When Time Stands Still

Some say, “When you are in the face of death, time runs slowly.”

The wind rustled through Fluttershy’s mane as she plummeted through the air. She found herself strangely calm, especially for the situation she had put herself in. As she fell, she could feel her memories surfacing up and she felt a need to face them before she had no more time to.

She remembered how a new pony arrived into Ponyville as Fluttershy was preparing the meals for her animal companions. The pony had bright white fur and a silky yellow mane.

Bringing back these memories made a tear surface at the base of Fluttershy’s eye. She watched as the tear slowly rose into the sky as she fell further into the chasm.

The new pony introduced herself first. Fluttershy remembered exactly what she said, word for word.

“The name’s Sunny. I just got here.” She let out a sigh. “But I sure am lost. Any idea as to where I can find the Princess?”

Fluttershy giggled. “You sure must be lost. You are so far away from where you want to be. I’m just about to have dinner. If you’d like, I can make you some, and you could maybe stay here for the night.”

“Why, that would be nice. Thank you.”

By now the tears were streaming from Fluttershy’s huge eyes. And, like the tears she had cried earlier, they too slowly floated into the sky.

Over the cool carrots and salad Fluttershy had prepared for dinner, the two of them had gotten to know each other really well. Fluttershy found out that Sunny was a student under Princess Celestia, much like Twilight and that she earned her cutie mark for raising the hopes of the ponies from her old town when they were in need.

“You see, I was sent to come here and learn more about friendship. And I personally think that you are a shining example of it. Tonight was fun. We should do it again some other time.” exclaimed Sunny.

“The night’s not over yet, Sunny. We still have at least an hour to do whatever we want.” replied Fluttershy.

For the first time, Fluttershy had been brought out of her shell, much like a turtle being coaxed out by a carrot.

Fluttershy gasped at how real these images seemed, as if she were actually experiencing them a second time. She glanced nervously at the cliff edges. They appeared cold and jagged, much like her heart had felt to herself. She winced as yet another memory surfaced.

Fluttershy gently awoke to the sound of a rooster crowing. She crumpled up her face and tussled in her bed, trying to hang on to her dream which, although pointless, carried a sense of peace and tranquility.

“Rise and shine, pal.” exclaimed Sunny as she jerked off the blanket that covered Fluttershy. “Time’s-a-wasting!”

Despite the lack of warning and general shock anypony would experience from being suddenly woken in a manner similar to this, Fluttershy remained calm and even enjoyed the thrill.

“Do you HAVE to go now?” joked Fluttershy.

“Yes I HAVE to go now. If I didn’t HAVE to go now, I would have maybe not said I HAVE to go now.” replied Sunny, trying to keep the joke alive. “Actually… I can probably stay here for a few more hours. It seems I don’t HAVE to go so soon!”

They then collapsed in a fit of hysterical laughter.

“Stop making me laugh or I’ll HAVE to go to the bathroom!” cried Fluttershy.

They immediately stopped laughing.

“Too far?”

“Too far.”