//------------------------------// // Dreaming of Monsters // Story: Who's The Stallion? // by TheLunaRainbow //------------------------------// "What do you mean there's nothing you can do?! There's something wrong with her and I want to find out!" yelled an exasperated Rainbow Dash. Twilight sipped her tea and sighed. How long had this been going on for? About an hour, maybe. She had lost track of time. "Rainbow, listen to me. What in Equestria do you think I can do about Fluttershy? I don't have any kind of 'tell the truth' spell so why do you keep asking?!" Rainbow slammed her hoof down and nearly sent her tea flying. Spike flinched when the liquid fell to the floor and onto a discarded book. More cleaning for him. "There has to be a spell! C'mon, you're the smart one! She's my best friend and I want to know what she's hiding!" Sipping her tea once more, Twilight stood up and began to place books back onto their shelves. Rainbow Dash stayed seated, dumbstruck that she was going about her routine so casually. Spike picked up a broom and began to sweep the floor, shuffling over to Rainbow and trying to brush under her chair where most of her now-cold tea had splashed. In her frustration, she slammed her back hoof onto the broom and watched as it snapped like a twig. Spike groaned and ran into the kitchen, trying to get away from the angry mare. "Rainbow! What was that for?" "Because you're not listening to me! Fluttershy has a problem and you don't even care! You're meant to be the Princess of Friendship so why aren't you helping your friend?!" "I'm not helping because you're being irrational! What am I supposed to do, cast a spell on her that will make her blab all her deepest secrets? Force it out of her? That's not something I'd do to a friend. But I'm sure you probably would" Silence descended over the library as Twilight spoke. Rainbow Dash's mouth flew open, her wings springing up in anger. She took a step towards Twilight, who took an uneasy step back. Rainbow glared at her, a glare that seemed to be able to see her soul. Twilight let out a small squeak of terror. She didn't mean for Rainbow to hear that. "What did you just say?" The purple mare gulped and desperately tried to fix the situation. She took another step back, slipping on an old book and falling onto her behind. Dash stood over her, eyes sparkling with fury. "N-no I didn't mean that! I'm sorry, I-I was just angry and you were trying to force me to do something an-" "Force you?" she snarled "Force you?! How was I forcing you to do anything? I just wanted to help my friend but obviously you don't give a flying feather about Fluttershy or her feelings! At least I had the common decency to actually take my friend's feelings into account!" A fire sparked in Twilight, a feeling that she never thought she'd be directing at a friend. Getting to her hooves, Twilight stomped towards Rainbow and gave her a quick shove with her hoof. "How can you talk about decency? You're the one trying to force a secret out if somepony! If she doesn't want to tell you, she doesn't have to! Stop trying to be all high and mighty when really, you're just trying to nose about in everypony's business! Why can't you just leave her alone?" "Because whatever this bucking secret is, it's affecting her! She's acting strange, being aggressive. Fluttershy doesn't act like this!" "Being aggressive? Where in the story you told me did it say anything about her being aggressive, apart from when she made you hit your head, which seemed more self defence or flight or fight reaction than anything" "Yeah, well, if she's apparently not being aggressive, tell me why she decided to PUNCH SOMEPONY IN THE FACE?!" Twilight was shocked into silence. All her anger melted away in an instance and she instantly sat back down. What Rainbow was saying couldn't possibly be true. Anti vomit pills could just be for some sickness, there are many reasons for strange behaviour, but Fluttershy-sweet, kind, adorable Fluttershy-punching somepony in the face? "That...that can't be true!" "You callin' me a liar, smart ass? Everything I've said is true. This isn't some sick prank, if that's what you're thinking! She punched somepony in the face, it's not impossible!" "Well, you kind of left that out when you explained everything else...but why? Why would she do that?" Rainbow Dash flapped her wings, one powerful movement sending her into the air, towering over Twilight. She cast a shadow over the Alicorn and looked at her with a steely glare. "Because there is something wrong! I thought you were supposed to be smart! I thought I'd come to you for help and MAYBE you'd be smart enough to come up with an idea! But, guess I was wrong. I could get better advice from Derpy!" "Rainbow Dash, stop this. I know you're mad and want answers but you don't need to be throwing insults at me left and right while you float above me, trying to look menacing. We can't do anything except wait until Fluttershy decides to confide in us! Why don't you understand?" Rainbow Dash snorted dismissively, swooping downwards and out the door. As she hung in mid-air, she turned to Twilight, who had gotten up off the floor and was about to try and stop her friend from doing anything drastic. "Why don't I understand?! Why don't you understand, you pathetic mule! You obviously don't give one about Fluttershy so I'll sort her out myself. And, no, I'm not going to go beat her up, if that's what you were implying with your snide little remark earlier. I'm going to go and help her out. At least she'll know that one of her friends actually cares about her!" Twilight started towards the door, firing up her horn, wanting to keep Dash inside so they could talk it out. But, before she could do anything, Rainbow Dash's hoof came into contact with the door, slamming it shut with so much force that it splintered down the middle. Twilight couldn't stop fast enough and ran smack into the door, injuring her horn. "Rainbow, wait!" she cried. But it was too late. She was gone. *** Rarity shut the door of her bedroom quietly, making sure that Fluttershy was sleeping soundly. After about an hour of pouring her heart out, crying and eating four pints of vanilla ice cream, Fluttershy had collapsed from exhaustion. Which, to be brutally honest, Rarity was ok with. She had kind of gotten sick of constantly mopping tears from her carpet. Inside the room, Fluttershy slept, tucked underneath Rarity's silky blankets, with Opal purring contently at the hoof of the bed. But, not everything was as peaceful as it seemed. Within Fluttershy's head, a tidal wave of darkness was washing over her dream realm, tainting it with nightmares. *** Fluttershy stood up. Her legs felt weak and she was exhausted. She could hear hooves shuffling around near her and whispers. They floated through the air, wafting past the Pegasus' ears. "How can she show her face here?" "What a waste of space!" "Disgusting! Don't let her touch you!" Fluttershy knew instantly they were talking about her. And she was afraid. So very afraid to open her eyes and see them watching her, judging her, hating her. She managed to crack open her eyes and check her surroundings. She instantly fell to the ground in horror. The whispers stopped. The sky was a disgusting brown, the clouds black and squirming. The sun was black and lighting danced in the sky. The houses surrounding her were dilapidated and rank. The streets were a mess, potholes, molehills and cracks littering the ground. Every lantern had been blown out, excluding a single one in front of Fluttershy. But the most disturbing thing in this nightmare Ponyville were the ponies. They were grotesque abominations, with melted faces and scarred bodies, limping towards her, toothy grins or angry scowls stretched across their muzzles. And they were all looking at her. Some of them looked similar. Yes, there were ponies here she knew. Lyra, Carrot Top, Derpy, Raindrops, Flitter and Cloud Chaser, Vinyl, Octavia, Cranky, Pipsqueak and even Granny Smith. Nearly everypony she knew was here, staring at her intently. She began to shake as she felt every eye on her. Then they began to speak. Mumbling at first. Burbles and groans, not anything she could make out. Then they began to speak louder, Fluttershy picking out a few words. Embarrassing Disgrace Loser Slag Fluttershy felt tears prick her eyes. The creatures didn't notice, only becoming louder and louder, until some were screeching at the top of their lungs. "DON'T LET HER TOUCH YOU, SHE'LL INFECT YOU" "WHY DOESN'T SHE JUST GET LOST" "SHE DOESN'T DESERVE TO LIVE" "SHE'S A DSIGUSTING CREATURE" "EW, GET AWAY FROM US" Fluttershy twisted round and round, surveying the group with growing terror, each insult feeling like a blow to the stomach. They wouldn't stop. The misshapen beasts taunting, her mocking her, hating her. Taunting, mocking, hating. Taunting, mocking, hating, Taunting, mocking hating. Taunting, mocking, hating. Fluttershy stopped moving, beaten emotionally, legs shaking and head bent . Tears flowed freely and she couldn't even speak. She could only listen to the voices. The contorted voices that seemed to creep into her very soul, ripping it apart and destroying it. "I can't say I'm surprised" "Me neither. I just can't believe she had the nerve to come into town and humiliate us!" "Yeah! She's the biggest meanie meanie pants I've ever met!" "Y'all are taking the words right outta mah mouth" Fluttershy froze. It felt as if a knife had been thrust straight into her heart. She didn't want to turn around. She didn't want it to be true, all her fears recognized. But something pulled her head, thrusting it in the direction the voices came from. When she saw the ponies standing there, she gasped. The knife twisted. Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Applejack. Her closest friends in all of Equestria had just said those things. About her. But, one more voice, a raspy, dominant voice swept over the others. Everypony else fell silent. All of Fluttershy's so-called friends turned to look at the pony that had just appeared and smiled as she spoke. "What can I say? You shouldn't expect something from nothing" Fluttershy fell to the ground, the knife embedding itself in her heart. It didn't stop turning as she processed the words spoken. Rainbow Dash blew her hair out of her face, proud to have everypony hear her opinion. Fluttershy began to bawl, her tears soaking the ground as the ponies around her started laughing as if what Dash had just told a brilliant joke. The laughter was cold and swirled around her like a tornado of hatred. They began to close in, kicking and hitting her wherever they could. She ignored the pain, desperate to find out that Rainbow and all her friends were just playing some sick joke, that they would rally around her and stop the deformed citizens of Ponyville from hurting her. But they didn't. They joined in on the attack, ripping out her hair and kicking her limp body as the laughter ate away her inside. She heard Applejack say something to Pinkie Pie and before she could react, a hoof connected with her stomach. She knew it was coming but she couldn't avoid the blow, desperately trying to shield the sensitive area with her legs. As the hoof connected, the wind was pushed from he lungs and a small, foal-like wail flew from her mouth. Fluttershy sobbed harder. "BE STILL!" a deep and powerful voice commanded, pushing the abominations backwards and freeing Fluttershy's mind from their hideous laughter. Fluttershy heard a pony walk towards her and she shakily got to her feet, ready to burst into tears and collapse at any moment. She spun around and came face to face with another monster. Yet, this one didn't seem so scary. It was a gorgeous midnight blue, it's mane flowing freely in the air, mesmerising. It was larger than the others and had two limp wings at it's side and a long, regal horn to match. "Are you in need of assistance?" the pony said, it's serene voice wrapping around Fluttershy like a hug. The horn began to glow, and a mystical blue beam shot high into the sky, before falling back down and enveloping the pony in a mystical blue glow. A few seconds past as Fluttershy and all the other beast stared in awe as the kinder being stretched and spun until standing in front of Fluttershy was... Princess Luna. Fluttershy stood in amazement at the arrival of the regent of the moon, who smiled down at her warmly. She wrapped her wings around Fluttershy, who began to sob again, clutching onto Luna like a filly would hold her mother. "Oh, Luna! Please let me escape this nightmare! I can't stand it!" she choked, finding her voice. Luna took a step back, folding her wings and standing tall. A vexed frown crept onto her face. Fluttershy shrank under her glare before she realised that Luna wasn't looking at her, but the group of ponies behind her. "How dare you torture this innocent pony? Do you not realise the turmoil her mind is in? Do you not understand her terror?" Murmurs swept through the crowd like wildfire. "You will be silent!" Luna's Royal Canterlot Voice descended over the crowd and they fell to their knees. Fluttershy was astonished at the power the princess could show with just her voice. Luna bent down, her glower vanishing as she looked at Fluttershy with her wise eyes. "I cannot hold them forever. You need to conquer these beasts on your own" "What? But I can't! They're my friends! And...they'll hurt me again" she said meekly, shuddering at the thought of facing the warped ponies. Luna put a hoof on Fluttershy's chin and lifted her head to look at her. The moon goddess smiled, which spoke a thousand words to Fluttershy. "Do you really believe these are your friends?" Fluttershy looked at the sea of monsters, all grimacing and growling. At first, all she saw were the twisted versions of her friends staring back at her. But, after a moment, Fluttershy saw through their disguise. These were not the ponies she knew! None of her friends would ever speak about her like that! They were best friends and would always be that, no matter what. Fluttershy took a confident step forward, standing tall. Her second step faltered slightly when the monsters began to snarl at her. But the third step she took, she broke into a gallop running straight into the crowd of monsters, who turned on her in a second. But this time Fluttershy was ready. She flew up into the air and looked down at the beasts. Clamouring to get her, some began to balance on the other's back, desperately trying to pluck the Pegasus from the skies. A misshapen hoof brushed against hers and she kicked it with all her might, sending the pony tower crashing to the ground. As they came in contact with the dirt, their bodies dissolved into ashes. This slowed the other monster ponies as they saw their friends defeated by Fluttershy. "Who else wants some?!" she yelled. The ponies growled. "I mean, if that's ok" Pony after pony tried to grab Fluttershy but they were all sent crashing to the ground by Fluttershy's iron hoof. She circled them like a hawk before swooping down for the kill, Soon, the nightmare world began to peel away. The brown from the sky seemed to melt, leaving the happy blue that usually adorned the afternoon sky. The sun blazed brightly with yellow and the soft, green grass danced softly in the cool breeze. The creatures fell to the ground, writhing in agony before they melted away, leaving behind nothing but dust. Fluttershy personally stamped on the dust from her fake friends. "Good riddance!" she declared proudly. This was it. She was being brave! Regular ponies began to exit their newly refurbished houses, chattering and smiling at Fluttershy as they passed. She saw Twilight sharing a book with Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie munching on an apple fritter and Rainbow Dash practising her moves while Spike, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo cheered her on. This was Ponyville. That other place, that was just a film set for a horror movie, all smoke and mirrors and no actual danger. Fluttershy knew that now. She turned to Luna, who was looking around and giving ponies warm smiles. She noticed Fluttershy looking and winked. With a powerful burst of energy and one swift wing movement, Princess Luna flew up into the air, rising majestically like an angel from Paradise. "Don't let your worries control you, Fluttershy!" her voice boomed over the town. "Face your fears!" Luna vanished in a flash of light. *** "Stupid Twilight. Thinks she's so smart. Oh I know everything about friendship because I'm a princess! Everypony must listen to me! I'm right even if my opinion is wrong and ridiculous!" Rainbow grumbled as she flew through the sky. Pegasi waved at her as she passed but she paid no attention to them, only focusing on where she was headed. Fluttershy's cottage soon came into view and before she knew it, she was already standing in front of the door. This time, Rainbow was going to find out what Fluttershy was hiding, she was going to comfort her and she was going to take her to the hospital. She had to. As a friend, it was her duty. She tapped on the door a few times and waited. She tapped again, slightly louder. Nothing. "Fluttershy? It's me, Dash! Are you in there?" Silence. "Fluttershy?" Rainbow started to walk around the side of the house until she came to the kitchen window. It was always open and Rainbow peered in. Everything was in place, as it always was. Animals lay about, some sleeping and others seemingly chatting. But, the atmosphere was not happy. It was...sad, almost. "Fluttershy? Is Fluttershy here?" she asked the animals, who hadn't realised she was at the window. None of them moved when they heard her voice, though. Rude, thought Rainbow Dash. Before she could ask again for Fluttershy's whereabouts, a small, white head popped up. Rainbow shouted and fell backwards at the sudden face in front of hers. "Jumping Celestia on a bicycle!" Angel sniggered and hopped onto the windowsill as Rainbow picked herself up. She marched forward and glared at him before speaking. "Ha ha, very funny. Where's Fluttershy?" she demanded, brushing grass from her wings. The rabbit shook his head and leapt back off the windowsill, closing the window and the curtains. "Hey! Listen here you little rodent, where's Fluttershy?!" she yelled, banging on the window. No reply. She continued to slam her hoof against the glass but to no avail. Angel had gone. And Fluttershy didn't seem to be home either. Dash sighed and trudged back to the front of the house, stretching her wings and lifting high into the air.