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// Unexpected friendship. 
// Story: Battle for Equestria 
// by BronyNathan 
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		The Pegasi of Cloudsdale had a storm set for the night. Fluttershy was finishing putting umbrellas over the little birds nests and tending to all her animals, big and small. It was hard work to do all alone, but it was rewarding. "Keep dry now, my little friends." She told her outdoor pets as she hummed a toon heading back to the house. She noticed out of the corner of her eye someone walking down the path to the lake. It was Woodwind. She decided to let him be and entered her cottage, just as the first bit of rain fell. 
Woodwind slumped off the path and headed towards the lake a few meters away. The rain was coming down harder now, but he didn't care. He deserved it. A tear ran down his face as he dug at the ground with his hoofs. 
"What have i done? Why did this have to happen?" He asked himself with a growl. 
The rain came down harder now, and he hung his head low. 
Fluttershy was reading her favorite book on nature and creatures as the rain continued to poor down. She couldn't help but wonder If Woodwind had gotten back to the hotel in Ponyville where he was staying. She looked down the road to see if she could see him. A flash of lightning lit up the land and saw him still sitting by the lake. 
What was he still doing out their? She wanted to help, but she didn't know if she should. She turned to her bunny, Angle for help. 
"Oh, Angle, something seems to be bothering him so badly. What should i do? 
Angle made gestures and sounds that only Fluttershy could understand. 
"Oh, I guess you're right Angle. I haven't spent much time with him since he's been here. I suppose i've been too shy."
Angle bunny grabbed Fluttershy's umbrella and strapped it to her back. and pointed to the door. 
"You're right Angle. I suppose i should go see what's wrong with him." She went out into the rain and headed for the lake. 
Woodwind continued to stare at his own reflection in the water. He ran the tip of his hoof in the water in slow, circular motions. When he stopped, the shape of his pony faced reflection warped and twisted into the creature he once was. He couldn't tell if it was an illusion, or reality. 
He let out a frustrated grunt and slapped the water.  
Suddenly the rain stopped, he looked out but the water was still dancing with raindrops. 
He looked to his right and saw why he was now dry. It was Fluttershy. He was thrilled to see her but at the same time saddened to see her. 
Fluttershy looked across the water and up at the sky. 
"You know, this is where I like to come when i need to think quietly to myself. It really is the perfect spot."
He didn't say anything. he just grunted. She looked a little Flustered. She wasn't used to comforting ponies, just animals. 
"So, um, what's bothering you? You can tell me." 
He sighed and took a long look at her. 
"I can't. You'll hate me just like everypony else." 
Fluttershy looked at him for a while. What could be so bad that he'd think that. 
"It can't be that bad." she said
He responded immediately with a harsh tone.
"No? The threat of Equestria being invaded all because of me can't "be that bad"?" he said almost shouting. 
"Fluttershy recoiled back, startled by his tone and what he had said. Whoever he was in the past, seemed to be no good. But, that was the past, and he had no memory of it. 
"Woodwind, You're a different pony that who you were before. You are who you are now. That's the pony who i know now and the pony who matters to us all."
Woodwind recoiled at the calm and delicate tone of her voice. It was reassuring and comforting. something he wasn't used to.
She continued to try and comfort him. "I know how frustrating you're limitations can be." 
she looked down at the water and sighed. 
"I've always been the most scared pony in ponyville. It has always held me back from doing the things i love to do, like helping my friends, or..."
Woodwind cut her off. 
"Those with more fears, are braver than those without." he stated to her.
Fluttershy took the words in, seeming to understand, but she wanted to know more.
"Why do you say that?" She asked him trying to dig deeper.
"Well those without fears, have nothing to prove to themselves." he told her matter of fact like. "But those with fears, always have an obstacle to overcome, making them braver and stronger than anyone else."
Fluttershy looked confused about where he came up with that. Maybe something he remembered. 
"Did you make that up?" she asked half smiling, "Just trying to make me feel better?"
He smiled at her and laughed. "You don't need to feel better about who you are, Fluttershy. And i don't know where i heard it from. It's just something i remember from when i was little. Something i never forgot." He seemed to look a little more distraught and Fluttershy didn't know what to do. 
She started to pull away as she felt Woodwind lay his hoof on hers, but stopped herself. Woodwind was on the verge of breaking down. 
"Out of all the Ponies i met, you are the sweetest one. You may say very little, but you know what to say when it counts." He smiled at her. 
Fluttershy was taken aback by the sudden calm and sweet demeanor he was now expressing. She felt butterflies in her stomach and her heart was beating a little faster. 
"Oh, ummm, i... You shouldn't stay out here." She said, changing the subject. "Come back to my cottage. you can sleep on the sofa if you'd like." 
Woodwind looked relieved that he didn't have to spend the night in the rain. 
"That's very kind of you. Thanks." he said as he stood up and shook the mud off his legs. 
He and Fluttershy walked to the cottage together both smiling and laughing as they continued to talk. It was the longest they ever talked together. And they were both having a great time. But Woodwind was worn out after the day he had, And as soon as his head sank into the sofa he drifted off to sleep. 
Fluttershy continued up to her room, still smiling about all they had talked about. He was such a nice pony. Why hadn't she spent more time with him? she wondered to herself, but she already knew the answer. She was too shy. But she thought back to what he said. "those with fears, are braver than those without". She'd have to remember that whenever she was afraid. And that made her feel braver than anypony else.