> The Life of Shin Dowe > by Golden Flare > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prologue My name is Shin Dowe. From the day I was born, I could see things nopony could see. When I meet somepony new, I have vivid dreams about them. In those dreams, I could see what's in ponies' hearts, their thoughts, their emotions... Their secrets. Every morning after I have those dreams, I go tell the ponies that I met what I saw in those dreams, and every time I did, they all became defensive, denying every word I said. And eventually, they aren't my friends anymore. I became so afraid of what I might see and what I might say to any new friends I make, and especially, the one whom I may call one day, "My Special Somepony". I could hear them all talking about me behind my back, saying such awful things about me, like, "Look! It's that weirdo!" "Dreams like his are just plain crazy." "I think he knows everyone's secrets because stalks them everywhere they go." "What a creepy little kid!" I've heard every mean name in the book and then some from them, I was just saying what I thought I saw from my dreams. Is it wrong to have these dreams? Am I supposed to be normal to be accepted? Should I change for the better of everyone else? I'm about to find the answers to those questions soon enough. Even sooner than I'd expected. > Chapter 1: The Gift > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1: The Gift The day I was born, when I saw my parents, I had no idea who they were, but when I went to sleep for the first time, I could see it. I saw what they were really thinking, their love for me, how happy they were when they saw me, I even saw their deepest secrets, secrets that they would never tell me in my lifetime. I still remember it to this day, every time when I close my eyes, when I drift off into Dream Land, I can still see everything everypony thinks, but there's a catch, it only works with ponies I've already met. When I was 5 years old, I started school at Dodge Elementary, hoping to make some friends, I met a few ponies and they seem pretty nice, but I lost all of them when I told them about my dreams. "H-How did you...?!" the first colt said. "NO! Y-YOU'RE LYING!!" "Lying? What's 'lying'?" I said, confused. "Leave me alone! You're a freak!" the first colt said. "What's with you? We just met you and think you know everything about us!" the second colt said. "I-I don't understand, what did I do wrong?" I said. "I think it's better if we don't talk or see each other anymore." the filly said. "B-But!" I said. "Goodbye... kid." the filly said. "Wait! Don't leave me!" I screamed. Every day was like that, make friends, have heart-reading dreams, blab about it, and lose the friends I make. Sometimes I feel like I should be left in solitude, alone... No one to be there for me... I call it "True Sadness". I've never told my parents about my dreams, because I was afraid that they would leave me just like the others did. I swore I would never tell them. Ever. From Dodge Elementary, to Dodge Middle, and even Dodge High School, all my friendships ended the same way, I just couldn't keep my mouth shut about it. I was worried about what would happen if I got into a relationship with a mare I would one day call, "My Special Somepony". if I lost somepony I truly cared about... I don't know what I would do with myself. Tomorrow's my 18th birthday, and I would make a promise on that day that I thought would protect me. I promise I will never talk about my dreams again. > Chapter 2: The Promise > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2: The Promise Today, I will become 18 at 6PM tonight, night that I will make my promise, and live out the rest of my days in mental solitude. But even if I make that promise, I'll still be ridiculed by everypony, but one stood out from the rest, the first filly I met in Elementary School, she didn't mock me, she didn't scowl at me, she just stared. No words. None. I don't know if she hated me, but she never looked at the wrong way, she just had a blank look on her face. The time right now was 5:58PM, and it's family tradition to blow out one's candles ten seconds before the exact time one was born, it's the perfect opportunity to put myself into a binding contract... or something like that. I had some time to think before it was time to celebrate my birthday, this thought ran through my mind, "How do I avoid the hatred of everypony in town?" I thought to myself. So, I came up with the only conclusion, the only answer to stop the pain. I had to move away. I plan on telling my parents after I blow out my candles, any time before that would be a bad time, I don't want any tension before I blow out my candles. "...Happy birthday to you!" my parents sung. "Go on, son, make a wish!" my dad said. This is it. the moment of truth. There's no turning back now. Here it goes... "I promise I will never talk about my dreams again..." That's what I wanted to say... But instead... "I wish I could be happy." That's what I really said. I wanted "True Happiness". It's what I truly wished for, what I really wanted in life. I blew out my candles. "What did you wish for?" my mom asked. "Honey, if he tells you, it'll never come true." my dad replied. I took his words to heart, and never told anypony what I wished for. And then, I told them my plan for tomorrow. "I'm moving to Ponyville." I declared. My parents were stunned by what I said, but they could talk. "W-Why?" my mom asked. "It's just something I have to do. I'm not mad at you guys, It's just... I need some time to myself to think." "Oh... O-Ok." my mom said. I ate my cake and I went to my room to pack my things for tomorrow. Tomorrow's a new day. > Chapter 3: Scornful Goodbyes > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3: Scornful Goodbyes I had my things ready to go, and my parents insisted that they walk me to the train station, I tried convince them otherwise, but they wanted to see me off. Now, when we walk all the way across town, they'll finally know what the other ponies think of me. We began our walk, and here come's the insults. "Look! That freak's FINALLY leaving!" "Good hoofin' riddance!" "That's right! Run away, like the coward you are!" My parents heard every word they said, they began to lose their composure, all I could do was take it. "Good bye, you worthless creep!" "We never needed you!" "Get the hoof outta our town!" Out of all the ponies in Dodge City who ridiculed me, She didn't. The filly from my first day at my first school, I think her name was, "Floral Allure", she always had a love for flowers. She didn't look mad, not even miffed, she looked... Sad. I think she even cried. For a while, I didn't know why she cried that day, but something told me that I'd find out someday. Just not today. Finally, after all the insults, my parents finally lost it. "SHUT UP!! OUR SON IS ABOUT TO LEAVE US, AND YOU'RE ALL JUST BEING CRUEL!! WHAT DID OUR SON EVER DO TO DESERVE THIS?!!" "..." "He really didn't tell you?" Floral Allure finally said. "What?" mom asked. I panicked and snuck to the train, because my parents were about to discover the truth, the truth that I tried to hide from them for 18 years. "Tell us what?" dad asked. "Well-" TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! The train whistle interrupted Floral, and everypony quickly noticed that I disappeared. The entire town rushed to the station to see me off... But not in a good way. "BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! FREAK! FREAK! FREAK! FREAK!" They all kept chanting that same word, except my parents and Floral. When the train left the station, I could hear faint cheering, I knew what it meant. They were happy that I was gone. But Floral didn't look happy, especially my parents, I could see the sad expression on her face, even in the distance... I hope she doesn't feel abandoned. "Shin..." "...I'm sorry." > Chapter 4: Welcome To Ponyville > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4: Welcome To Ponyville TOOOOOOOOOOOOOT! "Here we are! Ponyville!" the conductor shouted. Everypony, including me, got off the train and set their hooves on Ponyville soil. I didn't have much luggage with me, just one saddlebag, I never desired for a lot of stuff in my life, only the necessities. The dirt roads felt nice on my hooves, back at Dodge, I kept stepping on rocks on every dirt road in town, I never stopped complaining about it. I was on my way to the house that I purchased a week before my birthday through an ad I found laying around inside my home back at Dodge, it was within my price range, and it looked nice, so I sent a letter to the owner, offering to buy the house. The day before my birthday, I received a reply from him, saying that the house is now mine and to move in in the next couple of days. And now, here I am, in a new town, on my way to the new house that I bought, ready to live in mental solitary. A pink mare appeared in front of me, I almost bumped into her because I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, I was too busy hanging my head low in depression, I noticed everypony stared at me, probably wondering why I was so bummed out. I was really nervous to talk to her, after everything I've been through, being neglected, ridiculed, and especially hated. But I worked up the courage to say something to her, and I did. "H-Hi." I said. The pink mare gasped so loud and ran off in a hurry, I really hope she didn't see through me... ...Did she? In any case, I resumed my walk, and in a few minutes, I found my new home. I settled in and got comfortable, it was actually really nice, the inside was a lot better than it was in the picture. I went to my bedroom and was ready to take a quick nap, it was long ride from Dodge City to Ponyville, so I laid down and closed my eyes. In my dreams, I saw the pink mare, I saw what looked like her best friends, they all looked really happy, it was the kind of happiness that I thought I'd never have. But there was something strange, I didn't see any of her secrets, it's like she doesn't hide anything from anypony, how is that even possible? Then the weirdest thing happened, she spoke to me, like she knew I was watching. "You'll find happiness. Good things come to those who wait." she giggled. I woke up, surprised by what had just happened, none of that ever happened in my dreams before, what's going on? I heard a noise downstairs, and went to investigate, I was worried who or what might be down there, it could've been a thief, a burglar, or even a deadly creature from that Everfree Forest I heard so much about. I cast all my fear aside and opened the living room door, and I saw something I never expected. "SURPRISE!" > Chapter 5: Pinkie Pie Party > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5: Pinkie Pie Party "SURPRISE!" a huge crowd of ponies shouted, gleefully. At first, I was in shock that all of these ponies were in my house, and I was half-temped to kick everypony out, but part of me wanted to have this party, so I didn't freak out, I just cracked a smile at everypony, then all of a sudden, that pink mare popped up in front of me. "I threw this party just for you! A 'Welcome To Ponyville' party! Do ya like it?! Huh? Huh? Huh?" the pink mare said. "I... I love it. Thank you." I said. "Yooooooou're welcome! My name's Pinkie Pie! What's yours?" the pink mare said. "My name? My name is Shin Dowe. I come from Dodge City." I replied. "Oooooooh! Me and my friends went to Dodge City once! Remember, Twilight?" Pinkie said. "Yeeeeeah, let's not relive it." the purple alicorn said. "Come to think of it, I've never seen you in Dodge City." "We don't get a lot of sightseers there. It's pretty much rundown." I said. "Uh, Sugar Cube, where's your parents?" an orange mare asked. "...They're back at Dodge." I answered. "Why?" the orange mare asked. "It's no big deal. I don't wanna be a bummer." I replied. "Awwwwww, it's ok! By the way, this is Applejack!" Pinkie said. "Howdy." Applejack said. I could tell she's worried about me by the tone of her voice when she said "Howdy". But right now, I should focus on the positive and just enjoy myself. The less ponies know about my secret, the more friends I'll make. For 3 hours, I actually had fun, I played "Pin The Tail On The Pony", I whacked a piñata and ate it's candy, and I had a few slices of cake. For once in my life, I was happy. And it was all thanks to Pinkie Pie for throwing me this party. I even like the fact that she introduced me to all of her friends, but she said a mare named Fluttershy couldn't make it tonight, I wonder why? Everypony went home and I went back to bed, and in my dreams, I saw Applejack, Rarity, Spike, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight. They all looked really happy like the last dream I had. And like the last one, Pinkie Pie spoke to me again. "I know you're happy, but do you want to be happier? All will be revealed tomorrow, you'll see." She said with a wink. But little did I know that come tomorrow, my new life will shatter into a million pieces... But somepony will piece it back together... ...Even better than it was before. > Chapter 6: Unwanted Visit > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 6: Unwanted Visit This morning, I went to go see Pinkie Pie and thank her again for the party, it was really kind of her to do that. When I walked by everypony in town, they didn't show hateful glares and yell horrible things to me, instead they greeted me with a smile and said, "Hello!" or, "Hi there!" in a happy tone. It was a great day for me, I finally had friends. I saw Pinkie in the middle of town, talking to a bunch of ponies, I walked over to her to say "Hi", and I heard a voice that was all too familiar... "Look, it's that freak!" "See? I told you he was here!" It was the two stallions that I met in elementary school, the big brown Earth Pony was called Brute Force, and the yellow Unicorn was called Temper Tantrum. I never would have thought that those two were here, and I noticed somepony hid behind them. It was Floral Allure. "Hey, freak! You think you can just run off without a farewell beatdown? Not a chance!" Brute said. "Hope you like the taste of dirty hooves!" Temper commented. As I braced myself for the merciless beating I was about to receive, somepony charged into them. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size?!" It was Rainbow Dash. She saved me. "Get off, you stupid kid! He's nothing but a worthless, little freak!" Brute yelled. "Yeah! Why would you protect a weirdo like that?!" Temper asked, angrily. "What's going on here?" Twilight asked. Twilight and Mayor Mare showed up just in time to stop the fight. "Don't mind us, we were just gonna beat up this freak over here, right, Floral?" "..." Floral didn't speak a word. "What's with you?" Temper asked Floral. "What do you mean?" Floral asked back. "Every time you're around this freak, you always mope. What's up with that?" Brute commented. "I..." Floral began to speak. "Go on." Temper said. "I can't do this anymore." Floral finally said. "What?" Brute said, flatly with a disapproving glare. "I'm going home." Floral said. Brute Force got in her way. "No! WE'RE not going ANYWHERE until we beat the living snot outta this freak!" Brute commanded. "That's right! Wherever we go, you go!" Temper ordered. "Why don't you leave her alone?!" Applejack said, joining Rainbow Dash. Soon, Spike and the five ponies I met came together with me. They were protecting us. Me and Floral. "What the?! MORE stupid kids?!" Brute asked himself. "Buzz off! This is between us, now why don't you go play with your mommies and daddies? Let the grownups have some fun." Temper commented, snidely. Rainbow nearly lost her temper when he referred to her and her friends as little kids. But then, the whole town ganged up on them and kicked them out of Ponyville. "This ISN'T over!" Brute yelled. "Why don't you tell them your little secret, freakazoid?!" Temper screamed. They ran off, hopefully back to Dodge City. But now, I had to face the music. "Shin, what are they talking about?" Pinkie asked me. I didn't know what to say, so I began to cry. I ran away from them, trying to get back home. "Shin! Wait!" Twilight shouted. But I didn't listen. I just ran. "I..." Floral began. Twilight whipped her head around and looked at Floral. "I'm sorry. About all of this." Floral said. "It's ok. Do you know Shin's secret?" Twilight said. Floral hesitated at first, but then she spoke. "Yes, but if I tell you, promise me you won't think of him any different, ok?" Floral said. Pinkie Pie got in front of Twilight and said, "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" While she said that, she crossed an X on her chest, fluttered her hooves, and put a hoof on her eye. "Ok. It's like this..." Floral began. I was spying on them, to see what they would think of me now, but then a voice spoke in my head, "Don't listen. You'll only get hurt." Just as Floral began to explain, I ran off again, hoping to never know the truth. That night, I couldn't sleep, so I decided to go for a nightly walk. As I was walking through the streets of Ponyville, not only was I looking around, making sure no one was watching me, I began to think. Is my life really worth living? How is everypony going to react when they see me now? How is this my life? Maybe it was true, maybe you have to be perfect to fit in, I guess that's what life is about. Perfection. Maybe I could pretend to be- SPLAT! A dead apple fell before me, drained of all life, before I knew I was in the orchard of Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack told me a lot about this place back during the party last night. I saw something hanging on a branch near me, I couldn't see what it was or how far away it is. Then the moon began to glow and I could see through the silhouette, it was right in front of me and I saw it's face.... I mean HER face. It was some kind of pony, but she had bat wings. She was sniffing me, to see if I was a threat. Then she stopped, she just stared at me. All of a sudden, I felt like my face was on fire... I was blushing. To Be Continued... > Chapter 6 1/2: The Explanation > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 6 1/2: The Explanation My name is Floral Allure, and I'm about to tell the citizens of Ponyville Shin's secret. "Ok. It's like this," I began, "Shin is able to see through ponies through his dreams. When he meets somepony new, and he goes to sleep at night, he can see what they're really thinking, their emotions, their personal thoughts... And their secrets. Back in Dodge Elementary, he told Brute Force, Temper Tantrum, and I, what he saw in his dreams, and we became defensive about it. We abandoned him, and we never looked back... Except for me." Everypony in town was shocked, that Shin is able to do something like this, but they were more shocked that I abandoned him for such a stupid reason. "Why's that?" Twilight asked. "Because I didn't leave him because I thought he was a weirdo, and I don't think that about him, I thought he was really nice." I answered. "THEN WHY IN THE HAY DID YOU LEAVE HIM?!!" Rainbow Dash screamed. I understand why Rainbow Dash would be mad, I wouldn't blame her if she never forgave me for what I did to Shin. "I left him because he knew my secrets. I never had it in me to deny everything he said, so I was afraid that if he knew my deepest, darkest secrets... He would call ME a weirdo and reject me. So, I beat him to the punch, I felt bad for what I did that day. But... The worst blow of all... Was when everypony ridiculed him, for having such a gift. And he just let them do it. I realized too late that he didn't mean to hurt me with what he knew about me." I replied. "Well, didn't you ever try and talk to him about it?" Twilight asked. "I couldn't face him. I was afraid... No. I was terrified that he would hate me for it." I answered. "Why should that matter to you, darling?" Rarity asked. "I'm a pony who can't take rejection, that's why I'm with Brute and Temper most of the time, I dislike losing friends, so I went along with whatever they did and did whatever they said." I answered. "But after everything that happened today, I'm definitely NOT going miss them!" "So that's why Shin was so depressed." Applejack commented. "I wish I could take it all back." I said. "We all make mistakes, Floral, and life goes on." Twilight told me. "Let's go find Shin. We need to talk to him." We arrived at Shin's new home and tried knocking on the door... No one answered. Rainbow Dash tried banging on the door, practically trying to break it out. Then we heard something through the window on the 2nd floor of the house... It was crying. Shin was crying. Rainbow Dash couldn't get the window open, so she tried to smash through it, but Twilight stopped her with her magic. "Rainbow Dash, calm down! We should leave him alone for a bit and let him calm down, we'll try again tomorrow." Twilight said. Everypony went back to their homes and I just stayed at an inn for the night. I truly hope that Shin's okay... To Be Continued... > Chapter 7: My Little Bat-Pony > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 7: My Little Bat-Pony I stood there, motionless, the bat-like pony still stared at me, before I knew it, she started to crack a smile. I couldn't help but smile back, she looked really innocent for a bat-pony. Then all of a sudden, she grabbed me with her wings, held me with her hooves, and flew through the orchard. "WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!" I screamed as we flew. She was still smiling, despite my panicked screams. I am a Pegasus, but I don't fly a lot, I was going to take flying lessons, but after everything that has happened in my life, I was too scared to try. I stayed grounded for my entire life. She finally stopped and we hung upside-down off a branch, close to the ground. Why would she be close to the ground? Don't bats, especially bat-ponies, like to hang from high places? Maybe that's what makes her unique, besides her physical appearance. I slowly worked up the courage to talk to her. "What's your name?" I asked. She hissed quietly. "You can't speak?" I asked. She shook her head, saying "No". "Hmm..." I began to think. "I know! Use that stick over there and write in the dirt!" I pointed to the nearest stick, she then nodded and used her wing to grab it. She then wrote her name in the dirt. It said, "FLUTTERBAT". "That's a nice name, it suits you." I said, admiringly. "Hmm, where have I heard that name before?" I lost my train of thought when she pulled me closer with her wing and cuddled me. I couldn't stop blushing. "Hey, can I tell you a secret?" I asked. She nodded. "Ok. When I meet somepony new and I go to sleep at night, in my dreams, I can see what's in their hearts. Thoughts, emotions, and secrets. When I told somepony about these dreams, they all turned their backs on me. I was called all kinds of nasty names, especially 'Freak'. I moved here to start over, have a clean slate, and I had a great life here. And then, two jerks back at Dodge City, came to Ponyville and ruined my life... Again." I explained. "I bet you think I'm a freak too, don't you?" She wrote in the dirt again, I braced myself for what she was about to say. She wrote, "NO". I was surprised at first, but I regained my composure and tried to say something. "I don't understand." I said, confused. She began to write in the dirt again, "EVERYPONY'S UNIQUE". I tried to process her words, and when I did, it all became clear. I was supposed to be happy with who I am, I shouldn't care about what other ponies think. I am who I am. "Thank you." I whispered in her ear. I stared at the moon, admiring it's beauty in the night sky. Flutterbat took me by surprise and kissed me on the cheek. My face was burning hot, I had never blushed so much in my life, and I had a hard time breathing. I was hyperventilating like crazy. When I caught my breath, I looked down at the ground and I noticed that Flutterbat wrote something before she went to sleep. "I LOVE YOU". That's what it said. I was astonished by what she wrote. I couldn't believe it. She loves me. I slowly went to sleep at the thought of that, while cuddling closer to her. I have a Special Somepony. > Chapter 8: Rough Morning > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 8: Rough Morning "Um, hello?" I heard a voice subconsciously. "Could you wake up please?" I woke up and I saw Flutterbat, but she looked different, she looked like a regular Pegasus, I could hardly notice her appearance because the sun was beating down hard today, but I could see her. "Uggggh. Flutterbat?" I said, half-asleep. "No, I'm Fluttershy." she responded. "Um, what happened last night?" I carefully explained what happened, it looked like she couldn't remember. But why? "I see." she said. "I suppose I owe you an explanation." She told me about her bat-pony self, and that it only happens at night. "Are you ok?" I asked. "I'm fine. I saw what I wrote this morning from last night." she said. "Did you mean what you said?" I asked. "Of course." she answered. "Do you, um, wanna spend some time with me?" "Do YOU want to?" I asked. "Yes." she replied. "Ok." I said. "We should go. Applejack may get mad for me sucking the juice from her apples." she stated. "Oh! Um, right." I agreed. I had completely forgotten that I fell asleep in the Apple Family's apple orchard. I was wondering why I was on the ground and why my head was hurting. I must have fell off the branch I was sleeping upside-down on and hit the ground head-first. We ran off before Applejack showed up and blamed us for all of the ruined apples. I could even hear her screaming from so far away. "WHAT IN THE WIDE WORLD OF EQUESTRIA HAPPENED TO MA' APPLES?!!" She sounded really mad. Fluttershy and I made to her cottage and she asked if I wanted to come in, so I nodded. We sat on the couch, completely silent. Until she spoke up. "What's your name?" she asked. "Shin Dowe." I answered. "That's a nice name." she replied. For a moment, I had a major case of deja-vu. We had a pleasant conservation, and after we were done talking, I would help Fluttershy with her animals. 2 hours passed by, and I actually had a lot of fun. "Um, Shin?" she said. "Yes, Fluttershy?" I asked. "Could you close your eyes?" she asked. "Just for a moment?" "O-Ok." I hesitantly agreed. I closed my eyes and the next thing I knew, she pressed her lips against mine, she took me by surprise, but I didn't open my eyes, I just enjoyed every second of it. She kissed me. "FLUTTERSHY?!" a familiar voice said. We pulled away and saw Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie standing in the doorway. We were caught. "Shin... And Fluttershy?!" Rainbow Dash said, shocked. "When did THIS happen?!" I knew that if they found out how we got together, we would be deep trouble. I had no words to say, I was petrified. Fluttershy finally spoke. "We met yesterday." she said. "I offered him to help my animal friends today, if he could. So, here he is." "..." The five ponies were silent. I hope they believed her. "An' then things started heatin' up, right?" Applejack asked with a smirk. Fluttershy began to blush. And so was I. "Well, we'll just leave you two lovebirds alone." Twilight said. "C'mon girls." "Shin and Fluttershy, sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Pinkie sang. "PINKIE!!!" the other four of the group shouted. "Right, sorry!" Pinkie replied. She quickly left and closed the door behind her. Fluttershy and I looked at each other, still blushing. She walked over to me and kissed me again. But it was longer this time. I fell backwards and she fell with me, but we didn't stop kissing. We stopped and looked at each other, admiringly. We were quiet until we both spoke at the same time. "I love you." > Chapter 8 1/2: The Discussion > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 8 1/2: The Discussion Hello, it's Floral Allure again. I'm telling this part of the story where I heard from Twilight and her friends that Shin has a new marefriend... And how I feel about it. I was looking for Twilight and her friends all over Ponyville, and the whole time, I heard everypony talking about Shin. "I feel bad for the guy, with a gift like that, I understand why everypony hated him." "I know, but he doesn't deserve to be depressed all the time." "Yeah, I just can't believe that he's never been happy in his life." Everypony here felt terrible about what he was going through, especially me, since I'm the one who ruined his life, just because I didn't want to be rejected. I still feel horrible about it. I needed to talk to him. I went to the library to see Twilight, but she wasn't home, although, she left a note, "The library is closed for today. "Floral Allure, if you're reading this, come to Fluttershy's cottage, just outside the Everfree Forest. We need to see if she's alright. We'll go see Shin afterwards." Sincerely, Twilight Sparkle With that, I quickly dashed over to Fluttershy's humble home. Pinkie told me where to find it when I first arrived here. I was at least 10 feet away from the cottage, when I saw Twilight and her friends leaving the property. Why were they leaving? Weren't they waiting for me to come? "Hi, Floral!" Pinkie Pie said, bouncing around in joy. "What's going on? Is Fluttershy ok?" I asked. "Oh, I think she's BETTER than ok." Rainbow Dash said with a smirk. "I don't understand." I replied. "Fluttershy's got ah new coltfriend." Applejack commented. "Really? Who?" I asked. "..." They were silent all of a sudden. "Girls?" I asked, concerned. "...It's Shin." Twilight finally said. I couldn't believe what I heard. Shin Dowe, the stallion whose life I had shattered into a million pieces, is dating Fluttershy, the animal caretaker of Ponyville. My heart went into my stomach. "Are you ok, dearie?" Rarity asked. "..." I had no words at the moment. I was deep in thought, thinking about how Shin's life was back at Dodge City, and how I could do everything I could to try and fix it. But I can't, he's with Fluttershy. I really hope she takes care of him. "Hey, Floral? C'mon, snap out of it!" Rainbow Dash said. Why do I care if Shin's with another mare? If he's happy, that's all that matters, right? Or, maybe it's something else... Is it possible? Could I possibly be in lo- HOOOOONK! "Ahh!" I shrieked. Pinkie used one of her confetti poppers to get my attention. I must have zoned out. But for how long? "See? I TOLD you it would work!" Pinkie said with a squee. "Floral, are you alright?" Twilight asked with concern. "Yeah, I-I'm fine." I answered. "You don't look or sound fine." Twilight said, countering her reply. "I am, really!" I said. "Well, anyway, we still need ta' talk about ah problem ah had this mornin'." Applejack commented. "Ok, Applejack." Twilight replied. "I still think it's not that bad, I mean, we got the vampire fruit bats to control their hunger lusts, plus we built a sanctuary for them." "Yeah, Applejack!" Pinkie agreed. "I mean, what else could be doing it? Fluttershy? Nope-a-roonie! We cured her, remember?" We all walked back to Ponyville, wondering what could have happened. "Ah'd still like to know what in the hay has been eatin' ma' apples." Applejack said. > Chapter 9: Another Night, Another Date > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 9: Another Night, Another Date I came to Sweet Apple Acres again tonight, hoping to see Flutterbat. I still can't believe she's a vampire bat, well, partly. I didn't think anything of it. I saw her hanging upside-down on a branch, draining life from an apple she had. She flew down to the ground and her eyes met mine, I, again, couldn't control my blushing. She and I flew to the same branch we hung off of last night. For a moment, I thought about my flying, hard to believe that I was flying like I've been doing it a thousand times. It was hard to keep up with her, the vampire bat wings she had made her unbelievably fast. But I was still able to keep up with the beautiful vampire pony. We hung off of the branch and like last night, she wrapped her wing around me and cuddled with me. It was chilly tonight, and she was surprisingly warm for a vampire. Then again, she's part pony, she can't be completely cold. Either way, we enjoyed every moment of our time together, we had nice conservations and she spoke to me using the stick I gave her to write in the dirt. Come to think of it, Applejack must not have noticed the writing on the ground from last night, she must have been too angry to notice. If she did, we might have been in BIG trouble. I didn't care if she was a vampire pony, I couldn't care less if she was a teenage dragon, as long as she has a beautiful heart, none of that matters. This mare has shown me true happiness. She has shown me light in the dead of night. There was something different about her though... Last night, when I fell asleep next to her... I couldn't see what was in her heart. No emotions, no thoughts... Not even a small secret. That's what I think makes her special. She's the only pony whose heart I can't see. For somepony to do that, would be completely impossible. We were beginning to dose off, but before I fell asleep, I wanted to give her a gift. It was something I made with my own hooves. a necklace with a butterfly-shaped pendant. I showed to her, the expression on her face was heart-warming. "May I?" She wrote in the dirt, saying, "YES". I put it around her neck, and she loved it. Her face was beaming, I wish my parents would've how happy I made the beautiful-hearted mare. She wrote in the dirt again, "HOW DO I LOOK?", "You look very beautiful." I answered with a smile. Her wing pulled me in closer, and her lips met mine. She was even warmer than before. And so was I. Before she fell asleep, she left me a message, saying, "I LOVE YOU SO MUCH". I left her a message before I went to sleep, "I LOVE YOU TOO". And I soon passed out. But what I didn't realize until tomorrow was that somepony was watching us, a certain orange pony, wearing a cowgirl hat, with a telescope, in her sister's treehouse. "Ah do not believe this." Applejack commented. To Be Continued... > Chapter 9 1/2: Trouble Brewing > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 9 1/2: Trouble Brewing Once again, I'm Floral Allure, and this morning, I found out how Shin and Fluttershy got together... Or should I say, FlutterBAT? I was walking down the streets of Ponyville when I heard everypony talking, "I still feel really bad about what happened to Shin back at Dodge, those ponies are just crude!" "About Shin, I heard he's running with that animal caretaker, Fluttershy." "I know! I heard about it yesterday, I wonder how they met?" I began to feel depressed that Shin was with another mare, but then that last statement left me thinking, how did Shin and Fluttershy meet? I thought he was in his house all night. This doesn't make sense... "Floral! Over here!" Applejack shouted to me. "Oh, hello Applejack, how's your morning?" I asked her. "It was terrible." Applejack answered sternly. I could see the anger in her eyes, something must have happened. "Aren't ya gonna ask me why?" "Um, why-" "Because ah found out who's been sucking the life outta ma apples!" Applejack cut me off before I could finish, but I do wonder who was eating her apples, or, sucking the juice out of them, I mean. "Who was it?" I asked, wondering if was going to cut me off again, but she didn't. "I'll tell ya on the way." Applejack replied with determination in her voice, she sounds like she REALLY wants to catch who's been doing this, and judging by her attitude, I think she wants to beat the living tar out of whoever it is. We rushed over to Sweet Apple Acres as fast as we could, Applejack was going a little faster than I was, but I could still keep up. The entire time, she explained to me who was draining her apples, and as unexpected as the Canterlot Wedding fiasco, she told me a good possibility about how Shin and Fluttershy met... In her orchard. We made it to the very middle of the apple orchard with the rest of Applejack's friends, and found two ponies, a stallion and a mare, asleep, around a bunch of dead apples... It was Shin and Fluttershy. "How did this happen?" I asked them. "I think I can conclude that 'Flutterbat' wasn't completely gone." Twilight answered. "Flutter...'bat'?" I tried to understand as I asked another question. Who's "Flutterbat"? Does Fluttershy have some kind of Multiple Personality Disorder? I had to know. Maybe Shin loved somepony besides Fluttershy that was... well, INSIDE Fluttershy, at least, her mind. "I tried to convince a bunch of vampire fruit bats to stop eating the apples here," Twilight began to explain. "I used a spell on them all to make them hate apples, but their love for them was somehow transferred into Fluttershy, and when it did, she could hardly control herself around apples." "Now I understand." But what I didn't understand was how they just ran into each other. That part still didn't make sense. "Doesn't matter now," Applejack commented. "When they wake up, I'm gonna give Shin an earful! And after that, I'm gonna beat 'im as hard as ah possibly can!" "No Applejack," Twilight said, trying to calm her down. "We need to know what's been going on the past couple of nights, when they've been here eating or whatever they were doing." Twilight was looking down just before she finished talking, there was writing on the ground. "And after that, I can beat 'im up, right?" Applejack asked, anxious to attack Shin. "I get to beat him next!" Rainbow Dash stated, with a burning desire to fight in her eyes. Twilight sighed. We all jumped when we heard moaning and groaning out of nowhere, Shin and Fluttershy were waking up. "They're coming to!" Twilight declared. To Be Continued... > Chapter 10: The Interrogation > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 10: The Interrogation "All right, on your hooves." a familiar female said, sternly. I woke up with the sun in my eyes, but something was silhouetting over most of it, or someone. "You heard me, up!" the voice repeated, kicking me in the process. The silhouetted image slowly came into focus. It was Applejack. And she looked really mad. I suppose I was bound to get caught sooner or later. I stood up, trying to ignore that I was half-asleep and groggy, I could hardly keep my eyes open. Applejack stared at me intensely, and before I could react, she extended her hoof and smacked me as hard as she could. "Applejack!" Twilight protested. She ignored her and smacked me again, but with her other hoof. "APPLEJACK!" Twilight protested again. She still wasn't listening, I thought she was going to smack me for a third time, but out of nowhere, something crashed on top of me and started punching me to no end. I saw that it was Rainbow Dash. "RAINBOW DASH!!" Twilight screamed in protest. She didn't listen either. As Twilight was getting ready to lift her off me with her magic, somepony else stepped in, and her voice was all too familiar, "STOP IT!! HASN'T HE SUFFERED ENOUGH!?" That voice was Floral Allure. Why was she protecting me? She hated me for my gift, that's why she left me all alone... ...Isn't it? "Floral, he and Fluttershy ate up all ma apples!" Applejack argued. Floral intensely stared at Applejack the same way Applejack stared at me. "Yeah! And no apples means no cider!" Rainbow Dash agreed. I could tell that Floral was getting infuriated by the look on her face. A hoof fight was about to take place and I couldn't let it happen. I tried to divert the attention to me by pretending to stumble as I tried to stand up. It was really convincing because half of it wasn't fake, Rainbow Dash got me good. "Shin!" Floral came to assist me, so did Twilight and Rarity. Pinkie Pie popped up in front of me out of nowhere with a concerned look on her face. "Are you ok?" she asked as I nearly jumped out of my skin. "Yes... I'm fine." I strained the words out of my throat, trying to show them I was ok. But I wasn't. I was in agony. But I bet they could tell I was lying. I just didn't want them to worry. "C'mon Shin, let's get you to the library and patch you up." Twilight said in a calm tone of voice. She continued, "And when we do, you're gonna have to explain what you were doing out here." I looked up at her confused. "You can't expect to get out of this scot-free, I'm sorry." I never expect to. "You have nothing to be sorry for, I'm the one who screwed up." I thought to myself. "I just wanted to be happy," Tears began to well up in my eyes. "Is that too much to ask?" Floral saw that I saw crying and picked me up immediately. I was carried to the library with Applejack and Rainbow Dash close behind me and Floral. I didn't have to look, I could feel the glares they were giving me. We made it to the library and as Twilight was wrapping my hooves and wings with bandages, I explained why I was out at the orchard, how I met Flutterbat, and about our relationship. "I see." Twilight commented. "I think I understand now." Applejack charged past Twilight with anger in her eyes, "What ah DON'T understand is why ya didn't stop her from eatin' ma apples!" Rainbow Dash rushed to join her, "Yeah! Why didn't you!?" I opened my mouth, trying to respond, but I could hardly find the words to say. "I... I don't know!" I stammered as I continued, "I guess... it just happened so fast." Applejack reached out and smacked me again. "That's enough, Applejack!" Twilight demanded. "SOMEPONY'S gonna pay for all ma apples that ah lost!" I felt bad for what Flutterbat and I did, but I didn't want her to suffer, it wasn't her fault that she couldn't control herself around apples, so I had to give in... For Flutterbat. "How much will it all cost?" I asked. For some reason, everypony was shocked that I asked that. Maybe they thought that I wouldn't take responsibility for my actions. Either way, Applejack was still able to answer my question, "Uhh... 300 bits." I grabbed my bit bag and pulled out as many bits as I could. "I won't be able to pay for the mortgage, but-" "I'll pay for it!" I couldn't believe what I heard. Floral agreed to pay for the apples. But I should be taking responsibility, not Floral. I still couldn't understand her, why is she defending me? Why? "Here, 300 bits, happy?" Floral said. "Very." Applejack replied. "Shin," Twilight began to speak, "I'm very sorry about this, but we can't allow you to see Flutterbat anymore." My heart went into my throat when she said that. Flutterbat was the only pony who understood me, and I wasn't going to let her go that easily. I just stood there. Silent. "Maybe we should go. Come on, Shin." Floral said as she tried to pull me out of the library. She took me back home and she left. I just silently went to bed, hoping for a better day tomorrow. Once again, my gift was put into effect, I could see everypony's thoughts. But something stood out. A lot. Twilight and her friends were in the library, plotting something, "Ok, girls," Twilight started, "We have to bring Fluttershy back, Shin's getting too attached to her vampire pony self. It's just the way it has to be." I quickly awoke and whipped my head up, "I HAVE TO WARN FLUTTERBAT!!" I jumped out of my bed and zoomed out of my house, on my way to protect my marefriend. I may have lost my new life in Ponyville... ...But I am NOT going to lose Flutterbat. > Chapter 11: Protecting Flutterbat > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 11: Protecting Flutterbat I used my wings to carry me over to Sweet Apple Acres as fast as possible, "I'm coming Flutterbat! Just hang on!" I kept telling myself, hoping that Flutterbat was still Flutterbat. I made it to Sweet Apple Acres and rushed to the orchard in search for Flutterbat, so I came to the apple tree that she and I hang off of from our last two dates. She was there, still a vampire pony. I was so relieved, but then Twilight and her friends showed up, so I hid behind the tree to avoid being caught. "There she is." Twilight said. "Well, whataya waitin' for? Use the spell!" Rainbow Dash demanded. Twilight began to use her spell on Flutterbat, I thought quickly and picked up some of the dead apples Flutterbat left behind and threw them at Twilight, trying to disrupt her spell, and it worked. Without concentration, Twilight can't use any of her spells. "Who did that!?" Applejack shouted throughout the orchard. I stepped out from behind the tree, "I did." I said in a serious tone of voice. I stared them down, prepared to protect my special somepony, and Applejack and Rainbow Dash gave me the angriest scowls they could put on their faces. "Why, you little...!" Rainbow Dash said through her teeth. "HISSSS!" I knew that hiss anywhere, Flutterbat saw us and flew off. "Now look what you did!" Rainbow Dash commented. "Shin, please understand, this is for the good of everypony." Twilight explained. "How? How do you know that?" I began to speak, "You won't take her from me..." Anger filled my entire being. So this is how it feels... "I WILL PROTECT MY SPECIAL SOMEPONY IF IT KILLS ME!!" Everypony stood there, astonished by my extremely loud voice. I ignored their stares and went after Flutterbat, and Rainbow Dash soon snapped out of it and quickly gave chase. I found Flutterbat hanging off another tree from another branch that was low to the ground, I calmed down and tried to talk to her, "Are you ok?" She took a stick laying on the ground and wrote in the dirt, "WHAT'S GOING ON?" Is what it said. I explained to her about what Twilight and her friends were about to do to her, and that I won't let it happen. She began to write in the dirt again, "DO YOU CARE FOR ME THAT MUCH?" That's what was written. I was silent, I walked up to her and gave her a passionate kiss, "Does that answer your question?" I whispered in her ear, smiling. Unfortunately, Rainbow Dash caught up to us, "Alright, enough with the mushy stuff." she said. "And who are you to judge?!" I yelled. She stood there, determined, "Fine. I guess I'll have to put you in your place." I readied my stance, prepping myself for battle, despite the fact that I don't know how to fight, but I had to try... For her. Why didn't she attack yet? She just standing there with a smirk on her face. "What are you-" Twilight came before I could finish, "SHIN! BEHIND YOU!" she tried to warn me. I turned around as quickly as I could and- THUMP! I was knocked out from behind. Before I passed out, I saw Twilight cast her spell as Rarity suspended Flutterbat in the air with her magic. .......................... I... ...have failed. To Be Continued... > Chapter 11 1/2: The Assault > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 11 1/2: The Assault It's Floral Allure again, and this is where I do something I know I'm going to regret. I was on my way to the apple orchard in Sweet Apple Acres to help Twilight and her friends, when I saw Shin lose his composure, "I WILL PROTECT MY SPECIAL SOMEPONY IF IT KILLS ME!!" I have never seen Shin so mad, in fact, I've NEVER seen him mad, I never thought it was possible. After he flew off, I realized that Shin really has become far too attached to Flutterbat. It has to end. I was able to catch up to him when I saw him and Flutterbat kissing, I used my magic to pick up the thickest branch laying in the orchard, despite the fact that I hardly ever practiced my magical ability, I never thought I needed it. Until now. Rainbow Dash showed up before I knew it and gave a smirk as I crept up to Shin, ready to knock him out. I just nodded. "I'm so, so sorry Shin, but this is for your own good." I thought to myself. Shin began to speak, "What are you-" "SHIN! BEHIND YOU!" Twilight warned Shin. I had to act fast before he could react, so I... THUMP! I still can't believe I did that. Was I right to do that? "Heh, looks like 'The Hero' is out cold." Rainbow Dash mocked, snidely. "RAINBOW DASH! THAT'S NOT FUNNY!" Twilight screamed. Rainbow Dash still kept her smile, "C'mon, he deserved it! Right, Applejack?" "..." "Applejack?" Rainbow Dash asked. "..." "...I may have been mad at 'im, but even I wouldn't done that to 'im." Applejack finally spoke. I dropped the stick and stared at Shin, he was practically lifeless. What have I done? "Really? Nopony's with me on this?" Rainbow Dash asked. Everypony else just glared at her, but I just stood there. "I... I'm sorry." I apologized as tears rolled down my face. "It's ok, Floral." Twilight said and continued, "Rarity, lift Flutterba- uh, Fluttershy up with your magic so I can cast the spell." Rarity hesitated a little, "Yes... Of course." She raised Flutterbat up off of the branch, she tried to break free, but to no avail. As Twilight began to cast the spell, I saw Shin open his eyes, slightly, but he passed out again. I was relieved that he was alive. Soon, the spell was complete, and Flutterbat was Fluttershy again. They all shared a warming hug, but I didn't join them. I stayed close to Shin to make sure he was still breathing. The girls broke up their hug and joined me and Shin. Twilight lifted Shin up with her magic, "Let's take him to the hospital." > Chapter 12: Recovery > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 12: Recovery "Ugh." I woke up in a hospital bed, but I don't know how I got here. I sat up on my bed and saw Twilight and her friends, standing there with friendly smiles. Why? Flutterbat and I ate Applejack's apples and I tried to protect Flutterbat, so why are they smiling? Why aren't Applejack and Rainbow Dash attacking me? "Shin... I... I'm sorry." Applejack said, apologetically. "F-For what?" I asked, weakly. "For smackin' ya all those times, a-ah was jus' mad, and I'm sorry." Applejack answered with honesty in her voice. Makes sense, she is the Element of Honesty. But what doesn't make sense is why everypony is actually being friendly with me after all that's happened. But I'll just have to wait to ask a ton of questions. "Shin, there's somepony that wants to see you." Twilight stated. Fluttershy came from behind everypony else as they cleared a path to my hospital bed. "Hello, Shin." Fluttershy said. "Flutter... bat?" I asked. "No. It's Fluttershy." Fluttershy answered. "I'm back to normal." I sat there, slack-jawed by what I heard. Flutterbat CAN'T be gone. She can't be! "It's the truth." Fluttershy stated. "But..." I started to speak, "...You still love me, right?" Fluttershy's mood changed from kind to serious. "Shin, the mare you loved wasn't me. It was Flutterbat. Somepony who was never meant to exist." Part of me is still in shock, but I was still be able to respond, "But I-" "Shin." Fluttershy stopped me and spoke, "Flutterbat wasn't real, and... you're just going to have to accept the fact that... she's gone." "..." Silence flooded the room. Suddenly, I broke down crying, the mare that I loved, more than anything else in Equestria... ...Was gone forever. And I knew I was never going to see her again. I couldn't stop crying. Not even for a second. "I think Shin needs to be alone right now." Twilight suggested. Everypony else nodded in agreement and began to leave the room, but Rainbow Dash stayed for a moment and put her right forehoof to the top of my head and started rubbing it. "Hey, um, sorry about, well, ya know, everything I did to you." I looked up and saw the guilt on her face. She really is sorry. "It... It's ok. *sniff* I-I understand." I sobbed as I spoke. "...I'll see ya later." She left the room after that. I cried for a good ten minutes until the nurse came in, "Shin, there's somepony that wants to see you." I pulled my hooves away from my face to look at the nurse, "W-Who is it?" She looked out in the hallway, "I don't know, she never said her name." I went from sad to curious, "She?" Then all of a sudden, a unicorn mare walked in the room, it was Floral Allure. "Floral?!" I said, completely surprised. "I'll leave you two alone." The nurse exited the room into the hallway. Floral pulled up a chair with her magic and sat close to my bed. "Hey." I said, as kind as she can be. I looked down at my hooves, "What do you want?" Floral put her hoof to mine, "I just wanted to see my favorite stallion." She answered, her voice changing from kind to sweet. "Yeah, right." I replied with sadness in my voice. I continued to speak, "Why are you even talking to me?" Floral looked confused, "I-I don't know-" "Don't pretend that you don't know!" I interrupted, angrily, "I'm a freak, remember!? You should hate me! You should be knocking me silly!..." I half-yelled, but I wasn't finished, "...And yet," I looked down at my hooves again, "You still think of me as a friend." I returned my gaze to Floral, "I don't understand you." I finally finished speaking my mind, something that I could never do. She put her hoof from my hoof to my face, "Abandoning you... was a mistake." I looked as if I was about to die from shock, I couldn't believe what she said, and the part that surprised me the most... She said that with complete and total honesty. "You... you mean it?" I asked. She got up from her chair and took a couple of steps back. "Cross my heart, and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." she replied as she crossed an X on her chest with her hoof, fluttered both her hooves and put one of her hooves in front of her eye. I was really confused when she did that, but I tried to process what she was doing, she walked up to me and said, "It's something Pinkie Pie taught me." Now it made perfect sense. Before I knew it, she brought her muzzle closer to mine and soon our lips met. I may have met a mare who understood me, but now... I met a mare who accepted me. "Yes!" An unknown whisper came from the door, it was a crack open and we saw six mares in the hallway. Twilight and her friends were spying on us. The door quickly slammed shut and Floral and I shared another kiss. I finally have something that I thought that I would never get. I have found "True Happiness". > Epilogue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was in the hospital for a week before I was released, the doctor said that I had made a full recovery, no memory loss, no permanent damage, he said it seemed like whoever hit me didn't swing with everything they had. Floral explained to me that she's the one who hit me with the branch that night, but I didn't get mad. I knew she was just protecting me. Twilight and her friends apologized up and down for everything that has happened, especially Applejack and Rainbow Dash, but I forgave them all the same, I wasn't the kind of pony who holds a grudge. Brute Force and Temper Tantrum were forbidden to set hoof on Ponyville soil, the princesses had increased security around Ponyville to keep them out, thanks to a letter that was sent to them from a certain purple alicorn that I know. Everything in Ponyville, even Sweet Apple Acres, went back to normal, but there was one difference, Floral had decided to move in with me in Ponyville, I had sent a letter to my parents telling them to visit soon, I would love for them to see me and my new marefriend living together happily. Also, I will have to explain to them everything that has happened to me for the past 18 years, but now, everything was ok, and I had no more worries, because of Floral Allure. Can you keep a secret? Sometime, if our love truly flourishes... ...I am going to ask her to marry me. ~~THE END~~