//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: MLP: Eternal Dream // by kurusagi16 //------------------------------// Chapter 1 It was a pleasant day in Ponyville park, as its resident animal caregiver, Fluttershy, took her usual stroll down the path. She smiled to herself as she listened to the chirping birds, and breathed in the cool, fresh air. Her hooves trotted down the well-worn dirt path that wound through the park, stopping only now and then to greet a passing pony or little critter that poked its head from out of the bushes. Yes, it was indeed a relaxing time that Fluttershy enjoyed. The pleasantness ended when somepony shouted, "Look out!" Fluttershy turned her head to the source just behind her, only to collide with a pony who came crashing down on her. "Ow." Both of them said. "Oh no, I didn't hurt you, did I?" asked the concerned pony. Fluttershy sat up, lightly flapping her wings to check and see that they were in working order. Then, she stood herself up and dusted herself off. "Yes, I'm alright. Thank you for asking." said Fluttershy. She looked at the pony in question. She had a lint gray coat the same color as her eyes and a wavy pastel green mane with streaks of lavender, bangs fringing over her eyes. Her cutie mark was a dream catcher. Fluttershy tilted her head. She couldn't place it, but the pony was somehow familiar. The pony extended her hoof to the yellow pegasus. "My name is Dream Catcher, and you are?" asked Dream Catcher. Fluttershy politely took her hoof and shook it. "I'm Fluttershy." said Fluttershy. Dream Catcher smiled embarrassed. "I'm sorry we couldn't meet under better circumstances. I just sorta tripped and lost my balance." "Oh, that's okay, it's not your fault." "Still, I let me at least make it up to you." said Dream Catcher insistently. "Let me take you out to Sugarcube Corner, it'll be my treat." Fluttershy wasn't sure if she wanted to, she'd only just met this pony today. 'It couldn't hurt to go to Sugarcube Corner with her, and it could be a chance to get to know her better.' Fluttershy sighed. "Okay." she said. Dream Catcher beamed. "Then it's settled, I promise you won't regret it." said Dream Catcher. Fluttershy smiled weakly as she followed the eager pony. Fluttershy and Dream Catcher sat down together in Sugarcube Corner. Mrs. Cake stopped by their table and took their order. "Well, what'll it be?" asked Mrs. Cake. "I'd like a slice of cream and carrot cake please." both girls said in unison. Dream Catcher giggled. "Make that two slices please." she laughed. Mrs. Cake gave a nod, and went to fetch the cake. "You like cream and carrot cake too?" asked Fluttershy. Dream Catcher shook her head. "I haven't tried it, but an old friend of mine told me how it was her favorite, and I thought that I might as well give it a try." she admitted. "It's my favorite too!" said Fluttershy. "Must be one of those weird coincidences." said Dream Catcher. Fluttershy relaxed a bit, feeling a bit more comfortable with Dream Catcher as they talked. "She must be a nice friend." Dream Catcher got a distant look in her eye. "She was, until I had leave her, I haven't seen her in so long that she's probably forgotten all about me." Her smile wavered. Fluttershy spoke up to try and cheer her up. "Oh, don't say that. I'm sure she remembers you just as fondly as you do. Friends never truly forget each other, no matter how much time passes." said Fluttershy. Dream Catcher smiled at her words. "Thank you Fluttershy, that means a lot." she said. Mrs. Cake came back, setting two plates, each had a slice of cream and carrot cake on it. "Enjoy." said Mrs. Cake as she left again. Fluttershy took a bite, savoring the sweet, airy taste in her mouth. Dream Catcher to a small bite, unsure of how it would taste. Her eyes lit up. She took a bigger bite. "This is delicious!" she exclaimed. Fluttershy smiled, seeing the glee Dream Catcher had over her cake. There was something about her that Fluttershy liked, as though she'd known her from somewhere else. "I'm glad you like it." "I should've tried this ages ago!" The two ponies smiled at each other. 'This isn't so bad.' Fluttershy thought hopefully to herself. "Now then," said Dream Catcher leaning her chin on her hooves, "why don't you tell me a little about yourself? That is, if it's not too much trouble." Fluttershy brushed her pale pink mane out of her face, seeing no harm in telling Dream Catcher a little bit about herself. She seemed like such a nice pony after all. "Dream Catcher? Really Fluttershy, the names of the new ponies you meet is just astounding." said Discord. It had been a few ours later since she and Dream Catcher had cake at Sugarcube Corner, and she was now being treated to a visit from her Draconequus friend, Discord. The two were in her cottage, and she'd been telling him of her encounter with the pony, and how the two of them got to know each other better over cake. "She really is a nice pony." said Fluttershy, sipping from a cup of dandelion tea while sitting in her chair. "She used to be very shy when she was a filly, and she likes to take quiet strolls or read a good book." Discord rolled his eyes. "Delightful I'm sure. But what do you really know about this pony?" he questioned. "Come on Discord, try to give her a chance." said Fluttershy. "I gave you one." Discord grumbled, crossing his arms as he sat on the sofa. He looked at Fluttershy who had pleading eyes. He heaved a sigh. "Very well, I'll 'give her a chance'." he said, making quotes with his eagle claw and lion paw. Fluttershy smiled with relief. "Thank you Discord. I know that you and the rest of the girls will get along just wonderfully." she said. "Oh yes, just wonderfully." Discord muttered under his breath. Discord had similarly reacted like this with a new friend Fluttershy had met named Treehugger. He'd become...jealous, over the hippie pony. And who could blame him? Somepony had butted into his relationship with Fluttershy, interfering with things and taking his place. Sure, he might've went a little too far when he tried to make Fluttershy jealous too and attempted to banish Treehugger to another dimension. All in all, he could've done far worse. Still, he'd learned his lesson that a pony could have more than one friend, and he apologized to Treehugger and made his amends. But even though he learned his, didn't mean he liked it. He'd "give her a chance" alright, but after that, he'd be the judge over whether or not this Dream Catcher was good enough for Fluttershy. If not, then she'd need to find a new friend someplace else. Preferably a mile away from his pegasus friend. "Discord? Are you alright?" asked the sweet voice of Fluttershy. Discord snapped out of his thoughts and grinned to her. "I'm fine my dear, just thinking to myself." he said. Fluttershy had been aimlessly strolling through Ponyville, searching for Dream Catcher. Passing by the stores and market stalls, trying to spot her. "I hope, she's still around."said Fluttershy softly. "Looking for me?" asked a voice. Fluttershy let out a squeal, then she saw that it was only Dream Catcher. "Oh, Dream Catcher, you startled me!" Dream Catcher smiled apologetically. "Sorry about that Fluttershy," she said, "Was there something you wanted?" "Yes, I was wondering if, perhaps tomorrow, you could meet all my friends." Dream Catcher's eyes shrank, and she looked away. "I don't know." said Dream Catcher shyly. "I don't think they'd like me very much." "Of course they'll like you." reassured Fluttershy. "And I know you'll like them." Dream Catcher still appeared uncertain. "Y-you'll be there right? I mean, I'm not used to talking to other ponies." said Dream Catcher. Fluttershy sympathetically put a hoof on Dream Catcher's shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll make sure that you feel comfortable around them." she said. "You're too kind Fluttershy." said Dream Catcher. "If somepony shows you kindness, then they'll show you kindness in return." said Fluttershy. "Does....does that mean, you're my friend?" asked Dream Catcher timidly. Fluttershy nodded with a smile. "I'd like to be, but first I think it's best to get to know one another." Fluttershy was surprised as Dream Catcher gave her a sudden hug. "Thank you!" Realizing that she was hugging Fluttershy, Dream Catcher backed away and rubbed her arm nervously. "Sorry, I'm just glad that you want to be my friend. Did I come on too strong?" "Not at all. So will you come to the park tomorrow?" Dream Catcher thought for a moment and answered, "Consider me there." "Alright then, see you at noon tomorrow." Fluttershy flew off back home. Dream Catcher watching her as she left. "See you tomorrow." she whispered to herself, leaving in the opposite direction.