The cloaked figure approached the glass case displayed like an ancient monument, as it should have been. This was her one chance. She came prepared with the tools necessary. Her desaturated cream fur danced as a shiver slid down her spine. The tools shook violently as she pressed the knife into the glass. Slice. The glass came off. She reached her hoof into the insides before reluctantly pulling out. She grabbed the looked-like spray paint can – which was convenient as she didn’t wan’t to seem suspicious wandering around and all-nighter ponies would assume she was a reckless colt going to do some graffiti – and sprayed the misty gas inside. Crimson lasers revealed themselves. She used her wing to carefully put the mirrors inside, reflecting the lasers.
Did she really want to do this? She didn’t want ‘them’ to rely on her again…
~*~
The lavender unicorn levitated her books from shelf to shelf. She pulled one book up to her eyes, “101 dark spells? What’s that doing in here?” Her contemplating was short-lived, as a bang on the door interrupted her. She pulled the door open. Her friend, Willow, was pacing nervously at the door. Willow was a small, scrawny unicorn colt with grey markings on his hooves and muzzle. He had purple combed hair and a comforting gaze. “Oh, hello Willow. Is there anything you need help with?”
“H-Have you seen Fluttershy?”
“Not in a while,” Twilight tilted her head in puzzlement, “Infact, I haven’t seen her since last Tuesday.” A frustrated yawn came from the stairs. “What are you two going on about? It’s 6 in the morning!”
“Sorry, Spike. Fluttershy’s missing!”
“We shouldn’t jump to conclusions…” Willow rolled his eyes jokingly.
“You do know a yellow Pegasus was seen sneaking around Celestia’s castle?”
Twilight lifted a hoof up slightly. “But this is Fluttershy we’re talking about, quiet, squeak when addressing her own race Fluttershy!”
“If you’re willing to take that risk…” Spike grumbled and stomped back upstairs.
~*~
The lid was off, her hooves hovering over the necklace. Fluttershy pulled the Element of Kindness up, hammer in wing. She pulled her wing up and the hammer smashed through the element like it was paper. A flash blinded Fluttershy as she fell to the ground, dropping the hammer with a bang. The sudden noise got the guards’ attention as they ran up to find the source. Their eyes widening when they saw the grey pony laid on the floor, paying no attention to the fragments of the once-was Element of Kindness.
~*~
Fluttershy’s eyes slowly fluttered open, pupils dilating when she saw the five ponies staring down at her eagerly. “She’s awake!” The blue Pegasus chirped.
“Ah my, I didn’t xpect’ such a little filly like ya’ll to survive.” The orange pony tilted her hat down to hide her growing smile.
“Who… Who the hell are you?!” The five jumped back at her sudden language.
“W…What?”
“I said, who the hell are you?!” Fluttershy stomped her hoof as a warning.
“…Ah…” The orange pony looked side to side, none of her friends would speak, and she sure wasn’t going to. “Miss Twilight and company, visiting hours are over. Please make your way out.” The doctor barged in.
~*~
Rainbow Dash stepped in, examining the room nervously. “H-hey Fluttershy…”
“How do you know my name?! Who are you?!”
“I’m Rainbow Dash, your old pal. Friends since we were fillies.”
Fluttershy squinted her eyes before sharply turning her head, “Nope, never seen you in my life.”
“I… Um…”
~*~
“Hi Fluttershy!” Twilight stepped in, smiling reassuringly.
“*sigh* More strangers visiting, I’d rather have a family member visit me.”
Twilight’s smile faded. She levitated a notepad out her saddlebags and scribbled something down…
