A Shadow In Pursuit

Their pace was quick as they walked down the hill. Fluttershy glanced at Big Mac's bandaged hoof. She realised he tried walking as normal as possible, enduring whatever pain was being inflicted. And this wasn't the first time, back in the barn he burst through a door and slammed the same hoof on the ground... The determination and endurance of this earth pony was outstanding, nopony else she had ever met could compare. The extent he goes through to protect the ones close to him was truly incredible...

“We're going to run? Being chased by bandits?” Fluttershy asked, trying to confirm she had the right idea.

“Yes, I hope you don't mind?” Applejack replied, hoping her friend would stay close.

This sent a shudder down Fluttershy's back, but it wasn't going to put her out of this adventure. For once she wasn't scared of the danger, after what she achieved in the barn.

“I'm staying here, by your side Applejack. But I do have a question... Where exactly will we run to?”

At that moment Big Mac began speaking, this was his area of speciality. He knew the plan better than Applejack, he knew exactly where to go. “We head south, further than I expect you've ever been. The route we're taking is covered in deep forest, perfect for cover and to hide. But we have to avoid meeting relatives, we can't get them involved, it's for their own protection.” When Big Mac had finished they found themselves outside the Apple residence.

“Fluttershy, come inside.” Applejack invited, they walked inside to a living room  filled with two very messy sofas, one of which Big Mac had laid on for the past two days in recovery. “We need to get some stuff ready for the journey. I want to ask you a favour...” She revealed from a drawer a pen and a piece of paper with an envelope. “I need you to write one letter, we're going to pass Twilight's house on our way, she needs to know about this... But I have some instructions...”

She briefly told the instructions, making certain points very specific which Fluttershy understood completely. But she knew this would be a sad note, it was a farewell which couldn't have much detail. After all, nopony knew how long they would be gone.

Applejack left the room to help Big Mac with some supplies for their quest while Fluttershy sat down on a chair, next to a desk which she leaned on as she thought. She didn't have long, time was short. She thought quickly to put everything she wanted to say into the letter...

'Dear Twilight...

There's a lot to say... But time is short, we have to leave soon. Me, Applejack and Big Mac are leaving Ponyville and we don't know when we'll return, if at all... It is for the safety of everypony as we're chased by a band of rogue unicorns seeking the power of spells which were hidden for many years. They can cause chaos, and I've promised to help do whatever it takes to stop them... I can't say where we're going, and once you're finished I recommend you destroy this letter immediately. Please, only tell our Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Pinkie Pie, and make it quite clear not to spread word of this, not to anypony. It's important to all our safety...

I hope we can return, one day.

I have one more request... While I'm gone please make sure my animals are ok, and well fed.

Goodbye...

Fluttershy'

“I heard you're going too then...” Fluttershy quickly folded the letter and shoved it in the envelope. She quickly wiped a tear from her eye and looked up to see Granny Smith entering the room.

“Umm, yes.” Fluttershy said, feeling extremely shy, not wondering what Granny Smith thought of her.

“Hmm.” The old mare examined Fluttershy closely, silently studied each of her features. “You’re the quite one, the one who likes animals, am I right?”

Fluttershy was surprised Granny Smith knew her that well, they’d never properly been introduced. It was an awkward feeling for Fluttershy when someone who she did not know had knowledge of her, almost as if she had subconsciously given a public speech without her knowing, or met a new friend and forgot them right after. “Yes.” She nodded.

“Going off on an adventure with my two grandchildren? To keep us safe here? I am truly grateful...” She urged a slight smile, though the shock was still outstanding to her. The farewell of some of her family was inevitable to her, and she was pleased that now the time had come there was somepony to accompany them and help them survive.

“You’re welcome.” Fluttershy gave a slight awkward smile back, sealing the envelope down.

“Please keep them safe...”

Fluttershy found how lost she was, spiralling in a world which she wasn’t familiar with, let alone experienced with... Her courage was sparked, lit up by a harsh situation, but it wouldn’t linger for long. Soon she would lose all hope, it was natural, just how her life was and nothing could ever change it.

Next came about ten minutes of an awkward silence. Fluttershy sat and waited, freezing as a chill gripped the air and anxiety ran down her back in a cold wave. She remained sat at a desk in the Apple’s living room, grasping the sad letter between her hooves. Before long she was confronted by the youngest of the family, Apple bloom, tears in her sweet eyes.

“Fluttershy?” She said, sniffing and holding the urge to break down into an emotional collapse. It was no surprise to Fluttershy, a filly whose family is about to be torn apart can’t handle the pain.

“Umm, yes?” She replied, sitting up and getting closer to the poor filly to help comfort.

There were no more words, Apple bloom knew what was happening just as well as Fluttershy, or even better. She had hoped the time would never come, and it was now upon her, she was dropped into a pit of tears and worries.

“It’s alright Apple bloom, it’ll be fine.” She tried to soothe the filly, trying to help eliminate the fear she had, even though everything was still unknown to both of them.

“Why do y’all have to go?!” She couldn’t bare the sadness of the farewell anymore. Tears streamed from her eyes and she soon found herself in a warm hug from Fluttershy. It was a while ago, but the thought of that one night when Fluttershy was baby sitting all three of the Cutie Mark Crusaders came to mind.

They sat there for five minutes on the carpet floor as Fluttershy silently tried to cheer up Apple Bloom. She was thinking, if only the mention of these mysterious bandits is enough to put this filly in absolute fear... Who could they be? And what could they do?

A few minutes later Apple Bloom felt better, she could leave the safety Fluttershy offered and cope with the shock of the current events. But now their time together was ending, Applejack had the supplies gathered and packed while Big Mac had the forbidden spells. The time for leaving was now, with glum expressions on all the ponies faces they left their home, waving to Apple Bloom and Granny Smith as they left the Apple home.

Through the town everything was still quiet. There was a small increase in the number of ponies wandering around, but nothing significant. The sky was greyish as the clouds had gathered around which left an undesirable effect on the ponies waking up and feeling dozy. They headed around, taking shortcuts between some buildings, passing Twlight’s library where Fluttershy briefly posted the letter, trying to keep her actions from looking suspicious. Once it was posted they continued on their way, approaching a path leading to a group of trees on the outskirts of town. This was where they were forced to part with their beloved home for who knows how long and start running in danger and worry.

It was also to protect the Apple family... And not just them, also a much wider population... But Fluttershy did not realise exactly how many ponies could be affected by a few forbidden spells...