//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Dawn The Lincoln Green. // Story: The Merry Adventures of Flutter Hood // by Chris94677 //------------------------------// I can still hear it. The sounds of train whistles, and the yells of angry Griffin and Pony traders. The pompous cries of corrupt bureaucrats in their expensive gold carriages, all making the trip between the Griffin and Pony Kingdoms. It feels like yesterday when Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna vanished... Then Prince Blueblood came to throne pronouncing himself Emperor Of Equestria. At first I thought he may be reasonable. When I came to the castle's court, and explained my plans so the Trans-Everfree road wouldn't horrifically damage the ecosystem they just scoffed at me and told me to go play environmentalist somewhere else. I left in tears, and then the Griffins and Pony came with axes and destroyed the forest. I watched it all unfold from my cottage. The horrific tragedy that left thousands of innocent creatures homeless. All left to fend for them selves. I helped as much as I could... But there were simply too many for me to handle. Most of the poor creatures passed... I knew this would happen! If only they would listen! But no, they didn't care. If it was even slightly inconvenient for them, to Tartarus with it. They wanted the quickest and easiest route possible. That route destroyed thousands of creatures home. That however, was only the beginning. Soon with the trade routes opening between The Griffin Kingdom and Equestria, Ponyville being the closest town became a hub of trade and commerce. The town's population boomed far too quickly. The town couldn't keep up with its increase in population. Soon orphans and beggars started popping up. And you couldn't reach anywhere without some poor pony begging for money just so they could eat for the day. You would see orphans picking through trash of restaurants for any left overs, only be driven away by angry chefs who didn't want orphans ruining business. You would see lost creatures roaming around for food as well ponies and griffins. It was a tragedy, me and my friends attempted to help. We again went to "Emperor" Blueblood begging for help. He just laughed and sent us away saying, "The trash belong in the streets!". Slowly but surely they moved away. Applejack was first, she simply couldn't keep business flowing with the beggars constantly in her orchards picking for food. It wasn't that she didn't want to help them, she just couldn't make a living with the apples that were left after the beggars went through it. She packed up and went to Applelosa to find greener pastures. Rarity was next, she moved to Trottingham. She didn't want her little sister Sweetie Belle falling with the bad crowd of orphans who were forced to result to petty thievery for money to eat. She left with tears and said she would come back to visit often. She never did though, maybe business was really booming for her in Trottingham, or maybe she couldn't bare to look at the sight that was Ponyville. That by now was blanketed with a thick smog from the constant trains passing through. Twilight and Spike followed soon after Rarity. I was honestly surprised she didn't leave sooner to look for Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Which we all wanted to do, but Emperor Blueblood forbade it. His legions of griffin and pony mercenaries would punish anyone whoever dared question his word. Twilight and Spike went north to the Crystal Empire which declared independence from Equestria shortly after Blueblood was put on the throne. He dared not venture north to challenge Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor's resolve. Yet everyone knew a war was brewing between the north and the south. While travel between the two kingdoms was banned. Twilight and Spike didn't care. They managed to sneak into the Crystal Empire. I get the occasional letter from her, after Spike and Twilight managed to tweak Spike's magic to send letters to me, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie. She said the Crystal Empire's army was at a stalemate, not being able to liberate Equestria without leaving The Crystal Empire vulnerable from the Griffin Imperium, who by now had a strong alliance with Blueblood. Blueblood and his griffin allies, unable to attack the Crystal Empire as the horrific cold weather made it impossible to wage any prolonged war against them. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash lasted the longest. It was a full year after Twilight left until Pinkie Pie, who by now was a shell of her former self, just lost it. She just snapped, she couldn't take the state of Ponyville any longer. She was found by a group of griffins in a fetal position huddled in an ally, singing the same song over and over again.. They tried to help her, but she started growling, and her mane became deflated, and she started uttering non-sense words. She the same phrase; who wanted to party. They hauled her off to the Hoofington Insane Asylum for further treatment. Rainbow Dash stayed the longest. Being the Element of Loyalty she refused to leave me or her home. Then after Emperor Blueblood out sourced the Weather Team jobs to griffins who offered to be paid lower wages. She just couldn't stay in Ponyville any longer. She moved to Cloudsdale to work at the Cloud Factory so she could have a living. I still remember our goodbye. Sniff "Do, you have to go Rainbow?", I said sobbing. "Y-Ya Flutters... I just can't stay here anymore. There aren't any more job openings and the weather team has been out sourced to griffins...", Rainbow Dash, said desperately trying to hold back her tears. "P-P-Please don't leave me Rainbow, you're all I have left...", I gasped fully in tears. Which broke Rainbow who was now crying as much as me. "I know Fluttershy, I don't want to go, I don't! But I need a job and there aren't any here... I will visit as much as I can, I promise okay? Just stay strong... I'll miss you okay.", Rainbow Dash said in tears before zipping away. Just like that, I was alone, all my friends left. I couldn't leave my home. I couldn't leave Angel or any of my furry friends. If I left they would all starve. I was stuck here in a limbo of sadness and depression. Every day blurring into the next one. Day's went by, weeks passed, months flew past. Then it happened. I was going to the market to pick up food for Angel when I saw a little bunny just a little smaller than Angel laying down on the brink of death. She slowly made her way to a pony mercenary who had a horrific scar over his right eye, he was eating a carrot. The bunny started begging for food. The guard just looked at her. "Aww, do you want this carrot?', the pony said, while the bunny lit up in excitement and seemed to nod her head in glee. "Well...", The guard said sweetly, "Sucks to be a little rodent like you!", he said violently before kicking her away. It went almost in slow motion The guard kicking away the bunny, I saw the look of confusion and sadness in it's eyes and the pain... I swear I saw it all in it's poor, poor eyes. It fell down, in a dirty puddle and didn't get back up... That's when I finally couldn't take it anymore. The guard just laughed at that poor little bunny's passing, and no one else cared. They all walked past as if nothing even happened. Then all that rage I held in since being laughed out of Emperor Blueblood's Court. Losing all my friends, and watching innocent creatures starve, and little filly's pass from the cold! I just could not take one more second of it. I charged going at speeds I didn't know were possible and shoulder checked the guard in the side so hard, I knew at least 3 of his ribs snapped. He flew into a stand which collapsed under the sudden new pressure, before starting to cry out in pain. Then everypony started staring at me in complete confusion. Even the orphans who were running around stopped dead in their tracks and stared at me. It went on like this for what seemed like a millennium, eventually some noble mare screamed out, "GUARDS!". I looked around in horror as I saw a legion of griffins and ponies begin to descend upon me. I can't believe I did that! The punishment was very clear about assaulting a guard! If any pony assaulted a "Royal" Guard they were to be executed to make an example of, but I didn't care at the time. At that time I was fixated solely on escaping, adrenaline pumped through my veins I was I prepared to run. I looked around trying to find a route to escape, drawing only a blank. I could have attempted to fly out, but then the griffins would surely be able to catch me. No, I had to lose them in the slums of Ponyville. So I bolted down some alleyway, and immediately went to the only friend I had left in Ponyville; Ferrum Hoof, the old aged black smith who has been in Ponyville so long he seconded only Granny Smith, or well... Maybe he was the oldest now, with Granny Smith being gone and all. Either way, I made my way down to his shop, and pounded on his door. "Ferrum! Please be home I need your help!" "Fluttershy?", Ferrum said opening the door he stopped when he saw my sweaty and panting face. "Ancestors... What happened my dear?", Ferrum said in confusion. "And what is with all the ruckus with the bells ringing, it sounds like a criminal is on the loose...", he stopped as he put two and two together. "Please... Tell me this isn't what I think this is Fluttershy...", Ferrum said in horror looking at Fluttershy. "I'm so sorry Ferrum! There was this guard and this poor little bunny. And he just kicked it into a puddle and she didn't get up. And I don't know what came over me! I'm so sorry! I need help please!", I cried in desperation. "Shh! Just get inside dear, you can't be out here somepony might find you!", Ferrum said beckoning me inside. I stepped inside looking around his shop, weapons of all types hung around. Swords, maces, axes, morning stars, all types of bows and arrows, and heavy steel armor was hung on the wall. Ferrum locked the door and changed his sign to CLOSED. "Alright Fluttershy mind telling me what happened?", Ferrum said quickly while looking back at me. "Well... I was just going to the Market to get some food for Angel, when this big mean guard was eating a carrot. Then this poor starving bunny who was obviously on her last day went up to him. She started begging him to give her the carrot. He then teased her by sticking the carrot in her face before...", I said before my voice broke and my face became twisted in anger and rage. "Before that son of a whorse yanked it away before laughing and kicking her violently away! She died Ferrum! In some bucking mud puddle! A poor innocent bunny! So I charged and knocked him out!", I spat out in a growl. "Fluttershy watch your language!", Ferrum scowled. Before then continuing, "You assaulted a Guard over a bunny!? Do you have any sense child!", Ferrum admonished. "I know! I know! I couldn't help it! I just lost control of myself, but this isn't the only thing Ferrum! You've seen Ponyville! It is now a crime filled, poverty stricken, den of pollution and corruption! Somepony needs to do something!", I yelled back surprising not only Ferrum but myself as well What has gotten into me?! "And what do you plan on doing Fluttershy! The Elements Of Harmony are gone! Ancestors know what Emperor Blueblood did with them after he took the throne! And you and your friends are separated by thousands of miles! Twilight is in the Crystal Empire, and poor Pinkie Pie is in a bloody insane asylum Fluttershy! What are you going to do alone!", Ferrum shot back. "I don't know Ferrum! But I'm starting to get some idea. I am going to run to the Everfree Forest! I am already wanted here, an outlaw! I'll free what ever animals I have left at my cottage and take Angel to the Everfree Forest and we will live out our days in there.", I said not even convincing myself. "No you won't Fluttershy...", he said calming down before looking down at the floor and sighing, "Do you really want to make a difference Fluttershy?", Ferrum said starting at me with his serious brown eyes. "More than anything Ferrum.", I said stomping my hoof down Why did I say that?! "... Okay...", Ferrum said simply before going into the back. He returned shortly with a brown chest. "What is that Ferum?", I said eye balling the chest. "Back where I came from, Trottingham...", he sighed, before taking a breath and continuing "There was a hero, long, long ago. During the days of Discord's reign. He hid in the Marewood Forest. He was famous for stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. He was beacon of freedom and fairness. He was known by the law to be an outlaw, a thief, a rouge... To the people, he was hero. A crusader for justice and fairness in a world that severely lacking in those times. He and his bunch known as The Merry Stallions roamed the forest stealing the rich pony folk's money and giving it to the poor ponies in Trottingham. Eventually it got so bad, Discord himself came to Trottingham to find this rouge, and guess what? During that time Princess Celestia and Princess Luna got themselves the time window they needed to stop Discord and free Equestria. The Prince of Thieves crusade was done. He was pardoned for all his crimes by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna... He was given the Medal Of The Sun, and the Medal Of The Moon, and most lavishly; the Medal Of Equestria. That was almost 1500 years ago... ", Ferrum said his voice trailing off. "How do you know this Ferrum, and who was he?", I said in amazement. "Fluttershy... I know this because that man was Robin Hoof... He was my great great great, many greats later grand father, and every generation of new Hoof's is given this.", Ferrum said opening the chest. In the chest I saw a simple Lincoln Green hood and shirt. With leather armor on the shoulders and ribs... Though what caught my eye was the most the most beautiful bow I have ever seen in my life. It was so elegant and beautiful. It was mesmerizing. On the bow was etched in the wood, Omnis enim iustitia. I was confused I never seen this writing before so I asked, "Ferrum, what does this say?" He looked over at the bow and chuckled. "Ahh, that's ancient Equestrian, but if I remember correctly I believe my father told me, it means Justice For All.", Ferrum said eyeballing the bow. "I see... Ferrum why are you showing me this?", I asked still staring at the clothes and bow. "Fluttershy... This time of darkness rivals that of Discord's reign. Equestria desperately needs another Robin Hoof... But I am too old.. And I have no children of my own." He stopped, before looking at me with a smile that displayed both pride and fear, "Fluttershy, you are like a daughter to me. You are the last bastion of kindness left in this forsaken town... I hereby bestow this honor of Robin Hoof unto you. To mark the passing of generations. Guard it well Fluttershy.", Ferrum said with nod of respect. I was completely dumbfounded He wants ME to become the next Robin Hoof! I can't do that! I am no hero! I'm not brave at all I can't do this! "Ferrum... I can't... I no, I just can't..", I said with horror on my face as I shoved the crate away from me. "No Fluttershy, you can. You have shown time and time again your bravery, whether or not you believe it yourself you are one of the most courageous ponies in all of Equestria. You could have easily left Ponyville just like everypony else, but you stayed. Despite the hardships, to care for your creatures and the less fortunate. If you want to make a difference you must become the next Robin Hoof, and take from those self important bureaucrats and give back to those in need... Though I understand if you do not wish to take this. It is a heavy burden, and I shall not ask you to do it if you truly do not believe you can succeed...", He said clearly disappointed I sighed deeply... ... You need to do this Fluttershy I know! I know! I just don't think I can! ... We both know you can. You can't lie to your conscious Fluttershy But what if I fail, or make things only worse... ... Wouldn't that be better than not trying at all? You heard Ferrum, Equestria needs a hero... So why not you? You're right... Equestria needs me, I won't give up! "No Ferrum... I will... I'll become the next Robin Hoof.", I said confidently breathing in deeply. "Thank you Fluttershy..." He said with a smile full of pride and admiration, "Here take this.", he replied handing me the chest. "I won't let you down Ferrum I promise.", I said with a new found confidence. "Pinkie Promise?", Ferrum joked. I laughed at that, before saying "Cross my heart, hope to fly...", I said before Ferrum joined in. "Stick a cupcake in my eye", we said in unison. before we both shared a short yet sincere chuckle/ "Ancestors I miss that pink pony...", Ferrum said sadly. "I miss Pinkie too, if anyone could put a smile on our faces it would be her", I said staring at the floor. "Truer statements have rarely been made, but right now we need you Fluttershy... May the spirits make your hooves swift, and your aim true.", He moving his right hoof up from my head down to my chest and then to me left shoulder to my right shoulder. "I'll see you again, and hopefully next time I'll have a large amount of bits to give to the poor ponies around here.", I said putting on the Lincoln Green shirt and hood, then putting the bow on my back. "Oh! I completely forgot!" Ferrum said face hoofing and looking back with worry. "What is it Ferrum?", I said putting my hood up, while tying the bracers on my hooves "You do know how to shoot a bow right?", He said worryingly. I giggled at that, "Of course I do. My father taught me along time ago when I decided to be a grounded pegasus he said it would be a need to know if I was to live on the edge of the Everfree Forest.", I replied with a sly smile before looking at myself in the mirror, and seeing the new mare in front of me. I looked rough and ready for anything. You couldn't see any of my pink mane just a dark shadow over my face, amd leather bracers on my legs above my hoofs. Then of course Lincoln Green on every inch of my body. Fortunately it appears this Robin Hoof was a pegasus as well, as there was a opening for my wings. "Good Luck Fluttershy make me proud.", Ferrum said turning away. "I will Ferrum, I will.", I said opening the back door, preparing to set course for my cottage, to release any animals still there, and from there... The Everfree Forest. A whole new life was looking at me. Fluttershy was no more, I took a deep breath before I said one last thing to Ferrum, "Ferrum one last thing..." "What is it Fluttershy?", Ferrum asked turning back towards her with a raised eyebrow. "It's too dangerous for me to be Fluttershy... Blueblood will go after my friends who are still in Equestria, I need a pseudonym.", I said contemplating on what to be called. "I can think of only one Fluttershy...", Ferrum said clearly hinting at what he meant. "Then I suppose Fluttershy is gone, so from now on call me Robin Hoof." I finalized before nodding to the blacksmith and walking out the old wooden door, and entering the unknown.