//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: Nevermore // Story: Chaotic Harmony: Do Over // by shirotora //------------------------------// “Shit!” I exclaimed as I ducked another stream of fire. As intriguing as it could be to find something that differed from the show, sometimes it just sucked. For example; Cockatrices could breathe fire. Damn dragonkin! What was worse, because they were an endangered species, Fluttershy begged me not to kill it. If you've ever seen Fluttershy's beg-face, you would know why I would rather die than let her down. Damn my inherent weakness to cute. I ducked behind a tree, trying to slow my breath. The steadily increasing volume of hissing told me it knew more-or-less where I was. I lifted my right paw, reaching into my magic, and snapped my fingers. I didn't care what happened, as long as it was distracting. I found that it really was easier to just let my magic decide what to do, and now was no exception. “Hello my honey, hello my darlin', hello my rag-a-time gal,” a big green frog sang as it danced out from a tree behind the chicken-lizard, twirling a cane and a top hat. The chicken-snake turned towards the distraction, flame building in its opened beak. I took the opportunity to leap out, wrapping one arm around its body from behind to pin its wings, while my other paw clamped its mouth shut and my legs hooked around its powerful tail to keep it from flailing around. Then I cursed myself for not thinking this through. The cockatrice was restrained, though thrashing wildly, but I couldn't do anything without releasing something deadly. “A little help! Someone!” I yelled, even though I knew everypony was inside with their doors locked. “I'm coming!” I heard somepony flutteryell. A yellow face filled my vision, eyes closed in concentration. Then her eyes opened, and my world was replaced by turquoise eyes. The pupils shifted into slits, and the irises faded to silver. My heart began to race as I stared into the abyss. The sounds of screaming ponies surrounded me as the world burned. I looked at my blood covered paws, trembling as I stood over the bodies of my friends. I looked back up at the oppressive silver eyes. “My... child.” I was screaming as I shot up in bed, sheets wet with sweat. “Wh... What?” I mumbled as I looked around in confusion. I recognized the room as one in Ponyville General, but why was I there? I tried to remember what I was doing. I remembered the cockatrice in town petrifying a couple ponies. I remembered trying to fight it, a task made far more difficult by having to avoid eye contact. I remembered grabbing it from behind, and then... Eyes... Horrible, terrifying eyes... What evil hell spawn attacked me, and who else did it hurt? As much as I dreaded it, I needed answers. I was relieved to notice that I wasn't hooked up to any machines. That meant I was probably fine and had the benefit of meaning I didn't have to disconnect them and thus sound an alarm. I opened the door and made my way through the hallway to the front, where I was immediately assaulted by pink and yellow. “Shiro!” my attacker exclaimed as she latched onto me like a vice. “I'm so, so sorry! I didn't know my Stare would affect you, too! I never used it like that before! Oh, won't you ever forgive me?!” “Fl-Flutter...shy?” I forced out through my collapsing lungs. “Oh!” the pressure around me suddenly released, letting me gasp for sweet air. “I'm sorry.” “It's cool,” I wheezed, taking a couple more breaths to calm myself. “What happened?” Fluttershy winced and hid behind her mane, leaving nurse Redheart, who had left the front desk, to answer. “According to Fluttershy, while you restrained the cockatrice, she attempted to use The Stare, but accidentally hit you with it, too.” I looked at her with a confused look. “The Stare?” Of course I knew about The Stare, but I knew nothing about it. While I figured there was something magical about it, I didn't know how it worked. “It's... a power unique to Fluttershy...” She turned to the mare in question and whispered. Unfortunately, my ears seemed to be a little better than she thought. “Fluttershy, dear, you really should tell him if you're going to be working together.” Fluttershy eeped and withdrew even more. “I... I...” I gave the frightened mare a reassuring smile. “It’s obvious that, whatever it is, you’re not comfortable sharing. So, unless it’s something that can negatively impact mah, or another’s safety, don’t you worry ‘bout it. You can share when you’re comfortable.” Fluttershy’s ears flattened as she looked away, almost ashamed. “I-I’m sorry. I’ll tell you, eventually, I promise. I just... need more time.” “So, Nurse, am Ah free to go?” I asked, shifting the focus away from the shy pony. Redheart sighed and said, “Yes, you may go, but if you have any further complications, let me know.” I was enjoying walking in the cool autumn air, despite my leg still being sore from where that cockatrice whipped me with it's tail during the fight. I was still beaming with pride after reading a sweet little 'thank you' card from the son of one of the cockatrice's victims. Thankfully, I got there before the monster could eat any of its victims and they've all been unpetrified. This was certainly a victory, and I was looking for something to celebrate. I wasn't looking for a party, but just something for myself and a friend or two. I already asked Rainbow if she'd come over, to which she replied, “Free booze? Uh, yeah!” and she went to invite a couple others. “Welcome to – Oh, Mister Tora,” Berry greeted as I walked inside. “Hello, Missus Punch,” I returned. “Just looking for something for a little celebration.” “Alright. Let me know if you need anything.” I went through the halls, grabbing a thing of vodka, rum, whiskey, and apple brandy and went to the counter. After getting my liquor, along with a sample of a new wine flavor Berry was experimenting with to taste test, I left the store. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy were all waiting for me when I got home. “Congratulations on saving the day!” Pinkie shouted as a bunch of confetti shot from behind her. “Thanks, Pinks,” I said. “Nice to see you made it, Shy.” “Oh, I just wanted to thank you again for not killing the cockatrice,” Fluttershy said with a grateful smile. “Ah'm just glad Ah didn't have to. You really saved the day, there.” Fluttershy blushed and giggled bashfully. I glanced over to the farmer in the room, grinning. “Hey, AJ, finally decide to give me the time of day?” I said, teasingly. “Ah heard there was gonna be free liquor, so Ah figured Ah'd tolerate ya,” she returned. I laughed. “So, where's the hubby?” “He's chaperoning the Crusaders.” “Oh, you cruel, cruel mare,” I teased. “Hey, he offered,” AJ defended. “Oh, Ah didn’t realise he was a masochist.” Applejack gave an overly fake sigh, “He will be missed. You wanna replace ‘em?” I laughed at that. “We’ll work out the details after his funeral.” “Ah think he’ll survive,” Applejack said. “Yeah, he’s tough enough, Ah suppose,” I agreed. We made small talk for a bit before she went to hoof wrestle Rainbow Dash, so I went to talk to my coworker to get to know her a bit more. After all, I really didn’t know that much about her. Seeing as we rely on each other, that really couldn’t stand. “So, Ah was thinkin’ ‘bout gettin’ a pet,” I said, trying to strike up a conversation. Fluttershy’s face practically split with the smile she gave me. “Oh, I’m so glad to hear that! I actually have several animals that have taken an interest in you.” “Really?” I asked, giving her a perplexed look. “So... did they tell you that?” Fluttershy giggled. “Oh, not exactly. I can’t really speak to animals the way a druid can. I just get impressions and emotions from them, and quite a few are impressed by you.” “Really? Like who?” I asked. “Well, there’s Ori the otter, Perry the platypus, Wiley the coyote, Tod the fox...” She continued listing several more animals, some intriguing me while others not so much. “Perhaps, if you’d like, you could come over sometime for tea?” Fluttershy asked. “You could meet them all and decide.” I smiled back. “Ah’d like that.” “H-how does tomorrow at six sound?” she asked. “It’s a date!” Yes, I said it like that just to see that absolutely adorable blush, and I wasn’t disappointed. The next day was a quiet one. I woke up, went to work, finished work, went to see if Rarity was busy, saw that she was, went to see if Rainbow Dash was busy, she was napping, blew a horn in her ear, ran across Ponyville from her wrath, got tired, and hung out for a while. When six o’clock was approaching, I started toward Fluttershy’s, Rainbow in tow. “So, what are you gonna get?” Rainbow asked, excitedly. “Maybe a manticore, or a big black wolf. Oh, maybe a tiger. That would be so weird, right?” I laughed at that one. “That would be uncomfortable, Ah think.” “Yeah, it would be like me getting one of those horses from Earth,” Rainbow agreed. “So, wha’cha gonna get?” “Ah’ll see when I get there,” I smirked, mischievously, “but it’ll probably be cute and cuddly.” Rainbow gave me a shocked look. “What? ‘Cute and cuddly’? But... but... You’re too awesome for something lame, like that!” I laughed. “What can I say, Ah got a weakness for cute things. Besides, Ah said ‘probably’. Ah’ll see which one Ah click with when Ah get there.” “As it should be,” came the soft voice of Fluttershy from the path ahead. “Hey, Shy,” I greeted. “Hello, Shiro,” She smiled at me before looking to my companion. “Rainbow Dash I wasn’t expecting you.” “I’m just keeping Shiro company ‘till he gets here. I actually got some things to do in a bit, so I can’t stick around.” “Oh, well, then I’ll see you tomorrow,” Fluttershy said. Rainbow took off, leaving me and Fluttershy to our business. Fluttershy smiled up at me. “So, are you ready to see the animals?” “You bet Ah am,” I said, grinning like a cheshire cat. “Ah’mma cuddle me some cute little critters and adopt one.” “Alright,” Fluttershy led us to her cottage. “All the animals that want to be adopted will be in the living room. Just get to know them for a little bit and don’t be afraid to ask me any question.” I stepped into the living room and all the animals stopped what they were doing. A couple backed away before running off, but that was expected. I was a large predator, after all. A couple braver animals actually approached, cautiously. One little red fox kit, however, pranced straight up to me without a care in the world and looked right up at me... and bit me right on the nose. “Oh, it’s like that, huh?”  And with that, the battle of the ages began. I unleashed a tickle attack on the little fox, but his two puppy friends weren’t taking any of that and rushed to their companion’s side. A kitten, however wouldn’t abide the canine menace harassing his follow kitty and pounced to my aide. Of course, the otter’s treachery was unexpected, and my poor tail paid the price, but we found an unexpected ally from the bunny legion. A little brown bunny leaped on the otter’s back, blinding him long enough for my tail to claim vengeance. The Battle of Fluttershy’s Living Room would be told throughout the ages. Lowly, nameless animals rose that day as heroes and would be remembered so long as any creature draws breath. Which I was doing in copious amounts, after the brawl moved from me to the rest of the floor. As I laid on my back, trying to catch my breath and a few stragglers continued to gnaw on me, Fluttershy approached with a warm smile. “So, did you decide already, or would you like to sleep on it?” she asked. That was an excellent question. That little fox was certainly a bold one, but the kitten lept to my side without hesitation. Of course, there was the clever otter that caught me completely off guard, and the brave little bunny that took on something five times her size. I got to my paws, the puppy still attached to my ear whining that his chew toy was now out of reach. As I thought, I was startled by the sound of flapping wings. I looked up, only to see a black feather floating down. “What wa-” a black blur interrupted me, sweeping by my face. I turned around, trying to see where it went. I looked around, not seeing anything. A slight movement drew my attention to a dark corner near the ceiling. A pair of red eyes glared back at me, and I could just barely make out the outline of a big, black bird. It leaned down, it’s head just touching the light and opened its beak and squaked, “Nevermore.” I turned to Fluttershy, pointed to the raven, and said, “That one.”