//------------------------------// // Meeting Aunty Fluttershy // Story: Pod BOY: My Little Tony // by Krazy Stargazer //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash knocked on the door of the cottage, unsure of how exactly Fluttershy would respond to seeing the little alien boy. Knowing how shy and timid the pony could be, Rainbow half expected her to freak out or something. So she braced for the worst ...Well she freaked out alright, just not in the way Rainbow was expecting. "OH MY GOSH! Rainbow Dash, he's so cute! I wonder what species he could be? A baboon? Perhaps a squirrel of some kind? Oh how wonderful! I wonder if..." the excitable mare continued like that for awhile, lost in her imaginings. Fluttershy suddenly became very animated and inquisitive, like a school filly, or Rainbow herself at a Wonder Bolts performance. Rainbow Dash inwardly chuckled at herself. Well, duh Rainbow Dash, of course she'd be interested in meeting a new animal friend. I guess I should have seen this coming, though (chuckle). Fluttershy continued fawning and cooing over the creature for a bit longer until she realized that she was leaving her guests at her door. "Oh, but where are my manners? I'm so very sorry for keeping you in the cold like this. Won't you please come in?" Fluttershy said warmly. Rainbow accepted her invitation with a polite nod and entered her humble cottage. She had been here a dozen times before, and it was always so warm and inviting, and even kind of homey. She had spent a lot of time there with Fluttershy after the breakup, its calming presence and Fluttershy's compassion probably helped keep her sane. Yet, that was the past, Rainbow was there for a much different reason. Fluttershy led them to her living room, where Rainbow nestled the baby down and made herself comfortable. There was the occasional babble of the animals Fluttershy took care of, but Rainbow became used to it. It was still early, and the little guy was still wandering Princess Luna's realm. I wonder what he's dreaming about? thought Rainbow. "The usual, Rainbow Dash? Pancakes with orange juice?" our hostess asked. The pony knew her friend well, pancakes and orange juice was Rainbow's favorite. It was early in the morning, and Fluttershy must have deduced that she hadn't had breakfast yet. "Thanks, that would be great Fluttershy, you’re the best." "No trouble at all," she replied sweetly. Heh, she can cook, she is a good listener, and really nice. She'd make one stallion very lucky one day. Even as Rainbow Dash thought this, she highly doubted it. Not because Fluttershy was unbecoming in any way, far from it, in fact. Heck, sometimes Rainbow was jealous of Fluttershy's natural beauty. Other mares had to work at being pretty, Fluttershy just was. She was way too shy to notice, but Rainbow Dash saw the way the stallions looked at her. Unfortunately for them, Fluttershy had no intention of being in a relationship. Not that Rainbow didn't try to convince her otherwise, but considering her last breakup, she was probably the last mare to be giving relationship advice. Rainbow glanced back at the baby and heard his tummy grumble. Oh poor guy. He must be starving. I wonder if Fluttershy's got some of...what ever he eats. "Say, Fluttershy, can I get something for him?" Rainbow Dash asked, gesturing to the baby. "Sure, what does he eat?" Fluttershy asked politely. The question was simple, yet incredibly simple, and Rainbow Dash face-hoofed for not knowing the answer. Haha...oh this is priceless I don't even know what the kid eats! Geez, this 'caretaking' thing is harder than it looks! To the distraught pony's defense, she had been awfully busy the previous day. After saving the creature from a hostile forest, in the middle of a storm, the question as to what it ate never really came up. "Hehe...actually, Fluttershy, I have no idea what the little guy noms on. Actually, I don't really know anything about him." "Oh my, how have you been taking care of him then?" "Well you see the thing is, I only found him yesterday..." "Oh!" She said softly yet confused, "Wasn't there a terrible storm yesterday though?" The cyan pegasus was silent for a moment, and then proceeded to face-hoof for the second time that day alone. Doh! Way to go Rainbow! Now you got to tell your best friend just what it was you were doing in the middle of a storm! She was just going to have to come clean, and tell Fluttershy what happened. It wasn't going to be pretty, and she was pretty sure Fluttershy wouldn't approve of her actions. She looked at the yellow mare to see if she was really going to have her explain herself. The gentle, yet insistent look on Fluttershy's face showed that she wasn't going to budge an inch until she got answers. "(Sigh). Ok, look the truth is," Rainbow braced herself "Iwasoutflyinginthestormyesterday!" Fluttershy merely blinked. "I'm sorry, could you please repeat that last part? If you don't mind, that is... I think I missed it." "Fluttershy...you remember my recent breakup, right?" Rainbow started cautiously. Fluttershy nodded solemnly. Truth be told, Fluttershy remembered her friend's breakup very well. She had only seen her usually confident and strong friend in such a state when she was really upset. She had seen that look on Rainbow's face when they were fillies and had both been the victims of bullying. Yet, Rainbow had a way of dealing with bullies that Fluttershy envied. It was like nothing they said mattered, because Rainbow knew who she was, and nothing they said could change that. Fluttershy wasn't as...confident. Often the words and taunts of the bullies got to her and she ended up crying. Despite all that, Rainbow Dash was always there for her. To either comfort her or protect her. Now, that they were adults, Fluttershy still found herself in need of Rainbow's help from time to time, which she always gave without a second thought. Fluttershy was no fool though. She knew how one-sided their friendship was at times. That's why she felt so terrible, because she couldn't comfort Rainbow after her breakup. It hurt the gentle pegasus to know that her friend was in pain, and that she could do nothing to help. Last time she had seen Rainbow Dash, she seemed to look like a mare that had lost her cutie mark, confused and sad beyond words. But, here was her friend before her now, having brought some strange creature with her. True, Fluttershy was excited to see a possible new animal friend, but she was also happy to see her friend again. She had a strange feeling yesterday, and was suddenly concerned about Rainbow Dash. She was glad to see her friend was okay. Rainbow took a deep breath. This was going to be a long story... Rainbow Dash valued her friendship with Fluttershy, perhaps even more than Fluttershy at times (weird, but true). She knew that everypony else thought she was the strong, tough and confident pony. And Rainbow tried very hard to keep up that appearance. Truth be told however, Rainbow Dash wasn't always so confidant, and often doubted herself. Yet, having Fluttershy as a friend gave Rainbow Dash a reason to be strong. So as long as she had someone to protect, she would never show weakness. Her loyalty to her friend had made her strong. Fluttershy returned the favor for her by always being their to support her, either by cheering for Rainbow at one of her performances, or just lending an ear on the rare occasions she did lose confidence. As with all things though, change was bound to happen. As they grew up, Rainbow Dash found that she didn't need to come to Fluttershy's rescue as much. Somewhere along the line, her shy and timid friend had grown some confidence of her very own. Rainbow Dash was happy to see that her friend could handle some of her own problems, yet admitted to herself she missed the old days where she needed Rainbow to always protect her. Yet, part of what being a friend meant was to allow friends to 'fall or rise' on their own. It was just that, sometimes, Rainbow Dash felt like her friend wouldn't need her one day. Or even worse, what if she ended up relying on Fluttershy? That train of thought was what led her to gradually begin distancing herself from Fluttershy. When she found someone who she thought was her special somepony, she finally let her guard down. Rainbow Dash finally felt like she could just be...herself. Heck, she even moved back to Cloudsdale for him. Then it turns out the jerk had been using her...and guess which mare was their for her? If you guessed Fluttershy, you'd be correct. She was still there willing to lend Rainbow an ear, and offer some simple comfort. Fluttershy may not have known it at the time, but her talk with Rainbow Dash had helped a lot. Unfortunately, that was just the problem. She felt that by breaking down and coming to Fluttershy with her problems, she had let her down in some way, even if the gentle pegasus said otherwise. Between being confused and angry about the breakup, letting Fluttershy down, and letting herself down, Rainbow Dash had done something reckless, and extremely dangerous. You know the story from that point. "Fluttershy, why don't you take a seat this is going to be a looong story," said Rainbow Dash, moving over so the yellow pegasus could sit down and hear her story, "So here's what happened..." Rainbow Dash summed up the events yesterday and what led up to it. Everything, from the breakup, to her foolish decision to fly in the middle of a storm (which any pegasus knew was a damn stupid thing to do), to her discovery of the reverse lightning, to the weird pod thing and the creature that resided in it. Rainbow wondered if even her best friend would believe such a story, after all Rainbow hardly believed it...and she was their for Celestia's sake! She just had to tell the story and hope her friend would believe her. Meanwhile, Fluttershy's emotions were on a roller coaster throughout the whole story. Emotions that ranged from shock, and concern, from relief, to curiosity. Fluttershy had no trouble believing in the story of the alien boy, after all the proof was currently napping on her sofa. What she couldn't believe was that Rainbow had felt so depressed that she nearly got herself killed! After Rainbow Dash finished, Fluttershy did something the cyan pegasus certainly wasn't expecting. She hugged her. Not a tight squeeze, nor a light pat, but one full of concern and boundless compassion, tears falling freely from her face. Rainbow Dash was at a loss for words. She had expected to be lectured, not hugged, but she'd be lying if she said she didn't need one at the moment. Then, Fluttershy spoke. "I'm, sorry Rainbow Dash. (sobs) I'm so sorry, " said the gentle pegasus tearfully, " If only I was a better friend. If only..." "Hey! None of that!" said Rainbow assertively, "Look, I'm a grown up mare, and I made a stupid choice. This is in no way your fault. You hear me? This is not your fault, ok?" Now it was Rainbow's turn to give a hug. It was tighter then Fluttershy's, but just as compassionate. And, although she would never admit this, she may have shed a tear or two. "You’re the best friend anypony could hope for. I wasn't thinking straight...I let my emotions get the better of me. I'm the one who should be saying sorry," Rainbow said miserably, "I should have known how my actions would have affected the ponies I cared about...but I was selfish! You have nothing to apologize for. But can you find it in your heart to forgive me?" Fluttershy broke the hug, and looked Rainbow in the eyes. She was wearing a sincere and warm smile, her tears drying gradually as well. "Of course I forgive you...that's what friends do," said Fluttershy simply. They sat there on the couch, in that embrace, for a few more moments, simply glad to be in the company of another pony that cared so much about them. Fluttershy, was glad to simply know that her friend was safe and sound. While Rainbow Dash was just happy to know that in spite of her bad choice she still had her best friend. Then, the touching moment was broken by a gurgling noise followed, by the crying of a certain extraterrestrial. "Hehe, guess the little dude is hungry," observed Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy giggled as well, and walked off the couch. "uhm...did you still want those pancakes?" she asked as she walked into the kitchen. Rainbow Dash however was preoccupied at the moment. She had snuggled next to the tiny creature and had begun to sing. It was quite a sight. The morning sun's rays gradually illuminated the two, as Rainbow was curled around the strange creature, as the rainbow maned pegasus began to sing a beautiful melody. Fluttershy, merely admiring the touching scene for a couple moments, never would have guessed that her usually brash and tomboyish friend could have such a tender side. But, most importantly, was how happy Rainbow Dash looked. After the breakup, Fluttershy had found that Rainbow couldn't give many genuine smiles. They always seemed...forced. Yet, here she was, looking like the most content pony in the world, and it was all because of that creature Rainbow found. (i)Maybe it’s a good thing Rainbow went flying yesterday...I haven't seen here smile like that in a long time. And it was all because of him.(/i) ~~~~ Fluttershy had finished cooking and set the pancakes and orange juice in front of the eager Rainbow Dash. "Oh boy, Fluttershy! You've really out done yourself this time! Isn't that right little guy?" said Rainbow nudging the alien. She was rewarded with a bright smile, followed by some giggles. Meanwhile, Fluttershy blushed at the complement. "Thank you. Please enjoy." she said sheepishly. No, they had not forgotten to feed the little alien. They had debated about what he might eat, though. Rainbow Dash had suggested just feeding him pony food, but Fluttershy reminded her that pony food was geared towards...well ponies, which this creature was most definitely not. Eating something it wasn't meant to could make the creature very ill, a risk neither mare was willing to take. However, they both agreed that he was an infant of some kind, so using baby formula would probably be the best option. Luckily, as care taker of Ponyville's animals, Fluttershy often had to feed baby animals, so she always had baby formula available. The creature drank the liquid with no complaints, and thanked them with an appreciative burp, much to the amusement of the two mares. "Uhm...not to be pushy or anything but uhm...," "Hmm? What is it Fluttershy?" Asked Rainbow, briefly stoping her assault on the poor defenseless pancakes. "Uhm...have you named him yet?" Rainbow was silent for a moment, then proceeded to face-hoof for the third time that day. "I didn't even think about that! By Celestia, I stink at this 'caretaker' thing," said Rainbow Dash, frustrated. Fluttershy frowned slightly, and then spoke. "I don't think your a 'bad' caretaker Rainbow Dash...just a little inexperienced, that's all," she ended with a smile. Rainbow perked up a bit. "So...a name eh? ...How about Rex!? Or Destroyer!? The Ultimator? Oh, how about..." "Uhm...Rainbow. He's only a baby, not a professional pony wrestler," interrupted Fluttershy. "Yea but that would be so cool! ...But I see you point, Flutters." "Perhaps Thomas?" suggested Fluttershy. "Nah. I like the T in the beginning though," said Rainbow Dash, then looked thoughtful "Hey, how about Tony?" "Tony?" Fluttershy mused. "Yeah! Its tough, but not too tough!" "Well...I like it." said Fluttershy approvingly. Apparently, the alien agreed, because it squealed with delight when it heard his name. Rainbow Dash smiled, and suddenly got an idea. She gently held the newly christened 'Tony' in her forelegs, flew over to Fluttershy and deposited him next to her. "Tony the alien, baby...thing. This is your Aunty. Aunty Fluttershy," said Rainbow with a fake Canterlot voice. Tony responded by hugging his new Aunty, perhaps a bit tightly, because Fluttershy gasped suddenly. "Oh yeah...sorry I forgot to warn ya. Tony's a hugger." Fluttershy then returned the hug. "Nice to meet you Tony," she said, then softly added "Take care of your mommy ok Tony?" The creature let out another joyous squeal, which she took as a 'yes'.