In the room, a little girl named Fluttershy was carefully getting ready for her first day at her new school, Canterlot Academy. It was one of the top private schools in the nation, and she had been admitted thanks to a grant from the Equality for Minority Organization.

"Fluttershy, are you ready yet?" called her mother.

"Just a moment," she replied. Fluttershy made sure her pink hijab was on appropriately before placing a butterfly hairpin. Taking a moment to admire her new uniform, she gazed at the white collar shirt with a grey sweater vest bearing the school insignia, a sun with a crescent moon, and the grey skirt that dropped to her ankles.

Heading towards the family room, she saw her mother, Cloud Hoof, in the kitchen packing her lunch. Seeing Fluttershy, she turned to say, "I am so proud of you attending the best academy in the nation."

"Only because of what happened back in Detroit."

There was a moment of silence.

FLASHBACK
-

Fluttershy's father, Sky Chaser, was in his clinic reviewing the immunization records of the people under his care.

Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door followed by a loud shout. "Hey, fucking rag head"! It was another racist venting his anger at him for something that he didn't do.

Thrusting the door open, the man pushed Dr. Chaser hard and started ranting, "You! You are the fucking reason our city is falling apart!" The man was apparently drunk.

Sky Chaser tried to cool him down, "Sir, you clearly had too much to drink."

The man shoved him to the ground. "Shut up! My friends and I are going to show the world your true form!" A couple more men entered armed with improvised weapons. Realizing he was in serious trouble, he tried to make a run for it, but the attackers caught him and beat him.

After they knocked him out, the attackers left him lying in the lobby and started lighting the clinic on fire. An officer who was a friend of the family saw what was going on and went inside. He was able to get Sky Chaser out, but the attacker escaped, and the clinic burned to the ground. The officer took Sky Chaser to a local hospital and called the family. Both Fluttershy and Ocean Hoof arrived to see that Sky Chaser was alive, but was really damaged.

"The assailants beat him so extensively that your husband has some serious brain injuries, and his nervous system is also damaged," stated the nurse.

"Please tell me he will be alright," cried, Cloud Hoof.

The nurse paused for a moment. "He will live, but I would highly recommend intensive physical therapy before he attempts to perform everyday work on his own."

When Fluttershy heard this, she excused herself. Moving to an isolated corner, she began to tear up.

A man put his hand on her shoulder making her jump a bit.

"It's ok; it's me Silver Stream." He was the officer that saved Fluttershy's father.

"Oh, apologies I'm bothering you. I'll just go." As she tried to leave Silver Stream stopped her.

"It's fine. Contrary to popular belief it's healthy to cry and to talk to someone about problems." Silver Stream offered Fluttershy a seat and waited for her to speak.

"My parents came to the United States when I was an infant. Since our home nation, Syria was slowly falling apart, they wanted to raise me somewhere safer and free, but for much of my life, most people gave our family more trouble than we thought. Now after what my dad just went through it makes me believe that being a Muslim is a death sentence."

Silver Stream took a moment to contemplate the thoughts she had expressed and then responded. "While I might not be a follower of Islam, I can say without a doubt your choice of faith is not something to fear. Yes, some people are going to knock you down, but I can tell you that is the easiest part. The real challenge is getting up and holding on to your faith. Your faith is a part of you." What he said made Fluttershy smile a bit, and she gave him a hug.

Silver Stream comforted her until Cloud Hoof came. "Thank you for saving my husband."

Silver Stream stood up. "Of course what those drunken fools did was not right in any way, shape, or form."

Cloud Hoof shook her head. "The only question will be where my husband will be able to get the care he needs. Most of Detroit's hospitals have closed, and the ones that remain open have stopped providing physical therapy because of the budget cuts."

"Don't worry. I have an old friend that works at the Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and she can help. Unfortunately, you're going to have to move, but knowing the state of the city, it is the best option."

Both Cloud Hoof and Fluttershy were shocked. "I don't know what to say. Are you sure?" Cloud Hoof asked.

"Indeed, Peoria has the best medical care. Canterlot Academy is also located there so your daughter will be able to receive the best education."

TODAY
-

"What happened was tragic. There is no denying that is why we moved here, but your father is getting the best care and is working as a professor at the medical school training new nurses."

Fluttershy took a deep breath and said, "I know. Sorry for bringing the matter up."

"It's alright, my child. Here is your lunch and do well in school."

"Okay, I'll try." True to her name Fluttershy was shy so she never really liked leaving the comfort of home, and she was frightened of being discriminated against. Being a Muslim, she often felt that most people treated her like she was less than nothing. She never understood why people hated her because of her faith; it was a part of her, and she considered it was what made her unique.