The Beginning of a Beautiful Nightmare
The light of dawn shone through the curtains, illuminating a small room. The world was filled with the songs of birds, and one could barely hear, over the racket, the small snores of a sleeping pegusus. After a few moments the pony awoke and, with a small yawn, stretched before hopping out of bed.
Fluttershy was very tired, but that was something she was used to, after taking care of her animals for so long. So she stumbled over to a small vanity, brushed her light-pink mane, washed her face with a water soaked washcloth, and made her way downstairs. Time to make breakfast, she thought.
She started by feeding the squirrels and other rodents. Angel was making a fuss about breakfast again, as usual. “Now Angel, you want to grow to be a big strong bunny, don't you?” Fluttershy cooed, holding a large, delicious-looking carrot. Angel just kicked her hoof away, and the carrot flew into the corner. Fluttershy just sighed sadly, fetching him a nice bowl of expensive bunny food.
The birds were easier to feed, just needing some coaxing and a few melodies. Eventually she moved on to the larger animals, like the bears. By this time her pet animals, the ones that would hopefully go to a good home with somepony, were awake, and she fed them their respective feed. The toucan and the owl started squabbling about something, and it took some threats of The Stare to settle them down. Squirrelly had a small fever, so she had to coax him some medication for half an hour. Eventually, as the sun rose to a quarter mark, she made her way back to her own cottage to have breakfast herself.
Nothing had come in the mail, so Fluttershy sat at a table, staring into empty space while eating a bowl of greens. The silence was comforting, only interrupted by the soft chewing sounds of the yellow pony and her animals. Fluttershy's thought's wandered.
I wonder if I'll have any free time to spend with my friends today. Even if being around other ponies is terrifying, I like being with Twilight and the others, and I like having fun.
With a loud cry, a cyan-and-rainbow streak shot through Fluttershy's main room and came to a crash near the staircase. Fluttershy, startled, rushed under the table she was previously sitting next to. The bowl from the tabletop shattered on the ground near Fluttershy's shaking body.
The cyan pegasus picked herself up, shook out her rainbow mane, and looked around at her surroundings. “Awesome!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed when she saw the disaster before her. She then trotted over to the table and peeked under.
“Fluttershy! Did you see that? I was amazing! You 'k?”
“I-I guess...”
Fluttershy withdrew from her hiding place and began to clean the area. The animals unfortunate enough to be in the vicinity of the crash were hiding in small places, refusing to come out in terror. Some of the vases from her bookshelf had toppled to the floor and Fluttershy swept those up. Rainbow Dash helped once in a while, but mostly bragged about the “awesome move” she'd been practicing. Fluttershy didn't mind, though.
“And then, I swerved right past the cloud, and I swear my wings just barely poked it! And then, I went into a HUGE dive, it was so cool! It was like 'Pshoo-BAM! Whoshhhh... pure awesomeness!”
“Oh, that's nice.” Fluttershy said, no sarcasm in her soft-spoken voice.
“And then I pulled up right on the ground, and I saw your place! I was like, 'Aghhhh!' and I tried to slow down, but I just crashed right through your window! It was totally radical.”
“Oh, ok.”
“Sorry about that by the way. Hay, you should come watch me practice my tricks! I need a awesome cheering session to match my awesome stunts! You cool?”
“Oh, I-I guess.”
“Awesome. Let's go!”
“Oh, but I have to- Aiiiii!”
Rainbow Dash picked Fluttershy up and zoomed out the door, Fluttershy screaming the whole way.
***
Fluttershy watched Rainbow Dash zoom across the sky, preforming impressive tricks and stunts. I can't imagine flying so high or so fast, it sounds so scary! Rainbow is so amazing... After a particularly impressive trick, Fluttershy gave a small cheer for her friend.
Rainbow Dash sped towards the ground, landing a few feet from the yellow pony. She walked over to Fluttershy and did an action pose, saying, “So? Pretty awesome right?”
“It was great, Rainbow. Woohoo!”
“He-hey Fluttershy?” Dash looked nervous. “Well, umm, the reason I brought you here... well it wasn't to watch my moves. I-I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“Oh, what is it?”
“Uhh, here, I'll walk you to your house, and I'll tell you on the way!”
“Okay, Rainbow.”
And with that, the two pegasi walked towards the edge of Everfree forest. Fluttershy hadn't noticed how much time had flown by, the sky was growing darker by the minute. The shy pony would have been worried, walking around this late, but she felt safe with her friend beside her. Speaking of which... Fluttershy thought, giving Dash a sidelong glance.
Rainbow seemed more on edge than she did that morning. She glanced at Fluttershy every now and then, and quickly looked away when the yellow pony looked back. Fluttershy remembered Rainbow saying something about “needing to talk.”
Fluttershy stopped walking, and Rainbow kept walking for a few feet until realizing her friend had stopped. She turned around to face the yellow pony.
“Umm, Rainbow? I-I'm sorry for bothering you, but you said you wanted to tell me something? But you don't have to tell me if you don't want to, it's okay.” Fluttershy looked at the ground, hoofing at it, then looked back up at the cyan pony.
Rainbow chuckled and said, “You're so adorable, Fluttershy.”
Fluttershy didn't know what to think, and squeaked in embarrassment. Rainbow widened her eyes. “I-I mean, uhh, I'm sure that's what everypony else thinks! Not me, of course! Not saying that you aren't cute or anything... ugh! Why can't I- just... forget it.”
The two ponies sat in silence for a moment, then got up and continued walking, or in Rainbow's case, trudging. Fluttershy gave her another glance.
What was that all about? And she never told me what she wanted to say... I shouldn't ask again, though.
Eventually they reached Fluttershy's cottage, and Rainbow mumbled a goodbye. Before the yellow pony could wish her a good night, Dash launched off the ground in a hurry, zooming into the night. Fluttershy blinked, then walked into her cottage.
***
All the animals were in an outrage, not being fed for the entire day. “Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! Please, calm down, friends, I'm so sorry!” Fluttershy floated around the house at a break-neck speed, filling the angry animals' bowls with food. At the speed she was going, it was long before every animal was grumpily eating their dinner. Fluttershy, exhausted, plopped on the couch with a long sigh.
Now that her mind was free, Fluttershy's thoughts turned to Rainbow Dash. Why did she fly away so quickly? Was it me? Did I do something to hurt her? Oh no, I should apologize. Fluttershy, you're such a rude little pony, you don't deserve to be happy when you make your friends sad.
What was she going to tell me? She seemed fine this morning, did something happen while she was in the sky? And why didn't she tell me? Fluttershy, forgetting her dinner, walked distractedly to the stairs, deciding to call it a night. But before she could plant a hoof on the first step, a loud knock reverberated through the room.
Could that be... Rainbow? Fluttershy made her way to the door and opened it a crack, spying the cyan and rainbow pony. “Rainbow, you're back, come in.”
Dash stepped in quickly and shut the door. She turned to Fluttershy with a strange, almost jumpy look and said, “Hey, 'Shy? I need to tell you something... and this time I will.”
“Okay, Rainbow, I'm listening.”
Rainbow Dash drew in a deep breath, stared into Fluttershy's eyes, and continued, “Shy, we've always been really good friends. Ever since the academy. And I always thought you were really cool. And lately I've been wanting to spend more time with you...”
Fluttershy waited patiently. Rainbow hesitated, but went on. “You always cheered me on when I raced, you always had my back. Today, I was flying and when I saw you, cheering for me, I just knew.”
Fluttershy waited for a moment, feeling a strange sense of dread, before asking, “Knew what?” The yellow pony was afraid of the answer. Rainbow looked more nervous than ever, looking like she could bolt out the door at any second.
“I knew that every time I fly, you're there flying with me. I don't mean physically, but like, in my head, you know?" Rainbow scratched the back of her head with a hoof. "I guess, I'm trying to say that I really, really like you.”
The yellow pony felt terrified, frozen with a realization.
“I-I love you, Fluttershy.”
This isn't happening. I'm having a horrible, horrible nightmare and I'm going to wake up now.
The cyan pony hoofed at the ground, obviously distressed. The silence was deafening.
Things had been so perfect. Why did they have to change? What am I supposed to do? I can't deal with this...
Rainbow gave her a look, waiting for an answer. And Fluttershy couldn't give her one.
Why me? Why me? I don't want this, not any of this. I- I have to say no...
Moments had passed, and still Fluttershy hadn't moved or spoken. Rainbow looked more forlorn with every passing second. “Fluttershy? Are you okay?”
I can't do that to her, she would be heartbroken. And it would be my fault. But I don't want this... what do I do?
Rainbow Dash lowered her head and said, “It's okay, Fluttershy. I understand. You don't like me back. It's okay, we can still be friends, I promise.” Fluttershy felt relived, but didn't show it. Rainbow turned and started walking out. “Goodbye, Flutters.”
And Fluttershy knew she couldn't say no. Rainbow would be devastated, torn beyond repair. I have to... say that I... like her too.
“Wait, Rainbow!” The cyan pegasus turned around, face sparkling with hope.
“I, umm, I think I-” Fluttershy, stop being a coward. This isn't for you, it's for her.
“Yeah Fluttershy?” A smile grew on Dash's face, her eyes brightening with the yellow pegasus' words.
“I-I like you too, Dash,” Fluttershy mumbled. There's no going back now...
Rainbow gave a loud cheer, grabbed the yellow pegasus, and flew out into the night. Rainbow spun in the air, holding the pony and laughing with glee. Her elated grin made Fluttershy smile, but it couldn't make the sudden emptyness in her own heart dash away.
Rainbow slowed to a stop, the moon shining behind them, casting a silhouette on the ground below. Dash gave Fluttershy a strange look, making the yellow pony shiver in fear. Why am I so afraid?
Dash hugged the other pegasus, holding her tight against her. It was a cold night, and Fluttershy was glad for the warmth of her friends body against her, but it felt wrong to her. She resisted the temptation to push the cyan pegasus away.
Rainbow looked back into her eyes. “I'm so happy, Flutters. I promise I'll never leave you.” And Fluttershy knew Dash never would.
But what if I want you to?
…
Fluttershy was lying in her bed, staring at the ceiling. Luckily, Rainbow Dash hadn't offered to sleep with her, or Fluttershy might have died from embarrassment. She glanced from side to side, making sure their wasn't a rainbow pony near. Then she leaped out of bed, pacing back and forth.
“I don't know what I'm supposed to do... what will everypony say? Maybe they expected this... maybe they thought this would happen.”
“How do I feel about Rainbow Dash? She's always been my friend, and we were so close in school. Shouldn't I be happy? Why am I not happy?” Fluttershy felt tears welling up, and tried to stop them.
“Why am I... so... sad?” Fluttershy cried, tears finally pouring down off her cheeks and falling to the floor. She sat there, crying in her empty room, and she had no idea why.
She could see the stars twinkling outside, so vibrant and beautiful. They mocked her pain, teased her for her weakness. Why aren't you strong enough to end it, Fluttershy? Why can't you do things for your own happiness? And Fluttershy considered telling Rainbow how she really felt. She would be hurt, certainly, but everything would go back to normal, wouldn't it?
And then Fluttershy realized how angry her friend would be for lying to her. She imagined what Rainbow would say. Fluttershy, how could you? I loved you, and you pretend this is all some silly game? I hate you, Fluttershy, don't ever talk to me again! Fluttershy cringed at the imagined Rainbow's fury.
Now I'm stuck, there's nothing I can do to fix this. Wait, Rarity's good at romance stuff like this, maybe she can tell me what to do...
But I can never tell anypony, she thought, wiping the almost-dried tears away, I can never tell anypony the truth. They might tell Rainbow, and she'd be even more sad! So, for her happiness, I will never tell a soul.
Fluttershy climbed back into bed, feeling exhausted. I will stay with her 'till the end of time, even if I have to cry myself to sleep every night.
Besides, when did I ever deserve happiness? she thought as she drifted to sleep.
Fluttershy was in a bright meadow, full of beautiful wildflowers. The sky was calm, no clouds in sight, and the grass swayed in the wind. Fluttershy felt so safe in this quiet place, although she had no idea how she got here. The last thing she remembered was talking to Rainbow Dash...
Almost as soon as she spoke those words, large storm clouds rolled through the sky, blocking out the warm light. Everything was cold, and it only got worse when it started to rain. Fluttershy tried to run to the safety of the forest, but the meadow seemed to expand infinitely.
Fluttershy screamed when something grabbed her from behind. The hooves flipped her onto her back roughly, and the yellow mare saw a pair of evil magenta eyes. “R-Rainbow Dash?W-what are you doing?” The cyan mare only laughed, and Fluttershy saw that Dash was wearing a Wonderbolts uniform, with the goggles off.
Fluttershy didn't want to believe that it was her friend pinning her down like this, but the rainbow mane was unmistakable. “Rainbow, let me go! Please!” The cyan mare only leaned closer.
“No! You're mine now, and you always will be. Look, everypony else agrees!”
Fluttershy didn't know what the evil Dash meant, until she looked into the sky. Her friend's heads were floating there, watching the entire scene. Lightning flashed in the background, lighting up her friend's heads with an eerie gleam.
The Rarity head spoke first.
“This is just sooooo romantic! I must make you two matching outfits!”
Twilight Sparkle spoke next. “Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned that when two ponies love each other very much, nothing can stop them from being together for the rest of eternity!” She continued to speak in the backround, but her words were drowned out by an orange pony-head.
Applejack gave her a glance, saying, “Now, sugercube, you ain't havin' second thoughts, are ya'll? After all we did to make this one spankin' good party!”
Pinkie Pie floated right in front of her face, cheering, “Yeah, you Pinkie Promised you would love her forever! Fore-EVER! Besides, it's not everyday you get married!”
“Wait, I'm not getting-” Fluttershy looked down at herself, finding that she was know wearing a beautiful wedding dress. She looked over and saw Dash wearing a tuxedo and a top hat, with some of the wildflowers adorning her chest. They were standing next to an alter, Angel conducting the final parts of the ceremony in minister's robes.
Rarity seemed to squeal with excitement. “Oh darling, what do you think? That dress is simply gorgeous, isn't it? I made them specifically-”
Applejack inturrupted her. “Just wait until yah see the the cake Ah made!” Suddenly a large greean cake appeared, decorated with swirls of frosting. At the top, Fluttershy coud see two small figurines of her and Dash. The rain seemed to mot affect the cake at all.
Twilight's voice could now be heard. “By the power invested in me, as Celestia's personal protégé, I now pronounce you, mare and bride! You may now kiss the bride.”
As the bunny gestured for the brides to kiss, Rainbow Dash gave the yellow pony an evil grin. “Why do you look so scared, Fluttershy? You said you loved me, right?”
She roughly grabbed Fluttershy's head with a hoof, and leaned in. Fluttershy could only watch in horror as the rainbow pegasus came closer and closer, all her friends cheering and hoofing in the backround...
…
Fluttershy flew out of bed in terror, flying into a wall. After clumsily getting to her hooves, she glanced at herself, to make sure she wasn't in a wedding dress. Rainbow wasn't there either.
It was all just a horrible nightmare...
Fluttershy looked of her window to see Celestia's sun peeking out of the treetops. Which meant it was time to feed the animals.
As Fluttershy did her job, she couldn't stop thinking about her dream. Rainbow looked so... evil. Is that what my life is going to be like now? Fluttershy shook her head, angry at herself for thinking that. That was just a nightmare, Rainbow doesn't act like that. Rainbow is nice, she would never do that to me.
Fluttershy grabbed a carrot, heading over to feed Angel. She noticed that her animals were shying away from her as she feed them, and Fluttershy had no idea why. She quickly knocked on Angel's small door, and the bunny emerged.
“Here you go, Angel. One nice, tasty carrot just for you!” Fluttershy cooed. Once again, the bunny refused to eat the veggie, his nose upturned. For the first time in her life, Fluttershy felt irritated by this. “But... Angel... this carrot is good for you!” She pushed the carrot a little closer to his face.
With a well placed kick, the carrot was sent flying away. The bunny gave her a little glare, which turned into a wide-eyed stare when he saw the pegasus with her head down, shaking. Assuming that she was crying, the bunny jumped to her hoof, trying to comfort her.
All the animals watched closely, feeling cautious. When Fluttershy started to speak, Angel knew he was wrong about her being sad.
“You're such a mean little bunny, Angel. Why can't you just accept what you get?” She got onto her hooves, face still hidden with her hair. She was shaking even more now, her hooves unsteady.
“Sometimes you don't get what you want. But that doesn't mean you can make a fuss about it.” The animals started to back up, terrified. Angel was frozen in fear.
Fluttershy suddenly towered over the small bunny, her large angry eyes freezing him to the ground. “Why can't you just be happy!” she yelled at him. She flew over to the carrot, grabbed it, and shoved it into his little paws. “Now eat your stupid carrot! I've got more important things to worry about!” She snorted at the bunny, and went outside to feed the rest of her animals.
Angel was left there in the middle of the room, still frozen with shock.
…
Rainbow Dash zoomed through the sky, enjoying the wind on her mane. The ground blurred under her, a flurry of colors. The sun shone on her cyan coat, but that wasn't the thing that was filling Rainbow with warmth. It was thoughts of a butter-yellow pegasus with a soft pink mane that was making Dash's heart soar.
Rainbow Dash flew faster and faster, driven by an unknown force. Everything in the world is awesome! I feel like I could do anything! The cyan pony dodged incoming clouds with ease, even at the speed she was going. She felt a resistance gathering around her, but didn't slow for anything.
I can't believe she likes me back! I thought for sure she was gonna reject me, the look on her face... Dash remembered the fearful look she thought she had seen in those beautiful eyes. I must have been mistaken, why would she be afraid? After all, we love each other, right? Rainbow Dash grinned at the word, not noticing the resistance growing more powerful with every wing-flap.
If somepony had told me before that I'd be in love, especially with Fluttershy, I would've laughed. But look at me now! I'm getting so sappy over that mare. Dash's speed reached peak level, and the barrier around her was cracking. She closed her eyes with happiness as the sky exploded with a brilliant rainbow.
I just love you so much, Fluttershy...
…
Why did I yell at Angel? I feel so bad...
Fluttershy had just finished feeding all her animals and was now sitting out side her house. She didn't want to go back inside yet, fearing that Angel would still be there, looking at her with those eyes. She hadn't meant to scream at Angel, but she was just... so... angry.
Fluttershy darted under a bush when a sudden explosion shook the earth. The yellow pony stared in amazement as a Sonic Rainboom expand across the sky, a rainbow trail flying away from it.
It's so... beautiful... Fluttershy watched the rainbow trail zoom upwards, corkscrewing in the air before slowing down. The rainbow lingered for a moment, but then dissipated. Fluttershy thought she saw a cyan speck flying back down.
Dash does the most amazing things...
…
Flutershy was still sitting outside her house when Rainbow Dash landed right outside her front lawn. The cyan pegasus was holding a bunch of wildflowers in her mouth, and placed them at the shy pony's feet. “Here, I, uh, brought you a snack.” Fluttershy blushed furiously. “Th-thank you, Rainbow Dash.” The cyan pony scratched the back of her head, saying, “I thought- maybe today- we could go and, I don't know, have breakfast together?” Fluttershy's eyes widened with fear and she stiffened, imagining going on a date with Dash in public.
Please no, please no, I'm not ready, nonono-
Rainbow noticed the look on Fluttershy's face and blurted, “No, not in Ponyville! I mean, not saying I don't want to be seen in public with you, but, I mean... a picnic. I've got it set up in a clearing I found. I was wondering if you maybe wanted to come with me?”
Fluttershy relaxed, knowing that everything was still secret. She couldn't imagine what her friends would say about the two of them. Oh wait, she could. Exactly what they had said in her dream. And with a small gasp, Fluttershy realized that the wildflowers at her feet looked exactly like the ones in her nightmare.
There's no way that's real. It's just a silly coincidence, Rainbow and I are not getting married. More likely, Dash is going to realize how pathetic I am and run off with someone like... I don't know... Applejack.
Rainbow coughed a little, and Fluttershy realized that she hadn't given her an answer. “Oh, yes, that would be p-perfect.” Dash grinned.
“Alright, let's go! Oh, are you ready? Cause I'm good with waiting.” And with that, Dash plopped onto her rump, tail swishing back and forth. Fluttershy got onto her hooves and meekly said, “No no... I'm ready.”
“Woo! Let's go eat!” The two mares walked off towards their destination, not noticing the rustle in the bushes behind them, and the occasional flash of color as something darted across the road.
…
“Ta-da!” Rainbow Dash gestured with an arch of her hoof to the in front of them. She knew Fluttershy would love it, it was just the kind of place for a shy, cute little pegasus like her. Rainbow could feel her shaking with excitement beside her, and knew that her date was going to be a success.
When they walked forward, their hooves were engulfed with the same type of wildflowers that Rainbow had picked early for Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus was pressing her warm body against the cyan pony, and Rainbow felt her heart soar into the clouds above.
I knew she loved me back.
Within moments, they found the plaid blanket with their breakfast. Rainbow had carefully chosen all of Fluttershy's favorite breakfast foods, like petal salads and other healthy stuff. She had also dusted off her old fancy-shmancy plates from her dark attic and grabbed a vase with flowers off her fireplace. Dash hoped that Fluttershy would see all the hard work she put into making this the best date ever.
“So… what do ya’ think? Awesome? Better than awesome?”
“It’s, umm, really great, Rainbow. Th-thanks.”
Rainbow saw Fluttershy glance around them, her expression hidden by her long pink mane. But obviously she was looking around with wonder and stuff, right? The giant flower field was the perfect place to have a first date, and even she, Rainbow Dash, thought it was nice.
And so, they began their first date. At first things were a little awkward, Rainbow Dash couldn’t find anything to say and Fluttershy was still hiding away in her mane. But then Rainbow Dash knew what would make Fluttershy more comfortable.
“So, guess what I saw today, Flutters.”
“Umm, what?”
“Well, I was trotting around in Ponyville, weird right? Me, trotting. Anyway, I was in Ponyville and I saw some little baby ducks following this big duck around.”
“Really? Oh my goodness, that must mean Daisy’s eggs hatched! Squee!”
And so they talked, for so long that they barely noticed how far Celestia’s sun had moved across the sky. Sometimes they laughed, sometimes they just ate, but the entire time both felt completely happy.
Rainbow had just finished telling a joke about a unicorn, a bee, and a flugelhorn. Fluttershy was laughing so hard there were tears in her eyes. But as the yellow Pegasus finally stopped laughing, Rainbow decided that it was time to make her move.
Leaning closer to the shy Pegasus, Rainbow Dash touched Fluttershy’s cheek with her hoof. She saw Flutters’ wide blue eyes grow wider than Rainbow thought possible. Softly holding the mare’s head, she leaned in closer and closer…
Only to fall to the ground flat, Fluttershy having suddenly disappeared. Rainbow could have screamed in frustration, but someone did that for her.
“Aww, come on!”
