The Sunset Fantasy

A low rumbling breathing was the only noise inside that room. Outside, frantic nurses and doctors were galloping about, some crashing into each other. Outside still, the voice of somepony giving a speech pervaded. Inside, the two ponies and now-monster stared at the massive form that now took up a good portion of it.

Redheart was trembling, and a scream was building up. Her mouth quivered open and it began, and Fluttershy shrank back, but Doctor Whooves clamped it shut.

“Quiet, Redheart!” he barked. “We can’t have everypony panicking!”

Redheart slapped his hooves away. “But there’s a monster in the storage room!” she hissed. “Now she’s an immediate threat!”

“Keep calm,” he said. “We can’t have her frightened.” They both looked at Fluttershy, who was cowering. “I think it would be much worse for everypony if she ran around in a frenzy.”

Nurse Redheart looked at Fluttershy for a moment before giving a heavy sighing. She slowly approached her. “Fluttershy, dear?”

Fluttershy looked up.

“Please relax,” Redheart said in a quavering voice. “Everything is going to be fine.”

Fluttershy was about to protest with a whine, but Redheart began to nuzzle her hard neck. “Shh… everything is going to be fine. We’ll find a way out of this, and you’re going to be all better. Okay?”

Fluttershy perked up. Yes, everything will be okay. I just need to wait this out. But how am I supposed to get out of here until then? When she opened her eyes, she saw Redheart with a frown.

“Is that better, Doctor?”

He approached Fluttershy. “It would appear so.” He pondered for a moment. “Perhaps I can get Twilight to help—“

Redheart’s eyes widened. “Twilight? Are you insane? She—“

There was a knock at the door.

Doctor Whooves and Redheart froze, and Fluttershy began to whimper. Redheart slowly approached the door while the doctor ran to the monster and began stroking her snout. “Don’t worry. Everything will be okay.” Fluttershy could tell that he was nervous.

Redheart cracked the door open. “Yes?”

A light-voiced mare answered. “Is everything alright in there?”

“Yes, everything’s fine.”

“Well, I need in there—“

“Why!?” She cleared her throat. “Why?”

“I need a sedative.”

“Which one?”

“Relax. Nurse Redheart has everything under control.”

“Any of them. We just need to put these ponies at ease!”

“Right. Just wait here.” She went and grabbed a bottle with light-blue liquid in it. “Here.”

“We need more bottles than this!”

“Now now, don’t panic, dear. If you panic, it’ll be much worse.”

“Who’s that?”

“It’s just Doctor Whooves.”

“Relax, rela—just Doctor Whooves?”

“Oh, goodness, Doctor! Maybe you can help us.”

The door began to open, but Redheart slammed it on her.

“Ow!”

“Sorry Coldheart, but, um, er, it’s top secret! He needs to use this room, top secret stuff and… stuff.”

“Breathe.”

“But why does he need the storage room?”

“Excuse me, Redheart.”

“Oh, crap!”

“I need some guaze. What is that noise?”

“It’s top secret experimental gizmos, Nurse! Please, Fluttershy, please calm down.”

“What’s the gauze for?”

“One of the foals scratched themselves pretty badly while playing at the playground.”

“You don’t say. Wait right here.” Redheart looked to Fluttershy’s left, and then to her right. “Oh, darn.”

“What is it?”

“The gauze is right behind her.”

Fluttershy whined, and both of them clamped her snout shut. Oh no, I’m going to be caught! And they’re going to be in so much trouble!

“What’s going on in there?” The door began to open, but, in a desperate move, Fluttershy threw her neck out and slammed the door shut with her snout.

“Jrst ah meenith!”

“Shhhhhhhhhhhh!”

“What in Celestia’s name was that?”

“Super top-secret stuff, doctor!” Doctor Whooves looked at Fluttershy. “You can’t speak. Ponies will know about you if you do.” He said all of this very slowly, and Fluttershy calmed down.

“Er, right.”

Nurse Redheart climbed over the mass that was Fluttershy and reached into a cupboard. She grabbed a roll of gauze and the rest of the light-blue stuff. “Well, here you go!” Without so much as waiting for an explanation, she shut the door. She then turned to the both of them.

“What in Equestria are we supposed to do now!?”

“Well, first we need to re—“

“Don’t you tell me to relax!” Nurse Redheart pointed at Fluttershy. “Do you realize how close we were to being caught just now? What would happen if ponies found out she’s here? I’ll sum it up in one word: pandemonium!”

Doctor Whooves, meanwhile, remained calm. “Yes, and it won’t do any good for us to panic and draw attention to ourselves.” Doctor Whooves thought for a moment.

“Perhaps we should get Twilight,” Nurse Redheart said.

“No,” Doctor Whooves said confidently. “I’ve got a better idea.” He dashed out the door. “Keep her calm for a few minutes. I need to get something.” With that, he galloped away, and the door closed behind him.

That left Fluttershy alone with Nurse Redheart, who looked at her with as if she had been spooked. Fluttershy didn’t like being a bother to her, so she turned away, curled up into herself, and lay still, silent save the growling breathing.

I’ve messed everything up, she thought to herself. I’m such a bad monster. Maybe I should turn myself in after this, let everypony know I’m the cause of all of this worry. Perhaps Trixie will understand if I just end it.

“Hey, Fluttershy.” She felt a hoof being placed on her neck. “Listen: I’m sorry for yelling earlier. I’m just so stressed out by all of this panic, and I’ve gotten no sleep from it.”

It’s my fault, Nurse Redheart. You don’t need to be sorry for any of this. You deserve to be angry at all of this, at me.

“I know you’re trying not to hurt anypony.” Redheart began petting her neck. “But I don’t understand why you don’t hold Trixie accountable for any of this. She’s done something awful to you.”

But it was my fault! I didn’t tell her which animal I wanted to be, and I’m the one who’s taking her gift for granted.

Redheart sighed. “The sooner this is over, the better. The sooner everything will return to normal, and the sooner I can get some sleep.”

One long sigh that traveled along her scales made Fluttershy stir, and then she turned and gave a startled Redheart a nuzzle. Her snout stretched from the mare’s ears to her rump, and she pulled her into her. Redheart started, and then relaxed, resting her head against the thick neck. Fluttershy lifted the mare onto her body, where she went limp and began to snore.

Fluttershy rested her head against the door, so nopony would disturb them. All the while, she thought about Redheart, and about Ponyville. Yes, the sooner this is over, the better. And then she thought of Trixie. Everything will be better soon. And then Trixie can be on her way and nopony will have to get hurt. Trixie shouldn’t suffer; it’s my fault in the first place.

These thoughts carried on for a half-hour, and then there was a knock. “Nurse Redheart? It’s Doctor Whooves. Let me in.”

Redheart didn’t stir, so Fluttershy lifted her head and allowed the doctor to enter. His eyes fell on the sleeping mare. “Oh? I guess she was exhausted by this whole ordeal.” He patted Fluttershy on the snout. “Still, if she’s asleep, that means nothing’s gone wrong, right?”

He proceeded to drag in a large white sheet, and once he was able to close the door he began craping it over her body, beginning with her tail. Fluttershy made an inquisitive sound. “Don’t worry about this,” Doctor Whooves said. “Everything will be alright. Could you perhaps set Nurse Redheart on the floor?”

Fluttershy nodded and gently tucked Redheart on her snout. Once the mare was safely asleep in a corner, the Doctor finished covering every part of her except her eyes and snout.

“Now, Fluttershy,” he began, looking her directly in the eyes, caressing a cheek. “You won’t be able to see anything for a while; don’t panic. If all goes according to plan, you’ll be out of here safe and sound, and nopony will get hurt. You just need to do exactly what I say, okay?”

Fluttershy’s stomach churned. She gulped and nodded.

“Relax.” He finished covering her face, leaving no part of her exposed. “Relax. Relax.”

Fluttershy took a deep breath and let her head rest on the floor.

“Now then… blockthedoorblockthedoorblockthedoor—“

Fluttershy panicked. Oh no oh no oh no! She threw her head forward as hard as she could.

The first thing she realized was whatever she hit—it felt a lot heavier than the door—was demolished. The second thing she realized was that there were startled shrieks and gasps from ponies outside. The third thing she realized was that Nurse Redheart had bolted upright when the crash came. Finally, she realized, with a sickening sense, she was exposed.

“What in Celestia’s name?” A stallion croaked.

“Sorry about that,” Doctor Whooves replied. “I just need to get my invention out of here.”

“What are you doing?” Nurse Redheart hissed. “You just demolished an entire wall!”

Fluttershy began breathing faster. Oh my goodness!

“Yes, well, none of your equipment is harmed, so you can still access everything. Besides,” he continued, tugging on Fluttershy’s neck. “You can get your equipment twice as fast now!” He chuckled.

“Are you insane?”

“Ah, Redheart! Just the pony I was looking for!” He trotted behind Fluttershy. “How’s about you help me with moving my invention outside?”

Redheart was silent for a moment, and then groaned. “Fine!” she barked, taking Fluttershy by the neck and yanking it. Fluttershy growled with discomfort, causing the two ponies to freeze.

“What was that?”

“It’s a hitch,” Doctor Whooves replied, pushing gently on Fluttershy’s hide. “I’ll get it fixed. Nurse Redheart, please be more gentle with it.”

“Y-yes, Doctor,” she stuttered. “Come on, Fluttershy,” she whispered. “Just be calm and move.”

Fluttershy, for her part, had no idea where anything was, so she slid her legs on the ground and did her best to slink out without bumping into anything. Ponies complained left and right, getting out of the way of her massive form, and moving equipment inside rooms they weren’t needed. Redheart continued guiding forward, pulling her head one way and then the other as it brushed against a pony; Doctor Whooves looked like he was pushing the entire thing, grunting and chatting with doctors and nurses.

They made their way down the stairs, Fluttershy having no choice but to tiptoe down. Once, she tripped and fell, tangling herself in the sheet. Several ponies offered to help the two ponies, but they both insisted that they had it under control. Soon, they were moving again, trying once again to keep as silent as possible.

Then they made it to the bottom floor, and all they had to do was get out the front doors. “Okay, Fluttershy,” Redheart whispered. “We’re almost out of here.

“Uh-oh.”

Fluttershy and Redheart stopped. “What do you mean ‘uh-oh’?”

“Guards.”

Fluttershy chanced a peek from the sheets and saw four royal guards in front of the entrance. They were facing away from the trio.

Oh my goodness. We’ll never make it out now!

“Fluttershy, calm down!” Redheart squeaked. “What do we do now, Doctor?”

“Hang on a moment.” Doctor Whooves trotted away from them.

Fluttershy lowered her head to try and see what was going on, but Redheart peeked under to meet her gaze. “Don’t move,” she said. So Fluttershy stopped.

A minute passed, and three sets of hooves returned.

“Gentlecolts,” Redheart greeted in as calm a voice as she could muster.

“We have been informed that this machine will help aid in the mission to find the monster,” one of the guards said gruffly.

“We would like to see what it is,” another one said with less of a growl.

“We can’t do that yet,” the third pony, Doctor Whooves, said. “It’s extremely volatile and unpredictable, and if I were to uncover it, the slightest disturbance could cause a catastrophe in this very hospital! We wouldn’t want that now, would we?” No verbal response. “I must take it to my lab as soon as possible.”

“Then allow one of us to escort you there.”

Silence.

“I don’t think that would be necessary—“

“An unpredictable machine like this could possibly hurt civilians. We need to be there in case it goes haywire.” The gruff one took a step forward, sending Doctor Whooves stepping backward. “Now please follow me, and I shall escort you and your machine to your residence.”

There was no complaining. They slowly made their way out the doors and into the open. Fluttershy heard Nurse Redheart being called away for an emergency, and so she departed, leaving her with the doctor and guard.

Along their walk towards Ponyville Square, everything was silent. Nopony was outside as far as she could tell; they were probably in their homes, getting ready for any attack that may come that night. No animals sounded in the forest to their right, and no wisp of wind blew. The only sounds were hooves on the ground and the splashing from the water fountain, which was some ways away.

“It would be to the left, gentlecolt,” the Doctor said when they reached a fork in the road. They went left, towards Doctor Whooves’ residence and away from the safety of the Everfree Forest. They continued on this route, passing the water fountain and some houses that dared have their lights on, including Town Hall.

Finally, they reached the place. “Well, my dear gentlecolt,” the Doctor said to the guard. “Thank you very much for helping me get her here. I can take it from here.” The Doctor began to push her inside, but stopped.

“Hang on a moment,” the guard said. “Why don’t I help you push it inside?”

Fluttershy immediately began to panic. No, that’s okay. Just please leave!

“I mean, it’s such a small space to fit something so large,” he commented.

She heard the Doctor gulp. “Um, yes, well, I know how to handle that.”

“It’d be no trouble,” the guard continued, a hint of enthusiasm in his voice. “Here, let’s get rid of this sheet—“

Oh no!

“No!” The Doctor yelled, getting in his way. “I’ve told you, chap, I’m perfectly capable of getting her in by myself.”

“Hold on a minute,” the guard growled. “You need to get inside as quickly as possible, and I can help you do that.” He approached them. “Why are you being so difficult?”

“Well, I just don’t like other ponies tampering with my things, is all!”

“Under the order of Princess Celestia, we are ordered to protect the citizens of Ponyville. That includes you, sir, and this machine has the potential to hurt ponies.” Fluttershy cringed. “It’s going to be quicker if I help you get this thing—“

Fluttershy felt the sheet being pulled off, and did the only thing that came to mind: she swung her head in that direction and hit the guard. The sheet came off, and the guard went spiraling off into the distance, going straight through a wall at Town Hall.

“Fluttershy!” Doctor Whooves yelled. “What are you doing?”

She didn’t know. At that moment, the only thing she knew was that she had to run.

So she did. She reared up on her two legs and began sprinting to the west, towards the Everfree Forest. She encountered two pegasi guards along the way and rammed into them before they could react, sending them into some bushes. She didn’t think anypony was watching from their windows; she hoped not.

At last, she made it to the dark trees and cold darkness of the forest, but she didn’t stop there. She was panicked, and she wouldn’t stop. She continued to run blindly, hitting trees and rocks along the way. A few creatures were prowling about, but they darted away as soon as she came through.

When her mind calmed, the first thing she thought was, I hurt somepony. She continued to run. I hurt three ponies, maybe even the Doctor! I might’ve even killed them! Way to go, Fluttershy. You really are a threat to all ponykind, you stupid worthless filly. You really are a monster!

She looked up, and saw too quickly a large rock collide with her face. The forest spun around her, and she fell. She felt blood flow down from her forehead; she lay there, unconscious, hoping she would bleed to death.