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Fluttershy is a rather interesting character. She obviously has issues, but what they are is up in the air. My guess is that she has social anxiety disorder. "Physical symptoms often accompanying social anxiety disorder include excessive blushing, sweating (hyperhidrosis), trembling, palpitations, nausea, and stammering often accompanied with rapid speech." This sounds like somepony...Anyways, moving on...

Fluttershy most likely fears rejection, to the point of it shaping her. She has positioned herself in such a way that she can't be rejected by becoming an introvert, as one cannot very well be rejected if there's no one to reject her. She befriended the animals to keep her company, and took care of them so they wouldn't reject her as well as enjoying their company. Imagine her joy when she made five friends. There's also the matter of her seeming to have a rather sharp wit around those she's comfortable with, as shown by her comment towards Spike during the journey to Appleloosa.

From this, I can determine a few things. One, she can be a right smartass if she wants to be. Two, she could become a stalker if given the right stimuli. And three, something traumatic happened to her in the past.

How much of that which is truly correct has yet to be determined, but something that I am certain of being correct is the last of that. I'm actually rather surprised she isn't a cynic. She either is a cynic pretending to be an idealist, or she fits one type of the Knight in Sour Armor trope. Despite what the world has done to her, whatever that may be, she still remains positive and idealistic.

Both are interesting dynamics. If the first, one would have to determine a reason why she would hide it. If the second, it means she's stronger than she appears, which has been shown already.

Since the second is the less interesting dynamic, let's examine the first. That takes a bit of doing, however, but I think I understand it. Type A Stepford Smiler, albeit without all of the smiles. Instead, it's a mask of idealism.

Oh, how I love character deconstruction!

Yes, yes, this path is starting to take shape. If she belongs to the first possible path, she hides depression and cynicism behind a mask of idealism and shyness.

But that interpretation seems rather flimsy and brittle, to be perfectly honest. There's no direct evidence to support it, just as much as there is no evidence to destroy it. As far as I can see, anyways. So, I have reached the tip of this theory, because I cannot build anything else with it. So, on to the second path.

The Knight in Sour Armor Fluttershy. If that is the case, then it puts Fluttershy in a very positive light:

"The presence of cynicism usually makes the idealistic behavior even more noteworthy: it's easy to love everyone when Rousseau Was Right, but you really have to be a good guy to believe that Humans Are Bastards and care about them anyway. Such characters can also be The Fettered; their cynical outlook tells them they could probably get away with all kinds of things that they don't do because that would be wrong, and just because the world sucks doesn't mean you need to make it worse."

If that is the case, it means she's a truly good pony. And, yes, it would make sense that she would be the Fettered too. And now, it seems this theory is correct, because it has support:

"Responsibility, honor, and justice. The Fettered believe in these ideals and willingly bind themselves to them, and in so doing draw strength to face whatever challenges arise. When their morals, values, and loved ones are put in danger, they rise to defend them with Heroic Resolve."

Dragonshy. Heh. Stepford Smiler Fluttershy is now purely a simple path she could have taken. But Knight in Sour Armor Fluttershy seems to be who she is.

And, indeed, the more I look at her, the more she comes across as the LEAST fragile of the mane six. After all, who was the only one who forced Discord to forcibly corrupt her with magic instead of words? Who was the one who summoned incredible willpower to catch up to corrupted Rainbow Dash? It was Fluttershy. And Pinkie Pie feels the need to protect her. Heh.

Fluttershy is strong. Stronger than anyone suspects. 'Silk Hiding Steel' indeed.

Now, then. Let's take a step back and examine one of the other three things I noted about her: The possible stalker. That, however, is the weakest of the three I noted. The capability is there, but it seems to be more of a convincing illusion than true stalker capability. Her episode at the Gala was fear-induced anger, not true Yandere obsession despite her evil laugh. No, that stalker capability is like a fuse box. Some of the needed fuses are working, but most of them are blown. Perhaps a safety mechanism. And, really, no other example besides her episode at the Gala exists, therefore her ability to be a stalker is in question, and it looks like that isn't the case.

Moving on to the last of them: The matter of whether or not she is a true smartass. Unlike the previous thing, this has support, like her comment on the dress Rarity made for her, plus "I'm a year older than you." And "Huffy the Magic Dragon."

It seems to me that it's a part of her she only shows to people she's comfortable with. Fluttershy seems to have a wit. It's not as sharp or pronounced as Twilight's, but it's there. And the coup de grâce on the matter? "Fluttershy, you're okay!" "Of course." A wit, indeed.

And that is the underlying character of Fluttershy. I can think of little else. But, that's my opinion of her. Feel free to disagree or take this apart.