//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Learning // Story: What is a Tatzlpony? // by Skylight77 //------------------------------// Fluttershy had already finished the last of her chores. They took longer today than they used to because she couldn’t stop thinking about what happened the other day. The more she thought about it, the more it hindered her tasks. It didn’t help that no matter how she thought on the matter, she could only describe it as a dream and no more. But now, here she was, inside the Everfree Forest to seek that dream. Her heart pounded on her chest with every step she took. There were more reasons to be scared than just that dream. But she wasn’t sure which one she was more scared about. Then, a rustle happened. Giving a light yelp, she turned her head to the direction of that rustle. “H-Hello?” Fluttershy called. “Please, come out. A-Are you there?” She waited for a response, holding still and breathing carefully. Soon, the rustle continued and her heart rate increased. And when the shadow presented itself, she wasn’t sure whether to be relieved, or more scared than ever. It was the same creature she met the other day, the creature that bared a large resemblance to Rainbow Dash, minus the eye markings and its tail. This creature was slightly looking away, but its eyes stared at her with an expression of longing, and concern. “R-Rainbow Dash? Is that you?” Fluttershy asked again. The creature slowly lowered its head. There was a large green berry on the ground, the same one she saw yesterday. And this creature, lightly nudged the berry towards her direction, then backed away. Something clicked in Fluttershy’s mind. This was a similar action it made before. “You… want me to eat it?” she asked, slowly walking towards it. The creature didn’t move as she approached. She never ate the berry she was given yesterday, but it seemed like this creature wanted her to. Fluttershy slowly lowered her head to the berry. She looked back at the creature to reassure if this is what it wanted. Seeing those hopeful eyes, she proceeded, took the berry in her mouth, and ate it. Her eyes grew wide and her mouth froze. When the juices of the berry poured into her mouth, she was introduced to a wave of delicious flavor she never experienced before. It was delightful. She chewed and moaned, enjoying every taste of the berry. The creature seemed to smile at her delight. And when she swallowed, the creature walked towards her. “Oh my… That was a very lovely berry. Thank you.” The creature only responded by inching closely to her, letting its body lower slightly while its eyes looked up at her in a pulsating delight. She didn’t realize it before, but looking into those eyes with those red lightning bolts next to them, it made the creature look oddly adorable. Before she realized it, she was raising her hoof in a smile. Next thing she knew, she was giggling and petting the creature on top of its head. The creature closed its eyes and smiled wider. It’s lizard-like tail slithered about in enjoyment to the petting. “Aww… you’re such a cute thing!” Fluttershy continued the petting. The feeling she had of rubbing her hoof along that rainbow mane was a delight. Feeling the hairs brush along her hoof, watching the enjoyment of this… pony creature as if it was a lost animal, it drove away all the fears that she had from it. Except for one. Fluttershy halted the petting and the creature backed away, looking content. “But just… what are you?” she asked. “I’ve never seen a critter like you before.” The creature’s smile soon faded and looked slightly away. “Can you talk?” There was no response from it. “Can you understand what I’m saying?” It didn’t move its head, but its eyes turned back to her. It was certainly an odd behavior, but she had an idea. “If you can understand me, please, follow me.” As Fluttershy turned away, the creature turned its full attention to her. She started walking. After a few steps, she stopped and turned her head back. The creature seemed hesitant, but ultimately decided to follow. Seeing this warmed her heart. She continued walking with the creature following. ______________________________________________________________________________ Somewhere inside the cottage, Fluttershy’s personal pet rabbit, and best assistant known as Angel Bunny, caught attention to the front door opening. He peaked out of his little shelter to see who it was. To his expectation, he saw his owner Fluttershy entering. But not to his expectation was the next pony that followed her. In fact, he wasn’t even sure if it was a pony. It sure looked like one. And it definitely reminded him of one of Fluttershy’s closest friends known as Rainbow Dash. But it looked off. Oddly enough, it's presence made him nervous and made him want to continue to stay hidden. As the door closed, Fluttershy turn her head to the creature. “This is my home. I raise and take care of a lot of critters like you here.” Something crossed her mind and she turned the rest of her body to the creature. “Oh I’m sorry. I never introduced myself did I?” She covered her mouth to clear her throat. “My name is Fluttershy. You can understand me, right?” The mention of her name seemed to give a response to the creature. It’s eyes grew with curiosity as it released a small gasp. She watched carefully. It seemed like it was trying to remember something as its lips seemed to mouth something. “F-..F-... ... Fluttershy?” the creature responded, softly, and slowly. Hearing that response made Fluttershy gasp. The creature even moved closer to her, looking her deep in the eyes. That voice, that raspy voice… Fluttershy recognized it anywhere. There was no doubt about it in her mind anymore. “Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy responded. “You are Rainbow Dash, aren’t you…” Repeating that name made Rainbow pull back with a frown. Despite the clearance, she seemed so lost, like she lost her memory. This made Fluttershy even more concerned. But something else mattered more. “What happened to you? ...What are you?” Rainbow just turned her attention back to Fluttershy. The way her eyes stared seemed to show so much longing for attention or answers. It looked like she was about to answer. But suddenly, her stomach started rumbling, shocking Fluttershy in more ways than one. “You’re… hungry?!” Fluttershy asked, raising her voice. “B-But… if you were hungry, why did you give me your berry?” Rainbow backed her head away, both nervous and ashamed. Then she was turning away. “Wait! You don’t have to go.” Rainbow stopped and turned back to Fluttershy upon that response. “I can get you something. Um… please, stay here.” As Fluttershy left for the kitchen, Rainbow frowned. She wasn’t feeling too depressed, just lost and alone. Her body crouched to lie down where she stood, keeping her tail curled around her for comfort. Seeing all this, Angel was confused and curious. That creature had to be Rainbow Dash, especially if Fluttershy believed it. But the way she behaved wasn’t much like Rainbow at all. It was more of a lost animal that just found shelter. He decided to hop out of his own hiding shelter to take a closer look. Rainbow’s ear twitched at the sound of something hopping towards her. And it arrived right in front of her. When she turned her head to see what it was, she blinked. Both Angel and Rainbow stared at each other, curiosity filling both their eyes. Rainbow’s head raised from her lying position, her eyes pulsating, finding something in this bunny. Angel hopped a bit closer, wondering if this creature recognized him. He believed it had to be her. All of a sudden, Rainbow opened her mouth, lashing out three black tentacle-like tongues. Angel yelped as they wrapped around his body. He turned and tried to run away, but the tongues made him fall to the ground. He dragged his paws on the floor as the tongues pulled him in. Angel’s body was lifted off the ground and his lower body was met with warm saliva covering him. He felt the inner walls of Rainbow’s mouth pressing him, dragging him inside. He yelped and groaned, pressing his paws against her lips to prevent him from being sucked in. But one of the tongues slithered around the top of his head, saliva drenching down as it tugged him in. Angel’s struggles failed him. He held out a paw, yelping for help. But he couldn’t speak like the other animals. As a result, his yelp fell silent. His head and paw were slurped into Rainbow’s mouth. Her cheeks bulged, and then she made a large gulp, swallowing the bunny. The small lump briefly appeared from her neck before it slid down and disappeared within the confines of her stomach. The struggles stopped. Rainbow looked down to her stomach and applied light pressure on it with her muzzle. She could feel the lump where Angel lay. It made her smile. But with no movement, it also made her worry. But that worry was interrupted when Fluttershy came back from the kitchen. She was holding a jar full of strawberries. After landing in front of Rainbow, Fluttershy popped the lid off and took one out. “Here, try this.” Fluttershy placed the lid down with the strawberry on top, nudging it forwards. “They may not be as good as the berry you gave me, but I’m sure you’ll like it.” Rainbow stared down at the berry after Fluttershy gave space. She stared down at the berry, bringing her head closer to it. Fluttershy watched as Rainbow sniffed at it. Then she saw Rainbow opening her mouth. Something came out that gave her chills. It was Rainbow’s tongue, and it looked very different. The shape and movement of it seemed just like any other pony’s tongue, minus Pinkie Pie’s. But it seemed bigger, longer, and black. Nevertheless, Rainbow was using that tongue to lick the strawberry, lapping her saliva on it to taste it. After her lick, she extended her tongue further. It was definitely longer than a pony's tongue. She scooped the berry up then rolled her tongue back inside her mouth. As Rainbow chewed the strawberry, Fluttershy held unease at her mind. That tongue reminded her of her first encounter with this new form of Rainbow Dash. She could briefly remember seeing it from that experience. But she couldn’t make sense of why or how. The sound of Rainbow swallowing snapped Fluttershy out of her thoughts. She could hear Rainbow making an ‘Mmm’ sound with a smile, making her smile as well. “Aww, good Rainbow. Would you like some more?” Fluttershy poured more strawberries on the lid without waiting for an answer. Rainbow’s response was merely digging her mouth within the strawberries, chewing into them with her teeth followed by tasty moans. Fluttershy giggled at the sight. The strawberries expelled multiple squirts of juice, making a mess on the floor and Rainbow's face. It was so cute to see Rainbow feeding on those berries like a wild animal. ”She is a wild animal.” Fluttershy’s thoughts echoed in her mind, causing her to stop giggling. Her face felt like it flushed as her heart started beating fiercely. ”Why am I thinking this way?” She wanted to steer her mind towards something else. But the first thought that came was the ending event of her first encounter. Fluttershy shook her head, blocking out any opinions that would enter her mind. She put on a stern face as she thought about what was present now. This was Rainbow Dash. Something happened to her to change her form. Her memory was lost. And she needed help. Fluttershy knew what to do next.