Chapters Warning: The Ponies in this fanfiction are in human form, due to how I imagined and planned the piece. They will continue to be known as “unicorns”, “Pegasi” and “Griffons” out of respect for their certain races! Enjoy, and have a Merry Hearth’s Warming Eve!
Disclaimer: I do not own these ponies or the original Prompt for this (#208: The night before...), that belongs to 30minuteponies. The only thing that I do own is the ideas and the writing!
....
Twas the Night before of Hearth’s Warming Eve….and she just kept smiling.
“….tershy….?”
“…Fluttershy….?”
“Fluttershy!”
“H-Huh!?” The pink haired girl gasped, her thoughts broken by the sound of her name being called. She slowly glanced towards the owner of the slightly irritated voice. Her best friend and Ponyville’s top fashion designer stood there with a pout, dark purple curls covering a bit of her perfect complexion. “O-Oh….H-Hi, Rarity….”
“Darling, you really need to stop daydreaming like that. Somebody is going to take advantage of you eventually because of it….” Fluttershy slightly tensed up at the unicorn girl’s words, eyes widening ever so slightly.
Taken…advantage of….
Her hand slowly ran across her sleeve covered arm, as if looking for a specific area. Meanwhile, Rarity slowly rolled her eyes. “Come along now sweetie, we’re going to be late for Pinkie’s Hearth’s Warming Party. After all, some of us are going to be in Canterlot tomorrow and might not see the others….” And with a soft tug to her shyer friend’s hand, the girls began to walk down the cold yet busy street toward Sugarcube Corner. For those few minutes, silence overtook both friends, before Rarity once again spoke up.
“I had been meaning to ask, and Pinkie Pie was wondering as well….you seemed to disappear rather early during our little brunch yesterday, and no one had even seen you until this morning. Where in Celestia did your adorable self go wandering off to?”
….Fluttershy had been dreading for this question to come up. Still, her typical shy and gentle smile went across her plump, slightly pink lips.
“O-Oh…um, well….I was a bit tired, so I went home early to rest up for today. A-Also, I wanted to check on the animals and make sure they were all happy and warm enough….y-yeah…..”
Rarity glanced towards the winged girl with a cock of a brow, and Fluttershy couldn’t help but feel a lump enter her throat. Would….she buy it?
“…Mm, that does sound like you, after all. Alright, well hopefully you will stay late tonight and celebrate our second Hearth’s Warming…” The pink haired girl let out a barely audible sigh of relief. Good….she seemed to believe her. She just couldn’t tell Rarity, or anybody else for that matter….especially not….
“Oh! Did you know that Rainbow Dash will actually be joining us this time?”
“….She….She is….?”
“Yes, that adrenaline loving speed demon had actually managed to get a day off, though I still question how she managed to convince them,” The diva of Ponyville pushed some more of her soft and conditioned hair strands behind her ear, gently pulling Fluttershy towards a turn that they needed to take before arriving at that familiar pink bakery. “I think it is because that Gilda is back…”
….Just keep smiling….
“….O-Oh….? I…I thought she and Rainbow weren’t friends any more…” She faked innocence, averting her soft teal eyes back towards the cool and hard pavement.
“That’s what I had thought as well, but Pinkie had said that they have been talking for quite a while and decided to start over, so long as Gilda promises not to make fun of any of her friends, or anybody for that matter entirely. I haven’t seen her yet, but Pinkie told me that so far, Gilda’s been well behaved….say….” They were only a few feet away from their destination when Rarity stopped in tracks, glancing towards the older girl with another arch of her perfectly waxed eyebrow.
…Just….Just keep smiling….
“O-Oh, um….yeah…a little bit, I guess…I didn’t know her too well…she was always around Rainbow, and…well…I don’t think she liked me very much….” Fluttershy muttered, a smile with the tiniest hint of bitterness over her features.
That’s only an understatement…
“Mm, but that’s impossible! You’re such a lovable and gentle hearted person! In fact, I was outright APPALLED by the fact that she had even made you cry that one day! And you know if Rainbow Dash had heard about what happened-“
“She won’t know!!!!!!”
….Fluttershy hadn’t meant to shout, she really didn’t. She understood Rarity’s concern and was eternally grateful for it. But….it was too late. No one could help her now….she was in too far deep. And if Rainbow Dash knew what Gilda had did….among….other things…
Then Hearth’s Warming Eve would hold just another bitter memory for the already unstable girl…
“…..Dear…..” Rarity whispered, not out of hurt for being yelled at, but out of true worry for her shaking best friend. “…Is…something—“
The door to Sugarcube Corner burst open, and Pinkie Pie’s grinning face appeared from the warm insides of the already hustle and bustling party.
“There you two are!!! Come in Come in, everybody else is already here!!!” she chirped as she ran back inside, singing some type of song about the many holiday cakes and beverages that she had on the table. Rarity held back an urge to rub her temples out of irritation from her party-loving friend, before turning back towards Fluttershy to finish her question. But, instead of the shaky and silent pink haired girl from before, she saw that usual shy and loving smile adorned on that adorable face.
“W-Well….shall we go in?” she asked in a soft yet happy fashion.
Just....Just keep smiling....
…..
Pinkie’s party went off without a hitch, as per usual. There was plenty of talking, joking and laughing all around. Twilight Sparkle and Rarity handed out their presents towards everybody early, as both unicorn girls along with Spike and Sweetie Belle would be in Canterlot all of the next day. Fluttershy smiled at her two new presents: a handknitted scarf from Rarity and a book about tropical and jungle animals from Twilight. Spike even gave her a gift….it was a hug, but it was still a wonderful gift.
It was a perfect evening to spend with your best friends. There was only one small flaw in this celebration…
Gilda came with Rainbow Dash to the party, and Fluttershy was avoiding them both like the plague because of it.
At times, the greenish blue eyed girl could feel a pair of confused rose orbs glancing in her direction, but she would only swiftly walk over to talk with Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Gilda barely even spoke (aside from talking to Dash about some new tricks she wanted to try with her), and that was just fine. So long as she continued to ignore the two of them, Fluttershy would be fine.
She just needed to keep smiling...
“Fluttershy, aren’t you really REALLY warm? That’s such a heavy sweater!” Pinkie Pie chirped at some point, causing Rarity to overhear her.
“Yes darling, it’s covering both your neck and practically your two little hands...”
“…I-I’m fine…” the girl in question managed a shaky response. Her two best friends were still not convinced.
“Are you wearing anything under it?” Rarity asked in a gentle fashion, and Fluttershy shook her head to respond with a ‘no’. “In that case, why don’t you ask Pinkie Pie for a change of shirts? You’re going to have a heat stroke at this rate.”
“I-I said I’m fine, b-but thank you though….”
“Buuuuuut!” Pinkie objected with a small pout, “You look really warm, I really think that you should-“
“I SAID THAT I’M FINE!!!!” Fluttershy practically yelled in aggravation, causing everybody to cease their mingling and turn towards the source of the loud noise, both Rarity and Pinkie Pie looking rather shocked by their quiet friend’s outburst.
“…Fluttershy…..?” The timid girl overheard Rainbow Dash’s soft and concerned voice from all the way across the room, and she shook her head, putting another one of her kind smiles across her lips.
“I-I’m really sorry, but I think I should head home now…it-it was great seeing all of you…!!” and without another word, Fluttershy practically flew out of the bakery and away from the many pairs of concerned eyes.
….
“No, sweetie…” her father began to explain, “She went missing this morning…along with that Griffon friend of hers. According to a letter left at her desk…the two of them had run away to ‘travel the world’ or something like that…”
“But….But she promised…she promised that she would see me on Hearth’s Warming Eve because she missed my birthday party. S-She promised me!” She could feel the tears start to build up in her eyes as her mother pulled her close, embracing the child in a loving hug.
“I’m so sorry, little angel…I’m sure Rainbow has been very troubled lately. She would never try to hurt you on purpose…” she whispered as her father growled.
“And I’m pretty sure that Griffon has been terrible influence on her….they’ve always been nothing but trouble.”
“Let her go….” Her husband sighed, placing a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “I think she needs to comprehend this all on her own….”
On that particular night, it had begun to snow….
Fluttershy continued to stare out of her large window, watching each little snowflake fall down towards the ground. She wished she was one of those flakes…there was nothing here anymore.
“You…promised you’d never leave……” the little girl whispered in barely an audible tone, pressing her tiny hand against the cool window glass as a lone tear slowly slipped down her cheek.
….
You promised me...
Fluttershy shook the memory out of her head, reaching into her sweater pocket to retrieve the key to her home. It was just a bad memory, nothing more….Rainbow Dash was back in her life and has been for a couple of years now, and they were rebuilding their friendship again. Everything was fine….then...why was she still so saddened whenever the night before this supposedly cheerful holiday came around? And...why did whenever she look at Rainbow...did a small tinge of bitterness go through her heart?
The sound of a footstep suddenly startled the young girl, and she slowly turned in response. Did somebody follow her from the party…? "R-Rarity, Pinkie Pie...? ...Y-You guys, I'm so--"
In a sudden and quick movement, the figure slammed Fluttershy back against her house door, a pair of piercing gold hawk-like eyes glaring into her own fearful ones.
“You haven’t said anything….right…?” Gilda snarled deeply, and Fluttershy slowly shook her head silently. It only made the Griffon girl madder, tufts of her short and messy white hair covering bits of her tan face. “Well!? Talk!! You certainly had the volume for it at the party!” the grip increased on the girl’s shoulders, and Fluttershy winced in pain as old bruises caused by this same person were beginning to throb once again, talons pressing past the sweater's barriers and into her already broken flesh. It hurt....It hurt so bad....and she really was too warm, like her concerned friends had mentioned.
But it was the only top she had that would cover everything up....
“N-No! I-I haven’t said anything, I swear!” she cried out. Gilda’s eyes narrowed, but she took the response and threw the girl from her grasp, causing Fluttershy to whimper in pain from the sudden impact.
“Good….you’re keeping your word…and you better continue to keep your word about these little ‘visits’…or I’ll make sure that Dash leaves again…and this time, for GOOD.” And with that, a cruel and dark smirk fell across her features. “Heh….you’re cute when you look like you’re about to cry….” And with that, the Griffon was gone.
Fluttershy could only stare at where she once was, eyes widening ever so slightly…
She just had to keep smiling....
She couldn’t hold back any more…
[iBecause as long as she pretended...and kept smiling...]
And tears slowly began to run down her cheeks.
[iShe would never be left again....]
Twas the night before Hearth’s Warming Eve…
And all a certain winged girl could do was cry and cry as the first comings of snow began to fall to the ground.
-end-
Author's Note
....I'm horrible to Fluttershy, aren't I? And to think, she's my absolute favorite! At any case, this idea has been brewing through my head ever since I began talking to this chick who was also a Gilda cosplayer. Her Gilda and my Fluttershy now have this very dark headcanon where Gilda actually is crueler to Fluttershy behind the scenes and has been ever since they were little, treating her like a possession and...pretty much abusing her. Rainbow Dash (being the braniac she is) has no idea that any of this had been happening, and Gilda has fooled Fluttershy into thinking that if anybody finds out, Dash would leave and never come back. (When in reality, Gilda would be a roasted Griffon if Dash figured that ANYTHING had been happening to HER girl). So, consider this depressing little one-shot a teaser to a bigger production in the future! I really hope that you all enjoy!
“Sorry Shy, I…erm..can’t come to your birthday party….”
“Oh…”
In the very center of Cloudsdale, during another busy morning of children flying off to school and adults heading towards their Weather Patrol or Factory jobs, two children stood. One was a tomboyish-looking girl, rubbing the back of her shaggy and multicolored head, a sheepish expression on her features. The tall and slender girl in front of her glanced away, averting her gaze from any sort of eye contact. Some of her hair covered bits of her frail features, her teal eyes barely unable to be seen.
“Sorry, it’s just that-“ The boyish girl tried to explain, but the other stopped her.
“No, I…it’s okay. You’ve just been so busy lately, so…so I understand….” Having to smile at who she thought was her best friend was painful, so painful. But, she had to keep pretending. If this was what Rainbow Dash wanted…
Then Fluttershy would just continue to smile and understand. No matter how badly her heart hurt, and no matter how hard she would cry just as soon as she got home.
….
“I told you that I could convince her…” The voice caused the young winged girl to tense as she stood in front of her locker, reaching inside to grab the rest of her things. But Fluttershy tried to ignore the presence behind her, shaking as she felt it draw closer and closer. “I mean…it only took a bit of bribing, maybe some mentions that I got two front seat tickets to go see the Wonderbolt’s sold out performance…and that afterword, we would sneak into the stadium and practice more tricks, but I convinced her.”
“…I don’t know…what you’re talking about…” she found herself whisper back as she felt two familiar hands press hard against her frail shoulders, sinking their strong fingers deep into her weak muscles. “O-Ow…”
“Oh, I think that you do. Dash DID tell you that she wasn’t going to your stupid birthday, right?” A taller and tan girl stood behind her with a wicked smirk on her lips, bright gold eyes staring down at the pink haired Pegasus in front of her like a predator to its prey.
“Y-Yes, but I’m sure she-AH!” Fluttershy cried out as she felt talons sink slightly into her shoulders, squinting her eyes shut. The smirk on the other only increased.
“What? You’re sure she had something ‘important’ to do? Of course she does, she’s going to be hanging with me! Heh, don’t worry your pretty little head though…I think she’s planning to get you a souvenir or something stupid like that,” she suddenly shoved her away, causing the already frightened girl to fall against one of the already closed lockers, using her now free hands to slam them against two adjacent doors, pinning the pinked haired Pegasus into a makeshift prison. “Heh, man…I can’t ever get over how cute you look when you’re about to cry….”
“I-I…I am not….” Fluttershy tried to counter, but like before with Dash, she just couldn’t make eye contact with her long term tormentor and her best friend’s other best friend. Gilda only purred in response.
“Liar, what a bad girl, to be lying like that…hm…didn't I overhear Dash and you talking about spending Hearth’s Warming Eve together?”
Fluttershy’s eyes widened, and a light of realization glazed over Gilda’s gaze. “Mm, I’m right, aren’t I?”
The younger girl glanced away and the Griffon only laughed, swishing her tail back and forth with glee. She did really enjoy torturing this girl, it was so rad! Too bad she had to ‘hide’ it from Dash, knowing the consequences otherwise. But, Gilda already had a plan for that.
“Now, are you going to be a good girl? Tell me what you promise to me was, and look at me while you do it,” one of the arms imprisoning Fluttershy pulled away only to clutch her frail chin in between her clawed fingers, tilting her head up so their eyes met.
“I…I….” Fluttershy could not help but feel tears beginning to burn her already swollen eyes, “I won’t tell Rainbow anything.”
“Very good…” Gilda released her grip on the girl, pulling away and freeing her from her clutches, watching as Fluttershy grabbed her book bag, shoved her supplies inside and began to run towards the exit. “Oh, by the way!”
The girl immediately froze up in response, and the Griffon could not help but let out one crueler smile, “Did you know that Dash has been thinking about travelling? She really wants to see the world, and she’s getting very tired of going to school every day. I told her that I know quite a few places we could travel, and all the new things we would learn. Just, you know…giving you a heads up.”
A thick silence followed after Gilda’s teasing words, before she received the response she had been waiting for:
“Rainbow wouldn’t do that to me.”
….
“You promised…that you wouldn’t leave me….”
-end-
Author's Note
I’m actually having a really bad afternoon right now, so I might as well give this a shot. The characters are human (though their different races will stay as such). This is a sort-of “sequel” and other stories will be added, should they revolve around the same head canon. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Check the other chapters for that, I'm lazy!
“So, I’m thinking about going to see that new action movie later tonight!” A nine year old Fluttershy glanced over towards only a few feet away from her position, holding her school bag close in hand as she stood outside her school’s entrance. Her teal eyes softened more then usual and a blush went over her pale cheeks, intently watching the individual of interest as they talked on and on with two other children that she had never spoken to.
That person of interest was her best friend…and her biggest crush.
“Ha! Think you’ll be able to get into the theater without crashing into any walls, Rainbow Crash!?” the school boy laughed hysterically, causing Dash’s eyes to narrow. Fluttershy’s blush increased: she couldn’t help but feel her friend was so much cuter when she was angered a little.
“Heck yeah I can! I’m not who I used to be in Junior Flight Camp! I’m so much better and can fly straight!” she puffed up her chest to show how tough she was, causing the two boys to nearly double over in laughter once again.
“Yeah well, we’ll see about that at the movies, Crash! You’ll probably collide into all of the seats!” the brunette boy had said with a finishing snicker, his friend (or lackey) grinning behind him.
“Y-Yeah! You’ll probably fly….not straight at all!” came his brilliant add on. His friend turned to look over at him with a slight glare, before he caught eyes with the timid pink haired girl.
“Heh, speaking of not straight….what’s up, KlutzerShy!”
Fluttershy could not help but make a soft ‘eep’ in response, starting to back away and even considering running back into the school. But, another voice, a more comforting one caused her to halt in her tracks.
“Hey, back off! Do you enjoy picking on innocent and pretty girls trying to go home!?” Rainbow Dash growled in pure irritation, causing that familiar blush to go over her counterpart’s face. She couldn’t help it…it especially happened when Dash was protecting her, and when her heart was beating as fast as a drum. The two boys only smirked, but also decided to back off.
“Yeah well, we need to be going anyway. Let’s leave the ‘couple of the year’ alone then!”and after stretching out their wings, both boys flew off and away from the two girls.
“Pft, ‘Couple of the Year’…those dweebs are so stupid. Hey, Shy…you okay?” Rainbow Dash let out a slight sigh, walking over to the still blushing girl and gave her a comforting smile. “Don’t listen to those idiots, they’re always blabbing their mouths.”
“Um…I…I…” This is it, she can do this. This was it, this is the right moment. If she could just tell Rainbow Dash, tell her best friend how she feels, then maybe…
“Mm…? What is it, Shy?” Dash blinked, giving a tilt of her head and watching her quieter friend trying to stutter out words.
“I…I…lo…I lo—“
A gust of wind suddenly interrupted Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash looked up with a sarcastic grin.
“Heh, nice entrance Gilda. Always trying to be cool, huh?”she called out to the one who caused the wind, a taller and tan girl with shaggy white hair, the tufts tied up into a short ponytail. Her long lion tail swished as a greeting and her large eagle-like wings folded slowly against her back. A slow smirk curled upon her lips, one filled with confidence and a very strong will.
“I don’t have to try, Dash. I am the embodiment of ‘cool’,” she chided in her slightly raspy tone, causing her friend to snicker a bit and turn back to Fluttershy, who was now looking down at the ground.
“Now, what were you going to say, Shy?”
“Oh? The pipsqueak is going to actually speak? Go ahead then, what WERE you going to say?”
‘You probably already know…’ the pink haired Pegasus thought in a bitter manner, tightening the hold on her bag.
“N-Nothing….I…need to get home. Mama and Papa will be worried,” she quickly muttered and pushed past the two other girls, tensing slightly for a moment. Did…Gilda just say…?
…No.
“S-Shy?” Dash asked with widened, confused eyes as her taller and stronger Griffon friend watched after the young girl, her golden hawk eyes now lidded into slits.
“Don’t get any bright ideas.”
…
“Fluttershyyyyyyy! Fluttershy, hurry uppppp! Hurry up or we’ll be late for the bake saaaaale!!!” a twelve year old Pinkie Pie shouted, calling for her friend who was only a few feet away from her.
Fluttershy glanced back up and gently smiled, watching one of her dear friends call for her. She may have been living in Ponyville for a few years, but she just could not get over how she had friends…friends who were always there and paid attention to her. Rarity, a young unicorn who she had thought was going to be mean to her had actually offered her home to the young Pegasus, her parents not even having to beg the violet haired beauty.
‘Though I don’t really understand why a Pegasus with such gorgeous wings would want to live down here…you seem like someone who FINALLY understands my concepts of fashion and eloquence!” Fluttershy smiled at the thought of Rarity’s words to her years before. Even Pinkie Pie was there right from the beginning, coming every day until she began to warm up and break her shell. Before Fluttershy knew it, the three of them were Inseperable.
…Just like she and Rainbow Dash used to be.
Fluttershy felt ice cold every time the memory came into her head, the thought of Rainbow Dash just disappearing on her with Gilda replaying every night when she was asleep. Even her lingering feelings were beginning to dwindle away, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
After all, how could you still be in love with somebody who you do not trust?
A flash of rainbow suddenly went racing by, and Fluttershy looked up in response, startled by the sudden multi colored stripes.
“Hey, it’s that traveling Pegasus thing that comes by every once in awhile!!!” The curly magenta haired Pinkie began to squeal, definitely not creating exposition or anything silly like that, “I think her name is Rainbow…Rain….D…Da…ummm…”
“…Rainbow Dash…” Fluttershy shakily muttered, watching the now older Rainbow Dash soaring through the air, performing tricks for any onlookers looking up at the sky. Her teal orbs could not hold back from staring at Rainbow Dash, who was cheering and bragging about how awesome she was and that there was nobody faster then she was.
It was then that Fluttershy gasped, her heart nearly stopped and she quickly raced towards her bouncing and cheering friend, grabbing her by the hand and racing off towards the bakesale which they had been heading towards in the first place. But now, Fluttershy did not want to stroll slowly down the side walk like she was before.
She and Rainbow Dash made eye contact.
…
“You really have gotten pretty….grown out of your awkward growth spurts, huh?” Gilda mumbled to the teenager in front of her, a dusty pink haired Pegasus who refused to glance towards her.
“…Go back with Rainbow. She…is probably waiting for you both to resume your travels,” the fourteen year old Fluttershy muttered, wincing at the claws that had grasped her waist. She did not dare to look at the Griffon, her eternal tormentor.
“Heh, that eager for her to leave, eh? Wanting me to have her all to myself like I have been all these years?” Fluttershy tensed at that, and Gilda noticed. “Ha…I knew that would tug at a string. Come on now…be a good girl and look at me.”
Fluttershy remained silent, and Gilda growled in frustration, slamming the now frightened Pegasus against the back alley wall, behind the Sugarcube Corner. “You really are a bit of work, you know that? Don’t tell me you still PINING for Dash, right?”
“…I don’t have feelings for Rainbow anymore. She made her choice to leave with you, and I am okay with that.”
“…I knew it. Heh…see, I made a bet with Dash over this. I told her that you probably did not trust even one bit of what she says any more, and she said that was not true. But no…no, I was right…you don’t. Heh…don’t worry, I won’t tell her. However….” The taller Griffon began to lean in close and Fluttershy continued to stare at the ground. She was used to this, after all. There would just be a little more to handle now…
“You will be your usual good self…and keep quiet.”
….
“Darling…? Darling, can you can hear me?”
“EARTH TO FLUTTERSHYYYY~!”
Fluttershy softly gasped out of her thoughts, widening her eyes slightly as she placed a hand over her heart, startled by her friend’s shouting. That’s right, they were meeting in a small café near Rarity’s boutique, and she was telling them her reasons for her estranged friendship with Rainbow Dash (leaving out the gory Gilda details). She glanced her pale sea-green eyes towards the owner of the voices.
“I’m so sorry, girls…I guess I drifted there.”
“It’s alright, dear…it’s understandable, you were lost in memories,” Rarity said with a smile, taking a sip from her tea.
“But I really truly can’t believe that you don’t trust Dashie!!! She’s ONLY the most loyal Pegasus to ever fly through Equestria!!!” Pinkie exclaimed with a pout. The unicorn beside her sighed.
“Pinkie Pie, Rainbow wasn’t exactly the greatest friend to her. She abandoned her, remember? And now I see why you wanted to stay here, aside from the animals...”
“But it was such a long time ago!!!! And what’s super duper worse is that you don’t have that cute and adorable crushy crush on her anymore!!! Whyyyyy!? I can’t plan a perfect wedding if there’s no LOOOOVE!”
“…Pinkie, I don’t think they heard you in MANEHATTAN,” Rarity deadpanned, causing Pinkie Pie to squeak and sit back down, Fluttershy only shaking her head.
“It’s alright, Rarity….I guess, Pinkie, my reason is….” Fluttershy stood up after checking her watch, quickly pulling out a few Bits and placing them on the table to pay for her own order and pulling her purse over her shoulder. “That I just don’t want my heart broken any longer…”
“Oh, Fluttershy…” Rarity and Pinkie Pie mumbled sadly, watching as their shy friend turned to leave the café…and crashed into the last person she wanted to see.
“Oh, hey Shy! Sorry for crashing into ya like that!” Rainbow Dash grinned apologetically, rubbing the back of her head as she pulled Fluttershy back up with her free hand. The pink haired Pegasus blinked for a moment, before shyly smiling.
“It’s okay, there wasn’t any harm done, Rainbow. How’s Tank?”
“Oh, he’s great! He’s uh, gonna need more food though, heh….is it okay if I stop by later?”
“Alright, you can come by. I have to go now though…bye, Rainbow,” she said in her soft and kind tone, flashing Rainbow Dash a happy smile before walking out of the café.
“Oh…dear, I never noticed how anxious Fluttershy gets around Rainbow, even when she seems happy to be near her,” Rarity frowned at the sight of the exchange, “Those two really need to see friendship counseling…”
“Or relationship counseling~” Pinkie giggled, nudging her unicorn friend quickly and pointing towards where Rainbow Dash still stood.
Though instead of a confidently standing Pegasus who would rather die then do one feminine thing, only watched with a blush on her cheeks at the disappearing form of her childhood friend. Rarity and Pinkie Pie watched…before looking at each other and giving a grin.
“And the tables seemed to have turned…” both whispered to the other mischievously.
Author's Note
Another sort of-kind of installment to this collection! Remember, nothing is truly in order...this is just more like anything associated with this story or canon will be placed in. :) Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the ponies or their human counterparts, or even this Prompt. I just own my ideas and my very sick headcanon.
TW: Rape (TW means that this chapter is a trigger warning to some people. If you have this certain, please do not read this chapter. It's not graphic, but the hints within it say enough. I don't want anyone getting hurt because of my writing. ): )
Whoever finds my secret…
Please forgive me.
Please…just forgive me.
“Fluttershy, darling? Are you done with that book that you borrowed from Twilight?” I heard Rarity ask, the two of us sitting in front of a small café, having just finished our slices of cake and cups of rose hip tea. I blink a bit at the question, confused over what book she means, before smiling softly.
“O-Oh, I’m sorry, Rarity…I’m not quite done with it. I-I’m on the last chapter though, so I should be able to get it for you by tomorrow.”
“Oh sweetie, please don’t rush…I know how you are and liking to immerse yourself within a story, especially when it is so well written as this particular author. Go ahead, take all the time you need.”
“Mm, thank you…but I’ll try to be finished by tomorrow,” I couldn’t help but return the soft expression on my best friend’s face, Rarity was always so generous towards me, though she did have her selfish moments from time to time.
I did not know how much time I passed, but a tingling feeling in my stomach told me that it was time to be heading back to my cottage. After saying my good byes to my dear unicorn friend, I walked down that familiar path towards my home. It was such a nice day out, honestly…the adorable blue birds and sparrows were chirping their joyous tune, the deer were prancing towards different spots of meadow to graze and have their afternoon lunch…even the little bunnies were poking their heads out of their burrows, only to just lay out in that warm and comforting golden sun. I took in a long breath and sighed contently. Today was just perfect…
An extra step lapped over my own, causing the smile to soon fade from my lips. Well…it was almost perfect.
I kept walking, keeping my eyes straight forward. No…No I would not let her have the upper hand. I refused…even though I was beyond terrified. I found myself glancing behind me, only for a few moments.
…Nobody there.
But I knew, deep down in my heart that there was somebody there. I knew even as I approached the pathway towards my doorstep. I knew as I reached into my skirt pocket to pull out my house key. I knew as I felt that familiar presence only a few feet from my own, her taller stature staring down at my trembling form. I was silent for a moment, the key now pressed almost gently against the keyhole, before those two dreadful words slipped from my tongue:
“Hello…Gilda….”
I didn’t want this to happen…but I’m not strong enough to push her away.
If I refused to do what she wanted, then she would make my oldest friend go away again…
And if I did what she said, then she would keep everything a secret.
A secret…my own dark secret.
It doesn’t hurt as much anymore…I think I might have gotten used to it.
At least, that’s what I try to believe.
…
The lights were off again in my cottage, despite it being well past evening, yet not quite the time to go to bed. My door was locked with both deadbolts securely fastened, though they were usually only used during thunderstorms and Nightmare Night. Despite being timid, I always felt comfortable leaving my door unlocked.
But, for this evening…I think it would be best that the door is locked, the lights are off and the windows are closed and covered. I…I don’t want anyone to see me like this.
I don’t want them to see me in this position, with her hand grasping both of my thin wrists in one solid grip, pinning them over my head. I don’t want them to see the flush on my cheeks, the way she is looking at me as she continues to do these…things to me that I am not proud of. I….I….
I just wanted to make sure that Dashie would stay with me. That she wouldn’t leave me again like she had before…even if my trust towards her has wavered.
I just wanted to keep seeing that smile of hers, that smile that made me feel like everything would be okay. And if I had to do certain…tasks with someone that held my thread of hope dangling in front of my eyes…
Then so be it.
….
When she was done with me, she left as she usually did, right after making me swear that I would never tell anyone what was happening. It’s how it usually goes, between myself and Gilda. She ‘visits’ me during sunset, and leaves before midnight, just to be sure that she isn’t seen by the others. I don’t think she cares either way, but I also don’t think she wants questions being asked.
I glance at the new bruises and scrapes covering my sore and half dressed body, wincing as I softly touch a sore spot. I will have to take another hot shower tonight…they will be easier to treat after they are cleaned thoroughly. I lid my gaze a little and turn towards my nightstand, glancing at the book that Rarity and I had been talking about just hours before. I cannot help but smile…
‘Dash hated reading back when we were little…but this was the only story that she would let me read to her…I wonder if she remembers that…’ I slowly reached out and took the worn covered book in my hands, feeling at the pages and breathing in the musty scent that only a well used book could have. Reaching out another hand towards the nightstand, I grope around for a familiar piece of scrap paper, grasping it in my fingertips and pulling it towards me. I glance over the handwriting-my handwriting-adorning the piece, before using that same hand to fold it into a perfectly shaped square, slipping it underneath the dirty but unrevealing plastic cover of the book.
I didn’t care that no one would ever find that scrap, I didn’t care that I would never be set free…I just wanted to be heard, even if its only ears would be from the book that I treasured so dearly.
If anyone does read this…if anyone has actually found this…I am surprised.
I didn’t think that anyone would look for it, or even take off the plastic cover out of curiosity.
I just wanted to let everything out, to let someone…anyone know my story. And, if they so wished….to forgive me.
Please….Please forgive me.
I don’t know how much longer I can handle this. I don’t know how much longer I can put up with this charade. I don’t know how much longer I can keep from crying…every time I see Dash’s confused gaze and reassuring smile.
I just want to be free. Someone, please…please set me free.
And even if I cannot be set free…
At least my secret will always stay close to my most favorite book.
Sincerely,
Fluttershy
I hope Rarity doesn’t mind that I keep the book for a little while longer. I don’t think I’m ready to part with it just yet…
-end-
Author's Note
I AM A SICK HUMAN BEING AND NEED TO BE SHOT. I...as you probably have noticed, have a very twisted headcanon when it comes to Gilda and Fluttershy. Not that I particularly enjoy it, but that's what shows up in my head. I can literally see this type of bullying (physical, verbal and even sexual) come from Gilda towards someone she finds weak, cute and submissive, especially if it's someone that Dash considers a closer friend. As for Dash herself, she knows nothing about this due to Gilda (as hinted in the story) conditioning Fluttershy to keep quiet or Dash would never talk to her again. It's a very...VERY dark arrangement and I honestly do like writing about it. As I post these stories on 30minuteponies, I have to make them all safe for work and nothing too crazy. But, should you guys actually want me to explore this pairing on a more...higher rated scale, you might get something out of me that won't be for the Prompt blog. (I also want to try a hand at roleplaying this, so long as people are comfortable playing as Gilda/can see the same headcanon as I can) Anyway, I do hope you 'enjoy' this!
Why won't you look at me!!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas, this headcanon and the plot itself!
“Tch, are you really thinking of visiting Dash up at the Wonderbolt camp?” Gilda snarled in pure irritation, watching the pink haired girl glance down in front of her. She was about to head off to see her old friend (who she had just recently made up with), to congratulate her on becoming a Wonderbolt trainee…
When she ran across her favorite little play thing, and who she liked to think of as “Dash’s personal stalker”.
“I…I just wanted to go see how she was doing….o-our friend Pinkie Pie wanted to…to ask if she had gotten her letters, b-but doesn’t want to go up there herself. S-So, I offered to, s-since I have the wings for it…”
“You mean that you’re using that annoying loser’s dilemma to go see your old crush? Please, like Dash really wants to see YOU.” Fluttershy looked up, eyes widened with a flash of insult going through her teal orbs, causing Gilda to smirk. Gods, she enjoyed it when she made this little thing angry…
“S-She is not a loser! A-And of course D-Dash wants to see me. W-We’re friends…” The winged girl whispered, averting her gaze from the taller other. They were friends, yes…but did she truly trust Rainbow Dash any longer? That night when she ran away from Cloudsdale without even saying goodbye was still a harsh and clear memory for Fluttershy, something that she couldn’t help but remember, even when things seemed to be patched up between them.
The conniving Griffon all but grinned at the younger girl, slowly walking up to her and grasping her chin, leaning closer to her trembling face while lidding a pair of striking sun orbed eyes.
“How can you be friends with someone you don’t trust one bit, or someone who doesn’t respect you?” she purred, using a stray thumb to brush it across Fluttershy’s soft cheek. The cream colored winged girl’s eyes only escalated in width.
“…D-Doesn’t…respect me…?”
“HEY.”
The sudden third voice caused both girls to turn abruptly toward its source, revealing a cocky looking Pegasus female, her short golden hair swept up with equally gold eyes narrowed dangerous at the taller between the two of them. She wore a simple teal t-shirt (a little lighter then Fluttershy’s eye color) and a pair of baggy pants that only Wonderbolt trainees would wear. A smirk slowly stretched across her face, a mocking one that seemed to already piss Gilda off by the way she was looking at the newcomer.
“What the hell do YOU want?” The Griffon snarled, pushing Fluttershy away from her grasp and causing the long haired girl to squeak. The smirk only increased on the other’s face.
“You do realize how lame it is to bully innocent girls, right? Actually, it’s more then lame…it’s kind of disgusting,” the cocky Pegasus countered back, taking a step closer.
“Tch, shows what you know…we were just talking,” Gilda snapped back, only causing the other to snicker.
“Oh, sorry…then was I interrupting an abusive lover’s spat? Yeah, I should REALLY mind my own business then.”
Fluttershy’s eyes were wide; this girl was almost as cocky and teasing as Rainbow Dash. In fact, she was more then that. Dash would only defend her out right, no questions asked. This girl seemed to just have a grand time making fun of the infuriated Griffon, knowing exactly what words to use.
“U-Um, we’re not…” Fluttershy started to eep out before she heard Gilda snarl, cursing a few foreign words under her breath.
“I don’t have time for this…if you want to actually visit Dash, m’not gonna stop you. But believe me, she wants NOTHING to do with someone as weak as you,” The taller girl muttered to the other, before stretching her large, eagle-like wings and shooting up into the clear blue sky. After watching for a moment longer, Fluttershy heard the Rainbow Dash Clone speak once more.
“Heh, Griffons act all big and tough, but most of them are cowards, like your girlfriend there,” she stated with a laugh, walking towards the trembling pink haired girl. “You okay?”
“Y-Yes, thank you….but um, that’s not my girlfriend…” she stuttered in reply, causing the other to blink.
“No kidding? The way you guys looked so physically close, I was sure something like that was going on, even though she’s obviously hurting you.”
“S-She isn’t hurting me…”
“Yeah, and everyone wears big and baggy sweaters like that during the spring. Sounds legit…”
Fluttershy blushed in a slight shame, and the other’s eyes softened a bit.
“…Hey, you wouldn’t happen to be Fluttershy, right? That Pegasus who prefers to live on the ground?” The pink haired girl’s ears perked up at that.
“O-Oh, um…y-yes! T-That would be me….”
“Yeah, Dash would sometimes mention you…the name’s Lightning Dust, by the way.”
“O-Oh, hello….w-wait,” Fluttershy’s eyes blinked in realization, “Aren’t you that Pegasus who…?” Lightning automatically stopped her, an embarrassed look on her face.
“Was the biggest jackass to ever arrive in Cloudsdale? The one and only, want my autograph?” The pink haired girl couldn’t help but smile at that, causing the other to grin.
“Heh, you’re cute when you laugh. So, you ready?”
“R-Ready for what?”
“To go up to Cloudsdale! You wanna go see Dash, right? I’m sure she’ll wanna see you, since you guys are so tight.”
“O-Oh, but aren’t you guys….?”
“Eh, we’re sort of cool now, a bit of tension but what can you do? Anyway, wanna go or not?” she shrugged towards Fluttershy, who glanced down for a moment before nodding her head.
“Y-Yes, let’s go…”
…..
“Hey, Dash!! You better show me your new tricks tonight, bro!” Gilda laughed, jabbing her multi colored friend in the ribs, causing a boastful grin to come from the short of the two.
“Heck yeah, dude! You’re gonna love these rad moves I’ve been learning, we finally got to the good stuff of training! Isn’t that right, team!?” Rainbow Dash yelled towards the rest of her trainee squad, who cheered and clanked glasses filled with various drinks in response. She smirked at the reaction and leaned back against the Mess Hall Bar table, blowing some hair away from her eyes. “Gotta tell ya though, there were a few recruits here…I don’t even know how they managed to get let in!”
“Yeah!? Do tell, man,” The taller Griffon grinned, slamming her cup back on the bar counter, a non verbal (or polite) way of asking for more. The already fired up Pegasus only grinned once more.
“Yeah, there’s like a HUGE amount of recruits that barely know how to fly straight. Heck, there was one girl who couldn’t even lift herself through the training hoops. She managed to hit the rim and fell right back down on the starting cloud!” A roar of laughter escalated from the large number of Pegasi and one lone Griffon, encouraging Dash to continue on her badmouthing streak. “Yeah, it was freaking hilarious! Or this other recruit who was strapped to that wheel for a Speed Exercise…they barely turned it on when he started crying! I thought he was going to wet his pants!”
“Wooooow, bro. Then there’s a lot of losers around here, huh? Maybe they should just stay on the ground, where it’s safer!” Griffon snickered, and Dash smirked.
“Yeah, right…if that’s the case, then they’ll probably still be a danger to themselves…by tripping on their own shadow!”
An increased volume of laughter echoed through the small building, all aside from one particular Pegasus near the entrance, along with her companion who glanced at the other in a concerned fashion. The girl’s hand gripped into a fist as Dash carried on, and soon enough began to walk through the crowd, pushing past them to head to one specific target.
“I swear, I really wonder how some of these weaklings are even to be called a Pegasus, I—“ Before Dash could finish, a loud ‘SMACK’ was heard through out the now silent room, the multi colored haired girl’s head snapping to the right as a small hand pulled back from slapping her cheek. Her rose colored irises were widened in surprise, and they only increased when a familiar voice slipped through her ears:
“IS THAT WHAT YOU REALLY THINK OF ME!?” Fluttershy yelled, her quiet tone nearly completely gone. Her full voice was being used, her anger too great for her to keep down.
“…S-Shy-“
“DON’T CALL ME THAT! Y-You…You don’t DESERVE to call me that!! I-Is that what you really thought of me, this whole time!? Like those Pegasi, I couldn’t make it through those hoops! I wouldn’t be able to handle that Speed Exercise. I-I live on the ground and have probably tripped on my own shadow more then twice!!” Fluttershy couldn’t hold back from screaming at her oldest friend, her hurt evident in her eyes, “You said you didn’t care that I wasn’t athletic, that I wasn’t like other Pegasi! Was that all just a lie!?” The pink haired girl glanced down; her long strands covering her now tear stained face. “All I ever wanted…was for you to look at me, not at what I could be….but to just look at ME.”
And with that, the girl turned around and practically bolted from the Mess Hall, pushing past Lightning Dust who narrowed her eyes at her fellow recruit for a moment before walking after her new acquaintance. Rainbow Dash could only stare after her friend as she ran off and out of sight, a look of heavy guilt slowly creeping through her face. Gilda, however…
Looked like this was the best night of her life, a grin on her lips.
“I told you, my little toy...maybe you’ll listen more often now.”
…
“Hey…look, Dash was a jerk but I’m sure she was just being led on by those guys. I mean, I’m a bigger ass then she and that Gilda character combined, I would have probably said the same thing-…wait, that’s not a good thing to say, is it?” Lightning rubbed the back of her head as Fluttershy sadly smiled in her direction, soon glancing down at her hand, the one that only just recently slapped her best friend across the face for the horrid things she was saying.
“I guess…my instincts were right after all…” she muttered softly, the other glancing up.
“Huh?” Fluttershy only smiled a little more, trying to hold back another round of tears as she turned towards her new friend.
“My instincts told me not to trust someone who had betrayed you once before, because they would always do it to you again. I didn’t listen…when they were right all along.”
“Hey, don’t talk like that…” But Fluttershy didn’t answer her, slowly stretching out her wings and preparing to take the long flight back to her cottage, her sanctuary away from all the pain she had to go through.
“All I wanted…was for her to see who I am, not what I am not…I just wanted her to look at me.”
-end-
Author's Note
My poor OTP. I’m about to stomp on it…but it’s out of love! Everybody is human aside from their various races and notable physical traits (wings, horns, etc.). I hope that you all enjoy this!