//------------------------------// // Ch.10: Catharsis // Story: Sweet and Delicate // by Nordryd //------------------------------// Time: 11:00 AM, Wednesday, Coppermane's Cottage, Days Until Celebration: 10 Coppermane woke up this morning in an amazing mood. Highly unusual considering he was anything but a morning pony. He never would've imagined it, but singing in front of the girls was one of the greatest experiences of his life. Their cheering…their compliments…their support…such a wonderful feeling! He was so nervous before, but now he wondered why he didn't do it sooner. Now granted, he was still really nervous about the Celebration, but that was just logic. Performing for his friends is one thing, but all of Ponyville, and then some? That was a whole different story. Copper at least felt better about his abilities than he had before. But the highlight of the night wasn't performing for the girls, it was getting a chance to talk with Fluttershy. He couldn't believe he actually got to talk to her alone for a few minutes!   Even more unbelievably he had actually asked her to spend the day with him today…and she said yes! Copper was excited, but as he always is, he was nervous. Okay, Copper, don't get ahead of yourself. What if she knew about…that day? What would she think of you then? She doesn't know everything about you. Copper didn't let his thoughts deter him too much. He woke up later than usual this morning, so he had to get moving. He had stayed up all night trying to lay out a rough ground plan for today, but he wasn't really coming up with anything good. He couldn't screw this up. Calm down! You're just hanging out right? It's not like you asked on a date or anything, right? Copper calmed down a little bit, but the thought of asking Fluttershy out on a date brought a smile to his face. Maybe in time Copper…maybe in time.  Just do your best not to scare her off today, alright? Time: 3:00 PM, Wednesday, Fluttershy's Cottage Oh no, what am I going to do?  I can't just leave Angel like this.  Oh, what will Coppermane think? I really wanted to spend time with him today.  He's going to hate me so much… Suddenly there was a knock on the door, making Fluttershy jump.  It was probably him. Oh no… Fluttershy slowly walked to the door and opened it to find, as expected, Coppermane. "H-Hi, Fluttershy." Copper said nervously, "Y-You ready?” Fluttershy didn't answer right away. Copper noticed that she had a frown on her face, and her head was slightly recoiled. Was something wrong? Oh no…did Copper already screw up? “I mean…if you’re not ready—” Coppermane said nervously. "Oh no…it’s not that.  It’s…um…I-I'm so sorry…" Fluttershy choked on her words a bit. Was she about to cry? "I-I don't think I can spend the day with you." she finally said, drooping her head. Copper's heart dropped. "W-What?" he said.  He did screw up, didn’t he? "Angel, my bunny, has the flu.  I need to stay and take care of him," Fluttershy said, looking apologetic, "I-I'm so sorry Copper. I was looking forward to spending the day with you, I really was." Copper felt slightly better to know that it wasn't his fault.  Still…he was really looking forward to spending the day with her today. What was he going to do now? Guess he could just go home and study… NO! NO! What are you thinking? This is Fluttershy we're talking about! Are you going to let an opportunity to spend time with her slip out of your hooves so easily? There has to be another way you can help her…but how… After a second of pondering, Copper hatched an idea. He looked up at Fluttershy's still frowning face. "Wait…your rabbit's sick?" Copper asked, just to clarify. Fluttershy nodded, "Copper, I'm so sorry." she said sincerely. Coppermane rose an eyebrow, "Wait here.  I might be able to help." Copper said before turning his back to Fluttershy to head back to his cottage. "Wait, Copper, w-what do you—” Before Fluttershy could finish her sentence, Copper did something that Fluttershy has never seen any unicorn do. Copper suddenly glowed with his magical white aura and levitated off of the ground before taking off into the sky towards Ponyville at a speed comparable to any regular pegasus. Fluttershy just stood there stunned for a second…did that unicorn just start flying? She didn't even know unicorns could do that with their magic. And almost as quickly as he had left, he was already above her again, slowly descending in front of her. He had a book with him. Copper descended in front of Fluttershy, and started speaking like nothing out of the ordinary had happened. "Sorry to rush off like that, but I think I can help you with your situa—” He paused after seeing dumbfounded mare in front of him. Fluttershy's eyes were wide and her mouth was hanging open. "Um…Fluttershy? Fluttershy?" he started waving his hoof in front of her face, which seemed to snap her out of it…sort of. "D…Di…Did you just fly back to Ponyville?" Fluttershy asked, still in shock. Copper realized what he did, remembering that unicorns don’t usually fly.  Whoops…forgot about that. "Oh yeah…um…it's something that I've mastered with time…sorry…you okay?" Copper asked. Fluttershy blinked and shook her head a little bit, which made Copper chuckle a bit. "Um…yeah…I'm fine now…you just startled me a bit…sorry." "Oh don't be, I forgot it was a little out of the ordinary for unicorns to fly." Copper said, which made Fluttershy giggle a little bit. "So you think you can help Angel?" Fluttershy asked, her eyes filled with hope, "What's that book?" "It's a spellbook full of healing spells. I think I might be able to cure Angel." Copper said. "Really? Okay…it's worth a try. W-Won't you c-come in?" Fluttershy asked. "Um…yeah…of course." Copper said nervously. Copper walked into Fluttershy's cottage nervously. "Where is he?" "He's over on the couch," Fluttershy said, trotting over to a small white figure on the couch, "Angel…this is Coppermane, he's here to help you." Angel looked up at Fluttershy with an unsure look on his face. "Um…hi, Angel, I'm Coppermane." Copper said nervously. "Will he be safe, Coppermane?" Fluttershy asked with an obvious concerned look on her face. "Don't worry, Fluttershy, I've used this spell lots of times to cure myself of ailments. He'll be fine, I promise," Copper said, trying to be reassuring. Fluttershy still looked slightly worried, but she offered Copper a smile and nodded, "Okay…I trust you." Copper offered her a warm smile, making her blush. Copper refocused his mind on curing Angel, opening his spellbook. After reading for a minute, he closed his eyes and his horn began to glow white. The aura found its way to Angel and enveloped him. Fluttershy gasped, but stopped herself from intervening. She had to trust that Copper knew what he was doing. It took a minute, but eventually the aura faded, and Copper opened his eyes again. Then Fluttershy spoke up. "How…how do you feel, Angel?" Angel made a squeaking sound, and hopped up and down energetically. Fluttershy walked up to him and felt his head with her hoof. Room temperature. Copper did it. She pulled Angel into a big hug. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re okay!” Fluttershy said, thrilled.  She was so thrilled in fact, that she rushed up to Coppermane to hug him. "Oh thank you so much, Coppermane! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Fluttershy said with excitement.  It took a moment for her to realize what she was doing, and released him, blushing profusely, "Um…s-sorry…" "Y-You're fine." Copper said. She smiled and hugged him again, making Copper's heart melt. This was going to be a good day. "S-So does this mean we can hang out after all?" Copper asked, still hopeful. Fluttershy looked up at him with a big smile on her face, "Of course." Copper’s heart soared. He saved the day! He knew all that studying would pay off eventually. "So…what do you want to do?" Copper asked. He had a rough plan, but wanted to see what she wanted to do as well. "Um…well…if you don't mind…" Fluttershy started to say, "I wouldn't mind hearing you sing some more." Copper smiled.  “I don’t mind at all,” he said. Fluttershy’s face lit up.  “R-Really?” "Well, I feel more comfortable after yesterday," Copper said. "I'm so glad to hear that." said Fluttershy. "Do you want to just go where we were last night?" "That sounds perfect. Ready to go?" Copper asked. "Absolutely." Fluttershy said with a big smile on her face. And with that, the two headed for that hill in Sweet Apple Acres, a location that was slowly becoming very dear to Copper. Time: 3:30 PM, Wednesday, Sweet Apple Acres Fluttershy was so happy that she could spend the day with Copper after all. She was so worried that she had ruined it. It was really flattering to know that Copper was willing to help her out, just so they could spend time together. So generous and sweet of him. And now she was going to get to hear him sing again! Fluttershy could tell this was going to be a good day. Copper was so happy that he could help Fluttershy out. Now, thanks to his studies, he was spending the rest of the day with her. He figured that she'd ask him to sing again, so he practiced for a little while today before he went to her house. He wanted to be ready to impress her. He was NOT going to screw up his chances with her. They walked for a bit, and Fluttershy decided to strike up a conversation. "So…um…do you like Ponyville, Copper?" "Yeah, I love it here.  Everypony has been nothing but nice to me. It's nothing like Canterlot." The two ponies came up on the hill and laid down in the grass in front of each other, continuing their conversation. "You really don't like Canterlot…do you?" Fluttershy asked, a little concerned. "…No…" Copper said flatly, looking away from Fluttershy. She looked at his face, and saw what looked like…pain? Did Fluttershy trigger something within the colt? "Copper? Are you okay?" Fluttershy asked with a worried look. "Yeah, yeah, I'm…I'm fine." Copper said, but Fluttershy didn't look convinced. "Copper…I've been thinking about what you told me yesterday…" Fluttershy said "Yeah? W-What were you thinking about?" Copper asked. "I…I just can't help but feel that…you didn't tell me everything…" Fluttershy said, looking right at Copper. Copper's heart dropped. Oh no, she wants to know more. I can't…I'll scare her away… "Copper?" Fluttershy said, "Am…Am I right?" Copper refused to make eye contact with Fluttershy. "Um…well…" Copper sighed, "I…I don't know I'm comfortable sharing that…" "Why not?" Fluttershy asked, "You can tell me, Copper." "I…I don't want to…um…I don’t want to scare you away." Copper said, looking worried. "Scare me away? What makes you think you'll scare me away?" Fluttershy said, growing increasingly concerned. "Um…well…the thing is…I…" Copper stammered for a minute or two and was silenced when he felt something on his hoof. He looked over, and on his hoof was…Fluttershy's? He lifted his head and looked into Fluttershy's heart-melting teal eyes. "Coppermane, it's okay. I promise, no matter what you tell me, I’ll be right here beside you," Fluttershy said in the sweetest voice Copper had ever heard, "I'm your friend, and I just want to know more about you. Please, Coppermane?" she said with a warm smile. Fluttershy was tugging at every one of Copper's heartstrings. The way she looked right now. Her pink mane flowing so perfectly in the light breeze, the sunset reflecting perfectly in her dazzling teal eyes, and that smile…so warm and inviting… Coppermane pondered for a moment.  Fluttershy looked genuinely concerned.  He’s never told anypony else about this before.  He’s kept it inside him for as long as he can remember, never sharing it with anyone, except Princess Celestia.  He remembered what Applejack told him:  they’re his friends now.  Fluttershy looked really worried. “You…You really want to know?” Coppermane asked. Fluttershy nodded.  “You can trust me, Coppermane,” she said, offering a sympathetic smile. Coppermane sighed. "Promise me this.  This stays between you and me, okay?" "Of course. Your secret is safe with me." Fluttershy said, taking her hoof off of Copper's, making Copper frown a bit on the inside. Copper took a deep breath. Here we go. "So…I told you about how I was bullied in school yes? Well…it actually goes back further than that." Fluttershy was listening intently. "You see, I grew up in an orphanage….and…the kids that lived there…were a lot like the kids I went to school with…so it goes back further than just school." "That's awful," Fluttershy said sympathetically. "That's not even the worst part…" Copper said, trailing off. Fluttershy was all ears at this point. What was so bad that it might scare her off? "The bullies in school would always hold me down, beat me up, and taunt me just because I like magic and music, and didn't care for sports or parties. Essentially because I wasn't "normal". I just felt helpless, because other ponies would pass by without a care in the world. They didn't do anything about it. In fact…some of them even watched. Then there were some that had the audacity to cheer them on." Copper looked away with a pained expression. "You poor thing…" Fluttershy said sympathetically. She had no idea that the bullying was that bad. "But…everypony has a breaking point…" Copper looked away with a pained expression again, this one, more pained. "It's okay…" Fluttershy said reassuringly, putting her hoof on his again, "I'm not going anywhere." Copper took a deep, shaky breath, and proceeded to tell his story. "Before I go on, I need to explain how a certain spell works." "I'm listening to everything." Fluttershy said. "This spell is called…catharsis. It's a spell that I vowed never to use when I first learned of it. This spell…exists only to bring harm to other ponies. It's fueled by built-up hate and anger that's been broiling and simmering inside you for a long time. Basically what it does…is that it takes…all your pent up anger and hate…and physically manifests it in front of you. The book where I read the spell says, Give your tormentors a taste of how you feel. C-Can you see where this is going?" Fluttershy was silent for a second, but eventually pieced it together, "Did you…use the spell on them?" Copper looked away from her, and continued. "One day, I was just in the school yard. The same guys came over to me when I was studying in the schoolyard. They walked up to me, taunting me as they usually do. Then, they took my book and dumped water all over it, completely dousing and ruining it. It was a spellbook that I've had for years, my favorite spellbook, and the one where I learned my first few spells…and it had just been ruined. Then…they held me down and beat me up again like they always do. They paused, laughing at my pain, but then…I don't know what came over me, but I just…snapped." Here we go…the moment of truth… "As they laughed at my suffering, I remembered reading about that spell…and I suddenly felt my mind be consumed by my pent up anger and hate. I felt all of my emotions pouring out of me, and then, my mind went blank. When I came back to my senses…I was on the ground. I apparently was tackled by the principal in an effort to stop me. I looked around…and the schoolyard was completely ravaged…with the bullies beaten up with black eyes and bleeding cuts, some completely unconscious with teachers and students trying to revive them…and all of the other students…were just…staring at me…horrified. The principal quickly escorted me inside to chew me out." Fluttershy was shocked, "You did use the spell on them…" Copper looked up at her, and then back down to the ground and sighed. Then he continued. "The way the teacher described it, there was an army of raging Coppermanes just relentlessly attacking the students who were picking on me. Just mercilessly attacking them, while I was shouting things like 'Not so fun when it's you is it?' and 'This is how I feel every day thanks to you.' The principal said that it only stopped when he tackled me, and I seemed to wake up. He said that…if it had gone on any longer…I probably would've killed them." Copper was holding back tears. "I…I studied magic…to study magic…for the fun of it…for the love of magic…not to harm or…Celestia forbid…KILL anypony…" Fluttershy was shocked. She never expected that Copper had actually been close to killing some ponies. She just couldn't see it…it just didn't seem in his nature…but it had happened…and Copper only felt one thing. Regret. "W-What happened after that?" Fluttershy said, urging him to continue. Copper took another shaky, deep breath, and continued. "The only reason I wasn't expelled was because my teachers were all vouching for me, claiming that they saw the bullies provoke me, and that I had always been an exemplary student. I got suspended for a week, but honestly…I almost wish I was expelled…because…it was never the same in school…in fact…it was almost worse." Fluttershy had a worried look on her face "After the incident…the bullies stopped…but…instead…everypony was scared of me. Whenever I walked into a room…everybody would start whispering to each other…and I've heard some of them. They say things like, 'That pony's a psycho,' and 'He should get checked into an insane asylum.' I was still an outcast…but for completely different reasons…I was no longer the geek who studied magic and music…I was a deranged psychopath…" Copper was trying his best not to let a single tear fall, "I…I never wanted to hurt anypony with my magic…I swear…I just…I just…I was sick of it…I…I…wanted it to stop. A pony isn't a psycho just because of one outburst right?!" Copper pleaded, raising his voice a little at the end…and he finally shed a tear. "And it didn't stop there…word got out to Canterlot…and then…even some of the ponies around town were scared of me…backing away from me when I got close. I-I can still remember some of their frightened faces…looking at me like…I was some kind of…monster. Maybe…maybe that's all I am…I'm just a monster…" Copper's heart filled with pain, and tears escaped his eyes, remembering all of their scared expressions. Fluttershy couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had no idea that this pony had been through this much. Now she understood why he was so shy…so insecure…and so paranoid. She could see how emotionally scarred he really was. One little mistake, and he was exiled by everypony.  Neglected to the point of losing his own self-worth. To the point of mentally torturing himself…and being all alone.  Nopony to reach out to.  Nopony to help him.  Fluttershy couldn't even imagine going through something like that. Nopony should ever have to go through anything like that. "So…that's basically it…I'm a unicorn who was bullied…used his magic for the wrong reasons…nearly killed said bullies…and has been exiled as a psycho by his school and most of Canterlot ever since…" Copper looked at Fluttershy with tear-stained eyes, and then looked away once more in shame, "If you want to leave…I understand.  I am a monster…" Copper looked down with his eyes closed, tears escaping his eyes. He waited for a minute, expecting to hear the flapping of Fluttershy's wings as she flew away…but instead he felt a hoof on his again…he looked up to see Fluttershy staring back at him with those amazing teal eyes. Her eyes didn't seem filled with fear, but with something else. Sympathy. "Y-You're still here?" Copper said in disbelief. "Of course," Fluttershy said with a heart-warming smile. "W-Why?" Copper asked, completely shocked, "I'm a terrible pony. A psychopath. A monster…" "Coppermane, do you regret what you did?" Fluttershy asked him. "It haunts me every day." Copper said, with obvious pain in his voice. "Coppermane, you are not a terrible pony. A terrible pony wouldn’t regret his mistakes. You know what you are? You're misunderstood. You never meant to harm any pony, you just lashed out after years of being pushed around. You wanted the benefit of the doubt.  You wanted to be accepted.  Right?” Fluttershy was correct…about everything.  He was misunderstood. He craved the benefit of the doubt…he just wanted to be accepted for who he is now, instead of being neglected for his transgressions. And she wasn't done. "And if you really were a terrible pony, you wouldn't be Princess Celestia's student would you?" She had a point. "What you went through was terrible, Coppermane. Nopony should ever have to go through that." Copper finally looked up at Fluttershy, her hoof still on his. "So…y-you're not scared, or disappointed?" Copper asked. Fluttershy shook her head and gave Copper a warm smile, "You're a good pony, Coppermane, and you certainly aren't a monster, or a psychopath." Copper couldn't believe it.  After all of that…after revealing his deepest darkest secrets…after seeing him cry…Fluttershy was still here…just like she promised. "You've been holding that in for a long time, haven't you?" Fluttershy asked. "Yeah…yeah I have,” Coppermane said.  “Um…Fluttershy?" "Yes?" Fluttershy said, still smiling. Copper put his other hoof on top of hers, "Thank you…thank you so much…" Fluttershy giggled, "I'm always here for you, Copper. Thanks you for opening up to me." "N-no problem." Copper said, feeling better than he ever had. He took a look at the sky to discover that it was twilight. "We…we've been out here for a while haven't we." Fluttershy giggled, "Yeah…we have…" "Hey um…do you still want to hear a short song before I walk you home?" Fluttershy's face lit up, "I'd love that.” Copper brought himself to break away from Fluttershy's delicate grasp to get up and summon his clones. "This is just a short song called Midnight Rose." Copper said. He blew a Bb on his pitch whistle. {Song: Midnight Rose (Tag)} "You sound amazing, Copper." Fluttershy said, clapping her hooves in excitement. Copper blushed.  "Th-thanks. I just remembered the actual reason why we came out here, and I figure I owe it to you after listening to me prattle." Fluttershy giggled, "Thanks. And it was my pleasure to help you." Coppermane smiled.  "Sh-Should we head back now?" Fluttershy nodded.  “Yes.” Copper offered his hoof, and Fluttershy took it as Copper helped her up. And together, they walked back to Fluttershy's cottage. Time: 8:30 PM, Wednesday, Fluttershy's Cottage Coppermane and Fluttershy stood on the bridge to her cottage. Fluttershy was the first to speak. "Um…thanks for asking me to spend the day with you…I had a wonderful time." Fluttershy said, blushing slightly and smiling. "Heh, pleasure was mine. I had fun too. Thanks for listening to my story. It…It actually felt good to finally get that out there y'know?" Copper said. "I'm glad I could help." Fluttershy said. Fluttershy then did something unusually bold:  she pulled Coppermane into a hug. This time, instead of just standing there like an idiot, Copper hugged her back, enjoying every second of it. Her coat and mane were so soft. Fluttershy noticed that Copper had a really soft coat as well. The two of them lingered for a minute before pulling away…slightly…they lingered very close to each other…their muzzles particularly close. Copper's mind went into overload. Oh wow, I'm so close to her.  I could actually…should I? I don't want to ruin this night…it's been so perfect.  I've never kissed anypony before.  What if I screw up?  It's too risky…but…I want to…so badly… Fluttershy's mind fared no better. Oh my…we're so close. Is he actually going to…? Oh my…that would be wonderful…but…I've never even kissed anypony before. What if I do something wrong? What if he doesn’t like it?  But still…I want him to…I really want him to… They stared into each other's eyes for a good minute, both of their hearts pounding…hoping… "Well…um…I think I should be getting back home now," Copper suddenly said, pulling away, and his face bright red. "Oh…um…yeah…it is getting late…" Fluttershy said, also blushing profusely, feeling a little embarrassed. "I guess I'll um…I'll see you later then huh?" Copper said. "Y-Yeah…th-thanks again for tonight…" Fluttershy said. "Good night." "G-Good night." And with that, Copper turned around and headed back to Ponyville, and Fluttershy walked towards her cottage. Copper snuck one more glance at her. Dear Celestia was she beautiful.  Tonight, he also saw how sweet and kind she was.  He told her everything, and she was still there afterwards, just like she promised. Coppermane smiled, and turned around towards Ponyville, thinking about Fluttershy the whole way back. Unbeknownst to him, Fluttershy looked back at him too, and smiled. She was so glad that Copper had opened up to her. She felt so much closer to him now, and today, she saw how sweet he really was.  He was willing to help her out…just to spend time with her.  A warm feeling filled her as she watched him walk away.  He looked so handsome in the moonlight.  She lingered until he disappeared over the horizon, sighing in admiration.  Fluttershy proceeded inside her cottage, thinking about Coppermane the whole time. Dear Princess Celestia, Sometimes it's hard to let go of the past. Sometimes some things you do in the past can haunt you for the rest of your life, but that doesn't mean you have to go beating yourself up about it. But if you're really that bitter about your past, you shouldn't keep your feelings bottled up inside. The best medicine is to find somepony to talk things over with, and to just put your cards on the table. Today, I spent the day with one amazing pony, who allowed me to do just that. I think everypony needs a catharsis every now and then, because I've never felt so liberated. Your Student, Coppermane