Chapter 5: Don't be shy

Shyness, A man has shyness, another man may not have shyness. What makes a man act shy? Is it confessing love to someone? Is it being embarrassed in a situation? A man feels warm, tangled and powerless. This makes a man protective with his emotions, fearing the world around him from others. Another man may break shyness with hatred, anger and power, facing fear to fear a man from its nature. This makes a man Fearless of his emotions. Does a man shy away from the world and his fears?

---

Earth, South Korea.

In an office that oversees the capital city of South Korea, Seoul. A man stood by the window, looking at the city which shows its beauty at night with the lights. It'll his time to leave the country soon. He sighed, he loved it here, he thought it would be a place just for him and his son Joseph Brooklyn to live. If only his work could give him a chance to even take a 10 minute break at the least. But that's how life is.

Suddenly the door opened without warning making Joseph's father jump slightly. He turned his body around "Oh, it's only you Frank, please knock first".

"Sorry about that Greg, just wondering how your holding up" Frank said with a smirk.

Gregory Brooklyn, the father of Joseph Brooklyn. Greg has black hair that reaches his Jaw, he has a black beard that has grown almost grizzly. His eyes are green and he's 39 years old. A normal buisness man working overseas for almost the rest of life since he started a family. It's been hard work, providing money for his family and not seeing his family for months, especially Joe.

"Well Frank, quite concerned" Greg said. Frank made a confused face at his friend.

"Why so buddy?" he asked.

"Joseph hasn't wrote to me yet, he always writes to me bang on time." Greg said, moving slowly to his chair.

"I'm sure nothings wrong Greg, he's still at school and from what you told me, a high grader, might be concentrating hard for you" Franke said letting out a hearty laugh to cheer his friend up.

Gregory chuckled "I suppose, thank you for cheering me up Frank". 'Something is not right, he ALWAYS writes to me. Did something happen at home?' he thought in fear.

"Frank, when is our days off?" he asked.

Frank took out a piece of paper which had two time tables. He gave one to Greg "Annoyingly next week, we get three days off".

Gregory moaned heavily "Bugger, they're really taking a toll on us"

Frank patted his friends back "Well hey, at least it's better then nothing" he reassured. Sniggering at Gregory's use of the English's classic word 'bugger'.

---

Equestria, Ponyville

It's another fine morning in Ponyville, everpony is doing the same routine everyday. Sitting on a bench with a leg resting on another, Joseph breathed out a sigh of relaxation. He enjoyed the peace, nature and weather unlike New York where it's a place of mindless chaos. It felt great to stay in Ponyville. Joe thought back to yesterday with the incident of Spike suggesting he had a 'personal' question for Applejack. He locked himself somewhere in the house and did not come out until everything settled down.

"Goodness, hope something like that won't happen again" Joe said to himself "I guess I'll take a walk around"

He got up, stretched his back hearing a pop. Joe walked around for a couple of minutes, some ponies still giving him a scared look but most of them said hello or smiled at him. It's much better then home, everyone is friendly around here, hopefully.

Joe stopped at his tracks 'Maybe I'll go see Fluttershy, see what she's up to...Now where is it again?' he thought. His thoughts became interrupted by feeling a bump by something on his leg. Joe quickly turned around, Fluttershy sprawled on the ground birds flying around her head.

She sat while rubbing her forehead with her hoof, she saw Joe walking over to her, kneeling down "Are you alright Fluttershy? Are you hurt?" said said panicking for her sensitive personality.

Fluttershy clumsily stood up quickly "N-NO! It's-It's my fault I should have been watching where I was going!"

Joe gently held her shoulders "Fluttershy! It's okay, it was just a little accident" he reassured her.

Fluttershy took a deep sigh of relief "Oh thank you Joe".

"You came at the right time actually, I was just going to look for to ask you if I could come visit your place. Is that alright?" he said.

Fluttershy paused, she looked down at the ground 'Oh no! What will he think If I showed him my house? This is my first time brining a-a boy' she blushed at the thought.

"Y-Yes Of-Of course! Follow M-Me!" she stuttered.

Joe looked at her nervously walking forward, feeling depressed for even asking, he didn't reply to her. Just walking by her side, catching Fluttershy making quick nervous glances at him.

He wanted to make the mood lift up "So...What do you do in Ponyville Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy jumped, thinking what to say to him "Um...W-Well, I look after the animal's" she whispered.

Joe smiled "Really? It must be hard work for you"

"Oh no it's really nice, I love Animal's and Nature" she said more confidently.

They said nothing else, just an awkward silence between them. Joe always had a bad time having a conversation with other people, it didn't...feel right to him. He knows Fluttershy and him are friends but are they? Even she thought this, it is unusual to be friends in the blink of an eye, Joe and Applejack trust each other. But this did not make him think that it earned the trust and respect of the town, it's simply a way of security if you like. Make the target comfortable.

Joe quickly shook his head violently without the notice of Fluttershy 'Stop it! They are trying to help me. I...I just want to know what they are doing, if I ask I may get into serious trouble' his thought were interrupted by the Pony besides him.

"We-We're here" she squeaked, stopping in her tracks.

Joseph halted, observing his surroundings ahead of him. He gasped, her house or rather her property is filled with Animals and Nature. The birds tweeting, bees buzzing, the sun shining, the river streaming smoothly and calmly. Not a place nor area you can really find in New York City like this one, of course the government tries to keep nature into our lives but for how long? The city is nothing but gloom and darkness, hatred and crime. If only he lived in a place where he could spend his time in a field of flowers and rivers. He may have found what he was looking for.

"Do you like it?" Fluttershy said meekly, shivering nervously to await his response.

The sparkle eyed human broke away from his trance, he looked at Fluttershy then back to the scenery "It's a beautiful home Fluttershy, something that you can't find in New York City"

Fluttershy's heart filled with warmth and joy, she made the biggest smile Joe had ever seen from her, she blushed bright red at his compliment. Loss for words.

Just then, a little white rabbit hopped towards Joe and Fluttershy, Fluttershy bent down to the little rabbit "Oh Angel, are you feeling okay?" she said in soothing and caring tone.

Angel went passed Fluttershy to stand in front of the Giant Joseph Brooklyn. He looked up, the sun shining on the humans face. Joe slowly knelt down to Angel with the palm of his hand outstretched. Angel sniffed his hand and hopped onto his hand. Joe lifted him high up in the air. Angel who is far by amazed how high he is, he turned to Joe with a smirk, his arms crossed.

"I think Angel likes you Joe" Fluttershy said.

Joe giggled "Really?" he asked both of them, Angel nodded in reply.

"So Joe, in New York City, is there any gardens or animals there?" Fluttershy asked.

Joe scratched the back of Angels ears gently "Well, Animals do live with us like Dogs and Cats for example. Birds fly around but of course, we do have gardens but just not as big and beautiful. We have a place called Central park in the heart of out city. It is big and has grass, some flowers and a lake. I just can't seem to like it"

"W-Why is that?" she said.

"I looked up, a blue sky, tall electronic buildings by the sides of the park, it feels as if I'm locked up in a cage of madness, gloom" he bluntly said about his city.

Fluttershy lifted a hoof to her chest "Oh...I-I see" Fluttershy hated the word 'Cage', imagining Animals locked up brought nightmares of them crying for help and freedom.

Angel who was enjoying the soft scratches went hopping up and down on Joe's hand.

Fluttershy walked up to them "Angel? Are you alright?"

Angel pointed furiously in the air. Joe looked for what Angel is pointing to, he gasped at the sight "What on Earth is that?"

Fluttershy gasped "Oh no! It's coming from the mountain! We have to warn Twilight and the others!"

Joseph placed Angel down "Take care Angel!" he shouted while he and Fluttershy ran to town.

---

Fluttershy and Joseph ran to find the others and discuss about the cloud of smoke, they saw everypony not noticing it. Just casually walking, chatting and playing.

"You must be joking, how can they not notice the smoke in the sky?" Joe raised his voice.

He heard the sound of a ball being bounced up and down. Turning his body around to see a Blue Pegesi boucning a ball on her head "Hey Joe, Fluttershy, what's up?" she said, looking at us with the ball still bouncing.

"Well, there's a cloud of smoke coming from the mount-" Fluttershy said but is cutted off by Pinkie who appeared out of nowhere.

"Hi! What're you two doing?" she said quickly, bouncing a bit.

"Pinkie Pie, A cloud a smoke is coming from the mountains" Joe spoke in a calm voice.

Pinkie Pie and the other Ponies around them didn't pay attention to their words. Pinkie Pie pointed her hoof at some Ponies "Let's see now...1...2...3...4..5..6.."

Rainbow Dash got mixed up with Pinkie Pie's counting, Pinkie Pie shoved a hoof at Rainbow Dash, losing count completely. She grabbed the ball with her wing, glaring angrily at her "Pinkie Pie! Now I'm gonna have to start over again!" she yelled and flew off.

"We're all going have to start over, in a new village, this forest is going to be.." Fluttershy tried to tell them but Pinkie Pie went to catch up with Rainbow Dash.

Joe whined "Oh you guys"

"Oh, please, this is an emergency. I need everpony to-" Fluttershy said but got cut off by a voice shouting over her.

"Listen up!" Everypony turned to see the source of the voice, Twilight, she stood on a bride, gazing over us in a serious expression. Spike sat on her back.

"Smoke is spreding over all of Equestria" she said, everpony looked worried, gasping, muttering words to each other.

Fluttershy and Joseph jumped in the air for attention "That's what we have been trying to-" Joe said but Twilight spoke up.

"But don't worry, I've just received a letter from Princess Celestia informing me that it's not coming from a fire".

Everypony all breathed out a sigh of relief, Joe rubbing some sweat off his forehead "Whew, Whatever the smoke was coming from should just blow away" he said

"It's coming from a dragon" Twilight finsished.

Everypony gasped, Joe jumped and screamed "WHAT!"

---

Later in the afternoon in Twilight's house. Joseph and the others are being informed by Twilight for the situation at hand for the smoke by the dragon.

"So, A dragon is in the mountain is causing smoke by snoring which is making some of the folks around here cough?" Joe said, leaning on a table.

Twilight nodded "That's pretty much it".

"What are we going to do?" he asked.

"We have to go and try to convince the dragon to leave, if that doesn't work, we'll figure something out" Twilight said as she got her bag with a book using her telekinesis then placed it on her back.

Rainbow Dash flew over to Pinkie Pie and Rarity, she hugged them both "Okay girls! The fate of Equestria is in out hoofs! Are you ready!"

Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity stood on their back legs with their fore hooves to their chest cherring along.

Twilight nodded to them "Alright, We'll all meet each other at the Town Square in thirty minutes".

Soon as she said that, they were off in flash except for Fluttershy who walked out slowly muttering words to herself. Joe Saw her leave 'Will she be okay?' he thought.

"Twilight, What am I going to do?" he asked.

Twilight's ears flopped down, her eyes saddening, biting he lower lip "Well, It'll dangerous and you have no way to protect yourself. You have to stay in Ponyville until we come back"

Joseph felt a surge of pain in his chest, like an arrow piercing through him 'No...No...I don't want to be useless!' he yelled in his head.

"But Twilight, there has to be something I can do to help you!" he said desperately.

Twilight dropped her head down, she knew he wanted to help her and the others but it was for his own good "I know Joe but if something happens to you then you might not be able to return home, I nor the others could bear to see you get hurt because of us. Please understand Joe, we'll be fine, promise"

Joe wanted to say something back but couldn't because she was right, he is only human "I...I understand"

Twilight slowly walked out of the house and closed the door behind her. Joe shivered in sadness and anger, he wanted to do something good for them, not being a weak person, he wanted to change that. But even a human has his limits, humans aren't superhuman.

Spike walked down the stairs to see Joe "Joe? You okay?"

Joe walked over to a cushion, he sat down, resting his head on a fist "Yeah, I'm okay"

Spike knew he was lying, he overheard the conversation, he felt sympathy for him. Even Spike can feel left out and useless. He walked over to Joe, sitting besides him "Dude, Twilight's right, nothing you can do about the dragon. They got magic." he said

Joe sighed "I know Spike but I just feel so useless, okay I'm just a human being but I still want to do something to help them. They helped me fit in, became my first friends, Twilight gave me a place to stay. What have I done for them? Just being a free-loader".

Spike looked at him with his big green eyes "Joe, I mean c'mon, you're not useless at all! You've helped Applejack, unlike me. I just bring Twilight her books, do choirs, send letters to Princess Celestia. I even think the same way, but what I do know is that we have friends that care about us, even if you're a complete stranger" he said, hugging his legs.

The two of them stayed silent for a couple of minutes, they thought long and hard about each others words. Joe looking over his shoulder to Spike, his gently picked Spike up and placed him on his shoulder "You're right Spike, even though we cannot help them in situations like these at least we have them, our friends. As long as we have friends, they'll know we're here for them" Joseph said, causing him to smile.

Spike grinned "Yeah! That's the spirit!"

Joe then remembered the incident that happened yesterday, he slowly turned his smile into an expression of anger. Spike saw his sudden expression.

Spike shifted nervously "Uh...Joe? You alright dude?"

"Spike, remember when you said back at the Sweet Apple acres, that you said that I had something 'personal' that I didn't want to say to Applejack. You made it turn out the wrong way" Joe said.

Spike laughed nervously "Oh yeah..that...c'mon man it was just some fun"

Joe shook his head "Then let me repay you in full".

Joe then tried to grab Spike but he jumped off his shoulder, Joe quickly jumped drived at him but Spike got away just in time. Joe got up, chuckling.

"Come here Spike! You knew this was coming!" He yelled while laughing, he saw Spike heading for the stairs.

Spike ran up the stairs laughing uncontrollably "No I won't!" he yelled back.

Joseph and Spike continued to chase each other around the house, their laughing and sounds of books being dropped caught some attention by the residents.

---

After about 10 minutes of chasing, Joe caught Spike and gave him a playful Noogie, they noticed the place has become messed up. They immediately tidied the whole place in case Twilight returned suddenly.

"Hey Spike, do you want to have something to eat?" Joe called out from upstairs.

Spike went up stairs to see Joe "Sure! That'd be awesome!"

Spike jumped on Joe's shoulder, Joe stood up "Where shall we go?" he said while stretching his back.

"I know a few places, let's head to the square" Spike said.

They left the house and proceeded to the town square. Joseph had other thoughts, he took glances of the smoke coming from the mountain, his heart pumping rapidly. He wants to go up there. Joe slowly turned his direction away from the town square to the mountain. Spike looked at him full of shock.

"Uh..Joe? Where're we going?" he asked worryingly, rubbing his hands together.

Joe didn't stop walking to the mountain, eyeing it "I'm going up there" he whispered.

Spike nearly lost his balance, gripping onto the shirt, his eyes grew small "What! You can't go up there! Twilight said!" he yelled, urging his friend to turn away.

"No Spike, I'm going up there, I don't care what happens to me, what kind of friend am I if I'm not by their side?" he said. Lying about not being scared but not lying about supporting his friends "I refuse to be useless, even if I can't fight a dragon...I...I can..."

"Look! It's Fluttershy!" Spike shouted, pointing with a claw.

Joseph snapped his head forward, Spike was right, Fluttershy was steadily coming down from the mountain. He ran up to her, his mind running with thoughts, What happened? Is she hurt? Where are the others?.

Fluttershy came down to the soil landing a soft thump, hearing the sound of something coming towards her, she hid in the nearest bush. Joe stopped running but walked up to the bush, kneeling down.

"Fluttershy, It's us, Joseph and Spike" he spoke softly.

Fluttershy slowly brought her head out of the bush, seeing her two friends "O-Oh, Joe, S-Spike, what are you two doing here?" she said.

Spike raised pulled a confused face "What are we doing here? What're you doing here? What happened to the others?"

Fluttershy came out of the bush, shaking her body and wings "W-Well, I...left" she said with guilt.

"You left? Why?" Joseph asked.

Fluttershy shifted nervously, feeling ashamed to talk about what happened but she came around "I...I just can't do it, I'm scared, I don't know what to do. I-I'm only slowing them down, I feel us-" she tried to finished her last word. But Joe quickly covered her mouth.

Fluttershy was taken back in a huge surprise, he covered her mouth, Spike also jumped off his frightened of what he did. Joe let go of her mouth, he stood up straight, walking up to her slowly.

"Don't ever say that word" he said to her sternly. Causing Fluttershy to walked backwards. He didn't know what took over him, he felt his heart race, his chest lightened, his head feeling warm.

"Don't even think about the thought of being useless, because you are not! Fluttershy, from what I heard you helped Twilight and the others defeat Nightmare Moon! She was so powerful that wanted to take over Equestria, making Night last forever. You helped them defeat her. You looked after the animals, I seen you care about them so much". He continued to walked forward, pointing at her.

Fluttershy and Spike couldn't believe what he is saying, Fluttershy walked backwards into a tree.

"You're more then you think you are, Twilight said that you're always there for anybody. That kind of person or pony in your case is rare back at my home. You just need to believe in yourself, if what they said about is true, then your so much more then this. Don't ever feel useless, you'll hate yourself later, don't become like me". He said, going soft at the end, reminding himself about the past. Being a coward, fearing his fears, unable to help others in need.

Flutteshy just could not believe what she heard from Joe, she never thought somepony like him could say such things when they haven't even been friends for a week. But what he said is true, You cannot think of yourself being useless, it only makes you hate yourself. Fluttershy looked at Joseph in his eyes, his eyes filled with fire that inspires her. She got up on her hooves, looking at Joe with determination.

"Y-Yes! You're...You're right! I have to believe in myself and help my friends!" she said with more courage then she ever had before. Fluttershy spreaded her wings out, flapping them, she flew off to the the top of the mountain.

Joe saw her flying off to the top, he looked down on the ground 'What the heck? What was I thinking? I never felt this way before'.

Spike walked up to Joe with caution "Joe, are you okay dude?"

Joseph noticed the frightened baby dragon, he totally forgot he was here "I'm...I'm so sorry...I don't know what happened, I just spoke out what came to the top of my head"

Spike looked at him with concern then to the mountain "Hey Joe...um...wanna go up?"

Joe looked at him as if he too was insane then to the mountain "We could get into trouble by Twilight now that I really think about...oh what the heck, I'm going up" he said, he moved to the mountain then ran up.

Spike waved his arms up and down in confusion "Hey! Wait for me!"

---

Joseph quickly climbed up the mountain, the energy he had is now depleted. He stopped using his legs so instead he used his hands to help him climb. Joe panted, sweat running down his body. Spike looked down, his eyes widened and clenched tightly on Joe's shirt.

"Hey Spike, I hear some noises ahead" Joe whispered. He quickly made his way to the top, peaking above the ledge, he saw the humongous red dragon. The two of them couldn't help but look up at the mighty height of the dragon.

"W-Whoa! That's what I'll be like when I'm older? Not red but purple" Spike said.

They saw the dragon closing in on what looked like Twilight and her friends sprawled on the ground. They gasped "Where's Fluttershy?" Joe said.

Fluttershy was behind a rock until it cracked which caused it to fall apart. Fluttershy stared and the dragon in fear then to her friends. Her eyes turned from soft to a hardening glare.

"How Dare you" she said aloud at the dragon "HOW DARE YOU!" she yelled, flying into the air.

Joe and Spike jumped at her outburst, they saw her flew in close to the dragon's face then landed on his mouth "Listen mister!Just because your big, doesn't mean you get to be a bully!" she said with a stern tone, walking up the the dragon's eyes while the dragon is helplessly in fear.

Everyone is jawless by her sudden bravery against the bigger foe, Joseph could not believe any of this. A soft and kind hearted shy Pegasus like Fluttershy is over powering the dragon who is ten times bigger and stronger.

Fluttershy didn't stop her speech "You may have big teeth and sharp scales, snore smoking breath fire. But you do not, I repeat, you DO NOT HURT. MY. FRIENDS!".

She eyed the dragon, her voice still stern and strong "You got that?"

The dragon lowered his head down in fear following a whimper that a dog would make.

"Well?" Fluttershy asked.

"But that Rainbow one kicked me" The dragon spoke to her in a light demonic voice. Pointing to Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash however just nodded in pride. Joe face palmed "Rainbow Dash..."

"And I am very sorry about that" Fluttershy apologised on Rainbow Dashes behalf, Rainbow Dash made a face of confusion "But your bigger then she is and you should know better".

"You should also know better then to take a nap where your snoring can become a health hazard to other creatures"

"But I-" the dragon the tried to make an excuse but Fluttershy acted like a mother scolding a child.

"Don't you but what I mean mister. Now what do you have to say for yourself?" she said in her motherly scolding tone, hooves by her side, eyes half closed "I said, what do you have to say for yourself?"

The dragon let out a whimper, the dragon then bursted into tears. Joe and Spike looked at each other, not wanting to say anything.

'Scratch off clowns as top of my one scare list, Fluttershy when angry is my number one of all time' Joseph thought with fear, making a mental note to himself.

The dragon got over his crying, he flapped his wings a few times then lifted himself on the ground and into the air, flying off to somewhere that can't be found in this present of time. Flutteshy landed softly on the ground, the others running up to her, cheering her, praising. The two spectators watched them from their spot.

"Maybe we should go now" Spike said, pulling Joe's t-shirt.

Joe looked at Spike then the mane six "Yeah"

Just as they were about to leave, Fluttershy gasped "Joe? Spike?" she called out.

The boys froze, looking back hesitantly, the five ponies also saw them and gasped. Twilight went up to them, half shocked and half angry.

"Joe! Spike! What in Celestia's name are you doing here? I told you to stay at the library Joe and Spike, I can't believe you let him go and yet here you are with him!" she yelled.

Fluttershy came between Twilight and Joe "W-Wait Twilight, Joe helped me" she said softly.

Applejack raised and eyebrow "How?" she asked.

Fluttershy stared at Joe with curiosity "Joe helped me overcome my fears, making me believe in myself. Refusing to let me think of myself as useless. Telling me that I cared so much about my friends and would never give up on them."

Everypony looked at Joe, curious and happy, Twilight stepping back surprised.

"Thank you so much Joe, even if we haven't been friends for that long. I'm so glad that we're friends, Thank you for supporting me" she said with the utmost kindest she ever gave. Blushing a little.

Joseph rubbed in neck, blushing also "I-I...your welcome Fluttershy"

"But Joe, what do you mean when you said that you said 'don't become like me?'" she asked. This brought more attention to the others as well.

Joe sighed sadly "Well, unlike you, I never stood up for myself or others. Just cowering in a corner, I'm useless".

Fluttershy placed a hoof on his leg "Now don't you say that mister, from what you did for me, you are NOT useless or a coward. You are a true friend and always there for us".

Joe felt his heart skip a beat, he and Fluttershy stared into each others eyes. Smiling warmly at each other. Twilight interupted with a cough.

"Well, That was very nice of you Joe, so you're off the hoof, both of you for now" she said with a smirk of amusement.

Spike climbed up to Joe's ear and whispered "Joe! The place is not clean yet! She HATES the library not being clean!".

Twilight however caught a few words with her ears 'Not clean...Library'. Her eyes turned serious "The Library is not what now?" she asked, walking fiercely up to them like a predator.

Joseph and Spike looked at each other "RUN!" they both screamed. Joe running down the hill top speed to Twilight's house in attempt to clean it very quickly to cover the issue.

Twilight growled playfully and chased them "Get back here!"

The ponies laughed, nearly laughing with tears. Fluttershy giggled at the moment, thinking about Joe 'He's so sweet' she thought.

To be continued

Wow! This chapter took longer then expected! I hope you guys enjoyed it! 11 pages! I have to admit I'm not very happy with this chapter, if you like it then that makes me a happy brony.

So, Thank you everypony for making this my best work yet. I'll see you next chapter. Please R&R