel better, but she did feel whole.
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Three weeks had passed since Fluttershy had come to live with Rarity's family. They were absolutly wonderful. Fluttershy loved them all and hopped to spend the rest of her high school years with them. They included her in on everything they did and made her feel like part of the family.
On this night, Fluttershy was in Rarity's bedroom being her model again. Every new creation Rarity made she had Fluttershy try on and model it for her so she could see how it looked. Rarity said Fluttershy's proportions were perfect. In fact, Rarity said the two of them should go into business together. She could be the designer and Fluttershy could be her model and muse. She would even fake a french accent sometimes when she said it.
Fluttershy loved the idea but had no interest in being in the public eye. What she really wanted to do was work with animals. She loved the animal shelter and thought about something like that but only bigger. Maybe she would buy a farm and turn that into a huge animal sanctuary. She could become a veterinarian, but the idea of operating on animals or putting them to sleep, even if it was for their own good, was something she couldn't see herself being able to do.
No matter what she did or decided to do, she knew it was all out there for her now. These last few weeks had given her a sense of freedom and happiness she had never known before. The world seemed alive with new possibilities. She was no longer afraid to get dressed in the morning, afraid of saying the wrong thing, of just breathing. The weight of worry had been lifted from her shoulders and it was hard to not just give in and go hog wild.
"Alright Fluttershy darling, go look in the mirror; see what you think," Rarity said, knocking Fluttershy out of her daydreams.
Fluttershy walked over to the mirror to see how she looked. Rarity's latest dress as an evening gown. The main color was a gorgeous, deep, royal purple. Accent colors were teal and white. It had a nice v-cut neckline that was low enough to pique interest, but not so low as to look slutty. The top was extremely form fitting and flared out a bit at the waist. On the left breast there was a small outline of a butterfly.
"Oh Rarity; it's beautiful!" Fluttershy was amazed at not just how well the dress looked but how she looked in it. "You've out done yourself this time."
Rarity smiled. "You like it? Good, it's yours."
Fluttershy spun around with her hands over her mouth. Her eyes bulged in surprise. "Oh Rarity, I couldn't!"
"Honey, I made that for you. It's my gift. That butterfly there, that's you; what you've become, what you've blossomed into. You deserve it and it was an honor to make it for you."
Fluttershy went over to Rarity and gave her a giant hug. "Thank you. Thank you," she said.
"It's all right darling. Now, change back and we'll put this up in you closet ok?"
Fluttershy changed back into the clothes she had on before - white shirt and blue jeans. Rarity gently took the dress and folded it up and placed in a gift box she had from last years' Christmas. They went to Fluttershy's room and she put it on the top shelf in her closet. Fluttershy then laid on her bed and Rarity sat down on the floor beside it.
"Oh Rarity, since coming here, I can't tell you how much I've changed. The world is a brighter place, I feel more alive and assertive, you've help me become an entirely different person."
"Oh pish-posh darling. You always were this person. You just needed the space to realize it."
Fluttershy laid back on her bed and put her hands behind her head. "Rarity, you ever think about the future? About who you'll marry and all that."
"You know I do. We've talked about it lots of times before." Rarity was a bit confused by Fluttershy's question. They had had so many conversations about the future that the question was without any reason.
"I know. But, I don't know, I mean seriously. Everyone thinks they're going to get this dream job, marry that perfect ten, have this wealth, all that. But life isn't like that. Things happen, things go wrong. Nobody thinks about those things; do they?"
"I can't say I like your line of questioning there darling. But, I suppose if people did think about the bad, you'd have no reason to pursue the good."
"I disagree. Thinking about the bad let's you plan for it, anticipate it. I think about the bad. I think about the good as well. I think more about the good now more than ever."
"I'm glad for you darling, but, I guess for most people we need necessary delusions. We need to think we'll be ultra successful, even though we know the odds are stacked against us. It's like the lottery, which I do know something about. Everyone knows that their odds of winning are nil to none. But they also know that someone has to when it eventually and that person's odds are just as low as everyone else's. So what brought all this up?"
"Just thinking. I never would have guessed my life would have turned out as well as it has these past few months. But I never thought my life would have been as bad as it was when I was a little girl, before my dad left. I've seen bad, I've seen good, it's all just random. Most of it. You never know what to expect or what's coming or why."
"True. So much of life is out of our control. A person can chose not to drink and drive for their own safety; but then get hit by a drunk driver on their way to work."
"I used to think I'd be alone. I never imagined I'd ever have a boyfriend. With a mother like mine, no way. That, and in a way, I thought I was unlovable. But now, now I think I want to start dating." Fluttershy finished so softly, the last line was almost inaudible.
Rarity jumped up in delight. "Ewwww. That's wonderful darling! Any potential suitors?"
Fluttershy shook her head and laughed. "No, no one specific. Just a general, em, feeling."
"Well, we have hands to take care of those 'feelings'," Rarity said and they both laughed. "Seriously, though darling, I'm glad to hear it. A lady as beautiful in heart and body, deserves a fellow on her arm. Just so long as you pick the right one."
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Since it was summer, Fluttershy had increased the number of hours she volunteered down at the animal shelter. In fact she was there so much, she was actually offered a paid position. She loved it and she didn't feel like such a mooch on the Geisel's anymore. In all things it felt like her life kept getting better and better. Who knows; maybe she would find a boyfriend here soon. She laughed to herself as she thought that. Her life was already better than she could have ever imagined, she really couldn't ask for anything more right away.
Fluttershy was on lunch break at the animal shelter and decided to eat her lunch outside today. It was another cloudless, sunny day. In some ways that was really bad since California was in a drought, but Fluttershy still loved a good blue sky. Right down from the shelter was a small café where she liked to eat at. She could watch everyone driving and walking past. Sometimes she would come up with names and stories for the people she saw. It was her thing.
"Uh, hi. Fluttershy right?"
Fluttershy turned around to see a boy from her school standing before her. He had dreadlocks that were dyed green and a blue cap. He wore a vest with a peace sign on it. He was handsome but she had never really gotten to know him. "Yes, hi," she said nicely in return.
"I'm Sandalwood. We go to school together. Mind if I sit with you?"
Fluttershy could tell he was nervous. It was really an amusing turn of events that someone should be nervous to meet her. "No. Go ahead. I would enjoy the company."
"Thanks," he said and sat down. "I wanted to ask first. Didn't want to invade your personal space."
"It's fine. So what brings you here?"
"Oh, well I was collecting signatures on a petition to ban all fracking in the United States. But then I got hungry, so I came here. My Uncle owns the place, so I eat free. Well, not free, I got to do chores for him, but I don't have to pay money. You?"
"I work in the animal shelter there. I'm just on lunch."
"Awesome! Helpin' the little critters out. No doubt. I wouldn't mind helping out. Need anymore people?"
"Sure. We could always use more volunteers. We don't have any paying positions right now though. I hope you don't mind."
"Oh no way. I just want to help in whatever way I can."
"Good. Be here tomorrow at seven a.m. . Oh, and my friend Rarity and I will be volunteering at the homeless shelter on Sunday if you want to come there. We'll be there at ten."
"Whoa, you're like super awesome there Fluttershy."
Fluttershy titled her head to the right and narrowed her eyes. Something was off about him. He was acting too nervous, too excited. Could it be he was trying to ask her out? No, couldn't be. But what if it was? She had to ask. "Sandal, do you want to go out on a date sometime?"
"Um, well, ah, um, " Sandalwood stammered. He had been attracted to Fluttershy since eighth grade. He had hoped volunteering at the shelter would be a way to get closer to her so he could ask her out. Hearing her ask that that caught him off guard. Was she serious or just feeling him out? He was afraid to answer one way or the other for fear of screwing up.
Fluttershy laughed. "It's ok. I'll do it. Providing you show up here tomorrow."
"Will do!" Sandal responded enthusiastically.
Fluttershy shook her head. "I know you will. In fact, I kinda think you already did."
"Huh?" Sandal asked confused.
"Never mind. Just a little deja-vu."
"Oh, right on." Sandalwood answered back, nodding his head.
For the rest of the time the two just talked about everything and anything they could.
Author's Note
As any of you who read "Mountains" I incorporated more of that story into this chapter. It'll be the last I do it for this story as now the two timelines will completely diverge. But there is a reason for this other than me being a lazy writer which you'll see in the next and last chapter of this story. Until then, love you all.
Sandalwood and Fluttershy sat in a clearing in the woods. They had gone on a hike and picnic. The two had now been dating most of the summer; a summer that was almost over. In another week school would start again so they decided to make most of the time they had left. Fluttershy had the day off and it was a beautiful, sunny day; so they decided to go on a hike.
They packed a lunch, Sandal brought his recorder and Fluttershy her tambourine. Sandal drove them to the park where the parked and began their hike. Through the trails they went, sometimes in the bright sun, sometimes shrouded under a canopy of leaves. They talked, held hands, and sang the whole trip. Eventually they got to the spot they wanted to go; a small clearing by a stream with a medium sized rock right in the center.
They unfurled the blanket they brought, un packed the food (all vegetarian) and drinks, and sat down. They ate in silence; just enjoying each other's company. Then they picked up their instruments. Sandal sat down on the rock, Fluttershy stood up, and both started playing. While they were playing, Fluttershy "ponied up". Her ears disappeared from the sides of her head and reappeared at the top. A long strand of hair grew out of the back of her head and stopped at about her knees. But most of all, two large wings grew out of her back; which she flapped to hover above the ground. Sandal wasn't surprised. He had seen her do this before; once at the Fall Formal, and the second at the Battle of the Bands. Truth be told; he thought it made her look even more attractive, like an angel.
Once they stopped playing, Fluttershy floated back to the ground and transformed back to normal. She looked over at Sandalwood and smiled. "Today is perfect!" she said in breathless delight.
Sandal just looked at her, the sun beaming down on her honey skin and strawberry blonde hair. Even now, in full human form, she seemed to glow. He smiled and shook his head. "No, you're perfect," he said.
She walked over and straddled him. They began to kiss passionately. After a while, it was Sandal that broke away. "We keep this up, I can't be held responsible for my actions," he said with a laugh.
"You says I want you to be?" she asked seductively and went to kiss him again.
Sandal stopped her. "And to the unsuspecting person or family that would happen to walk by?"
Fluttershy frowned, turned herself around, and leaned back so her head was resting on his left shoulder. "Party pooper," she teased.
Sandal put his arms around her and said, "Trust me, I'll be paying for this later."
"So what do you want to do now? Take a dip in the stream?"
"No. That would still be dangerous territory. Considering we didn't bring any swimwear. Time and place my lady. Time and place."
Fluttershy looked up at the sky. "Everything is so new. I feel like any and everything is possible. And I finally feel like I haven't done everything before."
"No more deja-vu ?"
Fluttershy shook her head. "No and it's wonderful. It's a bit, um, unsettling to feel like you've done and said everything before. Almost like you're being forced to reenact an old script."
Sandal kissed her on the side of her neck. "Well, here's to the new."
Fluttershy turned to look at him. "So how did you learn to play like that?"
"My father's Peruvian and my mother's Argentinian. They taught me native folk songs when I was younger."
"You know, we've talked about politics, religion, philosophy, but you've never told me about you family. Why?" Fluttershy hoped she didn't sound like she was accusing him of anything; she was just curious.
"I love my parents. They started with nothing and worked their way up to be very successful business owners. Dad owns his own tile making business and mom owns a dance studio. But, I don't like talking about being Latino. Everyone tries to box you in based on that. More so other Latinos. When I was younger, I was called coconut all the time. For me, being a hippie is who I am. I don't see the need to shave my head and speak with a Spanish accent. I don't want to act like some third rate Latin stereotype and be all, ' Hey bandito, what's shaken holmes?' I just want to be me. I'm Grateful Dead, not Gipsy Kings."
"That's so sad," Fluttershy said, genuinely sad.
"It is what it is. People like to stereotype other people, put them in a box so they don't have to get to know the person. And in minority or groups, they tend to take those stereotypes on as a cultural badge of honor and try to force others in that community to live by those standards. Not all poor whites like country music and guns, not all gays love wine and techno music. If we could just stop seeing ourselves and others as stereotypes and see ourselves as unique people, it'd be a better world."
"That's good Sandal, but you said yourself; you're a hippie. Your hair, clothes, they way you talk, all say, 'I'm a hippie'. Aren't you still reducing yourself to a stereotype?"
Sandal paused and thought about what Fluttershy had said. "I guess your right. Maybe it's unavoidable. But it's a stereotype I chosen for myself and not one I feel forced into."
"Except for the group you want to join. You are forced to live by their standards."
"Touché," Sandal replied. "As I said, maybe it's unavoidable."
The two fell silent for a while. It was Fluttershy who finally broke the silence. "So, you ready to get in the stream now and mess around?"
"Sure," Sandal said; he was no longer in the mood to say no.
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Sandal and Fluttershy lay napping on the blanket they had brought. Fluttershy started to have a strange feeling. She felt like she was being pulled out of her body. She opened her eyes to see herself lying next to Sandal, his arm around her in the spoon position. She was in fact, floating above her body. She turned around and could see she was being pulled up through the sky. The blue of the Earth's atmosphere gave way to the blackness of space. She wizzed by stars and galaxies at a rate that would have made the speed of light seem geologically slow in comparison. Then the blackness of space became a perfect blackness.
Where am I? She thought to herself. Then two bright balls of light, one orangish, yellow, the other purple, appeared before her.
"You are in the Nexus," the lights spoke with one voice. "You are here because it is time to receive your mark."
"My mark?" Fluttershy asked full of fear and apprehension.
"You are the Mystic. The one who died and who was reborn. The one who can read the minds of animals. The one who can remember the time that was not was. When you gave yourself in love, you showed yourself worthy of ascension. So it is time to receive your mark," the light's spoke.
From each ball of light shot out a small beam of light that came together. From where the two beams met, a smaller ball of light appeared. That ball then took the shape of a butterfly. The butterfly flew over and landed on Fluttershy's face and became one with it.
Fluttershy gasped in pain and snapped awake. She looked around and saw she was still in the park. Sandal sat up beside her and looked at her with concern.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
Fluttershy touched the side of her face. "Yes. Just a weird dream. We should be getting back now."
"You don't regret what . . . " Sandal started to ask but was cut off by a kiss from Fluttershy.
"Never. I'll never regret anything I do with you. I love you."
"I love you too."
The two packed up and started to walk back. On the way back she found she could look at an animal and somehow know what it was thinking. Whatever had happened to her was real and it was important. She was now The Mystic.
Author's Note
Ok, a strange place to end a story, but it will be picked up later in my long fiction. Think of all my short stories as the "prequels" to that story. I'm both setting up my mythology as well as teasing what is to come. I'll either go back to Sunset and Twilight next or go to Rainbow Dash ( or as it will be revealed, The Warrior).
For Fluttershy all was black. No sounds, no feelings, no sights, and barely no thoughts. A flash of something would come to her then recede into nothingness and thus plunging her back into nothingness. Then the images became more frequent and longer. Her walking up to her house with Rarity's dad watching her, her with a boy with green dreadlocks, her in Rarity's room wearing a beautiful dress, her yelling at Rainbow Dash, her with Twilight? - Twilight and Flash? How was that possible? And all the scenes seemed to be running in reverse order. Finally her and Rainbow out front of school, arguing, and Rainbow keeping Fluttershy's secret. But, wait, that didn't happen. Rainbow and she had argued but Rainbow told everyone about how she was being abused by her mother. And then, that image came to her and all went black again.
Fluttershy then felt something. She felt stiff and sore. She also felt somebody holding her hand. Slowly she was able to force her eyes open. The light came rushing in and made her close them again. She tried once again and was able to keep them open longer but saw only light. A third time and she could make out shapes; a fourth, blurry images, and on the fifth try, she saw where she was and who she was with.
She was in a hospital room, hooked up to various machines. At her bedside sat Derpy, a nice, sweet girl with down syndrome whom Fluttershy talked on occasion. She was surprise to see the girl sitting there, holding her hand, smiling. She tried to talk but could only moan and croak. Derpy looked shocked and then got up, ran out of the room, and came back with a nurse who then called for a doctor. By the time the doctor came in, she felt strong enough to speak. The nurse took Derpy out of the room so Fluttershy and the doctor could talk.
"How, how did I get here?" Fluttershy asked, still very weak and horse.
"You passed out at school two days ago. Your friends and principle informed us you were being beaten by your mother. We looked to see if there was any traumatic brain injury. We found some evidence for some, but nothing to explain the collapse or coma. Oh and I'm Doctor White." He stuck his hand out for Fluttershy to shake.
Fluttershy just stared at him in shocked disbelief. First, just the word "coma" was incomprehensible. How could she have been in a coma? Then the second part hit her - TWO DAYS! She had been in a coma for two days. Lights out, gone, nobody home. Well almost.
"Am, am I alright?" she asked more quietly than she could.
"Well, we'll have to run tests to make sure whatever caused this doesn't happen again and we'll have to see if any of your mental or motor functions have been affected, but for now, I think you'll be fine. Any other questions?"
"Yes, where do I go now?" Fluttershy felt the full enormity of her situation. Her mother was most likely in jail, her father was missing in action (or inaction as it were), so she had no where to go. No money, no house, no nothing. She was completely alone.
Dr. White looked down at the ground and took a step closer to the bed and sat down. "That, I can not tell you. I do know that for the past two days, someone has been by your side; and, your friend, uh, Rarity? - her father's been paying for your hospital bills. But what children and youth and the family court decides to do, I have no idea." He tried to sound as sympathetic as he could. He hoped that she would get the fact that she had never been alone here.
Fluttershy just nodded and said thanks, not really looking at the doctor, just kind of staring off into space. Doctor White patted her hand and left.
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It wasn't long before all the other girls and her other friends started showing up. Derpy came back, Rarity, Rainbow, Applejack, Scootaloo, Sunset, Pinkie, Bulk Biceps, Principle Celestia and Vice-Principle Luna all showed up. They all hugged her, asked how she was doing, what the diagnosis was, and they all told her how much they loved her. Fluttershy smiled at first and tried to answer all their questions but then started crying uncontrollably. Celestia said it was best for everyone to leave but Fluttershy was able to say no.
"I . . . I don't want to be alone. I have no where to go. Dad left me, momma hates me, I don't want to go into foster care. I, I just can't be alone," she said.
"And you won't," Rarity spoke up. "I talked it over with my parents and they talked it over with children's protection and you are coming to stay with us. That's it, no ifs, ands, or buts."
"And you never have to worry about being alone," Rainbow said. "We never left your side. All of us took turns watching over you just in case. Heck, we had to come up with a schedule, an actual schedule, of who could come by when."
"Thank you. Thank you all," Fluttershy said and started weeping again; this time with joy.
Everyone came in for a big group hug. They all continued to talk and fill Fluttershy in on what had happened in her absence. They laughed, told jokes, and eventually, one by one, they all started to leave. Only Rainbow remained.
"So, I guess I'll be going to," she said not knowing exactly what to say, but feeling like she should say something.
"Yeah, and I'm getting tired. But, Rainbow, thank you. You saved my life."
Rainbow smiled and nodded. She turned around and left; all the while thinking that was something she had needed to hear.
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It was around seven o'clock at night when Fluttershy received her next visitor. Their was a knock on door way to Fluttershy's room. She looked up from the book she was reading to see it was -
"Twilight! You're here!"
Twilight walked in with a big smile and waved. "Sunset wrote to me and told me what happened. There's no way I wasn't coming to see you."
"Aw, thank you. So how have you been?" Fluttershy asked; desperate to keep the focus off her.
"Boring actually. I mostly sit in my castle reading. Which isn't as fun as it used to be," Twilight said with a laugh.
"You're always free to come back here," Fluttershy said hopefully. "We all miss you. I think Sunset especially. Maybe Flash. But I know we'd all love to see you more."
Twilight's face took on a shadow of sadness and shook her head. "I wish I could. I'm only allowed to come over when there is an emergency. I miss you all too."
"oh," Fluttershy said disappointed. "I guess there's reasons, but it feels . . . incomplete when you're not here. You were the one who brought us all together. It just feels weird without you here."
"It feels weird for me too," not the least of which is because all of you are doubles for my friends back home , Twilight thought to herself. "I'd like to come back. Maybe not to stay, but at least visit. I was told I could say bye to Flash, but I can't make myself do it."
"Well, you're here now. So fill me in on what's been happening."
So Twilight told her about the map, Starlight Glimmer, going back to Canterlot and fixing things with her old friends, and so on. She told her how Spike got in trouble for not quite impersonating her, but giving orders under her name while she was asleep and how horribly wrong that went. Both girls laughed at that one.
"Uhah. I guess I should be going back now," Twilight said with regret.
"I wish you didn't because I don't know when I'll get to see you again. But you are a princess and that takes responsibility."
"Yeah, sending everyone else to do what I wish I could do." Twilight paused and then looked Fluttershy in the eyes, "Will you do me a favor?"
"Sure, anything." Fluttershy was concerned by Twilight's tone of voice.
Twilight reached into her breast pocket and pulled out a necklace with a heart on it. "Will you give this to Flash? It's a locket with my hair in it. It's not much, but it's something of mine, a part of me, and I want him to have it."
"Of course," Fluttershy said with a smile.
The two hugged and Twilight started to leave. Twilight stopped briefly and turned around. "I'll be back in tomorrow. I have a book on the animals of Equestria you might like."
"I can't wait. You want me to let the others know as well?"
"No, this is our time. I'll catch up later. Besides, Sunset keeps me informed about what's going on. Take care Fluttershy."
"You too Twilight."
