//------------------------------// // Fluttershy // Story: Stories of the Changeling War // by SparrowFae //------------------------------// Moonlight trickled through a light cloud cover, illuminating the remains of Ponyville. A chilly breeze whispered through the charred skeletons of the once-charming homes and businesses. Bits of jagged timber stuck up from the ground like old bones. Fluttershy shuddered at the knowledge that the ash covered town didn't just resemble a graveyard. After the attack, Ponyville had been utterly abandoned. Nopony had returned to lay the dead to rest, and their remains still lay strewn where they fell. Fluttershy trembled where she stood just inside the treeline of the Everfree Forest. She clutched her twisted, carved walking stick a bit firmer to still her shaking. Inside her chest, her heart was hammering as if it wanted to escape, and considering what she was planning to do, she couldn't blame it. For a moment she considered turning back. It would be easier. And the late autumn night was cold. She could go home and have a nice cup of tea . . . A buzz emanated from the ornate walking stick. Fluttershy eyed the enchanted object. "I know I know," she muttered. With a final, deep breath, the meek pegasus stepped out from the shadows and descended into the ruins of her former home. The feeling in the deserted town was beyond eerie as Fluttershy walked. Her staff sounded too loud as it tapped against the cobblestones. She knew every street, every intersection, though they were mostly concealed under the foul-smelling dust. Most of the buildings that were still standing were recognizable, but dilapidated and discolored. Empty doorways gaped, turning every house into a corpse locked in a final, silent scream. The entire north wall of one home had collapsed, revealing a small living room with a large sitting chair near a cold fireplace. Once a place of warmth and comfort, the room looked sunken, sad, and terribly lonesome. A flicker of movement caught Fluttershy's eye as she stared at the decimated house. A dark form flitted up the stairs and, for a fraction of a second, it seemed to glance back at the pegasus with malice in its gaze. Fluttershy's trembling increased and she cringed away. For a moment she intended to flee back into the cover of the forest, but she refused to budge. It took some time, but eventually she managed to coax her legs into carrying her deeper into the ghost town. That phantom had been no trick of the light, no figment of her imagination. There are magics that pervade the land that even Twilight hadn't understood. The love, joy, and happiness felt by a community is an energy force in and of itself. And so is fear. They probably didn't know it, but when the changelings had attacked, the fear and panic they brought shattered the magic of the town like a nail driving into glass. Now the razor edges of the broken fragments of magic would snag and abrade any spirit who ventured into their midst. Fluttershy could feel it as she moved toward the town center. The echoes of the sudden violence and terror were still palpable on the air. Now the phantoms from the Ponyville-that-was stalked the broken buildings. They were always at the edge of her vision, disappearing when she looked directly at them. And they whispered. It was a horrible sound, like the rasping of a sick bunny at first, but when Fluttershy listened closely it was more like the panicked chatter of ponies during a crisis, only airy and insubstantial. She squeezed her eyes shut, but couldn't keep out the sense of the phantoms' presence. And they felt her in return. She was an anomaly in their domain; a spark of life and hope in a realm of decay. As she neared the heart of the town, their aura began to change. They clutched at her like a drowning animal desperate for solid purchase. The trembling pegasus didn't have to open her eyes to know that they were all around her now, pressing in as close as they could. Their pain was stifling and suddenly Fluttershy couldn't breathe. She stumbled, and the tiny sac which was tied around her neck snagged on something, tearing free. Fluttershy's eyes snapped open. Shadowy figures loomed all around her, towering over her as she lay prostrate at the foot of the bridge to the town square. She was so close. Her sac lay on the ground a few leg-lengths away. She reached for it, but the dark apparitions closed in, blocking her view. The moon light faded as the phantoms enveloped her. Their whispering grew louder and condensed into the chorus that haunted her dreams still. Their voices were the echo of the night Ponyville burned. The fiery memory loomed up from the darkest reaches of Fluttershy's mind, and suddenly she was engulfed in it, carried back to that night by the ghostly voices. * * * Her cottage was a scene of chaos. Despite her pleas, most of the animals in her care had fled, but several weren't in any state to travel and they were all on the verge of panic. Rushing from one corner of the house to another, she frantically tried to gather her friends out the door to the cart waiting to carry them all to the train station. "We really should be-- Wait, don't go that way-- No no, we don't have enough room to bring-- Yes I know you're scared, but don't you think it would be better if--" Again and again, she tried, but every time she got a handful of critters moving in the right direction, another would try to go back for something. "Oh, if only Twilight were here," she whimpered. But Twilight was on the other side of town, shielding it from the changeling swarm. The rest of her friends were probably there as well. For the third time, she flew outside to see if anypony was around to help, but the streets were deserted. The crimson light from Twilight's shield mingled with the sunset, casting a blood red werelight over the town. Desperation curled through her chest, making it hard to breath. Back inside the cottage, Angel was struggling to keep a group of animals together. He paused to shoot a glare in her direction. "I'm sorry Angel bunny, but I really need your help getting everyone--" Fluttershy's apology was cut short by a flash of green light. A dull boom thudded through the cottage a second later. The commotion that had filled the tiny home a moment before suddenly stilled, with every animal looking fearfully at the window. Fluttershy didn't dare move a muscle in the fragile silence. The pegasus's heart was beating so hard and so fast that she would not have noticed the next barrage of explosions if they had not been accompanied by the piercing flashes of green. The yellow mare took a few delicate steps to the window. Her heart nearly stopped as she peeked out. Twilight's spell was gone. There was nothing between Ponyville and the roiling swarm of changelings. As she watched, streaks of green fire arced out from the swarm. Fluttershy recognized them as the magic of the changeling's dive-bombing attack, the same they had used during the invasion of Canterlot. Except that now, instead of crashing into the ground and springing up to fight, the creatures detonated in a blinding explosion, destroying anything nearby. In a matter of moments, dozens of buildings were ablaze. Fluttershy stumbled away from the window as another series of shock waves pounded the walls. The animals went into a frenzied panic, all clamoring for the door. In their fear they would blindly rush right out into the deadly barrage. "Wait!" Fluttershy called. None of them seemed to hear her. In a moment of desperate clarity, the little pegasus gathered her legs beneath her and launched herself into the doorway. She set her hooves and shouted, "STOP!" The critters froze, cowed by her sudden wrath. "I will NOT let any of you go rushing out into a dangerous situation in that state of mind. You could all get hurt, or worse! I know that you're scared but we need to stay calm. Now, we are going to go outside quickly and get everyone into the cart. Then we will ALL get out of here. Am. I. Understood?" The animals each gave a hasty nod. Satisfied, Fluttershy stepped aside from the doorway and said, "Let's go." The miniature parade of forest animals shuffled past. Fluttershy followed them out. She ducked under the cart's harness, waiting just long enough to be sure the animals were all secure before taking off toward the train station. Running through the town was like a nightmare. The further she went, the thicker the smoke became and more violent the sounds of the bombing. Before long, Fluttershy was constantly swerving to avoid burning chunks of houses and other debris. Adrenaline gave her the energy to sprint for the first couple minutes, but her legs were quickly losing their strength. Her fatigue was compounded by her efforts to avoid breathing the smokey haze that now engulfed the street. She continued as fast as she could, tears streaming down her soot-covered cheeks. She heard the crackling hiss of the diving changeling before she saw it. Globs of green flame bled off the charging creature, forming a comet-like tail as it descended. Fluttershy pulled hard on the harness, banking to the side just as the changeling hit. The pegasus's maneuver kept them from being engulfed by the resulting fireball, but the shock wave still sent the cart and pony flying. Fluttershy wrenched her wings, barely managing to get the carts wheels beneath it as it came down. The sideways trajectory of the vehicle caused it to skid across the ground, dragging Fluttershy with it. She tucked her wing in just before slamming into the wall of one of the buildings lining the street. Pain erupted in her wing and shoulder and she let out a thin shriek as her front legs buckled. She knelt there, panting for a while. Through a considerable effort, she eventually brought her breathing back under control. She gritted her teeth as she pushed herself back up to a standing position to look down the street. The smoke was getting thicker and a few buildings had collapsed across the road. Changeling bombs struck everywhere. If she wen that way, they'd be hit for sure. But what other choice did she have? She clamped her eyes shut against the tears that threatened to burst forth. She was so scared, she didn't know if she could move even if her shoulder wasn't in terrible pain. A fearful squeak from behind her drew her attention. She looked over her injured shoulder. Angel looked back at her with his big, black eyes. Fluttershy could see that he was just as afraid as she was. She wanted so badly to get him and the rest of her friends to safety, but she couldn't. She had failed them all. Unable to return Angel's gaze any longer, Fluttershy turned away, looking past the cart. The canopy of the Everfree Forest was just visible through the smoke. Fluttershy's ears perked as the realization hit her. The Everfree Forest was dangerous, dark and filled with all sorts of vicious creatures. And it wasn't on fire. Which meant that it was the safest place within a hundred miles. Ignoring the excruciating protests of her shoulder, the yellow pony whirled around, pulling the cart 180 degrees and hauled it as fast as she could back the way they had come. The second trip through the town was even worse than the first. The smoke and flames rapidly diminished, but the pain in Fluttershy's shoulder made it nearly impossible to steer the cart. By the time she reached the edge of Ponyville, she was running on three legs, holding the lamed one in close to her chest. It was slow-going, but the sheltering limbs of the Everfree were only meters away. Her hope surged as she limped across the field bordering the forest. She was about halfway there when the cart erupted in frantic chittering of frightened animals. She glanced behind her to see what was the matter and gasped. Three changelings were approaching on foot. They each wore an expression of sinister glee as they closed in on their prey. Without thinking, Fluttershy shrugged out of the harness and vaulted over the cart. As she landed, she brought her hindquarters up and slammed her hooves into the cart, sending it rolling into the darkness of the forest. The shock of her kick reverberated into her injured shoulder and it gave with a sickening crunch. She toppled forward onto her face. The changelings' footsteps rustled the grass as they approached. Fluttershy was clutched by a primal fear. She had helped mice that had been attacked by cats and now she knew exactly what they must have felt. A helpless, harmless little being at the mercy of a predator. It wasn't the paralyzing fear she felt when she thought about speaking in public or facing one of the many dangers she and her friends had encountered. It was a fear left over from the ancient ancestors of ponies, for whom every night brought the threat of a hunter's teeth. She struggled to sit up, but the slightest movement sent a wave of nausea-inducing agony through her body. With a squeak, she flopped onto her side, twisting her neck uncomfortably to get a look at her attackers. But they were nowhere to be found. Instead, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Big Macintosh stood before her. They looked concerned as they hurried towards her. Relief flooded the small pegasus. "Are you alright?" Twilight asked. "I think so," Fluttershy said in a voice just louder than a whisper. "I-I'm so glad to see you." A torrent of emotion threatened to overwhelm her as her friends leaned over her. Rainbow smiled down at her. "It'll all be okay now," she said gently, reaching a hoof to stroke her mane. Fluttershy was taken by weariness and disorientation as the other pegasus's hoof touched her forehead. Her feelings of relief and love suddenly vanished, leaving her head spinning. Above her, the images of her friends swirled and twisted. She thought she saw something strange in their eyes. Some un-equine hunger. The hunger of a predator. Her mind grasped what was happening, but it was already too late. The changelings were feeding on her. Her fear surged again, but even that soon dwindled into nothingness. She didn't feel anything anymore. "Kwenda mbali viumbe waovu! Unapaswa kuwa hapa!" Fluttershy thought she recognized this new voice, but she was still to weak to think straight. There were a few surprised hisses from the changeling impostors, followed by a few popping sounds and whatever magic had clouded her mind lifted. It still took most of her focus to keep breathing, but she was cognizant enough now to know that somepony must have intervened in the changeling's feeding. "Oh, my poor Fluttershy. This woeful sight makes my heart cry." "Z-Z-Zec-Zecora?" Fluttershy struggled to say the name between panting breaths. "Aye it is me, but we must go. And I fear your wounds will make you slow." "C-c-cart. Over . . . th-there." Fluttershy twitched a hoof in the direction of the treeline. She heard Zecora hasten away and return with the creaky, wooden cart. If she hadn't been so tired, Fluttershy would have been impressed by the strength and delicacy which which the Zebra lifted her onto the vehicle. Animals swarmed over her, radiating concern. Their presence was a balm. She could almost feel grateful. There was a small jolt as the cart began moving and a few seconds later, Fluttershy was engulfed in darkness. * * * Fluttershy drifted in and out of consciousness. Stars peeking through gaps in thick leaves and branches. Short, bristly fur and the smell of earth and spices. Gentle candlelight. Soft warmth. Bed. She was in a bed now, lying on her back. She opened her eyes. It took a moment for them to focus. The blanket over her was coarsely woven but very soft. There was a nagging echo of pain on her left side. She turned her head to find that she was in a small alcove of Zecora's hut. Various bottles and books adorned numerous shelves. Exotic masks surveyed the room from where they hung on the walls. In the middle of the room, Zecora stood with her back to Fluttershy, stirring a large cauldron. "It is about time you woke, my friend," Zecora said without looking, "I was beginning to think your slumber would never end. Do not move just yet. You were in a bad way when we met. I've given you a potion to dull the pain, but your shoulder still has a very bad sprain." The zebra dipped a bowl into the cauldron, withdrawing some of its steaming contents. She brought it over to where Fluttershy lay, blowing to cool it. "A mix of wrathroot, fret leaf, daisies, and mel. This should chase away the changeling's spell." With Zecora's help, Fluttershy gulped down the potent concoction. The clear liquid didn't have a taste to it so much as it had a feel. It was akin to electric shock, but in a way that made the pegasus feel giddy and lightheaded. The sensation grew as a warmth in her belly, slowly spreading until every inch of her was tingling. It took a moment for her to realize that what she was feeling was emotion. The changelings had drained her of her love, fear, anger, sadness, leaving her a husk, bereft of everything that gave meaning to her experience. It was a singularly odd experience to have that all come flooding back in the absence of any context. Her emotions were like a tangled knot of thread. She didn't know where one ended and the next began. With a groan she sank back down onto the bed and closed her eyes. Slowly, she began to sort her emotions out once more while Zecora stood by patiently. As Fluttershy teased each of her feelings apart, she began to notice that one stuck out above the rest. Anxiety. There was something terribly important that was making her anxious. The pegasus gasped, her eyes flying open. "The animals!" "Hush now, my Fluttershy," Zecora said, "Your woodland friends are safe nearby." "I should probably go check on them," said Fluttershy, gingerly slipping out from under the blanket. She winced as she set her left hoof onto the ground. The pain wasn't intense, but she had a feeling she should keep her weight off of it anyway. Zecora held up a hoof and trotted over to a gnarled old walking stick that was propped in a corner. "An old stick, at first, has little appeal," she said, returning and offering the stick to Fluttershy, "But it may serve you well while your leg heals." The zebra took down a length of rope that she had been using to hang a few of her larger vials and fastened it underneath one of the walking stick's larger knobs. Then she looped beneath Fluttershy's chest and cinched it up so that it bore her weight. Fluttershy took a few experimental steps with the walking stick. She smiled at Zecora in thanks and the two equines left the small cottage. Outside, the woodland creatures were hard at work, attempting to construct nests and burrows, but they seemed to be having trouble. The sticks and leaves they gathered constantly slipped and fell apart as soon as the squirrels turned their backs. Dirt seemed to loosen of its own accord to fill in any holes, frustrating a family of badgers. "Oh my," Fluttershy said with a frown. "Mm. The magic of the Everfree is strong. It will always resist those who, in it's mind, do not belong." "You mean the forest knows that we're here?" Fluttershy squeaked, looking around sheepishly. Zecora nodded and made a sweeping gesture, saying, "Ponies learned long ago, of the currents of magic that ebb and flow." As she swept her hoof back and forth, it began to leave a trail of light, shimmering in midair. Like a painter at her canvass, the enchantress used the floating light to illustrate a scene. It was a stylistic landscape depicting every type of environment Fluttershy could think of. And through all of them wound the rivers of magic. "Power that gives the world its form," Zecora continued,"be it ocean, mountain, or desert warm. The ponies learned to dam the streams, divert the flow. To temper the weather and make crops grow." As she spoke, she made slashing motions, placing lines across the rivers, depicting how some of the energy was channeled from one environment to another, thereby endowing it with whatever traits were related to the type of energy in the river. "But the ponies of old who settled here, were careless in their craft, I fear. They tapped too many streams and their greed was such, that they could not help but take too much." With a few more strokes, Zecora's light-drawing now displayed an area where several rivers converged. A spiral of light emanated out from the point where they met. Fluttershy guessed that was to symbolize a pooling of the magic. "They wanted to make a paradise, but they wound up paying a heavy price. Their mix of magic made an obstinate soul, one that refused any attempt at control. Many would try, but none would succeed. Thus this land was named, The Everfree." "Goodness," said Fluttershy, "I never would have imagined that ponies would have made the Everfree Forest." "I mean no offense, but I must say, Pony history is in a sorry way. Mistakes are made by every race, but Ponies forget their every disgrace." Fluttershy was taken aback by the judgmental statement. "Oh, um, I'm sorry," she murmured. Zecora's demeanor softened. "My apologies my yellow friend, my words were not meant to offend." "It's okay. You're probably right. Twilight is the only pony I've ever met who was even a little interested in history." The demure pony tried to smile, but found that the thought of her friend only made her more anxious. "I hope she's alright. I hope they're all alright." She felt tears on her eyes. Zecora placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder and said, "As do I, but do not fear. At least your furry friends are here." Fluttershy sniffed and wiped her eyes. "You're right," she said, "I should be happy we all made it to safety. Isn't that right, Angel Bunny. . ." The pink-maned pegasus looked around for her pet. "Angel Bunny?" She spun a full circle. The little rabbit was nowhere to be found. "Angel!" Zecora and the other animals looked on with concern as she frantically began running around, peering behind trees and under bushes. "Where are you?! Come out! Oh my goodness oh my goodness no no no. He's not here. He's out there all alone." She started hyperventilating. "I have to find him," she said and dashed into the forest in the direction of Ponyville. Zecora called something after her, but she didn't stop to listen. Using a combination of feeble wing flaps and her walking stick, she managed to keep most of her weight off her injured leg, but she still felt an unusual popping in her elbow every time she took a step. She didn't care. The only thing on her mind was the thought of Angel lost in the dark forest or surrounded by hungry changelings. "Angel!" she called between labored breaths. It was nearly pitch black now that she was away from Zecora's torches. But that shouldn't matter. Angel was such a crisp white that he should be even easier to spot in the darkness. He had probably just wandered away and gotten lost. He couldn't be far. Any minute now she would see him hopping along, his fluffy little tail bouncing behind him. Any minute now. Fluttershy ran until her leg finally gave out completely, collapsing under her weight with a sickening crunch. A squeak of pain escaped the little pony's mouth as she went skidding across the ground. She curled up and let out a choking sob, pressing her good hoof against her face. Her lungs spasmed once they had squeezed all of the air out of her chest and she couldn't breath for a few seconds. Then they released and she took a gasping, ragged breath and let out a moaning wail. Angel was gone. She was supposed to take care of him. She was supposed to look out for him. But she hadn't. She'd failed. And now he was gone. It felt like there was nothing left to do but cry. "H-hello? Is somepony there?" Fluttershy gasped and sat bolt upright. Suddenly self aware, she tried to regulate her breathing and hastily wiped at her eyes. "Fluttershy? Is that you?" came a tiny voice from a nearby hollow log. "I-- yes. Who is that?" Fluttershy responded, trying to keep her voice from hiccuping. A streak of orange shot out from the log and slammed into her chest, eliciting a flaring pain in her shoulder. "I'm so glad it's you!" the tiny, purple maned pegasus said, clutching Fluttershy like a vice. "Scootaloo? What in Equestria are you doing out here all alone?" The filly took a breath. "I was trying to find Rainbow Dash but I couldn't find her and then they started bombing the town and I couldn't get to the train station and I couldn't find Applebloom or Sweetie Belle and then there were changelings everywhere so I ran into the forest to hide but I got lost and I thought I was gonna die but you came and I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE!" Fluttershy could practically feel the relief emanating from the young mare as she buried her face in her coat. The filly's touch sent the yellow pegasus's maternal nature into a frenzy. She wrapped both her wings and her good foreleg around Scootaloo and squeezed. "There there," she said, "Everything is going to be okay. You're safe now." "I'm afraid that is not so," said Zecora. Both Fluttershy and Scootaloo jumped in surprise. The zebra hadn't made a sound as she approached. "Quickly," she continued, "We must go." On the way back to Zecora's hut, Fluttershy leaned heavily on the walking stick, barely letting her leg touch the ground. Still, the pain in her body was nothing compared to the pain she felt every time her mind drifted to Angel. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying with all her might not to imagine what could have happened or what could be happening to her pet right now. A soft weight bumped against her thigh. Looking back, she saw Scootaloo walking with her eyes half shut, her head lolling from side to side. "Sorry," the filly said, shaking her head a bit. The poor thing was probably exhausted. Fear always took its toll. Fluttershy assured her that it was okay, though she doubted Scootaloo was paying much attention. She extended one of her yellow wings over the filly's tiny frame guiding her gently to keep her from wandering off the path. Once they reached the hut, Fluttershy led Scootaloo over to Zecora's bed and tucked her in. The filly was asleep before Fluttershy could pull the coarse covers over her. For a few minutes, Fluttershy just stood there, watching over Scootaloo's slumber. It was the sort of sleep that came from when the body was completely drained. The sort of sleep that obliterates any care or anxiety. Fluttershy was mildly jealous. Even with all of the torturous trials she had put her own body through, she doubted that she would be able to sleep like that for some time. "It is such a terrible crime, that innocent fillies should see such times." "I don't think anypony should have to live through times like this," Fluttershy said quietly. Zecora sighed, "The best we can do is protect this one. And I'm afraid our work is far from done." The zebra turned and walked over to a bookshelf. Reluctantly, Fluttershy followed. "The Everfree is hard to subdue, but I fear the changelings will soon take it too." Fluttershy frowned, "Why would the changeling's want to take over the Everfree Forest?" "The changelings do not just burn and scour, but always seek new ways to gain power. The Queen will make the forest's power into her own, and never be toppled from her throne," Zecora said, looking through the numerous books on her shelf. "Oh my. We have to warn Twilight, or Princess Celestia." Zecora shook her head. "The Princess cannot meddle in this place and Twilight's magic will not work in this case." "But . . . there must be something we can do." "We can stop the Queen, but there will be a price. We will both have to make a great sacrifice." That didn't sound good. Yesterday, Fluttershy would have told the zebra that she wanted nothing to do with whatever she had planned. But a glance at the sleeping Scootaloo was now all it took to convince Fluttershy that she could bear any hardship if it meant keeping the filly safe. "What sort of sacrifice?" Zecora found the book she was looking for and pulled it out, blew some dust off of its cover, and opened it. "Here," she said, "A ritual of frightening power, for use in only the darkest of hours." She pointed to a page with simple illustrations of what looked like an army of giant cats attacking a zebra village. On the next page, two zebras stood together by a tree. "When all seems lost and your need is great, send one to the heart and change your fate." Zecora turned the page. The next two pages depicted one of the zebras merging with the tree and the other pointing to the attacking cats, on whom all the forces of nature seemed to be descending. Wind buffeted their ranks, tossing them around like dolls. Tendrils of water arced out from a river to snare hapless victims. Roots and sharp rocks jutted out from the ground, impaling paws and underbellies. Fluttershy grew queasy looking at the graphic scene, and was relieved when Zecora swiftly turned the page once more and continued, "The other must stay, lending ears, voice, and sight, or the first will forget, and be lost to the night." The final page of the section showed the remaining zebra kneeling by the tree. Both the sun and the moon were in the sky. Fluttershy took that to symbolize the passing of days. The pages creaked as Zecora shut the book. Fluttershy was quiet for a while, thinking. "So, you're saying that somepony could do . . . whatever that was, with the Everfree Forest? "What you have seen is the ritual of the Heart Tree. And no normal pony will do, it must be me." Fluttershy wasn't surprised, but she was no less dismayed for that. "You want to . . . become the Everfree?" "I have long known that I would one day cast this spell," Zecora turned away, hesitating. It was rather strange to have her rhyming phrase only half finished. Finally, she turned back to look Fluttershy directly in the eye. "It grieves me to learn that you will bear this fate as well." Again, Fluttershy couldn't say that she had not seen the obvious implications of the ritual. But a part of her had been holding out hope for a different solution. "I can't," she began, her voice cracking slightly as it diminished to a near inaudible whisper. "If you knew the stakes, you would concur. The result of apathy simply must not occur." The zebra was right. Fluttershy knew that. They were the only equines who could stop the changelings from taking control of the Everfree's magic. If they didn't act . . . Scootaloo had already lost her home. There was no telling how much more damage the changelings could do with that power. There would certainly be a lot more fillies and colts in the same situation as the little, orange pegasus. With a deep breath, the demure pony squared her shoulders. "What should I do?" * * * There was not much in the way of an elaborate set up for the ritual. Zecora merely explained what Fluttershy would need to do once it was complete. The zebra would merge her physical and spiritual being with the Everfree, sacrificing every aspect of her previous life. As such, it would rapidly become difficult for her to think like a zebra, or any sort of mortal being. Without direction, her spirit would devolve and become just as wild and dangerous as the Everfree was now. So, Fluttershy would act as an anchor. She would need to spend most of her time in the forest after the ritual, reminding Zecora of her purpose and acting as a custodian for the forest. If she ventured outside the forest's boundaries, she would have to take the walking stick, which Zecora had enchanted with carved tribal runes, in order to maintain her connection. She would also be a sort of ambassador, provided ponies ever came back to live in this region, representing the forest's interests and delivering any concerns brought up by ponykind. It was a daunting task, but it was not a huge leap from what Fluttershy had done before. It put her even more at ease to know that, under Zecora's influence, the forest would be far less of a hostile environment. It would even become a home to the peaceful, cute animals that the pegasus loved. Finally, Zecora brought Fluttershy outside to stand near the twisted roots of the great tree in which the zebra lived. "Perhaps you've guessed, this is the Everfree's heart. It is here that I must play my part. But before I go, one last thing you should know. The joining will take some time to complete. It is vital that my focus is not breached." Fluttershy gave a determined nod in response. Zecora inclined her head, "From now on, we'll be each other's guide. Now I will see you on the other side." With that, the zebra sat down before the tree, resting her head on its bark. Almost immediately, an aura of green, magical energy began to swirl around her, caressing her mane like a soft breeze. Fluttershy watched in awe. It felt as if she should be performing some sort of ceremony or doing something to help, but Zecora had only told her what she would be doing after the ritual was complete. So the yellow pony sat and watched and, despite her best efforts, thought of Angel. Her fear and sudden grief had rapidly faded into a disorienting numbness. She knew, in a detached sort of way, that she was sad, devastated. But emotionally, it was as if something had been torn out of her. Maybe that was why she had accepted this responsibility. Normally she would never have volunteered for such an imposing task . . . but this had been no ordinary day. Fluttershy shook her head. She needed to stay alert. Zecora's home was usually secure, but they were still in the Everfree forest. There was no telling what might be lurking around, and Fluttershy didn't want to take any chances that a curious creature would stumble into the clearing and interrupt the ritual. Minutes passed. Then an hour. Two. The energy surrounding Zecora continued to intensify. As deep night faded into early morning, it had become so potent that Fluttershy could literally feel it buzzing against her skin. Surely something would happen soon. "Over here! The pony magic is sssstrong!" Fluttershy started at the high pitched voice and her heart began to race. She looked around wildly, the changelings were on her before she even spotted them. She squeaked in terror and then in pain as one of them seized her mane and threw her to the ground. "Got you!" it sneered, "Hey, it'ssss not a unicorn." "Use your eyesssss, the magic is coming from that one. Sssssome kind of ritual." The tension on Fluttershy's mane lessened and she twisted her neck in time to see another changeling, clad in chitinous armor approaching Zecora. "Wait!" she gasped, inviting a violent yank on her hair. "Keep that one quiet while I deal with thisssss," the lead changeling ordered, not even bothering to turn around. If he had, he might have noticed the streak of orange hurtling toward his legs. With a crack of impact, Scootaloo took the creature's hooves out from under him. A third changeling lunged after the filly, but she had already flitted away into the brush. A few seconds passed and Fluttershy thought that the young pegasus had escaped. The armored changeling growled as he came back to his hooves. Then with a tiny battle cry, Scootaloo came streaking back, aiming her charge at the changeling holding Fluttershy. With a snarl, the armored changeling bounded forward to intercept her, swatting her to the ground. He motioned for the remaining changeling to hold the filly down. "No more distractions!" he barked, "Keep them still while I-- Where did it go?" Fluttershy glanced over at the cottage where Zecora had been, but there was no sign of the zebra anywhere. The cloud of energy had also dissipated, but Fluttershy realized that she could still feel the buzzing. Where was it coming from? "Keep your eyes open!" shouted the changeling commander, "This could be a trap. You, take that-- *hurk*!" the changeling's final order was cut short as a jagged root burst from the ground, impaling him through the throat. The root retracted as swiftly as it had erupted, leaving a stain of dark green ichor on the dirt. Fluttershy watched in horror as the changeling gasped and clicked, clutching at its throat. The creature fell to the ground, twitching a bit before falling still. The other two changelings were quiet, stunned at the sudden turn of events. "Aieeeee!" The pressure of the changeling's weight abruptly lifted and Fluttershy whirled to look up. Her captor was now swinging above her, held by a vine which had snaked around its neck. The changeling struggled, clawing at the vine which was rapidly tightening. There was a wet crack of breaking chitin, and the changeling went rigid and then slack. The vine released, dropping the insectoid corpse to the ground with a thump. The remaining changeling opted to retreat, tossing Scootaloo aside and taking to the air on its translucent wings. It disappeared into the canopy and everything was silent. For a moment. Then the branches began to thrash, grinding and crashing together and showering the forest floor with leaves. Fluttershy squeaked as a mangled changeling body tumbled from the trees. Instinctively, the yellow pony looked away and found herself gazing at the young filly next to her. Scootaloo was staring, open mouthed at the corpses. "Oh my," Fluttershy gasped, throwing an arm over the younger pony and turning her away from the gruesome scene. "Hey," Scootaloo protested. Her voice was shaking. "I'm not a foal ya know." The orange pegasus pushed away from Fluttershy. There were tears in her eyes. "I can to-totally handle-- *sniff*." Fluttershy pulled the filly back into a hug. She wasn't sure if she was doing for Scootaloo's comfort or her own. Together, the two ponies sat in silent acknowledgement of the pain they shared. After a minute, Fluttershy asked, "What were you doing out here?" "That bright light woke me up. I thought it was dawn, but when I got up, I couldn't find you. I looked out the window and saw those creepy changelings and I just-- Woah," Scootaloo murmured, ducking under Fluttershy's forelegs. The changelings' bodies were gone and there were patches of disturbed earth where they had fallen. The soil must have somehow swallowed the bodies. But that wasn't what had drawn the filly's attention. Zecora's walking stick lay a few feet away and it was glowing with the same energy that had surrounded the tree during the ritual. "Why's it doing that?" Scootaloo asked. "I'm not sure," Fluttershy replied, trotting over to the object, "Zecora mentioned that it would be my connection to the forest, but I don't know. . ." The yellow pegasus reached out to pick up the stick. The instant her hoof touched the wood a flash of awareness burst in her mind. She suddenly knew every tree, every rock, every animal in the forest as if it were part of her own body. It was overwhelming. Her mind was suddenly trying to account for an awareness that was orders of magnitude greater than her own. I know you. What? Who's there? Fluttershy said. Or, at least she thought she said it. She couldn't tell if it was her mouth that was moving or that of the lone Timberwolf prowling on the edges of the forest. Or maybe it was the bunny that had ventured out of its warren to feed. No, you are here. There was a falling sensation, then Fluttershy found herself back in her own skin. She gasped, when she realized that she hadn't been breathing. "Fluttershy! Are you okay?" Scootaloo exclaimed, "You fell over when you touched that stick and you started twitching and you said something." The mare struggled to her feet. "I'm alright," she said, "I. . . I think I was talking to Zecora." ZECORA, Fluttershy winced at the intensity of the thought. Zecora. . .Yes that was my name, but why do I not feel the same? "Oh my. . . Um, you don't remember?" I remember my life before, but now I sense I am something more. "Well, you, um, merged with the spirit of the Everfree, to stop the changelings from--" CHANGELINGS! THOSE DARK CREATURES DO NOT BELONG, THEIR PRESENCE HERE IS MORE THAN WRONG! Fluttershy nearly collapsed under the pressure of Zecora's anger. While they remain, I'll not stand by. If they won't leave then THEY WILL DIE! The ground began to shake, rumbling with the fury of the vengeful spirit. Frightened, Scootaloo edged closer to Fluttershy. "What's happening?" the young pegasus asked. She looked so scared. Fluttershy scowled. "Stop that right now," she snapped at the spirit, "You're scaring my friend." The creature ilk spreads without restraint. No, I must remove their taint. "But you don't have to kill them all! Zecora was always peaceful and kind. She would never do something so horrible." The rumbling in the earth gradually subsided. What you say . . . it may be true. There may be another thing to do. I'll not let them rest, give them no reprieve. But when they give up. . . I will allow them to leave. "Thank you. That sounds a bit more like the Zecora I know." I . . . am pleased, though I don't know why. But I feel I should thank you Fluttershy. "What just happened?" Scootaloo said. Fluttershy let out a sigh. "We're safe now. You should be able to get to safety soon." "What about you?" "I have to stay. Zecora is part of the Everfree now, and it's my responsibility to watch out for her now." The filly was quiet for a moment. "Well then I'm staying too," she said at last. "What?" Fluttershy exclaimed, "But this is no place for a filly." "You said we were safe. And there's no way I'm letting you stay here all on your own. Besides . . . I don't really have any family." Fluttershy smiled at the little pegasus's determination. And she had to admit that it would be nice to have company. "All right then," she said. "I suppose we should get some breakfast then." And together the two ponies returned to the small cottage at the Heart of the Everfree Forest. * * * "Fluttershy!" The memory dissolved and the demure pegasus snapped back to herself. The phantoms were gone. In their place, a lanky, young pegasus stood. "Are you okay?" Scootaloo asked. "I think so," Fluttershy responded, pushing herself to her feet with the aid of her walking stick. "I thought I asked you to stay behind." "Well, I, uh . . . I finished watering the plants and feeding the animals like you asked and, uh, I just wanted to see-- I mean, I wanted to make sure." Fluttershy held up a hoof. "It's okay," she said with a smile. "It's good that you came along. I was having some trouble with local spirits." "Right," the younger pony said, "That still kinda creeps me out." "Don't worry. We're here to lay them to rest. Could you pick up the bag I dropped please?" Scootaloo trotted over to retrieve the tiny sack and return it to Fluttershy. The yellow pony took the sack and limped over to the remains of Ponyville Town Hall. It had been caught in the fire during the attack on the town and burned almost entirely to the ground. Fluttershy pawed at the ground in the center of the ruins. The soil beneath the ash was fertile. Fluttershy upended the sack over the small divot she'd made. A single seed fell into the hole with a plop and the pegasus covered it gently with earth. "What now?" Scootaloo asked, trotting over to stand next to Fluttershy. The older pegasus just smiled and set the base of her walking stick on the ground near the seed. Then she closed her eyes and concentrated. If it's not too much trouble, she thought, could you please make this grow? Light green energy poured through the staff and diffused into the soil. Fluttershy motioned for Scootaloo to stand back. As she turned to follow, she saw a few shadows lurking at the edges of the town square. They could sense what was about to happen. A small sprout had already poked up through the ash. As the ponies watched, it grew into a small tree. Come on now. I know you can do more than that. Fluttershy thought. She got the impression that the Everfree Spirit might be trying to take a little more control, but Zecora was persistant. The tree began to pulse with the energy of the forest, sending waves of light through the town. With every pulse, the malevolent haze that gripped the ruined city began to lift. One by one, they phantoms disappeared and when the sun finally rose, it shone down on a purified Ponyville. Scootaloo took a deep breath. "That's a lot better," she commented, "What now?" "I guess we just go home. When the war is over, all of the ponies who lived here will have a home again." "Fluttershy!" The yellow mare jumped at the shout, whirling around to see who was there. She was met by a streak of lavender that nearly bowled her over. "I can't believe I found you! And Scootaloo too! We've all been so worried!" "T-Twilight?" What are you doing here?" "I came to find you. We need your help." "My help? With what?" "Princess Luna wants to attack the Changeling home base, but she needs the Elements of Harmony." "But, I can't leave." "What do you mean?" "It's a long story, Twilight," Scootaloo chimed in, "But she will be able to go." Both of the older ponies threw questioning looks at the filly. "If you can help end the war, you have to go, Fluttershy. You can stay connected with your staff and I'll look after the cottage while you're gone." Fluttershy glanced down at the carved walking stick. It pulsed lightly, wordlessly conveying Zecora's encouragement. "Alright," she said, "I'll come with you." Twilight and Fluttershy both hugged Scootaloo before departing for the chariot on which the unicorn had arrived. "So, what were you doing there?" Twilight asked. "Helping Ponyville heal. Getting it ready for our friends and family to return," she replied, "And I guess I was just in time."