1 - They Told Me I Could Be Anything...
Chapter 1: So Fluttershy Became A Tree (Not Really)
Though the freezing air of the night bit at the sensitive skin beneath her warm coat, Fluttershy soldiered on through the thick snow. It was no secret that the journey to her destination would normally send shivers down her spine. Of course, going to this very place would send shivers down anypony’s spine. And yet her hooves dragged on through the snow and through the cold to arrive at her fated journey’s end.
There was a light in the distance. It was small, the winking luminescence a tiny beacon in the darkness. Coming closer, the branches around Fluttershy seemed to reach out, to snatch at her as she nervously padded through the beaten path.
The light beckoned.
Inside, Fluttershy knew there would be warmth and comfort. Inside, there would be hearty food and filling drinks. Inside, there would be greetings and muted conversations.
But Fluttershy was not here for that. She was here for a specific circumstance. One thing that she waited a whole year to happen.
As she gently pried open the stiff wooden doors of Zecora’s hut, five pairs of expectant eyes glanced up curiously to examine the new arrival. Some were suspicious. Some were nervous. But all were smiling and welcoming when they recognised the shy pegasus.
“Greetings, everypony, my sincerest apologies for arriving so late.” She shut the door behind her with a gentle nudge of her hind hoof.
“Greetings, High Priestess,” they chanted in response.
Fluttershy nodded her head, making a curious sign with her hooves. Her fore-hooves drew up from the ground, splitting symmetrically and arcing left and right before she came down to her hooves. Many of the participants subconsciously twitched, so used to mimicking the action in private.
“Let’s start our meeting,” she offered as soon as she finished. Despite the offering of a small lounge to rest upon, Fluttershy lay on the floor, earning her a respectful nod from Zecora as she did so.
“Our first item on the agenda is our finances, as usual.” The voice belonged to Filthy Rich, who kept the record and was the Merchant for their secretive little organisation. “We have an overflow of income, due to yours truly—“ there was a smattering of appreciative grunts and nods “—publicly, my company has committed a greater proportion of funding to Fancy Pants who will spearhead our movement into political territory.“ He inclined his head to the austere pony seated at the back of the group, Fancy Pants smiled but said nothing. “Privately. we’re continuing to allocate funding to outreach programs and various conservation societies. It’s helping to slow them, but aggressive expansion is still happening.” There was angry muttering around the room.
“Filthy loggers! How would they like an axe to their body?”
“Now, now,” Filthy interjected before things could get out of hoof. “You’re making the High Priestess nervous.”
Fluttershy cringed as all attention was on her.
Lyra subsided. “Sorry,” she spoke meekly.
Fluttershy smiled weakly, dismissing her concerns with a flick of her ear. “Not to worry,” she replied. Her calm tone relaxed tensed muscles and taut mouths around the room. “She wouldn’t be our Knight if she weren’t filled with righteous rage.” Lyra looked relieved and Filthy grinned.
“The Tree weathers all,” he intoned. “It is patient, it is bountiful and it is kind.”
Fluttershy blushed, trying to hide her face under her mane.
“And it is modest,” he added as everypony laughed.
Zecora cleared her throat, waving a hoof.
“There is a matter of urgency, I simply must announce,
This beautiful forest, many ponies will denounce.
Though there are many dangers, and there is some rightful fear,
The forest is forgiving and bountiful, but many give spiteful leers.
We must change this somehow, bring everypony about,
Show them that this forest has many a pleasant route.”
Fancy Pants nodded. “The forest is a great introduction to our gathering. We will welcome them into this forest, overcome their fears and perhaps in time they will be amenable to sprouting in ours as well.” He paused, as if a thought occurred to him. “Ah, High Priestess, what say your friend, Applejack, does she seem amenable to our cause?”
Fluttershy hesitated, then shook her head slowly. “Sorry, though she has some great potential, she is only interested in one type of tree. She lacks the holistic view that we all share.”
Filthy stamped a hoof in approval. “Wisely spoken.” There was mumblings of agreement all around.
Lyra jumped in, her ears twitching, showing her enthusiasm with her swishing tail and her sparkling eyes. “It should be near time, right? We should go.”
Fluttershy glanced at the clock on the wall. Lyra was right, it was nearing midnight. Usually they would have more time to discuss urgent matters, but her tardiness had cost them time. Twilight would have been disappointed, she reflected wryly.
With one smooth movement and a quick chant, the meeting was dismissed for the year and everypony headed for the door. As she stood outside, Fluttershy observing Zecora locking her door with a quick twist of her hoof, she wondered—as she had done every year—if this meeting would be their last. She didn’t know if everypony would accept their little group, or if they would be shunned. It seemed like a harmless thing to believe in. Trees were benign and benevolent, but not everypony would understand.
They all trudged in silence, as was custom in their small pilgrimage to the tree. Truth be told, Fluttershy had known the Tree of Harmony had existed long ago, before she found out the connection with her Element. It was strangely comforting that the Tree they had been deifying was the benevolent protector of this land, presiding over balance and harmony.
Fluttershy was the last to join the others, but the first to lead the prayer. As they bowed to the tree, asking or communing with the tree in their own silent way, Fluttershy couldn’t help but cast her mind back to her earlier thoughts.
What would everypony think of them if they found out?
Fluttershy shivered, although she didn’t feel the cold. Even though she ached to tell everypony, to shout out to the rooftops, the secret would have to stay.
After all, who in their right minds would worship a tree?