Fluttershy stood with the others at the school; waiting for Rainbow's bus to pull in. She missed her friend greatly over the two months she was gone and couldn't wait to see her again (and to fill her in on what had happen in the interim). She stood right in the middle; Rainbow's parent's, Scootaloo, Applejack, and Rarity to her right and Sunset, Twilight and Flash, and Sonata and Pinkie to her left. It felt good to be in the middle. It meant she was surrounded by friends. It meant she was surrounded by love.

There was someone missing though. - Sandalwood. They had only been going out three weeks but they had formed a connection she would have never thought imaginable. She had heard of soulmates but never believed in them until now. She understood how Pinkie and Twilight fell so hard and so fast for Sonata and Flash now. Sandal was deep, read poetry, philosophy, and was very spiritual. They had hours of conversation on if there was a meaning to life and if so, what was it; whether or not God existed and if so, did that have any meaning for humanity. He was also very pleasant on the eyes as well. Brains, heart, and looks; she couldn't ask for more. She wished he was here, but she wanted to just see and talk to Rainbow; and showing up with a boyfriend might take away from that or cause some unnecessary awkwardness.

Scootaloo saw the bus first and shouted, "Here she comes!"Pinkie, Sonata, Scootaloo, and Fluttershy started bouncing up and down in anticipation.

The bus pulled to a stop and everyone started getting off. Usually Rainbow was one of the first; but this time she was last. Her face looked sullen and her usually energy wasn't there. Slowly everyone noticed it. Her dad walked up to her and asked what was wrong.

"Nothing Dad," she replied at first. But when everyone started to press her she finally opened up. "I met a guy. I really like him, but he lives all the way in Cloudsdale. So, I got his number and all, we can talk, but still; it's not the same as him being here."

They all comforted her as much as they could which lightened her mood. They made plans to get together later at the mall and all went home.

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"So you know my deal," Rainbow said feeling a strange mixture of sadness and relief. "So did anything happen here with you guys?" The girls were at the food court catching up on what all had happened while Rainbow was away.

"Flash and I went on a camping trip. It was really fun. We had to sleep in separate tents, but that was no big deal. It really brought us closer together." Twilight looked off dreamily then remembered Rainbow's situation. "Oh, sorry."

"Naw, it's all good. I'm glad for you. Really," Rainbow replied.

"Well, Sonata and me are gonna be aunts!" Pinkie almost shouted the last part of her sentence as she and Sonata giggled and bounced up and down in their seats.

Rainbow looked in shock at AJ who looked more down than she should. "Yup. Big Mac and Maud are gonna be parents. So I'm going to be an aunt as well."

"Oh. Looks like I did miss a lot here," Rainbow said, still letting the words Big Mac, Maud, and parents sink into her brain.

"I got a boyfriend," Fluttershy just blurted out.

"WHAT!" Rainbow shouted. "You too!"

"If it makes you feel better darling; Sunset, Applejack, and I all remain unattached," Rarity said trying to help.

"Ug. I wish I was unattached. I'm not. I'm in that grey area. It's annoying. I have someone, but yet, I don't. But I'm glad all of you have found the ones you want." Rainbow stopped, looked down at the table, then looked at Fluttershy. "So, who is he? Oh god, it's not Bulk is it?"

"No. I finally got that through my head. His name is Sandalwood. Rainbow, it's like me as a boy. Well sort of. You know what I mean. I feel we're meant for each other."

Rainbow sighed. "Yeah, I do. That's kind of how I feel about Soarin. It's not fair. But it is what it is."

The girls continued to talk for another hour and a half. Each loving being in the company of the others but eventually all had to go. Twilight and Sunset had early starts tomorrow, Maud and Big Mac arrived to pick Pinkie, Sonata, and AJ up, and eventually Rainbow's and Rarity's parents showed up for them as well.

As soon as Rarity and Fluttershy got in the car, they knew something was up. Mr. Geisel looked sullen. "What is it Pa-pa?" asked Rarity.

"The lawyer called Fluttershy. Your mother's court hearing is next Tuesday. You're going to have to be there. We'll be there with you. Ok?"

Fluttershy stared at Mr. Geisel, looked out the window, then the floor, then back to Mr. Geisel. "It doesn't matter if I'm ok with it; I got to be there regardless. I, uh, I almost forgot about it, about her. I am curious as to how she is. Wow. Next Tuesday? Ok. Ok. Sure." Fluttershy said nothing the rest of the car trip home. Rarity held her hand the whole way.

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The following days passed too quickly. As each day slipped away; Fluttershy could feel her heart beat faster as fear crept into every part of herself. Every night she had nightmares and would wake up screaming. Everyone tried to help as best they could. The Geisels even permitted Sandalwood to spend the night in hopes he could calm her down and give her a good night's sleep, but nothing worked.

Finally Tuesday came. Fluttershy got up, showered, brushed her teeth and dressed in her best dress and flats. As she did her make-up, she touched the eye her mother had blackened those many months ago. It was completely healed, but Fluttershy could still see it.

She went downstairs where Mr. and Mrs. Geisel, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Sandal were waiting for her. Each complimented her on how pretty she looked, how brave she was, how all this was going to be put behind her soon and she could move. They all talked but she heard them as through a long tunnel; echoes, distant, disembodied, not really there. But that's how she felt as well, disembodied - a spirit just floating around, observing life but not apart of it.

They drove to the court house where Fluttershy awaited her mother's arrival. It wasn't a long wait. She hobbled in, escorted by two guards. She looked as though she lost about fifty pounds, but not in a good way. She was pale, her skin hung off the visible parts of her body like wet clothes slung across a clothes line. Her eyes were sunken and bloodshot. Her hair was almost completely gone. She looked less a woman than a elderly man on his way to his death bed. Fluttershy's eyes welled up with tears at seeing this creature slowly make it's way down the aisle and to the defendant's table. Sure she was a monster, but she was also MOTHER. And all mammalian life was encoded to love MOTHER no matter what.

The judge walked in and the bailiff called all to rise. The judge sat down and told everyone to sit back down. He opened a folder and looked at it.

"We are here today to see if Crystal Shy should have all parental rights stripped from her based on a history of physical and mental abuse by her of her daughter Fluttershy, who is in attendance today; is that correct?" Everyone shook their head yes and the judge continued. "As of now, Fluttershy is staying at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Hondo Flanks Geisel. Is that also correct?" Everyone once again agreed that it was. "Ok then. Ms. Shy, would you care to say anything to the court on your behalf?"

"Yes, your honor, I do," she said in a slow, tired voice. She slowly got up and looked at the judge. "Your honor, for years I treated that girl like garbage. I yelled at her, hit her, I never gave that poor girl a moment's peace. I blamed her for my husband leaving and taking our son with him, I blamed her for my weight, my smoking, my drinking, I blamed her for everything that was my problem. I was a selfish, unfit wife and a selfish, unfit mother. I have no objections to you takin' my right's away from me. Fluttershy deserves better than me." With that she slowly sat down again.

Everyone sat in stunned silence. Everyone expected Crystal to say something, but not this. The judge looked surprised as well. "Well then," he said still in a mild shock, "you just made my job easier. The court hereby . . ."

"Your honor, wait!" Fluttershy yelled as she stood up.

"Fluttershy, do you have something you want to add?" The judge didn't know what was going on. What could this girl have to say? Her mother was losing all her rights to her. The case was done and she had it made. What else was there?

"Yes," she paused for a second, "I'm removing my petition."

Everyone gasped in shock except Crystal. Hondo, Rarity, their lawyer, Sandal, everyone tried to talk her out of it but she would not listen.

"Are you sure there Ms. Shy?" the judge asked.

"Yes. She's my mother. And hearing her today, just now, shows me she's changed. I want to be there with her now."

The judge was silent. He'd seen this before; too many times before. Wives, children, all abused, all running back to their abusers, all claiming that they had changed, that everything would be different. It never was. They would either be back here, in front of him or in the ground. He also knew there was nothing he could say to stop it. He just breathed a heavy, sad breath at the tragedy to come and said, "Petition withdrawn, Fluttershy is free to return home with her mother."

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The whole time Fluttershy packed to go home; Rarity and Sandal tried to talk her out of it. The argued, cried, pleaded, threatened, but nothing work. Fluttershy was returning home to her mother. They could all say what they wanted, but Fluttershy knew her mother had changed and she needed her.

Hondo drove Fluttershy to her mother's house. All the way he pleaded with her not to go. He said he could turn around now, reinstate the petition, but once again; Fluttershy would hear none of it. As the pulled up, Crystal was standing on the porch, waiting for Fluttershy with a smile on her face. The smile is what would haunt Hondo for the rest of his life. It was the smile he imagined the concentration camp guards had on their face as they shoved his family into the ovens and gas chambers. It was the smile of expectant evil.

Fluttershy got out and hugged Hondo. She got her suitcases from the trunk and walked up onto the porch. She hugged her mother and said, "Momma, I'm home."

"Yes you are darlin'. After you sweetie." Crystal pointed to the door. Fluttershy opened it and walked in, followed by her mother. Before she could do anything else, she felt a crushing blow from Crystals cane come down on her head. If one were to say she was lucky in anything, it was the fact that the first blow knocked her out and she never felt the others.

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Rarity was sitting in her room, cursing Fluttershy when her mother came in. Rarity knew right away something was wrong. Tears were pouring down her mother's face and she could see Sweetie Belle crying in the hallway. "What is it?" she asked but already knowing the answer (or at least part of it).

"Honey. Uh, your father . . , and, um Fluttershy . . . they're in the hospital. They were attacked by . . ." Mrs. Geisel couldn't bring herself to say that woman's name or to call her a mother. "Your father will be ok, bruised, bloodied, but, . . . honey, Fluttershy, . . . she's in a coma. It doesn't look good."

Rarity burst out crying and hugged her mother as tightly as she could.

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Soon the word was put out and everyone was at the hospital. Sunset, Twilight, Flash, AJ, Apple Bloom, Big Mac, Maud, Granny Smith, Pinkie, Sonata, Mrs. Geisel, Sweetie Belle, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and her parents, Scootaloo and her parents, Sandalwood and his parents, Bulk Biceps, Derpy and her parents, Celestia, and Luna. All were crying; some profusely, some quietly, all had tears all were waiting for news.

The doctor came out and everyone stood up in anticipation. "Miracles happen, but if any of you want to say goodbye, I wouldn't advise against it"

Everyone busted out in fresh tears and they all decided to go back.

Twilight

"Hey. Um, darn it! You weren't my Fluttershy, not at first, but you became mine. I can't imagine why you should deserve this. I'll miss you. Of course you know this. How could you not know how much you're loved, how much you're needed. If I had my magic, I'd bring you back, somehow. But I don't. This world is so violent and sad and dark. You were a light in this blackness and now you're gone. No, not yet! Please wake up Fluttershy! Please!"

Sunset

"You, more than anyone, never brought my past up. Hahhh. Fluttershy, I'm, no, I'm not going there. I can't, I won't. You'll pull through. I know you will. If I could turn into that demon again, I would and reign hell down upon your incubator, that's what she is, an incubator, not a mother. Please, don't go."

Applejack

Applejack walk in, saw Fluttershy all wrapped up and hooked up and fell to the floor in hysterical tears. Big Mac had to come back and take her out.

Pinkie Pie and Sonata

"Hey girl." Pinkie said, barely containing herself.

"Hey," said Sonata, holding Pinkie's hand.

They walked over beside Fluttershy's bed and Pinkie touched her shoulder. Both stood there looking at their fallen friend. Finally Pinkie asked Sonata, "You're old; you must have something profound to say right? I mean something! Anything to make this at least tolerable."

Sonata just shook her head. "Humanity's capacity for evil has never ceased to surprise me. I have nothing to say, no wise words, no nothing. If there is one plus side to being mortal, it's that my days of seeing things like this will eventually end."

Derpy

"Don't die Fluttershy. You're my friend."

Bulk Biceps

"Good . . . bye . . . Fluttershy."

Rarity

"You! You. You had to do it. We told you not to, we told you what would happen; didn't we? But oh no, you had to be little Miss Perfect and be by Mommy. If you die, I'll never forgive you! Do you hear me? So live so I don't have to hate you. Please Fluttershy, please, please live!"

Sandalwood

"You were the one. I know it. Whatever happens, please know you were my one and only and always will be."

Celestia and Luna

"We do our best, we try to save them all, but we can't; can we?" Luna said looking down at Fluttershy.

"No, dear sister, we can't. But it's for the sake of those we can't save that we must always try."

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"Honey, aren't you going back?" Rainbow's dad asked. She had gone outside and sat on a bench. He had gone out after her and knelt before her.

"Why? It won't make a difference. The only thing that'll help will be killing that witch." There was no emotion in Rainbow's voice and she never looked up from the ground.

Rainbow Blaze took ahold of his daughter's shoulders and she looked him in the eyes. "No, it won't. All it will do is get you sent to jail or a mental institution and it won't bring Fluttershy back. We don't even know if this is the end. She might pull through."

"Dad, stop it! We both know better. She's going to die and it's not fair!" Rainbow Dash busted out crying and her dad hugged her.

"No sweetie, it's not. Life is not fair or just or anything other than struggle and pain. But every act of violence we do adds to that. With every act of forgiveness, we take away from it. Dash, it's your choice; are you going to add to the pain or help take it away? What would Fluttershy want?"

Rainbow Dash

"Hey. Before I left, you called me out on some stuff. And you were right. But that was you. You made everyone around you a better person. We need more people like you Fluttershy. I need you. All those years, I pretended to be your protector, but I wasn't. You were my teacher. I loved you Fluttershy. Not in a Pinkie/Sonata type way. Huh, here I am cracking lesbian jokes at a time like this. Of course if you can here me, I guess you wouldn't have it any other way, would you.

"How do you say goodbye to someone you love? Script writers do it. Novelist do it. But I'm not a writer. I'm a runner. I want to run. Run from this, run from the pain and sadness. But you shouldn't be alone. Not now. I'll stay as long as I can. Please don't go."

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At 3:30 AM, Wednesday morning, Fluttershy died.

Author's Notes:

Here's where I get most of my information from \http://mlp.wikia.com/wiki/Family_and_relatives

Ok, this was not an easy chapter to write. In fact it was a major bummer. I considered not even writing this but I felt it added too much to the narrative not to. And people, young kids, die. A classmate of mine was struck and killed by a car when I was in eighth or ninth grade. And the whole point of this story is to show these characters are truly human, full fledged, people. People in the real world with real problems. And death, even the death of a loved one, is part of that.

Alright, next chapter, Sunset get's a boyfriend, human Sunset and Twilight come on the scene, and we begin the third and final act. Hopefully you didn't take this chapter too hard.

Peace.