> Clouds and Bunnies > by RachWrites > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Cruel Night > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Angel Bunny hopped around his owner Fluttershy's home, looking for food. His nose twitched as he sniffed the ground, Fluttershy wasn't home yet and he couldn't reach the cabinet where she kept his food. He smelled the grasses intently looking for seeds or other things to munch on. The rabbit sniffed curiously his tail twitching excitedly as he found a good spot. His tiny claws itched as he dug his way into the soft soil, the ground nearly crumbling with the impact. Fluttershy always kept the ground soft around her home for her animal friends. She was very attentive, looking after all of us would be hard. He thought as he grabbed the seeds in his claw, the bunny opened his mouth and ate the seeds all in one the spoiled bunny sighed as he stretched out on the ground. The bunny did not notice the glowing green eyes of a timber-wolf in the Everfree Forest watching it's next meal. Fluttershy got home from her shopping happy with all of her purchases she finally got her cherries for Angel Bunny's favorite salad. She planned to make it for him such he'd been such a good little bunny all week. She happily hummed as she entered cottage she didn't even notice the stillness near the backyard. She got out all the ingredients for the meal, chopping up the lettuce and she put them in the mixing bowl, humming while than she worked. The carrots were already chopped and she picked those up and put them inside too. The salad was done she added the cherries and the nuts and mixed vigorously making her giggle, the food was flying everywhere and she wondered where that silly bunny was, he always came rushing whenever she was making the salads. Fluttershy's unease grew as no one came when she finished the salad and called out "Angel, come get it silly bunny!" She knew she had a weaker voice than most ponies, but her little Angel always came to her, no matter what. She put the bowl on the counter as she walked into the backyard. The sun was setting now as Fluttershy entered her yard, unaware of the tragedy that awaited her, the poor pony was smiling thinking that Angel was playing hide and seek. She looked for him through the grasses and the trees hoping he'd pop out sometime soon. Her stomach was hurting now the unease worsening as he did not enter through any of his usual hiding places, the yellow pony dared to look on his favorite digging place, which she normally put little seeds just in case he got hungry. It was then she saw it, the mangled body of Angel Bunny. Fluttershy's heart broke, she sobbed as she picked up the poor bunny and cried into his corpse. The blood was gone from him, so it must have been a savage beast from the forest. "Oh Angel!" She cried. " I never s-should have l-left you a-alone!!" She sobbed as she folded Angel's eyes, making him look like he was sleeping. She knew this day would come but she thought it would be from a natural cause like old age, not murder. She put the bunny down and cried harder than she'd cried in a long, long time as memories of the little bunny filled her mind with sorrows. "B-by the rule of C-Celestia I w-will n-never love again!!!" She yelled to the heavens and slammed her fists into the ground making a mess as the creatures all came towards her. The birds snuggled against her mane and the butterflies circled her looking like tiny protectors in the cold night. She shivered and the birds snuggled harder and the butterflies came in closer sounding her entire body now. She stayed with Angel until the moon was in the middle of the sky and she sniffled, here eyes drained of tears she picked up his body now almost crumbling, and gently carried him onto her butterfly grove, one of her favorite spots in her garden. The butterflies circled his body unwilling to release their hold on him until Flutters said so, she made the hole twice as big as him and nearly six feet deep, the ground shifted as the pony dug relentlessly. She told the butterflies to lower his body into the deep hole and she covered it, she made a little mark where she put a smile on the ground and a frowning pony face beside it and a heart in the middle. She cried as she picked up a daisy from the garden and plucked it onto the simple grave. Fluttershy cried for another couple of hours until the sky was fully black and the stars twinkled.The moon's rays shone on the grave site carefully and lovingly made by herself. She walked solemnly back to her cottage anxious for sleep as her stomach twisted and turned as she thought about her cute little bunny now dead in the sand and gravel below. She snuggled deep into her bed and the pegasus cried herself to sleep on the poor pony's first cruel night in years. > The Sweetness of Friendship > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy was going to get through, she had to for her friend's sake. They were all worried about her she kept telling them "I'm fine really." but she wasn't. She was a wreck her mind was changing for the worse, depressing thoughts turned around in here head like it was all her fault and not the Timber-Wolf's which she knew now was what had chomped on poor Angel. She trembled inside it had been a week and she was sleepy, and hungry. She hadn't been able to eat for a couple of days or was it more? She lost track after blacking out a few times, she knew she was getting skinny and she hated it. She used to have a rather appealing body but now she just looked skinny and runtish like a filly who was growing too fast. She sighed as she brushed her hair and looked in the mirror her self-image was getting worse by the day and she hadn't really noticed until now. She didn't like all the bad attention she was getting from on-lookers either. Ponies she didn't even know were staring, pitying her and making side remarks to their friends. She grunted as she headed out the door her friends wanted to have a little meeting with her for what she had no idea. She made it to Twilight's house and knocked weakly on the door, her strength had all but vanished in the week she hadn't eaten she figured it would. She wasn't very strong before this happened. Twilight answered the door and smiled kindly at Fluttershy, "Flutters! Your here, come in come in! Spike! Can you get us some beverages please?" She asked Spike her number one assistant and baby dragon. "bev-beverages?" Spike muttered, Twilight rolled her eyes. "Drinks Spike!" Twilight snapped. Spike jumped. "Oh yeah! Sure! Hi Fluttershy!" She nodded and smiled at him. Spike ran into the kitchen and the two mares went to the living room and Fluttershy saw all her friends, she frowned there was going to be a lot of "I'm fine, thanks" thrown around today. Rainbow Dash was the first to get up and hug her, the cyan mare smiled meekly at Fluttershy and she felt guilty she hadn't said a word about this incident she left that to her other friends if she told Rainbow she would be anything but 'fine' The Elements of Harmony sat, feeling awkward, Pinkie Pie was even serious for a change. She noted that almost never happened this must be serious. She coughed and every pony looked up in alarm. They weren't even looking at her, she grimaced. "Look, everyone I'm glad you set up this meeting for me and all but." She started shyly, she never liked starting the conversation especially the serious ones. Her friends eyed her, the yellow pegasus looked down sadly. "I know you've been sad, Fluttershy but you've got to get out of this funk somehow." Twilight said as she put her arm on her shoulder and she shrugged it off, Twilight frowned sadden. Fluttershy smiled meekly, "I'm not in a funk Twilight." She tried and her eyes started watering as her friends looked at her suspiciously. The tears started to flow when she saw Pinkie Pie crying "Oh Fluttershy! I'm so sorry! I should've helped you take care of Angel I know he likes me!" She wailed and Rainbow put her arm around her the pink pony's mane deflated making it straight. "Oh P-Pinkie it's not your fault, h-he was my responsibility." She sobbed as Twilight rubbed her back. Rainbow Dash got up and hugged Pinkie who wouldn't stop crying no matter what the others did. "See what your making us feel Fluttershy?" Twilight asked softly, she nodded and put her arms around her friend. The ponies were all crying as Spike re-entered the living room carrying drinks. "Is this a bad time, Twi?" He asked and she shook her head as he put the drinks down on the floor the baby dragon didn't quite understand what was happening but he knew something awful happened to Fluttershy recently so he sat down with Twilight and tried to be sad with the others. "Oh Fluttershy, y-you've even g-got Rainbow crying." Rarity noticed and she nodded towards the sniffling Rainbow. Rainbow shook her mane and sighed. "I just can't help it! When you guys all start, then I start!" Rainbow cried as she flung her front hooves in the air. The ponies giggled a little and they all started wiping their eyes. Fluttershy got up and hugged Rainbow Dash. "Girls I'm so, so sorry for this. I've just been so sad lately and I didn't know how to tell you." She sniffed as she apologized and wiped her eyes some more. The girls all nodded they understood her! Fluttershy felt a little bit better. She smiled a little as Pinkie's hair poof-ed back. Pinkie rushed up to her and gave her a huge Pinkie Pie hug, those were the best. She smiled into her friends shoulder and a single tear of happiness washed down her face. > Heat of The Moment > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy grinned a little as her friends looked at her shocked. "Uh, I'm just kidding." She said and they all sighed. "Phew, for a minute there I thought yeah had feelings fer my big brother!" Apple Jack said poking Fluttershy on the shoulder. "It must be this awful forest getting to her, c'mon lets go." Twilight said the the seven ponies all nodded leaving Zecora's. Fluttershy felt ashamed, she never meant to say that out loud. She didn't even realize what she had said before the words popped out of her mouth, but she stood by Big Mac anyways, hoping he'd glance in her direction and that he didn't hate her. Big Mac was surprised, he didn't know Fluttershy could be so bold! He looked down at the shivering filly and smiled at her. She was kind of cute, beautiful really with her pink mane and tail and bright yellow coat. He was surprised to feel shivers down his spine as he watched her smile grow at his approval. The two causally walked closer together, hoping their closeness would be mistaken for fear and not attraction, and it appeared that way. The Elements were totally oblivious to their sweetness for each other. The tired group finally made it to the other edge of the woods, hours had passed and it was lucky Pinkie had some cupcakes in her saddle bag or the group would have passed out from hunger. Pinkie had happily shared her cupcakes with her friends as the ponies searched the forest for clues, they're weren't too many to be found however and the ponies were feeling discouraged. "Well, it seems like there's nothing here." Twilight said and the group nodded sadly. Pinkie looked frustrated. "But there's GOTTA be something you guys! I don't want Fluttershy to be sad forever!" She cried and the group looked over to Fluttershy she and Big Mac were snuggling now, oblivious to the world around them. "I don't think we have to worry about that."Rainbow said as the ponies continued their cute cuddling. The girls giggled and Fluttershy looked up, "I-Is there something wrong Twilight?" She asked, she had just asked Big Mac to be her colt-friend and she was excited! He said yes! The two were lost in their own world and they weren't even listening to there friends anymore. "Oh there's nothing wrong with this Fluttershy, we're all very happy for you and Big Mac." Twilight replied her lips forming a huge smile as she tried not to giggle along with the others. "Oh good, we just were confused and we thought you were all going to laugh at us." Fluttershy said quietly and the ponies all stopped smirking and giggling except for Pinkie her smile just got wider and she bounced from happiness, "Fluttershy I'm just so, so so HAPPY FOR YOU!!" She cried as she ran towards her and hugged her close, Fluttershy sighed and hugged her friend. Yup, she thought. Everything's going to be fine. Dear Diary, Fluttershy wrote after the groups adventure and an overnight stay in the woods. We never really found out what happened to Angel, but I'm glad we went anyways, because your never going to believe this! I have a new boyfriend!! Squee!! His name is Big Mac and he's just the sweetest guy ever! He's really shy like me, but he's also kind and caring too! Fluttershy sighed as she thought about Big Macintosh, her brand new coltfriend as she wrote in her dairy. She thought about how strong he was while he protected her and her friends from an attack they all suffered as a Timber-Wolf caught them in their dens, the way he fought when she was trapped with Rarity made her shiver. But I am a little worried, what will his family think of me? She continued frowning as she wrote. Why all of the Apple's I know are earth ponies will they accept us being together :) or will they look down upon it :(. She wrote all this and started tearing up. She had to talk about this with Apple Jack too, the orange mare was very quiet the whole trip back. I'm also worried that this will change my friendship with Apple Jack, his sister. I don't want to lose her as a friend! She's the best, she's like a big sister to me. She wrote while she cried from worry. Little droplets were forming on the page and she wiped her eyes. I have to go now Dairy but I'll be back soon, I promise. She wrote as she left a little heart below the page she wrote in brackets below, FlutterMac 4 Ever! <3 > Heart of the Forest > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy sighed as she looked at her friends all around her, they really did care for her she could see that now. But the feeling of helplessness was feeling deep down. She didn't know how to combat this depression she was so deeply in, the feeling surrounding her mind like a deep fog. She smiled at them as genuine as she could as her friends continued to express their concerns, they had never seen her like this and it was worrying them immensely. She didn't wish to worry her friends she just felt so, so sad about Angel's murder, she knew now what really happened from a reliable witness, that she just wanted to wallow was that so bad? Fluttershy smiled at her friends as kindly as she could, "You know girls, I'll probably need a lot more time to cope with this you know it wasn't just a death, he got killed." She explained, they all looked somewhat shocked. She understood. She had only told them that Angel died, she didn't know what had happened at the time. Rainbow's eyes bugged and she shuddered. "Well this just changes everything!" She exclaimed, throwing her hooves up. She rushed over to Fluttershy and gave her a tight squeeze, one that Fluttershy gratefully excepted and returned. Fluttershy grinned slightly at Rainbow's remark, she always brought out the best in her. She hugged her friend back tightly and fluttered back down, the two were in a tight embrace in the air. Rainbow blushed, she wasn't used to this much emotion and it was getting to her. She sighed as she plopped back down on the floor and gulped her drink. Rarity made a little face at her and scotched away slightly, Rainbow didn't notice. "Well," Twilight started looking at Fluttershy with a curious expression, "if Angel Bunny was killed, maybe we should find out what m-killed him." She said as she looked to Fluttershy for reassurance. "It might help you get some closer." She added and Fluttershy nodded, the witness didn't notice too much except the shadowy figure she had described to Fluttershy, she caught it chomping on poor Angel just when she saw the animal rush out of the yard but the pony said she just saw a shadow. "Yeah! A little adventure might make it better for you Flutters!" Rainbow said as she pumped her fist in the air and raised her glass with the other, spilling her drink. Twilight frowned and used her magic to make a cloth appear and clean up the mess. "Um, Okay but were going to do some detective work right?" She asked meekly and the ponies all nodded. Pinkie jumped up and down excitedly. "It will be just like Shrelok Clops I've read all his books!" She cried as she pulled one of Twilight's green and gold bound books. "Hey that's mine!" Twilight said and Pinkie giggled, the other ponies doing the same the tension finally lifting. Fluttershy met the others at the edge of the Ever-Free forest, where Angel was last seen. She had a bad feeling about this, the Timber Wolves were supposed to be very violent this year for some reason. She wandered to where her friends where, and she was surprised to find Big Macintosh there. Apple Jack nodded when Fluttershy pointed this out. "Yup, I figured we needed some mussel Big Mac seemed like the best stallion fer the job!" She said proudly and Big Mac looked shyly down at his hooves. "E-yup" He said, as usual and Fluttershy blushed she always had a little crush on the big pony she just didn't know how to talk to him. "Oh-Okay, uh, hi." She said shyly and Big Mac nodded, his ears pricked backwards. Apple Jack laughed uncomfortably and the group set off towards the Ever Free forest uncertain of what they would find. "So the others are just going to meet up with us? I hope." Fluttershy asked Apple Jack as the two mares and one stallion cantered into the forest. "Now don't you worry yer sweet little head, the gals planned to meet right near Zecora's house so we'd be safer." Apple Jack told the shaking Fluttershy and the yellow pegasus nodded, she had hoped she didn't have to walk through the woods too far, but she remember the way to their friend Zecora's house and she picked up the pace feeling confident as she led the group. Apple Jack and Big Macintosh followed the little pony as she lead them through the forest, dogging tree roots and poison joke, the woods around them was getting thicker now and they couldn't see where they entered. Big Macintosh was indeed useful as they found lots of big trees blocking their path, and the roots were easily bucked out of the way. Fluttershy blushed as she was caught admiring Big Mac's plot by Apple Jack and the orange pony giggled. Fluttershy frowned, she hoped Apple Jack wouldn't tell. They finally made it to Zecora's hut, it felt like hours of trotting through the woods. The ponies saw Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Twilight standing by the door of Zecora's hut. Fluttershy smiled, they all came but where was Rarity when she asked Twilight, the lavender unicorn sighed and pointed towards Zecora's home. "Rarity complained the entire trip and almost begged Rainbow Dash to carry her through the mud, of course RD refused." Twilight explained and Fluttershy giggled as Dash rolled her eyes. "Well duh! I'm not going to carry some lazy pony over a speck of mud!" She examined for Fluttershy and the other's benefit. Apple Jack guffawed and the rest of the ponies laughed, her laugh always made the rest laugh along with her. The door to Zecora's hut came magically open with Rarity opening it with a magical blue glow. She stood there looking rather confused at her laughing group of friends. "What in the name of Celestia are you all laughing at?" She asked them, and the ponies stopped. "Oops, girls it looks like we got c-caught!" Pinkie Pie said between fits of laughter and she fell on the floor laughing. "I still don't quite understand what was so funny!" Rarity shouted as the group left Zecora's house sometime after, Fluttershy and Pinkie were in the lead now, hunting for clues. "Oh it's nothing, Rare we were just playin'" Rainbow replied as she followed along in the sky, hovering low so she could keep close to her friends. Rarity sighed heavily. She didn't like missing out of a good joke, or being the good joke for that matter and she was starting to think she was the joke. But then again, this forest could make any pony paranoid, Rarity thought as she ran a little bit closer to the front. She was lagging behind a little and she was afraid of this woods, so she didn't want to be without her friends. Big Mac rolled his eyes, these girls always played little games on each other. He thought as he helped them move a rock out of the way. It must be why there such good friends. He smiled a little at Fluttershy, he always thought she was the cutest of A.J's friends but he was far too shy to tell her so. He wondered if she felt the same way about him. Fluttershy's arm was being bumped she didn't know by what so she looked,, it was Pinkie Pie and she was smiling widely and kind of creepily at her. "Guess which big red pony is staring at you!?" She whispered in her ear, Pinkie was the only pony who knew her secret. Fluttershy didn't know why she just thought Pinkie was trustworthy. Fluttershy blushed deep, deep red and her eyes grew wide and she turned. Big Mac was indeed staring at her, in the plot area. She gulped she had stared at his just a while ago too! She smiled lightly. "See anything you like Big Mac?" She flirted shyly. > Family Dilemma > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy slept through the night with a renewed strength. She felt like she had something to live for now where as before she felt empty and depressed. Her little adventure had done wonders. She awoke as the sun's light wafted through her windows. She smiled at the sun, she felt so happy! The yellow pegasus stretched as she got up and brushed her mane. She hummed as she worked through her daily routine all the while thinking of him and in the back of her mind was a rabbit forgotten for the moment. Big Mac was hard at work plowing the fields for the upcoming harvest. Usually Apple Jack helped him, but she wasn't talking to him today. She had been very quiet, which was strange for her. He didn't really mind the solitude though, it helped him think over things. That special yellow pegasus was on his mind as he worked, the dirt exploding all around him. He was going to need a bath after this, but he was used to it and the work was worth all the bits his family made. He smiled as he worked, he felt rejuvenated somehow he knew why, it was because of his new mare-friend, Fluttershy. Apple Jack furiously bucked the apple tree. She was still angry! What the heck!? Usually her anger faded after a couple of apple-bucks on the apple trees but today some how it was worse. She didn't really know why, okay she did know but she didn't want to come to terms with the fact that Big Mac had a girlfriend! And the girlfriend was Fluttershy of all ponies! She felt scared and betrayed. Betrayed by Fluttershy now that's a first. She thought as she continued Apple-Bucking. The scared feelings kept pestering her until the day was done, the two farm ponies didn't speak or did so much as a nod as they walked towards their homestead tired after a days work. The Apple Family sat around their small dinner table and everyone was present, even Granny Smith who woke up from her afternoon nap. She eyed Apple Jack suspiciously, she also eyed Big Mac.He didn't notice though he was occupied with eating. The family was quiet except for Apple Bloom apparently some pony at her school got a new cutie mark and she thought she already had one, but it turned out she didn't. The littlest Apple went on and on about this while the grown-ups looked very uncomfortable with each other. Apple Jack smiled nervously at her big brother. "So uh, how's things with you and Fluttershy, Big Mac?" She asked him after her sister was done with her story. Big Mac was surprised, this was the first thing she had said to him all day. "Well, I'm sure glad you're over it Apple Jack." He replied. "Wait, what? You're with Fluttershy, Big Mac?" Apple Bloom asked her brother and he nodded. She looked back stunned she didn't even know he had a girl friend let alone Fluttershy! "Well, darn. There goes my plan to set you up with- I mean congrats big bro!" She said and laughed nervously at him. He raised an eyebrow, Apple Bloom had the bad habit of setting him up with mares he didn't really even know, let alone care for. He learned from past experiences never to drink punch that Apple Bloom gave him, no matter what she told him. Apple Jack laughed, "Well, I'm happy fer yeah Bro. I was a little angry at first but after thinkin' real hard 'bout it I figured it would be good fer Fluttershy to get a little lovin' since, well you know." She explained and Big Mac nodded sadly. Apple Bloom did not know of Angel's death and they weren't telling her until Fluttershy said it was okay. "Well now I sure would like to meet Fluttershy, I haven't met her before as I recall." Granny said and the three younger ponies looked surprised. "Well, of course you have. She's one of my very best friends remember?" Apple Jack prodded slightly worried, Granny's memory had been going a little lately and she was worried about Alzheimer's. But luckily Granny Smith's eyes lit up. "Oh yes, i remember now! She's the real shy one like yer brother, but she's a pegasus right?" She asked and Apple Jack nodded relived. She smiled at her Granny and replied, "Yup! i recon she was pretty flirty on that little campin' trip we all had, heh, right Big Mac?" She asked and he nodded. "She's finally coming outta her shell a little." She continued looking at Granny Smith the older pony smiled. "Well 'aint that nice, the two of 'yall should get together at the next reouion in a couple weeks, every pony's comin'" Granny suggested and Big Mac smiled. "Well, I'm sure that would be all right, I would just have ter ask her, she's real shy around crowds." He replied and Apple Jack nodded. Granny poked at her food. "Well 'aint that a shame, I was really looking forward ter seein' you two lovebirds together." She said and Apple Jack smiled. "Don't worry Granny I'm sure I'll be able to get her to come around." She said as she beamed at her. Granny Smith smiled back. > Getting Closer > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Big Mac was nervous, even more than usual. He stood next to Fluttershy and she was shaking from nervousness too. The two ponies looked around the farm, there were so many ponies! Everyone from the Apple Family wanted to meet Fluttershy, and it was their fiftieth Reunion as well, the whole lot of them were playing games and dancing. Some were making Apple fritters. Big Mac and Fluttershy didn't realize it but the family wasn't too concerned about Big Mac dating a pegasus, they were just happy he found some pony at last! Fluttershy shifted uncomfortably and Big Mac nudged her comfortingly, they had been dating a week now and were very close the two ponies found solitude in each other's quietness. "Uhm, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind going someplace quieter with me?" Fluttershy asked softly. Big Mac nodded. "Eyup, I don't mind none, love where do yeah feel like headin?" He asked and Fluttershy blushed, she always did that when he called her pet names. "That hill looks nice, you know the one with the flowers on it." She pointed to Lookout Hill and he nodded it was much quieter up there, but it was a bit of a hike. The two made their way up the hill and the noise of the Reunion drifted further away, the sound merely a buzz now at the top of the hill. Fluttershy sighed as she sat down, her front legs in front of her. Big Mac just stood, he never knew what to do with these situations came up and she patted the ground helpfully. "Sit down, silly don't be so shy." She said and she blushed again as he laughed. "Oh look who's talkin', why before I came along, you barely said a whole sentence out loud." The big stallion said as jokingly as his mare-friend who laughed heartily. "True, but look who's talking more now too!" She replied and she kissed him on the cheek. He smiled and kissed her back on the lips this time and Fluttershy squealed with glee as the two ponies kissed in the afternoon light, their bodies intertwining with each other. Fluttershy's mind was spinning how did things get so far? She only wanted him to kiss her lips now he was kissing all over her body and the pegasus moaned his name. "Uh.. I like that." She moaned and he nodded going lower.. lower. The two stayed up until they were both exhausted the mating session had drained them both and Fluttershy was sore now, her legs and backside were aching, but she didn't mind. She was in his arms his body around hers hugging so softly for a big pony. The two were stargazing and the stars twinkled as they drifted off to dreamland but this felt like Fluttershy's happiest dream in a long time. Fluttershy was at home now. The sunlight shining through her window awoke her. She smiled as she remembered the night before. What a thrill! They had to do that more often! She giggled as she wrote about the night's adventure in her trusty diary. The pony sighed as she remembered how good it felt to have him inside of her, how safe and protected she felt when his arms were around her. She smiled and put down the diary not wanting to write anymore juicy tidbits some were just too good to share.