//------------------------------//
// Chapter 11 (Railroading) 
// Story: Princesses Don't Potty 
// by CDRW 
//------------------------------//


Princesses Don't Potty

Chapter 11

By CDRW


“So, dearest Fluttershy, may I ask thee why thou hast seen fit to force”—the tall, dark, and hooded pony glanced sidelong at her companion—“um, encourage Us to board a train and embark on a journey to Canterlot, a city in which, I feel I should remind you, a fate awaits us—the two of us, you and me—that could most accurately be described as ‘fire and brimstone’?”

Fluttershy cringed down into her seat. “Um…” Her eyes darted back and forth as she tried to find a way to tell Princess Luna without upsetting or frightening her any more than she already was. “Well, that is…” Unfortunately, the carpet and upholstery offered her no answers. “No?”

Luna stared at her for a long, uncomfortable moment, then finally said, “I am unsure whether to compliment your courage or censure your audacity. Can you at least tell me that you are not planning something foolhardy, such as an attempt to trick me into entering the palace and meeting with Celestia?”

“Oh no,” Fluttershy said as emphatically as she could. “I wouldn’t do that after I promised.”

Luna nodded once. “Very well, then. I count you as a friend, and shall trust you.”

“Though, um… about that...” 

Fluttershy's whole body began to quiver like a leaf caught in the wind as Luna turned to look at her again.

“I, um… I, think you should do that too, while we’re in Canterlot.”

“No. Absolutely not,” Luna said bluntly. 

“I…” Fluttershy ducked her head and squeezed her eyes shut. Her heart was beating so hard that it actually hurt, and she could feel Luna’s gaze burning into her skin. She needed to say what came next, though, no matter how scared she was.

“It’s just that… Isn’t that kind of thing, um, not talking… not talking things out with each other… Isn’t that why you… why you… um… became Nightmare Moon?” 

Fluttershy’s voice was scarcely a whisper by the end, but she knew that Luna had heard her. She could tell by the empty silence crashing down around them, only broken by a sound that might have been the plip of a tear falling to the floor, or their friendship shattering to pieces.

At long last, Luna spoke in a fuzzy voice that Fluttershy recognized as coming from somepony who had lots of practice trying not to cry. “That was cruel.”

Fluttershy opened her eyes and looked up at Luna, the sight blurred by tears in her eyes. The princess was looking the other way. 

“I’m so sorry!” she blurted out.

“However, you are correct,” Luna continued as if she hadn’t heard. “I have only just repaired my relationship with my sister, and it would be… foolish to harm it again with something so petty as a misthought joke. I shall heed your advice and speak with Celestia after we complete this errand of yours.”

Fluttershy reached out and hugged Luna. She wasn't sure if she was allowed to hug a princess, but Luna needed one so she gave it anyway.