Tails of Sacrifice

by CommanderX5

Ch.3 - Flutters and the Fortress of Fluff

Kyuubi trotted forward on her temporarily tiny paws, taking short but quick steps towards her animals-loving prey. A pegasus named Fluttershy seemed busy, guiding numerous birds in the art of singing, and the kitsune knew she needed to approach her as gently as possible.

She quickly recalled Dash's words.

Is Miss Fluttershy truly that shy? I mean, I assumed it based on her name, pony names are symbolic like that, but surely not to that level, Kyuubi asked as she heard a song from multiple singing birds, her attention on the rainbow-maned pegasus.

"She is. Really, you have no idea," Dash said as she pointed at the ground behind her. "She's often spooked by her own shadow and can barely talk to anypony. She's even a bit tense around me, and I’ve been her friend since we were fillies at Junior Flight Camp."

"I'll sit this one out," Lily commented as she sat next to Dash, most likely planning to bond some more. "If she can barely talk to an average pony, I would be her doom."

"You may be a little older than me, but you look like a filly. You're not that intimidating," Dash commented.

"I was referring to my personality. I get excited easily," Lily said as her new pegasus friend started massaging her recently-choked neck.

"Yeeeeaaah... I can feel where you're coming from." Dash deadpans as Lily gains a sheepish expression.

Kyuubi rubbed her chin, thinking deeply. If this pony is so afraid of talking with other members of her species, she would be utterly terrified if she meets a kitsune. She already had an event with Applejack and didn't need another. Filly, Kyuubi thought as she glanced at Dash and Lily, recalling their discussion. 

If I make myself even younger with an age altering spell, there will be less risk that I'll scare her.

"Wait, age spell?" Dash asked, blinking in confusion.

Lily chuckled, poking Dash's side. "I forgot to mention that Kyuubi can reduce her apparent age by a few decades to look smaller and cuter." She stood on her rear hooves and spread her forehooves towards the sky. "She's normally very, very big.” 

Dash raises a skeptical eyebrow, “She’s already pretty big when compared to foxes. How much bigger are we talking about?”

The earth pony tried to spread her forehooves even wider. “Bigger than the Princess herself! Like one of those bouncy castle things for foals except all fluffy!"

Dash looked back at the kitsune barely bigger than herself, her face displaying shock, “Huh. I’ll take your word for it.”

Kyuubi smiled encouragingly, running a paw over one of her tails. It’s true. Maybe once the Celebration is over, you can see and experience it for yourself. Think of it as a friendship initiation. Twilight and my school friends got to experience it too.

"Oh.... that's cool?" Dash just stared back at Kyuubi in confusion, wondering what she meant by ‘experiencing it.’ Moving on, she rubbed the back of her neck and added, "Still, I don't think you need to do that age thing. Flutters like animals. Like, a lot. All kinds of ‘em. I think she’s even got a bear friend. You'll be fine."

Animals? How does this relate to me?

"Well... because. Mmmm..." Dash added with a nervous tone, "Because you look like one."

Do I? Kyuubi asked, blinking in confusion. Wait a moment. Does this mean that every creature that's not a pony is considered an animal? Wouldn't it mean that Fluttershy is afraid of ponies exclusively? Kyuubi tilted her head to the side. I don't get it.

Dash opened her mouth, but no word left it. She just stared for a few seconds before closing her jaw. She raised forehoof to her chin and lowered her head, now deep in thought. "You make a good point." She shrugged. "In all honesty, I don't get it either. But eh, that’s par for the course for some of my friends. They all have their, uh, quirks. Trust me."

I have a hard time believing your story. If Miss Fluttershy is so shy, then there's no way she would play with a bear. I'm not going to take the risk. Kyuubi closed her eyes and concentrated as her five tails flashed with magic.

"What about your magic? You know how unhealthy it is for you when you overstrain yourself," Lily pointed out, her face now showing worry rather than excitement.

Kyuubi opened her eyes as the world around her grew in size. Her heart-beat increased in speed, while a few drops of sweat fell down her forehead. She gritted her teeth, struggling to maintain the on-going spell. Don't worry, sweet Lily. I recovered plenty of magic at Sweet Apple Acres. Also, taking away a few years is so much easier than a few decades.

"I suppose that storytelling did drag on for quite a while," Lily commented.

Kyuubi's breathing became heavy as she felt very vulnerable. Trees became towers, while bushes surpassed her in terms of size. In the past, she often towered over cute little ponies, and now she was once again on the receiving side as she was in the shadow of Rainbow Dash. Even adorable little Lily now waved her hoof above her head. Instead of a paper tiger, she was now a paper kitten.

However, she wouldn't allow her fears and anxiety to get the better of her. As much as she hated feeling like a little flame that could be extinguished by the weakest gust of wind, she needed to be vulnerable. She needed to allow Fluttershy to have an upper hoof for her diplomacy to work.

Kyuubi sat before the colossal tree, taking a deep breath and gathering her courage. Her second minuscule tail was surrounded by a silver aura as she began sending her mental message to the shy pegasus.

Excuse me, Miss Fluttershy.

The pegasus flinched, went “eep” and dove into a bush, peering out in worry.

Kyuubi bit her bottom lip, continuing with the softest and most gentle tone she could muster. I apologize for startling you. I understand that you're very busy, but would you please give me a few moments of your time?

"Who said that?" Fluttershy nervously asked, trying and failing to hide behind a few branches.

I spoke to you telepathically. Please look down, and a little to the right.

This was it, the moment of truth. The pegasus looked at her little vulnerable self. 

Kyuubi stood on her rear paws, holding forepaws curled under her neck as if being a pleading puppy. It was a trick she sometimes used when asking for a treat from the princess back when she was still young. Her ears perked up, while her tails swung left and right. The pegasus slowly flew towards her. 

My name is Kyuubi. The kitsune held her thin little forepaw on her chest as she kept looking up at the towering mare whose pink mane was surprisingly long. I am a student of Princess Celestia. I am here to oversee and assist with the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And I must say, the singing of your bird friends was lovely.

Kyuubi wasn't sure if things had progressed in the right direction as Fluttershy didn't say a single word. Instead, the pegasus bent her legs and looked at her closely with those big blue eyes. She noticed small movements of Fluttershy's limbs. 

The pegasus then pulled away, her eyes widening drastically. “Oh. My. Gosh!” 

Kyuubi’s ears bent backward as she started curling in on herself.

"You look so..." Fluttershy started as she spread her wings, which seemed massive from Kyuubi’s new point of view. It reminded her of Celestia's majestic wings when they first met in the garden. "...adorable!"

Kyuubi’s mind did a double-take before she yelped as a pair of hooves snatched her up, trapping her in a motherly hug. The pegasus flew up, holding Kyuubi in her embrace as if she was a mother holding a filly.

"Goochy goo, goochy, goochy goo!" Odd baby noises left Fluttershy's lips as she ran a tickling hoof under the shrunken kitsune’s chin.

Kyuubi blushed in embarrassment, a stain of red atop her white fur. It has been four and a half decades since Princess Celestia last held her like a little cub. She was flustered at first, but it passed fast as she could only smile and release purring noises. Something about Fluttershy filled her with a sense of safety, and part of her brain started seeing the pegasus as a mother figure as she couldn’t even remember her parents. Her orphan-self begged for parental affection that only the princess had ever provided.

For years, she had allowed ponies to hug her or sleep on her fur, and she was more than happy to bestow them with affection and comfort. She saw them as adorable, precious little beings deserving of love, even though she knew how strong and mature they were. 

Now the roles were reversed as she was cared for, and she liked, no, she loved it. Until now, she had no idea how much she had missed it. She got so used to playing the role of big sister or overprotective mother that she forgot how it felt to be on the receiving end. Kyuubi squealed, deciding to make the best of it. 

She giggled, then laughed with foxy noises as a gentle hoof rubbed her belly. Instead of fighting against the ticklish assault, she nuzzled the foreleg and exposed her belly for more.

"Aren't you the cutest little thing? Yes, you are. Yes, you are." Fluttershy said as she raised Kyuubi closer to her face and nuzzled her with the tip of her muzzle. Her belly, her thin paws, and even her face, none were safe. The kitsune eventually counterattacked with intense licking, which only encouraged the pegasus. 

Feeling a tip of Fluttershy's wing tickle her muzzle, Kyuubi grabbed it with her weak paws and pulled it towards her cheek as she started nuzzling it. 

"So cute!"

Kyuubi felt wings wrap her from both sides and press into the fur on Fluttershy's chest, trapping in a motherly embrace. So this is how ponies feel when I do something similar to them. No wonder they enjoy it so much, Kyuubi thought as she made mental notes, learning a few more tricks. She could use them once she returned to her full size. Perhaps her tails could compensate for her lack of wings.

The kitsune sighed after the cuddling was over, her face radiating with satisfaction. Her muscles felt as if they were made of jelly as she settled into the gentle embrace, reasserting herself to be closer to Fluttershy's face. Her paws were at her chin as she gave the pegasus pony her puppy dog eyes. More, pwease, Kyuubi said in a childish tone, forgetting she was half a century old. Just for this moment, she wanted to feel like a cub again.

"Alright, little birdies. Please sing a lullaby for this adorable fox," Fluttershy said as she flew up, now hovering next to the upper part of the tree, blissfully smiling kitsune in her embrace.

Kyuubi snapped her eyes open, awoken by a realization. Oh, but wait. I'm not sleepy, Miss Fluttershy. She challenged the gaze of this massive sweetheart. There was an immense amount of struggle not to give in into cuddling-filled affection, nor to give in to sleep in her warm embrace. But she had a duty to fulfill. I am very grateful for your warm hospitality, but I can't stay long. 

The eyes of Fluttershy begged her to stay, as if ready to cry for her departure, but she had to remain firm. Kyuubi sat on Fluttershy's foreleg and placed her little paws on the pegasus’ muzzle as she continued with an apologetic tone, Please don't be sad. We can play more after the celebration. 

"Oh, that sounds lovely," Fluttershy said as she gently rubbed each of Kyuubi's tails. "Ooh, five tails! What sort of fox are you?"

Kyuubi wasn't bothered despite her tails being the most sensitive and vulnerable part of her body. She knew that at her size, she was almost defenseless. She knew that if the hoof pressed very hard against her tails, her life would be in peril, yet she felt not afraid in the least. 

I'm a kitsune, a long-living multi-tailed fox. And my name is Kyuubi. I am here to oversee the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration.

"R-really? But you're so small, and you're not even a pony. Also, how are you speaking to me without opening your mouth?"

Kyuubi lifted upward her second tail and pointed at it. I use my magic for telepathy to speak with others in their minds. It's quite helpful. She carefully climbed from Fluttershy's limb onto the branch, sitting on it. The kitsune gulped, suddenly realizing the distance and long fall that awaited her if she lost her balance. She took a deep, calming breath and added, As for my responsibility, I am one of Princess Celestia's students. 

She gazed into those doubting big eyes with puppy eyes of her own. I'm not lying. Please, trust me.

Fluttershy giggled. "Someone has a big imagination." She booped the tiny kitsune's nose, using her other hoof to help her maintain balance on the branch. "Oh, and you don't need to worry about using magic to speak with me. Just talk to me like any other fox. I will understand." Before the kitsune could protest, Fluttershy pointed at her cutie mark and added. "My special talent is taking care of animals, and I can understand them. Give it a try."

The kitsune missed the jealous glares of two birds that now flanked her from both sides. She raised an eyebrow, caught off guard with the request. Opening her mouth, she released yipping noises. <Nice to meet you, Miss Fluttershy.> Now that she thought about it, she rarely, if ever did it, always relying on telepathy.

"Nice to meet you too," the pegasus replied before gently raising her hoof and shaking Kyuubi's little forepaw.

The kitsune stood on her rear legs and said with a yipping voice, <You can understand me!> She shook her forepaws in panic, losing her balance, but before she could fall onto another branch, a few friendly birds pulled her back into a sitting position. Kyuubi gave them a grateful yip. Their responding chirping noises reminded her of Philomena.

One hummingbird landed on her head, nesting herself atop it, chirping its greeting.

"My friends say: You're welcome. Also, Mr. Chipper praised the quality and comfort value of your fur." Fluttershy narrowed her eyes upon hearing more bird noises. "No, Mr. Chipper, you can't rent a nesting spot on her back. That is not how it works."

Kyuubi rolled her eyes good-naturedly. Even birds were after her fur. She shot a warm smile at each bird before addressing the pegasus. <I apologize for interrupting your practice. Are music preparations coming along smoothly? Is there any assistance I can provide?> She was grabbed and trapped in Fluttershy's embrace, once again experiencing those pleasant belly-rubs. The hummingbird who resided on her head quickly relocated and landed on the nearby branch, its head lowered in disappointment.

"Some of my birds’ singing is a little off, but other than that, everything is well prepared. Would you like to listen?"

Kyuubi nodded as she had hoped to listen to some relaxing music. And what better accommodation than the warm embrace of this kindly pegasus. Even her voice was gentle and disarming as if it was magical to some degree. 

As she listened to the singing, watching Fluttershy's hoof guiding the birds, she felt a sense of familiarity. This pegasus reminded her of herself in so many ways.

<Their singing is beautiful,> Kyuubi said, not feeling the need to use magic with the help of her second tail. <Once I'm at the library, I will report to Twilight that all the preparations are progressing without a hitch. I’m sure that will make her happy.>

"Twilight?"

<Twilight Sparkle. She's a fellow student of Princess Celestia’s. Very powerful and loves reading a lot. I can introduce you to her if you want.>

Fluttershy's muzzle gently touched her tiny nose as she looked at the kitsune with curious eyes. "You keep saying you're one of the princess's students, but it doesn't make sense. Even if I believed she would take a magical...Um, what did you say you were again?"

<I'm a kitsune.>

"If she took a kitsune as her student, why would she send you to Ponyville when you're still so young?"

Kyuubi giggled as she held the muzzle with her paws and licked it, getting the pegasus to suppress a giggle of her own. <Actually, I am fifty-three years old. And before you ask, I look like this because I used an age-altering spell on myself. A very advanced one.>

"W-what? But why would you do that?" Fluttershy asked in worry as she gently stroked Kyuubi's head, then rubbed her chin, causing more purring noises to emerge from the little kitsune.

<I did it so ponies wouldn't be afraid of me,> Kyuubi explained. She paused in thought for a moment. <Also the carriage we arrived in would have been much too small for me.>

The pegasus started descending before placing her little charge on the ground very carefully. She lowered her wing in an invitation as the kitsune jumped and perched herself on it. Soon the little ball of fur was lying comfortably among her feathers. "Why would anypony be afraid of a creature as adorable as you?"

Kyuubi smiled as she remembered the Princess saying something similar when they first met. She nuzzled nearby feathers in an affectionate gesture. <Because I am a predator, a massive one. Don't get me wrong. My mentor and friends trust me, and they want me around. For their sake, I do my best to behave, but my size can be quite intimidating in itself. I’m not even close to reaching my full size yet!>

Fluttershy giggled. "So you're a friendly predator living among ponies? How admirable. I have befriended many predators, and I know that it takes a lot of effort on their part to be friendly towards their prey. Furthermore, I can already tell that you have a good heart."

<Thank you.> Kyuubi blushed, her ears dropped. So the story about Fluttershy befriending a bear may be the truth after all. <To be honest, I came to Ponyville as large as an average pony. I look like this because I heard how shy you are, and I hoped that looking small and vulnerable would make you feel safer around me.>

Kyuubi raised her head, then flinched. Was it just her, or had Fluttershy's eyes doubled in size and began sparkling?

"You did this for me!? I am so touched. But you didn't have to. I'd never be scared of animals, even large ones. Well, except massive, scaly, fire-breathing dragons." Fluttershy began looking with pleading eyes, holding her forehooves together in a pleading gesture. "Will you please return to your full size for me? Pretty please."

<W-what? But why?>

"I want to see a kitsune, both young and a growing one. And it is wrong that you hide who you are for our sake."

Kyuubi bit her bottom limb. Those eyes! Why did it always have to be those pleading pony eyes? First, several pairs of little eyes belonging to the adorable little Apple fillies and colts, and now the pair of big love-filled magical eyes of an animal-loving pegasus. She couldn't bring herself to say no, no matter the request. She missed the time when she was the only one who knew how to weaponize puppy eyes.

After several seconds of mental warfare, Kyuubi stepped off from the wing and whined in defeat. Using her telepathy again, she said, Alright, but please promise me that you won't run away in fear. And ask your birds to stay calm. Pretty please?

"You have my word," Fluttershy said as she nodded. She quickly flew up to instruct the birds before landing on the ground again. She showed a toothy smile, clapping her forehooves in excitement. 

Kyuubi concentrated, making a silent prayer to God, asking Him to keep Fluttershy's fears at bay as she regained her age, one year at a time.

Fluttershy’s giddy expression turned to wonder as the little kitsune in front of her started growing and growing. A shadow began to overtake her comparatively small body.

"An Ace, I win! Oh yeah, oh yeah," Rainbow Dash said as she threw a card onto the ground atop a pile of other cards. Said card had two heads of Princess Celestia, one being upside down. Dash stood on her rear hooves and started dancing, stretching her forehooves back and forth. "Oh yeah, oh yeah."

"Not so fast," Lily said as she hid half of her face behind a card, half of the sinister grin was visible on her face. "What's an Ace in the face of a trickster?"

"Oh, nooo!" Dash said, biting her forehooves.

Lily slammed the card into the ground with her hoof, sinking it a centimeter into the dirt. She revealed her card. This one had a picture of a stone statue of some weird-looking creature, a hybrid with parts of different animals. "Your Ace is no match for my Joker."

“Nooooo!” Dash lowered her head in defeat before pulling another feather from her wing, giving it to Lily.

"Thanks. Another one for my collection," Lily said as she put a third blue feather in a spot between her head and ear. "I am adding them to my helmet for sure."

"Helmet?" Dash asked. “Are you a Royal Guard?”

"I’m not. It’s a long story," Lily responded before looking up and smiling widely. 

“What?” Dash rubbed her cheek. “Do I have something on my face?”

The filly pointed her hoof at the growing figure behind the colorful pegasus.

Dash turned about. Her ears dropped, pupils in her eyes shrinking as she took in the still growing figure. "Wow. When you two said she was bigger than the Princess, you weren't kidding."

"Of course not. Kyuubi is a five meters tall, six thousand, four hundred kilograms heavy walking fortress of loveable fluff. She's an amazing healer, a great teacher, a superb mobile bed, and quite a decent weight to lift."

"Weight to lift? You can lift her?!" Dash asked, gasping.

"You should see the look on your face," Lily said as she closed Dash's mouth with a hoof. "My lifting strength reached fifteen tons in the last month, Dash. Plus an extra ten if I boost my strength with my inner magic. So that’s twenty-five tons!"

"Twenty-five!?" 

"And Twilight can lift fifty-five tons with her levitation, though she doesn't compare to me in terms of stamina."

Dash raised a forehoof to speak again only to faint.

“Kyuubi has had a huge growth spurt in recent years, tripling her weight. I believe she entered an age when her growth is most intense. Figures it would happen once she hit half a century, considering she matured slower prior..." Lily groaned. "Hey, Dash, are you listening?” She poked the passed out pegasus, then giggled. She was going to enjoy messing around with this silly pegasus in the years to come.

Kyuubi opened one eye, then another, before she examined her surroundings. The colossal tree that served as a perch for the singing birds did not even equal her height now. It was surprisingly thin for a tree now that she saw it from higher ground. She sighed in relief as the birds remained in place. So far, so good. She turned her attention back down to see the pegasus gaping up at her, slightly shaking. Her large ears bent backward. Not so good.

The massive kitsune bent her forelegs and lowered her head, hoping the pegasus wasn't trembling in fear. To her surprise, Fluttershy quickly flew towards her muzzle and hugged it.

"Look at you! So big and mighty!" Fluttershy flew around Kyuubi's head, giggling in excitement. "Look at those powerful forelegs. Your fur is so rich and spotless. Wow, those tails are so long and puffy! You are so amazing. I feel so lucky to meet a creature like you. I...I don’t know what to say!"

Kyuubi blushed fiercely, rubbing the side of her neck at a slow pace. <Are you sure your name fits you, Miss Fluttershy? You kind of lack in the 'shy' department!> Kyuubi said as her much deeper voice caused the birds to scatter and fly away. Oh, I'm so sorry! Come back! Please come back! The kitsune pleaded mentally as she stretched her forepaw towards the sky, only now realizing the strength of her voice at her full size. With telepathy, it wasn't a problem. She bit her bottom lip and gave a depressed whine as her eyes became teary.

The pegasus pony patted one of her sizable fluffy cheeks soothingly. "There, there. It's alright. My friends will come back. See," Fluttershy said as she pointed at the birds, who landed on Kyuubi's back, taking more comfortable nesting spots.

Kyuubi watched as Fluttershy started rubbing the fur on her long graceful leg, then on her chest. It wasn't long before Fluttershy hugged her neck, stroking at what all she could reach.

"Your fur is amazing. So incredibly soft.”

Again with the fur? At this point, I believe it must have magical properties, thought Kyuubi. She gently pressed her massive paw against Fluttershy's back, her way of hugging. Not to mention she experienced the same when Fluttershy's wing pressed her into her chest. Speaking of affections...

Before she realized it was happening, Fluttershy was held captive on one of Kyuubi’s massive paws as her belly was rubbed gently by the other one. Every experience Fluttershy gave her, Kyuubi would return in kind, and the pegasus seemed more than happy for it.

Kyuubi lowered her head to start licking her little captive, this time more than just the tip of her muzzle. But she underestimated the pink-maned mare.

The pegasus then retaliated, playfully tickling the tip of the kitsune’s nose with the tip of her tail, causing her to pull her head back and sneeze.

Fluttershy removed herself from the paw and flew under Kyuubi’s chin, rubbing it playfully with both of her hooves while making baby noises.

The kitsune playfully grumbled at being babied again before grinning mischievously. The pegasus had her fun with her younger self. Now it was her turn. She bent her legs and lowered her head towards the ground, gently smushing Fluttershy between the grass and her bushy cheek with a small thud! Lost in her enthusiasm, Kyuubi trapped the pegasus for several seconds under her seemingly enchanted fur, underestimating her strength. She hoped the pegasus would become relaxed enough for her to grab the mare again.

Fluttershy giggled, surprised to suddenly get buried under a dense blanket of smothering, white fluff. She failed to move as the towering kitsune started nuzzling her, pressing her back a centimeter into the ground. Fluttershy cooed from the heavenly sensation before quickly shaking any drowsiness off, playfully rebuking the massive creature, “Hey! Tone down with the nuzzling a little, big missy. Your head is heavier than you think.” That said, she started pushing up against the thick layer of whiteness.

Kyuubi felt the rear hooves pressing up from underneath her chin and forehooves wrestle against her nose, surprised by Fluttershy’s progress. Despite having a massive size advantage, the pegasus pushes away her comparatively larger head as best as she could. Wow. You’re very strong for such a gentle mare, Kyuubi praised, amazed by this display of strength. She decided to humor her captive, wrestling for a moment as Fluttershy managed to hold her ground. No, she did more than that. The gentle mare somehow managed to push back up against her head despite added strength.

The moment she raised her head to start releasing the little pegasus, Kyuubi once again felt intense scratches under her chin. Her large tongue began to hang out as she was taken in by a pleasant feeling.

Before Kyuubi could retaliate with a licking attack, Fluttershy moved faster, fluttering around to latch onto Kyuubi’s neck, tickling the large kitsune behind her enormous ears. Laughing, Kyuubi halfheartedly tried to throw the little pegasus off her neck by shaking her head and neck around, but Fluttershy clung on tightly. 

The kindly pegasus playfully ruffles the fluffy fur all across Kyuubi’s face before hovering off to finally give her a big kiss on top of her forehead. She elegantly evaded two big paws trying to grab her, delivering a second kiss in the same spot. She pulled back and then beamed at the kitsune with a warm smile.

Kyuubi just stood there, her big tongue lolling out as she caught her breath while Fluttershy continued smiling at her. Suddenly realizing what happened, the colossal kitsune blushed even harder than before, staring back at Fluttershy in disbelief. 

It was one thing being overwhelmed by this kind mare back when she was a little vixen trapped in her embrace, powerless to resist her gentle hoof rubbing her belly. But then! The roles were in reverse. Fluttershy was an adorable defenseless little pony in her embrace. She had her! Then suddenly, the tide shifted again in less than a minute. How? How did this little pegasus manage to stay on the offensive and gain the upper hoof? Especially now, when Kyuubi was five times her size? Losing to Lily was a no brainer, but not keeping up with Fluttershy proved the mare was something else.

The kitsune covered her blushing face with her paws and whimpered. Her pride at being the Cuddle Master was hurt as the smaller pegasus had just beaten her at her own game. She slowly dropped down and rolled onto her back in a dramatic showing of defeat. The birds previously perched on her back, now roosted back on the tree to watch the showdown between their pony caretaker and the Everfree Sage. They began chirping their laughter at the sight of the Sage meeting her match.

Fluttershy giggled. “Aw, you’re just a big, silly puppy, aren’t you?” She zipped down to start rubbing all over the large kitsune’s stomach. “There, there.” She somehow managed to sound both comforting and mocking at the same time.

Her right hind leg started kicking in the air repeatedly. Kyuubi again found herself outmatched by Fluttershy’s stroking/scratching technique before she regained her awareness, deciding to retaliate with double efforts. She rolled back onto her paws as the pegasus fluttered away, avoiding the attempt to trap her under a gigantic mass of fur again.

Kyuubi could only shake and ruffle herself from all the ticklish attacks, giving a big yawn at the end. It was a strange contradiction as she felt relaxed, but also so full of energy, wanting to enjoy what time she had left with this pegasus so much like herself. She gave Fluttershy a toothy, challenging grin. You know I have to pay you back for all this affection, right, Miss Fluttershy? It’s only fair to warn you: the more you dish out, the more I’ll have to give back.

Fluttershy playfully boasted, “You won’t beat me at my own game, Miss Kyuubi. It’s my special talent to know how to take care of creatures, even big puppies like you. You’re most welcome to try, though.”

Your game? Kyuubi asked as she gasped. She narrowed her eyes, adding in a soft but determined tone, using both her mouth and telepathy at the same time, <Challenge accepted, Miss Fluttershy. I do not plan to lose to you.> Once again, a question formed in her mind: Where was the shy part in Miss Fluttershy? Because thus far, she failed to see it. 

Fluttershy landed before the colossal kitsune and raised her head in pride. “Oh, you adorable sweetie. It doesn’t matter how big and fluffy you are. In a show of affection, I will always win.”

And that officially meant war. 

Kyuubi bent her legs, taking a playful-hunting stance. I’ll have you know I’ve had to help care for a filly with boundless energy for over ten years. And I’ve been giving ponies love for nearly five whole decades! You don’t scare me! 

She narrowed her eyes and took a deep breath, preparing the Kyuubi Express of six and a half tons to charge. Ready or not. Here. I. Come! She jumped forward to give out more affection as Fluttershy flew away, playing keep-away with the kitsune in hot pursuit.

Kyuubi, however, followed one unspoken rule for herself, forgoing any magical spells to catch her opponent. The pegasus had no spellcasting on her side after all. All Fluttershy had was her special-talent and wings to aid her in this war. She was going to win using only her rich fur, massive size, wits, and vast decades of experience.

With that, the enormous kitsune started chasing after the playful pegasus like a regular-sized fox playing with a butterfly. Her steps and leaps were like dancing among the hills as the earth trembled under her steps. Soon more games followed as the two attempted to outplay each other.

Nuzzling, cuddling, stroking, tickling, all-around gentle affection. The clearing soon filled with joyous laughter, and Kyuubi was first to struggle in catching a breath.

Lily stood next to the still unconscious Rainbow Dash as she watched. Her grin straining her cheeks so widely she thought her face could get stuck like that, but she didn’t care. She hadn't seen her teacher so happy, so carefree, in a long time. Thus far, only Princess Celestia gave the kitsune so much loving attention. Maybe Fluttershy surpassed even the princess.

Lily noticed Rainbow Dash start to stir next to her.

Dash massaged her forehead and asked, "What did I miss?"

"Just an intense and wonderful clash between two mighty forces of kindness. Miss Fluttershy even got very competitive and challenged Kyuubi to a war of affection. She’s quite a boastful one, just like you. She gave Kyuubi no choice but to return the favor."

"Competitive? Boastful? Fluttershy? The what!?" Dash quickly lifted herself to gape at the sight of the full-sized Kyuubi behaving like an overgrown puppy as she ran around with Fluttershy. Both ponies felt intense vibration on the ground from the king-sized kitsune's heavy steps and leaps. 

Lily snickered at Dash’s disbelieving expression as she started to like seeing them. It was the start of a beautiful friendship indeed. And not just between Fluttershy and Kyuubi, but also between Rainbow Dash and her, not to mention the friends they found in the open-minded Apple family.

Yet another reason to stop Nightmare Moon and save Luna from her corruption. Not just to reunite Princess Celestia with her sibling, but also to keep the ponies of this little town safe.

The ponies of Equestria were proving worth it more and more.