AN: Hello Fanfiction! So this is my first story that I've been working on over the last year or so. The idea stuck after watching the Season 3 finale and here we are now on the brink of season 5. How do I put this...I am very much a Fluttershy at heart when it comes to interacting with people, online or in person.
This first chapter is honestly a recounting of the events leading into the story, but I felt it was necessary as a preface.
But I hope you enjoy!
Oh...and I guess the mandatory disclaimer: I'm not writing for profit, I'm writing for fun. Hasbro owns the general characters, and outside of a few instances of my own creations, they are not mine.
Chapter 1: The Disappearance of Fluttershy
Twilight Sparkle sighed. She needed to set everything right, and soon wouldn't be fast enough.
Thinking over what she saw, she made a decision. It was a tough call between helping Rarity or Pinkie Pie first. But while Sweet Apple Acres was slowly going into ruins, which was beyond her why Big Mac, Applebloom, and Granny Smith would allow that to happen, which showed signs that this miscast spell must have farther reaching effects if everyone thought that this was normal, the weather situation needed to be solved before some apocalyptic event occurred while Rarity tried to make a new pattern for the sky.
And for that, she needed to get to Rainbow Dash.
Fluttershy's cottage was a disaster area when she and Spike arrived. The outside no longer held that nicely tended look that Fluttershy had worked hard to keep in place, some of the windows had cracks or holes in them, and there was a distinct lack of animal life that seemed to fill the place when Fluttershy was here. But they couldn't dwell on that right now.
The duo moved to the door with haste, Spike struggling as he carried the large chest that held the Elements of Harmony. Pausing for a moment, Twilight could tell something wasn't quite right. The place was too quiet, especially being the home for a large amount of animals. Worried, the unicorn pushed open the door and looked around the room, having to look twice to confirm what she was seeing.
"Rainbow!" Twilight cried out, seeing her friend placed in a cauldron while the animals did some ritualistic chant around her.
She found it odd that herbivores would even consider eating a pony in the first place. Perhaps there was a book in the library on this? There was this one book written by some unicorn who looked at psychological behaviors under stress when...
"Twilight! Help!" Rainbow Dash cried.
That doesn't matter right now, Twilight shook her head, kicked out of her thoughts. She needed to work on rescuing the pegasus right now. Within seconds she had a rough plan in mind.
"Hold on, Rainbow!"
Twilight concentrated her powers and unleashed a levitation spell. Which worked fine until the critters noticed that Rainbow was escaping. Small rodents in the room chittered angrily while the birds wasted no time in diving straight at Rainbow Dash, blocking Twilight's attempts at moving the pony away from the cauldron. In the back of the room a lone bear stumbled forward, growling menacingly as he stumbled forward.
"Rainbow Dash," Spike called out in fear from her side, watching as the animals took offense to their attempted rescue.
Twilight took a breath to study the situation further. Just floating her out of there wouldn't work. She needed to shield her from all these furious animals!
Without a second thought she unleashed a small purple bubble of a shield around Rainbow Dash, protecting her from the swarming birds and angry critters that attempted to stab at her from the floor. It would do for a temporary form of protection, but with Twilight having to constantly focus to work on the spell, it couldn't last long.
"Twilight! Look out!" Spike shouted, grabbing her attention away from her current puzzle.
Twilight looked down, noticing all the small rodents and other woodland creatures that were rushing to her position with Angel Bunny leading the charge.
That bunny was always too smart for its own good, Twilight thought, just before the flood of animals swept her up. Twilight shrieked as she was knocked off of her hooves, losing concentration of her shield spell over Rainbow.
"Twilight!" Rainbow Dash's distressed voice cried from across the room where she landed and began to disappear under an ever growing pile of angry animals.
"No! Rainbow!" Twilight shouted as she slowly lost sight of her friend with the various critters climbing over her.
What are you doing, Twilight? Use your head! Twilight yelled at herself. Shield spell won't work with all these distractions! While I could cut the rope with my magic, I run the risk of hurting Rainbow, or even these animals, in the process if I can't concentrate the spells properly! I just need to get to her...Thats it!
Twilight gathered her powers once more and concentrated on the spell she needed. With intent in mind, the unicorn found herself removed from where Angel Bunny made to stab her with a fork and placed right above where Rainbow Dash was buried under the animals.
"Rainbow," Twilight called as she fell to the floor, pulling out a blue hoof of said pegasus as she pushed through the pile of critters. Rainbow used Twilight's arm to pull herself up, shaking off the small creatures.
"I thought I was a goner there for a second," Rainbow chuckled as she knocked away a stray squirrel that attached itself to her wing.
Twilight went to respond when they heard the low roar of the bear in the room. Looking around, the found that the creature loomed directly overhead, ready to swoop down for one final swing.
"Hold on Rainbow!" Twilight cried out, hugging Rainbow close to her as she let loose one more teleportation spell.
In a flash they were out of swiping distance of the bears arm and over by the front door. Rainbow Dash fell to the floor, eyes swimming in and out of focus at the sudden jump they just did. Twilight smirked lightly as she recalled her own first time teleporting. It did tend to make one dizzy.
Shaking her mane, she looked for the last member of her party, finding the small dragon stuck in a corner of the room, standing upon a table where Angle Bunny now had gathered a new group to take down her assistant.
"Spike!" Twilight called, levitating him off the nearby table where he was swatting at the animals with one hand and protecting the elements of harmony with his other. With the small dragon now by her side she created one more shield around the three of them. The animals quickly formed up, knocking against her magical force field with fury.
"Spike, I need you to untie Rainbow Dash for me!" Twilight commanded, keeping her eyes on the animals all around them instead of watching his progress. The creatures in the cabin were getting their bearings and looking to make another attack towards them. Already small squirrels and rats were bashing acorns and nuts against her shield to try and break it.
"How are we going to get out of here?" Spike asked as he struggled with one hand with the knots.
"Can't you teleport us out again?" Rainbow glanced nervously at the animals all around them, giving Spike a thankful nod as she stretched her wings out.
"I can try," Twilight gritted out.
It was hard enough trying to keep this barrier up with all of the animals washing against it like waves, "Hold on to me! I haven't really teleported so many ponies at once before!"
As Twilight began the spell, the shield fell. The animals, seeing their opportunity, moved in with one final push. Rainbow Dash and Spike both screamed in horror at the claws and teeth that descended upon them.
Suddenly the magic took effect and with a slight pull, they appeared outside the cottage, falling to the ground in one big pile. The sound of all the animals crashing against the floor could be heard from inside.
Rainbow rightened herself the fastest, quickly glancing back at the cottage in fear, "Block the door! That bear knows how to work locks!"
Twilight didn't need another word as she levitated a nearby boulder, placing in front of the door. Not even a minute later, the door sounded like it was trying to open but kept clattering against the rock.
"How did this happen?" Twilight asked, out of breath.
"I don't know!" Rainbow cried dejectedly, "I swear that everything was going alright for the longest time, but today it was like I had never been with the animals before! I don't get it! Isn't this my job, what my cutie mark shows is my destiny? So why am I feeling so miserable?"
"It'll be ok Rainbow," Twilight tried to comfort her friend.
"Ok? How will it be "ok" when I can't even handle what my own destiny is telling me to do!" Rainbow screamed in frustration. With a sigh her gaze leveled with the ground in sadness.
"Maybe," the pegasus's voice choked out softly, almost like a squeak. She paused for a moment, then started again, "Maybe I should just give up. I could always return to Cloudsdale, or maybe that Zoo I've heard about in Phillydelphia..."
"Rainbow," Twilight whispered in sadness. With a quick hug she finally caught the depressed ponies eyes, "Listen, I know today has been...hard. But before you go and do anything drastic, how about we go visit some of our other friends? I've heard that Rarity is having issues with the weather. Maybe some flying would help take your mind off of all of this for a bit?"
"Flying?" Rainbow smiled big at the thought, "Well, I've always wanted to fly, you know, for fun and all. Maybe be apart of the Wonderbolts!"
The smile didn't last long, as it slowly vanished from her face as she gazed back at the cottage, "It's just that the animals...I couldn't leave them like that. They need lots of supervision and I can't just leave them for something like the Wonderbolt's academy. I've been stuck watching from afar..."
"Then wouldn't this be the perfect time to try?" Twilight pushed, "I mean, you look like you could use some cheering up, and flying always seems to make you happy. You could always pretend like it is a Wonderbolts audition!"
Rainbow Dash gave Twilight a long look before she chuckled softly and relented, "Ok, Twilight. I didn't say I was afraid of flying or anything like that. Anyways, this is Rarity we're talking about! She is our friend, and I could use some time away from those-those beasts."
She gestured over at the cottage, where the window panes shook violently against their frames.
"We better hurry along then," Twilight smiled in relief. She had been worried for a second there that she wouldn't be able to convince Rainbow Dash to follow her.
With a glance back over to Ponyville, she tried to remember where she last saw their fashionista, "I think Rarity was in the middle of town last I checked. Let's start there."
The group walked along the path into town, somehow avoiding getting drenched by the randomly placed rain clouds. Spike running to keep up as he held the container for the elements above his head.
"Hey! Rarity!," Twilight called as they caught sight of her from across the bridge, "Need some help?"
"Why, darling," Rarity sighed, tears ready to spill out of her eyes, "I-I really don't know. While I love the offer, isn't this my duty to Ponyville?"
"A little help never hurt anypony," Twilight smiled at her. Glancing at her side, she nudged Rainbow towards Rarity, "Come on, Rainbow. Get up there and help her clear up this weather!"
"Al-alright," Rainbow said, uncertainty wavering through her voice. Softly hovering in the air, she cautiously floated up to one of the nearby clouds.
"Please be careful!" Rarity called from down below, "Those thundery ones keep giving me problems!"
Rainbow Dash hummed in acknowledgement, staring uncertainly at the cloud in front of her. She stared at the cloud in confusion, she glanced down at the others for some hint of what to do now. Twilight waved her hoof around, trying to urge her forward. Rainbow sighed and closed her eyes, hesitantly punching the cloud in front of her. Opening her eyes, she stared in awe at the now dissipated cloud.
That was...That was awesome! Rainbow internally laughed. Flying up to another cloud to see if the same thing would happen, she laughed in excitement as it vanished once more. Now this she could get used to!
From down below Twilight gave a large grin as she watched Rainbow slowly act more in character. Cloud after cloud disappeared from the sky as the pegasus got more into the spirit of things. A karate like kick here, a punch there, and soon the whole sky began to beam bright rays of sun upon Ponyville.
"Awesome!" Rainbow cried out as she floated back down to the group, "This is so cool! I can't believe it!"
The group from down below watched as Rainbow began to glow lightly as she chattered away in excitement, pantomiming her actions for them all.
"That was amazing, dear!" Rarity called out, "Have you done this before? I can't say I've seen anypony take to weather duty as much as you."
"No," Rainbow said proudly, "But it feels so right! Like I should have been doing this all along!"
Twilight smiled at the two, taking the distraction to signal Spike over with the elements. With a small burst of magic she placed Rainbow Dash's element necklace on her, watching in horror as the pegasi to go very still then fall to the ground. The whole group rushed forward to check on their friend.
"What happened?" Rainbow shook her head in confusion. Sitting up, she spotted her bookworm friend, "Twilight? What just happened? I've got to say that I may have had the weirdest dream ever…."
Twilight looked down at the pegasus's cutie mark, sighing in relief as she spotted the cloud and rainbow lightning bolt upon her flank. With a soft smile she caught Rainbow's gaze.
"Perhaps you can tell me later," Twilight offered. With a worried look, she settled her gaze upon Rarity, "But first we need to get to the dress boutique! Applejack is making dresses!"
Rainbow Dash made a horrified face at the thought of the farm pony becoming a fashion designer, "That can't be good. She'll lose the shop in a day!"
"Well, that would be terrible!" Rarity said in shock, as though the thought of Applejack and dresses was normal and her losing the shop was a new thought, "Applejack puts her heart and soul into that place! We couldn't possibly let it close with all those beautiful dresses she makes!"
Twilight grimaced at the thought of Applejack continuing with the dresses but shook off the thought as they made their way towards the dress parlor. With some convincing, and a bit of song, they were slowly able to get Rarity to work with the dresses. Rarity, much like Rainbow Dash, hesitated at first, giving uncertain glances to her friends with each choice of ribbon and fabric. Yet after a few gentle nods from Twilight, a some pitiful glances from Applejack, Rarity began to flourish under the variety of colors and textures of the fabrics around her. Applejack stared in amazement at the product the unicorn produced in a matter of minutes while Twilight and Rainbow smiled knowingly to one another at the return of their friend.
As with before, when Rarity began to glow Twilight gave her her corresponding element. One flash later and Rarity had once again received her normal cutie mark.
"I was having a nightmare," Rarity stated loudly as she shook her head.
Glancing around at her friends, she spotted Applejack standing next to the most horrid dress she had ever laid eyes on, "Maybe I still am."
Twilight laughed, bringing up the trouble over at the farm. The group took Applejack over to Sweet Apple Acres, where they took a few hours to reacquaint the earth pony with the farm. Like all those before her, she took to her true destiny like a fish in water. With the addition of the necklace, Applejack finally returned to normal, with memories and all.
"Come on, ya'll!" Applejack cried out happily, "Even from within that shop, you could tell the town is upset."
"Pinkie Pie," Twilight smiled, "Would you like to help us out?"
"O-okay," Pinkie muttered in uncertainty, "But isn't this the same sort of thing Fluttershy does? I thought that was her job."
"Fluttershy needs your help, darling," Rarity offered with a smile.
"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash said from above,"It would help our friend and the town out! "
Giving the thought a chance, Pinkie Pie gave a half-hearted shrug and followed her friends. As the group marched back into the town they could all see the effect of losing their beacon of laughter and smiles had done. Fluttershy was not in sight, but the slowly growing mob of ponies told Twilight that her timid friend would have to wait. No matter how they felt about getting their last friend back to normal, the town was about to descend into an angry storm of destruction.
Applejack gave a wicked grin as she shoved some goofy glasses onto Pinkie Pie and pushed her out into the town square. The whole town stared in confusion at the sudden entrance of such a strange pony before they began to giggle at such a ridiculous sight. Pinkie caught onto the infectious laughter like a leech and began to laugh with them.
"Hey everypony!" Pinkie called out with a smile, her curls returning to her hair like magic.
"PINKIE!" The crowd cried out in glee. A few goofy dances and cheers later, not to mention a well timed spell that put the element of laughter back onto the pony, and Pinkie Pie had returned to the group.
"Come on, girls!" Pinkie said with a smile, looking utterly ridiculous with the glasses still on her face, "Fluttershy needs us!"
"She was last in Sugarcube corner!" Twilight laughed. This was it! One more pony, and everything will be returned to normal. Her mistake erased and she could begin to work at earning her friend's forgiveness!
"Mrs. Cake!" Pinkie called in sing-song voice as they entered the small sweets shop.
"Pinkie? Pinkie!" Mrs. Cake responded from the back, "Oh my goodness! It's great to see you back dear!"
"Mrs. Cake," Twilight said before Pinkie could go off on a tangent, "Have you seen Fluttershy around? I last saw her here."
"Fluttershy? Oh that poor dear," Mrs. Cake responded with a frown, "She tried so hard, but just could not be funny at all. She did all these sad little songs and dances and... Oh, that's strange…."
"What's strange," Pinkie asked happily.
"Well, wasn't she doing your job, Pinkie? You are the one that does the parties and jokes for the town….But she lived upstairs in her room. No, wait. That's Pinkie's room...oh this is all a big headache!"
"Where is she now?" Rainbow Dash asked impatiently hovering above the group.
"Oh, the poor thing couldn't handle it anymore, I'm afraid." Mrs. Cake said, "Said something about heading to Cloudsdale to try again somewhere new. The poor dear just wasn't cut out to be funny. She looked so sad."
"Which way did she go?" Twilight asked, fear in her eyes.
"She was heading to the balloon last I saw dearie," Mrs. Cake responded, "You'd better hurry if you wish to catch up!"
"Thank ya' kindly, Mrs. Cake!" Applejack gave a hurried nod to the kindly baker. Twisting around she rushed to the door, shouting, "We need to get goin'!"
As one, the group made their way over to the balloon. As the landing pad slowly came into view they each began to fret as the balloon that normally graced their city was gone.
"Maybe she hasn't left yet? It could have been rented out by some other pony?" Rarity tried to offer unsuccessfully as disbelief flooded her every word.
"Cherry Berry! Hey! Cherry Berry!" Pinkie Pie piped up, noting the pony that usually kept watch over the town's hot air balloon.
"Pinkie! Oh! It's great to see you back!" Cherry Berry called.
"Hey! Have you seen our friend?" Rainbow Dash asked, flying nervously above the group.
"Yeah, we heard Fluttershy was making her way over to the hot air balloon!" Twilight spoke up.
"Oh. That pony?" Cherry Berry said with a frown, "She left a while ago. Said something about heading back home again or what not. Just couldn't handle her job any more."
"Wait a minute," Twilight shook her head, "Are you telling me Fluttershy is...gone?"