//------------------------------//
// Findings 
// Story: Three Butterflies and a Star 
// by Impurity 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 1:

Findings


“Some of the biggest moments in our lives happen without planning and sometimes without our notice.” 



"Just be still for a few more seconds." Fluttershy calmly whispered into the mockingbird's ear, while carefully wrapping a cloth around its damaged wing. "And there. Your wing is clean and bandaged up my little friend. Try not to fly for at least a few days. Can you do that for me?" The yellow mare received multiple elated chirps as a reply. "Oh you're welcome little guy." Fluttershy slowly made her way to one of the cabinets, humming a soft tune. With her hooves she parted the doors open and took out a bag of bird feed. The yellow mare poured the contents onto a small plate before neatly placing it back to its original place. She walked back with the plate resting on her wing to the hungry mockingbird, humming a different tune. "You must be hungry, have some food to keep your energy up." Gently she put the feed in front of the bird, immediately causing it to rush into its meal. "Now now, slow down. You don't want to choke on your food do you now." She gave it a motherly look, one containing both concern and happiness. The bird looked up at her with a smile and nuzzled the part of her mane that drooped down over her eye, chirping happily at the same time. "Oh thank you for the compliment mr. Dee." 

Fluttershy flew back to her cabinets and checked through the drawers to see if she could find any more medicine. After treating her latest patient she realized how long it had been since she had last restocked. She had planned to go a few days ago but a certain mare had other plans with the entire town. I don't have much left, and I don't want any animal to deal with the pain. She looked out the window to make sure she had enough time. It was only a few hours after noon, the sun showing no signs of its upcoming slumber. I still have plenty of time. The yellow mare trotted to her closet and took out a standard small brown saddlebag, no fancy trinkets or gems, nothing special, just how she liked it. She wore the saddlebag quickly and tightly fastened it, but not enough to cause her any pain. "I'm going out for a little bit, try to be careful, especially you La Bestia. We don't want a repeat of last time." Fluttershy said, giving the bear a warning before she made her way outside. Once out she slowly closed her door, leaving it unlocked. It had become a bad habit of hers to do so unless she was leaving for a long time as opposed to her childhood where she would lock the door, double checking before leaving. Cloudsdale wasn't the worst place to live in regards of crime but there was still a fair share of it, especially around the neighbourhood where she lived. Ponyville was a much safer place in comparison and she knew that full well, so she developed the habit out of instinct and even if somepony did manage to get in, well there's always the bear.

She trotted slowly towards the forest path, taking a very objective look into the dangerous Everfree. I really hope there isn't anything on the path or around it. Fluttershy thought to herself, silently praying that her hopes would not be ripped to shreds. Once at the forest edge, the yellow mare hesitated. I could always go ask somepony to come with me and come back with them later. Fluttershy shook her head rapidly, disagreeing with herself. You've went to Zecora's and back many times with no problems, you are brave, nothing ever happens to the brave ponies and the animals need you to be strong. Imagine what would happen if you had no more medicine and someone got hurt. Fluttershy steeled herself until she looked once more at the forest and gulped. Trying to be as brave as she could, she took her first few steps into the forest. See nothing to be afraid of. Fluttershy released a large portion of the tension she put on her shoulders and walked calmer than before, her fears sedated for the time being. 

Even with all her courage, Fluttershy would still glance at every bush, shrub or openings in the forest that led off the path, checking for any possible threats that could come her way. Just because she was being careful doesn't mean she's not brave. Okay, see Fluttershy nothing... The pegasus stopped and strained her ears, wanting to rehear what she had heard. She did not close her eyes, fearing that something would attack her and she would have no time to run. The sound was very, very faint but she was sure that beyond her own heartbeat, heavy but also weak breathing was what she heard. "Hello? Is anypony- the yellow mare tried to take slow steps, but something stronger and with a more defined shape than a vine, snagged her hoof, causing her to tumble onto the dirt ground. -Eeep!" She squeaked, taken completely by surprise by the mysterious obstacle. Immediately without hesitation, she jumped to her hooves, preparing herself. Her eyes darted in every direction, hoping that no creatures were alerted because of her misstep. Luckily she was still within a rather close distance to the border and most of the dangers the forest contained required you to go deeper inside. When the mare was absolutely sure nothing was going to pounce on her and inflict pain, she focused her vision back to the spot that she had tripped. Her eyes immersed themselves into the task, but nothing out of the ordinary was there. Just a bush Fluttershy. There must have been some sort of tree root underneath it. But the mare, despite her thoughts knew that she was deceiving herself. The unknown object hidden behind the bushes was much too weak and soft to be part of a tree. Fluttershy's curiosity caused her to take very precise steps towards the bush, patiently waiting at every step for any noise. The same breathing as before came from the bush. "Hello?" The yellow mare said, trying to interact with the mystery in front of her. She received no reply, just the very same noise she had heard since the beginning. Once again the yellow mare spoke, taking another few steps closer. She was now only a few centimetres away and decided to push the bushes away. "Hello? Is any- She stopped, her heart rate turning irregularly fast as she put a hoof to her mouth, slight tears forming in the corners of her eyes. 

The scene that lay before her was one she would never have anticipated seeing. In front of her was the obstruction, no, pony that caused her to fall. Bare of her regular outfit, mud covered multiple places on her body. Her once pristine blue coat was now devoid of its cleanliness. Cuts and scratches littered a good portion of her body; a horrendously large laceration that seemed fresh, covered most of her right leg, missing the femoral artery by an inch. The blood had leaked out from the wound, staining her legs with a fair amount of blood, giving it a more reddish tone. The mare's mane and face had also taken a rough blow, her mane was caked with dried and wet mud and on her left cheek was a small sized cut, not bleeding as bad as the cut on her leg, but bleeding nonetheless. She was still alive, her body was moving up and down very slowly in a basic rhythm, indicating that she was breathing. But the question that came to the yellow mare was, for how long?

"TRIXIE!"