Me, my-selves, and Fluttershy: The Story of the Firestarter

I took in every single word of Fluttershy’s tale and never once interrupted her. The story she told had me ringing with questions. What in the world was this “Shadow” thing that tried to kill her? What was the strange lightning and how did it all cause her to appear here in my world?

As she finished her story and her breakfast I quickly dove inside my mind to seek the advice of my eight friends who were neither real nor fake but always there. I appeared before them and each of their faces was wrought with confusion and apprehension. I looked at both Jay and Guard as they were usually the ones to give the wisest advice and knowledge.

“Well guys…..anything?” I asked, hoping they could shed some light on this mystery.

Guard could only shake his head, his hands rubbing his temples as he nursed a bad headache. Jay looked at me, his face one of shock, “I am sorry Jacob. I am truly stumped on this. For one thing we know absolutely nothing about where she comes from and I know nothing of any shadow monster. I say we be as cautious as possible and hope that we find some answers soon, somehow.”

His words disappointed me as I was hoping that someone here might figure something out. But we were all lost on this. Then one of the figures approached me, recognizable by his long brown hair and aviators he always wore, and put a hand on my shoulder. I knew then that it was John; the one I always felt was an older brother to me.

“Jacob, listen” he said, “I know this is all confusing and all but you have to realize that Fluttershy is now here in our world which is not a nice place. In fact, it’s probably the exact opposite of her world. We need to get her out of here one way or another.”

He was right of course, as he usually always was. I nodded and went back into the real world where I found Fluttershy staring at me from across the table, her plate clean and her glass empty. I knew she was waiting to hear my word on everything.

I sighed and said, “That’s quite the tale Fluttershy. I have no idea what to make of it though. I don’t doubt your honesty at all but I have no clue how you got here and what all that was. I can only say I am glad you choose my house to hide in. This world isn’t a very nice place.”

She gave me a confused look, her head tilted at an angle, something I found rather cute. “What do you mean?” she asked.

I knew then that I had to show her just how bad things really were here. I was just nervous of her reaction. “It’s better I just show you.” I said.

I turned in my chair to face the large flat-screen on the wall in the living room not far from the table and said, “TV on!”
The black screen instantly glowed to life as images began to show across it. I motioned for her to follow as I walked over and sat down on the couch across from it. She flew over and lighted gently next to me. I took the remote and hit a combination into the number-pad and the TV turned to a secret channel known only to those who have received the code through certain back alleyways. It was a rebel network, the only rebel “thing” in this nation. The reporter in charge of it all was a man named Barry Shenfold who reported everything that the government was doing and didn’t want to be known. Most of the time it was on the war with the rest of the world and others it was about the conditions back here at home. He was always urging people to try and stand up to the government but so far no one was listening.

This time he started with the war front in Asia. He had images and clips of the fighting flash across the screen as he talked, I never could figure out how he got those. Both me and Fluttershy listened intently as he delivered his report.

“In recent outbreaks of fighting, the Republic of Chance army has moved deeper into the Asian mainland leaving nothing but destruction and death in their wake. They burn down every building and have so far, taken no prisoners, choosing only to slaughter anyone they capture in the most brutal of ways. These images are some of those graphic killings and I implore you to look away now if you are of weak stomach.”

Then several pictures appeared showing disturbing images of Asian men and women with their limbs chopped off or burned to a crisp. There was even one of a small child clubbed to death in the middle of a street while soldiers in black and red uniforms laughed and toasted each other with alcoholic drinks. The chaos and destruction that was now Asia was shocking; and I felt a rising anger at the cruelty of these soldiers. “These men will all burn” I vowed silently.

Beside me, Fluttershy had her mouth covered and tears in her eyes as she took in the horror that was my world. Disbelief flashed across her face and she kept shaking her head as more images of the war appeared.

“T-this is…..it’s horrible…..h-h-how could anyone be so cruel and evil.” she said.

“I’m sorry, Fluttershy” I whispered, “But now you know why I need to get you out of here and back home. You have my word that I will protect you from this and never stop until you are home.”

Having seen enough, she turned and buried her head in my chest which caught me off guard. I just sat there awkwardly before Jay directed me to hold her back. I held her close as Barry continued his report, now talking about the condition of those living under the government.

“Life here has not been getting any easier. Violence has become more and more common and the number of unemployed and homeless has skyrocketed. The government continues to do nothing about this great catastrophe and the once great Americas still continues to fall into poverty, violence, and chaos. I ask you good people: how long must this go on? Will we allow ourselves to fall to destruction and chaos until we are nothing more than savages reduced to the lowest form of life? Or will we stand and take back our lives and put back the good life we had before? We need to stand up and strike down those who seek to watch us be destroyed and killed and starved. We need to rip out the parasites that now occupy the capital and drain us of everything we need to survive. Those men in the Senate and in the Cabinet and especially the man in charge: Chancellor Eli Barlow!"

It was at that point a picture of a man standing at a podium appeared. He was dressed in a three piece suit and tie, his head was bald save for a beard that was tied in a braid. His skin was the color of caramel and his hair that of night. His eyes were a light blue and they stared at the camera with malice and hate. This was the man that I hated, the man that I would bring down. He was my ultimate target.

Then the newscast suddenly changed, Barry’s voice seemed to take on a lighter tone and a picture of the Town appeared which surprised me until the subject of the next story was revealed, “On a brighter note, the vigilante known as the Firestarter has once again spat in the face of our oppressors with a stunning demolition of the Statue of Justice that was once centered in the courtyard of the City Courthouses. It’s no secret that this once proud building of justice is no longer in use and by destroying the statue and setting the courtyard ablaze, the Firestarter has once again sent a clear message to the cowards in the Capital. He will not stop until Justice has been brought to those who have defiled our once great nation. I urge all of you now to lend your support to this great man who is fighting for freedom. With these words may you all have hope again in your hearts. I'm Barry Shenfold. Good night and God bless America/”

The broadcast ended and static now filled the screen. I looked down at Fluttershy who was covering her head in my arms and holding her hooves over her ears. I held her tight, apologizing over and over again. She finally calmed down and brought her head up to look at me. Our faced were inches from each other and I could see tears falling down her face.

“I want to go home…” she said. I couldn’t blame her; I would want to leave too.

“I know. I know.” I said in a soothing tone. “And I will get you there. You don’t need to fear anyone as long as you are with me. I promise that you will make it home, I won’t give up until you are.”

She sniffed and wiped the tears from her eyes. “Thank you. I know you will. I’m so thankful that you found me.”

I gave her a warm smile as I wiped another tear from her eye. I then asked her if there was anything she would like to do to take her mind away from the ugliness she had seen. She shrugged and looked around my apartment for something. I then got an idea and I stood up from the couch and walked over to the bookshelf. I had several photo albums and choosing a green one, sat back down next to the little yellow pony.

I opened it up to reveal that it was full of photos of animals. I had taken to collect old photos and all the ones of animals were in this one. There were many dogs and cats but also some more exotic animals from Africa and Asia. Fluttershy smiled as I showed her the photos, her love of animals washing away the sadness that had been caused by the gruesome broadcast.

Suddenly she turned to me and asked, “Who’s the Firestarter?”

The questions caught me off guard as I quickly searched for an answer. Finally I found one, “He is this man who is fighting back against the dictators. Some call him a terrorist but others a vigilante. He specializes in using explosives and fire in his exploits to bring down the Republic.”

“He sounds scary. But I guess it’s good that he wants to fight back…”

“Don’t worry Fluttershy he won’t hurt you.”

As I showed her all of the photos and told her facts about each one I secretly delved back inside my mind and found the Eight sitting back at the table, their expressions grim. They had seen the broadcast too.

I looked at them as anger filled within me again and I said, “I think it’s time we start burning some bigger bridges lads.”

They all looked at me and smiled as they agreed it was time to act. “What did you have in mind?” asked Guard.

I knew immediately what I wanted to do. The government’s biggest obsession was money of course.

“Start coming up with ideas and plans for a night operation, stealthy yet destructive. In two nights……….we’re robbing us a bank.”

"And then destroying it?"

"But of course" I said with a smile.