It would seem innocent enough. A lively, wood-crafted cottage decorated with vines pricked with small, white flowers, greeting your eyes once you cross the sturdy bridge overseeing a decently deep pond that was filled to the brim with lily pads, amphibians and, of course, a variety of interesting fish species from koi to catfish. This cottage wouldn't be complete without the occupants! Reptiles lounging among the rafters; ball pythons, corn snakes, vipers, iguanas, bearded dragons, Galapagos tortoises, frill-neck lizards and such. Most opt to gather outside, alongside the elden alligator and her son, to bask and commune.

Bats and moths were eyeing eachother from opposite sides of the room, fearful and hungry, waiting for the other to move. An array of birds watched this, amusingly tilting their heads and tittering to eachother, placing bets on which side will move first. A cassowary occupied the space between them, hoping to catch whatever flies past in it's incredibly powerful beak.

Fluttershy watches the scene with a small amount of interest, before simply offering them a small, toothy smile and heading outside of her abode. Her peach mane sways in the wind as her body shivers, compensating the cold breeze derived from the overcast clouds. The pegasus flicks her left ear, removing ticklish strands of hair from the sensitive organ.

Heading over to her crystalline pond, she dips her head in for a drink, muzzle rippling to water as her tongue darts out to scoop up precious offerings of the desired liquid. Although, even when she was finished, her muzzle remained.

'C'mon.... Anything... J-just show yourself and it'll be quick, I swear... W-well, if you... WANT to, of course.' The young pegasus begged in her mind, her empty stomach demanding something to satisfy it. Luckily, she knew where to go when it got... Greedy. When she got greedy. She hated doing this, but loved it all the same. It goes against her morals, against her element, against her friends and the townspeople. But she needs it. It's too good, way too good to give up this far into it. Oh, what a monster she is.

Her turquoise eyes clench tightly in a twisting sense of guilt and remorse, but is quickly snapped open and forgotten as a fin grazes her snout.

'There you are...' The slightly monstrous side of her brain yips and whimpers in delight, while her rationality apologises profusely.

SNAP. CLICK.

She did it. It's done. A koi fish, spotted with utmost marvellous scales of orange and black, lay painfully still in her maw, blood oozing down her jaw and dripping into the water, turning it's hue into an unsightly orange. Fluttershy's wings shiver in delight, while her throat clenches as she feels the tears burn through her eyes. No matter feeling guilty about it now, however.

Her animals pay this action no mind, even as she raises her head and turns it to face them, eyes worryingly alerted as if she just remembered she swore infront of several family members. She sighs as she realises they're mostly omnivorous or carnivorous.

She never wanted it to be this way.

Lying in bed, wide awake, thinking of the possible scenarios that could play out if she told her friends, or worse, if they stumbled upon it mid-act. Twilight would be scared out of her wits and curious about her. Maybe even seeing her as more of a test animal than a pony, like her. Rarity would just be terrified. She'd scream a blood curdling scream that could rival a battle cry from a thousand soldiers. Applejack... She'd most likely be disgusted and furiously protective of her family, making sure to run her out of the farm if ever she showed. Applebloom wouldn't ever be allowed to interact with her EVER. Snide remarks would be constantly swept her way. Pinkie Pie would probably be the least bothered as Fluttershy is sure she has weird secrets too. Yet, the difference between her secrets and Pinkie's would be the fact that Pinkie is far more innocent. The only secret she could carry is a secret party or secret ingredient. Rainbow...

Rainbow Dash is the one to worry about, here. See, she's no stranger to carnivorous tendencies, being friends with Gilda a fair bit ago. However, she doesn't like secrets, especially secrets Fluttershy, in particular, has. If she's troubled, if she has a secret to spill, Rainbow will know. She's gonna find out, one way or another and it won't be pretty. She likes normalcy! Ponies eat grassy, vegetarian stuff, clouds are constantly floating, no irritating and disturbing, chaotic, Discord-y stuff going on.

She loves having a system, everything up to date, no weirdness, just simplicity and being cool, like, 25/8. That's why Fluttershy fears such a... Reaction. Rainbow is her absolute best friend, believe it or not! She couldn't bare to lose her. If Rainbow hated her or something she did, she'd never forgive herself and she takes that quite literally. She still berates herself over the whole, ditching Rainbow Dash and stomping on her ribs when she had to see that damn dragon migration.

Fluttershy sighs, ears drooping a little as she realises she's been standing there, staring distantly at a tree for at least five minutes.

She rears her head back and downs the koi fish right to her stomach. She nearly shudders. Her biological system has accommodated for her to eat her meat either whole or chewed and right now, she was in a hurry. Those four minutes were precious, as she was going to the town early to make sure no one files in too quickly and heavily to overwhelm her and prevent her from buying basic necessities.

"Alright!" She barks, commanding the attention of her friends. Several heads turn her way, ready to take orders and cooperate. Her gaze locks on to a majority of reptiles basking on a rock she kindly bribed Harry to push towards her cottage. "All of you, you've had enough time on there, I expect you to get off to let others on when I get back!" Fluttershy orders, her head raised to lock eyes with each on of them, including the ones who thought they could hide behind larger species.

She oversees other animals playing and roughhousing, and occasionally snapping up a mayfly as a snack. She nods and smiles, before picking up her saddlebag in which a mongoose had rushed to give to her, pets the little darling, and leaves for the town.

"No one's here, yet! Oh, this is great!" Fluttershy quietly cheers to herself, making sure not to smile too wide, in fear of her elongated canines being on full display. She wonders how none of her friends have taken notice in the recent months... Mmph, it has only been, say, 4 since she had undergone these new mental and physical changes. It had been years, however, since she's been familiar with them...

Anyway! Repressing possibly traumatic experiences, the demure Pegasus trotted right up to a bored looking mare who was resting her chin on her hoof, trying to wake up. She was seated at her metalwork stand, a variety of metal utensils hanging on boards behind her. She quickly brightens up a little, however, as she spots the tall Pegasus approaching.

"Ah! Fluttershy! I've been expecting you! Say, I've got a lil somethin' that I've been working on just for you, as a lil gift for your hospitality last night!" The quirky mare mentions, before ducking down underneath the desk, rustling around for this item.

"Oh, of course, Creeks! Who would I be if I didn't help an injured friend? By the way, how is your leg?" Fluttershy questions, trying her best to spark up a conversation and not utterly humiliate herself by running out of things to say, but also asks out of genuine concern.

Bolt Creeks finally emerges from the expertly crafted bench that she has custom built, holding a small frog made out of shiny, metal forks and spoons. All in all, it was utterly adorable.

"Oh, it's doing fine! I got to Redheart this morning and she said you patched it up real good, so thank ya, honey!" Creeks complimented, gracefully presenting her creation to it's designated owner. Fluttershy looks at it with adoring, impressed eyes.

"Creeks! Oh, this is-it's absolutely adorable! Ooh, it's so creative! It's going right on my shelf as soon as it gets home!" Fluttershy guarantees, determinedly staring at Creeks' golden eyes. Said pony smiles in delight.

"Aww, thank ya a bunch, honey! So! What did ya come here for? Some forks, knives, wrenches? Got a good sale on them things, it's half off today!" The mare exclaims, excitedly tapping her hooves on the counter. Fluttershy giggles.

"No, no, uhm, do you happen to have... A really sturdy and durable bucket?" The golden Pegasus timidly asks, trying to maintain eye contact.

No questions were asked as Creeks slams a bucket right on the counter. "This what you're lookin' for?" Creeks holds the bucket tightly, slightly banging on the side.

"O-oh! Yes, it is! Thank you, you're a life saver! How much?" Fluttershy questions, digging in her saddlebag for currency.

"Seven bits, hun!" The golden-eyed mare requests, holding her hoof out. Fluttershy slides seven golden discs towards her friend, before waving her off and taking her leave.

She made a few rounds to a few more markets before ending her little trip at Sugarcube Corner. The bell gave a pleasant ting as she entered, yet she braced herself as she knew her peaceful trip would be turned into a hyperactive auction type of thing.

"*Gaaaaaaspp!!* FLUTTERSHY!! Fluttershy's here, oh, my gosh! Fluttershy! Flutters, over here! Flutters, shy, shy, shy!" The iconic voice of her friend Pinkie, had boomed in her ears as she quickly trotted over. She gave a friendly smile, "Hi, Pinkie, how a-"

"How are you?? I haven't seen you in an entire DAY! I'm so excited to see you!! So, whatcha need?! Cupcake? Yule log? Cake? YULE CAKE??! CU-" Before she could start baking literally all of these in under a minute, Fluttershy cut her off with a hoof.

"Uhm, heehee, maybe a chocolate cupcake? Just a little treat for the road!" Fluttershy giggles, timidly peeking at her friend through the hoof that was blocking her vision, out of anxiety.

Pinkie rapidly nodded, before zooming off and coming right back, cupcake in hoof. "Heeere ya go! For you, flutter-butter?? It's FREE!" Pinkie exclaimed, before hurrying off to prevent an hour long 'argument' consisting of Fluttershy refusing the offer and Pinkie shoving her instistance down her throat.

The yellow Pegasus fondly sighs, and takes her leave, concluding her little journey.

Or so she thought.

"Heeey, Shy! How ya doin'?!" A raspy, energetic voice calls out from above. Fluttershy looks towards the skies, but her prismatic friend has already landed in front of her. "So! What ya doing, girl?" She questions, wrapping a wing around her taller friend, as they begin to walk towards the cottage. Neither of them need to say this aloud, but they both know Rainbow is sleeping over tonight.

"Oh, just went for a trip around town. Would you like half of the cupcake, Dash?" Fluttershy calmly presented the treat to her friend, who had given an excited smile before chomping off a chunk of the cupcake. She gives a satisfied coo at the delicious treat and happily does a little dance-trot, causing her yellow friend to chortle a little.

After a nice conversation towards the cottage, they finally enter, greeting multiple eyes before Fluttershy begins unpacking her goods, the blue Pegasus assisting.

"So," The prismatic maned Pegasus begins, as they sit on the couch, "Did ya hear that Twilight's throwin' a party tomorrow night?" Rainbow questions, eyeing her yellow friend.

"Oh! No, I didn't. Is there any occasion?" Said yellow friend inquires, giving an inquisitive tilt of her head, along with a small, adorable smile.

Rainbow, for some reason, quickly averts her ruby eyes and starts tapping her hind hoof on the ground. "Y-yeah, actually! Twi planned a lil trip for us! She planned a little leaving party to get the townspeople involved with the fact that we'd be gone for a bit, coz, y'know, these last few weeks were, heh, chaotic, so she booked a two week long holiday to this large cabin by the lake! Lotsa nature, too." Rainbow explains, her lips quirking in a jittery smile as she turns to her best pal.

Fluttershy leans forward in interest. "Oooh, really? Well, this sounds really exciting, Rainbow! Imagine all the creatures we'll see! All the opportunities!" She marvels, happily in her own imaginative world.

Rainbow stares at her friend, sighing happily. "Yeah... Lotta opportunities..." She whispers, smiling to herself. 'This is it. My special opportunity.'

Author's Note

Go easy on me with the grammar, I was tired! How'd ya like it? Predictions? Thoughts? Also, Rainbow has a mega gay crush on shy, not sure if I made it obvious.