Chapter 10-Feeling A Change
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I slowly opened the door to Fluttershy's room, and I was saddened by the first sound that came to my ears...
Crying.
How long had she been at it? Knowing Fluttershy, probably for the whole two hours. I couldn't see much, the room was dark, as if it was nighttime. I reached her bed, and I sighed in sadness. She was curled up, her pink tail in her hooves, alone...in the dark. This couldn't have been a more depressing sight. I sat down on it, she wasn't facing me.
"Fluttershy...it's been two hours. I know you said you needed some time alone but, I...I need to talk to you about this..."
She wiped her eyes with her tail, making it a darker shade of pink from the wetness.
"Okay..." I could barley even hear her. She still didn't look at me.
I sighed. "Fluttershy, what happened at school today? Why aren't you telling me anything? You can tell me, absolutely anything that you need, and I'll be there to help. I'm just worried about you Flutters..."
She sat up on the bed, finally facing my direction. Her eyes were red, her cheeks were stained in tears, just like earlier. I hated to see her cry...
"Well...for one thing...I was...happy that, nobody hurt me...I almost thought that...someone would, cause I was without you..." She paused. "Um...it's just...sniff...something that he said today...that...m-made me..." She stopped.
"What? Made you what?" I asked.
"Made me think...Rainbow...and...h-he makes a good point...for once..." Her voice was shaky.
"Fluttershy, what did he tell you?" I needed an answer now, for I was turning angry. He's corrupting her mind with false words again, I hate that colt!
She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
"Tell me!" I almost yelled. I didn't mean to, but I was so angry inside. i just wanted to hear what kind of bullshit he put into her mind this time.
She stared at me, not saying a word. Finally, after countless tense moments, she spoke.
"He said that...if I wasn't such a coward, then you wouldn't have gotten hurt! Rainbow, it should've been me, but I-I couldn't stand up for m-myself! I'm sorry! He said he would've let it go if I had just taken the fall, but I let you take it! I'm so sorry! I'm sorry I'm such a coward! None of this w-would've happened if I hadn't been so scared! If I had j-just stood up for myself, we'd be fine and you wouldn't b-be injured! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" She put her head in my shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.
I had no words. Some of it was a lie, he still probably would've beaten me up anyway, but...Fluttershy was right. If she had stopped him, and fought back, I wouldn't be here with a broken wing, a slightly blackened eye, and a ton of pain. Maybe she finally learned something...maybe next time, she can use this knowledge.
"No no Fluttershy..." I hugged her softly. "It shouldn't have been anyone...that should have never happened..."
"Rainbow...I-I'm sorry, for being such...such a c-coward...I shouldn't have let you d-down..."
"Aw...come on Fluttershy, don't say things like that..."
Maybe that wasn't the right thing to say at this exact moment, but I hated to see her in this state, so sad, so depressed. I just wanted to cheer her up. To me, a sad Fluttershy, was the worst possible thing in the world, even worse than not being able to complete a Sonic Rainboom. Fluttershy was usually very happy, except of late, when these things started happening.
"No, they're right...I am just...a coward...I...I can barley even....s-speak to anyone...without...without..." She continued to sob in my fur. I could feel her damp tears soaking the soft substance. I looked down at her sadly. I wanted so much to cry with her, but, for some reason, I couldn't. Maybe it was that mindset of being too cool for crying. I sometimes wanted to get rid of that mindset all together, just for moments like these. All I could do, was give her a soft hug and soothing words.
"Hey, don't cry Fluttershy..." I didn't mind. In fact, I would prefer her to cry, to let all the emotions run out with her tears. Something tells me though, that some of those emotions stayed inside. "Your an amazing pony Fluttershy, believe me. Don't listen to what those other ponies say. They're just trying to make you feel like you don't belong, like your out of place, but I know for a fact, that you belong here, and you always will. Never forget that..."
She deserved every word of it...they couldn't see how amazing she was...
She sniffed and looked at me, tears still fresh in her eyes. I stared at those oceans of blue, full of tears, full of sadness. I wish they would have that usual sparkle, but for now, they didn't. I thought I could feel tears well up in my own, but I held them back in silence. Why couldn't I just cry with her? I wanted to so bad!
"T-Thank you, R-Rainbow Dash...you...you a-always know what t-to say..." She nuzzled her head deeper in my shoulder. It must have been comfy. I smiled at her. I'm glad I could at least stop her crying. I also didn't want to bring the subject back up, but it was time for a change. Something needed to happen, something that would change her life forever, and she was the only person that could do it...
I took a deep breath and grew serious.
"Fluttershy, tomorrow, when you go to school, I need you to do something for me, and mostly, for yourself."
She gave me a look. "W-What is it?"
"If anyone, including that one di--colt starts bullying you...you have to stand up to them."
Her face grew pale. "Oh, um...b-but Rainbow--"
"But nothing Fluttershy, I'm being serious. You want this to stop don't you?" I asked.
"Um...well, yes, but I don;t know if--"
"Than you have to be the one to stop it! I'm not going to be there every time you get into a situation like that. You have to learn to fend for yourself." I shifted closer to her. "You have to face your fears and stop this Fluttershy...I can see that it's tearing you apart inside, I can see it! It's...it's tearing me apart to..." I paused, holding on my tears. Damn...
"But Rainbow...I'm...I'm always so s-scared when I have to face them...I tense up and...I'm n-never able to--"
"Fluttershy, listen to me...I know your scared, I know what they've done to you, I understand why your afraid of them, but you have to stick up to them, tell them that you don't like what they're doing, and, I know you might not do this, but if your angry, tell them off! Tell them that they don't push you around! Tell them you don't like being bullied, and I guarantee you...if your confident and strong enough, they will stop. You just have to try Fluttershy..." I lowered my voice. "Please...do it for the both of us...but mostly, do it for yourself." I said.
She stared at me for a moment, surprised at my sudden rant. She lowered her head and contemplated the consequences.
"Do you really want them to do to you what they do to me Fluttershy?" I asked.
That did it. She took a breath, and said.
"Okay Rainbow...I'll try."
I was delighted by the answer. A change was coming, I could feel it.
"Good Fluttershy...good." I gave her hair a stroke. I could almost hear her purr like a cat, which would've been weird...
I had a sudden idea. "Fluttershy, I know this isn't like, your personality type but...what was the thing that made you the angriest, at any point in your life?" I asked.
She looked up at me. "Oh well, yes, I don't usually get angry but...when, when they beat you up, I was so mad...I wanted to scream to the ceiling...but that isn't me Rainbow..." She sighed.
I rubbed my chin with my hoof. "Hm...Fluttershy...I have an idea, and I think it will help you tomorrow...listen here..." I put my mouth up to her ear, telling her of my plan...