//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: The Wrong Card 
// by ConfusementIsKey 
//------------------------------//

The sky the next day was a beautiful blue, the colors fading from the darker shades into the lighter as it dawns along the end of the skies. Fluttershy, outside of the cottage, whistles a tune to summon the birds as she carries a medium size of bird seed in a bag. As she whistles the melodic tune, more and more herds of birds surround her as she pours the feed into the trays that she had set a few days before. The birds began to peck at the feed as Fluttershy flew back to the small shack she had in her backyard. She opened the doors and set down the bag in the far corner, still humming the same peaceful tune to which called the birds to her.

She then retreated from the shack, closing the door and locking it securely. The birds were the final animals that had to be fed for the morning, which now brought her to her mobile chores around Ponyville. She trotted inside and went to look at her calendar  for the things that she had to do for today. But when she went to look, the small area that filled the date, the 21st of May, left her a smudge in shock. The area was blank, leaving her nothing but clear, white paper. She sighed on relief, a day off would be a magnificent and dandy-

Wait a second...

Fluttershy knew- she was sure that something was planned for the day. It was...unlikely. She distinctly remembered- something important hit her. Then it snapped into place- she was to go see her dearest friend, Rainbow Dash. Not just for her own preoccupation, but a letter that was written for her was to be sent there as well. Fluttershy had taken this chore, and little did she know, it was going to be a difficult one. She searched around the one-roomed cottage, throwing things around to look for her bag that had the letter. Soon, she found it and adjusted the strap to her side securely, and set out the door. She then locked it behind her, and quickly trotted into town. Looking up at the sun in the sky, she could tell that it was reaching a rather late time for the morning, and before even she knew it- it would be noon. Her trot paced into a run, and she gulped hard when she realized that in order to get there as soon as possible, she'd have to fly. Flying- (she'd willingly admit)- was NOT a favorite in her capabilities. If she could, she'd give her wings away. But it was also important that she did this not only for Twilight, but she secretly longed to see the cyan-coated mare. Her deep crimson eyes, and to hear her voice was almost a fairy-tale. 

As clarified before, Fluttershy raised her wings, and eventually, raised herself off of the ground. Defeating gravity, she let the air beneath her raise her up with her body's support. Hooves set in front of her, the flying wasn't impressive by any means, but she was going a good 30 miles per hour. She emotionally saddened when she began to levitate herself off of the ground even further, and in the slightest movement, made her way to Cloudsdale. It was as she knew it to be, and the far building on the end was her destination. She trotted on the cloud-type surface beneath her, feeling a humid and slightly damp touch to the rim of her hooves. She wasn't remotely bothered by strolling through the floating city, it was just then when she caught eye of a Pegasus flying above her that just pinched her nerve a bit. She didn't want to fly anymore than what was recommended. She let out a sigh as more Pegasi begin to fly above her, the town no longer servants to her fear of those who surrounded her. All airborne, and none grounded, (or clouded, if you insist.) Relief struck her as about twenty more minutes down the city highways she had reached the Pegasuses street. 

As she approached the well- mannered home, something didn't come together right in her mind. A chill went down her spine as the door that marked 35 gave of a strangely tragic vibe. Ignoring this, Fluttershy then proceeded to knock on the wooden door.

One minute later, nothing happened.

Sadness started to spread through her heartstrings as she turned to leave, but then remembered; there was an important side to this too. Or what she believed. It's something that simply inspired her to do whatever it took when measured to the limit, if her friend wanted it done, then accomplished the mission will be. For she was the only mare known close to presenting to the depressed mare. Encouraged by this new encounter, she whirled around and started for the door once more, even louder this time. No answer. She no longer knocked, but she started beating on the door, when suddenly it unlatched, and quietly opened with a low creak. Fluttershy did not take this anymore than an invitation to invite herself in. She quietly entered, looking around, and was bewildered by what she saw. Glass, showered practically from one end of her living room to the next, making her a bit careful as she took a first step to move around to see more. The house was dark, but the place was a wreck. Rainbow Dash's fine leather couch was imbedded with rips and tears all along the seat and the backboard. Different colors were splattered on the walls as if they were thrown, and the coffee table was broken, laying on the ground. 

Fluttershy covered her mouth with her hoof, bearing herself from the tears that stung her eyes. Dashie was in a primarily aggressive state while in which this had happened. Nothing else could explain it. Fluttershy then heard a clicking noise that made her ears ring from a certain direction. She turned to see the hallway, and gently started walking to it. It wasn't as much of a tornado storm afterwards as the living room, but the pictures on the walls, as well as certificates and trophies were hanging, broken from the single thumbtack that held them all in. So much for that. Fluttershy wasn't one to forget, Dashie had a very pleasant home. Fluttershy could never live in it, but she would agree that it was a delicately designed home. She then walked by a room, the door opened a tad and the light shined in. She gently shoved it open, to reveal Rainbow Dash's bedroom.

Fluttershy's gaze scattered around the room, papers on the floor and trophies, medals, certificates, any rewarding object knows well to mind could be found around the room- lucky if it was in one piece. She looked around, the only window in the room had it's curtain ripped as it dangled from the last little bit of garment that hanged. Fluttershy felt her heart ache as she started to get photographic guesses to how this all could have happened, like a video in her mind. She moved towards the window to observe a crack where Dash could have punched the glass pane, when she looked over in the corner of the opposite side of Rainbow Dash's bed, she nearly fainted. Her heart dropped as she saw Rainbow Dash, laying on her side on the floor. She quickly ran towards her and moved some papers that covered the cyan mare, turning her over. 

Her eyes scanned Rainbow Dash's body, fear engulfing her as she didn't see Rainbow Dash's chest rise and fall like it was supposed to. Fluttershy felt warm tears start to form in her eyes as she threw her body onto Rainbow Dash's, crying and softly sobbing into the mare's coat. Then suddenly, thump thump. Fluttershy wheezed in as she remained quiet once more, and pressed her ear against Dash's chest to listen carefully.

Thump thump, thump thump.

The pattern then continued to form, a weak thump after another. Fluttershy then looked at Dash happily, and started crying with joy. She then paused as she saw something roll on the floor, and bump into Dash's unconscious body. She looked down and picked up a small bottle, and pulled it close to her face to read the label. Sleeping. She took sleeping pills, but as Fluttershy examined the container a bit more, it had made it clear than an overdose could cause you to rest longer intended, and slow down your heart. Take all pills, could be a risk to death. Fluttershy opened the bottle to see to her relief that there was a good 10 pills that remained, even though there was thirty to the container. Fluttershy looked back at the Pegasus, and she knew it was wrong to...

But there was only one mare in the entire land of Equestria she blamed for this.

Fluttershy took Rainbow Dash to Cloudsdale's closest hospital, waiting and waiting for hours of the doctors to tell her Rainbow was going to be okay. Nurses asked her if she would like a drink, or something to occupy her time, but she refused every single offer that was thrown at her. Evening arrived, and Fluttershy remained right where she's been for going on 9 hours. Her stomach was growling at her to get an appetite, but she ignored it. Her eyes were beginning to become weary, and heavier by the minute, but she refused to shut them. That is when finally, the doctor walked out of the room. Before he could shut the door, Fluttershy was at his side, hooves pressed together and her eyes bloodshot as she stared up at him with giant, green eyes. 

"Oh doctor," She began, "Please tell me she's okay..."

The doctor smiled down at her humbly, and said in a soothing and tired voice, "Of course she's fine. She's previously in a coma, and by the looks of it, she'll be awake tomorrow good as new. It's a great thing you brought Rainbow Dash here so quickly, if she wasn't treated in time- we could've lost her."

Fluttershy sighed and she looked down happily. She was so relieved to hear that Rainbow was okay! Her heart fluttered as the doctor began to walk by, leaving Fluttershy alone as she turned and called to him. Her turned around and gave a sly grin as he pointed to the door. "It's unlocked. There's a chair that has some blankets to keep yourself warm, and don't forget to lock it back when you get in there."

"How-"

He then trotted over and rested a hoof on the yellow Pegasus' shoulder, looking her in the eyes. " You don't stay sitting in a lobby for hours and expect to leave her here right after knowing she's going to be okay." Now let's admit, this Pegasus knew what he was doing. Well at his job, she could tell. He then turned around and made his way towards the main office to sign out for the night.

Fluttershy stayed sitting in the middle of the lobby before walking quietly to Rainbow Dash's room, She shut the door and locked it as instructed, and she turned to see Rainbow laying on her back, wearing a face mask and a couple of cords coming from her arms. Fluttershy walked to her side, staring at her resting body. She looked so peaceful, and beautiful- it should be illegal. No mare should look this good as they slept. It nearly brought Fluttershy to tears at the thought that she could have lost her today. If Fluttershy didn't go to see her, she could have died. She'd never forgive herself if that was to ever happen. Fluttershy rested her head at the side of Rainbow Dash's bed, and quietly cried. 

"Don't worry, Dashie. I'll never let you go... I love you."

The next morning, Rainbow Dash slowly opened her eye lids. It was a surprise to herself that she was even awake- that's when she tried to remember about the pills. Didn't she take all of them? She couldn't remember. Her head slightly throbbed as she looked over and nearly jumped out of the sheets. Fluttershy was at her bedside, laying her head down and sleeping softly. Her sides heaved up and down as she was breathing, and Dash could tell the detail of tear stains that was around the area her face was.

Oh no.

Rainbow Dash sat herself up, and moved some of the light pink hair out of Fluttershy's sleeping face. Rainbow froze at the sight of Fluttershy. She looked like a sleeping angel... Rainbow Dash shoved this thought aside and gently shook Fluttershy's shoulder.

"Fluttershy... Fluttershy, wake up."

Fluttershy groaned as she slowly started to turn awake, she sat up and stretched as she rubbed her right eye with her hoof before opening both of them. Fluttershy blinked a couple of times, and then smiled as she threw herself at Rainbow Dash. "Dashie, you're still alive! Thank Celestia, I thought I lost you!!"

Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She couldn't say anything, it would kill her to. Fluttershy was the one that brought her to aid in the hospital, and she probably knew that she had found out about the pills. Fluttershy looked Rainbow in the eyes, tears in her own. "Dashie... Why'd you do it?"

Rainbow couldn't explain, not even if she wanted to. She felt guilty, and she knew that it would be hard to explain to her Pegasus friend. "I-I was angry, and sad... and I just..."

"You couldn't take the heartbreak, could you?"

Dashie looked away. "That's not what I'm saying."

"It's the only explanation," She said, wiping away tears on her face. "Rainbow, I know that you and Applejack have had your problems, but that isn't a reason to go off and do something like this. Have you forgotten? You're needed! Even if you don't think so, we all need you. You're a big part of the causes we have. When we're all afraid, guess who stands up and looks danger right in the face? You. You Dashie, you're brave, loyal, and awesome in every way. You're very good at what you do, and you wanted to throw your life away because you're heart broken?!"

Rainbow Dash looked down. She was right. It was a dumb thing for her to do- and it could have wrecked everything. It could have wrecked harmony, friendship, and... it could have wrecked Fluttershy. Fluttershy is the most sensitive out of us all, so if she were to get the news That Rainbow went ahead and punched her own ticket, she'd be more heart broken than Rainbow Dash has ever been.

Fluttershy just stared at her, watching Rainbow for a response. "I know you don't like to confess to these kind of things. I get it. It's what a tough pony has trouble with, but I understand, Dash. You may not think I do, but just because you defend me all the time doesn't mean that I-"

Fluttershy stopped talking as Rainbow Dash wrapped her hooves around her, embracing her in a tight hug. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy sat there for a couple of seconds, not anticipating to say anything until Dash spoke in a quivery voice, "I'm sorry, Fluttershy. I was upset... and I thought it was the way out. I didn't think about anypony else at the time because I was... heartbroken."
She smiled as she raised her hooves and hugged Rainbow Dash back, quietly thankful that Rainbow finally understood.

"It's okay Dashie. You don't ever have to keep something like that to yourself, I'm here, and I'll always listen."

"Thanks Shy." Said Rainbow, closing her eyes as she took in this moment with Fluttershy. She stayed this way for about twenty minutes before a nurse came in for a check up on Rainbow Dash. After that, Rainbow Dash was clear to leave. With a few recommendations as she walked out of the hospital from the nurse, Rainbow Dash walked with Fluttershy out of the hospital. They walked with each other as Fluttershy soon came to the point where she realized that she probably should get back home.

Fluttershy raised her wings to fly off, and started to fly back to Ponyville when Rainbow Dash spoke up, "Wait!"

Fluttershy nearly fell trying to stop, and she turned to look at Rainbow. Rainbow smiled slyly as she looked at the sky. "You know... I'm feeling kinda hungry. You wanna... grab something to eat?"

The yellow Pegasus smiled happily as her eyes sparkled with excitement and delight. "I'd love to."