Fear Within

by VirtualCipher

Chapter 39 - Phobophobia

Endless, the sky was a canvas of blue and there was still no cloud in sight. Not a single one. When it came to the weather, today had been rather beautiful, it was warm and fresh, Celestia's sun remained delightful and golden to the world, however, with what Equestria was enduring right now, no one could take much notice to the weather. Everyone was still scared and alarmed after Tartarus' breakout. Equestria was on high alert, staying clear from danger, but a lookout for the vandals who caused this.

The ponies of Canterlot had their worries slightly eased when taking into account that they had three princesses with them. With their combined magic, they were sure to keep Canterlot safe, away from harm. For a while, Princess Luna had kept her barrier strong over the city, it looked as if the capital of Equestria was secured within a bubble.

Needless to say, Canterlot's inhabitants were worried, but surprisingly, that didn't stop them from going on about their day. Their faith and hope remained wrapped around the princesses, but some were on edge, fear lingering in their systems. Most fillies and colts were kept uninformed of the breakout, continuing their days with happy faces, not a speck of trepidation on them.

Shining Armour was unaware that her sister had left Canterlot in search of Rainbow Dash and Zecora. Luckily, they returned before he could see her again. Most of the day, he was training the Royal Guard while his second-in-command, Holly kept a lookout. Nothing came into sight, Canterlot was safe, protected and clear.

Through the halls of the Royal Palace, Ponyville's residents were roaming and wandering, some leaving the castle to try and enjoy the day, erasing the many questions they had on what became of their home. Despite all that has happened, smiles couldn't help but break as they remained with their friends, families, their loved ones.

Once again, the guest room that kept the unconscious Pegasus had become occupied with all her friends, anticipating that she would wake up once the potion took effect.

Within her blanket, cocooned in warmth, Fluttershy remained trapped in dormancy, not uttering a single word, showing no sign of wakefulness.

As Princess Luna entered the room, she came into sight of the many ponies that anticipated her awakening. Princess Twilight became still, breathing calmly as she clung onto hope. She didn't look happy or sad but prepared.

Pinkie Pie was bouncing in gleefulness, shaking greatly. She couldn't wait to see her friend awake.

Rainbow Dash was just as happy as the pink mare, her hopes were high, almost reaching the sky. The Pegasus couldn't help but crack a smile.

Applejack and Rarity were content, smiling with ease as were the Cutie Mark Crusaders who were thrilled to hear of Zecora's potion.

By the side of the bed, Zecora readied her potion as Rarity approached her, gripping the bottle with her magic as the zebra lifted the unconscious mare's head up a little. With delicacy and ease, the graceful unicorn opened the bottle and gently tipped it, causing the potion to drip into Fluttershy's mouth.

"Am not one to question your methods, Zecora," Applejack spoke. "But are ya sure this potion will work?"

"A few drops are required," Zecroa replied. "To clear a path for the fears as you desired."

"I'm sure Zecora's concoctions will help dear Fluttershy in every way possible, Applejack" Rarity assured her friend, placing the bottle on a nearby dresser.

"Why isn't she waking up? Why isn't she waking up? Why isn't she waking up?" Pinkie Pie desperately asked.

"Calm down, Pinkie," Rainbow Dash steadied.

"So is this potion meant to wake her up?" Scootaloo asked.

"Not exactly," Applebloom answered. "It's supposed to give Princess Luna a better chance of contactin' Fluttershy."

"Which means Princess Luna should wake her up," Sweetie Belle chimed in.

Zecora turned to the Princess of the Night who stayed on the other side of the room, approaching Fluttershy. Bowing her head, she smiled, "Whenever you are ready, Princess. With the potion in effect, your magic should connect."

"I thank you, Zecora," Princess Luna smiled, readying her magic.

Before the Princess of the Night could perform her spell, Twilight stepped forth, "You can do this, Princess Luna."

Having trouble containing herself, Pinkie Pie began to shake Rainbow Dash, "We're gonna get Fluttershy back! Are you excited! I'm excited!" Her voice rattled with elation, her shaking resulting in the Pegasus to become dizzy. "I can't wait to hear her soft, quiet voice again!"

Besides Fluttershy's bed, Luna became still, closing her eyes as her horn was consumed in a magical blanket of blue. Focused, her mind trying to reach the Pegasus, the alicorn was struggling. Even with Zecora's potion in effect, the Princess of the Night had to admit that nothing changed, she still couldn't locate Fluttershy.

Everyone was convinced that time had stopped, no one spoke a word and Luna didn't make a single move, almost turning into a statue.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie wanted to feed the Princess of the Night a million questions, but they held back. Although it was hard, they managed to keep their lips sealed.

Twilight, Applejack and Rarity, along with the three fillies, they simply grew wary of the silence.

Only a minute had passed and everyone was waiting for something to happen. Anything. As the silence grew stronger, Rainbow Dash broke it, "Well, have you found her?"

Luna struggled and presented a look of sadness, let down, "Nothing..."

"What?" Pinkie Pie looked heartbroken, her hopes crashing back down to the ground.

"What do you mean? I thought the potion was supposed to help," Scootaloo said.

"Maybe we just need to wait for a minute or so..." Twilight reasoned, but even she felt a little disheartened.

"But what if it doesn't work?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I'm sure Twilight's right, Rainbow," Rarity joined. "Maybe we just-"

"No, wait!" Luna exclaimed, all eyes on her. "I... I see her. I see her!" Following her words, Luna's eyes snapped open, glowing white as her pupils vanished.

At this point, the shattered hope had been reconstructed. Luna was making progress and this brimmed everyone in the room with relief and glee.

---

Fluttershy's subconscious

Rippled, distorted and broken, Princess Luna had finally entered Fluttershy's dreams. With her mind infected by the fog's fear, the alicorn needed to find what was plaguing her senses. Steadily, soaring through the air, this dream was a nightmare, obvious to tell by the setting. Focused, Luna scanned her surroundings. There was no land, but broken pieces of familiar places.

Everything was grey, dull and lifeless, floating islands of the Pegasus' memories and previous locations were stationed in the air, almost as if Discord had been the one tampering with her mind, but this was the work of that disgusting and harmful fear poison. One by one, the Princess of the Night continued her flight, searching for Fluttershy.

Now and then, whispers crawled into the alicorn's ears, harsh and ghoulish whispers. They spoke when the wind gently brushed across the alicorn, but Luna showed no bother towards them, it was as if she was used to them.

Princess Luna was feeling disoriented by her surroundings, it was true that some nightmares gave her this feeling, but what perplexed her was that she came across nothing monstrous or horrific. Through the rippled and fractured world, hovering above the broken pieces, she finally came to a sudden stop.

Descending, making contact with the broken island, Luna observed the setting she was dropped into. Still grey and broken, she took notice to the dusty, sand-like ground, barren of any life. Shifting, the walls around her were torn and broken, but they moved, repeating their deconstruction, falling apart and rebuilding itself every few seconds.

"I've experienced nightmares like these before," Luna said to herself. "But why does this feel so different?" She threw the question at herself, desperate to know.

As her own question hovered around in her mind, the alicorn's ears twitched a little, picking up a faint sound of sobbing. With her eyes widening, picking up a sound that wasn't a ghastly whisper, relief sparked within her chest as she walked lightly through the barren, deserted island, paying no attention to the shifting objects that glitched in and out of the Pegasus' mind.

Following the quiet and soft cries, Luna did her best to pinpoint the source. As she endured the funny, twisted, depressing land, she followed the path, vines moving like snakes as they cleared the walkway for the princess.

Odd, Luna showed no reaction to this nightmare's game, she continued to follow the path with ease, "This is no ordinary nightmare. This has something to do with that alchemist's fog."

After turning a corner, passing by the rumbled, broken pieces of a statue, she finally found her. Relieved, struck with happiness, Luna's eyes targetted the weeping pony.

Fluttershy had been found.

Against a rough, dusty and cracked wall, a curled up Fluttershy was seen weeping on the floor. Her cries showed no sign of ceasing, her tears continued to drip down her face and onto the dusty, lifeless ground. She covered half of her face with her long, smooth mane in shame, but also protection, trying to secure her vision away from the nightmare she was placed in.

"Fluttershy?" Luna spoke softly, her voice managing to reach her ears.

Hearing the familiar voice, Fluttershy couldn't help but feel fear. Her heart racing as she looked up at the princess, the Pegasus backed away towards the wall, terrified for her life as she continued to silently cry. She was convinced that this was some sort of trick, another deception played by her fears.

She didn't say a word, she continued to whimper and tremble, quaking in the face of Luna as she retreated to the wall behind her. It was possible for her to fly away, but her wings remained frozen, infected by despair and dread, too scared to move them.

At first, confused, Luna brought herself to a stop, "Fluttershy...?" The alicorn's voice rang with puzzlement.

Clenching her eyes shut, she finally managed to force out her words, still trembling and shaking as she cried, "Please... Just- Just leave me alone..."

"Fluttershy, it's me," Luna reassured, gently and slowly motioning her hoof to the Pegasus which was another to make her flinch.

The princess withdrew her hoof and tried again, speaking softly, "Open your eyes, kind one. Do not be alarmed, I promise you... Whatever deceitful tricks you have encountered, I assure, I am not one of them."

Fluttershy was hesitant, still in the hands of terror, unsure of what to do. It took all of her strength to loosen her eyelids and open them. Her eyes remaining puddles, she looked directly at Princess Luna, waiting for the worse to happen, but nothing happened. Luna remained the same, elegant and graceful, shining through the miserable, unstable world they were in.

Still trembling, backed up against the wall, her breathing began to slow down a little.

"Prin- Princess Luna?" Fluttershy trembled, still unsure of the alicorn.

"Do not fret, I am no monster." She eased. "But a friend."

Still shaking a little, Fluttershy bounced off the wall, like a bullet, dashing towards the Princess of the Night, gripping her, hugging her tightly as she buried her face into the alicorn's shoulder, unleashing a stream of tears, madly crying.

For a moment, startled by her speed, Luna winced a little upon impact, but as she looked down to see the crying mare, frightened and exhausted, the alicorn couldn't help but spare a moment of sympathy towards her. Luna extended her wing around Fluttershy, gently wrapping her in comfort and security.

"I... I want to go home," Fluttershy stammered, her tears cluttering her quiet voice a little. "I want to see my friends again... Please... Just... Just let me leave this place. I'm so... So scared..."

Giving her some space, Luna looked directly into the scared, fragile eyes of the terrified mare, "This is all a nightmare, Fluttershy. None of this is real, it's all orchestrated by that fear-inducing fog you entered."

"The- The fog." She whimpered, cowering behind her mane.

"Your friends and I are trying to release you from this dormant prison, I am here to awaken you," Luna offered a comforting smile. "You have nothing to fear."

Before Fluttershy could shift her emotions, not another word was spoken between the two. However, abruptly, a sinister, cold and lifeless voice burst the silence, coming out of nowhere.

"She has everything to fear..."

Jolting, as if she had been shocked, Fluttershy released a yelp, cowering behind the Princess of the Night, who stood tall and remained valiant, showing no fear towards the demonic voice.

Appearing from the void below, a skeletal, shrivelled hand, stitched and pale, grasped the rotten, brick wall. Coming into sight, Luna and Fluttershy both watched as the colossal hallucination of Fright glare down at them.

Much like his appearance in the real world, the alchemist's eyes were barren, however, they appeared to be glowing black as was his stitched mouth. As his gaze lasted longer on the two, Fright put all of his attention on them, throwing his head closer towards the alicorn and the Pegasus as he presented a wicked grin through the stitches that imprisoned his mouth.

"Especially in this world where I pull the strings."

"Stay behind me," Luna ordered Fluttershy, who remained quaking behind the alicorn.

The blue alicorn stepped forth, her horn shining greatly, "Back away or thou shall be vanquished!"

Despite her warning, the illusion of Fright grew closer.

Luna was ready, with Fluttershy behind her, almost acting as her shield, she bared her teeth and readied her magic, preparing to erase this foul illusion from the Pegasus' mind. However, something halted Luna's magic from initiating. In fact, she couldn't move, her whole body froze as if she had been turned into stone.

"Princess Luna?" Fluttershy whispered behind her mane.

"Wha- What's happening?!" The alicorn stammered. "I can't move!"

Luna struggled, trying to break free when she noticed she was beginning to fade away. Her eyes widening in dismay as she managed to turn back to Fluttershy. The fear-inducing venom in her mind was fighting back, trying to resist Zecora's potion, causing the Princess of the Night's connection with Fluttershy's mind to distort and break.

"Fluttershy!" Luna shouted. "Run! Avoid the fears, I will return to awaken you!"

"But-"

"Run!" The princess commanded, fading away into nothing, leaving her alone with the lingering fears.

"Princess Luna!" Fluttershy cried as the princess vanished from her sight.

Stressed, exhausted and petrified, her pupils were shaking as she looked up from where Princess Luna was standing, her gaze connecting with the demonic colossus of Fright, his fingers tapping against the broken, cracked wall, remaining silent.

Brimming with fear, worriment contaminating her heart, pounding against her chest, Fluttershy began to back away a little, a thousand thoughts rushing into her head as she felt the fingertips of horror brush through her hair.

---

Snapping out of her trance-like state, her pupils returning to her eyes and the glow fading, Luna was brought back into the guest room, with the eyes of Twilight and everyone else in the room staring at her.

"Did you find her?" Rainbow Dash asked in a frenzy. "Is she waking up? Is she?"

"No, no!" Luna shouted, causing everyone in the room to wince, scaring and alerting them.

"Princess, whatever is the matter?" Rarity spoke, troubled by Luna's outburst.

Snapping her head to Zecora, the blue alicorn uttered, "Your potion is battling with the infection that's plaguing her mind. She's in trouble."

"What?" Everyone gasped.

"We have to do something!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"What can we do?" Applejack questioned.

"Princess Luna," Twilight spoke. "Can't you try and reenter her dream?"

"I can try," Luna responded. "But with that vile poison clouding her mind and fighting back Zecora's potion, it may be difficult. I'll do what I can."

Resting, motionless and completely unaware of the world around her, Fluttershy stayed cocooned in her blanket, secure in the comfortable and spacious bed.

Once again, the Princess of the Night stood tall, her horn glowing brightly as she tried to relocate the Pegasus' subconscious. She detected the fear infesting Fluttershy's mind. Focusing all of her energy on trying to make contact with the Pegasus once more, she gripped her eyes shut.

It didn't take long for Luna's eyes to force wide open, her pupils diminishing as they were consumed in a blanket of light. Slipping past the fears, the blue alicorn reappeared into Fluttershy's mind, but trouble awaited.

---

Fluttershy's subconscious

Cowering, lowering herself to the floor as she slowly backed herself away from the monster that was haunting her, Fluttershy felt her heart bouncing around in her chest, her legs becoming numb and feeling like jelly, wanting to collapse again. Still hiding behind her long, pink mane, she had trouble comprehending the situation she was in.

Fright's void-like eyes continued to immobilize the Pegasus in fear. Slowly, his hands slithered past the rubble on the fractured island. Shifting, he began to change shape and form, turning into a trail of smoke as he reappeared in front of her, to normal size, ambling down her path, the syringe around his wrist sharpening.

Backing away, Fluttershy managed to force out a whimper, "I'm... I'm not afraid of you..."

Upon saying this, Fluttershy noticed Fright freeze entirely. Almost as if time had completely shattered, the illusion of the deranged alchemist had halted. Whatever she said, it seemed to have prevented him from moving any further.

Gently, rising from the ground, her voice still soft, but growing clear, she tried again, hoping to erase the terrors from her sight, "I'm..." Clearing her throat, she began to build up the courage to put on a brave face and speak a little louder, "I'm not afraid of you."

At this point, she was convinced she was looking at a statue. This illusion of Fright showed no movement, no life. The world around her was quiet as her eyes failed to disconnect from him. With her courage still building up, Fluttershy wanted to just remain where she was, not that she felt safe, but it was better going anywhere near him.

Lightly, lifting her hoof and placing it back down against the coarse ground, rough and irregular, she was planning to run past him as Luna ordered her, but upon motioning her hoof, Fright finally moved.

Nearly jumping out of her skin, her heart pounding like a drum once more, Fluttershy watched as Fright's head jerked, resulting in an unpleasant, disturbing, cracking sound. Unnatural, turning like a cog, the hallucination of the alchemist's head twisted upside down, his size growing taller and the arm that contained his syringe simply fell off, withering away from their sight. For a moment, his right arm gone, another one was being constructed from the contaminated air around them.

Like a web being crafted by a spider, the illusion stored a large, mechanical syringe onto Fright, serving as his new arm. With more noises shattering the Pegasus' ears, more cracks and snaps, Fright's stomach ripped open, revealing a dark, inky abyss with skinny, sooty claws that were shackled and chained, trying to grasp her.

Growing tall, his upside-down face split a grin, but from Fluttershy's perspective, it appeared as a frown.

"Afraid now?"

With her heart nearly dropping to her stomach, sick and scared more than ever, Fluttershy backed away from this demonic hallucination, her eyes glued on the nightmare coming her way. Acting fast, taking in Luna's command, she managed to evade from Fright's path, escaping from his sight.

With her hooves kissing the land below, not wanting to look back, she hurried away from the scene as fast as she could.

---

Being dropped back into this mess of a world, Princess Luna spread her wings and soared like an eagle, evading and passing by the many broken, deconstructed islands. In search of Fluttershy, she hurried, trying to find the monster that was haunting her and hoping to rid him entirely this time.

Focused, Luna allowed no time to waste, she searched every inch of this demented world run by fear, hoping to clear the trepidation running through the Pegasus' mind. Against the clock, the Princess of the Night traversed the many hovering islands, carefully analysing for signs of Fluttershy.

"I'm coming, Fluttershy." She said to herself, drifting through the void.

Determined, the alicorn continued her search.

---

Almost out of breath, Fluttershy kept on running through the lifeless, cracked world, too scared to look back, too scared to stop. The path she took was lonely and obscure, not that she could take in the scenery around her, for it was nothing but a bleak, void with fractured islands that contained a segment of her memories such as her home, Canterlot, the doorway to Tartarus.

The pounding noise of her hooves colliding with the filthy ground matched with her beating heart, heat rushing to her head as she felt overwhelmed with sickness, the thought that this monster was following enough to fill her mind with dread. Scared and alone, evading the obstructions and broken rubble in this colourless, desert world, Fluttershy continued her path, left to right she didn't stop. She wasn't sure if he was still following her, but looking back was a risk she didn't want to take.

Tired, worn out and feeling heavy, she could have dropped to the ground like an anvil with all of this nausea contaminating her system. Finally, Fluttershy chose to look back, her head cranking ever so slowly and to her astonishment, nothing was there. No monsters, no demons, no nightmarish creatures chasing her, just the depressing, stone cold void.

For a moment, she felt relieved, regaining her breath. The shy mare sank her head as she tried to collect her thoughts, to strategize a plan to free herself from this fear-infested prison.

"Princess Luna?" She faintly called out, looking around the twisted, floating pieces of the world.

"Anypony?" She called out again, but this time her voice weakened.

Again, the silence was her only response. Cold and dull, she just wanted to dig a hole and bury herself away from this miserable world. Before she could speak another word, her ears shattered to the sound of a screech. The shrilling got closer and closer, but this time, Fluttershy wasn't immobilized.

Leaping away from her spot, the frightened mare frantically observed her surroundings, her head twisting and turning as she tried to locate a place to hide. On this barren, floating island of horror, Fluttershy's eyes only picked up rubble, shrivelled trees, decimated walls and horrific statues of beasts.

As the shrieking continued to get louder by the second, Fluttershy didn't spend another moment thinking. Pouncing over the half-destroyed wall, she crouched and hid behind it, placing her back against the freezing, uneven structure.

An unwelcomed shiver travelled through her spine, sending chills through the whole of her body as the bothersome and chilling screech drew near. With her eyes widened like saucers, her lips trembling as she continued to shiver in fear, Fluttershy remained hidden from Fright's sight. She clung to her breath, trying to keep quiet and it was hard due to the constant trepidation pushing her.

For a moment, forcing herself to look, Fluttershy's head peered over the fractured wall.

Coming into sight, Fright, more deformed and hideous than before, hobbled forward, the many skinny, shrivelled arms that poured from his cracked open chest began to grasp the air with their claws, still shackled into the dark abyss within his heart.

Upon seeing him, the shy mare quickly pulled herself back and concealed herself away from his sight.

The horrible shrieking came from no soul but from the massive, mechanical syringe being dragged along the ground, scratching the floor. As he raised his arm with a limp, his stitched, crafted mask of a face, now upside down, Fright glanced the area around him, accompanied with lurid whispers that mumbled incoherently from the imprisoned arms that hungered for freedom.

"You can't hide from fear..." Fright told, his voice echoing throughout the world, backed up with eerie whispers.

Shaking greatly, trying to maintain her breathing, forcing herself to keep quiet, Fluttershy continued to take refuge behind the deconstructed brick wall. Remaining lowered and cowering as if she tried to bury herself, she wished to sink away from this beast's sight.

With every movement his head made, surveying the area, it resulted in an uncomfortable snapping sound. A short, small, cold laugh escaped his stitched mouth as he began to move, slithering as she raised his hand to the wall the Pegasus cowered behind.

Brick by brick, what was left of the unfinished wall started to float upwards into the air like a flock of birds, leaving the frightened mare startled as her only barricade abandoned her.

"In this world, your broken, scared, little mind, everything is under my control..."

With no structure disrupting their connection, Fluttershy's eyes swelled with paranoia and dismay, backing away while stumbling a little. She couldn't tear herself away from this mess of a creature, trying her best to rise from her crouched position, but failing every time, anxiety was pushing her down. Sinking deeply, her heart was being lowered when the Pegasus noticed him fade in and out of existence, moving closer towards her position.

Placing his syringe into the ground, injecting whatever madness it contained into the earth, shadows emerged from the ground, horribly representing her friends. Devoid of any colour, their faces missing, blank and their voices all sharing a devilish voice, they screamed:

"Coward!"

"Coward!"

"Coward!"

"Coward!"

"Coward!"

"Stop it! Stop it!" Fluttershy screamed, covering her ears as she finally broke free her wings, flying over Fright and taking off.

Raising his hand once more, a wall constructed from bones emerged from the void below, stopping the Pegasus in her tracks. With the situation she was in, Fluttershy continued to fly away, landing to the nearest island she could find.

On her trail, Fright followed with ease.

Left and right, the Pegasus searched for a way out of this disorienting dimension, hoping for a beacon of some sort to guide her away from the monster that haunted her.

On the barren, floating land that was held by chains, Fright carried on with his pursuit, traversing the disorienting world as if he was a ghost.

Fluttershy dared not to look back, she knew she was being followed, she heard the whispers, the strange, ghoulish whispers. With her breathing like thunder to her ears. She kept on running and running, hoping that time would not run out for her, hoping that there was an exit out of this nightmare.

Distressed, the Pegasus finally approached a dead end. Out of nowhere, more walls emerged from the sand, blocking all routes. Afraid, Fluttershy glanced at the walls, she was readying her wings and about to take off into the dusty sky, but stitches quickly formed and blocked her off. Cornered, no options left, she watched as the hideous beast approach her.

"Poor mare..." He taunted, his voice hollow of any emotion. "Paranoid, anxious and cowardly... You can't outrun fear, but it was amusing to see you try..."

The closer he got, the arms that were ripping out of his chest were clawing at the air, ready to unleash their grip on the Pegasus.

Right now, hopeless and scared, Fluttershy was many things. Afraid, powerless and trapped, she sobbed, but something within her snapped. Instead of cowering, she pounced from the wall and stood her ground, still tearing up, but confronting the monster forging his way towards her.

"Spike, Discord, Twilight and the rest of my friends..." Fluttershy said. "They've all been hurt because of you. I won't let you hurt me."

Taking no notice, Fright continued down his path, closing in on her, "Your friends hate you... You're a disappointment to all."

"I won't let you hurt me." She whispered, gripping her eyes shut. "I'm not afraid of you!"

Inches away, Fluttershy winced, expecting the worse to happen. However, nothing came, Fluttershy felt no pain, her worries were high, but nothing made contact with her. The shrivelled claws that tried to lunge free failed to reach her.

Oddly enough, the whispers she heard changed, they growled in what appeared to be frustration. Slowly, she forced her eyes open and placed all of her attention on the monster that cornered her.

The many arms that were lurching from Fright's open chest began to weakly grip his face, looking up as a growl echoed throughout the world. Breaking, cracks began to form all over the fear monster, white rays pouring from within as he slowly began to shatter like glass.

To Fluttershy's surprise, he was beginning to disintegrate.

As he slowly fell apart, piece by piece, he uttered, "Qrfcvgr zl ivpgbel naq nyy gung V nz qbvat, zl terngrfg srne vf oerjvat..."

Fading, Fright vanished from the Pegasus' sight, obliterated and not a trace of him was seen.

Fluttershy didn't know how to feel. Her emotions felt conflicted, she wanted to cry, but in fear or relief, she did not know how to present her tears? The monster that haunted her was gone and as she looked up from where the nightmare was originally standing, a familiar face approached her.

With her horn still glowing, Princess Luna, with ease, made contact with her. She had destroyed the vile monster that stalked her mind, she had saved the Pegasus.

Still unsure of the tricks that lurked within this world of fear, Fluttershy flinched a little upon seeing the Princess of the Night.

"There is no need to fret, Fluttershy," Luna soothe, raising her hoof to allay the Pegasus' doubts. "Are you alright?" She asked.

"I'm... I'm... Please tell me it's over..." The Pegasus shuddered, almost falling to the ground. "Please tell me he's gone."

"You have nothing to fear anymore." The alicorn allayed. "The nightmares are gone. You are safe."

Like a painting being washed away, the world around them vanished. Everything was white, nothing was in sight, just the two ponies that dawdled in a world of blankness.

"This... This was all just a nightmare?"

"Yes and no," Luna answered. "True, what you experienced here was a nightmare, but it was caused by that awful alchemist's fear fog. Last night, your senses were plagued by his corrupt spells which caused you to collapse, your friends have been worried sick about you."

"My friends..." Fluttershy sulked, avoiding her gaze from the Princess. "Where are they?"

"In Canterlot, as are you." She informed. "Your friends have been trying everything in their power to wake you. Forgive me for not erasing the fears sooner."

"Canterlot." The shy pony pondered. "But what about the-" Hit with a wave of memories, recollecting the events, her pupils shrunk as her eyes widened. "The breakout..."

Before Luna could inform her of the sad news, a light shined over the two.

"What's that?" The Pegasus asked.

"Do not be alarmed, you're waking," Luna stated, as she started to fade.

As the glowing light enveloped her body, Fluttershy watched as Luna faded once again, leaving her sight, but it wasn't long before she followed too. Finally, she was waking up, returning to her friends, to the real world.

---

There was no comfort, no delight, no peace in waking up from her prison of dormancy. For a moment, dwindling in a world based on fear, doubt and terror and then talking to the Princess of the Night, Fluttershy jolted up from her position and breathed sharply, gasping as she felt the clean air enter her body. Despite the bed's warmth, it's cosy mattress and pleasant pillows, there was nothing peaceful about her awakening as she felt uneasy and afraid.

As she awakened from her state, paying no attention to her friends that surrounded her, she looked beyond them as a million thoughts rushed into her head, many thoughts that troubled her. The breakout, the changelings, Discord and Spike, her friends. Twilight and the others immediately caught on to this, but instead of approaching anywhere near her, they let her regain her breath, snapping out of her shocked state as she finally absorbed the room.

All around her, frantically turning her head left to right, not a monster in sight, Fluttershy saw only the faces of her friends. Receiving a mixed reception, some faces showing concern while others showed relief and happiness. She even saw Luna standing by the side of her bed, offering her a gentle smile.

"What..." She stammered. "What happened? Where am I?"

Unexpectedly, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie rushed to the confused mare, hugging her tightly, joy and relief taking hold of them.

"She's awake!" Pinkie Pie shouted in jubilation.

"She's alright! She's alright!" Rainbow Dash joined in with her pink friend.

Overwhelmed with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie's strength, Fluttershy could only feel confused as her questioned were left unanswered. Her eyes darted around the room, still puzzled. She watched as Twilight, Applejack and Rarity approached her, still confused.

"Girls...?" She began, managing to speak through her two friends.

"Oh, Fluttershy," Twilight said, letting her stress depart, feeling free from anxiety's weight and relieved that she had snapped back into reality. "We're so glad you're alright."

Resisting the urge to embrace her friend, Applejack saw how she was huddled by the other two hugging her. "Perhaps it'd be best to give her some space, you two." She said with a chuckle.

Synchronised, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash pulled themselves away upon hearing the cowgirl's voice, their smiles still intact while Fluttershy continued to look around the room.

"Fluttershy," Rarity joined in. "We were so worried."

"We thought you'd never wake up," Applebloom chimed in.

"Wake up?" Fluttershy said, trying to dig through her memories, having trouble recollecting. "What happened?"

"You don't remember?" Applejack questioned.

"It's probably for the best that she doesn't have to remember the awful things that occurred last night," Rarity answered the cowgirl, a shiver going through her just by remembering the events from last night.

"I..."

"You are alright, aren't you?" Rainbow Dash asked with a hint of uncertainty.

"I... I don't know," Fluttershy answered, infected by the same uncertainty that her friend carried. "I kinda have a headache, but..." Suddenly, she was hit with a wave of painful thoughts, colliding with her head as couldn't help but feel disturbed. She was remembering. It was all sinking back in, the fog... The Nightmares... The Fears... The Terror...

Slowly, she cowered a little as everyone in the room saw her shiver.

"Fluttershy?" Twilight spoke.

"The... The fog..." She began to tear up. "I... Everything I saw was so..." Trouble slithered her words as her voice retreated back into her throat, only producing a frail whimper.

"Hey, hey," Applejack approached, stroking her mane in comfort. "It's okay, whatever you saw, it wasn't real."

"They were just illusions," Twilight stated. "Projections based on our worst fears."

"He... He said I was a coward... That I do nothing but hold you all back. That I'm worthless." She sniffled. "He said hurtful things and... Everything was so scary..." She collapsed onto the bed, cowering and covering her head with her hooves.

"Oh, don't cry, Fluttershy," Pinkie Pie cooed.

"You're safe now, darling." The unicorn comforted with a reassuring smile.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that Fluttershy, but Rarity's right, you're safe now," Twilight consoled, sympathy wiping the alicorn's feelings.

Unsure whether to ask, Rainbow Dash turned away from the frightened Pegasus and towards the Princess of the Night, "What did she see?"

"It appeared that Fluttershy's fears projected a far more twisted version of Fright while she was unconscious. I'm afraid that the hallucinations might have planted seeds of doubt and anxiety in her mind," Luna informed.

"She's going to be okay though, right?" Scootaloo asked.

"Those who were attacked in Manehatten's theatre room made a full recovery, physically and mentally," Luna told. "I assure you, Fluttershy may recover just like them, but... Right now, she's going to need some comfort."

"Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash reeled back to her friend. "You should know by now that you're nowhere near worthless. You've done some much for us."

"Rainbow's right," Rarity agreed. "Those illusions you envisioned were just created to scare us, to distort the truth."

"But why did it feel so real," Fluttershy trembled. "Why did it feel like he was right?"

"His spells were created to induce terror and despair," Luna told.

"A lot of scary things happened last night, Flutters," Pinkie Pie said. "But with you being awake... I don't feel so afraid anymore." She squeed, gently hugging her friend again.

While Fluttershy was enthralled in Pinkie's embrace, Rainbow Dash pulled herself back to Twilight and the others, whispering, "After what she's been through, I don't think it's a good idea to tell her about last night."

"Ah agree with Rainbow," Applejack acknowledged with a nod. "Ah know we shouldn't keep somethin' like this from her, but maybe it's best she calms down a little first."

Twilight and Rarity couldn't help but stick to the same page as their two friends as they looked at Fluttershy, still shaking a little, but with the comfort of Pinkie Pie at her side, she couldn't help but break a smile, even after all that she endured. There were still questions burning in the Pegasus' mind, but she feared to ask them. She didn't want to know.

"Yeah, you girls are right," Twilight said. "We will tell her, but not right now."

With the help of Zecora's potions and the magic of Princess Luna, Fluttershy was finally free from her prison of personal fears. She was still scared but being with her friends again, seeing colour and familiar faces, it was enough to ease her heart.

Author's Note:

ROT13

Comments

[Waspinator331]

As he slowly fell apart, piece by piece, he uttered, " Qrfcvgr zl ivpgbel naq nyy gung V nz qbvat, zl terngrfg srne vf oerjvat... "

What the heck is that?

[DT42]

9285319

Despite my victory and all that I am doing, my greatest fear is brewing

[ShadowXper]

9285323
That’s what I got but what is the rot13 for?

[VirtualCipher]

9285347
Forgive me for being so cryptic, ROT13 is a substitution cipher used to decode this message.

[Phantom-Dragon]

As he slowly fell apart, piece by piece, he uttered, " Qrfcvgr zl ivpgbel naq nyy gung V nz qbvat, zl terngrfg srne vf oerjvat... "

Despite my victory and all that I am doing, my greatest fear is brewing

Fear's greatest fear is his victims fighting back, or his fear spell failing him?

---

But now that Fluttershy is awake, will the heroes now resume their search for Spike and more importantly, head for the Crystal Empire?

[VirtualCipher]

9286627
The cipher is a little something for the future and with Fluttershy awake, surely they need time to collect themselves on what to do. Finding Spike and stopping Chrysalis along with Fright are their top priority, but what is Celestia hiding? Will that, again, change their course of action? I'm currently writing the 40th chapter right now and I'm looking forward to the future chapters.

[Jade Dawn]

FINALLY, Fluttershy's awake! I thought they'd never get her out.

Not really, of course, but I was starting to wonder...

[fanreader999999]

I skipped over half the story but it’s so repetitive I feel like I read the same 4 or so chapters 7 times.

[Eonflare]

Okay, Fluttershy's better. Now just moving on?
Or did anything in this chapter have anything that will still be used in the future?

[JazzTheFox53rd]

Woohoo! Finally Fluttershy is awake. I've been away from Fimfiction for some time. Needed a break from reading. But I'm glad I got new chapters to read with your story.