A heart divided

Chapters

The trip
Confessions
Consequences
A blossom of hope

The trip

A heart divided

By Alex

Chapter one: The trip

As Celestia’s sun rose, there was peace in the town of ponyville. Ponies, unicorns, and pegasi were roaming the streets, setting up shops, and living their lives. Normally, the birds are up before the sun, in order to greet the ponies to a new morning. However, the delightful chirping of cardinals, blue jays, and other birds was nowhere to be found. Rainbow dash, a Pegasus, found this a bit odd, as she was always woken up by birds. She scratched her head, her rainbow mane being messed up from the hoof. She decided to look for Fluttershy, the one who normally wakes up the birds. As rainbow flew, a smile began growing on her face. She always loved flying, the way her cyan coat would gradually deviate from its normal state of cleanliness. Her mane and tail trailing in the breeze, creating a rainbow behind her wherever she flew, and her cutie mark, a rainbow lightning bolt coming from a cloud, showing her need for speed.

As she flew, her body tensed and relaxed, helping her keep her speed up. She decided to check her friend’s cottage near the ever-free forest. She hated that her house was so close, rainbow always worried for her friends safety. She never understood why fluttershy picked to make her house inside a tree, but it looked very cozy. The branches slowly swayed in the breeze, and the strong trunk has lasted through so much, that if fluttershy had to live near the ever-free forest, she was glad that she picked that tree. As she got closer, she noticed a very impatient angel bunny sitting on the doorstep.

”Hey angel, have you seen fluttershy anywhere?” Rainbow asked, looking at the bunny. Angel bunny just pointed at a window on the second floor. “Thanks angel!” rainbow exclaimed.

“Hey, fluttershy? You in here?” rainbow asked, more yelling than asking. No response. The window was open, so she flew in, being extra quiet in case fluttershy was asleep somewhere. She checked around the house, not finding any sign of fluttershy. She then went downstairs to check for her friend. The downstairs was beautiful to say the least. The tree bark created a nice contrast to the furniture, giving it a very homey feeling. The ceiling was a lot lower than it looked, but still gave a lot of room to fly around. This was, after all, a house for a Pegasus. Rainbow checked the kitchen, the spare bedroom, and the living room, all with no sign of fluttershy. She went to the garden, and there she was.

Fluttershy was very distinct among the other pegasi of ponyville, as she was the only yellow Pegasus. Her pink mane and tail created a very eye catching contrast, framing the shy pony’s face. Her yellow coat was always well groomed, and her blue eyes completed the picture. Her cutie mark was of three butterflies, as she loved animals and constantly took care of them.

“Hey, Fluttershy!” rainbow yelled, causing the shy Pegasus to hide in the bushes.

“O-oh, hey rainbow dash, what’s up?” fluttershy asked, realizing her friend did not mean to scare her. Rainbow was looking around the garden, when she noticed fluttershy was standing near a birdcage, her eyes beginning to well up with tears.

“What’s up with me can wait, what’s wrong fluttershy?” Rainbow asked, trying to comfort the Pegasus.

“W-well, one of my birds…” Fluttershy began, but being cut off by a hoof over her mouth. She looked up to see rainbow dash’s magenta eyes, looking at her, knowing what she was going to say.

“I…I’m so sorry, is there anything I can do to help?” rainbow asked, a tear beginning to roll down her cheek. Fluttershy loved seeing this side of rainbow dash. She was always tough, always trying to hide her emotions. When rainbow dash showed her emotions, it was only around her, and fluttershy loved it. She loved seeing rainbows soft side, a side only she would ever know. It helped them become the friends they are now.

“I-I’m sorry, but I don’t think so…” fluttershy said, looking apologetic.

“No worries, actually, I hate to do this, but I just got an idea. I will see you later, and fluttershy? If you ever need me, just ask Derpy or Pinkie. They can get the message to me, and I will be over as fast as I can. Okay?” rainbow asked. Fluttershy simply nodded, and like that, rainbow was off.

*****

Rainbow went from one building to the next, before stopping at the ponyville public library. Her friend, twilight sparkle, lived in the library. She beat her hoof against the door, wondering why all of her friends wanted to live in trees. The door opened revealing a purple unicorn with purple and pink hair, purple eyes, and an indescribable cutie mark.

“Oh, hey rainbow dash, what’s up?” twilight asked, inviting rainbow into the library house.

“You remember when I said I was going to take you on that trip? I changed my mind; there is somepony more important I want to take. Sorry.” Rainbow said, trying to keep a low voice.

“It’s fine rainbow, it’s your trip, take who you want. Besides, I can go to canterlot whenever I want.” Twilight said, magically levitating the pass back to rainbow dash.

“Thanks for understanding, Twi.” Rainbow said.

“Just curious though, why the change of heart? Who are you taking?” Twilight asked. Rainbow simply glared at twilight, and twilight backed off. “Well, have fun!” twilight said, going into the basement of the library.

“Good, I got the pass, now I just need to go back to fluttershy’s"Rainbow thought to herself.
*****

Rainbow arrived at fluttershy’s house, seeing fluttershy in the garden. She gingerly flapped her wings, softening her landing onto the grass floor. The garden was spectacular. All kinds of flowers and shrubs not normally seen near ponyville. The edges of the garden were littered with cages for various types of animals. And there lay fluttershy, still laying near the birdcage, crying.

“Hey fluttershy, I’m back.” Rainbow whispered, trying to not scare the pony this time. Fluttershy did not respond. “Look, I know this must be hard on you, but it’s a part of life. You have to be able to let them go eventually, no matter how much it hurts.” Rainbow finished, being pushed backwards a little when fluttershy dove onto the cyan Pegasus. “It’s all right, I’m always here for you fluttershy.” She was crying on dash’s shoulder. Dash didn’t mind, she was always there for her friends.

“T-thank you.” She started, wiping a tear from her cheek, “So, what was your idea?”

“I think you’re going to like this. I got Princess Celestia to let a friend and I stay in canterlot castle, and I want to take you. I think you need to unwind, and I know how much you like nature, so I want you to come with me. We can go visit the canterlot garden.”

“O-oh, thank you rainbow! But what about our other friends?” fluttershy asked, concerned.

“Don’t worry, I asked them, and they didn’t want to go. Well, twilight did, but she changed her mind. She said that she could ‘Go whenever’. Oh, and make sure you pack for a week.” Rainbow replied. Fluttershy went from crying to hugging, getting excited about going to the garden. She knew she would have to face losing a bird, but at the moment, that was the last thing on her mind. She started packing, and before they knew it, they were off to canterlot.

*****

On the way to canterlot, there was a lot of talking between the two pegasi. They talked about what they would do, where they would go, where they would eat, and of course, the garden. As the carriage they were in pulled up to the castle, a voice greeted them from seemingly nowhere.

“Ah, girls, I’m glad you made it!” the mysterious voice said.

“Thank you for the rooms princess. I really appreciate it.” Rainbow responded.

“Oh, no problem rainbow, now, let me show you to your room.” Princess Celestia said.

They were led around the castle, given a tour, and then shown to their rooms. They are rooms were right across from each other, and next to the garden.

“Well, I have some business to take care of, enjoy yourselves; you’re here for a week after all!”

As they began settling in, fluttershy went into rainbow dash’s room. Rainbow was quite surprised, as she thought fluttershy would go to the garden first.

“What? Aren’t you going to go to the garden?” rainbow asked, puzzled.

“Well I’m waiting for you!” fluttershy responded, much cheerier than she was previously.

“You don’t need to wait for me! I brought you here so you could relax, I would only keep you from relaxing.” Rainbow insisted. Fluttershy looked confused, but she did want to go see the garden. Still, she waited there for another 15 minutes before rainbow dash finally caved. “You’re so persistent. Oh all right, let’s go.” Rainbow finally said. ‘Fluttershy seemed so much happier, she really needed this trip.’ She thought to herself.

*****

The garden of canterlot was magnificent. Exotic species of animals, very rare plants, and beautiful scenery. Fluttershy looked at rainbow dash, joy practically beaming from her face. She ran around, making friends with the animals. Rainbow just watched. ‘I’m so glad she likes it. Hopefully this will help her unwind.’ Rainbow thought.

“Rainbow!” fluttershy yelled, “Come look at this!”

Rainbow dash flew to fluttershy, landing next to her and looking over an amazing sight. They were on a landing, and you could see ponyville from the benches. Fluttershy was on one of the benches, inviting rainbow dash to sit down.

“Wow, that’s…amazing.” She said, her mouth open in surprise. Fluttershy giggled, and that snapped rainbow out of it. She closed her mouth and sat down.

“I have never seen you admire the scenery. What changed?” fluttershy asked.

Rainbow dash pondered this question for a minute. Before responding with “The scenery has never been worth admiring until now.” Fluttershy giggled again, leaning in closer to her friend, and sat there, enjoying the view. Rainbow looked at her friend, noticing she was upset.

“What’s wrong fluttershy? I thought you would like it here…”rainbow said, trailing off.

“W-what? O-oh, nothing…”Fluttershy started, “It’s just…I don’t know…”

“You don’t need to tell me if you don’t want, I was just a little curious. With all the critters, and the view, I thought you would be happier.” Rainbow dash stated, trying to cheer up the sad Pegasus. “You don’t have to, but I really want to know what’s wrong. I hate seeing you upset.”

“W-well, it’s just that…there’s a pony I like and…well…I don’t know how to tell her…” fluttershy said, inching away from rainbow dash in shyness.

“Aaah, it’s a mare. I can see why that would be embarrassing. Do you know if she is into mares?” rainbow said, trying to help her friend. Fluttershy was surprised at the response she got, she was expecting more laughter and snickering, but was getting helpful advice.

“I think so…” fluttershy squeaked. She was inching back towards rainbow dash. ‘I wish she knew’ Fluttershy thought.

“Well, try and find out. Get her somewhere peaceful, somewhere quiet, somewhere where you can talk with her. Get to know her, find out if she is into mares, and then take it from there.” Rainbow started, “I remember when people first found out I was into mares, I was horrified. It was awful, and I have been trying to hide my past ever since.”

“W-what happened?” fluttershy asked, an eyebrow raised.

“I’m sorry, but I would rather not talk about it.” Rainbow responded.

“O-oh, okay…”Fluttershy said, getting lost in her thoughts. ‘Well, there goes that…wait, do not think like that fluttershy. I love her, and I need to PROVE it.’

The night continued for several hours. Stargazing, talking, and flying taking most of the time. Fluttershy was lost in her thoughts most of the time, trying to think of a way to approach this. Rainbow assumed she was thinking about the mare she liked, and she was sort of right. They settled down near the bench and sat. Fluttershy drifted asleep, and soon after, so did rainbow dash.

****

END OF CHAPTER ONE

Confessions

Chapter two: Confessions

Rainbow woke up to another amazing sight. Celestia’s sun was peaking just over the hills, coating them in reddish light. The birds of the garden were waking up and greeting the guards to a new day with song. She also noticed her hand felt heavier than normal. She looked over to find a sound asleep fluttershy. ‘I really hope she gets the mare she is after’ rainbow thought, ‘And if not…ill help her through it.’
Rainbow gingerly removed herself from the bench, and picked up fluttershy, careful not to stir too much. She flew as slowly as she could to fluttershy’s room and laid her in bed. Rainbow was getting ready to leave when fluttershy woke up.

“D-Dash?” fluttershy said, startling the cyan Pegasus.

“O-oh, hey fluttershy. I woke up first, so I brought you back to your room. I hope that was all right.” Rainbow responded. Fluttershy nodded. “Well, now that you’re up, get ready. I’m taking you out to breakfast.” Fluttershy got excited at the gesture. She nodded again, and went into the bathroom. Rainbow went back to the garden. She did not know what it was, but it was just magnificent. ‘Now I understand why fluttershy loves nature’ she thought.

*****

Rainbow and fluttershy were flying around canterlot when rainbow stopped. Fluttershy flew a bit, noticed rainbow wasn’t flying anymore. For that matter, she wasn’t in the air. Fluttershy looked down to see a smiling rainbow dash waving her down. As fluttershy lowered, she saw what rainbow was smiling about. It was the fanciest restaurant in canterlot, “The Restaurant of harmony.” Fluttershy looked at rainbow dash, confused. Rainbow pulled her foreleg into the restaurant.

“O-oh no, we can’t eat here! It’s too expensive!” fluttershy said.

“No it’s not” rainbow said with a sly grin on her face, walking up to the maître d. She handed two gold slips to the stallion, who simply nodded. She walked back to fluttershy, giggling a bit. “Rarity gave me passes for free food here.” Rainbow finished. Fluttershy’s confusion turned into laughter. They were led to a secluded table on a balcony. “Oh, sorry about the setting, this is rarity’s table.” Fluttershy was just looking at the view from the balcony. ‘Never mind I guess’ rainbow thought.

During breakfast, fluttershy was smiling the whole time. “S-so, rainbow…I hate to push…but…would you be able to tell me what happened? I mean, when people found out you liked mares. If that’s okay with you I mean.” Dash sat there contemplative.

“Do you really want to know, and promise to tell no one?” rainbow sighed.

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” fluttershy said in a pinkie promise.

Rainbow sighed in exasperation. “All right. Well, back at flight school, there was a filly. I was on the course for the practice run of the final test, and she was distracting. I crashed; hit my head right on one of the harder clouds. I went back at night, so I could get more practice, and there she was. She kissed me, and…let’s just say my…body ‘betrayed’ me. The last words she said to me were ‘easiest five bits I ever made.’ The day after, pictures of it were everywhere, with three words painted over the pictures. ‘Rainbow dash, Fillyfooler!’ Ever since, I have been avoiding my feelings. I just do not want that to happen again.”

When rainbow finished talking, fluttershy looked at her. Before rainbow could react, fluttershy hugged her. “I-I’m sorry, I had no idea…” fluttershy trailed.

“Hey, don’t be. You just wanted to know. And besides, you confessed something to me, so take this as me repaying your confession.” Rainbow said, beginning to smile.

“M-my c-confession?” fluttershy asked, still hugging her friend.

“Yeah, when you told me you liked a mare.” Rainbow responded.

“O-o-oh yeah…” fluttershy said, lost in her thoughts. ‘ Ok, I need to show her I love her. How can I do that? I GOT IT! I’ll tell her at the Wonderbolts performance a few days from now. I just need to surprise her with the ticket.’ Fluttershy had a sly grin on her face.

“What’s with the smile? It’s a bit weird…” rainbow said skeptically.

“O-o-oh, well I’m thinking about your surprise.” She said, still smiling.

“A surprise?! What is it?” rainbow yelled ecstatically.
Fluttershy’s grin went to a full smile. “Well I can’t tell you, otherwise it wouldn’t be a surprise now would it?”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Rainbow said, smiling.

*****

Rainbow was sitting on the bench, watching the moonrise over the mountains. It was the night before the wonderbolts show. ‘Man I wish I could go to that wonderbolts show, but this is for fluttershy.’ Rainbow thought.

‘I really hope she likes this, I spent my last bits on the bonus.’ Fluttershy thought. She walked up to rainbow dash with a small black box in her mouth.

“Hey fluttershy, what’s in the box?” Even though the box was in her mouth, rainbow could see a smile on her friends face.

“Why, your surprise of course!” She said, giggling. She laid the box on the ground and pushed it towards the cyan Pegasus. Skeptically, the cyan Pegasus lifted the box. As she opened the box, she saw a small wrapped gift. Fluttershy always liked wrapping gifts that went in boxes. These looked weird though, as if it was paper. Again, rainbow opened the wrapping, half-hiding from what might be inside. Inside were two tickets to the wonderbolts performance tomorrow, and a couple of slips of blank paper.

“Don’t lose that paper, it’s the other half of your surprise!” fluttershy giggled again. Rainbow was beaming; her face lit up as soon as she saw the wonderbolts tickets.

“Wow…thank you! Thank you fluttershy!” rainbow yelled, causing the guard to shush them. This got another giggle from fluttershy as rainbow hugged her best friend. “I can’t thank you enough.” Rainbow said.

“Then you will be speechless at the other half of the surprise.” Fluttershy said, picking up her ticket and paper. Fluttershy sat next to her friend, enjoying the view. Then they went to their quarters, fluttershy falling into a dream filled sleep, and rainbow to excited to sleep.

*****

They arrived at the arena and were immediately swallowed by the crowd of ponies going to see the wonder bolts. Fluttershy was looking around for someone, and then she flew with rainbow dash to a guarded area. She held out her paper, causing rainbow to do the same. She was clueless, but saw the excitement in her friends eyes. The guard levitated the pages up to his face, cast a spell, and gave the pages back. There was writing on the pages.

‘The owner of this paper is to be taken to the VIP box, then to be taken to meet the wonderbolts after the show. Signed, Spitfire’

Rainbow just looked at fluttershy. She smiled and walked forward. The guard opened the gate and let them in. Rainbow looked at fluttershy with amazement. ‘How did she get us into the VIP box? And to meet the wonderbolts?!’

*****

“Hey, there’s the ponies of the hour!” a voice shouted as the pair walked into the VIP box. Fluttershy giggled at this remark. She knew who said it, but was excited to see rainbow’s reaction.

“Hey fluttershy, who is that?” rainbow asked, turning to her smiling friend. Fluttershy nodded towards the window to see a pony that looked all too familiar. Rainbow turned to fluttershy again. “Are. You. KIDDING ME?!” rainbow yelled, tackle hugging her friend.

“Go say hi!” fluttershy said, laughing. Rainbow walked to the pony. As the pony turned, she was greeted with a warm smile.

“Ohmigoshohmygoshohmygosh!” rainbow could barely contain herself at the pony in front of her.

“Wow, I knew you were a fan, but not this much of a fan!” The pony said. Rainbow just looked at her, then at fluttershy, then back at her. “I don’t believe we have been ‘Properly’ introduced. I’m Vinyl scratch.”

Rainbow was stunned. At a wonderbolts show, with her best friend, and vinyl scratch, and afterwards, she is going to meet the wonderbolts. She could not help but hug her friend again. “Thank you fluttershy.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it.” Fluttershy said, smiling. ‘Oh good, she liked the gift.’ Fluttershy thought.

Conversation rolled through the VIP box, at least until the show started. The wonderbolts did their routine, doing dives, flips and rolls. Rainbow was glued to the skies. The show began to die down, and one of the wonderbolts flew right next to the VIP box, dropping a piece of paper.

‘Hey rainbow dash! Watch this!’

Rainbow tore her eyes away from the paper to see spitfire climbing, and placing a bottle of something behind her. Just like that she was diving, very quickly. She was picking up speed, and rainbow noticed a familiar cone forming around the pony. ‘No…way….’ was rainbow dash’s only thought. Spitfire was going to break the sound barrier. She kept diving, and was getting close to a sonic boom.

The sound of sonic boom echoed, but rainbow noticed something else. A rainbow trail. “W-w-what? I didn’t know spitfire could do a sonic rainboom!” rainbow said.

“She can’t” vinyl started, “She put a bottle of rainbow smoke on her back, and it opened at the sonic boom, creating that trail. They made that trick in honor of a pony that did the sonic rainboom.”

Rainbow looked at fluttershy, who was smiling. After the commotion died down from the sonic boom, a guard retrieved the two ponies.

“Wait, is vinyl scratch coming?” rainbow said. Vinyl shook her head.

****

They were led through a series of corridors that ended in front of a door. There was a gold star on the door. As the door opened, spitfire greeted rainbow.

“Hey, Rainbow! How’d you like my new trick?” she said.

“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!” was all that came out of rainbows mouth. Spitfire chuckled.

“Let me introduce you to the rest of the group. There’s Soarin’, Fleetfoot, and rapidfire.”

“Hi!” the three ponies said in unison. Rainbow was again, stunned. She turned to fluttershy, who was nudging her forward.

“U-uh, h-hi” rainbow said nervously. Everyone laughed and invited her to sit. Rainbow was so happy.

“So,” spitfire began, “Did fluttershy tell you what the rest of your surprise is?”

“There’s MORE?!” she turned to fluttershy, who nodded.

“Well, not much more,” soarin’ said “Just this last thing.”

“We are covering your dinner tonight” fleetfoot said, turning to rapidfire.

“Once we heard what fluttershy had planned, we had to make sure it goes off without a hitch. Just pick the restaurant and let us know, we will let them know that we are covering the bill.” Raipidfire finished.

Conversation between the ponies engulfed the room, talking about tricks, places to go, and suggestions for restaurants. Fluttershy broke the conversation.

“I-I’m sorry to interrupt, but we should get going.”

“Of course. I’ll send you to ‘The Soarin’ Eagle’ they got the best food this side of canterlot.” Spitfire said. Fluttershy nodded, and with that, the pair of ponies was off.

*****

They arrived and were immediately seated in a balcony. They ordered, and enjoyed their dinners.

“Remind me to send my deepest thanks to the wonderbolts.” Rainbow said.

“R-rainbow dash?” fluttershy said nervously.

“Yeah?” rainbow asked.

“I-I…I love you.” Fluttershy said. Rainbow was shocked. Not the good shocked either. She calmed herself enough to reply.

“Fluttershy…I’m sorry…but I don’t think of you like that. I mean I enjoyed our time together, and you are a great mare, but…I just need some time to think. I’m so sor-” rainbow said, being cut off by fluttershy.

“It’s all right, I understand.”
*****

END OF CHAPTER TWO

Consequences

Chapter Three: Consequences

The flight back to ponyville was a slow and awkward one. Not much talking went on, and when rainbow was near her house, she dashed back. Fluttershy was left to fly alone to her cottage.

‘Stupid, Stupid! Why did you do that? Stupid fluttershy!’ fluttershy thought. ‘Any chance you had was just flushed down the drain! Ugh, I need to go talk to twilight.’

The flight to twilight’s Tree-Library-House was a slow one. She kept playing the night in her head. ‘Did I do something wrong?’ She thought as she knocked at the door.

“Who is it?” twilight yelled, busy with something.

“U-um…F-f-fluttershy…”

“Ahh! Come in!” twilight yelled, “The door is open!”

“T-t-thank you…” fluttershy squeaked.

Fluttershy walked into the tree-house-library with eyes trailing around the room. The walls were lined with shelves of books, just ready for reading. The ceiling was like her ceiling. It looked higher than it was, but still allowed flight. There was a vase in the center of the room, surrounded by open books. Twilight was teleporting between the table, a telescope, and a chart.

“I-I-I need to talk to you….” Fluttershy trailed

“Hmm? Oh, about what?” twilight responded.

“Well…I told rainbow I liked her and…”Fluttershy said, being cut off by twilight.

“Whoa whoa whoa, what? You told her you liked her as in…?” twilight asked.

“A-as in I like her…” Fluttershy sighed, “As in I LOVE her twilight. For being smart you don’t really know a lot…”

“Wow…sorry…I’m guessing it didn’t exactly go as planned.” Twilight responded, trying to keep calm.

“S-s-sorry twilight, and yes, it went…less than well. She rejected me…”

“Well, there’s always a chance she will change her mind, you just got to be patient is all. Patience is a virtue after all!” Twilight yelled, giggling.

“I guess so, but I doubt it. Why would someone as amazing as her want someone as ordinary as me? She’s athletic, daring, beautiful, funny…” fluttershy said, getting lost in her thoughts. A hoof over the eyes snapped her out of it.

“Don’t worry fluttershy; you just have to give it time…Like growing a plant. You have to plant the seeds, and then give it time. If you smother it, it won’t grow. But if you stay distant, it will wilt and die. Just a bit of attention every now and then and…” A small flower popped up from the vase in the room, “Poof.”

Fluttershy was smiling at her friends words of encouragement. She left with a smile on her face and went to sugar cube corner.

*****

Sugar cube corner was unusually empty, except for pinkie pie of course. The walls were painted bright pink. There was a shelf of cakes, and a glass counter, which had multiple rows of deserts on it.

“Hey, Fluttershy! How was the trip? What happened? Was it nice? Did you like the garden? Oh! I love gardens, there just so peaceful and-“

“U-um, pinkie? Can you be quiet please?” fluttershy said.

“Sure! What’s up?” Pinkie exclaimed in her usual, energetic tone.

“O-oh nothing, I just wanted to hang out with you” fluttershy responded.

“O-oh, sorry fluttershy, but I’m going to go pranking with rainbow dash.” Fluttershy’s heart fell into her stomach as the words came out of pinkie’s mouth. Fluttershy just nodded and went home.

*****

“Oh, Rainbow DAAAAAASH!” pinkie yelled

“Hey pinkie!” rainbow yelled, chuckling. “Sorry, but pranking is canceled. I need to talk to you.”

“About what?” Pinkie asked, curiously.

“Well, before we came back from the trip, fluttershy said…that she loved me.”

“WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeee!” was the only audible noise as pinkie shot into the air. After a few minutes of rubbing her ears, she was able to hear again. “OhmyGOSH! How did it go? How did you respond? Was it romantic? I will throw you a party! What type of party? OOOh ill bake you a cake, and there will be streamers and –“

“PINKIE PIE!!!!!!!!!”

“O-oh, sorry. So what happened?”

“Well, I didn’t know how to respond…so it didn’t go to well…I feel horrible. She confided in me, told me she liked a mare, and it was me! Ugh, I’m a horrible pony.” Rainbow said, starting to feel tears in her eyes. She forced them back.

“S-So what’s the problem?”

“What do you mean what’s the problem?! She probably hates me now!”

“Silly rainbow! If she loves you, she won’t change like that just because you need some time to think! And even if you don’t see her that way, you might! As long as you tread carefully around the topic, you guys will still be the best of friends!”

“Wow, pinkie, great advice!” rainbow said, stunned. Pinkie had never been good at giving advice, so this came as a shocker to rainbow. “Hey, thanks for the advice. I am going to go ask rarity what I should do. Bye!”

“BYE RAINBOW!”

****

Rainbow was flying to rarity’s house when she noticed applejack talking to fluttershy. She immediately darted straight up as to avoid fluttershy, but she couldn’t help lower back down to listen in on the conversation.

“And then I told her I loved her…”

“And what happened after that?”

“Well, things didn’t go so well…I still love her, and I always will, but she was so uncomfortable, that it was unbearable to watch. The rest of the trip was quiet…I hated it. Maybe I should just give up. She doesn’t love me, it’s obvious.” Fluttershy squeaked.

“Now don’t give up sugar cube! I am sure she will come round, and if not, I’ll help ya through it! That’s what friends are for. Just give her some time, aight?

“Thanks applejack.”

“No problem sugar cube!”

‘She still loves me? After how I reacted? Wow…I did not know she felt that strongly about me.’ Rainbow thought. She went back to flying towards rarity’s boutique.

*****

Rainbow knocked on the door to rarity’s boutique. Rainbow waited for a minute then rarity opened the door.

“Oh, hey rainbow dash! How are you?” Rarity said.

“Fine, I guess.” Rainbow said, sadness in her voice.

“What’s wrong rainbow?” Rarity sighed.

“Well…Fluttershy said she loved me, and…”

“Let me guess, you didn’t take it well?” Rarity said. Rainbow nodded in shame. “Don’t worry, you just need to think! Here, follow me!” Rarity led rainbow around ponyville and to the spa. Rainbow normally hated the spa, but it would give her some time to think, so she did not object. Rarity disappeared into the back, leaving rainbow alone in the lobby.

Before rainbow could properly examine her surroundings, she was led to the back by a pony who called herself “Aloe.” Rainbow started to get lost in her thoughts. ‘What should I do? Should I say I like her and give it a shot? Should I wait until I actually like her? Should I just reject her? Why do I have to decide! Fluttershy, how are you doing this to me?”

Rainbow ended up face down on a massage table with aloe working on rainbow’s wings. They were extended as to allow aloe to get into the muscles and relieve the tension that builds up while flying. Rainbow liked this feeling, and was glad that she was the one holding her wings open instead of her body. After the wing massage, rainbow had what can only be described as an herbal bath. They put her in a hot tub, and started to pour various minerals, herbs and other elements into the tub. The last thing to go in was a very small drop of oil.

The oil was apparently supposed to warm the muscles, make them more flexible for what was next. It felt good, the warm water mixing with the warm oil. The minerals rejuvenating her body, and the herbs adding much-needed nutrients to the mix. Finally, rainbow was called to a back room. Her wings were dripping wet, and seemed more ruffled than tidy. They sat her on another massage table.

“Now, just a word of warning, you might want to brace onto something. If you can reach anything.”

“Well, what does that me- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!” rainbow shouted as she heard a loud pop. They said they were relocating the wings, supposed to increase aerodynamics. It felt painful. Afterwards, she did feel a lot better than she did before. They brushed the feathers, her mane and tail, and her coat. They gave her a small scarf, and sent her to the lobby. She came out with the scarf on and rarity just shrieked in excitement.

“Oh my, darling, you look amazing! I knew the sky princess was the right call!”

“Sky pri...what are you talking about?” rainbow asked, puzzled. Aloe came up behind her, half whispering and half talking.

“The sky princess is a spa treatment designed especially for pegasi, in order to help them get pampered while still helping their flying.” Rainbow dash nodded in understanding, and rarity looked at rainbow.

“Well, did you think about what you needed to?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t get far in deciding what I’m going to do. Actually, I know exactly what I’m going to do. I’m going to go home. Thank you rarity, this really helped, and I feel better, but I need to be alone. Thanks again.” With that statement, rainbow darted out the door and flew towards her cloud home.

*****

The flight felt different. She felt faster, stronger, more agile. ‘I guess that spa treatment did some good after all’ She flew until she reached her cloud home. She darted inside, closing the door behind her, then landing on the clouds and starting to sob softly.

“What am I going to do? How do I decide what to do? Do I tell her I like her and risk breaking her heart? Do I tell her I don’t and break her heart? Do I wait it out and see if she forgets about me? UGH! I NEED HELP!” rainbow said to no one in particular.

“U-um…” somepony behind her said. This sent rainbow shooting into the air, and turning. But nopony was there. She heard it again, this time turning slowly. She saw a faded fluttershy, semi-transparent.

“R-Rainbow dash?” she said.

“Yes fluttershy, if you even ARE fluttershy” rainbow said.

“I-I…I love you.” The figure vanished after the words. Rainbow started to sob. ‘Great, now my mind is betraying me too! I need to go to sleep.’ She flew up to her room, set her head onto the pillow, and slowly let the darkness of sleep overtake her.

*****

Fluttershy flew to her tree cottage, and met a very impatient angel bunny. Angel bunny saw fluttershy and began tapping his foot on the ground.

“Oh, Hey angel. What are you doing outside?” fluttershy said. Angel bunny looked at fluttershy with a “Are you serious?” look on her face. “Oh…sorry.” She said, giggling. Angel simply looked at fluttershy. Fluttershy opened the door and let angel bunny in. She fed her critters, and went to bed. She didn’t bother with dinner, as she was not hungry. She laid her head on her pillow, and sleep engulfed her.

*****

END OF CHAPTER THREE

A blossom of hope

Chapter 4: A blossom of hope

Fluttershy sat in a gilded chair, overlooking a rolling hill. The hill was bathed in reddish light as Celestia’s sun rose ever so slightly over the hills. The tree’s formed an arrow towards a large hill. Fluttershy looked onward with confusion, as the arrow turned and pointed towards the balcony she was on. A tired, hurt, and very weak rainbow dash flew into the balcony. She was bleeding from a large gash in her wing. It looked treatable with bandages, noting to major. ‘Thank Celestia she didn’t tear a muscle’ she thought to herself.

“F-f-fluttershy…help…m…” rainbow was in the middle of talking when she fainted. She had lost a lot of blood on the flight from flapping her wings. Fluttershy picked up the weak pony and ran around the town she was in. It was new to her; she had never been here before. She sobbed as she placed the Pegasus down. She looked deep into rainbow’s closed eyes, hoping they would open.

*sssssSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS*

The sound struck fluttershy right in the heart, causing it to skip a beat. She knew that sound, she was thankful for that sound. It was the sound of healing magic being cast. She looked over at rainbow’s bleeding wing, grateful that it was being mended.

“Oh, thank yo-“ she said, turning and looking at no one. She was shocked. ‘Who cast that spell? Where was this unicorn that saved rainbow’s life?’ she thought, wishing to thank the unicorn. She turned around to see rainbow waking up.

“F-fluttershy?” rainbow asked.

“Y-yes rainbow?” fluttershy responded.

“Thank you…” rainbow trailed.

“I’ll always be there for you rainbow…because…I…uhm…I-I love you rainbow dash.” Fluttershy said, tears of joy streaming down her face. A pink mare with a horn and wings walked up behind fluttershy.

“Fluttershy! Fluttershy wake up! We need to leave now if we’re going to make the party!” the mysterious alicorn said. Fluttershy looked at the mare with confusion before falling into a black pit.

*****

Fluttershy awoke in her bed, thrashing, and flapping her wings. When her eyes focused, she saw the mare of her dreams, rainbow dash, hovering over her.

“Let’s go sleepyhead! We are gonna miss the party!”

“W-what party…exactly?” Fluttershy said with a confused expression.

“Did you forget already? The big going away party for Big Mac? Oh, wait, you were never told were you? Oh my gosh I’m so sorry, I meant to tell you during the trip but…” her sentence trailed, bringing a very awkward silence in the air. A few minutes past in the awkward silence before fluttershy spoke up.

“I-its fine rainbow, now what is going on?”

“Well, seeing as how Big Mac is leaving with applejack to check on Bloomberg over in appaloosa, Pinkie is throwing him a big going away party.”

“So when are we supposed to get there?” fluttershy asked.

“If we leave now, we can get there just before Big Mac, and be there when we surprise him.” Rainbow said, unknowingly closing the distance between the two friends. Fluttershy’s heart skipped a beat, and so did dash’s. ‘What’s going on?’ was rainbow’s only thought. Rainbow pulled away, and looked at fluttershy. Her face had changed from happy to sad when rainbow pulled away. She didn’t want to bring up a touchy subject so she let it go.

“R-Rainbow?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yeah fluttershy?”

“Are things going to stay this…awkward? Rainbow flew down and laid a reassuring hoof on her worried friend.

“Look, I have been thinking, and I just need a little more time. I’m really sorry to put you through this, but I just need to make sure I make the right choice.” It worked, or at least, it seemed to work, as fluttershy smiled at rainbow.

“Ok, I get it. I won’t ask again…unless you want me to.” Rainbow giggled at the thought of fluttershy walking up and asking if she made up her mind. Then she remembered the balcony, how beautiful she looked, how amazed she was with the view, and how she said it. She trailed, and fluttershy was pulling her on the hoof.

“So much for leaving now!” fluttershy giggled.

*****

The party was in full swing. Pinkie was handing out slices of cake, twilight was talking with rarity about magic, and applejack was celebrating with her brother. That left rainbow dash and fluttershy. Fluttershy had gone to the roof, and rainbow was in the corner. Normally, she was a bit of a party animal, and the fact that she was alone in the corner of the barn caught more than a few eyes. One of which was rarity. She looked at twilight, nudged over to rainbow, and started walking. Twilight just nodded in understanding.

“Darling, what’s wrong? Still thinking about…fluttershy?” She said, comfort oozing from her voice.

“Yeah, I can’t stop thinking about her. What if I make the wrong choice and end up breaking her heart...or mine? It’s a simple enough decision, “Do you like her?” and yes, I do, but I just can’t get my mind off of the negative. I can’t think!” she shouted, causing a lot more eyes to trail over to where the commotion was.

“Well, it sounds to me like you already made up your mind, and are just scared of what might happen if it doesn’t go as you wanted it to. Trust me, if she loves as much as you say she does, it will be just fine. Go take her to the clearing in the ever-free forest. Tell her there.” Rarity said. Rarity always was good at comforting ponies when they were down. Not as good as pinkie, mind you, but still good. Rainbow nodded and flew to the roof to meet fluttershy.

Rarity walked back to the table, looking at twilight.

“I really hope this works out, they make a really good couple” twilight said.

“I know, and it breaks my heart to see this.” Rarity added.

“Yeah, I want them to be happy, that way I can be SUPER happy. I need to get there “Mare friends” party started and I
can’t do that until there Mare friends!” pinkie enthusiastically added, walking over to the group.

“And I reckon that those two would be happy, happier than pinkie even!” applejack said, joining her friends. Everyone at the table and the tables surrounding chuckled.

“Happier than pinkie? I doubt that, but about as happy as pinkie.” Rarity said between giggles.

The party died down, and the four eager friends quietly walked out of the barn into the star filled night, trying to get a look where the two mares had gone. They spotted rainbow first, she was hovering in front of the roof. A little more distance forward and they saw fluttershy, sitting on the roof in front of rainbow.

*****

Rainbow, now filled with confidence was flying around the barn. She wasn’t ready yet, she needed to think, but she remembered rarity’s words. They echoed in her ears as laughter came from the barn.

“F-Fluttershy?” rainbow said nervously.

“O-oh, hey rainbow.”

“I was wondering if you wanted to go out to the clearing in the ever-free forest.” Rainbow said, the nervousness building. She was closing the distance again. Her heart began beating out of control, until a voice pierced the silence.

“Sure, I’d love to!” fluttershy said, looking towards the clearing. “Race you there!” she giggled. She knew rainbow would win, but it was fun to try, but this time was different. She looked back and saw rainbow, just hovering there. She flew closer to the cyan Pegasus, and looked at her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw some rustling. She sighed.

“Girls, we are trying to have a private moment here. Could you please go away…I mean…if you want to…”

A chorus of sighs escaped the bushes and the leaves rustled again. They were gone. Because rainbow still hadn’t moved, she started to pull rainbow.

*****

Fluttershy had pulled them both to a beautiful clearing. The trees formed a circle around a small lake. The grass was green and slightly wet from dew. The trees that circled left a small opening, which let moonlight bathe the clearing. When they touched down, rainbow shook her head.

“Sorry, I was thinking about…something.”

“Don’t worry; I had to get rid of some followers.” Fluttershy said.

Fluttershy lay down on the grass and stared up into the sky. She slowly closed her eyes and let the moonlight bathe her body. She started to open her eyes again and saw the moon was directly above the hole in the clearing, a small column of light forming. The light was above her, causing fluttershy to leave her eyes closed. Rainbow was astonished at how fluttershy looked. It was as if Luna herself was cheering her on, hoping this would work.

Fluttershy was lying on her back, and her cutie mark seemed to glow in the light. She was so perfect…so beautiful…she had to take this chance. No matter the cost. She positioned herself above her friend looking into her eyes, but upside down. She was hovering a good six inches of the ground, right above fluttershy’s face. Fluttershy noticed the change in lighting and opened her eyes. She saw rainbow dash, those big magenta eyes, locking with hers. Her heart pounded in her chest. She began blushing profusely. Then it happened. Rainbow lowered herself, and moved forward slightly to kiss her friend. Fluttershy’s eyes shot open in surprise, then they slowly shut as she kissed rainbow. Rainbow was the one to break the kiss. She pulled back to fluttershy’s eyes. They were the most beautiful blue she had ever seen.

“Fluttershy?” rainbow said, blushing

“Yes rainbow?”

“I made up my mind. I love you.” Rainbow said, getting back on solid ground. Everything went in slow motion. Rainbow’s heart was racing, her mind was racing, and her thoughts were full of the pink maned pony. Fluttershy got up and nuzzled her friend.

“I love you too.”

Rainbow lay down on a patch of grass and beckoned fluttershy to lay with her by tapping the ground a bit. Fluttershy flew next to the pony, and lay down, using her friends arm as a pillow. A wing draped over fluttershy.

“Fluttershy.”

“Yes rainbow dash?”

“Whatever happens, wherever life takes us, promise you will be by my side.”

“Cross my heart and hope to fly!” Rainbow and fluttershy laughed. They cuddled close together and drifted into the
best sleep both of them have had in days.

*****
Rainbow woke first, lazily opening her eyes. She saw fluttershy sleeping, her chest rising and falling as she breathed. Fluttershy woke mere seconds later, and their eyes locked. They kissed under the comfort of rainbow’s wing.

“HEY GIRLS! How did you sleep? I couldn’t sleep, I was too excited! I wanted to see you girls bright and early so I stayed up all night! Then when I came looking for you, you just looked so cute together that I didn’t want to wake you up! Good news! I am throwing you a party! It’s at the sugar cube corner tonight at 8:00! Don’t be late!” Pinkie explained without stopping for air. Without giving the couple a chance to respond, she was off.

“How does she do that?” rainbow asked. Fluttershy shrugged.

*****

When fluttershy and rainbow arrived at the sugar cube corner, it was packed. Fluttershy started shaking at the amount of people, but rainbow draped a comforting wing over fluttershy. She sighed and pushed the door open.

“Hey! The couple of the hour has arrived! Three cheers for flutterdash!” A chorus of cheers followed the remark. Rainbow and fluttershy looked at each other.

“Flutterdash…that sounds good.” Rainbow said causing fluttershy to blush. Rainbow nuzzled her mare-friend, and they walked into the party.

“Hey, glad to see you two together!” applejack said.

“Yes, I am glad that this all worked out!” rarity added.

“And I hope you have a long and happy relationship.” Twilight finished.

“AND LOTS OF PARTIES!” pinkie added.

Everyone chucked before rainbow dash started speaking. “Thank you all, if it wasn’t for your encouraging words, I never would have taken the risk. Thanks again. Anything you want to add?” she said, looking at fluttershy. Fluttershy simply shook her head no.

The party continued for several hours, until the cakes forced everyone out.

“Well, that was fun pinkie, and thanks again for the great party.” Rainbow said. She turned to see a large smile on fluttershy’s face.

“Hey, rainbow…would you mind…staying at my house tonight? I mean...if you want-“ fluttershy said, getting cut off by a kiss. Rainbow pulled away and looked at her mare-friend.

“Of course I will” rainbow said. Fluttershy smiled as they flew towards the cottage. Everything went perfectly, and rainbow was truly happier than pinkie pie.

*****
FIN