Mutual Rescue

Rainbow awoke early the next morning. Earlier even than Fluttershy. Carefully getting out of the cloudbed as not to jar her wing too much she looked across the room to see the pale canary coated Pegasus lay on her bed. She had a small smile upon her face that Rainbow secretly thought was adorable.

Shaking her head at these thoughts she made her way out the room, being careful not to make too much noise. Upon entering the living room however her face dropped as she sat on the couch.
‘How do I tell her?’ She thought. She had long ago come to terms that she loved Fluttershy. It was strange as no other mare excited the cyan Pegasus, but all Fluttershy had to do was smile in her direction and her heart beat tripled its pace.

Sighing she made her way into the kitchen and started to prepare breakfast for the both of them, knowing that although she had gotten up early that Fluttershy would be up soon.
Looking around she chose to go with a simple breakfast. Two bowls of muesli and two glasses of orange juice were set on the tray before she slipped her good wing underneath it, making her way to the table to set them out properly.

“NOO!” A fear filled scream erupted from upstairs. Rainbow looked up alarmed cantering over and up the stairs. She ran into the bedroom to see the once peaceful looking Fluttershy tossing in the bed, face filled with terror. “Help. . . Stop it. . .” She was whimpering as Rainbow made her way over to the bed.

“Flutters.” Rainbow said pulling herself up on the bed, nudging her with a hoof.
“No. . .NO. . .SSTOOOP!” Fluttershy screamed in her sleep. Rainbow realised now what was happening and her own tears started to fall, deciding to call Fluttershy’s name loudly she prayed it would help snap her out of it.

“FLUTTERSHY!” At her call Fluttershy’s terror filled eyes opened. With a wail she threw herself at Rainbow, her forelegs wrapping around Rainbows neck in a vice grip as she sobbed into her neck.
Rainbow gently wrapped her good wing about Fluttershy, not saying anything, just holding her.

-o.O.O.o-

Fluttershy was in a meadow sat with her stomach on the ground under a large oak tree, watching the butterfly’s dance about the flowers, to her side Rainbow was lay on her back staring at the cloudscape she had sculpted.

Fluttershy glanced up to see her own face in the clouds looking back at them. She couldn’t help but smile at the skill Rainbow demonstrated.

Slowly the scene started to change, More clouds drifted over, dark ominous thunderheads blocked the sun. Turning her head to where Rainbow lay she jumped in fear. Instead of the blue Pegasus a stallion was there. Hunting Fire.

“Hello quiet one!” He said with an evil chuckle to his voice. “NO!” Fluttershy screamed, leaping to her feet and running away. Looking over her shoulder she saw him taking up the chase, a mocking expression on his face. The ground seemed to change, becoming thick undergrowth, catching her hooves in vines beneath the grass.

“Help” She squeaked out as she tumbled. He was upon her throwing his hoof into her face, knocking her to the ground as she called out for him to “stop it” as he pinned her. “You know what happens next.” He said. She felt him shift her tail to the side getting ready. “No. . .NO STOOP!” She cried out holding her eyes closed tight.

Moments before he could violate her she heard Rainbows voice call her. “FLUTTERSHY!” Her eyes snapped open. She took a look around realising she was back in her bed, it was then she saw Rainbow looking down at her with nothing but tenderness and concern in her magenta eyes. Realising this is what Pinkie had meant by nightmares, realising it hadn’t actually happened she let out a cry of pain, fear and relief all in one as she threw herself upon Rainbow crying into her silky soft mane as she clung to her neck.

She felt a wing wrap about her as Rainbow held her through the storm of her emotions.
As she cried out her fear she was glad Rainbow was there for her. She didn’t know how long her nightmare would have gone had she not woken her. She couldn’t help the loud cries that tore out her throat, The dream had felt so real.

Slowly as time went on her cries died down, through it all Rainbow had held her close, wing wrapping about her as a mother would her foal, or a loved one their significant other, Fluttershy never wanted the embrace to end, unfortunately her stomach made her mind up for her.
As the growling sound rippled out she felt Rainbows grip relax a little, though she kept her wing about them.

“Hey, you want to get some breakfast and talk about it?” Rainbow asked quietly, once again showing that in private she didn’t mind showing her more caring side. It was a side that she was showing more and more over time with their other 4 friends.

“I. . . I wouldn’t mind some breakfast.” Fluttershy whispered out looking towards the blanket bunched up around them, not dropping her forehooves from about Rainbow at first.
She felt movement above her, and wait. . . was that. . .a kiss? Did Rainbow just kiss her atop her head? Fluttershy didn’t know what was going on.

“Flutters? If you want to eat I’m afraid you’re gonna have to let me go.” Rainbow whispered into her ear. Her breath caressing the fur on the shell of the ear sent a shiver down Fluttershy’s spine, fortunately for Fluttershy she had learnt how to hide these reactions but it was getting more and more difficult to do so.

She reluctantly let Rainbow go, slipping her forelegs back to the bed she looked up from under her pink mane. “O. . .o. . . okay, I’ll just go – go freshen up.” With that she made her way to the bathroom to get herself ready for the day.

-o.O.O.o-

As Fluttershy left Rainbow straightened up the bed before making her way back downstairs and over to the table and repositioned her breakfast so that instead of opposite Fluttershy she would instead be sat next to her. Deciding to wait until she came down Rainbow sat down and decided to analyse her feelings properly.

What was Fluttershy to her? She had referred to the shy Pegasus as ‘My Flutters’ a few times, and not once had Fluttershy even tried to correct her.
The moment it was realised she wouldn’t be able to go home for months Fluttershy had opened up her home to Rainbow, even going so far as to go out and get a cloudbed that cost three times as much as her bed at home.
Then there was last night at Sugarcube Corner – she had never known Fluttershy show an interest in anypony before now, and there she was draping her wing over Rainbow. Had any other Pegasi been in the room they would have immediately understood the implying message – this mare’s mine.

Did Rainbow want this? Did she want to see if Fluttershy wanted her? Did she want Fluttershy? Shaking her head at these thoughts she decided to go for a walk after breakfast to clear her head, maybe head over to Applejack's cart and see if she could help her get her own thoughts in order. One thing that Rainbow did know is that she cared for Fluttershy a lot, and would do anything for her.

Fluttershy stepped into the room and her smile lit a warm feeling within Rainbows chest.
“Oh thank you! How did you know Muesli was my favourite?” Fluttershy queried quietly.
“Eh hehe well come on – you don’t grow up in the same orphanage and not learn a few things about somepony.” Rainbow shot back. Fluttershy just smiled again and took her seat, once again surprising Rainbow when she moved their chairs closer.

‘Damn I need to talk to Applejack soon!’ Rainbow thought.
*Knock-Knock* The sound echoed through as they started to eat. “Eeep!” Fluttershy looked at the door with full fear now. Shaking her head at this Rainbow wished she could spend just five minutes alone with Hunting Fire for making Fluttershy even more scared and fearful of her surroundings.

“It’s ok Flutters, I’ll get it.” Rainbow said over her shoulder as she made her way to the door.
She slid the bolt open and in front of her was a BIG Stallion in a Guards uniform.
“Miss Dash?” He said, with a deep gravelly tone that Rainbow could tell he was trying to tone down and not appear threatening. “Yes?”

“I’ve a message for you and miss Fluttershy, may I come in.” Rainbow looked at the Stallion and thought quickly. “Look, don’t take this the wrong way, but Fluttershy had a rough morning thanks to . . . you know” The guards face darkened. “Oh I know – I was angered they didn’t do more to the bast-“
“Ye, ye, ye, but also because of this she’s not going to want to be around a strange stallion in an enclosed space you get me?” Rainbow interrupted. He nodded his understanding of the situation.

“I see, how about I go wait over there.” He indicated a patch of grass near the tree on the hill.
“Then it’s in the open and should be a little easier for her.” Rainbow nodded her agreement.
“Okay, you go on ahead an I’ll go get her.” He nodded and turned away just as Rainbow went and closed the door.

As she entered the table in the kitchen, she spotted Fluttershy hiding underneath it behind her mane. Laying down on her stomach she reached forward with her forehoof and gently moved the hair out the way. “Hey Flutters, it’s only a member of the guard – I’ll be with you the whole time. Come on he’s waiting out in the field.”

When Fluttershy looked up Rainbow could see the fear in her eyes, but also the absolute trust Fluttershy had for her as Fluttershy nodded her head and slowly crawled out from under the table.
Together they made their way out the cottage and up the hill until they were in easy speaking distance of the guard.

Rainbow felt more than saw Fluttershy pressing up against her good side and decided yes she needed to talk to Applejack about how she felt for Fluttershy, but right now Fluttershy needed her, without a thought after that she lifted a wing and draped it across Fluttershy and held her close.

The guard who was also a Pegasus saw this and raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything about it.
“I have been sent by my Corporal, his orders are to try and convince you not to investigate the orphanage later. To me this falls under an immoral order as he said ‘Use any means necessary to stop them.’”

His face screwed up at the thought. “So instead of following those orders, I am stationing myself by your side until you’re with the Captain. If he ordered me, then he may have ordered some other pony who would follow those orders.” Looking at them he noticed how Fluttershy was starting to shake. “Ma’am, I know miss Dash can take care of herself – I am primarily here to protect you while they go to the orphanage, I am technically on leave at the moment.” He said.

Rainbow felt Fluttershy shaking even more and came to a decision. “This can’t wait, I’m not supposed to meet Shining Armour at the barracks until 10, but I think we ALL should head over to the library.” The Guard nodded at this and Fluttershy’s shakes seemed to calm a little.

Plan of action decided the trio made their way into Ponyville and were nearly at the library when another voice called out. “HALT! IN THE NAME OF THE PRINCESS!” Turning everypony saw another guard speeding towards them.
The guard who had warned them turned to the two Pegasi and shouted one word. “RUN!” before turning and launching to intercept the guard.

Rainbow held back just enough that Fluttershy would always have the lead. Rushing through the town they got near to the library when another call to them to stop was heard. “FLUTTERSHY GO!” Rainbow called and turned to see it was another Pegasus guard who was aiming for her.
She braced her back legs ready and just before he impacted she threw herself upright.

As he reached her and slammed into her torso he tried to hold her down. Rainbow lifted her rear legs and tried to get a kick in, but unfortunately the guard was too well trained and avoided the blows. He brought his upperhoof round hard as it impacted Rainbows face she started to black out, the last thing she heard was Shining Armour's voice full of fury. “SOLDIER STAND DOWN!”

-o.O.O.o-

Shining Armour awoke to a beautiful day, his wife Cadence next to him. He honestly didn’t expect to wake up as early as he had with how long their lovemaking in the night had lasted.
The talk afterwards also set his mind at peace. He had realised afterwards they had forgotten to use any form of protection. “Relax my Shiny, If I get with foal then it’ll have the best father out. If I don’t we’ll just have to ‘forget’ to use protection again.” She’d said making him smile at the thought, before she’d leaned over to kiss him along his neck and pulling him on top of her for another round of loving before they settled in to sleep.

He then thought about what he was going to do today. He wanted to know what was going on at the orphanage that had the green mare so worried, plus he had left a message with the colonel that he was to meet him and Rainbow Dash to explain his actions.

He looked to the clock and saw he had another hour and half before he had to be at the barracks gate to meet Rainbow. He carefully slipped out of the bed as not to wake Cadance and made his way over to the bathroom to get ready for the day as he did every day, with a cold shower to wake up, before a warm shower to get clean. This was a routine drilled into him from his days at boot camp.

Once he was done he stepped out the bathroom and padded across the bedroom Twilight had set up for him and Cadence before slipping out the room quietly to go and get some breakfast.
He was just making his way down the stairs when a yellow and pink blur slammed into the locked front door, and repeatedly hammered it. “SHINING ARMOUR! HELP!”

He recognised that voice! Only a few pony’s knew where he was staying and Fluttershy was one of them. He rushed over to the door using his magic to throw it open.
“Fluttershy whats wro-“ Fluttershy gasping out. “Help Rainbow” pointed behind her.
He looked up in time to see one of the guards execute a perfect knockout blow to a cyan Pegasus on the ground.

“SOLDIER STAND DOWN!” He bellowed out making his way past Fluttershy and up to the Corporal who thankfully recognised his voice. “Corporal I want an explanation as soon as we’ve got miss Dash inside.” It was then he saw another guard coming down the street, with yet ANOTHER guard unconscious on his back. Shaking his head at the surrealism of the morning he threw out an order. “Inside All of You.”

He levitated Rainbow Dash off the ground and led the guards inside where Fluttershy was already waiting. The commotion had woken the other residents of the library and Cadance was sat on the couch trying to keep Fluttershy calmed down.

He looked up to see she had her wing about Fluttershy, trying to give comfort. He brought Rainbow over to the couch and lay her down next to Cadance. He silently thanked the fact that Twilight had such a large couch before running a quick spell over Rainbow to check if she was ok.
When the results came back that she was nothing more than unconscious he breathed a sigh of relief.

Turning to the unconscious guard he ran the same spell, to find out once more the worst that was suffered would be a lump to the head.
Shaking his head he ordered the other two guards to stand ready and not move, and if the other guard came around to keep him with them before turning to Fluttershy he asked what had happened.

She looked up to him with fear in her eyes, there was a dual fear there he realised when she seemed to try to press into Cadance further. Nodding his head at what he realised was a fear of Stallions showing he backed away a good distance until she relaxed. Cadance’s smile towards him told him he had guessed right.

“Now Fluttershy, can you tell me in your own words what happened this morning?” As he said this he noticed the corporal from earlier getting into a slightly more aggressive pose, so he placed himself in between them as Fluttershy started speaking.

“That guard, the. . . . private?” The more heavily built guard nodded. “He came by my cottage this morning . . .” Fluttershy carried on to explain the rest of the mornings happenings. Shining Armour nodded when she’d finished and turned to the three guards. The one who had been knocked out earlier was now sat between the others still looking a bit worse for wear.

“Private, what’s your report on this?” Shining Armour asked the guard.
“Sir. At approximately 0630 I was heading off base back home on leave after a night shift, when the colonel called me. He instructed me to use whatever necessary force was required to stop miss. Dash or miss. Fluttershy meeting with you, and then to try and stop yourself from going to investigate the Orphanage. I felt this order was immoral, due to the implied allowance of force permissible. Knowing that you were to meet them, I took the best course of action I could think and chose to escort them here. En Route we were intercepted by this private who obviously had the same orders. I told them to run, after a short scuffle, knocked the private out and brought him with me.” Shining Armour nodded, not at all happy with what he heard. What was the Colonel hiding.

“Corporal. Report!” He ordered in a harsher tone.
“Sir the colonel ordered me to stop these civilians meeting with you under any means. I was simply following orders. Sir.”
Shining Armour not happy with this response decided one more question had to be answered.
“Should you have decided lethal force was necessary would you have done it.”
The Corporal looked him straight in the eye when he answered. “Yes Sir, as were my orders. Sir!”

“Okay, I think I’ve got the gist of things. Corporal, your stripes! You are hereby Demoted to Private” Shining ordered.
With an astonished look on his face the Corporal tried to refuse, so Shining Armour simply removed them himself with his magic.
“Private” He said turning to the Private who had decided to guard Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.
“As of this moment I am granting you a field promotion to that of Corporal. I don’t want soldiers who mindlessly follow orders in my guard, I want those who will question objectionable orders. Remove your Privates stripe and put these on.” He finished levitating the Corporal stripes over.

The private however held his hoof up. “Sir, I respectfully must decline this honour. I am only three weeks out of training, this is my first posting. I do not have the necessary experience for such a promotion.
Shining Armour nodded. “Very well. I will find you a suitable reward though.”

Looking down sternly on the other Private he spoke once more. “And you? Same as the former Corporal?” The Private just nodded.
“I only just got out of training last week. I thought the Colonel was testing me.” He said quietly. Shining Armour shook his head and prayed the rest of those joining the guard had more sense.

“Right, you three are to come with me. Twilight!” He called out amazed that his sister had managed to not ask any questions while this was going on. “I need you to send a letter to the Princess for me. Appraise her of what’s happened and that I request that she sends me a full unit from the Canterlot Barracks, put in it, I want troops I can trust, not those with their own agenda. She’ll know what I mean. Oh and warn her I’m investigating an orphanage as well.” Twilight nodded and dashed back upstairs to write the letter and wake Spike to send it.

“Ow my head – what hit me” Rainbow’s voice called out into the room.

-o.O.O.o-

Fluttershy’s head shot up when she heard Rainbows voice, jumping off the couch she darted round and pulled the cyan Pegasus into her forelegs. “Rainbow, you’re ok!” She squeaked out as her grip tightened. Rainbows own forelegs pulled Fluttershy close as she sat up and replied.
“Hey, you know me, it’s gonna take more than one guard to take out the Dash.”

Fluttershy couldn’t believe it. Once again Rainbow had stood in place helping her, only this time it wasn’t bully’s at flight school, it was a Royal Guard who she’d gone up against. Holding her close Fluttershy swore somehow she’d manage to tell Rainbow how she felt soon.

She heard the sounds of another pony coming close and heard as Twilight spoke to her brother.
“The Princess says the guards are on their way, they’ll be here within the hour – something about sending your old unit?”

Although Fluttershy didn’t want to move from being held by Rainbow she turned just enough to see Shining Armour smile.
“That’s good – half the time we didn’t need to talk to get our communication across – they seemed to be able to read my mind. Now you two.” He continued turning to face the two soldiers who had openly admitted they would have used lethal force. “Are to report to the Canterlot Main Barracks and STAY there. No side trips – no deviations. Is that CLEAR!”

The two privates nodded eyes wide before he dismissed them. Fluttershy could have sworn they nearly broke the sound barrier in fleeing from the look on the Guard Captains face.
She couldn’t help but smile a bit, Shining Armour seemed like a decent pony but underneath it all had a core of iron, that if needed he became almost a force of nature.

Looking over towards where Princess Cadance was sat lips parted and a gleam in her eye, pink wings slightly lifted Fluttershy wondered if Shining Armour would be getting any sleep tonight?

The next hour was spent with the remaining Private briefing the captain on the strange orders of the Barracks Colonel. Any time someone wanted the orphanage investigated he found some way to stop it, any time someone wanted to adopt from there, they were politely encouraged to go to another orphanage.

Fluttershy shook her head, not noticing that when she’d sat on the floor next to Rainbow that the cyan Pegasus had moved to the floor with her, once more laying her good wing over Fluttershy in a protective manner.

*Knock-Knock* Echoed through the room as somepony rapped against the door.
Spike made his way over to answer it as Fluttershy felt Rainbow tense slightly. Nopony else could see it, but Fluttershy recognised it as Rainbow getting her mind in a ready set so that a guard wouldn’t catch her out again. To Fluttershy it seemed Rainbow was determined not to let her down again.

Spike opened the door and to everypony’s surprise there stood both Princess Celestia and Luna.
“May we come in?” Princess Celestia asked of nopony in particular.
“Princess!” Twilight called out in shock, “O. . .of course! Would you like some tea? Something to eat? A boo-“ Twilight was stopped by Luna’s chuckle.

“Thou were right sister. She doth seem somewhat excitable at the unexpected.” The princess of the night stated with mirth in her voice.
Fluttershy looked on as a blush seemed to suffuse Twilight's face. It always seemed that Twilight was flustered at the smallest unplanned things.

“Twilight, my faithful student.” Celestia started as she stepped in, Luna following, allowing everypony to see a mass of guards outside. “It is quite alright. However with your letter my sister and I thought we should accompany our Guard Captain to both the Ponyville Barracks and the Orphanage. Fluttershy could see that Rainbow was desperate to say something, and for once she had the more courage to speak.

“Um. . .Princess, we’d, that is Rainbow and I, we’d like to come with you. . . if that’s ok.” Fluttershy managed to say.
Celestia looked down to Fluttershy a kind smile upon her face. “Of course Fluttershy I believe that would be best. Now we should go.”

With that she waited for Fluttershy and Rainbow to get to their hooves before leading them out.
Rainbow managed to find her voice and turned to address the princesses.

“Is it ok if one other pon – OH BUCK LYRA!” Shining Armour's eyes widened momentarily, he turned to address one of the unit squad leaders. “Take a squad to the air! Fluttershy you know where she lives right?” He asked quickly. At her nod he continued. “Tell the squad leader!” Quickly she gave the address and directions before watching as a squadron of 10 Pegasi took to the air.

She looked around to see a mix of ponies in guard uniform, a lot of them – they all wore the same number on their shoulder so she assumed this was the unit that Shining Armour asked for, she never realised how big a guard unit was.

The rest of the unit formed up around them, Pegasi taking to the air as they made their way to the barracks. Shining Armour moved so he was in front, at the head of the formation about the Princesses, Rainbow and Fluttershy as they made their way to the barracks. On the way Fluttershy saw the squad of Pegasi returning, carrying with them three unconscious Pegasi in the Ponyville barracks colours and an awake and alert lime green unicorn.

Fluttershy smiled reassuringly to Lyra as she was gently dropped off near her and Rainbow.
Moments later they were moving towards the barracks again with Lyra recounting how three Pegasi had come and refused to let her out her home earlier, along with Bon-Bon and Scootaloo.

“. . .Then these other Pegasi dropped out the sky faster than I’ve ever seen except for when Rainbow’s in the air – knocked those three out. I tell you, when they carried me hear I nearly deafened the one soldier with my scream. I’m kinda scared of heights.” She finished.
“KIND OF! Mare you had a death grip on me!” A Pegasus called down from above causing the others around him to chuckle.

Fluttershy herself had to laugh as she herself could understand what Lyra meant, Fluttershy may be a Pegasus, but she really didn’t like to go high unless it was necessary.
She looked up when Rainbow stopped her with a wing.
They had arrived at the barracks.

“Colonel Report to the front Gate! WE COMMAND IT!” Luna’s voice rang out across the grounds.
“Who the hell is commanding me? Do you not realise I am the Law on this Ba-“
A unicorn with a distinct arrogance walked around the side of a building in sight of the gate to see who was waiting for him.

Fluttershy who was in the middle of the assembled guard could see his face pale from where she was.

-o.O.O.o-

Celestia stepped forward, her sister one side, Shining Armour the other.
“Colonel, would you care to explain why I had to order a Guard to stand down from assaulting miss Dash? Apparently he was following your orders.” Shining Armour said with a tone to his voice that warned of consequences should he not answer.

“I. . .I. . .Orphanage.” The Colonel stuttered before catching himself.
“Yes. About this Orphanage you didn’t want our Captain of The Guard to investigate. Whyfore dost thou not want this? Speak!” Celestia winced at the tone of Luna’s voice simply because of how close she was, not because she disagreed. Had it been her speaking she would have used the same tone.

“No reason your Highness, and really there’s no need for you to worry yourselves. I know not what the unicorn has told you, but I promise you I shall have her brought up on charges of wasting Guard . . .time.” He trailed off at the Glare Shining Armour gave.

“Colonel, that unicorn will not be brought up on charges. You however are relieved of you command of this base.” The colonel stood to attention at this, with a slight knowing tone however he replied.
“That is not your decision to make. I have been posted here by Royal Appointment. Only the Princesses may do that, and I’m sure once this misunderstanding. . .”

“MISUNDERSTANDING!” Celestia thundered out in full Royal Canterlot Voice. “HOW IS ORDERING THE USE OF LETHAL FORCE ON CIVILIANS AND A BEARER OF AN ELEMENT OF HARMONY A MISUNDERSTANDING?! YOU ARE RELIEVED OF COMMAND!” Snatching her head round to the Unit Commander with the unit she had brought she ordered the detainment of the Colonel, and for the base to be searched out.

“Finally, I require a squad of Pegasi and a mix squad of Earth and Unicorn Pony’s to join myself and my sister while we inspect this orphanage. NOW!” She finished with a note of fiery command to her voice.

The assigned Guards formed up as the rest of the unit went to take charge of the barracks and base.
Celestia looked around satisfied that all was ready, making sure that she and Luna were next to Rainbow and Fluttershy as they made their way to the orphanage.