Chapter 10: Concern and Worry

Hope: Day 2
Nightfall: Day Unknown

Nightfall’s POV (Alicorn Form)

After Luna had left, I started to worry about her. But I knew that she just needed time, to think things through.

I looked at Celestia and she spoke, with seriousness in her voice, “I suggest that you give her some time and space to think.”

I took a deep breath, to try to relax and then I replied, “Could you, just at least check on her for me. To see if she is alright?”

She suddenly gave me a glare for a moment that worried me and then closed her eyes for another moment. Then she replied, looking calmer, “You have a rest while I’ll go and see to my sister.”

Just before we both walked out of the throne room, I said to Celestia, in relief, “Thank you.” Then I walked to my room to call it a night, because I have been up early this morning, so I was tired out.

As I entered my room, I lay on my bed and got comfortable. Just before I went to sleep, I looked at the beautiful glowing Moon from outside my window and I said to myself quietly, “Luna…”

Hope’s POV

The next morning as I opened my eyes, I could see that Fluttershy was still cuddled up to me from last night, on the bed. I looked down at her and thought to myself, ‘Awww, she’s so cute when she’s cuddled up like that.’

After a moment, I decided to get up and make breakfast for us both, for a change. But, before I could get up, she turned over and wrapped her hooves around me, stopping me from leaving.

I took a contented sigh and said quietly to myself, “I guess we could enjoy this a little bit longer.” In a moment, I thought to myself, ‘So, I started of in the woods. Now I’m in a world of talking ponies and now I am in bed with one. Yay.’

After a few more minutes, I noticed that Fluttershy had woken up, but had gotten her mane in the way of her eyes. So I carefully moved it out of her face with my claws.

When she saw me, she started blushing and then she asked, “How long have you been watching me like this, if you don’t mind me asking?”

I smiled and replied, honesty, “Only a few minutes. I was about to go and make breakfast for us, but you wouldn’t let me go in your sleep.”

Fluttershy started to get nervous as she replied, “Oh my, so sorry, hope I didn’t hurt you or anything.”

I replied, confused, “Err what? No, no you didn’t. Don‘t worry about it.”

After a few seconds, she spoke happily, “Let’s go and feed the critters, Hope.”

We both then got out of bed and as I did, decided to take off my pants, which made Fluttershy blush a little. I then said, naturally, “What? Ponies don’t wear clothes, so why not ampwolfs? Now that I got a fur coat as well.”

She smiled and replied, “I was just also thinking that you look so cute like that.” I smiled back and then we happily fed the critters together. Then soon after, I made breakfast for the both of us.

Later on that day, Fluttershy needed to get some suppliers for us and the critters. So she got her bag and then we both headed to Ponyville, to collect them. But, before we left, I started thinking, ‘This can‘t be real… This ‘is’ my fantasy being with her… I love her but… what if I suddenly wake up, back on Earth?’

As we were nearing Ponyville, Fluttershy asked in concern, which brought me out of my deep thoughts, “Are you okay, you haven’t said anything since we left?”

I replied, trying to sound normal as possible, “I’m alright, just thinking of things that has happened so far.”

When we finally arrived at Ponyville, I could see that there were quite a number of ponies around, mostly mares. As I looked around, I noticed that most of them are nervous of me being around. I could also hear one or two of them, whispering comments about me. I can hear what they are saying, but I just ignored them.

A moment later, Fluttershy asked, “Why don’t you have a look around, while I get the stuff?”

I replied, being serious, “Let me help, it isn’t fair for you to do this on your own, Fluttershy.”

She replied back, in her kind sweet voice, “It’s okay, I’ll do it just for today. This gives you the opportunity to check out Ponyville and maybe meet some of my friends in the meantime.”

Knowing not to argue with her, I replied, “Okay, I’ll see you later then, Fluttershy…”

After that, I decided to go to Rarity‘s place, to see if she has any cloaks as I just fancy wearing one. While I was looking around, I went deep in thought. Again. I started thinking, ‘What if for some reason, I’ll be forced to leave Equestria and Fluttershy?’ The more I thought about it, the more it worried and upset me.

When I wasn’t far from Rarity’s Boutique, I looked up and saw that Rainbow Dash is resting on a nearby cloud. I felt like I just wanted some time alone, to think this through. It has been two days since that night I arrived here. What has happened so far has totally been unexpected and too quick.

I then decided to go to the Everfree Forest instead, for a while, to think things through. As I turned around and started walking to the Everfree, Dash flew past me and asked, while in midair, “Hey Hope, you okay? What you doing?”

I replied, while I kept on walking and trying to keep my head high, “I’m okay, just going somewhere, to give myself some quiet time to think for a bit.”

Dash then asked, “You wanna hang out or something?”

I replied, “Sorry Dash, maybe another time.”

She noticed that there is something wrong, so she asked, “You okay? This hasn’t got anything to do with you and Fluttershy in bed this morning has it?”

I stopped walking and froze for a moment after hearing those words, as I turned towards her while looking a bit shocked at her and replying, “What are you talking about?”

She replied, “You know, you and Shy, cuddling.”

I replied, while I was getting a little worried, “What? You saw that? Look, what ever you think you saw, it didn’t happen.”

Rainbow then landed in front of me and said, while approaching me, “Hope, if you’re worried about you and Fluttershy having a relationship, don’t worry about it. We already know that you are both close.”

I replied as I walked past her, “That is partly what is bothering me.”

After about ten minutes of Dash following me, with her trying to find out what’s wrong, I finally made it to the Everfree Forest.

She asked, while flying again, at my left side, “You’re going into the Everfree Forest?”

I replied, while I kept on walking, “Yes, alone for a day. I just need some time to think, from everypony.”

She flew in midair in front of me, blocking my path. She then spoke angrily, while staring at me, “Look Hope, I’m not letting you run off in the Everfree Forest alone like that. You’re just going to get us and especially Fluttershy, worried.”

I ignored her and started to get a bit angry at her, “Can you just leave me alone, just for a little while!?” I then just waved my arm in front of her with anger, causing a few small bolts of purple lightning to fire from my arm in random directions, with one or two hitting Dash.

She then flew off in shock, back to Ponyville, with great speed and with a small smoke trail following behind her. Probably going tell everypony of the Mane Six, about what had just happened and where I’m heading.

When I entered the forest, a tear went down my face as I started to feel upset about hurting Dash, which I didn‘t want to do. Because she is a good friend to Fluttershy and I know she thinks I’m cool. I then said quietly, “Sorry Dash… Sorry… Fluttershy.”

I then turned around and walked into the Everfree Forest, for somewhere quiet to think…