Fluttershy sat close enough to spot green liquid from the tube of glue she used to try and fix the broken model of the Harmony Tower. For this reason, Fluttershy avoided Dash’s glare every time she turned around and didn’t say a word as Rainbow Dash raged on.
“Darnit! This stupid thing won’t stay glued!” Rainbow Dash shouted, throwing her hooves up in frustration. “This thing is like, stupid to put back together!”
Fluttershy wanted to speak up, but was too afraid of bothering her due to the anxiety stopping her. For instance, every time Fluttershy gazed at Dash and began to open her mouth, her heart would begin to beat furiously like a speeding train and her mouth would close once again.
“Stupid broken piece of crap!” She snapped. She picked up the small green tube that was labeled “glue” on the front with colorful letters and she threw the tube across the floor. Out of fear, Fluttershy kept her mouth shut and slowly repeated three words she had taught herself for situations like this.
Don’t. Bum.
“This thing is impossible to fix!”
Say. Bum, bum.
“Why would your mom have something that’s impossible to fix! What is she crazy!?”
Anything. Bum, BUM!
“FLUTTERSHY!”
Fluttershy snapped out of her trance from Rainbow Dash shouting echoing in her ears like ringing bells from a clock tower. She turned around and spoke in a quiet, yet clear tone, “Umm, Did you try super glue? Maybe that will keep the two parts back together again.”
“‘Did I try super glue’, of course I tried that! The super thing got some of the pieces stuck on my coat!”
“Do you need help?” she asked, rubbing her foreleg nervously.
“No, I got this.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure Fluttershy,” Rainbow Dash replied, rolling her eyes. She carefully connected the top piece to the bottom. As a result, it stood tall and didn’t break back into two parts, it looked good as new. “There! I told you I could fix this!”
“Oh thank Celestia,” Fluttershy said breathlessly. She let her forelegs support her weight as she let her back lean towards the floor.
“Hehe, thanks Dash. You really saved me from—” She paused. As fate were playing a cruel joke on them, the glue began to dissolved. Therefore, the two parts slowly descended from each other, leaving a white liquid trail from the glue Dash had placed under the two parts.
“Ummm, I don’t think it’s supposed to do that,” Fluttershy stated the obvious.
Rainbow Dash screamed inside her hooves and began to bang her head again the floor as Fluttershy stared in shock.
“Rainbow Dash. My mother is going to be here in a couple minutes. We really need—”
“Yes, I know Fluttershy!” She snapped. She put her hooves to her forehead and massaged her forehead to ease the headache she had since starting the project. “Jeez, take a chill pill or something and let me try to think of something.”
She had examined the broken model over and over again, listing the things it featured. Two parts, the top and bottom, and a pointless red circle crafted on the bottom center.
Rainbow Dash sighed. “Sorry for shouting at you,” she said, putting a hoof on Shy’s shoulder. “It’s just this may be the first and last time I’ll ever get to come over here.”
“Don’t worry about it, Rainbow Dash. Even if this the last time being you here, at least I had a friend around other than my mom,” she said as she stared into Rainbow’s eyes with a smile on her face.
The two fillies turned to the front door as the knob began to twitch. Their hearts beat furiously against their chests as the door slowly creeped opened. A long and yellow fur foreleg stepped into the room. Coupled with a friendly voice echoing in their ears as an motherly tone spoke, “Hi, girls.”
As a result, Rainbow Dash dropped the two parts and gave up fixing Harmony Tower as she said, “Welp, it was nice knowing you, Fluttershy. ‘Cause we’re going to die.”
“W-wha—”
“Next time Fluttershy! Remember to knock me in the head to remind me not to play ball in the house!”
Hours before the accident.
Different types of birds circled around the ceiling and creatures unable to take flight crawled on the floor. They almost made Rainbow Dash trip as she continued to roam Fluttershy’s jungle type place. Rainbow Dash stopped as something standing out from a distance caught her eye.
A model of the Harmony Tower stood proudly under its brown mantel. The sun shining through the house reflected on the building’s windows almost as if it were the real deal. Rainbow Dash’s ears picked up the sound of clopping as it echoed in the silent room.
“The model of Harmony Tower,” Fluttershy’s mom said proudly. “It’s nice isn’t it?” She asked as she turned to Rainbow Dash. “This was pretty hard to get when I was young.”
“How did you get it?” Rainbow Dash asked. She didn’t bother to turn around and stare into the mare’s eyes as she asked the question. Besides, it’s kind of awkward to look a grown up straight in the eye and have a conversation with them. Well, at least that’s how it felt to Dash.
If Rainbow Dash was looking at her, she would have seen a smile form on the mare’s muzzle. “Well, when I was a filly about your age, my parents decided to take me along on their business trip to Manehattan. When we got there I saw a the model inside a shop .”
“So what? Your parents bought it for you?”
“No, I spent days cleaning and doing errands for ponies to earn some bits so I could buy it.”
“Wait, why didn’t your parents buy it for you? Seems pretty crappy to me,” Rainbow Dash said, earning a giggle from the mare.
“It was pretty ‘crappy’, but I understood their decision. I did my best to earn what I desired. Anyway, when I finally got enough money to buy the Harmony Tower , I was so happy I ran there without stopping, but when I got to the store, I found out a colt had bought it!”
“So what? Did you punch him in the face and steal it or something?”
“What!?” She shrieked. “No, I caught up to the colt and try to buy it off him, but he didn’t want my money. So I pretended to be his friend so he could give it to me out of kindness.”
“So did he?”
“Yes, he did, but I realized I grew to love him the more time I spent with him. So the model didn’t matter anymore. Only him.”
“So did you marry him?”
She shook her head. “As we got older and had a place of our own. We fell into a relationship and built a life in Cloudsdale,” a tear traveled down her cheek as as she continued. “A few months later, I was going to tell him I was pregnant with Fluttershy, but he died even before I had a chance to tell him.”
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s okay,” she reassured with a smile. “I kept the Harmony Tower to keep the memory of him alive,” Fluttershy’s mom wiped the that stained her cheek. “Sorry, I get emotional every time when I tell that story.”
“It’s fine.”
After she had told the story, Rainbow Dash became comfortable enough to turn around and stared into the eyes of the grown mare standing next to her. The color of her coat and mane were exactly the same texture as Fluttershy’s, so Dash understood why ponies often thought she was Fluttershy’s older sister.
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy’s mom began talking more, shared stories, and even played cards to pass the time. Even though Rainbow Dash lost every time, she had fun. For this reason, Rainbow Dash felt more comfortable than before and actually enjoyed her company.
“You’re pretty cool Mrs. Shy.” She said, giving her a nudge on the foreleg.
Fluttershy’s mom smiled. “I’m happy to know Fluttershy has a friend like you by her side.”
“I’m happy to help out a friend anytime.” Rainbow Dash smiled.
“Rainbow Dash, the thing you did for my little butterfly, standing up against the bullies was a very noble thing to do and I will forever remember it.” She sighed. “Fluttershy’s been having a hard time fitting in with the other ponies because she is too shy to talk with others.
“Rainbow, don’t ask about if she knows what happened to her father,” she said. Her face taking in a more serious expression. As a result, Rainbow Dash smile disappeared. “She doesn’t know about what happened to him or the story of how we met.”
Rainbow Dash arched an eyebrow. “You didn’t tell her yet?” Something caught her eye in the corner, making her turn her head away from Fluttershy’s mom.
“No, maybe someday when she’s matured enough I’ll tell her. Until then, I’ll let her enjoy her childhood. That’s why I need you not to tell her okay?”
“Sure.” Rainbow Dash paused. “Wait, if you don’t want me to tell her then why would tell me about it in the first place?”
“I kept it to myself for years and it has been overwhelming. Since you saved my daughter from those bullies I trust you enough to give a little info on her parent’s life.”
“Ah. That makes sense.” Rainbow Dash shrugged, becoming bore of the conversation. Therefore made her turn her head as Fluttershy’s mom continued talking.
“Also If the model breaks in half just Blah, blah, blah.”
“Yep, got it.” Rainbow Dash said, gazing at the red ball positioned in a corner.
“Blah, blah blah” Fluttershy’s mom giggled and nudged Rainbow Dash’s arm. “Am I right?”
It’s shiny redness caught her eyes as it sat in the corner, waiting to be picked up. Her mind blocked out everything, only letting the red ball have her attention. In short, Rainbow Dash wasn’t paying attention Fluttershy’s mom has she talked to her, canceling her out.
“Rainbow!”
Rainbow Dash snapped out of her trance and turned to the mare. “Yes?”
“You heard me?”
Rainbow Dash nodded. “Yep, water the plants.”
The ticking of the clock gained Fluttershy's mom attention as she turned her head and checked what time it was. “Oh horsefeathers, I’m late!” She exclaimed. She stood up and grabbed the saddlebags she left leaning on the side as she trotted to the front door.
“Alright I see you later on, Rainbow Dash!” She shouted, opening the door.
Like a cartoon gag with the clock going off inside the character’s head, Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened as Fluttershy’s mom opened the door, taking one step outside. “Wait, Ms, Shy!” Rainbow Dash shouted, running up to her. “What are you late for? Why are you leaving all of a sudden?”
“I work at a flower shop just across from Sugarcube corner. I’ve been working there since we moved to Ponyville,” she explained. Curious, she took a step back inside. “Have you been there before? It’s not every day you see a rainbow-head pony walking around.”
Rainbow Dash forced out a laugh. “Real funny. I live up Cloudsdale with my dad because he’s a famous Wonderbolt and that’s where famous ponies live!” She boasted with a cocky smile. “The only reason I’m down here is because of Fluttershy or else I would be up there flying around.”
“Your father is a Wonderbolt?”
“Yep! The best there is!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed with buzzing wings. “And one day I’m going to be just like him!”
Fluttershy’s giggled. “Well when you become rich and famous after becoming a Wonderbolt you should move down here somewhere in Ponyville. This place is quite friendly.”
Rainbow Dash shrugged. “I'll think about it if I’m not crowded with ponies trying to get my autograph.”she said, earning a chuckle from the mare.
“Well, Miss Big Shot, I’ll be the first in line to get your autograph.” She remembered she was running late and put the saddle bags onto her back and began to trot away. “See you later, Rainbow Dash. It was nice talking to you.”
“What about Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash called out from the door.
“She’s coming home in a few minutes from her trip in the forest. Tell Fluttershy I said hi and I will always love her!”
“Alright I will. Bye Ms. Shy!” Rainbow Dash waved Fluttershy’s mom off as she trotted away from the cottage. Once she was out of sight, the waving came to a halt as Rainbow Dash turned her attention to the red ball sitting in the corner.
Her eyes gazed in wonder as she held the ball in her hooves.“Fluttershy is going to love playing ball with me.” She said with a devilish grin.
“Hey Fluttershy.”
“Yes?”
“Turn around. I got a surprise for you.”
“Ummm, I don't like the sound of this 'surprise' ?”
Rainbow Dash groaned. “Just turn around already!””
Fluttershy whimpered as Dash’s shouting frightened her. “I’m afraid to.”
She stood a couple feet away from Dash, with her back turned. Something told her if she was going to turn around, Dash might try to throw the ball at her. Hence the reason why Fluttershy closed her eyes and wasn't too sure in trusting Rainbow.
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and sighed. “An animal is in danger, Shy are you just gonna stand there and let it die?” Holding her laughter and trying to convince Fluttershy to turn around was like trying to convince her dad to let her become a Wonderbolt early.
And that was really hard.
Luckily she was a great performer or else she wouldn’t have caught a quick glance from Fluttershy as she turned her head to check and see about the animal. Rainbow Dash grinned. “Oh no! Are the bird’s wings broken or something?”
Sort of a great performer.
“Oh no, all alone and hurt. I gotta help the poor thing.”
“Yeah that’s why you totally should turn around,” she replied, snickering.
“Umm alright.” Fluttershy slowly turned around. Unfortunately for Fluttershy, that was a bad call as she opened her eyes to Rainbow Dash pulling her foreleg back as she prepared to take action.
“Time to play catch, Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash said. The ball traveled fast like a speeding bullet as Rainbow Dash released her grip and threw it towards Fluttershy.
“Eeeep!” Fluttershy ducked down just in time for the ball flew over her head, missing hitting her forehead. She shielded her head with her hooves as she laid down on the ground. “Please don’t hurt me!”
Rainbow Dash sighed. “Relax Shy, I’m not going to hurt you.”
“You won’t?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you throw that ball at me?” Fluttershy asked, removing her forelegs off her head. “That didn't seem very nice.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. It’s just I thought you would like a good game of catch,” she explained, rubbing the back of her neck with a nervous smile.
“You mean it?” Fluttershy asked, wiping the tears that stained her cheeks.
Rainbow Dash nodded and held a hoof out for Fluttershy to grab. “Pals?”
Fluttershy smiled. “Pals,” she replied, letting Rainbow Dash pull her up. “Maybe we can play a more quiet and non-violent game.”
“Umm, Fluttershy, I don’t think we’ll be alive in time for another game.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Your mom’s favorite tower just took a nap.” Rainbow Dash replied with a gulp.
“Welp!” Rainbow Dash broke the silence and stood up. “Everything we-I tried to fix on the Harmony Tower failed!”
“Why is it called that?”
“I don’t know!” Rainbow Dash shouted.
“What is the stuff we used?” Fluttershy asked.
“Honey.”
“Fluttershy, do you have some honey in your house.”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Unless you want your mom to go Flutterrage on us, I suggest you get it now!”
”Tape.”
“Mmmh!”
“Dash, what’s wrong—why do you have tap over your mouth?”
“And praying to Celestia!”
“Oh Celestia. I thank you for blessing us with the sun on your butt as it gave us the awesome sun.”
“Dash, I think you’re doing it–––—”
“Please help us fix the Harmony Tower so we won’t be killed and cook up then fed to the animals. Amen.”
.
.
.
“Umm, Rainbow It didn’t work.”.
“None of that worked!” Rainbow Dash shouted. Their chances of fixing the Harmony Tower before Fluttershy’s mom got home were slim to none. As a result, Rainbow Dash flopped to the floor and screamed in her hooves.
“Is everything alright Dash?” Fluttershy asked.
“No, everything's not alright!” Rainbow Dash stomped in anger. “ I broke your mom’s model and now I’m going to be grounded for a week!”
“Dash.” Fluttershy trotted the heated filly and placed a hoof on her. Rainbow Dash’s breathing quickened as she tried to calm down. Fluttershy stared at her with great concern burning in her eyes. “Calm down. You can’t think straight when you’re scared.”
“Scared?!” Rainbow Dash forced out a laugh. “I’m not scared at all! I just don’t want to get grounded!”
“Rainbow, it’s okay to admit things you’re not proud of.”
“I. Am. Not. SCARED!”
“It’s okay. I admit to things I’m not proud of all the time. It’s part of pony nature. We feel emotions we don’t want to and try to hide it from others because we’re too scared to admit it ourselves.”
“I’m not you or the other ponies!” Rainbow Dash shouted. Her face now hot red and her cheek wet with tears. “I’m Rainbow Dash! I’m not scared of anything! So why would I be of getting in trouble over a stupid model of a tower that’s name sounds like it came from a comic book!”
Fluttershy opened to her mouth, wanting to say something comforting to Dash, but nothing came out. It was clear that Dash was indeed scared, but didn’t want to admit it. Even a friend’s comforting can’t get Dash to admit it. Therefore, neither said a word to each other nor bother to look in each other’s eyes.
The sun’s bright radiance shone on a brown shelf that contained number of items that had the ability to glue things together. This brought a smile to Dash’s face as an idea popped in her head that might save them from Fluttershy’s mom’s wrath. “Looks like Celestia answered our calls.”
Rainbow and Fluttershy froze as her mom stood at the door. Her mom stared at the broken pieces that laid on the floor. “Mom, I—”
“It was the act of Celestia!” Rainbow Dash declared as she stood up. “The mighty sun butt was disgusted with the model because it had beaten her many times in battle so she struck it when it’s back was turned with her mighty round butt!”
“I don’t even.”
“Dash.” Fluttershy turned to Rainbow with a frown. “Stop it.”
Rainbow Dash hung her head in shame. “Okay.”
“Fluttershy, what’s going on?” She asked. She pointed a hoof at the broken parts to the model. “Is that... The Harmony Tower?”
“Mom. Me and Rainbow Dash broke the Harmony Tower.” Fluttershy said with her chin up high as she stood up to her mother. “We tried to fix it, but nothing work.”
Fluttershy’s mom sighed. “Well I’m glad you girls came out clean.”
“Mom, why are you so calm about this?” Fluttershy asked as she looked at her mom with a confused expression. “Shouldn’t you be furious with us?”
“Yeah you had me scared to death because I thought you were going to kill us!”
Her mom didn’t say word. She trotted to the broken parts and began to examine the top and bottom halves. Once she got it in the right angle, she pressed the two together and there was a click sound as both pieces were back together. “There. Good as new.” she said, putting it back on it’s mantel.
Rainbow Dash stared at the fixed tower in shock. “How did you—”
“Just gotta press them together and push this button on the bottom.” she explained, pointing to a red small button on the button. “I told you this before I left.”
“If the Harmony Tower breaks in half if just put the two parts back together and press the button on the bottom. That should keep them together.”
“Yep got it.”
“If this supposed to be a model. Then why does it look like a toy for kids?” Rainbow Dash asked as she examined the Harmony Tower. She squinted her eyes as she saw there was words written on the bottom. Made by Cloudsdale Toy Company.
"Wait a minute. I know that place."
“Well, when I was a filly about your age.”
“Wait a minute.” Rainbow paused as the realization struck her.
“When I got to the store that was selling the Harmony Tower, I found out a colt had bought it!”
“I heard it was based off that story where a lightning strike broke it in half. Well at least that’s what I heard from the store clerk. Crazy, am I right?”
“Sounds like something from a comic book!”
“Oops.”
There was only a nervous chuckle from Dash as Fluttershy’s began to twitch. Her mom watched as Fluttershy chased Dash around the house like a cat and a mouse. Therefore, her mom could only watch and shake her head. “I think sleepovers should be at Dash’s house from now on.”
