The Fluttering

Monday

The crisp morning air whipped past, the land a blur in the pegasus eyes. Her rainbow mane flowed out behind her, a curtain of multi colored hair. Several minutes passed before she finally spotted her destination. In the distance sat a small cottage on the edge of a forest, a single chicken coop was set opposite the building. Lying on the lawn was a familiar yellow shape, her wings neatly folded behind her back. A small white rabbit sat perched on her chest. It seemed he was trying to wake her up, with somewhat limited success. The blue pegasus banked a hard left, landing softly on the lush grass.

"Hey Fluttershy! Hey, wake up!" She called, hoping a familiar voice would rouse the sleeping form of her friend.

"Huh? What? Oh, hi Rainbow Dash...Oh my, I must have dozed off in the night! I'm sorry Angel, you must be starving!"

The small white rabbit narrowed his eyes, glaring ever so slightly. This technique was a sure fire way he got what he wanted. But not today.

"Don't give me that Mr! I simply fell asleep and you can just wait!"

"Flutters? Have you been watching those Iron Will self help videos?"

"No, I don't know why I did that, guess I'm just not feeling myself..." A small trickle of laughter escaped the yellow pegasus throat, sending a slight shiver down Rainbow's back.

"Anyway...I have this friend from like waaaay back when and she wanted me to look after her hotel for animals while she went overseas. So I thought why not bring a friend... Of course I thought about the other guys first but then I remember you just love animals! So what I'm asking is...you wanna come?"

"I'd just love to Rainbow Dash, but who's going to look after the woodland creatures while I'm gone?"

"I'm sure the cutie mark crusaders would love to get some mark in zoo-keeping or whatever..."

"Well alright but it will be your fault if Scootaloo burns my house down!"

Suddenly out of nowhere, a bright pink flash shot through the trees. It flew across the ground, skidding to a sudden halt. Once the object had stopped, they instantly recognized their eccentric friend Pinkie Pie.

"Oh are you girls gonna look after an animal hotel? I would just loove to join, we could stay up late and party till the sun wakes up! I could make my famous choc-cherry ice cream, with bananas and donuts and candies and-"

"Alright! You can come, just please shut up!" Rainbow Dash let out a long drawn out sigh, regretting the sentence as soon as it escaped her lips.

"Hooray! Oh, can I bring Gummy... Pleeeeaaassseee?!"

"Fine...."

A few hours later they had arrived at the Overhoof Hotel, high up in the northern peaks of the Coltorado Rockies. The large building loomed above the trio, behind it sat a large hedge maze. Its design strangely familiar to the one Discord had tricked them into.

"Oh wow! It's so big! Hide and go seek would be great in there! Don't you agree Gummy?"

The tiny alligator simply blinked, seemingly oblivious to his masters question

"I thought so too!"

"Umm Pinkie? You do know he can't answer you right?"

"Oh believe me, he never shuts up!"

"Right... Wait where's Fluttershy?"

Behind a large thistle bush sat Fluttershy, her fear of large buildings preventing her from going any further.

Eep! Its to big, a pony could get lost in there! What if it's haunted? I just cant go in!

Rainbow Dash quickly spotted her friend, the bright yellow rump easily made out through the dark green.

"Flutters? Oh come on! Its just an old building, nothing wrong with some good old.... Rustic charm I guess? Oh wow, I sound like Rarity..."

"A-are you s-sure R-rainbow?"

"Hey, with me here it will be twenty percent cooler!"

Rainbow Dash pulled out a pair of sunglasses, trying to cheer up her terrified friend. She slipped them on and proceeded to quote the much used Horatio Mane one-liner.

"I guess you could say..... Its gonna be an Animal House."

"YAAAAAAAAY!" Shouted Fluttershy, wanting to finish off the joke with some Who.

"See its gonna be fine!"

"Yeh, what Dashie said!"

"Wait, how the heck did you get over here so fast?"

"Because I'm Pinkie!"

"Good enough reason."

After finally reassuring Fluttershy that it would be fine, they walked through the thick wooden door. The main hall was filled with souvenirs from the bison tribes of Appleloosa. A large shag carpet lay on the floor, its brown drab colors failing at spicing the place up. A small counter sat to the far right of the room, revealing a very bored looking colt. Behind him lay shelves filled with room keys, each one imprinted with a different animal footprint.

"Umm hi, I'm here to apply for the job of winter manager! My friend is a lover of animals so she will be tagging along, oh and Pinkie here will be staying with me as well."

The gray colt suddenly looked up, amazed to see customers in the middle of December. His eyes fell upon three gorgeous mares, the one with rainbow hair awaiting an answer to her question.

"Ah, you must be Rainbow Dash, Splendor Wing mentioned that you would be arriving soon. Come into my office and I can explain the job details to you, also will your yellow friend be helping you with the animals?"

"Yes, I just love every single animal... Bunnies and birdies, oh and cute widdle turtles! I myself own a small animal shelter."

"Righto! Sounds like you would fit right in!"

Slowly the two trotted into the office, telling Pinkie to stay put. But this is Pinkie were talking about!

With Gummy now gnawing softly on her pink mane, Pinkie Pie bounced into the kitchen. Many of the staff had left to enjoy the beautiful winter, leaving only a few lonely stragglers. But even they would be leaving once the snow came in. Pinkie searched high and low, looking for a reasonable sized cake tin. Once she stumbled onto the perfect one her face lit up.

"I'm gonna make the bestest *Staying here awhile* cake EVER! Woo, lets get to work!"

A large pantry stared at the pink pony, the contents devoid of any delicious flavors.

"Awww, looks like its time to bring out my Emergency Cake Maker 3000!"

"Hello Pinkie Pie, it seems we are out of tasty 'tings for your lovely cake, It seems we need something else to bake."

"Zecora? Since when do you work in a hotel? As a cook?"

"There are many 'tings you ponies don't know, Within this hotel are places where da air won't flow, even the memories stay, rarely showing dere angry faces."

""*

""

"So if i want to, I can call you on the head phone, hehe head phone!"

"Any time you need to yelp, just remember to call for help! But do not go into da Room 237, or you may go crazy with the gloom!"

"Okie dokie lokie! Use my mind thingie if i need help and don't go near the creepy room! I think I got it...now to make some ice-cream!"

While Pinkie made her delicious cherry ice-cream, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy sat in the small, dimly-lit office. The small yellow light flickered as it swung slowly from side to side.

"So you wanna take the job huh? I must warn you, it gets very lonely up here once the snow sets in. Most of our winter employees never come back after one week... But don't worry, this hotel is perfectly safe!"

"Umm I was wondering if I could start writing a story here, the nice quiet winter air really helps with my writing..."

"Flutters? You're writing a story! I hope it has me in it!"

"Oh, well.... kinda. Its gonna be about our adventures as the six elements, well the adventures that are lesser known."

"Oh sweet! So... The Adventures of Fluttershy?"

"No.. Its not just about me, its about all of us. The Chronicles of Equestria."

"Sounds like one of Twilight's dusty old books..."

"A famous writer who is one of the Elements would be a great endorsement, so yes you can begin your book here!"

A loud creak came from the room above, it was quickly followed by a loud growl. The loud growl continued for a whole two minutes, a large animal was obviously hungry.

"What in Tartarus was that?" Rainbow Dash questioned the manager, glaring at his completely undeterred expression.

"Oh, that's just Sara... She's our resident panther."

"A panther? Oh my gosh that's awesome!"

"Yes we have many large fearsome animals, but also tons of smaller, cuter animals!"

"I take it you know how to feed large animals.... Fluttershy."

"Umm yes I do... I've always been good with large animals."

"Perfect! Now I think we have the basics down pat, just remember to light the furnace, feed the animals and stay indoors when the snow hits!"

"Cool! This week should be awesome, right Flutters?"

"Oh yes, it does sound fun!" Fluttershy took a long gasp of air and released a somewhat louder "Yay!"

"Alright, here's the key... See you in a weeks time, try not to go too crazy!"

Later that evening the three sat around a small table, a large quiche sat before them. The aroma of her feast washed over Rainbow Dash, making her mouth water expectantly.

"Wow Pinkie, it looks delicious!"

"All my own special recipe, Gummy helped a little to!"

"Sure... can we eat now?"

"Bon appetite, or whatever those french say!"

Fluttershy ate her meal slowly and delicately, savoring the many wondrous flavors within. Her face lit up with every bite, the raw eggs just...

"Wait is that egg?! Oh, my! I don't feel very good...." Urrrp!

"Oh jeez, Pinkie! Brace yourself, vomit is coming!"

"Sorry Fluttershy... I forgot!"

Fluttershy ran towards the bathroom, her sensitive stomach heaving every time she thought of her little chickens.

"Well, I enjoyed it Pinkie..."

"Thank you, Dashie! Now how bout some ice-cream!"

A short while later, Rainbow Dash settled into a reclined position and let out a single loud burp. The room was silent for several seconds before Pinkie Pie burst into laughter. A childish grin now plastered on her face.

"What a ripper, Dashie! I give it 9.5!"

"Hehe, thanks Pinkie!"

They heard hoofsteps returning to the kitchen, a very pale Fluttershy appeared.

"What's wrong Flutters? You see a ghost?"

Fluttershy simply shivered, a single small whimper escaped her mouth. Rainbow Dash pulled her self up and gave the shaking pegasus a hug. Her body felt cold and clammy, almost feverish.

"Flutters, your burning up! Lets get you into bed, Pinkie you mind helping me bring Fluttershy to her room?"

"On it! Umm which room is she in?"

"237."

"No! She's sleeping in 153 now!"

"Pinkie, whats wrong with the other room?"

"Zecora said it was haunted, I just wanted Fluttershy to be safe."

"Alright... Wait, Zecora works here?"

"Oh, loooong story!"

Both ponies held Fluttershy close, avoiding the stairs as much as possible. They waited for a small while, the elevators apparently very slow. Ding! Both doors opened revealing a seemingly empty carriage. As they wandered into the elevator, Pinkie spotted a strange party hat sitting on the floor. It's presence sent a single shiver down her spine.

Hehe, probably left here by some excited filly... Remember Pinkie, giggle at the ghostie!

The doors slid apart, before them lay a long hallway with rooms on either side from 100 to 160. It seemed to never end until finally they arrived outside Room 153. Fluttershy stirred slightly, her quiet voice asking a single question.

"C-could you both stay with me tonight? I'm too afraid to sleep alone in strange places!"

"Of course Flutters!"

"Th-thank you, girls!"

"Don't mention it, I'm born to keep my friends smiling!"

Fluttershy offered Pinkie a small smile, she felt guilty that her meal wasn't able to stay down.

They lay her gently down, propping a fluffy pink pillow under her head. Rainbow Dash dove into the yellow and pink bag, searching for Fluttershy's adorable soft toys. Satisfied with her find, she velcroed the bag shut. Rainbow gave a single worried look to her cute pegasus friend before she lay all the soft toys next to her.

Fluttershy smiled weakly, happy to see her little animal friends. Slowly Pinkie tucked her into bed, singing a simple lullaby about a rabbit hole and some filly named Alice. Rainbow Dash was amazed at Pinkies gentle, calm demeanor. Not for the first time she wondered if there were really two of her and they simply traded places when needed.

Once Fluttershy's gentle snores could be heard under the cover of her animals, Both Pinkie and Rainbow brought out there sleeping bags. A bright pink cotton candy bed lay beside Rainbow's Wonderbolt spread, revealing the polar opposites of the two ponies.

"Do you think she'll be alright Dashie?" Whispered Pinkie, a light delicate voice unlike her own continued. "I feel so guilty, its my fault she's like that!"

"Shhh Pinkie! It wasn't your fault at all. You watch we'll wake up bright and early and Fluttershy will be massaging a crocodile or something!"

"Yeh... Well goodnight!" The pink pony simply lay her head down, drifting to sleep almost instantly.

Rainbow stared at the two sleeping ponies and yawned deeply.

Tomorrow everything will be fine! And twenty percent cooler!

After a few minutes of humming the Wonderbolt theme song, she fell asleep. Dreams of long hallways and unseen stalkers plagued her subconscious mind. Within the darkest parts of the hotel, a seething hatred began to stir...

*Brackets are used to convey telepathy
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