Hey, I actually had a rather peaceful day to concentrate, so here's another chapter for you.
Fluttershy began pacing nervously across her living room floor. It had been a few days since the "incident", but that didn't make up for what had been done. Fluttershy knew that what her daughter had done was wrong, but she didn't know why a princess would want to involve herself in the accident. What could Princess Celestia want with poor little Wild Flower? Why would she come to the trouble of asking Fluttershy for an audience with her?
Was she going to send her daughter to a dungeon? The moon perhaps? Fluttershy's mind began racing with all the possibilities, when the knock she had been anxiously awaiting finally sounded. Fluttershy carefully opened up the door, as two guards entered.
One guard opened his mouth and with great solemnity declared, "Announcing, her royal highness, Princess Celestia." A few moments later the monarch herself stepped softly through the doors. Though the princess bore her usual composure, Fluttershy could sense an uneasiness in her as well.
"That will be all guards. I can take it from here." Celestia dismissed. The guards paid heed to her words and left quietly leaving the two alone.
"Princess Celestia," Fluttershy addressed with a quick bow.
"No need for such formalities, Fluttershy," Celestia said with smile.
"You said you wished for a private audience with me?" Fluttershy asked.
"Yes."
"It's about Wild Flower isn't it?"
Celestia gave a small sigh, "I'm afraid so."
"Princess, please understand! She really meant no harm, she was just defending herself." Fluttershy began rapidly explaining.
"I understand, but that is still no excuse."
"Princess, you should've heard the things that the other child had said. She had no right to tell Wild Flower that she was adopted, much less the right to tell her the lie that I never loved her."
Celestia motioned for Fluttershy to be silent, "Fluttershy, I think it's time you fully understood your situation." Fluttershy quietly sat down and waited for the Princess to continue, "I trust you remember the time you became a vampire bat?"
"Yes, your majesty." Fluttershy timidly answered.
"What do you remember from that experience?"
"Not too much, I just remember being hungry and aggressive."
"Wild Flower, I'm afraid still has her natural predatory instincts. The same ones you have when you turn into Flutterbat. Whenever she gets threatened or upset, it is in her nature to defend herself by lashing out. With what you just told me the child should be lucky it got away with just a bite." Celestia explained.
"She can learn to control herself, I promise."
"I know you will try, but I can't run the risk of her getting out of line again. What if she has another altercation with another pony and performs the worst. What if she has a temper tantrum, and accidentally hurts you? I can't take the chance of you or any pony else getting hurt."
"What are you saying?" Fluttershy whimpered.
"I'm saying, maybe it would be best if she were to be returned to her natural habit. She is a manticore, not a pony. I understand it will be hard, but it's what is best for the safety of Equestria."
"You can focus on what's best for Equestria. I, however, am going to focus on what's best for Wild Flower. Pony life is the only life she's ever known, you can't just kick her out like this. Please don't take her away from me. She needs me now more than ever, you've got to understand. I will keep her in control. I promise you, she won't be a threat." Fluttershy pleaded with tears in her eyes. Celestia closed her eyes and lowered her head slowly in remorse.
"Please, Celestia," Fluttershy continued, "she's my daughter. You know what it's like to lose someone close to you. Would you wish that same fate on me?"
A single tear slowly began rolling on Celestia's face. When it hit the ground it was as if a pin had dropped in dead silence. There was a long pause between the two, until the princess softly whispered, "I would not wish that on anyone. Let alone an innocent such as yourself."
After a few moments, the princess cleared her throat to collect herself, and with her chin held high continued, "Very well then, I shall let this time slide. I know Wild Flower is a sweet cub with good intentions, if you can make sure that that part of her is nourished then everything should be fine. However, until she is fully in control of her emotions, I must insist on limiting her contact with the outside world. She will be taken out of school, but I'm sure Twilight would be more than willing to help you home school her."
"She should not go outside too often, in case of another altercation. Not never, but not as often. Please understand this Fluttershy, I am letting you off this time, but if there is another instance in which she hurts some pony to a similar extent, she will have to go back into the Everfree, whether you or I like it or not."
"Thank you, Celestia." Fluttershy sniffled.
"You're welco…" Celestia was cut off, however, by a surprise hug from Fluttershy. Fluttershy, with her eyes still wet, gently nuzzled the princess's shoulder to show her gratitude. Celestia's returned Fluttershy's hug, and then silently departed, leaving the mother alone with her thoughts.
I know it's kind of weird to have one emotional chapter right after the other, but it was necessary in this case. Next chapter might take awhile, because I'm not exactly sure where I want to go with it. Rest assured though, it will come eventually...
