//------------------------------// // 2. // Story: Millennial Redemption // by Hopefullygoodgrammar //------------------------------// Fluttershy finished her chores around the house before returning to check up on the mysterious creature that she had found in the woods; whom she had put on the couch and covered with a blanket from her own bed. She was still fast asleep. The yellow pegasus frowned slightly as the poor thing shifted and whimpered slightly. Fluttershy knew that she was in the grip of a nightmare, but wasn’t sure if it would be right to wake her; those dark circles under her eyes told her that she needed rest. I should go tell Twilight about this. she decided after her charge began to twitch and mewl in a way that made her heart bleed. Fluttershy clopped over to her and pulled the blankets just a bit tighter around her in case she tossed and turned; then she quietly left her cottage after leaving a note in case her charge woke up. Ponyville was as bright, colorful and happy as usual, but Fluttershy wasn’t in the mood to take in the atmosphere. I hope Twilight can help me. she fretted as she drew nearer to the massive crystalline structure that sat near the outskirts of the humble little town. She arrived at the massive, ornate double doors that served as the main entrance and knocked lightly. She waited a few minutes before the door slowly creaked open to reveal Spike, Twilight’s number one assistant and the only dragon in Ponyville. When he saw her his face split into a big smile, “Hey, Fluttershy!” he greeted. “Hello, Spike.” she said softly, giving him a small smile, “How are you?” “Aww I’m fine.” he said dismissively, “I’ve been hanging out, getting my bearings. This place is huge, though, I think Twilight said something about it being 10 times the size of… the library.” Fluttershy frowned at the sadness that came over the young drake’s face when he mentioned the now-destroyed library. The yellow pegasus laid a hoof on Spike’s shoulder and said, “Don’t worry, Spike. I miss the Golden Oaks too, but I’m sure that you’ll have plenty of happy memories about this place in no time! So cheer up, okay?” Spike looked up at her and smiled, “Alright, I’ll try for you. So are you looking for Twilight?” Fluttershy nodded and Spike stepped aside to allow her inside. When she crossed the threshold Fluttershy couldn’t help but marvel at how grand and massive the place looked with it’s crystal walls, ornate tapestries and beautiful stain-glass windows- one of which depicted her with her element. “Pretty cool, huh?” said Spike from her left. Fluttershy nodded, “Yes, I-I can’t believe that I had forgotten how beautiful this place was.” Spike nodded, “Yeah, It take a while to get used to it, and when that happens you realize how cool the place is. Did you know that there’s a dungeon in this place?” Fluttershy raised a brow. Spike giggled and turned to a nearby door, “Here’s Twilight’s study. She wanted a room that was easily accessible to her friends and herself, so she chose this room.” The little drake knocked on the door and called out to his friend and adoptive mother. A moment later the door opened and a very tired-looking Twilight Sparkle trotted out. “Hey, Spike, what’s up?” she asked, not noticing Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus gave a small cough and Twilight turned to her. “Oh! I’m so sorry, Fluttershy, I’m just a bit tired… though that’s still no excuse for not noticing you.” she adopted an apologetic look. “It’s alright, Twilight” said Fluttershy, “I’m sure that getting used to this place is hard.” Twilight’s ears drooped, “Yeah… I just miss the library.” Fluttershy draped a wing around her studious friend and pulled her into a hug, “I know it’s hard, Twilight, but I’m here for you and so are the other girls.” Twilight returned the hug with a smile, “I never doubted that for a second.” After a few seconds Twilight broke the hug off and straightened her mane, “So, what do you need?” Fluttershy looked down, “Well… it’s kind of… hard to believe, I think it would be better if I showed you, can you come over to my house later today?” Twilight gave her friend a quizzical look, then nodded. “Sure, is 7:00 good for you?” Fluttershy nodded with a big smile, “Oh yes, 7:00 is perfect, I’m sure that my guest will be awake by then.” Twilight’s magenta eyes widened, “Wait… guest? Who’s your guest?” Fluttershy blushed slightly,  “She’s… well… she’s not a pony.” Twilight blinked, “Sooo… what is she?” Fluttershy shook her head, “You wouldn’t believe me, I think it’s better that you see for yourself.” Twilight approached her friend with a calming smile on her face, “I wouldn’t doubt your word, you can tell me and I Pinkie Pie promise that I won’t laugh, or scoff, or anything like that.” The purple unicorn made the motions of the promise. Fluttershy bit her lip, then said, “I’m not sure what species she is, but she’s tall, doesn’t have much hair and has really sharp teeth.” Twilight’s eyes lit up like miniature suns as her friend said this, then she raised her hoof in the air and gave an excited squeal, “You found a new species?! This is so awesome! I can’t wait to meet her!” Fluttershy giggled at her friend’s antics, then said, “I’m glad that you’re excited, but I hope that you don’t overwhelm my guest, she looks like she’s had some tough times and she needs her sleep. So come over at 7:00, like we agreed on, and be calm around her.” Twilight stopped her hoof pumping and let out a disappointed groan. “Twilight.” said Fluttershy in a serious tone. “I know, I know.” said Twilight, “It’s just that it isn’t everyday that one gets to talk with member of a new species.” “I know, Twilight” said Fluttershy, “and I thank you for your patience; you really are the best friend that somepony could ask for.” Twilight’s cheeks turned a bright shade of red and she pawed at the ground bashfully, “Awww… thanks, Fluttershy, you’re an awesome friend, too.” Fluttershy hugged Twilight one more time and then turned to go, but then she heard Twilight say, “ I can’t wait to tell the girls about this!” Fluttershy turned and said, “Could you… maybe… hold off on telling them? It’s just that, well, she was really miserable when I found her, she was crying and when I offered to help her she said that I wasn’t real. I don’t think that it would be wise to crowd her right now.” Twilight nodded, “Okay, Fluttershy, but they’re gonna find out anyway.” Fluttershy smiled, “They always do.” Then she turned and left Twilight with her thoughts.