Five years, nine months after meteor...

She turned the fading page gently. The top corner got slowed by the blanket over her. Her head rose up a few inches, raising the blanket, and the page completed turning. Light from the flashlight illuminated colorful images.

“And here, Angel, is where the princess gallops through the dark, scary woods.” A small smile appeared on Fluttershy’s face as Angel lifted his little paws to cover his eyes. “Aw, it’s alright, hunny. We can skip this part.”

“Can you?”

Fear shot through Fluttershy like lightning. She pulled the blanket off her head and fumbled with the flashlight. Its first pass across the room revealed nothing. The second pass, however, cast a shadow behind an enormous alicorn. “Celestia!”

“Fluttershy,” the pony princess tossed her head, her long, multicolored hair limply hanging to the floor. “We need to talk.”

The memories of her last encounter with Celestia made Fluttershy want to pull the blanket back over her head. “Are you here to… hurt me again?” she squeaked out.

Sighing, “You know I can’t hurt you,” Celestia sat. “I want to talk about Shy. You know where she is, don’t you?”

Fluttershy kept the blanket ready to be pulled up. “I don’t know… we haven’t talked in a long time… ”

“We don’t have time for this!” The alicorn stomped her front hooves. The yellow pony squeaked and pulled the blanket up to her nose. “She’s fighting that thing right now! You have to help her!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about! Please go away!” Fluttershy pulled the blanket completely over her head. Go away, go away, go away, go-

“-OUT OF MY WAY!” Shy screamed as she charged forward.

Rain water had already soaked her fur, seeping into the armor to the pony within. Mud splashed on her as she ran. It failed to stick, a thin layer of oil temporarily protecting her from its cling.

The clouds in the sky above were locked together so tightly no moon nor starlight shone through. It would have been pitch black were it not for the fire that encircled the area. The flames revealed the only two living beings in the entire swamp to one another. Both were rushing head first towards the other.

Shy’s heart felt like it was moments away from beating out of her armor. The flames were far from her but she felt a burning inside. All her senses were focused completely on the monstrosity, big as a manticore, that would soon be upon her.

Is this what being alive feels like?

The creature put one claw in front of himself, sharp ends pointed like spears. In a split second decision, Shy jumped. Her wing muscles unconsciously flexed even though one was gone and the other was bound to her within her armor. The speed with which she was moving forward allowed her to dodge over the claw.

But she miscalculated how much lift she would get out of the soft mud underfoot. Seeing her directly before him now, midair, the monster began to open his maw to catch her. In a desperate move, Shy reached out before the beast’s mouth could completely open and pressed the top of his snout downwards with her metal claws.

Her momentum was again enough to save her. Front legs spring boarding off his opening mouth, the pony somersaulted over the monster. She landed on her stomach on a small piece of raised land. GET UP! Her mind screamed at her, the wind completely knocked out of her lungs.

The sound of splashing behind her spurred her on. Shy put her back legs back under her and spun.

A split second later she threw her legs back, falling to the ground. Two claws slammed together in a clap over her head. The monster had tried to squash her in an instant, but she had seen the motion and reacted faster.

Claws moving away, Shy heard the monster hiss in agitation. The pegasus rolled to the side, the horns set on her helmet scraping grooves in the wet dirt. She saw the monster’s head dig into the ground where she had been a moment earlier. Again, Shy hopped to her lower legs as soon as she was out of the beast’s attack range.

She set her legs in preparation of another attack. The monster took a few steps back and eyed her. It stood on its back legs, front legs slightly raised as if mimicking her.

My turn.

Shy exploded into motion. Clearly not expecting the move, the monster reacted too slowly. Shy slashed with her front right leg and continued the motion into a spin. When the retaliation she knew was coming came, she was already past the creature.

Blood dripped from her metal claw. Shy shook it to clean some of it off. Underbelly. Got it.

The monster roared in anger and turned to face her again.

Celestia leaned over the bed and yelled at the quivering form under the blanket. “Without you she is going to die, and that means you’re going to die!”

“No pony is going to die!” Fluttershy yelled back, throwing her pillow at the alicorn. “Shy will be fine!”

The feathery projectile flew wide of its target. “She’s fighting something she doesn’t understand,” Celestia pressed.

“She knows it better than I do! What could I do to help her?” The yellow pony, still under her protecting blanket, crawled off the side of the bed away from Celestia. “Please, just go away!”

“Fluttershy! I am not going anywhere!” The alicorn lifted her front legs and brought them down hard enough on the bed to smash it in half.

The bed bent gently and returned to normal.

Celestia was shocked into silence. Fluttershy kept crawling away, making it to the top of the stairs. “What have you done?” the alicorn whispered.

She turned and bit down on the blanket. Her head whipped back, pulling it away.

The pony had vanished.

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?”

Fast pony, Gummy observed as he faced the black figure again. Low. He dropped onto all fours again. Mud got into his cut and stung, but he ignored it.

The burning in his gut came from the endless fights he had endured. He missed the other bubbling, burning inside that had been missing for so long. With it, he would have destroyed the invader in moments.

The figure stalked around Gummy. She knows belly is weak.

The overgrown alligator launched himself forward, jaws wide. Seeing the attack coming, the figure easily got out of the way. But Gummy already knew what she would do. He landed and launched himself again, turning expertly in the mud.

Mud sticking to her legs, the figure couldn’t get as far away this time. Gummy landed and launched a third time, jaws snapping shut hooves away from the invader. Their movements were again hindered by the mud. For a fourth time, Gummy pushed off his four legs and attacked.

As he flew forward, he lost sight of the figure completely. Only when he landed and felt pain along his underside did he understand. Under! BEHIND!

Weight on his back pushed him down into the mud. The figure clawed wildly at his back, seizing the temporary advantage. Gummy pushed off his left legs and rolled onto his back as quickly as he could, instinctively trying to get the being off of him.

But then there was a weight on his stomach, and Gummy realized just how long it had been since he had faced a powerful, smart opponent. Bait, roll, jump.

Blood flew where the figure slashed.

“Come out!” Celestia screamed, hooves slamming open the door to the bathroom. It was devoid of life. “So now you can teleport? So much for your ‘reality’!” A sound downstairs turned the alicorn’s head.

She leapt the staircase and landed lightly at the bottom. Fluttershy’s living room was immaculate and still. Celestia followed the sound she had heard into the kitchen. On the stove there, a tea kettle quietly whistled.

Furious, Celestia used a front leg to knock the kettle into the wall. It sailed across the sky as she thought it would but landed lightly onto the table. The owner of the home put her hooves on either side of the kettle, lifted it, and poured herself a cup. “Tea?” she offered the alicorn.

Celestia sat and glared at the pony. “Whatever new game you’re playing, whatever illusion you’re using now, it doesn’t matter. What matters-”

“It’s very good, made from local leaves.”

“-what matters,” the alicorn repeated louder, “is that you help Othershy-”

“Um, her name is Shy, now.”

The table beside Fluttershy was flipped into the wall as Celestia rushed her. The pony threw the kettle into the larger being’s face while falling back in her chair to avoid her. It should have smashed into a thousand pieces, slowing the alicorn, but it flew through her to land back on the stove.

Celestia pinned Fluttershy down, her front hooves pressing down on the smaller pony’s front legs. Fluttershy showed no discomfort even though the weight should have broken her legs. In fact, her expression was calm.

“Why do we dance like this?” she asked the infuriated alicorn.

“Because you won’t do as you’re told!” Celestia spat back.

Shy’s swinging front legs were trailed in the air by streams of red.

But the monster did not allow her time to revel in her attacks. An oversized claw batted her off with enough force to send her flying. The pony sailed back-first into a tree a few meters away. Though not the best cushion, the armor helped keep her spine from breaking against the bark.

Landing on her stomach, Shy tried to push the pain she felt all over away. Though she wasn’t bleeding half as badly as she knew the monster was, she was still being tossed around like a-

Giant teeth began to enter her peripheral vision.

Screaming an obscenity, Shy curled into a ball and rolled towards them. Metal scraped against razor sharp fangs. The monster’s advancing maw scooped her up instead of biting into her. Inside his mouth, Shy uncurled and flailed wildly.

Obviously shocked by the pony’s continued good luck and confused by the current circumstances, the monster tried to spit her out rather than swallow her whole.

Seeing a chance to do major damage, Shy dragged her claws down the beast’s tongue as it pushed into her. She fell out of its maw into the mud covered in blood.

Splashing told her the beast was trying to get away from her.

“GET BACK HERE!” she yelled after it, rising from the bog water. It was starting to find its grip on her. This ends now!

The yellow pony’s expression went from calm to angry. “You don’t rule here anymore, Celestia! You lost that right when you failed Equestria!”

“I failed nopony!” the alicorn said through clenched teeth. “You’d speak to me of failure when you’re about to leave Othershy to die?”

“I would never let any of my friends die!” Fluttershy screamed.

“I saw your thoughts! You aren’t planning to help her!” Celestia stomped the floor with her back leg. “Why?!”

The calm returned to Fluttershy. “You’re so powerful, why don’t you help her?”

“…so that’s it, isn’t it? You don’t want her to know yet… ”

“She doesn’t want my help, so it’s up to you.”

The alicorn spat at Fluttershy. It hit the pony’s cheek but she did not flinch.

“Your endless planning is going to cost you, someday.”

“Not before it costs you.”

Celestia stepped back from Fluttershy. She glared down at the pony on the floor silently. Tossing her head, multicolored hair flying wildly, she turned and galloped out of the house.

Gummy kept himself facing the dark figure as he retreated backwards. Her clawing had wounded him but not gravely. Not yet. He knew it was only a matter of time before she did. Too long since fight…

He felt land underfoot and quickly looked back. Behind him stood Pinkie Pie surrounded by toys. Her skeleton could be seen through holes in the pink fabric that covered her head to tail. What remained of her mane lay limp from the constant rain. The shifting light from the fire around them made shadows dance across her face.

Mama… no can win…

Shadows played along her permanent smile. Her eye socket was completely exposed.

Gummy could hear the figure yelling and getting closer.

Mama… help me…

Whether from some trick of the light or Gummy’s deteriorating health, he thought he saw something within the hole of Pinkie Pie’s eye. Fire.

FIRE

It boiled up inside his gut. Steam rose from the wounds along his chest and out of his mouth as they closed. His mind sharpened like a razor. He even felt himself grow in size by a miniscule amount.

Thank you, Mother, he thought, clearer than any thought he had ever had.

Gummy turned back to the figure.

Shy knew instantly that the monster had somehow gotten stronger. Its wounds closed, its stance returned to a confident one, and when it looked down at her she felt smaller.

It stayed standing on its back two legs as it approached. A massive claw swiped down at her. Shy dodged and tried to counter but had to dodge the beast’s other claw instantly. It advanced and continued swiping at her from different directions.

The creature’s attacks didn’t frighten Shy one bit, but its unwavering gaze locked onto her was starting to. This is no longer a beast.

Her thoughts betrayed her. The back of his claw slammed into her. Again, Shy flew through the air. Her body skipped once along the water before crashing down into it. Numbness ran from her front right leg down her side.

The pony rose gasping from the water. No, this isn’t fair! I was winning!

Seemingly content with the damage he caused, the monster walked slowly towards her. Shy got to her legs but faltered, off balanced. The monster’s gaze almost looked amused.

No! Shy’s mind screamed in defiance even as her front right leg hung limply. No…

…maybe it won’t be so bad…

No more pain, no more suffering, no more Fluttershy…

No more Zecora…

Even though it hurt, this was the most alive I’ve ever felt … it felt… good…

The monster halted a few hooves away from her and rose to its full height. Time seemed to slow down.

Yeah… end it…

A familiar voice whispered in her ear: you can keep feeling this way, alive.

!? Skadi!?

Do you want to? The voice questioned.

I…

…

Say it…

…

…yes…

LOUDER!

“I want to be alive!” Shy shouted to the heavens at the top of her lungs.

The swamp water pulsated away from her, pushing the monster back several pony lengths.

No!

Gummy realized he had made a terrible mistake delaying his victory. He regained his balance after being pushed back and-

A pink glow as bright as a star was shining out from where the figure had stood. Unlike most light, this didn’t hurt Gummy’s eyes to look at. It felt inviting, familiar.

It was moving closer but all he could do was stare.

Shy felt power washing over her. She could feel every droplet of water on her body like they were a part of her. The swamp water around her felt like a long-lost limb.

The element of harmony was glowing so bright she thought she had been blinded. She couldn’t see anything through it.

ATTACK! Skadi yelled in her head.

The water covering her and around her seemed to push her forward and up. Shy didn’t fight it. She brought her metal claws up above her head in preparation.

NOW!

The water sucked her downwards. Shy’s black claws swiped down as she did. There was only a single moment of resistance. The wave she had been riding continued forward, passing around her harmlessly but crashing into the monster.

As quickly as it coursed through her, the power faded away. The light from the element of harmony slowly dimmed till darkness returned.

The first thing Shy noticed was that it was suddenly snowing. The fire that had lit the area around her had dwindled. She kept herself prepared to dodge as she moved forward, unable to see well anymore. What she assumed was the monster’s body lay still just ahead.

Giant claws rested palm up, water pooling in them. Shy took a wide path around them. The smell of blood overpowered everything else but Shy couldn’t see the extent of the damage her attack had caused.

Enough to do the job, she thought. “Enough to beat you, you freak!”

The monster made no response.

“You… you-” she stumbled forward. Her weariness was increasing. “Not yet… ” Shy treaded through the sticky swamp water to where Pinkie Pie stood silently.

The door to Fluttershy’s cabin was open. Shy, carrying Pinkie Pie in her front legs gingerly, walked in and set her down. Fluttershy herself trotted up and wrapped her front legs around Pinkie Pie in a hug.

“I missed you! Tell me all about your trip!” the pegasus said, smiling ear to ear.

Shy slowly pulled Pinkie Pie away from Fluttershy. “Our deal.”

“Oh, of course! How silly of me to forget!” Fluttershy mimicked bonking herself on the head and stuck her tongue out. She cleared her throat. “Shy, you are free to come and go from here as you please.”

The pony on two legs immediately turned and walked out of the cabin. A strange feeling hit her as she walked out the door, like walking through a thin film. Fluttershy tried calling after her but she kept on walking, never once looking back.

As Shy walked, she stripped off her dented armor. They made a trail of metal stuck in the mud behind her. The element of harmony was the last thing she removed, the jewelry making a splash as it buried itself halfway in the mud. Follow the tracks to Appleloosa, and then on to Dodge City.

On and on, as far as I-

A bird chirped loudly near her. The pony slowly opened her eyes. Dawn rays peeking through the cloud cover revealed it to be a blue jay sitting on her bare stomach. It chirped again.

“But you said… ”

The bird looked at her curiously. A few others flew past, chirping along with the jay. They were searching for worms or other insects.

“You said I could leave… ”

I said you could go from here, Fluttershy gently whispered.

“Ponyville…”

Yes, my Ponyville. An image of the cabin blossomed in Shy’s mind. Pristine tea sets rested on clean linen covering expensive furniture.

“You… ” More than just rain water ran down Shy’s cheeks. “You liar. You used me.”

Fluttershy was quiet. In her mind the image of the cabin turned slowly, as if she was trying to use it to justify what she had done. Reality setting in crushed Shy further.

“You took my world and made it yours.”

...I’m sorry...

“FUCK YOU!”

Frightened, the blue jay took to the air. Overhead, the clouds seemed to be thinner than usual. More dawn light was streaming through.

Shy laid there watching the clouds move, the sun’s light change the world around her. Shadows along the branches overhead thinned more and more. The tears eventually stopped but her vision was still blurry, giving the world a surreal look. This is it.

“Shy?”

The pony looked to her side. Zecora, looking out of breath, trotted to her. “I’ve been searching all over for you! Are you alright?”

Am I alright?

“Shy..?”

The pony returned to her two legged posture. Her hooves dragged in the mud.

“Shy?! Wait, please!”

Shy wrapped her right front leg around Zecora’s neck and gripped her in a headlock. The zebra resisted but the pony was leagues stronger than her. She was forced to turn around and walk with Shy holding her.

Zecora pleaded through tears. “Please! I’m sorry! Tell me what I did and I won’t do it again! Please!” She begged on and on, her voice cracking in fear of what was to come.

Shy ignored her. The sun was trying it’s hardest to pierce through the clouds above her. A bird, another blue jay, hopped from branch to branch, edging closer to another of its kind.

I’m not alright.

As soon as she figured out where she was going, Zecora’s pleading ended and her shaking began. Her hut came into view a moment later. Its burnt front made it almost look like just another tree to Shy.

The trees heal. Some things never do. Some things can only be destroyed.

Shy walked Zecora into the home and turned to close the door, her grip on the zebra loosening a moment. Zecora took this chance to slip free but tripped over her own legs. Perhaps thinking her fate was now sealed, she laid in a heap and stared up at Shy, ready to beg more.

When she saw Shy’s expression the words failed to come out.

“Why... what’s wrong, Shy?”

Bending her back legs, Shy wrapped her front legs around Zecora’s body and lifted her so they were face to face. Flustered, Zecora blushed and turned her head away.

Show me...

Shy’s front legs wrapped tighter around the zebra. Their bodies pressed against one another. The pony could feel Zecora’s heartbeat going faster and faster.

Show me what it means to be alive...

Determined, Shy pressed her lips against Zecora’s. What little resistance there was fell away quickly. She felt the zebra’s front legs wrap around her neck.

I want to know... I want to see what I am...

The pony lifted the zebra up so her hooves dangled. Slowly so their mouths never left one anothers, she walked towards Zecora’s room.

Is this what being alive feels like?

The pony sipped her tea slowly, savoring the taste. It had been so long since she enjoyed a good cup of tea. Pinkie Pie was in the kitchen cooking up something for dinner.

“You think you’re so smart, don’t you?”

Fluttershy took another slow sip of her tea. Celestia stared at her through the window, her eyes burning embers.

“Enjoy it while you can.”

The alicorn vanished. The pony moved the cup in her hooves around to stir the leaves. She and Pinkie Pie would have to go out to get more soon. That’s fine. It’ll be nice to see the town again.

After all, Ponyville’s never been safer.