While most of Ponyville was out, enjoying the gorgeous weather this day had to offer, there were a few who chose to stay home and focus on simple tasks. One such pony was the local animal caretaker, Fluttershy. She was out, yes, but busy feeding her menagerie of different critters. She tossed grains to her chickens and ducks and gave various vegetables to her small animals. It was a lot of work to take care of all of these animals, but Fluttershy enjoyed loving and caring for them. In turn, they loved her back, seeing her as a great mother figure; tender and kind, but stern when necessary. They knew not to provoke her to an extreme, for fear of the Stare, Fluttershy's petrifying gaze. It had tamed many creatures, from as little as chickens to as grand as dragons. Despite this, the animals and Fluttershy coexisted happily and lived mostly comfortable lives.
-----
The beauty contest at the Primp Town School of Magic was soon to start. Many of the residents of the calm magic city arrived as contestants. Who didn't love a good competition? Well, there was one who didn't; the young weather mage, Rider. She didn't want to be in the contest, or even around people in general, due to her appearance. At first glance, she appeared like a normal girl, but there was the issue of a pair of horns growing from the top of her head. She tried to conceal them by putting her hair into buns, but they still just barely poked out on top. While her closer friends didn't mind, she still got many looks from others because of it. To be kind, it was embarrassing. Rider just wished that she could feel a little more calm around others, and not have to be alone with small animals all the time, like she was at that moment. Only the squirrels and butterflies she regularly hung around made her feel truly comfortable. If only she could find more understanding creat-
Flash.
-----
The sudden explosion of light in the middle of Fluttershy's backyard sent her and her little critters running and hiding in all directions. Dozens of little pairs of eyes looked on from bushes, trees and coops to see what was the cause of the flash. What they saw was a little girl, dressed in a little green and yellow dress, rubbing the side of her head in dizziness. She was groaning as she stood up and looked to take in her surroundings.
"H... hello?" she began, "Is there anyone there?"
From a bush, Fluttershy and her trusted bunny companion Angel looked at the inquisitive girl. The little rabbit was the first to approach, hopping up behind her and gently tugging at the hem of the dress. This resulted in a small yelp from the girl, who then turned around and looked down at Angel, smiling softly.
"Oh, hi there, little bunny. Do you know where I am?"
Bending down, Rider picked Angel up, still smiling at him. Fluttershy then stepped out from her hiding place as well, half in curiosity, and half in fear for her rabbit's safety in the hands of this new being. She didn't look particularly threatening, but Fluttershy did notice something even more peculiar about this girl than the rest of her: the little horns on her head. The yellow pegasus knew that meant that this girl could possibly perform magic. So, she approached with caution. "Um... hello?"
Rider looked over to the pegasus, and it was her turn to be confused. Granted, she'd seen some talking animals before, but never a horse with wings. "H-hello... Um, where am I, exactly? I was at school, then there was this light and..." Her voice trailed off, and she looked away, a sorrowful expression on her face. "I'm sorry... I should ntroduce myself first. My name is Rider..."
"Oh," Fluttershy responded, "it's no trouble, really. I'm Fluttershy. Nice to meet you, Rider. This is my backyard, in Ponyville... Where did you come from?"
"Ponyville?" Rider asked, "That's not a town I heard of... Is it near..." She was cut off by another sound, coming from her hands. Rider looked down at Angel, who was pointing up at her horns and snickering. He had only seen creatures with single horns, so the idea of someone with two of them was enough for him to poke fun at. Fluttershy gasped as she realized what the rabbit was doing.
"Angel, that's mean!" Fluttershy scolded, "You shouldn't laugh at someone for looking different!"
Rider, on the other hand, was far from a scolding mood. She was in shock. "N-no... Not animals, t-too..." Shutting her eyes, Rider let Angel drop to the ground, and she turned away from him and Fluttershy. Angel, with an irritated look on his face from being dropped, stood back up and kicked rider's leg.
"Angel!" Fluttershy exclaimed as she ran over to the bunny to stop him. Rider was to him first, though, and with a glare and tears in her eyes, she shouted.
"Tuono!"
With the incantation spoken, Rider's horns sprang to life. A jolt of electricity formed and sparked between them, and then struck the bunny, zapping him and leaving him to fall back to the ground, smoke coming off of his body. Fluttershy stopped in her tracks and gasped as she saw the scene, shocked that her rabbit was just attacked. She stared at Angel, then slowly turned her gaze to Rider.
"You..." the shy pegasus began, her expression turning from shock to anger. "You... hurt him..." She continued, taking slow steps towards Rider, who was beginning to back away in fear. "No one hurts my friends!" Fluttershy suddenly exclaimed, flying up so she was inches away from Rider, glaring deep into her eyes. "I don't care if he did something mean like laughing at you. That's no reason to zap a little defenseless bunny!"
"I'm sorry!" Rider said back, crouching down and covering her head with her arms. "I'm so sorry... I... I just snapped... All I had were animals, ever since I was a child... No one else understood me like they did... To see one be so mean... It was too much! But you're right, I shouldn't have done that... I'm sorry..."
Fluttershy's scolding ceased, and her expression faded back to a soft one. She felt sorry for Rider, as she too was often bullied and misunderstood in her youth, and found animals to confide in. She was in the exact same position as the girl in front of her, and maybe... Would have felt the same way if unloved by everyone, including animals. She knelt down in front of Rider and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "I understand."
Rider looked up at Fluttershy. "W... what...?" She asked curiously. Fluttershy smiled. ""I said I understand. I know how you feel, because I'm the same way with animals. We understand each other on a different level from everyone else, and I feel so comfortable around them. It would hurt me too if they all left me... So, I understand." Rider began to smile as well, and she hugged Fluttershy, who happily returned the action.
"Thank you, Fluttershy."
"You're welcome, Rider."
And with the words spoken, the two shy girls were suddenly blinded by another white light, right above them. They yelped and hugged each other closer, both trembling softly.
Aww, what a touching little scene. Almost brought a tear to my eye. Bravo, ladies, bravo.
"Who... who are you?" Fluttershy asked.
Me? Oh, I'm just an... observer. But if you really want to know, why not take a little friendly stroll into that forest over there? All your friends are going to be there too, both of yours. Better hurry, though... it might be a little dangerous, even for them.
The light then trailed off into the nearby Everfree Forest, with its voice laughing to itself. Fluttershy broke from the hug and took a step toward the forest. Rider stood up, looking at the ominous, yet inviting branches of the trees.
"My friends..." Fluttershy began.
"...in danger?" Rider finished.
The two gulped nervously and began their trek into Everfree. A moment after their leave, Angel sat up and coughed out a puff of smoke.
Alright, this was more Rider vs. Angel, with Rider being the clear winner, but she was easily put into submission by the Stare, so that's a win for Fluttershy. Three down, three to go.