Love and Tolerance

Thomas groaned to himself as he kept following at the cyan pony. He glanced in the rear view mirror as he witnessed as sight that made his heart melt. In the back of the car, where Fluttershy was keeping quiet, she was curled up into the blanket, he had sprawled out earlier, and in that mesh of blanket, Fluttershy had neatly nestled into a small pocket as she cuddled a stuffed bunny rabbit. She hummed softly as Pinkie Pie came to rest beside her. He smiled as he glanced at Mike, whom he would have either fallen asleep, or was too concerned to say anything else. Thomas gently flipped on the radio, when he felt a hand on his own as he glanced at Mike, he knew that it was best not to disturb the peace that the ponies had given them inside that car. Mike sighed softly and looked at Tom, he was worried for the younger ponies "Tom...." he whispered, “do you think those little ponies will be ok?" he asked as he gently petted Fluttershy's light pink mane while she was slept. Tom glanced up at the cyan pony that was flapping her wings gently over head, and gave a small smile. “I am sure they will, but we have to hurry; you know how kids are when they see someone that is different from them…especially at a skate park,” Thomas sighed as he thrummed his fingers against the steering wheel gently as he did so, he didn't realized that Rainbow Dash was standing in the middle of the road, he screeched to a halt as the stuffed rabbit went flying in and smacked Thomas in the back of the head while Pinkie Pie jerked awake “CUPCAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” She yelled a little disorientated. Mike’s eyes widened as he noticed that Dash was in the middle of the road. He grabbed the two ponies and held them close to him as they swerved around Dash. He held on to something and got ready to brace for impact.

Thomas just barely missed Dash by a hairline, as he skidding into the ditch, totaling the car; he slammed his hands on the steering wheel. “Oh, come on!” he groaned. Mike looked around; it seemed that no one was hurt. "Is everyone alright?" he asked just to be safe. Thomas got out of the car and opened the back hatch as Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie slowly stepped out. He groaned as he looked at the smashed hood of his vehicle. He then looked at Rainbow Dash and gritted his teeth. "What gives?!" the cyan pony demanded, "This is the second time you almost hit a pony, can you not see where you are going?!" Mike poked his head out from the wreck and with the help of Pinky and Fluttershy he got pulled out. He sat down and sighed "looks like we're going to have to walk." Thomas looked at Mike. “Are you Crazy?! We're in the outskirts of the city. Do you have any idea what people will think?” Rainbow thought for a second and smiled. "Hey." she said smiling still. "We are ponies right? Who said anything about walking?" Mike looked at the ponies and grinned; looking at Tom "I think I might have an idea...." he looked at Dash.”Do you think you can support my weight?" he asked Rainbow looked at her wings and fluttered them twice. Then she looked back. "These babies have never let me down. They won't let me down with one of you on my back. Hop on." Thomas took a step back, as he blinked. He never rode a horse before; however riding a pony would look absolutely ridiculous. "Oh, No, no, no!" he groaned, “No way am I riding a pony. I am a hundred and fifty five pounds, I couldn't possibly...." Mike nodded and hopped on to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow looked at Fluttershy and Fluttershy nodded. Fluttershy then sprinted at Tommy and forced him onto her back and took off into the air with Rainbow Dash. She looked back at pinkie that was still staring at the car and said, "Meet us here in about ten minutes" Toms eyes widened. “Are you CRAZY?! We can't leave Pinkie Pie alone in the middle of the road!”

Rainbow Dash Rainbow looked back at Tom. "Trust me; she will stare at that car for hours if she needs to." She looked at Pinkie as she still was staring at the metallic wreckage. "Let's go." Thomas held on to Fluttershy and closed his eyes. "Not happening, not happening, not happening,” He chanted. Mike held onto Dash tightly but not too tight. Deep inside, Mike could feel himself explode with excitement. 'I'M RIDING ON RAINBOW DASH! I'M RIDING ON RAINBOW DASH!!” He squealed mentally. Rainbow looked back at Michael who was smiling broadly Ear to ear. "Enjoying yourself? Bet you never rode a Pegasus before. Just hold on." Rainbow Dash said as she and Fluttershy sped toward the area where the three crusaders have ran off too. Thomas looked down where he saw an older boy push Scoots Grounded Pegasi down. “There, I see them!” Mike nodded softly, grinning back at her. "No, I haven't, this is the first time I ever rode a---WAHAHAHAHA!!!" he got cut off and got jerked backwards as Dash sped toward the skate park.

Rainbow Dash grew furious when she saw what was going on. she instantly dove at a blinding speed with Michael still on her back towards the spot. Nothing could stop the blinding Fury that enraged her now. She slammed into the ground landing on her hooves facing the boy who dare pushed Scootaloo with a look of aroused fury. "Well well, well, care to explain yourselves?" she said. Scoots quickly managed to regain her composure in front of her idol, shaking her head and brushing herself off. "I could have taken them." She muttered to herself. Mike swayed around his eyes swirling, he shook his head and giggled excitedly but quietly "that....was....AWESOME!!!!" Thomas dismounted before Fluttershy landed on the ground. He looked at the boy who was taller than Scoots as he gave a haughty smirk. "Well, well, well, who brought the Gaylord’s to town?” the bully asked. Rainbow Dash stepped toward the two boys sheltering the crusaders from view. "WELL?" She said again in an infuriated tone. Mike growled and leaned in, scowling at the boy "WHO YOU CALLIN' GAYLORDS?!" The crusaders looked around Dash's sides to try and get a better view of what was going to happen, looking at each other as the boy grew offended so quickly. Rainbow Dash looked back at Mike and realized they were being insulted. She looked back at the two boys grinning. She stood up on her hind legs and kicked the two over. She then stood a hoof on each of the boys chest and called for Fluttershy. Fluttershy then came over with some bandages she had left over and she tied their hands behind their backs. Rainbow flipped them facing up again and looked quizzically into their eyes.

"So, why were you pushing these three around?" Mike was enjoying this, seeing Dash in action that is. Not only that but he had a front row seat too boot! This had to be the best really early birthday present ever. The boy looked directly into her eyes. “Why are they intruding in my domain? Their weaklings and no one should dare enter the great and powerful Scooter's lair without my approval!” Rainbow Dash put a little more pressure on the two as she said. "Your? For your information, this is a public skate park. You two should really learn to share. She then turned back to the giggling crusaders as she asked. "You girls okay?" The girls quickly nodded their heads and smiled. "Yeah, we're fine, just a bit dirty." Scoots said as she looked over the other two crusaders. "Right girls," "Right!" The other two responded. Thomas stood there quietly watching boy cut bully loose from their handcuffs with his switchblade. His eyes widened as the boy scrambled to his feet and silently raise his blade to Rainbow while her back was turned.

Thomas let out a silent gasp as Fluttershy’s eyes widened in horror. Thomas growled as he ran and tackled the boy to the ground, knocking the switchblade out of his hand. He put a knee on the bully’s chest and punched Scooter in the face. The other boys tried to pull off Thomas. Mikes eyes widen as he runs past Rainbow, and helps Tom fend off his attackers. While they were defending themselves, Rainbow Dash gasped and laid on her side as if she had died. She ordered the Crusaders to do the same. Thomas didn’t see the man drive up in his Firebird. "THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!" The man screeched. "Daddy!" one of the female gang members called. Marble, Scooter, Ashley! What the fuck happened to you?! "They beat us up!" The man stormed over to Tom and Mike and grabbed them by the collar of the shirt. "I hope you have a good lawyer, because I will see you in court; and your ugly ass dogs!"

Rainbow Dash Rainbow saw this and stepped in. "Hey listen, before you beat up someone else’s son, I think you should know what really happened." Rainbow said interrupting briefly. "First off, your "kids" seem to think this park is a prison where they can beat up any pony that enters." She indicated the three beaten and visibly abused fillies. "And Second off, I think we taught your kids a valuable lesson." At these words she shot a deadly look at the two boys who were still on the ground in freight, “and lastly. We aren't dogs. We just happen to be ponies,” Mike struggled against the man's grip "let us go!" he then looked at Dash and smiled softly, nodding "you tell 'em Dashie! You tell 'em!” Dashie smiled and respected the cheering from Michael. It in fact was the only thing that kept her standing in front of this man. that and the fact he called her and her friends "Ugly Ass Dogs" “So Buddy, you gonna think twice or what?" at these words she decided to fly up a little bit and go face to face with the man almost knocking him over. The man snorted. "Call of your mutts, or I will call them off for you!" ‎He glanced at the oncoming police car as he put down Thomas and waved his hands. The police car stopped as the officers stepped out.

"Mind telling me what the hell is going on here?" The first police officer asked. "Looks like an assault and battery to me" The second officer reported. Mike gulped and struggled, more not the cops again! "Let me go!" he yelled again, growling. He looked over to Dash, hoping that she would help. Rainbow Dash looked back to the cops. She didn't like these guys too much. She sighed and pretended to be a kite again. But this time, she made it look like the three on the bullies have abused it. She grinned and pretended to be attached to a string in Mike's hand as she plummeted to the ground pretending to be deformed be fists and abuse. She hit the tree and fell to the ground with a loud "THUD" Rainbow Dash looked to Michael in pain quickly trying to mouth the words "I'm your kite" to him hoping he would go along. Mike looked at the man and pretended to cry, winking to the 'abused kite'. "Look at what your kids did to my favorite kite!" he whined, pointing to Dash. "My deceased grandmother who was very dear to my heart got that for me! She’s the only thing I have left of her!" he cried. Of course he wasn't lying; his grandmother did pass and did give him a Rainbow Dash kite, only his real one was safe and sound back at home. The cops glanced over at Mike as looked at the man questionably. He straightened his belt, and looked at the man who held Mike. "I suggest you put him down," he threatened, putting a hand over his taser . The second officer looked at Tom, and then chuckled. Your that kid who does the ventriloquist act. Do you mind telling me what happened here?” "I will tell you what happened! These punks beat up my kids and I want the locked away!" The officer side-stepped Thomas as he faced the man. "Sir, have you been drinking? This young boy has been working very hard on ventriloquism and you just want to throw that away?"

The man pursed his lips in protest. Rainbow tried to smile for she was glad that Mike picked up on her plan, but she had hit the ground hard and broke a rib. She tried to look up but then a shear pain flew through her body. She simply laid limp and still hoping for the best. The young black haired boy tried to grab Dash from having more damage but she was three feet away and the man still had a tight grip on the scruff of Mike's neck. He kept crying hard in a fake way but he also felt bad for Dash taking this much pain. The man grew furious and punched the police officer. Thomas' eyes grew wide as he looked to Mike as if to say "ooooh shit!" The police officer wrestled the man to the ground and put handcuffs on him. The police officer that wasn't punched looked at the boys who were beaten up, and glanced at Thomas. "Can you take these kids home, we got a take him down to the precinct," Thomas grinned,"Of course, officer!"

Rainbow, hearing all this, couldn't suppress a grin. She known her plan had thrown off the Man's plan and gotten the officers on the right side. She was just glad that her sacrifice was to good cause. Once Mike fell from the man's grip and tumbled to the ground he watched the man punch the cop then the fight between them. When it was over he slowly walked over to Dash to see what the damages were. "You alright Dash?" he asked quietly. Rainbow heard footsteps and she looked up to see what she hoped was Michael. She winced as she fluttered he wings uncomfortably. Her ribs bruised the from the fall, as she tried to stand, but yelped in pain as she slumped to the ground, groaning. Thomas petted Fluttershy gently as he took a look at her face. Thankfully no bruises were left on her body. Thomas glanced up, and looked at the squad car pull away. He looked at the kids that huddled in a corner. "Get in the car," Thomas said to the kids. "They reluctantly got up and headed towards the fire bird.”You will pay for this, ass holes!" They spat. Thomas smirked as he rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, just you wait. That's going to be you sitting in the back of the squad car" He mocked. Mike smiled softly, petting her slightly mangled and dirty rainbow mane. "I'll fix ya up" he told her as he moved his right hand over her slightly broken bones, slowly healing them with his robotic arm that was covered in fake skin. The gang stared at the Rainbow Pony wide eyed. "Hey! That's not a kite, nor is it a dog!!" The kids quickly took out their cell phones and began snapping pictures of Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Rainbow tried to respond but all that came from her was a low pitched moan. She cleared her throat and said less than clearly. "I think... I broke a rib." she winced surprised at how much effort it took for her to talk. She looked up at Mike and smiled.

Rainbow Dash enjoyed Mike's company. She really liked how he talked to her; how he was gentle when he healed her, and how he liked the same things she liked. She just held onto the grin as he worked. "Th-Thank you." she managed to croak. Thomas sighed. "Alright, let’s get you punks home!" he said closing the car door behind them. He looked at Mike. “are you coming?" He asked him and Fluttershy. Mike looked at the boys and held up his robotic hand, the phones made a low pitched noise then they suddenly went high, sparks flew everywhere and finally their cellphones blew up, it didn't hurt their hands but black smoke hit their faces as the phones blew up. he smirked and went back to healing Dash "Don't worry, Dash. I'll fix you," he told her in a soothing voice as he put his hand over her broken rib cage. He then smiled when she thanked him "don't thank me I thank you for coming into my life" he told her, whispering. "Try not to talk, I'll have you fixed up in no time" he whispered to her. Mike looked up at Tom and shook his head "I'm gonna stay here with Dash, we'll catch up with you later" he answered. Thomas nodded. "Fluttershy, come with me please," he said softly. Thomas glanced at Mike. "Take care of her for me" Rainbow felt good as new by the time Mike finished. She got up and slowly began to walk, soon as she re-gained her balance, she turned to Mike and squeezed him in a full out hug, kissing him on the cheek as she did so.

Mike nodded to Tom then gasped as Dash kissed and hugged him. He smiled big and hugged her back. Thomas shook his head as he started the car, and drove off. Rainbow didn't want to hide her feelings from Mike any more as she felt her heart race, her cyan blushed a deep red. "Uhh, Thanks" she said with a big grin on her face. Mike smiled and chuckled, blushing a little as well "You’re very welcome" Rainbow Dash looked back at the car shrinking in the distance. "Hop on; we'll need to catch up to them." At this, she didn't wait for mike and just ran at his feet causing him to fall onto her back as she took off. Mike smiled and nodded but then made a yelp when she tipped him over onto her back "WAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" he screamed as he landed onto her back, he gasped and leaned forward, holding onto Dash tightly as they took off. Thomas glanced in the rear view mirror as he saw the cyan pony fly through the air with Mike on her back. He smiled as he saw Fluttershy glide beside them. "Turn here!" The boy said quietly. Thomas turned into a drive way as the punks got out of the car. He tossedScooter his dad’s keys. "Just be thankful," he said and walked toward Mike.

Rainbow Dash landed softly next to Tom and let Mike off. "Now what?" she asked every pony. Mike hopped off Dash and just looked at the others. Thomas looked around. Where is Scoot Aloo? Rainbow Dash Rainbow pointed to Scoot's direction. Thomas sighed a breath relief as he walked over to her. I think now, we need to get the heck out of here, before we land in even more trouble. Mike nodded "agreed" Thomas walked away from the house as he sighed softly; he looked up at the ponies, then at Mike. “This better than BroNYcon?” Mike grinned and nodded "MUCH better" Rainbow Dash looked up at Mike and Thomas as if she remembered something. ‎"I saw an abandoned barn over there." Fluttershy pointed in a directiom and sure enough, a big red and brown barn stood in the middle of the open field. Thomas winced slightly from a drop of water hitting him on the forehead, looked up and frowned as more drops of rain hit him and the others. it was starting to rain. Thomas glanced at Fluttershy, and then walked beside her, draping his coat over her fur so she didn't get wet. "we don't need you to get a cold" he smiled as he looked back at the house. He could tell the curtains had been moved and that they were being watched. He quickly walked over to Scoots.

"You have got to be careful around here. Humans aren't very friendly like Mike and I. I am glad that we got out of that mess before we got into anymore......" he stopped as he looked around. "Uh, Mike, I think we're in over our heads now," He said pointing to a News Chopper. Rainbow looked up and saw. She instantly dropped to the ground and grazed the grass. She motioned for the rest of the ponies to do so. Rainbow Dash ‎"This might make the news for odd colored ponies, but much rather that then flying magical talking ponies making the news." Rainbow reasoned. Pinkie pie seemed to come out of nowhere and started to graze the grass too. Fluttershy reluctantly came out from under tom's coat and started to graze too. Mike's eyes widened "crap....I thought I destroyed those kid's phones!" he looked at everyone "I would take you all somewhere away from this place using my flash step but… I can only take one" he then looked down at Dash and grinned, he knew what they were up to, but Mike had to hide her wings.

Thinking fast he took off his coat and put it over her back to hide her wings Rainbow Dash nodded thanks slightly but tried to move like an earth pony. She continued to do lazy tasks with the other ponies as the helicopter continued to circle. "Destroy the camera on the helicopter" Rainbow whispered to Mike. Thomas sighed as his eyes widened. "Oh, no!" He glanced at the house where he dropped the kids off, and noticed the blinds had been shut. The older ponies continued to graze until the Helicopter, finding barely anything suspicious, left the area. "Oh sweet Celestia that was close," Rainbow said as she gave the jacket back to mike. Mike was ready to destroy the helicopter's camera but then it flew off. Mike smiled and took his coat, putting it back but then tapped the top of his head, his eyes widened "MY HAT!" he looked around in one spot and started to freak out, "Where’d my hat go?!" Thomas blinked as he looked at the hat drift into the wind. "There it goes!"Mike gasped and made a run for it. Rainbow saw this as an opportunity to help. She flew at full speed snatching the hat and returned it to Michael smiling. "Got, -et." she said through her teeth. Mike smiled and hugged Dash, putting his hat back on. "Thanks, Dashie" Rainbow smiled widely and replied in a hearty tone. "No problemo." She then looked into the woods trying to spot a clearing.

She finally found one deep in the forest and pitched a tent with a little help from Fluttershy and stepped back to admire her work ‎"Well, not the best.... tent?" she said looking at the picture that came on the box as it looked nothing like what she just did. Mike looked at the box then the tent "hmmmm...." Rainbow jokingly shoved Mike on the shoulder. "Oh shut up, you." she said smiling as she started to take down the tent to re-do it. Fluttershy sighed and started a fire by the time Rainbow finally pitched the tent. "Umm, we packed hay to sleep on, you guys want some?" Fluttershy asked the two boys as she smiled kindly. Mike he chuckled a bit when Rainbow Dash shoved him in the shoulder "Just helping," he smiled softly, looking at Fluttershy and nodded, "yes please." he said to her in a kind voice. Fluttershy smiled, she liked helping people, she especially liked it when they responded nicely to her when she asked if they want something. She then looked to Tom after handing Michael a bag o hay an asked. "And you good sir?" Fluttershy said smiling. Thomas glanced up at Fluttershy. "Hmm, oh, no thanks; I will stay to keep watch."

Fluttershy reluctantly took the hay back as she entered the tent. Rainbow Dash claimed a bed that took up half the tent. Fluttershy share with the three crusaders and left a spot opened for Michael to sleep. Rainbow liked to have her personal space thus the large room. Rainbow glanced at Tom and decided that she would also take her position in keeping watch over the camp so that Thomas could get some decent sleep. Thomas remained outside as he listened to Mike and the ponies talk. He sighed to himself and looked up at the stars. He knew that somewhere in the thick blanket of a diluted illusion, the ponies were being missed back home. The question was: why did they come to our world, and how will we get them back? Mike talked to Dash for a little then soon fell asleep, curled up in the bag of hay and was sleeping like a baby. Rainbow went outside of the tent and sat next to Tom. "Beautiful isn't it?" she said admiring the sky. She Looked up at the bright white dots glowing against the dark and gloominess of the night sky. Thomas couldn't help but glance at her, briefly, then back up at the sky. "I am sorry," He mumbled softly. "I was wrong to disbelieve that you actually existed" He sighed and looked to the sky, drawing in the sky with his finger, pointing out the little dipper.

Thomas glanced to his right and noticed that he was once again alone as Rainbow headed back into the tent. Fluttershy was still thinking about Tom and had brought a blanket over to him. "Umm, do you want this?" she asked offering him the blanket smiling. Mike scooted over a little, feeling Dash's warmth from her he sighed in comfort and fell into a deep sleep. "Night Dashie....." he whispered before drifting off. ‎"Night," Dashie replied as she too had fallen asleep.
Fluttershy wrapped the blanket around Tom and smiled. It looked like he wanted warmth and some pony to talk to. So she sat down and tried to strike up a conversation. "So, um Tom... Do you like animals?" she tried for this was always how she started a conversation. Thomas smiled as he looked up at Fluttershy, and was grateful that he had some company while he kept watch. "Yes," he said softly. Fluttershy's eyes twinkled. "Oh lovely." she said smiling "What kind of animals are your favorite. I like bunnies." Thomas scooted closer next to her, and smiled. "Horses and Wolves," He said simply, starting a fire, in the fire pit.

Fluttershy was interested every bit learning about wolves. Of course she knew all about horses, but never had she heard of a wolf before. Thomas struck the match as the round metal tin illuminated with a bright orange and red hue. The flames flickered slowly as he got down to gently blow oxygen into the fire. He then got up, and covered Fluttershy with the blanket he was wearing as he snuggled close to her to keep warm. "Wolves a very interesting, and very majestic," he said slowly. ‎"Ooh, they certainly do sound that way." she responded as she cuddled closely to Tom keeping warm. Thomas smiled as he gently looks at the stars. "Yet, humans claim they are dominant race. They believe they can play God.... and take the life of an innocent animal" Fluttershy cringed at these words and simply said. "oh" as she looked at the dirt. She didn't like the thought of an animal taking the life of annother animal. She wished they could al just get along. Thomas sighed and gulped and glanced at the sky, as he gasped. "Oh look, a shooting star!" He pointed with his index finger. "Go ahead and make a wish,” Flutterhy looked up just to see the shooting star. She smiled as she picked what wish to make. She closed her eyes and quietly wished in her head. "I wish I could stay here forever,” Thomas shifted his weight, as he reached his hand around Fluttershy to cuddle her softly. He quickly pulled his hand away, as he blushed brightly. "Sorry," He said with a slight glance of guilt. He sighed as he watched the stars, as he snorted softly. "Lovely night out tonight," He said. Fluttershy blushed. She now had a secret thing for Tom like how Rainbow had one for mike. She decided to say this now. "Hey tom, I have to tell you something. Don't tell any pony though okay?" Tom glanced at her slightly, shifting his weight as he smiled. He gulped as he listened eagerly to her soft voice. He smiled a bit, and then looked at the fire, yet keeping an ear open for her. "Sure, what's on your mind?" She blushed. She looked at the tongues of the flames and said. "I kind of think that .... I have a crush on you." she almost ran away but instead, she looked up at Tom with her eyes twinkling and smiling.

Tom’s throat grew a large lump in it as he looked at her with tender eyes. He looked away and sighed softly, as he tried his best not to answer her. The truth was, he really didn't feel the same for her...she was a ~pony~; nevertheless a cartoon. It was awkward, and yet almost intimidating. He understood Mikes and Rainbow's companionship because they practically grew up with each other, but Thomas and Fluttershy. How could he? He was into sports and video games, not frou-frou girly stuff. Granted, he thought that she was adorable, but he really didn't see himself spending the rest of his life with her. What would his friends say when they saw him with this… pony? How would they react when they found out he was dating a ~animal~? He sighed to himself and just looked at her. "I won't tell," he said. Fluttershy smiled as she heard him say this. She hugged him tightly and started to head toward the tent. "Goodnight," She called to him smiling. ‎"Sleep well," He said as he glanced at another shooting star. He closed his eyes and made a silent wish...a wish that would last him the life time.