Chapter 2.
Fluttershy's Beginning.

The air was chilly in the little town of Ponyville. The leaves from the trees were starting to fall as everyone trotted around, trying to prepare for the big event happening in the coming weeks. But far from the hustle and bustle of the small town, in a valley far to the west, stood a little cottage. The cottage was home to one of Ponyvilles best caretakers, Fluttershy. She is a super kind pegasus and a friend to all. Some ponies even call her the Angel of Ponyville. While all the praise for her work as the go-to animal caretaker was indeed welcome, she was a very modest pony. She did what she loved. There was nothing else to it.

While her life may seem rosy at first glance, she did have one downfall. Shyness. Even acknowledging her being was enough to frighten her. And now it was October, her least favorite month out of the whole year.

She was just five year's old when her parents first introduced her to Nightmare Night. After that, she couldn't sleep for months. Every time she closed her eyes an image of, well just about anything that had to do with Nightmare Night, flashed through her mind. Even now as a grown mare, she still couldn't handle the holiday.

It was still a few weeks before Nightmare Night, however, so she still had time to do a little home cleaning. She was raking a set of leaves into a pile on her yard when a whistle sound came to her ears. As she concentrated on it harder, the noise got louder. She looked up to the sky to see a rainbow and cyan colored blur coming in her direction. With little time to react, she shrunk down to the ground as far as she could to avoid being hit by the now earthbound Rainbow Dash. After a bit of struggling, the cyan pegasus managed to dig her way free from the ground. As she collected herself, she noticed a yellow and pink ball on the ground behind her.

"Hey, Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash paused, looked back at the mess she made, then said with a sheepish smile, "and sorry about the mess."

Fluttershy, for her part, managed to stop her hammering heart from beating out of her chest. She knew Rainbow Dash since they were fillies in flight camp. She practically grew up with the cocky pegasus and considered her as part of her family. But it was moments like this that she could do without in her life.

"Rainbow Dash! Can you please stop doing that," the shy pegasus asked in a hushed tone. Because of her shyness, she usually talked in a whisper. Most ponies would strain to hear her voice, but Rainbow Dash knew how to listen.
"Oh come on Shy. You gotta have a little fun every now and again," Rainbow Dash then swung a hoof around her still shaking friend, "and I did say sorry this time though."

Fluttershy managed a chuckle before saying, "fair enough." She then looked at Rainbow with a questioning stare. "So, um, why are you here exactly?"

With a raise of her hoof, Rainbow said, "I was just wondering if you were busy tonight. I was thinking of some good Nightmare Night pranks I wanted to pull off. And I need your opinion before I put them into action."

Rainbow Dash was a prankster. Fluttershy knew this, but wasn't always happy about it. "Why do you want my opinion. You know how I feel about Nightmare Night and your pranks," she went back to raking the now scattered leaves as she added, "and sorry, but I can't. I'm meeting with Zecora later."

Dash knew how Fluttershy felt about her pranks and Nightmare Night in general, but you can't blame a pony for trying. She also knew about Zecora and where she lived, though, and curiosity took hold. "Why are you meeting with Zecora? Doesn't she live in the Everfree Forest?"

"Yes, she does. But I need more herbs for my animals." Fluttershy took a saddened glance back towards her home cottage. "With the fall season coming around, all the animals are starting to get Autumn Sickness," she said, almost panicked.

Rainbow Dash only questioned further, complemented by a raised eyebrow, "Autumn Sickness?"

Fluttershy looked back at her with a quizzical look, "the cold?"

The cyan pegasus's eyes widened, "oh."

Fluttershy went back to her yard work as Rainbow watched. "So, what are your plans for the weekend?" Even though she already knew the answer, it never hurt to ask.

The shy pegasus paused again, "well, tending to the animals I guess." She could see the Ponyville clock tower in the distance. "It's going to be a long weekend for me. I don't think I'll have any free time until next week at the earliest."

Rainbow Dash looked down, "oh, ok." She then perked up as she looked back to her lifelong friend, "but we'll have to plan something soon before you lock yourself up for Nightmare Night, right?" she commented jokingly.

Fluttershy only smiled at her friend, "of course we will."

And with that, Rainbow Dash gave a quick hug to Fluttershy before she sped off into the sky. Fluttershy frowned as her friend left. She wanted to hang out with her friend, but her animals couldn't wait.

After a few more hours of yard work, tidying up the house, a mess from her pet bunny, and just general cleaning, she was finally ready to head off to Zecora's. She knew the hut where Zecora lived. She had been there a few times in the past to collect special herbs that the zebra alchemist made. She was scared of the stranger that entered Ponyville all those moons ago, but she since got over it. The forest, on the other hoof, was a different story.

The Everfree Forest scared her just as much as Nightmare Night did. But when it came to her animals and friends, she would face a Timberwolf to keep them safe. One time she had a staredown with a Cockatrice to save one of her chickens that had gotten loose. Even then the forest would chill her to the bone.

She trotted along the dirt road leading to the forest entrance. The town of Ponyville agreed to make a path going towards Zecora's hut so that anyone could find it if they desired to enter the forest. Fluttershy walked this path multiple times in the past, and every time it sunk in more. She could hear the trees calling her. Feel the touch of a branch that was nowhere near her. It gave her goosebumps, but she had to push forward.

On her walk through the forest, she felt like she had eyes on her. Granted, she always felt like she had eyes on her. But this time was different. It was like something in this forest was welcoming her, inviting her in deeper. She ignored it the best she could as she trudged forward.

After a brief time, she made her way to Zecora's hut. The hut was unlike anything she had ever seen before, but a home was a home she figured. With a quick knock on the door, she heard the familiar sound of the zebra's words.

"Who is the one that I can hear?" the zebra said as she walked up to the door and opened it, "why, it's Fluttershy who's standing here."

Fluttershy smiled at her friends choice of words. Unlike everyone else, Zecora talked in rhyme. Which was both fun and annoying, especially when you needed quick answers. But she enjoyed it nonetheless.

"Hi, Zecora. I'm here to pick up the herbs I requested. If that's ok with you," she said as she crouched a little in her timid posture. She did this with most ponies, even ponies she knew.

Zocra grew a knowing smile, "why of course it's ok with me, but may I ask you to stay for tea," she asked, backing away slightly from the door to allow her friend entrance.

Fluttershy stammered for a moment in thought, "oh, I don't want to be any trouble."

"You couldn't bring me any trouble, being a pony so gentle and humble," Zecora gestured into her home.

"Well, ok. I think I can stay a little bit. But I do need to get back to my animals soon," the shy pegasus said as she made her way into the hut. It wasn't too big inside, but it was big enough for the essentials. Potions and voodoo masks decorated the zebras home from corner to corner. The perfect home for Zecora. She once asked why Zecora left her home in Zebrica, and she told her shy friend that the forest has so many different plants that she needed for her many recipes.

"What's the occasion? If there is one that is," Fluttershy asked as she made her way to the table on the right of the hut.

"There is a flower that I am in dire need, and I was hoping you could perform this deed," she asked as she set two teacups and a teapot on the table in front of them.

Fluttershy raised an eye, "what kind of flower?"

Author's Note

Well, I got this chapter up quick. Remember, any and all feedback is greatly appreciated. I hope you all enjoy the story thus far.

Edited - 9/4/2018