Epilogue 3: Welcome Back
Fluttershy smiled softly as she led Chompy carefully and quietly to her cottage. It was a bit disorienting, having two sets of memories to live with, but she'd found an equilibrium. All important names, dates, places, and relationships were recalled, while she wound up retaining most of the persona she developed while being raised by her Fortress Family, as she'd come to think of them. She idly wondered how they'd react to her Daddy, one of the few stallions of the Equestrian Military with what Daddy Sir would call "a true military mindset", even if he was forcibly retired now. She knew from what Twilight and the others had told her that they'd kept her disappearance mostly a secret, so she knew it would be up to her to explain to her parents why she was so different now, and introducing them to Daddy Sir and the others. However, she could leave that for another day.
She saw all the animals around her cottage, all looking rather worried. However, the first one to sight her - an eagle - let off a pleased cry, soon followed by even more happy welcomes, which were unfortunately curtailed by silent fear. Fluttershy quickly realized what that was about. "Here you go, Chompy," she said, attaching his chain to the shed behind her cottage. "This'll be a good place for you. Now, no eating the other animals, alright?"
Chompy nodded ascent, and all the animals relaxed and proceeded to swarm her in welcome. She giggled happily. "Well, hello all of you," she whispered to them all. "Yes, I'm glad to be back, too. Yes, I am quite different, aren't I? Yes, nothing to worry about, I'm still me. Just a bit more sure of myself, and a bit more of a badflank." She giggled a bit. "It's going to take some getting used to Equestrian colloquialisms, too. It doesn't quite have the same ring as badass. Oh, you like my tattoos? Thank you. Do you think you could help me with my bags, Harry?"
The bear let off a happy roar, lifting up all of her bags.
"Thanks ever so. The weapon crate goes into the shed, and everything else goes to my bedroom. I'll have to do some renovation to make room for Angel." At an inquiry from a squirrel, she chuckled. "Oh no, I mean my mini-gun. Though Angel Bunny's probably been missing his Mommy, hasn't he?" She turned to head into her cottage.
Angel Bunny practically pounced her as soon as she entered, nuzzling into her as he held her tight. "Oh, Angel Bunny," she said happily, leaning down to nuzzle him back. "I'm so sorry I've been gone so long. But don't worry, Mommy's home now." She held him for a while, comforting him. It was amazing to her how easily this came to her, this mothering instinct. It obviously was truly instinctive, ingrained in the core of her being and impossible to overwrite no matter how she grew up.
After a time, Angel hopped back. Reaching into a cupboard, he pulled out a picture of a rather fancy salad and pointed to it. "Well," Fluttershy said softly, "I suppose I can make you a special salad for a special reunion treat. But I'll have to go shopping for a few things, so if you're really hungry you'll have to have some pellet food in the meantime." When he stamped his foot and pointed more insistently, she frowned. "Angel, I said I will have to go shopping first. No matter how much you stomp your foot and insist, that won't change what ingredients are missing or what I have to do before I go shopping." When Angel lowered his ears and made as if to throw a tissy fit, her frown deepened. "And if you throw a fit to try and get your way, you can forget your special salad completely."
Angel's ears shot up and his eyes widened in shock. "That's right, Angel. I know you've been rather domineering in the past, but that ends now. What I say goes, and my word is the final word. And as much as I love you Angel, if you find that an unacceptable way to live, I won't stop you from seeking other living arrangements. I'll make sure you have plenty of rations on your way out, though, and I will miss you and hope you come visit...assuming you survive wild." She turned to start gathering food for all the animals who needed their feeding, as well as checking what ingredients she needed to buy for Angel's salad.
Angel, meanwhile, stared at Fluttershy in shock. He quickly hopped forward, wrapping his forelegs around one of hers and looking up at her beseechingly.
She smiled down at him. "Oh, Angel, I'd never dream of kicking you out, and I'd never want you to leave. You've been with me so long, after all. If you weren't there, there'd be a hole in my heart, and I'd be terribly sad." She nuzzled him comfortingly. "But letting you get away with anything isn't good for either of us. I'm your Mommy, after all, and part of that is setting down rules and guidelines for you, which I've been terribly remiss in." She kissed him between his ears, and he smiled up at her. "Now, I know how I've changed will take some adjustment on your part, but you can handle it right? For me?" Angel nodded happily. "Thank you."
She finished setting out food dishes, then gathered her bits and saddlebags. "I'll be back soon, Angel," she said softly. "Until I'm back, Chompy's in charge." At Angel's surprised expression, she giggled. "He's out by the shed if you want to say hi. I'm sure you'll like him." She then turned and left.
Angel, meanwhile, crossed his arms. While he could adjust to Fluttershy's change - seriously, he'd been praying for the day she could stand up for herself more, although not necessarily against him - he had worked hard to get and maintain his status as top animal of the cottage. All the others knew to defer to him when Fluttershy was absent, and he wasn't about to let that fall apart because of some new guy. He was going out there and he was going to show this 'Chompy' who was boss, whatever Fluttershy said.
This attitude stayed with him as he went out the back door and rounded toward the front of the shed. However, it left him as he made his last hop to the front. His eyes widened as they trailed along the chain to the black metal, and his jaw dropped as his eyes went up...and up...and up. As his eyes finally reached the bottom of the immense jaw, his ears fell back. His eyes kept going up...and up...and up...and up...
Eventually he met the eyes of the creature, and Chompy turned to him. "Arf!" he said companionably.
Angel fell flat on his back, his paws clutching his chest as he struggled to catch his breath.
Fluttershy walked out to the Ponyville market, looking around for the things she needed for the special salad. She already had everything she needed except for asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and a cherry. "Well, this shouldn't be too difficult," she said as she walked through the market. She remembered vaguely that the first time she had tried to gather these ingredients several months back in this world she had run into trouble with rude ponies who wouldn't get out of her way, which meant she didn't make it to the ingredients in time. However, for some reason ponies this time around were leaping to get out of her way. She idly wondered why. However, she reached the asparagus stand with no problems and managed to buy the last bunch.
"Aw, man!" a rather nerdy looking stallion behind her complained, looking down.
She glanced back at him. She hadn't meant to take it from somepony who needed it. She glanced at the size of the bunch. "You know, I don't really need all of this," she said softly, unbinding the bunch. "I'll split it with you if you'll pay me half what I paid. How's that sound?" She smiled sweetly at him.
"Uh-er-I-un-ughuba..." His mouth continued to make unintelligible noises as his face turned red. He finally nodded, offering her the bits.
She smiled as she placed half the bunch in his own bags before taking the bits. "Thanks ever so," she said happily before turning to go, leaving the stallion still blathering as he struggled to regain control of his mouth. Fluttershy couldn't help but giggle.
The cherry tomatoes were purchased without incident and at a bargain price. And then Fluttershy headed towards the cherry stand. She recognized the stallion who had given her such a hard time last time. "How much for a cherry?" she asked him.
"Ten bits," he said firmly, lifting his nose at her.
She smiled. "I'm sorry, I must have misheard you," she said in a sweetly reasonable tone, one that anyone with sense would immediately recognized as a danger signal.
"What, hard of hearing?" he asked jokingly. "I said-"
"Because I know those cherries are from the Jubilee Orchards at Dodge Junction, and I worked there part time not too long ago. I know for a fact that during the heavy season - which this is - they sell the cherries at 2 bits a basket, averaging between 10 and 15 cherries a basket. I also know that transportation costs for cherries in average size loads average out to half a bit per basket. Your sign also proclaims you bought them straight from the orchard. So you can't be selling a single cherry for 10 bits like I thought I heard, because Equestrian statute dictates anything in excess of 100% profit for a middle-merchant like yourself is classified as Predatory Price Gouging, taking advantage of both customers and farmers, and is punishable by a rather steep fine, if not jail time, and revoking of your Mercantile Produce Transportation License."
She smiled sweetly at his slack-jawed face. "Now...what did you say the price was for a cherry?"
"...they're 5 bits a basket," he whimpered.
"I'm feeling generous today since I only need one, so how about 2 cherries for a bit?" she offered.
"Deal," he said quickly, pushing the two cherries forward.
She placed the bit down on the counter before taking the two cherries. "Pleasure doing business with you!" she said sweetly as she turned to go.
"W-welcome back!" he called out with a stammer.
She paused, then smiled wider. "It's good to be back," she said as she headed for home.
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Man, you better expand on this universe you created. It's so...fun!
... that last part...
I am not crying! LIQUID PRIDE!!
fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2013/048/8/2/liquid_pride_by_gray__day-d5v8x8f.png
She's so assertive, but she's still so Fluttershy! Magnificent job, author, I love it!
This was awesome fluttershy is awesome!
I Love the new Fluttershy!
It just is so much fun imagining Fluttershy, with tattoos and hard-ass combat training, walking through ponyville. It is a shame this won't last much longer.
Oh, and Angel Bunny getting tough love AND humbled was deeply satisfying.
...For some reason I want to see a lechoruous pony try to come on to Shy, only for the mercs to tap him/her on the...do ponies have shoulders? Any way, their equivilent of a shoulder and, once they've Shy's blessing, beat the living crap out of him/her.
....Oh, and amazing chapter as always, sad that it's not long until the end..
assuming you survive wild
1. I believe you meant; Assuming you survive the wild/out there in the wild.
4917527 What makes you think so? She'll still have the tattoos, combat training, weapons, language and etc from her time in the fortress. Remember what Luna said about having two sets of memories but allowing those that don't conflict with her core personality to stay. Such as being a badflank when she needs to and vehemently protecting others with violence. And maybe a quick death via Angel
But that's not really quick now is it?
Is there going to be a sequel? like if the mercinaries must defeat Sombra? Or if Helen invades? Or SAXTON HALE? PLEASE?
4917545
Ponies have four shoulders, one for each leg.
This fluttershy is best fluttershy.
Who knew somewhere between flutterbitch and shy-fluttershy is badass-fluttershy.
love this chapter.
now, I wonder how the mercs are doing.
Good ends. So many good ends.
"Later that evening"
I wonder why Fluttershy doesn't want anyone to go to her shed.
Let's find out
Fine
-later- Chompy: WHAT DID I TELL YOU GUYS ABOUT GOING IN FLUTTERSHY'S SHED?
4917183
4917564 I think he's talking about the story's end.
4917728 Oh... Now I feel like a total nimrod again
I have this strange feeling either there's a secret hidden part, or you're going to make a hole New fic. If you do make a new fic, count on my to fav it the moment I lay my eyes on it.
I want to laugh like I haven't laughed in years!
4917599 Actually, a shoulder requires a collarbone, of which ponies have only two of, therefore they only have two shoulders. What you've mistaken for an extra pair of shoulders is in fact a pair of hips.
I cant wait to see the mercs meet fluttershys parents now that would be funny
awesome chapter and like what anther poster said if there will be a sequel it will be faved
New Fluttershy is good!
I like it!
So, with the story closed down in Earth, with the mers and with Fluttershy, what else remains?
What'll be the 4th epilogue about?
-Zeph
That angel, ge dont deserve his name angel XD
Hahahaha! Fluttershy has learn much from her Fortress Family!
that ending though XD
Well, one thing's for sure. Living with mercs has taught her to be more assertive.
No pony is safe from so much unadulterated badass.
Hehehe gogogo flutters
4917728
Yup. I meant we are at the epilogue.
Well, we got a badass over here!(of course,talking about Fluttershy here...)
Well, I b'leive tha' li'l Fluttershy has well an' truly grown strong. Give all o' them lads an' lassies a lick'n if they be giv'n ye a hard time, Shy. An' fer those 'specially stub'rn ones, jus' let ol' Chompy tell 'em a right top o' th' morn'n, aye?
Easy, Silver. I think we all love this properly assertive Fluttershy.
Aye, tha' we do. Tha' we do.
Anywho, wonderful chapter. Can't wait to see the inevitable world-expansion/sequel that's bound to come. And even if one doesn't, that just leaves the door wide open for others to build on it, Aye?
I think the question should be answered, will there be a sequel?
I'm quite sure that Cherry Seller is the most hated pony in the series (with the possible exception of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon), so any scene that ends with his pain or humiliation is a good one in my book. Utterly love this story, and I pray that you decide to do a sequel!
without saxon hale in equestria, who will spamfuck them with crates!? WHO I ASK YOU!? WHO!?
4917929
#NotAHippologist
Things confirmed about Fluttershy:
-Barter 94
-Terrifying Presence perk
4919370
This made me laugh.
4919370 lol
Can you make a scene where fluttershy gets a coltfreind? I would love to see what happened when he meets her dad's.
4919370 And she's adorable.
4919048 ....
Me.
This need's some kind of sequel. BTW loved the story.
I can't believe it, but you actually made Fluttershy...better!
Holy crap!
Dude, you need to make a sequel. A mix of story and slice-of-life, it needs to be done!
Why can't we upvote twice?! WHY?!
You perfected the Fluttershy, Cute, adorable...Now Added with the ability to kick ass, teach angel that he is not in charge and teach shop owners that they can't rip her off...I applaud you.
4919048
MIrrorpool?
Magnificent...simply, profoundly MAGNIFICENT!
YES YES YES!!!
I take back what I said earlier