(Takes place in the middle of Season 2. Consider this story an alternate universe where all lore is subject to change.)
A golden moon hung overhead, the forest moved with the light sway of the wind as light cracks of branches stepped on creaked out to the vast unknown. A bear sniffed absently at the landscape, leaving large prints in the ground as it walked the grassy trail of the Everfree. A wealth of unknowns lingered in the mystery and danger of the night as a distant howl of Timberwolves crooned in the distance. The clop of hoofsteps follow as a purple pony strides in tandem with the prowling bear. Her eyes are open wide and move vigilantly looking for danger. Exuding confidence in both her curiosity and her desire to find their target.
A force had been moving through this forest, a force with no tracks, no howls to mark its presence, and not a scent for the large bear to pick up on. All that was left was the skeletons of animals it had presumably eaten and a faint magical aura that could barely be detected. Twilight had been patrolling the forest for two weeks now. Hoping to catch a glimpse of the storm that raged in this once tranquil, albeit chaotic and dangerous, place.
A bush rustled nearby, causing both the bear and Twilight pause. The purple mare eyed the offending bush with a concentrated stare, hoping to eye out details that she would miss at a glance. Slowly she edged forward, the bush shifting lightly second to second. Sweat beaded on Twilight's brow as she grew closer, closer still. She stopped in her tracks, inches away now, the bush had stopped shifting and had gone dead silent. At a snail's pace she moved the bushes away to reveal...
"WE'RE ALL GONNA DIIIII-"
Our brave hero's companion Fluttershy had found herself a hidey hole behind a nearby tree. She had rooted herself and her bear harry in a crushingly tight bear hug. Twilight dashed towards Fluttershy and silenced her with a quick hoof to the mouth. She groaned.
"Fluttershy, for Celestia's sake, we've been in this forest for twenty minutes. Can you please not scream every time I go to check something?" Twilight asked exasperated. Fluttershy responded with her quintessential eep of confirmation, releasing her bear from his crushed hug position. The bush rustled once more and out hopped a small bunny. Fluttershy, noticing the little rabbit, wormed her way from Twilight's affixed hoof and rushed forward.
"Angel!" She shouted out in surprise. Causing another groan from Twilight as she trotted over, thankful that she used her inside scream this time.
"Oh Angel." Fluttershy nervously spoke with her normal breathy timbre. "You shouldn't be out here this deep in the Everfree! Don't you know what's out here? There's Timberwolves, and Manticores, Cockatrices, poison jokes scarytreesscaryplants—"
Angel decided now would be a good time to forcefully close Fluttershy's mouth. The light murmurs could be heard from her closed maw as she continued listing things out of anxious terror. Angel held for a moment until no words left her mouth before removing his paws from Fluttershy. His expression changing to that of annoyance, the fluffy bunny opened his mouth and pointed.
"But I fed you before I left, Angel. What did I tell you about eating after supper?" Fluttershy scolded in a motherly tone. Angel squinted and began pointing more forcefully at his mouth. Leaving the yellow pony dumbfounded. She put a hoof to her mouth and thought before a shiny lightbulb appeared before dimming and falling on her head.
"Oh Angel I'm so sorry! I forgot your goodnight carrot!" Fluttershy exclaimed. Her hoof automatically reaching over and patting the little bunny's head. Twilight turned away and sighed.
"Fluttershy the nights only gonna last so long we don't have time to go back to your cottage and get a car—" Upon turning back around a carrot had appeared in the hoof of the newly appointed carrot magician. An annoyed real magician groaned as Fluttershy handed Angel his prize.
"I'm so so so so so so-" Once again Angel closed Fluttershy's mouth, taking a moment to chew as his owner rambled on. With a quick swallow, Angel sighed and released his owner.
"-sorry that I forgot your carrot Angel! Mommy was in a hurry and forgot all about it, can you ever forgive me ?!" Fluttershy said before giving eyes of pure sorrow and regret. A look of pure sadness that would move an ursa major. Angel simply rolled his eyes and outstretched a paw.
"Oh... well I guess I could give you an extra carrot for being so patient with me." Fluttershy conceded. Fluttershy reached behind the side that Twilight couldn't see and pulled another carrot out of thin air. Giving it to Angel.
"Fluttershy where are you getting these carrots?" Twilight asked. Confusion ran across Fluttershy's muzzle as Angel greedily took the carrot and ate it.
"um... am I not supposed to have carrots?" Fluttershy asked as she pulled out an extra carrot and gave it to Angel.
"Well... I mean... EUGH NEVER MIND" Twilight exclaimed before walking forward, shaking Harry from a light nap he had engaged with and storming off. The confused bear ambling behind her.
"Twilight, wait! Don't leave me here!" Fluttershy quickly patted Angel's head and ran after her friend. Angel shrugged, turning around and hopping his way towards home.
Two weeks it had been like this for the both of them. Fluttershy, being the closest to the Everfree, was the first to discover the phenomenon firsthoof. The first few days had been Twilight shrugging off the various skeletons that Fluttershy would find. Chalking it up to a higher amount of Timberwolf attacks this season. It wasn't until the bones of a manticore had appeared that Twilight had started these midnight escapades. Why they had to be evening rendezvous in the middle of the most dangerous forest in Equestria Fluttershy was uncertain.
In some ways Fluttershy admired Twilight's bravery. With her friends pre-occupied with other activities it left her with only Fluttershy as a companion to investigate. The animals always warned her that the deeper zones of the Everfree were filled with unspeakable monsters that could violently end your happy days with a swipe of their paws. Why could she go through this region without a squeak of terror? Without turning off the glow of her horn and hiding behind a tree until the morning came and the monsters went to bed?
Fluttershy began to realize this feeling wasn't a mere admiration. Jealousy was what crept into her heart as she followed her friend along. The way she maneuvered the forest with no thought for her step. Investigating sounds instead of running from them. Checking hiding places and bushes. Why was she so willing to take on this monster? Why didn't she just wait a few weeks until everyone got back? They could return to take on this threat with numbers! Why in Celestia's name was she willing to be so reckless?!
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR
The very trees shook as a roar of pain sailed through the air. Fluttershy darted backwards and found a tree to hide behind as her ears rang from the deafening howl. Harry dropped to the ground, apparently feigning death. Even Twilight's ears swiveled back in terror. A disturbed calm settled as the world around them reeled in shock. Both ponies knew exactly what creature could make that kind of sound.
"Dragon." Twilight uttered the words on both of their minds. This didn't make any sense, dragons were supposed to leave a trail of smoke wherever they went. How did a dragon manage to stay here unseen without anypony noticing? Even as the moment passed the implications drew out dread in her. She closed her eyes. She could feel her heart pounding, her fur shivering, her hoofs quaking. The frightened little pegasus sat there behind the tree. She couldn't move.
"Fluttershy are you ok?" Twilight's voice rang out from a short distance. To her own frustration Fluttershy didn't move a muscle in response.
Bucking Tartarus did she want to move, she wanted to scream out she was fine! She wanted to jump up and solve the problem herself just to prove that she could! Just to prove she could be brave when the time came. That she didn't need her friends to prop her up when something dangerous was happening. She could hear footsteps, Twilight had gotten up. She could hear her coming closer. If she got up now she could still do it. She could still take the reins just like she wanted. All she had to do was stop shaking! Stand up, look up, something! It was now or never, she was getting closer, get up Fluttershy please just get-
"Oh Fluttershy there you are!" Twilight exclaimed relieved to find her friend in one piece. The shaking mare merely eep'd in response. As was expected of her.
"Come on Fluttershy you know the drill! If theirs anyone who can talk that dragon out of eating animals here its you!" Twilight explained. Meanwhile Fluttershy had now buried her head between her hooves. Twilight assumed this was one of her patented ostrich burial maneuvers. Twilight groaned. Two weeks of fruitless investigation had made her impatient. With the solution to the equation in hand she was not in the mood to wait around.
"Ugh Fluttershy please for the love of Celestia will you get over yourself and get up!" She snapped out. Fluttershy's head buried a little deeper into a now assumed hole her head was burrowing. Light sobs emitted from the pegasus. Twilight realized she'd crossed a line. She sat on her haunches, now angry less with her friend and more angry with herself.
"I'm sorry Fluttershy that wasn't the right thing to say. Could you come out of your um... hole? Please?" Twilight asked diplomatically. A light popping sound could be heard as Fluttershy came out of her heady hole, tears streaming down her face. She sniffled loudly and looked at her friend, gaze swimming with emotions. She looked skywards, the trees parting enough to see the stars.
"W-W-Why am I always like this?" Fluttershy asked the sky. That was the last question Twilight expected. Her mental list of common Fluttershy questions included Are we going home yet? Is that really necessary? And does this necklace make my plot look big? Admittedly she had come up with that last one as the first two were the only common questions she'd ever heard! This was uncharted territory for her official Fluttershy Friend Research. With this in mind Twilight took the time to articulate the best possible argument she could come up with.
"Um... I don't know?" Twilight muttered back in a confused tone. Nailed it! Fluttershy seemed to take the answer as she wiped away her tears and sniffed to clear her nose. Twilight deemed that meant she was at least cognizant now.
"Fluttershy I know that this forest can be scary and I know you have every right to both be scared of it and be mad at me for being dismissive of your feelings. But right now we have a real chance to fix this! I won't let that chance get away from us just because we weren't willing to try." Twilight explained with impassioned vigor. Something in her words thankfully stirred Fluttershy. She rose from her hiding spot. Twilight stood up and followed her. Exiting her hiding spot and turning to where her bear friend had been revealed a saddening sight. Harry had crushed his body to the ground, head buried between his claws as he visibly shook and shivered. It seemed Fluttershy wasn't the only one that was scared this evening.
"You can help Harry, you can help all your animal friends. All you need to do is help me with this dragon." Twilight told her. Fluttershy looked back at her friend wordlessly. The stare that came from Fluttershy pierced her. She took a step back like a scared filly. It took everything she had not to back down and look away. But she wouldn't back down. She needed Fluttershy right now. But the way she was looking at her. The way her eyes viewed her with an edge of judgement. She felt like she could sense hatred. Finally Fluttershy broke her stare down and sighed.
"Ok." She breathed out flatly. Twilight sighed in relief. With her companion now back among the brave twilight quickly cast a spell to track where that sound had come from. With the size and power of the roar it took her mere moments to suss out its general location. Fluttershy trotted over to harry; Lightly prodding the poor bear.
"Its ok Harry. Nothing's gonna hurt you. I promise." Fluttershy soothingly breathed into Harry's ear. Harry perked up at that, as if it was informal confirmation that safety had returned.
"Go back to the cottage Harry, Twilight and Momma have to take care of the big scaly..." Fluttershy shivered
"Dragon that's making everything scary." She finished. Harry eyed her with a look of suspicion and concern. As scared as he was he wasn't letting his friend and caretaker run off with a death wish. The sentiment made Fluttershy smile.
"I promise I'm coming home right after. You have my word." Fluttershy told him definitively. Harry's expression softened at the words and he promptly shrugged. With his heart having now relaxed he stood and began ambling his way home. Passing a now smiling Twilight.
"I figured out where we need to go if you want to uh... get going?" Twilight asked nervously. She was worried that the wind would come out of her friend's sails at any moment. Fluttershy merely nodded.
"Let's go." Fluttershy said definitively. Twilight sighed happily at that. She motioned with her hoof to follow and they took off deep into the Everfree.
The Everfree swayed with the wind as the two ponies traveled along. The moon's yellow glow hung overhead, an unfriendly reminder of the circumstances by which they traversed the eerie forest. Fluttershy could feel her fur crawl as she put one hoof in front of the other. Even so her hoofsteps moved with a certain umph now compared to before. An anger had taken her over; A boiling rage that began growing since they set off again.
The way Harry was shaking had been the last straw. She'd felt that feeling before, terror. Harry didn't deserve that terror. Harry didn't deserve this crippling fright that Fluttershy felt every moment walking through these star forsaken woods. She knew that no matter what happened tonight the Everfree would never truly be safe. If she could stop this dragon however, stop it from raining terror on her animal friends. She'd walk through Tartarus with this fear. And if a dragon stood in her way?
He'd get an earful.
Twilight's horn glowed brighter as her arcane mana directed them towards the dragons location. Darkness would have engulfed them had it not been for the glow of twilights eyes and the bright glow of twilight's horn. Fluttershy could barely see where they were going, only able to see at best 10-15 feet ahead of them. Light poured out of random holes in the tree line illuminating random sectors of the beyond. They dodged branches and massive roots to avoid an unfortunate trip. Even the moon in its intense and ominous yellow coating seemed welcoming compared to the oppressive darkness that surrounded them.
Slowly but surely the tree line became more sparse. More and more room could be found to place their hooves as the ground under them was no longer covered by roots and branches but instead flat ground. The glow on twilights eyes grew brighter. As her companion followed her diligently, the tension in the ponies muscles grew more and more. Finally a break in a forest opened from their current dark landscape into the comparatively bright moonlight.
They had entered a ravine. Its cavernous walls reached up high; Its rocky heights relatively the same height as Twilight library if not taller. Its length going far into the distance before curving to the right. Up above the Fluttershy noticed the leaves of trees on on the left side but considerably less trees on the right. Indicating that on the right side led to a sort of clearing. It was only until Fluttershy saw a familiar plank bridge further in the distance did she realize where they were.
"Um... are we near the old castle?" Fluttershy asked openly. Twilight nodded besides her friend and began trotting forward.
"If my calculations are correct we are currently nearby the Castle of the Two Princesses. This ravine must be the one we needed to get past when we took down nightmare moon." Twilight affirmed. Stopping for a moment, the purple mare squinted her eyes as the magical aura surrounding them pulsed quickly at the speed of a resting heart.
"We're close, but what would a dragon be doing out here in the middle of a ravine?" Twilight pondered.
"And aren't they supposed to leave giant trails of smoke wherever they go? A-and how could it have been eating all those cute little animals without being seen or leave any clues?" Fluttershy said keeping the questions rolling. Twilight sighed and scratched at the dirt below her.
"Beats me, but do you have any idea what could have killed a manticore besides, I don't know, a dragon?" Twilight asked her friend. Fluttershy shrank at the question.
"N-n-no..." Fluttershy whispered out.
"Well then that settles it! It has to be the dragon or my name is Princess Twilight Sparkle! Come on Fluttershy, there's a dragon in those hills!" Twilight exclaimed and stormed off. Fluttershy merely shook her head, they weren't even near a hill it was a ravine for Celestia's sake!
The terrain of the ravine was jagged in nature. Often the two would have to climb small cliffs ranging for 4-10 feet in size as the chasm's floor pitched and shifted like the earth under them had a drunken evening making the ground they walked on. Nevertheless thanks to better light and a clear straightforward direction the pace quickened measurably. Fluttershy's heart began beating faster as her anger began to grow step by step. She had managed to bury it well when speaking to her friend before but as she and her friend drew closer it was becoming unbearable. In some way she was grateful that Timberwolves weren't here to interrupt her. Otherwise she would have laid into them as well, and that wouldn't be fair to them.
Finally in the distance, near where they had initially seen the curve of the ravine. Fluttershy could see it. A massive cave who's entrance was almost size of half the ravine stood. The light barely penetrating its depths. Fluttershy's pace quickened. When they finished climbing the latest cliff they had found. Fluttershy would walk off without her friend in tow rather than waiting patiently for her to get up. Her light walk moved to a brisk trot and she found muscles she hadn't used in quite a while to get up and down cliffs faster.
"Fluttershy wait up your going too fast!" Twilight called out from behind as she panted. Her friend looked back at her with burning eyes. Twilight took a step back; Aghast at the mare's sudden drive. The butter colored mare's wings unfurled and she took off from the spot. Flying off towards the cave on her own.
"Fluttershy wait! Where are you going!" The librarian yelled exasperated. But by the time she called out her yellow friend had already soared off. Twilight quickly tried to take stock of her friends state. She wasn't anywhere near like this the last time she took on a dragon. Perhaps she'd (somehow) garnered an overzealousness regarding her abilities on taking on dragons? And perhaps her speech earlier had convinced her that she was not only capable of handling it on her own but she needed to save her friends and... oh dear.
"Stupid Twilight!" Twilight voiced her thoughts openly "Now your friend's gonna end up a skeleton too because you overencouraged her! Darn it, I'd be able to catch up if I galloped there but the terrain is gonna slow me down! If only I had some way to just magically telepor—"
Twilight facehooved at her own stupidity.
"Earth to Twilight! Teleportation!" The purple mare quickly ditched the tracking spell and the minor illumination spell and charged a teleport. Her purple aura surrounded her and in a burst of light she teleported up the latest small cliff. Now she was off to the races teleporting up and the down indents and sheer cliffs following her friend. Thankfully for the unicorn Fluttershy was not a rainbow maned pegasus allowing her to keep a fair pace with her sporadic teleportation.
The wind parted as Fluttershy thumped onto the ground mere feet from the dragon's lair. The cave's opening was massive, its structure like that of an open maw waiting to swallow its victims. The pale moonlight illuminated only the faintest hint of what was inside; As if a black hole that consumed Luna's gift to walkers of the evening breeze. As twilight made one minor teleport to catch up with her friend the only scientific observation that she could make was that this cave was bad news. Among the two of them, now she was the one who was afraid. Fluttershy moved first, stomping her hooves as she trotted inside.
"Alright Mister, you better have a darn good explanation for all this. Why I swear of all the mean things I can possibly think are mean. Killing innocent cute creatures for sport has got to be the meanest of the mean! You should be ashamed that—" Fluttershy's ranting quickly became incoherent murmurs as she drew deeper into the cave alone.
It took Twilight a moment to realize that she hadn't followed. It appeared her long looks at the cave's size, random claw marks she spotted around the caves interior and pure darkness of its depths had paralyzed her. She shook it off.
"Fluttershy for crying out loud wait for me—" A yellow fur ball shot out of the cave at rapid speed. Crashing directly into the purple fur ball and causing both fur balls to careen into the opposing wall of the ravine. They slowly slumped down as Twilight felt her butter coated companion shake violently and uncontrollably. The ball rolled over and became a frozen mare on her backside, her hooves rigid and reaching to the heavens. It seems her courage had finally been sapped.
"Uh Fluttershy are you ok?" Twilight asked as she prodded her friend. Fluttershy didn't say a word. Her muscles appeared to have been stuck into place like glue. In Twilight's medical opinion, her friend had fainted. She sighed. Having not heard another massive roar or anything specifically dragon related Twilight surmised that her brave friend had seen a bug that looked at her funny and had panicked. Considering this Twilight figured the cave was deeper then it looked; Going further she surmised that the dragon was most likely asleep considering that it had not responded to Fluttershy's cutting accusation of meanness. Most likely leaving them the element of surprise. She grabbed Fluttershy with her magic and slumped her over her back and began slowly ambling her way inside the cave to explore.
"Another fun day in the life of Twilight Sparkle's Merry Band of Mares. Who's greatest achievements include me causing an entire town to go nuts over a doll; Causing my assistant to grow to full size and rampage through Ponyville; And my personal favorite crashing The Grand Galloping Gala by having THIS little pony right here run a hoard of upset animals through it. Not entirely her fault but YOU GET MY POINT" Twilight shouted to no pony in particular. Grunting every step or two at the brick of a pony she lugged along the way. With a small spurt of magic her horn illuminated the damp cavern.
Not a sound came from the cave itself. Twilight was surprised by how quiet a sleeper this dragon was. Beyond the occasional brush of outside wind or a stray water droplet dripping in the distance this cave gave off nothing other than ominous calm. Dragons were massive creatures. How could it stay this quiet?
Twilight got her answer faster than she expected. Without warning she bumped into something white and smooth. The small light that lit her general area made this surface look like a wall in front of her. Upon further inspection the only thing she could describe this as was, well, bone? Realization dawned on the purple pony as she charged her horns magic. Aiming directly above she shot a quick bolt of energy to the roof of the cavern. Lighting a large portion of the cave like a small lantern. Upon the lighting of the cave Twilight took a few short steps back in horror. Seeing the last thing she expected.
In front of her was the massive skeletal remains of a dragon. Its sheer size tripled that the dragon they'd faced a year ago or Spike in his state of greed. The remnants of the wings, now unfolded, stretched out across the entire caves length. Even with the ravines size it appeared the dragon had to squeeze its body physically just to fit in here. The scope of this dragon's body was immense in scale. Two things rang out immediately in Twilights head. Number one, how had this been under there noses for so long. Then number two.
What had killed it?
Fear overtook her fast. She was severely outclassed. If whatever had killed this dragon was nearby she, and by proxy her friend, were history. She had expected this to be some monster going around eating animals for food and sport. But this felt different, with the skeletons. With their being no bodies left behind. With the slight magical aura that even now she could sense. This was surgical, purposeful, it seemed to hold intent. And if the intent was to scare away or send a message it was felt loud an clear.
Twilight turned around promptly. She floated her friend's passed out frame with her telekinetic magic and galloped out the way she came. Upon exiting she floated Fluttershy to the top of the ravine and teleported up with her before she promptly fell to the ground panting heavily at the stress and exertion. The yellow pony took this opportune moment to wake up.
"Ugh... what happened..." Fluttershy whispered out as she rubbed her head. She looked over to find her friend panting and shivering next to her.
"Twilight! Are you ok?" Fluttershy jumped up and ran over to her friend. Lightly combing her hair with her hoof.
"I'm fine Fluttershy I'm... fine. Just uh, I'm beginning to think my name's Princess Twilight Sparkle" Twilight raggedly told her friend.
"W-What?"
"Ugh nothing just uh... give me a minute" Twilight breathed out tiredly. Tonight had been full of ups and downs. And it had almost ended right there in that cave. She couldn't do this, not with just her and Fluttershy. Tartarus she wasn't even sure if she could do this with all of her friends here. She needed more, she needed someone smarter and stronger than her to take whatever this was on. She needed...
She needed Celestia.
Twilight took a few more moments to breath before shaking off her friends odd but admittedly nice petting and got up. She shook herself to get any dust and dirt off herself. She needed to go, she needed to write a letter, she needed Celestia and fast.
"Fluttershy thank you for your help these past two weeks but I don't think it'll be necessary anymore." Twilight told her friend evenly.
"Why?" Fluttershy asked.
"Because whatever's here in the Everfree is far stronger than me, far stronger than you, FAR stronger than all of us combined. And I only know one pony who would know what's going on and be able to stop it. And that's my teacher." Twilight explained seriously. Fluttershy gasped in surprise.
"Celestia?! Are you sure she'd be willing to jump into this?" Fluttershy questioned openly. Her friend shook her head.
"If my teacher isn't willing to help us take on something that can kill dragons the size of an entire Canterlot block then I would be seriously surprised Fluttershy. This is the exact kind of thing she gets involved with." The student affirmed. Fluttershy didn't seem convinced.
"Even if we get her involved, are you sure even she could help? Are you sure she'd be enough?" Fluttershy grilled further. Twilight lowered her head, now looking dreadfully somber.
"If Celestia can't help us, then no one can." Twilight muttered out morbidly. A chilly air rolled through their manes, silence held between them. Twilight turned towards the nearby bridge and began trotting away.
"I want to keep helping." Twilight jumped and turned around to face her friend at this statement.
"EXCUSE ME?" Twilight yelled out in shock. This was more to add to her Fluttershy Friend Research. Fluttershy stood firm.
"M-my animal friends are in danger Twilight. And I... I won't just sit by while they cower in fear! I'm their caretaker, and I will help them no matter the cost. I'm going with you and that's final!" Fluttershy practically barked out the last of it. A fire in her gaze that made it clear she meant business. Twilight was floored, this was the last thing she expected. But the more she thought about it maybe having her friend along for the ride would be for the best. As scared as she was of it, her friend had more experience than her on the subject of this forest. Perhaps that would prove useful for Celestia in some way. Twilight sighed and nodded with a smile.
"Ok Fluttershy, I won't stop you." Twilight softly replied. Fluttershy smiled and hugged her friend deeply.
"Thank you Twilight, it means a lot to me." Fluttershy whispered in her own characteristic manner. Twilight smiled and hugged back.
"No need to thank me, I should be thanking you." Twilight said.
With that they broke from their brief hug and smiled with each other. They turned and trotted across the bridge. Today had been tough, and for all they knew tomorrow would be tougher. But for now they were on their way home for rest and recuperation. They would be back in this forest sooner rather then later. And this time they'd have help.
Author's Note
Hey sup guys its scarce here make sure to like, subscribe, and comment how terrible this was. Really helps out the channel.
Seriously though thanks for reading. I always give up halfway into the first chapter with these things so its really cool to actually publish something for once. Excited to see if I don't wuss out on this one I think I have a really interesting idea and I'll see if I can't get it finished and finalized.
P.S. Congrats on reading first chapter, have a meme.
P.P.S. RIP Sophie pour one out for a good artist.
Chapter 2- Getting Help from up High
For Fluttershy, Canterlot always felt like she was being perpetually smothered. Whenever Rarity would ask for company on her 'fabric resupply missions' as she liked to call them. They would always end up in the market district. She remembered how the carts would pack in, row to row, forcing the crowd of customers to cram themselves into the street. Rarity would often have to coax her on to keep moving. All she'd ever want to do is leave.
The current district she and her friend Twilight were in, commonly referred to as The Royal District, had to be Fluttershy's least favorite. Guard presence was notably larger with this being the Alicorn Princesses' Home.
The eyes observed her vigilantly watching as she walked here and there. Their gazes pierced her soul, judging her and making assumptions as to Fluttershy’s ability to threaten the ponies they guarded on full display. It was the same look, every time. Every step felt heavy as she could feel their eyes all over her. The yellow pony didn't want to be here.
Do it for Harry, do it for Harry. The yellow pony thought to comfort herself. Even as she lagged a hoof or two behind her friend she chanted it hypnotically like a mantra. Hoping to remind herself why she had to deal with the looks. This wasn't Rarity forcing her to be social, this was important.
"You ok Fluttershy?" Twilight asked her friend sympathetically. The yellow mare eep'd out her response. Twilight nodded satisfied with the response.
"Good to hear! Say did you make sure Rainbow knew how to feed your animals? She seemed a little overwhelmed when we left!" Twilight chuckled. She remembered the look Rainbow gave them at taking care of Fluttershy’s flock. Fluttershy eep'd again shrugging off her friend's attempt at levity. Twilight craned her neck back to look at her friend. Wearing a disarming smile.
"Anything else to say besides eep?" Twilight asked hopefully.
Eep. Twilight frowned at that, looking away.
"Welp, attempt number one hundred and fifty-three of conversation is a massive failure..." Twilight whispered to herself. Her attempt to keep that statement from Fluttershy was also a massive failure. Frankly, Fluttershy would have preferred she'd have stopped counting at attempt one. But she appreciated her friend trying to make conversation. She was beginning to think Rarity brought her along to Canterlot to make it look like she wasn't talking to herself. At least that's what she assumed Rarity meant when she told her that she was 'a great listener'.
From anywhere in Canterlot the Castle could be seen, but only did its size become imposing when you approached. The drawbridge that you entered through was a Flying Field's length in size. Walking across its length would likely count as daily exercise to someone of a more sedentary lifestyle. Its entire length needed to cover a river flowing from the nearby gigantic waterfall that flowed around the castle like a makeshift moat.
As the pair drew close to the end Fluttershy could see the black iron gate that was currently opened. Its edges are sharp, quite capable of cutting through the skin. She couldn't stop thinking about it, what if the gate broke as she passed and it slammed down into her? She shivered as she imagined it in her mind. A moment passed and soon the yellow pony realized she had stopped in her tracks. Her friend had followed suit.
"Come on Fluttershy! No backing out now!" Twilight commanded the frozen mare. Fluttershy had been asked a hundred times intermittently whether she wished to back out of meeting the princess. Now it seemed the first time Fluttershy wasn't totally sure of her answer. She was frustratingly locked in.
"B-b-but..."
"No excuses!" Twilight jumped behind the frozen mare and used her head to attempt to push Fluttershy forward. Fluttershy felt something brush somewhere she really did not want to be brushed and her usually plain face flushed an apple red. She jumped forward and turned a hundred and eighty degrees. Twilight barely managed to right herself to notice Fluttershy's right forehoof raised against her.
"Get away from me you... you pervert!" Fluttershy shouted and smacked her friend with her eyes closed. Causing the apparently lecherous bookworm to fall to the ground in a heap. Her supposed victim huffed and puffed as she curled inwardly on herself as if a means to defend herself. The whisper and gossip of passing noble ponies was the only thing that coaxed her to open an eye. She had just smacked Twilight about ten feet and done it in front of members of high society.
Fluttershy rushed to Twilight and shook her violently in an attempt to wake her. But it seemed that the usually kind pony had knocked the daylights out of her unsuspecting friend. Attempts to awaken the unicorn proved fruitless, Twilight was out cold. As the crowds of onlookers grew larger so too did the shy ponies desire to leave. With no other options, Fluttershy put her friend on her back and braved the iron gate.
If the gate was made to intimidate, the welcome center was meant to impress. The cathedral ceiling stretched higher than Fluttershy had ever seen. The roofing was covered in various artworks depicting adventurous ponies completing tasks of heroism. Pillars stretched to meet their very heights as they dotted the room in a rhythmic line formation. A red carpet was the central pathway that led to a desk-like platform filled with ponies welcoming various guests of the castle.
As Fluttershy lugged her kindly light but frankly heavy friend along the ruby path the passing visitors eyed her with concern as she carried Twilight’s unconscious body along. Fluttershy’s cheeks were red with embarrassment as she walked along annoyingly slower with the extra weight. To avoid the situation she glued her eyes to the ceiling.
It was absolutely gorgeous. Tales woven with images and not words of different tales of heroism and skill. One showed a pony as small as a little filly taking on a giant manticore. Another showed a snake creature being charmed by an earth pony, with only a flute! Tales of bravery dotted the walls like little flames in a bonfire of bravery. This was a place to remember those that had done grand acts.
The tiny little yellow pony began to think of these grand heroes as she studied all that this ceiling provided. This was the point, wasn't it? Open you to the wondrous deed of ponies around the country. Then as you walked along this long path so far away from your destination you began to question your purpose for coming here. Was it really relevant? Did it fit into what those ponies hanging in the sky had done? What were you providing?
What was Fluttershy really providing to the world?
"Excuse me miss, can I help you?" An annoyed attendant asked. The kindly ceiling observer had now been standing in place in front of the help desk for longer than is socially acceptable and gasped at the sudden social stimuli. She darted her eyes around to see if she hadn't made too much of a fuss and found that sadly a line had formed behind her. Good start Flutters, good start.
"Oh, Um, I, Uh, Yes. My name is F-F-Fluttershy and I have an appointment with Princess Celestia so could you take me to her uhm... please?" Fluttershy finished with a whimper leaving the attendant to merely raise an eyebrow in suspicion.
"You have an appointment... with Princess Celestia?" The attendant attempted to confirm. Fluttershy stepped back nervously, seeming unconvinced if what she knew was true was actually true.
"Uhm...yes?" Fluttershy squeaked. The attendant groaned and began flipping through a binder Fluttershy swore was bigger than a fully grown stallion.
"D, E, and F... Fluttershy, Fluttershy, Fluttershy..." The Attendant murmured as she quickly cataloged the various F filings for the day. She shook her head.
"I don't have a Fluttershy in here. Are you sure the pony you filed this 'appointment' with didn't pull your leg or something?" The filing pony pressed. Fluttershy could hear ponies waiting for her groan as her eyes darted to them waiting patiently to the attendant looking expectantly. Fluttershy took this pressure in the only way she knew how.
"Ididn'tmaketheappointmentmyfriendtwilightdiditI'mreallysorryplease I need to see celestia pleasepleasepleaseplease..." Fluttershy rambled out in a fast-paced mess of word salad. The attendant sighed and fiddled with the binder again, catching a name in that garble.
"Q, R, S, T... Ah, there it is! Twilight Sparkle, right this way." The attendant beckoned a guard to escort the still rambling pegasus.
"andthisonetimeatbandcampI... Wait what?" Fluttershy finished blindsided by the sudden acceptance.
"That's her on your back, right? Surprising to see the element of magic sleeping before an appointment with the princess. You're a nice friend to help that little hero out!" She told the dumbstruck Fluttershy. The guard to her left lightly nudged her out of her reverie. He motioned to follow which the kind pony gladly accepted. She looked back to see the line had moved on. As if she were never there.
Hallways. This was the one word Fluttershy could use to describe her experience walking through Canterlot Castle. Hallway after hallway preceded another hallway which promptly led to another hallway. It seemed the architect had distinctly designed the walk from the welcome center to the throne room to be as unrevealing as possible. The short yet tiring spiral staircase the guard designed she was allowed to walk through was an oddly welcoming escape from the tedium; However Twilight's frame on her back did not make its endless stairs enjoyable.
Fluttershy could tell they were getting closer to the throne room based on the detail and intricacy of the hallways. Slowly they became more endowed with detail and niceties than the ones before. The shy ponies' heart went from its usual slightly elevated pace to a beating drum as they moved further in. What were the sisters going to say to her first? What was she going to say first? She kept trying to think of ways that she could introduce herself, why her friend was unconscious, and an opening that didn't open with her stuttering or making a general mule of herself. Doom crept into her mind as the next hallway got even grander in scope. A week from now after she'd spent at least the prerequisite few days apologizing profusely to Twilight for knocking her out she'd have to ask how she managed to do this as often as she had. Being in the lead. Taking charge of the situation.
The final monotonous hallway crept up on Fluttershy faster now that she was nervous. The door to the throne room was immaculate in its design. A grand gate symbolizing that you were going to meet the most important ponies in Equestria. It was lined with gold with an immaculate sheen of some otherworldly metal that Fluttershy marveled at. Its sheer size forced the small pony to crane her neck up high. She would have been leg locked from fear by now if only for the nice guard guiding her to their destination. Just because she was filled with crippling terror didn't mean she could start being rude.
"ENOUGH" A thunderous roar cracked through the air putting Fluttershy in an autopilot fetal position, her friend landing a little ways away somehow still unconscious. The doors to the throne room slammed open with a speed that would be unheard of for their size. The progenitor of both scream and slam had fur of dark blue and a mane of the starry night. She turned from the room, eyes frustrated and hurt.
"Dearest Sister, we tire of these petulant excuses! If thou will not discuss our proposals with the gravitas of somepony in your position, stars save us! Somepony in your situation! Then we see no reason to bang our head against this castle's very walls! If thou will not listen then ought to be it that you continue on with this path. Ruling thine country! ALONE!" Luna's voice roared like a crack of lightning. She rapidly deformed into a miasma of pure evening and bolted down the hall. Passing by the quietly saluting guard stoically braving the inclement effects of Luna's wrath and two brave elements of harmony laying on the ground unconscious and cowering in fear. The room fell silent again, a stillness that held painfully like the remnant atmosphere of a now quiet battleground. Fluttershy lay on the floor, curled up, shaking in fear, again.
In her mind, Fluttershy's brain was scattered and mixed between typical terror and an atypical self-hatred she had been picking up as of recent. Here she was again. Just laying here. Like with the dragon, now with the princesses. It didn't matter, did it? She was in the most secure location in Equestria and the mere act of sibling rivalry was enough to break her down. Was this all she was anymore? Just a background reaction to an event? Tears trailed openly down her eyes. She just wanted to get up. She just wanted to be worth something.
"You are relieved, my dutiful guard." A soft voice ordered. The clack of metal-lined hooves ringed out in the silence of the hallway. Fluttershy could feel the room warm slightly as if a presence hung over her.
"Fluttershy, are you alright?" The voice grew softer as the presence stepped forward a hoof or two. The mare's body reflexively and frustratingly curled deeper into itself. She could hear her own sobs now, how she hated them. Fluttershy heard a light sigh as an audible thump could be felt, the very marble floor rumbling lightly from the impact. The warmth grew more as the presence drew closer. She liked it, the warmth. It was oddly welcoming in its presence. A hoof brushed through her mane slowly and gently. The quiver that continuously ran through her yellow body from the flank to mane waned brush by brush. She could feel herself settling.
Feeling brave Fluttershy unburied herself from the mixture of hooves and mane to look at her helper. The serene white coat was unmistakable. The celestial flowed over both of them like a cover from the world, odd how it seemed conscious. Celestia looked down on the pony with a state of benevolence that was disarming to the mare. It kept the situation far away from the once panicked mare's mind as she slowly cooled down. She found herself taking more and more peeks from her mane; Slowly capable of making eye contact with the regal white pony. Celestia's smile deepened.
"Are you feeling a little better my little pony?" Celestia asked quietly. Fluttershy looked away again, her nibbling anxiety keeping this conversation from being purely normal. She dried her tears on her hoof and sighed in a light huff. She nodded.
"T-thank you.... y-y-you're really nice." Fluttershy whispered out.
Neither side said anything for a moment. A welcome change for the usually quiet pony but quite odd. If Celestia was anything close to Twilight she would have moved on by now. Much as she appreciated Twilight as a friend she tended to treat Fluttershy's... issues like a checkmark on a task list. It was like this alicorn could read her thoughts. She needed a few more moments to recover. How was she capable of that? She turned her head back to make eye contact, looking to thank her again for a moment of peace.
Fluttershy gasped, the towering pony she had locked eyes on twitching at the action. Her face was a walking paradox compared to her cool and calm voice. She wore a frown as deep as a ravine. It was as if her will to give her comfort was fighting a deep seated desire to fall asleep. The tired expression she held radiated the conflicting desire to just curl up and hide. Fluttershy could feel it in her bones, her natural inclination to empathy roiling with what she saw.
"Is everything alright Fluttershy?" Celestia asked, the juxtaposition of her tired face mixed with her pleasantly cool voice jarring to the yellow pony. She didn’t feel this was right, letting someone comfort her while they were tired and sad. That wasn’t nice. Wordlessly Fluttershy wrapped herself around the ruler of Equestria's sitting frame. Hugging her head tightly to her neck.
If Celestia provided an ambient warmth to everything near her then being fur to fur was like bathing in the sun. As much as Fluttershy wanted to comfort the tired creature in front of her, no matter who she was; She couldn't help but admit she held on because it felt good. It didn't take long for a surprised Celestia to back off, standing upright and stepping away not understanding the sentiment that Fluttershy was conveying.
"Fluttershy while I appreciate all acts of thanks, a hug is frankly unusual." Celestia questioned in a tone that could be best described as pleasantly monotone. Fluttershy finally took the plunge and stood up again, shading the world from herself using her mane
"I-I'm sorry... you just looked like you could use a hug." The concerned pony croaked out, hoarse from crying. At first the princess’s face warped from tired to confused. Then it seemed something clicked in her head. Fluttershy noticed the large pony seemed to loosen slightly from her stoic stance, as if exhaling. But as quickly as it came, so did it leave, as tears watered and rested on her eyelids. It seemed the tears' owner did not appreciate their presence.
"Just a moment please!" The alicorn quickly blurted out. Fluttershy never anticipated in her lifetime she'd hear a sitting monarch panicking as she was now. With no other way to pursue what she saw she deemed to wait. It would be rude to push someone who clearly doesn't want the topic brought forward. Without a word, Celestia popped out of her hair cubby, her usual warm and calm smile lay plain on her face and her eyes were dried. Clear of any bloodshot that tears would naturally bring. It was as if it never happened.
"My my! A pleasant surprise to be receiving Fluttershy and my most faithful.." Celestia's eyes darted to the miraculously still passed out Twilight. "unconscious student! To what do I owe the pleasure?" She finished with an unusually louder voice for the ruler.
"Are you oka-"
"Absolutely fine Fluttershy, however I doubt my student is in the same state as I. May I ask why Twilight is knocked out?" Celestia questioned. Fluttershy, realizing the new situation. Looked up at the millennia-old ruler. Defeater of demons, queller of evil, capable of sending people to the dungeons with a single command, and gulped.
"I... uh... um..."
"Is it that bad?" Celestia questioned further.
"Do... Do you really wanna know?" Fluttershy nervously asked, sweat beginning to bead on her forehead. Her pupils constricted to the size of bullets as Celestia stepped forward. Eyeing her with suspicion.
"Do I?" Celestia broached with a raised eyebrow.
"Nooooooooooooooooooo..." Fluttershy squeaked out. Celestia watched her, looking for the other pony to flinch. On many occasions did Fluttershy indeed flinch, and eep, and back into the wall but more importantly she did flinch. Celestia broke her stare and chuckled.
"Then it appears I don't! Why don't we see if we can wake her up shall we?" Celestia moved towards the sleeping mare and looked her over. Leaving Fluttershy to watch on. After careful inspection, she nodded. Her horn came to life with a slight aura as faint cracks of electricity arced from her horn. The sight confused her pegasus counterpart.
"Um... why are you-"
"Just a moment! You'll understand in just a second." Celestia explained. She moved her horn closer and closer until a spark connected between her horn and the unicorn's horn. Fluttershy eep'd in surprise and jumped back. Twilight's frame shivered and jittered but ultimately the unicorn's eyes remained closed. Celestia shook her head.
"Unfortunately for you Twilight, I will have to up the voltage." The tall alicorn said guiltily. Fluttershy piped up.
"Um... Excuse me your majesty but, um... I'm not sure if shocking Twilight is very nice." Fluttershy breathed out worried she was pushing her luck with the sun god. Celestia nodded as she charged her horn again.
"I agree with you, my child, that this is indeed barbaric. However, if my experience with my faithful student is correct she will likely not be awake for the preceding hours unless drastic measures are taken. She can be quite the sleeper when her body wishes her to be!" Celestia chuckled as another shock rang through twilight to no effect.
"If you haven't noticed by now Twilight can be quite the study bug!" Celestia smiled as she prepared to shock her student once again.
"This reminds me of when she would come to test days! She would study 48 hours in advance, not stopping to sleep! Without warning my study doors would slam open and she'd scream 'I have arrived!'. It always astounded me how every time she would promptly fall asleep right there in front of me." The Princess waxed nostalgically. Another shock ran through the air as Twilight's muscles tensed her into an upright position. Eyes open and manically darting. She grabbed her attacker's leg, panicked and confused.
"OH NO I FELL ASLEEP AGAIN PLEASE DON'T FAIL ME!" She screamed at her teacher. Clutching her left foreleg like a child caught in the cookie jar. In the distance, a lone Fluttershy raised an eyebrow watching her adult friend and often someone she looked up to in such a state. Celestia's now-familiar chuckle echoed through the hall. Brushing her student's frazzled mane into some sort of unfrazzled normalcy with a hoof.
"I don't believe I have any tests that I could fail you, my dearest student. I would however like to apologize for shocking you again." Celestia said, helping the purple unicorn to her feet.
"Wait, you shocked me, again?" Twilight said before checking the room for anyone she didn't trust. She leaned in close to her teacher.
"How many did it take this time?" The purple pony whispered quietly in a vain attempt at privacy. Unfortunately with the silence of the hall mixed with its acoustics that seemed built for echo Fluttershy heard the statement loud and clear. Celestia's smile turned semi-serious.
"Four this time my student. Nowhere close to your record I might add." The princess whispered back to a now relieved Twilight. The purple unicorn quickly moved away and cleared her throat. Stunning her yellow pegasus friend with her ability to recover from Princess Issued Torture. Fluttershy could see the letter she'd be writing to Celestia after this day was up.
Dear Princess Celestia.
Today I learned that slapping ponies is not a way to punish them for attempting deviant sexual activity in public. While their acts may be unclean in nature it doesn't justify the consequences which may or may not include impromptu electroshock therapy.
Sincerely
Fluttershy
Fluttershy's mind contemplated the wording of her inevitable letter to the Princess as Twilight explained their situation to her teacher. Celestia's eyes never wavered from the unicorn as she slowly re-explained the happenings of the last two weeks. Only until they reached the part about a dragon skeleton did an eyebrow perk up in surprise.
"Pardon my interruption Twilight but did you just say you found... a skeleton of a dragon?" Celestia's normal calm and reassuring voice dropped at the statement. Concern grew on her face as her smile faltered lightly into a more neutral even look. Twilight didn't seem to expect this change in demeanor but expected the question.
"Yes, we were going through the forest when we heard a roar louder than anything we'd ever heard before. We thought that maybe it was the cause of the animal skeletons and-"
"Yes Indeed a fair assumption but where did you find these dragon bones?" Celestia reframed her question while interrupting her student bluntly. Twilight once again seemed surprised by the action but tried to hold firm.
"W-w-well uh." Twilight stumbled in her response slightly "We found it in a cave. A cave nestled into the canyon that surrounds the castle of the two sisters." Twilight finished her statement as Celestia raised her head towards the ceiling, her face kept its same neutral expression but her pupils dilated largely showing at least some reaction.
"Continue." She stated evenly and plainly. Twilight took a moment before beginning the story again. Her voice lowered an octave as if jarred by her teacher's new stance. Fluttershy watched as Celestia's eyes darted every which way as she silently sat there listening. She suddenly seemed unfocused on what was going on.
"And so then we left the cave and decided that we would come to you. This seemed a little bigger than me and my friends. So I thought that maybe you could help us?" Twilight broached that last question somewhat diplomatically knowing her teacher to be a busy mare. Twilight's question hung in the air for a while as Celestia stared at the ceiling for longer, her eyes now locked on a particular tile.
"Um... Princess?" Twilight quietly asked, this time seeming to adopt her yellow friend's nervousness as to the answer the Princess would answer with as those big eyes suddenly locked on her. She seemed to awaken from what seemed like a long thought. Her pupils constricted to a normal size as suddenly the Princess of the Sun now was suddenly present for the conversation once again.
"Excuse me, would you both accompany me to this cave and identify it?" Celestia asked plainly, her warm tone gone denoting her seriousness. Twilight's eyes brightened at what seemed like a yes from her teacher.
"So you'll help?" Twilight asked, trying to bury her excitement at working with her idol.
"Of course, now will you come?" Celestia asked again plainly, seeming to answer only to have her question answered in kind. Twilight smiled brightly and jumped with a solid whoop before realizing she was doing this in front of her teacher and a close friend.
"Heehee... sorry its just-"
"I'd like an answer Twilight." Celestia's now firm tone suddenly threw off both other ponies. Her neutral face had curled backwards slightly into a frown. She now looked impatient
"W-W-Well of course we'll come! I mean how can we investigate if we don't go back to-" Without warning both Fluttershy and Twilight were crushed into Celestia's sides by magic as the world suddenly transformed from the Castle to the entrance of the Everfree.
"The scene of the crime." Twilight finished as she and her friend were lightly floated to the ground by The Princess's magic. She took a few steps forward before addressing the dumbstruck ponies.
"We must go, nightfall will come if we do not hurry." The Princess said evenly as she trotted along into the Everfree's depths. Her horn illuminated the forest brighter than Twilight could. Twilight stood first.
"Heh heh... right..." Twilight began to follow before she felt Fluttershy's hoof pulled at her tail. She looked back to see earnest concern on her friend's face.
"Fluttershy, are you worried about the forest?" Twilight asked. Fluttershy merely shook her head.
"No, I'm worried about The Princess! Don't you think she's acting a little odd?" Fluttershy retorted. Twilight looked surprised at the thought.
"What? The Princess? Oh she's fine! She's probably realized the seriousness of the situation and is trying to get started as soon as possible! I mean I know teleportation spells but a teleport of that much distance? I didn't think it was even possible!" Twilight seems less concerned as to the purpose of the teleport and more of the skill that it took to do something of the sort. Causing Fluttershy to facehoof as she rose to her hooves.
"But she seems to be in a rush, more of a rush than I'd expect of somepony like her! Twilight I'm worried that something about this dragon has affected her in some way!" Something screamed at Fluttershy that something seemed off about this whole situation. Twilight merely waved a hoof.
"Celestia always takes things seriously when it's a threat to Equestria! Look Fluttershy I get that you might be worried about the forest but worrying about Celestia is the last thing I'd think about. She taught me for years and if I learned to rely on one thing it was to rely on the Princess." Twilight stated flatly. It all seemed very final to her, no room for wiggle. Fluttershy merely sighed.
"If you think so... I trust you." Fluttershy whispered out unsure as her friend turned to follow the Princess.
"Good! Now come on! We're gonna get left behind." Twilight called out as she disappeared to follow the white ball of light that shined from Celestia's horn. Her guiding light seemed sure and focused as it trailed deeper into the forest. Fluttershy sighed.
She hoped her friend was right.
Author's Note
Another chapter successfully screwed up. Consider liking and following to see me disappoint my parents further. Apologies for the wait I'm slowly beginning to realize what "writing at least 600 words a day" plan looks like and am having trouble adapting. Hopefully the new "write at least something every day" plan will work out better.
P.S. Another chapter down, another meme to give.
P.P.S MF Doom died a while back listen to Mm...Food its good. RIP Madvillain
P.P.P.S. Shoutout to my editor Waywardfallout. Check out his new story What I could have been!
