Lost in the Dark

Author’s Note: I’m REALLY SORRY for the delay, school is purposely giving me work to interfere with this story… there is no amount of :( that can describe how sincerely sorry I am. I’m almost certain that I can get the next chapter done by… Saturday. I hope you enjoy this chapter :) and I would like to thank ZuperDerpy for pre-reading and helping me improve the characterization for Fluttershy.

Side Note: I would appreciate constructive criticism you can give, especially any involving characterization for original MLP character.

Hige was frozen in place. ‘So… that’s… that’s how he died… I can’t believe this…’ Hige slammed his hoof onto the table, and realized that he’d slammed it onto the inkwell he had been using. The papers he wrote were stained with ink around the edges, but it didn’t cover up anything he had written. He looked at his hoof that had now become pitch black. ‘Déjà vu…’ he thought as he slowly plucked the larger pieces of glass out of his hoof. Hige got up from his chair and walked towards the door of the room, making his way towards the bathroom. He turned on the water and lay in the tub. He lay there thinking of everything that he had just realized moments before. ‘Can’t keep mourning for much longer… I need to get out of this town… Wait, did Kiba bring my saddle bags? He was supposed to.’ “Wait! I can’t leave Kiba behind”, Hige said as he got out of the bathtub. After drying himself and his wound, he made his way towards the door.

He walked along the outskirts of town and into the Everfree forest. He moved along the dirt path that led to Flutershy’s house. ‘Get in, get out. Don’t want to make another scene’, Hige thought to himself as he remembered what had happened the day before. As he got close to the door, he extended his hoof to knock on it, but quickly stopped himself. ‘Wait… it’s still morning… maybe she’s still asleep.’ He opened the door as slowly and silently as possible. What he saw inside shocked him.

Fluttershy lay sleeping on the couch in the same spot where Hige last saw her. Kiba was sleeping next to the couch. ‘How did Kiba get her to fall asleep? He is the best friend ever… She is even more beautiful when she’s asleep. SHUT UP!!!’ he though, quickly shaking off this last idea. “Kiba… Kiba, wake up”, Hige whispered as he gently nudged Kiba. Kiba quickly woke up and looked at Hige with a puzzled gaze. “C’mon Kiba, we need to leave.” Kiba got up. “Kiba, did you bring my saddle bags?” Kiba nodded and ran out the door, probably to search for the saddle bags. As Hige turned around to leave, he was overcome with fear from the noise he had just heard. Fluttershy was about to wake up? He turned to see that she was only shifting positions. ‘For the love of Celestia, this mare is going to give me a heart attack!’ He thought to himself ‘… she must hate me now… I would too… She just wanted to know if I had a best friend, I had no right to make a scene like that… what I would give to undo that…’ Hige thought.  Kiba returned seconds later, saddles in mouth, and he sat down outside the doorway. Hige didn’t notice.

‘What I would give-‘ Hige’s thought was interrupted by a mischievous white rabbit jumping up onto the higher section of the couch and dangling a carrot over Fluttershy’s head. ‘Is he gonna do what I think he’s gonna do?’ In an instant, Hige’s nightmare became a reality as the rabbit released the carrot and  was now in a direct course toward Fluttershy’s head. In a spit second reaction, Hige was able to catch the top of the carrot with his mouth. Angel was not pleased with this turn of events; he jumped off of the couch and towards Fluttershy. ‘This rabbit was misleadingly named’, was the last thought to pass through Hige’s head before the rabbit landed on Fluttershy. In a moment of fear the shy mare bolted awake and slammed heads with Hige. Hige fell onto the floor and the rabbit launched of the couch.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect anybody to be here! Is your head okay? Let me check!” She said as she turned her head and looked directly at Hige. “Hige!?” What happened next thoroughly surprised Hige. After Fluttershy realized who it was, she jumped off the couch and tackled Hige with a great  hug. “Hige, I’m so sorry for yesterday! I didn’t mean to be nosy, I was just curious! You have to believe me; I didn’t want to make you mad! It was an accident!” she said, tears slowly making their way down her face. ‘Is… is she sorry for what happened yesterday? She feels guilty for something I did?’ Hige couldn’t say a word; he was having a hard time processing the situation. Hige’s silent response caused Fluttershy to cry even more. “IM SO SORRY!!!” she said, almost breaking down completely. Hige tightened the hug and said, “No… its my fault… I overreacted.” This made Fluttershy calm down, but not by much. “B-but”, she began to say, but was cut off. “No, Fluttershy… I overreacted… Don’t take the blame for something you didn’t do.” They stayed in total silence for a few minutes, long enough for Fluttershy to calm down. The peace was ended by Hige’s stomach which began to growl. This made Fluttershy jump. Hige began to laugh, Fluttershy soon joined in. “Kiba”, Hige called over, “Bring me my Saddle bag.” Kiba walked over and placed it next to him. Hige began to look through the bags until he found what he had been looking for, a small bag filled with Kiba’s favorite treats. He opened it and threw one in the air, KJiba soon caught it by instinct. Kiba sat there and began to stare at Hige, Hige sighed and threw another treat in Kiba’s direction “You’re so spoiled” Hige murmured “Um… what are those?” Fluttershy asked curiously “Oh… I don’t really know… It’s a strange treat that I bought in a town I was in… Kiba loves them” Hige said extending the bag toward her in case she wanted to take a closer look. Fluttershy’s eyes widened “W-what happened to your hoof?!” Hige quickly turned to his hoof and immediately remembered what had happened. “Oh… I accidentally jumped onto an inkwell”, Hige said with a grin. ‘You are horrible at making up stories’, he thought. “We need to put a bandage on it, I don’t want it to get infected”, she said as she ran to the bandages she had in the cabinet. After a few minutes, the bandaging was done.

“How does that feel, is it too tight?” She asked. “No, it’s perfect. You are really good at this.” Fluttershy began to blush. “I was going to get some breakfast… Do you want to come? I really don’t know this town too well…” Hige asked. “Oh… I would, but I need to take a bath… I don’t want to have to make you wait…” she said in a sad tone. “No worries, I rather wait than get lost in the town” Hige said with a reassuring grin. “Oh, okay then. I’ll try not to take too long”, she said as she perked up and went to take a bath. ‘I can’t believe it… She actually forgave me…’ Hige thought as he reached for his saddle bag and began to search. ‘I hope I didn’t lose it… Oh here it is.’ Hige thought as he pulled out a silver bracelet with a pitch black gem on it, he breathed a sigh of relief as he put it on. ‘Okay… now how many bits do I have... about… a hundred give or take .’ Hige then heard the bathroom door open and close followed by hoofsteps going upstairs, and another door opening. ‘Okay, forget it, I’ll check the rest later.’ Hige stretched and waited for Fluttershy to come down. A few minutes later, he heard the upstairs door close. Fluttershy came down and smiled once she locked eyes with Hige. “S-sorry I took so long”, she said, looking at her hooves. “Wasn’t long at all. You ready?” Hige asked. “Oh… yes, I’m ready”, she said with a small smile. “Okay then, let’s go”, Hige said as he strapped on his saddle bag. Fluttershy smiled and followed Hige out the door. Kiba gave a yawn and followed Fluttershy.

“So… do you want to walk or fly”, Hige asked as he looked at Fluttershy. “Oh… well… I’m not a strong flyer… but if you want to… I can catch up later”, Fluttershy said as she hid behind her hair. “Okay then, we’ll walk”, Hige said. “T-thank you, Hige… but you don’t have to if you don’t want to…” Fluttershy said. “Don’t worry about it, I’d rather walk with you”, ‘did you actually BUKING SAY THAT?! I WILL MURDER YOU IN YOURE SLEEP’ Hige said with a small blush appearing on his face almost as big as Fluttershy’s. “Um… W-why are we taking this route?... If you don’t mind me asking...” Fluttershy said, surprised by the fact that Hige took the route along the outskirts of town. “Oh… Well… I’m not a very social pony… I tend to keep to myself…” Hige said. “A-and why is that?” Fluttershy asked. “Well… I never actually had good friend, I guess… never really got the chance to be social…” Hige said with a grin. “Is that why you… Never mind!” Fluttershy said, stopping herself from saying something that might cause another scene. “*Sigh* don’t worry… No, that’s not why I caused a scene yesterday… and I’m sorry but I…” Hige began to say “Don’t worry, I understand… and I won’t mention what happened yesterday to anypony, I promise”, She said in a reassuring voice. “Thanks Fluttershy… That means a lot to me… you’re a good pony…” Hige said as a blush appeared on his new friend’s face.

They made their way to the edge of the town in silence until a rainbow-maned, cyan pegasus walked up to the three. “Hey Fluttershy, who’s your friend”, the cyan pegasus said, not taking her eyes away from Hige. “Oh… T-this is Hige, He just moved here”, Fluttershy said. “Hmm… Hige? Did you meet Twilight, the librarian?” Hige nodded. The cyan pegasus began to study Hige closer. ‘what is she doing?’ “Okay then… so you wanna race? I’m the fastest pegasus in all of Equestria!” the cyan pegasus asked with pride… or arrogance. “Oh… I’m not a strong flyer… and I was going to get some breakfast…” Hige said. “Wait… you’re getting breakfast… with Fluttershy? What is this, a date?” Hige and Fluttershy blushed on cue. “Hahahaha! Well then, I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone”, the pegasus said as she flew off into the sky. “D-don’t mind Rainbow Dash… She isn’t always like that…” Fluttershy said, still embarrassed from the last comment. The three made their way to Sugar Cube Corner. “Welcome to Sugar Cube Corner. I’m sorry but are you new? I don’t remember seeing you before”, said a blue mare behind the display shelf. Hige was about to answer before a loud gasp was heard from upstairs, or more specifically from a can that was dangling on a string. There was a pink blur that ran down the stairs and stood in front of Hige with the biggest smile he had ever seen in his entire life. “Are you Hige?! Yes you are, you have to be Hige! Hi I’m Pinkie Pie and I throw parties for everypony here in Ponyville! But I haven’t thrown you one and since you’re going to live here, a party would be the best way to meet everypony else! PLUS THERES CAKE!!!” The pink earth pony said. ‘Say something!’ “H-hello Pinkie Pie…” Hige said. “NO TIME FOR SMALL TALK, I NEED TO PLAN YOUR PARTY!!!” the pink pony screamed before she dashed up the stairs.

“Oh don’t mind her,” said an earth pony with swirled ice cream-like hair, “that’s your average Pinkie Pie. Hi I’m Mrs. Cake, and I’m guessing you’re Hige. What can I get for you two to eat?” the blue mare said with a smile “Oh… nice too meet you… um, you can order something if you want Fluttershy, I’m buying”, Hige said as he began to look at the variety of sweets. “Oh, no… I-I couldn’t”, she said, taken by surprise at the sudden offer “It’s not a problem, Fluttershy… don’t worry”, Hige said with a reassuring smile. “Oh… but…” she began “C’mon Fluttershy, I don’t mind. I know for a fact you haven’t eaten anything since… yesterday” Hige said “oh… okay then… um, I’ll take a small stack of Wheat Cakes with apple syrup… if you don’t mind…” she said, shifting her attention to Mrs. Cake. “Actually, make that two… ill die of hunger before I decide what to eat”, Hige joked as he directing his attention to Mrs. Cake, Fluttershy giggled shyly ‘d’aww… she is so cute’. “Two Wheat Cake Stacks comin’ up. Oh and if you don’t mind, we can’t have pets inside the store. You can take that table outside, I’ll bring your orders when they come out”, Mrs. Cake said, taking Hige out of his own thoughts. “Oh, okay then, do you have anything warm to drink?” Hige asked. “Yes, we have coffee and hot cocoa. We’re not really famous for our drinks”, she said, embarrassed by the measly options. “Hmm… what do you think, Fluttershy. Coffee or cocoa?” Hige asked. “Oh… well Coffee is bitter and cocoa is sweet… other than that, they’re the same”, she said. “Hmm… two hot cocoas then”, Hige said. The mare nodded and walked to the back of the shop. “W-why two?” she asked. “One for you and one for me… why, you don’t like cocoa?” Hige asked. “No… it’s not that, I like cocoa… but why did you buy it?” she asked, looking Hige in the eyes. “Oh… well… I don’t know… d-do I need a reason to be generous? Plus you need something to wash down the food” Hige said, a blush slowly taking over his face. “N-no… just curious… we should go to the table, we promised Mrs. Cake”, she said as she turned toward the door, trying to hide her blush.

“Here’s your order. That’ll be twelve bits”, Mrs. Cake said as she placed the food on the table and Hige gave her the bits. They began to eat and enjoy each other’s presence. It only took a few minutes for Hige to be done, considering he was so hungry. Fluttershy was still eating the other half of the pancake stack by the time Hige was done. Hige sat there sipping his cocoa. A while later, Fluttershy had enough. “I-I’m sorry, I-I can’t eat another bite”, she said as she pushed her plate forward. “Don’t worry about it, Kiba will get rid of the rest for you”, Hige said. “Oh… Okay… Um Kiba, would you mind?” She asked as Kiba stood up, grabbed the plate, placed it on the floor and happily began to eat. “So… what are you going to do today?” Hige asked tying not to look like an idiot. “Oh… Well I need to feed the animals… I don’t do much after that…” she said before taking a sip of her cocoa. “Well… do you mind if I… well… tag along?” Hige asked. “Oh, yes I appreciate the help… well… if you want to help… you don’t have to…” she said. “I’ll be glad to help”, Hige said with a smile as he took another sip of his cocoa.

They soon made their way to Fluttershy’s cottage. Hige fed the animals outside, and Fluttershy fed the animals inside.

“The animals outside are fed, how are the animals inside?” Hige asked as he walked through the doorway. “Oh, they’re fine… Thanks for helping”, Fluttershy said as she finished feeding Angel… or apologizing for what happened this morning. “Not a problem, if you ever need anything, I would be happy to help”, Hige replied. There was a knock on the door followed by it opening; it was Twilight. “Hi, Twilight”, said Fluttershy. “Hi Fluttershy. Just here to tell you that Hige’s party is ready”, Twilight said. “W-what party?” asked a surprised Hige “The one that Pinkie Pie was planning”, Twilight answered. “Oh…” Hige said, realizing the stupidity of the question. “C’mon, you can’t miss the party. Consider it an initiation into Ponyville”, the lavender mare said. “Oh… okay then…” Hige said as he got up from the couch. “Don’t worry, just make an appearance, mingle and get out”, Twilight said. “C’mon Kiba”, Hige called out, Kiba walked over. “Are you going?” Hige asked Fluttershy. “Oh, no… I’m not good with parties”, she said with a small smile. “Oh, okay then”, Hige said as he followed Twilight out the door.