Twilight's Transmutation
Chapter 10
Rainbow Dash looked over at Twilight, perplexed. She was glad that they finally had some answers, but also afraid of what those answers might be.
"So what's wrong with her then?"
Twilight levitated the book in front of her, engrossed in her current page. "In theory, I don't think that the transmutation failed at all." Seeing Rainbow Dash's eyes widen and taking a step forward, Twilight cut her off. "I think the problem was that I miscalculated for the magic she already has, changing it must have made the cost higher then we expected."
Rainbow Dash ruffled her feathers, clearly annoyed with this discussion. "Well what did you expect Twilight? Did you expect Fluttershy to only lose one leg, or maybe an ear?"
"I-I don't know what I was expecting, it just . . . wasn't this . . ." Twilight sat down, guiltily looking down at her hooves. Rainbow Dash sighed and walked over to her.
"I know you didn't mean it Twi'," Rainbow Dash said, wrapping a wing over her. " I just don't want anymore surprises that's all." Twilight looked up at her friend and nodded.
Twilight trotted over to Fluttershy, who was currently recovering from the argument. "If something else happens, you can come to me okay?" Fluttershy nodded as her and Rainbow Dash began the journey to Fluttershy's cottage.
Rainbow Dash cantered along side Fluttershy, who's wing beats were strong, but kept falling out of sync. Rainbow Dash turned to look at Fluttershy hiding behind her mane, fighting back tears.
Rainbow couldn't imagine how brave Fluttershy was. The things that scared her or made her nervous were simple things, things that Dash went through everyday without a single thought, but looking at her now, braving the gauntlet of pony's sideways glances, whispers, and stares. Dash knew that Fluttershy was the bravest pony in Equestria in her own way.
Walking past the town, Fluttershy's wings beat a little stronger, and Rainbow had to trot to keep up with her. Rainbow watched as the worried pegasus changed before her eyes. She no longer hid behind her mane, and her face glowed with confidence. Eventually, Fluttershy saw her staring and slowed down considerably.
"What's wrong Dashie?" Fluttershy asked with an adorable smile on her face.
Rainbow Dash snapped out of her reverie. "N-nothing 'Shy, just thinking about something." Fluttershy's smile wavered, Rainbow Dash knew that she just made the situation worse. Sighing, she nuzzled Fluttershy gently. "It's alright Fluttershy, I was just wondering what could be happening with you." Fluttershy nodded and flew over the bridge to her cottage.
.Entering the cottage, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were greeted by an uproar of animals. Rainbow realized that all noise was directed towards Fluttershy, who was currently hovering in the air, blushing slightly.
"Everypony chipped in to keep this place clean." Rainbow Dash said as Fluttershy looked around her cottage.
Fluttershy's ears perked up as she saw Angel bunny hopping down the stairs. "YELLOW ONE!" He yelled as he jumped into her arms. "Why were you gone so long? Why were there other ponies in here?"
Fluttershy put Angel down and looked at him curiously. His voice reminded her of a cranky filly, lighter then she expected, but it still carried some authority.
"Do you always call me 'Yellow One'?" Fluttershy asked.
Angel sighed at her like the answer was obvious. "Of course, what else would I call you?"
"M-my name's Fluttershy."
Angel stared at her, his paw rubbing his chin as he was pondering his masters name. Finally he came to his decision. "Okay then, that would do. 'Yellow One' made you sound like a puddle of p-"
"Angel Bunny!" Fluttershy gasped, startling the little bunny. Angel shrugged and hopped away.
Rainbow Dash stared at her, head tilted slightly, trying to decipher Fluttershy's and Angel's exchange. Eventually she shrugged and went into the kitchen, preparing her and Fluttershy a lunch of daisy sandwiches. As Rainbow Dash sat down at the table, she noticed Fluttershy looked overall uncomfortable.
"What's wrong 'Shy? Is it that you can hear the animals talking?" Fluttershy shook her head slowly, looking at the ground. Rainbow Dash felt herself getting slightly annoyed. Why can't she just be happy? Rainbow Dash sighed and began wolfing down her sandwich, not noticing that Fluttershy hadn't touched hers. Rainbow Dash sighed as she finished her sandwich, getting up and placing it in the sink.
"I gotta go now 'Shy, weather patrol and stuff." Rainbow Dash turned towards the door and took off into the sky.
Angel hopped down the stairs and greeted by seeing Fluttershy hovering by the table, looking at her sandwich sadly. Taking matters into his own paws, Angel hopped up onto the table and began to feed Fluttershy her sandwich.
Rainbow Dash flew back to her cloud house. Opening the door, she was greeted by Gilda sleeping on her couch. Rainbow Dash stopped in her tracks. What the hay was she doing here! Rainbow Dash attempted to back out of the house, but bumped into the door and closed it loudly.
Gilda yawned, stretching slowly, and rose off the couch. Seeing Dash was home, she smiled.
"Hey Dash, what took you so long?"
"G-Gilda!" Dash took a step back. "W-What are you doing here! I-I thought you left to go back to the Griffon Lands!"
Gilda looked at Dash, her smile growing bigger and slightly more mischievous. "I did, until I got to thinking about something."
"W-what could be so important that you had to break into my house?!" Rainbow Dash glared at Gilda, and to her surprise, that made Gilda look even happier.
Gilda's smile grew even more as she made her decision on what to do next, before Dash could react, Gilda lunged towards her and kissed her.
"You are that important that I had to break into your house." Gilda said as she pulled back. "The dragon migration is coming up in a week, and I was wondering if you would like to do some high stakes flying with me." Gilda laughed as she saw Dash still trying to process the kiss. "Think about it." Gilda walked passed Dash and jumped off the cloud, launching herself into the night sky.
"W-what just happened?" Dash asked Tank as he flew into the living room. "S-she kissed me . . ." Dash looked at her pet, longing for any answers, but the only thing she could find was his unconditional love. Rainbow Dash sighed and rolled on her back. "Can I tell you something Tank?" Dash asked. Seeing her pet nod slightly she let out a big frustrated sigh. "I-I think I'm in love with Gilda."
Fluttershy couldn't sleep. She had no idea what she did to upset Dash and was determined to spend all night to figure it out if that's what it took to get answers. First, we came home. She thought, starting from the very beginning for the eighth time that night. After the conversation I had with Angel, she got upset. Fluttershy gasped at her realization. It was her fault. Rainbow Dash was freaked out that she was talking to Angel, and now she didn't want to be friends anymore!
Fluttershy's eyes filled with tears. I-I thought she loved me . . . that was her final thought on the matter as she sobbed herself to sleep.
Fluttershy jerked awake as her ears were flooded with hungry please. Panicked, Fluttershy's wings locked to her sides, stranding her on her bed. It wasn't until Fluttershy realized what was going on that she calmed down. Sighing, she flew out of bed and went downstairs.
Fluttershy always enjoyed feeding her animal friends, but today was completely different. Throughout the day, Fluttershy held many conversations with her friends, all of which learned her real name. She learned all about her friends quirks and hidden talents, she gave parenting suggestions to a fox, gave flying lessons to birds, and played hide and seek with bear cubs. Overall, it was the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Until she remembered last night.
Fluttershy sighed as she flew into her house. She was about to go take a nice long bath, until she remembered that today was Saturday. "The spa appointment!" Fluttershy gasped suddenly, as she sped through the house and out the door.
The spa was a lot closer to Fluttershy's cottage then she remembered. Of course, she hadn't been to her cottage for a while, so she dismissed the thought. Arriving at the spa, she was greeted by Lotus Blossom.
"Flootershy!" She nearly yelled, hopping out from behind the desk. "Ve vern't expecting you today! Rarity is in ze sauna vight now." Fluttershy nodded as Lotus draped a robe around her and led her inside.
Rarity was currently napping when they entered. Hearing one of her best customers gasp, Lotus quickly apologized. "I am sorry Rarity, your friend has arrived." Lotus quickly backed out of the room and closed the door.
Rarity picked herself up from the bench and looked towards the door. "Fluttershy!" Rarity screamed closing the distance in a second. "What are you doing here? I thought you wouldn't be coming back for a while!" Rarity was about to continue her onslaught of questions, until she saw Fluttershy's face. "Fluttershy darling, what's the matter?"
Fluttershy hovered next to Rarity, trying her best to hold her tears, but only ended up partially silencing her sobs. "I-I think Rainbow Dash is mad at me."
Rarity had no idea what was going on. "Why would she be mad at you darling?"
Fluttershy sighed and began telling Rarity about last night. About how Rainbow Dash seemed distant ever since they came back to her cottage, about how Rainbow Dash made them a quick lunch, and then she bolted. Fluttershy told Rarity how it was her fault, that she was probably too needy and made her uncomfortable.
Rarity could not believe how much pain Fluttershy was in. All she wanted to do was make Rainbow Dash feel loved, and for things to get as normal as possible, but for some reason, Rainbow Dash was just pushing her away. Rarity was jarred from her thoughts, as Fluttershy asked the question Rarity was afraid she would ask.
"D-does she not love me anymore?"
Rarity looked up at her friend, her eyes filling with tears, and sighed softly. "Let's go ask her then." Rarity said, walking out of the sauna and paying the regular amount for their trips.
Rainbow Dash flew aimlessly for what felt like hours. Her wings burned, but she ignored the pain. This was too important. Rainbow Dash raced through the sky. She knew that most ponies looking up at her would think that she was trying to beat some kind of record, but what she was really trying to do was outrace her thoughts.
Rainbow Dash growled at herself as the same pesky thought entered her head for the tenth time. Without stopping, she picked a new direction and sped forward, not caring where she was going. She just wanted to get away.
How could I do that to her? Rainbow Dash growled and thrust herself into a different direction. How could I betray her like that? Rainbow Dash sighed and began clawing upwards with her wings, rapidly gaining altitude, in a desperate attempt to lose her thoughts. After everything she did for me, is this how I repay her?!
Rainbow Dash sobbed, all of the fight she had inside her before vanished, leaving a solemn blue Pegasus. Tears filled her eyes as she tucked in her wings, her climb upwards turned into a plummet downwards, and before she knew it she was tumbling through the air. She doesn't deserve a mare like me. Rainbow Dash thought as she tumbled through the sky.
Suddenly, Rainbow Dash pictured Fluttershy alone in her cottage, crying. Fluttershy would blame herself about what happened to her. Telling everypony that Dash would have never left if it weren't for her being so needy or some other lame excuse like that.
Rainbow Dash opened her eyes. She was much closer to the ground then she expected, so she reopened her wings and did her best to pull herself out of her deadly free fall.
Rainbow Dash hit the dirt hard, tumbling around for what felt like minutes, she began to skid on her side. Rainbow Dash laid on the ground motionless for a couple minutes, regaining the breath that was knocked out of her during the impact. She couldn't say that it was her worst landing, but it sure felt like it. Rainbow Dash groaned as she picked herself up, her head swimming, and began checking herself to see if anything was broken.
When her head cleared, she realized that she heard yelling from over the hill. Where am I anyway? Rainbow Dash thought as she began walking to the top of the hill. When she made it to the top, she saw what was making so much noise. Applejack was urging Big Macintosh up the hill with a big cart. Big Macintosh grunted and pressed forward.
When Applejack and Big Macintosh were almost to the top, Applejack looked forward. She sighed with relief and trotted over to her friend.
"RD are ya alright sugarcube? That was quite a tumble ya took." Applejack said, looking her friend over.
"Yea I'm fine . . ."
Applejack didn't buy it for a second. She walked up to Rainbow Dash and looked her in the eyes. "What happened to ya RD? Ya look like ya lost a fight with a timberwolf."
Rainbow Dash looked herself over once more. She noticed all of the dirt matted to her body and mane. Some of the bigger clumps of dirt were speckled with red. Her tail was no better either, it had multiple twigs and clumps of dirt in it that made it tangle violently.
Rainbow Dash sighed sadly. "A-Applejack," Rainbow Dash took a long pause, hoping that something would miraculously stop her from having this conversation with her to-be-ex-best-friend. "I think i'm in love with Gilda . . ."
Applejack looked back at her stunned. "Yeah that's what I thought you'd do." Rainbow Dash looked down at her hooves, utterly defeated.
Applejack took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Sugarcube, ya can't blame yerself for this. Yer heart wants what it wants." Rainbow Dash looked up at Applejack, eyes filled with despair.
"I'm supposed to be the most loyal pony in all Equestria!" Rainbow Dash yelled suddenly, stomping her hoof on the ground. "How can I be that if I'm not even loyal to my own marefriend!" Rainbow Dash fell on her side, tears streaming down her face.
Applejack sighed and sat next to Rainbow Dash. "Do ya still love Fluttershy?"
Rainbow Dash looked up at her friend and sighed. "I hope so. I want to love her, I want to make her happy. I just feel different around her for some reason."
Applejack looked down at Rainbow Dash, her eyes glaring through the blue Pegasus. "RD, that's the craziest thing Ah ever heard." Applejack helped her friend up off the grass and continued. "Ya need to figure this out sugarcube, not for yerself but fer Fluttershy. If ya don't like her then ya need to tell her as soon as you can, before things get even worse."
Rainbow Dash sighed. "Alright AJ, I'll tell her." Rainbow Dash turned around, ready to leave, but stopped suddenly. "I can't tell her AJ! I can't break her heart like that!"
Applejack wrapped Rainbow Dash in a hug. She's never seen her friend this upset before, and she sure as hay would do something about it. She would give anything to make her friends happy.
"RD, what do ya think yer going to do? Ya say ya love Gilda and Fluttershy, but you know as well as I do that they Gilda doesn't like Fluttershy, and when they find out, somethin' bad'll happen." Applejack sighed, knowing that they had to start somewhere. "Do ya know when things got all weird between y'all?"
Rainbow Dash nodded. She knew that last night got really weird, but she also knew that she was being unfair to Fluttershy. Of course she would need help now that she didn't have any legs, and in the beginning, Rainbow Dash accepted that. However, something changed. Something deep inside Rainbow Dash told her that it wasn't going to work. To make matters worse, Gilda shows up and tells her that she loves her.
Rainbow Dash always enjoyed hanging out with Gilda. She was the most awesome Griffon she's ever met. She was cool, fast, strong, brave, and an awesome prankster. They had way more in common than she had with Fluttershy. Rainbow never thought of Gilda as attractive, but she was willing to give this a shot. If the coolest pony in all of Equestria wanted a marefriend, shouldn't it be with the coolest Griffon in Equestria?
Rainbow Dash exited her thoughts, her mind finally made up. "I need to break up with Fluttershy."
Rarity and Fluttershy searched everywhere for Rainbow Dash with no luck. They looked for her at her house, Sugar Cube Corner, Twilight's House, Applejack's house, and the planes where she practiced her newest tricks, all with no sign of their friend.
Rarity was panting. It seemed like Fluttershy increased the pace after every destination. "F-Fluttershy darling," Rarity wheezed, laying down in the grass. "P-please slow down dear," Rarity laid as still as possible, levitating a water bottle out from her saddlebag and began gulping it down.
"S-sorry Rarity, I guess I'm just worried." Fluttershy apologized, hovering in the air. Fluttershy began searching for her marefriend in the sky, looking closely trying to make out her marefriend's prismatic mane against the blue sky. Minutes past and Fluttershy began to give up hope, looking over Sweet Apple Acres, she saw a prismatic object falling from the sky.
Fluttershy gasped as she saw Rainbow Dash's unmoving form plummet towards the ground. Fluttershy gasped, they were all the way across town, there was no way they could get there in time, but she had to try.
Fluttershy launched herself towards Rainbow Dash, her eyes locked onto her as she closed the distance. Rainbow Dash's body disappeared behind a hill, yet Fluttershy pushed herself harder, not noticing the cone of air that was forming around her.
Fluttershy slowed as she approached the hill where her marefriend crashed. When she made it to the hill, instead of seeing a crater where Rainbow Dash's body lay crushed against the ground, her marefriend was talking to Applejack and Big Macintosh.
"I need to break up with Fluttershy."
Rainow Dash wants to break up with me? Fluttershy was filled with guilt. What did she do to make Rainbow Dash hate her? Was she really so awful to Rainbow Dash? Did she really ruin her life so much that Rainbow could no longer take it?
Rainbow Dash turned around and stopped in her tracks, suddenly, she was face to face with a tearful Fluttershy.
"F-Fluttershy! I-" Rainbow Dash's words were torn from Fluttershy's ears as she flew away.
Fluttershy didn't care where she was going. She sobbed silently as the wind tore through her mane. I-It's my fault she doesn't like me. Fluttershy sobbed as she slowed down a bit. I was just too needy. I don't deserve a mare like Rainbow, I don't- Fluttershy's thoughts shattered as she heard an ear piercing screech.
Fluttershy's eyes opened, trying to locate the source of the screech. Looking down, she realized she was hovering over the Everfree Forest. H-How did I get here? Fluttershy thought. Once again, Fluttershy heard another ear piercing screech, as she turned around, she felt a searing pain rake across her left wing.
Fluttershy screamed as she tried to face her attacker. Fluttershy turned and saw a flash of a sharp talon, raking across her face. "S-stop it! Please!" Fluttershy wailed, begging her assaulter to show mercy.
Fluttershy heard a familiar voice. "No way Fluttercry! She's mine now, so back off!"
This was the last thing Fluttershy saw as she felt another talon rake across her face. Fluttershy screamed in agony as a violent force knocked her out of the sky, down towards the Everfree Forest.