> Fluttershy's Bad "Hare" Day
>  by Pegasus Rescue Brigade
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CRASH!

Fluttershy sighed, glancing at the now damaged wooden birdhouse that had tumbled to the cottage floor.  “Um, Rainbow Dash?” she asked quietly.  “Do you think you could be just a teensy bit more careful?”

“Yeah, sorry,” said Rainbow Dash absentmindedly as she continued to dart quickly around the interior of Fluttershy’s home.  “Now, where is your other suitcase?”

“In the closet,” Fluttershy said.  She winced as Rainbow shot like a rocket into the hallway to retrieve it, but fortunately, nothing broke this time as the excited mare whizzed by.

“Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy began hesitantly.  “I’m sorry, but, why are you so, you know… excited about this?  I mean, you’re not even coming with me.”

Rainbow poked her head out from the closet.  “I know that!” she insisted.  “I’m just excited to think that you’re going.  Las Pegasus is awesome, Fluttershy!  It’s a lot like Cloudsdale, but it’s clear across Equestria!  The ponies who live there are really interesting, because their culture is a little different than what we’re used to around Ponyville.”

Rainbow yanked the suitcase out of the small storage space with her teeth and tossed it in Fluttershy’s direction.  The timid mare squeaked in fear and recoiled, allowing the large bag to thud to the ground in front of her.

“Besides,” Rainbow continued, oblivious to her friend’s usual meekness, “there’s so much to do in Las Pegasus!  It’s a big city; even bigger than Cloudsdale.  They’ve got way more shopping and dining and shows and clubs than anyplace around here, except maybe Canterlot, but everything in Las Pegasus is run with pegasi in mind, instead of a big old crowd of highbrow unicorns!”

“Well, that sounds… nice,” Fluttershy admitted, making good use of her favorite adjective.  “But I still don’t understand why it matters to you; you already said that you can’t come along because of the big downpour you and your team have been organizing for Ponyville this week.”

“Yeah, I know,” Rainbow said, sounding slightly disappointed.  “I guess just thinking about that place makes me get all worked up.  You’re gonna have the best vacation ever, Fluttershy.  Trust me.”

“I’m sure it will be lovely,” Fluttershy said.  “But I need to make sure everything is perfect for my little animal friends while I’m gone.”  She trotted over to the remains of the birdhouse on the floor.  “And if these keep breaking, I’m just going to need to say around even longer until they’re all fixed.”

Rainbow Dash finally seemed to take the hint and lowered her speed slightly so as not to damage any more of Fluttershy’s knickknacks.

Fluttershy carefully lifted the birdhouse onto the table and began to fit the pieces back together.  “Thank you for helping me pack, Rainbow,” she said.  “Even though a few things got broken, it would have taken me much longer to do it all by myself.”

“No problem Fluttershy,” Rainbow replied.  “I’m always ready to help out an old friend.  Speaking of which, is there anything else you need me to do before I leave?”

“Well, yes, actually,” Fluttershy mumbled as she forced a plank back into place on the birdhouse.  “If it wouldn’t be too much of a bother, could you go and get the tea started while I finish fixing this?”

Rainbow blinked.  “The what?”

“The tea,” Fluttershy repeated.  “I always have a cup of nice hot herbal tea before I go to bed.  It helps me calm down and sleep better.  And I do need to get enough sleep if I’m going to get up bright and early for my trip tomorrow.”

“Leave it to me!” Rainbow declared.  The speedy pegasus launched herself into the kitchen, and Fluttershy winced at the loud sound of clattering cooking-ware that immediately followed.

Rainbow Dash hoisted the large kettle onto the stove and filled it with water from the small, clear natural spring that bubbled up from the ground in the corner of Fluttershy’s kitchen.  A few minutes later, she nodded approvingly as the water came to a boil.  After pouring the steaming liquid into a cup, she and opened Fluttershy’s cupboard and was shocked by the huge assortment of herbs and flowers found within.

“Fluttershy!  What do you want in your tea?”  the cyan pegasus called.

“Anything is fine!” Fluttershy replied from the living room.  “There’s lots of herbs to choose from.  Just make sure you don’t use one from the top shelf.”

Rainbow struggled to hear her friend’s quiet voice over the whistling tea kettle.  What did she say? she thought to herself.  Something about using one from the top shelf?  Well, alright then.

Rainbow fluttered up to peer at the contents of the uppermost shelf.  It was laden with some of the most exotic and unusual plants she had ever seen.

Rainbow scrunched up her nose.  “These can’t possibly taste very good,” she mumbled to herself.  “But hey, it’s what Fluttershy wants, right?”

Rainbow snatched the most appetizing plant, a vivid purple flower with unusually shaped petals, and dunked it into the tea.  She also grabbed a few other ingredients from the lower shelves that she was more familiar with, and added them as well.  The contents of the cup slowly turned the rich brown color she had hoped for.

After the tea had steeped properly, Rainbow tossed the plants out the window and onto the compost heap, before returning to the living room, where Fluttershy was carefully hanging the repaired birdhouse back on the peg where it belonged.

“Your tea’s all done, Fluttershy,” Rainbow said.

“Oh, thank you Rainbow,” the yellow pegasus replied, smiling.  “And I just finished the repairs.  I’m finally all ready to leave tomorrow morning.”

“Sweet!” Rainbow said.  “It’s starting to get late, so I’m gonna get going.  See you next week, Fluttershy.  Oh, and have an awesome vacation!”

And with that, the energetic mare was out the door.

Fluttershy giggled.  Rainbow can be a little overzealous sometimes… she thought to herself, …but she really is a good friend.

The mare trotted into the kitchen to find the hot cup of herbal tea waiting on the counter.  Not sure what to expect, she took a sip.  The taste was a little unusual, but definitely not bad.  Fluttershy silently resolved to ask Rainbow Dash which herbs she had used to create such a unique and surprisingly tasty brew.  That is, if her colorful friend could even remember.

Fluttershy was grateful regardless, and serenely sipped the tea as she went to check on her animal friends.

Once she was satisfied that all the birds, rodents, and other small creatures were nestled away, the mare trotted to her own bed for the night.  Thoughts of her trip the next morning floated in her mind, but, like anything out of her normal routine, they made Fluttershy feel a bit nervous.  

A rapid thumping shook the mare from her worries.  She glanced down to the source of the familiar noise and found herself looking into the grumpy face of her pet rabbit Angel, who was tapping his foot angrily.

“Angel Bunny, I almost forgot,” Fluttershy cooed, climbing back out of bed.  “You want your bedtime snack, don’t you?”  The mare reached into a basket and pulled out a fresh carrot, which she offered to the rabbit.

Angel glared as if to say “Took you long enough,” and grudgingly accepted the carrot, dragging it back to his den.

Fluttershy giggled as she took another sip of her tea.  “Oh Angel Bunny, what am I going to do with you?”

Angel just scowled, but Fluttershy could see the appreciative glint in his eye, hidden behind his guise of indifference.

Fluttershy laughed softly.  “I know you like to act like a grump.  Just go on and eat your carrot.”

Angel disappeared, and Fluttershy sighed contently.  She had arranged for her friends to take turns visiting her home while she was away on vacation, to make sure the animals had their needs tended to.  After all, so many of them relied on her that they simply couldn’t go a whole week without somepony tending to them.

I love all the animals so much, she thought.  And I know they love me… even if a few of them don’t always like to admit it.

She tipped back her head, drinking the last of the tea.  I just wish I could tell them that myself; I want to be able to know each and every one of them personally, like I know my pony friends.  If I could see the world through their eyes, it would help me take even better care of them…

Fluttershy glanced into her empty teacup; a single, purple petal sat at the bottom.  Something in the back of the pegasus’ mind stirred at the sight, but she couldn’t put her hoof on what it was.  Sleep was overcoming her, and so she set the cup down without a second thought about the strange plant fragment, and curled up beneath the blanket.  Finally relaxed, she drifted into a deep sleep.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A flicker of early morning sunlight danced on the roof of the cottage.  A beautiful morning was beginning; pleasant springtime temperatures and a gentle breeze made for perfect flying weather.  Inside the small home, Fluttershy stirred beneath the covers as the first light of dawn reached her eyes.

She yawned and rolled over to climb out of bed, and almost immediately realized something was different.  She felt disoriented; her movements felt all wrong somehow.  Her forelegs seemed too short, and her body felt strange, as if she had bent herself into some position impossible for a pony to achieve.

What’s going on? Fluttershy thought.  Quickly becoming panicked, she crawled toward the edge of the bed, struggling against her misbehaving limbs, before finally scrambling off the edge.

The fall from her low mattress to the floor was much longer than it should have been, and Fluttershy squeaked in surprise as she thumped to the wooden floor several body-lengths below.  Looking up, she was even more shocked to discover that her small bed now appeared to be a towering structure in front of her.  A quick glance around the room revealed that everything else was dramatically larger, as well.

“Every…everything has grown bigger?” Fluttershy asked aloud, and was shocked to hear her own voice; it was much smaller and squeakier than usual, and for somepony like Fluttershy, that was saying something.  A startling realization came to her.

“Nothing is bigger… I’m just smaller!”

Fluttershy curled up on the floor, her thoughts racing as she tried to figure out what to do.  Somehow, she had shrunk to a fraction of her original size.  How could a pony suddenly become so small?  And was there anything she could do about it?

Maybe Twilight could help.  But there was no way Fluttershy could get all the way into town in her current state.  She sobbed quietly, confused and afraid.

“Hey, kid,” came a voice.  “Whaddaya think you’re doin’ over here?”

Fluttershy gasped.  Someone else was here!  Maybe she could still get help.  She rolled over and stared out into the room, but the only other creature there was… Angel Bunny?

“I said, whaddaya doin’?” Angel repeated, in what sounded like a Neightalian accent.  “Stop layin’ on the floor.  We got work to do.”

“Angel?  You’re… you’re talking?”  Fluttershy asked, amazed.

“Yeah…” Angel said slowly, giving Fluttershy a bewildered look.  “Look, kid, you don’t look so good. Did you get hurt or something?”

“No, I… I mean, I don’t know,” Fluttershy stammered.  “I went to bed last night and woke up like this.”

Angel raised an eyebrow, and looked Fluttershy over more closely.

“Hey, wait a second… kid, are you tryin’ to impersonate the Main Mare or somethin’?”

“The… the what?” Fluttershy asked.

“The Main Mare!” Angel repeated loudly.  “You know, that pony Fluttershy!  You got the same fur, the same eyes… the same voice even!  But you ain’t fooling me… even if you’re the spittin’ image of her, there’s still that crucial detail that the Main Mare is a pony… and you, kid, are a rabbit.”

“A rabbit!?” Fluttershy gasped.  She turned to gaze in the direction of the large mirror against the wall.  Angel was right; her yellow fur was still there, and her long pink mane lay draped over her head, but the rest of her looked completely different.  A tiny twitching nose sat in the spot where her muzzle used to be, four paws had replaced her hooves, and two long, droopy ears hung haphazardly over her head

“I’m a rabbit!” Fluttershy wailed, collapsing on the floor again.  “But how? How did this happen?”

Angel looked concerned.  “Kid, I think you’ve probably always been a rabbit,” he remarked.  “You sure you didn’t hit your head or something?”

“I wasn’t a rabbit last night!” Fluttershy said.  “When I went to bed, I was a pony, like I always am!”

Realization crossed Angel’s features.  “What are you saying?” he asked testily.  “Kid, are you tryin’ to tell me that you actually are the Main Mare?”

“Y… yes!” Fluttershy managed to say, despite her increasingly rapid, nervous breathing.  “I guess that explains why I can suddenly understand you.  I’m a rabbit now, but I was a pony yesterday!”

Angel crossed his arms, frowning.  “As convincing as you look, I can’t say I believe you, kid,” he said.  “I mean, ponies don’t just go around turnin’ into rabbits for no good reason.”  He hopped up next to the cowering rabbit, glaring down at her as she quivered.

“Now, tell me who you really are,” he demanded.  “Or else I’m gonna have to bring the boys down here to do some more investigatin’.  And you don’t want me to do that, do you?”

“But… but I am Fluttershy!” Fluttershy insisted.  “I’m telling the truth, Angel!  Honest!”

“Not buyin’ it,” said Angel sternly.  “It’s too bad you don’t want to come clean.  ‘Cause that means you’re either crazy, or you’re hidin’ something, and our organization doesn’t like it very much when somebunny’s hidin’ something.  Either way, it’s pretty unfortunate…”

Fluttershy cowered as Angel leaned in closer, wearing a threatening expression.  “If you are Fluttershy, though, then you’re gonna have to prove it.”

Fluttershy gupled.  "Um... how do I do that?"

Angel shrugged.  "You tell me, kid.  All I know is if you don't come up with something, there's gonna be trouble."

Fluttershy's mind raced as she desperately tried to think of a way to  prove beyond any doubt that she was telling the truth about her identity  Angel watched his companion deliberate, thumping his foot against the ground impatiently.

"I don't have time for this," he said finally.  He advanced on the frightened rabbit in front of him.  "Looks like you're coming with me for some more intensive questioning."

Fluttershy squeaked in fear, and did the only thing she could to protect herself.  She initiated "The Stare."

Now, coming from a rabbit cowering beneath you rather than a pony towering over you, one would assume the power of this secret weapon of Fluttershy’s would have been severely diminished.  Unfortunately for Angel, this proved not to be the case.  In an instant, the rabbits’ roles were reversed.  Now it was Fluttershy standing up and glaring sternly, and Angel curled up below her in a submissive pose.

“Okay!  Okay!” Angel cried.  “I get it!  I’m sorry!  You’re definitely the Main Mare!”

Fluttershy’s expression returned to normal, and Angel cautiously peeked out from behind his paws.  He stood back up shakily and brushed himself off.

"Sorry..." Fluttershy mumbled.  "I... I didn't want to have to do that."

Angel shook his head to clear away the lingering shreds of fear gripping his subconscious.  “Don’t… don’t sweat it, kid… I mean, Fluttershy…” he replied.  “At least I know for sure who you are now.”

Angel thumped one foot on the ground in frustration.  “But that just leaves me even more confused,” he continued.  “How’d you get turned into a rabbit in the first place?”

Fluttershy shrugged.  “I told you already, I don’t know,” she whimpered.  “I went to bed last night feeling just fine... I can only imagine what happened to me after that.”

She frowned.  “And now nopony knows what’s happened, and all my friends think I’ve gone away on vacation, so they won’t be looking for me, and I’ll probably end up trapped as a bunny forever and-”

Angel grabbed Fluttershy by the shoulders.  “Get a grip, ‘Shy!” he commanded.  “This ain’t no time to panic.  You gotta’ just calm down, and come with me, and once we’re safe and sound at my place, we can figure out what to do next.  Capice?”

“O-okay,” Fluttershy stuttered.

“Good,” Angel said bluntly.  “Follow me.”

The rabbit turned and darted off across the floor.  Fluttershy attempted to follow, and succeeded only in stumbling over her new, large rabbit feet.  Eventually, she managed to achieve a clumsy but effective gait, and followed Angel into his den.

The subterranean space was small, but not very dark, as Angel had created openings in the ground above as small light inlets.  These tiny skylights lit the descending tunnel into the main chamber of Angel’s den.

Much to Fluttershy’s surprise, Angel had cleverly used discarded fragments of wood and cloth to build himself some makeshift furniture.  The white rabbit silently gestured to a couch, and Fluttershy planted herself there.

“Now,” Angel began very levelly.  “Let’s look at this one step at a time.  What happened right before you went to sleep last night?”

“I was packing for the vacation I was supposed to be going on today,” Fluttershy answered.  “Rainbow Dash came over to help; the two of us got everything ready.”

“I was wonderin’ what all the ruckus was last night,” Angel commented.  “Can’t expect to get any sleep with that crazy mare running around.”

Fluttershy giggled softly as Angel pouted.  “After that,” she continued, “Rainbow Dash left, I fed you and all the others little critters, and then went to bed.”

“That’s it?” Angel asked incredulously.  “You sure there was nothing else?”

Fluttershy tugged on her long ears as she thought about it.

“Oh, well… Rainbow Dash did make me a cup of tea before she left.  I drank that while I was feeding the animals last night.”

She frowned.  “But that detail doesn’t help much, does it?”

Angel shook his head.  “Unless Dash is mixing up shape-shifting potions in your tea, I think that’s a dead end.”

A small detail suddenly flashed into Fluttershy’s mind.

“Well, actually… there was a plant I didn’t recognize in the tea.  I saw an unusual flower petal in the bottom of the cup.”

Angel slapped a paw to his forehead.  “Kid, why didn’t you say somethin’ earlier?  That could be important!  I’ll get somebunny to go check on that immediately.”

Before Fluttershy could ask for details, Angel hopped over to the entrance to another tunnel, and whistled loudly.  A few moments later, two identical brown rabbits appeared from some deeper part of the network of burrows.  The newcomers stood up straight and saluted Angel.

“’Shy, I’d like you to meet the Button Brothers,” Angel said.  “They ain’t real bright, but they’re an okay crew in the end.”  He turned to the two rabbits, who still stood at salute, and waved his paw in Fluttershy’s direction.  “Boys, this is the Main Mare, Fluttershy.”

The Button brothers looked Fluttershy over for several seconds, until one of them cautiously spoke up.

“Boss?  Isn’t the Main Mare… you know… a pony?”

Angel scowled and slapped his underling across the face.  “Did I ask for your input?” he scolded.  “This here is the Main Mare.  Stop asking questions.”

The other rabbit stood up even straighter, if that was even possible.  “Yes, boss.  She’s the Main Mare,” he agreed.

Angel waved a paw, and the two brothers finally dropped their salute, looking relieved.  Fluttershy hopped over cautiously.

“H-Hello…” Fluttershy said, extending a paw in greeting.  “It’s nice to meet you both, but… I thought I had only one rabbit named Button.”

Angel smirked.  “It's an easy mistake to make,” he explained.  "There two are identical.  Since you never saw them together, you ended up naming them both Button."

Fluttershy grinned sheepishly.  “Oops…”

“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” one of the brothers said, shaking Fluttershy’s paw.  “It’s good to finally the meet the one who even the Capo takes orders from.”

“The who?” Fluttershy asked.  “I’m sorry, but… what does ‘Capo’ mean?”

“It’s just a bit of lingo,” Angel cut-in quickly.  “It means I’m the boss.  And lucky for them, the Buttons are smart enough to remember that detail, at least.” He glared at the brown rabbits, who once again, corrected their posture.

“Now listen up you two,” Angel continued, addressing his henchmen.  “Out by the Main Mare’s bed, you’ll find a teacup, and sittin’ in that teacup is a little piece of a flower.  Bring that back here pronto.  You got that?”

“Yes boss,” the Button brothers said in unison.  They both turned and scurried up the tunnel toward Fluttershy’s house.  Fluttershy watched them go, before turning her attention once again to Angel, who stood against the wall, tapping his foot impatiently.

A few moments passed in awkward silence.  Fluttershy sat on the dirt floor, inspecting her new bunny body more carefully.  These new proportions were definitely going to take some getting used to.

Angel just stared up the tunnel, mumbling to himself about something.  Fluttershy was able to catch the phrase "Should only take 'em about a minute."  Wary of his impatience, Fluttershy attempted to strike up a conversation while the two of them waited.

“So, um, Angel?” Fluttershy asked hesitantly.  “What exactly is it that you’re in charge of down here?”

Angel’s eyes shifted nervously.  “Uh… I’m just the one who makes sure everything keeps running smoothly around here.  Me and my crew keep everybunny… in line, if you know what I mean.”

“Oh, I do!” Fluttershy insisted.  “I guess you do things that I can’t do myself, like clean the tunnels and help the other little critters find their way around down here!  It’s so nice to know that you’re helping me with my job.  It’s almost like you’re my assistant!”

Angel rolled his eyes.  “Uh… yeah.  I guess you could put it that way.  Sort of.”

Fluttershy smiled.

A commotion in the tunnel signaled the return of the Button brothers.

“That was fast,” Fluttershy admitted as the two brown rabbits scrambled back into the cave.  

“They only had to run across the room,” Angel said dryly.  “Frankly, I want to know what took them so long.”

Fluttershy ignored her grumpy companion.  “Did you find it?” she asked.

“Yup,” said one of the Buttons curtly, handing the bright, and slightly soggy, purple petal to Fluttershy.  She only had a moment to look at in before Angel snatched it away.

“Hmm…” he mumbled, examining the petal.  “It does look familiar, but I couldn’t tell you what it is.”

Fluttershy’s ears drooped.  “But it’s our only clue!” she said.  “Maybe it has nothing to do with all this, but I was hoping we could know that for sure…”

“Kid, relax,” Angel said.  “Maybe I don’t know what it is, but I know somebunny who will.  He doesn’t exactly live next door, but it’ll be worth the trip to get some information outta him.”

Fluttershy was intrigued.  “Who is it?”

“You’ve probably met him before,” Angel admitted.  “The fella’s name is-”

A loud sound from above cut Angel off.  The door slammed open and the sound of hoofsteps indicated the arrival of another pony.

“Git up here, ya little critters!” came a familiar southern accent.  “Ah got some breakfast for y’all!”

“Food,” said the Button brothers in unison.  They turned and bolted from the den before Angel could instruct them to do otherwise.

“That’s Applejack!” Fluttershy exclaimed.  “I forgot that she was coming by to feed the animals this morning.  Once I tell her what happened, she’ll take me to Twilight, and I’ll be out of this mess by lunchtime!”

“Kid…” Angel warned.  “I hate to burst your bubble, but I kinda’ doubt that you’ll-”

Fluttershy wasn’t listening; she dashed up the slope back into her cottage almost as quickly as the Buttons had.

Angel rolled his eyes again.  “Ah well.  She’ll figure it out for herself in a minute.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applejack grinned as an assortment of rabbits, squirrels, mice, chipmunks, and other creatures clustered around her hooves, gazing up eagerly.  A group of birds and butterflies hovered above, looking equally excited to see her.

“Ah guess y’all must be famished,” the earth pony chuckled.  “Sit tight, now.  There’s plenty for everypony.”

Applejack opened the large bag of feed and spread it on the ground.  The critters pounced on the food as if they hadn’t eaten in days.

“Whoa Nelly,” Applejack remarked.  “Fluttershy said y’all would be feisty.  Ah guess she wasn’t kiddin’.”

A gentle poke at her back hoof caused the earth pony to turn around.  A small yellow rabbit waved its paws frantically at her.

“What’s wrong, sugarcube?” Applejack asked.  “Don’t you want somethin’ to eat?  Maybe you’d like a nice carrot instead.”

Applejack reached into her saddlebag and withdrew a carrot, which she laid delicately in front of the waiting bunny.  However, the small creature didn’t appear satisfied; it pushed the carrot out of the way and gestured even more wildly.

Applejack stared at the rabbit for a few moments longer, and a look of realization crossed her face.  “Oh!  I get it.  You're worried about Fluttershy, aren’t you?  She’s just gone on a well-deserved vacation.  She’ll be back in a week and in the meantime, the rest of us will take real good care of the lot of you, alright?”

The rabbit shook her head, and peered pleadingly at Applejack.

“You’re gonna be fine now,” Applejack insisted.  “Just eat your food like a good little critter.”

The rabbit didn’t relent.  Applejack sighed as she quickly fed the rest of the animals, and hurriedly trotted from the cottage, leaving the troublesome yellow rabbit far behind.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Angel reclined on his makeshift couch, his front paws behind his head.  He glanced over with causal interest as a very depressed-looking Fluttershy hopped dejectedly into the den.

“Let me guess,” said Angel slowly.  “Your pony friend completely ignored you?”

Fluttershy sniffled and nodded.  “I… I don’t understand why she wouldn’t listen.  I told her plain-as-day what happened.”

“But did you consider that she might not be able to understand you?” Angel asked.  “You couldn’t understand me when you were a pony.  So why would Applejack be able to understand you now?”

“But I’m speaking the same language I always have!” Fluttershy insisted.

Angel shook his head.  “Not quite, ‘Shy.  You’re speakin’ like a rabbit.  And you can understand rabbit now, too.  Otherwise, we wouldn’t be havin’ this conversation.”

Fluttershy, refusing to believe it, tried another approach.

“But I can still understand Applejack just fine,” she argued.  “Why is that if we’re speaking different languages?”

“Because our languages have the same words,” Angel replied.

This left Fluttershy very confused.  “Then what makes them different languages?!” she asked, becoming infuriated.

Angel laughed.  “You don’t get it, do you?  She can’t hear you, kid!”

The white rabbit hopped up from the couch and began pacing around the chamber as he elaborated.

“I guess what I’ve been saying isn’t entirely accurate. There’s only one language, but there’s two different volumes.  The ‘loud’ dialect is spoken by the bigger creatures; ponies, donkeys, zebras, griffons, and a couple of others.  The ‘soft’ dialect is spoken by rabbits, and all the others little critters and birds.  We can hear both, but we can’t speak the loud version, which, unfortunately, is the only one the bigger creatures can hear.  As a result, the ponies and their relatives are convinced that we can’t talk.”

Fluttershy was shocked.  “So… so all animals can speak after all?”

“Exactly,” Angel said bluntly.  “Any other questions?”

Fluttershy tapped her paw against her chin in thought.  “Are there any differences in the actual words at all?  Or are they exactly the same?”

“Only one that I’m aware of,” Angel admitted.  “Collective terms are based on the most common species.  You ponies use terms like ‘everypony’ even when talking to other creatures.  We smaller creatures, as you’ve probably noticed, use ‘everybunny’, since there are a whole lot of rabbits in the Ponyville area.”

“Oh.  Well, that makes sense,” Fluttershy replied.  “So, what about-”

“Kid, listen,” Angel interrupted.  “I know this is a whole new experience for you, and I can see that if I let you, you’d keep throwin’ questions at me all day.  But here's the bottom line: you can't rely on your pony pals to help you this time.  Now, I seem to recall you wanting to try to do something about this sudden transformation of yours, and we ain’t exactly making any progress just sitting here.”

Fluttershy blushed.  “Oops.  I guess I got carried away.”

“Don’t sweat it,” Angel said passively.  “But we got a long walk ahead of us if we wanna' go see this acquaintance of mine, so we should probably get something to eat before we go.  Let’s head up to the cottage and see if the feeding frenzy is over yet.  I got a special store of carrots safely hidden away from all those greedy good-for-nothings: private breakfast for the two of us.”

Fluttershy’s stomach rumbled in agreement.

“Come on,” Angel said as he hopped up the tunnel.  “Feel free to eat all you want; you’ll need your strength.  I have a feeling you and I are going to have a heck of an interesting day.”

"Why?" Fluttershy asked.  "Do you think something bad is going to happen?"

"Not exactly," Angel said.  "But I'm going to have to teach you a lot in a pretty short time.  Ponyville may be a quaint little town to a pony, but trust me when I say it's an entirely different place to a rabbit."

He turned to his companion.  "I'm going to have to ask you to cooperate and listen to me, for your own safety.  Can you do that?"

Fluttershy nodded.

"Good," Angel replied.  "Let's go eat."

He proceeded up the tunnel.  Fluttershy swallowed hard as she followed, very wary of the unusual new adventure that lay before her.
> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Angel sighed as he stopped for the twelfth time, glancing over his shoulder.  “I knew that this was gonna take all day…” he mumbled.

The white rabbit stood at the top of a grassy hill near Fluttershy’s home, waiting impatiently for his much, much slower companion to catch up.  Fluttershy continued to hop awkwardly along, completely unable to keep up with him.

“You make this look easy,” she panted as she finally reached the spot where Angel waited.

“It is easy,” Angel said.  “We could get where we’re going a lot faster if you could run like a normal rabbit, you little klutz.”

Fluttershy frowned.  “Sorry.  I’m trying my best.”

Angel softened a bit.  “Well, I guess we’re not in a huge hurry or anything,” he admitted.  “I’m sure I’d be stumblin’ over myself too if I suddenly turned into a pony.  How do you walk on those long legs, anyway?  And with that droopy tail, it’s a wonder you don’t trip and fall all over yourself…”

Angel continued to mutter to himself about the anatomical inferiority of ponies as he scampered on ahead.

Fluttershy couldn’t help but glance around in wonder as she followed her guide.  Although she had walked this same pathway literally every day, her new diminutive size gave the entire area a new feel.  The trees which she often flew above to feed the baby birds now loomed as tall, unassailable skyscrapers before her.  The hollow log on the roadside appeared as a cavern, its interior coated with vibrant green moss and crowned with colorful mushrooms as big as her head.  Rocks and branches were no longer roadside debris; at this size, they seemed big enough and permanent enough to be landmarks themselves.

Fluttershy was so distracted, she bumped right into Angel as he paused to examine the way forward from another lush hillside.  He didn’t seem to notice; instead, he shielded his eyes from the sun as he looked out over Ponyville, which was now within sight.

“Alright, kid,” Angel began.  “Let me give you a couple of tips about gettin’ around in town.”

Fluttershy blinked.  “But Angel, um… I visit Ponyville every day.  I already know my way around.”

Angel shook his head.  “I don’t think you understand,” he said.  “I’m not talking about finding your way.  Ponyville’s a friendly, peaceful little town to you ponies, but to the rest of us, it’s more dangerous than you might think.”

“Danger?  In Ponyville?” Fluttershy gasped.  “What could possibly be dangerous about Ponyville?  It’s one of the quietest, safest towns in all of Equestria!”

“I know,” Angel deadpanned.  “Believe me, animals who have to live around Canterlot or Manehattan got it a lot worse than we do.  But even Ponyville’s no paradise to critters like us.”

“How so?” Fluttershy questioned.

“Well, it depends where you’re headed,” Angel said coolly.  “A lot of ponies don’t notice a rabbit or squirrel running by on the more crowded streets.  We gotta be real careful if we don’t wanna get stepped on or knocked around.  And then there’s the marketplace; some ponies don’t take kindly to the presence of hungry little animals lurking around the stalls, so if you’re not sneaky, you’ll end up getting chased away or have something thrown at you.”

“That’s terrible!” Fluttershy replied.  “I’ll make sure to give a stern talking-to to anypony I see harassing you and your little friends once I’ve turned back to my old self.”

“There’re other dangers, too,” Angel continued.  “Sometimes, especially near the schoolhouse, you gotta be on the lookout for fillies that wanna catch you and dress you up like a doll.  Why, just last week one of my boys came back to the den covered in lipstick and decked out in a little checkered bonnet and matching apron.  It’s an ordeal, let me tell you.  I stay away from fillies when I can.”

Fluttershy giggled.  “I’m not sure if I’d call that last one danger,” she admitted.

“Whatever.  It’s an inconvenience, at least,” Angel said.  “Not to mention humiliating.”

“Why do we need to go into town, anyway?” Fluttershy asked.  “Don’t most of the bunnies live outside of it?”

“I told you, we’re going to see a knowledgeable acquaintance of mine,” Angel repeated.  “Considering how oblivious all your pony friends are, he’s probably your only chance of getting this little problem fixed quickly.  Otherwise, you’re gonna have to wait until one of your friends notices you’re missing, and I doubt you wanna wait that long.”

Angel looked back toward the cluster of buildings.  “This acquaintance lives right in the heart of town, so we’re gonna have to head right on inside.  You ready?”

Fluttershy shrugged.  “I… guess so…”

“Good.  We’ll try to take the easiest roads possible.  It’s best to just stay out of the way of the ponies in general.”

Angel marched down the hill and into an alley between two houses, with Fluttershy tailing him closely. She glanced up and the wood and straw buildings; they seemed now like impenetrable walls surrounding her.  Fluttershy marveled at how different even a simple walkway in Ponyville seemed through the tiny eyes of a rabbit.

The two travelers made their way along the narrowest, least crowded streets of the town.  Occasionally, when it came time to cross a busier thoroughfare, Angel would point out the entrance to a concealed tunnel the rabbits had dug.  Several such hidden passageways were scattered around town, and Fluttershy quickly realized that the animals had developed a whole network of shortcuts to avoid being under foot whenever possible.

Nevertheless, it was a long and tiring walk.  The afternoon passed quickly and the sun was beginning to set as the two reached the center of town.

“It’s not far now,” Angel coaxed, as his companion struggled to keep up.  “Just another street or two.”

Fluttershy nodded, and the two of them prepared to cross the next road, when their path was suddenly crossed by a familiar white and purple unicorn.

“Hey!  That’s Rarity!” Fluttershy gasped.  “Maybe she’ll recognize me!”

Fluttershy turned and began to follow Rarity, perpendicular to the direction Angel had been leading her.

“Don’t go that way, kid!” Angel called.  “She’s heading into the market!  We gotta stay out of there until closing time, at least.”

“Don’t worry, Angel,” Fluttershy called back.  “I’m sure Rarity won’t let anything happen to me; I’m her best friend!”

Angel groaned and quickly followed his optimistic but oblivious friend into the market.

Fluttershy peeked around the corner of a building into the wide plaza, where a few ponies were doing some last-minute shopping before the sun went down.  She spied Rarity, trotting in the direction of the apple stand, where Applejack appeared to be preparing to pack up her wares for the day.  Fluttershy hopped into the plaza and under the cover of a nearby cart to watch.

“Good evening, Applejack,” Rarity greeted.  “Could I pick up a few apples before you close for the night?  I promised Sweetie Belle I’d bake a cobbler for her, since she and her friends actually managed to stay out of the way while I completed a big order this afternoon.”

“Sure thing, Rarity,” Applejack said.  “Since you’re comin’ so late, some of the best ones are gone, but there’re still some mighty fine ones here.  I wouldn’t sell anythin’ that I wouldn’t eat myself.”

Applejack placed some apples into a bag, while Rarity continued to make light conversation.

“I haven’t seen Fluttershy at all today,” the unicorn commented.  “Has she already left for vacation?”

“Yes ma’am, early this mornin’,” Applejack answered.  “RD says she should be arrivin’ in Las Pegasus by now.  I stopped by this mornin’ to feed her critters.”

“Oh, that’s right, I’m scheduled to do that tomorrow,” Rarity realized.  “I mustn’t forget; thank you for reminding me, Applejack.”

“A fair word of warnin’” Applejack replied.  “Them critters are every bit as feisty when it comes to food as Fluttershy made ‘em out to be.  They dove right in to it the second it left my hooves.  And this one critter didn’t wanna’ eat at all; I think it was worried about Fluttershy.  The poor thing was even dressin’ up like her to get its point across.  I let her know that Fluttershy is coming back in a week, but I dunno if she took the hint.”

Rarity chuckled.  “A rabbit that looks like Fluttershy!  That must have been entertaining to see.”

Seeing her chance to get noticed, Fluttershy exited from her hiding place and bounded toward her friends.

“Well, speak of the devil,” Applejack proclaimed.  “Here comes the little varmint now.”

The two ponies stared at the pink and yellow rabbit in front of them as she gestured wildly.  Rarity broke into a grin.

“I have to give her some credit,” the unicorn giggled.  “She really does bear a stunning resemblance to Fluttershy!  How charming!  The only thing she’s got wrong is the personality; Fluttershy would never be this excited or hyper.”

Fluttershy stopped immediately and blinked in surprise.

Rarity smiled.  “Now don’t you worry, dear.  I’ll be coming by to feed you all tomorrow.  You’d best be getting home before it gets too late.”

Applejack finished packing up the spare Apples, and she and Rarity departed from the stand.

“Wait!  Rarity!  It’s me!” Fluttershy called, although she knew it was fruitless.  She hopped out into the open marketplace to follow her friends.

“Look out, kid!”

Before Fluttershy could move, she was tackled full force by Angel, and the two of them rolled out of the way and instant before a heavy wooden cart rolled along the spot where Fluttershy had stood a moment before.  The cart’s oblivious owner whistled contently, having never seen the small, furry obstruction he had almost hit.

“I knew I was gonna have to save your life before this day was over,” Angel muttered, as Fluttershy stared in shock at the receding cart.  “I told you to be careful!  Another second and you would’ve been road kill.”

“I’m sorry!” Fluttershy squeaked.  “I was distracted.  Rarity was-”

“Kid, I told you before,” Angel interrupted, “At this stage, the ponies are effectively worthless.  If you want to get out of this, you need to start listening to what I say, got it?  I’m taking the time and effort to help you out, so I expect a little cooperation, capice?

“Yes, Angel.  I’ll listen from now on.”

“Good,” Angel said curtly.  “Come on, our destination is just a few blocks away.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The moon was beginning to rise, and Fluttershy was beginning to wonder how much further Angel’s acquaintance’s home could possibly be, when her guide stopped abruptly and motioned to a gigantic oak in front of them.

Fluttershy looked up and the massive tree.  The silhouette was familiar; balconies and interior chambers were built onto the sides.  Candlelight flickered in the windows, providing illumination for the unicorn that often studied there.

“Twilight’s Library,” Fluttershy stated, surprised.

“No, really?” asked Angel sarcastically.  He pointed to the uppermost balcony, where the outline of Twilight was visible, peering into one of her telescopes.  “Looks like the mare’s busy, which means it should be easier for us to do what we need to do without interruption.”

Angel darted around the back of the tree-home, and squeezed himself into a small space beneath one of its roots.  Fluttershy struggled to force herself into the small space, and found herself in a tunnel, almost pitch black and barely high enough for her to stand in.

“Haven’t had to use this tunnel in a while…” Angel mumbled to himself as he crept forward.  “Let’s hope my acquaintance is home; it would be a shame if we came all this way just to wait around for him.”

Fluttershy said nothing, as she was focusing on not bumping into the walls of the incredibly tight tunnel.

A few yards later, Angel stopped suddenly, unable to progress.  A solid, wooden plank blocked the path.

“Crud,” he grumbled.  “We’re under the library staircase, but it looks like that lazy baby dragon finally fixed the broken step.  That’s a shame; it’s going to make it much harder to get in there.”

Turning to Fluttershy briefly, he pointed to a miniscule division between some of the boards that surrounded them, through which a tiny flicker of light trickled through.  “That plank is loose,” he stated.  “It’s difficult, but if we both push, I think we can bend it just enough to slip through the opening between the steps.  Don’t ask me how we’re gonna get back in here though.  We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

Angel leaned against the flexible spot in the step and began to heave against it with his shoulder.

“Come on, ‘Shy!  Help me out!”

“Oh, um… okay,” Fluttershy squeaked.  She too began to push against the board, but her additional support seemed to have no effect.

“Not like that,” Angel groaned.  “There ain’t any strength in those arms.  You gotta lean against it and push with your legs.”

Fluttershy repositioned herself and pressed against the wall with all the strength her powerful rabbit legs would allow.  A few seconds passed, and the space between the front and side of the step began to widen.  After a moment, it was just wide enough for a rabbit to squeeze through.

“Now for the tricky part,” Angel puffed.  “The second we let the pressure off this thing, that hole’s gonna snap closed again.  We gotta stop pushing on this thing and jump through at exactly the same time.”

Fluttershy gulped.

“We’re going on three.  Got it?”

“Got it.”

Angel crouched, preparing to leap, and checked to make sure Fluttershy had done the same.

“Ready?  One… two…”

Nervous tension caused Fluttershy to jump too early.  She barreled into Angel and the two of them toppled through of the opening, which snapped shut loudly an instant later.

“Oops.”

Angel pushed the other rabbit off himself and stood up.  “Man kid, you’re really trying to get us both killed today, aren’t you?”

Fluttershy attempted to respond, but Angel covered her mouth with a paw.

“Quiet.  Let’s just find who we’re looking for.  The quicker we do that, the quicker we get out of here.”

Cautiously, Angel hopped forward from the shadow of the stairs and into the wide main chamber of the Ponyville library.  Fluttershy followed behind, glancing around nervously.

The usually comfortable and inviting library seemed positively eerie today.  Moonlight stretched across the wooden floor in long, ornate patterns as it shone through the windows.  A few books, placed haphazardly about, were illuminated by the half-melted candles.  Dead silence hung in the air, as the library’s only residents were two stories above on the outer balcony.

Angel placed his paws on his hips.  “Well, this figures,” he grumbled.  “Looks like he ain’t here.  Wonderful.”

Fluttershy’s sensitive ears detected the tiniest rustle high above her.  She turned slowly around and peered up to the top level of the highest bookshelf.  The meager light entering the room was unable to reach the furthest corners of the room, but Fluttershy was sure she could see a faint glinting in the blackness.  Two glints actually, like a pair of eyes…

“Angel,” she whispered.  “I think… I think somepon-… excuse me, somebunny is up there.”

Angel turned around and squinted up at the shelf, but the darkness remained absolute.  He shook his head.

“You’re seeing things, kid.  Now, since the guy we’re looking for isn’t here, we need to find another way out.”

Angel began snooping around the front door in hopes of finding a means of escape, but Fluttershy couldn’t help but continue to stare at the gloomy bookshelf.  Her eyes strained against the darkness, and eventually, an outline began to appear.

Suddenly, with alarming speed, the silhouetted shape leapt from the upper shelf, spreading a pair of wings wide as it careened downward, directly towards Fluttershy, its talons outstretched.

Fluttershy yelped and fell to the floor, cowering as she waited for the inevitable evisceration by a monstrous bird that was obviously only a fraction of a second from reaching her.

But no horrible, violent death came.  Instead, the sound of talons clicking gently to the wooden floor a few inches away reached Fluttershy’s ears.  She continued to tremble on the floor, terrified of what was to come.

“Well, it’s about time you showed yourself, Feathers,” came Angel’s voice.  “You had me convinced you weren’t even here.”

Fluttershy felt a soft tap as Angel gently poked her side with his foot.  “Get up, kid,” he said.  “Nobunny’s gonna hurt you.”

Finally, Fluttershy worked up the courage to lift her face off the floor.  She stared up curiously into the beady black eyes of the large, brown bird perched in front of her.

“’Shy, you’ve met Owloysius, right?” Angel asked.

“Oh!”  Fluttershy gasped, finally recognizing the newcomer that had intimidated her.  “Yes… yes I have.  Hello, Mr. Owloysius.”

Owloysius clacked his beak.  “Hello, my friend,” he said in a calm, benevolent voice.  “You’re considerably smaller than the last time I saw you, but I see you’re still the same pony you’ve always been behind the new exterior.”

“You recognize me?” Fluttershy asked, slightly shocked.

Owloysius chuckled.  “Of course, of course.  The truly observant use more than just appearance to determine one’s identity.  It’s quite clear that you are Lady Twilight’s friend, Fluttershy.”

“Yeah, you’re a real master of perception,” Angel said uninterestedly.  “Anyway, we need some help, Feathers.  We seem to have run into a little problem with some plant identification.”

“Now, now, Mr. Angel, you needn’t be so hasty,” Owloysius hooted.  “Your friend here looks a trifle confused; perhaps we should get to know each other a bit before we dive right into business.”

Owloysius turned to Fluttershy.  “My apologies.  Mr. Angel can be so forward now and then.  I suppose it comes with his occupation.”

From behind Fluttershy, Angel frantically moved his paw in front of his neck, sending the old owl a silent plea.  Owloysius took the hint and quickly changed the subject.

“Now, Fluttershy,” he continued calmly.  “I can’t help but notice that you suddenly seem to be a different species then you were when I last saw you.  How did all that happen?”

Fluttershy shrugged.  “I… I have no idea, really,” she squeaked.  “Angel thought we should come to you to get some answers about that.”

Owloysius hooted quietly.  “My young friend, I am in fact quite the scholar, but I admit that I know nothing about a pony abruptly transforming into a rabbit.”

“I figured as much,” Angel cut in.  “What ‘Shy seems to be forgetting is that we’re not here to ask you how that happened.  We’re just here to see if you can identify a plant for us.”

“Oh yes, the flower!” Fluttershy remembered.  She pulled out the flower petal that she had tucked away that morning.

“This is our only clue,” she said, showing the petal to Owloysius.  “It was found in my teacup, and I’m not sure what type of plant it is.”

Owloysius leaned forward to closely examine the mysterious purple petal, and his eyes widened.  “I think I may know what this is,” he admitted.  “But I cannot be sure without referencing one of the texts here.  Allow me to do a quick bit of research.”

The two rabbits watched as the owl fluttered up to one of the bookshelves.  Clutching one tome in each of his talons, he moved the battered old books to the table, and went to retrieve a few more.

“Do you know where all the books in the library are shelved?” Fluttershy asked curiously.

Owloysius chuckled heartily as he retrieved a few more books.  “Why, of course!  I am an assistant to Lady Twilight, after all.  Young master Spike and I both perform regular reshelving duties for her, and, as it is the night shift right now, I have free reign of the library, as it were.  Unfortunately for young master Spike, his additional duties do not permit him to do much reading, but I have plenty of time for it.  Long nights in this place have allowed me to become quite the learned owl.”

“Which works out for us,” Angel said.  “Hard to come by somebunny with that kind of knowledge around here.”

He smirked.  “Even harder to come by an owl that’s not planning to eat us.”

“Hoo, yes,” Owloysius mumbled as he paged through one of the botany texts.  “I found that the natural, and often powerful, craving for the meat of… small creatures… distracted me quite significantly from my scholarly endeavors.  So I simply swore off meat entirely, and after a long enough time of denial, the instinct faded.  Now, no longer gripped by the more primal dietary urges of my species, I can focus entirely on the pursuit of knowledge together with lady Twilight.”

Fluttershy was duly impressed, and a little relieved, at Owloycius’ self-control.

“Wow, I had no idea,” she breathed.  “I guess Twilight feeds you a pony diet, then?”

“Essentially, though with a bit of protein supplementation she orders from some pharmacy in Canterlot,” Owloysius added.  “Health issues and whatnot.”

He began to page through the botany book more quickly.  “But enough about me.  We’d probably best get down to business before we’re interrupted by-”

“Uncle Owly!  Uncle Owly!”

Owloysius sighed and placed a wing over his face.  “…Too late…”

Fluttershy watched in wonder as a tiny, fiery orange bird descended from the upper story of the treehouse, flapping his tiny wings frantically to stay airborne.

“Is that a phoenix?” she asked excitedly.  “Why, I haven’t seen a phoenix since the incident with Philomena!”  

“Yes,” said Owloysius dully.  “Young master Spike recently acquired a pet phoenix.  He has taken up a role as my… apprentice, in a sense.”

The tiny phoenix landed in front of Fluttershy; it was even smaller than she was.

“Hiya!” the little bird chirped.  “I’m Peewee!  Uncle Owly’s number-one assistant!”

Fluttershy giggled at the little phoenix’s enthusiasm.  Angel just rolled his eyes.

“Hello Peewee, I’m Fluttershy,” Fluttershy greeted, smiling and extending a paw toward the young bird.  “It’s very nice to meet you.”

Peewee placed his wing in Fluttershy’s waiting paw.  “Fluttershy, huh?” he asked.  “That’s a weird name for a rabbit.”

“That’s because I’m actually a pony,” Fluttershy explained.

Peewee stared at Fluttershy for a long time, before turning to Owloysius.

“Uncle Owly?  Are you sure that book you showed me about animals was accurate?”

“Yes, Peewee,” Owloysius said tiredly.  “What she means is that she was a pony, but she turned into a rabbit.”

Peewee brightened.  “Oh!  Well that makes perfect sense!”

“Peewee, listen,” Owloysius commanded.  “I’m trying to help our guests here with an important problem.  I need you to stay out of the way while I identify a certain plant.”

In frustration, the owl slammed yet another book shut.  “If only I could find the entry for this flower!  Which book is it in?”

Peewee hovered next to the desk, staring for a second at the purple petal lying there.

“Uncle Owly!  Isn’t there an entry about that flower in ‘An Equestrian Herbalist’s Guide to Temperate Valley Plants?’”

Owloysius stared at Peewee in shock for a moment, before fluttering over to the shelf and retrieving the aforementioned book.  He snapped his beak appreciatively as he set it on the desk.

“Peewee, I dare say I haven’t been giving you enough credit!  You’ve been studying more than I thought, haven’t you?”

Peewee puffed himself up with pride.  “I told you I was working on it, Uncle Owly.  Master Spike’s been showing me all sorts of things.”

“Yes, yes, the kid’s a good student,” Angel grumbled.  “Now, if you wouldn’t mind, Feathers, can we actually get to talking about what we came here for in the first place?”

“Oh, yes,” Fluttershy added.  “Now that you have the book you need, could you please identify that flower?”

Owloysius nodded, and opened the herbalist’s guide.  After flipping through the pages for a few moments, he came to the very entry he had been looking for, and with just one quick, comparative glance between the illustration and the provided petal, confirmed his suspicions.

“As I thought,” Owloysius said.  “The petal you brought to me is from a plant I’m sure you’re familiar with; an enchanted flower known as Heart’s Desire.”

“I knew it looked familiar!” Fluttershy exclaimed.  “I keep some Heart’s Desire set aside for use in some medicines for my animal friends.  It shouldn’t have wound up in my tea, though.”

“Any ideas how it did?” Owloysius asked curiously.

“Well, I do keep it in the same cabinet as the herbs for my tea,” Fluttershy admitted.  “But I definitely told Rainbow Dash not to use any of the plants up on the top shelf; most of those are medicinal and not suited for putting in tea.”

Angel crossed his arms.  “Well, that’s simple enough,” he concluded.  “Rainbow, being hyper as she is, was probably zipping around your kitchen making a racket, and didn’t hear your warning about the plants.  The wrong thing winds up in your tea, and next thing you know, you’re a rabbit.”

Owloysius hooted playfully.  “Not so fast, Mr. Angel.  It’s not that simple.  There’s no inherent quality of Heart’s Desire that would cause such a transformation without reason.  We need more information before we make any assumptions about this plant’s connections to Fluttershy’s unusual situation.”

Owloysius glanced through the information printed in the book once again.  “In order for Heart’s Desire to have a direct effect, it needs to act on a strong internal desire of the creature that ingests it.”

“That’s stupid,” Angel pointed out.  “I don’t think ‘Shy was going around wishing she was a rabbit.”

Fluttershy blushed a little.  “That’s true…” she said.  “But… I did wish for a way to get to know my animal friends on a more personal level.  I just didn’t have such a… drastic solution to that desire in mind.”

Angel buried is face in his paws.  “So this is all Rainbow’s fault then.  She gave you tea spiked with a magical plant, and now you’re stuck like this.”

“Don’t blame Rainbow,” Fluttershy replied, defending her friend.  “It was just an innocent misunderstanding, I’m sure.  I know she didn’t mean to put anything bad in my tea.”

Owloysius suddenly looked intrigued.  “It occurs to me,” he began pensively, “that perhaps the tea is the reason the Heart’s Desire produced such a drastic response.  If you had just ingested a petal or two, you probably would have met with a lesser effect, such as an ability to talk to us animals, without becoming one yourself.  But the hot water of the tea likely drew all the active magical ingredients from all the petals, creating a drink concentrated enough to produce an effect that met your wish completely.  After all, what better way could there be to become familiar with the life of your little animal friends then to become one yourself?  I’d say the Heart’s Desire performed its job well, even if the effect was not quite what you were expecting.”

“Riveting,” Angel said, yawning dramatically to show his true feelings.  “Now, here’s a question.  What’s the antidote?”

Owloysius looked troubled.  “I’m afraid the antidote varies depending on the effects of the flower.  It will require quite a bit of additional research.”

Fluttershy swallowed.  “Um… how much research, exactly?”

“I’m not sure,” Owloysius said.  “So, I’ll tell you what; why don’t you two come back tomorrow night, and we’ll talk some more.  I should have something to tell you by then.”

“Tomorrow?” Angel sighed.  “That means at least one more day looking after Fluttershy.  I can hardly wait.”

He glanced at the window.  “Do you think you could give us a lift out of here?  It was pretty difficult getting in.”

“Of course,” Owloysius agreed.  “I wish you two the best of luck, and hopefully, I shall see you tomorrow evening.”

The owl floated down and gently clutched the two rabbits in each of his talons, carrying them out the window and onto a soft tuft of grass outside.  He then turned and fluttered back into the library.

“Peewee,” Owloysius instructed.  “Please reshelve all these botany texts, save for the herbalists’ guide.  I need to get out a few more books on rare natural cures.”

“Yes sir!” Peewee chirped.  Without another word, the two birds got to work on their research project.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Another day,” Angel mumbled.  “Well, it ain’t worth it to scramble all the way back to your place, just to come back here tomorrow night.  We’ll need to stay somewhere nearby in the meantime.”

“Then where do we stay?” Fluttershy asked.

Angel grinned.  “’Shy, I think you’re gonna like this;  you and I should spend tomorrow in the bunny city!”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened.  “There’s… there’s a bunny city?”

“Yep,” said Angel proudly.  “Huge underground chambers, and a complex network of tunnels, underground just outside of Ponyville.  A whole lot of critters live down there, but the rabbits run the show, which is nothing out of the ordinary around here.”

He chuckled.  “We weren’t gonna have any time to visit, but now that I see I won’t be turning you back to your pony self real quick, we have time to spend a day there.”

Fluttershy imagined a society composed entirely of her little animal friends; the thought made her giddy.

“We’ll head there tomorrow, first thing in the morning,” Angel said.  “As for tonight… well, it’s a nice night, ain’t it?”  He flopped down of the patch of high grass, reclining with his front paws behind his head.  “Get some sleep, kid.”

Fluttershy carefully settled down in the grass near Angel, and gazed at the moon in thought.

A bunny city!  That’s something I’d give almost anything to see.  If I’m getting a chance to meet my animal friends and see how they live… maybe spending a few days as a rabbit won’t be such a bad thing after all…

Fluttershy yawned and snuggled into the grass, and soon, she was sleeping peacefully beside Angel.

> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Angel...  Angel Bunny…  Angel, wake up…”

Angel pried open an eyelid and squinted up into the pair of big teal eyes staring down at him.

“What do you want, ‘Shy?” he groaned.

“It’s morning!” Fluttershy said happily.  “You said you would take me to visit the place where the animals live today!”

Angel rolled over and buried his face in the grass.  “Mmf,” he replied disinterestedly.

Fluttershy paced back and forth on the front lawn of the library as she waited for Angel to pick himself up off the ground.  The sun was barely peeking over the horizon, but she was already excited to get started with her day.  If all went well with Owloysius’ research, this could very well be her only remaining day as a rabbit; she couldn’t waste it.

Fluttershy giggled to herself at the thought of finally seeing the place where the animals spent their time when they weren’t visiting her cottage to eat or receive some other treatment.  Surely, such a place must be some kind of friendly underground utopia, especially if it was under the careful care of Angel and his friends.

Angel finally sat up and glanced at the sun.  He frowned.  “Seriously, ‘Shy,” he complained.  “I said we could go to the city today, but I didn’t think you’d wanna go so early.”

He got to his feet and glanced around.  “Although I guess we might as well; since the ponies aren’t out and about yet, it’ll make for a quick trip back out of Ponyville.  We’ll spend the afternoon down there, and then come back to town tonight, where hopefully we’ll find Feathers with the cure for this mess.”

Angel stretched for a moment before glancing at Fluttershy to make sure she was ready to go.  Then he took off down one of the streets.

After only a few stops to avoid the passing hooves of a few particularly early risers, the two rabbits reached one of the pathways that stretched out from Ponyville into the countryside.  He pointed to a large, low hill, at the top of which sat a gnarled old stump.

“That’s the place,” he announced.  “Under that stump is the main entrance to the biggest animal residency in the immediate Ponyville area.  It’s also the closest one to the Everfree; in fact, some of the furthest reaching tunnels expanding out from the main area reach right up to its borders.”

“Wow,” Fluttershy said.  “The Everfree Forest is even further than my cottage.  I didn’t know the rabbits even had tunnels that long.”

Angel smirked.  “You underestimate us, kid.  Where do you think my tunnel in the cottage ultimately leads?” he asked.  “The cottage is directly connected to the master underground network by several tunnels, since everybunny knows that a visit to the Main Mare is a great way to get a bite to eat.  You may not be available to provide right now, but your friends are doing a fair enough job in your place.”

Angel marched up the hill and hopped into a tunnel nestled between the roots of the stump.  Fluttershy was able to easily follow.  This tunnel was very different than the one they had used to sneak in to the library; while that one was incredibly cramped and uneven, this one was wide and smooth.  It was clearly used very often, and probably frequented by animals larger than rabbits.

Angel hopped over a few roots growing across the path and turned another corner.  As Fluttershy followed, the sounds of footsteps and the distant voices of small animals began to reach her sensitive ears.  Fluttershy could barely stop herself from squealing in delight and her destination drew near.

The pair arrived at an obstruction; a pair of crude swinging doors fashioned from slabs of a rotting log.  Angel pushed them open and motioned for Fluttershy to follow him inside the chamber.  Cautiously, she entered, peering around the interior in interest.

This was unquestionably the largest underground chamber Angel had shown her thus far.  The ceiling was so high, even a full-grown pony could have fit inside.  The interior of the room was several pony lengths in both length and width, creating a considerably large space for a small rabbit.

The large chamber was packed with various creatures, milling around as they tended to their daily business.  The impression Fluttershy got was not unlike that of Ponyville market on a busy morning, only on a much smaller scale.  She scanned the crowd of animals, searching for any she recognized.  The group consisted primarily of rabbits, but there were a variety of mice, squirrels, and other small mammals, as well as a few frogs and lizards.  There was even a small water inlet on one side of the room where a few fish gathered.

“Oh my…” Fluttershy breathed.  “It’s even bigger than I expected.  But what are they all doing here?”

“This is just like the market in Ponyville,” Angel answered.  “So, they’re socializing and trading, mostly.  We don’t really have any currency like you ponies do.  We just trade resources, for the most part.”

A few feet away, Fluttershy watched as a deal was struck between an old chipmunk and a little mole, who exchanged a few types of nuts and berries with one another before departing again.

“I wish I had brought something along to trade with somebunny,” she mumbled.

“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Angel said.  “You’ll find that more than a few critters are willing to give me a little of theirs for free.  I’ll just share a little with you.”

“For free?”  Fluttershy asked.  “Oh, they must want to thank you for providing them with all the help you and the other rabbits give.”

“Something like that,” Angel mumbled, glancing around the chamber again.  “Anyway, come on, let me show you around somewhere else.”

“Oh, but aren’t we even going to meet anybunny here?” Fluttershy asked.

“Later,” said Angel hurriedly.  He seemed a bit rushed for some reason, as if we wasn’t comfortable spending too long in this place.  Fluttershy gave in and followed him onwards.

Angel proceeded down one of almost a dozen tunnels branching out from the central room’s perimeter, with his companion close behind.  As the sounds of the main plaza began to fade, Fluttershy began to see small openings in the walls of the tunnels ahead.

“These are the dens,” Angel said.  “Everybunny who prefers to live underground lives down in the tunnels surrounding the plaza.  If you were becomin’ a permanent resident, I’d set you up with a nice place down here, but I imagine by this time tomorrow you’ll be back in your cottage and distinctly less rabbit-like, so I quick tour will have to do."

Angel peeked into one of the dens, where a chipper-looking grey rabbit was dusting his furniture.  The instant, he noticed Angel standing in the doorway, he dropped his tiny dust cloth and stood at salute.

“Good morning, Capo!  What can I do for you today, sir?”

Angel waved a paw, and the other rabbit dropped his salute.  “Relax,” Angel said.  “I’m just showing my friend here around town.”

“Well, make yourself at home then, sir!” the rabbit insisted.

“That won’t be necessary,” said Angel curtly.  “We’re not sticking around; I just needed a good example den to show off and yours was the closest.”

Fluttershy smiled as she glanced around the rabbit’s home.  A number of pieces of furniture were built from discarded scraps from the world above, much like the room Angel had taken Fluttershy to shortly after her transformation.  A store of vegetables was stacked in the corner.  The whole place had a comfortable feel; Fluttershy realized that if she was in fact a rabbit looking to live here, she’d by quite happy in a place like this.

“It’s very nice,” she complimented, earning a small smile from the den’s owner.  “I’m guessing you’re another of Angel’s workers, then.  It’s probably due to his hard work that you can have a nice home like this.  He really is so good to everybunny, isn’t he? ”

To Fluttershy’s surprise, a brief look of worry crossed the grey rabbit’s face, and he glanced briefly at Angel.  His small frown was quickly replaced with a nervous smile.

“Uh… yes, of course!” he replied.  “Keep up the good work, Capo!”

Angel nodded.

“Yeah… well, come on, ‘Shy.  Let’s leave this fellow to his business.”

“Okay,” Fluttershy agreed.  “Thank you for showing me around, Mr. Rabbit.”

“No problem,” said the grey rabbit weakly.

Fluttershy hopped out.  Angel waited until she was a few feet away, and then turned back to the gray rabbit, putting a paw to his mouth to hide his words from Fluttershy.

“Don’t forget, there’s a meeting tonight.  9pm.”

“I’ll be there, sir,” the gray rabbit replied.

Angel just nodded, before exiting the other rabbit’s home.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The day wore on in much the same way as Fluttershy was treated to several more highlights of the animal city.  She became acquainted with a few more rabbits that worked for Angel, and was shown many of the shortcuts used to allow the animals to reach a number of key locations on the surface above them.  The level of organization of the sprawling underground complex was incredible.

However, Fluttershy couldn’t help but feel slightly troubled about a recurring personality trait of many of the rabbits she encountered.

“Angel,” she said finally as she followed her guide toward another wide, public area.  “Is it just me, or do some of the rabbits seem to get a little… nervous when we come in?  Is there something going on?”

Angel stopped, thinking quickly.  “Uh… no… no, nothing’s wrong.  I think they’re just a little antsy about getting to meet you.  I mean, you are the Main Mare, after all.  They’re probably just trying a little too hard to make sure they’re living up to your expectations.”

“Oh!  Well, I think most of the rabbits I’ve met today seem to be just splendid little dears,” Fluttershy said.  “Their homes are lovely, and they’re very respectful.  Come on, let’s go visit another one to prove it.”

Fluttershy turned abruptly to head down another tunnel, but Angel leapt into her path, spreading his arms and blocking her way.

“Not that tunnel!” he insisted.

Fluttershy cocked her head.  “Why not?”

“Because… um…” Angel fished for an excuse, “…because we’ve bothered enough citizens today, don’t you think?  I’m sure they’re fine.  How about you an’ me go into town at get somethin’ to eat instead?”

Fluttershy paused, thinking.  Then she shrugged.  “Okay.  I guess you know best, Angel,” she agreed.

Angel breathed a discreet sigh of relief and led Fluttershy onward up the tunnel he chose.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few minutes later, the pair arrived at what could only be described as a laid-back rabbit version of one of Ponyville’s cafés.  The fairly large subterranean room was dotted with tables built from a variety of wide, flat rocks or debris from above.  Fluttershy giggled when she noticed a trio of bunnies in one corner, playing some soothing jazz using hollow twigs and pieces of grass.

“This’ll do,” Angel said.  “You hungry, kid?”

Fluttershy’s stomach growled before she could respond.  She smiled sheepishly.

Angel walked up to the counter.  The rabbit standing behind it started when he noticed who was standing in front of him.

“Afternoon, capo,” he said.  “What’ll it be?”

Angel shrugged.  “Just a couple of carrot slices.  And bring some for the lady, too.  She’s with me.”

The rabbit glanced briefly at Fluttershy, then back at Angel.  “I’ll get that right away,” he said.  “And we happen to be lucky enough to have a little cider available today.  Would either of you like some?”

“Cider?” Fluttershy asked.  “You mean like the apple cider Applejack makes?”

“Yes, ma’am,” the rabbit behind the counter said proudly.  “Care for a cup, little lady?”

“Sure!” said Fluttershy, excited to be able to enjoy a familiar treat, even here in the animal city.

The rabbit disappeared into a small chamber behind the counter to prepare the meals, while his customers waited in the front.

“Hey, boss.”

Angel and Fluttershy turned around, coming face to face with two familiar brown rabbits from the day before, as they hopped briskly towards Angel.

“Hi, Buttons!” Fluttershy said cheerily.

“Hello, boys,” Angel greeted.  “What’s up?”

“Capo, we have some news to report,” one of the Buttons said.  “Some more information about the ‘Big Job’.”

Angel winced, and Fluttershy looked curious.

“The Big Job?” she asked.  “What kind of Big Job?”

“It’s nothing, really,” said Angel quickly.  “Just a… uh… routine community cleanup project… or something…”

Fluttershy appeared to be ready to ask another question, but Angel managed to spot the perfect distraction, sitting at a table in the corner of the room.

“But never mind that,” he said.  “It ain’t something you’d be interested in.  But speaking of interesting, do you recognize that fella over there?”

Fluttershy looked at the table to which Angel pointed and was momentarily taken aback.  Seated at the table was an animal which she had yet to encounter in this city.  Contrasting starkly with the rabbits, the little creature had scaly green skin, and large, oblivious-looking purple eyes.

“Isn’t that Gummy?  Pinkie Pie’s Alligator?” Fluttershy asked.

“Bingo,” Angel said.  “Now I gotta talk to the boys here about some boring business stuff, so why don’t you go over and have a chat with him?  I’m sure it will be more entertaining.”

“But Angel,” Fluttershy retorted.  “You know I want to learn more about how you run this place!  I don’t think your business is boring, I think it’s wonderful!”

“Alright, tell you what,” Angel said.  “You go chat with ol’ Gummy now, and I’ll fill you in on the details about business later.  After all, we might not be runnin’ into him again, and you don’t wanna miss the chance to meet one of your best pal’s pets, do you?”

“That’s true…” Fluttershy agreed.  “Alright, Angel.  I’ll talk to you about it later, then.”

“Atta’ girl,” Angel said.  “The waiter will bring you your carrots and cider, and it’s on me, so don’t worry about it.  Just… don’t take Gummy too seriously.  He’s a little… uh…”  Angel stopped, groping for the right words.  “He’s a little unique.  But he can be fun to talk to, provided he’s actually making any sense today.”

Fluttershy giggled.  “He sounds a bit like Pinkie Pie,” she chuckled, before hopping over to the alligator’s table.

Angel waited until she was out of earshot, and then turned to the Buttons, who both continued to stand at attention.  There was a brief, awkward silence, and then Angel proceeded to once again slap both his henchmen across the face.

“You two morons!” he scolded.  “Sit down over here for a second.  I don’t think either of you understand the gravity of our situation!”  Angel motioned stiffly to an empty table, and the Button brothers immediately sat down.

Angel scowled at the Buttons as he sat down himself.  “Listen, boys,” he said, as levelly as possible.  “It should be clear that this whole incident with Fluttershy wasn’t supposed to happen.  If everything was normal, she’d still be a cheerful and mercifully oblivious mare, shelling out food for us three times a day up at the cottage.  But her being a rabbit now has changed the situation a bit.”

Angel leaned in closer, not wanting to be overheard by other patrons of the café.  “Now, here’s the problem; Fluttershy doesn’t quite understand the mechanics of our little organization.  She’s gone and convinced herself that I’m some kinda patriarch for this town, like her mayor is to Ponyville or something.  She has no idea how this community really works.”

“And… we need to keep it that way?” One of the buttons guessed.

Angel put a paw to his forehead in disbelief.  “You numbskull!  Of course we need to keep it that way!  Don’t you understand the implications of Fluttershy finding out what we’re really up to?”

The Buttons shook their heads in unison.

Angel sighed.  “I’ve been going way outta my way to show off only the parts of the city that present qualities that fit ‘Shy’s delusions about us,” he said.  “If she had any clue about how unsavory this whole operation really is… and what life’s like behind the scenes… what do you think she would think of us?”

The Buttons shrugged.

Angel banged his fist on the table.  “She’d be furious!  And don’t tell me you two haven’t seen the Main Mare when she’s furious.  It’s downright terrifying.  She’d hate us all so much that she’d probably stop providing us with the surplus that we need to keep this buisness running the way we want it to.”

Angel paused briefly to let the implied consequences sink in.  “So, when all is said and done…” he summarized, “The Main Mare’s opinion of us is directly tied to the well-being of the organization.  And it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep the truth from her when a couple of jamooks like you two keep blabbing about our plans right in front of her!  Am I makin’ myself clear!?”

Finally, the Buttons nodded.

“Good,” Angel said.  “Now, you two know we have a meeting to discuss the Big Job this evening.  You can tell me whatever it is you need to tell me then.  I’ll make sure Fluttershy is occupied somewhere else.  And that feathered old duff who lives at the library is working on a cure for Fluttershy’s problem, so hopefully, things will be back to normal by tomorrow, and we can get on with planning this properly.”

“Right boss,” one of the Buttons affirmed.

“Sorry for the trouble,” the other added.

“Good.  I’m glad we understand each other,” Angel said.

There was a short pause, and then one of the Buttons cautiously spoke up.

“Boss?  Aren’t you worried that crazy green guy is gonna tell the Main Mare about our organization?”

Angel scoffed.  “Gummy doesn’t understand the organization well enough to realize that it’s a bad thing,” he replied.  “You know how he is; he just goes around spewing philosophical nonsense at anybunny who will listen.  He doesn’t seem too concerned about the shady business we’re running here.  He probably just gets outlook on life from that mare he lives with, but he’s no threat to us, and I don’t think he’s going to tell ‘Shy anything.  At least not directly enough for her to understand it.”

Angel stood up.  “Now we need to get going.  After ‘Shy’s done here, I want to get her out of this place before anybunny else lets something slip.  And I’d appreciate it if you two just keep your traps shut around her until she’s a mare again.”

Angel shot one final glare in the Buttons direction to emphasize is point, before turning and nearly bumping into the waiter who had been trying to deliver his order.

“And what’re you lookin’ at?” he asked testily.  He snatched his meal from the tray and jammed it into his cheeks in one huge bite, before storming off to find Fluttershy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“…Hello?”  Fluttershy asked.

Gummy stared into space, unblinking, and apparently oblivious to Fluttershy’s presence.

“Um… you’re Gummy, aren’t you?” she asked hesitantly.  “You can talk, can’t you?”

Gummy snapped out of his trance rather suddenly, rapidly turning and positioning his face just an inch away from Fluttershy’s.  There was a long, long pause, in which the alligator stared directly into the poor rabbit’s eyes.

“Sorry.  Didn’t see you there!” he said finally, returning to his initial partially reclined position.  “As usual, I got a little caught up in thinking about this and that and whatnot.  Too many things bouncing around inside my head like jumping beans, you know.  Sometimes I get distracted when I’m concentrating too hard on everything I have to concentrate on.”

Fluttershy wasn’t sure how to respond to such a greeting.  Luckily, Gummy continued after a moment.

“So, I heard you mention my name!” the gator gurgled.  “That means we’ve met somewhere.  Where was it?  Did it have anything to do with the party Pinkie threw last week?  I had too much punch to remember much of that.  Or was it something less formal?  Maybe we exchanged names briefly while passing by, and I simply failed to stop and take note of those around me.  Like I said, I tend to get distracted.  But maybe it wasn’t that at all.  Maybe I…”

Gummy stopped speaking suddenly.  His eyes went wide as he appeared to have an epiphany.

“Maybe I’ve met you in my dreams?!" he gasped.  "Perhaps subconsciously, I’ve been warned of your arrival!”

“No, wait,” Fluttershy cut in, becoming increasingly confused.  “You’re over thinking this.  I’m just a friend of Pinkie Pie’s, that’s all.”

“I do tend to over think things,” Gummy mused, nodding his head to emphasize.  “It often causes me to get very distracted.  And repeat myself.”

Again, Fluttershy was left without an immediate response.  She was saved the trouble for a moment the waiter arrived to deliver her meal; a plate containing a few carrot slices, and an upturned and hollowed-out nut holding a small quantity of cider.

“So you know Pinkie Pie, huh?” Gummy asked.  “Lucky you.  That mare knows what she’s talkin’ about.  You just have to be able to understand it.”

“Um, yes, I’m sure she does,” Fluttershy said.  “I’m Fluttershy by the way.  I’m usually a pony, but there was a bit of an accident, so now I’m a rabbit for a bit.”

“Or are you?” Gummy asked suspiciously.  “Tell me, Fluttershy, do you define yourself only by your outward appearance?”

“What?” Fluttershy asked.  “I mean… I don’t know…”

“None of us know!” Gummy announced.  “How can we know what the deciding factor is in determining who we are?  Look at me; I’m a toothless alligator!  Can I still be called an alligator at all, or am I some kind of pathetic lizard thing?  And has my condition really caused me to move beyond the habits of my kind, or am I still some kind of cold-blooded predator who is simply unable to fulfill those predatory needs due to a simple dental anomaly!?”

Gummy paused and violently banged his head on the table a few times, nearly spilling Fluttershy’s cider.  The rabbit looked on in extreme concern.

“But enough about me!  Let’s talk about you!” Gummy suddenly announced, acting as if he hadn’t just had a violent existential outburst.  “What brings you here today?”

Fluttershy remembered what Angel has said: trying to actually follow Gummy’s train of thought would likely be disastrous to attempt.  She decided to follow his advice and just play along.

“Well, I came here to visit the city with my friend Angel,” she admitted.  “Once I’m a pony again, I won’t be able to fit down here anymore, so I wanted to see-”

“You know Angel?” Gummy interrupted.  “Well, how about that.  So do I.  Quite a busy one, that Angel.  Always ruining the lives of everybunny living down here.  Or maybe making their lives infinitely better.  I guess that depends on both who you are and what your perspective on things is.”

Fluttershy blinked.  Surely, that could only have been another of Gummy’s philosophical ramblings.  She hadn’t seen anybunny here all day who had complained about Angel or the job he did for the community.  She let it go without a further thought.

“So what brings you down here?” she asked the gator.  “I assumed you spent most of your time in Sugarcube Corner.”

“Oh, not really,” Gummy said.  “I wander around.  It just seems like I’m always there, because if Pinkie needs me for something, she will find me.  You know how she is.  Just because I’m down here in a café in a secret animal city of which the ponies on the surface are entirely unaware of does not mean I’m out of the reach of Pinkie Pie.  She’s just that good.”

“That’s true, she is,” Fluttershy admitted.  “But, at times like this, when Pinkie isn’t looking for you, do you usually come down here?”

Gummy nodded.  “I like to spend time down here.  Nothing helps me contemplate a problem from every possible viewpoint like bouncing some ideas off a rabbit like you.  Admittedly, most of the rabbits are less inclined to hold a conversation with me than you are though.”

I can’t imagine why… Fluttershy thought.

“It’s not really a problem though,” Gummy admitted.  “That response in itself gives me plenty more to think about.  I sit in here pretty often and think.  And I’ve come up with all sorts of opinions and guesses about how life works in this land of Equestria.  Only problem is, when I think too much, I tend to get distracted and repetitive.”

“I’ve noticed.  You’ve said that four times.”

“Have I?” Gummy asked.  “Case in point, then.”

Gummy looked at Fluttershy expectantly, as if waiting for her to ask another question.  She paused briefly to nibble on one of the carrots and take a drink before continuing, although Gummy’s unblinking stare quickly became unnerving.

“So… are you actually part of Angel’s work force?” she ventured.

“Oh, no.  Not really,” Gummy answered.  "I’m not down here on a regular basis, and some critters tell me I’m not particularly reliable, so Angel never counts on me for anything he actually needs done in a timely fashion.  But every now and then I’ll help him gather supplies that may be difficult for rabbits to get to.  Being aquatic does have its advantages.”

He leaned in a little closer.  “What about you?  Are you helping Angel out?”

“Well, I can’t do too much right now,” said Fluttershy.  “When I was a pony, I provided the animals with food and care whenever I could, but right now, I’m a bit busy working on finding a way to return to normal…”

Gummy finally blinked; Fluttershy was convinced it was the first time he had done so since their conversation started.  “That’s not what I meant.  But okay.”

“Oh.  What did you mean?”

“I meant to ask if you were helping Angel out with any of his-”

“Alright, ‘Shy,” came a louder voice.  “We’re done.  Let’s go.”

Fluttershy turned around to see Angel approaching from across the room.  She also spied the Button brothers rapidly exiting the café.

“One moment, Angel,” she said.  “Gummy and I were just finishing our conversation.”

Fluttershy turned back to the alligator for a moment.  “Now, what were you saying?”

Gummy did not respond.  He gazed into the distance, his eyes fixed on an arbitrary point in space.  Fluttershy waved a paw in front of his face, but he did not respond.  In shock, she realized that the blank stare she normally received during past encounters with him were actually a result of his becoming lost in a trance-like state of higher consciousness.

“Never mind,” she mumbled, following Angel out of the café.  “He’s a bit… distracted right now.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cool, fresh air washed over Fluttershy as she and Angel exited the tunnels and stepped out onto the hillside.  She was shocked to discover that the sun had already disappeared below the horizon; only a few lingering rays of sunlight remained.

“We spent all day down there?” she asked incredulously.

“Time flies when you’re having fun, doesn’t it?” Angel chuckled.  “Ol’ Feathers won’t be ready for us for a couple hours though, so we should just find somewhere to relax for a while.”

Angel hopped along around the perimeter of Ponyville for a short distance, stopping on a ridge covered in a thick mat of moss.  He sat down, and Fluttershy flopped down beside him.

“That was fun,” Fluttershy admitted, resting her tired legs.  “Thanks so much for taking me to visit the city, Angel.  It was so nice to meet all the animals.”

“No problem,” Angel mumbled.  “Listen, ‘Shy, I gotta go and, um, take care of something important.  I’ll be back in a couple hours, and we’ll go straight to the library and get you cured.  In the meantime, just take a break here.”

Fluttershy nodded slowly.  Angel turned and began to hop down the ridge.

“Angel, hold on.”

The white rabbit stopped, turning back to his companion.  “What’s up, kid?”

Fluttershy hesitated for a moment, and then cautiously asked the question she couldn’t avoid any longer.

“Angel, you… you do run the animal community with everybunny’s best interests in mind, don’t you?”

Angel froze.  In a fraction of an instant, his mind swirled with thousands of possibilities; things Fluttershy might have seen or overheard in the city that he hadn’t meant for her to notice.

I’ve been bending the truth over and over these last two days, but the only way out of this one is an outright lie...

The rabbit made his decision immediately.

“Of course, ‘Shy.  I mean, come on, you know I’m a good guy, right?”

Fluttershy smiled.  “I know.  I just wanted to make sure.”

She laid down on the mossy surface.  “See you later, Angel.”

“Yeah.  See ya,” he replied as he hopped away.

Fluttershy sighed contently, gazing up at the dark sky, where the stars began to flicker into view.  The stars were the one thing that still looked the same to her; all around her, objects she had become used to were now of intimidating size, and places and things that had previously been too small to capture her notice were now apparent, and often very interesting to discover.  But, pony or rabbit, the stars still formed a comforting blanket of twinkling lights, indifferent to the size of the inhabitants of the land below them.

It was funny, Fluttershy thought, how this new perspective had changed her perception of Equestria.  Every type of animal saw the world in a different way, and every object presented different uses or challenges to each of them.

Fluttershy smiled when she thought of herself, not two days ago, terrified and dismayed to discover her shocking transformation.  But now that Owloysius had likely found the cure, and her time as a rabbit was drawing to a close, she found herself wishing for more time.  She felt safe and ready to explore when Angel was by her side, and the experiences she’d had in the past two days were some she’d never forget.

This may even have been better than the trip to Las Pegasus, she thought.  I guess the Heart’s Desire did its job after all; I really did get to learn more about my animal friends and the way they live.  Grumpy little Angel, wise Owloysius, excitable Peewee, philosophical Gummy, and all the others as well.  The animals really aren’t that different from ponies at all.

Still smiling, Fluttershy reflected on her day while she waited for Angel’s return.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Angel Bunny stood by the stump that marked the entrance to the underground city.  After checking extensively to make sure Fluttershy had not followed, he ducked into the tunnel.

Why did she have to ask that? the rabbit thought to himself.  What’s she trying to do, send me on a guilt trip?

The rabbit shook his head forcefully.  Get over it, Angel.  She’s just your caretaker; no need to get all sentimental just because she can talk to you now.  By tomorrow, everything should be back to normal, and we can get back to work.

Forcing Fluttershy out of his mind, he proceeded to the large chamber that had been set aside for the scheduled meeting.  Dozens of rabbits waiting within quieted instantly and turned to him expectantly as he entered.

“Hey boys,” said Angel coolly, as he strolled to the front of the room.  “Let’s get started.  You all know why we’re here tonight; it’s time for the official unveiling of “The Big Job.”

A murmur spread throughout the assembled rabbits.

“Now, as many of you know,” Angel continued.  “The Buttons and I have been working very hard on planning this little thing.  We needed to wait for the right season and conditions before it was safe to initiate anything.  But now, we’re almost ready to go.”

Angel paused a moment before speaking again.  “Now, I’m sure many of you are wondering what exactly we’re going to be doing during this job.  Well, it’s time for me to shed some light on that.  Every now and then, we send a group out to Sweet Apple Acres to do some ‘resource gathering’.  Namely, the collection of apples.  Sure, carrots and other veggies are a lot easier to get a hold of, but apples are quite a treat.  Unfortunately, it’s hard to get more than a few; that pesky collie and the stubborn pony who owns her are onto us, and it’s a nightmare trying to smuggle any apples into the tunnels with them around.  As a result, our supply of apple products, including cider, is always very low.”

Many rabbits nodded in agreement.

“Well, the Button Brothers stumbled across a useful bit of information a few weeks ago,” Angel said.  “As it turns out, the whole Apple family will be out of town for one afternoon next week, and at the same time, a large field of apples at the farm will be turning ripe.  So we’ve organized a large scale heist.  We’re going to swipe hundreds of apples from Sweet Apple Acres, and issue in a period of unlimited apples for the rabbits!”

A cheer broke out among the crowd at the prospect.  Angel raised a paw to quiet them again.

“Now, today is Thursday.  The Apples are going to be out of town on Tuesday, so it’s Tuesday at noon that we’ll all assemble here, go over the plan, and head out.  The whole thing should go off without a hitch; the entire property will be unguarded, and the Apples will never know what hit ‘em!”

Angel’s expression became more serious.  “And as with everything this organization does, keep this on the down-low.  We don’t want anybunny overhearing this that isn’t supposed to.”

An important thought occurred to Angel.  “And on that topic,” he continued.  “Some of you may have noticed the pink and yellow rabbit that’s been following me around for the last two days.  That’s the Main Mare, and it’s extremely important that she doesn’t hear a word about any of this.  If all goes well, she’ll be a mare again by morning and we won’t have to worry about it, but it’s still important to watch what you say.”

The army of rabbits nodded collectively.  Angel placed his paws on his hips, satisfied.

“Alright, we’re clear.  Tuesday.  Noon.  Be there.”

Quickly and quietly, the group of rabbits exited the room.  After a moment, only Angel’s two officers, the Buttons, remained.

“Now what, boss?” one of them asked.

“Keep the situation under observation, and keep me informed of any more news,” Angel instructed.  “Unfortunately, I have to go and babysit the Main Mare some more.  I’ll probably see you boys on Saturday.”

The Buttons saluted.  “Yes, sir.  Good night, Capo.”

“G’night,” Angel mumbled as he darted from the room.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was nearly midnight by the time Angel and Fluttershy reached the Ponyville library.  Luckily, Owloysius sat perched on the windowsill, ready to carry them inside so they didn’t have to use the dangerous passage beneath the stairs again.  After two quick flights, both rabbits stood once again in the interior of the darkened library.

“Hiya!” greeted Peewee, who fluttered from his perch to the table where his teacher sat.  “Uncle Owly and I have been real busy!  We found out all sorts of stuff about the Heart’s Desire!”

“That’s great,” Fluttershy responded.  “What have you learned, Owloysius?”

“Erm… well…” Owloysius clacked his beak nervously.  “Would you like the good news, or the bad news?”

Angel sighed.  “I guess you should just start with the good, Feathers.”

“Yes, of course,” said Owloysius.  “I do have very good news; Peewee and I have determined the cure for Fluttershy’s affliction.”

“Good,” said Angel.  “I’m too busy to keep following her around.  Hand it over so we can get this fixed up.”

“Well, therein lies a small problem,” said Owloysius.  “You see, I don’t exactly have the cure available…”

Fluttershy and Angel both frowned.  “Where can we get it?” Fluttershy asked.

“It’s not available anywhere in its finished form,” Owloysius explained.  “We’re going to have to make it.”

“Well, that’s not a problem, is it?” Angel asked, raising an eyebrow.  “You’re a smart guy.  Can’t you mix it up for us?”

“I can,” Owloysius answered.  “The problem is that I do not have the ingredients.  You two will have to collect them for me.”

Angel groaned.  “And how long’s that gonna take?”

“I… don’t know,” Owloysius admitted.

Angel placed his face in his paws.  “Great.  Just great.  And here I thought this was gonna be over tonight.”  He turned to Fluttershy, shaking his head in frustration.  “Kid, looks like you and I are gonna be spending a little more time together than I thought.”

In the depths of her mind, Fluttershy acknowledged that this was perhaps not such a bad thing.

“Alright,” said Angel, turning back to Owloysius.  “So the good news was that you know the cure, but the bad news is we have to make it ourselves?”

“Oh, no,” said Owloysius.  “The fact that you have to make it yourselves was just part of the information about the cure.  I haven’t told you the bad news yet.”

“Uh-oh,” Fluttershy squeaked.  “What’s the bad news?”

“Well, while we were researching last night, Peewee came across a most interesting passage about reversing the plant’s effects,” Owloysius said.

“Yeah, yeah!” Peewee agreed.  “It said something about the effects of Heart’s Desire being affected by the moon and the day-night cycles!”

“You see,” Owloysius continued.  “We discovered that Heart’s Desire tends to take effect overnight, usually precisely at midnight.  This has something to do with the moon’s positioning at that time, but since it’s irrelevant I won’t bore you with a further explanation.  This explains why Fluttershy woke up to find herself transformed yesterday morning; she was fast asleep before the change occurred.”

“How is this bad news?” Angel inquired.

“It’s not, but it is required context to understand the real problem,” Owloysius said.  “You see, we have come across a most troubling detail about the effects of Heart’s Desire.  Its effects on the body… change after a certain period of time has passed…”

“How so?” Angel asked, noting the worried expression on Fluttershy’s face.

“Well, Fluttershy has already been a rabbit for two days now,” Owloysius said.  “And according to the book, that means she has…” he glanced at the clock, which at that very moment began to chime, indicating the arrival of midnight.  “…Precisely five days from right now to get a hold of the cure.”

Fluttershy didn’t like where this was going.

“And… let’s just say I don’t manage to get the cure in time…” she started.  “What would happen then?”

Owloysius ruffled his feathers nervously.  “Fluttershy, if you haven’t taken the cure by midnight at the end of Tuesday… I’m afraid you will be a rabbit forever.”

> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy was stunned into silence.  She stood staring into space, her mouth dangling open.

“A… a bunny… forever…?”

Angel looked just as upset.  “By Tuesday?” he asked.  “But Tuesday’s the day of the-”

He caught himself, noticing the others looking at him curiously.  “I mean… Tuesday.  Yeah.  We still got some time.  Please tell me there ain’t a whole lot of ingredients we need to gather, Feathers.”

“Well, let me see,” Owloysius began.  “At first, Peewee actually made the suggestion that we simply reverse the transformation with an additional dose of Heart’s Desire, but unfortunately, that will not work.”

“Why not?” Fluttershy asked.

“Something about the magic of the new desire interfering with the magic of the old desire,” said Owloysius.  “I remember overhearing Lady Twilight talking to young master Spike about a filly in town that had contracted Cutie Pox from use of Heart’s Desire.  Luckily, Lady Twilight’s zebra friend was able to supply the necessary cure, but even if she had known that Heart’s Desire was the cause of the ailment, a quick bit of research would have revealed that further use of the plant would only make matters worse.”

Owloysius tossed a book onto the floor.  Fluttershy glanced at the diagrams within and immediately felt a bit nauseous.

“As you can see by the figures in that text…” Owloysius explained, “…a new dose of Heart’s Desire cannot effectively override the first one, since even the first dose is still acting on the desire of the one who has eaten it.  If the animal that has ingested a second dose uses it to fulfill a desire contradictory to the first one, the two separate doses wage war within the body to make their selected effects apparent, often with disastrous results.”

Owloysius flapped his wings and adjusted himself on his perch.  “In other words, your first dose of Heart’s Desire decided to grant your request by turning you into a rabbit.  A second dose, attempting to turn you back into a pony, would compete with the first one, likely resulting in your transformation into some sort of horrific rabbit-pony hybrid.  Even if such a creature is actually viable, which seems unlikely, it would just make things worse, as well as require an even more complex cure.”

Fluttershy’s ears drooped.  An easy cure like that was too good to be true.

“After this revelation,” Owloysius continued.  “We were left with no choice but to find the proper cure for reversing the effects.  This is complicated slightly by the fact that the cure differs based on the problem the Heart’s Desire has caused.  While truth bloom was the only component needed for curing Cutie Pox, restoring your original form will require different ingredients.”

“And those ingredients are…?” Angel coaxed.

Owloysius looked uncomfortable.  “Well, I have good news and bad news.  Again.”

“Of course,” Angel sighed.

“The good news is, there are only three ingredients, and I know what all of them are,” Owloysius stated proudly.  “The bad news is that the location of the third one continues to elude me.”

“Yep!  And if we don’t figure it out soon, trying to make the cure is gonna be pretty pointless!” Peewee added.

Owloysius sent such a glare in Peewee’s direction that the tiny phoenix squawked in fright and leapt into an empty inkwell on the desk.

“Please don’t be alarmed!” Owloysius urged as Fluttershy’s expression turned to panic.  “I simply haven’t had the proper time to peruse all my resources.  It has been only a day since I started, after all.  I’m fully confident that I can find the location of the third ingredient, and in the meantime, you two can gather the other components.  If all goes as planned, and the ingredients are simple to gather, we could have the cure ready in just a day or two!  Plenty of time for you to beat the time limit.”

“The quicker the better,” Angel grumbled.  “What do we need to find, Feathers?”

“The first one is easy,” Owloysius began.  “Crushed sapphire.  Sapphires can be found in the barren fields outside of town.  Of course, if the two of you are resourceful, you can probably find one somewhere in Ponyville, and save yourselves a long trip to a potentially dangerous area.  Bring it back here, and I’ll use the equipment in lady Twilight’s laboratory to crush it for you.”

“Rarity should have plenty of sapphires,” Fluttershy observed.  “Do you think we could get one from her?”

“Maybe if we can find one lying around,” Angel answered.  “We can’t exactly just walk up and ask her for one.”

“The second ingredient,” Owloysius continued, “is the pink water lily.  This species of flower is slightly less common than the normal white lily, but it’s easy to find; there are dozens of them growing on the lily pads on the lake on the outskirts of town.”

Fluttershy knew exactly what Owloysius was talking about; she had seen the flowers growing there all the time when she visited the lake to feed some of the aquatic creatures.

“I suspect that gathering these two ingredients should be a simple task, even for a rabbit,” Owloysius said.  “Especially with Angel’s extensive knowledge of the Ponyville area.”

Angel nodded.  “Got that right.  What’s the third one?”

“The third is an extremely rare species of fungus,” Owloysius said.  “It is called the Twinklecap Mushroom, and I’m afraid I just haven’t figured out where it’s found yet.”

“We’re pretty sure it’s somewhere in Equestria though!” Peewee called from inside the inkwell.

Owloysius attempted to send Peewee another glare.  This, of course, failed due to the fact that Peewee still refused to exit his tiny hiding place.

“I bet my friends could help me find that mushroom,” Fluttershy said quietly.  “But unfortunately, I wasn’t supposed to get back from Las Pegasus until Wednesday morning.  By the time the others notice something’s wrong, it will already be too late.”

Fluttershy slumped to the floor, depressed and worried about the days to come.

“Shake it off, kid,” Angel said.  “You and I have been handling this so far, and we’ll keep it up.  We’ll have the cure before you know it.”

“You’re still okay with helping me?” Fluttershy asked.

Angel rolled his eyes.  “Only because the quicker I get you outta my hair, the quicker I can get back to business,” he grumbled.

Fluttershy pulled Angel into a hug.  “Oh, you and your excuses,” she giggled.

Angel groaned.  “Kid, come on.  Don’t make this any worse than it already has to be.”

“Peewee and I will continue our investigation of the Twinklecap Mushroom,” Owloysius promised.  “Once you two have gotten a hold of a sapphire and a pink water lily, come back here.”

Once again, the owl gave his visitors a lift out of the dark library.  Angel glanced around the deserted streets of Ponyville.

“It’s way too late to do anything tonight,” he mumbled.  “Get some sleep, ‘Shy.  We’ll go find that stuff first thing in the morning.”

Fluttershy settled down in the same patch of grass as she had the night before, but she knew sleep would not come as easily this time.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Carousel what now?”

Carousel Boutique!” Fluttershy repeated, as she and Angel proceeded through the streets of Ponyville on that bright Friday morning.  “It’s Rarity’s shop, and also where she lives and designs her dresses.  There’s nowhere in Ponyville where we’re more likely to find a sapphire than right here.”

Fluttershy pointed to the building she meant.  Angel glanced up at it and grimaced.

“Oh, this place,” he mumbled, staring up at the decorative boutique.  “If we’re gonna poke around here, then let’s be quick about it.”

“Why?” Fluttershy asked.

“A less-than-friendly acquaintance of mine lives in the area,” Angel answered.  “I’d rather not risk coming across her.”

“Alright, we’ll be quick,” Fluttershy answered, turning back to the building.  “Now, we need to find a way in.  Don’t you have any secret tunnels into the boutique?”

Angel shook his head.  “Not here.  Anybunny with a lick of sense stays away from this place.”

Fluttershy frowned.  “Well, maybe we can find a window, or something.”

Fluttershy wandered around the side of the boutique, and Angel followed while glancing around apprehensively.

“What are you so nervous about?” Fluttershy asked him finally.  “I thought you were in charge of all the animals.  What’s the worst that could happen, we’ll run into somebunny you don’t get along with?”

“Not quite,” Angel said.  “Let’s just say there are a few animals in Ponyville that are a little less likely to behave.”

Fluttershy spied a window that was open just a crack, but it was a bit too high for her to reach.  She stood pondering a way to get to its height, when her sensitive ears detected the tiniest rustle in the bushes behind her.  She turned around, and was greeted by a large pair of green eyes.

“Um, Angel?”

“Quiet kid,” Angel said, looking the other way.  “We don’t wanna get seen around here.”

“But, um… there’s somebunny in the bush.”

“What are you talking abo-”

Angel froze, stopping in mid sentence when he saw the pair of flickering eyes in the shrub.

“Run.”

“What?”

“I said run, kid!”

Angel turned and attempted to flee, but too late; a white shape shot out of the bush and landed on top of Fluttershy and Angel.  Fluttershy only had a moment to gasp before she was knocked to the ground, hitting her head and quickly passing out.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was the flowery, perfumed smell in the air that coaxed Fluttershy back to consciousness.  Wearily, she opened her eyes, rubbing her sore head with a paw.  Wherever she was, it was almost totally dark and totally silent.  The only light came from a tiny flicker in the distance, which appeared to be a small flame, and the only sound was a rapid thumping of the foot of the rabbit standing next to her.

As Fluttershy’s eyes adjusted to the low level of light, she was able to see Angel standing beside her, his arms crossed and his right foot tapping the floor, as he always did when he was nervous.  He glanced over as she sat up.

“I told you it was a bad idea coming here,” he whispered.  “We’re in for it now.”

Fluttershy looked around, bewildered.  “But… where are we?”

“In the boutique,” Angel answered curtly.  “Can’t see a thing, though.  The blinds and curtains are closed.  That little scented candle on the counter is the only light in this blasted place.  She could be right on top of us, and we can’t even see her.”

“See who?” Fluttershy asked.

“The one who captured us, you bonehead,” Angel grumbled angrily.

Upon closer investigation, Fluttershy realized that the two of them were in fact trapped in some sort of small prison made of crisscrossing plastic strips.

“It’s… it’s a…”

“It’s exactly what it looks like,” Angel said.  “She trapped us under an overturned laundry basket.”

“Yes, I find that works so well for keeping rabbits contained…” came a slow, malicious female voice.

From behind a workbench came a monstrous white cat, her green eyes glowing eerily and her teeth glimmering in a wicked grin.  A gemstone, covered in hundreds of multicolored facets, was set into her collar, and a lock of hair was tied above her head by a large purple bow.

“Opalescence,” Angel said acidly.  “How nice to see you.”

“Likewise, Angel, likewise,” Opal hissed, grinning evilly as she slunk around the perimeter of the overturned laundry basket.  “How’s your little operation going?”

“I don’t think that’s any of your business,” Angel replied stubbornly, expertly hiding and fear he may have felt.

Opal laughed mirthlessly.  “Same old Angel.  To be honest, I’m not interested in your little games anyway.  I’m much more interested in this friend you’ve brought with you.  Have you finally gotten yourself a special somebunny, Angel?”

Angel pretended to gag.  “Hardly.  I’ve just been helping this poor kid out with a little problem.”

Opal raised an eyebrow.  “Really?  Well, I’d say the two of you have a much bigger problem now than you did earlier today, hm?”

“’Shy, try to convince her,” Angel mumbled as he watched the cat circle their prison.  “Maybe she’ll listen to you.”

“Opal, it’s me, Fluttershy!” Fluttershy squeaked.  “You know, the pegasus pony who takes you to the groomer sometimes?”

Opal leaned in close to the basket and took a long sniff.  She scrunched up her nose.  “Ah.  Yes, that’s Fluttershy alright.  However did you manage to get yourself turned into a rabbit?”

Fluttershy tried to explain, but Opal held up a paw before she could say anything.

“Whoops.  I don’t care,” the cat said, turning her nose up haughtily.  “A pony before, a snack today.  Funny how life works that way, isn’t it?”

Opal lifted one end of the basket with a paw and scooped Fluttershy out with the other, dropping it again before Angel could escape.  The former squeaked in fright as Opal’s heavy paw pinned her to the floor.

“Opal,” Angel warned.  “I can’t say I’m surprised at you, but seriously, if you hurt the Main Mare, I’m gonna put the hurt on you.  She’s way too valuable as our food supplier.”

Opal chuckled.  “Oh, that should be funny.  Little Angel Bunny, trying to ‘put the hurt’ on me!  My, I’ll get a snack and some entertainment this morning!”

Opal looked back at the rabbit struggling beneath her paw.  “Now, where was I?”

With a devilish smile, Opal leaned down to take a bite out of her prey.  Fluttershy whimpered, covering her face with her front paws and waiting for the distinct feeling of having her abdomen eaten.

Instead, the air was filled with the raspy sound of Opal’s laughter.  Cautiously, Fluttershy peeked out from behind a paw; the cat standing over her was shaking in a fit of giggles.

“Oh dear, it’s just so much fun scaring the living daylights out of you rabbits!” Opal chuckled.  “You should see yourself darling, you’re positively quaking right now!”

Opal lifted her paw away, motioning for Fluttershy to stand.  She gazed up at the laughing cat, very confused.

“Wait, so… you’re not going to eat us?”

Opal scrunched up her nose in disgust.  “Are you kidding?  I wouldn’t dream of touching a rabbit unless it’s imported.  I have refined tastes, you know.”

Fluttershy could actually hear Angel slapping a paw to his forehead in irritation, despite the fact that he was some feet away.

“Besides,” Opal continued.  “Why would I eat you of all rabbits?  As a pony, you’re certainly more pleasant than that hag of a unicorn that attempts to care for me, or, worse still, her infuriating little sister.”

Given her position and Opal’s demeanor, Fluttershy decided against arguing in Rarity’s defense.

“Now, this leaves just one more question,” Opal purred.  “What possessed you two to come to the boutique today in the first place?  Most rabbits tend to avoid me, and with good reason, so I was a bit surprised to see the capo himself wandering around my yard.”

“We came looking for a sapphire,” Fluttershy said quietly.  “I know Rarity has a lot of them, and she told me I was always free to use them if I wanted to.  I kind of need one now, and this seemed like the easiest place to get one.”

An interesting expression crept across Opal’s face.  “Well, well.  Isn’t this an interesting situation?  I think there may be a way that we can both come out of this with some gain, little Fluttershy.”

“That’s Opal for you,” Angel grumbled from beneath the basket.  “I expect you’re going to find a way to make us earn that gem, right?”

“Well of course, Angel!” Opal announced with a cynical laugh.  “Rarity may be the embodiment of generosity, but why should that mean I have to be?  I can easily get a sapphire from the storeroom for you two, but I don’t think I will.  Not unless you can make it worth my while…”

Angel groaned.  “Let me out from under this basket and maybe we’ll talk.”

Opal sauntered over to the laundry basket and overturned it with a flick of her paw.  Angel scampered out and hopped over to Fluttershy.

“You think we should do what she says?” he asked.  “I mean, we’re dealing with one of the cruelest, greediest, and least trustworthy animals in all of Ponyville.”

Opal pretended to be offended.  “On the first two accounts you are completely correct Angel, but when it comes to being trustworthy, are you really one to talk?”

Angel glared, and Opal gave him a malicious smile.  “Shut up, you lazy bag of fur,” he shot back.  “What do you think, ‘Shy?  Do we humor her?”

“I think we have to,” Fluttershy answered.  “If we tried to get a sapphire from the gem fields, we risk running into diamond dogs, and I’m a little more scared of them than I am of Opal.”

“True,” Angel agreed.  “Alright, Opal.  What do you want?”

“Mmm, I’m glad you asked,” Opal purred.  “There is one thing I’ve been trying to get my paws on for some time now, and I’m finding it rather difficult, but I think a pair of resourceful rabbits like you should be able to get it easily.”

“We’re listening,” Angel said.

“You see, Rarity serves me the most atrocious cat food,” Opal complained.  “It’s terrible stuff; no flavor at all.  Can’t she see I’m a cat of high class that deserves only food of the best quality?  But I digress; the point is, I know of something that can make even the blandest meal into a feast fit for a queen.  It is an exotic spice, sold at a stall at Ponyville market.  Rarity purchased it and allowed me to taste just a bit one day, and I shall forever loathe her for never allowing me to experience it again.  It was truly wonderful stuff.”

Opal licked her lips thinking about it.  “Now, if the two of you can manage to get a can of that spice and smuggle it back here to the boutique, I will be able to enjoy weeks of enhanced food without Rarity ever noticing.  And in exchange for helping me spoil myself, I shall pilfer one of her sapphires and pass it on to you.”

“I… guess we can do that,” Fluttershy said.  “Are you up for it, Angel?”

“Eh, why not,” Angel said.  “It’s still easier than looking for a sapphire somewhere else.”

“We have a deal, then,” Opal said.  “Allow me to show you out.”

The cat pushed open the door, allowing light to flood the dim room.  A staircase led downwards to the showroom and the entrance of the boutique.  Rarity was out at the moment, allowing for an easy exit for the two rabbits.

“Don’t disappoint me now,” Opal mused.  “If my cat food remains boring, I may consider trying a taste of local rabbit after all…”

Angel and Fluttershy hurried away from the boutique, aware of the unfriendly cat watching their retreat.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a brief stop for some light lunch, the two rabbits made their way towards the bustling epicenter of activity that was Ponyville marketplace.  The pair peeked out from behind a building, scanning the arrangement of carts for the one selling the spice Opal desired.

“Alright, we need a plan or something,” Angel said.  “We have to get in, avoid getting run over or caught by any of the ponies, pull off the spice heist at the cart, and then smuggle the stuff back to Carousel Boutique by tonight."

“Spice heist?” Fluttershy said in shock.  “We’re going to steal the spice?”

Angel gave Fluttershy an exasperated look.  “Do you have a better idea?” he asked.  “We’re rabbits.  We can’t exactly walk up, hand over a few bits, and be on our merry way.  Any cart that sells something edible is going to have an owner that just wants to shoo us away.”

“But stealing is wrong!” Fluttershy insisted.  “We can’t cheat the poor pony running the stall out of the money they deserve!  Nobunny should have to deal with being stolen from, even in a situation like this.”

Angel groaned.  “We don’t have a choice, kid.  We gotta get it somehow.”

“Well, I still won’t do it,” Fluttershy insisted, rounding on Angel.  “I may be meek, but I have my principles.  I won’t steal, and I think anybunny who does steal from a good, honest worker is absolutely shameful.”

Angel shifted his weight uncomfortably as he considered that.  “Uh… fine.  Fine.  Here’s the deal then,” he said quickly.  “We still need the spice.  And we currently have no legal way to get it.  So how about we just borrow it for now, and as soon as you’re a pony again, you can come back and pay the owner full price.  With interest, if you want.  How’s that sound?”

Fluttershy mulled it over.  “I… guess that could work,” she said finally.  “The owner will still have to go a few days without pay for his lost product, though.”

“Kid,” Angel grumbled.  “In light of your situation, you’re going to have to get over yourself and just do it.  Do you wanna be able to live a normal life with your pony pals, or not?”

“You have a point,” Fluttershy admitted.  “Alright, Angel, we’ll steal it.  But I’ll pay the shopkeeper back later for his trouble.”

“Yes, you’re a paragon of virtue,” Angel said sarcastically.  “Now let’s go.”

Cautiously, the two rabbits proceeded into the busy marketplace.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Across the square, a yellow earth pony with an orange mane narrowed her eyes.

“I see you, you thieving rabbits,” Carrot-top mumbled to herself.  “I see you didn’t learn your lesson the last two dozen times.  You may think you’re being nonchalant, hanging out on the other end of the market like that, but I know what you’re after.  You’re not getting any of my carrots today.  Because this time… I’m ready for you!”

Carrot-top broke into a fit of maniacal laughter.

“Ma’am, are you okay?”

The mare stopped abruptly and blushed as she turned to the concerned pony in front of her carrot stand.  “Yes.  Of couse.  Would you like to buy a carrot?”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Angel scanned the market as he and his partner crouched beneath a cart selling lemons.

“Can you see the stall we’re looking for, ‘Shy?”

“Yes, it’s over there,” said Fluttershy, pointing to a small stall across the market.  “See?  It’s the little one right next to the carrot cart.”

“Right next to the…” Angel started.  “You’re kidding.  This is just not my week, is it?”

“Why?  What’s wrong?” Fluttershy asked.

“Nothing.  Let’s go.”

Quickly darting under each cart when nopony was looking, the two rabbits made their way around the perimeter of the market.  After a few tense minutes, the two of them looked out from beneath a large cart only a few meters from the target.  A lanky and bored-looking dull purple stallion stood behind the spice cart.

“Okay, we need to figure this out,” Angel said.  “This guy doesn’t look like too much of a threat.  We should be able to distract him or something, and then swipe the spice.  Easy.”

The stallion wasn’t paying much attention, and so Angel slowly began to creep toward the stall, with Fluttershy slinking along behind him.  The owner took no notice.

“This’ll be a piece of cake,” Angel laughed.  “As long as we don’t get spotted by-”

“Trying to sneak past me, huh you light-fingered rodents?” came an angry voice.

Angel’s eyes went wide as a yellow and orange mare leapt into their path.

“I know what you two are up to!” the mare announced.  “But you won’t be stealing any of my carrots!”

Angel grabbed Fluttershy by the arm and ran, pulling the two of them under a nearby porch before the crazed carrot vendor could get to them.

The mare snorted.  “That won’t help.  I’ll be watching…”

Angel sat still, waiting breathlessly for the mare to give up.  After a moment, she turned and trotted back to her stand.

“I thought she might complicate things,” Angel mumbled.

“But… but why does Carrot-top think we’re here to steal from her?”  Fluttershy asked.

Angel gave Fluttershy a disbelieving look.  “Kid, she’s a carrot salespony,” he said.  “You know carrots are a rabbit’s favorite food.  I’d be surprised if there’s a single carrot vendor anywhere in Equestria who doesn’t want to keep rabbits away from their stand.”

Fluttershy thought about that.  “I guess that’s probably true,” she agreed.  “But still, the rabbits haven’t actually stolen from her, right?”

“Of course not,” Angel lied smoothly.  “Like you said before, kid.  Stealing is bad and all that.”

He crossed his arms, frowning.  “Unfortunately, that salespony ain’t making our job any easier,” he observed.  “I’m much more worried about getting past her than I am about distracting the spice stall owner.  I know from past experience that she’s very protective of her carrots.”

Fluttershy glanced around the rest of the market, searching through all the other ponies, until she spotted the one she was looking for.

“Angel,” she said quietly.  “Um… I have an idea.  But it’s a little bit mean.  I don’t know if we should do it.”

“Let me hear it at least,” Angel answered.

“There is one pony here who is… pretty good at distracting Carrot-top,” Fluttershy admitted.

Angel glanced around.  “Which one?”

Fluttershy pointed.  Angel looked at the indicated pony, who was standing in the middle of the market: a grey pegasus mare, with a blond mane and a goofy expression caused in no small part by her misaligned eyes.

“That’s Derpy,” Fluttershy explained.  “If we can get her to… well, to be herself really, and do it somewhere in the general vicinity of Carrot-top’s stand… something will probably get destroyed, and we could take advantage of that distraction.”

“We’ll need a muffin,” Fluttershy said.  “Sugarcube corner gives out free samples on Fridays.”

Angel blinked.  “So, we need to get a muffin from the sweet shop, so we can use it to lure that weird pony to the carrot stand, so she can inadvertently cause widespread mayhem, so we can steal the spice and take it back to Opal in exchange for the sapphire.”

“Exactly.”

Angel slapped a paw to his forehead.  “And Feathers said this was gonna be easy…”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sugarcube Corner was nearby, and as the rabbits approached, they spotted Pinkie Pie hopping around in front of the store, with the basket of fresh muffins perched precariously on her head.

“Free muffins!” Pinkie chirped.  “Get them while they're hot and sweet and moist and full of yummy baked-goody good goodness and…”

Pinkie trailed off and drooled for a moment before shaking her head and getting a hold of herself.  Then she continued to hop around, shouting at random passerby.

“Okay, genius, what’s your next bright idea?” Angel asked.  “I don’t think we’re taking any muffins if she’s carrying them around.”

Fluttershy giggled.  “Angel, I’m not sure you understand Pinkie Pie very well.”

Angel watched of Fluttershy exited the cover of the building’s shadow and hopped right up to Pinkie.

Pinkie gasped as she saw the rabbit approach.  “Oh!  Hey!  You’re the rabbit Rarity told me about!” she squealed.  “The one that looks just like Fluttershy!  That’s so cute!”

Fluttershy stopped in front of Pinkie and simply waited.  After a moment, Pinkie’s expression changed; her eyes widened and a huge grin spread across her face.

“I know!” she announced.  “I’ve got some muffins here!  Would you like one, little Flutter-rabbit?”

Fluttershy held out her paws expectantly and a muffin was deposited into them.  She quickly turned and darted away, hearing Pinkie burst into another fit of giggles before continuing to distribute the free samples.

Angel looked slightly shocked when she returned.  “Kid, I wasn’t expecting that,” he declared.  “Either you’re smarter than you look, or Pinkie’s just a dork.  Right now I’m bettin’ it’s a little of both.”

“Hurry,” Fluttershy said.  “We should go back to the marketplace before Derpy leaves.”

“Right behind you,” Angel replied.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was like any other day at the market; ponies were milling about buying everyday things.  As far as Derpy was concerned, nothing was unusual about today.

But then that smell reached her nose.

The tantalizing scent of bananas and walnuts, mixed together and baked into a pastry.  The second she got the barest whiff of it, Derpy knew.  This was no normal day at the market.

This was a muffin day.

Immediately, she froze in place, turning slowly and repeatedly sniffing the air in a desperate attempt to determine the source of the wonderful scent.  It was apparent, even to the rabbits crouched under the nearby flower cart, that her attention was fully on the muffin’s smell.

“Okay, here’s the plan,” Angel said.  “I’ll take the muffin, and try to get the pegasus to create a distraction.  As soon as you have a chance, grab a can of spice from the cart, and then head for the rabbit hole at Mane Street as fast as you can.  I’ll meet you there.”

Fluttershy nodded nervously.  “Got it.  Try not to cause too much trouble, okay?”

Angel didn’t respond; he crouched, readying himself to spring out into Derpy’s view.

“We’ve got one shot at this,” he said.  “We’d better make it work.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Carrot-top scanned the market.  For now, the mischievous rabbits had disappeared.  The mare smiled to herself; she had managed to protect her wares once again.

A flash of movement caught her eye, and she turned and glared at the white rabbit charging towards her.

“Oh, a direct assault, huh?” she snarled.  “Bring it on, fur ball!  I’ll take you on myself!”

She raised her front hooves in an offensive pose as the rabbit charged across the market square.  But at the last second, he turned and veered off down an alley.

Carrot-top turned to give chase, but was stopped as another small movement caught her eye.  At the moment the would-be thief passed by, he had tossed something atop the pile of carrots she had on her stand.  The earth pony paused to examine the projectile.

A muffin.

For a fraction of an instant, Carrot-top was confused.  But when the sound of charging hooves reached her ears, the rabbit’s plan clicked into place in her mind.

“Oh, that crafty little son of a-”

BOOM!

All eyes in the market turned at the sound, witnessing the unusual sight of a charging pegasus barreling into the carrot stand.  The stall collapsed in a heap, the carrots spilled everywhere, and the awning strung up above the stand fluttered down, landing like a blanket over the two ponies in the pile of debris.

A few feet away, the spice vendor, who had nearly fallen asleep, awoke with a start.  He stared at the spectacle, not quite sure if he could believe his eyes.  He was far too transfixed to notice the yellow rabbit that leapt up and stole one of the tins of spice.

With a grunt, Carrot-top poked her head out from the bottom of the pile.

“Derpy…” she said quietly.  “Could you get off me please?”

Derpy pulled her face out of the dirt and tried to respond, but managed to make only a muffled sound, considering her cheeks were entirely stuffed with muffin.  She swallowed the enormous mouthful, before grinning sheepishly at Carrot-top.

“Oops.  My bad.”

“It’s not your fault, Derpy,” Carrot-top whispered.  “It’s those Celestia-forsaken rabbits.  They think they’ve won.  They think they’ve got old Carrot-top beaten.  Well I’ll show them.  They’re playing with the big ponies now, and next time, I’ll be ready.  Oh yes.”

Carrot-top’s slightly maniacal ramblings were cut off by a fit of coughing.

“Derpy, seriously.  Could you get off?  You’re crushing my lungs.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Opalescence purred delightedly as she took a long sniff.

“Oh, yes.  That’s the fantastic smell I’m looking for,” she cooed, snatching the tin of spice the rabbits had presented to her.  “My dinner is going to be so much better now.”

“It’d better be,” Angel snapped.  “It was a pain to get a hold of that stuff.”

Ignoring the grumpy rabbit, Opal slunk across the room, pouring a dash of the fancy spice onto her plate of gourmet cat food, before stashing the tin beneath her pillow where Rarity wouldn’t find it.  She swished her tail about gleefully as she took a few bites, purposely eating as slowly as possible to get on Angel’s nerves.

“Sometime today, Furball?” Angel said impatiently.

“Hmm?” Opal asked.  “Oh yes, you two wanted a gem or something.  Let me see what I can do about that…”

Opal pushed open another door and slipped into a neighboring room in the boutique.  With her gone, a heavy silence pervaded the dark upper room.

“You know, kid,” Angel said to his quiet companion.  “You kind of impressed me today.  I think you’re starting to get used to being a rabbit.  It takes a lot of both skill and strategy, and I think you had even me outmatched today.”

Fluttershy grinned.  “Wow!  Thanks Angel.”

“Don’t get used to it,” the other rabbit scoffed.  “I don’t distribute too many compliments.”

The door swung open and Opal reappeared, carrying a sparkling gem in her mouth.  She set the stone in front of her visitors.

“There you are, darling,” she purred.  “Don’t say I’ve never done anything for you.”

Fluttershy picked up the sapphire joyfully.  “Thank you, Opal,” she said.  “I knew you were a good kitty.”

“Yeah, she’s wonderful,” said Angel sarcastically.  “C’mon, ‘Shy.  Let’s get out of this dump.”

The sound of a tinkling bell and hoofsteps below indicated Rarity’s return.

“Oh, dear,” said Opal, with another dark smile.  “It seems Rarity has arrived home.  We certainly wouldn’t want her to see rabbits running amok in her boutique.  I’d better show you the emergency exit.”

Opal pounced forward and lifted Angel by the nape of his neck.  The rabbit protested, but Opal paid no heed.  She sauntered over to the open second story window, leaned forward, and dropped her cargo out.

A short tumble later, Angel landed with a thump in a thick bush in front of the boutique.

At least that cat had the courtesy to drop me on something soft, he thought.  I figured she would have been crueler than that, but I guess she isn’t really so-

Angel’s thought was cut off as Fluttershy fell on top of him, knocking the wind out of him.

“Have a nice day!” Opal called from above, chuckling as Angel struggled for breath and Fluttershy profusely apologized.  With a final wave of her paw, the spoiled cat closed the window.

“Oh my goodness!  Angel, are you okay?” Fluttershy asked.

Angel stood up, gasping.  “I’ve… been better,” he admitted.  “Kid, we really need to get you back to normal before you get me killed.”

He shook his head rapidly to clear it.  “Anyway, the sun’s going down, and it’s a long way to the lake where the next ingredient is.  I say we make for your cottage tonight.  We can drop off the sapphire and stay there overnight.  Tomorrow, we’ll go get the pink water lily from the lake, which will hopefully be a piece of cake compared to what we did today.”

Fluttershy, who hadn’t been home since the morning she woke up to find herself transformed, quickly agreed.

“We should be through the worst of this adventure now,” Angel said as he led Fluttershy out of the town.  “I mean, after all this, what else could possibly go wrong?”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Knock, Knock, Knock.

Twilight Sparkle yanked open the door to the library, allowing Rainbow Dash access.

“Heya, Twi,” Rainbow said.  “I just dropped by to return this.”

Rainbow reached into her saddlebag and retrieved yet another Daring Do book, which she tossed into the receptacle for returned books.

“Thanks, Rainbow,” Twilight said with a smile.  “You seem a little rushed.  Is something up?”

“Nah, I just got back from feeding the critters at Fluttershy’s place,” Rainbow answered.  “She’s been gone for, what, three days now?  I hope she’s actually loosened up a little and is having some fun.  A trip to Las Pegasus isn’t something you want to waste.”

“I’m sure she’s fine,” Twilight assured her friend.  “Fluttershy is a little soft spoken, but you know she can take care of herself.”

Twilight paused for a moment before continuing.  “Why didn’t you go along again?  I know you said you really wanted to.”

“Yeah,” Rainbow said glumly.  “But my job comes first.  Tomorrow’s the day of the biggest storm of the season in Ponyville, and I need to be there coordinating all the pegasi.  Me and a few other really fast ponies need to redirect some air currents, and I’ve got Flitter and Cloudchaser managing the rain team.  There’s gonna be some thunder as well.”

Rainbow flinched after saying that.  “By the way, Twi, you might wanna make sure you have a lightning rod up or something.  I think Derpy is on the thunder team this time, and we all know how that usually goes.”

Twilight vaguely recalled a horror too unspeakable to utter aloud.  She shivered.

Rainbow chuckled.  “Don’t worry, Twilight.  I’ll keep her from causing too much trouble.  But even so, you probably wanna stay indoors; the weather’s going to get nasty.”

“I will,” Twilight answered.  “Thanks for the heads up, Rainbow.  See you later.”

“Bye, Twi,” Rainbow called as she shot out the door and into the sky.

Twilight went back to her studying.  Owloysius hooted nervously from his perch.

“Something wrong, Uncle Owly?” Peewee asked tentatively.

Owloysius ruffled his feathers.  “I must admit I am a tad concerned for Fluttershy,” he said to his assistant.  “I hope she and Angel stay safe during the storm.  Most of the rabbits will be hidden deep underground, but if the two of them are out looking for the cure…”

“Aw come on, it can’t be that bad, can it?” the baby phoenix asked.

Owloysius sighed.  “I don’t know.  But for Fluttershy’s sake… I really hope not…”

> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Fluttershy opened her eyes just a bit and squinted around the dark bedroom of her cottage.  Surely, it had to be morning by now, yet no bright, welcoming rays of sun adorned the floor today.  Fluttershy rubbed her eyes and stood up, glancing at the clock up on the bedside table.

Oh my, it’s already mid-morning, she realized.  Then why is it so dark?

Fluttershy scampered over to the rabbit hole in the corner of the room leading to Angel’s home.  After a short clamber down the earthy slope, she reached her friend’s living quarters.  The white rabbit remained asleep, sprawled on his wide makeshift bed.

“Angel Bunny,” Fluttershy called as she entered.  “Come on Angel, we slept in.  We need to go looking for the next ingredient!”

Angel rolled out of bed and onto the dirt floor.  “Alright,” he groaned as he sat up.  “Let’s get it out of the way.  The lake’s only about a mile from here, right?”

“Yes,” said Fluttershy.  “It shouldn’t take us very long to get there.”

“Then let’s go right now,” Angel said.  “You said we’re already behind schedule.  Let’s go get this thing as quickly as we can, and then we can go bug Feathers about the location of the last one.  Hopefully that studious old windbag has found something by now about that mushroom.”

The two rabbits exited Fluttershy’s home, and it quickly became apparent why the morning was so dark and dreary.  A think blanket of clouds covered the entire sky; only a few rays of direct sunlight poked through around town, and pegasi could be seen in the distance, rapidly closing those spaces up with additional fluffy wisps.

“What’s up with the cloud cover?” Angel asked.  “Are the pegasi cookin’ up some inclement weather?”

The memory hit Fluttershy instantly.  “Rainbow Dash said there would be a storm this week!” she remembered aloud.  “I had completely forgotten about it.”

Angel looked uncertainly at the sky.  “Well… let’s get moving.  Maybe if we’re quick, we can get to the lake and get the water lily before the weather gets bad.  Then it won’t matter if we have to spend the rest of the day cooped up underground.”

He sped off over a grassy hill.  “Try to keep up, ‘Shy!” he called.  “The faster we get there, the better!”

Fluttershy had relatively little difficulty keeping up with her guide this time; she was finally getting the hang of her new bunny body.  Briefly, she wondered if she would have to relearn her movements once she became a pony again.

A quarter of an hour passed, and the sky continued to darken.  A faint, distant rumble of thunder indicated the storm was beginning on the far side of Ponyville.  A few moments later, the two rabbits crested a ridge and gazed down at the glimmering surface of the lake, a still almost a half mile away down the slope.  A small stream, burbling up from one of the many springs that were so common in the area, snaked down the steep slope before emptying itself into the body of water at the bottom.

“See?  We’re almost there.  Piece of cake,” Angel said.  He stepped forward to begin down the slope.

“Psst!  Hey, boss!”

Angel and Fluttershy turned to see the two familiar faces of a certain pair of brown rabbits poking out of another nearby rabbit hole.

“Morning, boys,” Angel called.  “We’re a little busy right now.  I’ll talk with you later, okay?”

One of the Buttons shook his head.  “Boss, it’s pretty urgent.  We really need to see you right now.”

Angel sighed, glancing at the sky, at the lake, and finally back to the Buttons.  “Alright, give me a second,” he said.

Angel turned to Fluttershy.  “Kid, why don’t you get started heading down there?” he suggested.  “I just gotta discuss business with the Buttons for a minute, and then I’ll be along too.”

“I should go… by myself?” Fluttershy asked, slightly nervous at the prospect of exploring without Angel’s guidance.

“Kid, it’s the lake,” Angel said.  “You’ve been there hundreds of times.  Go down the hill, see if there are any lilies washed up on the beach, and if there is, grab it and come back.”

“And if there aren’t any?” Fluttershy asked.

“Then wait for me or something,” Angel replied.  “Like I said, I’ll be there in just a minute.”

Fluttershy nodded, and carefully started down the hillside while Angel ducked into the hole to have a quick discussion with his henchmen.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Alright, everypony!” Rainbow Dash called over the roaring wind.  “You’re doing great so far!  Now we need to direct the winds east, and get the rest of the rainclouds started.  I want this whole town getting soaked within ten minutes!  Are we clear?”

A pack of pegasi nodded their heads, rapidly scattering to manage the storm.  Once Rainbow was satisfied, she turned tail and blasted away through the turbulent skies.  She smiled to herself, enjoying the exhilaration of the flight despite the harsh conditions.  Within a few moments, she hovered over the fields on the outskirts of the Everfree.  The silhouette of the accursed forest loomed on the horizon, with Fluttershy’s cottage situated placidly just beyond its borders.  The rain team hadn’t reached this part of the storm’s range yet, so Rainbow decided to give them a little help.

I hope Fluttershy’s critters are smart enough to stay indoors, the mare thought to herself, because there’s gonna be one heck of a downpour!

Rainbow tightened her muscles, and then delivered a monumental kick to a nearby cloud, which immediately began to empty its contents onto the landscape below.  It also crashed into the next cloud, which bumped the next, setting off a chain reaction of torrential rains onto the plains.  Rainbow admired her handiwork, and with a curt nod, she sped off to check on the thunder team.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy was about half way down the hill when the first big drop of rain splashed down on her head.  She glanced nervously to the sky, and immediately regretted it as another drop splashed into her eye.  Blinking away the water, Fluttershy glanced around in surprise as more rain splattered down, coating the rocks around her.

The storm worsened faster than any she could remember.  Soon, her view of the lake was completely obscured by sheets of pounding rain.  Soaked and quickly panicking, Fluttershy decided she had to abandon her mission, and return to the top of the hill to seek shelter in the animal dens below.  Treading carefully on the loose mud and slippery rocks, she began to ascend the slope.

“Angel,” Fluttershy called.  “Are you there?  If you are, then we need to turn back, the storm is getting too strong!”

Fluttershy was unable to see her friend; perhaps he was still underground with the Button brothers?  He struggled to reach the top of the hill again so she could find him.

A loud crack of thunder overhead startled Fluttershy, causing her to misstep and tumble onto a muddy slope, dangerously close to the stream.  With a little yelp, she managed to grab onto a small stone lodged in the soil.

The rain intensified still more, pummeling Fluttershy and everything around her.  Unable to get her footing on the mud, she could do nothing but hang onto the stone.  With growing anxiety, the stranded rabbit realized her situation had gone from inconvenient and uncomfortable to outright dangerous in a heartbeat.

“Angel!” she cried.  “Somebunny!  Anybunny!  Help!”

A bolt of lightning ripped through the sky above her, followed almost immediately by a tremendous boom.  The vibration began to dislodge the tiny stone she clung to.

I’m going to get swept away! Fluttershy realized.  I’ll be thrown into the stream and pulled down to the lake!  I’ll drown for sure!

Once again, Fluttershy screamed for help, hoping against hope that Angel would appear to save her life yet again.  But the slope remained devoid of other creatures.  Fluttershy cried out in dismay as a tremendous gust of wind battered her, finally yanking the rock from the earth.  Unable to get any purchase on the mud beneath her, she could do nothing to prevent herself from finally being pulled into the stream.  The rain and wind had increased its flow exponentially, and with a final terrified scream, Fluttershy was submerged and carried down the hillside by the torrent.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“This better be good, boys,” Angel grumbled once he and the Button brothers had found a suitable private room to talk.  “You two know I’m still trying to fix the situation with the Main Mare.”

“Sorry to interrupt, boss,” one of the Buttons replied.  “But we have a crucial piece of information regarding the Big Job; we needed to speak with you immediately, due to a possible need for emergency re-strategizing.”

“Re-strategizing?” Angel asked quizzically.  “Great, what’s gone wrong now?”

“There’s been a change of plans regarding the departure of the Apple family,” the other Button said.

“They’re not leaving on Tuesday?” Angel asked.  “Well, that’s simple to fix; we move the date to the day they are leaving.”

“That’s not it, boss,” the first Button said.  “The Apples are still leaving on Tuesday, and that’s still the only day that they’ll all be away from the farm simultaneously in the foreseeable future.  The problem is they seem to have grown wise to our tricks from the past.  Our scouts have confirmed the Apples’ plan to leave Winona behind to guard the orchard during their absence.”

“Winona!?” Angel yelled.  “That insufferable self-righteous collie is going to be hanging around!?  She’s worse than the ponies are!”

Furious, Angel kicked a stone down the tunnel, clenching his fists as he turned back to the Buttons, both of whom seemed intimidated by their superior’s rage.

“R-right, boss.  Winona,” one of the Buttons said quietly.  “So we… we figured that would call for a change of plans…”

“It sure does!” said Angel exasperatedly.  “This isn’t going to be a simple collection mission anymore.  Now that we’re dealing with an opposing party, we’re going to need to coordinate the heist at a far more intricate level than we would have before.  We’ll need sentries, decoys, and careful, precise, and well-timed division of labor between a number of small raiding parties.  And I still wouldn’t be surprised if that stupid dog manages to catch one or two of the troops.”

Angel shook his head.  “I really don’t have the time to deal with coordinating this whole thing,” he complained.  “Look, boys, let me go and help ‘Shy find what she’s looking for.  It should only take an hour or so, and then I’ll be back.  In the meantime, you guys need to go gather some of the other commanding officers.  Meet me in the cottage as soon as possible, and we’ll start reorganizing the game plan for Tuesday.”

The Buttons saluted, and disappeared deeper into the tunnels.  Mumbling to himself about bad luck and stupid dogs, Angel sprinted in the other direction, back toward the tunnel entrance.  When he finally reached the opening, he skidded to a halt, staring in shock.

“What the…?”

Angel couldn’t see more than a few feet beyond the exit of the den; a deluge of pouring rain blocked the way.  Cautiously, he poked his head out into the gale, and was immediately whipped by the powerful winds.

“Hey kid!” he called, hoping Fluttershy had had the sense to turn back when the storm began.  “Where are you?”

Listening intently, Angel believed he could hear Fluttershy’s voice, although it was at quite a distance.  As he struggled to hear more, however, it vanished.  Unsure if he was imagining things, Angel ducked back into the rabbit hole.

I’m not dumb enough to go out in that, he thought, and ‘Shy isn’t dumb enough to try to continue to head for the lake.  I’m sure she probably just found shelter somewhere.  If she still ain’t back after the rain lets up, I’ll go looking for her.

He started down the tunnels leading back to the cottage.  Of course, this is a stroke of luck on my part; maybe I can actually get a little work done while she’s gone.

Believing his luck had finally changed, Angel turned his thoughts from Fluttershy and began to mull over all the possibilities and consequences that now came into play regarding the Big Job.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy had no idea which way was up or down; all she could do was gasp for breath each time she was hurled above the surface of the choppy water, but she knew this might become impossible once she actually fell into the lake.

She couldn’t see a thing; water splashed everywhere around her, and even when she was tossed briefly to the surface, the rain greeted her instead.  Cold wind, rushing water, and her own feeble squeaks of terror were the only things she could hear.

After what seemed like an eternity, the castaway rabbit found herself free-falling.  At last the stream had ejected her, and being unable to control her speed or direction, she tumbled into the lake.

Battered and half-conscious, Fluttershy sank into the depths.  At least the raging winds and waves had vanished now; instead, they were replaced by oppressive dark water on every side.  Fluttershy made a small effort to find the surface, but her aching limbs and disoriented mind made such a task impossible.

This is it, Fluttershy thought to herself, unable to hold her breath much longer.  I’m going to drown right here.  My friends will never even know what happened to me; I disappeared to Las Pegasus and never returned, as far as they know…

Darkness began to creep around the edges of Fluttershy’s already cloudy vision, and she prepared herself to succumb to the grip of the lake.  A large, blurry shape appeared in her view, and she struggled to see what it was.

“Well, hey!” said the shape cheerfully.  “I recognize this rabbit!  How ya doing, Fluttershy?”

The strange shape finally got close enough for Fluttershy to make out what it was; the familiar reptilian silhouette betrayed the identity of the little alligator in front of her.

“Gummy!” Fluttershy tried to say.  Instead, only a large bubble came out.  Fluttershy clapped her paws over her mouth, not wanting to waste what little oxygen she had left.

“What was that?” Gummy asked.  “Oh, I forgot.  You mammals can’t talk underwater.  I wonder why that is?  Or for that matter, why can I talk underwater when I’m still an air breather?  That makes even less sense.  Indeed, I wonder why there are different species with different qualities at all?  If we were all the same kind of creature, that would make things more straightforward.  But I guess that could get boring too.  Maybe the universe has some kind of anti-boredom mechanism driving evolution?  What do you think, Fluttershy?”

Struggling to maintain consciousness, Fluttershy waved her arms and pointed to the surface desperately.

“Oh yeah,” said Gummy vaguely.  “You mammals need air a lot more often than I do, don’t you?  Want me to take you to the surface or something?”

Fluttershy would have responded with a fervent ‘yes’, but she had passed out.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Suddenly, the raging sounds of the storm returned.  Unsure of where she was, but completely aware that there was once again air present, Fluttershy began coughing and gasping violently.

“You okay up there, miss?” Gummy asked.  “I brought you to the surface.  I hope you don’t mind.”

“Th-thank you!” Fluttershy managed between coughs.  “Gummy, you saved my life!”

“Did I?” Gummy asked, his voice barely audible over the sound of the rain.  “Well, how about that.”

Gummy fell silent.  Fluttershy assumed he had dipped into one of his famous philosophical reveries, despite the fact that he was floating in a wild, unsettled lake in the middle of a violent thunderstorm with a rabbit clinging to his back.  She briefly admired how fully he could become lost in thought, despite his surroundings.

“Gummy!” Fluttershy said as loudly as she could, gripping Gummy’s scaly hide as a wave crashed over her.  “I hate to bother you, but we are kind of in the middle of a bad storm here.  Could you take me to the shore please?”

“Sure thing, miss,” said Gummy.  He began to paddle towards the shore, showing little concern for the terrible weather conditions.  Fluttershy struggled to hold onto her little savior’s back.

“I can’t help but wonder something,” Gummy began as he paddled along. “What were you doing out here anyway?  I don’t know too many rabbits who like to be out in these conditions.”

He paused.  “Heck, I don’t know too many of any animal that like to be out in these conditions.”

“I wasn’t trying to wind up in the lake,” Fluttershy said, shivering as a gust of wind threatened to overturn them.  “I tried to turn back as soon as the weather got bad, but I wound up in the stream by accident.  Originally, I was just trying to come down here to find a pink water lily.”

“A pink water lily?” Gummy asked.  “You know who might be able to help you find one of those?  My friend Jim.”

“Jim?” Fluttershy asked.  “That’s… kind on an unusual name for an animal.  What kind of creature is he?”

Gummy stopped paddling, blinking a few times in confusion.  “I have no idea,” he said finally.  “He’s blue, though.  Does that help?”

“Blue?” Fluttershy was becoming increasingly confused.  “I’m not sure I can think of any blue animals.  Why do you think this Jim can help us find a pink water lily?”

“Jim knows everything about the lake,” Gummy said.  “For that matter, Jim probably knows everything about everything.  I love to come here to visit him; he’s one of the only creatures who really understands me.  The rabbits are cool and all, but they just don’t have the capacity for the mysteries of the universe that Jim and I do.”

The shore finally came into view, but Fluttershy was beginning to have second thoughts about abandoning her mission.  She had found a stable position for holding onto Gummy, and she was hesitant to surrender her search so easily, considering her remaining time before the effects of the Heart’s Desire became permanent was rapidly dwindling.  She decided to question Gummy further.

“Gummy, wait.”

Gummy stopped.  “Yes, miss?”

“This is probably a bad idea,” Fluttershy squeaked, “But… do you think Jim is around here?  I really need to find a pink water lily soon, and if I can’t look for it today because of the rain… well, I don’t want to think about what will happen if I don’t find it in time…”

“It’s raining?” Gummy asked vaguely.  He looked from side to side, and then up at the sky, which was instantly illuminated with another brilliant lightning bolt.

“Ah, so it is.  Sure, we can search for Jim, if you don’t mind riding a little longer.”

Fluttershy considered it.  In truth, it was a dangerous and foolhardy thing to attempt, but her adventure to collect the parts of the cure would be forwarded enormously if she could get a pink lily today.  Angel would probably be thrilled as well; Fluttershy knew he desperately wanted to get back to his job coordinating the rabbit city.  She would do this for him, as well as for herself.

“Alright, let’s go,” she said finally.

“And go we shall!” Gummy announced, abruptly turning around just a few meters from the shoreline and heading back into open water.  “I’m sure Jim will be happy to have visitors.”

Fluttershy just hunkered down on the alligator’s back and waited, while Gummy navigated across the rough surface of the lake.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An hour passed, in which Fluttershy did little save for clinging to the back of her courteous ride.  Gummy spoke very little; he just continued to travel out into the center of the lake.  Soaked to the bone and very cold, Fluttershy finally spoke up.

“G-Gummy?” she stuttered, her teeth chattering fiercely.  “Are w-we almost th-th-there?  I thought we’d have c-crossed the whole lake b-b-by now…”

“Oh yeah, sorry,” said Gummy.  “I zoned out for a bit there.  Like, uh… forty-five minutes or so…”

Fluttershy, who hadn’t been able to tell that Gummy wasn’t swimming due to the chaotic rise and fall of the water, just sighed.

“But never mind that, I think we’re here!” Gummy announced.  “We’re gonna need to dive to find Jim, though.  Can you hold your breath?”

“Not for very l-long,” Fluttershy admitted.  “Maybe I can give you some kind of s-signal when I need to go up for air?”

“Sure, just bop me on the top of the head,” Gummy suggested.  “I’m not sure Jim can come to the surface though, so I’ll have to do all the talking.”

“That’s… fine…” said Fluttershy nervously.

Fluttershy took a deep breath and wrapped her paws tightly around Gummy’s neck before the alligator dove beneath the surface, replacing the sounds of the tumultuous surface with the quiet of the depths once again.

“Jim!” Gummy called.  “Jim, it’s Gummy.  I could use your help, old friend!”

Jim did not appear.  After Gummy called a few more times, he was forced to take Fluttershy back to the surface.

For ten more minutes, the unusual duo engaged in a series of dives, but each time, there was no sign of the mysterious Jim.  The process was beginning to take its toll on Fluttershy.

“Maybe we should give up, Gummy,” she suggested.  “Jim’s not here, and I don’t think this is good for my health.”

“Alright, just one more try,” Gummy insisted.  “Then we can go.”

They disappeared beneath the waves yet again.  “Jim!” Gummy called.  “Come out, friend, I really need your help for something!”

There was silence and stillness for a few more seconds.  Just as Gummy was about to surface, a gigantic shape shot out of the depths, coming to a stop right in front of the alligator.

Fluttershy’s eyes went wide with fear, as she stared into the glowing yellow pair of eyes, with angry red pupils, sported by the other creature.  The newcomer was nearly the size of a fully grown pony, with bright blue skin and a collection of long tentacles.

It’s… a squid? Fluttershy realized.

“Ah, Jim!” said Gummy gleefully.  “I was worried you weren’t going to show up.”

“Hello, Gummy,” Jim said in a deep voice that echoed mysteriously through the water.  “My friend, you seem to have a passenger on your back.”

Jim’s large eye swiveled to examined Fluttershy more closely.  The squid recoiled suddenly in fear.

“Ahhhhh!  It’s a demon!” Jim cried, expelling a cloud of ink into the water.  “Flee, Gummy!  Before it eats your soul!”

Gummy waved away the cloud of ink with one arm.  “No Jim, it’s not a demon.  It’s just a mammal.”

“Ahhhhh! It’s a mammal!” Jim cried.  He waved his tentacles in fear for a few seconds, but stopped abruptly after a moment and looked sheepishly at Gummy.

“Uhh… what’s a mammal?”

Fluttershy rapped on Gummy’s head.  “Excuse me, Jim,” the alligator said.  “I shall return momentarily.  My passenger needs air.”

A moment later, Fluttershy was thrust back into the storm above.

“A squid!?” Fluttershy gasped.  “Jim is a squid!? I didn’t know there were any squid in this lake!”

“Jim’s the only one I know of,” Gummy said.  “He claims he fell out of a flying exotic-animal-delivery truck right as it was passing over the lake.  Now he is the keeper of all the lake’s secrets.”

Fluttershy sighed.  “And are you sure he can help us find a pink water lily?” she asked.

“No, but I don’t have any better ideas,” Gummy admitted.  “There’s no harm in asking, right?”

“I guess not,” Fluttershy admitted.  “Go ahead.”

They dipped below the water, and Fluttershy stared down apprehensively at the creature waiting below the surface.

“Jim, this is Fluttershy,” Gummy said.  “She’s a pal of mine.  You wouldn’t believe what these mammals will talk about.  She’s got me thinking about all sorts of new things.”

“Very interesting,” said Jim, who seemed to have forgotten his previous fear of Fluttershy entirely.  “But why did you bring her here, Gummy?”

“She needs to find one of those pink water lilies,” Gummy explained.  “But there’s a bit of rough weather up above, so it’s a bit difficult.  Do you know where we could find one?”

“Oh, that’s easy!” Jim said.  “The wind currents are causing all the lily pads to gather at one part of the lake today.  Just follow me, I’ll take you right to them!”

“Great,” Gummy said.  “We need to follow from the surface though.  You know, the need for air and all that.”

“Ah yes, air,” Jim said wistfully.  “Have you ever thought about air, Gummy?  You need it to survive, but you can’t even see it.  What’s up with that?”

“Oh believe me, I think about air all the time,” said Gummy sincerely.

More out of a desire to end the useless conversation than the need for air, Fluttershy rapped on Gummy’s head.

“We’ll follow from above then,” Gummy said, darting to the surface with his passenger.

Fluttershy watched the large shadow beneath the waves begin to recede, and Gummy quickly paddled after it.

“Should only be a few minutes’ ride, miss,” Gummy assured her.  “Your pink lily is just ahead.”

“I hope Jim knows what he’s doing,” Fluttershy mumbled.

“Of course he does!  He’s Jim!” Gummy insisted.  “He’s never steered me wrong before!”

Fluttershy said nothing.  There was nothing to do but hope Gummy was right.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Storm duty always got Rainbow Dash really riled up.  There was something about the ability to create weather this powerful that never failed to fill her with pride.  She flew through the turbulent skies at incredible speeds, her coat completely soaked with cold rain.  Thunder crashed all around her, only adding to her adrenalin rush.  

Rainbow hovered in place over the lake, going over all her storm duties in her head.  

Let’s see, the rain is almost done, the winds have all been properly redirected, so now the lake just needs a routine vertical mixing…

The bold pegasus swooped over the lake’s surface, turning in rapid circles to create a small whirlwind.  She watched in satisfaction as the swirling currents met the water, beginning the reaction that would soon cause a cyclone.

Once she was certain that her actions were successful, she rocketed away to meet with the other pegasi and begin the storm shutdown procedures.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“There,” said Gummy, indicating a mass of plants in the distance.  “Those are the lilies.  I told you Jim would lead us right to them!”

He dove beneath the waves again, where Jim floated, patiently waiting.

“Excellent work, Jim!” Gummy said.  “Now all we need is a pink one from the pile, and we can go.”

“That should be easy,” Jim said.  “There are dozens of pink ones up there.  Just go up and grab a… uh-oh…”

“What’s wrong?” Gummy asked.

“The currents are changing,” Jim said solemnly.  “Can you not feel it?  A water cyclone is coming!”

For the first time in Fluttershy’s life, she witnessed a look of concern cross Gummy’s face.  “A cyclone?  Is it nearby?”

“It’s coming this way,” said Jim anxiously.  “Quickly, to the surface!”

Gummy and Fluttershy emerged into the air, while Jim floated just beneath.  Sure enough, a pocket of whirling air was beginning to pull up the lake water into a small but vicious funnel.  The water lilies, floating nearby, were quickly pulled into the miniature storm and shredded into fine pieces.

“Oh no!” Fluttershy wailed, watching lily after lily be destroyed before her eyes.  “Gummy, we have to get one before they’re all gone!”

“We can’t,” Gummy deadpanned.  “If we go near that we’ll be sucked up and hurled into the sky.”

“But if all the lilies are destroyed,” Fluttershy gasped, “I won’t be able to complete the cure in time!  I have to get one, now!”

A burble came from beneath the surface; Gummy dove briefly to listen.

“What was that, Jim?”

“I’m gonna do it,” said Jim.  “If the lady needs a flower that badly, I’m going to get her a flower.  I am nothing if not a gentlesquid to a lady in need.”

Before either Gummy or Fluttershy could object, the large squid had turned and jetted through the water to the base of the cyclone.

“What’s he doing?” Fluttershy asked as she and Gummy resurfaced.  “He hardly knows me!  Why is he risking his life to get a hold of the lily?”

“Jim has his priorities straighter than most of us could ever dream to have them,” Gummy mumbled cryptically.  “His sense of duty is something that should inspire us all.”

Fluttershy decided against responding to that.

Despite the pounding rain and thunder still roaring overhead, Fluttershy could only concentrate on the small patch of remaining lilies being drawn toward the destructive cyclone, and the dark shape beneath the water making a beeline for them.  Jim burst from the water, wrapping a tentacle around one of the very last lilies to keep it safe from harm.  He careened through the air and disappeared directly into the oncoming cyclone.

“Jim!” Fluttershy and Gummy cried in unison.

Jim was hurled out the top of the cyclone.  He sailed through the air, crying out in sheer excitement.

“That’s right Jim!  Live the dream!” Gummy called to his airborne friend.

A bolt of lightning coursed through the sky, intercepting the squid in midair.  For a brief, defining moment, Jim’s eyes shone with wonder and his body radiated a glorious light.

And then he exploded into a million pieces.

The light in the sky faded, and the small cyclone died down and disappeared, but not before ripping up every single pink water lily.  Gummy and Fluttershy took no heed of these details, however.  They were transfixed, their eyes upon the spot where Jim had been a few moments before.

“…Lucky Jim,” Gummy said finally.  “He always said one day he’d achieve a higher state of consciousness and be taken from us by a glorious light in the sky.  I just never thought he’d actually do it.”

Gummy sighed serenely.  “I hope one day I can be like him…”

Turning a sickly shade of green, Fluttershy looked at the tiny bits of squid raining down from the sky and wished very much that she could erase all memory of what she had just witnessed.  She nearly leapt off Gummy in shock when an entire tentacle slapped down upon the water right next to them, the tip uncurling to reveal a single, undamaged flower.

“See?” said Gummy.  “Jim always delivers.”

Fluttershy had absolutely no idea how such an event had occurred, but, after a moment’s hesitation, she reached out and carefully plucked the flower from the severed tentacle before it sank.

“Hey, look, the storm’s finally starting to let up,” Gummy observed.  “By the time we get back to shore, the rain will probably have almost completely stopped.”

Gummy began paddling to shore, oblivious to the shell-shocked disposition of his companion.  Fluttershy gazed at her prize, deciding it best to try not to think about anything that had happened today.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Okay, let’s recap,” Angel said.  “So, we’re sending team seven around the north perimeter during this phase, while another pair of decoys lead Winona into the southwest sector.”  He pointed to the spot on the makeshift map of Sweet Apple Acres to emphasize his point.  “After that, we move on to phase five.  Is this all still strategically plausible, professor?”

Angel turned to the professor, a grey rabbit with white markings that looked a bit like glasses around his eyes, and front teeth that were far too big even for the average rabbit.  The professor scratched his head as he surveyed Angel’s map, scribbling details in a tiny, rabbit-sized notebook with his tiny, rabbit-sized pen.

“I think so,” the professor answered finally.  “But only as long as we can be certain that Winona will be led in this direction.  Since this phase requires the safety of a larger pack of rabbits than some of the earlier parts of the heist, I recommend a second set of decoys to ensure Winona is kept off the trail.  What do you think, boys?”

The professor turned to the Buttons, who were also present at the strategy meeting.  The twins nodded their heads in unison.

“Great,” said Angel.  “Now, after that, we move on to-”

“Angel!” called a voice from the rabbit hole.

The four rabbits gathered in the cottage turned to see Gummy emerging from the tunnels, with Fluttershy draped over his back.  Angel hastily folded up the map and handed it to the professor.

“I brought you a present,” Gummy said, tilting his body a bit and dumping Fluttershy onto the floor.

“There you are, ‘Shy,” Angel said.  “Man, that was some storm.  Were you hiding with Gummy all day?”

“Not exactly,” said Fluttershy, getting to her feet and wringing out her sodden ears.

Angel looked Fluttershy over.  “Sheesh, kid.  You look like a wreck.  What the heck happened to you today?”

“It’s a long story,” Fluttershy said.  “I ended up getting swept into the lake.”

“And then I saved her life!” Gummy said proudly.  “And then we went on an epic adventure and Jim achieved a higher level of being!”

“Who’s Jim?” Angel asked.

“Please don’t mention Jim,” Fluttershy pleaded, feeling slightly ill again.  “What matters is we found this.”   She showed Angel the lily she had worked so hard to collect.

A broad grin crossed Angel’s face.  “Kid, you are something else!” he said.  “I can’t believe you managed to get one of these, even during the storm.”

Angel picked up the flower and deposited it near the bed next to the sapphire.  He also grabbed a towel and brought it over to Fluttershy, who was still soaked.

“So, what have you been doing all day?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well, the weather was too bad for me to find you,” Angel admitted.  “So I was just having a little talk with a few of the boys here.”

Fluttershy looked at the other three rabbits present.  Her eyes moved from the Buttons to the rabbit she hadn’t yet met.

“Oh, yeah,” Angel started.  “And that’s-”

“Snuggles!” said Fluttershy excitedly, recognizing the rabbit she occasionally encountered in her yard.

“Professor Snuggles,” the professor corrected her.  “I am Angel’s key strategizing agent.  Any of his… erm… operations are usually not attempted until I have been consulted.”

“The four of us were just talking about a, uh… a plan for a new housing wing in the tunnels,” Angel lied.  “I was just about to come and find you, now that the rain’s letting up, but I see I don’t need to.”

Fluttershy smiled.  “Does this mean we can go talk to Owloysius tonight about the third ingredient?”

“Sure, kid,” Angel said.  “Why don’t you get warmed up and get a little something to eat first.  We’ll go once it gets dark.”

Angel turned.  “Oh, and Gummy, thanks for bringing the kid back to-”

But Gummy had vanished.  Angel just shrugged.

“Anyway, ‘Shy, give me a second to see the boys off.”

Fluttershy snuggled up in the large towel, and Angel and his associates proceeded into the tunnel.  The Buttons disappeared further down the hole, but the professor stayed behind.

“Capo, if I may point something out,” Professor Snuggles began.  “The time to act is fast approaching, and we still have a lot of planning to do.  I’m beginning to wonder if it will continue to be possible to keep our intentions hidden from your friend Fluttershy.”

“Relax, professor,” Angel said.  “The kid has got almost everything she needs to become a pony again.  If old Feathers at the library comes through for us, we’ll have the cure by tomorrow.”

“I certainly hope so,” Professor Snuggles said ominously.  “We cannot complete the strategic planning without a brief scouting mission to Sweet Apple Acres, and the Buttons and I cannot relay instructions to your troops in time unless we have a few days to prepare them!  Tomorrow is already Sunday, so if we don’t perform the final scouting run tomorrow, we will be unable to manage the heist on Tuesday.”

“Alright, don’t worry,” Angel replied.  “I’ll figure something out.  Tomorrow morning, you, me, and the Buttons will head up to Sweet Apple Acres.  And I’ll find some way to keep the kid busy, I promise.”

Professor Snuggles crossed his arms.  “I hope you know what you’re doing, capo,” he said as he turned to go.  “I’m beginning to think that, if Fluttershy’s condition doesn’t change, you’ll be too distracted to finish preparations properly.”

“What are you talking about!?” Angel snarled.  “Of course the Big Job comes first!  I’m trying to keep the Main Mare ignorant because it benefits us to do so!”

Professor Snuggles nodded, still not looking at Angel.

“Let’s hope your actions match your words, capo.”

The Professor disappeared down the tunnel, leaving an infuriated Angel standing alone in the dark.

> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the time Fluttershy was properly cleaned, dried, warmed, and fed, the sun had gone down, and the stormy day had given way to a cool, clear night.  Carrying the sapphire and pink water lily, Angel and Fluttershy set out for Ponyville for another meeting with Owloysius.  Moonlight illuminated their path as they passed through the rain-soaked fields.

Neither rabbit spoke very much; both had a lot on their minds after the events of the afternoon.  In silence, they finally arrived at Ponyville library, late into the evening.

Peewee, who had been perched on the windowsill, squawked in excitement when he spotted the two visitors approaching.  “Uncle Owly!” he called into the library’s main chamber.  “I see Angel and Fluttershy!  Come over and pick them up!”

Owloysius fluttered to the perch, and then down to give Angel and Fluttershy a lift.  Once the rabbits were safely inside, he hopped down onto the study table where, as usual, many books were strewn about.

“Alright, Feathers,” Angel said.  “We got the sapphire and the pink lily.  It wasn’t easy either.”  

Fluttershy cleared her throat.  “Owloysius,” she began quietly, “have you found the location of the last ingredient yet?”

“Yeah,” Angel added, “tell us where to get the Sparkling Toadstool or whatever the heck it’s called.”  

“Twinklecap Mushroom,” Owloysius corrected.

“Whatever!” Angel snarled.  “I’ve had it up to here with this silly adventure, and I don’t think ‘Shy’s doing a whole lot better than I am.  Now do you have the location or not?”

“…Erm…”

“Wait.  Before you answer, allow me to guess,” Angel said grumpily.  “You’ve got good news and bad news, right?”

“However did you know?” Owloysius said flatly.

Angel shook his head.  “Fine.  Out with it.”

“Very well then,” Owloysius replied.  “The good news is that we have managed to find the location of the final ingredient.  What’s even better is that it is not far from here at all.”

Angel nodded.  “So, you know where it is, and it’s nearby.  What’s the bad news?  Is it a protected species in some conservation district?  Maybe it’s growing on the farm owned by that crazy pony who runs the carrot stand?”

Owloysius opened his beak to respond, but Angel cut him off.  “But wait!  Even that would be too easy.  So now’s the part where you tell us that it’s growing somewhere even worse than that, right?”

“Correct,” Owloysius replied.  “The Twinklecap Mushroom is only known to grow in one location; the very heart of the Everfree Forest.”

Angel nodded again.  “Yep, that would do it.”

Fluttershy’s eyes went wide.  “The Everfree Forest!” she wailed, tugging on her ears miserably.  “We can’t go in there!”

“You’re tellin’ me,” Angel responded.  “For a pony, that place is dangerous at best.  For small creatures like us, the chance of mortality is almost a hundred percent.”

“I truly am sorry to deliver this news,” Owloysius said mournfully.  “If there was any other place to get a Twinklecap Mushroom, I would not hesitate to inform you.  But unfortunately, the species is not cultivated by ponies.”

Fluttershy felt lost; after all the work she and Angel had gone through to retrieve the first two ingredients, the third was now hidden away in what was perhaps the most dangerous place in Equestria.

“But… we…” she stuttered.  “Isn’t there some way we can enter the forest safely?”

“Alas,” said Owloysius, “as far as I am acquainted with that proposition, the repercussions of such an endeavor can only culminate in inadequacy when attending to purposes of protracting subsistence.”

Fluttershy blinked several times.

“What?”

“As far as he knows, there isn’t,” Peewee translated.

“Oh.”

Fluttershy plopped down on the floor.  Angel glanced at her, before turning back to Owloysius and crossing his arms in frustration.  “So, what exactly do you suggest we do now, Feathers?” he asked.

“I would like to ask you two not to give up hope just yet,” Owloysius urged.  “Peewee and I will continue researching.  If we find anything at all concerning either the Everfree, or another location where the mushroom grows, we shall come to you immediately.  You need not continue returning here; at this point, I will visit you two at the cottage if I have any news.  Remember, Fluttershy still has a full three days until her transformation is permanent.  We cannot throw in the towel so soon.”

“So, we’re leaving it to you?” Angel asked.  “There’s nothing else ‘Shy and I can do?”

“I’m afraid not,” said Owloysius.  “Becoming a rabbit permanently is preferable to death, I believe, so I must insist you do not attempt to enter the Everfree.”

“Wasn’t plannin’ on it,” Angel said.  “I’m not getting myself killed for this kid.”

Fluttershy slowly stood up.  “Let’s go Angel,” she whispered.  “I don’t think there’s anything else to say.”

“Again, I am deeply sorry, Fluttershy,” Owloysius said.  “I feel as if I have failed you.  If I find anything else at all, I will immediately find you two.  I swear it.”

“And I’ll help too!” Peewee announced.  “Everything Uncle Owly has taught me leads up to this moment!  With me helping, we can search the books for clues twice as fast!”

Fluttershy gave Peewee a sad smile.  “Thank you, both of you.  Thank you for caring.”

“Ugh, enough already,” Angel grumbled.  “Let’s go.  I’m tired, and I have business to take care of tomorrow.”

Owloysius lifted the rabbits out of the library, and placed them safely on the grass.  Silently, he turned and fluttered back inside.

“Guess we might as well sleep here again tonight,” Angel said.  He flopped down, placing his arms behind his head.  “Go to sleep kid.  We’ll try to figure out some new plan tomorrow.”

Fluttershy knew Angel had as little an idea about how to proceed as she did, but she appreciated his feeble attempt to comfort her nonetheless.  She snuggled into the tall grass, wondering what the next three days would hold for her.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Wake up, sleepyhead!”

A feather lightly tickled Fluttershy’s sensitive nose, bringing her quickly to consciousness.  She sneezed and sat up.

“Yay, you’re awake!” Peewee chirped.  “Uncle Owly’s asleep now, but I’m still up!”

“Oh, good morning, Peewee,” Fluttershy mumbled sleepily.  She glanced around, blinking in the bright sunlight, and noticed that a certain white rabbit was not present.

“Wait… where’s Angel?”

“Oh yeah, him,” Peewee said vaguely.  “He got up right after dawn.  He told me to tell you that he had some business to take care of.  The usual stuff.”

“Angel’s gone?” Fluttershy asked.  “What am I supposed to do until he gets back?”

“He said he didn’t care,” Peewee replied.  “He promised he’d meet you at the cottage a little after noon.  In the meantime, you’re free to go wherever.”

Fluttershy nodded.  “I’ll just go down to the bunny city for the morning.  That connects back to the cottage anyway.”

“So, uh…” Peewee said, trailing off.  “I should go get some sleep.  Uncle Owly and I are gonna work super double overtime to help you out, Fluttershy!  I just know we’ll find a way to get that mushroom!”

Fluttershy gave Peewee a gentle hug.  “I know,” she said.  “You two are the best.”  

Peewee smiled before disappearing into the library again.  Fluttershy watched him go, and then set off for the underground city.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“So you’re absolutely sure the Main Mare isn’t following us?” Professor Snuggles asked.

“For the last time, professor,” Angel yelled, “’Shy was still out like a light when I left this morning.  I wasn’t stupid enough to tell Feathers’ bird-brained little phoenix assistant where exactly I was going, either.  She’s probably woken up by now, and if I know her, she’ll probably just head straight back to the cottage and wait for me.  The four of us can go to Sweet Apple Acres, check the logistics, plan out the last few phases of the Big Job, and go back again without ‘Shy ever being the wiser about it.”

Professor Snuggles glanced suspiciously at the Button brothers, but their expressions, as usual, showed nothing but support for their boss’s plans.

“Very well,” the professor said.  “I suppose I should trust you know what you’re doing, capo.”

“Of course I do,” Angel replied.  “Now, the closest exit to Sweet Apple Acres is coming up.  Remember to move cautiously; I know there’re only four of us, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we can escape the watchful eyes of the Apple Family.”

Angel hopped out into the morning sunlight, followed by his henchmen and the professor.  Just across the road stood the old wooden fence, easy enough for a bunny to slip under, and beyond that, acres and acres of apple trees grew.  The four intruders crossed the path and hopped onto the property, hiding among the roots of the nearest tree.

“Alright, this is the primary entry point,” the professor explained.  “I believe we have two auxiliary entrances as well, so Winona can’t just guard a single hole and keep us all out.”

For most of the morning, the group of rabbits scampered from hiding spot to hiding spot, trekking all over Sweet Apple Acres and taking note of every convenient bit of cover for their forces to occupy.  The professor, being exceptionally smart for a rabbit, was quickly able to make many revisions to the plans.  Soon, it seemed they had developed the perfect heist; hundreds of apples would be stolen, and, assuming Winona fell for the decoys, few rabbits’ safety would be risked in the process.

Angel glanced over the hill leading to the rabbit hole that would be used for most of the exiting raiding parties and nodded his head in satisfaction.

“Professor, you’ve done it again,” he complimented.  “That stupid collie will never know what hit her!”

“Oh, I dunno about that, pardner.”

Before anybunny could move, Angel found himself snatched up by the ears.  He dangled helplessly from the mouth of Winona.

“I see you varmints are up t’ no good, as usual,” Winona growled through her clenched teeth.  “I dunno what you’re planning, but I can tell it’s a good enough reason for me to chase y’all off the farm.”

“Let me go, you overgrown fleabag!” Angel threatened, swinging his tiny fists fruitlessly as Winona held him up.

“Yeah, right,” Winona said.  “You’d just go back to causin’ trouble.  You best be glad I’m takin’ care not to hurt ya’.”

The collie glared down at the other three rabbits, who stood still, as if unsure if what to do.  “Git outta here, you three,” she said.  “And don’t come back.  I’ll take care of your leader.”

Angel’s posse hesitated, before finally turning and bolting down the nearest rabbit hole.

“As for you, Angel,” Winona started, taking care not to drop her catch.  “You’re the ringleader of these nasty critters.  If I let you scramble back down your hole with a warning, you’d be back in ten seconds to swipe somethin’ else.  So I think I’ll take it upon m’self to take you home personally.”

Angel crossed his arms, finally giving up the fight for freedom.  With a satisfied nod, Winona trotted away from the farm, her prize still dangling from her teeth.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy easily found the large opening at the base of the old stump, and hopped down into the tunnel.  She meandered into the main underground plaza in search of some breakfast.

The trading plaza looked exactly like it had when Fluttershy had visited three days ago.  Dozens of animals milled about, disappearing down the array of side tunnels, and engaging in conversation and trading supplies with one another.

I still don’t have anything to trade, Fluttershy realized.  Maybe I can find another café and get something for free again if I put it on Angel’s tab.

Fluttershy walked slowly through the plaza, glancing around contently.  She decided on a tunnel that she knew led toward a few of the smaller shops, but as she crossed the large chamber, a raised voice caught her attention.  Guiltily, she tried to move on, but couldn’t help but stop to listen to an argument between a chipmunk and a hedgehog.

“I already told you!” the hedgehog insisted.  “I only have a few berries as it is.  I can’t afford to give away any more.”

“But I need another one,” the chipmunk whined.  “Do you know how hard it is to keep my daughter satisfied lately?  She’s going through another growth spurt, and those are her favorite.”

“I’m sorry,” the hedgehog said.  “But we’re hungry too.  I can’t part with any more of these unless you have something else to give.”

“I already gave you every last one of my beans!” the chipmunk cried.  “What more do you want?”

“Anything!” the hedgehog snarled back.  “I’m not gonna go hungry yet again just so you can-”

The hedgehog took notice of Fluttershy, who realized she had been staring.  His eyes widened.  The chipmunk followed his gaze, and her expression soon matched his.

“Is there something I can help you with, miss?” the hedgehog asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

“Oh, pardon me,” Fluttershy said sheepishly.  “I didn’t mean to listen in on your conversation.  I was just on my way to find something to eat.”

The hedgehog and the chipmunk exchanged grim, knowing glances.  “You… you can have mine, of course, miss,” the hedgehog said, shoving the pile of provisions in Fluttershy’s direction.

"Yes, mine too,” the chipmunk agreed, pushing the few bright berries she had been carrying toward the rabbit.

Fluttershy was taken aback.  “A-are you sure?” she asked.  “I mean, it sounded like you need them for yourselves.”

“Oh, nonsense,” said the chipmunk anxiously, her eyes darting around the room.  “I’m sure you need them more than I, miss.”

“Well… um, if you’re sure…” said Fluttershy, noticing both the hedgehog and the chipmunk edging away from her, “then thank you, really.  This will make a lovely breakfast.”

“I’m sure it will,” said the hedgehog sadly.  “And, uh… have a good day, miss.”

The two animals turned tail and scampered away rather quickly, leaving Fluttershy bewildered.  Unsure about the citizens’ behavior, but still grateful for the food, she sat down in a nearby hall and enjoyed the hearty breakfast.

It was now midmorning; Angel wouldn’t be returning to the cottage for over an hour, so Fluttershy decided to wander the tunnels, and see if she could find any animals she recognized.  She strolled aimlessly down the nearly identical passageways, and soon found herself at an intersection she recognized.  At this spot, a few days earlier, she had suggested that she and Angel proceed down a lower tunnel branching off to one side of the tunnel network, but Angel had rejected this idea in favor of taking Fluttershy to a café instead.  With Angel not around this time, clearly there was no harm in seeing what this tunnel held, right?

As Angel had said, the tunnel was simply an additional housing corridor.  However, as Fluttershy traveled down the passageway, a strange feeling began to creep into the back of her mind.  Something was different here; there was a dreary aura over this place that she couldn’t quite explain.

Fluttershy peeked into one of the homes.  Is it my imagination, she thought, or do these dens seem smaller than the other ones?

The living quarters here not only seemed smaller; they also had a sort of tense feeling surrounding them.  Instead of rabbits relaxing comfortably and wandering about, this place was silent, and what few animals did pass by ducked their heads and hurried along without a word.  After a few minutes, it occurred to Fluttershy that none of the creatures here were rabbits; every last one was some other type of animal.  Considering the homes she had visited a few days prior had held almost nothing but rabbits, this struck her as very odd.

Determined to find out what was going on, Fluttershy cautiously stepped into one of the occupied homes.  Across the room, an old squirrel woman sat cleaning a few tiny, shriveled nuts setting atop a rickety-looking table.

“Um… excuse me, ma’am?” Fluttershy called quietly.

The squirrel turned around, and frowned when she saw Fluttershy standing in her doorway.  “Oh, wonderful,” she grunted.  “Just when I thought I might actually get something to eat today without going all the way up to the cottage.”

The old squirrel hoisted the nuts in her paws held them out to Fluttershy.  “Here.  Take them and go away.  This will keep there from being any more visitors for a week or so, right?”

“What are you talking about?” Fluttershy asked.  “I don’t want your food, I’ve already had plenty to eat.”

The squirrel looked skeptical, and then she began to appear worried.  “You’re not here… for the food?  Then… what are you here for?  Am I in trouble?  I didn’t do anything, I swear!”

“What?” asked Fluttershy, startled by the old squirrel’s behavior.  “I’m sorry, I’m afraid there’s been some kind of miscommunication.  I’m not here for anything, I just wanted to ask you a few questions.”

This only made the squirrel even more upset.  “That… but… please, miss, I did nothing to cross the rabbits, honest!”

“Ma’am, what’s wrong?” Fluttershy asked, unable to make sense of her host’s reactions.  “Why are you so upset?  What happened with the rabbits?”

Suddenly, the squirrel seemed angry.  She narrowed her eyes at Fluttershy.

“Why am I upset, huh?” she growled.  “Is this some kind of test?”

“It… what?”  Fluttershy asked.  “It’s not a test!  I just want to know what’s going on!”

“Not a test,” the squirrel scoffed.  “You think because you come in here acting all cute and innocent, you’re going to catch me off guard.  But I wasn’t born yesterday, sweetie.  I’ve seen you; you’ve been right at the capo’s side all week.  And you have the nerve to come in here and ask me what’s wrong!?”

“What does Angel have to do with this?” Fluttershy inquired.

The squirrel appeared at a loss for words.  She stared at Fluttershy, her mouth slightly agape as if she was unable to believe such a question had just been posed.

“Why are you mocking me!?” she suddenly shrieked.  “I told you I didn’t do anything!  Take the stupid nuts and get out!”

“B-but I already told you,” Fluttershy squeaked, drawing back in fear, “I don’t want the nuts!  I just want to know-”

“Fine!  Don’t take them then!  Just GET OUT!”

The squirrel hurled one of the tiny nuts at Fluttershy’s head.  She squeaked and dove out of the way, scrambling out of the den as quickly as she could.  She fled from the tunnel, clearly hearing the old squirrel collapse into a fit of desperate sobbing somewhere far behind.

What in Equestria was that all about? Fluttershy thought as she ran.  Something isn’t right.  I need to talk to Angel as soon as he gets back!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy sat on the bridge in front of her cottage, dangling her feet over the side as she waited for Angel to return.  A glance at her reflection in the water reminded her of her dwindling time to find a cure for the Heart’s Desire, but even that situation had taken a back seat in her mind right now; theories and questions about the troubling behavior of the animals had overtaken her thoughts for the time being.

Her ears perked up at the sound of approaching voices.

“Ain’t we close enough?  Just drop me here, you stubborn mutt!”

“No can do, pardner.  I’m tryin’ to make a point here.”

Fluttershy stood and looked in the direction of the approaching voices.  She was greeted by the sight of Angel Bunny, dangling by his ears from the mouth of a brown and white dog.

At last, the pair arrived on the front lawn of the cottage.  “Here we are,” Winona said.  “Now, I’m gonna let you down, and I don’t wanna hear ‘bout you causin’ any more trouble, ya hear?”

Winona glanced toward the house and noticed the strange yellow rabbit approaching her.

“Winona?” Fluttershy asked.

Curious, Winona sniffed the air, recognizing the scent immediately.  “Fluttershy?” the collie gasped, dropping Angel on his rump in the process.  “Well, my stars dear, you’re looking different.”

“Yes, I’m getting tired of having this conversation again and again,” Angel interrupted.  “Fluttershy’s been turned into a rabbit.  Now if you’ll excuse us, Winona, we have a lot of work to do before that transformation becomes permanent.”

“Wait,” Fluttershy said.  “Angel, why was Winona carrying you back here?”

“’Cause I caught the thievin’ varmint and his little friends at Sweet Apple Acres, of course,” Winona said.  “I sure am glad you had the sense not to go with ‘em, Fluttershy.”

“Oh, that’s silly,” Fluttershy laughed and shook her head.  “Winona, I’m afraid you’ve made a mistake.  Angel wouldn’t steal anything; it was probably just a misunderstanding.”

“Angel wouldn’t…” Winona started.  She glanced between Angel and Fluttershy a few times, finally settling her gaze on the former.  “How much does she know?” she asked the white rabbit.

Angel frowned.  “Winona, we don’t need to go into that,” he insisted.

“Into what?” Fluttershy asked.

“Into Angel’s job,” Winona said.  “Do you know anything about it?”

Fluttershy hesitated.  “Isn’t Angel kind of in charge of the animal city?  He and the other rabbits that work for him try to keep everybunny properly housed and fed."

Winona snorted.  “Oh, he’s in charge all right, but honey, your story isn’t quite straight.  Angel ain’t no little good Samaritan.”

“Shut up, Winona, you’re not helping things!” Angel commanded.

“No way,” Winona said.  “I’m not letting you fill the poor kid’s head with nonsense.”

She turned back to Fluttershy, her expression grim.  “I really hate to tell you this, Fluttershy,” she said, “but Angel does not, nor has he ever, had the best interests of the animal community in mind.  He’s not the leader of the city; he’s the leader of the organized crime ring that keeps the city in its threatening grip.”

“Wh-what?” Fluttershy gasped.

Winona sighed.  “Fluttershy, Angel is the captain of Ponyville’s Rabbit Mafia.”

Fluttershy felt like a rock had dropped into her stomach.  She glanced at Angel, who had placed a paw on his forehead in frustration.

“Great,” he mumbled.  “As if this wasn’t enough of a hassle already, now this flea-bitten mutt had to go and spill the beans.”

“This… this is a joke, right?” Fluttershy managed.  “V-very funny, you two.”

“It ain’t a joke,” Winona said.  “Right Angel?”

Angel scowled.  “Well… I can’t deny it now, can I?  I guess you managed to actually get your facts straight.  For once.”

“But… but…” Fluttershy whimpered with increasing urgency.  “Surely… one of the other animals would have told me, wouldn’t they?  I mean, Owloysius is-”

“Feathers kept quiet because I asked him to,” Angel explained.  “And his little assistant is too young to understand, so there was no need to worry about him.  Gummy is clueless, and Opal is indifferent to the whole thing, so neither of them were a problem either.  Winona, on the other hand…”

He trailed off, his arms crossed tightly in front of him.

“So…” said Fluttershy weakly.  “You… you don’t work to feed and protect all the animals in the area, then?”

“Oi,” Angel mumbled.  “Just when I thought you couldn’t get any dimmer, kid.  The rabbits work together to provide for the rabbits.  Nobunny else.  It’s just business.”

“Just business,” Winona laughed.  “You call threatening and starving all the other animals ‘just business’?”

At once, Fluttershy understood what she had encountered in the tunnels that morning.  In both cases, the creatures she had met had been dealing with matters of limited food, and both had been intimidated by her simply because she was a rabbit, and more so because of her closeness with Angel.  With a stab of horror, Fluttershy realized that here mere association with Angel may have made her look like a criminal in the eyes of the surrounding creatures.

“It is just business,” Angel insisted.  “We still give out necessary food to the other creatures.  We only starve them if they disobey us or misbehave, and most of them are way too intimidated to try anything funny.  Those few who do make a good example of themselves, and help keep the others in line.”

Fluttershy shook her head slowly, unable to believe both what Angel was saying, and the nonchalant manner in which he said it.

“But… but I feed the animals at my cottage,” she squeaked, now talking more to Winona than Angel.  “…So I’ve been helping to stop this, right?”

“Maybe a little,” Winona replied.  “Why do you think the animals are always so ravenously hungry?  They're horribly underfed, unless they’re rabbits.”

“But… even the rabbits behave like that,” Fluttershy pointed out.

Winona nodded.  “Of course they are.  They’re trying to collect and hoard as much of the food you provide as they can.  That way they can keep living their easy lives, and keep a hold over the other creatures by stockpiling the resources.  That way they can keep the rest of the critters under their rules; it’s behave, and accept the poor living conditions and low food supply, or try to change things and starve.”

Fluttershy fell silent.  There was no further argument she could pose, and there was nothing to do but accept the fact that Angel was not a heroic philanthropist of the animal world, but in fact a greedy and heartless criminal executive, and that he had been undermining her efforts to better the lives of the animals for all these years.

Fluttershy stood in the middle of the path.  Her arms hung at her sides, and her hair drooped down over her eyes.  Winona and Angel looked on curiously as she quivered in place.

“’Shy?” Angel asked, slowly approaching.  “You having a panic attack or something?”

“You mean to tell me,” Fluttershy began, her fists clenching and her voice barely above a whisper, “that everything you’ve told me in these past few days, and for that matter, everything you’ve led me to believe in the past few years… was a lie?”

“No,” said Angel.  “I try to lie as infrequently as possible.  I just answered everything as vaguely as I could.  You were really the one who came up with all these assumptions about me being some kind of selfless upholder of order.  I just rolled with it.”

For the first time in his life, Angel found himself of the receiving end of a slap to the face.  He placed a paw on his reddening cheek, shocked that Fluttershy had actually built up the courage to lash out at him.

“I can’t believe you!” Fluttershy cried, leaning in so close to Angel that their noses bumped.  “All this time, I thought you were just a little grumpy because you were such a good, hard worker, and the job was stressful; you had me believe that you were a good rabbit under that surly exterior!  But you’re not!  You’ve just been manipulating me, and making the animals I care about miserable!”

Angel stepped back.  “Take it easy, kid,” he said.  “You’re blowing this out of proportion.”

“Out of proportion!?” Fluttershy screamed.  “I don’t think I’m being harsh enough!  How would you feel if you suddenly discovered that someone who you trusted and cared for, someone who has lived under the same roof with you for years… someone you treated and loved like family and would gladly do anything for… what if you discovered that same someone has spent his entire life trying to undo all the good you’ve tried to do for those around you?  Because that’s what's happening right here, Angel.  And trust me, it’s pretty hard to blow something like that out of proportion!”

Angel was taken aback by such an outburst from somebunny usually so timid.  “Well, kid, I think that-”

“Just stop,” Fluttershy interrupted, turning away to hide her tears.  “Whatever it was you were going to say, I don’t care.  Any respect I had for you before is gone.”

She turned to Winona.  “Winona, please, I need you to take me somewhere.  Anywhere.  As long as it’s not here.  I want to get as far away from this evil little rabbit as possible.”

“What?!” Angel asked.  “’Shy, you’re forgetting something here.  You can’t leave.  You still need that last ingredient for your cure, so you’re sticking around whether you like it or not!”

“I’ll find it myself!” Fluttershy announced.  “And even if I can’t, that’s fine.  I’d rather spend the rest of my life as a rabbit than spend another minute working with a double-crossing slimeball like you.”

“Kid, you’re being ridiculous,” Angel said.  He stepped toward his angry companion, but Fluttershy spun in place, kicking Angel squarely in the chest.  He cried out and tumbled backwards, and Fluttershy hopped onto Winona’s back.  By the time Angel managed to get to his feet, the dog and her passenger were already standing atop the next hill.

“Good luck getting away,” Angel called sarcastically.  “I’ve got this whole town monitored.  There’s nowhere you can take her where I won’t find her!”

“She’ll be plenty safe if I take her to The Haven,” Winona replied.

Angel stiffened.  “You wouldn’t dare.”

“I would,” Winona said.  “You’ll never find her there.  None of you good-for-nothing rabbits will ever find that place.”

Winona turned her head, glancing at the rabbit on her back.  “Ready to go, honey?”

Fluttershy nodded.  “Absolutely.”

Winona took off, as Angel stood helplessly at the cottage’s front walk.

“Alright, fine!” he screamed, his whole body shaking in rage.  “Run away, ‘Shy!  But you and I both know you need me if you want to find that cure!  So go ahead and run!  You’re just fleeing from your last chance to ever live a normal life with your pony friends again!”

Fluttershy didn’t respond; she just gripped Winona’s fur tightly as they two of them rapidly disappeared into the trees, leaving the fuming rabbit far behind.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy was quiet for a very long time.  Winona didn’t say much either; the collie just continued her sprint towards whatever secret place she had chosen to take Fluttershy to.

The pair passed Sweet Apple Acres and continued out into the countryside beyond, heading into the unpopulated lands west of the Ponyville area.  After some time, a forest appeared on the horizon.

“You okay up there, hon?” Winona asked finally.  “You’ve been mighty quiet.  Though I know you’ve had kind of a rough day, so I don’t blame you.”

“I’m okay… I guess,” Fluttershy mumbled.  “I’m just… I don’t know how to feel right now.  I’m angry, and disappointed, and a little bit scared.  It’s worse than just losing a friend; it’s like finding out I never had a friend in the first place.”

She sighed.  “I guess I should have seen the signs.  Angel has never been the most friendly and courteous of rabbits.  But over the years, when I was sad, he was always there to comfort me.  I was really convinced that he cared about me.  I just feel so bad now that I know all that affection he offered was false.”

“I understand,” Winona said.  “I’m sure that had t’ be a hard realization for you.  But right now, I think the best thing to do is to just get you away from that mess, to the one place where animals who don’t want to live with Angel’s deception and tyranny have managed to set up a functioning community of their own.”

Fluttershy looked at her unfamiliar surroundings.  “Where are we going, anyway?” she asked.  “I’ve never been out this way before; we have to be at least a few miles outside of Ponyville by now.”

“We’re going to a place we call ‘The Haven’,” Winona explained.  “Angel and his goons have no power there.  They don’t even know where the place is.  Once we explain your situation to the Director, he’ll figure out the best course of action for you.”

Winona and Fluttershy arrived at the edge of the forest.  Unlike the Everfree, with its gloomy canopy and marshy interior, this forest seemed quite welcoming.  Sunlight filtered between the bright leaves.  The trees were healthy and strong, contrasting those of the Everfree, which were often drooping and covered in twisted vines.

“This place is beautiful,” Fluttershy remarked.

“And rich in resources,” Winona added.  “This place is a little too far for the rabbits of Ponyville to exploit, so the creatures of The Haven are able to collect food here without fear.  Only a few of the larger Ponyville animals, like myself, can make the trip out here on a regular basis.”

Winona came to a halt.  “And speaking of The Haven… here we are.”

Fluttershy looked up, but she was not ready for the sight presented to her.

In front of the pair stood a truly monumental oak tree; the fantastic plant was so tall, and its circumference so great, that the Ponyville Library looked like a sapling by comparison.  Stretching over the canopy of the rest of the forest, hundreds of thick branches formed a suspended network over their heads.

“We’ve converted this tree into a city of our own,” Winona said proudly.  “Sure, it’s not quite as huge as the animal city back home, but it’s pretty nice for the small group that lives here.  And, unlike the tunnels around Ponyville, I can actually fit in here!”

Winona clambered through a hole in the side of the tree, and Fluttershy marveled at the vast chamber within.

Dozens of bridges crisscrossed the huge cylindrical interior.  Small carved stairways snaked up the walls, and numerous tunnels indicated the presence of dozens of smaller rooms radiating out from the central chamber.  Everywhere Fluttershy looked, animals of all kinds walked, hopped, or flew from place to place.

“Afternoon, Winona,” said an old mole as he approached the new arrivals.  “Who’s that on your back?”

“She’s a friend of mine,” Winona replied.  “And she needs to speak with the Director right away.”

The mole squinted at Fluttershy and let out a gasp.  “By gum, Winona, that’s a rabbit you got there!  You can’t bring a rabbit here!  You know what’ll happen!”

“Calm down, pardner,” Winona said.  “She’s on our side.  I’m sure of that.”

The mole looked skeptical.  “Okay…” he said suspiciously.  “But I’m not sure you can trust her.  When this place is swarming with rabbit mobsters, don’t come crying to me.”

The mole wandered away, mumbling to himself about rabbits.

“Don’t pay any attention to them, hon,” Winona insisted.  “The Director will understand your situation, and that’s all that matters.”

“Who is this Director?” Fluttershy asked.

“The Director is in charge of everything that happens here,” Winona explained.  “He helps with the planning for our food gathering parties, and he singlehandedly addresses any problems or concerns of all of the residents here.”

Winona began to climb the small stairs lining the inside of the tree.  Together with her passenger, she spiraled up the gigantic chamber, passing hall after hall until she finally reached the very top.

Winona motioned to the highest tunnel in the tree with a paw.  “The Director prefers to talk with only one visitor at a time,” she explained.  “I’ll wait for you out here.  Go ahead in.”

“But… what do I say?” Fluttershy asked.  “I’m sorry, but I’m just not sure what I’m doing here, or what to expect.  This whole day has been so confusing…”

“That’s okay,” Winona said.  “The Director will help you figure that out for yourself.  He didn’t become the leader of the whole community here at the Haven for no reason you know.  He has lots of wisdom, lots of kindness… and infinite patience.  He will help you continue your search for a cure for your ailment, as well as offer his guidance concerning your damaged relationship with Angel.”

“And you’re sure he’ll listen to a rabbit?” Fluttershy asked hesitantly.

“He will,” Winona said.  “I promise.”

Fluttershy swallowed hard, then turned and cautiously proceeded up the tunnel to the uppermost chamber of the great tree.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Well, boss, I think the situation was inevitable,” Professor Snuggles said.

“I don’t need you to tell me that!” Angel snapped.  “But what are we supposed to do now?  All the apologies in the world wouldn’t be enough to bring the Main Mare back after that!”

“I know, boss,” the Professor said.  “But it’s not as if we cannot function without her.  Some small redistribution of labor will allow us to collect the necessary food from other sources.  A few small additional heists will not be a problem to coordinate.  And if the food supply does drop overall, there’s no harm in cutting the other creatures’ rations again.”

Angel nodded slowly.  “I guess you’re right,” he said finally.  “It’s gonna be kind of different without ‘Shy around, though.”

The Professor shook his head in disappointment.  “Capo, you’re letting yourself get too attached to that mare.  I’ve warned you time and time again not to let that happen.  She is… I mean, was… one source of food, and nothing more.  Now that she knows our secret, and will not provide for us anyway, you are obviously lifted from the obligation of helping her regain her pony form.  So I must recommend you just forget about her.”

The Professor started toward the nearest rabbit hole.  “Come on, boss!  Some work on the Big Job will take your mind off this.  If anything, you should be happy to have her out of your hair in time to finish the planning.”

“Yeah,” Angel grunted.  “Go ahead Professor, I’ll be along in a minute.”

The Professor disappeared, leaving Angel standing on the cottage’s front walk.  He stared out into the distance, in the direction Fluttershy and Winona had headed.

The Professor’s right, he thought to himself.  ‘Shy was just a convenience.  We never needed her for survival.  So this is just a minor unfortunate turn of events for the business, right?

He sighed.  But it’s more than that, isn’t it?  You try to fake it, but you value that mare’s companionship, don’t you?

Angel shook his head fervently.  Snap out of it! There’s no room for that kind of thing in this organization!  We’ve got work to do, and with ‘Shy gone, it’ll only be that much easier!

Ignoring the guilty pangs still plaguing him, Angel turned and sprinted down the rabbit hole.

> Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sounds of the main chamber of The Haven faded as Fluttershy cautiously made her way up the long, narrow tunnel.  The wood around her had been painstakingly smoothed, creating a domed effect within the passageway.  There was very little light, but after spending time in the rabbit city, Fluttershy had become quite accustomed to that.

Finally, she reached the end of the tunnel, where to her surprise, a door had been installed.  It looked fairly professional, too; it was obviously crafted with greater care than the crude furniture adorning the chambers in the underground city.  Fluttershy lightly pushed on the door, and was shocked when the tunnel was flooded with light.

Beyond the door was an outdoor area.  It appeared to be a sort of bowl-like depression at the very top of the tree, but it was surrounded by a thick, intricate mesh of small branches, making the space impossible to access from the outside, unless you could fly.  Fluttershy peered through the natural netting around the area, and was able to see the major branches of the tree radiating out from below her, and on them, animals going about their business.  This room at the top, however, seemed deserted.  Perhaps the director was out?

“Hey.  Hey!  Hey you!  What are you doing here?”

Fluttershy looked up, and nearly jumped back in shock as a small, brightly colored shape dive-bombed toward her.  At the very last second, it stopped, beating its wings at an incredible speed as it hovered just over her head.  Once the newcomer’s erratic movement stopped, Fluttershy was able to see that he was a hummingbird.

“Are you the Director?” she asked timidly.

“Who wants to know?” the hummingbird snapped.  “I asked you a question!  Why are you-”

The hummingbird stopped talking suddenly, and flitted back and forth around Fluttershy.

“Wait.  You’re a rabbit.  You’re a rabbit!  There’s a rabbit here!  There’s a rabbit in the Haven!  This is an emergency!”

The hummingbird flew right in front of Fluttershy’s face again.  “Talk, you little thief!  Are you a spy?  Or some kind of assassin?  So many possibilities!  Well, you aren’t leaving this place!  We’re gonna interrogate you; gonna bring in all the best methods of making you talk!  Ooh, you’re gonna be sorry you ever-”

“Excuse me, Zipper,” called a much quieter, calmer voice.  “As usual, you are jumping to conclusions.  Please, allow me to handle this.”

The hummingbird, who was apparently named Zipper, turned around.  “But Mr. Director!” he argued.  “She’s a rabbit!  Don’t you know what that means?!”

“No, I do not,” replied the voice.  “Because I do not jump to conclusions like you do, Zipper.  Now please, back down from our guest.”

Reluctantly, Zipper retreated.  Fluttershy still couldn’t see the source of the other voice that had spoken.  After several seconds, a thick patch of foliage finally moved, and very very slowly, a familiar animal began to emerge from the leaves.

Fluttershy recognized the creature at once; the familiar large, domed shell, stubby green legs, and calmly smiling face belonged to one the tortoise that had lived under Fluttershy’s care for some time, before eventually becoming Rainbow Dash’s pet.

“Tank,” Fluttershy said, pleasantly surprised.  “I hadn’t expected to see you here.”

“Oh my,” Tank chuckled.  “It’s been a while hasn’t it, Fluttershy?  I’ve hardly seen you at all since Miss Dash took me in.”

“Wait!” Zipper chirped.  “You two already know each other?  Mr. Director, what are you doing associating with rabbits!?”

Tank shook his head slowly.  “Zipper, Zipper… so naïve, as always.”

Tank closed his eyes for a few moments and stood still.  Fluttershy and Zipper waited, and after a moment, he opened them again.

“Perhaps it would be best if you left the two of us alone,” Tank said.  “Fluttershy and I would like to have a conversation that doesn’t involve your accusations.”

“But Mr. Director, I’m head of Security!  You need me to-”

“That is an order, Zipper.”

Zipper sighed.  “Yes sir, Mr. Director,” he said gloomily.  He darted away into the sky, but not without throwing a final glare at Fluttershy.

“I apologize for Zipper’s behavior,” Tank said.  “Keeping the Haven safe from those who wish to disrupt its peace is a big responsibility.  He is a bit high strung.”

Fluttershy managed a smile.  “Yes, I can see that.”

Tank smiled, staring at the sky into which Zipper had disappeared.  Fluttershy waited for him to say more.  And she waited.  And waited.

Tank glanced calmly around the large basin.  It seemed almost as if he had forgotten Fluttershy was there.  After a minute or two, Fluttershy finally spoke again.

“…So…um… I kind of figured you’d have some questions or something,” she said timidly.

“Hm?” Tank asked.  “Oh, no, not really.  After all, you’re the one who came to me.  If there was anything to be said, I figured you would be the one to say it.”

Fluttershy was slightly taken aback.  “You mean… you’re not even going to ask me how I turned into a rabbit?  Pretty much everybunny has asked me that so far.”

Tank shook his head.  “That’s none of my business,” he said simply.  “If you’d like to share, I would, as always, be happy to listen.  If not, that’s fine.  Like I said, you’re the one with the questions.”

Fluttershy had never met a creature, pony or otherwise, who had taken such a position on conversation before; Tank was not nosey or intrusive in any way, he was completely patient and at ease.  

“Well then…” she said carefully.  “Maybe you could tell me more about the Haven, and how you became its Director?”

“Ah, now we’re getting somewhere,” said Tank with a calm smile.  “The Haven was established just a few years ago, as a means of escape for creatures who are unable to tolerate the conditions set for them in nearby Ponyville by the rabbit mafia.  It is a community in which every individual works for the benefit of all; we all collect food from the surrounding forest, and we all live content lives here with plentiful resources as a result.  The downside is that, in order to escape the corruption brought by the rabbits’ schemes, two regulations had to be in place.  The Haven had to be built far enough away from Ponyville that the rabbits would not consider it a worthy objective to search for us regularly, and it also has to be kept fairly secret; if its location ever falls into the hands of the rabbit mafia, our peaceful way of life will be jeopardized.”

Fluttershy nodded.  “It’s basically everything I wish the animal community around Ponyville was,” she admitted.

“Well, yes, don’t we all,” said Tank.  “Anywho, up until a year or so ago, the Haven operated without a leader, and disputes were beginning to break out.  Many feared that arguments would lead to corruption, which in turn would lead to the degeneration of the Haven into something no better than the miserable community the rabbits control.  It was decided that an animal that could make decisions slowly and fairly was needed, and suddenly, I found myself in this position. It was quite a shock, really.”

“But you can’t be here all the time,” Fluttershy pointed out.  “Aren’t you still Rainbow Dash’s pet?”

“Of course,” Tank said.  “And Miss Dash is a wonderful owner, but she leads an active life; she isn’t home much during the day.  And since her friends have granted me a convenient helicopter device for my personal use, it’s quite easy for me to travel from here to Ponyville and back again each day.”

Tank blinked slowly and took a deep breath before continuing.  “And so, the Haven continues to thrive in this secluded grove, beyond the reach of the rabbits’ unwholesome mob.  New animals join us every so often, and between the hummingbird security squad handling external defense measures, and my guidance up here keeping the internal community intact, we have had no problems for quite some time.”

“Wow,” Fluttershy breathed.  “It really is an impressive place.”

“Yes,” said Tank, “I suppose it is.”

Another long silence followed, which Fluttershy took as an indication that Tank was done speaking unless she decided to ask another question.

“So…” she continued, “I did have a reason for coming here.  I’d like to tell you about it, but it’s a really long story.  Do you have the time?”

Tank let out a throaty chortle.  “My dear, I have all the time in the world.  Go ahead.”

Over the next few hours, Fluttershy explained in great detail everything that had happened to her since the evening she had spent with Rainbow Dash almost a week before.  Tank listened intently to the tale of her strange transformation, her first meeting with the deceptive rabbits, and Owloysius’s efforts to find the cure, nodding occasionally and asking only simple questions for clarification.

The sun was on its way down by the time Fluttershy finished describing her quest for the cure’s ingredients, and Tank seemed no less interested then the moment she had started.

“So then, we had the sapphire and the pink lily,” Fluttershy continued.  “And last night, we went to visit Owloysius to find out if he had discovered the location of the final component of the cure.  And… that’s when we discovered that the mushroom we need is only found in the Everfree Forest.”

Tank nodded solemnly.  “I see,” he said.  “The Everfree is a hostile place.  Do you intend to search for the mushroom there?”

“I don’t think I can,” Fluttershy admitted.  “I’d be killed if I tried to find it.  I don’t know any other animal brave enough to try, either.”

“I suppose that is true,” Tank agreed.  “With luck, your Owl friend will find another location for the mushroom, although he appears to be running out of time to do so.”

“That reminds me!” Fluttershy said suddenly.  “What if Owloysius has already found it, but hasn’t told me since he doesn’t know I’m here?”

“True, that is a possibility,” said Tank calmly.  “If you like, I could get Zipper to notify him of your whereabouts.”

“That would be great!” Fluttershy exclaimed.  “And thank you, Tank, for taking the time to listen.  There’s something else I’d like to talk to you about… but maybe it can wait until tomorrow?”

“Of course,” Tank said.  “I can see you are worn out; I’m sure you’ve had a long and difficult day.  There is a chamber on the ground floor where you can get something to eat if you desire, and a room has been set aside for you on the fifth level, where you may spend the night.  I suspect your friend Winona has notified most of the residents of your presence here, so they will assume that, since I didn’t see you as a threat, they have no reason to either.”

Tank backed up a few steps.  “Zipper!” he called to the sky.  “Come here, I have a task for you!”

A brilliant spot of color rocketed through the air, stopping right in front of Tank.  “What are your orders, Mr. Director?”  Zipper asked.

“Zipper, I need to send you to Ponyville,” Tank said slowly.  “Please inform the scholarly old owl in the library that if he needs to speak with Fluttershy, he should come to the Haven.”

“Yes sir!” Zipper replied.  He disappeared as quickly as he had come.

“Everything is taken care of, Fluttershy,” said Tank proudly.  “You may go.  Enjoy your evening.”

“Thank you, Tank,” Fluttershy said sweetly.  She turned and hopped off into the tree for the night.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday morning marked the beginning of Fluttershy’s sixth day as a rabbit, and this morning, the first rays of the sun found her perched on the end of a long branch high above the ground.  From her seat on one of the Haven’s many outdoor walkways, Fluttershy scanned the surrounding forest.  If she squinted, she could just make out the outline of Ponyville nestled in the valley a few miles away, and beyond that, the ever present silhouette of Canterlot situated in the mountains.

But despite the peace and serenity of this clear morning in the forest, Fluttershy felt anything but peaceful.  Dozens of ideas bounced around in her mind, none of them really any more plausible than the others.  Now that she was here, she had to come up with the right course of action.  Deciding what to do next was crucial; after all, there were now less than forty-eight hours remaining until the effects of the Heart’s Desire became permanent.

But something else still dominated Fluttershy’s immediate attention: the rabbits.  After her final conversation with Angel yesterday, Fluttershy’s world had been turned upside down.  Now she was back at square one, in the care of a different set of animals, and still no closer to returning to her original pony form.

The sound of slow, rhythmic footsteps caused the distraught rabbit to turn around, and she was greeted by the sight of Tank approaching her.

“Good morning, Tank,” Fluttershy mumbled.

“Good morning,” said Tank pleasantly.  “It appears that it’s going to be a lovely day.  Clear skies.  Bright sun.  Gentle breeze.  The works.”

Tank chuckled to himself.  Fluttershy said nothing.

“So, Fluttershy… you look a tad upset,” Tank said after a while.

Fluttershy just nodded, still staring out over the forest.

“It’s because you aren’t sure what to do now that your relationship with Angel has fundamentally changed, isn’t it?”

This caught Fluttershy’s attention.  “But… but I didn’t even tell you about my fight with Angel when we talked yesterday!  How did you know?”

Tank chortled.  “Oh, Fluttershy, you’re quite the open book.  It’s easy enough for me to tell what’s wrong.”

“You figured it out just by intuition?” Fluttershy asked, astounded.

Tank smiled mischievously.  “Well, that and the fact that I had a little talk with Winona last night after you had gone to bed,” he admitted.

Tank enjoyed a hearty laugh, and even Fluttershy managed a smile.

“So, dear, I imagine Angel is probably the subject you wanted to discuss with me today?” Tank asked.

“Well… yes, if that’s okay…” Fluttershy replied.

“Of course it’s okay,” Tank said.  “Tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Well, Winona was there, so she probably told you the basics,” Fluttershy said.  “Yesterday, I found out that the rabbits were actually running a mob and terrorizing the other animals.  Angel had me convinced that the rabbits worked hard to protect the city and run it well… at least until Winona told me the truth.”

Fluttershy wiped her eyes.  “You probably think I’m pretty stupid,” she mumbled.  “I suppose anybunny could have seen the signs that something wasn’t right.  I just… I trusted Angel because I’ve lived with him for so long.  I… I never thought he’d betray me like this…”

“I don’t think you’re stupid,” Tank said.  “Love and compassion for others can occasionally drive us to see things in an unrealistic light.  Perhaps that’s why the rabbits abandoned it.”

Tank leaned in closer.  “But you can’t live a full life if you can’t count on somebunny,” he insisted.  “Sure, now and then, that trust is betrayed, and it is a sad moment when it is… but it’s still worth it to make those relationships in the first place, because many of them can be so beneficial.  Think of your friends in Ponyville; they have helped you overcome many of your fears, and were always there for you when the going got tough.  Where would you be today without them?  Probably still holed up in your cottage, too afraid of the world around you to live the life you were destined to live.”

Tank glanced at the sky for a few moments.  “And think of many of the animals you have met in these past few days.  If you hadn’t put your faith in Owloysius, you would have had no idea if there even was a way to reverse your condition.  Without the help of Opalescence, who was true to her word if nothing else, you may not have been able to obtain a sapphire.  And without Gummy you would have drowned, and without brave Jim, rest his soul, there’s no way you could have obtained that pink lily.”

“And Winona,” Fluttershy added.  “I guess I should be grateful for her.  Without her, I’d still be living a lie among the rabbits.”

Tank nodded solemnly.  “That is true.”

A short silence followed.  “Anywho,” Tank continued, “my point is, yes, Angel Bunny betrayed your trust, but I hope you don’t let that change the way you view the others who care about you.  Life’s too short to live in caution and suspicion all the time.”

Fluttershy wiped away a tear and smiled.  “You’re right, Tank.  But just because I can go on with my other friends… doesn’t mean I can forgive Angel.”

Tank said nothing for a moment; he seemed to be searching for the right words.

“Angel Bunny has controlled the rabbits’ forces for a long time,” Tank remarked.  “To many, he probably seems to be one of the lowest, filthiest creatures in Equestria.”

Tank sighed.  “Although… I can’t help but wonder if he is more than he appears.”

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow.  “How so?” she asked.

“Well, it’s hard to say,” Tank said.  “When you’ve known Angel as long as I have, you may start to notice some of his mannerisms don’t seem befitting of his position.”

Fluttershy’s expression became angry.  “Well, let’s see,” she said.  “He’s grumpy, inconsiderate, rude, spiteful, and, oh yes, he runs an organization that threatens and starves other animals so the rabbits can gorge themselves.  That all seems pretty fitting to me.”

“He also has gone out of his way to help you in the past,” Tank said.  “Remember when he helped you train for tornado duty?  Or when he comforted you after those nasty newspaper articles were written about Ponyville’s residents?”

“Those were lies,” Fluttershy said simply.  “Angel just wanted to keep on my good side so his rabbits could take advantage of me to steal more food.  He doesn’t really care about me at all.”

It was Tank’s turn to raise an eyebrow.  “Are you sure?”

“Very sure.”

Tank nodded.  “Very well.  By all means, you have no reason to humor him anymore.  But I just wonder if you’ve given up too quickly.”

Fluttershy’s mild anger dissolved into sadness again.  “Tank, I put every ounce of trust I could into Angel, and he let me down,” she explained.  “I don’t think I can give him another chance now.”

Tank did not reply.  He stood next to Fluttershy as she brooded over Angel’s betrayal.  The two of them watched the morning progress over the forest for a while, saying nothing.

“So what do I do now?” Fluttershy finally asked.

Tank slowly turned to face her.  “What do you mean?” he asked.

“I mean I’m just not sure what to do next,” Fluttershy explained.  “I can’t find the last ingredient for the cure, and I can’t go back to Angel.  Is there really nothing for me to do but bide my time here at the Haven and hope something miraculous happens in the next two days?”

“I don’t know,” Tank said.  “You know what you want, Fluttershy.  You just need to figure out what your heart is telling you to do next.”

Fluttershy sighed.  “That’s more difficult than it sounds,” she admitted.  “Recently, I’ve been thinking, even if I do manage to prepare the cure in time, and become a pony again… it won’t be the same.”

“Why not?” Tank asked.

“Well, it’s because of Angel,” Fluttershy admitted.  “Angel and the rabbits have been running their mob for years.  And it… it kind of breaks my enthusiasm to know that the work I’ve put toward the animals over all this time… it’s been almost meaningless.  Even if I do become a pony again, what can I do?  I can’t save every creature in Ponyville from their crimes; there will always be suffering in their city, and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

Fluttershy choked back a sob.  “It… it’s really hard to decide what to do next when you discover that your passion, your reason for living, is pointless.  If I can’t be Fluttershy, guardian of the little creatures… then who can I be?”

“Now, now,” said Tank comfortingly, “Nothing you have done is pointless, Fluttershy.  You make a difference in the lives of the animals every day.  Sure, the rabbits have prevented them from living satisfactory lives, but without your support, many who were desperate for food would have starved.  In a way, that almost makes you more special; you’re like a missionary, a savior to a group in desperate need.”

“You… you really think they need me?” she asked.  “Am I making a difference?”

“I know you are,” Tank responded with a sad smile.  “Don’t forget, until Miss Dash adopted me, I lived at your cottage, and I was subject to the rabbits’ system for quite some time.  I can’t tell you how much some of the animals appreciate your offerings.  They are a beacon of hope in a dark situation.”

Fluttershy brightened.  “You’re right, Tank,” she said confidently.  “Angel and I may not be on good terms any more, but the rest of the animals still need my help.  I have to find a way to become a pony again, and then do what I can to impede the rabbits efforts.  And if I can’t do that, I need to find a way to lessen their effect even while I’m still a rabbit.  It’s my duty; I owe it to the animals I love.”

Tank smiled.  “Now, it appears you have found the path you were searching for,” he said.  “Let me know if I can assist in any way.”

“I will,” Fluttershy said.  “I’m going to go inside and think this through a little more carefully.”

“Will do,” Tank said.  “And dear, don’t forget to get a bite to eat.  Drastic self-realizations are no excuse to miss breakfast!”

Fluttershy laughed.  “I won’t forget!” she called as the darted back into the tree.

Tank sighed contently as he gazed out over the forest.  “She’s got what she needs now,” he mumbled to himself.  “I just hope she manages to act on it in time.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Capo?  Capo!  Are you even listening to me!?”

“Wha?” asked Angel vaguely, shaking his head to clear the daydreams.  “Sorry, professor, what were you saying?”

Professor Snuggles glared at Angel, his arms crossed in front of his chest.  “I was saying…” he continued in irritation, “…that it looks like the strategic preparations for the Big Job are finally complete.  Winona will likely have noticed by this late point that the apples are disappearing from the farm, but with luck, the decoys will have moved her to the west side of the farm by then, while the final strike team collects from the southeast region and sends the spoils down hole seven.  Unless you have any objections to the final phase, we will stick with this course of action and… and you’re really not paying any attention at all, are you boss?”

“Huh?” Angel asked.  “Oh.  Sure.  It looks good.  You’re a genius professor.”

The Professor’s eyes narrowed.  “Do you believe this guy?” he asked the Button brothers indignantly.  “The Big Job is tomorrow, and I can’t hold his attention for five seconds!”

The Buttons looked uncomfortable.  “Well… you have been zoning out a bit today, boss,” one of them said feebly.

“Is something wrong?” the other asked.

“Nah,” Angel said, waving their questions away.  “Just a lot of stress gettin’ this thing set up, that’s all.”

Professor Snuggles snorted.  “I’ll tell you what’s wrong, boys,” he scoffed.  “The capo is still flummoxed about yesterday’s argument with the Main Mare.  And frankly, his being distracted this close to the biggest operation of the year is not helping my nerves, either.”

“You can shut up about ‘Shy now, professor,” Angel grumbled.  “The Main Mare and I worked together for a long time; sure, she wasn’t too keen on the whole mafia business, but she was kind of… you know, a pleasure to be around now and then.  She’s a lot less irritable than somebunny in this room.”

“I will cease being irritable when you quit lollygagging and help me with this work!” the Professor insisted.  “Once the Big Job is over, we’ll have all the resources we want for quite a while, and then we can exchange all the pleasantries you want, boss.”

“Alright, let me see,” Angel snarled, snatching the plans away from the professor.  Everything on the diagrams was organized to perfection.  Every route was assigned times and group numbers, and a number of specially marked arrows marked the path Winona would likely take as she followed the decoys.  If everything worked as this plan suggested, almost every ripe apple in Sweet Apple Acres would soon belong to the rabbits.

And as a result, Sweet Apple Acres’ profits would plummet.  The Apple family would suffer.

Get out of my head, Fluttershy! Angel mentally screamed.  All your babbling yesterday went and woke up my conscience, you stupid kid!

As he stared at the paper, his expression hidden from his three colleagues, Angel fought with himself in an internal battle.  It was as if Fluttershy’s words had cut through all his justifications for the rabbits’ actions like a hot knife through butter.

“The plan looks perfect,” he said finally, keeping his voice as calm as possible despite the tumult in his mind.  “Really perfect actually.  But that got me thinkin’ about something…”

Professor Snuggles leaned forward expectantly.  “Yes, capo, what is it?  You always come up with great improvements.”

“Well, it’s not quite an improvement,” Angel said hesitantly.  “I mean, it occurs to me that we’re swiping a lot of apples here.  A lot of apples.”

“Yes,” said the Professor.  “That would be why we call it the Big Job…”

“Yeah, but think about that for a second,” Angel continued.  “Don’t you think maybe that’s a little… harsh?  Maybe… just so the Apple ponies don’t have a problem growing more, of course… we could, uh… tone it down a bit?”

The effect was immediate.  Professor Snuggles leapt onto the table and bent over, his face less than an inch from Angel’s.

“Capo,” Snuggles seethed.  “We are less than twenty-four hours away from one of the grandest moments in the history of our glorious organization.  Jobs like this one are what have made us a force to be feared; our own soldiers have come to expect nothing but fabulous success.  And now, you mean to tell me, in the midst of all this, one teensy little argument with a mare who serves as nothing more than an insignificant food source is causing you to go soft!?”

“I didn’t say it had anything to do with that!” Angel shot back.  “From a business standpoint, don’t you think it would be better to take, you know, fifty percent of the apples instead?”

“Oh, and what else?” said the Professor in mock interest.  “I suppose next you’ll tell me we should share half of what we do collect with the other creatures!”

“Of course not!” Angel said.  “Although… now that you mention it, we have made the rations budget pretty low lately…”

“I don’t believe this!” the Professor cried, hopping to the floor.  “In all my years working with you, Angel Bunny, I never suspected that you were so attached to Fluttershy.  If the complaints of just one sad-eyed mare, or rabbit, or whatever the devil she is now, can get you thinking about disrupting the Big Job, you clearly do not have the guts for this job that I always thought you had!”

Now Angel became angry.  “Don’t talk back to me, Professor!” he snarled.  “I’m still in charge here.  I wasn’t going to, but if I were to suddenly decide to cancel the Big Job, you wouldn’t be able to do a thing to stop it!”

“Not alone,” said the Professor.  “But you’re forgetting something, capo.  Your empire.”

Professor Snuggles took a deep breath so he could talk more levelly with his boss.  “Angel, you’ve been running this show for five years now, since the very day your father, who ran it before you, passed.  You have a legion of rabbits at your command.  And those rabbits will obey your orders faithfully, provided you provide them with one simple thing.”

Angel scowled.  “And that would be?”

“Excess!” the Professor announced.  “We are the rabbit mafia, Angel.  We’re a thieving crime ring, and we’re darn proud of it!  We steal and hoard at the expense of others so we can live lives of luxury!  That’s the way it’s always been.   I don’t know about you, but I find it’s rather hard to coax somebunny to give a life like that up.”

The Professor crossed his arms smugly.  “The point is, boss, that while you control the mob, the mob also controls you.  If you try to throw a wrench into the works of this system, it will not stop.  It will just throw the wrench right back at you and keep on doing what it’s programmed to do, whether you like it or not.”

The Professor’s voice dropped to a malicious whisper.  “So I suggest, capo, that you shake these idiotic notions from your head and get back to doing what you do best.  Because if you try to stop it, your efforts will be in vain, and on top of that, I imagine things will end very, very poorly for you.”

Angel found himself quite unable to respond.  He cast a sidelong glance at the Buttons, who were nodding in agreement with the professor.  Even my two best boys are against me on this one, he realized.

Professor Snuggles returned to his seat.  “This is not the first time you’ve shown an unnecessary amount of compassion for others, boss,” he said.  “But it is the most severe.  I’m telling you all this because I actually do value your leadership.  You’re genuinely good at what you do, Angel, but you must face facts; we are what we are, and we like it that way.  The need to exercise morality in these operations has simply become unimportant, and I’ve noticed, over the years, that you are the only one who cannot seem to accept that.  It’s probably because you live in close contact with Fluttershy.”

Angel nodded.  “Alright.  I won’t deny that.”

The Professor nodded as well.  “And I suppose,” he continued, “that your reasons for aiding Fluttershy in the first place went a little deeper than simply turning her back into a mare before our cover was blown.  You wanted to help her, didn’t you?”

Angel said nothing.

“It’s irrelevant,” said the Professor.  “But please, boss.  I hope you understand.  The Big Job must continue as planned.  Our soldiers have come to expect it.  They will not tolerate change.”

Angel sighed in defeat.  “Right as usual, professor,” he admitted.  “The Big Job begins tomorrow at noon.  I’ll be there to get things started, as always.”

The Professor smiled.  “Excellent, capo.  Don’t let us down.”

Snuggles exited the room, leaving Angel with the Buttons.

“What do you boys think?” he asked carefully.  “We should go through with it, right?”

The Buttons nodded.  “The Professor does have a point,” the first admitted.

“Besides,” the second said.  “If you were going to get sentimental about Fluttershy, maybe you should have done it earlier.  Don’t forget, even if you want to help her now, it’s pointless.  She’ll never forgive you for what you’ve done.  She has shunned you anyway, so there’s no reason not to just forget about her and move on with the job.”

“That’s true,” said Angel a bit mournfully.  “’Shy’s had it with me for good this time.  She and her goody-goody friends at the Haven can deal with curing her.”

He stood up.  “And as for me… well, whether it feels right or not, I have a mob to run.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And so, in two very different locations, two very different rabbits worked well into the night busily putting the finishing touches on their important plans for the next day.  In Ponyville, Angel and his henchmen worked tirelessly to make sure all the rabbits involved with the Big Job were aware of their roles in the highly complex plan, and were informed to be present in the largest rabbit meeting hall by noon the next day.

Meanwhile, Fluttershy was locked away in a remote chamber of the Haven, working on a special plan of her own.

Finally, Tuesday morning dawned.  If, by midnight on this day, Fluttershy had not managed to take the cure for her transformation, the effects of the Heart’s Desire would become permanent.  Although, curiously, this was not the first thing on the rabbit’s mind.

At the very first light of dawn, Fluttershy climbed the winding staircase through the interior of the Haven, bound for the Director’s chamber.  She pushed through the door and exited into the outdoor space atop the tree, where she found Tank enjoying a breakfast of berries and talking with Winona.

“Mornin’, Fluttershy!” Winona greeted.  “How are ya?”

“I’m fine,” said Fluttershy.  “Owloysius hasn’t been by, has he?”

Winona turned to Tank, but the tortoise shook his head.  “Sorry, Fluttershy,” he said.  “It seems Owloysius’s tireless research has yet to yield any further results about that mushroom.”

“I thought that might happen,” said Fluttershy.  “He did seem pretty sure.”

“Don’t give up yet,” Tank said.  “It’s six in the morning.  You’ve got eighteen hours until that transformation is permanent.”

“I suppose,” said Fluttershy.  “But I’m actually not worried about that now.  I’ve decided something more important needs to be done.”

“And what is that?” Tank asked.

“I’m going back to Ponyville,” Fluttershy said.  “The rabbits are planning something bad today at noon.  I’m not sure what it is, but I intend to try to stop it.”

“Are you completely insane?!” Winona cried.  “Fluttershy, you can’t take on the rabbit mafia by yourself!  They’ll rip you to pieces if you get in their way!  And Angel will probably join them in doing it!”

“I don’t care,” said Fluttershy calmly.  “After I talked to Tank yesterday, I realized that I’ve been looking at the way I define myself all wrong.  Just because I’m a rabbit now, and just because Angel has been secretly ruining my attempts in the past, doesn’t mean that I should give up doing what I was born to do.  My life isn’t made meaningless if somebunny tries to stop me from doing the good deeds I try to do; it only becomes like that if I give up in the face of hardship.”

Fluttershy puffed out her chest confidently.  “Well, I am Fluttershy, caregiver to the animals!” she announced.  “And today, Angel and the other rabbits are going to try to do something bad.  And I need to try to defend the animals being tormented, and the ponies being stolen from, no matter the cost.  Because I want to put all my energy into helping those who need me, pony or otherwise.  That’s who I am.”

“Darlin’, I admire your bravery,” Winona said.  “But sometimes you need to come down to earth and make sure what you’re sayin’ is even possible.  There are a couple hundred rabbits down there, ready to pull off whatever sinful thing they’ve been planning, and the actions of just one little would-be hero aren’t going to stop them.”

The dog turned to the tortoise standing next to her.  “Right, Mr. Director?”

Tank smiled mysteriously.  “I think Fluttershy should go.”

Winona’s jaw dropped.  “What?  Why?!”

“Because she is right,” said Tank calmly.  “Running from her duty to her friends will not make her happy.  Fluttershy is the caring pony on the inside, not the little, seemingly helpless rabbit we see on the outside.  Even if it’s dangerous, this is a way for her to prove that Fluttershy did not vanish just because her pony form did.”

Tank turned to Fluttershy.  “It’s a long walk back to Ponyville.  You’d best get going if you want to make it there in time.”

“Yes, of course,” said Fluttershy.  “Thank you, Tank!  You’ve been a huge help!”

Fluttershy ran back inside the tree, and Winona and Tank watched her reappear at ground level a few minutes later.  She tore through the forest, making for Ponyville as fast as her legs would carry her.

Winona shook her head.  “She’s going to get herself killed.”

“Now, now, Winona, don’t throw in the towel so soon,” Tank said.  “I think Fluttershy may find that she’ll have at least one more ally than she is expecting when she arrives.”

Winona glanced uncertainly at Tank, before turning back and watching Fluttershy disappear into the distance.  “I certainly hope you know what you’re talking about, Mr. Director.  I really do…”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The clock tower in Ponyville began to chime.  A few passerby took notice as the redundant ring sounded again and again.  It only stopped after the bell rang twelve consecutive times.

It was noon on Tuesday.

The gathering of rabbits separated fluidly to allow their leader passage through the crowd.  Calmly, Angel paced down the aisle, clambering up onto a raised mound of earth at the end and turning to face the crowd.  He pushed any lingering doubts to the back of his mind again and prepared to begin his speech.

Angel glanced at the crowd.  Every one of his supporters was there, including the Button brothers in the very front row, and Professor Snuggles, who was situated off to the side.  He silently locked eyes with Angel for a moment, as if to say, ‘don’t screw this up.’

Angel cleared his throat.  “All right, gentlemen,” he began.  “Today is a very important day.  As you all know, Sweet Apple Acres has been left mostly unguarded.”

The rabbits nodded eagerly.

“You also know how delicious an extra few apples can be.  I don’t know about you, but I love it when the café’s stock a little cider.”

Again, hushed sounds of agreement.

“Well,” said Angel.  “It just so happens that there’s a whole lot of fresh, ripe apples at Sweet Apple Acres right now, just asking to be plundered!  What do you say we go and help ourselves?”

Angel smiled darkly as a cheer broke out among his soldiers.  This was the approval he always received.  A pep rally before a Big Job was just the thing to get him in the spirit of things.

“Then what are we waiting for?” Angel cried out, raising a fist in the air.  “You’ve all been given careful instructions.  We’ll outsmart their defenses and steal every last one of those tasty apples!  Who’s with me?”

The cheering got louder.  Angel crossed his arms in satisfaction and glanced at the Professor, who gave him an approving nod.

“Well, alright then!  I can tell you’re all excited!” Angel yelled.  “So, without further ado, let’s go!”

“You’re not going anywhere, Angel Bunny!” a female voice called.

The noisy crowd fell silent at once.  Angel scowled.

“Alright,” he said testily.  “Who’s the wise guy?”

As the crowd parted to reveal the speaker, Angel expected to see a cantankerous old squirrel, or some other animal who had gone completely off their rocker and decided to directly threaten his army.  Such cases came along occasionally, and the insane rebel was usually dealt with swiftly and forcefully.

What Angel did not expect was to see a certain yellow rabbit with long pink hair standing defiantly at the back of the crowd.  His jaw dropped in astonishment.

“I said you’re not going anywhere.  Not if I have anything to say about it.”

It took Angel a moment to find his voice.  He uttered the protestor’s name in astonishment.

“Fluttershy?”

> Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The silence was tangible in the room as hundreds of eyes turned to stare at the intruder.  At the sight of the rabbit he’d been trying to keep out of his thoughts, Angel was filled with a strange mixture of anger and relief.

“F-Fluttershy!” Angel stammered.  “Kid, what the heck are you doing here?!  This is, uh… this is no place for you!”

“Don’t try to scare me off,” said Fluttershy seriously as she began to march down the aisle.  “And you already know why I’m here, Angel.”

“Uh… no, not really,” Angel said flatly.  “But kid, we’re kind of in the middle of something.  You’ve got to leave.  Now.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” said Fluttershy, giving Angel a threatening glare.  “I’ve come back to do what has to be done.”

“Oh, so now you want me to help you find that stupid mushroom,” Angel said.  “It’s a little late for that, kid.  You shoulda stuck around instead of runnin’ off with that blasted dog and hiding for two days.”

“I’m not talking about the cure,” said Fluttershy.  “I’m talking about this thing you and the other rabbits have planned.  This so called ‘Big Job’.”

Angel’s stomach lurched uneasily when he realized the implications of what Fluttershy was saying.  “Kid,” he said nervously, “I really don’t think you need to get involved with this, alright?  Just go wait at the cottage, and I’ll come help you with whatever in a little bit.”

Fluttershy hopped up onto the raised mound of packed soil on which Angel was standing, and roughly pushed him aside.  She turned and glared at the army of rabbits, all of whom continued to watch her apprehensively.

“I’ve been thinking things through,” she said, talking both to Angel and to the audience.  “And I’ve decided that I need to do what I’ve always done; stand up for the animals in need.  And today, that means I’m going to have to do something about this heist you all have planned!”

The murmur in the crowd grew exponentially louder.  Angry looks were exchanged, and a few of the rabbits in the front took a step forward.

“Alright, alright, hold on one second!” Angel yelled, stepping back in front of Fluttershy.  “Listen folks, this is the Main Mare.  You know how she is.  Don’t worry, nothing’s getting cancelled, and there’s no need to get upset.  Just give me a second to talk to our visitor here in private.”

Luckily, Angel had managed to address his forces before things got out of hand.  Grudgingly, the rabbits assumed their original positions.

“It is too getting cancel-”

Angel clapped a paw over Fluttershy’s mouth, silencing her for a moment.  He glared at the yellow rabbit in his grip.

“You.  Me.  In the back room.  Now,” he commanded.

Fluttershy refused to move, and so Angel simply dragged her to the back of the stage-like platform.  At the back of the large room was a piece of cloth, dangling over the entrance to another tunnel like a ragged curtain.  Angel shoved it aside, pushed Fluttershy into the small room behind it, and quickly pulled it shut again.

Angel turned, staring incredulously at his angry companion, who sat on the floor, her arms crossed tightly in front of her.

“What?” she asked curtly.  “Make it quick, Angel.  I have to go out there and stop your friends from ruining any more defenseless animals’ lives.”

Angel shook his head.  “Kid, you are really gettin’ on my nerves now.  I mean seriously, are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“I’m trying to do what’s right!” Fluttershy shot back.  “Which, if you haven’t noticed, is what I’m usually trying to do.  But a certain bunny seems to really enjoy making that difficult for me.”

She glared at him again as she waited for him to respond.

Angel glanced out from the curtain, where his forces still waited patiently for his return.  “Look, kid.  I know after what happened on Sunday, you don’t have a whole lot to say to me anymore.”

Fluttershy stuck out her tongue.  “No, I certainly don’t.”

“And that’s fine,” Angel said.  “I did lie to you, and I have been working against you for a long time.  I don’t need to deny that.”

Fluttershy frowned and said nothing.

“But that’s not the point here, kid,” Angel continued.  “Look, I may be a bad, bad bunny, but that doesn’t mean I’d be fine just standing off to the side and letting you get killed.  Those rabbits out there are all hyped up and ready to go on a big apple heist at Sweet Apple Acres, and they ain’t gonna take kindly to somebunny telling them otherwise.”

Fluttershy still looked unimpressed.

“I’m telling you this for your own good, kid!” Angel growled.  “If you go out there and tell them to stop, they’re gonna rip you to pieces!”

Fluttershy laughed ironically.  “Since when do you care about my well-being?” she asked.  “You’ve proven to me that there’s no reason for me to trust you.  I know the rabbits will be angry if I try to stop them, but that doesn’t change the fact that I have to try.  And if I get hurt trying to undo what you’ve done, then I guess you can deal with the guilt yourself.  I’m sure you’re really good at that by now, anyway.”

“But I don’t get it,” Angel said, ignoring Fluttershy’s insults.  “Why would you try something like this when you know you can’t make a difference?”

“It’s just what I have to do,” Fluttershy replied.  “I’m standing up for the animals, and in this case, even for some of the ponies I love.  The consequences are not important.”

Fluttershy stood and marched defiantly past the curtain and out into the room.  Angel was left behind, standing dumbfounded in the empty room.

She’s really serious about this, he thought.  I never realized how much the kid cared about all the critters.  Now she’s gonna go out there and get herself beaten senseless over it.

And… and it’s on my head this time…

Angel shuddered.  I can’t let that happen.  Not to ‘Shy.  Like it or not, I kind of owe the kid.

He approached the curtain.  So, if she can’t stop the mob from doing their thing… then… then maybe I can!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The rabbits whispered uncertainly to one another as they continued to stand at attention.  Their leader had disappeared, and they waited impatiently for his return.  Instead, it was the yellow rabbit who had caused the disturbance that emerged from the back room.  She marched up to the front of the stage and stared disapprovingly down at the rabbits, her paws on her hips.

“Alright, listen up,” Fluttershy said, in the same scolding tone of voice she always used to reprimand a naughty animal in her cottage.  “Like I said before, this heist isn’t happening.  You’ve all been very naughty bunnies, and I’m not going to let you do this.  Anybunny got a problem with that?”

There was a brief moment of silence; the assembled rabbits were clearly shocked at such a command.  As Fluttershy feared, but also expected, a few began to step forward.

“Actually, miss,” said one rabbit gruffly, “we do got a problem with that.”

He turned around.  “Whaddya think, boys?  Should we teach this kid a little lesson?”

Nodding grimly, many other rabbits began to advance.

Fluttershy stood her ground.  “Oh no you don’t!” she said, not hesitating to unleash ‘the stare’ on the rabbit in front.  “Stop being a bad bunny and listen to me!”

The rabbit who had started the trouble recoiled against the power of Fluttershy’s stare, but already, more rabbits were approaching from another side.  Fluttershy wheeled in place and began to deliver the same terrifying treatment.

Angel peered out from behind the curtain, paralyzed with uncertainty, watching a few of his forces fall feebly to the floor under Fluttershy’s visual assaults.  But more and more rabbits were approaching Fluttershy; she couldn’t stare them all down.  At this rate, it was only a matter of time until she was caught and held down, and then… well, he didn’t like to think about that part.

It’s time to make a choice here, Angel, he thought to himself.  It’s either your job, and the allegiance of hundreds of rabbits… or Fluttershy’s safety.

He sighed in defeat.  Not really much of a question now, is it?

Fluttershy caused a few more rabbits to stagger backwards, terrified of her gaze, but finally, a particularly strong soldier grabbed her from behind.  The Button brothers, who were at the front of the crowd, hesitated to attack a rabbit that they knew their boss was close to, but they certainly didn’t make any move to stop their fellow mobsters’ efforts.  

The rabbits hoisted her into the air and tied a cloth around the upper part of her head to render her only method of defense useless.  Then, cheering and laughing, they began to carry their struggling victim off.

“Alright, everybunny STOP!”

The rabbits turned to the source of the voice, which had come from their furious boss.

“What?” a couple of the rabbits asked blankly.

“I said stop,” Angel said gruffly.  “Put the kid down.  Now.”

There was a moment of further hesitation, and then the rabbits unceremoniously dropped Fluttershy to the dirt floor.  She sat up and tore off the blindfold.  Then she attempted to say something, but Angel cut her off immediately with a glare almost as intimidating as her own.

“Shut up for two seconds, kid!  I’m trying to help.”

Fluttershy obeyed, not entirely sure what Angel was planning to do.

Angel stepped back up onto the stage, and turned to face the congregated rabbits, who now stood in a less orderly pattern, but still gave their boss their full attention.

“Okay boys, let’s talk about something,” Angel began.  “Call me crazy, but I think maybe ‘Shy has a point here.”

Angel could tell immediately that his audience was surprised.  He concentrated very hard at not looking directly at Professor Snuggles, who was no doubt catching on to what Angel was about to attempt.

“Listen,” Angel said.  “I know that every single one of you here is a dedicated member of this organization.  I know that together, we’ve made quite a name for ourselves.  Our accomplishments are hard to count, and the spoils we’ve gathered are immeasurable.  Right?”

Most of the rabbits nodded.

“Good.  You agree,” said Angel.  “Now, who here enjoys all that wealth and power?  Go on, put your paws up if you do.”

Every paw in the crowd, save for Fluttershy’s, was raised.

“Thought so,” Angel said, nodding.  “And why wouldn’t you?  Anybunny would agree that living in that sort of luxury is great.  And if there’s a little price to pay in order for us to have that kind of life, certainly, paying that price is worth it, right?”

Again, the crowd nodded.

“Well, that settles that then,” Angel said.  “Obviously, the misfortune that others endure as a result of our actions is inconsequential.  You all agree on that.  And I agree too.  Or at least, I do most of the time.  But I, as your capo, am directly responsible for our organization’s actions.  I get to be involved with every job; I get to spend my time planning the most efficient way to swipe every possession of our victim in a heist.  I also get the final say on the rationing of supplies to the other animals, and the punishments inflicted on those who don’t follow our rules.  I get to see a whole lot.”

Angel began to pace back and forth upon the stage.  “You know boys, when you get as involved with this as I am, sometimes it’s hard not to notice some of those minor consequences we talked about.  Maybe it’s a family of those goofy ponies, dumbfounded at the sudden disappearance of one of their crops.  Maybe it’s just a critter in our city, on his knees, sobbing and begging the passerby for a bite to eat.  These are unfortunate, sure, but in order for us to keep living how we’ve been living, we’ve gotta turn a blind eye, right?”

The audience did not respond.

“Well, that’s what I did, anyway,” Angel said.  “And I think I speak for all of us when I say that after a while, doing that gets pretty easy.  It’s just another sad pony.  It’s just another hungry creature.  It ain’t the end of the world.”  He crossed his arms.  “And that’s pretty much how it’s been going on for a couple years now.”

Hesitantly, most of the rabbits nodded.

“So really, there was nothing for us to worry about, and no reason for us to change any of that,” Angel continued.  “That was the conclusion I had come to.  And then, about a week ago, fate dumped this crazy kid on my doorstep.”

He gestured to Fluttershy, who was still seated on the floor.  “This, as you all know, is the Main Mare; she’s been one of our most willing sources of food for years.  She’s usually incredibly friendly, and most of the time, she’s oblivious to just about everything.  So I decided to use up a little of my valuable time finding a way to turn her back into a pony, so she could continue to provide the services she’s always provided.  That didn’t work out too well, and as you may have noticed, even a thick-headed kid like her finally managed to catch on and realize what our mob was up to.  And she was not too happy about it.”

Most of the rabbits glanced angrily at Fluttershy.  She stared back at them blankly.

“So now, we come to the part you’re all wondering about,” Angel said.  “Why in Equestria would I want to listen to the advice of a clueless goody-goody like her?  You are all wondering that, aren’t you?  Feel free to nod if you are, I ain’t planning on punishing anybunny over a difference of opinion.”

Most of the rabbits did, in fact, nod.

“Good.  You’re wondering,” Angel said.  “I was hoping you were, because to tell the truth, I was wondering about it myself.  What weird force of nature was compelling me to spend even a moment of my time listening to the inane jabber of this little ignorant preacher of universal harmony?”

Angel tapped his foot on the ground a few times.  “For the longest time, this kid has poured all her time and energy into taking care of the critters living around here, us included.  And I’ll admit, I grew a little attached to her; she put up with me being… well, me… and that takes a lot of strength.  But, like everybunny else, I had to treat her as just another unfortunate outsider, and if the rabbit mafia’s actions negatively affected her, it couldn’t be helped.”

Angel stomped his foot.  “But over this past week, I’ve gotten to know the kid in a different way, and it got me thinking this through from a different perspective.”

Angel glanced at Fluttershy, who was still staring suspiciously as she waited for him to get to the point.  He sighed.

“Boys, this kid right here… she loves what she does.  She’s passionate.  She pours her heart and soul into one simple goal: making sure the animals living around her are happy.  And maybe this is just me starting to go soft, but… but I can’t just go and continue to make that impossible for her.  I don’t feel like I’m causing an inconvenience.  I feel like I’m ruining a life.”

He glanced at his companion, who was still seated on the floor.

“You do feel that way, don’tcha ‘Shy?”

Mystified, Fluttershy nodded.

“And then something even worse occurred to me,” Angel said, addressing the crowd again.  “We can’t keep lying to ourselves here.  We’re not just inconveniencing others with our actions; we’re probably making them feel like I’ve made Fluttershy feel.  We’ve been making excuses, telling ourselves that this is a worth cost for the glorious lives we live.  But… well… maybe it ain’t so worth it after all.”

Angel stared out at the dumbfounded crowd and bit his lip.

“So… does anybunny agree here?”

There was utter silence.  Nobunny seemed to disagree, but nobunny agreed either.  Even the Button brothers, always Angel’s most loyal followers, just shifted uneasily where they stood, avoiding their boss’ gaze.

Somebunny coughed.  Angel glanced in the direction of the sound, and was met with a scowl from Professor Snuggles, who was shaking his head slowly in disappointment.  This served only to empower Angel, however; he quickly became angry again.

“Well, fine!” he snarled to the stunned crowd.  “I guess I shouldn’t think any of you would be able to set your own desires aside for a few seconds like I have.  So here’s some news for you all; I have an obligation to fulfill today, and it isn’t the Big Job!  You guys feel free to continue pushing reality aside and being the criminals we’ve always been.”

He smirked.  “But as for me, I need to fulfill a promise I made earlier this week.”

He hopped off the stage.  “C’mon, ‘Shy,” he commanded.  “We got work to do.”

Bewildered by Angel’s sudden change of heart, Fluttershy silently rose and followed Angel.  The two of them were able to leave the chamber unhindered, but the stares of hundreds of rabbits followed them down the exit tunnel.  The pair was already out of earshot of the mob before Fluttershy managed to gather herself enough to actually speak.

“But Angel-”

“Shush, kid!” Angel commanded.  “We’ll talk in a minute!  Let’s get out of here before the rabbits decide to come after us!”

“But I-”

“No time!  Let’s go!”

Angel raced up the tunnel as quickly as he could, and Fluttershy had no choice but to follow him.  The two of them raced outside, and Angel quickly ducked in among the roots of the nearest tree.  Fluttershy caught up, gasping for breath.

“Okay, we should be alright here, for a while at least,” Angel said.  “So now you can feel free to yell at me or whatever.”

Angel sat down on the root and waited for Fluttershy to respond, although admittedly, she had no idea where to even start.

“But… wait,” she realized.  “This doesn’t really change anything, Angel.  If the rabbits didn’t listen to you anyway, the Big Job is still going to happen.  That means I still have to try to stop it, even if you’re not involved.”

“Whoa, kid,” Angel said. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.  There’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“What?” Fluttershy asked.  “But… why not?  You can’t expect me to just give up on my mission to keep those rabbits in line.”

“No, you don’t get it,” said Angel.  “There’s no danger of the Big Job even happening.”

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow.

“See, here’s the thing,” said Angel.  “While I didn’t expect you to show up today, it doesn’t change the fact that I still didn’t want to go through with the job,” he explained.  “I sabotaged the Apple family’s cart last night.  They aren’t going to be able to attend whatever event they were going to, so now, when the rabbits reach the farm, they’ll discover it to be a bit more heavily guarded then they expected.”

Angel scowled.  “And they would have thought it was just an unfortunate coincidence, and I wouldn’t have been blamed by them at all.  But then you had to go and make me blow my cover to save your life.  So now we’d both better stay away.”

“Wha… wait,” said Fluttershy, as she struggled to take the news in.  “Do you mean to tell me that you’re… actually sincere about all this?”

Angel scratched his head awkwardly.  “Well, kind of, yeah.  I mean, I couldn’t just let you get killed.  You and I have been through way too much together for me to leave you hangin’.”

Fluttershy blinked.  “So, despite all you’ve done… you do acutally care about me?”

“Kid, as much as I’d love to get all sentimental,” Angel began sarcastically, “there’s something a bit more important to do first.  I think you want to have a chance to talk to your pony friends again, not to mention the fact that, as a pony, you might be able to more effectively deal with the rabbit mafia than you would as a rabbit.  And if you wanna do any of that stuff, then we have to find you a Twinklecap Mushroom in the next eleven hours.  So I suggest we get started.”

“But we can’t, remember?” Fluttershy asked.  “The only place we could find one is the heart of the Everfree Forest.”

“I know,” Angel said.  “And if we go in there alone, we’ll be killed.  But I was thinking… what if we get a sort of search party together?  In a large group, we might be able to watch each other’s backs long enough to get in, get the mushroom, and get out again.  Maybe.”

Fluttershy thought about it.  “It… could work, I suppose,” she agreed.  “But who can we get for the search party?”

“Well, obviously the rabbits are out,” Angel said.  “So here’s what we need to do.  You have to go to the Haven, and get anybunny you possibly can on board.  The more animals, the better.  I’ll go to a few sources around here, and we’ll all meet at the entrance to the Everfree as soon as we possibly can.  Can you do that?”

Fluttershy nodded.  She turned and took a few steps, but then stopped and faced Angel again.

“But Angel, what if the rabbits figure out you sabotaged the Big Job?  They won’t be happy, and they’ll come looking for you.”

“They’ll be lookin’ for me anyway,” Angel said with a shrug.  “After that little speech I gave, I betcha my popularity dropped a few notches.  But I’ll be fine; you need to look after yourself, not me.”

“Okay.  Just be careful,” Fluttershy said.  Again, she turned, took two steps, and yet again wheeled in place to face Angel.

“Now what?” he asked impatiently.

“Angel, I… I’m still not sure I can trust you.  Even after what you said,” Fluttershy admitted.  “I mean, you and I will probably never be able to be on the same kind of terms we were before I was turned into a rabbit.”

She sighed.  “But I’ll give you this one more chance.  I hope you’re telling me the truth this time and not just trying me to go away so you guys can go through with the Big Job.”

Angel snickered.  “Do you really think I’m that twisted, kid?” he asked.  “Even I have my limits, you know.”

“Alright, then we’ll go through with this,” Fluttershy said.  “But this is your last chance, Angel Bunny.”

Angel rolled his eyes.  “Just go, kid!  We don’t have any more time to waste!”

Fluttershy stared at Angel for a long moment, and then finally turned and darted off towards Sweet Apple Acres and the woods beyond.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Uncle Owly.  Uncle Owly!  WAKE UP!”

“Who?  Who!  What?”  Owloysius cried, nearly falling from his perch as he was startled from his sleep.  “Oh dear, Peewee, don’t scare me like that!  What do you want?”

“That rabbit that hangs out with Fluttershy is outside,” Peewee announced.  “He says you better get out there right now or he’s gonna come in here and kick your feathery old-”

“Yes, yes, Peewee, I quite get the point,” said Owloysius quickly.  “Let us see what Angel wants, shall we?”

Owloysius yawned and fluttered to the window.  Twilight, who was consumed with her studies, did not even notice that her pet’s nap had been interrupted.

“There you are,” Angel said as Owloysius appeared.  “By any chance, have you found any other place to get that mushroom?”

“I’m afraid not,” Owloysius said solemnly.  “I’ve been neglecting sleep in order to research further, but alas, I’m afraid the results are conclusive now; the forest is the only place to find it.”

“Thought so,” said Angel.  “We’re going to go and get it, but we need your help.  Are you coming, or what?”

Owloysius’ eyes widened.  “Are you insane?” he asked.  “Entering the forest is… suicidal!”

“It won’t be if we are properly prepared,” Angel argued.  “You can fly, and see well in the dark.  We need you for our search party, so get out of this stuffy library and help us!”

“Whooo…” Owloysius sighed.  “I’m not sure this is wise, Angel.  Even if we have several animals, this will be a highly dangerous endeavor.”

Angel frowned.  “Alright, you big worrywart, I guess we’re going without you then.  Pity, too.  You would have been quite a helpful addition, I bet.”

Angel turned and began to hop away.

“Who!  Angel, wait.  I… I’ll help.”

“Me too!” Peewee chirped.

“No, Peewee,” Owloysius said.  “It’s far too dangerous, and besides, I have a more important job for you.  You need to take what we do have of the cure to Fluttershy’s cottage and make sure it is mixed up properly.  When we return with the mushroom, we must be ready to add it immediately.”

“Good idea,” said Angel.  “Meet us at the entrance to the Everfree when you’re ready, Feathers.  And don’t take too long, we’re running out of time.”

“I shall be there,” Owloysius proclaimed.  “It’s high time I stop helping only from the sidelines, researching away in the library.  This time, I shall take action!  We will find the cure for Fluttershy yet!”

“That’s the spirit,” Angel said.  “See you soon, Feathers.  I got places to go.”

And with that, he turned and dashed off to a different part of Ponyville.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Winona!  Winona!”

Winona lifted herself of the ground, staring in shock at the approaching rabbit.

“Fluttershy!  You’re okay!” she exclaimed.  “I thought for sure the rabbits wouldn’t have let you go free after what you were going to do.”

“They did, but only because Angel helped me,” she said.  “Winona, I have a lot to tell you, but first, you need to get me to the Haven as fast as you can!”

“Well hop on, hun!” Winona said.  “I can tell this is urgent.  I’ll get ya back to the Haven quick as I can!”

Fluttershy leapt onto Winona’s back and the two of them took off for the woods.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Opalescence chuckled delightedly as she batted her catch around.  Angel once again hung by his ears from the mouth of a larger creature.  He floated there, his arms crossed impatiently while Opal had her fun.

“You know, you can put me down whenever you want, you persnickety feline,” he grumbled.  “There is kind of an emergency going on here.”

“It must be quite the emergency if you came to me, Angel darling,” Opal chuckled as she playfully smacked Angel with a paw and watched him swing around below her.  “I should think after this past Friday, you would have learned, but I guess not.”

She purred contently.  “Of course, if there’s something you really have to tell me, feel free.  Just because you’re hanging from my mouth doesn’t mean you can’t talk.”

“Fine,” Angel said.  “If Fluttershy doesn’t get her cure by midnight, she’s gonna be a rabbit forever.  A bunch of us are going to the Everfree Forest, and we need all the help we can get.”

Opal dropped Angel in surprise.  “The Everfree?  You want me to go to that dirty, nasty, beast-ridden place just to help out little Fluttershy?  What kind of cat do you think I am?”

“I thought you were a cat who really appreciated the only pony who knows a thing about taking care of you properly,” Angel snapped.  “But, if you’d rather lose your favorite pony forever because you’re too afraid to get your paws dirty, that’s fine by me.  Sit here on your pampered furry rump all day if you want; I didn’t expect you to have the guts to come along anyway.”

Opal hissed.  “That was a low blow, Angel.  I’m almost convinced to come along now simply to prove you wrong.”

She smiled devilishly.  “Of course, this is going to cost you dearly.  This is a huge sacrifice on my part, and I do nothing if I can’t expect something in return.”

Angel stamped his foot repeatedly.  “We’ll work out a price later!” he yelled.  “I’ll do whatever you want, but right now, just get down to the entrance of the Everfree.  And hurry for once!”

Opal licked her paw nonchalantly.  “Oh, don’t worry Angel, I’ll be there.  Eventually.”

She smiled deviously at Angel’s frustrated look, but the rabbit just snorted before turning and bolting from the boutique.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Mr. Director, I believe we have visitors,” Zipper said.

Tank listened to the loud clamor in the tunnel.  “Yes Zipper, I noticed,” he said calmly.

Tank was pleasantly surprised to see Fluttershy and Winona arrive in his treetop chamber.  Both looked tired and very concerned.

“Tank!” Fluttershy exclaimed.  “We need your help!”

Quickly, Fluttershy explained everything that had happened during her encounter with the rabbit mafia, and Angel’s apparent change of heart.  She then described the plan Angel had formulated for infiltrating the Everfree Forest.

Tank chuckled mirthfully.  “See, my dear?  I told you there was more to that old rabbit than you thought.”

Fluttershy nodded.  “There definitely was, but I still don’t know if I can totally trust him.  It’s not completely clear how much of this is actually from the goodness of his heart, and how much is part of his own selfish aims.  But for now, I’ve got to go with the plan.  Winona has already agreed to help me, since Sweet Apple Acres isn’t in danger with the Apple family staying home.  But Angel told me that we’d only stand a chance in the Everfree if I could get some creatures from the Haven to help.”

“Unfortunately,” Tank began.  “The animals here live here so that they can escape the tyranny of the rabbit mafia.  Most of them work hard in exchange to keep the safety and food that the Haven provides.  After what they’ve worked for here, I don’t think they would be willing to put themselves at risk for an animal they don’t even know, no matter how desperate her plight is.”

“None of ‘em?!” Winona asked.  “C’mon, Mr. Director, there’s gotta be a few animals here that will help us!”

Fluttershy, however, just hung her head.  “I understand, Tank,” she said.  “At least I have Winona.  Hopefully Angel will find a few helpers as well.”

She turned to go.  “Thanks for your time, at least.”

“Wait,” said Tank.  “I haven’t finished, my dear.  You forget that, unlike the other animals who live here, I live as a pet now.  In fact, I always have lived under the care of ponies, and for the longest time, the pony who cared for me was you.”

He smiled.  “In other words, I, unlike the others here, have plenty of reason to assist you.  And so I shall.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened.  “You will?  Oh, thank you Tank!  You’re the best!”

Zipper flitted forward.  “Mr. Director, are you sure that would be prudent?”

“Yes, Zipper,” Tank said.  “And while I’m gone, I will need an animal to fill the position of Director.  Perhaps indefinitely, should I happen to not return.”

He smiled slowly.  “And so, of course, that responsibility lies with you, Zipper.”

For a moment, Zipper looked as if he was going to pass out.  After he collected himself, he raised a wing in salute.  “Yes, sir!”

“Very good,” said Tank.  “Remember, Zipper.  Kindness, understanding, and above all patience.  It’s hard, but I know you can do it.”

“I… I will try sir.”

“That’s all I can ask,” Tank said.  “And now, my new Director, I would like you to call your friends.  I am in need of my equipment.”

Zipper whistled loudly.  A few seconds passed, and then a brigade of four hummingbirds flew in, arranged in a square formation.  Each carried a string, and each string was attached to a point on a shiny metallic disc with a propeller on top.  The hummingbirds carefully lowered the contraption onto Tank’s back, fastening the strap around his midsection.  Tank’s head retreated into his shell for a moment, and when it re-emerged, it was adorned with a pair of thick goggles.

“Okay.  Let’s do this!” said Tank mirthfully.  The propeller activated, carrying the tortoise into the air.

“I’ll meet you two at the Everfree,” he called as he zipped off.

Fluttershy jumped onto Winona again.  “Come on!” she said.  “Let’s get back as quickly as we can!”

“Way ahead of ya, pardner!” Winona said as she raced back into the tree.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“What?”

“What?”

“What?”

“I said-”

“What?”

“Stop cutting me off, you worthless reptile!”  Angel screamed.  “I need you to focus, Gummy.  Pay attention for two freaking seconds and answer my question!”

Gummy blinked.  “Okay.”

“Fluttershy needs our help,” Angel reiterated.  “We need everybunny we can find to form a search party and explore the Everfree.  Will you help?”

Gummy shrugged.  “Sure.  Why not?”

That threw Angel for a loop.  “What?  No argument?  No hesitation?  No existential nonsense?”

Gummy shook his head.  “Nah.  I’m good.”

Angel stared at the gator for a second.  “Well, alright then.  Come with me to the Everfree then.”

“Okey-dokey,” said Gummy.

Pinkie Pie’s head burst through the ground.  “Silly Gummy!” she chided.  “It’s okey-dokey-lokey!  You can’t forget the last part!”

The mare pulled her head out of the ground and trotted merrily away.

Angel blinked several times.  “But… how did she-”

“She’s Pinkie Pie,” said Gummy.  “I spend all my time in deep, complex thought, and I still don’t have a clue how she works.”

He smiled a toothless grin.  “She is fascinating though, isn’t she?”

“But she shouldn’t even be able to understand us!” Angel argued.

“She can’t,” said Gummy.  “Except when it’s convenient for her.  At least that’s what I’ve gathered.”

“We’re getting off topic here,” Angel grumbled.  “Let’s just go to the Everfree, alright?”

“Right behind you!” Gummy said with a chuckle.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Owloysius sat on a branch in a tree just outside the dark entryway to the forest.  As he waited for the others, he hoped Peewee was following instructions correctly.  Even if they survived this journey, there would be little time remaining to finish the cure.  It was nearly four o’clock now, after all.

Owloysius looked up as a whirring sound filled the air, and was pleasantly surprised to see an old tortoise strapped to a helicopter device come flying towards him.  Tank alighted on the branch next to the owl.

“Afternoon, Owloysius,” he greeted.  “Lovely day, isn’t it?”

“I suppose,” Owloysius said.  “But we’re about to have quite a nasty adventure, I believe.  I do hope Angel and Fluttershy have found us some reinforcements.”

“Well, here comes some now,” Tank pointed out.  Owloysius observed a rabbit and an alligator rapidly approaching the tree.

“Good, Feathers is here,” Angel said.  “And I see old shell-boy has made it, too.  Where’d Fluttershy find you?”

“Oh, I run the Haven,” said Tank calmly.  “It wasn’t hard to convince me to come along.”

“You run the-” Angel started, shocked.  “Boy, I see you’ve been busy since Rainbow Dash adopted you from ‘Shy’s place.  You guys have caused quite a bit of trouble for the rabbit mafia since you started operations over there.”

“Oh yes, I’m sure we have,” said Tank, offering no further comment.

“My, what a lovely little band of fools this is,” came a silky female voice.  All the assembled animals turned and witnessed the arrival of Opalescence.

“It’s a good thing you came to me, Angel dear,” she purred.  “With a bunch of rejects like these, you’re certainly going to need me if you want to get anything accomplished.”

“Yeah, I’m sure you’ll be real helpful,” said Angel sarcastically.  “Now, where is ‘Shy?”

“I’m here!”

Angel turned and spotted Fluttershy, arriving on the back of a bedraggled-looking Winona.  She hopped off and walked up to Angel.  “Sorry, Angel,” she said quietly.  “This was the only help I could get.”

“It’ll have to do,” Angel said simply.

Fluttershy looked around.  “Hi everybunny,” she greeted.  “Thanks for your support, really.  I hope if we work together, we can find that mushroom.”

“We will, pardner, I’m sure of it,” said Winona.  “That is, if everybunny here cooperates…”

Winona glared at Angel, who crossed his arms angrily once again.

“Look, you mangy mutt,” he started.  “I don’t like you, and you don’t like me.  But for just a couple hours, I think we gotta put that aside, or all of us are gonna wind up as dinner for something in here.  Can I count on that?  Just for today?  Then we can be mortal enemies again, I promise.”

Winona stared at Angel for a long moment.  “Alright, pardner,” she said tentatively, extending a paw.  “I trust ya.  For now.”

Angel shook her paw.  “Good.  Now, what’re we waiting for?  It’s about time we get in there!”

“Quite,” said Owloysius.  “Everyone ready?”

All heads nodded solemnly.

Fluttershy stepped forward.  “Well, okay then.  Here goes nothing…”

And so two rabbits, an owl, a tortoise, a dog, a cat, and an alligator stepped across the shadowy border into the Everfree Forest.

> Ending
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	For some time, the animals walked quietly along the main path winding between the bent and twisted trees.  The level of light diminished startlingly fast; despite the late afternoon sun above, the forest was shrouded in semidarkness.

“Oh my,” said Opal, scrunching her nose in distaste.  “This place is every bit as cheery as the rumors imply, isn’t it?”

“Were you expecting differently?” Angel asked.  “Be glad it’s just dark and musty right now.  Later on, we’ll probably have a whole lot more to worry about.”

“Oh yes.  I am so looking forward to meeting all the bloodthirsty beasts,” Opal said sarcastically.  “The thought of the seven of us getting the flesh stripped from our bones because of an attempt to help one unfortunate pony just fills me with so much excited anticipation.”

“No one’s forcin’ you to do this, you know,” Winona said crossly.  “If you’re just gonna be gloomy and cynical all day, then I reckon we’d all appreciate it if ya just turn yourself around and walk out of here.”

“Oh, like you want to be here any more than I do,” Opal replied.  “Why must you play the hero all the time, Winona?  You’d get on my nerves a little less if you’d stop acting so superior to the rest of us.  I’m sure you have your faults too.”

“Oh, well excuse me for trying to be a good neighbor to my fellow critters,” Winona replied, rolling her eyes.

“Good neighbor?” Angel cut in, turning around.  “You certainly haven’t treated us as neighborly as you treat Fluttershy.”

“Now don’t you start on me!” Winona barked back.  “You rascals haven’t given me any reason to!  Do you expect me to sit by passively while your mob comes in and steals our crops?”

“Hey, we’re getting off topic here, aren’t we?” Gummy said.  “I’m not usually one to be the voice of reason, but shouldn’t we return to the task at hand?”

“What do you know about staying on task, anyway?” Angel laughed.  “All you ever do is stand around staring into space and spouting nonsense!”

“Hey, at least I don’t mind actively helping!” Gummy said, defending himself.  “You know, instead of hiding out in the library all day like somebunny else here.”

“What are you implying?” Owloysius hooted angrily.  “We wouldn’t even have gotten this far if it wasn’t for my research!”

The five angry animals continued to argue as Fluttershy looked on.

“Guys… please don’t fight…” she squeaked nervously.  Her words went unheard as the intensity of the debate and insults increased.

“Maybe this was a bad idea after all,” she mumbled to herself.

A small chuckle came from behind her.  “Don’t worry, Fluttershy,” said the comforting voice of Tank behind her.  “Allow me to handle this.”

Tank took to the air and landed with a thump in the center of the arguing crowd, causing the others to stop speaking and look on in surprise.

“I’m disappointed in all of you,” Tank said slowly.  “No one is to blame for anything here.  All of us could have done more, it’s true.  But right now, all of us are here because we were selfless enough to risk our safety for one animal we all care about.  We all lead very different lives, but if we can’t get along just this once, not only are we going to fail to aid the dear mare we all care about, but we’ll probably put ourselves in more danger as well.”

The others looked shamefully at the ground.  “I suppose… some of our comments were less than called for,” Opal admitted.

“Yeah,” Winona agreed.  “Let’s just try to treat each other like team members from this point on.  Y’all okay with that?”

The others nodded.

Tank walked back over to Fluttershy, winking discreetly as he passed her.  She smiled, and continued to follow the group.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“How are we going to cross this?”

A huge pool of bubbling mud spread directly across the path.  The muck was so thick and sticky that movement within it was almost impossible.  Yet the only way further into the depths of the Everfree was the small winding path on the other side.

“The solution is simple, I believe,” said Owloysius.  “Look up there.”

The group looked up to the place Owloysius indicated.  An old, gnarled, rotting branch dangled from a tree, hanging directly over the mud puddle.

“All we have to do is break this branch,” Owloysius said, fluttering up and landing on the limb.  “It should make a nice bridge for us if we can just get it to fall.”

Owloysius jumped on the branch, but it was too sturdy to collapse beneath him.  “I think we need some more weight up here,” he admitted.

A whirring filled the air as Tank’s copter began to spin.  The old tortoise lifted into the air and touched down on the branch next to Owloysius, and the limb bent considerably under their combined weight.

“It’s almost there,” Owloysius said.  “We need one more.”

“Well shoot, pardner,” Winona said.  “I’d love to help, but there’s no way I can jump up there.”

“Neither can I,” Angel said.  “Rabbits can jump well, but not that well.”

“Don’t look at me,” Gummy added.  “I don’t mind the mud, but I can’t possibly get into that tree.”

“Cats can jump pretty high,” Fluttershy pointed out.

There was a moment of silence.  All eyes turned to Opal.

“Oh, no!” Opal said defensively.  “Sure, I could get up there, but when the branch collapses, I’ll tumble into the mud!  You can’t expect me to become coated in that grime!  There must be another way.”

“I don’t think so, Opal,” said Owloysius.  “We’re running out of time.  We need to get across here soon, and I believe you’re the only one who can help with that.”

“Yeah,” said Angel mockingly.  “You’re the only one who’s fat enough anyway.”

Opal glared daggers at Angel.  The rabbit just snickered.

“Please, Opal?” Fluttershy pleaded.

Opal stuck out her tongue.  “…Fine,” she agreed, “but I demand a deluxe grooming treatment when we get out of here.”

“Oh, of course!” Fluttershy said.  “It would be the least I could do!”

Opal scowled as she crouched low to the ground, and then she sprang into the air.  The second she landed on the branch, a loud crack echoed through the air, and a moment later both the branch and the cat fell into the mud with a tremendous splat, as Owloysius and Tank hovered above.

Opal gasped for air as she surfaced and dragged herself up onto the log.  Not a single spot of her pure white coat could be seen beneath the veneer of thick grey-brown muck.  Quickly, the rest of the group darted across the log, with Fluttershy at the rear.

“Thanks, Opal,” she said sweetly as she rushed past.

Opal just hissed and attempted to shake a bit of the grime from her coat before plodding along after Fluttershy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Angel, would you stop laughing already?!”  Opal complained.

“Sorry,” Angel chuckled.  “It’s just that I’m so used to calling you a slimeball, and now you actually are one!”

Opal scowled as she examined her blackened coat.  “Fine.  Laugh if you will, but I have performed a heroic act.  Which is more than you can say.”

Angel continued to do just that.  Miffed, Opal pushed the rabbit with her paw.  Angel stumbled sideways into the plants lining the path.

“Hey, careful Opal!” he said.  “You don’t know what could be hiding in-”

Angel didn’t get to finish his sentence, as he was snapped up at just that moment by a large carnivorous plant that had been growing in the shadows.  The other pets gasped.

“Angel!” Fluttershy called.  “Are you okay?”

The response was muffled, but sounded as if it was something along the lines of ‘get me out of here.’

“What do we do?” she asked the others.

“I’m not sure,” said Owloysius.  “This plant is a Grand Forest Snapper, the largest carnivorous plant in the Everfree.  Anything weaker than a pony doesn’t stand a chance of prying open its jaws.”

“But we have to get Angel out somehow,” Fluttershy argued.  “It’s not like he’ll be digested right away, but we can’t just leave him here.”

She glanced down the path, looking for anything that might help, and spotted a familiar tree a few dozen yards away.

“Wait,” she breathed, hardly able to believe her luck, “that’s Zecora’s house!  Maybe she can save Angel!”

The remaining six animals dashed to the large tree that was the home of the friendly zebra.  They peered in the window, and were able to make out the silhouette of Zecora hunched over her cauldron.

“How do we call her?” Fluttershy asked.  “Like the other ponies, she won’t be able to hear us.”

“She can’t hear us talk,” Winona said.  “But she should be able to hear this.”

Winona took a deep breath and began to bark as loudly as she could.  Zecora immediately looked up and turned to the window.  She spied the odd collection of animals, and a moment later she opened the front door and stepped outside.

“Well, this is a strange sight to see.  Now what, my friends, do you need from me?”  Zecora asked in her usual rhyme.

The pack of animals quickly ran down the path a short distance, with Zecora following behind.  She bent down to examine the thrashing plant that held Angel and chuckled lightly.

“Here, let me rescue your little friend, before this plant incites his end.”

Zecora gripped the plant with her front hooves, shaking it until at last it spit up a gasping, slimy Angel.

Zecroa smiled triumphantly.  “Now back to Ponyville you must go.  This forest is not safe, you know.”

With that, she turned and retired again to her hut.

Angel sputtered and shook the goop from his fur, eliciting a laugh from Opal.

“Well, Angel darling, it looks like I’m not the only slimeball here anymore.”

Angel ignored her.  “I guess I owe you one, Winona,” he said grudgingly.  “Maybe you aren’t such a worthless mutt after all.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Winona said.  “Unfortunately, the path through the forest ends here.  If we’re going to keep looking, we gotta go through the underbrush.”

“As long as we keep an eye open for any more of those plants,” said Angel grumpily.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Progress became slow after the path disappeared.  Owloysius and Tank stayed slightly ahead, scanning for danger from the air while their land-bound companions fought through the brush.  Finally, dirty and tired, the party arrived at a wide clearing with a large, clear pond.

“This looks like a good spot for a rest,” Owloysius announced.  “That is, if you’ll allow it Fluttershy.  It’s your time that is running low here.”

Fluttershy collapsed.  “I think… a rest is a good idea…” she panted.

Opal and Angel went quickly to rinse themselves in the water, and the others took a moment to catch their breath as well.  Fluttershy sat at the water’s edge, looking at the rapidly darkening sky, and listening to the intimidating sounds of the surrounding forest growing louder.

After a moment, Fluttershy realized that Gummy was sitting next to her.  He stared blankly into the cool water.

“Gummy,” said Fluttershy listlessly, “do you think we’re going to find a Twinklecap Mushroom in time?”

“I don’t know,” Gummy said.  “I don’t have a clue where in the forest they grow.”

He brightened suddenly.  “You know who I bet would know where to find one?  Jim.”

Fluttershy sighed.  “Yes, but Gummy… Jim exploded.  He’s gone now.”

Gummy laughed.  “Nonsense!” he chortled.  “I told you on Saturday, Jim achieved a higher level of consciousness.  Now he’s everywhere.”

“Gummy, I don’t think you understand…”

“Or maybe you’re just having trouble trusting your friends instead of your own eyes,” said Gummy.  “What looked like an explosion was actually a simple transcendence of the standard state of mortal being.  I’m telling you Jim is-”

“Hey, hey, who’s talking about me?”

Gummy and Fluttershy turned to the new voice.  “Oh, hi Jim!  I figured you’d be around,” said Gummy gleefully.

Fluttershy peered into the pool from which the voice had come and was startled to see a translucent reflection of Jim.  The squid appeared completely intact, but strangely ethereal as well.

“Gummy, Fluttershy, how good to see you both!” Jim greeted.  “How goes that quest for Fluttershy’s cure?”

“Not bad, thanks to you finding that flower for us,” Gummy said.  “And get this: silly Fluttershy thought you were dead after what happened at the lake!”

Jim glanced at Fluttershy, who looked rather thrown-for-a-loop.  He just chuckled.

“So Jim,” Gummy continued, “now that you’re so much closer to omniscience than we are, think you could tell us how to find a Twinklecap Mushroom in this forest?”

“A Twinklecap Mushroom?  Of course!” Jim announced.  “I’m directly aware of everything in Equestria now that I have transcended that pesky mortal plane.  However, one thing I’ve learned since achieving a higher consciousness is that the balance of the universe is slightly tipped in one way or another if I do anything directly.  So, in order to maintain balance for a little while longer, I won’t tell you where the Mushroom is.  I’ll give you a riddle concealing its location instead.  How’s that sound?”

Fluttershy was still too shocked at the reappearance of Jim to be able to respond to the proposition, so Gummy replied with a hearty nod.  “Sounds good Jim, you know how I love thinkin’ games.”

“Very well,” said Jim.  “Here’s your clue: The Twinklecap cannot be yours… until you find the stars indoors.  Decipher that quick rhyme, and you’ll have your Mushroom.”

Gummy nodded.  “Gotcha!  We’ll do that!”

Jim nodded.  “Then I must go.  I have much more to discover about the universe!  And Gummy, we must chat again soon, when you aren’t so busy.  I have much to tell you!”

“I don’t doubt it,” Gummy laughed.  “See you soon.”

The rippling reflection of Jim vanished from the water’s surface.  Gummy smiled in satisfaction.

“Well, that should help lots!  Right Fluttershy?”

No response.

“Right?  Fluttershy?”

“Y-yeah,” Fluttershy sputtered, finally getting a hold of herself.  “Yeah, we should… get started…”

“Right!  Let’s go!”  Gummy announced, leading Fluttershy back to the others.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Alright, repeat that one more time, kid,” Angel said.

“He said ‘The Twinklecap cannot be yours until you find the stars indoors’,” Fluttershy said yet again.

“Well, what in the hay is that supposed to mean!?” Angel yelled in frustration.

“Oh hush,” said Owloysius.  “We’ll think about it as we walk.  For now, we’ve got to keep going.”

“What’s the point?” Angel grumbled.  “It’s gotten too late.  I can’t see my paw in front of my face anymore.  It gets too dark in this Celestia-forsaken forest!”

“Really?  I can see just fine,” Owloysius observed.

Angel groaned.  “You’re an owl, Feathers.  It comes with the territory.”

“Wait, maybe this can work!” Tank said.  “Owloysius, why don’t you lead us from here on?  At least until we get to some thinner trees and some light gets in, we’re going to need you to guide us.”

“And you might wanna hurry,” Winona added, grimacing at the chirps, croaks, whistles, and growls that seemed to be closing in around them.  “I don’t think we’re going to escape this forest’s hostility for too much longer.”

“Right, follow me,” Owloysius said.  “And keep looking.  We are in the very heart of the forest now, so hopefully we can spot a Twinklecap sparkling in the darkness somewhere around here.”

“I don’t think we’re gonna find it by just wandering around,” Gummy commented.  “The stars still look like they’re in the sky to me.”

Angel shook his head at his alligator friend.  “I swear, if ‘Shy hadn’t confirmed it, I would say you were just spouting nonsense like usual.  Believing that a semi-omniscient squid told you how to find the mushroom isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do.”

The team began to follow Owloysius along a winding course through the trees.  It was easy to lose sight of him in the extreme darkness, so the old owl repeatedly hooted to help the others get their bearings via sound.  But even that became increasingly difficult as the threatening sounds of the forest increased to an echoing cacophony all around them.

“We’re as good as dead,” Opal grumbled.  “Just listen to that.  There are almost certainly hundreds of evil little creatures watching us from a mere few feet away through the trees.  We’re probably just wandering in circles in this vile place, and any moment now, something’s going to take charge and kill us all in a heartbeat.”

The group found a gigantic hollow log rotting between the trees, and entered into its cylindrical chamber to escape the unerring noises around them.  Fluttershy sat down upon the carpet of moss within.

“It’s getting extremely late,” Owloysius noted sadly.  “Our path has taken us through a large portion of the Everfree Forest, yet our search has been unsuccessful.  Now it is nearly eleven thirty, meaning there is just over a half-hour left before we can officially consider ourselves too late.

Fluttershy groaned.  “I know,” she replied.  “At this point, I just want to get out of this forest alive.  Let’s take a quick rest here where it’s relatively safe, and then we’ll head straight for Ponyville.”

“I’m afraid that is our best option now,” Owloysius affirmed sadly.

“Well, shoot,” said Angel.  “All that work for nothin’, huh?  That’s a real pity…”

He sat down next to Fluttershy.  “Looks like this turned out to be just a fiasco after all,” he said, lying on his back on the moss.

Fluttershy lied down as well, a small tear escaping her eye as she thought about the ponies she’d never be able to speak to again.  For that matter, she’d probably never even see them again, since their chances of escaping the forest were dwindling with each moment.  She stared up at the stars, peaceful as usual against the black sky despite the clamor of the surrounding forest.

“Wait, the stars?” Fluttershy asked.  “Why can we see the stars here?  We’re inside a big log.”

Gummy jumped up suddenly.  “You’re right!  Fluttershy, this means we can see the stars indoors!”  he exclaimed.

“I think he’s right,” said Tank.  “So, assuming we’ve solved the riddle, then where is the mushroom?”

“That should be obvious,” said Gummy.  “We can’t really see the stars through the ceiling.  The lights we see above us aren’t stars at all; they’re the sparkling tops of Twinklecap Mushrooms!”

Owloysius flew up to the ceiling, examining the glimmers closely.  “He’s right!” the owl exclaimed, plucking a small mushroom from the underside of the log’s ceiling.  “These little lights are in fact the mushrooms we’ve been searching for!”

“We found it?” Fluttershy breathed, almost unable to believe it was true.  “But… can we get back to Ponyville in time?”

“Wait here,” said Owloysius.  “I’ll fly above the trees and check where we are.”

The owl disappeared for about a minute.  When he returned, he appeared very excited.

“I have good news!  Our route through the forest has been random, and we are actually not very far from Ponyville at all!  If we just proceed southwest in a straight line, we should be able to get out and return to the cottage with a little time to spare!”

“Well, what are we waiting for?” Angel asked the group.  “Come on, you lazy slobs, let’s get going!”

Angel and Fluttershy ran out of the log, followed by the rest of the group, but after only a few steps, Angel stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Fluttershy asked.

“I don’t know,” Angel said.  “But listen.  All the noises have stopped.”

Fluttershy listened.  The terrifying sounds of the forest had been replaced with utter silence.  In its own way, it was even more unsettling.

“Something ain’t right,” Angel said quietly.  “I think we’d better get moving.”

“Aw, leavin’ so soon, chums?  That’s a pity,” said a loud, raspy voice behind them.

In one powerful leap, a huge creature jumped from the brush and into the path of the pets and Fluttershy.  Its yellow eyes glowed menacingly, but the rest of its body was made of wood.  Fluttershy knew from the tales of the forest that they now stood face-to-face with one of its deadliest creatures: a timberwolf.

“’Ello,” the huge beast said, grinning maliciously with a mouth full of jagged wooden teeth.  “Now what’s a group of little critters like you doing all the way out ‘ere at this time of night?  Seems a mite foolish, if I do say so m’self.”

The wolf took a step forward, so his snout was only a few inches from the two rabbits at the front of the group.  Fluttershy recoiled in terror.

The wolf snorted.  “Aw, she’s afraid o’ me,” he chuckled.  “I wonder what brought a group of little critters like you in here if you’re afraid of the place.  Surely you realized you could wind up as dinner.”

“Yes, quite,” said Opal.  “Thank you for the warning, and, erm… we’ll just be going!”

The timberwolf shook his head as he began to slowly circle the small group of animals.  “Sorry, kitty, but I ‘aven’t had me midnight snack, and I think any one of you would do nicely.  The gator could be a bit chewy, and I’m gon’ have to crack open the tortoise, but even they’ll do in a pinch.”

The wolf gave a raspy laugh again as he watched the looks of terror on his victims faces increase.  “Now, the question is… which one of these unfortunate wanderers do I eat first?”

Nobunny responded, and their fear just delighted the predator even further.

“What do we do?” Fluttershy whispered to Angel as the beast continued to slowly circle them.  “Can we escape somehow?”

“I doubt it,” Angel whispered back.  “This guy is an elite forest predator.  As soon as we make a move, we’re as good as gobbled up.”

Fluttershy just whimpered.

“Hey kid,” Angel whispered again as the wolf continued to prowl around them.  “Um… I’m kinda ashamed that we had to be in mortal peril before I brought myself to tell you this, but… I owe you an apology.  For a lot of things.  So I figured I’d better let you know that now.”

Fluttershy frowned.  “Angel, I’m not sure this is the time to-”

“And hopefully what I’m about to do will make up for at least some of what I’ve done,” Angel finished, cutting her off.

Fluttershy’s eyes widened.  “Wait!  You’re not going to-”

Angel jumped up onto a rock, catching the attention of the others, including the timberwolf.  “Hey, you glorified pile of twigs!” he taunted.  “You want dinner?  It’s right here; just gotta catch me first!”

“Well, I can never resist a challenge!” the timberwolf roared back, jumping over the others and pursuing Angel.  Angel let out a little yelp and darted into the brush as fast as he could, with the monster right on his heels.

For a brief instant, Fluttershy was too stunned to move.  Then suddenly, she was being flung onto Winona’s back.

“No time to gawk, hon!” Winona cried.  “Lucky for us that timberwolf is stupid.  Angel’s given us our only chance to escape, and we’ve gotta take it!”

The next thing Fluttershy knew, she was clinging to Winona’s back for dear life as the two of them charged through the forest, with the other land-bound pets right behind, and Owloysius and Tank flying directly overhead.  As the plants battered the fleeing animals, Fluttershy closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of the chase going on nearby.

“Yeah, keep running you pile of firewood!” came Angel’s voice.  “I dare you to-”

Angel was cut off for a moment by a loud growl and a snapping sound.  Then his voice became audible again.

“Hey, let me go!  I ain’t afraid of you, buddy!  Go ahead and try to-”

Angel didn’t get to finish his sentence.  Instead, a desperate scream of mortal peril echoed through the woods.

“Angel!” Fluttershy cried.

“Nothin’ we can do, pardner!  Just keep hangin’ on!” Winona urged.

Fluttershy clutched Winona’s fur tightly and shivered as the sounds of the nearby conflict faded away.  The pets' pace didn’t slacken, however; it was still quite possible for the timberwolf to come after them as well.

For ten minutes, they saw and heard nothing but the crackling brush around them.  And then suddenly, the tree line ended abruptly, and open fields and clear skies replaced the dark forest.

Winona collapsed, panting, and Fluttershy slid off her back.  The other animals settled around her.

“We made it,” Owloysius hooted.  “And I can see the clock tower in Ponyville.  We still have about fifteen minutes to complete the cure.”

“But… but what about Angel…?” Fluttershy asked.

The others shook their heads.  “You heard what happened, hon,” Winona said.  “I’m afraid Angel won’t be coming back.  Even a rabbit can’t outrun a timberwolf.”

Winona carefully lifted Fluttershy and placed her on her back once again, and the party proceeded back to Fluttershy’s cottage on the neighboring hill.  Winona nosed open the door, revealing the dark, and now somewhat dusty interior of the uninhabited home.

“Now, you and Owloysius get to work on that cure,” Winona commanded.  “No sense in not using that mushroom now, after what it took to get it.”

She turned around.  “C’mon, y’all.  Let’s give Fluttershy a little time.”

Tank turned to face Fluttershy on his way out the door.  “I am… truly sorry, my dear,” he said to Fluttershy.  “I don’t think any of us expected Angel to do what he did.  I believe he has done what he intended to do, however; give everything he had in an attempt to reconcile his earlier actions.”

Tank shook his head.  “It’s still a sad conclusion any way you look at it, though.”

Tank followed Winona out of the cottage.  Opal began to saunter out as well, but after a moment, she stopped and glanced at Fluttershy in discomfort.

“Um… do feel better darling,” was all she managed before she stumbled awkwardly out the door.

Gummy was the last to leave.  He stood in the doorway and gave Fluttershy a sad nod.

“Sorry about Angel,” he mumbled.

Fluttershy managed a sad smile.  “Hey,” she mumbled, “maybe he just achieved a higher consciousness like Jim.”

The grim irony was wasted on Gummy.  “Nah,” the alligator sighed.  “I think he’s dead.”

Fluttershy frowned as Gummy waddled away.

Owloysius sighed.  “Right then,” he said listlessly.  “Peewee should have delivered the cure.  Let’s see now…”

The owl flew up to the counter where, sure enough, a tiny cup containing a small amount of bright liquid sat.  He carried it down to the floor and proceeded to add the tiny, luminescent mushroom to it.  The solution changed color rapidly and issued a small cloud of pinkish smoke.  When the reaction finished, a dimly glowing whitish mixture filled the cup.

“And there we have it,” said Owloysius with relief.  “Provided you drink this in the next few minutes, your pony form will be restored.  Just in time, huh?”

Fluttershy nodded.  “I guess…”

There was silence for a few moments.

“Well… go on then,” Owloysius urged.

Fluttershy lifted the tiny cup, staring at her reflection in the shimmering liquid within.  After a few seconds, she set it down.

“Owloysius, I… I can’t do it.”

Owloysius ruffled his feathers.  “Fluttershy,” he said comfortingly, “I understand that you are upset about what happened to Angel.  But you must understand that he did what he did so that you could have the cure that’s in front of you right now.  To waste it would be to soil his memory.”

“I know that,” Fluttershy said.  “But… but I feel like I don’t deserve the cure anymore…”

Owloysius hooted.  “Whatever do you mean?”

“Think about what Angel has done,” said Fluttershy.  “When I was a mare, and for the first few days while I was a rabbit, I thought Angel was great.  When I learned that he was actually in charge of the rabbit mafia, I couldn’t believe it; I was completely furious with him.  Now today, he asked for my trust once again, claiming that he had changed.  And the only reason I went along with that was because I still needed to find the cure.  But I still wasn’t completely sure that it wasn’t all some twisted plot to get me out of his business.  I never really trusted him today, and I never really offered him the forgiveness he asked for…”

Fluttershy paused to sob quietly for a moment.  “But he was being sincere!” she wailed.  “I guess Angel really did care about me more than his mob after all.  He cared about all of us, way down inside, and I guess I helped him to realize that.  But then he… he gave his life for us, and in his last moments he only knew me as suspicious and disappointed in him, even though he had done everything he could to repent.  I’m the cruel one for not giving him another chance.”

Fluttershy stared at the cup sitting on the floor.  “And so… I don’t think I deserve another chance either…”

The scrabbling of paws on the soil caught Fluttershy’s attention.  She glanced toward the rabbit hole in the corner of her living room, from which two familiar identical brown rabbits emerged.  Both of them looked haggard and out of breath.

“The Buttons?” Fluttershy asked aloud.  “What are you two doing here at this time of night?”

The Buttons didn’t answer her, but one of them turned and called down the tunnel.

“You’re right, the Main Mare’s here!  She hasn’t drunk the cure yet, either!”

There was a muffled reply from further down the tunnel.

“He says to wait a moment,” the other Button said, turning back to Fluttershy.  “He’ll be here shortly to talk to you.”

“Who?” Fluttershy asked, expecting a stand-in capo or perhaps Professor Snuggles.

“Who do you think, kid?” came the irritated reply from within the tunnel.

A white rabbit limped out of the hole.  He was covered in dirt and slime, and a third of his left ear had been bitten clean off, but his identity was unmistakable nonetheless.

“Good, you’re still here,” Angel grunted.  “I was worried you’d be a pony again by the time I got back.”

Fluttershy was unable to move.  There was no way this could really be the rabbit that had supposedly been eaten in the Everfree just a short while earlier, could it.  Slowly, almost mechanically, she approached the battered rabbit, reaching out as if to check if he was a ghost.

“Kid, you’re freaking me out,” Angel said, batting her paw away.  “Yes, I’m alive.  Get over yourse-  oomph!”

Angel almost had the wind knocked out of him as he was pulled into a tight hug.  Fluttershy squeezed him as if worried that he’d vanish if she didn’t hold tightly enough.  A few tears of relief trickled down her face and onto his shoulder.

“Yo, Feathers,” he gasped from within Fluttershy’s tight grasp.  “You mind lettin’ the others know I’m alright?  Fluttershy and I need a minute to talk.”

“Of course!” Owloysius hooted.  “But Fluttershy, don’t forget to take the cure in the next ten minutes!”

Owloysius did a loop in midair before flying out the open window.

“What happened to you?” Fluttershy asked when she finally let Angel go.  “How did you escape?  I thought we heard you get eaten.”

Angel smirked.  “Ah, yeah, the timberwolf,” he said almost casually.  “Well, like I figured, he ended up catching me after a while.  I ran from him for as long as I could to try to give the rest of you a chance to get out of that place, but timberwolves, unlike rabbits, are kind of built for thick forest navigation.  I was hanging from his jaws by the ears, and I figured at that point that I was dinner, and then… then something unexpected happened.  And I’ll be honest, kid, I still don’t believe it.  And here’s the best part; it never would have happened if it weren’t for you.”

Fluttershy cocked her head.  “I was running for my life,” she reminded him.  “How could I have saved you from the timberwolf?”

“Think back to this afternoon,” said Angel.  “It seems like forever ago now, but you came in and stubbornly tried to stop the Big Job.  Then the rest of the rabbits tried to kill you, so I had to intervene.”

Fluttershy nodded.  “Oh yeah.  I guess you probably have lost your status as the leader now.”

“That’s certainly what I thought,” Angel admitted.  “I mean, what are the odds of a self-righteous newcomer and a traitorous capo winning over the allegiance of an army of malicious criminal rabbits?”

“Not very good,” Fluttershy deadpanned.

Angel smirked.  “But they were good enough, I suppose.”

“Huh?” Fluttershy asked.

“There I was, dangling from the timberwolf’s jaws, and throwing a few final idle threats at me before he snapped me up,” Angel continued, “when suddenly, the whole dang rabbit mafia comes pouring out of the bushes!”

He turned to the Buttons, who were standing near the wall.  “Ain’t that right boys?”

The Buttons nodded.

“You see, kid,” Angel continued, “after we left, there was apparently some further discussion among the members of the mob, and they came to the conclusion that we had a point.  At least, the majority of them did.  So the Buttons took charge in bringing the mob to find me, since I had the best idea of how to change our operations for the better.  After they found out I’d gone to the Everfree, they convinced the whole army to come in and rescue me.”

Again, Angel looked at the Buttons.  “I’m proud of you boys, you know that?  I knew there was a reason you two were next in command.”

The Buttons both smiled sheepishly.  “Thanks, boss,” they said in unison.

“So anyway,” Angel continued.  “I think it’s safe to assume the timberwolf wasn’t expecting the kind of assault we hit him with.  I don’t know if you’ve ever seen two hundred rabbits attack a timberwolf before, but if you ever do in the future, I’d advise you to put your money on the rabbits.”

He smirked.  “Unfortunately, the timberwolf was a little surprised when all this happened.  So surprised that he instinctively clamped his jaw shut.  That’s where this little injury came from.”

Angel winced as he gingerly touched his ear.  The wound had mostly closed, but it still looked rather painful, as well as gave Angel an almost comically asymmetrical appearance.

“I cried out at that point, which is probably what you mistook for me being eaten,” Angel explained.  “But with that part of my ear bitten off, there was nothing holding me in the wolf’s jaws.  I don’t think the big dope even noticed; he was a little busy panicking as he was covered in hundreds of angry rabbits.  He managed to shake just enough of us off to get to his feet, and then he ran away into the depths of the forest, yelping like a frightened puppy.  Big sissy, that’s what he is.”

Angel waggled his injured ear around a bit.  “After we determined that I was gonna be okay, the whole lot of us exited the forest together, and then the Buttons and I came straight here.”

Fluttershy was stunned.  “Do you mean to tell me,” she began, “that we actually managed to change the overall opinion of the rabbit mafia today?”

Angel nodded.  “Looks like you were able to get more than just me thinkin’ about what we’re doing with our lives, kid,” he admitted.  “The rabbits have been talking about it, and I think they finally are taking notice to the pain and suffering we’ve caused to the other critters.  They know it’s time for a change, and so do I.  But they don’t know where to start.”

Angel put his paws behind his head awkwardly.  “In fact, even I’m not really sure where to start.  And that brings me to the reason I needed to get back here and talk to you before you took the cure.”

Angel’s usually arrogant expression became more somber.  “’Shy, I… I need to apologize.  I tried to do that in the forest, but I didn’t realize I’d get a chance to see you again, so now I can do it right.”

He frowned.  “Kid, you were right,” he continued.  “It was horrible for me to take advantage of your kindness to forward the aims of the mob.  Somewhere inside, I knew you’d be completely heartbroken if you ever found out that I was reversing all your hard work… but I was too selfish; my judgement was too clouded by the glamour that came with my executive position for me to realize that clearly.”

Angel turned away.  “I know you ain’t got a reason in the world to forgive me.  I know I don’t deserve it.  But I’ve done everything I can to undo what’s been done over the years, and all I can ask now is for your guidance in rebuilding the animal society around here… the right way.”

“Angel,” Fluttershy began, “you were almost killed, just to help me and the other pets escape the Everfree Forest.  If willingness to put your own life at great risk isn’t a sign of sincerity, then nothing is.”

Angel found himself pulled into a hug again.  “So of course I’ll forgive you, Angel Bunny,” she finished.

Angel smiled.  The expression surprised Fluttershy; it wasn’t a smirk, or a sarcastic, lopsided grin.  It was a just a smile.  In all her years with Angel, Fluttershy could not remember seeing that look on his face before.

“Thanks, kid,” Angel said.  “Now remember, I can still understand you, even once you’re a pony again.  So drink up, and tomorrow, we’ll ‘talk’ about restructuring the animal society.”

Fluttershy nodded.  “Of course, let me just-”

Fluttershy glanced at the floor, and stopped in mid-sentence.

“Wait.  Where did the cup go?”

A malicious, high pitched laugh emanated from the shadows.  “Oh, you mean this cup?”

Another rabbit revealed himself as he stepped into the moonlight, which glinted off the white fur surrounding his eyes.  Professor Snuggles chuckled darkly as he showed off the tiny cup clutched between his front paws.

Angel immediately became furious.  “Professor!” he shouted.  “Give that back right now!”

“Oh no, I can’t do that, capo,” the Professor replied calmly.  “You see, sir, we are now oh so very close to the utter collapse of the rabbit mafia.  You’ve gone off on this silly little stint of righteousness, and managed to drag most of the rest of the mob along with you.  And it’s all because you’re mesmerized by the emotionally charged but ultimately meaningless words of that meddlesome little rabbit behind you.”

Fluttershy tried to say something, but Angel cut her off.  “Shush, kid,” he said.  “I’ll handle this.”

“So I’ve come to bring you back to your senses, boss,” said Professor Snuggles.  “What you don’t seem to realize is that the rabbit behind you, should she regain her pony form, would become the last link in the chain of events leading to the destruction of our organization.  I cannot allow that to happen.”

The Professor’s expression did not look so malicious now.  Rather, it looked imploring; the rabbit was searching for the side of his boss that he had known before.

“Please, capo, you must listen,” Snuggles urged.  “If you go through with this, the rabbit mafia will lose its strength and its ample resources.  At the moment, many of the members may think that is a good thing, since it will allow for the improvement of the lives of other animals, but eventually they will realize that their quality of life has decreased, and then they will see the error you have made and rise up against you!”

He stamped his foot.  “But it’s not too late!  Nothing has changed… yet.  We can still pass this off as a failed experiment and maintain the luxury you have nearly caused us to shed.  But even that won’t be possible is Fluttershy actively impedes our efforts!”

He glanced at the clock.  “So, if I understand correctly, all I have to do is keep this little mixture away from Fluttershy for about three more minutes, and she won’t be able to become a pony again.  As a rabbit, we can deal with her in whatever way is necessary and continue with our operations.”

“Professor, you’re talking crazy!” Angel replied.  “I’m pretty sure you’re one of the only ones left clinging to our old ideals.  And we are absolutely not harming Fluttershy!”

Professor Snuggles shook his head sadly.  “I see I still can’t make you see reason.  Ah well, it’s not like you have a choice in the matter.  In a few moments it will be too late anyway.”

Angel crossed his arms as he glowered at the arrogant Professor.  “You know, Professor,” he commented, “I gotta say, this plan of yours is pretty well thought out.  There’s only one thing you didn’t think of.”

Snuggles raised an eyebrow.  “Oh?  And what argument do you have for me this time?”

Angel chuckled.  “Ha, argument.  That’s a good one.”

And he delivered a mighty punch to the Professor’s head.  The grey rabbit cried out and toppled backwards, the cure flying out of his paws and into the air.  Fluttershy leapt forward and caught the cup, spilling only a few drops.

Angel turned around and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the cup was safe.  “That was a little close for comfort,” he admitted.

Fluttershy nodded.  “Thanks, Angel.  I know I usually try to be nice to all the animals, but for once, I think he deserved that.”

Angel grinned.  “Yeah, I think it’s safe to say Snuggles isn’t going to be on my board of advisors anymore.”  He glanced at the Professor’s unconscious form, which groaned weakly on the floor.  “A word of advice, ‘Shy.  Once you’re a pony again, you may wanna do something about him.”

“Oh, I will,” Fluttershy said with a giggle.  “He’s been a very bad bunny, but I know how to deal with misbehaving animals.”

Angel glanced at the clock.  “Kid, not to cut this conversation short, but you’ve got less than a minute to drink that thing.”

“Oh yeah,” Fluttershy remembered.  “Thanks for everything, Angel.  I’m going to miss talking to you and actually hearing your response.”

Angel nodded.  “Yeah, but don’t worry kid.  We’ll be working together more closely than we used to.  Now drink the cure, kid!  Hurry!”

Fluttershy hesitated for an instant longer, and then quickly tipped back her head and swallowed the liquid.  It had a fresh, earthy taste that seemed to fill her body with energy as soon as she drank it.  Almost immediately, she felt herself beginning to grow larger.

“Just in time,” Angel mumbled.  “See you soon kid.”

He smiled, and Fluttershy smiled back as she was engulfed in a magical light.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The knocking was so loud that it sounded rather like somepony was assaulting the front door.  Without waiting for an answer, Rainbow Dash kicked the door open and leapt into the cottage, where sure enough, a familiar yellow pegasus was dusting off her knickknacks.

“Oh, hello Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy greeted warmly.  “You’re certainly up early today.”

“Fluttershy!”  Rainbow cried, flying over and scooping up her friend in a welcoming hug.  “You’re back from your vacation!  How was Las Pegasus?  Did you see any of the the famous places?  Did you visit the night clubs?  Did you see a Wonderbolts show while you were there?”

“I… um…” Fluttershy stuttered, trying to process all the questions.

“Spit it out, Fluttershy!” Rainbow said excitedly.  “Tell me what you thought!”

Fluttershy smiled sheepishly.  “It was… nice.”

Rainbow’s ecstatic expression froze on her face for a moment.  Slowly, it was replaced with an irritated frown.

“That’s it?”  she asked.  “It was nice?”

“Yep,” said Fluttershy, nodding enthusiastically.  “Nice.”

Rainbow groaned.  “Sheesh, Fluttershy,” she said, “you probably didn’t do anything exciting or adventurous at all during your whole vacation, did you?”

Fluttershy blinked incredulously, and then began to laugh.  “Oh Rainbow, I don’t think you have to worry about that.  I had plenty of adventures during this last week.”

“Well, then tell me all about it!” Rainbow pleaded.

“I’m a little busy with the animals right now,” Fluttershy admitted.  “Maybe later, okay?”

“Fine,” Rainbow muttered.  “By the way, Fluttershy, have you seen Tank around?  He’s been missing a lot lately.”

“Try the big tree in the forest past Sweet Apple Acres,” Fluttershy suggested.

“Alright.  Later Fluttershy,” Rainbow said, before speeding off.

“Bye,” Fluttershy called after her.

She turned back to her cottage.  “Now, let’s get back to work.”

Fluttershy trotted first over to her table, where a certain grey rabbit was confined to a cage.  She offered him a carrot, but he turned away, crossing his arms defiantly.

“Now Snuggles,” she said calmly.  “I know you’re upset that your evil plans didn’t work out, but you still have to eat.”

Snuggles snorted.  Without a further argument, Fluttershy trotted to the other side of the cage and calmly issued the stare.  Snuggles shrank back in fright, and then grudgingly took the carrot and began to nibble.

“Much better,” Fluttershy said with a smile.  “Now you be good, Snuggles.  I’m off to talk to your former boss.”

Fluttershy trotted over to the rabbit hole in her wall and knocked on the wall.  After a moment, Angel appeared, glancing up at her expectantly.

“Good morning, Angel,” she said.  “Have you gotten all the others ready?”

Angel nodded, and motioned for Fluttershy to meet him outside.

Fluttershy trotted outside to the hill in her front yard, where Angel emerged.  And behind him came a huge gathering of animals, all looking a bit ragged and very suspicious of their situation.

“Hello, little friends!” Fluttershy announced.  “I’ve brought a special bag of food just for all of you.  And it’s all for you; don’t worry about giving any away to the rabbits.”

Angel nodded in agreement.

Cautiously at first, but then energetically, the animals began to enjoy the food.  They gazed at Fluttershy and Angel with grateful expressions.

“There’ll be more tomorrow, I promise!”  Fluttershy said.  “And the rabbits have promised to share the other resources they’ve found.  Angel here will make sure of that!”

Angel gave them a thumbs-up, and Fluttershy patted him on the head. 

“Angel, I have something for you,” she said.  “I found it in my closet, and in light of recent events, I couldn’t resist giving it to you.  So… I made a few modifications.”

Fluttershy reached into her bag and pulled out a little light grey fedora with a red stripe around it.  She handed it to Angel.

“I found this in my closet,” she explained.  “I only cut one ear hole in it, so you can cover up your injured ear.  Plus, I think it fits with your job pretty well.  At least, it fits your old one!”

She giggled as Angel put on the hat.  His good ear poked up through the opening, and he grinned at Fluttershy before jumping back down his rabbit hole.

“Now you be good!” she called after him.  “Come to me if you need any help!  I’ll be checking up on you!”

Angel held up his hand in salute before disappearing into the darkness of the tunnel.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About a week later…

“So what’s the status on the main area?” Angel asked.

“Just fine,” the Buttons replied.  “The west and south wings all reported satisfaction with their food supply.  Our scouts are in the north wing now.  Winona came by and was kind enough to donate a few apples, so it looks like we’ll have some cider this week after all.  Oh, and now that we have open trade routes with the animals from the Haven, we’ve been able to get some fresh supplies from the woods in exchange for a load of those little red berries that only grow around here.  Tank sends us his best wishes, and Owloysius is enjoying being the ambassador.  He gets out of the library a little more often now.  Although he keeps complaining that Peewee is getting strong enough to outfly him.  All in all, connections with the Haven are looking up.”

“Excellent, what else?” Angel asked.

“Well, Opal said she guesses that you two are even since you saved her life and all,” the Buttons continued.  “But added that if you ever tell anyone about her letting you off the hook with paying her back, she will personally make sure your good ear matches your bad one.”

“Good to know,” said Angel sarcastically.  “What about Gummy?”

“The new executive position you gave him is working well,” the Buttons replied.  “It turns out he is an excellent resource manager.  That gator is smarter than you give him credit for; he’s found creative new ways to keep everybunny well fed, rabbits and others alike.”

Angel chuckled.  “That’s Gummy, all right.”

The Buttons nodded.  “Any further orders, capo?” one of them asked.

Angel sighed.  “I told you, I’m just the middle-man.  If you want to work with the capo, then go talk to her.  I’m sure she’s up in the cottage, like usual.”

The Buttons smiled sheepishly.  “I’m not sure I’m ever going to get used to Fluttershy being the capo,” one of them admitted.

“Why not?  She’s doing a heck of a better job than I did,” Angel said.

He laughed.  “But really, I’ve never seen Fluttershy so happy.  She really loves all the animals, and now, even though she’s a pony again, she’s still one of us.”

He exited the rabbit hole and found Fluttershy resting nearby.  She gently patted him on the head.

Angel hesitated for a moment, and then jumped up and snuggled onto the couch next to his best friend.

She is one of us.

And she always will be.

Together, Fluttershy and her beloved pet drifted off to sleep.

---THE END---


Special Thanks:

EQD and FimFiction: Hosting the Story

Sarcasmo on FimFiction: Took it upon himself to be my editor for this story.  Thanks so much, my friend!

MischiefLily on DeviantArt for creating the lovely cover art.

Several authors and artists: There are quite a number, so I won’t name them all here, but I appreciate your fanart and writing based on this.

Visit my FimFiction blog post to learn more about upcoming stories / final Bronycon details etc.

Please comment with your thoughts on this chapter, and on the overall story!