//------------------------------// // Loyalty (Rainbow Dash) // Story: Love at First Bite // by uniquecorn //------------------------------// If the sun’s in the sky providing us with serotonin at the start of the day, then it’s about time to rise from our slumber like a Flutterbat breaking free from her 3-years of banishment. Speaking of Flutterbat, the sunlight was blinding me and so I knew it’s a good time to reveal my magenta eyes introducing my vision, the vision of my vampirized lover. It seems like she just sat next to me passively to linger until I wake up upon the morning. Not gonna lie, I can’t believe that somepony found an answer to fix my heart and Flutterbat gets to live another day. My peripheral vision sees nothing out of the ordinary, so I thought to hello like normal. “It’s good to see that you’re still here, Flutterbat. Even now, you’re willing to put me under your wing. With the reason being you’re the one at fault, huh.” Flutterbat nodded as her response. Now, ‘nothing out of the ordinary in my vision’, when I say that, I meant that there’s something off out of my area of sight. I wanted to step forward and get closer to settle down next to her, having a friendly conversation asking about how’s first appearance?, what she usually does?, does she feel better?, etc., questions like that. However, when I approach, my hoof felt an unpleasant texture of soft and moist. I looked down and finally noticed one juiceless apple on the ground, but then I looked around and saw about three hundred such apples littered all over the barn. When I saw them, I started to freak out. “Wait, hold on, how many apples did you consume?!” I checked the hayloft for remaining apples and I only found out that Flutterbat saved ten apples in one crate. Looking back at her, she had the expression of “Did I do something bad?” I answered her that question even though she didn’t have the Broca’s area to produce the words. “It’s not entirely bad, besides the fact that if they want to refill this barn, they have to work hard.” Here’s Flutterbat giving ponies, specifically, the Apple family plus my and adopted sister’s friends, Applejack and Applebloom, a hard time without shortcuts to divide their harvesting season in half. “No matter, just sit tight and I’ll clean your mess. Just in case Applejack comes to check on this barn before you two reconciled, we can’t leave conspicuous trash out in the open.” I say as I picked up every apple on the floor and shoved them all in the empty crates in ten seconds flat, not in the crate with the fresh apples which would possibly get infected if done so. There, the room is cleared of apples. What’s next is we have to wait for Silver, who imaged the plan of reformation, to start the objective of befriending. Meanwhile, I get to hang out with Flutterbat and I attempt to ask questions, although it’s questionable if she could give an answer without the ability to speak English. “Can you remember when we first encountered each other?” When it came to the yes or no questions though, it’s easy to identify the replies given. Yes, Flutterbat can recall when she first appeared in front of my eyes three years ago, identifiable by her distinguishable nod. “You know your own species, right? What do you normally do as a wild animal?” The way she responds is creative, I would say. She imitates the position of a predator plus some hissing, she pointed at the apple crate on the hayloft signifies that she craves on them, and finally pointing at the rafters denoting she lounges in when there’s nothing to work on. “Are you feeling any better lately?” Another yes or no question, but of course, she feels better since yesterday. We’ve already talked through last night and we’re reconciled already. Speaking of reconciling, we were planning to reunite her friendship with my friends, the spirits of harmony. “How are you feeling about befriendment.” Hmm, Flutterbat seems to be flinching at the thought of my friends. Even though she’s our creation, she’s still made from a mutation of a favourite mare and nopony appreciates her presence because she harmed a pony, me. At this moment, voices finally fades in coming from outside the barn door. A familiar mid-atlantic accent of a mare along with the same stallion’s voice from last night. “Wait. Isn’t this the barn where they kept that Flutterbat secure in chains until a permanent reverse spell is discovered?” I know that pony’s voice from anywhere, Rarity, a mare of generosity known for her dresses and as the owner of Carousel Boutique in Ponyville. I don’t think Flutterbat is feeling pleasant about hearing her timbre, she was shaking timidly and nervously. “Yes, this is the place. Why do you ask?” That was the stallion Silver Trust, he’s the pony who reformed Flutterbat and the only pony who thought about reforming Flutterbat. I heard he’s actually very well-known in Ponyville, but I never got any familiarity from him because I never needed his involvement, apparently that’s not the case anymore. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea to go in there, darling. I know she’s on the wall, but it’s just to avoid accidentally getting your limbs bitten.” Basically, Rarity was commenting about the possible dangers and accidents that could outcome in here. “Once I open this door, you’ll see what happened last night.” The barn door was creaking open, Rarity and Silver were about to step in. However, Flutterbat panicked at this and proceeded to react by hiding behind a block of hay. “Wait, Flutterbat, I’m sure she won’t hunt you.” I chased her to peek over her hiding spot, her underbelly facing the floor with leather wings covering her muzzle while violently jolting like she’s really scared of who’s coming. The two visitors have entered at the time and Silver was the first to address me so that I could address him back. “Morning, Rainbow. How’s yesterday’s night and today’s morning?” “Hey, Silver Trust. I can see you’re already getting started; You brought Rarity here.” And then, Rarity is the one to respond to that, complaints about why she’s brought here and other related stuff. “Getting started? For what? And where is that Flutterbat? Isn’t she supposed to be on that wall?” I answered by blurting out the hider’s hiding spot. I mean, I have to if we want her to make amends with this mare in white plus mane in violet curls. “She’s hiding behind this haybale.” Right after saying that sentence, both Silver and Rarity walked closer to peek over the hay block, exposing the bat pony’s physique. The former was completely relaxed as he’s got his eye directed at her, whereas the latter was hysterical and blurted the sight in front of her. “F-Flutterbat?” By Flutterbat catching the name being mentioned, she jolted up in an instant and proceeded to contact her back against the wall like somepony on the ledge of a Manehatten skyscraper. “You don’t have to be scared, Flutterbat. You’re looking at Ponyville’s spirit of generosity, Rarity. She’s a passive pony unless you’re hostile to her.” So Silver decides to start off the amending business by reconciling Flutterbat and Rarity, it sounded good to me. Let’s see what happens, will Rarity be friends or stay enemies with Flutterbat? The process starts with the generous pony wanting an explanation about last night. “Silver Trust, what happened last night? I want an explanation.” “So last night, I made an entrance into Flutterbat’s prison cell with a plan. Rainbow was there so I could explain to her that my plan is to reform Flutterbat. It worked so well that guilt took over her emotions.” “Guilt? Why is she feeling guilt?” “It’s only now that she knows and understands what she’s done. Her existence removed Fluttershy and provided Rainbow a painful wound on her right foreleg.” That explains everything in a very detailed way. Actually, it’s so detailed and very coherent that Rarity was quickly convinced not to panic. We wanted reconcilement, so we had to convince her to do so. “Right now, we attempt to get Flutterbat to befriend you and the other spirits of harmony.” “Oh. Well, now that I’ve heard what happened last night, I can do that.” Yes, now all she has to do is talk it out. Let’s see how badly this could end up being. “I’m sure anypony can be in the same situation as you, Flutterbat. In fact, somepony I know felt guilt after she’s done something awful and cruel. Eventually, you’ll recover. Sure you did the worst possible thing, but if, for example, Rainbow Dash is okay with this, then you should think so too. You’ve earned my friendship.” Wow, that went extremely well as a smile was plastered on Flutterbat’s face, I think both Silver and I were blown away by that fact. “Thank Silver Trust for finding the plan. If he hadn’t I would’ve… stabbed her.” I had to bring that up, I just couldn’t forget about that event. Then again, why bring it up when I had the chance not to? I just wanted to admit it to them, that’s all. “Oh. Rainbow Dash, that’s how far your depression gets?” “I know. I’m sorry. I just wanted to see Fluttershy again when it’s about to go so wrong.” “It’s alright, Rainbow. You just couldn’t control yourself. It’s not your fault.” Wow, I didn’t expect to be reassured by this silver-coat red-maned stallion. It seems like he really wants to and enjoys helping me. If only I’ve filled in time knowing him instead of practising for my entry in the Wonderbolt Academy all day, then I would’ve said “I know you’ll fix this.” and not “Don’t dissapoint me.” “So, Silver Trust, why did you tell me to bring this suitcase of hoods and cloaks?” Rarity asked as she unlocks her portmanteau revealing black, grey and brown cloaks. Guess I didn’t see such a huge luggage when I turn my back at the barn entrance. “Ah yes. As you know by now, only a few ponies know about this Flutterbat. I’m trying to prevent multiple ponies from freaking out and this is the solution I found.” That makes sense, as Silver and I were the only ones that know Flutterbat is passive. Do we know how other ponies will react? In Rarity’s case, we already found out that she reconciles somewhat easily with no flaw, but in the case of everypony else, including Princess Celestia, we’re not really sure. So yeah, hiding her identity until either everypony’s cool or somepony’s smart, I don’t think his solution is debatable, to be honest. “Oh, I see. So you want me to dress her up so that she could blend in in the environment. Well, you’ve just called the right pony to do just that.” “You’re talking about yourself, aren’t you?” says myself stating the obvious. “Of course I’m talking about myself. There’s no need for a question, darling.” Seconds and minutes elapsed in the course of selecting one black cloak when most of them are exactly the same, shade of color or otherwise. The chosen headgear displayed on Flutterbat’s individuality is in fashion, but in question. Would it feel less odd to whom we contact? Rarity seems to think so, so I guess the choice is surrendered for now. “So what do you wanna do next? Do you have a goal you want to achieve?” “Well, we still want Flutterbat to make amends with our other friends.” True, now with a vampire in disguise, we can hopefully reunite the elements of harmony as a whole group with one transmogrified pony. Technically, we’ll be as heroic as before, saving our land and fixing friendships with our special “friendship is magic” motto. “Okay. Stay safe, darlings.” We let Rarity off the hook because her job is done here. When she disappears, Silver is ready to announce our next visitor. “Come on, I planned to see Applejack now.” Applejack, the honest apple farmer of Sweet Apple Acres who bears my favourite alcoholic apple cider. Important facts about her include hostility towards vampire fruit bats and who unwittingly led Fluttershy to this fate. These facts made Flutterbat feel dissatisfied and whimper. In addition, Applejack’s obstination is almost inconceivable that she’s more likely to reject a vampire’s accommodation. Then again, who could possibly tell me the odds? “Don’t worry, Flutterbat. If Applejack does round up or not, either way, we can just explain it to her whenever we can.” I said as I was being my own element. We’ll knock some sense out of her if she’s being simple-minded. Flutterbat felt somewhat content enough to walk out of this barn with Silver and I. Sending ourselves to the outside world, the warm rays of light showered on us, including Flutterbat. Those factors about vampire’s exposure to sunlight apparently doesn’t apply to this mare. Maybe being infused with bat genetics doesn’t necessarily count as complete vampirism. Whatever the case, that’s a good thing, since we want to keep her alive if we want Flutterbat’s befriendment. The path to Applejack’s goes through the apple orchard. This doesn’t sound like that big of a deal, until I caught Flutterbat darting her crimson red eyes at the shiny red low-hanging fruit from one of the surrounding apple trees. She’s obviously mouth-watering for the apple, but she had the strength to pull herself away from the urge. Huh, the predicament in the barn must’ve scolded Flutterbat to avoid being so greedy or else she’d be culprit of starvation, or something like that. “Go on, Flutterbat. I’m sure Applejack won’t mind a few juiced up apples.” Says Silver who’s being generous to the bat pony. Although he gave her a free feast, Flutterbat denied collecting the gift, but I think this stallion accepted her retraction. That’s another thing to describe Silver, at first he was loyal like me when he tried to fix broken hearts and honest like Applejack when he admitted his uncertainty. Now, he’s got generosity like Rarity just now. He’s like a combination of all the elements of harmony. I had to tell him the overall rating he’s getting and I’d also like to apologize for doubting him ever since. “You’re a good pony, you know that? You’ve been so helpful to us lately. I know I said it already, but I want to say it again. Thank you. I should never have doubted you.” “Wait, you have been doubting me?” “I have. When you mentioned that you had a solution to bring my love back, I’ve been doubting you ever since. All this time, I thought me and Fluttershy couldn’t be bonded together again, but all of that has changed now. …I’m sorry I didn’t trust you before.” “It’s okay. See the shield with a tick for my cutie mark? My special talent is about getting troubled ponies to trust my instincts and help them.” “I see that. Your name also determines your special talent. But why are you helping us?” “Oh. Well, I couldn’t help but look at you miserably. Left without your love, it just doesn’t feel right.” “I see. You just can’t see me being depressed all the time, huh.” “No. I can’t.” I kinda felt bad for him now. It was my depression that led to Silver building a thought, waking up and helping me all night to finally succeed in his plans before sunrise. If only we knew the idea of reformation, we would’ve fix all sorts of problems and if I ever want this stallion in my life, I’d find out where he lives to spend time knowing about him. Anyway, Applejack’s dwelling was just in front of us and with no time to waste, Silver knocked on the door like somepony with manners. “Applejack, are you home?” “Ah’m coming!” We could hear galloping hooves on a wooden surface reverberating from inside reaching to a crescendo as Flutterbat is reaching to a higher timidity. She’s courageous enough to resist fleeing until Applejack arrives. However, upon the door opening and revealing the country mare, her stubborn mind took over as she noticed the unusual pony. “Flutterbat?! You ain’t supposed to escape, you know?” Applejack said as she immediately grabbed her noose on a line and captured Flutterbat with no error to choke her. As soon as this event happened, I brutally went into action and lunged at the attacker. Forced to release her hooves off the rope, I pinned Applejack on the floor and we were quarrelling about Flutterbat’s release. I don’t think I was making progress at underlining the facts. “Hey! You let her go this instant, Applejack!” “Rainbow Dash! Why did you save her? She bit your leg, remember?” “I know she bit my leg, but it wasn’t on purpose.” “No, she did intend to attack you just to protect herself.” “But now I’m protecting her. Using my element for good, not evil.” “How can you be loyal to a bloodsucking vampire?” “Hey! She’s still the mare I love!” “You’re still into that?! Do I need to remind you Fluttershy forever gone?!” “Don’t say that ever! Yes, I was convinced who’s gone.” “Then why are you still trying to convince me that I should let her escape?” My sentences and voice tone are getting nowhere to persuade her. But not to worry, Silver is there to shed some light onto our quarrel. I believe he’s just been untangling Flutterbat’s noose based on the rope he’s holding. “Perhaps we could provide you with details from last night.” “Last night? Wait, you’re that Silver Trust pony from Ponyville, aren’t you?” “Yes, that’s me. Anyway, long story short, we reformed Flutterbat last night and now she’s feeling guilty.” Wow, I could’ve said something like that. I don’t know why I didn’t immediately said so since there’s a huge time window that I could blurt out what happened last night. “Guilty? What is she feeling guilty about?” “Existing and also the scar on Rainbow’s leg.” “Oh. I see. And why is she in front of my doorstep.” “She’s trying to befriend the elements of harmony minus the spirit of kindness. She already got Rarity’s friendship and now it’s your turn to be her friend if you’re willing to. Oh, and here’s your lasso back.” The return of the rope is just to remind Applejack about her fault at being unwelcoming. I can see her flushed skin on the cheeks due to embarrassment on how stubborn she was. “Heh heh. I guess I made a bad start, huh.” “You definitely did. Flutterbat, Applejack is passive now!” At Silver’s call of the passive vampony, Flutterbat entered the entrance to the interior of Apple family’s residence. But to avoid my friend’s possible wrath, she decides that it’s presumably best to stay away from Applejack within the large radius. So here it comes, it’s time for Fluttershy’s reconcilement with Applejack as the earth pony advances a few slow hoofsteps. “It’s alright, Flutterbat. There’s no need to feel guilty about what you did. I’m sorry that I rounded you up. I know you’d probably forgive me, so I should forgive you too for biting my friend’s leg.” Considering how badly our visit went at the start, it surprisingly turned out positive very quickly at the end. If Fluttershy is here, she’d pianissimoed a yay to “consolidate” the moment. “You know, consider her urge from the orchard, perhaps you could preserve it.” Wait just a moment, was that Silver whispering to me insisting that I should inform Applejack to feed Flutterbat? I believe that was his element of kindness lighting up for his trust. “Applejack, now that you’re friends, would you mind if Flutterbat craves on a few of your apples?” “Of course not. Ah have plenty in my orchard and in my pantry. Ah’ll grab a basket of ‘em.” She left for the kitchen and quickly came back with Flutterbat’s apples by her á la carte menu. As Applejack’s daily source of food is placed in front of its consumer, she has the ecstasy to delve straight into her meal and devour the contents in one fell swoop until the apples are empty. With Flutterbat satisfied with her little snack, I figured that it’s time for her to reach out to a new friend. “Okay, Flutterbat. We gotta introduce you to Pinkie and Twilight now.” “Thank you for understanding and cooperating. And don’t act so boldly next time.” Recommended Silver who hopes that when we see each other again, she won’t attack the pony on main focus. “Easier said than done. And Flutterbat, if you want any more apples, you can always come to my orchard.” That’s nice of her to provide a reward for being a caring vampony and not a violent monster. “You’re too kind. Come on, Rainbow, let’s continue what we came out of the barn to do.” Looks like our work in this apple farm is a thing of the past now. To be honest, I didn’t expect to get through this phase and reconcile with Applejack. But I digress, two mares down, two more to go. No turning back now, we have to meet up with Pinkie and Twilight in Ponyville. We weren’t too keen about walking through a town of perplexed ponies oddly watching us featuring an unusual pony. Flutterbat became nervous about being exposed to everypony around her. Fortunately, nopony figured it out yet, but we still have to be careful. One wrong move and the town may go into panic. “Are you okay with this, Flutters?” I asked and she yes’d as a visual, not informal, answer. “Pinkie Pie should be very welcoming. She almost always happily greets everypony who presents themselves in Ponyville. We could bump into her any moment now.” I don’t think Pinkie Pie would be a hurdle too high to vault over. Agreeing with Silver, Pinkie usually kept her smile plastered when facing any odd or scary creature, pony or otherwise. So Silver plans to encounter Pinkie. Well, what do you know, we found her. Or rather, she found us as the silver stallion and pink mare collided and collapsed. “Oof! Ow! Sorry, Silver. I should’ve looked where I was bouncing-“ Pinkie got cut off by the sight of Flutterbat in the black cloak to shout… “SUSPICIOUS!” “Shh! Not so loud, you silly pony!” Silver warned Pinkie in a quiet tone as everypony around points their eyes toward us. Luckily, they missed the most critical part of the exhibit and looked away after. “Oh. Sorry, again. Why are we whispering?” Apologized Pinkie with an indistinct voice too. Her question was answered, explaining why Flutterbat’s identity is kept secret. “We’re trying to keep ponies from being alarmed. Flutterbat here doesn’t want to freak everypony out.” “I see. Wait, aren’t you supposed to be kept for safety.” I can’t just let Silver do the talking, you know? “She was. But she wants freedom instead. We reformed her last night.” “Okey dokey lokey. So you want to be friends with me. Am I right? Or am I right?” Somehow, Pinkie had an idea what we’re doing, even though nopony told her. Could Rarity notify her? No, because we never told her to. Usually, we’d let it go, but… “How did you know we’re doing that?” “Just a hunch. It’s no problem, Flutterbat. I will be your P.F.F.” That abbreviation means pony friends forever. Wow, it’s that quick?! Flutterbat immediately approved and Pinkie’s not kidding. This piece of quotation proves it: “No really. I pinkie promise. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Her favourite catchphrase of a pinkie promise. “Hey, I think I’ll consider you as a new pony in Ponyville, even though technically, you came from an old pony. Not only that, you are a pony that I’ve met before, except you’re less scary comparing to when we first met. I should throw you a ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ party. Surely, you must love parties.” Pinkie and her parties, everypony in town loves them. About Flutterbat? Um…she’s not satisfied. Silver had to apply some conditions to the party. “I’m sure she would love the party. But if it’s gonna start early, make sure you only invite me, Flutterbat and the elements of harmony, and also make the party in secret, nopony else should know about Flutterbat until the very end. You got all that?” “I have it all in my head. You can count on me, Silver. I won’t let you down.” Alright, the welcoming party is on its way. In the meantime, Twilight should be our next opponent. It’s time to confront her and finish this assignment. “We have to see Twilight now. See you at the party, I guess.” “I will invite you. Don’t you worry about that.” Twilight shouldn’t be far from where we’re standing now. We’ve gone this far, we can’t turn back now. It’s now or never, reconcilement vs. disharmony. The princess of friendship was an alicorn importantly known as the transmutator who accidentally vampirized Fluttershy. Even though results were submitted, she was constantly rummaging her library for every treatise of spells finding a solution to revert from bat to pony permanently. Due to Twilight’s failures, she might not wanna be friends with Flutterbat, let alone trust her for a second. The outcome may not go so well, but that’s just a speculation. “Rainbow Dash, why don’t you call for her?” I guess Silver also came to a resolution that I should do something and not let everypony do the talking. “Alright. *Ahem* Twilight, are you home?” “Rainbow Dash?” That’s her mentioning my name being surprised that I’m here. “Is everything oka- Ah! Flutterbat, how did you get out?! Rainbow Dash, did you let her out?! Why is she in my library?!” It’s not the first time I’ve seen Twilight overreact at an unintentional situation, the last time she went insane was when she’s close to failing an assignment. If we want to atone Flutterbat with her, Silver needs to calm her down. “Hey, Twilight, relax. We can’t answer your questions if you’re talking that fast.” Silver informed, but she dismissed asking the questions and ranting to chain her back on. “B-but… she’s supposed to be secured in chains and not roam around freely in the outside world!” “But she-“ Silver had to call her three times for attention. Wow, and I thought Celestia, her teacher and mentor, taught her scholars to not ramble over ponies. “Twilight!” “Oh. You wanted to talk? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to talk over you.” “Let’s head inside and then we’ll explain.” We made entry into Golden Oak to sit on our flanks. At this point, Twilight’s greeting to Silver is presented. “Hey, I think I’ve heard of you before.” “Heard of me? So you haven’t seen me in Ponyville, huh. The name’s Silver Trust, does that ring any bells?” Huh, perhaps she hasn’t got Silver’s aid either, I’m not the only one of the six. “We’re talking about Flutterbat here. Why is she out of captivity?” Here’s the part where we explained everything to her from start to finish. “First of all, Rainbow and I got Flutterbat reformed.” “Reformed? So she’s not gonna harm anypony?” “Yes. Doing so makes her feel guilty” “Guilty? Why is she guilty?” “Because she bit Rainbow’s leg and made Fluttershy disappear.” “Oh. And why is she in my home?” “Flutterbat is now trying to befriend the elements of harmony. So far, we’ve covered befriending Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Now, we need you to be her friend too.” That did it. All of that dialogue was enough to be convincing: Flutterbat needs support. “You really felt guilty, huh, Flutterbat. And you really wanted to be friends with me?” Her answer was a small nod, she’s still feeling it up to this point. Twilight suddenly felt benevolence to Flutterbat like she had to. “Oh, Flutterbat. I’m sorry that this is how you feel. As the princess of friendship, I’ll be your friend. Don’t you dwell on the past, okay? It’s good to take back every bad thing you caused, you’ve realized what’s been going on, but try not to take it too seriously.” Words can express reconcilement to anypony guilt-ridden, including words from the alicorn princess herself embedded with the magic of friendship. This befriending business became successful, kind of. The elder sun lord herself has yet to appear and atone. Fortunately, Silver thought ahead of everypony. “Twilight, do you have Spike anywhere?” “Spike? He just left today to go to Rarity’s.” “Alright, I’m gonna get him to send letter to Celestia for me. Why don’t you three stay here for lunch while I reach Spike.” “Are you sure you don’t want me to do it? I don’t mind leaving my home at this point.” If there’s no reason for her stay, Twilight will take the leave. He announced an objective for her, but none of us would expect this next line being mentioned. “I need you to work on a talking spell so that I don’t have to guess every word Flutterbat wants to say.” “A talking spell? Hmm, I’ll look through my books and see if I can find anything.” If there is a treatise about giving creature’s without words Broca’s area, I would be blown away. “Cool, I’ll return to you after I’m done.” “See you later, Silver.” “Yeah, see you later.” Silver trotted out of the library to Rarity’s Boutique in Ponyville, Twilight scanned her bookshelves for the requested spell and I sat next to Flutterbat being loyal to her for support. To be continued…