Author's Note: The story begins at the end of Chapter Nine of Fluttershy and Me. It is recommended that you read at least Chapter Nine, if not the whole first act, of Fluttershy and Me. This story begins from Matthew’s perspective, but later, moves to a third-person perspective. Let the story begin.

“Celestia, the choice isn’t mine, it’s yours. You either take both of us back to Equestria, or you can all leave and just have wasted your time.” I looked at the Princess, waiting for a response. She had a big choice to make.

“You could, of course, try to take her by force. But, in that case, you might as well kill me. If you don’t I’ll probably do it myself.” I didn’t say that to make her feel guilty, I just spoke the truth. But, what came next, I didn’t expect Celestia to do.

She lowered her head, but suddenly, her horn started to glow. She lifted her head back up and shot me with a beam of energy. I fell backwards onto the floor. The shot hadn’t penetrated me, but it was really powerful. Fluttershy rushed to my side.

“Matthew! Celestia, why?!” Fluttershy cried out. She didn’t know what to think of her once beloved Princess.

“What he asked for, I gave him. He cannot live in our world. You are coming home with us Fluttershy, now!” And with that, Celestia magicked Fluttershy over to where she was standing. The rest of the ponies in the room were all shocked by the actions of their Princess, but they all looked past it for what they thought was the better. I reached out my hand to Fluttershy.

“Please, don’t take her from me. She means too much to me. Celestia, please,” I begged. They were actually going to take her. I tried to get up, but Celestia just shot at me again. The second shot sent me right back down to the floor. I felt myself fading away. I lifted my head once again and tried to reach for Fluttershy.

“Please, don’t.” Celestia just looked at me, not giving a single fuck for what happened to me. I could feel myself starting to cry again.

“Twilight, if you would,” Celestia said. Twilight looked at her teacher in surprise.

“Princess?” Twilight had just been asked to kill me. Celestia didn’t want to bloody her hooves. Twilight couldn’t move.

“I want you to finish him.” Celestia’s words were so cruel. She honestly wanted her faithful student to kill an innocent person. But, Twilight simply nodded. She walked up to me and her horn started to shine.

“I’m sorry.” I looked at her horn, and then back to Fluttershy one more time. I spoke out softly to her.

“I love you,” and shortly after, I was knocked out.

I awoke on the floor the same way I had been one hour ago. Twilight hadn’t killed me, but only knocked me out. She must have made it seem like I was dead, or else, I wouldn’t be here. I lifted myself up and stared at the spot where Fluttershy had been standing a while ago. I started to cry, but my sadness was quickly overtaken by anger. My hands became fists, and I shouted out.

“DAMN YOU CELESTIA! DAMN YOU TO HELL!” I shouted, and I slammed my fists against the floor with all of my might. I was in pure rage mode. That bitch had just taken away from me the most important thing in my life. Now, I had nothing. Sure, it may seem like I have a lot to live for now, but that was all because of Fluttershy, and now, she was gone. With my anger vented out, I started to cry again.

“I’m sorry Fluttershy. I’m so, so sorry,” I spoke, knowing no one was around to hear me. I just kept crying, until, a hint of light coming from that very spot caught my eye. I lifted my head, and before me, I saw a yellow feather. It was slightly off the ground, and next to it, there was a note. I crawled over and read the note.

“Matthew, this is Twilight Sparkle. I managed to send you this letter without Celestia’s knowledge. She is also unaware that you are alive. The spell we used to teleport home was supposed to wipe Fluttershy’s memories of you, but it didn’t. Celestia has ordered her to be brought to Canterlot to have her memories wiped. Due to an unkown reason, the time difference between our worlds has changed. Celestia will have Fluttershy's memories wiped in three days, which apparently now gives you about three hours or so instead of three years, to think about what I’m about to tell you. By fusing the power of the feather and this note, you can open a portal to Equestria, and save Fluttershy. Or, you can stay where you are, and her memories of you will be gone. This will also cause your memories of her to be lost. You can live a normal life again. But Matthew, I truthfully wish for you to come here. She needs you, and you need her. If you enter the portal, you will arrive on a hill on the outskirts of Ponyville. You will have to get to Canterlot using your own methods. If you plan on coming here, bring whatever you will need to survive the journey. I hope to see you here soon.

I now had a choice to make, but my choice was obvious. Before I even tried to combine the feather and note, I went to prepare myself. I packed one suitcase with a good amount of clothing, my iPod, and a few other essentials. I would be leaving everything else behind. I then proceeded to gather all of my weapons and equipment.

I strapped on my tomahawk holster, grabbed my tomahawk out of the wall, and placed it in the holster. I strapped on two pistol holsters and grabbed my two Beretta pistols, placing each into one holster. I loaded up as many clips as I could carry, which was quite a lot, about 50 for each pistol (I know how to arm myself). I then strapped on my quiver of arrows, and then slung my bow over my head. Last but not least, I strapped on my right hidden blade. Seeing as though I had already been wearing my left one, I rechecked it to see if it could be changed from bracer mounted to knife with ease. It worked like a charm. I pulled up my hood, put on my fingerless gloves, strapped on my good pair of sneakers, and checked that I had everything else for the journey. I planned to sneak to Fluttershy’s cottage and leave my suitcase there. I would retrieve her, go back to get my suitcase, and then run off somewhere with her.

I was ready for the journey. But, before I left, I decided to quickly write this journal. Well, now I truly realize I do have fast hands. I managed to write this entire journal in about an hour and a half. I leave this journal for my family. Mother, I know you will find this journal, as well as the note I have left for you and the rest of the family. Just know that I am safe with Fluttershy. I can handle myself, no matter what the Princess throws at me. I love you all, and I hope to see you all again someday, when we have all met the end of our days. Goodbye.

Matthew closed the journal and placed it on his kitchen table next to the note for his mother. Shortly after, Matthew decided to leave, along with the two items, the locket he had been given by his father. It meant so much to Matthew, but he knew he had to leave it behind. He kissed it, and gave a quick glance around his house. This would be the last time he ever saw it.

Matthew combined the power of the feather and note, and the portal to Equestria was opened. Matthew picked up his average sized suitcase, gave one last look back, looked to the portal once again, and jumped in. He was on his way to Equestria, to save the love of his life.

Author's Notes:

I present my second fanfic, Tortured Love. I will tell you that this story is a major departure from the original Fluttershy and Me. This story will earn the Dark tag that I've given it, and I think you'll all agree. I hope you all enjoy.

Fun Fact: This whole story was meant to be a short dream sequence for Matthew in Fluttershy and Me during Act 3. But, I ultimately decided that it wasn't necessary, and it would be much more fun to write the whole thing as one huge story. Well, it's time to see if this will all pay off (I'm sure it will).