Butterfly's Might

Chapters

Chapter 1: Birth
Chapter 2: Cantelot
Chapter 3: Butterfly's Might
Chapter 4: Roaming the Castle
Chapter 5: Flight Lessons
Chapter 6: Training Commences
Chapter 7: Conflict
Chapter 8: Diplomacy
Chapter 9: Return
Chapter 10: Discipline
Chapter 11: Twilight
Chapter 12: Fluttershy's Rise
Chapter 13: Change

Chapter 1: Birth

Deep in a Cloudsdale Medical Station Alpha, a pale amber pegasus mare with a pale green pegasus stallion was holding as she screamed. A dark blue pegasus nurse looked at her reassuringly “Push one more time!”

The Nurses smiled as she caught the filly who began to wail “Congratulations Storm Shy and Windy Shy, you have a beautiful filly.” She passed the crying foal to her mother Windy Shy, Windy smiled as she held the foal.

Storm Shy smiled “What should we name her, she is a cute little one.”

Windy smiled “Fluttershy, her name will be Fluttershy.” It didn’t take long for the hospital to clear them and soon they had arrived home, Storm Shy was checking on his cloud jars while Windy was holding Fluttershy.

Storm Shy was about to re-enter the home when a dark blue mare pegasus approached him with a crimson pegasus stallion and an orange pegasus mare behind him. The dark blue mare growled as she pushed the stallion into his home “Storm, do you have what you promised!”

Storm backed away in fear “It’s been difficult Sky Strike, I’ve had to cut back shift with my wife being pregnant and…” The mare pushed him over growling but before she could respond a fast moving object flew across the room, the mare screamed as one of forelegs dropped to the floor blood pouring out of the stump.

Fluttershy was glaring at the mare, her hide was incredibly thick and long sharp claws extended from her hooves. What scared the intruders the most was the sharp fangs in her longer muzzle dripping with blood.

The Pegasi flew away in fear, Fluttershy however was not done and darted after them. Windy flew after her foal faster than anypony would have though possible as her husband was stunned speechless. Fluttershy had landed onto Strike’s back and ripped one of her wings out with her teeth, the other two pegasi flew away as Fluttershy dove towards the falling Strike. Strike landed on the clouds below only for Fluttershy to land on her and bite into her chest tearing the flesh beneath and rending bone.

Strike was in such pain that she couldn’t shake the carnivorous foal off her chest, she let out one final scream as Fluttershy tore her heart clean out. Her body fell limp as the life left her eyes. Windy landed scooping up the filly “Are you okay Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy looked at her mum and tried to struggle to get back to the body, she clawed at her mother’s leg. Windy let out a shriek of pain as her daughter flew towards the corpse, Fluttershy tore bits of flesh off before swallowing.

Meanwhile deep in the city of Canterlot Princess Celestia frowned at her newest attendant, Raven “I sensed a primal spirit, a pony with the strength of a wild animal. I need to investigate this.”

Raven nodded “I’ll keep thing organised in your absence.” Celestia smiled glad that her attendant was taking her job seriously. She then teleported to near the primal spirit only to be looking at a filly, not even a day old tearing into the flesh of an adult pegasi.

Celestia frowned at the filly, Windy flew in front of the princess “Please don’t hurt my daughter, she was only born today.”

Celestia smiled “I won’t hurt your daughter but I need to stop her from feeding. A simple sleep spell should suffice.” Celestia’s horn glowed gold but much to her surprise the magic just washed over the filly, Celestia frowned “It appears your daughter is a Primal Spirit of Ratel. It is a rare ability and nopony truly knows it’s origins.”

Windy looked at her daughter with worry “What does that mean for her?”

Celestia smiled “It simply means that your family is moving to Canterlot, she needs a proper teacher and I’m probably the only who can teach her.”

Windy bowed “Princess, when do we leave?”

Celestia was about to speak when a group of Pegasi in flight suits landed. A pegasi stallion landed with a salute “Captain Stormwing, at your service Princess! We heard a report of an animal attack!”

Celestia pointed to the filly in the corpse “She is a primal spirit, for such a thing to come out at such a young age the mare must have threatened her parents. She needs proper education in controlling her animalistic instincts.”

Captain Stormwing frowned “Is that wise Princess, she killed an adult pony in cold blood. Is it right to allow a monster like that to live?’

Celestia closed her eyes “She is no more a monster than I am” Celestia’s coat thickened as her aurora like mane grew longer and her muzzle extended filling with fangs as claws extended out of her hooves “She needs a proper teacher, one that I was not lucky enough to have. I am the Primal Spirit of the Lion, the Queen of the Savannah and wield the might of Dominion. It reduces the opponent’s will to fight me.”

Captain Stormwing saluted “Very Princess, if you need the Wonderbolts contact me.”

Celestia nodded as she turned to the Fluttershy who was now back to being a normal pegasus have fallen asleep after eating her fill. Celestia levitated the filly and cast two spells, one to immolate the corpse and the other to clean the filly.

As the Wonderbolts left, Celestia turned to Windy with a warm smile as she levitated Fluttershy over to her mother“Show me to your home. I will help you pack.”

Windy bowed before taking off with the Princess following behind, her husband was sitting quietly in their home when she arrived. Windy frowned “Storm, we are moving to Canterlot at the request of the Princess. It is for the good of our daughter, the Princess will help our daughter control herself.”

Storm looked at her in shock “But what are going to do for money?”

Celestia interjected with a smile “I will have you lodged in the castle, it will help as your daughter will be close enough that I can stop her from losing control.” With that sorted the Pegasi family began packing up their possessions so they could move into Canterlot Castle.

Author's Note

The spirits are strong, even a new born foal can kill an adult pony. Also because Fluttershy is leaving Cloudsdale she will never meet Rainbow and because of that no Rainboom. Rainbow achieved that because she tried to compete with bullies who treated her badly.

Chapter 2: Cantelot

Windy, Storm and Fluttershy has just settled into their new home within Canterlot Castle. Windy a pair of saddlebags on her back as she was walking through the halls carrying her daughter when a noble Earth Pony approached with a sneer “It appears somepony let in the rabble, you have no right to be here.”

A tall white unicorn stallion with a blonde main frowned “Lord Sandstone, may I remind you there was a time unicorns thought the same of Earth Ponies. Don’t act like those who your ancestors resented.”

Lord Sandstone turned and bowed “Prince Blueblood, I didn’t see you there.”

Blueblood’s eyes narrowed “Stop bowing to me, I am not one swayed by fools such as yourself. Now get out of my sight before you insult your ancestors further!” The Earth Pony noble quickly fled unwilling to upset the Prince.

Windy lowered her head in deference “I would bow but I am not in the position to do so.”

Blueblood laughed “Don’t worry about that, there is no need to bow to me.” He then frowned “One should not be praised or condemned because of their birth, one should be praised for their actions. Princess Celestia rules to keep the peace and that is why she deserves praise.”

Celestia smiled as she trotted up to the group “I’m grateful for the praise Blueblood but there has been so much peace that the only real job I have less is stopping arrogant nobles passing stupid laws and teaching the odd gifted pony.” Her horn then glowed gold as she moved glowing golden light in front of Fluttershy who babbled excitedly as she tried to swat at the light.

Blueblood bowed with a smile “Auntie do you mind if I take over court for the day, you should spend some ties with your new guests.”

Celestia grinned “Don’t be too hard on them, they are used to my softer approach.”

Blueblood laughed “Don’t worry, the only harm they will receive is some harsh words.” Celestia closed her eyes, he was so much like her sister. She shook those thoughts away as the Blueblood was headed off to prepare for court.

Windy lowered her head “Princess, are you sure it’s okay that let him take care of court just to spend time with a few random ponies.”

Celestia snorted “Court is usually filled with nobles who just want to complain about nothing. It’s bad enough that I have to humour them.” She then looked around “Where is your husband?”

Storm galloped over “Sorry I’m late, I had sent a letter to some relatives back home. Inform them of why we are in Canterlot.”

Fluttershy began crying loudly, Windy pulled out a bottle of milk with a wing. Fluttershy’s hooves grew claws grabbing the bottle and happily suckled it. Celestia smiled as she watched the young filly.

The Shy family’s time in Canterlot was peaceful for the first few years, Celestia popped in for visits whenever she was free. Three years into their stay however disaster struck, Fluttershy was hiding behind her mother nervously. She was very timid and often hid behind her mother, another noble this time a pegasus snarled at the mother “What pathetic excuse for a Pegasus, both of you.” He then began pulling on Windy’s much to her discomfort “What good are those wings if you don’t use them.”

Fluttershy began growling as her Ratel Spirit emerged for the first time in years, she leapt at the stallion and the stallion fled as she chased him Windy and Storm in hot pursuit. A few unicorns guards tried to levitate her only for their magic to wash off of her.

Celestia having sensed the spirit’s release and teleported into the hallways, she winced levitated the filly into the air and cast a sleep spell wincing as she did so. She took a deep breath and turned to Windy “I believe I will have to start teaching your daughter how to control her urges, I was hoping to do this when she was older but her magic resistance if growing with each passing day.”

The noble growled “That filly is a danger to us all! We need to take action!”

Celestia frowned “Gale Frost the same was said of me when I was born, that a pony with the traits of all three tribes was a threat. With time and training that I will provide this will not happen again. That I can assure you.”

Gale Frost bowed “I bow to your wisdom Princess.”

Celestia levitated Fluttershy over to Windy “I’ll begin your daughter’s training tommorow. Tonight you should let her rest, it may be a rough day for her tommorow.”

As Celesta left the group, Storm frowned as they trotted back to their room “Are you sure we should allow the Princess to teach Fluttershy. She is only three years old?”

Windy frowned “I’m not sure either but at the same time what if she hurt somepony. What if she hurts someone she calls friend? She will struggle to fit in if she can’t control herself.”

Storm sighed “Still, should we try and get to hide this part of her. Have the Princess remove this from her somehow.”

Windy grimaced as they entered their room “The Princess has something similar, it’s a spirit of nature and not something so easily denied. Princess Celestia’s magic was barely able to restrain Fluttershy while she was capable of doing much more powerful spells on Fluttershy when she was born. Soon not even Princess Celestia's magic can restrain her.”

Storm nodded solemnly “I understand, for the good of our daughter and to protect those she could hurt we have to do this.” Windy nodded as she held her daughter in hooves.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed this chapter

Chapter 3: Butterfly's Might

Fluttershy was nervously sitting next to Celestia “Um, princess is this training going to be hard? I’m not very good at flying and I doubt I can do this.”

Celestia shook her head with a warm smile “You are much more capable then you know, when I was your age I was very much the same. My parents had a hard time getting me out of the cottage.”

Fluttershy murmured quietly “Okay.”

Celestia smiled “Don’t worry Fluttershy, all this requires is simple meditation. Close your eyes, take deep breaths and centre yourself.” Fluttershy and Celesta sat there, Fluttershy’s deep breaths began to calm her.

She then felt something nudge her ‘Open your eyes.”

Fluttershy opened her eyes and screamed in fear at giant black creature with the entire middle part of it’s back being white. The creature rolled it’s eyes “Out of all the ponies who could wield my soul, it had to be one who is scared of everything.” The creature than sighed “I am not your enemy, I am the spirit within and I’m here to help you. Call me Ratel.”

Fluttershy nervously looked upon Ratel, Ratel picked her up in his claws and began softly nuzzling her belly. Fluttershy giggled, Ratel smiled “I told you I’m not the bad guy. Simply ask for my help and I will grant it.”

Fluttershy opened her in the real world this time, she turned to Celestia. Celestia smiled as she turned to Fluttershy in her Ratel form “Impressive, I thought it would take one as timid as you a lot longer to access the form. Ratel is a rough spirit.”

Ratel growled (Let me sat that sun loving bitch, I’ll show her who’s rough. I’m so ready to rumble.)

Fluttershy blinked (What does bitch mean?)

Ratel rubbed his head with his paw (Right, I forgot you were there. I’ll explain it when you’re older, let’s focus on your mentor and what she is saying.)

Celestia frowned “Now Fluttershy, in order to control that form you will have to learn to reign the fighting instincts. You will face me in combat.”

Celestia’s lion form resurfaced and she let out a powerful roar, Fluttershy was unfazed by the roar much to her confusion (Why am I not scared?)

Ratel smiled (When we are in merged state like this, you will feel no fear. A Ratel has no fear, only ferocity. Strike and don’t let up, the Princess has demanded our challenge and it would be an insult to back down.)

Fluttershy looked nervously at the Princess, Celestia looked at her sharply “Fight me, there will be no hesitation. I will not hesitate and you will do well to do the same!” Fluttershy leapt backwards as Celestia pounced at her with her sharp claws, Fluttershy felt the ferocity well up in her and lashed out with her claws. Celestia flew backwards barely dodging that attack (She’s really fast.)

A huge golden lion with a bright red mane within her mindscape frowned (No, you have been eating too many cakes and doing nowhere near enough training. Your sister and Tigress could dodge that attack with little difficulty. Still that is mighty impressive for a filly at the age of three with no training.)

Celestia launched slash of her own but that proved to be a mistake as Fluttershy dodged leaping at her neck biting into it. Celestia cried out in pain as she tried to shake off the young filly. Fluttershy used the momentum to fling her skywards, she used used her wings and flew down towards Celestia tearing into her eyes. Fluttershy growled “Yield!”

Celestia cried out in pain “I yield.” Celestia’s form retracted as did Fluttershy’s, Celestia groaned as her eyes slowly regenerated “I have really gone soft.”

Leo face pawed (That was embarrassing, I will pester you about getting back into shape until you start making an effort. In the meantime the filly should do some actual proper training to control her abilities, including using weapons.)

Celestia turned to Fluttershy “You have proven quite capable but it would be important to know how to use weapons. I’ll take you down to the training grounds for practice with various weapons.”

Fluttershy bowed “Yes Princess.”

Celestia giggled “We had quite a violent spar, you can just call me Celestia.”

Fluttershy frowned “If it wasn’t for Ratel I would probably crying and begging for forgiveness. I’m sorry but there is no way I am ready to be on a first name basis with you Princess.”

Celestia nodded in understanding, she then teleported the pair to the guard’s training ground. It was large field, part of it was an obstacle course full of mud pits and climbing ropes as well as several other fierce obstacles. Where they were was an open field full of guards practising various weapons techniques with a practice armoury full of blunt wooden weapons.

The guards stopped their practice and saluted “Princess!”

Celestia smiled “Return to your training, Equestria relies on you.” She turns to the practice armoury and levitates out two practice halberds “This is my favoured weapon, the halberd. If one is fast it allows one to do a lot of damage against an opponent in armour, our claws are capable of rending flesh but can’t pierce armour.”

Fluttershy nodded as she lifted the massive weapon with her claws, Celestia smiled “Follow my lead.” Celestia began doing massive slow swings with Fluttershy following as Celestia swung faster and faster. Fluttershy struggled to keep up due to her smaller size but the pair practised for the next two hours before Celestia had to attend court.

Author's Note

This next bit will involve Fluttershy roaming the castle a bit I think

Chapter 4: Roaming the Castle

Fluttershy had retracted her bestial form, she was barely holding herself together as Ratel comforted her (It will be all right, Fluttershy. You did as she asked of you.)

Fluttershy cried (But I hurt her, she screamed in pain! I clawed out her eyes, I could have killed her! What if I kill someone else?!)

Ratel frowned (Fluttershy, the ability to kill doesn’t make you a monster. Even killing doesn’t truly one a monster. What makes one a monster is when one kills for joy and pleasure of killing, yes there is the thrill of the fight. But that persists even in non-lethal combat.)

Fluttershy looked hopefully at Ratel “(What should I do?)

Ratel smiled back (Focus on the future, and don’t fear your instincts. Learning how to control that is part of why you are here, Celestia knew this would be a consequence of training you so don’t worry about it.)

Fluttershy nodded (I’ll try.) She trotted through the halls of the castle, it was fairly quiet.

Storm frowned as he saw her trotting around the castle “Where is the Princess, isn’t she supposed to be teaching you.”

Fluttershy whispered “I doubt I need much protection.”

Her father smiled “Nevermind that, there is something we have been meaning to tell you.” Fluttershy was curious, she had no idea of what this surprise could be but she was curious.

Storm and Fluttershy entered their sparsely decorated home within the castle, her mother was smiling down at her. Windy patted her belly softly “You’re going to be a big sister.”

Fluttershy excitedly gave her mother a big hug “I’m going to be a big sister!” Despite her excitement some small part of her got a really bad feeling and she was not sure why. She shook her head clearing those thoughts and smiled “Maybe we should go for a walk around the castle.”

Windy shook her head “Fluttershy dear, we don’t think it‘s wise to just wander around the castle. The nobles don’t really like us here and we just want to say out of their way.”

Storm nodded “We don’t think it is wise to wander around the castle.”

Fluttershy frowned “Well I’m not just going to stay in here, it may be scary outside but I can’t lock myself up in these rooms all day.” Fluttershy pushed the door open and left her parents in the room.

She trotted through nervously shuddering as the guard watched her closely, Ratel raised an eyebrow (Why do you wander the halls if everypony scares you.)

Fluttershy sighed internally as she looked around nervously (I am scared of a lot of things but if I hide from everything in a room then what would the point of living. I will not hide in fear., I may be pushed around, I may be treated badly but when push comes to shove I will act.)

Ratel smirked (Good, hiding from those around you achieves nothing.) Before Fluttershy could reply there was screaming, a huge fearsome beast with four head ran through the corridors. Ratel growled (Who let a Hydra into these halls!) Fluttershy assumed her Ratel form, Ratel looked at her (Are you nuts, I’m all for a good fight but that thing is huge. You aren’t a fully mature Ratel yet.)

Fluttershy’s eyes narrowed as the guards charging at it were knocked aside by the rampaging beast (It doesn’t matter.) She burst into a gallop her clawed hooves tearing through the floor, she leapt tearing off one of it’s heads. The head split into two as the Hydra turned around to face her, Fluttershy leapt back as one of the heads slammed into the ground.

She frowned (How to take this beast out, it’s just going to keep growing back it’s heads… I have an idea, crazy one.) Before Ratel could inquire she leapt forward, one of the Hydra’s opened it’s mouth going for her, she grinned as she felt into it’s mouth.

Ratel growled as Fluttershy dove down it’s throat (What are you doing!) Fluttershy smirked fell into the stomach, she winces ash felt the burning sensation of the beast’s stomach acid. She leapt out tearing through the beast’s stomach with her jaws. She found her way through the beast’s body and found a huge multi chambered heart pumping. She tore into ripping out flesh and swallowing piece by piece. She then tore her way out of the Hydra’s corpse.

Princess Celestia was chiding the scientists “You shouldn’t try move anything you have in your labs without an escort. That was Hydra, one of the most dangerous beasts of the Everfree. You should have requested a formal transfer, you may have been responsible for the death of a filly.)

Fluttershy was covered in blood from head to hoof, she trotted over with a smile “Princess I am fine. I let it swallow me, it was easy to tear my way out from the inside. I’m glad you figured out why there was Hydra in the halls.”

Celestia frowned “You weren’t ready to face a Hydra, what you did while smart you put yourself in unnecessary danger. I could have handled this if you waited.”

Fluttershy frowned “What about those who would have been killed by it by the time you arrived. I was present and able to act, able to make a difference. I’m not like my mother and father, I have the ability to make a difference even if it is small. I will not let my fears keep me from doing what only I can do.”

Celestia sighed “I can understand that, I think I have a few ponies who should be able to teach some things. I’ll have them meet us tommorow.” Fluttershy reverted back to normal and decided return home for a rest, she had enough excitement for one day.

Author's Note

Fluttershy is the 'bold one of the family,' likely because she actually goes outside.

Chapter 5: Flight Lessons

Celestia smiled “I have acquired the services of Captain Stormwing, the leader of the Wonderbolts to help you with flight. I believe he can help you conquer your fear.”

Fluttershy looked at her sorrowfully “Do I have to? I’ve never been a good flier.”

Celestia giggled “I was too and I must admit that Flash Magnus was so mad at me for that. Pegasi magic is based on confidence, you need to believe in yourself and soon you will be flying with the best of them.”

Ratel smiled (You can do this, just believe in yourself.)

Fluttershy smiled weakly (I’ll try.)

They soon arrived on the balcony only to see Captain Stormwing looking at her, he frowned “Well let’s begin. I’ve heard that you were scared of heights.” Fluttershy nodded meekly, she screamed as he picked her up and tossed her off the castle balcony.

Celestia frowned “That was a very reckless thing to do Stormwing, she is barely old enough to trot yet fly.”

Stormwing shrugged “I need to break that fear somehow and…”

He was knocked to floor by an angry filly bearing her teeth “I could have died you moron!” The furious look in Fluttershy’s eyes as she hovered above him, her glare so fierce that yellow liquid started dripping on the floor beneath him.

Celestia turned to Fluttershy “Stop glaring at him please, the floor is starting to smell.”

Fluttershy wrinkled her muzzle as the smell reached her “That stinks, I need to get some fresh air.” Fluttershy flew over the balcony, she shook slightly as she looked at the ground (So high.)

Ratel smiled (Don’t focus on the ground, instead focus on what’s in front of you. Flying is more magical than physical, your wings are just conduit for your magic. Let’s see how fast you can fly, ignore the ground and look for a mountain in the distance. Fly towards it.)

Fluttershy frowned (What if I can’t get back.)

Ratel shook his head (You can do this, just believe in yourself.) Fluttershy looked around until she saw a tall mountain in the distance, she focused on it as she began flying towards picking up speed. She around as she moved forward, the clouds barely appearing in her vision before leaving. Before she could say anything she saw the Mountain approaching her. She barely managed to come to a halt before hitting the mountain.

She wiped her brow with a hoof as she flapped her wings, Ratel frowned (You flew really fast, about half the speed of sound. You didn’t hesitate, fear weakens your magic.)

Fluttershy nodded as she flew back to the castle, she landed on the balcony only to see a maid cleaning up the mess. She then took off again calmly flying through the castle, looking at the guards who had not even bothered to look up. She facehooved “We need pegasi guards patrolling the skies.”

She landed next to Celestia “Princess.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow “You’ve taken to flying quite quickly?”

Fluttershy smiled “Ratel helped me, he is really eager for me to grow.”

Celestia smiled back “I’m really glad he is trying to help, I was a little worried he would actually help you.” She scowled internally at Lion (There were several moments you could have helped me.)

Lion shrugged (Lions are not incredibly active or helpful. I am a male, I embody a Male Lion. They don’t do that much other than protect the territory.)

Fluttershy flew through the halls next to Celestia, Fluttershy frowned as she saw a unicorn filly with no Cutie Mark. Fluttershy frowned “I think we need to have more Pegasi guards.”

Celestia frowned “Why would you say that?”

Fluttershy frowned “I was able to fly around the roof without a single guard spotting me. Isn’t that concerning? Any creature with entering by air can easily bypass all of our defences.”

Celestia looked around “It appears I have gotten soft as have my guards, I will rectify this issue. I must thank you for bringing this to my attention.”

Fluttershy smiled “Your welcome Princess.”

Celestia growled internally as she walked (How has that I have become so soft, that my guard have become complacent and it has all passed my notice! I must take action to rectify the mistakes I have made! I have allowed peace to turn into complacency and power into a crutch!)

Celestia guided Fluttershy to her family’s home, she entered with a smile as she waved to the Princess. Celestia left after waving, she headed to the quarters of the Captain of the Guard. An older dark grey stallion with a pale white mane, two spears on either was sleeping on his desk, she stomped her hoof “Captain Steel Spear!”

The Captain awoke “Princess!”

Celestia’s eyes narrowed “Captain, I wish for you to organise the guards for a meeting. There are quite a few things that need to be discussed!” It was not long before Celestia stood in the castle entrance stairs looking down at all of her guards “It has been brought to my attention that the guards have grown sloppy as have I, we are all growing soft. I intend to rectify this here and now. From this day forth the guard will do intense training daily.”

Steel Spear approached sheepishly “Excuse me Princess but what if the guards aren’t physical capable of the training.”

Celestia barked “Then they are going to be honourably discharged, I will not have guards who can’t do their jobs!”

Steel Spear nodded “Then I believe my time has come, I am too old as it is and well in need of a successor. Someone young and strong, I know of a successful young trooper that has shown great promise. I will stay in only for organisational purposes until he is ready.” Celestia nodded with a smile glad that despite his age he was going to do what he needed to do.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 6: Training Commences

Celestia was standing in a field without her regalia, instead in the same armour as her guards. A huge obstacle course was nearby, pits of mud under barbed wire. Huge towers with ropes attached to the sides, large wooden barricades that needed to be pushed down. A huge pit of mud with ropes hanging off a solid beam of steel attached to two more steel beams bolted to wooden elevated structures allowing one to sue the ropes to travel between them.

Celestia turned to the guards “It has been brought to my attention recently that the Guard and even myself have gone soft. As such we are going to be undergoing a traning course” she then pointed to a bunch of different weights with a larger set in the middle “Those are the weights we will be using, one hundred kilograms for the Pegasi and Unicorns, two hundred for the Earth Ponies and twenty tons for me. Any questions?”

The guard maintained their silence, Celestia nodded “You know what to do.” Celestia grabbed the twenty vest and put it over her body, groaning as the weight pushed her down. The guards followed suit, Celestia dove into the mud forcing her much larger frame deep into the mud, her muscles quickly began to burn as she forced her body to slowly move through the mud.

She could hear the guard behind her, struggling just as much as she was. She continued to trudge through the mud, she was regretting letting herself go (I need to tone down on the cakes.)

Leo let out a hearty laugh (Indeed you do, you have let yourself go.) Celestia grumbled as a white unicorn stallion with a blue mane covered in mud was carrying a badly cut up Pegasus on his back. He pushed past her getting out of the mud before teleporting away. Celestia was struggling quite a bit due to her larger size being the fourth one to make it there.

She grabbed onto a rope on the side of a tower with her hooves hefting herself up, much to her surprise the stallion from earlier had returned joining her, climbing much faster than she was. By the time she finally the top she was covered in sweat, she leapt down only to see the stallion leaping down the next one. She leapt down “Who is that stallion?”

Celestia shook her head before climbing up the next tower, she was panting heavily as she leapt down and pushed past the barricade. Her eyes widened as she saw see the stallion waiting at the end with two fit Earth Ponies, she leapt over the mud pit using the ropes. She arrived her coat drenched with sweat and covered in mud.

She looked at the unicorn stallion “Who are you?”

The stallion saluted “Trainee Shining Armour, Princess. Captain Steel Spear recommended I train with the rest of the guards, I don’t know why. I am not the fittest stallion and have only been a recruit for a couple of months.”

Celestia smiled as she looked over the young stallion “I can see why, you are capable but more importantly you care for those around you. I saw you rescue an injured guard, you put the needs of another over your own success.”

Armour shook his head “I did what a guard should do, you don’t leave anypony behind.”

Celestia chuckled “I think I understand why Silver Spear picked you.” She then turned to the rest of the guard “We will do the same drill tomorrow, everypony get some rest.”

She frowned as she saw one of the guard’s form shifting slightly, she frowned at the pony “You will stay here. I wish to speak with you.”As the rest of the guard left Celestia lit her horn the illusion breaking revealing her true form, Celestia sighed as the Earth Ponies armour feel of Fluttershy now that the illusion sputtered “Fluttershy why were you here?”

Fluttershy pouted “It looked fun, I wanted to give it a go.”

Celestia frowned “Fluttershy, this is adult training. Plus the Ratel power should be enough to make up the difference, you already beat me in my transformed state with it.”

Fluttershy frowned “What if I don’t get the chance? What if something gets the drop on me or they are not honourable enough to give me the chance? I need to be able to act even when I don’t have the time to transform, I need to be able to clear enough space to transform.”

Celestia frowned “You are three, you shouldn’t be worrying about things like that at your age. You will be ready when the time comes.’

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow “What about the nobles, I’m sure they have a vested interest in getting rid of me. I would rather not make it easy for them, I intend to stay in top form.”

Celestia frowned “Very well, I’ll allow but please use the Pegasi armour. You are not an Earth Pony, still tell me who did you get to do the spell on you?”

Fluttershy’s eyes narrowed “I’m not going to rat them out Princess, you understand the need to be loyal to your friends. On top of that I made a promise not tell anypony about their aid, what good be my word if I broke it because of pressure?”

Celestia smiled “You are really too mature for your age” she then frowned “Still the pony who cast the spell on you did something wrong. Discipline needs to be maintained and I can’t administer that if you don’t tell me who it is.”

Fluttershy shook her head “I’d take their punishment before I let you know, they made me promise.”

Fluttershy flew away leaving Princess Celestia behind stunned that her own teachings had backfired.

Fluttershy closed her eyes as she remembered the conversation that morning. She was awoken by a soft silvery glow. A projection of a small blue Alicorn with a light blue mane sat there, Fluttershy frowned “Who are you?”

The Alicorn smiled meekly “I’m Prin… Luna, I was jealous of my sister and was banished to the moon. I will return in next couple of decades as Nightmare Moon and when I do you need to be ready to stop me.”

Fluttershy frowned “You are Celestia’s sister,. Fine, I’ll do it but you must provide me with a disguise of a Royal Guard to sneak into the training tomorrow. I won’t tell anypony about you, I promise.”

Luna smiled weakly lighting her horn as she cast the spell “I’ll see you one day but I need to go before Nightmare notices I’m gone.”

Fluttershy shook her head as she opened her eyes (I kept my promise Luna.) She flew back to her room, glad not to be pretending to be one of the guards in that uncomfortable bed.

Author's Note

Fluttershy has met Luna now.

Chapter 7: Conflict

Several years had passed and Fluttershy had grown into a strong mare, her Cutie Mark had drawn a lot attention. It was a large blood red claw holding a small, pink butterfly. She was standing beside Princess Celestia when she saw an armoured messenger that looked like a cross between an Eagle and a Pony, a Hippogriff. His body was covered in wounds, he red out his message “Princess Celestia, I have traveled for days in order to reach you. We are in desperate need of your aid. I beg you to help save my people from the Storm King.”

Celestia shook her head “I can’t, I won’t endanger my ponies. I’m sorry but…”

Fluttershy stomped her hoof “Princess, we have a bleeding messenger who has come far to seek our assistance! The Hippogriffs are our allies, why are we refusing to help them! They would surely aid us if we requested the same!”

Celestia frowned “I won’t put my ponies at risk only for them to arrive when the battle is long over.”

Fluttershy growled “Then I’ll go myself! They need our help! Maybe I’ll see you after the battle is over!” Fluttershy galloped to the balcony, she called on the power of Ratel and flew into the distance at easily the speed of sound. It was not long before she crashed into the center of Hippogrffia, she groaned as emerged from the crater “That hurt.”

Several Hippogriffs pointed their spears and swords at her, Fluttershy rubbed her head “I just got here from Equestria, you sent a messenger for aid. Celestia wasn’t keen on sending help but since I’m here we might end up getting help coming soon.”

Before another word could be said, they heard shouting “It’s Commander Tempest, she is pushing up against our defenses!”

Fluttershy took a sword from one of the guards and took off, she flew over the battlefield spotting a unicorn with a broken horn commanding the attackers cutting any Hippogriff who got too close in half. Fluttershy few downwards slamming the sword into the Unicorn's with immense force “This is between you and me.”

The unicorn gritted her teeth as she pushed Fluttershy away “Who are you to challenge me!”

Fluttershy flew backwards and landed “I’m Fluttershy, from Equestria.” She then rushed forward delivering rapid swings against the unicorn “Now tell me your name.”

The unicorn mare growled as he parried Fluttershy's swings “I’m Commander Tempest Shadow and I’m not going to lose to some random Pegasus!” Fluttershy nodded with a slight smirk as their blades clashed. She ripped out a heart of one of the Storm King’s soldiers that got to close, his sword flying into the other hoof of Tempest.

Tempest stabbed another Hippogriff, Fluttershy flew over grabbing his sword in her claws. The two fought off any interlopers with one sword while engaging the other with their second.

Fluttershy smirked “You are very strong but I’m just getting warmed up.” Fluttershy increased the speed of her sword swings, Tempest had to bring her second sword just to keep up with the rapid swings of her opponent.

Tempest growledas her horn began to spark “I’m not going to lose to some random Pegasus! I will...” Fluttershy knocked one of the Tempest's sword out of her hooves with her second sword, she then slammed the pommel of her first sword into Tempest's broken horn. The impact knocked the Commander unconscious, the attacking forces began to flee.

Fluttershy brought the unconscious unicorn into the city, a light grey Hippogriff with a mane of brilliant fuchsia and strong mulberry landed as the other Hippogriffs bowed. Fluttershy bowed as well, the Hippogriff smiled “There is no need to bow to me.” She then held out a talon “I’m Queen Novo, I’m truly grateful for you aid in defending our nation.”

Fluttershy smiled as she shook the talons of Novo “It was nothing, our nations are allies. Despite the distance we should aid one another.” She then sighed “I just wish my mentor Princess Celestia agreed, she doesn’t want her ponies to get involved in a war.”

Novo frowned “I was afraid of this, I always suspected that Celestia would not uphold her end of the bargain. It does make me wish her sister was still here, the great Luna warrior of the Night and destroyer of all that goes bump in the night.”

Fluttershy frowned “I met her once actually, she wants me to stop her when she returns.” Fluttershy then waved her claws “As you can see I’m far from being a normal pony. I’m one of those special ponies with an extra spirit attached to them.”

Novo nodded with a smile “Ah one of the Primal Spirits, a rare honor for anyone. You have made very good use of it, Ratel doesn’t increase ones physical abilities as much as some of the others do so you have put in quite a bit of hard work.”

Fluttershy frowned “Speaking of which we should restrain Commander Tempest before she wakes up.” Novo nodded as she turned to a couple of her guards and gave the order. The two guards put a magical restraining ring on the Commander's horn and bound her with solid rope.

Novo then smiled “It’s good to see there are still some brave souls left in Equestria, I just wish one of those was it’s leader. I fear Equestria seems to have been at peace for far too long.”

Fluttershy grimaced “I’m not sure for how much longer, groups of ‘Griffon Bandits’ have been raiding our borders for the last few months. Celesta is really keen on not letting that get out hoping that diplomatic meeting in a fortnight will resolve that matter. I have been secretly working with the Guard Captain Shining Armour to have the guards ready for a potential conflict.”

Novo laughed “Well it’s good to know that somepony is taking over Princess Luna during her absence. It’s no wonder that she spoke to you.”

Fluttershy smiled “Thanks, I might spend some more time here. In truth I need some time away from my mentor and she may come here looking for me eventually.”

Novo’s eyes narrowed “I hope she does, the two of us need to talk.” The two calmly chatted about their lives now that the invasion had been repelled.

Author's Note

I hope you don't mind the major timeskip.

Chapter 8: Diplomacy

It had been a couple of days since the capture of Tempest Shadow and due to this the Storm King’s Army has ceased attacking Mt Aris. Fluttershy hummed as she took a sip of tea, Queen Novo doing the same. It was at that moment that a guard flew in “Queen Novo, an Airship baring Equestria’s symbol has arrived at our gates.”

Queen Novo nodded “Let them land, I wish to speak with Pricness Celestia as soon as possible.”

Fluttershy frowned “The Princess has a lot to answer for, leaving you at the mercy of the Storm King. Say what you will to her, she needs to hear it.” It was not long before Pricness Celestia entered, she scowled fiercely at Fluttershy. Queen Novo snarled punching the Princess in the jaw sending her to the floor, the Solar Guard that followed guard reacted only for Novo’s guard to force them back with their spears.

Queen Novo roared at Celestia “My grandparents and their grandparents had heard of the benevolence of Equestria! The tales of the Great Celestia and Unstoppable Luna, yet I wish you sister was here instead of you! She would acted immediately, ordering her troops to come here and then heading here herself before they did! You were willing to do nothing as my people surrounded in war against a great enemy!”

Celestia winced at the fury of the Queen before her, Fluttershy frowned “Queen Novo we need to strike back at the Storm King. I doubt he will rest on his laurels for too much longer.”

Novo nodded before turning back to Celestia “Our alliance is rather shaky right now, I demand that you assist us with this.”

Fluttershy frowned as Celestia stood up, Celestia bowed to Fluttershy “Me and my forces are at your command.”

Fluttershy smiled “Good, get your forces combat ready. Tomorrow we will be invading the Storm King’s castle and bringing him to his knees.” She then roared “Get moving!” Celestia calmly left the building with her guards scampering after her.

Queen Novo frowned “Why did the Princess put you in charge of the army?”

Fluttershy grimaced “She want me to be the scapegoat that the nobles will blame for our involvement in the conflict. Regardless we must press on.” Queen Novo nodded, it was not long before dozens of Airships filled with troops were ready to move. Fluttershy stood next to Pricness Celestia “It is part of diplomacy to aid our allies, Pricness. Had it be so long since the last war that you have forgotten that.”

Celestia frowned “Fluttershy, our army is not what it was. They have grown soft over the centuries and aren't ready to fight such a war. I don’t want to lose lives.”

Fluttershy scowled at the Pricness “That is your fault, you let our soldiers become weak and lazy. Your can’t deny our nation’s responsibility because our troops have gone soft, I’ll lead the charge and I expect you to follow. Besides haven’t you and our troops been training, this will be the perfect test of how much they have grown.”

The Airships edged closer to the huge Strop's King’s Castle, surrounded by constant and furious storms. Fluttershy gave the order and the airships descended as she crashed into the Storm King’s forces. She tore one of their heads off with claws, she then kicked another into the sword of his friend. She then rushed forward tearing a bloody swath through the enemy forces, Celestia joined her with her golden halberd. Hippogriffs and Ponies fighting side by side, blast of powerful magic and clashes of weapons began to take their toll on both sides.

Fluttershy roared as he pressed further into the castle, teasing apart any who got in her way. Fluttershy's eyes began to glow menacingly as she stormed into the huge obsidian chambers. The Storm King watched in horror as she leapt at him. Her claws tore into his flesh as she ate the tyrant alive, relishing in consuming his flesh.

Fluttershy giggled to herself as she left, tearing meat off the legs of the Storm King she carried in her claws. The Storm King’s forces surrendered as they saw what she was doing, Queen Novo laughed as she looked at the leg that Fluttershy was consuming “A fitting end to a tyrant.”

Fluttershy frowned “I wish to bring Commander Tempest back to Equestria, a military leader of her skill and talent would be wasted in a cell. If we could get her into the guard we will have another seasoned officer.”

Queen Novo nodded with a smile “Had Celestia made the request I would have denied but you came to my people’s aid. I owe you much Fluttershy, consider our alliance strong.”

Fluttershy bowed “Thank you Queen Novo.”

It was not long before they returned to Mt Aris, Tempest Shadow was handed over to them on the airship. Tempest growled at Fluttershy and Pricness Celestia “Let me go!”

Fluttershy frowned as he undid the ropes “The Storm King is dead, you are capable fighter and seasoned commander. It would be a shame to waste those talents, I believe I can have you take a role in the Royal Guard and put some scientists to create an artificial horn under military expenses.”

Tempest nodded “I’ll do it!”

Fluttershy smiled “Welcome aboard Tempest Shadow, I could always use a good sparring partner if your not busy.”

Celestia smiled “I must admit you have impressed me” she the sighed “Fluttershy, I have been very careful. Avoiding conflict and always seeking the peaceful solution, jumping int a bloody war that can cost so many lives is something that I would like to avoid.”

Fluttershy frowned “While that is understandable, abandoning our allies makes us look weak. Many of allies such as the Griffons and Dragon value strength highly. If we show such weakness we may find ourselves at war with them, we smut stand strong. To remind the other nations we are not an enemy to be toyed with.”

Celestia closed her eyes (She reminds me so much of you dear sister, it seems since then there have been so many moments when I have needed your guidance. I hope one day you can forgive me sister.)

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Chapter 9: Return

Fluttershy frowned as she saw Canterlot come into view, Celestia was standing by her. The airships landed as several nobles approached the two of them, one of the growled “Why have you left the nation? Those strange creatures don’t deserve our help.”

Fluttershy glared at him “They are our allies, and we need to honour their call for aid. If we don’t that will make every other race look at us as a group of weak, cowardly liars and we would face many more conflicts in the future for refusing to aid our allies.”

Celestia frowned “Fluttershy is right, I was so scared of getting us involved in another conflict that I was willing to abandon those who put their faith in me. I’m grateful to have her by my side, she helps me see things from a different perspective. Now if you excuse us we have much that needs to be attended to.”

Fluttershy frowned as Shining Armour leapt off the ship alongside Tempest Shadow, both saluted her. Fluttershy raised a hoof “At ease, I expect a full field report about the losses and injuries of the battle. I will have some letters to write.”

Shining shook his head “That should be my responsibility, I am their commandingofficer.”

Fluttershy frowned “Captain Armour, you were in command of your forces but I was the one who decided to engage the conflict. You were just following my orders, the only reason Celestia doesn’t write these letters when a war happens she has to run the nation. I don’t have that burden.”

Celestia sighed as the four of them entered the castle “She has been quite an independent individual, once she overcame her fears nothing has been able to stop her. Sometimes I wonder if she takes on too much responsibility.”

Tempest bowed “If I may interject, she seem incredibly capable. She outclassed me in every way and the truth is I never fought a fighter so skilled. Yet she showed me mercy, she is a warrior with honour.”

Captain Armour growled “And what would you know of honour! You were about to conquer another nation, how is that honourable!”

Tempest glared at him “I am a soldier, I follow orders. I could have conquered that city by poisoning their water supply but I was against it. I would have conquered that city had Fluttershy not arrived.”

Celestia frowned “Captain Armour, she is not our enemy. Calm yourself down, if you can’t keep a cool head I’ll send you home for the night.”

Captain Armour bowed “My apologies Princess.”

Shining Armour returned to his office as Celestia and Tempest went in a different direction. Tempest frowned “Where are we going?”

Celestia smiled “We’re heading to our Head Artificer, we need to take some measurements if we are going to replace your horn. It needs to be able to handle your thaumic output and magical signature.”

They soon arrived at a steel reinforced door, Celestia knocked on the door. A frazzled purple stallion pushed open the door “Princess, just give me a moment!”

He slammed the door and seconds later there was a massive boom sound the echoed through the halls. Tempest frowned “Are you sure we can trust this stallion? Explosions generally aren’t a good sign.”

Celestia smiled “This happens often, testing experimental magical machinery usually require it to explode several times before it works. Don’t worry though, replacement horns have been invented in the last decade.”

The stallion pushed open the door again and let them, the room was filled with bookshelves. A magically enchanted series of reinforced glass walls and a reinforced glass door were surrounding a broken wreckage of cogs and gears. There were several tables covered in pieces of machinery, the stallion frowned as he looked at her horn “I know what you are here for? When did you get the injury?’

Tempest grimaced “I lived in a remote village, ‘my friends’ and I were playing near a cave. Our ball rolled into the cave, I went in to retrieve it only to come face to face with an Ursa Minor. It struck my horn, shattering it.”

The stallion frowned “At such a young age” he then shook his head “I forgot to introduce myself, I am Dr Tinker. It will take a bit but I can build you a replacement, I just need to test one thing.” His horn glowed as he levitated out a huge machine and placed it in front of Tempest, it had a hole in it large enough to fit a broken horn.

Celestia smiled “This is the strongest model of the machine is designed to measure your thaumic potential, stick your horn in the machine and unleash your magic at full power.” Tempest took a deep breath and stuck her horn into it, she charged up her magic before discharging it at full power, the machine. The machine’s needle went up two thousand Thaums, four thousand Thaums, six thousand Thaums, Celestia's eyes widened as it hit the max capacity for machine at ten thousand Thaums as the machine began to shake violently. When she and her sister’s magical power was only about seven thousand Thaums.

This was unprecedented for a normal unicorn, the machine began sparking before exploding from amount if magic it was trying to contain. Dr Tinker rubbed his head just under his horn “I’m going to have to find a material strong enough to withstand your magical power. You are a billion times stronger than an Alicorn.”

Celestia frowned “I give you permission to come with me to the vault, Tempest wait here.”

Dr Tinker accompanied Celestia through the halls towards the vault, she then undid the lock and the two walked in. Dr Tinker looked at her “Why are you letting me in here?”

Celestia approached a chest, she opened it revealing dark blue ingots with glowing golden light. These are my most sacred treasure, Eclipse Alloy made of Luna Night Steel and Celestial Sun Steel. She levitated out a singular ingot “This is the only material that can withstand Tempest's power output.”

Dr Tinker bowed “Thank you for the honour Princess. I will do you proud.” Celestia nodded with a smile as they left,locking the vault once more.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Chapter 10: Discipline

A few days later, Fluttershy woke up in her bed. She roared as she saw a various collection of scissors, paper and other various knick knacks scattered around her room “Zephyr, get your fucking lazy ass in here now!”

Zephyr ran with a cocky grin “Sister you like what I’ve…”

Fluttershy punched him in the gut, she then lifted him in the air by the neck “Get your bloody stupid shit out of my room before feed you your cock! I am not like mum and dad, I am not going to bow to a slimy fucking worm like you!”

She dropped him on the floor, he cowered before her as he slowly picked up his stuff, she stormed into the bathroom and headed to the shower. She grumbled as she turned on the water, it pouring from the glowing gem running through her yellow fur. She lathered soap through her fur, humming as the hot water helped release the tension in her muscles.

She stepped out and dried herself with a clean but well worn towel, she left to see her room was once more untarnished by her bothers belongings. She exited the room to see her parents looking at her with frowns on their faces “Why do you treat you brother like that?”

Fluttershy frowned “Because he is lazy and inept, he mooches off you and leaves his stuff lying around everywhere. I will not allow him to treat me like dirt and I think it’s time for someone to discipline him properly.”

Zephyr hid behind Storm and Windy “Mum, dadplease don’t let her take me.”

Fluttershy moved like lightning grabbing him by the tail and dragging him out the door as he kicked and screamed. The guards new Fluttershy was an absolute monster when she was angry but the look in her eyes was not one of mere anger. This was one of such cold uncaring hatred that they not help but pity the poor stallion that she dragged along.

Celestia frowned “Fluttershy, where are you taking your brother?”

Fluttershy frowned “I am taking him to somepony who can make a stallion out of him. Don’t argue with me on this princess, he needs this.”

Celestia sighed as Fluttershy began to drag her brother away “Don’t rough him up too much.”

Fluttershy shook her head “No promises, Pricness. He must be disciplined, Princess. He does nothing but sit there and throw his weight around as if he deserves the world given to him on a silver platter. He has no reason to hold such ideals and I will make sure that his mindset is changed soon enough.”

Fluttershy dragged out of the castle, ponies looking at the pair in shock. Zephyr pleaded for their said but the cold look in Fluttershy's eyes scared them away. They soon arrived at the guard barracks, she frowned as he looked at one of the guards “I need Tempest's help with something.”

The guard saluted before galloping away, it was not long before Tempest arrived. Tempest was in her full armour, she raised an eyebrow “Fluttershy, our sparring session is not due for a couple of hours? Is there a reason you wanted my presence?”

Fluttershy tossed Zephyr in front of Tempest “Yes, I was hoping you assist me in taking my fucking moronic shit-stain of brother and giving him some proper lesson in how to be a stallion! He sits around doing jack shit all day!”

Tempest smirked “You want me to help you to train this colt, to bring him to maturity. I can do that but I will pull no punches and judging from how you treat him neither will you. We better get started.”

Fluttershy nodded as Tempest’s recently constructed prosthetic horn glowed with power as she lifted the Zephyr into the air. She then tossed him towards the training grounds, Tempest and Fluttershy arrived not long afterwards. Zephyr looked around, several guards were running the training course the barbed wire in particular terrified him. Tempest tossed a suit of armour in front of him, she demanded “Put it on!”

Zephyr looked at her in complete and utter terror “You’re crazy!”

Tempest's eyes narrowed “Shitstain! Put on you armour before I make you my sparring partner for the next hour! Have I made myself fucking clear Shitstain!”

Zephyr was shaking like a leaf as his sister and this battle hardened unicorn glared at him. Fluttershy growled “You will put on the armour and do the training course brother!”

Zephyr put the armour on almost immediately and whimpered as he jumped into the mud. Fluttershy facehooved as her brother got stuck in the mud “This is going to be a long day.”

Tempest roared “Get your flank moving Shitstain! It’s just fucking mud so get moving!” Zephyr slowly pushed himself through the mud, the mud began getting stuck between his armour and his fur. He gasped as he got out of the mud only to see the rope hanging off the huge tower, he sighed as he grabbed the rope slowly pulling himself up.

He winced as he almost slid off, hooves didn’t make for gripping most objects but he kept going anyway. He finally reached the top, Fluttershy was slightly impressed that he had gotten this far without throwing in the towel. Zephyr galloped forward slamming into the barricades with as much force as he could muster. He barely pushed past, he puffed as he looked up “Just one more… I can do this.”

He leapt onto the rope in front of him, desperately pulling himself along. Trying to hold on to the rope, he slowly inched his way along before arriving at the end exhausted, he collapsed to the ground with a smile “I did it.”

Fluttershy trotted over to him “I am impressed, I thought you would falter and give up.”

Zephyr sighed as he closed his eyes “I am so terrified of failing, I have avoiding trying to hard to avoid that outcome.”

Fluttershy frowned “But isn’t the taste of success worth the risk, a reward that comes from hard work. You know I never questioned why you were so lazy, I just thought you were useless.”

Zephyr laughed tiredly “Glad to prove you wrong, might give another go in another few minutes. I just need to catch my breath.” Fluttershy grinned, her brother was actually showing some drive.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 11: Twilight

Fluttershy frowned as she trotted through the hallways of Canterlot Castle, a mare turned the corner muzzle deep in her book and bumped into her. Fluttershy frowned at the purple unicorn “Hasn’t anypony told you that you shouldn’t trot and read, you fail to notice the world around you.”

Th purple unicorn curled in on herself whimpering “Please don’t hurt me.”

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow “Have ponies been beating you lately?” The purple unicorn looked down in shame as she stood up, Fluttershy delicately parted the fur around the purple unicorn’s eyes. Her eyes were surrounded with severe bruising and swelling. Fluttershy frowned “What’s your name?”

The mare looked at her eyes filed with tears “T-Twilight S-Sparkle.”

Fluttershy hugged the mare “Twilight Sparkle, I’m so sorry this happened to you. Why would anypony treat you this way?”

Twilight pointed to her flank. Fluttershy's eyes widened as there was nothing there. Twilight burst into tears “I never discovered my special talent, I’m nothing but a colossal failure. Even my brother doesn’t visit me during the day, in Canterlot I’m one of those ponies. The talentless and by extension worthless, to spend time with us will make you an outcast.”

Fluttershy put a wing over her “Fuck that noise, you stick by me. Whoever wishes to judge me deserves a solid buck were it hurts.” Fluttershy shrugged off the looks she was getting, pulling the nervous Twilight closer.

An older stallion with a coat of purest silver and a glowing golden mane approached, he glared at Twilight “Let me get rid of this rabble for you.”

Fluttershy turned to him with a scowl “You will get lost, Silver Shine. She is not rabble to me, I have no idea what goes through you nobles heads sometimes. It’s like they all filled with pomposity and arrogance that there is no room for intellect. Come on Twilight, we have no reason to tolerate the presence of idiots.” Silver Shine and all the guards in the halls were gobsmacked, this mare was acting as if what she was doing was normal. Fluttershy frowned as headed to Celestia’s private study, if she ever wished to speak to her mentor this is where she would wait.

Twilight looked increasingly nervous “Am I allowed to be here? I’m a worthless pony who has no place in Equestria, I am sullying this place with my presence.”

Fluttershy smiled “Don’t worry about it, Princess Celestia should understand you better than anypony. She has a good heart.”

Twilight shook her head “You don’t know that the law came from her, we legally outcasts. Second rate citizens, in order to maintain talent they send us away to the lowest part of the city. Even if we work up here are looked down upon by others.”

Pricness Celestia’s eyes narrowed as she entered the room “You should not be associating with the talentless, they provide no benefit to our society. They are incapable of doing anything to truly allow our nation to prosper.”

Fluttershy’s coat began to thicken as her claws emerged, she growled as her Cutie Marks glowed “I will not allow you to get closer to her, Celestia! Even if I must fight you to the death I will protect her! She does not deserve such treatment! In fact I am going to move out of the castle and find my own place for the two of us, a small quaint place decent but not extravagant!”

Three spirits glowed behind her, Celestia’s eyes widened as she recognised them. A bolt of lightning, a glittering gem and a trio of butterflies, Fluttershy guided Twilight out of the room. Twilight looked at her “Why are you doing this all for me?”

Fluttershy smiled “Because it’s the right thing to do. Kindness is something everyone should give, Kindness doesn't compromise on helping another, even if it means you must harm another to help another. Sometimes you should help another because it’s the right thing to do, not because it’s easy or fair but because it’s right.”

They returned to her home, her parents were stunned as she brought the mare into their home “Fluttershy you know that she is one of the…”

Zephyr walked into the room and nodded at the two of them with a smile “Your doing the right thing, you always knew how. You could never abide by cruelty, you helped me become something more. You are harsh but never cruel. You have a good heart.”

Fluttershy smiled “Thanks brother, I’m moving out to find a place for the two of us. Could you help me pack away my personal items with me.” Zephyr smiled as he nodded, Twilight entered first with Fluttershy and her brother behind. It was not long before they were packed, Zephyr smiled as they left. Fluttershy and Zephyr's parents meanwhile were sitting there still in shock.

Twilight looked at Fluttershy “You shouldn’t be doing this. I know what I am.”

Fluttershy frowned “You are not what everypony says you are. Now come on, let’s find a place.”

As they wandered into the lower part of the city. A desperate stallion was selling what was a fairly run down looking building, it was defiantly a massive fixer -upper. Fluttershy smiled as she tossed the stallion one of her three bags of bits “I’ll take this place.”

The stallion took the bag and Fluttershy quickly signed the deed. He then ran off cheering as they entered, Fluttershy smiled “I’ll find some ponies willing to fix up this old house and we’ll live here. I’ll be right back.”

Twilight sat in the middle of the ruined house, this was the first time she had been in a house since her parents kicked her out. They didn’t want to but it was the law, she slept in a tent in the underbelly of Equestria making bits accounting for the ponies down there. She also did some work in the upper part of the city, sorting some ponies book collections. They paid her in books instead of bits but that was fine.

A couple of hours later she had to exit the building as a construction company had entered to fix up the house for them by nightfall. Fluttershy showed Twilight all of her favourite spots of the city as the nervous unicorn stuck close to her.

Author's Note

I hope you all enjoyed what I did with this chapter.

Chapter 12: Fluttershy's Rise

Fluttershy was drinking tea sitting on the couch, Twilight looked at the door nervously. Fluttershy put a hoof on the mare’s wither “Relax, nopony will hurt you as long as I am here.”

The sound of banging interrupted them, a voice shouted “Fluttershy, you will bring out the Markless one and she will taken into custody!”

Fluttershy kicked open the door and growled as she saw her former mentor Princess Celestia, Celestia looked down at her “Equestria needs to maintain those who hold true talent for the safety of all who live. Those who can’t do that don’t have a place here.”

Fluttershy snarled as the three spirits behind her reappeared but they glowed stronger this time. Fluttershy felt power surge into her as time slid to a halt, she vanished in a bright flash of light. Fluttershy was hovering in a strange realm, the three spirits transformed into three ponies. An orange pegasus, a blue Earth Pony and a light purple unicorn.

The orange pegasus smiled “I’m Loyalty” He gestured to the Earth Pony “Kindness” then to the Unicorn “Generosity. You have demonstrated our power in righting a wrong that Harmony wishes to resolve but nopony has said anything. We brought you here at Harmony's behest to grant a boon to oppose Celestia.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened in shock “Is Twilight safe!”

Kindness smiled “Time has stopped for the moment, we grant you our boon. There is no need for fancy long winded explanations, you will understand when you return.”

Fluttershy dissapeared in a flash of light, time resumed around the building, Celestia was about to move into the house when Fluttershy appeared in a flash of light, she was taller but just as well muscled if not more so. Her wings much larger and a long spiral horn emerged from her forehead. Now Fluttershy had no magical training or experience but simply letting the magic funnel through one’s horn rapidly was not very difficult.

Celestia learned that fact as the blast sent her flying, Fluttershy snarled her horn still sparking from the discharge “I won’t let you harm Twilight! What you are doing is wrong!”

Celestia’s fur began to thicken as she glared at Fluttershy “I’m not going to let you oppose me!” Celestia leapt at Fluttershy with claws out stretched, Fluttershy dodged and kicked the Solar Alicorn into the air. Fluttershy fired a powerful blast, Celestia fell from the sky crashing into the ground before the new Alicorn. Fluttershy glared at the Alicorn in front of her “What happened to the kind and just Princess I knew? The one who cared for her subjects unconditionally? Was that all a lie?”

Celestia’s body was badly beaten as blood dripped from several open wounds, she weakly looked up and spoke quietly “Sacrifices have to be made for the good of all.”

Fluttershy frowned “You have fallen from grace, Harmony condemns your actions greatly. Enough for three of the Elements of Harmony to uplift me, now it’s time for me to take action.” She looked to the guards “Who out of you have family condemned for simply lacking a special talent, be honest with me?”

Many of the guards put their hooves up looks of sorrow on their faces, Fluttershy waved her hoof to them “Look at all these ponies who have had to ditch a family member because they don’t have a mark. You have no idea just what you are doing to your subjects!”

Celestia’s eyes widened in shock and horror, Fluttershy shook her head “You are surrounded by so many yes ponies who kiss your flank that you have forgotten that your not infallible! I will correct you errors as an equal!”

Fluttershy smiled “Twilight, you can come out now. We are going to fix this injustice.” Twilight nervously exited only to see the newly minted Alicorn standing there, her eyes widened as Fluttershy trotted over covering her with a massive wing “You will be safe.”

Fluttershy headed towards the castle, Celestia following along maintaining a stoic facade in spite of her injuries. Fluttershy entered the castle, the guard refused to budge in her path. She swatted them aside and when the door refused to open, her horn glowed as he blew a hole in the door. Twilight looked up at Fluttershy “Are you sure this is the right thing to do?”

Fluttershy smiled down at her “Of course Twilight, everything will be fine. I promise you that.”

Several guards charged at her, Celestia's voice came from behind her as the mare limped to her side “Stand down guards. I was not able to best her in combat. She held back her beast side and still overpowered me in mine. Don’t throw your lives away.”

Twilight looked around sadly “My brother works in the castle, he is Captain of the Guard. He sends me letters but never speaks to me directly. To do so would destroy his life.”

Fluttershy frowned “Bring Captain Armour to me, I will speak to him personally.” Fluttershy entered the throne room still holding Twilight close, Celestia looked at her. Fluttershy nodded “Go and get some medical attention.”

Celestia limped out of the room, Twilight whispered “Um could you give me some room to move?”

Fluttershy released her wing “Sorry, I just wanted you to feel safe and…” She frowned as Shining Armour entered alongside a pink Alicorn she hadn’t met “Who are you?”

Cadence was stunned as she looked over the Alicorn, she shook herself out of her stupor and smiled “I’m Princess Cadenza Mi Amore but please call me Cadence.”

Fluttershy smiled “I’m Fluttershy, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She frowned “I’m surprised Celestia didn’t mention you to me.”

Cadence rubbed the back of her head “Celestia wanted to keep me out of the spotlight. She did mention you quite a bit.”

Fluttershy frowned “Well, that’s not why I called Shining Armour here. I wanted him to speak to his sister.”

Twilight eyed her brother nervously, Shining Armour looked down “I’m sorry sis but meeting you would have had me cast out of society. The letters were the only thing I could get away with.”

Fluttershy smiled “I will change that very shortly, the fact that those who have not unlocked their special talents are condemned must be rectified.”

Cadence sighed “Celestia and I don’t see eye to eye on the topic. As the younger Princess nopony listened to anything I said. I hope you can change this.”

Fluttershy nodded with a smile “You have my word, this will be fixed.” The two Alicorns and two Unicorns were just glad that this mess was going to come to an end.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 13: Change

Fluttershy was sitting down at a desk frowning at a pile of paperwork when Celestia came in, Fluttershy scowled “What do you want!”

Celestia slumped “I’m sorry.”

Fluttershy growled “I’m not the one you need to apologise to! Apologise to the countless ponies who you abandoned because they didn’t earn their Cutie Mark by age fifteen! I’ve seen it in Twilight, she helped more organise all this crap! She was able to levitate all the books in the library and organise them in ten seconds flat!”

Celestia looked around nervously “So do you need any help around here?”

Fluttershy took a deep breath “Celestia, if you want to do something useful technically I’m going to need a coronation. I want it to be very casual, I have little care for the nobility and their posturing. If it wasn’t necessary I would ignore it.”

Celestia smiled “Will do?”

Fluttershy rolled her eyes before looking over the law in front of her, it was the one that was going to take the place of the last one. One that will protect the rights of those who didn’t have a Cutie Mark. She didn’t see any potential issues with it but it never hurt to double check.

Meanwhile Twilight was in the Library, word had spread that Fluttershy was now a new Alicorn. Also the fact that Twilight was under her protection made everypony steer clear of her as she read a book on advanced magical theory. Her horn glowed and she dissapeared in a flash of light appearing on the other end of the Library.

She teleported back to her seat, a voice came from behind her “Twilight, do you want to have a day in the town?”

Twilight turned around to see Cadence standing there “There is more to life than just books, come on let's go and get some donuts. I know the perfect place.” Twilight was shaking, Cadence put a comforting wing over Twilight as she guided the bookish unicorn out of the library.

Cadence’s eyes watched carefully as she noticed the movement of nobles around her. Her horn glowed “You are not very good at this subtlety business, it is so obvious that your are following us.”

One of the nobles stepped forward “Pricness Cadence, you must understand our concern. That new Alicorn is going to bring disaster to all of us by letting the rabble into the city, can’t you see that.”

Cadence frowned “I was ‘rabble’ once upon a time, I have not forgotten my roots. Now leave us alone.”

Another noble’s horn glowed “You see we can’t really allow that? You and that little unicorn near you are coming with us. Resist and really bad things will happen to the both of you.”

Before he could respond a bolt of lightning struck him, it reformed into Fluttershy who had her claws at a ready as she bared her sharp teeth “You will leave them alone unless you wish to contend with me!” The nobles drew blades, Fluttershy's horn glowed as it fired a tremendous blast of pure magical energy leaving only swords and ash behind “Such a waste.”

Cadence's eyes widened in horror “You killed them!”

Fluttershy frowned “I am not like you, I don’t hesitate. I am the one who deals with a problem in real time, these fools and many of their ancestors have been lording over Equestria for centuries. Also to be frank I have little experience with magic, doing anything that was not lethal puts you two at risk, maybe if I knew something about magic I wouldn’t have blasted them. Had I got into melee combat one could have gotten past me, the safety of the innocent is more important than the safety of the guilty.”

Cadence sighed “I can’t deny that fact, still I am not happy that you killed them without the slightest hesitation.”

Fluttershy shook her head “I was taught by Celestia to be a fighter, to overcome all fear. After all these years very little can make fear take root in me, I am a pony forged for war and that means I may take stricter action than Celestia would, I doubt she ever intended for me to ascend.”

Twilight smiled “Maybe not but you have a good heart. When so many ponies looked down on me, you were the only one who offered me friendship. You deserve this.”

Fluttershy smiled “Thanks Twilight.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow “So how did your Cutie Mark anyway, it very different from any other I’ve seen.”

Fluttershy nodded as she looked at the blood red claw holding a small, pink butterfly “Well it’s quite a long story. You see I was training for a long time, it was during an expedition into the Everfree to rescue a lost pony. We found the pony in a dragon’s cave, the dragon kept breathing fire keeping us out of the cave. I realised that there was no way to get through there unscathed and I was the leader.”

Cadence’s eyes widened “Protocol tells you to retreat, there is no way you could save her safely.”

Fluttershy nodded “I knew that but the safety of the mare was my concern. I walked through the dragon's fire breath, my fur was torched and my skin was gone. I ripped it’s head off with my claws, my Cutie Mark appeared on my burnt flesh that day and they replaced skin with a magical materiel that allowed my mark to appear on top of the synthetic fur.”

Twilight blinked “But then why didn't look you like that when you returned from the realm.”

Fluttershy frowned “I assume that when I went to the realm of ascension my body was destroyed, my soul and magic ascending to the realm. It was then remade as an Alicorn back in the normal world, thus it regenerated my biological body. It would be good to actually feel the water in my fur again.”

Cadence frowned “How old were you when that happened?

Fluttershy shrugged “I was twelve but I didn’t really care. I completed my mission and did my job, I would do it again in a heartbeat.” Twilight and Cadence were stunned speechless at the mare’s Cutie Mark story.

Author's Note

Yeah, I had to come up with a Cutie Mark story for Fluttershy.