//------------------------------//
// Sealed 
// Story: Rift 
// by shortskirtsandexplosions 
//------------------------------//

	"Fluttershy?  Fluttershy... are you okay?"

Gentle feathers stroked the pegasus' aching head.

"Mrmmmfff..."  Fluttershy's eyes squinted open.  She grimaced at the noonday light over the forested path.  "Guh... where am I?"  A lavender hoof helped her up.  "How...?"

"Oh, Fluttershy!"  Princess Twilight Sparkle hugged her close, nuzzling the mare deeply.  "I lost track of you!  I was so... so worried!"

Fluttershy winced, surrendering to the alicorn's embrace.  "I... I'm sorry."  She leaned back, shuddering.  "I didn't mean to scare you."

"Didn't I tell you to leave downtown Ponyville?"  Twilight blinked with concern.  "It was too dangerous to remain!"

"I... I could have sworn I left when you told me to."  Fluttershy gulped.  "My memory is... faint.  I must have fainted along the way out."

"There was so much smoke," Twilight said.  "It's a miracle you didn't suffocate."

Fluttershy exhaled with a smile.  "Well, I'm glad you found me."

"Well, of course I found you!"  Twilight smiled rosily.  "I would never abandon my friends."

Fluttershy giggled slightly.  "Is... is the town okay?"

"Good news!"  Twilight beamed.  "Everypony got evacuated!  What's more, the tremors have stopped!"

"Oh wow.  Any idea how it all happened?"

Twilight shook her head.  "Not a clue.  But the Mayor is setting up an emergency meeting in the bowling alley.  Everypony is expected to attend so we can discuss rebuilding Town Square and—"

"Eugh..."  Fluttershy spontaneously drifted dizzily forward.

"Whoah!"  Twilight caught her.  "Fluttershy, you sure you okay?"

"Hrmmmf... y-yes..."  Fluttershy tilted her head up.  As she did so, her eyes flickered a hot gold.  Like the sun.  "Just... a little headache, I guess."

Twilight nodded.  "We should do something to cure that."  With a smile, she motioned along.  "Follow me.  I should have some remedies back at the palace."

"If you insist..."  Fluttershy limply flew after her.  "Thanks, Twilight.  You're always looking after us."

"Yes."  Twilight droned, staring dead forward as she glided against the wind.  "It's what friends do."