Flutterbye

by Venom0861

Chapter 1

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The Everfree Forest was, for once, peaceful. Birds chirped cheerfully. The wind blew through the leaves, causing a rustling sound to reverberate in Fluttershy’s ear as she walked along the edge of a bubbling spring. Fluttershy breathed in, smelling the scents of the forest. She smiled and turned her head to see animals playing in the river that she walked by. She was distracted momentarily, but continued to follow the stream that led her deeper, and deeper into the dark, looming forest.

An out of place squeak shocked her out of her thoughts. Looking down, she noticed a little bunny hiding in a bush . Of course Fluttershy couldn’t just let the bunny sit there scared. As Fluttershy approached the bunny, it darted into the forest.

“Oh, please don’t run little bunny, I just want to be your friend” Fluttershy cried out as she took running off after it.

She darted through the forest in hot pursuit of the furry friend, pushing aside branches, darting through the thick foliage that covered the entirety of the Everfree Forest.

Where could that bunny have gone, she thought while running towards the sound of moving leaves. She sighed, desperately searching for her lost friend.

As she approached a clearing, she stopped, catching her breath, and thinking of the million of ways the bunny could have gone. She pawed at the ground in frustration, taking her anger out on the ground. She was beyond scared for the furry creature.

Her breathing ragged, her mane disheveled as her eyes darted in search for the bunny. She called out, “YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE ME!”

She cried out in disappointment, but her voice was muted by a sudden thump. She turned and saw the bunny take off.

“Please! Stop!” she pleaded,, her voice quivering as the bunny ignored her plea. She sighed once more and set off after the bunny.

She galloped hard and fast, looking for any sign that the bunny was anywhere near her, but she had gotten distracted in her search and didn’t notice how dense the trees were getting, how the light seemed to get weaker and weaker. After a time, she had completely lost track of the bunny and the river. She was… Lost.

“Oh, no” Fluttershy stammered. She curled up into a ball and hid under a tree.
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Flying overhead was a dark pegasus that knew the Everfree Forest better than any other. He had flown this route many times. He found flying along the river to calm his thoughts after a long day of work. This time he noticed something different… there was a pony in the forest.

“I wonder what happened. There are never ponies this deep in the forest…”

He slowly descended to greet the new pony, but the yellow pony took off into the forest, leaving him intrigued.

Now what is going on? It’s rare to see a pony on the edge of the forest, but even more strange that this pony took off into the deepest, darkest section of the forest, he thought as he descended and followed and followed weaving through the trees.
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Finally reaching the forest floor he galloped after the new pony. His hoof pound was silenced by the thick covering on the forest. He slowed, as he reached a small clearing he looked around for any tell-tale signs of the yellow pony. There were hoof prints in the ground, and as he followed them, he looked around, noticing that the tracks lead to the base of a tree. He walked over and saw a shivering yellow ball.

He softly whispered, “Ummm… Hello?”

A sharp squeak and a shiver was his only response.

“Are you alright miss?...” doubt filling his voice.

“I-I’m f-fine,” came the soft response. Slowly Fluttershy lifted her head turning to look at the pony that was addressing her. She saw a pegasus with a dark coat and mane.

“Well I’m glad you’re alright. So umm what brings you to this part of the forest?” he asked sitting down next to her, trying to comfort the mare by striking up conversation.

Fluttershy looked through her flowing mane and quickly muttered,”ImlostandIdon’tknowhowtogetbacktotown.” With that, her head drooped to the ground, tears flowing down her cheeks. The usual quiet of the woods interrupted by the sound of tears falling onto the leaves.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t quite catch that.” He leaned in closer, trying to be as nice as possible.

“I’m lost and I don’t know how to get back to town.” She further buried her face between her hooves.

“How did you get lost? Most ponies avoid the forest and you’re the first one I’ve ever seen this far into the woods.”

Fluttershy muttered incoherently, still talking into her hooves.

“Run that by me again?”

“I was walking along the river watching the animals play and I saw a bunny hiding in a bush. I wanted to cheer it up so I started walking over to it but it ran away from me so I chased after it but I lost it here and now I don’t know where to go.” She started crying again.

“Well if you wanted I could show you the way back to Ponyville I’ve been there a few times…”

She perked up. “Oh, Really? That would be ever so wonderful if I don’t get back my friends would be so worried about me, if that’s umm ok with you.”

“Yeah it won’t be a problem but it is quite a walk from here. Almost a full day’s journey from here and its almost night fall.”

“Oh dear, I hadn’t noticed how late it was getting. I’m so sorry I hope I’m not being a bother for you.” Her voice wavered between happy and apologetic.

“No, it’s no problem. I haven’t had anypony to talk to for a while. It gets kinda lonely living in the forest.”

“You live in the forest?!? I didn’t know anypony lived in the forest. It’s so scary out here.”

“Well it’s not that scary if you’ve lived here almost your entire life, besides someone has to take care of the animals out here.”

“You take care of animals too? I take care of the animals in Ponyville! That’s why I was chasing the bunny, I thought it was hurt, I wanted to help it.”

“Is that so?” he smiled softly, “I’m glad that I’m not the only one who cares about the animals.”

“Yes, animals are my favorite. Oh, Um it’s getting darker.” She hide her face again.

“Oh, yeah um my house isn’t far from here you could stay there for the night and we could head out in the morning.”

“You wouldn’t mind if I stayed in your house?”

“It’ll be fine I don’t have guests very often so it will be fun.” He slowly starts walking through the clearing towards his house he pauses and looks back “Are you coming miss?”

“Um yes, my name’s Fluttershy, by the way what’s yours?”

“Oh, I’m Shadow Chaser, but most ponies call me Chaser.”

“Well, Mr. Chaser it is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Please just call me Chaser. Mister is to formal”

“Oh, I’m so sorry” She blushed and turned away from this mysterious, but similar pony.

“It’s fine, we’re just friends out for a walk” He sat up and pointed towards the deeper part of the Everfree Forest. “My house is in that direction, it will take us some time, but at least you’ll be safe.” He reassured her, trying to make a good impression on the shy pony.

She blushed again. “Umm thanks.” She managed to mutter, before following after Chaser.

After a little while he looked back at Fluttershy, “So what do you do in Ponyville? I mean I know you take care of animals but what else?”

“Well, I kind of have a little pet shop. Whenever somepony want a new pet I help them find the perfect one.”

“Really that sounds like a lot of fun. What kind of pets do you keep?”

She perked up as she looked at Chaser, her eyes sparkling and a smile on her face. “All kinds! I have bunnies, birds, cats, dogs, bats, and even a tortoise.”

“That’s quite a collection. You must have a pet for everypony.”

“I want everypony to have the perfect match and everypony wants something different in a pet.”

“That sounds like quite the challenge.”

Blushing she replied, “Oh, its not has hard as you think. Directing my Birdsong Choir is harder than finding pets.”

The conversations grew more and more interesting for Chaser as he slowly got to know this shy mare. There was something about her that was just so likable. He was going to say something to her, but realized where he was. He was home.

They had come to a large clearing. A two story house the same color as the trees stood in the middle of the clearing. It was a nice house, more like a cottage. Oddly enough, it resembled her own. There was a light green door, and windows placed at specific locations to get a better view of the sun and the surrounding forest. Fluttershy looked around and noticed the tracks of many different animals. Some she recognized as animals she took care of and others belonging to much bigger animals.

I wonder what kind of animals he takes care of out here, she thought to herself.

“Your house is so nice I never would have thought that there would be a house this far into the forest. It’s even farther than Zecora’s house.”

“Oh you know Zecora? She’s been a friend of mine for many years now. I collect the herbs she needs from deep in the forest.”

“I’d never be able to go that far into the forest like that it’s way too scary.”

“It’s really not bad the animals are really nice once you get to know them even the Manticores and
Cockatrice are friendly if you spend enough time with them.”

“Oh, I’d like to meet them some time, if their friendly.”

“Maybe we’ll run into one tomorrow when we’re walking to Ponyville.”

“That’d be nice,” Fluttershy yawned.

Chaser chuckled, “Seems like you’re tired. You can have my bed, I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“Oh, I could never.”

“I insist. I’d rather make sure you’re comfortable, you are my guest after all.”

“Well, thank you very much,” she smiled, but then blushed.

“It’s this way.” he motioned for her to follow him.

Following Chaser up the stairs, Fluttershy thought to herself, He’s so nice, and living in these scary woods all his life... he must be so lonely. I have to be the luckiest pony in Equestria to have been saved by such an amazing pony.

He turned left and on the right was a spacious room with a bed, lamp, desk, small wardrobe, and a door leading off to a bathroom. A window next to the bed was letting the moonlight shine into the room reflecting off the face of a large grandfather clock standing in the corner.

“Well this is it.” he motioned to the room

“It’s, um, nice.” Fluttershy walked around the room, the whole time Chaser was watching her.

“Well, I’m going to leave you here. Will you be alright?”

“I’ll be fine, thanks.”

“Alright see you in the morning,” he trotted out of the room, and gently shut the door behind him.

He slowly walked down the stairs and, smiling, Chaser laid down on his couch trying to find the most comfortable spot. Of all the ponies that have ever wandered into the forest she seems like the least likely. She’s timid, kind, loves animals, and beautiful... I never would have thought that somepony like that would wander this deeply into the forest. I have to be the luckiest pony in Equestria.

His smile slowly faded as sleep took over him, and he soon collapsed from the fatigue of the day.
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Around 7, Chaser woke up and started his usual chores around the house, setting out food for his animal friends and gathering herbs and berries for breakfast. Walking around the corner of the house, he was surprised to see Fluttershy surrounded by the smaller animals of the forest. She was feeding and talking with them. He stood there, took a step back as to not alert her to his presence, and watched, intrigued at how quickly she had made friends with the normally skittish animals. After a few minutes he walked out of the shadows, “Well, this is the first time I’ve ever seen them this close to my house.”

She started, “Oh! Good morning Chaser. I woke up and decided to try to meet some of the animals. I was going to make breakfast but I didn’t know where you kept anything.”

“That’s fine, I usually gather breakfast while I go around checking on all of the animals, but they seem to be here and fed already. So, if you’d like, I could go gather some breakfast and we can set off after breakfast.”

She nodded. “If it’s alright with you, I’d like go with you. I’d like to see more of the forest.”

“That sounds wonderful, we can gather as we walk and have a picnic breakfast.”

Fluttershy let out a soft ‘Squee’ “I love picnics!”

So the pair set off towards Ponyville. After a short distance, Chaser pointed out a bush of berries.

“These are some of my favorite berries, they only grow deep in the forest so most ponies have never had them.” He picked a few and held them out to Fluttershy.

Hesitantly she took them, and after looking at them for a while, she ate one of them.

“Ohmygosh! These are so good! They have to be the best berries I’ve ever had.”

“I’m glad you like them. I’ve thought of bringing some into town to sell, but I’ve never had enough time.” He looked down, sadness filling his voice, “Plus most ponies avoid me when I go into town.”

“I’m so sorry. The same thing happened to Zecora. I guess everypony is superstitious about the Everfree Forest and anypony that lives there…”

“It’s alright I’m used to it by now… but we should get going it’s still a long walk to Ponyville.”

“Oh.. Okay.” They start walking again. “Umm Chaser?”

“Yes?”

“If you don’t mind my asking… and if you don’t want to answer that’s fine… but why did you choose to live in the forest?”

“When I lived in Cloudsdale I didn’t have many friends. I was always a little different. I didn’t fly well and I had different interests. While most pegasi dream to be on weather patrol or working in the weather factory I was always fascinated with trees and animals. I didn’t want to live in the clouds I wanted to be on the ground exploring the woods and meeting animals. Of course most pegasi thought that my ideas sounded foolish and laughed at me. So, one day I just left I glided down to the entrance of the forest and after looking into it, I decided that I would live there. I didn’t care what it took I was going to live my dream.”

“But weren’t you scared a colt alone in this big dark forest. I could never have done it.”

“It was a little scary at first but I met Zecora. She taught me about the forest what was safe and what wasn’t. She never once laughed at me or looked down on me she always told me to do my best. She even celebrated with me when I got my cutie mark. Once I had learned everything she would teach me I left to explore the deeper parts of the forest. I found a clearing and built my house and I’ve lived there ever since, taking care of the animals that live near it and exploring the woods.”

“Oh, you’re so brave that’s such an amazing story”

“Thank you… you’re the first pony I’ve ever told that story to.”

“It’s such an amazing story I bet my friends would love to hear it.”

“Maybe sometime when I visit town I’ll have time to meet them.”

“You could meet them once we get there I’m sure they’d be glad to meet you.”

“It’d be nice I don’t know many ponies you’re the first one I’ve talked to in a long time…” After walking well into the afternoon early evening, they came to the edge of a small clearing(description). “This is my favorite spot in the entire forest. As far as I know I’m the only one who’s ever been here.”

“Really? Why is this your favorite spot?”

“This is the only spot I’ve found in the forest that has complete silence there’s no noise at all. Just sit and listen for a while.”

She closes her eyes and listens intently to the stillness. “It’s so peaceful.”

“I know and plus the pond in the middle is completely clear and at night it makes the most beautiful reflection of the moon.”

“Oh I’d love to see that!”

“Well if you want to see you we’d have to stay here overnight… Ponyville is only a little farther that way. We could make it there in an hour if we flew.”

Fluttershy gladly accepted the invitation.

“I could stay. But I have to get back tomorrow or my friends will be really worried about me.”

“That’s fine we’ll leave in the morning.”

“But what are we going to sleep on?” She added hesitantly, looking around the forest.

Walking over to a tree, Chaser reached between two of the roots and pulled out a roll of blankets. “I keep these here. I come here a lot so it’s just easier to keep them here.” He laid out the blankets near the edge of the pond and lays on one. Noticing that Fluttershy was staring off into space still standing next to the edge of the clearing he said,

“You know you can sit down Fluttershy you’ve been walking all day.”

Fluttershy had been caught up in the beauty of the surrounding area, taking it all in was overwhelming every single one of her senses. She had found peace in the tiny clearing.

“Oh! I’m sorry, I was looking around the forest, it’s really pretty this time of day.” She sat next to him, smoothing out the blanket with her hoof.

“Yes, it is. I’m glad I finally have someone to share it with.” He added, with a hint of a blush on his face.

“I’m glad that I’m here to share it with you.” Fluttershy said as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Chaser looked down at the yellow pony that slept, tears filling his eyes. The memories of being laughed at, ridiculed, and mocked flooded his mind. This pony was just like him. She was gentle, loving, and caring. This is all he wanted, somepony like him.

Feelings that he had only felt when helping his animal friends burned within him.

This is love, isn’t it? He thought to himself.

The thought shook him to his core. He had just met this Pegasus a day ago, while did he feel this way about her.

He shook his mane, stared up at the night sky that was barely visible, and took off. He needed to think by himself.
While Chaser’s thoughts had been bombard with the new feelings of love, Fluttershy’s dream reflected similar feelings.

In her dream, she was at her cottage, playing with her animal friends, and out her the corner of her eye she saw Chaser walking up to the door. She quickly ran to the door, opened it, and gave him a long, passionate kiss. The rest of the dream devolved, but Fluttershy’s internal conscious was slowly finding a place in her heart for the mysterious pony that was so much like her. Love.

She woke slowly, the dream coming to a conclusion. She looked around, rubbing her head with her hoof, and straightening her mane.

What kind of dream was that, she thought, confused at the underlying reason for the feelings she had felt for him. He was gentle, kind, caring, pleasant, and was like her. It’s like they were meant for each other. A stallion who was almost exactly like her. It didn’t seem like a coincidence that they had met each other. He made her feel complete.
She turned her head, looking for the stallion that had sparked these feelings in her. She didn’t see him anywhere and panicked. She cried out in fear.

Chaser had been reflecting not far from Fluttershy, but upon hearing the yell, Chaser came running back into the clearing, emotion’s flooding every word he said, “What! What’s wrong are you alright?!?”

“I-I’m fine I just woke up and you weren’t here and I panicked. I’m sorry if I scared you…” She hid behind her mane, as the stallion that she loved, moved towards her, relief in his eyes.

“It’s fine I thought you were in danger. You fell asleep so I figured I’d go gather some dinner while you slept. I planned on being back before you woke up… and you looked so cute sleeping I didn’t want to bother you.” He blushed slightly, feeling his heart rate increase as the yellow pony stared at him in surprise.

With barely more than a whisper and blushing brightly, she murmured quietly, “You think I’m cute?”

“Yes I do. Plus your one of the nicest ponies I’ve ever met.” His approach was to be as upfront as possible.

“R-really? Nopony has ever said that to me before.”

“Well, they should because it’s true.” Looking at each other blushing, Chaser moved to set out the foods he had gathered. As he sat down next to her, the moon’s soft light filling the clearing with a calm, beautiful light.

“Fluttershy look, the moon is almost up.”

She looked up and her eyes got wide. “Oh my gosh the moon looks so big! Is that what you wanted me to see?”

Smiling Chaser replied, “No, it’s part of it but what I wanted you to see won’t happen for a few more minutes. The moon needs to get a little higher in the sky.”

“Oh I can’t wait!” Chaser moved a little closer to Fluttershy, his heart racing in his chest as a mental battle was waged in his head.

If I make a move, she might reject me! But if I miss this opportunity, I will lose her forever. He was frustrated, but one look at the yellow Pegasus beside him washed his worries away. I’m committed.

Soon the reflection of the moon was in the middle of the pond, perfectly reflected, filling the pond a glorious image of the moon and the light in provided.

“Fluttershy look at the pond.”

She looked towards the pond her eyes getting wide. She saw the reflection of the moon in the center of the pond and right below the edge of the moon she saw the reflection of Chaser and herself. Emotions overcame her as she scooted closer to Chaser. “It’s so beautiful. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“I’m glad you like it.” He looked into her eyes. “I’m really glad you stayed to see it.”

She looked back into his. “M-me too.”

This is it, this is where I sink or swim. He thought, heart rate quickening.

Please, I love you, Fluttershy’s thoughts pleaded.

He closed the distance, and kissed Fluttershy softly.

She shivered, but returned the kiss, moving closer to the stallion that had captivated her. After a moment of pure joy, they broke.

Chaser blushed a deep magenta, as did Fluttershy, but they looked again into each other’s eye’s, their minds being
consumed with the realization of how they felt about each other.

They scooted closer together and sat there watching their reflection in the pond.

A perfect pair.

Chaser looked back at her, the feelings of love came flooding out in one, simple sentence, “Fluttershy… I think I love you…”

“R-really? I-I think I love you too.” They closed together for another kiss. After another brief moment of intimacy, they broke apart again.

He looked down, placing his hoof around her and expressed his deepest desire, “Fluttershy would you stay with me?”

Fluttershy was dumbfounded. The love of the moment was swept away.

“I-I’m sorry I can’t.”

“But why not?”

She stood up, tears filling her eyes and clouding her vision. “I-I just can’t. I’m sorry.” She started to cry. “I-I have to leave.”

“Why? Why do you have to go?”

“I-I just have to. I’m sorry I promise. I’ll come back just wait for me.” She started, flapping her wings.

“I still don’t understand.”

She pulled above the trees. “I’m sorry.” Crying, she broke through the tree tops, looked around, saw the light, and flew away towards Ponyville. Chaser just sat there numb. He couldn’t move.
As she flew away, the light of the moon beamed on her, and for a moment, she looked like an angel. His savior. His light.

“She said she’ll come back. She promised. I just have to wait and she'll come back.”

Every day he came back to the clearing. Sitting, looking into the sky for his angel to come back and save him from himself. He needed someone to love. He sat for hours every day, the light of the moon reflected off the pool, while drops began to gather in the corners of his eyes. One escaped, and the tear slowly slipped down his face, outlining the tracks that had been traced some many nights before. The tear clung to his chin, but finally fell into the darkness.