“Fluttershy! There you are, I’ve been looking all over for you,” Rainbow Dash said as she flew to the ground next to the yellow pony.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m trying to get all the animals to calm down, they’ve been running around since this morning... what is it Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy continued chasing after a dray of squirrels as she spoke, making the blue pegasus run along after her.

“We need to get out of here Fluttershy, back to Ponyville. You knew it was today, right? The meteor comes down today! Didn’t any pony tell you? Now come on, lets go!”

Fluttershy stopped chasing the squirrels but kept on eye on them as they ran farther up the hill. “Oh no, I know it’s today, and I’m sorry you had to come all the way over here for me... But I’m not coming. I need to make sure the animals are okay.”

“But Twilight’s shield magic thing is only going to be over Ponyville!” Rainbow said, clearly frustrated. The animal loving pony did not look too deeply into her friend’s tone as tensions were high all over Equestria today.

“But, Princess Celestia is going to destroy the meteor before it comes close, right? If she can raise the sun every morning then she can definitely save us from a shooting star… I mean, I don’t mean to be rude, but it shouldn’t be necessary to shield us from something that won’t hurt us anyway…” Fluttershy put her head down, becoming quite uncomfortable turning down the offer.

“It’s just in case something goes wrong, I don’t know...” Rainbow wasn’t sure how to phrase a proper answer, so she gave up. She wanted to get back to Ponyville soon anyway.

“Fine, I’ll tell Twilight you’d rather be with your animals in the woods than with your friends! You know, Fluttershy, it’s great that you care about animals and all, but sometimes I’m not sure your love for them is really that healthy. Sometimes things go wrong, what will you do then?”

The Rainbow pony flew away before Fluttershy could apologize or even get a word in. She felt terrible now, she was just trying to help and make sure the animals were fine. She didn’t mean to upset any pony… but things were going to work out fine, she just knew it. How could it go wrong?

There was a tap on her leg, and the pony nearly jumped from the shock before turning to see what it was. Angel, her bunny friend, simply trying to get her attention. Once she took notice of him, the silent animal pointed up the hill to the squirrels nearly out of sight. She thanked Angel and ran up the hill to catch up with them. She just wanted to gather and calm as many animals as she could during the meteor’s fall and destruction. Everything else will be fine, she thought.

Once at the top, a cave became visible not far away, and it seemed the squirrels and a few other animals had already taken to hiding there. The cave was fairly large. It could easily fit most of her smaller animals and maybe a couple others as well. She decided it was a good place to stay with the animals, and went in herself.

She laid down next to the squirrels and birds, which were still quivering in fear, despite the safe location. Fluttershy knew how to help. It always helped to calm animals; her singing.

She cleared her throat and started singing slow, calm melodies for the animals. Soon the birds joined in and sang along the wordless tune in harmony with her, and more animals followed the sound and entered the cave. More birds, squirrels, bunnies, and even Angel showed a small sign of enjoyment. It was just going perfectly, she smiled seeing all the animals with her.

By the time she had stopped singing, the cave was nearly full of animals, all calm and relaxed.

The yellow Pegasus saw more animals coming in the distance, as they got closer, she became somewhat worried. A bear, at least, could be seen. And what appeared to be a few deer, and then a Manticore came into sight. There was no way all of them could fit in the cave. She got up and walked to the cave entrance to talk with them and explain the issue.

But she did not even get a chance, they all saw each other and tried getting in first. And before she could stop it there were three animals stuck against the rocks on either side of the entrance, unable to enter. The other animals outside were trying to enter past them.

“Oh, dear. Uh, I really am sorry, Sirs, but there really isn’t enough room in this cave for all of you… I can assure you, everything will be fine, you’re bigger than these animals, you can handle yourself out there, while these ones are frightened and need shelter…but, of course, I am sorry I can’t help you.” Fluttershy tried to reason, but the creatures roared to each other in annoyance, ignoring the pegasus.

More animals were outside and trying to crawl in, knowing it was safer but uncaring to the needs of the other animals. More creatures stuffed themselves into the cave entrance, only a few actually fitting through the cracks before a larger animal tried to enter through them and clogged it up further. It took only minutes until the cave entrance was covered with hostile animals. The cave became dark and black.

“Oh no… Please, listen to me for a second, -no, oh dear please calm down. This isn’t going to work unless you, oh my…” The yellow pony backed up from the angry mob of animals, and back into a corner of the small cavern.

The larger animal’s roars were scaring the smaller animals, who began running around in the darkness, tripping over each other. The roars were far too loud to sing over. The animals were all so unhappy, and Fluttershy had no idea what to do. The chaos of the scene was overwhelming her.

The Pegasus sat down and tears started filling her eyes. She could hear all the animals around her, running into each other, into the walls, into the creature-filled entrance… she was helpless, it was all hopeless and she couldn't do anything about it. Worst of all, she blamed herself for it.

Angel found her, and laid next to her to comfort her as best he could. He knew she meant the best for all the animals. He was the only one there who was paying enough attention to hear the pony’s poor whimpers as she cried to herself in the chaos and darkness. He swore to help her in any way he could, but right now there was absolutely nothing he could do.

The earth shook, and all the animals froze for just a moment.

There was an ear-splitting crack from outside the cave, originating miles away. The earth shook. Fluttershy whimpered in fear.

Before the pony could come to any conclusions, she heard the bears and the elks and all other stuck animals cry out in sudden pain. The smaller animals in the cave hid in the corners away from them.

The screaming lasted only seconds before it died out.

“Is… is everyone alright?” The shaken pony stood up, brushing away tears from her eyes. The cave was still pitch black and she couldn’t see anything.

She excused herself through the small creatures to the entrance. The cavern was oddly silent compared to its last minute. Though Fluttershy wouldn’t accept that something could have gone wrong. The sound must have been the destruction of the meteor, and there was surely a safe explanation for the animal’s cries… everything was fine.

“Hello? Are you all okay? Oh dear, please someone answer me…” She got closer to what she remembered as the entrance. It had a strange and terrible smell seeping through. The pony stuck her hoof out and walked closer, after a few steps she made contact with the fleshy wall. She banished any negative thoughts, and nudged the compact pile. Angel stood nearby, unable and unwilling to break the truth to his friend.

Fluttershy pushed against the wall as it was growing harder for her to remain so ignorant. The animals inside started to panic, and hopped, ran, and flew around the cave making all assortments of cries. The animals that clogged the wall remained silent.

She was starting to panic now, tears coming yet again to her eyes. She needed to get out; she needed to help however she could. She apologized and hit harder against the wall, harder and harder until it began moving. Once more she hit the creature harder, almost sobbing in her own panic.

Finally a piece fell from the wall, letting the light into the black cave, and into Fluttershy’s eyes. She winced, and found she was unable to open her eyes without a flare of pain. But she would still leave, she simply had to. To help the animals.

Fluttershy put a leg through the new hole, it felt... soft. And a little more damp than she had expected. She ignored this and moved on, stepping forward and placing her next leg into the nook. The little pony had to move her head out of direct sunlight that hurting even through her eyelids.

She took a step forward and put a hind leg onto the step, crawling farther onward. her next step created a small disconcerting crunch, and was a little less soft. The pegasus gave this no thought, and brought her last leg through the hole, allowing her to crawl through to the other side.

The flesh she stepped over was flaky, and felt like it peeled off as she brushed past it. She was hyperventilating, trying harder not to think about what she was stepping through. She felt the wet fur dampen her mane as she crawled under it, each step and movement peeled more flesh away.

She rushed through and made it to the other side of the wall, falling down onto the dirt. She had never been so relieved to fall face-first into dirt in her life.

Blind, the yellow pony stood up outside the cave, feeling a breeze through her mane, she took in a deep breath of air, relieved.

She gagged, and nearly vomited. The stench outside the cave was the most horrific thing she had ever smelt.

Other animals followed her path out, only to share the terrible smell. Most of them took off in various directions.

Angel, however, went straight to Fluttershy, who stood in place nearly a full minute before finally braving the stark light and opening her eyes.

She did not need to look any further than the cave. It held by its entrance half a dozen burnt animals, bone clearly visible through the black flesh. The fronts of the animals were almost pristine, having been saved from the fire by the blocked cave entrance.

The pony threw her head away and vomited from the shock and sight of her cave’s protectors. She never wanted this. This couldn’t be right. This could never happen.

She staggered away from the cave, trying to put distance between her and it. The very thought of what she had just done forced her legs into motion.

Fluttershy’s eyes became shrouded with tears as she sobbed. She turned away from the unsightly horror and down to the village from the top of the hill. She wanted nothing more now than to go to her friends. I should have gone to Ponyville with Rainbow Dash, then at least we could be together under the shield.

Soon, however, she saw how torn apart her world had become. The houses were on fire, and not a pony could be seen from that distance.

Angel went to her side, too worried to comfort her, instead clutching her leg and shaking uncontrollably. There wasn’t anything that could be done. The Princess destroyed the meteor too late. Twilight’s magic had failed. Everything was ruined, and nothing would ever be the same.

No.

This couldn’t be happening, this kind of thing never happens in Equestria. Nothing this bad has ever happened in Ponyville. It doesn’t make sense. It just couldn’t happen.

Angel looked to Fluttershy desperately for comfort, and she looked down at him. She smiled, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Don’t worry Angel. Everything is fine.”

This isn’t happening.

Nothing bad is happening.

Everything is fine.