…
…
Ever since Discord had been sent to spy on Grogar, Fluttershy felt a deep void in her life that seemed to consume her each and every day that Discord was away. Going through her cottage, she went about caring for all her animals, all while wondering about the reformed creature of chaos that was putting himself in harm's way for the sake of Equestria.
"Good morning, little friends," Fluttershy said to a small group of chickens in her chicken coop. "Did you sleep well?"
Nodding in reply, the chickens reassured her that they did. "That's great to hear," Fluttershy sighed, trying to put a positive outlook on her situation. "It's too bad Discord isn't here. He would have really gotten you going."
Looking up to the sun, Fluttershy tried to stay positive for her animals, but that was easier said than done. "Please stay safe, Discord," She thought to herself. "Wherever you are."
From behind the back door of her cottage, Angel Bunny watched as his owner wallowed in anxiety and depression. Even the mischievous rabbit was worried. In his mind, this wasn't Fluttershy.
Going back into her cottage, Fluttershy poured herself some morning tea and sat down on her couch. Today was Tuesday and normally, this would be her Tuesday teatime with Discord. Fluttershy was alone and she wanted company. Going over a picture of Discord on her shelf, she took the picture and placed it in front of her. "Ohh," She lamented in a quiet voice. "It's not the same without you, Discord. If only you weren't sent to spy on Grogar…"
Taking a sip of the tea, Fluttershy waited for the picture to answer her, but it didn't. "Okay, okay," she remarked. "I get that Twilight was right in sending you to spy on Grogar. Still, that doesn't mean I had a say in saying I was going to miss you. You aren't always perfect, Discord, but that doesn't mean you have a heart."
As she spoke, Fluttershy felt tears forming in the corners of her eyes as she wiped them away. "What if…" she cried. "What if you never return? What if Grogar does something bad to you? What if I never see you again?"
In a panicked state, Fluttershy took the picture and placed it right against her eyes. "I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOU!" She cried in a loud voice only to have her solitude interrupted by the knocking of her door. "Huh? Who could that be?"
Putting the picture down, Fluttershy went to her door thinking who could be wanting to see her so early in the morning. Opening the door, Fluttershy hoped for a second that was Discord, but it wasn't.
"Um, Fluttershy? Starlight Glimmer asked as she and Trixie were given intimidated looks by Fluttershy's assigned guards. "Is there any reason as to why we're being viewed as the enemy?"
"You guys are making Trixie uncomfortable." Trixie said as Fluttershy felt a tad of disappointment in not seeing Discord at the front door.
…
…
Motioning for the guards to stand down, Fluttershy allowed Starlight and Trixie into her cottage. "Sorry about the guards," Fluttershy apologized. "They're only doing their job."
"How, by scaring and intimidating other ponies?" Trixie asked.0
"No, by questioning all visitors. Care for some tea?" Fluttershy asked. "I still have some in the kitchen."
"Much obliged," Starlight replied. "Thanks."
Sitting down on the sofa while Fluttershy went into the kitchen, Starlight and Trixie both looked down at the picture of Discord with Fluttershy's fresh tear stains on the glass. "She must have been at it again," Starlight said to Trixie while inspecting the picture of Discord. "Thinking about Discord."
"Well, isn't that the reason why we came over, Starlight? To check on her at Twilight's request?" Trixie remarked as Fluttershy came back into the living room with two cups of tea in her wings. "Even though he is a big doofus."
"Shh!" Starlight hissed, glaring at Trixie briefly before accepting the teacup from Fluttershy. "Thanks, Fluttershy. Sorry if we came over in a surprising manner."
"Oh, it's alright," Fluttershy replied, sitting between the two unicorns. "I could use the company, especially now with Discord gone. I just can't stop thinking about him."
Starlight could sense the sadness in Fluttershy's voice and felt like something needed to be done to help Fluttershy out. "How hard is it for you?"
"It's very hard, Starlight," Fluttershy sighed, leaning back against her sofa. "There have been times where I can't sleep because I'm worrying about him so much. It's almost like I'm expecting something bad to happen to him."
Despite Fluttershy's worries, Starlight tried to give a positive boost to Fluttershy's confidence. "Discord's the spirit of chaos, Fluttershy," She attempted to reassure her. "He'll be fine."
"But what if he won't be fine?" Fluttershy protested.
"He'd probably do something to defend himself," Trixie muttered, much to Starlight's chagrin. "Like turn that goat's castle into cheese."
"Grogar is nothing like all the villains we faced Trixie," Starlight interjected. "You know that!"
"But Discord can't just play by Grogar's rules, can he?" Trixie asked. "Just one snap of his paw and boom! Problem solved if it comes to that!"
"Okay, that's enough out of you, Trix. Discord was sent to spy on Grogar, not destroy him. If Discord could do that he would've done it already," Starlight protested before turning to Fluttershy. "The reason why we came here, Fluttershy, is to see if you would be up for a weekend in Las Pegasus."
"Las Pegasus?" Fluttershy wondered, taking another sip of her tea. "I haven't been there in ages."
"Yes," Trixie nodded. "But Twilight and your fellow princesses were thinking about you and your mental state. Besides, my dad's doing a new magic trick so he asked me to come and support him, and Starlight could use the break from her physical therapy."
"That's nice of your dad to invite you," Fluttershy replied, before suddenly becoming frightened and hugging Trixie in fear. "Wait, does that new trick involve a manticore?"
"No," Trixie muttered while using her magic to push Fluttershy away. "No manticore. Princess Twilight put a ban on the performance of the Moonshot Manticore Mouthdive several months ago in fact."
Fluttershy sighed in relief. "Oh, that's good."
"We think a weekend in Las Pegasus might be just the thing to take your mind off of Discord," Starlight suggested. "Rainbow Dash even recommended that roller coaster she rode with Applejack's family."
"You mean The Wild Blue Yonder?" Fluttershy nervously asked. "No thank you! I've always…I've always had a fear of roller coasters. Just the thought of being thrown about in sharp places…it makes me feel…"
"Unsafe?" Trixie interrupted. "I can assure you that I, myself, have been through much worse as a magician. And The Wild Blue Yonder is very safe. It was reopened by popular demand after the hotel owners decided it was more worthwhile to re-track it instead of tearing it down completely."
"Okay. Well, as long as we don't do any roller coasters like that, I'll take you up on your offer," Fluttershy hastily agreed. "But uh, don't you have to get back to the School of Friendship?"
"The day doesn't start for an hour. Besides, there's a new headmare running things now," Starlight replied. "So we thought we'd use the time to come visit you and see if you were interested in a weekend getaway."
"Oh." Fluttershy realized as her guests departed.
…
Leaving Fluttershy's cottage, Starlight began to feel an uncomfortable sensation in her back.
"It's bothering you again, isn't it?" Trixie asked as the two unicorns stopped in their tracks.
"Of course, it's bothering me again, Trixie!" Starlight gasped. "This blasted back brace! I feel so confined to it."
"If you want your back to get better you have to wear it," Trixie cautioned. "Remember what Doctor Stable said?"
"Yes, yes, I remember!" Starlight hissed as they resumed their walk back to the school. "You don't have to tell me twice!" She digested what she heard and soon the two unicorns went their separate ways with Starlight returning to the Castle of Friendship to begin another round of her physical therapies. Stripping off her headmare attire, Starlight went about her therapies, being done this time under the guidance of Rainbow Dash.
"Okay," Rainbow Dash coached. "Lean forward gently, Starlight."
Doing as she was told, Starlight leaned forward despite the confines of the back brace. "Easy for you to say," Starlight groaned. "Do you know how hard it is to wear a back brace? Ahh! That smarted that time!"
It was then that Starlight began to think more about Fluttershy and knowing that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were close, she began to try and get inside Fluttershy's mind via Rainbow Dash.
"How was Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked as Starlight did another lean forward. "Still thinking about Discord?"
"Yeah," Starlight gasped as she leaned back and repeated the motion. "It looked like she'd been crying on a picture of him."
"And that's why she needs a change of scenery, Starlight," Rainbow Dash remarked. "All of us are worried about her. I mean, I get that she misses Discord but she's a princess too. She needs to be mentally focused! Being a…being a princess is tough. And now with Celestia and Luna in the classroom and us running Equestria with a war going on, we need to all be on the same page."
"Actually," Starlight groaned. "I brought up the idea of her going on that roller coaster you went on, The Wild Blue Yonder."
"Yeah, I was surprised to learn that Flim and Flam decided to reopen it," Rainbow Dash remarked. "But that's beside the point."
"Well, this may sound silly, but…I've never been on a roller coaster either," Starlight pointed out. "There were never any carnivals that had them when I was growing up."
"You've NEVER been on a roller coaster?!" Rainbow Dash gasped, her face filled with shock!
Starlight nervously chuckled as she felt a sharp twinge in her back. "Mind if we take a break?"
"Okay," Rainbow reluctantly agreed. "But you don't know what you're missing with roller coasters. It's the greatest thing you've ever experienced in your life!"
"I'm sure it is," Starlight replied while taking a drink of water. "Still, it may not be for some ponies. I mean, look at my back."
"They'll make sure that you're protected, they've got spells for that," Rainbow remarked. "Flim and Flam may be con ponies, but they care about safety first and foremost."
Starlight arched an eyebrow upward. "How would you know?"
"Because I've been there, Starlight." Rainbow Dash chuckled while nudging Starlight Glimmer in the side, away from the back brace.
…
Sure enough, the weekend arrived and Fluttershy brought her suitcase down from her bedroom to wait for Starlight and Trixie to arrive.
Applejack was also downstairs, having been asked to look after Fluttershy's animals while she was away. "Thanks for looking after the animals, Applejack." Fluttershy smiled.
"Ah, no problem, Fluttershy," Applejack replied while sitting on Fluttershy's couch. "We've got enough help on the farm and I could use a change of scenery. We've grown our workforce, I reckon: Big Mac, Sugar Belle, Apple Bloom and Grand Pear, they can all manage without me for one weekend."
Chuckling nervously, Fluttershy looked away from Applejack, much to the farm pony's confusion and surprise.
"Um, Fluttershy, is everythin' all right with ya?" Applejack asked.
"It's just that," Fluttershy timidly answered. "Do you…do you think this is the right thing? Sending me to Las Pegasus? You…you remember what happened last time?"
"With Gladmane? Sure, but he's been put out of business thanks to us," Then getting up from the sofa, Applejack walked over to the Princess of Kindness, throwing a foreleg over her shoulder. "Listen Sugarcube," She explained. "We've all been worried about ya with Discord bein' gone and such."
Just then there was a knock on the door and Applejack went to answer it. Opening it, she saw that Trixie and Starlight were being accompanied by one other pony. "Rainbow Dash?" Applejack wondered. "What are you doin' here?"
"Spending the weekend in Las Pegasus, what else?" The Princess of Loyalty excitedly remarked as Applejack raised an eyebrow slightly. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You know why," Applejack replied. "You're probably still mad at me because I forced you to look after Granny and her friends when you wanted…?"
Not wanting to see an argument develop between the two princesses, Starlight quickly got in between them. "Okay, okay," She nervously chuckled. "Let's get to the train station before things get out of hoof."
However, as they walked to the train station, Fluttershy couldn't help but notice the back brace Starlight was being forced to wear. She was seeing this for the very first time and immediately felt sorry for her.
Boarding the Las Pegasus bound Friendship Express, the four mares settled in for the weekend experience of Las Pegasus. But, Fluttershy felt like she needed to reach out to Starlight about her back brace. "Hey Starlight," Fluttershy asked, looking over at Starlight's back brace. "Is that what you're wearing because of your back injuries?"
"It is, Fluttershy," Starlight solemnly replied. "Got to admit, it's uncomfortable, but necessary. As a matter of fact, I can use the change of scenery myself."
"Me too," Fluttershy sighed. "I miss Discord, yes. But, I understand how good it is for my mental health to get away from Ponyville."
"Yes, we've all needed to put our mental health in top priority, Fluttershy," Starlight replied, placing a hoof on Fluttershy's leg. "I mean, we all saw what happened with Twilight and why you and the others became princesses to begin with."
Silently, Fluttershy nodded. "How long do you think you will have to wear that?"
"I don't know, Fluttershy. Depends on what Doctor Stable says," Starlight sighed. "All that matters is getting back in the School of Friendship and running it. Sunset Shimmer will do a good job in the meantime, but it just won't be the same." Starlight felt a small tear trickle down her face.
The train arrived in Las Pegasus a short time later, and the four mares soon found themselves amongst the hustle and bustle of the city.
"Well, here we are, gang!" Rainbow Dash declared, her mind set on riding her favorite roller coaster. "Welcome to Las Pegasus!"
"Hasn't changed a bit," Trixie remarked, admiring some of the newly minted billboards. "Although there have been more magic acts coming together lately. But none of them hold a candle to my father's."
Leaving the train station, all proceeded towards the hotel where the roller coaster was and as soon as they stepped into the lobby, there in the center was the roller coaster.
…
…
The ponies had only just gotten into the hotel and already, both Fluttershy and Starlight were developing symptoms of anxiety due to the roller coaster.
"Look guys," Rainbow pointed out. "We all agreed that coming to Las Pegasus was for your own good."
"Yes, but roller coasters are not my thing!" Fluttershy protested.
"Mine too!" Starlight added.
"Then don't look at the roller coaster," Trixie suggested to the frightened ponies. "Think of it as something else."
"What? As a dangerous back breaking machine?" Starlight protested. "What if something happens during the ride?"
"Then you use your magic," Trixie protested. "Or Fluttershy can use her wings."
"Guys, I know you're both frightened," Rainbow declared, catching their attention. "But think of all the events of recently you've been involved in. They were frightening too."
"Those were different, Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy protested.
"Guys, I'm serious," Rainbow insisted. "I mean, look at all of what you've become: Fluttershy, you and I are princesses; Starlight, you are running the School of Friendship with Sunburst and Trixie. Do you think that we got what we got on a silver platter? No! We had to be involved in a lot of scary situations in order to get to where we are today."
Turning around slowly and shakily, both Fluttershy and Starlight saw the gathered ponies around them. Some of them with cameras in their hooves and auras.
"Thought I'd bring my dad to try and offer some additional support." Trixie declared to Rainbow Dash as Jackpot approached Fluttershy and Starlight, getting down at their level.
"Trixie thought you could use some encouragement." Jackpot said in a warm voice.
"M...M... Mr. Ja..ja…jackpot?" Starlight stammered.
"I see you remember me, Starlight," Jackpot chuckled, nudging Starlight in the side. "Why are you scared?"
"Roller Coasters…they scare me." Starlight replied.
Jackpot then asked. "But why?"
"Being thrown from the car," Starlight answered. "Getting killed…not seeing my students again."
Taking his forelegs, Jackpot brought both Fluttershy and Starlight together with a warm smile on his face while Rainbow Dash and Trixie looked on. "I want to tell you both something and I want you to listen carefully," He explained in a warm voice. "In life, we all have to do things we don't want to do. Not because we choose to but because we are destined to do them. When I was your age, I was afraid of being in front of an audience. I was afraid of making myself look like an idiot, but I did it anyway because it was my destiny. We can't hide from our destiny, but we can try and reduce the fear."
Reaching into a bag that he had next to him, Jackpot reached in and pulled out both a pair of teddy bears, one black and one white, giving them both to Fluttershy and Starlight to which they both accepted. "These are friends of mine and my daughter's named Penn and Teller," he further explained. "They've helped me overcome our fears of being magicians and they will help you overcome yours. I assure you, roller coasters may seem scary but they are actually very safe. You're far more likely to be injured or killed doing many other things. And The Wild Blue Yonder has a perfect safety record."
Taking the teddy bears, Fluttershy and Starlight each felt their soft furs touching their faces. Right away, both of them began to feel their anxieties go down slightly. "I…I feel relieved," Fluttershy spoke up. "I feel like…Discord's going to come home again one day."
"I…I feel the same," Starlight added as both she and Fluttershy rose to their feet. "I feel like…I'm going to be back at the School of Friendship one day."
Feeling that his strategy worked, Jackpot chuckled warmly to himself as Trixie joined her father's side. "And they will help you both overcome your fear of that right over there," Jackpot declared, motioning for them to look at The Wild Blue Yonder.
With their fears going down, both Fluttershy and Starlight felt that they could ride the roller coaster. Turning back to Jackpot, they handed the bears back to him, but Jackpot rejected them. "Take them with you on the roller coaster, because they will help you with anything just as they once helped me overcome my greatest fears."
Grateful, both mares hugged Jackpot and with the teddy bears clutched to their bodies, Fluttershy and Starlight each walked towards the roller coaster with Trixie and Rainbow Dash following suit.
…
Boarding the roller coaster, both Fluttershy and Starlight sat in the front row with the two teddy bears as the roller coaster moved along at fast moving speeds.
Once they got off the roller coaster, all reconvened with Jackpot. "How did you feel?" He asked Fluttershy and Starlight.
"I feel…great!" Fluttershy answered. "Like a big weight was taken off my shoulders!"
"Mine too," Starlight added. "Although my back is hurting a little bit despite the spells they cast."
Handing the bears back to Jackpot, both Fluttershy and Starlight were grateful for what Jackpot had done for them. "Well, being leaders require courage and strength," Jackpot told them. "Just as I once had to learn long ago."
With their fears conquered, both Starlight and Fluttershy left with Rainbow Dash to check into their room while Trixie and her dad stayed briefly behind.
"Thanks for helping them out, Dad." Trixie said to her father.
"Anytime, Trixie," Jackpot replied. "Anytime."
Suddenly, Trixie got herself another thought. "By the way," She inquired, taking the bears out of the bag with her magic aura. "Where did you find these bears? I haven't seen them since I was a filly."
"I've kept them hidden for when I most need them, Trixie," Jackpot answered. "Such as today. In fact, I think we may all need to have teddy bears in our lives when all is said and done."
"Dad," Trixie declared, still holding the bears in her aura. "I think you may be right."
And the father and daughter looked up at The Wild Blue Yonder, a typical roller coaster transformed into a symbol of overcoming a pony's greatest fear.
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