Fearless

"---Everyone wants to make it about politics. It's about separation of species, simple as that. We don’t share bathrooms with dogs, or swim in pools with apes."

"Wait, just to make it clear, are you comparing ponymorphs to dogs, or apes?"

"Don’t twist my words. Humans and... them, don't mix. That's all I'm saying. I don't care if they go to school or anything. But does it have to be human schools? I have two young daughters, I don't want them exposed to them like that."

"So, why are you afraid of this exposure to ponymorphs?"

"I'm not afraid. I just don't want my kids around them. We aren't meant to be together. Kids hang around them too much, they might start to think it's okay to procreate with them or something. It's not. It's disgusting."

"Mr. Dee, could you elaborate on that a bit? It may sound to our listeners tonight that you're implying that ponymorphs are, subhuman, shall we say."

"No, they're not human at all. I don't care if they walk and talk like us. We should just have, like, two separate societies, and just leave each other alone. Thanks for having me on, Jimbo, but that’s all I have to say."

In the cozy warmth of a spring afternoon, a trickling stream of young children merrily poured into the street from the schoolyard. Many piled into buses, while others clambered into cars belonging to parents or siblings. The rest peeled off their separate ways, trudging to their homes in small groups.

There was one, however, who paced silently on her own. She kept her head down, her hair hovering in front of her face, veiling eyes from the view of others. She was always on her own, this one. At school, and after. She didn't really click with the other children.

In fact, it often seemed quite the opposite. And today was just one of those days.

Fluttershy felt a sharp pain on the back of her head. A small rock fell to the ground at her feet. Touching her hand to the aching spot, she felt another sting on her right arm.

"Hahaha, got her!"

Horrified, Fluttershy turned to the sound of the cruel voice. A group of boys was advancing towards her. They were waving sticks and lobbing rocks at Fluttershy as they charged. Wincing, Fluttershy took off at a run.

"Where do you think you're going?" One of the boys jeered. They continued to taunt as they chased, mocking her like a smug vulture circling a dehydrated rodent.

Fluttershy panted heavily. She hadn’t been running long, but her energy was long-drained, and they were gaining on her. How could she explain another black eye to Mommy?

In a desperate move, Fluttershy veered off the sidewalk. She pelted for the fence separating Oakview Avenue from Cherry Street. She dove, clawing at the gravel at the base. As soon as she had enough room, Fluttershy wriggled underneath, slightly ripping the ends of her skirt in the process. Once clear, she took off yet again.

By the sound of the chain link fence rattling behind her, Fluttershy already knew that the pursuit wasn't over; they were hopping the fence. Fluttershy kept running. She burst out from the bushes into somebody's backyard. Her legs and feet complained from the marathon, but she dared not stop.

She pushed herself, harder and harder. Turning down corners randomly and venturing further away from home. After a torturous 10 minutes, Fluttershy gave up. She collapsed under a tree in a park she only vaguely recognized. Let them catch her; she couldn't run anymore.

For a few moments, it seemed as if no one was coming. Fluttershy waited, no tormentors arrived. Fluttershy sat up, trying to catch her breath. She scooted back to lean against the tall apple tree. Eventually, the pulsing in her veins slowed.

"You know, you were pretty fast."

Fluttershy jumped at the voice from above. Sitting on a branch in the tree was a sky-blue ponymorph. Its hair seemed to shine in a spectrum of color. Fluttershy couldn't tell exactly, but it seemed to be around her age. No telling how long it had been watching her.

Fluttershy awkwardly scrambled to her feet, brushing off dirt. The ponymorph stared at her with curious magenta eyes.

"Whatcha doin'?"

"H-h-hiding."

The ponymorph raised an eyebrow. "You're not doing a very good job."

Fluttershy shifted. The ponymorph dressed and sounded like a young boy, but its face appeared rather... girlish.

"W-well, I was running from the boys that were chasing me." She explained quietly.

"Huh, I think I've seen them around. They don't come into my block very often. Matter of fact, humans don't really come here at all."

Fluttershy suddenly felt like an intruder. "Do-do you want me to leave?"

"It's a free nation." The ponymorph shrugged. It slid off the branch, dropping a short distance to the ground. "Anyway, I'm Dash. Rainbow Danger Dash." The ponymorph struck a macho pose with its arms held up. "What's your name, Short-round?"

"Um, I'm Fluttershy."

"Sweet. So, why were those creeps chasing you, Butterfly?"

"They do it almost every day after school. I guess they just don't like people who are different," Fluttershy explained, not bothering to correct Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow blew a strand of multicolored hair out of its eye. "Yeah, I know how that feels. But I don't have to deal with it. Papa homeschools me."

"Do you go with any friends?"

"Nope. My only friend is in juvie."

Fluttershy crossed her arms bashfully. "Um, what's juvie?"

Rainbow Dash's face hardened. "Juvenile detention, the hill, the hall, whatever. It's just prison for kids."

"Oh." Fluttershy reached an arm out. "I'm sorry to hear that. Don't you get lonely?"

"Uh... sometimes, maybe." Rainbow Dash's shoulder tensed at Fluttershy's hand touching it, as if it were a foreign object.

Fluttershy tapped her foot, lowering her gaze in embarrassment. "Um, I really, really don't want to seem rude, but... I'm sorry, but, are you a boy or a girl?"

Rainbow Dash's head cocked. Then Rainbow burst into laughter. "Papa told me I could fool anyone!" Rainbow Dash fell back, wiping away a tear. "I'm a girl, yeah." She laughed.

Fluttershy looked around, not sure what to say. After a minute, Rainbow Dash climbed back up, still giggling.

"I like you already." Rainbow Dash slung an arm around Fluttershy. "Stick with me, Butterfly; you'll be alright."

Fluttershy stared at Rainbow Dash. She was shocked at how this encounter had unfolded.

"Well, I better go. Papa is gonna need help cooking, and then we're gonna play rugby." Rainbow Dash gave Fluttershy another friendly shake, then turned to leave.

"You know how to get back to your house, right?"

Fluttershy nodded. "Um, yes," She added, remembering that Rainbow Dash wasn't looking at her. "Goodbye, Rainbow Dash."

"Later, Butterfly."

Fluttershy watched as Rainbow Dash threw up a hand and gave a short wave as she walked. Holding in a breath, Fluttershy also made her way back. Once she was a safe distance away, Fluttershy squeaked in excitement. She just made a friend!

A ponymorph friend, which Mommy might not approve. But still, Fluttershy had a friend.

Now, don't get carried away, she just wants to hang out.

Fluttershy steadied herself. She only just met Rainbow Dash. But still, there was something special about her. Something that made Fluttershy feel...

"Wow."