I'm just your average country girl, born and raised on a cattle farm and recently more than fascinated with gorgeous little colorful creatures known as ponies. More specifically, My Little Pony ponies. Applejack is, of course, my favorite, mostly because I relate to her the best. I'm always workin', she's always workin'. We've got a lot in common it seems. Not to mention her little accent is just so adorable. We actually had five horses on our farm, and I've renamed each after a pony. Sadly though, I had to leave Fluttershy out.

I wonder if that was a coincidence, because she's a bigger part of my life now than ever. Only a week ago, I'd never have imagined my sixth horse would be a pony. Much less, a yellow mare.

***

So I was driving down the long empty highway through the middle of nowhere towards my home in Southeastern Colorado. My favorite song played on the radio and I could't help but shout my own lyrics at the top of my lungs.

Just then something caught my eye as I drove down this road I've driven so many times before. It was the bright pink mane and tail of something so very unusually colorful. Nothing was that colorful around here, so I had to investigate. I slammed my breaks and put the car in reverse. I looked through a field of large brown stallions for several seconds, then I spotted her. Excited, I jumped out of my car and climbed the short fence.

My heart nearly stopped as I approached her. I knew that I had immediately recognized those beautiful bright colors, but I never thought it could be true. There she was, her bright yellow coat, that long flowing light pink mane, those wide deep turquoise eyes. It was Fluttershy.

As I quietly approached her from behind, I could actually hear her talking. This was all too much, I hadn't even introduced myself and she was already blowing my mind.

"My name's Fluttershy you see. I'm not sure how I got here, but maybe you could help me" She seemed to be talking to the other horses, but they weren't answering.

Just then one horse stood up on his hind legs and neighed rather loudly, likely spooked by my stealthy approach. "Oh! Oh my." Fluttershy cowered beneath him as he landed and galloped away, causing his peers to follow.

I cleared my throat and ran my fingers through my hair, trying to appear as non-threatening as possible. "Hey there Fluttershy." I spoke with the gentlest of tones.

As I expected, the mare shied away, allowing her mane to cover her face and an apparent blush covering her muzzle. My heart broke. She was so perfectly adorable I couldn't contain myself. I placed my hand on my chest and attempted to suppress the radiating blissful pains of sheer cuteness-overload. I reached down and wrapped my arms around her neck. "Aw, don't be shy, I'm a friend." I explained, hoping to gain her trust.

Those words seemed to bring her some comfort. I felt her tense body loosen as she returned the hug. "How... how did you know my name?" She asked.

"Everyone knows your name, you're famous. I just need to know how you got here. Of all places, why here?!" I didn't realize my voice was getting so loud, but I couldn't help myself, I was excited.

She cowered down again as I let my enthusiasm get the better of me. "I'm sorry, I can leave if you want me to."

"Oh you, don't apologize. Here, come with me and we'll figure this out together. Have you seen your friends around anywhere?" I asked, glancing around the baron brown grasslands hoping to spot some more vivid colors.

She simply shook her head and lowered her eyes. It pained me to see her like this. I so desperately wanted her to smile.

"Alright, well its really hot out here. Let me take you home and we'll see what we can do. Sound good?" I asked, wearing my brightest smile.

She nodded and I swear I almost saw a smile begin to shine through her troubled frown. That fact was heartwarming enough, not to mention this amazingly beautiful pony was just suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I needed an explanation, although, I don't think I'd ever willingly let her go. Not if I couldn't follow.

I helped her into my car and she took a seat on the passenger side. She was looking more nervous than ever as I started the car back up. She let out a mild squeak as soon as I put it into drive and we started moving. I couldn't help but put a hand over my chest again. Her cuteness was seriously about to give me a heart attack. I mean, she was cute before, but now that she was right next to me, it didn't compare. Hnnnng

"Don't be scared, we'll be fine, I promise." I hoped to calm her a bit until we got home. Luckily we were nearly there.

As I accelerated, she began to look more and more scared. Until her hooves were over her chest and she was hyperventilating. I gulped and slowed back down to a near stop. "Whoa there Fluttershy, are you okay?" I asked, knowing she just a little scared.

She glanced over to me and nodded. "Its just so... fast!" She said in a nearly inaudibly high pitched voice.

"I'll drive slow okay? Just relax and we'll be there before you know it." I placed a hand on her shoulder and stayed below twenty miles per hour.

She had closed her eyes and was obviously attempting to steady her breathing. I can only imagine what that must have felt like for her. To be in a strange world, and accelerating in a strange and loud machine. I'm glad she was handling it this well to be perfectly honest.

"And here we are, home sweet home." I jumped out and opened her car door, allowing her to cling back onto the steady ground.

"Oh, hey there Twilight!" I mindlessly shouted without considering who was in my company today.

Fluttershy threw on a bright smile and looked around with excited eyes. I pet my horse's muzzle and pushed her away with a gentle nudge. "Oh, I'm so sorry Fluttershy, I just named this horse Twilight after your friend..." I felt terribly guilty, but what's done is done.

She lowered her ears and let out a pained sigh. I groaned and smacked myself in the head, realizing how disrespectful I must seem. I had to make this better. "Cheer up Fluttershy, you've been out in this heat for a while now, are you thirsty?"

She looked thoughtful for a moment before happily nodding. I led her inside and nervously looked around my kitchen. I wasn't sure if a glass of water would work, but I didn't think filling up a bowl and setting it on the floor was right either. I hated the thought of asking, but... Well, I went out on a limb. "So, would you prefer a bowl to drink from or a glass with a straw in it?"

I smiled so widely I was sure it how obviously forced it must seem, but I wasn't sure how to handle this. I didn't want her to feel embarrassed and I definitely didn't want her to feel bad about herself. I needed to keep her happy and to help her figure out what exactly was going on.

She shrugged and looked down. This was rough. I decided to go with both and let her choose. I filled the containers up and sat them on the table, pulling out a chair for her to climb. As she approached it, I felt like smacking myself in the face, I had completely forgotten about her wings. Seeing her flutter those little wings around to keep her balance as she climbed was amazing. Then it started to sink in as I watched her blush and smile while sipping from the straw. I had a pegasus in my kitchen.

"Fluttershy, come with me to my bedroom, I need to go over a few um... house rules with you." I realized how troublesome my dad would be if he found out about her.

I led her upstairs and took a seat on my bed. "Okay, you need to stay in this room at all times. If you can fly, I'll let you know when you're allowed to use my window to go outside and um... do whatever you might want to do. But no using the rest of the house unless we're both certain no one will see you. I'm probably the only person in this whole county that won't try and hurt you, so make sure you're careful okay?"

She wore a worried frown as she smiled and nodded. "Okay..."

I let out a deep breath, glad she was so willing to obey my simple requests. "Now, tell me how you got here, or at least what you do know."

She looked thoughtful for a moment before placing a hoof to her chin and looking up. "I remember big was happening, something important... Princess Celestia!" Fluttershy shouted, her eyes widening.

"The princess?" I repeated her, not sure what to say or expect. "What happened Fluttershy, do you remember?"

"Something bad happened to her, her eyes glowed green and she... she..." Her voice trailed off and she covered her eyes with her hooves.

"She what?!" I had to know.

"She attacked us, we tried to help, but it was too late. I saw her hit Twilight with her black magic, then she turned to me, and that's the last thing I can remember." Fluttershy teared up, her eyes wide and watery.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, this was incredible. I leaned over and gave her another hug, realizing how terrible she must be feeling after losing her friends like that. "I'm sure we'll figure something out. Things always work out for you guys, and you can get through this too."

I felt her nod and she nuzzled her face into my chest. I couldn't help but sigh, she was everything I imagined her to me, so sweet and innocent. "Just give it time, I'm sure your friends will come for you eventually. For now, you're safe here. I promise you that I'll take care of you."