//------------------------------// // Sports Fright // Story: One Bolt, Moving Forward // by Boltsinger //------------------------------// Fluttershy sat in Sweet Feather Sanctuary, cuddling with the animals with a blissful smile on her muzzle. Twilight had been off with the other Princesses on official business for the past several days, and told her that she had some exciting news for everypony. It had been a long time since anypony had visited the sanctuary, so Fluttershy decided to organize a picnic for all of her friends, that Twilight might have a comfortable place to share it. “I wonder what kind of news it’s going to be…” she started, waving her bear friend, Hairy, over to set the blanket. She pulled over the basket she had brought and set up what she believed to be a delightful spread. Angel sat nestled against her mane, shrugging at her question. “Well, whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll be nice and pleasant!” The ground shook Fluttershy from her comfy spot as a loud boom sounded with a dust cloud. “Pleasant? I sure hope not!” Rainbow Dash declared, flapping away the dust. “I’d rather have something to do!” “You could always come back to the Wonderbolts compound and get to know the routine.” Soarin suggested as he came in for his own landing. Rainbow smirked, nudging the white stallion with her elbow. “You’d like that a lot wouldn’t you?” Soarin smiled back, returning the gesture. “You know it!” He looked over at the spread Fluttershy had set up, taking a seat beside the blanket. “You set all this up, Fluttershy?” Fluttershy took a moment to stop shaking from the impact, sitting back down and relaxing again. “It was the least I could do for everyone.” “Looks good, Fluttershy.” Rainbow said, settling down next to her. “Anypony else here yet?” “No, you’re the first to arrive.” She looked to the main entrance on anticipation. “I’m sure they’ll all be along soon.” As if on cue, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack trotted in. Applejack had a basket of muffins in her teeth while Pinkie carried a couple boxes on her back. They all took a seat around the blanket, exchanging greetings and laying out their contributions. “So what kind ‘o royal business do ya think Twilight’s been up to, anyway?” Applejack asked, pulling over a plate of cucumber sandwiches. “I tell you, that castle's been emptier than Big Mac’s normal vocabulary!” “Are you talking about as he is now?” Rarity queried,  leaning in. “Because I remember, years ago, Big Mac was quite the chatterbox.” “Eeyup.” the farmer confirmed. “So I can’t help but wonder what needs them all gone fer so long!” Pinkie gasped, swallowing the cupcakes she had shoved in her mouth. “Do you think Equestria might be facing another super powerful scary demon threat? Is another big emperor guy like the Storm King invading?! Do we need to go all ‘BOOM! FLASH! RAINBOW FRIENDSHIP LASERS!!!’ And save the day again?!” “That would be awesome!” Rainbow exclaimed. “That would be awful!” Fluttershy cried in sync with her friend. The fashionista noted the concern shown by her kindest of friends, placing a hoof on her hoof. “Oh, I doubt it’s something that dire, darling. It’s probably just some big event that we all get to participate in! It should be a truly lovely affair!” The animal caretaker nodded in agreement as the topics changed. They continued for several minutes, covering every relevant subject that came to mind as a baritone voice echoed from afar. “Twilight, I think you’re going a little too fast!” He started. “No, seriously, honey! You’re coming in too hot! Oh… Sorry, Spike!!!” The ground shook again as a pained groan sounded from the newly-formed dust cloud. “Princess, I have to agree with Bolt, here. That landing was far too rough.” another male voice stressed. “I suggest we walk from here on out.” “Seconded!” the first voice affirmed, sounding winded and crushed. “Okay, okay. We’ll walk home when we’re done here.” Twilight relented, getting up and clearing away the dust. She stood just over Boltsinger and Spike, the stallion of the two lying flat on his stomach, and the dragon sitting up deliriously while clutching the orange Pegasus’ tail like his very life depended on it. Flash was crouched next to Boltsinger, reaching his hoof to help him up as Twilight looked back at them. “Are you two okay?” “Spike is okay, mama, he just needs a widdwe nappy-wappy…” Spike rambled, falling over. Boltsinger climbed to his hooves, laughing at the dragon’s delirium. “We’re okay. Just a rough landing.” He moved over to the picnic in progress, waving his wing. Rainbow looked over her flight student and at the approaching Princess. “Okay, Twilight, spill. What was it that was so important that you all had to be in Canterlot for that long?” The Princess of Friendship beamed, taking a seat next to her husband. “Well, part of the reason was so that we could visit with Celestia and Luna. We went over what’s going to be happening for the Grand Galloping Gala in a couple months.” Rarity rose up to a sitting position, her forehooves on her cheeks. “That’s right! The Gala is coming up so soon, and I haven’t gotten anypony’s outfits ready!” She rose up further, making ready to dash away. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to be going! I only have two months to get it all done!” Before she could start moving, she found herself encased in Twilight’s magic. The Alicorn gave off a giggle as she eased her friend back down. “That’s not all there is to it, Rarity.” She released the mare from her magic, continuing. “We also did a little research in the library, but we can go into that more, later. Most importantly, there’s another event coming next month that finally got a decision in for the location this year!” Rainbow Dash rose to her hooves, looking anticipatingly at her lilac friend. “You don’t mean…” “That’s right!.The location for the Equestria Games has been decided!” she announced, spreading her wings emphatically. “That’s what we were mainly there to talk about! We had to talk at length with Ms. Harshwhinny about what to do regarding the city that was selected, and it’s going to take a lot of work! Especially since we have to accommodate for all the creatures that can’t walk on clouds!” The already-excited Rainbow Dash’s jaw nearly hit the ground. “So… It’s finally coming to Cloudsdale?!” Twilight smiled and nodded. “That’s right! The Equestria Games are headed for your hometown, Rainbow!” Before anypony could even blink, Rainbow Dash was airborne and making a figure-8 in the sky while she cheered. Moments passed, and she landed with yet another rumble in the ground. “I am so in for the aerial relay! Soarin, you gonna join the Ponyville delegation this time?” “You know it!” he confirmed, jumping to his hooves and giving Rainbow Dash a high wing. “I wouldn’t miss this for all the apple pie in Equestria!” “Sweet! With you on our team, Ponyville might have a chance at gold in every event!” She looked around at the other ponies gathered. “Now, we just need a third… Bolt, what about you?” “Nnope.” he answered, decisively shaking his head. “Can’t do it.” “What? But you’re one of the best flyers in Ponyville!” she retorted, stepping closer. “Thunderlane and the other Pegasi all have other events, but this team needs all the help it can get! Why can’t you compete?” He pointed to the mare next to him. “Same reason she can’t.” “What do you mean? She can’t compete because she’s an Alicorn!” Rainbow argued, motioning back and forth between Boltsinger and Twilight. “You’re a Pegasus, just like me, so it should be fair game!” “Actually, we talked to Ms. Harshwhinny about it.” Twilight interjected. “Boltsinger can’t compete at all because he’s my husband, and being my husband makes him…” she rolled her hoof, hinting at someone else to finish for her. “A PRINCE!” Pinkie finished, jumping up and putting a cardboard crown on Boltsinger’s head. “Just like Shining Armor when he married Princess Cadence! He’s a normal pony with royal standing ‘cause he got hitched to a Princess!” Rainbow Dash’s head, ears, wings, and tail drooped. “Oh yeah… Forgot about that…” Boltsinger chortled a bit, picking up an nearby muffin. “That’s okay. I forget that little fact all the time.” He took a bite, looking over at the pony hosting their little gathering as he swallowed. “Besides, I can think of another good flyer sitting among us right now.” Fluttershy’s head recoiled, gesturing to herself with her hoof. “Me? You want me to join the aerial relay team?” Rainbow Dash perked up, giving her foalhood friend a hopeful face. “Of course! You were our second flyer in the last delegation and we won silver ‘cause of how well you did!” “Well, yes, but… That was because we didn’t have enough strong flyers to fill out the team with experts like you two!” She stated, sinking into herself. “And that was in the Crystal Empire, where… um… nopony knew me…” Rainbow sighed, trying to calm herself down. “Fluttershy, out of all of the flyers for the last team, you were the best choice that wasn’t, well, me.” She explained, sitting  next to her and putting her wing on the yellow mare’s back. “And you’re somepony I trust completely to have my back!” “Even though ya almost quit the Ponyville team just ta fly with the Wonderbolts ‘n win?” Applejack deadpanned. Rainbow and Soarin simultaneously winced at the work horse’s bluntness. “Okay, yeah, but… I learned my lesson! And it was Fluttershy who helped me to realize what I was doing wrong!” She turned back to her most introverted companion. “So, what do you say? You wanna fly with me and Soarin?” Fluttershy brushed her mane aside, her face less scared, but still rather uncertain. “Can you maybe give me some time to think about it?” “Sure. I don’t want to force you to do something you don’t want to.” the cyan pony assured, patting her on the back. “Well, I’m gonna go get some practice in!” She stood up and flexed her wings, looking at her fellow Wonderbolt. “You coming?” “On my way.” Soarin answered, getting up in kind. He looked over to Fluttershy with a smile. “It’s no pressure if you wanna join the relay team or not. I’m sure there are other Pegasi that can join up if we need them!” He turned to look ahead, spreading his wings and taking off alongside Rainbow Dash. Spike sat up, his hand on his head as He sat next to Twilight. “He doesn’t know many of the Pegasi here in Ponyville, does he?” Knocking came at the door to Fluttershy’s cottage, and the house’s resident came to welcome her guest in. Boltsinger made his way through the threshold of the abode, looking around. “So, what’s up? You said you had something important to talk about, right?” “Um… Yes, I did.” She confirmed, motioning to the couch and pouring some tea. “It’s about the Equestria Games and the relay team.” Boltsinger took his cup and looked at her inquisitively. “What about it?” Fluttershy wrapped hee tail around her hooves, looking sheepishly at him. “I was wondering… if you don’t mind… maybe… you could…  possibly… if you have the time…” “You can just say it, Fluttershy.” he interjected. “No need to be embarrassed.” Fluttershy took a deep breath. “Could you train me?” Boltsinger’s eyes went wide, slowly putting his cup on the coffee table. “Um… Define ‘train’...” “I want you to make me a stronger flyer.” She told him. “Somepony that can keep up with Dash and Soarin!” “And you think I’m the best one to do it?” he inquired, pointing a wing at himself. “What gave you that idea?” The mare inched closer to her guest. “Well, you’ve been doing so well with Scootaloo’s lessons that I thou--” “Well, first of all, Scoot is a natural at flying. I just had to get her up there. She’s actually been doing so well that I don’t think I have much left to teach her. Especially since Rainbow joined us in her training.” He clarified. “And that brings me to my second point. My lessons for her were to get her off of the ground. Get to the point where her wings were strong enough to fly on her own. You don’t exactly have that problem.” “But my wingpower could still go up, right?” she suggested, inching closer again. “Well, that could be said of any Pegasus. All of us can improve.” He answered. “What is this really about, Fluttershy?” “I just don’t feel like I’m good enough for this…” she admitted, hanging her head in defeat. “Soarin and Dash are just so fast and experienced… I would just look like a joke next to them…” Boltsinger softened up, knowing where that kind of sentiment might come from. “I… can’t say I agree with you on that one.” He inched closer, putting his hoof around her. “You’re a great flyer!” “You’re just saying that…” she retorted. “No. No I’m not.” He affirmed, concern growing more evident in his expression. “What in Equestria could possibly make you believe otherwise?” “Have you ever seen me keeping up with Rainbow Dash?” she asked, looking more defeated with every word. “Or even Twilight! She wasn’t even born with wings and she can fly better than I can!” “Okay, now you’re just not being fair to yourself.” He retorted, putting his hoof on her muzzle. “I don’t think there’s a single pony out there who can truly keep up with Rainbow Dash. It’s just not possible! And Twilight? Half the time she’s flying at super speed, she’s using magic to go faster, and the other half? That’s when my lightning is affecting her, and then neither of us has a choice but to go that fast!” The mare opened her mouth, but found it muffled by the hoof already pressed against her muzzle. “And before you start comparing yourself to me, the only reason I fly so well is because magical lightning forced me into having good wings, and then Rainbow worked out the kinks from there. And even then I still can’t keep up with her!” Fluttershy pulled the hoof away, her eyes starting to water as her gaze turned into a glare. “Maybe it’s not fair! But that’s what it feels like! Especially since it would mean having to fly for a competition in front of all of the ponies who used to make fun of me for not being a good flyer!” Boltsinger was considerably taken aback. His mouth hung open for a few moments as Fluttershy’s tears intensified. She swiftly got up from the couch, running off to her room as she cried. Sitting there in silence, he thought back on his own foalhood. This was something he was all-too familiar with, and he knew full well that he had royally screwed up. Slowly, he got up from his seat and made for the hallway while mulling over just what to say. Finally, he was at the door to Fluttershy’s bedroom, slapping his muzzle with his wings. “Um… Fluttershy?” he softly called, raising his hoof to the doorknob. “Go away…!” She cried, the sound of her sobbing growing louder. “Fluttershy, I want to apologize for how I spoke to you earlier.” He continued, putting his hoof on the door. “I should have known better, considering how familiar I am with what you’re going through…” The sobbing died down, replaced by hoofsteps approaching the door. It slowly opened, revealing a still misty-eyed mare. “You know what I’m going through? How is that?” “For what little time I did get to spend in school, I was made fun of a lot, too.” He informed her, scratching his mane with his hoof. “But… wasn’t your family the only group of Pegasus in Vanhoover back then?” she wondered, waving him in. He sighed, entering the room. “Yeah, we were. I was the only pony in my class who had wings. And I wasn’t able to really use them at the time. So, not only was I different, but I was different in a way that didn’t even stand out, on top of my being a blank flank.” “Oh my… That must have been awful…” “They mostly went after the fact that I couldn’t fly.” he gave off a quick laugh. “Some of the Unicorns would lift themselves up with their magic just to float above my head and say ‘I can fly and I don’t even have wings!’ Honestly, it was pretty clever in hindsight. But, that doesn’t stop it from hurting.” “The foals back in flight school would always tease me with a silly rhyme about how I could ‘hardly fly’...” She told him, the two taking a seat by the window. “They’ve all apologized since then, but… I still can’t help but think about it whenever I think of them, and it scares me so much that I… I don’t know if I can face them!” “I just don’t understand how you’re not confident in your flying… I mean, I likely wouldn’t be here if not for you…” he stressed, looking out the window at the forest beyond. “Twilight told me what happened after I passed out at Feather Note Sanctuary. You reacted faster than three Unicorns and a Princess! If that’s not some incredible flying, I don’t know what is!” “But that was an emergency!” she argued, leaning forward. “If I hadn’t done that, you could have been… well…” “That doesn’t stop it from being you that did it!” he stated. “It was all you. No magical lightning, no speed spell, and no Wonderbolts to compare yourself to.” “I don’t think I can do something like that when it’s not important, though.” she stated. Boltsinger brought his hoof to his muzzle, trying to come up with ideas. “True… in the end, it’s just a game, and that’s not something you tend to go out of your way for…” “Well, it’s not that I’m bad at games.” She said, raising a hoof along with her point. “I’m even better than Rainbow Dash at Buckball!” “Buckball?” came the stallion’s confused reply. “Tell me more…” Fluttershy smiled, telling him at length the rules of the game she and Pinkie had learned from Applejack and Rainbow Dash. She talked about how she had figured out her own fun way to perform her task on the team, and how not even her fastest friend could keep up. After her explanation, she went on about the time she learned the game, and how they had discovered that the very reason they found the game so easy was because of the sheer fun of it. “Fun, huh…” he started, a smirk coming into view. “Why don’t you just do that, then?” Fluttershy took her turn in being confused. “Do what?” Bolsinger spread his wings and forelegs, his smirk turning into a smile. “Have fun with it!” “But all I’m doing is flying…” she pointed out, looking at the sky outside. “What’s so fun about that?” The loudest ‘thud’ Fluttershy had ever heard shook her from her spot. Boltsinger had hit the floor with a dumbfounded expression. A moment later, he sat up, putting his face an inch away from Fluttershy’s. “You mean to tell me you’ve never had fun simply flying?” “Not really.” She confirmed, standing and offering her friend a hoof. “Flying has always been something I just do. I normally prefer to be on the ground. It’s certainly convenient to be able to fly, but I never saw it as anything fun.” Boltsinger accepted the help, standing tall. “Well, okay then.” he faced the window completely, putting one wing around the mare and gesturing out with the other. “I know just what to do. Come to the castle tomorrow morning and we’ll fix this problem of yours!”