//------------------------------// // Wintershy Part 1 // Story: Wintershy // by Pinkamena_FP_Pie //------------------------------// "It looks....amazing..." Fluttershy said under her clearly visible breath. Walking into Ponyville felt like an entirely new experience today, because every pony in town had finally finished decorating their homes for the upcoming Hearthswarming Eve. Although the weather was quite frigid, her heart felt warm in the luminescent town. The town's lights covered the evening sky like an aurora, complimenting all that the town oversaw. Every step she took was careful and slow as to not risk falling on the ice, feeling the chilling snow between her hooves as she wandered the town. As she slowly trotted about, she could see ponies left and right, having fun, falling in love, and just enjoying the beauty of it all. She couldn't help but let out a small dainty smile with all the good spirit just flowing throughout. But that's Hearthswarming for you, for it is the celebration of harmony among ponies. It is the celebration of friends and family. It was a special time that everyone should enjoy to the fullest extent. However, one little filly in particular stuck out like a sore thumb, her upset face being clearly visible even from afar. Fluttershy moved a little faster, still mindful of slipping to catch up to her. "Applebloom, is something wrong?" Fluttershy asked concerned, "Of course, if you don't want to tell me, that's fine too....but it'd probably really help if you talked about whatever's bothering you." She said as she gave a cheerful smile. Applebloom looked at Fluttershy in disbelief before simply picking up her pace in order to create distance between the two. Fluttershy knew she couldn't catch up trying to walk faster in the snow, so she began to flap her delicate wings to lightly levitate herself from the ground to end up a few steps behind her. "Are you s-sure you don't want to talk about it?" She asked again, a little more insecure in her own words. "Yeah, I'm sure I don't wanna talk about it, Fluttershy," She said, distraught. "Please, just leave me alone.." She increased her speed, and created an even larger gap between them. Fluttershy tried her best, but was too weak a flier and was out walked by Applebloom enough to discourage her from chasing. "Well, um....okay..." Fluttershy said as she ceased her flying and stood, picking at the snow filled ground, looking as Applebloom ran off into another part of town. I wonder what's bothering her.. She thought to herself. Applebloom rarely got discouraged or depressed, and she could only imagine what problems could be bothering her, to even remain like that with all the good energy around her. She was still concerned, but she hoped it would clear itself out before she had to get involved again. ______________________________________________ She continued her path to Twilight's tree house, still not able to get Applebloom off her mental 'worry about allot' list. As she entered she was warmly greeted by her friends. No sooner than she entered, did a pink flash of excitement tackle her to the ground. "Hey, Fluttershy! We were waiting a really, really long while for you to come! Well, okay maybe only a few minutes; But, it felt like you were neveeer coming," She said as though the possibility of Fluttershy not coming brought her mood down instantly. The pink mare sat there for a split second in her slouch before springing back into her usual step, "But now you're here, and that'll make the party 100 percenterific stupenderifically stupendous!" She yelled excitedly. "Well, I'm glad I came then, Pinkie Pie." She said,trying to soothe the mare to normal conversational speed. It seemed to completely fail, as her eyes grew wide and she smiled brightly before grabbing her hoof, leading her in the tree house with incredible speed, dashing about before continuing what Fluttershy assumed she had been before she came. She made her way upstairs to the warmth of Twilight's room where every pony was. "Well, like Pinkie said, it's very nice you can join us, darling," Rarity said as she slightly puffed her violet hair, levitating her cup and drinking with elegance as Fluttershy entered. "Yeah, It wouldn't have been as fun without all of us here together!" The Cyan pony declared, floating effortlessly, using her hooves to hold her cup. Fluttershy smiled at the comments and looked at Twilight, who was already preparing her a cup. Within moments, Spike ran over with the cup and lightly placed it in between Fluttershy's hooves. As she took a sip from her cup, she noticed something was amiss. "I thought every pony was here, but where is Applejack?" She softly asked. The others looked amongst themselves with worried faces. "Well, you see...." Twilight started, "She stepped out a bit to talk to her little sister." Fluttershy appeared slightly surprised. "Well, I saw Applebloom on my way here, that's why I came a bit late.." she explained with slight guilt in her voice. She finished her cup, and placed it back on the dresser. It didn't take long before Spike came across quickly, picking it up, and taking it into the kitchen. " I think someone should try going to find them." Fluttershy insisted. "Applebloom seemed really upset, and I was so worried about her." It wasn't long after her comment that Applejack came in abruptly, very, very upset. "Gosh darn' it!" She stomped her hoof before rushing to the things she left there. "What's wrong, Applejack?"The girls asked in unison. "It's Applebloom! She's been such a bother lately. She's been screaming, and throwin' all type o' tantrums!" She said while gearing up her stuff, "Me an' Big Mac're gonna have a long chat with her." She said seriously. Applejack looked around the tree house for a few seconds before sighing and relaxing her expression to a rather sad one. "I'm sorry, y'all, this was supposed to be a good day, an' I just went an' ruined it all. I'm mighty sorry..." She said regretfully. "It's okay dear," Rarity said reassuring, "It's nothing special, just make sure you and Applebloom sort things out before we head out to Canterlot tomorrow to see the Hearthswarming play next week." Applejack had a hopeful smile on her face before galloping down the stairs off to the farm. "Well, this was a bit unfortunate." Twilight said as she walked downstairs, picking up Applejack's cup with her magic, "This is most troubling. I don't think I've ever heard of Applejack having issues with Applebloom other than her constant cutie mark antics." The others nodded in agreement. "Well, I've got to say: Whatever it is that's making her so rebellious is a mystery to any of us." Rarity stated as she took another sip of her tea. She opened her eyes in surprise as she turned her cup upside-down and shook it repeatedly. "Oh, Spike, darling. Could I get another cup of tea?" She beckoned. Spike rushed in with the entire ensemble of type of tea they had. "Which would you like?" He asked, hanging on for a reply. Twilight & Rainbow Dash snickered and tried their best to conceal their laughter, but was failing pretty hard. Spike rolled his eyes at them. "Well, see if I get sleepy time for you guys." He said, annoyed as he went back into the kitchen. Rainbow Dash and Twilight burst into laughter. "Well that was kinda huffy~" Twilight said, teasing at an inside joke. Everyone except Rarity burst in laughter in response. Twilight and Rainbow Dash were on their backs, holding their sides at this point. "Wait, I don't get it." She said confused. After a few moments of laughing, Twilight stood up like she was shocked. "I forgot to give Applejack her and Applebloom's invitations!" She shouted suddenly. "Oh man, hand them over to me, I'll get them there!" Rainbow Dash volunteered, prepping up her wings to go. Before Twilight got the papers, she remembered the serious conversation her and Big Mac were supposed to be giving Applebloom about now, "Actually, I think I'm going to sit this one out." Rainbow Dash blushed. Everyone realized why she backed out, and began sharing nervous stares with each other. "I'LL DO IT, I'LL DO IT!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Oh great, well in that case--" Twilight said before being interrupted. "I'll be all like 'I gots an invitation for dem two smokin' ponies over there.' Like one of those old pervy stallions, and then I'd be all in that argument sauce, I'll be like 'mhm, mhm mhm--'" Twilight put a hoof over her mouth, though stopped any actual words being spoken, didn't stop her from mumbling anyway. "Okay, anyone else except Pinkie?" She asked irritated. "I'll do it." Fluttershy said softly. If anything could dissipate an intense argument, a little kindness should do the trick, she thought to herself. She felt that she was the one who needed to see the argument if anyone was going to see it. she wanted to help, although she couldn't imagine how scary a situation it was, she's not a scaredy-pony anymore--Okay, well she still is, but she's trying new things. "Now, Fluttershy, you understand you'll probably get in the middle of something delivering these..?" Twilight asked in a warning tone. "Yes." she replied unwavering. "Alright....." Twilight handed the invitation to her. "I'll be right back, girls." She said confidently as she lightly flew out of the tree house. "You think she'll be alright?" Rarity asked. "I hope so..." Twilight said as she pressed her nozzle on the window, trying to get a closer look at her. "I'll give her five minutes." Rainbow Dash off-handed. "Rainbow!" The rest said simultaneously. _________________________________________ Fluttershy made a very slow tread to the farm, losing her nerve every second she got closer the barn. Oh, this is crazy, I should've never done this! She said to herself. I mean, I've never seen Applejack OR Big Mac angry before, how am I gonna react to that?! And Applebloom just going off at the mouth with her?! What am I crazy?! This was a job for some pony else after all, maybe I should just go get Twilight or someone else, too-- Before she even got to finish that thought, she could hear Applejack screaming at the top of her lungs. "HOW DARE YOU TALK TO GRANNY SMITH LIKE THAT?!" Applejack could be heard from almost a quarter mile from the farm loudly and clearly. Fluttershy started shaking, really wishing she didn't volunteer, but she knew some pony had to do it, and she volunteered, She had to do it. She held her breath as if taking a plunge and started flying as fast as she could to the barn, ignoring all the yelling from the place. After few minutes, she was in front of the barn, and the yelling had stopped. She could hear someone talking in a very angry tone. It sounded like Applejack. Fluttershy decided to wait it out, and peered at the discussion from a nearby window. "Applebloom, I told you a thousand times, I ain't tellin' ya what you got this Hearthswarming Eve." Applejack said resolute. "Oh, come on! I'm not a baby anymore, you can't just tell me, huh?! Stop treating me like I'm a little filly and tell me!" Applebloom retorted. "Uhhhhh Applebloom, you are a little filly." She placed a hoof over her head to compare size. "Eeyup." Big Mac chimed in. Applebloom pushed Applejack's hoof away from her and glared intently. Applejack replied with a patronizing stink-eye. It carried on for what Fluttershy could mistake as hours before Applebloom just frenzied. "Arghhhh forget it, you'll never understand!!!" Applebloom yelled as she stormed off, angry. Fluttershy looked amazed at the argument. What she saw now was only the ending of the argument, and it was enough to leave her frozen in intimidation just looking at them argue from the window. She dreaded what she would've gotten pulled into if she came in at all, not to mention if she had got here any sooner. However, she broke her frozen state, and knocked on the door, knowing Applejack was going to answer. Applejack tried not so show it, but she had a very tired look on her face. I guess even she didn't expect an argument as big as they had with her. "You wanted somethin', sugar cube?" Applejack asked Fluttershy in an endearing tone, as if nothing had happened. "Oh, um. It's nothing--It's just that Twilight forgot to give you and Appleblom your tickets for the Hearthswarming Eve play, and I, um.." Fluttershy said before trailing off, "Anyway, these are the tickets for the play." She said, gleefully smiling. Applejack gave a suspicious look at Fluttershy before letting it go, and taking the tickets. "Why thank ya, Fluttershy. That's mighty kind of ya." She picked them up with her teeth. "M'kay Prtner, sya et da train stashun tommorow." Applejack said with the tickets still in her mouth. Fluttershy nodded and walked off the farm, heading towards where Twilight and the others were. As she got inside, she noticed Twilight going over papers. "Oh, hey Fluttershy. You gave Applejack the invitations, I presume?" She asked. "Oh, yes....Twilight, what are you doing there?" She looked curiously at her writing away on a large scroll. "Oh, the princess has asked me to oversee some things about the play, so I'll be working extra hard before I take off." She said, almost boasting. __________________________________ The day had passed, and Applejack, Applebloom and Fluttershy all had their belongings ready to leave for Canterlot. Applejack and Applebloom looked solemn as they both looked away from each other as they put their belongings on the train. They headed inside while Twilight talked loud enough to be heard over the sound of the train and from inside it. "The princess couldn't get us enough seats to take the same train. Unfortunately, we'll be separated from each other for a couple days, so it should be simple enough to just meet after we make it there at a time." She instructed, "Also, the winter is already worse over there, so you should have plenty of warm clothing ready." "Okay, but Twilight, why aren't you going on the first train?" Fluttershy asked as she boarded the train. Twilight looked to see if Applejack and Applebloom were in range of her voice, and lowered it just in case, "Well, I was, but now that Applejack and Applebloom are in such a state, I decided to just switch tickets with you, sorry. It's not that I was willing to stick you in between them, but I really need to get this work done before Hearthswarming Eve, and I'll miss too much time trying to work around their bickering. Rarity or Rainbow Dash would've been a better pick, but I already gave them theirs days ago. I just gave you yours, so I hope you can handle a train ride with it. With all the ponies, they will probably make it easier for you, since they'll have to limit it. Sorry, again..." She said apologetically, hoping to save face. "Yeah, I guess you're right, Twilight," Fluttershy agreed, " I know how busy you can be, and I know you wouldn't do this unless it was really important. Besides, I didn't know what ticket I was getting anyway." She said, smiling. "Now I feel worse.." Twilight sighed, "Alright, well we'll see you guys in a couple days!" Twilight yelled as the train pulled off. __________________________________________________ "It sure is nice to finally give my dogs some rest." Applejack said as she freely swished her hind legs back and fourth in her seat. It had been about six hours on the train, now and they were about halfway to Canterlot. "I must admit, we might not be going together, but the first class coaches sure are nice." Fluttershy said as she saw how the two were satisfied once they sat down. And she wasn't just over exaggerating, either. The cart was absolutely beautiful. The room they had was obviously only meant for three people, but it was spacious, I mean it was a room, in a train! They had some fancy juices in the complimentary cabinets, and there was a small collection of books, all very popular and recent, or very classic. Either way, it was a very welcome compliment to the room. And not to mention the view from the large paned window, that, even more amazingly, didn't let a peep of cold air enter. Oh, yay! We may actually be able to get there without them arguing! She said to herself. "Oh, man. This train sure is fancy. Nothin' like back on the farm." Applejack said followed by a low whistle in awe. "Yeah, back on the farm, you keep secrets from grown ponies that should know what they're getting for Hearthswarming Eve." Applebloom chimed in sarcastically. Oh no.....Fluttershy thought to herself. "Not this again, we just got away from the da gon' place, and you still on that?!" Applejack shouted in anger. "When was I e'er off of 'that'?" Applebloom retorted. Well, that ship sunk pretty fast.. Fluttershy thought to herself. This was genuinely upsetting, she knew this couldn't go on any longer, but she didn't have it in her to speak up, she tried anyway. "Ummm..!" She said loudly over her and Applejack arguing, "You two should really stop this, it's not good for sisters to be fighting." "Fluttershy, It's mighty kind an' friendly-like for you to be concerned, but you understand how she's bein' right now." Applejack explained. "You mean, how you're being?!" Applebloom argued. "You!" "No you!" "YOU!!!" "NO YOU!!!" They would continue this until Fluttershy had to intervene. "STOPPPPP!" Fluttershy yelled as loud as she could, "Neither one of you are right for arguing in each other's throats like this, for, by what I can tell is no reason!" She said assertively. Apple bloom lit up like a cherry. "DO YOU KNOW WHY I'M ANGRY?!!! NO, YOU DON'T, AND NEITHER DOES MY STUPID BIG SISTER OR BROTHER!!! NO ONE DOES--" Without letting another word slip through, Applejack struck her hoof against Applebloom's face. She and Appleblom looked at each other for what seemed like forever while Fluttershy covered her mouth in pure shock at what just happened. It wasn't a hard strike for mares Applejack's age, just a pinch on the cheek, really, but that didn't stop Applebloom from bursting into tears and running to another part of the train. Fluttershy finally gasped, " Applejack!" She said in a disappointed tone. Applejack pulled her hat over her head, and looked away at the outside scenery constantly changing with the movement of the train. " I did what had to be done." She said, seemingly choking back tears. She took a deep breath before looking back at her, and returning her gaze to the window. "You have to go find her!" Fluttershy commanded. "I'm not going after her right now, she needs to cool her head and talk to me with respect, like I'm her big sister." Applejack said coldly. Fluttershy puffed up before flapping her wings and flying out of the room I'll find her myself! Fluttershy said defiantly. _______________________________ Fluttershy looked for what had been about an hour trying to find her cart to cart. She asked different ponies, and they all told her she ran in different places sending her back and fourth. Eventually, she found her in the one place you'd find anyone wanting to be away from any pony: In the last cart, the storage room. She could hear Applebloom silently sobbing. she moved the boxes and suitcases, and saw her hunched over wiping what seemed like endless tears. Fluttershy tried to put her hoof over Applebloom's shoulder, only to have it gently moved away. "No one gets me..." She said wiping more tears, "I wish scoots and Sweetie Belle were here, but three fillies can't go all by themselves can they? they get to have fun and are probably gonna have a party when they room with Pinkie Pie.. but me? I just get hit in the face." Fluttershy teared up a bit for the young mare. she could tell she has issues she's too proud to talk about out loud. she leaned in and talked as softly yet firmly as she could. "Applebloom, please tell me why you're so upset about being treated like a filly. You know what you're young, right?" Applebloom looked back at her with desperate, sad eyes. "I know, I know, it's just that--" Applebloom was interrupted by a hard jerk of the train, and then a weird sense of slowness that they both felt. Fluttershy looked out the windows to see that the train had been.....disconnected?! Fluttershy and Applebloom looked in the window, and saw Applejack's horrified face in the rear window of the last car that was connected to the storage room. "APPLEBLOOM, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!" Applejack cried as both Fluttershy and Applebloom was taken by the darkness of the snowy night.