//------------------------------// // How We Separated // Story: How We Met // by Rated Ponystar //------------------------------// How We Met A My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic fanfic By The Rated Ponystar Chapter 4: How We Separated Edited by: Fernin Disclaimer: I do not own MLP. And Glory to the Luna Republic! Why? Because it sounds cool. ********************************************************************************************** Fluttershy knew this day would someday come. After all, nothing lasted forever. Today was the last day of Summer Flight Camp and she didn’t know what to feel. From day one, Summer Flight Camp had been the worst summer in her entire life. The teachers brought her down and the other students all laughed at her. For weeks she felt alone and worthless because she couldn’t fly. Now, after so many grueling weeks, the last day of camp had finally come and she was free to go home. Free to go back home to her little neighborhood, where nopony bothered her or even looked at her. There would be no more bullies and no more teachers, at least until the new school year started, and she could sit in her room reading her animal books all day. Now that she knew what she wanted to do with her life, Fluttershy needed to learn as much about animals and first aid as she possible could. Better yet, now that she had wings she could fly down to the ground and interact with the wildlife. When her parents came to pick her up, they were so proud of her. The memory of the smiles when she flew for them still warmed her heart. It made her believe that her parents didn’t think of her as a disappointment anymore. Her parents were even more proud of her when she showed them her cutie mark. They were surprised at first about what it meant. After all, when was the last time anypony heard of a pegasus’ whose special talent was taking care of animals? They accepted it nonetheless and to celebrate they were even taking her out to Five Stallions, one of Cloudsdale’s most popular restaurants. This was supposed to be a day of joy, but a dark cloud of sadness hung over Fluttershy’s head. It was funny. Arriving at the camp three months ago, all she had been able to think about was how much she wanted to leave. Now, she wished it would never end... all because of a single pegasus who helped change her life for the better. Fluttershy was forever grateful to Rainbow Dash for all she had done. It was Rainbow Dash that helped her learn to fly, defended her from bullies, encouraged her to go after her dream. But most importantly, Rainbow Dash became her friend. Fluttershy couldn’t remember the last time she had a friend, not since kindergarten. The times they shared were some of the best in her life. Now it would soon be over. Both Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash lived on opposite sides of Cloudsdale, so the chances of them seeing each other again was low. Because of this, Fluttershy told Rainbow Dash she wanted to see her one more time before they left. Excusing herself from the company of her parents with claims of needing to use the little filly’s room, Fluttershy quickly made her way to her favorite cloud: the place where they’d agreed to meet. After all, it was where they had met the first time. “Yo! Fluttershy!” called out a voice, grabbing Fluttershy’s attention. Turning around she saw her first and best friend descend to the cloud. “I’m not late am I?” “No, I’m glad you’re here,” whispered Fluttershy. The two fillies looked at each other with regret in their eyes. Both of them had depended on each other for so long that seeing each other every day seemed like a natural part of life. Now they were going to have to leave each other as well as the bond they shared. Fluttershy could feel her eyes misting up, but she stayed strong. “So I guess this is goodbye, huh?” Rainbow Dash sighed, but still kept her grin up. “Yeah, but look at the bright side. No more listening to Mr. Starbuck complaining about how he hates teaching kids or hearing those three idiots calling us names anymore.” “Yeah…” Fluttershy muttered, looking down as she pawed the cloud distractedly. Rainbow Dash gently put her hoof on Fluttershy’s cheek and turned her friend’s face towards her. “Hey, Shy? I just want you to know that you’re one of the best friend’s I’ve ever had. It’s too bad we live on opposite ends of Cloudsdale, ‘cause my school life would be a lot better if I had a friend like you around.” “Oh, I’m… nothing special,” said Fluttershy, her cheeks turned red. “Why do you always have to do that? You gotta take more pride in yourself,” said Rainbow Dash. “Seriously, look at what you’ve accomplished this summer. You managed to learn how to fly and showed all those who doubted you who was boss. You even saved my life from that bear by staring it down!” Rainbow Dash pointed out with an empathetic stomp. “Sure, you’re still a bit of a scaredy cat who freaks out over the littlest of things, but don’t let that stop you. You’ve got to remember what we promised: to work our best to get out of this town and see the world!” “I know I… I just…” Fluttershy started to sniffle as she hugged Rainbow Dash again. “I’m just going to miss you!” Rainbow Dash secretly wiped a tear of her own as returned the embrace. “I know… I’m going to miss you too.” Both fillies held on as tight as they could, neither wanting to end the moment. It felt like this was the last time they would see each other again. Both had done so much for the other. It felt like there was a deeper connection then friendship. Maybe it was sisterhood or maybe there was another word for it, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was that both of them would remember each other and the time they had. “Hey, let’s make another promise,” Rainbow Dash suggested as they continued to hug. “Let’s promise that, someday, we’ll see each other again.” Fluttershy nodded. That was a promise worth keeping. The two slowly broke their hug as they looked at the sinking sun out in the distance. “Make sure you don’t fall off any more clouds, got it? I won’t be there to save your sorry flank if you slip off and forget how to fly,” said Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy replied with a small grin. “Only if you don’t get attacked by anymore bears.” The two of them laughed before looking at each other one last time and smiled. Rainbow Dash held her hoof out. “See you around, Fluttershy.” Fluttershy took the offered hoof with her own and squeezed affectionately. “Same here, Rainbow Dash.” The pair exchanged another smile before they took off for the campus. They flew together for a short while, savoring the moment, but all good things must come to an end.  Dash banked left, heading for home, while Fluttershy wheeled to the right. As they flew further apart, they glanced at each other one last time. The fillies’ eyes met as they gave each other a smile and a silent thank you before returning with their families.