Just locking the door and closing the curtains wasn't enough for Fluttershy this time. This time she took her security one step further. After locking the door, Fluttershy pushed a bunch of furniture in front of it. She then found some fire wood, a hammer, and some nails, and used them to board up every window in the house. There was no way Fluttershy was letting that thing get into her house. As soon as she finished boarding up her house, she flew into her bedroom, locked the door, and hid under her bed sheets. As she curled up under her blankets in her soft bed, it wasn't long before she was warm and cosy, almost forgetting that she was hiding. She was finally able to relax, and being as warm and comfortable as she was, Fluttershy slowly but surely dozed off to sleep. After all, she boarded up the house. It's not like that thing could get in... could it?
It was well passed midnight when Fluttershy was awoken by a sound coming from down stairs. Hoof steps. Tapping on the wooden floorboards, getting louder and louder. Somepony was in her house. Fluttershy remained under her bed sheet, staying as quiet as possible. She didn't speak, she didn't panic, she didn't rustle the sheets, she didn't even breathe. Fluttershy tried to calm herself down by imagining the best case scenario.
'Maybe it's just Twilight,' she thought to herself. 'Maybe she just came over to check on me, and since the door was locked she used a teleportation spell to get in.' Fluttershy shut her eyes tightly, hoping it was true, as the hoof steps grew louder. Whoever, or whatever those hoof steps belonged to, was coming closer. The sound of the hoof steps soon changed, and by the sound of it, was now climbing the wooden stairs that lead to her bedroom.
'It's coming closer!' Fluttershy thought. Despite her efforts to control herself, she was visibly shaking. 'Please be Twilight. PLEASE be Twilight.' Fluttershy snapped out of her thinking when she noticed the hoof steps have stopped, and was being replaced by the sound of her doorknob rattling. 'Don't look, Fluttershy! Don't look!' Fluttershy ignored her own warning and poked her head from her bed sheets. The door knob was violently shaking, making a loud rattle sound in the process. Fluttershy tried to tell herself that it couldn't get in, but she had a hard time believing it. She locked her front door and placed heavy furniture in front of it, so if it was able to get through that, it certainly would be able to get into her bedroom.
Fluttershy didn't waste any more time. She got out of bed and flew up to her window, desperately trying to remove the wood from it. She wrapped her hooves around the largest plank of wood and pulled. She was pulling as hard as she could, but the wooden plank wouldn't budge. Fluttershy's ear twitched when she noticed the door had stopped rattling. Her head turned around to see the door was still shut.
"Phew," Fluttershy sighed before she could stop herself. She took a step back, trying to analyse her options on how to get through. She studied the wooden planks, and noticed the nails. They were ever so slightly sticking out of the wood. If she was able to remove at least some of the nails, she just may have a chance of escaping. Fluttershy looked over to her desk, only to see there were no tools resting on it. That's when she realised she accidently left her hammer down stairs. Now what?
Fluttershy walked over to the window, and realised what she had to do. She grabbed a nail with her teeth, and pulled. After a few hard tugs, Fluttershy successfully removed the nail from the plank of wood. She turned to the side, and spat the nail out of her mouth. She selected another nail from the other side of the wooden plank, and repeated the process. It didn't take long before she was able to remove that nail as well. She was about to go for another one when she heard jingling coming from behind her. She turned to look, and saw the keys she used to lock her bedroom door was now floating in mid-air at its own will. The keys hovered from her desk where they were sitting, and were slowly moving across the room towards her door. Fluttershy watched in horror, as the key slid into the lock and rotated, creating a clicking noise.
Fluttershy was breathing heavily, her heart rate increasing, as she watched her bedroom door slowly open accompanied by a loud creak. All she saw behind the door was darkness, and two blood red glowing eyes.
"No!" Fluttershy said in disbelief. The hoof steps started again, as the red eyes proceeded to come closer and closer. "No, no, no, no!" Fluttershy's heart was now pounding, as she turned back to the window, and heaved on the wood with all her might. Removing the nails had loosened it, but it still wasn't getting off that wall without a fight. Fluttershy's shivering became more and more violent with every proceeding hoof step, as each one became louder and louder. "Somepony help!" Fluttershy screamed, giving the wooden plank another hard tug. The wooden plank loosened. She tugged again. "I don't want to die!" After one particularly violent tug, the wooden plank finally broke free. Fluttershy threw the wooden plank at the figure, but it just went straight through it. The figure didn't even flinch. She squeezed through the other wooden planks and fiddled with the lock at her window. Eventually, she was able to loosen it and the window flung open.
Fluttershy slid through the window enough to be able to spread her wings. She flapped them hard, but she didn't take flight. A sharp pain in her tail was preventing her from flying off, and she felt an invisible source pulling on it, trying to pull her back through the window. Fluttershy looked back, to see the red eyes right at her window where she had been standing, with her tail still stuck inside the window directly underneath the red eyes. Fluttershy flapped her wings harder, and harder, but it was no use. She was being pulled back into the house.
"LET GO OF ME!" Fluttershy screamed at the top of her lungs. Fluttershy felt her rear legs making contact with her windowsill. Soon her entire backside was back inside the house. "HELP!" She used her forelegs to grab both sides of her window. Fluttershy looked at her surroundings. Despite the commotion she was making, nopony was anywhere to be seen. The creature tugged harder, creating more pain in her tail. The force pulling her in was getting stronger, and she didn't think she could hold onto the window for much longer. "LET ME GO!" After one very violent tug, Fluttershy no longer felt like something was pulling on her. A huge chunk of the hair in her tail had been ripped out, but she didn't care. Fluttershy took off before it had a chance to get another grasp on her. Flapping as hard as she could, Fluttershy flew away from her cottage, and disappeared into the night.
Fluttershy found a small cloud in the sky. She plopped onto it, panting hard. As she struggled to catch her breath, she reflected upon what just happened. For the longest time, while she had been afraid of this thing, there was always a thought at the back of her mind indicating a slight possibility that maybe it didn't want to hurt her. But after tonight, her greatest fears were confirmed. Whatever this thing was, it was not friendly, and Fluttershy now knew that she had to do everything in her power to make sure it did not catch her.
It was everywhere she went. Always turning up when she let her guard down, or when she least expected it. Now it was going as far as breaking into her house in the middle of the night and trying to grab her. If it was able to get to her despite locked doors with furniture in front of it, then that did that mean there was nothing she could do to stop it? Was it just going to keep coming after her until it got her? What did it want from her? What was it going to do to her if she was caught?
After she was able to calm down, the low temperature managed to reach her coat. Fluttershy was shivering, ruffling her wings and huddling her legs together trying to stay warm. She didn't want to stay there, but her house wasn't safe anymore. Fluttershy buried her face into the cloud she was lying on, crying.
"What am I going to do?" she asked herself, receiving no reply. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something. Something tall. Fluttershy looked up, to see Twilight's castle nearby. If there was one pony who could help, it was her.
Fluttershy made her way to Twilight's castle. She raised a hoof to knock on the door, but hesitated. Twilight was most likely asleep, since it was the middle of the night. Waking Twilight up would have been insensitive, but Fluttershy's life was in danger, and she needed her help. Fluttershy took a deep breath, and knocked on the door. The knocking was loud, and Fluttershy could hear the knocking echoing throughout the castle. She waited, but nothing happened. She knocked again.
"Twilight?" she whispered. She waited again, and she still received no response. She knocked for a third time. "Twilight!" she called again, even louder this time. At last, the door opened. What Fluttershy saw caught her off guard, despite the fact she should have seen it coming. Standing behind the door was Twilight, but she was a complete mess. Her mane about as messy and all over the place as you could get, her eyelids were half closed, and she had bags under her eyes. She had obviously been sleeping.
"Fluttershy?" Twilight croaked slowly and weakly. "What are you doing here? Do you have any idea what time it is?"
"I'm so sorry, Twilight," said Fluttershy. "But I really, really need your help. You know how you've been worried about me?"
"Yeah," said Twilight.
"Well," said Fluttershy. "I think I'm in terrible danger." Twilight shook her head, and opened her eyes wider, trying to wake herself up.
"Danger?" she said, able to speak more clearly.
"Yes," said Fluttershy. "Not even my house is safe anymore."
"What exactly are you in danger of?" Twilight asked.
"It's a long story," said Fluttershy. "But in short I think I'm being chased by some sort of beast." There was a fresh look of worry in Twilight's eyes.
"A beast?" she asked, trying to clarify that she did indeed hear what she thought she heard. Fluttershy simply nodded. "Come inside. Quick!" Fluttershy did what Twilight told her to do. They headed down the hallway for the bedrooms. As they walked Twilight continued to speak. "As much as I want you to tell me, if you tell me what's going on now, the info is just going to go in one ear and out the other. Can you tell me what's going on in the morning?"
"Sure," said Fluttershy. Twilight stopped and opened a door to their side.
"In the meantime, you can sleep in here," she said. The open door revealed a spare bedroom with a small bookshelf, a desk, and a single bed with a window above it. "This spare bedroom is the closest room to mine."
Fluttershy entered the room, and turned back to face Twilight.
"Thank you, Twilight," she said.
"No problem," said Twilight. "Anyway, I'm going back to sleep. If you need me for anything, and I mean anything, don't be afraid to come and get me." Fluttershy smiled, and Twilight smiled back. Twilight was just about to head back to her room when Fluttershy stopped her.
"Wait," she said quickly.
"What is it, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked. Fluttershy hesitated before asking her question.
"Before you go," she said. "I would like to ask a favour, but it's going to sound a bit strange."
"Go on."
"Well, um, I was wondering if you knew any spells that could lock doors, in a way so the door can't just be opened with a key?"
Twilight was thrown off by Fluttershy's question, but went along with it anyway.
"As a matter of fact," she said. "I do happen to know a spell that can do just that. Why do you ask?"
"I was wondering if you could use it for this room, to stop from anything coming in."
Twilight's jaw dropped at Fluttershy's suggestion.
"Fluttershy," she said. "If I did that, you wouldn't be able to get out unless I perform the counterspell!"
"I'm more worried about something getting in," said Fluttershy. "Please, Twilight."
Twilight hesitated for a minute, before taking a deep breath.
"Alright," she said. "But are you sure you want to do this?"
"I'm sure," said Fluttershy.
"Ok," said Twilight. "But I'm unlocking your door first thing in the morning, ok?"
"Ok," said Fluttershy.
"Goodnight, Fluttershy."
"Goodnight, Twilight."
With that, Twilight's horn glowed as the door closed. The door itself glowed, as a loud noise was sounded from the other side of the door. Fluttershy assumed it was Twilight performing the spell. The pink glow faded away, and Fluttershy approached the door. She pulled on the handle. It didn't open. She pushed at the handle. The door remained shut. The door was locked. The next thing Fluttershy knew, she could hear Twilight's hoof steps going quieter and quieter, followed by the sound of a door closing. If Fluttershy wanted to change her mind, it was now too late.
Fluttershy climbed into the bed, wondering whether or not she had just done the right thing. Sure, the only reason it got into her room last time was because it had access to keys, and the lock on this door was protected by a spell that only Twilight herself can break. However, what if that thing was still able to get in here? She would be trapped. 'Don't worry about it' Fluttershy thought to herself. 'Twilight's room is right next to yours. If something goes wrong, just call her, and she will come to help.' Knowing that she had a close friend nearby, and was protected by a locked door, Fluttershy was finally able to relax. Fluttershy closed her eyes, and fell asleep.
Fluttershy was fortunate enough to have had a peaceful sleep. She slept like a filly, and woke up feeling nice and refreshed. Fluttershy climbed out of bed, yawned and rubbed her eyes with her hoof. When she was able to gain a clear vision of the room, her sense of peace instantly came to an end. She couldn't explain how, but the figure with the red eyes was standing in the corner of the room. It had been watching her sleep. How long had it been standing there for?
The figure didn't stay there. It was now approaching her, one hoof step after the other. The bedroom door still being shut indicated that it was still under Twilight's spell. There was only one thing Fluttershy's instincts told her to do.
"Twilight!" Fluttershy yelled at the top of her lungs, hoping she could hear her. The figure continued to approach, coming closer, and closer, and closer. "TWILIGHT!"
Within seconds, Twilight's muffled voice could be heard from behind the door.
"I'm coming, Fluttershy! Hang on!"
The figure was still coming closer.
"HELP!"
The door glowed for a brief second, before being bucked open by Twilight.
"I'm here!" said Twilight. "Are you alright?"
Fluttershy could no longer speak to Twilight. All her attention was on this, this, this creature. It was now halfway between the corner it was standing in, and her. Fluttershy was backing up, her eyes shrunk with terror, as she watched the creature proceed to come closer and closer.
"What do you want?" she said to it. The creature didn't answer. It just took another step closer, and made a giant grin in the process. The smile spanned from cheekbone to cheekbone. Its teeth was pure white, and were razor sharp. "Why is it smiling at me like that?" It took another step forward. She took another step back. "Stay away from me!" The creature took another step closer. Fluttershy was now pressed against the wall, unable to back up any further. Her eyes were wet with tears, as she curled into a ball and buried her face into her legs. "LEAVE ME ALONE!"
"Fluttershy?" Twilight cried in confusion. What was happening to her friend? While Fluttershy could see a terrifying creature as clear as day, all Twilight saw was Fluttershy backed up against the wall in the fetal position, acting terrified of seemingly nothing. From Twilight's perspective, Fluttershy was just talking to thin air. If there really was something there, there was nothing Twilight could do about it. Watching her friend suffer like this stung her in the heart. What was she so afraid of?
The creature was now right in front of Fluttershy. Without thinking, she tried the exact same tactic to escape as she tried last night. She grabbed her tail with her hoof, flew to the window, opened it, and flew away.
"Fluttershy! Wait!" Twilight called.
Fluttershy dropped onto the ground and ran as fast as she could. By now, it didn't matter where she was going, or how far, she just had to run. From thin air, Twilight teleported directly in front of her path, and she was only just able to stop herself in time to avoid crashing into her.
"Fluttershy," said Twilight. "This is getting out of control. We need to talk about this, now. What is going on?"
There was no point in trying to prolong it any further, it was time she knew. Fluttershy sat down, and told Twilight to do the same. She took a deep breath, and she told Twilight the whole story. From finding the red eyes in the Everfree Forest, about seeing the figure everywhere she went, about the voices inside her head, about the attack she had last night, as well as what just happened a few seconds ago.
She told Twilight everything.
When she finished, Twilight was horrified.
"You mean to tell me that this thing has been after you ever since you left the Everfree Forest the other night?" Fluttershy nodded. "What do you think it wants?"
"I don't know," said Fluttershy. "You don't suppose, that maybe, it wants to, to..." Fluttershy couldn't finish her sentence. She didn't want to consider it as a possibility, but it was the one that made the most sense to her.
"Fluttershy," said Twilight. Fluttershy looked up. "We have to find out what's going on. The things you're experience cannot be a good sign."
"I know," Fluttershy agreed. "So what do we do?"
Twilight placed her hoof on her chin and looked into the sky thinking. Eventually she looked back to Fluttershy as if she was hit with an idea.
"My library," she said. "Come on, let's go."
They made their way back to Twilight's castle. Being careful to make sure they didn't accidently encounter the creature again, they eventually made it to Twilight's library. Twilight selected a few books on supernatural creatures, passed one to Fluttershy, and they started reading.
Many hours had passed, and there were more books on the floor then there were on the shelf. They were piled up on top of each other, creating a mountain of books. Twilight closed up another book and her horn glowed as she tossed it into the pile.
"It's no use," she said. "I havn't found anything that describes the kind of thing you've been experiencing. Any luck, Fluttershy?"
"Nothing," said Fluttershy. "We've been through practically the entire library and I've still found nothing."
"Then we'll have to think of another plan," said Twilight. "This is obviously not working."
"Like what?"
Twilight stopped to think.
"What about Discord?" Twilight suggested. "We all know how powerful he is, and he would do anything for you."
Fluttershy frowned and shook her head.
"Discord can't help," said Fluttershy. "He's the embodiment of chaos, so he can physically alter things that already exist. But unfortunately, he cannot completely wipe something from existence. Besides, I seem to be the only pony who can see... it, so how is Discord supposed to deal with something that's completely invisible to him? Even if he wanted to help, he wouldn't be able to."
"I think I have another idea," said Twilight. Fluttershy's face lightened up.
"What is it?"
"You're probably not going to like it," said Twilight. "But I think we have to pay a visit with Zecora." Fluttershy's face went into a look of terror, since she knew what that meant.
"No way!" said Fluttershy. "I promised myself never to go into that forest again!"
"What other choice do we have?" said Twilight. "Zecora has had a ton of experience with supernatural creatures and beings. If there's anypony, or in this case any zebra that knew what was going on, it would be her."
"I know," said Fluttershy. "But the Everfree Forest is how this thing found me in the first place remember?"
"True," said Twilight. "But if we go now, we'll be able to get there and back before it gets dark. Plus, I'll be right by your side at all times. Fluttershy, I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you." Twilight placed a comforting hoof behind Fluttershy's hair. "I promise."
Fluttershy closed her eyes. She always felt safer when Twilight was around, and Zecora was her best way of finding out what exactly it is that's being pursuing her. She sighed, opened her eyes and looked at Twilight.
"Ok," she said reluctantly. "Let's do it."
Just like Fluttershy's last trip to Zecora's, much to her surprise, the trip was completely uneventful. Before entering the forest Twilight told Fluttershy that if she saw any sign of the creature, then tell her immediately. Twilight organised a plan so if the creature did show up, she would conjure a shield around them so it wouldn't hurt Fluttershy. However, Twilight didn't have to perform the spell once, and they managed to reach Zecora's undisturbed. They also took the same path way Fluttershy took to get to Zecora's, instead of taking the shortcut.
After roughly thirty minutes the two finally arrived at Zecora's house. Fluttershy walked onto the porch followed by Twilight, and knocked on the door. Within seconds the door flew open, and Fluttershy was greeted by Zecora.
"Ah, Fluttershy, back so soon?" said Zecora, somewhat surprised to see her. "Tell me, what brings you here this afternoon?" Twilight emerged from behind Fluttershy.
"Hey, Zecora," said Twilight.
"Greetings, Twilight," said Zecora. It wasn't long before she spotted on Fluttershy's face that something was very wrong. "You seem troubled, Fluttershy. Are you alright?"
"No," Fluttershy sighed. "Zecora, I really need your help."
Zecora's face went from looking pleasantly surprised to a look of concern.
"Both of you, please come in," she said. "And tell me the troubles you feel deep within."
Twilight and Fluttershy made themselves comfortable in Zecora's dining room as she fixed them both with a hot beverage. When she finished she sat at the table to join them.
"Now, please tell me what troubles you," said Zecora. "And if there's anything I can do."
"Well," said Fluttershy. "It's kind of hard to know where to start." She turned towards Twilight. "What do you think I should tell her?"
"Everything!" Twilight said sternly. "Tell her absolutely everything you told me."
So that's what Fluttershy did. Just like she had told Twilight earlier, she explained everything to Zecora, starting from what happened right after she left from her last visit. When she finished Zecora took a large sip from her beverage, and placed it onto the table with a sigh.
"Before your departure on your last visit, I suggested a shortcut you could take," Zecora bent her head down feeling guilty. "That decision, I greatly regret, for that was a big mistake."
"Mistake?" said Fluttershy.
"Right after you left, I realised that the danger in that shortcut was great," said Zecora. "I ran out of the house to warn you, but by then, it was already too late." Zecora got off her seat and walked over to a bench, grabbed the map of the Everfree Forest, and placed back on the table. She rolled out the paper and pointed to the shortcut Fluttershy had taken with her hoof. "It's true that this is the quickest route. But a dark and twisted legend has it, for anypony who steps hoof on this trail, a sinister entity will take pursuit."
Fluttershy gulped.
"Do you know anything about this entity, Zecora?" said Twilight.
"While it's quite vague in the detail," said Zecora. "I have once spoken with a traveller, who told a very similar tale. He told me that he to was being chased by an entity with a twisted nature. It was a creature, with very sinister behaviour." Fluttershy and Twilight looked at each, then payed their attention back to Zecora as she continued. "He told me how he always had to beware, wherever he went, it would always be there."
"That sounds exactly like what's happening to me," said Fluttershy.
"However, it wasn't until he discovered its greatest desire," Zecora continued. "When he was filled with much more terror than any concern he had prior."
"What happened?" Twilight asked.
"He discovered that this creature is one of many mysteries," said Zecora. "Like being able to catch its prey, without being seen by potential enemies."
"So you're saying that this is a creature that possess supernatural abilities, such as only being visible to its victim?" said Twilight.
"The facts are not yet concrete, and the evidence is yet to perfect. But as far as we know, yes, that would be correct."
"What happened to this pony?" said Fluttershy.
Zecora hesitated.
"I prefer not to say, for I would hate to scare you my dear," she said. She took a deep breath. "But for your safety, it's something you should probably hear."
"What is it?" said Fluttershy.
"This poor stallion was terrified, telling me how this thing was chasing him every day," Zecora took another deep breath. "And sadly, just a few days later, he passed away."
Fluttershy instantly quivered, and fell to the floor as if her legs had lost all of their strength. Twilight instantly jumped down to her level.
"Fluttershy!" she cried. She could see Fluttershy was curled up, shivering and crying. "Fluttershy, it's alright. Everything's going to be ok."
"That's going to happen to me," Fluttershy wailed.
"No it's not," said Twilight, grabbing Fluttershy and pulling her in for a tight hug. "Because I'm not going to let that happen! We'll think of something... eventually."
"I must warn you two to be very cautious," said Zecora. "This is something you must know, even if it makes you feel nauseous. I may not know much about this beast, but I do know this to say the least. This is something that can't bargained with, and it can't be reasoned with. This won't be something you'll want to hear, but it must be said. This thing will not stop, until you are dead."
"Zecora, stop it, you're scaring her!" Twilight snapped, trying to comfort Fluttershy.
"Providing you this news gives me great dread," said Zecora. "But like I already stated, it had to be said. You must find a way to defeat it, because there's no way this thing is going to quit."
"Ok," said Twilight. "So what do we do?"
"That, I cannot say," said Zecora. "I've told you everything I know. So unfortunately, you're on your own, in terms of how to beat this foe."
"Well, thanks, Zecora," said Twilight, standing up and helping Fluttershy to her hooves. "I guess we'll see you later then."
"Farewell my friends, and take care," said Zecora. "And please remember, to beware."
After exchanging farewells Twilight and Fluttershy headed back down the trail they came.
Just like the trip there, Twilight and Fluttershy managed to get through the forest without any trouble. They spoke to each other as the exited the forest.
"Ok," said Fluttershy. "So we now know that this creature is indeed after me, I'm the only pony who can see it, and for some reason, it wants to kill me. What are we going to do?"
Twilight sighed.
"I don't know. We'll just have to figure something out."
"There you are!" said a familiar sounding voice. Twilight and Fluttershy looked up. It was Crystal, looking relieved, and annoyed at the same time. "I've been looking all over for you, Fluttershy. All I have to say is, what happened? What the hay was all that about?"
"What are you talking about?" said Fluttershy.
"I'm talking about yesterday afternoon," she said. "There we were, having a nice casual conversation, and then suddenly without warning, you scream and run away. Then you disappear for an entire day! What gives?"
Fluttershy quickly realised how bad that must have looked from her perspective.
"But... I... it's just... I," Fluttershy stuttered.
"Give her a break, Crystal," said Twilight. "Fluttershy's in a really stressful situation right now, and the last thing she needs is somepony to be on her case about something."
"Really?" said Crystal, sounding skeptical. "Tell me, Fluttershy, what exactly is happening to you that's so bad that you feel obligated to scream, run away mid conversation, and disappear for an entire day?"
Fluttershy sighed.
"I'm being chased by some sort of creature," she said. "It's a black figure with red eyes, it's following me everywhere I go, it came from the Everfree Forest, it's really scary, and I think it wants to kill me. It saw me when I was talking to you yesterday, but for some reason, only I can see it."
Crystal stared at Fluttershy with a dumbfounded look on her face. She turned to look at Twilight.
"And you actually believe her?" Crystal asked in disbelief.
"Yes I do," said Twilight. "I can't wrap my head around it either, and I've never seen anything like it. But as a pony who's studied friendship, I've learned that one of the most important elements of friendship, is to have their backs, and take their feelings seriously. Even if it doesn't make sense. I don't understand what this thing is, or how to get rid of it, but if it's scaring the living daylights out of one of my best friends, then you can bet your hoof that I'm going to have her back!"
"Thank you, Twilight," said Fluttershy. Twilight kept going.
"Fluttershy has been freaking out lately, and something has been terrifying her for the last two or three days. So if she feels like she's in some sort of danger, then I fully support her. Clearly, you don't."
Crystal's eyes widened.
"You know, Twilight," said Crystal. "You've just taught me a very valuable lesson."
"What's that?" said Twilight.
"I've learned that you ponies are crazy!" Crystal said, and with that, she ran away.
"Crystal, wait!" Fluttershy called, but she kept running.
"Just ignore her," said Twilight. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fi..." Fluttershy whimpered, and the next thing Twilight knew, Fluttershy was lying on the floor curled up onto the grass. Her eyes were shut tight, and her hooves were plugged into her ears.
"Fluttershy?"
"No," Fluttershy panicked. "No! Not again, please stop! Make it stop!"
"Fluttershy, what's happening to you?" said Twilight, starting to panic.
"That voice!" said Fluttershy. "I can't get it out of my head! Stop!"
"Fluttershy, please tell me, what is going on?"
"I can hear it. It's voice is in my head! It's talking to me!"
"What is it saying?"
Fluttershy went quiet, as if she was listening to the voice in her head. That's when she said it.
"It's saying, 'Your time is running out, Fluttershy'."