*SLAM!*
The interior of Fluttershy’s cottage echoed, the curious animals poking their heads out from wherever they were, all looking at the door and the panting Pegasus standing there. Rainbow ignored them, and the scattered food bowls that looked like they exploded against the ceiling.
“Fluttershy! I know you’re in here!” Rainbow called out, opening cabinets in the kitchen.
Giving up after she was almost sprayed by a skunk in one cabinet, she sat on the couch, the wide eyed fairy still clinging to her leg, sheer terror locking it’s joints. Rainbow thought for a moment on how to bring Fluttershy out of hiding, finally smacking her hooves together with a loud ‘clop’.
“Fluttershy, I found an injured bunny this morning, and I don’t think he’ll make it long without help.” Rainbow Dash said before being tossed into the air suddenly, a frantic streak below her.
“Where is he, did you bring him here? We must hurry!” Fluttershy spat out in speeds that would make Pinkie proud.
“I’m a she!” The little pony protested through clenched lips, still locked on Rainbows hoof.
“Easy there Fluttershy, there is no bunny, I only did that you get you ou-”
“That’s a meanie thing to do Rainbow, you should be ashamed of yourself.” Fluttershy said, turning to put her face inches from Rainbow Dash’s, stabbing at her chest with her hoof.
“Hey, I came here for a reason.” Rainbow Dash said, holding the shaking fairy in front of Fluttershy’s face.
Fluttershy’s mood did a complete U-turn as she scooped the fairy off of Rainbow leg, taking a fair amount of fur with her and rushed over to a cushion that she quickly converted to a bed, poking and prodding at the fairy with various medical instruments.
“What did you do to this poor pony to shrink them?” She asked.
“Hey, I’m big for my age!” Leaf Hoarder complained, smacking a thermometer away from her face.
“Don’t you worry, I’m sure Twilight can cure you.” Fluttershy said as she stepped towards the door, to find Rainbow Dash blocking the door with her wing.
“Fluttershy, she’s just a bug pony, she’s supposed to be that tiny. And besides, she’s not the one I’m worried about. I kinda almost drowned her sick sister.” Rainbow Dash admitted, blushing.
“You almost drowned a pony?” Fluttershy asked in horror.
“It was an accident! I swear!” Rainbow Dash defended herself, putting up her hooves as if to ward Fluttershy off.
“Where is the other one.” Fluttershy continued on, ignoring Rainbow’s feeble defense.
Rainbow Dash held out her other hoof, the bundle of leaves and scraps of cloth was leaking murky water. Fluttershy pounced over and hastily unwrapped the still sleeping fairy and transferred her to the same pillow her sister occupied, grabbing a towel from somewhere on her way over.
Setting her down gently, she dried off the shivering fairy quickly before she shoved a small thermometer into her mouth. The fairy only weakly mumbled and complained as she turned on her side and tried to spit it out, only succeeding in drooling all over herself.
“Oh, my. This is bad. Really bad, I’m going to need help. I don’t even know what type of ponies they are. I’ve never seen alicorns this small” Fluttershy said, looking at the rapidly rising temperature in the thermometer.
“No duh, we’re Fairies, not ‘Bug Ponies’, or Alicorns, there are only two of them in the world.” Leaf Hoarder huffed in exasperation.
“But who would know egghead doctor stuff about fairies?” Rainbow Dash asked in despair.
Fluttershy stared at Rainbow Dash through her hair as the gears in Rainbow Dash’s head churned before the painfully obvious solution popped into her head.
“Oh! Why not ask the Egghead Princess.” She laughed. “Why didn’t I think of that sooner.”
“Maybe you were afraid that she would try to study them like she did with Pinkie Pie’s sense”
“Oh, please, what’s the worst she could do, squash one of them?”
“Hey, that’s not funny, ponies like you are why we fairies hide!”
“Why?” Fluttershy asked.
“Because you big ponies are so curious you don’t hold back! I see what you do to butterflies, you monsters!”
“I swear, Twilight’s not like that, she’s the kindest pony you’ll ever meet, a little crazy at times, but still a good friend.”
“Fine, whatever, but make sure she isn’t going to dissect me for fun, I hear it hurts, like, a lot.” Leaf Hoarder grumbled, settling deeper into the pillow.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
“Hurry, please.” Fluttershy begged.
“Hey, they don’t call me Rainbow Dash for no reason!” She boasted as she flew towards the window.
Rainbow Dash smashed through the window, the tinkling of glass landing outside continuing long after she had left.
“Please use the door.” Fluttershy whispered, half to herself, as she turned her attention back to the sick fairy.
Thunk!
“See Spike, I told you those reinforced windows could withstand a direct impact!” Twilight sang as she bounced over and popped open the window.
“Freakin’ Ow! Jeez Twilight, trying to kill me?” Rainbow Dash complained, rubbing her bleeding nose.
“No, just trying to eliminate the costs of constantly rebuilding my house, the payroll of a Princess goes off of how many years you serve, so it’s going to be a bit before I make it rich.” Twilight explained, helping her friend up.
“So what brings you here this late in the afternoon? The newest Daring Do isn’t expected to be here until next month.” Twilight continued.
“I know, and I can’t wait! It’s going to be so sweet! But that’s not why I’m here. What would you say if I found a fairy.”
“Oh, that’s simple, I would simply observe it in it’s natural environment.” Twilight said as she walked into her house, Rainbow dash close at her heels, blood dripping slowly on the floor.
“Oh, that does sound too bad.” Rainbow said.
“And then I would build them a habitat from what I’ve learned and study them more in depth.”
“Umm.” Rainbow Dash halted, not sure how to respond.
“And I would have to make sure to get very detailed measurements on everything.” She rambled on, not pausing to take a breath.
“Twilight?”
“And once they had died their natural deaths, I would have to ensure to preserve their bodies to ensure that future generations could witness them too!” She finally finished, taking a deep breath before smiling at her friend.
“So why did you ask?”
“Umm, nothing. Just curious.” Rainbow Dash stuttered.
Twilight gave her a weird look for a moment before continuing.
“Sooo, why are you here again? Not that I don’t enjoy you being here, it’s just a bit unexpected.”
“Ummm, Apple Bloom is sick, like really bad, high fever and such. And Applejack asked me to zip down here and grab a medical book so she can try to make her better.” Rainbow Dash lied.
“Oh, why didn’t you say so sooner, I got plenty that would help.” She said, turning to her shelves as a whole stack lifted themselves out and towards her.
“But why did you ask about fairies?” She said, looking at the titles of books and sliding them back into their places on the shelf.
“Umm.” Rainbow Dash froze, not sure what to say.
“Are you trying to sooth Apple Bloom by distracting her with fairies?”
“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash seized the idea, “And Applejack suggested we try to get a... A mythological creature medical book too, something to make the real one seem less scary.”
“Oh, that is a good idea, and I got just the one too.” Twilight smiled as a lone book zipped out of the opposite side of the library, nearly clocking Spike in the side of the head as he sat unflinching at the table in the middle of the room.
Turning around, Twilight levitated two books into a satchel and settled it on Rainbow’s back.
“Hope Apple Bloom gets well soon, and tell Applejack she has three over-due books I want by the end of the week please.” Twilight smiled.
“Yeah, thanks Twilight, but shouldn’t you be doing more princessy things than being a librarian?”
“I already told you my Princess salary sucks, but go, I’m sure Applejack is waiting for you.”
With a wave and a whoosh of air, Rainbow Dash zipped out the open window with a characteristic rainbow streak.
Rolling her eyes, Twilight walked to the open window and reached to pull it shut, but froze when she saw a curious group across the street. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were out pulling a cart full of various odd and ends, no doubt for something dangerous. But what had Twilight furrowing her brow in confusion was the fact that Apple Bloom looked like she was in perfect health, straining to pull the over-burdened cart.
Looking at the multitude of clouds that had a pony shaped hole in them, Twilight quickly calculated Rainbow heading, scratching her head as she figured it to be directly north-east, and the only thing that direction was the Everfree and Fluttershy’s cottage. Twilight sat down, rubbing the sides of her head.
“Why would she lie to me?” She asked nopony in particular.
“Hey Flutters, I’m back with that book you needed.” Rainbow Dash cried as she glided through the hole she had made earlier, landing gracefully on the coffee table.
“Rainbow Dash, what happened to your face!” Fluttershy cried.
“What? Oh, you mean this?” She asked, pointing the dried blood under her nose.
“Yes!”
“Twilight has put in break-proof windows. But how are our guests doing?”
Fluttershy held up one hoof in answer and lead Rainbow Dash over to one of her bird houses. Quiet as a mouse, she lifted up the lid and pointed inside at the two sleeping fairies, Leaf Hoarder holding her little sister. Slowly closing the lid, she lead Rainbow Dash into the kitchen.
“I don’t think even with the book that I’ll be able to do much. She needs a doctor.”
“I thought you were going to be able to help her.”
“So did I, but her temperature just keeps on rising and her little heart doesn’t sound right.” Fluttershy said sadly, looking like she was about to cry.
“Hey, don’t worry about a thing, I’ll take care of this.” Rainbow Dash said, pulling her friend into a hug.
“But what about Green Lily?”
“I’ll go downtown tomorrow and get a nurse.”
“What about Twilight?”
“I don’t think that would be a good idea. She’s kinda a little too interested in them.”
“Oh.” Fluttershy said, sounding sad.
*Knock knock*
“Were you expecting somepony this evening?”
Fluttershy looks confused for a moment before a look of panic crossed her face.
“Oh no. I was supposed to meet Rarity at the Spa today!” She squeaked.
“Fluttershy, dear? Are you okay?” Rarity’s muffled voice echoed in.
“Did a big a mean ole meanie plant scare you inside again?” Pinkie Pie yelled out.
“Hush, thats not funny.” Rarity stage whispered to Pinkie.
“Should I get the door or can you get it?” Rainbow Dash asked her cowering friend.
“I got it.” She sighed, walking into her living room towards her door.
She creeped open the door a half-inch and peered out at her two friends.
“Hi, I’m sorry Rarity, but something came up and I missed our appointment.”
“Oh, is everything okay dear?” Rarity asked, worried.
“Yes, everything is okay here.” She stuttered.
“Okie dokie then, let’s have a party then!” Pinkie yelled, cannon appearing at her side, posed of action.
“NO!” Fluttershy yelled, which is about as loud as a normal ponies inside voice.
“Is something wrong?” Rarity asked, putting her hoof on the door.
“Please don’t come in.” Fluttershy begged.
Rainbow Dash zipped over and planted her hoof on the other side of the door, preventing Rarity from opening the door any further.
“Is someone else here?” Rarity asked, looking confused at the sound of an extra pair of hooves clopping against the door.
“Oh! Fluttershy has a stallion over, K. I. S. S. I. N. G!” Pinkie sang.
“Pinkie! Didn’t you learn your lesson last time?” Rarity complained, looking at Pinkie in horror.
Fluttershy, blinked, eyes wide as her cheeks started burning with the heat of a furnace. Rainbow Dash’s hoof slipped from the door, falling to her side. The door naturally drifted open, revealing Rainbow Dash who was trying hard not to laugh.
“Rainbow Dash, you’re not a stallion!” Pinkie Pie yelped, disappointed.
“Well I hope I’m not, if I was then I would have to get rid of my doctor.” Rainbow Dash laughed.
“Well then may we come in or are you two in the middle of something?” Rarity asked, a smirk laden with unasked questions.
“No, you just can’t come in!” Fluttershy squeaked, shrinking under her friends gaze.
“But come on! What kind of party only has two ponies and is quieter than a sleeping meadow? What are ya doing, trying not to wake up somepony?” Pinkie asked.
“Ye-” Rainbow Dash started before Fluttershy’s hoof smacked her in the knee.
“No, we are the only ones here and nothing is happening, but you cannot come in, if that’s okay....” Fluttershy said, her voice disappearing into octaves only heard by dogs and dolphins.
Rarity stared at Fluttershy, one eyebrow arched in confusion. Fluttershy withered under her gaze, shrinking into the smallest possible target.
“Oh, they’re so cute!” Pinkie Pie yelled, standing on the ceiling looking into a certain bird house.
Rainbow Dash sprang into action, leaping over, slamming the lid shut and pushing Pinkie away.
“You’re seeing things again Pinkie, I think you need to go lie down.” She said, panicking, pushing her towards the door.
“What the heck was that for?” Leaf Hoarder demanded, poking her head groggily out of the hole in the front of the bird house, the lid still being held down.
“Oh my Fluttershy, did another pony run through the poison joke patch?” Rarity asked, pushing past her friend.
“Is that a size joke?” Leaf Horder demanded, steam practically coming out of her ears.
“No my dear, it’s absolutely horrible that you’re stuck that size, I would never joke about something like that.”
“Hey, I like being small!” She yelled, zipping out of the hole and landing on Rarity’s nose.
“They’re Fairy ponies you silly goose!” Pinkie said, bouncing around Fluttershy’s living room, out of Rainbow Dash’s grasp.
“Don’t be preposterous dear, everypony knows theres no such things as fairies.” Rarity scoffed, batting at the fairy sitting on her nose.
“Then if I’m not a fairy I guess I’m just a really small midget then, use your pea-brain stupid!” Leaf Hoarder yelled, stabbing Rarity’s nose with her sword.
“Ow.” Rarity complained as Fluttershy grabbed Leaf Hoarder by the scruff of her neck and carried her back to the bird house, placing her gently inside.
“Sorry Rarity, I thought I had taken her sword away from her.” Rainbow Dash apologized.
“Oh, the next time I see that pony I’m going to squash her for ruining my beautiful face. Oh, no I’m ugly!” Rarity cried, switching from pure hatred to tears complete with loud sobbing without warning.
“And I’m not tiny! I’m big for my size!” Leaf Hoarder yelled as she poked her head out of the hole.
“Destroy you!” Rarity screeched like a banshee, launching a rock straight at Leaf.
“Eep!” She retreated as the rock thuncked against the wood.
“Rarity, play nice!” Fluttershy scolded.
“So what’s your names?” Pinkie asked, tapping on the bird house.
“Pinkie! Don’t tap on the glass!” Rainbow Dash protested, smacking her hoof away.
“But it’s not glass Dashie!” She sang, twisting under her hoof to tap it again.
“Hey, will you all just leave! My sick sister is trying to sleep!” Leaf yelled, poking her head out of the hole again.
Rarity had opened her mouth, just about to yell something when Fluttershy’s wing flashed to her face, the tip of her feathers inches from her face.
“Zst!” She hissed.
All the ponies froze, looking at Fluttershy, who quickly shrank under their combined gazes.
“I said play nice.” She whispered.
“Anyways, you need to leave, her sister needs her sleep.” Rainbow Dash said, pointing at the door.
“But what about their party!” Pinkie protested.
“No parties either, we need to keep them a secret, if everypony knew about them they would become a zoo.” Rainbow Dash explained.
“But come on! I’ve never thrown a ‘Happy-welcome-to-town And a You’re-a-fairy party at the same time.”
“You’ve thrown a Fairy party before?” Fluttershy asked, retracting her wing from Rarity’s face.
“Of course, you silly. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Pinkie, that makes no sense my dear.” Rarity said, shooting daggers with her eyes at Leaf.
“You met another Fairy?” Leaf asked, leaning out of the window as far as she could without falling out, her wings buzzing.
“You mean you don’t know other Fairies?” Pinkie asked, horrified.
“It’s only been me and my sister since...” Leaf started, but choked up.
“Oh dear!” Fluttershy cried, rushing over and scooping the distraught fairy into a hug.
“Lungs collapsing, ribs snapping, OW!” Leaf complained, flailing her hooves.
“Fluttershy, dear, you’re hurting her.” Rarity said, only half able to hide her happiness.
“Group hug!” Pinkie yelled, leaping and grabbing Rainbow Dash and Rarity, scooping them together with Fluttershy.
“Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash grumbled.
“Yes Dashie-poo!” She sang.
“First, never call me Dashie-poo ever again, and secondly, right now isn’t the best of times.”
“Shhh, just let it happen Dashie.” She whispered into her ear.
“Pinkie, this is only a little creepy.”
“And growing creepier.” Rarity complained, squirming.
“Okay, and besides, it’s getting late, I gotta get home and feed Gummy.” Pinkie said, dumping her friends loose and bouncing out of the still open door.
“I think I should go with her, make sure she knows how serious it is that nopony finds out about our tiny guests, as much as I want to squash you.” She paused for dramatic effect, glaring down her snout at Leaf who stood on Fluttershy's head and stuck her tongue out, “It would be rather unlady like of me to turn you into a sideshow at a carnival.”
And with a flip of her tail, she left also, following Pinkie at a much more reasonable pace. The door creaked shut as Rainbow Dash closed it.
“Geez, I thought they would never leave.” Rainbow Dash complained.
“Now that you are done showing me off, I’m going to check up on my sister, seeing how that pink one was shaking the house.” Leaf grumbled, flying off of Fluttershy’s head and disappearing into the hole in the front of the birdhouse.
“And we need to get to bed too, it’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”
Fluttershy nodded, leading Rainbow Dash up the stairs.
“Oh, you’re all mine now.” Twilight said, watching her friends go upstairs from outside the window, rubbing her hooves together in anticipation.