Love at First Bite

This morning, I awoke. The sun was lighting above Ponyville, if not, all of Equestria. I got out of bed to arrange myself because today is when reformed Flutterbat is gonna make amends.

I worked on my morning routine as I brainstormed on how to tackle this day before I was out the door. I planned to start the process by contacting Flutterbat with the famous fashionista, Rarity, by bringing her to the barn.

So, the path to the Carousel Boutique isn’t that far. When I arrived at its front door, I knocked on it and attempt to ask the particular pony that is always a resident.

“Rarity, are you awake?”

“I’m awake, darling. Please come in.”

I partially entered the boutique to see the tailor already working on her sewing machine. She said to come in, but I came to tell her to come out

“I can see you’re working on some new-design clothing, am I right?”

“Remarkably, but I suppose you didn’t come here to know what I’m working on. This design is complicated to explain after all, Silver.”

“No, I haven’t got the time. But I’m afraid I’ll have to ask you to pause what you’re doing for a few minutes.”

“Oh. Well, I wasn’t really into making that. I didn’t think I’d actually complete what I’m working on. How would you like me to use my few minutes?”

“Follow me and also bring your supply of headwears.”

“Huh? Do you mean like hats, hoods and cloaks?”

“Yes. Bring those, I’ll tell you why when the time comes.”

“Alright. Would you mind if I ask you to carry a suitcase for a lady?”

“It depends on how much weight the suitcase carries.”

So Rarity packed a suitcase with all the hats and hoods that she made in the past and passed it to me. It’s not that heavy to be honest.

It’s not that far from the boutique to Sweet Apple Acres, but we still have to walk for a minute and a half. Once I’ve led her to the one exact barn, Rarity decided to comment on our destination.

“Wait. Isn’t this the barn where they kept that Flutterbat secure in chains until a permanent reverse spell is discovered?”

“Yes, this is the place. Why do you ask?”

“I’m not sure it’s a good idea to go in there, darling. I know she’s on the wall, but it’s just to avoid accidentally getting your limbs bitten.”

“Once I open this door, you’ll see what happened last night.”

I knew she’d be confused, so I opened the barn door straight away to avoid her possible countless questions. I expected to see a blue pegasus and a yellow bat pony sitting next to each other in the middle of the area, but instead, I only saw the pegasus near a block of hay at the back of the room and no one else was in my sight.

“Morning, Rainbow. How’s yesterday’s night and today’s morning?”

“Hey, Silver Trust. I can see you’re already getting started; You brought Rarity here.”

“Getting started? For what? And where is that Flutterbat? Isn’t she supposed to be on that wall?”

“She’s hiding behind this haybale.”

I took a peek behind the haybale to find Flutterbat timidly shaking with her wings covering her eyes. I can tell she’s scared of the visitor. Only Rainbow and I knows that she’s reformed. Rarity followed my actions to see her, only to panic in her mind when she does.

“F-Flutterbat?”

The mention of her name caused Flutterbat to look up at the unicorn and immediately pin herself on the wall.

“You don’t have to be scared, Flutterbat. You’re looking at Ponyville’s spirit of generosity, Rarity. She’s a passive pony unless you’re hostile to her.”

She has to get off the wall and I have to move the hay block away in order to properly make friends with Rarity, while she continues to comment about what’s going to happen.

“Silver Trust, what happened last night? I want an explanation.”

“So last night, I made an entrance into Flutterbat’s prison cell with a plan. Rainbow was there so I could explain to her that my plan is to reform Flutterbat. It worked so well that guilt took over her emotions.”

“Guilt? Why is she feeling guilt?”

“It’s only now that she knows and understands what she’s done. Her existence removed Fluttershy and provided Rainbow a painful wound on her right foreleg.”

Rarity gasped after I told her the explanation.

“Right now, we attempt to get Flutterbat to befriend you and the other spirits of harmony.”

“Oh. Well, now that I’ve heard what happened last night, I can do that.”

Rarity said as she steps forward and proceeds to hold her hoof on Flutterbat’s shoulder.

“I’m sure anypony can be in the same situation as you, Flutterbat. In fact, somepony I know felt guilt after she’s done something awful and cruel.”

I’ve read stories about these six ponies, so I know exactly who she’s talking about. Ironically, she’s referring to Fluttershy and her assertive lessons, it was an awful day.

“Eventually, you’ll recover. Sure you did the worst possible thing, but if, for example, Rainbow Dash is okay with this, then you should think so too. You’ve earned my friendship.”

That was beautiful. Everything that Rarity said is true and Flutterbat seems to think so too, her smile signifies that they are friends now.

“Thank Silver Trust for finding the plan. If he hadn’t I would’ve… stabbed her.”

“Oh. Rainbow Dash, that’s how far your depression gets?”

“I know. I’m sorry. I just wanted to see Fluttershy again when it’s about to go so wrong.”

“It’s alright, Rainbow. You just couldn’t control yourself. It’s not your fault.”

I reassured Rainbow Dash. To think, this all started when the thought of reforming a mutant pony hits me out of nowhere and the outcome went very well.

“So, Silver Trust, why did you tell me to bring this suitcase of hoods and cloaks?”

“Ah yes. As you know by now, only a few ponies know about this Flutterbat. I’m trying to prevent multiple ponies from freaking out and this is the solution I found.”

As I speak, Flutterbat is poking around the suitcase looking slightly fascinated by the dark colored contents.

“Oh, I see. So you want me to dress her up so that she could blend in in the environment. Well, you’ve just called the right pony to do just that.”

“You’re talking about yourself, aren’t you?” Rainbow commented.

“Of course I’m talking about myself. There’s no need for a question, darling.”

Rarity grabbed a specific black cloak from her suitcase and proceeds to put it on Flutterbat’s body. We thought Flutterbat with the cloak looks stunning and unnoticeable unless they really observe her.

“You look awesome, Flutterbat. Nopony will be able to see your real body.”

Although we have concerns, we decide not to doubt and let the world choose to either reveal or hide her identity until the very end.

“So what do you wanna do next? Do you have a goal you want to achieve?”

“Well, we still want Flutterbat to make amends with our other friends.”

“Alright. Do you mind if I get back to the Carousel Boutique?”

“Of course not, Rarity. We can handle this ourselves.”

“Okay. Stay safe, darlings.”

Rarity calls out her byes as she’s out the barn’s door.

“Will do. Come on, I planned to see Applejack now.”

I heard Flutterbat’s squeak as I said that. It seems like she’s scared of Applejack, which is understandable. Applejack and vampire fruit bats are basically opposites of each other, so there’s a good chance that she’d just round Flutterbat up as soon as she sees her.

Not only that, but Applejack is a sensitive country pony and can be a little bit stubborn sometimes. She can be so stubborn that she won’t even listen to us.

“Don’t worry, Flutterbat. If Applejack does round up or not, either way, we can just explain it to her whenever we can.”

Rainbow Dash said confident that she’d protect her at all costs. If Applejack listens to us, it wouldn’t be much of a problem. If she doesn’t, then we would have to hit hard on her until she decides to listen to us. Not to linger for too long, we leave this barn to reach Applejack’s housebarn.

Rainbow Dash, Flutterbat and I were trotting out the barn door making that blanket of light expose our bodies in room temperature heat. We didn’t test a vampony’s vulnerability to sunlight, but looking back at her, she’s surprisingly fine.

Our walk to Applejack’s dwelling was pretty relaxing, until Flutterbat creates more issues. We had to walk through the apple orchard to reach the country pony’s home, but midway through the field, I noticed that Flutterbat stares at the shiny red fruit on the tree.

She was licking her lips to then flinch back and shake her head in a quick motion. I easily figured out what she wants and what she rejected.

“Go on, Flutterbat. I’m sure Applejack won’t mind a few juiced up apples.”

I figured she’s afraid of how she first reacted to vampire fruit bats comparing to how she’d react if she noticed rotten apples on the ground, especially since she knew a Flutterbat is alive. However, she still declines the offer, not that it matters, anyway.

“Um, Silver,” Rainbow said to me. “Can we talk?”

“Sure, Rainbow. What is it?”

“You’re a good pony, you know that? You’ve been so helpful to us lately. I know I said it already, but I want to say it again. Thank you. I should never have doubted you.”

“Wait, you have been doubting me?”

“I have. When you mentioned that you had a solution to bring my love back, I’ve been doubting you ever since. All this time, I thought me and Fluttershy couldn’t be bonded together again, but all of that has changed now. …I’m sorry I didn’t trust you before.”

“It’s okay. See the shield with a tick for my cutie mark? My special talent is about getting troubled ponies to trust my instincts and help them.”

“I see that. Your name also determines your special talent. But why are you helping us?”

“Oh. Well, I couldn’t help but look at you miserably. Left without your love, it just doesn’t feel right.”

Flutterbat whimpered a little bit at the mention of Fluttershy.

“I see. You just can’t see me being depressed all the time, huh.”

“No. I can’t.”

Our conversation ended just as we’re up against Applejack’s door. I knocked on the door alarming the ponies inside.

“Applejack, are you home?”

“Ah’m coming!”

Our Flutterbat in cloak is timidly shaking, for she’s still afraid of Applejack. But who could possibly tell me the odds? She could have chances or if not, I’ll somehow find a way to earn her friendship to the cloaked one.

The door clicked and opened wide letting out the country earth pony and when she noticed Flutterbat, she is so shocked that she’s out of the barn and highly gasped before pulling a lasso out of her Stetson with her tail.

“Flutterbat?! You ain’t supposed to escape, you know?”

Flutterbat couldn’t even react fast enough as Applejack successfully caught her in the neck slightly choking her. Rainbow, at this moment, pounced on her in a way that Applejack lets go of the rope.

“Hey! You let her go this instant, Applejack!”

“Rainbow Dash! Why did you save her? She bit your leg, remember?”

While Applejack and Rainbow Dash are arguing inside, I helped with getting the rope off Flutterbat’s neck. We can hear Applejack recalling a tragic event and that made Flutterbat recall how wrong that event was.

“Stay here until I called you.”

I stepped inside the housebarn to break the two ponies’ argument. I attempt to emphasize to Applejack what happened last night.

“Perhaps we could provide you with details from last night.”

“Last night? Wait, you’re that Silver Trust pony from Ponyville, aren’t you?”

“Yes, that’s me. Anyway, long story short, we reformed Flutterbat last night and now she’s feeling guilty.”

“Guilty? What is she feeling guilty about?”

“Existing and also the scar on Rainbow’s leg.”

“Oh. I see. And why is she in front of my doorstep?”

“She’s trying to befriend the elements of harmony minus the spirit of kindness. She already got Rarity’s friendship and now it’s your turn to be her friend if you’re willing to. Oh, and here’s your lasso back.”

As Applejack sees the lasso I gave to her, she realized the mistake that she made before and admits it to me and Rainbow, starting with a small laugh.

“Heh heh. I guess I made a bad start, huh.”

“You definitely did. Flutterbat, Applejack is passive now!”

Yes, she heard me. Here comes Flutterbat who’s nervous but brave enough to step forward. Although, she stopped five meters away from where Applejack’s standing.

Now that Applejack understands what Flutterbat’s been through, amending them together is the next best thing. So Applejack steps in closer passively trying not to scare her. It’s basically like trying to catch a wild butterfly. When she’s close enough, she began to speak as she puts her hoof on her shoulder just like Rarity.

“It’s alright, Flutterbat. There’s no need to feel guilty about what you did. I’m sorry that I rounded you up. I know you’d probably forgive me, so I should forgive you too for biting my friend’s leg.”

Flutterbat smiles through her cloak now Applejack forgives her and the advice of ‘no need to feel guilty’ is plausible for her to keep it. After that happened, I thought that I would show my generosity. Actually, I passed that generosity to Rainbow Dash by whispering what she can do at this time.

“Applejack, now that you’re friends, would you mind if Flutterbat craves on a few of your apples?”

Applejack didn’t hesitate to answer Rainbow’s question, a straight answer came out of her mouth.

“Of course not. Ah have plenty in my orchard and in my pantry. Ah’ll grab a basket of ‘em.”

Applejack enters her kitchen to gather a basket full of apples while we wait for 10 seconds before she comes back.

“Here, Flutterbat. The least ah can do to show you ah can be your friend.”

With her sight of shiny red apples, Flutterbat went out to fill her hungry stomach, or is she thirsty? Either way, she dug through the juices until all the apples are empty.

Flutterbat’s feeling refreshed now, I guess. Although she had the urges to consume more apples, she’s able to control them. She didn’t want to go out of her way to juice all the apples until there’s none left in the house.

“Okay, Flutterbat. We gotta introduce you to Pinkie and Twilight now.”

Rainbow suggested while Flutterbat nodded.

“Thank you for understanding and cooperating. And don’t act so boldly next time.”

“Easier said than done. And Flutterbat, if you want any more apples, you can always come to my orchard.”

Looks like Flutterbat approved and so did I.

“You’re too kind. Come on, Rainbow, let’s continue what we came out of the barn to do.”

And with that, we leave behind Sweet Apple Acres to enter Ponyville so that we can meet Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle.

As we’re walking through Ponyville, some of the ponies and fillies around us notices and stares at us because we feature a cloaked pony. Luckily for Flutterbat, they don’t know that it’s her because her yellow muzzle isn’t enough to make it out.

“Are you okay with this, Flutters?”

Rainbow Dash asked Flutterbat and was received a nod as her response. She’s uncomfortable with these ponies and is slightly afraid that when she’s exposed, everypony will panic and possibly take charge.

“Pinkie Pie should be very welcoming. She almost always happily greets everypony who presents themselves in Ponyville. We could bump into her any moment now.”

Perhaps I spoke too soon as I literally did bump into Pinkie Pie and we fell on our flanks.

“Oof! Ow! Sorry, Silver. I should’ve looked where I was bouncing-“

She paused when she opens her eyes to see the cloaked pony and she immediately recognise her to blurt out a word that is heard by everypony.

“SUSPICIOUS!”

I immediately, if not rudely, shushed her before everypony gets ‘suspicious’.

“Shh! Not so loud, you silly pony!”

“Oh. Sorry, again. Why are we whispering?”

“We’re trying to keep ponies from being alarmed. Flutterbat here doesn’t want to freak everypony out.”

“I see. Wait, aren’t you supposed to be kept for safety.”

It’s Rainbow’s turn to talk.

“She was. But she wants freedom instead. We reformed her last night.”

“Okey dokey lokey. So you want to be friends with me. Am I right? Or am I right?”

“How did you know we’re doing that?”

“Just a hunch. It’s no problem, Flutterbat. I will be your P.F.F.”

She didn’t even hesitate. In turn, Flutterbat smiles at the pink pony.

“No really. I pinkie promise. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

“Classic Pinkie.”

Rainbow commented at Pinkie’s catchphrase. Technically, she stole an everyday life promise quote and turned it into a family-friendly one.

“Hey, I think I’ll consider you as a new pony in Ponyville, even though technically, you came from an old pony. Not only that, you are a pony that I’ve met before, except you’re less scary comparing to when we first met.”

Pinkie gasped longer than a normal gasp from a normal pony.

“I should throw you a ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ party. Surely, you must love parties.”

Looking at Flutterbat, she doesn’t seem thrilled for the upcoming party, but I think I understand why. Maybe I should tell Pinkie about the party settings.

“I’m sure she would love the party. But if it’s gonna start early, make sure you only invite me, Flutterbat and the elements of harmony, and also make the party in secret, nopony else should know about Flutterbat until the very end. You got all that?”

“I have it all in my head. You can count on me, Silver. I won’t let you down.”

“Good. We have to see Twilight now. See you at the party, I guess.”

“I will invite you. Don’t you worry about that.”

Pinkie walked away and waved her hoof to get started building the party. Meanwhile, we trot on our hooves to reach the young alicorn’s library.

The Golden Oak Library, where the book horse resides ever since she came from Canterlot. To recall, Twilight was the one who announced that Fluttershy is no more, so at first, Flutterbat was feeling nervous about showing herself at an alicorn who’s a friend of the vanished pony and the wannabe world-class Wonderbolt.

We stood at the front door of the library. I decided to let Rainbow Dash do the talking because why not?

“Rainbow Dash, why don’t you call for her?”

“Alright. *Ahem* Twilight, are you home?”

“Rainbow Dash?” Twilight responded before the door opens

“Is everything oka-“ …and what’s the reaction that Twilight has when her eyes target Flutterbat? Well, let’s just say she… panicked and hid behind the door while her vision still targets us.

“Ah! Flutterbat, how did you get out?! Rainbow Dash, did you let her out?! Why is she in my library?!”

Twilight spoke faster than a normal pony, although not as irrational as Pinkie Pie. It sounds like she’s about to explode.

“Hey, Twilight, relax. We can’t answer your questions if you’re talking that fast.”

“B-but… she’s supposed to be secured in chains and not roam around freely in the outside world!”

“But she-“

“It’s just to keep her out of trouble until we find a permanent reverse spell!”

“Twilight?”

“She already caused blood to shed out of Rainbow Dash’s open wound, she shouldn’t be out of the barn!”

“Twilight!”

Twilight jumped in fright when Rainbow shouts at her. I don’t think this is the first time that the princess of friendship won’t shush until she realizes that she’s been talking over another pony when they want to talk.

“Oh. You wanted to talk? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to talk over you.”

“Apology accepted. Let’s head inside and then we’ll explain.”

“O-okay. Come in, then.”

We enter Twilight’s library and sat down on different spaces. Looking at Twilight, she looks uncomfortable because there’s a vampire in her home. And then I just noticed that Twilight hasn’t greeted me yet as she just noticed me.

“Hey, I think I’ve heard of you before.”

“Heard of me? So you haven’t seen me in Ponyville, huh. The name’s Silver Trust, does that ring any bells?”

“Silver Trust? Aren’t you the stallion that likes to help ponies?”

“That’s literally the description of me. We’re getting off topic if you haven’t noticed.”

“Right. We’re talking about Flutterbat here. Why is she out of captivity?”

“First of all, Rainbow and I got Flutterbat reformed.”

“Reformed? So she’s not gonna harm anypony?”

“Yes. Doing so makes her feel guilty

“Guilty? Why is she guilty?”

“Because she bit Rainbow’s leg and made Fluttershy disappear.”

“Oh. And why is she in my home?”

“Flutterbat is now trying to befriend the elements of harmony. So far, we’ve covered befriending Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Now, we need you to be her friend too.”

Twilight took a few seconds of silence before she could say something to reassure Flutterbat

“You really felt guilty, huh, Flutterbat. And you really wanted to be friends with me?”

Flutterbat, not looking into the alicorn’s eyes, nodded slowly. Twilight noticed how she really felt, so she came closer to her and embraces her with comfort.

“Oh, Flutterbat. I’m sorry that this is how you feel. As the princess of friendship, I’ll be your friend.”

Flutterbat then proceeds to embrace the princess with a little smile and her wings wrapped around her.

“Don’t you dwell on the past, okay? It’s good to take back every bad thing you caused, you’ve realized what’s been going on, but try not to take it too seriously. Now get off before I get claustraphobic by your wings.”

By Twilight’s order, Flutterbat scrabbled to unwrapped her hooves and wings. Twilight’s message is believable, there’s nothing wrong in that sentence, it makes sense and it helps Flutterbat get through her difficulties.

Our objective is complete, every element of harmony are now friends with a vampire pony. Now I have a new objective: contacting with the guardian of the sun, Princess Celestia, that this vampire won’t be attacking nopony.

“Twilight, do you have Spike anywhere?”

“Spike? He just left today to go to Rarity’s.”

I stood up at the mention of Spike’s location.

“Alright, I’m gonna get him to send letter to Celestia for me. Why don’t you three stay here for lunch while I reach Spike.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to do it? I don’t mind leaving my home at this point.”

“Hmm. Maybe we can hit two birds with one stone. I need you to work on a talking spell so that I don’t have to guess every word Flutterbat wants to say.”

“A talking spell? Hmm, I’ll look through my books and see if I can find anything.”

“Cool, I’ll return to you after I’m done.”

“See you later, Silver.”

“Yeah, see you later.”

Twilight and Rainbow greets me a farewell before I’m out the door heading to the Carousel Boutique.

To be continued…