The Forest was closing in on Twilight, no matter where she turned, the forest was thereto stop her escape. Running as fast as she could, Twilight caught a glimpse of light ahead of her. This was it, if only she could run a little further she would be safe. Using her magic, Twilight teleported herself to the edge of the forest, and into the familiar grassy clearing and the hill where the pony stood. Twilight was apprehensive, and was unsure of herself, but decided to climb the hill as she had done countless other times before. Arriving at the top, The mare affectionately muzzled her, bringing a calm to Twilight. Twilight turned away from the stranger, Twilight looked back into the forest, but could not find it. The grassy field seemed to go on forever. Twilight turned to the mare, and found herself staring at a familiar face. "SO, Twilight Sparkle, Is this what has been troubling you for oh so many nights?" Princess Luna stood before Twilight, her sparkling night mane fluttering without a breeze. "P..P..Princess Luna????" Twilight was confused, she suddenly realized that she was in a dream, and the Princess of the night was standing before her "Yes, Twilight, it is our responsibility to watch over all ponies while they slumber, and ensure peace throughout the night" Twilight was at a lost for words, if this was a dream, why couldnt she wake up? "Princess Luna, I dont understand." Twilight was working as hard as she could to understand the events that were unfolding before her. Princess Luna smiled at Twilight, and placed a hoof on the unicorns shoulder. "It has been many nights that you have had this dream, has it not?" Twilight nodded her head "Perhaps there is something this world is trying to tell you?" Princess Luna smiled down to Twilight. "I have tried to figure it out, I really have, but theres nothing in my books that would explain any of this." Luna chuckled that her sisters student "Of course there wouldnt be, Twilight, this is YOUR dream, what would a book be able to tell you that you could not know?" Twilight thought hard about what the princess had said. "Does this mean that there is something that frightens me?" Lunas smile grew across her face "we cannot say what frightens you, Twilight Sparkle, we have not the ability to read minds" Twilight thought long and hard about what might frighten her, when she began to think back on the dream. As if the world was reacting to twilights will, the dream had sent her back to the forest. "So, this is the place that you think you fear?" Luna looked to the younger unicorns face "Yes, Princess, it is, but I dont know what scares me" Luna smiled wider "Well Twilight, this is something you have to figure on your own, but we have faith that my sisters prized student will be able to sort this out. remember, this world is yours, and you must figure it out" With those parting words, Luna vanished into the sky, leaving Twilight alone.
For the first night in almost a week, Twilight woke up feeling well rested. Still worried about what was going on in her dreams, she quickly went to the window and looked up into the night sky looking for Princess Luna. Unable to see her, Twilight returned to her bed when she had an idea.
"Maybe" She thought aloud to herself "Maybe the thing I fear is being alone.."
a cool breeze pushed open her window as soon as the words left her lips, going to the window to close it, she could have sworn the stars were smiling at her. Convincing herself it was just a trick of the light, Twilight closed the window and retreated into her study, where she had been taking her notes.
"Could the presence that is chasing me be the fear of being alone?" The thought seemed to linger for a while, but it didn't make sense to twilight. "I have been alone most of my life" Pouring over every aspect of the dream, the idea that she feared to be alone still heavy on her mind "It cant be, I have always preferred to be alone with a good book rather than go to a party" Twilight began thinking back to the days before she arrived in ponyville. "If anything" she thought "I've been afraid of large groups."
Suddenly, visions of her friends, and the things they have one together began to cycle through her head, the get togethers, the adventures and the time alone with all of her closest friends. Twilight was smiling, those had truly been some of the best times of her life. Then, without warning, those visions began to disappear, instead showing the unicorn alone with a book in the Canterlot Library. Twilight began to cry. Could it really be that twilight feared being alone? it was almost too much for the young unicorn to bear, she dashed out of her library home and into the night, with no regard for where she was going.
After some time in the cool air, Twilight closed her eyes, only one thought seemed to dangle in front of her "Where would I be if I didn't have my friends?" Running as fast as she could through the streets of ponyville, Twilight opened her eyes only to find that she had run straight to Fluttershys cabin. Before twilight could even think another thought, Fluttershy came out of the door, barreling right for her.
"Oh, Twilight I was so worried about you, is everything all right?" Twilight wiped the tears from her eyes and attempted to smile to her friend
"Oh I don't know anymore, Fluttershy, Im just so confused." Fluttershy took Twilight into her wings and gave her a large hug.
"When Princess Luna came to me and told me you were in trouble, I ran out as fast as I could, I am so glad that you ended up here so I didn't have to search for too long to find you" Twilight was snapped back to reality, the wings of her friend wrapped tightly around her brought comfort and relief. Twilight backed away only slightly, enough to speak, but not enough to break the hug. "Princess Luna?"
Fluttershy looked to the unicorn and smiled "Oh, um yes, you see, I was dreaming of the autumn lights we seen the other day, and, well, instead of you standing there, it was Luna, and she told me you were in trouble and needed help, I woke up immediately and came to find you, but, it looks like you found me instead" Fluttershys wings pulled twilight even closer "I'm just so glad that you're alright"
Twilight returned the hug, and the two ponies turned towards the cabin and headed inside. Fluttershy poured some hot chocolate for her friend, reasoning that coffee or tea would be a bad idea this late in the evening. Twilight took the cup in her magic, and began drinking quietly. "So, what was wrong, Twilight, I knew you needed me, but Luna wouldn't tell me exactly what was bothering you" Twilight put her cup down and stared into Fluttershys deep green eyes
"I could loose myself in those eyes" She thought happily to herself. "I really wasn't in trouble, I was just scared is all" Twilights response did nothing to assure Fluttershy.
"Well, please Twilight, I'm so worried, could you please tell me what has you so scared?"
Twilight looked back to her friend, and took in a deep breath. "Fluttershy, I'm afraid of being alone" Twilights eyes began to fill with tears "I've been having a dream where im running away, as hard as I can, terrified of what might be following me, then I come to a pony on a hill, and the feeling of fear goes away" Twilight was speaking very quickly, letting everything that had happened just pour out as though a dam holding her thoughts in had been shattered.
Fluttershy never said a word, she watched and listened as the mare of her dreams spilled out with raw emotion, and after Twilight had finished, Fluttershy lunged forward, and threw her wings around her. "Oh, Twilight!" Fluttershy gripped the unicorn with all her might, not daring to let go. "I Promise you that you'll never be alone."
Twilight was emotionally drained, she was crying and suddenly very tired. Twilight snuggled into the pegasus' wings and let herself smile. Fluttershy was holding onto her tightly, looking down into the unicorns mane and began stroking it gently. Very quietly, a melody began to leave her lips. "Hush now, quiet now, its time to lay your sleepy head. Hush now quiet now, its time to go to bed" As the music filled twilights ears, a smile gently making its way across her face, she closed her eyes, and fell gently asleep.
Twilight opened her eyes to find that she was still where she had been the night before. Fluttershys eyes glued onto hers. As Fluttershy noticed Twilight was waking up, she gave her friend a large smile.
"Good morning, Twilight, I hope you slept well?"
Twilight nodded and smiled "Thank you Fluttershy, and yes, I did sleep quite well" Twilight stretched up and out of her friends wings. "I'd better get back to the library, Spike must be worried wondering where I disappeared to"
Fluttershy nodded and got to her hooves "Well, the least I could do is walk you home"
Twilight shook her head "Oh no, Fluttershy, you've done more than enough for me already" Twilight left the front door, and turned her head back to the pegasus "But why dont you come over tonight at around 7:30?"
Fluttershy looked to Twilight in a quizzical manner "Oh, but, um, are, are you sure its ok" Twilight smiled back "I've never been more sure of anything in my life" And with that the unicorn left, heading back to her home, comfortable in her latest decision.
Fluttershy waved to Twilight as she headed her way down the cobblestone towards town and closed the door behind her. Flying slightly above the ground, she bagan to go over the events of the past few days. Twilight obviously had something to tell her, but she couldnt figure out what that might be.
"Maybe things were rushed too fast last night, oh, oh dear, I hope I didnt make her uncomfortable" she bagan to think aloud "Oh, no, shes going to tell me she wants to be friends, and that I screwed things up, and that it was too much last night and oh dear oh dear"
Fluttershy buried herself under the cushion of her couch, trying hard to hide from the world. Angel made his way to the cowering pegasus and gently tapped her on her snout and pointed to the place where twilight and her spent the night together
"Oh I know, Angel, I ruined everything" Angel smacked his paw against his forehead and shook his head
"What do you mean I didnt? I moved too fast and now she hates me!" Angel kicked his owner in the calf lightly and vigourously shook his head
"you're saying you think she was ok?" Angel nodded his head and ran into the kitchen, and brought out an apple for Fluttershy. Thank you Angel, I guesss well have to wait for tonight?"
Angel sighed and nodded his head, and the two of them got up and began their morning chores.
Twilight arrived at the library and opened the door only to find that most of her friends were standing there waiting for her.
"Hey everypony, whats up?" Twilight looked to each of the four ponies standing before her.
Rainbow Dash was the first pony to say something "You tell us, Twi! Spike here said he had woken up and you were nowhere to be found" Rainbow looked upset, but so did the remaining ponies,
Spike came down from the library holding a note "TWILIGHT" The baby dragon rushed up and tackled twilight with a flying hug "Where did you go, Twilight, I heard you talking in your sleep, and then you ran out of the door, and when you didn't turn up, I..."
Twilight put her arm around spike "Its ok, Spike, I just had to go and sort some things out, I'm sorry I didn't tell you"
All of the ponies were relieved that their friend was safe, and all started to make their way out.
"Hold on everypony, theres something that I'd like to ask. would you all come by tonight around 7:15, I'd like to throw a little party, and would love if you all could come."
Pinkie Pie leaped high into the air
"A PARTY?! a party isn't a party without ponies to party at the party, right?"
everypony looked to pinkie, trying hard to keep up with what she had said
"Uh, Sugar Cube, is there a specific reason for this here hoe down?"
Twilight smiled at Applejack "yes there is, and it is mighty important to me that my friends be there"
Applejack smiled "Well, then, it seems to me that we aint got no choice in the matter."
Rarity and Pinkie pie stayed behind as the Applejack and Rainbow dash left the library. Once they had made their way out of earshot, Rarity spoke up "Oh, Twilight darling, whatever is this all about" Rarity began to smile deviously, knowing full well that there was some juicy gossip about this whole affair "If I didn't know you any better, I'd say that youre holding a seeecret"
Twilight blushed and Raritys face beamed "Oh, my, my, you are holding a secret aren't you?" Twilight smiled through her blushing face and looked to Rarity
"You'll find out tonight" Rarity huffed as she walked past the unicorn out into the street.
"Fine, be that way, but know that it is very un-lady like to keep secrets, Twilight Sparkle" and with that parting remark, Rarity left the library.
Pinkie Pie stood in the middle of the giant hollowed out tree looking around "So Pinkie" Pinkie turned to look at her friend "Lets get started, shall we?" Pinkie Pie beamed and pulled her party canon out from seemingly nowhere and began firing shots randomly around the room.
Fluttershy left her house and made her way towards the library where Twilight said to meet her. As she walked, she could hear the unmistakable sounds of a party coming from the direction of Twilights house, as she got closer to the door, twilight stepped from behind her, and gently tapped her on the back.
"I'm glad you came Fluttershy" Twilight was blushing, and her voice was very low.
Fluttershy shook her head. "Not at all Twilight, I am glad you invited me, it looks like a great party...."
Twilight nodded "I want you to tell me if you still want to be with me?"
Fluttershy was taken aback, but nodded her head "Its all I've wanted"
Twilight sighed loud enough for Fluttershy to hear, she opened the door, and prodded for fluttershy to head on in. All of their friends were standing around playing pin the tail on the pony, and drinking punch. Fluttershy was very nervous, perhaps Twilight wanted to cheer her up for the bad news that she was going to give her. Fluttershy was lead to the center of the library where a make shift dance floor had been set up
"Ok Everypony" Twilight spoke up over the music.
Every pony in the room stopped what they were doing and looked to Twilight with apprehension
"I know this was sort of all of a sudden, and I want to thank you all for coming tonight"
Rarity looked on the floor directly through Twilight "So, Darling, are you finally going to tell us what all the festivities are for?"
Twilight nodded and Rarity became silent. Twilight looked to Pinkie "Pinkie, would you play the record on the table please?"
Pinkie hopped over to the table and switched the record over, and the record player began playing a nice romantic serenade.
Twilight reached out a hoof to Fluttershy and looked deep into her Hazel Eyes. "Fluttershy, Would you dance with me?"
The entire room took a sharp breath at the same moment, Fluttershy blushed crimson, But accepted Twilights hoof. As the music began to fill the air, Twilight and Fluttershy began to dance across the floor as elegant as ballroom dancers.
"Fluttershy" Twilight whispered softly into Fluttershys ear "Would you be my marefriend?"
The world around Fluttershy began to melt away. Nothing mattered in that moment, not the music, not the party, not her friends looking on in sheer shock, nothing. Fluttershy looked into Twilights eyes and nodded, tears of joy welling in her eyes, the two ponies embraced, closed their eyes, leant in and gave each other a deep, loving kiss.