A/N: Alright, everyone! This is a complete AU, which will explain itself as the chapters go on. All that you need to know at the start is that it does not follow the time-line of the series at all.

I really, really hope that you all enjoy reading this and don't mind leaving your feedback!

"Fluttershy! Fluttershy!"

The voice echoes down the hall and through the young mare's open door, into her bedroom. Her ears flick towards the sound and, for the briefest of moments, she debates on answering it.

Silver Slippers is a nice mare, after all, and it certainly isn't her fault that Fluttershy has formal business to attend. In fact, on most days, they are on rather good terms - she is one of her more leniant bedmares, to be certain.

Today is not most days though, and Fluttershy finds herself sinking down lower, shuffling closer to the open window. A warm breeze drifts through, sings to her, tells her the tale of laughing foals and bustling streets and ponies with places to go and choices to make, greets her with the vigor and friendlyness that few others do.

"Fluttershy!"

The voice is more impatiant this time, and the sound of hooves on marble floor can be heard. Fluttershy sticks her head out as far as it can go, relishing in the scent of honeysuckle, in the song of the birds, in the small taste of outside.

It's there and over all too fast, because suddenly Silver Slippers is clearing her throat right behind her and there is no way that Fluttershy can pretend not to hear it.

"Fluttershy, there you are! I cannot believe that you're still here and not dressed even," scolds Silver Slippers, clucking her tongue.

Fluttershy pulls away from the window and dips her head in apology. "I'm sorry, Silver Slippers. I was looking outside and lost track of time."

The wrong words, and Fluttershy knows that the moment they leave her mouth. Silver Slippers pale purple eyes go wide with panic, and she brushes past the young princess, near franticly slams the window shut. "Outside? Child, what are you thinking! You know what your mother has told you!"

Fluttershy's head cannot droop any lower, her ears cannot bury any further in her pink mane. Of course she knows her mother's rules. Fluttershy knows them very well, as they have been repeated over and over and over, until they echoe near permantly in her mind, until she cannot ever forget them because that voice is stern and those eyes are sharp and Terra always just seems so very disappointed with her.

"I know. I'm really very sorry," says Fluttershy softly. She scuffs one hoof against the stone ground and peers up at the silver mare with wide eyes.

Silver Slipper is too busy drawing the heavy, golden curtains to look at her. "I know that you like listening to the birds, but your mother has made it very clear that this window is to stay closed."

Fluttershy gives a soft sigh but doesn't say anything else. Just waits while Silver Slippers fusses over getting the curtains just right and then, when the older mare deems it fit, lets herself be guided out of the bedroom and into an adjoining dressing room.

It's done up much the same as her bedroom, much the same as the rest of the castle. Stone floors and white walls and rich wooden furniture, with intricate carvings and polished knobs. A red curtain divides the room and Fluttershy is ushered to the other side of it.

"Honestly, the risks that you take are almost worse than your sister's! At least Luna has the sense to stay indoors," chides Silver Slippers, hooves clacking as she trots through the room and back again.

Fluttershy bites on her lower lip but doesn't speak. She hates being compared to Luna and Celestia. They are nothing alike and certainly aren't held to the same standards. Luna, she is given more freedom then any of them and Celestia more training and Fluttershy is just left to pick up where her elder sisters leave off.

The curtain parts and Silver Slippers trots in, armed with a dress of flowing spring fabric and scissors and pins. "And Celestia is always on time for her dresses. You really could learn from them, you know."

-x-x-x-

Fluttershy is left in her room, clad in a gown that is too stiff and too binding. Her hair has been braided with ribbons and small, white flowers, and she knows that she is a pretty sight. Stallions tell her that often enough, and even a few mares have made comments - jealous and snarling and full of hate, as they peer at her from behind lace fans.

She gives a soft sigh, drags her hoof over the marble floor. "Oh, this is going to be such a long day."

"You're telling me," comes a rough voice, and Fluttershy jumps and spins around, all wide eyes and flowing fabric. Even that small, sharp motion nearly pops stitches from around her waist.

The panic vanishes almost instantly, because it is not a stranger there, but Rainbow Dash. Her normal garb of silver and gleaming metal has vanished, replaced instead with rich blue fabric and golden snaps. Rainbow locks have been gathered into a bun, held in place with a golden hoop.

Fluttershy smiles.

Her personal guard does not.

-x-x-x-

Fluttershy has known Rainbow Dash for a long time. Longer than any other guard, then any other servant, then any of her nurse maids. It has been three years

seven months

three weeks

and two days, exactly. Fluttershy knows this because she has kept close track, always eager to add another number to that date. It makes her feel a little better, to know that there is at least one pony that her mother's eccentricities have yet to drive away.

It makes her feel almost as though she has finally found a friend.

-x-x-x-

"You look beautiful," breaths Fluttershy, light blue eyes taking in the form of her eldest sister, looking over each stitch and curl and braid.

Where Fluttershy is a pretty thing to look at, Celestia is an attractive thing to even just be near. She stands with her head high and her shoulders back, regal and determined, as though nothing could ever surprise her or throw her off. Garbed in white satin and with her crown nestled among pastel hair, it is an even harder sight to look away from.

"As do you, Fluttershy." Celestia smiles, and it is as though the sun has grown a touch brighter. "And Rainbow Dash - such a pleasure to see you in fine clothes."

Beside Fluttershy, the guard huffs. "An honor to have been invited, Princess."

A lie, and Fluttershy knows it - the pegasus would rather be anywhere else in Canterlot right then.

A lie, and Rainbow Dash knows it - can barely keep the disdain from her voice, keep her dislike of Celestia from showing through,

A lie, and Celestia knows it - but doesn't call the younger mare out on it, because there are more important things to do and other things to address.

Celestia's gaze lingers on Rainbow Dash for only a moment, and then Fluttershy is in her sights once more. "Has mother spoken to you yet?"

"No?" answers Fluttershy, hesitantly.

The white unicorn gives a low hum and nods. Without saying anything else, she leaves the room. Fluttershy cannot help but think that there will be more to this coronation than is originally expected.