//------------------------------// // Wish #4 // Story: Wishbone Equestria // by Dirty Bit //------------------------------// Fluttershy Fluttershy fed the animals inside her house and observed them with a bright smile on her face "There you are, my little animal friends. Oh! Be nice, Mr. Raccoon. The others need to eat, too! That's very sweet, Mr. Badger! I'm glad you liked the mushrooms I got you. Watch out for Mr. Snake, everyone, he needs to eat, too!" She giggled to herself as she left her animals to eat their food. When she went to go outside, the door swung open to reveal a distressed Angel. He flailed his paws and pointed outside with a look of panic on his face "Oh my! What's wrong, Angel? Are the hens having difficulty laying eggs again?" Angel shook his head and continued pointing, only to hop out shortly after. The timid mare decided to comply to her favorite pet and follow him outside. Fluttershy was already dreading what could possibly go wrong out in her yard to the point where she talked to herself while trotting after Angel "Oh dear...What could've happened outside? Could it be another small dispute between the red and black ants? Is Mr. Bear having back problems again? Or maybe it could be a-SCARY SKULL GLARING AT ME!" With a brief and loud scream, she quickly hid behind the nearest tree after catching a glance at what Angel was exactly pointing to. Laying around in her front yard was a very scary skull with a red '6' on its head and rubies in its eye sockets. Angel hopped over to a shaking Fluttershy and donned a look of strictness as he pantomimed to her. The rabbit wanted his 'assertive owner' to handle the problem herself so he could get back to socializing with his fellow animals and not be creeped out by a random skull. Fluttershy turned to Angel and shook her head frantically "I-I'm sorry, Angel! I just can't! That skull is just so scary!!" THIS was the same pony that gave him 'The Stare yesterday for misbehaving? Angel facepawed as he glared at Fluttershy and pointed to the skull, wanting the timid mare to act now for his sake. Seeing that she was not complying to his request, he zipped away and came back with a picture frame containing his baby picture. He slowly held it over his head and earned the attention of a confused Fluttershy "Angel, what are you doing?" Wasn't it obvious? Angel reeled his paws back further as his extortion became more vivid in the timid mare's eyes "No, Angel!! Not your baby picture!! It's my favorite!!" The rabbit halted his advance as he gave Fluttershy an expectant look. Fluttershy got the message and sighed in defeat "Okay, you win. I'll get rid of the..." She swallowed with fear "...s-scary skull...Just promise me you won't break that picture..." Angel nodded with a satisfied smile as he pointed over to the skull, the timid mare instantly trotting over to it. Fluttershy cautiously approached the skull that leered at her with those intimidating ruby eyes that glistened in the sunlight. She winced and wanted to back down, but looked behind her to see Angel still holding his baby picture in his paws. Why must one little bunny be so cruel to her sometimes? She mustered more courage and finally approached the skull and contemplated on whether to pick it up with her teeth or her hooves. The timid mare slowly reached a forehoof over to touch it... "It is awfully rude to regard me with fear. Even I do not know how I actually got here!" Fluttershy instantaneously found herself behind the tree she hid behind the moment the skull flapped its teeth. She slowly poked her head from behind it to see if she wasn't hallucinating out of immense fear. Her eyes were locked on the skull that continued to leer at her. "Come over here and stop acting meek! I am not in the mood for hide-and-seek!" The timid mare whimpered before she did as she was told. She didn't want to try the skull's patience, even if it was very scary to her "Wh-Who are you? Whoever you are, c-c-can you please leave my yard? P-Pretty please?" She offered a shaky smile. The skull stared. "There is no need to shiver and shake Unless you have made a big mistake. My name is Thromnambular, and if it brings you ease, I can grant you a wish of whatever you please..." Fluttershy's fear lessened when she heard Thromnambular speak "Wishes?? Y-You grant wishes? Are you some kind of m-magical skull?" Thromnambular grunted. "Is it that obvious with my eloquent speech? Nothing I grant is out of my reach!" Fluttershy bowd apologetically before she eyed Thromnambular with intrigue "So you are serious...Can I ask for a wish? I-If you don't mind?" She asked with an adorable face that beckoned for an answer. The skull paused with dumbstruck eyes before he regained his composure. "That look in your eyes could kill someone, But I digress, you can have your fun! Be warned, however, of the tragic cost. If you're not clear enough, you'll end up lost..." Fluttershy felt a chill down her spine at his words and took the time to think to herself. She couldn't find a clear wish to speak of before her eyes trailed off towards the atmosphere around her. They finally fell on the one thing she hid behind when she encountered Thromnambular. The tall, firm, and beautiful lifeform that she wished to be back then. However, with that wish fulfilled a while back, she could only wonder how to reach them. She perked up as a smile grew on her face 'That's it...' Fluttershy looked back to Thromnambular "Umm...Thromnambular, was it? Do you think you can grant me this wish?" She took a deep breath before she explained herself "Back then, I always wanted to be a tree, but then I realized that I wouldn't be around my friends or my animals so much. Throughout my life, I always wondered...since they're living things and all...What they think while they stand in the earth. So I wish that I was able to communicate with the trees like I would the animals...If that's okay with you..." She said with a cute smile. It left as she gasped and quickly moved backward when Thromnambular glowd brightly and floated in the air. "So you wish to be one with the majestic trees, And be able to talk to them with relative ease! You will hear their thoughts and return them wholesale, And each one shall be heard clearly without fail!" Thromnambular laughed as the '6' on his head dropped down to an invisible slot as a red '5' descended in its place. Soon after, the space around him and Fluttershy flashed brightly before the skull teleported out of sight. Fluttershy rubbed her eyes and looked around in confusion "Mr. Thromnambular? Where are you?" She got up from her haunches and trotted back towards Angel to ask where he went. The rabbit stood wide-eyed with the picture in his paws and Fluttershy tilted her head "Angel, did you see where Thromnambular had gone? I get the feeling I was lied to..." "Don't flatter yourself, sweetie. That skull doesn't lie!" Fluttershy jumped and squeaked at the new rough feminine voice as she looked around "Wh-Who said that? Who's here?" "Over here! The tree!" The timid mare gave a low gasp and turned to the tree next to her "Did...Did you just talk to me?" The tree only stood without a mouth "Well, duh! It's what you wanted, right? You're one of us now! As for that talking skull, he's not here anymore. Not sure where he went, neither!" Fluttershy stood in shock before she beamed with the most adorable eyes anypony could see "I-...I-..." She shuddered with joy "I-I'm talking to trees! It's really happening!" The timid mare never felt this happy since the time Rainbow Dash wanted a pet. She fluttered into the air with glee. The tree stood "Ehehehe, okay now, girlie. Don't wanna be leaking downstairs over this now...At least they don't stick you with a spile for that sort of thing..." The tree trailed off with tinted jealousy. Fluttershy descended and blushed with a sheepish grin "Sorry...This was my first time." She then looked over at Angel, who stared at Fluttershy as if she went insane "Umm...Angel, could you be a good bunny and put back your baby picture and eat a carrot while I talk to this tree?" Angel paused before he slowly hopped away in a somnambulistic fashion with his baby picture in tow. The only thing that went through his mind was the unanswered question of 'What just happened?' Fluttershy turned back to the tree with a smile "Oh, I have so many questions to ask you right now! Were you around before Ponyville was discovered? Did you have any friends or family beside you at all? Did anypony think to water you while you were young-" The tree halted with a stressed tone "Whoa whoa whoa! Take it easy, will ya? There isn't anything special about me other than giving oxygen to you and every other living creature around here. I mean, look at me! I'm rooted to the ground! And you're talking to me! Do you think maybe other ponies might think you're crazy?" Fluttershy looked down "I don't see why not..." She looked back to the tree "I'm not the most sociable pony, and you've done so much for me and everypony else. I'm glad that I'm able to talk to you and other trees!" She gave a warm smile. The tree sighed "In that case, maybe you wanna talk with the other trees. Like I said before, there isn't anything special about me. You're better off finding company in the more interesting trees. Try Ponyville maybe." Fluttershy nodded "Well, okay. I hope I'm not bothering you..." The tree replied "No trouble at all, sweetie. Just scamper on out of here and have fun with your new gift." Fluttershy smiled and turned to leave "Oh, hey! Before you go, I gotta tell you this!" The timid mare looked back with curiousity "Whatever you do...do NOT talk to the trees in the Everfree Forest, alright? They're bad news!" Fluttershy paused before she nodded in comprehension "Thank you for your time, Ms. Tree!" She then galloped into Ponyville to talk with other trees. The tree Fluttershy left behind sighed to herself "These ponies are all kinds of crazy. Thank Mother Nature I'm not like them..." A woodpecker chirped and flew onto the tree's side and began to peck with blank fervor "Owowowowowow!! HEY! Get off you lousy-Augh, that is a tender area!!" _____ Fluttershy trotted in town in search of a good tree to talk to. She noticed a bulky one up ahead near a well and approached it with a smile "Hello there! Um...I don't know if we met or not, but...My name's Fluttershy! What's yours?" The tree in front of her gave a hearty male chuckle "Well aren't you precious to talk to an old tree like me! Nice to meet you, Fluttershy! What brings you around here? Looking for some water for yourself? Well's right next to me!" Fluttershy shook her head "Oh no, not at all. I only came to talk to you. I want to know if you ever had any interesting stories about your history!" The tree hummed in question "A pony interested in my heritage? Well now I've seen everything! I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell you a little bit about myself! It all started when..." Fluttershy was so engrossed in the interesting story of the bulky tree, that she did not notice Big Macintosh scream and run behind her while being chased by a growing number of stallions. A moment later, Daisy, Lily, and Roseluck strolled by and traded looks of confusion when they noticed Fluttershy stare at the tree in front of her with a smile on her face. The tree finished "...and that was how I got here!" Fluttershy clapped her forehooves in applause "I never thought you would be one of the trees grown by Celestia herself as a filly. Has she ever come to visit you at all?" The tree sighed "Not as much as usual, no...But I suppose it's for the best. I hear she's a princess now, so no doubt she'll be busy and be around mroe higher-class trees. Those guys can be such snobs!" Fluttershy looked saddened "Oh, I'm very sorry to hear that...Is there anything I can do for you?" The tree replied "I'd gladly tell you another story, but I'm getting pretty tired. You should probably find another tree to talk to. Or maybe get some water first. Well's right next to me!" Fluttershy shook her head "No thank you, I'm not thirsty at all. Thank you for the amazing story, Mr. Tree! I'll see you later!" She trotted away with a smile. While she trotted away, she wondered about the warning from the first tree she talked to. "Do NOT talk to the trees in the Everfree Forest, alright? They're bad news!" The timid mare paused and thought to herself 'If the first two trees weren't that bad, how would the ones in the Everfree forest be worse?' She turned to the distant patch of trees and smiled "I'm sure they'll want somepony to talk to since they're all bunched up in there..." She said as she trotted towards the forest. Apparantly, this was a warning that would go unheeded. _____ When she got close, Fluttershy stared up at the entrance to the Everfree Forest and heard faint whispering sounds "Oh...Oh my...Maybe they're having a secret meeting in there. Or perhaps they're just talking about...tree things..." She said, trying to come up with a proper term for their topic of conversation. Fluttershy took a deep breath and trotted inside the forest so she could communicate with the trees better. As she progressed, the plentiful whispering grew louder in volume, and sounded more clearer as Fluttershy made out several wordings through each tree around her. "Why are we here?" "All things return to zero..." "Is there meaning to my creation?" "Why do I feel so different, yet at the same time, connected?" "Nothing is sacred..." "Gross! A timberwolf urinated on me!!" Fluttershy cringed and winced at the several voices, but slowly regained her confidence as she spoke up "Umm...Hello?" Suddenly, every voice around her ceased. Feeling as though she scared them, the timid mare gave an awkward smile "Hello, trees. We haven't properly met before. I'm-" "Fluttershy..." "It's Fluttershy!" "The one called Fluttershy..." "Shutterfly..." "So this is Fluttershy..." "Delicate Fluttershy..." Fluttershy looked around and smiled at the recognition "Oh...Maybe we have met before." She gave a sincere smile as she bowed "I'm glad to meet you all. I don't know what that one tree was thinking, but you all seem like good trees to me. So, what were you talking about just now-" "The voices...The voices of fleeting life..." "Twas brillig and the slithy toves..." "Up down and all around..." "One plus two plus one plus two plus one plus two..." "Dreamless dorm, ticking clock..." "La li lu le lo, la li lu le lo, la li lu le lo..." Fluttershy was slightly uncomfortable with the random interruption she received from the trees around her and tried to speak again "U-Um...Could you please be more specific?" She took one step back towards an unnoted direction as she looked up and around the trees "I don't think you're making much sen-" "Stella! Stella! I wanted to be somebody!" "It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again..." "Out there~! There's a world outside of Yonkers~!" "Spinning, spinning, spinning. Everything is spinning..." "There's a hole in the sky...through which things can fly..." "There's a rash...in my brain..." Fluttershy began to shiver at the strange and scary remarks being uttered by the trees "C-C-Could we maybe talk about something else, please? Anything at all?" "Tell us, Fluttershy..." "How does it feel to move around, Fluttershy?" "The bees...they sting, Fluttershy..." "Give us the meaning of life, Fluttershy..." "We feel so alone, Fluttershy..." "Kill them all, Fluttershy..." Fluttershy perked up, and at the same time went pale at the last comment "Wh-Wh-Wh-What?" She whispered meekly. "Kill them, Fluttershy...Kill them all..." "Yes, kill them, Fluttershy..." "They deserve it..." "Kill, kill, kill..." "To live is to die, they are one in the same..." "Crush...Kill...Destroy...Swag..." Fluttershy could not believe what she was hearing. What kind of trees would wish death on anypony in particular? She looked around with widened eyes as she hyperventilated uncontrollably. The timid mare felt as if the trees were closing in on her. They continued repeating 'Kill them' and 'They deserve it', and it only filled her with more fear and confusion. After a long while, Fluttershy finally screamed to the top of her lungs and galloped back to her home with fear-induced adrenaline. A small moment after she left, a zebra mare trotted in with a face of bemusement as she looked around. "Nopony here has caught my eye... I could have sworn I have heard poor Fluttershy..." _____ Fluttershy quickly galloped into her cottage, making sure to lock it top to bottom without hesitation. From there, she galloped into her room and locked the door behind it top to bottom as well. The timid mare was one for safety precautions. When she finished bolting the door shut, she dove into her bed and cradled herself slowly as she wallowed in a near-catatonic state. For once in her life, she did not want to be a tree... 4 down...5 to go...