//------------------------------//
// Extra Credit 
// Story: Flight Of The Fluttershy 
// by AlwaysDressesInStyle 
//------------------------------//

Rainbow Dash
12/16/85

The simple answer to your question is that Fluttershy’s my best friend in the world.  She’s always been there for me and I’ll always be there for her – whether it’s to protect her from being teased or to help her overcome irrational fears.

I’m guessing you’ve figured out that I’m not as dumb as I act.  If not, well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag now.  The long answer is sufficiently complicated and I’m asking for your discretion on everything written here.

Fluttershy is one of those rare ponies that are truly selfless and generous.  It’s a true pity that so few of our classmates can look past the awkward flyer and see the real pony on the inside.  She’s kind, gentle, caring, but most of all she’s genuine.  Everypony says things like ‘good luck’ or ‘feel better’ because they’re expected to.  I’m guilty of it myself.  But if Fluttershy says it, she means it.  If you’re sick she’ll be there with a bowl of soup.  If you’re nervous about a competition she’ll be there to cheer you on.  It’ll be a barely audible cheer, ‘cause that’s just how she is, but the support is heartfelt.

I’ve spent years repressing my feelings, my intelligence, and anything even remotely feminine.  I have goals and I really do intend to make good on them.  I will fly with the Wonderbolts someday, and if not it won’t be for lack of effort.  Of course, I know that just leaves more questions, so I’ll answer them as quickly as possible.  By showing feelings you can be construed as weak.  Nothing like wearing your heart on your sleeve to leave you open to emotional manipulation by bullies.  As for the feminine, you know, I really do like fluffy kittens and cutesy butterflies like the ones Fluttershy draws in the margins of all her papers.  But the Wonderbolts are macho.  Such things are exactly the opposite of lightning bolts and explosions.

But the one you’re probably most questioning is why I hide my intelligence.  This is perhaps both the silliest and stupidest thing I’ve ever done but…  Fluttershy likes to give back.  Unfortunately when you’re as awesome as I am, there really isn’t much she can do for me.  Okay, I can’t cook worth a feather, but I’m not going to use Fluttershy as my personal chef.  Or my maid, for that matter.  She feels so indebted to me she randomly cleans my room while I’m at practice.  She’s worse than my Mom.  And she’s always so happy to do it, too.  And I mean that literally – she whistles a little tune and all she wants is for me to be pleased with how nice she made things look.  But I don’t want an indentured servant.

So I fake the stupidity so she can feel better about helping me the way I’ve helped her.  I know you know she edits my papers.  It helps her feel more confident in her own abilities if she’s nurturing somepony else.  I’ve tried to steer her towards tutoring some of our other classmates but she suffers from severe social anxiety.  Since the Wonderbolts are mostly about physical ability, intelligence was the most rational thing to cut.

So there’s only one pony she can do that for, and that’s me.  It makes her feel worthwhile, like she’s repaying the kindness I showed to her in the past.  But that bodes the question you asked originally.  Why did I do it?

Because I knew she could do it if she only put her mind to it.  Her problem was a mental block, not a physical disability.  We’ve been friends for years now.  We met on the very first day of school and I was there to stand up for her when she needed it.  Why did I stand up for her that first day when I barely knew her?  Because it was the right thing to do.  Now I do it because it’s what true friends do for one another.  I don’t leave my friends hanging – not now, not ever.

Fluttershy’s at her best when she’s helping others to be their best.  On top of that, she feels like she owes me no matter how many times I assure her that she doesn’t.  One day when she finally realizes how awesome she really is, I’ll tell her the truth and I hope when that time finally comes that she’ll forgive me.  Right now though, I’m doing my best to help her by letting her help me because it’s the only thing I can think of.

So there you have it – I’m not a stupid pony obsessed with the Wonderbolts, I’m a horrible pony who manipulates and deceives her best (and only) friend.  I may be surrounded with other ponies on the playground, but I recognize the difference between popularity and friendship.

Finally, now that you know my deepest secret you have my sincerest apologies for having to read through the drivel I submit as homework.  I’ve deceived you and every other teacher in this school as well.