//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles // by grannysmith //------------------------------// "Hey, Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy called out. I turned around my wheelchair and she skidded to a halt. "I've decided on something. You're the one who always told me to be assertive, and I will. They're my friends, and they deserve to know the truth. Now, your personal secrets don't need to be revealed. But this is my secret too! And I have the rite to tell them!" She ranted, then she flew at top speed towards Twilight's house. I wheeled as fast as I could after her, but I knew I wouldn't make it. By the time I got there, I saw Fluttershy speaking through tears. I opened the door with a slam. All heads turned towards mine. But they all looked at me confusedly. "I'm so sorry." I said. "Sugarcube, what are you talkin' 'bout?" Applejack asked. "Fluttershy didn't even get a chance to finish. Go on, Fluttershy." Twilight said, turning back to her. I wheeled over next to her, and look down at my feet as she started from the beginning. "Ok. I'll begin. Our parents really loved us. But society really didn't. They had to leave. For one thing, they couldn't care for us. For another, well, our dad was an earth pony, our mother a unicorn." She said. They all gasped. "We were outcasts. Octavia got away with it because of how rich and high class her parents, and now she, is. We weren't. So they took us to the best orphanage they could find before the news got out. We've never met them before. As soon as we were old enough, we ran away to Cloudsdale. Rainbow, the oldest, took care of me. I kind of got used to her taking care of me, but I wasn't lazy. I know how to work and how to put up with it. The story about how she stood up for me, she wasn't just a bystander, she was my sister." Fluttershy ended, looking down. "And I supposed we should leave, considering how society looks at us." I said. "Now hold on just a minute, Sugarcube! You ain't no outcast! Everypony loves both of you. They don't care! And even if they did, Celestial would never stand for it!" Applejack said. "Yeah, nopony cares! After all, nopony cares that my parents are never around!" It didn't matter. I still felt ashamed. Because of more secrets that I hid. "Look. Guys, I really think we should just forget this ever happened," I begged. This would no doubt lead to more secret sharing,exactly what I didn't want. "You know what? I'm going to make a petition against the law about illegal foals. It shouldn't matter! It doesn't!" Twilight exclaimed. "Fluttershy, I need to tell you something." I said, urgently tugging her tail. But she ignored me, pulling her tail away. "That's really sweet guys. I was actually thinking along the lines of not telling anyone though..." She mentioned quietly. But Twilight ignored her and called Spike. "I need you to send a letter to Princess Celestia, Dear Celestia, I must return to Canterlot immediately concerning urgent matters. Please send a chariot by the end of next week. Twilight." Spike scribble with his quill, but I rolled over and grabbed it. "Twilight this isn't necessary." I said urgently. But Spike was already transporting it. "Fluttershy, come with me, now!" I said. Grabbing Ed tail and pulling her outside and behind the library. "Fluttershy, this is completely insane!" I said. "Look, you're hiding something, and it concerns me too. I just know it! Look. I already know you like mares," she said. I blushed. "So what is it that you're hiding?" She asked. I cowered underneath her death stare, and started crying. Crying tears that wouldn't stop her from finding out the truth. But her eye softened, and placing one foreleg over me, she comforted me as I cried. I reluctantly boarded the train, wheeling myself next to the long cushioned bench-chair. Twilight trotted over and plopped down next to me. She dropped her saddlebag heavily on the ground and curls up on her seat, pulling out a book. I lean my head around er and look at the book title, "Official Laws of Equestria". I sigh and recline in my wheelchair when I suddenly hear the rattling of wheels against the bouncing train. I sit up straight and notice a woman driving by with a trolley full of food. "Ooh! Could I get a hot strawcolate, a hay sandwich, - oh you got a shipment from Sugarcube corner? Can I have a zap apple cypcake as well?" I call out, fishing money out if my pouch. She lays it out on a tray and puts it on my lap as I hand her ten bits. She rattled off as I take a but out of my sandwich. Twilight looks up, and gallops after her, her stomach grumbling. I chuckle. decide to replicate my peaceful morning, pulling out the Daring Do book. Twilight came rushing back, an apple shoved in her mouth and a tray in her hooves. The tray had a hay sandwich, two slices of cheese pizza, and three muffin flavored cupcakes. "Hungry, huh?" I chuckle. She just shakes her head and chomps down on her sandwich. I stole Aliza slice and a muffin and handed her three bits. She runs away again to replace her stolen food. I laugh while I take a bit of the pizza, focusing my attention back to the book. Finally, I noticed the train was slowing down, and that my food was gone and into my tummy. I put away my book and looked out the window, seeing the elegantly decorated train station quickly approaching. I panicked. I needed to speak to Fluttershy before we got to Princess Celestia and Twilight... opened her mouth. So I wheeled my way to Fluttershy's seat. "Fluttershy, you cannot let Twilight go through with this." I said urgently. "Why not?" She asked, glaring at me. "Look, Twilight's already done so much for us. We can't let her do more for us. We haven't repaid her yet. It would be rude to let her go through with this." I lied, manipulating guiltily. But it worked. At the word rude,her eyes filled with horror. She quickly got up and trotted over to Twilight, speaking softly. Twilight shook her head partially in confusion, partially in anger. I heard her say, "But we're already here!" I bit my lip, but Twilight did not get off. Neither did Pinkie, Rarity, or Applejack, who were glancing anxiously at Tilight, who was growing angry. "Look Fluttershy, you will have time to repay me after, but for now, you will just have to watch me be nicer than you for once." Twilight burst out, freezing Fluttershy. She collapsed in a heap and began to cry. "I am not nice! I shouldn't be the element of kindness!" She sobbed. I rushed over and lofted her head into my lap, stroking her mane comfortingly. "Fluttershy, you are the nicest person I know. Don't cry, don't cry." I whispered softly. I glanced up at Twilight accusingly, who's eyes had softened, but deep down, I knew it was my fault. And I almost couldn't bear it, on the verge of breaking down myself.