//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 - Team Fluttershy // Story: Equestria at War // by Krystal Dusk //------------------------------// Chapter 3 The warmth and humidity strained Fluttershy as she trudged along the densely grown forest, soaking her fur until it trickled down her body. Great roots swirled in her path, making the exploration even more difficult. Circled around her, stallions walked with confidence and skill despite the undergrowth, peering in every direction, ready to defend her if needed be. Stopping at a gap between two roots, she scanned the distance. Hesitant, she glanced at her protectors who rolled their eyes, some sighing loudly at her indecision. Gritting her teeth, she extended her wings, but they became tangled in the surrounding branches, making it impossible to fly without getting stuck. Fluttershy’s brows furrowed and she steeled herself to jump, determined not to be a burden. With a great leap, she jumped the distance, landing safely on the other side. But she struggled to keep balance on the initial landing and wobbled back and forth before her hooves were planted firmly on the root. Her confidence soared and she leered at the muddy ground below - that she had fallen into so many times before. Suddenly, the leaves rattled above her head which pulled the attention away from the ground. She jerked her head up in anticipation, whispering faintly the language she had come to understand those many years ago. The Stallions froze on the spot, as well, and didn’t move a muscle. Moisture, collected on her mane which ran down her face, tickling her nose as she stared motionless. But she ignored it and kept her eyes fixated on the branches above, determined to lure out the creature behind the leaves. But as nothing came and time dragged on, one of the stallions walked up to her and said in a firm voice. “Ms Fluttershy?” Startled, she backed up and fell off the giant root and landed in the mud below. With haste and skill, the guard threw himself down after her, caring not for the mud that caked on their fur and hooves afterwards. “Ms Fluttershy! Are you alright?” he asked, eyes wide and filled with concern. The stallion’s muzzle was flat, for a pony, and he had a great white mark on his fur, reaching from his forehead to his jaw, making it look like one continues scar. Fluttershy had at first found him scary looking, but as she found herself staring into his eyes, she flushed and quickly rose to her four legs by herself. “Y-yes, I’m fine…” “… sorry.” she added, keeping her gaze on the ground. “I’m the one who is sorry. I shouldn’t have snuck up on you.” Silence dragged on between them as the stallion helped her remove the mud on her wings and mane. Finally, he cleared his throat and continued. “Ahem… we should get back to camp before night falls,” he said and hunched over before her, allowing her to climb up on his back and get back on the root. She was hesitant to step on him, but she saw his determination and she managed to climb back on the root. Watching the stallion being helped up by his comrades, she thought he had been especially kind to her and she figured it was because if his sense of duty rather than any feelings towards herself; regardless she appreciated his concern. As if knowing he was being watched, the stallion turned around and saw Fluttershy staring at him. She flushed and hid her face in her mane. The soldiers around them smiled and murmured at each other. The scarred stallion, however, took a breath and bellowed at his unit. The soldiers responded immediately, their bodies trained like machinery to react at their leader’s commands. Fluttershy looked with amusement at the display but soon found herself back into the gloom of her mind. On the way back, her mind raced with concerns and questions, and mostly disappointment. She had been tasked to gather information about the dragons by the Dragon’s Lair, but already several months had passed with almost nothing to show for it. The Breezies had been her best chance to gather information as they are the only creatures, that they know of, that are allowed to pass through the Dragon’s territory undisturbed. Her heart sank as she remembered the Breezie migration several years ago, when nopony were able to aid them, expect herself. Not every Breezie made it that time. As a result, even fewer made the migration the year after that. It didn’t surprise her that they hadn’t found any Breezies yet, but she was confident in her abilities and she wanted to be useful to the cause. Trotting closely behind the scarred stallion, a thought emerged that she had tried to ignore many times before: what if the Breezies had become extinct? what if they never dared to make the migration, to begin with? Dooming them all to starvation. She didn’t want to believe it and she could feel how tears welled in her eyes just from the thought. As they got closer to the camp, a light shone in her eyes as a giant leaf lifted from her face, breaking her depressing reasoning. Before her, the camp stretched out along the coast, at the edge of a cliff, near the roaring ocean below; and the dusk sun was shining its last rays of the day at the horizon. The beautiful sight cheered her a little, and she suppressed her gloomy thoughts once again, convincing herself that there was still time before the Breezies would traditionally begin the migration north, giving her a chance to find them - and help them. As they approached the camp, a pink coloured mare jumped energetically towards them; the guards firm expressions softened as she did and they braced themselves for the high-pitched voice of Pinkie Pie. “Welcome back every pony!” she cried. “Hope you’re hungry. My super fantastical sisters have made our family speciality, just for us!” “Don’t tell me it’s rock soup again!” one of the guards exclaimed. With raised eyebrows, Pinkie Pie responded. “Do you have Pinkie senses too?! What more is it telling you? Should I watch out for something?” she said, darting her head around nervously. The stallions’ laughed as they removed their helmets, placing themselves by the fire at the centre of the camp. Fluttershy, stood in the back, grinning awkwardly and walked to the other side of the camp with nopony noticing. She placed herself facing the ocean, watching the sun disappear behind the rock formation known as the Dragon’s Lair. The sky turned purple as she sat there, reminding her of the tones of Twilight’s mane. At first, she had been thrilled to receive this mission, having been utter useless in the war effort so far. Her fright of dragons, she still had, but it was nothing of what the others had to go through daily, she thought. She remembered the day when the dragons began gathering at their lair, hundreds of dragons flying over their heads. She had been terrified. It happened during the siege of Canterlot too, bad omens piling on top of each other. But, as the war seemed to finally go their way, Twilight wanted to know what the dragons were up to and sent her to this corner of the world. Her ability in talking with animals was the best intel that they could gather, but she had been reluctant at sending her bird friends too close to the Dragon’s Lair, only providing limited information. Poor Twilight, she thought. On top of everything, Spike disappeared shortly after she was sent on her mission. Twilight was devastated, she had heard. Going so far as to claim the dragons kidnapped him, and she had asked her to bring him back. Every pony knew that Spike once was the Dragon Lord for a brief time and that he knew the current Dragon Lord personally. It was clear that Spike had gone out of his way to gather the information Twilight sought. But that was months ago and there have been no words from him sense. As the sun finally disappeared beneath the horizon, Fluttershy winced as a bowl of soup was placed under her nose. Pinkie Pie with her pink curly locks sat next to her, giving her a calm and warm smile “A lot on your mind?” she asked. Fluttershy nodded softly and stared into the bowl of stone soup. “You really did make stone soup,” she said without sarcasm in her voice. Pinkie Pie lips twisted at the edge of her mouth, trying her best to force the amusement inside of her, but failed as she laughed uncontrollably. Looking confused at first, Fluttershy soon joined in, Pinkie Pie’s laughter being infectious. As their laughter turned into chuckles and they dried their tears, silence soon engulfed them again, saved for the sounds of cheerful bantering at the camp. “I’m glad Twilight decided to send you with me,” Fluttershy suddenly said. Pinkie Pie grinned. “She knows what’s best after all. She is so talented and hardworking. No surprise Celestia made her her heir.” It has been four years since she died, but Fluttershy still winced inside at the mention of Celestia, preferring to ignore it ever happened. She glanced at Pinkie Pie who sat next to her, looking aimlessly ahead, smiling as she always did. She was so much stronger than her, she thought, keeping her eyes fixated on the mare. But, as she was about to look away, she saw Pinkie Pie’s eyes gleam from the torch light, tears that never really welled, yet reflected by the light of the fire. Oddly enough, this made her more confident and she crouched next to her, resting her head on Pinkie Pie’s flank. Every pony is coping in their own way, she thought; closing her eyes and let the sounds of the night soothe her to sleep. *** Feeling vibration reach through her body, Fluttershy dart her head up as she awoke in her tent. Still half asleep and with a murky vision, she looked around while items on the ground clattered against each other. As she was about to rise, a deafening sound pierced her ears, and she hid back under the blanket. With her heart beating out of her chest, she kept herself hidden, squeaking faintly beneath her breath. The calls from the outside were drowned out by the roars as they came in succession and the tent bent under the shock waves, the straps tugging at the ground. In the chaos, Pinkie Pie stormed inside and saw Fluttershy trembled under the sheet. Hunching next to her, Pinkie Pie whispered words of comfort that were muffled by the constant roars. But just feeling Pinkie Pie’s breath made her confident and she peaked through the blanket. They looked at each other, Pinkie Pie offering a smile which gave her enough strength to stand on her own four legs. But as she was about to stand, the white scarred stallion rushed inside, startling her back to a crouch. Pinkie Pie and the stallion exchanged confused looks at each other, but their attention was soon drawn to Fluttershy who still crouched weakly on the ground. At that moment, she felt her heart tug, feeling anger seethe at her own weakness. Biting her lower lip, she rose with her own power and trotted slowly outside the tent, to the stallions and Pinkie Pie’s astonishment. They both hesitated as she exited the tent, but they soon caught up with her and trotted together towards the edge of the cliff. Outside, they found that a large group had already gathered, staring over the ocean, towards the source of the commotion. A pillar of fire shot vertically into the sky as they approached, making every pony stagger backwards in shock. As the pillar vaporised, Limestone was the first to regain her composure and said. “That’s new…” “Look at the smoke!” Marble exclaimed. “Do you think they are fighting?” “No doubt, just look…” she interrupted herself as she saw Fluttershy make her way through the crowd, braving her fears once and for all. Some of the ponies around her turned their attention from the smog ahead and instead glanced at Fluttershy, who is known for running and hiding in these situations. However, she did not acknowledge them and her thoughts went to Spike and his safety. As the shock of seeing Fluttershy subsided, Limestone turned her attention to a stallion next to her. “Send a report to Princess Twilight immediately. Every pony in Equestria should have heard this by now, but I want you to tell her everything you have seen here - every detail. Is that understood?” The stallion nodded stiffly and bolted back to the camp. Without changing her stern expression, Limestone then turned to Fluttershy whose eyes flicked as she could not meet her intense gaze. “We are running out of time Ms Fluttershy. I suggest you make your way to the jungle as quickly as you can. There is no telling what might happen next.” Fluttershy nodded slowly, with her eyes at her hooves; her determination wavering as Limestone kept her eyes fixated on her. Another roar echoed around them, freezing Fluttershy on the spot, Limestone’s eyes narrowing. Unable to move and feeling Limestone’s contemptful stare, Pinkie Pie entered between them, giving Limestone a pleading look. Limestone rolled her eyes and bellowed at the ponies around her to get back to work. Leaving Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie alone at the cliff as the roars and quakes slowly died down. *** After another unsuccessful day, they returned to camp, their heads lolling in disappointment and exhaustion. Nopony looked or said anything to each other and Fluttershy avoided eye contact the best she could. After yesterday’s events, the atmosphere at the camp have completely changed and even Pinkie Pie was hard pressed to find anything to lighten the mood. Like always, Fluttershy sat alone at the edge of the cliff, looking over the ocean as the sun disappeared behind the Dragon’s Lair. As she sat there, she wondered how things became like they are. Their future was supposed to be so much brighter. Sitting quietly in her own thoughts, she did not notice Pinkie Pie placing herself next to her. Discovering the pink mare, she wondered how long she had been sitting there. She found it odd that her otherwise talkative friend had remained silent and she inclined herself not to let the moment of tranquility pass. But, desperate to make sense of everything that had happened, a question escaped her lips: a question she knew she didn’t have an answer to. “Why did Celestia have to die on us?” Pinkie Pie forced air out her lungs and quirked her mouth as she met Fluttershy’s almost pleading gaze. Pinkie Pie knew that she could either tell the truth, or tell her what she wanted to hear, but being worn down herself, she answered bluntly. “I don’t know. Maybe she died from old age? Maybe it was just not visible. I mean she was flesh and blood, after all, the end comes to us all sooner or later.” Unsatisfied, Fluttershy stared down her hooves. “Some earlier than others…” she whispered beneath her breath. Pinkie Pie’s lips flattened and she placed her foreleg over Fluttershy’s shoulder. “Nopony blames you for what happened. Rarity wouldn’t either. You know that, don’t you?” Pinkie Pie could feel how Fluttershy’s body began to tremble and she held her tightly as if trying to stop her from shaking. The moment was theirs until the sun finally disappeared over the horizon and they heard hoof steps closing in behind them. Pinkie Pie craned around while still holding Fluttershy tightly as she saw Limestone approach them from the camp. She stopped a distance away and said with a commanding tone. “Ms Fluttershy. We need to talk.” Pinkie Pie, still craned around, shook her head deniably, urging Limestone to leave them alone. Limestone’s eyes widen and with her jaw set, she shouted. “No, not later! This is serious, we need results now! You cannot protect her forever, Pinkie Pie. We have a mission that we have to fulfil, no matter what. Don’t you realise what’s at stake?” Pinkie Pie rose calmly and whispered to her sister, but Limestone would have none of it and pushed her aside. Limestone glared at Fluttershy who’s back remained turned, her head looking as she listened to limestone’s demands. “I am sorry, Fluttershy. But I am going to have to ask you to get over your kindness and send your birds, turtles, or any critter that can aid us, I don’t care. As long as you can provide results.” Suddenly, Fluttershy’s body stopped trembling and she became stiff as a board. “I can’t do that,” she hissed. “What was that?” Limestone demanded. Fluttershy rose and faced Limestone who challenged her stare. “I cannot do that,” she retorted with emphasis on every word. The two ponies stood facing each other and Pinkie Pie’s head darted between them, unsure what to do. She knew that Fluttershy had her tendencies when getting mad, but she also knew what happens when you provoked Limestone… Expecting a heavy retort back, Pinkie Pie raised an eyebrow in surprise as Limestone suddenly began chuckling. “So you do have some backbone, Fluttershy. I’ve heard about it, but I didn’t think I would ever see it.” Pausing for a few seconds to correct her collar, she continued. “But tell me this, when it comes to your animals, are you really willing to risk the lives of your friends?” Before she was able to answer, Limestone went on. “Every creature is risking their lives in this war, Fluttershy, it is not just about you. What do you think will happen if they dragons suddenly attack and we aren’t ready? Do you think any living creature would be spared?” Pinkie Pie could see the hesitation in Fluttershy’s eyes, flicking back and forth, raising her left hoof to her chest as Limestone closed the distance. Now inches from her face, Limestone said. “You better snap out of it, or we are all going to die. Pony or critter. This is now their war too.” Finally, Fluttershy’s hardened expression faded and she hunched weakly before Limestone’s authority who kept glaring at her. But as she was about to add something, her words died on her lips as she noticed something in the distance. The shriek of a falcon echoed by the coast and all three of them turned their attention towards it. Behind the bird, a stream of red and yellow reached up to it, vaporising the animal into dust. Frozen in fear, they watched as the beam of fire drew closer, ready to turn them into vapour as well.