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// Never Judge a Book by it’s Cover 
// Story: Kindred Spirits 
// by CartoonNerd12 
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He was someone that kept to himself a lot and others saw that and  judged him especially one girl that vowed to dislike him due to a slight  he did not realize would hurt her. As it was, he found himself drawn to  her very presence though he had no idea why.

She hardly knew how to suppose that she could be an object of admiration to so great a man.





Becky  watched the ball in awe with couples dancing especially that of her two  friends, Scoops and Violet. She then spotted Theodore McCallister the  very boy she despised as he made his way to her and he asked, "May I  have the next dance, Miss Botsford?"

She was shocked to say the least and was stunned of how to reply until out of nowhere she said, "You may."





Judy  watched as Nicholas Wilde left after receiving her answer. She turned  to her friend, Fru-Fru Big on a table as she sputtered out, "Did I just  agree to dance with Mr. Wilde?"

Fru-Fru giggled, "I daresay you will find him amiable, Judy."

"It would be most inconvenient since I have sworn to loathe him for all eternity."





Marinette took deep breaths as Alya tried to calm her down.

"Just relax, it's just one dance with him. Then you can go back to hating him."

She moaned, "Why did I accept? What was I thinking?!"





Fluttershy  made a sigh and went toward the dance floor to find her partner as he  waited for her with the rest of the couples lined up.

The dance began and she went into a steady conversation with Mr. Discord, "I love this dance."

"Indeed, most invigorating." he replied.

"Are you enjoying the gala?"

"Somewhat, it is rather boring for the most part."

"Did you come alone?"

"Yes, you?"

"I  came with my family and friends." she motioned to five mares talking  and giggling in a corner while her brother made a fool of himself with  the other guests.





Becky said as  they danced hand in hand, "I must confess I didn't expect you to be  here, you don't seem the type that would attend these balls."

Tobey replied, "I'm not, but I was willing to make an expectation tonight."

She raised her brow, "Oh really? How so?"

He merely stated, "I have my reasons." and they kept dancing.





Dancing  with Mr. Chat Noir was nerving wracking at first but then she eased  into it as they talked. It was strange to be sure as she found herself  enjoying hearing him talk.

He asked, "Do you often dance so gracefully?"

Marinette tittered, "Not really. For you see, I'm fairly clumsy."

"Really? I wouldn't have guessed." he smirked.

She felt herself blushing.





Judy was finding herself entranced to Mr. Wilde as they danced with the other couples.

She said, "You don't seem to mind the difference of our species compared to the other couples in the room."

"Species should not matter when one's partner is someone worth dancing with."

She felt herself going warm at his words as she replied, "You're too kind, sir, that it's surprising."

"Why is that?"

They stopped briefly as they faced each other with her saying, "Your character, it confuses me."

They resumed the dance as he said, "Then I hope to offer more clarity in the future."





The  dance went on as gentleman and lady were lost in the moment and then  when it was over they went on to do their own thing at the ball.





Twilight asked Fluttershy, "Was he horrible to you?"

The butter cream mare shook her head, "Not at all, he was actually very tolerable."

The rest of their friends heard this with Rainbow Dash saying in disbelief, "Are you serious?"

Rarity mentioned, "Yes, he is quite ghastly in appearance. And I've heard his behavior was the same way."

Fluttershy seemed concern as she said, "But he was genteel toward me."

Applejack pointed, "But look at how he's treating everyone else."

They saw the draconequus acting rude toward the guests that were giving him cold stares.

This made Fluttershy even more concerned than before.





Judy  found her parents as they came up to her in worry with Mr. Hopps  fretting, "Are you alright? He didn't claw you or anything, did he?"

She sighed, "No Dad, I'm fine."

Mrs. Hopps added, "If this wasn't an important social affair I would have told you to refuse his dance."

"He maybe a fox, Mother, but he was nothing but a perfect mammal to me."

Her father stated, "Still it would be best for you to stay away from him from now on."

Judy frowned at the idea.





Marinette  talked with Alya as they watched the rest of the ballgoers. Then they  spotted Chat Noir dancing with Chloe Bourgeois, followed by Kagami  Tsurugi and Lila Rossi making Marinette's heart drop.

Alya scowled  at the sight, commenting, "I guess it's a good thing you don't really  like him because if he is that quick to find another partner after the  last one, then he's not worth your time."

Marinette hung her head and sadly sighed, "Yes, you're right…"





Becky  saw her family acting silly around the other guests and was feeling  slightly embarrassed by this especially when she heard Victoria Best  remarking to Tobey, "Such a shame that some families cannot be perfect,  wouldn't you agree, Mr. McCallister?"

Tobey didn't respond and turned away.

Scoops and Violet saw how crestfallen Becky was and tried to comfort her.

Violet said, "It'll be okay, Becky, I'm sure you'll find someone that's better for you."

She  considered her friend's words and wondered if it'll be true. But a part  of her didn't want to forget Theodore McCallister anytime soon.





Some  time had passed and the lady and gentleman had once again crossed paths  but this time under the strange circumstances of staying in the same  town until he came to her.

"In vain I have struggled. It will  not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you  how ardently I admire and love you." 

The lady was in shock.





Judy gapped at Nicholas' words before uttering, "Excuse me?"

"I said; that I love you and I wish to marry you. Isn't that clear?"

The bunny gapped again.





Fluttershy  didn't know what to say about this sudden proposal until Mr. Discord  said, "Usually when one is offered marriage, one can expect a certain  answer wouldn't you agree?"

She slowly frowned.





Marinette was trying to grasp the situation and sputtered out, "I… I don't understand, why me?"

Chat Noir motioned, "Why not you? From the first moment we met I knew there was something special about you."

She found herself scowling and inquired, "Is that what you say to all the other girls too?"

His face scourged in confusion, "What other girls?"

"Don't play coy with me, Mr. Noir, I saw you dancing with those girls at the ball three months ago!"

Chat made a gulp.





Becky shouted out, "Marriage?! But that's… that's insane!"

Tobey quickly replied, "Insane now but this is merely a betrothal until we're old enough for marriage."

"Betrothal?!"

"You do know what a betrothal is, don't you?"

She huffed, "Of course I do! It's an act of engagement until both parties are of legal age but that's beside the point here!"





Judy  Hopps was still wrapping her head around this. Nicholas Wilde wanted  her to be his wife. She, a rabbit the wife to a fox. She remembered  their last encounter and believed it to be sincere but even so, there  was still much they don't know about each other and her family… Oh, how  they would have a fit over this!

She took a deep breath and outright told him, "Sir, I thank you for your interest, but I'm afraid I cannot accept."

Nick was surprised.





Fluttershy  took a step forward and stated, "Mr. Discord, while I am flattered by  your proposal but I'm sorry I cannot be your wife."

His jaw dropped.





"Mr.  Noir, I refuse to be with someone if they can't stay truthful to their  intended. So until I can see you are faithful to me, I cannot accept  your proposal."

Chat slowly said in despair, "I understand…" and he left.

Marinette then broke down in tears.





Tobey was flabbergasted by Becky's outburst, questioning, "And just why can't you be my betrothed?"

"Because it's too soon! We barely know each other and already you're suggesting marriage!"

He humphed and made for the door, "You know, I was willing to look past the inferior of your circumstances…"

She demanded, "What is that supposed to mean?!"

"Well if you must know, your family and the status that you carry hardly matches the standards that is my own."

She gasped.





Discord with a glare in his eyes said, "Will you at least explain why you won't marry me?"

Fluttershy replied, "I'll try but it's simple to understand that you're being a bit forward about this."

He scoffed, "How am I being forward?"

"Well,  you're outright assuming that I would accept your proposal when I still  need some time to consider where you stand in life."

He furrowed his brows, "Oh, is that all? You want to know that if I am as awful as everyone says that I am."

She timidly moved her body and said, "Well um, yes…"





Nick glowered at her and said, "This is because I'm fox isn't it?"

Judy was stunned he was able to figure that out.

The  fox continued, "I hear it all, you know, I refuse to let it show but it  still hurts to some degree. And here I was hoping you would be  different, I guess I was wrong."

She objected, "I am different! It's just my family-"

He  interrupted her, "Even so, it doesn't change the fact that we are two  separate species and that shall always play a factor in our lives. Good  day, ma'am." he left without another word.

Judy was on the verge of tears.





"Well  I'm sorry that my family doesn't live up to your standards but they are  still my family and I love them very much! And I could never be  betrothed to someone that can't accept them as they are!"

Tobey let out a huff and went out in anger.

Becky stood there in silence and let out a sigh.





Discord  loomed over Fluttershy as he declared, "No doubt your friends put those  ideas in your head! I saw the way they were talking to you!"

She  frowned further and stood her ground, "And if they did?! I care about  how my friends think because they care about me and are making sure I  don't make a mistake!" as soon as she realized what she said she gasped  and covered her mouth but the damage had already been done.

The  draconequus' eyes burned with fire as he swiftly turned away from her  and started for the door, stating, "I renounce my offer of marriage. May  you find a better suitor that's more suitable to your tastes.  Farewell." and he slammed the door behind him.

Fluttershy felt the tears about to escape her and started to sniffle.





Time  once again passed for the gentlemen and lady and both were lost in  their own wallowing, each realizing the mistakes that had been made in  their last exchange. But then a miracle happened as the lady and  gentleman got to see each again through a twist of fate and the two got  to grow closer within that time. Then when it was time for the lady to  go back home she was given a surprise visit by someone she never  expected.

I am only resolved to act in that manner, which  will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to  you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.





Marinette met with Lady Audrey Bourgeois as the haughty woman stated, "I'm sure you are aware of the nature of my visit?"

The teen shook her head, "I'm afraid I don't, your ladyship."

The woman furrowed her brow, "Really? You do not know about the possible engagement of you and Mr. Chat Noir?"

Marinette gawked, "Engagement?"

"Indeed, especially since he is engaged to my own daughter."

Marinette  felt her heart sinking again until she realized, "But if he is then why  are you asking if I have an engagement with him?"





Judy  watched as Lady Dawn Bellwether was pacing around the room until she  addressed the rabbit, "It is my understanding that Mr. Nicholas Wilde  has taken fancy with you."

"And what is it to you?" Judy challenged.

"Because  Miss Hopps, there's a natural order of things we must keep up and your  engagement to Mr. Wilde is going against that order."

"Engaged? Who said anything about an engagement, even if I wish it was true."





Becky  faced Lady Power as the woman proclaimed, "You don't really want to be  betrothed to such a brat, do you? Everyone knows that he is no good.  He'll only bring you down from your true potential."

The girl  scowled as she replied, "I don't care about that. I know his heart  better than anyone else so if I do marry Theodore McCallister the Third  in the future it'll because I chose to."





Lady Chrysalis chuckled toward Fluttershy, "What use does he have for such a weak pony like you?"

Fluttershy glowered, "I think you would you surprised."

Chrysalis was slightly taken aback by the pegasus's attitude, "Ah, showing some backbone are we?"

"You are insulting me to my face, what else can I do?"

The changeling humphed, "I can see this will take some time."





Audrey motioned, "I'm here to hear it contradicted, Miss Dupin-Cheng, that you are not engaged to Mr. Chat Noir."

Marinette  didn't want to give into the lady's demands but she couldn't lie  either, and said, "I am not engaged to Mr. Chat Noir."

"Ah, good, but now I want your promise that you will never enter into such an engagement should it happen."

The teen frowned and refused, "I will not."

The lady gasped, "How dare you!"

"How dare you."  Marinette countered, "You think you can just come into my life and  demand that I cannot marry Chat Noir so that your daughter can have him?  Well it is not my choice whether or not I get engaged to him. That is  entirely up to him on who he will choose." it pained her to admit that  but it was a truth she willing to accept whereas the Lady would not. She  pointed to the door, "Now please go, you have insulted me in every  possible way."

Audrey Bourgeois grunted and stomped out of the room.





Judy  stared off with the sheep as Dawn said, "You would allow yourself to be  ridiculed as a fox's mate? To be called a traitor to your own kind?"

"Better  to be a traitor than to live a life without the one you want…" she let  that sink in the sheep's mind before saying, "You have overstayed your  welcome Lady Bellwether, you know where the door is." and turned away  from her.

Bellwether humphed, "Fine then, you have made your  choice, now you have to live with it. Don't say I didn't warn you." and  she was gone.





Lady Power got in Becky's face, "You would give yourself up for someone who has done so little for you?"

Becky scowled even more and declared, "I would."

The woman then made a frustrated yell and powered walk out.





Chrysalis  gritted her teeth at the mare's stubbornness, "Just you wait, that  being is going to break your heart just like last time…" she hissed.

Fluttershy  kept standing her ground, "Maybe he will! But we found our way back to  each other before and we'll do it again! And not you or anyone else  can't tell me otherwise! Now get out of here!" she pointed to the door.

The changeling merely evilly laughed and went out.





The girls soon found themselves back in the purple void again as Cecilia spoke to them.

"As you probably know this dream was a lot stronger than the other two."

Marinette said, "Yeah, it was, this time I saw my parents, my friends, and everyone else from my school and city."

Becky gestured, "Yeah, I did too!"

Fluttershy and Judy also agreed.

Cecilia  stated, "That's because you're nearing the end of the forest and that  your desire together involved the acceptance of loved ones. That is a  very powerful desire and a much needed one for everyone."

Judy asked, "But then why did I see Bellwether and told her to well…"

"Yeah, and I did the same thing with Miss Power!"

"I did it with Chrysalis."

"And I did it with Chloe's mom, Audrey Bourgeois."

"That's very simple, it is also your desire to tell off others who will refuse your choice in a beloved."

The girls blushed at the word 'beloved'.

"You  want acceptance from those that are in your life and wish to keep the  doubters away from hurting your chances with those you want to get close  to."

They didn't say anything then they heard the fairy's giggles.

"I know that you are still in denial and that is fine but soon… you'll have to come to terms with it."

They looked to each other in uncertainty.

"I must go now, and don't worry that was the last dream you will have from the forest for awhile."

That brought relief to the girls as they started to wake up.