//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Overcast // Story: Hearts Aflutter // by NotHereAnymoreProbably //------------------------------// Hearts Aflutter – Chapter 9 Overcast Rainbow woke up later than she probably should have, but after… that, she supposed a little rest might be in order. Not being a morning pony, she groggily trudged downstairs, meeting Fluttershy at the foot. Fluttershy had said she’d been forgiven, but Dash didn’t quite believe her. She did, however, believe her completely when she’d told her never to go away, and with a quick look in her eyes, she confirmed to herself that Fluttershy was, at least for now, alright. As for her own wounds… She’d be fine. She’d been through far worse than that; she was just surprised for it to have come from Fluttershy, of all ponies. But it was nothing; Fluttershy was her closest friend. A friend who was easily forgiven. --- Time passed them by quickly as they prepared for the day; Rainbow told a joke, and Fluttershy giggled as a field mouse came to greet them, scampering up Dash’s foreleg to scruffle around in her mane, to her mild annoyance, before hopping across to rest on her own head. They moved to the kitchen, talking, laughing, like the argument the night before had never even occurred. All in all, it was a good show, but only that. But as long as she kept it up, she’d be alright. Rainbow Dash seemed not to want to admit that they’d argued at all, but it couldn’t be ignored – Fluttershy had hurt her, and she was trying not to let it show. No matter how well they hid it, and despite their attempt to make up afterwards, there was a void between them, and Fluttershy didn’t know if she’d be able to bridge it on her own. She shook her head, trying to get back into the flow of conversation. Something about- “…wings!” Dash exalted, stealing Fluttershy’s attention while setting out breakfast. “Now that you can move your wings again, that pushes our schedule up a lot; we were going to spend most of today trying to get them working again, but now that that’s done it means we can get started for real.” Extending a tentative wing, just to make sure they hadn’t regressed while she was asleep, Fluttershy nodded, putting on a smile. “What did you have in mind?” “Because this week is mostly just for preparation, we’re gonna warm up, and then go for a run around town. Then I want you to take a break for an hour, and do some more stretches after that.” “Where will you be?” she asked. “I’ll be at the spa,” Dash replied, nearly laughing at Fluttershy’s look of surprise. “But you never go to-” “I know, I know. It isn’t for relaxing, anyways.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “I’m learning how to massage.” Fluttershy’s eyebrows rose as slowly as the flowers on her windowsill grew; her cheeks glowed just as pink. “Yeah. Now eat up; we’ve got to get started!” In short order, they stood side-by-side, next to the lake just outside Ponyville. They looked ready for a race, or at least some heavy exercise; which, of course, they were, though today wasn’t meant to be particularly difficult. “Now,” Dash said. “The first thing we’ve got to do is stretch up; just like Flight Camp, remember?” Fluttershy prepared herself, not remembering at all. She took a couple of steps backwards so that she could easily see Rainbow in her peripheral vision, and soon found herself following along. It wasn’t difficult to pick up. Soon she was feeling significantly better, physically at least; her limbs felt less sluggish, and she was nice and warm in the cool morning air. It was… nice. It made it easier to pretend. With that done, and a short rest later, Dash trotted off, Fluttershy in tow, and they began to trot along towards... somewhere. Rainbow seemed to know where she was going though; when she asked, Dash replied that they were taking the scenic route through Whitetail Woods. Whenever she got tired, they’d walk, but the point was to be able to finish it without slowing down, as soon as possible. Besides all that, it looked nice, and gave them something to do while they ran. As they trotted along, a couple of critters came to say hello, but she only bothered to greet a few of them. Then she realised that whatever she was feeling, that was no excuse to ignore them, and she quickly apologised and began to enjoy their company. She realised quickly that saving her breath would save her some pain later on; even now, not quite half-way through, she was starting to get a little tired, and her legs were starting to hurt. But it was a good pain. It took her mind off… other things. “You doing okay back there, ‘Shy?” “Oh,” she puffed. “Um, yes…” “Nope. We’re walking now. Try and get your breath back soon, okay?” Both thankful, and not, for the opportunity to do so, she slowed down, taking long, ambling steps forward and breathed deeply in and out. Find something… For the first time since they’d started off, she really took the time to look around her. The Whitetail Woods had always been one of Fluttershy’s favourite places to be; instead of deep, dark and scary like the Everfree Forest, it was light and carefree. All of the animals here were so nice and friendly, and the trees, though close together, weren’t nearly as oppressive. And on a day like this, with nary a cloud in sight, it was truly spectacular. Bright sunlight streamed down through the leaves above, giving everything a beautiful golden hue. She took a particularly long breath, smelling the earthy fragrance of the trees and flowers around her. Now that she was walking, she decided to say hello to a few more of the animals that gathered around her. A few butterflies, a bunny, and even a hummingbird, all became her new friends. And then there was the scenery, which was nice. Everything here... Oftentimes, in her strolls through the forest, she felt undeserving of it, to be able to be a part of nature like this. Today, she felt that more strongly than ever. But if her animal friends could still accept a pony like her... Could Rainbow Dash, as well? --- Rainbow was worried about everything. How’s Fluttershy holding up? Is she okay? She needed a break, but does she need to stop stop, or is she okay walking? And what about the... no, that will be okay... Is she gonna be alright while I’m at the spa, or should I get… I dunno, Pinkie or somepony to help her? She huffed, expelling everything from her mind. She’s not stupid, and after… last night, she knows to get help if she needs it. She’ll be fine. But the thoughts came back repeatedly, like Tank in that very first race; slowly, steadily, arriving just when they’d have the greatest effect. Finally, she decided to just ask, remembering something the books had all said; ‘Communication is key.’ “Hey ‘Shy, you feeling alright? We can stop on that hill if you need...” It was as if time stood still; as she’d turned and asked the question, she saw Fluttershy just… walking, but with her eyes closed, and a little smile on her face. It looked like she was listening to everything going on; maybe just the wind in the leaves, or the birdcall from the treetops. Little butterflies flitted around her, and she had a hoof raised towards a little bluejay who’d come up to her, and it was all just so… Fluttershy. And that was perfect. She was happy, even after having her whole world turned upside down; overnight, for her at least. She was happy, and Rainbow Dash was so glad to be a part of that. It made it all worth it; no matter how much trouble they had to go through, if Fluttershy could keep smiling, it was worth it. Then that little smile turned in her direction and might have gotten just a tiny bit larger, and Fluttershy’s blue eyes met her own, bright, joyful, and kind. And suddenly, Dash wasn’t worried anymore. --- Scratch that. “Are you sure you’ll be fine on your own?” “Yes.” “Really sure? I mean, it’s probably best not to, but if you want I can stay…” “Oh, I’d like that. But you’re right; it’s best not to.” Rainbow sighed. “Fine. But you make sure to get someone to help you this time, alright? I don’t want anything happening to you and nopony knows where you are. Go and find… Hey, yeah! Go find Ace; he’s always doing some sort of exercise around this time. Just tell him what’s up. He’ll help. And if he doesn’t I’ll make it rain on his house for a month.” Fluttershy pretended to stifle a laugh with her hoof. “I’m sure he won’t mind. Have fun, Rainbow!” With that, she started walking; Rainbow Dash would stay there forever making sure she’d be alright, and even though it might be necessary, it wouldn’t do to hold up the schedule. Dash just needed a nudge to get her moving, that was all. Not to mention, it was getting harder to hide her feelings from Rainbow, and she didn’t think she could explain why she wasn’t happy if she was asked. She just couldn’t find the courage to apologise. It was just pathetic. She looked back, hoping that Rainbow was still there watching her, that maybe her being there would mean she was forgiven, and also that she wasn’t there, so that she would be able to stop hiding for a while. She looked, and saw to her surprise that Dash was actually following her. Seeing her questioning, if nervous, gaze, Rainbow said, “Spa’s this way too.” She pointed it out, and Fluttershy had to laugh; her first real one all day. It was like something just wouldn’t let them leave each other today. She could just walk another way, having no real destination herself, but maybe... just maybe... “So… what do you think so far?” Rainbow asked as she trotted up beside her. “Of what?” “You know. The whole...” she stopped walking, waving her hooves around for effect. “Therapy thing.” “Oh. Well, it’s alright. Besides the surgery, it hasn’t been as hard as I thought it would be, besides making sure things don’t touch my wings-” Dash started, turning on her. “What? Why?” “U-um,” she stuttered, “Nothing really. They’re still just a little… sensitive. From the operation.” Oftentimes, while recovering after nervous reconstructive surgery, there will be excess magic residue from the operation itself giving rise to hypersensitivity which, in the worse cases, can be debilitating and halt the recovery process, and in the worst be incredibly painful, to the point of- “How sensitive?” Dash asked, with a touch of fear and suspicion. “N-not very-” Dash reached out to touch a wing, and saw Fluttershy flinch away. “Don’t lie,” she muttered. “Darn it, ‘Shy, you should have told me – this changes lots of things!” And how many times did I nearly set her off? That hug last night, or this morning, warming up… Hay, even that mouse that jumped on her! Anyway, how’s she managed to stay safe this long? It’s almost been a whole week! “What did the doctor say will happen if you touch it, and how long will it last?” Fluttershy thought back, trying to remember the exact words. “Um, he said… he didn’t say how long. But he said… it’ll hurt.” “A lot?” She nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but you were so busy, and it would only have put more stress on you, and… “It’s alright,” Rainbow said, putting a hoof on her shoulder; making sure, of course, that it was only her shoulder. “We’ll talk to Twilight. Maybe she knows something that could help.” “I can talk to her while you’re at the spa,” Fluttershy suggested. “No, that’s- actually, yeah. Do that. We don’t have to let this hold us back.” Fluttershy nodded. “Um… have fun,” she said again, before trotting away awkwardly. This time, Rainbow didn’t follow her. --- As she walked to the library, Fluttershy smiled bitterly, holding back a tear. The instant she’d mentioned her wings, it had become just another thing that she had to be protected from; another thing she couldn’t do on her own. She didn’t mind being treated delicately; she preferred it, even. But delicacy was different to fragility; there was a difference between being sensitive and being overprotective. How many times did she have to prove it to people that she wasn’t helpless, and that she just liked being helped? It was depressing; it was so much nicer when Dash would just hug her, and she could ensure on her own that nothing would happen. Now there was just one more barrier between them, just another thing they had to watch out for. But maybe Dash was right. Maybe Twilight could figure something out. Though she still felt weak from the stroll that morning, she picked up the pace a little, wanting to see Twilight about it as soon as possible. --- Dash cracked her hooves on the spot, standing just outside the Ponyville Day Spa. This was it; no more books, no more studying. Just her, and a massage dummy, and maybe those spa ponies too, in case she went wrong. But as if anything could go wrong - she’d only read like, a million books about it, and as far as anypony else could tell, she was already a therapeutic genius - now, she’d be a masseuse, too. She walked slowly in the door, not as a customer, nor being reluctantly dragged inside via telekinetic vice-grip for her birthday, but actually, voluntarily, going inside, to learn about the art of massage. It hadn’t been too long since she’d had one, actually, and she could still remember it like it was yesterday; pounding hooves on her back, light strokes on her wings, and above all, absolute awesomeness. And she was about to learn how, all so that Fluttershy could fly again; though, with the new revelation that her wings couldn’t be touched, it would perhaps have to wait. Aloe, standing by the reception, turned around at the sound of the bell, coming up to greet her with a smile and a greeting barely intelligible through her thick accent. While trying to figure out what she’d said, Dash realised that Aloe was still talking, evidently not noticing her confusion. “Woah, hold up a second. Could you slow down a little, please?” The spa pony blinked, then smiled and said, “Of course. This is your first time doing the massage, yes?” “Yeah.” “Good, good. Then I’ll send you to Quake. You learn well from him.” “Uh... Gotcha.” Who was Quake again? she wondered, as she dawdled along into the massage area. Coming around a corner, she heard a very stuttered moan, and saw a pony being practically pummelled into the massage bench by a beige and highly androgynous pony; stallion or mare was probably just something to be left to the pony receiving the massage’s preference. On second thought, it was probably a good business ploy. The contrast between the seemingly brutal beating this pony was dishing out, and the look of utter joy on the recipient’s face was quite confusing, and there was one thing Dash knew for sure; there was no way Fluttershy would enjoy that. It was a bit... extreme. Not to mention the deal with her wings. She went back to find Aloe, and said, “Hey, uh... You know I’m here to learn massage, not martial arts, right?” “Yes, of course! Is why I send you to Quake.” “Well, the thing is,” she replied, resisting the urge to facehoof, “I’m not actually trying to kill Fluttershy, you know what I mean?” Instantly, a change washed over the pink spa pony. “Oh no, I forget! Yes, Fluttershy is different matter. No Quake.” “No Quake,” Dash repeated. “Come this way.” She followed Aloe to another area inhabited solely by a familiar-looking grey pegasus, but Dash ignored the other mare for the moment. There was a disturbing lack of dummies here, and she wondered what she’d be learning with. “So what exactly am I doing today? Do I just get right in and do stuff, or are you gonna demonstrate, or...?” “I watch. You go; she is waiting.” Oh. So I just start right off. She walked over to the pegasus, who was laying on the massage bench with her face turned away, but with every step she took, her dread only grew. She noticed her Cutie Mark, and there was something about those bubbles that was vaguely frightening. And then she saw those eyes, swivelling in all directions even as the mare turned to look at her, and knew they could only belong to one pony. “Oh, hi Rainbow Dash! I’m getting a muffin for helping!” Sweet Celestia on a stick. --- After knocking at the door, it was only a moment before Spike answered, calling, “It’s Fluttershy!” to the unicorn currently engrossed in her studies. In a flash of magic, Twilight Sparkle was at the door; surprised by her sudden appearance, Fluttershy disappeared almost as quickly. Twilight poked her head out the door, finding the pegasus hiding behind a pot plant. “Hey, Fluttershy!” she called, but still the pegasus trembled. “What’s wrong?” Spike groaned. “You can come out – she just teleported is all.” Fluttershy emerged from behind the plant, blushing embarrassedly as she did. Seeing Twilight’s apologetic grin, she smiled too; she didn’t quite feel it, but it was contagious. They went inside, and Twilight moved her chair around to face her, saying, “It feels like you’ve been coming to see me every day; not that I’m complaining, of course. It’s so good to see you out and about again.” “Oh, yes, I suppose. Um…” “Yes?” She paused for a moment. “If it isn’t too much trouble, I… need your help with something.” “You know I’ll do anything I can to help you,” Twilight stated, offering her hoof in support. With that, Fluttershy began explaining the situation in full, from her wings’ lack of movement to their incapacitating sensitivity, and then how it would hold back her recovery. “…and Rainbow said you might have an idea of something that could help.” Twilight pondered, pulling a few books off the shelf seemingly at random as she did, and perused their contents in a flash. She stopped that quickly, clopping her hooves as she came to a conclusion. “Spike, could you please bring me Supernaturals again?” “Aw, geez, Twi’,” he groaned. “You’ve been using it a whole heap lately; don’t you always say you should use more than one book as a reference and all that?” ”I’m sorry?" Twilight said with a gleeful glint in her eye. "I couldn’t hear you over that dragon pox remedy we found in it.” Grumbling, he handed over the book and got back to his chores. “He’s right though,” Twilight whispered, eliciting a giggle. “So, if you don’t mind me asking, what do you think might be able to help?” “Ever since I found the awakening remedy that we used to wake you up,” the unicorn explained, “I’ve taken a much greater interest in the various cures and tonics to be found in this book. Needless to say…” She trailed off, leaving Fluttershy completely confused. Obviously it wasn’t quite that needless. “To say what?” Twilight chuckled sheepishly. “These remedies are 'simply super'.” She watched as Twilight sped through the pages, smiling thankfully at how easily Twilight had dropped everything she was doing just to help her. She was really lucky to have friends like these. Within a short time, they’d found a number of relevant recipes, but like the awakening potion, many of them would have taken longer than they really had to create. None would possibly be available in the timeframe they needed. Finally though, they found one that looked plausible. “It looks like this one is meant to drain extra magic from baby unicorns while their horns are growing in, but I’m sure it would work the same on your wings,” she explained, and then noticed something. “Oh, but this one isn’t a potion, it’s an oil. That means that its effects come gradually, not instantly like the potions do, and it has to be applied... directly to the... area...” They were silent for a while. “That means it’s going to hurt a lot, doesn’t it.” “At first, yes,” Twilight replied sympathetically. “But it will hurt less and less every time. We can’t hold up your recovery for as long as it would take to do anything else, but you’re strong enough to endure it, Fluttershy. I know you are.” Fluttershy smiled, but dropped her head. “Thank you, Twilight, but I’m not so sure.” “Now Fluttershy, just be brave, alright?” Twilight put a hoof over her shoulders, careful, but not overly so. “Like I said, the pain will go down with each successive use of this oil. You have to trust Rainbow Dash; you know she’ll do everything she can not to hurt you.” “I know... it’s just…” “You’re doing great,” Twilight said. “Just think about the operation; the pain won’t be any worse than that.” That wasn’t really helping. The operation had been terrible, but she didn’t want to refute her. Fluttershy just nodded, remembering the medicine they’d given her to stop as much of the pain as possible; without that, she feared that this would be much, much worse. Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she looked at the clock on Twilight’s desk. Have I really been here for that long? Maybe it had taken longer than she’d thought to find that recipe in Supernaturals. On second look, it was a pretty big book. Thinking about the work Twilight was doing to help her got her wondering how Rainbow Dash was faring over at the Spa. ...Hopefully she was having fun. --- “Gah! Hold still, Derpy! You have to lie down!” The excited pegasus did just the opposite, flailing her wings about as if they were covered in baked bads. “But it tickles!” “It doesn’t matter! You’re not... supposed... to move!” She was promptly ignored. This is impossible. She would wrestle down one wing, only for the other to rise again; then when she’d finally manage to get both to a reasonable height, Derpy would roll over, and she’d have to get her all the way back into position again. In the corner, she could swear she saw Aloe smirking. “You kinda threw me in the deep end here, you know. You don’t think you could help at all?” “No, no need. You’re doing very well. Make her relax; it is the first thing, always.” Dash tried to facehoof, but before she could, Derpy did it for her, knocking her clean off her hooves and giving her a heck of a welt. “Oops. My bad.” That’s it. Time for some extreme measures. Getting slowly to her hooves, Dash looked furiously into Derpy’s eyes, glad that at least one was looking at her. “Look at me,” she said. “I will buy you a dozen muffins if you will just, stop, moving.” Immediately, both of Derpy’s eyes focused on her with a look of awe, giving her an odd sense that she was some sort of muffin-bearing deity to be worshipped and obeyed. Well, yeah, she kinda was. The pegasus proceeded to lock all of her limbs in place; some were at odd angles, so Dash pushed them down into a more normal position. Finally! With that settled, Aloe came over to assist her. Derpy laid still, and Rainbow really hoped that she’d continue to do so. “Follow along,” Aloe said, then reached a hoof out to the space right between the wings. Dash watched closely for a moment, seeing how the spa pony did it; she made contact and brushed her hooves lightly across the area, stroking in circular motions. Up, then down. Up and down. Rinse and repeat. This can’t be too tough. Dash followed suit, placing her hooves on the side Aloe wasn’t working on, then pressed a little harder- “No, like this. See? Now you try.” Er, right. Not pressing at all; just touching. It was easy enough; she mimicked the pattern Aloe used, and a nod from the spa pony told her she was doing well. They each covered a side of Derpy’s body, coming at last to the wings. Seconds later, while trying to hold down the maniacally laughing, wildly spasming pegasus, Dash bemoaned her situation once again. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. --- Fluttershy got to her hooves as Twilight researched the ingredients needed for the solution, trotting awkwardly in a little circle before finally coming to a stop. “Twilight, can I ask you something?” “Of course you can! As long as you think I can answer it, at least.” “Well, um… the thing is…” She pawed the ground, still unsure if she wanted to go through with it. “Last night, Rainbow and I… we… had a fight.” Twilight’s demeanour instantly dropped from cheery to both concerned and sad. “Oh my- but you were-” “Um, it was really… because she was scared. Remember all of those bags I was carrying? Well, I… I should have asked for your help. It was all my fault.” “Oh, Fluttershy…” Twilight stopped her from pacing with a hug. “Would you like to tell me what happened?” By now Fluttershy was sniffing, tears threatening to breach her eyes. “Well, um, we both yelled at each other, but I think… I think what I said was much worse. She was only shouting because she was scared for me, but I was angry at her, just like at the… at the Gala, or at Pinkie and Rarity that other time. I’m a terrible-” “No. It’s not your fault.” She rubbed her mane to calm her down. “It’s not really anypony’s fault. It’s just a stressful time for the both of you. Did you really mean any of what you said?” “…I did then, but I want so much to take it back,” she mumbled, unable to hold the tears any longer. “Hey now, come on. It’s okay. I’m sure she had good intentions, but… Well, she’s Rainbow Dash,” Twilight laughed. “We both know she’s not the best at controlling her temper.” “But I’m not either!” “That isn’t true at all. You just control it too well, I think, and it all comes out at once.” “But all the things I said...” Twilight shook her head. “It doesn’t matter.” “…I’m not a bad pony?” “Never. Even the Element of Kindness can be angry sometimes. It isn’t your fault, or anypony’s, and if I know Rainbow at all, this is already water under the bridge.” “Twilight,” she sobbed. “Thank you so much.” “You know I’m here for you any time, Fluttershy.” They stayed in the embrace for a while, Twilight holding her until she felt alright again. “Feel better?” “A little.” “Is there anything Rainbow told you to do today?” “Um, well, she said to find Ace and ask him to help me with some exercises.” With a quick glance at the clock, Twilight guessed Ace would still be at the courts; it was only a few hours into the afternoon. “Let’s go together then. I’ll help you find him.” With a final sniff, Fluttershy put on a brave face. It was amazing how many masks somepony could wear in just one day. “Alright.” “Spike! We’re going out for a while. Would you mind watching the library?” A reply that sounded like either a hearty affirmative or a vehement curse word disguised as such trailed down from somewhere above them. Twilight took it as the former, holding the door open for Fluttershy, and together they walked out into the Town Square and were immediately accosted by two fillies. “Hey Twilight, you haven’t seen Scootaloo anywhere, have ya?” Apple Bloom asked, running up to the pair and coming to a sliding stop only just before hitting them. “Nope, sorry!” Sweetie Belle groaned, coming up from behind Apple Bloom. “Think you could keep a lookout for us?” “Sure,” she replied, then turned to Fluttershy. “If you’d like, I’ll stay with you while you’re with Ace. Not that I don’t trust him, but if something happens to your wing I can teleport us straight to the hospital. Uh, not that I think anything will or anything, but…” “I’d like that,” Fluttershy said. “Thank you, Twilight.” “Let’s get going then!” --- Remind me to never massage Derpy again, Dash moaned to herself while holding her hooves over the welts she’d received. That mare had definitely not earned those muffins. She hovered slowly out the door of the Spa, her hooves aching from the hard work. She’d never have believed how exerting it was to give a massage; it was like taking all the stress out of them and putting it all on the masseuse. Or maybe it was just Derpy. Who knows. She drifted through the air, searching leisurely for her favourite pegasus, all the while trying to soothe her marks of valour. Eventually she found her leaving the tennis courts, accompanied by Twilight. Good girl. “Hey Fluttershy, Twilight,” she called. “You doing okay, ‘Shy?” “Oh, yes. Ace was nice enough to help out. ‘A second warm up never hurt anypony,’ he said.” “Got that right.” She dreaded the question she was about to ask, but it was all for Fluttershy's sake. “You up for another run?” “Oh, um, I could try, but, um, I'm kind of…” “Nah, we won’t bother then.” Yes! “Rainbow,” Twilight said sternly. “Fluttershy told me about the argument you both had last night.” Oh, here we go. She's probably got the wrong idea - it was just a little thing. Nothing major. At all. But Twilight softened a little, then continued. “I’ll let you two work through it on your own, but I’d like you to know that you can always come to me with any of your problems. I’ll do whatever I can to help.” Dash ran a hoof through her mane and sighed. “I gotcha. But we’re fine now anyway, right ‘Shy?” As soon as she asked the question, multiple things happened all at once. Fluttershy hesitated to answer, driving a stake through Dash’s heart. Maybe more damage had been done than she’d thought. Was it so impossible that Fluttershy had lied, just so she’d feel better, and had not forgiven her as easily as she’d thought? Of the pegasus now making herself as small as possible, it was not a far-fetched idea. At the same time, Twilight jerked her head to the side, her ears twitching at the call of “Gangway!” from just down the road. Scootaloo, too focused on not hitting the ponies she could see, did not even register that a third pony was directly in her path between her idol and the librarian, and assumed the path was clear, realising far too late that Rainbow Dash's best friend was curled into a ball right in front of her. Fluttershy’s mask had slipped, and she’d hurt Dash again by the fact that she’d not yet forgiven herself for the things she’d said; head turned downwards and eyes shut, she heard the call, but could not get out of the way in time. Twilight quickly attempted to make a magical shield around them, but the scooter had already made it through and there was no time to try anything else. And Rainbow Dash, still reeling from Fluttershy’s painful reluctance to answer, watched in horror as Scootaloo collided into Fluttershy’s side, sending the two pegasi sprawling on the ground. And then Fluttershy screamed in agony, the impact setting her ablaze, sending blinding shots of pain searing up her wings and all over her body, throbbing, aching, burning, hurting, unbearable, excruciating pain. Then Fluttershy, thankfully, blacked out.