Fluttershy breathed a content sigh before taking another sip of tea. Having no other obligations, She had decided on a whim to take some tea and cucumber sandwiches into Whitetail Woods to enjoy the beautiful spring day in quiet solitude. The sun was pleasant and a warm breeze caressed her hair. She listened with a smile as bird songs serenaded her while she ate one of her sandwiches.
After finishing most of her meal, she had been considering taking a nap, when a rustling of bushes in the distance got her attention.
"Eep!" She squeaked in surprise.
"Yip!" Came a response from the bushes.
Fluttershy's initial fear was quickly replaced with confusion as she furrowed her brow. It had sounded like an animal. "H-Hello?" The timid Pegasus called out. Slowly, a nose poked out of the bushes, followed by a head...a fox's head, to be precise. Fluttershy gasped. This was not just any fox she was seeing, but a genuine Silver Fox! It was sniffing the air as it cautiously walked into the open, it's fur gleaming brightly in the sun.
Fluttershy had never seen anything so stunning. As the animal's name implied, it's fur was actual silver! Slowly it walked closer to Fluttershy, eyeing what was left of her sandwiches, it's hunger slowly winning over it's apprehension.
As it's eyes went back and forth from the Pegasus to her leftovers, she giggled, "Oh, of course you can have some!" She pushed the platter of sandwiches closer to it. "Don't eat too many, though...you're mostly a carnivore, after all."
The fox ate only one of the sandwiches, then stopped as Fluttershy suggested. Suddenly, it's ears perked up, and it quickly dashed back into the nearby bushes. Fluttershy was taken aback by this, before finally hearing several hoof beats approaching her. She got to her feet and saw a trio of rough-looking ponies approach.
The first one, a brown Earth Pony stallion with a black mane, tail and facial stubble, straightened his tan vest and tipped his tan wide-brimmed hat. "Don't mind us, Miss, we're just passing through." His prominent accent marked him as being Austailian.
Another of the trio, a gold Unicorn mare with a white mane and tail and a similar vest but no hat, spoke up, "Found it!" She pointed her glowing white horn towards the bushes. "It's over there!"
"I'll get it!" The final pony said, preparing to pounce on the bushes; this one a navy blue Pegasus stallion with a light blue mane and tail, wearing a necklace of what appeared to be various animal fangs that made Fluttershy cringe. What made her even more wary were the cutie marks the trio had: An animal cage for the Austailian pony, a set of animal tracks for the mare, and a collar with leash for the blue stallion.
Before any of them could move, Fluttershy shouted, "NO!"
The trio looked at Fluttershy, who spoke, "E-Excuse me...are you after that Silver Fox, by any chance?"
The trio looked at each other with mild alarm, before the Austailian pony responded with a disarming smile, "As a matter of fact, we are, Miss. The Manehattan Zoo has contracted us to find a Silver Fox for their enclosure."
Fluttershy sighed, trying to steel herself for what was next. "The Manehattan Zoo doesn't have any Silver Foxes...nor are they allowed to, as Silver Foxes are Rare Creatures, protected under Equestrian law. They can only be legally brought to a specialized nature preserve near Canterlot, run by the Equestrian Society for the Preservation of Rare Creatures. As a full member in good standing, I intend to do just that."
The Austailian scowled. "That animal's pure silver coat will be worth a fortune. I'd offer you a cut for staying out of our way, but I get the feeling you're not interested. So I tell you what: Leave, or we hunt you next."
Fluttershy held her ground, meeting the pony's glare. "How dare you threaten me! I am an Element of Harmony, and a friend of Princess Twilight Sparkle herself!"
A growl nearby revealed the arrival of a large brown bear. Multiple hawks, eagles, owls, and other raptors landed nearby as well, making a show of gripping their chosen perches with razor talons.
"I also have other friends." Fluttershy spoke.
"Big deal!" The blue pony said, "We're professional hunters, your menagerie doesn't scare us! Now hand over the fox!"
Fluttershy's gaze changed then. All of a sudden, her eyes commanded respect and fear. The trio cringed beneath the power of The Stare.
"I...said...NO!!"
The three poachers scrambled to run away from this final onslaught.
As soon as they were far enough away, however, Fluttershy collapsed onto her haunches, trembling violently and trying to hyperventilate, having just went through one of the most terrifying experiences in her life. Her animal entourage was quick to surround her; offering caws of encouragement, comforting wings draped over her shoulders, and in the case of the bear, a hug. Finally, the Silver Fox came out of it's hiding place, it's silver coat shimmering in the light. It gave Fluttershy a lick on her cheek and a nuzzle. Fluttershy smiled, the fox's gratitude making it all worth it.