//------------------------------// // Captain Prism Flash [Random, Romance, Sad] // Story: Friendship Harder: Collected Microfiction // by KwirkyJ //------------------------------// The universe spun as Captain Prism Flash turned the wheel, a wide grin on her face. “See, Lieutenant Butter? Now we can go anywhere!” Lieutenant Butter was holding on tight to Captain Prism, but Prism didn’t mind. “Tank and I got everything all patched up, and we’re good to go!” “I’m so glad,” said Lieutenant Butter. “After all that happened with those space-rocks, I wasn’t sure we’d be going again. I should never have doubted you, Prism Flash. You’re so… awesome.” “I totally am,” boasted Prism Flash. “Now how about we make space wakes and get on!” With a great roar (but not too loud, Prism Flash was considerate about that), the space-dirigible hurtled itself onward, destination: Anywhere Prism Flash Went But That’s Nice Because Butter Could Come Too. Captain Prism wasn’t much for standing at the controls, though, so she left them and took to flying around for a while and sometimes taking naps. Lieutenant Butter was happy to take over the piloting, and enjoyed watching Prism. Then the alarms blared, scaring Butter. “Oh no, what’s happening?” she cried. “Prism, help!” Prism Flash was there in an instant. “Oh no, looks like those Space House Sparrow mercenaries from before weren’t finished after all!” Prism quickly took the wheel and the space-balloon heaved sideways. “Fuel Tank, we gotta go faster!’ Through the intercom came the chief engineer's reply, “Full power now, Captain Prism, it may not be enough!” “Luna’s Beard,’ Prism Flash cursed, “looks like we can’t outrun them.” “Oh, no!” said Lieutenant Butter. “Captain Prism, what are we going to do?” “Don’t you worry, Fluttershy, we can still out-maneuver them.” The space-balloon twisted again, and the ship arced around a giant space-rock. It was so close Butter could almost reach out and touch it, but she didn’t. She wasn’t scared, either, because she trusted Captain Prism Fash. “I trust you,” Butter said. But ahead wasn’t safety, it was another ship! On the rigging up high, their lookout Angel shouted a warning. “Look out!” Butter cried. “Drat, it’s Orange Mare!” said Prism. She spun the wheel and the space-balloon heaved again, but the space-wagon of Orange Mare turned. The ships scraped against each other with a very loud scraping noise. Lieutenant Butter pressed her hooves over her ears it was so loud. Rainbow Flash didn’t, because she wasn’t bothered by mere sounds. The space-balloon bucked throwing them into the air. “Don’t worry, Fluttershy, I got ya!” Yelled Flash, and she flew over in an instant and grabbed her from floating out into space. “Well, what do we have here,” came another voice. “Orange Mare!” said Captain Flash, defensive. “What are you doing here again?” “What do you think I’m doing here, partner,” said Orange Mare. She tipped her massive hat. “I’m after you, Miss Prism Dash, I told you once and I’ll tell you until you understand.” “I’ll never work in your space-apple mines! Never!” yelled Prism Dash, flying defiantly between Butter and Orange Mare.” “You say that now, but I think my Space House Sparrow mercenaries will leave you little There was a knock on the door. Fluttershy gave a quiet yelp and the quill smudged on the parchment. “Oh dear, I wonder who that could be? Angel, can you open the door, please?” Daintily, she placed her writing utensil on the desk and quickly went to the door herself “Hey, little guy, is Fluttershy – Oh, hi, Fluttershy!” She couldn’t stop a smile flooding her face when she saw Rainbow Dash at her door. “Oh, hello, Rainbow Dash.” “Hey, the Wonderbolts are gonna be racing in Cloudsdale this afternoon. Do you want to come?” “I… Oh, I don’t know, Rainbow Dash..." She did, actually, want to spend time with Rainbow Dash. She wanted nothing more than to join in the things that Rainbow liked. Her ears drooped. "There, um, won’t be a lot of ponies there, will there?” “Of course there will, Fluttershy. It’s the Wonderbolts, it’s not like they put on private races or anything.” Of course. “Oh. Um, I’m really, really sorry, Rainbow Dash, but I, um, I don’t think so. There’s so much I need to do for my animal friends, I don’t think I can take the time…” “Oh, really?” Rainbow's ears sagged. “Um, maybe, if you have the time, you’d like some tea before you fly off? With me, I mean?” “Sorry, Fluttershy, but I gotta jet if I want a good ticket. Hey, tell you what, I’ll get you a poster, maybe they’ll sign one for you?” “That would be, um…” her face flushed. Rainbow, asking to get something for her? “Hey, you okay?” “What?” “Your face is all red.” “Oh, I –! I, um, I-I…” Fluttershy stammered, trying to think of an excuse. “You’re not getting a cold or anything, are you? Pony Pox?” “Oh, yes! I am!” she cried. “Cough, cough. A cold, very sudden. Ah-choo. Yes. I can’t get other ponies sick.” “Man, I hope you feel better quick, Fluttershy…” “I’m sure I will, Rainbow. Um, you’d better go. Don’t want a bad seat or anything.” “Right. Take care, Fluttershy.” “Thank you, Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy watched Rainbow Dash as she flew off. She shut the door with a heavy sigh and returned to her desk. She looked at the notebook for a moment before turning the page over and dipping the quill once again into the pot of ink... Lieutenant Butter lay in the bed, Fuel Tank nearby, working the dozens of valves in his steady pace. “You worry too much,” he said, slow and sagely. “If Captain Prism says you need your rest, she’s probably right. She’s an athlete, and a captain. She knows the importance of staying healthy.” “You’re right, Tank,” said Lieutenant Butter.