— Chapter Twenty-One —
--- Of Trickery and Trust ---
Fluttershy's cottage was framed brilliantly by the Sunday morning sunlight, just as photogenic as it had been last night. Twilight sauntered on up to the modest home with a moderate pace, her draconic companion along for the ride tucked away in one of her saddlebags. Twilight needed information before she could confront Knox, lest she be victim to whatever memory-altering magic he had gotten his hooves on, and Fluttershy seemed like the perfect avenue for achieving this. The way the pegasus had reacted to Knox's name in tandem with her midnight extrusion into the Everfree, not to mention her timberwolf-repelling tools, made her prime suspect number two in this investigation of hers.
Knocking upon the door, Twilight waited for the pegasus who dwelled within to answer. She was left waiting for a small bit of time before the homeowner finally answered, Fluttershy peeking out of the door with a disheveled mane and tired-looking eyes. The night had not been kind to the timid pegasus, whatever she had done in the woods being enough to wear her down considerably.
"Oh... hello, Twilight... n-not to be rude, but what are you doing here?" Fluttershy stepped to the side and gestured for her guest to enter, lack of sleep seemingly not doing much to deter her welcoming nature. "I thought you didn't have work until tomorrow?"
"I don't, but I didn't have anything better to do today." Twilight set her bags down next to the door, allowing Spike to crawl outward as the entrance was closed. "Never hurt to be a little social. And it was either you or Pinkie Pie. At least with you, I don't have to worry about Spike being seen."
"That's... fair enough..."
"You weren't busy or anything today, were you? I'd hate to intrude."
"Oh, no, n-nothing on the agenda today." There was a nervous jitter to Fluttershy's words, seemingly she had been caught between actually having some plans of her own and not wanting to be rude. "I just... had a bit of a hectic night after you two left."
"Heh, guess I wasn't the only one who had some weird dreams," Spike stretched for a moment to regain his bearings before walking further into the house.
"Yeah... you could say that..." Fluttershy made a shuddering, almost chuckling sound that conveyed just how apprehensive she really was right now. "I've... got a few things I need to take care of upstairs... feel free to help yourself to the coffee, there should be plenty."
"Even with Harry around?" Twilight jokingly asked.
"He's already had his fill for the morning." That was the last thing Fluttershy said before she ascended the staircase to attend to whatever it was that needed her attention. Thus leaving Spike and Twilight to enter the kitchen to partake in the promised coffee. Well, that's why Twilight was going there anyway. Spike wasn't one for coffee, but he was one for getting a reminder on the plans.
"So I just have to distract Harry for a while, right?" Spike whispered with great enthusiasm, ecstatic to just be involved.
"That's the plan," Twilight replied plainly enough as she poured herself a mug of liquid hot goodness. "Just keep him busy for a few hours while I talk to Fluttershy."
Spike's inclusion was a critical component in Twilight's plans for the day if only to bolster the long dragon's mood and allow him to feel involved without putting him directly in harm's way. While leaving him to handle a bear wasn't exactly the safest of ideas, Harry had proven to be docile to a fault even when enraged over a game of chess. Not having to worry about a bear while discussing potentially sensitive things with Fluttershy was an added bonus Twilight was happy to have. So in a way, Spike actually was helping out. So Twilight wasn't entirely lying to him.
At least that's what she kept telling herself to keep the guilt at bay.
But she was able to drown that guilt in piping hot caffeinated goodness, enjoying this last moment of reprieve before her confrontation with the yellow pegasus. She found her eyes wandering about the room before they fell upon the pile of envelopes on the counter. Just the morning mail and nothing else out of the ordinary, nothing that was Twilight's business. Though there was one open document that had caught her eye, one bearing the familiar crest of Equestria.
Twilight had seen forms like these throughout her life, the bi-yearly Pillar polls. Every year, the Pillars of Equestria—the council of ponies who served to assist and moderate the queen's power—would be altered based on the public's vote. Less desirable politicians would be booted out of office in favor of new recruits, and those who were deemed worthy would be allowed to continue their service. These forms were sent to every citizen in Equestria, and Twilight likely had one waiting in her mailbox back home. But there was no harm in getting a sneak peek on who had their heads on the metaphorical chopping block and who would be likely to continue their terms, doubly so seeing as how Fluttershy had yet to cast her votes.
"Let's see who's up for renewal..." Twilight muttered aloud, taking the few sheets of government stationery in her magical grasp.
The forms were divided up into three distinctive categories: those who were stepping down from their positions willingly, those who wished to be voted back into their office, and a list of new recruits who had proven themselves worthy to potentially be voted into office. The actual voting system was simple enough, even a child could comprehend it.
Up first was the list of ponies who would be stepping down from their positions. This section was usually absent in the forms that Twilight had seen in the past, but this year it looked like there were actually a few ponies who were stepping down this year. Three of nine, to be specific. Though the only one that caught Twilight's eyes was the stallion known as Fancy Pants. Despite his admittedly funny name, this unicorn was one of the longest-standing members of the council, and Twilight was actually saddened by the announcement of his retirement. He had done wonders for Equestria's educational systems, and was someone Twilight was happy to have met a few times in the past. But it seems over twenty years on the seat was enough for the old horse, and he was stepping down. A shame, really.
Then there was the list of the current six members who wished to be voted back into office. Right next to each name were two labeled checkboxes. One read "keep" while the other said, "kick." A simple enough voting system, which got a fairly accurate idea of who the Equestrian populace wanted to stay in office and who they wanted to kick out of office.
Three of the names, in particular, stood out to Twilight. The first two were those she wasn't a particular fan of. The twin unicorn brothers that were known as Flim and Flam, who had both been Pillars for the past five years. How these two even met the criteria to be a part of the council was something Twilight would never understand, and how they both kept being voted back into office was something the whole of Equestria would never comprehend. Public opinion of the two didn't seem to be very high, yet their five-year streak spoke otherwise. The third name she took notice of, however, was what got Twilight to hesitate.
Twilight Velvet looked to be trying to continue her nineteen-year term as a Pillar of Equestria. It brought a smile to the young alicorn's face to get this small confirmation that her mother was still alive and well, and just as invested in the nation's wellbeing as she had been when Twilight had left on her journey with Spike. This sudden sense of elation was almost enough to drive Twilight to go home and see her family again. But that idea was quickly filtered away, at least for the time being. Maybe she'd consider the possibility again once she was done with this mess here in Ponyville.
Well, I know who I'm voting for, Twilight chuckled to herself as she placed the documents back on the kitchen counter. She didn't bother looking towards the list of possible new recruits, as she hadn't been involved in Equestria's affairs for a long time. The list of names would be absolutely meaningless to her. She'd probably just end up picking a few at random when she got home to fill out the form herself. An act that could potentially have consequences on the country as a whole, but the worst-case scenario was that the bad-picks would only be around for a year.
"Alright, I've gotten everything taken care of," Fluttershy quietly announced as she entered the kitchen. Far less tired and disheveled looking then she had been before she had gone upstairs, showing that at least some of her time had been spent making herself presentable for her guests. "So, uhh, was there anything you had in mind for today?"
"I don't know about you two, but I think Harry wants to try his paw at chess again," Spike chortled with glee as he strode out of the room in search of the coffee-addicted bear. Fluttershy made an attempt to try and stop him, but she was far to slow on the uptake and the dragon was long gone by the time it mattered. And with that obstacle out of the way, Twilight was free to finally begin her little interrogation. She sat down at the table and waited for Fluttershy to do the same. After the pegasus got her own coffee for the morning, that is.
Fluttershy was one of the few ponies Twilight had met on her travels that she could call a friend, which gave her pause at this moment when she was finally going to begin the questioning. And alienating her wasn't exactly on the alicorn's list of priorities. But there was no reasonable way she could bring herself to confront Knox without further information. If Fluttershy knew something, then Twilight needed to figure out what it was. Good or bad.
"So..." Twilight tapped the tabletop with her hooves as she glanced around the room. Despite wanting to begin questioning her friend on the matter, she found herself tripping at the one-yard line. Where was she even supposed to begin? All she had to go off of was an adverse reaction to Knox's name, a midnight extrusion into the woods, and the small scraps of wood that could somehow repel timberwolves.
But Twilight would never have to make that choice. Instead, she was brought back to reality as the yellow pegasus let out a long and regretful sounding sigh. She pushed her coffee to the side and rested her head upon the kitchen table with her hooves over her head. A piece of body-language used to convey a great deal of distress, one that Twilight remembered clearly from her school days.
"Uhh..." The disguised alicorn looked around the space for any assistance in this matter. But the only ones who could possibly offer some insight were currently busy partaking in a heated game of chess elsewhere in the cottage. Thus, Twilight was on her own here.
"I can't do it anymore..." Fluttershy meekly moaned back, "I just can't keep doing this..."
Maybe this was a bad time, Twilight couldn't help but wonder to herself. What she was looking at right now was a breakdown, nothing more and nothing less. Something was eating away at Fluttershy, and had been for what looked like a very long time now. Another thing that Twilight recognized from her own past that she could instantly empathize with. Twilight knew in that moment what had to be done, and all other plans and priorities were pushed aside to make room for the question she wished someone had asked her way back when.
"Are you okay?"
"Can you keep a secret?" Fluttershy's head tilted upwards, once more revealing her eyes to the purple pony. They were tired, practically on the verge of tears. But aside from that, there was a more subtle look hidden within those sapphire orbs: hope. And despite the sincerity behind that question, Twilight couldn't help but chuckle a bit. Oh, if only Fluttershy knew.
"I mean, I think I've done a pretty good job with Spike," Twilight gestured to the exit that Spike had taken, just as the sounds of the dragon taunting Harry in jest could be heard emanating from elsewhere in the home. "Something on your mind?"
"I... shouldn't tell you..." Some doubt made its way into Fluttershy's tone, breaking eye contact and instead gazing into the dark-colored liquid within her brightly colored mug. "It's n-not that..."
"Is this about Knox?"
"N-no!" Just like that doubt was overcome by shock, Fluttershy nearly leaping out of her chair as her eyes went as wide as the moon. And as suddenly as the sudden surprise had come it also went, replaced by the usual meek tone the pegasus spoke with. Her pink mane falling in such a way to partially hide her face from view. "It doesn't have anything to do with... him..." She shuttered at even this indirect reference to the town's lone sarosian resident. To say that this reminded Twilight of Applejack's unease towards the memory magic that had been cast upon Rarity—and most of the town, if the farmer's hunch was correct—was an understatement.
"Are you sure? Because you wouldn't be the only one bothered by whatever it is he's up to. I've seen his little... security measure, we'll call it." Twilight leaned forward into her seat, gazing upon Fluttershy with a stern expression. "How ponies just forget things whenever somebody mentions the library's third floor. I don't blame you for not wanting to talk about it."
There wasn't an immediate responce, only a deafening silence that overtook the conversation. A maelstrom of thoughts surged throughout the pegasus and a variety of emotions made themselves known upon her face. Confusion, uncertainty, realization, elation, fear, all of these and more were present in this moment of pause.
"I'm... not the only one who knows about that?" There was evidence of relief in Fluttershy's voice, and even a small chuckle passed her lips. "I'm not the only one who knows..." A great burden had just been lifted off of the pegasus on this day, that much was clear enough. "I'm not the only one..."
Twilight smiled at seeing her friend's mood improve from this news, as well as the apparent evidence that she wasn't in league with the librarian. Or she was just a very good actor, Twilight's cynical side briefly suggested before being silenced. Fluttershy had done very little thus far to give Twilight a reason to distrust her, and thus Twilight felt almost obligated to not try and find reasons that might not even be there. Thus, she continued her explanation.
"I'm not sure how believable this may sound, but I'm trying to put a stop to whatever it is he's up to..." She paused for a moment, taking the time to take not of Fluttershy's appearance. Even with that weight lifted off of her she still seemed to be bothered by something, and it showed subtly in her expression.
Judging by how this conversation had even started in the first place, Twilight had the sneaking suspicion that it really didn't have anything to do with Knox's machinations. So in that case, surely it must've had something to do with whatever errand had dragged Fluttershy into the Everfree last night, a question that still prodded at the alicorn's curiosity ever so tauntingly. She was already going out of her way to look into Knox's activities on Applejack's behalf, what harm was there in helping out a friend on top of that?
"And... if you help me out with this, then maybe I can repay the favor? Help you out with... whatever it is that you've been lying about?" A cheesy and nervous grin stretched over Twilight's lips as she shrugged, hoping that Fluttershy would take the bait.
Again, the conversation was stalled as Fluttershy pondered the offer. It was a much more logical looking procedure when compared to the previous lull in the discussion, but there was still a serious weight being tossed around here. And as the seconds dragged on into minutes, Twilight found herself almost begging for the answer out of sheer anticipation. Yet just before the cloaked pony was about to reach that breaking point, Fluttershy finally broke the silence.
"You can keep a secret... right?"
"You already know the answer."
"No, I really don't. I know Spike is really important to you, but this is something really, really big. Bigger than both of us. And it..." Fluttershy lightly bit down on her lips as she paused, a nervous hum escaping her throat as she did so. "Might... not be legal... like, at all..."
"I mean, harboring a dragon the way I have been isn't exactly 'legal' either." Or at least, it wouldn't have been legal if Queen Celestia wasn't aware of his existence. But Twilight felt like that was a titbit better left for another time, when this whole mess was over and done with. "How bad could it possibly—?"
"The timberwolves are trying to escape the Everfree Forest. If they get out they'd be able to regenerate and reproduce using any piece of wood they get near," Fluttershy interrupted, talking fast enough to make Pinkie Pie's head spin in disorientation, "They'd end up hurting and killing a lot of people and animals if that ever happens. And the only one who can stop them is an illegal immigrant who I've been helping live illegally out in the woods so she can work on putting a stop to them before anyone dies a horrible horrible death." The pegasus sharply inhaled to replace her deprived oxygen stores that her little rant had thoroughly depleted. Afterward, she transitioned into slow and haggard deep breaths. Clearly she was as attuned to that kind of speed-talking as Pinkie Pie was.
Not that Twilight was complaining about the conversation being delayed this time, however. In fact, the opposite was true in this instance, the purple pony working to try and parse the sheer amount of information that had just been dropped on her like a ton of bricks. She didn't exactly have many theories on what Fluttershy was doing, there just hadn't been the time for her to consider any, but that was not exactly what she had expected to come out of the yellow mare's mouth.
"Phew... finally got it off of my chest..." Fluttershy sighed, her exhausted demeanor shifting to one of long-overdue satisfaction. "I'm feeling better already..."
"Okay... not what I was expecting..." Twilight murmured back, still dumbfounded by the confession. "But at least it explains the sticks..."
"Yes, my friend made them too—" Fluttershy stopped herself and squinted at Twilight with great skepticism—"Wait. What sticks?"
"... The ones in your back yard," Twilight hesitantly replied, "I... might have gotten a little too curious for my own good last night..." That was certainly one way of summarising the way Twilight had spent her evening. "And... I might have broken one by mistake..." She quickly retrieved her saddlebags and produced the broken fragment of twig that she had acquired last night, presenting it to Fluttershy like a child who'd been caught in the cookie jar.
Once again, Fluttershy halted the conversation as she stared upon the broken yet still functioning ward. This pause wasn't nearly as long as the others, but it was just as telling as to what the pegasus was thinking. Based on her expressions alone there was a brief moment of betrayal and hurt from this revelation, but it did not last as long as it very well should have.
"I suppose that's fair... I was acting a bit suspicious, wasn't I?" Fluttershy found herself chuckling at her own expense, gently picking up the twig and casually examining it. "At least you didn't go around telling anyone about it... right?" She looked back to Twilight with a dead serious grimace. "Right?"
"Spike doesn't even know," Twilight quickly reassured, hoping that it would get the pegasus to stop glaring at her with murderous intent.
"Spike doesn't know what?" The long dragon's question immediately drew the attention of the two ponies, both of them donning the embarrassed looks of children caught sneaking treats before dinner. Spike, meanwhile, was standing there with a puzzled look and a cocked brow. Twilight could tell that he wasn't entirely aware of what was being discussed, but was ready to do anything to find out. "Are you keeping secrets from me?"
All you had to do was play chess with a bear. How hard is that?! "No... Spike," Twilight slowly answered and stood up from the table, placing her saddlebags firmly upon her back. "In fact, I was... just coming to get you. We're going into the Everfree."
"We are?" Spike and Fluttershy both spoke the exact same question at the exact same time, though with different inflections. Spike seemed more confused as to why they'd be going out there, while Fluttershy seemed to be more nervous about the sudden venture into the woods.
"Yes, we are," Twilight told Spike before turning her attention to Fluttershy, "You said you'd help me if I helped you, right?"
"W-well, yes... I guess I did..." Fluttershy stammered, standing up in turn and making an effort to show her concern upon her face. "B-but right now?"
"Your problem seems pretty urgent, would you rather we wait?"
"I... suppose not... But you're going to bring him?" Fluttershy meekly pointed to Spike. "Not to be rude, but the last time he went in there, he—"
"Got hurt because we were separated," Twilight interrupted matter-of-factly, "That won't happen again. Especially since we'll have a bit of... added protection this time around." She gestured to the broken twig upon the table. The confidence she was exuding was all for show, brining Spike back in there wasn't something she was eager about. But if given the choice between leaving him unsupervised or letting him tag along, the later was by far the more appealing option.
Especially after she had already told Spike he could help. She'd never hear the end of it if she were to go back on that promise now.
As the three of them prepared to depart into the woods, Twilight hid a groan of discontent. She had come here looking for information regarding her current predicament—and now she was leaving with the intent of solving a completely different problem. Not exactly how she had planned this procedure would go, but she's the one who offered to help in the first place she swiftly reminded herself. Again. But before leaving, the disguised alicorn took the time to reassure herself that it was going to be fine. After all, this was going to be beneficial to both parties. She was offering to help in exchange for the information she wanted in the first place.
Is this becoming a habit? Twilight asked of herself, standing by while Fluttershy retrieved her personal piece of timberwolf protection. I mean... helping people out like this isn't the worst thing in the world, I suppose.
And as the trio made their way out the back door, Twilight found herself actually wearing a smile on her face. If only because, if nothing else, she knew what she could do once she and Spike were back on the road once all of this was said and done. But of course, the problems at hoof needed to be solved first. And it seemed that the timberwolves were the first ones on the chopping block.
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REALLY good job on the latest chapter. The exchanges, characterizations and future chapter set-up were, as usual, well done. I particularly liked Twilight's reaction to the "PIllars' List" (especially the fact her mother is one of the members) as well as Twilight finding out a bit more about Fluttershy's role against Knox (as well as the importance of those sticks against the Timber Wolves) and reflecting on how good it feels to help others.
On another note, I'm pretty sure Flim and Flam have used a combination of bribery, blackmail and more high-tech (by Equestria standards) vote tampering to stay in office.
On still another note, I think I have a really good hunch who this "'illegal immigrant who lives in the Everfree'" Fluttershy is helping happens to be. Still, considering this IS an alternate universe, I realize I shouldn't make assumptions based on canon series knowledge. After all, those assumptions are quite literally just as likely to be wrong as they are to be right and could be something you are counting on to make us jump to conclusions.
Or I'm SERIOUSLY over-thinking. That's possible too.
But, at any rate, in the event that the next chapter doesn't come out until after the start of the new year, Happy Holidays and I will DEFINITELY be looking forward to more of this.
Good chapter.
Huh, I rally didn't expect Fluttershy's answer, despite it actually making more sense and being more realistic than any of the scenarios I came up with ("realistic" being a relative term in a world full of magic). I had wondered when or if Zecora would make an appearance, since they had been in the Everfree several times now and hadn't seen her, but in the show she doesn't appear until a few episodes after their battle with Nightmare Moon, so I didn't know if you'd even bring her up. Having her as an illegal immigrant is also an interesting concept (the current real-world political climate notwithstanding).
I like the fact that they decoded to take Spike, though it is the exact opposite of what Twilight did just the night before, and even then she only encountered more things to be concerned about in the Everfree. Maybe she should ask Fluttershy about the tree? Also, I get that Twilight doesn't want Spike unsupervised, but, to be honest, isn't he unsupervised, like, a lot? Fluttershy isn't watching over him every time he's at home while Twilight works or goes out. Then again, maybe she knows that this time, his curiosity might get the best of him since he knows they were keeping secrets, despite his fear and bad encounters with the forest before.
Heh, Velvet's a Pillar, eh? That's a nice bit of world-building and character development. Let me guess; Flim and Flam have somehow managed t scam the entire Equestrian voting system? And, last but not least, Twilight called Fluttershy a friend. That's good development there.
Expanding the Pillars of Equestria into a sort of senate-like government system is absolutely genius.
A certain rhyme-happy zebra, perhaps?
Considering her talents, I think we can overlook the whole illegal immigrant thing--it's a rather contrived thing, that, anyway. 
I don't doubt at all that it'll all connect together in due time.
9988617
That's reassuring. :D
Also, I can't take full credit for the pillars thing. Someone on the Q&A asked about them, and that's what got the ball rolling.
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Actually, I never stated this outright, but I did try to imply that Fluttershy does indeed watch Spike while Twilight's working. Or, if nothing else, checks up on him at the house.
As for Flim and Flam... well, they were meant to be the political statement in this chapter.
Some very interesting world building in this chapter.
If Flim and Flam get the boot from Equestrian politics they would be right at home in the good old US of A at the very least they can't be any worse and the barbershop duo would make for some genuinely fun political ads.
As to the mysterious illegal immigrant in the Everfree would her name be Zecora maybe? (couldn't resist sorry not sorry for the bad rhymes).
And last but not least there are some spelling errors in the first few paragraphs that I wanted to point out:
victom should be victim
peaking for peeking
pleanty ought to be plenty
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I may be to quick to assume, but you haven`t happened to get the name from a TDI fanfic did ya?
I’m so smart! About one part, at least. Starlight’s definitely made the sticks, though she didn’t memory-wipe Fluttershy. (If this illegal immigrant isn’t Starlight, I’ll be shocked.) But wait, if Glimmy’s an immigrant, does this mean Glimmy’s from....uh...Sarea or whatever it’s called? It fits with the book she checked out. And she’s powerful enough to have worked up a horn disguise, for sure. But that raises more questions than it solves...oh well. Great chapter.
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Starlight hasn't memory wiped ANYONE, at least up to this point. That may change in later chapters. But Knox is the only one whose been throwing around memory magic. Spike didn't say anything about her because she begged him not to, not because of a mind wipe.
10824374
It’s clearly zecora???