CJ's POV

"Where am I?"

I stood within a dark room that seemed like nothing but an empty void; walls were out of sight and practically anything familiar. Curiosity surfaced as I peered into the void and ventured further, unaware of where I was headed to.

"Hello? Anyone there?," I yelled into the darkness but got no response.

I was still lost in thought once I noticed a flashing beam of light in the far distance. "Well isn't that wonderful? I can see the light. Did I die or something?" I deadpanned. The beem seemed to be getting dimmer, so I hurriedly followed the illuminant rays of light. Faster and faster, I swiftly sprinted to the scene with the hopes of understanding my reason for being here.

As I got closer, the rays of light turned to a vivid green while flashing constantly. "What could that be?"I said aloud this time. The culprit of this was floating in midair, as though it was between the fabric of space and time. I reached out my hand to grab it but it suddenly glowed even brighter than before, leaving me nearly blinded.

"Ugghh, my eyes!", I groaned , still recovering from the sudden beam of light. The ray of light seemed quite powerful and even I felt a bit mesmerised, until vexation built up once more.

I looked up again, glaring towards the light right until it abruptly went dim again. I saw the object closely this time and gasped, "Wait, it's been this thing the whole time?," I questioned noone in particular, astonished by the the same little green gemstone. "I'ma give it a name, can't keep calling it the little green gemstone. I thought for a moment and concluded "Jade."

Don't ask.

Suddenly, the ground beneath me seemed to be vanishing; slowly but surely. I looked in horror, completely dazed by what was happening. Looking below, it was as if I was within the midst of every star in the galaxy as the moon itself was in sight, so was the sun. I couldn't if I was shocked or mesmerized, but all that came to an abrupt end when it I felt like the organs in my stomach were turning inside out. That was when I looked below and realisation dawned on me.

I was falling.

"Aaaaahhh!", I screamed, my life seemed to be flashing before my eyes. Yet, I actually stopped myself from digging deeper into my own memories. I quickly glanced up again and noticed that Jade was still hovering above, it's light completely went out and the once space themed void I was falling into turn pitch black once again.

With that, I blacked out...

********

"No!"

I gasped for air, shocked with the turn of events that had just taken place. I really thought I was a goner but surprisingly, I was laying on my bed in my room. Breaking out in a cold sweat, I could still feel myself falling.

"What was that about?" I thought, still in a daze.

The vanity at the corner of the room still stood, and jade was still on the counter dimmer than ever. Quietly, I stood up from the bed and sat on the edge, whilst spectating at this curious gem. It always seemed to shine it's bright light at such inconvenient moments. It also mysteriously appeared out of nowhere and just couldn't wrap my finger on it.

Something didn't add up.

To think that this jade exuded an aura of mystery but with an intriguing hint of excitement. But at the moment, it remained dull and less captivating.

And to top it off, that whole fiasco turned out to be a rather peculiar dream... Or probably some cliché.

Yet, it seemed so real and I just feel so certain that little jade was the culprit. Although, what if it was only a dream?...

No.

There's more to that gem that meets the eye and it's time I figure out what it is.

With a sigh, I tucked in myself back in bed still in fear of that dream happening again. But before I knew it, I unknowingly drifted off to sleep...

********

Third person POV

"Hey CJ! I'm off to work", Margot called out to CJ from the living room, already prepared to leave for her work place.

"Huh?" CJ stirred in her sleep before her eyes shot open. "Oh right, it's Saturday. It's still a work day for her."

"CJ?"

"Coming Margot."

The turquoise-green haired teen rushed downstairs to meet her sister who was at the door and had the house keys dangling from her index finger.

"I need you to take cookie to the pet groomer this time," She said briefly, "My boss called, and customers are already filling up the salon. So difficult to get a day off these days," she scoffed slightly with a wry smile.

CJ tilted her head slightly, "Uh, okay or whatever. But why now? Thought we agreed for next week?"

Margot paused for couple of seconds as if trying to recall what she had just said before continuing, "I actually scheduled an appointment today."

"And you didn't tell me?"

"Hehe," she laughed nervously, fiddling with the keys.

"Okay fine, I will. But only because it's cookie," CJ folded her arms, glancing at the Golden doodle on the other side. Cookie was already wide awake and at the moment, was merrily eating her breakfast with a wagging tail. A little smile creeped on CJ's face as she thought of how adorable the little puppy was.

Her older sister noticed this and chuckled, "All right then, see ya later. Don't miss me too much," she winked with a cheeky grin and bade her farewell, shutting the door behind her.

CJ rolled her eyes at her sister's gesture even though she wasn't there, but a light laugh followed before she abruptly cleared her throat. "Well, looks like we've got plans today, cookie," she announced, shifting her gaze to the pup who simply barked in response.

"Come on, let's get this over with."

********

"Now, who wants a treat?"

Pet animals both big and small gathered at the sound of the word 'Treat'. Their caretaker giggled at the cute and expectant expressions on their faces. "There you go," she said and she shared the pet treats equally in their respective feeding bowls.

The person in question was a certain pastel pink haired girl with her usual teal coloured butterfly hair clip, happily humming as she carried on with her own activities at the pet grooming store which she worked at. Her long hair covered her teal eyes, which she shifted slightly to the side.

It was fluttershy.

"I have your carrots here Angel", she gestured to a bowl of carrots that she had especially for her pet bunny, Angel.

The little bunny cocked up an eyebrow as he inspected the the carrot bowl before glancing back at Fluttershy with a disapproving look.

"Don't you like them?", Fluttershy asked worriedly, hoping that the Angel was okay with them.

He just frowned and folded his paws as he used his hind ones to push the bowl of carrots away.

"Angel...", Fluttershy looked directly into his eyes. The bunny squeaked a bit and reluctantly took the bowl of carrots. His frown immediately melted away once he tasted the fresh luscious carrots.

Fluttershy smiled at little bunny, bending down to pet him. "I knew you'd like them," she grinned.

At that very moment, the door swung open, and Fluttershy quickly rose, moving instinctively toward the customer. A girl stood in the doorway, holding a pet carrier, wearing a green hoodie with the hood pulled over her head, black leggings, and white sneakers.

"Oh, um, sorry for the wait. It was my fault," Fluttershy said, bowing her head in apology. "I'm F-Fluttershy, by the way. Sorry again."

"It's no problem, really," the girl assured, a small smirk playing on her lips. "Besides, I'm only here for an appointment."

"A grooming appointment? I'll be right back–let me find the appointment register," Fluttershy said, her eyes darting around the room until she spotted the register near the shelves. She quickly grabbed it, flipping through the pages.

"There are two appointments today–Margot Sapphire and Twilight Sparkle, but my friend Twilight already came in today, so..." She glanced up. "So, you must be Margot Sapphire?"

The girl raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Nope. I'm CJ Sapphire. Margot's younger sister."

Fluttershy blinked, surprised. "Oh, my mistake."

CJ shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, it happens." She adjusted the pet carrier in her hands.

"Okay, what pet do you own? If you'd like to talk, that is," Fluttershy asked, still a little shy but genuinely curious.

"Well..." CJ trailed off and opened the pet carrier. A little golden doodle popped out and began bounding around with excitement.

"Awwww, a mini golden doodle! She's adorable!" Fluttershy marveled, the shyness melting away in the face of the puppy's cuteness.

"Yeah, she sure is." CJ smiled and scooped the dog into her arms.

Fluttershy stared at the puppy for a moment, then her eyes widened. "Cookie? Is that you?"

The dog barked in response, her tail wagging furiously. Fluttershy smiled knowingly. "Yes, it is me."

CJ stared at Fluttershy, blinking in confusion. "Wait, you know my puppy?"

"Actually, I know your pet sitter—Mrs Honey Walker, right?"

"Uh... Yeah?" CJ answered, no less confused.

"She asked me to look after Cookie one time when she had an emergency." Fluttershy explained.

CJ raised an eyebrow. "Huh. Guess that makes sense."

Fluttershy smiled gently, watching the puppy who kept barking happily. "Well, it seems like she really thinks of you as a great owner."

CJ's face lit up for a brief moment before her brows furrowed again. "Wait, did you just... talk to her?"

Fluttershy's face brightened with a soft beam. "Actually, I did."

CJ raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Should've known. Especially when you said you're friends with Twilight..." She trailed off, glancing at the geode hanging around Fluttershy's neck. "That's a little... on the nose, don't you think?"

Just as the words left CJ's mouth, a small white bunny, Angel, trotted into the room with a distinctly grumpy expression. Spike hurried after him, his tail wagging energetically.

"Fluttershy? The other animals want more treats. They won't stop asking," Spike said, his paw pointing in the direction of the other animals. "And he just talked," CJ thought, her mouth hanging open. But honestly, she wasn't all that surprised anymore.

Fluttershy let out a soft sigh. "Sorry about this. I really need to check on the other animals. I'll have Cookie ready to go in a minute. You can take a seat over there if you want," she said, pointing to a pair of chairs by the entrance.

"Okay then," CJ replied, nodding and taking a seat.

As she sat, she couldn't help but observe the room. The warmth of the space, the cozy atmosphere-it felt like a welcoming home rather than just a pet grooming shop. It was calming, and she found herself relaxing.

Her gaze landed on a flowerpot on the counter, where a single marigold sat in full bloom. The sight sent a rush of nostalgia through her, and before she knew it, she stood up, drawn to the flower.

"Why'd I have to see this now?" she muttered to herself.

Just then, Fluttershy entered the room, Cookie in her arms. She noticed CJ's gaze lingering on the marigold. "Is something wrong?" she asked softly.

CJ turned to face her, forcing a hesitant smile. "Oh, uh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it." She quickly stuffed her hands into her pockets.

Fluttershy noticed the flower's significance. "Did you grow this?" she asked, her voice gentle.

"Oh, yes, I did," Fluttershy explained, a soft blush coloring her cheeks. "I thought the place could use a little more of... nature's touch."

Cookie nudged Fluttershy, as if agreeing with her.

"Oh, right. Here's your puppy," Fluttershy added, handing Cookie over to CJ. "It was nice seeing you again, Cookie," she waved, and just as CJ was about to pick the puppy up, Cookie bolted back to Fluttershy, clearly eager to stay close.

"Uh huh, oh I see. You do?" Fluttershy murmured, as though having a conversation with the puppy.

CJ stared at them, utterly confused. "Well, Cookie has something she's always wanted to say, but never got to." Fluttershy cleared her throat, then quoted the puppy: "If you're ever feeling sad, don't forget that I'm here for you too! You're a great owner, CJ, and I'm lucky to have you."

CJ's eyes widened, her throat tightening as she looked down at the puppy. A weak smile tugged at her lips. "Aww, come here, you little Cookie," she murmured, heart melting at the unexpected tenderness.

Fluttershy's heart warmed at the sight, but CJ quickly regained her composure, her usual guarded expression slipping back into place. "You really meant that, girl?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, looking at Cookie who was happily licking her face.

"That's definitely a yes," Fluttershy giggled, a smile spreading across her face. "Animals can sense emotions too, you know. Sometimes even better than we do."

CJ nodded slowly, the weight of the moment lingering. "Thanks... I'll keep that in mind," she said quietly, the faintest smile remaining on her face as she adjusted her stance.

"Bye, Cookie. Bye, CJ," Fluttershy called as the two headed toward the door.

"Ruff!" Cookie barked, wagging her tail energetically as they left.

As CJ stepped out into the cool air, she took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Cookie nuzzled her, licking her cheek as she giggled lightly.

"I never knew you wanted to say that..." CJ mused aloud, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

Suddenly, her geode glowed with a vivid green light, brighter than before. CJ quickly tucked it away in the pet carrier, the memory of her strange dream creeping into her mind. She shook her head, determined to push it aside.

"Let's go home. I'm starving."

As she walked home with Cookie by her side, CJ's mind kept drifting back to Fluttershy's kind words, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

********

Moments later, the door jingled again as Twilight Sparkle stepped inside, carrying a small leash. "Hi Fluttershy!" she called out with a bright smile.

"Hey Twilight" Fluttershy greeted, her voice soft and melodic. "Let me go get Spike." She returned a moment later with Spike and a small bag handing it over as Spike eagerly sniffed the air.

"Thanks for watching him," Twilight said, patting Spike on the head. "He's always so excited when he's here. What's in those treats, anyway?"

Spike licked his lips and chimed in, "Whatever they are, they're amazing! You're like, the best chef ever, Fluttershy!"

Both girls laughed, and Fluttershy knelt to scratch Spike behind his ears. "I'm so glad you liked them, Spike. You're welcome anytime."

As Twilight turned to leave, Fluttershy hesitated. "Wait," she said suddenly, her voice more urgent than usual.

Twilight paused mid-step, looking back with a curious expression. "What is it?" she asked.

Fluttershy glanced around the room as if ensuring they were alone, then lowered her voice. "It's just... well, maybe it's just me, but have you noticed... anything strange about your geode lately? Like, it glowing more than usual?"

Twilight blinked, her brows furrowing. She instinctively touched the purple gem hanging around her neck, her mind racing. "Now that you mention it..." she trailed off, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Yesterday, it did seem brighter. I thought it was just a trick of the light."

Fluttershy nodded, her expression growing more serious. "Mine too-just a few minutes ago, actually. When a girl was here with her puppy."

Twilight's lips parted slightly, a sense of unease creeping into her chest. She turned the idea over in her head, trying to make sense of it. "That's... odd," she admitted, her voice quieter now.

Fluttershy's eyes searched Twilight's face for reassurance. "Do you think it's a bad thing?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Twilight hesitated, her fingers brushing the surface of her geode again. She looked at Fluttershy, her face a mix of uncertainty and determination. "I hope not," she replied softly, though her gaze lingered on the door as if the answer lay somewhere beyond it.

The two girls exchanged a look, unspoken questions hanging in the air as Spike tilted his head, his tail wagging faintly. And for a moment, the shop fell silent, save for the faint hum of possibility that seemed to follow them now.