Fluttershy and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were soon on board a train headed for Las Pegasus, the closest stop to Applewood. As they sat at a dining table, Fluttershy began to ponder on words that Rainbow Dash said to her earlier.
"You're just being too kind." Was Rainbow Dash right? thought Fluttershy. Is there really such a thing as being... too nice? The very idea of that alone sent a chill through her body. Had other ponies taken advantage of her because of her unlimited kindness? Did even her closest friends take advantage of her too? No, that couldn't be... Could it?
"Hey, Fluttershy," said Apple Bloom, noticing that Fluttershy had spaced out. "Fluttershy? Are you okay?" Fluttershy then came to her senses and shook her thoughts out of her head.
"Oh, yes," Fluttershy replied. "I'm fine. Thanks for asking, sweetie." But something then came back to haunt her. She suddenly remembered that some ponies in Ponyville had in fact taken full advantage of her because of her kindness, shyness, and generally quiet behavior. Even her own pet bunny Angel would always treat her like a doormat because of it. But she also remembered that when she tried to do something about it, she took things a shade too far and hurt her friends Pinkie Pie and Rarity. What am I supposed to do? Fluttershy asked herself.
Suddenly, everything around Fluttershy darkened in the blink of an eye and she heard a voice inside her head, which sounded like her being sinister and cruel.
"The world is cruel, Fluttershy," said the voice. "And you know it."
"Who's there?" asked Fluttershy, trembling. "Wait... are you inside my head?"
"Yes, yes I am," said the voice. "In fact, I am you. I am your thoughts."
"But I... Why would I even think of being nasty and spiteful?"
"You have a good reason, yes? This is a world where you can't win. You are shunned and feared when you become a beast and yet when you're nice, everypony takes advantage of you and pushes you around. They treat you like nothing and when you rebuff, you only scare them. Don't you see, Fluttershy? Life as you know it is never fair. Nopony is meant to care for others. Everypony only looks out... for themselves. It's sad, but true."
"No... no...!" cried Fluttershy. "NOOOOOOOO!!!"
"Fluttershy!" called Sweetie Belle. Fluttershy found herself in a cold sweat still sitting at that dining table with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She was breathing heavily.
"Are you all right, Fluttershy?" asked Sweetie Belle. "Did you have a bad dream?"
"I... I guess so," murmured Fluttershy. Now the three fillies looked somewhat worried, but it was not long before the train then arrived at Las Pegasus. Fluttershy then escorted the Cutie Mark Crusaders to Applewood safely.
"We're here!" exclaimed Scootaloo. "We're finally here in Applewood!"
"Look!" said Apple Bloom. "There's that sign again!" The fillies anxiously read the sign.
LEGENDARY MARKS
Everypony earns their cutie mark, which represents their destinies, but what if a cutie mark could earn a special pony?
Do you have what it takes to be one of three lucky ponies to earn a legendary mark? Take part in filming a movie, discover your inner acting talent and work hard to open your door to endless possibilities! Apply today! For more information, please consult with Director Q.
"Come on, girls!" declared Scootaloo. "We gotta find this Director Q and get signed up! This is our big chance!" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo started looking around, while Apple Bloom looked back at Fluttershy.
"Hey, Fluttershy, are you comin'?" she asked.
"Oh, uh... No thank you," said Fluttershy. "I'm not brave enough for Applewood. "You girls go on ahead. I'll meet you at Las Pegasus." Apple Bloom then followed her friends, hoping to get their biggest moment in their lives, while Fluttershy proceeded to walk back to Las Pegasus. However, something caught her eye on the way back. Taking a closer look, she saw that something appeared to be half buried in a pile of sand. Carefully uncovering it, Fluttershy then gasped in horror, as this something was in fact the horn of the deceased King Sombra, former tyrant ruler of the Crystal Empire. And no sooner did Fluttershy accidentally expose it then it started hovering in the air, enshrouded in a dark aura. Too terrified to move, Fluttershy hunkered down and covered her eyes as a wave of darkness covered her up.
When Fluttershy opened her eyes, she once again found herself in a dark place like in her nightmare from before. This time, King Sombra's evil green eyes stared right into her very soul. Fluttershy started to go pale and white.
"Welcome, Fluttershy..." said the haunting voice from before that sounded like her.
"No..." squeaked Fluttershy. "Not you again. P-please leave me alone."
"Are you sure?" asked the voice. "In that case, do you wish to accept the hard reality of this world?"
"What do you mean?"
"Kindness is a blessing, yes, but at the same time, it's a curse. It is only something that others will take advantage of to get what they want. You were once tired of being pushed around, but your resolve led you to hurt your friends. Don't you think you've been in a no-win situation long enough?"
"I... I..."
"Do not be afraid," said the voice. "Soon, you will no longer be a third wheel and you'll finally gain all the respect you rightfully deserve!" Fluttershy's eyes turned lifeless and pale...