The Look

Five ponies trotted gently down to Ponyville train station, chatting loudly as they exchanged ideas. Rarity had decided to hide her guilt on this beautiful morning by chatting happily to the others. The bitter-sweet situation seemed almost too good to be true. And it was. One of the five, usually a loud, bubbly character had whittled down to a quieter character over the last six or seven months. She lowered her head in a sulk, contemplating. No pony had to ask what was wrong, as the answer was in plain sight. Although the pony would hate to admit it herself, she missed her friend a great deal. Her ears lowered as she flashed back to when she first became friends with Fluttershy.

''And what are you gonna do, Rainbow Crash?''
''Keep making fun of her and find out!''

The daredevil recalled the race she won in defence of her friend's honor and smiled. It was the first nice thing she had ever done for a meek, timid pony like Flutters. She felt remorseful that she hadn't treated other timid ponies such as Derpy in the same way. The mare looked back and cherished the sweet memory of Fluttershy's face as she smiled, admiring the fast pony's newfound cutie mark.

''Wow Dashie I can't believe you got your cutie mark in that race, it must've been incredible!''
''It sure was, but you got your cutie mark too!''
''Yeah but I'm way older than you... I should've got mine way earlier and yours has awesome lightning bolts. Mine is just a couple of butterflies.''
''Fluttershy, pal. Our cutie marks are equal, if it wasn't for you being so shy I wouldn't have even raced and then I wouldn't have got this amazing cutie mark. It's thanks to you that I have it, ya hear me? You're the cause of my sonic rainboom and both our marks, my awesomeness is all thanks to you! You don't realise how amazing you can be, you always try so hard to equal yourself to all the other fillies and colts but today I've realised that you're actually better than them in many ways. You're kind and sweet, you're the kindest pony I know and we'll always be the bestest of friends. I'm sorry I don't appreciate you as much as I should and forgive me for not saying this before. You're like the sister I never had, even if we aren't alike. So don't put yourself down. You have to stop beating yourself up about things, alright? Promise?''
''Rainbo-''
''Promise?''
''I promise.''
The two fillies exchanged a tearful hug. Of course, it was only tearful for Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash never cried. Something huge had to happen to make Rainbow Dash cry.

Like right now, for example. Try as she might, Rainbow Dash just could not contain herself as a single, solitary tear trickled down her nuzzle. However, unlike usual she didn't attempt to snap out of it and wipe away her liquid pride - or in this case liquid sorrow. The cyan pegasus continued to allow her memories to flow. It was at that moment that she realised that it was not her that allowed her friends to find their destinies, therefore obtaining their cutie marks. It was Fluttershy. A wave of bitter guilt swept through her body as she recalled how awfully she had treated her 'bestest friend' after they had left flight camp.

''Er Twilight, are you sure you want to bring Fluttershy?! That pony is afraid of her own shadow!'' The pegasus interrogated impatiently.

Rainbow Dash sighed, once again her impatience and arrogance had blinded her all day. Why had she not helped Fluttershy instead of bullying her and then allowing her other friends to step into a dangerous situation which she knew Fluttershy would easily be able to handle if she put her mind to it? All she needed was the right encouragement from her.

The two pegasi pulled the carriage with all their might to try and catch up with Applejack, who had the upper hand with four earth pony stallions pulling her carriage through the plains. Applejack raced ahead, but the others were hot on her tail. They were about to catch up when a defenceless bunny which reminded Fluttershy of Angel hopped in their way. Fluttershy wouldn't allow the bunny to be killed. With all her might, she dug her hooves into the ground so hard that they stopped the cart, the three ponies in it and Rainbow Dash beside her, saving the bunny's life. The enormous effort made her hooves bleed slightly but she was sure that her heroic task made Rainbow Dash proud. But no such luck. She turned around to see anger, impatience and disappointment in Rainbow Dash's face. At this, she lowered her head. Rainbow Dash must value Applejack more than her.

Dash kicked the ground. Why didn't she appreciate the gift of her friend? If she had just given Fluttershy some praise, they would have achieved so much more.

''Come on! You aren't gonna go quit because of that are you?!'' Rainbow Dash asked, annoyed.
''YES!'' Fluttershy's eyes filled with tears, they streamed down her face and she breathed heavy, helpless sobs.
''Rainbow Dash's face changed instantly from impatience to understanding. Only Fluttershy could move the cyan pegasus in this way. But still Rainbow Dash pushed her on, ''But I need you!''
''I'm sorry Rainbow Dash,'' She tried to continue ''I just don't have the courage right now'' Fluttershy ran off. She remembered earlier, how she looked up at the sky to see the flight leader, brave, fearless Rainbow Dash who she looked up to with all her heart. She hoped Rainbow Dash had admiration to give to her too, but Dash just stood there. Dash looked upset for a second, but remembered her reputation and gave an angry kick to the ground before sulking off.

''Why didn't I help her?!'' Rainbow Dash had now burst into tears, much to the shock of her friends. She hadn't meant to say that part aloud, it must've made her sound insane, but she didn't care. It was almost instinctive to her, the pegasus has always known when something was wrong with Fluttershy and over the months, something didn't feel quite right.

''Rainbow Dash, what ever is the matter?'' Rarity inquired, confused.
''This is my fault. Fluttershy needed me, no. She still needs me. We have to get to her'' Rainbow Dash began.
''Why? Why does she need you?'' Twilight asked frantically.
''Be- Because,'' Rainbow Dash breathed in. She thought of the cheesy-sappiness that was about to be in putted in the sentence. The cheesy-sappiness which was all she stood against. But then she thought of her friend in need.

''But you do know something about Rainbow Dash.'' Twilight announced.
''I know that she's a true friend and I'll do anything I can to help her!'' Fluttershy exclaimed.

''Because she's always been like a sister to me.'' Finished Rainbow Dash.