Today was the day of the commercial shoot. Fluttershy was nervous. She was sweating like crazy. Her stomach was in knots, her throat felt really dry; chills ran down her sine and legs, she was a mess.
“Oh, today’s the day of the commercial” she moaned, “Too late for me to back-out. I have to pull through it!” She continued, “I said I’d do, even if it kills me!”
Fluttershy uttered that fraise and gulped. “Why did I say that” she thought to herself. It was a cloudy Saturday morning. The commercial shoot was in 3 hours. There was no time to loose. As the family, downstairs, got things ready to head out, Fluttershy tried to fix herself up. Tried not to look so nervous. She took a deep breathe in as she looked at herself in the mirror, and breathed out. She then proceeded to brushing her messy hair.
Once she was ready she headed downstairs with the rest of her family. Everything was now set and ready. The family headed outside to the limousine, which was waiting to take them to the convention hall, where the commercial was going to be filmed.
That’s right. Unlike the old church at town square, the commercial was going to be filmed at Canterlot Convention Hall, uptown. It was a pretty large building. It was about the size of a football field, and had 3 floors. Fluttershy was nervous. As they were driving uptown, she began to breathe heavily.
“You’ll be fine” she said to herself. “Do it for mommy. Do it for daddy. Do it for Dash.” She continued, “Do it…for Lunar Luna.”
“You can do it Fluttershy! I hast faith in thee!”
“I’ll do it for you…Lunar Luna.”
“You say something honey?” asked Rarity.
“W-What? Oh N-No. It was nothing” replied Fluttershy, awkwardly giggling. She scratched her head and turned away, biting her lip in anxiousness. She was starting to lose it. Heavens only knows how this shoot may end up.
They finally arrived at the convention hall. The commercial was being filmed in Ballroom 10-B, on the 2nd floor. The room was packed with cameramen, boom operators, screen directors, and actors. Fluttershy became concerned. What if she messed up? She couldn’t bear take it if she’d mess up another commercial shoot.
“Looks like everyone is here” said Fancy Pants.
“Places people!” shouted the director, “We film in 40 minutes!”
“Whoa, better get to work then” declared Fancy Pants. “Twi, mind showing Fluttershy to her dressing room?” he asked.
“Not at all sir!” replied Twilight.
Twilight escorted Fluttershy to the dressing room. Luckily it was outside of room. Down the hallway and to the left 2 doors down was a door with the words, Conference Room 4-B, labeled on it. Fluttershy looked to Twilight with confusion.
“They didn’t have any privet dressing rooms, so we borrowed one of the conference rooms” replied Twilight.
“Oh, I see” responded Fluttershy with slight smile.
Twilight slowly opened the door and walked in, with Fluttershy following behind her. Fluttershy looked around the conference room. It didn’t really look like a conference room. It was almost empty. There were no chairs, and it was full of coat racks with various suits on them. There was also a full length mirror on the far right corner, a stylist’s chair, and the table was stacked with make-up kits, hair products, combs, and scissors.
“What is all this stuff?” asked Fluttershy.
“You’ll see” replied Twilight.
“Oh good, you’re here” said a voice behind them.
Fluttershy and Twilight turned around and saw two twin looking women staring at them. One had was dressed in a pink stylist’s uniform, while the other was dressed in a blue one. The both wore white hair bands, and white collar necklaces with pink flowers on them.
“Ah, good. Right on time” said Twilight. “Fluttershy, these are Lotus and Aloe. They are world renowned stylist who’ll be working with you today.”
“Pleasure to meet you madam” said Aloe.
“We are ready to make you look fabulous!” cheered Lotus.
“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked.
“They’ll be helping you look more like a boy” replied Twilight.
“Wait? What! How!?” cried Fluttershy.
“Well, they’ll start by trying on various tuxedos on, use their make-up skills to give a bit of more male complexion: acne, hair fuzz on your lip, chin, and maybe cut your hair.”
Fluttershy was not impressed when she heard “cut her hair”. She liked having long hair. There was no way she was letting them cut it. “No way!” Fluttershy exclaimed, “I am not letting them cut my hair.
“But Fluttershy, it’s only a quick snip her and a snip…”
“No, Twilight! No snip here, no snip there!”
“Oh, no need to worry Ms. Fluttershy. We’ll be soft and gentle” assured Aloe.
“I’m sorry, but I’m letting you cut my hair” replied Fluttershy.
“We’ll too bad Fluttershy” replied Twilight, “You’re getting your hair cut!”
“But Twilight!” Fluttershy whined.
“What do you care anyway!? It’ll probably grow back in like 6 weeks!” Twilight stated. “Besides, it’s only up to your shoulder.”
Fluttershy took a deep breathe in, and slowly breathed out. She then looked at Twilight, face to face, and softly spoke out. “Okay.” Twilight smiled turned to Lotus and Aloe.
“I’ll be back in 30 minutes. Be careful with her” she instructed.
“Yes ma’am. We’ll be very gentle with her” replied the two of them together.
Twilight stepped out of the room and headed back to ballroom 10-B. Lotus and Aloe slowly closed the door behind them. Lotus went over to browse through the outfits while Aloe nicely escorted Fluttershy to the stylist’s chair on the far right corner near the full length mirror. She sat her down gently and wrapped a salon cape around her neck.
“You nervous?” asked Aloe.
“Very” replied Fluttershy.
“Don’t worry, sweetie, we’ll be really gentle with you” assured Aloe.
“Just trust us,” said Lotus as she approached Fluttershy; with a suit at hand she held it over to see how it look on her, “we won’t bite.”
“We’ll be REALLY gentle with you” she continued.
With an amorous look in her eyes, Aloe slowly leaned in closer to Fluttershy and whispered in her ear, “Yes, now sit back, and we’ll have you looking and feeling like never before.”
Fluttershy stared into a daze with horror in her eyes. “Uuuhh…I don’t like where this is going” she muttered.
Meanwhile, back at the room, Twilight was reviewing the script and the story boards for the commercial as Fancy Pants continued to manage the production. Showtime was in 10 minutes. Everything had to be perfect. Twilight finished reading the scripts and smiled. “Perfect” she thought to herself, “This should work out smoothly.”
Fancy Pants approached Twilight with a nervous look in his eye. “Hey, Twilight, is the talent here yet?” he asked.
“Not yet sir” replied Twilight.
“Oh man! I hope he gets here soon.”
“Relax sir, he’ll be here. Besides, I know you’ll do great on this!” assured Twilight.
“I know I will Twi. I’m mainly worried about Fluttershy” continued Fancy Pants. “I hope she’ll be fine. She’s had a fear of preforming ever since…”
“Ever since what?” Twilight asked.
“Oh, um, n-never mind that. Just check on her for me will you?” asked Fancy Pants.
“Will do sir” replied Twilight.
Twilight returned to conference room 4-B. She slowly opened the door walked in. “Fluttershy!” she called out. As she slowly looked ahead, Twilight was became shocked with awe. She has never seen Fluttershy with short hair before. She looked very cute. Short and scruffy, combed to the right side, and back. She was also dressed in a white tuxedo suit, which was semi tight and sliming. And it had padded shoulders, which made her appear brawn. She also had white slacks, and dress shoes, and a pink tie, to balance out the white. Twilight couldn’t. She was in awe.
“Well!? What do you think!?” asked Lotus and Aloe.
“I…I…I…I…” stuttered Twilight.
“I know, it’s bad” said Fluttershy.
“It’s…It’s…”
“Horrible? An Atrocity? A Disgrace?”
“PERFECT!” exclaimed Twilight with a twinkle in her eye.
“What?”
“You look beautiful Fluttershy. My, if only mother and father could see you now” said Twilight.
“S-Stop it…” replied Fluttershy, “It’s embarrassing.”
Twilight reached out to hug Fluttershy, only for her to step back, causing her to fall face first to the floor. Fluttershy and the hair dressers quickly ran to help Twilight up.
“Are you alright?” asked Lotus.
“I’m Alright” replied Twilight. “You girls really out did yourselves” she added.
“Thank you ma’am” said Aloe.
“It wasn’t easy,” said Lotus, “her hair was really long and messy. And we really had a hard time finding and tuxedo that didn’t fit her too big.”
“Well then, let’s get going. How time is in 8 minutes.” Instructed Twilight.
At that point, a knock was at the door. Twilight slowly turned towards, eyeballing it with confusion. “Weird. Who could that be?” wondered Twilight. She walked over to answer it. She slowly opened the door. Standing there was a young girl. Dressed in a white room gown and silver tiara. Her hair was red and yellow, tied in a ponytail, and she wore pink lipstick and red eyeshadow. In her hand she held a red rose.
“Umm, Hi” said the girl.
“Umm, hello” replied Twilight. “Can I help you?” she added.
“Yes. I’m looking for someone” she said, tightly gripping the rose in her hand.
“Oh, and who may that be?” asked Twilight.
“Well, he’s…”
Before the girl could finish, her eyes caught a glimpse inside. There HE was. The tall and handsome boy she remembered from 10 years ago. That’s right. That blushing bride was Sunset Shimmer. She slowly moved Twilight aside and stared at Fluttershy. Her eyes were in a daze. She slowly approached her pink haired prince.
“It’s you” she said. “I can’t believe it. You actually came.” Her eyes slowly began to tear. She smiled slowly as a teardrop fell from her eyes and down her cheeks. “You’re just as I remembered you” she added.
“Uh…” muttered Fluttershy.
“H-Here…I, uh…T-This is for you” stuttered Sunset as she slowly handed Fluttershy the rose in her hand.
“Uh…” muttered Fluttershy, as her cheeks turned red with embarrassment. She slowly closed her eyes and took the flower from Sunset’s hand.
“I…I want to, t-thank you. For coming” said Sunset. “I’m glad to finally see you again.”
Sunset slowly leaned forward and gave Fluttershy a quick hug. Though it lasted only 2 seconds, it felt like 2 hours to Fluttershy. She was completely red. Her face was red hot, steaming in utter humiliation. “OH MY GOD” she thought to herself, “SHE HUGGED ME! SHE GAVE ME A ROSE! SHE TOTALLY THINKS I’M A GUY!!”
Fluttershy stood in a daze as Sunset slowly pulled away, smiled at her and left the conference room. Twilight stared at Fluttershy, waving her hand over her. “Fluttershy?” she called out. She did not respond.
“Oh, how adorable!” cried Lotus.
“Aww, she has an admirer!” exclaimed Aloe.
Twilight shook her head. She grabbed Fluttershy by the arm and dragged her out of the room. “Thanks for your help!” she said to Aloe and Lotus as she walked out.
“You’re welcome!” they said together.
Back in Ballroom 10-B, everyone was in place. All the actors and extras were in position. All the cameras were ready. Fluttershy nervously awaited by the altar. Even though this was a fake wedding, she was nervous. She couldn’t go through with this.
Sitting in the audience was her mother and mother. They were so happy to finally see Fluttershy up on stage, preforming. They were so eager to see her acting.
“I can’t believe it’s finally here” said Fancy Pants. “The day our daughter makes her debut into the commercial business.”
“OH, THIS IS SO EXCITING!” squealed Rarity, “I can’t believe I’m actually working with, Ms. Sunset SHIMMER~!!!!”
“Whoa, Rarity, darling, mind toning it down? People are staring at us” stated Fancy Pants.
“Oops, sorry” said Rarity with a blush.
Twilight nervously stared from the entrance of Ballroom 10-B. She saw Fluttershy by the altar. She could see the nervousness in her eyes. Twilight became worried about her. “Come on Fluttershy” she whispered to herself. “Do it for your mother and father.”
Fluttershy nervously waited around, looking at everyone in the audience. The fact that they were so many made her even more nervous. Her knees began shaking. Sweat fell from her face. She was breathing heavily, pinching her stomach in pain.
Outside of the Ballroom, Sunset was ready. She waited by the entrance of the ballroom. Meanwhile Twilight carefully looked at the script and storyboards.
“Let’s see,” she said to herself, “Bride slowly walks in once the music plays. Groom smiles as she sees her. Bride runs to groom happily. Groom picks her up and twirls her around playfully.” Twilight stopped reading. “Oh. This might be a problem.”
Meanwhile, Sunset was thinking to herself. “I can’t wait. I can’t wait! I can’t believe I’m working with him again!” She was smiling and jumping with joy. In just 2 minutes, she was going to be staring in a wedding commercial with the “Boy” she loves.
“PLACES!” shouted the director.
“It’s starting!” squealed Rarity.
“Oh no…” Fluttershy muttered.
“Oh, it’s starting,” said Sunset, “better get into place.”
“Oh, I hope Fluttershy will be okay” thought Twilight.
The commercial was rolling. All lights were slightly dimmed. All cameras focused on the entrance of the ballroom. Everyone in the audience was silent. Fluttershy was at full level anxiety. She feared for the worst.
“Alright every one!” instructed the director, “The music will play, and the brides walk in. Groom and bride will look at each other and smile. Then the bride will happily run to the groom, the groom will pick her up and twirl her playfully! QUIET ON THE SEEEEET!!!”
“Wedding Commercial scene 1, Take 1!”
“ACTION!” shouted the director.
The music began to play. Fluttershy took a deep breathe in and stood up straight. “I can do this” she thought to herself. “I can do this.” As the music continued, Sunset slowly walked inside the entrance of the ballroom. Her eyes closed and her head bent, she slowly looked up ahead to the altar to see her pink haired prince. She slowly smiled. Fluttershy nervously and slowly smiled back. The audience was in awe.
Sunset happily began running towards Fluttershy. “Good” whispered the director, “Good. Just like in script.” Fluttershy slowly held out her arms to pick up Sunset. However, she failed to remember that she wasn’t the strongest person in the world.
As Sunset softly leaped into her arms, Fluttershy immediately fell down to the floor, dragging Sunset with her. The audience was shocked. The music immediately stopped playing. The director was less than happy.
“CUUUUT!”
“Oh no” said Fancy Pants.
Sunset slowly picked herself up from the floor. Kneeling next to Fluttershy, she slowly looked over her with a worried face. “Are you okay?” she asked, holding out her hand offering to help her up.
Fluttershy closed her eyes and smacked Sunset’s hand out of the way. She quickly got up herself and ran as fast as she could out the door. Her face buried into her left arm as she began to burst out in tears. The horrible flashbacks of 10 years ago began to haunt her again.
She ran outside into the hallway, knelt on the floor and began sobbing loudly. She couldn’t believe it. She was doing it again. She was ruining the commercial shoot. Just as she did those 10 years ago.
“I did it again!” she cried. “I can’t believe I did it again!!”
Voices played in her head. Haunting reminders of her humiliating event back then.
“EW, HE PEEDED HIMSELF!”
“IN COSTUME!”
“CUUUUT!!”
“Why does this always happen!” she cried. “Why me! Why me!”
As Fluttershy stood there crying, she felt a gentle touch on her right shoulder. And a soft voice behind her. “Here” said the voice. Fluttershy slowly looked back. It was Sunset. In her hand she held a small dark blue crystal marble. Fluttershy slowly stood up and wiped the tears from her face. “Would you like to use it again?” asked Sunset.
“W-What?” asked Fluttershy nervously.
“My Marble,” replied Fluttershy, “Would you like to use it again.”
“Again?” she muttered.
“D-Don’t you remember?” she asked. “That 10 years ago, when we first met.”
Fluttershy never liked talking about that day. But then she began to remember. She didn’t ruin the commercial. The company was able to finish it in the end. But how? Fluttershy thought back to that day:
It was a sunny day at the old church in town square. The cameras were rolling. Fluttershy remembered all the things she did wrong. First she failed to help Sunset catch the bouquet, 3 times. She also sneezed when on Sunset while she was escorting her. Then, then moment of truth: When Sunset gave her a kiss on her cheek, she peed in her pants.
5 mistakes in one day. It took 17 takes just to shoot scene 1. The producers, and actors were furious. They were only supposed to be here for 2 hours. But because of Fluttershy, they had to stay overtime. They were behind schedule. Sunset saw Fluttershy crying, holding on to her mother tightly. She was really sad about what had happened.
“I DON’T WANT TO BE IN THE COMMERCIAL ANYMORE!!” she shouted.
“But Fluttershy…”
“WUAAAAAHH!!”
“Oh dear” said Rarity.
“Well this is a disaster!” exclaimed Fancy Pants.
As Fluttershy pulled away to wipe her tears, Sunset approached her. She reached into the pocket of her summer dress and pulled out a marble. She lightly tapped Fluttershy on the arm. Fluttershy jolted as she felt Sunsets arms tap her.
“Hey” said Sunset. “Would you like to try using this?”
Fluttershy slowly wiped away the tears from her cheeks and slowly approached Sunset.
“It’s a good luck marble” she said. “Just hold it really tight, and say, “Go Away Fears”, and it’ll make all your fears go away” she continued.
Fluttershy slowly hold the marble in her hand. She closed her eyes and took a deep breathe, and said to herself, “Go away fears.”
She repeated this phrase 4 times. And to her surprise, it worked. She no longer felt scared. She thank Sunset and gave her hug. Sunset slowly blushed as Fluttershy hugged her. To her liking, she hugged Fluttershy back.
“That’s Right” said Fluttershy. “I remember.”
Sunset reached out and held Fluttershy’s hand. She softly placed the marble on Fluttershy palm, and closed her hand into fist. Fluttershy slowly held her hand over her face and unclenched it. Right on her palm was Sunset’s marble. Clenching her hand into a fist again, she took a deep breathe in, and began saying:
“Go away fears. Go away fears. Go away fears. Go away fears.”
“Feeling better?” asked Sunset.
“Yes” she said softly. “Thank you.”
Fluttershy hugged Sunset. Sunset smiled and hugged Fluttershy back. Just like they did 10 years ago. At this point Twilight found them. She was not happy. “Fluttershy!” she exclaimed.
“Wait Twilight!” she exclaimed. “I’m better now!”
“You better be!” she demanded.
[1 quick make-up refresher later…]
The commercial was rolling, again. All lights were slightly dimmed, again. All cameras focused on the entrance of the ballroom. Everyone in the audience was silent. Fluttershy, this time, was determined to do her best. This time, since she wasn’t that strong, the twirling scene was changed. Instead, they would just hug each other.
“Alright every one!” instructed the director, “The music will play, and the brides walk in. Groom and bride will look at each other and smile. Then the bride will happily run to the groom, AND THEN~, they hug. QUIET ON THE SEEEEET!!!”
“Wedding Commercial scene 1, Take 2!”
“ACTION!!!!”
The music began to play. Fluttershy took a deep breathe in and stood up straight. “I’m ready” she thought to herself. As the music continued, Sunset slowly walked inside the entrance of the ballroom. Her eyes closed and her head bent, she slowly looked up ahead to the altar to see Fluttershy. She slowly smiled. Fluttershy smiled back, widely and with joy in her eyes.
Sunset happily began running towards Fluttershy. Fluttershy held out her arms as Sunset ran towards her, and caught her. The two span around as they held each other in their arms. Sunset was so happy. She was so moved to finally be with her prince charming.
Fluttershy was a bit embarrassed. But she wasn’t worried. After all, it was just acting. After they hugged, they slowly held each other’s arms and stared at one another’s eyes. Sunset was smiling happily. There was a sparkle in her eye. Fluttershy was nervously blushing. From the entrance of the ballroom Twilight was staring.
“Good” she whispered. “She’s doing great.”
Sunset’s eyes slowly turned from ecstatic to amorous, as she slowly giggled at Sunset.
Fluttershy giggled nervously. “Wow” she thought to herself, “Sunset is really good.” She continued, “I don’t ever think I’ve seen acting this good before.”
“Alright Fluttershy!” cheered Twilight softly, “Oh boy, nothing can ruin this now!”
As Twilight said that, she overheard two crew members talking. In their hand they held a storyboard.
“Are you sure he can do it?” asked one of the crew members.
“Yeah, I mean, he wouldn’t have accepted this job if he couldn’t” said the other.
Twilight was confused. “Do what?” she thought. She slowly approached the crew members, and looked at the storyboards they had in their hands. But it was different from her own. Her board had 10 panels. This one had 12. And at the very last panel, she was horrified. It read: “The Bride and Groom Kiss.” And right on the panel was an illustration of the two kissing. Twilight was shocked.
“WHAT! When was this change made!?” she asked angrily.
“Just now!” said the crew members.
“Oh no!” exclaimed Twilight.
Back at the altar, Fluttershy and Sunset continued to stare at each other. Fluttershy was a little bit worried now. “Why is she staring at me like that?” she thought, “Do I have something in my teeth?” Sunset slowly closed her eyes, and leaned in forward at Fluttershy.
“What’s going on!?” Fluttershy thought to herself, nervously. “Why is she coming closer?”
Fluttershy became shocked. “Oh no…is…Is she going to try and…”
Twilight quickly ran into the ballroom at full speed. She was attempting to stop the kissing scene. But when she ran inside, it was too late. Twilight looked in horror as Sunset and Fluttershy were kissing. The audience was in awe. Fancy Pants and Rarity, on the other hand, were just as shocked as Twilight was. Twilight nervously shield her eyes, and walked out of the room. This was only going to end so well…