For the Animals

“Thank you so much AJ and Twilight for looking out for my animals while I’m away at Canterlot! I can’t thank you two enough!” Fluttershy says happily as she waits with them at the train station, waiting for a train to take her to the royal and prestigious city.

"Don't ya fret Sugarcube. We'll have yer animals lookin' as good as when you get back," Applejack replies and offers her Pegasus friend a smile.

“That’s good to know AJ. There’s really nothing to it. Just keep them fed, replace their water everyday and make sure they’re in their respective places before sundown.”

"Easy enough Fluttershy," Twilight replies and then gives her friend the same smile. "So, if I many ask, why are you going to Canterlot? Is there some kind of event about animals going on there or something?”

The shy, yellow mare stutters for a few moments before mumbling something in a low voice.

"What was that?" Twilight asks as she steps forward, also leaning her head down so that she could hear her better.

“Uh… Um….” she stumbles again before hearing the train pull into the station with it’s breaks screeching, stopping moments later. “See you two soon! Good luck!” The shy mare quickly waves to them and mixes amongst the crowd to board the train to Canterlot.

Twilight and Applejack look at each other with curious expressions as Fluttershy boards the train and leaves the station, leaving them, along with a few other ponies at the station. "What was that about, Applejack?" Twilight asks as she looks over a her friend with confused look on her face.

“Honestly, Ah have not the slightest idea, sugarcube,” the farm pony replies with a puzzled look on her face. “Come on, let’s make sure her critters are good to go for the night.”

"Yeah... let's go. I'm sure that her pet rabbit Angel already might've started a rebellion or something," Twilight jokes as she and Applejack leave the station and walk toward Fluttershy's cottage, not knowing the true purpose of her visit to the prestigious city.

—

"That was too close... I was afraid to tell them about what I had to do..." Fluttershy says softly as she takes her seat on the train as it slowly pulls out of the station. Moments later, the conductor comes by and takes Fluttershy's ticket to be punched. "Enjoy your ride, miss," he nods to her, tipping his hat at her and moves on to the next passenger. Once Fluttershy’s ticket was punched, she looks out into the horizon, seeing the grassy plains outside of Ponyville and seeing the majestic city in the distance. “I have to this for the animals. If this means I have to do this every so often to ensure they have shelter over their heads, then as Celestia as my witness, so shall it be!”

“Who are you talking to, ma’am?” a stallion asks, sitting across from her with a puzzled look on his face.

“Oh, just, talking out loud, with myself,” she blushes softly, smiling sheepishly as she turns her head again to glance again at the horizon.