//------------------------------//
// Bats and Next Meeting 
// Story: Change 
// by Just A Random Pegasus 
//------------------------------//

"Oh, no! I'll be over this evening when they come out, I promise," Fluttershy said. Applejack nodded.

"Alright. Are ya sure the stare'll work on 'em?"

Fluttershy nodded. "I know it will. It did technically work last time."

Applejack smiled. "Well, that's a relief. We just have ta get 'em all out tonight before more apples are lost. Cider season is next week, after all." 

Fluttershy's ears perked. "Oh, right! Well, I give my word that I will work as hard as I can to move them."

"And Ah promise ta help ya out as much as Ah can. So... see ya at five?"

Fluttershy nodded, smiling. "See you then," she replied, shutting the door. Applejack then hurried home, trying to get everything done fast so she could meet up with Flim on time. 

When she got to the farm, she quickly ran inside, seeing Big Mac eating a daisy sandwich.  

"Fluttershy'll be over at five," she said, starting to make the two zap apple sandwiches. Big Mac nodded.

"Alright. Hopefully this'll work."

Applejack nodded. "Yeah. She's certain it will." Applejack quickly threw everything in one lunch sack before going to the door. "Ah'm goin' out!"

Mac nodded. "Alright. Make sure y'all are home by five."

Applejack gave her brother a smile. "Yup! See ya!" 

"Bye!"

With that, Applejack shut the door, trotting towards the woods. She held a bit of excitement for what today would bring. Yesterday, she admittedly had fun teaching Flim honesty. She just loved being a mentor, really. The thought itself filled her with pride. He thought she would be a great teacher, and he doesn't even like her! Applejack's ego swelled as she thought, puffing her chest out as she walked down the pathway. She eventually made it into the woods, stepping over branches and into the clearing. As she expected, Flim was leaning against a tree, smiling.

"Ah, look who it is! And only ten minutes late!"

Applejack put the lunch sack down and raised a brow. "How do y'all even know what time it is?"

Flim pointed at the sky. "I use the sun."

Applejack looked up, but turned her eyes away after a few seconds. "You've got ta have cataracts by now." 

Flim shrugged. "Well, I don't currently. Future me's problem, heh?"

Applejack rolled her eyes. "Y'all are way too optimistic 'bout pain in your future." She took out Flim's lunch from the bag and gave it to him. "Here ya go."

Flim gave her a smile which seemed sincere. "Thanks. I've been craving one of these sandwiches all morning."

Applejack smiled as well. "Well, Ah'll take that as a compliment!" She replied, getting comfortable on the ground. "So... let's pick up where we left off yesterday." 

Flim took a large bite of his sandwich, swallowing. "Okay."

Applejack thought for a moment before her ears perked. "Alright. Let's have a little honesty exercise, shall we?" 

Flim nodded. "Sure." 

"Well, let's say y'all were gettin' a job, and they asked ya about y'all's weaknesses. Now, in job interviews, ya have to answer everythin' with honesty. So, y'all would admit what ya don't do well."

Flim raised a brow. "Uh... aren't you supposed to tell them why they should hire you instead of why they should reject you?"

Applejack nodded her head. "Ya are, but here's the deal: you admit your weaknesses, and then go into detail 'bout how y'all will better yourself by working on the job. For example, say ya have a weakness in... honesty." 

Flim chuckled. "I don't appreciate being called out like that, AJ," he said, an obvious teasing tone creeping into his voice. Applejack rolled her eyes.

"What? It's true. Anyways, y'all say you're not too good with honesty-"

"Wait a second, wouldn't that be like a paradox?" Flim interrupted. Applejack raised a brow.

"Huh?"

"Well, I mean, by admitting that you're not too good with honesty, you are contradicting yourself because you are being honest to admit that." 

Applejack blinked. "Uh... that's... true. Um... okay, let's say... hypothetically, y'all struggle with dealin' with other ponies."

Flim's ears flopped. "That's pretty true." 

Applejack tilted her head. "Really? Y'all always promoted yourself when you were with Flam-" she stopped for a second, "Ah, sorry ta bring that up."

Flim waved a hoof. "No, don't worry about it. I'm okay. And that all was an act. I actually have severe social anxiety, but my brother helped with that a lot by always being by my side. Also, I am surprisingly a very good actor. I don't know why. So, I was able to cover it up pretty easily." 

Applejacks eyes widened. "Oh! Ah'm terribly sorry ta hear."

"Oh, it's okay. I'm okay. That's just the main reason I don't want any others knowing I'm here. I would get... really anxious dealing with them."

Applejack nodded. "That's understandable. Ah promise Ah won't tell anyone you're here."

Flim gave her a sincere smile. "Thank you, Applejack."

Applejack smiled. "No problem. Now, should Ah continue?"

Flim nodded, leaning back against a tree. "Hit it."

"So... y'all admit you're not too good with dealin' with other ponies. But, however, ya say that y'all will work your hardest to improve this skill while workin' with this company. Trust me, companies love honesty. That's why it's such a crucial skill to learn."

Flim nodded. "That makes sense. And that's why I wanted to learn it. I knew companies really value honesty. No one wants a liar on their team, really."

Applejack nodded. "Exactly! Now, here's another exercise..."





At exactly five o' clock, a knock came from the door. Applejack answered it, smiling at the pegasus standing outside.

"Fluttershy! Oh, are we glad ta see ya!" Come on, Mac's already checkin' out the trees for the bats." 

The two walked over to the east side of the orchard, easily spotting Big Mac trying to sneak around the trees. Applejack quickened her pace. 

"Mac! Fluttershy's here!"

Big Mac turned and gave Fluttershy a friendly smile. "Eeyup."

Fluttershy smiled. "Hello. Have you spotted any bats?"

Big Mac shook his head. "Not yet. Maybe y'all will have more luck."

Fluttershy hovered into the air. "I'll see what I can do."

She flew from tree to tree, carefully checking in the leaves and branches. Soon enough, she moved her hoof, signaling the two towards her.

"Hey! I found some!" She whispered. Applejack raised a brow.

"How many?" She asked. Fluttershy counted.

"Um... probably about five in this tree."

Applejack groaned. "How are ya gonna do the stare on all of 'em at once? That's impossible! Y'all are gonna be out 'ere all night!"

Fluttershy shook her head, smirking. "Nope. I have a handy little bat whistle," she said, showing the whistle that had been around her neck. Applejack blinked.

"Oh. That's what the whistle is for," she realized, earning a nod from Fluttershy.

"Yep. This will cause all the bats to flock over to this tree in a matter of seconds. Just watch."

Fluttershy put her lips to the whistle, blowing into it. Sure enough, in a few seconds, bats were already flying out of the trees they were resting in to come to the call. Fluttershy smiled as she saw them coming closer, fighting the urge to hold and hug all of them. Instead she flew in front of them all, sensing all of their eyes resting on her. She took a breath before opening her eyes, putting as much energy as possible into the stare. The bats were frozen, and Fluttershy took the opportunity.

"Now, you all will fly somewhere outside of Ponyville to live. This is not your orchard. Applejack already has enough of you in the sanctuary. Is this clear?"

The bats all chittered, which Fluttershy could tell was a "yes". She then closed her eyes, stopping the stare. As the bats were broken from their trance, they immediately took off into the sky, chittering away as they flew over the Everfree Forest, disappearing from sight. Meanwhile, Applejack and Big Mac were staring at her, wide-eyed.

"Wow. That's talent," Applejack said, chuckling. Big Mac nodded.

"Eeyup."

Fluttershy blushed and looked to the ground. "Oh, you guys..." 

Applejack ran up and hugged her. "Thank you! Ya saved the farm! Now, cider season won't be a total disaster!"

Fluttershy reciprocated the hug. "You're welcome. I just hope that will be enough to scare them away."

Applejack drew apart and nodded. "Oh, it will. They looked absolutely terrified."

Fluttershy smiled. "Well, alright. I don't like scaring the little guys, but if it will get them out of the farm, then that is what I have to do."

Applejack nodded. "Ah greatly appreciate it, Flutters. Do ya want to come in for dinner? You've definitely earned it," she said with a chuckle. Big Mac nodded his head to that statement.

Fluttershy smiled. "Oh... sure thing!"

Applejack smiled as well. "Great! Mac and I will be gettin' these apples ready ta be squeezed tomorrow. We have a big cider season comin' up, after all!"

With that, the three walked inside, Applejack feeling on top of the world. Maybe cider season won't be a disaster after all.