"Ah, now this is a positively glorious day!" Parcel Post cheerfully declared as he trotted past a cluster of colorful houses, waving at each and every pony he came across, overjoyed at seeing so many smiling faces. The air smelled of baked goods and freshly-cut grass, bringing to mind the carefree summer days of his colthood. After making a delivery at Sweet Apple Acres, he began whistling a happy little tune as he made his way to the residence of Ponyville's sweetest and kindest Pegasus. It also helped that she, in his and the other stallions' opinion, was one of the most beautiful mares that lived in town. The agreed-upon list of "Ponyville's Most Beautiful Mares" went as such: Rarity, Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle (though she had since been removed since her unexplained absence), Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Muffins "Derpy" Hooves (despite her crossed eyes).

The birds chirped overhead and this caused Parcel Post to tweet back at them, despite not being fluent in bird like Fluttershy was. Hopping up to the modest cottage, Parcel knocked on the door and withdrew the package from his satchel, eagerly awaiting the lovely mare that would come out the door and minute now. He could picture her flowing pink mane and creamy yellow coat, her eyes sparkling like miniature stars as she sweetly smiled at him. What he found anticipated the most, however, was her gentle, harp-like voice. Oh, I could listen to that voice all day long! The door finally swung open and Parcel removed his cap as he bowed graciously.

"Good afternoon, Miss Flutter-..."

Parcel's voice died in his throat as he did a double-take, his eyes bulging with shock. Whoever this mare was, despite her resemblance to Fluttershy, was certainly not her. She stood hunched over with her arms across her chest, her bloodshot eyes peering disapprovingly at him though puffy eyelids. Her smile, which would've lit up even the darkest night, was replaced with a deep frown was etched into her face like pictographs on a stone tablet. Fluttershy's yellow coat was ruffled as though she'd been rubbing herself with a balloon and her wings, which were normally neatly preened, possessed crooked feathers that stuck out in all directions. What happened to you?!

"...Yes?" Fluttershy enquired in an annoyed tone, breaking Parcel Post out of his stupor.

"I, uh, have a package for-for you," he replied, hastily digging through his satchel while Fluttershy sighed irritatingly and thrust out her hip against the doorframe. He pretended not to notice her eyerolling as he pulled out box after box in search of her package. "It's in here, I know it is-ah, got it!" Parcel held up the small box-most likely containing a book from Amazon-and presented it triumphantly. "Here's your package, milady."

Fluttershy snatched the box away and shoved some bits into Parcel's hooves, slamming the door in his face before the confused stallion could respond. Replacing his cap, he huffed and stormed away from the cottage, wondering what in the name of Celestia could've possibly happened to her. In fact, something's been off with the other Elements of Harmony as well. Parcel Post considered, his anger dissipating as the puzzle began to work itself out. Ever since they returned from their trip to the Crystal Empire, minus Twilight Sparkle, the girls had all began to act radically different. Something must've happened to Twilight Sparkle! Oh, I know if one of my best friends was dead or missing, I'd be a miserable grouch too! He took one last look in the direction of Fluttershy's cottage and wished her the best of luck.

Once the door was shut and locked securely, Fluttershy got to work tearing open the cardboard box and throwing aside the bubble wrap to reveal Ronald Hockley's Birds of the Green Belt and the Country Around London, which she'd been tracking down and attempting to buy for several years now. As she admired the book's cover, her thoughts turned back to Parcel Post and how rudely she'd treated the mail-stallion, considering he was one of the few ponies she allowed near her cottage other than her friends. Sliding down the surface of the door, Fluttershy sank to floor and curled herself up into a ball, her long pink mane obscuring her guilt-ridden face. She knew that her behavior was unjustly cruel and thoughtless. It was just that lately she'd felt all of this rage building up inside of her and she didn't want to see anypony, fulfilling a need for isolation even worse than what she usually experienced. She hugged the book to her chest and slammed her eyes shut, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over.

The rest of the day passed by uneventfully, with Fluttershy finally finishing the entirety of her David Attenburro documentary collection and putting the final touches on a new birdhouse she'd been building for a robin she found the other day. Her friends, mostly Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, would come around to ask her to come out or write her letters to attend a party but as much as it pained her to do so, Fluttershy refused to respond. Twilight Sparkle's predicament with that horrid King Sombra was still a fresh wound and she needed time to heal from it. It chilled the Pegasus to the bone to recall her time in the dungeon, how the Shadow King's red eyes bored past her eyes and into her very soul, filling her with the kind of fear and dread she thought only could've come from Discord or the changelings. They were scary, yes, but only King Sombra, a literal creature of darkness, could haunt her nightmares the way that he did. At least Discord adhered to some kind of list of rules and changelings were easy to spot, if you know how to look.

A furious thumping sound tore Fluttershy away from her thoughts. Angel peered up at her apprehensively, his foot tapping impatiently on the floor. "What is it, Angel? I just fed you two hours ago. Your next feeding isn't until six-thirty." The rabbit dragged over a cookbook, hurriedly searched through the pages and slammed it onto the coffee table, pointing to a picture of an Ambrosia fruit salad. It was a classy recipe that consisted of sweetened pineapples, mandarin orange slices, and miniature marshmallows served in a cottage cheese dip. "Oh Angel, it's too soon for your next feeding and I don't have the ingredients to make it. Besides, you need something healthier to eat."

The rabbit scowled and tapped agitatedly on the page, his eyes saying, "I want this and I want it now."

"Angel, we've talked about this. You can't just go demanding-..."

Leaping onto the couch, Angel jabbered angrily and gestured towards the picture once more.

"Angel Bunny, it's such short notice and I...-"

Angel grabbed Fluttershy's hoof and began, with quite a lot of difficulty, to try to drag her up out of her seat.

"I SAID 'NO'! SO SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!" Fluttershy roared, sending Angel tumbling to the floor as she stood seething over him. "You think because I'm a socially-awkward little weakling that you can just walk all over me?! I feed you, bathe you, pay for your medication, fluff your tail and you think you can just act like an entitled brat? Well newsflash: the world doesn't revolve around you and ever once in a while, I need some love and attention too!" She froze when she caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror: a wild-haired, heavy-breathing mare with unkept wings and an ugly grimace spread across her face. Is...is that me? Is this what I am now?

Angel's whimpering snapped Fluttershy back to reality and it broke her heart to see her beloved bunny staring at her with such fear in his tear-filled eyes. She reached for him, but he cowered away from her touch and formed himself into a little shivering ivory ball. "Angel," she whispered, getting down to her hooves and knees. "I'm so sorry. Please, please just forgive me. I didn't mean it. I'm sorry." A tiny black eye peered up from the ball, noticing the non-aggressive Pegasus as she gently spoke to him. Slowly, he uncurled himself and made his way towards Fluttershy, his nose nervously twitching the whole way. "That's it. Come to Mama." The bunny settled himself into the crook of Fluttershy's arm and rubbed his face against it, feeling the warmth of her arms softly wrapping around his little body.

The Pegasus rose to her full height and rocked Angel in her arms, whispering reassuring words into his ears as the tears came pouring down like rain. "I'm so sorry, Angel Bunny. Ever since Twilight...I just feel so angry. I lost a friend and all I could do was stand there being afraid. I don't want to be afraid. And I can't lose anymore friends." They deserve better than a weak, frightened little filly like me. That's why I've got to stay away. Kindness can only go so far. It didn't help Twilight and she needed it more than anypony. "I'm so sorry, Twilight. Forgive me."

Author's Notes:

David Attenburro=David Attenborough

Ronald Hockley=Ronald Lockley

We apologize again for the fault in the puns. Those responsible for sacking the people who have just been sacked, have been sacked.

Man, angry Fluttershy is scary!