//------------------------------// // Chapter Three // Story: The Beast Within // by Lil Bear Sinclair //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe it, she couldn't believe what she saw this morning. She had to spill the beans, she wasn’t the one to keep secrets hidden, the pony she decided to tell is no other than Applejack. Rainbow was flying fast as she could towards the farm, the ponies below looked up only to see a blur of rainbow speed by, which quickly vanished as fast as it appeared. As Rainbow made her way towards the barn she began having second thoughts about telling the farm pony, or telling anypony at that! Would she like somepony spilling the tea about catching her hissing her partner if she hadn’t told anyone? She was with someone and hasn’t told anyone, mainly her parents, his parents, Applejack, Pinkie and Twilight, the pony she was seeing happened to be Zephyr Breeze; ironically being Fluttershy’s brother… Family events will be awkward once Fluttershy found out… Maybe she should go talk to Zephyr instead of Applejack, he would be a better choice than AJ coming to think about it. She stopped flying, keeping airborne, ” Maybe I should go see Zephyr, he would be the better choice, considering he’s her brother… Nah, I think AJ needs to hear this,” Dash then continued her flight towards the farm, Soon after she arrived she landed in front of the barn and instantly began her search for the farm pony, “Applejack!!” Her voice cracked, “APPLEJACK!!” She then began hearing somepony trotting out of the barn, turning her head around she saw it was Big mac, he was wheeling a carriage behind him, “Rainbow Dash, what is with all the yelling,” He said in his deep voice, Big Mac was a stallion of few words but when he did speak, ponies did listen, “I’m looking for AJ!” Rainbow said as she jumped in front of him, this made the stallion to stop in his tracks, “Where is she?” She asked him “In her bedroom, in bed,” He started, “She isn’t feeling too well,” Rainbow groaned lightly, “I can go see her right?” Mac nodded towards her, “Eeyup,” Rainbow then grinned as she flew up towards Applejack’s window, she forces her way inside. AJ looked over at the window as she flew in, “Applejack!!” She yelled out as she crashes into the bed, Applejack lets out a scream as she was thrown into the air, prompting her legs to be kicked around, she then landed back on the bed into her original position, “Oh good! You’re awake! I have some news!!” “You don’t need to shout so damn loud sugar-cube,” She moved back away from the mare as Dash was practically bursting with excitement, “I’m right here… What did you need to tell me?” “I have some major news that I want to tell you and I can’t wait!” She slams her hooves against the bed, one of them hits AJ’s hind leg, “Hey!” Applejack shouted at her as she curls up to avoid any more injury, “This better be something important or I won’t be happy with you,” “So!” She leans forward, “I was doing my job for the winter, you know making sure the clouds were ready for the next snowfall, while I was positioning the clouds outside Fluttershy’s cottage, I saw something,” She squealed as AJ raised an eyebrow, “I saw Rarity and Fluttershy walking down the path towards Ponyville together!” Her wings spread out due to the excitement, “I’m I hearing this right, you came from your job, rushed all the way over here, just to tell me that you saw two of our friends walking towards Ponyville? When you know damn well the two of them go to the spa on Wednesdays,” Applejack wasn’t amused with the rainbow maned pegasus, “No!” Rainbow should have mentioned it quicker, “I saw the two kiss!” She slammed her hooves back onto the bed, “Well, kind of, Fluttershy didn’t know what to do, but they still kissed!” Rainbow grinned as Applejack smacked her hoof to her face, “Rainbow Dash…” She growled at her, “You seriously did come all this way to let me know this unuseful information,” She pulled the blanket up in hope she could get comfy again, “Of course I did! And it is useful information!” Dash flew up into the air, “I had to tell somepony!” “You couldn’t have just simply left the two mares alone could you?” AJ then sat up to look at Dash, her mane a complete mess and not tied up, “You wouldn’t know privacy if it hit you in the face,” She chuckled softly as Rainbow’s ears flattened, clearly taking what AJ said to heart, “There’ll be an honest reason why they haven’t told us yet, one of them might be that it’s a new relationship and they are test runnin’ it. We both know how Fluttershy can be with expressing her feelings, that girl can be such a handful. WIth Rarity as well? I’m surprised, considering the girl can never shut up about Fancy Pants and Trenderhoof, swear that girl only liked unicorns,” “That… Kinda doesn’t sound right… But like I thought I’d let you know, since… You know… We share everything,” Dash said as she landed on the ground, “I should really head back to my job now, maybe I’ll speak to Fluttershy about it, get some answers off her,” “No way in Tartarus sugar-cube! You’ll possibly frighten the poor girl, wait scratch that… You WILL frighten the poor girl, and don’t even think about speaking to Rarity about it either!” Applejack said to her, “But Applejack! I want to know if it’s true, this will eat me from the inside out!” Applejack just rolled her eyes at her, “Then speak to Zephyr about it, since you know you’re dating him and what’s that? He’s also Fluttershy’s brother! Instead of getting involved in their relationship by speaking to Shy,” Applejack then laid back down, “Now head off back to your job before you get yourself fired,” “But! But!” Dash flew directly above her, looking down at AJ, which brings a stern look to appear on her face. This causes Dash to groan, “Urgh, fine,” She lands back on the ground, proceeding to buck her legs in frustration as AJ simply smiled, “Good,” She then began coughing, all she wanted now was to get some rest, “Now, if you don’t mind Rainbow, I would like to get some shut-eye,” “Yeah, yeah…” She sighed as she took flight once again, “I’ll check in on you later today?” AJ shakes her head at that, “Wait, why not?” "I have somepony coming over later, come by tomorrow?” Dash just nodded before she flew out of the window she had previously flown through, even though Applejack did say to Dash that she shouldn’t speak to Fluttershy about what she saw this morning, she was going to do it anyway. Not before, however, going to see her boyfriend Fluttershy had to go somewhere where she felt safe… Her bed was number one, but unfortunately, she couldn’t head home. So the next best thing was going to see her parents. Even though her father didn’t particularly enjoy Fluttershy’s company and rather drag her down then bring her up, she could put up with her just for her mother, who was super supportive with what Fluttershy did with her life, It took her an hour to reach Cloudsdale since she couldn’t use her wings she took the hot air balloon. She didn’t mind however, she enjoyed the pony who operated the balloon. She paid for the ride and tipped the pony before stepping off, the balloon soon vanished below the clouds and Fluttershy began looking around Cloudsdale, the city was very beautiful and full of life since only pegasi lived there and they all tended to fly everywhere, She began walking towards the centre, taking in everything she saw as she went along. Just as she arrived in the main part of the city she accidentally bumped into a tall stallion. She let out a yelp as the force knocked her to the ground. She quickly brings a hoof to her head as the Stallion turns around, “Hey! Watch where you’re going!” They then saw that it was Fluttershy, this prompts them to laugh, “Dear Celestia! Is that Kluzershy!” He called out, still laughing, Of course… The first ponies that she had to bump into… It had to be her old bullies, she mentally cursed to herself, the three were still bullying her after all those years. She slowly picked herself off the ground, even after all these years the boys have never seemed to grow up, she even remembers one of them mentioning to her that their baby brother could fly better than her, “Klut-Fluttershy! Long-time no see!” Dumbbell said to her as he pushes up against her, hitting her side which sends pain to shoot through her back, her eyes shot open and she shifted him a death glare, “So nice to see you again,” He nervously laughs “Hey! That did hurt you know,” Shy said to him as Hoops spotted that her wings were bandaged which causes him to chuckle at her, “Have they finally grounded you permanently!” Hoops said laughing at her, hitting Dumbbell in the hip, trying to gain a laugh from him. When none of the two laughed with him, Hoops felt offended, “What the… Guys seriously? Where in the name of Celestia did your humour go boys?” Dumbbell wrapped his hoof around Fluttershy, bringing her close to him which caused a pained grunt to escape her lips, “Hoops, we grew up,” He said to him as he looked hurt, Score stood on the other side of Fluttershy, “You clearly didn’t,” Shy tried to say something, but Dumbbell butted in, “Maybe you should back off, we don’t want to be friends with somepony who bullies others,” “Dumbbell! Are you fucking serious right now! You were just as bad as me! If not worse!” Hoops growled at him, Fluttershy once again tried to get a word in while trying to move away from Bell, but he pulls her back in, hurting her even more, “Dumbbell and I grew up, Hoops, yes we both admit we weren’t angels back then and were little shits, but it’s about time we started acting like adults,” Score started, “It’s about time you grew up as well,” Hoops growled at the three before flying away, “Sorry Klu… Um… sorry… Fluttershy,” “I really appreciate both of you helping, but… You’re hurting me…” Dumbbell then quickly lets go of her, the two stallions then noticed the bandage around her stomach, “Thank you…” “Sorry..” Dumbbell said as both of them kicked the ground softly, “And we’ve been meaning to get hold of you to apologise for all the awful things we’ve done over the years, I know a simple sorry won’t heal the years of torture, but I’m hoping its a start,” He smiled softly along with Score, “I accept your apology, there’s no point in holding it against you when you truly mean it,” She said softly which made the Stallions sigh with relief, “Thank you so much for accepting our apology! Dumbbell and I just hated the fact that we followed in the steps of Hoops cause we thought he was cool,” Score said, smiling at her, “I must head off however, I’ll see you guys around!” Score waved goodbye before flying away. Leaving Fluttershy and Dumbbell alone, which prompted a small blush to appear on his face, “So…” He started as the two began walking, “Fluttershy? What brings you back to Cloudsdale?” He asked, “I’ve come to see my parents… It’s been an awful long time since my last visit, almost a year now,” She said as Dumbbell flies in front of her to stop her walking, “I’m actually on my way there now!” Fluttershy raised an eyebrow, “I offered to help around their house, I told them all the bad things that I did as a colt and I wanted to make up for it, so they let me help them when they needed me,” Fluttershy couldn’t help but chuckle at him lightly, he was truly trying to make up for what he did, “Since I personally couldn’t get hold of you I thought what better way in starting my road of recovery then starting at the mares parent’s house!” “That is very sweet of you Dumbbell,” Dumbbell blushed at her comment as they began walking again, “I’m happy you’re changing your life around, and I’m sure Rainbow Dash would be too,” The two ponies soon arrived at Fluttershy’s old home, as she was about to knock against the door, it was suddenly flung open, almost knocking Fluttershy out. An older mare stepped out, just as she was about to continue walking she spotted Fluttershy and Dumbbell, her eyes widened and a large grin appeared on her face, “Fluttershy! It’s so lovely to see you again!” She pulls her daughter into a tight hug, “We weren’t expecting you to visit!” She then sees Dumbbell and smiles at him, “Good morning Dumbbell, are you here for the cleaning of my gutters? They've been very dirty lately,” Dumbbell smirked at her, “Certainly Mrs Shy, and Fluttershy and I had a conversation while coming up here, I was able to tell her what’s on my mind,” He said to the older mare which had her to smile at him again. “Oh, I’m so happy you two got to talk things over! Come inside you two, your father will be happy to see you Fluttershy,” Mrs Shy said as she walked back inside, closely followed by the other two ponies, The two was seated in the living room while Mrs Shy went to go find Mr Shy. Dumbbell looked at Shy who was simply looking around the room to see if anything had changed, he moved closer to Fluttershy, she hadn’t noticed until he wrapped his wing around her body. This caused Fluttershy to jolt up and look at him, “Dumbbell! You… You must have the wrong idea… I um… I’m in a relationship…” Dumbbell quickly retracted his wing and moved away, “Oh, I’m sorry Fluttershy, your father said something about you needed a Stallion in your life to help you get over your fears… and he mentioned that if it was me, everything would be perfect,” His ears flattened, “It’s okay Dumbbell… My father is… an ass, he wouldn’t approve with who I’m dating… That’s all I’m going to say,” Shy felt bad for the guy, but he understood and respected her boundaries, Just as Fluttershy said that Mr and Mrs Shy walked into the room, both of them smiling. They take their seat across from the two. Mr Shy looked at Dumbbell then at his daughter, “Oh Fluttershy! Darling, I’m so happy you’ve come to visit is, and with Dumbbell! Out of all ponies!” He smiles, “You two are simply perfect for each other, I’m proud that you’ve come out of your shell,” Then it started… “But, not as much as I am of your brother! He’s snagged himself an amazing marefriend, he’s got into that mane therapy school that he’s been on about!” He was practically drooling over his sons’ success, this made Fluttershy very uncomfortable. She began fidgeting against her seat, this was picked up on by Dumbbell and Mrs Shy “Honey… Why don’t you stop talking about Zephyr? Fluttershy has come all this way to catch up with is… Not her brother,” Mrs Shy said softly, “Why would I stop?! He’s the perfect child!” He smiles as Fluttershy gets up from the seat, “If you don’t mind… I’m going to stand outside, get some air…” Shy said as Mrs Shy nods, just as she was about to walk away, her father steps in, “Fluttershy? We haven’t done talking yet,” Her father said, “I want to hear about you, about what you’ve been doing and how you have been doing,” It came to her as a surprise, her father actually taking an interest in her life, Fluttershy looked at her dad, “Know about me? Oh, you haven’t asked me that in a while…” She sits back down next to Dumbbell, “So.. Um… Actually… I don’t have anything new going on…” “Wow, just wow, I gave you a chance and that’s what I hear,” He said as Fluttershy’s ears flatten, Dumbbell noticed this and thought of something quick, he wraps his wing around her body and pulls her in close to him, “Mr Shy? Mrs Shy? I wanted to wait for a perfect time to tell you both and this did include Zephyr, but I’m dating your daughter,” He said which causes Shy to let out a little yelp, Mr Shy’s eyes widen as a wide smile appears on his face, “Really?! Oh, my stars!” Mrs Shy said as her expression joined her husband, “Why didn’t you tell us?!” She grins, the two were really happy for the new couple, “We’ve only just recently got together, today actually, we wanted to test the waters since Fluttershy is new to dating,” He smiled at them which made Mr Shy nod in approval, “Oh, frabjous day!” Mr Shy said in pure joy, “I’ll go get the celebratory wine! “ He practically shot out of his seat as he made his way into the kitchen, “I can’t believe what I’m hearing, I’m so happy for you two,” Mrs Shy said as she got up to go hug her daughter, Fluttershy had to tell her the truth, “Mom… I’m not really dating him,” She then backs up away from the pair, becoming very confused about the situation, “What?” She asked as the three of them began hearing Mr Shy singing from the kitchen, “Mrs Shy, I’m not trying to cause anything between your family, but Fluttershy is already in a relationship, she was telling me about it before the two of you came downstairs. Then I picked up on her fidgeting when Mr Shy was talking about Zephyr, it's just unfair that he’s making her feel so uncomfortable,” Dumbbell explained while Mrs Shy takes it in, “She doesn’t want to disappoint neither of you,” “Oh, Fluttershy…” Mrs SHy hugs her tightly, this prompts the shy mare to burry her muzzle in her next to avoid tears, “I’m so sorry for making you feel like this,” “Does Zephyr really have a marefriend?” Shy asked her mother, the two pull away from the hug, Mrs Shy nods at her, “Well… Good for him,” “While you visit here Fluttershy, I’ll pretend to be in a relationship with you, to avoid any disappointment from your father,” Shy turned to face Dumbbell, giving him a small smile, “Until you’re ready, to tell the truth, that is,” “You really have changed Dumbbell… Thank you I do honestly appreciate that” Shen turned back to face her mother, “When I’m ready to tell you… I’ll tell you everything…” “Take all the time you need dear, as long as you’re happy, I’m happy,” Mrs Shy said just then Mr Shy comes in smiling, holding a tray with four glasses and a tall glass bottle of wine “Ready for some celebration?” He smiles brightly as the three nods, Mr and Mrs Shy had left together to get their weekly shopping done, leaving Fluttershy and Dumbbell, While Dumbbell watched TV, Fluttershy was cleaning up the glasses that they used for the wine. Just as she placed the cloth down that she was using to clean them she heard somepony come up behind her, “Well if it isn’t my big sister!” Fluttershy felt herself sink, “It is so good to see you again, though I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon,” Zephyr walked over to his sister, wrapping his hoof around her neck, bringing her into a hug, “What happened Big Sister?” He then poked her side, sending pain through her body, Hey! Zephyr! That hurt you know,” She said to him as she lifts her hind leg up to protect the side that he just poked, her eyes watering slightly, “Oh hush cry babyshy,” He scoffs as he made his way to the sink to get himself a glass of water, “I was only asking what happened like a concerned brother I am, no need to start the waterworks, Fluttershy felt rage build-up inside her, “You are so… unbearable…” She turned to walk into the living room, Zephyr didn’t like that and walked in front of her to stop her, “You love me really sister,” He gives her a smirk, “Now,” He then began walking towards her making Fluttershy walk back away from him, “So, has dad told you about how amazing I am? You know, getting into Mane Therapy school, and about me getting the most amazing marefriend,” He said grinning as Fluttershy’s ears flattened, “Who in their right mind would date you Zephyr,” She said quietly, as he chuckles lightly, “I could tell you the same thing,” He growled back, “Cry babyshy,” He said as he walked around her, “I’m surprised if anypony would actually ever love you, considering you’re…” He turns to face her, “You,” “I have you know!... The person I’m dating loves me for me…” She said as Zephyr gets in her face, “But, w-who are you dating?...” Just as she asked that somepony came downstairs, Zephyr smirks at Shy before turning around and smiling at the mare coming down, “Rainkins!” He called out, making her way towards her. Fluttershy let out a quiet yelp, ” R-Rainbow Dash?! He’s d-dating Rainbow Dash!! Oh no… This can’t be real… She told me she hated him… she wouldn’t lie would she?..” Fluttershy thought to herself, she looked over to the two only to see them kiss, in turn making her stomach turn. She practically gagged at what she saw, “R-Rainbow Dash?...” “Oh hey, Flutters!” She walks over to her, “I didn’t know you were planning on coming up,” She smiles lightly until she noticed the bandage that was wrapped around her waist, ”What happened?” “I… Um… Had a spa accident…” She lied to her, but both her brother and Rainbow Dash believed her. “What kind of treatment did you ask for? You hate having your wings touched,” Zephyr asked as he walked beside Rainbow, “You could possibly sue then you know,” Dash nodded in agreement with him, “I don’t mind them getting touched…” Shy said quietly, “I don’t like it when you touch them Zephyr…” She looked down to the ground, “Since you like pulling my feathers out…” “Zephyr? Did you seriously do that?” Dash asked, annoyed at her boyfriend, however, he shakes his head, “Come on, I’m not a dick,” He started, “You should know that Rainkinks,” Rainbow turns to him and smiles at him as he did it back. Shy sank into her mane, she wasn’t lying this time… That’s when Dumbbell enters the room, standing by Fluttershy, “Hey, what’s the commotion out here?” He said as he looked at the three, “Fluttershy? Who’s this?” Zephyr asked as he walked up to him, although, Rainbow couldn’t believe who she was seeing, “Wait, Dumbbell? What the fuck are you doing here?!” Dash said to him, walking closer to him, “Get out of here!!” “Woah, listen, Rainbow Dash,” Dumbbell started, “Let me ex-” Dash didn't let him finish and she tackled him to the ground, While all this was happening, Fluttershy backed up away from them. The three were arguing with each other. She didn’t want to be caught up in anything that was happening. The further she stepped back the distant their voices became. Fluttershy ended up tripping over her tail which resulted in her falling backwards, nopony noticed her as she did. Their arguing began to become more and more muffled as she began sinking deeper into her thoughts, her ears twitched slightly as she tries to make out what they were saying. She looks at the three, her pupils becoming dilated and watched their mouths moving. She shakes her head as an audible yelp escapes her lips, this caught the attention of Rainbow Dash. Her breathing picked up as she began to have a mini panic attack, of which Dash has never seen before, “Fluttershy?!” She quickly made her way over to her, waving a hoof in front of her face. It was like Fluttershy was staring right through her, “What’s happening?” Zephyr scoffs at her, “She’s having one of her moments, just leave the baby alone she’ll get over it,” He said walking over to the two mares, “Don’t pay any mind to her Rainkins,” “Zephyr, that isn’t very nice you know,” Dash said as he scoffed once again, “Stop sticking up for her, she’s a grown mare,” He then walked in front of Shy, she didn’t even notice him, “Look at her, she hasn’t even noticed I’m here,” He then pushed her down to the ground, “Zephyr!” Dash shouted, “Enough!” Zephyr just chuckled as he walked by her, “Come on, whatever,” He then made his way to the stairs, starting to ascend them Dash rolled her eyes and walked up to Dumbbell, “Dumbbell… Go home, please,” “Completely understandable, let Mrs Shy know,” He then hurried out of the building, leaving Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash alone, “Fluttershy?... Are you okay? What happened?” She asked as she goes down to her side, “I’ve never seen that happen before, Fluttershy looked at her, “Um… Yeah, I’m fine… Just a minor panic attack…” She gets up as she stares at the stairs, “I’m going to see Zephyr… mind waiting for me here?” “Yeah, yeah… Of course… I’ll wait here,” Dash smiles, “Got something planned?” Fluttershy gave her a slight nod before making her way towards the stairs. Oh, she did have something planned alright, something big. She smirks to herself as her eyes flashed crimson.