Twenty-Third Flutter [Video/Action only for Twilight]

[3_butterflies]

[Fluttershy is still holed up in her room at Goldenrod, but at least she's somewhat making an effort to talk to people now, if the turning on of her Pokegear is any indication. Her red eyes show signs of past tears, but she's trying to be strong now.]

... I'm sorry for bothering you, but... some friends of mine are gone... I know that happens a lot, ponies - I mean, people leaving... and sometimes they come back, but don't remember what happened here... So... so...

[She gulps, and twists the butterfly ring on her finger.]

... If Applejack does come back... If she doesn't remember her time here... Then... please don't tell her about... us being... together. I-It wouldn't be fair to her.

Comments

[Action]

[friendyousohard]

[She's already there. Heck, she's barely moved from Fluttershy's room since the others vanished.

Twilight can't help but remember what Shy told her when she first showed up. How all of them were here at first, and then one by one, they all vanished. Just like now... and left her all alone. And she can't help thinking that she might be next, and she might not have any control over it. At any moment, she could be ripped away.

It just makes her want to cram a little more into the time she does have. Particularly now with how much she needs a friend. How much they both do.

As she listens to her record the message, she can't help but think that just a few weeks ago, Fluttershy was literally proclaiming her love from the rooftops...]

This place is unforgivably cruel.

[Action]

[3_butterflies]

[She doesn't reply at first, turning off the gear once the message has been recorded. She then puts it aside on the bed, and keeps her face down. She feels selfish for being so upset - a silly notion - when her friend is hurting just as bad. But what is she supposed to do?]

... I'm sorry, Twilight....

[Action]

[friendyousohard]

That's my line. You're the one who's... who's had to go through all this twice now.

[She pats the bed next to her. She doesn't really know how to deal with this properly, but she can at least do what comes naturally.]

I just... I wish I could do something. Anything...

[Action]

[3_butterflies]

[She rubs her eyes a little, hoping to prevent anymore tears. Then she slowly makes her way over to the bed, carefully sitting down, clutching her dress in her hands as a way to try and calm down.]

Maybe it's just... supposed to be this way...

[Action]

[friendyousohard]

Don't say that!

[She grabs hold of Fluttershy's shoulders, shaking her head in adamant denial of even the suggestion. There are tears in her eyes now, just thinking about it.]

We're... supposed to be together. We're the Elements... and more, we're friends. This isn't how it's supposed to be. It's not, I... I won't accept it.

[She wipes her eyes quickly and looks as close to her eyes as she can get.]

So don't... don't say or think that, alright? It's just too... wrong. Too sad. You're not meant to be here alone.

[Action]

[3_butterflies]

T-Twilight...

[she shudders, and then goes in for a very tight hug, clinging onto the unicorn as if that would prevent her from ever leaving. She sniffles, pressing her face into Twilight's shoulder.]

I just... I don't know what to do without you girls anymore... You're so important to me, that... that you are my life....

[Action]

[friendyousohard]

I know, I know... Fluttershy, I feel the same way. When I thought I'd lost you girls to Discord...

[She stops there, remembering that Shy hasn't gone through that yet. The fact that that experience is still lying ahead for Fluttershy does not make Twilight any happier.]

I'd have given anything to have you back. That time, there was something I could do. But now... All my magic's gone, and I just... I feel so weak and helpless.

[Action]

[3_butterflies]

[She shakes her head hard, pulling back to defy the last statements.]

Th-that's not true! You're not weak and helpless... you're still here, aren't you? Just by being here, you do so much... I'm so glad you're still here...

[Action]

[friendyousohard]

But I...

[She stops herself from completing that sentence. "I could vanish anytime". It's true, yes. But it's the last thing Fluttershy needs to hear right now. And the last thing she should be focusing on.]

No, you're right. I'm still here. And while I'm here, there's still things I can do.

And I promise you, Fluttershy. As long as I'm here, you won't ever be alone. I mean, unless you want to be alone for a while, to think or something, but...

[She cuts herself off before she starts babbling too badly.]

[Action]

[3_butterflies]

[another shake of her head, but this time, it's much slower, and she tries to make a weak smile.]

Uh-uh. I... don't ever want to let you out of my sight again. I promise too... I won't ever leave your side. You're one of my very best friends... so I'll stay with you as long as I can.

[Action]

[friendyousohard]

Fluttershy... You're almost too sweet sometimes, you know that?

[She hugs her again, but this time it's less of a cling and more of a hold.]

Then as long as we're both here, we won't be separated by anything. No matter what happens.

[Action]

[3_butterflies]

[She rests her head on Twilight's chest, sighing, both sad and a little happy. Sure, everypony was gone... but at least Twilight, the rational one, the smart one, the one who had the biggest chance of solving Johto's mysteries was here.]

Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.

[Action]

[friendyousohard]

[She chuckles a bit and murmurs the oath in turn. It only seems fitting.

She has to admit, she's surprised at how quickly the situation seems to be turning around. It still hurts, but... as long as Fluttershy's with her, it feels like she can get through anything. She has to wonder if she'd feel the same if it were any of the others.

Oh, probably. She cares for them all the same, after all, right?]

So... what do you want to do today?

[Action]

[3_butterflies]

[Well, she wants to curl up on the bed and resume sobbing, as she's been doing already these past few weeks. But, judging by Twi's tone, that's probably not the best answer. She shrugs, with yet another sigh.]

I don't know... Anything is fine. Whatever you want to do... as long as I'm with you.

[Action]

[friendyousohard]

Hmmm... then let's go take our Pokemon for a walk. I don't know about yours, but Spike's been looking pretty antsy lately.

Re: [Action]

[3_butterflies]

[Mentioning Pokemon does lift her spirits some. She begins to pull back again, nodding her approval.]

That's a good idea... I've been keeping mine inside all this time, they're probably upset about that...

[Action]

[friendyousohard]

Well, no time like the present to make up for it. You ready to go now, or do you need to take care of anything first?

[The idea came to her as a whim, but it's proving such a good distraction already that she's practically throwing herself into it. And besides, she hasn't spent enough time with her Pokes recently.]

[Action]

[3_butterflies]

[She begins sliding off the bed, smoothing her dress down.]

I'm ready whenever you are... I feel like I haven't seen the sun in forever.

[Action]

[friendyousohard]

Alright then, let's go!

[Twilight stands up, offering her hand with a smile of encouragement as she double checks to make sure she has Spike and Starswirl's poke balls. She does, of course.]

[ video ]

[uuing]

[ Oh no, Maria can't help but pout a little at this too - it sounds so sad, and she knows it's sad in general to lose friends here, so.. clearly this is her opportunity to try and cheer Fluttershy up, right? ]

Uu-. Fluttershy, don't be sad, don't be sa-d!

[Action]

[3_butterflies]

[She reaches out, trying to take Twilight's hand.]

Okay... I'm all ready, I think...

[ video ]

[3_butterflies]

[She swallows, but puts on her weakest smile.]

It's not easy, Maria...

[Action]

[friendyousohard]

Alright then. Let's get going.

[She takes Shy's hand easily and turns to head outside. Their friends may be gone, for now, but they've still got each other, and there's a whole world out there waiting for them. Twilight tries to keep that thought foremost in her mind.

It helps. A little.]

[video]

[tapestodiane]

I'm so sorry, Fluttershy. How are you holding up?

_{[Asking quietly, but with obvious concern. He doesn't know her very well, of course, but he knows the gravity of people leaving - and since AJ's disappeared twice...]}

[video]

[3_butterflies]

[She absolutely refuses to make eye contact.]

... I'll be all right... Eventually.