//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Beginning // Story: Something New // by Malice-Cat //------------------------------// It was an average day in Canterlot High. Pinkie Pie was planning for prom, one of the most important nights of the school year. Canterlot girls dressed up in beautiful glittery dresses, and the Canterlot boys were suited in fancy tuxedos. Everyone in the school looked forward to this wonderful night full of dancing and fun. Everyone, that is, except for Rainbow Dash. She didn’t care about getting all dolled up, thinking she always looked ridiculous in makeup. Every prom Rainbow would stay at home, playing soccer with herself in her backyard. She wishes she could say she wasn’t lonely that time every year. But this year is Rainbow’s senior year at Canterlot, and she has decided that it wouldn’t hurt to go to prom with all of her friends. Rainbow sauntered out of the school gym joined her group of friends at the outdoor lunch tables. They were chatting about prom. “This year’s prom is going to be the best EVER!!” Pinkie shouted. “You say that every year.” Applejack retorted, a somewhat smug look on her face. “Yeah, but this year is going to be the absolute best!! No other year will top it!” “You said that last year!” Rainbow sits next to Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle at the lunch table. Rainbow hadn’t brought her lunch, since she didn't know whether or not she'd like the school lunch. The group started talking about clothing ideas for prom. “I'm going to wear a big poofy dress! It's going to have jewels and sparkles and the whole shibang!!” Pinkie beamed. “Well I'm going to have an elegant blue sequin dress,” Rarity commented. “With glass slippers and a tiara.” “You'll look like Cinderella!” Snorted Pinkie. Rarity turned to Rainbow. “You're going to the dance, aren't you? What will you wear?” “I dunno,” Rainbow grumbled, "Probably just what I normally wear to school. It's not that big of deal.” Rarity gasped as if she had never been more offended. “Not that big of deal?? This is our senior prom! You can't walk in looking like..” She examines Rainbow’s outfit. “...that.” “Shoot, why don't we all go dress shopping together tomorrow? It'll be fun!” Applejack offered. “I can't.” Twilight finally spoke up. “I have a test the day after and I need to study.” “Pfft, nerd!” Pinkie laughed. “I can't either, I already promised Angel I would brush him and give him a bath tomorrow..” Fluttershy whispered, not wanting to upset the others. “It's fine, sugarcube. It can just be us four!” Applejack smiled. “It's a plan!” Rarity confirmed. “This is going to be so fun!!” Pinkie cheered, “I can't wait!! “Uh… Yeah, sure.” Rainbow grumbled. -- -- -- -- - -- -- -- -- The following day had arrived and Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash set off the mall to find their perfect prom dress. Pinkie tried on several different dresses (and on each one saying: “It's perfect!!”), Applejack found a few that she liked, and Rarity scrambled around dress stores trying to find her dream dress. Rainbow, however, didn't think all of this was very fun at all. She wanted to go home and play her games or read her Daring Do books. She followed Rarity around the mall, ignoring her as she grew ever more frustrated not being able to find her dress. “I can't believe this!” Rarity cried, “All these stores, but not one of them have the dress I need! And prom is just in a couple days, I can't make it myself in that time!!” “Relax, Rare.” Rainbow replied nonchalantly, “We’ll find it.” Rarity suddenly gasped and grabbed Rainbow’s arm. She pulled the rainbow-haired girl into one of the many dress shops in the mall, and she pointed to a colorful dress a mannequin. “It's perfect for you, darling!!” Rarity squealed. “You must try it on!” Rainbow rolled her eyes and took the dress and went into a changing stall. A minute later the walked out, to Rarity’s delight. “Oh my gosh! You look fabulous!! That's it! That's your dress!” She cheered. Rainbow, feeling a little better about herself, bought the dress. The two went back to meet Applejack and Pinkie. They both had found their dress, leaving Rarity the only one who hadn't. “Hmph!” exclaimed the pale diva. “I'll just have to work extra hard to make my dress!” “You can do it, Rare!” Pinkie cheered. -- -- -- -- - -- -- -- -- The next two days rolled by quickly and the day had finally arrived. Prom was tonight, and Rainbow was actually a little excited for it. She walked up to the prom venue, the school gymnasium, and entered. Lights were playing everywhere and music blared loudly from the big DJ booth at the front of the room. Everyone in Canterlot High were dancing, some with dates and some without. It took Rainbow a little while to find her friends in the crowd, but it wasn't too hard to miss Pinkie’s big bouncy hair. “Uh, hey guys!” Rainbow greeted. “Rainbow!!” Pinkie almost yelled. “We were wondering when you would get here, you slowpoke!!” Twilight and Fluttershy were in the group this time, both in beautiful dresses. “I, uh… I’m going to go get some punch.” Fluttershy said so quietly it was almost impossible to hear her. “I’ll go too.” Rainbow sighed. This is what she was really looking forward to at prom, the food and drinks. Mrs. and Mr. Cake always catered the prom, so the sweets were always top notch. Fluttershy and Rainbow made their way to the snack table, though several people were there and it was pretty difficult to get to it. Fluttershy made her way to the punch bowl, and poured herself a glass. Little did she know that Snips and Snails were hiding under the table. They shot up and pushed the punch bowl over, spilling it all over Fluttershy. The two kids laughed and high-fived. Fluttershy, though, looked mortified. She took a couple steps back and burst out of the gym. Rainbow raced after her. She found Fluttershy on the curb, crying. Rainbow sat next to her. “What they did was awful.” Rainbow spoke. Fluttershy was almost impossible to understand through her crying. “Th-They.. They ruined everything… M-My dress… My hair… My night... “ She started crying more. “Why don’t we go to your place and clean you up? Certainly we can find something else for you to wear…” Fluttershy sniffed and wiped her eyes. She nodded and Rainbow helped her up. They walked back to Fluttershy’s house, which was quite a ways away from the school. The whole way Fluttershy was sniffing, trying not to cry. They got there, and Rainbow sat in Fluttershy’s room as the pink-haired girl changed out of her dress in the bathroom. Angel hopped up next to Rainbow, but Rainbow quickly shooed him away. “D-Don’t look, okay...? I don’t have my dress on…” Fluttershy quietly called through the door. Rainbow covered her eyes as Fluttershy walked out of her bathroom. Though Rainbow couldn’t help but take a peek. Fluttershy was just wearing butterfly-pattern bra and panties. The rainbow-haired girl tried to look away, but she couldn’t. Fluttershy was absolutely beautiful. Fluttershy put on the nicest outfit she could find in her closet, a yellow sweater and a light pink skirt with knee-high lace-up pink boots. She looked in the mirror. “Oh, this won’t do… Not for prom…” She sighed. “But you look stunning!” Rainbow quickly disagreed, “You could go anywhere and turn heads!” Fluttershy blushed slightly and hid her face. “You’re too kind… You really think so?” “Of course I do! You’re so beautiful, I’m honestly really jealous.” “Thank you…” Fluttershy whispered as she gave Rainbow a small kiss on the cheek. Rainbow went bright red. Had that really just happened? Rainbow had just discovered how she felt about Fluttershy just a couple minutes ago, and now her crush just kissed her cheek. More shocked than anything, Rainbow covered her face and laid back on the bed, her heart pounding in her chest. Fluttershy must’ve noticed Rainbow’s reaction, as she backed away. “I-I’m so sorry!” She stuttered, “I-I didn’t know! Don’t be mad!!” Rainbow sat up again quickly, face still red. “No!! I mean, uh… I’m not mad! It’s fine, really!” She covered her face again. Fluttershy, blushing also, turned away, “We should go back to the school…” Rainbow stood up and walked over to Fluttershy. “Or… We could just stay here… And have a little prom of our own?” She offered. The pink-haired girl stared at Rainbow for a couple moments, then smiled and nodded. “That sounds nice... “ “Do you have any clothes I can borrow? This dress is getting itchy.” Fluttershy dug into her closet and gave her company an oversized pink tee shirt and some shorts. Rainbow felt so much more comfortable in this outfit. Fluttershy took off her shoes, showing that she was wearing cute butterfly socks. She turned on her music (which was a mix of pop songs and sweet slow songs), and the two danced together for a while. Rainbow was overwhelmed in her newfound crush. Everything she did amazed her, and once a slow song played, Rainbow went in. She put her hands on Fluttershy’s waist, and held her close as they slowly danced together. They looked into each other’s eyes. Rainbow was sure of herself in making her move, though Fluttershy seemed a little confused. The rainbow-haired girl twirled Fluttershy, and Rainbow could swear that Fluttershy was the entity of pure beauty. The song ended and the two were completely in each other's arms. A few moments after the song was over, Rainbow took the chance and kissed Fluttershy on the lips. It was incredible. Fluttershy didn't back away, she hugged Rainbow right and kept on. They broke away and stared at each other. “Oh… O-Oh my…” Fluttershy stammered. Her face was a deep red. Rainbow covered her face. She couldn’t believe she just did that. She was prepared for Fluttershy to order her out of the house. This was it. This is where their friendship ended. Now every day at school they will have to sit awkwardly by each other with the rest of their friends. This can’t be real, Rainbow thought. This has to be some sort of dream. Though to her surprise, Fluttershy didn’t yell at her, she didn’t say anything negative. “Hey, Rainbow…?” She said quietly “Yeah?” Rainbow replied, nervous of what Fluttershy might say. “...Do you want to stay the night..? It could be fun…”