“Fluttershy, just tell me. I’m your friend and I’m here for you. I can’t have you like this. I won’t have you like this.”
Fluttershy rocked back and forth. “I trust you Rainbow Dash. I trust you more than any pony.”
“I trust you Fluttershy. And I’m not leaving until I know you are okay.”
“It isn’t something I can’t explain... it’s just something I have always had. I’m not sure you will understand...”
“Then I’ll try,” Rainbow took a seat next to Fluttershy. “Don’t worry.”
A few breaths cycled through Fluttershy’s shivering figure. “I... I’m not sure when it started... but...”
Pegasi of all ages and skill dashed through the clouds at Equestria’s finest flight camp. The grounds were filled with energy and competition. Any winged colt or filly would dream of even stepping a hoof in Cloudsdale’s Flight School. An invitation to join would leave most pegasi ecstatic.
Fluttershy stood nervously at the steps gazing up in awe at the spectacle. Her gangly legs, weak wings, and bashful temperament were all too alien in a school for champions.
If the contents of her class list schedule were part of the school curriculum, Fluttershy would likely receive several scholarships. Every five minutes the page would be slammed into her vision, ensuring no mistakes would ever haunt the filly’s day.
“Room 12, section 1,” she says to herself as her legs scurry along the hallways. “Room 12, section 1! Come on Fluttershy! You don’t wanna be late!”
A yellow saddlebag was straddled alongside her matching torso. Most ponies would have several patterns engraved on their bags; even those without cutie marks still enjoyed decorated them. Fluttershy preferred to keep her’s blank in fear of anything that would make her stand out.
Innocent, frightened eyes peered inside the glass of the door. A few select ponies were shuffling their books on the cloud desks. The teacher was relaxed on a chair, apparently checking several sheets of paper. Fluttershy gulped a few breaths of air at the thought of her victory. She was early, and therefore, unlikely to draw attention.
The door creaked open as Fluttershy applied delicate pressure with her shaking hoof. A few eyes peered at her as she made her way towards the back of the classroom.
“Flight Basics 101,” she whispered. “Quill, books, notebook.”
“Find your seat and get your books ready please,” said the teacher to approaching students. “We start class in three minutes.”
Everything was in perfect order. She had counted the number of seats between herself and other ponies. Two to the left. Three to the right. And two to the front. She hoped it would stay that way.
“And it is 8:00 AM. Good morning. My name is Mr. Gust and I’m going to be your teacher for Flight Basics,” he followed by writing his name on the chalkboard. “I’ll start with attendance.”
Fluttershy sorted through various ideas of what was acceptable for an attendance recognition. She decided to listen to the other ponies before her and copy their approach.
“Accel Wind?” the teacher asked.
“Here,” the student replied.
“Easy,” she whispered. “You can do this just fine Fluttershy.”
“Fluttershy?”
“Here.”
“Falcon?”
“Here!”
Hiding behind a fortress of shy, she smiled softly at the smooth nature of the day. She got to class fine, she got through attendance, she had all the right books. Nothing went wrong.
“We are going to get started right away with our basic flight test. Could I have everypony follow me?” Mr. Gust formed a line of eager pegasi behind him. “We are going to the main courtyard.”
Fluttershy knew this day would come, however, she had convinced herself that the first day would only involve books. Where her mind once offered reassurance, now it reminded her of everything that could possibly go wrong.
“It’s right over here class. Just follow me out the door.” Mr. Gust opened the door and shuffled the class outside. Fluttershy crept at the end of the line, trying to pace her breaths.
The class was assembled into one row of spectators. Mr. Gust spread his wings and asked for the class's attention. He was a middle-aged stallion, and clearly had a few years of experience. Gust was cool, confident, and laid-back in the presence of his new students.
“Now. Everypony spread your wings and when I count to three I want you to follow my lead. We are only going to hover for a few seconds. Is everypony ready?” Gust received an eager reply from all but one particular filly.
“Right. Just like this. Beat your wings slowly but powerfully. Make sure your feathers gather as much air as possible.”
Tiny wings rapidly chopped the surrounding air. The vast majority of fillies and colts managed to hover. A few ponies gained several feet upward.
“Why don’t you try over there? It’s okay. We’re all new to this.” Gust made his way to Fluttershy.
“I’m not... I haven’t... I’m not a good flier Mr. Gust.”
“Fluttershy right? Don’t worry. We are all in same boat. Here, I’ll help you.”
The stallion lifted her wings delicately. “You got this. Don’t think too hard.”
“Okay..”
“You are doing great! Keep it up!”
“I’m doing it! I’m doing-”
A yellow face crashed into a blanket of cloud. A silent wish was made immediately following the crash. Fluttershy hoped she could remain in the cloud forever. Free from judgement and expectations. Free from fear.
“It’s okay Fluttershy. You can do it! Give it another try.” Gust patted the filly gently on her back. “You just give it your best effort.”
“What a loser. In flight school and can’t even fly.”
“I know right? Guess Fluttershy can hardly fly.”
Gust apparently had missed the comments of various students, focusing all of his attention on Fluttershy. However she could feel the insults burning holes in her already damaged morale.
She was not fortunate enough to free her mind from the insults. Another try only produced the same results.
“Don’t worry. That’s all you need to do for now. Rest your wings for a little bit. Nice job Fluttershy,” Gust said. “I’m proud of you. That was a great improvement.”
“Thank you.”
“Alright class. I need you to follow my steps just like before...”
Fluttershy wiped the remaining cloud off her face and scurried into the protection of the crowd. The class continued on without Fluttershy. Her hooves shivered, her wings froze. “Today was supposed to be perfect,” she said to herself. “Everything would go right.”
The class ended an hour after the initial flight test. Fluttershy had managed to avoid conversation with any other pony; they clearly were not interested in a pegasus that could barely fly. Or at least, interested in becoming her friend.
“That is it for today class. It’s been a pleasure meeting you all and I am looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Same place, same time.” Gust dismissed the class.
Fluttershy waited for the class to leave before exiting the room herself. Her vision was focused solely on the ground. Eye contact was nearly as intimidating to Fluttershy as flying.
“Hey! I know you! You’re that pegasus who can’t fly!” Fluttershy lifted her head to find a group of colts.
“Yeah! What a loser! Goes to Flight School, can’t even fly! Do you think this is a joke?” another colt said.
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? Here, how about we make you a better flier.”
The colt snagged Fluttershy’s saddlebag within a second. Fluttershy lacked both the confidence and skill to prevent the theft.
“Come on! Get it back!”
Tears rolled down yellow cheeks.
“Come on you dumb filly! Fly!”
"Please!” she pleaded. “I’m sorry! I can’t fly! Please I need my saddlebag!’
“Okay, why didn’t you say so?” the colt apparently thought his tormenting was intelligent. “Catch!”
The bag impacted Fluttershy hard, forcing her to collapse on the floor.
“Okay, now that made my day. She can’t fly, and now she can’t even catch a damn bag? Why the hell are you even in Flight School?” The colt returned alongside his friends. “I’ll see you tomorrow Fluttershy. Let’s hope you can fly.” The group made their way outside, leaving Fluttershy alone in the hallway.
“Why?” she cried into the empty building. “Why me?”
Fluttershy quickly trotted towards her door, using all her remaining willpower to hold in her tears. Her saddlebag was quickly thrown on the ground, spilling the carefully organized contents in a irregular mess.
“Why?” Her face dove into her mattress.
“I had everything right! I wasn’t going to do anything wrong!”
She was being cooked alive. The anxiety chose to manifest itself as feelings of heat and pressure. Her muscles ached with scorching heat. A few select chills went against the grain, tingling her spine with cold pain.
She sobbed for hours. Each tear only increased the pressure and pain.
It was going to be a long school-year.
“Fluttershy, come here.” A pair of cyan forelegs snuggled the sobbing mare.
“I’m so sorry!” her words were interrupted by sobs. “I’ve ruined everything, haven’t I?”
“No!” Rainbow hushed her. “You are fine. Don’t worry about me. Was this the first time?”
“Yes,” she managed to calm herself. “I’ve had many more attacks. Especially during Flight School.”
“You know when I first met you? When I stood up for you? Where those the same bullies?”
“No,” Fluttershy made eye contact with Rainbow. “Rainbow... when you helped me... that was the first time I ever felt better.”
“It was the right thing to do. Just like right now. I’m here you for pal. I don’t know what to do. But I’m here for you.”
“I’m just not sure what to do Rainbow Dash.”
“I’m not sure. I do know that we’re in this together. And we’ll get through it. Together.”
Fluttershy, basking in the comfort and security of her friend, finally soothed her tears by diving into slumber. Rainbow Dash was awake for a few seconds afterward.
“Goodnight pal. We’ll get you better. I promise,” she whispered before joining her in sleep.