Game Night 2: Games Among Friends

by Bureaucrabrony

Chapter 2: Fluttershy and Applejack

After hearing their instructions, both Fluttershy and Applejack were quite puzzled.

“In strange lands you find yourselves. Into each other’s shoes you’ll find you delve. Kindness sometimes lacks in a Farmer’s work, and honesty is a virtue the kind sometimes shirk. Onward you must travel to find your way, and homage to each other's talents must be paid.” Fluttershy repeated. “What do you think it means?”

“It says we must travel onward. I reckon we oughta get movin and trust we will find where we're supposed to be.” Said Applejack. Fluttershy nodded in agreement.

They went west along the path they found themselves on. Soon they came upon a large bear blocking the path. Applejack immediately guessed that Fluttershy’s skills were the key to getting past the burly creature. “So whada we do Fluttershy?” Applejack asked. As she turned to her friend having not gotten a reply she was startled. Fluttershy was preoccupied with a struggle to move.

“I…I can't move” Fluttershy said a little frightened.

It was then they both realized what was happening and what must happen next. Fluttershy would have to talk Applejack through dealing with the bear. Neither we confident about the prospect.

“Alright, whada I do first?” Asked Applejack.

“You approach the bear and ask him softly what’s wrong.” Said Fluttershy doing her best to demonstrate with her hooves stuck in place.

Applejack approached the bear, “Hey you, what's the matter with ya?” Applejack said more than a little rudely.

Fluttershy squeaked at this and crouched down.

The bear snarled and roared at Applejack. With a massive swipe, she swatted Applejack and sent her flying over Fluttershy's head.she then turned around and sat there with her back to them.

“Well ain't that somethin?” Said Applejack angrily. Before Fluttershy could stop her she was charging at the bear with determination in her eyes. Applejack headbutted the bear square in the back to no avail. Applejack then produced a rope and attempted to lasso the bear. The bear managed to grab the lasso and fling Applejack once again over Fluttershy's head.

“Stop!” Entreated Fluttershy as Applejack rushed past her.

“Wut?” Halted Applejack confusedly.

“You are attacking her, you should be caring for her.” Explained Fluttershy.

“But we just need by” said Applejack incredulously.

“Animals generally don't act so intransigently without some issue causing it. Just as your Brother doesn't shirk his work without cause, that bear would not sit and not search for food without reason.” Fluttershy expanded. “Find out what what she needs, help her and she will be in her way.” she concluded.

Applejack sighed, knowing Fluttershy was right. She once again calmly approached the bear, more careful to not provoke her this time. “I am sorry for attacking ya. I just meant to ask if ya needed help.” Applejack said in the most demure and apologetic tone she could muster. The bear looked at her suspiciously for a few moments and then bowed her head and gestured to her snout. There Applejack saw a red and bulbous looking beesting.

“Oh you poor thing” said Fluttershy behind them.

Applejack immediately went to work. She and her family were no strangers to bee stings. She carefully removed the stinger. Washed the area of the sting. And whipped up a balm from some of the plants around that Applebloom had learned from Zecora.

“There ya go. You should be all better in a bit.” Applejack said finishing. The bear replied with a thankful grunt and went on her way.

“See, all it took was a little kindness and care.” Fluttershy said feeling her hooves becoming free.

The two trotted onwards through the woods encountering few obstacles. The walk through the woods was invigorating for Fluttershy who had gone quite stiff during the ordeal with the bear. Applejack found the calm walk somewhat restorative herself after the beating she got from the bear. They walked for what seemed a half hour when they finally came to the edge of the woods.

They felt some relief to have cleared the unfamiliar woods for a few moments. When they finally turned their attention to the vast plain in front of them they saw their next challenge. In the middle distance they saw a hugely spread out herd of cows. Amongst them a corral with a wide open gate. “Okay Fluttershy, it seems you’re gonna have to corral these critters.”

“Me, Why me? I don't think I can.” Said Fluttershy meekly.

“You can, but you're gonna have to be a bit mean to ‘em. That is how you have to corral such critters.” Said Applejack.

“Why can't they just roam?” Asked Fluttershy.

“Because they can get into a while heap of trouble if left to their own devices. Don't you remember when a herd like that nearly trampled Ponyville because one of ‘em was spooked by a snake?” Entreated Applejack.

Fluttershy shuddered knowing that Applejack was right and that she would have to learn how to do this quickly.

Applejack, sensing her apprehension, said, “You are gonna have to be a little mean to ‘em. You are gonna have to be threatenin and mean it.”

“Can't I just talk to them?” Pleaded Fluttershy.

“If it were just one of them, yeah, but Cows are herd animals they act together with this many at hand and those instincts trump their reason oftentimes.” Explained Applejack.

Fluttershy knew there was no sense fighting what had to happen any longer. She flew meekly in the direction of the cows. “Okay” she said softly.

“Alright cows, back into the corral or else.” Fluttershy said unconvincingly. Only two of the cows moved into the corral and it was altogether unclear whether it was because of Fluttershy.

“You've gotta mean it. These critters can sense when you're fibbin.” hollered Applejack a ways away.

Fluttershy took a deep breath. Almost gasping she drew it in so hard. “Into the corral cows.” Fluttershy ordered only slightly more convincingly.

“Oh, for Celestia’s sake!” Applejack said frustratedly as she galloped on to help Fluttershy. As a few cows started to steer into the corral in a flash, The two ponies found themselves back at the edge of the forest with no cows at all inside the corral.

“Wellp, looks like we just found out the hard way what happens if we try to help each other too much.” Sighed Applejack.

Fluttershy sighed and continued in her work. Each attempt she grew more inpatient and more insistent. Still the cows mostly ignored her efforts. Eventually Fluttershy grew frustrated enough as to yell outright at the cows. “ALL OF YOU COWS NEED TO GET IN THAT CORRAL OR YOU ARE GOING TO GET INTO BIG TROUBLE!” Fluttershy yelled honestly to the cows while circling them in the air.

“Okay, okay, why didn't you say so?” said one of the cows as they hurried into the corral and shutting the gate themselves.

Fluttershy let out a satisfied sigh. She couldn't help but smile at the lesson in assertiveness she just received.

Applejack smiled as she walked up beside a landing Fluttershy. The two began to Trot in the direction of the setting sun.

“Twilight said this was fun.” Said Fluttershy with a smile.

“Pretty good so far.” Agreed Applejack.

The two faded as they walked away towards the setting sun.