During the train ride gave Fluttershy plenty of time to think what she wanted to reveal to Tree Hugger and what she could without Tree Hugger leaving. Unlike her other friends, Tree Hugger was always lax, like her moms.

Tree Hugger also understood being outcast for something out of your control. Her moms liked marijuana, so that's what Tree Hugger grew up with around the house. She knew not to abuse having it, because her moms taught her so.

Growing up, was different for her. She not only was made fun of for having two moms, but for them being "druggies" despite them only having it at home, only that, and Tree Hugger was always respectful of it.

So it was strange, but she did feel she could tell Tree Hugger a lot, because she wouldn't jump to conclusions. She wouldn't judge Fluttershy for rumors or things that were out of Fluttershy's control.

But...there was the snag of how Tree Hugger would view her if she revealed that she's killed (and liked it) and have witnessed another kill.

When they got to the site, it was near a small waterfall, the creak not deep at all, surrounded by trees and bushes with edible berries. They chatted about mundane things, how Tree Hugger was doing and Fluttershy spoke of small things, trying to gather the courage to explain herself.

It was around the fire, that Tree Hugger asked a question she wasn't expecting. More so, one she hadn't even realized was there.

"I've been meaning to ask, but that tall guy isn't abusive, right? You've had this hand shaped bruise on your neck all day." Tree Hugger pointed.

Fluttershy jolted, looking down, though she couldn't see it. She rubbed at her neck and it was sore. It was odd because usually she healed fast, especially after the accident that led her to become not Human. A chill ran down her spine. 'How hard was Discord squeezing?'

"He's...he's not I swear!" She put her hands up. "I startled him and he reacted instinctively."

She didn't want to lie, but each excuse she tried thinking of as "why", only made her sound like someone who's being domestically abused. Which wasn't the case and it was a serious issue, one she would never take lightly.

Tree Hugger nodded. "He does seem like a fight before flight type. Just call me if he does okay?"

That made her giggle. The thought he'd ever purposely, with the sole intention of killing her through malice, was funny. "He's far too sweet for that."

Tree Hugger got out marshmallows and was quiet for a bit. "So what's going on then? With you?"

Fluttershy sighed. She might as well get it over with. She knew she could talk in parts and Tree Hugger would help her piece the picture together and help give an outsider's opinion on it all. Especially one who knew Fluttershy when she was still a innocent little girl.

She thought it might be best to start from the beginning. When she and her family were kidnapped. She didn't go into too much detail again, but Tree Hugger was smarter than most gave her credit.

She added that they found out Zephyr was alive, but she'd explain that soon. She didn't want to jump around and confuse her friend.

Then she spoke about escaping and how she felt her friends had already "moved" from her during the year she was gone.

Fluttershy went silent after that, still processing the rage in her veins.

Tree Hugger hummed, making a flower crown to occupy her hands. "People can change pretty drastically in those kinds of situations. Some break, going along as to ease the pain or avoid it, like Zephyr, it sounds like. While others, like you, fester. You get mad, feeling a great unjust has been placed and even as the world keeps moving, if you don't have someone to help you walk, to help you move on as well, it only allows the anger to grow, it allows that poison in your heart."

Fluttershy thought on that. It did seem her and Zephyr, even back when they were captured, had taken the opposite routes to avoid or go against their perpetrators.

She looked to Tree Hugger and nodded, understanding. She then explained about the accident and becoming not Human. How magic was real.

It took Tree Hugger some time to process that one. Though she had decided on settling with prying Fluttershy's mouth open (not unlike Discord did in the beginning) to see for proof.

Tree Hugger pulled back. "Huh. How about that." She shrugged.

Fluttershy looked at her with wide eyes. "Just 'huh'?"

Tree Hugger nodded. "Like, that's weird and cool and I have questions, but if you got it under control, I can always ask later."

Fluttershy smiled fondly. She felt more nervous with her next part. The killing and the weird...whatever reactions to blood she was having that didn't involve it as food. That...in itself was weird.

Actually, maybe she'd leave that last part out.

Fluttershy groaned, rubbing her face. She then explained the "school friends" thing, deciding to do that before explaining her own dirty secrets.

She knew it was a lot to unload on someone.

Tree Hugger was crocheting by then. "I can't speak for your other pals, but I wouldn't worry. Now you've cut it with them, you can move on. Let them go like summer leaves in the late Autumn. As for the "sleep with older men" thing...it explains a lot." She smirked.

Fluttershy blushed deeply. "W-W-WHAT DO YOU MEAN "IT EXPLAINS A LOT?!" I don't sleep around!" She almost felt insulted, but something in Tree Hugger'a tone was friendly, so she couldn't get too offended.

Tree Hugger laughed. "Well, you never did like boys or even girls our age. There were some older stars you had crushes on."

Fluttershy spluttered. "That's-that's not fair! You had celebrity crushes too."

Tree Hugger nodded. "Of course I did. Now, I wanna know about your status with the tall guy."

Fluttershy blushed but rose a brow. Tree Hugger was diverting the attention. "We're just friends. I think..." she muttered that last bit. "He's the one who found out about the Vampirism and he's...been there."

Tree Hugger grinned. "Is there a catch?"

Fluttershy jolted out of her spacing. "You mean the age problem?"

Tree Hugger shook her head. "No, other than that. You're hesitating on something. I can tell cause you'd be gushing about him by now."

Fluttershy shook her head exasperated, but smiled unsure. "He's killed before. I've done...some pretty bad things too. I'd understand if you hate me." She looked down.

It was quiet for a long time, Fluttershy not daring to look as Tree Hugger stayed silent.

"You know...I think I might know where your thing for that type comes from." She spoke finally, inching over to put the flower crown on Fluttershy's head.

Fluttershy looked at her with wide eyes, perplexed. ""That type"?"

Tree Hugger laughed. "Yeah. Remember when we were little and you came by for a play date? It was a couple days after the big party your dad got invited to for work."

Fluttershy scrunched her brows, trying to remember. She hummed in thought. "I remember...a warm hand on my neck and a strong one on my waist. A blood covered hand putting a flower in my hair. Not much else. We were like...6 years old. Why does it matter?"

Tree Hugger patted her back. "Fluttershy, my good friend...you gushed about this older boy you met. You, and I quote, said "he was my Cinderella boy", all because you knew nothing about him, not even his looks except his eyes and you didn't know his name. You only stopped talking about him and doodling him when it began to upset your parents."

Fluttershy was blushing deep pink. She hadn't realized when she was little how much she had. She hoped her wish had come true. She sighed, trying to remember more. "He really was sweet. Maybe it was because he talked like were were equal, as opposed to a little girl and...you know, even now, trying to remember, I'm not sure how old he was."

She flipped back, sprawled under the stars with Tree Hugger.

They were silent for awhile, just enjoying the night.

"Hey, Tree Hugger?"

She hummed. "Yes, Fluttershy?"

"If he ever kills me, please don't blame him." She said as she remembered how little she seemed to care about her own life, even as Discord was struggling to save it.

"Why?" She asked, calm.

"Because I can't feel fear around him. It's not the first time, I've pushed even though he warned me. I put too much faith in his control." She connected stars as she looked upon them.

"Then stop doing that." She offered.

It made Fluttershy snort lightly. "How?"

"Some people survive best when they aren't fighting for their own lives. So, even as he warns you, don't think of helping him. Think, "how much would it harm him, if I didn't run?". Maybe that?" She shrugged.

"Who are you talking about...with the survive for other's bit?" Fluttershy scrunched her brows.

Even without looking, Fluttershy knew Tree Hugger was smiling. "No one in particular. Let's start out early. I know there's more, but my brain can't keep up, so. Tomorrow. We can talk while we walk. Sound good?"

Fluttershy hummed, smiling as she gazed at the moon. "Goodnight."

Fluttershy didn't sleep, but she did let Tree Hugger's advice sink in as she contemplated what to do.

She let her fingers graze against the mark on her collarbone, wondering if Discord still had the butterfly on his side.

Would Twilight and them leave them be? Or, like her, would Twilight want revenge?

She took a deep breath. 'I wonder how that boy is doing? I hope he's okay.'

As they hiked and gazed upon nature, Fluttershy had begun talking of the last thing. The Underground Bosses and her anger.

It caught Tree Hugger off guard, hearing how she beat Rutherford, having already decided on some curses to put Rich under, but smiled after.

"We're all animals, Fluttershy. Flora, Fauna, everything has its way of surviving out there."

'Everything has its way of surviving...' she repeated the thought. If they were all essentially animals, Fluttershy could work with that.

She could understand better that way.

Her anger made her impulsive, brash, stupid. Discord going along with it, only fueled both the worst parts of themselves and look how that ended last time.

Discord shot and Fluttershy feeling helpless again.

No.

She had to adapt.

If she still wanted to stop Twilight and the others from harming those she loved, she had to be smart. They were powerless without magic.

So, she had to acquire the Elements before Twilight pieces together who the Harbingers of the Apocalypse are.

Then she had to disable Rich, so he couldn't hurt her or anyone again.

Then she had to find out what to do about The Madame and Zephyr. Accord would be a problem when it came to them as well.

Zephyr...

She sighed. Why did it have to be complicated?

She would have to cross that bridge when it happened. Falling a bit behind as they were on a mountain, she had a lovely thought, as she gazed down, across tree tops and critters, that she would love to live out there. In nature, maybe a little cottage. Maybe convince Discord to come with, so he could sunbathe on the roof or even create another hammock outside.

Chrysalis could visit whenever and Derpy could bring mail. Sombra and Capper would come by for dinners since neither cared to be in nature like Fluttershy was. Angel could frolic for the rest of his years.

She smiled. She knew what "Fluttershy " had to do, in order to get her way.

She giggled as she caught up with Tree Hugger.

Once she found out more about The Madame, then she could see about saving Zephyr. As for the Elements, she'd have to steal them. Looks like she'd have to ask Chrysalis and Sombra for help there.

The rest of the weekend passed by peacefully and Tree Hugger would keep her secrets and remain her friend, saying just because a lot has changed, doesn't mean she had to stop being friends.

They parted at the buses, one going to the train Tree Hugger would use.

On the bus back home, as the afternoon sun was bathing everything orange and gold, she spotted a dad with his little one. He made weird faces to make the child giggle as they pointed out trees or odd things passing by.

Her mind went to that conversation her and Discord had. She blushed at the memory before she frowned, running her fingertips against her neck.

In the driveway, it looked like everyone was home, judging by cars.

Derpy was cooking and she heard noise from upstairs. She nuzzled Angel happily when he greeted her.

She felt a lot like the old Fluttershy, but also not.

Passing by the couch, she stopped, trying to stifle her laughter.

Discord had his legs hanging off the back of the couch, knees bent at the back and he was sprawled.

His head was turned, arms oddly above his head, like he fell back and fell asleep as is. His shirt was crinkled and rode up towards his chest, revealing his stomach and the same butterfly outline on his side.

She quietly walked over and sat beside him on the floor, running the back of her hand against his cheek, and frowned at seeing the dark rings under his eyes, the fatigued look of someone who hadn't slept in days.

Carefully, she leaned down where she had her head laid on his chest, listening to his slow heartbeat.

Her own fatigue washed over her and she grasped one of his arms, holding it against herself like one would a pillow, as she was lulled by his breathing, by his heartbeat, and the scent of home.