//------------------------------// // Knowledge // Story: The Beast Within // by Angel //------------------------------// Chapter 3: Knowledge "Angel, I'm home." Angel was pacing Fluttershy's house for the past hour, annoyed like hell because Fluttershy was only supposed to be getting food, which didn't normally take this long. When he saw her in the doorway, he shot a withering glance at her. Naturally, she had the patience of a saint, and she always cared for Angel, no matter what. She barely noticed. "I'm sorry Angel, but I ran into Rainbow Dash earlier..." He immediately fumed some more. He knew that Fluttershy couldn't resist catching up with friends whenever they met on the street. "And Twilight said she needs to see me in her library. It sounded important. I should go right now. I'm sorry I can't stay, Angel." She turned and was about to walk out the door, when Angel jumped onto her back. "Oh? If you're coming with me, I'd better check on everyone else first." He stomped his foot down on her back, indicating his impatience. Since he was a bunny, and he cared for Fluttershy, he didn't hurt, but Fluttershy felt it nonetheless. "I promise it will be quick. We just can't leave them." Angel just rolled his eyes as Fluttershy proceeded towards the chicken coop. A few minutes and a walk from Fluttershy's cabin later, they were both approaching the door to Twilight's library. She knocked quietly a waited for a response. "The door's open!" came a reply from Spike. Fluttershy opened the door to see Spike standing on a ladder placing books on the shelves and Twilight pouring over a strange book, the same book she had studied for the past two days. Twilight was groggy from a lack of sleep, and slowly craned her head to get a look at Fluttershy. She perked up immediately when she recognized her. "Fluttershy! Glad you could make it!" "You made it sound like it was important." "Yes. I want you to read these words for me." "Okay..." Fluttershy slowly trotted over to the book and examined it for a second. Her heart sank a little when she recognized the words. "Oh no, I can't! I don't want somepony else to get hurt..." "You mean you've read these words before?" "Well, I haven't read them, but I said them once, and I think I hurt Rainbow Dash because of them. I'm not sure if this is a good idea Twilight..." "Don't worry Fluttershy. Give me a minute and I'll have all the safety precautions prepared." "Are you sure?" "Of course. Do you know what could happen if we deciphered this book?!" Twilight couldn't hide her enthusiasm at Fluttershy reading the strange words from the equally strange book. "Well...Okay..." "Thank you Fluttershy! You won't regret it!" And with that, Twilight got to work, rearranging furniture and laying magic charms around the library. Fluttershy, Angel and Spike could only gawp in amazement at how fast Twilight worked. Within two minutes, everything was ready. There was a large space around the floor of the library, and Twilight and Spike were standing behind a makeshift barricade of chairs and a sofa. "Ready when you are, Fluttershy!" "Um...Okay, here goes." Fluttershy chanted the same shout as earlier today. Much like the name suggests Shouts are meant to be shouted. If they aren't loud enough, they don't work properly. Instead of a full-blown shout rushing out of Fluttershy's mouth, a little blue pulse of magic and a few sparks was what came out. Nevertheless, Twilight's mind was almost blown. She rushed out from behind the barricade to Fluttershy and started with the questions immediately. "How did you do that? I never knew that pegasi could use magic! I thought you needed a horn to use magic!" 'Well, um... I don't know... I never knew..." Twilight simply stared for a moment at Fluttershy, before an idea came to mind. "I know! Why don't we try this again tomorrow! Except we'll use some different words! I've been studying this book for days, and there are heaps of words just like those! Please?" Twilight was pleading to Fluttershy with her eyes. All this attention was starting to make her a little nervous. "Um..." "PLEASE?" Twilight's eyes reached maximum size. Fluttershy just couldn't say no to the eyes, sometimes. "I guess it couldn't hurt..." "Great! I'll see you first thing in the morning!" "Okay... Come on Angel, let's go home. Goodbye Twilight. Goodbye Spike" "Goodbye Fluttershy! Don't Forget!" Spike said nothing. He was too busy thinking about Fluttershy's 'magic'. "I won't. Goodbye!" She called out as she left the library, Angel still on her back. After the door closed, Twilight let out a sigh of relief. "Can you believe it Spike! I'll finally understand what all those words mean! And who knew Fluttershy could do that? Maybe we'll make history?... Spike?" Spike was blank, like a parchment. "Oh Spike, I just can't wait! I wonder what tomorrow will be like...?"