Fluttershy hummed happily to herself as she trotted along the dirt path to Sweet Apple Acres. It was yet another beautiful morning, the sun rising just above the apple trees. The pegasus mentally recalled what she’d done for the day - she’s fed and watered all of her animals in her cottage and attended the animals at her sanctuary.
A smile broke out on her face as she recalled a conversation she had with Applejack.
“So, you’re okay with me taking Mystic on a picnic?” Fluttershy’s voice echoed.
“Ah’m sure,” replied Applejack. “Jus’ have’er back before tomorrow afternoon.”
Fluttershy entered the farm’s property, spotting Big Mac pushing a barrel up against the barn.
“Hello,” Fluttershy greeted sweetly.
“Eeyup,” Big Mac nodded, returning the smile.
“I’m here to get Mystic out of working for a while. Applejack said I could when I was ready.”
Realization flashed through Big Mac’s eyes, “Eeyup.”
“Where is she?”
“Helpin’ Granny in the kitchen.”
Fluttershy held back a giggle, “Does she know anything about cooking apple dishes?”
“Eenope.”
“Let’s go get her and see what’s going on.”
“Eeyup.”
Big Mac and Fluttershy began walking to the homestead.
“So, how are things going with Mystic so far?” Fluttershy asked.
“A few bumps here and there,” replied Big Mac.
Fluttershy sighed, “Well, I hope to give her a little picnic because she's been working so hard.”
“Ah agree,” said Big Mac, "She could use a friend ta help her."
“Is something wrong?”
“Ah think she might have a bad past, but Ah don't know more than that.”
“Well, I do want to talk to her and let her get out of here for a little bit. Everypony deserves a little kindness.”
“Eeyup,” Big Mac smiled.
A soft boom came from the kitchen, but before the two ponies could run to see what’s going on, Mystic nearly busted the door off its hinges, her mane covered in pie materials.
“Ugh!” Mystic groaned loudly, “If only that mare would do things faster instead of being exactly specific and slow!”
“What’s going on?” Fluttershy asked.
Mystic turned to face her and Big Mac, “Well Granny Smith wanted to have me make pies so they’d make it to the Gala thing, but she’s just slow and gets a little too specific when making them!”
“So, why’re you covered in pie then?”
“I tried figuring it out on my own but then something went funky inside the oven and when I pulled it out it exploded on me! Thankfully it’d just gotten in there so it wasn’t hot,” Mystic huffed, running a hoof through her mane.
Big Mac sighed, “Sorry Mystic, Granny’s like that. Ah’ll take over for ya.”
“Why you think I can’t handle this?” Mystic formed a light glare.
Fluttershy stepped up, “What he means is that you’re getting a break today.”
Mystic’s look softened some, but formed a skeptical look, “Why? I need to get things done.”
“But you’re overworking yourself whether you know it or not, and even Applejack takes a break from hard work,” Fluttershy explained.
“I’m fine,” replied Mystic, but she did feel somewhat worn out and her muscles still ached.
“No, you’re not, you need a break.”
Mystic sighed, “This is another one of your ‘making a pony doing something for their good and nothing will change your mind’ thing again isn’t it?”
“Yes. Yes, it is.”
Mystic groaned, wanting to get these ponies out of her mane, but before she could say anything else, Fluttershy spoke up, “Nothing will be lost and Applejack said she’d cover some of the costs of it.”
Mystic raised her eyebrows, a little surprised, “What?”
“Mystic, don’t you want a break?” Fluttershy countered, “You have done a lot. You deserve a break.”
“Eeyup,” Big Mac agreed.
Mystic formed an annoyed look as she looked at the duo.
“Okay,” she said, causing Fluttershy to beam brightly, “Let me just get this stuff out of my mane.”
“And Ah’ll help Granny,” said Big Mac, “Ah know how ta cook the pies and other recipes.”
“I bet you do,” Mystic deadpanned causing the red stallion to chuckle.
Now that her mane was freed of the pie materials, she and Fluttershy headed out of Sweet Apple Acres and off the trail. Mystic was a little curious about why, but kept following her. Fluttershy breathed in deep and a smile spread on her features.
“Isn’t nature just lovely, Mystic?” she asked.
“It’s... nice,” replied Mystic, looking around at the open field with waving grass, “Didn’t I tell you I don’t get into it as much as you?”
“Yes, I was just asking because it is and I love sharing it with others,” Fluttershy explained.
“That first part was a little out there, Fluttershy.”
“Just have a look around.”
Mystic did so, looking at the trees, the beautiful blue sky with some white puffy clouds. She saw some birds flying and an eagle fly above them, too. She looked down at the luscious grass and a couple of bunnies hopped along.
“I prefer this over a city anyway,” she finally said.
“Me too, even though Canterlot’s lovely,” said Fluttershy, “Though Rarity loves them much more than I do.”
Mystic just rolled her eyes at the mention of Rarity, but before she could say something about her, she needed to address the elephant in the room.
“Fluttershy, why are you hanging out with me?” she asked, “I did put your animals to sleep and tricked you so I could leave.”
Fluttershy’s smile faded, “I know, but I’m not a pony to hold a grudge. And I do forgive you for what you did.”
“Why?”
“You may not admit it, but I think you are a good pony underneath. You did all this work very well.”
“Do I need to tell you why I did it at first? I could just run off again and not do it at all.”
“Maybe, but with our time together when we met, I have a belief you are worthwhile to make friends with,” Fluttershy smiled, “I believe everypony out there should have a chance at friendship.”
“You seem really naïve, little one.”
“Maybe. I was a lot more back then, but I have grown a lot more since then and I don't mind helping strangers out.”
Mystic sighed in annoyance, but couldn’t find herself to say much more. This mare was just being nice to her.
“I always look for the best in ponies, even the worst ponies can become good. A lot of ponies are broken in this world, Mystic,” Fluttershy frowned, “We may not know what it is that broken but if we can find out what it is, we can do our best and help them and let them be the best they can be.”
Mystic felt a little touched at that as Fluttershy went on, “The world might be cruel at times, but with a little kindness and compassion, it can go a long way.”
Mystic had listened to what she’d said, she didn’t fully know what to say. She furrowed her brow, trying to make sense of it.
“Anyway, we’re here,” said Fluttershy. Mystic looked and saw a bunch of Fluttershy’s critters with her, Harry and Angel were there too. Instead of scowling at her like Mystic thought they would, they smiled and waved her over, Except a white bunny who had a glare on his face.) There is a picnic set up and there were sandwiches, fruits, and nuts to eat too.
“Fluttershy... I don’t know if I should be around them,” said Mystic.
“Oh, come on, it’ll be fine,” Fluttershy insisted.
Mystic sighed again and reluctantly joined Fluttershy and the critters for their picnic.
Soon they began eating and Mystic began enjoying her sandwich while the critters chittered and chattered with one another. Fluttershy giggled at some of them.
“You know, Mystic,” said Fluttershy, “I understand if you don’t want to be friends.”
Mystic raised an eyebrow, “Why? Aren’t you all about friendship?”
“Yes, and I always will be. But I’m not going to force myself upon you if you don’t want me as a friend. Nopony should disrespect another pony’s boundaries and if they don’t want friendship right away.”
“I thought you’d make anypony your friend no matter what.”
“No, we just try our best to show everypony how we can be the best examples of friendship we can be. I mean, look, a fashionista, an athlete, a party planner, a farmer, a shy pegasus like me, and a pony into books? It seems unlikely we’d be friends, but it works in more ways than you might think.”
“So?”
“Friendship is truly special, Mystic. It’s the most powerful magic known and nothing can take that away from true friends.”
Mystic frowned, she thought about what she’d just heard, she looked at her sandwich for a minute then back at Fluttershy’s smile.
“Look, Shy,” she said in a soft tone, “I'm sure you're very nice, but you don't even know me. You don't even know what I am.”
“I know enough, you’re not a bad pony, Mystic.”
Mystic sighed again, “I don’t know if you know what you’re talking about.”
“I believe I do,” Fluttershy reached out and grabbed Mystic’s hoof, “I think you’re special, Mystic.”
Mystic’s eyes widened when she heard that, she didn’t expect to hear that from Fluttershy’s lips. Mystic shook her head, “I... what made you a psychiatrist?”
“I’m no psychiatrist, Mystic, just a pony that doesn’t mind lending an ear and helpful advice when I can,” Fluttershy said softly.
Mystic felt a little emotional. What? Nopony so far has gotten her like this in all her time being here, and yet, here is a pegasus who takes care of animals, is shy and not the fastest flyer, talking to her, and making her feel this way.
How the hay is she doing this? Mystic thought. Suddenly, the memory of a particular yellow filly reemerged. A sense of sadness came to her as she remembered Sunshine’s soft eyes and beautiful smile. Just like this mare in front of her.
Mystic cleared her throat, shaking the emotions off, “Well... that’s something about you.”
Fluttershy smiled, “I’ve got great ways of looking into ponies, or creatures as some of my friends say.” The unicorn felt a little uncomfortable, she pulled her hoof away and stood up.
“I’m sorry,” Fluttershy apologized, “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”
“It’s... fine?” Mystic said, still processing what's going on.
Fluttershy stood up, she smiled again.
“I hope you don’t mind,” she said, stepping forward.
“About wha-?” Mystic began to ask, but was cut off when Fluttershy hugged her.
“-and that’s what Rarity and I try to do on the weekends,” said Fluttershy.
After Fluttershy finished hugging Mystic the duo went back to eating their food and the pegasus told her some little stories about her and her animal friends, how she got into the sport of buckball and her times with Rarity at the spa.
“You go to spas with her?” Mystic asked.
“Yes, it’s quite relaxing, maybe you can consider going sometime,” Fluttershy replied.
Mystic didn’t know how to respond to that, she’d never been to a spa and never considered going to one in her life. Just seemed like another thing frou-frou ponies would do.
As they walked, Mystic noticed a building with old looking antiques and a sign indicating they sold antiques. Her eyes widened, remembering the medallion. It could be considered an antique, couldn’t it?
“Fluttershy?” Mystic said.
“Yes?” replied Fluttershy.
“Is that an antique store?”
Fluttershy looked to where Mystic was looking, “Why yes. Do you like antiques?”
“Uh...” Mystic trailed off, thinking of something to say, “I have had some before and the store just reminded me of them.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes.”
“Why don’t we head o...”
“No, not right now,” Mystic quickly said, “I’m not too into them.”
Mystic inwardly winces when she saw Fluttershy seemed a little surprised by her quick answer.
“Okay, well, shall we continue on?”
“Yes, let’s,” replied Mystic, thankful that Fluttershy didn’t question her further. As they left, Mystic made a mental note to come back to the shop later after she was done here or when the appropriate time was. She had to.
“So, where are you taking me?” Mystic wondered.
“You’ll see,” Fluttershy smiled, “It’ll show you how wonderful friendship is, even though others can be very different from one another.”
Mystic didn’t reply but she does have a small bit of curiosity as she followed Fluttershy.
Meanwhile, at the School’s fountain square, the Crusaders were sitting next to it and talking about who they should tutor next.
“What about some of those ponies who have congressponies as parents?” Scootaloo suggested.
“That’d be a good idea,” Apple Bloom smiled, “If we can show them how good we are we’re sure to let their parents know this School is great for ponies and everycreature.”
“We just need to be a little careful,” Sweetie cautioned, “Twilight’s having enough trouble with some rich pony that has connections to them. We don’t want to cause a misunderstanding.”
“Oh, right,” Apple Bloom and Sweetie realized in unison.
“But we can still try,” Sweetie smiled, “We just need to figure out how to approach them. A couple of them are friendly and need tutoring.”
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo agreed, but then something from last night came to Scootaloo’s mind.
“I...I still think somepony else needs more than tutoring,” she smirked, feeling excited.
“Who?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“I think you know who,” Scootaloo said in an excited tone.
“Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom interjected, “Try to keep calm, y’all nearly flipped out and exposed it when we’re supposed to handle it. Not to mention we need ta respect her.”
“I know,” replied Scootaloo, lowering her voice to a whisper, “It’s just... an older pony with a blank flank? That’s a unique challenge.”
“Applejack told us to give her some space and we’ll approach her when the time is right, but like Ah said last night, we’ll do this right,” Apple Bloom said in a certain tone.
Sweetie Belle covered her mouth in excitement, holding in a squeal. Her eyes widened in excitement, Apple Bloom turned and looked to see Mystic walking in with Fluttershy.
“Oh, ponyfeathers,” Apple Bloom muttered. She looked to her friends, “Let’s get outta here.” Scootaloo nodded and she and Apple Bloom both bolted, but Sweetie Belle just stood there completely excited, so Apple Bloom came back and pushed her out of the square.
With Mystic and Fluttershy, the unicorn gazed around at all the surrounding area. The School was bustling with all of the students hanging out, studying, or just minding their own business.
“Wow, this is a lot,” she said.
“I know,” replied Fluttershy, “While there a lot of ponies around here, we have six students here that’re some of our very best.”
Mystic raised an eyebrow but let Fluttershy continue to lead her, “I’m listening.”
Fluttershy smiled wider, feeling a sense of pride in the School, “This school might look successful now, but it didn’t always get started that way. We did try to follow the E.E.A’s guidelines but came to the realization that this School should do things differently.”
“E.E.A?” Mystic asked.
“The Equestrian Education Association, they’re in charge of all the schools around Equestria, except this one. It’s its own thing.”
“Interesting.”
“It’s a long story, but look, the students I want to show you are right there,” Fluttershy motioned her head towards the Young Six. Mystic looked and her eyes widened. She saw a dragon, a yak, a pony, a griffon, a hippogriff, and... was that a changeling?
Why was a changeling here? Why are all these creatures hanging out? Mystic’s chest tightened, her heart raced as she clenched her jaw. The way they hung out just sitting and talking.
Why are they here? All creatures don’t act like this, she thought. How could this be? The way all creatures are, this seemed like a façade.
“You okay?” she suddenly heard.
Mystic snapped out of her thoughts and swallowed the anger rising within her. “I’m fine. Just thinking.”
Fluttershy nodded. “I see.”
They dare try to be friends when they know they naturally shouldn’t be? Mystic thought, That’s low to put on a show like this.
It showed how selfish all creatures were in their own performances and misled beliefs.
Then the bell rang, causing the students and Mystic to look up, and when Mystic looked back at them, they were heading off to their class.
“Well, that was interesting,” said Mystic, clearing her throat “They seem like friends.”
“Oh, we’re not done yet,” Fluttershy smiled, “Follow me.”
Fluttershy began following the students and Mystic’s eyes widened a little.
“Wait, we’re going to see them personally?” Mystic’s eyes widened.
“Yes, Twilight doesn’t mind minor interruptions unless it’s friendship related,” replied Fluttershy.
“I... I mean I don’t want to impose...” Mystic rubbed her foreleg awkwardly.
“You’re not. I’m doing this on my own choice, so come on.”
Mystic flashed a look of uncertainty but she followed Fluttershy, feeling nervous and angered that she’ll have to witness this right upfront.
Mystic watched Fluttershy walk up to one of the corridor’s doors. She gently knocked on it. Mystic’s heart leapt. Her stomach swirled. She felt hot.
Then, the door opened, causing Mystic to nearly jump. It was the purple dragon she’d seen before.
“Oh, hey Fluttershy!” he greeted with a smile, “What’re you doing here? Don’t you have the day off?”
“Oh, yes, but I wanted to bring in a guest so she can meet the students,” Fluttershy explained, “I’m showing her how different anycreature can be and be friends.” She motioned her head to Mystic, causing Spike’s eyes to widen but nod at her.
“Well, come on in,” said Spike.
Mystic stayed in the hall as Fluttershy entered the classroom, “Hello students.”
All of the students greeted their professor with excitement.
“Is this a surprise visit?” a bubbly voice cried, “This is very surprising!”
“Didn’t Professor Fluttershy have day off?” another student asked.
“Yes, but I wanted to bring a guest in,” Fluttershy explained. “I’m teaching her a little bit as well as getting to know her some.”
Mystic heard the students marvel. Fluttershy turned to the door, still smiling. Nopony entered yet, so Fluttershy motioned her hoof for Mystic to come in. With a gulp, Mystic walked in, feeling as if the whole world were watching her. She did her best to maintain a strong look. But Mystic could tell she wasn’t doing well.
“Everycreature, meet Mystic,” she said. Mystic formed an awkward grin and just waved.
“Wow, sweet outfit,” the orange dragoness smirked.
Mystic rubbed her left foreleg, “Uh, thanks?”
“I like her!” a hippogriff cheered, “She looks awesome!”
Fluttershy giggled, “She’s quite the pony.” She looked at Mystic, “Mystic, why don’t you tell the students what I’ve been teaching you today?”
Mystic bit her tongue. “Okay.” She faced the students and gazed at them, most notably at the different species, “Well, Fluttershy has been telling me how the most unlikely of characters can be friends.” She pointed at the creatures, “Such as all of you. She used you guys as an example.” She put her hoof down, “I must admit, it’s bizarre but fascinating.”
“And totally worthwhile,” said a tannish pony with a green mane, “We might be different species but that doesn’t get in the way of our friendship.”
Mystic nodded.
“Where do you live, Mystic?” asked Sandbar, “Vanhoover? Manehattan?”
“Actually,” Mystic stood on her hind legs and leaned back against the desk, “I don’t even live in Equestria.”
The students gasped, baffled and their eyes filled with wonder, Mystic noticed Fluttershy’s widened a bit, too.
“Wait, orange pony don’t live in pony land?” a yak asked, confused.
“Nope.”
The yak rubbed her head as if she hadn’t heard of ponies living outside Equestria.
“Why don’t pony live in pony land?” the yak asked, narrowing her eyes as if she were trying to understand this pony, “Yona confused. Thought all ponies lived in pony land.”
“I guess you learned that some don’t live in ‘pony land’ didn’t you?”
The yak's eyes widened, the blue griffon nudged her with his shoulder.
“Good on you, Yona,” he said. Yona just rolled her eyes at the griffon.
“So, you all learn friendship and do activities together?” Mystic asked, “I mean it is a school.”
“Oh, yeah!” the hippogriff cheered, flapping her wings enough to hover out of her chair, “Learning about plumbing, gazing at stairs, student hangouts and learning of plumbing are just awesome! Oh, Tuesdays are great!”
Mystic held back a cringe, her mind going back to Pinkie’s energy, but she stayed calm.
“Forgive her, she’s excitable,” Sandbar smiled.
Mystic just waved him off, “I’m just a guest here in this village and...”
“Ponyville?” the changeling corrected, Mystic couldn’t help but feel a little offended, “You know it’s Ponyville right?”
“Oh yeah, I momentarily forgot, but I don’t know how long I’d be staying here,” Mystic cleared her throat.
“Hey Mystic!” said the orange dragoness said, “Do you have strong muscles?”
Mystic couldn’t help but smirk a little, “Oh yeah?”
“Can I see how strong they really are? I mean look at mine!” the dragoness boasted a little, flexing her muscles.
“Really Smolder? Now?” Yona rolled her eyes playfully.
“No no no,” Mystic said, thinking she could gain favor with everycreature. She got back on all four hooves, “Let her show me how strong she is.”
“Booyah!” Smolder cheered Fluttershy giggled while Smolder stepped out from behind her desk and hovered over to Mystic. The unicorn kept her cool when the dragoness stopped right in front of her. Smolder flexed her arm and showed off her well-toned muscles.
“Not bad,” said Mystic, “Working out or something?”
“Recently yeah,” replied Smolder, “Professor Dash’s workout classes are just adrenaline pumping!”
Mystic didn’t like hearing Rainbow Dash’s name again, but she kept her composure.
“So, you want to know how strong I really am?” Mystic smirked wider.
“Yes!”
Mystic glanced at the students and they were all a bit eager to know. Mystic didn’t hesitate in flexing her right foreleg, when she did so her muscles flexed out, well-toned, lean, tight, and full of mass. Smolder went to feel them and she lightly gasped as her eyes widened.
“Whoa, those are tight!”
“I know,” Mystic slightly boasted.
“How in the world did a unicorn like you get them so big?”
“Just by working out and labor.” Smolder looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “If you want more, I lifted a 1,000-pound weight with a huge muscled pegasus who has small wings.”
The students gasped again, Smolder’s eyes widened.
“You lifted that big of a weight with Bulk Biceps?!” a student asked.
“Yes, I did,” replied Mystic.
“Whoa,” Smolder’s eyes widened. Fluttershy motioned her to head back to her seat. As she went back to her seat, she kept her eyes on Mystic.
The hippogriff squealed, making Mystic slightly wince, “She’s amazing!”
Mystic decided to speak up, “Hey, what’re you kids learning about anyway?”
“If you don’t mind,” Ocellus said softly. Mystic stopped and looked at her, “I’d like to ask you a question.”
“O-Okay?” Mystic asked, not wanting to know what she wants to ask.
“As strong as you are, what do you do, Mystic?” Ocellus softly asked.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she explained, “Well... I travel and look up creatures that may or may not be real. Mythological creatures.”
“Cool,” Smolder smiled, “What kind of creatures?”
Mystic rubbed her head, trying to think, “Well... a lot of them aren’t friendly, like the Eloko, Werewolves, Ahools, Yacumama.”
“Yaca-what?” Gallus asked, confused.
“Yacumama,” Mystic repeated, “It’s a humongous snake rumored to living in the rainforests that can suck up any living thing within one hundred paces of it.”
The students gasped in horror, but Smolder and Gallus had looks of interest.
“Why would you research something like that?” asked a pony.
“Because it interests me, and if they are real, they haven’t sucked up anycreature,” Mystic rubbed her chin, “It could be just mistaken for just a regular anaconda.” She then muttered, “I’d only read about that one recently in a small scroll.”
The students calmed down some and Yona raised her hoof.
“Anything else?” she asked.
“Yes, there’re skinwalkers, and...”
“Skinwalkers?” Gallus repeated, confused, “What’re those?”
“You sure you want to know about them?” Mystic asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, I’ll give you an overview. They’re part of an culture that uses witchcraft, have the ability to turn into, possess or disguise themselves as an animal.”
“What?” Fluttershy gasped.
Mystic nodded, “Yep. They can even mimic loved ones’ voices if they pick it up.”
Mystic saw the students fascinated looks.
“Well, that’s all interesting, but aren’t there creatures that are less terrifying you can talk about?” Fluttershy asked.
“The orange dragon and griffon asked, so don’t blame me,” replied Mystic.
“Hey, we have names,” Smolder glared.
“What are they then?”
“It’s Smolder and Gallus.”
“I’m Silverstream!” the hippogriff raised her claw in the air.
Before Mystic could say anything else, Twilight entered the classroom carrying a bunch of paper. Her eyes widened a little when she saw the two unexpected ponies.
“Fluttershy? Mystic?” she asked.
“Fluttershy brought me here to teach me a little something,” Mystic explained.
“Yes,” Fluttershy agreed.
“Oh, okay,” Twilight smiled, “Well, I love having you here but I’ve got to get teaching.”
“Okay,” Fluttershy smiled, turning to Mystic, “Let’s go, Mystic.” Mystic nodded and took one more look at the students.
“Bye Mystic!” Silverstream waved while some of the pony students waved bye to her as she and Fluttershy left.
Mystic followed Fluttershy down the hall to wherever she was taking her.
“Mystic,” said Fluttershy.
“Yes?”
“Couldn’t you have picked less frightening creatures for the students to know about?”
“Hey, I asked the griffon before I told them about one of them,” defended Mystic.
“But what about the snake? Couldn’t you...”
“Hey that one’s not as scary, plus it’s probably just a misidentification,” Mystic reasoned. “You saw them calm down after I told them that.”
Fluttershy paused, “I guess you’re right.” She turned to look at her, “Just try not to mention anything really gruesome, okay?”
Mystic nodded, she thought about telling the students about the wendigo but brushed it off. Not the ones that are the cold, wintry spirits, but something else entirely.
Fluttershy and Mystic headed out into the bright sunny day. Fluttershy turned to Mystic.
“Well? What did you think?”
Despite the bile wanting to build up again, Mystic swallowed it. “I think that it was interesting.” A wave of relief overcame her as her heartrate slowed.
“You’ll have more opportunities to see them if you want, but just don’t get in the way of their homework and class times.”
“I figured that.”
Fluttershy smiled, “You know, I’ve really enjoyed this time with you, Mystic.” Mystic turned and looked at her as she continued, “We ate and talked together and had a little visit to the School.”
Mystic smirked, “All that beats all that work.”
“Yes, it does.” She paused, remembering something she needs to do, “I’ve got to get back to my cottage and refill the birds’ feed. What are you going to do? Wanna come?”
Mystic opened her mouth to reply, but she remembered the antique shop. The unicorn knew she needed to head there and find a way to get her weapons back.
“No,” she answered, “I think I’m gonna walk around town for a little bit.”
“Oh, okay, do you know the way back to the farm?”
“Yeah, I can find it.”
Fluttershy smiled, Mystic felt a tug at her heartstrings, she needed to leave and stop the invasion from happening. However, she felt as if she needed to say something to keep her safe. She felt a lump form in her throat.
“Well, I’ll catch you later then,” said Fluttershy. She began walking off. Mystic took a deep breath in and tried swallowing the lump, and her pride.
“H-Hey...” she whispered out, “Fluttershy?”
Fluttershy turned back and stopped with a little bit of a surprised look, “Yes? What is it?”
Mystic gulped, took a couple steps forward and looked at the ground.
“Thanks...” she mumbled.
“What? I didn’t hear you,” said Fluttershy.
Mentally scolding herself, Mystic tried again “Thanks...”
The pegasus pony tilted her head in curiosity. “I’m sorry, are you trying to say something?”
Mystic sighed, pawed at the ground with her hoof and looked up at her, “Thanks.”
Fluttershy’s ears perked up, “What?”
Her pride getting in the way again, she swallowed it, for a second hating it.
“Thanks for what you did for me...” Mystic managed to get out, “When we...first met.” Fluttershy’s eyes widened, “It was brave. Thank you, Fluttershy.” The mare lunged at Mystic and wrapped her forelegs around Mystic. The unicorn tensed again but she relaxed some and awkwardly patted Fluttershy’s back.
Fluttershy pulled back smiling, “You’re welcome. You have no idea how much I wanted to hear that.”
Mystic nodded and smirked awkwardly, “I... I bet you waited.”
“Well, stay out of trouble,” said Fluttershy.
Fluttershy turned and flew off, waving goodbye to Mystic. Mystic watched her go until she was gone from her view. She felt some guilt, but she is convinced she needed this.
That mare is so kind and delicate, and with lions out there, the students around, the kids here in this land, unaware of them, she has to keep at bay.
“Sorry Fluttershy,” she said, “I have to go deal with this.”
Forming a determined look, Mystic took off like a bullet towards the antique shop, thinking of ways to handle everything else. As she ran, Pinkie hopped through town. When she saw Mystic, she stopped and gasped.
“Hey Mystic!” she cried happily, “Wanna go to Sugarcube-” Mystic just bolted right past her. Mystic looked back to see she had caused her to spin around fast. Mystic shuddered and continued on her way.
“Oh well! Catch ya later!” she heard Pinkie call.