I was never very good at being a pegasus.
I know that sounds silly - I mean I am a pegasus, so that’s like saying I was no good at being myself, and everypony is good at...
Oh dear. Fluttershy, you silly thing, going off on tangents already.
Let me start again.
When I was a filly, I never left the clouds. Oh, I tried my best, of course, but the simple fact of the matter was back then I suffered from vertigo.
Imagine that; I live in the sky, but looking down scared me.
The others learned to fly, while I could barely keep my wings open. The others dared to take that leap of faith when I was too afraid to even try. I had to watch the others pass me by and simply accept that. I'd even taken it into my head at one point that my parents were ashamed of me. I know that's an absolutely horrid thing to say about them, but I was very self-conscious in those days.
So there I sat. Flapping madly, but going nowhere. Seeing the teacher's look of pity every day, as I failed once more. Returning home, embarrassed and retreating to my room to wallow in my shame. It's no wonder that I was teased and taunted so often.
Then I met her.
It was lunchtime and I was enjoying a fine carrot salad, when some of the other students came by for their daily teasing session.
I don’t hold this against them, of course - I'd long since reached the point that I felt I deserved it, what with my being such a disappointment to the others. Besides, they’d eventually grow bored or run out of things to call me and would leave me alone. All I had to do was keep my head down and wait.
They started up as they usually did, with their taunts and teasing when I heard a rough voice: “Quit picking on her.”
"Why should we?" said Duster, the leader of the gang. "Who’s gonna stop us? You?"
"If I have to. And don’t think I’ll back down just because there are three of you, either."
I looked up to see a sky-blue pegasus with a multi-colored mane and tail glowering at Duster.
"Yeah right. I’d like to see you try," replied Duster, disparagingly.
"And I’d like you to be dumb enough to make me." She pawed at the cloud and snorted, lowering her head and partially opening her wings. I went slightly pale - violence is never an answer to anything, and I didn't wish anypony hurt on my account. I was just considering retreating and hopefuly defusing the event when there came a sigh.
"Fine. Whatever. Let’s go, guys - she’s not worth the trouble. After all, it's not like she'll go anywhere, right 'Neverfly'? Have fun with your fillyfriend, Crash.”
I stared at the filly. She approached me.
"You okay?"
"Um…um…yes. You…you shouldn’t have done that. They always quit after a bit…"
She snorted. “Are you just gonna let them trot all over you like that?”
"Um…yes?"
She rolled her eyes. “Look kid, I can’t just let that go. You don’t deserve it.”
"Well…maybe I sort of do. I mean…"
"Stop. Right. There." she said sharply. I squeaked and broke off.
She gave me an equally sharp look. "You don’t ever deserve that sort of treatment, and I’ll make sure it stops or my name isn’t Rainbow Dash. I'll be here for you, kid.”
That was the day I met my best friend. Over time, she became like a big sister to me, even though I was slightly older than her.
From that day forth, she was always by my side - defending my honor from the other students (sometimes physically, which I would always apologize for, much to her embarrassment), showing me a few tricks to deal with my vertigo and make attaining flight just a bit easier for me, and giving me just enough of a confidence boost to allow me to finally ‘earn my wings’.
I'll always remember that day. Sure, I wasn't the fastest in the sky, but I got there in the end.
If I hadn’t met Rainbow, who knows how my life may have turned out? I'd still be cloudbound and afraid of falling, I'd still be looked down upon by those who felt superior. I'd remain nothing more than an embarrassment. Our friendship was one of the best things that could have ever happened to me, and a memory that will always stand out as one of my warmest, even more so than getting my cutie mark - which, it turned out, she had a hoof in as well.
Rainbow Dash helped make me what I am today. And I love her for it.