Stare

The Springtime sun shone down on Ponyville on this wonderful day. Everypony was at their usual toil if they weren't at play, including two little pegasii who flew side by side one another as they raced over meadows, hills, and mountains. Rainbow Dash, an adventurous and spunky filly, had called out to her friend. "Fluttershy!" she called, "You're laggin baby girl, c'mon!"

The yellow equine smiled to herself, 'watch this', she thought to herself. Fluttershy, now giving 100%, zipped passed Rainbow Dash with great speed. Ever since she had trained for her flight to aid Cloudsdale, she saw herself as an exceptional ace... not the weak flyer she had been as a foal. But then, out of nowhere, Rainbow Dash sped off like a shot finishing with a vibrant sonic rainboom.

Fluttershy had coasted to a stop and hung her head. "Of course" she murmured, "One step forward and two steps back". She felt herself growing tense while she pursed her lips and clenched her teeth.

"Hey Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash zipped over to Fluttershy.

"Yes?" immediately Fluttershy shifted her tension to a bight and cheery smile

Rainbow Dash returned the same grin, but Fluttershy could sense the usual smug undertone in the blue one's voice. "I gotta say hun, you really gotten some guts last time we flew together; but, in the end, only this filly stands as reigning champion."

"Oh, well, congrats Rainbow Dash. But, you know, I can only do my best." she gave a little chuckle.

"Ay! It’s all good, girl. We still had fun" Dashie smiled

"Oh, yes!" Fluttershy, with her hard-plastic smile, concealed her true emotions. 'Yeah, you're just a hotshot aren't you, airhead?' the thought boiled in her head like piping hot pitch; 'I'd like to see you do a sonic rainboom with two broken wings, you stuck-up bimbo!' It was the very image of Dashie's wings snapping in Fluttershy's hooves served only to fuel her hidden animosity towards this egotistical glory hog.

Rainbow Dash always seemed to be ahead of all the rest and Fluttershy was forced to live in her shadow. Then again, it was like that with the other ponies, as well. Pinkie Pie, an effervescent extravert, had different friends in different circles and seemed to live the party life almost constantly, while Fluttershy was just restricted to five ponies, a rabbit, and a boring existence. Rarity and AppleJack both were very successful business owners, Fluttershy... not so much. Twilight was a star student, very intelligent, and a born leader while Fluttershy was somewhat naive and had barley the voice of a leader. And finally... Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash was an exhibit; as in, she was loud-mouthed, bigheaded, dim-witted, and full of crap!

Thoughts like this plagued Fluttershy in the darkest depths of her soul. She always felt insecure and tended to resent these girls time and again. "Fluttershy. Hey. You listenin girlfriend?"

"Oh" Fluttershy looked up with a start, "I'm sorry, what was that?"

Rainbow Dash shook her head, "I said, Pinkie Pie wants to meet up with us down at Sugarcube Corner later on so, I'll see ya in a few, 'kay?"

"Okay" Fluttershy replied. Fluttershy turned and started for home, it was time to feed the pets. She stopped at her door and put on her smile again as thought she were auditioning for a lead role in a play. She pushed open her door and walked into her convention of critters. Fluttershy always felt there was a sort of void in her life and knew not what would fill that void; except, she had so many animals to make her feel somewhat appreciated.

Angel hopped over with a large book in his paws, "Oh, Good Day Angel!" Fluttershy smiled and knelt down by the little bunny, "Are you hungry? Because, I made you a delicious salad with lots of fresh, crunchy carrots." Angel opened the book and pointed at a picture of a delectable carrot cake, "Oh my! It’s much too early for carrot cake angel. But, try this salad first and then we can have carrot cake." Angel just threw the book at her hooves and then pointed forcefully the image of the moist indulgence. "Angel" Fluttershy placed the bowl beside the stubborn white creature; "I made this especially for you... I just want you try it."

The rabbit wouldn't relent; he crossed his front paws and tapped his foot against the ground. 'I just about had enough of this, you snotty little brat!' was all that hung in the back of her mind; finally, she pursed her lips and stared the little rodent down hard. The bunny's blood had run cold and the poor things legs began to give out. Fluttershy clenched her teeth and her eyes widened even more, the little white critter's head started aching while his fur became soaked in cold sweat. Fluttershy smiled "What's wrong Angel, am I being a real pain?" the rabbit couldn't breath, his eyes now bloodshot.

The angered filly raised her head and widened her eyes looking down as thoughts of cruelty and malice flooded her mind. Suddenly, Angel started convulsing as his eyes rolled back into his head. Immediately, blood began to run from the little nostrils of the dying bunny, followed by little streams from the ears. The creature began gagging heavily as a crimson pool began to form in his mouth and then splash to the floor where Angel finally fell lifeless. Once a cute bunny with a stubborn attitude... now an empty, hideous vessel with full rigor mortis.

Fluttershy stood for a moment and looked upon the heap in it's stinking death pool. The first thing she realized was that she wasn't the least it sorry for what she had done, no guilt or remorse; but she felt like she had lifted a burden from her shoulders. Second, she began to recall something from her foalhood. It was during this time she was just starting to realize her true potential.

As she remembered, it was one day at flight school that a much older pegasus who had tripped her in the halls had assaulted her. She had gone careening into a pillar face-first, and ended up with a bloody nose and one of her eyes swollen. There was no one else around to witness this, just her and the assailant. The sound of that laughing wench always stuck in her mind to this day. Fluttershy who was always known to be the weakest was often an object of ridicule and a target for impromptu attacks.

Fluttershy, flaring with rage, made eye contact with her and stared with her face contorted with fury. The older filly's laughter was cut off by cries of intense pain as she had gripped her chest. She remembered how the bigger and brutish pony fell to her knees and began to sob in severe agony. It was when she had broken eye contact that the bully began to stabilize; but she wasn't laughing then, infact the image of utter horror on her face, along with teary eyes, stuck in Fluttershy's mind.

That whole day, she pondered the whole ordeal as she flitted home. But on the way she was met with the oddest of strangers. "Good day, child" called an elderly, brown-colored pegasus. The old colt had rain-rotted fur, two milky blind eyes, and missing teeth... what had remained were brown and barely managed to hang onto his blackened gums.

"I know you're probably wondering just what took place today, little one," he had said in a whiny, raspy voice, "but, know this... there is a great power in you and it is up to you to use this power wisely."

Fluttershy just stood there as she looked into the stone eyes of this mysterious pony as they peered into her soul. The elder pony lowered his head, "Should you fail to do so... it could mean your death dear one."

It was time for Fluttershy to come back to reality. Although, her flashback made her realize the full extent of her power, she never understood what the old pony said about 'it could mean your death'. She had used the stare on many separate occasions and nothing ever happened to her. If anything, she intimidated others most of the time.

She lay there on her bed and pulled a razor- sharp, stainless steel boning cleaver from under her pillow. This very knife however, wasn't kept there for self-defense. Rather, she would play with it from time to time while pondering whether she should use it on her wrists in the tub or on her little throat while looking out the window. Today was a different story, though.

'Why should I be the one to die?' she thought, she tightened her grip around the hilt of the deadly implement and plunged into the headboard with such fury that only half of the blade remained exposed.

'They must die... They will die!'