Target Acquired: Tickle Time!

It was late in the night in Ponyville. Lights were off, crickets and owls made their tunes heard under the moon’s silver glow and one last train was pulling in for the night. After a long day of tickling and random shenanigans, Night Fury was ready to hit the sack and think of his next strategy in his dreams. Stepping off the platform and onto the dirt, he made a slight run before jumping into the air and turning into an owl himself.

Thanks to his ability to turn into any animal he desired, he was afforded multiple advantages when it came to his everyday life. Chameleon for camouflage, sharks and fish for underwater travel, bugs for smaller operations in the wild. But for tonight, the silent flight of an owl was perfect for gliding above the town without disturbing anyone.

He'd made the mistake of using his powers during the night only once, and while it was received as an innocent slip up, it was a very embarrassing moment to figure out just how heavy his species slept. Luckily, he had a work around and used it to his needs whenever necessary.

Gliding down towards his house, he landed at his front door and unlocked it as he walked in with a yawn. His house was relatively quiet outside of the odd hoot or chirp, but he liked it that way as it allowed his mind to roam without much difficulty. Walking up to his room, he set his bags aside and put his journal back on his desk as he went back to his much more detailed planning board.

“Okay, back at home base. Got the four princesses in the bag, now I can get back to local hits. Next up on the list… Fluttershy!” He said with a determined feeling.

“Now, how to get at her? I know for a fact that I'll need to be careful with her, she is a gentle soul after all. But what to do with my technique…”

Then he remembered something he’d overheard/witnessed on his flight. He saw Fluttershy leaving Rarity’s boutique and overheard her saying something about their next spa visit being tomorrow and something about her desperately needing to get her hooves done.

“The timing couldn’t be more perfect,” he said with a smile. “And… who knows? Maybe this’ll add a bit more cheerfulness to her day. I guess my plans are set then. But first… time for me to catch some Z’s.” He yawned, circling the yellow pegasus before hopping in bed and lazily saying…

“Target Acquired.”

–

The Next Day…

After a good night's rest and a bit of breakfast, Fury was back out and about in Ponyville. During his walk to Fluttershy’s cottage, he saw Twilight going through her usual affairs. Passing by, he saw a wink come in his general direction. He smiled and went on his way, but he couldn't shake the feeling that this little plan may bloom into something more.

Could my little pranks be making something happen between me and my friends? Something more than just a usual friendship? Something… romantic?

He wondered about the possible outcomes of this little escapade, but just laughed it off.

Come on, we may be friends, but that doesn't mean we're going that far. Besides, a lot of them just aren't my type. Maybe finding somepony else would be a good idea. Might have to catch Cadence up on that discussion.

He thought to himself as he walked out past town and towards the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. It didn’t take him long to reach a little cottage right on the edge of said forest, the place he knew Fluttershy called home.

Hope she’s not too busy, right now. Well, here goes nuthin’. Wait… what’s that?

He noticed a feather of orange and scarlet stuck in the cracks of the small bridge leading to the house. It didn’t take him long to realize it was a phoenix feather. He knew that Celestia’s pet Phoenix, Philomena, had taken quite a liking to Fluttershy since they’d met, and Fluttershy enjoyed the phoenix’s company just as much. He smirked as he hid the feather under his tummy, and continued to the cottage. Once he reached the front door and gave three quick knocks. He didn’t have to wait long for an answer, as Fluttershy opened the door just seconds later.

“Oh! Night Fury,” she giggled, happily. “What a pleasant surprise. Come on in.”

Fury happily walked in. “Hey Flutters, I just figured I’d stop by and say hello.”

“That’s very kind of you,” The pegasus replied. “I was just about to fix myself a small salad. Can I offer you some milk, or anything?”

“That does sound appetizing, right now. Thank you.” he replied. As the yellow pegasus disappeared, Fury racked his mind on when to start his plan.

“I could get at her during a conversation, but I want to play nice for a while. Probably after a few snacks and a chat. I haven't seen her in a while, so I'll give her the pleasure of giving her some company before I execute my attack.”

A few minutes later, Fluttershy returned with a tall glass of milk for her guest and a few cat treats. Some would say that her bringing him cat treats would be a bit offensive, but he actually liked them. Then she went back and retrieved her salad and brought it to join him.

“So… what have you been up to lately?” Fluttershy asked, casually, as she began eating her salad. “I haven’t seen you in a while. I’ve been meaning to come visit you.”

“Oh y'know, just being me. I've mostly been helping my mom get her business up and running. She's thinking about starting a hybrid restaurant/bakery to show off her skills.” He explained, digging into the treats.

“Oooh. I bet Pinkie would love that,” Fluttershy said. “I actually just got back from the Spa with Rarity. I needed a bit of relaxation, the animal care this week was rather… strenuous, to say the least.”

“Angel getting a bit huffy again? I can give him a spook to set him straight if you need me to.” Fury said.

“Oh no, not him,” she giggled. “He didn’t do anything necessary for that. It’s more like… everything, everywhere, all at once, if you know what I mean. I ended up slightly injuring one of my hooves during that hustle and bustle, but it was nothing a hooficure couldn’t fix.”

“Oh you poor thing, that sounds terrible. But I'm glad you got that fixed up quickly.” Fury said with a comforting smile.

Okay, now might be the time to make my move. And as a bonus, I can make her forget about that little mishap. Win win!

“So… umm… was there anything you wanted to do here? Anything you want to talk about?” Fluttershy offered. “I… don’t really have any ideas for what else to do, right now. Sorry.”

“That’s fine. And yes, I do have something that I’d like to do.” he replied.

“Ohhh, goodie!” she said with a smile. “What is it, exactly?”

He hopped up on her couch and beckoned her to sit next to him, which she did. He then asked her to place her hooves in his lap. She raised a confused eyebrow at this request, but she complied nevertheless. He then proceeded to wrap his tail around her legs, tight enough so that she couldn’t get away but loose enough to be comfortable.

“Umm… Night Fury?” Fluttershy said, starting to get worried. “W-what are you g-gonna do?”

“I’m going to tickle you.” He replied.

“Huh?!” She replied, blushing.

“Sure! Laughter is a great stress reliever,” he replied. “I know just as much as Pinkie Pie how much laughter can relieve almost anything. And… I found this in your yard.”

He then revealed the Phoenix feather to her, making her smile at the memory of Philomena’s recent visit. Fluttershy took a few deep breaths before nodding her approval and lying back down on her couch.

“Okay, Fluttershy. If it gets to be too much, just say ‘Blueberry’, and I’ll stop. Sound good?” Fury asked, for reassurance that she’d be okay. She nodded, and he then began to slowly swish the feather back and forth across her hooves. The mare squealed like a pig before placing her hooves over her lips and blushing in embarrassment. The giggles bubbling up in her belly just begging to be released.

Fury smiled at this and after a few minutes, decided to switch things up a bit. He began to only tickle her right hoof with the feather and tickle the other one with his paw. This caused Fluttershy to let out some real laughs.

“Gyahahhahahahahahaah! Fury, that tickles hahahahahahahah!” Fluttershy said through her laughter.

“Good, it’s supposed to.” he said with a smile.

He continued this technique for about five minutes before switching hooves, causing Fluttershy to start laughing even more hysterically.

“NOHOHOHOHHOOHHOOHOHOHO!” She screamed, once he’d made the switch.

“That never gets old.” Fury thought, with a smile.

After another five minutes like this, he went back to tickling both of her hooves with the feather. Fluttershy tried every maneuver she could think of to break away from the tickly feather, but she was unable to do so. She finally broke after a whole hour of the maddening gentle tickles.

“Hahahhahahahhahahaha! BLUEBERRY!” She squealed.

True to his word, Fury removed the feather and let her go. He took a moment to relish the giggling mess he’d made of the shy Pegasus. The blush on her cheeks just made her giggles that much sweeter to him.

“You look cute like that, ya know?” He told her. “And your giggles are always music to my ears.”

“Hehehe… thanks, hehehe.” Fluttershy said, attempting to calm herself down. “That was fun, Fury. Thank you.”

“The pleasure’s all mine.” he replied, with a bow. The gesture made her giggle, again. “By the way, you really should laugh more often. Your laughter is simply divine.”

“Maybe I should come visit you after every time I go to the spa.” she said, with a sly grin. “Rarity and I get our hooves done every visit. It’d be the perfect time to do it.”

“Careful,” he countered. “I just might take you up on that.”

“That’s the idea.” She giggled, setting herself upright. “So, am I your only target?”

“Nah, I've gotten Twilight, Cadence, Luna and Celestia before you, and I don't intend on stopping here.” Fury said cheerfully.

“Well, I wish you luck in your crusade of tickling. It was nice seeing you again.” Fluttershy said.

“You too, Fluttershy. But I have to ask you to keep this under wraps, I wouldn't want anypony on my list to know I'm coming. Can you do that for me?” Fury asked.

The yellow pegasus nodded. “Nopony will know your plan. I'll keep it to myself, I Pinkie Promise!” She said, doing the usual signs to signify her loyalty.

“Good, I'll be off then. I'll catch you later!” Fury said, waving to his friend as he left. He pulled out his list and, once again, crossed off another victim.

“Target Down.”