Fluttershy shot through the Everfree, long ago leaving the path in an attempt to avoid the four armed things that pursued her. Silver Spoon ran next to her, surprisingly keeping up with the canary colored pegasi. Pausing as she caught her breath, she smiled down at the filly before her. Silver shivered next to her, looking to the Element of Kindness for some kind of assurance. What had begun as all of the Elements plus Silver and her friends getting called to the Tree of Harmony had devolved into watching the Tree rot from the inside out, eventually reduced to foulness by the horrid blight. Then out of the oozing putrescence came horrors beyond anything that had ever been seen or known. The Tree's last word's to the Elements had been a cryptic message on where to seek help.

"Seek her where you always felt the safest" Fluttershy echoed Silver Spoon's thoughts. "She will only speak onto you."

Stalking forward more cautiously the two mares came to Fluttershy's Cottage. Darting for the door, the two were intercepted by one of the four armed beings, adorned in those it had killed. White Rabbit ears and feet shared a necklace with twin mismatched horns, in death the two fluttershy had loved the most finally getting along.

Silver shot forward, panting her hooves on the things chest, she grabbed the necklace, tearing it from the vertically mouthed beast. Launching herself back she placed the gory thing around her neck, glowing with power she snarled.

"You will not hurt Ms. Fluttershy!"

Still hovering in midair she changed, the rabbit ears replaced her own, adapting their size to hers, the feet soon following suit. The Horns took their place alongside the ears, again adapting themselves to her smaller frame compared to their previous owner. A long snaggletooth jutted out of her mouth, soon joined by a long sinuous tail. Her one arm, from her shoulder to the tips of her fingers, became clad in silver armor and her other became yellow and slender, a perfect match for the Element of Kindness's. Fluttershy watched in awe as Silver snapped her fingers and the four limbed cretin became so much dark goo. Sinking to the ground Silver looked at Fluttershy, an apologetic look upon her face.

"My Parents and Diamond's mother where worshipers of those things, I never was, neither was Diamond. Filthy kept us from that. It's why when we met at Diamond's party we hit it off so well. Please don't be afraid of me, Ms. Fluttershy, I just couldn't let it hurt you and after what we saw them do to all your animals I couldn't watch that again, so I used what little I knew of those things lore and just used it to pro...."

Long, slender, strong yellow arms hugged Silver, as Fluttershy held the younger mare against her chest, until the sobs and panic had died down. Releasing Silver she said.

"Alright we just need to get inside and then we can be safe for a bit. Then we just talk to whomever waits for us and get them to help. Just a couple more steps, okay?"

Silver looked into the eyes of the kindest being she had ever met. Sighing after a moment she said.

"I'm sorry, Ms Fluttershy but the tree said the lesser darkness would only talk to you. I know now why I and the other CMC's were called by the tree. It was to keep these things busy until you can do what you need to do. After Diamond's turnabout my parents disowned me, so Mr Rich took me in and I got to live with my best friend. I wish you had been my mother and he had been my father. Please forgive me for this"

Fluttershy watched in horror as Silver snapped her tail, just as a certain deceased Draconequus would have and she was inside her house. All ways of leaving had been sealed shut and bricked over. She was not going to be getting out till things ran their course. Looking up to her room, she saw a glow and a shadow moving about. Fluttershy had realized the riddle instantly, the place she had always felt safest was in her room, preferable snuggled between Angel and Discord as they both held her close.

"Stop, Fluttershy," Fluttershy stated to herself and her empty living room, "You're only going to start crying, you're friends are counting on you! Silver is counting on you!"

Rousing herself and gathering what courage she had Fluttershy ascended the stairs to her room, opening the door she saw a green furred mare with a carrot colored mane. She wore a sundress that hugged her form and allowed her bat wings to have ample room to spread. Fluttershy blushed at the fact that she had also noticed how the dress showed off the mare's shapely legs.

"I don't mind the admiring eyes, but I am not safe to be around, you shou....... Fluttershy?!!!!!"

Before Fluttershy could react the mare had grabbed her in a hug, letting loose an eep, Fluttershy felt herself blush as the mare squeezed her breath from her. Finally pulling back the mare released her, but upon seeing the Mare of Kindness in the light, the mare's eyes became downcast.

"Oh, Bummer, you're not my Flutters. You're the current version. Still glad to see you have the same Element. That shows the cycle still working properly. You really need to leave though, it would majorly harsh my mellow if I hurt you in a moment of weakness. I mean the darkness inside me is pretty much quiet, but that's because there's nothing to bring it out."

Turning the mare, moved away, her shoulders sagging. Fluttershy reached for her, but a hound like shape surged from one of the corner's, coming between the Pink Maned Pegasi and the batmare. Flutters let lose a squeal as she realized that what was before her was no animal. It was nothing more than a reflection of a greater horror, a shadow imposed upon reality. The stare, long her greatest weapon, here was nothing but an weakness as what the thing really was overwhelmed her. Stumbling back before what should not exist or be, Flutters failed to see the Mare of Darkness and Death turn towards the hound, a look of utter and complete rage upon the Carrot Maned Mare's countenance.

"No, Hound of the Tindalos! You shall not silence Kindness!"

Baring her fangs the No Life Queen called to her allies. "Come my Children of Darkness, rise up and defend the Element of Kindness, long the greatest ally of all things. Long our only easement to our suffering."

Bats entered into the room in droves, large fanged monsters that battered the hound and tore at it. Gradually the Hound could no longer maintain its form and dispersed back from whence it came.

Flutters shook her head as the thing vanished, the bats landing to comfort her and be petted. Cooing to them, she glanced to the one that had summoned them. Seeing that the mare was leaning against the wall, shivering in weakness, Fluttershy leaped to her feet and was across the room in a moment.

"Oh, my Celestia! You've become so pale! You're burning up! Come on over to the bed, " Placing her finger on the green mare's lips Flutters silenced her, "No! There is no sense saving Equestria if you have to drive yourself to such extremes!"

"Same Flutters, always cares for others more than herself. I couldn't save anyone or anything right now. All my mojo has gone. If those things have come back then things are majorly out of whack." The mare snickered to herself. "I have a way though that things might work out. My name was Treehugger, I took on a greater darkness so that my Element Of Kindness would never have to. For a while I was able to wield that darkness against things none of the light could stand against. The same Dark ones that you deal with now." Pulling a Knife from under her dress she knelt and presented it to Fluttershy. "I am to weak to oppose them again. In truth I am tired of my unlife, I wish to pass on and perhaps see my Flutters again. Maybe regain my place in the cycle. So please, slit my throat, drink my blood and thereby take my power, do unto me this kindness and all of my power at my peak shall be yours. You will be able to stand against the darkness, no others can truly stand against it. For some things only those of the darkness can fight and truly drive back."

Fluttershy took up the knife and made her decision.

Author's Note

Something interesting happened. I had no idea what to do with Silver Spoon. I knew that if I wanted to use Diamond than I had to use Silver. They are synonymous with each other. The sister the other never had. Two peas in a pod. In her own way Silver is indeed kind, always saying that which others will not. Being Cruel to be kind as it were. Better her than someone that will truly hurt you with it.