The mare who laughed

Fluttershy say in cottage working on a sheer, shimmering dress on an old hoof pedaled sewing machine as she had decided to take up some work for Rarity's boutique so she could help her friend make some money to pay rent while she languished on in the hospital. Rarity had spent the last six week in a medically induced coma and even though Filthy Rich had agreed to not charge rent on the boutique until Rarity was able to recover and get back to work, she still chose to pull double duty taking of the sick animals and and take up some of the slack for her friend. She knew Rarity would be happy to have the extra money once she got out of the hospital.

Fluttershy stopped sewing to look at her body and legs. Her muscles were getting toned and her strength was increasing, after another a couple more months of working out, she would be nearly as strong as a stallion of comparable size. As she went back to sewing, a knock at the door caught her attention. Walking over to the door, she opened it and saw Applejack standing outside. "Oh...um...good morning Applejack. How can I help you?"

"Mornin' Fluttershy.", Applejack said, "Can Ah come in?"

Fluttershy held the door open for her friend to let her in. "Sure, come on in."

As Applejack walked in, she said, "Ah know you've been busy an' all, but you've missed yer last two councellin' sessions an' Ah figured Ah'd come over an' see how ya been doin'."

"Oh...um...er...", Fluttershy stammered, "I'm sorry I've missed them, I just plain forgot them as I've been busy taking care of the sick animals and helping take some of the slack since Rarity has been in the hospital."

Applejack looked Fluttershy over looking for any sighns she was lying. "Wow Flutters, you've been working out. Lookin' good filly."

"Thank you Applejack.", Fluttershy said demurely, "When the therapist at our first session said to do something that made us feel strong, I guess I kinda took him a bit...literal."

Applejack sat on the couch looking over the dress Fluttershy was sewing. "Ah think he said tuh do something to regain our personal power.", she replied, "But if'n workin' out helps ya feel stronger an' helps ya feel like ya c'n regain some personal strength an' control in yer life, who am Ah tuh tell ya what tuh do an' not tuh do? Jus' please try an' come back to councelin'. If'n ya want, Ah c'n come by tuhmarrah and pick ya up on th' way to th' therapist."

"I'd like that very much.", Fluttershy replied before turning back to the sewing machine, "Now if you excuse me, I've got to finish this dress so I can mail it off in the morning for a show in Manehattan to help with the survivors of the attack."

"Alright 'Shy, Ah'll get outa yer mane.", Applejack said as she rose from the couch. "Oh, before'n Ah go an' ferget...", she said as she reached into her saddlebags and pulled out some reading materials, then laid them on Fluttershy's coffee table, "Sump'thin' the therapist gave us, it's about how to reaffirm our personal worth. We're s'posed tuh stand in front o' a mirror ev'ry mornin' an' tell ourselves we're strong an' what happened isn't our faults, that was from last week an' this was from this week, we're s'posed tuh start goin' out an' doin's things that scare us, not a whole lot, jus' sump'thin' outa our comfort zone. Ah was thinkin' o' goin' to that new club Vinyl's openin' in Canterlot an' see if'n Ah c'n talk tuh a few cute colts. Ah was wonderin' if'n ya could be my wingpony as Rainbow usually jus' likes to barrel headlong intuh flirtin'. Ah was thinkin' that since Ah'm pretty much scared outa my skull most o' th' time, ya'd could help me out an' if'n I get overwhelmed, ya could pull me aside an' help me calm down."

"Mhm.", Fluttershy hummed with a smile on her face, "I'd like that very much, but my weekend is booked. Maybe ask and see if Cadance can help you out, since you're going to in Canterlot this weekend. If she can't help you, ask Vinyl to have some security help you out, I'm sure she'd understand."

"Shoot 'Shy, Ah really wished you we free this weekend.", Applejack said, "'Member, tumarrah Ah'm comin' by tuh pick ya up fer councellin' at one o'clock in th' afternoon. We're gonna be writin' our testimonials on what's been goin' through our heads and how we been copin'. In two weeks we're 'sposed tuh read it before a crowd o' psychology at th' Manehattan college."

"See you then.", Fluttershy said as Applejack walked out the door, "And remember Applejack, no matter what your mind tells you, you are a strong and deserving mare that deserves the best out of life."

"Wow Fluttershy, how'd you know what to say?", Applejack asked.

"I took a year of victim's advocacy in Cloudsdale before I moved here.", Fluttershy replied, "See you tomorrow afternoon." She gently closed the door behind Applejack.

After Applejack had left, Angel limped into the room, his legs still bothering him until his casts were off. He gave several squeak as he gestured with his forelimbs.

Fluttershy sighed. "I know Angel, but I can't tell her what I'm planning. Nopony can know what I'm planning or their lives would be in danger. I managed to make more than enough money to help keep Rarity's business afloat when I sold those dresses to Photo Finish last month. Any extra I make now goes to help my project." She walked up to her room, opened the trunk at the end of her bed and pulled out a nearly complete back outfit. She pulled out a needle and thread, then stitched up the last seams before putting the final finishes on it. She slid an oval-shaped disc of steel into the pocket in the chest, then slipped into the outfit. Pulling the cowl over her head she admired the black bat costume in the mirror.

Angel tapped his hind paw and shook his head as he pointed.

"You're right, the cape is too much." Fluttershy slid the cape off and attached a utility belt around her waist. Finally she attached steel reinforced spines to her forelimbs.

Angel nodded his head and gave the thumbs up.

"Criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot.", Fluttershy said the mantra, "Make them think you are the Lord of Tartarus and they'll flee before you. Fear me scum, for I am...uh...um..."

Angel hopped up and down as best as his still hurting legs would let him as he squeaked.

"You're right, Ponybat is a terrible name.", Fluttershy said thinking, "Fear me scum, for I am the Dark Mare." She twisted her voice into as deep and gravelly tone as she could, "I'm the Dark Mare."