Immediately after breakfast I was dragged off to help with chores before Fluttershy and I got to talk about last night. We did share a short goodbye before she flew off towards her cottage but I was confused why she apologized on the way out.

“So you going to tell me what you and Shy got up to last night?” Applejack asked in a curt fashion as we worked on fixing up one of the fences. I held up one of the boards we had brought along in a cart up with my magic while she began to hammer it to the post.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about sis.” I looked away from her with my chin up. I also fluffed my wings as I was no longer bothering to hide them at all.

“Come on Dawn, I saw you fly off last night while looking out my window.” She hammered another nail in and we moved on down the fence line. She had a few other nails between her teeth so she sounded a bit off.

“Oh fine. We bumped into each other last night during a midnight flight.” I almost felt a song coming on but stamped it down, hard. Dang element of Honesty. I don’t need to tell her everything. “We ended up falling asleep under a tree after talking and stuff.” I blushed at the memory and she must have noticed.

“Stuff huh?” She gave me another glance and flicked an ear and her tail.

“Grr fine. She sucked me off okay. That enough detail for you miss honesty.” I immediately covered my mouth with my wings after blurting all that out.

AJ turned to me jaw almost in the dirt and blushing so hard actual magical steam started flowing from her ears. “Fluttershy, the most timid mare in town did WHAT to my brother?!? Ya think you know somepony but she goes off and takes advantage of ya.”

I had to tug on her tail to keep her from running back to the farmhouse in anger. “AJ what’s gotten into you?” I was highly confused by her reaction and I said as much.

“What’s so confusing. That filly took advantage of my younger brother last night.” She stomped her hoof.

Realization finally struck me. I have got to stop forgetting about the gender differences. No wonder Shy was beating herself up at breakfast. She thought Flutterbat took advantage of me.

“Applejack. She did no such thing!” I stomped my own hoof. “Buck now I really need to go talk with her.”

“Me too.” Applejack had spat out the nails and adjusted her hat.

“Sis, seriously why does what happened to me, something that was honestly quite enjoyable between two consenting ponies, upset you so much?” I gave her a concerned look with both my ears pinned back. “I mean I’m not in an official herd or anything. So the fillies in Canterlot would understand.”

She took a calming breath. “Look, so you’re really not gettin’ it?”

I shook my head and pinned my tail.

“Fine, I guess it’s my duty as oldest sister in the herd.” She flicked her tail and sat down across from me and motioned for me to do the same.

“Dawn you’re an alicorn.” I rolled my eyes but she kept going. “That means any foals you sire have a chance at being an alicorn right?”

“I guess. But would you be as mad if I wasn’t an alicorn?” I tilted my head.

“Yes because it’s all about your stock, your potential.” She rolled her hoof and sighed. “I don’t get how dam explained this so easily.” She held her forehooves up like an even set of scales. “Okay so you know how there’s more fillies than colts?” I nodded. “Well that makes um valuable.” She adjusted her hooves to show an imbalance. “Now take a colt like Mac. He’s a hard worker, strong, comes from a good family, he’s still young, and has a good lead mare.” she made some small adjustments. I’m glad Mac and Cheerilee became official after the Gala.

“Now take you.” I focused back on AJ. “Same deal except younger and without an official herd yet, unlike Mac, not to mention, again, you’re a dang alicorn.” She adjusted her hooves more and I could see where she was going with this.

“Applejack I’m not property!” I huffed and she waved her hooves frantically.

“I know. I know, it’s just how it was explained to me for the colts side of things.” She hung her head. “It’s rough for a filly to find a proper stallion so there’s competition that you colts don’t see happening all around ya, for the good ones at least, and Fluttershy overstepping her bounds by practically bedding you this young and before ya have a proper herd. What y’all did with her is a big deal.”

“She didn’t ‘bed’ me though.” I motioned with my wing. Even though part of wished I had.

“Did she ask after getting ya all warmed up?” Applejack raised an eyebrow and I knew what she was talking about.

I sighed. “She did.”

“And that’s why I’m upset. We all know it’s hard to stop something like that once it gets going so she’s taken advantage by getting ya going with her mouth then asking such a thing.” She stood up and started picking up the nails she dropped. “And it’s why I gotta talk to her.”

“AJ you can’t.” I picked up my own supplies and we started working again.

“And why the gosh dern not?” She hammered a nail harder then intended and bent it. “As your sister it’s my job to look out for ya!”

I slowly pulled it out with magic and fixed it up. “Because she wasn’t herself.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean? Was she having her heat out of season?” She took the nail back and hammered it in properly.

“No but… look it’s not my secret to tell. So, do talk with her but not while stubborn and angry.” I gave her a comforting hoof on the shoulder.

“Fine!” She huffed and we didn’t talk anymore while working on the fence.

Applejack knocked on Rarity’s door then remembered it was a shop so just walked on inside.

“Welcome to Rarity’s boutique where everything is chic. Oh hello Applejack are you here to buy something today I’m working on some lovely winter apparel and accessories.” She waved her hoof towards a newly designed section.

“Maybe later Rares.” Applejack was appreciating dressing up with her moms’ influence. “We need to talk about one of your herd members.” AJ knew they weren’t official but confronting Fluttershy alone wasn’t right either and she was glad her brother had talked her down.

Rarity sighed. “Oh no, did Dash do something offensive to Dawn after that kiss he gave her?” The two went into the kitchen and sat down after she switched the sign to ‘closed’.

“Nope, it’s Fluttershy I’m here about.” Applejack huffed and Rarity tittered.

“Oh darling that’s a good one, you and Dash are such pranksters.” Rarity fluffed her mane and started a pot of water for tea with her magic.

“Sorry Rares, not a joke. She apparently sucked my brother off last night and asked for more.” Rarity’s ears went straight up. “It didn’t happen but I wanted you and Dash along when I ask exactly what happened. Dawn convinced me to keep a cool head about it so here I am talking to her lead.”

“Of course darling let me grab my bags.” Rarity shut off the stove and quickly got ready. “These things should be handled with care.”

“Hahaha. You two are a riot.” Rarity and AJ had just finished talking with Dash after finding her training out by the lake.

“Darling it’s not a joke.” Rarity gave her a concerned look.

“But… it’s Flutters, the shyest pony around.” Dash kicked at the dirt. “No way she does something like that.”

“We know but my brother did admit she wasn’t in her right mind. So, just come talk to her with us and clear the air?” Applejack was glad that Dash nodded and agreed to come along.

“Excellent Darlings let’s get moving then.” Rarity turned Towards Fluttershy’s.

“Oh um, hello girls?” Fluttershy opened her door slowly. “Would you like to come in?” Fluttershy hovered back and closed the door when they entered. “Would you like some tea?”

“Sure I’d love so…” Rainbow was interrupted by a hoof to the gut. “I mean maybe later Shy.”

Shy hadn’t noticed while looking away. “Um okay. So what can I help you girls with?” She hovered over and sat in her chair while the girls took the couch.

“Look sugar there’s no easy way to ask this so I’ll just say it. Did you try sleeping with my brother last night?” Applejack tried not getting angry.

“Oh, I knew he was upset even if he didn’t show it.” Fluttershy began crying. “I was so stupid not to stop things when I noticed but I was so embarrassed I couldn’t take back control.”

The other three shared a look. “Shy my brother wasn’t upset, but I was when I found out. Even though he probably should have been.” Applejack finished the second part under her breath.

“He wasn’t?” She peeked out from her mane and sniffed.

All three shook there heads. “Darling we’re just here to find out what happened.” Rarity smiled comfortingly.

Fluttershy sniffled then hung her head. “Oh no. I can’t. You’re going to hate me.” She stared crying again.

“Flutters we won’t hate you.” Dash rushed over to hug her. “We’re your herd mates… and Applejack, she’s your friend.”

“You promise?” Shy sniffed and calmed down again.

“Cross our hearts hope to fly.” All three did the Pinkie promise she had spread around town and heard the reverberating ‘forever’.

“Okay.” Fluttershy stood up and took a deep breath.

“Sup girls?” Flutterbat was standing where Shy was a moment ago. “Looking good Dashie.” Bat walked over and nipped her ear. The whimpering pegasus was replaced by a more confident Thestral.

“What In tarnation?” Applejack recovers first.

“You’re a bat pony? Awesome!” Rainbow almost hit the ceiling while jumping. She then took the opportunity to circle Bat and check her out from other angles.

“Technically I’m called a Thestral and thanks.” Bat gave Dash a sultry smile. “See Shy they still like us.”

“Darling what exactly is going on here?” Rarity recovered last.

“Oh um. I’ll explain.” Fluttershy reverted to her pegasus self and began telling her story. The girls listened with attention as she finished with learning to control the transition.

“So, all this time you were half bat?” Rainbow tilted her head then her ears pinned back. “Shy you could have told me.”

“Thestral, Bat is only in her name.” Fluttershy wasn’t feeling as shy currently. “And I’m sorry Dash I just couldn’t.”

“That still doesn’t explain what happened last night.” Applejack could accept the change, considering Dawn had shown he could do something similar, but she couldn’t just accept Shy’s actions.

“Well we were hunting last night so my instincts were in overdrive.” Shy tapped her hooves together. “When I found Dawn I kind of pinned him thinking he was prey, but once Bat realized it was him she calmed down. Dawn went with it and pinned me back after showing me he could also change and well.” All the girls blushed as she went into more details.

“Wait a second darling how could he also be part thestral if he’s not a pegasus?” Rarity looked between the other girls.

“You can tell her it’s public knowledge now.” AJ said and they explained he was an alicorn.

”Dawns’ a what!?!” Rarity yelled out scarring the birds away after Fluttershy explained. “And you all knew?” She dramatically fainted onto Fluttershy’s couch with a hoof to her forehead.

“I’m his sister.” Applejack started.

“Caught his flight practice.” Dash commented

“A little bird told me.” Shy sat back down.

“He’s a prince, I could marry a real prince.” Rarity gushed.

“Now Rarity acting like that is the quickest way to drive him away. My brother hates all that stuff and it’s why he was hiding what happened.” Applejack gave her a pat on the back.

“Wha, bu.” She slunk back down. “Oh very well.”

The others giggled then Applejack sighed. “Well Fluttershy it sounds like what happened really wasn’t completely your fault.” She held up a hoof which Fluttershy then bumped. “Dawn did say as much but I just had to confirm it. As for the whole Thestral thing, well. I don’t exactly understand it but I don’t dislike ya because of it and I already promised to keep it secret.”

“Thanks girls. You’re the best.” Fluttershy gave them each a nuzzle and they shared a quick group hug. “I’ll be sure Bat behaves.” She could almost feel the internal eye roll and smile as the group got back to talking about lighter subjects.

“Filly troubles?” I looked up at Mac as he sat down next to me on the hill overlooking the farm. I had decided that flight practice was better then sitting around.

“Eeyup.” I mimicked his way of talking.

“AJ go to take care of it?” He tilted his head.

“Eeyup.” I kicked the dirt.

“Worried?” He put a hoof on my back and I nuzzled against him.

“Eeyup.” I nodded against his fur.

“It will work out. So long as it wasn’t too bad they’ll work it out amongst themselves just like if the issue was on our side.” He stroked my mane and gave me a smile that did make me feel better.

I gave him a bump. “Thanks big bro.” I then gave him a sly smile. “Things good with Cheerilee?”

He blushed and looked off into the distance. “Eeyup.”

I laughed and he quickly joined in.

Author's Note

Found this lovely HiE story about herding on here. Definitely more mature rated with lots of clop but also shows off the adult perspective. My AU doesn’t do herds quite the same way but helps add some perspective on the topic.

Herding Instincts

Dawn is in a trial herd so he is free to ‘mess around’ with other fillies to test things out without messing up any ponies honor unlike if he was in an official (legal) herd.