Keeper of Harmony

Lynx sets off to Fluttershy's cottage after helping Rarity with the fillies.  In compensation for his foal-sitting deed he was paid three gold coins, even though he was unaware what they're mainly used for.  He throws the thoughts aside when he pays astute attention to the map of Ponyville.

During his travelling, he speaks to himself.  "Hmm, there's Sugarcube corner.  There's Rarity's -- where I was just at -- and there's Fluttershy's cottage."  Taking a brief moment, Lynx scans the map and sees Everfree Forest just above Fluttershy's cottage.

The words, Everfree Forest, made Lynx shudder.  His mind projects a momentary flashback where he ran from the killer rabbits and where he ran into a strange mist of darkness with chilling, yellow eyes.  He wishes he could forget everything that had happened in that forest.  But those memories were forever scarred within his mind.

He also recalls the hooded stranger.  Speaking of which, Lynx, thought with concern.  How was it that the unknown being knew his name?  The thought was perplexing.  It was also puzzling how he knew about the sudden attack at Sweet Apple Acres.

While the thoughts were concerning, the human blatantly shrugged and continued his journey to Fluttershy's cottage.  It turns out, however, that he must pass through Ponyville in order to do so.  He never considered having to go through there again.  His last tour in Ponyville, he frankly remembers receiving contorting looks of fear and confusion from the ponies as he passed by on that previous venture.

After a while, Lynx was standing at the center of Ponyville.  Taking his sights off the map, he stops nearby at what appears to be a restaurant and surveys the surroundings.  Sitting at a table outside the restaurant are two charming mares: Cloudchaser, a pegasus with grayish lilac fur and spiky mane; and Flitter, another pegasus, that wears a pink bow and has fur that slightly matches that of Cloudchaser's, albeit brighter.  Lynx couldn't help but overhear Flitter telling Cloudchaser about her reminiscing years as a filly.

"Ahh..." he additionally hears the Flitter sigh heavenly.  "And that is how I earned my cutie mark." Flitter boasts proudly.

"For the third freakin' time, I know!" Lynx hears Cloudchaser bellow back to Flitter.

Lynx decided to ignore the ponies and continue onward.  But just before he left town, a unicorn was suddenly standing in his path.  She had a shiny aquamarine coat, a mane of mint-color with a white streak and sunglow eyes.   Unlike other ponies, this one was fascinated in Lynx's appearance: his lofty hiking boots, his clean orange t-shirt and sky-blue jeans.

He says to the pony.  "Uh... excuse me, you happen to be in the way."  There was no reply.  She was deeply entranced by the human's anatomy.  Lynx snaps his finger, as if to say excuse me.

The sound of his finger snapping broke her out of her trance.   Then she spoke up.  "Oh. Sorry, I couldn't help but notice that you're new here.  Actually, you're not even from this planet are you?" she shyly and curiously wondered.

"No." he bluntly replied.

"I figured as much.  Say, what do you call those "things"? she directly points a hoof at his hands.

"These?" he held one out in question.  "They're hands."

"Hands?  What are 'hands'?"

'Sheesh.  Out of all ponies, I bump into a strange one.'  he speaks in mind.

"Our hands are what we humans use to do what you ponies kind of do: pushing, pulling, grabbing, lifting. The works." Lynx interpreted.

"Neat!  Do you suppose..." she kicks the dirt beneath her forehooves.  "I could... take a closer look?" she politely asked.

'Okay.' Lynx uneasily thought.  'This has now gone from weird to creepy.  I don't know if I should...'

Reluctant, Lynx nodded to her request and stretched his arm out a little more.  The unicorn stepped closer, analyzing every aspect of his hand - from his wrist to his palm and to each finger.

"Fascinating..." she whispered in awe.

"Ahem" Lynx cleared his throat.  "Can I have my hand back?"

"Oh, sorry." she sheepishly blushed.  "If I may, can I ask for your name, mister..."

"Lynx." he boldly announced.  "And might I ask who you are?"

"Lyra Heartstrings." she cheerily replied.

"That's a rather pretty name."

"Hehe, thanks!" her cheeks blushed more.  "I like your name too.  Though you look nothing like a cat.  Is the name 'Lynx' some sort of nickname?"

"Well, I can't say you're the first to think that, about everybody here mistakes me for an animal just by how my name sounds.  Except Rainbow Dash.  She rather finds my name 'cool'."

"Your nickname does sound very unique."  Lyra giggled.

Lynx perked a friendly smile.  He was simply enjoying the entire conversation he's having with this friendly, still strange, unicorn.

"You're all right, I thought you'd be like those folks back there."

"Like who?" Lyra curiously wondered.

"The folk who live here.  Yesterday I saw many of them whispering to each other when they noticed me.  I have the instinctual feeling that they don't like me."

"I think it's because you're different.  I'm sure if you at least try communicating with them they'd get to know you better."

"I didn't think of it that way." Lynx scratched his chin as he thought.  "Anyway, much as I want to spend more time talking with you I have other plans to do for today."

Lyra hangs her head, sighing discouragingly.  "Oh, okay...."

"How about this?  I'll meet you here tomorrow at this exact time and we can get to know each other better then.  Think of it as a thank you for the talk."

Lyra's lips lifted and responds with a delightful smile.  "I'd like that!  I'll see you tomorrow then."  She trotted off as Lynx waves a friendly goodbye.

'These ponies aren't as bad as I thought they were.  Anyway, I guess I better get a move on while the early sun is still out.' Lynx says to himself.

After a long time walking, Lynx finally reached his destination.  The crystal clear sky - void of clouds; the subtle ponds that glitter from the sun's shimmering light; the blooming lilies and daisies.  It was absolute paradise.  Even when he had first glance of Fluttershy's beauteous sanctuary, he always finds that view breathtaking.

Lynx approached Fluttershy's door and knocked against the wooden gate with his bare knuckles.

From inside Fluttershy asked in a singing tone of voice.  "Who is it?"

"Lynx." he answered.

Upon the mention of his name, Fluttershy swiftly opens the door and first greets her expected visitor with a welcoming, bone-crushing hug.

"I'm so glad you came!" she cooed.

"Ack!" he grunted.  "I think that'll do Fluttershy.  Any more and my eyes are going to pop out!"

The pegasus let Lynx go, allowing him to gasp for air.

"Sorry, but I'm just so happy that you made it.  Did you have any trouble finding your way here?" she concernedly asked.

"Not really.  But my feet are sore from the long walk."

"Then please, do come right in." offered Fluttershy moving aside.  "You must be very exhausted."

Lynx was more than happy to oblige.

"Gee, thanks!"

Of course, being a human, the door was a tad short for his size, but he lowers his neck down and easily walks in.  Upon entering, if he thought the outside was gorgeous, the inside was more fabulous.

Underneath his boots is a round, bright red carpet which has the exact matching colors of a plushy-looking couch up ahead. There were various photo frames of authentic plants hanging on the walls of the house too.

Lynx says to Fluttershy in complimentary.  "Nice place you have here."

"I wouldn't call it too nice, but it is wonderful.  Why don't you sit on the couch while I go make us some hot tea."

The human nodded and sat down on the sofa while Fluttershy heads into the kitchen.  "She sure knows her stuff," he said.  "This couch is unbelievably soft."

Before getting remotely comfortable, Lynx notices a white rabbit standing before him.  The rabbit was pure white, small and vigorous.  The furry bunny daggers at him with his beady black eyes.

He greets the rabbit.  "Hey there, fella.  If I'm not mistaken you're that one rabbit Fluttershy calls Angel, right?"  All of a sudden the rabbit delivers a swift kick to Lynx's shin out of spite.  "Ouch!" Lynx cried while rubbing his sore shin.  "Why you dirty little-"

"Is everything okay out there?" Fluttershy hollered from the kitchen.

Lynx hollers back assuring Fluttershy.  "Everything's fine!"

He fixes his sight back at Angel as the rabbit gives him a raspberry (raspberry - a mocking gesture commonly used for teasing or provoking).

Lynx growls at Angel.  "Listen here you little devil, I'd have a mind to-"  He then immediately paused as soon as he sees Fluttershy coming out of the kitchen.

Fluttershy sits down next to Lynx and says.  "The kettle is currently on the stove, so I thought we can talk for a little bit while we wait.  And I see you've met Angel.  Are you two getting along very nicely?"

"Ho sure!" he lied.  "We're practically friends already, right Angel?"  Another raspberry was Angel's response.  'You'll get yours one day you creep. Not today, not tomorrow, but some day!' Lynx swears in thought.

Fluttershy was greatly pleased.  "That's wonderful!" she cheered.  "As you can see, Angel doesn't have a lot of friends.  So I'm sure the two of you are going to be best friends."

Lynx rolled his eyes.  "Which reminds me.  Don't you have a lot of friends?  Besides Twilight and the other four?"

Fluttershy answered with a nod.  "Oh yes, most definitely.  There's Spike and there's all of my animal friends.  Especially you, Lynx.  But... um, if it's okay to ask..." she rubs both her forehooves together.  "...how is it that you don't have a tail?  Were you not born with it?"

"Fluttershy, you do know that I'm--" but then suddenly Lynx was cut off by an abrupt, whistling sound coming from the kitchen.

"The tea is ready!  I'll be right back." said Fluttershy leaving Lynx and Angel alone with each other.

Lynx leans down closer to Angel, whispering audibly.  "Okay you rodent.  You and I both know we don't like each other.  But might I suggest we settle this like responsible gents?  At least for Fluttershy's sake?" said Lynx, offering a hand of truce.

The rabbit repeatedly taps his foot and thinks upon the decision.  He, however, spat a chunk of spit into the human's palm and hopped away.

The human wipes off the disgusting saliva with his t-shirt.

"Gross!" he cried.  "Fine.  Don't say I didn't give you a chance, you jerk."

Fluttershy shortly then returns with a set of fine chinaware; a kettle and two tea cups, on a silver platter and places them down on the coffee table a couple feet before them.

"Be careful - the tea is dangerously hot.  We'll have to let it cool down before we can pour any." warned Fluttershy as she sits back down on the couch.  "Now what were you saying?"

Lynx takes a moment of pondering, but before he could even reply, Fluttershy suddenly gasps.  "Oh my goodness, I almost forgot!"

In a sprint, she quickly trots upstairs and back downstairs with a one-and-a-half foot long, rectangular-shaped, package that's neatly wrapped in brown paper.

"Yesterday I started making you a present after you and Twilight left that evening." Fluttershy squeed.

Lynx kindly takes the present and rips the paper apart to reveal a box.  He removes the lid and sees an item inside.  Its color was designed red and it was thin and flat, made purely out of strong fiber.  It has some sort of mini belt-buckle only at one end with a round coin-like tag, made out of pure gold, stitched in it's center.  He observed more closely to find his name engraved on the golden piece.

"It's... it's some sort of wristband?" Lynx asks.

Fluttershy giggles at Lynx, "No, silly.  It's a collar."

Lynx wasn't sure if he misunderstood her, so he cleaned his right ear with a small finger and leans closer.  "Come again?"

"A collar." Fluttershy repeated.  "Do you like it?"

This was cruelly an ironic twist.   Lynx couldn't believe that this present, gifted from Fluttershy herself, is simply nothing more than just a plain red collar for him to wear.

Angel, who sees it all, dropped to the floor and bursts out laughing so hard that he's crying tears of laughter.  Fluttershy's eyes sparkle, waiting for the human's answer as he turned to her impassively.

"Sorry, but I don't like it." he says.

Fluttershy, crestfallen, mutters inaudibly.  "You- you... don't like it?"

At that point, Lynx realizes what he had said.  It didn't take a second for him to notice that Fluttershy was emotionally hurt.  He was so angry at Angel laughing at him that he couldn't think straight when he said it.

Lynx desperately yelps.  "Hold on!  You didn't let me finish.  What I meant to entirely say was: Sorry, but I don't like it -- I LOVE IT!"

"R-really?" Fluttershy sniffled.  "You really love it?"

"Yes, positive!" he re-assures her.  "I love it so much that I'll put it on right now."

Fluttershy wipes away her small tears and lifted a cheerful smile.  Lynx lets out a relieving sigh as he prevented of what could have been a disaster.  Bound to his word he puts the collar on, but seems to be having trouble trying to get it around his neck.

"I'll help you with that." said Fluttershy as she takes the collar.

While Fluttershy was busy helping him, Angel, sitting on the couch's arm behind her, glares at Lynx out of pure jealousy.

Lynx grins out of satisfactory.  'Now we're even.'

"There we go!" says Fluttershy as she snaps the collar on.

The human slides his fingers through the collar and says.  "A perfect fit!  I think I'll wear it everyday just to show you how much I mean it."

Touched by his devotion and integrity, Fluttershy embraces him into an affectionate hug, cooing softly.  "That would mean a lot to me."

Lynx then looks at the ticking clock above him and sees the two hands are at 1:12 in the afternoon.  "I wish I could stay here longer but I think my time here is almost up."

"Oh, okay.  Though can I at least tempt you to a cup or two of tea?" said Fluttershy holding up the kettle.

Lynx was rather thirsty.  He can say he hasn't had a drink since his departure from Rarity's and he wouldn't want to be rude to let some effort Fluttershy poured into go to waste.  He kindly accepts her proposal and sits back down.  The pegasus carefully fills a tea cup and hands him the herbal beverage.

Lynx takes a strong sip.  "This is rather potent, but even so, it's great." he says.

"Oh it's nothing really." Fluttershy smiled.  "All I did was add an extra herb.  Thank you, though.  Would you care for some more?"

Lynx replied in a heartbeat.  "Of course!"

Fluttershy again pours another full cup of her praised beverage, and the fervid human empties it in one vigorous gulp.

"My goodness.  You really were thirsty, weren't you?" she says astonished.

"I guess I was," he admittedly chuckles.  "Thank you so much by the way."

"No problem at all.  I'm glad you like it."

"I'm not just talking about the tea; you invited me into your beloved home, you offered me your delicious tea, and you gave me this collar." he interpreted.  "There has to be some way for me to repay you."

"No need.  Hearing you say that is all the thanks I need, and feel free to come back anytime.  You'll always be welcomed here."

"I couldn't be more grateful for your kindness.  Anyway, I think I'll be heading out now.  See you later, Fluttershy." Lynx waved as he rose up and began walking out past the threshold.

However, the moment Lynx took one step, he suddenly trips over and plummets face first onto the dusty soil.

Seeing what tripped him, he confirms that it wasn't what tripped him but instead who tripped him.  The culprit was none other than the devious rabbit, Angel.

"Oh my goodness!" Fluttershy bellowed softly.  "Are you okay?!"

"Don't worry, I'm fine.  I tripped on a stone is all." he lied.

He slowly rises up and pats the dirt off his t-shirt then turns his head to see Angel sticking his tongue out at him before slamming the door shut.

"Oh it is on, little buddy...."

Now that Lynx has bonded with Fluttershy and has formed a rivalry with her favorite bunny, what sort of exciting adventures will await him afterwards?  Find out on the next chapter of Keeper of Harmony!