Fear and Doubt Clip Wings

When Fallenfeather awoke, Smack Down was gone, the blanket crumpled in the place he slept. She rose with dream-like slowness and yawned, flinching as the motion caused her newest wound to throb once again. Sighing, she rolled to her husband’s side of the bed and glanced at the clock. “One P.M? I’ve never slept in that late.” She said to the empty room. Her green eyes lit up when she remembered something: Colorstrike and Rainbow Dash would be visiting today! Quickly, she got up and gave a long, luxurious stretch, making her feel more refreshed and full of energy. She stood and made the bed quickly before walking downstairs. She stayed at the top for a moment, staring at Fluttershy.

The yellow filly was playing with a doll that Fallenfeather had gotten for her last birthday. “La la la la la laaa...” she sang as she held the doll’s arms in her hooves, making the doll dance on the blue carpet. Fallenfeather smiled. Despite what her husband did to her, as long as Fluttershy was in her life, she’d be okay. She galloped loudly down the steps, announcing her arrival. Fluttershy looked up and smiled. “Mommy!” she dropped the doll and flew to her.

“You’re getting used to flying!” Fallenfeather commented. Fluttershy smiled, her wings whisking around in the air, holding up her small frame.

“Aren’t Dash and Colorstrike coming today?” she asked. Fallenfeather nodded and made her way to the kitchen.

“Have you eaten breakfast?” Fallenfeather asked.

“Yeah, I ate at about ten.” Fluttershy replied. Fallenfeather popped a couple of pieces of bread in the toaster and made her way to the fridge, reappearing with an egg carton in her mouth. “Mommy, don’t you think it’s too late for breakfast?” Fluttershy asked as she gently landed beside her mother.

“It’s never too late for breakfast, dear.” She replied. She flew up the cabinet where she kept her pans and brought a skillet. “Fluttershy, light the burner please?” She watched as Fluttershy carefully used a hoof to turn the dial to the right temperature, and almost immediately a fire sprang to life. After rubbing butter on the pan, Fallenfeather set the skillet on the fire and went back for the eggs. When she turned, she saw that Fluttershy had already grabbed the carton, though she was struggling to hold it in her tiny jaws. “Thank you.” She said as she gently took the carton from her and set it near the stove.

They both jumped when they heard the door slam. “Fluttershy, go into the living room.”

“B-but, Mom...”

“Now, young lady.” She said sternly. Fluttershy shuffled to the living room and ducked down behind the couch as Smack Down entered.

“Fallenfeather, where’s Fluttershy?” he asked. Fallenfeather swallowed and walked into the living room.

“She’s um…” she didn’t know how to continue. She didn’t want Smack Down alone with her daughter.

“I’m right here.” Fluttershy spoke up. Fallenfeather looked to see her little head pop up from behind the couch. Smack Down huffed and walked towards her. A cold sweat formed on Fallenfeather’s neck as the cruel stallion approached the small filly.

“So, I heard you flew yesterday. Show me.” He said. Fluttershy slowly flapped her wings and rose cautiously into the air. “Is that the best you can do?! Higher!” Fluttershy swallowed and flapped harder. “Higher!” Fluttershy rose higher, her head was almost to the speeding blades of the ceiling fan. Smack Down looked up at the fan. “Higher.”

“NO!” Fallenfeather screamed. She flew toward her daughter and knocked her away, wrapping her front legs around her so that the fall wouldn’t injure her delicate body. She and Fluttershy rolled away from Smack Down, only being stopped by wall. Fallenfeather groaned in pain as the hard wall collided with her back and she gasped to hold herself back from screaming. Through gritted teeth, she said slowly. “That’s enough, Smack Down,” she paused to let out a slow breath, watching as it slowly disturbed her daughter’s mane. “She’s proven herself already.” She finished.

Smack Down looked at her through icy blue eyes. The gaze was nothing but pure cold contempt, but Fallenfeather locked her gaze with his. She could feel Fluttershy shivering against her and she rested her chin on her small head. Smack Down narrowed his eyes and gave a cruel smirk before heading back outside.

Fallenfeather closed her eyes and waited for his hoof-steps to fade away. She looked down at Fluttershy, who was crying. Her tears soaked her mother’s chest, making Fallenfeather shudder and hug her closer. She could no longer hold back the tears as they spilled from her eyes.

She didn’t know how long they stayed like that, but when Fallenfeather looked up at the clock she estimated it to be about two hours. She sighed; her friends would be here soon. “Come on, dear. Colorstrike and Rainbow Dash will be here soon.” She untangled her front legs from her filly and gently set her down on the carpet. As she got to her hooves, her back screamed in protest, making her stumble with a groan. Gasping from the pain, she limped to the couch and collapsed onto it. She closed her eyes and let out a slow breath.

“MOMMY!” Fluttershy cried. Fallenfeather’s eyes shot open once again. “Mommy, the kitchen is on fire!” Her daughter called. The eggs! She remembered. Despite the pain, she got up from the couch and ran as fast as her injury would let her into the kitchen. Smoke was rising steadily from the pan. She quickly turned off the burner and coughed as the smoke seeped into her lungs. She pushed open the window above stove to let out the smoke, letting out a breath of relief as it quickly dispersed from the room. She grabbed the pan in her mouth, wincing as the hot handle burned her lips, and carried it to the sink. She dropped it in the sink and quickly turned on the faucet, and the fire went out with a hiss.