//------------------------------// // Revelation // Story: Perfect On Paper // by NintendoGal55 //------------------------------// When Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy turned around, they were unsurprised to see none other than Hoops and Billy, who were wearing black suits, looking surprisingly sharp and well-dressed for a change. They were two of the bullies that had picked on them during their fillyhood, and then again last year. Though after the Best Young Fliers' Competition, Rainbow had made peace with them and they parted on good terms. They hadn't seen one another since then, but the peace was still in there. Regardless, Rainbow kept her foreleg around Fluttershy's shoulders in a protective manner, just in case. “Hey, guys,” Rainbow smiled just a bit. “You're here too, huh?” “Our moms were friends with Sky,” Billy explained. “She was nice to us too, kinda scolded us a lot...” Hoops admitted, rubbing one foreleg against the other. “But she was nice, telling us not to give up and learn to be better ponies. Never really realized her advice until now.” “I hear you,” Rainbow agreed, nodding a little. “She wanted us here in her Will, so of course wanted to pay our respects. Um...Fluttershy was actually with her at the time she died, she told me about it, and so we came together.” Hoops and Billy exchanged glances and chuckled a bit. “Figured. Didn't know you guys got together!” Billy grinned. “Yeah, you guys are real cute,” Hoops agreed, winking. Rainbow and Fluttershy both blushed, separating from each other. “Um, yeah, it's not like that. We're just friends,” Rainbow managed, shaking her head. “Really? We saw you two around, you were always glued to each other's sides and were snuggling!” “Yeah, it was kinda obvious...” Rainbow shook her head again, trying to ward off her heated blushing. “Guys, I appreciate the sentiment, but we're not together. We're still just friends. So, can you knock it off? Just for Sky Blue's sake?” Billy looked guilty, but nodded. “Yeah, you're right. Sorry about that!” “Uh-huh, we're sorry,” Hoops agreed, smiling sheepishly. “Oh, it's okay...don't worry about it,” Fluttershy said softly. “Um...it was very nice of you two to come here today. I think...Sky Blue would really appreciate it very much. She was a wonderful pony.” Both Hoops and Billy nodded in agreement, smiling a bit as they looked toward the casket for a moment. The four then remained silent for a bit, taking in the entire atmosphere of the funeral hall. All of the flowers, the mementos, photographs, drawings, messages of good will, it was all in an array along many areas of the room. The sadness was an overtone in the atmosphere, but there was still a sweet, shining ray of warmth and happiness. Meant to bring them to remember the days that the dead once lived. Not just to remember the day they died. It was all in part of inspiring this feeling, that this day was meant to remember them for all time. Unable to help herself, and not even caring that they were watching, Rainbow Dash brought her foreleg around Fluttershy again, holding her close. Yes, this entire event was likely going to bring up a “Speed Demon or Super Softie?” debate in the papers, but for once, she just didn't care. All that mattered was that she was here, with her best friend, sharing the sweet memories of childhood all in commemoration of a great pony she hoped would be missed. “Really takes you back, doesn't it?” Billy remarked, looking around again before he settled his gaze on the two mares. “You said it, man,” Rainbow agreed. “I remember all those times Sky Blue was trying to help Fluttershy and me, even when we made some trouble.” “Oh, I can remember that!” Fluttershy giggled. “Didn't you guys try to steal a candy bar from the snack shop?” Hoops recalled, snickering. “We heard about it!” “Guilty!” Rainbow laughed. “It was thanks to Sky that we weren't banned from camp! She helped us out.” “Then there was the time she caught us trying to drop water balloons on you guys!” Billy laughed at the memory. “She was right behind us the whole time!” “Yeah! We were all like, 'Hahaha, we're gonna get the drop on them!' and just revealing our whole plan! Then we heard her clear her throat and we were like, 'Oh crap!'” Hoops hollered, grinning. Rainbow chuckled, grinning as well. “I should've known I smelled a rat that day!” “You got it!” Billy snickered, then he looked over at Fluttershy. “Hey, you know...before we forget, we did want to apologize to you too, Fluttershy.” Hoops nodded, looking guilty. “We do, yeah. We never had a chance. But uh, we won't call you Klutzershy or anything either. We're sorry.” Smiling, Fluttershy nodded to them. “I understand. And I forgive you both. Apology accepted, thank you very much.” “Awesome! So uh, you're not gonna kill us now, right Rainbow Dash?” Billy smiled sheepishly. Rainbow snickered. “Maybe.” They all laughed again, continuing to share good times (or even bad) all over again. As if those days had only been yesterday. It felt good to make more peace with the two ponies who were once their enemies, especially in a setting like a funeral. Awkward as it may have been, even slightly, it was still a nice time. As it went, Rainbow Dash never strayed more than ten feet away from Fluttershy's side the whole time. Much later in the day, after the ashes were set free into the river, with all the guests going to an after party that was being hosted, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy remained at the river. Just to be alone with each other for a while. Neither of their friends knew what was going on today, just that they had to be somewhere important, so it was nice to know they wouldn't be interrupted for a while. The side of the river they were at were well beyond the outskirts of Ponyville, so it meant for some good privacy, being out in the open fields below Cloudsdale and all. Fluttershy sniffled a bit, finally letting herself release a couple more tears. She had done a lot of crying on the night she told Rainbow what was going on, and then a few more tears were shed during the service. Other than that, she managed to hold herself well. Now that they were alone, she felt compelled to express her emotions all the more. At least the funeral had gone well as could be, which was a relief to her. She was glad to see that Sky Blue's memory was cherished, all within the attending members of her family and friends. Most of all, she was glad to have shared this trip down memory lane with her best friend. Speaking of, despite everything, Fluttershy sat closer to her and leaned her head against her shoulder. Rainbow not only didn't seem to mind, but even nuzzled her head against hers before resting it there. “I think she's happy...wherever she is now, don't you, Rainbow?” “Yeah, Fluttershy. I do.” Smiling a bit, Fluttershy relished in the sweet warmth of their closeness. It may have been closely intimate, even for two close best friends, but she didn't care. They had gone through so much, it was practically second nature to her now. “...Rainbow?” “Yeah?” “Do you...ever think about...what it might be like when we...well...pass on?” Fluttershy said softly, her eyes gazing out to the river. Rainbow was silent for a few moments before responding. “Not really. I mean, sure, I wonder about it sometimes, but never really thought of it. Least not till now. Or when our bird friend Kessie died... Well, Fluttershy, I guess it's just as Twilight says. It's something we won't really understand, or maybe we do, but we just don't grasp it yet.” “Hmm,” Fluttershy murmured, snuggling against her. “I think that makes sense. ...I'm scared to...to die one day...” “...Yeah? Awww...I understand, I think everypony's afraid of it.” “I just...I wonder what happens. Does nothing happen at all? Or is there really some kind of a beautiful paradise waiting for us? I just...I fear if I die...that's all there is,” Fluttershy admitted, sniffling a bit. Once more, Rainbow was silent, but she brought her foreleg around her back. “Nopony really knows what happens when we die. Some say....we walk into a bright light, bright as Celestia's sun, and we meet all our ancestors and dead relatives there. Kinda like you're coming back to your hometown. Some say we pass on as spirits and just wander around freely. ...Kinda deep to talk about, but I guess if it's meant to make us feel better, why not?” Giggling a bit, Fluttershy smiled a bit. “You're right. I think it is meant to comfort us...to make us feel better when we go. That it's all going to be okay. ...As scared as I am, as uncertain as I am, I think I believe it.” “You know, I think I do too, Fluttershy,” Rainbow whispered, holding her closer. “...Rainbow?” “Mm?” “Twilight says...if we lose our way...we follow the North Star. The brightest star in the sky. Maybe...if we die..we can find our way there. ...So...one day...will you meet me there?” Fluttershy nuzzled their heads gently, awaiting her response. Chuckling, Rainbow nodded against her head. “Sure, Fluttershy. We'll all meet there. We'll all figure out what the afterlife is gonna bring us!” “Yay...” Rainbow felt herself smile as she heard Fluttershy's signature soft cheer. For once, she just didn't mind it. Normally, deep, personal talk like this didn't always do so well with her, since she never felt certain about how to really express it. But regardless, for once, it was liberating. Very liberating. Especially to share it with Fluttershy, somepony she was able to open up to. Now it was the topic of death. Much like life, it held many mysteries, and was something everypony talked about from generation to generation. Having now dealt with somepony they knew who died did manage to bring that on. Was this what ponies did when a loved one passed? They would sit together and just talk about it? About the mysteries of life and death? Why they died? Either way, she felt warmed to know she could share this with her best friend. After all they'd been through, now there was this. Something that really did come to connect them on a personal level. A trip down memory lane, together, as they faced the end of somepony who had helped them in their fillyhood days. A sad ending for a good pony, but at least they could share it. Rainbow angled her head a bit to look at Fluttershy, before she sighed in contentment, still snuggling with her. She didn't even care at this point. All she wanted was to be close to her, to comfort her, to be the same kind of rock she always was. In all, she felt both a mixture of sad with the loss, but happy to be paying her respects, and happy to share it with somepony she cared about, who understood. Being close to her, wanting to be close to her was just no longer anything of an issue. That worried her, even scared her a bit, but she could no longer deny it. Celestia's sun was setting in the horizon, bathing the atmosphere in its beautiful twilight. The two ponies sat together at the riverside, snuggled up, never once moving as they savoured the beauty of it all, and each other. “F-Fluttershy...?” The giant, monstrous, towering Fluttershy that now stood over sixty feet tall stood over her, preventing her escape. “YOU'RE...GOING TO LOVE ME!!!” Yelled the giant Fluttershy. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!” Rainbow Dash screamed, curling up in a ball. ------- Shooting up awake in bed, Rainbow gathered herself, breathing heavily. She could not believe she had even dreamed of such a thing. The only time Fluttershy had ever yelled that very phrase had been at the Grand Galloping Gala, but it had not been directed her. But at the animals. Now her? What kind a nightmare was it? What was it trying to tell her? Or not tell her? “Just...just a...crazy dream...” She mumbled to herself, taking a breath or two to calm herself. “It was just a nightmare...” “What was just a dream, honey?” That voice! Swallowing, Rainbow Dash looked to her left, specifically the left side of the bed, and came to find a surprising sight. Fluttershy was in bed with her, in a bed big enough for the two of them. The creamy yellow Pegasus sat up with her, looking to her with concern. But all Rainbow could think about was that something was VERY wrong with this picture. Now she took a look around her. This was Fluttershy's bedroom in her cottage. Only now it had some of her own nicknacks, a couple of Wonderbolts posters, the closet door was open displaying dresses they both owned, and of course, a couple of wedding photos. Rainbow Dash felt a wave of relief wash over her. The unease she'd felt earlier was nothing more than sleepy disorientation, as well as the effects the nightmare was having on her. She exhaled, then lay back on the bed next to her wife. A warm, soothing comfort entered her mind and body, relaxing her all the more. There was nothing wrong at all. They were in their home sweet home, in their warm bed, wrapped in their safe little cocoon. “A crazy nightmare...it was pretty weird.” “Awww...are you going to be all right? Was it that bad?” Fluttershy asked softly, running a hoof along her bangs lovingly. “Just...weird...” Rainbow sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. “But it's gone now, so it doesn't even matter. Still...I don't think I'll be getting much sleep now.” Giggling, Fluttershy kissed her cheek, then slowly rolled on top of her. Rainbow gasped a bit, but smiled brightly at her wife. She knew where this was going. “Well, my love...I think I know what can help you feel better...” Fluttershy cooed lovingly with a tint of suggestion in her tone. She placed sweet butterfly kisses along her neck, going down, then up along her neck toward her face. “Oh, Fluttershy,” was all the enraptured Pegasus could muster as she ran her hooves through the soft blossom-pink mane. “You're better than any night's sleep I could ask for!” Giggling, Fluttershy kissed higher up, going toward her snout. “I feel the same, oh, I love you my dearest...” “And I love you, Fluttershy! Take me, oh! Right there, that's it!” “Hee hee, oooh, you feel ready for me!” “Yeah...aah...Fluttershy...yeah that's it...right there...oh, Fluttershy...!” Knock knock knock! “WHOA!” Rainbow Dash shot awake, sitting up in bed as she was roused by the rude interruption of somepony knocking at the door. She groaned, rubbing her head and getting the sleep out of her eyes. As much as she wanted to go back to sleep and enjoy her dream some more- 'What the hay am I thinking?! No no no no NO!!! I CAN'T THINK OF IT THAT WAY! DARN IT!' Knock knock knock knock! “I'm coming! I'm coming! Hold your horses!” Slipping out of bed unceremoniously, the still sleepy Pegasus trotted wearily to the front door. This was just not her morning at all. She sighed, not at all caring that her mane was a bit of a mess, and just opened the door. Twilight Sparkle stood there with a bright smile, Rarity at her side. “Good morning, Rainbow Dash!” Twilight greeted amiably. “Darling, you look simply aghast!” Rarity exclaimed. “Goodness, have you just awoken?” “Yeah, no thanks to you guys,” Rainbow groaned, yawning a little. “What do you want?” “Well, do you mind if we come in for a minute?” Shaking her head, the rainbow-maned pony stepped aside to let the two Unicorns inside, shutting the door behind her. Twilight gave Rainbow an apple as they all sat down on the floor, with the former adjusting her saddlebags and producing something from it with her magic. “You remember I said before that I was reading on some aspects of psychology, right?” “Mm-hmm?” Rainbow took a bite of her apple, feeling a bit more awake by now. “It's actually quite fascinating, darling!” Rarity admitted with a smile. “You should tell her what you found, Twilight.” Twilight nodded, placing the book in front of her, using her magic to turn to a certain page. “Here it is! Lately, I've been studying up on this very interesting angle of psychological studies. The major histocompatibility complex!” “...The major what-now?” Rainbow stared at her with utmost confusion. “Major histocompatibility complex, or MHC for short,” Twilight repeated. “It's a large gene family found in most vertebrates. It plays a role in autoimmunity, your immune system, and reproductive success. Here, check it out!” She levitated the book in front of Rainbow's eyes so that she could see the passage written inside. The proteins encoded by the MHC are expressed on the surface of cells in all jawed vertebrates, and display fragments of molecules from invading microbes or dysfunctional cells (e.g. tumor cells) to a particular type of white blood cell called a T cell that has the capacity to kill or co-ordinate the killing of the microbe, infected cell or malfunctioning cell. In ponies, the 3.6 Mb (3 600 000 base pairs) MHC region on Chromosome 6 contains 140 genes between flanking genetic markers MOG and COL11A2.[1] About half have known immunological functions (see pony leukocyte antigen). The same markers in the marsupial Monodelphis domestica (gray short-tailed opossum) span 3.95 Mb and contain 114 genes, 87 shared with ponies.[2] “Twi...can you please get to what this has to do with me?” Rainbow sighed, trying hard to understand what the strange words seemed to mean, but could not at all comprehend it properly. “Sorry,” Twilight smiled sheepishly. “It's just to give you an idea on what it is. Here's the part I wanted to show you, it's about how MHC seems to play a part in...well, the selection of partners.” “...What?” Rainbow's eyes went wide. “Here, on page twelve!” Twilight turned the pages again. “There you go!” It has been suggested that MHC plays a role in the selection of potential mates, via olfaction. MHC genes make molecules that enable the immune system to recognize invaders; generally, the more diverse the MHC genes of the parents, the stronger the immune system of the offspring. It would obviously be beneficial, therefore, to have evolved systems of recognizing individuals with different MHC genes and preferentially selecting them to breed with. A study was conducted at the Manehattan Institute of Health, in which a group of twelve ponies (six female and six male) were selected to take part in the experiment. Each of them wore clothing, day and night, for three days, not showering, wearing cologne or anything, nor washing themselves whatsoever. At the end of the three days, the clothes were exchanged admist the ponies and were told to sniff them without revealing as to who they came from. In doing so, it was revealed that each pony was attracted to a mare or stallion with MHC genes dissimilar to their own. Oral contraceptives managed to reverse the natural effects, as a later study had proven. Dr. Bill of Health, a psychologist and chemist at the at institute, stated upon conducting this study, “My wife is a dancer, often performing shows in Las Pegasus. I am a Unicorn, she's a Pegasus. We are quite different from one another, especially in terms of our profession. But out of all the mares I had dated in my lifetime, I came to see that she was the one. Our MHC genes came out to be a perfect mismatch, as we later discovered when I conducted the study. It was honestly something I hadn't realized before, but it played something of a factor.” Rainbow Dash stared down at the words on the page, which practically jumped at her. Her jaw even dropped considerably, causing Rarity to reach over and push it closed. “It's interesting, isn't it?” Twilight prompted, looking at her curiously. “What do you think?” It all seemed to make sense now. “I can't believe it...all these nerd medical books are saying...that....all this...this!” Rainbow held her head, shaking it as she tried to compose herself. “I can't believe it!” “Believe what, darling?” “Fluttershy! She's my perfect MHS-” “MHC,” Twilight corrected. “That stuff! She's my perfect gene-stuff mismatch!!” Rainbow cried, lowering her hooves and staring at them. “I can't believe I never realized it. It's no wonder I like the way she smells so much! Even if Comet puts on perfume, which is nice and all, it helps, but it's just...not Fluttershy! If Comet were a guy or I was a guy and we had foals together, they'd just be perfect stallions or mares with beautiful looks and awesomeness! With weak immune systems and nothing even going for them except for their looks!” The two Unicorns blinked, staring at her with surprise at her outburst, but both were understanding and nodded for her to continue. “Oh, who the HAY am I kidding anymore?! I can't take it! Fine! I admit it! If I can't even deny it from MEDICAL stuff... Fine! I'm done! I love her! I'm in love with Fluttershy! I realized I loved her last Friday night when I held her after she fell asleep!” Rainbow yelled, now flying in the air, waving her hooves about for emphasis. “Are you all happy now?! I admit it! I can't even deny it anymore! Hey, why don't I go shout it along the rooftops? Or even go and announce it to all of Equestia? I'll even write a letter to Princess Celestia! I admit it! I love Fluttershy! I can't stop thinking about her!” Rainbow exhaled, hovering a few inches above the floor now. She could not believe her outburst just now. How amazing it felt to get it out, but how terrified she felt at the same time. It was all true, she could no longer hide it. The night that she had held Fluttershy close while she slept, before she fell asleep herself, had been the very moment she knew. All along, she'd been in love with her, and had done all she could to try to deny it. Even before, she must have known on some level. Tears pooled in her eyes, which she looked away from her friends before they could see it. Everything about this entire thing, the way it just seemed to come up in her face with her admittance of the truth. Her heart pounded, her stomach churned, and her wings just wouldn't stay folded at her sides. She wasn't sure what to feel in all of this. Even the question of what to do were all lost on her. It sounded easy on paper. If she loved Fluttershy, why not get together with her? While that was appealing in itself, it just didn't feel that easy. “I should have known,” Rarity murmured with a soft smile. Twilight smiled too. “It's about time you finally figured it out, Rainbow.” “...How did you guys know?! How come I'm always the last to know when it comes to my love life?!” Rainbow cried, frustrated as she held either side of her head. “It was kind of obvious, you just didn't realize it,” Twilight offered. “Of course, I know it can be attributed to the fact that you two are the best of friends, and I didn't rule out that possibility. But, ever since you had come to me that day a few months ago, it just kind of clicked. Especially with Rarity, she seemed to know what was going on.” “While I could not claim to know personally, I did have a strong feeling of it, darling,” Rarity told her with a giggle. “Ugh! No! This is not good! Not at ALL!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Why not? I thought you'd be happy with that,” Twilight blinked with confusion. “Of course I am! I'm overjoyed! Fluttershy loves me and I love her back, that's all well and awesome!” Rainbow even managed to smile a bit. “But it isn't so simple, I can't just flip a switch and make it that way! I just...I'm still with Comet! She gave me time to think things over, and sure, I know how I feel now...but beyond that, I don't know!” “Ah, so you're saying that you're uncertain about what to do and what you ultimately want?” Rarity confirmed. Rainbow nodded, wiping her eyes. “Yes! That's it! I don't know what to do at all! I can't just go to Fluttershy and tell her, it wouldn't work! I know I have to, eventually, but I can't do it like this!” “And you don't have to,” Twilight told her, placing a hoof on her shoulder. “But you know the truth, and you're admitting it without denial. That's the first step, isn't it?” “Well, yeah,” the cyan Pegasus sighed a bit with a nod. Rarity nodded in agreement, placing her hoof on her shoulder as well. “That's just it, darling. Now you need the time to truly figure things out and where you stand with either of them. You cannot make hasty decisions, either. It would only ruin things further. For such matters, you need to take your time and really think about what it is that you truly want. Then and only then, will you know.” “When am I gonna know? How will I know?!” “Well,” the designer Unicorn thought for a moment before answering. “That isn't something I can tell you in words. It's simply something that you yourself will know when the time comes. Once the answer comes to you, you will know. I do, however, have one bit of advice. You shouldn't jump from one relationship to the next in such a short time. You need to give yourself and them some space. That's where thinking about everything and then coming to realize what you ultimately want will come into play.” Twilight smiled then, “Rarity's got a point, Rainbow. I think that's good to keep in mind. But whatever you want to do, whatever you choose will be up to you. And you know we're all here to support you.” “Exactly,” Rarity told her kindly. “...Thanks you guys...” Rainbow smiled sadly, giving them both a hug around their necks. “I appreciate it. I guess...yeah, I just need time to think about it. ...I'm gonna go out for a bit, get some cupcakes or something, I guess.” “All right. We were just heading off to pick up Fluttershy so we could all go to the spa, anyway, so we'll be going too,” Twilight opened the front door with her magic. “Okay, but um...could you not tell Fluttershy about any of this? See, I kind of want to tell her how I feel on my own. When I'm ready,” Rainbow stood, looking at them seriously. Rarity smiled. “So, you're going to tell her? Truly?” “Yeah, of course! When I'm ready, I don't know when, but I'll tell her.” “Okay, just be sure you're REALLY ready for it,” Twilight advised. “Good luck with everything!” Rainbow waved to her friends as they left, before she set out the door as well. She really had a lot to think about. It was not going to be easy, but it was all she could do. If she made it this far, willing to accept and admit her feelings for Fluttershy, then hopefully, she would be able to reach a conclusion about what she could do in this situation. It was, however, going to be devastatingly difficult to break this to Comet.