"I really miss her, Angel," Fluttershy frowned, all out of tears. She has been crying for nearly a week. A knock at the front door made Fluttershy faint.
Angel opened the door to the gray mail mare. The mare handed Angel a letter addressed to Fluttershy and flew away, only to crash to the nearest tree. Angel shook his head, as it was very common for Ditzy to crash into that tree. It had a dent in it that keeps getting deeper.
When Fluttershy came to, Angel handed her the envelope. On the back of it read in somewhat sloppy hoof-writing:
Fluttershy
Ponyville, Equestria
Fluttershy opened the letter eagerly and read:
Dear Fluttershy,
So I made the first cut! I hate to admit it, but I do have some competition. Lightning Dust is trying out. Of course you remember the brat that almost killed you and the other guys.
During the first event, which was a race, I was going faster than anypony out there! Came in first! Lightning Dust did not like that. No she did not! Good. Teach her to mess with me, hmph!
Spitfire is one tough cookie. She yelled at me a few times for not standing straight enough. I think she just hates the fact I stood up to her back when I was at the academy. Hehe. She deserved it.
Let me tell you something: The food here stinks worse than those "baked bads" Applejack made that one applebucking season when she propelled me onto Twilight's balcony. They say it's good flying food. It seems to work a little because I haven't had to have any of my afternoon naps since I got here. Though, I think that is mainly due to the fact that I miss you.
Sweet Celestia, I wish I was in Ponyville so I could tell you in person. It's hard being away from home. Away from you. I miss you so much, Fluttershy.
Love,
Rainbow Dash
Fluttershy reread the letter again, running her hooves over those beautiful words, her words, written in that cute sloppy handwriting. Tears stung the yellow mare's teal eyes. She put the letter on the wall next to the portrait of her marefriend.
"Angel, I'm going to Twilight's library to see if I can find a book on how to make cookies so I can send them to Rainbow."
Fluttershy strolled out into the garden, which was mostly free of flowers, due to the oncoming winter season.
As she approached the tree home, she saw Twilight hovering near the top of the tree.
"Um, excuse me? Twilight?"
"Oh, hey Fluttershy! How are you doing?" Twilight asked, even though she already knew the answer. She watched as Fluttershy's ears drooped a little.
"Um, I'm fine. I think..." Fluttershy said softly, "If I...um...may ask, Twilight. What are you doing?"
"Just trying to figure out this spell to build a balcony higher up on the library. I want to turn it into a reading area for anypony who just wants to read outside!"
"Oh," Fluttershy said meekly.
"So, Fluttershy, is there anything you need?" Twilight smiled awkwardly. She knew Fluttershy was too timid to ask her favors straight up.
Twilight landed on the doormat in front of the library door and opened the door with the pink aura of her magic. The mares stepped inside.
"I...um...just wanted to see if you maybe...if you're not too busy," Fluttershy said politely, "if you had any books on cookie recipes?"
"Oh, yes. I have tons of those! What or who are you making cookies for?" Twilight raised a brow.
"Rainbow Dash."
"Oh, that's nice of you," Twilight said as she sifted through the spines in her cookbook section.
Twilight pulled out a few books.
"Muffins, no. Cake, no. Ah, ha. Cookies!" Twilight presented the book to Fluttershy.
The pink-maned pegasus took the book in her hooves and flipped through the pages. She lie down on the mat in the center of the main part of the library.
Twilight left her shy friend to return to her task outside.
Fluttershy continued to search for the perfect recipe for her Rainbow. She settled upon a recipe for chocolate chip and oat cookies. She hadn't made those since she was a little pony.
"Um, Twilight," Fluttershy whisper-shouted, "I think I found the recipe I needed."
Twilight, who had gotten used to the quietness of her friend's voice, entered the library.
"Oh, goodie," she said with a smile. "Before you go I was wondering if you would sing in the Fall Harvest Festival next week?"
"What? Me? Sing in front of everypony in Ponyville? Oh, no. I don't think I could do that," the timid mare whimpered.
"Oh, come on Fluttershy. Please? For dear old Twilight?" Twilight gave Fluttershy a puppy dog face.
"I don't know..." Fluttershy looked at Twilight and her kindness got the best of her, "Okay. I'll try."
"Yay," Twilight mimicked Fluttershy's cheer, "Just don't look at anypony in the crowd, but at focal points above their heads and pretend that you are just singing to your animals."
"Okay," Fluttershy replied, "But what do I sing?"
"I don't know. Make up a song. You are really good at that," Twilight said.
With that, the pegasus left the library to return to the cottage. She had cookies to make!
...............................
Rainbow Dash zipped through the hoops in the obstacle course in ten seconds flat. She landed on the clouds and waited for Soren to come and tell her her score. Lightning Dust landed beside her a few seconds later.
"What? How'd you pass me?! One of these days, Dash, you'll get what's coming to you."
"In your dreams!" Rainbow retaliated.
Soarin approached the bickering pegasi. To Rainbow, he said, "That was awesome, Dash. Ten. Lighning Dust, eh. Eight."
Lighning Dust scowled. She walked away in anger toward the mess hall.
"Well, Dash. Spitfire told me that you have mail in her office," Soarin said, "Let me take you there. Well, because I...er have a key."
"Sure, thanks," Rainbow beamed.
When they got to the door of the office, Soarin stumbled as he tried to fit his key into the lock, but the door swung open and a gray lazy-eyed pegasus exited the building, only to trip helplessly in front of him. Rainbow helped her up and she flew awkwardly in the direction of Ponyville.
They flew into the Wonderbolts' office. The secretary was typing rapidly on her typewriter. She peered over her spectacles at Rainbow and Soarim.
Soarin and Rainbow entered Spitfire's secluded office.
"Well here you are," Soarin said as he opened the door to Spitfire's personal office.
"Thanks," Rainbow said as Soarin grinned awkwardly and shut the door behind him and left the main building.
Spitfire stood up from behind her desk, "So Ditzy thought it was important that I personally give you your mail. I don't know why, though."
She handed Rainbow a pink box with an envelope stuck to the top of it. She also gave her a purple envelope with Twilight's princess emblem on it: her cutie mark with wings.
"Thanks, ma'am," Rainbow saluted Spitfire. She turned to leave, but Spitfire held out a hoof to stop her.
"Well, aren't you going to open your mail?"
Rainbow was taken aback, "Here?"
"Yes. It might be important for me to know what it is for Ditzy Do to deliver it here."
Rainbow opened the purple envelope first. Her jaw dropped open. Spitfire took the letter and read it for herself.
"I think you should follow the princess's orders, Dash," Spitfire said.
"What about tryouts?"
"No worries, you can just pick up where you left off. We will do private evaluations for you until you catch up," Spitfire explained, "You should open the other letter at your quarters."
Rainbow left office building and flew the one mile distance to the trainees' quarters. She plopped down on her bed and ripped open the envelope on the box.
Dearest Rainbow,
I miss you, too. I made some cookies for you. I hope you enjoy.
Twilight has asked me to sing in the Fall Harvest Festival next week. I said yes. I really hope to overcome my stage fright. I need to improve my courage, like you inspire me to. That's the only development since you left.
Life here in Ponyville feels so empty without you. Other than Pinkie, you bring adventure to all of our lives. You make me happy, Rainbow. I truly miss you with all my heart.
Love,
Fluttershy
Rainbow ran her hooves over the sweet words, her words, written in that beautiful hoof-writing. She sniffed the paper. It smelled of her timid, kind Fluttershy. A smell that made her feel at home.
Rainbow opened the pink box and withdrew a cookie. She nibbled a bite. I tasted so delectable.
............................
One week later...
Fluttershy combed her silky mane as Rarity placed flowers in a bunch of places within it.
"Oh, darling, you are going to look just smashing!" Rarity said as she delicately put more flowers in Fluttershy's mane.
"Oh, Rarity," Fluttershy whimpered, "I'm so scared."
"Oh, you'll be fine, darling," Rarity stepped back to admire her work, "Just pretend nopony is there and you are singing for your animals."
"I'll try."
Fluttershy jumped a little as the door of her cottage swung open. Pinkie Pie bounced in.
"Hey, Fluttershy. Are you excited? I mean I'm excited. I don't think I've ever been this excited. Except for that time when I went-" Pinkie gasped, "But I mean, really."
"Did you follow any of that?" Rarity asked Fluttershy.
Fluttershy shook her head and shrugged.
"Sooooo," Pinkie said, "Best of luck, Fluttershy! La La La La." With that she left.
"Oh, Pinkie," Rarity giggled. She turned back to her masterpiece.
Once Rarity was done pampering her friend, she positioned Fluttershy at the mirror. Fluttershy gasped. She was totally transformed. Her mane was pulled back and her gala dress had been shortened. It was a new side of herself. She looked more confident.
"See?" Rarity said. "Just fabulous. Shall we go?"
"No," Fluttershy cowered, "Yes. Maybe. I don't know!"
"Come on," Rarity half dragged Fluttershy out the door.
When they were out of the cottage, Fluttershy gathered herself and started walking beside her unicorn friend, slowly and cautiously.
When they arrived in town, they saw Twilight preparing last minute decorations. The stage was just in front of town hall. On either side of the stage, Rumble and Thunderlane were positioning a banner with Fluttershy's cutie mark plastered across it.
Applejack approached them, "Good luck, Fluttershy. Y'all will be fantastic!"
"Um...thanks, Applejack."
"Sure," Applejack said as Twilight approached the three of them.
"Ready, Fluttershy? It starts in a few minutes. I can't wait to hear what you came up with for a song," the alicorn smiled.
"Oh, my." Fluttershy started biting her hoof. She inhaled deeply. I can do this. It's a step. I need to do this for myself.
Fluttershy walked behind the stage and sat down on a chair. The show was starting in a half hour and some of the Ponyville inhabitants were already seating themselves in front of the stage.
A few minutes later, Twilight walked in. "Hey, Fluttershy. The mayor has asked me to introduce you on stage! What an honor!"
Fluttershy gulped. She began to shake. Twilight noticed this and hugged her friend.
"I Pinkie Promise you will be totally great," Twilight released Fluttershy. Fluttershy smiled a little.
"I can do this. I can do this. I can. I can. And I must!" She told herself.
Before she knew it, it was time. Twilight was out on stage, as the lights shone on her purple coat.
"Tonight, I would like to present, singing an original song, the sweet and kind Fluttershy!" The crowd roared.
Fluttershy wouldn't go out. Rarity had to shove her out from behind the curtain. When the lights shone on her dress, it sparkled. Suddenly, Fluttershy wasn't scared. She began to sing in the most beautiful, soft voice:
I find myself just standing
Totally lost and scared
Until that day you found me
The laugher that we shared
Rainbows and butterflies
Lost in your eyes
There no place that I'd rather be
Having you with me
Our hearts sing together
In perfect harmonies
Your eyes sparkle with mine
Together we face the world
Rainbows and butterflies
Lost in your eyes
There no place that I'd rather be
Having you with me
Outgoing, you are
Adventurous, you are
Loyal and beautiful
You make me a better pony
Rainbows and butterflies
Lost in your eyes
There no place that I'd rather be
Having you with me
You know me better than I do
We make the perfect two
Soaring in the sky
Hearts sing in reply
Rainbows and butterflies
Rainbows and butterflies
Forever...
The crowd cheered and threw roses at Fluttershy. She curtsied and heard a familiar voice from the side of the stage.
"That was amazing, Fluttershy. Your voice melts my heart. And I must say, you look absolutely beautiful tonight."
Fluttershy spun around to see her Rainbow walking onto the stage. Fluttershy was too stunned to move or do anything.
"Is it really you?" Fluttershy began to tear up.
"In the flesh," Rainbow Dash said, holding out her forelegs to welcome Fluttershy in a hug. Fluttershy immediately embraced her marefriend. The crowd "D'aaawed".
The mares paid no mind. Rainbow Dash stroked Fluttershy's soft mane and whispered, "I waited so long to feel you against me. Dear Celestia, I missed you so darn much."
Fluttershy reluctantly let Rainbow go. She gazed in Rainbow's magenta, sparkling eyes. She took Rainbow's hooves in hers.
"I..." Fluttershy was at loss for words.
"Shh," Rainbow kissed Fluttershy. Long and deeply. She stroked behind Fluttershy's ear with her left hoof. Her lips kissed the corner of Fluttershy's mouth. With her wings she embraced the yellow pegasus tightly as Fluttershy returned the kiss and stroked the blue mare's rainbow mane. They nuzzled close to each other, just feeling the other's presence.
The crowd looked on for a bit, keeping quiet so the couple could just be with one another. They quickly dispersed to give the mares privacy.
Rainbow reluctantly ended the kiss. She said, "So, I'm going to be here for a week."
"Really?" Fluttershy's teal eyes widened.
"Yep," said Rainbow, "They're going to give me private tryouts when I go back. Special orders from the princess. That princess to be exact." Rainbow pointed a hoof at Twilight, who was facing away from the mares, preoccupied with sweeping confetti.
"Remind me to thank her," Fluttershy smiled at the blue pegasus. She nuzzled her gently.
"Wanna go for a walk in the park?"
"Sure," Fluttershy nodded. She took Rainbow's wing in hers. The mares strolled into the park on the outskirts of Ponyville.
The park was illuminated with Luna's stars and full moon. An owl hooted softly in the distance. The hills overlooked Sweet Apple Acres and the horizon.
"I cannot believe how beautiful your singing is," Rainbow told her marefriend.
"I cannot believe I actually got up on stage," Fluttershy said.
Rainbow chuckled, "Well, I am so glad you did. That song sure was something! It was amazing."
"I...um...wrote that about us," Fluttershy blushed.
"I figured, since you used 'rainbows and butterflies', which are our cutie marks," Rainbow said with a smile.
"I...um...wrote that, thinking I wouldn't see you for a while, so that I could sing it to you when you got back. I was going to..." Fluttershy gulped and stood in front of Rainbow, "tell you that I love you."
Rainbow's jaw dropped, "Really?"
"Yeah," Fluttershy rubbed the back of her head nervously. She removed her hoof from her head to place it under Rainbow's chin. She pulled Rainbow's face to hers and kissed her tenderly on the lips. Their lips intertwined and they remained close as the stars twinkled and shined overhead.
When they paused briefly to take a breath, Rainbow said, "I love you more." Their lips then continued to dance in sync with the stars.