Fun for Two Fillies

“Darnit, Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash’s head was still spinning from the recoil. “I almost had it that time!” She had been bounced back from her attempt at the sonic rainboom yet again. “Fluttershy, what was that?!”

“I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy’s voice was barely more than a whisper. “Was my cheering too loud?” Fluttershy’s shoulders drooped as she hid behind her pink mane. Her eyes were full of remorse as they peered out from behind it.

“Fluttershy, I’ll never be able to win the Best Young Fliers competition at this rate!” Rainbow Dash landed on the grass next to Fluttershy. It was a sunny day in Equestria. Rainbow Dash had been practicing her flying techniques in a field on the outskirts of Ponyville. Her voice cracked with excitement as she reprimanded her friend: “That was a truly feeble performance!”

“Actually, it wasn’t all bad. I particularly liked it when you made the clouds spin.” Fluttershy lifted her hoof and spun the tip of it in a circle to illustrate her point.

Rainbow Dash was flabbergasted. “I’m not talking about my performance, I’m talking about yours! That feeble cheering! How am I supposed to pull off a sonic rainboom with that kind of support?”

Fluttershy’s shoulders sagged even further as she felt the dejection from Rainbow Dash’s words sink in. “I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash. I’ll try harder.”

“You’re going to need to keep practicing!” Rainbow Dash, clearly flustered at her failed attempt at the sonic rainboom, found herself taking out her anxiety on Fluttershy yet again. It’s not her fault, Rainbow Dash told herself. She doesn’t deserve this scolding. “I’ll need a cheering section worthy of my spectacular performance at the Best Young Fliers competition in Cloudsdale! You’ll need to be ready for it.”

Rainbow Dash could see tears welling in the corners of Fluttershy’s eyes, but couldn’t bear the thought of seeing them fall down her cheeks. It’s my fault she’s crying, she realized. I’m being too hard on her. Rainbow Dash turned quickly, diverting her eyes to the blue Ponyville sky, and took off in a hurry.