“Oh, it’s so wonderful!” Fluttershy started, tending to some of the animals at Sweet Feather Sanctuary. “Baltimare’s animal sanctuary is coming along so well, and Chorus tells me that they’ve gotten more volunteers than they ever hoped for in the last fundraiser!” She swooped down to pet a lazy sloth, pouring some food in front of her. “Oh, I wonder what kind of adorable critters are going to show up! Or what kind of ponies are gonna be taking care of them!” She tended to another few animals, then came in for a landing next to a little white bunny. “I wonder if they would mind a visit? What do you think, Angel-bunny?” The bunny shrugged, shaking his head and turning towards the exit. The yellow mare followed suit. “You’re right. I should probably ask, first.” She picked up the bunny, putting him on her back as she began flying. Before she really got started, she thought for a moment. “I wonder if my friends might want to go with me? Let’s go find out!” She took off at her full speed, the bunny hanging onto her mane.
Two days later, Twilight, Starlight, Boltsinger, Spike, Sunburst, and Soarin sat in the dining room, enjoying breakfast. The Unicorns in the room talking at length about their recent progress in magical research and exploits. Boltsinger and Soarin were, at the same time, going over the next step of Scootaloo’s flight training, since the filly’s wingpower was making vast improvements. From the foyer, Boltsinger’s ears caught wind of a soft rapping at the door, too soft for most ears, but something he’d learned to pick up on, given how quiet one of his friends is.
“Sounds like Fluttershy is here.” he announced, standing up from his seat. “I’ll go greet her.”
Starlight looked at the stallion as he left the room. “I forgot he could do that.” she mentioned, returning to her food.
“What are you talking about?” Twilight asked.
“I forgot that he can hear something that subtle.” she elaborated. “Then again, I guess that comes with his talents, doesn’t it?”
Fluttershy stepped into the room, smiling at her friends. She perked up further when the pink-coated Unicorn caught her eye. “Oh! Starlight! Lovely to see you!” She greeted, taking a seat at the table. “What brings you to Ponyville?”
Starlight smiled back. “We’re just here for a visit.”
“How wonderful!” the pink-maned Pegasus stated. She looked between all of the friends in the room. “So, I’m glad I caught everypony here. I’ve been sending letters back and forth with Chorus Plum in Baltimare…”
“Really?” Boltsinger wondered, looking at the shy one as he took a seat. “How is she doing, lately?”
“She’s doing great!” Fluttershy replied, spreading her wings. “The sanctuary is coming along great, too!”
“Awesome!” the stallion affirmed, flaring his own wings in kind.
“Chorus Plum… Isn’t she the one that led the choir you two helped out last year?” Twilight inquired.
“Yes, she is.” the oft-interrupted pony continued. “In fact, it’s almost complete! I asked her if she would like for us to come and visit, and…”
“And…?” Boltsinger repeated.
“She said yes!” she softly exclaimed, rising from her chair and hovering in place. “She wants you and I to come, Boltsinger, and she said we can bring any friends who want to join us!” She looked over at Twilight and Starlight as her rump touched down again. “So… If you don’t have anything planned…”
Twilight beamed at Fluttershy. “Of course I’ll come along!”
Starlight nodded. “I’ve never been to Baltimare! It should be interesting.”
“Of course I’m coming along.” Sunburst added. “Not much point in visiting everypony if I don’t do anything with them!”
Fluttershy let out a combination of a giggle and a squee at all of the friends coming with her. She looked over at Spike and Soarin, a hopeful look in her eyes. “What about you? Would you like to come with us?”
Spike shook his head. “I want to, but I promised Big Mac we’d meet up and talk hoofball.” He got up from his chair, beginning to gather the now-empty plates. “You all have fun, though!”
Soarin shook his head as well, flying out of his chair. “I gotta be here in Ponyville. Rainbow Dash has practice today, and I’ve got orders to be there when she does it. Sorry.”
Fluttershy’s head sank as the two of them left the room. “Oh… okay…”
Boltsinger flew over the table, landing next to the mare. “It’s alright. It’ll still be fun with all of us going!”
A shade of pink made itself known on Fluttershy’s cheeks as the corners of her mouth turned up again. “You’re right! Let’s go!”
The train ride to Baltimare was a long one. Nearly as long as one from Ponyville to Manehattan, and certainly longer than the flight there that Fluttershy had shared with Boltsinger. They spent the rest of the day in the train car, everypony quickly growing tired. Boltsinger noted the mellow feeling early on and began one of his standard humming songs, the sound of a breathing cello echoing through the car. Fluttershy smiled all through the music, once again remembering that flight as Twilight leaned into her husband. After his song finished up, the stallion smirked at Fluttershy, starting up a song that the mare instantly recognized as the very same one the two had performed with the choir when they first met their mutual friend. She closed her eyes with a fond grin, joining him as her parts approached.
As the music ceased, Boltsinger looked around the room. “Brings back memories, huh?” he mused, directing his eyes at Fluttershy.
The animal expert nodded happily. “It does. But I think it’s even better this time.”
“‘Cause we’re not going at supersonic speeds?” he suggested.
“And because we have our friends with us!” She concluded. “Plus, I don’t have to sing in front of a big crowd.”
“There is that.” he concurred, putting his wing around Twilight. “How surprised do you think Chorus is gonna be?”
“You mean bringing Twilight along?” Fluttershy wondered, looking at the dozing Alicorn. “Well, she knows who I am, so I don’t think it’ll come as a surprise.”
“You’re probably right.” He agreed, looking out the window and starting the music again.
Finally arriving at the Baltimare train station the next morning, the drowsy ponies disembarked. Fluttershy looked around, seeing a large number of ponies doing the same, leaving the station until the platform was empty. Nopony but her and her friends were there, even though she told Chorus when they would arri--
“There’s my favorite soprano!” an alto voice called out. Fluttershy looked to the entrance to the station, seeing a dark purple Unicorn mare with hazel eyes smiling at them. She had a long, curly, black mane and tail, and a Cutie Mark of three notes forming a chord on a musical staff. She trotted up to the yellow mare, giving her a hug.
“Oh, I don’t know if I should be your favorite soprano…” Fluttershy deflected, hiding behind her mane.
“Nonsense. Your performance saved last year’s fundraiser!” She looked around, spotting the orange stallion. “And there’s the surprise bass! How’ve you been, Boltsinger?”
Boltsinger stepped forward, putting a hoof on Chorus’ shoulder. “I've been alright.” He told her, looking back at the guests they had brought. “More importantly, we brought friends!” He moved aside, gesturing to Starlight. “This is Starlight Glimmer,” he pointed to his fellow stallion. “Sunburst,” finally, he stepped up next to Twilight, putting his hoof around her. “and last, but not least, Twilight Sparkle!”
Chorus perked up further, trotting over an offering a hoof. “A pleasure to meet you all!” She shook hooves with the Unicorns, friendly smiles abound, then turned her attention to the likewise-purple pony. “Twilight Sparkle, huh?” She started, her hoof already extended.
“That’s right!” She replied, fervently shaking the greeting foreleg. “It’s great to finally meet you! Boltsinger and Fluttershy had nothing but good things to say!”
Chorus smiled sheepishly, retracting her hoof. “You wouldn’t happen to have some connection to Princess Twilight, would you? I know she’s friends with Fluttershy, and all, but--”
Twilight unfurled one of her wings, sending the choir pony reeling. “I am Princess Twilight!”
Chorus’ jaw dropped, looking wide-eyed at the magnificent wing before her. “You mean… You actually came here, wanting to meet me?” Twilight smiled and nodded, resting her wing again. “All to take a look at… Oh, my… Why didn’t you tell me you two were bringing a Princess?! I’d have dressed more appropriate!”
Boltsinger and Fluttershy looked at each other with a laugh, turning to face the musical mare. “You invited us to bring friends. That’s just what we did.” Fluttershy explained.
“Besides, you don’t need to go out of your way just for me.” Twilight informed her, walking towards the station’s exit. “I’m no different from anypony else.”
“Except that you’re an Alicorn…” Chorus muttered under her breath. She looked back at at the Pegasi, who were still laughing to themselves. “So, you two wanna come see the sanctuary?”
“Oh, we all do!” Fluttershy answered. “But we need to get settled in, first… if you don’t mind.”
“No problem at all, dear. You all take your time.” She stated, following Twilight’s lead and making for the city proper.
Boltsinger started a trot of his own, patting Fluttershy’s back as he went. “I told you she’d be surprised!”
“So, it’s not complete yet, but there have been a few animals that have shown up.” Chorus explained as the six ponies came through a large wooden gate. The area around them was densely wooded, taking full advantage of local flora. Along the road, squirrels, bunnies, and other small creatures scampered around, jays of all colors flying overhead. “My friend has been having a few issues with some of the more… interesting creatures, but it’s mostly safe!”
“Mostly safe?” Sunburst asked, craning his neck to look past her. “Why would an animal sanctuary only be mostly safe?”
Chorus scratched her head, looking back at the orange Unicorn. “Well, it’s about some of the animals... “
Boltsinger cocked an eyebrow, flapping his wings and ascending just enough to get a view over their heads. “What kind of animals would make the sanctuary less sa--” An ear-piercing roar sounded, snapping the stallion’s wings to his sides. He fell to the ground, tripping over his front legs and getting a mouthful of dirt. He sat up, spitting the soil out and giving a panicked look ahead. “What in Equestria was that?!”
“That was one of the animals…” the black-maned mare stated, looking ahead. “We’d… best get there quick…” She broke into a canter, Starlight picking Boltsinger up with her magic as the group followed suit.
“What kind of recovering animals are there?” Twilight wondered, the roar reminding her of previous encounters.
Chorus laughed nervously. “Well, you see… These animals are a bit of a special case. I just don’t know why they all came here, but… We’re actually in a bit of a bind.” She looked back at Fluttershy. “That’s part of the reason I was so happy that you offered to come visit, Fluttershy! I was hoping you and your friends, with you having such a way with animals… Maybe you could help us to get them comfortable?”
Fluttershy nodded, another roar blowing the ponies’ manes back.“You know I’d be happy to, but I agree with Twilight. What animals do you have?”
“Let’s see…” Chorus started, thinking on the answer. “I know there’s at least ten Orthros…” Already, Boltsinger’s neck hairs were standing on end. “... a Manticore...” His teeth clenched, Twilight looking worriedly forward. “... two Bugbears…” Boltsinger’s legs stopped moving, causing him to rapidly trail behind. Starlight sent a stern look back at him, lighting her horn to pull him along, leaving drag marks in the ground. “... and… Exactly one Ursa Minor…”
Twilight, Starlight, and Sunburst skidded to a stop, looking at Chorus like she was completely insane. Boltsinger was released from Starlight’s magical grip, sending him straight back to his earlier position in the dirt, while the mares in the lead looked questioningly back at them all. “What’s wrong, everypony?” Fluttershy asked.
“I’m sorry, I just didn’t expect you to have those kinds of animals!” Twilight answered, standing tall and stepping forward boldly. “I’ll do my best to help!”
Boltsinger got up in a flash at his wife’s statement, rushing to her side. “Pardon me, dear, but…” He took a deep breath. “ARE YOU CRAZY?!” he shouted, his body rising to the air from the sheer volume. “I know you can handle yourself in a bind, but this is just…” Twilight gave him a firm glare, showing her determination in full. He raised a hoof to reach out to her, not quite sure if he should make contact. “Are you sure…? What about… you know… the baby?”
“Bolt, I understand if you’re scared, but I’m not going to turn my back on them.” she said, starting the walk again. “The baby’s not due for another nine months! And, besides, it’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before!”
Boltsinger retracted his hoof, letting her words sink in as his head sank. Starlight walked past him, looking back. “Don’t worry so much, Bolt. We’re all in this together!”
Sunburst stepped beside the now sorry-looking Pegasus, giving him an empathetic smile. “It’s okay. I’m scared, too. But they might need our help!” He darted off after the mares, who were now much farther ahead.
Boltsinger looked at his friends, his hoof finally falling back to the ground as he stared. What am I thinking… getting scared like this? He thought, raising his head. Come on, Bolt! This can’t be any scarier than fighting your sister-in-law turned horrible monster or a hypnotized Princess! He slapped his muzzle with his wings as hard as he could, the sound of the impact audible to everypony in a one mile radius. He dashed forward, coming up between Twilight and Fluttershy. Twilight and Fluttershy each snuck a glance at him as they ran. His cheeks were swollen and red, partially obscuring his eyes. “You’re right! They might be big… towering… and…” He swallowed a lump in his throat. “... utterly terrifying… But that doesn’t stop them from being animals in need! We’ve totally--”
“--got this?” Boltsinger finished. The group stood on the hill that overlooked the sanctuary, Fluttershy already tending to a pair of Orthros. Each of the heads on the two-headed dog was of a different breed, ranging from husky to dane to corgi to the scrunched up face of a pug. No matter the breed, they were all equal in the sheer amount of slobber they produced. He looked at the large, inviting habitat to see the Manticore licking their paws, looking around suspiciously at the smaller, cuter animals. The Bugbears sat separately, each in one of the largest trees in the sanctuary and roaring at any birds that flew in proximity. Towering over the trees was a giant bear whose coat looked like a vast night sky, suckling on a giant bottle full of milk. Boltsinger’s rump hit the ground almost instantly at the sight of the giant bear, his entire body quivering. “Eeyup! Totally got this…” He pawed the ground beneath him with his hoof, his breathing growing rapid. “I don’t got this…”
Chorus stepped forward, turning to face her guests with a nervous smile. “Well, for what it’s worth, welcome to Feather Note Sanctuary!”
Twilight looked at the Ursa, a fond memory returning to her as she headed over to Fluttershy, starting up a conversation. The otherwise timid Pegasus took charge, giving the Princess explicit instructions on how to calm the Orthros as quickly as possible, prompting the Alicorn to run headlong into the thick of it. Seeing her friend taking initiative, Fluttershy calmed her subjects and trotted over to everypony else, her expression at its most confident. “Everypony, I need your help with these creatures!” She turned to Chorus. “Chorus, could you help Twilight with the Orthros?” The purple Unicorn nodded wordlessly, galloping over to the bi-cranial canines. “Starlight, Sunburst, I’d like you to examine the Manticore. It wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t hurt somehow. If you can find out why, that will make things ever-so-much simpler.”
Starlight looked nervously at the chimera-like creature. “If you say so... I can’t make any promises, though!” She looked over at her special somepony, the two nodding in unison as they made for the Manticore.
Fluttershy stepped up to Boltsinger, sitting down and bringing her head close, looking the bewildered colt straight in the eyes. “Boltsinger, I understand you’re worried, but I need your help here. I won’t try to force you, but we’ve got our hooves full, even with Twilight and Starlight’s magic.” She stood up again, turning to head back. “I’m going to tend to the Bugbears. You go ahead and start with whatever you feel comfortable with whenever you’re ready.”
Boltsinger’s breathing slowed at his friend’s kindness, looking around. Twilight and Chorus had done a good job of calming the Orhtros, and were piled under a number of playful double-doggies. Starlight and Sunburst had lifted the Manticore into the air, Sunburst examining one side while Starlight checked the other. Periodically, the creature would swipe its claws at one of them, only to bounce off of a magical barrier that the mare had erected. He started to calm himself more at the sight of his friends handling the creatures as well as they had, wondering if he might be able to fight past his nerves and be of help as he looked at Fluttershy. She had done just as she said she would, and flown over to the bee and bear hybrids, gingerly approaching them. Fluttershy’s situation alone seemed like it was not going well. Each time she would come even an inch closer, one of them would swipe at her with one of its four arms, letting out an angry growl. Is she okay? I thought she’d dealt with Bugbears before… He turned his ears in her direction, trying to listen for anything wrong.
“I know I said I would tend to them… But I don’t know anything about Bugbears…” Fluttershy whispered to herself, looking worriedly at the animals before her. “Even with just one, it took all six of us just to send one away! Now I have to connect with two of them…” She shook her head, turning her eyes fierce. “No! I can’t let my fear get the best of me! Not after what I just said to Boltsinger! You can do this, Fluttershy! They’re just big… flying… bears…”
There she goes again, showing how she’s the bravest pony in all of Equestria… And here I am sitting here like a coward… the stallion stewed, starting to stand. It’s not like they’re attacking anyway… I just need to show them some compassion... His wings grew rigid, standing straight up with a tingling sensation as his friend narrowly dodged another swipe. Understanding… Fluttershy dodged another oncoming claw, letting out a yelp that caught the attention of all of her friends. They looked at her as she flew back, a claw cutting a single hair in her mane. Starlight immediately dropped the Manticore, causing it to land on its rump and let out an infuriated roar. At the sudden noise, the Orthros all got up, glaring at the lion-like beast and barking. The Manticore followed suit, jumping down to face the dogs with a mighty roar. Fluttershy backed up further, rushing over to the quarreling creatures as the Ursa stirred from its peaceful snacking, its bottle now empty. As the yellow Pegasus reached the other creatures, the Bugbears rose from their perches, flying stingers-first at her. KINDNESS!!! Boltsinger’s pendant glowed a bright pink, electricity of the same color discharging out of his wings as he took off, full-speed, towards the Bugbears.
Chorus looked up at the streak of orange and blue that flew overhead, the choir pony absolutely baffled. “What does he think he’s doing?” she wondered.
Twilight, likewise looking at the stallion, smiled at the sight. “Working!” she announced.
Boltsinger came to a stop directly in front of the Bugbears, breathing calmly and looking the closest one in the eye. The creature roared as loud as it could, raising its arm to swipe at the orange Pegasus. Before the attack could begin, there was a sudden motion on the pony’s part. He had moved in close, putting his forelegs around its neck in a loving embrace. “There, there, you big lug… Now, why don’t you calm down and tell me what’s bothering you?” The Bugbear in question looked down at the pony, then made the closest expression it could get to a smile, wrapping him in its upper arms in a return hug and descending to the ground in a soft landing.
All equine eyes fell upon the scene that was Boltsinger’s sudden understanding. Fluttershy, especially, showed a hint of surprise at the gesture, turning her attention to the now-envious second Bugbear. She opened her forelegs wide. “Come on over! I know you want one, too!” The Bugbear roared happily, pulling the kind pony in for a hug of its own and landing. “Aww, you just needed a little love, now didn’t you?”
Boltsinger flew up above his Bugbear’s head, giving it some good scratches behind the ear. “Now, you be good for the other ponies, and I’m certain you’ll get plenty more hugs and love, okay?” The beasts nodded, standing up and walking over to their trees. He turned to the Manticore and the Orthros, standing next to Fluttershy. “And what about all of you? What’s all the arguing about?” He walked over to the Manticore, listening intently as his friend joined in. He nodded, as if listening to one side of an argument, turning to her. “What do you think?”
“Oh, it sounds like our Orthros friends were just a little startled!” she stated, reaching over to pet the beast.
“I agree.” Boltsinger concurred, walking over to the nearest Orthros and scratching the closest chin he could reach. “They’re just little doggies. It’s not like they meant any harm. You just scared them when you roared!”
Twilight and Starlight stood next to each other, their confusion reaching their peak. “Just little doggies?” Starlight began, tilting her head. “This is the same pony that, just a minute ago, was trying to run away from all of this, right? Now, suddenly he’s as good with them as Fluttershy? What’s going on, here?”
Twilight rubbed her temples with her wings. “I’m not sure… This is different from the other times his lightning has kicked in…” She looked closely at his wings, the pink discharge still erupting from it. “This is gonna take some more research…”
Once the quarreling quadrupeds had ceased their attempt at a scuffle, Fluttershy was looking over the Manticore, finding scratch-marks on its foreleg. She guided it to a more secluded part of the sanctuary, swiftly returning to the main group as the loud roar from earlier sounded again, the Ursa crying out angrily. The Orthros and Bugbears crouched low at the overpowering noise. Boltsinger and Fluttershy were blown back a bit. They looked at one another, nodding, and swiftly flew at the absurdly large cub, scratching it in various places. “Oh, you’re just a cranky little boy, aren’t you?” Boltsinger cooed, his forelegs almost completely buried in its starry fur. “Do you wanna take a nap? Would that make you happy?” The Ursa leaned into the scratches next to its ear, where Fluttershy was happily at work. He backed up, going closer to Twilight and Chorus and beckoning them up as he opened his mouth, a soft tune coming out of him. Chorus perked up, bringing her hoof up over her heart and coming out with a sound that harmonized with his. Twilight looked between the two of them, her eyes and horn lighting up as she began lifting Chorus with her magic and taking flight. She brought herself next to her husband, where she brought forth her own harmony that carried itself along with the other two. They flew back closer to the Ursa, the impromptu lullaby growing in volume with each beat of the stallion’s wings, but maintaining the soothing effect it had started with. As the sound reached Fluttershy, she started her own high melody, a resonant fifth note rounding out their sound as the Ursa’s eyelids grew heavy. It wobbled back and forth, starting to fall over as Starlight and Sunburst ran forward, lighting their respective horns and easing the beast to the ground. Once it was comfortably lying down, Starlight directed her attention to the bottle, sending it to the nearest source of milk and filling it up, only to place it back next to the giant baby sleeping in the sanctuary.
As the lullaby finished, Boltsinger let a content smile find its way onto his face, his eyes closing as his wings fell limp. The lightning from his wings was gone, and his pendant had ceased its glow as gravity took hold of the Pegasus .”Boltsinger! No!!!” Fluttershy cried, going into a nosedive. Faster than any of them thought possible, two yellow forelegs found their way around an orange barrel, desperately trying to slow his descent with straining flaps of her wings. She held him up for as long as she could, soon giving way to his weight and landing as carefully as possible.
Blackness became blurs as the vision of his friends came to life above him. Boltsinger groaned, feeling utterly drained, even though he had just been free of consciousness. “Hey…” he greeted. “How’d it go with the… um… animals?”
Before any words came, the stallion was overwhelmed by a group hug. Twilight, Fluttershy, Starlight, and Chorus had all practically tackled him in what he thought could only be a bed, while Sunburst smiled from the other side of the room, waving his hoof. He wrapped his forelegs and wings around as much of the embracing mares as he could, looking around the room. Fluttershy looked up from the embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks. “We were so worried about you…!” she managed to say, burying her face in his shoulder again.
Starlight was the first to pull back, looking at him sternly while wiping away a bead of water that threatened to escape. “You have some explaining to do, mister.” She put her forelegs on the edge of the bed. “What, exactly, happened to you back there? I’ve seen your lightning make you do a lot of things, but this was something completely different!”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” he deadpanned. “Would anypony like to clue me in on what I supposedly did?”
Chorus got up, calming herself down and sitting by the bed. “You did what Fluttershy does. Almost as well as she does, too!” She went on to explain the entire situation as she saw it, Twilight and Fluttershy soon releasing their grips on the stallion. “Why, I don’t think I’ve ever seen lightning of that color before, except during a Wonderbolts show! How did you do it?”
Boltsinger put a hoof to his muzzle, wondering that for himself. “That’s a really good question. My lightning is normally blue.”
Chorus cocked an eyebrow at him. “‘Normally’? You’re telling me you have lightning coming out of you on a regular basis?”
“Well, yeah, that’s how we met in the first place.” he confirmed, sitting up and looking around. “I’ll tell you all about it, later. Anyway, why did I pass out? I mean, fuzzy memories is one thing, but actually losing consciousness? That’s never happened after… well… ‘working’.”
“I don’t know what happened.” Twilight informed him. “But I’d like to find out. When we get back, we’re adding this new phenomenon to our research itinerary.”
Boltsinger looked at his favorite mare, giving an agreeable nod. “Sounds good. But first…” A low, yet desperate, growl came from the depths of his stomach, mirrored by the bellies of everypony else in the room. “Food.”