//------------------------------// // When the chips are down... // Story: Gambleshy // by Prismfire Productions //------------------------------// It was a nice fall day. The temperature was a bit on the cool side, something that Fluttershy knew was a harbinger of the first frost that was sure to happen by the end of the week. Still, all was peaceful, just as Fluttershy liked it as she made her morning rounds. The neighboring animals knew when it was time for their daily breakfast, and each had learned the designated areas for feeding. She had just finished tending to the birds, and was about to see about her favorite fox Cross, when she saw her dear fur baby curled up and coughing. “Oh… oh dear…” Fluttershy said as she rushed over and held the fox close to her, in the process feeling the light red fox’s fever. “My little Cross fox, seems you have come down sick.” The female fox gave short, quick yip as she told Fluttershy how she was feeling, eventually falling asleep due to lack of energy. Fluttershy had dealt with this before, eleven times to be precise, and knew that the fox had come down with the equivalent of a nasty cold. “Don’t you worry my dear Cross,” Fluttershy said while moving inside and fixing the vixen a soothing herbal honey blend. “Once you drink this I’ll go and see about see about buying you some medicine ok?” Once again, the fox gave a weak yip as Fluttershy started to have the poor animal drink the blend. As the fox relaxed and fell asleep, a small thought crossed the butter yellow pegasus’ mind as she slowly flew towards Ponyville. “I really hope that I still have enough in my stipend to cover the cost of the medicine, especially since it has gone up in price due to that failed healthcare change.” Fluttershy landed at the edge of town, having got herself too worked up to continue the flight. Apprehension continued to build, her steps slightly off balance, as she entered the bank. The mahogany floors seemed to amplify her hoofsteps, making each *clip clop* drill into her brain as her heartbeat made it difficult to hear fully. She could see the teller talking to her, but the mare behind the counter sounded as if she was talking through a tin can from a distance. Fluttershy was only able to snap out of it by the teller giving her a concerned shake. “Fluttershy,” The teller, Bit Slider, asked as she tapped the pegasus’ shoulder. “are you feeling ok dear? I know that the feather flu has broke out in Cloudsdale, even Rainbow Dash has it, and I am just concerned that you aren’t coming down with it.” “Oh umm...” Fluttershy squeaked, looking at the floor embarrassed as she took several deep meditation breaths. “No, I’m fine, I was just deep in thought is all. Yes, I heard about the outbreak, Rainbow even had to cancel a tea party with me because of how she is feeling, but the last letter I got from her said that she was feeling better.” Bit Slider smiled. “That is good to hear Fluttershy, so what is the purpose of your visit today?” This was it, the moment of truth, and she knew that Angel’s increased snacking despite her best attempts to put him on a diet would come back to haunt her. “I am here for a balance inquiry. As you know, Mayor Mare gave me a monthly stipend to help me tend to the animals at my cottage. I was wondering how much I still had left in it, one of my foxes came down sick and I am just seeing if I can cover it.” “I will be glad to assist you Fluttershy,” Bit said with a smile. “just let me go get your log books out of the back.” “Thank you.” Fluttershy said in a solemn tone as she pawed at the floor with her hoof. When Bit returned, the older mare led Fluttershy to a table and sat beside her as they started combing through the balance history. “Seems you have been going through your stipend more the last few months.” Bit said with mild surprise. “Have you thought about submitting a request to the princesses for an increase?” “Oh heavens no,” Fluttershy replied, her face now half hidden by her mane and her voice even quieter than normal. “especially after the recent rebuilding efforts caused from our fights with the Storm King. I feel like most of the treasury should go to making everypony’s lives back to a sense of normalcy, even if it will last just a few months or so.” Bit gave the pegasus beside her a warm smile. “That is highly noble of you Fluttershy, and I do not say that just because you are the former Element of Kindness. As long as I have known you, you always put everypony’s needs before your own. Why don’t you ask your friends if they could spare you a few bits to help.” “I would…” Fluttershy said with a small sigh as she skimmed through the books, frowning at how little was left for the month. “However I can’t, my roof collapsed last winter from the weight of the snow and I am still paying them back for that. They each wanted to refuse my offer, but they caved when I wouldn’t stand down from it. Even with that fifty bits I see I would be short, I can’t have my dear Cross sick.” Bit remained quiet for a long minute before speaking, having been deep in thought. “Hmm… well, I heard that there is a new place out in Los Pegasus that could be of interest. The buffalo are running it to help rebuild Lodge City after the wildfires, chances are you will lose more than gain but it is for a good cause.” Fluttershy thought about the possibility, and despite a small part of her wanted to chase it, it still felt uncomfortable. “I don’t know, just what kind of place is it?” “Something that is right up your alley,” Bit said presenting a flyer. “you are the best card player on this side of the Smokies. Everypony from here to Appleloosa knows how good you are when it comes to seeing through bluffs, and this would put you on a bigger stage. Ponyville always was seen as a quiet town, you know that, and over time several have taken advantage of that fact.” The teller’s remark struck a nerve with Fluttershy, one that she thought would not ever be messed with. “Look Bit, everypony from here to Canterlot knows I beat out the former Saddle Arabian diplomat at poker. I was dumb to even take up that dare in the first place, but you know how hard it is to try and talk Rainbow Dash out of something once she has her mind set on it.” Bit simply smiled. “That is a fact, but look at all the good that came out of you winning that game. Every bit he ever stole was rightfully returned, the relations between Equestria and Saddle Arabia are better than ever since they elected their current one, and everything turned out for the best.” “What about the civil massacres?” Fluttershy countered, now a little angry. “Just going to act like they didn’t happen? Thousands had untimely deaths and their blood is on my hooves.” Bit looked at Fluttershy as if she had grown a second head. “Birth and death, as well as peace and war, are all part of life Fluttershy. You honestly going to blame yourself for what happened just recently with the Storm King?” “Well, no…” Fluttershy squeaked, but Bit kept her from continuing. “Of course not! So why is that situation any different Fluttershy? You quit playing because of something that happened that was outside your control, eventually you are going to have to let it go.” Bit placed her hoof on Flutteshy’s wither in support trying to cheer the saddened mare up. “So what is one more tournament? You can do this and retire by helping yourself and defending Ponyville’s honor for all the years of grief.” The deep feeling inside Fluttershy returned, and she was suddenly aware of the faint smell of apples trying to distract her. “Seems to me that this would be benefiting you more than me Bit, is this some sort of revenge scheme perhaps?” A sinister gleam, one that made Fluttershy shiver, appeared in Bit’s eyes. “Why be that harsh about it? The way I see it nopony loses since the jackpot is set at a certain amount. They get the extra bits, Ponyville gets some notoriety, and you get enough bits to last a while. What do you say Fluttershy?” It bubbled and toiled in her mind, and although she felt like it was slightly wrong, Bit did raise some good points. She was scraping the bottom of the figurative barrel and had no other choice as she finally relented. “Ok, I’ll do it, but I get 75% of the pot. Deal?” “Considering that will still give me 2,500 bits, that is fine by me Fluttershy.” Bit Slider said as she bumped hooves with the timid mare. “You better hurry, I heard from Rarity that spots were filling up fast for the tournament when she was delivering a package to Jet Set.” “I guess I will be on my way then,” Fluttershy said as she headed for the door. “thanks for everything Bit Slider!” “Any time!” Bit called out as Fluttershy exited the building. As for Fluttershy, she had started feeling hungry and knew exactly what she wanted. “I am sure Applejack wouldn’t mind if I visited, after all I need a snack in order to make sure I don’t have to make any more stops.” Fluttershy thought as she neared Sweet Apple Acres, making a large swoop around the property until she found her friend. Fifteen minutes later, she found the farmer returning from the south fields with a wagon full of freshly picked apples. She subconsciously drooled at the sight of them, but had enough manners to know to ask first. “Howdy Fluttershy,” Applejack said wiping her brow as the pegasus landed. “wha’ can I do fer ya?” “Umm…” Fluttershy was eyeing the apples like Princess Celestia would a Red Velvet Cake. She was slowly losing to her urges but was holding her ground the best she could. “I was wondering if you had any apples to spare, I’m heading to Los Pegasus to enter that poker competition and I need a snack for my trip.” Applejack blinked. Being the keen eye she was, she knew exactly why Fluttershy would come to her for apples instead of simply stopping in Sugarcube Corner. It made her uneasy considering her last encounter with Fluttershy’s “other half”, but she felt as if she would be a bad friend by refusing the request. “Alright, ya can hav’ some on the condition ya don’t go an’ dismantle the rest of mah harvest.” “Wasn’t planning on it,” Fluttershy said with a deadpan. “but whatever you can spare would be a huge help.” “No problem.” Applejack said as she set aside a whole basket full of the juiciest apples in the batch. “I do hav’a question, why not take da train instead of flyin’?” Fluttershy figured that the former bearer of Honesty would ask that, and had an answer at the ready. “Same reason I want the apples, I have gotten better at controlling my bat side, but I want to see how others respond to me in that form.” “Fair ‘nough Fluttershy,” Applejack said putting her hoof on her friend’s wither. “jus’ be careful ya hear? And good luck.” Fluttershy wrapped her forehooves around Applejack and pulled her into a hug. “I will Applejack, I promise.” “Good.” Applejack said as she ended the hug. “Now I gotta be goin’, that way Granny doesn’t get mad about me missin’ lunch. Cya when ya get back.” With that Applejack left heading back towards the farmhouse, leaving Fluttershy with her basket of apples. Finally alone, Fluttershy let her craving be settled as she took a bite out of the apple. The crunchy flesh was easily broken by her teeth, the scrumptious insides leaving her mouth with an explosion of flavor as she felt her body start to change. The first thing she felt was her normal pegasus magic start to change, most of it being disregarded unless it was beneficial to apples. The new, altered magic started to pulse through her and made her cutie mark start to flash. The three butterflies started to warp, stretch, and bend before finishing as solid pink bats as her coat color became duller, her mane and tail becoming more ragged as they grew. “Just a little bit more…” Fluttershy thought as her senses shaped, her normally-short fangs growing to their full length. Then, as her ears grew tufts and fluffed up, her wings twitched and burned and flared out as they started to molt. The preened, well-kept feathers were no match for the power of the transformation, falling to the ground as the bones changed shape and the skin over them stretched into a membrane as they became those of a batpony. Fluttershy, who’s eyes became more light sensitive and adapted to the night, hissed in pain from the sun and made her retreat to the canopy. “I am so stupid to leave my sunglasses at home…” Flutterbat said to herself with annoyance as she munched on an apple, suddenly feeling tired as she drifted into Luna’s realm. “Now I have to wait until night to head home, but I hope Applejack don’t mind me napping her until then.”