The next day came, and I headed to work a half-hour ahead of schedule, full of pep and positivity. While my previous fretting wasn't exactly dormant, I was determined to try not to let it spoil my day. After all, on a clear Friday morning like this, how could anything bring me down?

I strolled into the pet center happy as a clam. "Hello, hello, hello!" I sang out as soon as I saw Fluttershy.

Fluttershy smiled warmly. "Now there's the Endless Wire I know and love!"

That last word hit me like a streamlined express engine: "love"?! I couldn't help staring blankly, as a slow blush came to my face. Fluttershy hovered down to my level. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Cat got your tongue?"

No sooner had she said that than a kitten in one of stalls gave a demanding meow, catching us off guard. "Does that answer your question?" I quipped, and we both laughed.

"But honestly, Endless," Fluttershy continued, her voice becoming more serious, "is there anything wrong?"

I could feel the sweat beginning to bubble up on my forehead, as my mind once again became a tangle of self-doubt: was this the right time and place? Did I really know Fluttershy well enough (and feel strongly enough) to truly love her? Would she turn me down? Finally, I took a deep breath and smiled. "Nothing whatsoever, Fluttershy," I answered, giving her a small hug. "Now, what's on the agenda today?"

"Well," Fluttershy answered, "seeing as you're early, you could help me get the breakfasts ready. Isn't that right, little guy?" she cooed to the kitten. "Are you hungry?"

As if in response, the kitten let out a second, even more demanding meow. "Guess that's a 'yes'!" I remarked. "Let's get crackin'."

The day went splendidly for me. No longer as badly weighed down by stress and hurt, I soon gained back my usual work ethic, and playing with the puppies put a huge smile on my face. By day's end, I felt like a million, and Fluttershy was very impressed. "You've certainly bounced back!" she giggled, as we closed up shop.

"I have you and everypony else to thank for that," I replied. "I haven't had so much genuine support and understanding for a long time. By the way, when are you planning to speak to Rainbow Dash?"

"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you! We're having the meeting tonight - finally, we might be able to get to the bottom of this predicament!"

"Well," I murmured, "even if it's not easy, I still appreciate you doing this for me. I wish there was some way I could make it up to you..."

"Oh, you don't need to do that!" said Fluttershy bashfully. "You know what they say: kindness is its own reward."

"But I want to," I persisted. "You've been such a good friend to me ever since I arrived - it's only fair I do something nice for you too." I paused for a moment, deep in thought; then an idea came to me. "Would you like to come swimming with me at the lake this weekend?" I suggested. "It'd be a great way to burn off some extra stress, what with all we've been through this week."

"Oh, I'd love to!" Fluttershy replied eagerly. "I'm free tomorrow around 1 - we could go then! I-if you're free then, that is."

"Sounds like a plan!" I beamed, starting to trot away. "See you then - good luck with you-know-who!"

"Night, Endless!"

I watched as Fluttershy flew gracefully off into the distance, and smiled to myself. "What a pony," I sighed.

Early the following afternoon, Tali and I set off for the lake in the further reaches of town. I had become accustomed to coming here whenever I needed a change of scenery, or if I wanted to burn off some stress - now seemed just as good a time as any. And Tali, being a water dog, would feel right in his element.

As we strolled along, however, the streets seemed strangely quiet. Naturally, on weekends, there's not that much activity out in the open to begin with; but even today, Tali and I passed relatively few ponies. "Oh, well," I observed. "Probably just one of those days. No biggie: there's bound to be at least a bit of a buzz at the lake, what with all this nice weather we've had lately. Come on, buddy," I said to Tali, enthusiastically quickening my pace. "We better hurry if we wanna beat the crowd." Tali responded with a will, and we cantered happily toward our destination.

But when we reached the lake, my expectations were quickly dashed: nopony was there. At least, it initially seemed that way, until I heard a quiet sniffling and whimpering coming from behind a nearby tree. I peeked around the corner, and what I saw made my heart drop to my stomach: Fluttershy, her usually elegant, flowy hair now a wild, frazzled mess, lay on the ground crying, her head in her arms.

Tali was the first to approach her: he timidly pawed at her shoulder and sniffed the narrow slit between her face and her arm. Fluttershy looked up, saw Tali, and embraced him, sobbing harder and harder, while he placed his paw on her hoof as if to say, "I'm here for you." After a brief hesitation, I slowly walked over and sat down beside them. "Fluttershy, what happened?" I asked.

Fluttershy took a few shaky breaths. "It's over, Endless," she choked. "You were right: she was angry with us!"

"Rainbow Dash?"

Fluttershy nodded, wiping her eyes. "When we told her about our meeting with you, she flew off the handle. She wouldn't listen to your side of the story at all. In fact, she acted as if she was the victim - she even called us a bunch of backstabbers!"

"What?!" I cried out incredulously. "But that's ridiculous!"

"Try telling that to Dashie," faltered Fluttershy, "because...unless we 'admit' that this is your fault, she...she...oh, Endless, she w-won't be our friend anymore!!!" She flung her arms around my neck, as she broke down all over again. I would have immediately hugged her back had it not been for the massive wave of shock I was now drowning in: I couldn't tell whether this was reality or just some crazy nightmare.

Finally, I mustered enough courage to return Fluttershy's hug; I could feel her squeeze just a bit harder as I did so. "She can't be serious," I murmured, still in disbelief. "Can she?"

"I don't know," Fluttershy sniffled. "Twilight and Applejack say we should just give her the time to come round; but I'm not so sure. She looked ready to strangle me the way she was ranting! I couldn't sleep a wink last night I was so shaken - and this morning, I wasn't even sure if I wanted to come to the lake at all. I mean," she went on in a hurried, anxious voice, "I didn't want to break my promise and disappoint you, or make you think I was ungrateful for your offer; but I've lost one of my closest friends, and it's taken the spirit out of me, and I don't feel like swimming, and I've ruined our day out, and I'm so sorry, Endless!"

By now, I had started to shed a few of my own tears: I understood this kind of self-deprecating mental entrapment all too well. "You don't need to be sorry, Fluttershy," I soothed, trying to choke back the massive lump in my throat as I stroked her silky mane.

"You got that right, freak! It's you who should be sorry!"

Three guesses who said that.

"It's because of you all this has happened!" Rainbow Dash snapped, hovering a few feet above us. "Your petty little tantrums over my honesty are one thing; but turning my own friends against me?! Huh! If you think you can get away with that, you've got another thing comin'!"

Fluttershy winced, while Tali shrank back, tail between his legs. "I turned your friends against you?!" I repeated, stepping forward indignantly. "I'm the one who thinks he can get away with anything?! Don't make me laugh! You did this yourself with your bad attitude! And now here you go behaving just like my father whenever I try to stand up to him!"

"Oh, boo-hoo! Your old man chews you out about things! Yeah, your little girlfriend told me all about that!" Rainbow thrust an accusing hoof down at Fluttershy. "For all I know, you probably have it comin' to ya!"

"Oh!" I said, giving a sarcastic laugh. "So that's how it is to you, huh? If somepony does anything you don't like, even without malicious intent, that's all the justification you need to lay into them?!"

"Pretty much, yeah," Rainbow replied smugly.

"Well, excuse me for only wanting some common decency!" I huffed. "Life wouldn't be worth living if everypony were as afraid of their own feelings as you!"

"What did you just say to me?!?!?!" Dash hollered lividly.

I felt frightened for a moment, but continued to stand my ground. "I said you're afraid of your own feelings! What, are you so full of hot air that it's clogged up your ears?!"

"That's it, pal: you're dead!!!!" Without warning, Rainbow Dash dove straight at me, fire in her eyes. Anger giving way to complete fear, I shut my eyes and braced myself for the impact, but instead felt a sudden breeze rush in front of me. Then I heard a sickening thud, followed by a shrill yelp.

I slowly opened my eyes, then gasped in horror: Fluttershy lay on her side, clutching a bruised shoulder. She had taken the blow for me! "Sweet Celestia!" I burst out, rushing to her side. "Fluttershy, are you all right?"

Fluttershy gave a painful moan, but managed to look up at me. "Don't do this to yourself, Endless," she whispered.

Rainbow Dash hovered in place for a few moments, mouth agape. Then, to my further shock, tears began spilling out of her eyes. "Look what you made me do!" she shouted at me. "If you hadn't gone and put ideas in her head, it never would've come to this!"

I was deeply stung by this accusation. "But I...," I faltered.

"But nothing!" Dash interrupted thickly. "You just stay away from her, because a braindead waste of space like you will never be good enough for her, for Ponyville, or for the whole stinkin' world of Equestria!" With those last biting words, she took off.

The aftershock of her departure never seemed to fade: instead, it grew stronger, louder, and fiercer, pounding ruthlessly in my brain. My head was spinning, I felt nauseous, the tightness in my throat was intolerable. Finally, I stood up, grimacing as tears of shame stung my eyes. "Come on, Tali," I said, struggling to hold back my sobs. "We're going home."

"Endless?" It was Fluttershy. "Endless, wait!" I didn't answer, and continued walking even as her calls became more and more tearful. "Endless, come back, please! Endless?! Endless!!!"

I did practically nothing for the rest of the day. I stayed shut in my apartment, with all the blinds down, lying facedown on my bed. Naturally, as evening fell, I got up to feed and walk Tali, as well as have some dinner myself; but even then, I felt listless and depressed, and only took a nibble or two before giving up and tossing my food in the garbage. "Why did this have to happen, Tali?" I asked. "Why is it that I'm still the scapegoat?"

Later that night, I morosely crawled into bed, and lay there with my arm dangling over the side. Even as I felt Tali paw anxiously at my hoof, I didn't smile as I usually would have. "Enough, Tali!" I snapped, finally growing irritated as he continued to tap me.

In the darkness, I saw my ever-faithful dog retreat, a look of absolute guilt in his soulful eyes. I winced remorsefully as he curled himself into a ball and lay on the floor a foot or two from my bed. "Sorry, buddy," I whispered. Way to go, moron, I berated myself inwardly. It's bad enough you've screwed up the life of the mare you love - don't go making things worse for yourself! Biting my lip in misery, I turned over, and slowly fell asleep...

In Dreamland, I found myself alone in a black void. "Hello?" I called tentatively. "Is anypony there?"

There was no reply - at least initially. Then, the scowling face of a colt I'd gone to preschool with appeared in front of me out of nowhere! "You're stupid!"

I leapt back with a yell of shock; but the face vanished just as quickly as it had appeared.

I walked slowly through the void, my heart pitter-pattering uneasily. I had only gone a few feet when the screaming face of my father suddenly seemed to jump out at me: "HOLD STILL!!!!! And stay still!!!"

"That happened when I was only six," I mused aloud, as the vision evaporated. "He was helping me put on my winter gear that day. Why is this happening to me?"

"You had it comin' to ya!" Rainbow Dash's scornful voice suddenly echoed through the darkness.

"Well," I admitted, "it's true I kept forgetting to hold still, even after he told me to twice...no! That's still no excuse for a father to scream at his son!"

Picking up the pace a bit, I suddenly tripped over my own hooves and fell down hard - a group of laughing high-school fillies' heads popped up! "Well, I am awkward," I mumbled, as I got up again. I stood there a moment, wondering if walking on was even worth it.

"Don't just stand there mouth agape!" It was my father's face again.

"Quit patronizing me...," I began indignantly.

"Endless, shut up!"

I grimaced in frustration as the face disappeared. "I've gotta get out of here!"

"Endless?!"

I'd recognize that soft, sweet voice anywhere: "Fluttershy! Where are you?!"

I cast my eyes here and there, and at last made out her shape in the distance. I broke into a relieved gallop towards her; but strangely, with every step I took, she grew no larger.

Then, as if to add insult to injury, my father's face appeared a third time, flashing a sarcastic smile at me. As it circled my head, continuing to leer ruthlessly, a volley of putdowns boomed all around me, all in Rainbow Dash's voice: "Idiot!...Retard!...Freak!...Brainless Wire!...Dork!...Oversensitive pansy!...Weirdo!...Twerp!...It's no wonder you've got such a lousy name!"

I shook off the last insult with a furious growl, only to see Fluttershy vanish in the wink of an eye. "NO! WAIT!!" I cried, stopping so quickly that I plunged to the ground again. I could do nothing but cower and cover my ears, as an even louder barrage of cheap shots bore down on me like savage beasts, the loudest of all being, "A braindead waste of space like you will never be good enough for her, for Ponyville, or for the whole stinkin' world of Equestria!"

Just as sobs of defeat and despair were about to tear out of my throat, there came a blinding flash of white light, followed by a regal yet soothing voice: "You have suffered too much for too long, Endless Wire. Let me help you bear your burdens."

Squinting through the piercing light, I made out the approaching shape of a midnight blue alicorn with a translucent royal blue mane and tail. "...Princess...Luna?" I croaked. "But I...I don't understand..."

The Princess smiled reassuringly, as the light dimmed to a gentler radiance. "Surely, you've heard of my duty as Princess of the Night? How I enter my troubled subjects' dreams and help them face their demons?"

"Of course, but..." I paused, gulping back the tightness in my throat. "I never thought you'd bother with a nopony like me..."

"And therein lies perhaps your greatest demon," Luna cut in solemnly. "Your crippled self-worth."

"It's not entirely my fault," I retorted, getting defensive. "I've been mocked and patronized practically all my life, just because of who I am! I mean, can I help it if my brain's wired a little differently than everypony else's?! I never asked to be this way! What excuse does that give ponies to be so cruel and condescending?!" By now, what would have been tears of sadness had become tears of anger, and I was finding it increasingly difficult to keep my voice steady.

Luna frowned sympathetically. "It is clear you fear rejection, as I once did. It's true, many ponies can react unkindly to things they can't entirely comprehend. But that alone should not invalidate ponies who do appreciate you, nor should it so drastically alter the way you view yourself."

"All I want is to be seen as an okay guy," I said, wiping my eyes. "But, how can I get anywhere in life without making myself vulnerable? There are probably hundreds of ponies, all over Equestria, who would hate me just for being myself!"

"You cannot change the way other ponies think, I trust you know that," replied Luna firmly. "No more easily than you can change the way you think. But if you let your self-doubt hold you down, the best things in life may very well pass you by."

I was quiet for the longest time after that: I knew she was right, but one other problem continued to ail me. "Well, how am I supposed to patch things up with Rainbow Dash? She'll never hear me out!"

"Even the most rigid of ponies have their own vulnerabilities, Endless," said Luna. "And even the worst of feuds can be put to rest, if you only know where to find some common ground."

Instantly, I thought back to the devastated look on Rainbow's face after she had punched Fluttershy. "Well, nopony with a heart of stone could ever cry after striking down their own friend!" I remarked. Then I went silent for a third time, remembering my deepest fear. "But what about Fluttershy? I admire her so much, but I've practically ruined her life. There's no possible way she could love me now, even if I confessed to her!"

Luna chuckled warmly. "I've known relatively few ponies as kind and forgiving as Fluttershy," she said. "If you tell her how you really feel, she'll understand - trust me."

At that moment, the void around us started to warp and melt away. Luna herself was beginning to fade as well. "Remember, Endless!" she called. "You're just as competent as the next pony! Don't let your doubts rob you of a happy life!"

"Your Highness!" I cried after her. "What should I do?! Princess?! Princess Luna?!"

Author's Note

I haven't been called every last one of those terrible names in real life, but I have more or less gone through every incident Endless relived up to that point. Sorry once again if this brought anyone down - I promise things will get better in the next chapter. Stay tuned!