Spike The Brony Dragon

The girls and I were all seated in the map room.

“So did I hear y'all correctly?” Applejack asked. “A bunch of changelings have started livin’ in the Crystal Empire now?”

“That’s correct,” I replied.

“And somehow Princess Cadance and Shining Armor are A-okay with it?” Pinkie questioned.

“Pretty much,” Twilight responded.

“Is it really such a valid idea?” Rarity queried. “These are changelings, after all. For all we know, they could be tricking everypony.”

“I know Thorax,” I pointed out. “He’s not one to trick others, and it’s safe to say his friends aren’t either. At least not anymore.”

“Plus, the changelings themselves learned to share love with each other instead of stealing it,” Twilight added.

“Well I still say it’s dubious!” Rainbow exclaimed. “We were nearly invaded by those things at Canterlot, and now we’re just rolling out the red carpet for them? What’s next, inviting Tirek to be Twilight’s new roomate?”

“You know, we had Discord reformed, and he used to terrorize our town,” Fluttershy noted. “If we can reform a creature of chaos, then why not a group of changelings?”

Twilight sighed. “I understand you all have mixed feelings about this, but you should at least give them a chance. Maybe the next time we visit the Crystal Empire, Spike and I could introduce you to Thorax and his friends.”

The show never mentioned the girls talking about Thorax being reformed, but at least I got to witness it first hand.

Not much changed for “Rock Solid Friendship.” It was nice to hear that Maud graduated and got her rocktorate degree. The only event that did change was when Pinkie introduced Maud to Tyke, and while they hit it off, they stayed acquaintances for the time being. At least Maud still became friends with Starlight.

Speaking of Tyke, he finally got some ethanol made from Applejack. In Equestria, making ethanol required a permit, which Applejack coincidentally and thankfully had. The next step was to make or convert an engine to run on the ethanol. For that, Tyke searched for any magic-running engines from various machines. I haven’t heard or seen any progress since then.

I jogged down to Fluttershy’s cottage with Twilight. For some reason, not only did Fluttershy invite me, but Twilight and the rest of the girls as well.

“I wonder why Fluttershy wanted all of us to meet at her cottage,” Twilight said.

“I don’t have a clue,” I replied.

In truth, I had a feeling this was when “Fluttershy Leans In” took place. In the show, Fluttershy wanted to build an animal sanctuary, but the workers her friends recommended weren’t very helpful. They would end up ruining Fluttershy’s image with their own ideas, and then they would blame Fluttershy for the entire mess. I told Fluttershy a while back that she should be careful before considering who she should hire. I just hoped she remembered.

Twilight and I met up with the other girls. We entered her cottage, and every one of Fluttershy’s animal friends occupied almost every square inch of her home. The only vacant spots were the sofas, so we quickly took our seats there. I noticed Angel with a blue foot cast resting on his bed. I guessed parkour wasn’t for everypony or non-pony.

Fluttershy entered the room. “I want to thank you all for rushing right over when I called. Doctor Fauna needs my help with a serious problem.”

“A friendship problem?” Twilight asked.

“No. Her vet clinic is a bit...maybe overrun with adorable critters in dire need of a safe place to lay their heads, and they don't have anywhere to go!”

The girls and I were perturbed to hear that. Doctor Fauna had always taken care of the Mane 6’s pets, so we agreed that helping her would be necessary.

“Oh, that's great news!” Fluttershy exclaimed. “Because it means you'll all be helping me with something special, too. Something that's been a dream of mine for a long time.”

“Oh, goody! Is your dream to make a bouncy castle shaped like a gigantic bundt cake?” Pinkie asked.

“Um, no. Not exactly.”

“Is it to build an animal sanctuary?” I asked.

“Yes,” Fluttershy replied. “A beautiful habitat where every animal—whether sick or scared or even just lonely, feathered or furry, scaly or slimy—every critter would be welcome. My sanctuary can be the one place in Equestria they call home until they feel ready to take on the world.”

“Wow, Fluttershy! I've never heard you speak with such conviction,” Twilight complimented. The rest of the girls shared the same positivity.

“Oh, thank you, everypony. You all taught me so much about building my confidence over the years. It's because of your friendship that I finally feel able to make my dream project a reality. But I can't build the sanctuary alone. Will you join me?”

Just like in the show, the girls recommended some expert ponies that helped them out before: Wrangler, a sheep herder; Hard Hat, a construction worker; and Dandy Grandeur, an interior designer.

“Wow, everypony! Thank you! I…” Fluttershy suddenly paused. “Actually, if you don’t mind, would it be okay if I talk to these ponies first and then decide if I should have them help with the sanctuary?”

“You mean like conducting an interview?” asked Twilight.

“I-if it’s not too much trouble. I just want to know who I’ll be working with…probably.”

“Well, if it helps ya,” Applejack replied.

“I’ve no objections,” Rarity added.

“Whatever works for you!” Pinkie concluded.

I sighed contently knowing Fluttershy recalled our conversation.

Fluttershy and I met with Hard Hat at a local diner.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet us, Hard Hat,” said Fluttershy.

“No problem,” responded Hard Hat. “So, uh, Pinkie Pie said you drew up some blueprints?”

“Um, not exactly. It's more of a dream board.” Fluttershy pulled out a manilla folder. She took a rough sketch of the sanctuary, and she also provided a picture of its future location.

Hard Hat scrutinized the sketch. “Hmmm, that sure doesn't look like an animal hospital.”

“Well, that's because it's not. It's a sanctuary. A place that is safe but not restrictive. Cozy but natural. A place where the animals can come and go as they please.”

Hard Hat turned his attention to the photo. “You know, uh, I designed the Ponyville Hospital. I could do the exact same thing right here. I still have the blueprints. Though it’ll take a while to clear all these trees.”

“Oh, no. I don’t want to clear the trees. I want to use them. I would like the sanctuary to have an open floor plan. No walls. More like an enclosure that melts into the trees. With a gate in the back. That way, the animals can return to the forest right when they feel ready.”

“Are you sure? What you’re talking about doesn’t really seem like a cohesive structure. Or any structure I’m familiar with.” Hard Hat handed the photo and sketch back to my special somepony.

Fluttershy rubbed her hoof on the table. “Um…tell you what, why don’t I…think about this design a bit more and come back to you later if I find a solution?”

Hard Hat shrugged. “All right then.”

Fluttershy and I left the diner. Once we were a good distance from the establishment, Fluttershy exhaled deeply.

“Not the ideal candidate?” I asked.

“Not the ideal candidate,” Fluttershy answered. “I hope the other two are much better.”

Dandy Grandeur met up with us at a local and expensive cafe.

“I do appreciate you coming to see us before the project,” said Fluttershy.

“If there’s any interior decorating to be done, you can count on moi,” Dander replied.

“Rarity mentioned you were pretty skilled.”

“Indeed I am. In fact, I’ve even provided some samples for the window treatments.” Dander showed Fluttershy some small pieces of pattern cloth. “Which one would you like?”

“Um, not to be rude, but that is not necessary. We have no need for curtains at the sanctuary.”

“And whyever not?”

“Everything is gonna look natural in the animal habitats, not like it was made for ponies.” Fluttershy showed Dander the photograph.

“All those shades of brown and green? But...they're so...drab, you know?”

Fluttershy jerked her head back. “Drab? You're calling the colors of beautiful trees drab?”

“Exactly! The natural look is not in right now.” Dander motioned to the colors he provided. “This is better. Trust me.”

Fluttershy sighed sharply. “I appreciate your input, but I need some time to think about this.”

With that, Fluttershy and I left the cafe without even ordering anything.

“How could he call such hues of nature drab?!” Fluttershy snapped.

“You ask me, he’s not one to paint with the colors of the wind,” I said.

“That only leaves Wrangler. I’ve got my hooves crossed she’d be a decent applicant.”

We had our interview with Wrangler at Sweet Apple Acres.

“I’m glad to meet you before the Ponyville sanctuary project,” said Fluttershy.

“I'm just lookin' forward to helpin' ya out, ma'am!” Wrangler exclaimed. “And the animals.”

“That’s good to hear. Applejack told me you were an expert in animal enclosures.”

“Ya heard right. I’ve even got some ideas ya might like.” Wrangler took out a cage and placed it on a table. “This here’s yer standard chicken-travelin’ cage. Dependin’ on size, it fits one critter comfortably.”

“Mmm. I'm looking for something less like a cage and more like a nice hug. Maybe if we lose this part.”

“Uh...Well then, it wouldn't be a cage.”

“Exactly. I want to give the animals the freedom to come and go. It's the only way they'll feel comfortable.”

“I can provide a pillow for each cage if it helps.”

Fluttershy stared at Wrangler. “I apologize, but I have to reject your services.”

Fluttershy and I left the farm.

The next day, Fluttershy summoned the girls and I to her cottage once more.

“You rejected all three of them?” Twilight asked dismayed.

Fluttershy sighed. “I’m sorry, but it was the best option. When I spoke to the experts, I had doubts they would envision the sanctuary the same way I did. So I played it safe and let them go. Now, I really do appreciate you girls trying to find ponies to help with this project; I just don’t want to take chances.”

“If ya don’t think they’re the right bunch to build the sanctuary, then I guess ya made the right choice,” said Applejack. “To be honest, I’ve never seen Wrangler using anything but cages for her enclosures.”

“I suppose Dander has a certain way of doing things and wouldn’t listen to any disagreeing ponies,” Rarity said. “The only reason I go along with him is because we both have the same tastes.”

“And checking out some of Hard Hat’s work, he does use the same type of architecture for all his buildings,” Pinkie pointed out. “Who would've guessed that Hard Hat wouldn't build whatever you want?”

“So what are you gonna do now?” Twilight asked.

“After I turned down Wrangler, I called in a favor from an old friend. He'll be here any minute. This is one expert I know I can trust to put the animals first. Plus there's nopony better at building.”

Then there was a knock at the door, and Angel answered. A short stallion in baggy overalls and a tall hat entered.

“I heard somepony needs construction help fer them critters,” The stallion said.

“Big Daddy McColt!” Twilight exclaimed. “We met each other back when the map called me and Fluttershy to the Smokey Mountains!”

“And he certainly knows his stuff when it comes to buildings and caring for animals,” Fluttershy added.

“Well, shucks,” said Big Daddy. “Let's not stand around talkin' about it. Let's build us a sanctuary!”

We all cheered after hearing that.

The next scene played out like in the show. The Mane 6, Starlight, Big Daddy, Big Mac, the CMC, and I all pitched in to build the sanctuary. We spent the entire day digging, hammering, sawing, filling, and crafting. After hours of landscaping, the sanctuary was fully built.

“Thank you all for helping me construct the sanctuary,” Fluttershy said as she served us lunch. “I can't wait to show all the animals and Doctor Fauna.”

We appreciated assisting Fluttershy. All the hard work was worth seeing a proud smile on her face.

A few days later, Fluttershy and I had our tea time at the sanctuary. The animals that once clogged every space of Doctor Fauna's clinic could now rest wherever they wanted here and still have plenty of breathing room.

“This place is looking great!” I complimented. “The animals look so peaceful here.”

“Thank you,” said Fluttershy. “I have everypony to thank for helping achieve my dream. Especially you, Spike.”

“Really?”

“You supported my idea, and you suggested I should be careful who I should hire. Without you, I don't think all of this would happen.”

“Heh.” I rubbed the back of my head. “At least it wouldn't happen in the same way.”

As we shared a hug, I thought about how this episode concurred. Fluttershy’s Sweet Feather Sanctuary was built early, as she didn't have to deal with the experts messing up her idea. Plus, Doctor Fauna could breathe easily knowing she didn't have to deal with so many animals living in her veterinary clinic.