Fluttershy backpedalled away from the window where she’d seen Hunting Fire, unaware that she’d screamed.

When her initial outburst had happened, Twilight, Spike and the rest of the girls, minus Rainbow who was currently flying above the train, surrounded her. Rarity carefully approached Fluttershy's trembling form.
“Fluttershy, darling whatever is the matter?” She asked worriedly.

Fluttershy collapsed to the floor pointing a trembling hoof out the window.
“H - he’s out there!” She managed to squeak out around her fear.
Instantly Applejack turned facing the window, searching the crowd unfortunately not spotting him, meanwhile Twilight’s horn flared as purple barriers blocked off both doorways of the train before she looked up through the skylight, making sure that there were no pegasi directly above it, and no ponies below.

Charging her magic she sent a purple blast upwards destroying the skylight allowing the open air to be seen before spreading her wings and leaping through the gap that hadn't been there a moment before. Spying Rainbow breaking out of the circling formation and heading towards her while Twilight hovered carefully looking about the station.
Seemingly aware that she was still on duty Rainbow was very careful with the words she spoke as she approached.

“Is something wrong Princess?” Twilight merely nodded darkly as she scanned the crowd.
“Hunting Fire's here.” she said flatly.
“Right.” Rainbow said and a moment later she was back in the air giving out orders.
Soon there were two Shadowbolts each guarding the station exits while Rainbow dropped into the crowd and started looking about, trying to spot the stallion that had caused [iher mare such pain.

Twilight quickly flew to the engine and spoke.
“Get this train moving now.” She commanded the driver before backwinging, flying down the platform, erecting a barrier between the train and said platform to stop anypony falling in the gap as the train moved.

Turning again after getting to the end she took a steadying breath and flew up above the crowd, eyes scanning, searching, seeking, trying to spot the stallion responsible for Fluttershys’s fear.
At the same time the few guard ponies left joined the two Shadowbolts at the exit points.

“Where are you, you bucking bastard?” Twilight whispered to herself.
It had taken a full hour to get the station clear and yet there was no sign of Hunting Fire, when a possibility filled her with cold dread. If he wasn’t on the station, the exits sealed before he could escape, what if he’d made it onto the train before her barrier went up? Yes she’d sealed the car with Fluttershy in, but if he was on that train then he would soon be at Ponyville.

“Oh stars,” she muttered, with the time wasted here the train would already be a third the way to Ponyville, he could easily sneak off there.
She came to land inelegantly in front of Derpy, still not used to being an alicorn and the vagaries of flight.
“Derpy get yourself and the other Shadow Bolts to Ponyville as fast as your wings can take you, I can’t teleport that far safely, he might have got on the train.”
Derpy's good eye stared at her for a moment and before she knew it Twilight stumbled in the backwash of Derpy's downstroke, looking up all she could see was a trail, Derpy was already out of sight.

She however flew straight for the castle, she needed one of the other princesses as she had yet to be taught the classified method of sending an immediate alert to any of the bases.

-o.O.O.o-

Fluttershy had spent the journey barely leaving Rarity’s side when the train pulled into Ponyville. As soon as it did, Rainbow dispatched a flyer to the army base immediately, dropping into the hole of the carriage as they waited until a squad from the barracks arrived.

It was just as they were getting up to leave when Rainbow spotted a guard drop from the sky.

“Hold up girls something’s up.” Rainbow said, launching herself out the car to the platform, spotting her old mentor dropping down she flew up to meet her.
“What’s up?” Rainbow asked.

“We just had a message arrive via urgent messenger spell from the princesses. Hunting Fire wasn’t caught leaving the station. The only other way off that platform was the train.”

Rainbows eyes hardened to rubies at this thought. Turning to Featherblade she spoke, full command of her rank in her voice.
“Get to the barracks, request a meeting with the base commander as soon as possible. I’ll have the remaining Shadows escort Fluttershy back to our cottage. I’ll be by later to talk to Starsky about the delay in moving in.”
Featherblade nodded, although technically outside of Rainbows jurisdiction she had no issue following these orders.

It was only moments later that Rainbow dropped back into the compartment through the hole in the roof.
Knowing Fluttershy like she did, she knew that her marefriend would rather be told everything instead of being kept in the dark to ease her worries.
“Okay girls, it seems that Hunting Fire never left the station via the exits back at Canterlot station,” Rainbow started.
“Tha’ means he was on the train. Weren’t he sugarcube?” Applejack said stonily, already glancing out the windows as Rainbows confirmed the unwanted supposition.

“Applejack, I know you can handle yourself, mind staying with Fluttershy and I a bit longer until her protection detail arrives?” Rainbow asked.
“Sure I can, he won’ get near while ahm around.” Applejack's tone was one that said if he even tried, he may not need to be taken back in custody.
The Rainbow maned Pegasus nodded before speaking.

“Right, Rarity can you take the little ones?” Rainbow said to the silence from Applejack's tone.
“Of course darling, you don’t even need to ask.”
With that she gathered her sister and Applebloom close who thankfully throughout the ‘excitement’ in the city had both been kept at the foals area.
With Rarity already moving to take them to the Boutique, Rainbow moved to Fluttershy’s other side, keeping her eyes scanning their environment, even as Shadow Bolts and a couple extra guards patrolled the skies.

It wasn’t long before on their way home they were joined by some of the strongest earth ponies she’d ever seen including Private Flair.
She was however thankful for all these ‘paranoid’ actions when she suddenly saw two Shadow Bolts drop to the ground in front, before a grunt of pain was heard and Thunderlane was thrown uncontrolled back into the air.

Rainbow tensed ready even as the two guards in front charged, both coming up against Hunting Fire who was holding his own back against them.
‘Buck, he’s good’ Rainbow growled in her mind, seeing Applejack charge in from the side and get a solid half turn buck in staggering the stallion.
Hunting Fire seemed to shrug it off before going to charge even as Rainbow jumped twisting in the air for her rear hooves to catch him in the withers.
“FLUTTERS! HOME NOW!” Rainbow shouted before turning back to the fight, seeing a grey hoof coming at her.
“Oh buck!” She swore, catching it and deflecting from her face, holding onto the arm as she pirouetted and slammed a punch up into his shoulder before using her wings to give her the speed to back up.

However what Hunting Fire had failed to consider was where he was making this attack.
Ponyville.
The one town where everypony knew every other pony. And he had hurt one of their own. And not just any one of their own - but Fluttershy, the one pony they all watched out for with her chronic shyness and kindness.
As he went to charge Rainbow again, two unicorn blasts slammed into his sides from Lyra and the vegetable stall seller slammed into him, slowing him down a moment even as he still charged towards her.
Timing it just right she narrowed her eyes and suddenly pulled off another wing powered backflip, making sure her rear hooves slammed up under his chin, her full weight snapping his head up and back with a sickening crack - his body kept moving forwards by inertia even as his feet went from under him and he slid along the ground.

Looking back she saw he was lying still, his head at an unnatural angle proving that she’d broken his neck even as guards moved in to block the sight with their wings.
“Damn that’s at least 5 different piles of paperwork.” She muttered before looking around seeing some shocked looks her way.
‘Oh yeah, they’ve never seen me kill before.’ she thought quietly, except for spotting the mint green lyra looking on with understanding.
She turned to walk away when she saw Shining Armour galloping up.
“Buck.” She muttered.

-o.O.O.o-

Hours later Fluttershy looked up as the cottage door opened, Cadence hadn’t left her side and princess or no, had insisted on helping out - and though Fluttershy thought her stare was powerful, it had nothing on Cadance’s! Angel had tried again to play up thinking he was safe to do so with Rainbow not there.

The pink alicorn soon disabused him of that notion.

Though to be fair the jobs Fluttershy did were more along the lines of food and drink preparations. And for the first time she actually felt safe around a stallion that wasn’t Shining Armour, Private Flair hadn’t left her out of his sight until Rainbow was back safely, he’d insisted on being close as a last line of defence, even though her friend Harry the Bear had growled at the thought of anypony but Fluttershy getting past him.

When Rainbow walked in she looked up to her worriedly before getting a half smile from her marefriend.
“Hey Flutters, he ain’t gonna bother you now - I dealt with him.” Rainbows words sunk into her mind and a dark cloud of fear and worry that had seemed to be pinned to her seemed to evaporate as she shot forwards, her lips finding Rainbows as she held her tightly.
It wasn’t a long or passionate kiss, just one full of love and tenderness, and more - reaffirmation to her that Rainbow was actually there.

Pulling away she looked deep into her mare’s eyes as she spoke quietly.
“What do you mean?”
Rainbows face contorted into a grimace as she sighed moving into the cottage more, her wing slipping across Fluttershy’s back as she spoke gently.
“He was fighting crazy like - and well, lethal force had been authorised. Unfortunately I had to use it, I had planned to just knock him out, but his neck snapped instead. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
Fluttershy looked to Rainbow shocked, seeing her head droop a little.
Moving around and guiding her to the couch, she shifted to stand in front of her, lifting a hoof under her muzzle and forcing Rainbow to meet her gaze as she spoke.
“Every time you’ve had to kill in Equestria’s defence I’ve said the same, you are a good Pony who was forced to do a terrible thing, I back then I said I’m still your friend, now I say, I still love you, my sweet, wonderful Rain.”
With that she leaned in for a short sweet kiss before moving to sit on the couch next to her.
“So - what happens now?”
Rainbow gave a small smile even as Candance floated a cup of tea over, nodding her thanks to the Princess.

“I’ve given the Bolts two days leave and then we start training hard - and well, while we wait for the adoptions to finalise for us to bring Scoots and Star here, we go on, life doesn’t stop.”
Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile at the thought and leaned in.
Rainbow was right, their future was wide open.

-o.O.O.o-

It was an unfortunate necessity that even though the death happened in a public place, and it was obvious that it was in self defence, and thus an ‘open and shut’ case, that an investigation was still needed as to the conduct of the fighters on the day of the fight.

Shaking her head as she slowly made her way to the new Ponyville Orphanage, Fluttershy sighed, it was the last day that Shining Armour or Cadance would be here visiting Twilight, but their time here had been very welcome, even with everything going on.

Going in she trotted up to the desk smiling at the new Orphanage Manager, Warmheart, a pony who lived to her name, smiling she reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a form, placing it on the desk.
“Well let’s see what we have here?” The kindly mare said, pulling the form close before her smile widened.
“Would you like me to send for the lucky foal?”
Fluttershy gently shook her head.
“No that’s okay, I - um well... know the way.” Fluttershy half spoke, half whispered.
Nodding the mare slid the form back letting Fluttershy take it before the pegasus turned and trotted on light hooves down the corridor to Starsky’s room.

Getting to the open door she was about to speak when she heard him whispering looking out the window of the room.

“I know it’s daytime, but I always prayed to the moon, so Luna I don’t know if you can hear me in the day, but I wanted to thank you. I asked you to find me a family and now I got one, I got a mom that loves helping ponies, animals, everything, she’s so kind and gentle. Did you know she comes every day even for a short while to read stories?”

Fluttershy stood in such a way as to be able to see his small face but not immediately noticeable by him as Starsky continued.
“And it gets even better - we’ve been keeping it secret, but I’m getting a new sister too, I don’t know if you know Scootaloo, but she’s amazing, smart and funny. I often wondered what it would be like to have a family, now I know, I don’t know if you had anything to do with it Princess, but thank you - thank you for everything.”

Trying to hold her own tears at bay Fluttershy slowly stepped into the room coming over.
“That was beautiful Starsky,” she said wrapping a wing over the little colts back.
Turning his tearful gaze and small smile to her he leaned in, accepting the winghug as his face turned into her bright yellow fur as he sniffled a bit.
“I… I hoped every night she… that somepony would help. I never dreamed I could get a family on top.”
Fluttershy bent her neck down so she could gently nuzzle his head as she spoke.
“And today is that day my little Starsky.” Fluttershy said, moving away a little to turn her head to pull out the form from her saddle bag, passing it over for him to read.

He looked to her in confusion as she moved to lie next to him and read it out loud to him, knowing he still had a lot of trouble with his words.

“This is to Certify that the Mare Fluttershy Brightlight along with her partner Rainbow Dash have been granted full custodial rights and responsibilities therein for the foal Starsky Brightlight. Signed by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”

She could feel him trembling next to her, a chocked sob forcing its way out his little throat as he turned and leapt at her, desperately holding onto her as he fought all the emotions in his body.
“There there little one, it’s okay.” Fluttershy said quietly, moving to hold him close, fighting her own tears, tears of joy.
Eventually they both managed to calm themselves down as she spoke.
“So would you like to see your new home?” Fluttershy asked with a smile, fighting a giggle at how fast he nodded.
“Okay, do you want to bring your book?” She nodded to the book he was reading at the moment, it was oner to help foals learn their words.

He quickly grabbed it and came over, letting her take it from him and place it in her saddlebag.

“Now Starsky, it’s a bit of a walk back to the cottage, do you want to get up on my back?”
He looked down bashfully and started drawing tiny circles on the floor as he mumbled something.
“I’m sorry, but can you say that a little louder please?” She asked.
“You mean like a mummy?” He whispered.
Trying again to hold her own tears back she smiled, as she answered.
“Yes little one, if you like, exactly like a mummy.”
*Sniff* Starsky moved closer as she let him get on her back and curl up before she carefully got to her hooves and made her way out the building, trotting gently down the paths to the cottage on the outskirts of town, smiling brightly as she saw Rainbow trotting up with her own little orange and purple passenger.

-o.O.O.o-

That morning Rainbow opened her eyes with a groan, blinking rapidly she looked out the window to the early rising sunlight before realising her predicament.
She was trapped.

In the night Fluttershy could become quite the cuddlebug and last night had been no different and now she was imitating an octopus with how she was holding onto the cyan pegasus, lower legs intertwined, forelimbs holding her tightly with one wing spread over her, pinning her down.
Arching her neck she looked to see a cheeky smile on her normally shy partner.

When it was just the two of them Fluttershy came out her shell quite a bit.
“So you decided to keep the most awesome, amazing pony in Equestria hostage huh?” Rainbow asked even as she felt Fluttershy tremble, a tiny giggle escaping as she kept trying to feign sleep.
Rainbow couldn't help the laugh as she carefully reached back with a hoof and started gently digging into Fluttershy's barrel tickling her, causing her to squeal and roll away.
“Nu-uh! You can’t escape the Dash that easy!” Rainbow teased, rolling over to pin Fluttershy gently before going on the attack causing the yellow mare to burst out into peals of laughter as she kept tickling.
“Okaaay! Sto-hop! I’m going to peee!” Fluttershy managed to scream out as she kept trying to escape to no avail.
Deciding to grant mercy Rainbow stopped, looking down to her mare, flushed face, bright eyed with her two fore hooves pulled up, mane slightly dishevelled beneath her.
“You’re beautiful.” Rainbow whispered causing Fluttershy to blush as she squeaked a moment, before the pink maned mare pulled her down for a gentle, loving kiss.

It was some time later and quite a few kisses before the two got up and showered ready for the day when as they were settling for breakfast their front door wasn't so much knocked as thudded into.
“EEK!” Fluttershy squealed rapidly backpedalling.
Frowning a little Rainbow went to the door opening it and chuckling.
There on the ground in a bit of a heap, upside down, was Derpy, blushing like mad.

“Sorry Captain, I flew too fast when coming into land.”
Reaching down Rainbow helped the offset eyed pegasus to her feet and invited her in, turning to see Fluttershy already putting a plate and a blueberry muffin out.
“Thanks.” Derpy said coming to sit at the table.
“So what brings you here?” Rainbow asked getting a smile from Derpy.
“Oh right, I kept in touch with the Ponies at the mail office, I asked them to be told when this letter came in for you guys as I wanted to deliver it myself - sort of like, make my last letter delivery count?”

“Huh?” Rainbow asked, taking the letter from Derpy who had a smile almost as wide as Pinkie Pie before the trial and need for it had come up.
Flipping the envelope over as she set it between Fluttershy and herself, they spotted the embossed half sun and half moon logo.
She swallowed, hard, hoping beyond hope that this was what they thought it was, sliding the envelope closer to Fluttershy she watched as the canary mare slowly opened the envelope and three pieces of parchment fell out.

The two flipped the pieces over to read, the first two had her smiling, though fighting the tears, she wasn’t sure, but she didn’t think you could feel this elated and yet want to cry at the same time, it should be impossible.
It was then she noticed Fluttershy place the third piece between them and leaned over to read.

Dear Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy Brightlight,

I hope this letter doth find thee both in good health, and hope that the enclosed certificates will bring you joy.

I have known one little filly for a couple of turns of the seasons now and have come to care for her greatly, she oft allows me into her dreams simply to spend time with me and has become a friend to me, I cannot say how thankful I am to thee for giving her what she has always desired, not just a home, but a family.

Alas I do not know the colt in question very well, I only know of him through the two of thee, but I hope he too will find the joy of family that all orphans seek.

May you all continue to find happiness, friendship and ongoing love in the future,
Signed
Princess Luna

*sniff* Rainbow looked to the side to see Fluttershy smiling, her aqua eyes glistening with the threatened tears, gently she extended her wing, resting it on the back of her pink maned marefriend, pulling her in for a tender hug as she looked to Derpy whilst Fluttershy leaned into the winghug.
“Thanks Derpy, I’m glad you asked for this, it was nice to get from a friend.”
Derpy smiled and nodded before devouring the muffin in one bite, breaking the mood as Rainbow sniggered.
“I swear keep eating them like that and we’ll end up nicknaming you muffin on the team.”
Snorting Derpy shook her head as she laughed before taking her leave.

After seeing her out Rainbow sat on the couch looking over to Fluttershy.
“Ya think we’re ready then?”
Fluttershy gave a serene smile as she came over, handing Rainbow her coffee as she spoke, curling up on the other end of the couch.
“I hope so, ponies don’t really know if they’re ready or not, but I think so, that is… maybe?”
Rainbow sniggered a little as she answered.
“Just so we’re clear.”
Fluttershy sighed as she took a sip of her own drink looking out the window, her eyes seeming to stare off into the great blue yonder.

A short while passed before they headed out, Fluttershy making her way towards the barracks while Rainbow smiling headed into Ponyville.

Getting to the main through road she made her way to Cup Cake Corner and headed inside to see Mrs Cake behind the till.
Going up she spoke.
“One sparkle cake and I’ll have a liquid rainbow for myself.” She said with asmile.
Mrs Cake, her own face bemused as Rainbow wolfed down the multi-hued cupcake after hoofing over the bits spoke.
“I don’t know how you can eat those.”

Rainbow smiled sheepishly as she took the bag and spoke.
“I just like spicy stuff,”
Mrs Cake’s expression shifted immediately to one of concern.
“How is she?”
Rainbow sighed.
“She’s not great Mrs Cake, but Applejack’s helping her, it’ll be a while, but eventually she’ll be okay.”
Mrs Cake nodded before a small smile lit her face up.
“Well - as long as she’s got somepony looking after her.” Rainbow nodded.
“Yeah, anyway I gotta go - we’re bringing Scoots and Starsky home today.”

With that and a word of congratulations Rainbow left, making her way to Lyra and Bon Bon’s home, knocking on the door.

-o.O.O.o-

Lyra got up off the couch as the door was knocked, Scootaloo looking over as she opened it, a wide grin hitting the filly’s face as she saw Rainbow stood in the doorway.
“Hi!”
Rainbow’s own smile illuminated her features as she came over, accepting the offer of a drink as she sat at the table, Lyra getting them as Bon Bon looked over with a curious expression.
“Hey, thought you’d like to read this Scoots.” Rainbow said softly - it was something Scootaloo had noticed more and more these past few weeks, how even though still confident and brash, Rainbow wasn’t always putting up a front, and more and more the ‘real’ Rainbow shone through.

Taking the paper she felt her eyes widen larger and larger, and if one would think to put her next to Pinkie in a full blown smile, it would be difficult to see who had the wider grin.

“R - Really?” Scootaloo breathed.
“Yeah Scoots, really, if you want, you can come home tonight, the rooms all done up for ya an Starsky, an well - it’ll be home for ya.” Rainbow said, gruffly, but the sheer joy from Rainbows deep magenta eyes said it all.
Scootaloo didn’t hesitate as she shot around the table, clinging to the cyan prismatic maned pegasus.
“Mummy.” She whispered, not seeing how in that one word, Rainbows eyes took on a sheen as she fought her tears, nore saw what Lyra and Bon Bon did, her swallowing back a joyful sob.

“So - you ready to go?”
Scootaloo nodded, before looking up to Lyra and Bon Bon as she tried to choke out her own thanks for them looking after her.
Lyra was the one who came over, crouching a bit so they were eye level.
“It wasn’t a hardship Scootaloo, I’m only sorry we wouldn’t be the right pony’s to raise you, you’re a brilliant young filly, and don’t ever let anypony else tell you otherwise.”

A short time later after the drinks had been finished and Rainbow surprising Scootaloo with the cupcake, they soon had all her things packed and were on the road to the cottage that now had a set of cloud stairs from the back yard up to Rainbow’s house as well, meeting up with Fluttershy and the little foal she’d adopted.

"Hey Flutters.” Rainbow said coming over draping a wing over her even as Scootaloo introduced herself to Starsky, the four making their way to the cottage.

Fluttershy gave her own light smile as they made their way inside, heading up to the bedroom, showing the two their room, to say they were both ecstatic with it would be an understatement.

That night in bed Fluttershy looked over.
“Rain, do you think… maybe we… could have the girls over?” Rainbow looked to her.
“You know you don’t have ta ask right Flutters? It’s your home too.”
Fluttershy blushed a little as she nodded.
Sighing now though Rainbow spoke.
“Will you be alright this week babe? The Shadowbolts are flying out across Equestria tonight, we’re heading to all the guardsposts to start the investigations to make sure all the other orphanages are up to scratch, look at how Scoots was thinking she’d be sent back to hers?”
Fluttershy smiled briefly and nodded.
“I will be,” Before leaning in to give Rainbow a short, sweet peck on the lips.
“After all, I’ve got the prettiest mare coming home to me.”
Rainbow’s cheeks seemed to take on a distinct pinkish tinge as she mumbled something.
“Whaty was that?” Fluttershy asked.
“Not as pretty as you.” Rainbow whispered.
Fluttershy sughed lening over to give her another longer lasting kiss before pulling away.
“I love you Rain.” She whispered.
“Love you too,” Rainbow whispered back into the shell of fluttershy’s eart causing the pleasant thrill through her, she wouldn’t act on that thrill yet though, it was too soon, but she knew one day, one day she would be able too - and her rainbow wouldn’t know what hit her.

-o.O.O.o-

Rainbow sighed as she woke the next morning Early
Graning she stumbled out the bed and headed into the shower, tapping the cloud above, inhaling a yelp as the cold water struck her fur.

It didn’t take her long then to quickly wash and pull her mane back into the braid she had it in when on duty before pulling on her flight suit and setting the goggles on her brow ready to pull down in a moments notice.
Slipping back out she blinked in surprise to see the bed empty.
Going down she smiled as she saw Fluttershy sat at the table, her own breakfast of muesli in front of her, while at the l=place opposite was Rainbows’ own bowl of chocolate oats.

“You didn’t have to get up.” Rainbow said softly, coming over.
Fluttershy gave a small shake of her shoulders that could have been a shrug.
“I know.”
Shaking her head with an appreciative grin on her face Rainbow took the seat opposite as she spoke.
“Don’t forget to check in with rarity while I’m gone, see if you can get the date of the fashion show pinned down for when I get back, that way I can make sure the ‘bolts are free.”
Fluttershy nodded.
“Thank you for ding that for me, I mean, it’ll help me so much to help all the others…”
Fluttershy trailed off as Rainbow shook her head.
“No, thank you for asking me, I love the fact our display debut will be for something like this.” Rainbow said quietly, before finishing off her breakfast sighing as the clock struck a quarter to six.

“That’s my cue love.” Rainbow said softly, getting a nod from Fluttershy as they got up, Rainbow coming over to pull Fluttershy into a hug.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She felt Fluttershy choke back her own little sob - sure they’d spent time apart before, sometimes for weeks, but that was before they’d gotten together.

“I know…” Fluttershy almost whimpered.
“Now go - go before I lose it.”
Rainbow swallowed her own lump of emotion pulling away long enough to draw Fluttershy into a deep, loving kiss before turning, heading out and taking to the sky, not looking back, knowing if she did and saw Fluttershy’s tears, she would never leave.

It would be a long week. For them both.

Author's Note

So it's been forever and a day since I updated and for this I can only appologise, I've had a lot going on.

I haven't even written one word of the next chapter yet, and I'm sorry to say it will be the final chapter when I do, for those who have stuck with this story for so long, I can only thank you.