Original idea by brandsca123, executed by MicroUltraMad and retaken & re-written by Irongalley.
-X-
It was morning in Ponyville, quiet and calm with neither sounds nor sights of unnatural origin. Fluttershy was making her daily rounds, in the cold of early winter. She moved about in the freshly fallen snow as she tended to the many critters and creatures roaming about.
It was but a few days into the season, and yet it was high time to see the smallest of beings around Ponyville going into deep sleep. but not all were as keen to rest as some others, and the several animals that didn't seem to want to go into hibernation were being very difficult to settle down into their homes.
It was her passion and life to see them well cared for, and no matter how much work it could be, she was always glad to see them properly tended to. Even if it meant that the 'Stare' was a necessary tool in some cases, such as a bear cub or a stubborn otter.
But no matter how much it took to see to their needs, it was always worth it when in the end they would smile at her in thanks.
As Fluttershy moved through the many holes and bird houses surrounding her cottage, she noticed one stray little bunny making his way towards the forest. With a creased brow she followed, not entirely sure as to what reasons a bunny could have for nearing such a place.
With a few flaps of her wings and a little southwards wind, she reached the critter before it entered the treeline.
“Come on little bunny, the Everfree is no place for a little cutesy bunny like you. Mother Fluttershy will get you home.” She smiled and reached for the rabbit, gently urging it to jump onto her hooves.
The bunny looked tempted, but instead decided to hop farther into the forest until he was barely visible to the worried pegasus.
"No, wait!"
The bunny ran off into the bushes, leaving Fluttershy behind in a blur of white fur and green leaves. She started after it, but suddenly found herself slightly intimidated by the tall ominous trees standing over her. They seemed to look down on her with malicious intent, almost glaring.
Fluttershy swallowed a lump in her throat and took a step back, unconsciously retreating from the trees in fear. Fluttershy looked from the trees to the bush in which the bunny had disappeared, and decided to take the safe approach and convince the bunny to return.
"Come here bunny, bunny, bunny! Come back!"
As she was coaxing the small bunny back from the woods, she heard a barely audible thud and muffled cries coming from the direction of the bush the bunny had run into.
“Oh no, some little creature must be in danger!” she cooed quietly to herself, as if waiting for courage to come to her so she could aid the creature.
Sure enough, she gained enough courage after a few seconds and hovered in the way of the cries, forcing herself every inch of the way to remain brave and steady despite the fear she felt.
The cries became louder as she made her way through the foliage, increasing in volume as if they suddenly weren't muffled anymore. She heard voices, whispers in the darkness of the forest, as she approached her mark. Voices filled with sadness and covered in pain. The voices, two of them, turned melodic.
Fluttershy could not see what was occurring, nor could she understand what the voice said between sobs as it carried on in its painful recital. A mare? It sounded like one.
The voice continued its sad song, the words lost to time and space as the only one around to listen could not understand them between the tears and heavy breaths. Then, without warning, the voice stopped and running steps replaced it.
Fluttershy listened for a few minutes, uncertain as to what she should do. Then the crying returned, and her instincts took over. Fluttershy flew over to the source of the weeping.
A loud noise similar to that of a speeding pegasi, resounded as she reachhed a small clearing anidst the woodland. Small particles of purple light hovered over the area, floating and roaming the air carelessly before disappearing by the center of the field. Next to where the particles disappeared there was a couple imprints in the snow surrounding a...Picnic basket?
'Wait... the cries are coming from the basket!' Fluttershy thought to herself, feeling a bit triumphant at her discovery, though not showing it. Fluttershy picked up the picnic basket without hesitation and made her way back to her cottage, meeting the stray bunny along the way and delivering him safe to his home.
As she walked into her humble abode, she was really curious of what was in the picnic basket. The crying has since ceased, and she set it on her coffee table so she could get a good look at what was inside. She opened the lid, and what she saw scared her out of her pelt.
She could've sworn it was a hairless monkey with all but just a small mane on the top of it's head, but her thoughts and mutterings of “OhnoOhno Don't Hurt Me!” Were quickly thrown out of mind when she heard its cries come back, effectively putting her motherly instincts into high gear. She shuffled over to the basket from her hiding place behind the couch, and opened the lid again, revealing the crying...Foal? Child? Pup? From her time at the Canterlot Zoo when she was younger, she had never seen any monkey like this.
She picked up the young creature with her wing and held it close, while it seemed wrapped in a blanket made of some soft material she hadn't seen before, even with her extensive experience with sewing.
“Hush...It's all gonna be OK...” she cooed while rocking it back and forth, effectively putting it to sleep. She took one last look at the vessel in which it arrived in and noticed something white sticking into view.
She pulled out a large scroll, and along with it there were some...Clothes? Yeah, clothes, sitting in a small pile near the corner of the large basket. She pulled them out and there seemed to be some very small shirts, diapers, and shorts. There was also a small metal figure, which seemed to be of a creature like it, but more grown up, and looking to be a gruff male character. She remembered a pony she saw in Canterlot being bullied because she liked to wear clothes, being that her parents were fashion designers like Rarity.
She opened the scroll and read it, albeit a little frightened at what it might contain:
To whomever finds this child and letter:
The child in the picnic ba sket's name is Michael. He is two years old, and a human. He is capable of speech, although not fluent being he is so young, and walks on two legs. We do not, or did not, live in this world. He is the last of our kind, and we had our reasons for leaving him here, no matter how depressing it was to leave him here. Our world is being ravaged by nuclear war, and currently the after-effects are too hostile for our child, and noone is fully human anymore due to mutations. We used a portal device from an old test chamber we found in a field to bring him here. I hope you may be able to take care of him in this world.
The things we left with him are things essential to his life, as we could only leave him with two things. The first thing is clothing, and because humans are bipedal and walk on two legs, certain “Parts” are easily visible, and they keep humans warm. The second was his favorite toy, an Action Comic Superman figure. The first thing about taking care of a human ki d is that we are omnivores, meaning that we eat meat, but it is a life choice, and we can live without it. Another thing to know is that humans usually start schooling at age 6, but I am not so sure if that is relevant, my wife just cares about his education. Something else that I am writing in here as his father, give him 'the talk' about sex at around age 12-13, which is when humans go through puberty, and are able to have children. Tell him to be safe. The rest is all up to you, so that he may live with the customs of whatever world we landed in.
I really hope you can take care of Michael, as we certainly can't.
Michael's Parents.
Fluttershy stared at the scroll in front of her eyes in confusion, trying to comprehend some of the strange words and terms. She would have to ask Twilight about it in the morrow, as she intended to pay a visit after such strange events. She turned to the small bundle of blankets under her wing, and found that the small creature, now known to be a human, was awakening from his slumber.
He looked at her with confusion, and asked a quiet, innocent, question “Mommy...You thewe?” to a distant wall, his eyesight still blurred from sleepiness.
Fluttershy looked at him with a smile and realized that she would be caring for yet another creature, and a far more complex one.
“Mother Fluttershy is here... Your parents can't be here, I'm sorry. I will be taking care of you.”
Original idea by brandsca123, executed by MicroUltraMad and retaken & re-written by Irongalley.
X
The child fell asleep before her. He closed his eyes slowly as sleep overtook him, pushed into the dream world by the gentle voice of the yellow mare; the kind soul that would accept him despite the work on her shoulders, the caring spirit that would see to his care despite the differences.
The letter spoke of an intelligent race, of an understanding species. But it also mentioned war, a foreign concept and disturbing thought, terrifying to think about. War was something that had not touched Equestrian borders for millennia, and yet she was looking straight at an orphan of war, an orphan of something scary.
The infant smiled gently as dreams populated his small mind, his innocent thoughts vivid with images of woodland creatures and vibrant colors; unaware of the tragedy surrounding his birth, his situation. Not knowing of pain or suffering, he dreamt.
Fluttershy felt a smile cross her features as she saw the infant sleep, dream. She had no idea of what 'nuclear' meant, she had no care for anything war related, she did not know of the fate of his race. She only saw a being, a soul, in need of love and in need of her. Perhaps someday she would come to fear him? Perhaps his race was an aggressive one? Looking into the gentle features and vulnerable skin he had, she simply answered with a mental no.
And even if it did come to happen, even if the world would betray her kindness, she would still give it. It was not only her element; it was not only her duty. It was her. She was kindness and as long as it remained so, she would not deny it to anyone, no matter who they might be.
Fluttershy shook her head to rid herself of morbid thoughts, they were no use, and of no matter. With the child in his crib, with the setting sun in the horizon, and with sleep of her own having being interrupted; Fluttershy smiled one last time before returning to her bed, and falling asleep.
Let the world worry about the future, let the thinkers ponder on the past. She had a present to live.
Morning light found its way into her cottage, into her house. It illuminated the outer fields and flowers; it lit the garden and chicken pens. Then it caressed the outer walls of her home before gingerly peeking through her windows and touching her wooden floors.
Fluttershy smiled as the sun's warmth touched against her fur. Unlike many, she loved to awaken and see the day in its full glory, in all its strength. Flowers and creatures alike rose to greet the golden shine of the celestial light orb; animals, equines, and now a new being opened their eyes to greet the sunlight.
Michael, lost creature in a world so different from his own; the innocent boy felt his eyelids open and close, still heavy with sleep. His hands twitched and grasped at the air, searching for something. His mind replaying images of nightmares and sweet dreams alike, not sure which to believe; the boy chose the nicest.
Fluttershy... The name resounded in his mind, despite not comprehending what it meant. Fluttershy...
"Good morning Michael! Did you sleep well?"
The voice... It was off. She didn't sound like his mother; he certainly didn't feel like being home.
Michael opened his eyes sluggishly, not truly wanting to. The sun's rays illuminating his face with their light, he opened his eyes, opened them and greeted the morning shine. The first he saw was the ceiling, the second one, however, was new.
Fluttershy smiled at him kindly, welcoming him as much as possible, trying to ease his getting accustomed to the new surroundings. He was in a new world, and he'd have to get used to it. Not by choice, but by force. Force of destiny and nature, something few have control over.
Michael was young however, and he could not comprehend such things. He knew little of his surroundings, and the fact that he was hungry did not help.
So it happened that in the wee hours of that beautiful morning, Fluttershy learned how difficult her new task would prove.
Michael began to cry.
"Oh, please don't cry! Oh my, are you hungry?" She whispered soothingly, trying her best to calm the infant and stop the loud cries before they woke the entirety of her cottage’s animal guests. As is to be expected, she was not very successful.
Fluttershy frantically flew down to her kitchen, soaring through her dorm's door and down the stairs to find herself searching through her cupboards for something she could feed her newest charge.
'What did the letter say he was; a human? What do humans eat?!'
The butter colored pegasus decided, in the end, to take what she could upstairs and experiment. It is from our mistakes that we learn after all, isn't it?
And her morning went as such, running around, flying to and fro with distinct foods and attentions to give a weeping child in hopes he would calm down. She wasn't certain how much time had passed, or how many different things she had tried to feed him. But by the time the sun was high in the sky, and Michael was happily munching his way through a plateful of ice cream, Fluttershy realized the rest of her animals needed to be fed and cared for as well.
Not to mention the state of her kitchen and bedroom, which were sporting many stains of the frozen treat she had given the kid. All in all, her home was a disaster, and the entire morning was lost.
‘Oh, my… I just hope Angel isn't angry…’ She cringed a little at the thought. Tartarus hath no fury like a bunny scorned!
Fluttershy sighed and rubbed her temples, calming down her frustration. She did not believe in anger, as it was counterproductive to any plans one had. She was a calm mare that tried to work her way around difficulties and always strived to find civil resolutions to them, and she had always been able to do it, but this new challenge of hers was probably more difficult than what caring for the crusaders had been.
But despite it all, she focused. Getting angry was out of the question, and hiding inside a vase was something she reserved for really scary things, but not frustrating things like that one. She would simply have to… ‘Deal with it, Fluttershy. You can do it.’
After her sentiments were controlled, Fluttershy produced several plates and containers as well as her animal's food before she began the routine of feeding her critters; tough work, but rewarding. She then cleaned her kitchen, after which she scrubbed the stains off her bedroom floors and walls.
She collapsed face first into a pillow on her sofa by the time she was done, sighing and groaning lightly as her hooves and mind ached all over. She was tired, but had questions that needed answering. Fluttershy looked over her pained shoulders and smiled at Michael softly. The child was currently giggling as he held the ice cream bucket on top of his head, wearing it like a helmet.
Fluttershy chuckled lightly, glad that there had not been nearly enough ice cream so as to cause a tummy-ache, but plenty for Michael to have his fill. Not that there was much to fill; he ate very little for some reason.
Fluttershy kept her smile, forcing two heavy eyelids and a tired body from falling asleep in the comfort of her couch. She sighed and looked out her window, half wishing it were too late to actually go to the library, and half hoping she could avoid the frantic mess of the morning in the future. She was out of ice cream, and Twilight would probably know what to feed Michael.
“Come on Michael, we need to go.” She wiped the dessert from the child’s face and got him to follow her out the door; the yellow mare made her way to her friend's library, walking child in tow.
The walk was relatively uneventful, as most ponies were already gone from the streets and back in their homes making ready for the night and slumber it brought with its wake.
Michael followed Fluttershy as she walked beside him, leading to someplace she referred to as 'Twilight's Library'. Michael knew little in the way of words and language, but he was proud to be able to speak some of the basic forms of speech. So, in a display of his utmost capability in the spoken ways of communication, Michael tried to pronounce the strange words and phrases.
"Twaights Brary."
Fluttershy smiled and spoke some more, seemingly praising his deed. Michael took this as a positive sign and repeated the phrase, coaxing more words and approving gestures from the strange pony; not that he knew she was a pony, his mind only being able to know that she was a friend.
The pair walked on and into the heart of town, passing through the empty streets without being noticed by any. With the moon starting to rise above the horizon and the sun lowering down, Fluttershy and Michael came to stand in front of the doorway to Ponyville's library.
"I hope we aren't interrupting her..."
Fluttershy took a deep breath and knocked softly on the wooden door, not wanting to pester her friend more than she already was; despite having been assured time and again that it was no trouble at all.
It took but few seconds for the door to open, as the unicorn that inhabited the library had been studying until late within the wooden walls. She had a habit, Fluttershy would not judge whether it was good or bad, of staying until late devouring page after page, endless chains of letters and phrases; all in the name of knowledge.
"Hello Fluttershy! What are you-"
Twilight smiled as she saw Fluttershy, smiled and started to greet the butter coated pegasus, only to stop and stare as her companion became visible, blinking as if her eyes were trying to lie to her mind.
Twilight Sparkle was an educated mare, very well versed in the ways of biology and zoology. She was well aware of the many numerous species ponykind shared the world with, and while contact with some of them was neither always pleasant nor common, she knew how to recognize a child of an exotic kind when she saw one.
"Oh, good evening Twilight; can we come inside for a second?"
"Twaights Brary!"
Fluttershy giggled and Twilight smiled as the infant blurted out the words with excitement only he could understand, speaking was such an adventure for him still. Every time a new sound left his mouth it was like exploring a new art, vague and far from comprehensible, yet fascinating nevertheless.
"Sure, come on in. I'm guessing you have quite the story to tell..." Twilight stood aside and pulled the door open a bit more, allowing her guests inside.
She eyed the small child with curiosity worthy of only the best scholars; it was second nature for her to question most things that came her way. New species were no exception.
"Spike! I need you to find volumes four through seven of 'Exotic life forms and specimens', 'Life beyond Equestrian shores', and 'A traveler's guide to extraequestrian life forms'!"
Twilight called out to her assistant just as he prepared to make his way into bed. Spike sighed and nodded, resigning himself to his duties. He didn't notice Michael though, for the human child was already halfway through one of the shelves, looking in awe at the hundreds of scrolls and scripts that were neatly arranged atop their respective shelves.
Flluttershy said hello to Spike as he darted from shelf to shelf in search of the books; he merely replied a swift ‘hello’ of his own before returning to the task at hand. Twilight having departed to the kitchen to prepare tea and other niceties left Fluttershy by herself.
She sighed and looked around, taking in the sights of her friend's library. She could not help herself; it was almost instinctive to feel amazed at the sheer amount of literary material that was stored in such a small building. Years of knowledge and seas of research were being zealously guarded in-
"Eep!"
A loud thud from behind her was followed by the sounds of many small objects falling to the ground. Fluttershy turned around as fast as her hooves and wings would allow, and her eyes came to rest on quite the sight.
Standing beside a large shelf collapsed on the ground, books strewn around the entire place and many scrolls littering the library floor, standing right there was Michael.
"Oops."
Spike fainted, Fluttershy sighed in relief that he wasn't injured, and Twilight rushed into the library room, concerned for her friend's welfare.
After many books were lifted from the floor and shelves were once more placed upwards, the two friends sat down and talked. Many things were discussed, ranging from the mundane to the more eccentric...
"What is he? It is a he, right?"
Fluttershy pulled Michael away from a flowerpot and nodded. She could only assume of course, but Michael was not the kind of name one would give to a female.
"Yes, Michael is a colt, and I'm not sure... The letter said he was a human, but I've never heard of any creature called something like that."
"What letter?"
"Oh! Right."
Fluttershy smiled embarrassedly and produced the small paper with Michael's parents' last wishes. Twilight read over the small piece of paper, she read it carefully and with dedication, knowing it was a vital piece to understand the origin of such a strange creature. Twilight scanned every letter, arching an eyebrow curiously at some parts, looking at the text with confusion in others.
“We have to take him to the princess; she’ll know what to do.”
Fluttershy nodded and turned to look at Michael, the small infant as he played with a book and giggled seemed like the most innocent of creatures. The most delicate and fragile she had seen.
Perhaps it was his innate intelligence? Maybe it was the fact that he lost everything he owned except a few toys and his name? She didn't know, but she didn't care. He needed protection, and she would provide. There was no arguing the point any further, for in her mind, Michael had already begun to be a part of her.
Twilight looked at Fluttershy as she stared at the child, knowing full well that the world had many a turn and twist at the ready for them. She knew there would be difficulties up ahead, and that once they came; there’d be no backing away from them.
In the end, Twilight simply looked at her friend; she looked at Fluttershy and asked the one question that truly mattered anymore; the one question that would change their lives forever and leave them with no possible path for them to return to the present, or past.
“Are you really going to take care of him?”
Fluttershy did not part her gaze from the child, she did not hesitate either. How could there be any answer other than the obvious?
“Yes.”
And so the fates of many were sealed. So it was that the world would find much amusement from the odyssey about to unfold, for the benefit of few and the chagrin of many. For it was that night, under Luna’s starry skies, that a tale was commenced.
And the characters would see it through, to the very end.
