Facing Your Demons

“The subconscious is a strange place, a vast emptiness where lost memories can be found and hidden evils come to light.”

Fluttershy had always been the quiet pony her entire life. The ponies she talked to were her five friends besides her animals. She never knew her parents and her earliest memory was being in an orphanage before they sent her to flight school. Although her experience in flight school was short she had learned a lot about what having a family could be like.

Rainbow Dash showed her what it felt like to have a friend on the day she got her cutie mark. Of course after falling from the clouds and learning she had a deep connection with animals, Fluttershy had finally found her “family”. Angel always seemed like a brother to her and although he was stubborn she loved him very much.

It was because of him that Fluttershy was climbing the mountain outside of Ponyville. He wanted her to make him a special salad again but this time one of the ingredients was hard to come by. This herb was very rare and only grows in a cave that has residuals of dragon fire ash. Fluttershy knew that it might grow in the cave at the top of the mountain, because she had helped move a dragon out of it some weeks earlier.

Halfway up the mountain a vulture swooped down from seemingly nowhere and snatched up a wandering bunny in front of her. Screaming from surprise Fluttershy jumped back and heard a deep rumble. The ground beneath her shook as boulders falling from above started to strike the earth. Panicking her wings stuck fast to her sides as she tried to avoid the falling rocks. Try as she may she didn’t see the hoof sized rock, and couldn’t avoid it as it came down and smacked her head hard. A flash of white and a blinding pain was all she felt before everything faded into black.

Groaning, Fluttershy opened her eyes and rolled onto her stomach. All around her was just a vast gray emptiness, confused and slightly scared she stood up on wobbly legs. Finding herself unable to speak she thought to herself, W-what’s going on? where am I? Her head ached and she tried to keep her balance but her knees wouldn’t cooperate and she collapsed back onto the ground.

Voiced floated through the grayness and she recognized them to be her friends. Twilight, “What happened?”

Pinkie Pie “Why her?”

Applejack “Come back to us sugarcube.”

Rainbow Dash “I-I found her...”

Rarity wasn’t saying anything at all, Fluttershy could only hear her crying. The voices faded through the void but a new voice boomed into her head. “Be calm Fluttershy, there are things we must discuss.” Again she tried to speak but it felt like her voice box was bound in chains.

Oh dear Celestia I can’t speak! I want to see my friends! The voice came back into her head only this time softer.

“Yes while you are here you will not be able to talk, but I can hear your thoughts, allowing us to communicate.”

Where are you? Why can’t I see anything but gray? After this thought a bunny hopped into view and she recognized it as Angel. Angel? What are you doing here?

“I am not Angel but I am here to help you through this Fluttershy.”

If you aren’t Angel then who are you? I just want to go home!

“I am a thought form brought into existence from your troubled past. At this moment you are not able to go home because of the head injury you sustained on the mountainside.”

Head injury? What are you talking about?

“Watch and you will see.” the Angel look-alike said as he hopped over to her and the entire world around her bloomed into color. She recognized the mountainside and saw herself dodging falling rocks. Watching in horror she saw one fall onto her head and her body collapse. A few minutes passed, her body lying motionless, when Rainbow Dash came rapidly into view and landed next to her. “Fluttershy? Are you alright?” She nudged her body with her nose and seeing no reaction she picked up her friend and flew off.

The colors drained and everything returned to the void. B-but if Rainbow Dash grabbed me then where am I now? A tear trailed down her cheek as Angel replied.

“You are in the hospital surrounded by your friends.. The void you are currently in is your subconscious. It can show you anything from your past whether you remember it or not.”

“Please don’t go away Fluttershy.” She heard Rarity’s voice echo quietly through the emptiness,.

I won’t Rarity, I will get out of here. Turning her attention back at Angel she thought to him, If this place can show me my past then I would like to see what happened to my parents.

“So be it, but I warn you some things you see in here might not be what you expect.” The void shifted again and this time she was in a Cloudsdale hospital room. A young pink pegasus was laying on the bed screaming in pain as she gave birth to Fluttershy. The doctor carried her out of the room as a nurse pulled a sheet up over her mother’s head. The world dissolved back into gray as Fluttershy sat there, tears flowing freely.

She died? That vision didn’t tell me anything! Only that my mother died! What happened to my father? What were their names?

“I can’t stand to see her like this.” Applejack’s voice broke in before Angel could reply.

“Her name was Elegant River, and yes she died in childbirth. As to your father the doctors only knew a name, Heart Throb, not where he was or why he wasn’t at your birth.”

Heart Throb? Do you know where my mother is buried so I can at least visit her grave?

“Yes, she is buried in the Cloudsdale cemetery that is all the knowledge I have on your parents.” Angel hopped away from her and started to fade away.

Wait! Where are you going? I have more questions! Fluttershy thought as loud as she could trying to stand on her still unstable legs.

“It is time for you to be on your own, there is nothing I can contribute to what comes next.” Fading completely Fluttershy was all alone again in the void. Feeling helpless she sobbed quietly with no one to comfort her.

“I’m so sorry Fluttershy, its all my fault.” Rainbow Dash’s voice came through sounding choked with tears. No its not it is my fault, I should have told Angel he couldn’t have that salad. I made the choices that brought me here.

Suddenly a voice boomed through the entire void and shook the ground beneath her. “Yes it is all your fault dear Fluttershy.” A grotesque figure shrouded in darkness rose out of the ground in front of her. The darkness faded into a cloak around the figure’s neck and revealed a sight that nearly pushed Fluttershy to insanity.

The figure before her was disfigured beyond all reason. Bleached white bones forced themselves from legs and body. The ears were torn apart and bleeding, its eyes were missing completely. Fangs poked out from its mouth, and the wings were mangled and hanging limp. Worst of all the thing looked like her.

W-who are you? Fluttershy thought in fear that it might hurt her if she said anything to offend it.

“I? I am the evil that courses through your mind. I am what drives you to do bad things. I am your 'stare', and I want OUT!”

O-out? I don’t understand what you mean.

“I want out! To do this I must consume your feeble mind and finally take permanent control!” The thing moved closer and closer the more it talked.

Where did you come from? What do you mean permanent? Fluttershy slowly crawled backwards afraid of what the thing will do if it gets close enough.

“I was created by you! Every time the kids at the orphanage would pick on you, you wished there would be someone to protect you. I came in your time of need but you shunned me! I almost got out during the Gala and if you wouldn’t have come across the Princess I would have!”

Suddenly the thing rushed at her with blinding speed. the fear drove her to stand and jump to the side, narrowly evading her evil. For the first time in fear Fluttershy managed to open her wings and take off. The thing looked up and screamed as it lifted its own wings and followed her into the sky. Shocked she stared at it, how can it fly on wings like those? It shouldn’t be possible!

It continued to scream, but not from pain that it should be feeling from its wings, but with hatred. Fluttershy’s mind raced as she tried to think of a way to kill the thing. She flew faster than she ever had before trying to outrun her own evil. It finally came to her, I can change the void to see memories, what’s to say I can’t create objects as well?

Taking a quick dive, the thing whipped past her, and she concentrated on building her weapon. It appeared out of nowhere, a razor sharp sword with flames flowing over it like water. It moved to her every thought fluidly and without error. The evil turned around and started back towards her faster than ever.

Waiting until the last moment Fluttershy quickly moved to the side and brought the blade down slicing into the things back. It screamed in pain and fell rapidly before recovering and continued its quest in destroying her.

It had slowed from the pain but was relentless in the pursuit. She waited again and dove bringing the blade down onto it right wing, slicing it off neatly. This time it fell all the way and struck the ground hard.

Fluttershy landed near it still holding the blade in her thoughts. The evil struggled to stand not taking its empty eye sockets off of her. It started to speak incoherently as Fluttershy drove the sword into its head splitting it in half. The thing collapsed as black fluid ran from what was left of its head.

She let the sword go and it vanished quickly, the flames dying off in the air. She sat down and breathed deeply trying to catch her breath as everything faded to black.

Fluttershy groaned as she opened her eyes being blinded by the bright light. She held her hoof up in front of her face and saw various tubes sticking out. Looking around she saw her friends laying around the room fast asleep. All except for Rainbow Dash who was sitting next to her just staring. “Hey Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow Dash leaned forward quickly and hugged Fluttershy as hard as she could. “I’m so sorry its all my fault, I couldn’t get to you fast enough.”

“It isn’t your fault, I’m glad you got to me before I got even more hurt. How long was I asleep for?” Her friends all looked older and Pinkie Pie had cut her hair into a straightened layered look, which was unusual to see on the party pony.

“You were asleep for three months, we are all here because the doctor said you were showing improvement and might wake up soon.”

“Three months? It seemed a lot shorter than that. But I guess I really didn’t keep track of time. Thanks Rainbow Dash, your voice kept me going through some tough times.”

“Whuzzat? Fluttershy?” Applejack said coming out of her own sleep. “Fluttershy! You’re awake! I’m glad I didn’t lose you too.” AJ rushed forward and joined the hug. all of her friends woke up from the noise and realizing she was awake started talking excitedly.

“Wait,” Fluttershy said, “What do you mean ‘too’ Applejack?”

“Granny Smith died in her sleep last month. I couldn’t bear it if you died too.” AJ said sniffling quietly.

Fluttershy hugged her friend tightly, “I’m so sorry Applejack.”

“It’s alright Fluttershy, you’re fine and that’s all that matter right now.”

As the excitement died down and everyone was calmly chatting Fluttershy spoke up, “When do you think they will release me? I have something I need to do.”

Twilight Sparkle looked curious, “ The doctor said you can leave tomorrow. Do you mind me asking what you need to do?”

“I’m going to go visit my mother’s grave then go look for my dad.”

Pinkie Pie broke in, “But Fluttershy I thought you grew up in an orphanage, how do you know what happened to your parents now?” One of the biggest changes Fluttershy noticed was how calm Pinkie had become, instead of the excitable pony she used to know.

“I learned a lot while I was asleep, the only thing I didn’t learn was where my dad is I just know his name.”

Pinkie just frowned and sat back thinking it over. Everyone else looked shocked, they all knew Fluttershy’s past but didn’t expect anything like this to happen.

“I’m sorry guys, it’s getting late and I want to get some sleep. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Her friends all said their goodbyes and left but Rainbow Dash stayed behind. “Hey RD there is something I would like to ask you if you don’t mind.”

“Sure anything you want Fluttershy.”

“Um...I was wondering if you’ll come with me tomorrow, I would like some company.”

“Alright Fluttershy you got a deal, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good night.” She said as her friend closed the door. She smiled and closed her eyes, she had some more memories to look through.