A Hearth's Warming Swap

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3

Chapter 1

A Hearth’s Warming Swap

Pristine white snow, Cloudsdale’s finest, blanketed Ponyville. Fluttershy trudged through the thick snow as she made her way to town hall. She could have flown, but she wasn’t in a terrible hurry. In truth, she was a little—okay, a lot—nervous of what she was going to ask.

The Mayor had let them use the hall as a place to practice and rehearse the Hearth’s Warming Eve play Princess Celestia wanted them to perform in Canterlot. Fluttershy gave a little shiver that had nothing to do with the cold. The idea of performing in front of so many ponies was terrifying! But everypony was so excited about the idea that Fluttershy didn’t want them to be disappointed, or worse, turn it down on her account. And it was a request from the Princess, after all.

She swallowed nervously, dreading the expected confrontation she’d be having in a few minutes—hence why she was walking. But she soon found she couldn’t put it off any longer as she had finally reached her destination. She gently knocked on the door—and let out an alarmed squeak when the door was flung open and she was abruptly pulled in. “There you are, Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash announced. “We were wondering what was keeping you. Twilight’ll be here any minute and then we can start! I’ve totally been practicing my Commander Hurricane!”

“Um, about that—” She started before Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared, bouncing around them.

“We’re gonna be in a play, we’re gonna be in a play! And it’s gonna be so super fun because we get to dress up and pretend to be somepony else—it’s like Nightmare Night! Oooh! Do you think they’ll give us candy if we show up in costumes?”

Rarity, busy checking her eyelashes in the mirror, let out a sigh as she set her make-up brushes aside. “Really, Pinkie Pie, do calm down. This isn’t simply play-acting—this is a pageant!” She brought her hooves up to her face dramatically. “All of the class and sophistication of Canterlot—”

“With candy canes!” Pinkie Pie added.

Doing her best to ignore her, Rarity pressed on. “—added to the drama of an age-old story that shaped our society.”

“With candy caaaaaanes!”

Now flustered, Rarity hmphed. “It’s the height of cultural events for this time of the year!” When Pinkie Pie gave her a look, Rarity sighed. “Yes, Pinkie, with candy canes.”

Applejack, resting in a chair leaning against the wall with her hat lowered over her eyes, glanced over to the door. “Wonder what’s keeping Twilight. Cain’t do much until she gets here—what with her having the scripts ‘n whatnot…” A sudden burst of magic light heralded Twilight’s arrival … right in front of Applejack. Surprised, the farmpony flailed her forelegs as her chair toppled over, taking her with it. “Ow.”

Rainbow Dash burst out laughing while Fluttershy gasped. “Applejack, are you okay?”

“Ah’m fine,” Applejack sighed. “I landed on mah dignity.”

“Um, okay…” Fluttershy looked to Twilight. “Are … those the script outlines for the play?”

Twilight nodded.There was an old tradition with the Hearth’s Warming Eve pageant. The primary source of information for the events of Hearth’s Warming came from Clover the Clever’s journal. Naturally, as she wasn’t present for all the events, nopony knew for sure exactly what was said. By the time somepony thought to write it all down, years had passed. A tradition arose that, rather than writing a single script out of whole cloth for all subsequent actors to follow, each cast would come up with their own lines of dialogue. While they would keep to the events described in Clover’s journal, each performance of the play was slightly different, making each performance unique and exciting.

What Twilight gave out were the outlines based on the journal. “I have copies for each of you! If you want, I could work with each of you, try to make sure your dialogue is period-accurate…”

“I think we’ll be fine, Twi.” Rainbow snatched one for herself and began to flip through it.

As the others began to crowd around Twilight to get their own, Fluttershy saw her chance to speak to Rainbow privately. Screwing her courage up to the sticking place, Fluttershy took a deep breath—and a rushed squeak came out. “CanItalktoyouRainbowDash?”

Rainbow didn’t seem put off by her nervousness. One grew used to. “Sure Fluttershy, what’s up?” She idly scanned it script. “Could probably make that line sound cooler.”

Fluttershy struggled, unsure of how to start. “Commander Hurricane sure was an, um, awesome pony, wasn’t he?” The use of the word tasted strange in her mouth, like trying a strange piece of foreign food.

Dash nodded eagerly. “He sure was! He repelled the griffon raiders from Cloudsdale and led the attack that drove off the dragon Ancalagon from the northern reaches and...” She gushed on in that vein for a good half minute.

Fluttershy’s smile required a herculean effort to maintain as she felt her spirits fall. Rainbow Dash doesn’t usually get this excited over history … she must really like Commander Hurricane. As she thought about what to do, she was broken out of her reverie by Rainbow lightly rapping on her head. “Hey Fluttershy, you home?”

“Oh!” She blushed, her cheeks pinkening. “I’m sorry! I—it was nothing.” Fluttershy started to back away, but soon found herself blocked by Rainbow.

“Hey, c’mon you can tell me! Is there something up about the play?” Not trusting herself to speak, Fluttershy nodded. “What is it?” Rainbow’s brow furrowed. “You nervous about performing on stage?”

Fluttershy shook her head. “Oh no. Well, yes, but … ooh, this is so hard! Rainbow Dash I—I want to ask you something.”

More confused than earlier, Rainbow Dash tilted her head. “Uh, okay. You can ask me anything, ‘shy. What do you want?” Swallowing nervously, Fluttershy slowly reached out a hoof and pointed to the script in Rainbow’s hooves. “I don’t get it—you’re gonna get your own script, Fluttershy. What is it?”

Fluttershy took the deepest breath she could—and then let it all out in a rush. “I—I want to be Commander Hurricane butonlyifyouwantmetoo!” She clapped her hooves over her mouth, as if trying to take back her words.

Rainbow Dash was nearly rocked back on her hooves. “I—you—what?” Her brain tried to reconcile her mental image of Fluttershy with what she was asking, and couldn’t do it. “Fluttershy, this is Commander Hurricane, one of the greatest heroes of Pegasopolis! He’s brave and fearless and loves to battle and you’re, well, you. Why would you even want—” her question died on her lips when Fluttershy shrunk down and hid beneath her mane, whimpering slightly.

Realizing she had said the wrong thing, Rainbow backpedaled. “I’m sorry Fluttershy, you know I think you’re awesome, right?” She waited for Fluttershy to poke her face back out. After giving her an encouraging smile, Fluttershy nodded. “Right! I guess you kinda caught me off guard. I mean, I didn’t think Commander Hurricane was your kind of thing. You’re a great fit for Private Pansy though.”

“I would really, really like to be Hurricane though,” Fluttershy spoke up.

“But then I’d have to be Pansy!” Rainbow groaned. “She’s so meek and quiet and uncool … and I’d have to act like that in front of all of Canterlot! It’d be so embarrassing...”

“It is a play—we’re supposed to be acting different and pretending to be different ponies,” Fluttershy pointed out. “I think they’d be impressed that you were able to act less like, um, yourself and become somepony totally different.”

Rainbow Dash hesitated and Fluttershy realized that she had a chance. “I don’t know…” Rainbow scratched her head.

“It’s your decision, but I’d be very grateful if you traded with me.” Fluttershy bit her lip, trying to think of how to convince her not to say no. “I’m sure I could do something for you, if it’d help.”
In a bemused tone, Rainbow Dash rubbed her muzzle. “Yeah? I don’t know … I was thinking of going to watch the great dragon migration and could use some company.”

“D-dragon?” Fluttershy’s face paled and her knees suddenly turned to jello. The thought of those giant, fire-breathing creatures were enough to give her nightmares. She almost told Rainbow no and to forget about the whole thing … but then she remembered what had brought her here in the first place. Exhaling, Fluttershy nodded. “O-okay.”

Rainbow Dash, who had tossed the idea out as a joke, was dumbstruck by Fluttershy’s acceptance. She knew how scared Fluttershy was of, among other things, dragons. She thought quickly, trying to cover up her shock. “Well, yeah, and—oh, I wanted to somepony to help me out with some pranks I had planned…”

“Okay.” Fluttershy nodded, throwing Rainbow Dash for another loop.

“Uh, okay … and I wanted a partner to practice some wrestling moves--could probably use one for to practice for the next belching contest I decide to join…”

Fluttershy nodded quickly. “I-I’d love to.”

Rainbow blinked at Fluttershy’s continued agreement. “...You really want this, don’t you?” With an expression that could only be described as ‘sheepish, yet determined,’ Fluttershy nodded. Dash sighed. She was really, really not looking forward to acting like Pansy, but given just how far Fluttershy was willing to go for this, she’d feel like a complete heel if the said no.

“Alright, if it means that much to you—” Rainbow relented with a barely subdued groan. “You can be Commander Hurric—ack!” Fluttershy suddenly surged forward and hugged her tightly.
“Thank you, Rainbow Dash! Thank you thank you thank you!” Fluttershy squeezed until Rainbow felt her eyes bulge.

Who knew Fluttershy could be that strong? She thought as she strained to draw a breath. “Flutter—shy … could you let me go? I kinda need to … breathe?”

Fluttershy quickly released her “Sorry!”
“What’s going on?” Twilight asked as they rejoined the others. “Everything alright?”

Fluttershy nodded, but let Rainbow Dash answer. “Yeah, it’s all good. Me and Fluttershy decided to switch parts is all.”

Twilight looked surprised. “Oh! I didn’t think about that … you sure?”

Rainbow shrugged. “Yeah, it’s fine. The Princess just wanted us to put on the play—I don’t think she’ll mind if we mix up the roles a bit.”

“If you’re sure.” Twilight swallowed nervously. “I mean, it’s not like I’m playing Clover the Clever, who only happened to be one of the most important and talented unicorns in history. Who I have to represent. For the play. In Canterlot—my home town. In front of everypony.” Her ear began to twitch.

“Come now, it’s all right.” Rarity patted her on the back. “You’ll do marvelously; you’re practically made for the role.”

“But Clover was dignified, elegant—like you!” Twilight looked to her. “I can’t get up there and have everypony comparing me to her. If any pony should be Clover the Clever, it’s you!”

Rarity hesitated. “Oh well … I had wanted to style some of Princess Platinum’s signature gowns—” The pleading look on Twilight’s face stopped her short. “But if you’re sure this is what you want, then I suppose I could try my hoof at it.” She smiled at a grateful looking Twilight. “Perhaps you’ll find some renewed confidence by taking on the role of a princess!”

“Me a princess?” Twilight snorted. “That’s ridiculous. But thank you for agreeing to trade places with me.”

“Reckon that means me and Pinkie should switch too, for reals.” Applejack tipped her hat to Pinkie. “Want to make it three for three?”

Pinkie Pie bounced up and down. “Yeah! Best friend, role swappers forever! Woo!” She cheered.

Rainbow Dash nudged Fluttershy. “See what you started?” Fluttershy almost apologized before she caught Rainbow’s amused smirk. “So, how about we meet tomorrow to go over our parts?”

“That sounds wonderful! Thank you.” She smiled, feeling her heart flutter with delight. She hadn’t thought she would be able to go through with it, but now that she’d taken that first step—it felt good.

The next day found Rainbow Dash knocking on the door of Fluttershy’s cottage.

“Um, come on in.” Fluttershy’s soft voice called out. “I just need to finish feeding Angel!” There was the sound of something hitting a wall and shattering.

Rainbow sighed and opened the door to find Fluttershy was scooping up the pieces of a broken bowl and a scattered salad. An angry bunny scowled foul-temperedly at Fluttershy, then at Rainbow when she entered the room. “Really?”

“I forgot the tomatoes.” Fluttershy explained meekly.

Groaning slightly, Rainbow walked over. “Allow me.” She grabbed a carrot and dropped it right on Angel’s head. “Here. Go eat. We have to rehearse now.”

Angel chittered something angrily, but didn’t refuse the carrot. “I’ll make you another salad later.” Fluttershy promised him. “Rainbow Dash and I really need to go over the scripts for the Hearth’s Warming Eve Pageant!” After Angel crossly hopped away, she turned back to Rainbow Dash. “I was just reading over the scripts earlier. Commander Hurricane seems like he'll be really fun to play.”

“Yeah, Commander Hurricane was pretty awesome,” Rainbow agreed, settling back on Fluttershy’s couch with a martyred grown. “A lot more than Private Pansy.”

“You ... you don't like her very much, do you?” Fluttershy asked gently, her ears drooping slightly.

Rainbow shrugged. “Not really. I mean, really what does she do? For most of the play she's just there being whiny and scared.” She paused and let out an over the top gasp. “Oh no, my own shadow! EEK!” She flew up, then let out another gasp. “Oh no, air!” She dove back onto the couch, nearly flattening Angel. “But I can't get out of the air without touching the ground, and that's scary too! I'm just so scared of everything!” She pretended to sob. Fluttershy shrank down, looking at the floor. “Really, it's just gonna be embarrassing acting like that,” Rainbow sighed in her normal voice. “But it is just a play. I mean, it's not like this is how we really are or anything, right?”

“…Right.” Fluttershy swallowed, biting her lip. “Excuse me, I--it’s a bit dusty.” She hastily rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“You okay?” Rainbow asked after a moment.

“I’m fine! Just … needed a moment to get ready.” She resisted the urge to sigh with relief when she saw Rainbow accept her explanation. She took another deep breath, briefly closing her eyes as she tried to get into character. “I'm Commander Hurricane! I'm brave and fearless! … How’s that?”

Rainbow Dash nodded. “Okay, that’s a good start. Only don't just say it. Be it!”

“Oh, did I get it wrong?” Fluttershy lowered her head. “I'm sorry...”

But Rainbow shook her head. “No, you didn't get it wrong, you just have to take it to the next level. I mean, you just can't have your character announce how you feel—at least that's what Twilight says,” she added parenthetically.

Fluttershy looked up. “So I have to ... um ... really get in character then?”

“Exactly!” Rainbow nodded firmly. “You're the Commander of Pegasopolis! You have to show that the pegasi are strong and proud, and won't knuckle under to the demands of some spoiled princess or empty-headed chancellor!”

“But Princess Platinum and Chancellor Puddinghead aren't so bad.” Fluttershy objected.

“You're the Commander of the pegasi,” Dash pointed out. “That means your first responsibility is to do right by them—and they're starving! And it's up to you to save them!” She picked up Angel, ignoring his angry flails. “You know how hard you try to make him happy and well-fed? Well now you have to do it for an entire city! And the other leaders are in your way.”

“Oh right. Sorry, I forgot. I need to be strong. And not apologize. Sorry, I'll—” Fluttershy frowned, raising her head and stand up on the couch. “No. Wait. I'm not sorry! Because Commander Hurricane is never sorry!”

Rainbow Dash whooped, tossing Angel into the air. “That's it! Now you're getting it!” Angel landed neatly on a nearby pillow, gesturing rudely at her.

Buoyed by Rainbow’s praise, Fluttershy gave her a nervous, but hopeful smile. “I am?” She paused, quickly getting back into character. “I mean, of course I am! I'm Commander Hurricane! I always get things right because I'm fearless and awesome!”

“Right!” Rainbow Dash cleared her throat, trying to force herself to sound as soft and meek as possible as she got into her own role. “Oh-oh, but um, are you sure? I'm sorry! I mean, maybe we could possibly perhaps think of maybe sharing with the others?”

“Maybe we could share with them?” Fluttershy snorted indignantly. “Maybes are for babies! Feeding us is the earth ponies’ job. That was always the deal. We give them good weather and protection, they give us food. If they can't keep up their end of the bargain...”

Rainbow Dash crouched down, trying to make herself seem small. “But then what do we do? Everything's so cold ... my feathers are freezing and we're all so hungry.”

“We'll figure out something. And sitting and crying isn't a solution, Pansy.” She said sternly.

“Oh, I'm sorry...”

“Never apologize. It's a sign of weakness. Now find a way to solve the food problem.” Fluttershy paced back and forth.

Rainbow timidly spoke up. “We could always try working with the other tribes. They're hungry too.”

Fluttershy whirled on her. “No, the earth ponies are already holding back food, and the unicorns are probably using magic or something. They'd just try to cheat us!”

“But w-what else can we do? Everything here's frozen and our food stores are running out.”

“We'll go somewhere else. We'll be better off without having to waste all our time taking care of the earth ponies and unicorns anyway.” Fluttershy snorted contemptuously.

Rainbow flipped through a few pages, to the part where the ponies had found what would become Equestria and were preparing to fight over it. She waited until Fluttershy caught up with her before resuming. “I think we should stay calm, sir…” Rainbow raised her hoof.

“When I want you're opinion I'll give it to you, private,” Fluttershy snapped in something just short of a parade-ground bellow. “We need to be strong and fearless, private. Not a bunch of whining fraidy-cats.”

Rainbow quickly pulled her hoof down, whimpering. “Yessir.” Then she grinned widely. “You're doing great Fluttershy! You'll knock 'em dead in Canterlot.”

“Of course I will! I'm Commander Hurricane!”

“Now I just have to work some more on my Pansy … any ideas?

Fluttershy replied almost immediately. “Be scared of everything and be weak and useless, like you said.” Her wings twitched.

“Heh, yeah I guess,” Rainbow stood, stretching. “Sounds like you're pretty good at getting into character's heads, 'Shy. Maybe you missed your calling.”

“Oh, I don't know about that—” Fluttershy demurred, before catching herself and puffing out her chest. “But I suppose I am good at acting.”

Rainbow nodded. “I'll say! How'd you get so good at getting Hurricane?”

“I just tried to imagine how y—” Fluttershy paused, then appeared to cough. “Excuse me, I just tried to imagine how he would act. Hurricane that is.”

“You must be a big fan of his—you got him down awfully fast.” Rainbow stood next to her. “Wait until the others see how good you are. Bet you they’ll be totally jealous.”

Fluttershy looked at Rainbow Dash, surprised that she stood at eye level with her. She thought for a moment that perhaps she had undergone growth spurt before realizing what the cause really was—she was crouching down or had her head lowered. She was standing tall and proud. “Thank you. I guess I really am talented.”

“Yeah you are!” Rainbow patted her back with a wing. “Didn't think you had it in you.”

“Of course I did. And you make a good Pansy.”

“Gee, thanks,” Rainbow’s tone was only slightly drier than Saddle Arabia. “I can't imagine having to be like that all the time.”

Fluttershy paused. “I would never want to be like that. I'd rather be like Hurricane.”

“Me too.” Rainbow ruffled Fluttershy’s mane slightly. “You’re pretty awesome, ‘Shy.”

“Yes.” A proud smile crossed Fluttershy’s face. “Yes I am.”

Angel impatiently tapped his paw against the floor, waiting for his new salad. Fluttershy looked at him, frowning. “I made you a salad and you decided to throw it on the ground. So now you can have a carrot to hold you over until dinner. Maybe that’ll teach you not to have a temper tantrum.” Fluttershy trotted past the stunned bunny as his carrot fell out of his mouth in shock.

Chapter 2

The next day, Rainbow Dash woke up late and had to rush over to town hall for their rehearsals. When she made her way in, she saw Rarity and Pinkie Pie sitting to the side while the others were seated around a table. She figured that when she hadn’t shown up, the girls had decided to practice a scene she wasn’t in.

She made her way over to Rarity and Pinkie. “Hey, guys. Sorry about that...”

Rarity gave her an ironic smirk. “I feel I should comment on the fastest pony in Equestria always being late, but I’ll forgo making any remarks.”

“Whatever.” Rainbow rolled her eyes before nodding to the group on stage. “How’s it going?”

Pinkie gave her best country-style answer. “Tarnation, pardner it’s going like a green snake in a sugarcane field!”

“Wow, so that’s … good?” Rainbow looked quickly to Rarity, who could only spread her hooves and shrug. “Oookay, how about you?”

Rarity cleared her throat. “Yes, well, I’m doing quite well. In fact it would be mendacious to say otherwise.” When Rainbow Dash just blinked at her, she elaborated. “Since Clover the Clever was known for her intelligence, I thought I’d try to improve my vocabulary to better reflect her genius.”

Dash looked unconvinced. “Huh. Sounds weird to me.”

“Really!” Rarity sniffed. “I suggest that you suffer from hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia and not be so ultra-crepidarian as to comment on another’s acting.”

Smile and nod … and back away slowly, Rainbow thought to herself as she looked to the stage. Fluttershy, Twilight and Applejack stood around a table, glowering at one another. Strange as the sight was, the things they were actually saying made it even more surreal.

“Why’re you overgrown pigeons making it snow so much?” Applejack, as Chancellor Puddinghead, demanded. “It’s so cold that we can’t grow any food—I even tried playing polka to the pansies! And my poor trout bushes have never looked worse…”

From offstage Pinkie Pie grumbled. “Being funny doesn’t just mean putting random words together … doggone it.”

“Call us pigeons again, mud-for-brains, and see where that gets you.” Fluttershy growled. “And get it through your thick dirt-loving heads—we aren’t doing anything wrong!” She cast a look over at Twilight. “I can’t speak for the pinheads though…”

Twilight huffed, her nose pointed straight up in the air. “As Princess, I can assure that we unicorns are not responsible for this calamity either and I resent your insinuations to the contrary. Your crudity has not assisted these proceedings nor made it easier to find a resolution.”

With a contemptuous roll of her eyes, Fluttershy sat back down and crossed her forelegs over her chest. “You want respect? How about if you stop hoarding all the food! My pegasi are going hungry and we’re the ones who keep us safe from dragons and other monsters while you’re sitting back and getting fat!” She tilted her head meaningfully to the other leaders’ flanks.

Outrage greeted her words. “Are you crazy?!” Applejack protested. “Wait, no, that’s me. But still! We can’t grow food if we have to burrow through all this snow! Have you ever seen a mole with a garden? I sure haven’t—and I’ve looked!”

Twilight looked equally scandalized, enough to break character. “Um, maybe you could think about altering your dialogue a little, Fluttershy? I—I’d really rather not have everypony in the audience looking at my flank…or even thinking about it.” She checked her rear, trying to reassure herself that it wasn’t too big.

“We’re supposed to be the leaders of ponykind.” Fluttershy said firmly. “Do you really think Commander Hurricane would mince words just because it might possibly hurt somepony’s feelings—with the fate of the world on the line?”

Applejack looked uneasy. “Still, maybe you could just—”

“If—if it’s for the sake of historical accuracy,” Twilight bit her lip. “Then I guess I can deal with it. I mean, it is a play after all. Plus I’ll be wearing a cape.”

“Are you sure?” Applejack asked. “Cuz if you aren’t—”

Fluttershy interrupted. “Twilight said she was okay with it … and we still need to get through this scene.”

Twilight nodded. Applejack sat back in her seat. “Alright then…so, uh, kumquats?” She fidgeted in her seat until she felt obliged to elaborate. “S’how I get in character! I think of Pinkie saying the most crazy thing I can think of and going from there.”

“Okay…” Fluttershy coughed. “So, it’s time for your ponies to pull their flabby weight around here! We pegasi deserve more of the food in order to keep you all safe!”

“We can’t grow enough crops for our families, let alone the rest of you!” Applejack protested. “Besides, if it wasn’t for us earth ponies, you would’ve all starved a long time ago! Farming’s hard work, that’s why we should keep whatever’s left!” She looked to Twilight. “Why don’t you unicorns just magic up more food for you and the pegasi?”

“Because Starswirls’ Fourth Law of Thautodynamics…” Twilight began before catching herself, her ear lowering. “Sorry,” she coughed before tilting her head back and sniffing snootily. “I mean, any unicorn child could tell you that it’s impossible to simply make food—or anything else—out of nothing. Were that possible, we’d have long since given you both a brain to fill the empty cavities that houses your eyes.”

Fluttershy slammed a hoof on the table, making the others practically leap in the air. “Nopony talks that way to the Commander of Pegasopolis! Watch it or else we’re going to have to take this outside.”

“Oh, a duel! Snowballs at ten paces!” Applejack looked excited. “Wait, no … it’s too cold. All the snow is frozen together like ice. Nevermind, I’m out of ideas.”

“What do you call an earth pony with no ideas?” Fluttershy asked rhetorically before giving her own answer. “Gifted!”

Twilight shook her head. “I’ve had enough. When you addlepated dullards wish to discuss the matter of saving ponykind, I will deign you with my presence, and not before.” Her stomach ruined her queenly demeanor and she chuckled sheepishly. “Sorry.”

“How about we all take a break for lunch?” Applejack got up and stretched. “Ah’m so hungry I could eat my hat.” She looked up at her pudding filled hat. “Come to think of it…”

“No eating the costumes.” Rarity said firmly, shooting her a warning look as the others joined them. “I already had this conversation with Pinkie.”

Pinkie pouted. “You nibble on some edible lingerie once and nopony ever lets you forget it…”

Rarity grit her teeth. “Except those weren’t the edible ones.”

“Silly Rarity. If I ate them, they were edible.” Pinkie patted her friend’s head. “Otherwise, I couldn't have eaten them.” Rarity facehooved. “Do you think you could make a vest for Smart Cookie out of gingerbread? I still can’t believe a pony named Smart Cookie doesn’t even get to wear any cookies! It’s just common sense! It’s as plain as the nose on an antelope’s canterlope!”

Nopony quite knew what to make of that.

“Country expressions aren’t your strong suit, Pinkie.” Applejack rolled her eyes. “Y’might wanna try something else t’get into character. In mah case, I think of two things that have nothing in common and then slap ‘em together in a sentence! Like, uh…” she tapped her hoof against the floor. “How about them waffle fish? They’re sure hard to hang on to—especially once you add the syrup!”

With a martyred sigh, Pinkie shook her head. “Applejaaack, that’s not being quirky or off-beat. That’s just being weird for the sake of being weird.” Applejack’s incredulous gaze said it all.

“I wish I could figure out what makes a down-old country pony like Smart Cookie tick.”

“S’easy!” Applejack exclaimed. “But the first thing you gotta do is sound the part. Now, you know the way Ah talk?”

Pinkie Pie tilted her head. “What way?”

Now it was everypony’s turn to look incredulous. Applejack coughed. “Well, mah … shoot ya know.”

“No, I don’t. What do you mean?”

“Mah dulcet tones?” When Pinkie just blinked in confusion, Applejack prodded her a little more. “My vernacular? My u-nique method of artic-u-lation?”

Pinkie’s eyes widened in understanding. “Ooooh, I get it! You mean your funny accent!” Rainbow Dash cracked up.

Applejack fumed. “Ah do not have a funny accent!”

“So it’s a boring accent?” Pinkie scratched her head. “That’s no fun.”

“Ah ain’t got any kinda accent, you--” Applejack facehooved, grumbling.

Pinkie patted her head comfortingly, inadvertently knocking her hat over her eyes. “You should listen to me, Applejack. Smart Cookie’s one smart cookie and so am I!” She quickly put on a pair of glasses and sat down, her head resting on her hoof as she sat in a pondering pose. “Chancellor, I think we should do something super-smarty, but I’ll say it with more ridiculous country-isms than a hound dog in a henhouse.”

“Oh yeah?” Applejack willed her eyes to cross and began to hop around like she was on a sugar rush. “Boy howdy do Ah love bein' weird! Ain't nothin' I that's gotta make a lick of sense, but everypony'll love me anyway! Ah can even just say total nonsense just to make ponies laugh! Broccoli eating weasels! With chainsaws! On an island! With the Skipper! Y'all laughin yet?”

Pinkie gasped. “Nonono you can’t just say any old thing! You have to make sense with your nonsense, Applejack!”

“Well you can’t be a farm pony just by saying any-old ridiculous country expression, doggone it!” Applejack stomped her hoof.

“Oh yeah?” Pinkie dove behind a curtain, emerging a heartbeat later with a ragged straw hat and a pair of overalls. “Ah like droopy drawers!”

Twilight’s stomach rumbled again, quickly echoed by Fluttershy’s. “Maybe we should--I mean, we should get something to eat.” Fluttershy said firmly, heading for the door without even waiting for the others, who scrambled to catch up.

“We could go to Sugarcube Corner!” Pinkie pronked forward. “I’ve been working on a new cake recipe that has cinnamon, vanilla, strawberry and some of Maud’s special corundum flakes!”

Applejack tossed her own suggestion in. “Granny Smith’s been baking some pies for the country fair, I’m sure she’s got a few extra for us to--”

“There’s a new restaurant I’ve been meaning to visit.” Fluttershy spoke over her. “Let’s eat there.”

“Those all sound like good ideas.” Twilight suggested. “Maybe we should talk about--”

Once again, Fluttershy interrupted. “I wanted to go last week but we went to Sugarcube Corner instead. This time we’ll go to the new place.”

“You did?” Rarity asked. “I’m sorry, we didn’t know. You didn’t say anything--”

“Which is why I’m saying it now.” Fluttershy looked at them firmly, then began heading to the restaurant, not looking back to see if they were coming with her or not. After a brief moment, amid some confused glances to one another, her friends began to follow her.

The train to Canterlot chugged along, the falling snow whirling around the windows and slowing them down. But the cabins were warm and cozy. The group had managed to get one entirely to themselves and so had plenty of space to get in some more rehearsing and, in Rarity’s case, work on the costumes.

Rainbow Dash was idly looking through a Wonderbolt magazine when Twilight walked past, her saddlebags brimming with books. She couldn’t help commenting, “You do realize that there are books in Canterlot, right?”

“Oh, I do!” Twilight beamed, clearly finding book-filled saddlebags a comfortable and familiar weight. “I was just going to talk to Rarity about Clover the Clever.”

“I thought you didn’t want to play her,” Rainbow set her magazine aside. “Having second thoughts?”

Twilight shook her head. “No, I’m not. But even if I’m not playing Clover the Clever, I can still help Rarity familiarize herself with the part! I read four major biographies of Clover as well as her diary. I also made some additions to Rarity’s dialogue to better match Clover’s vocabulary, as well as to let the audience know about some of her other accomplishments.”

“Seriously?” Rainbow shook her head and sat back down as Twilight made her way over to Rarity, who was wearing her work glasses and a look of utmost concentration on her face.

She was so focused on her work that it took Rarity a moment to realize Twilight was waiting on her. “Oh, hello Twilight. Pardon me, I was just making some minor adjustments to our costumes.”

“Adjustments?” Twilight tilted her head. “I didn’t think our measurements was that different.” She tentatively poked her own belly before turning to judge if her rump had gotten bigger. Rarity waved off her fears with a chortle.

“Oh goodness, no. Never fear, your figure is quite lovely and very in-shape for a pony who spends most of her days reading.” Twilight almost objected to that last comment, but saw the barely hidden grin on Rarity’s face and realized that she was being teased. Rarity tittered. “Sorry darling, but I simply couldn’t resist. In any case, I’m not letting them out or anything. No, I’m simply improving on the designs a little.”

That drew Twilight up short. “Improving?”

“Of course,” Rarity nodded distractedly as she waved a hoof at the outfits she had delicately laid out on some empty seats. “Now, the craftsmareship is quite lovely but some of their choices could use some updating.”

“But, they were designed to look period specific—to look as much like the actual outfits worn by Princess Platinum and Clover the Clever!” Twilight protested.

Rarity looked practically pained. “Twilight darling—historical accuracy is all well and good, but this is a pageant. We’re putting on a show, and if we don’t look good, the message doesn’t look good.”

“But what’s the point of looking good if the message has been altered?” Twilight countered.

“How good would it look during the performance if we had to stop every few moments to scratch our bums because our ‘historically accurate’ wool outfits itch worse than poison ivy?” Rarity responded, quirking an elegant eyebrow for emphasis.

“But you have such an eye for detail!” Twilight exclaimed. “How can you be okay with this?”

Rarity nodded. “That’s precisely why I wish to change things. See this stitch here? It’s too restrictive on a pony like you and could tear if you make too sudden a gesture. And that bolt of fabric is too close to the color of your coat—nopony would even realize you were wearing anything!” She set her working glasses down. “I realize this isn’t something that you’re used to, but perception and presentation matters. It affects how one receives a message. If you show up looking like you were just dragged through a mud puddle, your audience would be distracted and focus more on that then whatever you were talking about.”

“But if you change the outfits from what they’re expecting to something new, won’t that distract them too?” Twilight pointed out. “You’d be placing the appearance over the message. Since the dialogue changes with each performance, that makes it even more important for everything else--the sets, the props, the costumes--to be the same so the audience is grounded in something familiar.” Rarity winced causing Twilight to pause. “You’re changing more than the costumes are you?”

“Some of the props are so old and tacky--they were just begging for an update!” Rarity hurriedly explained.

Twilight shook her head. “No no no, you can’t do that! You can’t just change everything!”

“I just reworked your crown a little!” Rarity eagerly lifted up Platinum’s crown, now enlarged and encrusted with jewels. It caught the light and refracted it into everypony’s eyes, blinding them.

Rainbow Dash threw her wings up to block the light. “Whoa! Turn down the bling, Rarity!”

Pinkie Pie yelped as she covered her eyes. “It burns like a dragon in a cider flagon, consarn it!” Applejack’s glower was ruined by her eyes watering.

Thinking quickly, Twilight used her magic to draw the blinds, cutting off the light. After waiting for the spots in her vision to fade, Twilight looked back to Rarity and the crown. “Rarity, that doesn’t look anything Princess Platinum’s crown. It’s been recorded in dozens of sketches and carvings from the period.” She blinked as she got a better look at it. “I don’t even think Princess Celestia’s crown has that many jewels in it!”

Rarity pursed her lips. “Twilight, I’m aware this may not be the most, hrm, accurate of props but it’s designed to compliment your appearance and costume. I carefully designed it to convey the regal splendor that Platinum possessed.” Her expression softened. “Part of being in a play is to become larger than life, to step into a role thoroughly outside your norm and inspire others through your acting.”

Twilight shook her head. “But this isn’t a made up play! It’s a historical re-enactment!”

“A re-enactment where we’re coming up with our own dialogue because nopony knows what was actually said.” Rarity pointed out wryly. “Some liberties are inherent in the nature of the work.”

“That doesn’t give us a license to change things we know for a fact!” Twilight countered. “Like your dialogue…”

Rarity huffed. “What about my dialogue? It’s inspired!”

“It could use a bit of adjusting,” Twilight allowed diplomatically. “You’re just using impressive sounding words out of context—most of them weren’t even used in this time period! That doesn’t make you sound clever, it makes you sound--well, pretentious.”

Rarity waved her hoof. “Darling, you’re being disingenuous. I’m employing the appropriate vernacular for somepony of Clover the Clever’s intellect. That way I can highlight the capriciousness nature of the, um, quid pro quo that marked by acrimony between the ponies in the days of yore.”

Twilight wore an expression that spoke of deep, personal pain. “No. Just … just no.” She sighed. “Starswirl the Bearded once said that the most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do. Now, I made some notes based on her syntax and grammar style, complete with period-accurate words...”

“Words that nopony who isn’t a scholar will know?” Rarity quirked her brow before sighing. “Twilight, I appreciate your dedication to your vision of historical accuracy—but in my experience, sometimes the customer isn’t always right. Sometimes I have a pony come into my shop with their own idea for an outfit that—for whatever reason—simply cannot work. Thus, I have to use my own creative judgment to determine how to best achieve the result they truly desire. I think the same applies here as well.”

Twilight shook her head severely. "I hardly think there's anything wrong with being historically accurate. Not to mention we're preserving the historical memory of Equestria. We can't feed ponies lies about the founding of our nation."

“Twilight…” Rarity’s eye twitched ever so slightly. “I’m sure you’re just trying to help, but I do feel like I should remind you that I did give up the role of Princess Platinum to you because you wanted to trade. I think it’s a bit … late to quibble about the details of how I choose to perform the role you gave up?”

But Twilight looked equally irked. “If it’s too late for me to give you advice on how to accurately portray Clover, then maybe it’s too late for you to make additions to Princess Platinum’s historical outfits.”

Rainbow Dash walked over and spread her wings between them. “Whoa, whoa whoa--easy ladies.” She looked over to the others, but Applejack and Pinkie Pie were busy with their own argument over how to be random and country-like. She then walked over to Fluttershy, who had remained seated throughout the whole argument, idly flipping through a book. “Hey Fluttershy, back me up here?”

Fluttershy looked up, her face impassive. “Why? If they want to bicker like foals, why not let them?” She turned back to her book, idly flipping a page. “It’s not my job to play peacemaker every time there’s some petty squabble.”

Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened, rocking back on her hooves. “Um, what?”

Huffing slightly, Fluttershy slammed her book closed. “Honestly!” She frowned. “You think there’s something wrong with me because I’m not whimpering and curled up in a corner because somepony raised their voice, isn’t it?” She stood up. “Maybe I’m tired of being whiny and scared. And if you don’t like it--well,” she struggled for a moment. “That’s just too bad!” Fluttershy hopped off her seat. “I’m going to the sleeping cabin, but first I’m going to find the conductor and give him a piece of my mind about these uncomfortable seats!” With that, she stormed out of the cabin, slamming the door closed behind her.

Rainbow was left blinking in confused silence as her friends continued to obliviously bicker around her.

Chapter 3

Opening night in Canterlot was chaos. Of course, it was a controlled sort of chaos, one that came with any theater group before a show. But for Rainbow Dash, all the hustle and bustle and shouting seemed to be happening to somepony else.

She stood offstage while Fluttershy, Applejack and Twilight had their summit meeting, which dissolved into comedic bickering and insults. Well, mostly comedic; she fidgeted uncomfortably as Fluttershy really seemed to be getting into the role of berating her friends. “You’re useless! A dead weight every pegasi is forced to bear!”

Rainbow flicked her ear. It hardly sounded like Fluttershy was acting at all. But what the hay could Fluttershy have against Applejack or Twilight? Not a thing that she could think of. She didn’t ask Pinkie Pie or Rarity, who were sitting off-stage with her and frowning at their friends’ acting. Rainbow had never seen Pinkie grind her teeth before. It was quite a sight. Every half minute or so, Rarity would tilt her head back and hmph indignantly one of Twilight’s mannerisms. Apparently, she didn’t think Twilight made a convincing princess.

She’d probably make a better princess than I’d be a Private Pansy. Rainbow winced, dreading the prospect of having to get up on stage in front of half of Canterlot and act like somepony who whimpered and simpered and was scared of their own shadow.Guess I can’t blame Fluttershy for wanting to be somepony cool and brave instead of … well, Pansy’s basically the opposite of that.

The scene changed and Rainbow took her position on stage as the set was quickly swapped from the meeting hall to Pegasopolis. The curtain parted and Fluttershy flew in from the left. “Commander Hurricane!” Rainbow called, getting into her role. “How did the conference go?”

“It was a complete waste of time,” Fluttershy groused. “Nothing but mewling whines from the unicorns and inane babble from the earth ponies, as expected. I shouldn’t have gone at all.”

“So what now?” Rainbow Dash asked, uncomfortable as she let a whine into her voice. “It’s so cold and everypony’s starving.”

Fluttershy whipped her head and barked at her. “Enough of that simpering! I’ve heard enough of it from everypony else dirtside and I won’t have it up here!” She flapped her wings in irritation, giving her height over Rainbow. “Pegasi like us are above such weakness, in every way possible! You understand me?”

Forcing herself to be taken aback, Rainbow crouched down and did her best to look feeble, and nodded weakly. “Yes, Commander.”

“Good, because here’s what we’re going to do.” Fluttershy flew around Rainbow like a circling shark. “You and I will scout on ahead to find a new home. Once we locate a suitable new place, we’ll lead others, as only I can.”

“Then we’ll all go and live in this new place that isn’t buried in ice and snow?” Rainbow asked.

“If be ‘all’ you mean the pegasi, then yes. The others can sit here and freeze for all I care!” Fluttershy spat out bitterly. “We don’t need them!” She spun around until she was glaring at Rainbow Dash, eyeball to eyeball. “The weak have been propped up by the strong for far too long! Ponies need to stand on their own, not leech off the strength of others!”

Rainbow’s eyes widened and she unconsciously took a step back, her mind reeling. The way Fluttershy had looked at her when she said her last lines … Fluttershy wasn’t that good an actress. She had meant it.

What in Equestria is going on? “What’s wrong with helping other ponies?” Rainbow asked, going off-script a bit—not that anyone outside the performers would know.

For her part, Fluttershy recovered quickly to the improvisation. “Helping is one thing. But all too often, the strong become a crutch for those who never try to be anything other than what they are.”

“And what’s wrong with being who they really are?” Rainbow asked. “Not everypony can be a warrior.

Fluttershy shook her head. “The weak get walked on. It’s the strong who shape the world and make it better. The rest are just a burden to them. I won’t have it be me—be us who gets walked on anymore.” Fluttershy was starting to slip a bit, but Rainbow Dash wasn’t prepared to let it go.

“But if powerful ponies aren’t being strong for others they’re just being selfish, or worse, being a bully.” Rainbow argued. “We need all kinds of ponies to make a society—not just fighters. We need the farmers, the scholars, the engineers … without them, we’re weak. There’s no shame in not being a warrior; in being gentle instead of being tough.”

There was a long pause as Fluttershy carefully worded her reply. “That just allows others to remain weak and dependent on the rest for strength. It doesn’t do them any favors. It lets them be children forever … and the world doesn’t reward childishness.”

Rainbow let the matter drop, having gotten some measure of clarity. The rest of this talk didn’t need to be held on a stage, in front of everypony. The scene wrapped up with Hurricane and Pansy setting out to find their new home. As soon as they were offstage, Rainbow hurried to intercept Fluttershy while Rarity and Twilight headed on stage. “Fluttershy, wait up!”

“I—I have to get ready for the next scene—”

“It can wait.” Rainbow blocked her path. When she didn’t say anything, Rainbow sighed and rubbed her head. “So … are you going to tell me what this is about, or do I have to play twenty questions? Because you know I’ll win; it’s kinda my thing.”

Fluttershy sighed and slid Hurricane’s helmet off. “I know. You never give up, Rainbow Dash. Even when you were just a filly.”

Rainbow tried to shrug modestly. “I don’t like losing.”

“It’s more than that.” Fluttershy looked down. “When were young, you were always so brave, defending yourself and me. You tried to get me to stand up for myself, but then you were gone. Derpy and Cloud Kicker tried their best but … they weren’t you.” Rainbow winced, feeling a sharp pain in her conscience. That hurt. “Oh, I’m not blaming you!” Fluttershy hurried to assure her. “I mean, Princess Celestia chose you to be her student! It’s wonderful and I was so happy for you, even though I was a teeny-tiny bit nervous when you were gone. After you left, when the bullies would pick on me, I tried to think of what you would do but … I guess I’m not like you.” She rubbed her forelegs together.

“Shy…” Rainbow struggled for the words. “I—I’m sorry.”

“When you used to write me letters—um, when you remembered to write them, I mean—you told me about how wonderful and amazing your life had become,” Fluttershy sighed. “But I was still the same scared, timid little pony that I always was and, I guess, that’s all I’ll ever be.” Rainbow tried taking a step towards her, but stopped short when Fluttershy moved away. “Whenever we went on an adventure to stop Nightmare Moon or King Sombra, I was always so scared. I wished … I wished I could be…be…”

Seeing her falter, Rainbow picked up the thread. “So when Celestia asked us to do the play, you wanted to be like Hurricane?”

She was stunned when Fluttershy burst out. “I wanted to be like you! Even if it was only for a little while, even if it was only pretend! I didn’t want to be the scaredy pony who always needs somepony to hold her hoof. I—I didn’t…” She looked down. “I didn’t want to be a pony you’d be ashamed of being.”

Rainbow Dash looked as if she had been smacked across the face with a two-by-four. Her mouth opened and closed a few times with nothing emerging. She dimly heard one of the stage-ponies shouting that the next scene with them was about to go on. Fluttershy waited, but when Rainbow couldn’t get her thoughts into words, she slowly put on Hurricane’s helmet and headed to the stage.

After that, Rainbow Dash didn’t even remember getting on stage. She barely even remembered interacting with the others or giving her lines as the three leaders and their aides encountered each other in the new land and set about arguing again.

Watching her friends argue with each other didn’t seem like a fun little play anymore … now it just made her feel uncomfortable. It almost seemed mean-spirited, with her friends parodying each other. She wished she had never agreed to Fluttershy’s proposal to swap roles, that way everypony would be in the part they originally wanted. Rarity would be a princess, Twilight would be a magic scholar, Applejack would be the down-to-earth advisor and Pinkie Pie would be the guy who got impeached for trying to legalize marriage to poultry... It'd be prefect and everypony’d be happy!

Right?

Rainbow barely noticed the three leaders running around arguing over lines drawn on a cave floor, her mind still awhirl. She found herself looking out over the audience, her gaze almost drawn towards Princess Celestia's box seat. Seeing her seated in her own private booth, suddenly reminded Rainbow of Celestia talking to her about what it was like being a ruler. 'Being a Princess is a role. It is not who you are, but what you do. But to others, they only see the role and carry expectations that you must meet. Hence the role is to meet those expectations. There is a danger though, of the role overtaking who you truly are and you run the risk of the mask becoming the face. And others will see the role, and think that's all there is of you.'

The mask becoming the face. Rainbow really hadn't quite gotten what that meant, until now. If I was Hurricane, Fluttershy was Pansy, and the rest had the original parts, how'd we be able to tell where we left off and the role began? We could’ve easily lost ourselves in the role.

Granted, that had happened to Fluttershy anyway, but for a different reason. Lots of ponies see Celestia as this perfect, all-powerful, all-knowing ruler, but that's because they don't really know her, the way I got to know her. Hay, even the Wonderbolts might be jerks if I ever got to know them--maybe. Rainbow’s wings drooped. Fluttershy hasn’t been with me since flight camp, since the Sonic Rainboom. She’s been too far away to see—well, see all the times I really dropped the ball. She thinks she’s trying to be like me, but she’s only imitating this idea of what she think I’m really like.

The howl of a Windigo interrupted her. Snapping her attention back to the play, she spied the (fake) ice advancing towards them, Fluttershy, Twilight and Applejack already being fully encased in it. "...this is our fault then, all of us: unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies," Pinkie Pie observed.

"Our fighting froze our old home, and now it'll freeze this new one too," Rarity agreed. "All because we couldn't stop hating each other."

Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to give her line about not hating them but Commander Hurricane--but somehow, that line just seemed wrong somehow. The way to beat hatred isn't to hate some ponies, but hate others instead? Plus, talking about Fluttershy like that, the way things between them were right now ... no. Just no.

But what else could she say? Granted, she preferred thinking on the fly to careful consideration but this was something she couldn’t screw up. Not because of the play—at this point, she really didn’t care about that—but because she wanted to make Fluttershy understand.

“We didn't always hate each other," Rainbow started. “That’s not where the problem started.” Pinkie and Rarity traded questioning glances at her. "Unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies all kept to ourselves. Even when we didn't actually hate one another, we still didn't want to do anything with them because we seemed too different." She walked around, looking at each of her three frozen friends. "We got so used to seeing them in a certain way that we thought that was all there was to them: unicorns and magic, pegasi and flight, earth ponies and crops." She stopped in front of Fluttershy, looking at her semi-frozen face. "We looked at them and saw only one aspect of them rather than the whole picture. We saw only the role they played ... not the ponies they were underneath all that."

She swallowed nervously as she faced Fluttershy. “Because the truth is? The way we present ourselves to the world … it’s almost never who we really are. And when you’re not happy with yourself, it’s easier to imagine that somepony else you like is so much better than you are, when really, they just have their own flaws you’re not seeing.”

Rainbow looked from Fluttershy to Rarity and Pinkie. “It's hard to step out of our usual roles, to try something new. It's scary sometimes, or frustrating to see somepony else do something that you usually do yourself. But if you never try anything new, you'll never grow, never change: frozen in place.” She gave one last sad look to Fluttershy and the others in the ice. She barely noticed the spell--not actually cast by Rarity, but by special effects ponies—driving the ‘windigos’ off and defrosting the others.

They sang the carols and took their bows to thunderous applause, but Rainbow didn’t even look in Fluttershy’s direction until the curtains had come down for good. She was about to go over to her, but Applejack blocked her path. “Sugarcube, can we talk?”“Can it wait?” Rainbow tried looking over her shoulder at Fluttershy, who had darted off stage. “I—”

“It’s important,” Applejack stressed. “See, thing is … well, what you said up there made a whole lot of sense, you know?” She paused, giving a weak chuckle. “Ah know, Ah was surprised too.”

“Very funny.”

“Ah thought so.” Applejack’s mirth faded, removing her hat apologetically. “Thing is, we got so swept up in playin’ these different parts that it felt, well, it felt like you really thought Ah was just a funny talkin’ idjit … and it hurt, thinking that’s how y’all look at me and, well, Ah guess Ah did it right on back. Ah guess the rest of us were in the same boat.”

“I’m not just silly.” Pinkie Pie scuffed her hooves. “I mean, I say a lot of nonsense but that doesn’t mean I never make any sense, right?”

Applejack leaned over and draped a leg across her back. “‘Course you’re not. You just look at things a mite differently than the rest of us. Ain’t nothing wrong with that.”

Twilight nodded, before looking downwards. “I know I was so wedded to the idea of how Clover the Clever should act that I couldn’t accept it when Rarity chose to portray her differently. History is very important to me and it felt like--”

“Like by disregarding your interpretation, I was disregarding your values and what made you, you?” Rarity cleared her throat. “I must confess that such thoughts may have led me to take some decisions rather personally.”

Rainbow nodded. “I hear you guys.” She looked over to where Fluttershy had ducked out. And some of us actually wanted to be the pony they were imitating. “‘Scuse me, really gotta take care of something…”

She flew off stage, intent on tracking down Fluttershy--only to find her right off-stage, prompting her to stop short. “Fluttershy, you okay?”

Fluttershy slowly turned around. “I guess so…” she started to duck her head and look away, but forced herself to stop. Instead she looked back at Rainbow Dash. “Did you really mean … everything you said out there? I mean, I didn’t think that’s how we rehearsed it, but--”

“No, I did.” Rainbow sighed, rubbing her face. “Look, the way I see it, nopony’s perfect. Not you, not Princess Celestia--not even me!” She joked. “You know that, right?”

Fluttershy nodded. “I didn’t think you were perfect … just that you were better than me.”

"That’s not … no, forget it.” Rainbow shook her head. “I’m not doing this.”

“Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy looked confused.

She shook her head at Fluttershy, “I'm not gonna just say 'you're better at some things than me and I'm better at some things than you.' You know that, I know that, it's trite and it's not what's bugging you." She rubbed her neck, fishing for the right words. "When I was a foal I stood up to bullies and did the impossible: a Sonic Rainboom. Then Princess Celestia makes me her student. Couple of years later, I meet back up with you and we saved the world. Twice. Seems really awesome, right?"

Fluttershy nodded. “Well, um, yes?”

"Well, that's because it is." Rainbow shrugged. "No point denying it. But it wasn't a straight line from beating up bullies to stopping Nightmare Moon." She fidgeted uncomfortably. "I made a lot of mistakes between leaving flight camp and arriving in Ponyville. I got so wrapped up in trying to recapture doing the Sonic Rainboom and showing up a bunch of pampered snobs that I let things, important things, just ... fall away." She looked up at Fluttershy. "Like you."

“But Rainbow…”

She waved Fluttershy off. “No buts. Yeah, I wrote you and maybe I remembered to occasionally drop Derpy and Dinky a line, but you weren’t where my focus was; it was getting into fights with the elite and arguing with Celestia. I spent so much time trying to prove I was awesome that I stopped really being awesome.” Her wings drooped as she sighed. “And I ended up doing it again. I was so worried about looking uncool in front of all the Canterlot ponies I use to know that I didn’t even notice you were having problems.”

“That’s not fair.” Fluttershy argued. “Everypony gets wrapped up in their own issues sometimes.”

“Everypony isn’t the Element of Loyalty,” Rainbow rubbed her neck. “You weren’t around to see it, but if the whole Nightmare Moon thing hadn’t happened? I might’ve ended up like one of those bitter old athletes or former foal actors, desperately trying to recapture some former glory and resenting everything and everypony for not being able to do it.” She paused to make sure Fluttershy was listening before she continued. “And in the end, what made me able to do it again was having you girls be my friends. It wasn’t the Sonic Rainboom, or even being the Princess’ student that made me awesome. It was having ponies worth being awesome for. Because if I didn’t have friends like you … I wouldn’t be awesome at all, even if I could do Rainbooms in my sleep.”

Fluttershy’s eyes watered. She surprised Rainbow Dash by surging forward and hugging her. “I’m sorry! I never wanted to make things hard for you or our friends, I just wished I could be--”

“I know.” Rainbow Dash awkwardly began patting her back comfortingly. “If it helps? Right now I wish I was more like you, because being all comforting and stuff is not my strong suit.”

“That’s alright,” Fluttershy chuckled, wiping her eyes. “Like you said, sometimes it’s good to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things. I wish I could get my brother Zephyr to do the same.”

Rainbow Dash grinned and clapped her on the back with her wing. “Heh, I know what you mean.”

Fluttershy quickly steadied herself. “I would still like to try to be a little more assertive … if that’s alright with you, I mean.”

“You can do whatever you want to do and I’ll be there to back you,” Rainbow nodded. “Just make sure you’re doing it for yourself, not because you think it’ll make other ponies happy--that goes for me too.”

“Alright.” Fluttershy took a deep breath. “I should go apologize to the others. Maybe I could take them out to dinner to celebrate, my treat?”

“We’ll split it,” Rainbow Dash agreed. “Race you back to the others--loser buys dessert?”

Fluttershy fidgeted. “Well, I don’t know…” Before Rainbow could say anything, Fluttershy had zipped ahead of her. “Gotcha!”

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash charged after her, laughing as she pursued.

The End