//------------------------------//
// November 11th 
// Story: Finding Fluttershy 
// by SamFaith 
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This story can also be found on GoogleDocs




I am no Rarity. That is to say, I know nothing about fashion or clothing alteration. I didn't even have half the resources. Instead, I had a travel sewing kit, and a dining room table. That being said, I was impressed with what we were able to accomplish. She knew things about hems and seams that I would never have considered. I could see why Applejack called Fluttershy's knowledge freaky.
"A year ago, Christmas," I said, "My mom got me this sewing kit. I wouldn't believe her when she tried to tell me that I might need it one day. All the same she told me to keep it 'Just in case'. I'm glad I did."
"Christmas?"
"It's a holiday here. A celebration of friendship and the spirit of giving."
"Oh! Kind of like Hearth's Warming Eve!"
"Say what now?"
"It's a holiday ... back ... home"
I started to panic as the sadness in her voice reached my ears. I stuck the needle into the fabric and picked my head up.
"Flutter! Flutter? Are you going to be okay?"
"I miss them so much."
"Yeah, I know," I said, "I would too. I just ... when you're sad it makes me sad."
"I-I'm sorry."
"No... Don't be, you don't need to be... I- I just worry too much."
She wiped her eyes, and managed a weak smile. I returned her smile before picking the needle back up. I went back to work finishing the last stitches.
"Well, that's about all I can do, why don't you try it on?"
I held out the hoodie. Under Fluttershy's instruction I added holes for her wings. I had thought it would be as simple as just cutting a pair of holes in the right places, but she taught me the correct way to go about it.
She slipped into the hoodie, and to my relief, her wings found their openings easily. She stretched them and gave a few experimental flaps. When she folded her wings back against her sides I knew she was as happy about it as I was.
The feeling was lost when the doorbell rang. Swallowing my fear, I stood up from the table and headed for the door. Fluttershy squeaked as I moved away from her. I held my finger to my lips, she understood and agreed to stay put and stay quiet.
What I found on the other side of the door shocked me.
"A-Alex?" I stammered, "Wh-what brings you here?"
"Hmph," she looked unimpressed, "You don't look or sound ill."
"Wh-what?"
"My brother visits me with a cooler of all his favorite foods, saying he's gone completely vegan, what am I supposed to think?"
I brought my hand to my face. Of course she'd know something was up. I quickly dove into my memories, searching for some way to extract myself from this conversation.
"Remember when Star Wars came out and Cody and I were convinced the force was real?"
"You were seven."
"Yeah, but... what about..."
"You play videogames whenever you have spare time, or when you're not playing them you're writing them! Your ability to tell reality from fiction is not, by any stretch of the imagination, in jeopardy! Now, stop lying to me and tell me: What's ... going ... on?"
I was defeated. However she does it, my sister is the best lie detector in the world. The moment she accused me of trying to lie I was trapped, and nothing I could do or say from that moment on could keep her from hearing the truth. The best I could do is introduce her to Fluttershy before the situation deteriorated into a complete mess. 
"Promise you won't tell anyone?"
With this she raised an eyebrow. I led my sister into the house and set her on the living room couch.
"Please, wait here... I- I have to talk to her about this-"
"Her?"
"Just- just wait, please! I don't want to scare her ... or you."
I returned to the dining room to find it empty. I looked around hoping I wasn't loosing my mind, she was real, wasn't she? I heard a whisper and turned to find the sliding glass door open. I stepped out to find Fluttershy, still in her hoodie, on the roof.
"What are you doing up there?"
"Oh, I thought I was hiding?"
I smiled, "You did a good job. If you had closed the door I wouldn't have found you. I have to ask you an important question."
She jumped off the roof and landed softly before me.
"What kind of question?"
"My sister is in the living room, and I want to introduce you."
"Oh, is she nice?" she asked, her voice carried hints of excitement.
I was at a loss for words. I was ready to have a long discussion with Fluttershy. I expected to have to convince her that this would be a good idea. Instead, she seemed eager to meet someone new.
"Y-you want to meet her?"
"Oh, shouldn't I?"
"No!imeanYes!imean... " I took a breath, "You should meet her, before I make things any more complicated. I'm just surprised that you're willing to do so."
"Why shouldn't I be? You've been so nice and kind, and you wouldn't introduce me to your sister if she wasn't nice too, would you?"
"You're right, I shouldn't have doubted."
"I'm used to it."
"I didn't say I doubted you..."

I stepped into the living room followed by Fluttershy. I saw my sisters eyes grow wide in disbelief. In spite of the hoodie, she obviously recognized the yellow and pink pony as well. Whether it was over my shoulder while I watched a few episodes, lounging on her couch, or if she took my advice and started watching the series herself, I did not know.
"Fluttershy, this is my big sister, Alex," I said, motioning to each of them, "Alex ..."
"Fluttershy," Alex, said interrupting me, "I'm a big fan!"
The sound of my palm impacting my head caught both girls' attention. Peeking through my fingers I noticed that not only was Alex surprised at my display, Fluttershy was too. I had expected the timid pony to have freaked out again. She had not, instead she seemed more concerned about me than Alex's words.
"Sorry..." I said, drawing a breath, "It's just that... well, this isn't the Fluttershy from the show... I mean she is, but she isn't? ... She ... "
"I had no idea there were stories about my friends and me in this world."
"Y- Yeah, what she said."
Alex gave me a look like I was trying to describe some alien being from out of Star Trek. To her credit, that was kinda true. Depending on how one looked at the situation, I was harboring an alien from a different world.
"I don't know how, or why, or even what... but this Fluttershy is from the real Equestria, wherever that might be... "
I saw my sisters eyes glaze over, so I tried to change the subject, "Okay, it doesn't matter, what does matter is that she's here now, and staying in my guest bedroom until her friends show up to take her home."
Finally, I could see the spark of understanding flash through Alex's eyes. I could try to explain why Fluttershy didn't know about the TV show later. Right now, my sister knew that I was the only friend this pony had in the world, until today.
I quickly recapped the events of the last couple of days. I explained to Alex how I found Fluttershy lost and disoriented downtown, why she now owns a hoodie and a skirt, and  how I managed to get her to the bus. Alex listened as I told her about showing Fluttershy the show, her hiding away in her room in response, and how I was able to coax her out. I finished by explaining the new wing holes in her hoodie, how we hoped it could serve as an easy disguise while still letting her fly, and that we were about ready to head for the park that was just down the road.

Soon enough all three of us were walking down the street. I had never been happier about how quiet the neighborhood was, everyone was either out taking care of their daily routines or sleeping off their night. No one was out to notice us. Even Fluttershy was on all four hooves walking between my sister and me.
"Y'know, Alex," I said as we walked, "You're awfully accepting of this."
"Well, aren't you, too?" she repied.
I smiled, realizing that I had been rather accepting of the situation. I should've completely freaked out, acting like I've seen a ghost. Or I could've  started doubting my own sanity at first sight of Fluttershy standing on the street corner. Instead, I showed her the same kindness she would've shown anyone, and offered her a place to stay.
"Yeah," I said, "I guess I am, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

The park was perfect, tennis courts stood between the soccer field and the nearby street. Beyond the field, was the playground. It was never busy at all, and when people did show up, it was usually just a few children with an adult or two supervising. The park was lined with trees, giving Fluttershy plenty of places to hide if she needed to.
"Here we are. I thought that if you ever got bored hanging out at home you could come here," I said, "I know it's not much to look at, but at least it's different."
"It's wonderful," said Fluttershy.
"Now that you know where it is, you can fly here, can't you?"
I opened my mouth to object, but Alex had a point. It probably would be a good idea if Fluttershy flew back and fourth from the park. She could approach the park from a different angle, and she wouldn't be spotted as easily, assuming...
"Just don't fly to high," I added.
"Why not?" asked both.
I looked up and said, "This town has an air base, remember? I'd rather not think of what the air force would have to say about an unidentified pony invading their airspace."
I heard a familiar squeak come from my right.
"I'm sorry, Fluttershy. I didn't mean to be so blunt about it."
"He is right," Alex chimed in, "You don't want to get caught by those kind of people, and you don't want us to endanger you by being dishonest."
Upon hearing this, Fluttershy picked herself up. She looked much more calm. I don't know how Alex did it, but I was grateful she was there.
We had a wonderful time exploring the park. I didn't realize that even in the middle of winter such a small park could hold so many wonders. We spent a couple of hours wandering around enjoying what the park had to offer.

That evening I went downtown under the pretense of some unfinished errands. Alex was happy to stay with Fluttershy. She probably didn't need it, but it gave the two time to get acquainted. In addition it let Alex know that, like it or not, she was now a part of helping keep Fluttershy safe for her friends.
On my way I stopped by a home improvement store and purchased three cans of spray paint, and a couple of masks. Waiting for the bus, I opened my bag, took out a sheet of paper, and scribbled a note on it. I slipped the note into my pocket before retrieving another piece of paper. I compared the colors with the cans of paint I bought; pink, blue, and white.

I reminisced as I followed the path back from the bus stop to where Fluttershy and I first met. Soon I was back in front of the re-purposed garage. I looked around and found wall that was coated with so many layers of graffiti that the original paint could not be seen. I took out the cans, put on the mask, and started on my own "street art".
I figured an experienced person could have done the same in about ten seconds flat, but I took about ten minutes. Still, I was relieved when it was done. I looked around and stuck the note in a convenient crack in the wall, hoping it would be found by it's proper recipient.
Standing back I admired the newest layer of graffiti one last time: Twilight Sparkle's cutie mark, with a slight alteration. Fluttershy's mark replaced the star that was closest to the crack in the wall.