At The Mid Hour Of Night, I Fly

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...”