//------------------------------// // Chapter 8-Kindness // Story: Transformers: The Requiem // by JDPrime22 //------------------------------// The barn doors slowly creaked open, revealing a long, pink mane making its way inside. The pink mane was followed by a pair of brilliant cyan-colored eyes, and a very small and timid voice. “Um…Applejack told me nopony was in here…is that true?” She received no response…but still waited a full ten seconds. “Oh! Thank goodness!” Fluttershy announced in relief, pushing the barn doors aside to let in Angel Bunny. On her wing was a small basket, a red and white striped blanket revealing itself on the side. As she pushed open the doors, the Thursday morning sun spilled into the dusty barn, giving Fluttershy the perfect view of him. Nothing had changed since the last time she saw him. Optimus Prime remained unmoving, unresponsive, and uninteresting now that he was simply a rusting piece of metal. That’s what others called him, mostly those in Ponyville or the reporters from a few days ago. How disrespectful. When Fluttershy heard these things, she wanted to scream right in those ponies’ faces and tell them that Optimus was a hero and deserved respect for what he did. However, she couldn’t bring herself to do such things. But in her heart she knew it was true and they were all wrong. Optimus was not a rusting piece of metal…he was their friend. She approached the Prime slowly, Angel Bunny right at her side. Fluttershy observed her surroundings. Small dust particles danced around in the slivers of morning light breaking through the small cracks in the barn’s roof. It was a deadly reminder of Twilight’s episode a couple days ago. Poor Twilight…I hope she’s doing alright. Fluttershy could only imagine Twilight’s pain, far greater than her own or all her friends’. Fluttershy stopped a few feet in front of Optimus. She stamped her hoof gently in the dirt, her eyes refusing to look at him. The yellow Pegasus politely cleared her throat and spoke barely over a whisper, but loud enough for even Angel to hear. “…Um…good morning, Optimus.” She knew her voice was heard, but expected no response. Fluttershy didn’t mind the silence. She welcomed it. Gently sitting down, Fluttershy lowered the basket in front of her, opening it and laying out its content. She spread out a medium-sized blanket in front of her and placed a bowl of baby carrots in the center of it. Angel Bunny was once drowned out in boredom from seeing the unresponsive Autobot, but he immediately turned towards Fluttershy at the smell of carrots. He hopped towards the blanket, grabbing a carrot and munching on it. Fluttershy giggled at the adorable sight, rubbing Angel’s head as he ate his carrot. She reached into the basket and pulled out a freshly prepared apple. She didn’t know why…but she’ gotten the oddest cravings for apples recently. It’s never been like this before, but now whenever she sees an apple she practically drools all over herself. The Pegasus took a bite, enjoying the sweet crunch and delectable tastes on her tongue. After swallowing, Fluttershy slowly looked up at Optimus and smiled gently. “I know you can’t hear me…but it’s nice to see an old friend,” Fluttershy told the great Prime before her. The sunlight reflected off Optimus’ roof, whichever parts weren’t rusted reflected a little bit of sunlight. Fluttershy took another bite of her apple and stared at the ground, smiling. “I don’t mind the quiet…it’s usually like this at my cottage anyways,” she told him. The inside of the barn was quiet for the passing minutes. Fluttershy enjoyed her apple. Angel lay back with his stomach stretched, full of carrots. Together, the pony and the Autobot shared a quiet connection together. Not another word was spoken. Fluttershy enjoyed the quiet, even with Optimus Prime. The thought could barely grasp itself around her mind. The hero of Equestria was literally right in front of her. Failed attempts at contact, however, deprived them of rebuilding their friendship. That didn’t mean he was gone. Optimus was still there, Fluttershy could feel it. While most of her friends probably gave in, Fluttershy always hoped that Optimus was still in there, fighting to wake up. It took a while before Fluttershy finally realized she’d finished her apple, the core remaining between her hooves. She sighed quietly, placing the apple core in the basket. Fluttershy stood back up and grabbed the now empty bowl, placing it inside the basket as well. She folded the blanket and put it back where it belonged. Angel Bunny stumbled on his two feet…but he managed somehow. Finally, the Pegasus brought her gaze back to Optimus, who hadn’t uttered a word during her visit. Fluttershy moved forward and placed her hoof on Optimus’ front, sighing contently. “Thank you for listening, Optimus,” the timid Pegasus told him. She placed her hoof back on the ground, suddenly remembering a thought that occurred to her. “Oh...and um…Rarity will be here in a few hours. She really wanted to see you.” She, once again, welcomed the silence. “Okay…um…goodbye, Optimus,” Fluttershy awkwardly said, turning around and walking out of the barn. Angel Bunny waddled behind her. He stopped at the barn’s entrance, turning his head to look back at the Autobot leader. Angel shook his head slowly and closed the door behind him.