> The Untold Secret
>  by Rubez2525
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: Guilt
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sun rose above the horizon and painted the sky a beautiful golden-orange. The rays of the large celestial body caught Fluttershy’s face and stirred her from her much needed sleep. It was unusual for her to be sleeping on a cloud, but her mind was too muddled to be thinking about heights at the moment.

"Fluttershy?" she noticed Rainbow Dash hovering above her, a worried look prevalent on her face.

"Rainbow Dash, what are you doing up so early? Is it cider season again?" asked Fluttershy, her sleepy mind temporally forgetting where she was and what had happened.

"Well no, I couldn’t get much sleep last night, so I decided to go for a morning fly. I should be asking why you are sleeping on a cloud" Rainbow Dash said with a quizzical look.

As Fluttershy's grogginess faded away, her mind recollected the moments of last afternoon. "Why do you care?" she asked in a surprisingly angry tone.

Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened.

"Why would you fly away from me like that? Why do you care now? You and the others just want to kick me out of the group, don’t you?" She turned around to avoid eye contact with the blue mare.

"Fluttershy, that’s ridiculous. I would never let that happen. Where did you even get an idea like that?" Rainbow Dash was taken aback by Fluttershy’s sudden outburst. She flew around to look at the yellow pegasus in the eye, to show that she was not joking. She was afraid that she was witnessing the ‘mean Fluttershy’ that was rumored by Rarity and Pinkie Pie. It was a relief to see Fluttershy's face soften, anger replaced by sadness, but that only caused Rainbow Dash to feel guilty again. She took a breath. "Look, I’m sorry I left you like that. I was just upset because I thought you didn’t trust me anymore."

"Of course I trust you. Where did you even get an idea like that?" Fluttershy tried to lighten the mood with her cheesy copying of Rainbow’s words. She could not help but to smile at her. 

"You are still not going to talk about the thing that is bothering you?" Rainbow Dash asked. Fluttershy's smile disappeared.

"I just need some time," Fluttershy said in a shakey voice as she looked down. Not the answer Rainbow Dash hoped for, but it was still an improvement from yesterday.

"Hey, do you want to get some breakfast?" Rainbow Dash landed next to her and put a hoof on top of Fluttershy's head, causing her to look up at her.

"That sounds...nice," Fluttershy said, the light contact calming her down a little.

They both floated down to the ground and landed on a path on the outskirts of Ponyville. Their slightly muffled hoofsteps filled the morning air as they walked on the hard packed dirt. There were no exchanges between the two, but Fluttershy was not much for talking. She was happy that Rainbow did not press the issue. Perhaps she could just put it behind her and return to normalcy.


~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~


They arrived at Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie Pie was working behind the counter being her usual bouncy pink self when the two pegusi entered. When the pink pony spotted Fluttershy, however, she took on a more serious, almost worried look.

"Hi Dashie, hi Fluttershy. How are you feeling today?" Pinkie Pie was grinning, but she looked very nervous, as if she had done something wrong. It was out of character for her to be greeting any of her friends this way.

So much for normalcy.

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash, as if expecting an answer.

"Yea, I maaay have told the others about what happened yesterday." Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head; a nervous look came across her face as well.

Fluttershy just wanted to disappear, to hide until this whole thing blows over. But instead, she sighed and looked back to Pinkie Pie. “I feel a lot better. I was just having a bad day” she lied.

"Okie dokie, just remember that your auntie Pinkie Pie is here to take care of your troubled mind" she said as she quickly zoomed over and put a foreleg over Fluttershy’s shoulder, her normal bouncy attitude beaming once again. Fluttershy questioned if the party pony could even offer condolence outside of just pure laughter.

The two ordered their breakfast and headed to an outside table and ate in silence. As time ticked on, the lack of words became more noticeable. It was normal for Fluttershy to stay quiet for this long. It was unusual, however, for Rainbow Dash to stay quiet for more than five minutes.

They continued to eat, the silence becoming more and more intense. It became uncomfortable even for Fluttershy. The lack of words from Rainbow Dash’s mouth actually started to worry her. She decided to break the silence.

"Rainbow Dash."

"Yeah?" Rainbow Dash put down her meal and gave Fluttershy a look, wondering what she is about to say.

"You don't have to worry about me."

Rainbow sighed. "Fluttershy, I can't help but be worried about you."

Fluttershy nodded slowly. She decided that it was best to sit and listen instead of responding.

Rainbow Dash continued. "I mean, you honestly can’t expect us ignore this issue if you go around moping. What did you do, murder somepony? Is it another bully issue? Why can’t you tell us?"

"You just don’t understand. It will just become a bigger issue if I tell you. I...I don’t need anypony to worry about me, I’m fine."

"Who are you trying to convince, Fluttershy?"

"..."

Those words got Fluttershy thinking. Had she actually convinced herself that she was fine when in fact she was not? Is keeping this secret really the best idea?

"Well, I have some weather duties to attend to. Will you be alright on your own?" The amount of concern Rainbow Dash has for her had become overwhelming lately, and it made Fluttershy feel terrible.

Fluttershy nodded again. She had to tend to her critters anyway. She was sure that doing her regular daily tasks will keep her mind off things.

With that, Rainbow Dash got out of her seat and turned around. She was preparing for takeoff when Fluttershy stopped her.

"Wait, Rainbow Dash." The blue mare stopped and turned around again as Fluttershy trotted up to her.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you before" Fluttershy said as she scratched the ground with her front hoof, looking at the ground to again avoid eye contact.

"It’s alright, don’t worry about it" said Rainbow Dash casually. She figured it is not worth making a big deal out of it.

"Thank you for understanding" Fluttershy said as she leapt up and wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow’s neck.

Rainbow Dash could feel Fluttershy shaking, but she instinctively pulled away from the hug. "Fluttershy, please, you’re embarrassing me."

"Oh, I’m sorry." She seemed almost hurt by Rainbow Dash pulling away. The tears formed in her eyes. "I…I didn’t mean to embarrass you."  She turned and galloped away before Rainbow could respond.

Rainbow Dash just stood there dazed and confused. Fluttershy’s behavior has been very odd lately and it concerned her greatly. What did Fluttershy mean when she said ‘thank you for understanding’? Rainbow felt like she has not understood anything at all. She also felt sorry for pulling away from her. Fluttershy was probably only trying to find some sort of comfort. It was not uncommon for them to hug, especially during the group hugs, but doing so in such a public setting made Rainbow feel naturally uncomfortable. She almost literally kicked herself for letting her pride get in the way of her friend.


~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~


"Hey, why don't you pick on somepony your own size?"

...

"Omygosh, are you ok? I didn't mean for you to fall."

...

Doors slammed open.

Bright lights beamed overhead.

Ticking rang through her ears.

...

"Is she gonna be ok, dad? Dad? Daddy?"

...

"I'm sorry, but she didn't make it."

Fluttershy woke with a start. She was in her own room. Her body was covered with cold sweat and was shaking uncontrollably. She was also panting heavily. Her nightmare replayed through her mind, as if it did not want to die off. She clutched onto her covers and rocked back and forth until the feeling weared down.

Fluttershy later slid out of bed and headed towards the bathroom. After running her bath, she went to the sink and splashed water on her face. Her reflection in the mirror showed a gloomy Fluttershy with a frazzled mane, a sign of her tossing and turning during the night. She thought about what happened in the past two days, about the future, and about what she is going to do. She cleared those thoughts and decided to take it one day at a time. “I’ve got this” she said to herself.

Fluttershy turned off the water to her tub and slowly lowered herself in. The warm water comforted her and hugged her. She let out a sigh as she visibly relaxed. She dipped her head underwater and brought it back out, replacing her frizzy mane with a pink curtain of wet hair. For a while, she just laid there, relaxing, thinking, wondering how exactly she would handle things.

Eventually, the water started to cool so she finally washed herself and got out. The thoughts never left her mind.


~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~


After breakfast, Fluttershy was at work cleaning her cottage. She hummed a little tune to herself as she was dusting the living room. It felt nice to have some quiet time to herself without having to be a worry to her friends.

There was a knock at the door, and the yellow pegasus nearly jumped. The disturbance brought her out of her trance-like state. She was then nervous again, wondering who could be at the door. She was not prepared to talk to Rainbow Dash right now. When she answered the door, Fluttershy was relieved to see Twilight was the one knocking.

"Oh, hi Twilight, how are you doing?"

"Hi Fluttershy, sorry for arriving at such an unexpected time, do you mind if I come in?" Twilight looked cheery, but her eyes told the yellow mare that she had something important to say.

"Oh, of course, make yourself at home." Fluttershy stepped aside to let her in.

Twilight trotted in and sat down in one of the chairs in the living room. Fluttershy closed the door behind her and followed her in.

"Would you like some tea?" Fluttershy asked.

"Actually yes, some tea does sound nice, thank you" Twilight responded.

Fluttershy disappeared into the kitchen and moments later came out with a tray with two teacups on it. She placed it onto the coffee table and they both took their cups as Fluttershy sat on the couch.

Twilight took a sip of her tea before speaking. "Fluttershy, there is something I need to talk to you about."

The yellow pegasus’ nervousness returned yet again. Twilight seemed pretty quick about getting to the point. "Of course, what is it do you want to talk about?"

"It’s about Rainbow Dash. She came by my library yesterday."

Fluttershy’s stomach tightened, but she maintained her composure and decided to play innocent. "Well, that is very nice of her."

"Yea, well she was very upset. Come to think of it, I have never seen her like that before. She said she was worried about you."

Fluttershy looked down at her drink and swirled it around. She looked back up at Twilight, her head still hung low. She remained silent.

"Quite frankly, I am worried about you as well." Twilight had a look of concern on her face.

"What exactly did Rainbow say?"

"She said that she is concerned about you and she doesn't know how to help" Twilight said. "She is also afraid that she did something wrong and that you are mad at her."

Fluttershy's heart sank. She could not believe that she made Rainbow Dash upset. Even if it was unintentional, she felt like a terrible friend.

Twilight continued. "She mentioned that you had some sort secret or something that is bothering you. Is this true?"

Fluttershy looked back down. She let out a silent wimper.

"Do you mind telling me what it is?"

"I-I can't. I...don't want to talk about it" Fluttershy chocked out.

Twilight placed down her drink. "Fluttershy, you don't have to be afraid of us. We just want to help you." A look of genuine concern was prevalent on her face.

Fluttershy looked back up. She opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again. She tried to summon up every ounce of courage she could, but failed. She started crying. The tears welled up in her eyes. She blinked once and they rolled down her cheeks and fell off her chin.

Upon seeing this, Twilight felt guilty. She should have known better than to pressure the sensitive pony. "Oh Fluttershy" she said as she got up and sat down on the couch next to the pegasus and put a hoof on her shoulder. "It's ok, you don't have to tell me or anypony else if you don't want to."

Fluttershy wrapped her forelegs around Twilight and began to sob on her chest. The unicorn simply returned the embrace by wrapping Fluttershy's head and neck.

"Shh, it's ok" Twilight said. She lightly combed Fluttershy's mane with her hoof in an attempt to comfort her.

Fluttershy continued to cry, her tears soaked into Twilight's coat. She felt like a burden, weak and dependent on her friends. She knew she was not getting anywhere by sitting here and sobbing instead of simply admitting her problem. However, it felt comforting to lean against Twilight and let out her emotions.

They stayed that way for a few minutes, but it felt like several hours, Fluttershy crying, Twilight holding onto her and lightly stroking her mane. The studious unicorn checked the time on Fluttershy's wall clock. She did not schedule herself this much time at the cottage. She knew her friends came first, but the thought of having to schedule a new rescheduling window had still flashed through her mind.

"Oh Twilight, I don't know what to do" Fluttershy finally said through her tears.

"What do you mean?"

Fluttershy composed herself. She slowly sat up and looked at Twilight. She managed to stifle her tears. "I just don't have the courage to tell anypony what is wrong with me."

"But Fluttershy, you have plenty of courage. Remember when you helped lift the water to Clouldsdale? Or when you stood up to that dragon?"

"But those times are different. Everypony needed me. You girls were in danger from that dragon. It would be selfish of me to tell you, I already feel awful for having you and the others worry about me so much."

Twilight put a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "Do you remember what I said before, about doing it for yourself? It’s not about me, Rainbow or anypony else."

Fluttershy pulled away and got up. She took a few steps away from Twilight and stared at the ground. Her tail swished uncomfortably while she stood there, deep in thought.

Twilight figured it was time to go. "Well, I leave you to think about it. I’ll be at the library if you need me. I’ll check on you later, ok?" She got up and made her way to the door.

"Twilight."

The unicorn turned around and looked at the pegasus, and even though she addressed Twilight, she was evasive of any eye contact.

"Yes Fluttershy?"

"ok"

"Ok what?"

"I’ll tell you."

Twilight had a look of disbelief on her face. Fluttershy wondered if she regretted her decision.

> Chapter 2: Trust
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I don't think we should be friends anymore."

"But why?"

"I don't want to hurt you again. You must think I am terrible."

"No, you got it all wrong."

Fluttershy groaned and sat up on the couch. Ever since Twilight left, she had been laying there, staring at the ceiling. She remembered the look on her face, a mix of disbelief, surprise, and something else. Perhaps it was fascination?

She heard a slight thumping on the rug and looked down to see a grumpy white bunny giving her an angry look with his arms folded. Fluttershy snapped out of her glazed state when she realized that she must had forgotten her responsibilities of the day.

"Oh Angel, I'm sorry. I forgot to make your dinner."

Angel's expression had not changed. A little paw pointed to the clock, his foot still stamping the floor. Fluttershy was nearly shocked on how much time had passed.

"Oh my, it’s very late. I’m guessing that you want me to put you to bed then?"

Angel nodded. Fluttershy scooped him up and carried him to his little bed basket.


~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~


The next day, Fluttershy went about her usual business. Ignoring her lack of sleep, she traveled to the markets in town and gathered food, all the while never running into her friends. She also did some housekeeping and finished up the cleaning she started yesterday. It was relaxing to say the least.

Later in the afternoon, she prepared for the slumber party which was already planned days in advance. Admittedly, her stomach tightened at the thought of seeing her friends again, especially Rainbow Dash and Twilight. She knew she was being silly, they were her best friends. But, she felt sorry for embarrassing Rainbow and making her feel guilty, and she could not gauge Twilight's reaction to her secret, but she still expected the worst.

Fluttershy packed the essentials: a sleeping bag, a pillow, and her silken, butterfly patterned pajamas. The slumber party was to be held at the library, and Twilight figured it would be fun to make it a pajama party. After packing her saddlebag, Fluttershy immediately left for the library. She figured it was best to just go instead of hesitating and making her friends wait for her.


~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~


"Hi Fluttershy, I’m glad you could make it" said a cheery Twilight. She stepped aside to let the pegasus walk in.

"Of course, I wouldn’t want to miss out on a sleepover with my friends" said Fluttershy. She had taken on a new positive attitude. Her mind was set that she was going to have a good night with her friends, nothing more, nothing less. She pushed her worries away in favor of just having a good time.

Inside the library, the rest of the group was sitting in a circle on their individual pillows, already sporting their pajamas. It seemed like they were starting a card game when Fluttershy walked in.

"Howdy Fluttershy, looks like you arrived jus' in time. We was starting a game of Ponies-to-Ponies" said Applejack.

"Yes, please join us" chimed in Rarity.

"If you want, you can change first. We will wait for you" said Twilight as she closed the door and walked in.

Fluttershy walked past the group and headed towards the bathroom. She caught a glance at Rainbow Dash as she walked past. Rainbow looked up from her cards and instantly looked back down when her eyes met with Fluttershy's. Fluttershy bit her bottom lip when she saw Rainbow's evasiveness.

After changing, Fluttershy unpacked her pillow, took her spot in the circle in between Applejack and Rarity, and drew her cards.

"Alright, I think Rainbow was going to be first to judge" Twilight said.

Rainbow Dash drew her green card and looked at it. "Loyal" she said as she placed down the card for all to see. "Now, what do I think is loyal? Go!"

"Heh heh, if only I had a ‘Rainbow Dash’ card here" said Applejack. Rainbow could not decide whether to take it as a complement or a tease.

The five pony friends each placed down their selected card. Pinkie placed hers down with a confident smile. Applejack tossed hers down without giving much thought. Rarity gave a little chuckle as she levitated hers down. After a little while, Twilight placed hers down after a long analytical stare at her cards. Finally, Fluttershy slid her card into the pile.

"Let’s see now...no, no, no, no" Rainbow said as she read the cards and tossed them aside. "Who threw down 'friendship'?" she asked as she held up her choice.

"Umm...I did" Fluttershy said as she hid behind her mane. She had her trademark look as if she had done something wrong.

"Really Fluttershy, did you have to pick the obvious answer?" Rarity said as Rainbow Dash gave the green card to Fluttershy.

"I'm sorry. You can have the card if you want."

"Oh, no, no, no, I'm just teasing you. It's all in good fun” Rarity said with a motion of the hoof.

"Oh…right" Fluttershy responded.

I am going to have fun with my friends, nothing more, nothing less she thought to herself.

The rest of the evening involved more games, s’mores, makeovers, pillow fights, and whatever else Twilight found in her book. It was a fun, normal time that the six best friends usually share. However, Fluttershy noticed Rainbow Dash to be more elusive, quieter, and shyer than her usual self. She also seemed to be avoiding eye contact with Fluttershy. The behavior was subtle, not even noticed or at least not mentioned by the rest of the pony friends. It did become more noticeable when she barely put any effort into the pillow fight, even letting Applejack beat her.

One little fact that Fluttershy knew about Rainbow is that she actually is a caring pony. Fluttershy can only assume that Rainbow still felt guilty from pulling away when Fluttershy needed her. They have not even talked for over a day. Fluttershy thought that if Rainbow wanted to talk to her or get something off her chest, she would have come over and done so, but that did not seem to be the case.

Twilight seemed to be no different from normal. Fluttershy thought that maybe the unicorn is not affected by what she told her last night, or that she is better at hiding her emotions that Rainbow Dash.

"Fluttershy?" Twilight said.

Fluttershy looked up. She noticed a little drool on the corner of her mouth. She flushed lightly as she wiped it away with her sleeve. She realized that she must have been dozing off when Twilight disturbed her. The rest of her friends were looking at her as well.

"You look a might tired there sugarcube" Applejack said as she chuckled slightly.

"I think it is time we turn in for the night anyway" Twilight said, officially putting an end to the party.

"Aww come on. How about we do makeovers again?" Pinkie Pie said. She was still full of energy and was not the one to go to sleep at a regular time.

"Sorry Pinkie, but we are all pretty tired."

The six ponies carried their pillows and went to their respective sleeping bags. Fluttershy rolled hers out on the floor and shifted herself into it. She enjoyed the warmth of the sleeping bag combined with her pajamas. After a while, she slowly drifted off, giving herself some much needed sleep.

"It wasn't your fault Fluttershy. It was nopony's fault. She loved you. She would have given anything for you."

...

"I love you Fluttershy."

"I love you too mom."

"You know, you are the most wonderful daughter a mother could ask for."

"That can't be true. I can't be the 'most wonderful'."

"Well you are in my eyes, and I'm sure you will grow up to be a great mother."

"Not as great as you mom."

…

"Omigosh, Fluttershy wake up!" Rainbow Dash said in a harsh whisper as she shook Fluttershy's shoulder. Fluttershy stirred from her slumber, slightly annoyed by her sleep being disturbed again, but any annoyance she had washed away when she saw how flustered Rainbow was.

"What's wrong?"

"I heard you whimpering, I thought you were hurt."

"I'm ok, I was just having a dream" whispered Fluttershy. Although she said dream, it felt more like another vision, a vision of her past. She felt like they were occurring more often, and she did not know why.

Fluttershy looked around the room. The moonlight casted through the windows in the front of the library and provided enough illumination to show that everypony else was still sleeping. "How loud was I?" asked Fluttershy.

"Well, actually, there's something I need to talk to you about" Rainbow whispered as she sat and rubbed her front hooves together.

Fluttershy gulped. She did not expect to be having this conversation in the middle of the night. But, they were already having it, so she decided to just go along with it. "What’s the matter?" she asked.

"Are you alright?" Rainbow Dash asked which semi-answered Fluttershy’s question.

Fluttershy sat up. "I’m doing just fine, really." she whispered.

"Are you sure? You must’ve been very upset when I pushed you away or when I flew away from you."

"No Dash, not at all. What is this about anyway?" Fluttershy asked.

"I can’t help but think that you don’t trust me anymore, and I keep screwing things up. You must think I am a terrible friend." Rainbow Dash nearly choked when she whispered those words.

You must think I am a terrible friend. That comment brought Fluttershy back. This was not the first time Rainbow Dash had this mindset. It must have really bothered her if she actually had to wake Fluttershy up in the middle of the night to say that. The yellow pegasus wondered if Rainbow was losing as much sleep as she was.

"Rainbow Dash, I--" Fluttershy was cut off by Rainbow’s hoof on her mouth.

"I can tell this little secret of yours is really bothering you. Remember what we said when we were younger, that we would tell each other everything no matter what?"

Fluttershy lowered Dash's hoof in order to speak.

"Rainbow Dash..." Fluttershy whispered as she held the blue pony's hoof. "You have to trust me. This has nothing to do with you, or rather what you have done. I am only keeping this secret as a secret for your own good." She started shaking after she said those words.

Rainbow Dash looked away and nodded. She felt terrible.

"Well, is there any way I can help?" Rainbow asked. She still was looking to the side.

"This is something I need to solve on my own. Oh, I hope you understand." Fluttershy whispered as she took her hoof away from Rainbow's.

"Are you sure?"

Fluttershy placed her hoof on the blue pony's cheek. She turned her head in order to force eye contact. "Rainbow, you are a great friend, more than you know. Like I said, I just need some time. I promise that I will tell you when I am ready." She started tearing. She hated to deny Rainbow Dash of her thoughts, and she felt like this conversation left them in the same place as before.

Rainbow Dash was about to respond when Fluttershy moved her hoof to the other pony's mouth.

"Trust me" Fluttershy whispered. Rainbow Dash simply nodded. She had that look of defeat on her face.

Fluttershy pulled her hoof away. "I think we should be going back to sleep. We wouldn’t want to sleep-in on Twilight’s breakfast." She forced a grin, trying to hide the fact that she was on the verge of crying.

Silence fell between them until Rainbow Dash whispered her response. An uncomfortable look was prevalent on her face. "Umm...well...is it alright if…or rather, is it too late to return the hug? I mean, it is not like we are in the middle of the street anymore." She shuffled on her haunches, and she seemed very embarrassed by asking such a question.

Fluttershy figured that the secret was not the only thing that bothered Rainbow Dash, but she did not expect the hug denial to be something that would bother her that much. It did calm her a bit that Rainbow Dash asked that question. It was as if the blue pony knew exactly what she needed.

"Of course it's not too late" she whispered. She completely slid out of her sleeping bag and shuffled over to Rainbow. Rainbow leaned forward and wrapped her forelegs around Fluttershy. Fluttershy returned the embrace.

Fluttershy felt comforted. She managed to completely calm down and quell her tears. Rainbow Dash was warmer and more comforting than the sleeping bag Fluttershy was sleeping in moments before. Her eyes grew heavy as she realized how tired she really was. She rested her head on Rainbow's shoulder and slowly began to tip over as she relaxed.  Rainbow Dash appeared to follow suite as her own drowsiness overtook her as well. They both ended up on the floor side by side, forelegs still wrapped around each other. Fluttershy sighed as she closed her eyes, and she slowly dozed off.


~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~


"Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy?"

"Hmm?"

"Rainbow Dash! Fluttershy!"

Rainbow felt something poking her side as she stirred from her slumber. The scent of pancakes drifted across her nose.

"Come on girls, I don’t want you to miss breakfast" Twilight said, still prodding Rainbow’s side.

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes to see the unicorn staring down at them. The three other pony friends were standing right behind her, each with a silly grin on their face. Applejack, in particular, looked the giddiest.

"Golly RD, Ah never realized you are the cutesy, cuddly type" Applejack said as she started chuckling.

When Rainbow Dash gained her bearings, she realized that she was on the floor next to Fluttershy, still in their hugging embrace and must have dozed off in this position. A look of utter horror came across her face.

"GAH!" Rainbow Dash shoved Fluttershy away so quickly that it was just short of punching her across the room. Fluttershy instantly awoke to see Rainbow’s predicament.

Applejack busted out laughing, and Pinkie Pie started laughing as well. Rarity also began chuckling, but Twilight did not seem so amused.

Rainbow Dash flushed. She never felt so embarrassed in front of her friends in her life! Tears began to run down her cheeks, which only made the situation worse. She was actually crying in front of her friends from her own embarrassment.

Before any of her friends could react, she quickly flew out the door and took to the skies still clothed.

Seeing how they drove their friend away, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie instantly changed from laughter to guilt.

"Wait! Rainbow!" Applejack ran out the door after her, but it was too late. Even if Rainbow Dash did hear her, she would not be turning back.

Fluttershy just sat there. Everything happened so fast that she nearly did not comprehend what had happened. The four other ponies collectively looked at her.

"Fluttershy, are you ok?" Twilight asked. She helped the pegasus onto her hoofs.

"Yea, I’m ok" Fluttershy said. She had to admit, Rainbow Dash has one heck of a kick.

"Maybe you should go talk to her" Twilight said.

"No, no. I think she wants to be alone right now. Besides, I don’t think I could catch her if I tried."

"Ah...Ahm sorry everypony, I thought Rainbow Dash liked to be teased." Applejack looked at the ground and hung her head low.

"Maybe we should just get some breakfast" Twilight said. A small sneer came across her face as she looked back to Applejack and the others.

Fluttershy followed her friends into the kitchen. A table with six plates each with three pancakes had already been set up. Fluttershy figured that they must have waited to wake them up last.

They each took a seat at the table. They started eating, trying not to stray the subject of their idle conversation towards what had just happened. Rarity, however, could not resist asking the question.

"Fluttershy, darling, how did you and Rainbow Dash end up on the floor like that?"

"Well, um, you see. I think she was a bit upset and well, needed somepony to hug."

"Aww shucks. Ah should’ve seen it, the way she was behaving last evening and such" Applejack said, a frown came across her face.

So they did notice Rainbow’s change of behavior Fluttershy thought.

"I guess she did not expect to fall asleep like that. I mean, we were both very tired" Fluttershy said.

"I never expected Rainbow Dash to be the hugging type" Rarity said.

"Please don’t tell anypony" Fluttershy said. "I don’t think that is kind of rumor that she would want to spread. It was not even something that she wanted you girls to find out about, which is probably why she flew away."

"You have our word" Twilight said.

"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, giving her usual Pinkie-promise.

A long pause came across the five ponies, before Applejack finally asked “why was she upset?”

Fluttershy thought about that question. Twilight was the only other pony that knew what was going on. She could not run the risk of having her other friends realize how she felt lately, and that Rainbow Dash was only upset because of her. She still regretted telling Twilight her secret. She did not want to run the risk of her other friends feeling concern for her. That could only lead to them figuring out the secret as well.

Fluttershy decided to go with the coward’s way out.

"I’m not really sure. She was just…well…upset. Don't worry. I'm sure she'll come around. She always does."

After breakfast, the ponies began packing their things. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were the firsts to leave after saying their thank-yous and goodbyes. Rarity left shortly after, being the one to make sure she did not miss anything, leaving Fluttershy and Twilight alone.

"Thank you Twilight, it was a wonderful slumber party" Fluttershy said.

Twilight handed a bag to her.

"Here, this is Rainbow Dash's breakfast. Can you do me a favor and deliver it to her?" Twilight asked.

"Of course" Fluttershy responded.

Twilight paused. "You know, you should tell her."

She did not need to say anything more for Fluttershy to know what she was talking about.

"But, Twilight, I still don’t have the courage to tell her." Fluttershy backed away and shrunk down slightly.

"It’s not fair to her."

"I thought you said that it wasn’t about her or anypony else" Fluttershy said, now being elusive of any eye contact.

"That was before you told me. It involves her as well."

"Are…are you ashamed of me?"

"No Fluttershy, not at all. You are still my friend no matter what, but you need to let Rainbow know."

"I just need some time Twilight. I already mentioned that to her."

Twilight walked up to Fluttershy and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "I don’t know how long she will last."

Fluttershy looked at Twilight in the eyes. She could not quite process what the unicorn meant. Was she really hurting Rainbow by keeping the secret? She just wished that she got nopony involved in the first place.

Fluttershy knocked Twilight’s hoof away. “I should get going” she said as she made her way to the door.

"Just think about what I said" Twilight responded.

"I will, don’t worry."

> Chapter 3: Memories
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


-----


It was a sunny day in flight camp for the first flight test of the year. Young Fluttershy sat far below the starting position, already having opted out of the test. She did not have the courage nor the ability to even try.

She saw her fellow peers. Some flew high and others flew gracefully. Some even stumbled and fell, but they picked themselves up quickly.

One pony in particular caught her attention. She was a small filly with a frizzy rainbow colored mane and tail and had determination in her eyes. This filly was well known around camp. She would always have confidence in herself, one would even say she had an inflated ego, but she would often crash into things whether it would be a wall, column or the ground. Her constant screw ups even earned her a reputation.

Fluttershy watched as she took her place at the starting position and took off.

"Hey, Rainbowcrash!" one of the colts called out. She looked back just long enough to clip her wing on one of the floating columns. She plummeted and crashed ahead of where Fluttershy was sitting. Pain was prevalent on her face as she sat up and massaged her damaged wing.

Two colts wearing wicked grins on their faces flew down and landed next to her. "Better luck next time Rainbowcrash" one of them said.

"Maybe if you look where you're going, you might actually accomplish something" the other one mocked. They laughed and hoof-bumped as they took off to leave her sitting there with an injured wing.

After seeing the bullies fly away and disappear, the rainbow filly curled up into a ball. Fluttershy watched from afar as she began to cry. This was not the confident pony that Fluttershy was used to seeing. She seemed weaker and more fragile, in need of somepony to come and pick her up.

Try as she might, Fluttershy could not approach the other filly. She simply watched from afar, hoping the once brave pony would be able to pick herself up.


-----


Fluttershy replayed the memory. That was the first time she saw underneath Rainbow Dash's shell. Under that shell of bravado was a pony that was soft, vulnerable and alone. It was something that Rainbow Dash does not want anypony to know, even her closest friends. It was something that she and Fluttershy kept to themselves. Fluttershy knew that having the rest of their friends catching a glimpse of that would cause the blue pony to be very distressed.

Fluttershy was flying through the sky towards Rainbow's house. She guessed the blue pegasus would wind up going there, out of the reach of her friends except for yellow pegasus herself of course.

Fluttershy landed on the small patio and knocked on the door. "Rainbow Dash?" she said softly.

She knocked more intently. "Rainbow Dash?"

After a few moments, she boldly decided to just let herself in.

"Rainbow Dash?" Her voice echoed but was slightly muffled in the large cloud-structured foyer. She walked into the kitchen in search of the blue pony.

She saw no sign of Rainbow. She continued her search on the first floor, calling for her friend as she went from room to room. She eventually went upstairs and to her bedroom door. The door was closed.

"Rainbow?" she said as she knocked silently. She checked to see if the door was locked, it was not. She slowly opened the door to see a blue body laying on top the bed.

She approached the bed and, in the dim light, saw that Rainbow Dash was sleeping. She was lightly snoring and had dried tears around her eyes and on her muzzle. Fluttershy smiled slightly. She wondered what Rainbow went through once she flew out of the library out of embarrassment, but now she looked peaceful.

Fluttershy maneuvered to the closet and silently opened it to pull out a spare blanket. She unfolded it and covered up the sleeping pony. She gently stroked the top of her rainbow mane before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

She went back to the kitchen and unpacked Rainbow's breakfast. She set the oven to low and placed it inside to keep it warm. She then went over, sat at the dining table and waited.

...

"Dragon!"

"Wait Fluttershy, what are you doing?!"

"NOOO!"

...

"Hey Fluttershy" a familiar squeaky voice called out.

Fluttershy looked up to see Rainbow Dash walking up to her. "Hi Rainbow Dash, you look well rested."

"To bad I can't say the same for you" Rainbow Dash said quite accurately. Although both their manes looked ruffled, Fluttershy in particular looked quite lousy. She sat there with a slump, her head hung low, and she had slight bags under her eyes.

"Yea well, I came here to see how you are doing" Fluttershy said.

"I could be better." Rainbow Dash frowned.

An awkward silence fell in the kitchen. Hoofs shuffled slightly on the floor as the pair tried to think of what to say next.

"You know, they don't think any less of you" Fluttershy finally said.

"Are you kidding? You saw how they were laughing at me."

"Rainbow Dash, it's our friends we're talking about here. They are not those mean bullies from flight camp."

"Well, they still should not have laughed at me." Rainbow Dash looked down. A huff of annoyance escaped her lips.

Fluttershy got out of her seat, walked up to Rainbow and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "They are actually very sorry for what they did. You should know they still love you no matter what."

Rainbow let out a sigh, her face softened. "I don't even know why I even try."

"Try what?"

"Try to be the brave one. I mean, you have seen how I am whenever somepony makes fun of me or whenever I fail."

"But you ARE brave Rainbow Dash. At least you go out and try. That counts for something, and you have accomplished so much." Fluttershy looked sad all of a sudden as she mentally compared Rainbow’s number of accomplishments to her own.

"Well, it isn't all that great when you have a reputation to keep."

Rainbow Dash stood there, her mind thought about the conversation they had. Soon enough, she looked around when as took a whiff of the air.

"Hey, what's that smell?"

Fluttershy perked up. "Oh, Twilight wanted me to deliver your breakfast to you. She made pancakes."

"Thanks, I could really use some breakfast right now" Rainbow said as she rubbed her stomach.

Fluttershy pulled the pancakes out of the oven and placed them on the table. She sat down as Rainbow Dash grabbed a glass of orange juice and joined her at the table.

The blue pegasus ate as Fluttershy watched intently. She started to feel uneasy. She could have just left, said her farwells and headed out the door, but she had the feeling that she needed to say something, to be sure that Rainbow Dash was ok.

"You know, there is nothing wrong with hugging somepony you like."

"Yea, yea, but it is something that I do not want to make a side show of, Fluttershy."

"But you were the one that wanted to hug me at the slumber party." Rainbow gave her a look. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

The blue pegasus let out a sigh. "Well, that was a mistake. I should have never done that."

Fluttershy bit her bottom lip. "Don't be like that. Don't you trust our friends?"

"Yea, but that does not mean they won't think any differently of me."

"You are still the same Rainbow Dash though. You shouldn't worry about how they think at the moment."

Rainbow Dash responded by resuming eating. Fluttershy did not want to press the issue so she decided that it was time to leave.

"Well, I should get going" she said as she headed towards the door.

"Wait, Fluttershy."

"Yes Rainbow?" Fluttershy turned around to look at her. The blue pony shifted slightly she looked a little embarrassed about what she was about to say.

"What exactly did you mean by 'thank you for understanding'?"

"Oh, umm, did I say that?" Fluttershy thought for a second. "I guess I didn't really know what I meant when I said that."

"Okay, I guess I'll see you later then or whenever" Rainbow looked disappointed.

"Of course." Fluttershy went to the front door and left the house. She thought about her question.


-----


Try as she might, young Fluttershy could not fly through the cloud ring. However, after a bunch of tries, she finally managed to land her front hooves on it after a struggle for the short flight up to it. She had a wide smile on her face after her personal achievement, but that quickly vanished when she stumbled and fell.

She slid down the ramp and was thrown into the air, and collided with an orange flag midair. After crashing into the ground, she took the flag off her head to find two colts flying over her and laughing.

"Nice going Clutsershy, they outta ground you permanently" one of them said as they landed in front of her.

"My baby brother can fly better than you" the other one said while the assault of laughter continued.

Fluttershy did not fight back. She had simply sat there, accepting the verbal abuse and the humiliation.

Suddenly, the blue pegasus she had seen before swooped in and landed next to her.

"Leave her alone!" she yelled, staring daggers at the colts.

"Ooo, what are you gonna do Rainbowcrash?" one of them said mockingly.

"Keep making fun of her and find out."

"You think you're such a big shot? Why don't you prove it?" the other colt said.

"What do you have in mind?" she responded with a smirk.

…

Later, they found themselves at the race course. 'Rainbowcrash' and the two colts stood at the starting line while Fluttershy held the checkered flag, prepared to signal the start of the race. Some of their peers sat in the stands, eager to watch the race start.

"You're going down" the lighter colored colt said.

"In history maybe, see you boys at the finish line" was the rainbow pegasus' response. Her ego and confidence was shining yet again.

Fluttershy waved the flag. The three flyers took off and their wake sent her into a spin. She spun and fell off her little cloud perch. Her minimal flying skills left her helpless to recover as she plummeted towards the ground. The only thing that saved her was a cloud of butterflies just a few feet from the ground.

It was then that Fluttershy discovered where she truly belonged. She was awestruck by the critters that live on the ground and found she had a special connection to them. After a huge, unexplained explosion, she communicated to the animals and found confidence that she did not know she even had. The butterfly pattern that appeared on her flank confirmed that she definitely had a sense of belonging here.

Suddenly, the blue pegasus filly swooped in and landed next to Fluttershy looking quite flustered.

"Omygosh, are you ok? I didn't mean for you to fall" she had a hint of worry on her face.

"I am doing wonderful. This place is amazing. I can't believe I never came down here before" Fluttershy said, taking in her newfound critter friends.

"I feel so stupid. I can't believe I didn't notice you fall. You could've gotten seriously hurt."


Fluttershy studied the blue filly that just stood up for her. She looked concerned, not like how she was at the start of the race. Fluttershy also noticed a cloud with a rainbow lightning bolt cutie mark on her flank. Had that always been there?

"I'm ok. Umm…what is your name? I am assuming it's not…well…umm 'Rainbowcrash', is it?" Fluttershy shrunk down as she regretted even mentioning the nickname.

"Listen, I don't want you to pay attention to what those jerks have to say. The name's Rainbow Dash by the way."

"Oh, sorry, I'm…I'm…Fluttershy, and I…well…would like to thank you."

"Hey, don't worry about it, Fluttershy. I understand what you went through…" the blue filly trailed off at that last statement. "And well, I just want to let you know that I'm here for you. Somepony's gotta stand up to those jerks."

Fluttershy was dumbfounded. Never before had she met somepony that was so willing to defend her. Being so quiet also made her so alone. The only ponies that approached her only wanted to tease or bully her, except for this frizzy haired rainbow pegasus. She suddenly felt very guilty for not approaching Rainbow Dash before, when she was curled up, crying, in need of a friend. Now that Fluttershy thought of it…

"Does that mean we're f…friends?" she spoke her thought as she looked at the young filly.

"Sure, just don't get used to the sappy stuff" she responded. A slight smile came across her face and she waved her hoof as she spoke her words.

"It’s a deal."


-----


Fluttershy was trotting along the dirt path back to Ponyville. She was so lost in her memories that she did not notice a certain orange mare in front of her, that is, until she collided with her.

"Oof, sorry sugar cube, I didn't see you there" Applejack said.

"Oh, it's ok Applejack. What brings you out here?" Fluttershy asked.

"Ah came to apologize. Ya know, for treatin' you and Rainbow so rotten this mornin'" she looked a bit sullen.

"That's awfully kind of you" she responded warmly. Fluttershy was never the one to hold a grudge against a friend, but with the way Applejack looked at her, she could not help but think it would be hard for anypony not to forgive her.

"Is Rainbow home? Twilight told me that Ah could probably find her there."

"Yes, she is actually."

"Would you mind bringing her to me?" Applejack took off her hat and held it in front of her muzzle. Her green eyes had a slight pleading look to them.

"Of course" Fluttershy said.

She flew back to Rainbow's house and knocked on the door. After a short moment, the blue mare answered.

"Fluttershy? What brings you back so soon?" she asked.

"Well, um, I ran into Applejack while walking back, and well, she would like to talk to you." Fluttershy hid behind her mane.

"You can forget it." The blue pegasus scowled.

"But she wants to apologize. She actually is very sorry for what she said."

"Well, I don't really feel like talking to her right now" Rainbow half-moaned.

"Come on Rainbow Dash. Will you please come down and talk to her? For me?" Fluttershy gave her a pleading look.

"Ok, fine." She grunted, rolled her eyes and followed Fluttershy down.

Applejack was looking down, poking at the ground when the two pegusi arrived. She looked up at Rainbow Dash when they landed.

"Howdy Rainbow" Applejack said.

The pegsus simply responded with a pout.

"Look, Ah came to apologize. I should've never laughed at you before, but…" Applejack sat on her haunches and took off her hat again. She started to fiddle with the brim with her front hooves.

"But what?" Rainbow Dash gave an angry look.

"But I thought you liked being teased" Applejack admitted.

"Well I didn't" Rainbow stomped the ground.

"Anyway, Ah want to make it up to you. How about Ah take you and Fluttershy out for a camping trip?"

"What? So you can laugh at me again?" the grumpy pegasus sat down, her back towards Applejack, and crossed her forelegs.

"That would be lovely." Fluttershy intervened before Applejack could respond. "A camping trip does sound relaxing."

Applejack did not speak but instead replaced her hat onto her head and stood up. She walked up to Rainbow Dash, sat down, and wrapped her forelegs around the pegasus's upper chest and shoulders.

"There is nothin' wrong with hugging somepony you like." The earth pony spoke smoothly into her ear. "Ah promise, Ah won't make fun of you like that again."

Rainbow Dash tensed up. She had no idea how to react. Was the farm pony mocking her? The way she spoke those words and her unfailing reputation of honesty, however, made that seem unlikely. She wanted to think that this was some sort of cruel, sick joke, but she could not deny that even despite everything, Applejack was being sincere.

Fluttershy smiled warmly at them. Applejack was still holding Rainbow. Her orange head nuzzled slightly into the rainbow mane. The blue pony did not rip away or freak out. Instead, she simply sat there looking tense and alert.

"Ok, fine" she finally said. "I'll go on your little camping trip. Could you just let go of me?" The request was only spoken verbally as her front hooves remained planted to the ground.

Applejack released Rainbow Dash and stood up. "Alright, Ah just gotta schedule some time off of the farm. How about you two decide on the destination and Ah'll take care of the rest."

The blue pegasus crossed her forelegs and grumbled under her breath.

"Ah better get going. Ah'll see you then" Applejack said, and with that, she trotted off.

When Applejack was out of sight, Fluttershy smiled at Rainbow.

"You see, you have nothing to be ashamed of" she said.

"Whatever" she said as she rolled her eyes for the second time that day. "Why would she make fun of me and then pull THAT on me?"

"Maybe she just wants to make you happy." Fluttershy paused. "As I do."

> Chapter 4: Revelations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It has been a full day before the three ponies were making final preparations at Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack was going over some last minute details with Big Mac and Applebloom about what was needed to be done on the farm. Even though there was no big sale or anything out of routine to prepare for in the next few days, she still wanted to make sure that her duties there will still be taken care of.

Meanwhile, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were cinching down their saddlebags, preparing for the long hike through the woods to Windson Falls. 

Deciding on the destination was not easy. It took a lot of convincing from Fluttershy just to be able to discuss it with Rainbow Dash. The blue pony thought that the camping trip was a stupid idea, and refusing to go. However, after some pleading from Fluttershy and more protests from Rainbow Dash, they finally decided on the waterfall destination. Even though Rainbow Dash went there with Applejack before, she figured that it would be beneficial to show it to Fluttershy, and it would minimize aggravation of not having to navigate to some unknown location.

"Alright, y'all ready?" Applejack asked as she trotted up to the pair.

"As I'll ever be" Rainbow Dash responded with a sigh.

"Are ya sure? You don't seem very enthused." Applejack frowned.

"Yea, yea. Let's get on with it." Rainbow went ahead and walked towards the hilly path that leads into the woods. Applejack raised an eyebrow at her, but did not probe her any further.

The trio walked towards the hills without much conversation. Rainbow Dash took a deep breath and relished the cool and crisp mid-afternoon air. Of course, she would rather have been flying, to let the wind hit her face and run down her body, but taking in the slight breeze on the ground would have to do. She took a moment to recollect her thoughts towards her friends.

She could not help but think that Applejack was mocking her, picking on her for the one true sign of weakness she practically presented in front of her friends. However, that sincere look on Applejack's face when she apologized, Rainbow knew that she could not lie with a look like that, but the way Applejack held her and spoke into her ear made Rainbow nervous all over. 

Then there was Fluttershy. Why could she not reveal her burdensome secret to her? The thought that her closest friend was keeping something away from her scared her. What if all her friends were hiding something, talking behind her back even?

Rainbow Dash had to shake those thoughts from her mind. She was here on a nice camping trip. This trip was for her. She did not want to ruin it over something that might have not even been true.

As they approached the entrance of the forest, Fluttershy looked nervous.

"Is something wrong sugarcube?" Applejack asked.

"Well…that forest looks pretty scary." Fluttershy receded a bit.

"Hey, don't worry. It's not like the Everfree forest or anything. You don't have to worry about anything with me around." Rainbow flexed her wings, showing off her typical bravado.

Fluttershy looked at her and nodded a slight, confident nod. They continued well into the forest.


~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~


As the sun started to set, the three ponies decided to stop and set up camp for the night. They each had their own tents which were constructed within minutes. Afterwards, Rainbow Dash swiftly collected logs and rocks to prepare a campfire in the middle.

Applejack lit the fire. She distributed some daisy sandwiches as their first meal of the trip. They each sat around the fire and ate.

"Oh my, it is getting awfully dark" Fluttershy said after a short while.

"I guess this wouldn't be a good time to tell my ghost stories then, huh?" Rainbow said with a smirk.

"Nah. Besides, Ah already heard your stories" Applejack snickered.

"No, you heard my HEADLESS HORSE stories." Rainbow Dash corrected her.

"Same thing" Applejack waved her off.

"Is not."

"Umm, girls, I don't think I want to hear scary stories right now anyway." Fluttershy shrunk down.

"You have nothing to worry about Fluttershy. I already told you that is forest is safe." Rainbow Dash tried to reassure her.

"I know. I just can't help it." Fluttershy took a nibble out of her sandwich.

"Then is there anything else we can do before we hit the hay?" Applejack asked Fluttershy.

"I don't know, whatever you want to do" Fluttershy said.

"Oh, how about we do some stargazing?" Rainbow Dash pitched in.

Fluttershy and Applejack both simultaneously stared at her.

"What?"

"Ah didn't know you were into such a passive activity Rainbow" Applejack said, smirking slightly.

"Ok, and? You already know that I am into napping, and that seems pretty passive to me" Rainbow Dash responded.

"But that's different."

"Are you really going to make a big deal out of it?" The blue pegasus snorted.

Applejack had a look of horror on her face. "No, no, Ah actually think it's very nice. There is one problem though."

"Oh yea, what's that?"

"How do you suppose we go about stargazing when the trees here are blocking our view?" Applejack pointed to the towering trees over them to emphasize her point.

"Simple" Rainbow Dash responded, pointing to one of the taller trees "We can just sit on top of that tree."

"How am Ah supposed to get up there? Ah can't climb that tree."

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "I'll just carry you up."

"Ya sure you won't drop me?"

"Oh please Applejack, since when have I ever dropped somepony?" Before Applejack could protest any further, Rainbow Dash swooped in and picked her up by the chest, leaving her hind legs and tail dangling beneath her as they pulled away from solid ground. Fluttershy followed them up.

Applejack was gently placed on one of the high, sturdy branches. She sat at the root of the branch and leaned up against the tree trunk for support. Rainbow Dash sat perched next to her while Fluttershy took the outermost spot.

"Wow, the stars do look beautiful" Fluttershy said. Applejack looked equally awestruck as she looked up at the sky. Neither of them really took the time to sit and watch the stars whenever they are away from town. Being out in the woods and away from the nightly town lights, they could really see the stars in their full glory.

”So, Applejack, do still think this is lame? Aren't you going to laugh at me again?" Rainbow Dash snarled.

"Well...no...she..." Fluttershy started to answer for her before the earth pony snapped.

"Consarn it Rainbow! Ah never ever said that! Why are you always assuming the worst of me ever since that night with you and Fluttershy? Ah already apologized! Are ya still going to hold it against me?" Despite sitting around thirty feet up a tree, Applejack was not afraid to stand her ground.

Fluttershy's ears twitched. "Umm, girls" she meeked.

"Geez Applejack. You honestly expect me to forgive you just like that? You bully me and then pretend it's no big deal." Rainbow looked at her angrily.

"Girls"

"For the last time Rainbow, I was just teasing you. Why do you gotta be so sensitive about this anyway?!"

"Uhh." Rainbow Dash was momentarily at a loss for words.

"GIRLS!" Fluttershy yelled.

"What is it Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Listen" she responded.

All three of them paused for a brief moment. What they heard was the faint howling of timberwolves along with the sound of them running towards their location.

"Oh…my" Fluttershy was shaking.

Shortly after, five timberwolves ran into their campsite. They were sniffing out the place, trying to find the ponies that were there just moments ago. Their breath could even be smelt from high on the tree branch.

"We could take them" Rainbow Dash spoke softly yet harshly. She was getting ready to dive down to them.

"No Rainbow, there's too many of them. We can't take the risk." Applejack held her back.

"I'm not some timid mare who needs your sympathy."

"Fer pony's sake Rainbow! Be reasonable!" Applejack was hardly whispering at this point.

Rainbow ignored her, opened her wings, and slid herself off the branch. Applejack, in a vain attempt to keep her still, held onto her. Her grasp tightened when she realized that she too was falling.

The added weight that held onto Rainbow threw her off, and before she could correct her flight, she clipped her left wing on one of the lower branches. This sent both ponies tumbling down the branches of the tree. They both hit the ground with a loud thud. Applejack was on her back, the wind knocked out of her. Her hat had landed a couple of feet from her head. Rainbow Dash sat there, looking at her injured wing. Before either of them could fully recover, they found themselves staring in the faces of the timberwolves. The terrible breath of the wooden canines filled their nostrils.

Fluttershy watched in horror from the tree branch. She wanted to do something, but she could not figure out what. Unfortunately, there was no rocks to throw at the timberwolves or distract them with. Her nervous eyes darted back and forth between the wolves and her friends until they eventually landed upon the now abandoned campfire behind the wooden creatures.

"C'mon AJ, we gotta move!" Rainbow Dash was now tugging at Applejack’s shoulder trying to get her to stand up, all the while staring at the timberwolves, knowing they could pounce at any moment. Still trying to recover from having the wind knocked out of her, Applejack could not move or even get a breath big enough to voice a response.

Suddenly, a flaming branch arched through the air and landed right on one of the wolf's back. It yelped in agony when its wooden body caught fire. The attention of the other four timberwolves were shifted onto the fire and trying to put it out.

Rainbow Dash used this opportunity to haul Applejack onto her back. Applejack was limp but was able to firmly hold Rainbow’s neck to secure herself. Rainbow, with her wing still injured, galloped as hard as she could, only to slow down to pick up Applejack’s hat with her teeth.

Fluttershy flew away silently and followed Rainbow, hoping that none of the timberwolves will see them and give chase.

Rainbow Dash continued to gallop away at full speed with Applejack on her back. Fluttershy flew closely behind them. It was not until Rainbow started to run out of breath that she felt it was safe to stop and recuperate. She placed Applejack on the ground and removed her hat from her own mouth and handed it to her. Applejack wiped the saliva from the brim where Rainbow was holding it in her mouth and placed the hat on her head. By now, Applejack was able to breathe normally again.

"Thanks Rainbow" she said. "But what in tarnation was that little stunt all about?!"

"What stunt?" Rainbow Dash responded.

"Jumping outta that tree like that, duh. Ya could've gotten us killed! All ya had to do was...ow." Applejack's sentence got cut off by a tinge of pain.

"My goodness, are you ok?" Fluttershy asked her.

"Ya, ya. My back just hurts after taking that mighty fall." Applejack rubbed her lower back. She glared at a Rainbow Dash, who was actually now trying to tend to her injured wing. "'Course it could've been avoidable if somepony didn't have to act like a foal back there."

Rainbow Dash glared back. "Well if you didn't grab me, I would've been fine."

"Landsakes Rainbow! I was preventing ya from killing yerself. What was yer plan anyways from jumping into that mess of timberwolves?"

Fluttershy quickly placed a hoof on Applejack's chest. "Now Applejack, I'm sure she had good intentions." Fluttershy gave Rainbow a concerning look which, in turn, prevented the blue pony from vocalizing a response.

Applejack let out a sigh. "Either way, we are now hours away from home and all our supplies are probably infested by them timberwolves. What do we do now?"

"I don't know..." Rainbow Dash said as she tended to her still injured wing.

"Let me see." Fluttershy walked over to her and examined her wing. Much to Rainbow's discomfort, she lightly massaged it, using her critter clinical skills to help heal the wing. Rainbow Dash bit her lower lip as the other pegasus kneaded the bruised area. "How does that feel?"

Rainbow Dash tested her wing by stretching out a few times. It felt a little looser from the massage, but it was still too painful to fly with or even move. "It still hurts pretty badly." Fluttershy brought her hooves up again to the wing but Rainbow Dash stopped her. "No, no. I think I just need some time to keep off of it." She looked up at the sky. "As much as I'd hate to be grounded."

"Oh...well if you say so."

Meanwhile, Applejack was looking at them with a curious look on her face. As soon as the two pegasi looked at her she turned away.

"Uhh, maybe we should find some shelter" she said. "Wait until morning 'fore we go anywhere."

The other two ponies nodded in agreement.


~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~


It was past midnight, as far as Applejack could tell. The moon shined brightly into the forest. She had volunteered to be the first to keep watch while Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash slept. With the timberwolves roaming about, they could not take any chances. The two pegasi were sleeping against a larger tree. It may not be the most comfortable place to sleep nor provided much shelter, but it was all they could find. Applejack would occasionally hear the wooden creatures howling from a distance or even the creaking of their legs. It put her on edge, which is why she jumped when she felt something touch her back.

"Heh, sorry AJ" a familiar raspy voice spoke.

"Don’t do that" Applejack retorted.

"Yeesh, I said I was sorry" Rainbow Dash gave her a look. "What is your deal?"

"It's nothing." Applejack huffed and crossed her forelegs.

"Hey, don't get all grouchy at me, all I did was poke you" Rainbow said, slightly annoyed.

"But ya almost got us killed, and got us into this mess. Now ya are being careless again." Applejack stood up and faced her. "Why ya gotta act like nothin' happened?"

"Oh, that? It's not like it was my fault that those timberwolves showed up. I would have been fine if it wasn't for you."

"Why do ya gotta be so selfish? Yer always thinking about yerself." Applejack was starting to get really frustrated at this point.

"Oh, I'm being selfish?" Rainbow hovered over her, giving a threatening stance. The tension quickly grew thick. She was not going to let Applejack stand there and call her selfish. "YOU'RE the one that was making fun of me, and have you ever considered that I never even wanted to go on this lousy trip? It was just something for you to make yourself feel better about yourself, huh?"

"Take that back!" Applejack growled. She shifted and hoofed the ground.

"Make me!"

That was it. Applejack leapt up at her with a surprising amount of speed. Before Rainbow Dash could react, she was grabbed and tackled to the ground. She landed painfully on her back with the stronger earth pony pinning her neck down with a hoof. Applejack raised her other hoof, as if ready to pound Rainbow's face in. Helpless to react, the pegasus closed her eyes and tensed up, bracing for it. However, instead of getting a hard hit to the face, she received a soft caress on her cheek.

Rainbow opened her eyes to see Applejack looking down at her with a teary expression.

"What are you..." she started, but before she could finish her sentence, Applejack threw herself into a forceful kiss, straight on the lips. Rainbow Dash struggled before she shoved the amorous pony off of her.

"AJ, what are you doing?!" Rainbow Dash stood up and gave Applejack a shocked look.

"Oh, uhh, well, Ah..." Applejack mumbled as her cheeks became flushed. Tears became slightly more visible as embarrassment and shame settled in.

"Wait, don't tell me." Rainbow Dash looked at her, puzzled. "Are you implying what I think you're implying?"

"Yes, Ah suppose Ah am..." Applejack, now lying on the ground, looked away and covered her head with her forelegs. She prepared for the abuse, be it physical or verbal, it did not matter.

Rainbow Dash snickered "AJ, have you ever considered that I don't, uh, 'swing that way'?" She instantly regretted her remark when she saw how hard it hit her. "It was a joke, it was a joke!" She emphasized before Applejack could burst.

The earth pony, on the brink of a breakdown, slowly raised her head and looked at her.

Rainbow Dash bit her lower lip. "On a serious note, well gosh, I don't know what to think. You are saying that you love me, right? As in love me? Well, it just seems...odd, and sudden..."

Applejack cringed at the 'L' word. "Ah'm sorry, I don't know what came over me."

Rainbow Dash continued. "You should know that I love you too, as a sister. You and me together though? I just can't picture it." Applejack opened her mouth to respond before it was covered by a blue hoof. "But that doesn't mean I wouldn't try." Her face became softer, a little more feminine as she looked at the reddened pony right in the eyes. At that point, she knew the earth pony never meant to be mean or angry, or was out to make fun of her and tease her. She had realized all those things were simply cover ups for Applejack's true feelings.

She leaned down and replaced her hoof on Applejack's mouth with her own lips. The earth pony, unable to resist, gave in to the move and returned the favor. Rainbow Dash savored the kiss. It tasted new, exhilarating, and has a hint of apples. To think that this is her friendly rival and one of her longtime best friends that was on her lips sent a slight shiver up her spine. She was excited.

After a short moment, Rainbow broke the kiss and hauled Applejack off the ground. They both sat down to admire each other in a new light.

Applejack was the first to speak. "Rainbow, Ah was so scared when you threw yourself towards those timberwolves. Ah couldn't let you get yourself hurt. Uh, I guess you are not mad at me then?" Her cheeks were still burning.

"Of course not." Rainbow reached out and pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry that I was so brash. I had no idea. I guess this explains the way you have been acting lately." She spoke over her shoulder.
Applejack teared up more. She was amazed how well Rainbow Dash was taking it. She regretted being so harsh on the pegasus earlier. She could not be happier on how forgiving Rainbow Dash was being. "But, but are ya sure you want to have a kind of 'relationship' with me? Ya really don't have to do this on my accord."

"Nonsense, but it would've been nicer if you just told me before instead of taking me out on this trip."

"But this trip wasn't really about that. It actually IS to make it up to ya and Flutter...oh."

They both broke the hug to turn and see Fluttershy was standing there, staring right at them with a mix of surprise and disgust on her face. It was clear that she saw enough to know what is going on.

"Fluttershy, are you ok?" Rainbow asked.

Fluttershy snapped out of her stupor and responded. "Yes, I'm fine. I am really happy for you two." Her feigned smile was quite unsettling. One of the timberwolves howled in the distance.


-----


Twilight put a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. “Do you remember what I said before, about doing it for yourself? It’s not about me, Rainbow or anypony else.”

Fluttershy pulled away and got up. She took a few steps away from Twilight and stared at the ground. Her tail swished uncomfortably while she stood there, deep in thought.

Twilight figured it was time to go. “Well, I leave you to think about it. I’ll be at the library if you need me. I’ll check on you later, ok?” She got up and made her way to the door.

“Twilight”

The unicorn turned around and looked at the pegasus, and even though she addressed Twilight, she was evasive of any eye contact.

“Yes Fluttershy?”

“ok”

“Ok what?”

“I’ll tell you.”

"That's good Fluttershy. Tell me what is on your mind." Twilight smiled.

"Promise to keep it a secret?"

"Of course, that goes without saying."

"Promise not to get mad?"

"Fluttershy, please. There is no way that will ever happen."

Fluttershy took a long, drawn out breath and paused. She gathered her thoughts. Twilight was trustworthy, she knew that. There was no reason to hold back, too late to back down. After a moment, she decided to just say it and think about it later. "I am in love with Rainbow Dash" she blurted out. "Ok, now you know."

Twilight had a look of disbelief on her face. Fluttershy wondered if she regretted her decision. "Well, that is a relief. I thought it was something bad" Twilight finally said.

"You are not disgusted with me, ashamed maybe?"

"Of course not Fluttershy. It's just...well...a bit surprising, but to be honest, I guess I shouldn't really be surprised." Twilight noticed the slight tinge in Fluttershy's face. "That doesn't matter anyway, the important thing is that you told me, and that is a good thing."

"Can you tell her, for me?" Fluttershy had a pleading look on her face. She hoped she could kill two birds with one stone, sort to speak.

"Fluttershy, I assure you I will help anyway I can to get you through this, but I can't tell Rainbow. That is something you need to do yourself."

Fluttershy whimpered. How was she supposed to tell Rainbow Dash herself?


-----