The harsh rain-drenched all that were foolish enough to stay out, including a pegasus filly that was walking through the rain not caring for how her wet rainbow mane stuck to her cyan coat. Cloudsdale was gently lit despite the storm above by the small streams of rainbow that flowed throughout the city. Rainbow Dash thought back to when she asked her parents why they needed rain in the city at all and it was to refill all the cumulonimbus houses that needed water all at once. Dash didn’t care about the reasoning now as the sound of rain hitting the medal around her neck only made her angrier.

The filly stopped when she reached several statues of General Firefly and the first Wonderbolts. “Well, today was another race but… I lost for the first time… I came in third. I don’t know what I did wrong! I hate losing! I flew away from the stadium after I got my medal, I couldn’t take the sad look in my parents’ eyes. I bet you all never failed once! You were the most awesome pegasi ever! I just want to be just like you guys…” The filly’s lament was interrupted by a bright flash of lightning above and the sound of a frightened shriek from nearby.

Rainbow jumped immediately hoving in the sky out of fear. She turned and put her hooves up while looking around for the one that made the noise. “H-hey come out! I-if you think you can surprise R-Rainbow umm Danger Dash you’re w-w-wrong!” She hoped the fake middle name would scare away any monster that came for her but nothing happened. She waited for what seemed like forever when something finally moved. From behind one of the statues, crept a shivering soaked yellow pegasus with a pink mane covering half her face. She was very thin and didn’t seem to be able to fly very well as her small wings froze at her side.

“I-I-I’m s-so sorry… I d-didn’t mean to i-interrupt!” Rainbow stared at the filly who seemed a bit older than her and had scratches on her sides.

“You’re hurt! Come with me! My mommy and daddy can help you!” The pegasus stared at Rainbow in shock at her offer but snapped out of it when Rainbow grabbed her hoof and started to pull her to the direction of her home.

“W-wait! I-I’d hate to i-impose!” Dash looked back at her and smiled.

“It will be okay! Trust me.” The filly stared again but then nodded slowly walking after her.

“Thank y-you… Rainbow Danger Dash...”

“Heh, just Rainbow Dash is fine.”

“I-I’m F-Fluttershy…”

. . .

WHACK

“OW! What the hay!?” Rainbow rubbed her spinning head as her mind struggled to focus after being so rudely woken from her nap. She glared at the creature that had woken her, it was a rabbit holding a rolled-up newspaper. “Ugh, I’m going to cook you you little rotten-”

“Rainbow! Breakfast is ready! Please wake up!” A soft voice called from beyond her bedroom door and Rainbow sighed letting the bunny escape punishment for now. She stretched out her legs and yawned before slipping on a dark brown coat and fedora. She checked her reflection in the mirror and smirked.

“Looking good detective Dash, I’d date ya!”

“I’d date you too sis now let’s eat.” Rainbow smiled turning to Fluttershy who was stifling a giggle. She had grown a lot from the pegasus that Dash had found those years ago. She was taller than Rainbow by a few inches, her mane and tail was longer and styled. While she was more confident, hard not to be when you have parents like Bow Hothoof and Windy Whistles, her natural shyness and a kind of innate fear kept her from showing it too much. Her cutie mark proudly displayed her love and talent for understanding and taking care of animals being three pink butterflies.

The two walked down the stairs of their shared cottage and joined Angel Bunny who was impatiently tapping his foot so he could start eating. “Thank you for waiting for us Angel you can have your food.” The bunny didn’t waste a moment as he dug into the food.

“Next time, could you wake me Fluttershy? I felt ready to test if Angel could be used as a substitute hoofball.” The two glared at each other while Fluttershy giggled and eat slowly.

“Sorry Rainbow, I was busy reading a letter that Ditzy delivered.”

“How was Derpy? I heard she was dating some doctor.”

“Ditzy was just fine and looked really happy. Umm the letter was from… Spoiled Rich…” Angel and Dash rolled their eyes in disgust at the name.

“Oh please, let me guess.” Dash cleared her throat and acted all uptight and overly fancy. “I wholeheartedly regret I must insist that you and that sister of yours pay your rent early this month. Bleh bleh, times are hard mule leftovers.” Dash stopped when she heard a clanging sound and looked down at Angel who was shaking a jar that was half full of bits. “Ugh, why did we bring this thing with us when we moved?!”

“The swear jar is supposed to help you with your cursing problem.”

“Big damn help it’s been.” She put in two bits and sighed. “So what the letter say for real?”

“You weren’t too far off the mark actually but the reason was supposedly the Apples didn’t give them as much Zap Apple Jam than they usually do.”

“Bull, Filthy had just as much as he usually does. Didn’t he also say that he was willing to give us more time if we need it?”

“I don’t think she much cares what he says… I feel bad for Filthy and Diamond Tiara. Filthy isn’t so bad just a bit full of himself, he doesn’t deserve to be stuck with her. With him gone so much that filly is turning out just like her. ”

“I don’t see how he ever fell so hard for a mare like that. Just what Ponyville needs, another Spoiled Rich.”

“Rainbow w-what are we gonna do? We need more bits for rent and with my animal caretaking we are barely making due…”

“I know and I’m been trying to push out my private investigator name out there but I need a first case… something that will really get me some business. Sorry, I’m not much help with animals… maybe I should have taken that weather job.” Fluttershy smiled gently and walked over to her adoptive sister, softly put a hoof on her back and rubbed in a tiny circular motion.

“You been trying and that’s all I could ask for Dash. You’ll get your chance don’t worry and I can’t blame you I mean I could have gotten that smaller land from the Apples but…”

“You didn’t want to live alone. It was my choice to join you out here so don’t go getting down on me now.” The two shared a nod and giggle when a knock at the door echoed through the cottage. “Derpy again? I swear if it’s Spoiled Rich I’ll kick her flank from here to Manehatten.”

“I-I can get it!”

“Nope, I got this.” Dash flew to the door and opened it ready to get mad but only could work up confusion when there was only a grey earth pony standing there with the most bored blank expression she had ever seen. She waited for a moment and after finding that the pony wasn’t doing anything but staring at her, Dash rubbed her head and looked at Fluttershy who shrugged. “Umm, can we help you?”

“...Yes…”

“How?”

“I’m looking for the Dash and Shy Rescue Rangers?”

“D-D-Dash and what?!” Rainbow ignored Fluttershy’s yelp and smiled big.

“Oh, I see! You must have a case for us.”

“U-us!?”

“Ignore my sister Fluttershy she tends to overreact sometimes. I’m Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy had fainted by that point as Angel fanned her trying to help. When she was up again she made their guest some tea and the group all met in the living room to hear the details of the case.

“My name is Maud Pie, I’m a geologist who focuses on rocks. I need to hire you for a protection job.”

“You need a place to hide out huh? Well, we’ll be able to keep you safe no matter what!”

“No, not me.”

“Uhh someone else?” Maud dug into one of the saddles that hung at her side and pulled out a large rock the size of Rainbow’s head. She drops it on the table in front of them.

“This is Boulder… I want you to protect him.”

“You want us to protect… this rock?”

“Yes.” Fluttershy seemed to be much more relaxed at a job like this but seemed curious while Dash sighed and leaned back in her seat. She was hoping for some action.

“So what makes the rock so important?” Fluttershy asked which Maud only answered by pulling out a large bag of bits and dumped it on the table.

“I will give this to you in advance if you do not ask that question.” Dash covered Fluttershy’s mouth and immediately nodded.

“Deal! No questions asked. How long will we be protecting the rock?”

“A week, I should be back by then. Thank you both for your help I should be going now.” Maud gathered her stuff and finished her tea before heading for the door. “Your tea was amazing Miss Fluttershy. Good luck to both of you.” With that she was gone and the cottage was quiet for a minute before a loud cheer was heard.

“YES! We got our first job and that’s rent for the month! I think we should celebrate with some Apple family cider!”

“Aren’t you a bit curious about the rock Dashie? I mean who pays that many bits for protecting a rock?”

“Fine, I’ll tell you what. I’ll look into this Maud Pie later okay?”

“Thank you now let’s go get you some cider heh.”

. . .

Dash was now getting annoyed. Her contacts couldn’t tell her too much about the Pie Family with most saying that they owned a rock farm and there were four children with Maud being one. The family seemed to value their privacy. Dash studied Boulder for anything special but it seemed to be just an everyday rock. After ensuring it was safe, the two pegasi went on with their week until finally, the day came when Maud was supposed to return.

“That was the most boring protection job ever Fluttershy next time I want more fights and action!” She threw several punches at the air while her sister giggled fluffing Angel’s tail.

“Boring is safe Dash besides you got paid I think you did a great first job! Boulder is perfectly safe from any bad ponies hooves.” Dash nodded while pouting and crossing her hooves.

“...Still wanted to punch somepony though.” A knock came to the front door and Dash sighed hovering over and answering it. “Hiya Mau-” Dash was knocked from the air as a pink blur ran right through her.

“Maud! Are you here? I finally caught your trail after all the weird twists and turns you made! It’s Pinkie!” Rainbow groaned in pain and rubbed her hair as she turned to glare at the pink earth pony that seemed to nearly teleport from one spot to another.

“Why you pink-” Fluttershy gently put a hoof on her shoulder and smiled before helping her up and going to Pinkie who was still shouting.

“Miss Pinkie? I’m Fluttershy and I’m afraid Maud hasn’t been here for a week. We can help you though, my sister runs the Dash and S-Shy Rescue Ranger agency. We help ponies with their problems.” Pinkie stared at the two before smiling and hugging them.

“I need help finding my sister. She’s gone missing…”

Author's Note

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! I'm sorry for the hiatus a lot of family things came up and I had writer's block. I needed to write out a bunch of new ideas and commissions hopefully that will help. I hope you all are enjoying the holiday!!