A heart divided
By Alex
Chapter one: The trip
As Celestia’s sun rose, there was peace in the town of ponyville. Ponies, unicorns, and pegasi were roaming the streets, setting up shops, and living their lives. Normally, the birds are up before the sun, in order to greet the ponies to a new morning. However, the delightful chirping of cardinals, blue jays, and other birds was nowhere to be found. Rainbow dash, a Pegasus, found this a bit odd, as she was always woken up by birds. She scratched her head, her rainbow mane being messed up from the hoof. She decided to look for Fluttershy, the one who normally wakes up the birds. As rainbow flew, a smile began growing on her face. She always loved flying, the way her cyan coat would gradually deviate from its normal state of cleanliness. Her mane and tail trailing in the breeze, creating a rainbow behind her wherever she flew, and her cutie mark, a rainbow lightning bolt coming from a cloud, showing her need for speed.
As she flew, her body tensed and relaxed, helping her keep her speed up. She decided to check her friend’s cottage near the ever-free forest. She hated that her house was so close, rainbow always worried for her friends safety. She never understood why fluttershy picked to make her house inside a tree, but it looked very cozy. The branches slowly swayed in the breeze, and the strong trunk has lasted through so much, that if fluttershy had to live near the ever-free forest, she was glad that she picked that tree. As she got closer, she noticed a very impatient angel bunny sitting on the doorstep.
”Hey angel, have you seen fluttershy anywhere?” Rainbow asked, looking at the bunny. Angel bunny just pointed at a window on the second floor. “Thanks angel!” rainbow exclaimed.
“Hey, fluttershy? You in here?” rainbow asked, more yelling than asking. No response. The window was open, so she flew in, being extra quiet in case fluttershy was asleep somewhere. She checked around the house, not finding any sign of fluttershy. She then went downstairs to check for her friend. The downstairs was beautiful to say the least. The tree bark created a nice contrast to the furniture, giving it a very homey feeling. The ceiling was a lot lower than it looked, but still gave a lot of room to fly around. This was, after all, a house for a Pegasus. Rainbow checked the kitchen, the spare bedroom, and the living room, all with no sign of fluttershy. She went to the garden, and there she was.
Fluttershy was very distinct among the other pegasi of ponyville, as she was the only yellow Pegasus. Her pink mane and tail created a very eye catching contrast, framing the shy pony’s face. Her yellow coat was always well groomed, and her blue eyes completed the picture. Her cutie mark was of three butterflies, as she loved animals and constantly took care of them.
“Hey, Fluttershy!” rainbow yelled, causing the shy Pegasus to hide in the bushes.
“O-oh, hey rainbow dash, what’s up?” fluttershy asked, realizing her friend did not mean to scare her. Rainbow was looking around the garden, when she noticed fluttershy was standing near a birdcage, her eyes beginning to well up with tears.
“What’s up with me can wait, what’s wrong fluttershy?” Rainbow asked, trying to comfort the Pegasus.
“W-well, one of my birds…” Fluttershy began, but being cut off by a hoof over her mouth. She looked up to see rainbow dash’s magenta eyes, looking at her, knowing what she was going to say.
“I…I’m so sorry, is there anything I can do to help?” rainbow asked, a tear beginning to roll down her cheek. Fluttershy loved seeing this side of rainbow dash. She was always tough, always trying to hide her emotions. When rainbow dash showed her emotions, it was only around her, and fluttershy loved it. She loved seeing rainbows soft side, a side only she would ever know. It helped them become the friends they are now.
“I-I’m sorry, but I don’t think so…” fluttershy said, looking apologetic.
“No worries, actually, I hate to do this, but I just got an idea. I will see you later, and fluttershy? If you ever need me, just ask Derpy or Pinkie. They can get the message to me, and I will be over as fast as I can. Okay?” rainbow asked. Fluttershy simply nodded, and like that, rainbow was off.
*****
Rainbow went from one building to the next, before stopping at the ponyville public library. Her friend, twilight sparkle, lived in the library. She beat her hoof against the door, wondering why all of her friends wanted to live in trees. The door opened revealing a purple unicorn with purple and pink hair, purple eyes, and an indescribable cutie mark.
“Oh, hey rainbow dash, what’s up?” twilight asked, inviting rainbow into the library house.
“You remember when I said I was going to take you on that trip? I changed my mind; there is somepony more important I want to take. Sorry.” Rainbow said, trying to keep a low voice.
“It’s fine rainbow, it’s your trip, take who you want. Besides, I can go to canterlot whenever I want.” Twilight said, magically levitating the pass back to rainbow dash.
“Thanks for understanding, Twi.” Rainbow said.
“Just curious though, why the change of heart? Who are you taking?” Twilight asked. Rainbow simply glared at twilight, and twilight backed off. “Well, have fun!” twilight said, going into the basement of the library.
“Good, I got the pass, now I just need to go back to fluttershy’s"Rainbow thought to herself.
*****
Rainbow arrived at fluttershy’s house, seeing fluttershy in the garden. She gingerly flapped her wings, softening her landing onto the grass floor. The garden was spectacular. All kinds of flowers and shrubs not normally seen near ponyville. The edges of the garden were littered with cages for various types of animals. And there lay fluttershy, still laying near the birdcage, crying.
“Hey fluttershy, I’m back.” Rainbow whispered, trying to not scare the pony this time. Fluttershy did not respond. “Look, I know this must be hard on you, but it’s a part of life. You have to be able to let them go eventually, no matter how much it hurts.” Rainbow finished, being pushed backwards a little when fluttershy dove onto the cyan Pegasus. “It’s all right, I’m always here for you fluttershy.” She was crying on dash’s shoulder. Dash didn’t mind, she was always there for her friends.
“T-thank you.” She started, wiping a tear from her cheek, “So, what was your idea?”
“I think you’re going to like this. I got Princess Celestia to let a friend and I stay in canterlot castle, and I want to take you. I think you need to unwind, and I know how much you like nature, so I want you to come with me. We can go visit the canterlot garden.”
“O-oh, thank you rainbow! But what about our other friends?” fluttershy asked, concerned.
“Don’t worry, I asked them, and they didn’t want to go. Well, twilight did, but she changed her mind. She said that she could ‘Go whenever’. Oh, and make sure you pack for a week.” Rainbow replied. Fluttershy went from crying to hugging, getting excited about going to the garden. She knew she would have to face losing a bird, but at the moment, that was the last thing on her mind. She started packing, and before they knew it, they were off to canterlot.
*****
On the way to canterlot, there was a lot of talking between the two pegasi. They talked about what they would do, where they would go, where they would eat, and of course, the garden. As the carriage they were in pulled up to the castle, a voice greeted them from seemingly nowhere.
“Ah, girls, I’m glad you made it!” the mysterious voice said.
“Thank you for the rooms princess. I really appreciate it.” Rainbow responded.
“Oh, no problem rainbow, now, let me show you to your room.” Princess Celestia said.
They were led around the castle, given a tour, and then shown to their rooms. They are rooms were right across from each other, and next to the garden.
“Well, I have some business to take care of, enjoy yourselves; you’re here for a week after all!”
As they began settling in, fluttershy went into rainbow dash’s room. Rainbow was quite surprised, as she thought fluttershy would go to the garden first.
“What? Aren’t you going to go to the garden?” rainbow asked, puzzled.
“Well I’m waiting for you!” fluttershy responded, much cheerier than she was previously.
“You don’t need to wait for me! I brought you here so you could relax, I would only keep you from relaxing.” Rainbow insisted. Fluttershy looked confused, but she did want to go see the garden. Still, she waited there for another 15 minutes before rainbow dash finally caved. “You’re so persistent. Oh all right, let’s go.” Rainbow finally said. ‘Fluttershy seemed so much happier, she really needed this trip.’ She thought to herself.
*****
The garden of canterlot was magnificent. Exotic species of animals, very rare plants, and beautiful scenery. Fluttershy looked at rainbow dash, joy practically beaming from her face. She ran around, making friends with the animals. Rainbow just watched. ‘I’m so glad she likes it. Hopefully this will help her unwind.’ Rainbow thought.
“Rainbow!” fluttershy yelled, “Come look at this!”
Rainbow dash flew to fluttershy, landing next to her and looking over an amazing sight. They were on a landing, and you could see ponyville from the benches. Fluttershy was on one of the benches, inviting rainbow dash to sit down.
“Wow, that’s…amazing.” She said, her mouth open in surprise. Fluttershy giggled, and that snapped rainbow out of it. She closed her mouth and sat down.
“I have never seen you admire the scenery. What changed?” fluttershy asked.
Rainbow dash pondered this question for a minute. Before responding with “The scenery has never been worth admiring until now.” Fluttershy giggled again, leaning in closer to her friend, and sat there, enjoying the view. Rainbow looked at her friend, noticing she was upset.
“What’s wrong fluttershy? I thought you would like it here…”rainbow said, trailing off.
“W-what? O-oh, nothing…”Fluttershy started, “It’s just…I don’t know…”
“You don’t need to tell me if you don’t want, I was just a little curious. With all the critters, and the view, I thought you would be happier.” Rainbow dash stated, trying to cheer up the sad Pegasus. “You don’t have to, but I really want to know what’s wrong. I hate seeing you upset.”
“W-well, it’s just that…there’s a pony I like and…well…I don’t know how to tell her…” fluttershy said, inching away from rainbow dash in shyness.
“Aaah, it’s a mare. I can see why that would be embarrassing. Do you know if she is into mares?” rainbow said, trying to help her friend. Fluttershy was surprised at the response she got, she was expecting more laughter and snickering, but was getting helpful advice.
“I think so…” fluttershy squeaked. She was inching back towards rainbow dash. ‘I wish she knew’ Fluttershy thought.
“Well, try and find out. Get her somewhere peaceful, somewhere quiet, somewhere where you can talk with her. Get to know her, find out if she is into mares, and then take it from there.” Rainbow started, “I remember when people first found out I was into mares, I was horrified. It was awful, and I have been trying to hide my past ever since.”
“W-what happened?” fluttershy asked, an eyebrow raised.
“I’m sorry, but I would rather not talk about it.” Rainbow responded.
“O-oh, okay…”Fluttershy said, getting lost in her thoughts. ‘Well, there goes that…wait, do not think like that fluttershy. I love her, and I need to PROVE it.’
The night continued for several hours. Stargazing, talking, and flying taking most of the time. Fluttershy was lost in her thoughts most of the time, trying to think of a way to approach this. Rainbow assumed she was thinking about the mare she liked, and she was sort of right. They settled down near the bench and sat. Fluttershy drifted asleep, and soon after, so did rainbow dash.
****
END OF CHAPTER ONE