//------------------------------// // A Gem for the Troubles // Story: Fear from the Heart // by Dragon Heart //------------------------------// Fluttershy woke up and yelped at ten o' clock in the morning. She looked all over and realized she was in her bedroom, when she could have sworn she had passed out in her living room. But apparently her animal friends had put her in bed while she was out cold. She got up out of bed and headed down stairs. The animals were waiting for her to serve them breakfast, and she immediately got to work. As she fed her pets, Fluttershy reflected on what happened yesterday. She had came very close to earning that Dragon's trust, but apparently lost it quickly after pulling out that spear that was stuck in his leg. With it completely hating her, now how was she going to help it? When she had filled the last food bowl with feed, she put away the bag and headed out the door. She decided to go see Twilight and see how she was doing with that potion she had brewed yesterday. As she entered town, Fluttershy still pondered on how to help the Dragon. It would now be twice as difficult as before. But she would have to think about it later, because she had arrived at the library. Twilight heard a knock on the door, and she magically opened it. Fluttershy walked in. "Good morning, Fluttershy." said Twilight. "Good morning, Twilight." said Fluttershy. "How's your potion turning out?" Twilight sighed. "I still haven't figured out what it does, yet." she said. "One way to find out would be drinking it, but it's too risky. For all I know, it could be lethal to the taste. Or worse..." "H-how worse?" Fluttershy asked, nervous about the concoction. Twilight was about to respond, but held her tongue when she could not think of a worse case scenario more horrific than "death by consumption". "You know, that's something I'll have to think up later." Twilight said. "For now, I need to continue my studies." "Oh, okay. I guess I'll just go now." said Fluttershy as she back out the door. "Okay, see you later." Twilight said while keeping her gaze upon the potion. Fluttershy closed the door and walked away from the library. With that done and over with, her thoughts returned to how to help the Dragon, but another friend who approached her forced her to put them aside for later again. "Why hello, Fluttershy." said Rarity, "So good to see you this fine morning." "Oh, hello Rarity." said Fluttershy. "May I ask you for a small favor, darling?" Rarity asked. "Well, what might that be?" said Fluttershy. "Well, after I found that spool of spider silk, I've been needing to get more. But silk like that isn't something you can just buy from anywhere, it's incredibly rare. You have a talent for animals, so if you could be a dear and perhaps get some spiders to produce a years supply of silk for me, I would be deeply appreciative. Plus I'll reward you with whatever pleases you." Fluttershy was a little unsure about the favor, but then a brilliant plan came to mind. From what she learned from Spike is that Dragons love treasuries of all sorts. From gold to jewels to anything of pricy value. If she could get some gems from Rarity and present them to the Dragon, that could really redeem her efforts in winning the beast's trust. "Okay, Rarity, I'll help you in getting some silk." said Fluttershy. "Wonderful!" Rarity said with glee, "Take your time, no rush." She turned and headed off. Fluttershy partly knew and did not know what she had gotten herself into. She needed those gems, but she was going to have to trade in a years supply of silk from spiders in order to get it. But Rarity had faith in her and her ability to speak to the animals. She was in for a long day of searching and gathering. For the last seven hours, Fluttershy went from home to home, tree to tree, and every nook and cranny of Ponyville looking for spiders to get silk from. Fortunately, insects and arachnids populated a large majority of the planet, and spiders were practically everywhere. Fluttershy was able to obtain what seemed like half a ton of spider silk within the time period. When she felt she had collected enough, she went to deliver the load and get her payment. She was exhausted from her search, but her need to help the Dragon was what kept her going. She knocked on the door of the boutique where Rarity resided. "Coming!" said a voice in a singing tone. The door magically opened, and Rarity was on the other side. "Oh, Fluttershy, you're here. And you have the silk I asked for, no doubt?" "I sure do." said Fluttershy as she placed the box on the step. Rarity engulfed the box with her magic and opened it to find about fifty big spools of silk inside. She nearly jumped and flailed like a ten year old on caffeine overload, but instead made a small hop and twiddled her legs with delicate grace. "Oh my goodness, thank you." said Rarity. "I can only imagine how difficult it was for you to get all of this. Of course, the only way to repay you is through the reward I promised, so what would you like?" Fluttershy took in a deep breath through her nose and exhaled out her mouth. "Well, if it's alright with you, may I have one of each jewel you might possess?" If Fluttershy had fingers, they would be crossed in hopes that the answer is yes. Rarity raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Um, what do you need some gems for, pray tell?" Rarity asked. "Uh, for a gift I'm making for a far away friend." Fluttershy said, which was half true. Both of Rarity's eyes grew wide with realization of the request. "Oh! Well aren't you an Element of Kindness, indeed." Rarity smiled. "Alright, I shall part with some gems so that you may gift your far away friend with something as pretty as a necklace or something." Rarity headed to a closet, took out a jewelry box, removed about fifty nonidentical gemstones, including a pearl twice as small as a pony's head, and presented them to Fluttershy. "Whatever you plan to make for your friend, I hope they love it." said Rarity. "Thank you very much, Rarity." said Fluttershy. They hugged and Fluttershy headed back home. Now that she had a buffet of jewels for the Dragon, she would certainly win its trust for sure. But she also had to take care of one more thing before going out into the forest. She arrived at her house and entered, and was greeted by hungry animals. Fluttershy exhaled. "First thing's first."