On a beautiful day in Equestia birds chirp and fly by Fluttershy Home. But inside Fluttershy’s home is Fluttershy with bags under her eyes walks over to her coffee maker to get another mug of coffee to stay awake. Fluttershy walks back and checks her bear’s thermometer and it shows he still say fever. Fluttershy changes his cold compress. Fluttershy walks over to help a duck with a hurt wing. She changes its bandage. Finally Angel bunny throws an old carrot at Fluttershy. He taps his foot repeatedly as he waits for her to do has she is told. She groans and goes to get him something fresher to eat.
Weeks later, Fluttershy and the other mare five and this background orange pony with a cowboy hat climb a steep ugly mountain. Fluttershy asks, “What are we doing?”
Twilight answers her as pulls herself up a rock, “A dragon has kidnapped Spike, and wants to brainwash him.”
The Orange Pony adds, “Apple apple family apple.”
Rainbow Dash just rolls her eyes at this, “Thanks Apple Jack, you help so much. So anyway we have to fight a dragon. And this time I’m totally going to win.”
Fluttershy just hangs her head in despair, “Again? You know that unless he’s carrying a quill and taking dictation for us, I hate dragons?”
“This time I'm totally going to win.” Rainbow Dash adds with out listening to what Fluttershy has to say.
Twilight jumps in, “Fluttershy hurry up, we need to do this… so I can get back to my books.” Fluttershy hangs her head and goes along with it because she has to.
More weeks go by and finally Fluttershy has the chance to relax at the spa, by herself. Fluttershy has Bulk Biceps massaging her back... with all his might. With thunderous blows, Bulk can bare move her muscles as her back is stressed and tight.
Bulk has to tell her as he scratch’s his head, “Your knots are tight as iron. But I'll work it out.”
Fluttershy begins talking into the pillow not that Bulk is listening, “Things have been a bit out of control. My animals can't thank me. Not that Angel ever would if he could. My friends drag me a long to do scary things... like fight dragons. And I don't even think anybody respects me sometimes.”
“Well lay back little pony, I'll work out those knots.” Bulk moves on to her wings. His massive muscles straining to work out all the tons of stress, he sweets and is confused by how tuff this is.
Rainbow Dash crashes through the door. “Oh my goodness Fluttershy, you have to come.”
Fluttershy protests, “I'm in the middle of relaxing.” Rainbow knocks out Bulk and grabs Fluttershy to pull her in the sky.
Rainbow drags Fluttershy to a massive group of ponies in front a new building. This build has massive neon lights and a picture of a buffalo wining money on a slot machine. Rainbow and Fluttershy land near Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and some Orange background Pony in a cowboy hat and apple cutie mark. They watch as a buffalo walks up to the podium with the Flimflam brothers behind him.
“Hello and Welcome to the new Buffalo Casino. Because of how ponies have treated us over the years we now have the right run casinos.
Twilight inquires, “But this isn't buffalo land?”
With a mighty righteous anger, “We say it was!!! Before you Ponies STOLE IT!!!” The Spokesmen can barely hold himself back. “I'm sorry, It’s just I can so worked up when a Pony holds my and my fellow buffalos down. Ponies have so many nice things… why can’t we have this one?”
Rarity gets on her hind hoofs and declares, “We ponies are so privileged. We should check our pony privilege and gamble for them.”
So all the ponies pile into the casino. The Flimflam Brothers just watch and smile.
The Mare five and that Orange pony enter the massive casino and spilt up to play at the casino. Twilight walks up to the blackjack table. “Wait, so there are finite number of cards, with a finite number of combinations... and I have the power of math, also known as the darkest of all pony magic’s... oh I can so win this one.” Twilight pulls up a seat and throws down some bits.
Rainbow Dash flies over to the craps table. “Oh I love me some dice.” Rainbow rolls the bones to start the next bet.
Rarity walks over to a roulette table and puts her gem down on black 29. The wheel spins and she wins. “Oh my.”
Pinkie walks over to the poker table. “Oh I have a great poker face, I can do this.” Pinkie sits down and gets dealt some cards.
A behatted orange apple pony just sits at the bar muttering to herself and those around her. “Apple... Family...” Apple Jack sees how bored the guy is next to her. “I am interesting… right?”
The other pony at the wears a tie that he adjusts as he tries to answer, “Well you see all you ever seem to talk about is your family and apples. I mean isn’t anything else in your life to talk about. Something you have done, a interest… something?”
The pony walks a way as Apple Jack just has to ponder what he said as she has her next drink.
Fluttershy walks over to just a simple slot machine. “I don't know if I should. These bits are for angel to get his favorite carrots from the market.”
The flimflam brothers walk up behind her. Flim starts and the brother finish each other’s line. “Just enjoy a trill.”
“And forget your worries.”
“Its just a spin.”
“No need to bet to bet the farm.”
“Just a spin.”
“You could win.”
“Just think of the things you can buy with the wining.”
Fluttershy has a thought bubble that shows her with a big refrigerator full of fresh food for angel. Then she images herself getting a hug from her bear while wearing dragon skin coat... from the last dragon ever. Finally her getting a message in a steel reinforced room that rainbow can't break into. Rainbow just bangs on the door, “Fluttershy we need you, adventure something something.”
Back in reality Fluttershy says, “Well it's just a spin. Fluttershy puts her first bit into the machine and pulls the handle. Things spin and flash but she doesn't win. “Oh well.”
Flam stops her, “Well you still have enough credits for three more spins.”
“There is a world possibility’s.”
Fluttershy spins again... lose. Fluttershy spins with no more luck. On her last spin some thing happens... she got three Twilight Sparkles. The slot machine says, “10 free games awarded.” Fluttershy's eyes beam with joy. The Flimflam brothers slink away in to the darkness of the smoke filled casino. Fluttershy begins to shake with excitement as she is wining on each spin a little bit. On the last spin something happens... the screen fills with the image of Princess Celstia. And the machine explodes with money.
Fluttershy jumps up and begins pumping her hoof in the air. “I am Fluttershy and I am a winner pony.” Fluttershy begins to dance around all the money she as won.
Elsewhere in the casino... The orange pony with that hat gets up on the bar. “I am Apple Jack dang nab-it. I am too important. I am too interesting pony.” Then Apple Jack falls over drunk.
Meanwhile Rarity loses her last gem as green 00 comes up. “Well oh well that was fun, but I have a budget to stick too.” Rarity walks away towards the buffet.
Twilight at the blackjack table hangs her head as she loses again. “How can my calculations be so off. I have the power of math. Oh well dinner time.” Twilight gets up and walks toward the buffet.
Rainbow dash rolls the dice with her wing. She rolls another seven. Everyone wins. “These are some golden wings of mine. But time to go.” Rainbow grabs her pile of chips and gets up from the table to head toward the buffet.
Pinkie gets dealt a hand of cards... she looks around... then at the cards. Pinkie beams a giant smile. Everypony folds. And other hand gets dealt and Pinkie has a massive frown. Everypony throws into the pot this time. Pinkie loses the last of her money this hand. “Oh man this is like a cup cake in the eye.” Pinkie sees her friends heading to the buffet. “Oh time for dinner.” Pinkie bounds off.
The Mare five and that behatted orange pony enter the buffet and sit down together in a large booth. Fluttershy shakes with excitement still.
Twilight starts off with, “Well I lost. I don't get it. I did the math... I should have predicted every card in the deck.”
Pinkie wags her tail, “I know right... I should have kicked butt at poker. I have a great poker face.”
Rarity sighs, “Oh darling.”
“What?”
“Nothing.” Pinkie eyes her friend up and down trying to figure out what that meant.
Rainbow Dash jumps in, “Well my golden wings won won won. I am so going to buy tank so turtle wax... wait is it made from turtles?” Fluttershy smiles and shakes in the corner.
The orange one adds, “Well I am interesting… right?”
Twilight rolls her eyes, “Okay AJ what problem is your family having now?”
Apple Jack folds her front legs, “I have things other then my family going on in my life.”
Rarity pipes up, “Oh no is there a problem with the apples? Do we need to help you pick them again?”
“No the apples are fine too. I have other things about me then that.” The Mare five laugh at the background pony.
Rainbow laughs and adds, “No you don't.”
Rarity retorts, “I mean I read mysteries. Have sister issues. Run a business. Make art.”
Pinkie talks next, “I have a sorted past we don't speak of. Plan parties and have my secret files on Everypony. Have a sister issues, depression issues, and my musical ability’s are barely used.”
Twilight tries to comfort her, “You have two notes. Like height and width... just no-“
“I have depth dang nap-it.” The orange pony snaps.
Rainbow just looks funny at her, “It's okay, and you’re still our friend.”
Apple Jack pounds the table, “No I will find something interesting for me to do and for people to care about.”
Fluttershy just looks out dreamily. “I won...”
Pinkie tries to hold her hoof, “Look AJ we still love you.”
“No you think I'm a boring.”
Rainbow thinks for a moment and splits out, “I mean it could be worst. You could be Fluttershy. She is really just two notes, animals and shyness. Nothing else.”
Fluttershy smiles, “The rush... I need more.”
Twilight points at Fluttershy, “Is she okay?”
Fluttershy kind of comes back to reality for a moment, “So is dinner done yet? I want to get back out there and gamble some more.”
Rainbow Dash just looks confused at her, “We are all gambled out... aren't you?”
Fluttershy with a big smile, “No, it's so fun. And I am a winner... Here I have value...”
Twilight adds, “Well we haven't eaten yet... we have to get up and get the food... it's a buffet.”
Rarity facehoofs, “Oh so that's why no waiter as come by and interrupted the flow of our conversation.”
Rainbow adds, “I don't get the name. ‘The Metahumor buffet,’ what does that mean?”
Pinkie jumps out of her seat, “Well lets eat.” The ponies get up and go to get some grub.
A slow uneventful week goes by day by day. Fluttershy sets out to the farmers market to get her and her animals some food. Fluttershy walks among a sea of ponies that cavort about buying and selling food. Fluttershy just stares at the carrots and in her mind see Angel not approving of her choices for some reason.
Fluttershy hangs her head and goes to look for the breed of carrot he likes.
Fluttershy sees it but in her mind she hears the slot machine voice calling to her. “Princess bonus free game.” Fluttershy has to shake her head to remember that it wasn't real... but it was once.
Fluttershy grabs what she needs and puts the money down with out saying a word. She just hangs her head at the boring real world as she exits.
Fluttershy passes the behatted orange background pony selling her wares. “Behold the strange fruit I found on a delivery down to jungle pony island of Ponyreco. Just look at it strange spikes yet is a yummy fruit.”
Twilight walks out of the crowd. Rainbow lowers and hovers above the crowd. “It's not that strange... it's a pineapple.”
Rainbow laughs so hard she does a back flip in the air, “Even your strange things are apple themed.” The crowd laughs with Rainbow at The behatted orange pony's expense.
Apple Jack shakes her hoof in the sky, “I will find something interesting about me.” Apple Jack runs off to find adventure.
Fluttershy gives Angel the carrots he normally likes. But now even these gets him to turn his nose up and not eat. “Eat them... these are the breed of carrot from the farm you like.” Angel just tosses them in trash. Fluttershy hangs her head and goes to get him something else.
Fluttershy hangs her head as she walks to find Angel some food when it begins to rain. Fluttershy has no coat or boots... anything to protect her. Fluttershy for a moment hears. “Princess bonus game.” Fluttershy smiles at the happy memory in her mind. But really she is in pain and in a cold wet place. But in the distance she sees the bright neon sign of the casino. Fluttershy rushes toward it. Toward safety, thrills and someplace she is wanted.
Fluttershy walks into the casino and sees the magic machine she won so much on happens to be free. Fluttershy sits down and begins to play. And play... and play some more. But no free games appear. Fluttershy doesn't care; she just puts more and more bits into the machine. Because it'll payoff sometime… right?
Apple Jack bucks and kicks the apples off a tree. Big Mac pulls a massive wagon over to gather them up.
Apple Jack looks at her brother, “Do you believe Everypony?
Big Mac, “Yep.”
Apple Jack is aghast at this, “What?”
“Apples and the apple family are your only two things in your life. Where as I have those, and sing in a music group, and people keep trying to set me up with girls... when all I want is my smarty pants doll.”
“My brother is more interesting then me? This will not stand.” Apple Jack runs to find her adventure.
Fluttershy just gambles the day a way while her cutie mark glows... but she doesn't notice as time passes and she puts one bit after another into the soulless machine.
Twilight with her cutie mark glowing waits runs to the map in her castle. She sees that her Fluttershy and Rarity need to go the jungle. Rarity shows up quick. But for Fluttershy, Twilight waits... and waits. Twilight reads a book. Rarity polishes her hooves. Twilight finally can’t take it. “Oh I can't take this... where is Fluttershy?” Twilight looks at the map and sees that Fluttershy is in an open field... waiting that's the new casino. Twilight takes off to find her friend.
Twilight walks around the casino and finds Fluttershy at a Daring Do themed slot machine. “Did you not notice your flank is glowing.”?
Fluttershy doesn’t look up, “Oh no another scary dragon needs dealing with?”
Twilight thinks, “I don't know the map doesn't tell us.”
Fluttershy snorts, “You have fun with that.”
Twilight pleads to Fluttershy, “But I need you, for unclear reason because a non living piece of furniture said so.”
Never looking up, and dips her words in the dark ink of sarcasm, “Oh sounds like fun, sign me up.”
Twilight stares her down, “I'm trying to... why aren't you coming?”
Fluttershy retorts, “Because did you ever ask if I want to?”
“What does that have to do with it?”
“Maybe I don't want to... did you ever think of that?” Fluttershy's eyes never leave the screen of the machine.
“But a magic map told us to do something vague... we have to do it.”
“I don't.”
Twilight waves her hoof in front of Fluttershy's face. Not even her eyes react to it. “What has this place done to her.”
The flimflam brother appears. Flim starts, “Why nothing.”
“Nothing at all.”
“Other then give her a warm welcoming environment where can control her life.”
“One spin at a time.”
Twilight shakes her head, “That's not controlling her life. That's giving it all up to fickle winds of chance.”
“Its more than you give her.”
“With your adventures to help Darling Do, or fight a dragon, or tame Discord.”
“Here she controls how much she gambles, how much per play, and she can stop at any time.”
“Do you give her the ability to stop?”
Twilight is just perplex by this, “Stop what? Saving the world. That is kind of-“
“Oh brother.”
“I hear you brother.”
“You give no choice.”
“No choice.”
“Don't respecter as a pony.”
“No respect at all.”
“You don't care if she lives or dies.”
“We care.”
Twilight rolls her eyes, “Yeah because otherwise-“
“Otherwise there would be once less beautiful mare in the world.”
Fluttershy cues, “Oh thank you.”
“Oh course young lady. Now you’re a high roller. When your done enjoy a free message on us.”
Fluttershy finagling looks up, “Why thank you.”
Twilight pleads, “Don't you see they are using you.”
Fluttershy gets up to go to the spa, “And your not?”
Twilight gets stunned by this... she has no answer to counter this. Twilight goes to leave but runs into a Behatted Orange pony. “Look what I found.”
Twilight asks, “What?”
“It's a treasure map.”
“Whose treasure?”
“My great great grand uncle Black Apple Pie.”
“So it's a family treasure map? That's not really new for you. So a uncle had a thing.”
Apple Jack thinks about it, “Dang nab-it it's too family related!” Apple Jack thoughts down the map and leave.
Twilight looks around, “I can't believe that worked. The treasure is so mine now.” Twilight grabs the map and leaves.
Days later Rainbow Dash flies by and lands outside Fluttershy's home and sees wagons loading stuff up. Rainbow Dash enters Fluttershy's home. The pawnbroker pony is measuring things up for their worth. Fluttershy shakes clasps her hands.
Pawn Broker pony, “I'll give you 50 bits for the cauldron.”
“Deal.” Fluttershy stanches the bits from him greedily.
Rainbow looks at Fluttershy with worry, “But how will you cook food?”
Fluttershy answers without a moments thought, “I eat at the casino.”
“But what about the animals?”
“I'm getting good bits for them.”
The Pawn Broker grabs and holds up Angel Bunny, “I'll give you 30 bits for the bunny.” Angel looks scared and doesn't want to go.
Fluttershy smiles at him, “Fine, I'm in control of my life now. And I need the bits to for the slots. My luck will come back someday.”
Rainbow Dash shakes her hoof at her, “This is crazy, Fluttershy.”
“Yeah me in control of my destiny am crazy. Thanks good friend.”
“No giving up everything-“
“For the thrill, the chance to win, the chance to be some pony.”
“You are some pony. And besides there are better ways to get a thrill than this. I go flying and do awesome tricks, it’s the best.”
“Maybe... for you. For me I only have this one ray of hope in my life. I have to chase the feeling of the wining bonus game. I'd give anything to feel that way I did the first time I won at the casino.”
“Look thrills are full, like me doing-“
“A triple loop around dead colt's cliff... I know. Unlike some ponies I listen when my friends talk.
Rainbow Dash is shocked and taken back. The Pawn Broker Pony points to the bear. “How much for the bear?”
Fluttershy, “No less then a 100 bits.”
The bear give the pawnbroker a hug. “What nice big hugs... I'll give you 120 in good conscience.” Fluttershy smiles and counts all her bits. Rainbow Dash of all ponies looks on in horror.
Inside the map room of Twilight's castle sits four of the mare five and some orange pony with a hat.
Rainbow Dash floats above them and circles about as she talks, ”It was crazy... I mean selling Angel was the best thing she's ever done don't get me wrong... but her bear? Everypony loves bears.”
Rarity sits in her with bandages from her last mission. “I agree, the map was right in wanting her. A pony who could understand tweets would have been most helpful.”
Rainbow Dash, “What did happen on that map mission?”
Rarity rubs her bandaged leg, “Nothing to explain those.”
Rarity points to the new jeweler that twilight has on. Including a golden apple tiara. “What?”
Apple Jack asks, “What is that?”
Twilight’s eyes dart about, “I didn't go treasure hunting after the last mission. That's crazy talk.” Twilight tries to laugh it off as Everypony stares at her.
Pinkie clears her throat, “Well anyway.”
Apple Jack jumps up, “Wait, I can care about my friend and their addiction. That's it! That’s how I’m interesting.”
Rainbow Dash looks at her, “Wow I'm sort of interested in Apple Jack now.”
Apple Jack runs for the door, “Yes my interesting thing is that I will help my friend.” Apple Jack leads the charge to lead the ponies out.
Apple Jack bucks the door to the casino open to review the buffalo spokesman walking by. “It was unlocked, you jerk.”
Twilight yells, “Well, fan out to find-“
Pinkie points, “She's over here.” The mare four and an orange pony with a cowboy hat find Fluttershy at a Dragon based slot machine. She hits the Spike based bonus.
Fluttershy has been awake for days, massive bags under her eyes. “I got the bonus game. Finally, it’s been weeks.” Tears begin to form in her eyes. “I won!!! I can control life. Take that Angel!!!” She beings to fully cry for some reason. Twilight holds her friend and brings her wings around the hurting pony.
The Flimflam brothers walk over. “What is-“
“This?” The brother see as Fluttershy weeps as a puddle on the floor.
Fluttershy barely talk, “I'm so excited... I'm so excited... and I just... I'm so excited and I so excited and I just can't hide it.”
Rainbow hovers above them, “See interesting stuff.”
Apple Jack, “ But I’m interesting now.”
Rainbow retorts, “On the way over here, I remembered that aren’t we honoree Apple Family members. So helping Fluttershy is just another family thing?”
Apple Jack gets mad throw down her hat. “Dag nab-it!”
Apple Jack folds her front legs, “I could cry if I wanted to.”
Pinkie cocks her head, “Don’t you cry on the inside.”
Apple Jack, “True, I’m as boring as brick.”
Twilight turns to Flimflam brothers, “What did you do to my friend?”
The slot machine flashes and vibrates before dumping piles of money out, “Dragon hoard bonus winner.” The machine keeps pouring out the bits. Fluttershy tears stream wildly fly about.
Fluttershy mutters, “I'm a winner and I have value.”
Twilight just holds her close with her wing, “It's okay you don't need value to be our friend.”
Flam retorts, “Look I don't think this working out. We're going to have ban your friend from casino.”
“She's brought Everypony down.”
“And she's no fun.”
“So be gone with you.”
Twilight eyes widen, “Wait your banning her. After you ruined her life with gambling.”
“We didn't ruin her life. You did. You didn't value you her, you don't listen to her. You just sat by let her go down this path.”
“All we did was keep the lights on.”
“For the ponies that can handle themselves. “
Twilight gets a fiery anger in her eyes, “But no one makes the yellow one cry. Orange one buck him to death.”
Apple Jack hops on her front legs and winds up her back legs for murder. Out of nowhere leaps the Buffalo spokesmen. “Stop now. I never wanted a fight. Here has a some drink coupons for the bar?” Apple Jack grabs ALL the tickets and runs off to the bar.
Twilight asks, “So what's the scam?”
The brothers look at each other, “We used the darkest of the pony art to come up with a plan.”
Twilight is shocked, “You don't mean, only us of the darkest magic.”
“Yes... Math.”
“With macroeconomics and percentages we can run this place forever.”
“Behold, we are now the true wielders of the dark arts.”
Twilight shakes her hoof at them, “Damn you... using my greatest strength against me.”
Apple Jack wakes over now super drunk with another drink in her hoof. “Hey you guys.”
The mighty proud Buffalo looks over, “How did she drink that much so fast? And that smell?”
“I don't have a drinking problem.” Apple Jack goes to drink her beverage but she misses her mouth and splashes the drink on her forehead.
The buffalo stomps his hoof, “Okay that's it your all banned. Get out.”
“Your a cute fire fighter pony.” Apple Jack looks at a hot fire fighter pony.
“Ah AJ that's not a dude... that a slot machine with dudes on it.” Rainbow Dash points out Apple Jack is trying to make out with the slot machine.
Twilight facehoofs, “Great we have a drunk, a adrenalin junky, a gambler-“
The buffalo stops her, “Will the five of you just get out.”
Pinkie looks confused, “Wait five.” They look around and see Rarity is over gambling on the roulette table again. The rest hang their heads and leave.
Fluttershy and Twilight enter the pawnshop. Inside there is all, all of Fluttershy's stuff. From Dishes to family photos and in the back is the animal pen. As the Pawn Broker pony sees them he gets a massive smile and runs to great them. “Oh thank princess. Look I want to reverse the deal about that rabbit.”
Fluttershy just sighs, “No that's okay, I just have enough for the bear and dishes for now.”
The pawnbroker eyes widen, “just No please, take the rabbit... I'll double the bits.”
“That's okay, just the bear-“
“I'll give you back all your stuff if you take back that rabbit?”
“No.”
“Fine I'll even throw in your baby dragon in as well.”
In the back a bedraggled spike forces his way to the front. “For the love of all that's good. Twilight makes her say yes.”
Twilight rolls her eyes, “Fine.”
Fluttershy sighs, “I don't wanta.”
“Come on.”
Fluttershy smiles, “Alright.” Fluttershy starts gathering up her stuff. The pawnbroker opens the pen and all the Animals and Spike run out to Twilight.
Spike hugs Twilight, “The long nightmare is over.”
Twilight asks, “Was the pawn shop that bad.”
“No that was nice. I had a better bed, and nicer food but... It was angel!!! That rabbit is evil. Keep it away.”
Apple Jack falls through the front door. “Look I found something interesting about me. I'm a drunk.”
Twilight sniffs, “What are you drinking?”
“Booz. Duh.”
“That’s hard cider isn’t it?”
“So?”
Twilight facehoofs, “You’re drinking hard apple cider. Your still just about apples.”
“Dag nab-it!” Everypony laughs and they keep carrying out Fluttershy's stuff.