Fearless

Three years later...

"...yet another protest last night, in Valley Square several thousand ponymorphs gathered to demand the resignation of officer S. C. Goode. Officer Goode, for those of you who may not have caught up with the coverage, was seen on dash cam footage shooting and killing an adolescent ponymorph by the name of McIntosh Apple. We're playing the video now. Viewers, please be advised that the following footage is graphic.

"McIntosh's younger sister Jacqueline dialed for police after a gang of young men attacked him. The assailants fled the scene before authorities arrived. As you can see, the police cruiser pulls up to the curb where Apple rested. Officer Goode proceeded to exit his vehicle, drew his weapon, and according to eyewitnesses, ordered Apple to stand up and place his hands on his head.

"It seems as though Mr. Apple is complying, but Goode then opens fire. Rookie officer Sentry also fired two shots, in what he described was a "blind panic". A total of 15 bullets were fired at Apple, and he was struck 9 times in the chest, arms, and head. The official police report stated that Apple glowered at the officers, made threatening remarks, and charged at them.

"The footage isn't very clear, but Apple does not seem to be advancing towards the police as he stands up. Obviously, there is no audio, but eyewitnesses claim that Apple said absolutely nothing in the moments leading up to his death.

An internal investigation has been launched, and officer Sentry has been suspended, but many in the ponymorph community are still calling for justice. And that's a call that isn't being ignored by anyone.

"Glenn Copperfield, INN."

Rainbow Dash dumped out the contents of her piggy bank. A handful of quarter pieces piled on the carpet, as well as a five-piece note. She smiled proudly. This would be more than enough. Rainbow scooped the money up and stuffed it in the pocket of her ripped jeans.

She stood up and grabbed her sweatshirt and beanie, quickly throwing them on before hurtling down the stairs. She flew to the front door (literally, thanks to the holes she cut in the back of all of her tops).

"Dad, I'm going to go hang out with Fluttershy!" She called.

Her father paused the TV he was watching. "Did you finish your homework?"

"Yes, I finished my homework," Rainbow groaned, rolling her eyes.

"Alright. Be back before nine."

Rainbow whipped open the door, bursting free with a lunge. She took off with a powerful beating of her wings. She glided over the pavement, the tips of her sneakers skidding against it.

Rainbow followed the mental path to PV Road, where Fluttershy was waiting, hopefully not upset that Rainbow Dash was late. Rainbow turned one more corner, then folded her wings. Fluttershy sat on a park bench, entranced by a flock of pigeons nearby.

Rainbow Dash walked over, sitting herself down next to Fluttershy.

"Heya, Flutters."

Fluttershy looked up and smiled when she saw Rainbow. "Hi, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow Dash leaned back and stretched out her legs. "So, first day of summer. Got any plans?"

"I'm going to go visit my grandmother and brother next week."

"You doing anything special today?" Rainbow asked, lightly elbowing Fluttershy. Fluttershy shook her head.

"Perfect!" Rainbow Dash grinned. "Come with me." Rainbow grabbed Fluttershy's arm, pulling her up and leading her away. The two girls scampered down the street, Rainbow going at a slower pace to let Fluttershy keep up.

Finally, Rainbow Dash came to a stop. Fluttershy panted slightly, winded from the run. "So, where were we going?"

Rainbow Dash gestured up to the sign on the building they stood in front of. "Here, to the best ice cream parlor in all of Camelot Garden!"

Fluttershy shied away. "Oh, that's nice."

"Yeah it is! Come on!" Rainbow dragged Fluttershy in, who was too confused to protest.

They stopped at the display counter, where countless buckets of ice cream flavors sat in chilled containers beneath the glass.

"So, whadya' want, Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy crossed her arms behind her back. "Um, I don't have any money."

Rainbow Dash scoffed. "Pfft, I'm buying it, silly Butterfly."

Fluttershy felt a knot in her stomach. "Oh Rainbow, you don't have to do that."

Rainbow Dash smirked, giving Fluttershy's shoulder a friendly squeeze. "I know, but I want to. You're always so kind to me. I want to do this for you."

Fluttershy felt like her insides had been crushed. "Wow, Dash. That's..." Fluttershy held in a shuddering breath. "Thank you."

"My pleasure," Rainbow Dash smiled widely. "So, what do you want?"

Fluttershy peered through the glass, searching for any recognizable flavor.

"Um, strawberry would be nice."

Rainbow Dash seemed baffled at Fluttershy's rather plain choice, but quickly replaced it with her usual confident look.

"One strawberry cone, sir!" She said to the man at the counter. As the cashier scooped the pink creamy substance into a waffle cone, Fluttershy gave Rainbow Dash a befuddled look.

"Aren't you getting anything?"

"Nah. The ice cream here is the best, but that’s why it's expensive." Rainbow Dash said as she fished quarter pieces from her pocket.

Placing the money on the counter, Rainbow Dash accepted the cone, handing it to Fluttershy. Hesitantly, Fluttershy wrapped her fingers around the cone, following Rainbow Dash outside. Neither of the girls noticed the dirty glares directed at Rainbow from other patrons.

Fluttershy couldn't help but feel a stab of guilt. What Rainbow Dash had done was very generous of her. But still, it didn't feel right to enjoy something in front of her; that would be just plain rude.

"So, do you like it?"

Rainbow Dash spun around to face Fluttershy, walking backwards down the street. Fluttershy felt another wave of guilt as she gazed into Rainbow's expectant, concerned eyes. Hopefully not shaking too hard, Fluttershy brought the cone up, running her tongue over the creamy scoop.

"...It really is the best."

Rainbow Dash exhaled in relief. "Sweet! Hey, let's sit in the shade so it doesn't melt so fast." Fluttershy followed Rainbow Dash to a picnic table under an oak tree. Fluttershy remembered playing in this park as a toddler.

Fluttershy sat down next to Rainbow, who sighed and stretched. "This is the life! I wish it was summer all the time! Am I ri-"

She glanced over to Fluttershy for her agreement, and stopped at the sight of her holding over the ice cream cone.

"What?"

"It really is the best," Fluttershy began. "I would feel a lot better if you shared it with me."

Rainbow Dash's face twisted in confusion. "But, I bought it for you. My dad taught me to never do anything for someone unless I really mean it."

"And that was very generous of you. But my mom taught me that sharing is caring."

Fluttershy gently took hold of Rainbow Dash's hand, placing it on the opposite side of the cone she still held. Cautiously, Rainbow Dash scooted closer. Fluttershy silently noted that Rainbow Dash had never, ever before appeared to be nervous.

With what seemed to be great effort, Rainbow Dash leaned in, brushing her tongue into the fruity substance, which had already softened from the heat. The girls took turns doing this, staring into each other's eyes the whole time. Both saw the other's thoughts racing back and forth.

Finally, Rainbow Dash noticed that most of the remaining ice cream had melted onto their hands, and they had simply been staring at each other for a long time.

"I- uh, that was..." Rainbow stuttered, searching for words.

Fluttershy blushed a deep crimson.

"That- you know, I don't-"

The girls opted to remain silent. Rainbow Dash quickly began to mentally process what had just happened. Just then, she had felt... something.

"Um... that was..."

Fluttershy preemptively covered her face in embarrassment.

Rainbow Dash smirked her classic smirk, laying an arm around her.

"Nice. That was really, really nice." Rainbow Dash scooted even closer, hugging her friend. Fluttershy raised her head, meeting Rainbow Dash's eyes again. Slowly, she returned the smile.

"Thanks, Butterfly."

Rainbow Dash hummed giddily as she inserted the key in the lock. With a turn, she shoved the door open. The street lights were on, but hopefully dad wouldn't be too upset. She kicked off her shoes, yawning as she shut the door.

She heard movement from the living room. Her dad appeared, his fists shaking and his eyes red-rimmed.

"Where the hell have you been?"

Rainbow cursed silently. No such luck.

"I was out with Fluttershy."

Rainbow froze when she saw the furious look on his face.

"Okay, I'll pay more attention to the time, next time." She sputtered, suddenly terrified.

"Goddammit, Rainbow Dash!"

Rainbow flinched as her dad leapt forward. She was perplexed as he wrapped her in a tight hug.

"Celestia my Savior, I called the police! I thought you were one of them, I thought you were one of them!" He sobbed loudly.

Rainbow Dash gradually felt a new fear take place. Something scared her dad. Nothing scares dad. Rainbow Dash looked over her father's heaving shoulder at the muted TV.

Inexplicable tears rolled down her cheek, as well, as she saw shots of men hoisting a rope, hanging the writhing figure of a ponymorph from a tree in Camelot Garden Park.