It was morning time. In a forest, there was a mysterious figure delivering fast punches and kicks at a punching bag that was tied to a tree’s branch.
“Just a few more to go and my workout is completed,” thought the mysterious figure. Their voice sounded young and male.
Before he could land in a few more hits to the punching bag and complete his workout, the air filled with the sound of screaming. It sounded like it was coming from the air itself and nearby. To the mysterious figure, it sounded very familiar.
He gave off a frustrated groan. “Seriously? Those three again?” the mysterious figure questioned. “Are they always trying to get hurt?” He sighed. “Looks like my workout is over. Time to go save them again.”
The mysterious figure then disappeared instantly with a quick burst of speed.
Meanwhile-Up in the Sky Above the Forest
Three fillies were falling at a fast speed. One of them was a yellow-colored earth pony wearing a stetson hat, the second one was a white unicorn with a purple, curly mane and tail, and the third was a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail. Well, the pony and unicorn were falling while the pegasus was holding onto the hooves of the other two while flapping her wings hard, but was instead being dragged down along with them.
“Rainbow Dash! Do something!” shouted the unicorn filly.
The pegasus filly, Rainbow Dash, was struggling to slow down their falling descent but was having trouble as her friends’ combined weight was too heavy for her. “I’m trying, Rarity!” she exclaimed.
The earth pony filly had a brave look on her face. “Rainbow Dash, let me go and save Rarity instead!” she said, seriously. The filly had a country accent.
Rainbow Dash and Rarity were both shocked to hear that. “What?!” they exclaimed.
“Applejack, you can’t be serious, darling! You won’t survive the fall!” exclaimed Rarity.
“Rarity’s right, Applejack! I can’t let you do that!” agreed Rainbow Dash.
Applejack smiled. “Don’t worry, y'all. We Apples are born tough and can take a hit,” she reassured.
They were nearing the tops of the trees.
She was surprised at what she said. “This isn’t a hit. It’s a fall to your death!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
Rarity tried to convince Applejack too. “Even if you survive the fall, you’ll be in the Hospital for months in a body cast!” she added.
She was too stubborn to take ‘no’ for an answer. Before Applejack could argue even more, she and her friends were then grabbed out of the air as something had passed by them at a fast speed.
“Phew, that was a close one,” said a male voice. “You three really need to try out things that aren’t dangerous.”
The three fillies recognized the voice. Rarity looked up and saw the mysterious figure’s face. “Barry darling, am I glad to see you,” she said, happy.
Barry was hopping along the tops of the trees, carrying the three fillies while heading back to the location of his punching bag. “I thought I told you three to stop hang-gliding after what happened last time,” he said.
A certain filly decided to speak up. “Sorry, Barry. It was my fault,” admitted Rainbow Dash. “We just wanted to earn our Cutie Marks and I suggested we go hang-gliding.”
Barry raised an eyebrow. “Again?” he questioned.
She looked away. “Again,” muttered Rainbow Dash.
Barry gave off a frustrated sigh and focused on what was ahead of him.
A Few Minutes Later
All of them, except Rainbow Dash, were walking down the path that led them out of the forest and will lead them back to the town known as ‘Ponyville’.
“Thanks for rescuin’ us again, Barry. We shoulda been more careful,” said Applejack.
Barry was actually a tall, male bunny who was walking on his hind legs. He had white fur, long ears, blue eyes, a pink nose, and was wearing a blue-colored cotton shirt and gray pants, which had a hole in it for his tail to stick out through. Barry was carrying a duffel bag around his left shoulder, while carrying his punching bag behind his right.
“It’s no problem, Applejack, but now your and Rarity’s sisters will have to be informed about this little incident,” he said.
She and Rarity were both worried as they knew how their sisters were going to react. As for Rainbow Dash, she was flying without a care.
“The same goes for your parents, Rainbow Dash,” said Barry.
Now she was worried.
He grinned. “Don’t think that just because they live on a cloud in the sky, doesn’t mean that I don’t know how to contact them. I have my ways,” said Barry.
They arrived at a quaint-looking cottage.
“First, I’m going to go inside and take a shower. After that, I’m visiting each of your families and informing them what happened,” he informed.
The three fillies were very worried.
“Please don’t tell our families, Barry. They’ll be angry we did dangerous things to earn our Cutie Marks again,” begged Rarity. “My sister won’t let me design anything
Applejack nodded her head, fearful. “Yeah. Granny will tan my hide redder than an apple if she ever found out I hang-glided again and almost got hurt,” she said.
Rainbow Dash flew in front of Barry’s face. “And mom and dad will ground me and confiscate my Daring Doo books if they ever found out I convinced those two to do something that dangerous and almost got them hurt!” she exclaimed.
All three of them had tears in their eyes. Rainbow Dash landed on the ground next to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “Please?!” they begged.
He thought about it for a while. Barry then sighed. “I want you three to Pinkie Promise me that you all will never do anything dangerous for your Cutie Marks ever again. I don’t want you three to end up in the Hospital,” he said. “If you three can do this, then I won’t tell your families.”
Rarity wiped the tears from her eyes. “Of course, darling. I was starting to get sick and tired of doing these dangerous things anyway,” she said. “Now I can start focusing on designing outfits.”
Applejack nodded her head, agreeing with Rarity. “Yeah, and I can focus more on helping Big Mac and Apple Bloom with bucking the trees,” she said.
Rainbow Dash was the only one who seemed reluctant.
Rarity looked at her. “Rainbow Dash, come on. He doesn’t tell our families and we won’t end up punished,” she said. “Besides, we can try to earn our Cutie Marks through different ways that don't involve danger, remember?”
She nodded. “I guess so,” said Rainbow Dash, reluctantly.
Barry nodded and crossed his arms. “Great. Now, the Pinkie Promise,” he said.
The three of them then started doing the motions for the Pinkie Promise. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye that we will never do another dangerous thing for our Cutie Marks ever again,” they said.
Barry gave them a thumbs-up. “Perfect,” he said. “Now, run along. I really have to take a shower now.”
The three of them walked down the path while waving at him. Well, Applejack and Rarity were waving, Rainbow Dash was flying after them, sulking.
Barry waved back at them. “Hope those three find their Cutie Marks soon,” he said. “I also hope that is the last time they do something that dangerous too.”
Barry then headed for the Cottage. As soon as he was at the door, he knocked on it with his free paw. “Flutters, I’m back from my workout. Can you open the door please?” Barry called out.
After a few seconds, the door opened. At the door was a yellow pegasus with a pink mane and tail, and three butterflies as her Cutie Mark.
“Hey there, Barry. Need any help?” she offered.
“No thanks, Flutters. I got it,” he said.
Fluttershy moved out of the way in order to let Barry inside the cottage. He set his punching bag and duffel bag on the wall to the left of the door.
Barry’s stomach growled. “Man, I’m starving,” he said. “What’s for dinner?”
“After you take a shower, you can eat,” she said. “I made some vegetable soup.”
Barry smiled. “Sounds delicious, Flutters,” he said. “I’d better go take that shower now before I starve to death.”
He patted her on the head with his paw while heading off towards the Bathroom.
Few Minutes Later
Barry walked out of the Bathroom, feeling refreshed now thanks to that shower. “Ahh, that felt good,” he sighed.
Barry was now wearing a purple vest and blue jeans.
Fluttershy had left those clothes for him on the toilet seat. Speaking of her, she was sitting on the couch, reading a letter scroll. He could hear what Fluttershy was saying thanks to his hearing.
“We need you and your friends' help to acquire for us some Constellation Flowers. They’re a special kind of flower that grows in places where Ursa Majors live. From our sources, there’s a cave in the Everfree Forest to the Northwest where an Ursa Major and its child, the Ursa Minor, sleep.
After informing your friends’ about this and getting their decision, send a reply letter when you all have decided when you’ll be leaving before tonight.
Sincerely, Princess Luna,” she read.
Barry was silent. He then decided to make himself known. “Hey, Flutters,” he said.
That shocked Fluttershy since she didn’t even notice him. “Eeep!” she screamed.
“Sorry about that,” apologized Barry.
Fluttershy calmed her heart down once she saw it was him. “No, it was my fault. I was so distracted with the letter that I didn’t notice you, Barry,” she apologized.
He chuckled. “How about we say it’s both our fault and share the blame?” suggested Barry.
Fluttershy smiled. “Sounds good,” she agreed.
He had a feeling that there was only one person who could have delivered the letter to Fluttershy, but Spike was not here. “Was Twilight here just now?” guessed Barry.
She nodded. “Yeah. She wanted to show me a letter that was from Princess Luna that mentioned me and the girls,” explained Fluttershy. “Twilight already showed the letter to the others and I was the last one. She wanted to get all of our opinions before she sent the reply letter to the princess herself.”
She didn’t notice that he frowned. “Another dangerous adventure?” guessed Barry.
She gave off a sheepish smile. “Yeah,” confirmed Fluttershy.
“Obviously Princess Luna will be helping too, right?” he asked.
She nodded. “That’s right. She’ll help us in case the Ursa Major and its child wakes up,” responded Fluttershy.
He had an idea, but he wasn’t going to like it. “How long before you all leave?” asked Barry.
She thought about it. “Well, since this adventure is going to be dangerous and we’re going to need to prepare for a journey into the Everfree Forest...Either tomorrow or in two days,” informed Fluttershy.
“And knowing how your friends are always good at preparing themselves for an adventure...that means that you’ll be leaving...tomorrow,” he guessed.
She looked at the floor and nodded.
“Well, let’s have some soup. Then after that, I’ll help you out with your packing,” suggested Barry. “What do you say?”
Fluttershy smiled. “That sounds lovely, Barry. Thanks,” she said
Fluttershy headed off to the Kitchen, while she was doing that, Barry was staring at the letter scroll that she left on the table. He stared at it for a few more seconds before following after her.
A Few Hours Later-Nighttime
Once Fluttershy was asleep, Barry was reading the scroll, which contained not only the message, but also the drawings of what the Constellation Flowers look like. They looked like tulips, were a galaxy purple color, and there were lines on them that were connecting the silver flakes together to create drawings of constellations.
There was even information that they only bloom at night, so they have to be picked at night too. Once he got what he needed from the scroll, Barry then headed for the door and quietly shut it. He turned towards the path that led into the Everfree Forest.
Barry was starting to regret his plan, and then he sighed. “The things I do to help people,” he said.
He then disappeared in a burst of speed, heading for the Everfree Forest.
Some Time Later
Barry arrived at the giant cave where the Ursa Major and Ursa Minor lived.
“Okay. All I need to do is go in and get the flowers,” he said to himself. “Either sneak through without making a sound, or fight my way through.”
He could hear loud snoring coming from it.
“It’ll be impossible for me to sneak through that cave and get out without waking them up,” said Barry. “In a fight against an Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, I won’t make it out alive...But-” He took out of his pocket two vials that contained a red and blue potion. “-with these two potions, I should be able to stand a chance. Although, I’ll be feeling the pain in the morning and will be regretting this for a long while.”
Barry sighed. “The things I do to help people,” he said.
He removed the corks from both of the vials. First he drank the red potion, and then the blue one.
Barry cleared his throat. “Hey, Ursa Major! I’m coming in!” he shouted.
He then ran inside the cave. The cave was filled with the sounds of roaring and fighting.
Few Hours Later-Morning
Barry slowly opened his eyes. He could feel his arms, legs, and neck were hurting. “Ugh. Where am I?” he groaned.
He moved his eyes around to get a look at his surroundings. Barry noticed that the place he was in was familiar. Then, he realized that he was laying down on the couch in Fluttershy’s Cottage.
Barry was confused. “How’d I get here?” he thought. Then, Barry remembered. “Oh, yeah. I dragged myself back to Fluttershy’s house after that fight with that Ursa Major.” He couldn’t shake his head since his neck was in pain. “She was so surprised to see me injured. Then I gave her those Constellation Flowers just before I fell unconscious.”
Barry then noticed a heavy weight on his chest. “What the?” he thought. “What’s on my chest?” Barry had to move his head slowly up a little. He was able to get a good look and saw that on his chest was Fluttershy, sleeping.
“What’s she doing sleeping on me? She should be upstairs, resting in bed,” thought Barry. “Also, why isn’t there any pain in the area on my torso where she’s sleeping? Weird.” He looked out the window and saw that it was morning time. “Better wake her up since she has to feed the animals.”
Barry decided to shake her awake. He had to slowly move his right arm since there was pain in it. He soon noticed that it was wrapped up in bandages. In fact, different parts of his body were wrapped up in bandages too.
“I guess she was very worried about me and decided to patch me up in my sleep,” he thought. Barry then smiled. “Fluttershy is like this, even in the cartoon.”
He decided to wake her up anyway. Barry placed an arm on her and then started shaking her gently.
“Fluttershy? Fluttershy, it’s time to wake up,” he called out.
“Mmm,” groaned Fluttershy.
“Fluttershy, wake up,” said Barry.
She yawned before opening her eyes. Once Fluttershy saw he was awake, she quickly hugged Barry around his neck. He tried so hard not to scream or shout in pain.
Fluttershy started crying. “Oh, Barry. Thank Celestia, you’re awake,” she said, relieved. “Promise me you’ll never do something that dangerous for me again.”
Barry grinned and chuckled a little, when in fact, he was in pain. “Flutters, I wouldn’t allow myself to die. After all, it would make you sad,” said Barry. He was able to keep the pain out of his voice. “Besides, I got those Constellation Flowers for you. After all, you did say you needed them.”
Fluttershy stopped hugging him and looked at him. “Y-You heard that?” she asked, worried.
Barry slowly nodded his head. “Yeah,” he said. He was curious about something. “What did Princess Luna need those flowers for anyway?”
Now she was even more worried because she didn’t want to tell Barry that the Constellation Flowers that Princess Luna wanted was for her garden, which will end up making him mad since he went through all of that for nothing.
Fluttershy decided to tell a bit of a lie. “I gave the flowers to Princess Luna. She wanted to use them for their medical purposes in order to help ponies in the future,” she said.
It was partly true since the Constellation Flowers could be used to make medicine.
Luckily for Fluttershy, her lie fooled Barry. He smiled. “Glad to hear that. I’m happy I was able to help,” he said.
She smiled too, but only because his smile was infectious. Before Fluttershy could say anything, there was a knock at the door.
“U-um, I need to see who’s at the door, Barry. I’ll be right back,” she informed.
Barry was okay with it. “Take your time,” he said.
Fluttershy flew off of his chest and headed for the door. A few seconds after she did that, there was pain in his chest area. It felt painful just like in his arms, legs, and neck.
“Oh, now I feel pain there,” thought Barry. “Can this day get any worse?”
As soon as he thought that, Fluttershy opened the door. “Oh, hello girls,” she greeted.
He realized who was at the door since there’s only one group of Fluttershy’s friends who she greeted that way. “Please tell me she didn’t tell them about this,” thought Barry.
“If you’re here to see Barry, he’s laying on the couch,” she informed.
“Thanks, Fluttershy. We came here to see your patient after all,” said a mare.
He recognized the voice. “Oh, no,” thought Barry.
Fluttershy moved aside to allow a group of angry and unhappy mares to walk inside her home. They were her other friends: Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash were there too, and they looked unhappy as well.
“Uh-oh. This won’t end well for me,” he thought, fearful.
Fluttershy closed the door.