Destinies Intertwined

“Okay, if I can average seventy-five miles an hour, I think I can make it in time for the X-ga-”

"Hellooooooooo Rainbow Dash!"

"What the-?!" Rainbow pulled the Camaro to a screeching halt, but it wasn't quick enough and she hit a fire hydrant. The hydrant fell over and the Camaro sailed a couple of feet in the air. The airbags suddenly activated and pounded Rainbow in the face. "Oaf!" Rainbow laid her head back and moaned, "I thought these things are supposed to help!"

The exasperated pegasus opened the door and stepped out, examining the damage. "Dagnabit!" She yelled, irritated. The entire front bumper was dented in, and there was smoke coming from under the hood.

"Ooh! That doesn't look so good." Pinkie Pie observed, bouncing on a light blue pogo stick.

Rainbow pursed her lips and glared at her pink friend. She had been used to Pinkie's antics by now, but this one REALLY ticked her off. "Pinkie..."

"Yes Dashie?"

Rainbow closed her eyes, and inhaled. She knew she'd regret it if she yelled at Pinkie Pie, so she exhaled, and asked, in the nicest voice she could. "Can you call a tow truck?"

"Sure Dashie, I'll be back in a second!" Pinkie Pie bounced into Sugarcube Corner, the home she shared with the Cakes, while Dash inspected the damage.

She popped open the hood and- "You’ve got to be buckin' KIDDING ME!" She whispered through clenched teeth. The inter-cooler fan was laying on the sidewalk, the battery being dowsed by the erupting water, which was also soaking Dash, but she was too upset to notice, and the recently installed turbo was crumpled.

Rainbow closed the hood and sat on the front fender, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Seriously?" She muttered, the shock of possibly losing her precious Camaro, all the crud she would have to go through with her insurance, the parts, labor. Rainbow sighed, and rested her head in her right hand, while also drawing her wet wings close to her wet jacket. "This REALLY sucks..."

"I called the tow truck Dashie," Pinkie told her friend. "Should be here in a few minutes."

Rainbow sighed. "Thanks, Pinkie. Guess I better wait here for the truck driver." Rainbow sat on the sidewalk and crossed her arms, resting her head in them. As hot tears began to streak down the pegasus' cheeks, she felt something touch her back. She looked behind her and saw Pinkie's arm resting on her back, with said pony having a sincere smile on her face.

"It's okay, Dashie, I'm here for ya." Pinkie sat next to Dash and pulled her close, allowing Dash to rest her head on Pinkie's shoulder.

"Thanks, Pinkie."

"No problem, Dashie."

*****

"Thanks for coming to the garage, Pinkie. I know how late it is." Rainbow said, sitting on one of the incredibly uncomfortable chairs in the waiting room by the garage where her car was being looked over.

"No problem, Rainbow. Also..." Pinkie, who had stood the whole time, was looking very nervous and digging the toe of her tennis shoe in the carpet. "Thanks for not getting mad at me for wrecking your car..."

"Oh… That's okay, it's not really your fault, it was just an accident."

"Aww! Thanks, Dashie." Pinkie hugged Rainbow tightly.

"Uhh....Pinkie, you're kinda killin’ me, here."

"Oops! Sorry."

Suddenly, the loudspeaker crackled and a voice spoke, "Miss Dash, your ninety-three Camaro SS is done."

Rainbow stood up and swallowed as the two girls walked out. "Good luck, Dashie." Pinkie waved as she left and went outside of the garage, while Rainbow walked over to the main desk.

"Alright, what's the damage?" Dash asked the mechanic.

"Fifty-five hundred bits."

Rainbow's jaw dropped. "What about insurance?"

"Good luck with that, missy."

Rainbow rubbed her temples, trying to think. "Do you accept Wonderbolts tickets?"

"As hot as Spitfire is, no."

"So what happens if I DON'T pay?"

"Your car will be impounded after a week."

"...seriously?"

"'Fraid so."

"....Darn it all!" Rainbow muttered. Then an idea sprung to her. "Wait! How much would it cost to take it out of the impound lot?"

"Fifteen thousand gems, seeing as how all the cops want that thing for all the trouble it's caused."

"What trouble?"

"Speeding, noise, accide-"

"Okay, okay, whatever." Rainbow left the garage in a huff, utterly annoyed.

*****

Rainbow angrily zipped up her jacket and pulled the hood over her head. This wasn't fair, she had helped save the world three times and she was going to lose her car? Rainbow kicked at a can angrily, but missed. This made her even angrier, so she kicked at it harder. The can sailed into the air and hit the bulb of a light post, knocking it off.

"Ugh! Can I catch a break here?!" She shouted, she looked up to the dark skies, spread out her wings, and flew up as high as she could. She flew higher and higher, faster and faster. Suddenly she pulled to an abrupt stop and looked for a cloud. She soon found one and landed, then sat down, hugging her knees, and rested her head in her lap. She sat there for a few moments… and began to cry, letting her emotions slide down her cheeks.

"Stupid-" But that was all she managed to say before bursting into another wave of tears. She lay on her side, and tried to stay warm in the cold weather.

How in the world was she going to get this money...

*****

When Rainbow Dash awoke, she found herself on a rather uncomfortable couch-

-but it smelled like animal fur.

Curious, she opened her eyes, and saw the material of a blue couch, with a flowery pattern. 'What the heck?'

She turned on her side and suddenly realized she was in Fluttershy's cottage. She pulled the blanket off of her body and looked around. There were a lot of animals, which was how she could tell she was in her friend's cottage, she always found it a little creepy how all the animals would glare at her. She really shouldn't house sit for Fluttershy anymore. Rainbow decided it was best if she could find Fluttershy to figure out why the heck she was at her house.

Suddenly, the smell of blueberry pancakes coming from the kitchen. She had been in the house multiple times, so she knew where to bolt to. Fluttershy was standing over an oven, flipping a pancake with a spatula.

Rainbow leaned on the doorway and watched as her friend worked on the pancakes. Fluttershy glanced over at the doorway and noticed Rainbow. "Eep! I didn't realize you were up, I thought you'd be a while."

"Oh, well, I'm glad you're up. Would you like a pancake?"

"Umm...I guess...but, um..."

"Yes?"

"How'd I get here? I was on a cloud last time I checked."

"Oh, well...I was out looking for Tina's mate, and while I was flying, I found you."

"Oh… You lugged me all the way here?"

"...N-no, I asked Boz, who's a bear, to help me."

"...Oh. Um, can I ask you somethin' else?"

"What?"

"Um, why'd you take me in? Why not drop me off at my place?"

"Well, I saw Pinkie Pie kinda upset, and when I asked her why, she said that you had wrecked your car, and that you couldn't pay for the repairs, and it was going to get impounded."

"Um… Okay... But still, why not just let me go home?"

"Well, ‘cause I need to give you something."

Before Rainbow could reply, Fluttershy went up to her cabinet and grabbed a rather large bag, then handed it to Rainbow. "I-It's not quite enough, but it should help."

In the bag, was three thousand bits, causing Rainbow's jaw to drop. "FLUTTERS!"

"Um, I know it's not enough, but-"

Rainbow brought Fluttershy into a quick, tight hug. "Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!"

"Um...you’re welcome..."

"But how did you get the money?"

"Um, it's… kinda private..."

Rainbow's eyes widened. "Fluttershy, you're not a-"

"N-no...just don't worry about it, please?"

"O-okay, thanks Flutters… Um… Do you need any help around here?"

"No, I'm fine. But, please don't tell anypony about this?"

"Why? This is the most super awesome thing anyone's done for me!"

"Th-thank you, but, please. It's-private."

Rainbow sighed in defeat. "Okay, see ya."

"Um, okay. But you're sure you don't wanna pancake?"

"Yeah, I'm not real hungry. Thanks though!"

"Okay, bye."

Rainbow bolted out of the cottage, payday was in a few days, and if she worked MAJOR overtime, she could pay off the repairs!

But, what was with Fluttershy? What was she hiding?

Rainbow knew she had to get to the bottom of this, but she couldn’t betray Fluttershy’s promise.

Could she?