//------------------------------// // Alternate 2: Sleeping Wide Awake // Story: Two Hearts, Fall Apart // by NintendoGal55 //------------------------------// There had been pain. But soon the pain was gone. Whatever it had been was unknown. Following the end of her pain was a period of mysterious darkness. For that while, she felt, heard, nor saw anything. As if she were floating, floating within an endless abyss of darkness. Unseeing. Unfeeling. Unknowing. Then there came something. Fluttershy still couldn’t see, but she could feel, and she could hear. Wherever she was, she was laying on something soft, and could hear voices. Clear as day, she was beginning to recognize them. “Pinks... I think something is wrong with Flutters...” Came the voice of Twilight, however, it sounded somewhat odd, almost childish. And she called her ‘Flutters,’ something she had never done before. “Fluttershy, are you all right? Are you hurt in any way?” The voice was Pinkie’s but yet, not at all like herself. Her voice was calm and soothing, almost relaxed. “If you can hear me, please give me a sign...” Feeling a strange sense of fatigue, but otherwise coming to, Fluttershy squeaked a little bit as she tried to open her eyes. When she did, she focused on the concerned faces of her friends. At least...who she thought they were. Twilight had her mane pulled back into a ponytail, something she rarely ever did, and was smiling widely. Next to her was Pinkie... with her mane straight, but nothing about her looked upset or self-destructive. In fact, she looked calm, calculating, and concerned. “W-What... what happened...? How long was I... was I out?” She mumbled, blinking her eyes a few times. “It must have... b-been a while... if you two had time to do your hair...” Pinkie looked at her friend with mild shock, but didn’t seem to change her stance. “Fluttershy, I assure you, we have no idea what you’re talking about. I sent Twilight to retrieve you almost an hour ago, when she came back saying you we passed out on the floor of your home...” She she a hoof up and placed it on the timid mare’s forehead. “... No fever... Anyway, I had Twilight bring you here as soon as she could, and I brought a few things just in case you were injured or ill... So, do you remember what happened?” Something was seriously wrong here. Pinkie was not acting like herself. Fluttershy could see that immediately. While the party pony did have her moments of being serious, logical and intuitive... this was far beyond it. And why was her hair straight? She never had it straight unless it reflected her down mood. “I... I remember... Twilight was... using a spell.. .on you and I...” Fluttershy said, managing to sit up a bit. “She was trying to... to see into the multiverse theory... Using Pinkie and I as... um... well, different kinds of... focal points, I think... I don’t remember... how did you put it, Twilight? I-I don’t....” Fluttershy rubbed her head a bit. Twilight stared at her with a look of utter confusion. “Multi-what? Multi-verse? Ooh, is that a song with a lot of verses? I know a few songs like that, but no magic spells for songs... Plus, I’m not allowed to do magic unless Pinkamena is with me!” Fluttershy stared at the alicorn, dumbfounded. “...W-What?! I... that doesn’t make any sense! Twilight... you use magic all the time, even if Pinkie isn’t around... why would it matter? And I-why are you calling her Pinks and by her full name? I don’t understand... what’s going on here?” She began to sit up more, trying to get off the bed. Pinkamena reached over and gently pushed Fluttershy back down onto her bed, making sure not to hurt her. “Fluttershy, you have to relax right now, all right? I’m not sure what has transpired here, but I will find out for you, I promise.” The pink mare gave a small smile. “For right now, just try to recover. I’ll have Twilight do a base level sweep of the ground floor of your home for any magical occurrence that could have caused this. Then, we’ll move up and check each floor. Until then, you mustn’t push yourself. Your body seems to be suffering from a type of mystic fatigue and you have to take it easy in order to fully recover, understand?” “B-But... I... Pinkie... you’re... Twilight... what’s happening here?! Why is nopony acting like themselves, why is everything so different?!” Fluttershy cried, beginning to panic. “I’m scared... I’d like to wake up! This is not a good dream...!” “But Flutters! You’re not dreaming at all, I promise! You’re awake, this is real, it’s okay!” Twilight assured her in a very Pinkie-like manner, patting her shoulder. “You’re just a little woozy from... whatever hunky-dookie happened to you! But it’s going to be okay, we’ll make sure nothing baddie-waddie will get to you! We’re here to help you!” Pinkamena gave a gentle nod as she placed a hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “Twilight’s right. We’re your friends, Fluttershy. And as such, we’re going to make sure you’re safe... But you have trust us. I know that can be hard for you at times, but please, you need rest. I’m sure everything will make sense after you recover.” “But...” Fluttershy fell back into the pillows, moaning sadly. “Oh, all right... I’ll rest for a while... I do feel a little tired.” “Oh... Pinks, we have to do something! Poor Flutters is delirious!” Twilight said with worry, hugging the pink earth pony. “It’s worse than we thought! Dashie is going to be sooooo worried about her, now!” “...Dashie?” Fluttershy immediately perked up a bit. Pinkamena held an inquisitive expression before speaking up. “Yes, Rainbow Dash will be quite worried once word reaches her of this. But don’t worry, Twilight, we will find the cause of this, and Fluttershy will be all right. She is one of the strongest mares we know in terms of willpower.” She turned her head to look back at Fluttershy. “If you like, I could tell Rainbow Dash to worry now if you wish so she won’t disturb you.” “No, no...I want to see her...please? I-I need to see her...” Fluttershy said quickly, sitting up again. ‘If there’s one pony who will be honest and give me a straight answer, Rainbow will! ...Besides, if we’re alone, maybe I can get her to open up, and we can talk about the kiss...’ “I... suppose that can be arranged.” Pinkamena nodded a bit with another odd look. “If she comes by, I’ll send her up. For now, just relax. Maybe try to sleep it off.” Fluttershy nodded, and rolled over in bed, facing the window. Outside, the weather was overcast, but not raining as it had been earlier. In fact, she could see some weather pegasi gathering clouds and placing them into formations around the sky, preparing for a storm. What was going on? Why did everything seem so...odd? Why were her friends acting different? Why did everything around her feel different? ‘I must have hit my head... but I know what I saw... what Twilight had said and done... what happened?’ Fluttershy thought, curling up into the fetal position. --- Downstairs, a very worried Twilight turned to Pinkamena, biting her lip. She felt worried for Fluttershy, who didn’t usually act this... vulnerable. Whatever happened was serious if it affected her like this; that much she knew. As much as she tried to keep herself in check, all she felt was worry and despair. Even her usual party mood wasn’t helping, all it did was remind her that there was a huge problem, and that parties weren’t going to solve it. “Pinks...I’m so worried about Flutters... She’s not acting like herself...” She said, sadly, and nuzzled her marefriend for comfort. “What are we going to do...?” Pinkamena was somewhat at a loss for words to this. “Well, we need to approach this delicately. Whatever happened is most certainly an oddity. We’re going to go to her home and check for anything strange... Hopefully whatever it was left a trail of some kind for us to follow...” She cuddled back a bit, but the look on her face held more to her true mood. She was so used to knowing the solution to problems like this, and the one time she needed to know, she was speechless. She ran what she knew through her mind. ‘Dear Luna, this is something I was not expecting to occur... Fluttershy is acting less like herself and more... shyly. What could have caused this change in behavior? And what was all that about multiverse theory? She’s never stricken me for a researcher of such a complex field, so where did that come from? So many questions... and no answers... ‘ “Right, just like you said...” Twilight nodded, and kissed her cheek. “We should go then, before it gets all stormy-wormy. Plus, we gotta tell Dashie... She’s not going to take this well at all, is she, Pinkie?” Pinkamena blushed a bit at the sound of her nickname, something only Twilight called her, before forcing a smile. “No, I don’t think Rainbow Dash is... After all, you know how she can be. We just have to explain it to her carefully so she does not jump to conclusions...” The lavender mare nodded, using her magic to open the front door so that they could step outside. “Okay, Pinkie. We’ll do that.” The pink mare gave a warm smile as she pulled away from her marefriend. “Right then, let’s not waste any more time by standing around idle. We have quite a task ahead of us...” She made her way over to the door and opened it. “Also, remember while you cast the search spell, you mustn’t be moving around like last time or else we’ll be there all day again.” Pinkamena gave a light hearted chuckle. “I can do it!” The excitable alicorn protested, pouting ever slightly. “You know I can, Pinkie-Winkie! I can do it! I’m gonna do it if we’re gonna save Flutters from her delirium!” Pinkamena smiled as she led her companion over to the doorway. “I never said you couldn’t. Nor did I say I was complaining.” She gave her a slight nudge, “I was simply doing as I always do; acting as your advisor on such matters and helping where needed. Now, let’s go and ‘save Fluttershy from her delirium,’ as you put it.” “It’s what you would say, and you know she’s delirious!” Twilight pointed out, and followed the pink mare outside. ‘Gosh, I hope Flutters is gonna be okay! No wonder she’s so scared, she probably lost herself a bit! No, no, no, no! This won’t do! We have to do something! At least Pinkamena knows what to do...’ Once outside, the two mares found themselves on the main road heading in the direction of Fluttershy’s house. As the clouds overhead were gathered, the sunlight slowly began to fade and the wind started to pick up. “Twilight,” Pinkamena started to say, “tell me something... what do think could have caused Fluttershy to act this way?” “...Magic, I bet,” Twilight mumbled. “Some kind of magic made her delirious, and she was saying I did some kinda spell. I don’t know what she was talking about, but it might’ve been some kinda magic!” Pinkamena gave a serious stare before nodding in agreement. “That is quite possible, as we have seen firsthoof that there is no limit to what some magic can do... so I do believe that magic is involved somehow... I’m just not sure of it yet.” “We’d better get going and find out then,” Twilight bit her lip, feeling worried all over again. She just hoped that they would find out what kind of magic caused this issue. “Agreed,” the pink mare gave a nod as the two picked up the pace ever so slightly. ‘There’s has to be something more to this, however. No matter what spell or form of magic it was, it could not have rewritten a pony’s personality... Fluttershy seemed to behave that way not only from the situation at hoof, but as if it were natural... Curiouser and curiouser still...’ XXXXXX Fluttershy wasn’t sure how long she’d been sleeping, but ended up dozing off after a while. The strange fatigue in her system hadn’t faded, she only felt more and more lethargic from it. She yawned a little, rolling onto her back. As much as she did want to get up, her body wasn’t letting her, and the last thing she wanted to do was inconvenience her friends. ‘Even if they weren’t acting like themselves... they did still care... they want me to rest... and I guess I really should...’ Fluttershy thought. ‘What time is it? How long was I even out? I don’t even remember what time it was when we came here... I don’t even know what the date is supposed to be... or what day it is... I feel so lost...’ Downstairs, she heard the front door open, then close. Whoever was in the house didn’t speak, nor call up to her. In fact, whoever came in was being very quiet. She figured it must’ve been Pinkie and Twilight returning from their investigation. But why were they being quiet? Did they not want to disturb her? That was nice of them and all, but it did still confuse her. As she listened, she could only hear one set of hoofsteps. One of them must have come up on their own to check on her. Fluttershy yawned a bit, facing the doorway to showcase that she was awake; hoping that she could finally get some answers. The bedroom door opened, slowly, very quietly. “H-Hello...?” Fluttershy recognized the voice almost most instantaneously, but she could not bear to believe it by the tone. “Are you... a-awake? I hope it’s okay if I come in...” Fluttershy’s mind reeled in the sight she saw. It was Rainbow Dash, but... it wasn’t at the same time. Yes, she looked like her and her voice was the same, but her mane and tail were much longer, and better kept. There was also a small braid on her left side that mixed each multi-color strain of hair into colorful rainbow like helix. “Um... I uh, I really hope I didn’t wake you up...” Rainbow Dash took a step forward, but flinched a bit as if afraid to move any farther. “You look beautiful....” Fluttershy murmured, taking in just how cutely beautiful Rainbow looked. ‘Of course, Rainbow has always been a beauty in her own right... But here... she looks... soft, well kept... and pretty... So... cute... and that little braid! Oh my gosh, that just makes her adorable...’ Realizing what the other mare said, Fluttershy cleared her throat, speaking up again. “No, you didn’t wake me up, Rainbow... I was already awake... I’m actually very glad you’re here... Um... I have to know... what’s going on here? What day is it? What’s the date? The time? And... why is everypony acting so... strange? I-I don’t understand what’s going on... and I need help...” Fluttershy pleaded, looking to her with despondency. Rainbow locked eyes with her for a split second before she quickly looked away. “You... You want my help?” She said meekly. “Are you s-sure...? I mean, I could go get Pinkamena or AJ if you wanted me too...” ‘Oh no, not her, too! She’s... she’s acting... like... like me. Rainbow Dash... is like me...’ Fluttershy was stunned at this point. Her friends weren’t acting the very opposite of themselves. Far from it. They seemed to have switched personalities with each other. ‘Maybe... Twilight’s spell ended up doing that! ...But then, why do they look different? Is it because of their personality switch? But how would they have changed? Unless I was out for longer than I thought? ...Long enough for Rainbow’s hair to grow out? That would’ve been weeks! Oh, what’s going on here?!’ “No, no... Rainbow, please don’t go... I... I just... I need your help. I’m going to ask again, what day is it? What time is it?” Fluttershy asked, gently. To this, Rainbow Dash, blushed a bit. “It’s... Wednesday. And it’s just a little bit after one in the afternoon...” “Wednesday...” Fluttershy repeated. “...Yes... that seems about right... I think it was Wednesday. Um...okay...” She looked around nervously, twiddling her hooves. “Rainbow, I’m... really glad you’re here... I think... we need to talk about something... very important...” ‘I don’t know... what if this really isn’t my Rainbow Dash? Pinkie and Twilight are so different... is she different, too? That different? Will she not remember what happened? No... I have to chance it... I can’t ignore this.’ “You really wanna talk to me?” Rainbow Dash spoke up quickly as her blush deepened considerably. “O-Okay! What did you wanna talk about?” Her voice did nothing to hide her excitement. ‘Okay... at least I have her attention... She’s still acting very meek for some reason... but at least we can talk.’ “Rainbow... it was about earlier... when we were... out on the hill... and we... we...” Fluttershy blushed immensely. “Well... we... um.... we...” Rainbow Dash’s eyes went wide as her own mind made a connection of its own. “Oh no! I’m sorry about that! I really am...” the cyan mare pulled back a bit, almost in what looked like fear. “I just... I was... I panicked and I... I wasn’t trying to... I’m sorry.” Stricken with guilt, Fluttershy wondered if anything in her words or tone spoke to how upset she’d been with her response. But all of that just melted away instantaneously. Most especially at the fear in her best friend’s eyes. ‘Oh... this really hurt her a lot too, didn’t it? Poor Rainbow...’ Fluttershy thought. Gingerly, she climbed out of bed. “It’s okay, Dashie... I forgive you. I know that you never meant to hurt me... It’s okay...” Fluttershy said softly, approaching her, albeit shakily. “I just... I want us to be able to talk about it... and be open with each other. What happened was... wonderful... and I... I was hoping... you’d at least try to just... be open with me. Like you were before we kissed...” “K-K-Kissed?!” Rainbow’s mind was all but no longer working at the mention of the single word. “We... We kissed? On t-the hill? You and me...?” “Well, yeah...” Fluttershy partly deadpanned, feeling worried. “Don’t you remember? You were doing your weather duty work, and doing some tricks... then we sat down together? Then we were hugging, we almost kissed... then I was startled by the lightning, and you were in a daze? We kissed, remember? Oh... it was real, and it was an amazing kiss, Dashie...” She approached her friend a bit closer, smiling. “I can’t stop thinking about it... I... I just... I wanted us to talk about it... If that’s okay with you... that’s all I’m asking.” With each step Fluttershy took Rainbow Dash’s body locked up more and her blush was becoming all consuming. “Y-You... You haven’t called me ‘Dashie’ since we were fillies...” She shook her head. “...A-And on the hill... That’s not... Well, it is, but, I... and you... And...” A worried jolt coursed through Fluttershy. Something was not right about any of this. “Rainbow... are we talking about the same thing?” “We were talking about me... kissing you, r-right?” Rainbow looked ready to cry as she spoke those words. “I didn’t mean to... I mean, I did, but... I just... I wanted and I... I now it was wrong... I’m sorry...” “...But... I asked you to.... I-I know we’d thought we were dreaming...” Fluttershy said softly, approaching her more. The sight of her looking ready to cry was heartbreaking. Finally reaching her, she embraced the cyan mare, snuggling her. “Don’t be sorry, Dashie... We both wanted to...at least, I hope you did... I hope I didn’t demand you to kiss me... I was just lost in the moment, I even thought I was dreaming... But I wasn’t... It was real...” Rainbow Dash sniffled a bit as she returned the hug. “But... You were asleep... and I just... I always wanted to do that. I always wished I could have been brave enough to... But I wasn’t and I was so afraid that you would hate me if you knew...” “...I wasn’t asleep, Dashie... I was awake when you kissed me.” Fluttershy frowned a bit in confusion. “But um.... what do you mean... if I knew what?” Rainbow Dash tighten her grip, a mixture of emotions flooded over her. ‘She was awake? She was awake... And she doesn’t hate me! She... she... I was so scared that when Fluttershy was taking that nap on the hill, she would have gotten mad at me for kissing her... But she’s not! She was awake! Does that mean... that just maybe...?’ “If you knew that...” Rainbow started to say as her tears fell, “that I loved you...” The words struck Fluttershy’s heart, in combination to seeing Rainbow Dash shedding tears. She hadn’t seen her cry since they were fillies, and over this? Now the words sunk in, embedding into her mind, repeating over and over on loop. Along with this was the heartbreaking vision of Rainbow Dash, tears falling, looking to her with pleading despondency. An image she would never forget. It felt as if her mind had shut down, she had no idea what to do, what to think, or even how to process this. All she knew was what Rainbow had said. Beyond that, she felt lost, and amazed. To actually hear those words, with such emotion, was astounding. Her entire body went rigid, her heart pounding, and her insides bursting. A shiver coursed up her spine, making her tremble ever slightly. ‘She loves me, too... She loves me...’ Fluttershy thought, feeling tears of her own pooling in her eyes. All at once, warmth filled her body and her heart swelled. She had hoped for this, dreamed of it for as long as she could remember, of Rainbow loving her back. Their moment from earlier had been a clear indication that she must have felt something, if not attraction, and seemed to enjoy it. Now she finally opened up and told her the truth. Fluttershy felt her wings flare up a little, flapping gently. She held the cyan pegasus closer to her, gazing lovingly into her tear-filled but still captivating cerise eyes. “Rainbow... I’m so happy you said that...” Fluttershy managed, tears falling down her own cheeks. “Because.... I love you, too...” Rainbow pulled away gently, locking her eyes onto her crush’s as she fell short of breath. Never would have thought she would ever hear those three words from Fluttershy, never should have even dream it. Yet, this was real. She was awake. And she had said the one thing that the cyan mare had hoped to hear for so many years. Even through her tears, Rainbow smiled happily. “Fluttershy... I always wanted to hear that... Just once... Thank you-” “Hey, there you are, Fluttershy!” A small dragon came into the room, turning out to be Spike. “Twilight and Pinkamena told me what happened when I was on my way home. Are you all right?” He noticed Rainbow, and hid a smile behind his claw. ‘At least Spike is acting normally...’ Fluttershy thought. “Um, yes... I’m okay... I’m just tired and... a little confused about what’s going on around here...” Fluttershy admitted, looking away bashfully. She looked over at Rainbow then, giving her a sweet, loving smile. The mood was killed and ruined, but it didn’t mean she forgot about their sweet exchange. Rainbow Dash blushed once more from Fluttershy’s gaze and began to twirl her small braid around with her hoof. “I was just c-checking in on Fluttershy... I was worried she might have been hurt... If you n-need me to go, I can come back later... can’t I?” “Nah, you don’t have to go, Rainbow Dash!” Spike waved it off, grinning. “You hungry, Fluttershy? I can go make you something.” “Um... are you sure? I don’t want to impose...” Fluttershy said. Spike stared at her weirdly, before looking at Rainbow. He whispered to her, “Is she feeling okay? She’s... acting kinda weird now.” Rainbow smiled softly a bit as she replied, “I think she’s just in shock from whatever happened, but... I think it’s kind of nice for the moment...” He gave her a pointed stare, rolling his eyes slightly before turning back to Fluttershy. “Nah, it’s cool! Just tell me what you’d like and I’ll make it for you!” “...Well...um...could you...make me some steamed vegetables?” Fluttershy asked hopefully. She looked at Rainbow, smiling. “Would you like some, too?” Rainbow Dash looked a bit shocked by this offer, but nodded in regards. “I would... If you don’t mind sharing with me, this is...” “Of course I don’t mind. I’d love to share!” Fluttershy now came up by her side, nuzzling her sweetly. Spike’s jaw dropped. “Uh... okay... I’ll just... go... do that... then....” He stared, wide-eyed, rubbing his eyes, and then leaving the room. The small dragon grumbled to himself, shaking his head. Giggling, Fluttershy then looked at her best friend, bringing her into a happy side hug. “Well, Dashie... About what we were saying...” Rainbow blushed immensely as she froze up. “I was... Um... I think I should... go help Spike, he’s not a good cook and I know how you like your food prepared... And then we can eat... so you can feel better and we can... hang out?” Fluttershy pouted ever slightly. At the same time, she could understand exactly why Rainbow felt the need to get away for a little bit. Just to be by herself, get her mind off things and try to come to terms with what happened. That’s what she herself did. At the same time, it still worried her. Rainbow was not acting like herself at all, still. “Um... yes, of course, Rainbow... Um... what do you mean he’s not a good cook? We all love his cooking, remember? He’s a great chef and bakes really well!” “Are you sure you’re not running a fever...?” Rainbow Dash placed a hoof on Fluttershy’s forehead before pulling it away with a sad smile. “I mean... Spike’s not a terrible cook, but normally Twilight and Rarity are the ones who do the best at cooking...” ‘Weird... Well, Rarity can cook very well... even if she makes the more expensive and fancier kinds of meals sometimes...’ Fluttershy thought. ‘Oh, Dashie is so cute... I think I’ll flirt with her a little... she’s adorable when she blushes!’ “I see... well, no... I’m not running a fever... but you can kiss it better if you want...” Fluttershy batted her eyelashes cutely, smiling as she leaned toward her. Rainbow was fighting off her wings natural reaction to lock up skyward as she felt her face becoming heated. “You want me to... k-kiss it better?” Her words were, at best, fumbled in speech, but her thoughts were moving faster than she could account for. “As in... right now?” “Well...” Fluttershy giggled, blushing all the more. “If you want to... I mean... we’ve kissed before... and we love each other...” She reached over, touching a hoof to her cheek. “And you look beautiful... I know that’s not exactly relevant... but I love your braid... it’s so cute... Oh, Dashie... I’m just so happy we could finally get our true feelings on the table... I just... I really want to show you all the more... how wonderful this is, and how much I love you... So... only if you want to, of course...” “O-Okay...” All at once, Rainbow Dash’s brain came to a screeching halt. There were no words, no thoughts, no emotions that could come close to expressing how she felt in that exact moment in time. She was only able to stare in wonder at the sight before her: Fluttershy. Without thinking, she leaned over and gave gentle little kiss to the top of Fluttershy’s head and moved away slowly, feeling something running down her nose. A little squee escaped Fluttershy, making her giggle. It wasn’t quite what she was hoping for, but the gesture was sweet and adorable, there was no possible way she could deny that. Looking at Rainbow, her eyes went wide with worry. “Rainbow! Your nose is bleeding! Oh, no!” Fluttershy came to her aid, overlooking her snout. “It’s what...?” Rainbow Dash said almost dazed, not sure of what she had heard. “Your nose is bleeding!” Fluttershy hurriedly grabbed a couple of tissues, tilted Rainbow’s head back, and plugged them against her nose. “Oh, I’m sorry, Dashie... are you all right?” Rainbow gave a smile as Fluttershy gestured for her to sit down on the bed, which she did. She held her head a bit, before her hoof moved, slightly coaxing Fluttershy’s. “No... I’m not all right...” Rainbow said with half asleep look. “I’m in love...” “Oh...” Fluttershy’s concern melted ever so slightly, replaced with a sweet, dreamy smile. “You’re so sweet, Rainbow... I’m in love, too...” She leaned in, kissing her on the forehead. “You’re going to be fine...” Rainbow forced a smile as she fell into a dreamy look as well. “I think I might actually be better than fine...” The creamy yellow pegasus giggled, kissing her forehead again. “Awww... I’m glad, Dashie...” --- Within the darkened cottage on the edge of the Everfree Forest, a few sparks of mystic light came from inside. With the storm well on its way, the two mares were well aware that time was not in their favor. “Nothing...” Pinkamena spoke breathlessly as she looked over the room once more. “And yet I’m sure there’s a magical residence here. Twilight, are you sure this is the exact room you found Fluttershy in?” “Positive!” Twilight said, nodding toward the room itself. “Fluttershy was on the floor, near the door, just like I said.” The pink mare scanned over entrance once more. “And yet, tracking spells have no effect. Illuminus spells are useless unless there was someone here with her that caused it, which was not the case... And there’s no physical signs of assault, spells, or even self-injury... What could have happened here?” “I wish I knew how to do one of those screened flashieback spells...” Twilight mumbled, slumping on the floor. “At least then we’d get an ideasie about what happened with Flutters! Everything is all one big mystery!” Pinkamena’s eyes darted open wide at the sudden realization. “Twilight, say that again!” “I wish I knew how to do one of those screened flashieback spells?” Twilight looked at her, confused. Pinkamena smiled at this. “Yes, it would be convenient if you did, however, you do know one spell that we haven’t tried... and it also makes perfect sense as well.” The pink mare walked over to the doorway. “If the event did not occur from here and there was no signs of a physical confrontation, yet there is clearly a magic residence within the air... then the event must have occurred from a starting point we can’t see. All her talk about multiverse theory... the spell... her behavior... it’s beginning to makes perfect sense...” The lavender mare regarded her lover with confusion, tilting her head slightly. “Pinkie-Winkie... What do you mean? That sounds so big, awesome and smart, but I don’t know what it is!” Pinkamena gave Twilight a gentle smile, but opened the door quickly, gesturing for the two to leave. “I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but if I’m right... this may be far more important that any single event that has occurred in all of recorded history. Come now, we mustn’t dilly-dally.” “But... we didn’t find anything! How are we going to conduct solving this mystery?” Twilight wanted to know, bouncing over to her. “Come oooonnn, tell me!” “Well... I’ll tell you once I know for sure, how’s that sound?” Pinkamena asked. Twilight still pouted, but made no further argument. She knew better than to pester about that kind of information, especially when Pinkamena was dead set on not making conclusions until she truly knew. “Fine. But we have to make cupcakes when we get home. I’m hungry! All of this magic and detective work is not easy with an empty stomach!” --- Finishing her share of the vegetables, Fluttershy smiled with satisfaction, drinking down her juice. She surprisingly felt a lot hungrier than she anticipated, and was glad to finally feel a little more pony again. “Thank you so much... that was delicious... And you made such a delicious sauce for it, Rainbow... thank you so much!” Fluttershy smiled brightly at the cyan mare. Rainbow Dash blushed a bit at the compliment, “It wasn’t anything too difficult to make... Just something I picked up...” She looked down at the empty bowl. ‘Fluttershy’s never said such nice things about my cooking before... It’s really weird, but... I kinda like it.’ She moved slightly closer to her crush. “But if you ever wanted me to cook for you again sometime... I wouldn’t mind.” “Well, okay... I’ll take you up on that, Rainbow...” Fluttershy smiled brightly, blushing a little. “I um... I’m a bit of a cook myself... I uh... I’m not a gourmet chef out of Canterlot or anything, but I cook just fine... Perhaps... we can cook together... sometime... a little meal... for the two of us...” She batted her eyelashes flirtatiously. Rainbow almost fell over from the sight of this. ‘She’s... is she’s openly flirting me? As in... like... flirting? With me?’ Her mind tried to keep up the best it could. “I would... really like that, Fluttershy...” Rainbow Dash spoke up meekly. “...Me too...” Fluttershy looked away a little, giggling. “Uh, I’m still here!” Spike said from across the table. “...Do you want me to leave you guys alone now?” “Huh?” Rainbow quickly looked over to see that the small dragon was, in fact, still there. “Oh, I’m sorry Spike. You must still have plans with Applejack today, don’t you?” The little dragon blushed a bit. “Aw, come on! Not fair! ...But yeah, I do, actually. She asked me to help her out at the shop today! So I’ll just... go there now! Bye!” With that, Spike dashed out of the room and out the door. “Oh my... I hope he’s not too mad at me...” Rainbow said quietly. “I just know that Applejack can be a little demanding at times...” “...Wait, what?” Fluttershy looked at her in confusion. “Rainbow... where does Applejack work?” Rainbow gave her a questioning look as she answered. “...At the boutique over on the corner. But you know that. She’s worked there for as long as I’ve known her...” “No, Applejack runs Sweet Apple Acres with her grandmother, older brother and little sister,” Fluttershy countered, shaking her head. “She would never work at Rarity’s boutique! We’ve seen that happen, remember?” “W-Well, Applejack did work there at one point, but she didn’t really care for farming, I think...” Rainbow Dash responded slightly shushed. ‘Something’s wrong... Everypony knows that Applejack runs the boutique. Her designs are famous... What’s wrong with you, Fluttershy?’ “But-” Fluttershy opened her mouth to protest. That was when the library door burst open again, with an excited Twilight flying in through the doorway. She came over, landing near the two pegasi, and receding her wings. “Flutters! There you are! Pinkamena’s got something she wants to talk to you about!” She said, bouncing on the spot. “Yes, that is correct.” Pinkamena said with a calm tone as she entered. “This is very important, Fluttershy, as I might be able to answer your questions, but you have to promise me to do two things. You must answer me truthfully and you must not panic...” She came to a stop in front of the two pegasi. She cleared her throat a bit. “Fluttershy, what do you do for a living?” “...I... I’m just an animal caretaker...” Fluttershy responded, still confused. “I care for other ponies’ animals and pets at times, too. Sometimes I do odd jobs for others... I also work as a bit of an animal control specialist. It earns a very decent living... Why do you ask?” To this, everypony fell dead silent to this. “...What?” The creamy yellow mare looked at them, feeling frightened all of a sudden. “I-I’m telling the truth! Really! I-I wouldn’t lie about that... I do care for animals! I love animals! I really do! I-I... okay, I was a model at one point, but I hated that job! I quit a few weeks after, but that’s it! I swear! I look after animals! You have to believe me!! Y-You girls know that!” She was beginning to get desperate, now backing away out of fear. Pinkamena sighed, as she approached the frighten mare. “I believe you, Fluttershy...” She closed her eyes as she shook her head. “However, what you just described was Rainbow Dash’s job. She works as an animal caretaker and you work on the weather patrol flight team...” She looked right at Fluttershy. “Normally, you’re a brash, brazen, show-off with little cares for rules or regulations. You’re considered one of the best there is in terms of flying and are very loud... Yet, that doesn’t seem to fit you, does it?” Pinkamena stepped closer. Stunned, all the yellow pony could do was stare at them in complete shock. None of this was making any sense at all. She trembled, wide-eyed, trying to understand what Pinkie was trying to say. It didn’t make a lick of sense even to her. She was not Rainbow Dash, not in terms of her personality or skills! How did that even apply to her? Why did they think that? So many questions buzzed in her mind, but nothing she could do gave her the strength to speak. Body numb, insides flaring, all she could do was stare helplessly at the pink earth pony. Pinkamena moved closer still. “You are a much more reserved, shy, meeker pony than that. You are less self-absorbed, and more afraid... You’re not an impostor, as Twilight would have known, but you’re not Fluttershy it would seem...” She opened her eyes with a strange look that was both serious and somehow caring. “...Unless, you are Fluttershy, but a different one.” Dead silence once again befell the room. “...What?!” Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy all exclaimed in unison. “After all that I have been able to gather on this matter, there is only one logical explanation to this event.” Pinkamena stopped in her tracks. “That somehow, you, Fluttershy... have done the impossible... you crossed over into a different plane of reality. Our reality. And due to the laws of space-time, two of you can’t exist in one plane of reality at a time, thus... our Fluttershy and you must have switched places! You’ve transcended the very law, every rule of Meta-Universe theory and stepped past your own dimension... Fascinating...” At that moment, Fluttershy realized exactly what she was talking about. Twilight’s experiment with the multi-universe, to see other realities and possibilities. “Of course... Twilight was performing this experiment... in looking into the multiverse...” Fluttershy said, wide-eyed. “Pinkie and I were to help her with it... to see all the different realities we were in... And I... But... that doesn’t make sense... how am I here? How did that even happen? I-... wait... you said... there was another me, right? ...Then... where’s the other me?” “I would assume in your reality.” Pinkamena said flatly. “But that’s not important right now. Do you realize what this means? You performed inter-dimensional travel! You’ve proven that it is possible! You are living codex of information!” A smile began to play on her lips. “You very well might be the key to unlocking the entirety of reality...” “...Oh no....” Fluttershy whimpered, wide-eyed. “H-How... am I going to get home? I-I can’t stay here! I don’t belong here...!” She took notice of the stricken look on Rainbow Dash’s face. “You...?” The cyan pony stared at Fluttershy with a look of sadness that was almost all-consuming. She quickly bolted from the room and dashed outside. All at once, Fluttershy tried to go after her, but was stopped by Pinkamena grabbing onto her tail with her mouth. The timid pony did so, but stared after the departing pegasus with shame. It was then that she realized what she’d said... and how it must have hurt. ‘Oh no... She must have thought that I.... That we... But she isn’t Rainbow Dash... not the one I remember... not one from home... she’s... different... She’s like me... but... she’s still very sweet and I... I really... I must have felt something, right? Oh.... if I’m anything like they say I am in this reality, then Rainbow must be-.... oh my gosh. She’s in love with me... the other me... but the other me... probably doesn’t love her... and with me... I actually... oh no... That poor girl... I know exactly how she feels...’ Tears pooled in her eyes as she could now see what had happened. “...I’m sorry, Dashie...” She uttered, voice shaking. “Now, now...” Pinkamena said calmly, “She’s a very fragile pony... but she’ll be alright, I know it. For now, we need to focus on the matter at hoof. I’m going to have to ask you to stay here for a little while longer to run a few tests... to see if there is way to get you home... Afterwards, well... I’m not sure...” Fluttershy nodded slowly, not even looking at her. All she could even think about was the stricken look of heartbreak and despair on Rainbow’s face. Right when it looked like she herself didn’t even care and just wanted to leave. Abandoning her. ‘I have to talk to her... I have to do something... I can’t leave here unless I know she’ll be okay...’ She thought.