//------------------------------//
// Fluttershy 
// Story: Fluttershy and the Beast 
// by Roisin the Irish pony 
//------------------------------//

'Hello!'

'Hello!'

'Hi! How are you?'

The ponies of Ponyville greeted each other from their windows. Fluttershy tried to smile cheerfully back and reply at the gentle equities regarding her health. She had a terrible fear of crowds, but she wasn't so shy as she once was, when she was almost paralyzed with fear. Still, she was rather shy. Thankfully, she had a few best friends who helped her overcome her fears. This mare was Fluttershy, a kind and as we already mentioned incredibly shy, Pegasus. 

'Fluttershy!' Squealed an over excited voice coming from the direction of Sugarcube Corners, bringing her out of her reverie.

It was one of best friends Pinkie Pie, carrying a tray of Rainbow coloured cupcakes and handing them out to ponies.

'Hi, Pinkie Pie,' replied Fluttershy in her soft, shy way. 'How are you?' As crazy and hyperactive Pinkie Pie was, she was a friend worth having, so she was not someone to shy away from.

'Oh, I'm fine! Business is booming! Hey! Do you want a cupcake, or two or three or..... seven hundred thousand!' She screamed at the top of her voice. 

Fluttershy laughed outright. 'Just one please. It'll do me fine.'

'Okay! That'll be one bit please!' Said Pinkie handing the cupcake to her friend with a flourish. 'Enjoy!'

Fluttershy was eating her cupcake and trotting away when Pinkie Pie called out, 'Oooooh! I almost forgot! Where're you off to?'

'The library.' replied Fluttershy, struggling to speak with cake in her mouth. She smiled as she thought how reading books about animals made her forget her troubles. 'I just finished reading a wonderful book about animals who have helped ponies with special needs or disabilities. It's lovely.'

'Oooh!' Pinkie Pie said. 'I might borrow it.'

Fluttershy smiled as she walked away. Pinkie Pie was terribly nice and all, but there was no way that she could sit still and read a book with no pictures. In fact, Pinkie even had a few books with all pictures and no words!

She arrived at her intended destination, the library, without too much hassle. 'Hey Fluttershy,' the librarian Twilight Sparkle said, another one of Fluttershy's closest friends, who was reading a book herself.

'Hi, Twilight,' Fluttershy answered, handing the book to her friend. 'I just came to return the book I borrowed.'

Twilight glanced at it and laughed. 'Finished already?' 

Fluttershy smiled and began to browse through the bookshelves. 'I couldn't put it down. Angel had to come and tell me that my animals hadn't been fed. Have you..er..got anything new?'

Twilight laughed again. 'Not since yesterday.'

'Oh, that's OK. I'll borrow... um... this one.' She flew down from the top shelf and handed the book to Twilight. 

'This one? But you've already read it twice!'

'I know, but it's one of my favorites!' She stroked the book gently. 'Faroff places, Daring sword fights, magic spells, a prince in disguise!' Not only that, but this book meant so much more to her. Memories of her mother reading this beloved story to her as a tiny filly came flooding back. Shortly after her mother died, her father sent her to Junior Flight Camp. She hasn't seen him since. Tears began to prick her eyes. She looked up. Twilight was smiling at her kindly.

'Listen Fluttershy, if you like it all that much, it's yours! And the book you borrowed yesterday, you can take that too!'

'Thank-' Fluttershy stopped in her tracks, Twilight's words not fully sunk in yet. She shoved the books back into the shelves. 'But Twilight! I can't afford this! I can never take this! You're... you're too kind to me!' At this, she burst into loud and hysterical sobbing.

Twilight sighed gently and put her hoof on her friend's shoulder and waited until she stopped crying before she spoke.

'Don't argue with me. You're my best customer. Very few ponies here appreciate literature like you do. You deserve some nice books. You are a great friend and kindred spirit.' She got the books down the shelves and gave them to Fluttershy.' I insist.'

Fluttershy smiled timidly. She didn't have the strength or desire to hand those books back. 'Thank you.' She whispered. 'Thank-you very much.'

Twilight saw her friend to the door. 'Are you alright?' She asked suddenly. 'Ever since you went to that restaurant with Blueblood, you've been even quieter than usual. What did he do?'

Fluttershy smiled nervously. 'Have I?' For a few seconds, she considered telling her friend, but decided against it. 'There's nothing wrong,' she said shakily. 'I'm fine.'

Twilight frowned slightly. This was not the answer she was looking for, but for now, she chose to let it go. 'Well, OK. Take care, you hear me?'

'Thank you. I'll try.'

Fluttershy ran with all her might, determined not to let ponies see her distress. She was picking up speed. With any luck, she could get to the bridge and then fly the rest of the way home. Then she heard a loud, arrogant voice close behind her. Only one stallion had that voice. Fluttershy's heart jumped, but steeled herself for what was to come.

She was almost at the small bridge which marked the town's border when her books were rudely snatched from her Hooves. Fluttershy turned angrily, only to shiver with fright when she saw who was holding her books.

'Hello Fluttershy,' the big stallion said to her. He smiled his toothy, pearly white smile. Fluttershy groaned softly to herself. There he was, showing off again, not like anypony cared about his looks.

'Hello, Blueblood,'she replied as steadily as she could.