Two Shots

“Fluttershy, come on, you’re not even trying!” Rainbow groans, gesturing wildly at the TV screen. A number at the top of Fluttershy’s screen flashes a large 12.

“I am,” Fluttershy protests, but it is weak and she knows it. She wrinkles her nose, glancing over at Rainbow even as her friend’s eyes never leave the screen. “Besides, I thought you liked winning.”

Rainbow Dash lets out a whoop as she reaches her final lap. “Of course I like winning,” she scoffes. “But this is easy winning. I’ve seen you drive to school better than this. Give me a little competition, ‘Shy!”

Fluttershy readjusts her grip on the controller and squints at the game. It’s a simple racing game, nothing she hasn’t seen before. “Are you sure?” she asks, biting over a smile.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Rainbow jostles her on the couch. Well, Rainbow Dash did ask for it. Fluttershy squares her shoulders and presses down on the gas button.

At first, Rainbow only eggs her on as she passes each player. But as Fluttershy catches up to 3rd place, she starts to side-eye her. “Uh, ‘Shy? How the heck are you doing so well?” By 2nd place, Rainbow is cursing and squawking. “Hey! You’re cheating!’

Fluttershy can’t stop the giggle she lets out. She inches in front of Rainbow’s race car just before they cross the finish line. The music blares and the crowd cheers as the rest of the winners finish, and Rainbow Dash is left gaping. She splutters and turns to Fluttershy. She isn’t trying to hide her laughter anymore. “Why didn’t you—how did you—that’s not’’—“ Rainbow cuts herself off and flails helplessly. As much as Fluttershy loves seeing her friends happy, victory may be the tiniest bit sweeter. (She’ll have to thank Zephyr for his teenage years of video games later.)

Rainbow Dash pokes Fluttershy in the side, a well-known ticklish spot. “Oh no, wipe that grin off your face this instant. I demand a rematch! Rematch!”