A Different Kind of Paradise

Chapter VIII: Hide and Seek

“Last one” Nero said to himself as he popped the last cloud from his division.  The agenda called for clear skies, usually the easiest weather to achieve; by extent leaving the weather patrol with plenty of down time.  As much as Nero loved goofing off, there was something important to take care of.

Finding Danny.

As soon as his sector was completely clear he immediately dashed off in the direction he last saw Danny go.   Nero knew he had to find Danny and get him and Gabe to make up; not just for Danny, but for Gabe.  Ever since what happened last night Gabe’s been depressed, and when he saw him this morning was super stressed out for some reason.  Unfortunately a new friend was about to get in his way.

“Sweet moves Nero; I’m starting to wonder if you’re trying to one-up me.”  Rainbow Dash congratulated post- hovering in Nero’s path.

Nero gasped in shock as he had to “grind” to a halt.  He chuckled before trying to excuse himself “heh, yeah thanks RD, but if you don’t mind I have to get around.”

As Nero tried to fly past Rainbow Dash she quickly moved back in front of him.  “What’s the rush?  Got a hot date?”  Rainbow teased.

“Please” Nero began to plead.  “It doesn’t concern you.”

Nero tried to fly around again but Rainbow quickly got in his way again, several attempts by Nero later he just took off in the other direction, followed closely behind by Rainbow Dash.

In the skies above Ponyville a green and black streak was followed closely behind by a rainbow colored one; unfortunately for the green streak the rainbow one was gaining fast.   Nero was aware that he had no hope of outflying the pony who proclaimed herself the fastest flyer in Equestria, with good reason, but as any of his friends knows; Nero never gives up.

When Rainbow almost reached Nero he resorted to quickly ducking down, falling towards the surface while Dash sped ahead.  After Nero reached the ground he ran on hoof through the marked; he tried to pass under as many tents and overhangs, as well as pas through as many crowds as he could.

“Hey!”  An irritated cyan pegasus yelled as she soared in circles over the market “that’s cheating!”

Nero chuckled to himself as he hid under a lime stand; as much as he trusted Rainbow Dash he didn’t want her involved, this was an issue in between Danny and Gabe.  As for the concept of him “cheating” he always enjoyed changing the game ever-so slightly to his favor, he was glad that this time it was slightly justified.  Right now Nero was trying to find a way to dodge Dash, his plotting was interrupted by an all-too familiar voice.

“Hey” Rainbow Dash whispered.  “Who’re we hiding from?”

Nero screamed as he immediately launched himself into the air; toppling the lime stand and angering the lime salescolt.  Once again it wasn’t long before Rainbow Dash closed the distance.  She pulled up beside Nero and yelled “c’mon! What’s the big deal?!”

“It’s nothing!”  Nero screamed as the duo wove in and out of alleys and around buildings.  “Leave me alone!”

Rainbow Dash had had enough, she decided that this game had gone on long enough.  With one push she latched on to Nero and wrapped herself around his torso, disabling his wings.  As they tumbled towards the ground Rainbow caused them to start rolling.  After they had landed and lost all of their momentum Rainbow Dash pinned Nero to the ground and started “look, I don’t know what’s going on but if it means risking your life and using limes as camouflage, then I think it’s a big deal.  Something happened, what?”

“Look” Nero responded.  “Something bad happened and I need to find Danny.”  The last thing Nero wanted to do was throw Gabe under the bus; he felt bad enough, and didn’t need anything else bringing him down.

“That’s it?”  Rainbow Dash helped Nero up just to shove him.  “I wasted my best moves and peeked under 7 carts for that?”

Nero was surprised he didn’t expect this reaction.  “It’s kinda personal what happened so I didn’t want anyo- pony getting involved.”

Rainbow looked away and nodded a little, she decided she’d be able to respect that; but then something caught her eye and she tried to withhold a snicker.  “Tell ya’ what Nero, I’ll help you find Danny boy, and then I’ll scram.  Sound good?”

“Ok” Nero thought that sounded reasonable and a second set of eyes would help.

Rainbow pointed her hoof and said “found ‘m”

Sure enough when Nero turned round he saw Danny, he was walking with the crème pegasus from the party; Flutterbug?  He had forgotten her name.  “DANNY!”  He was excited to see him again, so excited he dashed forward and plowed into him.

“Oh fu-“was Danny’s short reaction to Nero’s flying tackle hug attack.  He replied to this with a light chuckle and patted Nero on the back.  “I take it you missed me.”

“Gabe and I were just scared, after…”  He looked in between Butterfly and Rainbow Dash.  “What happened.”  He looked to Rainbow “Ok; remember our deal, see ya’”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and flew off.

“Hey Fluttershy…”  Danny started, only to be interrupted by Nero.

“FLUTTERSHY!! That was her name!”  He smacked his forehead with his hoof.

Danny and Fluttershy just watched and shook that outburst off.  “Um” Danny continued.  “Yeah, Fluttershy, thanks for the help.  But can I have a moment to catch up with Nero?”

“Ok” Fluttershy replied.  “I need to buy some bird seed anyway.  Bye Danny.”  Deciding to go out on a limb, kissed Danny on the cheek before trotting off.

After Danny was done blushing to death, Nero grabbed him and said “let’s go make things right.”  As he lead him back to their apartment.