At The Mid Hour Of Night, I Fly

Chapters

Sailing Solo
Life Vs. The Lifeless
Hold On To What?
You Keep It All In
I Think, The Answer's Yes

Sailing Solo

Rainbow Dash was winning. She smiled to herself, “no surprise there,” she thought as she crossed the finish line again. The athletic cyan pegasus started her last lap of the one hundred kilometer race. Nineteen laps down and just one more to go. As she banked into turn one she risked a peek and saw Thunder Lane was over half a kilometer behind her. Fatigue was built rapidly in her muscles and her breathing was labored. The race was hers, but it wasn’t about winning. It wasn’t about the fact that the first three across the finish were automatically accepted to the Wonderbolts Elite Flying Team tryouts. It was about showing the world who she was. As Celestia was her witness she would show them that she was the best pegasus that ever lived.

Dash exited turn two at four hundred kilometers per hour. She knew the track and that the pegasus could take the next two turns half again as fast. Rainbow cast a glance across the track above the finish line and caught sight of the VIP box. The Princesses were both there, all her friends were there, but most importantly Fluttershy was there. This race, this show she was putting on, was for her. It was always for her, her love. The yellow skinned girl wasn’t just watching. She was jumping up and down like a wild animal as she cheered for her. The fatigue drained away as the pegasus pushed for every added meter of speed. Rainbow entered turn three at over six hundred kilometers per hour. It was fast but it wasn’t enough. She needed more. She raced to her lover. The pegasus entered the last turn close to seven hundred kilometers per hour. The G forces pulled at her. Dash’s wings felt like lead. Still it wasn’t enough. It was never enough. This was her moment to shine, and she wasn't about to pass it up. This was history, her history for her to make. The pegasus struggled against the very forces of nature itself for just a little more speed. She couldn’t get enough of it. Speed was her life, Rainbow would never get enough of it as long as she had breath in her lungs. It was her drug that set her free.

As the rainbow haired pegasus exited turn four it happened. She pushed harder, stretching her arms in front of her, straightening her fingers and flattening her ears to her head. Angling her wings just so, she pointed her primary feathers backwards searching for that extra speed. It was working. She hit seven hundred and fifty miles per hour, Rainbow could instinctively feel the air lose pressure around her, beginning to cone around her outstretched fingers and over her arms and back. Static electricity sparked along her length and Rainbow knew she was close. Her muscles screamed in defiance, threatening to seize up but still she pushed, flapping her powerful cyan wings ever harder. With a final superhuman effort she felt her airspeed increase by that little bit extra.

She broke the sound barrier. The sonic rainboom exploded behind her in a cascade of colour. She couldn’t hear it but the pegasus knew the stadium did. The finish line was just a couple of seconds away. Then time simply slowed down. Rainbow could see the finish line and it was approaching at a crawl. Then she noticed the wall was waiting to welcome her home.

“Oh Shit.” Rainbow Dash barely had the time to process the thought.

The pegasus misjudged her exit on the last turn. The line was getting closer, but the wall would get there first. It was like flying in molasses. She tried to correct the angle but her wings didn’t respond. Dash lowered her hands to ward of the on-coming wall. Her right wing connected with the wall and she felt the first bone snap. The pain from that was pretty minor as she knew it was going to get a lot worse. Solid objects were very unforgiving at these speeds. Another bone snapped in her wing as one hand reached out to the wall. Yet another bone snapped when the wall met her hand. It was like touching a wall of flame. The contact was brief though as her right arm bent at ninety degrees somewhere between her elbow and wrist. The pain was intense. The pain let her know she was still alive. At least for now. A bone snapped in her left wing and Dash realized that the ground wanted her more than the wall did. The line passed beneath her. At least she had won the race.

The ground welcomed her in its loving embrace as Rainbow ploughed a fifty meter furrow in the dirt. The pain spiked and then faded away and the light became darkness. At least the sounds returned. She still had the sounds. Was it cheering? Dash couldn’t tell as it all seemed to be nothing more than noise.

“Her wing…sweet Celestia look at her wing,” Blossom Forth stuttered.

“Which one? Fuck, she only has one,” Thunder Lane gasped.

“Thunder Lane shut your trap. Someone call 911!” screamed Cloud Kicker.

“Holy shit, how is she still alive?” Flitter muttered

“Fuck!” exclaimed Lightning Dust, “Just, fuck!”

“Look at all the blood! Oh Celestia she’s still bleeding” cried Scootaloo.

“Shit, shit, shit, there are bones sticking out,” wailed Flitter.

Thunder Lane turned away from the grizzly site unable to keep the contents of his stomach.

“Every one back off now! Leave her alone to be treated, um…please,” came a sweet soft voice of reason. That voice was familiar, Rainbow thought she should know that voice

It was nice to hear that voice. To be defended regardless of her own stupidity. The noise was starting to fade though, and even the siren seemed muted. Then something soft touched her check that wasn’t pain. It was wet. “I love you Dashie.” It was that voice of reason again, the voice of hope, the voice of love. Silence could have her now, that voice reassured her she would be alright.

Life Vs. The Lifeless

The race was almost over. Fluttershy was sitting with her friends in the VIP box of the stadium, guests of princess Celestia and princess Luna. The princesses had insisted they join them, wouldn't take no for an answer. Fluttershy had hated the pomp and ceremony of it all. Rarity had lapped it up of course, Applejack made a show of disliking it. Fluttershy wasn't here to show off, she was here to cheer on Rainbow, to see her Dashie perform as only she could. Rainbow loved to race, lived for it with a desire so intense it was like anyone else breathing air. Rainbow wasn't just good at it, when she raced she was as an artist upon her stage, and Fluttershy loved to watch her perform.

From her vantage point Fluttershy could see Rainbow turning the last corner of the track, she was easily going to win, and in a joyous state Fluttershy was leaping in her chair, whooping and cheering Dashie ever onwards. Ever since Rainbow had schooled her in the art of a good cheer she was determined to encourage her girlfriend as much as she could, regardless of the bemused looks of the VIP’s around her.

Rainbow was looking straight at her. Not just in her direction, Rainbow had managed to find HER in the crowd. In that instant they had connected, somehow. Dashie saw her cheering her on, and Fluttershy saw her switch to a higher gear, racing ever faster. She saw Dashie give her a wink as the Sonic Rainboom erupted behind her, saw the sheer pleasure on her face as she broke the sound barrier, the rainbow coloured streak flowed from her hair marking her passage through the air.

Then Fluttershy saw Dashie flare her wings, knew the danger signs as Dash tried in vain to slow down. Saw that she was still going too fast, much too fast. She watched Rainbow hit the wall at what seemed an impossible speed, the three seconds from rainboom to impact seemed to last a lifetime. She looked on helplessly as her beloved spiralled head first to the ground. Shy willed her to somehow pull up, sure it was a prank at her expense. Any moment now she’d rise up, laughing at Shy’s shocked face.

No. It didn't happen. She saw the dreadful, awful impact. Arms still outstretched Dashie plotted impossibly fast into the ground, leaving a metres long furrow behind her. A second ago there had been the noise of the crowd, now there was utter silence. No one moved, no one even breathed. The other racers had stopped and started milling around the furrowed crater. Shy couldn't stand it, she leapt to her feet and flew down to the track, shoving her way through the gawking athletes.

Rainbow Dash, her Dashie was laid before her, sprawled in an impossible position, muscles showing on limbs where the flesh had been ripped away, bent in unnatural angles. Her left wing had been ripped from her body, it had disintegrated as she hit the wall then bounced along the track. Her right wing wasn’t looking that much better. Blood was pouring from what seemed a thousand wounds on her broken body. Shy dropped to her knees beside Rainbow, weeping openly.

Then the horror. Dash was moving. Shy saw it but refused to believe. Slowly, awkwardly, Rainbow pushed herself to her feet, turning to face Fluttershy.

Fluttershy screamed. Rainbow was staggering towards her, her head lolling to one side as her broken neck refused to hold it upright, cold dead eyes staring glassily at nothing. Her tattered right wing hung limply at her side, rotted skin sloughing off her dead frame. Then she spoke, her voice little more than a ghastly whisper. “That Rainboom was for you babe. You did this to me. You killed me.”

The corpse-Rainbow was upon her, broken arms reaching around her, pulling Shy into a twisted embrace. Shy could feel fetid breath on her neck as her dead girlfriend kissed her neck and pulled her hair so that she was looking straight into her dead eyes.

“It was for you. You. Killed. Me.”

Fluttershy sat bolt upright in the hospital bed, panting heavily in the darkness as she struggled to get her breathing under control. Her blue eyes adjusted to the dark of the room, the beeping of the many machines the only other noise besides her thundering heartbeat. Reaching for the curtain that divided the room she pulled it aside with her left hand to reveal the unconscious occupant in the bed next to her. Rainbow Dash lay there unmoving like she had been for the past four months since the accident.

One hundred and twenty days had past since Rainbow’s accident at the race track. Fluttershy had been by her side through every single day. She had been so insistent that she stayed by her girlfriend's side princess Celestia had taken the unusual step of politely ordering the hospital to allow a second bed in the room so she could be with her. Canterlot Royal hospital had been really accommodating in that regard, Fluttershy really couldn't fault their excellent staff at all.

The yellow pegasus yawned and checked the clock next to her bed, it read three fifteen a.m. Why her nightmares always woke her up around this time she had no idea. They had begun a couple of days after Rainbow’s admittance to the hospital. Now almost every night Fluttershy relived that fateful day. It was going to be Rainbows day, the culmination of months of training, hard work and sacrifice. All those early four a.m. starts, the five hour training sessions, strict diets, missed parties and other things they had given up would have been worth it for Fluttershy to see her girlfriend achieve her lifelong dream of joining the Wonderbolts. Everything would have been worth it.

Fluttershy cast her mind back to the race, as she often found herself doing. Through the fog of the dream she saw the events unfold in her minds eye once more as she laid back on the bed and gazed unfocused on the dark ceiling.

She kept asking herself why. Why in the wide world of Equestria did Rainbow push herself for that rainboom? Rainbow had the race won, easy and by a long way. Thunder Lane was nowhere near her in second place, and Cloud Chaser was even further behind him in third place. People said she was playing the crowd, showing off for the hell of it. Fluttershy alone knew the real reason why. It was her fault. Twilight, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie had all scoffed and rebuked her when she had voiced that thought out loud weeks ago. No matter what they said in her defence though, Fluttershy knew the truth. It was her fault. Turning that last corner on the track Rainbow had looked up into the crowd and had found her. Rainbow had given her that wink and cocky grin plastered all over her face. Never was a creature more in her element than her Rainbow was then. Fluttershy had seen it from the crowd, the sheer exhilaration of the moment. Rainbow Dash was were she belonged, where she felt most alive, and despite what she told Fluttershy in the bedroom, where she was happiest in the world. Racing was where Rainbow was at home, it was wholly her domain. It was her fault. Seeing the grin from her girlfriend Fluttershy had cheered louder than before, and Rainbow had gone even faster until she had produced the rainboom. A moment of pure and utter bliss had settled on Rainbows face, total serenity.

Three seconds. Three short seconds. That's all it had taken to stun the entire crowd to silence and rip apart two lives. Months of dedication and training, not to mention a lifetime of dreams had been cast away in three seconds. Everything had changed in those three seconds. Little more time than it took to blink had reduced Rainbow Dash to a bloodied broken mess sprawled on the track.

Fluttershy had immediately flown down to her side, followed closely by both princess Celestia and Luna. She had cradled her broken and bleeding body in her arms, smearing bits of her girlfriend over herself as the other pegasi in the race had flown over to gawk at her. Fluttershy had held the unconscious pegasus, her tears had splashed over her unmoving body. Her world had fallen apart, nothing else mattered at all. She had known back then that it was her fault.

Celestia had put her hand on Fluttershy’s shoulder, had tried to get her to give Rainbow to her, but Fluttershy had refused, shaking her head. What if something happened to her? Gently but with insistence the princess had taken Rainbows body from her. Before she knew what she was doing Fluttershy brought her hand across Celestia’s alabaster face, leaving a perfect red hand print on her face, for taking her Dashie from her. Luna then stepped in, and restrained her from attacking the princess again, Fluttershy didn't care, how dare anyone take her love from her! The watching crowd hushed even more, not knowing what to do next. Celestia simply gave Luna a look, ignoring the stinging pain in her face. They shared a moment between themselves before deciding on a course of action. Luna had suggested Ponyville General, Celestia countered with Canterlot Royal. They had both agreed it was further away but far better equipped.

In a flash of golden magic Celestia and Rainbow were both gone, and Fluttershy was about to go berserk again until yet again Luna halted her with a smile. Placing her dark blue hand on Fluttershy's shoulder they too disappeared in a flash of blue magic. An instant later they were at Canterlot Royal hospital, an army of doctors and nurses bustling about Rainbows body. That had been the last she saw of Rainbow that day, she squeezed through the throng of medical staff and planted a kiss on her bloodied cheek as her girlfriend was wheeled away into the operating theatre. No amount of royal authority would get her in there, all Fluttershy could do was sit and wait.

Sit and wait as Celestia turned her furious gaze to Fluttershy who was sat beside Luna trying with all her might to hide behind her long pastel pink hair, her confidence and anger having quickly evaporated as Rainbow had been wheeled away for emergency surgery. The expected rebuke from Celestia never came. The Solar princess simply smiled at Fluttershy and lit her horn with golden power. That was the last Fluttershy remembered until the dreamless sleep spell’s effects wore off.

Opening her eyes groggily the pegasus sleepily took in her surroundings, briefly wondering where she was, before the horrific memories of the race and crash came washing over her with the fire of a tidal wave. Sitting up and stifling her tears Fluttershy saw Spitfire waiting for her. The Wonderbolt captain offered her a weak smile as she sat next to her in the waiting room and pulled her into a tight hug of support.

“How you doing Fluttershy?”

"Um, I don't know, okay I guess…just waiting for Dashie, she’s in there…” The yellow Pegasus pointed to the operating theatre door, which remained resolutely closed.

"She'll be alright you know, she's tough that Rainbow is.” Despite herself Spitfire didn't seem very confident, Fluttershy could see her warm smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“I don't know, she was hurt pretty badly in the accident,” seeing Spitfire’s questioning look Fluttershy continued, “sh – she, Rainbow I mean, well, she lost her left wing when she hit the wall. By the time she hit the ground it had disintegrated altogether…” Fluttershy saw Spitfire visibly flinch at the mention of the lost wing, the colour draining from her face.

“You - you mean she can't fly anymore?”

Fluttershy shook her head sadly, "no, and that's if she even wakes up at all…”

Spitfire cast her eyes around nervously, unsure of what to say next, but feeling that something should be done to improve Fluttershy’s mood. Well, she was sure her team mates Soarin and Fleetfoot were taking care of that right now with the hospital administrators. Besides, the thought of a pegasus unable to fly sent a nasty chill down her spine making her uncomfortable even being here, involuntarily Spitfire's wings flexed, ready to carry her far far away. “So, you staying here with her then?” Was the best she could come up with.

“Oh, um well was going to stay here as long as I can, but with medical bills and expenses I'm not sure how long that'll be…”

At that moment Spitfire caught sight of Soarin and Fleetfoot making their way towards them, smiles plastered on their faces. “All sorted captain, they went for it no problem.”

"Thanks you two.”

Fluttershy couldn't help but be confused at this development, “um, what's going on?”

Spitfire flashed Fluttershy a smile, “you can stay here with Rainbow Dash until she wakes up, don't worry about any bills.”

“But how, why?...”

“We took care of it,” Fleetfoot answered quickly, “open cheque to the administrators courtesy of the Wonderbolts.”

“Yeah,” put in Soarin with a grin, “least we could do for the girl that saved our lives not long ago. Anything you need, anything at all just put it on the bill, we’ll cover it all.”

Fluttershy felt fresh hot tears stinging her eyes, she could stay, permanently! “Thankyou, thankyou all.”

“It’s really no trouble,” as Spitfire stood to leave, she handed Fluttershy a package she’d been holding on to. “Here, for Rainbow Dash when she wakes up. Come on guys, let's go.”

Fluttershy took the parcel as she watched the three flyers walk out the hospital. She didn't see them again, but the Wonderbolts had stayed true to their word, every expense meeted out to her had been covered immediately and without question and for that she was eternally grateful.

The pegasus sat wearily on the edge of her bed and looked once more at Rainbow Dash. She had kept herself going these past few months by telling herself she was resting, that she was just asleep and that one day soon she would wake up. Now after four months Fluttershy had begun to doubt herself more and more. Wrapping her cream yellow arms around herself she hugged away the slight morning chill that was in the hospital room. Looking around the room in the half-light of morning she could make out the silhouettes of the many ‘get well soon’ cards that decorated Rainbows half. Even in the near darkness she could clearly make out the shape of the biggest one there on the window sill, the one from herself and their friends, signed with their respective cutie marks all surrounding Rainbow's cutie mark.

Her friends.

Fluttershy tried and failed to suppress a contemptuous snort at the thought of their friends. She understood that they all had lives, and jobs and families, but would it really hurt them to drop in and visit her and Rainbow once in a while? She knew Rarity was busy with the Boutique and Sweetie Belle; that Applejack had her chores on the farm as well as Apple Bloom and Granny Smith to care for; she understood that Pinkie Pie was busy with Sugarcube Corner and babysitting the Cake’s twins; she got it that Twilight Sparkle was busy doing whatever it was a newly crowned and ascended Alicorn princess did all day, but It had been at least two weeks since any of them had been in to see them and at least a week since any of them had called the hospital telephone to leave any messages.

Fluttershy got up and walked past the waste bin in the corner of the room, casting a glance at the crumpled banner within it. She could just make out part of the letters that spelt out “welcome back Rainbow” across it in typical bright and gaudy Pinkie style. The party pony had put that up the day after Rainbow had come out of her first six hour surgery. She remembered Pinkie had been so disappointed to see her stricken friend still unconscious, to spare her feelings her friends had insisted on the subdued party anyway. By the tenth day that banner had been hanging by one hook on the wall, and by the twenty second day it had fallen in the trash where it stayed. The bright multicoloured balloons too were long gone, as was Pinkie herself. She had been the first to stop visiting, muttering something along the lines of ‘I prefer to remember Dashie as she was, not like this…’ as her excuse.

Rarity and Applejack had stayed around longer, both trying to get her out and about, either to resume their regular twice-weekly spa visits or a day out at Sweet Apple Acres. Fłuttershy had agreed to the spa trip, but had flown back to the hospital in a guilty panic before the mud baths could be prepared, scared that she'd miss Rainbow waking up if she wasn't there. The pegasus had pointedly refused to leave the building again after that anxiety attack, and eventually Rarity and Applejack had stopped trying to persuade her. Neither of them understood, she simply didn't want to leave Rainbow’s side, she couldn't leave her, not like this. They had carried on visiting for a week after, before they too made their excuses. For Rarity it was preparing for the Autumn / Winter fashion line, and for Applejack she had found a multitudinous amount of chores, repairs and even a barn rebuild to keep her busy and away from her competitive friend’s side.

Fluttershy laughed a mirthless laugh at the thought, that infernal barn seemed to demolish itself every other week lately.

Of all their close friends Twilight had stayed around the longest, having only stopping her visits two weeks ago. Fluttershy could tell the new princess was just keeping up appearances though. She hardly spoke during her visits, spending the two hours in awkward silence until it was time for her to leave. Twilight had even brought Scootaloo with her once, and only once. The shock of seeing her idol / mentor / adopted big sister covered in bandages and plaster casts with just her right wing remaining had been too much for the filly to take, and she had fled the hospital in an orange blur that almost reached rainboom speeds.

So here she was, four months, or one hundred and twenty days after the accident sat alone by her girlfriend's side as she always was. The outside world may have ceased existing for all the damn Fluttershy gave. Dawn began to creep it's early morning light through the shutters on the window behind her as Celestia began once again to raise the sun.

With the light beginning to illuminate the room properly Fluttershy reached for Rainbow’s left hand, the nearest one to her and took her girlfriend's hand in her own, giving it a gentle squeeze just like she had done every morning. “I’m sorry Rainbow, it's all m…”

Fluttershy barely felt it, the slight movement almost going unnoticed. Then she felt it again. Just as slight as before, but definitely there. A third time and it was unmistakable. Three times Rainbow had squeezed her hand. At first she thought she was imagining it, then she had felt the second and third squeezes and there was no mistake! Rainbow, her Rainbow was waking up!

Hold On To What?

BEEP

Rainbow was very suddenly aware of an incessant beeping noise whereas before there was nothing.

BEEP...BEEP

Where the hay was she? She was lying on her back. Warm, she was warm. Everywhere was black, why was it black? Something just squeezed her left hand…

BEEP...BEEP

Rainbow attempted moving her arms, nothing. Okay. She tried moving her legs, nothing. Wherever she was she couldn’t move and it smelt clean, bleach clean. That sane something squeezed her hand again, harder this time. Instinctively Rainbow squeezed back…

BEEP...BEEP...BEEP

She noticed her heart was beating faster, the same time she noticed the damned beeping increase too. Where in Equestria was she? Not knowing why, Rainbow squeezed the the thing holding her hand again…

BEEP…BEEP – “Doctor! She’s waking up!”

It was that voice of reason. The voice of hope. Rainbow Dash felt warm. “But why was she calling to a doctor,” she thought and then it came back to her. The race and how she missed the turn. The wall and the crash. The pain. The pain was gone. Must be drugs. The pegasus struggled to open her eyes but they wouldn’t cooperate. She wanted to speak but something was in her mouth. Her left arm felt distant so she reached out with the right one. Someone took her hand and the panic that was building up subsided.

A hand softly touched her cheek and Dash was able to force her eyes open. It wasn’t very bright in the room but there was enough light to see Fluttershy. She tried to talk again but something stopped her. She wanted to move her hand to find out what it was, but Shy was stronger and kept the hand from moving. The lights in the room brightened causing the pegasus to shut her eyes tight. She blinked until they adjusted. In the room was a stern looking male. It was as sterile room so it had to be a hospital. She knew the crash was sever. A look at her right arm though showed it was whole. Some scars but no cast. Dash remembered it snapping when she hit the wall. She could see part of her wing folded under her body. A white sheet covered her body and she looked down to where her feet were. Moving back up she saw her left arm was wrapped in some bandage. It wasn’t a cast, but still her whole arm felt funny. Rainbow’s view was blocked by Fluttershy’s hair. Soft kisses on her cheek and forehead. The wetness of the tears that fell on her. Dash started to cry as she was held by her lover. She was alive.

Fluttershy held tight to her lover’s hand. “Dashie you had me so worried, we thought you’d never wake up! We, I mean, I, we, um, was so scared for you.” The pink haired pegasus couldn’t hold back the sobs.

Rainbow wanted to hug her but her left arm wouldn’t cooperate. To hold her in her wings but they wouldn’t cooperate either. Dash felt helpless and she didn’t like feeling helpless.

A cleared throat drew the attention of both ladies. The doctor waited for the waited for the woman at the bedside to sit back up and noted she didn’t let go of the hand. “First let me get that tube out of your throat and please do not talk, okay?” With the blue skinned girls nod he slowly removed the feeding tube. He then held a closed cup with a straw to her mouth, “Drink slowly and let yourself adjust to having the tube removed.” He watch the girl drink greedily, “Slow sips please.” Once she stopped the doctor handed the cup to the yellow skinned girl. “Hold that please, she will need more.”

The male stood back up and retrieved the clipboard form the foot of the bed. “Do you now this person beside you?” The patient nodded. “Is your name Rainbow Dash?” Again the patient nodded. “Do you know where you are?” This time the nod wasn’t so sure.

Dash turned to Fluttershy and opened her mouth. The pegasus was quick to move the straw to her lips. After a few sips moved her head back and croaked out, “I love you.” Fluttershy’s smile outshone the sun. After a few more sips Rainbow turned back towards the doctor, and then back down at her right arm. The vision of it snapping was fresh in her mind like it was just yesterday. “How long?”

Fluttershy answered, “It has been four months since… since… the accident.” Her eyes filled with tears again, “I’m so sorry Dashie, I’m so sorry.”

It was just like Shy to apologize for her own mistakes. Dash needed to hug her but the left arm still wouldn’t move. She pulled herself forward anchored by Flutter’s grip on her hand.

The yellow skinned pegasus responded immediately. The cup fell from her hand to the floor and busted open spilling the water. The hand that held the cup shot forward to push against Dash’s chest and shoved her against the bed, but it was too late. One wing enveloped Fluttershy. The pink haired girl pressed her face against Rainbow’s breast.

Time again slowed for the pegasus. The look of anguish on her lover’s face was something she had never seen. One wing. Only one wing. Why in Luna’s name did she only have one wing! Dash snapped back to the present and she glared at the doctor, “Why do I only have one wing.” It hurt to talk, but the pain in her throat was nothing compared to the pain inside. “Why did you take my wing!” She wanted to scream. She wanted to yell. “Why did you take my Luna damned wing! Why did you take my…”

The doctor threw the clipboard at the wall to the right of Rainbow Dash’s head. The noise was loud in the small room when it hit followed by the sound of it clattering against the floor. It had the effect the male wanted. It stopped her rant. He raised his head and pointed a finger at the rainbow haired patient. “You spread flesh, feathers, and bone across half a kilometer of track. You tore your Luna damned wing from your own body. You did this. You.”

The realization of her own folly weighed heavily on the pegasus. She lost a wing. Her wings were her life. Her life was now dead. Why did the dead still breathe? A murmer from her chest froze her thought process. Again the sound drifted to her ears and she could make out the words this time, ‘I love you.’ Would that be enough to live? Could it be enough to go on? Again those three word drifted to her ears, and she squeezed the hand that held hers, “I love you too, Fluttershy.” She felt her world fall away. Everything she had trained for since being five years old was gone. Her dreams of joining the Wonderbolts, gone. Everything she was, everything that made her Rainbow Dash was gone, taken from her in an instant, stolen by a freak accident, a random strike of chance. And it was all her own fault. She had the race won. She could have just flown over the finish line and that would have been that. But no, not the great Rainbow Dash. She just had to show off didn't she? Look what that had bought her now. All she had was Fluttershy and her love for her. It would have to be enough. Dash looked back at the doctor who had lowered his arm.

The doctor picked up the clipboard, pulled over a chair, and sat down. “Miss Dash, you went sub-sonic before you hit the wall at around nine hundred kilometers per hour. That is what most likely saved your life.” He pointed to her wing. “You broke most of the bones in your wing. Twelve fractures in all. Only the humerus survived intact. There are carbon filament sleeves around the bones that will be in there for the rest of your life. You fractured your lower right arm in five places and the upper arm in two. That is the reason for all the scaring. Your right leg just received some bruising. You broke your left hip in two places and a compound fracture of your left femur.” He flipped up the sheet to show the scaring on her upper leg. “Your left arm was still attached to your body. You dislocated all the joints and broke the scapular and collar bone. Your radius bone was replaced with an artificial one. There is a sleeve over your humerus. We used muscle tissue from your leg to rebuild your arm. Skin grafts take time. The last one needed was done two weeks ago. In another six weeks we’ll know if they took and are infection free.” He pointed to her head, “I don’t know how many times you bounced that thick skull against the track. There was major bleeding and swelling. We drilled holes in your skull to relieve pressure with shunts. Until you woke up we weren’t sure how extensive the damage was to your brain. It is a good sign you remember what happen, who you are, and your friend.” The doctor paused, “Any questions so far?”

Dash listened to the laundry list of injuries, but none of it really sunk in. “How fast was I going when I hit the track?”

“It is estimated you were doing five hundred kilometers an hour when you hit the track. The wall slowed you down and being a pegasus combined to keep you alive after that.” He replied. “As you can see the fractures are healed already. Your left arm just need more time because of the skin grafts.” His face turned grim, “Now for the bad news.”

The pegasus glared at the physician. She lost a wing. What could be worse than that?

Fluttershy’s voice interrupted her thoughts again. She was repeating, ‘I’m sorry,’ over and over again. “Flutters stop that. Don’t take this from me. I’m the responsible one here. Please don’t take my guilt away. Do you understand?” She stopped talking but didn’t move. “Do you understand?” A nod of her head was enough for Dash, “Thank you, and I love you.” She looked back at the doctor.

“You broke every rib on your left side. There was just eight inches left of your wing humerus, and the impact drove that through your left lung, esophagus, and into your liver. Bone fragments from your ribs pierced your chest, abdomen, and left leg. The ribs were pieced back together or artificial bone was used. Your two floating ribs are gone. Your left lung has one lobe left so it is running at twenty five percent. You’ll tire quicker than you used to. Your left kidney was destroyed and your right kidney fell apart so both have been removed. The shunts for hemodialysis are in your upper right leg.” He reached over to show the two tubes to Rainbow. “We can transfer them to your left arm it the physical therapist says we can.” He flipped the sheet back. “The damage to your gut ruled out peritoneal dialysis. Along with your kidneys you lost your pancreas and eight feet of intestine. Diet and enzymes will correct those to items. You also lost your left ovary and your uterus was unrepairable. A full hysterectomy was done.” He paused so that could sink in.

With her career Dash never really thought about having children. She figured Fluttershy would catch the ‘I want to be a momma’ bug. Now she had no career and couldn’t have children. She looked down at her lover whose eyes were closed. She squeezed her hand once and she squeezed back. “Is that all?”

“If it was you’d be able to look forward to a long life, but the liver is a delicate organ. Yours is running at about fifteen percent. If you don’t get a transplant I’d estimate you’d have around a year to live, maybe a bit more. The list for transplants is long and the success rate is low. Plus you’ve used up four of those months already.” He stood up. “Tomorrow you’ll start physical therapy. This will let us know the extent of any nerve damage. Depending on how it goes will determine when we can release you.” The doctor turned to the young girl beside the bed, “Miss Fluttershy, since your partner is awake and if she agrees you can share her bed. I’ll let the night nurse know.”

Dash looked at her lover and she now had her eyes open, “Share my bed?”

Fluttershy pointed at the curtain behind her, “There is a bed on the other side of that where I’ve been sleeping.”

“How long have you been here?” the blue pegasus asked.

“Since the accident,” her lover replied.

“How could you afford that?” Dash inquired.

As the doctor stood to take his leave, he motioned to the unnoticed package at the foot of Rainbow’s bed. “While you were unconscious I understand a friend of yours left this for you. And these, tokens from your friends and admirers.” The doctor turned, exited the room, and closed the door behind him.

Rainbow’s attention was drawn to the vast array of cards and balloons she hadn’t noticed before now. There were too many to count at once, the window sill overflowed with them, then they were stuck around the window and all over the rest of the wall. Surely she didn't know this many people? Scanning the cards from her bed she saw the largest most colourful card, in the centre, the one that meant the most to her right now. The one marked simply with three butterflies, three apples, three diamonds, three balloons and a six pointed star, all surrounding a multi coloured lightning bolt coming from a white cloud. “Thanks girls.” Was all Rainbow could say.

Thinking back on Fluttershy staying at the hospital for four months, Rainbow asked again, “so, how'd you afford to stay here?”

“You have the Wonderbolts to thank for that Dashie.”

“The Wonderbolts?” Rainbow was confused. “Why would they do that for me, for us?”

“Spitfire, Soarin and Fleetfoot all insisted on taking the bill, something about all three of them owing you their lives. They came by the same afternoon after the princesses teleported us here. Spitfire in particular gave the hospital an open cheque and told them to charge everything they needed to them.”

Fluttershy still held Rainbow in her tight hug, planting soft kisses over her cheek, neck and exposed shoulder. Her soft voice was almost inaudible in Rainbow’s ear. “Open the package, you'll like it.” With shaky hands Rainbow looked at the package she held, no larger than a briefcase. On it was a simple message to her.

“To Rainbow Dash. A true Wonderbolt if ever there was. Your Rainboom was awesome and you showed all of us there the qualities of an elite flier to finish that race, let alone win it in such spectacular fashion. I've watched you since you saved us and your friend at the Young Fliers competition in Cloudsdale. You never fail to impress me. This is yours, you earned it a long time ago. With greatest respect, your friend Spitfire.”

Carefully tearing the package to preserve the note, Rainbow looked down to see a pristine blue and gold Wonderbolt uniform, RAINBOW DASH carefully embroidered in large white letters on the left breast, her cutie mark displayed on the right, a privilege only granted to captains like Spitfire.

Rainbow Dash glanced at her girlfriend, shooting her a puzzled look at her tears that were cascading down her pretty yellow face. “What is it?”

“N – nothing, I - I'm okay…”

“You aren't, c’mon babe tell me what's up.”

Fluttershy wiped her eyes on the sleeve if her pink jacket, sniffling back the tears. “I - it's just this,” she gestured to Rainbow’s battered body, “it's, it's all my fault you're like this…mmph!”

Rainbow cut her off with a fierce kiss to her lips, with all the passion she could muster in her weakened state. “That's utter horse-apples Flutters, how do you work that out?”

“ I - I saw you, from the crowd, as you tuned that last corner. You looked up at me cheering you, you winked and went faster. If – if I hadn't have cheered you on, you wouldn't be like this now…”

“Fluttershy, listen. I wanted you there cheering me on. I needed my girlfriend shouting for me. You inspire me, you motivate me, you're everything to me.” Rainbow paused, this level of sappiness wasn't like her, but Fluttershy needed to hear this. “I would have popped that rainboom regardless if you were there or not, you know that. I – I, I'm glad you were there. You made sure I wasn't alone when I woke up. That's the difference Fluttershy, that's why I love you with all my heart. That last rainboom was all yours, they were all for you, every single one I ever made, you made them all possible, because you believed in me and never doubted me, even when I doubted myself.”

Fluttershy pulled Rainbow Dash into a crushing hug, “I love you.”

You Keep It All In

The mid afternoon sun beamed through the open bedroom window of the tiny cottage, illuminating its lone occupant. Fluttershy lay face down on her bed, lonely tears soaking her pillow and wetting the mattress beneath. She knew she was a mess, but she didn't care. Her blue eyes were bloodshot and puffy, her usually well kept pink hair frizzed and messy. She knew she should be up and about, she had her animals and Angel to care for, she had Rainbow to look after. Her list of chores remained unattended, and she couldn't care less. Thinking on what had happened just made Fluttershy cry harder into her already saturated pillow.

“It wasn't supposed to be like this!” She wailed to no-one in particular. It had all gone so wrong. Why had it gone so wrong? Six short weeks ago everything had been looking up. Rainbow had woken from her coma, she was back amongst the living, with Fluttershy where she belonged.

“It's not fair!” The outburst brought forth fresh tears from the pegasus, and in a fit of anger she threw the sodden pillow across her room where it landed with a wet squelch at the foot of her wardrobe. Burying her head in her hands she began to cry anew. It wasn't fair, she thought when Rainbow had woke up they were over the worst. How foolish she'd had been. Fluttershy just wanted it back the way it was, before that Celestia-damned race. Had she looked she'd would have seen this coming, but she simply didn't look, or didn't want to. She just didn't know anymore.

She remembered the day six weeks ago in the hospital when Rainbow had woke up. It seemed a lifetime away now.

Their first visitor that very morning had been Pinkie Pie. She had literally bounced into Rainbow’s room, pink hair pouffy as ever, claiming her pinkie sense had told her Dashie was awake. It was a huge party to end all parties. Neither Fluttershy nor Rainbow knew where Pinkie had stashed her party cannon, but by the time they were done, confetti, streamers and balloons were festooned about the hospital room. Pinkie had talked about everything. She talked to Dashie about her injuries, about the wing, about flying. Pinkie held nothing back and absolutely nothing was off limits. Dashie did have some mood swings about some things but she made it through the party. In the end Rainbow Dash had grown tired and thanked Pinkie Pie for being a true friend. Before Pinkie had left kissed us both and told Rainbow she was going to visit all the time. Dashie had been in the best mood when Pinkie had left us, The yellow pegasus had her girlfriend back like she was before, they had kissed like they had the very first time Dash had told Fluttershy she loved her, and had fallen asleep with a smile on their faces.

~ Fluttershy wept at the happy memory, how she wished she could have that beautiful day back. ~

A knock on the hospital room door brought Rainbow and Fluttershy out of their snuggle, blushes tinting their cheeks with a faint crimson. Fluttershy rested her head on her girlfriends shoulder as Rainbow called out in her raspy voice, “come on in!”

Nurse Redheart stuck her head around the door, ever-present smile plastered on her face. “Morning guys, how are we doing today?”

“Awesome nurse, thanks. Say I've only been awake two days and I feel great, except when I get tired ya know?” Rainbow couldn't help but wrap an arm around Fluttershy as she laid next to her.

“Well, just letting you two know the Wonderbolts are dropping in to see you later.”

Rainbow couldn't help but let out a little squee in spite of herself at the thought of a visit from her heroes. Smiling nurse Redheart turned and left them alone.

“Dashie?” Fluttershy looked up at her from her position next to Rainbow.

“Yeah Shy?”

“You, um, going to wear the uniform they left for you?”

“I… don't think so, wouldn't it be weird, seeing as I can't fly?” Fluttershy could sense Rainbow’s mood starting to go sour, and decided to go on the offensive.

“Would you wear it for me?” She asked with a hopeful smile.

“Why?”

“Because, um, I…I think you’d look really sexy in it…?” Her voice threatened to fail her and Fluttershy tried her best to hide behind her pink hair.

Rainbow raised a sceptical eyebrow at her timid girlfriend, “look at me Flutters, I’m not sexy…anymore.”

"You are, to me."

"I'm not wearing the uniform Shy.”

“Please…?” The yellow pegasus put on her best pout face, as Rarity had taught her, in the hopes that Rainbow would give in.

“No!” Rainbow Dash yelled the negative a bit more forcefully then she meant too, and instantly regretted scaring her partner, who shrunk away from her with a frightened ‘eep!’ Relenting a little, Rainbow offered her an apologetic glance. “Okay, look, give me the badge, I'll put it on my hospital gown, alright?”

"Yay!” Fluttershy gave an excited squeal of delight as she hunted for the uniform and badge pin.

Rainbow shook her head, her untidy multi coloured hair swaying about as she smiled at Fluttershy’s enthusiasm. ‘Let her win one every now and then’, she thought to herself.

~ That had been Fluttershy’s last happy memory of that day. She had finally convinced Rainbow to wear at least the badge pin, and they were both eagerly awaiting the Wonderbolts visit. Dashie had been virtually bouncing with glee, a day spent with the Wonderbolts was a good day for her.

Sadly, the visit hadn't gone well. Not well at all. To be honest it had been horrible, an utter disaster. ~

Later that day, Fluttershy guessed it was around noon, seeing as the staff were serving up the lunches, the hospital let both Spitfire and Soarin’ in at the same time and the visit that followed was an unequivocal disaster in every sense. Dashie wanted to talk about what they’re doing, about flying, about what she loved. Soarin’ hardly talked at all and Spitfire kept changing the subject to anything but flying. Neither of the elite fliers took any notice of the lack of uniform, nor did they comment about the the badge Rainbow was wearing.

They talked to Fluttershy, the bed, the wall, but neither would talk to Dash. Their attention was everywhere except where it should have been, which made it all the more noticeable. It didn't come to much of a surprise to Fluttershy when her girlfriend announced she was tired. The yellow pegasus doubted she actually was, but honesty was Applejack's thing, not Rainbow’s. Dash unleashed an incredibly fake yawn that wouldn't have fooled anyone, and both Wonderbolts quickly left without a goodbye of a backwards glance. The Wonderbolts captain badge flew through the air and bounced off the back of the closing door, having been ripped from Rainbow’s gown by the injured pegasus herself.

“Bastards!” Rainbow Dash, the tough girl who never cried in front of anyone ever, turned to Fluttershy with tears streaming down her sky blue face. “I’m ugly Shy, ugly and no one loves me, all they're ever gonna see are these scars and my missing wing…” she cried out, unable to hold her feelings in any longer.

Fluttershy held her tight and stroked her hair, “hey, you're beautiful, I love you, I always have and I always will, no matter what.” Rainbow just cried harder, wetting her girlfriends shirt with her tears as Fluttershy rocked with her on the hospital bed, repeating over and over that she loved her until Rainbow eventually cried herself to sleep. Laying her down in the bed Fluttershy secretly hoped the Wonderbolts would never come back.

They never did.

The next day brought a pleasant surprise when Twilight stopped in to visit Rainbow Dash while she was touring the hospital. The princess had made sure that there would be time during the tour to stop off and sit with Rainbow for a catch up on what she had missed. Most of it didn't interest her much, it was as Rainbow called it ‘princessy egghead stuff’, much to Twilight’s annoyance. The pegasus quickly changed her tune though when Twilight gave her the gift she had brought her.

Rainbow looked disbelieving at the book in her shaking hands, not willing to accept it was real. “Daring Do and the Rings of Fire? A first edition of Daring Do and the Rings of Fire!? Really?”

Twilight took the pristine hard back novel from Rainbow’s shaky grasp, opened the cover to reveal the page inside with a smug grin the Alicorn usually saved for completion of reshelving day, “not just a first edition Rainbow, an autographed first edition limited to a run of one. This one. When Daring, I mean A. K. Yearling, publishes this in a month’s time they won't be quite the same.”

Rainbow looked at the signed inscription, and had to fight back the lump in her throat, or risk looking sappy in front of Twilight. She read it three times without realising it. ‘Rainbow Dash, fellow adventurer, No.1 fan, friend. Get well soon, Daring Do.’

“She - she wrote this for me?”

"Yep, delivered it to the castle personally yesterday morning, asked me if I'd do her the favour of giving it to you.”

"Wow, thanks Twi…” Rainbow carefully laid her new prized possession on the bedside table, as reverently as if it was Starswirl the Bearded’s oldest surviving scroll.

"So, Rainbow, how’s the recovery going? Hope they're treating you well in here?”

Fluttershy answered while her girlfriend was still distracted by the shiny new book, “she’s as stubborn as Applejack on Apple Bucking day Twilight. I, um, I have to threaten to tickle her feet before she’ll even consider doing the physio the doctor ordered, and I wish I had a bit for every time I have to remind her to take her meds.”

Realising she was being spoken about Rainbow tore her eyes from the new book, “hey, that's not true…”

“Sorry, but it is sweetie, and you know it.” Fluttershy interrupted her with a wink aimed at Twilight, who immediately caught the hint.

“Oh really?” Twilight arched an eyebrow at Rainbow, “Fluttershy, royal command. No Daring Do book unless the physio is done without complaint, and if she tries to forget her meds, I'll send Rarity round to use her as a willing test subject for her latest fashion line.”

"Got it Twilight.”

Rainbow pouted like a scorned filly, “hey, isn't there some rule about bullying a cripple?”

Twilight looked at her with a stern expression. “Not when it's for your own good, no there isn't.”

“Ugh fine you win, I'll do the damned physio…” Rainbow’s pout turned into a small grin as Twilight and Fluttershy high fived over their little win. “But if Rarity comes near me with a tape measure she’ll be in the next room once I'm done.”

“Deal.”

A knock on the door interrupted the three friends as an aged unicorn stallion entered with a bow to Twilight. “Pardon me your majesty, but the hospital tour is overdue.”

“Can't we spare a few more minutes Scribe?”

“I'm afraid not your majesty, we are an hour behind schedule as it is.”

Twilight knew she was defeated, and that it was pointless to argue. Royal duties had to be attended to after all, as was the burden of her new status. “Alright Scribe I'm coming. Sorry girls I need to cut this short.”

"It's okay Twi, we wouldn't want you to be tardy.” Rainbow sniggered at the eye twitch her comment earned her.

Twilight leaned in to Rainbow for a tight hug, and then gave one to Fluttershy before turning to leave and carry on the now overdue tour. “Look after her Fluttershy.”

“Always…”

Fluttershy gave the princess a small wave as she left Dash’s room, grateful that her friend's visit had cheered up Rainbow after the disastrous Wonderbolt visit the day before. Twilight had been just what Rainbow needed. A growl from her belly alerted Fluttershy to what she needed, although a quick check of her watch told her that lunches wouldn't be served up for another ninety minutes. There was always the hospital store, they sold excellent healthy snacks, and it was only down the hall from Rainbow’s room. ‘I could use a different set of four walls to look at,’ the pegasus thought to herself as she saw Rainbow reach for her new book.

“Dashie?”

Rainbow opened the Daring Do book at its first page and got ready to immerse herself in what was sure to be an awesome story. “Hmm, yeah Shy?” Rainbow didn't look up from her page.

“I'm going to the store for a snack, want anything while I'm there?”

The cyan pegasus was already on the next page, her cerise eyes devouring the words like her girlfriend was planning on devouring a haycake. “No thanks babe I'm good.”

“I'll be about ten minutes, that okay?”

“Uh huh…” Rainbow absent-mindedly muttered as she turned another page.

Fifteen minutes later and Fluttershy was making her way back to Rainbow, having treated herself to not one but two haycakes. After a few weeks of hospital food, even one as great as Canterlot Royal, the haycakes were heavenly. Instantly upon entering the room and seeing Rainbow laid there she could tell something was wrong. She had been crying, and her new book was nowhere to be seen.

"Rainbow?"

“What?” She sounded sullen and moody, leaving Fluttershy to wonder what had happened in her absence.

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing.” Rainbow lied, not bothering to look at her girlfriend as she answered.

“Tell me what's happened…” Fluttershy sat on the edge of the bed, and tried to take Dash's hand in hers, but Rainbow just pulled away and rolled over in the bed, turning her back to the yellow pegasus.

“Nothing. Leave it.”

Fluttershy tried a different tac, in an attempt to break through Rainbow’s wall from a different angle. “Dashie, where's your book?”

“Gone.” This time Fluttershy was sure she heard a distinct sniffle along with the sullen one word reply. Something had obviously upset Rainbow while she was out, but getting through to her was like trying to break a rock with a spoon.

“Gone? Gone where?”

“It's just gone alright! Now leave me alone I'm going to sleep.” Rainbow jerked the bed sheets up over her shoulders, almost throwing Fluttershy to the floor with the rough motion.

Her girlfriend sat on the bed in silence, fighting back her own tears while she listened to Rainbow's snores. At a loss for anything else to do she got up and began to tidy the hospital room. That said, she saw the book in the trash bin next to the bed. Reaching for the book Fluttershy pulled it out and looked it over, noticing one of the pages had been messed up, the page in question sticking out from the others. Opening the book at the damaged page what she saw hit her like a ton of bricks. It looked for all the world like it had been left out in the rain, the page showed an illustration of Daring Do flying through several rings of burning fire, the last ring had caught her wing, burning it and sending her crashing to the ground. The page had been crumpled and partially torn out. Fluttershy ran her hand over the page, smoothing out the paper before hiding the book in her bag. Someday she and Rainbow could read it together, someday.

Applejack and Rarity each visited also, but both were awkward. They talked at length about what they were doing and let Fluttershy know things were fine at her cottage, that her animals were being taken care of, but again they had a hard time focusing on Rainbow. It wasn’t anywhere near as bad as the Wonderbolts, but not as good as Twilight's visit. When they left Fluttershy still had to comfort her girlfriend, but at least she didn’t cry this time.

Only Pinkie Pie’s visits every week would help to raise Rainbow’s spirits. A quiet party for three, but Pinkie knew enough to talk straight to Dashie. No subject was ever taboo for Pinkie and when she left Fluttershy could never thank her enough. That temporary lift though couldn’t make up for the lousy week.

Fluttershy and Rainbow were both so happy when the doctors said her beloved could finally go home.

They took a taxi to Fluttershy’s cottage near the forest. It would be their place now. Fluttershy had always told Dashie that she wasn’t comfortable living in the clouds, and she never really talked about living on the ground. Now the yellow pegasi’s dream was going to come true. They would share a home together, their home.

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom met us at the door. The place looked wonderful and it was obvious to see all the effort the three crusaders had put into watching over everything while they had been gone. Scootaloo was conspicuously absent, but nobody brought it up. That would be a bridge to cross later.

Rainbow took a seat on the couch as Fluttershy went into the kitchen to fetch her a beer and some tea for herself. It had been just over six weeks since her Dashie had had a drink, and the doctors had assured her the odd one or two cans every other day wouldn't do any harm. Fluttershy settled in snuggling next to her girlfriend when the door burst open and the party cannon went off.

All of their friends had come over to throw Rainbow Dash a surprise welcome home party. It certainly was a surprise, Rainbow almost had a heart attack as she was showered in confetti. The party had started off well, everyone was enjoying it, there were copious amounts of hugs, music, food, and drinks. Everyone was laughing and joking, having a good time. It felt normal, just like old times.

“Hey Dashie, if you ever need to get up to your place, you can totally borrow my balloon anytime!” Pinkie Pie bounced over to Rainbow and pulled a miniature hot air balloon from her pouffy pink hair and handed it to her with a huge Pinkie smile.

Everyone froze, stopping whatever they were doing and staring daggers at Pinkie. Fluttershy looked at Rainbow, who had a grin on her face, returning Pinkie’s smile with her own.

"Ya know what Pinks, I just mi…”

Then the cottage exploded in noise, Twilight and Applejack both lambasted Pinkie for what they perceived was an insensitive comment. Pinkie deflated immediately, both literally and figuratively, dropping to the floor in floods of tears.

Rainbow caught Fluttershy’s eye, her easy smile long gone and her mood sullen. “I'm goin’ upstairs Shy, I'm suddenly very tired.” Dash stalked across the living room of the cottage, shooting filthy looks at Twilight and Applejack as she went, before slamming the door hard behind her.

The argument between Twilight and Applejack was still going, neither had noticed Rainbow’s departure from the party, Rarity chimed in condemning them all for making Rainbow leave. All three were ignoring Fluttershy and the distraught Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy decided she’d had enough.

Raising her voice as loud as she could she managed to silence her three friends. “That is enough!” Three sets of eyes suddenly focused on the pegasus, but she kept her nerve. “Thank you for coming to the party, but I think you all should go home now...if you will, please.” With mumbled apologizes all but Pinkie Pie left.

The pink girl was sitting on the floor, hair all straight and devoid of her usual life. Crying she kept trying to apologize over and over again. “S-sorry Fluttershy, I-I didn't mean to upset everyone and ruin the party!”

“You didn't, Dashie was enjoying your company. We both love how you treat her exactly the same as before. You've been brilliant with her Pinkie. Rainbow looks forward to your visits the most. You always leave her with a smile on her face.” Fluttershy pulled her into a tight hug, “I wanted to thank you for being such a good friend to Rainbow and me.” This cheered the party planner a little, her hair had regained a degree of its bounciness, but not much.

By the time the two girls had cleared away the remains of the surprise party Pinkie’s mood had improved considerably, and when it came time for her to leave too she exited the cottage with her smile and hair fully restored. Fluttershy couldn't help but admire Pinkie’s ability to bounce back. She hoped the same would prove true for Rainbow…

Fluttershy and Rainbow didn’t get many visitors after the party, but that didn’t bother Fluttershy much, as she never used to get very many before all this happened anyway, except maybe the odd somebody wanting advice with their pets. Sometimes Rainbow Dash would come out and sit in the sun to watch Fluttershy while she worked with those animals she kept that stayed outside, such as the chickens and pigs, but one day the caretaker noticed she simply stopped doing so. Paying it no mind she carried on working.

However Fluttershy couldn't help but notice Rainbow was becoming more and more withdrawn as the days wore on, and nothing she tried seemed to snap her out of it. At night they would share a bed but there was no intimacy, even when Fluttershy tried a simple cuddle her girlfriend pulled away, leaving her partner lonely and confused as to what was wrong. In the day they shared the living space but precious little else, Fluttershy was starting to feel like they weren’t together anymore.

Just when Fluttershy thought her life couldn't get much worse of course life had to go and prove her wrong. After a particularly stressful day dealing with some really uncooperative animals all Fluttershy wanted was to share her bed with her beloved.

At the top of the short flight of stairs Rainbow turned to Fluttershy, “I’m going to sleep in the spare room to give you some space.” Without waiting for a response The cyan pegasus walked into the spare room and closed the door leaving her partner alone in the hallway.

Fluttershy stood in the hallway, too stunned to move. ‘What have I done wrong?’ She thought to herself, mystified at Rainbow’s behaviour. Slowly, as if she were sleep-walking, she made her way to their, no, her bedroom. Calm as she appeared internally the pegasus wanted to scream, to throw and smash something. Picking up her bedside lamp she was about to throw it across her room, instead Fluttershy settled for throwing herself on her bed. ‘I just want Dashie to love me, why won't she love me?’ She cried out as the first of many tears began to flow freely onto her pillow.

Rainbow Dash didn’t come down the next day, preferring to spend the day in her room. Fluttershy wheeled the dialysis machine into the room with the lunch she had hand prepared and had to hand feed that to her, Rainbow just on her bed looking at the steaming food with dead eyes. She allowed herself to be fed like a baby, barely being bothered to chew what Fluttershy gave her. When the food was gone Rainbow just rolled over on the bed without comment, turning her back to her girlfriend. Same went for dinner. The next day proved to be no different, the pattern repeating itself as Fluttershy patiently fed Rainbow, hiding her grieving frustration as she did so.

“I'm meeting Rarity at the spa today.” Fluttershy piped up as she was feeding her breakfast the day after. Rainbow made no comment, or even acknowledged that she’d heard her speak at all, she just stared blankly ahead, mechanically eating the food she was offered. “I'm leaving now, you want anything?” Again Rainbow offered no comment, merely watching as Fluttershy left the room with the used breakfast things.

The spa was heaven. Just what Fluttershy needed after the past few days dealing with Rainbow. Aloe and Lotus had shown them to their usual mud baths for their appointment. Sinking into the warm mud Rarity had a feeling something was amiss with her friend.

“Darling, whatever is the matter?”

Fluttershy answered her friend straightaway, mulling over the best way to phrase her reply. In the end she went with; “it's…complicated.”

Rarity however wasn't accepting that as an answer. “Come now dear, you listen to my problems all the time, it's about time I return the favour hmm?”

Fluttershy had to concede Rarity had a point there. Maybe it would do her good to unload on her friend, and she had offered. “It's - it's Rainbow…”

“Aha! I knew it! What's that ruffian done now?” Rarity exclaimed as she cut Fluttershy off in mid-sentence.

“That's just it Rarity, she hasn't ‘done’ anything. Absolutely nothing at all…”

“I'm afraid I don't understand darling, she hasn’t done anything?” Rarity looked at her questioningly, clearly wanting to elaborate.

“Well…” Then Fluttershy’s floodgates opened. She confessed everything to her friend, she left nothing out, starting with the accident; the weeks spent waiting for Rainbow to wake up, not knowing if she would or not; the internal organ damage and limited time left to live; the disastrous Wonderbolts visit and its effect on Rainbow; and finally Fluttershy told Rarity about Rainbow’s behaviour at home, about her taking to the spare room and lack of doing anything.

To her credit Rarity listened without interruption until Fluttershy was finished. She then sat in the mud quietly for a moment or two more, contemplating her answer. Eventually she offered her opinion, “it sounds to me like Rainbow Dash is depressed Fluttershy. You need to bring her out of it, and sooner rather than later I fancy, dear.”

“But, how? Every time I try and talk to her she doesn't even register she’s heard me…”

“Well darling, Rainbow has lost that which she considers makes her Rainbow Dash, namely flying. We all know it was her raison d’etre as t’were. Put simply, she's lost the joy she felt when flying. You have to replace it with something else Rainbow can hold on to.”

When it was time to leave the spa Fluttershy was no closer to solving the problem that was Rainbow Dash, but she did feel better than she had in days, so she was thankful for small mercies these days. The two friends walked together until they arrived at the Carousel Boutique, where Rarity said her goodbyes, leaving Fluttershy to make her own way home.

“Rainbow?” Fluttershy called out as she entered their cottage. Getting no reply she looked around the kitchen and living room, seeing nothing had been touched or moved Fluttershy made her way to the bottom of the stairs.

“Rainbow Dash!” Still she got nothing in reply as she started to climb the stairs. Hesitantly Fluttershy pushed open the spare room door, shocked at the sight that greeted her.

Rainbow, her Rainbow was laid out on the bed. Looking for all Equestria as though death had already claimed her, in fact for a moment Fluttershy thought she was dead, only the rise and fall of her chest gave her away.

Casting a glance at the dialysis machine beside the bed Fluttershy could tell something was amiss. The concerned pegasus danced her fingers over the buttons, pressing a few and checking the display screen with a frown. Rainbow just lay there, neither acknowledging her girlfriend nor the beeping from the machine next to her.

“Rainbow, sweetie, when was the last time you used this?”

Silence.

Checking the screen Fluttershy’s eyes widened, “three days? You haven't used it in three days?”

More silence. Rainbow hadn't so much as moved since Fluttershy entered her room. Rainbow offered no resistance as she attached the tubes from the machine to her. A different set of beeps confirmed it was working properly.

“I need to go feed the animals, I'll check on you later okay hun?” Rainbow merely grunted in response, but didn't bother to move as Fluttershy left the spare room and made her way down the stairs to attend her critters. The relaxing effects of the afternoon at the spa were already ebbing away, she may as well not bothered going at this rate.

Four hours later Fluttershy slammed her front door in a huff. She was tired and sweaty, and her slender arms ached from hauling the bags of food about. Dirt from her garden was plastered over her jeans from her slip near the pigs. Tea. She needed tea, and she needed it now. As her feet were getting sore she flapped her wings to the kitchen and got the tea from the overhead cupboards. Catching a whiff of her own sweat Fluttershy decided a bath was in order too. ‘A nice long bath does sound nice, wonder if Dashie will join me?’ The exhausted pegasus shook her head at the thought.

"Who am I kidding?” She asked out loud to the empty kitchen, before she caught herself, “and now I'm talking to myself…good one Fluttershy.” Abandoning the tea for later she decided to go check on Rainbow, see how she was doing with her dialysis.

She was both happy and dismayed, happy that Rainbow hadn't disconnected herself, but dismayed to see that she hadn’t moved at all during the few hours that she'd been busy downstairs. Fluttershy almost stamped her foot in frustration, but managed to catch herself. With an audible huff she went over and unhooked the tubes from Rainbow and switched off the dialysis. A thought struck the yellow pegasus and she brushed her pink hair out of her face as she leant down to give her girlfriend a kiss. Rainbow just rolled on her side with a grunt, turning her back to Fluttershy without another sound. Stooped as she was over the bed Fluttershy couldn't help but notice for the first time the stale unclean odour wafting from Rainbow. She smelt like she hadn't washed in days. So strong was the smell it momentarily made her forget about the unreturned kiss and bought back to mind the thought of that bath.

In the bathroom Fluttershy filled the large round tub with warm water, sprinkling her favourite rose scented bath salts into it once it was sufficiently full. Steam from the hot water wafted the rose fragrance over the troubled pegasus, and she breathed it in deeply. Next she placed a number cinnamon candles around the small bathroom, lighting each one as she placed it. The combined scent of the rose and cinnamon was heavenly.

Fluttershy then stripped off her soiled clothes, dumping them in the clothes basket for washing. Flexing her yellow wings she shivered as her feathers tickled her lower back, reminding her sadly how Rainbow used to tickle her. It almost seemed a lifetime ago now…the way the hairs of her pink tail stroked her calves sent more shivers through her. It really had been way too long…

Full of a reckless confidence she didn't really feel Fluttershy strode naked into the spare room, her round full breasts bouncing with each step. Rainbow didn't take any notice as she walked up to her, and without a word of explanation began to unfasten the wing flap of the cyan pegasi’s dirty shirt and lift it off of her. Fluttershy wasn't surprised to see Rainbow hadn't put a bra on, not that her perky little breasts required one, at least that made this easier.

Rainbow only tried to stop Fluttershy when she hooked her delicate hands around her filthy panties and made to remove those too. However one quick tug and the dirty undergarment joined the soiled shirt on the floor. Rainbow brought her hand round in an attempted slap as her girlfriend leant forward to pick her up, luckily Fluttershy was quick enough to catch her hand before it struck her cheek, and used the movement to lift Rainbow Dash into a fireman’s carry.

"Fluttershy what the fuck are ya doing? Where ya takin’ me?” Rainbow tried kicking her legs and thrashed her arms against Fluttershy's determined grip to no avail. “Will you put me DOWN!” Quickly realising her struggles were getting her nowhere Rainbow settled for screaming at her instead.

“We’re going for a bath Dashie that's all, I'm afraid you stink.” ‘And to give you a last chance to come back to me’ Fluttershy thought to herself, quietly panicking beneath her calm exterior. ‘What if this doesn't work?’

Fluttershy carried her into the bathroom and Rainbow stopped struggling when she saw the candles. Placing her gently in the tub Fluttershy quickly joined her girlfriend in the water. Again she just sat there lifeless, all animation had left her once she had been put down. Rainbow sat motionless in the bath as Fluttershy carefully washed her hair, her face, and upper body. It wasn’t until she slipped the sponge between her legs under the pretence of cleaning her sex that she reacted. Rainbow leapt so abruptly to her feet she had to hold the wall to keep from falling. Water sloshed over the sides of the bath at the sudden violent movement.

Rainbow Dash looked down at Fluttershy, who was still sat before her. A mixture of surprise, anger, and…was it, fear? Played across the sky blue pegasus’ face, “Shy...No…just, no, no, I can't do this…” she repeated over and over.

Rainbow bolted from the tub and the room without bothering to dry herself off. Fluttershy heard the spare room door slam shut as she sat frozen in the bathtub. Shock coursed through her. Rainbow had left her alone again. Absent-mindedly she finished her own wash, though she wasn't paying much attention to her own thoroughness. Stepping out of the bath Fluttershy towelled herself dry, only paying the barest attention to her wings before making her way to what was now her room. By the time her hand reached the door knob hot salty tears were flowing freely down her face. Throwing herself onto her bed she buried her face into her pillow and gave full vent to her anguish and despair. Truly, Fluttershy had never felt so alone, so utterly and absolutely alone as she did at this moment.

Fluttershy lifted her head from the tear soaked pillow and looked through her pink hair. On the dresser was a blue collar. Her collar. Rainbow had given it to her not long after they had started seeing each other two years ago. When she wore it she was the pet, and Rainbow was her mistress. Sometimes whole weekends would be spent in these roles. For Fluttershy, who was always in charge of her animals and other responsibilities it was a welcome release, to have another wholly in command of her.

It had been too long since her mistress last saw to her needs. Fluttershy felt her mistress abandoned her pet. Celestia, she wasn't even sure Rainbow loved her pet anymore. She had been naughty a few times on purpose to provoke a reaction, but the mistress didn’t even notice her anymore. She had been abandoned and somehow it was all her fault. The yellow pegasus had failed her mistress, and now she was truly alone as a result. Was this the price of her failure? Was this her just punishment?

She looked at the collar again and something inside snapped. It was resolve. It was power. The mistress may be gone, but it was now time for a new mistress, and she will show her pet what punishment really means for displeasing her. “I am no longer the pet,” she said aloud to an empty room as she reached for the collar, “I am now the mistress and you are the pet my little Dashie.”

The yellow pegasus dressed as would befit a mistress. Her long pink hair was scraped back into a harsh ponytail, white bra covered her ample cleavage – Dash was always jealous that Shy’s breasts were that much bigger than her own – Almost sheer white stockings covered her long legs, and a white mini skirt rounded off her attire. Her wings and tail fluttered and swished against her in anticipation of what was to come, it felt good.

She reached into the closet for the toy bag. With a stern smile on her lips she left the bedroom and, after a very brief side trip to her tool shed, carefully entered the spare room. Rainbow was sound asleep on the bed. Fluttershy saw moisture glisten on Rainbow's naked back, she wasn't surprised she hadn’t bothered to dry herself after the bath, this was just one more item added to the list of her disobedience.

Rainbow lay on her belly which would save some time. Fluttershy knew that Dash could and would sleep through a raging thunderstorm, but she still wanted to be careful not to wake her early. First on was the sky blue collar. It was a mark of ownership. It established who the mistress was and who the pet was. Next came the cuffs at her ankles and wrists followed by the leads clipped to the cuffs and then to the eyebolts under the bedframe. It was considerate of Dash to sleep in the play room, but not enough to ease her punishment. The ball gag was added next with care. Not that it was needed since no one was nearby to hear her screams. The leads were tightened with caution too least the pegasus wake early. Fluttershy admired her pet spread eagle on her belly and walked around to appreciate the beauty. She casually flicked her rainbow tail to the outside of her leg to fully enjoy the view.

Now for the difficult part, one that would surly wake the sleeping mare. Fluttershy took three of the six wing cuffs out of the bag and briefly thought of the implication of that. The thought was quickly suppressed as she wove the cuffs through feathers of Rainbow's right wing to fasten them over the leading edge of flesh and bone.

She saw Rainbow’s eyes fly open in shock as she extended the wing. The pegasus fought back but her underused wing was no match to Fluttershy’s upper body strength. She slipped the pole through the cuff rings. One lead was already attached to the wall. She attached the final lead to the pole once it was through the third ring. The yellow pegasus quickly ensured all the leads were tight to immobilize her pet.

No, not a pet, she wasn’t worthy of that title. Animal, yes that was it, an animal had gotten loose in her house. Fluttershy stood in front of the extended wing and smiled at the captive animal.

“You are not a pegasus. You are an animal,” she stated with infinite calm. Dash turned her head and looked to the other side of the room. Fluttershy reached over to the blue wing and yanked out a tertiary feather. She knew from experience it would sting, but not that badly. It was enough to get the animal to return its gaze on her. She laid the feather on the bed where Dash could see it.

“As I was saying you’re an animal. An animal caught in a trap. The trap has your wing so what would an animal do about that. I think they would chew through the wing to escape the trap.” Fluttershy moved the toy bag over to the bedside knowing Dash couldn’t see inside. Before she entered the room she went to the shed to add one more item to the bag. She brought it out now for Dash to see. The pink haired pegasus set the hacksaw on the bed. “I will give you a choice animal. Will you stay in the trap or will you escape at the cost of your own body?”

Rainbow Dash was still in shock over what Fluttershy was doing. Bound and gagged as she was the pegasus couldn’t protest. Confusion reigned in her head, what was with calling her an animal? Then what was with Fluttershy acting this way? ‘I'm her mistress,’ Rainbow thought to herself with a touch of resentment, ‘who does Shy think she is?’ Then Fluttershy dropped the bomb. Dash couldn’t look away from the hacksaw.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the yellow girl removed the gag. She had asked a question, and she clearly expected an answer. Rainbow looked up from the hacksaw and decided to call her bluff. “Take it,” she tersely commented.

“As you wish, animal,” Fluttershy stated with utter calm. She picked up the saw and placed it against the wing base.

With the saw resting where feathers met flesh Fluttershy paused, “last chance to save your wing…”

“I said take it you yellow bitch!”

Then Fluttershy pulled and Rainbow Dash screamed. The yellow pegasus allowed the screams to wash over her leaving no mark of their passage. She pushed forward with no downward pressure, but the blades teeth still cut. Dash’s screams changed to pleads.

“Stop, in Celestia’s name please stop,” cried out the captive pegasus. “I’m sorry, please stop, please!”

Fluttershy set the hacksaw down on the bed. Rainbow could see the blood on the blade before a yellow wing blocked her view. The mistress removed a couple more items from the bag. She applied an antiseptic ointment with a numbing agent to the shallow wound which bled heavily, and followed with a dressing to staunch the flow. Tears sprang to her eyes doing this simple act, but she quickly wiped them away. Mistress Fluttershy couldn’t show any weakness in front of her pet. Once begun she had to follow this through to the end.

The pegasus removed her wing from the front of Dash’s face and looked upon her with a stern gaze. “Maybe you are not an animal. Maybe you can be my pet. Do you wish to be my pet?”

“Yes” the blue pegasus answered through her sobs.

“I don’t think I heard you. I will let you answer again.” She lowered herself to eye level, “Do you wish to be my pet?”

“Yes Mistress,” the pegasus replied, her sobs softer.

Fluttershy removed the bloodied hacksaw from view and set it on the floor. She then backed away from the bound pet, “Now let me see if I want to keep you. I know, let’s play a game. I will ask you some simple questions and you will give me honest answers.” She gave her pet a beaming smile, “do you understand?”

“Yes,” Rainbow replied but saw the Mistress’ eyes narrow, “Yes Mistress,” she quickly amended.

Fluttershy spread her wings to their full extent. She had already ensured they were carefully preened. Like a humming bird she hovered lifting her feet off the floor. “Tell me, what am I doing now my pet?”

“Ya...you…you're…flying, Mistress,” Stammered the blue pegasus before she turned her head to face the far wall.

Fluttershy flew over the bed back into Dash’s view. “Do you like it my pet?”

Dash shut her eyes tight and through clenched teeth answered, “Yes, Mistress.”

The yellow pegasus flew back to the other side of the bed and ripped out a blue secondary feather. From experience she knew that would hurt. Rainbow screamed and whipped her head around to look at her. “Lying will be punished!” She dropped the feather to rest with the first, “I will give you a second chance. Do you like what you see?”

Rainbow Dash trembled with fear as she fought through the pain, “Naa...no Mistress, I don’t.”

“That’s better,” cooed Mistress Fluttershy. “Now tell me pet, why? Why don’t you like it?” she asked as she reached into the blue wing to hold another feather. Her pet was crying again, but she would remain steadfast to the end of this game of dominance.

Rainbow Dash could feel that she had taken hold of one of her primary feathers. The wind across her face from the flapping of Fluttershy’s wings was a painful reminder of what she couldn’t do. She was afraid to answer the question, but more afraid not to. She knew the true answer and hated herself for it. In a low defeated voice she said, “Because I can’t Mistress.”

“You hate me for doing it don’t you pet?” She tugged at the feather she held. The pressure caused Dash to shake with fear. “Answer me!”

Rainbow couldn't contain it anymore, the weeks of pent up emotions she’d suppressed washed over her like a dam bursting its walls, she held nothing back. She admitted everything, how she hated her body, resented herself for the accident, her jealousy over Fluttershy being whole, how she hated this whole situation and how much she was scared of what was to come. At some point Rainbow had cried herself out, she had no tears left, and she was dry sobbing in the wake of her humiliation. She didn't feel Fluttershy release her wing, and land beside her on the bed, pulling her into an embrace like she hadn't done since that day she woke up in the hospital. Planting a soft tender kiss on Rainbow’s lips she stroked her multi colored hair, comforting her girlfriend till her sobbing stopped. Eventually Shy sat up, breaking the embrace and looked at Rainbow, her expression serious once more.

"One more question pet. Just one more. After what I've just done to you, do you still love me?”

Rainbow raised her head up as much as her bindings would allow. Looking at Fluttershy she saw the Mistress façade slip just a little, her timid self vulnerable. Rainbow knew deep down what the last few moments had cost her, how hard it must've been for her girlfriend to do what she’d just done, for her sake. Realization dawned, she felt like the last six weeks were sloughing off her like a bad second skin. She’d never felt more like herself in a long time. “Fluttershy, no. I love you because of what you've just done, because of what it cost you to do. You're my angel and I love you so very much.”

Fluttershy smiled a soft smile, “Do you still want to play this game Dashie?” Her pet nodded with enthusiasm. “Then, my pet, the first thing I’m going to do is preen your wing.” She saw fear return to Dash’s face but ignored it. She flew over the top of the extended wing and landed behind it happy to give her own wings a rest. She preened slowly and sensually removing loose feathers from the long neglected wing. Rainbow's soft moans were music to her ears. She added the collected feathers to the growing pile in front of the pegasus.

Once the wing was restored to pristine condition she moved a hand between Dash’s legs and slipped her fingers though the folds her lover’s labia and the hand came away slick with desire. She tasted her lover’s essence. It had been too long since her own needs had been met. Mistress first and pet second.

“Excellent Pet.” Fluttershy spread her wings once more, and rose above the bed, hovering over Rainbow’s face. Lowering herself just a little, Shy placed her left foot on Rainbow’s chin, her stockinged toes resting on her lower lip. “My feet are tired Pet. You will attend them. Understand?” Rainbow understood alright. She gave Shy her nod without hesitation. “Good. Now, open your mouth and take my stocking in your teeth.” Dash did as she was told, tilting her head forwards as she could and opened her mouth to take all of her Mistress’ toes in at once, running her tongue over and around each through her white stocking.

Fluttershy let out a surprised “Eeeep!” Before turning into a low moan of pleasure. Casting a glance upwards Dash noticed for the first time that Shy hadn't bothered with panties under the short skirt, and that three fingers on her right hand was buried knuckle deep in her moistening pussy, sawing away at her shaven clit while Rainbow continued her attention on her toes, now adding little nips and sucks to each digit in turn. Mistress then lifted her foot from Rainbow’s mouth and quickly inserted her right one instead. “Let us not forget this one Pet, it also needs attention.” Rainbow smirked a happy smirk as she got to work, mirroring her earlier efforts, sucking her Mistress’ toes for all she was worth while she watched her dig her fingers deeper into her wet snatch. Dash could tell from her moans she was close to cumming, that and the steady drips of fanny juice splashing Rainbow’s forehead.

“Know what Pet? I have something better for you to clean.” With that she abruptly folded her wings and dropped to her ass at the head of the bed and wrapped her long legs around her Pet’s head, placing herself inches from Rainbow’s mouth. “Tongue out. Now, as far as it will go.” Trying not to look too eager, Rainbow stuck out her tongue as instructed.

“Pet, you have ten seconds. I want to cum in ten seconds flat.” With that Fluttershy thrust her hips forward, the bridge of Rainbow’s nose brushing against her clit and forcing her tongue deep inside her. Immediately Rainbow swirled her tongue around, before wrapping her lips around Shy’s hard nub, sucking like her life depended on it. She knew Shy was close to climaxing, and ten seconds of this attention was more than enough time. Surely enough, with a gentle nip and a last giant suck, her Mistress came hard, screaming as she rutting herself against Rainbow’s face, both hands clutching almost painfully at her prismatic hair for support as she rode out her orgasm. Dismounting her Pet, Fluttershy sat next to her on the bed, panting slightly as she leant in for a kiss, tasting herself as she gently forced her tongue between Rainbow’s lips, a gesture she quickly returned. Breaking the passionate kiss finally, Shy stood up and started untying the restraints on Rainbow’s wrists. “Let's get these off you sweetie, seeing as we’re done here.” She said with a warm smile.

“But…” Rainbow tried and failed to not look disappointed as she moved her freed arms to her side and pushed herself to her elbows. Shy gave a soft chuckle as she moved to untie her ankles. “I never said you got to cum silly, this was my game.” Shy flapped her wings once, vaulting the edge of the bed and landing astride Rainbow’s hips, removing the wing cuffs. “But, if you behave later this afternoon, then I suppose we can play again, and I think a certain awesome Pegasus has an unopened Wonderbolt uniform?”

Rainbow sat upright, hugging Fluttershy in her arms, covering her neck in rapid kisses. Unfurling her wings, Shy wrapped them around her and Rainbow, pulling her in closer. She felt Rainbow flinch ever so slightly at their touch, trying to pull away from the wings. “You ok with me using these?”

Rainbow nodded slowly, her eyes not meeting Shy’s. “Not your fault Fluttershy, I guess I'm just feeling awkward, y’know?”

“You don't have to explain Dashie, and I understand it's awful for you, but we are all here for you, remember? Let us help you.”

“Us? Y-you mean, Twi and the others? I thought I'd pushed them away, that they were your friends now, not mine…” Dash’s voice trailed off to silence, she was sat in Fluttershy’s wings full of shame.

“Well, you um, did, sort of, and well they err, did all fall out with you, um rather a lot, but well they're all going to meet us for a picnic in an hour on the edge of the Everfree so you can build your bridges there.”

Rainbow wasn't buoyed by this revelation, she knew she’d acted badly, and now wanted more than anything to make amends. “But, what if they don't want to know? You know I'm not good with the mushy stuff Fluttershy.”

Shy removed her wings from Dash, folding them against her back. “I'm not saying they’ll forgive you overnight Dashie, just come and sit with us, talk to them, for me?” Fluttering her eyes Rainbow knew she was beaten.

“I don't have much of a choice do I?”

"Not if you want to play Captains and Cadets later, no you don't.” Shy hopped off the bed and started to retrieve her clothes, dressing herself as she hummed a tune.

Rainbow Dash ran a hand over the dressing at the base of her right wing, wincing at the stinging pain the contact caused, before asking, “was this necessary?”

Fluttershy slipped her feet into her white trainers, considering her answer as she tied them. Finally she turned to Rainbow “Yes, I'm afraid it was. You were slipping away from me, and I didn't know how else to reach you. I'm sorry I had to hurt you, but I'm not sorry I did it.”

Dash let that truth sink in for a moment, knowing in her heart Shy was right. She couldn't be cross with her, she’d left her girlfriend no other option. She pushed the ache in her wing to the back of her mind, replacing it instead with an ache in her heart. She didn't want to ask the next question, but she had to know. “Shy, I, I came close, didn't I?”

“To what?”

“To losing you.”

In a barely audible voice, Flutter Shy answered “Yes, yes you did.”

“How close?”

“You really don't want to know. Now come on Pet get dressed and let's go.”

“Yes Mistress...”

I Think, The Answer's Yes

Rainbow, feeling light headed, glanced at her clock as she'd sat naked on the edge of her bed, surprised that the digital readout said it was four fifteen in the afternoon. She stifled a yawn, stretching her arms and legs as did so. Rubbing her sore wrists where her bindings had bitten into her blue skin Rainbow instinctively flexed her right wing, wincing at the stabbing pain that lanced through her muscles from her shallow wound. Shaking her head to clear her daze Rainbow realised how tired she was.

‘Doc Grumpy did say I'd get tired easier from any exertions’ she thought to herself with a wry grin, and what her and Fluttershy had just done certainly qualified as an exertion. This realisation bought home her physical condition to Rainbow, she'd never gotten this tired this quickly before the accident. Gone was the athlete who could fly for eight hours and not break a sweat.

Rainbow watched her Mistress getting dressed, a worried thought crossed her mind. Mistress wanted to go out, for a picnic with the others. The blue pegasus seriously doubted she could make it, given her current fatigue. She'd have to say something, she only hoped her Mistress would understand.

Having gotten herself dressed, Fluttershy turned to her Pet, she'd couldn't help but be slightly disappointed to see her still sitting naked on the edge of the bed. “Aren't you getting dressed?” Fighting back a blush she added, “I don't mind you going naked though.”

Hesitantly Rainbow met her girlfriend's blue eyes as she nervously fingered the blue collar around her neck. “Um…Shy, I mean, Mistress…can - can we do it another day please?” A second yawn escaped her, “sorry I – I’m really tired.”

“Of course we can sweetie, it's no trouble. I'll go call the girls and explain what's up.” Halfway through the bedroom door Fluttershy had an afterthought. “You can take the collar off you know.” She added with a smile.

Rainbow blushed a little, her cheeks glowing red as she looked at the floor uncertainly. “Can I keep it on please Mistress?”

“Sure you can, if you want to. You know Dashie, you don't have to call me Mistress all the time. You never expected it from me all the while.”

“I know, but I kinda like it. It suits you, and…I guess I sorta like being your Pet, it's way cool.”

Fluttershy flashed her a smile. “I'm a lucky Mistress to have such an awesome Pet. You want some help getting into bed?” Rainbow was about to lie down where she was before she was stopped. “No. My Pet sleeps in my bed, understand?”

“Yes Mistress.” Rainbow Dash grinned as she hopped off the bed, landing on her feet with an uncertain wobble. Immediately Fluttershy was at her side, supporting her in her arms.

“I gotcha sweetie.” Fluttershy scooped her up, cradling Rainbow like a foal as she flapped her wings gently, carrying them both to their bedroom. Dashie nestled her head into the crook of her girlfriend’s arm, snuggling comfortably into the hold.

By the time Fluttershy had covered the short distance to the bedroom her Dashie was snoring gently in her arms. Carefully she laid her sleeping girlfriend in the bed, pulling the duvet over her. Rainbow stirred a little as she rolled over, but didn't fully wake herself.

An idea came to Fluttershy as she watched Rainbow get herself comfortable under the covers. “I'm going out for a bit, okay Dashie?”

A muffled “hmmm” was her only reply, before being replaced by more snores from the Rainbow shaped lump under the duvet.

Retrieving her phone from her jacket pocket she flipped it open and hurriedly tapped off a text message to her waiting friends, quickly explaining the change of plan and asking them to meet her at Twilight’s castle in an hours time. Fluttershy had her answer in the affirmative before she had time to reach her front door. Smiling she checked her watch, noting the time of four thirty.

Quickening her pace she hurried towards the open air market in Ponyville, she only had thirty minutes before the shops closed and she wanted to pay a visit to the pet stall…

“Fluttershy, that has to be the single most crazy idea I've ever heard!” Twilight Sparkle stood stunned before the yellow pegasus, eyes wide and wings flared, rubbing her ear to make sure she had heard right. Unfortunately she had.

“Ah hate to say it sugarcube, but ah think Twi’s right, it sure sounds crazy alright.” Applejack sat fanning herself with her stetson, looking at Fluttershy as if she had sprouted three heads.

“Aww come on you guys it sounds super duper fun! I can bring my party cannon, I'll load it with all my best streamers and balloons and noise makers and…”

Rarity silenced Pinkie Pie with a delicately manicured white hand across her mouth before the party planner could get into full flow. “Darling, whilst I can certainly appreciate the romance of the gesture, it does seem a little…foolhardy, does it not?”

Fluttershy sat across from her friends in the common room of the crystal tree castle, listening to all their objections. She had expected them. She herself thought her idea was at the least dangerous, at the most if it went wrong it would mean a hospital stay. Typically Pinkie thought the idea was a brilliant excuse or a party. Then again to Pinkie, anything was an excuse for a party.

Ignoring their protests the pegasus addressed Twilight directly. “I know it's risky Twilight, but can you do it?”

Recovering from her earlier shock the princess sat in her own chair, mulling Fluttershy’s request over in her head, muttering calculations and formulae under her breath as she completed a series of complex mathematical equations. Eyes bright she finally answered. “Well, it's certainly achievable, I won't deny it, but are you sure you want to try it? Not to be insulting, but your maximum wingpower at best is only two point five Fluttershy, for what you want to do I’d have to increase it to at least sixteen. That means multiplying by a factor of seven.”

“That's alright Twilight, I trust you to do this.” Fluttershy was pleased she sounded calmer about it than she really felt. “Can't you trust my abilities?”

“It's not a question of trust Fluttershy, I can do it certainly, I'm more worried about you…” Twilight closed her book and levitated it onto the table.

“Me? You're worried about me?”

“Well, yes. Your body hasn't experienced these kinds of speeds before. Who knows the damage you could do to yourself in flight, not to mention if you should…you know, have an, an accident.”

All five of the girls went quiet at the thought, the implications clearly etched on each face. None of them wanted another Rainbow Dash incident.

“Everything will be just fine Twilight, I want to do this, for Rainbow. Will you help me, please?” A nod from the princess brought a smile to her face. “Now, Rarity, can you handle the sign writing?”

"I most certainly can. As long as Pinkie here explodes her cannon as you fly over I can manipulate what shoots out to spell what you require.”

Pinkie nodded furiously as she began bouncing around the room on a balloon she seemingly pulled from nowhere. “Gonna be sooooo much fuuuuuun!” She sang out as she bounced happily.

Fluttershy glanced over at Applejack, “and you're okay doing the food for the picnic Applejack?”

“Sure am sugar, when are you wantin’ it for?”

“Um, is two days from now at midday by the Everfree lake alright with all of you?”

A chorus of yes’ brought another smile to Fluttershy’s face as she stood up gathering her shopping bags in her hands. “I'm going to get back, I've left Dashie on her own long enough.” Sure enough it was getting dark outside the castle, Fluttershy had only intended to be out for a couple of hours, now it was at least eight in the late evening. Still if she knew her Pet at all she'd still be asleep.

“Hey Shy,” Applejack called after her as she made to leave the castle, “tell Rainbow we all said ‘hi’ wontcha?”

“Rainbow Dash! Are you ready yet?”

"Almost...Mistress..." Came a muffled cry from the bathroom upstairs.

"Hurry up! We need to be leaving in fifteen minutes!" Fluttershy huffed about in the living room. She couldn't ever remember her Pet taking this long over anything, least of all getting ready. It was only a friendly picnic, they weren't exactly meeting the princesses. ‘She's stalling I bet…’ The pegasus thought to herself. Well, Mistress knew how to hurry her along.

Grabbing a brown paper bag from a kitchen drawer Fluttershy hurried up the stairs. Pushing open the bathroom door she found a fully clothed Rainbow huddled on the floor, knees drawn up to her chest, arms wrapped around them and shaking as she rocked back and forth.

Kneeling beside her Fluttershy put a hand on her shoulder “Rainbow, sweetie what's wrong?”

“I - I'm scared Mistress. What if they don't forgive me? I don't want them to hate me.” Her shoulders slumped with the admission.

‘Stand up!” The stark order brought Rainbow to her senses. Quickly she obeyed, standing before Fluttershy with a questioning look on her face.

“Good Pet. I have something for you, but first take off that collar and give it here!” Fluttershy held out her hand with the expectation her order would be carried out.

“M – my collar? Why?”

"I said I had something for you. Now, give. The collar. To me…Pet.”

Immediately Rainbow's hands fumbled with the catch before undoing it and placing it in her Mistresses outstretched waiting hand.

"That's better. Now, this is for you.” Smiling Fluttershy handed Rainbow the paper bag. “Open it.”

Rainbow Dash opened the bag her Mistress had given her, looking inside her cerise eyes went wide. Reaching a hand in she removed the butter yellow leather collar and looked at it in awe. “You – you bought this for me, Mistress?”

“I did. Do you like it?”

“Ohmigosh! I love it, Thank you Mistress.” Rainbow squeed as she turned the collar over in her hands, inspecting it. She noticed the tag in the front was shaped like her Mistresses cutie mark.

"Put it on.”

Fluttershy watched eagerly as her newly submissive girlfriend placed the collar around her neck, deftly securing the buckle at the back so the butterfly tag was proudly showing above her white tee shirt. Fluttershy couldn’t help the feeling of pride as Rainbow stood to attention in front of her, head held high to show off the new collar. That was it. With that simple act of exchanging the collars the ownership of Rainbow Dash was complete. Rainbow was more than her girlfriend, she was her Pet, and it was for Fluttershy to look after and take care of her Pet.

Mistress stood on her tip toes to plant a soft kiss on Rainbow’s lips. “Now you're ready. Follow me.” Obediently Rainbow fell into step behind her Mistress, following her down the stairs to the front door. Picking up her pink purse from the worktop counter on her way Fluttershy pushed open the door and stepped on through, only to notice Rainbow hesitate on the threshold of the cottage. “Well, come on!”

Still Rainbow paused, looking outside uncertainly. “I – I dunno…”

“I see.” Fluttershy walked back to the door, fishing something out of her purse as she reached Rainbow. Before she could react the yellow pegasus clipped a matching yellow leash to the collar and gave it a harsh tug. “I said, come on. If you can't walk with me I shall lead you.”

Rainbow took a few stumbling steps out onto the dirt path, hurrying her step so the leash went slack. “Mistress, is the leash necessary?”

Without turning to face her pet Fluttershy answered, “I don't know. Can you behave or not?”

“I – I’ll be good Mistress, I promise.”

Fluttershy turned to face Rainbow, unclipping the leash and folding it in her hand. “Very well then. It comes off, for now.” She then flicked the end of the leash against Rainbow's nose. “Misbehave and it goes back on. Understand?”

“Yes Mistress.”

“That’s better. Now, give me your hand Pet.”

Hand in they took the next step together, feeling the heat and gentle breeze of the early afternoon wash over them, squinting into the sun they lifted their free hands to shield their eyes as they slowly walked down the small dirt path that lead from their home. They smelled the grass, heard the birds singing in the trees. Reaching the white fence around the cottage’s boundary. Rainbow felt her legs give a little under her. Immediately Fluttershy was there checking on her.

"You alright Dashie?”

"Yeah, I'm fine Mistress, I just haven't walked much lately. How much farther is it?”

“Not very far, about fifteen minutes if we take it steady, there’s a lovely spot on the edge of the Everfree. You'll love it.”

They walked on, Fluttershy slowing her pace to match Rainbow’s, enjoying the comfortable silence as she walked hand in hand with her girlfriend, she knew this was going to be a good day and was determined it was going to be the first of as many as she could share before it was too late. Mistress bent her head to the left, resting it on Dash’s shoulder as they walked, and Dash extended her right wing, wrapping it around Shy’s shoulder and pulled them closer together, their fingers still entwined.

Rounding a bend in the path they were following, they saw the clearing up ahead where the four girls sat on a huge red cloth waiting for them. Dash could see Rarity, Pinkie and Applejack having an animated conversation about something, and Twilight was sat next to them, her own lavender wings folded back as she had her head in a book which she held in her magical aura, only offering the occasional comment here and there.

Dash took hesitant steps as she got closer to them, not at all sure how she was going to be received, even less sure how she deserved to be received. Only the presence of her Mistress at her side stopped her from turning and running away. Dash lowered her wing as they approached the seated group, only for Fluttershy to replace it with her own, stroking Dash’s arm with her outer feathers.

They stopped at the edge of the blanket, saying nothing as the conversation between the four seated friends faded, replaced with a very pregnant silence. Rarity, Pinkie and Applejack looked at Dash and Shy with slightly agape faces, not entirely believing what they were seeing. Only Twilight seemed not to notice, her attention fully focused on the book held in front of her. Her left wing still around Dash’s arm Mistress gave her Pet's hand a squeeze, indicating she should say something. Dash ran her hand through her hair, casting her eyes about. ‘Too late to run now Dashie.’ She thought to herself.

“H - hey guys…” Was all she could come up with, suddenly becoming very interested in the ground at her feet, her cheeks blushing a fierce crimson. A thud told her Twilight had dropped the book, her attention now directed at the two newcomers. Rainbow stood there shuffling her feet, she could feel their stares boring holes into her but she didn't know what to do, her eyes were furiously studying this patch of dirt like it would reveal all the secrets of Equestria to her if she looked hard enough.

After a few minutes that felt like hours Applejack broke the heavy silence. “That's a mighty fine collar you have on there Rainbow,” the farmer nodded at the accessory around her neck, “finally tame her, huh Fluttershy?”

"Oh yes. She's all mine now, aren't you sweetie?” Fluttershy placed a gentle kiss on her girlfriend's cheek.

“Well I must say darling it's taken you long enough. I'm pleased to see you took my advice about the collar. It does suit you Rainbow dear. Won't you sit and join us?” Rarity offered after she’d composed herself, ever the lady.

Fluttershy let go of Dash’s hand, kneeling on the red blanket and shrugging off her jacket. Rainbow stood there, absently rubbing the back of her neck where the buckle of the collar was, eyes still on the ground.

“I – I don't know...that is, if you want me to……AAAAGGHH!! Pinkie!”

Was all Rainbow managed to utter in shock as she was spear tackled to the ground by a blurring pink ball of energy surrounded by a puffy mane of bright red hair that was Pinkie Pie’s usual way of saying “hello.”

“Oh my gosh Dashie you're back you're here of course you're here I couldn't tackle you if you weren't here I'd be tackling the air and the air can't be tackled and now you're back on your back oh wow it's been ages and ages and I missed you we missed you and now we’re going to have so much fuuuuuun!”

Pinkie finally paused for breath and was about to launch into another verbal assault when the hyper excited girl was surrounded by a lavender bubble, and Twilight used her magic to levitate Pinkie off of Rainbow, allowing her to push herself up to a sitting position.

“Afternoon Rainbow.” Twilight smirked as she set Pinkie down next to the pink party cannon the party planner had bought along. Rainbow clutched her side with a grimace as she sat up, her wince of pain was lost to everyone except her Mistress as the others collapsed in peals of laughter at Pinkie just being Pinkie. Unable to study that really interesting bit of dirt anymore, Rainbow looked around at the girls sat around her. Not really knowing what to say next she figured she’d leap in and well and truly break the ice.

“If you didn't notice guys I'm missing my left wing and I can't fly anymore. It's okay to look and talk about that.”

“About that, ah’m right sorry how ah treated you in the hospital sugarcube, ah should’a been more considerate.” Applejack fiddled with the brim of her hat, a blush on her freckled cheeks.

“It's alright AJ…”

Applejack cut her off, “no it ain't alright! Ah treated you like an old apple tart ah found under the couch! Ah should’a treated mah best friend better than that.” Tears threatened to spill from the farmer, “ah’m just sorry sugar…”

“Yes darling, I feel I must apologise also. When we visited you I simply didn't know what to say, I realise it's no excuse for my behaviour, but what was I to say, hmm? ‘I have a great dress design that only has one wing hole?’” Rarity’s apology was cut short by Rainbow’s snigger and Fluttershy’s giggle. “Yes, well, I should have known you'd be amused by such vulgarity…” Rarity sniffed a little, she really didn't want to cry, her mascara gad taken an age to apply.

“Oh! Oh! My turn, I wanna apologise too!” Pinkie Pie began bouncing on the spot, showering the friends with bright yellow balloons she somehow managed to pull from her pouffy pink hair.

Rainbow and Fluttershy shared a look of disbelief, “Pinkie Pie, what are you apologising for? Your visits were awesome!”

“You know, I just didn't want to be left out!” Pinkie stopped bouncing and started humming to herself, oblivious of the high emotions of her friends, “lalalalala!”

Rainbow couldn’t help but laugh at Pinkie, “I had this whole speech planned out, what I was going to say to you guys, but…I – I, well you all know I suck with words…” The cyan pegasus felt her Mistress gently kiss the back of her neck then, still holding her tight, giving her the confidence to continue.

Rainbow Dash felt the burning tears form in her eyes. Her friends had never seen her cry, not ever. She was always more concerned about her stupid reputation. ‘First time for everything,’ she thought. Dash brought her hands to her eyes as her shoulders heaved, then through the loud heavy sobs to the stunned audience she managed to drag the simple words from her heart. “I - I’m sorry guys. I’m so sorry…….” She couldn’t say anymore, her voice failed her as she gave way to her tears.

One by one they all moved in for a massive group hug. Nobody said anything, there was nothing to say, but everyone shed more than a few tears that afternoon. Even Applejack wept openly, although she denied it later. They just held Rainbow Dash in their arms, six young ladies reunited as friends and brought together as a family once more.

“So, am I forgiven?” Rainbow asked, a cocky grin threatening to surface on her lips.

“Darling, you were always forgiven, we just wanted you back, before it was too late.”

Rainbow's burgeoning smile faltered then, at the mention of time. She’d have to talk to them about that, but not yet, not today.

“Question is sugarcube, are we forgiven?”

“Well duh! Of course you are hayseed, we’re best friends right?” Rainbow sniggered at the look on Applejack's face, she knew she hated that name, but the farmer smiled all the same.

"So, we gonna eat this here grub or we gonna flap our gums some more?" Applejack brought the groups attention to the huge spread laid out in the blanket, that had gone wholly unnoticed during the reconciliation. Rainbow had to admit it all looked awesome! There were apple pies, fritters, tea cakes, pancakes, muffins, cupcakes, even those super rare rainbow apples that Applejack’s family grew on their farm. As they all started eating, a sly thought popped into Dash’s head. Grinning she looked over at Twilight.

“Hey, egghead.” As Twi looked over at Rainbow about to come back with a witty retort she added, “You didn’t make any of these did ya?”

The Alicorn blinked her eyes twice, she knew she was being baited. “No jocktard I didn’t, and you know how you can tell? Because..”

“THEY’RE ALL EDIBLE!!!!” Chorused the five others in unison before falling about in tears of laughter.

“Sorry, sorry Twi.” They all mumbled through snorts of giggles, even Twilight joined in, seeing the joke.

“You're all diamond dogs and I hate you.” Twilight snickered at them.

“Come now Twilight, we all know Spikey’s real job is to keep you fed on food that won't kill you.” Laughter erupted again at Rarity’s comment, and Rainbow laid back amongst her four friends and her Mistress, she had to admit she felt better than she had for a very long time.

An hour or two later and the last of the picnic had been reduced to crumbs, resulting in six content and very stuffed friends sat against each other on the red blanket, enjoying each other's company in the sunny afternoon. As they laid supporting each other in a rough circle, a thought occurred to Applejack. “So, sugarcube, how did you manage to get this stubborn mare outside?”

Rainbow ran a finger around her new yellow collar, blushing slightly as Fluttershy answered for her; “it was really easy Applejack, you see my Pet didn't want to come, so I just clipped this leash on her collar and made her come out. Didn’t I Pet?”

Rainbow's blush could have rivalled a setting sun. “Yes Mistress…”

“Hey, RD, can I walk you around the orchards sometime?” Applejack asked with a snicker.

Before Rainbow could answer with a snarky comment Fluttershy beat her to it, “of course you may Applejack. In fact, would you like to take her for practice walkies?”

“You can't be serious?

“Hush Rainbow, I'm very serious.” Fluttershy removed the leash from her purse and clipped it to the collar before handing it to Applejack, who gave it a playful tug, much to Rainbow's annoyance. “Now, just to those trees and back, if you don't mind Applejack.”

“Ah gotcha ‘Shy.” The farmer gave a surreptitious wink to Fluttershy, letting her know she was starting her part of their plan, namely distracting Rainbow Dash. Plus, the chance to have her longtime rival on a leash was too good a chance to pass up. “C’mon you, walk nice now.”

Rarity applauded softly as Applejack lead Rainbow towards the nearby trees. “I must say, very well done there darling. I never thought she’d be so well behaved so quickly.”

“Oh, um, you think I’ve gone too far?”

"Hmm? Not at all Fluttershy, if anything dear you should have done this a long time ago. The change definitely suits her.”

“Speaking of ‘doing’, I'm ready if you are Fluttershy.” Twilight interjected, lest Rainbow see what they were planning.

"I'm ready Twilight. Thank you for this…” Fluttershy spread her wings, taking a few practice flaps as Twilight placed her hand on her shoulder.

“Don't thank me yet, I still think this is crazy dangerous you know.” Twilight gave Fluttershy a violet crystal pendant, “put that on, it'll help my magic find you up there. Now, when you take off you'll have thirty seconds to get as high as you can, then I'll start the spells okay?”

“Thirty seconds, got it Twilight.” Fluttershy placed the pendant around her yellow neck, and in a flap of her wings ascended to the sky. She flew and flew, getting ever higher until the ground was a smudge and the details were lost. She was higher than the surrounding clouds, She’d never flown this high before. Steadying herself she waited for the tingly buzz of magic to find her. Twilight had warned her it might take a moment or two to locate her this high up. Fluttershy ran over the plan once more in her head. Now she was actually up in the sky, she was starting to doubt the wisdom of her idea.

Out of the orner of her eye Rainbow noticed her Mistress take off as she was being lead to the trees, which were now a few paces away. “Hey AJ, where's Mistress goin’?”

Applejack scrunched up her face, “no idea!”

“You're a terrible liar hayseed, what's goin’ on?”

“You’ll see sugarcube.” Applejack started to lead Rainbow back towards the picnic site.

Hovering high above the ground, Fluttershy had managed to ascend a few more hundred feet in altitude. Straining on the very edge of her limit, she felt it, the buzz and the telltale lavender aura. She was ready. Tucking her wings in, she dropped earthward like a yellow bullet. Gathering speed through her descent Fluttershy felt Twilight’s magic course through her body, strengthening her muscles and wings, pushing her wingpower far beyond her natural ability. It was working, the air itself was starting to bend around her outstretched hands. She was close.

On the ground Rainbow could see a streak of yellow shooting their way. In a panic she tried to unclip the leash, to let Applejack know something was wrong. “AJ she’s gonna kill herself!”

Instead of concern the farm girl just laughed and draped an arm over Rainbow's shoulder. “Hush now sugarcube, y’all gonna wanna see this, she’s planned it just for you.”

Dash watched in mounting horror as Fluttershy screamed towards the ground at what she judged were rainboom speeds, but, surely she wouldn't, she couldn't, could she? That was when she noticed Twilight standing utterly still, her eyes and magical aura focused on her Mistress.

At the very last second Fluttershy pulled up, a huge pink explosion the colour of her long hair and tail radiated behind her, not a circular rain-boom, but manipulated magically into the stylised shape of a huge pink heart. As Fluttershy rocketed overhead at the speed of sound Pinkie Pie detonated her party cannon right on cue, multi coloured streamers and balloons filling the afternoon sky with vibrant colour before Rarity caught the streamers in her own magical field and manipulated them with ease to spell out the message her friend had requested.

MARRY ME RAINBOW DASH

Fluttershy landed next to her Rainbow as Applejack and Pinkie supported her, helping her to stand up. Dropping to one knee the yellow pegasus breathlessly asked the question hanging in the air. “Rainbow Dash, will you marry me?”

Swaying slightly, feeling dazed and light headed, Rainbow looked at her girlfriend kneeling before her. She knew her answer. What else could it be?

“Fluttershy, Mistress, I think…the answer’s yes…”

The effort of replying felt like she’d flew a marathon. Rainbow was spent. The tiredness had come upon her more suddenly than she had been expecting, all she wanted to do was lie down and sleep forever.

Fluttershy leapt up to kiss her fiancé’s lips, realising for the first time how fatigued Rainbow was. Her cyan partner offered no resistance as she gently pushed her tongue past Rainbow's lips and took ownership of her mouth in a sensuous kiss. At that point Rainbow’s legs finally gave way, and she blacked out, held up only by Fluttershy’s wings.