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                   Caretaker Fluttershy                    
                   -by Blueheartpegasus-                   
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              Chapter 1: Not the Nicest Filly              
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Chapter 1: Not the Nicest Filly
A blue unicorn filly hid under a cart that was filled with apples. It was the dead of night and Luna’s full moon hung high above. The howling of timber wolves came from the nearby Everfree Forest and made the filly shiver with fear.
A farmhouse sat not far away, quiet snores coming from inside. There was also a nearby barn with the many more snores, no doubt from cows and pigs. However, the blue filly couldn’t sleep. She was too scared and cold.
The leaves of the apple orchard rustled as a gust of wind chilled the farm, the filly barely shielded by the wheels of the cart. The grass underneath was wet with dew and she was soaked to the bone from running around in the wet grass.
The filly’s wide, green eyes stared up at the night sky, taking comfort in the beauty. Mother was right. she thought. Princess Luna isn’t all that bad. However, she was distracted by the howls once more.
Suddenly, the howls were drowned out by beautiful singing. She was brave enough to stick her head out from under the cart slightly and saw a pegasus flying above. She had long, pink hair that curled at the ends and she appeared butter yellow against the moon. The filly watched her fly towards the Everfree Forest before she disappeared from view. From what the filly could hear, she was talking to somepony.
“Now, now, timber wolves, it’s time to go to bed.” The pegasus said kindly. “You’re going to keep everypony up with your loud howling.”
There were barks of protest.
“I know you don’t want to, but don’t you think it would be mean to keep everypony awake just because you don’t want to go to sleep?” the pegasus said.
There were a few more barks.
“Really? A little filly? Alright then, you go to sleep and I’ll try to find her. I hope you didn’t scare her or anything.”
Whimpers of guilt.
There was crackling as the wolves made of branches dove farther back into the forest. The filly slid farther underneath the cart, hoping nopony would see her. Although she couldn’t see anything except the underside of the cart, she could hear the swishing of the grass as the pegasus walked around.
“Little filly?” she called. “Are you somewhere around here? My friends told me they saw a little filly run out here.”
The blue filly sat completely still under the cart, not making a sound. The wet grass tickled her nose as a small breeze blew it around.
“Come on now, you must be so cold and tired. I could take you back home and you could snuggle up warm in your bed.”
Another breeze. The grass continued to tickle the silent filly’s nose.
“Come on, sweetie. You don’t really want to stay out here in the dark, do you?”
The blue filly, determined to be silent until the pegasus gave up, didn’t move a muscle. She stayed out in the dark every night, what difference was there?
“If you’re sure you don’t want to come in from the cold, I’ll leave.”
The filly, grateful that the pegasus was about to leave, loosened her muscles slightly. She heard the swish as the mare started walking away. Then another breeze came, making the grass tickle the filly’s nose again.
“Achoo!” she sneezed.
“Ah hah!” the pegasus’s kind face appeared as she bent down to look under the cart. “I found you. Come on, you must be freezing.”
The blue filly tried to back out from underneath the cart the other way, but found her path blocked by buckets of apples. She looked the pegasus in her blue eyes. “I’m used to the cold, leave me alone.”
“I can’t let a little filly freeze out here.” The pegasus said. “At least let me take you home, please.”
“No.” the blue filly glared at the pegasus. “I don’t have a home. Go away.”
The mare’s kind smile fell and moved like she was going to back away. “Oh, never mind, I’ll-” then she stopped herself. “No. Come on, if you don’t have a home at least let me bring you to my house. It’s not far.”
“I don’t want to go.” The filly said stubbornly. But at that moment there was a strong gust of wind that sent a chill down her spine. “I’m fine.” She lied.
“Please, come with me.” The pegasus pleaded. “You’ll catch a cold out here.”
“I- achoo!” the blue filly sneezed again.
“See? Please, will you come?”
The filly gave in, mostly because she was very tempted by the pegasus’s offer. “Fine, but you can’t ask me why I don’t have a home, alright?”
“Alright.” The pegasus agreed. She stood back and let the filly slide out from under the cart. “Climb on.” She told her. The filly nodded and climbed onto the yellow mare’s back. She spread her wings and they flew away, the filly holding on for dear life.
“My name is Fluttershy, by the way.” The pegasus told the filly.
“My name is Blue Heart.” The filly responded.
Blue Heart blinked her eyes open to see a rabbit less then an inch from her face. Startled, she jumped up and let out a frightened squeak. The rabbit chuckled at her then waved a paw for her to follow him and ran off into the next room.
Blue Heart tried to remember where she was and what she was doing in this odd place. She was in a comfortable bed, which was so much better than her usual sleeping place in a patch of grass. She looked around and saw several animals running about the small bedroom, including several birds and a family of mice. There was a window that looked out at a fearfully familiar forest. Blue inched away from the window as she remembered yesterday’s ordeal with that forest.
“Blue Heart, are you awake?” a soft voice called from the next room.
Oh yes, now she remembered exactly what had happened. A pegasus named Fluttershy had insisted on bringing her to her house. There’s something about this mare. Blue thought. She made the timber wolves stop howling. By asking them nicely! She must be the bravest mare in Equestria!
“Yes, I’m awake.” Blue Heart stood and walked towards the door that the rabbit had disappeared through. Now she appeared to be in a living room that was filled with all kinds of small animals. Upon her entrance, many of the animals stopped to stare at her before returning to whatever they were doing.
“Very good.” Fluttershy smiled at Blue. “Are you hungry? I was just thinking of going out to eat at Sugarcube Corner.” Then she lowered her voice looked very shy all of a sudden. “I mean… if you want to.”
“What’s Sugarcube Corner?” Blue Heart asked, her eyes following a pure white puffball as she asked the question. The animal had a very long beak, suggesting that it was a bird, but it didn't have wings. Well, she wasn't sure if it had wings or not, because its feathers-or fluff- had to be about twice the size of its body.
“It’s a bakery where my friend works.” Fluttershy explained. “It’s very nice, I think you would like it.”
“Sounds nice.” Blue Heart walked slowly over to the strange bird-thing. “I like free food.But I have one question.”
“Yes what is it?” Fluttershy asked.
“What is this thing?” the filly point at the animal.
“It’s a Kiwi.” Fluttershy explained, walking over and picking up the creature.
“I thought kiwis were a kind of fruit.” The filly said, confused as this creature was definitely not a fruit.
“They are, but they’re also a type of bird.” Fluttershy said, nuzzling the white Kiwi. “This little one is a white kiwi, and they’re very rare. I've named this one Ivory.”
“She’s very cute.” Blue almost smiled. Cute. Her one weakness was the adorable. And oh Celestia, Ivory was one of the most adorable things Blue had ever seen. “Can I hold you, Ivory?” she asked the bird, holding out her hooves. Ivory stared at the filly for about half a minute before carefully stepping forward. Blue Heart held Ivory with one hoof and gently stroked her with the other.
“She’s a very friendly little thing, isn't she?” Fluttershy grinned at the filly. After a few minutes, Blue Heart gently set Ivory back on the floor and stood.
“I’m starving, didn't you say we were going out to a bakery?”
“Oh, yes, sorry.” The pegasus galloped over to the door and opened it, waiting for Blue Heart the navigate her way through the crowd of small animals after her.
Blue Heart sat next to Fluttershy at a table in the bakery. There was cheerful chatting all around them between ponies sitting at different tables, but the two at this table were silent. Blue was just savoring the smell of apple pie, having not eaten a proper meal in forever, and Fluttershy was trying to think of something to say.
“So…” the pegasus managed to speak quietly after awhile. “What happened with you and the timber wolves last night?”
Blue Heart snapped back to reality after being lost in her thoughts of pie. “Oh… I was just wandering about when somepony walked by. I didn't want to be discovered, so I ducked into the forest. I got lost and couldn't find my way back out, but then I found a whole pack of those timber wolves!” She shivered with fear. “They started barking and howling, and they chased me all the way out of the forest! When I got out I ducked for the apple cart and hid there until you came by.”
“But why were you wandering… if you don’t mind me asking, that is.”
“I do mind you asking.” Blue replied stubbornly. “It involves the story of why I don’t have a home, and I’m not telling you that.”
“Oh, okay.” Fluttershy said. There were several more minutes of awkward silence, then a pink earth pony bounced over to their table.
“Hiya, Fluttershy!” the pink pony greeted the pegasus energetically. “Who’s this?”
“This is Blue Heart.” Fluttershy replied.
“I've never seen you in Ponyville before.” The pink pony said. “Hi! My name’s Pinkie Pie, but you can call me Pinkie for short. Although I don’t understand why you would; ‘Pie’ is so short, why would you leave it out?”
Blue Heart just replied with a, “Hello.”
“She’s new to Ponyville Pinkie.” Fluttershy said quietly. “I just met her last night.”
“She’s new to Ponyville?” Pinkie clapped her hooves excitedly. “Yay! We'll have a great party and invite everypony in Ponyville!”
Blue slammed a hoof down on the table. “No!” When both Fluttershy and Pinkie looked at her questioningly, she said, “I don’t want a party. The less attention I get the better.”
“But who wouldn't want a party?” Pinkie asked. “They’re so much fun!”
“I don’t like attention, and parties bring attention.” Blue crossed her forelegs. “No party.”
Pinkie’s eyes grew sad… for about a split second. Then she grew excited, gasped loudly, then grabbed Fluttershy and dragged her into another room. Blue Heart now sat alone at the table, stomach growling.
“I guess nopony's going take my order.” She muttered.
“We gotta throw a surprise party, Fluttershy!” Pinkie whispered excitedly. “It can be today, at your cottage. Do you think you can keep Bluey away from your cottage until I get the party set up?”
“Pinkie…” Fluttershy protested quietly. “I really don’t think-“
“We can have blue balloons.” Pinkie said, taking a notepad from nowhere and scribbling on it quickly. “She doesn't have a cutie mark yet so I can’t have party hats with her cutie mark on them, that’s sad. But for the cake I can have blue shades of frosting…” The party pony continued rambling about plans and scribbling down on the notepad.
“Pinkie, I think this-” Fluttershy tried to speak again, but Pinkie didn't hear her over her own ramblings.
“Oh, I can’t forget the cookies! Maybe I should make some apple cookies, that way Applejack can help me bake. She’s the best with apple foods!”
“Pinkie, please-”
“And Rarity can choose which color streamers…”
“Pinkie.”
“And Rainbow Dash can help pass out invitations to the pegasi, she can just fly up to them…”
“Pinkie.”
“And Twilight can do some sort of magic show…”
“Pinkie!” Fluttershy shouted. It wasn't her serious yelling voice, just her ‘please listen to me now, if you don’t mind’ voice. “I really don’t think a party is a good idea. Blue Heart isn't a normal pony of Ponyville and she’ll need some time to adjust before she can go to such a big event.”
“What do you mean ‘isn't a normal pony of Ponyville’? Nopony is normal, ‘cause everypony is special and need a special party.” Pinkie said.
“She didn't move in or come here on purpose.” Fluttershy explained. “I found her hiding under a cart at Sweet Apple Acres last night. She says she has no home or parents, so I think she’s an orphan.”
Pinkie had a genuine frown on her face. “Oh no, that’s sad. Should we tell somepony?”
Fluttershy glanced out the door of the kitchen, where she and Pinkie were, at Blue Heart. The filly was looking annoyed and frustrated. “I don’t think she would like that very much.” Fluttershy gave Pinkie a serious look. “Maybe we should just keep it between us, or us and our friends, so we don’t cause trouble for her. I think I’ll try to take care of her and see if I can find out what happened.”
This was one of those rare moments where Pinkie Pie was completely serious. “Fluttershy, are you sure you can handle taking care of a filly full time?”
“It won’t be that bad.” Fluttershy said, trying to assure herself more than she was Pinkie, “After all, I’m good with animals, so I can be good with kids. And I’m sure she can mostly take care of herself. I just have to keep an eye on her.”
“You can keep an eye on her, right?” Pinkie asked.
“I’m sure I can.”
“Then where is she?”
Fluttershy flipped around and saw that Blue Heart was no longer sitting at the table. “Blue Heart, where did you go?” she called, running out of the kitchen. She spotted a teal tail disappear out the doors of the bakery, and she ran out after it.
She’s serious about this Blue Heart thing. Pinkie thought, stepping back into the main room of Sugarcube Corner. But I think it would be a good idea to tell the others about it, just in case. I can tell them WHILE I’M PASSING OUT INVITATIONS!
“Blue Heart!” Fluttershy called, galloping down the street after the unicorn filly. Blue stopped and sighed.
“I should just keep moving, anyway.” She said when Fluttershy got within hearing distance. “That’s what I do. I travel. I never stay in one place and try not to draw attention to myself. I should just move on to the next town and leave you and the staring ponies of this place alone.” When she said the word ‘staring’, she kicked her hoof at the street angrily.
“Please don’t leave, Blue Heart.” Fluttershy begged. “Please. I can’t let a filly wander on her own without parents or a place to stay. Please, stay with me at my house.”
“No.” Blue kicked the street again. “I can’t stand all the attention. All the ponies in Sugarcube Corner were staring at me. And Pinkie was planning a party, where more ponies would stare at me.”
“Staring?” Fluttershy asked.
“Attention!” Blue Heart snapped. “I can’t stand all the attention!”
Fluttershy sighed and galloped over to the filly’s side. “I know what you mean.” The pegasus said quietly. “How about we just go back to my cottage? I can pick up some food to go from Sugarcube Corner and we can eat it back there.”
Blue Heart considered refusing, but scrapped the idea. No matter how stubborn she was, Fluttershy’s cottage was the safest place for her at the moment. Not to mention that her stomach was still growling. She nodded.
“Alright, come on.” Fluttershy turned around and wrapped her wing over Blue as they walked back to the bakery. The filly waited outside while Fluttershy went inside. She returned a few minutes later, carrying a paper bag that smelled of apple pie and other pastries.
Blue Heart sat at Fluttershy’s dining table, licking her lips at the sight of a slice of apple pie. She closed her eyes and concentrated her magic. The slice of pie was surrounded in a green aura and floated in front of her. She opened her eyes and appeared delighted that her magic was working. She opened her mouth and tried to levitate the pie inside, but instead ended up smashing it into her face.
There was laughter. Blue, annoyed, turned around to see where the laughter was coming from. There was Angel, Fluttershy’s pet rabbit, laughing and rolling around on the floor. “You want a kick in the face, rabbit?” the filly threatened.
Luckily, Fluttershy was not in the room to hear this. Angel stopped laughing and glared at Blue Heart, daring her to hurt him in any way.
“I will squash you if you get on my nerves, rabbit.” The filly growled. She turned around, not even bothering to see how Angel reacted, and started wiping the pie off of her face. She decided to eat the rest of her food normally to avoid further humiliation.
“Are you feeling better now that you've eaten, Blue Heart?” Fluttershy asked, entering the room after the filly had finished her meal. She had a towel wrapped around her head, as she had just come from a bath. “I think that a full belly always lifts somepony's mood.”
Blue Heart didn't reply, she just pushed the dirty dishes away and stood from her chair. She walked towards the room where she had woken up that morning. “I think I’m going to lay down for a bit.” She said, slipping into the room.
“Oh, okay then.” The pegasus nodded then went to clean up the dirty dishes. She also noticed that Angel was looking annoyed, but didn't think much of it as the rabbit was usually unhappy about something.
Blue Heart meanwhile was laying in her back and staring at the ceiling. I can’t stay in one place too long. I’ll have to leave soon. Oh, but it’s nice here. Fluttershy’s a pushover, if I want anything I’m sure she’ll give it to me. And the food is good around here, so I’ll be fed.  She sighed and rolled over, staring out the window at the midday sky. But if I stay too long, everypony will find out. Then I’ll have to run again. I’ll just keep running… like have done my entire life… all I do is run…
Blue Heart’s thoughts were interrupted by a chirp-like noise. She rolled over and saw a pure white fluffball sitting in the doorway. “Oh, hello Ivory.” She said. She stood and walked over to the kiwi, picking her up and petting her softly. “What are you doing in here?”
Ivory blinked her tiny black eyes and chirped at Blue Heart, as if asking a question. The filly laughed quietly. “I’m sorry, I don’t speak kiwi.” She said. The kiwi turned her head and pointed with her beak out the ajar door. Blue Heart saw Angel glaring at her while eating a salad. Blue reached forward and shut the door. “I don’t like that one.” She explained to Ivory, assuming the kiwi was wondering why she had snapped at the rabbit earlier. “He’s mean, and he’s not even cute and cuddly.”
Ivory nodded then wiggled out of Blue Heart’s grasp. She flapped her tiny wings as she drifted towards the floor, landing safely even though it was only about half a foot’s fall.
“Aww, your wings are so tiny.” The filly said. She crouched down to get a good look at the kiwi’s sides and saw that her wings were so small that, unless she was using them, they couldn't be seen through her fluff. Suddenly, Blue Heart froze, a sad look on her face. She turned her head around and look at her sides, sighing.
“I guess you can’t fly, can you?” Blue asked. Ivory shook her head. “Yeah, I can’t either. I wish I was a pegasus; I've always wanted to fly. Zipping through the clouds, performing tricks, it would be so… awesome.” She flicked her own forehead. “But no, I was born with magic I can barely use instead of wings.”
Ivory rubbed her tiny head against Blue Heart sympathetically. The filly smiled and petted the kiwi on the head before climbing into her bed. She reached over and opened the door for the kiwi before rolling over and falling deep into thought again.
Ivory hopped out the door and came face-to-face with Angel. “What are you even doing?” he asked, glaring at her.
“I’m just being kind to a filly who needs a friend.” Ivory replied.
Angel snorted. “All that filly needs is a good kick. She’s mean to Fluttershy; no innocent creature can be mean to Fluttershy.”
“What about you?” Ivory asked, smirking.
“I’m different.”
“Alright then, what mean filly would be so nice to a poor little flightless kiwi?” Ivory asked, turning and walking towards the center of the room, where Fluttershy had just dumped a ton of food pellets.
“Meh, she’s only nice to the cute ones.” Angel said, following her just to keep up the argument; he had already eaten a salad and was not going to eat the gross pellets the others ate.
“Oh, I see.” Ivory said mockingly. “You’re just upset because she bruised your ego. She’s only nice to cute animals because cute’s her weakness; but she wasn't nice to you, so now you hate her because you think that’s like saying you’re not cute.”
“Shuddup.” Angel pouted.
Fluttershy hovered ahead, watching all the small animals eating, and spotted Ivory and Angel conversing. “Sometimes I wonder what you little ones are talking about.” She said.
There was a rapid knocking on the door of Fluttershy’s cottage. Blue Heart jumped up, realizing she had fallen asleep. She looked out the window and saw that it was still just barely afternoon; she couldn't have been asleep for more than an hour. She hopped out of the bed and peeked through the door of her temporary room and saw Fluttershy trot over to the door.
“Oh, hello, Pinkie Pie.” Fluttershy greeted the pink pony on the other side of the door.
“Hiya, Fluttershy!” Pinkie Pie grinned widely, excited. Or Blue Heart could only assume she was excited, she didn't know if this was the mare’s normal state or not. “I had an awesometastic idea! How about you take Blue Heart out for a tour of Ponyville? I would be more than glad to watch your animals while you’re gone.”
“Oh Pinkie, I’m not sure.” Fluttershy replied doubtfully. “Blue Heart doesn't like attention much; that’s why she left Sugarcube Corner this morning. I think she would be happier if we just stayed here.”
“Aww, that’s no fun.” Pinkie said. “Come on, it would be great! Just get outta the cottage for awhile and get some fresh air!”
Blue Heart poked her head out of her door. “Excuse me, miss cotton candy fluff!” she growled. “Fluttershy and I don’t want to go out, so why don’t you just leave?”
“Blue Heart, please don’t be mean.” Fluttershy said quietly.
Pinkie Pie seemed unfazed. “Okay then, just promise you’ll come to the library in exactly…” she looked at her wrist at a non-existent watch. “one hour! Libraries are quiet and not many ponies are in them at once, so it won’t be that bad!” and she bounced away.
Fluttershy pulled the door closed before looking back at Blue Heart. “Blue Heart, please don’t snap at ponies like that. It isn't very nice.”
Blue Heart just glared at her. “I’m not a nice pony; and I got her to leave, didn't I?” She turned around and went back into her temporary bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
“But you are a nice pony, Blue Heart.” Fluttershy whispered, mostly to herself. “Deep down, I know you’re a kind filly.” She has a story, I know she does...
“I’ll leave tomorrow night.” Blue Heart whispered out loud to herself. “I don’t think I can stand staying here any longer than that, even if I do get fed. I’d rather face those timber wolves again.”
“They should be here soon, shouldn't they?” Twilight asked, poking her head out from under the table. She was hiding, just liked everypony else in the room. Rarity was hidden in a pile of cushions, Rainbow Dash was hovering near the ceiling, Applejack was crouched behind some stairs, and Pinkie Pie was hiding under a loose floorboard that nopony had known was there before.
“Yup.” Pinkie’s voice came from under the floorboard, which was near the door. “Any second. Be ready, everypony!”
“I do hope she’s a well-behaved filly.” Rarity whispered. “I wouldn't want Fluttershy being responsible for a brute.”
“I’m not sure Fluttershy can handle taking care of a filly full-time.” Twilight whispered back doubtfully.
“I know what you mean,” Rarity said, her eyes showing out from her pile of cushions. “but I think we should have faith in Fluttershy. If the little one is too much to handle, I’m sure we can do something about it. Besides, we’ll help whenever we can, we’re her friends.”
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I don’t think I can help much. Have you ever seen me try to take care of foals? I had to babysit for my cousin once, and long story short I don’t think he’ll ever fly again.”
“Shush!” Pinkie said. “They’re coming!”
Wondering how Pinkie knew the guests were coming when she was under the floorboards before simply thinking, She’s Pinkie., Twilight got ready to jump out. Everypony waited tensely as they heard hoofsteps getting closer outside.
“Fluttershy, I didn't want to come.” An unknown voice complained.
“Blue Heart, it’s good for you to go out every once in awhile.” Fluttershy’s voice said.
“I live outside.” The unknown voice replied. “I've lived outside my whole life. I don’t need any more fresh air.” Suddenly, the hoofsteps stopped right outside the door and the voice lowered. “Fluttershy, if one thing goes wrong, I’m going back to the cottage, okay?”
“Okay.” Fluttershy responded. There was a knocking on the library door.
“Come in!” Twilight called casually.
The door swung open slowly, revealing a yellow pegasus mare and a blue unicorn filly. The second they stepped in, everypony jumped out from their hiding spots and shouted, “SURPRISE!”
Pinkie climbed out of the floor and placed the loose floorboard back in place. “Hiya, Bluey! I know you said you didn't like parties, but everypony needs a party! Parties make ponies smile, and smiling is great, so I threw you a ‘Welcome to Ponyville, Blue Heart Surprise Party’!”
Said filly’s expression changed from shock to annoyance. “I’m out.” She said simply, turning around as if to leave.
“Blue Heart, please don’t.” Fluttershy begged, blocking her path. “They threw this party just for you, can’t you pretty please stay for just a bit?”
“What, and listen to Miss Sugar Rush over there rant about oatmeal?” Blue Heart asked, gesturing towards Pinkie. “No thanks.”
“Hey!” Rainbow flew down from the ceiling and landed next to Blue Heart. “We threw a party for you, and you just want to walk away?”
“I have bigger problems, featherbrain.” Blue Heart snapped.
“There’s no need to be rude.” Rarity said, walking over. “We just want you to have a good time.”
“I don’t like parties.” The filly said. “I don’t like strangers. It’s a miracle that I like anypony. Now I’m leaving.” She turned, ran past Fluttershy, and out the door.
“Blue Heart, please wait!” Fluttershy called, dashing after her.
“You can’t just run away from a party!” Pinkie called after both of them, racing out the door.
“Well, that was certainly interesting.” Twilight said.
“That filly sure was rude.” Applejack said, watching the three ponies disappear into the distance. “Ah’m not sure she’s good for anypony, especially not Fluttershy.”
“Maybe we should talk to her.” Twilight suggested.
“What I’m worried about is what would happen to the filly.” Rarity stated. After realizing that everypony was staring at her for this, she explained. “Well, remember what Pinkie told us? Fluttershy found her all alone and without family. You can’t expect Fluttershy to throw a helpless filly out in the cold. Nopony deserves that.”
“You’re right.” Twilight nodded. “But I still think we need to talk to Fluttershy.”
Blue Heart flipped the lock on her room and stared out the window over her bed. The sun would be setting soon… perhaps she should just leave today? The ponies here were too… friendly. Maybe she should just leave.
“Blue Heart, please come out.” Fluttershy begged. “I’m sorry; you won’t ever have to go into town again if you don’t want to. Please don’t be mad at me.”
The filly sighed. “Is Pinkie Pie gone?” she asked.
“Nope!” a cheerful voice said from the other side. “and I’m not leaving until I see a smile on your face!”
“You’re gonna be here awhile, then.” Blue called back. She watched the various animals in Fluttershy’s backyard run about for a few minutes, ignoring the pleading of Fluttershy and random comments from Pinkie. She would have sat there for hours if there hadn't been a crash in the main living area of Fluttershy’s cottage.
“Oh, Rainbow, are you okay?” Fluttershy asked.
“I’m fine.” Rainbow Dash’s voice replied. “I kinda lost control.”
“Whatcha doing here, Dashie?” Pinkie’s voice asked.
“We wanted to talk to Fluttershy about the filly.”
“We?” Fluttershy asked.
“Yes, we.” Another voice said, this one Twilight’s.
“We just wanna talk.” Applejack’s voice said.
“Blue Heart seems like a bit much for you.” Rarity’s voice added.
“Oh, how about we go talk outside.” Fluttershy’s voice said quickly, and hoofsteps faded as they left the house.
“It doesn’t matter what they say about me.” Blue Heart sighed. “I’m leaving going to leave tonight.”
All six friends sat in a circle in Fluttershy’s yard. “Fluttershy, we do have some questions.” Rarity began.
“But we’ve decided that we should start by asking you all you know about Blue Heart.” Twilight said.
“Oh, not much.” Fluttershy replied. “All I know is that she’s all alone; she won’t let me ask her why she has no parents or a home.”
“So she’s an orphan?” Rainbow asked.
“I guess.” Fluttershy said. “I found her on Sweet Apple Acres last night. She had been chased by timber wolves and was hiding under an apple cart. I asked her to come home and I tried to be as assertive as I could, and I got her to come in out of the cold.”
“If she’s an orphan, doesn’t she belong in an orphanage?” Pinkie asked, unaware that she was helping her friends make their point.
“Oh, no no no!” Fluttershy said, eyes growing wide. “Orphanages are so packed and Blue Heart doesn’t like attention, and nopony will give her good food and they might hurt her if she annoys them. I can’t let that happen to anypony!”
“What we’re concerned about, Fluttershy, is if you’re really a mare that can raise a filly all by yourself.” Rarity said.
“She doesn't seem like the nicest pony and no offense Shy, but you’re a complete doormat.” Rainbow said, crossing her forelegs.
“But Blue Heart needs me.” Fluttershy said. “She’s all alone and I’m the only one who can take care of her right now. I can’t let her wander around on her own again, and I know she won’t want to stay in an orphanage.”
“We’re just not to sure yer up to takin’ care of a filly.” Applejack said.“We’re just worried ‘bout ya.”
“It doesn't matter at all about me.” Fluttershy told them. “Blue Heart needs me…” she took a breath and attempted to be assertive. “Can’t you understand that? I will take care of her and I will keep her safe no matter what you say! I, I mean…” she faltered at the end, cowering down. “Nevermind.”
All five of Fluttershy’s friend exchanged glances, as though reading each other’s thoughts to come to a conclusion. Finally, Twilight stepped forward. “It’s okay Fluttershy, you can keep Blue Heart. There’s just a few things we want.”
“W-what is that?” Fluttershy asked.
“If you need any help, if Blue Heart hurts you in any way, or anything like that; you need to tell us about it.” Rainbow said, standing next to Fluttershy.
“And you should legally be her guardian.” Twilight added. “I’m sure we can go to the nearest orphanage and see if they have any records on her. If they do, you can legally adopt her. If not, things might get complicated.”
Blue Heart suddenly heard a knocking on the door. She rolled over and called, “Is Pinkie still here?” she asked.
“Yep!” the voice of the cheerful mare sounded on the other side of the door.
“Then I’m not coming out.” Blue told them.
“Blue, please come out. We have some important news for you.” Fluttershy said.
“I don’t care.”
“You will care about this.” Twilight’s voice said.
Oh great, all her friends are probably still here. “I don’t want to talk to anypony.” Blue growled.
“Oh for Pete’s sake, come out here already!” Rainbow shouted through the door.
“Fluttershy, about how would it cost ta fix this door?” Applejack asked. Predicting what was going to happen, Blue Heart leaped off her bed and ran for the door. She pushed herself against it to stop anypony kicking it down.
“Not much, why?” the pegasus replied.
“’cause this.” The entire door splintered, the force strong enough to send Blue Heart flying backwards. Surprised at the strength of the earth pony, the filly stood shakily. Beyond the remains of what had seconds ago been the door to her temporary bedroom stood six mares.
“There ya go.” Applejack pointed at Blue Heart, looking at Fluttershy. The butter yellow pegasus nodded and trotted forward into the room. Before the filly could do anything, Fluttershy had grabbed her and was holding her in her forelegs.
“Blue Heart, I’m going to legally adopt you. I’m going down to the orphanage downtown and see if they have any records of you. If they do, I’ll legally be your adopted mother. Now, I know you won’t be happy and-”
“WHAT?!” Blue Heart struggled out of Fluttershy’s grasp and raced away, weaving through the debris of the broken door and past the five friends towards the exit.
To Be Continued...