A Better Tomorrow
Chp. I
March 13th- 9:45 A.M.
Twilight Sparkle
Mane Six
Sweet Apple Acre, Ponyville
"How's she doing, AJ?"
"I'm afraid she ain't doin' so well, Twi but give the gal more time. All she needs is some good ol' fashion fresh air and company from loved ones."
I sighed as I watched Fluttershy cooped up in the corner of Applejack's barn. It's been six months since Operation: Stranglehold. Applejack was kind enough to offer Fluttershy a place to stay with the Apple family in Sweet Apple Acre since we were all positive her experiences with the Zodiac Killers would've traumatized any strong minded pony.
For the past six months, I've been finding myself at the Sweet Apple Acre more than the library itself! It was practically a routine now- Wake up, go straight to the farm, eat breakfast with Applejack, meet my other friends there and do what we can to comfort Fluttershy. In fact, that's all I've been doing. I even had to ask Princess Celestia to excuse me for not sending her any friendship reports for the past six months.
Whenever we'd try to talk to Fluttershy, she'd either whimper like a frightened puppy or not even make a peep at all! The mental damage was so severe that I don't even remember the last time she had talked. The yellow Pegasus simply trembled as she quietly cried to herself. I shook my head.
"Applejack, what are doing here? We've tried everything so far and nothing seems to be working."
"That may be true but at least she ain't by herself in her cottage. Who knows what harm she could've done to herself."
I gently approached Fluttershy and gave her a serene smile.
"Hi Fluttershy, how are you doing today?" I asked.
Fluttershy remained quiet as she hid behind her unkempt pink mane.
"Are you hungry?" I asked.
Again, the Pegasus wouldn't reply. The only thing I heard from her were sniffles. I leaned in to hug the traumatized mare but she quickly jerked her body away from me.
"I'm not here to hurt you, Fluttershy! I'm here to help!" I said. "Please…"
I felt my eyes beginning to well up with tears. All I wanted to do was get Fluttershy to open up but it seemed like she was only getting worse as time goes by.
I felt a hoof on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Applejack motioning for me to leave the barn. I followed her out, reluctantly leaving Fluttershy alone.
"It ain't your fault, sugarcube. Them Zodiac Killers really messed with the poor girl's head, I tell ya!" Said Applejack.
"Why… Why did she have to suffer like this? What did Fluttershy ever do to the Zodiac Killers? I don't understand…" I said.
"I don't know but it was a good thing Ranger and Patriot got her back before them Zodiac Killers were able to really put a hurtin' on her."
Applejack chuckled.
"Speaking of Ranger, I haven't seen that pony since Operation: Stranglehold. What do you suppose has happened to him?" Asked Applejack.
I shrugged, "I don't know. He just left after the mission was over. Never stopped by to say good-bye or anything."
"You don't suppose it had anything to do with… y'know?" Asked Applejack.
"What?" I asked.
"Patriot. I hate to admit it but I didn't see him get on them chariots. I think he stayed in Terran."
"Yeah… I didn't see him with us either… May he rest in peace."
"INCOMING!"
I shuddered at the familiar voice that just shouted. I looked up and was immediately slammed into. I groaned in pain as I saw Rainbow Dash on top of me, shaking the stars out of her head. She was wearing her saddlebag.
"We need to stop meeting up like this, egghead." Said Rainbow Dash.
"You think?" I groaned.
"You're here early, Rainbow. What's up with the saddlebag?" I asked.
"There's something I've been meaning to tell you but I don't exactly know how to say it…"
I narrowed my eyes at the cyan Pegasus.
"Try me."
"Remember Ranger?" Asked Rainbow Dash.
"Yeah… And?" I asked.
"Well… I'm no good at this and you know a picture's worth a thousand words, they say."
Rainbow Dash began to search her saddlebag. She then pulled out some sort of flyer and handed it to me. I looked at it and my eyes widened.
"WHAT?!" I exclaimed.
"What? What's goin' on here?" Asked Applejack.
"Ranger's a wanted criminal…"
"What in tarnation?! Let me see that!" Exclaimed Applejack, snatching the flyer out of my hooves.
"Do the other girls know about this?" I asked.
Rainbow Dash nodded her head.
"They're actually coming over to talk to you about it. We've been summoned by the princess to talk about this."
I shook my head and sighed.
"Ranger… What the hay's going on?"
Author's Note: I recommend you read my fan fiction, "Stranglehold", to better understand what's going on. If you already did, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!