My Eyes Deceiveby Elk1ChaptersPrologueDay 1Night 1Day 2Night 2PrologueI left her. For one night. That was the worst mistake I ever made. My dear Fluttershy... if you’re still out there, I will find you. I promise. Your mother weeps every night, thinking of what could have happened. What an awful world we live in. Baby Fluttershy wept softly as she was torn from the warm, familiar embrace of her home. She didn’t understand what was happening, only that everything was wrong. The world she had known, the small, comforting corners of her life, were being ripped away from her without explanation. How cruel, how evil the stallion who had taken her seemed. His cold eyes and rough hooves told her all she needed to know—he had no good intentions. He flew with purpose, his wings slicing through the air as if carrying the weight of some terrible secret. Fluttershy clung to the only thing she knew—her innocence—but it wasn’t enough. The night air was sharp with the stench of fear and the weight of unspoken promises. The bunker, hidden deep in the mountains, awaited its newest resident. “Don’t worry, dear child,” the stallion cooed, his voice low and soothing, a twisted parody of fatherly comfort. “Your new papa will care for you. Heheh.” Fluttershy didn’t know what to make of the words or the smile that followed, but she did know that the world around her seemed foreign and cold. It was nothing like the warmth of the place she had once called home. Inside the bunker, everything was sterile—quiet, too quiet, with no sounds of the outside world to reassure her. The stallion led her to a small room, its walls lined with unfamiliar devices and strange machines. “This is where you’ll be safe,” he said. “No one will hurt you here. No one can find you.” He spoke with a conviction that made her shiver, though she couldn’t say why. Fluttershy, wide-eyed and trembling, had no choice but to trust him. She didn’t understand the danger. She didn’t understand the lies. Day 16 Years Later Fluttershy awoke to the tight walls of the bunker. She didn’t think they were particularly comfortable, but they didn’t matter. The walls were just there, enclosing her in this small, confined space. She had long grown accustomed to them, even though the soft hum of machinery and the low flicker of lights never quite made her feel safe. The walls, as cold and impersonal as they were, were all she knew. And she was thankful for them—because they kept her safe. She didn’t remember the outside world, and if she ever had the chance to leave, she wasn’t sure she would. The deadly virus had ravaged the world, and she was glad she wouldn’t be among the countless names that had died. Her papa told her that the outside was a wasteland of sickness and danger, a place where everypony was vulnerable. The thought of stepping outside made her stomach twist with fear, but her papa was there to protect her. That was enough. Fluttershy stretched, the familiar ache of her limbs reminding her that she had grown in this confined space. She had been six years in the bunker now. She smiled softly as she thought of papa. He was always there for her, bringing her food, looking after her, making sure she took her pills every day. The pills were important. They kept her immune from the virus, he said. Fluttershy didn’t question it. She trusted him—she had to. He was her protector, her father, and that was all she needed. She took the small container of pills from the table beside her bed and swallowed them one by one, just as papa had instructed. There was never any doubt about it. He always told her to take them on time, without fail. Fluttershy had never missed a dose. Afterward, she went about her short day. There wasn’t much to do in the bunker, but she managed to fill the hours with small tasks. She ate the little bits of food papa could find from the outside. Sometimes it was canned, sometimes it was fresh produce, but it was always meager. Papa was always so graciously sacrificing his own meals for her, making sure she was well-fed. Even if there wasn’t much to give, he made sure she had enough. Fluttershy knew it was because he loved her. She washed herself off, feeling the cold water run over her, then dried herself with the soft towel that papa had brought for her. The fabric felt comforting against her skin, a small luxury in this sterile world. Afterward, she sat down in front of the mirror and brushed her pink mane. She smiled at her reflection, though it was always hard for her to see what others saw in her. She thought she looked plain, ordinary—but papa always told her she was special. Her gaze shifted to the small toy rocking horse near the shower. She had played with it countless times over the years, always finding comfort in its simple motion. It was the only toy she had in the bunker, but she didn’t mind. She didn’t need much. She then watered the small plants that grew in pots around the bunker. Papa had taught her how to care for them, and they had become her companions in this lonely existence. They were the only signs of life in the sterile, cold environment, and Fluttershy cherished them. The bunker had everything she needed—everything except the outside world. She was content, though. What was there to want outside of papa’s love and care? He was all that mattered to her, and that was enough. She sat in silence, brushing her mane as her mind wandered. The hours dragged on, and she kept her eyes fixed on the stairs that led up to the trap door. It was the only connection between her and the world above. The outside world, she told herself, was dangerous. It was a place full of illness and death, and she was better off in the bunker, safe and sound. A sound from above broke her reverie. The trap door shifted slightly, just enough to make a noise. Fluttershy perked up instantly, her heart fluttering in excitement. It was papa. She rushed to the trap door and waited for his voice. She didn’t know what he had brought today, but it didn’t matter. Every day was a new gift from him, something to look forward to. “Hello, darling. How have you been?” Papa’s voice drifted down through the door, soft and soothing, like it always was. Fluttershy grinned, her excitement bubbling up inside her. “I have been good, papa!” she called back, her voice cheerful and eager. “Good. Have you taken your pills?” he asked, his voice laced with the usual concern. Fluttershy rolled her eyes, a small giggle escaping her lips. He asked this question every time he visited. But that was just papa—he cared so much for her. Of course she had taken them. “Yes, papa, you know I did,” she replied, her voice filled with affection. There was a long, slow sigh from the other side of the trap door. Fluttershy could almost picture him, pacing back and forth in his hidden location, making sure everything was in order. “Good. Are you feeling sleepy?” he asked again, his tone now more gentle. Fluttershy yawned, her eyelids heavy with drowsiness. “Now that you mention it, I am,” she said with a soft smile. “Then you should probably go to bed. I’ll visit tomorrow. I’ll bring you something,” papa promised. Fluttershy nodded eagerly. She couldn’t wait to see what papa would bring next. It was always something special, something to make her smile. “Goodnight, my dear,” papa called out from the other side. “Goodnight, papa,” Fluttershy replied. The trap door closed with a faint creak, and the bunker was silent again. Fluttershy slowly made her way back to her bed, her excitement slowly being overtaken by a wave of sleepiness. She climbed under the warm covers and snuggled into her pillow. She was eager to find out what papa had in store for her tomorrow, but sleep soon overtook her, and she drifted into a peaceful slumber. Tomorrow would be another day in her safe, secure world. Another day with papa. And that was all she needed. Night 1Fluttershy dreamed vividly that night, the kind of dream that felt too real to be forgotten. She awoke in her bed, but the familiar walls of her room were gone, replaced by an overwhelming darkness that stretched far beyond the edges of her sight. The room around her had expanded into an endless void, a vast emptiness where the boundaries of safety no longer existed. The soft hum of the bunker’s machinery was distant, as though muffled by the vast, unseen expanse that now surrounded her. Her heart pounded as she slowly sat up in her dream, the silence pressing in on her like a physical weight. She was no longer in the comfort of her small, confined room. The space around her felt infinite and strange, a labyrinth of narrow corridors and shadowed corners. Fluttershy felt a strange compulsion to walk, as if the darkness were beckoning her, drawing her deeper into its mysterious embrace. She moved slowly, her hooves echoing softly against the floor that seemed to stretch farther with every step. She could barely see her own hooves, but the sense of movement was unmistakable. It was as though the world around her was both too vast and too close at the same time, like a suffocating blanket that threatened to smother her. At the end of one long, narrow hallway, something caught her eye. The trapdoor. The very same one that led to the outside world, the one papa had always warned her about. It was glowing faintly, a soft, eerie light pulsing from beneath the edges. Fluttershy’s breath caught in her throat as she stared at it, transfixed. It had always been a feature of her world, the only passage to the world beyond, but she had never once given it more than a passing thought. It had always been there, always locked away, just as papa had told her it should be. But now, in the dream, it beckoned to her, the light from beneath it pulsing like a heartbeat, almost alive. Fluttershy hesitated. A whisper of fear curled in her chest, a fragment of the warnings papa had given her. The outside world was full of sickness, of death. Horrors beyond imagining. She was safe here. She was protected. But as she stood there, staring at the glowing trapdoor, a strange sense of curiosity gnawed at her. She couldn’t remember exactly why—after all, papa had always told her to stay away. But the curiosity was undeniable, a quiet pull toward the unknown, the forbidden. The trapdoor had always been a symbol of what she could never have, what she would never understand. And yet here it was, calling to her in a way she couldn’t explain. With hesitant steps, Fluttershy approached the trapdoor. The closer she got, the brighter the light became, until it filled the dark space around her. The warmth of it was both comforting and unsettling, as though it had the power to both soothe and destroy. Fluttershy reached out with a trembling hoof and gently touched the edges of the door. Her heart raced in her chest, her pulse quickening with each second that passed. She pushed the door open. Immediately, a flood of blinding light spilled through the gap, searing her eyes and washing away the darkness that had surrounded her. The world outside the bunker, a world she had never seen, was a shock to her senses. The light was overwhelming, too bright, too intense. It burned her vision, making everything spin. She blinked rapidly, trying to adjust, but the light was all-consuming, drowning out everything else. A voice—her papa’s voice—sounded in her ears, distant but firm. “Fluttershy, what have you done? What did I tell you?” But the words were swallowed by the light, fading away as quickly as they came. The warmth of the light turned to something else, something heavy, pressing in on her, suffocating her. Fluttershy struggled, her breath quick and shallow, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t escape the light. Then, in an instant, the blinding glow faded, and everything went dark again. Fluttershy awoke with a sharp gasp, her eyes snapping open as the soft, familiar confines of her bed surrounded her. She was back in the bunker, safe, the quiet hum of the machinery gently vibrating through the floor. Her heart still raced, and her hooves trembled slightly as she sat up in bed, trying to make sense of the vivid dream. The trapdoor. The light. Her papa’s voice. Fluttershy swallowed hard, her breath shaky. It had been just a dream. But even in her waking state, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed. The trapdoor, once a symbol of safety, now felt like a promise—something forbidden, something that she couldn’t ignore. And she didn’t know if she should be afraid of it… or if she was simply afraid of the curiosity it awakened inside her. Day 2Fluttershy awoke with a start, a thin layer of sweat clinging to her coat. Her chest rose and fell quickly as she tried to steady her breathing. It was just a dream, wasn’t it? The buzzing of the monochrome light above reassured her that everything was fine. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, trying to shake the vivid images from her mind—the darkness, the glowing trapdoor, the blinding light. She couldn’t understand why it unsettled her so much. The bunker was the same as it had always been: small, safe, and familiar. She took a deep breath, grounding herself in the comfort of her routine. Today would be like every other day. It had to be. Sliding off her bed, Fluttershy shuffled over to the small table where her pills sat waiting for her in their usual spot. She popped one into her mouth and swallowed it with a sip of water, just as papa had taught her. “Take your pills, and you’ll stay safe,” he always said. She whispered the mantra to herself as she placed the empty glass back on the table. Next, she moved to the small food pantry, where she found the meal papa had brought for her the day before. It wasn’t much—just some canned vegetables and a slightly stale piece of bread—but it was enough to keep her fed. She prepared the food with care, savoring each bite despite its simplicity. After breakfast, she walked over to the shower in the corner of the bunker. The lukewarm water trickled down her back, washing away the remnants of her restless night. The repetition of her morning routine was soothing. Each step was predictable, familiar, and safe—everything the outside world was not. Still, the dream lingered in the back of her mind as she dried off and brushed her mane. Why in Equestria would she ever think about leaving the bunker? The very thought of it made her shiver. Papa had always said the outside world was full of danger—disease, death, and despair. Here, she was protected. She was loved. That was all that mattered. Trying to distract herself, Fluttershy wandered over to her toy rocking horse. She nudged it with her hoof, setting it in motion, and giggled softly as it swayed back and forth. Sometimes, when she felt a little bold, she tried to perform tricks. Today, she decided to balance on her hind legs while standing on the horse. “Okay, you can do this,” she muttered to herself, spreading her small wings for balance. Carefully, she lifted one hoof, then the other, and managed to stay upright for a few seconds before the inevitable happened. She wobbled, lost her balance, and tumbled forward. Her wings fluttered furiously, slowing her fall just enough to land with a soft thud. “Oof,” she mumbled, brushing herself off. “Maybe next time.” She spent the rest of the morning watering the tiny plants in her bunker and tidying up her small space. Time passed slowly, as it always did, but she didn’t mind. She was used to the quiet. Her ears perked up when she heard the faint sliding sound of the trapdoor above. Fluttershy’s heart leapt with excitement as she trotted over to the bottom of the stairs, looking up eagerly. “Hi, papa!” she called out, her voice bright and cheerful. “Hello, dear. How are you today?” came his familiar voice from above. “I’m good, papa!” she replied with a smile. Papa’s voice carried a note of relief. “That’s wonderful to hear. Remember that gift I promised you yesterday?” Fluttershy’s eyes widened with excitement, and she nodded vigorously. “Mhm!” “Here you go,” papa said as a small object was passed through the trapdoor. “It’s a diary. I thought you might like a place to write down your thoughts.” Fluttershy gasped, her face lighting up with joy. “Oh, thank you, papa! Thank you, thank you!” She hugged the book tightly to her chest, her small wings fluttering in excitement. Papa chuckled softly. “I’m glad you like it, my dear.” As Fluttershy admired her new diary, a thought crept into her mind. She hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Papa, I… I had a weird dream last night.” There was a brief pause before papa responded, his tone shifting slightly. “A dream? What kind of dream, dear?” Fluttershy frowned, her ears drooping slightly. “It was about… leaving the bunker. I don’t know why, but I dreamed about going outside.” The silence that followed was heavy. When papa finally spoke, his voice was firm, laced with a seriousness that made Fluttershy’s chest tighten. “Fluttershy,” he said, “you must never think about leaving the bunker. Do you understand me? The outside world is not safe. It’s dangerous. You have everything you need here. I’ve worked so hard to protect you.” Fluttershy’s eyes filled with guilt. She hadn’t meant to upset him. “I’m sorry, papa. I won’t think about it again. I promise.” The warmth returned to papa’s voice. “That’s my good girl. I just want you to be safe.” “I understand, papa,” she said softly. There was a brief pause before papa spoke again, his tone lighter. “Aren’t you feeling tired yet? You’ve had a big day.” Now that he mentioned it, Fluttershy realized how heavy her eyelids felt. She yawned and nodded. “You’re right, papa. I guess I’ll go to sleep now.” “Goodnight, my dear. Sweet dreams,” papa said before the trapdoor slid shut once more. Fluttershy carried her new diary to her bed, feeling a mix of emotions. She was thrilled to have a place to write her thoughts, but the lingering seriousness of her conversation with papa weighed on her mind. She opened the diary to its first blank page and picked up the pencil. Her neat, careful writing filled the page: “Today, papa got me a diary! I’m so happy! I can write down all my thoughts and memories now. Other than a weird dream I had, today was a good day.” Satisfied with her entry, Fluttershy closed the book and set it on the small table beside her bed. She pulled the blanket up to her chin and nestled into the pillow, her mind still racing as sleep began to take hold. As her breathing slowed and her body relaxed, the faintest flicker of curiosity lingered in the back of her mind. The dream had been strange, unsettling even, but part of her couldn’t help but wonder… What was the outside world really like? Author's Note This is just the beginning. Fluttershy has always been a little timid and jumpy… could this be why? Night 2Fluttershy opened her eyes. The darkness was thick, pressing in around her like a heavy blanket. She blinked, trying to adjust her vision, but the shadows seemed endless. Her heart thumped steadily in her chest, a slow and deliberate rhythm that seemed to echo in the still air. She stepped forward cautiously, her hooves making soft taps against the cold, unseen floor. The shadowy halls stretched before her, twisting and turning in ways that felt familiar yet alien. Something about this place tugged at her memory, but she couldn’t place why. Her eyes darted toward the staircase, and she saw the faint outline of the trapdoor above. A strange sense of purpose filled her, pulling her toward it. She climbed the stairs slowly, each step creaking beneath her weight. When she reached the top, she pushed open the trapdoor and stepped through. To her confusion, she wasn’t greeted by the world outside as she half-expected. Instead, she found herself back in the same small room where she had started—her bed, her little table, and her rocking horse all sitting in their usual places. “What?” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. She turned around, searching for some clue as to what was happening, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. Everything looked as it always did, and yet… something was off. The air felt heavier, thicker, as if it were pressing down on her. Determined to understand, Fluttershy climbed the stairs again, pushing open the trapdoor with more urgency this time. But once again, she found herself back in her room, standing by her bed. “No… this doesn’t make sense,” she murmured, her voice growing more desperate. She repeated the process again and again, each time hoping that the trapdoor would lead somewhere else—anywhere else—but it was always the same. The same room, the same oppressive feeling, the same unsettling stillness. On her fifth attempt, she felt a sudden warmth wash over her. It started at her hooves, creeping up her body like a slow-moving wave. For a moment, it felt almost comforting, like a warm embrace on a cold night. But just as quickly as it came, it was gone, leaving her shivering and confused. “What is happening?” she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the suffocating quiet. Fluttershy’s hooves trembled as she stepped away from the trapdoor. Her breathing quickened, and she felt a strange dizziness overtaking her. The room seemed to sway gently from side to side, as if it were a boat adrift on restless waters. She pressed a hoof to her head, trying to steady herself, but the rocking sensation only grew stronger. Her vision blurred, and for a moment, it felt as though the walls themselves were breathing—expanding and contracting in rhythm with her unsteady breaths. “No, no, no…” she muttered, squeezing her eyes shut in an attempt to block out the unsettling sights and sensations. When she opened her eyes again, the room appeared normal, but the unease in her chest remained. Fluttershy took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She turned in a slow circle, scanning the room for anything out of place, anything that could provide an explanation for what she was experiencing. There was nothing. Her gaze fell on the trapdoor once more, and a spark of defiance lit within her. She had to keep trying. She had to understand. Fluttershy climbed the stairs again, her hooves feeling heavier with each step. She pushed open the trapdoor, her heart pounding in her chest. But as soon as she stepped through, she was back in her room once more. She let out a small, frustrated cry, her voice echoing faintly in the oppressive silence. The world around her felt like a cruel loop, a puzzle she couldn’t solve. Fluttershy sat on the floor, her body trembling as she tried to make sense of it all. The faint warmth returned, brushing against her like a fleeting memory, but she barely noticed it this time. Her mind was spinning, her thoughts a jumbled mess. The room swayed again, the motion making her stomach churn. She squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her hooves against her temples as if to block out the sensations. “Please… stop…” she whispered, her voice breaking. The rocking grew gentler, then faded completely, leaving her in silence once more. Fluttershy opened her eyes, her vision clearing to reveal the same familiar room. She stared at her bed, her table, her rocking horse—all exactly as they had always been. Author's Note Sorry if quality is a little poor on this chapter. I’m trying to figure out where I want to go with this story while also keeping true to the game.
PrologueI left her. For one night. That was the worst mistake I ever made. My dear Fluttershy... if you’re still out there, I will find you. I promise. Your mother weeps every night, thinking of what could have happened. What an awful world we live in. Baby Fluttershy wept softly as she was torn from the warm, familiar embrace of her home. She didn’t understand what was happening, only that everything was wrong. The world she had known, the small, comforting corners of her life, were being ripped away from her without explanation. How cruel, how evil the stallion who had taken her seemed. His cold eyes and rough hooves told her all she needed to know—he had no good intentions. He flew with purpose, his wings slicing through the air as if carrying the weight of some terrible secret. Fluttershy clung to the only thing she knew—her innocence—but it wasn’t enough. The night air was sharp with the stench of fear and the weight of unspoken promises. The bunker, hidden deep in the mountains, awaited its newest resident. “Don’t worry, dear child,” the stallion cooed, his voice low and soothing, a twisted parody of fatherly comfort. “Your new papa will care for you. Heheh.” Fluttershy didn’t know what to make of the words or the smile that followed, but she did know that the world around her seemed foreign and cold. It was nothing like the warmth of the place she had once called home. Inside the bunker, everything was sterile—quiet, too quiet, with no sounds of the outside world to reassure her. The stallion led her to a small room, its walls lined with unfamiliar devices and strange machines. “This is where you’ll be safe,” he said. “No one will hurt you here. No one can find you.” He spoke with a conviction that made her shiver, though she couldn’t say why. Fluttershy, wide-eyed and trembling, had no choice but to trust him. She didn’t understand the danger. She didn’t understand the lies.
Day 16 Years Later Fluttershy awoke to the tight walls of the bunker. She didn’t think they were particularly comfortable, but they didn’t matter. The walls were just there, enclosing her in this small, confined space. She had long grown accustomed to them, even though the soft hum of machinery and the low flicker of lights never quite made her feel safe. The walls, as cold and impersonal as they were, were all she knew. And she was thankful for them—because they kept her safe. She didn’t remember the outside world, and if she ever had the chance to leave, she wasn’t sure she would. The deadly virus had ravaged the world, and she was glad she wouldn’t be among the countless names that had died. Her papa told her that the outside was a wasteland of sickness and danger, a place where everypony was vulnerable. The thought of stepping outside made her stomach twist with fear, but her papa was there to protect her. That was enough. Fluttershy stretched, the familiar ache of her limbs reminding her that she had grown in this confined space. She had been six years in the bunker now. She smiled softly as she thought of papa. He was always there for her, bringing her food, looking after her, making sure she took her pills every day. The pills were important. They kept her immune from the virus, he said. Fluttershy didn’t question it. She trusted him—she had to. He was her protector, her father, and that was all she needed. She took the small container of pills from the table beside her bed and swallowed them one by one, just as papa had instructed. There was never any doubt about it. He always told her to take them on time, without fail. Fluttershy had never missed a dose. Afterward, she went about her short day. There wasn’t much to do in the bunker, but she managed to fill the hours with small tasks. She ate the little bits of food papa could find from the outside. Sometimes it was canned, sometimes it was fresh produce, but it was always meager. Papa was always so graciously sacrificing his own meals for her, making sure she was well-fed. Even if there wasn’t much to give, he made sure she had enough. Fluttershy knew it was because he loved her. She washed herself off, feeling the cold water run over her, then dried herself with the soft towel that papa had brought for her. The fabric felt comforting against her skin, a small luxury in this sterile world. Afterward, she sat down in front of the mirror and brushed her pink mane. She smiled at her reflection, though it was always hard for her to see what others saw in her. She thought she looked plain, ordinary—but papa always told her she was special. Her gaze shifted to the small toy rocking horse near the shower. She had played with it countless times over the years, always finding comfort in its simple motion. It was the only toy she had in the bunker, but she didn’t mind. She didn’t need much. She then watered the small plants that grew in pots around the bunker. Papa had taught her how to care for them, and they had become her companions in this lonely existence. They were the only signs of life in the sterile, cold environment, and Fluttershy cherished them. The bunker had everything she needed—everything except the outside world. She was content, though. What was there to want outside of papa’s love and care? He was all that mattered to her, and that was enough. She sat in silence, brushing her mane as her mind wandered. The hours dragged on, and she kept her eyes fixed on the stairs that led up to the trap door. It was the only connection between her and the world above. The outside world, she told herself, was dangerous. It was a place full of illness and death, and she was better off in the bunker, safe and sound. A sound from above broke her reverie. The trap door shifted slightly, just enough to make a noise. Fluttershy perked up instantly, her heart fluttering in excitement. It was papa. She rushed to the trap door and waited for his voice. She didn’t know what he had brought today, but it didn’t matter. Every day was a new gift from him, something to look forward to. “Hello, darling. How have you been?” Papa’s voice drifted down through the door, soft and soothing, like it always was. Fluttershy grinned, her excitement bubbling up inside her. “I have been good, papa!” she called back, her voice cheerful and eager. “Good. Have you taken your pills?” he asked, his voice laced with the usual concern. Fluttershy rolled her eyes, a small giggle escaping her lips. He asked this question every time he visited. But that was just papa—he cared so much for her. Of course she had taken them. “Yes, papa, you know I did,” she replied, her voice filled with affection. There was a long, slow sigh from the other side of the trap door. Fluttershy could almost picture him, pacing back and forth in his hidden location, making sure everything was in order. “Good. Are you feeling sleepy?” he asked again, his tone now more gentle. Fluttershy yawned, her eyelids heavy with drowsiness. “Now that you mention it, I am,” she said with a soft smile. “Then you should probably go to bed. I’ll visit tomorrow. I’ll bring you something,” papa promised. Fluttershy nodded eagerly. She couldn’t wait to see what papa would bring next. It was always something special, something to make her smile. “Goodnight, my dear,” papa called out from the other side. “Goodnight, papa,” Fluttershy replied. The trap door closed with a faint creak, and the bunker was silent again. Fluttershy slowly made her way back to her bed, her excitement slowly being overtaken by a wave of sleepiness. She climbed under the warm covers and snuggled into her pillow. She was eager to find out what papa had in store for her tomorrow, but sleep soon overtook her, and she drifted into a peaceful slumber. Tomorrow would be another day in her safe, secure world. Another day with papa. And that was all she needed.
Night 1Fluttershy dreamed vividly that night, the kind of dream that felt too real to be forgotten. She awoke in her bed, but the familiar walls of her room were gone, replaced by an overwhelming darkness that stretched far beyond the edges of her sight. The room around her had expanded into an endless void, a vast emptiness where the boundaries of safety no longer existed. The soft hum of the bunker’s machinery was distant, as though muffled by the vast, unseen expanse that now surrounded her. Her heart pounded as she slowly sat up in her dream, the silence pressing in on her like a physical weight. She was no longer in the comfort of her small, confined room. The space around her felt infinite and strange, a labyrinth of narrow corridors and shadowed corners. Fluttershy felt a strange compulsion to walk, as if the darkness were beckoning her, drawing her deeper into its mysterious embrace. She moved slowly, her hooves echoing softly against the floor that seemed to stretch farther with every step. She could barely see her own hooves, but the sense of movement was unmistakable. It was as though the world around her was both too vast and too close at the same time, like a suffocating blanket that threatened to smother her. At the end of one long, narrow hallway, something caught her eye. The trapdoor. The very same one that led to the outside world, the one papa had always warned her about. It was glowing faintly, a soft, eerie light pulsing from beneath the edges. Fluttershy’s breath caught in her throat as she stared at it, transfixed. It had always been a feature of her world, the only passage to the world beyond, but she had never once given it more than a passing thought. It had always been there, always locked away, just as papa had told her it should be. But now, in the dream, it beckoned to her, the light from beneath it pulsing like a heartbeat, almost alive. Fluttershy hesitated. A whisper of fear curled in her chest, a fragment of the warnings papa had given her. The outside world was full of sickness, of death. Horrors beyond imagining. She was safe here. She was protected. But as she stood there, staring at the glowing trapdoor, a strange sense of curiosity gnawed at her. She couldn’t remember exactly why—after all, papa had always told her to stay away. But the curiosity was undeniable, a quiet pull toward the unknown, the forbidden. The trapdoor had always been a symbol of what she could never have, what she would never understand. And yet here it was, calling to her in a way she couldn’t explain. With hesitant steps, Fluttershy approached the trapdoor. The closer she got, the brighter the light became, until it filled the dark space around her. The warmth of it was both comforting and unsettling, as though it had the power to both soothe and destroy. Fluttershy reached out with a trembling hoof and gently touched the edges of the door. Her heart raced in her chest, her pulse quickening with each second that passed. She pushed the door open. Immediately, a flood of blinding light spilled through the gap, searing her eyes and washing away the darkness that had surrounded her. The world outside the bunker, a world she had never seen, was a shock to her senses. The light was overwhelming, too bright, too intense. It burned her vision, making everything spin. She blinked rapidly, trying to adjust, but the light was all-consuming, drowning out everything else. A voice—her papa’s voice—sounded in her ears, distant but firm. “Fluttershy, what have you done? What did I tell you?” But the words were swallowed by the light, fading away as quickly as they came. The warmth of the light turned to something else, something heavy, pressing in on her, suffocating her. Fluttershy struggled, her breath quick and shallow, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t escape the light. Then, in an instant, the blinding glow faded, and everything went dark again. Fluttershy awoke with a sharp gasp, her eyes snapping open as the soft, familiar confines of her bed surrounded her. She was back in the bunker, safe, the quiet hum of the machinery gently vibrating through the floor. Her heart still raced, and her hooves trembled slightly as she sat up in bed, trying to make sense of the vivid dream. The trapdoor. The light. Her papa’s voice. Fluttershy swallowed hard, her breath shaky. It had been just a dream. But even in her waking state, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed. The trapdoor, once a symbol of safety, now felt like a promise—something forbidden, something that she couldn’t ignore. And she didn’t know if she should be afraid of it… or if she was simply afraid of the curiosity it awakened inside her.
Day 2Fluttershy awoke with a start, a thin layer of sweat clinging to her coat. Her chest rose and fell quickly as she tried to steady her breathing. It was just a dream, wasn’t it? The buzzing of the monochrome light above reassured her that everything was fine. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, trying to shake the vivid images from her mind—the darkness, the glowing trapdoor, the blinding light. She couldn’t understand why it unsettled her so much. The bunker was the same as it had always been: small, safe, and familiar. She took a deep breath, grounding herself in the comfort of her routine. Today would be like every other day. It had to be. Sliding off her bed, Fluttershy shuffled over to the small table where her pills sat waiting for her in their usual spot. She popped one into her mouth and swallowed it with a sip of water, just as papa had taught her. “Take your pills, and you’ll stay safe,” he always said. She whispered the mantra to herself as she placed the empty glass back on the table. Next, she moved to the small food pantry, where she found the meal papa had brought for her the day before. It wasn’t much—just some canned vegetables and a slightly stale piece of bread—but it was enough to keep her fed. She prepared the food with care, savoring each bite despite its simplicity. After breakfast, she walked over to the shower in the corner of the bunker. The lukewarm water trickled down her back, washing away the remnants of her restless night. The repetition of her morning routine was soothing. Each step was predictable, familiar, and safe—everything the outside world was not. Still, the dream lingered in the back of her mind as she dried off and brushed her mane. Why in Equestria would she ever think about leaving the bunker? The very thought of it made her shiver. Papa had always said the outside world was full of danger—disease, death, and despair. Here, she was protected. She was loved. That was all that mattered. Trying to distract herself, Fluttershy wandered over to her toy rocking horse. She nudged it with her hoof, setting it in motion, and giggled softly as it swayed back and forth. Sometimes, when she felt a little bold, she tried to perform tricks. Today, she decided to balance on her hind legs while standing on the horse. “Okay, you can do this,” she muttered to herself, spreading her small wings for balance. Carefully, she lifted one hoof, then the other, and managed to stay upright for a few seconds before the inevitable happened. She wobbled, lost her balance, and tumbled forward. Her wings fluttered furiously, slowing her fall just enough to land with a soft thud. “Oof,” she mumbled, brushing herself off. “Maybe next time.” She spent the rest of the morning watering the tiny plants in her bunker and tidying up her small space. Time passed slowly, as it always did, but she didn’t mind. She was used to the quiet. Her ears perked up when she heard the faint sliding sound of the trapdoor above. Fluttershy’s heart leapt with excitement as she trotted over to the bottom of the stairs, looking up eagerly. “Hi, papa!” she called out, her voice bright and cheerful. “Hello, dear. How are you today?” came his familiar voice from above. “I’m good, papa!” she replied with a smile. Papa’s voice carried a note of relief. “That’s wonderful to hear. Remember that gift I promised you yesterday?” Fluttershy’s eyes widened with excitement, and she nodded vigorously. “Mhm!” “Here you go,” papa said as a small object was passed through the trapdoor. “It’s a diary. I thought you might like a place to write down your thoughts.” Fluttershy gasped, her face lighting up with joy. “Oh, thank you, papa! Thank you, thank you!” She hugged the book tightly to her chest, her small wings fluttering in excitement. Papa chuckled softly. “I’m glad you like it, my dear.” As Fluttershy admired her new diary, a thought crept into her mind. She hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Papa, I… I had a weird dream last night.” There was a brief pause before papa responded, his tone shifting slightly. “A dream? What kind of dream, dear?” Fluttershy frowned, her ears drooping slightly. “It was about… leaving the bunker. I don’t know why, but I dreamed about going outside.” The silence that followed was heavy. When papa finally spoke, his voice was firm, laced with a seriousness that made Fluttershy’s chest tighten. “Fluttershy,” he said, “you must never think about leaving the bunker. Do you understand me? The outside world is not safe. It’s dangerous. You have everything you need here. I’ve worked so hard to protect you.” Fluttershy’s eyes filled with guilt. She hadn’t meant to upset him. “I’m sorry, papa. I won’t think about it again. I promise.” The warmth returned to papa’s voice. “That’s my good girl. I just want you to be safe.” “I understand, papa,” she said softly. There was a brief pause before papa spoke again, his tone lighter. “Aren’t you feeling tired yet? You’ve had a big day.” Now that he mentioned it, Fluttershy realized how heavy her eyelids felt. She yawned and nodded. “You’re right, papa. I guess I’ll go to sleep now.” “Goodnight, my dear. Sweet dreams,” papa said before the trapdoor slid shut once more. Fluttershy carried her new diary to her bed, feeling a mix of emotions. She was thrilled to have a place to write her thoughts, but the lingering seriousness of her conversation with papa weighed on her mind. She opened the diary to its first blank page and picked up the pencil. Her neat, careful writing filled the page: “Today, papa got me a diary! I’m so happy! I can write down all my thoughts and memories now. Other than a weird dream I had, today was a good day.” Satisfied with her entry, Fluttershy closed the book and set it on the small table beside her bed. She pulled the blanket up to her chin and nestled into the pillow, her mind still racing as sleep began to take hold. As her breathing slowed and her body relaxed, the faintest flicker of curiosity lingered in the back of her mind. The dream had been strange, unsettling even, but part of her couldn’t help but wonder… What was the outside world really like? Author's Note This is just the beginning. Fluttershy has always been a little timid and jumpy… could this be why?
Night 2Fluttershy opened her eyes. The darkness was thick, pressing in around her like a heavy blanket. She blinked, trying to adjust her vision, but the shadows seemed endless. Her heart thumped steadily in her chest, a slow and deliberate rhythm that seemed to echo in the still air. She stepped forward cautiously, her hooves making soft taps against the cold, unseen floor. The shadowy halls stretched before her, twisting and turning in ways that felt familiar yet alien. Something about this place tugged at her memory, but she couldn’t place why. Her eyes darted toward the staircase, and she saw the faint outline of the trapdoor above. A strange sense of purpose filled her, pulling her toward it. She climbed the stairs slowly, each step creaking beneath her weight. When she reached the top, she pushed open the trapdoor and stepped through. To her confusion, she wasn’t greeted by the world outside as she half-expected. Instead, she found herself back in the same small room where she had started—her bed, her little table, and her rocking horse all sitting in their usual places. “What?” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. She turned around, searching for some clue as to what was happening, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. Everything looked as it always did, and yet… something was off. The air felt heavier, thicker, as if it were pressing down on her. Determined to understand, Fluttershy climbed the stairs again, pushing open the trapdoor with more urgency this time. But once again, she found herself back in her room, standing by her bed. “No… this doesn’t make sense,” she murmured, her voice growing more desperate. She repeated the process again and again, each time hoping that the trapdoor would lead somewhere else—anywhere else—but it was always the same. The same room, the same oppressive feeling, the same unsettling stillness. On her fifth attempt, she felt a sudden warmth wash over her. It started at her hooves, creeping up her body like a slow-moving wave. For a moment, it felt almost comforting, like a warm embrace on a cold night. But just as quickly as it came, it was gone, leaving her shivering and confused. “What is happening?” she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the suffocating quiet. Fluttershy’s hooves trembled as she stepped away from the trapdoor. Her breathing quickened, and she felt a strange dizziness overtaking her. The room seemed to sway gently from side to side, as if it were a boat adrift on restless waters. She pressed a hoof to her head, trying to steady herself, but the rocking sensation only grew stronger. Her vision blurred, and for a moment, it felt as though the walls themselves were breathing—expanding and contracting in rhythm with her unsteady breaths. “No, no, no…” she muttered, squeezing her eyes shut in an attempt to block out the unsettling sights and sensations. When she opened her eyes again, the room appeared normal, but the unease in her chest remained. Fluttershy took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She turned in a slow circle, scanning the room for anything out of place, anything that could provide an explanation for what she was experiencing. There was nothing. Her gaze fell on the trapdoor once more, and a spark of defiance lit within her. She had to keep trying. She had to understand. Fluttershy climbed the stairs again, her hooves feeling heavier with each step. She pushed open the trapdoor, her heart pounding in her chest. But as soon as she stepped through, she was back in her room once more. She let out a small, frustrated cry, her voice echoing faintly in the oppressive silence. The world around her felt like a cruel loop, a puzzle she couldn’t solve. Fluttershy sat on the floor, her body trembling as she tried to make sense of it all. The faint warmth returned, brushing against her like a fleeting memory, but she barely noticed it this time. Her mind was spinning, her thoughts a jumbled mess. The room swayed again, the motion making her stomach churn. She squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her hooves against her temples as if to block out the sensations. “Please… stop…” she whispered, her voice breaking. The rocking grew gentler, then faded completely, leaving her in silence once more. Fluttershy opened her eyes, her vision clearing to reveal the same familiar room. She stared at her bed, her table, her rocking horse—all exactly as they had always been. Author's Note Sorry if quality is a little poor on this chapter. I’m trying to figure out where I want to go with this story while also keeping true to the game.
