Fair Fluttershy and the Stallion's Stone

Chapter 9

     Rarity lead the young fillies on a rickety wooden path to a large boathouse. Inside were twenty rowboats, all ready to go.

"Partner up and climb in a boat," Rarity instructed.

Fluttershy and Applejack immediately hopped into the first boat together. That made them the first ones to get out onto the lake.

     Across from the inky black waters stood a massive castle. It had several stone towers overlooking the lake, and it's large stone walls and open courtyards sent shivers through Fluttershy's spine. She had never seen such a spectacular structure in her eleven years of living, even in photographs. It was astounding.

Applejack and Fluttershy both had to wait a few moments before they began rowing again.

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     Once they got inside, a tall dark blue alicorn was waiting for them in front of a giant doorway.

"May I have your attention!" she shouted. The room went silent. "I am Professor Luna!"

A toad hopped in front of her.

     "Trevor!" Shouted a pegasus with a grey coat and a blonde mane. She ran and picked up her lost pet, then looked around and realized everypony was watching her. She looked up at Professor Luna who was staring back down at her. "S-sorry," she said as she backed awkwardly into the crowd.

"In a few moments," Luna continued. "You will all be sorted into your houses. For now, I will ask you all to wait quietly while we prepare for you."

     Without another word, the navy blue alicorn pushed open the large bronze doors and slid through.

Suddenly, some sort of creature approached Fluttershy. It had a white feathery head and two front talons, but light brown fur and paws on it's back. Fluttershy recognized it as a griffin.

"So it's true," the griffin said. "Fluttershy has come to Hogwarts."

The crowd of first year fillies whispered with excitement.

     "This is Snips and Snails." She motioned towards the two unicorns standing to each side of her. One was quite short and chubby, while the other was taller than her and incredibly scrawny. "And I'm Gilda the Griffin."

Applejack giggled.

     Gilda glared at her. "You think my name's funny do you? No need to ask yours. I can tell by the hand me down robe alone. You must be a Cake." She turned back to Fluttershy. "You'll soon find out that some ponies are more special than others. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort." She held out her right talon, as if she wanted to shake hooves (or talons). "I can help you there."

     Fluttershy didn't accept her hoofshake. "All the ponies I've met so far are really nice though. I don't think I need your help. Thanks for the offer though."

Gilda narrowed her eyes, and she opened her beak to say something when she felt a hoof on her shoulder.

"We're ready for you," Professor Luna said.

     She pushed open the bronze doors with her magic and lead the first years through the doorway.

Inside were four long tables seating hundreds of ponies. The walls and tables were lined with candles. Each spot had a golden plate and silverware, and many of the older ponies were banging their silverware against their plates impatiently. At the far end of the long corridor were three or four stairs. At the top of them was a golden table with several grown mares and stallions seated overlooking the students. In the center, on a golden and red chair far bigger than the other chairs sat a white Alicorn with a rainbow mane. Fluttershy recognized her as Professor Celestia from the chocolate frog card.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the room was the ceiling. It looked just like the night sky.

     "The ceiling isn't real of course," Fluttershy heard Twilight Sparkle explaining to another pony. "It's enchanted to look like the night sky. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."

Professor Luna lead them to the end of the hall, right in front of the steps and the golden staff table. At the top of the steps sat a wooden stool with a dusty black lump on it.

     "Now then," She said. "I would like to remind all of you about the House Cup that will be awarded to the house with the most points at the end of the year. Good behavior will earn your house points. Rule breaking will lose points. Now when I call your name, you will come up and I will place the sorting hat on your head, and it will tell us what house you belong in. The four houses are Gryffindor, the house of the courageous, Hufflepuff, the house of hard work and loyalty, Ravenclaw, the house of the intelligent, and Slytherin, the house of cunning." Professor Luna looked at a piece of parchment in her hoof. "Twist!!"

     A light cream colored pony with thick purple glasses trotted towards the hat. Professor Luna lifted it onto the filly's head with her magic.

Suddenly, the hat sprang to life. It's wrinkled black felt took the shape of a face.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" It shouted.

     One of the tables with a yellow banner hanging over it began stomping their hooves in applause. Twist ran over and found an empty seat.

"Gilda!" Luna called.

     The griffin walked up to meet Luna. Before Luna had even placed the hat on Gilda's head, it shouted "SLYTHERIN!"

The table with the green banner started cheering. The griffin took her place at her table.

The sorting lasted for hours. Applejack got put in Gryffindor. All her older siblings were waiting for her at the Gryffindor table.

Twilight Sparkle also got put in Gryffindor. After a while, only a few ponies remained.

"Fluttershy!"

     The room went silent. Nervous, Fluttershy sat on the stool as Professor Luna lowered the sorting hat onto her head. The tattered black hat was so big, it covered Fluttershy's eyes and ears, so she could hardly see or hear her fellow students.

Ah, the hat spoke in Fluttershy's mind. Difficult. Very difficult. You aren't afraid to do what's necessary to get your way. Perhaps Slytherin is the house for you...

Oh, I don't know, Fluttershy thought. I don't think I'm too assertive. If you really think I'd do better there, then you can go ahead and put me there though.

     The sorting hat grinned.

Alright then, The sorting hat replied. That really leaves only one option...

"GRYFFINDOR!" He shouted out loud.

     The table with the red banners began cheering louder than anypony else.

"We got Fluttershy! We got Fluttershy!" Dashie and Pinkie began chanting. Dashie reached over and patted Fluttershy on the back as she took her seat.

     Fluttershy didn't know what to think. She didn't feel particularly brave. In fact, she felt the complete opposite. She was afraid this was all one big dream, and that she would wake up in her old closet with the Tiara's. She was afraid of this strange new world, and all the mysteries it held. She was amazed by it all, but still afraid. The last thing in the world that she felt was courage.