The next day

The surrounding area of the next city became engulfed in a bright light as Dash, Bloom, and Sweetie belle, along with Pinkie Pie whom arrived at their destination. After helping the reinstated element of laughter pack up her belongings into her suitcases and out of her apartment, with the latter showing her gratitude by offering for them to spend the night before returning the key to her landlord and head out the next day. Once Pinkies belongings were collected, the group immediately teleported out from Las Pegasus, to their next destination. They also decided to leave in a hurry just in case Mr Ramsey filed a police report on em last night the second he regained consciousness.

And soon enough, the group finally arrived at their next stop. The City of Fillydelphia . while it wasn't as big as Las Pegasus. It was never the less a quaint and modest city, and it just so happens to be the home of a certain farm fillys cousin.

"OMG we're in Fillydelphia!!!!!" Bloom shouted in excitement.

"Why are you so excited all of a sudden?" Sweetie belle asked.

"Because my cousin Babs lives here, that's why" Apple bloom replied. " It's a shame that we're on a mission ATM, otherwise I'd introduce ya'll to her. But I'll wait until she visits next time, you guys would love her , Babs is pretty laid back and chill. And I think you'll like her too Sweetie belle, she's definitely your type of gal "wink, wink"

"Bloom!!!!!!!" Sweetie belle replied with a big blush, earning a giggle from her farmer friend. As the two friends bickered with one another, Dash took this opportunity to survey the friendship map to locate the next pony on the list.........Fluttershy. And to her surprise, it read that the element of kindness was only two blocks away from where they're currently standing.

"I hate to break up the chit chat" She said to the group. But the map says Fluttershy is only two blocks away, lets get a move on ya'll" The others nodded in agreement knowing that Dash was right, with nothing more to say, they made their way towards the location to which the element of kindness resides.

Finally after a short trek, the group arrived at their respected destination. A large building stood before them, with a sign above the entrance canopy which read "Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary"

"Yup, that sounds like Fluttershy alright. " Bloom said.

"Wait a minute Dashie" Pinkie said. " Why is the map taking us to where the others including myself work instead of where they live?"

"Dunno Pink's" Dash replied. " If ima take a guess, the map was designed to take us to the exact location to where the individual in question is currently at. Plus it saves us time from having to look up her street address.

"Makes sense to me" Pinkie said with a nod. " Alrighty then, lets go find Fluttershy" The group proceeded towards the front entrance, but stopped suddenly when a loud creaking sound can be heard coming from the Canopy that stood overhead from the entrance door, the unsafe condition of the canopy caused the group to increase their steps just to be on the safe side. "Wowie Zowie, they should get that fixed, if that fell on someone. They'd be a literal pancake"

Soon the group were inside the large animal sanctuary, the sounds of various wild life echoed through the hallway and even the front desk , which made it clear that the various doctors and veterinarians had their work cut out for them this morning. In an instant, they found themselves at the front desk to which the clerk greeted the group.

"Good morning" The mare said. " How can I help you four?"

"Hi, we're looking for Fluttershy" Dash explained. " Is she in today? We're friends of hers, and we just need to talk to her about something rather urgent and we'll be on our way"

"Oh yes, Miss Fluttershy" The desk clerk answered. "She is in today, but unfortunately she's not scheduled to clock in until 10am, so you'll have a 7 minute waiting time. But your more than welcome to sit in the waiting room just down the second hallway until she arrives"

"Much obliged" Apple bloom replied as she and the others made their way towards the waiting room , soon they stepped inside the waiting room, and were quick to take a seat at their respected chairs. Each member of the group was in a pondering state as each of them was thinking about what they were to say to Fluttershy the second she walks into the building. With the mare being the most sensitive of the group, they knew that they had choose their words carefully with her , least they want this “reunion” to go bad really fast.

“Hang on I’ll go fetch the bandages” Came a voice.

Dashes ears perked up a bit as she heard a familiar voice. “ Wait a sec, that voice…….no it can’t be, there’s no way he’d be in a place like………………….” But before the mare could finish her sentence, a large stallion in a managers uniform stepped into the room, the mare was quick to recognize the stallion whom was now in the same room as them, and the stallion was quick to recognize the mare as well. Having not seen each other since their days at flight school, neither one of em, especially Dash for that matter were expecting to bump into each other again after all these years. There standing right in front of Dash, stood non other than her and Shy’s former bully…………..Dumbbell billy stallion.

“Wait………Dash?” Dumbbell said as the mare in question was still speechless. “ Damn, I wasn’t expecting to bump into you at work, wow this is a surprise, it’s great to see you again” Dash however wasn’t had a different opinion on the matter.

“What are you doing here Billy?” Dash asked in a bit of a cold tone.

“I work here duh” The stallion replied. “ I actually got promoted to manager last month, I was just on my way to retrieve some spare bandages from the supply closet”

“Oh please” Dash scoffed. “ You honestly expect me to believe that you of all ponies, who cares only more about lifting weights and flexing in the mirror, is now working at a sanctuary for animals? And alongside Fluttershy, who’ve you been mocking since we were kids? Let’s not forget that you and those two lackeys of yours made flight school a living hell for not only me , Shy, but even Gilda as well. And you honestly expect a friendly greeting from me after all the shit you pulled in the past?”

“I don’t expect you to” Dumbbell replied in a quiet tone. “ I don’t really blame you for not being the least bit happy to see me Dash, I know I wasn’t the nicest guy in the past, and you have every right to be pissed off, I was a major dick when I was a kid, and I was ten times worse to you as a teenager” Dash was speechless for a moment again, not specking this kind of tone or words to come out of her former rivals mouth.

“So you finally came to terms with your past actions Billy?” She asked.

“Yes I have” Dumbbell replied. “ To be honest, I’m actually glad I bumped into you here Dash. I was actually planning on stopping by Ponyville to visit you and even Fluttershy to say a few words to you guys” Dash couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow as she pondered what was about to come out of the stallions mouth. “Rainbow dash, my former rival, and one of my former favorite bullying victims……………I would like to apologize. I am truly sorry for how I treated you in the past. All the stuff I pulled on not just you, but also Fluttershy as well wasn’t cool. And the fact that I was picking on girls as well was the definition of messed up. you and shy never done anything to me , and I just treated you both, and especially fluttershy like punching bags, and I can never take back all the stuff I’ve done”

“After we graduated, I started to look back at my pst actions once my freshman year of college began, I was actually planning on apologizing to you two when we met up again. But I ended up taking the cowards way out as I was afraid that you guys wouldn’t even forgive me, and i wouldn’t blame you either. I was so cruel , no scratch that, I was a monster, Hoops and Score are sorry too and feel the same way. I can never erase the stuff I’ve done Dash, but the only thing i can do now is to say I’m sorry. I don’t expect you to forgive me for all the terrible things I did when we were kids. I hope you can accept my apology, if not I understand, it’s what I deserve”

Rainbow dashes jaw completely dropped, the mare was not expecting her former bully of all ponies to be so apologetic. Given his past actions , hearing a genuine and remorseful apology from Dumbbell was quite a shocker for the element of loyalty, she didn’t even know how to respond to that. but after what felt like an eternity, Dash finally broke the ice. “ Dumbbell, I don’t know what to say, I never expected to hear those words come out of your mouth”

“I don’t expect you to” Dumbbell replied. “And to be honest, Fluttershy felt the same way too, and yes I apologized to her as well. Honestly, she’s mainly the reason I started working with animals. To be honest with ya, I wasn’t expecting myself to be in this position, I was originally working as the security guard after landing this job two years ago. But then I happened to bump into Fluttershy, she wasn’t expecting me to see me again after flight school, and I felt the same. I was actually surprised to see her here after learning that she moved to Ponyville after graduation from her university three years ago, but then she told me the reason why she suddenly decided to move to Fillydelphia. and yes , I know about Mare do Well”

“When she told me the whole story I was at a loss for words, I never saw her so guilty and heartbroken about something. Her words made me pluck up the courage to finally apologize to her after all the stuff I put the poor mare through when we were kids, at first I was expecting her to say that she’ll never forgive me for all the stuff I did. But to my shock and surprise, she forgave me, and she even gave me a hug, after everything I put her through , I wasn’t expecting her to forgive me of all poinies especially since I made her past life a living nightmare. But I was happy never the less, when I saw her working with various animals throughout her first month here, it actually inspired me to start a new. So I started to take some training myself, and soon enough, I too found myself helping and treating animals as well”

“To make a long story short, I was eventually bumped up to manager after all my hard work, and me and Fluttershys newfound friendship grew stronger and stronger each day, and I couldn’t help but feel happy to have redeemed myself for my past actions” A small smile formed on the Pegasus face once Dumbelle finished his story.

“Well………….I must say Dumbbell, I’m proud of you for working hard to redeem yourself from your past actions” Dash said proudly . “And if fluttershy was willing to forgive you, then I forgive you too. We were just kids back then after all, sides, It’s not like I did some stuff myself that I’m not proud of too”

“Thank you Dash” Dumbbell said with a warm smile. “ Thank you so much” The others couldn’t help but smile at this tender moment of reconciliations between the bully and his past victim, Pinkie however, wondered what Dashes answer would be the second the others are collected, will she forgive them and move back to Ponyville, or will she remain in Cloudsdale, guess only time and fate will tell. "So anyways friend, I take it your here to see Fluttershy?"

"How'd ya guess Billy? " Dash asked.

"Eh, guess you can call it a hutch" The stallion answered. " Like I said, after me and Shy reconciled, she told me all about the Mare do Well incident, the reason as to why she moved here in the first place, and the fallout between the others. So I'm taking a wild guess that you came all this way to try and make amends with her?" Dash gave an assured nod as a way of answering the stallions question. " I see, I see. But I should warn ya Dash, She's still feeling a little guilty about what happened last year. If ya want my advice, choose your words very, and I mean very care............................

CRASH

Suddenly, the stallions words were cut short by a loud crash that echoed throughout the hallway, which also earned the groups attention as each of them wondered where it came from.

"What the hell was that?!" Apple bloom shouted.

"Dumbbell!!!" Came a voice, and soon the desk clerk from earlier entered the room in a panicked state.

"What's going on Rita?" Dumbbell asked.

"Come outside quickly!!!" Rita answered. " It's the canopy, it finally gave way. And I think someone got caught underneath it!!!"

"Oh no......................., damn it I told em that canopy needs repairs!!!!!!!"

The group starred in shock at the scene right in front of them the second they stepped foot outside, and it wasn't just them, a bunch of staff members including a few pedestrians also showed up to survey the scene of the loud crash from a few minutes ago. The sight of what was right in front of them was a most devastating scene. There stood what remained of the overhead canopy , which was now reduced to nothing but but a pile of rubble. With splintered wood frames, bent metal, and torn fabric scattered everywhere. But what caught the groups eyes more was the mare whom laid buried and battered underneath the fallen rubble., to whom Dash was quick to recognize.

"Fluttershy!!!!!!!!" She screamed and then proceeded to run up to the unconscious mare, and proceeded to try and pry the broken canopy off of her. "UGH come on you stupid canopy MOVE!!!!" Soon the others, including some of the staff joined in to try and free the unconscious mare from the broken canopy. But sadly, even with their combined forces, the canopy wouldn't budge.

"Everyone stand back, I got this!!!!" Dumbbell called out as the others moved out of the way as he rushed towards the canopy.

"Dumbbell.........................

"Don't worry Dash" The stallion interrupted, " I got this!!!! This is how I got my cutiemark after all" The burly stallion proceeded to place his hooves underneath the rubble and began to lift. His cutiemark began to light up slightly as a bright aura illuminated his entire body as he continued to pry the canopy off of Fluttershy. Everyone watched on at the stallions impressive feat of strength as he lifted more and more, his muscles even tensed up and bulged a little as he began to feel the canopy starting to move up slightly. Apple bloom couldn't help but blush and ogle at the sight of the muscular stallion whom stood before her as the sleeves of his uniform began to tear slightly from the pressure.

"Hot dayum" She said before Pinkie covered the fillies eyes and mouth with her hooves.

"Thank you Pinkie" Dash said. And in no time at all, The stallion finally lifted up the canopy off of the injured mare. He turned back towards Dash , ushering her to quickly move Fluttershy out of the rubble which she was quick to do so. Just in time as the stallion place the what was left of the canopy back onto the ground, Dash immediately checked over her unconscious friend. " Shy, wake up!!! Come on say something please!!!!!!!!"

"Get an ambulance over here on the double!!!!!!!" Dumbbell called out to one of the staff, who was quick to rush out towards the nearest ambulance as Dash and everyone else checked on the unconscious mare as Dash continued to rock her slightly praying that she'd wake up.

We find the group now inside the fillydelphia hospital, after successfully getting the element of kindness out of the rubble, courtesy of dumbbells incredible strength, Dash was quick to get her friend to the nearest hospital as possible. As the five friends waited patiently in the waiting room for the medical light to turn green, Dash began to wonder to herself if Fluttershys circumstance was her fault? If she hadn’t have been so hard on them the day she revealed them as Mare do well, she wouldn’t have ended up here in the first place, but Dash also knew that she couldn’t have known something like this would have happened. But the mare couldn’t help but feel guilty never the less.

Finally free what felt like an eternity, the light shown green, indicating that visitors were now welcome into the operating room. Not wasting any time or even waiting for the doctor to escort them, the group made their way inside the medical wing to which Fluttershy was being treated. As they made their way inside, Dash and even Pinkie and the others silently prayed to themselves that their friend was alright and still kicking. Soon they were inside the operating room, and there stood Fluttershy, with her left arm and wing in casts , and half of her head bandaged up with a few stitches here and there from the impact of the canopy, seeing the element of kindness in this condition broke their hearts , especially Dashes. While she was a gray at Fluttershy for taking part in the Mare do well fiasco, she never the less felt sorry to see her childhood friend in this condition. Soon enough, the doctor entered the room, and the group were quick to rush over to him.

“Doctor” Dash said. ‘ Please tell me she’s gonna make it”

“Yes, is Fluttershy gonna be ok Mr doctor? “ Sweetie belle asked.

The doctor took a deep breath before responding to the group. “ Yes everyone, I’m pleased to say that miss Shy is gonna pull through” The entire group breathed a sigh of relief that Shy was gonna be ok. “ However, she’s currently in a mini coma, so there’s no telling when she’s to wake up. But rest assured , we’ll keep you all updated on her progress” He then placed a comforting hoof on Dumbbells shoulder. “ You and your friends did a brave thing today kid, if it Hadn’t been for you, your friend would have been in a much worse condition, so thank you”

“It’s no prob doc” Dumbbell replied. “ I’d do anything for my friends” A proud smile formed on Dashes face, happy to know that her former bully truly has reformed. The doctor gave one final nod to the group before leaving the room to give them some alone time. As they watched him leave the room, there was a short silence between the five of them, as each of em wondered what was to happen next, with one of the elements temporarily out of commission.

“Poor Fluttershy” Apple bloom said sadly.

“What’s the plan now Dash? Sweetie belle asked.

“I don’t know guys” Dash replied . “ But one things certain, I’m not leaving until Fluttershy wakes up, i abandoned her once, and I’m not gonna do it again”

“But Dashie, what about the others?” Pinkie asked.

“There’ll be plenty of time to find them Pinkie” Dash answered. “ I say we stay here for a while until Shy wakes up so that we’ll be able to say our peace and hopefully………………..

“Dash……go” Dumbbell interrupted.

“What?” Dash replied.

“You go on and find the others” He said. “ I’ll stay here and look after Fluttershy”

Dash was at a loss for words after hearing what dumbbell was suggesting. “ Billy………..I mean don’t get me wrong but, are you sure?”

“Yeah , it’s no problem Dash” Dumbbell reassured. “ Besides, after that incident earlier, we were actually planning on shutting down temporarily until we finally get that canopy fixed so that something like this never happens again. So I’ll stay here and look after Fluttershy, I’ll write to you once she finally wakes up. So go on ahead and find the rest of your friends, Fluttershys in good hoofs, so go” A warm smile formed on the mares face, and before she knew it , she wrapped her hoofs around the stallions neck bringing him into a warm hug to which he happily returned as the others watched on at this heartwarming scene between the former rivals. After a few seconds, the hug ended as Dash took out the friendship map.

“Thanks Billy” Dash said. “ I really appreciate this, look after Shy for us until we get back ok? “ The stallion gave a confident nod as the mare prepared to say the name of their next location, but not before Pinkie walked over to the stallion, handing him a small envelope with her cutiemark painted on the center.

“When Shy wakes up” She began. “ Could you give this to her?”

“Of course Pinkie” He reassured. “ Good luck with the others. Pinkie gave a nod of reassurance of her own before rejoining the group just as Dash requested the location of their next stop, which is the element of generosity. Dumbbell watched as the surrounding area became engulfed in a bright light, signaling that Dash and the others were about to teleport to their next destination.

“I wonder If he’ll let me feel those biceps If I ask him politely when we see him again?” Bloom whispered to Sweetie belle.

“Bloom , heel girl, he’s the same age as Dash and Pinkie” Sweetie belle whispered back with an annoyed eye roll, just as they teleported towards their next stop.

2 down, 3 to go

Author's Note

Oh no not Fluttershy!!!!!!! Don’t worry guys, Shy’s gonna be ok, and she’ll get the chance to say her peace to Dash and the others, I don’t plan on her being in a coma for too long👍 But rest assured, she’s gonna be ok I promise

Also hehe, looks like Bloom has a thing for Muscley guys XD but I’m sure Dumbbell would be kind enough to let you feel his bicep Apple bloom , just don’t make it weird ok?

Anyways, hope you guys are enjoying the story, next chapters currently in progress and should be up soon, so stay tuned