//------------------------------// // Kindness // Story: Coming Full Circle // by Tennis Match Fan //------------------------------// After Rarity’s funeral, Twilight made an executive decision that it would be best if Fluttershy moved in with her. Fluttershy’s physical condition wasn’t so good anymore, and Twilight could help her oldest and remaining friend Another reason Twilight wanted this, a reason she would never admit to herself, was because Twilight wanted to spend the last moments of Fluttershy's life together. Not because she had stronger feelings for Fluttershy than any other pony, but because Fluttershy was her only best friend left. And Twilight knew what was coming. **** Twilight's eyes flew open. She sat up and blinked the blinding morning sunlight out of her eyes. Twilight scratched her mane and scanned the room like she did every morning. “Eight o’clock,” She mumbled. Twilight got up and tiptoed over to Fluttershy’s bed, right across the room. Twilight watched the figure of her slumbering friend rise and fall with every breath, then Twilight trotted downstairs to prepare breakfast. “What do we have?” Twilight asked herself quietly when she opened the fridge. “Tomatoes, salad, cucumbers-” She took a can and rubbed in her eyes "-rattlesnake food? How did this thing got here?” She put it back and looked in farther for something more delightful. She cheered up when she a classic favorite. “Chocolate waffles!” Twilight levitated two plates with her magic and set them down at the table. She put several some waffles at both plates, poured some apple jus into two cups when Fluttershy came into the kitchen. “Good morning, Twilight," Fluttershy said, smiling softly. “Good morning, Fluttershy!” Twilight responded. “I already made breakfast.” She pointed at the plates she had just filled. “Oh my,” Fluttershy yawned. “Sorry. I’m not totally awake.” Twilight's smile dipped into a frown. "You should have stayed in bed if you weren't ready to get up!" "Don't worry, Twilight. I wouldn't keep you breakfast waiting!" Fluttershy coughed, then she looked at the plates and let out a little gasp. “Oh, you didn’t have to do this! Some celery would have been fine!” “Too late, I already did,” Twilight answered with a grin. “So… what are we going to do today?” Fluttershy asked while she took a seat. “Well,” Twilight responded as she took a seat as well, “we don’t have to do anything special today. I cleaned up this place yesterday, so the only thing that we really have to do is feed your animals.” Twilight took a bit from her waffle. “And after that, we can go out for a walk!” Fluttershy nodded in quiet excitement. “Sounds great.” After breakfast, Twilight cleaned up the dishes, with a little help from Fluttershy, and walked to the enclosure behind the castle. It was build for Fluttershy’s animals, so they would always be close. Fluttershy was immediately attacked with hugs from all kind of animals. Twilight watched Fluttershy enjoy the moment, but after a while, she walked to the back room and opened it. It was a storage room, filled with food for all the animals. “Oh, hello Angel junior!” Twilight exclaimed gently. The white bunny was upon some bags with vegetables. “How did you get in this time?” Although Twilight locked the door each time, Angel Junior always found a way to get in. He was like a ninja or something. Twilight carefully levitated the bunny aside and took three different kinds of bags. She brought them to the center of the room. “Time for breakfast!” Fluttershy sang. And with those sweet tones, she lured all the animals in to the area. They didn’t mind Twilight opening the bags. After she struggled out of the furry mass, she crawled, panting to Fluttershy. “You, huh, should teach them some patience!” Twilight stretched every bone in her body and got back up. She wanted to ask something, but an empty bag was thrown on her head, distracting her. “And some manners too.” Twilight threw the empty bag in the trashcan. After they petted and played a bit with the animals, the friends left for a relaxing walk, mainly to help Flutershy’s rather delicate health. They decided to visit the graves of their beloved friends. Neither said a word during the walk. It was still early in the morning, and Twilight supposed they each had their own things on their minds. Once they arrived at the tranquil spot, memories began flooding back. Fluttershy and Twilight laughed for joy at the adventures they and their late friends had once shared. "Remember the party canon?” Twilight asked, blinking away tears of contentment. “Of course! Pinkie used to shoot everypony with confetti.” Fluttershy smiled, picturing the memory as if she was living it that very minute. “And cider season?” Fluttershy nodded and smiled. “I remember Rainbow Dash pulling me out of bed at midnight, once. Just to be the first one. It was the year those Flim Clam brothers came.” She turned around and found Rarity’s grave. “And Rarity,” Fluttershy continued softly. “How could I forget how you and Rarity gave me a hard time once?" Twilight chuckled at the memory. “When you two made me promise to keep your secrets, back when you modeled for Photo Finish!” Twilight turned her gaze to the tombstone labeled ‘Applejack.’ “It seems like just yesterday when she introduced me to all of the Apple family members, when I arrived here for the Summer Sun Celebration," Twilight recalled. "That was the year we became friends!" Fluttershy agreed. The next hour was spent reminiscing over memories long past. Old wounds were opened through this, but beautiful memories accompanied the pain. The sun was rising to the center of the sky, so Fluttershy and Twilight decided to head back home for lunch. “So, what are we going to have for lunch?” Fluttershy asked on the way back. “I don’t know. You tell me!” Twilight responded, chuckling. Fluttershy suddenly stopped walk. She stood rigid in the center of the path. Twilight noticed after a moment that Fluttershy wasn't next to her, and she turned around. “What’s wrong?” Twilight asked, concerned. “Twilight?” Fluttershy whispered. “What is it?” Twilight responded. “How long do you think I will live?” Fluttershy questioned. Twilight was stunned by this question. “What?” “You know what I'm asking, Twilight. How long will I be able to walk around like this?” Fluttershy lowered her head, a sad expression on her elderly face. “Why do you ask?” Twilight wrapped her wing around her friend as they resumed their walk. Fluttershy was quiet for a moment. “Because I’m scared,” she finally answered. “About what?” Twilight pressed. “I'm scared to die!” Fluttershy blurted out. “Oh, Fluttershy, you don’t have to think about that!” Twilight comforted her. “You’re walking around, healthy and well.” “Twilight.” Fluttershy turned to look her straight in the eyes. Her face was a mask of solemnity. “How old am I?” “Uh, you’re...” Twilight began to answer hesitantly, but Fluttershy cut her off. “Too old. I’m the oldest mare that ever lived. Excluding the princesses, of course. I'm sure you're aware of that.” Fluttershy sighed. “This... this just made me think.” Twilight racked her brain for a good response. “Fluttershy, what is it that scares you about death, exactly?” “I’m afraid of… of…” Fluttershy tried to answer, but she couldn't without tears brimming in her eyes. “Come on. Spit it out,” Twilight pressed. She immediately wished she hadn't been so blunt with her friend, but it was too late to change now. “...leaving you.” Fluttershy's tears spilled over. She stopped walking, as did Twilight. Twilight wrapped her hoofs around Fluttershy and hugged her as tightly as she was able without hurting the fragile mare. “Leaving me?” “Y-yes,” Fluttershy confirmed through her sobs. “Y-you’ve always been so good to me, and to everypony. When I die, I leave you with nothing.” “That’s not true,” Twilight replied, stroking Fluttershy's pale mane to calm her. “But it is!" Fluttershy cried. “I will see our friends: Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash. While I am reunited with them, you are left alone here, as the last in our wonderful group!” “It’ll be alright Fluttershy,” Twilight soothed her. She hugged Fluttershy tightly. Fluttershy's sobs grew quieter. “I’m just scared of leaving you.” “I know you'll feel bad for leaving me," Twilight began, “but I won’t be so alone. I have the animals to take care of! But I’m sure we will all be together someday soon.” She hugged Fluttershy again. “You don’t have to cry. You don’t even have to think about your death. Just think about the funny things we'll do. Okay?” Fluttershy nodded. “You’re right…” she dried her remaining tears. “Sorry.” “No need to apologize, my dear friend. We all go through moments like that,” Twilight answered gently. “I- I-” Fluttershy, suddenly dazed and confused, nearly fell onto the dirt path before Twilight caught her. “Fluttershy!” Twilight cried. “What happened?” “I’m sorry, Twilight,” Fluttershy whispered. “Ypu… you already apologized,” Twilight answered. Her tone contained all the fright and anguish she was experiencing. “Come on. I'll help you stand up and go back to the castle. You’re looking a bit weak. That’s all. Right?” “The only thing that kept me up so long was the fear of...” Fluttershy trailed off and smiled. “Now it’s gone…” “So that’s relieving and good. Right?” Twilight asked, fresh tears springing into her eyes. She knew in her heart what Fluttershy was trying to tell her. “Twilight.” Fluttershy brushed her hoof against the side of Twilight’s face. “It’s time. I can go in peace now. I'll be waiting, with the others...” Fluttershy’s breath became slower and softer. When her chest stop moving and her mouth made no sound, Twilight let her tears fall. All her many, many tears. **** Twilight sat back in the castle several hours later. She was in need of some private time to mourn. While she did so, the grandchildren of Fluttershy's brother attended to the body. All of a sudden, a light orb appeared in the center of he room. Twilight looked up from her sobs, and saw that Princess Celestia and Luna stood there. Their wings were flaired and their expressions were solemn. “Twilight. We need to talk.”