Rainbow After Rain

Rainbow after Rain

Chapter 3

The dawn’s sunlight broke through the blinds into Fluttershy’s cottage, onto the pair of half-cuddling pegasai. A mussed up pink bob poked up from the floor, eyes bleary and her coat warm with sunlight. Rainbow still snoozed quietly beside her, head rested against the timid mare, a smile held on her face. Fluttershy blushed softly, carefully moving away from the other pegasus and gingerly tiptoeing up to her room. Her hooves clacked softly against the wooden floor, making her way to a small dresser and mirror. Her mane now presentable, Fluttershy returned downstairs to her cozy kitchen with a familiar clanking of pans and a sizzling breakfast and Rainbow’s snores in the background.

~~~~~~~~~

The wind whistled in her ears, brilliant rainbow mane flapping in the breeze. Spiraling through the air, Rainbow soared down through clouds, showering the mare in tiny water droplets. Water streamed down her face as she sped forward, mane now soaked. The wind’s whistle grew to a scream; Rainbow’s wings drooped in response, gravity taking her. Plush, flawless white clouds had mutated into a mass of harsh grey and stark black. The almost smoke-like cloudy tendrils ravenously devoured the final beams of light still peeking through the dark mass. The rain bombarded the cyan mare, mane now plastered to her face, the booming roar of thunder echoing for miles. Drop after drop of half frozen rain collided with the mare, its bite only intensified by the chilling wind. The limp pegasus plummeted at an outstanding speed, the tree line only moments of freefall away.

Rainbow Dash bolted upright gasping sharply, gulping in oxygen, chest heaving with panic and fear.

“That  was… I was… I… failed.” The defeated pegasus sighed, throwing herself backwards, only to meet the wooden floor with the back of her head. “Hey! Who put that there? I must have fallen asleep talking with Fluttershy, just like Flight Camp. I guess she didn’t get any less boring.”

‘Rainbow Dash, you know you don’t mean that.’

‘Excuse me, if you don’t mind, I’m trying to ignore you.’

‘Yes, and you’re doing a lovely job of ignoring yourself. Let me know how that turns out for you.’

‘Hey, whose side are you on, anyway? You’re MY brain.’

‘Doesn’t that make me the smart one?’

‘I’m not talking to you anymore.’

‘I’ll be here in case you change your mind. Get it?’

‘This is why I don’t listen to you in the first place.’

‘And look where that got you. Injured wings, a near concussion, you’re in great condition.’ Rainbow let out another sigh. Beaten by her thoughts. Twice. This wasn’t exactly making her feel like a winner. Rainbow’s stomach growled loudly, forcing her to put away her pessimism for the time being. A soft humming sounded from the tucked away kitchen, as if in response to the cries of the cyan pegasus’ stomach. A soft sizzling accompanied the humming, soon to be followed by the familiar aroma of Fluttershy’s cooking. Rainbow flailed about, quietly scrambling about to bring herself to the kitchen. Raising herself to her hooves, Rainbow’s ears pricked up as Fluttershy’s singing embraced them. The tomboyish mare wasn’t much for music; the only music she really enjoyed was hoofcore punk. Regardless, Fluttershy’s soft melodic singing brought a glowing smile to her face, leaving Rainbow all the more eager for breakfast.

Rainbow sat slumped in her chain, rubbing her protruding belly.

“Another awesome meal, Shy! I’m surprised your cutie mark isn’t for cooking.” Fluttershy shot Rainbow a soft smile, bringing a light blush to both pegasai’s faces.

“I was thinking of popping into town for a little while, if you’re up for it, would you be interested in joining me?”

“Well, in the book of Rainbow Dash, food is followed by a nap, but I’d be up for going along with you. Besides, I’m sure our friends have gone crazy without my awesomeness around, eh?” The timid mare gave a soft, characteristic giggle.

“We shouldn’t keep them waiting in that case.” Fluttershy smiled softly, “After you.”

~~~~~~~~~

The two pegasai strolled along the streets of Ponyville, giggling and chatting, only occasionally glimpsing at the various shops around them.

‘Still sure you’re not interested in her, Rainbow Dash?’

‘Not now, if you hadn’t noticed, I’m busy.’

‘We’re on the same side here.’

‘You keep telling yourself... err… me that.’

‘We both know how you feel, why bother being in denial anymore?’

‘Because, there’s no point in how I feel.’

‘It’s not pointless to Fluttershy.’

‘She doesn’t have any-‘

‘If you’re so sure about that, then get her to have feelings for you.’

‘Fine, have it your way, but I have no idea where to start.’

‘Rari-‘

‘No.’

‘Applejack?’

‘I’ll never hear the end of it from her, but it’s not like I have any other options.’

“Hey, Rainbow, I’m just going to head over to Twilight’s for… erm… books. Lots of books to read, y’know?” Fluttershy’s ears twitched nervously, and she put on an awkward smile.

“Yeah that’s fine, I’ve gotta go to Sweet Apple Acres to see AJ… and pick… apples. You know how apples are, always… growing.”

“Y-yeah… See you in a bit!” The two walked their separate directions, Rainbow sighed in relief, and could’ve sworn she heard a similar sigh not too far behind her.

~~~~~~~~~

The dusty dirt roads of the orchard were new to the grounded Rainbow Dash, the familiar fresh air was a welcome returning visitor to Rainbow’s lungs, and even a sky-loving pegasus could appreciate the ground down here.

“Applejack! You there?”

“Hold ‘yer horses, I’ll be ah moment!” The familiar sound of hooves knocking against wood echoed through the orchard, followed by several smaller thumps of apples falling into a bucket. The country mare strolled through the trees, apple cart in tow.

“Rainbow! I heard you were stayin’ with Fluttershy.” Applejack glanced at the Pegasus’ wing, “Ah reckon ‘yer having a hard time giving your hooves some extra exercise.”  Rainbow flushed crimson, still ashamed of her injuries. “Ahm just messing wit’ ya. What can I do ya for, partner?”

“Well… I sort of need your advice on… something.”

“On...?”

“S-so… there’s this one pon-“

“Say no more, partner. Ah understand, you’ve got your eye on a special stallion, don’t ya?”

“Um… In a way, yeah. C-can you help?”

“Ah… well, all ya gotta do is show this stallion how great Rainbow Dash is, he’ll fall for you before ya can say ‘Sonic Rainboom’.”

“Uhh, sh… he already knows about all that stuff, and he’s really shy, so I wouldn’t want to frighten him off.”

“Oooh. Ah, think I know who ya mean.” AJ winked at the confused pegasus, “Ahm sure that you could Mac it work. It’d be a big surprise for ‘im.” Rainbow stood blinking at AJ, still befuddled.

“Huh?”

“Ah bet with a little work you could be the apple of his eye.”

“AJ… it’s not Big Mac.”

“Ah, ya sure?”

“Yes Applejack… I’m sure.”

“Ahm sure if you ju-“

“Applejack…”

“All right, fine. Jus’ let me know if ya change ‘yer mind.”

“Are you gonna help me now, Applejack?”

“Well I ‘spose so. Though I ‘aven’t dealt much with shy stallions.”

“So… you can’t help at all?”

“Hold ‘yer horses, ah didn’t say that. You’ve gotta take it slow, or ya may frighten ‘em off.” Rainbow gave a groan of disappointment.

“Ugh. I hate slow.”

“Ah know that, Rainbow. Ya could jus’ wait for Fluttershy to make the first move.”

“I said it was a stallion, Applejack!”

“Granny Smith raised no fool, Rainbow.” Rainbow sunk into her mane, resembling Fluttershy far more than her usual self.

“A-and… you’re okay with it?”

“Of course, sugar cube. Whoever ya love is fine by me.” Applejack gave her friend a warm smile, which the cyan mare returned, with just the slightest of tears of relief welling in her eyes.

~~~~~~~~~

A timid mare tiptoed through the street, concealing her face behind her mane. The quiet mare found her way to Ponyville’s library.

“Twilight’s so smart, I’m sure she’ll know how to help me, I’m sure of it.” Fluttershy lightly tapped on the door, followed immediately by a shout from inside.

“Spike, the door!”

“I thought you wanted me to put out that fire you made!”

“Okay, the fire first!” Sounds of scrambling and splashing water permeated the walls of Twilight’s tree.

“Twilight, water can’t put out magical fire!”

“Alright, I’ll just use the failsafe spell.”

“You couldn’t have done that in the first place?”

“I wanted you to test it, Spike!”

“Great.”

“Spike, did you get the door?”

“Oh, almost forgot!” A fast pitter patter of tiny footsteps ran down the stairs. “Hey Fluttershy. Here to see Twilight?”

“Y-yes, she’s not busy, is she? I can come back some oth-“

“Fluttershy! Is that you?”

“H-hey, Twilight. Are you free?”

“What do you need?”

“I need your advice, if it’s not too much trouble.”

“Certainly!  Come on in, Fluttershy.” Fluttershy followed Twilight along the shelves, each meticulously dusted by her short scaled companion. “I know it was here somewhere… Ah! Here it is, my checklist for giving advice!”

“I uh… don’t think you ne-“

“Step one, ask about the problem. What’s troubling you, Fluttershy?”

“Twilight… do you this we could this without the checklist? If t-that’s okay with you.”

“Oh! I guess so… if you think it’ll help. But what do you need my advice on?”

“It’s… er... Twilight, what do you know about l-love?”

“From what I’ve read it’s viewed as a part of mammalian drive, much like hunger or thirst. It’s divided into three stages lust, attraction, an-“

“T-twilight… that’s not what I meant.”

“You mean being in love?”

“Y-yes.”

“Sorry Fluttershy, but I don’t know much about that. I’ve never experienced it myself, and the only ponies close to me that I’ve seen in love were Shining Armor and Cadence.”

“Oh. I see.  That’s okay.” The timid pegasus slouched, a slight frown taking over her face as she quietly made her way to the door, hooves dragging slightly with each step.

“Fluttershy, wait up! Are you asking because of somepony special?”

“W-well…” the shy pony sank into her mane, giving a soft squeak and whispered, “yes.”

“Oh this is so exciting!” The lavender mare gleefully clapped her hooves together, almost forgetting the presence of the blushing pegasus before her.

“Um…  so what do I do?”

“I… uh… I still don’t know. But I’m sure it’ll turn out just fine for you, Fluttershy.”

“Thanks, Twilight. I think I feel maybe… kind of… sort of better?”

“Good, good!”

“I’ll… tell you how it goes.”