//------------------------------// // Miss Swimming Champion // Story: Living in the Present, Hoping for the Future. // by FlutterDash979797 //------------------------------// "Rise and shine Tank! We've got adventuring to do!" Rainbow bounced out of her bed with the energy of a Wonderbolt in action. The tortoise couldn't help but share her enthusiasm. It would be a new experience for everyone. "I got you these for the vacation. Only a tortoise as cool as yourself can wear them." Dash reached down and handed Tank a pair of aviators. "I had them custom-made. They should fit you, I hope." She placed them on his eyes. "And it looks they were worth it, you look pretty awesome! Wear them with style man!" They proceeded with their trademark brohoof. "Let's go see if Fluttershy is ready. Come on bud!" The pair descended down the stairs, admiring the handiwork of Wind Pierce. Each little intricate pattern was hoofmade, tended down to every little detail. Patterns of clouds, feathers, and sharp edges were carved in the corners and ridges of every log. It was made for pegasus, by a pegaus. It wasn't often that pegasus would create homes on the ground and to Dash, the cabin felt just right. She wandered along admiring the skilled handiwork, happy for once to take things at a sedate pace. Where once it felt alien, Rainbow Dash could know understand the simplicity and pacing of the ground. "Good morning Dashie. I made pancakes. I woke up early and picked blueberries outside!" Fluttershy smiled, happily flipping a pancake. "Awesome! What a great way to start the day! And the berries, now that sounds like a winner's breakfast! How did you manage to get Angel up that early?" "Oh no, he's still asleep. I went by myself. It was a really beautiful sunrise." "Hey, you don't have to go by yourself! We'll go pick some more tomorrow! That actually sounds kinda relaxing," Dash threw a blueberry pancake on her plate and took a bite. "Plus they are delicious! Thanks so much!" "Oh, you don't have to thank me! Just doing my part." Dash was already on her third pancake before Fluttershy sat down. The wild blueberries screamed with flavor. Sour, yet sweet. They were unlike any berries Rainbow Dash had ever had the pleasure to eat. "So what's the game plan, pal?" Rainbow said, gulping down another pancake. "Well, if you don't mind, maybe we can do some swimming first? Just off the dock?" "Sure, I'm up for anything. After that, we can take the boat out!" "Sounds lovely," Fluttershy said with a soft grin. "Pancakes, do I smell pancakes?" "Oh, good morning Angel. Hungry, aren't you? I'll get you a plate..." ` A tiny tornado of plush rushed down the stairs like there was no tomorrow. He piled into the pancakes and began shoveling them into his maw. "How does he, I mean, the pancakes are almost as big as he is! And he's already eaten two!" Dash laughed. "During certain mornings, he gets really hungry. Usually he's really picky about food, but he loves pancakes. Now Angel, it's time to stop. We don't want to have a tummy ache, do we?" For once in his life, the bunny listened to Fluttershy and immediately stopped. Rainbow speculated the change of living conditions had affected Angel's attitude. "Alright ‘Shy, let's get right to it! Throw in the dishes in the sink! Let's go do some swimming!" Rainbow put on her sunglasses. "Okay, that's fine. I'll make sure to clean them later." "I'll clean them later. You made breakfast. But let's go! Come on, we can clean dishes when we're home!" The rainbow maned mare insisted as she started to head out. "Woo hoo!" The two pegasui flew towards the dock, both carrying massive excitement. "Yay!" Fluttershy flew several feet above the water and dove headfirst into it's depths with a single graceful dive. Dash gazed on in awe as the ripples spread out, awaiting the return of the submerged pony. Bright yellow split the surface with expert ease as Fluttershy surfaced several seconds later and trotted carefully in the water, swimming with surprising efficiency. "Fluttershy, you're a really good swimmer. I mean, really good! That dive was awesome! Where did you learn that?" The athletic mare stood in disbelief at the sight of her friend. "Oh, well, you know I wasn't into flying much as a filly? I had to do something to keep my active, so my parents put me in swimming lessons. I hated them for a while, until I got a really cool teacher. His name was Front Crawl. He taught me everything I knew about swimming. I learned to love swimming; it's always been relaxing and refreshing. Plus, I was pretty good at it. Front Crawl wanted me to swim competitively, but I'm not a very competitive pony. So after I passed all the lessons, I stopped swimming. I forgot how much I loved it!" She dove under, swimming several yards before surfacing again. Although Dash is smiling, she eyed the water with trepidation. The creamy mare floated toward her wearing a massive sunny smile on her face. "Hey Fluttershy, come here. I have a confession to make." "Tank, check this out! Your mom has a confession. Maybe that she's in love my mom?" The tiny bunny bounced up and down excitedly, pointing toward the two ponies. "What is it Rainbow?" "I..." "You can tell me Dash." "I... I mean..." "It's okay Rainbow." "This is it! I have my victory dance ready!" Angel felt about ready to explode with joy. Eyes met. Cyan cheeks flushed with crimson. A few shivers tingled her wings. Rhythmic exhales finalized her nerves, allowing a quick sentence to escape her ego. "I don't know how to swim!" "Oh come on!" Angel screamed. "Pegasus and swimming are two things you don't put together! I never had much of an interest and I never took lessons as a filly!" "That's fine Dash! Why don't you come in from the shore? I'm sure you will do fine if you can touch the bottom." "Wow, I feel lame. I'm the greatest flyer in Equestria, and I can't even swim! What is wrong with me?" "There's nothing wrong with you! Climb in, I can teach you a few things." "Promise not to laugh." "I would never laugh at you Dashie." Dash climbed in the water using the ladder on the dock. Fluttershy carefully swam next to her, offering reassurance. "Okay, here goes nothing!" Dash wasn't scared as much as she was embarrassed. She managed to keep her head above the water, however, she quickly tired. Her movements were irregular and draining, whereas Fluttershy, despite not having nearly as much muscle as Dash, could keep herself in the water with little effort. "Dash, trying to relax. Float. Find your center of balance. Keep a regular breathing pattern." Fluttershy kindly suggested. "Okay." Dash inhaled, using her air to try to find her buoyancy. "Now move your front hoofs forward, trying to keep them at a regular pace. Make your strokes big and powerful, rather than lots of little ones. You won't tire out as much, and you will stay steady." She continued gentialy insctrucing the more athlecitc mare. "Alright... Hey, they isn't so bad!" "You are getting it! Keep going! Come over here!" Fluttershy swam away from the direction of the dock. "This is actually pretty fun! Why didn't I try this before!" The two stroked forward. The cold, pure lake water bristled their coats; contrasting the boiling summer air. "Hey, Fluttershy, wanna race?" "Well, okay. Are you sure?" "I got the hang of this now. I think it's time I proved your old swimming teacher right! You should have done competitive swimming! You're awesome!" "Ready Dash? One, two, three... go!" Fluttershy cheered. Fluttershy instantly took forward while Dash struggled behind. The yellow pegasus managed to let out a few laughs. "Why did I agree to this?" Rainbow cried. "You tell me! Come over here, you silly filly!" Fluttershy treaded the water while Rainbow slowly made her way to her. "So Rainbow Dash, what's next?" "Something that doesn't involve swimming!" Dash laughed. "How about we dry off and go for a walk? Something simple like that. See if we can't find some blueberries for tomorrow?" "I'm right behind you, Miss Swimming Champion." "I was this close!" Angel used his fingers to suggest a small scale. "To humiliation? 'Cause you crossed it man!" Tank was still recovering from his laughs. "When am I ever going to get my way? I mean, seriously!" The bunny paused for a second. "Wait, don't answer that." "They are pretty cool friends. I'll admit, it would be nice to see them together." "See, the tortoise finally agrees with me, and they don't even get together?" The bunny paused for dramatic effect. "And there's no bunk beds!"