//------------------------------// // Chapter XV // Story: A Dash of Shyness // by TM2 Dinobot //------------------------------// Chapter XV Fluttershy had never stayed up so late before. Not since that night in Cloudsdale. Even when she went flying with Rainbow Dash, she managed to get them back inside and into bed at a reasonable time. They needed to be well rested for school, or other activities. Wandering around so long after dark was not a notion that filled her with great confidence, especially when the place that they were wandering was the Everfree Forest. Somewhere is the distance a screech owl made its presence known. Something snapped just beyond the tree line, stalking them from the underbrush. Fluttershy sidestepped, bumping into Rainbow Dash’s bad wing. The younger pony hissed in pain, glaring at her friend. She enjoyed walking even less than Fluttershy. Her wing was busted, her feet hurt, and she couldn’t see. Equine physiology was designed with night vision in mind, yet the dense canopy prevented even the faintest traces of starlight from filtering down to the two ponies. Precious hours were slipping by, and they were no closer to finding their way out of the forest than when they’d begun. The murky woods provided the perfect backdrop for ghost stories and tales of horror, told at campouts all around Equestria. Foals hid themselves under their blankets at the very name of the Everfree Forest, conjuring up images of buzzards that buzzed and lions that lied; of manticores and cockatrices just prowling the gloomy depths, waiting to gobble up some young, unsuspecting pony. The problem for Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, however, was that they were not sitting around a campfire roasting swamp mallows, enjoying a good scare for fun. They were smack dab in one of the five most dangerous places on the planet. So many ponies had been lost in the Everfree Forest over the centuries that search and rescue refused to send out search parties, instead declaring the poor souls deceased and without hope. Rainbow Dash wasn’t giving up though. She saw this forest and its offerings; she was unimpressed. Skystriker was an ex-Royal Guard; he would refuse to give up until he found them. The thought of her father losing both the women in his life in such a short span pushed Dash further. Her father would find them. That is, if he even noticed she was gone at all. Would her mother even know? Would it break her already wounded heart? “Rainbow Dash?” asked Fluttershy. “Yeah?” the forest seemed to eat her words. Sound didn’t carry down here like it did in the air. “Are you alright?” “I’m fine. Why?” “Well, you’ve just stopped, that’s all.” Fluttershy stepped closer, if that were at all possible. “I was just thinking about my dad. And my mom.” The last words trailed off. “Oh.” The pair still stood there, listening to the life around them. “Tell me about your parents.” Dash continued, trying to take her mind off of the ailing Firefly. “There’s… there’s really nothing to tell.” This was the one subject Fluttershy never discussed with any pony; not even Rainbow Dash. “You lived in Manehattan before, right?” “My father still lives there.” nodded Fluttershy. “Then why are you going to school in Cloudsdale, instead of a flying school there?” “He doesn’t--” Fluttershy choked, hanging her head in shame. “Hey, it’s okay.” Rainbow Dash looked up into her friend’s face. “It’s me. I promise, Fluttershy, I will never make fun of you.” “He can’t stand me.” Fluttershy looked up from behind her hanging bangs. “What? That’s ridiculous! Who couldn’t stand you?” “Oh no, I don’t blame him at all.” Fluttershy jumped to her father’s defense. “Sometimes I can’t stand being around me either. I’m such a loudmouth and a klutz, and I can be quite reckless. But the worst part is when I look in the mirror.” “You’re kidding, right?” Dash didn’t know whether to laugh or by angry. She promised not to laugh, but she couldn’t be angry with her best friend; not while she was admitting her faults. “Fluttershy, you’re beautiful. You’re the most amazing, kind-hearted and quiet pony I’ve ever met. How could any pony not like the way you look?” “Because I look like her.” “Who’s ‘her’?” “My mother.” Fluttershy whispered. “Your mother.” Dash remembered what her friend had told her. "What was her name?" "Posey." “She died, right?” Fluttershy nodded. “I’m sorry, Fluttershy. That must have been rough. But what does it matter if you look like your mom or not?” “You don’t get it, Rainbow Dash! You don’t look like your mother. Firefly is exactly like you, but you’re not her copy. I don't just look just like my mother, I'm identical! The same hair, the same coat, the same eyes. I bet we’ll even have the same Cutie Mark. My mother was kind and loving and protected life wherever she found it. But my father is a hard stallion, and hasn’t smiled once in his whole life. When my mother died, he was left with a daughter that he didn’t even know, that looked exactly like the mare he loved. He blamed me for my mother’s death. He couldn’t stand looking at me, so he sent me away.” “Fluttershy,” Dash stared. “I… I had no idea.” “How could you? How could any pony?” Fluttershy was shouting in her own way, anguish pouring forth, yet Dash had to strain to hear every word. “How could he? How could he, Dashie? I’m his daughter! All I ever wanted was for him to love me. I would have been his servant if he let me. I'd clean the house and sleep in the yard. I would beg for his forgiveness. I would have gladly done anything he asked if he had just loved me.” Fluttershy finally broke down crying, the weight of shame finally abated. Dash hugged her friend, listening closely for predators that the crying might attract. So far though she’d seen nothing larger than a cricket. There was something out there, however, watching them with beady little eyes. “It’s okay, Fluttershy. It’s not your fault.” Dash cooed. “No, Dash. It is.” The pink-haired friend pulled away. “No it’s not. Bad things happen. Dad says ponies die, and it’s no pony’s fault.” “This isn’t like that, Dash. There’s something I have to tell you, but if I do so, you’ll never be my friend again.” “As if!” laughed Dash. “No, I’m serious, Rainbow Dash. I just want you to know that you’re the best friend any girl could ever have, and before you leave me here, I want to tell you thank you for everything.” “Fluttershy, what is this about?” Dash scoffed, perplexed. “I killed my mother.” The words came so suddenly and out of the blue that Dash hadn’t even recognized the statement till long after they passed. Even then they didn’t register. Fluttershy killing anything, let alone her own mother, was a natural impossibility. Dash doubted her friend would have the mental fortitude to snap a bear’s neck, even if it was about to eat her. So murder was absolutely out of the question. And her own mother? “Wait,” Dash finally found her voice. “What?” “I killed--” “I heard that part.” Interrupted Dash. “Fluttershy, go back. Start at the beginning.” Fluttershy sighed and began walking again. She didn't start talking straight away, but instead rolled her tongue in her mouth, as if trying to recall memories long locked away. “It was three years ago. I was a much younger pony then, smaller even than you. We were living in our Manehattan loft. My mother was a very important pony that everyone wanted to know. She used to direct art shows and hold parties and thing. But after what happened at my old school she stayed home and taught me. And I loved every single minute of it." Fluttershy sighed, remembering. "One day my mother received a strange telegram from some old friends. She didn’t say what was happening, but it was the only time I had ever heard my mother shout. My father tried to calm her, but she was inconsolable, and said horrible things to him. "I was scared; my parents never fought. My mother simply cried and my father remained stoic as always. But that day something changed within my mother. That note made her twenty years younger and brought out a fire in her eye that I’d never seen before. She reminded me of Firefly.” Fluttershy smiled. She paused for a moment, struggling to fly Rainbow Dash over a large, scaly bolder. Dash was unceremoniously hauled up and over as Fluttershy grunted, working her under-used wings. Once Dash was over the crest, they both tumbled back down to solid ground, not without their fair share of new cuts and bruises. Their underbrush stalker went around the bolder, still hunting them just out of sight. “Then what happened?” asked Dash, brushing herself off. “My mother began packing. My father went to work, and she told me to stay in the house until he returned. I was afraid; I’d never been alone at home before. The maid wasn't even there! So I did the bravest thing I had ever done in my life till that point. I got up and followed my mother all the way to the train station. She stopped at the bank along the way and came out with another bag. When she boarded the train I panicked and jumped on.” Fluttershy paused. How much did she want to tell Rainbow Dash? If she stopped now everything would still be the same; she'd still have their friendship. But one look at Dash's face and Fluttershy knew she had to keep going, if not for her friend then for herself. “Several hours later we arrived at this little town called Ponyville. That was where the telegram was from. I followed her through town; she seemed to know the way. A few minutes later she stopped at some farm and talked with the ponies there. They pointed her further into the strange country. I had never been any place that wasn’t a Manehattan sky rise loft. The rolling hills and grasses were just beautiful as the wind rushed through my mane. I felt like singing. That is, until I saw the darkest and most terrifying woods I’d ever seen in my life.” “The Everfree Forest?” “The Everfree Forest.” Fluttershy nodded. “I remember the first time I saw it. Mommy said dragons live there.” Dash recalled, swallowing loudly. “I mean, live here.” “She’s not wrong.” Fluttershy continued. “As my mother entered the woods, I couldn’t decide what to do. Should I run for help, or follow her in? I couldn’t lose sight of my mother for an instant, not with her going into those woods.” Fluttershy looked around. “These woods. I was so scared. I just kept following and walking. It was dark by the time I bumped into my mother. She didn’t notice; she just kept staring up, transfixed. I couldn’t see what she was looking at, but I heard the voice.” “What was it?” Dash stopped. They’d reached a moss-covered cliff wall and would have to find another way around. “It was the most horrible sound I’ve ever heard. It reverberated through my whole body, deep and long. But there was a higher vocal quality that sounded like hooves on a chalkboard. I immediately hid under my mother’s tail, trying to get the voice out of my head.” “But what did it say?” asked Rainbow Dash. “It demanded to know why a pony would disturb its slumber. My mother introduced herself, and offered an entire suitcase of gold she’d withdrawn from the bank. Then she asked about a ‘cure’ and the voice became angry. The entire forest shook, coming alive as it shifted like noon shadows. I cowered like a fool even further, but I peeked out just enough to see the most massive dragon that ever existed.” “A dragon? In Equestria?” Dash tried to recall her history lessons. “Yes, and he was terrifying. My mother bravely stood her ground, demanding what she’d come for. The dragon became furious. I didn’t follow much of the conversation, but my mother swished her tail and kicked me away. She knew I was there after all. I couldn’t leave her side so I turned back, but then I had to stop. She was looking right at me, her eyes filled with such love and kindness. She only said one word: ‘Run.’ So I did. When I looked back she was watching me, not the dragon; not the teeth. I heard her say 'I love you.' At least, I think I heard her. Then there was the slap of blood across my face and that was it... she was gone.” Fluttershy didn’t bother hiding the tears rolling down her cheeks. She was close to hyperventilating, reliving her most traumatic memory. All color had drained from her pelt. The nightmare that had plagued her for so long was real. “There was a sound, a crashing of trees. I stopped running; I couldn't move. I don't remember anything after that except for the feeling of flying and of pink fur. I woke up at home, and two Royal Guards were there speaking with my father. He hasn't looked at me since.” “But, Fluttershy.” Dash cocked her head. “That wasn’t your fault at all. It was the dragon’s.” “No, it wasn’t! It was my fault! If I hadn’t been such a coward, I could have done something. If I hadn't left school she wouldn't have been there to receive the telegram. I could have taken my mother’s place. I should have done anything else but hide and run.” “Okay, Fluttershy.” Dash hugged her friend. The deep secret was finally out in the open, and Fluttershy let the last of her tears run free. “It’s okay.” “No it’s not, Dashie. I killed my own mother. How can you stand to even look at me?” “Because no matter what you think, it doesn’t change facts. You didn’t kill your mother, and you’re still my best friend.” There was a rustle of wind in the trees as it started raining. The pair stood in silence, simply holding each other. But Dash noticed something weird. Usually when it rained the temperature became colder. Yet here in the forest the opposite was true. Even some of the rain itself felt strange, thick and viscose. It didn’t fall like the other raindrops. Why was it even raining at all? Shouldn’t the tree cover protect them? Dash looked up. The cliff face jutted out at strange angles, continuing on long past where it should have stopped. A serpentine bridge curved upwards, far beyond the canopy. The strange liquid was coming from the ivory stalactites far overhead. There were lights at the very top of the crest, like smoldering campfires in the night. Then the entire mountain moved. The half-starved jackal that had been stalking them for the better part of the past hour took that moment to try his luck with the two fillies. Leaping from the undergrowth he snarled, ready for a fresh meal. Both girls screamed, neither ready for a fight in the dark. The jackal had them dead to rights. Or he would have if he'd been there any longer. A massive rock slammed down, crashing him flat. Then the rocky crag retreated, drawing massive furrows in the ground. What was happening? Rocks didn't move. “Uh, Fluttershy?” Dash prayed that the strange rocks were actually rocks. “Oh, Celestia. It’s him!” With a reptilian shift, all the pieces fell into place. The mountain wasn’t a natural formation at all. The boulders wasn’t a rock but instead a massive toe; the cliff face was a massive underbelly. And the stalactites were fangs longer than a carriage. As the head snaked its way closer to the ground, Dash could pick out the individual characteristics that accumulated with time. Long scars raked across the massive muzzle, while the once powerful eyes were reduced to frosted cataracts. Still, there was no mistaking the powerful jaw, dapple coloration or simply the sheer size. This was a dragon far older than any other mortal creature, having faced more enemies in battle than the world had ever seen before, whose very name was forbidden in Canterlot theaters, and tales of which were taboo for children to hear. Dash watched in morbid fascination as a myth came to life before her very eyes. “Apollyon.”