Chapters Chapter 1: Revelation
Fluttershy was walking down the street towards Ponyville going shopping for food, when Rainbow Dash crash landed right in front of her, seemingly out of nowhere.
"Eek!" She screamed as she dived for cover in the nearest bush.
Slowly, Rainbow Dash re-composed herself and said "Relax Fluttershy, it's just me".
"Oh... you scared me..."
"You really need to lighten up a bit... I know! How about a race? First one to Sugar Cube Corner wins!"
"Oh, um... I dunno... I was supposed to be shopping for food for Angel..."
"It'll be quick, I swear!"
"What if everyone watches us? I don't wanna embarrass myself, or anything..."
"Relax, It's always more fun with a crowd!"
"Um, if you say so..."
"Ready, set, GO!"
Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash took off, Rainbow Dash eager to win and Fluttershy eager for it to be over. A short time later, Rainbow Dash was flexing her wings outside Sager Cube Corner, waiting for Fluttershy to catch up.
Suddenly, Fluttershy touched down next to her and quickly glanced around for any surprise spectators.
"That was awful Fluttershy. I've never seen you fly so slow!"
"Um, I always fly that fast.."
"It was supposed to be a race. As in, fly as fast as you can ."
"I'm sorry, I just... um..."
"It doesn't matter now..."
Rainbow turned her head, and her eyes met with Pinkie Pie's. Pinkie was standing behind her the whole time without her noticing. And now it was time for Rainbow Dash to be started.
"Agh!" She screamed as she took cover in the nearest bush.
"Oh, hello Pinkie. We didn't see you there..."
"I was watching your race! You were like WOOSH! and Rainbow was like ZOOOOOM! It was so cool!..."
Pinkie Pie trailed off, blabbering about god-knows-what and making funny sounds and motions with her face and hooves. Rainbow Dash simply face-hooved and berated Pinkie for startling her, yet again .
"Pinkie! You know not to sneak up on me like that!"
"I know, but I was watching your race and it was so COOL!"
"Anyway, Fluttershy. You need to learn to not be so scared all the time. Relax."
"I know, but... I don't like racing that much..."
"Then why did you agree to it?"
"You said it would help, and my friends would never lie to me."
At that moment, Fluttershy felt something. Deep inside her mind. Something she didn't feel often. She trailed off deep inside herself while Rainbow Dash was ranting about racing, and it struck her. She knew in an instant what it was.
Anger, Adrenaline, Passion .
She inhaled deeply, her very personality and expression changing in a split-second at the sudden surge of adrenalin and... And something she wanted to say. Something, she wanted to shout.
"Huh?" Said Rainbow Dash, surprise written all over her face.
"Ro DAH!"
She shouted at the top of her lungs and sent Rainbow Dash flying past Sugar Cube Corner, as Pinkie Pie could only was helplessly, her jaw almost reaching the ground.
Chapter 2: Unknown
Twilight Sparkle was in the library studying an ancient text that Spike accidentally dug up while helping Rarity hunt for gems. She was alone and deep in thought, trying to understand what all these strange sayings meant.
"Words of power... Shouts... What does it all mean?" She said to nobody in particular.
"And this helmet... Where did it come from?"
She frowned as she gazed upon the dirty iron helm with two ram's horns on it, lying motionlessly next to the book she was studying moments before.
"Maybe these words mean something... Here goes nothing..."
She inhaled...
"Fus..."
Nothing.
"Ro..."
Still nothing.
"Dah...?"
Even more nothing. She sighed in defeat.
"None of these words were in any of my dictionaries, there aren't any references in any of my lore and legends books. Maybe my friends know anything about these strange artifacts...? Anyway, It's late, and I should be getting some sleep. I'll talk to them in the morning."
She magically closed the book and packed her saddlebags with the helmet and book and laid them gently at the foot of her bed and climbed in. She drifted to sleep slowly, the mysteries of the day unable to escape her thoughts.
She awoke early in the morning, had breakfast with Spike, and walked into town. She was about to leave the library, when she heard the shout. It sounded like...
"Fluttershy...?"
Spike heard it too. "Maybe she's hurt?" he suggested.
"C'mon Spike, jump on my back and let's go find out what's wrong!"
Twilight sprinted into town, with Spike riding her back, searching desperately for any sign of Fluttershy. A short time later, she found Rainbow Dash lying on the ground, seemingly unable to move.
"Ow... my back..."
Rainbow Dash moaned in pain as she struggled to get up, having been sent flying by Fluttershy's Unrelenting Force shout.
"Rainbow, are you okay?"
"Huh...? Oh, Twilight! Am I glad to see you! Somethings gotten into Fluttershy! She... she..."
"Spit it out, already!"
"She... she shouted at me! And then I went flying backwards!"
"Hm... Where is she now?"
"She's still over there, I think."
"Thanks."
Twilight walked over to Fluttershy, past Pinkie Pie who still had not gotten over the shout. Fluttershy was simply standing there. She was standing in a heroic pose, mane and tail gently blow in the breeze.
"Fluttershy? What are you doing?"
"Hello, Twilight Sparkle. I see all is well with you and Spike?"
"Um... Yeah..."
"What is she doing?" Spike whispered to Twilight.
"I have no idea!" She whispered back.
"I have been thinking", said Fluttershy.
"It's been a long time since I've left Ponyville. I feel now's the perfect time to go out and explore the world. Have an adventure. And you are just the pony I'd like accompanying me."
"H-Huh?"
Fluttershy snapped out of it in an instant. She remembered everything she did and said, and bower her head.
"Um... If that's okay with you..."
"Fluttershy? What's gotten into you?"
"Um... I dunno. I just felt so... So different."
"Oh, well... Let me think about it. I'll get back to you tomorrow."
"Okay. Oh, is Rainbow Dash okay?"
"I'm fine!" She called out as she was just about to start trying to drag Pinkie into Sugar Cube Corner.
"Oh good. I thought you might have been hurt for a while..."
"Trust me, I'm fine. But that was a pretty impressive shout you have there, Fluttershy!"
When Rainbow Dash mention shouting, gears started turning in Twilight's head.
"Really? Thanks Rainbow Dash..."
"Don't mention it!"
Rainbow Dash grabbed Pinkie's tail in her mouth, and proceeded to drag her towards Sugar Cube Corner.
"Fluttershy, did she say 'shout'?"
"She did... Um, it's a long story..."
"Could you come with me back to the library? I have something I want to show you."
"I should really be buying food for Angel... Could it wait until this afternoon?"
"Of course. See you later, Fluttershy!"
"Goodbye, Twilight..." Fluttershy called out as they went their separate ways. The morning's events were reeling inside her head, and she had no idea what to think of it. She thought she would ask Twilight if she knew anything about her shout when she met her in the library later. She hadn't the slightest clue as to what she would say, but she desperately needed to find out. All she knew, is that time would tell...
Chapter 3: Knowledge
"Angel, I'm home."
Angel was pacing Fluttershy's house for the past hour, annoyed like hell because Fluttershy was only supposed to be getting food, which didn't normally take this long. When he saw her in the doorway, he shot a withering glance at her. Naturally, she had the patience of a saint, and she always cared for Angel, no matter what. She barely noticed.
"I'm sorry Angel, but I ran into Rainbow Dash earlier..."
He immediately fumed some more. He knew that Fluttershy couldn't resist catching up with friends whenever they met on the street.
"And Twilight said she needs to see me in her library. It sounded important. I should go right now. I'm sorry I can't stay, Angel."
She turned and was about to walk out the door, when Angel jumped onto her back.
"Oh? If you're coming with me, I'd better check on everyone else first."
He stomped his foot down on her back, indicating his impatience. Since he was a bunny, and he cared for Fluttershy, he didn't hurt, but Fluttershy felt it nonetheless.
"I promise it will be quick. We just can't leave them."
Angel just rolled his eyes as Fluttershy proceeded towards the chicken coop.
A few minutes and a walk from Fluttershy's cabin later, they were both approaching the door to Twilight's library. She knocked quietly a waited for a response.
"The door's open!" came a reply from Spike. Fluttershy opened the door to see Spike standing on a ladder placing books on the shelves and Twilight pouring over a strange book, the same book she had studied for the past two days. Twilight was groggy from a lack of sleep, and slowly craned her head to get a look at Fluttershy. She perked up immediately when she recognized her.
"Fluttershy! Glad you could make it!"
"You made it sound like it was important."
"Yes. I want you to read these words for me."
"Okay..."
Fluttershy slowly trotted over to the book and examined it for a second. Her heart sank a little when she recognized the words.
"Oh no, I can't! I don't want somepony else to get hurt..."
"You mean you've read these words before?"
"Well, I haven't read them, but I said them once, and I think I hurt Rainbow Dash because of them. I'm not sure if this is a good idea Twilight..."
"Don't worry Fluttershy. Give me a minute and I'll have all the safety precautions prepared."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. Do you know what could happen if we deciphered this book?!"
Twilight couldn't hide her enthusiasm at Fluttershy reading the strange words from the equally strange book.
"Well...Okay..."
"Thank you Fluttershy! You won't regret it!"
And with that, Twilight got to work, rearranging furniture and laying magic charms around the library. Fluttershy, Angel and Spike could only gawp in amazement at how fast Twilight worked. Within two minutes, everything was ready. There was a large space around the floor of the library, and Twilight and Spike were standing behind a makeshift barricade of chairs and a sofa.
"Ready when you are, Fluttershy!"
"Um...Okay, here goes."
Fluttershy chanted the same shout as earlier today. Much like the name suggests Shouts are meant to be shouted. If they aren't loud enough, they don't work properly. Instead of a full-blown shout rushing out of Fluttershy's mouth, a little blue pulse of magic and a few sparks was what came out.
Nevertheless, Twilight's mind was almost blown. She rushed out from behind the barricade to Fluttershy and started with the questions immediately.
"How did you do that? I never knew that pegasi could use magic! I thought you needed a horn to use magic!"
'Well, um... I don't know... I never knew..."
Twilight simply stared for a moment at Fluttershy, before an idea came to mind.
"I know! Why don't we try this again tomorrow! Except we'll use some different words! I've been studying this book for days, and there are heaps of words just like those! Please?"
Twilight was pleading to Fluttershy with her eyes. All this attention was starting to make her a little nervous.
"Um..."
"PLEASE?"
Twilight's eyes reached maximum size. Fluttershy just couldn't say no to the eyes, sometimes.
"I guess it couldn't hurt..."
"Great! I'll see you first thing in the morning!"
"Okay... Come on Angel, let's go home. Goodbye Twilight. Goodbye Spike"
"Goodbye Fluttershy! Don't Forget!"
Spike said nothing. He was too busy thinking about Fluttershy's 'magic'.
"I won't. Goodbye!" She called out as she left the library, Angel still on her back.
After the door closed, Twilight let out a sigh of relief.
"Can you believe it Spike! I'll finally understand what all those words mean! And who knew Fluttershy could do that? Maybe we'll make history?... Spike?"
Spike was blank, like a parchment.
"Oh Spike, I just can't wait! I wonder what tomorrow will be like...?"
Chapter 4: Experiment
"Thanks for coming over again, Fluttershy!"
"You're welcome."
Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy were standing in the middle of Twilight's library, preparing for an experiment. Twilight was magically holding a strange book, which Fluttershy was simply meant to read out of.
"Are you ready?
"Yes..."
"Good. But remember, louder is better. Got that?"
"I think I can do that..."
"Whenever you're ready, Fluttershy!"
Fluttershy studied the text in the book carefully for a few seconds, before turning to a pile of old and worn books Twilight and Spike stacked last night.
"Remember. Loud as possible!"
"Right."
"Fus. Ro. Dah."
A little blue pulse trailed out of her mouth.
"You need to be louder."
"Right..."
Fluttershy inhaled.
"Fus. Ro. Dah!"
Somewhat louder. Enough to disturb some books, but still not actually shouting.
"Hm... I think you might need a bit of coaching, Fluttershy."
"Oh... Well, I thought it was loud..."
"Maybe Rainbow Dash can help..."
Fluttershy and Twilight exited the library, assuming she was napping on a cloud like she usually was. Of course, they were right. She was napping on a cloud, near the mayor's office.
"Hey Rainbow Dash!" Twilight called out.
"Huh.. wassat...? Who...?"
"It's us, Rainbow!"
"Oh.. hey Twilight. Hey Fluttershy. What's goin' on?"
"Fluttershy needs to learn how to be louder. Do you think you can help?"
"Of course! I've done it once before!"
"Um... Thank you, Rainbow Dash."
"No problem, Fluttershy."
Rainbow Dash followed Twilight and Fluttershy back into the library. Rainbow Dash was more then a little bit puzzled to find a giant stack of books to one side of the room, considering everyone knew she was the resident librarian, and she loved books.
"Hey Twilight, what's with all the books on the floor? I thought you loved books."
"I do, but they're old. And their meant to be like that. Fluttershy agreed to let me study her shouting powers."
Rainbow Dash's heart skipped a beat.
"Um... Twilight? Isn't that dangerous?"
Fluttershy blushed. Twilight just shook her head.
"Not if we do it right. Which is why we've stacked this big pile of old books. They're meant to be a target for Fluttershy, but she can't shout loud enough, which is why you're here."
"Great. Now can I go?"
"Yes."
"Later!" Rainbow Dash said as she flew out the door.
"Um... Twilight... I dunno, these..."
"Something wrong, Fluttershy?"
"Some of these... sound so weird..."
"Ooookaaaay.... How about we just get this over with?"
"Very well. I'll be standing over here, so I won't be in the way."
Rainbow Dash focused her attention on Fluttershy.
"Now Fluttershy. Remember what I taught you last time?"
"I do... It was control."
"Good."
"Screaming and hollering."
"Right. And most important of them all?"
"Passion."
"Good. Since you remember everything so well, I assume you also remember the Sonic Rainboom?"
Fluttershy perked up at the memory of the legendary Sonic Rainboom.
"Oh, I do! It was amazing!"
"Excellent. Now, let's hear a shout!"
Fluttershy inhaled.
"Fus. Ro. DAH!"
Not quite as loud as the one pointed at Rainbow Dash, but it was loud enough to produce some real results. The big ol' pile of books shuddered, and some even fell off. All three of the ponies gathered in the library was were proud of Fluttershy.
"That was great!" Exclaimed Twilight as she trotted over to join the other two.
"Looks like you still got it in ya!" Rainbow Dash said with a playful nudge.
Fluttershy simply squeaked. Twilight levitated the strange book over to Fluttershy.
"Now we know you can shout, how about trying reading some of these other strange words."
"If you say so..."
Twilight held the book as Fluttershy leafed through the pages, looking for another shout. Finally, she reached one.
"Raan. Mir. TAH!"
Seemingly, nothing happened. Both Twilight and Fluttershy were confused, until they heard Spike wake from his gently slumber and stroll down the stairs.
"What was that wonderful voice...?" He said to nopony in particular.
"Oh, hey Fluttershy. Didn't see ya there. Hey, did you guys hear that too?"
Twilight put the pieces together. Of course they heard the voice, but they heard different voices. Twilight whispered her findings into Fluttershy's ear.
"Um.. Spike... That was me..." She said akwardly.
Spike's face went red from embarrassment. Suddenly, they heard a voice outside the library.
"Opalescence! Where are you going!? Get back here at once!"
Suddenly, Opal burst through the door, and briskly started rubbing her fur against Fluttershy's hind leg. Rarity walked in shortly after, and what a sight she saw.
"What's going on here, girls?"
Twilight was the first to speak up.
"We were experimenting with Fluttershy's shouting powers. Or haven't you heard...?"
"No, Rainbow Dash told me everything. But, whats gotten into Opal?"
"The same thing that's gotten into Spike." Twilight motioned toward Spike who was staring dumbly at Fluttershy, who was blushing some more at all the attention being heaped upon her.
"Oh, well. I better be taking Opal back to the boutique. It's almost bath time."
Rarity lifted Opal magically, and forced her out the door, kicking and hissing.
"Well Fluttershy, I think today has been a success."
"Um... there's something in the book..."
"What is it?"
"It says, that dragons... can shout like me..."
They both turned to Spike, who had just managed to shake himself out of the shout's possession, it having nearly worn off already.
"Why are you guys lookin' at me like that?"
"Hmmm... Spike's never read a book like this before. Maybe we should talk to a different dragon?"
"Oh dear..."
Spike was perplexed. In the end, he thought he would ask later, so he plodded up the stairs and back to bed.
"Fluttershy, what do you say to meeting another dragon and learning more about your shouts?"
"I don't know Twilight..."
"I'll come with you, if it means anything."
"..."
"If dragons can read this, then maybe they can talk. All we have to do is find one that understands this book. And I have an idea as to who might know such a dragon."
Fluttershy thought about it long and hard.
"Alright..."
"Okay. Follow me Fluttershy!"
And with that, they set forth on an epic journey, completely unaware of what was in store for them both.
Chapter 5: Warning
"Um... Are you sure this is a good idea Twilight?"
"Of course? Why wouldn't it be?"
"Um.. It's just..."
"The Everfree Forest?"
"Yes..."
"I assure you, there's nothing to be worried about!"
Twilight and Fluttershy were standing at the edge of the Everfree Forest, debating over whether or not to go in. Fluttershy was doubting it, like usual. Both were wearing saddlebags, packed with supplies and books and other essential things.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. I'll be here, if need be."
Fluttershy gulped.
"Okay. Let's go already."
"Great."
And with that, they set off into the forest, towards an old friend's hut in the middle of the forest.
Somewhat along their way, Twilight had an idea.
"Hey Fluttershy."
"Yes, Twilight?"
"I was thinking. We left Ponyville early, before we had more time to study the book. I was thinking, you might be able to read it along the way."
"Okay..."
Twilight magicked the book out of her saddlebag, and magically held it so that Fluttershy could read it on the fly.
"Um..."
(Personal Note: This next section is dedicated to J-Rook , a guy who reminds me of the Pyro from Team Fortress 2. Check the comments if you don't know what I'm talking about).
"Yol. Toor. Shul!"
Fluttershy exhaled fire, narrowly missing the book. Fortunately for Twilight, but unfortunately for the forest, which bore the brunt of the shout. A nearby tree immediately caught fire. We all know that fire spreads fairly fast when it's a forest fire, but there is something about the Everfree trees dominating the forest. Namely, their combustibility. The forest lit up faster that Pinkie's eyes at a suprise party dedicated to her.
Fluttershy screamed.
"Fluttershy! Remain calm! I have a book that can help us!"
"Ohnononononono!" Fluttershy was running around in circles, panicking like there was no tomorrow.
"Fluttershy!"
"Nonononono!"
Twilight groaned. Fluttershy was too scared to be of any help. Twilight took a book out of her saddlebags, and quickly scanned through it. She then pointed her horn towards the sky and shot a bolt of magic into the sky. Shortly after, it started raining. Twilight took out a foldable umbrella and hovered it above her head, and waited. Waited for Fluttershy to realise what was going on. The rain grew pretty heavy by the time Fluttershy calmed down.
(End J-Rook's section).
Twilight walked over to Fluttershy and held out her umbrella for both of them.
"Oh dear... Did I do all of this?"
"Sort of... One of your shouts did it."
"Oh dear..."
"Don't worry. The rain will put out the remaining fires. But we, still have something more important to do."
"Right."
"Let's go."
Fluttershy pulled her own umbrella out of her saddlebags, and held it above her with her mouth. The two friends proceeded deeper into the forest, past the mud puddles and scorched trees. Fluttershy shrunk a little as she saw the scope of the damage her shouting caused. Of course, the weather ponies would be investigating the sudden forest fire and equally sudden rainstorm, but Twilight and Fluttershy had more important things on their minds.
And that, kids, is why the guards tell you not to shout in public! The end.
Chapter 6: Invitation
"Um, Twilight? Do you really think this is a good idea?"
"Just because you breathed fire doesn't mean it's not a good idea. I'll simply make a note of the ones... Like that one."
Fluttershy had grown more and more scared of shouting since she realised what she was capable of. Though Twilight knew this, she had to keep pressing Fluttershy to learn. Deep down, Fluttershy also knew, but even if she knew things, she might still be scared of them.
"Um, I still don't know..."
"Just relax Fluttershy. What's the worst that could happen?"
"That. " She said, pointing a hoof behind them.
Twilight groaned.
"It doesn't matter now, we're almost there."
Twilight and Fluttershy approached the wooden shack and knocked loudly on the door. After a second or two, a white-with-black-stripes zebra greeted them.
"Ah, my friends from Ponyville. Do you have injuries? Or perhaps the flu?"
"No, it's nothing like that." Explained Twilight.
"We're here because of Fluttershy's special ability."
Zecora motioned for them to come inside. After a lengthy explanation and several apologies for lighting the forest on fire, Zecora spoke up.
"In order to learn more, you must find a teacher. Living high in the mountains, he is an ancient creature. An old and wise dragon, who speaks the language. And he goes by the name of Sahrotzul."
"Which way do we go?"
"You must head north, through the cold. Past the icy plains, and to the top of the world."
"Thanks Zecora. We really should be heading off now."
Zecora was about to say goodbye, when Fluttershy stole Twilight's attention. Twilight noticed she was breathing somewhat quickly, as well.
"I can't do it! I can't do it! What about all the animals?? And the cold!? And the dragon!?! "
"Fluttershy, calm down! We'll go together! I'll help you talk to the dragon! And Spike will take care of Angel and the others, just calm down!"
"...I guess... I could... Leave for a few days?"
"Oh, thank Celestia you've seen reason! Let's go back to Ponyville and pack some things."
"...Okay."
"Great!"
Fluttershy and Twilight exchanged goodbyes with Zecora, before heading off. A short while down the track, Twilight had a thought.
"What if the others joined us? It would be great fun, all six of us, adventuring, camping out under the stars! Just imagine it, Fluttershy!"
"Oh, um... That sounds nice..." Fluttershy was wary of dragging her friends into another encounter with a dragon, but Twilight could only remember the sleepover with Rarity and Applejack.
"We should invite them all to the library when we get home. And we'll tell them before we pack. What do you think, Fluttershy?"
"Um.. What about the dragon?"
"Hm..." Twilight was puzzled.
"We'll just have to figure it out when we get to it."
"Oh no..."
"Relax, Fluttershy. I'll do all the talking. You should just practice your shouting."
"I guess..."
"And besides, Zecora said this dragon was very wise. I'm sure he will understand why we're visiting."
Fluttershy had nothing more to say. It seemed that she couldn't convince Twilight to change her mind.
Once they were in Ponyville, they were 'greeted' by a surprise visit from their friends.
"Where were y'all? We were worried sick!"
"And what's with the bags?"
"Were you up to something?" Pinkie Pie said, eyeing them curiously.
"We were just visiting Zecora, and we were talking about Fluttershy's shouts."
Rainbow Dash visibly froze for just a second.
"Oh! And there's something we want to ask you. I'll explain on the way to the library."
All five of them followed closely behind Twilight, as she explained everything from the strange book to the dragon, Sahrotzul. Once they were all inside the library, with Spike present, Twilight popped the question.
Chapter 7: Companions?
(Sorry about taking so long guys, I just got caught up in another story. I can't believe its taken so long...)
"Sit down, everypony, and we'll tell you a story." Said Twilight Sparkle with a smile on her face.
Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy were sitting in front of the other wielders of the elements of harmony, spread around in a rough semi-circle.
"So, it all began when we left for Zecora's..." Began Twilight
__________
An unusually long time later, Twilight drew breath as she finished the last sentence in her story. Fluttershy was still embarrassed from when she set the forest on fire by accident, and it garnered more than one 'Wat' look from her friends. She was currently sitting in a corner facing away from everypony else, like a kid wearing a dunce cap.
"Okay Fluttershy, I'm finished!" Called out Twilight in her general direction, ignoring the looks from her friends.
"R-really?"
"Yeah!"
"Hold on a darn second!" Interrupted Applejack.
"You guys mean to tell us, that yer huntin' fer a dragon?"
"Yes, we are. So what do you say about joining us?"
Rarity gasped. She reached for her trademark couch off screen and did her trademark pose.
"This is-"
"Rarity, not now! This is serious!"
"But-"
"No buts! We need to help Fluttershy!"
Rarity silenced herself.
"Well, if it's to help Fluttershy..." Started Applejack.
"W-Wait a second!" Interjected Rainbow Dash
Everypony turned to see Rainbow Dash shivering a little. She was pacing up and down, mumbling something about Fluttershy and shouting.
"Rainbow, are you okay?"
"And what do you mean 'Fluttershy's dangerous'?"
Fluttershy cried a little. Her best friend was betraying her. Meanwhile, Applejack and Twilight were trying to talk some sense into Rainbow Dash.
"Dangerous... shouts... Must be stopped...Need safety...Need help..."
She turned to the orange and purple ponies. She had a deranged look on her face, and her eyes were the size of grapes.
"You... You guys can help me...You-you understand, don't you?"
Twilight and Applejack exchanged worried glances.
"Twilight... You're smart... you'll understand..." Rainbow Dash cackled.
"Twilight. Git mah rope." Applejack whispered.
"Wait!" Yelled Rainbow Dash. By this time, she had caught everypony's attention.
"Don't you see?"
"See what?" Asked Twilight.
"She..."
Fluttershy started quietly sobbing in the corner. Pinkie Pie and Rarity went to console their shy friend. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash had taken off, and Twilight and Applejack gave chase.
__________
"Rainbow, get back here!"
"No! She must... must be silenced!"
"That's crazy!"
"No! No, no, no, No! NO! SHE MUST BE STOPPED!"
The two ponies were chasing Rainbow through Ponyville, drawing a crowd in their wake. Twilight started charging her magic as they passed by a group of very confused foals on a field trip.
"Where are ya going, Rainbow!?"
"There!"
"Where in the hay is there!?"
"The source!"
"Source of what!?"
"N-No! You can't know!"
Then, Twilight used her magic to teleport right in front of Rainbow, and she collided with the purple pony, sending them sprawling in a heap on the dirt path.
Twilight got up first, and used her magic to secure Rainbow in place.
"Rainbow! What do ya have to say fer yerself?!" Shouted Applejack as she caught up.
Rainbow struggled in her magical prison, but she couldn't break free.
"Applejack. Get your rope and help me get her somewhere safe."
"Sure thing, Twilight."
Chapter 8: Therapy
"Where can we put her? We need somewhere where nopony can ask questions."
"What about tha farm?"
"Too far away. Somepony will probably notice. I hear hoofsteps, anyway."
"Tha closest place is probably... The Everfree Forest."
"It will have to do. Maybe Zecora know's what's wrong with her...?"
"Ah hope so..."
"We better run. I hear shouting."
"Gotcha."
Twilight levitated Rainbow Dash, and both ponies took off towards the Everfree Forest.
_________
"Don't cry Fluttershy..."
Rarity tried desperately to console her yellow friend, while Pinkie Pie went to Sugar Cube Corner to bake a "Sorry our friend went completely retarded" cake.
"Oh Rarity!" Fluttershy choked out between sobs.
"Yes, Fluttershy?"
"It... It was... awful..." She whispered.
"I know... I was there."
"Calm down, Fluttershy. Pinkie;s gone to make you a cake."
Fluttershy looked up at Rarity with bloodshot eyes.
"She... She is?"
"Yes, and she'll be back--"
Before Rarity could finish, Pinkie Pie burst through the library door, balancing a cake on her head.
"--Any minute."
"SURPRISE!"
Pinkie bounced over towards Fluttershy and gently placed the cake in front of her. It was a simple ice-cream cake with strawberries and apple slices lining the rim. It also had 'Sorry!' in big letters written with pink frosting.
"Oh... Thank you, Pinkie..." She said slowly.
"Go on! Take a bite!"
"Okay..."
_________
"Alright Rainbow Dash, start talking. What's gotten into you?"
"Wha-What?"
"Are you of yer rocker, Rainbow!?"
"No...No. NO. NO! SHE..."
Twilight and Applejack looked at eachother with worried looks as Rainbow Dash struggled with her magical bonds.
"SHE'S STILL OUT THERE... ISN'T SHE!?"
"Calm down, Rainbow!"
"AAAARGH!"
Twilight cast a sleeping spell on Rainbow as she started yelling like crazy. Twilight gently place Rainbow Dash on the damp forest floor as she fell under the effects of the spell.
"What did you do to her?"
"I put her to sleep. She'll wake up in a few hours."
"What do we do until then?"
"Ah think we should visit Zecora."
"Me too. Let's go."
_________
So Zecora. Can you tell us what's gotten into Rainbow?"
"Hmm... I see. The problem, is insanity."
"You mean to tell us that Rainbow has gone off her rocker?"
"Yes, I'm afirad it's true. Rainbow Dash is acting very unusual."
"Can you help her in any way?"
"Perhaps I can attempt it. But I can't be sure how succesfull she'll be at it."
