“This is The Recluse to Republic Cruiser Alteon, preparing for docking procedure.” A voice came over the com channel as the smaller corvette approached and soon docked with the larger Republic vessel. The Recluse and her crew had spent the last few weeks patrolling the outer rim worlds for pirates that had been raiding merchant shipping. Sightings were few and far in between and just about every small raider vessel turned tail and ran for safe havens once they saw the Republic symbol emblazoned on the ship's hull.
Despite the relative success of the operation, the crew and many more like them had been unable to locate the pirate's base of operations, meaning they would be out still longer til the operations completion. For that, the necessary supplies were needed, thus the rendezvous with The Alteon.
“We're docked and ready to resupply, Master Jedi.” the Republic officer said as he sat back in his chair. Behind him stood the young Jedi Padawan, Fluttershy.
“Oh um, thank you, Captain Spearhead,” she said meekly as she kept her head bowed slightly. “but I'm not really a master, yet.”
The captain chuckled before getting up from his seat and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. The gesture was a bit of a double edged sword to Fluttershy. Despite the two having served on the relatively small crew together for the past month she found herself greatly intimidated by his towering frame which was all the more increased by his white trooper armor decorated with all manner of battle scars. “No need to be so nervous. I know handling this assignment has been outside your comfort zone but you've been doing great. Now what do you say we greet our new arrivals?”
The young Jedi nodded in agreement as the two headed down to the main level of the ship to greet the new arrivals they had heard were coming. They passed by a large window that overlooked the loading bay, where crew members brought the newly received supplies from the larger cruiser. “Thank you captain...for looking out for me I mean. I know I haven't been much help in the way of decision making. I mean, I'm no Rainbow Dash but I appreciate you sticking up for me.”
“Is that Fluttershy I hear?” The pink haired girl looked ahead toward the voice and her eyes instantly lit up with joy. Two cloaked figures, clearly Jedi, walked through the entry way to meet Spearhead and their fellow Order member. The first was a well built young man with green hair tied in dreadlocks wearing a necklace of wooden beads around his neck with a light green stone hanging at the bottom. The other was a girl with a fare complexion, deep red hair and green eyes. The latter rushed over to Fluttershy and the two shared a hug. “It's been too long my friend.”
“Roseluck, it's so good to see you too. How long has it been?”
“Since our training. And look at you. Apprenticed under Knight Dash, huh?”
“Yes. What are you doing here?”
“The council assigned us to give you some assistance. Many hands make light work, right?” Before she continued on, Rose stepped aside as the other Jedi approached. “Oh yeah. Fluttershy, I'd like you to meet Master Sandalwood.”
“It's an honor to make your acquaintance padawan.” the green haired man said as he bowed lightly to her and she in turn did the same. “And you as well, Captain...”
“Spearhead. Glad to have you on board.” The Republic trooper shook his hand and the group headed further into the ship to get the new arrivals situated in their living quarters. Soon after the supplies finished being loaded the two vessels disengaged and went their separate ways.
As they pass through the halls Rose and Fluttershy continued to talk. “So whatever happened to Daisy and Lily? How did they do in the trials?”
Rose gave a small smile. “Not good, but they did get into the temple security team on Dantooine. I think they like it better that way. Not sure being knights was really for them. They were always kind of...skittish.” Fluttershy looked at her friend with a raised eyebrow. “What?”
“Nothing.” Fluttershy giggled out as the two made their way to the mess hall. “So how is it, being under Master Sandalwood?”
“He's amazing and always willing to help out anyone in need, sometimes even behind the Council's back.” She whispered the latter half. “I can see why they chose him to safeguard an Element of Harmony, even if he's never been able to unlock it.”
“That seems like an awfully big responsibility. I'm not sure I'd be able to handle something like that.”
“Don't know if I'd be able to do what he does either, but I guess that's why he's a master. Guess I'll learn from him in time what it means to be truly kind.” Just then the two heard an alarm sound across the ship. “What is that?”
“It's the early warning system. We've picked up an unknown ship on our scanners.” Fluttershy explained as the duo made their way to the bridge where Spearhead and Sandal were already assessing the situation.
“Hale them again captain.” Sandalwood requested as the captain got on the comlink once again.
“Recluse to unidentified vessel. Do you copy?” The group waited several moments before they finally received a garbled response.
“Recluse...is...disabled...attack...assistance...repeat...” The transmission promptly cut out as the crew were left looking to each other in confusion.
“Do you think it's a merchant ship?” Rose inquired. “Could have been attacked by pirates.”
“Doubt it.” One of the crew members working the console to their left responded. “Doesn't match any merchant class vessel on our records. My best guess is that it could be a trap. We get near it and we set off some sort of explosive or get ambushed.”
“Send out a probe and have it scan the ship,” Sandalwood ordered as he stood with all the poise one would expect of a Jedi Master. “That should tell us exactly what we're dealing with.”
I took for what seemed like an eternity for the crew for the probe to send back its readings as they were read off. “Ship has taken extensive damage. Engines, critically damaged, hull has been breached and life support systems seem to be on their last legs. On top of that there is only one life form detected on board.”
“They must have been ambushed by the pirates,” Fluttershy surmised as they looked out toward the heavily damaged vessel. “We have to help whoever is on board.”
“I couldn't agree more.” Spearhead added as he turned to the other Jedi.
“Prepare a team captain. I'll accompany them once we've docked with the ship. Everyone else, be on guard. I sense that something's not quite right here.”
After having boarded the ship, the away team brought back at least a dozen corpses which they had placed in body bags. The sole survivor, a young man with tanned skin and spiky blue hair, was being treated in the infirmary as Master Sandalwood questioned him about what had transpired. “So what exactly were you doing out here Captain Sentry?”
“Just call me Flash,” the young man responded as the ships physician looked him over. “My crew and I, we're....we were scavengers. Heard there was a lot of scrap from derelict ships out here so we thought it would be easy credits. We've scouted this place out for months and then we approach one wrong meteoroid and get jumped by pirates.” He cast his gaze over to the body bags on the other side of the room. “Pounded our ship with so much fire it melted the hull. Killed everyone else that survived. Took a bolt to the chest myself. If not for my chest piece, shot would have went right to my heart.”
“I'm sorry for your lose. But maybe we can help each other out. If you're willing we could use your help in tracking down the pirates. In return we'd gladly compensate you for the loss of your ship and crew. In addition there is a standing bounty for the capture of these raiders.”
“You've got a deal.” The two shook hands as the doctor finished her examination. “If it would be alright, I'd like some time alone...with my crew. All this... it's a lot to take in.” The scavenger put a hand to his forehead in disbelief that all this had really happened.
“Of course.” Sandal said as he and the doctor exited the room. The Jedi stopped for a moment as if sensing something before brushing it off and proceeded down the hall.
As the door shut, Flash got up from where he sat and walked toward the body bags. He slowly unzipped each one and took a glance at each of the corpses inside. He stopped at the last two. Inside were two women, one with blue skin and silver hair. The second had golden skin and puffy, bright orange hair. He slowly placed a hand on the former's face and gently caressed it before placing his index finger behind her right ear. A small application of force pressed against a electronic device in the spot triggered a jolt of electricity that caused the body to sit up.
“What, what? Am I rich yet?” She said frantically as she looked around.
“Will you keep it down, Trixie?” Flash said as he covered her mouth. “You want the whole ship to know what's going on?”
Suddenly the body of the other woman arose as well. Her eyes opened as the other two quickly turned to her. “Just as expected. How many of them are there?”
“Three, Lord Adagio. A master and two students by the looks of them.” the scavenger explained.
“Good. Now activate the drones and get your equipment, bounty hunter. We have work to do.”
Trixie removed the remainder of the bag from her body and pressed a hidden switch on one of the seemingly normal corpses, only for it to be revealed as a droid, the chest cavity opening up to reveal shining silver Manedalorian armor as well as a set of blaster pistols. “Let's hurry this up, alright?” Flash's eyes continually shifted between the Trixie and the closed door. “Who knows when they'll be back.”
“You can't rush perfection, smuggler.” Trixie said as she got her armor on.
“I'm not rushing perfection. I'm rushing you.”
“It doesn't matter,” The two turned back to the orange haired woman as she stretched out her left hand toward the opened droid as a metallic cylinder flew from it to her. “It's already to late for them.” She pressed a button on the tube which ignited a crimson blade, revealing the device to be a lightsaber. “Activate the rest of the droids and initiate the operation.”
“It will be done my lord.” Trixie used the device she'd placed on her wrist to activating the remaining droids in the body bags as they shed the synthetic skins, their hands transforming into blasters.
“Now then, let's go and hunt some Jedi.”
Meanwhile
In one of the sleeping quarters, Fluttershy and Rose were in the middle of a rather intense game of pazaak. “Looks like I win again.” Fluttershy said calmly as she scooped up a small box on the table.
“That was my last box of snacks.” Rose protested. “How do you always manage to win?”
Fluttershy shrugged in response as they heard a blast come from outside. The two quickly dropped what they were doing and raced down the hall. They entered the next corridor where a large cloud of smoke emanated from the main sleeping quarters. A few moments later a tall figure, partially obstructed by the thick smoke walked out into the hall.
“Are you alright?” Fluttershy asked as the figure emerged from the cloud. “A droid?” No sooner had she spoken then blaster bolts began to shoot from its hands.
“Lookout!” Rose said as she drew her yellow saber and deflected the incoming shots. Three more droids appeared from behind the first as Fluttershy followed suit and ignited her own blue blade. The two stood their ground as the incoming fire increased. “Where did they come from?”
“From the infirmary.” A voice came from behind them as Spearhead and two other troopers charged down the hall, returning fire with their blaster rifles to ward off the droids before taking cover. “That smuggler...those bodies weren't bodies at all. They were some kind of droid. That's why we got no life signs except his on the ship. Brought some Manedalorian and some other woman with him too.” The group passed as they felt the ship rock. “They must have had some advanced cybernetics or something for us not to pick up their vitals.”
“We were doing our rounds of the ship when they hit the bridge and mess hall. Don't know how many of us are left.” one of the other troopers explained as he fired a shot that hit the lead droid square in it's forehead. The machine reeled back for a moment before the head popped back in place and it continued to advance. “That's new.” Both the shots fired by the troopers and deflected by the Jedi into the droids seemed to do little. Eventually the troopers and Jedi focused their fire on one and the concentrated attack brought one down.
“They still break like any other droid.” Rose stated as she deflected a shot before charging forward, ducking under the closest droid and sliced upward, cutting the droid almost perfectly in half. She then pushed back the last two, knocking them over with the force.
“Lookout!” Fluttershy shouted as Rose was thrown back down the hall by a surge of lightning. The other girl and troopers ran up to help Rose to her feet as the attacker made her presence known. A woman with orange hair and black armor walked down the opposite end as the two downed droids rose. The group was shocked as she ignited her red blade.
“Sith.” Rose muttered as she reignited her blade and the others prepared for a fight.
The dark sider chuckled as she walked forward. “You stand before Adagio Dazzle, the Dark Lord of the Sith and you are commanded to be in awe. Now, where is your master, whelp?” She received no answer as one of Spearhead's men fire a shot which she easily deflected back into his chest, taking him out of the fight. Receiving no answer from the group, she commanded her droids to open fire as she used the cover to race forward.
Recluse Cargo Bay
A group of five troopers had the helmeted and armored Manedalorian bounty hunter and the “scavenger” pinned down behind several crates as they traded shots. “Well this was certainly a brilliant idea,” Flash mocked as he stuck his gun over the top of the crate he was behind and returned fire. “Come all the way down here just to get cornered.”
“I didn't see you coming up with any ideas; bright or otherwise.” While her partner in crime was covering them, Trixie was busy fidgeting with a device on her wrist. “Now if you'd stop whining and do your job I'll have everything solved.”
On a nearby asteroid, ship sat out of view of the Republic vessel. The lights came on and the engine started as it responded to Trixie's signal. The small vessel traveled the distance from the asteroid to the besieged ship and latched onto the hull before a device penetrated the larger ship. “You might want to keep your head down.” The silver haired girl rolled to another crate as Flash took notice and did the same. A large, tube like device pierced the wall behind them which lead back to the parasite ship just on the other side. “Time to exit, stage right.”
“This should blow this place up but good.” The Manedalorian pulled out a thermal detonator and prepared to arm the device. Before the two could make good on their escape, Sandalwood made his way into the hold, lightsaber already ignited. Trixie pulled out her duel blasters and put down a suppressing fire to give the two time to reach the ship. The Jedi master blocked the shots as he charged forward, the troopers behind giving him support fire. One of the deflected shots knocked the blaster out of Trixie's right hand and left her with a single blaster as she tried to take to the air with her jet pack.
Sandal leaped upon several crates to get a better angle on her and managed to grab her by the leg, causing her to lose control and sending the two crashing back to the ground. Trixie got to her feet first and held a blaster to the Jedi only to pause as she heard a familiar beeping. “Uh, Trixie...” Flash said as everyone turned to see the thermal detonator she'd brandished earlier beeping faster and faster by the entry point created by the bounty hunter's ship. They tried to scramble away to safety just as the device went off. The blast dislodged Trixie's ship which drifted off as many of the recently acquired supplies were sucked into the void of space.
Two of the troopers were almost instantly pulled out as the others held on to whatever they could to keep from meeting the same fate. Flash had managed to get a hold of a loose cable as the suction tugged at him. Trixie herself ignited her jet pack to keep her from being pulled out. She looked up to see a container barreling toward her as it smashed into her, knocking her out into space as her screams of terror were soon muffled. The hole was soon sealed as the emergency ray shield activated, which stabilized the room and kept anyone else from meeting the same fate. The scavenger, having fallen to the floor, attempted to get up only to find himself staring down the barrel of a blaster rifle.
“Make sure he's locked up,” the Jedi master instructed. “I need to make sure the others are safe.” He raced down the corridor as the remaining troopers grabbed Flash and hauled him off.
Meanwhile
Spearhead and the remaining trooper did their best to hit the Sith but she always seemed one step ahead as she easily evaded the shots. Her blade swung across, aimed directly at Fluttershy, who barely blocked the attack that sent her a few feet back as Rose intercepted and engaged Adagio herself. The two traded blows as Rose took the offensive. This never seemed to faze the Sith as she stood her ground, refusing to take a step back. “Is this all your master taught you little girl?” The chiding caused Rose to step up her attack, but Adagio effortlessly kept pass as she parried a strike and responded by using force lightning to immobilize the girl and flung her to the side.
“Take her out!” Spearhead shouted as he and the other trooper attempted to open fire only to be pinned down by the droids as Adagio set her sights on Fluttershy. The girl parried and avoided the shots she could but Adagio's blazing speed proved to much for even her defensive Soresu form and she was forced to give more and more ground as the older, more experienced duelist looked to make short work of her.
Sandalwood finally arrived at the opposite corridor as he witnessed the ongoing duel. He raced down the hall and somersaulted over the two droids, decapitating them in the process as he continued on. “Master!” a recovering Rose shouted as she tossed him her lightsaber. He ignited both her blade and his and rushed forward to the padawans aid. Sensing him coming, Adagio pushed Fluttershy away with the force and fully engaged the Jedi master.
“I've been waiting for this moment for a long time.” she said as they traded blows.
“I don't believe I've had the pleasure.” Sandalwood countered with a bright smile on his face.
Adagio's eyes shifted down to the master's chest as she beheld the stone around his neck. “My visions told me I'd come face to face with that stone and here you are. Now all I need do is remove you from the equation.” She lunged forward as he evaded her attack and resumed the role of aggressor. The Sith quickly found him a more formidable foe as she strained to keep pace herself. Eventually, Sandal crossed his blades as she attempted a powerful overhead strike and effectively blocked the attack. He then used his greater strength to force her blade up again and, in one swift motion, brought both blades across her chest. The intense duel was promptly brought to an end as Adagio's body slumped to it's knees before falling over.
Sandalwood gave a light bow in respect to his opponent as he helped Rose to her feet and regrouped with the others. “Are you alright?”
“Yes master. I can't believe you defeated that Sith so easily. It was amazing!”
“Thanks, but we still have a problem. There are at least three more droids by my count that are still on board and who knows how much damage has been caused.”
“We should make our way to the engine room and make sure nothing vital has been damaged. It would probably be a good idea to get out of here as quickly as possible just in case reinforcements are on their way.”
Fluttershy listened intently to the instructions given before her eyes widened in terror. “Look out!” she shouted as a red blade almost cut Sandalwood in half. The master managed to ignite his blade just in time as Adagio stood behind him, her clothing damaged but the wounds somehow fully healed.
“Now where were we?” Adagio watched as the three earlier mentioned droids appeared behind the remaining members of the group and opened fire. She then forced Sandalwood down the hall as the duel continued. He knocked her back and she eventually fled, prompting the Jedi to give chase. Before departing he snatched a satchel from Spearhead. “Sorry, need to borrow this.”
“Master!” Rose's shouting proved futile as he was well out of her range in only a few seconds. His departure unfortunately left her without a weapon as the droids closed in. Thankfully, Spearhead tossed her his spare pistol and although she had little experience with projectile weapons, she made due.
The duel between the two force users led them down many corridors as the static nature of the contest almost became a grand tour of the ship. Eventually, the two ended up in the escape pod bay as they continued to fight. Sandal soon realized he'd been backed into a corner as there was only one way in and out of the room. “It's over, Jedi. Give me the element and maybe, just maybe I'll consider letting your pathetic charges live.” She watched as he hesitated. “Surely you know you can't defeat me. My mastery of the dark side can heal any wound you inflict upon me. You're already exhausted, so give up. It's only a matter of time. So what will it be: Quick and painless or long and excruciating?”
“You've fallen so far to it's power that you can't see. The Elements of Harmony bring balance. Whatever you intend will bring only suffering. If you want it so badly, come and get it.” She sighed before rushing forward to engage him again as he shut off his blades and placed them on his sides. As she swung he countered her attack and used the Sith's momentum to toss her into one of the open pods. He quickly pressed a button on the control console to activate it only to be pulled in by her just as the door closed and the pod jettisoned from the ship toward a small, nearby planet.
Adagio got up and held her blade out to the Jedi. “Excruciating it is then.”
On the other end of the ship, the troopers and Jedi padawans had dealt with the remaining droids and regrouped with the other survivors. “We have to find Master Sandalwood,” Rose said as many of the others agreed.
“Fluttershy,” The girl pulled out her communicator as Spearhead's voice came over the channel.
“I'm here.”
“We've detected an escape pod launching to the planet below.”
Fluttershy and Rose looked to each other and nodded in agreement. “Take us down to the surface, Captain.”
“Yes ma'am.”
As the pod raced into the atmosphere, the duel on the inside continued in the closed quarters. Sandalwood used his single blade to duel Adagio as she pressed the attack. With neither of them at the controls the pod careened out of control and skidded across the ground of the mountainous terrain as the two occupants were thrown about. The pod eventually settled close to the edge of a cliff as the hatch popped open. The two duelists got to their feet as Adagio swiped at the Jedi with her blade as he jumped backward and out of the pod before using his force abilities to send it tumbling over the edge several stories down. Adagio was tossed around yet again as the container violently hit the bottom.
She attempted to crawl out but could feel the broken bones in her body as blood ran down her forehead. The Sith knew full well her mastery of the dark side would soon mend these wounds and she'd pay the Jedi back for this minor inconvenience. Adagio took notice of a beeping sound as she looked over at the bag she'd seen on Sandalwood during most of their duel. Using the force she tipped it slightly as it's contents, several grenades, rolled onto the floor. “Poodoo.” was all she could utter before the devices detonated, which resulted in a massive explosion. The resulting blast caused the ledge that Sandal was peering over give way and he tumbled down the slope and landed a short distance away.
Sandal watched as the remains of the pod burned, dusting himself off as he got back to his feet. “You don't listen do you?” He turned to see a charred figure walking from the fire. Although most of the armor had been damaged, the Sith's power began to do it's work as bones mended and snapped back into place and skin began to return to it's normal look. “No matter what you do, the dark side of the force has freed me from what limits you: Your weaknesses, your fear, your mortality.”
Though he was exhausted from the fighting that had already taken place, Sandalwood mustered any remaining strength and, brandishing both blades, charged forward. The two engaged once again with the Jedi master doing everything in his power to strike down his foe. Despite his best efforts, every wound he inflicted on her healed within moments. In fact, it almost seemed as if she was allowing him to land these blows if only to show how futile his efforts truly were. Adagio at last retaliated against the clearly winded warrior as she took the offensive before slashing his padawan's ligtsaber in half and finally knocking him off of his feet. Using the last of his strength, Sandalwood got up again, looking down at the element hanging from his neck before looking to his opponent.
Finally realizing what needed to be done, he took in a deep breath as she charged forward. He parried with his remaining blade and was completely on the defensive now. The end came suddenly as she forced his arms up and stabbed her blade deep into his abdomen. A wicked smile ran across her face as she took great pleasure in her accomplishment. Her mood was spoiled as she looked up at the man's face, a look of happiness on it as if he was glad this had happened. She was surprised as she found his arms wrap around her. “What are you doing?”
“Showing you the light.” he said as blood trickled out of his mouth and the stone around his neck began to glow. Adagio could feel an energy emitting from it that only grew stronger with each passing second. Seeing this caused him to chuckle a bit. “Finally figured it out.”
“Stop, you'll kill us both!” she yelled as she tried in vain to pry herself from his grasp, but somehow the Jedi's strength had returned to him.
“Nope, just me.” Soon the two were engulfed in a bright light that could be seen for miles, which made it all the more easy for Fluttershy and Rose to find them as their ship landed not far from where the pod initially touched down.
“Master!” Rose shouted as they raced down into the canyon where a rather large crater lay a short distance from the destroyed pod. Fluttershy looked on in horror as Rose looked for any sign of her master among the wreckage.
“He-Hello,” Rose looked around as she heard what sounded like a child's voice call out. She and Fluttershy soon turned their attention to the crater where they heard the crying voice emanate from. “Is-is someone there? Please help.” The two walked over and found a little girl, no older than seven, shivering at the bottom. She had golden toned skin and messy orange hair, wearing tattered rags that were obviously too big for her. Fluttershy instinctively leaped down to tend to the girl.
“Oh you poor thing. Are you hurt?” The pink haired girl scooped her up in a comforting hug. “Where are you're parents?”
“I-I don't know. I can't remember...anything.” she cried into Fluttershy's arm as Rose examined the crater for a clue to Sandalwood's whereabouts. She found only the remains of his robes along with the element stone. Overcome by grief and shock she fell to her knees as she held his saber and the element in her hand. She turned to the mysterious child and noticed the Sith's saber among the rags Her mind ran through all the information until she came to the one conclusion that made sense. “Will you help me?” she heard the little girl ask.
The red haired girl got to her feet and made her way to the child then ignited her saber. “Move.” she commanded Fluttershy who looked at her in confusion.
“What?”
Rose violently ripped the girl from her friends grasp and threw her to the ground. She raised her saber and brought it down in a heavy swing on the girl, only to be intercepted by Fluttershy's own blade. “What are you doing? Get out of the way!” Rose attempted to force the other padawan aside only to be force pushed away by her.
“You can't do this.”
“Don't you see? She's the Sith!”
Fluttershy looked back at the frightened child behind her. She couldn't deny that this may well have been the case but held to her resolve all the same. “Maybe she was, but all I see now is an innocent child and I'll protect her from anyone,” Fluttershy paused for a moment before her eyes flashed with determination. “even you.” The element glowed bright in Rose's hand as it flew from her grip and attached to Fluttershy, transforming into a pink gemstone encased in a golden necklace. Both girls were shocked by this turn of events as they stood speechless for a moment. Rose gritted her teeth at seeing this and prepared to attack only to stop as they heard the sounds of the troopers coming over the hill.
“Is everything alright down there?” Spearhead called down into the canyon. “Don't worry, we'll give you a hand.” Rose, a look of pure disdain on her face, finally shut off her blade, turned and walked off in the direction of the ship as the troopers repelled down the cliff side.
Later
After traveling back to the Jedi temple on Equus, the Council of Harmony, consisting of Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy's own master, Rainbow Dash had heard the entire story from both the padawans and had come to a decision. Unfortunately for Rose, it was not the one she'd been expecting. “You can't be serious? My masters, I beg you to reconsider.”
“The Council has heard both of your cases and feels that our decision is in the best interest of everyone.” Twilight explained calmly from her chair in the circular chamber.
“That thing is a killer! It's because of her that The Recluse was a grave for twenty-three good men, my master, your friend, included.” The group was silent as Rose stared down Twilight for what seemed like an eternity, the master and head of the Council never wavering in her reserved composure. “If this is what the Jedi have become, then I want no part of it.” She stormed out of the chamber as Fluttershy attempted to stop her, falling short as her former friend pulled away.
As the Council ended the cession, Rainbow Dash took Fluttershy aside for a private conversation. “You alright?” She placed a reassuring hand on her padawan's shoulder as they walked through the courtyard.
Fluttershy hesitated for a moment before giving an answer. “I-I'm not really sure.”
“You did the right thing, Fluttershy. If you hadn't, you wouldn't have this to show for it.” Dash pointed at the newly acquired element that adorned the girl's neck. “I know what you did couldn't have been easy, but believe me, I know what you're going through.”
“You do?”
“It was some time ago, and I'd rather not talk about it at length, but let's just say there was a time when I had to make a tough decision that lost me a good friend. It hurt then, but eventually something good came from all of it.”
“It did?”
“Yeah, it did. That brings me to the second thing I wanted to talk about. You've truly proven yourself worthy of the Element of Kindness and that's why the Council of Harmony has decided to appoint you as its new member.”
Fluttershy froze where she stood. “Oh um, I really don't think I can...”
“Fluttershy, I know you're nervous and I know being in the spotlight really isn't your thing, but I have faith in you. And if you ever need support, I'll always be there. And if you need good advice...you should probably talk to Twilight or Applejack first.” The last sentence garnered a laugh from her student as she gave her a pat on the back.
“Thank you, Master Dash. I won't let you down.”
“You never have, Flutters. Now, regarding the girl...”