//------------------------------//
// chapter 11. Due Process 
// Story: Becoming Fluttershy 
// by Hope 
//------------------------------//

The evening sun makes it hard to see out the rearview mirror, but Julien and I wait, nervously, for the officer to approach my car.

After what seemed like hours, I heard the crunch of boots on gravel as he approached my open window.

I could tell he was studying me through the side mirror, even though he had sunglasses on. It was an odd feeling to be scrutinized so closely.

“I’m going to have to ask you to step out of the car, Ma’am.” He says, standing back a little from the car and holding a clipboard in one arm.

I ponder for a moment why he would want me to get out of the car, but I obey. Julien uses his power to pop the door open and I hover down onto the gravel, before looking up to the officer who now towers over me.

“Can I have your name?” He asks, very calmly.

“E... Erica Grey.” I say, before realizing I was saying it too quietly to be heard by anyone not cupping their ear to my mouth. “Erica grey, sir.” I enunciate this time, making my voice as clear as I can.

“Thank you, and which... um... pony are you?” He asks, eyebrow raised.

“Oh, well I woke up as Fluttershy.” I say quickly.

He flips to a second sheet of paper and I am able to read on the first; “Emergency procedures and guidelines”

“You’re one of the 6 important ones, right?” He asks, checking a box on the second sheet and flipping back to the first.

“Um... Yes, yes I am.” I confirm, nodding eagerly.

He gets down on his knees to be on my level. Something I am grateful for but didn’t expect in the least.

“According to our orders, we aren’t supposed to fine you for not wearing your seatbelt, and a bunch of other stuff, but it doesn’t say anything about not getting a ticket for speeding.” He explains.

I nod nervously. “I understand.” I say quietly.

“I am not, however, going to be giving you a ticket. I am sure you have a lot to worry about without that bogging up your tires too.” He says this bit with a tired smile.

I get the feeling that there are other motivations behind his actions, but this is far more than I expected out of a run of the mill police officer.

“Thank you, sir.” I say genuinely, not sure if a hug would be appropriate.

“Not a problem, and as for the unicorn in the car, what is his name and pony?”

I explain who Julien is and which pony he has become, and the officer marks this down as well.

“Just let him know that if he uses magic in any crimes it will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We don’t want any of that fancy mumbo jumbo to get to their heads and make them think they are above the law.” He says sternly.

I nod eagerly and he actually salutes me before heading back to his squad car and turning his flashing lights off.

I jump back into the car and explain to Julien what had happened, we bump hooves and pull back out into the traffic.

I am feeling quite warm and bubbly after that, if police officers are willing to handle us without resorting to abuse or treating us as animals, I have a great deal more hope for this journey. 


We enter Cheyenne a few hours later, and pull into a Dennys before hopping out and heading inside. It is hilarious to be the size of a large dog and have people pretty much bowing to you. We get a seat in a corner and order salads. Julien is sorely tempted to try meat, thinking it must just be my poor constitution that made me retch but thankfully I manage to talk him out of it.

Our salads are wonderful, although I have to hold the utensils in the crook of my forelegs to eat, and let me tell you that cramps after a while.

Julien gets it easy with his levitation and magic and whatnot. I start to see how unicorns could have easily beaten the other two tribes if not for the teamwork and straight up toughness of the earth ponies.

I have to wonder at this point, of course, if the stories and shows are more real than we give them credit for. Once upon a time I subscribed to the belief that the more you have faith in something, the more real it becomes. I wonder if several million humans hoping, wishing every day for a better place couldn’t summon it into reality.

I wonder if our dreams take flight when we are asleep and create whole universes that our descendents will travel to and marvel at in wonder.

I wonder if i'm going to keep spacing out whenever I ponder the intricacies of life.

I’ve managed to stare off into space for long enough that Julien has finished his meal and I have barely started on mine.

I zone out from time to time, that is true. I also know that when I am stressed it happens more often. The question then remains, is this me?

The answer I find, while shoveling lettuce and spinach in my mouth, is unexpected. I don’t care. If Fluttershy wants her body back, I will give it to her. If this simply lends me a new perspective on life, then I will be forever in the debt of whoever made it possible.

Once we finish our food and the sun has almost entirely set, we make our way back to the car and manage to move it to the edge of town, finding a quiet spot off the road to set up our tent.

I don’t know why I don’t trust hotels and such, but this saves money. Considering how little of it we have to start with, this is a very good thing.

We pitch our tent with surprising speed thanks to Julien’s telekinetic powers, and soon we are curling up on opposite sides of the tent, wishing each other a good night and drifting off to sleep.

Now I am sure you are wondering if it is my shy nature that allows my best friend to sleep in the same bed, hug me, and live in my room without being in a relationship. A valid question although a bit personal. I am, as you would say, a fillyfooler. Julien is my confidant, closest friend, and on occasion, my wingman. You just don’t jeopardize that sort of relationship for a night of play, even if you are in new bodies and your entire life has just exploded.

I am content to know that, as my friend, he was willing to begin this journey with me, and he will follow me to the end of it.