Fluttershy had finished the final kimono, the shy mare wiping her forehead a bit as she stood back, checking her work. She thought all of them simply looked wondrous and that everypony should enjoy them.
---
“So Twi, any info on Neghipon culture you could find?” Dash asked as the group headed over to Rarity’s boutique.
“Not much…” Twilight spoke as she read a book on Neighpon culture, “I’ve read this book multiple times last night, and I’ve learned only a few things.”
“Such as…?” Pinkie asked.
“Honestly… I can’t even remember half of what I read…” Twilight admitted.
“Oh...oh by the way!” Pinkie began as she pulled out a book from her mane, “I bought a translation book in case we get separated from Fluttershy while we’re in Neighpon!”
“Neat-o,” Dah smiled.
Rarity let the group in, and Fluttershy moved out the kimonos from the next room, the mares (especially Rarity) looking at the neighponese dresses in awe.
“I tried to make sure to incorporate something of each of us in it… like Pinkie’s having balloon designs on them, Twilight’s having stars, and the colors to try and match our manes…” Fluttershy informed with a smile when Pinkie noticed something.
“Hey Fluttershy, why do you have sticks in your hair?” Pinkie asked, noticing the chopsticks that were holding Fluttershy’s mane into a bun.
“Hmm? You mean this?” Fluttershy asked as she moved her hand up to the chopsticks in her mane, “Oh. I did this to make sure my mane didn't’ get caught up while I was working on the kimonos. That, and it’s something mare’s tend to do in Neighpon for special occasions.”
“Well, I think it makes your mane look adorable,” Rarity smiled.
“Thank you,” Fluttershy giggled slightly before walking over and getting something else, “And… since I sort of thought about it… I also made these,”
She then pulled out outfits that looked sort of like sailor fukus, each one in the Mane 7’s respective colors.
“Hey…I remember these. They're from your reverse comic book, right?” Dash asked.
“Yes...well techincally, these are something young mares wear while going to school and stuff. But the ones in the manga I showed you are special. They are the outfits worn by the leads while they fight the bad guys,” Fluttershy informed.
“How did you know that?” Rarity asked.
“Fluttershy loved showing me those books when we were in Cloudsdale… before Daring Do, it was the only book I gave the time of day because Fluttershy liked it,” Dash informed.
“Oh, I see,” Rarity noted.
“I… just wanted to make them…” Fluttershy admitted, twirling a stray strand of her mane with her finger in a shy manner.
“...Well I think they’re lovely, dear,” Rarity smiled as she walked up to the outfits, “They seem really well made.
Fluttershy smiled and blushed at that before shaking her head a little, “Th-thank you.” She then looked over at Twilight, “So um...did you send the letter yet?”
“I did, and I should be expecting a response anytime soon,” the alicorn nodded in response.
“Good. I can’t wait to see itoko-chan again,” Fluttershy smiled.
“...I’m guessing that’s…cousin?” Dash asked.
“Yep,” Pinkie nodded.
“Ah’m sure she’ll be happy t’ see ya too, sugahcube,” Applejack smiled a bit.
“Ind-ooh! I completely forgot!” Rarity gasped, “What about Sweetie Belle? i can just leave her alone by herself.”
“...funny you mention that…” Twilight spoke up with a slight sheepish chuckle, “I...asked Celestia for ten passes. One for each of us, and then three for the Crusaders,”
“And… I already made them outfits anyhow…” Fluttershy informed.
“Ohh...I see.”
“Yeah. So once the Crusaders are done at school, we’ll head out to the dock,” Twilight informed, “...After, the tickets show up.”
“Girls, pack your things. We’re going to Neighpon,” Fluttershy smiled.
---
“Thanks for letting me come, girls,” Spike smiled.
“No problem. Sorry I forgot to mention you in the letter to Celestia asking for the tickets and she sent us a spare one,” Twilight giggled sheepishly.
“It’s fine,” Spike nodded.
“So Fluttershy, is there anything you can tell us about Neighpon before we get there?” Rarity asked Fluttershy.
“Well… it’s a lot brighter than Equestria, and there are a lot of myths about Equnia’s creation and that sort of stuff. And there are a few things you should know…” Fluttershy informed, “Among them is that you should never hurt a firefly.”
“Why’s that?” Twilight asked.
“Firefly’s are sacred to Neighpon. You see, after the war between the two nations, Neighpon was on the brink of collapse. Lives were lost, crops were destroyed, and lakes had dried up. But luckily… they saw fireflies, and it helped them to rebuild. So fireflies have become sacred. Another sacred animal, dragons.” Fluttershy informed.
“Huh?” Spike blinked as he heard that last part, “Dragons are sacred in Neighpon?”
“Yes. It’s said the nation was under attack by a terrifying army, and we were rescued by a dragon. But one day, after the dragon defeated the army, it had mysteriously disappeared. But it left its mark, a jewel known as the Sun Dragon Eye. It’s Neighpon’s most sacred treasure, kept by the empress. She keeps it sealed up in someplace safe, because if something were to happen to it…” Fluttershy paused in her explanation as she gave a slight gulp, “Terrible things would happen.”
“So… what would happen when they see Spike?” Rarity asked.
“Not sure…” Fluttershy admitted with a shrug, “So… apart from that, there are some other interesting things about Neghipon. As I mentioned, they do use fish in some food, and fillies are supposed to always wear fukus to school. Oh, and there is one part rule part tradition I just remembered. Fillies and mares don’t wear anything on their feet, even while out in public,”
“...Really?” Twilight blinked.
“She’s the expert. Plus, she lived there,” Dash shrugged.
“Good,” Sweetie Belle smiled before groaning a bit, “Because almost half of what Rarity packed are shoes!”
“I wanted to be prepared if we were to go to something important!” Rarity argued before sighing.
“And that also explains why you used to walk around almost everywhere without shoes or socks when we were younger,” Dash realized.
“Well… sandals aren’t frowned upon, but most fancy sort of stuff. It’s an old tradition from some years ago,” Fluttershy elaborated, “And yeah. You’re right Rainbow,”
Rarity blinked for a moment, looking down at one of the bags holding most of her shoes before sighing.
“Too late for me to put them back then.”
Sweetie Belle gave a very loud an annoyed groan at the fact she had to continue pushing the bags to the dock.
“Hey, y’all. Sorry we’re late,” Applejack spoke as she and Applebloom walked up to the group, the two carrying a pair of backpacks.
“AJ, Applebloom, what’s up?” Scootaloo smiled.
“Nothin’ much. We just had t’ finish up some chores before gettin’ ready,” Applebloom replied, “And th’ thing about shoes, well, we’d fit right in since me and AJ don’t tend t' wear em anyhow,”
“Something I really wish I could make you stop doing…” Rarity muttered.
“What was that?”
“Nothing,” Rarity waved her off as she looked over at Twilight, “So...what tiem does teh boat come?”
“About ten minutes or so,” Twilight replied as she looked at a nearby clock, “Hopefully Pinkie will…”
“Hey girls!!!” the group turned to see a certain excitable pinkette running towards them, carrying a large backpack with some things sticking out the top.
“Hey Pinkie, what’s up?” Dash asked.
“Oh a lot of things! I almost stayed up all night thinking of the things I’m going to do once we get to Neighpon! I packed my bags with a ton of stuff, such as clothes, sweets, dental stuff, sweets, baked goods, did I mention sweets?”
“Yes,” they nodded.
“Alright. And I also brought a book on the language, and I also packed some sandals, cause, I knew that Neghiponese mares and fillies tend to either wear sandals or be barefoot.”
“Something you should’ve checked into first,” Sweetie Belle muttered to her sister, who glared at her a bit in response.
Fluttershy just blinked a little before rolling her eyes. She then saw Sunset walk on over, smiling.
“I’m honestly ready for a little bit more vacation,” Sunset smiled, “Especially with my friends.”
“Agreed,” Twilight nodded as the boat arrived.
“Konichiwa,” the boat driver smiled.
“Konichiwa,” Fluttershy bowed in response, “Atashi wa, Fluttershy.”
“Greetings, Fluttershy-san,” the boat driver smiled, “If you and your friends show me your tickets, I’ll be glad to take you to Neighpon.”
The eleven all showed their tickets in response.
“Excellent. Come aboard, minna-san,” the boat driver said.
---
The group all got on and they all relaxed a little. Sunset was lounging around by Fluttershy, the shy pinkette looking otu at the ocean with a small smile.
“Fluttershy… how long has it been since you were in Neghipon?” Sunset asked.
“...it’s been years,” Fluttershy answered with a small, sad smile, “To tell you the truth, I don’t know how much has changed since I’ve been gone.”
“...Hey, I’m sorry about your family…” Sunset told her, hugging Fluttershy.
“...I-it’s fine,” Fluttershy stuttered a bit, the pinkette blushing a bit from the sudden hug, “E-even though they’re gone, I know they’re watching me from heaven.”
“That’s sweet. And… you’re lucky to have gotten to know the ponies who gave birth to you. I never did,” Sunset admitted, causing Fluttershy to look at her with slightly wide eyes, “Celestia raised me when I was a filly…”
Fluttershy stayed silent as she listened to the red/yellow maned mare. Rarity looked over at the two from nearby. She smiled over at them before walking off to her cabin to relax.
“Honestly, as far as I’m aware, Posey’s the only family member I have left,” Fluttershy informed.
“Maybe….” Sunset nodded slowly before giving a small smile, “Who knows? Maybe she’ll be happy to see you again.”
“...I hope so,” Fluttershy whispered, “Or that colt…I hope to see him again.”
Sunset just pulled Fluttershy into a hug, the two blushing a little bit. They smiled at each-other, Fluttershy hiding a blush.
---
-Attention, minna-san! We shall be arriving at our destination in a few minutes. Be sure to gather your things as we will be arriving shortly!-
“Alright,” Dash smiled.
“Rainbow… can you help me into my kimono?” Twilight asked.
“Huh?” Dash blinked at that as she turned around, seeing Twilight having trouble getting into her kimono. Dash blushed a little bit at Twilight before shaking her head, “S-sure. i’ll help out.”
“Thanks,” Twilight nodded with a slight sheepish chuckle as the tomboy walked over to her, “And I’m giving you one warning, touch me inappropriately, and I will hurt you.”
Dash just rolled her eyes, trying not to blush at this as she helped Twilight with her kimono, the tomboy trying her best to not inappropriately touch her.
“You look gorgeous in that, Twil,” Dash smiled.
“Thank you, Bowy,” Twilight giggled.
“Heh. No prob,” Dash chuckled a bit as she adjusted the hakama around Twilight’s waist, making sure to keep her kimono from falling off.
Twilight smiled,before she turned around and pulled Rainbow into a quick little kiss, the tomboy returning it with a slight blush.
“...Heh,” Dash smirked a little as the two seperated the kiss, “So how long we gonna wait until we tell the others our little secret?”
“Who knows,” Twilight shrugged, “But I’m sure they’ll be happy for us once they find out.”
---
Fluttershy just so happened to overhear them from the otherside of Twilight’s door and was not sure what to say or do for a moment, her eyes widened slightly in shock as she held a hand over her mouth
“Fluttershy… somethin’ up?” Sunset asked, passing by.
“Nothing!” she responded quickly, Sunset blinking a bit in confusion before shrugging and walked by the shy pinkette, ‘T-Twilight and Dash are...are...those kind of ponies? ...M-maybe I should’ve seen it when they were acting a bit strange that one day.’
Fluttershy then walked off to get ready for docking.
---
The eleven all walked off, and there was nobody there.
“Alright, here you all are, Ao Safaia Dock,” the boat driver smiled.
“Arigato gozimasu,” Fluttershy smiled as she bowed.
“You’re welcome, miss. I hope you find what you’re looking for,” the boat driver smiled as he moved the boat away from the dock
Fluttershy giggled happily as they all walked off, the girls all in their kimonos.
“So...this is Neighpon huh?” Dash spoke as she looked around, “Honestly, I thought it would be a bit bigger, and brighter like you said.”
“We haven’t gotten to the main city yet,” Fluttershy answered, “We have to walk North-East, if my memory is correct,” she informed.
---
The group walked along a stone path before they arrived at a sign.
“Uh… what is this?” Twilight asked.
“This is Neghiponese writing. It reads, ‘Welcome to Ponikyo’, the biggest city in all of Neghipon, come on,” Fluttershy smiled, motioning the others to follow her as she walked ahead.
The others nodded as they followed the shy mare before they stopped, seeing the large city.
“Minna-san… welcome to Ponikyo,” Fluttershy smiled as they saw some beautiful buildings with lights. There were also some cottages as various ponies walked through the streets, most of them being pegasi.
“Waoh...so cool,” Scootaloo awed.
“And big,” Applebloom added.
“And bright,” Sweetie Belle added.
"Yeah..." Spike agreed.
“This is the ‘lower level’. There’s a ‘higher level’, above us in the clouds,” Fluttershy informed, pointing up to the clouds as a few pegasi flew up to the clouds above while some flew down from them, landing on the ground.
“Cool! Wait..how’re we gonna get up there?” Pinkie couldn’t help but ask, “I mean… if we want to go,”
“Cloud walking spell, remember,” Twilight reminded.
“Oh...right...” Pinkie Pie chuckled sheepishly.
“Well…If you girls will be okay by yourselves, I’m going to head someplace, and I’d like to be alone,” Fluttershy informed as she was about to leave.
“Is it… where your parents are?” Rarity asked.
“No. I don’t know where that is… I’d have to meet up with my itoko to find that out. But, it’s someplace important from my fillyhood,” Fluttershy informed, walking off.
Somepony happened to notice the group, mainly Fluttershy as she was about to walk off. After the shy mare left, the pony watching group of ten giggled a bit.
“Alrighty, where do we go first?” Applejack asked as she looked around, “Unless we find ourselves a tour guide, we’re gonna be more lost then a rabbit in a field of white flowers,”
Somepony then tapped on Twilight’s shoulder, but the mare didn’t pay this pony mind at first. The pony kept it up, with Twilight turning to see… Fluttershy?
“Fluttershy, how’d you get back here so quick?” Applejack asked.
The pony did not say a word, just giggling and smiling.
“And… where did you get that amazing kimono?! It’s so lovely!” Rarity added.
Again, the pony did not say a word.
“...and where are the wing holes? I can understand you wanting to hide Twilight’s, but why hide your own?” Dash asked.
Once again, the pony did not say a word, just smiling.
“Somethin’ wrong Fluttershy?” Applejack asked.
Silence.
“...Wait…” Pinkie spoke as she took a closer look at the mare, “...You’re not Fluttershy.”
“Pinkie are ya alright? That’s obviously her,” Applejack responded, “But Ah wanna know what’s with th’ silent treatment.”
The pony again didn’t say anything, before looking at the group a bit, gawking a little bit at Spike, but only for a short moment.
---
“Konichiwa,” Fluttershy smiled as she arrived at a book store.
“Konichiwa. How may I…?” the store owner, an old pegasus stallion with pale grey fur and a white mane began before he got a good look at her, “...Oh! Well if it isn’t young Fluttershy. I haven’t seen you since you were a filly.”
“It’s great to see you Mr. Tozoki,” Fluttershy giggled, hugging him.
“Same here,” the owner smiled as Fluttershy released the hug, “My my. You’ve grown into quite a beautiful mare, young one. You almost look like your mother.”
“Thanks…” Fluttershy blushed, “...Heh. I still remember being here, waiting for every Sailor Moon manga that came out…”
“I still remember the night you camped outside in order to get at least one issue autographed by the author,” he smiled, “You were so excited until you eventually passed out.”
“I know,” Fluttershy giggled a bit as she looked around the store a bit, “It seems you’ve added some more manga since I’ve been gone.”
“Hai. I was really lucky my store was left standing, and… I’m really sorry you weren’t there for your parents funeral…” he apologized.
“...Part of why I came here is to pay my respects. Can you tell me where they are? I want to go there at some point.”
“Certainly, young one. They’re in the graveyard where the old sacred tree used to be.”
“...Even the tree is gone?” Fluttershy gasped.
“Hai…” the owner sighed sadly, “It was a harsh blow to us when we lost it.”
Fluttershy began to get teary-eyed, sad the tree she loved to sit against as a filly was gone. It was then another memory came back to her.
---
(Flashback)
A young filly Fluttershy sniffled a bit as she sat against a tall tree, her face covered in some dirt and bruises as tears poured down her face.
“...why? Why me?” she sniffled as she rubbed the tears from her eyes.
“Ano, excuse me.”
‘E-eh?” Fluttershy sniffled a bit as she looked up, seeing a shaded figure of a colt standing above her.
“Are you okay?” the colt asked in concern, “You look like you took a rather nasty fall.”
“...the colts and fillies at school keep bothering me…” Fluttershy whimpered, “A-all because I’m shy.”
“...Well that’s a stupid reason,” the colt said as he sat next to her, “Did the teachers do anything to help you out?”
“...Only my Literature teacher. Every other one… just ignores it,” young Fluttershy sniffled.
The colt was silent as the pink maned filly wiped some tears away from her face.
“U-usually after school, I like to come here and talk with Kaito-san.”
“Eh?” the colt blinked at that.
“Th-the tree,” young Fluttershy answered as she motioned to the tree behind them, “Fr-from time to time, he likes to talk to me.”
“...you talk to a tree? That’s kawaii…” the colt smiled.
“...r-really?” Young Fluttershy asked, the pink maned filly blushing heavily.
Before the colt could say anything else, somepony called out for Fluttershy.
“Who’s that?”
“My itoko-chan. I need to get home before Okaa-san and Otou-san worry… uh… here, this is where I live,” the young Fluttershy informed, taking a piece of paper and writing down her address. Once she was done, she handed the colt the paper, “H-here you go.”
“...Ano, arigatou,” the colt replied as he took the paper, “I guess I’ll see you later then...ano…”
“Oh! G-gomen. I forgot to tell you my name… b-boku wa, Butterfly.”
“Okay. Ore wa…”
(Flashback end)
---
“Silver Hawk…” Fluttershy whispered as the memory ended.
“Hmm? You say something, dear?”
“Oh… nothing,” Fluttershy responded when he handed her a poster, “Ara?”
“I had that set aside, because I knew I’d see you again someday. I’ll tell ya, practically everything Sailor Moon related is sort of reserved by this filly, who’s just as big a fan as you are… and… she’s actually a lot like you…” the owner informed.
“Really?”
“Hai...though she usually pops in by this time. I wonder what’s keeping her?” the owner wondered, but Fluttershy shrugged a little bit.
“Well, I’m gonna go now. Ano… how much is this poster?”
“Oh no. It’s on the house, for my favorite little customer… I missed you a lot… Butterfly.”
“I missed you too,” Fluttershy smiled a bit, putting the poster carefully away in her bag as she left, “I hope to see you again, Mr. Toziko.” The mare then headed for the door before pausing and turning around, “Oh hey. Before I forget, how’s Posey been?”
“She’s been doing just fine, dear. She misses you greatly, you know.”
“I know. I write and talk with her on the phone a lot. Anyway, I’m gonna go meet up with my friends and maybe see if I can’t find Posey and introduce them. Bye Mr. Tozoki.”
“Bye, Butterfly,” the owner smiled as the shy mare left.
---
The look-a-like of Fluttershy sort of danced around the group of ten, dodging their questions with ease.
“...Okay, seriously. This is starting to get annoying,” Dash groaned a bit.
“Think it could be a Changeling or something?” Rarity asked Twilight.
“I’m not sure,” Twilight answered.
“I don’t think she’s a Changeling. Besides, don't’ they feed on love mostly? If so, then she’s doing an awful job with her disguise,” Pinkie spoke up, “Not to mention she got a lot of details wrong. What Fluttershy was wearing, her mane style is too short, she doesn’t have wings, and most of all…” She paused, and turned the look alike to her side, “Her chest is WAY too flat to be Fluttershy,”
The Fluttershy-look alike rolled her eyes a bit as she jumped back a bit, giggling a little.
“...Huh. She kinda has a point there,” Applejack admitted.
“...You do need to remember that was one of the few things the Changelings got wrong when we fought them a while back… albeit, it was only slightly off, but this… if she is some sort of shapeshifter, this is kind of a pathetic job,” Twilight added.
The look-a-like got a bit of an annoyed look as a small tick mark appeared on her head for a bit.
“...Posey-chan?” Fluttershy’s voice asked.
Everyone turned around to see the shy pegasus, the ten looking back and forth between the look alike and Fluttershy.
“Hai. Ano, good to see you again, itoko-chan,” the look-a-like smiled.
“You too, Posey-chan,” Fluttershy smiled as she hugged her look alike.
“...Wait. didn't’ Fluttershy mention she had a cousin, and they looked like twins?” Dash spoke up as she began to put two and two together.
“Yes. This is my cousin, Posey.” Fluttershy informed.
“Hello!” Posey waved.
“Aha! I knew she wasn't’ a Changeling!” Pinkie shouted..
Posey began to tell Fluttershy something in Neghiponese, with Fluttershy turning over to Pinkie with an annoyed look.
“You said she couldn’t be me because of what?!” Fluttershy asked.
“...I don’t know what she told you, but it’s true!” Pinkie said as she turned Fluttershy and Posey to their sides, “See! Your cousin has a flat chest and you have huge boo-”
*CLANG!*
“Owie~” Pinkie whimpered as she nursed a bump on her head, courtesy of Applejack and Rainbow Dash’s fists.
“Thank you/Arigato,” Fluttershy and Posey responded.
“No prob,” AJ nodded as she picked Pinkie up, “Ah’ll be keepin’ an eye on her incase she tries something’ like that again.” She then gave Pinkie a stern look, “Right, Pinkie?”
Pinkie just nodded.
“Good.”
“So y’all are really Fluttershys cousin?” Applebloom asked as she and her friends stood in front of Posey.
“Hai. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu, Sparkle Twilight-hime. Yoroshikune, Applejack, Pie Pinkie, Dash Rainbow, Rarity, Shimmer Sunset, Belle Sweetie, Applebloom, Scootaloo and Spike,” Posey smiled, making most of teh group blink in confusion.
“She said, ‘it’s nice to meet you’ in Neghiponese, though, the version she used when she said it to Twilight is the formal version, and ‘hime’ means ‘princess’,” Fluttershy explained.
“Ohh,” most of the others nodded in response.
“But...she said our names backwards,” Rainbow Dash noted, scratching her head in confusion.
“In Neighpon, you say the last name first, even if it’s technically not your legal last name. Like, Dash, your last name is Spectrum, but you call yourself ‘Rainbow Dash’, so Posey would say ‘Dash Rainbow’ instead of ‘Spectrum Rainbow’.”
“Oh...I see,” Dash noted.
“And, you don’t have to call me ‘hime’, Posey,” Twilight told her, “I’m just a normal pony like everypony else.”
“Eeyup. Except that she’s a al-Hpmh!” Pinkie muffled yelled as Applejack put her hand over her mouth.
“There’s a reason she doesn’t have wing holes, twit,” Rainbow Dash informed.
“The ‘a-pony-type’ is considered…” Fluttershy paused, not sure how to explain to her friends, “...L-look. Why don't’ we change the subject. In fact…” she turned towards her cousin, “Posey-chan, can I speak to you privately?”
“Hai, Butterfly-chan,” Posey smiled.
“Wait… ‘Butterfly’?” Dash asked.
“I’ll explain later,” Fluttershy told them as she moved Posey further away so the group wouldn’t hear them.
“What is it you want to talk about, Itoko?” Posey asked, her English being a little bit shaky, just a little.
“Well first; I’d like to know how you’ve been since I’ve last saw you. Second; ...ano…” she paused as she blushed, “D...did you ever run into a pegasus pony named Silver Hawk?”
“Hmm… I’m not gonna tell ya,” Posey giggled.
“Demo-”
“I’ll let you find out for yourself, itoko.”
“Mou. No fair, Posey~” Fluttershy pouted a little.
Posey giggled a little bit, skipping off over to her cousin’s friends as the shy mare followed after her.