Rainbows and Butterflies

Chapters

Rainbows and Butterflies Part 2
Rainbows and Butterflies Part 3
Rainbows and Butterflies Part 4
Rainbows and Butterflies Part 5
Rainbows and Butterflies Part 6
Rainbows and Butterflies
Epilogue

Rainbows and Butterflies Part 2

"How long are you gonna be gone?"

Two pegasi lie on a red checkered blanket overlooking Sweet Apple Acres. The sky was plastered with different shades of purple, pink, and red. The only sound in the silence of dusk was that of an owl hooting in the distance.

"I don't know. It depends on how many cuts I make. If I make it into the Wonderbolts I won't be here for awhile. I hate that idea, but it's my dream. Maybe you can come with me?"

Fluttershy nestled her head underneath the rainbow pegasus's chin. She stroked the blue mare's hoof. Rainbow took Fluttershy under her wing. The budding couple stayed that way for a long while in silence before Fluttershy spoke.

"Sweetie, you know I can't do that. Isn't that rushing things a bit? And what about my animals?"

"I know," the rainbow pegasus sighed, "Wow, you look so beautiful tonight. Whoa. To much sappiness. I... Wow."

Fluttershy giggled softly and looked up at Rainbows beautiful magenta eyes. She gave Rainbow a soft kiss on the cheek. Rainbow reacted by placing a hoof and a wing around the buttercream pegasus's neck and kissing her lips gently. She felt a warm tear from her companion's ocean teal eyes.

"Don't cry, Fluttershy," Rainbow said as her own tears mixed with hers. Tears of sadness this time. Fluttershy stroked Rainbow's soft, messy mane, keeping them in a tight embrace. Their lips tasting salty tears.

"Too late," Fluttershy squeaked as her marefriend broke the kiss.

"Hey," Rainbow took Fluttershy's face in her hooves and cleared away the tears, but to no avail as they kept on flowing down her cheeks like a waterfall, "You know what? I won't go. I finally got you and I am not letting go."

"Thats...um...sweet. But I cannot let you do that," Fluttershy swallowed the lump in her throat, "The Wonderbolts are your dream. I can't let you give that up." Fluttershy took Rainbow's hooves from her cheeks and squeezed them.

"Okay. Now, you have a race tomorrow morning. Do you want to race me to that tree over there?"

"Which one? We are in an apple orchard. They all look the same." Fluttershy giggled softly.

"Er. That one. With the giant rock by it. One. Two. Three!"

The pegasi ran off down the hill and through the orange and red trees. Laughter filled the solemn silence of the oncoming night.

............................

Twilight Sparkle sat on the floor of the library, her nose deep in a romance novel. Rarity sat beside her, reading the same novel.

"I cannot believe this has happened!" Rarity exclaimed in frustration.

"I know, Twinkle Coat left Blue Bells. She is going to be sitting in her room for months," Twilight reflected.

"Not the book," Rarity said impatiently, "Rainbow and Fluttershy."

"Oh, yeah. I'm so happy for them!"

"And I cant believe tomorrow morning Rainbow has to leave for tryouts. Talk about timing..." Rarity stood up and walked to the front door.

"Where are you going, darling?" Twilight mocked Rarity's accent.

"Home. I need to find an outfit to wear for the race tomorrow. One that won't attract that icky dirt." With that she walked out of the library, carrying the book with the blue aura of her magic.

"See ya later, Rarity!"

Twilight climbed the stairs to her loft. Spike was already sound asleep in his bed. Twilight brushed her violet mane and climbed into bed. She shut her eyes as she was so rudely interrupted by a loud knock at the door.

"What?!" Twilight exclaimed as she was expecting Rarity to return for something she perhaps forgot. But, instead it was the bouncing Pinkie Pie.

"Hey, Twilight. It's time! It's time! Wake up! Wake up!"

Twilight groaned, "Why?"

"It's time for The Late Night Rainbow Dash Good Luck Send Off and Good Luck Applejack and Fluttershy in the Race Tomorrow Partay, duh!"

"Oh. Okay. Why didn't you tell me about it? I would have made my schedule for tonight, which apparently no longer has 'sleep' on it..." Twilight said.

"I did tell you, silly!"

"When?"

"Now! Hehe!" Pinkie grinned up at Twilight, who was standing on top of the stairs.

Twilight facehoofed and sighed. Typical Pinkie.

............................

Sugarcube Corner raged with the majority of Ponyville's residents. Applejack stood near the refreshment table, sipping a mug of sweet apple cider. Rainbow Dash stood beside her, gulping her own mug of cider.

"Ah can't believe how fast word travels 'round 'ere," Applejack said.

"Yeah, this party's real awesome," Rainbow responded.

"Well, 'bout this here party, too." Applejack gave Rainbow a knowing look.

"What?"

"Oh, nothin', sugarcube. Just, er, you and Fluttershy," Applejack said with a smile.

"Oh, yeah..." Rainbow blushed.

The word of them getting together went around Ponyville in ten seconds flat after it happened. Pinkie saw them through the window and word got around. Ponyville is real accepting of same gender couples since Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon announced their relationship.

"Where is she anyways?" Rainbow asked Applejack. "I haven't seen her since sunset because she said she was going back to her cottage to get ready for the party. Not that she needed to. She looked beautiful already."

Applejack chuckled at Rainbow's remark, for she had never heard Rainbow say anything 'sappy', as Rainbow would put it.

Applejack answered Rainbow's question, "Ah ain't sure. She'll be comin', though, Ah'm sure."

A purple alicorn approached them. "Hey, Rainbow. Hey, Applejack. Nice party, huh?"

"Yeah," Rainbow said, worriedly.

"You alright, RD?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah, no I just hope Fluttershy is okay."

............................

Fluttershy paced around her living room. "Oh, Angel. I can't go to the party. I will only cry hysterically. I'll make a fool of myself. I finally get my Rainbow, and...oh, such bad timing."

Angel pushed the bashful pegasus toward the door.

"Okay. I'll go. For Rainbow, I will go!"

Fluttershy trotted out of the door, confidently. She suddenly turned around to enter her cottage again, only to find that Angel has locked the door behind her.

"Okay, I'm going."

Fluttershy sang a lively tune to cheer her up again. The goodbye she had to say tomorrow was unbearable. Despite the tune, her heart sank. Soon, she found herself at the door of Sugarcube Corner. She knocked politely, but no answer.

Maybe nopony's home. I'll come back tomorrow.

Just as she was about to leave, the door swung open. She found herself nose to nose with Pinkie Pie.

"Oh, goody, you made it! I made punch," she said as she bounced back into the building and disappeared in the crowd of dancing ponies.

Fluttershy barely entered the Corner when her marefriend embraced her tightly. "I'm so glad you came."

"Me, too." Fluttershy dug her nose in Rainbow's mane and inhaled the scent of clouds and rain.

"Aww," said every voice in the room. The embracing mares separated and blushed. Fluttershy cowered under Rainbow's tail when she noticed everypony was staring at her. The onlookers turned back to their party as Twilight approached the two.

"Hey, Fluttershy. You ready for Running of the Leaves tomorrow?

"Um...no...not really..."

"I'm sure you'll do great," Twilight attempted to boost Fluttershy's confidence.

"Yeah, totally," Rainbow grinned at the still cowering mare.

Fluttershy stood up and brushed alongside Rainbow. Rainbow had a hard time focusing as she felt the intimate gesture.

"Good luck with the tryouts, Rainbow," Twilight hugged her friend and returned to the dance floor.

A slow song began to play.

"May I have this dance?" Rainbow asked Fluttershy. Fluttershy nodded.

The pegasi positioned themselves and Rainbow took Fluttershy's wing in hers and nuzzled the yellow mare's cheek. Fluttershy returned the gesture and the pair burried their noses into each other's mane.

Fluttershy whispered in Rainbow's ear, "I'm going to miss you so much."

"No, none of that now," said Rainbow, "Let's just be here." Rainbow felt the threat of tears in her eyes.

............................

The party ended with tears in everypony's eyes. Rarity's mascara was running wildly and she was trying frantically to make it neat with a hankercheif she was holding with her blue magic aura, as more tears escaped her eyes.

"Ah didn't see ya in there, Rarity," Applejack's voice said from behind her.

"Oh, I couldn't face anypony. I was crying in the bathroom. I was too sad for Rainbow and Fluttershy. Oh, my mascara! DON'T LOOK AT ME!"

Applejack chuckled as Rarity ran toward the boutique, leaving a trail of tears behind her.

Applejack is not one to cry, but tonight was different. One of her best friends was leaving in the morning, for Celestia knows how long? She pulled her hat over her eyes and let a few tears fall into it.

Pinkie was in the worst state. She was sobbing so hard that she had a hard time breathing between sobs and waving goodbye to her party guests.

Twilight was last to leave the Corner. She was crying quietly. "Goodnight, Pinkie," she said as she walked out of the door.

"Good night, Twilight," Pinkie barely got out between sobs.

............................

The two mares were still dancing inside, even though there was no music playing anymore. Pinkie walked solemnly into the mess left over from the party. She noticed her friends were still dancing in eachother's wings. She lowered the volume of her crying and tiptoed past them to go upstairs. When she thought they were out of earshot, she began sobbing loudly again.

Rainbow and Fluttershy broke their dance and walked silently out into the streets of Ponyville. Luna's moon was shining in the shape of a thin smile.

"The stars are lovely this evening," said Fluttershy. Her voice cracked a little.

"Yeah," Rainbow said, "but they're nothing compared to you."

Fluttershy grinned. The mares continued to walk late in the night and soon found themselves on the small bridge in front of Fluttershy's cottage. The couple leaned on the railing and overlooked the gardens.

Rainbow took Fluttershy's hoof in hers and used the other hoof to stroke Fluttershy's long, pink mane. She swallowed past the lump in her throat. Fluttershy spoke before she could.

"Rainbow," she sighed, "I've waited forever to get you, I will wait for you even longer, now that I know I have you."

"Who knew I would ever feel like this in my life?" Rainbow said as Fluttershy's teal eyes trapped her in a universe where only the two of them existed. Rainbow kissed Fluttershy deeply and passionately.

Fluttershy felt Rainbow's warm lips intertwining with hers. Rainbow moved her wings to Fluttershy's cutie mark. Fluttershy pulled the cyan pegasus even closer to her. Rainbow's lips wandered Fluttershy's face, as Fluttershy gasped nervously, but continued to let Rainbow kiss her neck. She returned the gesture and it was Rainbow's turn to gasp softly. Neither of them wanted to let go.

It was inevitable as Fluttershy was the one to break the embrace.

"Get in for me, Dashie. Be a Wonderbolt for me."

"And you, you win that race. Aw, man! I'm crying aren't I?" Rainbow's tears began to stain her face. Fluttershy reached up with her hoof to whisk away Rainbow's tears.

Tears flooded both of their faces as Fluttershy hugged her marefriend and smiled, "I'll be here when you come back."

"I'll see you soon, Fluttershy." Rainbow kissed Fluttershy gently on the lips once more and soared into the sky toward her cloud home. She spelled 'Forever' in the sky and circled it with a rainbow.

Author's Note

Ok here is the second part :) I hope that this isn't as rushed as the first part. Let me know what you think. Oh and tell me about any grammar issues. Hope you liked it.

Rainbows and Butterflies Part 3

"I really miss her, Angel," Fluttershy frowned, all out of tears. She has been crying for nearly a week. A knock at the front door made Fluttershy faint.

Angel opened the door to the gray mail mare. The mare handed Angel a letter addressed to Fluttershy and flew away, only to crash to the nearest tree. Angel shook his head, as it was very common for Ditzy to crash into that tree. It had a dent in it that keeps getting deeper.

When Fluttershy came to, Angel handed her the envelope. On the back of it read in somewhat sloppy hoof-writing:

Fluttershy
Ponyville, Equestria

Fluttershy opened the letter eagerly and read:

Dear Fluttershy,

So I made the first cut! I hate to admit it, but I do have some competition. Lightning Dust is trying out. Of course you remember the brat that almost killed you and the other guys.

During the first event, which was a race, I was going faster than anypony out there! Came in first! Lightning Dust did not like that. No she did not! Good. Teach her to mess with me, hmph!

Spitfire is one tough cookie. She yelled at me a few times for not standing straight enough. I think she just hates the fact I stood up to her back when I was at the academy. Hehe. She deserved it.

Let me tell you something: The food here stinks worse than those "baked bads" Applejack made that one applebucking season when she propelled me onto Twilight's balcony. They say it's good flying food. It seems to work a little because I haven't had to have any of my afternoon naps since I got here. Though, I think that is mainly due to the fact that I miss you.

Sweet Celestia, I wish I was in Ponyville so I could tell you in person. It's hard being away from home. Away from you. I miss you so much, Fluttershy.

Love,
Rainbow Dash

Fluttershy reread the letter again, running her hooves over those beautiful words, her words, written in that cute sloppy handwriting. Tears stung the yellow mare's teal eyes. She put the letter on the wall next to the portrait of her marefriend.

"Angel, I'm going to Twilight's library to see if I can find a book on how to make cookies so I can send them to Rainbow."

Fluttershy strolled out into the garden, which was mostly free of flowers, due to the oncoming winter season.

As she approached the tree home, she saw Twilight hovering near the top of the tree.

"Um, excuse me? Twilight?"

"Oh, hey Fluttershy! How are you doing?" Twilight asked, even though she already knew the answer. She watched as Fluttershy's ears drooped a little.

"Um, I'm fine. I think..." Fluttershy said softly, "If I...um...may ask, Twilight. What are you doing?"

"Just trying to figure out this spell to build a balcony higher up on the library. I want to turn it into a reading area for anypony who just wants to read outside!"

"Oh," Fluttershy said meekly.

"So, Fluttershy, is there anything you need?" Twilight smiled awkwardly. She knew Fluttershy was too timid to ask her favors straight up.

Twilight landed on the doormat in front of the library door and opened the door with the pink aura of her magic. The mares stepped inside.

"I...um...just wanted to see if you maybe...if you're not too busy," Fluttershy said politely, "if you had any books on cookie recipes?"

"Oh, yes. I have tons of those! What or who are you making cookies for?" Twilight raised a brow.

"Rainbow Dash."

"Oh, that's nice of you," Twilight said as she sifted through the spines in her cookbook section.

Twilight pulled out a few books.

"Muffins, no. Cake, no. Ah, ha. Cookies!" Twilight presented the book to Fluttershy.

The pink-maned pegasus took the book in her hooves and flipped through the pages. She lie down on the mat in the center of the main part of the library.

Twilight left her shy friend to return to her task outside.

Fluttershy continued to search for the perfect recipe for her Rainbow. She settled upon a recipe for chocolate chip and oat cookies. She hadn't made those since she was a little pony.

"Um, Twilight," Fluttershy whisper-shouted, "I think I found the recipe I needed."

Twilight, who had gotten used to the quietness of her friend's voice, entered the library.

"Oh, goodie," she said with a smile. "Before you go I was wondering if you would sing in the Fall Harvest Festival next week?"

"What? Me? Sing in front of everypony in Ponyville? Oh, no. I don't think I could do that," the timid mare whimpered.

"Oh, come on Fluttershy. Please? For dear old Twilight?" Twilight gave Fluttershy a puppy dog face.

"I don't know..." Fluttershy looked at Twilight and her kindness got the best of her, "Okay. I'll try."

"Yay," Twilight mimicked Fluttershy's cheer, "Just don't look at anypony in the crowd, but at focal points above their heads and pretend that you are just singing to your animals."

"Okay," Fluttershy replied, "But what do I sing?"

"I don't know. Make up a song. You are really good at that," Twilight said.

With that, the pegasus left the library to return to the cottage. She had cookies to make!

...............................

Rainbow Dash zipped through the hoops in the obstacle course in ten seconds flat. She landed on the clouds and waited for Soren to come and tell her her score. Lightning Dust landed beside her a few seconds later.

"What? How'd you pass me?! One of these days, Dash, you'll get what's coming to you."

"In your dreams!" Rainbow retaliated.

Soarin approached the bickering pegasi. To Rainbow, he said, "That was awesome, Dash. Ten. Lighning Dust, eh. Eight."

Lighning Dust scowled. She walked away in anger toward the mess hall.

"Well, Dash. Spitfire told me that you have mail in her office," Soarin said, "Let me take you there. Well, because I...er have a key."

"Sure, thanks," Rainbow beamed.

When they got to the door of the office, Soarin stumbled as he tried to fit his key into the lock, but the door swung open and a gray lazy-eyed pegasus exited the building, only to trip helplessly in front of him. Rainbow helped her up and she flew awkwardly in the direction of Ponyville.

They flew into the Wonderbolts' office. The secretary was typing rapidly on her typewriter. She peered over her spectacles at Rainbow and Soarim.

Soarin and Rainbow entered Spitfire's secluded office.

"Well here you are," Soarin said as he opened the door to Spitfire's personal office.

"Thanks," Rainbow said as Soarin grinned awkwardly and shut the door behind him and left the main building.

Spitfire stood up from behind her desk, "So Ditzy thought it was important that I personally give you your mail. I don't know why, though."

She handed Rainbow a pink box with an envelope stuck to the top of it. She also gave her a purple envelope with Twilight's princess emblem on it: her cutie mark with wings.

"Thanks, ma'am," Rainbow saluted Spitfire. She turned to leave, but Spitfire held out a hoof to stop her.

"Well, aren't you going to open your mail?"

Rainbow was taken aback, "Here?"

"Yes. It might be important for me to know what it is for Ditzy Do to deliver it here."

Rainbow opened the purple envelope first. Her jaw dropped open. Spitfire took the letter and read it for herself.

"I think you should follow the princess's orders, Dash," Spitfire said.

"What about tryouts?"

"No worries, you can just pick up where you left off. We will do private evaluations for you until you catch up," Spitfire explained, "You should open the other letter at your quarters."

Rainbow left office building and flew the one mile distance to the trainees' quarters. She plopped down on her bed and ripped open the envelope on the box.

Dearest Rainbow,

I miss you, too. I made some cookies for you. I hope you enjoy.

Twilight has asked me to sing in the Fall Harvest Festival next week. I said yes. I really hope to overcome my stage fright. I need to improve my courage, like you inspire me to. That's the only development since you left.

Life here in Ponyville feels so empty without you. Other than Pinkie, you bring adventure to all of our lives. You make me happy, Rainbow. I truly miss you with all my heart.

Love,
Fluttershy

Rainbow ran her hooves over the sweet words, her words, written in that beautiful hoof-writing. She sniffed the paper. It smelled of her timid, kind Fluttershy. A smell that made her feel at home.

Rainbow opened the pink box and withdrew a cookie. She nibbled a bite. I tasted so delectable.

............................

One week later...

Fluttershy combed her silky mane as Rarity placed flowers in a bunch of places within it.

"Oh, darling, you are going to look just smashing!" Rarity said as she delicately put more flowers in Fluttershy's mane.

"Oh, Rarity," Fluttershy whimpered, "I'm so scared."

"Oh, you'll be fine, darling," Rarity stepped back to admire her work, "Just pretend nopony is there and you are singing for your animals."

"I'll try."

Fluttershy jumped a little as the door of her cottage swung open. Pinkie Pie bounced in.

"Hey, Fluttershy. Are you excited? I mean I'm excited. I don't think I've ever been this excited. Except for that time when I went-" Pinkie gasped, "But I mean, really."

"Did you follow any of that?" Rarity asked Fluttershy.

Fluttershy shook her head and shrugged.

"Sooooo," Pinkie said, "Best of luck, Fluttershy! La La La La." With that she left.

"Oh, Pinkie," Rarity giggled. She turned back to her masterpiece.

Once Rarity was done pampering her friend, she positioned Fluttershy at the mirror. Fluttershy gasped. She was totally transformed. Her mane was pulled back and her gala dress had been shortened. It was a new side of herself. She looked more confident.

"See?" Rarity said. "Just fabulous. Shall we go?"

"No," Fluttershy cowered, "Yes. Maybe. I don't know!"

"Come on," Rarity half dragged Fluttershy out the door.

When they were out of the cottage, Fluttershy gathered herself and started walking beside her unicorn friend, slowly and cautiously.

When they arrived in town, they saw Twilight preparing last minute decorations. The stage was just in front of town hall. On either side of the stage, Rumble and Thunderlane were positioning a banner with Fluttershy's cutie mark plastered across it.

Applejack approached them, "Good luck, Fluttershy. Y'all will be fantastic!"

"Um...thanks, Applejack."

"Sure," Applejack said as Twilight approached the three of them.

"Ready, Fluttershy? It starts in a few minutes. I can't wait to hear what you came up with for a song," the alicorn smiled.

"Oh, my." Fluttershy started biting her hoof. She inhaled deeply. I can do this. It's a step. I need to do this for myself.

Fluttershy walked behind the stage and sat down on a chair. The show was starting in a half hour and some of the Ponyville inhabitants were already seating themselves in front of the stage.

A few minutes later, Twilight walked in. "Hey, Fluttershy. The mayor has asked me to introduce you on stage! What an honor!"

Fluttershy gulped. She began to shake. Twilight noticed this and hugged her friend.

"I Pinkie Promise you will be totally great," Twilight released Fluttershy. Fluttershy smiled a little.

"I can do this. I can do this. I can. I can. And I must!" She told herself.

Before she knew it, it was time. Twilight was out on stage, as the lights shone on her purple coat.

"Tonight, I would like to present, singing an original song, the sweet and kind Fluttershy!" The crowd roared.

Fluttershy wouldn't go out. Rarity had to shove her out from behind the curtain. When the lights shone on her dress, it sparkled. Suddenly, Fluttershy wasn't scared. She began to sing in the most beautiful, soft voice:

I find myself just standing
Totally lost and scared
Until that day you found me
The laugher that we shared

Rainbows and butterflies
Lost in your eyes
There no place that I'd rather be
Having you with me

Our hearts sing together
In perfect harmonies
Your eyes sparkle with mine
Together we face the world

Rainbows and butterflies
Lost in your eyes
There no place that I'd rather be
Having you with me

Outgoing, you are
Adventurous, you are
Loyal and beautiful
You make me a better pony

Rainbows and butterflies
Lost in your eyes
There no place that I'd rather be
Having you with me

You know me better than I do
We make the perfect two
Soaring in the sky
Hearts sing in reply

Rainbows and butterflies
Rainbows and butterflies
Forever...

The crowd cheered and threw roses at Fluttershy. She curtsied and heard a familiar voice from the side of the stage.

"That was amazing, Fluttershy. Your voice melts my heart. And I must say, you look absolutely beautiful tonight."

Fluttershy spun around to see her Rainbow walking onto the stage. Fluttershy was too stunned to move or do anything.

"Is it really you?" Fluttershy began to tear up.

"In the flesh," Rainbow Dash said, holding out her forelegs to welcome Fluttershy in a hug. Fluttershy immediately embraced her marefriend. The crowd "D'aaawed".

The mares paid no mind. Rainbow Dash stroked Fluttershy's soft mane and whispered, "I waited so long to feel you against me. Dear Celestia, I missed you so darn much."

Fluttershy reluctantly let Rainbow go. She gazed in Rainbow's magenta, sparkling eyes. She took Rainbow's hooves in hers.

"I..." Fluttershy was at loss for words.

"Shh," Rainbow kissed Fluttershy. Long and deeply. She stroked behind Fluttershy's ear with her left hoof. Her lips kissed the corner of Fluttershy's mouth. With her wings she embraced the yellow pegasus tightly as Fluttershy returned the kiss and stroked the blue mare's rainbow mane. They nuzzled close to each other, just feeling the other's presence.

The crowd looked on for a bit, keeping quiet so the couple could just be with one another. They quickly dispersed to give the mares privacy.

Rainbow reluctantly ended the kiss. She said, "So, I'm going to be here for a week."

"Really?" Fluttershy's teal eyes widened.

"Yep," said Rainbow, "They're going to give me private tryouts when I go back. Special orders from the princess. That princess to be exact." Rainbow pointed a hoof at Twilight, who was facing away from the mares, preoccupied with sweeping confetti.

"Remind me to thank her," Fluttershy smiled at the blue pegasus. She nuzzled her gently.

"Wanna go for a walk in the park?"

"Sure," Fluttershy nodded. She took Rainbow's wing in hers. The mares strolled into the park on the outskirts of Ponyville.

The park was illuminated with Luna's stars and full moon. An owl hooted softly in the distance. The hills overlooked Sweet Apple Acres and the horizon.

"I cannot believe how beautiful your singing is," Rainbow told her marefriend.

"I cannot believe I actually got up on stage," Fluttershy said.

Rainbow chuckled, "Well, I am so glad you did. That song sure was something! It was amazing."

"I...um...wrote that about us," Fluttershy blushed.

"I figured, since you used 'rainbows and butterflies', which are our cutie marks," Rainbow said with a smile.

"I...um...wrote that, thinking I wouldn't see you for a while, so that I could sing it to you when you got back. I was going to..." Fluttershy gulped and stood in front of Rainbow, "tell you that I love you."

Rainbow's jaw dropped, "Really?"

"Yeah," Fluttershy rubbed the back of her head nervously. She removed her hoof from her head to place it under Rainbow's chin. She pulled Rainbow's face to hers and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Their lips intertwined and they remained close as the stars twinkled and shined overhead.

When they paused briefly to take a breath, Rainbow said, "I love you more." Their lips then continued to dance in sync with the stars.

Rainbows and Butterflies Part 4

“Yeah, I mean Lightning Dust was red in the face,” Rainbow cuddled closer to Fluttershy. They sat underneath the twinkling stars.

“Mhm,” Fluttershy barely paid attention to what her marefriend was saying as she snuggled closer to her. She placed her head under the cyan pegasus’s chin. It fit so perfectly. It’s like they were made especially for each other.

Rainbow stroked Fluttershy’s hoof, which rested on hers.

“It’s…er…getting late, don’t you think?” The blue mare said reluctantly.

Fluttershy didn’t respond, for she was asleep, resting lightly and peacefully against Rainbow. Rainbow grinned and kissed the top of Fluttershy’s head. She shifted a little and gently positioned Fluttershy so that she lie comfortably on the blanket and positioned herself to lie behind her. Rainbow placed a foreleg around the yellow mare’s waist and kissed the back of her neck gently.

“Mhm,” Fluttershy sighed in her sleep.

“I love you, Fluttershy. Sweet dreams,” Rainbow said softly.

………………

The mares found themselves in each other’s arms as Celestia began raising the sun. The sky was plastered with pastel purple, red, and orange. The birds chirped their morning songs to all of Equestria.

Rainbow smiled at Fluttershy, who was just beginning to wake up. The yellow mare grinned as she saw her Rainbow.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Fluttershy whispered to Rainbow.

“Good morning,” Rainbow kissed Fluttershy’s muzzle and placed a wing on her companion’s hip.

“That feels nice,” Fluttershy said softly. “Were we here all night?”

“Yeah,” Rainbow chuckled, “You fell asleep, so I just placed you on the blanket and fell asleep next to you. Best sleep in years!”

“Yes, it was.”

“I hate to say it, but we should go get breakfast,” Rainbow sighed.

“Okay.”

The pegasi rose to their feet and rolled up the blanket. Fluttershy draped a wing over the cyan pony and the pair walked the short distance to Ponyville in silence.

Whilst walking in the streets, the silence was disrupted as a gray pegasus crashed five feet in front of Rainbow and Fluttershy.

“News from Cloudsdale!” she shouted as she got to her feet, so all of Ponyville could hear her.

A crowd gathered around her. She cleared her throat and read from a scroll, “Spitfire has been severely injured last night as an Everfree storm raged through the Wonderbolts Academy. She tried to stop it, but it overpowered her. And I just don’t know what went wrong!”

“Oh, my,” Fluttershy glanced at her marefriend. Rainbow just stood there, mouth agape.

Ditzy continued, “So, Cloudsdale calls the Ponyville weather team to help tame the storm.” With that, the mail mare flew away.

“Okay,” Rainbow said, “Weather team, let’s go.”

“Wait, let me go, too,” Fluttershy said to Rainbow.

“No, it’s too dangerous. I will see you later for that breakfast,” Rainbow kissed Fluttershy deeply before departing. She flew toward the sky and headed toward Cloudsdale.

“Be careful, Rainbow. I love you,” Fluttershy said but Rainbow was too far to hear.

On the ground, Twilight approached Fluttershy.

“Oh, I hope they will be okay. Those Everfree storms are stubborn!” Twilight said to a solemn Fluttershy.

“I hope so.”

“They will be. Rainbow is the most brave and loyal pony I know,” Twilight placed a hoof on Fluttershy’s shoulder.

“I’m worried. I have this deep dark feeling inside of me about this,” Fluttershy sat down on the grass. Her pink mane covered her face.

Twilight sat down next to her. Rarity slowly approached them.

“What did I miss, darlings? I was too busy working on my new line, when I heard these Celestia awful gasps outside.”

“Everfree storm. Spitfire hurt. Weather team has to go tame it. Rainbow went. I’m worried,” Fluttershy said between sobs.

“Oh, dear,” Rarity went silent for a bit, then spoke again, “Twilight, don’t you know any spells that will help tame the storm? So nopony gets hurt?”

“I’m sorry, no magic, not even alicorn magic, will work on the Everfree Forest. It has a mind of its own. You see, alicorn magic can only be used on the lands within Equestria and lands filled with love and light. The Everfree Forest is cursed land. When the sisters once dwelled in the forest at the old castle, the forest was light. But when Nightmare Moon tried to overtake Equestria, it turned dark. Celestia tried to bring love back, but the evil there is too powerful,” Twilight lectured.

“Oh,” Rarity frowned.

“Fluttershy,” Twilight whispered, “Do you want to come back to the library with me for tea?”

“That would be nice.”

“Rarity,” Twilight looked toward the unicorn.

“Sure.”

………………

Rainbow lead her team toward the Academy. There, they were met with other weather teams from all over Equestria.

The teams approached an out of control twister. It consisted of spikes as it twirled around the Academy. Right before the pegasi, the storm multiplied into larger storms, threatening to swallow the Academy whole.

Fleetfoot was the first to speak, “All right, teams, let’s demolish these demons!”

Rainbow turned to her team, “Okay, lets do cloud spins opposite of what this storm is doing,” she pointed to the storm that was approaching.

The team positioned themselves so that they were higher than the approaching twister and started flying counter-clockwise at their top wing-speed. When the storm was directly beneath them, they flew down so the storm was in the center of their circle. Rainbow’s wings burned, but she flew on. The storm was dying down a bit as it began to shrink. Cloudchaser began to tumble out of the formation and the storm regrew what it lost.

“Cloudchaser!” Rainbow shouted.

“I’m okay! Just keep flying! The storm is dying down!” Cloudchaser shouted as she recovered. She took off her goggles and flew in place and looked on, shouting words of encouragement to every team.

Ditzy soon fell out of the formation, but kept tumbling toward the Academy below. Cloudchaser went after her.

The other teams were working on their twisters. The Wonderbolts worked on a storm all on their own. They were attacking the storm from above that allowed it to be cut into slices. Fleetfoot, then flew top speed into it and demolished it.

Still working on their storm, Rainbow and the others continued to fly in their circle. Rainbow felt herself get real dizzy.

After about fifteen minutes of flying counter-clockwise, the storm was finally demolished.

The Ponyville weather team rejoiced. The other teams had gotten rid of their storms as well. They all drifted down to the ground below and congratulated each other.

“Hey,” Thunderlane piped up, “Where’s Dash?”

Everypony looked for the famous rainbow-maned pegasus.

“I just don’t know what went wrong,” Ditzy pointed a hoof toward a mangled blue body, “But she’s right there. Is she dead?” She started to tear up.

Soarin pushed his way through the crowd. He nuzzled the rainbow pegasus. “Please, please, please don’t be dead,” he sobbed.

Nurse Redheart found her way to the cyan pegasus. The earth pony shouted, “Give me some space!”

Some paramedic ponies carried a stretcher toward the body. Redheart placed Rainbow on her back and placed her ear near the cyan pegasus’s mouth to check her breathing.

“She’s alive, but just,” Redheart shook her head. She motioned for the paramedics to gently place the broken pegasus on the stetcher.

Soarin placed his hoof on Rainbow’s foreleg as the paramedics wheeled her toward an ambulance carriage.

“Coltfriend of Rainbow?” Redheart asked the blue stallion.

“Not yet, but I have a massive crush on her,” Soren explained.

“Well, I don’t really allow this,” Redheart said, “but it seems she needs somepony to keep her company. Would you like to come to the hospital in Ponyville with her?”

Soarin nodded solemnly.

………………

Fluttershy was pacing in her cottage when she heard a loud siren pass. Her heart sank. Her instinct told her to dash to the Ponyville hospital. She busted open her door, and flew down the streets of Ponyville. Twilight must of felt something, too. As well as Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie, for all of them were running in the same direction.

They all stopped in front of the hospital at the same time. At the emergency door, five nurses, Redheart included, began to work on the pony on the stretcher. A blue stallion pegasus followed the stretcher into the building. His eyes were puffy from crying.

“The patient’s heart stopped!” Redheart shouted to Doctor Stable. Doctor Stable rushed to the patient’s chest and started chest compressions.

Fluttershy immediately rushed toward the stretcher. She began to sob uncontrollably. The others followed suit.

"Rainbow..." the yellow mare sobbed. She watched intently as Doctor Stable pressed down hard on Rainbow's chest.

"She has broken wings and two broken legs. A brain scan shall tell us about any internal-" Redheart's analysis to her colleagues was cut short by a deep voice.

"I got a heartbeat!" Doctor Stable shouted. He motioned the paramedic ponies to wheel her into the building.

Fluttershy and Soarin rushed after her, but were stopped by Redheart.

"This is far as you can go. We will take great care of her."

"Is she going to live?" Soarin asked.

Fluttershy yelped, for she just noticed the blue stallion standing beside her.

"Yes. I think the chances of survival are high."

A huge weight was lifted off of Fluttershy's shoulders, as well as Soarin's. The white mare left them to tend to Rainbow. When she was out of earshot, Fluttershy spoke to Soarin.

"Um... 'scuse me? Who are you?"

"Soarin of the Wonderbolts," Soarin shook Fluttershy's hoof, "I watched her fall and I was worried. Who are you?"

"Fluttershy," she barely uttered. At that point, the others had joined Fluttershy. Applejack placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder.

"And we're her friends," Twilight piped up, barely choking on her tears, "I'm-"

She was interrupted by Soarin, "Princess Twilight," he bowed, "And the the spirits of harmony."

"You don't need to bow down to us," Twilight blushed.

"Oh, but I do, Highness. You saved Equestria so many times."

Twilight blushed.

"Rainbow is the Element of Loyalty," Soarin said, "She should also be the Element of Bravery."

"Yeah," Twilight said, "Thanks for coming here. But you can go back to the Academy, now."

"No, way, Highness," Soarin said, "I want to stay until she comes to."

Fluttershy felt an odd nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach. Can he be trusted? I don't really think so. Why does he want to stay?

"Uh, y'all?" Applejack said, "Let's go to th' waitin' room."

Everyone complied and walked to the urgent care waiting room.

………………

Rainbow opened her eyes slowly. She found herself in a strange room. Her vision was blurry and she was in a lot of pain. A blue stallion sat to her right.

"Mhm..." She mumbled.

"Rainbow?" The strange stallion touched the foreleg that wasn't broken.

"Who are you? Who am I? What happened?"

"Soarin. You're Rainbow Dash. You took a nasty spill," Soarin whispered.

"Oh," Rainbow said.

The nurse on duty walked into the room and nearly dropped her clipboard from her mouth. She motioned to Doctor Stable, who was sipping a cup of tea.

He walked into the room to see Rainbow moving her head heavily.

"She doesn't seem to remember anything that has happened, doc," Soarin said.

"Well she has a concussion, so it isn't surprising. It's best you tell her friends that she is awake and they should come in one at at time. Tell them about her memory loss and that they should talk to her as if she doesn't have amnesia."

The pegasus nodded and exited the room. He strolled down the long hallway to the waiting room. All of Rainbow's friends were asleep, except for Fluttershy.

"She's awake."

Fluttershy immediately stood up and poked Rarity awake, who was slouched in the chair next to her.

"Huh," Rarity mumbled as she wiped the dried drool from her mouth.

"She's awake!" Fluttershy said excitedly. Rarity immediately perked up and bucked Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Twilight awake. She shook Spike, who came to the hospital not long after he heard the news, awake, as well.

"Um, one at a time, you can visit her. She doesn't remember anything, though," Soarin explained.

"Um... If you don't mind..." Fluttershy asked Soarin, "But why were you down there?"

"Well, I suppose I can tell you. I have a crush on Rainbow."

Fluttershy instinctively got into angry, jealous Fluttershy mode and said firmly, but politely, "Well, you can't have her. She's taken."

"Oh," Soarin hoofed the ground, "By who?"

"Me," Fluttershy strutted down the hall to her marefriend's room. I hope she remembers me.

Fluttershy entered the room cautiously. She gasped as she saw Rainbow in all those bandages. The blue pegasus mare sat up in her bed. She drank water from a straw. When the injured mare saw Fluttershy enter the room, she looked generally confused.

"Um, hi?" The yellow mare shyly said.

"Hey," Rainbow said skeptically as she looked the pink-maned mare over, trying to figure out who she was, "I think you're Fluttershy. If I remember, correctly.

Yes! She remembers me!

"Yes," Fluttershy said. She approached her marefriend's bedside. "How are you feeling?"

"Well, my body hurts," Rainbow said.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's all good. Or it will be." Rainbow shifted a little.

"I'm just happy you're alive!" Fluttershy cowered a little, still unsure if it was safe to touch her marefriend's foreleg, even if it wasn't the one that was broken.

"Thanks for coming, Fluttershy," Rainbow said, "but I kinda want to see Soarin again."

"Oh," Fluttershy's heart sank, "May I ask why?"

"He is my coltfriend, isn't he?"

Fluttershy was shocked. She doesn't remember. She tried to hold back tears, but failed.

"Why are you crying?" Rainbow asked. She wiped Fluttershy's tears with her good foreleg.

"Oh, no reason, just happy you're alive. I'll get Soarin." With that, Fluttershy hovered, low to the ground, out of the door.

In the waiting room, Fluttershy was crying softly as she uttered to Soarin, "She's asking for you."

Soarin smiled and walked down the hall. When he was gone, Fluttershy began to cry into Rarity's shoulder.

"What's wrong, darling?"

"She doesn't remember me as her marefriend, but simply as a friend. She. Thought. Soarin. Was. Her. Coltfriend," she explained through racking sobs.

………………

As night fell once more on the hospital, Fluttershy went to Rainbow's room as the blue mare was sleeping.

"Oh, I wish you would just remember the connection between us. I would tell you, but I don't want to ruin our friendship in case you never remember. And now is just not the time," the yellow mare whispered.

She sat on the chair near the bed and looked at the peaceful looking Rainbow. She's so beautiful when she's asleep.

She softly sang to the sleeping Rainbow: