Author's Note: Don't ask me why I chose Peachy Pie. Just don't.

Fluttershy looked up at the plain cottage. Whitewashed walls, a thatched straw roof, wooden door and framed open windows with curtains. Nice. Pleasant. Just like the ponies that lived there.

Right?

After consulting Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy had found out that Peachy Pie was, indeed, a "super-super-super-super-distant cuzzy" of hers. So she must be as nice as Pinkie Pie.

Right?

Fluttershy gulped. She hoped with all her heart that Peachy was every bit as nice as Pinkie Pie was. Trembling from head to hoof, she trotted up to the door and knocked three light times on the door. She stumbled backwards and ducked her head, waiting for the door to be answered.

It was, almost immediately. A grown-up mare with a pale-yellow mane tied up in a bun greeted her. Her coat was several shades darker than Peachy Pie's, and her eyes were a slightly fuller kind of green, if that made any sense at all. She smiled sweetly at the cowering pegasus.

"Why, hello Fluttershy," greeted the mare. "That is your name, right? Well, I'm sorry, I'm being terribly rude. Please, do come in!"

Fluttershy couldn't help smiling awkwardly at the mare as she was led inside. The chairs and tables and furniture and wallpaper were all related to peaches. Fluttershy realised that the mare's Cutie Mark was of a single peach. Cute.

"I'm quite sure you know of my daughter, Peachy Pie?" asked the mare, indicating the small yellow filly munching on a bowl of peaches in front of the television. Upon seeing Fluttershy, she immediately finished her fruit and trotted over to greet the visitor.

"Hello, miss!" said Peachy brightly. "Aren't you the one that I helped with your shopping a week ago?"

"Um, y-yes," stammered Fluttershy, unexpectedly goaded into speech. "Um... it's because that you we so kind to me that - "

"Oh, Peachy's been doing much more than that!" exclaimed Peachy's mother, tousling her daughter's mane. "I'm Fuzzy Peach, by the way. My wittle fiwwy's been helping me left, right and centre ever since she was old enough to trot!"

Peachy smiled sheepishly. Fluttershy was reminded of herself.

"Anyway, I'm sure that a fine mare like you wouldn't bother with some ordinary ol' folk like us!" continued Fuzzy, now absent-mindedly sweeping away the peach bowl to be refilled at the bright-green kitchen bench. "Fire away, Ms. Fluttershy!"

"Well," said Fluttershy, unsure of how to begin. "Um... I'm pretty sure that, um, you know about the... Elements of Harmony? It's okay if you don't," she added hastily, ducking her head while her pink bangs swept downwards to hide her face.

"Why, yes!" chirped the older earth pony, carrying the peach bowl expertly balanced on her nose. "You're the Element of Kindness, aren't you, darling?"

"A-about the Element," murmured Fluttershy, her eyes darting to and fro nervously. "Um... well... I got this... um... letter..."

"Yes?"

"F-from Princes C-Celestia..."

"Ah, my favourite Princess!" laughed Fuzzy, starting to nosh on one of the peaches. "Yes, yes, well I sure am eager to hear about this! Royal Canterlot gossip? Important Ponyvillian info? Tell me what she said and if it's a favour, I won't take no for an answer if it comes from my mouth!"

"...Th-the Princess needed... me t-to... pass on m-my Element... t-to a worthy foal..."

Fluttershy was now shaking from head to hoof. Oh, why didn't she practise this situation with Angel before setting out? Why didn't she consult Twilight? Why did she even decide to do this in the first place?!

For the good of Equestria...

The pegasus gulped and straightened up. She looked Fuzzy squarely in the eye, and saw surprise and a slight fear. She discarded this, and went on.

"I've decided to choose Peachy Pie as the new bearer of the Element of Kindness, in the name of Princess Celestia!" Then, she quietly and quickly added, "If that's okay with you..."

Fuzzy looked, surprised, at Fluttershy. Peachy looked, confused, from Fluttershy to her mother. Finally, she murmured, "Mummy, what's going on? What about the Element?"

"I..." Fuzzy swallowed and pawed the ground nervously, ducking her head as she did so. Fluttershy was surprised at how much Fuzzy suddenly resembled herself from only a few minutes ago.

"W-well... Element of Kindness... much too much responsibility on a young foal like herself... only school-age, you see..."

Fluttershy's gaze softened and she trotted over to comfort the unsure earth pony. One hoof wrapped around the other's neck, she said, "Princess Celestia's letter was very clear, and apologectic. Pleasy, Fuzzy. You must see that your daughter is the perfect wielder of my Element. Maybe a better one than me."

Fuzzy's head raised to Fluttershy's level. She gulped and looked at her foal, her filly. Peachy Pie was slowly walking towards the two mares, something held in her teeth.

"Peachy," croaked Fuzzy, "Ms. Fluttershy has something to give to you. The Element of Kindness."

Peachy's eyes grew wide.

"Yes," said Fluttershy, stepping forwards and nuzzling Peachy's forehead. "Peachy, you have been chosen to wield the Element of Kindness in my hoofsteps. You will have to... save Equestria, should the time come. I know you can do it. Your mummy knows it, too. Please."

Peachy looked downwards, then handed Fluttershy the object she had been holding. It was a peach. Her eyes filling with tears, Fluttershy straightened up and looked over her shoulder at Fuzzy, whose eyes were also teary.

"Don't cry, Fluttershy," said Peachy. "It'll be alright, I promise."

Gasping slightly, Fluttershy couldn't help beaming. She led Peachy Pie to her mother, and together they embraced in a kind, loving, warm group hug. "I know, Peachy."

And for now, Fluttershy had to be content.