//------------------------------//
// Epilogue 
// Story: Six Ways, Book 1: Unity 
// by the_bioXpony_guy 
//------------------------------//

An hour earlier....

Headstrong, for once in her life, Fluttershy flew up to the clouds in search of Rainbow Dash. It was there where she hoped some butterflies—maybe even hummingbirds—would accompany her. But alas, she flew alone. Despite being born a pegasus, she found the experience quite discomforting.

"Oh—Rainbow Dash!" she called, her voice not translating well through the sky. Where could she be? Is she sleeping and she can't hear me—or am I just far away from her? Either scenario proved enough to pull a sigh out of the tired pony.

Her wings already aching a little, Fluttershy decided to give them quick break. As a result, she ceased flying and landed upon a small, yet strong cloud. Up so high in the sky, she could hear nothing but her own breathing. Wait—was that even her own breathing?

It sounds more like— The pegasus paused and took a good listen. –like snoring! Those words on her mind, Fluttershy flinched and immediately faced the source of the noise. "Um—Rainbow Dash?"

She received snoring in response.

It looks like we're going to have to do this the hard way! And by that, Fluttershy meant hard for herself. Sure enough, as the pony followed the sound in her ears, the noise grew louder. Before long, it sounded like the roar of a lion; the sound nearly frightened the shy pony.

“Rainbow Dash?” asked Fluttershy once more, her voice just barely passing through the clouds. Yet even with her voice’s lack of strength, the snoring creature managed to pick it up—and let out a groan, as a result.

Swallowing her large pride pill, Fluttershy dashed off toward the source of the noise—and found Rainbow Dash sleeping soundly upon a soft cloud. Seeing this made her feel two things: relief and shame. For a reason unknown to her, Rainbow Dash had a book covering her face. Letting out a sigh, the pegasus rolled her eyes and drifted toward her snoozing friend. She used her hoof and her voice to wake Dash up.

At last, the sleepy pegasus managed to mutter some audible, understandable words. “F-Fluttershy?” she yawned. “What’re you doing here?”

“Twilight wants us,” replied Fluttershy. “Actually, she needs all the elements of harmony.”

Ears perked up, sleep completely out of the picture, Rainbow Dash sat up and asked, “Is it for—oh, wait a minute.” Guessing she must have looked like a total idiot right now, the blue pegasus pulled the book off her face. “I was just reading this weird book I found sitting on a dusty shelf—and lemme tell you: it is booooorrrrrriiinnngg!”

“That’s nice,” Fluttershy cut in, “But we need to get to get going.”

One last yawn escaped Dashie’s maw before the sleepy pony wrapped her hind-legs around the book and hoisted herself up from the cloud. “Let’s get going, then.”

For once in her life, Fluttershy led the way. Nothing but the soft whistle of gently-blowing wind filled the ponies’ ears. Nothing but light-blue and a few patches of white appeared before their eyes. Not another pony flew, walked, or stood in their line of sight.

Feeling slightly awkward flying in front of Rainbow Dash, not having a single word to say, Fluttershy cooked up a few questions for her friend. Her voice rose barely above the sound of the already-quiet wind when she asked, “So—Rainbow Dash—what all was that neat book of yours about?”

The blue pegasus rolled her eyes in agony and frustration. “Oh, Celestia,” she murmured to herself. “The book was talking about some animals called the Phantoka. The whole thing was like a record book for sightings that happened last year.”

“How did you find it?”

At that, Rainbow Dash snapped, “That’s none of your business!”

Fluttershy whimpered. “S-sorry!” Fighting back a couple tears, the yellow pony took a deep breath and thought. Boring or not, I think Twilight will want to see this.


End of Part 1