Chapter 2: School

Celestia's sun breaks through the window into Rainbow Dash's room. The rays of light cause her to roll over in an attempt to avoid the penetrating brightness. She continues to lie there, unable to return to the realms of slumber but unwilling to extract herself from her bed. Her brain clicks into gear and she sighs. 'Birthday day. This is going to be boring.'

Moments pass as her young mind wanders. School. Yet another upcoming thing for her to dread. She imagines what the classes would be like. Dull old pegasus ponies telling the class what to do, scary crowds, and bullies. 'I hope Rocky and his gang aren't there. I don't want to get beaten up every day,' Rainbow Dash thinks to herself. She suddenly remembers something her mum had briefly mentioned: Flight school. A fun holiday school where awesome fillies like herself get to learn how to fly like champions, do awesome tricks and even race. This brings a smile to her face. 'I'll be the first one there to fly!' Feeling herself fill with sudden energy, Rainbow Dash leaps up and out of bed. She waltzes off down the hallway, a spring in her step. Rainbow Dash can imagine her breakfast calling to her and does not want to deny her food the privilege of being eaten by the most awesome pegasus ever.

She strolls into the kitchen to find her mother preparing something. Sniffing the air, a grin creeps onto her face. It smells like… 'birthday cake! Pie too? Wait, apple pie means Soarin's coming' Rainbow Dash dances a quick jig of joy. Hopefully her brother can finally give her a totally awesome birthday present, flying lessons.

Gust's food is always one of the highlights of family parties. Knowing this, Dash's tummy chooses this moment to complain loudly, resulting in Gust turning to check out the source of the unexpected noise. A smile lights up her slightly aged features at the unexpected entry.

"Rainbow Dear, you're up early. Sounds like somepony's hungry!"

Rainbow chuckles, her good mood bolstered by the promise of awesome food. Rainbow Dash's stomach rumbles like an earthquake again.

"Here." Gust smiles cheekily, knowing the noise's meaning all too well.

Rainbow reclines on her small cloud hill, away from the rest of the world. Her belly is full, body relaxing, thoughts allowed to roam at will as she imagines flying. Her wings move in tune to her day dream. Faster, faster, faster. Beating Soarin' in a race. A massive smile grows on her blue face, she can't help but imagine the look on his face when that day finally comes.

"Rainbow? Rainbow! Hey filly!"

She snaps out of it then jumps out of her skin, staring at the stallion in front of her. Blaze chuckles to himself. He knows exactly what being yanked out of a cool day dream is like and finds it amusing that of all ponies, his daughter has inherited his skills for napping.

"Your mother said it's time for you to come home. We have a surprise for you young filly."

Rainbow glides down from her cloud, landing hard on the cloud-stuff beside her dad.

"Come on up!"

He lies down, indicating for her to climb on his back. The cyan filly stares at him for a few seconds in surprise, then complies, noting that her dad's coat is clean for once. He glances back at her, checking she's safe then he stands up and awkwardly takes off, flying home. He cruises along for a few moments before making known a thought that crosses his lazy mind.

"You know, you reminded me of somepony back there."

"Yea'? Who's that, dad?"

"Me." The stallion fills the air with his deep laughter as his daughter groans, rolling her eyes.

"Thanks, Dad." They glide along the last few streets, then alight on the doorstep to their home. Blaze is wearing an infectious grin on his muzzle that leaves Rainbow smiling too as she slips off his back. The door swings open, revealing Gust Dash. The two adults share a winged hug while their daughter stands by growing impatient and trying not to gag. After what feels like an eternity for the filly, her parents break it up. Gust turns to her daughter.

"Okay Rainbow, are you ready?"

"Of course!" Rainbow Dash feels apprehension setting in. 'The rest of the afternoon is going to take forever, I hope Soar' made it.' Rainbow thinks to herself but does her best to keep her smile glued to her muzzle. Gust nods, pleased, and casually steps out of the way exposing the dark living room. Rainbow Dash can make out little in the dark, except for the bump of the couch, where it sits in the back corner. Gust motions with her wing, her warm smile still plastered on her face.

"Come on silly filly, your family doesn't have all day." A confused look crosses Rainbow Dash's features, she can't spot anypony about. Giving up she steps inside and reflexively walks toward the door to the kitchen.

"Happy birthday!"

The lights flick on. Rainbow Dash jumps in surprise, her wings flaring and eyes widening. Uncle Raincloud emerges from the doorway in front of her, an equally aged purple pegasus by his side. Other pegsui descend from above. Her small family quickly surrounds her, congratulating her for reaching school age. The words fall on a pair of blue ears that are deaf to her family's words. Looking around, Dash's smile desserts her completely, there is no big brother to be seen.

Seemingly out of nowhere, her birthday cake appears, borne aloft on the back of one of her uncles, his wings supporting the sides to ensure it stays in place. He neatly slides it into a table near the couch in the corner where its 5 flickering lights burn brightly. Rainbow Dash stares open mouthed at the rainbow coloured cake in front of her. Her mother joins her side.

"Are you going to blow out your candles dear?" A smile breaks out on Dash's face. She forgets her troubles, brightening up almost immediately.

"You got it, mum!" She leaps up to it and energetically obliges her mother's wish.

From the moment the candles were blown out to the time all the guests left, Rainbow felt herself slowly getting more and more bored. What had started off as a party all about her, the most awesome pegasus ever, slowly but surely had descended into the usual sort of family get together that left her sitting alone while the grownups stood around drinking, talking and whatever other boring things they do. By that point Rainbow Dash had stopped caring what. 'I want this to be over!' she silently raged to herself. Even her mother had been snared into the boringness of the once awesome party. So she waits and hopes that the day will improve once she arrives at school.

After what feels like an eternity for the cyan filly, the front door opens to reveal two proud young pegsui. Rainbow Dash hardly notices the gold coated one, having eyes for the light blue young stallion. Soarin' stands in the doorway for a few moments, absorbing the atmosphere before being hug tackled by his rainbow maned little sister.

"Hey sis. Happy Birthday!"

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh. I"m so glad your here!" Rainbow Dash pulls away from her brother, joy shining brightly in her pink eyes as she takes in the sight she had been dreaming of seeing for a long time.

"Woah there Rainbow, slow down. I want you to meet my good friend Spitfire. I hope you don't mind her coming to your party too."

Rainbow cocks her head to the side, noticing the golden-yellow young mare beside him. Her eyes widen as she spots the Thunderbolt cutie mark.

"Awesome!"

Spitfire smiles broadly, knowing exactly what the young filly is looking at. Spotting Gust approaching, she chooses to keep her mouth shut.

"Son, it's so good to see you again. I knew baking your favorite pie would summon you home." The two embrace as Blaze walks up to join in the small reunion, the rest of the family in tow.

"Help Soarin' I see you bought your young marefriend with you." Both new arrivals blush and share a guilty look. Blaze chuckles at his own joke.

"Actually dad, your right. She is kinda my marefriend now. We're both going to the wonderbolts tryouts next week."

Blaze freezes. Gust too. Rainbow Dash looks around, confused. The news of the tryouts should have caused Gust to immedaly give her son a big hug, not stand there with a dumb look on her face. Spitfire sighs then leans toward Soarin' doing her best to whisper in his ear.

"Soarin'. I thought you said we were going to tell them about that later. Now look what you have done. At your sisters birthday party too."

Gust snaps out of her stupor, rushing forward to give the pair a winged hug.

"Well I think its sweet that my baby has found his special somepony." Blaze breaks out into booming laughter at his mates words, unable to believe his 18 year old son just got called a baby. Soarin' and Spitfire both blush a deeper colour at the responses given to their admission.

The rest of the small family approach, giving well wishes and words of advice to the young couple. Rainbow Dash hardly hears any of it. She feels like a left out filly. Her brain works overtime processing the new unexpected information. A special somepony. Soarin' had always seemed to carefree for that kind of soppy stuff. Seeing Spitfire give Soarin' a quick kiss confirms her fears. Rainbow Dash feels like she is going to explode, this is why he never comes home! She had been replaced in her brothers life by a more awesome young mare. Tears form and the tomcolt filly hurries out of the room, sprinting toward her room. She buries her muzzle in her pillow, the occasional burning tear leaking down her face. She looks up at the picture of her brother on the wall and sighs with disappointment. 'I guess I'm not good enough.' An accompanying tear leaks down her face.

From the back of the small crowd, Uncle Raincloud spots the cyan filly in her hasty retreat. He lets out a groan, wishing Blaze hadn't been right with his stupid joke. Leaving the rest of the family to their excited talk with the young couple who had just stolen the attention of the party, he carefully makes his way toward the room he knows his youngest relative is hiding in.

Hearing a soft sob, he clears his throat. The atmosphere grows strangely quiet. An uncomfortable silence hangs in the air. He peeks around the corner, his dark eyes meet questioning rosy pink orbs. Rainbow Dash's breathing is the only sound in the room as Raincloud approaches.

"I saw you leave. Figured… that… well that you didn't like your brother taking the spotlight away from you like he did."

Rainbow Dash stares at him, sullen, uncertain.

"Or… not. Whats up young filly? Should I grab your brother and bring him here so he can explain himself?"

Rainbow suspiciously looks him in the eyes, unwilling to share her feelings with anypony.

"Bye."

Raincloud walks off leaving the sulking Rainbow Dash to her own sullen self.

Minutes slip by, but mean nothing to the rainbow maned filly as she stares at the wonderbolts pictures on her wall. Remembering where she is traveling to later in the day, she heaves herself up and stalks over to her collection. She carefully removes each poster. She has all the time in the world to do so and her speed reflects her mindset. She rolls them up and carefully positions them in her small saddlebag taking a lot more care than she normally would.

"Hi, sis."

She spins around at the sound of the voice, freezing as soon as she spots the pony accompanying him.

"Sorry about before. I hope you don't mind Spitfire. She's really nice once you get to know her." Dash locks gazes with the fiery yellow pegasus. A nervous moment passes before Dash breaks the silence, her signature cocky grin appearing on her face as if it had never left.

"Okay."

Both pegsui in the doorway break out smiling too.

"We were wondering. Do you want to have your birthday present now?" Spitfire offers.

Rainbow Dash's pink eyes light up, troubles forgotten. A smile breaks out on her face. She zips toward the couple, unlimited energy seemingly restored to her body.

"That would be so cool."

Raincloud watches with a knowing smile on his face as 3 young ponies re-enter the living room. He tears himself away from the other adults in their corner by the couch and followed by Gust, makes his way over to the trio.

"I see you have calmed down there little filly."

"Yep. Thanks Uncle Raincloud!"

Rainbow Dash energetically drags her brother out the door, followed by Spitfire, who is wearing an amused grin on her face. Gust shakes her head in amusement.

"She has your temperament there brother. You really should consider spending more time with her."

He slowly turns and strolls back to the small drinking game Blaze is starting.

"Probably. But I only realised it the other day when I saved her flank from some young thugs."

"So she was telling the truth?" Mild surprise is stapled across Gust's features. Raincloud chuckles and stops his slow stroll. Lighting yellow meets jade as they lock glances.

"She sure was. It looks like I'm going to have to teach that young filly a lesson or two on fighting. I always assumed she would be boring like her brother and stay out of that kind of thing."

Gust snorts, barely containing a laugh. She passes her brother and flicks out her left wing, pinging his nose. She continues toward the corner. Blaze downs another glass of cider, dumping it on the couch. He immediately reaches for another glass, unleashing a cloud-shattering belch, causing several other family members to laugh at his crude display.

"Come on. I need to go rescue an old rainbow before he drowns."

Rainbow Dash drags her older brother along the cloud streets, her abounding energy giving her the strength to haul the intrigued young stallion along. Spitfire trots quietly behind the pair wearing an amused smile.

They arrive at a hoof made ramp of clouds leading up above the houses. Soarin' allows himself to be dragged up, up, up the ramp by the energetic filly. Spitfire halts at the bottom, raising her wings.

"Hey Soar'. Catch me if you can."

She takes off like a flaming projectile, ruffling the manes of the two ponies she speeds past. Soarin' picks up his sister and flies off, hot on the flaming trail of his marefriend. Rainbow Dash immediately falls in love with the way the wind whips through her mane. Never before has she felt such speed. It just felt so awesome…

Making a promise to herself that she will become as fast as Soar' one day, she turns her attention back to the awesome flight at hoof. They make it to the top in no time. Soarin' drops Dash off on her ridge then speeds over to Spitfire who is hovering above some nearby houses. The two share a grin. Rainbow Dash waits patiently, sitting herself down and wondering what they are about to do.

The two young pegasi lock gazes then flip gracefully and put on a burst of speed flying full tilt toward the riveted rainbow maned filly who is watching them with wide eyes. They soar over her head and continue their display of awesome synchronous tricks. Rainbow Dash imagines herself up there with them and a wishful expression takes over her little face as the two older pegasi work up toward their final move. The pair fly higher and higher. Without so much as glance at the other pegasi they fold into a dive, swirling round and round each other. Their graceful turns becoming tighter and tighter till they clasp hooves and swerve into the streets below. Dash's breath catches in her throat as she waits with eager anticipation, rewarded seconds after by a flaming trail streaking out from underneath her cloud and breaking in two as the two aspiring Wonderbolts break off and hover a few feet above the awestruck filly.

"That was totally awesome!" She prances around her small cloud whooping and cheering.

"Do you want to join us?" The filly halts in surprise, staring up at Spitfire, unable to believe the offer.

Soarin' shrugs then lands next to his awe stuck little sister.

"How much has mum and dad taught you about flying?"

Rainbow Dash cocks her head to the side, considering.

"Well… mum has taken me out a few times. She never really taught me much. But dads just lazy. I never get to see that old stallion fly. But if it helps, I can glide!" A hopeful grin captures her little face as she gazes up at Soarin'.

"Thats a start at least. I'm going to have to have a talk with dad. He's quite good at teaching when he puts his mind to it."

He receives a dubious look from the filly. A commanding voice rings out from above.

"Right, wings in position, ready to go." The eager cyan filly reacts immediately, springing into position with gusto.

Spitfire gracefully lands on her other side and lifts a corrective hoof, altering Dash's posture with skill. Once she's had finished correcting she spoke up.

"Okay. Lets start with gliding. Think you can make it to the house over there. You two Soar' I'm sure she'd appreciate a flying partner."

"But what are you gonna do?"

She smiles sweetly back at her coltfriend.

"I'm going to stand here and boss you around, you know… my usual role."

He rolls his eyes, mock disappear covering his light blue face and moving to stand beside his little sister who can bearly contain her excitement at finally getting to fly alongside her brother.

"Right. When you take off I don't want to see either of you flapping like a mad beast. I know this will be hard for you Rainbow but try and glide as far as you can without going wild, it will save you a lot of energy."

"Pfffftt… Easy." Boasts the rainbow maned filly, flicking her wings.

"Right, on three. Two… One. Go."

The pair launch themselves off the cloud. Soarin' glides effortlessly along while his sister does a slow nose dive, plummeting to the cloudstuff below. She looks up to see

"Good work Dash. Now up you come…" The fiery maned pegasus offers a hoof to the grounded cyan filly. "And lets try it again. Follow your brother, I'm sure you don't want him to beat you again now do you?" A broad smile reaches across her muzzle. Rianbow Dash's competitive nature immediately takes over and she grins back.

"No way. I'm going to beat him this time."

Several attempts later and the rainbow maned filly's gliding ability had improved a lot. She lay on the cloudstuff she had once again faceplanted into feeling her deadweight wings settle by her sides.

Spitfire notices how tired she looks and a kind smile crosses her face.

"That's enough practise for one day." Rainbow Dash breaths a sigh of releaf, 'finally… I can stop loosing.'

"Hey Soar' how about we go get some of your mothers fabled pie?" Soarin's eyes light up at the mention of his favorite food and he glides over, sweeps a light blue wing over his marefriend then leads her off toward home. Rainbow Dash puts on a burst of speed in an attempt to catch them up. She wearily gallops along till she reaches the two older ponies.

"How about we take you out some time to practice with us again?" She skids to a stop on the clouds, 'Spitfire is asking me to go flying with them again!?' Her brain races and she does a little dance on her back hooves, fatigue temporally forgotten.

"Yes-yes-yes-yes-yes. I-I mean yes please." Spitfire and Soarin' walk off suppressing their laughter, sharing wings and entwining tails. Rainbow Dash calms herself down, realising how uncool she must have just made herself look and she sidles up behind the couple and follows them home.

Home. Home to her party. Her previously boring party. She wears a big fat grin on her face and does her best to ignore the sappy feel that is entering the air.

Rainbow Dash and her mum arrive at Cloudsdale Central school. The sun is low on the horizon and Rainbow Dash feels as bored as she did at her own party before Soarin' and Spitfire turned up. The only addition to her mood is a feeling of nervousness. They are met by a greying stallion who has a kindly look about him and a short grey mane.

"Rainbow Dash?" Rainbow's mother nodes and gives her filly a gentle shove forward. Rainbow Dash decides that the stranger looks ok then, with a flick of her mane she steps forward.

"That's me. The fastest filly in Equestria!" Her bold show makes the stallion break out into smiles.

"It looks like you will be fun to have around, Rainbow." He looks up at Gust, who smiles back. "And thank you for entrusting her into our care, Madam Dash."

Doing her best to hold back her laughter, Gust turns to her filly and gives her a nuzzle. Her soft expression turns serious.

"Now I want you to behave yourself, you hear me, Rainbow Dash? No fighting. I don't want to have to have to collect you, young filly."

"Yes mum. I know mum. Can I go now? Please?" Rainbow Dash couldn't help but roll her eyes as she responds, already bored with the pep talk. Gust laughs then shunts her daughter forward with her nose.

"Go on then."

Rainbow Dash trots forward, a hopeful spring in her step. She does her best to conceal her nerves but they show in her speech.

"Bye, mum… I'll… I'll miss you!" Gust smiles, watching as her daughter is led away by Greymane.

She shares one last hug with her mother before nervously letting herself be led to her new sleeping quarters by Greymane. Rainbow Dash follows the strange stallion for a few moments in nervous silence.

"I do hope you won't be trouble for us young one."

"I live in a rough part of town. But I'll do my best." Nodding in agreement the stallion smiles sadly to himself.

"Thats great to hear young filly. Now, I'm sure you are going to love your new room and your new roommate. No fighting with her or I will pull you out of here myself."

"Hey. I don't start fights." Rainbow Dash shoots back, offended. He lifts an unbelieving eyebrow at the blue filly next to him. It's clear she's nervous and is doing her best to hide it behind her bravado. The thought of where it might lead gives him an uncomfortable feeling that he will be seeing a lot of her in his office. They arrive at room 17 and he sets her saddle pack down on the ground next to her.

"Here we are, Dash." The cyan filly looks up him, suddenly becoming shy. "It's ok. Your roommate doesn't bite. Go on." He motions toward the door slowly.

Rainbow Dash apprehensively opens the door and her magenta eyes light up with glee. The cute yellow filly she had slammed into several months before was singing to herself. The melodies flowed from her mouth leaving Dash aghast, she simply couldn't believe her ears. Fluttershy continues to sing softly to herself in the small bare room and begins dancing to the music in her head. Dash watches in awe as Fluttershy dances with her slightly clumsy moves that hold an odd sense of gracefulness. The melodies combined with her movements and swish of pink mane have a hypnotizing effect on Rainbow Dash, who can't tear her eyes from the yellow filly in front of her.

Fluttershy still doesn't realise that the door to her room is open and that she is actually performing to the two ponies standing in the doorway. 'Shy continues to sing and dance, completely lost in her own world, away from all the ponies who want to be mean to her and call her names. Blissful thoughts drift through her young mind and she leaps for joy before returning to her dance. Harsh thoughts of all the mean ponies enter her head and the magical melodies take on a sadder tone. Tears form in Rainbow Dash's eyes for reasons she can't fathom. She realises she never wants the filly in front of her to be sad. The song continues to flow and change cementing Rainbow's resolve. However hard she tries, she can't bring herself to break Fluttershy's moment.

Stepping in, Greymane breaks the spell for Dash with a nudge, motioning for her to make her presence known. Rainbow Dash nervously clears her throat, inching forward, not really wanting to disturb the other filly, but realising she has to make herself known before something embarrassing happens eases her nerves.

She continues to inch forward, closer to Fluttershy. Closer, closer, closer. Suddenly the yellow filly trips, sending herself flying into Rainbow Dash, a surprised squeak escapes her mouth, a noise of shock escaping from Rainbow Dash, mirroring Fluttershy's surprise. The two lie on the fluffy cloud floor for a few seconds, Fluttershy's brain fighting to process her sudden return to reality. She realises she is staring into a fuzzy rainbow mane and quickly disentangles herself, nervously retreating, a look of complete shock plastered all over her face. Rainbow Dash rises, grinning her cocky grin.

"Hi there Fluttershy. Guess what?" Rainbow leads off with her usual enthusiasm.

"Um… what?" Fluttershy asks, wondering what the filly she had collided with for a second time was doing in her sleeping quarters.

"I get to be your roommate! Isn't that so awesome?" She pounces on Fluttershy, drawing the nervous filly into a hug. A few shocked moments pass. Rainbow is about to pull away in embarrassment when Fluttershy warmly returns the unexpected show of affection. She responds quietly, her mind still taking in the turn of events.

"Yes. I… I Just kept hoping… and hoping that you would be my roommate. The other fillies and colts are so mean to me and… and… I just couldn't have taken it if they had forced me to sleep in the same room as one of those bullies."

"They do what to you?" Rainbow Dash almost explodes, an undercurrent of rage suddenly running through her voice.

Fluttershy feels herself about to explain but stops herself. Something catches her eye and she was unsure of what it is. She carefully looks at Rainbow Dash. Her gaze traveling from her nose to flank then back again. Her puzzled expression deteriorates into one of concern as she notices the small bumps and bruises that decorate the cyan coat, indicating the recent fight Rainbow Dash was involved in. This scares the shy filly. Rainbow Dash softens, seeing her roommate's expression change, immediately assuming it was her words that had caused the concern.

"Wh… who did this to you?"

The shy filly motions to Dash's wounds, her words catching Rainbow Dash completely off guard.

"What?"

Fluttershy swallows, slowly gathering her courage.

"It… it… you…" She takes a deep breath. 'Come on Fluttershy, you can do this.' "Did somepony… beat you up?" The last part becomes almost inaudible as her voice gets reflexively quite in tune with her nerves. She slowly shrinks away from the smaller filly, afraid of the answer.

"Oh, right. Yea'. Rough neighbourhood and all. Happens all the time."

Rainbow Dash attempts an air of coolness to cover the pain. A still worried Fluttershy looks carefully at her for another few moments.

"Well, I guess I'll leave you two alone then. Dinner is in an hour." Greymane walks off smiling, satisfied.

Fluttershy waves goodbye, Dash joining in as he rounds a corner out of sight.

"So 'Shy I take it its my bed up top?" Rainbow is keen to avoid the topic of her fighting as she can see it terrified her pink maned friend.

"Um, yes. If… if thats ok with you. I don't like it up there." She trails off, shame filling her cute features.

"Hey. It's ok."

Rainbow Dash opens her saddle bags and pulls out some posters. Fluttershy's eyes light up at the sight.

"Wow. What… What are those."

"You mean you don't know who the Wonderbolts are?" A hint of annoyance colours Rainbow dash's surprised reply. Fluttershy meekly shakes her head, turning her gaze to the clouds at her hooves. Rainbow Dash gently lifts Fluttershy's head and the two fillies lock gazes.

"The Wonderbolts are the most awesome stunt ponies in all of Equestria! When I grow up I I'm going to be awesome and fast like they are."

Fluttershy opens her mouth to reply but is cut off as Rainbow Dash loses herself in thoughts of the stunt ponies, continuing to rave about them.

"They get to travel all of Equestria showing off. They had this super cool show recently. My parents didn't let me go but I heard it was totally awesome! They're super busy at the moment so they won't be back in Cloudsdale for ages. They are the coolest ponies alive!"

Rainbow Dash does her best to impersonate the Wonderbolts, her wings fluttering as she strikes a cool looking pose for Fluttershy. The yellow filly breaks out smiling, enjoying the display. Rainbow holds her pose for a moment then releases it. Fluttershy's infectious smile causes Dash to return in kind and the two fillies sit there smiling at each other.

"Hey. Mind if I put these up? This room looks like it could do with a bit more awesomeness." Fluttershy nods. Dash starts unloading her saddle bags onto the cloud floor making a mess. She picks up one of the posters, walking over to the wall beside the bed and starts sticking it up.

"So Fluttershy, what kinds of things are you into? What do you want to be when you grow up?" Rainbow queries as she works.

"Oh, um. I'm… I'm not really into things like the Wonderbolts. They're… they're awesome I guess… but... I don't know."

"Oh. Thats cool. You could show off your singing. It's really awesome."

"I… I don't think I could in front of strangers." Fluttershy mumbles. Rainbow smiles to herself, putting up a second poster. A thought crosses her mind and Dash perks up.

"Hey, can you fly yet?"

Fluttershy tries to make herself smaller. "No..." The sound of her timid voice is barely audible in the quiet room. Rainbow grins haphazardly. Fluttershy's mind spins wildly, wondering why the cyan filly is looking at her like that.

"It's ok. I can't fly, too. But I keep practising cause one day I'm going to be a super awesome flyer!" An unstoppable grin is spreading across Fluttershy's face. "We can practise together. It'll be awesome!" Rainbow announces proudly, grabbing Fluttershy in a rough but energetic embrace. A few bone crushing moments later, Fluttershy returns the gesture. Rainbow Dash slowly pulls away, suddenly embarrassed.

"Come on, Fluttershy. Let's go!" Rainbow grabs hold of her companion and races out the door. They make it halfway down the hallway then Rainbow Dash stops dead in her tracks. She glances around, having no idea where she is.

"Hang on. Where's the playground, Fluttershy?" Fluttershy smiles meekly, disentangles herself from Rainbow Dash, then slowly walks off, back the way they had come. She turns to face Rainbow Dash, a shy look on her face while she nervously shuffles her hooves, unsure about going with Rainbow Dash. After a few tense moments of wrangling with her thoughts she settles on a decision.

"It's this way."

"Alright. Lead on Flutters."

Fluttershy takes a deep breath before pushing open the door to the playground. She leads the awestruck Rainbow Dash along to a corner, well away from the other foals.

"Hey Fluttershy. Watch this!" Rainbow Dash barrels past her, executes a flying leap into the cloud wall then springs off it using her wings to steady her course. Fluttershy allows Rainbow to leap around, pretending to fly, demonstrating all the cool moves her young mind can think of. Suddenly Rainbow Dash leaps straight at Fluttershy, tackling her to the clouds and pinning her in place with ease. A tiny 'eep' escapes the frightened yellow filly who lies frozen staring wide eyed into the twin pink orbs hovering in front of her face.

Time stands still. It's as if Equestria itself was awaiting Rainbow Dash to do something. The cyan filly slowly leans closer to Fluttershy. A massive grin appears on her face. Full of pure mischief, just like on the day they had met when she had announced she was going to play pranks. She slips her nose through Fluttershy's mane and lightly touches her ear. She opens her mouth to whisper something, her grin almost splitting her face in two.

"Tag. You're it." Rainbow Dash immediately takes off, sprinting away like her life depends upon the speed her small legs can carry her. Fluttershy lies stunned for a moment.

"Oh Dash. You. Are. So. On!" A look of determination makes its way onto Fluttershy's features and she smiles warmly before galloping after Rainbow Dash. Rainbow uses every trick she can to avoid the yellow filly, jumping from cloud to cloud, gliding where possible in various attempts to put Fluttershy off her trail. However the gangly yellow filly does not want to lose her second chance at making a friend. She puts on a burst of speed, slowly gaining on the dare-devil filly in front of her. Rainbow Dash continues to dart ahead till her wings give out mid-flight sending her plummeting to the cloud-turf below head first. Fluttershy ungainly lands beside her, gently poking her with a yellow hoof.

"Um… tag." Rainbow Dash roughly pulls her head out of the clouds. She flutters her wings in an annoyed manner.

"Are… are you okay?" Fluttershy leans down next to Rainbow Dash, concerned. The rainbow mane flicks from side to side as Dash clears her vision. A cyan hoof shots out and playfully clips Fluttershy's shoulder.

"You're it!" Rainbow Dash attempts to flee but Fluttershy pounces upon her. The gentle filly fails to consider how strong her playmate is and gets bucked off. She flaps her wings frantically, trying to regain her balance midair. She accidentally lands back on Rainbow Dash, the two becoming a colourful mess of manes and tails. The pair of ponies roll around on the cloud-turf, giggling like crazy fillies, enjoying the moment. Fluttershy can feel herself starting to relax and forget her timid nature as the pair come to a stop.

"Yay!" Fluttershy quietly exclaims, the look of unbridled joy worn on her face is mirrored by Rainbow Dash's own expression. The pair lie there for a few moments, enjoying the calm after the mad game.

"Ok fillies, Dinner's ready." Greymane calls out to them. Fluttershy jerks up at the sound of the intrusion into their little world, immediately falling back onto Dash as her mane fails to pull free from under her fellow filly. Stunned seconds pass as the pair collect their wits.

"S… sorry Rainbow Dash. I-" Fluttershy quietly apologizes. Rainbow covers her mouth with a hoof.

"Hey. It was fun. You don't need to be sorry."

They disentangle themselves then quietly plod along to dinner, enjoying the company of their new found friend.

Fluttershy pushes open the door then nervously leads the way into the school cafeteria.

Rainbow Dash struts toward the serving counter, her confidence surprises Fluttershy who gladly lets her take the lead. There is a reasonable number of colts and fillies scattered around the room, talking about the weekend activities and enjoying a good meal. In all there were about thirty in all, some who have come from far and wide to attend the school.

The colourful duo make their way over to a corner table and sit down. Rainbow Dash immediately begins wolfing her salad down. Fluttershy stares at her, shocked at her table manners. She opens her mouth to attempt to talk some sense into her rainbow maned companion but decides better of her actions and attends to her own meal.

A bunch of colts show up, barging through the main door, loud voices carrying across the room as they discuss the game they had been playing. Billy and Hoops casually walk over to the serving counter. Fluttershy inches toward Rainbow Dash, slowly becoming fearful of the pair.

The colts make their way over to the table next to the duo's and the 5 seat themselves. Billy spots the rainbow mane and unceremoniously drops his platter on the table.

"It's Rainbow Crash!" he exclaims. Some colts nearly crack up laughing.

Dash's head snaps around to glare at the group. This movement confirms the rude nickname and Billy moves around his table to take a better look at Fluttershy and Dash. Fluttershy edges closer to Rainbow Dash, food forgotten in the face of her bullies. Rainbow casts a look of concern at her. Billies rude grin increases in size at the sight.

"Got a little fillyfriend already have you, Rainbow Crash?" Before Fluttershy can stop her Dash springs up and delivers a blow to the speakers muzzle. The other colts stare for a moment, recovering from the shock of who the newcomer is having a go at. Hoops leads the charge and rips Rainbow Dash away from her victim. Fluttershy looks on helplessly, thankful that Rainbow Dash is standing up for them but terrified to the bone at the same time. A tense moment passes as the two parties stare each other down, the colts wearing cocky grins on their faces while Dash glares back, feeling unable to back down now.

Everypony in the room is watching the tense sight, breaths held, anxiously hoping for nothing to happen. Suddenly something in the air snaps and the colts leap forward, laying into Rainbow Dash with gusto. Fluttershy shrieks with fight and covers her eyes, hiding in her voluminous mane.

As the explosive brawl continues Fluttershy cowers, fervently hoping for somepony to break the colts off her friend. She does her best not to cry but can feel the moisture gathering around the edges of her eyes. Unnoticed by anypony else, the door opens revealing a confused Greymane who is clearly dreading the answer of what the commotion is. At the sight, he storms over, rage overtaking his aged features.

"Break it up, you foals! NOW!" The colts scramble away from Rainbow Dash who is left lying on the floor in the fetal position. He storms up to Rainbow Dash who cowers under his rage. Fluttershy looks up at their saviour and freezes on the spot, an unwilling spectator to the unfolding events. Fear clutches at Fluttershy, this isn't the kind old Greymane she had grown to respect. After a few fearful seconds Hoops manages to find his quaking voice.

"But… sir. It was her fault."

"Five on one? I don't believe you." He turns to Rainbow Dash. "'Right, young filly. What happened."

"They were calling me and Fluttershy names. Then they ganged up on me!"

Rainbow Dash looks up, hopeful yet fearful of the wrathful pony in front of her. Greymane unleashes a tired sigh.

"Look. I'm too tired to deal with you lot right now. Fluttershy, please help Rainbow to the nurse. Then see she makes it to bed without any more fights. This is not a good start, Rainbow Dash. I'll be sure to let your mother know about this. And you lot!" He turns angrily to the pack of colts sitting sullenly off to the side.

"Don't do that again!"

He storms off leaving a sense of shock hanging in the air. Nopony left wanted to break the silence in case they said something that would bring down Greymane's wrath again.

Fluttershy slinks away, trying to make herself as small as possible.

"Um… Rainbow."

Fluttershy's nerve fails her and she sits, cringing, waiting for somepony else to talk. Rainbow Dash sees the fear in her eyes. She trots painfully slowly up to cowering yellow filly and lifts her up and into a friendly hug.

Fluttershy feels the dread slip away slowly, not caring about the rude muttering emanating from where the colts still sit. The rest of the foals in the room still seem to be holding their breath, anxiously waiting to see what happens next.

Rainbow Dash slowly puts the lanky filly back down, wincing as pain lances through her small frame. Fluttershy spots her discomfort.

"We have to get you to the nurse."

She grabs Rainbow Dash's hoof, leading her out, their meals forgotten.

The door to their small room opens slowly, Fluttershy turns on the light, then assists the bandaged up filly next to her inside. She ensures that Rainbow's tail makes it in before carefully closing it.

"Thanks, Fluttershy. I can take it from here."

Rainbow walks awkwardly away from her, climbs up the ladder and dumps herself into her bed. She lets out a loud pain-filled sigh. Fluttershy watches her, unmoving, concerned. Long moments pass as Rainbow wriggles around, attempting to get comfortable.

Deciding she can't do anymore for the wounded pony, Fluttershy flicks off the light. Moonlight steams in from the slit in the side of the wall by the bunks. She slowly walks over to her bed, slips under the covers and stares up at the location of the pony above her. 'I hope she doesn't get kicked out tomorrow when her parents find out. Ohh, why did those colts have to be so mean.' She tosses in bed, cross with herself for not trying harder to stop Rainbow Dash.

"Worst birthday ever."

She jerks out of her own thoughts at the at the sound of the voice above. A mane drapes itself over the side.

"I said I wouldn't do this. But... ahhh... why did Rocky's little brother have to show up?"

The voice is quieter this time but Fluttershy can still hear Dash muttering to herself. She hears a sad yet resigned sigh from the occupant above.

"R-Rainbow."

Tense seconds pass. Fluttershy lies there, nervously hoping for a response.

The spiky mane swishes as Rainbow moves around.

"What now, Fluttershy?"

"Um... Eeep." She hides under her mane. Suddenly unable to gather the strength required to speak up. The rainbow mane moves again, this time revealing its owner, looking down at her questionably, utterly spent. The sad look on her face give Fluttershy courage, hoping to help brighten her friends mood.

"Um... Th... thank you for defending me from those bullies. I–if you hadn't been there they would have picked on me."

She trails off, hoping she has inspired some hope in her cyan friend who is now giving her an odd look. Surprise etched on her features.

"Were those the bullies you were talking about?" Fluttershy's nod is barely visible in the poorly moonlit room. "Did ya see the look on that bullies face when I give him some of a taste of his medicine?"

A smile finds its way onto her face. As the events play back in her head she shudders at the memory of what had happened afterwards. Sensing her discomfort, Rainbow leans further over to stare into the aqua depths of Fluttershy's eyes. Even in the dark they glisten.

"Hey. Don't worry about those losers. I'll always be here to protect you."

"But Dash. What about you? You got hurt because of me." The worry is clear in her small voice.

"I got beaten up heaps back home. This is nothing." Dash reflexively replies, sounding both truthful and uncaring of her current injuries. This impresses the shy pegasus, but terrifies her at the same time. She couldn't bring herself to try and imagine how bad home must have been for Rainbow Dash. The cyan pegasus senses her change in emotion at hearing the latest bit of information. Silently fuming at her careless choice of words, she considers backing down a little and softening her approach but realises something.

Rainbow Dash thinks in silence, contemplating something, staring intently into Fluttershy's eyes. The timid pegasus nervously holds her gaze growing increasingly nervous, wondering what is going through the fillies head.

"Hey, Fluttershy." The break in the silence made her jolt in shock. A few stunned moments pass, then she finds her voice.

"Y-Yes?"

"At least you made this day 20% cooler by being my first friend. It's a totally awesome birthday present."

Fluttershy instantly lights up like the sun, previous troubles forgotten, filled with joy that her new roommate is also her first friend. Rainbow chuckles at her response.

"And you're my first friend too, Rainbow Dash. Yay!"

Although quiet, that melodic voice is enough to make Rainbow beam back. She stretches around in bed, realising she actually feels very tired after the day's activities.

A few moments of tranquil silence pass and she finds it in herself to relax. She remembers how she had been dreading school when she had first woken up that day. 'Silly filly,' she thinks to herself, then voices the rest of her thought out loud. "Tomorrow's going to be awesome now! Good night 'Shy."

"Good night, Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy squees with joy. Rainbow's face lights up with a smile.

"My first true friend..." mutters Rainbow Dash. Then she goes out like a light, contented.

Soft snoring fills the room making Fluttershy realise Dash is asleep already. She realises the rougher day of fun she has been gifted with today has taken its toll and she feels herself start to drift off. Her final thoughts for the day look to the future with hope for their newfound friendship and all the ways it might change her life.

"I have a friend!" She squees quietly to herself, delighted. Blissfully nuzzling her pillow, she falls into a deep sleep, a smile etched upon her features.