Chapters Fluttershy felt the mud suck at her legs, adhering to her coat and skin, pulling her deeper. Like quicksand. Within seconds she was submerged to her chest. She flapped her wings anxiously, staining her feathers black and sending flecks of mud flying.
One of the beauticians flashed a glare at Fluttershy and left to retrieve a mop.
Fluttershy stilled her wings and lowered her face. It wasn't until the clingy mud had washed over her back and engulfed her neck that her hooves finally touched solid tile.
“And then – you won't believe this,” Rarity was saying, “– after all the trouble he'd given me, he said the stitching was wrong! The stitching!”
The unicorn paused and Fluttershy dutifully tittered. “That seems like a trivial criticism.”
“Trivial doesn’t even cover it! My backstitch has never failed me. And that's not the worst part. The gems – I showed you the suit once it was gemmed, didn't I? He called them gaudy .”
Fluttershy took a steadying breath, gathering her courage. Then she said, “Oh, my.”
“They were not gaudy .” Rarity stomped a hoof, or so Fluttershy surmised from the dull ripple in the mud’s surface. “They were eye-catching .”
She'd waited so long already. Just a few words and everything would be clear. Another deep breath, and: “Rarity, I've been meaning to ask... um... w-what are you supposed to do if you...” She trailed off in a whisper.
“I worked for days gathering those spinels– what was that, darling?”
“What are you supposed to do if you...” Mumble mumble.
“Run that by me one more time?”
Fluttershy shifted her wings and looked resolutely at the far corner of the room. “What are you supposed to do if you like somepony?” she squeaked.
There was a moment of agonizing silence. Then Rarity drew in a huge gasp. “Oh! Fluttershy! You're in l'amore ?” The fashionista pressed against the side of her bath, leaning towards Fluttershy and practically quivering. The cucumbers had fallen from her eyes, but she didn't seem to notice. “That's fabulous! I'm so happy for you! –Is it Rainbow Dash?”
“What? Um–”
“It's Rainbow Dash, isn't it?” A dreamy look passed over Rarity's eyes. “The foalhood friendship, the complementary personalities – oh, I always knew you two would be perfect together!”
Fluttershy sank down into the mud to hide her face.
Rarity's smile only grew wider at the pegasus's reticence. “Don't you worry, darling. I will do absolutely everything in my power to ensure you achieve the love of your life!”
***
Technically speaking, Rarity was camouflaged. That is, she was crouching behind a bush and wearing a big floppy hat in various organic shades of green, decorated by a few flowers of yellow and white. Privately, Fluttershy thought it made the unicorn even more conspicuous than usual, but far be it from her to criticize her friend’s strategy.
This was exactly why, under Rarity’s watchful gaze, Fluttershy was now trotting towards Rainbow Dash’s house with a bouquet of flowers in her mouth. And there, waiting in the cloudhome's shadow, was the one pony she'd hoped not to meet.
“Hi Fluttershy!” Pinkie Pie bounced toward her. “Hi Rarity!”
Fluttershy put down the flowers – red tulips and white carnations, which Rarity had assured her were powerful symbols of love – and glanced back toward the fashionably be-hatted bush. “I, um, don't think we're supposed to notice her.”
“Oh! Sorry, Rarity!” Pinkie called toward the bush. “I won't notice a thing. My eyes are sealed.” And she shut her eyelids firmly.
Fluttershy felt the corners of her mouth quirk up. Pinkie turned around blindly and immediately lost her balance, tumbling over like a foal. Both of them laughed.
Pinkie crawled forward on her stomach, feeling around with legs and muzzle. Within moments, her nose found its way into the bouquet that Fluttershy had put down, and she took a deep sniff. “Mmmm! Tulips!”
Fluttershy blushed. What was she supposed to say? On Rarity's instruction she was meant to give the flowers to Rainbow Dash as a token of her love. But she couldn't tell her real crush that she was trying to woo somepony else!
“They're, um... a present.” No, no, no! “Um. To eat, I mean. Not... not anything else...”
“Ooh, a present! Presents are fun!” Pinkie looked up at the cloud house, which was silly, because her eyes were still closed. She leaned toward Fluttershy and whispered loudly, “But you might have to wait for a while. Dashie likes to sleep in.”
“Oh... really.”
“I heard that!”
Rainbow Dash spiralled lazily down from her house. “Hey Fluttershy, hey Pinkie. What's up?”
Pinkie bounded forward sightlessly to meet the weatherpony, and ended up missing by several degrees. “Hey Dashie! Fluttershy brought snacks!”
“Oh, that's cool. Thanks, 'Shy. I could use a bite.” Rainbow stifled a yawn. “And, uh, why are you here Pinkie? No offense or anything, but I kinda need to get going for weather patrol.”
Pinkie couldn't keep her eyes shut any longer. They snapped open as wide as saucers. “Oh! I almost forgot! Here!” She pulled a couple of slips of card from somewhere and handed one to Rainbow and one to Fluttershy. The pegasi took the cards and put them down on the grass to read.
“Gummy's half-birthday?” said Rainbow Dash.
“Yup! This Saturday!” Pinkie was bouncing on the spot with party excitement.
“Uhh... okay,” said Rainbow. “Listen, I sorta slept in, so I really have to go. The party sounds awesome. Thanks for the breakfast, 'Shy.” She took the bouquet under one foreleg and swooped off, munching on the tulips.
Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy watched Rainbow fade into the blue of the sky. The pegasus urged herself to say something. To explain away the flowers. To ask about the party. To say how she felt.
Then she said, “I should go feed the animals.”
“Okay, Fluttershy! I'm gunna deliver the rest of the invitations. See you later!” And the pink pony bounced off.
Rarity was going to be so disappointed.
***
“I am so disappointed! How could she fail to respond to a beautiful gift?”
Rarity was reclining – well, despairing – on a sofa in Fluttershy's cottage. Fluttershy placed a bowl of carrot salad on the low table in front of the sofa, and Rarity magicked a forkful toward her mouth.
“It wasn't, um, that bad,” said Fluttershy. “She didn't even seem to notice. So at least nopony got the wrong idea.”
“Darling, what is there to misunderstand about your l'amore ?” said Rarity without a trace of irony. “Are you sure you don't want some yourself? I hate to be the only one eating.”
“I'm not hungry. I'm sorry.” Fluttershy curled up on a second bench opposite Rarity.
Rarity pursed her lips, in between bites of salad. “What we need... is to go bigger. Yes, anypony can do flowers! It's no wonder Rainbow Dash didn't notice your advance.”
Should she say anything? Probably, but it would be embarassing to explain the mistake. And then she'd have to admit who her real crush was and it would all be very difficult. So instead Fluttershy simply asked, “What do you suggest?”
“A grand romantic gesture is the way to go, darling. I've read all about it. But I'm afraid that there's no one-size-fits-all approach.” The fashionista shuddered at her own turn of phrase. “It needs to be something from the heart. Something that shows your utmost devotion.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that it has to be very expensive. Or demandingly hoof-made.”
“Oh... I don't know if I could do that.”
“Surely there's something?” The note of anxiousness in Rarity's voice surprised Fluttershy.
Expensive was right out, but maybe there was a skill she could use. The pegasus looked around her cottage. Dozens of creatures met her eyes: critters of fur, feather or scale that she was caring for at the moment. What could she do with that? Offer to look after Gummy? No, that was silly. She did know a little about herbs, but she couldn't think of any particularly romantic ones. Occasionally she carved wood – to make simple tools, such as crutches for an injured squirrel or mouse – but she wasn't very good at that.
Her gaze fell on a wardrobe door.
That was where she kept their Gala dresses, one of which she'd sewn.
“Actually, Rarity... if it's not too much trouble, I mean... after lunch, could you get me some fabric?”
***
It seemed like half of Ponyville had been invited.
Pinkie had been forbidden from using Sugarcube Corner – the twins needed their sleep – so Gummy's party had taken over the town hall. Inside and out, dozens of ponies milled around: drinking punch, chatting, laughing, dancing. A pony with a cello seemed to be fighting to make her tune heard over the pounding electromagic music. Balloons and streamers festooned every beam or pillar that would hold them. Tables creaked beneath the weight of party nibbles. Even a few market stalls had sprung up.
Fluttershy locked her wings against her body, trying to make herself small as she navigated the throng. The package she was carrying under one wing dug into her feathers uncomfortably.
Gummy was in the middle of the floor, dancing up a storm in his alligator way. Rarity was in a corner, whispering something to Rainbow Dash, who looked skeptical. Applejack was by a table, peering at the food with confusion. A few other ponies caught Fluttershy's eye, but in a place like this, most ponies just became nameless faces.
And there – there was Pinkie Pie, in the heart of it all. She bounced through the crowd, distributing smiles, laughs, and baked goods to everypony she encountered. She was completely at easy with the crowded and noisy atmosphere.
No, not just at ease; she positively thrived. That was something Fluttershy could only marvel at.
“Hey there, Fluttershy!” Pinkie said as she looped past. “Want a muffin? It's my new flavour, fabulous frosted fruit f... f...” Her face scrunched up in thought.
Fluttershy giggled. “I'll take one.” Her voice was lost in the noise, but Pinkie passed her a muffin and then bounced away.
Fluttershy gave the muffin a nibble (it was covered in pink strawberry frosting) before remembering. “Oh – wait!” But Pinkie was already gone.
It took her a few moments to spot the bright pink pony again, somehow already at the far end of the hall. Fluttershy thought about flying over, but she was holding the package under her wing. Besides, there was hardly any room to take off. So she ambled over, dodging other party-goers and making many apologies for almost running into ponies along the way.
“But if it's sweet and it's got frosting on it, ain't it a cupcake, not a muffin?” Applejack was talking to Pinkie now.
“Huh!” Pinkie peered at one of her muffins-cum-cupcakes. “I hadn't thought of it that way. But I thought they were muffins when I made them! What are you?” she said to the baked confection. “Muffin or cupcake? Cupcake or muffin? Muffincake?”
Fluttershy swallowed. “Um. Excuse me, Pinkie Pie? Could we talk? I mean, if you're not busy...”
Pinkie looked up from her deep philosophical musings and grinned. “Sure, Fluttershy! What do you wanna talk about?”
“Can... Can we go someplace quiet first?
“Okey dokey lokey!”
Pinkie led Fluttershy to an unobtrusive door at the side of the hall. The room within was dark, lit only by Luna's starlight streaming in a small window. Wooden sitting benches were stacked from wall to wall. Pinkie shut the door, somewhat muffling the sounds of the party, and turned to the pegasus expectantly.
Fluttershy's throat was dry. She kept swallowing. But it was too late to back out now. “I, um, I have something for you.”
Pinkie gasped and leaned forward. “What is it? A letter? A present for me ? Presents are fun! One time my sisters found a really shiny rock and they gave it to me as a present but then Pappy Pie said it was a...”
Fluttershy reached under her wing, pulled out the package and offered it to Pinkie. It was flat and floppy, wrapped in brown paper.
“It is a present!” The party pony tore into it with her teeth, quickly revealing the gown within. She wasted no time in wriggling her way into it.
It was a graceful design. Airy and unobstructive, with simple pieces and smooth lines. A midnight blue blouse overlaid with strips of lighter blue, connecting to a long skirt with an understated ruffle. It fit perfectly – Fluttershy had borrowed the measurements from some of Rarity's notes – and though she hadn't had much time to put it together, she was proud of its elegance.
It wasn't until she saw it being worn that she realised how un-Pinkie it was.
“Wow!” said Pinkie Pie, wearing a goofy grin and twisting at an improbable angle to look at herself. “It's something! Something's my favourite, you know. Rarity's such a great designer!”
Oh no.
“Rarity's... not the only one who can...” Fluttershy mumbled, resettling her wings uncomfortably. She looked over Pinkie again. What had she been thinking? She'd wanted to be sure it was a good gift. It had been so important to get the dress right that she'd forgotten what 'right' was.
Still, the blue did highlight her eyes...
“Whatcha looking at?” said Pinkie.
Fluttershy started as she realised she was staring. “Oh. Um. N-nothing. Just... nothing.” She ducked behind her mane.
“Okey dokey lokey! I oughta get back to Gummy's party. There's a lot more cupmuffins to share!”
“Oh... okay.” She couldn't even look up.
“See ya, Fluttershy! Enjoy the party!” And Pinkie opened the door and was gone.
2: Advice from Twilight Sparkle
Ponyville was especially dark this evening. Most ponies were at the party. But as Fluttershy trudged home, she noticed one building was still lit up like a beacon: the library. On an impulse that surprised even herself, she found herself trotting over and knocking on the door.
Twilight was openly surprised to receive a visitor at this hour, but she let Fluttershy in with a smile. She made sure her guest was settled in on a couch and sipping tea before she asked, “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
Fluttershy stared into her tea as she mulled the question over. Why was she here? Because she'd made mistakes and needed somepony to lend an ear? Not quite... Because she still hoped there was another way to do things right. Rarity's suggestions had given her more embarrassment than aid, but Twilight was smart. Maybe... maybe it was worth a try.
“Twilight, I need advice.”
Fluttershy explained the whole situation: her feelings for Pinkie, Rarity's misunderstanding, the mistake with the flowers, and the disaster that the party had turned out to be. Twilight listened quietly. Her face was inscrutable.
“...and then I left and came here.” Fluttershy's last words hung in the air. She took another sip of her tea so that she wouldn't have to look at Twilight.
“Hmm. Interesting. I do think I see the problem.”
Fluttershy dared to look up. “Really?”
“You rushed into it.”
“Oh, no.” Fluttershy shook her head. “It was months before I went to Rarity.”
“Yes,” said Twilight patiently, “but how much research did you do beforehoof?”
The pegasus blinked. “Research? Are you supposed to do that for...?”
“Of course.” A smile snuck onto Twilight's face. “Everything benefits from research. It's simple, really: if you want Pinkie Pie to like you, first you have to find out what she likes.”
“But... how do I do that?”
Twilight's smile spread into a full grin. “Oh, I think I have an idea. Just leave it to me.”
***
A-twitch a-twitch. A-twitch-a-twitch-a-twitch.
I cracked my eyes open...
Pinkie, we're supposed to be telling the story in third person.
Oh right! Sorry, Flutters! So, Pinkie cracked her eyes open. The party had wound down hours ago. Everypony had gone to bed. What could be falling at this time of night?
Then, WHUMP ! A pony fell in through the window!
Pinkie gave a little scream of surprise. The pony looked a unicorn with a black coat. Pinkie didn't know any unicorns with black coats. Whoever they were, they groaned and clambered to their hooves.
“Stay back!” Pinkie cried. “I have an alligator and I'm not afraid to use him!”
The pony jumped. “Ssshhh! You'll wake everypony!”
There was something familiar about that voice... “Twilight?”
“Yes, it's me.” The unicorn's horn began to glow, illuminating the room a pale lavender. It was Twilight Sparkle after all. She was wearing a skintight black suit, and she was tied to a rope which went out the window and up towards the roof.
Pinkie rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Twilight, what are you doing here? And why are you dressed like that?”
“I'm sneaking in,” Twilight said, sounding surprised at the question. “You have to wear black when you're sneaking. It's only logical. Besides, it was in a book.”
“And the eyepatch?”
The unicorn’s ears flattened. “I thought it looked cool.”
Pinkie giggled. She rolled out of bed and trotted over to Twilight. “Okey dokey. Why are you sneaking into Sugarcube Corner in the middle of the night?”
“Research!” Twilight pulled out a quill and a sheaf of parchment, then looked at Pinkie expectantly. “I just have one question. I need to know what you like.”
“What I like?” Pinkie sat down and brought a hoof to her chin. Talk about a tough question! “I like lots of stuff! Parties and balloons and colours and my friends and candy and music and confetti and streamers and Fluttershy and games and pranks and birthdays and...”
“Hey, slow down!” Twilight scribbled furiously. “I'm going to miss some!”
“...and dancing and Gummy and cakes and the Cakes and rainbows and fuzziness and cupmuffins and not rocks!” Pinkie finished triumphantly. She tilted her head to one side. “How's that?”
Twilight kept scribbling for several moments, then ended her list with a flourish of the quill. “Okay! I think I got all of that. But you have to understand,” she looked up at Pinkie with an intense stare, “I snuck in because this is of utmost secrecy. Nopony must know.”
“But you know.” Pinkie frowned. “And I know. Do you want me to forget?”
“No, just– Promise you won't tell anypony else I was here.”
“Oh! Don't you worry, Twilight.” She patted the unicorn on the head. “Auntie Pinkie's lips are sealed. Only, not literally sealed, because then I wouldn't be able to talk at all , and can you imagine not being able to talk? It happened to me once, and it was terrible!”
“Uh-huh.” Twilight nodded absently. “I'll see you tomorrow, then.” Her horn flared brightly – and then she was gone!
After a few moments, the rope began to slide back out the window.
Pinkie trotted to the window to close it, and then lightning struck: “Fairycakes! Fabulous frosted fruit fairycakes!”
...Okay, Pinkie. I think I should tell the rest.
***
Fluttershy checked Twilight’s list again. Colours, check: in the springtime the Whitetail Woods were a beautiful place of rich greens and browns and budding yellows. Balloons and streamers, check: she had spent most of the morning decorating the glade. She thought it looked like a weird juxtaposition against the forest, but it was what Pinkie would like. Games, check: she had several nice games in mind. Music, check: she’d gathered a chorus of Ponyville’s best singing birds, who waited in a nearby elm patiently. Friends, check: she was here.
She had everything. So this would make Pinkie happy. Right?
So she settled down in the centre of the glade and closed her eyes. The gurgle of a far-off brook kept her company while she waited.
“Hi!”
Fluttershy jumped up and stumbled back a pace. “Eep! …Oh, hello, Pinkie Pie.” How did she sneak up on ponies like that?
“I got your invitation!” Pinkie sang. She looked around. “And wow, Fluttershy, an outdoor party was a great idea! We should have done this yesterday so we wouldn’t have had to worry about finding somewhere with room! Am I early? Nopony else is here.”
Fluttershy checked the sunlight filtering through the trees. Mid-afternoon. “Oh, no. You’re right on time. I didn’t invite anypony else. I didn’t want it to be crowded.” She shuffled her wings, watching the earth pony. “Is that all right?”
She thought she saw a funny expression pass over Pinkie’s eyes, but it was gone before she could identify it. Her natural beam was back. “Ooh, a private party? Just the two of us? Cool! So whaddaya wanna do first?”
Fluttershy nodded over Pinkie’s shoulder at the birds. They began a sweet, slow, warbling song. “Well, um. Would you like to dance?”
“Sure, I love dancing! Do you wanna do the Pony Pokey? Although that one’s kind of better with crowds–”
Fluttershy shrank down. “Oh, I don’t think I know that one.”
“It’s easy! All the steps are in the song! ‘You put your left–’”
“Can we start with a waltz?” She spoke barely above a whisper, but Pinkie still stopped.
“…Okay, Fluttershy.” Pinkie stepped forward and offered her hoof. “That would be fun.”
The two of them stood up on their hind hooves, supporting each other’s weight. They waited a few beats of the birdsong, and then Fluttershy took a step and Pinkie followed her. Step forward, step back. A gentle rocking as she slowly traversed the clearing together, tracing out a wide circle.
This was okay. This was easy. Fluttershy was in her element.
Fanning her wings for balance, she sent her partner out in a spin – a controlled whirlwind of pink. As she spun her back in, Fluttershy was sure she heard a giggle.
“It’s a long time since I’ve waltzed,” Pinkie said as they continued to pace through their arc.
“You’re very good,” Fluttershy replied. Which wasn’t quite true. Pinkie had good balance and rhythm, but her steps were simple and unpractised. But that didn’t matter.
The birdsong rose to a climax and Pinkie twirled out again, flinging her free hoof out to end the dance with a dramatic flair. Then she smiled lopsidedly at the pegasus. “That was really fun! But now I get to show you my sort of dance. This one has the best name: it’s called the ‘cha-cha-cha’!”
***
The two ponies dropped onto the grass, panting and grinning at each other.
“See, Flutters? Told you it was easy. All dances should have their steps in their songs!”
“All the dances you shared did ,” accused Fluttershy. Both of them giggled.
They stared up at the pink evening sky. They'd been there for longer than Fluttershy had realised, and Luna was already bringing out the first stars.
What did she do next? She went over Twilight's list again in her head, but none of it seemed right. It was all so superficial. So they lay there in comfortable silence for a while, watching the sky.
Pinkie shivered.
A thought came to Fluttershy immediately, but she pushed it away. That was much too forward. Besides, it was too cliche even for her. Did ponies actually even do that?
Pinkie continued to shiver, but neither of them wanted to go home. Neither of them wanted to break the silence.
Eventually Fluttershy couldn't resist the thought any longer. She shuffled over and pressed up against Pinkie's side, and extended her wing like an enveloping blanket.
Pinkie twisted to look at her with surprise. Then she smiled and wriggled a little closer to share the warmth. “This was a really nice half-birthday, Flutters.”
It was a long and uncomfortable night for Fluttershy, and she had no idea whether she was any closer to her hopes. But somehow she felt it was worth it.
3: Advice from Rainbow Dash
“Rainbow Dash?”
“Hmmngh. Five more minutes.”
“Okay.”
Fluttershy eyed the cloudstuff beneath her. How did Rainbow stand it? How had she ever stood it? It was spongy and tenuous, and not at all like the firm ground that Fluttershy had learned to rely on. She had to move gingerly lest she accidentally break the cloud up. She didn’t want to think about what would happen then.
So she looked upwards instead, at all the other little tufts of white that decorated the sky. She loved that shade of blue. It always boded good things. It was the shade of old friends, old heroes. And, too, the shade of kind and laughing eyes.
“Rainbow Dash? It’s been five minutes,” she prodded gently.
“Hmngm.” Rainbow shifted, then gave a big yawn. She cracked one eye open. “Fluttershy? What are you doing here?”
“I need advice.”
Rainbow rubbed the sleep from her face and sat up. “What’s up, ‘Shy?”
It all came tumbling out. “I don’t know who else to go to. I messed up with Rarity’s ideas and I don't think Twilight’s ideas worked and I don’t really know anypony else who’d know, but –” she took a deep breath – “I like Pinkie Pie and I keep getting things wrong and I don’t know what to do.”
The cyan pegasus blinked. “You like Pinkie Pie? Like, like like?”
“Like like,” Fluttershy confirmed.
“Huh.” Rainbow grinned. “Awesome! So have you asked her out yet?”
“N-no!” Fluttershy shrank down. But she had, hadn’t she? “I mean, sort of… Maybe… I invited her to a party with nopony else. But I’m not even sure if she likes me.”
“You’re not sure if– Aw, come on, ‘Shy! Why don’t you just ask her?”
Fluttershy mumbled something about being afraid to.
Rainbow heaved a sigh. “It’s too early in the morning for problems like this.”
“It’s mid-afternoon.”
“Exactly. Look, Fluttershy… If you want somepony to like you, you have to prove yourself to them.”
“Prove myself?”
“Yeah! Like, I’ll lure Pinkie into the Everfree Forest and get her attacked by, I dunno, a hydra or something, and you can use your freaky animal skills to save her.”
Fluttershy flattened herself against the cloud and shook her head quickly. “Oh no, that’s a terrible idea. What if she got hurt?”
“Hey, I’d be there too! And nopony messes with the Dash.” Rainbow jutted her chin out like a burly superhero. “You’d just better hope Pinkie doesn’t fall for me!”
Fluttershy just shook her head.
“No hydra? Okay, so Plan B. What I’d do is I’d show off how awesome I am. I’d hit her with a Filly Flash, then a Double Inside-Out Corkscrew diving straight down into a Speed Strut, then cap it off with the Rainboom. Who could resist a show like that?”
Fluttershy gave a small smile. “You’ve given me a lot of air shows over the years, Rainbow.”
“And you can’t resist me, can you?” Rainbow smirked casually. “So you’re game?”
“I’m not very good at flying stunts.”
“Nah, nah, you’d have to show off something different. Like… tame a monster, or teach a bunch of eagles to fly formation. You know, something hard and cool.”
Could she do that? She didn’t think either of those things were difficult to do. But doing them to impress somepony? As some sort of performance? “I don’t know, Rainbow.”
A groan. “…Okay. Plan Three.” The stuntspony eyed Fluttershy speculatively. “You’re into that sappy stuff, right? Why don’t you just say you love her and kiss her? Smack, on the lips!” She snorted at Fluttershy's horrified expression. “Yeah, it’d be scary, but that’s the point. It’d be romantic and stuff. Trust me, nothing you’ve done wrong so far would matter after that. And then if she doesn’t like you – well, at least you’ll know for sure, right?”
Somehow that sounded like the worst plan yet.
***
Fluttershy had intended to wait a few days before her next attempt, but fate had other plans.
“Angel? Please? Just one more bite. It's good for you.”
The bunny shook his head and pushed the carrot away, but Fluttershy pushed it back persistently. “Pretty please?”
Angel smacked his face with a paw, then gave the carrot a mighty kick. It went flying across the yard.
“Oh dear. You need to be more careful, Angel. Just stay here and I'll bring it right back.” She turned and trotted towards where the carrot had fallen. She had to rifle through a bush for a minute to find it. She had just surfaced, carrot in her mouth, when she heard the whisper of pegasus wings approaching.
“Fluttershy!” shouted Rainbow Dash, alighting nearby. “Come quick!”
The carrot dropped to the ground. “What's wrong?”
“Pinkie's in trouble! We need you!”
Fluttershy meeped and stepped back. “Oh, no. What happened to her?”
Rainbow ground a hoof into her face. “Just come on!” She launched herself back into the air and flew back the way she'd come.
What else could she do? The yellow pegasus took a running leap into the air and followed.
***
Fluttershy flew fast and low, her hooves skimming over fields of overgrown grass. Wind roared in her ears. Her wings were on fire. She hadn't flown this fast for this long in years. She had long since lost sight of Rainbow Dash among the rolling hillscape. But they were following the road straight as an arrow, so Fluttershy knew she was still going the right way.
She had to be going the right way. Or somepony could get hurt. Pinkie could get hurt.
Just as she began to think her wings would fall off, she caught sight of a speck flying over a hill ahead. No, not one speck. There was a whole flock of them, nearly a dozen creatures circling and diving like seabirds gorging on a feast. But they weren't seabirds. They were large and bulky, with the head and wings of giant eagles, and the bodies of lions.
Griffons.
On the hillcrest beneath them, surrounded, was a pink pony.
Fluttershy put an extra surge of energy into her beleaguered wings, forcing herself to gain altitude to match the circling griffons. “U-u-um. Um, excuse me.” The griffons ignored her. Below, Pinkie was jumping around and shouting something, but Fluttershy couldn't make it out. Another griffon swooped at Pinkie, forcing her to duck.
“Excuse me?” said Fluttershy. “P-please? I'm sure we can t-talk about–”
–a griffon charged directly at Fluttershy, razor beak and talons bared–
–Fluttershy's wings locked up in terror–
–and she fell.
A scream tore from her throat. Her legs flailed out to every side, scrabbling for nonexistent purchase. The earth shot up to meet her.
Why was the earth she loved always so quick to turn against her?
She closed her eyes.
...And then she landed on something soft and bouncy. She tumbled to the ground in a flail of pink and yellow and more pink.
“Oof! Hi Fluttershy! Are you okay?”
Fluttershy shook her head to clear it and eyed Pinkie blearily. “You... caught me?”
“Well, duh!” Pinkie bopped her on the nose. “It wouldn't be any fun if you got hurt!”
Fluttershy blinked at the hoof on her muzzle, then disentangled herself from Pinkie and sat up – and squealed as another griffon swooped at her. Talons raked through the air above her scalp, snatching in her mane and yanking out several hairs.
“Hey!” said Pinkie indignantly. “That's not very nice. You frightened her!”
A griffon landed in front of them and ROARED .
Fluttershy grabbed Pinkie and with a powerful beat of her wings pulled the pink pony away. “Run!” she squeaked. The two of them stumbled for a few steps before breaking into a gallop downhill.
The pride easily kept pace overhead.
“Ooh! This way!” said Pinkie, and they dived off the road into the long grass. Blades wipped against their sides. It was even harder to run now, but Pinkie's plan became clear as they rounded the base of the hill. A gnarled old oak tree stood guard over a little brook winding between the hills. Pinkie dove through a pony-sized gap in its roots and Fluttershy squeezed in after her.
They found themselves pressed together in a tight hollow inside the tree. It was earthy and dim, with the only light coming from the narrow entrance. The piercing cries of the hunters were muffled in here.
Fluttershy slumped against the wall. The cool bark was nice. Heat was rolling off her flanks and her chest was heaving.
Pinkie was leaning on her other side. There was no room for her not to, but it still seemed like a comforting gesture to Fluttershy. Pinkie's blue eyes glimmered with curiosity in the darkness. “What are you doing out here, Flutters?”
Fluttershy didn't reply right away, because she needed to catch her breath, and she took her time catching her breath, so that she wouldn't have to reply right away. It was a simple question with a simple answer, but as soon as it was asked she didn't want to answer.
“I...” she finally said. “I... I c-came to save you.”
Pinkie tilted her head to one side. “Save me? From what?”
There was a horrible CRUNCH as a griffon attacked their hiding place. Fluttershy squealed and shrank back, but the entrance was narrow: the larger griffon couldn't get in. It scrabbled at the bark of the tree for a few moments, then flew away again.
“...F-f-from them .”
Pinkie giggled and rubbed her nuzzle against Fluttershy's cheek. Everything looked brighter. “Silly filly. I'm not afraid of them!”
“You're... not?”
“Nope! But I'm very disappointed in them,” she suddenly said, flattening her lips in a disciplinary frown. “They shouldn't've scared to you! You're sensitive and nice and it's meany-mean-meanpants of them to make you frown!”
Fluttershy turned to look at Pinkie properly. The baker looked very serious, but she couldn't tell any more than that in the darkness. Pinkie didn't casually hoof out compliments; that wasn't her style. And it was especially weird in a tense situation like this. She ought to be cracking jokes and literally laughing in the face of fear. What did 'sensitive and nice' mean?
Another griffon crashed against the entrance. Talons raked down the sides of the opening, trying to widen it. Fragments of wood and bark pattered against the ground.
They didn't have long.
Fluttershy rubbed a hoof against the dirt. “I, um... You're– You're nice too, Pinkie Pie. You always make ponies smile.” She ducked behind the curtain of her hair.
Pinkie giggled. How she could giggle at a time like this, Fluttershy would never know. “Thank you!”
Okay. Okay. She could do this. Hop Skip and a Jump. “And you... you make me feel brave.”
“No way! I wish I were as tough as you, Flutters.”
Fluttershy's cheeks were hot. She shook her head quickly. “Oh, no. I'm anything but tough.”
“You came here to save me, didn't you?” Pinkie tilted her head again and blinked innocently.
“Um...” She did. Of course she did. How could she not? “...I guess so. And, um. I would have come for any of my friends, but... I th-think that knowing it was you made me extra worried. Because... I really care about you, Pinkie.”
“Flutters?”
Fluttershy shrank slightly. “Yes, Pinkie Pie?”
“That was the worst love confession ever ,” the pink pony announced, and pressed her lips against Fluttershy's.
The pegasus froze. Her eyes opened wide and her wings stiffened. And then she melted. She leaned into it, returning the kiss with mounting confidence. She felt Pinkie’s forelegs gently wrap around her. The pink mare’s lips were soft and tasted of strawberry frosting.
The hollow of the tree was bright as day. Everything was warm and soft. Vibrantly coloured confetti seemed to rain down on them. Wait, no, the confetti was real. Where did that come from?
Outside, a familiar voice shouted “YES!” But Fluttershy didn’t care. She couldn’t tear her gaze from those blue eyes.
Finally they surfaced for air. The cries of the griffons had gone silent. As Fluttershy peered out into the sunlight, she saw why: the whole pride had landed in front of the tree and was watching the two ponies. Fluttershy felt the blood rush to her face.
And in the middle of the group of griffons was a blue pegasus with a rainbow-coloured mane.
“Hey, Dashie!” said Pinkie, slipping out into the sunlight again with Fluttershy in tow. “You caught up!”
Rainbow Dash snorted. “Caught up? I was hiding over that hill the whole time. I was waiting for you two to get on with it!”
“Rainbow?” whispered Fluttershy. “The griffons…”
“Oh, these guys?” Rainbow shrugged nonchalantly, then prodded her hoof at the griffon next to her – a lean one with a dark coat and a hawk-like face. “This is Giacomo. I know him from Junior Speedster Camp. Soon as I heard he and his friends would be dropping by Ponyville, I asked them to help me out with a prank. All I had to do was send Pinkie to meet them – which was totally true – and then get you out here, 'Shy. And Celestia , that was the best prank ever!”
“Prank…?”
Fluttershy felt Pinkie shift restlessly beside her. Rainbow suddenly looked reticent too, and scratched the back of her neck with a hoof. “Yeah. Uh, sorry we frightened you, ‘Shy. It was sort of an unavoidable part of the plan. But it all worked out, right?”
It was all fake? A joke? There was never any danger?
Fluttershy looked at the pony next to her. The pony who’d kissed her. The pony who – they hadn’t said it yet, but did they need to? – the pony who liked her back.
Pinkie looked back at her with a face marred by worry. It didn’t suit her.
Fluttershy smiled. “Yes, Rainbow. It all worked out.”
And Pinkie took that as permission for a grin to explode across her face. “You’re totally right, Dashie! That was the best prank ever ever ever ever ! You even had me going for a while! They were all whoosh, snatch, RAWR, and there was so many of them, and it was totally real, like the best ever Nightmare Night, even better than when Luna came last year and there were bats everywhere and–”
Despite the audience, Fluttershy dared to kiss Pinkie on the cheek. Yes, she could get used to that. She was sure she caught one of the griffons say, “Awww.”
“–yeah! And then kissies happened!” Pinkie draped a leg casually across Fluttershy’s withers. “You know what this calls for?”
And she looked at Fluttershy, who hazarded:
“A party?”
