FANG For a FANG

“So while we were setting up your house, your mother let out a criminal from prison. Let me guess,” Sunset leaned on the table in front of her. “He stole your mother, and now you have to get her back.” She narrowed her eyes.

“Uhhh, I thought this was a love story,” Sweetie Belle interjected.

“Still, it’s crazy to think that not only is Vice Principal Luna Fluttershy’s mother, but that she would let out a horrible villain like that Discord fellow,” Scootaloo noted.

“Yeah,” Apple Bloom nodded.

“But you are wrong about him; he never hurt my mother,” Fluttershy smiled.

“What? But Fluttershy, I read the—"

“The police reports about him are wrong, Applejack,” Fluttershy leaned back in the chair. “Actually, if it wasn’t for him,” she let a twisted evil smile spread over her lips, once again showing them that the girl they all knew was long gone. “I would have killed myself a year ago.” She whispered in a dull voice, with no hint of fear or sadness in it at all. “But more on that—"

“No,” a booming male voice spread over the room. They all turned to Big Mac, who now stood up and walked over to Fluttershy. “No! You tell us what in the world happened to you now! How dare you say such a disgusting, foul sentence in my house!” He shook her, only for Capper and Thorax to pull out guns and aim them right at his head, freezing him on the spot.

The woman formerly known as Fluttershy held up her hand, stopping them in their tracks. “It’s alright; I get it. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t say such awful things,” she said, brushing her fingers through his hair. “But you must understand, Mackey,” she smiled. “After all, don’t you have your wife?” She patted him on the head and gave him a playful push away. “You shouldn’t be so worried about me; you’ll make her all jealous,” Fluttershy giggled as she straightened her clothes. “I fell in love with a man far greater than you or anyone could ever know. But here, let me tell my story,” she said and snapped her fingers, ordering her men to put their guns away, which they did, sleeping their eyes fixated on Big Mac.

“Now, if you please, I would like to continue my story.” She said and tapped on a seat next to her for him to sit down. He did so cautiously due to the second guards with guns in their pockets, all watching him closely.

“Alright, now if there are no more interruptions, I would like you all to hear this. Because,” she nodded her head, “you’re not just my friends; you’re my family, and therefore, you have a right to know.

…

As Fluttershy stood in front of a mirror again, now in a bridesmaid dress that looked almost like a wedding dress, she sighed as she observed herself, taking a few spins. The dress was white and trailed out into an ornate flower pattern. It was skin-tight but not revealing in any way. Fluttershy patted down the sides, making sure it fit properly. She turned to see a bouquet of blue lilies. Her eyes widened for a moment as she looked around to see if anyone was near. With no sign of anyone in the bathroom, she picked up the flowers, giving them a sniff. Their sweet aroma was just as beautiful as they were. She held them close to her chest and looked back at the mirror. As she did, a smile spread over her face.

“Wow, you look lovely,” said a voice from behind her. She snapped back, finding a woman in a similar but over-the-top dress.

“Uh, I’m sorry,” she winced with a grin.

“No worries, but I’m pretty sure those are my flowers,” laughed the bride.

“Of course, I was just—”

“I used to do the same thing. Always dreaming about the day I’d find my prince,” she snorted. “And today’s the day,” she squealed. “Oh, I hope one day you’ll find yours too.”

Fluttershy smiled as she gazed at Sugar Belle. “She was so sweet, even Fluttershy could not be mad at her, despite the circumstances.”

“Umm,” Fluttershy lowered her lip, “can I ask you something?”

“Of course, on one condition,” Sugar Belle winked at her.

“What condition?”

You let me be your bridesmaid when you find someone,” she said in a sing-song voice, making Fluttershy stifle a laugh.

“Honestly, what?” Sugar Belle shrugged.

“Umm, well, it’s just I’ve always been so,” she looked away. “How do you, you know, talk to a guy without freezing up or—” she trailed off.

“Oh, that’s simple: you don’t,” snorted the bride.

“Huh?”

“It’s always going to be awkward at first, but you just gotta ride that wave, push past your fears, and just go for it. Have some fun, and you’ll never know where it leads. So what if this guy’s not the one? At least have fun in the moment, right? We can’t get back today or the past, and tomorrow is so far away, so why not just enjoy right now?” Sugar Belle blushed. “Oh, I’m sorry, I always get a little philosophical,” she snorted.

Fluttershy smiled at that and handed her the flowers. “You’re going to make Big Mac a great wife. He’s lucky to have you,” she smiled softly.

“Thanks,” Sugar Belle hugged her out of nowhere, just as Applejack walked in.

“Hey, girls! The party is starting; let’s get going! Hey, Fluttershy, you and I better take our seats or we’ll miss the show,” she said as tears welled up in her eyes.

“Applejack,” Fluttershy hugged her.

“Oh, don’t mind me; I always cry at weddings,” she sniffled. “My big brother’s getting married and graduating the same day.”

“Yeah, I’m not married to him yet. Hold the tears for later,” Sugar Belle instructed her.

“Sorry, sorry, you’re right, you’re right.” Applejack nodded before heading out the door, dragging Fluttershy along with her. Fluttershy and Sugar Belle had one last giggle before she was pulled out the door by Applejack.

…

Fluttershy sat on a bench inside a church hall, listening to the grand piano play "Here Comes the Bride." Everyone looked back when the sound of the doors opened, everyone except Fluttershy, who kept her eyes on the groom. Big Mac fidgeted with his collar, waiting for his lovely bride to meet him at the altar. He turned around to gaze at her and froze at the sight of Sugar Belle in awe as she was walked down the aisle by her father.

As the two came closer, Fluttershy watched as if it were a movie playing, but when he lifted the veil, it was herself she saw in his hands instead. She hated the fact that she was envisioning this when Sugar Belle was indeed so sweet and kind, but it was the only way she could watch. She sat in front of the stained glass window of Jesus himself, as the setting sun blazed through the skies above, shining through the window like a glowing light.

“You may now kiss the bride.” At those words, Fluttershy dashed her head away from the sight as Big Mac tilted Sugar Belle’s head back and kissed her lips. The crowd went wild as Applejack burst into tears. Rarity blew her nose as everyone clapped for the happy couple. Fluttershy clapped too, despite keeping her head down. She wished she were in the back row instead of having a front-row seat to the whole ordeal.

As the summer sun began to set, shining through a stained glass window at the altar, a thunderous applause roared in the back for the happy couple, who were bathed in the glow of the sunset. Two young kids, fresh out of high school, lovebirds shared a kiss surrounded by their friends and family. As they parted from the kiss, they stared into each other's eyes as if time stopped for both of them. The groom, dressed in a nice suit, held his bride close to his heart, his green eyes staring into her violet purple ones. “Sugar Belle,” he whispered her name as his eyes teared up.

Sugar bell only pecked his lips shouting him up, as her own tears began to swell. She the. Clutched her newly wedded husband tightly savoring the moment, best she could.

For most this was a joyous occasion, a wonderful moment, that couldn’t be ever taken away. But sitting in the back of the room, watching the happy love birds was Fluttershy who’s tears were filled with nothing but sorrow, and despair, as she lifted her head gazing on the groom with longing eyes. Not long when the crowd began to stand and congratulate then she ducked her head under her rosy pink hair, as she hid away from the crowd.

…

As dusk turned into night and the happy couple shared their first dance, Fluttershy did little more than sit on the side, drinking the darkest wine she could find until she could feel a familiar gaze on her. “Not now, Rarity,” she grumbled.

“Really? You can’t even be happy for your friend?” Rarity raised an accusing eyebrow.

“I am happy, I just—” she winced.

“You wish it was you,” Rarity said, placing her hands on her hips.

Fluttershy lowered her head in shame as she shrank in her seat. Her lips quivered at Rarity’s words.

Rarity sighed, placing her own drink down on a nearby tray before sitting next to her shy and emotional friend. “Hey, it’s okay. Lots is happening, but I’m glad to see you’re moving on,” Rarity reassured her.

“Moving on?” Oh, Rarity,” she winced as a shiver ran down her arched back. “Big Mac, the coffee guy, Marty or Steve—Rarity, I’m not over any of my crushes.” She shook her head. “I don’t think I ever will be and I—” she greeted her death as her voice began to slip into a cry full of moans. “I’m a failure.”

“You’re not a failure,” Rarity cleared the hair away from her eyes. “You’re a vet in training, and you already have a fancy internship at one of the best veterinary clinics in town, and you have your friends to support you.” Rarity lifted her chin. “You’re just shy, that’s all.” She shook her head, saving Fluttershy’s eyes from ruining her makeup… again. She giggled. “Look, the next guy that catches your eye—all you have to do is not let your fears get in the way. Got it?” She winked.

“Oh, Rarity, where did I go wrong in high school?” she groaned. “What chance do I have now of finding a guy?”

“Fluttershy, you’re still young; there are plenty of chances for you and—” Rarity booped her nose. “You were great in high school.”

“But you had how many boyfriends and had so much more fun? I just sat in my room all day playing video games or studying for tests.” She lowered her head into her hands. “I may have graduated at the top of my class, second only to Twilight, but I feel like such a failure.” She winced, choking on a cry. “Sure, I made my mom proud, but—”

“Enough,” Rarity leaned into her, making Fluttershy’s eyes grow wide. “You just have to—”

“Don’t tell me to do what I want because what I want is”—she raised her head defiantly—“what I want is…” She breathed out as she thought about the veil lifting again, but instead of Sugar Belle, it was her.

“It’s not even Big Mac that has me so hooked up; that’s the sad thing,” she shrugged and leaned back in her chair. “Sugar Belle is his soulmate. I just wish I found mine.”

Rarity closed her eyes furiously but calmed herself with an exhale. “I get it, Flutters, I do, but you’re so shy all the time. How are you ever going to meet someone if all you do is hide?”

“I—I don’t know! Are you happy now?!” She yelled before jumping to her feet and running off.

“Fluttershy, wait!” But before Rarity could move, it was Sugar Belle that stopped her. “Sugar—”

“I’ve heard enough. I was going to invite her for a drink, but I think it’s better if she goes home. When she comes out of there, please let her know she’s free to leave, and no, I am not mad at her.” Sugar Belle smiled before turning around and heading back to her husband.

Fluttershy ran to the bathroom, finding, thankfully, no one inside. She locked the door and tossed her bag onto the counter before setting her back against a stall and sliding down as tears began to ruin her makeup. She shook her head as her heart pounded against her chest, feeling like it was breaking in two. She placed a hand over it as she lifted her head, seeing herself in the mirror once more.

What she saw was a miserable woman, broken down in tears. Other than her hair, she was unrecognizable. As she stared at herself, Fluttershy shivered, watching as the stranger copied her every movement. “Is that really me?” she asked herself. “Is that what I want to be?” She shivered at the thought.

“No,” she spat, jumping to her feet. She quickly wiped away her tears and her makeup, revealing her true natural self. She then reached into her purse and found a rubber band. It wasn’t a hairpin, but it would have to do. She pulled her hair back, fixing it in a ponytail. Once she was done, she closed her eyes with a sniffle and took deep breaths to calm herself. When she opened them, she saw herself anew. A look of determination struck her eyes. She also looked completely unrecognizable, and Fluttershy shivered once again at the different person, only to literally grab hold of herself and stifle her shivering.

“This is who you want to be, isn’t it?” she whispered to herself. She straightened her back, standing tall, before adjusting her cross necklace. She took a moment to study the woman in the mirror. She was anything but the Fluttershy she had been a moment ago, and far from the Fluttershy she was inside.

“No more hiding,” demanded the woman in the mirror. She set a hand on her chin and began thinking. “Hmm, now what to—” Her eyes widened as an idea came to her mind. She smiled, nodding to herself. Even her smile was different. It was not innocent and foolish, but confident and sly. She grabbed her purse and marched out of the bathroom. Once she was back inside the hall, she searched the walls around her until she found who she was looking for.

Gilda was eating a piece of cake, listening to the happy music in the background when Fluttershy approached her table. “Whoa! What happened to you?” she asked.

“You can get me into that club of yours, right?” Fluttershy raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” Gilda replied, lowering her own eyebrow.

“Let’s go. You said you’d leave after a slice of cake anyway. Take me to that club.”

“What? Now? Why?” Gilda spat in disbelief.

“'Cause I need to get out of here, please.” Fluttershy clenched her eyes shut.

“Ummm, yeah, okay. If you think you’re up to it,” Gilda replied before finishing the rest of her cake and gobbling it up in one bite. “Let’s go,” she huffed as she headed out of the church hall.

An excited, sly grin crossed Fluttershy’s face as she narrowed her eyes and headed out the door.