Fluttershy

Sky Buster's funeral was held exactly one month after his death. It as an odd coincidence that the weather reflected the somber mood around us. The once bright blue sky was replaced with a dead grey and rain poured down from the clouds. We didn't bother to clear the weather. Everypony, especially my good friend Rainbow Dash, was caught up in grief that filled the whole town. Twilight and AnY took front stage to read out his eulogy.

“What would one pony say would be the mark of a great soldier? Patriotism? Honor? Sacrifice? We all know that Sky Buster was a pony we could always count on in our time of need. He was a shining beacon of hope for all those who fought alongside him and to those who called him friend. A normal pony like you or I that did so many good things for Equestria and the worlds beyond. He was a friend, soldier, husband, and part of our family among the stars. Decorated and loved by many nations, liberator of lands like Vulcan Sol and Tidas Aurora. Sky Buster was one of the legends of our time. Please, let us all take a moment of silence to celebrate the life of our brother in arms,” Twilight spoke on with a heavy heart. I could see the tears in her face that contrasted with the rain.

We all stood still and silent. The only one of us still sobbing was Rainbow Dash as the coffin was lowered into the grave. I gave her my shoulder to cry into as I saw our childhood friend lowered into place. I cried with her and held Rainbow close. I was no stranger to death. Most animals ever live long enough to outlast most ponies. Every time I had to say goodbye to any of my dying animal friends I'd give them a nice warm bed and make them as comfortable as can be before their final moments. All of the animals under my care died happy knowing that they lived a good life.

This was different. There was no happy ending, no last goodbyes, kisses on the forehead, or a lullaby to sing him to final slumber. He was dead. He died of one of the most horrific ways I could think of. And this was a pony, a friend, my friend. I went to school with him, played games in flight camp, and remembered him as a happy go lucky colt that liked to race around with Rainbow at breakneck speed. I flew with him in the same squadron during all those wars, all those awful wars. He was the one who told me that peace was worth fighting for. He saved my life on many occasions and never judged me for who I was or what I did. Like Rainbow, he was one of the few ponies I could really be comfortable around. He really loved animals too, especially insects. There was such a cruel irony to his death, killed by a very thing he once loved.

“Troops! Three volley salute!” Antony stepped up on the pedestal with Kim, Dawny, and Rolo. They all shouldered AK-47s, Sky's favorite rifle, as they stepped onto the stage. Kim was using Buster's personal AK as they fired three times in unison. It was followed by a flight of four pegasi overhead in formation with one peeling away. It was a fitting end for our friend. We all formed a line to say our final goodbyes at the end of the ceremony.

“You were the best military adviser I could ever hope for. And one of the most loyal guardians to have served under my rule,” Twilight was first to pay her respects. Rainbow requested to be the last.

"Ruhe in frieden mein freund,“ AnY was next.

“You gave your life to save me. Thank you sir!“ then Antony. He saluted and his wife came next.

“You helped us to win the war. We will never forget.“

Puzzle began to play on his lute and sing, “He said: Son, have you seen the world? Well what would you say, if I said that you could... Just carry this gun, you'll even get paid. I said: That sounds pretty good. Black leather boots, spit shined so bright. They cut off my hair, but it looked alright. We marched and we sang, we all became friends. As we learned how to fight...“

The line moved along as he continued the song.

“Even though you were always annoying as fuck, you were always a cool bro dude. We're gonna miss you Sky Buster,“ Digi paid his rather vulgar regards. Knowing Sky he wouldn't have cared for the langauge.

“Although I barely knew him, I've heard many a story. He was a great pony, a great fighter, a great husband. He gave his life for those he cared for most, and in doing so, he will never be forgotten,“ Rolo stepped up and held a hoof to his heart.

“You were always my favorite mentor. Thank you for choosing me to come on this mission and I hope you will rest in peace my friend,“ Ink Rose cried over the grave, “I really wish it didn't have to be this way.“

“See you in the next life brother. You did what you could and saved so many ponies,“ Tommy came up and hung his head over the casket.

“This concludes the funeral process. Everypony is dismissed,“ Twilight had her eyes closed as she announced. Slowly we all went back home except for the original four... Thirteen ponies that first set hoof on this planet.

“Of all the things I did as a party pony. This was one event I never wanted to plan,“ Pinkie has held close by her husband as we continued to grieve at the loss.

“He saved all of us. I'm here because of him and he kept his promise-“ Puzzle sobbed into Pinkie's depressed and drooping mane, “to the end...“

“Come on, let's all go home,“ Twilight trotted on back to the town hall before stopping, “Rainbow-“

Dashie lifted her head to Twilight as the rain and tears soaked her coat. She didn't bother to speak.

“If you need anything. Don't be afraid to reach out, to any of us,“ she trotted back and gave her a hug. I flew in gently to join in as the ten others joined together in our group hug, “If you need any help at all.“

“I-I'll try,“ Rainbow whimpered and staggered upwards. We all went home but I took it upon myself to escort her back.

Tank was knocking at the front door trying to get out as we came home. We trotted inside and sat on the couch. Rainbow slid her hooves to her face and cried on.

“He's gone! H-He's gone Fluttershy! Dammit! J-Just dammit!” she cursed into the wind as her tortoise landed on her lap to try and cheer her up, “Tank, thanks buddy...”

The cute shelled reptile nuzzled at her belly and gave her a place to put her chin on. I passed Rainbow a box of tissues and a garbage tin lined with a plastic bag.

“Flutters,” she hung her head without turning to me, “I-I loved him.”

“I loved him too, as a brother,” I gave my best friend a much needed hug and let her cry into my shoulder, “If you really want. I could stay here with you while you get to grips.”

“Thank y-you,” she sobbed, “He was my buddy, my soulmate, m-my husband. I brought him up when he needed me. And now I-”

She winced trying to hold back tears. Rainbow looked right at me and tried to wipe her face.

“I need him more than ever. Fluttershy, I'm late...” her wide eyes started to pool up again.

“Late? Late for what?” at first I didn't get it. Then, like the whole weight of the universe I realized what she meant. I-I didn't know what to say. I cupped my hooves to my mouth and gasped. I felt my own eyes swell with tears, “Oh my. Dashie...”

“All this time. I was going to surprise him after he came back. I volunteered for Twilight's experiment with Pinkie. I mean, later than Pinkie,” she blew her nose and tossed the crumpled tissue into the trash, “I need all the help I can.”

“Well don't worry Rainbow Dash. I'll be there for you for all the steps along the way. If it's any solace, Pinkie's foal is developing okay,” I tried to say something to give her something to think about.

“I suppose you're right. I'll be alright.”

“There's still a bright future ahead Rainbow. For you and everypony else in the colony,” I held her closer and whispered into her ear, “I'm here for you sister.”

I felt her constrict me in a heartfelt embrace, “I-I know... Thank you Fluttershy.”

I stayed home with Rainbow for the rest of the day. Things passed by as normal with a sober tone among the town. I had Rainbow follow me back to my house as today was the day for Pinkie's check up. She and her husband were there on schedule for their weekly examination and Twilight was there to record anything new. I noticed that Pinkie's mane was now halfway drooped and somewhat puffy. Not as puffy as it normally would be in her happy mood but it was getting there.

“How are you doing today Pinkie?” Twilight asked.

“Okay I guess. How can I be perky on a day like today? I'm not very hyper either like I usually am,” she spoke in a normal pace. Halfway between sad and neutral as she laid down on her back on one of my hospital beds.

“We have to move on. There is still a bright future ahead if this experiment is successful. Pinkie, Puzzle, I want to thank you both for volunteering,” Twilight prepared her notes and read them out loud, “So far so good. Gestation period should be a normal eleven months or approximately three hundred forty days. Anything to say Fluttershy?”

“Well, by now the embryo should have a visible heartbeat. Let me just prepare the ultrasound,” I gathered my medical equipment and put some gel on the probe and Pinkie's belly.

“Hehe, that tickles,” her mane poofed once and dropped again. We turned our attention to the monitor as the static filled image turned into the vague shape of the embryo, “Oh. My baby...”

“Look Pinkie, you can see the heart beating,” Puzzle pointed to the screen and scooted close to his wife.

“Pulse looks normal and everything checks out!” I smiled to Pinkie and gave her a rub on her belly, “You're all good Pinkie.”

Rainbow sat beside and eyed us. I could see the curiosity in her eyes and her head was cocked to one side.

“Make sure you have the proper nutrition for the developing foal okay Pinkie!”

“Okay Twilight! We'll see you all later, Puzzle and I have some stuff to do at the rock quarry,” Pinkie waved goodbye and trotted away with her husband. Rainbow looked back at them and stood there with a depressed and shallow look.

“It's your turn Rainbow. I know you want to keep this a secret,” Twi gave her a comforting pat.

“I know. That's why I came along,” she laid down on the same bed and spread her limbs, “Go ahead Flutters, do what you need to do.”

“Well, I'm going to need to vaccinate you first. Hold still!” I pulled a syringe and bottle of vaccine from one of my shelves. I tapped the needle to clear it of air as I went back to Dashie.

“WHOA! Hell no! You know that scares the shit out of me!” Rainbow dashed to the door before being caught in Twilight's stasis spell.

“Rainbow! This is for your own good. You need this vaccine,” Twilight placed her back on the operating table as she tried to squirm.

“No no no no no!” Dash tried to claw to the door.

“But Rainbow you need this EHV-1 vaccine or else you might suffer a miscarriage,” I stroked her mane to reassure her.

“M-Miscarriage?!” she darted her head back and forth and bit her bottom lip, “O-Okay! Make it quick. I don't want to lose the only legacy he left me.”

“Okay Twilight if you could please hold her down,” I requested gently.

“Got it,” she preformed her stasis spell and held Rainbow down. I carefully inserted the syringe into her rump and that was it.

“All done! That wasn't so bad was it?”

“I guess not. That still creeps me out when I feel that thing probing in me,” Dash shuddered to the thought, “Now, do I get an ultrasound?”

“Yes, lay on your back so I can begin,” I noticed her coat was slightly thicker than Pinkie's. I went to work with an electric razor so the ultrasound probe had a clear view.

“Um, what are you doing?”

“I'm just making sure the ultrasound can reach into your womb. Your coat is awfully thick and that can make the sound waves bounce oddly,” I explained to Rainbow as I gelled the probe and her stomach, “Now, I'm going to be looking for a fixated embryo. There it is!”

“Oh my Celestia... Um, how can you tell?”

“See this area in black that the ultrasound picked up? That's called a blastocyst. From there the foal will branch out and grow, like a tree.”

“Like you?” she giggled. It was good to see her laugh and I played along as well.

“Yes, like me because I am a tree,” I packed away my things and hugged Dashie, “You're all set! Everything is normal and you should hopefully have a healthy foal ten months from now.”

“Cool, but what do I do about this bald spot?”

“Tell everypony that Flutters gave you an ultrasound for a kidney stone,” Twi suggested, “That should help hide it for now.”

“Thanks Twi,” Twilight came over to hug Rainbow.

“You're going to be a mother now. You have to stay strong for the foal. You and Pinkie both.”

“I understand Twilight. He gave me another reason to go on,” Rainbow started to sob.

“Even in death he still inspires us. Go on, you've got some troops to attend to.”

“Yes ma'am!” Dash saluted and flew off.

Twilight now turned her attention to me, “Fluttershy, I have a very important assignment for you. Come meet me at Digi's place and bring your medical supplies.”

“Okay, will do Twilight,” I packed my things with the help of Angel Bunny. He passed me the case of my scalpels.

“You gonna be okay Fluttershy?” he spoke, sort of. I could understand rabbit language just fine and any normal animal speak for that matter ever since I was a filly.

“Yes Angel. I'll be okay.”

“Hey, don't sweat it girl. Things always turn out fo the better,” he patted me on the hoof, “Look, you should probably take a day off after this ya dig?”

“I suppose,” I sighed and petted his ear.

“Alright,” he stopped right before his bed, “And 'Shy. I'm sorry for being such a hard ass on you all these years. I've seen you grow girl into somepony better than you were before. I admit it, I can be a little shit, a pain in yo ass, and even a complete dick at times but never forget that I love you like a sister. If ya need anyone to talk to without anypony knowin I'll be here.”

“Thank you, Angel,” I finished packing my things and sighed.

“Hey, let's watch a movie after this thing you gotta do. Maybe I can ask my tortoise homey for some popcorn or something.”

“Okay Angel, you prepare the movie and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Good bye sweet prince,” I shook his paw and hovered out.

“Yo where that Thunder Blur pony at?”

I flew over to the door of Digi's house and knocked. Before I could set hoof on the door Tommy and Digi pulled me in and I squeaked in surprise. Digi cupped my mouth gently and they escorted me into their shed, now turned into an underground bunker filled with many rooms of odd experiments. Digi let go of my muzzle.

“Shh. I just didn't want any pony to hear you,” he put a hoof to his mouth and shushed.

“Um, I'm right here Digi,” AnY was following us.

“You know what I mean dickwad. I meant the others aren't suppose to hear in town,” Digi shot a glare at AnY who smiled deviously.

“You know I like to pull your horse apples.”

“AnY it's serious time dude. Now is not the time to dick around,” Digi lead us into one of the rooms with a tarp draped over something that twitched inside. He revealed it to be a giant dead bug that I've never seen before. It was quite odd that it was still twitching. It was then that I noticed Dawny and Rolo stood by as guards with their weapons.

“Now Fluttershy,” Twilight was dressed in a lab coat along with the rest of the science team of Digi, AnY, and Tommy, “We need your medical expertise in our autopsy of this so called Chryssalid. Let's not waste any time and get to work.”

All of them donned rubber socks and surgical masks for the procedure. I prepared my tools for the job and began to work. I wasn't at all squeamish when it came to medicine and surgery, after all it was my job as the chief medical officer of the mission.

“Okay, let's start with the abdomen. Ugh it stinks,” I started to cut but my scalpel wasn't able to dent the chitin, “I'll need a bonesaw.”

“Bonesaw,” AnY passed me the saw and I rocked back and forth with it held in my wing. It gave me the dexterity I needed to make fine incisions.

“Got it,” I pulled away the carapace and viewed the insides, “Oh my, take a look at this.”

“What is it?” Twi gazed in and held her clipboard close.

“This thing has both male and female parts. Oddly there's no tube that lays them.”

“Miss Fluttershy, these things might have the tub run upwards. See here?” Rolo came over to give his input, “These things implanted their eggs with their jaws.”

“You're right,” I took a close look at the carapace I took away and saw a tube that fused into the shell. It ran up to the mouth and was segmented along the body.

“What's more disgusting is the fact that the male and female bits are connected. It's like this thing can reproduce on its own,” Tommy pointed his laser pointer to the organs.

“Ech, it's like when I first molted in Changeling form,” I forgot AnY was half Changeling, “But this organism is so different from you and I. There are so many things wrong with it.”

“I know, it's been heavily genetically engineered into a killing machine,” Digi began to work on the claws.

“Careful with the claws! They're venomous at the tip,” Dawny put a hoof on Digi.

“Point taken,” he recoiled back and used some duct tape to cover the pointy ends, “Much better.”

“You know, this chitin is pretty damn hard. Do you think we can mold it in any way Princess?”

“What do you suppose Tommy?” Twilight wrote on her clipboard.

“I propose that we try to make armor out of its hardened monster plate. Something like an insert that we could give to our soldiers.”

“I'll take note of that. You got any ideas Digi?”

“Do you remember when those humans had those strange shotgun shells with all those metallic darts? I want to machine the carapace of this creature into flechettes and use them in grenade form. What do you think Princess?”

“I think both are valid projects but we only have resources to continue with one. Honey, since you're now the head of military command what do you think?” Twi turned to AnY.

“Let's not repeat Sky Buster's death. My heart goes for the armor, hooves down.”

“Alright, we can being research immediately. Digi, Tommy, and Fluttershy get on it. And remember: speak of this to no one.”