//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles // by grannysmith //------------------------------// The train slowed to a stop, bags sliding out from under the seats, and we were back in Ponyville without ever getting off at Canterlot. Twilight wasn't too mad. She was mad that she made Celestia send her unnecessary tickets, but the conductor said she could use the tickets again, so she didn't mind too much. She was more confused about the conflict between her and Fluttershy. I had draped Fluttershy around the back of my wheelchair and took her back to her cottage, her sobbing so softly I almost couldn't hear it. I gently pushed her off the back when I got inside. She shakily got to her hooves then sat down on the couch. I guiltily sat in front of her, contemplating what I was about to say. "I am such a mean, selfish, bad pony. A HORRIBLE pony." she cried. "You are not a bad pony. You truly are the element of kindness. I am a bad pony. It was my fault. I have something to tell you." I sighed, shivering with fear of her reaction. "But, before I do, just know that I never meant you any harm." I breathed in shakily and told her the truth. "Ok. So at the age of 2, I was put in the orphanage by my unicorn parents. 2 years after, I was the king of the toddlers. But not a tyrant. I was nice to everyone. But I wasn't as good and obedient as you. However, you arrived when I was 4. But you were too sweet and vulnerable. The crueler kids would've gotten you. So the orphanage director asked me to help you out. At first, we knew you wouldn't want me too help you. You wouldn't want me to go to all that trouble. But she figured out that I could have a reason by... pretending to be your sister." I closed my eyes, waiting for the reaction. "You're the best theoretical sister I've ever had." she said. I looked up, confused. "What do you mean?" I asked. "Well, you didn't have to be nice. I know you needed to follow the orphanage directors orders, but you could've been a mean sister. You weren't. Thank you. If I didn't have you, who knows what would've happened?" she said. I sighed in relief. "However, I'm still pretty mad. You could've told me after we'd ran away. But you kept up the act. I can't believe you would lie to me. And for so long without telling me the truth!" She said, hurt. "Look, Fluttershy. I didn't mean too. Just because I'm not your sister doesn't mean-" I tried to explain. "I don't need your pity party!" She yelled through tears. I was shocked. "Be grateful! If I didn't help you, you would've been friendless!" "Thanks, but no thanks. I don't need your help anymore. You wanted me to be assertive, and I'll become assertive." she said. An odd fire in her eyes started dancing around. "Fluttershy? No matter how mad you are, I will always be loyal to you." I whispered. She however didn't hear me. She just ranted. "I'm really pissed. I'm grateful that you tried to help me, but you didn't need to lie. Don't show your face here ever again. I need revenge, so be prepared to be friendless like you think I would've been without you!" Fluttershy yelled angrily, galloping out to Twilight's library. And I knew a serious change had overtaken her. In her mind, she just swore, although it was fine by mostly everyone else. (The word was pissed) I wheeled after her. With the momentum I had gathered, I couldn't stop, and I crashed through the library's wall before Fluttershy was even halfway there. "Honestly, even without the wings to fly at sonic speed, you're still crashing through my walls! Although, it's worse now. You just used to crash through windows and bookshelves." Twilight laughed. Dazed, I shook my head. "Listen, Twilight, don't be mad. It wasn't such a bad thing! And you can't just leave me. Fluttershy is about to turn you guys against me. I didn't mean to-" Fluttershy burst through the door, panting and tearing up. I watched her theatrics that would ruin my life. "Twilight," she sobbed. What a great actress! "Twilight, Rainbow... she lied to me! She's.. she's not my real sister!" She cried real tears. Twilight looked at me, half confused, half appalled. "Look, Twilight, it isn't that bad. I was trying to do the right thing! She was being bullied, and the orphanage director was concerned, and I was going to do something anyways, but she wanted me to pretend as if she was my sister! I couldn't disobey the director! I love her like a sister, and even if she is not my sister by blood, she still is my sister!" Fluttershy looked up, a bit of apology and regret reflected in her eyes. Well it's a bit late for that! I thought. But Twilight was already appalled. "How dare you! I need to tell the others before they make the mistake of trusting you." She trotted off, Fluttershy calling out "Look, I admit that what I did was wrong, but it was in Fluttershy's best interest! Do you know what I went through for her?" "Wow, so you went through so much trouble so that you could lie to her. Good argument!" "No, I went through so much trouble when having to share my horrible family situation with her. I didn't want to do that! I was marring her! And it's hard to talk about!" Twilight was silent for a moment, trying to figure out a way to respond. "You know what? Too bad. You're an outcast! If you think for one second you're getting away with this, you're wrong. You're a huge jerk." She screamed. This brought tears. Being punished for something I didn't do felt horrible. Fluttershy's eyes were full of regret and apology. "Wait!" She turned to me. "I am so sorry! I didn't know..." she said. I looked down, tears streaming down my face. "It doesn't matter. You got what you wanted now." I said. "Now I'm friendless."