**FS** - ToSeeYourself - 3

> It's light outside now
> All night...
> You've been working at this all night.
> ...so tired.
> Another stream of loosened wood cascades down, pattering onto your head.
> Each swing hurts.
> Hurts so much, but...
> Each swing creaks louder, loosens the hook further, brings you closer to freedom.
> ...and so you keep rocking.
" *ngh* "
> Nearly there.
> ...just... a little... more.
> For Anon.
*thud*
> Hitting the floor knocks the wind out of you.
> Motes of light dance infront of your eyes.
> Everything starts to spin...
> Darken...
> Don't pass out, Fluttershy... don't.
> Not now...
> N..o..t.. n..o..-

-----

> "...I still wish we'd stayed home..." Fluttershy pouts as she trots close by your side.
"I *yawn*... I know, 'shy. I do too...but I need a change of clothes..."
> " I don't see why you need clothes anymore..." she mumbles, still pouting.
> Your leggings are ripped, testimony to Fluttershy's opinion of your clothes and their access barring ways.
"It's not going to take long. We have to pass through p0nyville, so we might aswell pick up some supplies too."
> She stops infront of you, rearing up. "...I'd still rather be at home. I had everything I wanted there." as she speaks, a hoof idly traces a circle on your chest.
> "can we go back?" She flutters her eyelashes at you "...please?"
> She's so cute... why did it take you so long to realise?
> You almost give in.
"Sorry."
> You peck a kiss on her forehead.
"I've got to say though, I'm liking this more confident you."
> She drops down and the two of you continue towards p0nyville.
> "...what do you mean?" She asks quietly, hanging back a little.
"Well... you're not stumbling over your words for a start."
> She thinks a while. "I suppose I'm starting to feel relaxed around you" She concludes, meekly.
> You turn and kneel before her.
"...do you mean... I don't make you nervous anymore?"
> You bite your knuckle, holding back a fake sob.
"I...don't excite you anymore?"
> "Oh, n-no, Anon... I d-didn't mean..." She see's the laughter in your eyes and thwacks you on the leg playfully with a hoof.
> The two of you travel on towards p0nyville.

-----

> Everything hurts.
> Especially your cheek.
> The impact jarred it and, if anything, it's even more swollen now.
> You can only open one eye.
> Nothing much to see on the floor.
> You move your legs, testing the binding rope.
> They still ache, but you find the rope is more loose now you've broken it free of the hook.
> It seems it was mostly your own weight that was holding the ropes taut.
> Now you're on the floor, all you have to do is wiggle free.
> It'll take time...
> ...at any time that changeling could come up here and...
> ...it's no good. It'll just tie you back up and hang you there again...
> No!
> You don't think like that, Fluttershy!
> Not now.
> Anon is in danger.
> It could be... draining him right now.
> No time to weep.
> No more cowering.
> You get free, you get help and you save Anon.
> Nothing else matters.

> The first leg was the hardest.
> You don't know how long it took for sure, but it felt like an eternity.
> You bumped your cheek as you worked it free and nearly passed out again.
> The second was easier.
> With both forelegs free, you rest a moment and carefully work at the straps of the gag.
> You remember buying this so long ago...
> Bondage was not Anon's fetish.
> Eventually, the straps give and you spit free the gag.
> You gasp for breath, gulping down dusty lungfulls that cause you to cough, again shaking the cheekbone.
" *gasp* ...owww..."
> The pain is sharp and makes you feel suddenly nauseous.
> After a moments rest to let the feeling pass, you start to work the rope free of your wings and rear legs.
> It takes no more than five minutes and by this point you've realised that the noise accompanying your escape couldn't have been ignored.
> The changeling must be somewhere else.
> ...is Anon with it or already just a husk?...
> You shake your head, denying the thought.

> Teetering like a new born foal, you slowly push yourself up.
> You stand, but your rear legs suddenly slip away behind you.
> The fall isn't so painful, but it knocks the fight out of you.
> So weak...
> ...poor little Fluttershy, can't even stand...
> ...always the weak one...
> ...always the one who needs saving...
> ...crying in the dark while some other p0ny saves the day...
> No!
> There IS  no other p0ny.
> Not this time.
> Nop0ny knows about the changeling but you.
> Stand!
> You grit your teeth and, with focus fueled by desperation, place a forehoof firmly down with a echoing *thump*
> ... then the other, *thump*.
> You pull your hind legs upwards until, still shaking, they balance.
> Eyes screwed shut with determination, you take a step.
> Slow and deliberate.
> Your legs shake, but you took your first step.
> Not knowing how many more you need to take, but grinning triumphantly all the same, you reach a shaking hoof up to the door...
> ...and push it open.

> You spend little time in your bedroom.
> The broken bed and the... things you had to watch...
> It doesn't feel like yours anymore.
> Standing at the top of the stairs, you give your wings a tentative stretch.
> They barely move, just hanging at your sides limply.
> They aren't broken, but they aren't going to carry you for a while yet.
> Carefully you begin to decend.
> One step at a time.
> So slow...
> You can see the blanket snarled up on the couch.
> Outside, the chickens are clucking impatiently.
> ...where is angel?
> Oh.
> Oh no.
> It might have hurt him.
> The distraction almost makes you lose your balance.
> Heart pounding, you stand still for a moment, breathing deeply...
> Then, you finish heading down the stairs, carefully open the door and head out into the blinding light of the day.

> It takes a little while for your eyes to adjust.
> You aren't too sure how long you were... locked away.
> Holding a hoof over your eyes do deflect the glare, you look around your garden.
> No sign of angel.
> The chickens are all sitting on top of their coop.
> They're worried about something, you can tell.
> None of the usual animal visitors are here.
> Even mr badger has gone...
> You hope he's ok.
> His bandages probably needed changing and he was still wearing his neck guard...
> You make your way over to the coop.
"N-now... don't you worry, darlings. M-mommy is back..."
> They fluff their feathers at your approach, the rooster hopping down and taking a defensive posture between you and the hens.
> What DID that changeling do to them...
> ...and can't they tell the difference between you?
> The rooster suddenly cocks it's head on it's side.
> Clucking nervously, it approaches.
"...it's m-me. Really, it is... please... b-beleive me."
> With lurching head motions, it looks you up and down... peering for the bucket of seed!
> He knows it's you!

> You smile, eyes tearing up.
> There's no time to feed the poor darlings properly, so you wobble over to the feed bucket, and throw it unceremoniously into the run.
> The chickens descend on the meager smattering of corn while you peer into the coop, making sure none are left behind.
"...chuck chuck chuck... dinner time..."
> No chickens, but you see something.
> At first, you're not sure what it is.
> It's at the back and looks like a big, brown maggot with two white tongues.
> ...slowly, it sinks in.
> Angel...
> Completely mummified in rope, save his ears.
> You pull open the door fully and rush as quick as your shaking legs will carry you to your pet.
> Biting at the rope proves quicker than fumbling with hooves.
> You free him swiftly.
> He...
> Doesn't move.
"...oh...angel..."
> Then, he suddenly leaps into the air, a blur of white passing across your vision.
> The very next thing you see is angel leaping through the doorway.
"No! angel bunny! it's me! Mommy!"
> He skids to a halt in the loose dirt outside
> Slowly, with a look of lagomorphic fury on his face, he turns to stare right at you.
> ...and then, he leaps.
"eek!"

> Angel lands right on your face.
> Little forelegs wrapped around it in the tightest hug he's ever given you.
> He knows it's you too!
> You walk out of the chicken run, closing the gate behind you, before you try to talk him down.
"Angfel...Mommy neefds to go refcue Anon..."
> The little rabbit drops free, and brushes dust from his fluffy coat.
> He then points firmly at you.
> Then firmly at the ground outside the house.
> He hops into the house and returns moments later with a blackened, buckled frying pan.
> Giving the frying pan a couple of test swings, he seems satisfied.
> Then he wrinkles his little nose, brushes down his little whiskers...
> ...aww, he's so cute!...
> ...and narrows his eyes, before giving you a determined nod and murderous glare that spells out "game on" in rabbit.
> Angel hops up onto your back.
> Even his light weight causes you to wince.
> ...but it's worth it.
> You start to walk towards p0nyville as quick as you can.

-----

> Rarity  hums a merry tune to herself as she sews.
> The needle dances, shrouded in blue, in and out of a pristine white length of cloth.
> After her distractions with Fluttershy and Anonymous earlier in the week, she had to bring most of her work downstairs.
> This allowed her to catch up on a late order, aswell as watch the store.
> It wasn't... entirely professional to be doing such work in public view, but it was worth it.
> Without Rarity's well timed... nudges, they'd still be playing those silly games.
> Celestia only knows how long it'd take to sort things out for themselves.
> Rarity smiles to herself, considering how the finesse and attention to detail needed in fashion transfers so well to relationship advice.
> She knows the two of them will be happy together.
> They match so well.
> Like satin and lace.
> Well, perhaps not so refined as that, but certainly a perfect pairing.
> Holding up the partially completed summerdress, Rarity appraises her work.
> Perfect as ever.
> She hears the doorbell ring and places the nearly finished dress behind her and nearly twirls from behind the counter.
"Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique and... *GASP*!"
> Rarity covers her mouth with both hooves, rearing back in shock as she looks towards the doorway.
> ... at the collapsed yellow pegasus.

> Your wings droop across the floor and forelegs shake as you try to regain your balance.
> Angel is tugging at you, trying to pull you through the doorway.
> Rarity is rushing over, her hooves clattering on the wooden floor.
> You feel her forelegs around your midriff, scrunching your still useless wings against your body.
"...R-rarity... help..."
> "I'm here, shhh now. Rarity is here... oh! what HAS happened to you?" She struggles under your weight towards her ever near chaise-longue.
"nnn...noo... Anon... g-got to..."
> You look up to her, trying to make her understand.
> Her eyes widen in shock "Anon...he did... THIS?" She shakes her head in disbelief, but then her eyes narrow "the...the... MONSTER. I'll have the guards drag him..."
"...no...listen... p-please... you've got t-to listen..."
> "...to Canterlot by his... his... well, by something painful, that's for sure!" Her eyes are damp, tears brought on by the imagined betrayal.
"...please listen..."
> "...Why did we trust him? why did I trust him? Oh, I'm sorry Fluttershy *sob* this is ALL my fault" Rarity drapes herself across you, chest heaving as she begins to cry.
"NO! Listen to me!"
> Rarity leaps back, hooves skittering beneath her as she scrambles for balance.
> Her eyes are snapped wide in shock, staring at you.
"...i-if it's not too much trouble... Anonymous didn't hurt me... it was..."

> "A changling?" repeats Rarity.
> She believes your story, but, even with the... parts you don't want to think about left out, she's still horrified.
> "... you need help, dearest. I'll fetch Twilight. She'll-"
"No...n-*ngh*-need to find Anon. Save Anon."
> You tried to stand again, but the pain was too much.
> ...poor, weak little Fluttershy...
> ...never strong enough...
> "You rest. I'll fetch Twilight, then... then everyp0ny else I can find. As many of the girls as I can..." She then mumbles "...maybe Twilight knows a healing spell..."
"A-anon..."
> "...will be fine. I promise you." Rarity rests a hoof on your head and you slowly fall back against the chair.
> Your strength fades though you stay conscious.
> Rarity is heading off at a trot, when she stops. "Um... Little rabbit person?" she then mumbles "...this is ridiculous..."
> ...then continues "...Would you mind watching over her? please?" You open your still working eye enough to see angel throw a lazy, confident salute at Rarity.
> He shoulders the frying pan, and takes up watch at the side of the chaise-longue.
> Rarity just blinks at him for a moment, before shaking her head in disbelief and leaving.

-----

"One last stop, 'shy, then home..."
> "Y-you look so tired... can't you just... do it tommorrow?" Fluttershy has wanted you back home since you left.
> It's starting to go a little beyond cute now, and heading into creepy.
> You'd say something but...
> So many months of just yelling at her, calling her names... all the, well... all the craziness of the fetishes and tricks...
> You're worried that some of the old, hurtful things will slip out.
> Couldn't do that to her.
"I'm *yawn* tired, Fluttershy. I'm looking forward to getting home as much as you are."
> "...tired?" She sounds kinda disappointed.
> You give her a wink.
"...not too tired. Just want to drop this book off, then I get you all to myself again."
> She smiles sweetly at that.
> That's when you turn the corner and almost walk into a flustered looking Rarity.
"...whoop... oh, Hi there Rarity!"
> Rarity stops mid stride, looking wide eyed at you, then at fluttershy, then back at you.
> "A-anon? Oh... um... Hello there, sweetie. You look... tired." For a moment the kindly smile was back, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.
"I feel it too"
> "Have you, um... been busy?" She gives a rictus grin.
> Fluttershy giggles behind her hooves and you itch the back of your head, trying to find an answer that wouldn't be considered crude.
"...yeeaaahh. I guess you could say that."
> You nudge the giggling Fluttershy with your knee and she shelters behind your legs.

> That's... odd.
> For a moment you'd swear Rarity looked... disgusted.
> She pretty much pulled the strings that got you two together.
> Strange.
> "Well, I'm sorry I can't stay and chat more darlings... I simply HAVE to get to the library. There's a book regarding fashion trends that I simply HAVE to read..."
> "...um. That's good... Rarity? could you do Anon a little favour? He has a book to take back..." Fluttershy leans around your legs, still hugging them as she asks.
> Rarity freezes.
"Hey, I'd appreciate it. I'm exhausted. I could do with getting home and just sleeping."
> Rarity seems distracted, searching for the answer, though why such a simple request would cause her to have to think, you don't know.
> All the same, it gives you a chance to surreptitiously slap your hand down behind your back to ward off a creeping hoof working it's way up your inner leg.
"...later..."
>...you hiss.
> "Wouldn't you like to visit Twilight, darlings? um... share the good news?" She doesn't look back as she answers, just stares off towards the library.
> ...it isn't that far, you suppose...but...
> "...oh no, Rarity. It'd be too embarrassing... I'll talk to her alone. Soon." Fluttershy speaks in a measured, calm voice.
> There's something going on here...
"Rarity? we haven't done anything to make you mad, have we? I'm sorry about the 'interfering bitch' thing if that's it..."
> No answer.
"Really, I'm grateful for what you did. We both are."
> "Rarity? Is everything ok? I wouldn't want to think you were mad at me." as she speaks, Fluttershy walks slowly towards Rarity.

> Suddenly, Rarity whirls around, a single rear leg kick aimed straight for Fluttershy's head.
> It misses, just, leaving Rarity standing in a two legged... kungfu stance?
> Fluttershy ducked flat, near hugging the ground, then launches up towards Rarity forelegs open wide to tackle her to the ground.
> Did...she just hiss?
"What the holy fuck is going on?!?"
> Fluttershy is quick.
> She catches a hoof around Rarity's midriff and drags Rarity into the air with her.
> Her yellow wings are beating so fast, they're a blur of movement.
> Rarity slips free, but Fluttershy swiftly grabs with both hooves, tightening a grip around Rartiy's neck.
> You leap to grasp Fluttershy's legs to pull them both to the ground and force one of them to explain what's going on, but she's already out of reach.
> Rarity struggles, hindlegs pedaling air wildly and hooves beating against Fluttershy's forelegs in futile effort.
> She makes a choking noise, trying to tell you something.
"Drop her 'shy... let her go, dammit!"
> A sudden flash of pale blue light to your side catches your attention, whipping past your head.
> Rarity flung a stone up from the ground with a swift blast of p0nykinesis.
> It glances Fluttershy's head and she shrieks out, more in frustration than pain.
> ...and Rarity falls.

> Acting on instinct, you leap, trying to catch the falling unicorn.
*kthump*
> You must have got to her.
> The two or you are tangled together in a groaning heap, you on your back and Rarity upside down with her rump mere inches away from your face.
> "...oooh... Anon? Are you ok, sweetie?" She groans as she shifts her weight, her tail flailing on your face.
"...too...heavy...diet...now..."
> She shoots bolt upright, face a picture of wounded outrage and hoof clasped to her breast "Anon! how dare you!"
"yeah, yeah. It's not you that's heavy, it's the cakes... now move, then tell me what the hell is going on?"
> She rolls off you to her hooves, and...
> "Take hold of her, Anon my love." was that... Flutter-
> -a green light fills your vision and a persistant buzzing is soon all you can hear.
> When you come to your senses, you're squeezing something... Something soft.
> Blinking your eyes, blurred green vision fades... and as it does so, your hearing slowly returns.
> The shape infront of you is Rarity, eyes flooding with tears and choking.
> Your hands are clasped around her neck.
> You're squeezing the life out of her.
> You don't know why.
> To make things worse, you can't stop.
> "...keep squeezing, my love." That voice again.
> The voice you must obey.

-----

> You stir to the sound of p0nies nearby running and shouting.
> "He's gone mad!" one of them cries
> "Anon is attacking p0nies! The horror!" Yells another.
> Without conscious thought, you're already staggering towards the boutique door.
> A little paw pulls on your leg, trying to hold you back.
> Angel.
> He looks up, worried.
"...mommy has to go, angel..."
> He lets go, hefts his frying pan and follows.
> Such a good bunny.
> You stumble out of the door and in the distance see the source of the commotion.
> Anon is kneeling there, his hands clasped around Rarity's neck.
> ...and just behind him, a yellow pegasus, wings spread wide.
> You stumble forward...
> ... too slow...
> ... too weak...
> ...going to be too late...
> NO!
> It's not going hurt anyp0ny else you love!
> Never again!
> Your stumble becomes a trot.
> Angel leaps onto your back, frying pan held to his side.
> The trot becomes a canter.
> Rarity's eyes have rolled back, Anon is shouting for someone to stop him.
> The canter becomes a gallop.
"LEAVE THEM ALONE!"
> It turns at your cry, just in time to face the frying pan of justice.
*klaaang!*

-----

> Suddenly, your hands are your own again.
> You can move.
> Immediately, you let go of Rarity and she falls back choking.
> You turn around towards the source of the clanging noise and...
> ...it all makes sense.
> They told you about changelings.
> Only in passing, after they went to some wedding.
> You didn't really pay attention as you were just glad for a weekend off from the insanity.
> Fluttershy... the real Fluttershy... is collapsed on the floor.
> Bruised, left eye and cheek swollen.
> Her wings are flopped at her side, and she looks malnourished... drained.
> The... other is standing above her, wings flared out and sporting a recently broken nose.
> The blood that trickles down her... it's muzzle is green.
> As are it's eyes.
> Angel is waving an unfeasably large frying pan in an attempt to ward off the changeling.
> It notices you standing and with a sly, confident smile says "My love, remove the rabbit."
> You don't move.
> Whatever control it had over you, was banished the moment you realised it's nature.
> All you feel now is a cold rage.
> This... this... thing took your mind.
> It made you hurt a dear friend.
> ...It hurt somep0ny you think you love, if any of it was real.
> ...and it stole from you both, something the two of you would never get back.
> "I. Said. Remove. The. Rabbit. My 'love'." it punctuates each word with a stamp of it's stolen hooves and sneers the word 'love'.
"No."

> "WHAT?!?" it turns to face you, it's expression a twisted knot of rage.
> You walk towards it slowly.
> It sneers again "You belong to me Anon... to Fluttershy... your love..."
> The eyes glow green... you hear the buzzing again... it's the wings... they beat too quick for pegasus wings.
> "Submit... there is nothing else but me... give yourself to me... feel my love for you... for the rest of your days..." The voice has a hypnotic quality, amplified by the buzzing wings, but it's not enough.
> All you can hear are the lies, spun over and over again and the thunder of blood rushing in your ears.
> "...submit..." It say's again, less sure.
> ...and then you lunge forward.
> It wasn't expecting the kick that catches it right under it's chin, snapping it's head back.
> As it reels, you throw a downward hook into the side of it's face...
> ...fluttershy's face...
> That momentary realisation robs the punch of it's force.
> You glance towards the real Fluttershy... and you see again what it did.
> The travesty of it daring to wear this face fuels your rage.
> It's still trying to get it's bearings. "...s-submit?" it even sounded like her then.
> This time the punch loses none of it's force.

> The changeling topples to the ground.
> It's barely settled before you are astride it.
> Another hook to the face.
"Change!"
> Again.
"Change!"
> Once more, this time you feel something buckle in your hand.
"CHANGE BACK!"
> You keep alternating hands, each punch flaring pain in your right.
"Let!"
*thwack*
"Her!"
*thumpf*
"Go!"
*krunch*
> Something broke there.
> Your's or it's... doesn't matter.
> You look down at the swollen insect like face, green blood drooling from it's mouth and pooling near it's nose.
> One eye is crumpled inwards.
> You lean in, good arm rested across it's neck, snarling with fury as you try to use your body weight to choke it.
> The pressure slowly fades as a purple glow suffuses you and the changeling...
> You are lifted away from the still twitching changeling, which is held firmly in place.
> Twilight trots up next to you, a fierce look upon her face and horn glowing brightly.
> Rarity, still clutching at her neck with one hoof is crouched low over the still prone Fluttershy.
> A worried Spike dithers near Rarity waiting for the chance to do anything to help.
"...thanks for stopping me Twilight."
> She gives a huff of annoyance and stares with loathing at the creature "...if this is even half as bad as it looks, I wonder if I really should have...".

-----

> You all move to the library.
> The changeling is still alive, but won't be moving around soon.
> A number of angry stallions being held in check by Applejack are watching over it outside.
> You're not sure if it's for the safety of the town or the prisoner.
> Either way, you never want to see it again.
> Spike has dispatched a letter to Canterlot.
> A reply he read arrived shortly afterwards telling that guards had been dispatched.
> Rarity is sitting near you on a couch on the ground floor.
> Upstairs, Twilight tries her best healing magics to remedy the suffering Fluttershy went through.
> "...but you can only heal physical injuries that way."
> That's what she said when Spike handed her the book, glancing at you with sad, damp eyes.
> She doesn't know the whole story, but she's sharp.
> Twilight knows it's bad.
> Rarity gingerly pats a hoof on your broken right hand.
> You wince, but appreciate the gesture.
> "I-I...*cough* tried to tell...*cough*" She can't speak properly yet, the healing magic is a gradual process once cast.
"...I couldn't stop myself... It...controlled everything. I didn't even know what...aw, hell. I'm so sorry."
> She leans against you, still patting gently with the hoof.
> You lean against her too, closing your eyes and letting sleep take you.

-----

> "A-anon? ...are you...um...hello?"
> Fluttershy...
> At first it's a warm feeling, hearing that voice, feeling that tentative hoof on your knee...
> Then, it all comes flooding back.
> You awake fully with a jump, slapping the hoof away.
> Fluttershy leaps back, rearing up with a panicked flapping of her wings.
> Her eyes are wide with shock and... hurt as she holds the offending hoof close to her chest, sheilding it with the other.
> She drops back down and approaches, slowly.
> "...are you, umn...o-ok?" She has tears fresh in her eyes.
"Yeah. Peachy."
> "is...is t-that g-good?" She tries a little smile.
> You remember that smile.
> Was it her or was it that... thing?
> You don't respond, looking instead at a suddenly interesting part of the library that doesn't have anything Fluttershy shaped in it.
> The smile fades and she droops, hiding behind her hanging mane.
> "...I, um... I'm...g-gonna... just... g-go." She offers.
"Yeah."
> You can't look at her without thinking about...about it.
> Was it her that day near the fountain?
> When did it take her?
> Was it her when you came to her cottage... when you...
> When you first held her?
> Was anything she said real?
> You hear the click of the slowly closing library door.
> She's gone.

> You turn, looking towards the doorway.
> Rarity, fully healed now is walking purposefully towards you.
> "Anonymous." She say's firmly "you are a fool."
> Just what you need, a damned lecture...
"...go on then. get it out of your system."
> Twilight approaches you from the other side, keeping silent but for the sparks from her horn as she magically cajoles your hand into reknitting it's bones.
> "You don't realise what you're losing letting her walk away like that. It hurt you. Tricked you. Used you." Rarity's voice has definately healed...
> "Are you so afraid to face that?  are you willing to let that, that... MONSTER steal one last wonderful thing from you?... and... and..."
> Rarity keeps her gaze locked on you "...what's more, you're selfish." She deflates with a sigh, unable to stare at you any longer.
> Her voice softens "... the poor dear is hurting so. Didn't you see? Did you even look at her? You weren't alone in being used..."
> "Would that I could console her... but it isn't me, nor any other p0ny she needs to speak to." Rarity looks back at you.
> She just looks so dissappointed.
"... I'll talk to her."
> Rarity gives a little smile and nods her thanks.
> "Twilight. If you wouldn't mind... while you are healing Anonymous. Be a dear and tell him all you know about changelings..."
*sigh*
"I'd rather not know any- ow..."
> Twilight's magic sparked a little, jarring your hand.
> "I think there's some things you do need to know, Anon." She says, her concern plain to see.

-----

> You listened to Twilight as she healed your hand.
> Well, as much as she could heal it.
> It's still weak, still aches.
> "It should heal quite swiftly" Twilight answers, noticing you shaking your hand loose as you stand outside the door.
"Yeah. A lot quicker than it would without you. Thanks."
> Twilight nods, giving you a light smile and closing the library door after you.
> You and Rarity stand together outside the library.
> A cool breeze is blowing across p0nyville, toying with fallen leaves.
> The sun is already low in the sky and turning a pink hue.
"Rarity... the day I spoke to her at the fountain. Was it really Fluttershy?"
> Rarity is silent for a short while, but then answers with firm assuredness "I have no doubt it was really her."
> She pauses a moment, before continuing with a softer tone "She spoke with me. Talked about some... advice she'd recieved."
> "I think had she been... taken by then, she wouldn't have shared such thoughts." Rarity places a reassuring hoof on your arm.
"...I don't know what to do..."

> Rarity sighs, patting your arm with her hoof. "Yes you do. You're just need to remember, dear."
"Remember?"
> She nods. "Indeed. Remember. The reason you went to her that day. It came from you. Not the creature, Anonymous."
> You look down at Rarity, her eyes glisten with impassioned sincerity "...that came from you, dearest."
> "...find it in yourself again. Then you'll know."
> You have no words.
> She's right, you know she is.
> All she went through today, fighting for her life against the image of her best friend and, if your hand is anything to go by, her neck must still hurt...
> ...all of that and still her first concern is Fluttershy and yourself.
> Kneeling down you gently hug the unicorn.
"...how the hell do you put up with me, Rarity?"
> "...unquenchable reserves of patience. A sparkling, beautiful, forgiving personality and a truly unexpected interest in the well being of uncouth rascals, darling."
"...forgiving enough for the diet comment?"
> She pauses
> "That remains to be seen. Now. shoo."

> You find Fluttershy swiftly.
> She didn't have the strength in her still healing wings to go far.
> No inclination to head home, given what happened there.
> The ever helpful Pinkie pointed you in the right direction.
> The town hall.
> She's sitting alone up on one of the higher points of the steeple like roof.
> ...out of reach.
> She doesn't like heights, but today?
> Heights are better than company.
> You climb the stairs and step out onto the balcony.
"Fluttershy?"
> No answer.
> You sit yourself down.
"...I...I need to talk to you."
> She's just above you on the roof.
> You can see the tip of her pink mane just hanging over edge.
"I need to tell you I'm sorry. ...for how I acted in the library. That wasn't fair of me."

> "...that's ok. I understand..." Her voice is quiet, sad and sounds like it's coming from a place much more distant than a few feet away.
> "...you were still thinking about the ch-changeling... the th-things it d-did..."
"...it did them to you too."
> "...but..."
"No excuses. It was wrong... you... you fought so damn hard today. Twilight and Rarity told me what you went through."
> "...b-because I..."
"...all of the hurt. You just pushed on through. Saved me. Saved Rarity from me..."
> "...th-that wasn't your fault..."
"I know. You still saved us both. All of that, and as soon as you healthy enough to walk, you check that I'm ok. I slapped your hoof away."
> "...y-you were just frightened..."
"and you deserved better. You were so strong for us today and when you needed me to be strong for you? I failed."
> "o-oh, I'm not strong..."
"You are. You bury it deep Fluttershy, but you're one of the strongest p0nies I've ever met. You never give up. All this time, you never gave up on me."
> She peers over the edge of the roof "...i-it's ok. really."
"...can you forgive me?"

> She glides down to the balcony, landing near to you.
> "...yes...of course I can..." she gives a sweet, sad little smile.
> You return the smile.
"You're too good to me, 'shy."
> She turns her head aside, still smiling as she hides behind her mane.
> Her wings give a nervous little ruffle and settle.
> The two of you sit in a companionable silence for a while, watching the sun fall lower and grow a deeper pink in colour.
"Rarity was right again."
> "...hmm?"
"We can't let it take anything else from us."
> "...h-how can it...i-it's gone. gone for good."
"...if we let what it did keep a hold of us, then it doesn't matter. It's still In control."
> "...b-but the things it d-did to you..."
"...Hurt...but I'm not going to let it keep hurting me. I want to help you do the same."
>"...oh, A-anon...*snf*"
> Fluttershy sobs behind her mane.
> You slide over slowly and put an arm around her shoulder.
> With a shudder, she leans into your embrace.

"...what did it do, Fluttershy..."
> "...it...it...m-made me...w-watch. wh-when you...the b-bed..."
> You thought all your anger had burned away after the fight, but suddenly that ember of rage burns hot again.
"...oh god..."
> You hug her tighter as she shakes, trying to will her pain into yourself.
"...I...I just..."
> There's nothing you can say to make this better.
> "*snf* th-that wasn't the worst p-part..."
> You brace yourself, while a pall of certain dread hangs over her pause.
> "I-it made you say you l-loved it...I waited so long to hear you say th-that...s-so *snf* long...and...*sob*"
"...it took it from you..."
> Fluttershy slips her forelegs around you, her sobbing shaking you both.
> You hold each other close.
> What else can you do?

> After a while, something Twilight mentioned as she healed you floats to the surface of you scattered thoughts.
"...Twilight told me something about changelings..."
> Fluttershy doesn't respond, just holds you tightly.
"They're empty creatures. The only thing that's real about them is the hunger. Everything else? They steal."
"What it tricked me with. It was you. Not a spell. Not an imitation... It channeled you. That's why it worked."
> "...but..."
"Anything I said to it... I'd have said to you too."
> She doesn't answer.
> You listen to her breathing.
> Feel her heart beat through her chest, pressed against yours.
"We can't forget it, Fluttershy, but we can't let it define us."
> "I...I... d-don't think I can..."
"I know you can. You're strong. It's one of the things I love about you."
> "...love?" Fluttershy pushes back from you, eyes wide and still tearful, looking up with a shocked expression.
"Yeah. love. Just one reason among thousands, 'Shy."
> She leans up slowly, mouth parted, eyes closing.
> You meet the kiss, gently.
> A slow, sweet, fresh start under the setting sun.

-----

> Rarity lowers a pair of opera glasses with a blue glow and a satisfied smile.
> She's sitting on the balcony of the Carousel Boutique on a picnic blanket.
> It gives a good view of p0nyville, especially certain other balconies...
> Humming to herself, she  raises a glass of wine with a flick her horn.
> "To the happy couple." She giggles to herself and sips the wine.