Mutual Rescue

Chapter 13: Bad News & Shadows Take to The Sky

The sunlight streaming into the window crossed over Fluttershy’s eyes, teasing her from her dreams back to consciousness. Blinking her eyes she gently lifted her head to look about, she was lay on her stomach, her one wing trapped between her and Rainbow, the other hanging loosely down her side, Rainbows blue wing stretched across her back acting as a blanket.

Smiling she looked to the peaceful face of her mare, Rainbow was still asleep, a gentle smile on her face. Giggling she moved so she was leaning above her before dropping down a little to start planting multiple featherlight kisses across the blue mares face and muzzle. speaking between each kiss.

“Wakey *kiss* wakey *Kiss* Rain *kiss* Bow *kiss*” She looked down to see Rainbow now smiling but pretending to still be asleep. Giggling Fluttershy moved her hooves up the bed to the tips of Rainbow’s ears, knowing full well how ticklish they were, before gently starting to attack.

What she hadn’t counted on was the position she’d had to get in to do this, almost lying down on top of Rainbow to do this. The moment she started and Rainbow’s eyes popped open she realised she was in trouble, especially with the mischievous glint in the ShadowBolt captains eye.

Suddenly she felt Rainbow’s hooves on her sides and squeaked.
“Dont you dare.” Fluttershy whispered looking down to Rainbow. Smirking Rainbow started to tickle her back, causing her to fall to the side onto her back, squealing in laughter as Rainbow continued her tickling attack.
“Okaaay! You win!” Fluttershy shouted out between laughs, gasping for breath when Rainbow stopped.

She looked up to see Rainbow was now leaning above her, running a hoof through her disheveled pink mane, looking at her with wonder.
“What did I ever do to deserve a mare like you?” Rainbow said quietly. Smiling at her words and seeing the love radiating in Rainbow’s eyes, Fluttershy leaned her head up a little to kiss her.

She had intended it to be a chaste quick kiss, but as she pulled back, Rainbow moved down with her, she felt the tip of Rainbow’s tongue gently trace her lips, and with a loving sigh parted her lips to let her in, closing her eyes as she got lost in the sensations, she knew Rainbow wouldn’t push for more so could truly let go and enjoy just being with her.

When the need for air became too much, she felt Rainbows lips leave her own and kiss their way up. Keeping her eyes closed, Fluttershy just let herself feel.
Where Rainbows ears were ticklish, for Fluttershy, they were very sensitive in another way. She sighed in pleasure as she felt Rainbow’s tongue trace the outside edge of her left ear before Rainbow took the tip of her ear between her teeth and gently nibbled making Fluttershy gasp.

She opened her eyes to see Rainbows neck, realising how the blue mare above had stretched to reach, she leaned up and gently started nibbling on her neck, hearing and feeling Rainbow’s moan as she did this. Smiling into the kiss she gently wrapped her arms about the mare above her and pulled her close.

For the next half hour they stayed in bed, trading gentle kisses and caresses, not going any further than that, but to Fluttershy it was one of the best mornings in her life. Unfortunately they had to get up and eat - the inspectors from the new adoption agency would be here this morning.

Fluttershy headed downstairs as Rainbow went for her shower first. Thinking on all they both had to do today Fluttershy prepared a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast for Rainbow while she had poached.

She didn't worry about Angel’s as she spied him chomping away at a carrot while he watched her, what she did worry about as she prepared the food was the inspection. She hoped whoever the inspectors were they would be reasonable, not hold her and Rainbows relationship against them. She nearly jumped out her skin when she felt a gentle wing lay across her back, the only thing stopping her was knowing it was her marefriend.

“Sorry Flutters,” Rainbow said, obviously feeling how Fluttershy had held her jump in. “Just letting you know showers free.”
Fluttershy looked back over her shoulder to Rainbow with a smile.
“That’s okay, come on let’s eat, I’ll go shower after.” With that she finished plating up their breakfasts and took them to the table.

“So, what’s your plan for the day?” Rainbow asked with a small grin before starting to eat.
“Well, we’ve got the inspection first, and then I’m heading to Rarity’s for another fitting, and to finalise the date of the show.” Rainbow nodded before she spoke.
“That’s cool, just make sure to let me know the date so I can schedule in the ShadowBolts for then.” Rainbow said with an encouraging smile.

“Oh really!” Fluttershy squeaked before moving round the table and pulling Rainbow into a hug.
“The Princess said yes? I can’t believe it, oh thank you, thank you, thank you!” She interspaced her thank you’s with a quick peck to the cheek. Rainbow giggling pushed her away with a gentle hoof.

“Go on and get ya shower, I’ll clean up here.” She said with a grin. Fluttershy nodded and headed out and up to the bathroom.
Once inside the shower cubicle she gently tapped the sun-warmed cloud to start the water falling as she washed her mane and fur.
It didn’t take too long before she was done before she stepped out and dried off, heading back downstairs. She was still trying to control her nerves when she sat down next to Rainbow who was reading another Daring Doo book, she snuggled into Rainbows side to read along with her while they waited.

The knock on her door came half an hour later, the way the knock sounded Fluttershy just knew it was a stallion and shot out the couch to under the table. Angel Bunny was soon next to her patting her hoof as Rainbow got up to answer the door.

-o.O.O.o-

Rainbow sighed quietly as she got to her hooves, making sure not to let any annoyance show, especially as it was all aimed at the Stallion who attacked Fluttershy, she only wished she had gotten another couple of hard kicks into him before the guards took him away. She had decided to ask if they could move Hunting Fire to a different farm so it would be easier on Fluttershy whenever they visited.

Opening the door she was startled to see Shining Armour and Princess Cadance stood there.
“Er hi, come in.” Rainbow said, before turning and leading them into the living room and crouching down in front of the table.

“Flutters, it’s okay, it’s just Shining and Cadance. The silly stallion just knocked too hard that’s all.” Fluttershy gave a small shy smile as she crawled out from under the table.
“S - sorry.” She squeaked out, hiding behind her mane, when Princess Cadance chuckled and indicated the seat next to her.

Fluttershy sat down looking to the floor as Cadance spoke.
“It’s alright, you know my Husband can be a bit of a prat at times.” The coughing coming from the other side of Cadance caused Rainbow to look and immediately falling over laughing, as he’d gone to answer Cadance but currently had a mouth full of feathers as the rose coloured mare had used her wing to gag him.

“Now, as for why we’re here - we are temporarily the official inspectors for Sun and Moon Adoption Agency.” She finished with a smile as she wrapped a wing about Fluttershy’s shocked form.
“Come on - lets see if anything needs to be done, but I can already assure you, my husband and I have already decided that yes, you two will be adopting Scootaloo and Starsky.”

“Really?” Fluttershy managed to squeak out, her eyes wide, and full of hope.
Cadance nodded with a small smile, Fluttershy near squealed in joy as she dived into Cadance holding her close, as Rainbow sat there on the ground with a silly grin on her face.

It took a couple of minutes for the two to regain their composure but when they did, they took Shining and Cadance on a small look about the place, the room that had been converted from an unused store room to a bedroom was perfect for the two that were being adopted.
There were two small beds either side the room with their own toy chests at the foot of the beds, their own nightstands and lamps, with the walls a light cream.

Shining made a cursory look around the room before his horn flared and a brief light settled on to everything, before he turned back with a slight frown.
“Where did you get these beds?” Fluttershy looked up worried.
“Umm, I - i had them made a l - long time a - ago. When I f -first came to ponyville.” Shining nodded, kneeling down so he would appear less threatening.

“You sent off to Canterlot for them didn’t you?” He said with a quiet tone.
Fluttershy just nodded. “I can tell, part of the guards training believe it or not, was to go and work with particular artisans to learn skills they may need out in the sticks. Like how to build something out of wood. Go to the beds, and have a look at their footboards by the ground, to the left of each.”

Fluttershy and Rainbow each went to a bed where a small shield with a star in the centre and three above were engraved.
Rainbow looked back to Shining Armour’s flank and the engraving, and couldn’t help the grin crossing her face.
“You made these?” Rainbow said.

Shining nodded with a small smile. “Some of the best work I did, I always wondered where they went.” out the corner of her eye Rainbow saw Fluttershy giving a small shy smile behind her mane as she spoke.
“I was originally going to use this as a guest room - but I found it d - difficult to make friends. I only had Rainbow for a long time.”

Cadance moved closer pulling Fluttershy into a motherly-like embrace.
“It’s okay, you’ve got a few more friends now though ri-” She was interrupted as a green wisp appeared in front of Shining Armour coalescing into a scroll.
Unfurling it he swore, before floating it over to Rainbow to read.

For the attention of: Captain Shining Armour.

Subject: Escaped convict alert.

Details:

Yesterday at approximately 1300 hours at the Pie Rock Farm, the convict Hunting Fire escaped, grievously wounding the guard on duty - only the quick actions of the farm owners saved his life.

It is believed that Hunting Fire will be making his way to Ponyville, as it has been reported several times that he was heard muttering about getting vengeance upon the ‘Sweet yellow mare”

As this is believed to be a credible threat, the first company are being put in your direct command. Your orders are thus, keep Fluttershy safe, and under protective custody.

Princesses Celestia & Luna.

P.S. Show this to Rainbow first, she will need to be ready to comfort Fluttershy, and to get the ShadowBolts training started within the week. They will be providing Aerial Reconnaissance once she clears them for Active Duty.

Rainbow closed her eyes and swallowed her temper, before moving close to Fluttershy, wrapping her wing about her before Shining spoke.

“Fluttershy, Hunting Fire has escaped.” The intelligence we have has him reported to be heading to Ponyville. I’ve got orders to put you into protective custody. Cadance - can you stay here for a short while, I need to go to the guard post and get a squad here on the double.”

Cadance nodded, moving to Fluttershy’s free side as Shining Armour tore out the building like his tail was on fire. Fluttershy was trembling beneath Rainbows wing as her breaths were coming in fast and shallow.

“Easy flutters, it’s okay, he wont get to you, I promise.” Rainbow whispered, as Cadance sat on the ground next to them as Fluttershy’s legs gave out. She collapsed against the pink Alicorn as she cried against her, Rainbow looked out the window, and silently swore, that should the stallion get anywhere near Fluttershy, that would be his last mistake.

She had killed in the Changeling invasion, and knew she would likely one day do so again in service to Equestria. With her marefriend now under protective custody, lethal force would be allowed against Hunting Fire until he was either dead or in custody.

As Fluttershy seemed to calm she turned her head to face Rainbow, her eyes full of fear.
“Hey, he won’t get near you Flutters, I promise.” Rainbow whispered. resting her head above Fluttershy’s pulling the canary coated mare close.

“Indeed he will not. I doubt when the other’s hear about this that you will be left alone, now, for the original reason we were here, the adoption paperwork will go through with no problems, and you should be proud parents in a month.” Cadance finished. Rainbow realised what she was doing and agreed with it, she was trying to get Fluttershy to focus on something positive. That it was something both she and Fluttershy wanted helped as well.

Fluttershy’s radiant smile was all the reward they needed. Sighing Rainbow looked to the time.
“Flutters, babe, I got to go to the park and meet Spitfire and Derpy - I’ll also need to gather the rest of the ShadowBolts and get their training started now instead of next week. Will you be alright?” Fluttershy nodded.
“Yes - I think so.” Rainbow nodded before giving Fluttershy a kiss filled with all her love for the mare.

“I’ll be back in time for dinner tonight, I promise.” Rainbow whispered before heading out, looking over her shoulder, seeing Fluttershy giving her a small wave out the door as she closed it.
Sighing Rainbow turned back to the path heading into town and started jogging down it.

-o.O.O.o-

Twilight was moving about the library with Spike helping her with the reshelving, they’d had an accident with one of her experiments and the resulting shockwave had knocked all the books to the floor.

It was while they were sorting this that spike gave a belch and out popped a scroll.
Unrolling it he read the contents.

“‘My Faithful Student.

The trial for Hard Hoof who stands accused of attacking Pinkie Pie will be held in two days hence, I ask that you inform Pinkie Pie and ask if she would be willing to testify. It would certainly help towards his conviction if she did.

She is welcome to bring a few ponies with her for moral support.

Sincerely.
Princess Celestia.’

Well if she’ll let me I’ll be happy to go.” Spike finished. Twilight smiled at his words, and nodded.
“I’ll pass the message on.” She told him, “Will you be okay to finish up here, I need to go and let Pinkie Pie know.” Spike nodded making a shooing motion with his claws.

“Thanks” She said trotting out the door before taking to the air for the short flight to Sweet Apple Acres. It didn’t take too long before the buildings of the town gave way to the road that lead out, and she was then flying over row upon row of well tended apple trees.

She spotted the bright pink of Pinkies coat in the orchard and slowly banked her descent into a lazy circle, not wanting to repeat the last time she’d tried to land in this field. That had been embarrassing.

She soon alighted near Pinkie and saw she was pulling the apple cart while Applejack was bucking the trees.
“Hey thar sugarcube, what’s up?” Applejack said as she spotted Twilight approaching first.
Smiling Twilight lit her horn and picked up the full barrel setting it into the cart as she spoke.

“I’ve just heard from Princess Celestia. The stallion that attacked you Pinkie has a trial set for in two days. She’s asked if you’ll testify against him? she thinks it will help secure a conviction.” Twilight said supportively.

“Y you really think I’ll make that much of a difference?” Pinkie asked quietly unlike her usual bubbly personality, her blue eyes locking with Twilights purple.
Seeing how seriously Pinkie was taking this Twilight nodded. “Yes. I think that’s the truth, to be fair Pinkie, we need your testimony.”

Pinkie closed her eyes a moment as she drew in a breath, letting it out explosively before she spoke.
“Okay, I’ll do it, I’ll face him.” She said, a slight tremor to her voice.
“An’ I’ll be raght by yer side Pinks.” Applejack said quietly, standing next to her, putting her forelimb about Pinkie’s withers, pulling her close.

“I’ll be there too Pinkie. Do you want me to ask the girls to be there? Spikes already said if you’ll allow it he’ll come.” Twilight asked sincerely, knowing that she would never let her friend face this alone.

Pinkie looked to the floor, seeming to hold in tears as Applejack quickly unhitched her from the cart, before guiding her to the nearest tree. Sitting down she pulled Pinkie into her lap, holding her close as Pinkie whispered.

“P - please, can you get my family there. Please. I’ll need you girls as well, but I really want my family there too.” Twilight had lay on her stomach in the grass next to them as she nodded.
“Sure thing Pinkie, anything you want, I promise.” Pinkie nodded before turning and holding tightly to Applejack, needing the orange mares comfort.

Applejack held her close, whispering in her ear, helping keep her settled as the memories seemed to wash over Pinkie as her body trembled. Twilight looked on guilt welling up inside at the feeling she was the one to cause this, had she not asked, Pinkie would still be smiling like she was when she’d arrived.

Applejack seemingly reading what she was thinking placed a small kiss on Pinkie’s forehead before turning to Twilight.
“Stop your brain-blabbing. This ain’t yer fault Twi. You jest make sure the girls an’ Pinks family are there on the day.” she said bluntly. Twilight nodded as she climbed to her feet.
“I promise.” She said quietly before taking to the sky, flying back to the library to write the letters.

-o.O.O.o-

Rainbow cantered into the park where she expected Derpy to be waiting only to hear a joyous whooping from above. Looking up her mouth dropped as she saw the grey pegasus in flight, pulling a perfect triple horizontal corkscrew before executing an excellent split S and finishing with an inverted barrelroll. Above them both she spotted Spitfire and smiled. She didn’t know what the WonderBolts captain had said to get these results but they were impressive.

It only took a few minutes for Derpy to spot her and come in for a precision landing, three hoof lengths in front of her.
“Wow Derpy, that was excellent! Even I have trouble with that routine.” Derpy smiled before speaking.

“Spitfire helped - she taught me a technique. I visualise all my nerves as a stubborn wind, one that I just need to let bleed through my feathers, and before I knew it, I was flying like that! In front of another pony!” She finished exuberantly.

Rainbow smiled as she spoke. “Cool, so you’ll be ready to report to base in the morning?” She said as Spitfire landed.
“Why the rush Captain Dash?” Spitfire asked concern tinging her voice.
Sighing Rainbow spoke. “Hunting Fire’s escaped, intelligence has him coming this way - I may not be able to fly yet, but I’ve got orders, get the ShadowBolts in the air patrolling within the week, so I need to get them all to base and assess them.” Spitfire nodded.

“Right, I’ll have the WonderBolts in the air until your lot are ready to take over.” Rainbow blinked surprised as she spoke.
“Spitfire ma’am, what about your leave?” Spitfire looked back at her, eyes hard.
“I just cancelled it. Get your team training.” Rainbow nodded turning to Derpy as Spitfire took to the sky on a direct path to cloudsdale.

“Derpy, roundup Cloudkicker, Firestorm, Bloomer and Thunderlane, have them report to the ShadowBolts training grounds if they accept the job of being a ShadowBolt.” She commanded in a tone that brooked no arguments. Derpy nodded saluting before she too took to the air. Rainbow grimaced at the knowledge she couldn’t fly and took off at a gallop back to the base.

It only took a few minutes before she tore in through the main gate, she was glad to see that she had still outrun the rest of the team to the grounds, as they arrived moments behind her.
Quickly signalling to get their attention she spoke up.
“Alright, you’ve all worked with me on weather duty before so you know I expect nothing but the best from you. Now, normally we’d have a guard helping out our beginning trainings, but due to circumstance, it’s just me.”

Thunderlane held up a wing signalling he wanted her attention.
“Thunderlane?” She said in a querying tone.
“Rainbow Dash, err Captain..” She waved a hoof signalling him to hurry up and continue.
“As far as we were aware we weren’t to start training until next month when you’d be back in the air. What’s changed?”

The dangerous look on Rainbows face seemed to affect the other five lined up in front of her.
“You all know about Hunting Fire?” Nods all round. “He’s escaped, and is believed to be headed this way for Fluttershy, due to her importance being an element bearer, she’s been placed in protective custody, the WonderBolts along with the guard are going to be patrolling Ponyville airspace until you’re ready, at which time you’ll take over. As soon as I’m cleared for flight I’ll be joining you in the air.”

Rainbow felt another pony land behind her and was a little startled to see the five in front of her, go from standing attention to rigid attention, before a voice behind her spoke.
“Well said Captain Dash, and we believe we may be able to help with thy lack of flight.” Princess Luna’s voice sounded from behind her.

Turning Rainbow looked up to what was now effectively her Commanding Officer’s face an Saluted.
“ShadowBolts assembled and ready for training Princess.” Rainbow said, in a crisp clear tone.
“Very good. Now, please extend thine injured wing.” Rainbow nodded and let her injured wing extend as Princess Luna’s magic aura lit up around it.

Within seconds the bandages had come off and she could feel the muscles rebuilding back to their previous strength before the glow disappeared.
“There, that should do it. I had to wait for thy bone to finish healing first, but the spell I used should have repaired any lingering damage, you may take to the sky Captain.” Rainbow nodded.

“Thank you Princess, but not yet, I need to see about getting these five’s training started.” Luna smiled and in a voice only Rainbow could hear whispered, “And that is why thou shalt make a good captain. Thou put’s thine own wishes aside for the good of thy team. I chose well.”
Rainbow ducked her head a moment until she felt the blush leave her cheeks.

She turned back to the rest of her team.
“Alright, hit the training room, I’ll monitor and correct as needed, I want you lot ready to fly as a team within the week - remember half of what I drilled into you on weather duty will apply hear, especially communication and situational awareness! Now move!” The command hardly left her lips and she moved to lead the way, it was going to be a long afternoon.

-o.O.O.o-

Scootaloo was on her way back to Lyra and Bon Bons after school when she heard Rainbow Dash’s voice shouting from above, looking up her mouth dropped open as she saw her soon to be adoptive mother in a flight suit that was midnight blue, with white lightning pattern stripes down the side, her hair had been pulled back into a tight braid keeping it out her face along with a set of goggles that protected her eyes.

She was in the lead of a formation of six, all the ponies were in the same outfit as her as they raced in a giant arc through an elevated course above what looked to be a base of somesort.
“THUNDERLANE PICK IT UP!” Her voice called as one of those in formation seemed to lag.
“Wow,” Scootaloo gasped, she’d heard stories from ponies about how Rainbow was a different pony when in the air, keeping a team together, but here was the proof.

Gone was the brash tomcolt, every movement, every wingbeat, were all perfected flawlessly, and the way she watched the rest of the team with a single-minded focus, Scootaloo now understood why Ponyville weather team were considered one of the best in the country. Rainbow expertly guided her teams flight training, judging within a hair when one of them needed to break off and take five.

Even then they weren’t allowed to stay still, they were directed to a cloud where they had to do wing exercises and stretches to keep their bodies from seizing up before they took to the sky once more. It was then Scootaloo remembered a conversation she’d had with Rainbow a while back, one where she’d tried to get her to train her the way she trained the junior WonderBolt recruits. Being a senior it was part of her training to pass on her knowledge.

-flashback-

“But why wont you train me like that - you’ve seen how you’re training has helped me before, I can glide brilliantly now, you’ve also said you’re gonna get the doc to look at my wings, so why won’t you train me like you do the recruits? I can take it!”

She looked on fighting her tears as Rainbow looked determinedly to the sky as she answered.
“I won’t do that to you Scoots. Most the juniors wash out half way through what we seniors have to put them through. I won’t put you through that. Don’t ask me to do it again.” With that Rainbow had taken to the sky, leaving Scootaloo to her tears.

The next time she’d seen Rainbow had been the day after, and she could see in her magenta eyes how torn she was inside, this more than anything convinced Scootaloo to leave it for a while, at least until she was flying properly.

-End Flashback

Looking up at how she was pushing the other five and not giving an inch, Scootaloo had to suppress a shudder, there was no way she would be able to take that sort of training, it looked brutal.

“Alright hit the ground! I want 50 laps from all of you! I’ll be setting the pace, keep up!” Rainbow called dropping behind the wall as Scootaloo’s mouth dropped open in shock. She’d just ran them ragged in the air, and now, she was going to run them around a track.
“screw that - i’d be useless before the second hour.” Scootaloo mumbled getting back on her scooter and heading to Lyra and Bon Bon’s.

Her next thought put a smile on her face though.
“Rainbow’s gonna be my mom.”

-o.O.O.o-

Fluttershy was walking slowly about town, gathering up her supplies for the week, next to her was Princess Cadance, deciding that now would be a good time to ask about something that had been in the back of her mind she spoke up.
“Um Cadance,” She waited for the pink alicorn to nod her head before continuing.
“You know how the ShadowBolts are re-forming?”

Cadance chuckled as she answered.
“Yes, it’s something that has my Auntie Luna excited about, although the reason for their reformation is a sad one.” Fluttershy nodded, thinking back to the day they’d raided the orphanage, to think there might be more like it worried the pegasus.

“W - well, I was thinking, with all the work I’ve done with my animals, and recently helping Rainbow, I was thinking about getting the training to be a medic, they’ll need one on their base sooner or later.” Cadance nodded.

“That’s true but - and please be honest - are you sure you could cope with a patient, that may be a stallion, swearing and screaming at you simply because they’re in pain? Would you be able to deal with that?” The look Cadance was giving her told her she needed to be completely truthful with herself.

“I - I don’t know. But I want to” Fluttershy answered. Cadance nodded a small sad expression on her face.
“I think that’s the best answer you could give. What I’m going to suggest, is give it yourself some time, do the training, but have another pony trained as well, and share the duties, that way if you have troubles, they can take over.” Fluttershy nodded.

“W - will you ask Princess Luna? Please?” Smiling a full smile Cadance nodded.
“Sure no problem Fluttershy.” Cadance said as they approached the centre of town.
When they got there six shadows swept over them causing Fluttershy to look up, and her mouth opened in shock at seeing Rainbow flying.

“Oh. My. What about her wing!?!” Cadance followed her gaze and chuckled.
“I’m guessing Auntie Luna healed it - it’s a little known spell only Alicorns can do. so don’t worry, she’ll be fine.” Cadance reassured her.
Fluttershy only nodded keeping her eyes on her mare, watching as she seemed to almost dance in the sky, pulling off maneuvers that caused vapour trails to lead off her wingtips.

The five following pegasi all keeping pace and repeating the maneuvers perfectly.
“I think the ShadowBolts will be ready before the full week is done.” Cadance said with awe.
Fluttershy nodded feeling an up swelling of pride and love for Rainbow Dash.
“She’s beautiful.” She whispered as the sun caught Rainbow’s mane.

“Come on, let’s get these things back to the cottage, you can ogle Rainbow later.” Cadance said laughing at the blush on Fluttershy’s cheeks as they headed down the path to the cottage.
They didn’t talk much on the way back, just ambled along enjoying the scenery until they arrived, when they got there a guardsmare was stood outside her door. Not just any guardsmare though, it was Featherblade.

“Hi, seems you got me protecting you from now on, along with a couple of other mares from my unit. We’re on a three shift rotation okay?” Fluttershy nodded. “Do you want to come in?” She asked quietly.

Featherblade smiled as she shook her head. “No, I’m on duty at the moment, and unless you go out anywhere my post is here outside your door.” Fluttershy hid behind her mane as she spoke.
“Oh s -sorry. I - i didn’t m - mean to get you in t - trouble.” she whispered out, trying not to lean against Cadance, who had in Fluttershy’s mind become her mother figure.

“Hey, hey. It’s okay, you weren’t going to get me in trouble for offering.” Featherblade said quietly, “It’s not strictly against regulations, but I prefer to stay here that’s all.” Fluttershy looked up to the guardsmare. “R - really?” Featherblade nodded with a small smile. “Really.”

“O - okay.” Fluttershy said quietly before going inside, Cadance following with the shopping in her telekinetic grip. It only took a couple of minutes for them to put things away and start the preparations for tea, Fluttershy having invited Cadance and Shining to join them that evening.
She smiled at the thought that one day soon she would regularly be cooking for four.
She would soon be able to call Starsky and Scootaloo her children.

It was then she noticed an envelope addressed to her and Rainbow on the table, opening it she saw it was from Twilight, and there was no pony in equestria that would stop her from doing the favour asked. Pinkie wanted her there at the trial, and she would be.