What was I doing?
It’s so hard to remember. Something keeps telling me to look away but my eyes are fixed. The same memories. They’re like ghosts.
Now I remember. There was fire. The sun was setting behind the hills and filling them with a blood red. It covered the fields in a bright crimson and set the trees alight with colour. I can still see it.
I felt calm. I bathed in the warm glow of the sunset and let myself fall into a trance. I can still hear the last of the birds returning to their nest. The night would arrive soon, they would’ve been exhausted. My mind kept wandering back to the birds for some reason. Their chirping had all but stopped, replaced by an eerie silence only filled by my own soft breaths. I missed their singing. Even though my eyes were closed I could still feel them darting around, searching for something.
That’s when I heard it, that’s when I heard the beating of wings above my head. Yet my eyes remained shut, even when I heard a set of hooves land mere inches away from where I lay. I could tell who it was, I didn’t need to guess.
“Hey there, ‘Shy.”
There was no mistaking Rainbow’s slick and confident tone. I could already feel the smile creeping up my face before I’d even opened my eyes. There she was, just as gorgeous as ever. The sunlight was dancing of her coat and gave it a fiery sheen. Her mane still just as scruffy as before, only now it burned with a brilliant orange glow. They were nice thoughts.
“Hello Rainbow. What brings you here?” I could probably work it out if I tried. In truth I just wanted another chance to hear her speak again. It was… comforting, for lack of a better word.
“I'm just on my way back home from my shift. I happened to be passing by your house and, heck, I've got nowhere to be.” I giggled. Her house wasn’t even in this direction. “I didn’t expect to find you out here though. You know what time it is, right?”
“Oh, I just… thought it would be a good idea. It seemed like such a lovely evening for watching the sunset.” I desperately hoped she would stay, just for a while. I couldn’t think of a better opportunity…
“Not a bad idea I guess.” She seemed to muse over a thought. I could see it on her face. “Mind if I join you?”
I attempted to look composed while my mind danced for joy. “Oh, oh- of course you can. I- I mean, obviously you can, but I’d really like you to.”
Rainbow Dash just laughed at my reaction. I melted like putty in her hooves. “Can’t go without your daily dose of awesome, can ya?”
‘You have no idea…’ I thought to myself.
It was... nice. Rainbow was usually so busy with our other friends that she barely found the time to see me. Oh, that sounds really selfish of me. I know that I can't be as athletic as Applejack, or as fun as Pinkie, or as into books as Twilight, or-
Do we even share any interests?
No no, that doesn't matter Fluttershy. What matters is this moment, this one memory. Rainbow had sit down next to me, and by the relaxed sigh she let out I'm guess she was too bored. Oh Celestia, I hope she wasn't bored of me. Everypony knows she can barely sit still without the need to stretch her wings occasionally. She's always been that kind of mare, ever since I knew her as a filly. But no, there she was just as calm as I was.
Okay, maybe I wasn't so calm. My teeth were chattering and my hooves were shaking, but not because of the cold, I was a nervous wreak. Here she was, just where I imagined her, sitting with me as we watched the sun go down. It was like something out of one of my dreams. My cheeks were burning, but I doubt she noticed in this light.
Rainbow draped a wing over me as it began to grow colder. My heart beat went up. She looked at me with a hint of concern hidden behind a slight grin. "You alright 'Shy? You're shaking a bit."
I made a rather audible gulp. "N-never better, just a bit c-cold I guess." It actually was starting to cool down. The sun was now beyond sight and the stars were starting to appear. It would be dark soon.
It suddenly dawned on me how cold it was when Rainbow removed her wing. I felt slightly exposed until she offered a hoof to help me up. "Better get going then." I accepted her offer and she helped me to my hooves. "I've gotta get up early tomorrow so I'm hitting the hay early. You okay getting home?"
I nodded in response. "Oh, yes, I should be fine. But thank you for offering." I averted my gaze nervously, I was struggling to get the next words out. "I had... fun spending time with you, even if we just sat down and watch the sunset."
There was small silence that passed till Rainbow raised my chin up with her hoof, bringing my gaze back up to her magenta eyes. "I had fun too, even if we didn't really do anything. I guess I just-"
Rainbow cut herself off mid-sentence. Her eyes suddenly darted off into the distance and shifted to a far more serious expression. I was confused more than anything. "Rainbow, what is it?"
"Something's wrong." She said sternly. "Can't you smell it?"
I raised my nose and took in a whiff of the air. “I- I think I smell smoke. But don’t most ponies have fireplaces in Ponyville? I don’t think it’s anything to worry about.”
Rainbow shook her head, still carrying the same worried look. “No, it’s not chimney smoke. The wind is blowing in the wrong direction. It has to be-” She stopped dead still.
I didn't know what was going on, I never fully understood how serious she was, but I knew something had to be wrong to get her this anxious. “Dash… what’s wrong?”
It’s like she didn't even hear me. Rainbow didn't waste any more time, and without even turning to look at me, she prepared to take-off. “Fluttershy, stay here and keep safe till I come get you.”
I was still so confused but I nodded. “Okay, I'll wait here.”
“I mean it. Don’t go home, don’t follow me, just- just don’t do anything. I’ll be back soon.” In an instant she was off, rocketing through the air till I could no longer make her out in the dark. The way she spoke, the way she looked at me... I was scared. Maybe I should go get Twilight or our other friends.
No. Rainbow told me to stay here and that's exactly what I'll do, even if I don't really understand why.
I did see her fly towards that strange orange glow in the distance, just next to the Everfree Forest. It flickered and dimmed before returning even brighter than before. How did I miss something like that? It didn't seem to be anywhere near town, that was to the east. It was like it was coming from…
…from my house.
“Angel!!!”
I had to know! Whatever Rainbow Dash had told me to do was forgotten in an instant. I took to my wings and flew as fast as I could towards the menacing glow. The wind tore through my mane and my eyes began to water. I had to be there. I had to see my animals. I had to know they were safe.