The next morning all five ponies sat around the table eating breakfast. Blue Muscle didn’t sit on a chair like the others. His sheer size meant he could just sit on the floor. But they have had issues. Thanks to Blue Muscle’s extreme shyness, it had taken Fluttershy 15 minutes to even get him to sit round the table. By that time his cereal had been reduced to mush. However, he ate it anyway.
Even with him at the table, he tried to hide under the table so he didn’t have to see the girls looking at him. The girls though had every right to look. This was a pony that had a build bigger then Macintosh and yet made Fluttershy look like a dragon. They wanted answers. “So, Fluttershy,” began Sweetie Belle, “who is this?”
Fluttershy knew she would have been bombarded with questions that morning. Blue Muscle had told her a bit about his life, but not much. He was incredibly defensive about himself. “Well, um, Sweetie, this is Blue Muscle.”
“Wha’ was he doin’ in the chicken coop last nigh’,” asked Applebloom.
“Well he heard one of the chickens make a noise and he decided to attend to him.”
“What’s with his Cutie Mark,” said Scootaloo. She looked at the stallions flank, were of which he slowly retreated away from the young filly. Fluttershy had taken note of the stallions cutie mark. It was of a pony’s shadow cowering in fear. Before the three fillies had gotten up, Blue Muscle had told her many things. However...
“Well um, Scootaloo, he hasn’t told me.”
“Well I’m glad he hasn’t,” she said rudely. “I mean, his talent is clearly cowering in fear. What sort of talent is that?” Blue muscle had looked away as tears began to form in his eyes. Scootaloo’s friends glared at her. “What? I’m just sayin’. Maybe my special talent is bravery.”
“It’s still no excuse ta be rude,” said Applebloom.
When the atmosphere had finally calmed down, Sweetie Belle asked, “So, is he going to be staying here?”
Fluttershy stuttered a bit. “Well, um, that depends if Blue Muscle wants to stay here Sweetie.” She looked at the cowering stallion, who looked back. “Well, Blue Muscle, um, would you um,” as Fluttershy blushed, but plucked up courage, “stay for a while?”
Blue Muscle looked away in thought, but very quickly began to shake his head. “Oh,” said Fluttershy. “Okay then.” Disappointment was heavy in her voice. In truth, she wanted him to stay a bit longer, but it was his decision, and she would respect. Then, unexpectedly, a knock came from the door.
“Now who can that be,” moaned Scootaloo. Blue Muscle once again began to retreat away from the door and underneath the table, causing what was left of the breakfast to fall onto the floor.
“Oh don’t worry,” comforted Fluttershy, “I know who it is.” A much harder thump was heard from the door. Fluttershy proceeded towards the door and opened it. There stood a small and very tired looking rabbit. “Good morning Angel Bunny,” said Fluttershy. “Happy Birthday. I hope you had a good time last night with your birthday frie...”
Fluttershy was cut off as the rabbit grudgingly went inside and shook his front paw out at Fluttershy to keep her quiet. The three fillies and the stallions watched as the rabbit went into the kitchen. Several electronic noises later, and the rabbit walked out with a cup of coffee in a mug saying ‘#1 rabbit.’ Angel got onto the table and proceeded to drink his coffee.
“Uh,” went the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Angel Bunny was by far the strangest animal they ever met. Angel Bunny just glared at them and then proceeded to look to his left. He didn’t really take notice of Blue Muscle, now sitting upright. Angel Bunny really didn’t take any notice of him either and continued to drink his coffee. Then as realisation hot the small rabbit, he spat out his coffee and did a double take on Blue Muscle.
Realising his territory was under threat, the rabbit began to ward to stallion onto a fight. Much to everyone’s surprise, Blue Muscle didn’t cower in fear. In fact he did just the opposite. He raised up his hoof and it was about to come down on the small rabbit. The Cutie Mark Crusaders watched on in horror. “GET AWAY FROM MY ANGEL!” The bellow had come from Fluttershy who was still by the door.
Before she got back to the table, she didn’t hear one giant thump, but a series of smaller thumps. When she finally got into view of the scene, Bluer Muscle was scratching Angel Bunny’s ear, and the thumping was from the rabbit’s legs. “Oh,” said Fluttershy, “I didn’t know he had a ‘kicking spot.”
Eventually Blue Muscle stopped scratching the Rabbit’s Ear. Angel then made a series of jesters to introduce him as Angel Bunny. Blue Muscle was also making similar jesters himself. Soon the two were making a lot of jesters as if they were having a conversation, although Blue Muscle’s normally ended up being similar to each other. Fluttershy thinks that Blue Muscle was saying he is cute.
“You know,” said Fluttershy, “it is Angel’s birthday today. So, um, would you, like to stay now?” Blue Muscle quickly nodded. “Yay,” went Fluttershy, almost too eagerly. “Alright then. I have a special surprise for you tonight Angel, but I have to go into town.”
Angel nodded. “Okay then. Come on girls. Let’s go.”
“Alright then Fluttershy,” said the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
As the three fillies and Pegasus headed towards the door, Blue Muscle stayed where he was. Angel bunny then grabbed his attention and made a series of jesters to indicate a message. Blue Muscle clearly understood what he meant, but was looking nervous. Angel then put his paws together and pleaded with the stallion to do it. Blue Muscle thought for a moment then got up and headed for the door. Before Fluttershy exited the cottage, Blue Muscle tapped her on the back. She turned. “Yes Blue Muscle. Is there something you want?”
Blue Muscle pointed at himself, then outside. “You want to come with us?” The Stallion nodded. “But, aren’t you, um, very shy?” The stallion nodded again, but a look of determination on his face. “Alright then,” said the Pegasus. Blue Muscle walked out and shut the door behind him. As the group went off, Blue Muscle, similar to the previous night, stayed close to Fluttershy. Again she didn’t mind, but couldn’t help but look over the stallion’s physique.
In town, there were ponies everywhere, all bustling about buying and selling things. Blue Muscle was definitely not in his comfort zone. His head was hung low and he tried his best not to be seen. Sadly the disadvantage of having a large body is that you do stick out like a sore thumb. Fluttershy kept close to him but the CMC had trotted ahead. Scootaloo simply said that they didn’t want to be seen with such a cowardly pony. Even though Applebloom and Sweetie Belle wouldn’t admit it, they were embarrassed as well.
Fluttershy didn’t mind. Sadly she was used to be isolated, but she didn’t feel like it with Blue Muscle there. What they were shopping for were ingredients for Angel’s special dinner, the same sort as the one were Iron Will came into town. All the ingredients had been picked up, except for one. A cherry. As they approached the Cherry stall, Fluttershy grew nervous. There was the familiar seller, still with 5 o’clock shadow and looking as grumpy as ever.
When Blue Muscle saw the pony, she went back into full cowering and hid behind Fluttershy. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had gone to another stall to browse so it was clear that Fluttershy would have go at it alone. “Stay here Blue Muscle,” she said sweetly. “I’ll be back soon.”
As Fluttershy approached the stall, the salespony recognised. “Easy pickings,” he muttered.
“Um, excuse me,” said Fluttershy, “um, I would like to buy a cherry.”
“Well,” began the salespony, “I have only got one left. So, that’ll be 15 bits.”
“15 bits,” stuttered Fluttershy. “But I heard you reduced it to half a bit.”
“Sorry, but er, there’s a cherry famine going on. Yeah, so the price has sky rocketed.”
“But, I don’t have that much.” Blue Muscle had slowly observed from a distance. “And I really, really, REALLY need it.”
“Oh you need it that much do ya. 30 bits then.”
Fluttershy couldn’t speak. Blue Muscle overheard and was simply appalled. “N, ne, never mind,” said Fluttershy in defeat, and slowly trotted away. “Come on Blue Muscle. I suppose Angel’s birthday isn’t going to be so special after all.”
As Fluttershy slowly trotted away, something in Blue Muscle snapped. He plucked up courage and headed towards the stall. Fluttershy turned in surprise. The CMC who were nearby also took note of this. The salespony had his back turned as Blue Muscle approached. Blue Muscle, tapped his hoof on the stall, causing it to shake. That got his attention. “What do ya want?”
Blue Muscle pointed to the cherry, and then at Fluttershy. He then stamped his hoof again. “Listen buddy, I don’t know what you’re saying, but as I said to your filly friend, it’s 30 bits.” Blue Muscle snorted. He then put both hooves on the table and leaned forward, showing off is full build. The stall creaked and groaned over the massive weight put over it. The salespony looked nervous. “If your’ trying to intimidate me,” he said nervously, “it ain’t gonna work.”
Then something seemed to posses Blue Muscle. His eyes turned to spirals and he gazed deeply into the salespony’s mind. His eyes also turned to spirals, but he soon panicked. “No, please, mother. Don’t make me wear that. I, I, I, know you wanted a daughter, but please, don’t.”
The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Fluttershy watched with open mouths as the salespony continued to look terrified. “Please, mother no. No NOOOOOO!” The salespony then collapsed onto the floor in the foetal position and began to suck his hoof and silently crying. Blue Muscle then retracted, left half a bit, and took the cherry.
He trotted back towards Fluttershy. The 4 fillies though looked shock. Blue Muscle quickly resorted back to his faze of cowering, almost waiting for punishment. Fluttershy however, got down to his level and whispered, “Thank you.”
Blue Muscle was taken aback. He looked up to Fluttershy. “So that was your special talent. Making other ponies believe there fears and make them come true.” Blue Muscle once more placed his hooves above his head in shame. “Don’t worry; other ponies aren’t happy with their special talents. I know you didn’t mean to do it. I have a stare that makes animals back down. I can’t control it either. Don’t worry, I forgive you.”
Blue Muscle removed his hooves from his head and sat up. Then to Fluttershy’s surprise, he reached out and hugged her tightly. Fluttershy quickly accepted the hug and hugged back. The CMC simply went “Aaaaahhh.” Well Scootaloo went “Bleugh,” but you the idea.
When the two ponies broke, Fluttershy spoke first. “Now then, I have to take the girls home now. Do you mind taking everything back to the cottage?”
Blue Muscle saluted Fluttershy, took the stuff and trotted to the cottage. Fluttershy couldn’t help but stare longingly at Blue Muscle as he trotted away. “Wow,” said Scootaloo. “That is an AWSOME TALENT. Oh boy. We’ve been going about this the wrong way girls. We have to go with our minds. Come on, I’ve got some great ideas.” Applebloom and Sweetie looked even more nervous than ever.
At the cottage, Angel Bunny was waiting impatiently at the table. He was clearly bored. “Don’t worry angel Bunny,” called Fluttershy. “We’ll be out in a minute.”
Soon out emerged Fluttershy and Blue Muscle with the salad on his head. Angel Bunny still didn’t look too impressed. The ponies soon sat down and Fluttershy began to sing.
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday Angel Bunny
Happy Birthday to you
Both ponies clapped as if Angel was a small child. Angel Bunny grabbed the spoon and was about to scoop some up, but then there was a knock on the door. “Who could that be,” asked Fluttershy.
Angel clearly knew who it was. His face had lit up. He quickly dismounted the table and went to the door. When he opened it, there stood a female rabbit. They quickly hugged and had the female rabbit gave him a nuzzle on the nose. She then went out the door. As Fluttershy looked on, Angel Bunny simply turned, waved and left. He shut the door behind him. For a moment, there was silence. Then, Fluttershy began to tear up, and simply rested her head on her hooves and began to cry. “He’s all grown up,” she whimpered. He doesn’t need me anymore.”
She continued to cry. Not loudly but silently. When ponies and even humans cry loudly, it simply means they want attention. When they cry silently, it simply means they can’t stop. Fluttershy just couldn’t stop. Eventually however, she felt a hoof on her shoulder. She looked up to see Blue Muscle with eyes full of sympathy looking at her. Fluttershy wiped away a tear and smiled.
“Thank you,” she simply said. “Well, seeing as we have this salad here,” she said holding up a spoon, “should we?”
Blue Muscle grabbed the other spoon and the two settled in for their evening meal. The two had spent the rest of the night talking and giggling and simply just looking outside. Night had also fallen quickly over the two ponies and both had retired to bed. Blue Muscle had agreed to stay one more night and was sleeping on the rug once more. Fluttershy had gone into her own bed. She was dreaming about Blue Muscle. Spending the rest of her life with him, looking after animals, and having foals together.
In her mind however, something niggled. Her shyness she felt, would get in the way of advancing any further, and she knew Blue Muscle wouldn’t go any further either. ‘Maybe I should just give up on love,’ she thought to herself.
Suddenly there was a flash lightning and a clash of thunder. Fluttershy woke up with a start and a scream. “Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay,” she said trying to calm herself. “Maybe, maybe it was a one off. Maybe now it’ll just...”
Another clap of thunder and flash of lightning. She screamed again and hid under the covers. “Just end. Please end soon.”
She then heard her door open and some very hoofsteps approaching her. She felt a heavy hoof on her back. Her head emerged from the covers, there to see Blue Muscle, looking unfazed but with a face full of concern. “Sorry. Did I wake you? Oh I’m so sorry. I’ll try to scream more... Wait, you’re not scared of the lightning?”
Blue Muscle shook his head. “Or the Thunder?” Blue Muscle once more shook his head. “But, but why,” asked Fluttershy. Blue Muscle simply put his hoof on Fluttershy’s cheek and smiled. Fluttershy knew what this meant. He heard him scream and came to protect her. However, she quickly turned away. “Oh look at me. I’m such a wimp.” She sighed. “I’m not brave at all.”
“I think you’re brave.”
Fluttershy was taken aback. She looked towards Blue Muscle. He just spoke. Fluttershy couldn’t describe his voice. It was soft and caring, yet was also strong and solid. Fluttershy decided to take a chance. She quickly sat up and kissed Blue Muscle on the lips. Blue Muscle at first was startled, but quickly began to return. Both held each other close as they continued to kiss. Soon though, they broke apart.
“So um, Blue Muscle, there might be more Thunder and Lightning later, so um, could you um, sleep up here tonight.” Blue Muscle simply smiled and nodded. He got over to the other side of Fluttershy’s bed and climbed in. The bed sagged a little as it struggled to hold his weight.
When he was in, Fluttershy snuggled up to him and rested her head on his chest, listening to his strong and gentle heartbeat. Finally it seemed, she found her special somepony.