Chapter 2: Adventure in Pink
Sunlight streamed into the house, bathing the room in its warm glow. As Fluttershy tended to the animals in her care, she delicately hummed a tune, which was repeated by the animals. As she filled each bowl, the animals stopped singing and turned to eat.
Fluttershy had just started distributing feed to a family of squirrels when she heard a light tap at the door. “Oh, just a minute. Just let me finish feeding this family of squirrels and I’ll be right with you.” She poured the last of the food into the squirrel's food bowl before setting the feedbag down and making her way through the crowded living room to the door. However, when she opened it, she found herself staring at her front yard.
“Hello? Anypony there?” Except for the clucking of the chickens, the yard remained silent. Thinking it may have been a creature, she changed her approach and called out, “I’m sorry if I frightened you.” She looked around again, but no pony nor creature revealed itself. Shrugging, she turned to go back in. Out of the corner of her eye she saw, on the welcome mat, a sheet of paper, still emitting a faint, dark blue glow.
Picking up the paper, Fluttershy read it out loud. “A new friend awaits you in the forest. Follow your instincts and the adventure of a lifetime awaits you.” Before she could contemplate the words, the cry of hungry animals waiting to be fed stole her away her concentration. Setting down the paper, she went back to feeding the last of the animals, all the while thinking about what the mysterious message could possibly mean.
Does it mean a forest animal? Fluttershy gasped. Does it mean that there’s an animal that needs my help? But this note could be from anypony. it could mean anything, and this mystery pony could be dangerous.
Fluttershy decided it would be best if she got opinions from her friends on the note. Rarity, being the closest seemed like the best choice. However, she would have to finish feeding the animals before going anywhere. Picking up the feed bag, she went back to work.
Finally, she finished distributing the food to the last of the animals. She set the feed bag down and picked up the piece of paper again. Carefully, she made her way across the living room. Sidestepping animals, daintily stepping over some, she finally made it to the front door. The animals gave her annoyed looks and some growled as she passed, but went back to eating almost instantly. Apologizing profusely, Fluttershy opened the door and made to take off, but a soft tug on her tail stopped her. Turning around, she found Angel, a look of curiosity in his eyes.
“Don’t worry.” Fluttershy held up the note. “I’m just going to get this note checked out. If Rarity doesn’t think whoever wrote this means any harm, I’m going to investigate it. I’ll tell you before I leave.”
Angel glared at her, pointing in the gesture of Ponyville. He imitated eating, reading, and other various actions.
Fluttershy scratched her head in confusion. “What? I’m sorr... oh! I get it. Don’t worry, I know about the festival; I’ll be back in time.”
Gently closing the door, she looked back through its window one last time. The creatures were already finishing up their food, and some looked anxious to get out of the house. She didn’t worry though. There were various ways in and out of the house for the animals; they would find them eventually. She turned to the skies and took off towards Ponyville.
---
“I’m sorry, dear, what was that?” Rarity stood at her sewing machine, trying to sew, pin fabric to a mannequin, and measure another bolt of fabric all at once. “Again, I’m really sorry, but I have an order that I promised to finish for a client. I’ll do what I can, but I can only do so much.”
“I said, the way this note sounds is just... odd. It could be a friendly pony who really does want to help me make friends, or it could be a prankster.”
“Mhmm,” Rarity mumbled as she examined the piece of fabric she was measuring. Finishing the measurement, she turned, and, for once, gave all her attention to Fluttershy. “There are spells that can tell you who wrote the note. Unfortunately, I have neither the time nor the skill to perform such a spell.” She began to turn back to her work before hesitating a moment. “Though, I’m sure if you were to take it to Twilight, she would be more than happy to help.”
“Okay, thank you. I’ll—” Fluttershy started, but a customer walked in and cut her off. He began talking to Rarity about the aforementioned order. Examining the various fabrics on the shelves, Fluttershy waited for the client to leave. However, the client seemed to have a lot to say and wasn’t going to be leaving anytime soon.
Rarity shot Fluttershy an apologetic look. Fluttershy nodded and, carefully stepping around the client, left the boutique. As she stepped off the porch, Pinkie Pie bounced up, a wide grin on her face.
“Hi, Fluttershy! Where are you going? Are you going to a party? I almost never see you unless you’re going to a party!” Pinkie Pie bounced up and down as she circled around Fluttershy. “Oh, can I guess?” She plopped down on her haunches as if she were in deep thought. Just as quickly, she popped back up. “You’re going to see Twilight. Just like I am!”
Fluttershy grinned shyly. She really liked Pinkie Pie, but Pinkie Pie’s ecstatic nature could be overwhelming sometimes. “Yes, Pinkie, I’m going to see Twilight. Sompony left me a note, and Rarity suggested I go and get it checked out.” She showed the note to her bouncing companion.
“Oh... mystery games! I love them!” Pinkie Pie pulled out a bowler hat and a bubble pipe, immediately putting on a serious expression. She took the note and examined it closely as they began walking. Bubbles floated from her pipe as she puffed. Finally, after a full ten seconds of consideration, she handed the note back to Fluttershy. “The author’s good, too good. I got nothing. I’ll bet Twilight could help us though. Speaking of which...” Pinkie pointed towards the library as it came into sight. She galloped the rest of the way, with Fluttershy following closely.
Fluttershy followed Pinkie into the library, walking in just in time to see Pinkie Pie bouncing between bookshelves, seemingly pulling books off at random. Pinkie would skim the pages of the book, frown, and then toss it over her shoulder. Twilight was behind her desk, shaking her head. “It’s nice to you Pinkie Pie. You seem in a good mood today. However, this is a library. Would you please just pick a book and sit down? And why are you wearing a detectives outfit?”
Pinkie waved at Twilight, preoccupied with her searching. She finally picked a book that apparently looked interesting. She bounced over to a spot under a window and plopped down. She began flipping through the pages, spending only a second or two on each one.
Twilight turned to Fluttershy. “What brings you to the library today; do you need another one of those animal care books?
“Oh no, it’s not that, but thank you, those books were so helpful.” Fluttershy took out the note and passed it over to Twilight. “Rarity suggested I bring this to you. I found it outside my door earlier this morning while feeding the animals.”
Twilight took the note and quickly read it. “Hm... this does sound like it could be a friendly pony, but why would he or she want to remain anonymous? I can run a quick spell through the paper and see if the writing is from anyone we recognize. Do you mind?” Fluttershy nodded and Twilight concentrated as she prepared the spell, finally casting it after a few seconds. Twilight strained against the magic, but finally, the spell ran its course.
“Sorry Fluttershy, but I can’t trace the writing style.” Twilight stopped to think for a second. “But I could feel a powerful sense of magic. Do you mind if I run another check to see if the magic on it is recognizable?”
“Go ahead, you don’t need to ask.”
Twilight’s horn lit up, but the second the spell touched the paper, she gasped. Quickly, she levitated the paper out of reach of Fluttershy. Her eyes narrowed as they swept back and forth, reading and rereading the note. Pinkie Pie, who had grown interested in the proceedings at the front desk, bounced up and read over Twilight’s shoulder.
“Fluttershy... I suggest you do what the note says. I know the forest can be dangerous, but I assure you, you’ll be quite safe on this little adventure.” Twilight went to give the note back to Fluttershy, but Pinkie Pie grabbed the note from the air and held it just out of reach.
“You can’t do that silly! Didn’t you read it? It said not to tell! It’s supposed to be a surprise.” Pinkie Pie stuffed the note into her mouth and swallowed, much to the horror of the other two ponies. Immediately, Twilight was on top of her, peering down her throat in a futile attempt to discern the paper.
“Pinkie! You don’t know what effects the magic within the paper could have! It’s the—” Twilight was cut off as Pinkie jammed her hoof into Twilight’s mouth. Pinkie made a shushing gesture, and slowly retracted her hoof. Dumping Twilight of herself, Pinkie hopped back to her feet.
“Okay you two, I’d best get back to SugarCube Corner. The Cakes don’t pay me to sit and read all day, after all!” Pinkie Pie bounced out of the library, humming a random tune.
Twilight shook her head. “Anyways, back to your problem Fluttershy. Pinkie’s right, I’d best not ruin the surprise. Though, I assure you, it’s quite safe.”
“All right, if you say so.” The silence that followed stretched on for seconds before Fluttershy spoke again. “Well, thank you, but I should go now.” Fluttershy backed out the door. “I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
As Fluttershy backed out of the library, she could hear Twilight calling after her, “Good luck! I hope you find this new friend.”
Smiling, Fluttershy took off flying in the direction of her house. For once, she flew unusually fast. They mystery pony was slowly beginning to bug her. Twilight and Pinkie’s reactions to the note bugged her even more. As she flew, her mind drifted to the adventure the note had promised.
I trust Twilight, but I’d better go prepared. As she flew, Fluttershy began making a mental list of things she would need for an adventure in the forest. A pack, some bandages, water, food. Is that all? Oh! And that one potion that Zecora gave to me as a gift.
Fluttershy was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she overflew her house. She almost reached the forest before realizing she was now off course. Despite there being nopony around, her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. Turning around, she flew back to her home, coming to rest in front of her door.
Inside, she found her old saddlebags and placed into it the items she had thought about while flying. In addition, she grabbed a book on the Everfree Forest and shoved it into the packs. Looking around once more, she realized she had forgotten the potion. She went over to shelf she stored it on and picked it up. However, before carefully putting the potion into the packs, she paused to examine it.
The potion, Zecora had told her, was a major pain killer meant only to be used when first aid wouldn’t be enough and serious help was needed immediately. It could make a pony with a broken leg walk on it, or a pegasus fly with broken wings. Since receiving the potion, Fluttershy had always brought it with her on trips to the forest, just in case she ran into an injured creature too big for her to carry but needed serious help.
The note promised the adventure of a lifetime. It will probably take all day. I’d best fill up the feed bowls for the animals, early. Humming quietly to herself, Fluttershy trotted from bowl to bowl, filling them with food. She knew that, despite the fact that the room was empty now, animals would come in as soon as they smelled the food. Not wanting to keep the other pony or animal waiting, she finished the task as fast as possible before rushing out the door and towards the forest.
As soon as she passed the front gate, Fluttershy took off flying. While she flew, she attempted to guess who would write to her in such an odd manner. Her mind skimmed over all the ponies she knew, but she couldn’t recall anypony that would be this mysterious. Except for, possibly, Rainbow Dash, but she didn’t feel like this was the type of prank Dash would play. Even Dash knew the limits when it came to pranking nor was she this subtle.
Before she knew it, Fluttershy was at the edge of the forest. Pausing, she took time to consider what she was doing. Well, Twilight did say it was safe and I trust her. She took one step in, and paused again. The second step is easier, as will be the third. You can do it Fluttershy. She swallowed her fear and took the second step.
Halfway through the third step, a clucking noise reached her ears from off the path. Looking up quickly, Fluttershy was just in time to see a chicken disappear into the forest. It only took her a second to realize it was her chicken and it had probably escaped through a hole in the fence that she didn’t know about. She took off into the forest at a gallop.
“Wait, it’s too dangerous for you to go off the path!”
---
A dark blue alicorn quietly followed Fluttershy, staying just far back enough to keep her in sight, but close enough to keep an eye on her. Luna didn’t worry about being seen; a simple illusion spell caused the ponies around the area to ignore her. She was frustrated at the slow progress of her plan. Trixie had easily succumbed to the compulsion spell. It had even been strong enough to keep her from trying to break the rules. However, the spell seemed to not be working as well on Fluttershy.
Perhaps it’s because how timid she is? Luna began to doubt the wisdom in her choice of companions for Trixie. Will Fluttershy even be able to handle the challenges I have in store for her? Then she remembered: She was the only one to not witness the whole Trixie affair. She would be the easiest to make friends with at this point. Luna reflected back on her own redemption process. She became so lost in her thoughts that she almost missed Fluttershy going into the boutique.
Positioning herself just to the side of the boutique door, Luna listened as Fluttershy tried to get advice from Rarity. Luna watched as another pony walk into the boutique. Delays! I should be helping Trixie and Fluttershy become friends! Fluttershy should already be in the forest!
Luckily the other pony seemed to have caused Fluttershy to leave earlier rather than stay, and she flew out soon after, headed for the library. However, the relief was short lived as Luna felt fate conspire against her as Pinkie Pie joined Fluttershy. They stopped and Pinkie Pie put on a detective’s outfit. To Luna, the twelve seconds Pinkie Pie spent examining the note felt like forever.
Luna perked up as Pinkie Pie suddenly bounced up and galloped towards the library, Fluttershy in close pursuit. Luna followed and alighted on the branches above the door after Fluttershy followed Pinkie Pie in.
Straining to hear what was being said, Luna could barely make out the conversation. Snorting, she lowered her head to rest on her forehooves. If only I weren’t trying to do this so anonymously, I would just go talk to Fluttershy myself. However, if I did, I would be forcing a friendship on both Trixie and Fluttershy. That isn’t the point of this... project.
Luna could all of a sudden feel as the familiar magic of Twilight touched the magically imbued paper she had been using to communicate to Fluttershy. Concerned, she fed a bit of magic into the paper to get a feel for the other mare’s magic, and found the makings of a discerning spell in progress.
Twilight’s magic disappeared, then reappeared a few seconds later. This time, Luna was prepared. She sent a small change to the note through magic: Twilight, this is Princess Luna. Please don’t tell Fluttershy though. I require her help with another pony in the forest, and this is something she needs without the help of the other Elements of Harmony. Though, I will be watching her, just in case.
Inside, Luna could hear Twilight begin to discuss it. Then she heard Pinkie Pie stop Twilight. Suddenly, the door opened, startling Luna. She quickly threw up her hood and faded back into the shadows. Out from the library bounced Pinkie Pie. She disappeared around the tree and Luna breathed a sigh of relief, only to fall back in surprise as a pink snout appeared right in her face.
“Hello Princess!” Pinkie Pie bowed.
“Pinkie Pie, how did you manage that? I thought I was well hidden!” Princess Luna gasped, trying to slow her speeding heart. As she regained her composure, she examined Pinkie Pie, wondering how such a poufey pony could get the surprise on any pony.
Pinkie Pie beamed at the Princess. “I just wanted to make sure you were making good on your promise to keep a close watch on Fluttershy.” Before Luna could respond, Pinkie jumped out of the tree, landing on the path in a heap. Without missing a beat, she was back on her hooves and bouncing off towards SugarCube Corner.
The silence that followed was deafening. Luna was almost afraid that her little conversation with Pinkie Pie had caused her to miss Fluttershy leaving. However, she heard Twilight calling out, wishing Fluttershy good luck.
Fluttershy appeared in the doorway and Luna sunk deeper into the shadows. She watched as Fluttershy took off flying in the direction of the forest. As soon as she felt Fluttershy had flown far enough, Luna took off and followed after, just out of sight. She arrived at Fluttershy’s house just in time to see her disappear inside, only to reappear minutes later with full saddlebags.
From her point on the roof, Luna could still see Fluttershy, even thought she was at the edge of the forest. As Fluttershy hesitated, Luna felt as if her heart had stopped, afraid that the hesitation meant she wouldn’t go continue onwards. Come on, come on. Go, you know you’re safe. Luna stomped her hoof in impatience. A dull thunk sounded loudly around the yard, causing the chicken coop below with erupt with frantic clucking. A chicken ran out, heading through a hole in the fence and straight for the forest.
Luna snorted silently in frustration as the chicken distracted Fluttershy from the path, and into the brush, running after the chicken. This isn’t what I planned! If things don’t take a turn for the better soon, Trixie and Fluttershy may completely miss each other. Luna quickly organized her thoughts, and tried to come up with a way to keep either one of them at the rock as the other made their way there.
This happened with Trixie too. Luna had been keeping a watch on Trixie via a scrying spell in the corner of her eye. She remembered her impatience as she had watched her plan go wrong and had to wait for Trixie to calm down enough to be receptive to a guiding spell. Last she had checked, Trixie had been in the process of making her way to the rock; already she had been nearly there.
Luna sighed. I guess we’ll have to wait just a bit longer for the two to get together. Luna cast an invisibility spell and settled down on the roof. As she got comfortable, she cast the spell to scry on both Fluttershy and Trixie as they made their way to the meeting point she had set up.
---
Fluttershy darted off the path and through the scraggly brush, into the gloom, after the chicken. She could hear it ahead of her, but couldn’t see it. When she heard it give a frantic series of clucks, she rushed on as carefully as possible, determined to get the chicken to safety. Suddenly, the clucking ceased and Fluttershy’s imagination took over. She imagined the chicken all of the sudden trapped, or a fearsome beast about to eat it. From her right, she heard the chicken start clucking again, more frantic then ever. She swung towards the noise and galloped towards it. Ahead, she could see a clearing.
Entering the clearing, Fluttershy was just in time to see a manticore slam its barbed tail into the chicken. She heard the bones break in the chicken’s body as the barbed tail pierced all the way through. She watched in horror as the maticore casually brought its tail to its mouth and swallowed the chicken whole.
Furiously, Fluttershy flew at the manticore. “How dare you kill something so needlessly! You should be ashamed of yourself.” It cowered back at the furious onburst of words. It whined at Fluttershy, and her gaze softened a bit, but she still held it captive with her stare. “It may be natural for you to hunt for food, but that chicken belonged to me. It wasn’t yours to take.” The manticore whined again, its stomach rumbling, indicating it was still hungry.
Fluttershy sighed. “All right, the damage is done now. Please, just don’t do it again.” The manticore gave Fluttershy an apologetic look before disappearing into the forest.
Looking around, Fluttershy realized that she no longer recognized where in the forest she was, except she knew that Zecora’s hut might be nearby. The chase after the chicken had led her in that general direction. Maybe Zecora can help me figure out where I should go next. She turned back towards the direction she had come from and started walking.
Fluttershy carefully stepped over the flora, hoping she wasn’t crushing anything that Zecora would consider precious. She followed the path her wild dash had taken through the forest, her mind wandering back to the encounter with the manticore. She wondered why a creature such as the manticore would resort to killing chickens when it’s usual prey was much bigger.
While deep in thought, she nearly walked right by Zecora’s hut. Had it blended in with the forest any more, she would have missed it. She found herself staring at the back of the hut. She couldn’t help but notice that there was no light coming from the window. Not even the glowing of potions that she normally associated with the alchemy performed by Zecora. Curious as to what the Zebra could be up to, as she rarely left her hut, Fluttershy walked to the front of the hut and knocked. When Zecora didn’t answer, Fluttershy slowly pushed open the door and looked in.
The shelves were almost completely empty of anything except a few empty bottles. Upon closer examination Fluttershy found that somepony had recently been there. Further searching revealed very few herbs. Brushing her way past some hanging herbs, Fluttershy found the big cauldron, normally filled with a brew, empty.
Huh, that’s strange, Zecora rarely leaves her hut. She must have left to go buy some more herbs. Disappointed, Fluttershy left the hut. Quickly, she made her way back to the main path, being careful to walk around the patch of poison joke. She felt slightly disturbed by Zecora’s absence, and despite Twilight’s assurances, the forest still felt eerie. Trotting even faster, she reached the path faster than what she would have expected.
The second she reached the main path, Fluttershy felt a faint feeling that she should walk in a certain direction. It was a pull that she felt compelled to follow, despite the possible dangers of the forest. Slowly, the pull led her away from the main path, and deeper into the forest. The pull seemed to be keeping to the path, so she didn’t try to resist.
Then, it pulled her sharply to the left, leading straight towards a patch of forest that Fluttershy knew to be dangerous. She tried to resist, but the pull was too strong. She no longer felt in control of her own legs, only compelled to follow the path she was now on. Then, she was in it; the most dangerous part of the forest.
Fluttershy knew for a fact that not too far away was the cave to the family of Ursas. This part was also known to be the home of a cockatrice. While she was afraid of the cockatrice, she knew that they were just as afraid of ponies, or at least, she was well enough known around the forest that she wouldn’t be bothered by it. The Ursas on the other hand recognized no power but their own. They could be a problem if they were incited to anger. If they became enraged, she would be able to do nothing but run away and pray they didn’t catch her.
While Fluttershy thought about the various dangers of the forest, she hardly noticed how quickly she was moving. She didn’t even notice the feeling of the magic leaving her, bringing her to a halt. She stood still a few moments before realizing she had stopped. When she did realize this, she looked around at the clearing she had stopped in. The clearing was completely enclosed, and there was no clear path leading out of the area. In front of her sat a rock. It seemed to be of no significance, but just in case it had a sign, or some directions, she went to take a look. Upon examining the rock, she found nothing special. From every angle she could reach, it looked just like what it was: a rock.
A rustling noise in the bushes, just beyond her sight pulled her attention from the rock. Nervously, Fluttershy backed up, ready to flee at a moment’s notice. The rustling continued, seemingly from all directions. Something touched her flank. Frightened, she yelped and dived into the bushes out of habit. As she regained her composure, she turned around to peer out, curious as to what had touched her. Looking back at her was a blue mare with a silvery mane.
The mare held out her hoof towards Fluttershy. “Wait!”