Songbirds

  Fluttershy opened her mouth in a massive yawn as she sat up in her bed, stretching her hooves out comfortably. She slid out of her bed and quickly prepared herself for the day. Then she entered her kitchen, consuming a delicious breakfast as she watched TV. It was boring today, so she snatched up her Ponyville Express newspaper from her table. When she picked it up, it revealed her copy of the latest edition of the Foal Free Press.

  A thought suddenly crossed the pink-maned mare's mind as she skimmed through the newspaper. The songbird contest. The prize was 1,000 bits. She couldn't lose. No, she couldn't. And it was tomorrow.

  Fluttershy cleaned up her table quickly, setting down her newspaper, then turning off the TV. She stepped outside and spread her wings, running off. Then, she jumped up into the air, her mane and tail flowing in the wind. The yellow mare flew with the breeze, heading towards Rainbow Dash's house. Surely Rainbow Dash could help her.

  The animal lover closed her eyes as she flew through a white cloud. No grey clouds, that was good. She opened her eyes again, flying as fast as she could. Soon, she half-crashed, half-landed in front of the front door of Rainbow Dash's large house. She knocked on the door. The cloud felt soft against her hooves, eliciting a relieved, mostly relaxed, sigh from her.

  Rainbow Dash opened the door. She looked bored, but then she smiled as she saw Fluttershy. "Hey, Flutters, come in," she invited.

  Fluttershy happily stepped inside. Rainbow Dash guided her over to the couch.

  "So, um, hi, Rainbow Dash," Fluttershy said nervously.

  "Yeah, Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked, turning on the TV.

  Fluttershy looked down at her hooves, her mane falling in front of her face slightly. She looked up at Rainbow Dash afterwards and let out a soft question.

  "Could you help me with my songbirds? They need to practice singing, and surely you know proper discipline. You're loud, and I'm quiet..."

  Rainbow Dash shrugged, still staring at the TV. She abruptly laughed at a funny scene that Fluttershy didn't see, then she finally turned to look back at Fluttershy. She yawned, leaning back on the couch.

  "Okay," she accepted carelessly with another shrug.

  Fluttershy let out a little squeal of excitement and rushed out of Rainbow Dash's house. She flew back to her home right away, slamming the door closed quickly before she took flight. Rainbow Dash was left inside, staring awkwardly at the door after Fluttershy's extremely fast departure.

  Fluttershy trotted down the stairs to her living room. The animals made noises and scurried off as she appeared, but she didn't mind. The birds stayed in there, resting on their perches. They continued to chirp, but they stopped when they all noticed Fluttershy.

  "Okay, my songbirds, Dashie is going to be here soon to help you with your singing," she explained happily.

  The birds looked at each other. Their beady eyes were black, but Fluttershy could tell they were disappointed in some way. She frowned, but brushed it off anyways. They whistled at each other, then stopped again.

  "I'll go wait for Dashie, then!" Fluttershy said, smiling again. She rushed outside, and soon the animals returned, making it loud once more.

  The pegasus waited, watching the skies carefully. Rainbow Dash would be quick.