In An Instant

by lavendernoodle

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Alternate Universe, Romance
Length: 8034

Fluttershy lives in chaos. Her whole world was thrown upside down in one instant. Fluttershy knows she'll never have a happy ending in a world torn in two, until an opportunity allows her the smallest chance of getting what she really wants: love.

Fluttershy lives in chaos. All she ever wanted to do was raise animals in the small town of Ponyville, but in an instant her life changed forever. She is now to be married to somepony she hardly knows, and will spend the rest of her days as a guard to equestrian kind.

Fluttershy knows that she'll never have a happy ending. She'll never get what she desires again. But soon an opportunity comes along, giving Fluttershy the smallest chance of getting what she really wants: love.

Rated Teen for mentions of light gore and adult themes.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2017-01-02 05:17:52 UTC

An Apple, Gone

Fluttershy knew this day was coming.

There was no way around it, she reminded herself that she didn't want that.

The whole camp was taking a day off of their duties for her.

It was her wedding day, and the first wedding in the years and years since all of the Equestrians who were still alive moved to the Everfree Forest. She would lead the charge in reproduction, Zecora told her. The thought made Fluttershy sick.

But there was no way around it. No way. No way...

"Oh Fluttershy," Pinkie Pie said to her. "You look gorgeous."

Fluttershy nodded her head in agreement. She did look quite beautiful, compared to how she and the rest of the ponies usually looked. Rarity had stitched together a dress, and though it looked nothing like a normal wedding dress, it was finely stitched, and some of the color schemes looked intentional. Pinkie Pie had helped Rarity do Fluttershy's mane and tail, using oils to smooth it down and lacing flowers through it. Fluttershy had even went to the river before to take a bath, leaving her face free of her usual mud mask.

"I am so grateful for your help," said Fluttershy. "I know that this is a day I will remember forever." The word stuck to her tongue as she forced herself to say it.

"I am grateful for you, darling."

"Me two!" added Pinkie.

Fluttershy could hear Zecora calling all the ponies into her hut, signalling that the ceremony was about to start. "We best be going," Rarity said, nudging Pinkie through the doorway.

"We're counting on you!" their voices sung when Fluttershy could no longer see them.

Fluttershy sighed to herself as she stood and walked through the doorway.

As a filly, she'd dreamed of her wedding. She'd wear an elegant white gown, her father would walk her down the aisle, all would shed a tear when they saw her beauty. The stallion of her dreams would be waiting for her at the altar.

But this day was nothing like the wedding that Fluttershy dreamed of for so long. All of her companions turned to look at her from their crowded room, nothing like the pews in which they were supposed to sit. There was no altar, just Zecora and her husband to-be standing on a dirt mound. There was no flower filly, tossing her petals down the aisle. Zecora made sure everypony knew how valuable plants were, never to be tossed away like garbage. Although, there were a few orange flowers sitting on top of a pedestal on the dirt mound.

Fluttershy took a deep breath and began walking. She sang a little tune to herself, the song she'd heard at weddings as a filly. But there was no music. No smiles. No tears to be cried. Not even her father was there. She walked down the aisle herself.

A few days before, Fluttershy had even overheard mares weeping, wondering if they were the next to be married.

Fluttershy finally made it to the dirt, and turned to smile at her "husband." It was Dumbbell. Fluttershy and Dumbbell had been known each other for the longest time. Everypony thought that they would be perfect for each other. At least, Zecora told her, it would be easier than having to pair her with some random stallion, which she would have to do with every other couple she married.

"Marriage symbolizes love forever and forever, so today I marry these two, always together," Zecora announced, turning heads towards her. "As husband and wife, which they shall be-"

"Oh, come on! Skip the sappy stuff!"

Fluttershy smiled as she heard the voice behind her say. She recognized it immediately: Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy had always been jealous of how Rainbow was bold enough to speak her mind.

Zecora cleared her throat and sent Rainbow Dash a glare. "And just like these flowers, with their petals orange-"

Fluttershy bit her lip. She watched Zecora struggle to find a rhyming word.

"Uh, Zecora?"

The mare named Applejack stepped forward from the crowd. Fluttershy didn't know her well, but knew she was a hard worker with lots of determination. "Mind if I step in?"

Zecora sighed and filled in Applejack's spot in the crowd. Applejack tapped her hoof to her chin. "Well, the Apples never really had traditional weddin's, so I guess I'll just have ta do my best."

She smiled at Fluttershy and Dumbbell. "Marriage is a very important part o' life. We all know that is symbolizes eternal love, but I reckon it stands for a whole lot more. It symbolizes ups and downs, the good times and the bad times, and the overall compromise that two ponies have when married. But ponies get married 'cause they know they can handle it if it's with somepony they love."

Dumbbell looked down at Fluttershy, smiling. She smiled back, for once finding warmth in his blue eyes.

"So do you, Dumbbell, take Fluttershy to be yer lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do."

"And do you, Fluttershy, take Dumbbell to be yer lawfully wedded husband?"

"I-"

"HELP ME!"

The crowd gasped as the shrill call for help cut through the hut. Fluttershy spun around, ready to fight at any moment. Pinkie Pie tossed her her spear, and the two soldiers ran in front of the other ponies.

A small filly ran in, with red hair and a yellow coat. She looked tattered and worn, and there were many bruises and cuts all over her body.

Applejack gasped and ran to the front line. "AB?"

AB? Fluttershy mouthed the words to Pinkie, who shrugged. There was nopony in the camp with those initials.

Applejack hugged the filly and began to cry. "Oh, AB, you had me so worried-"

Pinkie ran between Applejack and the filly. "AJ, you shouldn't do that. We don't know this filly."

"What are you talkin' about?" asked Applejack, her voice breaking. "This is my sister!"

Another gasp arose from the crowd. "It can't be," Fluttershy said. "Everyone outside of camp is dead."

"You're right."

The filly began to laugh, a laugh much deeper and heartier than a filly her age could manage. The suddenly grew taller, and with a flash of green light, wings grew out of her back and holes formed in her legs, which now were black as the night.

"It's a changeling!" cried many ponies from the crowd.

Pinkie and Fluttershy charged after it, but Fluttershy tripped on her dress. Quickly pulling it off, she cursed herself.

Pinkie threw her spear at the monster. It laughed and easily lifted itself off the ground. Rainbow Dash tried soaring into it, but missed. Or so Fluttershy thought, until she saw Rainbow speeding around it, creating a huge rainbow whirlwind.

"Everypony run!" yelled Fluttershy, and soon the hut was empty.

The changeling was dizzy. It tried to keep itself flying but soon fell to the ground. Applejack, blind with fury, ran to the monster and started kicking it with her hind legs. It sat still.

"How-could-you-" Applejack roared between kicks. Fluttershy watched as the changeling sat defenseless.

Applejack soon grew tired. "Is it dead?" she asked.

In an instant, everything had changed. Pinkie and Fluttershy approached it cautiously. "I don't-"

In an instant, the changeling ran to Applejack and bit her on the flank. Applejack gasped, and soon blood ran from where her cutie mark was. Zecora rushed over to her, and Pinkie and Fluttershy readied their spears, but it was no use. The changeling wrapped Applejack with its spit until she was inside a cocoon.

Fluttershy felt sick as she saw the mare, with bloodshot eyes and a messy mane, floating in the goop inside her cocoon. She soon felt lightheaded, and watched the changeling fly into the green sky before fainting.

A Gemstone, Missing

Fluttershy was awake. The light hurt her eyes and there was loud ringing in her ears.

When she finally came to her senses, she heard Pinkie Pie saying, "-'cause if you don't wake up, oh Celestia..."

"Pinkie?"

"Fluttershy!" The pink mare wrapped her into a hug. "Thank Celestia you're okay!"

"I'm just a little shaken," said Fluttershy. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Zecora. She must have healed me. "What just happened?"

"I don't know," said Pinkie. "It all happened so fast..."

"What was she saying about her sister?"

"The changeling looked just like Applejack's sister Apple Bloom. She was a sweet little filly, and so innocent...But when the changeling's attacked..."

"Only the strongest survived."

Pinkie nodded. The two knew this phrase well. Zecora told the survivors on the very first day.

Fluttershy was cold. Even buried beneath the heavy quilt, it was a freezing winter in Ponyville.

She slowly blinked her eyes open, until she saw that she'd opened her window and forgot. She climbed out of bed to shut it, but when she got near, she heard some strange noises coming from outside.

Is that...ponies calling for help?

The door to her bedroom flung open, sending Fluttershy jumping backward. "Fluttershy!"

"Pinkie Pie?" Fluttershy had seen the pink mare around, but didn't know her that well. She hoped she hadn't called her the wrong name.

"We need to get out of here!" Pinkie Pie grabbed Fluttershy by the hoof and pulled her out of the cottage.

"Pinkie, what's happening?"

"It's not safe here! Come on, hurry up!"

Fluttershy's heart pounded. Soon her vision became blurry with fear. She blinked and blinked, but was still shocked at what she saw before her.

"Is that the Everfree Forest?" Fluttershy skidded to a halt.

"Yes! We need to go!"

"Are you serious?" Fluttershy started creeping backwards. "I can't just go with you-"

She was cut short when she heard more ponies screaming. When she turned around, she couldn't believe what she saw.

There was blood everywhere. Buildings had crashed to the ground; some were even on fire. Strange, bug-like ponies flew down from the sky, attacking the ponies in the city.

Fluttershy's mouth hung open as Pinkie Pie pulled her deep into the forest.

"It's alright, everypony," Rainbow Dash said, shutting up the crowd of worried ponies. "Everything is okay. Well, not everything. But we're all safe."

"You are survivors of this attack, but to Ponyville you cannot go back."

The crowd gasped and turned to see...her. It was the zebra they'd seen in Ponyville all those times.

"It's Zecora!" somepony screamed.

"She's here to help!" A mare who was named...Rarity addressed the crowd. "She has invited us into her home. This is where we will live now, forever."

"But what of Ponyville?" somepony asked.

"We were the last to go." Another mare, this one named...Apple-something said. "Canterlot, Manehattan...They've all fallen. Celestia and Luna are dead."

In an instant, the situation became much more dire. Ponies started to cry. Some started to scream and run frantic.

"Do not worry, my pony friends, because I know these attacks won't be our ends," said Zecora.

"We are the strongest ponies in Equestria," said Rainbow Dash. "Everything will be fine."

The memory gave Fluttershy the chills. She slowly sat up while Pinkie handed her a health potion. Fluttershy took a long sip. It tasted sweet, like candy hearts. Something Fluttershy hadn't had in a very long time.

"Is she going to be alright?" asked Pinkie.

Zecora did not turn around. "Alright she will be. If she feels ill, tell her to come back to me."

"Thank you, Zecora."

Pinkie walked out of Zecora's hut with Fluttershy. Fluttershy raised an eyebrow at Pinkie. "Why are you following me?"

"I just want to know if you're okay."

"Why? I already said I was."

"Well..." The pink mare's voice trailed off. Fluttershy thought she saw Pinkie blush. "It's just that...you were the only one at the wedding who fainted."

"The wedding!" Fluttershy exclaimed, turning some heads. "What is going to happen about that?"

"Zecora said it's cancelled. She said, 'There is no time to be wasted.' But I don't think it was a waste. I liked it. Except for the end."

Fluttershy frowned. "Dumbbell must be furious."

"No, he's okay. He's worried about you, too. You should probably go tell him that you're okay."

Fluttershy took in a deep breath, and then released it. "Thanks, Pinkie."

Fluttershy entered her home slowly. She peered around, squinting to see in the darkness. She wished that Zecora would just make some candles.

"Dumbbell?" she called out, not knowing where her "husband" could be.

No one responded. He must just be out hunting.

Fluttershy wandered back out to camp. She then noticed something: camp was almost defenseless each day when Zecora sent out the three hunting teams. She'd never noticed, for she was one of the ponies sent out every single day. But now, she was supposed to be resting.

What if the changeling comes back? Or brings it's brothers? thought Fluttershy. I need to speak with Zecora about this.

Fluttershy jogged over to Zecora's hut. She heard Rarity talking inside.

"...and you see, I'm quite worried. Even if we were to save Applejack, I'm not sure we could nurse her back to health."

"Your concern I see, but it does not matter to me."

Rarity let out a huff. "Applejack was my friend, and a friend to so many others. You swore that you would protect all of us no matter what."

Zecora said nothing. Rarity asked, "What can I do?"

Again, Zecora was speechless. Rarity groaned and turned to leave the hut.

"Rarity?"

"Oh, hello Fluttershy. How are you feeling?" While Rarity was also a talented seamstress, she was training to replace Zecora as healer, if necessary.

"I'm feeling well. What about you?"

The unicorn frowned. "I am just a bit...frustrated. I cared deeply for Applejack. I've known her my whole life, even before the attacks. I just feel...somehow responsible."

Fluttershy gasped. "Rarity, don't ever say that! It was not your fault."

"I am a healer in training! Yet, I know not how to heal a pony with the brain of a love-sucking zombie." Rarity looked to the ground. "Poor, poor Applejack..."

Fluttershy frowned, unsure of what to say. "Rarity-"

"So today I thought I'd go into the forest a bit earlier in the week than usual. Make sure that we have a large amount of every plant that grows here."

"Rarity, I can't let you do that." Fluttershy grasped her spear tighter. "First of all, you know that Pinkie or I have to go with you when you enter the forest."

"But-"

"And second, it's too dangerous. We don't know who is out there."

"But Zecora let the hunters go out!"

Anger bubbled in Fluttershy. I won't lose another. "Zecora doesn't know anything! She's lived in these woods her whole life, safe because we were already afraid of her. But we are soft, squishy ponies. Changelings can tear us down at any second. Didn't you just here what she said?"

Rarity nodded. "We don't matter to her."

Fluttershy sighed and shook her head. "Not anymore, anyway."

Fluttershy shivered on her bed made of grass. It's getting colder by the day, she noted. I'll need to have Rarity make some cloaks...

Fluttershy stood and, yawning, exited her hut. The air was thick with fog.

She blinked to try and see if anypony was awake. It seemed not.

Fluttershy walked to Rarity's hut, where the unicorn usually slept in. Fluttershy walked inside, calling, "Rarity?"

But there was no sign of the mare. Fluttershy gasped, imagining what could have happened to her.

She ran to Zecora's hut, where there was no one but Zecora. She woke the zebra, quickly explaining what happened before bolting back outside.

"Pinkie!" she called, and soon the pink mare had emerged from her cave, spear at the ready.

"Fluttershy?"

"Rarity is missing! Call out a search patrol!"

"Dammit," the earth pony mumbled before running to get some others.

"Wait!"

The soldiers turned around, seeing Rainbow Dash flying towards them. Her eyes were bloodshot and her mane was in worse shape than usual. "You can't go out there!"

Fluttershy groaned and threw down her spear. "She's right. It's not safe."

"But what about Rarity?"

Fluttershy turned to the forest and bit her lip. "All we can do it wait."

A Rainbow, Faded

Fluttershy felt awful. Her stomach was a twisted knot, and her brain felt like mush.

She'd flown up to a cloud the next morning. She watched the sky, a hazy mess with the never moving sun resting close to the horizon. She sighed, holding her spear tightly with her wing.

It was up there where Fluttershy realized why she felt this way. Though these ponies weren't her friends, she was their protector. And she let them die.

Of course, she didn't know if they were dead. Pinkie kept trying to explain that it wasn't her fault, and no one could save Applejack, and they couldn't control Rarity. But Fluttershy knew better.

"Hey Fluttershy."

Fluttershy turned around to see Rainbow Dash flying her way over to the cloud. "Mind if I sit?"

Fluttershy shook her head. When Rainbow sat down, Fluttershy said, "I want to apologize."

"Apologize? You don't need to-"

"Rainbow, I've put you in such a situation. I know how you felt about Applejack. I know that you are so stressed out and depressed, and I feel terrible-"

"Shy." Rainbow put a hoof on Fluttershy's. "Please. Don't apologize to me. There was no way around it."

The mares looked to the sky. Rainbow sighed and said quietly, "I'm okay. Death is inevitable, friend."

"You're joking."

Pinkie Pie shook her head, tears running down her cheeks.

Fluttershy was in shock. "She...she k-killed herself?"

"She found a spear and..." Pinkie's voice trailed off as she moved her hoof across her throat.

Fluttershy fell to the ground and began to weep. Pinkie Pie sat next to her, wrapping her in a hug. "What are we going to do?"

"I don't know." Pinkie looked to the sky.

In an instant, Fluttershy didn't feel remorseful. No, she was angry. Fluttershy wiped her face. "We need traps. We need patrols. We need everypony on their game. We can't lose any more!"

Months passed.

Ponies in the camp were assigned partners. Pinkie and Fluttershy were assigned to each other, much to Fluttershy's relief. She didn't know if she could handle being assigned to somepony else, even Dumbbell.

There were less hunters and more soldiers. Traps were set and checked every day. Fluttershy went outside of camp every time, planning to use her emotions for the best of her campmates, in the case that they were to perhaps spot a changeling.

But there was nothing. No signs of changelings. No dead ponies.

And then they ran out of food. Zecora came prepared, offering her ponies potions to fill their stomachs.

Fluttershy still felt empty.

One morning, she and Pinkie Pie were walking through the woods, alone. Fluttershy brushed her braided mane out of her face and she covered her pit-trap with leaves. "How is the net, Pinkie?"

Her pink friend was up in the tree nearby, carefully hanging the net. It was Pinkie's specialty. She had an incredibly sense of balance, better than any pegasus Fluttershy knew, including herself. "All is secure, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy knew her talents should remain on the ground. When she was a young pony, she lived in the city in the sky: Cloudsdale. Most pegasi lived there, and that's where Fluttershy was born an raised. But one day, a mysterious purple mare spoke to Fluttershy's bullies, explaining that ponies should never bully each other. Fluttershy was incredibly grateful to that mare. Such a shame she was killed in the attacks. Or, something. Fluttershy never saw her again. She was never able to thank her.

Even after Dumbbell and Hoops had trained Fluttershy on the course for hours, she wasn't doing too well. When she thought she was finally getting the hang of it, she fell.

But then, Fluttershy was caught by a great cloud of butterflies. They landed her on the ground, where she instantly fell in love with their beauty. It was then that she got her cutie mark. It was the best day of Fluttershy's life. Because of that day, Fluttershy realized that she needed to live on the ground. She moved to Ponyville years later.

Unfortunately, that joy didn't last very long.

Fluttershy turned her head towards the tree. "It seems so. We best get back to camp."

And so they walked. Fluttershy held onto her spear tightly. "Pinkie Pie, I would like to ask you something."

"Go ahead, Fluttershy."

"Well..." Fluttershy looked down to her hooves. "Do you think all of this is worth it?"

Pinkie Pie faced her friend. "Wait...what?"

"Do you-"

"No, no, I heard you. Are you serious?"

"Maybe Zecora is right. Maybe we're all destined to bow to Queen Chrysalis."

"You can't be serious."

Fluttershy looked up. "Wha-"

Pinkie Pie's brows were furrowed. "We have worked our whole adult lives for these ponies. Not because we like them, or because they deserve to be saved. All these traps we save, all the food we haven't eaten... It's all because you're too stubborn to listen to Zecora!"

Fluttershy was confused. Does she want me to listen to Zecora or not? "Pinkie, I just..."

Fluttershy's voice trailed off when she realized that Pinkie was already gone.

"Pinkie?" Fluttershy's heart was beating faster and faster. "Pinkie?"

Fluttershy ran back to where the traps were set. She checked the nets and the pits, but there was no sign of her friend.

Fluttershy gasped. My...friend?

Oh Celestia, I really do care about her!

Fluttershy's vision was going blurry. She sat down, trying to catch her breath. When she finally regained her footing, Fluttershy ran back to camp.

Fluttershy saw Zecora standing near some other ponies. "Everypony, head out of camp! Pinkie Pie is missing! We need to...Wait. What's happened?"

Some mares shared some glances. "Uh, she's right over there."

Golden Days

Pinkie Pie was sitting alone. Her back was turned to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy ran over to her friend, ready to apologize and tell her what she discovered. "Oh, Pinkie-"

"Fluttershy..." Pinkie's voice trailed off.

"I'm so sorry. I've been feeling frustrated lately and what I said couldn't be more wrong. I just-"

"You don't need to apologize!" Pinkie stood, turning around to face Fluttershy.

"Huh?"

"I know that you realize what you said was wrong. To be honest, I've been feeling the same way."

Fluttershy's stomach did a flip. "Really?"

The pink earth pony nodded. "Yes. But listen. We are these ponies last hope. We have to protect them at any cost."

"Just a pinch of this, a pint of that..."

Fluttershy spoke to herself while potion making. It was the only way she could, she thought. She continuously guided herself through the recipes. Zecora's rhyming words confused her, and potion making was a delicate art. She couldn't screw up.

Fluttershy leaned back, almost expecting her concoction to explode. Thankfully, it seemed that she had followed the recipe to a T.

Fluttershy sighed with relief. She turned around, to that see Zecora had already made dozens more health potions. Not that this was surprising to Fluttershy.

Although she was supposed to show Zecora her potion so she could evaluate, Fluttershy felt something for this potion. She'd made it. All by herself. If she didn't feel like she was doing enough for the camp already, potion making was another thing on the list she could check off. (Besides, finding the Princesses, assembling an elite team of offense ready soldiers, and telling Pinkie Pie how she felt were all very farfetched tasks.)

Fluttershy told herself that she wanted to tell Pinkie that they were friends. Maybe Pinkie already even knew. But it just felt wrong. Zecora had told her that changelings fed off love, and even a small friendship could get the whole camp in big trouble. That was the last thing Fluttershy wanted.

It was a difficult thing to do, but Fluttershy was up to the challenge.

"I made it. For you."

Fluttershy handed the potion over to her fri-campmate. "It's silly, I know...But it's my first potion. I thought you should try it."

Pinkie frowned. "First potion? What does Zecora think? Did she even try it?"

"She said...She said it's fine. Please Pinkie. It would mean a lot to me."

Pinkie shrugged. "What have I got to lose?"

Fluttershy was hurt. She'd hoped that Pinkie would be excited by the gift. How can I be so ridiculous? Her protection is her biggest gift.

And mine.

Pinkie Pie slowly took a sip. Fluttershy's stomach flipped multiple times, but in an instant her...campmate's expression changed. "It's great!"

"Really?"

"Absolutely! Rarity would be proud."

Fluttershy blushed. "I'd hope so."

Pinkie shoved the potion into Fluttershy's face. Fluttershy asked, "What?"

"Aren't you going to try it?"

The thought of placing her lips where Pinkie's were made Fluttershy's face turn tomato red. "I...er..."

"Don't be silly!" Before she could respond, the cup was pushed into Fluttershy's muzzle. She took a long sip, enjoying the sweetness and warmth...

Fluttershy then quickly pulled away. "My...Er...How, wonderful."

Pinkie smiled. It was a genuine smile, and though it was probably because Fluttershy was still blushing like a maneiac or because she had pink liquid covering her upper lip, Fluttershy knew it was real. And the mares started laughing.

They didn't stop for a long time.

"Pinkie, can I...Ask you something?"

The mares sat around the pond on the edge of camp. Fluttershy picked at the ground while Pinkie sharpened her spear with a rock. It was then that Fluttershy realized that they were just waiting. Itching for something to happen.

Pinkie laughed. "Of course."

"Are we...Friends?"

Pinkie froze. She then looked up at Fluttershy, who saw nothing but confusion in her eyes. "Friends?"

Fluttershy's face grew red once more, embarrassment flooding every inch of her body. "Well, yes, I just though...You know, we've been hanging out so often-"

The pink mare just blinked. "We're partners."

"Well, of course. And everypony knows that partners are more...Friendly than campmates, but I just thought-"

"Of course we're friends."

Fluttershy felt like she'd been snapped out of a trance. This mare, who she'd known for years, was suddenly aware that they were friends? It was honestly noticeable enough, but Fluttershy never knew that Pinkie felt the same way.

Fluttershy then realized: She never really knew what Pinkie was thinking.

The mare cocked her head, her blue gaze burning holes in Fluttershy's eyes. "What?"

Fluttershy smiled. "You are really a complex pony, Pinkie Pie. I've never met somepony like you."

Pinkie smiled. And although she said, "Whatever do you mean?" Fluttershy knew she just wanted to hear Fluttershy say it.

"You never say what you think until I'm flustered enough. I worry about you, and you like it. You've been trying to deny our friendship for longer than I have." Fluttershy shook her head. "Why did I have to be partnered with the strange mare?"

"You're not so great yourself."

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Oh?"

"Nope. You're tough, but you have like, zero confidence. You just like being around me 'cause I'm supportive. Plus, you say exactly what you think, when you decide to talk."

The air was filled with silence for a moment as the mares smiled at each other. Fluttershy finally said, "I think that was pretty accurate."

Pinkie Pie added. "Me too, best friend."

In an instant, everything had changed.

Nothing Gold Can Stay

How soon is too soon?

Fluttershy and Pinkie were friends. Best friends. But Fluttershy fill felt strange.

She suspected that it was because they were the only two friends in camp. Not that that was a bad thing, but they briefly considered hiding it. They soon realized that hiding friendship is probably harder than hiding love. Nopony gave them any weird glances anyway.

So, Fluttershy thought, why do I feel strange?

Fluttershy learned when she came to camp how to not be selfish. The way Zecora taught, half the ponies in camp (including Fluttershy) really hadn't realized how selfish they were being. (Because, apparently not sharing food with random strangers who also have food is selfish.)

But Fluttershy was selfish. She wanted to like Pinkie. She wanted to like her eyes that shined like the never ending seas. She wanted to like her Cutie Mark, that was obviously perfect, for Fluttershy knew first-hoof how Pinkie was incredible at bringing joy. She wanted to like her bouncy, beautiful mane.

She wanted to like her.

Fluttershy hated herself for that. She would rather like somepony than keep her campmates alive. It was the most ridiculous thing ever, she thought.

But one morning, when it was just the two of them, walking through the forest for the billionth time, Fluttershy asked,

"Pinkie, have you ever had another friend?"

The moment she asked it, Fluttershy felt ridiculous. She winced, and then looked at her friend. Pinkie looked confused, even a little shocked.

"I...um..."

"You don't have to-"

"Yes. I mean, my sisters were my best friends. But when I moved to Ponyville...You see, I was going to plan parties. To be honest, I don't know how I ended up in Sugarcube Corner. Anyway, I wanted to know ponies better, so I'd have better ideas on how to plan their parties, if they so desired. So I suppose a few ponies and I were friends."

Pinkie leaned in closer to Fluttershy. "Have you ever had another friend?"

Fluttershy thought of Dumbbell. They never spoke of the events that happened at the wedding. They split apart. Fluttershy hardly ever saw him. She knew he wasn't angry with her, or anypony...But their "love" felt more fake than ever.

"No. I suppose not."

Mares can be beautiful.

Fluttershy never realized it. But it's true.

Fluttershy saw the blue in Pinkie's eyes that sparkled like the sea. Her beautiful bouncy mane. Her gorgeous pink coat. Her cutie mark, something so simple, yet Fluttershy never wanted to look away.

Once Pinkie caught her staring. "Is there something on my flank?"

Fluttershy blushed. "Er, no. Just a cutie mark."

Fluttershy felt her personality melting away. She no longer felt tough. She didn't really care about setting traps or making potions. She just wanted to be with Pinkie.

It was a strange thing to think. Being with somepony, just following them around? With no reason or rhyme to your actions? It was stupid.

That's just what friends do.

But...is it?

Most nights, Fluttershy was kept awake by her thoughts. They wandered, back and forth between, "I like her. I want to be more than her friend" and, "Haven't you caused enough trouble already?"

What trouble? Fluttershy turned from her back onto her side, pulling up the woven blanket over her body. Zecora doesn't know. Nopony knows that you love her except you.

Fluttershy's eyes widened. ...Love?

Fluttershy was free.

Nothing feels better than saying what you've been holding in for years. Especially if you didn't know you were holding it in.

And because she felt like she was flying, or at least walking on air, like she could do anything or go anywhere...Fluttershy was going to tell Pinkie. Fluttershy didn't care what Pinkie would say, or what Pinkie would think after she said it. She was going to say it.

It was early.

Fluttershy took her love into the forest, so nopony would hear them if it was the worst thing Fluttershy would ever say. But Fluttershy really doubted it.

Pinkie looked to the sky. The sun was in the same position as always. There was no way to tell it was early besides the cold winds. "Why must we be out here so early, Fluttershy? I mean, it's fine. But it is a little...chilly." The pink mare shivered.

"I'm sorry, Pinkie. I just need to tell you something."

Fluttershy stepped closer to the wide-eyed mare. "Oh?"

"Yes." Fluttershy nodded, her heart beating faster. "And you might hate me. And you might be mad at me forever, and we will never speak again..." Fluttershy shrugged and laughed awkwardly. "I guess, no more friendship for me-"

Pinkie laughed. "Don't be so ridiculous. You could never say anything to make me that upset."

Fluttershy frowned. You underestimate me.

"Listen, Pinkie...I'm in love with you."

Silence.

It hung in the air for a good...thirty seconds. For Fluttershy, it felt like days. And then Pinkie asked, "...What?"

"I'm in love with you."

"Love." Pinkie didn't ask. "Love." She repeated the word until Fluttershy felt stupid. "You love me."

"Yes."

"...Why?"

"You-"

"Don't you know anything? Don't you remember anything Zecora has taught you?"

"Pinkie, I don't care!" Fluttershy laughed, her heart finally ending it's horrid pounding. "I don't care. I love you. I want to be with you. I don't care if we die. If changelings come, I will fight-"

"You don't care!" Pinkie laughed. "You'd force me to die."

"I would never force you to do anything. I want you to know how I feel. I don't care what happens between us. I just can't lie to your beautiful face anymore."

More silence. Pinkie shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I can't. I don't want to...I can't."

Fluttershy frowned and nodded. "I figured."

Fluttershy hung her head as Pinkie galloped away. In an instant, friendship seemed impossible.

Happily Ever After

Days passed.

Fluttershy and Pinkie went about their normal duties. Thankfully, everything was...normal. Fluttershy was afraid of what Pinkie would say when things finally could be said.

Not surprisingly, it happened when they were in the forest, alone. Pinkie was back up in the trees while Fluttershy waited. She picked at the ground with her hoof.

Pinkie hopped down. "Looks good." When Fluttershy nodded and turned to walk back to camp, Pinkie added, "Hey, I'm sorry."

"Sorry?"

"I...uh...Overreacted. I've always liked you too." Pinkie bit her lip. "It's just...We live under such strict codes. If things were better, I'd..."

Fluttershy shook her head. "Don't apologize, Pinkie. I understand. Plus, I don't think it was very nice of me to just...spring that on you."

"Fluttershy...I love you too."

In an instant, everything had changed.

Fluttershy blushed. "...W-What?"

Pinkie smiled. "I do. I really do. And...I want to make it work. Somehow."

"You do? You shouldn't...I mean, no. We..."

"We won't put the whole camp in danger. We won't..." Pinkie Pie placed a hoof on her forehead and sighed. "I can't believe it!"

Fluttershy smiled and laughed. "Me either. But we have to be safe. You said it yourself, 'We are these ponies last hope. We have to protect them at any cost.'"

It was always the simple things about Pinkie that made Fluttershy love her. Sure, appearance was a big part of love for Fluttershy...But Pinkie was so smart, and strong, and kind...

Fluttershy had never been happier. She felt safe, and warm and tingly all the time. Pinkie Pie made her incredibly happy.

She and Pinkie spent most of their time together. They hunted together, ate together, set up traps together, and they had even began sleeping in the same hut.

One morning, they were sitting in the center of camp, eating breakfast. Ponies sat in a circle with them. "How is everythin' going?" asked Berry Punch. She grinned at Fluttershy. "It must be...exhilarating to be in a relationship."

Fluttershy turned bright red. Pinkie placed a hoof on her's. She said, "It's not like that. We are just...More in love than I ever thought."

Berry nodded. "Nopony knew love. Even before the attack, none of us had been in relationships."

Fluttershy looked at the group before her. Though some were foals, most were fully grown ponies. "None of you?"

They all shook their heads. "We're just so happy for you," Berry said. "You give us hope."

"Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie," a voice called out from beyond the clearing.

The mares turned their heads. "Zecora?" asked Fluttershy.

The zebra stepped forward. "Return to my hut at once, for some news I will share. I must."

Fluttershy frowned at Pinkie, before they stood and walked with Zecora back to the hut.

Zecora stared at the mares. Fluttershy could see the anger burning in her eyes.

"I have much to say. I'll start right away," said the zebra.

Pinkie bit her lip. "Zecora, I think we all know-"

"I know you two know what you're doing. And how much you will be losing." Zecora paced around them. "If the changelings arrive, nopony will leave the camp alive!"

"Zecora, you're overreacting," said Fluttershy. Zecora stopped pacing. "Our love isn't harming anyone."

Pinkie stepped closer to Zecora. "If the changelings do come, we're prepared. There's traps, and we are much stronger than before. Everypony is willing to fight until the end. Including us."

Zecora stepped out of the hut, shaking her head at the mares before disappearing into the fog.

"What are we going to do?"

Pinkie turned to look at Fluttershy. "Huh?"

Fluttershy had begun pacing without even noticing. "Well...it's not like I want to stop."

Pinkie Pie smiled. She stood and kissed Fluttershy's cheek. "Then there's your answer."

"Wait...what?"

Pinkie laughed. "Don't you see? What we told Zecora is the truth. Nothing is going to happen."

"I just don't know..." Fluttershy's voice trailed off. "I mean, if our love really is this strong, wouldn't the changelings showed up by now? I'm so worried, Pinkie."

Pinkie bit her lip, and then grinned. "Let's get married."

Fluttershy gasped. "What?"

"Yes." Pinkie nodded, and then laughed. "Not to take your mind off of the changelings. Just because I love you. And you love me. This is the most important thing in our lives right now."

"Trust me, I would love to. But..."

"Please, Fluttershy."

"Alright." Fluttershy smiled. "Let's get married."

While Pinkie Pie planned their wedding, Fluttershy did all she could to protect her ponies from the changelings. She went on every single patrol. She set up twice as many traps on every side of camp. She made potions, built weapons, and taught the foals how to use them.

And each night, when the two were exhausted, they curled up together and slept for as long as they could.

One morning, Fluttershy woke up early. It was getting harder and harder each day to sleep longer and longer. Fluttershy was nervous. She was nervous about how the wedding would go. She was nervous of what Zecora was planning to do. She was nervous because the wedding might create so much love that all the changelings in Equestria rush to Fluttershy's home to feed.

But that was just ridiculous.

Right?

"Yes," Pinkie told her. And Fluttershy believed.

That morning, Fluttershy watched the forest. She could hardly see through the fog (it seemed to get thicker each day), but she took some joy out of just watching the leaves blow and the trees whisper as the wind blew through them.

Fluttershy knew that Pinkie was also awake, probably watching her watch the trees, but Fluttershy didn't turn around to check. She was focused. Pinkie didn't know that she was mustering up her courage.

"I have to leave."

Fluttershy heard Pinkie sigh. "I know."

Fluttershy gritted her teeth. "I know that they're out there. They're taunting me. Waiting for me to let my guard down."

"Maybe they're waiting for you to come to them."

Fluttershy shook her head. "Why would they care. I'm just another pony in their minds. I know they aren't torturing me intentionally."

Pinkie stood, and then sat down next to her fiancé. "It's all in your head. You're too good of a soldier, you know."

Fluttershy nodded as Pinkie lay her head on Fluttershy's shoulder. "I know," she said, mostly to herself. "I know."

Nopony left Everfree.

It was the one law. Their unspoken law. Fear held them to camp, tied to the trees with invisible string.

But Fluttershy was not afraid. She walked out of Everfree as she walked in camp, with her head held level and her eyes not focusing on anything because she was too deep in thought to look.

She didn't know what she expected to find. Either an entire swarm of changelings and their queen or nothing at all. Both terrified her.

Okay, maybe she was a little afraid.

Fluttershy stopped herself before she pushed through the last layer of bush that separated her new life and her old life. She took in a deep breath, and then released it.

When she walked through, she saw nothing. It was too hazy to see clearly. Wonderful. If I want to see anything, I'll have to get close.

Fluttershy cautiously walked toward the ruins of Ponyville. She saw exactly what she thought she'd see. Buildings that had fallen to the ground, smears of blood, and no signs of life. Other than the blood.

Fluttershy flew back to camp. Her heart pounded. It was too peaceful. There had to be something else. There just had to be. Something lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike...

Oh Celestia, what if we've been hiding from nothing for all of these years?

Fluttershy landed when she saw her traps. She checked them all. Nothing. Of course.

Wind howled around her. Her ears twitched, as she'd caught a sound that the wind had carried.

No...It couldn't be...

As Fluttershy walked back to camp, she could hear the singing more and more clearly. Why in Equestria are ponies singing? I haven't heard a song like that since...a wedding.

Fluttershy frowned. She asked the wind, "What is going on?"

Although she hadn't expected it, the wind brought Fluttershy an answer. She halted in her tracks as she heard Pinkie Pie's soft voice.

"I promise...love unconditionally...my sun, my moon...forever and ever...death do us part..."

Fluttershy shook her head vigorously. "No...She...Who could she...?"

This time, the wind brought no answer.

Fluttershy waited in the shadows of the trees. She hoped that she would hear somepony. Pinkie, Zecora, an unfamiliar voice...Somepony that could give her the answers she desired.

But in an instant, as she peeked through the vines, Fluttershy regretted many things.

She regretted fighting. She regretted the traps she'd set, the work she'd done and the scars that came with it. She regretted trusting Zecora, and coming to the camp. She regretted becoming a soldier, and befriending Pinkie. She didn't regret their love, but she began to question it.

Because Pinkie was about to marry a changeling.

Bliss

It was pretty convincing.

The changeling got the yellow coat, the pink mane, the Cutie Mark...Even the mud mask. It smiled so genuinely at Pinkie Pie.

Although, probably too convincingly.

Fluttershy didn't move. She didn't exactly know how to react. What could she possibly do? Run in and kill it? Was that most likely the best option? Yes. But...Would that most likely traumatize Pinkie? Maybe.

Even so, Fluttershy knew she couldn't. She felt weak. She stared at Pinkie, who looked beautiful.

And happy.

A grin was stretched across her face. Tears welled in her eyes. I don't even think she's ever looked at me like that.

Pinkie wore a dress made of dead grass. On her head, she wore a veil that was made of some sort of thin fabric. Her hair wasn't braided, just combed through and left blowing in the wind. She and the changeling's mud masks were done into intricate designs, Pinkie's consisting of spirals and suns, and the changeling's made of sharp thorns and spikes. The changeling wore the same dress and veil, and wore its hair the way that Fluttershy had wore it on her wedding with Dumbbell.

Dumbbell? Oh Celestia. I haven't even spoken to him in half a year.

Once again, Fluttershy looked to Pinkie Pie. She sighed.

This is what she wanted. And I just had to leave. And I'll just end up ruining this incredible day in any mare's life. Fluttershy sighed.

No. I won't let this happen.

"Stop! Stop the wedding!"

Pinkie Pie turned, squinting into the forest. "...Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy stepped out of the trees. "Pinkie, you're not about to kiss who you think you are."

Pinkie looked to the changeling, and then back to Fluttershy, and back to the changeling. "I...I..."

The changeling cackled. "Ya got me," it hissed. In an instant, it changed from Fluttershy back into it's hideous ink black form.

But it wasn't just any changeling.

"Queen Chrysalis?"

The whole camp gasped and realized together. Chrysalis howled with laughter. "Wasn't it obvious?"

Fluttershy ran to the Queen, and prodded her spear towards her throat. "Where are your children, you putrid monster?"

Chrysalis smiled. "I'm the last one."

Pinkie grabbed her spear. "That's impossible."

"Are you kidding? Don't you think I would've sent my drones here by now if I had any?" Chrysalis pushed Fluttershy the ground.

Fluttershy groaned. Her front left leg was definitely broken. She saw the grass stain covering the leg. Quickly pushing herself to her hooves, Fluttershy yelled, "Kill her!"

The Queen flew into the air before anypony could lay a hoof on her. She laughed and laughed as ponies threw their spears and daggers.

Fluttershy flew up to the Queen, grabbing wildly, trying to catch onto something. They raced around in circles for minutes. Fluttershy could hear the ponies below her screaming.

"How could you?" Fluttershy screamed at the changeling queen. "You are filth! You don't deserve to live! You would've taken her from me? How could you?"

Chrysalis screeched, "It's not personal!"

Picking up speed, Fluttershy was able to grab Chrysalis by the head. She twisted her neck, causing the Queen to roar with pain. She pulled the Queen to the ground, where they were crouded by the rest of the camp-ponies. Fluttershy began beating Chrysalis' head into the ground. She was soon bruised. When the Queen was still, Fluttershy prodded Chrysalis' skull with her spear, deeper and deeper...

Instead of howling in pain, Queen Chrysalis laughed. "You simple ponies."

"You came here for love. Don't you know that your life is useless? What do you contribute to Equestria? Love is special," Fluttershy growled, twisting the spear.

Pinkie kicked the Queen's still body. "It belongs to ponies."

Chrysalis' cackle slowly died. The ponies in camp began kicking the Queen's body. Foals jumped on her, screaming and yelling, enjoying the pain they caused Chrysalis. From a distance, Zecora watched the madness.

Fluttershy ripped her spear from the Queen, before her body turned to dust and blew off into the wind.

Fluttershy is in love.

She is a married mare. She and her wife, Pinkamena Diane Pie, were married on the first day of the new year. All of the past was to be forgotten.

They, along with the rest of the camp, moved to Ponyville. Together, they rebuilt the town. Fluttershy and Pinkie live in Fluttershy's old cottage. Animals that lived deep underground and in the hollow, dead trees now thrive, thanks to the mares.

Food is plentiful, thanks to the earth ponies. Life is bright, thanks to the pegasi. The Unicorns are training to bring back the moon.

And they are happy. Even Zecora, who has decided to continue her life alone in the Everfree Forest.

Fluttershy now knows what love and happiness mean. Nothing happens in an instant. Love takes time. Happiness can last forever, if you take the right paths in life.

And Fluttershy looks forward to her new life in Ponyville. Someday, she and Pinkie will have a foal. Somehow. The Unicorns are working on that, too.

They have no regrets. They may have no rulers, and the Equestrian population is less than one hundred. But things are looking up. The buildings are built. There's no blood.

Fluttershy enjoys her world. The plant life: all the flowers, the trees, the grass. The animals. The sky.

Sometimes, they wonder if the changelings will come back. Or...hey, maybe Chrysalis is still alive. But things are too great. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie have been through much together. They know that the worst for them is over.

And if anything comes their way, they'll be able to face it.