//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: RAINBOW DASH 
// by Sunshine dash 
//------------------------------//

     "I want to go pick strawberries today," Fluttershy said firmly, scooping up a forkful of scrambled eggs. "They're ripe now."

     "Okay, Fluttershy, I'll go with you," said Rapidfire. Just then he let one of his unfortunate occurrences and giggles.

     "Oh, jeez, Rapid," I said dissapprovingly.

     "Gas....mask!" Spitfire choked out, grasping her neck and pretending to asphyxiate.

     "I'mdone," Soarin said, getting up quickly and taking his plate to the sink.

     "Sorry," Rapidfire said automatically, but he kept eating.

     "Yeah, Fluttershy," said Fleetfoot. "I think that thefresh airwould do us all good. I'll go too."

     "We'll all go," I said.

     Outside, it was beautiful, clear, cloudless, with the real heat of May. We carried our buckets and baskets as Fluttershy led us to a huge patch of wild strawberries.

     She held my hand. "If you make cake, I can make strawberry shortcakes," she said happily.

     "Yeah, that'll be the day, when Rainbow makes a cake," I heard Spitfire say. "I'll make it Fluttershy."

     I whirled. "Oh, thank you!" I exclaimed. "Okay, I'm not a fabulous cook but I can still kick your butt, and don't you forget it!"

     Spitfire was laughing, holding up her hands in denial. Fleetfoot was trying not to laugh, even Soarin was grinning, and Rapidfire looked ...... mischievous.

     "Was thatyou?" I asked Rapidfire.

     He grinned and shrugged, trying not to look too pleased with himself. Rapidfire had been about three when I figured he could mimic just about any sound or voice. I'd lost count of how many times Spitfire and Soarin had almost come to blows over stuff Rapidfire had said in their voices. It was a dark gift and he wielded it happily.

     Next to me, Fluttershy froze and screamed.

     Startled, I stared down at her, and in the next second, humans with wolfish muzzles, huge canines, and reddish, glinting eyes dropped out of the sky like spiders. Shadowbolts! And it wasn't a dream.