Chapter 1: I remember...

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Luna's night settled over Ponyville, silent and still. The chill night air brought with it a sense of peace and tranquillity to everypony and their families.

The alicorn herself appeared silently from far above; she relished her night with a slow glide over the town. Wind tickled her feathers and caressed her dark coat as she cruised along. A pair of mighty, deep blue wings carried their owner past the border of the town and on toward a small, majestic cloud house that floated in the sky. Despite the proximity to the Everfree Forest, it was clear that no creature had attempted to harm the dwelling or the family who lived inside. A small rainbow pool was embedded in a cloud attached to the side of the house where it twinkled merrily in the starlight. Tiny rainbow coloured hoof marks dotted the clouds nearby. Somepony small had obviously been playing there today. A smile broke out across Luna’s regal features as she spotted it on her pass. She circled the house at a leisurely pace benefiting of royalty as she gazed down. Her eyes slowly drank the beautiful sights as a smile played across her lips. Yes, this could be none other than the home of her wife’s dear friends.

The alicorn in question swooped into position at her side, purple mane whipped in the breeze as she fought to control the end of her slow dive. Luna noted the mane and tail of her good-looking mare appeared to in a worse condition that they ought to be after a short flight from the local library. Both were frazzled as if they had been recently set alight by the magical fire of a powerful young filly. Luna knew all too well who the suspect would be and couldn’t help but smile a playful smile. The two lovers shared a glance that made Luna wish time could be paused as they swung closer, drawn together by the bonds of love.

The sight of a cloud some distance off caught the royal alicorn’s eye and she slowly glided to it, Twilight in tow. While the unicorn-turned-alicorn seated herself upon the soft puffy goodness of the cloud, Luna shunted it along slowly and placed it within line of sight of the bedroom window at the back of the house. Satisfied, she snuggled down next to her lover and placed a protective, night blue wing across the lighter mare’s back. She smiled, delighted as a thankful nuzzle caused her neck to tingle and her tail to twitch with elation. She was glad Twilight had not been held up for long. After a quick cuddle, the pair turned their attention toward the home of the two pegasi they had helped.

The two proud pegasi in question stood over their rainbow-maned daughter as she drifted off to sleep in her small bed next to the window. Their scarf-like wedding bands hugged their necks while they nuzzled each other gently. Both bands were the colour of their lovers coat, adorned with an accompanying cutie mark, showing the world to whom they belonged. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash watched for a few more moments as their small, deep, sunny yellow bundle of fluffy joy slipped off into Dreamland without a care in Equestria. Her parents smiled as she lightly played with the multi-coloured strands of her mane and dived ever deeper into the fun realms where Pinkie Pie and Lil’ Twi played each night.

All of a sudden, Fluttershy felt her mate drape a wing over her. Tingles raced up her feathers and zipped along her spine as blue met yellow and the two ponies wings brushed together. They shared a smile as their gaze drifted past the bed and out the window the two alicorns were gazing into. Once Fluttershy spotted Luna and Twilight, she smiled warmly, remembering the alicorns' kindness toward the young couple. The pegasus couple rounded the small bed to stand closer to the window where Dash rested her forehooves on the windowsill. The four ponies shared a moment of silence before a satisfied Luna spread her wings and lifted off, away toward home. Twilight lingered a moment longer, her friendly smile lit up the night sky before she too headed off after her mate. In the distance, their castle twinkled in the moonlight.

The two pegasi remained for a few moments more, gazing out over Ponyville. Fluttershy felt a shiver run across her back as the chilly night air reminded them it was late. Dash noticed the discomfort and pulled her wife in closer under the embrace of her strong cyan wing. With a contented noise, Fluttershy nuzzled Rainbow Dash. Together they enjoyed their moment of peace and quiet. The nuzzle slowly turned into a kiss. The light yellow pegasus felt her heart rate pick up pace as time stood still; this was the perfect way to top the long day off for Fluttershy. Her wings fluttered excitedly under the cyan cover of love she was encased in. The nature-lover had everything she could ever dream of and more: her animals, friends, and most importantly, the young family she and Rainbow Dash had begun five years ago. After a few moments, Rainbow Dash pulled away slightly and stared lovingly into Fluttershy's eyes. They held each other's gaze for a few moments before Rainbow drew in close to the buttery mare’s ear. The normally shy pegasus felt like she was in heaven as her wife’s muzzle brushed against her own.

“Do you remember what tomorrow is?" Dash asked and grinned slyly before she gave Fluttershy a playful nip to her ear. This elicited an adorable little squeak from the quiet pegasus who blushed slightly before she nodded in response.

Rainbow turned toward the small bed where their young filly was sleeping and Fluttershy followed her gaze.

"I still remember my first day at school. You were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.” The bold pegasus grinned. The cheeky, look on her blue face made it clear there was more to it, yet Fluttershy was sure she already knew all the important details.

Fluttershy darted around the small bed and straight into their own bigger cloud bed, fleeing under the covers to cover her cheeks as they rapidly heated. She also did so to cut Dash's flattery short before her companion could to take it further. After a few quiet moments, she felt the cloud they slept on bounce as the ever boisterous Wonderbolt slid in to join her from the opposite end of the bed.

They snuggled down to sleep within each other’s embrace. Neither mare had the energy to continue their little moment of fun as their shared warmth reminded their bodies of the rest they required. They nuzzled each other gently as they let the call of sleep slowly take hold. A cute little squeak of joy emanated from the bed beside their own, followed by the sound of a filly sucking on her hair in her sleep. Both mares broke out in delighted grins as they attempted to picture the dream that managed to cause such a reaction. They rolled over to face their daughter, in doing so Fluttershy’s neck quickly became a pillow for her spouse as they gazed down on their little miracle. The sight of the adorable filly’s smile caused the couple to relax into each other. They rolled back over and their tired bodies once again reminded them of how much energy they had expended in the task of a day’s parenthood.

'I remember…' Fluttershy thought to herself as she drifted off to sleep. Memories of the first time she had crashed into the mare of her dreams drifted, unbidden into her tired mind and continued to entertain her, even in her dreams as she held her dearly beloved close.

The sun was shining, the rainbows were flowing, and the clouds were nice and poofy underhoof. Cloudsdale and all its inhabitants went about their day, their city bathed in its splendor. The white of the clouds around caught the light blue of the morning sky. Even the well-trodden roads bore little in the way of wear after the previous nights cleansing rain. However, all this was lost on a gangly yellow filly with a flowing pink mane who was shyly walking alongside her mother, a mare with a deep yellow coat and flowing red mane. Fluttershy was terribly nervous about her first day at school. This wasn't the usual kind of nerves that would simply cause her whole body to clam up while her brain fought for control of shaking limbs and butterflies assaulted her tummy. No, this was bad enough that she really, really, really wanted to run off and hide in her room at home and not come out until the week was over. She would be spending time in a strange place, surrounded by strange ponies who would hate her. Nothing about school appealed to her. It wasn’t even as if she had any daycare friends to look forward to. Everypony had made fun of her and she was not looking forward to the prospect of subjecting herself to that again.

“Honey, relax. It’s going to be okay.” The soft, rich voice of the introverted mare interrupted her filly’s thoughts.

“B-but, mom…” Pleading filly orbs of cyan gazed upwards into the sky blue eyes of her mother.

“You know that when a pegasus filly or colt turns five, they make you go to school.” Scarlet Sunset flicked her long, blood red mane to the side as she tore her gaze off her nervous youngster. “Unless I’m wrong, my lovely little filly just turned five.”

Fluttershy let out a sigh and nuzzled her mother’s deep sunset yellow leg. “But I don’t want to go to school.”

“I know, dear. But your father has paid for the best school for foals in all of Cloudsdale. You wouldn't want to disappoint your father do you?"

The very thought of attending such a big school made Fluttershy want to run home and hide under her blankets. But on the other hoof, her daddy would get really angry if she did that again. With a fear filled sigh, the little filly inched closer to her mom, attempting to make herself invisible to the pegasi who flew gracefully overhead. She allowed herself to briefly glance up at the spectacle. A smile graced her muzzle as she observed the winged ponies in flight. Oh how amazing it would be to join them one day. Her wings quivered against her sides in wistful anticipation. Suddenly she froze as voices echoed through her head: the voices of the foals who teased her and caused great pain. Unlike everypony else in Cloudsdale, the call of the open skies was accompanied by the threat of failure. She jumped at the soft touch of her mother, the one pegasus who always understood her.

"Honey, are you alright?" Love and care shone through the eyes of the soft spoken mare as she gazed down into her daughter's eyes.

Fluttershy nodded briskly before she scurried back to her mother's side.

The middle-aged mare nodded slowly, displeased by her daughter’s actions, yet understanding. She chose to hold her tongue and continue their walk to school. It was best if her daughter was not pressed too hard in times like this. After all, in a school so large there was hope that her little filly would find a friend who was as quiet and sweet as she was.

The brightly coloured pair fell into an uneasy silence as the wide open streets narrowed. The cloud buildings become smaller and more condensed as ponies filled the streets as well as the skies above. They rounded a corner, heading toward a pair of large cloud gates with the words 'Cloudsdale Central School' embellished upon the archway. A blue and rainbow streak suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It blindsided Fluttershy who yelped in surprise. The yellow filly's mother turned at the sound to find two fillies tangled in a mess of rainbow and pink manes. The smaller blue coated stranger immediately disentangled herself from Fluttershy and cut off her whispered apologies with a big confident voice.

"Hey there, sorry about that. I need to look where I'm going sometimes." The stranger paused for a moment to take in the cute mess in front of her, her head cocked to the side inquisitively.

"What’s your name by the way?"

Fluttershy immediately hid behind her mane, still sprawled upon the ground, too nervous to get up. After a moment's awkward silence, the cyan speedster realised the filly she smacked into is not as bold as she expected and offered her a hoof to help her up.

The unexpected offer caused Fluttershy to slowly unfreeze. A gentle nudge from behind caused her to glance backwards. Her mom motioned toward the strange blue filly, an encouraging smile in residence upon her soft features. It gave courage to the shy pegasus who smiled meekly back. Fluttershy swallowed nervously as she turned back to the strange filly and allowed herself to be hoisted up.

"So… your name?" the blue and rainbow stranger prompted once more. Fluttershy felt almost ready to faint as those big angelic pink eyes gazed into her own.

In a final bid for more confidence, Fluttershy glanced nervously up at her mom, who smiled warmly down at the pair. The quiet mare took off to stretch her wings, leaving the fillies for a moment. Fluttershy turned toward the friendly stranger and took a deep breath in readiness.

"Flutter.." Her quiet voice faltered and the rest of the word escaped in silence, along with the deep breath she had summoned. This left the blue filly with a questioning look upon her face. The stranger leaned in toward Fluttershy till her vision was filled with spiky rainbow hair and her friendly, expectant face. Those amazing, pink eyes shone vibrantly in the sun as she waited impatiently.

“Fluttershy…" a nervous squeak followed the single word that may as well have come from a mouse.

The cyan filly burst into a brief fit of giggles before a huge grin invaded her muzzle, “Cool! My name’s Rainbow Dash, and I'm going to grow up big and strong and I’ll be the fastest flyer in all of Equestria!"

The smile on the face of the speed talking filly turned out to be contagious, as Fluttershy quickly found herself aglow with a matching grin. Suddenly the day appeared brighter and more colourful, just like Dash's shining rainbow mane. The bold filly powered up her wings for dramatic effect, showing off as if she were a mighty Wonderbolt at a show.

"I can't fly yet. But I'm still practising and I can glide. How about you, Fluttershy, can you fly yet?"

Fluttershy shook her head sadly, her gaze suddenly glued to the soft clouds underhoof. Rainbow Dash gently lifted Fluttershy's head with her hoof to gaze into her shy aqua eyes.

"Hey, it’s ok… I'm sure we'll both learn soon enough. So where are you off to anyway?"

Fluttershy's mother chose the moment to rejoin the pair. "She's off to her first day at school. Are you going too?"

Rainbow vigorously shook her head. "No way. I'm not quite old enough yet. But school sounds boring anyway." Fluttershy felt sadness well up inside her once more. She had almost made her first friend, but as usual, she was out of luck. Rainbow noticed the change and piped up.

"I'll be a big filly soon. In a few months time, I'll see you at school. Okay?"

Fluttershy nodded, her face slowly brightened up as she processed the meaning of the stranger's words. "Yay…" She quickly hid behind her mane again, followed by her signature squeak, blushing slightly.

The brash youngster in front of Fluttershy failed to contain herself from rolling on the clouds in a fit of giggles brought on from the cute yet hilarious display in front of her. Fluttershy felt her mother give a nudge from behind.

Rainbow noticed the hint too. "Well you have fun, I'm off to go play some cool pranks at my dad’s work."

A mischievous grin overtook Rainbow’s face as she talked. The prankster trotted off before the shy filly could answer her again out loud. The bright blue pegasus waved goodbye and with a mighty flap of her wings, she sprinted off.

"Ready now?" Scarlet Sunset asked, a warm smile plastered all over her kind face.

Fluttershy nodded nervously and resumed following her mom to school. She glanced over her shoulder in an attempt to spot the rainbow moving in the crowd. She quickly turned from her fruitless task as she felt her mother’s tail brush along her side. Dash had disappeared and was not coming back. She could not help but look forward to seeing the cyan filly again in a few months’ time.

Then she realised, she had not even asked if they were to be attending the same school together. With a sigh, the lonesome filly forced herself onwards.
“I see somepony just made her first friend. I am surprised that you didn’t ask her to come and play with you after school today.”

Fluttershy glanced up at her mother and realised she was right. She should have asked Rainbow Dash if she wanted to play after school. Even if she were a few months older, they still could have played together after the hard part of the day was over.

“I wish I had asked her.” Another sigh escaped the gangly filly as her head fell and her hooves continued the tread into school.

Rainbow Dash awoke with a start as her filly's cry reached her ears. Oh the joys of parenthood. As much as enjoyed being a mom, it had its rough times. Who would have thought she, the mighty Rainbow Dash would still be forced awake on the odd night even now that her filly was old enough for school.

Moments later, soft hoof falls pitted and patted across the floor toward the bed where the two mothers lay. Rainbow Dash rolled over just in time to receive a little sunny yellow muzzle and pleading, watery eyes.

"Mom." The single, quietly spoken word hung in the early morning air for a moment while the filly found the courage to continue.

"I... I... Had, a bad dream. Can I sleep with you?" The tearful youngster asked.

Alarm bells rang in the mighty Wonderbolt’s head as her groggy mind was jolted awake by her foal's words. Rainbow Dash quickly scooped the little filly up into her forelegs and cradled her gently upon her chest. Powerful wings encased the precious shaken pegasus she held. “You sure can, squirt. It’s going to be okay. Both your moms are here for you.”

The hint of a smile broke out upon the muzzle of the filly as she lay there, immersed in her mother's love and care. The waves of fear began to retreat under the onslaught of warmth she felt now.

“Do you want me to wake mom? I’m sure Fluttershy would give you lots of hugs to make the bad dreams go away.” A hint of Dash’s trademark cheeky smile lit her muzzle as she posed the question.

Spectra shook her head vigorously before she buried her muzzle further into her mother’s loving hold.

Fluttershy rolled over and suddenly Dash’s left shoulder fell into use as her mate’s pillow. The speedster smiled at her wife. She enjoyed the feeling, even if Fluttershy was not awake to relish it too. Her attention shifted to the filly who lay curled up within her secure hold.

“No? You sure?”

This time the fluffy multi-coloured mane swished everywhere as the youngster nodded. Spectra wrapped her hooves around her mother as best she could and settled down. “Mom worries too much…” She murmured into her mother’s ear as her eyes fluttered closed.

Dash grinned. It was true that Fluttershy could worry too much. The Wonderbolt’s gaze wandered between the two ponies who meant the world to her. She fondly ruffled the spiky rainbow mane of the filly who was trying to get to sleep. Her attention was captured by her lover as the sleeper snuggled her. A creamy yellow hoof fell upon darker yellow as Fluttershy wriggled about.

Happy that everything was right in Equestria once more, Dash planted a kiss upon her lover’s forehead. She turned and followed up with one upon her foal’s forehead too. The sleeping pegasus mare mumbled something in her sleep and snuggled in closer, nuzzling Rainbow Dash a little. The daredevil flyer smiled warmly, her wings twitching in excitement as Fluttershy dreamed her sweet dreams, undisturbed by her filly’s not so sweet nightmare. Rainbow Dash relaxed, allowing the sleep-snuggling beauty to continue her occasional ministrations as she slowly entered the realms of dreams, watched over by Luna.

A rainbow mane flapped in the breeze as its owner gazed out over Cloudsdale. Rainbow Dash listlessly watched the sun slowly dip below the horizon, bored out of her mind but unwilling to go home. She sat atop a small platform of cloud her mother and older brother had made for her. The construct had stairs up the back side to allow access for younger pegasi who were not yet skilled fliers. It was placed above the rooftops so the youngsters could enjoy the majestic sight of Cloudsdale as well as the world beyond. The sweeping cloud landscape dissolved into houses on every side. It made the ridge an excellent vantage point for spotting Dash’s next prank victim.

Her thoughts drifted across the horizon to the cool but shy filly she had met over a month ago. The bored filly wondered if Fluttershy even remembered her. ’She probably has a whole bunch of new friends by now,’ Rainbow grumbled to herself and sighed. Then a new thought invaded her mind, 'Maybe not, she was awful shy when I last saw her. Maybe I still will have a chance to make her my friend. It would make my life about twenty percent cooler if she was my first friend. I just hope she's ok.' The small filly vigorously shook her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts. Suddenly, Rainbow Dash realised something.

"About twenty percent cooler, I gotta remember that one. It's so… cool."

That put a smile on the face of the seemingly infallible filly. She flicked out her wings in a manner she imagined to look cool and attempted to take off from the cloud ridge she had climbed to. She flew a few feet before her wings give out completely and she plummeted to the clouds below. With a rough shake of her mane, Rainbow Dash disentangled herself from the cloudstuff that had become stuck to her, she fluttered her wings in an annoyed manner before she stalked off toward home. ’I can’t wait till I’m older… I’ll fly everywhere…’ She grumbled to herself.

She wasn't fond of home. All the other foals in the area had cool parents who took them places and gave them awesome birthday parties. She knew hers was in a few days time. Dash was certain of how it will go. Always the same old boring family party where all the older ponies in the family get together for a few drinks and forgot about her. Her, the super awesome Rainbow Dash! She unleashed a sigh. At least her brother would be there at least, he was cool. Her mane almost brushed against the clouds beneath her hooves as she slogged onwards. That was the problem with having parents who were so old. They just didn't understand what it was like to be young anymore.

The small filly strutted through the small cloud streets, she forced her family out of her mind. The amazing cloud houses, all hoof made boxed her into the small alleyways she was traversing. Bright blues, yellows and brilliant golds sparked from the trimmings of some houses. The brilliance set a brighter tone within the one filly who soon found herself moving her head in time with a random cool tune. She picked up her pace, doing her best to hold her air of awesomeness. She rounded a corner and almost dropped it in shock, her heart stopped as she spotted a group of 4 rough looking colts. They were all wearing scraps of clothing covering various parts of their hides and where there are no clothes, scars and tattoos showed. Rainbow Dash knew she has been spotted by the nastiest gang in the area. Fear bubbled up her chest, she fought it and forced herself onwards trying not to break into a gallop. False courage drove the one pegasus onwards even though she knew the next part would probably hurt. The two parties met in the middle of the street. Rainbow held her head high and attempted to continue on her way nonchalantly. The gang colts flare their wings, a wall of feathers and brawn in front of the fearful filly.

"Look what we have here, colts."

The gang leader, a tall, muscular pegasus colt who had every hair on his young frame painted dark colours, punctured the troubled silence with his mocking voice.

"It's Rainbow Crash."

Rainbow stopped, her wings flared in typical pegasus fight or flight fashion. Her entire frame took on the stance of a petrified filly. It was clear that the latter course of action was desired. However, from muzzle to eye, her features transformed into one of hatred at the sound of the name.

"It’s ‘Dash’ you featherbrain!" Somehow she found her voice. It was coloured with fear and fueled by the dislike for the colts standing in front of her. One of them snickered at the insult thrown at his leader. The lead colt gave Rainbow Dash an intimidating stare, which was returned in earnest by the cornered filly. The gang continued to force their prey closer to the cloud wall at her back.

A soft yet menacing chuckle escaped the group as they slowly advanced upon their victim. They had all the time in the world to enjoy this little victory, this little bit of fun. The colts gradually backed her up till she hit cold, hard cloud with her rump. Cruel grins plastered themselves on the features of the aggressors as they spotted the impact.

Rainbow Dash froze. This was bad. This was really bad. The smell of fear seeped into the atmosphere as Rainbow Dash feebly cowered. She did her best to keep up appearances in the face of the looming evil but felt what was left of her mask break wide open.

“Ya know. I don’t see that brother of yours anywhere. Guess that means we have a brat with no protection in our patch.”

“This place doesn’t belong to you losers!” Rainbow Dash retorted.

“Oh, yea?” The lead colt smirked as his buddies finished completing the semicircle around his prey and the wall.

Rainbow Dash's imagination began telling her what the beating would feel like. Past experiences rose, unbidden to mind, and she resolved to win this time.

The lead colt entered hoof range only to have received a swift delivery of cyan hoof to the face as a frightened Rainbow Dash lashed out.

"Get her!"

The barked command caused the others pile onto Rainbow Dash, laying her low on the cloudstuff where they continued to beat the stuffing out of her tiny frame. She bucked and kicked with all her strength, however the overpowering, stronger, and older colts tore her down. Her body cried out in agony as blow after blow landed on her small body.

Suddenly Rainbow Dash felt the attacks cease. Her mind blurred, reeling, unbelieving of the events that were unfolding. Somepony was yelling but she shut them out and willed herself to get up. She staggered to her hooves, sore wings flapped slowly to assist her rise. She focused on the muscular stallion who stood before her and a groan escaped. Uncle Raincloud towered over Rainbow Dash. His short greying mane, flecked with shades of dark blue-black, stuck out in every direction. He wore a tight-fitting dark leather jacket adorned with a raincloud insignia that showed off the ripple of muscles underneath. Both the jacket and the stallion looked like they had seen better days. His cornflower blue coat stuck out on his lower body and flank wherever the jacket did not cover. His coat was flecked with white and had patches of fur missing from random areas. A black raincloud cutie mark with a lighting bolt through it adorned his middle-aged, yet muscular, flank. His lightning bolt yellow eyes scanned the cyan filly before him as he checked for signs of a major injury. Rainbow felt a wash of annoyance as the treatment continued. Of all the ponies in Equestria, it just had to be him who flew past, her tough as steel uncle.

"Hey, filly. I know you like this as much as I do, but unless you want to get beaten to a pulp again, you will follow me and explain to your mother why you are out late like this.” The deep voice of her older relative hung in the air as he awaited a response from his niece.

'Great.' Rainbow Dash thought to herself. Despite her unwillingness, the beaten up filly nodded to make sure her uncle knew there was at least some level of understanding between them. Without a word the large pegasus trotted off. Dash hurried to keep up, she knew that Raincloud would follow up on his threat without a moment’s notice. Despite his age, she knew that nopony in Cloudsdale ever messed with him. Even after all his years Raincloud somehow managed to run both the Cloudsdale weather team and the streets. The few gangs around hated his guts and his antics made him none too popular with most other ponies either. This became exemplified again and again by all they encountered. Every single pony crossed to the opposite side of the street or took flight to avoid him as they marched along. His face bore his signature welcoming scowl and his wings occasionally flicked and quivered, unable to stay still. Rainbow was forced to canter to keep up, afraid of the repercussions of lagging behind.

The pair quickly passed out of the middle-class section of Cloudsdale and came upon the rich district. Large neatly manicured cloud houses melded together to form a small cluster of homes for the affluent few who could afford such dwellings. Many bore extra special additions such as snowflakes magically imbued upon their front door. There were even two that bore small pools of rainbow near their front door. Unlike unicorns and earth ponies, most pegasi in Cloudsdale lived in small cloud apartments. Not only did this save space in the airborne city, but many pegasi preferred to spend their time outdoors in the sun. Wings were a wonderful thing to have after all and Rainbow Dash couldn't wait to join the multitude of airborne city dwellers.

In what felt like no time at all, the pair arrived at the large, dark foreboding house Dash was forced to call home. Although it was one of two homes to bare a small rainbow pond, the aged, moulded cloud surfaces between noble pillars held a foreboding grey colour. It was almost as if somepony had chosen to make their home out of storm clouds rather than their fair weather counterparts. The white cloud clad houses on either side appeared to be squeezing the life out of the dark, smaller standout in the street. This was not the kind of home one would expect to see in the richer side of town. Unlike the other trim and tidy dwellings around, this home bore signs of neglect and misuse. It was a family home, passed down more generations than Rainbow Dash could bother to remember. Now, it was in the hooves of two high standing ponies who could not care less about the state of their sleeping quarters. Either that, or they enjoyed the stormcloud appearance and stark contrast to the rest of the well of pegasus in the area. Dash wasn’t quite sure which, either way, it did not make for the most welcoming of homes for a young filly. Rainbow Dash gazed the length of the street before she allowed a sigh to escape as she stepped up to face the door to her own home.

The dark swirling patterns on the ancient frame cried out for her to depart. The proud filly paid them no heed as she forced the dark door open. Her senses were immediately invaded by the smell of hard cider and the low bass snoring of her dad. Blaze had a light purple-blue coat with a greasy rainbow mane that hit the floor as he slept on his back. He was asleep in his usual position on the cloud couch that was up hard against the far wall. His hooves were up in the air, dead to the world around him. Empty cider bottles lay around the floor nearby. A flash of annoyance crossed Rainbow Dash's face, that was all he seemed to care about. Hard cider and sleeping. 'And work too,' she thought angrily to herself. She noticed he hadn't even bothered to clean himself up at all since arriving home from the rainbow factory where he worked. The evidence was easy to spot. Small smudges of multicoloured goo were scattered all through his coat. They stained the cloud couch he was sleeping on and some of the floor too.

Her uncle entered behind her and stopped short at the sight.

"Well, I see your old mom isn't home. Guess I'll just go. We don't want to wake sleeping beauty from the nap of the century."

Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement. A grin spread across her annoyed features, only to be killed by the parting comment.

"I'll see you on Sunday, young one."

Rainbow Dash turned to watch him leave, a frown covered her features. The small pegasus noticed her uncle shaking his head sadly before he abruptly launched himself into the sky. She turned back to the bombsite that was the family living room. The box-like room was a good size really. It could comfortably fit over 10 pegasi. Rainbow Dash knew this from experience and it was the largest in the house. Yet apart from the litter strewn across the floor, it was a pretty empty room. The walls had rainbow swirls mixed into the cloud walls. Blaze had told her it was real rainbow mixed in with stormclouds, no pony else that Dash knew had a house with rainbows or stormclouds from the rainbow factory. Not believing the stories told to her by her dad, Dash had in her younger days even tested the truth of his words out and could still remember the sour taste of the blue rainbow.

Her eyes drifted to the one addition to the rainbow stormcloud walls. Behind the couch, there were a few old pictures of Wonderbolts from days gone by. One of the pegasi in the center frame looked like a younger version of the pony who was currently passed out drunk on the couch. Dash had no idea how her dad could ever have been a ‘Bolt.

She wrinkled up her nose as she snuck past her dad toward the kitchen where she hoped to find something half decent that a filly could eat. Unlike the living room, this space gave away clearer hints of the family wealth. Silver and golden platters bore a variety of fruit, a chandelier hung from above the dining table, it’s light divided by lack of candles. Without a care for any for the expensive items on the kitchen counter top, Dash pushed one of the many ornate chairs over and used it as a step to leap up onto the hardened surface where she scanned the bench for offerings. The speedster quickly became bored of staring at the same old food and picked something up that she figured was ok. She proceeded to wander off toward her room as she snacked on the chosen apple.

The cyan filly wandered down the cloud hallway, her eyes passed over the photos on the wall to her left. The first to catch her eyes was one of the older frames; the joy in her grandparent's eyes still shone radiantly like the morning sun as they held their storm cloud grey filly. She passed several more frames and eventually reached the ones that included her. Rainbow noted how old everypony appeared to get before she entered their lives and made the world a cooler place to live.

Rainbow Dash awoke from a nap that she didn’t realise she had fallen into. After few seconds she realised somepony was leaning over her. Her eyes slowly focused upon two pink orbs that hovered in space. The rest of the light greyish-blue mare appeared as her wind-whipped black mane came into focus. Her mother. Gust Dash waited patiently in front of her, flight goggles still hung around her muscular neck.

Gust gave her filly another gentle prod to check she was awake. Rainbow Dash rolled over to face away from her mom. The greyish blue mare remained in place waiting, her presence was enough to chase away the remnants of sleep. Rainbow put on a show of sleeping as she attempted to fool her mother into thinking she was still asleep. Gust smiled knowingly and decided to play their little game. She prowled to the doorway before turning and slowly walking out.

She called to her daughter over her shoulder. "Good to see you’re finally awake, dear. Dinners ready. We don't want your father to eat it all now, do we?"

The reaction was instantaneous. Dash leapt out of bed and zoomed out of her room so fast, she left a small rainbow trail in her wake. Her mother smiled mischievously then waltzed after her, satisfied that she had won again. Rainbow Dash sped into the dining area currently occupied only by Blaze, who was already stuffing his face. He ignored Rainbow Dash, intent on his big meal. Amethyst eyes locked hungrily onto the food in front of him. Rainbow raced across to the opposite end of the table. In her haste, the speedster almost knocked everything onto the floor before she proceeded to enjoy her small meal.

"I see you two started without me. Again."

Blaze turned and spotted Gust standing behind him, a massive piece of cabbage hung from his mouth. His 'I'm busy eating’ expression quickly dissolved into a sheepish one as he spotted his mate and the look she wore on her face. He quickly devoured the cabbage and gave her an apologetic kiss on the cheek. Apology accepted, Gust seated herself down next to Blaze, her tail quickly entwined with his. She joined in with his meal and the two shared what's left of it together. He compensated for his actions by draping his unkempt wing over her, promptly gifting her with some of the rainbow coloured muck on the tatty appendage. Despite the mess that now stained her coat, the matriarch of the house accepted her husband’s offering. She nuzzled him lovingly and he reciprocated, a look of immense pleasure covered his light purplish-blue face. His earlier uncaring attitude toward his daughter had been washed away as he lost himself in the moment with Gust.

As an unwilling witness to this show of affection, Rainbow Dash felt like she wanted to gag on her food as the pair continued to engage with each other. ‘I’m trying to eat!’ she complained to herself. ‘Go find a room where you won’t scare ponies…’ The small pegasus fought back a sigh as she forced another mouthful down. Why was it that her mom could break the lazy stallion, yet she could do nothing? Dash quickly cleaned her plate with one last lick to just make sure she is finished. Rainbow Dash gazed inquiringly up at her mother who gave her a quick nod before she returned to her shared meal and the stallion who was now putty in her hooves. Rainbow slowly made her way to her room. She felt content enough with a full belly and happy to escape the scene in the dining room before it escalated.

She plonked herself down on her small bed. Her gaze wandered up to her posters of the Wonderbolts. Her heroes. The most amazing ponies alive. A grin filled her small face as she allowed herself to be captured by the heroic images above her. She allowed her gaze to wander to the big poster that claimed centre of attention above her bed. Tiny wings opened as imaginary wind filled the room. Her wild imagination took over, she leapt about her room, wings outstretched, pretending to fly. She bounced off the walls, floor and bed, completely lost in her own world.

Suddenly the door to Dash’s room opened, her dreams instantly shattered into nothingness at the unwelcome presence. The small filly was startled and almost fell off the bed she had just landed upon as her head whipped toward the now open door.

"Your father and I can see you have been in another fight today, Rainbow Dash. Who was it with this time?"

Rainbow froze under her mother’s withering gaze as the mare drew closer.

"Uh… it… it was Rocky and his gang, but Uncle Raincloud saved me."

She tried to smile and pass the event off as nothing. The look on Gusts face however told her that her mother didn't buy it.

"Right. Well, I guess I'll just check with him when he arrives for your birthday party then. Goodnight sweetie." Gust easily picked her daughter up and placed her under the sheets. The older pegasus lightly kissed her daughter before walking out. Blaze lingered in the doorway, his presence revealed by the absence of his wife. He stood, seemingly unsure over what to do after his mate’s departure.

"Good night Rainbow. You have a big day coming up."

With that, he walked out, the door closed silently and Rainbow Dash found herself left to her thoughts. The filly quickly decided on bedtime. Sleeping always held an appeal for her. 'I suppose it's one good thing I got from my dad,' Rainbow consoled herself as she wriggled further under the covers and allowed herself to drift off into dreamland.

Chapter 2: Rain Before The Rainbow

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Fluttershy nervously sat down in class, her first class in this big, scary school for young pegasi. She did her best to not freak out in the presence of all the strange new faces. She had chosen the back right-hand desk because it placed her further away from the rest of her fellow classmates. Most ignored her, but she was certain that she was watched by unfriendly eyes. She knew the feeling. It was regular enough all throughout kindergarten and she hadn't expected anything to change now at school. The bland cloud walls with various trinkets their teacher had put up to liven the classroom up surrounded her. She felt like the walls were pressing in on her senses. She gave a nervous smile to the colt next to her and received a bland glance in return just before their teacher cut into her world. The rest of the dozen-strong class attentively turned to the front.

"Good morning, class! To all those who are new here, My name is Mrs Breeze and I'll be your teacher for your first year here at Cloudsdale Central school. If you ever need help with anything, just ask!"

Mrs Breeze was a fluffy cloud-white mare with a flowing sky-blue mane and eyes that sparkled with joy. She smiled down at her class, caring and warmth emanated from her. Fluttershy's attention was interrupted by a wad of paper as it clipped her on the muzzle. She ‘eeped’ in shock and hid behind her mane. A ripple of laughter passed through the foals at the back of the class. Fluttershy sunk into her seat, a futile effort to become invisible. Mrs Breeze caught on to what happened and a quick flash of annoyance crossed her friendly face.

"All right, cut it out, class. You can see the poor filly doesn't like it."

Everypony sat up a bit straighter and became silent, yet the atmosphere remained. Mrs Breeze relaxed back into her introductory speech. Fluttershy inwardly sighed. If only that cool pony she had smacked into were here, too. ‘Why did Rainbow Dash have to be too young?’ She glanced around the class, no pony paid her any attention. It appeared that her time would be spent being either ignored or bullied. ''Maybe one of these ponies wants to be my friend. Then it won't be so bad.' She noticed a dark brown colt mischievously grinning in her direction. The evil look on his face said it all. She hid behind her mane. 'Maybe it would be better if I was out there playing pranks with Rainbow Dash. I hope they are nice pranks.'

She realised that somepony was standing over her and glanced up.

"Eeep!"

Her yellow muzzle disappears behind her pink mane as she springs backwards, toppling over. That somepony is Mrs Breeze. She wore a concerned look on her muzzle. Fluttershy timidly picked herself up. She heard whispered comments and giggling and knew it was directed all at her.

"Fluttershy, you really should be paying attention in class. Please don't let me catch you drifting off like that again."

Mrs Breeze wandered back to the front of the class. “Fluttershy appears to be quite shy. I would appreciate it if you all could make her feel welcome here.”

The lesson did not improve for the poor filly as it continued.

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Alone in a corner of the majestic school playground sat a yellow filly. She trembled and did her best to hide the tears that streamed down her face. The beauty of the floating clouds and playground was lost on Fluttershy as she continued to quietly cry alone. Her legs ached from too much running and her mane was soaked with sweat and tears. At the edge of her vision, she spotted the light and dark brown coats of two colts approaching. The same two she had fled from all lunch. She attempted to make herself smaller yet knew it would not help. Harsh words flew in her direction, unheard by the intended victim as she continued to cry, lost in her despair. The colts moved in, grinning uncontrollably. It was clear that no pony would try and stop them.

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Fluttershy face-planted into the cloud turf. 'Not again!' She pulled her head up only to see several nearby foals were snickering at her. She immediately hid behind her mane, emitting a small 'eep'. This caused the dam to burst for a few of the foals who enjoyed picking on such an easy target and they burst out laughing. Fluttershy teared up, hunched over herself as the teacher arrived.

"Fluttershy, don't cry. You will only make things worse for yourself." She strode up to the cowering yellow filly and awkwardly extended a comforting wing. As soon as the sobbing subsided she removed her wing. She shot the naughty foals a stern gaze.

"Alright class. Let’s try that again. I can see a few of you are starting to find your wings. Just don't forget, not every pegasus learns to fly straight away."

Fluttershy felt as though the last part was directed at her. A small sigh escaped. She picked herself up, and made her way back to the starting mark, ready to fail again.

Although the class had been told not to expect to fly immediately, several foals continued to tease the filly who did the worst. Weeks had passed and still she could do no better than crash on take-off in their morning flying exercises. The normal classes were not a lot better. Everypony seemed to know Fluttershy made the perfect doormat and took every advantage of it. Days dragged by slowly and weeks, slower still.

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Fluttershy lay at home in her bed. She felt all washed out. It was the weekend, yet she did not even feel the energy to extract herself from the protection of bed. All her tears had been spent on the trip home from another miserable day at school and she felt the urge to never go back to school again. She could feel her dad’s disappointed look as it drilled into her skull as her parents entered the room. It was not the homecoming she had hoped for after the last day of her first term at school. The cloud bed shifted slightly as her mother settled down by her side. Without a word Fluttershy found herself shifted into the protective hold of the darker pegasus. She snuggled into her mother’s soft side and felt herself calm down a little. Soon she fell asleep in the embrace of the one pony who seemed to be able to instil calm upon her.

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Fluttershy huffed and puffed as she made it to the top of the highest point of Cloudsdale that a non-flying pegasus could reach. Word had reached her ears that it that this small platform and stairs had been constructed for a rainbow maned filly.

Nope. No pony else was here. Fluttershy sighed. She had hoped to run into Rainbow Dash here.

She slowly made her way to the middle of the platform and noted it was just big enough to fit a couple of young pegasi. That would be perfect for two, if Rainbow Dash was here. Or maybe she had better things to do? She did seem like an awfully active filly.

Fluttershy allowed her gaze to roam the city and for a few moments, her mind found peace in the beauty around her. Far below Cloudsdale she spotted what she supposed was Canterlot. It looked like such a pretty, shiny city. Maybe she would get to visit there one day. She hoped they had nice ponies there. The princess was supposed to be nice, if you were lucky enough to get to meet her. Her mind continued to wander as her gaze returned to her home city. Where would a cool, adventurous, fast filly such as Rainbow Dash live?

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Back at school. The second half of the year started no better.

In the filly’s toilets, hunkered down in one of the stalls to attract as little attention as possible, sat Fluttershy. She could hear the calls of the other foals as they drifted in from outside.

"Hey, Fluttercry! Why not come out so we can see those tears!?"

"Oh, I bet she's crying her eyes out right now."

"Come on out, Fluttercry, we won't hurt you!"

The sound of cruel laughter accompanied the last speaker. Fluttershy reached behind her head to feel her latest painful addition. She winced as her hoof came into contact with the offending bump. She blocked out the sounds of the loud mouthed colts as they continue to call out. Hooves over her ears for extra security, she tried to let her thoughts drift away to a better place.She waited for the moment the meanies would leave her alone like her wise old mother told her they would.

She waited till the voices faded then waited some more, just to make sure that class had started. She fearfully peaked out of the cubicle door. 'No pony in sight. Good.' She breathed a sigh of relief. She snuck off, out the gate and toward home, uncaring about missed learning opportunities. She wanted to deal with the bump on the back of her head now and have some peace. Learning could wait. So could her dad’s anger at her for skipping school.

She snuck into her room and made a beeline toward the small set of draws by her bed, withdrew her small pink diary and a pencil and began to write.

Dear diary,
My first week back in this place has been terrifying. I can't even move without making a fool of myself. At last, the weekend is nearly here. Yay!
At least I'll get to

Fluttershy abruptly stopped writing. She remembered her parents were out of town this weekend. 'Looks like I'll only have grandma here.' She sighed, grandma was nice. But at times like this, she really wanted her mother.

Her mind wandered into darker and darker thoughts as she lay there. Was there even a point in her attending school?

"I wish I could have a friend. Just one." Her meek voice barely seemed to reach the walls of her room. She looked toward the door and considered the prospect of running away. She entertained the idea for a few mindless moments before she remembered her wings. 'I can't fly. I would fall.' Fear gripped her and she shuddered. The thought of crashing into something harder than a cloud seemed awfully painful. Her young body hunched up in defeat and she lowered herself into bed.

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'Singing. Singing is good. Singing is amazing,' Fluttershy thought to herself as the melodies rolled off her tongue. She stood in her room, happy to be away from the foals that meant her harm. She slowly found words to accompany her feelings of freedom. Alone in her room, with no pony to harm her, Fluttershy felt like she could finally enjoy the rest of her Saturday. Her spirit found joy deep within and she began to dance to a tune in her heart. She sang as best she could to articulate her feelings. She began to swish her pink mane around, the feeling of freedom that came with the breeze in her hair was wonderful and made her desire for more. 'I wish I could fly. Then I can feel this all the time.'

She leapt for joy as blissful thoughts entered her mind, made real for her by her imagination. Suddenly she saw the ponies who called her names and were mean to her. Her song altered course, melodies changed to her new mood. A tear leaked down her face but she failed to mind this time. 'No pony is watching me, I'm free.’ She attempted another leap, tripped and smashed into the impossible.

Her world is remade as she stared into the rainbow mane in her face. 'It can't be…’ She hastily disentangled herself from her impossible intruder, not caring in the slightest that she had just been performing to the rainbow maned prankster.

"Hi there, Fluttershy. Guess what?" Rainbow lead off with her usual enthusiasm.

"Um… what?" Fluttershy asked, what could the filly she had collided with for a second time be doing in her sleeping quarters.

"I get to be your classmate! Isn't that so awesome?" The rainbow and blue ball pounced on Fluttershy, and drew the nervous filly into a hug. A few shocked moments pass. Rainbow was about to pull away in embarrassment when Fluttershy warmly returned the unexpected show of affection. She stayed locked in the embrace for what felt like an eternity.

With a start Fluttershy realised she had drifted off into dreamland while singing. She was in fact still alone. It was also still the middle of Saturday. That meant another rough day of school come Monday.

Chapter 3: Rainbow’s Birthday

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Celestia's sun broke through the window into Rainbow Dash's room. The rays of light caused her to roll over in an attempt to avoid the penetrating brightness. She lay there, unable to return to the realms of slumber but unwilling to extract herself from her bed. Her brain clicked into gear and she sighed. 'Sunday. Birthday day. This is going to be boring.'

Moments passed as her young mind wandered aimlessly. School. Yet another upcoming thing for her to dread. She imagined what the classes might be like. Dull old pegasus ponies telling the class what to do, crowds and bullies. 'I hope Rocky and his gang aren't there. I don't want to get beaten up every day.' She suddenly remembered something her mom had briefly mentioned: Flight school. The fun part of school where awesome fillies like herself got to learn how to fly like champions, do awesome tricks and even race. This brought a smile to her face. 'I'll be the first one there to fly!' She filled with sudden energy and leapt up and out of bed. She waltzed off down the hallway, a spring in her step. Rainbow Dash could imagine her breakfast as it called to her and did not want to deny her food the privilege of being eaten by the most awesome pegasus ever.

She strolled into the kitchen and found her mother preparing something. She sniffed the air, a grin crept onto her face. 'Birthday cake! Pie too? Wait, apple pie means Soarin's coming' Rainbow Dash danced a quick jig of joy. That meant he must be home from his school trip or whatever it was he was on.

Gust's food was always one of the highlights of family parties. Dash's tummy chose this moment to complain loudly, Gust turned to check out the source of the unexpected noise. A smile lights up her slightly aged features at the unexpected entry.

"Rainbow Dear, you're up early. Sounds like somepony's hungry!"

Rainbow chuckles, her good mood bolstered by the promise of awesome food. Rainbow Dash's stomach rumbles like an earthquake again.

"Here." Gust smiled cheekily, knowing the noise's meaning all too well.

Rainbow reclined on her small cloud hill, away from the rest of the world. Her belly full, body relaxed and thoughts allowed to roam at will as she imagined herself flying high and fast. Her wings moved in tune to her day dream. Faster, faster, faster. Time to beat Soarin' in a race. A massive smile grew on her blue face, she can't help but giggle at the look on his face when that day finally came.

"Rainbow? Rainbow! Hey filly!"

She snapped out of it then jumps out of her skin, staring at the purplish blue stallion in front of her. Blaze chuckled to himself. He knew exactly what being yanked out of a cool day dream was like and found it amusing that of all ponies, his daughter had inherited his skills for napping.

"Your mother said it's time for you to come home. We have a surprise for you, young filly."

Rainbow glided down from her cloud, she landed hard on the cloud-stuff beside her dad.

"Come on up!"

He lay down and indicated for her to climb on his back. The cyan filly stared at him for a few seconds in surprise, then compiled. She noted that her dad's coat was clean for once and he didn’t smell of alcohol. He glanced back at her, ensuring she was safe then he stood up and with powerful wingbeats and an easygoing grin, took off. He cruised along for a few moments before he made known a thought that crossed his lazy mind.

"You know, you reminded me of somepony back there."

"Yea'? Who's that, Dad?"

"Me." The stallion filled the air with his deep laughter as his daughter groaned and rolled her eyes.

"Thanks, Dad."

“No, I’m serious. A youngster dreaming of joining the Wonderbolts. A master of napping already. I could go on.”

‘huh... I may actually be more like my dad than I thought...’ Dash failed to voice any of this though and so the pair fell into silence for the rest of the short flight.

They glided along the last few streets and alighted on the doorstep to their home. Blaze wore an infectious grin on his muzzle that left Rainbow smiling too as she slipped off his back. The door swung open, revealing Gust Dash. The two adults shared a winged hug while their daughter stood by. After what felt like an eternity for the filly, her parents broke it off. Gust turned to her daughter.

"Okay Rainbow, are you ready?"

"Of course!" Rainbow Dash felt apprehensive. 'The rest of the afternoon is going to take forever, I hope Soar' made it.' Rainbow did her best to keep her smile glued to her muzzle. Gust nodded, pleased, and casually stepped out of the way to expose the dark living room. Rainbow Dash could make out little in the dark, except for the bump of the couch, where it sat in the back corner. Gust motioned with her wing, her warm smile still plastered on her face.

"Come on silly filly, your family doesn't have all day." A confused look crossed Rainbow Dash's features, she can't spot anypony about. She gave up looking and strode purposefully inside. Her body defaulted to heading toward the one doorway, into the kitchen.

"Happy birthday!"

The lights flicked on. Rainbow Dash jumped in surprise, her wings flared and eyes widened with shock. Uncle Raincloud emerged from the doorway in front of her, an equally aged red pegasus mare by his side. If Rainbow Dash remembered correctly, that was his misses, Aunt Carnelian Skies. Other pegsui descend from above. Her small family quickly surrounded her, congratulating her for reaching school age. Dash's smile deserted her completely as she frantically searched the mob of pegasi, there was no big brother to be seen.

Seemingly out of nowhere, her birthday cake appeared, borne aloft on the back of one of her uncles, his wings supported the sides to ensure it stays in place. He neatly slid it onto a table in front of the couch in the corner where its 5 flickering lights burn brightly. Rainbow Dash stared open mouthed at the rainbow coloured cake in front of her. Her mother joined her side.

"Are you going to blow out your candles, dear?" A smile broke out on Dash's face.

"You got it, mom!" She leapt up to it and energetically obliged her mother's wish.

Soon it was presents time and while they were fun to open, Rainbow Dash felt herself slowly getting more and more bored. What had started off as a party all about her, the most awesome pegasus ever, slowly but surely had descended into the usual sort of family get together that left her sitting alone while the grownups stood around drinking, talking and whatever other boring things they did. By that point, Rainbow Dash had stopped caring what was what. 'I want this to be over!' she silently raged to herself. Even her mother had been snared into the boringness of the once awesome party. After a while, a few of younger adults left and Dash began to feel the call of her room. A nap would be more exciting than this!

The front door suddenly opened to reveal two proud young pegasi. Rainbow Dash hardly noticed the gold coated one, having eyes for the light blue, almost teenaged colt. Soarin stood in the doorway for a few moments, absorbing the atmosphere before being hug tackled by his rainbow maned little sister.

"Hey sis. Happy Birthday!"

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh. I"m so glad your here!" Rainbow Dash pulled away from her brother, joy shone brightly in her pink eyes. ‘He really did show up!’

"Woah there, Rainbow, slow down. Remember my good friend Spitfire. I hope you don't mind her coming to your party too."

Rainbow cocked her head to the side, she noticed for the first time, the golden-yellow young mare beside him. Her eyes widened as she spotted the Thunderbolt cutie mark. She now had her cutie mark just like Soarin?

"Awesome!"

Spitfire smiled broadly, she knew exactly what the young filly was looking at.

Gust approached the trio and gave her son a hug, "I knew baking your favourite pie would summon you home." They withdrew in time for Blaze to join their small reunion, the rest of the family in tow. The stallion of the house was back to smelling of hard cider but could clearly still walk okay for now.

"Hello, Soarin' I see you bought your young fillyfriend with you." Both new arrivals blushed. Blaze chuckled at his own joke.

"Daaaad. You know she’s just my best friend.”

“Just your best friend, really?” Blaze grinned, slightly drunk. “Come on son, I know how this goes. This is why us colts make friends with one special filly.”

Soarin and Spitfire glanced at each other before Soarin turned back to his parents. “We do have one surprise for you guys. We are both going to the advanced flight school tryouts next week. Spitfire here turned thirteen last week and I’m nearly old enough too. If we get in there’s a good chance the Wonderbolts will be watching."

Gust immediately gave her son a big hug. “That’s wonderful news!”

Rainbow Dash stood there, wide-eyed. “You guys will have the real Wonderbolts watching you?”

“Yup, that’s right sis.” Soarin grinned back.

“We are planning to put on a real show for them,” added Spitfire. “I want to be the youngest Wonderbolt captain to make it.”

“Well, I’m sure an old captain of the Wonderbolts could give you a few pointers.” Blaze took a few steps toward the golden pegasus only for her to recoil at the aura of booze that followed him.

A look of shock suddenly erupted across Spitfire’s muzzle as the realization hit her. “Wait, you’re the rainbow captain, Blaze?”

“That’s me!” Blaze grinned back.

“Told you,” Soarin nudged his friend.

“Told me what? I didn’t seriously expect you to be related to one of the coolest captains in the last ten years!” Spitfire shot back at her companion.

“Well I’ve kinda moved onto other stuff now but yea, who you think taught Soarin all his epic moves?” Blaze asked as he popped the top off a bottle of hard cider that had somehow materialized in his hooves. He nailed half the bottle in one shot and promptly unleashed a massive belch.

“Moved onto what? All I see is my bro on the booze,” Raincloud chimed in.

“Hey, I work a better job than you. Gangster,” Blaze rounded on his tough brother-in-law too fast and staggered a little bit.

“At least I’m not a drunk,” Raincloud smirked back. “Sometimes I wonder what my sister saw in you.”

“I’m not a drunk! Honey, tell them,” the purple-blue stallion turned his wife for support only to find a dry glare on her muzzle.

“You’re a drunk,” Gust Dash replied softly, her tone stern.

Rainbow Dash silently agreed with her mother, surprised at the sudden turn of events her birthday had taken. She hoped that things would not go bad from here, but judging from her dad’s reaction, it might be best she left soon.

“No I’m not!” Insisted Blaze.

“My son, I too think you have a bit of a problem.” An old purple-grey pegasus with a mane grey from age and sharp green eyes spoke up. She approached the slightly inebriated stallion. “However, this is not the time or place for this discussion. My granddaughter has just turned five and I for one would like to enjoy what time we have left today.” She turned to Rainbow Dash, a kind smile upon her muzzle. “Sweetie, go play with your brother. I can see you have been waiting all day for him to arrive home.”

“Thanks grandma!” Dash grinned happily.

Gust opened the front door for her daughter. “Please be back in time for dinner. I have something special for my little filly.”

“Okay, mom! Come on, Soarin!” Rainbow Dash rushed outside into the fresh afternoon breeze and took a deep breath.

Soarin and Spitfire followed her out and once the trio was alone Soarin paused. “Hey sis, is it okay for Spitfire to come with us?”

Rainbow Dash eyed the fiery young teen mare up. “You look cool. And you’re Soarin’s friend. He never brings anypony home.”

 At that Spitfire cast the light blue colt a look.

“If you two can show me some cool moves, then I guess it’s okay for you to come too.”

“Thank you, Rainbow Dash,” Spitfire replied. “Where would you like to go?”

“Soar’ knows.” The speedy youngster took off as fast her four tiny hooves could manage, the two older pegasi casually followed behind.

"We were wondering. Do you want to have your birthday present now?" Spitfire offered.

Rainbow Dash's pink eyes lit up. “You have a present for me?” A smile broke out on her face "That’s so cool! What is it?"

“I guess you will just have to find out,” Spitfire smiled coyly.

“As long as it’s a cool surprise.”

“Oh, it is,” Soarin drew up alongside his sister.

“Hurry up then!” Rainbow Dash dragged her older brother along the cloud streets, her abounding energy appeared to give her the strength to haul the intrigued nearly teenaged colt along. Spitfire trotted quietly behind the pair wearing an amused smile.

Soon enough they arrived at a hoof made ramp of clouds that led up above the houses. Soarin' allowed himself to be dragged up, up, up the ramp by the energetic filly. Spitfire halted at the bottom.

"Hey Soar'. Catch me if you can."

Spitfire took off like a flaming projectile that ruffled the manes of the two ponies in the way as she sped past. Soarin' grabbed his sister and flew off too, hot on the flaming trail of his best friend. Rainbow Dash immediately fell in love with the way the wind whipped through her mane. This was a reminder of why she simply had to become the fastest. It just felt so awesome!

She silently made a promise to herself that she would become faster than Soar' one day. They made it to the top in no time at all. Soarin' dropped Dash off on her ridge then sped over to Spitfire who was hovering above some nearby houses. The two shared a grin. Rainbow Dash waited patiently and wondering what they were about to do.

The two young pegasi locked gazes then barrel rolled and put on a burst of speed flying full tilt toward the riveted rainbow-maned filly. They soared over her head and continued their display of awesome synchronized tricks. Rainbow Dash imagined herself up there with them and a wishful expression took over her little face as the two older pegasi built up toward their final move. The pair flew higher and higher. Without so much as glance at the other, they folded into a dive. They swirled around and around each other. Their graceful turns became tighter and tighter till they clasped hooves and swerved into the streets below. Dash's breath caught in her throat as she watched with eager anticipation, rewarded seconds after by a flaming trail that streaked out from underneath her cloud and broke in two as the young aspiring young Wonderbolts spiralled back toward each other and came to rest in a hover, a few feet above the awestruck filly.

"That was totally awesome!" Rainbow Dash pranced around her small cloud.

"Do you want to join us?" The filly halted in surprise, she stared up at Spitfire, unable to believe the offer.

Soarin' shrugged then landed next to his awe stuck little sister. "How much has mom and dad taught you about flying?"

Rainbow Dash cocked her head to the side in consideration.

"Well… mom has taken me out a few times. She never really taught me much. Dad's just lazy. I almost never get to see that old stallion fly. But if it helps, I can glide!" A hopeful grin captured her little face as she gazed up at Soarin'.

"That's a start at least. I'm going to have to have a talk with dad. He's quite good at teaching when he puts his mind to it."

That received a dubious look from the filly. A commanding voice rung out from above.

"Right, wings in position, ready to go." The eager cyan filly immediately reacted, she sprung into position with gusto.

Spitfire gracefully landed on her other side and lifted a corrective hoof, altering Dash's posture with skill. Once Spitfire had finished correcting she spoke up.

"Okay. Let’s start with gliding. Think you can make it to the house over there. You two Soar' I'm sure she'd appreciate a flying partner."

"But what are you gonna do?" Soarin asked.

The sunny teen smiled sweetly back at her colt.

"I'm going to stand here and boss you around, you know… my usual role."

He rolled his eyes, mock despair covered his light blue face as he stood beside his little sister who could barely contain her excitement at finally getting to fly alongside her brother again.

"Right. When you take off I don't want to see either of you flapping like a mad beast. I know this will be hard for you, Rainbow but try and glide as far as you can without going wild, it will save you a lot of energy."

"Pfffftt… Easy." Boasted the rainbow maned filly with a flick of her wings. She eyed up her destination, it was what... an easy glide away?

"Right, on three. Two… One. Go!"

The pair launched themselves off the cloud. Soarin' glides effortlessly along while his sister does a slow nose dive. She plummeted to the cloudstuff where she landed just in front of the target. She glanced up to see Soarin looking down at her from the roof above.

“I could have made it if I was allowed to flap.” She defensively shot up at him before his grinning muzzle could open.

Spitfire landed at her side, "good work, Dash. Now up you come…" The fiery-maned pegasus offers a hoof to the grounded cyan filly. "And let's try it again. Follow your brother, I'm sure you don't want him to beat you again now do you?" A broad smile reached across her muzzle. Rainbow Dash's competitive nature immediately took over and she grinned back.

"No way. I'm going to beat him this time!"

Several attempts later and the rainbow maned filly's gliding technique had improved a lot. She lay on the cloudstuff she had once again face planted into feeling her deadweight wings settle by her sides.

Spitfire noticed how tired she looked and a kind smile crossed her face. "That's enough practice for one day."

Rainbow Dash breathed a sigh of relief, 'finally… I can stop loosing.'

"Hey Soar' how about we go get some of your mother’s fabled pie?" Soarin's eyes lit up at the mention of his favourite food and he glided over, a light blue wing swept over his friend as he began to lead her off toward home. Rainbow Dash put on a burst of speed in an attempt to catch up with them. She wearily galloped along till she reached the two teens.

"How about we take you out some time to practice with us again?"

Dash skidded to a stop on the clouds, 'Spitfire is asking me to go flying with them again!?' Her brain raced and she did a little dance on her back hooves, fatigue temporally forgotten.

"Yes-yes-yes-yes-yes. I-I mean yes please." Spitfire and Soarin' walked off suppressed laughter wracked their frames.

Rainbow Dash calmed herself down, she realized how uncool she must have just made herself look.

“Hey Dash, I’m bored with walking,” Spitfire spoke up. “Jump on your brother’s back. We’re going to race home.”

“Cool!” Dash eagerly leapt at her brother. He caught her in his forehooves and zipped into the skies.

Home. Home to her party. Her previously boring party. Dash wore a big fat grin on her face as the wind whipped her spiky mane around.

Rainbow Dash, Gust Dash, Blaze, Soarin, Spitfire, Uncle Raincloud, Aunt Carnelian Skies, Dash’s grandma and a few older relatives who Dash kept forgetting the names of all sat around the family table sharing the promised meal.

Gust turned to Raincloud as she dished him another serving of apple pie. "She has your temperament there brother. You really should consider spending more time with her."

He slowly turned to face his niece. "Probably. But I only really realized it the other day when I saved her flank from some young thugs again."

"So she was telling the truth?" Mild surprise flashed across Gust's features. Raincloud chuckled and nodded. Lighting yellow met jade as they locked glances.

"She sure was. It looks like I'm going to have to teach that young filly a lesson or two on fighting. I always assumed she would be boring like her brother and stay out of that kind of thing."

Gust snorted while Soarin shot his uncle a look.

“I’m not boring, am I?” The light blue stallion turned to his best friend for support and she shrugged.

“I think he’s okay,” Spitfire continued with her meal smiling.

“You hear that, Emerald wing?” Blaze snickered to his brother.

“Sure did. Sounds like your boy’s filyfriend likes him back.” The deep green stallion beside Blaze finished off his bottle of cider and slammed it down hard on the table. He steadied himself for a few moments before he turned to his brother. “Hey, want anuver cider?”

From Blaze’s other side Gust spoke up. “No, he does not.”

“But...”

Gust grabbed her husband’s bottle and sculled the last of its contents in one swing. “In fact, I think he’s had enough to drink for the night, thanks.”

“Poor guy.” Emerald Wing shrugged and carefully left the table to retrieve another drink for himself.

Rainbow Dash could tell her uncle would be crashing on the couch tonight. If nothing else, it would at least it would make the morning before school more interesting.

“Is that how you got those bruises sis?” Soarin eyed the bruises on his sister’s side and chin.

“Uh huh,” Dash confirmed.

“I hope you won't go picking fights with everypony at school?”

“Yea... I know.” Rainbow Dash did not really feel like discussing the topic and she put on a great big scowl to make it as clear as possible to everypony present.

A few moments awkward silence fell on the table till Soarin’s eyes fell upon a whole apple pie. The colt shone with excitement as he grabbed his prize. It looked big enough for two or three ponies to share, and it would all be his!

“You gonna share that?” Spitfire asked.

“Well...” The poor colt paused, uncertain.

“It’s the last pie. Better share it with your fillyfriend,” Raincloud chuckled softly.

Soarin’s face pinkened and Dash grinned at her brother’s embarrassment.

An open bottle of hard cider slammed down on the table and a loud belch signalled the return of uncle Emerald Wing to the table.

 Blaze laughed raucously.

“Hey how about we go outside? I wanna enjoy my pie in peace,” Soarin turned to his fellow younger pegasi.

“Works for me,” Rainbow Dash quickly gobbled down the rest of her meal then leapt down from her chair, ready to leave the adults to their thing.

“Sure thing, provided you share some of that with me.” Spitfire picked up her friend’s pie with a golden wing, slid it onto her back then headed out of the dining room.

Soarin followed the pie as his prized morsel headed for the front door.

The trio of younger ponies quickly made it outside and allowed the front door to swing shut behind them.

Spitfire glanced up at the roof. “Wanna chill up there and enjoy the views?”

“Sure,” Soarin grinned back.

The almost teenaged colt picked up his sister and briskly flew up onto the roof then laid her down carefully on the solid raincloud.

Spitfire alighted next to the duo and slid the pie down a wing and onto the cloud surface.

Soarin’s eyes immediately lit up and he pulled the pie over to himself as he sat down. Spitfire immediately tugged it back her way.

“Hey!” Soarin’s hooves shot out again but this time he met resistance and the pie refused to budge from his friend’s protective grasp.

Rainbow Dash grinned to herself as she saw an opening and leapt at the pie held in the two ponies hooves. She took a great big filly bite and was rewarded with the wonderful taste sensation of her mother’s apple pie. She withdrew with pie crust and other juicy titbits around her mouth and grinned at the pair. She turned to her brother licked her lips.

“That’s a great pie, Soarin. It looks big enough for you to share. Moms great at sharing with Dad, so why can’t you share with Spitfire?”

“Because she’s my friend, not my missus.” Soarin was quick to defend himself and yanked the pie closer to himself. With the pie free of its captor he quickly took a great big bite and closed his eyes in pleasure as he chewed slowly.

Spitfire motioned for Dash to be quiet and snuck forward and took her own bite. As her head came up from enjoying the big pie, Soarin went back for more and the pair accidently met in the middle.

Soarin froze as he felt somepony’s pie encrusted lips upon his own and his eyes flew open. He was met with Spitfire’s beautiful, stunned face as stared back at him. Neither was sure what to do here.

The pair were pulled out of their own little world by laughter as Rainbow Dash rolled onto her back and kicked her hooves up into the air. After a few moments, her mirth subsided. She continued to lie there, a massive grin upon her muzzle as she gazed up at the duo.

“Soarin and Spitfire, sitting on a cloud, K - I - S - S - I -”

“Alright, that’s enough,” Spitfire cut the younger filly off, her cheeks tinted. “You did not just see me accidentally kiss your brother.”

“I sure did,” the cheeky blue filly grinned up at the golden pegasus. “You two looked really funny!” Rainbow Dash giggled some more.

The older pegasi turned to each other, “I- I didn’t mean to kiss you, Spit’”

“That was not a kiss,” Spitfire hastily added.

“Definitely not,” agreed Soarin. “No kissing happened, we just bumped into each other when you stole some of my pie. Hear that, Dash?”

“Nope,” the youngster smiled innocently up at her brother.

Spitfire leant down and took another bite of the pie. As she carefully withdrew, Soarin at last noticed his pie was once again being stolen. The colt grabbed the pie tray and placed it protectively between his forehooves.

“Hey Spitfire, I bet if you gave Soarin another kiss he would let you have some of that pie.” Rainbow Dash grinned cheekily up at the older pegasi.

“I have a better idea.” Spitfire lunged at the light blue colt and tacked him. The pair rolled off the cloud and Spitfire barrel rolled around till she landed firmly in front of the tin where she proceeded to nom the rest of the delicous offering.

The light blue colt slammed down beside his friend. Shock radiated from his muzzle as he realized what she had just done. “Y- you stole the rest of my pie...”

“It’s okay Soarin. Now, pick up that pie tin and take it inside.” Spitfire ordered.

“But, why?” The young colt asked, “can’t we just leave it out here till we’re ready to go in?”

“Just do it please.”

“Okay fine. At your command, your majesty.” The light blue stallion enacted an exaggerated bow before he turned and grabbed the pie tin and flew off the roof with it.

Rainbow Dash stared at the older, golden filly for a few moments, her face scrunched up in thought. “Why did you do that to my brother?”

It was as if Spitfire never heard the younger filly when she finally broke the silence, “what do you think of him?”

“Who, Soarin?” The young speedster cocked her head to the side. “I dunno. He’s my brother. He’s cool. He’s like, the best brother in all of Equestra! ...when he's home.”

Spitfire settled back a bit and eyed the filly before her, “well then, what do you think of me?”

Rainbow Dash contemplated the question for a few moments, she wondered why Spitfire was all of a sudden so interested in asking her such questions. “I dunno. Why?”

“Well, your brother has been my best friend since I’ve been your age. Surely he must have mentioned me a few times to you.”

“Yea, of course. He really seems to like you. Keeps saying you both are going to be Wonderbolts one day. Like me!” She puffed herself up a bit for emphasis.

Spitfire smiled at the eager fuzzball before her. Dash was a fuzzy reminder of her own eagerness when she was younger.

Rainbow Dash cocked her head to the side and asked the million bits question; “why do you ask?”

“Just wondering...” Spitfire gazed out past the neighbourhood and to the horizon. It was almost time for Celestia’s sun to be replaced with her moon. Spitfire spotted the last amazing rays of sun as they broke through the clouds outside of Cloudsdale and painted nearby houses golden-orange. Her peaceful moment was broken by a large gasp from the pint sized pegasus at her side.

“You like-like him don’t you?!”

“What, no. I was just wondering-” but the older filly was cut off by Dash

“Don’t lie! That’s why you didn’t want my big brother around when you asked me those questions. That’s why you’re so huggy and cuddly with him. You like him. Admit it!” The little rainbow maned filly grinned triumphantly up at the older pegasus.

“Fine. I have got a crush on your brother and I was wondering what his little sister thought of me. I also wondered if he had told you anything that suggested he likes me back. Okay?” Spitfire’s tail swished and her wings lifted slightly.

Dash’s grin turned into a welcoming smile. It was time to clam her brother’s best friend down. “You have a crush on pie face?”

“Yes, I have a crush on pie face,” Spitfire confirmed. A cheeky smile slipped onto her muzzle at the silly name.

“And you want to know if he had told me how much he loves you?” Dash’s grin became cheeky once more.

The yellow muzzle darkened a few shades before its owner managed to gather herself together enough for a reply. “Well, has he?”

“Well he keeps going on about how the two of you are gonna become Wonderbolts together. I actually never hear him even talk about anypony else who is your guys age.”

“But what about actually you know... Like-liking me?” Spitfire prompted.

“No idea. He's my brother. It’s like bro code not to discuss mushy things, you know?” Rainbow Dash admitted. “But you know, only a cool pony is allowed to date my brother. You look like a super cool pony to me!"

Spitfire grinned at Dash, “thanks. Squirt.”

“But you do realise, you are gonna have to be the one to ask him out.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because he’s Soarin. He’s all pies and Wonderbolts and training.”

“Well, would you be willing to help a filly out?” Spitfire asked just as the pair heard the front door open and a rather loud “Yeaa! Go get em!” from Rainbow’s Dad broke the otherwise quiet evening.

Dash quickly nodded back to Spitfire as Soarin flew into view.

“Sorry, that took so long. Uncle Raincloud has given Dad something strong and both him and Uncle Emerald Wing are totalled. It was hard to get back out of the house.” The light blue pegasus landed beside his best friend and noted that both fillies were facing each other as if they had been caught in a private conversation.

“Your dad sure knows how to hit the drink there. I don’t remember him being this drunk last time.” Spitfire murmured as she settled down onto the roof beside Soarin.

“Yea,” Soarin sighed as he gazed out across the rooftops of the nearby houses.

All three young pegasi took a moment to admire the skies around them as the sun finally sunk below the horizon and Celestia’s moon rose in its stead.

Spitfire broke the silence after several moments of peace, “it’s beautiful isn't it?”

“Sure is.” Soarin agreed as his gaze wandered to his fiery friend.

Their house was actually a little bit taller than the homes around them and so offered a decent view of the district in the moonlight. All the normally white puffy houses around them were tinted a pretty blue in the moonlight.

After a few moments more of enjoying the view, Soarin turned to his younger sister. “Looking forward to school sis?”

“No.” Dash scowled up at her brother. Why did he have to ruin the mood by bringing up lame old school?

“Why not?” Spitfire asked.

“I don’t want to go to a place where I’m told a whole lot of boring stuff all day when I could be out here, exploring, learning to fly and spending time with you guys. If you two get into the advanced flying school then there is gonna be no cool ponies around at my school and it will be boring!” Rainbow Dash complained.

“Woah there, hold on.” Spitfire cut off any further complaints, “school is not that bad. There are flying classes and you get to meet new ponies.”

“But I can learn faster if you two teach me.” The young speedster protested, “and most ponies are either mean to me or uncool.”

“What about that filly you smacked into a few months ago?” Soarin with a grin. “I remember you saying she wasn’t so bad. And if you get Mrs Breeze, she’s a cool teacher.”

“Really?” Rainbow Dash stared up at her brother.

“Really, really. Spit’ and I had her in our first two years. She’s cool, you’ll like her. If you're lucky enough to be in her class that is.”

“Well, that’s something I guess...” Rainbow Dash conceded.

“Anyway, it’s getting late. I think we should go back inside.”

“Do you want to cuddle with your fillyfriend?” Dash grinned cheekily up at her brother.

“No. But I do think that all little fillies should be in bed soon. And our grandma will want to spend a little bit more time with us before she has to fly home.” Soarin gently picked up his sister and before she could protest, began the descent back down toward the street below.

Chapter 4: School

View Online

Rainbow Dash, Soarin and their mum arrived at Cloudsdale Central school. The sun was high and cheerful yet Rainbow Dash felt about as bored as she did at her own party before Soarin' and Spitfire turned up. The only new addition to her mood was a feeling of nervousness. They were met by a greying stallion who had a kindly look about him and a short grey mane. He eyed Rainbow Dash’s bruises with an inquiring eye but otherwise said nothing as the duo came to a stop in front of him.

"Rainbow Dash?" Rainbow's mother nodded and gave her filly a gentle shove forward.

Rainbow Dash decided that the stranger looked ok then, with a flick of her mane she stepped forward. Soarin grinned as he moved beyond the adults, leaving his sister to her fate.

"That's me. The fastest filly in Equestria!" At Dash’s bold show, the stallion broke out into smiles.

"It looks like you will be fun to have around, Rainbow." He glanced up at Gust, who smiled back. "And thank you for entrusting her into our care, Madam Dash."

Doing her best to hold back her laughter, Gust turned to her filly and gave her a quick nuzzle. Her soft expression turned serious.

"Now I want you to behave yourself, you hear me, Rainbow Dash? No fighting. I don't want to have to have to collect you, young filly."

"Yes, mum. I know, mum. Can I go now? Please?" Rainbow Dash couldn't help but roll her eyes as she responded, already bored with the pep talk. Gust laughed then shunted her daughter forward with her nose.

"Go on then."

Rainbow Dash trotted forward, a hopeful spring in her step. She did her best to conceal her nerves but they showed anyway in her speech.

"Bye, mum… I'll… I'll miss you!" Gust smiled as her daughter was led away by Greymane.

Rainbow Dash followed the strange stallion for a few moments in nervous silence.

"I do hope you won't be trouble for us young one."

"I live in a rough part of town. But I’ll try." Rainbow Dash piped up, eager to impress.

The stallion smiled sadly to himself.

"That is great to hear young filly. Now, I'm sure you are going to love your new classroom and fellow students. No starting fights with your classmates though, you hear?"

"Hey. I don't start fights." Rainbow Dash shot back, offended.

He lifted an unbelieving eyebrow at the blue filly next to him. It's clear she was nervous and was doing her best to hide it behind bravado. The thought of where that might lead gave him an uncomfortable feeling that he might, unfortunately, have her turn up at his office a lot.

They passed a quiet looking corridor and the stallion paused. A light smile played on his face.

"Here we are, Dash." The cyan filly looked up him.

“Here what?”

“That way is to class,” his hoof motioned to the corridor straight ahead. “And I would like you to go this way.” His hoof shifted till it hovered over the corridor to their left.

“Oookay. Why?”

“You hear that?”

“Uh...” Rainbow Dash strained her ears and after a moment, realized that she could faintly hear somepony singing.

The older stallion smiled then responded softly. “Your mother mentioned something most interesting to me. If you could be so kind, I think you are in for a nice surprise.”

“Okay..? What’s up?”

The greying pegasus nodded in the direction of the faint singing once more. “Somepony who might like to meet you.”

“But if class starts soon, shouldn’t she be in class?”

“Because she has been bullied by some of the other foals in her year. I believe she goes into that teachers only hallway to sing in peace.”

Rainbow Dash did not like the sound of ponies picking on some poor defenceless filly. Especially one who distantly sounded so wonderful.

“Okay then. What class am I in?”

“Room 2. The same class as the filly down that hallway.”

Rainbow Dash apprehensively opened the door to the corridor with the ‘teachers only’ sign on it and began her trek down the plain white hallway. As she rounded a bend to her right, her magenta eyes lit up with glee. The cute yellow filly she had slammed into several months before was singing to herself. The melodies flowed from her mouth and left Dash aghast, she simply could not believe her ears. Fluttershy continued to sing softly to herself in the small hallway. After a few moments, she began to dance to the music in her head. The cute gangly filly’s clumsy moves held an odd sense of gracefulness to them. The melodies combined with her movements and swish of pink mane had a hypnotizing effect on Rainbow Dash. The blue speedster simply could not tear her eyes from the yellow filly in front of her.

Fluttershy still did not realize that she was actually performing to an audience. 'Shy continued to sing and dance, completely lost in her own world, away from all the ponies who want to be mean to her and call her names. Blissful thoughts drifted through her young mind and she leapt for joy then returned to her dance. Harsh thoughts of all the mean ponies entered her head and the magical melodies took on a more sombre tone. Tears formed in Rainbow Dash's eyes for reasons she could not fathom. She realized she never wanted the filly in front of her to be sad ever again. The song continued to flow and change. It’s sincerity cemented Rainbow's resolve. However hard she tried, she just could not bring herself to break Fluttershy's moment.

She inched forward, she didn't really want to disturb the other filly, but she realized she had to make herself known before something embarrassing happened.

She continued to inch forward, closer and closer to Fluttershy. Closer, closer, closer. Suddenly the yellow filly tripped, she sailed into Rainbow Dash, a surprised squeak escaped her mouth. The two lay on the fluffy cloud floor for a few seconds, Fluttershy's brain fought to process her sudden return to reality. Or was this another dream again? She realized she was staring into a fuzzy rainbow mane and quickly disentangled herself, a look of complete shock plastered all over her face as she realized who the pony before he was. Rainbow Dash rose too and grinned her cocky grin.

"Hi there Fluttershy. Guess what?" Rainbow led off with her usual enthusiasm.

"Um… what?" Fluttershy wondered what the filly she had collided with for a second time was in the teachers only part of school.

"I get to be your classmate! Isn't that so awesome?" She pounced on Fluttershy, and drew the nervous filly into a hug. A few shocked moments pass. Rainbow was about to pull away in embarrassment when Fluttershy warmly returned the unexpected show of affection. She decided this was too good to be a dream and so did her best to form some sort of response.

"Yes. I… I Just kept hoping… and hoping that you would be in my class. The other fillies and colts are so mean to me and… and… I just-"

"They do what to you?" Rainbow Dash almost exploded.

Fluttershy felt herself about to explain but stopped herself. Something caught her eye and she was unsure of what it is. She carefully checked Rainbow Dash out, from her nose to flank then back again. Her puzzled expression changed into one of concern as she noticed the small bumps and bruises that decorated the cyan coat. Did that mean she had been in fights? Recent fights? This scared the shy filly. Rainbow Dash saw her roommate's expression change and softened immediately.

"Wh… who did this to you?" Fluttershy pointed to the spots with a forehoof.

Her words caught Rainbow Dash completely off guard. "What?"

"It… it- you…" She took a deep breath. 'Come on Fluttershy, you can do this.' "Did somepony… beat you up?" The last part became almost inaudible as her voice disappeared under the weight of her nerves. She slowly shrank away from the smaller filly, afraid of the answer.

"Oh, right. Yea'. Rough neighbourhood and all. Happens all the time."

Rainbow Dash attempted an air of coolness to cover the pain. A still worried Fluttershy carefully looked her over for another few moments.

Rainbow Dash decided it was time to move to a more exciting topic and did her best to plaster a grin across her face. "Hey, you should show off your singing. It's really awesome!"

"I… I don't think I could in front of strangers," Fluttershy mumbled.

“You just sang great in front of me!” Dash grinned encouragingly.

“Well... yes...”

The smaller pegasus spotted her companion’s shyness and once again decided to change topic. "Hey, can you fly yet?"

Fluttershy shrank into the cloud floor a bit. "No..." The sound of her timid voice was barely audible in the quiet hallway. Rainbow grinned haphazardly. Fluttershy's mind spun wildly, she wondered why the cyan filly was looking at her like that.

"It's ok. I can't fly, too. But I keep practising cause one day I'm going to be a super awesome flyer!" An unstoppable grin slowly spread across Fluttershy's face. "We can practise together. It'll be awesome!" Rainbow announced proudly as she grabbed Fluttershy in a rough but energetic embrace. A few bone-crushing moments later, Fluttershy returned the gesture. Rainbow Dash suddenly withdrew, embarrassed by her own random hug.

"Come on, Fluttershy. Let's go!" Ready and eager, Rainbow Dash grabbed hold of her companion and raced out the door. They made it halfway down the hallway before Rainbow Dash stopped dead in her tracks. She glanced around, completely lost.

"So what do we normally do in Monday's class? Something cool I hope."

"Oh, well. We normally start slowly, a few fun games and then she picks what she wants to teach us."

"Does she teach important stuff, like flying?"

"Sometimes…”

"Oh good. I was afraid she would only be teaching us boring stuff."

The pair fell into a comfortable silence as Fluttershy took the lead. They walked through the plain cloudy hallways in silence for a few moments before Fluttershy came to a halt in front of a door with a big bright blue 2 on it.

“Here we are Rainbow. Room 2.” Fluttershy announced, rather quietly.

Although Dash felt nervous she did her best to cover any trace of her nerves with her cool tomcolt air. She strides through the door, noticing that over half the seats are filled already. Holding onto her air of awesomeness she continued on right down to the back corner of the classroom.

She spotted the bullies seated at the corner left side of the class, right up the back. She could feel the menace emanating from them. 'Note to self; I had better avoid those idiots. They look like they don't like me.'

The new arrival hastily made her way toward two empty seats. Next to them sat a light pink filly with a frosty white mane. Seating herself down beside the stranger, the bold rainbow maned filly introduced herself, "hi, I'm Rainbow Dash."

The frosty mane swished as the filly turns to face the front of the class where their teacher stood patiently waiting.

"Snowflake. Now... please, pay attention..." The frosty maned filly's soft voice trails off in a nervous fashion.

Fluttershy slid in beside Dash on her other side and did her best to appear invisible. Dash quickly gave up on the quiet filly. She did her best to appear as though she was paying attention to the teacher as the mare began to speak.

"Class I'd like you to meet Rainbow Dash. She has the privilege of joining our class. Say hello everypony.” Mrs Breeze’s enthusiasm was well received by most of the class who, in mixed tones greet the new filly.

“Hello Rainbow Dash.”

With her normal persona of awesomeness, Rainbow waved a hoof toward everypony in greeting.

The rainbow maned filly was about to speak when Mrs Breeze opened back up with her energetic voice. "I would like you to know Rainbow Dash that everypony is to keep her wings by their sides in class. Leave flying for flying classes and for summer flight camp. I'm sure will understand." She gave the suddenly annoyed filly a sweet smile then launched into her lesson.

As soon as the bell rang, Dash was the first to react, up and out the door before their teacher had even finished dismissing them. Fluttershy did her best to catch up to the speedy filly, darting between her other class members, trying not to get hit by anypony else.

"Dash... Wait." she quietly pleas as she rushed along.

Cyan lead light yellow as the two fillies wandered through the school grounds. Celestia’s sun was shining brightly. It gave confidence to the two fillies as they enjoyed their meandering together. With a wonderful morning such as this, Rainbow Dash began to feel invincible and her steps took on an air of absolute confidence. To their left towered the majestic walls of cloud that were their classrooms. In front of each classroom was a number one through to twelve. To their right lay the administration buildings, playground and main gates. Although Rainbow Dash could feel that class will be boring, she figured that she might as well stay for the full first day. Dash felt her friend trailing behind unhurriedly, enjoying the bright and cheerful mood of their environment. The overconfident filly stopped to allow her friend to catch up. After a few peaceful moments, Dash was rear-ended by an unobservant Fluttershy.

The speedster twirled around to face her companion and giggled at the shocked look on the cute filly face.

“I’m sorry, Dash. P-please-”

“Hey,” the multicoloured filly cut her yellow companion off. “Don’t worry about it. I can always do this!”

She leapt and playfully tacked her companion and the pair tumbled around. Rainbow Dash laughed raucously at the surprise on her playmate’s face which quickly morphed into a delighted smile. The pair continued to roll around for a few moments on the soft cloud giggling till they came to rest on a slight mound of cloud.

Dash grinned at the sight of the playground beyond and leapt up. “Hey Fluttershy, this looks cool! Let's go!”

The speedy filly leapt onto the playground clouds then turned to greet the lagging filly behind her. Pink mane flowed gracefully behind the gangly filly as she leapt up to share the low cloud with the cocky daredevil.

"Thought I'd lost you there for a sec fluttershy."

"Sorry."

"’Na it's okay." Dash grinned with delight, assuring the nervous pony in front of her that everything is okay. Other foals of various ages begin pouring into the playground. They filled the space with joyful cries and energetic chatter. “Hey, this place is cool!”

Fluttershy flattened herself down. This wasn’t the normal way she would spend her lunch break. She would rather be indoors, away from all this noise and attention.

Her thoughts and worries are cut short as a pair of blue hooves tackled her into the cloud. “Tag, you’re it Flutters’”

School was over for the day and with that, all the young pegasi were quick to vacate the premises. Fluttershy’s deep yellow mother was spotted hovering around the edge of the parents who stood in front of the gate. Fluttershy rushed up to greet her mother and leapt into her outstretched forehooves. "I have a friend!" She squeed, delighted.

“Oh, do you now?” The mare grinned widely at her daughter as Dash tentatively approached.

“H-hi.”

“Hello, my dear,” the softly spoken mare responded. “Thank you for looking after my daughter.”

“Uh... Well, I mean, it’s cool. I mean, I like Fluttershy... she’s cool, heh...”

Deep red twinkled as the deep sunny mare shook her mane, “she is very special, yes. Where's your parents?”

“Mine? Uh... my dad’s probably in the Rainbow Factory and mum works in the weather team so, I was just gonna walk home myself.” Dash shrugged.

“Then I must insist upon seeing you home, it would put my mind at ease knowing my daughter’s best friend is home safe.”

“Okay,” Dash kicked the cloud stuff uncertainly.

A dark shape flashed over the trio. Moments later, a light greyish-blue mare landed a few paces away. Her rich, teasing tone caused all three to turn. “Glad to see you didn’t wander off, you little trickster.”

“Mom!?” Dash rounded on her mother, surprised to see her there.

“I wasn’t going to miss the end of my girl’s first day of school now, was I?”

“I dunno,” the mini speedster confessed.

The deep yellow mare smiled lightly, “greetings. You must be misses Rainbow?”

“Gust." The mare flicked her light red-orange mane out of her eyes. "You are?”

“Scarlet Sunset. A pleasure to meet you Gust.”

The greyish-blue mare nodded, “come on Dash. I got some more clouds to wrangle after I get you home.”

“Okay. Hey, Fluttershy. I’ll be seeing you tomorrow at school,” Rainbow Dash turned to her new friend, a grin upon her muzzle.

“I hope so too,” Fluttershy smiled demurely as her mother picked her up to for the flight home.

"Hey, Fluttershy!"

"Y-Yes?" The timid filly turned to her friend.

"At least you made this day 20% cooler by being my first friend. It's a totally awesome late birthday present!"

Fluttershy lit up like the sun, previous troubles forgotten, filled with joy that her playmate was also her first friend, her best friend. Rainbow chuckled at her response.

"And you're my first friend too, Rainbow Dash. Yay!"

Chapter 5: First Rays of Sunshine

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With a bright sunny day on her back, Rainbow Dash stood proudly in the playground at school. It was day two and with her best friend by her side, she could do anything!

"Wanna have some fun, Fluttershy?"

Aquamarine locks with rosy pink and fluttershy felt physically incapable of saying no to the energetic yet pleading gaze she found herself locked in. She smiled up at her protector. 'Whatever she wants do must be safe, right?'

"Okay, Rainbow Dash. What did you have in mind?"

A white colt with an iced blue and black mane and shining cyan eyes wandered across the edge of Rainbow’s vision. "Pranks." A dangerous grin spreads across her face. She can feel that the white colt with this light blue nose is about to get the fright of his life.

"I'm not so sure about this, Dash," Fluttershy mumbled softly as her friend tracked her target, a growing grin on her face.

“Oh come on, Fluttershy. It’ll be fun.” Dash gave her companion a playful nudge. She grinned encouragingly, trying to lift the uncertainty away.

“Ok, Fluttershy, go and distract him, I’ll sneak up on him,” Dash commands.

“O-ok...” Fluttershy responded as she wandered over to the colt. “H-hi there... Who are you?”

“I’m Wolf,” the strange colt responded.

“Th-that’s an interesting name...”

“So I’ve been told, what’s your name?”

“Flutter...” She whispers at an inaudible level.

“I’m sorry, what was that?” Wolf asks.

“Fluttershy...” She whispers again.

“I see. Well, it was nice meeting you Fluttershy.”

“Th-thanks...”

Suddenly Rainbow Dash appears from behind Wolf and yells, “BOO!”

“And who might you be?” Wolf asked, unphased by the sudden scream.

“Awwww, it didn’t work!” Rainbow Dash tore her gaze around in an attempt to select another target.

“Who was she?” Wolf asks again.

“That was just Rainbow Dash...” Fluttershy answers.

“Hmmm, charming... Well, still, it was nice to meet you. I have to be heading back to class now.” Wolf replied as he strode off.

The bold filly selected a new better target and a smile lit up her face. A group of foals who were sitting with their lunch. Perfect.

“Ok, Fluttershy, I’ll distract them this time, go up behind them and cause a lightning strike!” Rainbow quickly explained as they walk up to the unsuspecting group.

“Hey, everypony.” Dash greeted rather loudly as Fluttershy snuck up behind the group.

“What do you want, Rainbow Crash?” A rude colt asks.

“Hey, I just wanted to say hi...” Dash calmly retorted. Fluttershy was behind the group, about to jump on a grey storm cloud, but the group lost interest in Dash’s flimsy conversation and the shy filly’s confidence sank along with it. Rainbow Dash shot her playmate a look that told her to hurry up.

"Here goes nothing...” Fluttershy whispered then jumped on the cloud. A loud flash of lightning lit up the space, everypony jumped.

“Ahhhhh!!!”

“Eeep!” Fluttershy squealed as she landed in the middle of the group. All of the foals rounded on the timid filly. “Uh... I’m s-”

“Ha, we got you!” Dash exclaimed as she grabbed her friend then rushed off.

After putting a great distance between them and the annoyed foals the two slowed down, trying to regain their breath.

“Good job ‘Shy. Just try not to get caught next time.” Rainbow Dash grinned widely as she set off.

“Sorry...” Fluttershy apologized.

“Don’t apologize Fluttershy, you need to stand up for yourself!” Dash exclaimed.

“Ok, sor-” Fluttershy whispered but cut herself off the moment she realized she was again apologizing.

“That’s my filly,” Dash praised.

The rest of lunch passed in a rather more relaxing fashion. After the bell chimed to signal an end to break time, the duo headed to their afternoon class with their lovely teacher in room two. Dash immediately hunkered down at her desk and carefully settled her face down on the hard surface. "Hey, Fluttershy. Can you please wake me when the class is over?"

On the speedster’s other side, Snowflake shot the dedicated sleeper a look.

Fluttershy turned from her peers to the blue filly, "but Dash-"

"You can do it... I trust you."

Their teacher entered at the back of the class and strolled up to her blackboard.

"Right class. Who's up for some math?"

A collective groan escaped the seated foals.

"No need to be like that. It's fun. Oh, and Fluttershy could you please wake up your friend? I don't like foals falling asleep on me."

Fluttershy cowered under the teachers kindly gaze. The collective gaze of the class rested upon her trembling shoulders as she tentatively prodded the slumbering filly with a hoof. The zzz’s continued undisturbed, much to Fluttershy's embarrassment. Snowflake let out a sigh. Fluttershy was clearly frozen. A little pink hoof ribbed the snoozer.

"What-was-that!?! Is class over already Flutter-" She paused in the spotlight like a filly with her caught with her hoof in the cookie jar.

"Not disrupting your sleep I hope?"

"No… of course, Miss," Dash recovered, radiating nervousness from her normally cool and calm self.

"Good. Then I hope you won't mind telling me what we are about to move onto this afternoon."

"Uhhhhh..." Rainbow turns inquisitively to her yellow friend and quietly asks "What are we doing?" Fluttershy remained frozen. Pulled under the spotlight once more, the timid filly found her mouth impossible to open and hides deep beneath her mane.

"It's math, stupid." One of the colts loudly whispered.

Dash shot to her hooves so fast she knocked over her chair, instantly taking offence at the verbal jab.

"Rainbow Dash sit down this instant!"

"But miss... He-"

"Now please! You are ruining my fun lesson I had planned for you all."

A tense feeling hung in the air. A light yellow hoof tugged at the proud speedster’s side. Rainbow Dash sighed, "fine..."

A rude snicker reached the aggressive filly's ear as she seated herself once more. It required all of her self control to keep herself in place. As she side eyed her best friend she decided it was not worth teaching the silly colt a lesson. Fluttershy was more important and if she wanted her to sit down, then she would stay.

As the teacher resumed her talking Dash slipped a comforting hoof out to touch her friend. She hoped none of the other’s noticed the kind action. After a few peaceful moments of the teacher droning on, Dash decided Fluttershy looked happier and withdrew.

The rest of the lesson is was again largely passed up by Dash who decided that she was in fact too cool for such boring things. Her filly mind couldn’t comprehend the importance and so no effort is put in. She stayed however because she could sense that her new friend needed her.

Fluttershy took a deep breath then pushed open the door to the playground. She lead Rainbow Dash along to a corner, well away from the other foals.

"Hey, Fluttershy. Watch this!" Rainbow Dash barreled past her, executed a flying leap into the cloud wall then sprung off it using her wings to steady her course. Fluttershy allowed Rainbow to leap around, pretending to fly. She demonstrated all the cool moves her young mind could think of. Suddenly Rainbow Dash leapt straight at Fluttershy and tackled her to the clouds. A tiny 'eep' escapes the frightened yellow filly who lay frozen as she stared wide-eyed into the twin pink orbs that hovered in front of her face.

Time stood still. It's as if Equestria itself was awaiting Rainbow Dash to do something. The cyan filly slowly leant closer to Fluttershy. A massive grin appears on her face. Full of pure mischief, just like the day they had met when she had announced she was going to play pranks. She slips her nose through Fluttershy's mane and lightly touches her ear. She opened her mouth to whisper something, her grin almost splitting her face in two.

"Tag. You're it!" Rainbow Dash immediately took off like a miniature rocket. Fluttershy lay stunned for a moment.

"Oh Dash. You. Are. So. On!" A look of determination made its way onto Fluttershy's features and she smiled warmly as she galloped after Rainbow Dash. Rainbow used every trick she could to avoid the yellow filly. She leapt from cloud to cloud, gliding where possible in various attempts to put Fluttershy off her trail. However, the gangly yellow filly did not want to lose her new friend again. She put on a burst of speed and slowly gained on the dare-devil filly in front of her. Rainbow Dash continued to dart ahead till her wings give out mid-flight. She plummeted to the cloud-turf below head first. Fluttershy ungainly landed beside her then gently poked her with a yellow hoof. "Um… tag."

Rainbow Dash roughly pulled her head out of the clouds. She fluttered her wings in an annoyed manner.

"Are… are you okay?" Fluttershy lent down next to her best friend, concerned. The rainbow mane flicked from side to side as Dash cleared her vision. A cyan hoof shot out and playfully clipped Fluttershy's shoulder.

"You're it!" Rainbow Dash turned to flee but Fluttershy immediately pounced upon her. The gentle filly failed to consider her playmate’s strength and was bucked off. She flapped her wings frantically as she tried to regain her balance midair. She accidentally landed back on Rainbow Dash, the two became a colourful mess of manes and tails. The pair of ponies rolled around on the cloud-turf, giggling like crazy fillies as they enjoyed the moment. Fluttershy could feel herself starting to relax and forget her timid nature as the pair came to a stop.

"Yay!" Fluttershy quietly exclaimed. The look of unbridled joy worn on her face was mirrored by Rainbow Dash's own expression. The pair lay there for a few moments as they enjoyed the calm after the mad game.

A bunch of young colts rocked up, loud voices carried across the yard as they discussed the game they had been playing. Dumb-bell and Hoops strolled casually over to the duo. Fluttershy inched toward Rainbow Dash, fearful of the pair.

"It's Rainbow Crash!" Dumb-bell exclaimed with a wave of his dark brown forehoof. Some colts nearly cracked up laughing.

Dash's head snapped up to glare at the group. Dumb-bell strode closer take a better look at Fluttershy and Dash. Fluttershy edged closer to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow casts a look of concern at her. Dumb-bell's rude grin increased in size at the sight.

"Got a little fluttercry there have you, Rainbow Crash? She’s soo weak, she-" Dash sprung up and delivered a blow to the speaker's muzzle. The other colts stared slack-jawed for a moment. Hoops lead the charge and ripped Rainbow Dash away from her victim. Fluttershy looked on helplessly, thankful that Rainbow Dash was standing up for them but terrified to the bone at the same time. The two parties stared each other down, the colts wore cocky grins on their faces while Dash glared back. Neither side moved a muscle as tension hung thick in the playground.

Everypony in the vicinity was watching the tense sight, breaths held. Suddenly something in the air snapped and the colts leapt forward and laid into Rainbow Dash with gusto. Fluttershy shrieked with fright and covered her eyes in her voluminous mane.

As the explosive brawl continued Fluttershy cowered and fervently hoped somepony would come and break the colts off her friend. She did her best not to cry but could feel the moisture gathering around the edges of her eyes. Unnoticed by anypony else, the door opened and a confused Greymane strode out. The greying stallion stormed over, rage overtaking his aged features.

"Break it up you foals! NOW!" The colts scrambled frantically away from Rainbow Dash who was left lying on the cloudstuff in the fetal position. He stormed up to Rainbow Dash who cowered under his rage. Fluttershy looked up at their saviour and froze on the spot, an unwilling spectator to the unfolding events. Fear clutched at Fluttershy, this wasn't the kind old Greymane she had grown to respect. This stallion was... terrifying. After a few tentative seconds, Hoops managed to find his quaking voice. "But… sir. It was her fault."

"Five on one? I don't believe you." Greymane rounded on Rainbow Dash. "'Right, young filly. What happened."

"They were calling me and Fluttershy names. Then they ganged up on me!" Adamantly exclaimed the injured filly.

Rainbow Dash looked up, hopeful yet fearful of the wrathful pony in front of her. Greymane unleashed a tired sigh.

"Fluttershy, please help Rainbow to the nurse. Then see she makes it to class without any more fights. This is not a good start, Rainbow Dash. You only made it two days in. I'll be sure to let your mother know about this. And you lot!" He turned angrily to the pack of colts who sat sullenly off to the side. "Don't do that again!"

Greymane stormed off. A sense of shock hung in his wake. Nopony wanted to break the silence in case they said something that would bring down Greymane's wrath again.

Fluttershy toward her friend, trying to make herself as small as possible.

"Um… Rainbow."

Fluttershy's nerve failed her and she hunkered down beside her best friend. An awkward silence fell as each foal waited for somepony else to do something first.

Rainbow Dash spotted the fear in her friend’s eyes. She rose up and lifted Fluttershy up into a friendly hug.

Fluttershy felt the dread slip away slowly, not caring about the rude muttering emanating from where the colts still sit. The rest of the foals in the playground still appeared to be holding their breath as they anxiously waited to see what happened next.

Rainbow Dash slowly put the lanky filly back down, pain lanced through her small frame and she winced.

Fluttershy spotted her discomfort. "We have to get you to the nurse."

Ten minutes later...
The door to their classroom opened slowly to reveal a sheepish yellow filly with her blue companion. Said speedster had a plaster on her nose and several bruises on her front body and forelegs. Fluttershy assisted the filly next to her inside. She ensured that Rainbow's tail made it in before carefully closed the door behind them.

"Thanks, Fluttershy. I can take it from here."

Fluttershy hesitated for a moment then nodded.

Amidst a wave of eager young foals leaving school for the day, two young pegasi took their time. Fluttershy's sedate pace was due to her concern of getting trampled or run into by others. The shy young pegasus was also concerned about her friend's injuries, sustained at school that day. She worried that Dash might further hurt her legs, or face and so would freeze whenever a fresh tide of fillies and colts would rush past. For Rainbow Dash, the proud speedster was more concerned about her companion, than her own well being. Although some of the scrapes on her left foreleg still slightly stung. The pain from the rest of the bumps, including the one on her nose, had well and truly numbed over or disappeared for now.

A grin lit up the face of the young speedster as she spotted her awesome brother approaching from the direction of the bakery to the right of the school gate.

“Hey, little sister, ready to fly-” Soarin caught himself as his eyes wandered along his sibling. Is she... more injured? Oh, dear... I think she is... “Did you get into a fight?”

“Uh...” Dash scuffed a hoof against the clouds. “Kinda.”

“She was protecting me against some meanies,” Fluttershy spoke up from behind her friend.

“You must be Fluttershy,” grinned the cornflower blue colt.

“Um... yes.” The yellow filly ducked behind her companion so all the older colt could see was her pink mane.

“Shy one huh?”

“Well, she is called Fluttershy...” Dash dryly responded as she scrubbed at the bandage on her nose. “But she’s like totally cool once she opens up.”

Fluttershy spotted her mother in decent and rushed off to meet her.

Soarin spoke up, “quick, let's get out of here. I bet Fluttershy’s mom will wonder why you look like you got beaten up.”

Dash rolled her eyes. “Yea, yea. It’s not my fault.”

The light blue colt shot his more vibrantly coloured sister a look. “Doesn’t matter who’s fault it is.” As Fluttershy headed over to her mother, Soarin scooped his sister up his forehooves and took off for home.

Dash lay on top of her bed, in her room surrounded by her Wonderbolt’s posters. Naturally, after hearing of her antics at school she had been sent to her room. It was boring!

At least dinner had still been nice. But now, it was back to her own room with nothing to do but wait for bed time. Waiting sucked. It was much more fun going for an after tea jaunt up to her little tower. The filly sighed. She probably should stop fighting so much...

The door creaked open and a dark blue mane appeared followed by a cornflower blue muzzle. “Hey little sis. Hows our little bundle of trouble doing?”

“Board. I wanna spend some more time out there... with you. Try learn to fly again. You know... cool stuff...”

Soarin glanced behind him and made a shooing motion with his forehoof. The youngster took a deep breath then walked in and sat down near his sister’s bed. “Dash. Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Don’t play dumb silly, that’s my job.”

A hint of a smile cracked over the young speedster’s muzzle. “It is huh?” The room fell into silence.

Soarin shifted, almost as if to stand when his sister rolled onto her back and flipped her pillow. "I said I wouldn't do this. But... ahhh... why did Rocky's little brother have to show up?"

“That dumb colt?”

With her eyes glued to the ceiling, a little blue chin bobbed slowly. “Yea...”

The older pegasus shuffled a bit closer, “you know why I don’t get into fights anymore?”

“Because you have your fillyfriend to scare ponies off?” Dash smirked at her brother.

“No. I realized that it’s not worth giving those kinds of ponies what they want. They want you to fight back. They want to feel powerful when they pick on you with a number so great you can't win. I bet Rocky’s brother feels as though he has to live up to that idiot brother of his, so he goes around picking on others to try and prove his worth.”

“Yea? Well, it works then, doesn’t it...” Dash huffed. “He beat me.”

“You know how to win against him?”

A single pink eye graced the young colt.

“I bet if my little sister ignored him he will get really angry and go away.”

Rainbow Dash scoffed.

“I’m serious.”

“Who made you so wise? You’re not quite even thirteen.”

Soarin sighed. “Well in case you haven’t noticed... our dad is... uh...”

“Useless?”

“I trying to put it nicer than that, but yea.” Soarin nodded in agreement. “He works... he works... he drinks, he sleeps... he bucks our mom-”

“Ewwwww....” Dash scrunched up her muzzle and shot her brother a dirty look.

“What? I’m the one closer to their room than you. You’re safe from the horrible noises they make. I’m not.”

“Right.” Dash rubbed her muzzle into her bed to rid herself of the mental images that attacked her young mind.

Soarin smirked slightly as his younger sibling, “point is... I guess I was trying to say something like, uh... sure he pays for this house we live in, but he's not much of a dad... you know? I guess I’ve just had to grow up a bit faster seeing as I’m the oldest. When I move out, you’ll have to too.”

Dash shot up, “but you can’t go.”

“Not any time soon silly, but if I get into advanced flight school... eventually they have those who are best put in the barracks so they can live close and start really early.”

“Why would any pony want to get up early?” Dash scrunched up her muzzle. “It’s more fun to sleep in.”

Soarin nodded in agreement. “Sure is.”

“Unless somepony wants to bunk with his best friend, right?” Dash wiggled her eyebrows.

The light blue cheeks tinted a bit and Soarin scowled playfully back at his sister. “Annny way. What I was saying...”

“About bullies, or Spitfire?” Dash smirked up at her brother as she relaxed back upon her bed.

“Dumb bullies. Just ignore them okay, it will make rumbles little brother look really silly and who knows, his friends might even laugh at him, okay?”

“I’ll try.” The little filly settled down in her bed, not all that pleased by the prospect of simply allowing her tormenter to have his fun.

“Hey.”

The fuzzy rainbow mane shifted as Dash faced her older brother once more.

“I bet Fluttershy would be happier too if her best friend doesn’t keep getting hurt.”

Dash slowly grinned back, “yea.” The grin settled as certainty took hold. “Yea. I bet she will. Thanks, Soarin, you’re the best!”

"Heh... no problem. Good night, Rainbow Dash." Soarin murmured softly.

“Night.”

The young stallion withdrew from his sister’s bedroom and collapsed against the door.

 “How is she?” Gust asked.

“Oh you know Dash, she gave as good as she took. But I’m trying to get it through her head that she doesn’t need to fight the bullies to prove them wrong.”

“Thank you, son.”

“Gad I could help. Well... I best be off.” Soarin was quick to head off to his own room.

Gust sighed softly. Time to take her husband to bed. That is if he would get off the couch.

Chapter 6. Lost & Found

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Two fillies were gathered in the headmasters office. Either side of the bleak grey cloud desk stood filing cabinets with papers on top. Behind the desk sat the grey pegasus stallion Dash had first met with her mother. The wall behind him bore many photographs of the students over the last few years along with a couple of staff pictures.
 The multicoloured filly shifted uncomfortably in front of the stern looking stallion as he held his silence. Fluttershy had her eyes set on some highly interesting spot on the floor that became increasingly more interesting the longer the silence stretched on.

"As I'm sure you know, yesterday in the playground was a disaster. Do you have anything to add before I continue?" Greymane politely asked.

"They started it!" Dash blurted out.

Fluttershy sank lower into her seat.

"I've heard accounts that tell me you threw the first hoof. But-" Greymane raised a hoof, cutting off the incoming smart reply from the indignant filly in front of him. "I"m willing to give you another chance since you are new."

A cyan mouth opened with a retort on her lips but was silenced by the crash of a powerful aged hoof falling on the desk in front of them.

"Then please don't break school rules. We have them for good reasons. Even if you don't like them."

He turned his tiring gaze to the timid filly. "Fluttershy is it?" A small 'eep' and a nod was all the shy filly managed as she hid behind her mane.

"I can see you have made a good friend. Please try to be more assertive and keep her out of trouble next time."

Fluttershy mutely nodded, relieved by the lack of punishment. The towering stallion broke out into a kind smile, glad that the mean side of role as headmaster finally appeared to over for the day.

“Thank you. Please see that you do. Now, I trust you can find your way to class?"

Two heads nodded in response. Led by Greymane the trio stood and two multicoloured plush balls fled the terrifying room of their headmaster.

Rainbow Dash stepped out of the administration building and breathed deep the cool morning air, relieved that the two of them had gotten off lightly. She boldly trotted off, head held high as if nothing had ever happened. Fluttershy trailed behind her.

Rainbow turned to her quiet companion and grinned, "I think he might okay."

"What?" Fluttershy asked, surprised by the sudden comment.

"Greymane. He’s kinda cool, for an old stallion.”

Fluttershy smiled back, “I agree. Now let’s not be any later to class.”

“Awww, okay. I was gonna milk this a bit harder, you know.”

Fluttershy smiled lightly as she wandered off into the lead. Her new friend was certainly something. But was it even possible to be assertive and make Dash listen? “Please come to class with me?”

“Because he told you to boss me around?”

“Dash…“ Fluttershy’s reprimand failed on her lips as they walked through the cloud hallways, past doors, windows and student artwork on display. “Um… he didn’t- at least I think… I don’t want to boss you around. But if you could maybe listen to me more sometimes, we won’t have to visit his office again. I do want to try to keep you from getting into all these fights. They are bad.”

Dash rolled her eyes, rolling her head away from her friend in the hopes that her cheeky response wouldn’t get noticed. “Okay, fine. But I’m sure I’ll be back there sooner or later.”

“Please, try and make it later..?”

Dash sighed, her gaze returned to her best friend and she felt compelled to respond to the sad filly face. “Whatever you say, Fluttershy. I’ll try, for you.”

The shy filly lit up and gave her friend a quick hug, “thank you, Rainbow Dash!”

The cool speedster shrugged her companion off. “Yea, yea. Anything for you Flutters, no more hugs. We’re nearly at class.” As they trotted onwards, Dash’s pace slowed. “Say… We can’t wait one more minute?”

“No Dash. I mean-“

A blue hoof covered the yellow mouth before the shy filly could continue. “Don’t. You say go, let’s go.”

With her muzzle covered Fluttershy nodded then led the rest of the way to their class.

Rainbow Dash trailed slower, hoping that her decision to follow would be a good one.

As she stood up the front of the class, Ms Breeze chuckled to herself, "Good, then how about our first flying lesson of the term?"

Excitement buzzed through the class, most of whom could hardly contain their wings with excitement. Rainbow Dash felt about to burst from excitement. This is why she was here! She barely noticed her shy friend sinking down into her seat. Fluttershy squeaked in shock as a cyan hoof grabbed her. A rainbow and pink streak exited the class as the buzzing cyan filly propels her companion on, eager at the prospect of a flying lesson.

The youngsters lined up obediently in front of the teacher in the beginners flight course. It was a mostly bare, well carpeted expanse of cloud to safely accommodate foals who are unsure on their wings. Above this layer floated a long white fluffy cloud at the start line, obviously intended to give a raised platform for the youngsters to take off. Aside from the soft clouds underhoof, the hoofmade looking grounds had only sparsely placed cloud obstacles dotting the expanse. Behind them sat the playground in all its glory, several of less confident fillies and colts eyes drift to the fun zone wishfully.

Their teacher was as excited as most of her class. "Alright, class. Now I want one of you to come up to the front and show me how well you can fly. Then I have a few things to show you before you all try."

Several small hooves shot up into the air as several foals, eager to show off, vied for their teacher's attention.

Rainbow Dash almost burst with excitement as she waved her little hooves in the air, barely contained cries upon her lips.

"Okay, new filly, up you come." Mrs Breeze noticed the newest addition to the class who was overflowing with excitement.

Rainbow put on a smile of awesomeness as she waltzed to the front.

"Alright. I would like to hop up on this start line cloud then do your best running take off. Just make sure you flap those wings like you mean it because flying isn't as easy as you might think young filly."

Contrary to instructions, the bold little ball of spectrum trotted up to take her place at the start line. "Watch this." In Rainbow Dash's mind she was performing as the lead mare in the Wonderbolts.

The cocky cyan plush ball stepped back a few paces then sprinted forward and leapt into the sky blue expanse beyond. She worked her wings madly to gain altitude, fighting for every extra hoof she could gain above the cloud padding below. The tiny filly sort of flew several small pegasus lengths before she came crashing down onto the padded white clouds below.

She sprang back up to her hooves with a heroic flick of her spiky mane. Rainbow Dash was met with the appreciative hoof stomping of her class. She smirked at the bullies who glared back at her before she strutted back to her position next to Fluttershy in the line.

"Alright class. There's a good example of what I would like you all to work toward. Although next time I would advise trying not to crash land Rainbow Dash. I will show you how to land if you struggle with it.”

"You got it!" The puffball soaked up the praise.

"Now I would like you all to have a go. There's enough space here for everypony at once so there is no need to push and shove." The easy going mare instructed.

Every filly and colt spaced themselves out along the line and do drills as explained by Breeze. “First. Everypony raise your wings. Feel them. Give me one strong beat down. Now up. Then down. Up. Down. Up. Down. Faster!” She spotted a few foals with mismatched wing beats and turned her attention upon them. “Please try and have both wings working at the same time. You cannot fly if your wings don’t work together in perfect timing.”

While a few of them giggled and set their wing beats into sync while a few other foals continued to struggle.

Fluttershy flushed as she realized she was one of the foals the advice was directed at. She eyed her wings as they continued to slowly rehearse wings beats. It wasn’t easy keeping perfect timing, but after another ten beats, the shy pegasus was sure she had it almost right.

“Okay class, now we will try gliding position.” At her word everypony paused and despite a few mumbled grumbles, they paid attention to their teacher. “I want you all to stick your wings out like this.” Her long wings gracefully unfurled till they were fully extended at her sides. They were ever so slightly curved as if to cup the wind under them. Both wings were otherwise level with the cloud floor below.   With a rustle of wings the class was quick to try and copy the example they were set.

 Rainbow Dash huffed with indignation. This was too easy, it was boring! Dash glanced to her left at her best friend to see how she was doing.

Fluttershy checked her wings to make sure they were level and made small adjustments to both until she thought it looked right. She was thankful that there were a few colts to her left who appeared to be doing similar adjustments as she was.

Their teacher folded her wings and wandered along the line. She closely checked each foals wings. Adjustments were made here and there as she progressed.

Rainbow Dash puffed out her chest as Mrs Breeze moved past her with naught but a nod. She noticed the mare pause to make a few adjustments to her shy friend’s wing positing and some of the pride abated. It appeared she still had to work on a few things with Fluttershy before her friend made it to her level of cool.

Once the assessment was done, their teacher leapt into the air and glided back along the line. “Did everypony see that?” She asked as she tucked her long wings neatly at her sides.

“Yes, Mrs.” The obedient call echoed.

“Good. I would like you all to step to the back of the take off cloud then get a running start for your glide. No attempts at flying yet okay?”

“Yes, Mrs Breeze.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. She wanted flying class, not gliding class.

“Alright. Now, follow my example.” Mrs Breeze took one step to the front of the cloud then with one stroke of her wings, launched herself into the skies where she glided slowly along till her hooves kissed the soft cloud cover. “Alright class, on three, two, one, go!”

The foals charged along till they collectedly leapt off the platform. Several flapped their wings multiple times before they realized they were supposed to be gliding. Three others hardly managed one proper flap before they dovetailed into the soft cloud. The largest bunch, led by the new filly in the class cruised along the sky before they touched down in front of their teacher with big grins.

“Very good. I see most of you have improved from our lessons last term,” Mrs Breeze commented.

Fluttershy hesitated at the platform, realized she would soon be noticed then closed her eyes and rushed off the top. She raised her wings to what she hoped was the right way and felt the cloud under hoof vanish suddenly. Yellow hooves kicked at thin air and a jolt of panic shot through her small system. With a surprised ‘eep’ she sharply nose dived toward the soft cloud and tumbled to a stop alongside Derpy and two other foals who had struggled. Pink obscured yellow as Fluttershy hid behind her mane. That attempt was worse than the final class of last term. Oh dear…

Mrs Breeze spoke up as the class members began judging their peers results. “Alright class, I want you to do this one more time. If those more capable show me once more they can glide well, I will allow them to move onto flight while I work with the others on gliding.”

With a variety of “Yes Mrs,” the youngsters made their way back up to the start line cloud for a second attempt.

“Hey,” Dash whispered to Fluttershy as the defeated filly plonked herself down with resignation. “You can do it, I know it.”

“But-“

“Hey, I saw some filly close their eyes. Just uh… try keep them open. Look at me or something.”

Fluttershy nodded. Maybe it might help if she kept looking at her best friend and not the other foals who she was sure were laughing behind her back? It was worth a try.

“Alright class, ready? Set. Go!”

At the teacher's words the class sprang into action, Rainbow Dash in the lead.

Fluttershy waited for her best friend to cross halfway to their teacher before she took a deep breath and rushed forward too. This time she kept her eyes on the receding cyan flank and fluttering rainbow tail. Suddenly she found herself going head over hooves and tumbling over and over in a ball of candy yellow and pink. With a moan, Fluttershy cracked an eye open and found herself gazing up into the grinning face of Rainbow Dash.

“Hey, that was pretty good!” Dash smiled happily down at her capsized friend.

“I don’t think it counts if she rolled half the way!” One of the colts called out.

“Hey!” Dash span around to face Hoops. “You come here and say that!”

“Calm down, Rainbow Dash.” Mrs Breeze chastised the hot headed foal. “And Hoops, please try to not put fellow class members down. She made a big improvement and should be proud of herself.”

“Like I would be proud of rolling.” Muttered the colt with a shake of his head.

Fluttershy rolled onto her tummy and lowered her head into the soft cloud. With a reddening muzzle, the shy filly wasn’t sure she wanted to get up quite yet.

Dash poked her friend’s side with her nose as their class members began to group up, directed by their teacher. “Hey. Don’t listen to them, you hear me?”

“But they are right…”

“Not if you keep trying.”

Fluttershy sighed. “Okay.”

Much to the shy filly’s distress, she was put in a different group than her best friend. The group of those who were to work on their gliding. Dash was in the larger group, those who were to move on to flying lessons. Fluttershy shrank down a bit. Now how she supposed to try and enjoy herself or improve?

Class ended for the day. A rainbow streak left the room, a surprised yellow filly was dragged along behind her.

"Dash, why are we going so fast?"

"It's fun!" All the colours of the rainbow flashed past Fluttershy's vision as her friend slowed her gait and flicked her head around to face her. Fluttershy emitted an adorable squeal of surprise as she rammed into her best friend. All the colours left her vision as the speedster stood and extracted her mane. The shy filly felt herself hauled up by a cyan hoof.

"I was thinking, we can go exploring the city ‘cause your mom said she couldn’t pick you up today. No pony will miss us as long as I get you home before dinner time and we'll have a whole lot of fun! Besides, I haven't had a chance to explore around here much. Come on."

Fluttershy couldn’t get a word in against her energetic friend before the excited mini speedster took off with her in tow.

As they left the school, the quick filly, at last, began to slow enough for the quiet pegasus to get a word in. “Dash?”

“What?” Said filly paused.

“What about your mom. Or brother?”

“Oh, mom is busy working, Soarin is busy training with his girl friend and my dad is probably out drinking. Now come on!” The highly eager multicoloured filly grabbed the nearest yellow hoof and began dragging her friend off to explore.

It started off with the bold leading the shy, the nervous yellow filly placed complete trust in her friend as they wandered around gazing at the sights around central Cloudsdale. Being cloud-bound and forced to walk everywhere forced the pair to spend a lot of time gazing up at the magnificent structures that made up the flying city, many of which appeared to disappear off high into the sky.

They wandered for hours, Fluttershy took solace from her friend, knowing she was safe in Dash's presence. She felt herself relax in the company of her energetic friend and the two wandered around cloudgazing.

They went up several ramps and walkways, higher and higher into the central business district. They passed posh cloud homes adorned with rainbows, snowflakes, swirling clouds and more. It was clear that many of those who lived around here had some serious bits!

Rainbow Dash grinned at her best friend as the normally shy pegasus trotted around, her eyes filled with wonder. Rarely was she allowed to see anything beyond the outer sections of Cloudsdale where she lived and so spent most of the time excitedly talking her patient friend's ears off. After an unknown amount of time spent simply enjoying each others company, the sun began to set low on the horizon now. As they were someplace high up the duo settled down beside a ledge and enjoyed the setting sun. But Rainbow Dash could feel it, they were lost. A feeling of creeping dread at being lost among hundreds of pegasi they didn’t know began to fill her till her wings began to quiver with the nerves. She turned toward her friend who was absorbed in the wonder of the sunset. “Say… uh… not that there’s anything wrong, but uh- do you know where your home is from here?”

“No Dash.” Fluttershy softly replied as she relaxed into her best friend’s soft coat, her gaze still upon Celestia’s sunset.

"Fluttershy, how is that you don't know this area?"

“It’s pretty, but I’ve been too scared to go here Dash..."

“Great… now I'm stuck with a scared filly who doesn't know where her home might be…" Dash had a hard time keeping her annoyance out of her voice.

Fluttershy cringed, she had not wanted to let her new friend down but had wound up doing just that. "I'm sorry Rainbow, but... I’m not allowed to go out by myself. My mother worries that I might get lost, or fillynapped or something.”

Rainbow Dash sighed, this shy filly was impossible sometimes. "No Fluttershy. I'm the one who should be sorry. I’m the one who dragged you out around town.”

“Um… do you know your way home?”

Dash snorted. “No.”

“Oh…”

An unwelcome silence hung between the two. Overhead a few pegasi flew, most were on their way home by now. Dash could see in her friend’s eyes that she wanted to be at home. Green eyes began to glisten with moisture. The tearful display tugged at the speedsters heart and she felt her own insides twist. What if they couldn’t find their way home soon? What if they were really lost? No! Dash forced herself to try and breath normally then she turned to her friend. "Come here scaredy filly."

Fluttershy apprehensively turned toward her bold friend. Without warning she found herself enveloped in an awkward hug.

Dash pulled away. "Just… Please don't tell anypony else about that. I don't do hugs."

"Thank you, Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy huddled up to her athletic friend. "Thank you."

"Let's just get out of here. I think if we just head down and go that way… we should be okay.” A blue hoof indicated the direction off the edge of the clouds into the city below. “Just a shame we can’t both fly, or glide properly.”

Fluttershy nodded while doing her best to ignore her friend’s final comment. She kept close beside her bold friend for moral support as the pair moved out once more.

After wandering for what felt like forever, the pair spotted the small market place near their school. Dash eagerly picked up the pace, while Fluttershy forced her tired limbs onwards.

Fluttershy spotted an older yellow pegasus and quickened her pace. “Mom!”

The mare in question turned and immediately spotted her daughter. “Fluttershy! I’m so glad you’re safe!”

Mother and daughter hugged while the young blue filly stood awkwardly aside. “Uh.. hi, Miss shy…”

The mare turned her attention upon the speedster while she continued to hug her offspring. “Hello to you too. Did you by any chance get my daughter lost?”

Dash shrank under the adult's gaze. “Uh… kinda?”

The older shy sighed, her brief anger already dying down. “Please, try not to do that in future. I was so worried about her... about you both! I’ll take my daughter home, then fly you home. I will have serious words with Gust about this. Okay?”

“Sure. I mean- yea... Thanks for offering to take me home!” Dash had a sinking feeling inside. She was sure to be in trouble for getting Fluttershy and herself lost for so long.

Chapter 7: Angels in Trouble

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It was lunchtime.

A bright, glorious sunny day in the great city of Cloudsdale.

For most of the young pegasi at Cloudsdale central school, it was all set to be another fun playtime. However, for two young ponies, despite the warnings of yesterday, one blue troublemaker had once again insisted upon leading her best friend astray.

Two social outcasts stood alone at the edge of the flight course for the older foals. A staggering array of obstacles dotted the course. Fluttershy’s tummy filled with butterflies that flittered aggressively about. The course was void of ponies since the older pegasi were still in class.

"Dash. I really don't think this is a good idea…"

“Why? Nopony's going to catch us Fluttershy. Come on!” Blue wings flicked into action but were halted by the words of her friend.

"But Dash, I can't fly."

All the colours of the rainbow swished about as the young speedster glanced from one end of the imposing course to the other. She shrugged lightly. ”Neither can I. But that’s not stopping me.” Grinning her big Rainbow Dash grin, the young speedster strode off along the cloud walkway to the courses start line.

With a sigh, Fluttershy hurried to catch up before her friend got too carried away. She yelped as the leading filly span around and blue hooves grabbed her.

A whirlwind of eager rainbow lead Fluttershy to the start line. Rainbow Dash knocked her hooves against the starting line eagerly, her mane created a mighty spectrum around her as it flowed in the breeze. Fluttershy smiled at her friend, drinking in the amazing sight of joy incarnate as the athlete continues to prepare for an imaginary race.

Rainbow Dash turned to her best friend, ”come on Fluttershy. I'll race you."

Fluttershy froze at the challenge. "M-me?"

"Of course. Come on, it'll be fun."

“Okay…” Putting her negative thoughts of failing behind her, the shy pony stepped up beside her friend in acceptance of the challenge laid out before her.

Blue wings fluttered in eager anticipation. ”That’s it! Are you ready? First to that cloud over there wins.”

‘That cloud over there’ was, in fact, a cloud a good two hundred hooves away. It hung above the walls around the zone for older students and the only way up was flying or jumping from cloud to cloud all the way up till you reached it. There was a good five to ten clouds that led up to the top depending on which path you decided to take. Some floated slowly around in small circles while others floated side to side. To add difficulty, there were also a few hoops hung out both in the air and between the raised clouds. There was, thankfully, a thick looking bed of cloud below the whole zone so there was no chance any unfortunate souls might fall from the floating city. The realization that she would have to use her wings to help jump high from one cloud to another filled the shy filly with nerves. There was no way she could make the pathway up that utilized fewer clouds. That was clearly meant for pegasi who knew how to fly or something. Fluttershy’s mind raced and her heart rate spiked. This did not look like a good idea.

“Hey, are you okay?” A blue hoof fell upon yellow shoulders and Fluttershy jumped slightly.

“I- I think I can try?”

“Alright.” A massive grin lit the blue filly’s muzzle. “Three, two, one, let’s go!" Rainbow Dash immediately took off, sprinting full tilt, wings flaring in excitement.

Fluttershy’s wings shot up in surprise at the amazing turn of speed her friend had pulled off. Cyan eyes shone as they beheld the power and agility. Suddenly she realized that she should be out there racing instead of gawping at the rapidly receding flank of her best friend.

The shy filly charged after her friend, giving all she could to run faster. Despite her best efforts, Dash effortlessly leapt to the final cloud while Fluttershy was still three clouds away. She leapt through a low hoop and scrambled up the final clouds to the finish line. The two fillies met grinning at each other huffing and puffing slightly. Despite Fluttershy's uncertainties, she found herself beginning to enjoy the feeling of being active with somepony who didn’t judge her for being too slow.

"Follow me Dashie." The shy pegasus unsteadily glided down from their target cloud. After a few triumphant moments of airtime, she fell ungracefully to the safety cloud below and landed on her side. Fluttershy righted her gangly legs, tiny wings flapped for balance as she watched the graceful descent of her grinning friend. The spiky rainbow mane glinted in the sunlight, cyan coat blending in with the sky. The yellow filly’s heart soared at the beautiful sight, her troubles forgotten.

Rainbow Dash fell a filly length to the raised cloud not far in front of Fluttershy. The blue pegasus was quick to right her footing before she threw on a cocky grin and pulled off a pose. With wings proudly erect, Dash strode up to Fluttershy and lightly tapped her shoulder with a forehoof.

“That was cool! I don’t think I’ve ever seen you glide that far, not even in flying class!" A massive grin light up the day as Dash smiled at her best friend.

“Ummm, thank you.” Fluttershy felt her cheeks flush at the praise and hid behind her mane.

Dash’s grin grew in size at the praise from her friend.

“Come on!” Small legs pumped hard as the cerulean filly charged off, wings fluttering. The shy one galloped full tilt after her comrade, intent upon matching the mighty rainbow this time.

Up ahead pink eyes glanced back. Sighting the charging filly, a smile invaded and Dash allowed herself to slow. She threw herself into the air, her mighty leap carrying her across packed up equipment lying along the side of the track. Dreams of flight only added to the intensity of the tiny wing beats as the filly cleared the stacks with ease. Rainbow Dash dreamt of flight nightly, however, with Fluttershy by her side and the wonder of the track, her dreams felt close enough to be real. She sprinted onwards, leaping from cloud to cloud, small wings beating like crazy in an effort to gain lift.

“Doing great Flutters!” Dash dived towards her friend with her wings buzzing. She bounded over the gangly yellow filly then hurried off in another direction.

Caught up in her companion’s excitement Fluttershy forced her long limbs to put on greater speed to catch up. As they bounded from cloud to cloud, laughing and shouting to each other. Fluttershy felt herself opening up, a massive smile broke out across her yellow face, mirroring her friend.

"Hey, Fluttershy. Watch this!" Rainbow Dash took off from a cloud up ahead, gliding along with a triumphant grin on her face. She circled around then glided all the way back to her stunned friend.

"Rainbow… That was… Amazing." Awestruck, Fluttershy plonked her rear down on the soft cloud they shared. It was clear that the filly in front of her was destined to be a great flier.

Dash interrupted the gangly filly’s train of thought, "come on Fluttershy. You can do it too. Let me show you." Blue connected lightly with yellow as the bold tried to push her friend to the edge of their cloud.

"But Dash… I can't…" Fluttershy mumbles miserably.

“Awww, come on! I know you can do it…” A cyan head turned and Dash gazed into her friend's aquamarine eyes, doing her best to look supportive. "Just follow me. We can try over there. There's a cloud floor in case you fall."

Butterflies filled the pink maned filly’s tummy and she timidly choose the only option her friend offered. "O-okay Rainbow Dash. I'll try."

A massive grin erupted across Dash's face, fighting away Fluttershy's fears. The shy one allowed herself to be led up and along to the first pad off to the side of the main course. All the while she did her best not to shake too much from the quiet fears that resided inside.

Dash took off leaving Fluttershy behind. Eyes wide, the timid pegasus took a deep breath then barrelled off the edge after her friend. She noticed her friend glance back and correct her course a bit. As the duo continued to glide along, drifting slowly down, Fluttershy realized that it was easier to glide like this. Dash must have been making it easier for her to glide by working harder herself! Determined to keep their sort of flight up as long as possible, Fluttershy flapped madly to stay aloft. The filly in front noticed and grinned back at her. A breeze kicked up, wafting a wall of pink mane into Fluttershy's eyes. She 'eep'ed' in surprise at the unexpected invasion into her line of vision. Terror gripped the gangly filly as she felt feels herself falling, legs flailed uselessly as her wings locked to her sides.

Rainbow Dash landed triumphantly. Wearing a supreme look upon her small face she turned, grinning only to drop all pretence of awesomeness at the mangled sight of her pink maned friend.

"Fluttershy… Are you okay?" Cyan bounded up to canary yellow and a tender hoof shifted the mass of pink revealing a disheartened filly.

"Hey, it's okay. It took me forever to be this cool at flying. I guess you just need a little more practise." The bold filly did her best to come down to her not so able friend’s level whilst maintaining her sense of awesomeness.

With a helping hoof to guide her ascent, Fluttershy stood. Her gaze fell to the soft cloud under hoof. A blue hoof guided her face back up to meet pink eyes. “Hey- uh… do you want to try that again?" Hope lit up those cerise eyes, banishing Fluttershy's fear of failure.

The failed filly nodded slowly, unable to say no.

“Cool! Follow me!” Dash strutted off without a backwards glance.

A soft sigh escaped the gangly filly. At this rate, she was going to make herself look like a real fool in front of her best friend again and again... and again...

The eager pegasus led her companion up and around several clouds till they came to an edge of a new cloud, one with a closer target point.

“Don’t worry Fluttershy. Just stay behind me, if you fly behind me it should make it easier. Or at least that’s what my mom always says. It’s a slip something.” She grins cheekily. “You never know... it might just work.”

The weak flyer inwardly groaned. Her friend clearly thought just like the rest, that she is too useless to make it on her own. ‘But she’s right. You are weak. No pony likes a worthless filly.’ A tear slid down the poor pegasus’s face.

The multi-coloured plush ball glanced over at her friend one final time for confirmation but sighed in despair at the incoming waterworks. “Look... If you don’t want to do this, all you have to do is say so... We can try other things too you know. Maybe even something… well, kinda... a little more you?”

Fluttershy’s mind flew into a panic. As much as is it meant to her, hearing that Dash would stop and try a different activity if she accepted the athlete’s offer then it would only make her look even more like a failure than she already is.

“N-no... I...w-want to do this.” The shy pegasus attempted her best at a smile.

An unsure gaze comes her way from those sparkling cerise eyes. “You sure? It would be like... totally cool to have a flying partner, you know. But it’s also ok if you would rather do some together that’s… I dunno… something else, hopefully, cool too?”

“I can’t fly.” A second tear leaked out and the yellow filly sagged.

The admission and accompanying liquid despair tugged on the bold filly’s heartstrings. Dash’s turned away, totally unsure of how to handle the situation. It was not cool to cry. But how to get Fluttershy to not cry? Dash knew her best friend was in fact cool. It was just frustrating seeing the filly’s lack of self-confidence in action. Something of her inner feelings must have escaped, for her next glimpse of the long-limbed filly by her side showed a dam about to burst.

Fluttershy rubbed a hoof at her eyes, trying to rid them of the tears that were escaping. She turned away, ready to run. With a slight shake, she stood. Timid yellow tried to take off into a run to escape the situation but found herself caught.

“Hey! Don’t go.” Dash pleaded as she held onto her friend’s yellow barrel. “You just need somepony who is super cool, like me, who believes in you.” A bright grin lit up the day as the rainbow maned pegasus adjusted her contact, turning the tackle into a hug.

Warm fuzzies made everything all better for the cowering filly who melted into the strong, warm hold. They settled for a few moments. The contact calmed the fearful pony’s pulse, restoring her faith that her far superior friend really did care for her. She nuzzled into her strong defender, relishing the new feelings that poured from the contact.

The cheeky filly pulled away a little, a cocky grin upon her face. She licked the shy pony on the muzzle, unhastily, content to let this moment at least, hold.

As the warm tongue brushed against her yellow muzzle, it washed away residue fears and the youngster began to calm down. Fluttershy slowly gathered herself up, standing tall and confident beside her friend.

“Thank you Rainbow.” Fluttershy offered a nuzzle, sweeting the close moment.

“You’re welcome Fluttershy. I just hope you feel better.” A nonplussed cyan filly gently shoved her overly affectionate companion off. “Ready?”

“Um…”

“Or do you wanna do something else?”

“Can we-“ Fluttershy faltered. “Do uh-“

“Something else?” Dash offered deadpan.

A yellow chin bobbed up and down hastily.

Light blue shoulders shrugged then the energetic filly relaxed. “That’s cool. What does Fluttershy want to do?”

The duo heard incoming sounds of older pegasi and Dash jerked upright. “Time to go!”

Yellow wings locked up in fear and Fluttershy found herself unable to stand.

“Come on Fluttershy!” Blue hooves pressed into the frozen side of her companion.

Terrified by the prospect of being found out by the older school ponies, Fluttershy ordered her body to move, yet she remained locked in position. Her rear skidded forward as Dash shunted her slowly along.

“Come- on..!”

As the first older foals touched down nearby, Fluttershy's body, at last, decided to obey her mind and she leapt into action.

Rainbow Dash rocketed forward and face planted into soft cloud. Surprised at the sudden movement it took a moment for her to register what exactly happened. Wings blazed as she rose once more then sped forward. The couple dashed off, eager to escape the questioning glances of the older peagsi.

Fluttershy sighed with relief as she burst back into the younger foals zone. She collapsed against the cloud wall that hid the older foals courses from view and allowed her lungs to go into overdrive as she panted. “Please- don’t… again.”

Dash sunk down at her friend’s side with a grin. “Awww, but that was fun…”

Fluttershy shook her head. Her best friend was crazy!

It was the end to another day at school at Cloudsdale Central. Young pegasi barreled out of their classes in the afternoon rush to head home. The soft beat of wings above was drowned out by chatter of the students. The main courtyard filled with fillies and colts passing through on their way out. Rainbow Dash was one such youngster who bounded out of the hallway and into the afternoon sunlight. “Come on Fluttershy! I can see the gate, home time here we come!”

“Wait for me Dash!” Fluttershy cried as she hurried to keep up with her speedy companion.

Rainbow Dash rushed out of the gateway and onto the road outside school. She scanned for signs of her mother. Red eyes failed to spot either desired mother and quickly began to wander in search of something to fill her time.

“Hey Fluttershy, let’s go play in that alleyway behind the bakery!”

“Oh,” the lanky yellow filly tried to spot her mother. “Uh... I think I’ll just wait here for mom.”

“What?” Why?” Dash stared at her friend as though the taller filly were crazy. “I bet our moms are like... five minutes away. That gives us five minutes of fun!” A blue hoof reached out and tugged at a skinny yellow foreleg.

Fluttershy gave one last look to the skies then sighed. “Um... okay.”

“Great!” Dash bounded past the stream of students who were headed into the bakery.

Two young fillies bounded around a corner to find two colts they really didn’t need to meet.

“What are you punks doing out here?” Dash asks aggressively as she slowly advanced upon the duo who looked like they were in the middle of something suspicious.

“We could ask you two losers the same thing, Rainbow Crash. Bakery is out front. Back here is for cool colts only.” Dumb-bell shot back as slipped several apples behind a trash can.

“What about fillies?” The proud youngster challenged, her eyes on the lead colt.

“What about them?” Hoops casually asked as he stuffed a crumpled creme bun into his mouth.

“I’m cool!” Dash announced. She then placed a foreleg confidently around her shrinking companion. “And so is Fluttershy here.”

Both colts burst out laughing.

“Sure she is.” Chunks of pastry flew out of Dumb-bell’s mouth as he continued to laugh. “Fluttercry is the coolest!” Taunted the young colt. He threw the rest of his food at the yellow target in front of him.

Dash growled as she whipped the food off her best friend. "Get lost! Do I need to smash you two again?"

"You didn't smash us you stupid filly," Hoops spits.

The colts began to close in and Dash felt Fluttershy begin to shake.

“Um... uh...” The shy filly managed, her voice powerful like a mouse.

“What if I tell the bakery you were stealing from them?”

“Who says we stole food?” Hoops replied.

Light brown came within pouncing range. With a breathtaking rainbow trail, the bold filly lashed out, bonking Hoops in the muzzle. Dumb-bell jumped in with a cry, assisting his friend.

In a flurry of angry filly, Dash laid into the pair as her friend hid behind a garbage bin. Fluttershy continued to cower until she felt a comforting hoof contacting her coat. She jolted in surprise, relief flooding her system at the sight of her defender.

"See… Told you I would protect you."

Little yellow forehooves envelop the bold guardian who wore fresh injuries. “R-Rainbow...”

“Ssssshhh...” Dash rubbed the tearful filly’s back strongly. “You’re safe. I kicked their flanks.”

“I... I think we should check if our moms are here yet.” Fluttershy suggested softly.

Dash sighed. “Yea... Mom’s gonna kill me though.”

Fluttershy nodded as she led the way back to the road outside school.

As the pair walked in the shade of the alleyway, the shy pegasus turned nervously to her friend. “D-Dash...”

“Yes ‘Shy?” The bold filly turned, facing her friend with an inquisitive look upon her face.

The lanky yellow filly paused and gave her best friend a big hug, careful to not apply unwanted pressure to the sore spots. “I’ll help you with your mom. I think those two might have been stealing from my brother’s bakery.”

“Your brother owns the bakery?”

“Na...” Dash chuckled softly. “But he’s there like... all the time, so I think he should.”

Fluttershy couldn’t help but join in the giggles.

The pair fell into silence at the sight of their parents who were talking at the opposite side of the open gate to school. Fluttershy’s mother was first to spot the duo and nudged the weathermare with a forehoof.

Dash waved nervously at her mother who gave her an unimpressed look in return.

Fluttershy relaxed on her mother’s back as the dark yellow pegasus flew along at a sedate pace.

“Sunshine?”

No response from the filly on top.

“Fluttershy? Honey, what's wrong?”

“I wish... I wish Dash would stop...”

“Fighting?” The deep yellow mare finished her daughter's sentence.

The shy young filly nodded into her mother's back.

“That is up to her. I worry that she might be a bad influence on you.”

“She’s nice...” The defence of the bold came out quiet, barely audible above the beating of the older mare’s wings. “I really like her.”

“You think she’s special?”

The small pegasus nodded briskly.

“Then please try and encourage her toward other activities. I can even suggest a few activities for you both to do.”

“Did you ...have any in mind?”

Scarlet Sunset smiled to herself. “Well for one, you could always see if she’s interested in a good book. I’m sure someone such as herself must have a very active imagination. You could even invite her around one day.”

“I think that would be nice...” Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile. Both of those activities sounded great. It made Fluttershy wonder if her mother could offer more useful ideas on what to do with Dash.

Though the busy Cloudsdale streets a young rainbow maned filly walked alongside a greyish-blue mare. The older pegasus gave her two toned light red and orange mane a flick as she glanced at her daughter.

Rainbow Dash had her gaze locked on the clouds underhoof. It was as though she found the cloudstuff they trod on highly interesting all of a sudden. The filly already had a solid black eye coming on and small marks on her right shoulder, forelegs and barrel. Gust was sure her daughter had given it back in equal measure, but that did not excuse violence.

“I thought you told me you would stop getting into fights.” Gust sighed.

“Yes, okay... it was dumb-”

“Your mother is taking, sweetie.”

“But-”

“No buts. You will listen to what I have to say.” A light red eye settled on the sheepish foal who scuffed the clouds underhoof.

Dash fell into obedient silence as she walked alongside her mother.

Pegasi flew overhead in all directions as they went about their afternoons. Around them on the clouds walked the occasional family or chilled out pegasus. Several stared at the beat-up filly as they passed, but none offered any words.

At last the grey, blue mare spoke up once more: “Do you know how many ponies have passed us by in the last five minutes?”

Dash glanced up at her mother, lost as to where the question had come from.

“Several hundred. How many do you think go around, picking fights with other ponies?”

“Uh... some of them?” Dash offered.

Gust shook her head. “More than likely, none. Unless you count drunken parties after hours.”

Dash huffed as images of her own father came to mind. “What, like dad?”

“Do you want to grow up like your father? I recently had to talk to his boss at the rainbow factory down from firing him.”

“What? Why would they kick dad out? I thought he was one of the best there? Like one of the bosses or something.”

“He beat up one of the stallions in the refinery. He did so because apparently the poor stallion had been behind in his work and was rude to your father.”

“Dad beat somepony up for being rude?” The young speedster had a bad feeling creep over her. Hadn't she just attacked two colts for being rude?

“I will take a guess and say you got into a fight because the other foal was rude to you or Fluttershy.”

“But Hoops and Dumb-bell were also stealing from Soarin’s favourite bakery! I just know they were!”

“Then you report it. You do not take the law into your own hooves.” Gust chastened her daughter. “If your father gets violent at work one more time, I will not be able to make an intercession for him and he may even find himself on the street. I will give you one more chance too.”

The pair walked in silence for a few moments as Dash build up the courage to continue the uncomfortable conversation. Her dad on the street? Mom would throw dad out? How was that even possible? But what about her own little... fights. “Uh... what happens if I do ...accidentally get into another fight, mom?”

The mare shot her daughter a guarded look. Her gaze settled on the street up ahead that led to their own corner of town. She sighed. “I am considering something along the lines of removing all your Wonderbolts posters and imposing a strict curfew after school hours.”

“Hey, you can’t take my posters! And after school is when I go to my high cloud and do flying stuff!”

“I will take two of your posters off you when we arrive home.” Gust stated.

“Mom!” Dash wined as though in physical pain over the loss of her precious posters.   

The greyish-blue mare gave her daughter another hard look. “I mean it. One for each fight you have recently been in. And don’t make me remember back to before your party.”

Dash cowered under her mother’s gaze. “Okay...”

“If you are good for a week, I will give one back. If you are good for the rest of the school term, I’ll give you the other one back.”

“Yes, mom...” Dash’s gaze was fixed on her forehooves as she began to lag behind her mother.

Chapter 8: New Chances

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“So... What does big Miss awesome want to do?” Rainbow Dash asked as the pair walked down the school corridors side by side. Other foals pushed past on their way outside to enjoy lunch. While usually one to rush ahead, the filly with two missing posters at home, was in no hurry to go anywhere.

“M-Me? But...Rainbow...you’re the awesome one...” Fluttershy replied, wide-eyed.

“Says you. I’m the stupid filly who just got my flank torn up by a bunch of meanies... then mom took two Wonderbolts posters off me and threatened me with no flying time after school if I keep being naughty.” Dash sulked.

“O-okay... My mom has never had to be mean to me like that.”

“What do you mean, had to? Of course she will never have to... you’re too nice! It’s not fair!”

“I... I think your mom might be right though. You do need to stop fighting.”

“Yea... I know...” Dash fluffed her wings and kicked at the solid cloud wall. “But she doesn’t have to be mean about it... This sucks!”

The pair walked on a few steps while Fluttershy tried to come up with what to say next.

All of a sudden Rainbow Dash stopped. "Look, I dragged you along to the big ponies course at lunch yesterday. How about we do something else today? It’s your turn to decide what we are going to do."

"Um…" Fluttershy considered her mother’s words from yesterday. Surprise at her friend’s words slowly diminished, replaced with a hopeful opportunity to try something of her own. Maybe now was a good time to introduce her best friend to her hobby of reading? But was it okay to take advantage of her friend like this?

"So, what do you normally do Fluttershy?" A rainbow mane flicked to the side as its owner cocked her head inquisitively.

"Well, uh... before you came to school... I used to go to the library each lunchtime. I… um… like to ...read…"

Unbelief flickered across the speedster’s face. "You're an egghead?"

At that, Fluttershy’s teal eyes began to glisten. ‘Now I’m never going to be cool to her! She won’t want to play with me anymore, she’s going to call me names and think I’m- I’m-’

Alarm bells went off inside the speedster at the incoming waterworks. She realized how poorly thought though her reply was. "I’m sorry, Fluttershy! Please forget I said that. If you like reading that’s okay! I mean, I don’t read and I think it’s lame, but I guess if you like it... eh, I don’t care. But I’m sorry. Forget I said that."

With a quick glance around to ensure they were the only ponies currently in the hallway, Dash held out her forehooves. “Come here.” Blue forelegs extended in a loose offering for a hug. Fluttershy lit up and wholeheartedly embraced her friend.

“So, uh... no tears?” The cyan head pulled away to allow for an unobstructed view upon the cute yellow filly in her grasp.

A sunny yellow chin bobbed up and down. Fluttershy settled back into the previously offered contact with her friend, content to simply cuddle with her injured protector.

“Thank you, Rainbow...” The pink-maned filly whispered sweetly.

“Hay... it’s no problem. So...” Rainbow Dash was almost bouncing up and down with eager anticipation despite the hold upon her. “What do you want to do?”

Fluttershy bit her lip. She was happy here, in Dash’s forelegs. All warm and cozy and safe. But she knew it’s probably the last thing on Dash’s mind. She could feel her friend twitch, eager for action. She sighed, maybe there was a middle ground somewhere? She thought for a few moments.

“Let’s um... do you like picture books? Colouring books? Drawing?” Fluttershy asked quietly, afraid that there was a no incoming.

Outright confusion covered the bold filly’s face as she withdrew from their cuddle. This was not what she expected to hear. Maybe something cute and cuddly? At the same time, she had been hoping for something that could involve running around, being active.

But this? Light red eyes stared at her friend, blankly. “Uh.. sure? Okay.” ‘Why brain? I don’t want to do that... it’s boring...’

Fluttershy caught on and sighed. “Nevermind. I’ll think of something else, it’s okay.” ‘Oh dear...do we really not like doing the same things?’

“I was thinking... flying? Or playfighting? I guess those are more me? Look, if reading is well... you... then as your best friend, Rainbow Dash, ...I think we should do it.”

“A-are you sure?” The shy filly’s voice shrank in size as did too.

“Yes! Now come on. Standing around here is getting boring.” The spectrum rushed past Fluttershy’s vision as the cool pegasus checks her surrounds once more. “Just don’t let anypony else find out about this.”

As much as Fluttershy felt a little put off by her friend’s attitude toward her liking of reading, she was thankful that the young athlete was at least willing to give it a go. “Rainbow, you know I won’t tell anypony. Who am I going to tell?”

Rainbow Dash didn’t say anything as she took off down the hallway toward the teachers' lounge.

“Wait! Rainbow Dash, the library is that way!” Fluttershy pointed out toward the playground.

The speedster zipped back to her friend. “But that’s the playground. Whats this way?” She motioned back toward the hallway she had rushed down.

“The teachers only place. Only big ponies are allowed in there.”

“Huh... sounds boring. Lead the way to this library then Fluttershy.”

With a shy smile, the lanky filly did as she was bidden and took point.

The quiet school library had about a score of foals lounging around, reading books, doing puzzles and relaxing. Two fillies wandered the shelves at the back where the chapter books resided. Eight more large shelves filled in the central room with a variety of short stories and picture books. Those playing with puzzles sat in the large open corner near the door. The librarian proceeded over those in his domain with a book in one hoof and a light smile on his face. With a thump, the door shot open and a multicoloured fuzz ball rushed in.

Dash threw a look behind her at her rather more relaxed companion. “Did anypony see?”

“Ssssh! Rainbow Dash, keep your voice down. Libraries are quiet places!” Fluttershy reprimanded as she walked slowly through the open door.

“Oh...” Light pink eyes scanned the otherwise quiet room. It was quiet in here. Too quiet...

With a swish of a pink tail, Fluttershy led the way toward a section of picture books.

“I hope no pony saw...” Dash complained quietly.

“See what?” Fluttershy asked quietly.

“Me. Enter ...this place.”

Fluttershy hung her head as she settled down next to a display with the most recent addition of picture books. It felt pointless to answer her friend. Maybe she could interest her in a good book?

The shy filly reached up and picked out a good picture book that she had read a few weeks ago. “Here, this one is good...”   Rainbow Dash quietly accepted the offering and placed it between her forelegs.

Fluttershy was quick to hoof out one of the books that looked new; The Wonky Donkey. She chuckled to herself at the silly donkey on the cover. If the name of the author was to be believed, it looked as though the author was a donkey too. They looked like interesting creatures. With a growing smile, Fluttershy opened up the book and began to read.

Rainbow Dash paged slowly through her book, her eyes on the pictures. It looked like a family of ponies going on a picnic. So what? A sigh escaped.

A yellow ear flicked. A green eye spotted the expression on the light blue muzzle beside her. The smile on her own face slipped away as Fluttershy realized her friend was not enjoying herself too. How could she possibly enjoy herself if Rainbow Dash was not having a fun time too? “What’s wrong? Do you not like the story?”

Rainbow Dash gazed up at her friend then back down at the picture book in her forehooves. After several painful seconds, she sighed again. “The pictures are fine I guess... It’s the words.”

“What about them?” Fluttershy asked softly.

“I-” The confession caught in the speedster’s mouth. “I...”

“It- It’s okay if you don’t want to read with me. I’m sure there are plenty of ponies you could play with outside.” The offer hurt, but Fluttershy felt as though it had to be made. After all, it was not fair if she kept Rainbow Dash inside against her will.

“No... it’s not that. Well- it is... But-” The duo caught the school librarian looking their way. Rainbow Dash dropped her voice to the faintest whisper and leaned into her best friend’s soft side. “I... Kinda- maybe... can’t really ...uh, read. No pony at home ever taught me.”

Fluttershy stared at her companion as though the filly had grown a second head. “But- class...”

“I kinda... copied you. It's not that hard to just draw letters... But words... well, they're- kinda hard to read when there's lots of them.” A sheepish grin covered the light blue filly’s muzzle as her admission slipped out in the quiet of the library.

“Oh... But I saw you write. You seemed okay...”  

“Yea, I can make shapes on the page and draw my own name and stuff. So what?” Dash poked her tongue out in response.

“I can try and teach you?” Fluttershy offered. “My mom reads to me. I’m sure if I read to you too while you follow the words you will pick it up as fast as you’re learning flying.”

Dash scoffed. There was no way she could pick up reading that fast. They were nothing alike.

Fluttershy apprehensively eyed her companion. It looked like her best friend was about to turn down her offer.

A grin ripped across Dash’s face as a thought struck. “Only if you let me try and teach you how to fly.”

“Okay.” Quick to respond, Fluttershy nodded. There was no need to second guess her decision. It sounded perfect. “How about I borrow a few books and we find a quiet place to read them where other foals won’t disturb us?”

“Okay.”

Fluttershy picked up a selection of picture books and hurried over to the librarian.

Dash slowly rose then headed right for the door. This was sure to be a very slow lunch.

Dash loudly laughed as her friend closed the cover of the book titled ‘The Wonky Donkey.’ “I didn’t know books could be that silly!”

“Oh, well, books can be all kinds of things. Some are funny, some are sad, some are about adventures that ponies go on... I like ones with cute animals. Do you... want to read another one together?”

“Can we read some more later? Hey, what’s your home like? Is it nice?”

“Well...” Fluttershy tentatively began, aware that Rainbow Dash was most likely changing the topic to avoid another book. Surely a third would not be that bad? “I live with my mom and dad and little brother.”

A wide-eyed blue filly regarded her friend with surprise. “You have a brother!? Is he cool like mine?”

Fluttershy chuckled softly. “Well, he is kind of small and I don’t want to be mean but he’s ...a little annoying. But he’s my little brother and he can be the sweetest thing in the world when he want’s to be.” The shy pegasus noticed the slightly put off expression on her friend’s face and resumed her description of her family home. “It’s a nice big cloud home. My dad has a lot of very nice art from all over Equestria. As long as you look but don’t touch, I’m sure he would even let you take a look. I have a nice room. Um... My brother’s room is next to mine and we also have a room just for playing, it has a lot of good toys. We have a balcony, it has a pretty nice view... It’s really nice to sit out there for dinner or breakfast, watch the sunset, or just watch the stars...” Fluttershy murmured dreamily. A little daydream popped into her mind, in which she and Rainbow shared the balcony together, snuggling and whispering to each other. In her mind, they were both bigger and older. It was perfect...

“Stars... who would want to sit and look at those boring things. It’s not like they race around the sky or anything cool...” Rainbow Dash scoffed, not realizing her friend’s fantasy.

The timid filly’s daydream shattered abruptly at her friend’s admission. There was a silent pause. Several moments of sadness passed until she found a warm body push up against her own. When Fluttershy opened her eyes, she beheld two light red eyes looking back at her, almost nose-to-nose.

“Hi...” The cyan filly grinned cheekily. Dash quickly licked her friend’s nose then withdrew.

Fluttershy beamed, suddenly filled with giggles. “Hello, Rainbow...”

The bell rang and Fluttershy was quick to pack the books into the bag the librarian had lent her. “I’ll give these back tomorrow.”

“Okay, class?” Dash stood, ready to rush off.

Fluttershy nodded and followed after her friend as the speedy filly took off.

Dash felt her companion trail her unhurriedly. The bold filly stopped to allow her friend to catch up. Just as she was about to turn around to seek her shy companion out, Dash found herself rear ended by an unobservant yellow filly.

"S-sorry. I-"

"It's okay Fluttershy. You can stop with the whole saying sorry thing already, it’s getting old. I'm the one who stopped anyway."

"Okay. Sorry..."

Rainbow poorly resisted the urge to facehoof. "Look, I just wanted to wait for you to catch up. You don't have to walk behind me the whole time, that's just weird. You’re my friend."

"Oh. I didn't mean to. I'm just… shy I guess."

A smile broke out across the bold filly’s muzzle. “Yea? I think I might've noticed. It's cute." Fluttershy blushed at the compliment, "but please try and stand up for yourself a little more. I don't want to you be just following me like kind of shadow all the time. I'm the super cool Rainbow Dash and you... are my uh... my almost as-cool-as-me best friend, Fluttershy."

The shy filly matched her friend’s smile. It felt nice to be considered so highly by another pony.

Dash strutted off, pleased with herself. However, she did glance over her shoulder to ensure her follower was at her side this time.

A large group of young pegasi sat in a special area of the playground at Cloudsdale Central school. They were composed of one of the classes of year one foals. Not only was this area for the students year four and up, but it also contained a section filled with a lot of white puffs. These clouds were all either safe rejects from the rainbow factory or retired from the schools many flight courses. While unusual to see younger ponies in this area of the school, this group was accompanied by their teacher who strode around the smattering of fillies and colts. The students were enjoying their first lesson on the art of cloud shaping. Everything from food items and feathers right through to shapes such as balls were being shaped by unskilled young hooves. Realistically, most of the creations looked more like odd puffs of cloud with a lot of hoof marks in them. Mrs Breeze frequently stopped to inspect her students work. She also stopped and offered constructive advice along with a guiding hoof to most of the foals she passed.

The teacher paused at the cross eyed filly’s cloud with a smile. “Very good Derpy! Is that a ...cupcake?”

“Yes!” The grey filly grinned up at her teacher.

Not far from where Derpy sat Dash glanced up from her own work to admire the simple food item. Despite a few hoof marks, her teacher was right. It did look like a cupcake. She glanced down at her own creation and groaned softly. It was supposed to be a cool Wonderbolt in flight. The magic her own hooves had wrought was something that looked ...anything but. Cloud shaping was a whole lot harder when mom wasn’t around to help...
Well... Maybe do most of the work? Whatever... Rainbow Dash was sure it should not be this hard.

Dash pounded her puffy failure into pile of cloudstuff, ready to start over. “Hey Flutters what are you building?”

“It’s a butterfly! What do you think?” Fluttershy explained cheerfully as she motioned to her own creation.

The butterfly was oddly disproportionate, with one wing longer than the other. Its middle was a very simple long round body with plenty of pockmarks in it from where the artist had worked to shape it.

“Oh... At least it has wings. It’s cool. Kinda suits you.” Dash smiled sincerely.

Fluttershy’s happy smile faltered. “...You don’t like it, do you?”

Dash scowled back as she took the few steps required to come into contact with her best friend. “Stop being such a downer, Fluttershy. Of course your pal likes it.” A cyan hoof booped the yellow snoot, causing the shy filly’s smile to return.

“Thank you, Rainbow! Yay!” As Fluttershy reached out to hug her friend she accidentally clipped her creation’s larger wing. The construct poofed out and little whisps of cloud floated down to merge slowly with the rest underneath.

Two sad fillies watched the spectacle. “Awww...” Fluttershy bemoaned.

“Still looks better than mine,” Dash commented sourly.

“You-” Fluttershy glanced at where her friend’s creation had stood. “I thought you had made something?”

“Yea, but it sucked...” Dash gave a hoof stomp.

“D-” Fluttershy stuttered. “Do you want to, uh... try it together?”

Dash glanced at what the others were doing. Some foals continued to struggle with the soft, poofy creations by themselves. Derpy was one of the few seeing success. She had just started on her second cloud creation. Yep, it was time for teamwork.

With a glance at the teacher to ensure that it was okay, the speedster settled in close beside her best friend. “So, what can I do to help?”

“Um...” Fluttershy thought for a moment. “How about we try to make something new together.”

“Okay, what do you wanna make?”

“What do you want to make?” Fluttershy quietly asked.

A light blue hoof ruffled a multicoloured mane. “I’m asking you Fluttershy.”

“But I want to make whatever you want to make.”

Dash groaned softly. “How about... Something for your butterfly to sit on?”

“Okay,” the shy filly softly agreed.

A cyan hoof grabbed a rough block of cloud and placed it carefully down in front of her friend. A little tongue poked out in effort as Dash laboured alongside her gangly companion. They worked the clouds quickly into a rough cloudy branch.

“There, perfect!” Dash grinned as she stepped back to admire her handiwork.

Fluttershy giggled softly. “Just let me fix my butterflies wing.”

“Right.”

It was the end of another day of hard learning. Fillies and colts rushed out of the large school gate. Most of the younger ones were greeted by waiting parents.

Two such parents stood, side by side as their fillies ran to greet them.

“Hi, mom!” Dash greeted.

Fluttershy’s greeting to her own mother was lost to the loud noises from those around them. The gangly yellow filly leapt into her mother’s waiting hooves.

A grey-blue hoof ruffled rainbow mane as Dash reached her own mother. “Have you been causing any trouble today, young filly?”

“Nope!” Dash grinned back. “Fluttershy and I did make a butterfly on a branch in cloud shaping classes though.”

“How big was it?” Gust posed the question to the small yellow pegasus as she emerged from her mothers forehooves.

“Uh...” Fluttershy held out her forehooves to indicate the size of her butterfly. “About this big, I think...”

Dash scoffed as she hurried over to her friend’s side. “Na, it was more like-” A blue hoof shot out and hovered three hooves further out from her friend’s own. “This big!”

“Dash-” the shy filly started.

“Yea, it totally was. Fluttershy made the butterfly while I was working on my own thing then we made the branch together.”

“And what were you making.”

“A-” Dash paused in thought, “a something. It didn’t work. I might... uh- need more lessons from you too mom...” Dash trailed off.

“What was that?” The greyish-blue mare smiled as she leant in toward her daughter.

“I said- can you teach me some more about making cool looking stuff with clouds. Oh! And Fluttershy too! She totally has a hoof for it!”

“I- I do not...”

“Pffft!” Dash scoffed.

“No need to be so modest dear,” Scarlet Sunset gave her shy filly a loose hug. “I’m sure if Rainbow Dash says your good, you could be the most amazing cloud shaper this city has ever seen.”

Rainbow Dash found herself boosted half off the cloudstuff as her best friend found refuge.

Both mothers couldn't help but smile at the cute scene of Fluttershy trying and somewhat succeeding to hide using her shorter blue buddy.

“Come, let’s get going.” Gust motioned.

At the weathermare’s bidding, the group set off down the central street that led away from the school. They passed businesses of all kinds and plenty of other ponies, either on the wing or walking casually along.

“So...” Scarlet Sunset started. “Did you ask your friend anything today?”

Fluttershy caught her mother's unsubtle hint, “yes.”

“Fluttershy’s helping teach me to read. In return, I’m gonna help her fly!” Rainbow Dash proudly proclaimed.

“Oh really?” Gust shared a glance with the deep sunny mare who walked on the other side of the two fillies.

“That sounds like a fair trade.” The deep yellow mare commented softly. “Anything else?”

“Um...”

Scarlet Sunset smiled lightly, she knew her daughter well enough to know where this response was going. “I talked with Gust.”

The more charismatic weathermare took over, “and I think it’s a great idea. So my little girl is now invited to visit her new friend’s house this weekend.”

“Wait really?” A rainbow mane flicked from side to side as her gaze shot from parent to parent.

“Yay!” Fluttershy quietly exclaimed.

“Really really,” Scarlet Sunset softly replied with a smile. “I’ll even pick you up and drop you home if you like.”

The young speedster glanced up at her mother who nodded. “Sure-” A grey-blue wing lightly prodded the excited filly. “I mean, yes. Thank you.” She glanced back at her mom who nodded in confirmation.

“Then I’ll see you Saturday, bright and early.” Scarlet Sunset summarised.

“I’ll come to, mom. I want to see Dash’s house too,” Fluttershy piped up.

“Heh, I bet it’s not as cool as yours.” Rainbow muttered.  

“What was that?” Gust asked cooly.

“Nothing mom!”

“I thought I heard you say something about how cool her home is. You haven’t even been there yet.”

“Fluttershy told me how cool it is,” Dash stated defensively.

A smile crept across the weathered mare’s muzzle. “Then you have a lot to look forward to.”

“It’s uh, been nice talking, but this is where we really must part ways. My husband is expecting us both home soon.” Scarlet Sunset spoke up, her eyes upon the sky beyond.

“This is going to be super cool!” The bold pegasus called out as she gave her best friend a parting hug.

Fluttershy briefly returned it then accepted a boost onto her mother’s back. The dark yellow pegasus took off into the afternoon skies with several good flaps and away the duo flew.

“Looks like your dad was right Dash... You have found a good friend.” Gust smiled.

“Yea, Fluttershy’s cool.” The youngster eagerly agreed.

“Want a ride the rest of the way home?” Offered Gust.

“Sure!” Dash leapt into her mother’s forelegs and with the beat of two mighty wings, the pair were off.

As the grey-blue weather pony soared through the skies, Gust held her daughter loosely under her tummy. This gave the eager youngster just enough room to use her wings. Dash took the opportunity with gusto, little blue wings buzzed as she pretended to fly. With the wind in her face and the secure hold of her mother to keep her safe, Dash closed her eyes and enjoyed the ride for several long moments.

“One day, I’m gonna fly like you and Soarin!”

The weathermare laughed, “my girl, one day you will fly even faster than I. In fact, I'm sure you could become the fastest pegasus alive.”

A vibrant smile erupted across the young filly’s muzzle like a sonic rainboom. “Yea!”

Chapter 9: Visits From a Cool Filly

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It was a wonderful sunny Saturday in Cloudsdale. All around the city ponies were busy enjoying the spectacular clear weather. All this was lost on one impatient filly who sat in the doorway to her family raincloud home.

“Where are they?” Rainbow Dash rocked back and forth on her hooves as she stared out the open front door.

“I’m sure they are on their way honey.” Gust spoke up from the kitchen.

“Yea, quit the bouncing sis, it makes you look like you’re about to pop or something.” Soarin gave his sister a playful shut as he appeared next to her in the doorway.

The youngster shoved her much older brother back as hard as she could. “You’re worse when your waiting for your girlfriend!”

“She’s not my girlfriend.” Soarin playfully pushed back with a light blue wing.

Dash grinned cheekily up at her brother. “But you want her to be, don’t you?”

“I- no.”

“You’re blushing! See! You love her!” Dash was quick to point out rather loudly.

“No. And shush. I don’t love her, she’s just my best friend.” Soarin was quick to respond as he rubbed at his tinted right cheek. “I just got something on my face, I’ll be right back.”

A smirking filly watched as her brother hurried off. He vanished into the kitchen, presumably headed for the hallway beyond. Gust slipped out of the kitchen and approahced her daughter. The smirking filly did a poor job of wiping the smile off her lips.

“I’m off to work, you can see yourself out when your friend comes, can’t you?” Gust flicked her wings as she strode up to her daughter, ready for flight.

“Yes, mom.”

“Good,” the older mare gave her daughter a quick hug. “Be good and I’ll see you back here before dinner.”

“Okay. Thanks, mom.” Dash settled back onto the front doorstep as her mother made haste into the clear blue sky.

Moments later Soarin returned and sat beside his sister. “See back to normal.”

Dash rolled her eyes. Teenaged ponies were weird.

“Anyway, I’ll see you off and then I’m off to train with Spitfire, Fleetfoot and the others.”

“You should take me and Fluttershy with you one day.”

“Fluttershy and I,” corrected Soarin.

“Soar.” Dash scowled up at her older sibling.

“Yes, little sister?” A light smirk crept across the colt’s muzzle.

“You’re not mom, quit telling me how to talk.” The young filly sulked rather animatedly, her forehooves folded for effect.

The grin became full blown as Soarin enjoyed the show. “But me and Fluttershy is not the right way to say it. If you wanna talk to ponies with a little more class you gotta be able to speak right or they will think your dumb.”

“But why would I wanna talk to a snob?” Dash wrinkled her nose as she stared at her older sibling.

“Well...” The light blue colt trailed thoughtfully off. “Because, they are the kinds of ponies who can help a young group of ponies get seen by the Wonderbolts, or at least by ponies with connections to the Wonderbolts. It’s all about connections out there Dash.”

“Sounds like a really hard, long way of doing it.”

“That's the system.” Soarin nodded.

As Rainbow Dash bemoaned how dumb the system was, a deep sunny yellow mare came into view. The mare rose gracefully over the roofs of some nearby houses. Dash was sure she could spot a lighter speck on her back. “There’s Fluttershy!”

“Where?” Soarin turned his gaze from his sister to the street beyond.

“There!” Dash was quick to point out her best friend.

“I’m pretty sure I told you,” a smirk slid across the colt’s muzzle.

“Told me what?” The little filly shot her brother a stink eye.

“That you would enjoy school once you met that filly. Don’t deny it! I saw how your face lit up there. You see, I know everything.” Soarin waggled his forelegs and wings as if he were creating some kind of voodoo magyk or something.

“No you don’t,” Dash giggled as she playfully pushed her brother.

The russtling of feathers caused the pair to pause their playful banter. It was at that point the two siblings realised the pegasus who had been in the sky was now standing before them shuffling her wings.

“Good morning, Rainbow Dash,” Scarlet Sunset greeted with a light sunny smile.

“Hi Fluttershy! Hi Mrs. Sunset!” Dash rushed down the steps to meet the new arrivals.

“Y-you live in a raincloud?” Fluttershy quivered as she dismounted her mother.

“Yea, isn’t it cool?” Dash grinned back.

“I guess...” Fluttershy trailed off as she hid behind her mother’s foreleg.

“Hi, I’m Soarin, Rainbow Dash’s big brother.” The colt spoke from his place in the doorway.

“And I’m Fluttershy’s mother, Scarlet Sunset.” The dark yellow mare spoke softly.

“Cool, nice to meet you both.” Soarin reclined against the door frame as though it were some kind of leaning post.

“He’s off to go play with his fillyfriend, Spitfire.” Dash grinned pointedly up at her older brother.

“Hey, she’s not my fillyfriend. Now go have fun at Fluttershy’s house, you little troublemaker.” Soarin shooed his sister toward the sunny mare and her daughter.

“Thanks.” Dash leapt beside her best friend and offered a quick, playful nuzzle in greeting.

The teenaged colt turned and locked the door. With a final goodbye to the trio, he leapt into the skies and was gone.

“I see speed runs in the family.” Scarlet Sunset noted softy.

“Yea, we’re both gonna grow up to be Wonderbolts one day, it’s gonna be super cool!” Exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

“Alright little miss speedster, how about I race you to your local dairy? I need to grab something on the way home.” Scarlet Sunset glanced down either side of the street, unsure which direction led to said dairy.

“Okay! Come on Fluttershy, let’s go!” Rainbow Dash urged as she rushed off down the soft cloud street in the direction of Moe’s Dairy.

“Okay.” The timid young pegasus gave the menacing raincloud house one last glance.

Fluttershy felt a light prod from her mother who motioned in the direction of her receding friend. “Quick, you don’t want her to win too easily now do you?”

“Oh, I guess...” Fluttershy hesitantly agreed then took off with an ever increasing speed toward her rainbow maned friend.

With a delighted smile, Scarlet Sunset joined the two foals, careful to keep pace close behind her daughter who was already trailing the speedy blue fuzzball in the lead.

 Two fillies walked into a bedroom that looked big enough to comfortably house two or three young ponies. The cloud walls were decorated with a variety of colours, swirls and other patterns. The bed was large enough to fit two sisters and on one side of the bed sat a chest of draws with a small photo of Fluttershy with her family.

“And...well, this is my bedroom...” Fluttershy announced as she trotted into her bedroom. The shy filly leaped onto her bed and settled into the large comfortable cloud. “What do you think?”

“It’s so cool!” The bold filly exclaimed loudly as she gazed with awe at the rather large room that her friend somehow had all to herself.

Dash rushed around the room, eager to check everything out. With a delighted shout, Rainbow Dash leapt onto the bed and tacked her friend. The pair tumbled over and over till they came to rest on one of Fluttershy’s two pillows.

“You like it?” Fluttershy asked, more than a little shocked that her cool friend would like something as plain as her bedroom.

“This is the best bedroom ever! Mine’s just a little cloud in the corner with some Wonderbolts posters.” The energetic filly explained as she continued to gaze about the room from where she sat. “How come you get so much space?”

A distraught look overcame Fluttershy’s face as she beheld her best friend. “I’m sorry...”

“What?” Drawn from the surrounds, pink eyes locked with shy cyan irises below. “Don’t be... my house looks all cool and stuff from the outside, but inside, it sucks! Don’t know what dad spends his bits on...”

“W-What? But...Rainbow...that’s not fair!”

Light blue shoulders shrugged the problem off. “It’s nothing. At least you have a cool place. Can you show me more? I really want to see more ‘cause this house gets better and better the more I see!”

“Okay.” Fluttershy agreed.

“Cool!” The eager blue filly leapt up and hurried out of the room.

“One day....” Fluttershy murmured to herself as she headed out into the hallway once more. “...One day... it could be ours...”

“No way! With our awesome cloud shaping skills, I’m sure we can make a place that’s ten times as cool as this!” LIght blue hooves waved wildly around to illustrate the eager multicoloured fuzzball’s point.

“Meep!” Fluttershy squeaked, embarrassed that her quiet comment had been overheard. ‘I thought she would be down the hallway or something. Not in my face!’ “You didn’t hear that! No! I didn’t mean to say it...out loud...um... nevermind! Come on! Bathroom! Yes, bathroom!” Fluttershy scurried off toward the bathroom.

“Okay.” Dash followed her friend. ‘What could be cool about a bathroom?’

‘No...why did she hear me? Why did I have to say that? Oh, now she’s going to think I’m weird!’ Fluttershy entered the bathroom, too embarrassed to look back at her friend. She took a moment to check out her bathroom. Well, a bathroom she and her baby brother shared. The walls had been pigminted with baby blues and pinks. It had a bath tub at the end of the small room that could comfortably fit two of three foals. Next to the bath were some draws and the wash basin, arranged along the right wall leading back to the door. Oposite the wash basin was a toilet with a booster for young ponies so that they could sit comfortably was off to the shy filly’s left.

The Fluttershy’s train of thought was derailed by the entrance of the bold cyan filly who pounced on her with gusto. “Gotcha ‘Shy!” The grinning speedster gave her friend a quick nuzzle.

“Ah! R-Rainbow...? What are you doing?” The timid filly felt as though her muzzle was on fire as embarrassment met with the surprise of such a sweet, unexpected gesture.

“Giving my best friend a surprise. What else?” Dash picked herself up, bright red eyes on the yellow filly that continued to lie on the cloud floor. “You look cute when you’re like that... Now... where’s this awesome bath?”

Fluttershy ducked behind the wall of pink that was her mane. “Um...well, this is my bathroom, actually. The cool bathroom I told you about is in my mommy and daddy’s room. Do you... want to see it?”

“Na... your one looks cool too!” The bold filly bounded around, quick to check out the rest of the bathroom. She poked her nose into every cupboard, nook and cranny she could find.

“Um... Dash?” Fluttershy sat in the middle of the room while her friend continued to look through the bath toys. “Dash?”

The excited light blue filly tore her head out of the toy drawer. “Hey, you got some cool toys in here. We should have a sleepover one day, then I’ll get to play in the bath with you!”

“That sounds nice.” The shy filly’s heart gave a little flutter at the thought her best friend having a sleepover. Oh, all the fun they could have... A wonderful dinner, playtime in the bath, followed by snuggling up together out on the balcony with the stars above. It was-

“Hey, Equestria to Fluttershy?” A blue hoof waved in front of the spaced out filly’s muzzle.

“Eeep!” The gangly filly jumped back a step and fell over in a mix of pink and yellow.

Dash plonked her rear down on the solid cloudy floor as giggles escaped from behind a light blue forehoof. “You’re funny. You know that?”

“Um... Am I?” The shy filly felt her insides churn and her face burn. She allowed her mane to fall across more of her face to hide her embarrassment.

“Yea.” The speedster caught what she thought was a hint of sadness in her friend’s expression and she immediately straightened. “I mean that in a good way, okay?”

Fluttershy picked herself up and slowly nodded.

“So, like I was saying,” Dash turned to face the bath. “I think it would be really cool if we had a sleepover one night at your place. You look like you have lots of bath toys. We could play so many games during bath time, it will be super cool!”

A light smile erupted across the yellow filly’s muzzle. “I think so too.”

“You do?”

“I do,” Fluttershy confirmed with much vigorous nodding.

“Alright! Let's go, where to next?” Dash leapt up, ready for action.

A larger smile overcame Fluttershy’s face as she lead the way down the immaculate hallway, her destination set. “Well, I’ll show you the basement. It’s the toy room. And then after, my favourite place in the house!”

With a confident grin, Dash followed her friend, totally eager to explore. “Any more fun things to find in this house?”

“Um, not really. It’s not a big house or anything, but we do have to be careful in some of the rooms.”

“Why can’t we explore them then?”

Fluttershy shook her head as she carefully trotted down the stairs. While she took each step one at a time, she noted her energetic companion simply took a flying leap and glided effortlessly past her. Her smile vanished as the blue filly clipped the second step from the bottom with a rear hoof. With a yelp, Dash face planted into the hard cloud at the bottom of the steps.

Fluttershy was quick to rush to her friend’s side. “Are you okay!?” She gently eased the pained filly up into a sitting position.

Dash sat there, eyes closed as she fought back tears of pain. There was no way her pride would let her best friend see her cry over something as silly as tripping on the stairs. “Yea, I’ll be fine... Just oww...” 

“Mommy always says, don’t run or fly inside.”

“That’s no fun.”

“But you just hurt yourself?”

“But I won’t next time, okay?”

“Okay,” Fluttershy sighed.

“The playroom is this way?” Dash pointed to the solo door off to the side.

The shy filly nodded. She slowly led the way and opened the door. “This is where my brother and I play.”

Inside the large basement room, there was a collection of clouds to their left, toys to their right and books on the large bookshelf at the end of the room. In the corner between the bookshelf and the toy boxes sat Scarlet Sunset. Between her forehooves played a very young aquamarine colt who looked about two and a half years old. Toys were scattered around the pair. He was currently sucking on a miniature wonderbolt figurine. After an extra long suck, he tore the toy out of his mouth and tossed it as far as he could. The small cloudy blue figure bounced once before it came to rest a few hooves away from the tike.   Rainbow Dash gasped in shock. “Not Slip Stream!”

Scarlet turned toward the source of interruption, her forehoof was half way between picking up the discarded toy and her son. “Glad you two can join us. Would you like to play with Zephyr Breeze?”

“Uh...” Dash took half a step back as she cautiously eyed the tiny colt as though he was some kind of poisonous creatures. “I dunno.”

“We can do.” Fluttershy offered as she approached her small brother.

The light blue filly shot her reserved companion a look. “But I wanted to play with you.”

“Oh... Um...” A yellow hoof pawed at the cloud floor, half way between her family and her friend.

Scarlet Sunset slowly stood then picked up her son along with two toys which he excitedly accepted. “Have fun you two. Come on Zephyr, I think I might make us all lunch.”

“Thanks,” Dash couldn’t help but grin at the prospect of food.

Fluttershy was quick to delve into a box of toys. The box tipped on its side and a variety of plush toys spilled over the explorer. Dash giggled at the wriggling yellow flank and bright pink tail as it swished about. With much wriggling, the lanky filly withdrew from the box and turned to face her friend. The blue speedster didn’t bother silencing her mirth.

“What?” The yellow filly cocked her head to the side, unable to fathom what her friend could be laughing at.

“What do you mean, what?” Dash shot back amidst her light mirth. “You looked funny. All I could see was your butt and tail sticking out going wiggle-wiggle-wiggle.”

The shy filly withdrew ever so slightly behind her mane as her cheeks grew warm. “O-oh...”

“What do you have there?” Dash bounded up and prodded the two plush dolls held in yellow forehooves.

The timid little pegasus lit up. She held out the plush comical pink bunny and its companion, a purple bear. “These are Moshi Snuggle Bunny and Felicia.”

“Where did you get those names from? They sound weird.”

“Oh... I... heard them somewhere. I thought they fitted?”

“Okay!” Dash bounced once. “Mind if I pick a few then we can play?!”

“Sure.” The quiet answer was followed by a quick duck from Fluttershy as Rainbow Dash leapt over her best friend and landed with a silly pose. The gangly filly giggled at her best friend’s antics as Dash dug into the box of plush toys.

Rainbow Dash searched quickly for a toy to play with. She was also quick to discard any who did not look cool.

Fluttershy looked on as plush toys were thrown here there and everywhere over the tiny speedster’s back. She sighed as one landed at her feet. It was probably better to pick them up now rather than wait. Fluttershy began to wander the corner of the playroom. She snagged as many plushies as she could then turned to head back to the box.

“Ah-ha!” Dash exclaimed as she bolted upright, a well-loved soft toy Wonderbolt in her forehooves. The stallion had a rainbow mane with a rich purple-blue coat and was positioned as though in the middle of pulling off aerial stunts. The small blue filly’s eyes shot wide open. “Wait... this looks like dad.”

“Your dad is a Wonderbolt?”

“No. I mean... Yes, he was. But they only make toys of the bestest most coolest Wonderbolts!” Dash exclaimed as she glanced between her friend and a soft toy that was an exceedingly close likeness to her father.

“My daddy seems to think he was pretty good... He was on the main team or ...something.” The soft reply further perked the young speedster’s attention.

“Your dad gave this to you?”

Fluttershy nodded. “I don’t remember when, but I was very young.”

With a flick of her multicoloured mane the smaller pegasus turned back to the toy in her forehooves. “What? Now I wish I was alive when my dad used to do shows...”

“He stopped?”

With a sigh Dash nodded. “Yea... I think mom said he stopped just before I was born or something.”

“Oh... I’m sorry.”

Rainbow Dash gave her companion a strange look. “Uh... why are you sorry?”

  The shy filly scuffed at the soft cloud floor, “oh, um... You know... because you never got to see him at a show.”

Dash gazed at the toy in her forehooves. A sense of longing flooded her system. Sure she had heard some stories about her dad in action. But cool enough to be one of the few Wonderbolts to have a toy made after his likeness? It was hard to picture the drunk stallion who spent so much of his time on the couch as anything close to the cool toy in her forehooves. A ripple of pain was quickly replaced by a more stony outlook. “Oh well... Hey, how about I pretend this is me.”

“A stallion?” Fluttershy eyed her old plush toy.

A giggle escaped the young speedster. “Sure.”

Dash rushed over to the discarded Slip Stream toy. She paused in front of the downed plastic toy. “Uh... can we wash this?”

“Why?” Fluttershy trotted over and spotted the toy her friend was talking about. “Oh, you mean because Zephyr drooled on it?”

Dash nodded, her face scrunched up in obvious disgust. “Yea...”

“Okay.” Fluttershy picked up the toy pegasus then rubbed it on her coat. After a quick once over she offered it to her playmate. “There you go, all clean.”

“Eeeew... now you have colt cooties...”

“He’s just my baby brother...” Fluttershy flushed.

“Can’t we wash it properly?”

Fluttershy sighed and rolled her eyes. “Okay. Follow me.”

With that, the quieter filly led the way back up the stairs and to the bathroom to give the goobered toy a proper wash.

Two young pegasi raced around the expansive playroom. Much laughter and giggles rang out as they ran circles. The occasional soft toy was knocked out of the way of the dashing twosome.

“Keep up super ‘Shy!” Dash cried out as she ran. On her back sat the toy depicting her father from his days as a proud Wonderbolt.

Buzzing with joy at her friend’s words, the yellow filly tossed her soft pink bunny into the air. She leapt up and caught it again only to tumble into the smaller filly. The pair found themselves rolling round and around in a fit of giggles. They slid to a stop, yellow on top of blue.

A giggling filly pile of plush toys and filly lay upon the soft cloud floor of Fluttershy’s playroom. At that moment, they were happy to simply enjoy themselves, together.

“Somepony’s getting excited.” The grinning speedster wriggled around to face the filly on top. She would not admit it, but she was enjoying the close proximity as well as her companion’s boldness.

“Well... you do that to me sometimes.” Fluttershy nuzzled her friend.

“He, he... yea.” Dash quickly extracted herself from her friend. The speedy youngster raced over to the box of toys and quickly picked out a selection of colourful creatures. She tossed a purple, red and white phoenix to the yellow filly. “Here Fluttershy! Let’s try these!”

The bright yellow filly slowly stood. “Okay?”

“Shy!” The tiny voice caused the duo to spin around and face the doorway. “Food!”

“You mean it’s lunch, already?”

The tiny colt nodded briskly.

“Okay.” Fluttershy made her way over to her little brother. “Would you like a ride back to the table?”

The foal nodded.

“Okay, Rainbow Dash, help him up.” Fluttershy knelt and awkwardly began to assist her brother on to her back.

With much trepidation, Rainbow Dash assisted the tiny pegasus on to his big sister’s back. “How’s that?”

“He feels fine up there.” The lanky yellow filly replied as she rose slowly.

“You sure you can carry him all the way?” Dash asked as she stood, her gaze on the baby who stared back with wide eyes.

“Keep an eye on him, I’m sure he will be okay.”

“Uh... sure...” Dash followed her friend as the young pegasus began to carefully make her way upstairs. The small colt on her back continued to gaze at Rainbow Dash with an incredibly awed expression. It almost made Dash want to look away. ‘Why is he looking at me like that?’ “Uh... Fluttershy..?”

“Yes?”

“Your brother’s giving me a really weird look.”

The filly in the lead giggled softly. “I think he likes you.”

“Greaaat...” Dash rolled her eyes.

The spacious kitchen that Rainbow Dash found herself in had a large dinner table in the middle of the room. She sat facing the kitchen bench where the cooker, chiller and countertop were. Scarlet Sunset turned from kitchen bench to face the foals at the table. She carried plates filled with a colourful array of fruits and vegetables over then placed them down in front of the three little pegasi. She then placed a glass of apple juice before each of the youngsters. “Enjoy.” The mother of two turned and collected a plate each for herself and incoming husband to enjoy.

The two and a half year old Zephyr Breeze dug in with gusto, seemingly content in his own world. To his right sat Rainbow Dash who looked about as excited as he was to see the meal.

“Thanks, Mis Sunset!” The eager cyan speedster mowed into her meal as though she had not eaten in days.

“Rainbow! Slow down!” Fluttershy squeaks from her place on the other side of her best friend, afraid of what her mother might think.

Between the look of mild shock on the sunny mare’s face and her friend’s own horror, Rainbow forced herself to slow down to a more public friendly speed.

“I see somepony likes their food.” Scarlet Sunset commented softly. “I’m not sure if I should be scolding you for your lack of table manners or feel encouraged by your enjoyment of my meal.”

“Heh... sorry...” Dash sank down a bit. “It tastes really nice Mrs. Sunset!”

“There you two girls are...” The deep voice of a stallion reached their ears as a middle aged pale green stallion with a light autumn red mane entered the room and proudly took the seat beside his wife.

“Daddy!” Fluttershy smiled brightly at her father. “Daddy, this is Rainbow Dash! My best friend!”

“It’s nice to meet this friend I’ve heard so much about.” The turned his stern gaze upon the blue filly, a slight smile upon his lips. “My name is Autumn Sunset, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You too mister.”

The stallion raised an eyebrow at the cheeky reply. Upon seeing the young filly tuck back into her meal he shrugged and began eating.

Despite the rich fruity flavours, Fluttershy couldn’t help but sigh. ‘Oh, what am I going to do with her? ….I guess, she’s just being the same old Rainbow Dash I know and love...’

The pale green stallion paused his eating. He carefully dabbed a cloth to his mouth and once cleaned he turned to his wife. “Say. This a delightful salad dear, thank you.”

“You’re most welcome. I’m glad everypony is enjoying it.”

The head of the house took one more bite of his meal before he paused once more to stare at his daughter’s friend. “Say, you don’t happen to be related to a stallion I know? Tall, he has a sort of muted purple going on blue coat... Rainbow mane?”

“Woat, ma-mptf dad?” Dash managed around a mouth full. She noticed the disdainful look upon the stallion’s face. The speedster quickly chewed, swallowed then grinned innocently up at the adult.

“You sure seem like you might be related to Blaze.” Autumn Sunset commented before he took another bite of his meal.

“Oh yea, he’s my dad.” A yellow hoof poked the blue filly’s side.

Dash turned to her friend. “What?”

Fluttershy withdrew shyly. “Um... maybe you could please try and maybe... finish chewing before you talk. If that’s okay with you.”

Dash snorted. “Of course it’s okay,” she turned to face the stallion who appeared to be quietly judging her. “Oh, right. Uh, sorry about speaking with my mouth full and stuff.”

“Thank you. I would appreciate it if you withhold yourself from doing it again, goodness knows, your father does that enough at work.”

“You work with my dad?”

“Sure do,” Autumn Sunset nodded. “I’m in charge of the finances and he runs the factory floor. I also used to enjoy the Wonderbolt shows while he was among their ranks.”

Dash’s head span. This was huge. Not only did her best friend’s dad know her dad, but he used to go to all his shows. Were they friends or something? “Were you-”

“Da!” The tiny colt cried out as he threw an apple slice at his father.

The pale green stallion blinked a few times as the slice slowly slid down his face then landed with a plop in his bowel. “Son...” He picked the slice up, reached over the table and held the morsel out for the foal to take. “Eat it.”

Zephyr jumped up and down excitedly in his high seat and smacked the apple slice off his father’s outstretched hoof. The small piece of fruit sailed over and landed in the bowel of the pegasus next to him; Rainbow Dash.

With a cry, the little filly lurched up and flicked away the unwanted addition to her plate. Several other items of fruit scattered across the table too. “Ewww, I don’t want that!”

At the eruption of sound, the two and a half year old Zephyr began to cry.

Rainbow Dash cringed.

The wails rapidly quickly grew in volume. Scarlet Sunset wasted no time in hurrying around the table to comfort her son. She picked him up in her right forehoof and held him close. The deep yellow pegasus began to coo softly and whisper to her precious little boy.

“Uh... gotta go...” Dash took a big gulp of her drink then vacated the area as though chased by hungry timber wolves.

Fluttershy sighed. At least she was confident that she could find the silly young pegasus. After sharing a concerned look with her father she continued her meal, her eyes upon the mess her best friend had just made.

Fluttershy entered the playroom with trepidation. She was quick to spot her best friend. The light blue filly carefully threw the light purple wonderbolt toy across the room in a clear attempt at making it simulate flight. It landed with a bounce against the wall that housed various clouds up above foal reach.

“Hi, Dash.”

The young speedster jumped slightly but was quick to reign in her surprise. “Hey... sorry about running out and all. Your brother cries so loudly.”

Fluttershy nodded, “oh I agree. I think it's amazing how much noise one tiny colt can make.”

  “Yea,” a slight laugh escaped the light blue filly as she picked up the toy modelled on her dad.

“Do you want to see the balcony?” Fluttershy offered.

“Sure... why not?” Dash went to throw the toy back at the box it came from but paused. She looked carefully at the proud, worn toy. Its wings were out in imaginary flight, hooves outreached as though about to perform an incredible stunt. After a long moment’s contemplation she cantered over the box, carefully placed the toy inside then raced over to her best friend. “Now?”

Fluttershy nodded, unsure what had just happened. Never the less she was glad that her friend had decided to neatly put away one of the toys. She led her companion upstairs, through the kitchen were Scarlet Sunset was busy cleaning up. They came to a stop in front of a massive door that appeared to face the afternoon sun. This clearly lead to the balcony. Fluttershy stood on her hind legs and with a grunt managed to force the heavy door to move.

 A grin appeared on the blue filly’s muzzle as she stepped out alongside her best friend and strode up to the railing. “This ... is... like... super cool! You can see all of city!”

“Yep.” Fluttershy agreed as she took her place next to her friend.

 Beyond the two fillies lay the grand view of mid Cloudsdale Central. Homes and businesses, all made out of various grades of cloud stretched out toward the horizon. In the center of town, the supports that connected the upper, mid and lower central city were large and indomitable as they stretched up into the sky. A constant flow of pegasi flew up and down between the three major levels. Both flight paths and roads all around the central city were full of activity as pegasi of all hues and colours went about their business. Further, into the horizon, majestic mountains and rolling hills stood, adding to the beauty and charm of the landscape.

Fluttershy sighed dreamily as she enjoyed the dramatic view. A breeze caused their mane to flutter about wildly and she giggled as rainbow sparkles filled her vision. She relaxed into a seated position and her eyes came to rest on the energetic ball of fuzz that continued to lean on the railing.

After many long moments of drinking in the view, Rainbow Dash decided to relax a bit. She sat down next to her friend and was startled by how quickly the yellow filly leaned against her. Her immediate desire was to shove the silly filly aside. This was her personal space. But as the warm lanky filly continued to snuggle up against her side, Rainbow Dash found an overwhelming desire to lean back.

Fluttershy glanced at the prismatic speedster in surprise as she found her cuddle reciprocated. Surprise melted into pleasure and she closed her eyes in bliss. The daydream from once before returned to her. Both she and Rainbow Dash are grown up mares. Together they sat snuggled up on this same balcony together. The last of Celestia’s rays were touching the city lighting it golden. As the sunset deepened she would snuggle closer, then Rainbow Dash would hold her close and never let her go. It was perfect.

A jolt shook the lanky filly from her daydream. “-to Fluttershy. Equestria to- oh, you are listening to me?”

Fluttershy withdrew, her muzzle flushed. “Oh, sorry. What were you saying?”  

Dash sighed. In lacking the warm feeling in her side she decided to settle down on her back, her gaze now upon the sky. “Never mind. Thanks for bringing me out here. It’s cool.”

Fluttershy nodded with delight then lay down next to her friend. “This isn’t as high and scary as your cloud. But that is your special spot. This... is mine.”

“That?” Dash stared at her friend in surprise. “That place is cool.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” Fluttershy found herself recalling how high and windy the small tower that Dash enjoyed visiting was. “I- I think it’s very high up, that’s all.”

“Are you afraid of heights?” Dash continued to stare at her best friend in disbelief.

“Um...” Fluttershy suddenly found her forehooves very interesting as they wiggled about in the air.

“But we live in the clouds. Come on.” Dash half rose to better gaze into her timid companion’s eyes.

The yellow filly once again looked away. “It’s just... I- I am. Okay? I’m afraid of heights. The ground is ever so far away. Can you imagine how far it is to fall down there?”

Rainbow Dash sighed as she beheld the quaking filly in front of her. With a dry smile to herself, she leant forward and wrapped the timid pony in a hug. This visit to her friend’s house had certainly not gone as she imagined. Yet as she gazed at the recovering filly in her forelegs, Rainbow Dash could not help but feel somehow fulfilled.

“Alright fillies, pack up. It’s time I take Rainbow Dash home.” Scarlet Sunset softly announced as she entered the play room.

In the toy corner, Zephyr Breeze was playing quietly with some pony and animal toys. The two wonderbolt toys were strangely vacant, however, almost as though one young vigilante had removed them from his reach. At the sound of his mother’s voice, he rose and shuffled over to greet her. She picked him up with a whoosh and he giggled. The mare once again turned her attention to the other two young pegasi in the room. “Did you two hear me?”

On the far left of the room, next to the bookcase sat Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. The pair glanced up from the picture book they had been sharing.

“Five more minutes, please mom? I’ve almost finished reading this to Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy begged.

“Yea, please?” Dash was quick to add.

This mother’s heart melted at the sight of her daughter reading with Rainbow Dash. It was especially encouraging seeing the pair share a book. “Alright. I’ll take Zephyr up to his father. When I return I expect you both to be ready.”

“Okay, Mom.” Fluttershy nodded.

With a final nod, the mare departed with her son. The two fillies in the corner turned to each other.

“Why do I have to go home already?” Dash asked. It was still light outside. What was the problem?

“I think our moms agreed you would be home by dinner, or something.” Fluttershy softly replied.   

“Awwww... but I’ve been having so much fun here with you!”

The gangly yellow filly glowed. She was delighted to hear her friend enjoyed it so much that she didn’t want to leave. Yet she knew their time was soon to come to an end. “We... really should finish this book. I don’t want to keep mom waiting.”

“Why? Your mom seems really nice. Can’t we make this book take a long, long time? Then I get to stay for dinner!” Dash grinned at her cunning plan.

“No.” Fluttershy softly replied, her tone uncertain. “Uh... sorry. But if mom says it’s time to go, we really should finish.”

“Aww... Fine... Let’s go.” Dash stood up and stretched her wings.

“But our book!”

Dash plonked herself on her rump, her tone salty: “We don’t wanna keep your mom waiting, remember?”

“But-” Fluttershy glanced between their book and her friend. What was going on?

“Come on Fluttershy. I’ll finish it with you next time, promise.”

The timid filly sighed, “oh, um... okay.” She rose and placed the picture book carefully back on the shelf. “We were right near the end though.”

“Yea. I know. I just don’t feel like it anymore.”

“Okay.” Fluttershy stood there awkwardly. Some reading was better than none though, right?

“Are we going?” Dash asked after several beats passed in silence.

“Oh, yes!” Fluttershy slipped past her friend and took the lead up the stairs to meet her mother.

With one more glance at the cool playroom, Dash admired the art on the walls, the sheer quantity of toys, books and more, then she turned. With a quiet vow that she would return soon to this awesome place, the young speedster hurried after her best friend. It was home time.

Author's Notes:

Greetings. I do hope the rewritten Crashing Angels has been an enjoyable and fulfilling tale so far.

To those who remember the old story, you might remember I also had them boarding at school. While this led to many cute moments, after much consideration over the years I decided this was unnecessary and unrealistic since they were in fact locals in Cloudsdale. How hard would be for their mothers, or Soarin to walk them to school? I felt that could lead to more natural scenes and allow more characters to grow and be featured. While I have had to ditch all the cute scenes of them sharing a room, dinner at school etc. Some elements of that will be making its way into future chapters when they begin to have sleepovers at each other's houses and the like. This removal of the boarding school element quickly turned into more than just a simple removal while I tweaked and updated the story. It has led to many smaller changes and new developments in so many areas that previously were hard to explore.

One of the outstanding lesser changes as far as I'm concerned is a by-product of the removal of boarding school: More time getting to develop Soarin and the family of both Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. I think its substantially stronger thus far because of the extra ties.
For a long while, I had considered removing Soarin from his place in RD's family. This had been on my mind due to a lack of fan work featuring him as her sister, a position I had long held as a Flutterdash / SoarinFire shipper who began shipping the two couples along with TwiLuna back in the season 2 era when I got into MLP. In the end, I decided to keep it in and instead include more brother / sister moments and even allow Dash to poke fun at her older, teenaged brother and his best friend who is in fact a girl (not yet girlfriend). This, of course, begs the question of what could possibly lead to their interactions in the show when they are grown up. But that's something for the story to address later on.

Then finally, in season 2 when I began this tale, there was no canon brother for Fluttershy. However, as the years and seasons have rolled on, I thought he might fit, even though her later season canon parents (who were simply called Mr. and Mrs. Shy...?) are still replaced by what I imagined her folk would be like back in 2012. I dunno, I think a softly spoken mother and a proud, friendly father work better than the two doormats the show's creators settled on. But maybe that's just me...

From here on in, aside from a couple of stand out events left from the old story, Crashing Angels is set to sail in a new, cute direction. The old lack of direction I had, with only a couple of ideas for points in their relationship I wanted to hit, has been rebooted in a big way and I think it shows.?

Hopefully, the new chapters here on in will bring just as much cuteness, feels and that good old season 2ish feeling from back in the day as the old story did.

Or at least, that's my aim here.

If you have any thoughts, I would be delighted to hear them.
It's nice to say that after many years of inactivity (~2013-2019) this story isn't dead. I want to finish it and I'm confident that with the new additions this can be done.

Chapter 10: Blazing History

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With the sun low in the sky, Clousdale began to glow a warm golden hue. This beauty was lost on one home in the outer mid section of the city. A dark yellow mare with her light sunny daughter on her back flew slowly away from the brooding stormcloud construct. Rainbow Dash closed the front door of said stormy house with a sigh then leant on the solid stormcloud. It felt... not too bad to be home.

“How was that?”

At the sound of her brother’s voice, Dash sprung to attention. She spotted her brother, chilling on the couch in the same spot usually occupied by their father. “Oh, hey Soarin! We had a lot of fun! Fluttershy’s house is really cool!”

“That’s good to hear.” The colt grinned back as he relaxed like a boss. The filly couldn’t help but notice the current similarity between the posture of her brother and their father.

“You had fun with Spitfire?” Dash grinned as she strode closer to her sibling.

“And Fleetfoot,” Soarin added with a nod.

“Hey... uh, Soarin?” Dash hesitantly took a seat next to her brother.

The young colt carefully eyed his sister as she pawed at the soft couch. “Yes?”

“Why didn’t mom teach me to read? And why do we have like... no books in our house? Fluttershy's place has a whole library. They’re like... all eggheads, it’s weird. Well, not as weird as her little brother, he’s... uh... really weird. Kept staring at me for some reason.”

A sad smile slipped across the Soarin’s muzzle. “I guess it’s because our mom doesn’t like paperwork and neither does Dad. Mom prefers to be out there flying, it’s cooler for pegasi to be outside... up in the big open skies.”

“So, you don’t need to know how to read?” Dash asked, rather hopefully.

“Of course you do.” Soarin scoffed. “The entrance exams for advanced flight school are half-written.”

“Oh.” The small filly hunched up, facing away from her older brother, her expression sour at the thought of endless paperwork. “Did mom teach you to read?”

“Dad.”

“Really?” The surprised filly span around so fast to face her brother, she almost fell off the couch.

Soarin was quick to help stabilize his little sister. “Yea. A little bit. Before he was a drunk he was actually a really cool dad.” A hint of a grin rippled across the blue colt’s muzzle as fragments of times long past flickered by.

“You mean, you remember him before he was drunk all the time?”

The blue colt grimaced. “Yea.” Soarin glanced around the lounge, extracted himself from the couch then wandered over to the front door and locked it. At the puzzled look from his sister, he strode back to his sister and at last, continued: “I don’t want mom or dad to just walk in on this.”

“Okay?”

“Look...” Soarin adjusted himself on the soft cloud couch to better face his sister. “Apparently, mom and dad had me just before their last year of schooling. It was a big fuss at the big school in upper Cloudsdale or something. Almost lost dad his place as a Wonderbolts trainee, but Mom and Dad decided to keep me and try to raise me while studying and stuff. Then they tried to have another foal when I was about three. By then they were apparently doing well at their jobs. Mom was on the weather crew at the same base where Dad was stationed as a junior Wonderbolt. But then mom miscarried...”

Dash grimaced. “That sounds bad...”

“It means they lost the foal when it was still being made in her tummy. Her body just suddenly... didn’t want it or something. I- don’t really remember anything aside from mom being really sad for some reason.” Soarin sighed. His gaze drifted from his little sister to someplace far away and long ago. “She sometimes would just stop taking care of me for some reason and Dad... well he tried-”

“But it was hard.”   The two ponies on the couch almost hit the roof from shock and surprise. Before them in the front doorway stood Blaze. The stallion looked as ragged as always and held a mostly empty bottle of hard cider in his forehoof. “What? Can’t your old stallion sneak in to see why his kids locked the front door?”

“Where’s mom?” Soarin asked, his voice came out a little squeaky from fear of being caught sharing a forbidden tale.

“She met me at work. Told me to take you both out for dinner while she spends an evening with friends.” Blaze replied, his tone neutral. The hoof that held the bottle tightened ever so slightly.

“Oh...” Soarin shuffled closer to his sister.

Silence fell awkwardly in the room like a stuffy old blanket. Rainbow Dash scratched an itch while her eyes shot between her brother and dad who continued to idle in the doorway.

At long last, the stallion moved once more. He strode over to his two kids and plonked himself down. He knocked back the rest of the bottle then tossed it behind the couch. A clatter of glass against glass rang out.

Dash jumped, high strung. She lent over the rear edge and peered down the back of the cloud couch. It was indeed full of old cider bottles that had not there last week.

“So I heard my two kids talking about your lost brothers.”

“Brothers?” Dash tentatively asked as she slid back down the back of the couch and landed in between her dad and brother.

“Yea... your mom and I lost two foals. Both apparently boys. Then we gave up trying. You Dash- you were a happy accident. But ‘till you came along it was rough on your mom. The second time is about when I started drinking...” The stallion trailed off as his eyes sank to his forehooves. “That- did not go well.”

“You started drinking when I was like five or six.” Silence fell in the wake of the colt’s surprisingly cold statement.

Blaze nodded slowly, his gaze pensive as it rested upon his precious son. “Two weeks before your sixth birthday. Remember your mom getting big but happy in the months leading up to your birthday?”

“Yea. Maybe. I think so, I guess... I mostly remember her getting happier.” Soarin quietly replied, sure that he did not like where the conversation was headed. He leant back against the couch and put a foreleg protectively around his little sister. She accepted the offering mutely.

“Well... she was supposed to have the best birthday present ever for you... a baby brother. But then something went wrong. We lost him three weeks before your birthday. A stillborn foal...” Words failed the ragged stallion who stared at his forehooves for a few distraught moments. It was then Rainbow Dash realized her father was crying. Something inside of her tore at the sight as he continued softly: “It destroyed your mother- and I... Well me, a young star of the Wonderbots, quit to look after you, Soarin.”

Soarin eyed his father with disbelief, clearly torn between memories and his father’s words. “You... quit the best career ever because of me? Why?”

“Your mother. You... And well, emotions and all kinds of other crap just- I couldn't’- couldn’t take it... It just spiralled out of control and since my wife, my everything-” The tough stallion’s voice once again broke as fresh tears spilt forth. “-She was suffering an’ I went down hard too. After a pay cut for poor performance at a big show, I decided I had to get out. Family is more important than work, son. You too, my girl.”

Dash scoffed. “Sure. Then why don’t you ever take me out flying? Mom does.”

The light purple stallion fought back his tears and squared his jaw. He locked his gaze upon his children as they sat enthralled beside him. “Let me- finish the story.”

Dash wilted under her father's look, her brother straightened up awkwardly, neither sure how to react to their mostly sober yet distraught father.

“Your mom thought she was broken... threw herself into her job like crazy.” The stallion’s voice broke slightly while his gaze wandered beyond the horizon into a time long past. “She became even more dedicated than me. First I tried to get her to quit, to just be a stay at home mom. That went badly... So I tried to look after you while also looking for easier work. It felt like I was losing her. When the family was all home, she seemed to get better but each time I had to go on tour with the ‘Bolts I would come back and- and she would be even worse.”

The light purple stallion took several deep breaths as if to steady himself before he continued softly: “Starting off as teen parents sucked. I had no idea what I was doing and even when I was twenty-three with a six-year-old son to look after it was still hard. I could see that the older you got, the more of a chance I might have at actually being worth something to you as your dad. But after the second mid-pregnancy mishap and countless other tries, your mom would cook us dinner, go for an evening flight then vanish into her room while I tried to keep you entertained till bedtime or let you play with your toys. If it weren't for getting pounced on the moment I walked into the bedroom most nights, I might have begun to ask if she still loved me.”

“Yea, I heard you two sometimes...” Soarin shook himself with a brief but violent shudder. "Didn't know ponies could make some of those noises..."

Dash cat her brother a concerned look as their father barked out a husky laugh.

“Yea, sorry about that kiddo. I mean it..." The light purple stallion trailed off as he once again glanced away in shame. "Anyway, as if a six-year-old son and an emotionally challenged wife weren't enough... I had to contend with her family too. They really began to hate my guts, like it was all my fault and I wasn’t doing something right. We used to be cool. Then one day, I realized we were, in fact, the opposite of cool. It- yea...” The stallion ruffled his own rainbow mane as he unleashed a large sigh. “Anyway, then that gangster had to come back, get us involved in a gang incident or two while you were at Spitfire’s for a week. Then that cheeky sod tried to take my mare away. Said I was no good for her! Me! Can you believe it?!” A light purple hoof waved and two powerful wings shot open as the indignant stallion appealed to his children.

Rainbow Dash and Soarin shared a concerned look before the cornflower blue colt returned his gaze to his father. “I dunno dad, I think you were perfect for each other. Even though you both got messed up.”

“Thank you!” Blaze settled down somewhat, although his daughter continued to look at him with wide eyes. “Luckily, before my reputation could get ruined as a ‘bolt, a buddy got me into the Rainbow Factory and got me introduced to the good stuff. Once I established myself there as head of the processing everything was sweet as for a bit. No more long trips away from home and crazy hours would mean no more drifting apart, right? Well, that was how I hoped it would go...”

Silence fell upon the room as the two younger ponies processed their father’s words.   With his mind on times long gone, the stallion eventually continued, his voice even more hoarse than before. “It was kinda cool having a son like you Soarin. I could take you out flying... teach you my cool tricks while I dreamed of how you might shine even brighter and longer than I did. Then your mom even started joining us again properly and taking you out to do stuff... it was the first time it felt light we might be a somewhat normal family. You were what, almost seven by then were you?”  

“But you also came home drunk,” Soarin stated rather pointedly.

The purple stallion nodded solemnly. “Yea. I did... It used to be fun, going out with my mates at the rainbow factory for drinks. I didn’t realize what it was doing to me or this family, but it eased the pain of seeing my wife all sad on the darker nights and knowing we probably could never have any more foals. We wanted success and family and wound up with a small family and failed success. How's that for starting early, huh?”   Blaze coughed hoarsely. With a light rub to his throat, the stallion extracted himself from the couch. He flicked his dirty rainbow mane out of his face then turned to his children. “You kids want a drink?”

“Juice?” Dash spoke up, eager to hear more of the long lost story of her family’s past.

“I’m fine,” Soarin added stoically.

The purple stallion nodded to his daughter then left the room. Silence fell upon the two siblings on the couch.

“Bro. Brother... Soarin!” Dash gave her older brother a light shove.

“Huh, what?” The cornflower blue colt gazed down at his little sister.

“Why are you being all stink? Dad never opens up and now you’re like a stone. It's uncool. Relax.” Dash tentatively gave her brother a hug which he accepted slowly.

“You don’t get it sis. I was there. I don’t remember it all... but on the good days, I had two of the coolest parents in town. It was awesome... On the normal days, I had a clueless dad or a burned out mom... On their bad days, I went to Spitfire’s house. And before I met Spitty... Well, you probably don’t wanna know.” A light blue wing ruffled the rainbow mane while its owner took his own trip down memory lane.

“That you did. And I’m so very glad that Stormy Flare and her late husband were able to take you in on occasions like that.” Blaze took a swing of his hard cider as he re-entered the room. He strode over to the couch and placed his daughter’s drink down before he took another big gulp of his own. “After this drink, I’ll take you both you for dinner, sound good?”

“Sure.” Dash nodded, she noticed her brother was still as a rock and rewrapped one of his forelegs with her own in a loose hug.

The patriarch of the house settled down on the couch, “good... Now, where was I?”

“You took me out flying one day, we had so much fun... then the next you were off your nut and I ran away to Spitfire’s for the weekend.” Soarin faced his father.

“You... didn’t have to put it that way.” Blaze sighed, defeated and hurt.

“But you did. More than once.”

“Yea, yea. I’m a bad father, okay?”

“You and mom were cool to fly with. But I had to get Stormy Flare and Spitty to help me with my writing, reading and other stuff that you never bothered to teach me once you started drinking with your so-called friends at the factory.”

“Bookwork is boring...” The old colt sullenly took a swing of his hard drink. “Plus, your mother reads better than me. She should have taught you if it was so important. Besides, I did teach you to read.”

“Picture books. And that one little chapter book you like. Then I went to school and you gave up all of a sudden. I met Spitty and her mom was reading her chapter books that took them a month or more of evening reading to get through. She was way more advanced than me. Last week I found the entrance tests to the advanced flying school hard because of being raised by two ponies who pretty much left literacy to my teachers and Spitfire. Now Rainbow Dash here tells me she’s getting Fluttershy to help her learn books too.”  

“Soarin!” Rainbow Dash winged rather loudly.

“What?” The young colt rounded on his sister.

“You said you wouldn’t tell anypony I need help!”

Soarin scoffed. “See, Dad. She even doesn’t want you to know.”

With a growl, the rainbow maned stallion downed the rest of his drink then shot the empty bottle a death glare as if it had committed some kind of crime. “I need another one.”

“No you don’t,” Soarin halted his father’s progress off the couch. “If you do, I’m taking Dash out to dinner and then I’m sleeping at Spitfire’s house.”

“I’m not drunk.” Blaze shot back indignantly. “Besides, I’m your father.”

“I know. But that’s not the point. Either talk to us, take us to dinner or I’ll do it myself.”

“I’ll be back to talk in a minute, then we can go for dinner. I’m not doing this without another drink.” The stallion shook his son off then hurried into the kitchen to collect another drink.

“Come on Dash, we’re leaving.” Soarin stood.

“But-”

“Scull your juice, then hurry up.” Soarin urged as he made his way out the front door.

As Dash heard the fridge close she felt a burst of urgency and the indecision she felt vanished. She leapt up, sculled her juice then ran out the front door to join her brother.

“Hey, you two come back right now!” Yelled Blaze as he hurried after his children.

Soarin slammed the front door on his father. “Quick, jump on my back, we gotta lose the drunk.”

The door to the rain cloud house flew opened as Rainbow Dash leapt onto her brother’s back with well practiced ease and the duo sped off into the skies. The indignant cries of their father receded quickly as they flew. “Well, that could have gone better,” Soarin muttered.

“Yea. Why did you have to annoy him?”

“I challenged him. Just like Mom’s been doing.” Soarin shot back. “Anyway, where do you wanna eat?”  

“I dunno, pick somewhere,” Dash shrugged. The filly sighed as she adjusted the grip on her brother’s back

“Alright.” Soarin grinned. “I might just have someplace in mind... Hey, uh... got somewhere to say tonight Dash? I don’t think dad or mom is gonna be in a good mood by the time we finish.”

The blue filly shrugged, “I guess I could try Fluttershy’s house, if she doesn’t mind me coming back already.”

“Or you can crash with Spit and me.”

“Or that. Hurry up, I’m getting hungry up here!”

“Oh, you’re hungry?” Soarin laughed, “look who’s doing all the work here.”

“Holding on to you is a lot of work!” Rainbow Dash insisted playfully.

The young colt couldn't help but smile lightly, “oh yeah? Then I better hurry up and get us to that place I have in mind.”

“Yea, go faster!”

With a more solid smirk, the teenage speedster took off with gusto. His young sister clung on for dear life. Faster and faster they flew. In no time at all, they reached the air ways around the central city and he was forced to slow down.

A sunny yellow mare with fiery orange two toned mane sat next to her light yellow daughter who had an even brighter, more vibrant mane. Across from the duo sat Soarin and Rainbow Dash. Around them, the diner was bustling with activity and filled to the brim with pegasi eating and talking. A giant awning hid the city above from view while torches suspended from above filled the night with warm light. Three sides were open to the cloud city beyond while one side had the counter for orders and the kitchen beyond where meals were prepared with as much haste and care as the cooks could manage.

The small filly fidgeted as she waited for her meal to arrive. Her brother had a wandering gaze, captured by the young fiery young beauty across from him. It wandered across her mane as it rippled in the evening breeze, down her face then slowly across her chest. Green eyes shot back up as soon as he realized where the wandering was taking him. Spitfire giggled, poked her tongue out at her best friend then took a bite out of her meal. Light blue cheeks flushed a darker shade, the young pegasus knew he had totally been busted. He quickly blew a raspberry at Spitfire who rolled her eyes in return and took another bite of her meal.

Stormy Flare sat patiently, her food in front of her while she waited for the two other young ponies to be served too. “Do you remember me, Rainbow Dash?”

“Nope!”   

“Last I saw you, you were only a wee nipper. It’s nice to see you’re growing up into a strong young pegasus.” Stormy Flare smiled warmly.  

“I’m gonna be like Soarin and Spitfire and join the Wonderbolts when I’m older and bigger!”

“No doubt.” A hint of a smile played upon the middle-aged pegasus’ mouth.

“You okay?” Spitfire spoke up, her gaze upon her best friend. “You walked in looking super pissed at something.”

“Oh, it’s just dad,” Soarin replied dismissively.

This caught the attention of a suddenly concerned Stormy Flare. “I thought he packed that up when he received his recent promotion at the factory?”

“Oh yea, well. He did, kinda. I think he and mom are just going through another rough patch. Say... you don’t mind me sleeping over tonight?”

A smile broke through the concern on Spitfire’s muzzle. “Dash can take the spare room and you can bunk with me.”

Soarin grinned back.

“Actually, I want to try and sleep at Fluttershy’s house. If her parents don’t mind.” Dash spoke up. Soarin shot his sister a look while Spitfire giggled at her good friend’s reaction.

“Is that a friend of yours?” Stormy Flare asked.

“Yep, she’s my best friend!” Dash confirmed with a confident grin.

“Well, in that case, Soarin, you are most welcome to take the guest room.” The deep yellow mare offered, “I assume you will be dropping her off?”

“I could go too.” Spitfire was quick to offer.

“Na, I gotta chat with Dash about something on the way.” As Soarin finished speaking his eyes lit up. He had spotted his meal incoming. “Hey, Dash. I think I see our food.”

“Sweet!” Dash sat up extra tall in her chair to try and spot the incoming bearer of food.

 Sure enough, a young stallion placed their respective meals in front of the two young siblings who with a word of thanks began to eat.

Happy that everypony at the table had their meal, Stormy Flare began to enjoy her meal too. She regarded the youngest filly at the table with great interest as Dash dug in with so much gusto it was as though she had not been fed in days.

Under the new moon, two pegasi strolled through central Cloudsdale. High above the two siblings, the upper city level blocked the direct view of stars above. Stars twinkled in the sky out beyond the upper city limits that fell well short of the middle tier level of Cloudsdale. The sky called to the young colt. It felt like a good time for a night flight out in the wide open expanse beyond the city. Yet he remained cloud bound. He had a mission to complete. Soarin and Rainbow Dash walked through streets illuminated with the soft warm glow of lanterns periodically placed along the road. They turned off the main road and onto a smaller lane that Rainbow Dash was sure led directly to her best friend's house. An inviting house. The house where her best and only non-related friend lived.

“Hey... uh, Soarin?”

“Yes, little sister?” The cornflower blue colt side eyed his sister.

“So about Dad... Why did you do that back there?”

The light blue colt sighed, his wings drooped ever so slightly and his pace slowed. “I guess I got angry at dad...”

“Yea, but is it really just because he gets drunk and doesn’t do much. The way he and you talked, it sounded like he was cool. Oh, and Fluttershy’s dad knows him! He had been to a lot of his shows back in the day and now they work together. You think they’re friends or something?”

“Don’t count on it. That factory is huge and lots of ponies always come to see the Wonderbolts perform.”

“Okay, but what was he like? You made him sound cool.” Dash reminded her brother of her earlier question, eager for an answer.

Soarin thought carefully for a few moments while he walked. “Yea, a long time ago. Back when I was really young, it was kinda cool having a Wonderbolt for a dad. He and mom took me to all their shows that were close to home. I think I remember a little bit of him performing. I guess that’s a part of why I want to be a Wonderbolt when I grow up. Then- well, they struggled to give me a brother or sister. So dad starts drinking... Mom would sometimes sleep at her friend’s house, her parents' house ...or out on a cloud in the middle of nowhere when she was off on a big job. Dad would sometimes disappear off with her. Sometimes they would tell me before they did it, like when it was a big weather crew job over in Manehattan or something. But it was often a last minute thing... yea. Anyway, did you know she used to help weather crews all over Equestria?”

“Yea. It’s cool, isn’t it? I mean, she’s the best, right?”

“Yea.” Soarin agreed, a hint of a proud smile upon his lips. “But I think she also did it because she was hurting inside. She just... disconnected from me for a while and it hurt. It still does some days. Spitfire’s mom is now like a second mom. It sucked hard when her dad died though. They were awesome when things were rough at home.”

Dash didn’t quite know what to say to that, so she instead opted to keep walking in thoughtful silence.

After several pensive moments, Soarin once again spoke up. “Anyway. Things slowly got better for mom as time went by. Mom and Dad gave me an amazing seventh birthday and it started to look like I had a cool family again. This continued for a few months until, well, Dad got into trouble for getting too boozed up in public. Uncle Raincloud also got into some kind of trouble around then again and it seemed to make mom dad even more unhappy. But just when it looked like I might have to live at Spitfire’s place again, mom and dad had you.” Soarin shot his sister an affectionate glance and ruffled her mane with a wing. “You were their little miracle. Two months before my eighth birthday. Oh what a time that was...”

“Me?” Dash shot her brother a look, unable to quite believe that her entrance into the world could cause such a change in her family.

“Yea, Dash. You have no idea... I had never seen mom light up like that before and Dad... he even stopped drinking for a little while.” A ghost of a smile lit the colt’s lips.

Soarin playfully ruffled his sister’s mane, “yep... My little sis changed the family. But it did get annoying having this crying filly keeping us all awake at random hours of the night.”

“Hey, I wasn’t that bad! I’m super cool!”

The light blue brother laughed, “I didn’t know a creature that small could make such loud noises. But somehow Dad slowly began to slip again and by the time you were two, he was either doing work... or drinking with friends or drunk on the couch... or yea... uh doing stuff with mom. But I dunno... I didn’t realize that neither mom or dad had done anything to prepare you for school. Sorry, I guess I’m no good at sticking around either, am I?”

“Mom’s been teaching me to fly and do cool stuff with clouds.” Dash indignantly shot back. “And dad has given me a ride. Maybe... twice this year, or something. And you’re a cool brother. But I would like to see you more.”

Soarin nodded slowly as he considered his next words. “I’ll try Dash. But trust me, stop getting into fights and apply yourself to reading and writing. I’m sure a pony as gifted as you can learn it as fast as you are learning to fly.”

“Why does everypony say that? It seems hard. And boring! Some words are so long too...”

Soarin smiled to himself. Yep, this was his sister alright. He could remember the challenge of learning to read and write all too well. “Has Fluttershy sat you down and read with you?”

“Yea. Twice so far. It was weird.”

The young colt nodded at his sister’s words. “Good. Has she tried to help you write?”

The vibrant young pegasus shook her head.

“Well when she does, maybe try it with your teacher there too. Mrs. Breeze is good, she can help you. She probably still remembers what I was like too...” Soarin trailed off with a dry laugh.

The little filly rolled her eyes, eager to escape the conversation, “fine... I’ll try. Okay?”

“Would you let me try and teach you too? We can go out flying and Spitfire and I can help you with your writing when we stop for lunch or whatever.”

Rainbow Dash mulled over the offer for a few moments. “I guess that sounds okay. As long as we do the cool stuff first.”

“Of course,” Soarin grinned back.

“Okay... it’s a deal then.”

Author's Notes:

There was nothing like this is version 1 of the fic, but I've wanted to dig deeper for years... And here we are. I know this could have been written as further flashbacks and I could have gone the whole show, not tell route. But since this is already a past story with chapter one establishing RD & Fluttershy with their own family I didn't want to get too crazy. Plus, more importantly, I wanted to deliver this part as quickly as possible while retaining as much impact as possible and to keep the focus on Rainbow Dash rather than digging too deep into family history. Plus, I liked how I was able to let the father / son / daughter trio interact throughout the telling. Plus I felt its also revealing of where each individual is at when the story was broken off because of how Soarin and his dad were both too hard headed to conform to what the other wanted, even though Blaze had said only one more drink...

I hope this offers a glimpse into Rainbow Dash (and Spitfire's) family and why things are the way they are.

Next up, will Fluttershy's parents allow her to spend a night over or will she end up at Spitfire's house?

Chapter 11: Sleep Over

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Soarin and his little sister came to a stop in front of a simple looking yet large cloud home. Other than a few blue and green touches of spectrum over the front door there was naught else outstanding from this humble abode.

Rainbow Dash wasted no time in rushing up and knocking on the front door. She tapped her front hooves impatiently while she waited.

Soarin idled several paces away, an amused half grin upon his muzzle. “Cool it hot head, I’m sure they’re coming.”

“But what if they aren’t? What if they go to sleep early in Fluttershy’s house? What if- I should knock again!” Dash concluded as she rounded on the door, raised her right forehoof to knock then froze as the light bluish-white cloudy construct began to open inwardly.

“Who disturbs-” Autumn Sunset stood in the doorway, gobsmacked the sight of the particular filly before him. “Rainbow Dash?”

“Yeah, hi! I’m back already!”

“I can see that. What brings you around at a time when little fillies should be thinking of going to bed?”

Dash hesitated until her brother gave her a soft prod with a wing. “Hey, can I sleep here tonight, with Fluttershy?”

The light purple stallion glanced up at Soarin who offered a silent plea in return.

“Come in, I guess.” Autumn held the door for his two guests to enter. As the light blue colt turned to leave, Autumn Sunset raised a hoof. “Hold on. Are you her brother?”

“Yea?” Soarin replied defensively.

“Alright. Please come in. I wish to hear the reason why my daughter’s best friend has shown up late in need of a place to stay.”

“Okay.” Soarin tentatively followed his sister inside.

“Honey,” Autumn Sunset called out as he guided his guests through the hallway toward the kitchen. “Rainbow Dash and her brother have stopped by. She wishes to stay the night.”

Scarlet Sunset met the trio in the doorway to the kitchen. “Greetings, Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy is about to have her bath.”

“Can I join her?”

“Well,” the mare briefly thought before she smiled softly, “Zephyr is already in bed. As long as you don’t make a lot of noise, I don’t see why not.”

“Sweet, thanks Mrs. Sunset!” The eager filly took off toward the foal’s bathroom on a mission.

That left one colt alone with the two adults. Soarin awkwardly stood there in the hallway. His gaze lingered on the deep sunny pegasus before him, he at least had seen her before. The stallion who stood beside him however, he truly had no idea what to expect from this pegasus. ”Soo...” Soarin straightened up a bit.

Scarlet Sunset indicated the table inside the kitchen. “Why don’t you take a seat. Would you like something to drink?”

“Well, I... Sure?” Soarin wandered to the table, hordes of nervous butterflies flittered around inside. This was it, he was about to be interrogated. He would have to tell them about his argument with his father and their family... oh dear.

As the young blue pegasus was about to take his seat he paused. Was that the sound of knocking on the front door?

Autumn clearly heard it too, for he turned to the source of the latest disturbance. “One moment, please."

Scarlet Sunset nodded as she poured three drinks. “Alright, hon.”

Light blue forehooves played with each other on the tabletop as the teenager waited impatiently. Who else might be visiting? A seeping tentacle of fear spread across his system at the thought of having another visiter to the ‘shy household sitting there while he divulged his story. This was bad. Maybe he should just leave and tell them he would explain the reason for Dash’s sleepover when he came by to pick her up in the morning?

A glass of water was placed before the nervous colt who nodded briskly in thanks and took a sip.

“Don’t worry dear, we only wish to know why Rainbow Dash has to stay the night. We are concerned, for you both.” Scarlet Sunset rested her care laden gaze upon the nervous young pegasus.

"Oh, thanks?"

“Did something happen at home?” The deep sunny mare’s brow creased with concern.

Soarin reluctantly nodded. “Kinda... You see, uh...”

“Soarin! I knew I saw you go into this house!”

“What the-” The light blue colt span around and spotted his best friend as she rushed up to him and glomped him. The pair froze as they realized their audience. Autumn stood in the door way looking rather put out while his wife smiled as though greatly pleased by something.

Spitfire withdrew, bashful. “Sorry, I kinda followed you two here.”

“But you were going home with your mom?” The light blue colt could hardly believe his young angel had followed him all the way through town without being noticed.

“Take a seat please.” Autumn requested as he strode around to sit next to his wife.

Spitfire leapt into action once more. She briskly sat beside her best friend at the table. Soarin suddenly found himself feeling a lot better with Spitfire at his side. He couldn't help but grin.

“Would you like a drink?” Scarlet offered the latest arrival, that knowing smile still upon her lips.

“Yes please.” Spitfire smiled back.

With a nod of confirmation Scarlet set about securing a drink for the fiery filly who sat there nervously.

The two teenaged pegasi waited semi-patiently for the softly spoken mare to return with the drink. All the while the stallion who sat across from them continued to eye the pair with interest as they shared glances and supportive half smiles. Spitfire even extended her wing slowly till it came to rest upon the light blue back of her friend.

Soarin grinned at the supportive if rather intimate gesture. “Say- why did you follow me here?”

“I would very much like to know that too,” Autumn added, his eye upon the wing that bridged the two young ponies.

 The duo glanced up at the stallion. An awkward moment passed between the two friends. Vibrant yellow feathers quivered then slowly withdrew from their rest upon the well toned blue back of her companion.

Spitfire put on her best facade of confidence. “I gave my mom the slip and followed pie boy here to make sure he and Dash would be okay.”

 “Really.” A lone eyebrow rose on the stallion.

“Yea, Don’t worry Soar, I gave you and Dash plenty of space to have your talk. I just felt that after having a rough time at home, you might not want some company. You know... for the walk back to my place.”

Scarlet Sunset smiled shyly as she placed the requested drink in front of the teenaged mare. “Sounds like you two have a rather loverly relationship, don’t you think, dear?”

Autumn caught his wife’s eye and broke out into a half smile. “Sure. Although you should be more mindful of your safety, young filly.”

Soarin eyed Autumn Sunset. He suspected the smile was forced. There was an awkward question of two incoming. He was sure of it.

“Say,” Autumn turned his stern gaze to the light blue colt across from him.   Soarin shrank back ever so slightly under the hard, inquiring gaze. “Yes, sir?”

“I can’t help but wonder. How are things at home?”

Soarin glanced at Spitfire for support. A bright yellow hoof reached out and held his own blue one. With that, the growing colt found the courage to speak. “Uh... Dash and I are doing good... yea.”   Out of the corner of his eye Soarin spotted the look his best friend was giving him. She wanted him to expand upon his rather short response. He sighed. The two adults across the table from him also waited patiently. Scarlet slowly took a sip of her drink, her attention on the colt.

Soarin hesitated once more. How much should he tell them? How much was he allowed to tell them? Would they even let their precious daughter be friends with someone like Rainbow Dash if they knew everything? The pale blue colt locked his gaze onto the bright orange irises beside him and his confidence grew once more. “…But, mom and dad are going through a rough patch.”

With his admission, Soarin chanced a look at the two adults and was relieved to see that they both looked concerned. Neither looked as though they were about to try anything radical like throw him out. He continued softly; “so yea... dad and I kinda had a bit of a fight and so I took Dash out to dinner with Spitfire and her mom.” The light blue colt paused, trying to quickly gauge the two adults reactions. He got nothing much and so continued slowly: “Nights like this… it’s just easier for me to sleep over at Spitty’s house. Dash hoped that you would allow her to sleep here tonight rather than put up with our dad getting crazy drunk and our mom getting all angry or mopey. It’s just ... nicer I guess to get away from all of that.”

“Sounds rather rough,” Autumn commented. “Although I imagine you would find the environment at home better than it is now if you didn’t run away from your problems.”

“Not that we know that for certain, do we dear?” Scarlet spoke up. “After all, it must be rather rough for you both to want to run away from home for the night.”

“Yea,” Spitfire spoke up, defensive. She tenderly caressed her friend’s hoof, trying her best to keep him level headed. “My mom, she’s a smart pony. If she says he needs to stay over, surely she’s right. Right?”

Autumn sighed then took a large swing of his glass of water. “Possibly. Hard for me to confirm since I don't know either of your families.”

Soarin hesitated. He turned to Spitfire who shrugged and slightly tightened her hold of his forehoof. Taking that as a sign to continue. “Look, It’s not been this bad in a while. He’s usually okay. But I think I set him off tonight and I don’t want Dash to have to go home to him.”

“Does he hurt her?”

“No, no, no! Nothing like that!” Soarin was quick to defend his father. “At least, not physically. Look, please let Dash stay tonight. Please?”

Autumn Sunset turned to his wife who gazed back, full of concern.

“I see nothing wrong with Rainbow Dash staying here for the night,” Scarlet spoke up softly. “I’m sure Fluttershy will enjoy the sleep over just as much as she will.”

“Is your father Blaze?” Autumn asked as he eyed the pale blue colt before him.

“Uh, yea. Why?”

“I’ll have a few words with him when I see him at work on Monday.”

Soarin did a double take, “you work with dad? You know him?”

“Nowadays we are distant workmates. Although I also know the kind of low lifes he calls drinking buddies. They are not the kind of pegasi a respectable pony should interact with."

Soarin suddenly felt rather bad for sharing as much as he had. His father would get blasted at work then come home mad at him for telling- unless!? “Please, don’t let him know I’ve been speaking to you about what he’s like at home.”  

“Why? I thought you said he did not beat either of you.” 

“Yea, but I don’t want him to get angry at me for talking to you about my family's problems. It’s not exactly something he wants to be made public...”

“I can see why.” Autumn took a well measured sip of his drink. “I’ll speak to him. Carefully. Alright?”

“Sure.” Soarin nodded a little over eagerly as relief flooded his system and all his muscles turned to jelly. “I just want my sister to have a better early childhood than me.”

“Well, our doors are always open to the three of you.” Scarlet invited softly. “I think I’ll lend a few supportive words to Gust when next I see her either before or after school.”

“Thanks, mom could probably use it.” Soarin smiled gratefully up at the deep sunny mare.

“Does she have many friends?” Scarlet Sunset inquired.

Soarin shrugged. “Workmates mostly I think."

“In that case, I think I will invite her out flying with me sometime,” offered the deep yellow mare.

“She likes going out for meals.” Soarin offered thoughtfully. “She does a lot of flying for weather crews, sometimes maybe even too much.”

“Maybe we could invite your whole family around one day then?” The sunny mare offered thoughtfully.

“Sounds good to me,” Autumn added. “I want to see how your dad treats his family in public.”

Soarin gave the stallion before him a guarded look.

“You can tell a lot by a guy simply by how he treats his family.” The pale green stallion turned to his wife and nodded to her as if to confirm his own statement.

“Right.” Soarin glanced over at his best friend as she withdrew her hoof.

“I had better get going. Don’t want mom to worry about me.” Spitfire explained as she stood slowly.

“Is there anything else you wanna know?” Soarin carefully asked as he rose to stand by his brightly coloured companion.

“I think my wife and I have heard more than enough, thank you.” Having said his bit, Autumn rose and made for the hallway that led to the front door.

“Yes, thank you for sharing. You two are welcome to stop by anytime. You make a cute couple.” Scarlet added softly.

“Thanks. Wait, but Spitty's my best friend. Not my fillyfriend.” Soarin stared at the deep yellow mare in shock.

"Yea," Spitfire added rather lamely.

"My apologies. I thought from the way you two were acting that you were a couple. Good night and have a safe flight home."

"You too." A rather frazzled Soarin turned and beat a hasty exit, Spitfire hot on his heels.

Rainbow Dash pushed the door to the foals bathroom open and took a moment to marvel at its simple grandeur. After a few moments, she realized the sunken bath looked mostly full and there was a slowly forming layer of bubbles upon it. The yellow filly who stood before the bath had her back turned and was busy doing something. With a flourish, the speedster stepped inside and closed the door. “Hey, Fluttershy!”  

“Eeep!” The surprised yellow filly dropped the bottle of bubble bath she was pouring right into the bath. “Dash?”

“Oh good, I’m just in time.” The confident blue filly grinned, keen to play in the bath with her best friend.

“In time for what?” Fluttershy softly asked, still shocked to see her best friend.

“To play in the bath with you, of course.”

“Oh. Did mom say it was okay? Wait- why are you here? I didn’t know we were allowed to have a sleep over.”

“Stuff happened. I don’t wanna talk about it, okay?” Dash scuffed at the hard cloud floor, her gaze upon the bubbles that continued to build behind her friend.

“Okay. I’m just happy-surprised to see you.”

“Your mom said it was ok for me to stay over, have a bath with you and stuff. Isn’t that cool?” Dash strode over to the bathtub with the most swagger she could possibly manage.

Fluttershy giggled at the display, delighted by the surprising turn of events in the wake of her friend's departure earlier in the day. “Oh!”

“What?” Dash cocked her head to one side in question.

“The bubble bath!” Fluttershy span around to face the tub-

-which was overflowing with light blue and yellow bubbles.

“I dropped the bubble bath bottle in there when you surprised me.” The shy filly softly explained.

Dash giggled like a crazy filly, “oh. That’s what you were doing when- ooooh. Hey, that might be cool!” The speedster perked up.

“What might be?”

“This will make it the most bubbliest bath ever! Come on!” Without waiting for any kind of response Rainbow Dash dived into the three quarters full bath. Bubbles and water exploded everywhere.

Fluttershy quickly closed her eyes. She received a good splatter of water and foamy bubbles to the face. The shy filly carefully cleared her vision. As her eyes fluttered open once more she beheld a grinning blue face with a colourful halo as her mane spread out in the water around her. Rainbow Dash slowly sat up with a sigh of delight. Mountains of bubbles surrounded the crater caused by Dash's hasty entrance into the bath.

The water level came up to the blue filly’s upper chest, enough to relax while still keeping shallow and safe. “Come on in, the water’s so nice!”

Dash paused as her hind hoof impacted with something. “Oh, I think I even found the bottle. One sec-”

Once again, before Fluttershy could respond, the speedster dived to retrieve the long lost bottle. A few moments passed before she emerged, victorious. “Got it!”

 With her eyes closed thanks to the extremely soapy water in her face, Dash headed in the opposite direction to her friend and bumped into the far end of the bathtub. “Here you go Fluttershy.”

“I’m- I’m over here.” The shy filly replied with a soft giggle.

Two blue ears perked up and Dash rubbed an eye clear. “Oh, sorry.” The young speedster hurried over and delivered the now empty bottle to her friend who continued to sit at the edge of the sunken bathtub. “There, now come on in, we get to make waves together!”

“Oh,” Fluttershy retreated slightly as a blue hoof splashed lightly at the surface water. “I don’t know... if we make a big mess in here, we need to clean it up...”

Rainbow Dash scoffed. “Fun now, worry about that later, come on.”

“Okay, if you’re sure…”

“I’m always sure,” the speedy filly grinned back as she reclined in the warm water.

“No, you’re not,” Fluttershy answered softly with an almost cheeky smile.

“Yes I am,” Dash was quick to retort rather playfully.

“At school you sometimes are not.” The shy filly went as far as to cheekily poke out her tongue.

Dash blew a raspberry back, “yea, but that's school.”

Fluttershy shrugged, her friend had a point. With no further comment, she slowly slid into the tub till she sat alongside her friend in the relaxing warm water.

The cheeky cyan filly sank into the tub, exposing her belly as she relined. “Ahhh...”

Fluttershy giggled as she gently poked her friend’s tummy.

Loud giggles erupted from the plush cyan pegasus. “Do it again Fluttershy! That feels funny.”

“Um...okay?” Fluttershy poked the blue tummy once more. “Hee hee! This is fun!” The timid filly added another light poke.

Dash accidentally slipped on the bottom of the bath and rolled below the surface. Bubbles erupted from below.

“Oh no! Rainbow Dash!” The panicked filly broke out into giggles as light blue hooves found her midsection. The submerged Rainbow Dash continued to run her hooves along the yellow pony, tickling her mercilessly till she too fell into the water.

The pair burst through the thick layer of bubbles. Dash took a giant gulp of air before she began to spit out soapy water amidst her continued deep breaths. Fluttershy on the other hoof could not help herself. She burst out laughing at the rather large silly blue and yellow bubble wig her friend wore over her matted multi-coloured mane. All in all, the way it merged together created quite an uplifting display.

“What?” A light blue hoof felt the large bubble wig. Wild laughter was quick to follow. “You should see yourself!” A light blue hoof pointed at the smaller wobbling mountain of bubbles that adorned the lanky filly.

“What do you think?” Fluttershy asked as she bobbed around a bit. She grouped more bubbles to herself and attempted to shove them onto the top of her own head.

“No, no, no. Let me help.” Dash hurried forth and began to heap even more of the colourful soapy balls of joy onto her friend’s head till they overflowed in a cascade of soapy droplets and bubbles.

“There, now you look-“ there was no way the bold filly could finish her sentence as more laughter followed like a tidal wave.

The shy yellow filly swished from side to side in the warm soapy water. “Do you want me to try and make your bubble wig even bigger too?”

“How about we make something else?” Dash eagerly offered. “How about- bubble monster!” She briskly nodded her head and used her forehooves to help flick the colourful mixture at her companion. The mass of bubbles fell like an avalanche on the yellow pegasus.

Fluttershy eep’ed and ducked underwater. In her haste to escape the onslaught, she bumped into her bath buddy and the pair tumbled under the froth. Two fillies popped up through the bubble cover, the occasional cough broke through their joyful laughter.

Dash spat out a few bits of soapy foam. “Yuck, remind me not to drink the bathwater after you dump a whole bottle of bubbles in it.”

“Silly Dash, you should know you’re not supposed to drink it.” Fluttershy giggled softly as they relaxed together.

“Oh, yea?" Dash slowly separated herself from the cuddly pink maned filly, a cheeky grin upon her muzzle.

"I’ma going to get you!” The bold blue filly erupted from the tub. She splashed water at her laughing friend.

“Noooo!”

At the playful cry of her friend, Dash obliged and used her fore hooves to splash more bubbly water at her friend.

The shy filly reacted too slow and took several big splashes as she duked. Yellow hooves skittered along the slippery tub floor for a moment before she found stability again. With her eyes closed to counter the continued barrage of soapy suds Fluttershy pumped her wings and kicked out with her forelegs in a desperate attempt at getting her friend back.

This promptly broke out into a fully fledged water war. The pair exchanged watery blows which grew toward a crescendo till some pony spoke:

“Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash. Please quieten down. You have woken Zephyr.”

The pair froze in the face of Autumn who sighed. “Please finish up then go to bed. I’ll have no more of your loud games, Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy, you should know better.”

“Awwww…” Dash sank as far as she could under the depleted water.

“Fluttershy?” The stallion spoke, softer this time.

  “Yes, father?” The timid filly quavered under her sire’s gaze.

“Your friend will clean up. You will help her. Little ponies need to learn not to make big messes.”

“But-“

“Fluttershy.” The stern stallion turned his full attention on his daughter.

“Yes, father,” said filly cowered, afraid to further challenge her dad.

“Thank you. Goodnight my dear.”

“Goodnight daddy,” Fluttershy softly replied.

The pale green pegasus nodded one final time at the duo then closed the door.

“Your dad is mean,” Rainbow Dash huffed as quietly as her pout would allow.

“He’s normally quite nice. Just don’t annoy him, I guess…” Fluttershy replied softly as she gazed around the room. Most of the bathroom was well slicked with soapy water.

The bolder pegasus rolled her eyes and gave one last, docile splash toward her companion. “Guess I had better start cleaning up…”

“But Dash, we haven’t properly cleaned us first.”

“Oh, right,” Dash paused, half way out of the bath. “But I don’t feel like it anymore.”

Fluttershy lightly chewed on her lip as her friend continued to waver on the edge. “Um… how about… I clean you then?”

“What?” In her surprise, the light blue filly slipped and splashed back into the bath.

A foundation of water erupted as the light blue pegasus surfaced. “Are you serious?”

“Uh, huh.” Fluttershy nodded briskly she did her best to smile happily down at her half sunken companion.

Dash slipped and slid across the bottom of the tub till she bumped into yellow forehooves. “Isn’t that, I dunno… A bit weird?”

“Oh, is it? I’m sorry…” the shy filly withdrew a bit, her mane too damp to hide behind.

Dash rose to better face her reserved friend. “You can try and wash me I guess.”

“A-are you sure? I don’t want to make it weird for you.”

“Fluttershy, do it. Before I change my mind.”

“Y-you’re shu-“

“Fluttershy.” Dash didn’t yell. But she was rather stern for a sodden little cyan ball of cuteness. That shut the yellow pegasus up for a few moments.

“Yes. Okay!” The timid filly leapt up and waded over to the side of the bath. Fluttershy retrieved the floury scrubber which she dunked it in the soapy water. Then she approached her companion and began to carefully brush her coat. “Sit still…”

“I am,” Rainbow Dash countered as her tail continued to swish around the water like an eel.

“No you’re not, you keep twitching,” Fluttershy giggled as Dash once again shifted her weight slightly.

“Am not.”

“Am too.”

“Am not.” A pout began to form on the cocky Pegasus muzzle. However, it was beaten out by a smirk. “Ok, guess I don’t know how to sit still huh?”

Fluttershy couldn’t help but join in with the smiles, “oh yes, you are very bad.”

“Oh, yea?” Dash leaned in playfully and booped nose to nose. She left her muzzle there as she continued softer; “and how bad might that be?”

The timid filly giggled in response as she turned the scrubber to the blue tummy that was oh so very close. “Very, very, very, very bad. You are a bad influ- thing to me, uh...” Fluttershy withdrew a bit. “You know that thing when you make me want to be naughty too?”

“Yea, I think so,” Dash nodded thoughtfully.

“Wings up,” Fluttershy requested. Two blue wings rose slowly.

“Sorry about making such a mess…” Dash glanced around at the soapy remains of bubbles and bath water that had scattered right across the bathroom. “Thanks for cleaning me. I guess while you clean yourself I should start cleaning up the rest of the room.” 

“Or…” Fluttershy glanced at the door then back to her friend. “You could clean me then we rinse each other and clean the room?”

“Okay.” Dash couldn’t help but grin back.

A very happy Fluttershy lay on her back in bed, legs in the air as soft giggles escaped her lanky frame. “Oooh... that was the best bath time ever!”

Dash nodded as she glanced at the bigger filly by her side who was faintly illuminated by Luna’s moonlight. A similar euphoric expression adorned her muzzle as she too lay on her back. “It was... apart from the bit your dad had to tell us off... But I’m ready for a good nap now.”

“Same…” Fluttershy trailed off. She glanced over at her unusually pensive companion and wriggled closer till they lay, their sides touching lightly.

The cyan filly affectionately ran a hoof through her friend's mane as they relaxed on the bed together. Although her forehooves were busy, her mind lay elsewhere.

As the pair continued to gaze up at the ceiling together in silence Fluttershy once again began to feel as though something was bothering her best friend. She glanced over at the light blue pegasus by her side. “So.... um... what happened- to uh...”

“You mean why I came back so soon?” Cerise eyes met the shy filly’s own and she nodded briskly.

Dash put on her best smile. “Because I could not get enough and so came back. Your house is super cool...”

The shy filly was sure she could detect a hit of distress behind the outer facade and nodded slowly. “Okay... But why?”

“Because-“ the bold speedster faltered. With a huff, she turned onto her side, away from Fluttershy. “I don’t wanna talk about it. I’m here. Your house is cool. You’re cool. The end.”

Fake snoring rent the air.

Despite the severity of the situation, Fluttershy suppressed a giggle at the ridiculous sound. It was almost as though Rainbow Dash was inhaling clouds and snorting them out. It was just too cute and silly!

A light yellow wing tentatively extended till feathers brushed up against the warm side of the snoring filly.

The “sleeping” foal jumped slightly. “Hey, I’m sleeping, remember?”

“That’s not what a sleeping pony sounds like...” fluttershy wiggled closer and closer till she began to snuggle into the soft back of her bestest, cutest friend. She leant in to whisper into a light blue ear: “But I do think you’re cute...”

“Pfft...” The bold blue filly span around to face her friend and found herself caught up in a tangle of hooves. Worse still, they were practically muzzle to muzzle, mouth to mouth. A light blush began to heat the normally super cool pegasus’s cheeks. “I’m cool... not cute.”

“Well, I think you’re both.” Fluttershy softly whispered back as she wriggled her hooves a bit more till they were snuggled up in a less awkward kind of cuddle. She rested her head atop the soft multicoloured mane and couldn’t help but smile to herself. This was… perfect. “You um... okay?”

“You're uh, really close...” Dash softly admitted.

“Oh... right.” The gangly filly withdrew slowly. “Sorry... I just- you were...”

“Happy?”

“What?” Fluttershy gaped at her friend in the dark.

“You. You liked it?”

Fluttershy nodded.

“Thought so...” Rainbow Dash rolled over once more onto her back.

“Y- you didn’t like it?”

Dash side eyed her bed buddy. She could faintly make out the look of utter disappointment, even in the moonlight. “Yeah, I think I did. But it was also weird.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong...” Dash trailed off awkwardly. “Just... maybe another time. Later… Okay?”

If fluttershy were able to emit light, she would be as bright as the sun for her smile was so golden and wide, even in the dark room. “Okay. Goodnight Rainbow Dash!”

“G’nite Fluttershy... I’ll see you in the morning...” Dash rolled over to face away from her vibrant companion and couldn’t help but smile to herself.

Fluttershy wriggled over a bit to better lie on her own side of the bed. As she lay her head down upon her pillow she continued to buzz with joy. Today had been wonderful! As she closed her little eyes, ideas and images began to drift through her head. If they had this much fun now, she could only imagine how amazing it would be once they were grown up! To be able to fly together, eat together, relax together. They could still have a wonderful two pony cloud bed, great for snuggling but also good for when they needed their own space like right now. Yellow hooves twitched. She should still feel the amazingness of holding her best friend, Rainbow Dash. It would be ever so lovely to get to hold her Dashie every night, even when they were big. Fluttershy felt sure that she would not need a boy, a colt... a stallion to hold her. Sure her parents seemed sweet together and a family seemed nice. But Fluttershy was sure that all she needed was her Rainbow Dash. Her extra special best friend! The pony who gave her courage.

The one. The only…

Yes, if she could just keep Rainbow Dash close they could be best friends forever!

It couldn’t be that hard, right?

Chapter 12: Demons and Angels

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Midnight.

For the grand city of Cloudsdale, Luna’s moon was obscured by cloud cover. Thanks to this, the naturally vibrant city lay in darkness save for the lanterns on the streets and the occasional houselight. In one of the central city apartments, surrounded by other large cloud buildings of all shapes and sizes sat the apartment of Stormy Flare and her daughter, Spitfire.

The small guest bedroom was currently occupied by a pale blue colt. It was pitch black. He tossed and turned in his bed as though under attack. Soft murmurs became plaintive cries.

“N-no…”

A pale blue stallion sat on a well worn couch. His tatty dark blue-grey mane bore splotches of spectra from the raincloud factory he worked at. He was surrounded by empty bottles of hard cider and all manner of other strong alcoholic drinks. In his hoof he held some kind of drink that smelt repulsive yet he could not stop the hoof that lifted it to his lips.

The lonely stallion took a deep gulp and the liquid went down his gullet like fire. He collapsed against the cloud couch and threw the glass across the room. It collided with a wedding photo and shattered into a million pieces. The picture, now with added glass shards depicted an ecstatic young stallion in a suit on the alter. He held the yellow hoof of his bride as they stood there facing their family. However, the part of the frame that once depicted his bride had been torn out. All that remained was the yellow foreleg held by the ecstatic young stallion. His other half was gone.

Beside the wedding photo sat a trophy case that had been smashed open. Amidst the scattered glass there lay a lone award from the Wonderbolts. The tearful stallion took another drink and the world changed around him in flickers and swirls till he collapsed on a bed of glass.

“No- no… This can’t-“ the young stallion chocked as he swirled around in a dark cyclone of sadness.

It was a dark night. There was a stream flowing nearby and ponies all around partying. The pale blue stallion had a bottle of some kind of strong alcoholic beverage in his grip. It stank like a blocked school toilet. The older purple stallion with a rainbow mane at his side nudged him and took a swing of his own drink. The pale blue stallion felt compelled to follow with the drink he held. The strange concoction set his world on fire.

A red flash blinded the young pegasus. He suddenly found himself high up in the blue sky on a comfy cloud. Cloudsdale hung in the distance, so peaceful yet so far. Something was wrong. Badly. Before him stood a rather young mare. She was probably still in her teens. Her coat was a much richer blue than her brothers and her rainbow mane sparkled in the sun. She was yelling something at him, angry. With him?

Before he could comprehend what was going on he found himself on the ground.  

Had she just struck him?

Again the young stallion reeled as darker blue hooves impacted with his pale blue coat. He cried out in pain as a murderous rage filled the vision of the sister he so loved.

Prone on the cloud he crawled closer. He cried for her to stop, to forgive him for whatever he had done.

As the violent rainbow maned pegasus lashed out once more, her form flickered and the young stallion found the teenager replaced with his best friend. The firey hoof connected with his temple and the world exploded into pain.

The young colt sat up and found himself surrounded by booze bottles. He felt awful...

The stench of hard cider and other, rougher booze filled the air. It smelt like that cheap pub where ponies were allowed to drink until the drink came out either end and they passed out. However, the young stallion’s physical condition paled in comparison to the hurt at seeing her turn from him. She began to walk away, her expression hurt, betrayed by whatever he had done. Her vibrant yellow coat and firey mane burned like the sun in the darkness. His angel. The world grew pale and dark as she receded from his grasp. Panic filled his system. It grew rapidly toward utter desperation as she receded into the dark void, far away from his grasp.

“No- please! Don’t leave…” He tried to follow her yet his hooves and wings refused to obey him. What was going on?!?

His angel continued to walk away, her head low. From where he lay the pale blue colt spotted tears falling from her eyes. They sparkled like priceless diamonds in the bleak nightmarish world. “Soarin!” Her voice?!? But her mouth did not move??

The young stallion’s panic continued to rise “Spitfire- Spitty- please! Just one more chance!”

The mare in front of him shot him one last look with bloodshot orange eyes then took to the skies and vanished into a dark void leaving the boozed up stallion alone. Despair filled the long pegasus as he lay there, his throat hoarse and burning while his heart ached. She was gone. Never coming back. He was just like his drunk old sire. Somewhere in the midst of all the pain, he realized he was crying.

“Soarin, wake up!” Though the voice was faint, the young stallion knew it came from one very special pony. The very mare who had just abandoned him.

The young stallion’s world rocked back and forth and everything became distorted between his cries and that faint voice. All of a sudden something warm and wonderfull fell over his senses. He reached out in a vain attempt to pull the sensation to himself. It felt… like Spitfire. Yet she wasn’t there. His love had gone. They had all gone! Tears escaped the young stallion he desperately wriggled around and tried to hold onto the essence of his best friend. Everything jolted in shock as something smothered his muzzle. It felt almost like Spitfire, his secrete crush, was kissing him right on the mouth. It was the strangest sensation. He could not breathe and yet, right now, he would trade every last breath for another of her kisses.

But, a young stallion like himself had been kissed many times? Should he not be accustomed to being kissed?

Yet it was like nothing else… this ethereal kiss was so desperate, hard yet sweet. Filled with a passion that brought life to the defeated stallion. The teenaged colt relaxed and allowed the strange sensation to wash over himself.

Soarin fell into the sweet, soft kiss with vigour. There was a salty wetness that seeped into the pleasure as if some pony had been crying. It was then his eyes cracked open and the youngster froze. Although his vision was hazy thanks to all the tears, he could still make out the filly he was engaged in lip lock with.

He was being kissed by his best friend.

Spitfire was kissing him right on the mouth.

Their first kiss.

He blinked rapidly and smiled widely as the salty kiss continued to build. Spitfire, his angel had her eyes closed and looked as though she were giving everything to the intimate gesture. He tightened his hold on the fiery filly in his grasp and was delighted to feel her squeeze him back.

Just as his lungs began to cry out for air he felt the brush of something against his snout.

Spitfire was breathing through her nose.

Duh! Of course! He was such a dummy!

The teenaged colt took a deep breath of air through his nose and settled back into the kiss with his best friend. The pair of young pegasi lay together for many more moments, their lips simply resting in contact with one another. Soarin had no idea what else to do at this point and was simply delighted to be this intimately close to his best friend. A warm exhale from Spitfire caught him just as he began to breathe in and he spluttered. Vibrant orange eyes opened and annoyed scowl rippled across the filly’s face as she withdrew.

With the sweet moment gone, both young pegasi stared at one another with growing blushes on their faces. Although the light from Luna’s moon was dim, the pair felt as though they were radiating light from the magic moment. Something new and special had awakened. It took both youngster’s breath away and left them wanting more. The mirrored desire became dampened by uncertainty. Neither pegasus knew what to do next and they could see that clear as day on their partner’s face.

Spitfire, the pony on top, awkwardly settled down beside her best friend till they were pressed tightly together again in the one pony bed. Soarin roped his forehoof around the pretty filly until she snuggled up against him once more. A pale blue hoof rubbed at the tear stained face of the colt who had suffered in the dreamworld.

All of a sudden he found his hoof halted by the light yellow muzzle of his best friend. She nudged his hoof aside and began to gently lick away at his wet face.   Soarin lay there in shock. The hoof around Spitfire’s back went slack and she paused her ministrations. “Hold me properly.”

“R-right.” Soarin chocked in shock at the order and fumbled around till he was holding the lower barrel of his saviour who continued to gently lick his face.

“I think that about does it…” Spitfire murmured as she slid back down to face her best friend. She immediately spotted the bewildered look upon his muzzle and grinned at him.

“Wow… You- we-“ Soarin snuck a hoof up to motion between their lips. “We-“

“Kissed. Yes. Saltiest first kiss ever. Of all time.” The cheeky filly went on to once again lick the light blue colt’s lips. “but it was the only way I could get you to snap out of that nightmare.”

“Okay…?”

A few moments passed as their heart rates slowly began to recede and Soarin’s panicked breathing slowly returned to normal. He could not believe it. One moment, he was suffering a nightmare. The next…

He was kissed awake by his best friend.

Wait…

Why was she in bed with him?

On top.

And why were they already kinda cuddling when he woke up?

Oh, dear…

“Say… Spitfire?” Soarin’s voice cracked lightly in the otherwise dead silent room.

“Yes?” The vibrant yellow filly whispered back.

“Why were you in my bed?” Soarin whispered back.

At this question, Spitfire blushed once more. “Well. You- you were kinda having a nightmare. I tried waking you before you woke up the whole neighbourhood with your crying. Then you started calling my name like some wuss. Then you grabbed me and starting cuddling me as though your life depended on it. Best I could do on the spot was to kiss you awake. It was uh…”

Now it was Soarin’s turn to blush heavily. “Why kiss me awake?”

“Because-“ Spitfire paused. She shifted uncomfortably in bed till she felt feathers brush her barrel and the colt pulled her back on top. This time they lay in a more secure feeling embrace.

The teenaged filly sighed and nuzzled up to her best friend’s ear. “I guess it’s just what came to mind. It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

Soarin giggled softly, “well it worked.”

As Spitfire slowly withdrew green irises remained locked on the angelic flick of the vibrant orange mane. Even in the darkness, the young pegasus could imagine how her mane would glow like wildfire. Their eyes met in the dark. The colt on the bottom averted his gaze quickly, embarrassed at being caught ogling his angel.

Girly giggles broke the silence and the surprised colt turned his gaze upward once more. To his continued shock the light yellow filly’s tongue darted out, licked his own lips then retracted. “Say… you wanna …do that thing again?”

“What thing?”

“The thing where I kiss you?”

“Oh.” Soarin licked his lips. They were no longer all salty. “Oh… you mean you really want to? Oh… Seriously?”

Spitfire giggled softly as she lent down once more and tenderly kissed her colt. The two young ponies bumped lips. They attempted to move them in some kind of kissing action like they saw grown-ups do. Failing that, Spitfire slid her lips off his own and down the light blue muzzle till she came to rest near his ear.

Peaceful moments passed as the two youngsters continued to cuddle with one another. Although neither knew how to voice the strong feelings that were welling up inside like a hurricane, they both bore large grins and fluttering hearts.

All of a sudden Soarin shifted once more, “I think we should try side to side or something… you’re getting heavy.”

Spitfire eyed her bed buddy with a critical eye, “you calling me fat?”

“No- just… It’s really nice, but uh… I do need to breathe.”

Spitfire sighed then nodded. With much awkward wriggling about in the dark, the two young teens eventually found themselves side to side, their hooves in the air. The blanket was… somewhere…

Soarin found his eyes drawn to the well toned legs of his companion and he sighed with contentment and closed his eyes.

“So… what happened?”

 Spitfire’s whisper was like thunder in the quiet room. Green eyes shot open and he glanced at his companion in the dark. “Uh…”

“Your bad dream… wanna talk about it?”

“I- uh… in the morning?”

“Wanna cuddle?” A hopeful smile spread across Spitfire’s muzzle.

Although he had no idea why his best friend would want to stay in the same single bed together, Soarin was not about to reject the offer. After the rather horrible nightmare, he didn’t want to be alone and Spitfire felt like the perfect answer to his quaking heart. ‘Sorry dad, but I don’t ever, EVER want to be like you…’

The filly by his side felt his jitters and opted to just hold the young lug. She was pleased when he shifted and presented his back to her. She pressed her tummy up to his back and closed her eyes. “Good night Soarin.”

“Night Spit. Thank you.”

‘Any time… pie boy… Love you.’ Spitfire let the thought roll though her head but held her tongue. There was no way she was even close to uttering those words out loud. For now, it was more than enough to simply cuddle up to the spooked colt.

As a soft warm gust ticked her forehoof, Spitfire realized that her snuggly companion was already asleep. She couldn’t help but smile at the thought of how safe he must feel in her hooves if he could find rest this quickly after a bad dream. She closed her own eyes and settled down against the warm back of her best friend. Maybe at last they might become more than best friends? A smile remained on yellow lips as Spitfire drifted off to dreamland with that happy thought.

Celestia’s early morning rays broke through the window of the cloud apartment that belonged to Stormy Flare and her daughter Spitfire.   The matriarch of the house dragged herself out of bed and wandered into the small family kitchen. She filled the kettle up and set it to boil. With that done, Stormy set about preparing breakfast for the three ponies in her home.

As the mare went through the morning paces she could’t help but wonder what set Blaze off this time? It had been several peaceful months since Soarin had last crashed at her place due to family issues. Not that she minded his presence. It was rather nice having a colt around the house. He was helpful, full of energy and clearly loved her daughter to bits. A smile slid across her lips. It was rather cute how Soarin acted around her daughter when he thought no pony else was watching. She was sure he held something special for her. However, she was also sure that he had no idea what any of it meant.

Stormy concluded, and not for the first time since she had noticed, it was probably for the best. If they grew up as best friends, noticed each other in their latter years at advanced flight school and got married as young adults, she would not be one to complain. She was sure Soarin would make an excellent husband to Spitfire one day when they were out there chasing their dreams together.

With breakfast preparations finished, she poured herself a coffee and set it to rest on the bench.

It was at that moment, the deep yellow mare noticed something amiss. Her daughter was always up, almost as early as she was. Even on a weekend, it was normal for her to be met by a bright eyed and bushy tailed young filly while making their early breakfast.

She set off toward her daughters room and paused at the door. Not only was it open, but there was no young filly in the bed. Stormy Flare lingered for a few moments as her mostly awake brain caught up with her eyes. She turned to face the spare room across from her daughter’s space and noticed it was ajar. Driven by a growing curiosity Stormy Flare approached the room and carefully slid the door open.

Rainbow Dash slowly returned to the world of the living as cracks of sunlight washed over her face. A little blue hoof rose to block the harsh sun. As her eyes opened, Dash realized she was on her side and there was a veil of pink across her vision. She lay there, content for a long while. Her mind was in a happy daze for some reason, almost as though her evening had been perfect. As the grogginess of sleep slowly left she put more effort into trying to work out why her bed had so much pink all of a sudden.

Just as she closed her eyes again, something warm moved and she felt a soft muzzle brush against her tummy. The little speedster’s eyes shot open and she threw the pink stuff out of her face to reveal-

“Fluttershy?”

‘I’m in Fluttershy’s house, that’s right!’ With that revelation, Rainbow Dash collapsed back down and felt her friend snuggle back up to her belly. Cerise eyes darted down to the unusual sight. Dash gave her snuggly companion a light press with her forehoof.

Nothing happened. No response. Fluttershy went right on sleeping.

Rainbow Dash sighed. She tentatively reached out and gave her friend a slightly bigger push.

The sleeping filly snuggled up even more.

Rainbow Dash had to concede that Fluttershy did look rather adorable curled up sorta in a ball against her tummy. Maybe she could relax for a few moments before getting up? It did feel kinda nice to be cuddled by the little shy pegasus. Did that mean it was okay for best friend’s to be this close? Bright red eyes shone in the early morning light as they rested upon the filly who was so near. The soft breathing of the sleeping cuddler ticked the bold filly’s tummy as she closed her eyes and tried to relax.

The soft gusts of air continued to tickle the vibrant blue tummy and bright red eyes opened once more. Dash knew there was no sleep to be found for now. She might as well get up. That is if she could escape her adorable sleeping captor.

The speedster gave one last light press to try and wake her bed buddy up.

Nothing.

Dash sighed.

She wriggled backward, careful not to kick her sleep snuggler. A yellow hoof reached out and ensnared the escaping filly’s blue barrel. Dash was surprised by how powerful her friend’s grip could be. She carefully wrestled the yellow snare away then quickly wiggled away.   It worked!

Fluttershy unleashed a distressed snuffle as little yellow forelegs stretched out in search of the warm thing that was suddenly absent.   As the cute mewing grew in volume from mouse level to something a little more deserving of the young filly and something broke in Dash. It was just too cute, she simply could not leave now. She tentatively offered her foreleg and found herself snaffled. Once again in the hold of her best friend, she could not help but notice the delighted smile that played across the filly’s face.

Maybe another minute or two might be okay after all…

Dash suppressed the urge to rush to the little fillies room as she snuggled up to her warm friend. She flicked the veil of pink over her eyes and closed them once again. Maybe sharing the same bed as Fluttershy did have its perks after all.

As she lay there, her mind wandered and Rainbow Dash found herself wondering what it would have been like if she had awoken in her own bed. Mom would be preparing her some kind of nice breakfast while her father slept off the effects of another night’s drinking. It would be awkward seeing him sprawled out on the couch if he got too drunk to go to bed properly. But it was normal. So normal she could almost smell him from here. Sad, yes. But that was what cool stallions did right? Uncle Raincloud had even told her it was just a thing that stallions did after work. Parties or something. Whatever he said, it hardly mattered now. Her dad would be at home in no condition to do anything cool right now and she was here, in this amazing house with the coolest filly in all of Cloudsdale, second only to herself.
No, wait. All of Equestria. The coolest filly in all of Equestria.

A soft nuzzle from Fluttershy drew the sour filly from her thoughts. A soft giggle from the snuggling sleeper caused the cyan filly to grin. Maybe she didn’t need boys. Was that okay?
They were icky and grew up to be stinky and silly.

Rainbow Dash felt her grin intensify as she continued to gaze her lanky bed buddy. Maybe if she held onto her best friend well enough she would never need a stinky boy.

Fluttershy could be her best friend for life and together they would be happy.

Despite the growing pain from her bladder, Dash continued to lie there as her mind wandered to all the cool things she could do with Fluttershy.

Early morning in the raincloud home of the Dash family was punctured by loud ragged snores from the living room. A light purple stallion snored up a storm as he lay on his side. His hooves dangled over the edge of the well worn cloud couch and his one free wing occasionally twitched as it hung loosely over his side.

Soft incoherent murmurs escaped as he began to shift a little in his sleep. All of a sudden, the rainbow maned stallion rolled over and fell off the couch.

“Ow! What the Fa- !” A scowling light purple head popped up as the stallion glared around the room. “Oww… my head…” The big man of the house fell upon the floor once more, his hooves clutched to his head as he moaned in agony.

“Oooh… how much did you drink, you big dummy…” He moaned softly as his head continued to throb mercilessly as though under the assault of a thousand thundering earth ponies. Blaze rolled slowly back and forth as the pain behind his eyes continued to build. A sickly sensation filled his vessel and he felt the urge to rid himself of whatever it was his tummy was in protest of.

The pained sound of violent retching filled the otherwise peaceful morning air as Blaze’s body did it’s best to rid itself of the remainder of his alcoholic rampage. The normally powerful, charismatic drunk was reduced to a mewing colt as he lay there whimpering softly at the nasty aftershocks that continued to pummel his body. With his eyes closed and his brain imploding, Blaze wondered how much exactly he had to drink last night. A light purple wing extended and came up to offer shade from the morning sun. Now at least his closed eyes were no longer on fire too. He sighed softly as he fought to remember what exactly had to him spending a night on the couch.

Hazy images floated through his banging brain as he lay there, uncaring of the mess he was in. Right now, he just wanted the pain to stop. His wife could save him. Yes, she would save him!

“Gust? Help me. Where are you, Gust?” The deep croaky voice of the hungover stallion fell upon an otherwise silent room. He curled up into a tighter ball, his purple mane swished around in a giant mess while his quivering feathery shield hid his face from Celestia’s harsh rays.

His memories were still extremely hazy at this point, but he could remember that he had come home to find his children talking about his lost sons.   He had opened up to them and Soarin blew him off because the hormonal teenager clearly could not take the hard story. It must have been really hard on him too. Actually, now that Blaze thought about it, that should be no shock. Blaze groaned softly. He really should have been a better father to his only son.

Blaze knew something, he wasn’t sure what, had happened. Then the front door was slammed in his face by his children as they ran from him. Shame washed over the downed stallion in a series of mighty tidal waves as he remembered what it was like leaning on the closed door, shocked that his own flesh and blood could leave him like that. Just how poorly they must think of him if running was the preferred option. One eye cracked open and was greeted by a rather large, ornate whiskey bottle. It only had about one shot of drink left in it. The once pristine branding on the outside was scratched to death and Blaze cringed at the sight of a small crack on the upper neck of the bottle.

‘I don’t remember touching that…’ A faint sense of panic welled up inside. If he could not remember drinking any his prized bottle from the far north then what else had he done?

“G-gust? Honey?” With rising panic, the light purple stallion staggered to his feet and stumbled into the kitchen. He glared at his small top shelf collection that was now missing its central item. With a shaky voice, he once again called out for his wife.

Nothing.  
The house was dead quiet.

Blaze hurried down the hallway to his bedroom and through the open door. The bed was untouched. Gust had not slept at home with him.

That meant she was out there somewhere all alone on a cloud somewhere.

Daggers pierced the heart of the hungover pegasus as he turned and fled the room, his eyes moist with tears. No. A stallion did not cry! With increasingly unsteady breaths Blaze fought back his panic, despair and fear for his wife.

First things first.

Drink!   The veteran drunk knew that he had to fix his hangover as fast as possible. Pills, where were they?

Ah! Having spotted the cupboard above the fridge, a light purple hoof shot out and opened it up. Inside, the small collection of magically enhanced pills for various family emergencies had an empty box in place of his hangover pills. Great…

Brassed off at himself for failing to stock the much needed drugs, Blaze hurried to the sink and hastily gulped water right from the tap. Once finished messily drinking, he hastened to the fridge and threw it open. Nothing useful met his eyes.

‘When did honey last do any shopping for food?’ Blaze sighed. Lacking any ideal options he closed the fridge and grabbed some hay. Crunch, crunch. Crunch, crunch. The purple jaw worked away at the raw, hay. It didn’t taste great by itself, but it was at least food.

Blaze hurriedly got himself another drink, in a glass this time, then sat down in a defeated heap at the dinner table. “What can I do now…?” He wondered out loud. Blaze knew he probably smelt like the worst pub in town. Going out in public like this was probably a bad move. But he also wanted to find his wife. She rarely left him without talking to him first.

‘But what if she did say something and I just can’t remember it?’ Nervous panic from possible actions washed over him like a dark storm. What was he missing? Blaze hastened from the table and came to a stop in the entrance to their lounge. A few bottles were strewn around the room but that was unfortunately not an unusual sight after a hard night.

Blaze hurried back into the bedroom intent to look for anything that might give a hint as to where his precious Gust could be.   Dread welled up inside as the lonely stallion searched for clues. He was coming up empty, just like the cider bottles beside the couch. What if this time Gust had left him for real and wasn’t coming home? What if she was with another stalli- No! She would never do that! Blaze cradled his pounding head once more as shockwaves from his declaration wracked his mind. He had to be right, Gust had never shown any interest in any other stallions before. She would not leave him for another. But then another thought occurred to him in a slow seeping wave of dread: What if Soarin and Rainbow Dash had run away and never saw him again? What if his whole family left him? He would forever be abandoned to a life of drunken misery as he worked in the Rainbow Factory.

“Where are you, Gust…” Blaze moaned softly as he collapsed against the bedroom wall.

The silent room failed to answer it’s distraught master.

Despite the pounding in his head, Blaze leapt up. He hurried back into the kitchen and gave his face and shoulders a quick wash in the sink. The lonely stallion span around to face the doorway to the lounge. His wife. She was out there, somewhere in the wide open world and he was in here. He had to do something now or go crazy under the assault of his own terrible thoughts. Light purple hooves carried their master to the front door. Although he was not entirely steady upon his own legs Blaze thrust open the gateway to the outside world and cringed as bright light smacked him in the face.   Determined to find his wife he gazed around the street. There were a few pegasi out, enjoying the morning air. He withdrew inside and took a few deep breaths.

‘What if some pony smelt me as they flew past?’   He didn’t want questions or pity. But he had to find Gust!

‘You will go crazy in here if you stay…’

The hungover stallion stepped outside, closed his door then unsteady took the skies. If Blaze were to be anywhere, it was the outer clouds of the grand city. With his head still pounding with each and every wingbeat Blaze forced himself to head toward the edge of town in the hopes of finding his wife on one of the smaller clouds that orbited the city.

Author's Notes:

This wound up being a SoarinFire chapter. Who soar the shipping coming so soon aye?
Honestly, not me. However, once I got past the nightmare scene and I was struck by a great idea for the wake up, the rest just flowed hard and fast between those two. I just let their reactions flow and things naturally evolved from there (or so I hope). I think it works well and suits the story so here we are.
It's quite different writing them here compared to in Our Daughter, but I’m having a lot of fun with them despite the family problems Soarin is going through.
This wound up being far longer than expected. But I think it’s worth it for all the budding SoarinFire on the side to the main order of Flutterdash and delving into deeper issues the family is suffering as a whole.

Chapter 13: Joys Of a New Day

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Soarin rolled over, yawned and smacked his lips together. Bed was so warm and fuzzy …And confined?

“Woah there, watch where you aim that morning breath…” Spitfire mumbled as she nuzzled into his neck.

Green eyes shot open.

Spitfire was in his bed.

Wait...

Spitfire was really in bed with him.

What?!?

Why was his angelic friend in bed with him?

Panic rose rapidly within the colt before he remembered events that had transpired in the middle of the night.

The teen couldn’t help but admire the filly who was cuddled up to his side in a tangled mess of limbs. A lone golden eye cracked open to gaze at the colt who couldn’t help but grin wildly back. “You’re lying on my foreleg… It’s gone numb…”

“Oh…” Soarin stumbled as he hastened to rise.

“Tuck your lower foreleg in and cuddle me back. I’m not yet ready to get up…” Spitfire murmured softly.

The teenaged colt felt compelled to oblige his best friend. With an uncertain smile hovering on his mug he slowly lowered himself back into the cloud bed and awkwardly pulled his buried foreleg as close to himself as he could manage. He felt Spitfire do a similar action and found himself sort of pressed up to her almost tummy to tummy, snout to snout. Soarin froze. What was he to do now?

A lone eye cracked open once more to gaze at the colt who was frozen with a joyful look of mild fear on his face. “Calm down Soar- this is just some cuddles with me…”

“Yea… it’s nice…” Soarin’s voice broke an octave higher.

A light giggle escaped from the fiery filly. “Relax…” She nuzzled up a bit closer under his chin and let out a content nicker.

The poor colt’s brain shorted out and it was all he could do to keep his upper forehoof still while his one free wing stood straight up into the air like a taut sheet. It was nice. Wonderful in fact. ‘But what do I do? What do I do?! What do I do!?!’

Soarin’s thought process was once again broken by a gentle nuzzle. “You’re not relaxing pie face. Come on… I wanna snuggle…”

A beautiful yellow wing fell upon his barrel and Soarin finally found himself relaxing back into her. The smitten colt faltered only a little as he caressed his filly friend’s side awkwardly with his free forehoof. He slowly built up courage as magical moments passed till it was broken by a soft laugh from under his chin.

“I think some pony needs to raise their hoof. Else a certain different pony might get ideas.”

The pale blue hoof shot up to Spitfire’s shoulder height. “Sorry. I-“   

“Relax, if you wanna feel my flank, it’s okay. Just don’t go any lower…”

As her whispered offer slipped out into the quiet room Soarin’s brain once again malfunctioned. ‘What?!?’ What ever was he supposed to do? Surely it wasn’t right for best friends to go feeling each other up, was it? ‘But you know you want to…’

A pleasurable quiver shot through the light blue colt as he imagined what it would be like to allow his hoof down to feel the area around the flames on his friend’s flank. Sure she had a very nice, well toned err… cutie mark area. Wait. Was this some kind of test or did she actually want his hoof down there?  What if it was a test and he failed? Would she even want to be friends with a perverted colt? He would be no better than some of the rough sex-crazed stallions he had seen his father hang around. No. His hoof would remain on her shoulder.

“Am I making you nervous?” The speedy colt almost shot out of bed at the soft whisper from Spitfire.

“Um. Yeah. I- I really don’t know what to do here. We haven’t really- you know, cuddled-“

“Since we were foals.” Spitfire quietly cut his stuttering off. “I always liked cuddling you.”

“Really?” Soarin tried to reign in his voice and as his free wing as it continued to stand erect.

“Yea. You still are so soft...”

“Hey, I got muscle.”

Spitfire giggled softly, “yea, but what if I like a little bit extra on my colts?”

Soarin remained silent.

“It’s a good thing you like those pies so much… you give me a little more to hug, all that belly fat from too many baked goods. You know?”

‘But, I’m not fat!'

Spitfire giggled rather more loudly at the indignant look upon his muzzle. “I’m messing with you, don’t worry. I like you just the way you are, stud.”

‘Stud? She called ME a stud?’ Soarin couldn’t help but gaze into the half lidded sunny irises before him in the cramped bed.

“What did you think of my kisses last night? Were they okay?” Spitfire whispered, suddenly shy.

“More amazing than pie.” Soarin confirmed. The pie addict suddenly realized what he had just uttered and his free hoof shot to his mouth and a look of utter ‘oops’ shot across his face. “I- I mean. It was amazing. Yea…”

Spitfire grinned ear to ear at the news. “You like me more than pie? Awww, Soar- you really know how to compliment a girl.”

“Thanks?”

“Breakfast!” The call from Stormy Flare caused both youngsters to jump.

“Coming!” Spitfire leapt out of bed. “It’s been nice snuggling Soar, I hope mom didn’t see or I’m dead.”

“And I won’t be able to come around anymore…”

The filly shot her colt a cautionary look. “You had better keep coming round.”

“Then we can’t let her catch us,” Soarin replied as he advanced, delighted that Spitfire seemed to enjoy the snuggle session as much as he had.

Spitfire shot her best friend a playful smirk as she swatted his muzzle with a wing. “What makes you think I’ll be jumping into bed with you again?”

“Oh-“ Hope faded from the previously delighted colt’s face. “Be- because…”

“How about we see how we go? If mom doesn’t kill us, I’ll give you more cuddles later. Come on, I know you enjoyed it too…” The vibrant filly lent into the light blue coat of her best friend.

Soarin felt his face heat up like a bright lantern. “Sure. I- I would like that. Yea…”

“Sweet. I get to use the bathroom first. You go say hi to mom!” At the completion of her sentence, Spitfire vacated the room with haste.

Soarin shrugged. Food first was fine by him. He wandered out and into the kitchen.

At the table sat a smiling pegasus. The knowing look sent chills down his spine.

“Finished your little cuddle with my daughter have you?”

“Y-yes?”

Stormy nodded slowly as she swirled the remainder of her coffee around in her cup. “Good.”

Soarin continued to stand awkwardly in the middle of the room, pinned under the overly casual gaze of his best friend’s mother.

“Yum mom,” Spitfire grinned at the sight of the food as she entered the room.

“That looks like enough to feed ten pegasi or one Soarin.” Spitfire playfully ribbed her light blue friend as she came alongside him. Quick to spot his expression she turned back to her mother. “What did I miss?”

“Please take a seat, both of you.”

“Okay.” Spitfire suddenly had a sinking feeling.

Soarin followed his best friend’s lead to the table where they both dutifully took their places before the stern adult. “I woke up this morning.”

The statement was followed by a pause. The two young pegasi glanced at each other. Where was this going?

“Then I made breakfast and coffee.”

Spitfire felt like promoting her mother for more but held her silence. There was a growing dread inside that knew where this might be going.

“This in itself is not unusual,” the mare continued casually. “However, I found it most interesting that my daughter was not up and bouncing by the time I had finished the preparations. Even on weekends, you are usually up early like me, aren’t you dear?”

“Yes mom,” Spitfire agreed nervously.

“So, I went to check on you in your room. It was empty, dear.”

Soarin felt about ready to high tail it out of there. This was sure to land them both in big trouble.

“Not unusual for this time of day I guess. But... where else could possibly be left for me to check, you might ask?”

“Uh… I have no idea…” Spitfire shyly responded. “The bathroom maybe?”

“Not a bad answer. However, I spotted something of great interest in the guest room where your best friend was sleeping.”

“Soarin had a nightmare last night! Okay?” Spitfire exploded with embarrassment and pent up terror over being caught. Soarin’s wings shot up in surprise at his best friend’s outburst. “I heard him and -and woke up him then we…”

“Cuddled?” The smile was back on Stormy’s muzzle.

Both young ponies cringed.

“Sort of…” Spitfire admitted as she sank back down into her seat.

“My dear, from where I was standing there is no such thing as ‘sort of’ in this situation. You two looked adorable together.” Stormy Flare smiled brightly with delight as she took the last small sip of her drink.

“We were only- wait what?” Spitfire’s mouth unhinged. This sort of reaction was not one she had even remotely considered from her mother. Was this a dream?

Stormy flare shrugged, “I had hoped that you both might wait a few more years before trying something like this.”

Both youngsters gazed at the casual mother as though she had grown a second head.

Spitfire was the first to break out of her stupor, “seriously mom. Soarin had a bad dream… I was only comforting him. I was gonna ask him more about it this morning, but I kinda got distracted.”

“By a colt in your bed?”

“By this lug,” Spitfire playfully brushed a wing up against the blushing blue colt at her side. “Please don’t kick him out!” The filly finished up fast, her tone panicked by thoughts of what her mother would do.

“You two do leave me in an interesting position. On one hoof, yes I could kick Soarin out for sleeping with you.”

Both young ponies muzzles flushed.

A solo eyebrow rose on the dark yellow mare as she eyed her youngsters. “You got the reference to that, did you?”

  “Yea, sleeping… cuddles… What else?” Soarin responded with trepidation.

Stormy Flare broke out into a brief bout of laughter. “We shall go with that, yes. In fact, I rather think I am fine with Soarin continuing to visit as much either of you like.”

“Okay…?” Spitfire's muzzle continued to flush rather animatedly from continued embarrassment over the situation.

“I am pretty sure you both are not up to anything suspicious. In saying that, I expect that regardless of whether or not you start dating now or in three years time, please do not cuddle in a private room away from every pony else. Others might begin to wonder why you require such privacy. Some might even ask if the two of you were having sex together.” Stormy levelled a very serious glare at the pair who quickly shrank backward.

The glare suddenly vanished as she continued sternly: “I have no problems seeing you together as long as you keep it in the open where I can see you both. Kisses and cuddles are fine, but no hanky panky. Not in my house, or anywhere outside. Not even at Soarin’s home, okay?”

Soarin sat there with a vigorous blush on his stunned looking face. ‘Sex? Hanky panky? It’s waaaaayy too early to even think about that kind of thing…’

“Sure mom…” Spitfire glanced at the embarrassed colt by her side. It was somewhat reassuring to see that he looked as shocked by her mother’s talk as she felt. “D-Does that mean that if Soarin came over we could both sleep on the couch together?”

Stormy Flare shrugged, her face level and rather stern. “As long as you keep to the rules, that is fine. Sound fair?”

“Yes, thank you, mom.”

“Oh and Spitfire, one more thing.”

“Yes, mom?”

“For sneaking into a boy’s room and sharing a night together, that I expect you to do all the cleaning for the next week.”

The fiery young pegasus sighed. “Fine…”

“I am only going easy on you because, I’m sure you kept it at cuddles.” The mare of the house continued to sternly eye up the embarrassed pair before her.

“Yes mom, thank you, mom…” Spitfire sank to the bench, her cheeks darker than her mane.

“Hey Spitty, does that mean you’re my fillyfriend?” Soarin whispered, his muzzle burned yet he smiled with playful delight in the hope of a positive answer.

The fiery filly grinned nervously back. “Sure.”

“Wow… Cool…” The lovestruck colt slowly settled back into his breakfast.

“Hey, Soar- How about a flight after breakfast?”   

“Sounds good,” despite his blush, Soarin grinned back at his now fillyfriend.

Fluttershy was thrown from the sweet land of dreams by the vibrations that coursed through her bed. The groggy filly sat up just in time to come face to face with her best friend.

“Good morning Fluttershy! You gotta come, your mom has made the bestest breakfast ever!”

“Dash?” The half asleep filly flopped back down onto her soft pillow.

“Yea, we had a super cool sleepover, remember? Now it’s breakfast time and your mom made pancakes! They smell soo good!” The eager fuzz ball bounced up and down, her gaze locked upon the sleepy pegasus.

“Yes, but what are you doing now?”

“Waking you up for breakfast! Your brother looks like he’s about to eat it all!”

Fluttershy giggled at the thought of her tiny brother demolishing a stack of pancakes. She rolled onto her side and gazed at her best friend. “Okay, let me use the little fillies room then I’ll come too.”

  “Quick! Sooner you’re up, the sooner you can eat. The sooner you eat, the sooner we can play!” Dash darted around the room, filled with eager energy.

“What makes you want to play with me so much?” Fluttershy asked softly as she ambled sleepily out of bed.

The over excited blue filly bounded alongside her partly awake friend. “Cause, your fun and stuff! Duh!”

Fluttershy giggled at the response. “Okay, just let me use the little fillies room and I’ll join you.”

“Okay!” Dash rushed off.

As Fluttershy made her way to the bathroom she could not help but wonder if some of the over eagerness her friend displayed was to hide whatever had happened last evening. The thought that something at home was bad enough for Dash to hide here in her house made the shy filly feel sad for her friend.

Untold moments dragged by at snails pace in the Dash family household.

Blaze sat like a sad, defeated blob on his prized couch. Sunlight stung his eyes while his mind wandered like a lost foal. Panic built into an overpowering sense of abandonment. He had reached a critical point and felt about ready to break down.

To make matters worse, his morning flight had not helped the splitting headache.

Driven by the darker parts of his mind, Blaze dragged himself to his hooves and hurried into the kitchen. He eyed his collection of top shelf alcohol. Despite the missing bottle in the middle, he couldn’t help but stare. Before he knew what he was doing, Blaze found himself in front of his booze collection. A light purple hoof reached out and pulled out a small, mostly full bottle of moonshine.

He hastily placed it on the shelf and stumbled backward.

This was a bad idea.

 A very bad idea.

He should have a drink of water and sleep. His wife would find him in bed like a good hungover stallion and if he was lucky, she would forgive him and he might even wake up to find her snuggling him. Then they could have some bonding time and everything would be all good again.

But what if Gust really had left him?

Dread clashed with the fear in his heart.

She had never just left him like this.

Or had she? Had he done something that caused her to run away? To leave him...?

A purple hoof shook as he reached out and plucked the mostly full bottle of moonshine off the shelf.

Bloodshot, hungover eyes bored into the crystal blue bottle shaped like a hyena skull. The lonely stallion eyed it with a sense of dread. He knew he was about to do something stupid. Worse, Blaze felt powerless to stop this sensation. He knew something was going to happen and he was the one to do it...

It was a sure thing. Good as done. He may as well be passed out right now or in hospital.

...not a place he planned to ever see again on grounds of alcohol poisoning.

But still...

The distraught stallion wandered to the trash and vigorously threw the bottle in. He took several deep breaths before he somewhat cooled down and hurried to the sink for a drink. He desperately gulped back the clear liquid. His face, neck and mane grew wet yet he continued to slurp till he could drink no more.

There.

That would help.

It had to.

Now he could behave.

With his heart and head pounding, Blaze wandered to the couch and plonked himself down with a groan. That was supposed to be a moment of release.

But... Why then did he feel so awful?

His eyes wandered to the kitchen doorway then the door to the outside world.

“I should look for Gust again. She’s gotta be out flying somewhere. But my head hurts…” Light purple hooves rose to cradle his noggin as he swayed back and forth on the couch. “Oh, you stupid stallion… you should have gone and found Gust last night… Why did you have to go and get drunk? There's only one way to fix this… I gotta wait for Gust to come home. I should go to bed…”

With a grunt Blaze picked himself up and trudged slowly out of the lounge.

Two teenage pegasi tumbled through the sky outside Cloudsdale till they landed with a roll on a large lone cloud. They came to a stop, vibrant yellow atop light blue. Soarin grinned at the angel above. Spitfire, his fillyfriend? That still felt utterly surreal. He lent up and offered a quick cheeky nuzzle.

The bright yellow filly gave her mane a flick and grinned back. “I see somepony likes being more than just best friends.”

“Well, we still are best friends too, right?”

“Of course,” Spitfire smirked back as she reclined beside the starstruck colt. She felt immensely pleased that she had such an effect on him. After a quick glance at the mountains and green plains far below she turned back to the still grinning colt. “So… how long?”

“How long what?” Soarin asked, at a loss.

“How long have you liked me, ya know, as more than just a friend?” Spitfire grinned back cheeky.

“Awww… geez Spitty, I dunno. You’ve always been special. But I guess it was sometime earlier this year after my sister started making those silly jokes that I realized that yes, I did want you to be my fillyfriend.”

Spitfire cocked her head to the side as she inquisitively eyed her colt. “So, why didn’t you say anything?”

“You know me…” Soarin scuffed the soft cloud, embarrassed.

“Yes. I do.” The sunny pegasus playfully shoved her coltfriend. “But I wanna hear it from the horse's mouth.”

“Spit. We’re ponies. Not those… giants.”

Spitfire rolled her eyes, “it’s a saying, okay?”

Soarin shrugged and turned his gaze to the beautiful landscape around them. “I guess, I just had no idea what to say. Besides, I was already your best friend which is super cool and I guess I didn’t wanna risk that. You were- are too important to me to lose.”

Spitfire withdrew a bit and cautiously eyed her companion. “You thought I would say no and leave you?”

“Welll…”

“You silly thing! I wouldn’t do that…” Spitfire broke into a fit of giggles and rolled onto her back. “I got the silliest colt in all of Cloudsdale!”

Spitfire turned her cheeky gaze toward the blushing teen who was avidly admiring the landscape. “Don’t worry Soar, I like -like you back.”

A light blue wing tentatively extended. Spitfire noticed and rolled back over so she was lying next to the shy colt once more. Pale blue feathers quivered as they slid across the lithe yellow form of his companion till the strong wing wrapped around her barrel. Soarin chanced a peek to check if his action was acceptable. A big smile broke out when he saw the delighted look upon his fillyfriend’s face. She nuzzled up close but and relaxed into his side. Although she was a little sweaty from their morning flight, the lovestruck colt really couldn’t care less. To his frazzled mind, it was perfect.

“Relax…” Spitfire murmured. “I have no idea what I”m doing either. Just have fun. I’m still your best friend and all…”

“But- what if I do something wrong? And-“

“I’ll be sure to let you know, don’t worry about that.”

“Okay. You seemed so sure of yourself back there at your mom’s house though.”

“Was it too much?” Concern rippled across Spitfire's face as she gazed into bright green eyes that were so wonderfully close.

“Uh… More like- you surprised me. I really didn’t expect any pony to get into bed with me-“

“Dragged. You hauled me in when I tried to wake you. You seemed intent on hugging me to death.”

“Sorry…” The light blue wing that had securely encased the bright yellow pegasus began to recede under its owners' embarrassment. The fiery filly noticed and rolled a little onto her side. With the tips of his primaries snared Soarin had no choice but to leave his wing in place. He cleared his throat rather loudly.

Spitfire grinned back playfully, “well go on.”

“Okay, as I was saying… I didn’t expect you to be so bold. Although I had hoped our first kiss would be uh… a little less salty.” Soarin’s admission brought forth light giggles from his companion who lent into his side.

Spitfire curled up a bit as she rolled half onto her back, her legs out to the side as she firmly pressed up against the warm barrel of her coltfriend. “Awwww… you wanted me to be your first kiss?”

“Err… yeah?”

“You’re so sweet. Hey, I feel like more flying. Wanna race to that small town down there?”

“You’re on.” Soarin grinned as he leapt to his feet.

As his fiery fillyfriend rose he snuck in a kiss to her cheek then took off. The speedy colt chanced a glance back and saw his filly was still there on the cloud. She looked as though she was in a state of shock. ‘Oh no!’ Soarin panicked and raced back. “Was that too much?” He asked in a high state of alarm as he alighted on the cloud.

Spitfire unfroze, smirked at him then delivered a full blown kiss to his lips. After shamelessly mashing her lips against his she took off at full speed. “See you at the town, slow poke!”

Soarin stood there in shock for a few moments. This was what, already their third full on lip lock and they had only been a couple for mere hours. They hadn’t even gotten close to any sort of serious ‘I love you.’ Was this too fast?

Laughter broke the colt out of his stupor and he spotted the rapidly receding form of his cheeky fillyfriend who was performing aerial somersaults. “I’m gonna get you, Spitfire!”

The only response he received was a playful barrel roll from the filly who continued to retain a rather large lead.

Rainbow Dash gazed in awe at the stack of pancakes in the middle of the table in front of her. They looked amazing!   A gurgle of delight broke the young speedster from her moment and she cast an annoyed look at the pale aquamarine foal to her right. For once he was thankfully gazing at something other than her as he reached out desperately for some of the stacked food. The straps in his foal seat thankfully held him back from consuming everything.

Suddenly Rainbow Dash was thankful for the harness.

Where was Fluttershy!? That silly filly was holding up the show!

Autumn and Scarlet Sunset sat patiently while the two younger pegasi itched to start the feast.

Then, at last, blessed hoofsteps! Rainbow Dash leapt out of her seat and raced over to help her incoming friend. She hurried the surprised yellow filly to the table, helped her to her seat then quickly jumped back onto her own. “There, we’re all here now, can we start, please, please, please?”

Scarlet Sunset smiled pleasantly at the overeager filly. “Now we say grace. Then you can stuff your face.”

A suppressed giggle broke out from Fluttershy.

“I suppose I had better keep it short and simple then,” Autumn Sunset spoke up, “oh Lawd, bless this bunch that’s about to munch.”

“‘Kay, thanks!” Dash leapt up and grabbed the top two pancakes and quickly smothered maple syrup on them.

An offended cry burst from Zephyr’s lips while his forehooves waggled desperately, begging to be served. His father rose swiftly and served him. As the pancake came into contact with his plate, the tiny colt brightened up. Autumn gave him a generous helping of maple syrup. Zephyr was quick to dig in.

Rainbow Dash gave the foal a surprised side eyed glance at his exuberance toward the meal. It was unnervingly close to her own eagerness. She shuffled a little bit closer to Fluttershy who was patiently waiting while her mother served her.

“Thees arb goof!” Dash extolled around her mouth full of what surely must be the most amazing pancakes ever.

“Dash!” Fluttershy turned to her best friend, “please don’t talk with your mouth full.”

“You’rmph- not my mother.” Dash was quick to retort as she swallowed.

“Rainbow Dash.” Scarlet Sunset spoke up. “Please listen to my daughter. I don’t know how you are allowed to eat in your own home, but here we don’t talk with our mouths full.”

“Oh. Okay.” The filly could see no easy way out of that reply and so kept quiet as she mowed into her breakfast with subdued vigour.

The meal progressed quickly, it felt to Rainbow Dash almost as though the tiny colt beside her was competing for who could eat the fastest.

She won.

With a contented belch, Dash settled back victorious.

“What do you say?” Scarlet Sunset promoted softly.

Dash grinned up at the deep yellow mare, “that was amazing, thanks!”

“No. For your little gaseous moment there,” Scarlet responded slowly.

“Oh, that. My dad always says it’s a compliment to the chef! That you did a great... uh...” Dash trailed off under the unimpressed gaze of the motherly mare.

“In our house,” Autumn spoke up as he collected his wife’s plate. “We say ‘pardon me’ after releasing gas.”

“Oh, right. Sorry. My dad and mom always seem to be okay with that stuff.”

Fluttershy daintily poked her best friend with her wing.

Dash shot the shy filly a questioning look before it dawned on her. “Right! Pardon me!”

“Thank you,” Scarlet Sunset softly replied as she stood and circumnavigated the table to collect her son. The foal in question had begun bouncing up and down in his chair, his eyes fixed upon the spectral mane close by. As his hooves reached out toward the tomcolt he found himself freed from his restraints, plucked out of his chair and whisked away.

Dash visually tracked the babe till he vanished. As he vanished down the hall she sighed with relief. “He’s weird.”

A brief laugh escaped the pale green stallion as he settled down opposite the two remaining children. “He’s my son. Of course he’s weird.”

“But you’re not weird dad.” Fluttershy softly spoke up in her sire’s defence.

This got a further chuckle out of the stallion who took a swing of his drink then spat glob of water straight up into the air and caught it in his open maw with a small splash. Then Autumn spat some of the water angled up to his right. Once again, the pegasus caught it with expert precision. He gulped down the mouthful then turned to the two fillies with a grin. “How about now?”

“That’s cool!” Dash declared as she rose eagerly, her wings outstretched with excitement.

“I didn’t know you could do that,” Fluttershy’s reply was much softer although she too found herself smiling.

“That’s because he does not often resort to colt’s tricks and other silly games while I’m around.” The deep yellow mare approached her husband with a playful smile. “I assumed you had grown up, dear.”

“Oh well, you never seemed to approve...” Autumn trailed off as a deep yellow hoof bopped his snout.

“You don’t need my permission to teach Rainbow Dash some of your silly tricks. I guess a stallion needs somepony to pass them on to and our son is not yet big enough.”

Dash bounced up and down eagerly, “what other cool things can you do?”  

“Well,” the pale green stallion flashed the eager filly a grin as his tidy autumn red mane fell across his face. It obscured his eyes much like how Fluttershy would often hide behind her own mane. “While I’m no speedster like your father... I can out play most ponies in cards and I know a lot of fun tricks with water, clouds, thunder, snow and the likes...”

“Cool!” In her excitement, Rainbow Dash’s eyes almost looked like they were about to pop out of her skull. She hopped off her chair then span around to face her best friend. “Hey Fluttershy, you’re gonna join in too, right?”

“Oh, I think I might just watch you.” The shy filly smiled pleasantly as she settled down beside the eager speedster.

“Watch?” Dash scrunched up her muzzle as she eyed her demure friend. “What’s the fun in watching?”

“Maybe I like watching you?” A faint blush covered the bright yellow muzzle as the speaker withdrew behind her pink mane.

Dash cackled at the cute display. Then she pulled a silly face and bounded toward the pale green stallion who now wore an amused grin upon his muzzle.

“Surely you can do better than that?” Autumn asked as he settled down closer to the two fillies level.

The young speedster snapped her attention up to the speaker. “What do you mean?”

Light green wings extended while the dry red mane rustled. Autumn turned his muzzle sideways and contorted his muzzle while his tongue flapped about and he shook as though a loose branch in a rough breeze.

Rainbow Dash cracked up laughing at the display while Fluttershy and her mother giggled softly.

“You’re good!” Dash stomped her hooves on the floor in applause.

“This other one, I like to call, turn your face into a cat's bum!” Autumn announced before he quickly re-squeezed his own face with his forehooves and took on a rather outlandish expression as though having inhaled an entire bag of sour candy.

Through continued giggles, Dash turned to her best friend. “Your dad’s cool Fluttershy!”

“Yes, he is...” The shy filly giggled softly.

“Alright,” Scarlet Sunset spoke up, her husband quick to take notice of her warning tone. “Go have fun elsewhere. I want some peace and quiet.”

“Yes dear, come on girls.” Autumn strode out of the room with so much energy it was as though a colt had taken over the normally serious pegasus.

 Dash was quick to follow, her best friend right behind her.

Rainbow Dash eyed the pale green stallion who casually strode through the hallway toward the stairs. He had a bounce to his step. It was really funny now that Dash thought about it. He had seemed so serious before. Who knew a dad could be this much fun?

Blaze stood before his bedroom, his left forehoof rose to take a step in. He was ever so close to making it to bed. However, as his mind continued to war with itself he found his body turning to face the kitchen once more. His torn, desperate mind dwelt on the bottle of moonshine he had thrown in the trash.

No!

But?

No!

But hyena's laughter!

It was the best...

No!

One sip?

Just one...

Maybe?

‘No. It will lead to more pain. I need to rest.’ Blaze half turned to his bedroom once more. He had to wait for Gust. She would come. She could forgive him and give him another chance. ‘I just need just one more chance!’

‘It will help ease this blasted hangover...’

‘Yea. By giving you one tomorrow. Or... it could even put you in hospital.’

“That can be a problem for future me. Gust can always look after me. She’s better than any doctor.” Blaze shook as he took a step toward where the fallen bottle lay, sad and alone in the trash.

Begging to be enjoyed.

'Calling to me.'

This was a bad idea. A really bad idea. “I- should go bed...”

‘Yes. Yes you should...’

Yet despite everything good in him begging for him to return to the couch or bedroom and await his wife, Blaze wandered into the kitchen. All too soon he stood before the trash basket and eyed the magical bottle. That dangerous bottle.

The bottle that called out to him. It would be so easy to pick it up and open it.

“Last chance...” his own voice shocked him, so shallow and horse.

Before he knew it, a shaky hoof reached out and plucked the discarded crystal blue bottle out.

“Don’t do it .. you know where this is gonna go...”

“One sip…” The sheer amount of longing in his own parched voice terrified him yet he felt helpless, trapped in a body that no longer obeyed its master.

Just one...

Blaze suddenly found himself on the couch. He could not remember how he made it here, yet his hangover felt a lot better. He made to stand but staggered and fell like a sack of unprocessed icicles to the floor. Fear gripped the drunk pegasus as his gaze shot around the room in search of his lost booze bottle. To his shock, Blaze saw less than half a bottle of moonshine beside the couch on the floor.

Although if he was honest, it looked closer to two thirds empty.

Maybe a bit more.

Wait.

It had been mostly full.

Uh oh...

The ex-wonderbolt sighed. With slow, clumsy motions he sat up on the floor and swiped for the bottle. Oh well. Too late now. He must be drunk as a skunk again. He may as well enjoy what was left…

Far away from Cloudsdale hung a lone cloud over a peaceful forest.

As a greyish-blue mare awoke late in the late morning on this lonely cloud far from anything she found herself high in the skies over the Equestrain country side. The forest below was rather beautiful, all lit up with Celestia's glory. Despite sleeping in late, Gust did not feel well rested. She swiped her black mane out of her vision and her gaze meandered like a lost foal. The lone mare spotted peaceful hills and wide rolling meadows. Cloudsdale hung far away in the distance. Her rogue cloud must have had quite the mind of its own... As Gust eyed the city she called home, a feeling that something was wrong bubbled up in her chest. A sigh escaped the lone mare. She could already tell this day was about to go down the potty…

Would it have been better if she had stayed at home?

Images of her drunk husband flashed across her vision and for a moment she smelt the awful smell of drunk, sweaty stallion as though he were right there on top of her. A shiver wracked her system. What happened to the charming, sweet husband she once had? The stallion who loved her with everything he had? They had been best friends, young lovers for life. He was good. He was sweet. He was wonderful. He was the only one for her. Gust knew it, yet for some reason, right now on this lonely cloud she suddenly wasn’t so sure she believed her own words. Something felt broken. As she rose to her feet, her flank could still feel where Blaze had grappled her in what she could only guess was his best drunken attempt at a hug.

A hug? Sure… Like that was the only thing he wanted from her. When drunk there seemed to be only two things on his mind and Gust felt as though from today, enough was enough.

A sigh escaped the suddenly lonely mother. Maybe it had been a good idea to flee the house soon after entering. Her children were bound to be fine thanks to Stormy. Maybe she should visit before going home?

The lone pegasus shook herself then swooped off the cloud and into the open skies. She angled herself toward Cloudsdale. Gust did not feel ready to face her husband. Yet the greyish-blue mare knew she had to.

Maybe she should find her children first.

Yes, that was a good idea.

Blaze could wait. What was the worst a hungover stallion could do on his own?

He would be fast asleep in bed or on the couch. They had a system, after all. A poor one, but it functioned. Sort of.

Somehow.

Despite her attempt at alleviating the dark feelings, something inside her still felt deeply wrong.

Chapter 14: Blue Skies & Troubled Hearts

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Two fillies playfully rummaged through the overturned soft toy box together, laughing and calling out silly names for the toys as they did so. Suddenly Rainbow Dash froze at the sight of the light purple toy Wonderbolt with a rainbow mane. Fluttershy’s words were lost on the tiny pegasus as she gazed at the figure. A deep and unspeakable void filled her heart followed by a rush of sadness. That was her dad. The pony who had chosen another nasty booze bottle over taking her out with Soarin for a fun evening out. It hurt more than Dash wanted to admit. The pain felt so out of place. She was supposed to leading an awesome life, not a sad life! She biffed the toy to the side and quickly grabbed a large pink fuzzy teddy bear. “Ursa is hungry!”

The declaration caused the shy yellow filly to eep and hug a brown toy sparrow. “Um… please mister Ursa. Don’t eat my little birdy.”

“Raaaah!” Dash cried out as she made the bear gobble up the fallen purple pegasus. She mashed the two soft toys together as though the teddy were eating the pony.

Fluttershy sat there wide eyed. Her toy bird fell from her hooves.

Rainbow Dash hurled the plush toy of her father with all her might at the opposite wall of the play room. It collided against the wall with a bounce then fell to the floor.

Fluttershy stared at her friend in shock. Only yesterday, Dash had treated the toy made in the likeness of her dad with extreme reverence. What was going on? She sat there utterly lost, her gaze upon the suddenly distraught filly in front of her.

Dash eyed the soft teddy in her forehooves. She tentatively lifted her eyes to her shocked friend. Upon spotting the tiniest hit of tears in those green eyes Dash closed the gap between them with a hug. The sandwiched teddy was all that separated the two best friends.

“Sorry, Fluttershy.”

“A-are you okay?”

“Yeah. Of course, I am.” Dash sat up straighter and rubbed at her face to clear away any trace of her own sadness. The soft bear slid to the floor as she broke the hug. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Oh, I just wonder why you came back last night.”

“That- don’t worry. It was nothing,” insisted the suddenly sullen blue filly.

“Then… why did you come back? I didn’t know our moms had agreed to a sleep over.”

“They- they kinda- did… not… okay?” Dash admitted rather slowly as she deflated.

“Okay?” Fluttershy softly responded before she followed her companion over to the wonderbolt soft toy.

“My dad…” Dash picked up the well loved toy and gave it a hug. “He said things.”

“What kinds of things?”

“Stuff, okay? I’m still trying to work it out. Lot’s of stuff.” Cerise eyes bored into the toy. “Then… Well-”   Yellow hooves reached out and encased the slightly smaller filly in a supportive hug. Dash nuzzled her friend back while she continued to hug the soft toy. “Do- do you think it might be okay if I borrow him?”

“Who?” The yellow filly softly asked as she withdrew.

Bright red eyes fell to the purple pegasus toy, “the toy of my dad?”

“Okay.” Fluttershy was quick to agree.

A tentative smile slid across Dash’s face. “Thanks, Fluttershy. You’re the best.”

Fluttershy saw the hurt and confusion on her friend’s face as their eyes met. “He didn’t- hurt you, did he?”
 “No way!” As the words exploded from the cyan fuzz ball, she deflated further. A sad sigh escaped as she relaxed back. “I just want a daddy who’s cool and nice all the time. Blaze- daddy, is almost never cool. Not like your daddy.”

“Aww… Dash. Even my dad isn’t nice all the time.”

“Yea, but at least he’s there.”

Fluttershy gawked at her friend. Where did all this come from?

“I don’t know Fluttershy. Last night, Daddy was really nice to me and Soar till my brother picked a fight with him then he broke. I- I don’t think I like my daddy… I want a new one.”

Fluttershy embraced the tearful filly once more and the pair sat in tender silence together. The silence was broken by the soft sniffling from the normally energetic and happy little pegasus.

A squeal of delight erupted from the stairway. Two filly heads turned at the sound as Zephyr Breeze hurled toward the blue filly.

Dash unleashed a shriek and took off, desperate to avoid the tiny colt who was captivated by her.   Fluttershy giggled as her little brother chased Rainbow Dash around the room.

The speedster tripped on one of the discarded plush toys and slid to a stop inside the soft toy box that lay on its side. Zephyr leapt at recovering filly with a delighted cry and jumped on her.

“Aaaah! Get him off!”

The watchful sister fell over in hysterics.

The soft toys in the box tumbled out everywhere under the onslaught of the two wiggling foals inside.

“Zephyr,” Fluttershy called out softly as she continued to lie on her side, “leave Rainbow Dash alone, please?”

The foal in question ignored his sister in favour of his vibrant target.

Dash at last managed to panic rush out of the toy box. “Eeeew, I’ve got colt cooties on my wing! Fix it Fluttershy!”

“Gah! Raybow! Raybow!” The light cyan foal cried out as he stumbled out after the terrified filly.

Dash made it to the safety of her giggling friend. The smaller filly hid behind her gangly friend as Fluttershy rose. A blue hoof pointed fearfully at the grinning babe. “Make the icky baby go away, please!”

“Raybow!” Zephyr clumsily cantered over to his big sister and tried to circumnavigate her.

Dash was quick to dodge to the other side all the while keeping Fluttershy in the middle.

“But Dash, he’s even trying to say your name. Isn’t it cute?” Gushed the normally shy pegasus.

“No!” The smaller filly clambered up her friend only to fall off and land in front of the tiny terror.

“Raybow!” Zephyr cried out as he jumped in front of his downed target.

Dash leapt to her feet. In her haste, she clipped his snout with a wing. The tiny terror stared at cyan filly with wide eyes for a few painful seconds before he burst into tears. Both fillies shared a look of horror then turned to the crying foal.

“Please stop crying, I didn’t mean it!” Dash begged as she tried to placative her tormenter without invoking physical contact.

“Awwww…” Fluttershy leaned in and gave her little brother a hug.

The babe bawled his eyes out into his sister's side while Dash stood by, terrified to help.

The normally shy filly continued to rub her younger brother’s back as she cooed softly.   Fluttershy’s mother rushed into the room only to halt at the sight of her daughter offering comfort to Zephyr. She slowly approached as the wails lessened and became mere sniffles. “Good girl, Fluttershy. Thank you for calming your brother down.”

 “Oh, it was the least I could do.” The little yellow pegasus replied softly as she continued to comfortingly rub her little brother’s back.

“What set off the waterworks?” Scarlet inquired softly.

“Oh, he tried to play with Rainbow Dash. She accidentally hit him with her wing.”  

“It was an accident. I’m really sorry!” Dash was quick to add, desperate to not be in trouble.

“It’s alright. Accidents happen. Do you think you could give him a hug, Rainbow Dash?” The deep yellow mare replied softly. 

“Me???” The filly in question side eyed the foal she had accidentally caused distress to. “But he’s a baby colt. Their icky!”

Scarlet Sunset eyed the vibrant filly, torn between amusement and displeasure at her childish antics. “I think you will find he is not so icky if you gave him a chance.”

“Y-you really want me to touch him?” Twinkly red eyes begged the older pegasus to say no.

“Yes please. Give him a hug. Go on, he won’t bite.”

Dash eyed the foal who turned his eyes upon her. Two little eyes grew wide yet he stayed in place at his sister’s side, hesitant to approach the big bad filly who had caused him great distress.

The young speedster sighed. With one slow footstep after another Dash approached the foal and reached out for a hug. She kept her head as far away from him as possible as contact was initiated.

Zephyr gurgled happily into Rainbow Dash’s chest but otherwise did not seem to respond till the speedy filly hurriedly withdrew. A blue hoof worked franticly to wipe her tummy while Zeyphr gazed up at her in awe. Dash shot the starstruck baby a sullen but mostly cautious look. She made her way to safety on the opposite side of her best friend. Once safe, the young speedster at last relaxed, “he’s still icky.”

“Thank you Rainbow Dash. You are very brave.” Scarlet Sunset smiled with delight at the cute moment of reconciliation.

  “Got that right…” Dash whispered to her shy companion. Fluttershy smiled softly back.

The sunny mare turned to her daughter, “please may I leave Zeyphr in your hooves for the morning?”   

“Okay, mom.”

“Awww, but Fluttershy…” Dash bemoaned.

  “I’m sure we can find something to keep him entertained while we play. Okay?”

  “Fine…” Dash sighed her gaze upon the troublesome bundle. “Just keep that slobber monster away from me.”

Fluttershy giggled and hugged her friend. “Okay.”

Two young pegasi cursed along through the sky together toward Cloudsdale. Neither were in any rush to arrive home after their fun race to the earth pony town that was apparently called Ponyville.

“Hey, Soarin?”

The colt glanced over at his angel just as the sun caught her mane and it shone like fire. Laughter broke him out of his stupor and he snapped shut his gaping mouth. “You never saw that. What?”

Spitfire grinned back, she totally had seen him gawking at her and it filled her with an odd sense of pleasure. “Wanna talk about that nightmare you had?”

“Oh…” Pale blue wings stuttered and the colt’s progress toward home slowed. “I dunno… It’s kinda…”   

Spitfire drew closer to coltfriend. “It’s okay if you don’t want to share, I get that it might have been kinda scary. Although you did call my name a few times.” A cheeky smile ghosted her lips for a moment before she whipped it off in favour of a more serious, worried expression.

“They’re about my dad. Or me, becoming my dad. They always are,” the pale blue stallion admitted shamefaced.

“Your dad? What did he do? Wait. They?!? You’ve had more than one?” Spitfire darted in close, cutting off any further flight toward Cloudsdale.

“Oh I’ve- maybe had a couple over the past year... or- uh, more…” Soarin tentatively admitted. A warm blush crossed his muzzle at the close proximity of his fillyfriend. She was close enough to kiss and the thought filled with him with a strange giddy feeling.

“Really? How come you never told me? Was I not good enough?” Spitfire pouted.

“No. It’s not that, I just thought you might think I was weak or something for having bad dreams about family. I mean… who does? It’s- well, it should be silly, dumb.” The teenaged pegasus continued to hover as he hung his head, too embarrassed to even look at his loved one.

“Soarin.” Green eyes flickered up and Spitfire expertly hovered even closer till their muzzles were about ready to touch. “I would never even think of you as dumb or stupid, okay? If something is bad enough to give you bad dreams, as your best friend and now also fillyfriend I wanna hear about it. If I know, I can try and help you I dunno- feel better or something.”

“Thanks…”

Soft wing beats filled the air as the two youngsters hovered muzzle to muzzle. Their eyes met then darted away several times before Spitfire cleared her throat rather loudly.

“Anyway. Uh... Wanna keep flying or something. I’m... I’m done, I think.”

Soarin nodded.   The couple flew exceedingly slowly in silence for another few moments as Soarin fought with his brain and mouth to continue. “I- I sometimes have dreamed that I have grown up to be dad. This drunk, lazy, washed-out stallion who can’t do anything right. I’ve had dreams where everyone leaves me, or ridicules me. And- and…”   

The tearful colt suddenly found himself plucked out of the sky by two magnificent yellow forelegs. The strong filly who held him offered a quick comforting nuzzle. “There there… it’s okay. You will grow up to be better than that lazy stallion. I’m sure of it.”

“They- this latest one gets worse. Dad gets me drinking with him. Then all of a sudden I can never stop. It’s like a snare… Dash becomes violent- everyone leaves me… You-“ Soarin chocked on his words.

Spitfire cooed softly as she nuzzled her tearful coltfriend. Her powerful wings beat out a slow rhythm, enough to keep them airborne in the middle of nowhere.

After a few moments of tender nuzzles and a few soft kisses, Soarin found his voice once more. “You- even you left me. Last night's dream… we were married and successful but then I crashed just like dad. You- I-”

“We were married in your dream?” Spitfire couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear at how sweet the thought was.

“Yea, but booze destroyed me. Destroyed us… I guess that’s why I might have been calling your name in real life… I- I just didn’t want to lose you. And the thought of becoming that drunk excuse of a father terrifies me… It just… does, okay?” Feeling lowly and weak, the colt’s gaze fell to the powerful forelegs that bore him. “There now you know… I’m weak.”

Spitfire shot her charge a warning look. “Soarin. I will drop you if you call yourself weak one more time.”

The tearful colt sprang into action and shot out of his fillyfriend’s hold. “Oh no you don’t!”

“I said if you do it again! Don’t do it again, doofus!” Spitfire cut in front of her coltfriend, annoyance clear on her muzzle.

“Oh…” Soarin’s gaze fell sheepishly to his forehooves once more.

“Hey,” Spitfire dated in for a quick kiss then flipped gracefully away into the open skies. “I can see why you don’t want to turn into the kind of pony your dad is. I get it. Kinda. But come on, you’re not going to become your dad!”

Soarin worked his wings to hastily catch up to the speedy filly in front. “How do you know that?”

“I just do, okay. Trust me.” Spitfire winked coyly at the light blue colt and pulled off another areal flip.

 “But lots of ponies turn out to be like their parents or close family.”

“And I know you’ll grow up to be better,” Spitfire assured.

“A-are you sure?”

“Yes, Soarin,” Spitfire dated in for one more quick kiss. “If we stick together we can do anything!”

“But- my dad and mom started out early together- what if I crash and become a drunk like he is?”

“Well… don't go and get me knocked up before we are married. And don’t even ever try alcohol.”

Soarin’s muzzle lit briefly with a grin at the thought of marriage before the second sentence sank in fully. “You mean the nasty stuff my dad drinks or-“

“All of it. I don’t ever want you to smell like your dad. He smells rotten after he drinks. You will never smell like that, okay?!”

“Okay, okay!” Soarin defended quickly, shocked by the venom in his fillyfriend’s tone. “But- even knowing this, my fears and stuff, you’re still okay being you know... my fillyfriend?”

Spitfire rolled her eyes, “Soarin. What did we agree in kindergarten?”

The teenaged colt wrung his forehooves together in desperate thought. “Uh, best friends for life?”

“There you go. Now we get to have fun building on it. Now come on, let’s go pick Rainbow Dash up.”

"Hey, Spitfire..."

The firey filly halted her speed burst and spiralled back to hover in her coltfriend's face once more. "What? Don't you wanna race?"

"It's not that... but, uh what you said before..."

Spitfire's brow crinkled, hadn't they just covered everything? "What?"

"You know... about uh...sex." The teenaged colt felt his muzzle catch fire at the mere mention of such a topic to his fillyfriend.

A blush erupted across Spitfire's face and she suddenly found the vista of Cloudsdale in the distance ever so interesting to look at. "Um... what about it?"

"Would you really, you know... do you know... it with me?" Soarin asked as he examined his own forehooves, embarrassed about bringing such a topic to life.

"Well..." Spitfire glanced back at the embarrassing colt before her. "Would you do the thing with me?"

Soarin nodded bashfully. "You're the only one I could uh... do ...that with."

"Yea, you're the only one I would do the thing with too." Spitfire grinned cheekily, despite the hearty blush upon her face. "But why are you asking me this now? I thought we agreed to not do it until we're married."

Soarin glanced around like a little foal caught with his hoof in the cookie jar. "Uh... yea, of course, we wait. I just... wondered. I didn't think you saw me like that."

"What if I do?" Spitfire grinned back playfully, her muzzle as brightly coloured as her mane.

"Well..." Soarin ruffled his own mane as he fought for words, "that's... that's awesome... cool. Yea. I dunno where I was going with this. I shouldn't have brought it up. We've only been dating like this morning. It's dumb..."

"Think you can wait?"

"Oh yea, of course." The embarrassed colt perked up. "Can you?"

"Soar." Spitfire dated in for a quick kiss. "I look forward to years of cuddles and races. Just ignore what those dumb colts at school say. Okay?"

"Yeah, of course... sure." Soarin agreed. “I’ll race you there!”

“Catch me if you can!” Spitfire yelled back as she put on a burst of speed and corkscrewed past her embarrassed colt.

As Gust entered the outer city limits of Cloudsdale she spotted two young pegasi speeding along like crazy speed daemons. She did not need to think twice to know who the golden and light blue trails might belong to. With a powerful burst of speed, the greyish-blue pegasus took off. Within a dozen blocks she had caught up to the pair.

The two youngsters almost slammed into the veteran wether mare as she cut them off. Gust eyed the pair sternly, “do you know you two are speeding in the outer city limits?”

“No.” Soarin’s gaze darted to Spitfire. “Were we going that fast?”

“Maybe? Sorry, miss Dash.”

“You two would have been sorry if areal patrol had caught you. Save those kinds of speeds for performances and the open skies.”

“Yes, mom...” Soarin replied sheepishly.

Gust shook her head, a half-smile slid onto her lips. “Speeding aside, I hope you enjoyed your morning flight with Spitfire?”

The colt nodded, “yea. Spitfire and I had a few things we needed to talk about.”   

“What better way to do it than a race to that small town. Ponyville I think they called it.” Spitfire added with a grin.

Gust was quick to notice the lovestruck look on her son’s face as he gazed at the glowing yellow filly and grinned cheekily at him. “What happened to you son, is somepony in love?”

“What? How do you know?” Soarin replied with a hint of panic to his tone, his muzzle flushed lightly.

Spitfire facehoofed. Her best friend lacked subtlety and apparently did not realize.

The grey-blue mare laughed. “Has somepony decided to ask his best friend out?”

“No,” Soarin shot back defensively.

Gust grinned back at her son, all knowingly.

“It just kinda happened when he stayed over last night,” Spitfire spoke up in her coltfriend’s defence.

Concern clouded the middle-aged mare’s face as she gazed sternly at her boy. “What happened? Son, what did you do?”

“Nothing mom. I just had a nightmare, Spitty comforted me and we both kinda realized that we wanted to be more than just best friends.”   

Gust rounded on the teen filly, “Is this true, Spitfire?”   

“Yes Mrs. Dash,” the fiery young pegasus answered obediently.

“Okay,” Gust nodded, appeased by the response. “Make sure you continue to be best friends and don’t rush into anything. A serious romantic relationship and children are nothing something ponies of your age should be thinking about till you’re all grown up.”

  “Woah! That’s... Woah... We’re not- you know...” Spitfire once again answered quickly. “It just feels nice to be extra special.”  

“Ah, yes… I remember that feeling…” Gust’s gaze wandered to somewhere on the horizon as pleasant memories flooded her with warm, giddy feelings.

“You remember it? Don’t you and dad still feel it?” Soarin eyed his mother carefully. “You two always seemed so... yea... together. Even though dad drinks.”

The weather mare’s gaze slowly refocused on her offspring and she sighed. “Son, I just slept out on a cloud in the middle of nowhere and I believe my children slept at Spitfire’s house, is that correct?”   

Soarin glanced at his fillyfriend and shrugged. “Well, I did. Dash went back to Fluttershy’s place.”   

Gust nodded to herself as a thankful smile spread across her lips. “I shall have to thank her parents for taking her in at such short notice then.”

“So...” Soarin began carefully. “What happened to you and dad. Are you saying Spitty and I might lose this awesome feeling too?” Worry crept into the young pegasus’ tone as he flew slowly, leading the way toward Fluttershy’s family home.

Gust held her silence as they navigated the city airways till she eventually sighed and slowed down a bit. “Blaze and I are losing our spark because of personal choices your father has made. If he continues to choose his poison drinks over his family I will be forced-“ The mare’s words caught in her throat. “Forced to leave- him… even though I still love him with all my heart. But he has almost killed that special spark that I see you two have found.”

“Dad said it was two failed pregnancies that started it all.”   

Both females' eyes settled upon the colt who dipped in flight, suddenly nervous under their combined gaze. “What? It’s what dad said yesterday to Dash and me.”

  “Your father spoke to you about our miscarriages?” Gust continued to eye her son with a less than kind gaze.

  “And a few other stuff too, yea,” Soarin replied tentatively.   

Gust signed. She glanced around to check no other flying ponies in the area were paying any attention to the group. “I made some bad choices, sure. But it was he who decided to start drinking and hanging out with crazy ponies. It was then my family begun to distance themselves from him. When I declared I would never leave him they were quick to leave me too. That hurt. A lot… It took a lot of work to get some of them to show up to Rainbow’s fifth birthday.”

Soarin noticed the pain in his mother’s eyes and held his silence as they flew closer to the central city district where Fluttershy lived. The trio touched down in front of the house and Soarin took the lead while his mother watched on pensively.

Autumn answered the door and upon sharing a few quiet words with the light blue colt, he vanished inside.

 Gust walked up to her son and gave him a quick winged hug. “I know I haven’t always been a good mother, but you are turning out to be a fine young stallion, son. I don’t know exactly what nightmares you wrestle with, but trust me, if you learn from our mistakes and you will grow up to be an amazing stallion and husband to Spitfire.”

  “H-husband?”

  “Too soon?” A cheeky grin ripped across the wether mare’s muzzle. “I'm sorry, your father and I were married when we were seventeen.”

Soarin huffed, trying to cover the telltale feeling of his cheeks heating up. “Yea, but mom, I’m thirteen.”

“Then you have a few good years to think of how best to propose to her, don’t you?” The greyish-blue mare winked at her son.

Soarin spotted the grin upon his best friend’s muzzle and flushed an even darker shade.

It was at that moment, Rainbow Dash appeared, Fluttershy at her side. Behind the duo trailed Zephyr Breeze.

“Woah, who painted Soarin’s face?” Rainbow Dash laughed. “Why are you blushing Soarin? Did your fillyfriend do something?”

Soarin laughed rather loudly. “No sis. This was not my fillyfriend. Mom did that.”

The smirk vanished from Dash’s muzzle. That was the wrong response from her brother.

Gust strode up to the tiny colt and knelt down to face him. “Who’s this little cutie?”

  “Gah ha! Raybow!” The little aquamarine foal bounced eagerly around the stranger, not in the least bit scared of the mare with the black mane.

“You hear that Dash, he knows your name, isn’t that sweet!” Gust broke out into a massive grin as she continued to observe the energetic little colt.

“Yes, mom…” Dash replied obediently as she hid behind her best friend.

“That’s is my son, Zephyr Breeze.” Autumn proudly introduced his son who gazed up at the strange mare and cocked his head to one side. “My wife is currently out, but wishes to invite you to dinner one evening.”

Gust stood up straight and smiled at the stallion, “I would be delighted to accept. Maybe one evening this week after school?”

The pale green stallion nodded thoughtfully, “that should be plausible, yes.”

“Okay, I’ll discuss it more with her when I see her outside school this week,” Gust confirmed.

“Alright. Fluttershy, say your goodbyes. Come on Zephyr.” The stallion plucked his son up who continued to gaze at Rainbow Dash in awe till he vanished from view.

Fluttershy quickly gave her best friend a hug. Dash readily accepted and held on for dear life. She noticed her brother’s surprised expression and poked her tongue out at him. Right now she could not care less what others thought. Fluttershy was nice to hug and she felt like she needed it.

As Dash was about to join her family she froze. “Dad’s toy!”

“I’ll get it,” Fluttershy replied quickly as she darted off into the house.

“I’m coming too!” Dash called out as she joined in the rush for the playroom.

“Dad's toy?” Soarin shot his mother a confused glance.

“Don’t look at me, I have no idea,” Gust shrugged.

The trio waited in silence with baited breaths for the return of Dash with whatever toy she was apparently allowed to bring home.

As Soarin and Spitfire began to itch for the skies once more, two fillies, at last, appeared in the front doorway again.

  “Thanks for the toy, Fluttershy.” Dash gave her friend a quick hug.

The shy filly replied in kind with a delighted grin, “of course Rainbow Dash. You can keep him as long as you need him.”

“Are you sure?” Dash’s gaze darted between the plush toy and her best friend.

Vigorous nods from the lanky yellow filly were the response.

Dash grinned. “Thanks, pal, you’re the best!”

Blue hooves carried their owner hastily toward her mother, plush purple toy gripped in her right wing. “Look what I’m allowed to borrow mom!”

Something caught in Gust’s throat as she realized what, or who the toy depicted. Spitfire noticed and gave the older mare a comforting one hoofed hug.

Gust straightened up, “alright. That’s very kind of Fluttershy to let you borrow him. Let’s go home.”

Four pegasi arrived at the raincloud home of the Dash family. While the three young pegasi relaxed together in the street, Gust headed for the door.

As a grey-blue hoof lifted to open the door, Gust froze. “Go play.”

“What?” Dash gazed up at her mother, confused as the older mare continued to stare right at the raincloud door in her face.

“Please. Go and enjoy yourselves.”

Dash scoffed, “why? Is it dad? Won’t he just be sleeping like he always does?”

“Go play. Please.” The grey-blue mare turned from the door. Her gaze bored into the vibrant blue filly who gazed back with wide, surprised eyes.

“Come on Rainbow Dash,” Soarin wrangled his sister, rather put off by his mother’s odd actions. “How about we go to your lookout and try to get some airtime?”

“Okay,” the little speedster agreed reluctantly, confused by her mothers' overly serious demeanour.

“Jump on,” Soarin knelt down and his sister hoped up for a free ride.

Dash quickly checked that her new toy was secure before she nodded to her brother. “Okay, I’m ready.”

The trio took off into the sky and Gust sighed. The grey mare continued to watch the receding group who held a special place in her heart. Even Spitfire already felt like family and she hoped the filly would never know the pain she felt now.
Gust turned to her home. She took a deep breath to steady herself then opened the front door.

The sight before her smashed the weather mare’s breath away with the strength of a hurricane. Fear lanced through the mare at the still form on the floor. She froze there in the doorway. This could not be happening.

Like the cold chill of melting ice upon her back, Gust knew that this was no bad dream. Her husband really was in trouble!

With a distressed cry Gust rushed to the downed stallion’s side.

Chapter 15: What Runs in the Family

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The Hay and Clover, Ponyville’s local pub was bustling with activity on a fun Saturday evening. Opposite the entrance lay the bar, the heart of the establishment, run by a middle-aged purple pegasus. A large circular six pony table sat to the left side of the bar. Many smaller tables were scattered throughout the rest of the wooden brown and clover green room. All in all, it could accommodate around twenty five ponies. One particular group occupied a small table on the far corner away from the bar. At this quiet table, a group of four mares were in the middle of enjoying a few drinks, their meal long since finished. The dark blue alicorn of the night took a swing of her strong smelling spirit drink then carefully placed the tumbler back down. The mare beside her, Twilight Sparkle, levitated a dark green drink that smelled like lavender mixed with many other herbs. The younger princess was in the middle of slowly sipping her drink.

Across from the princesses of the night sat Rainbow Dash, a mug of hard cider loosely held in her right forehoof. At her side sat Fluttershy, a half full wine glass within reach.

Dash chugged the rest of her cider then belched. “Say, Princess?”

Fluttershy shot her mare a reproachful look. It was ignored by the rather tipsy pegasus.

Luna took a measured sip of her drink, “yes?”

“So when are you gonna ask Twilight to marry you? So you can, you know-” Dash parted her mane to reveal a certain yellow primary feather hidden behind locks of rainbow mane. “Join the married mare’s club.”

Twilight hacked and coughed. She quickly placed her drink on the table while Luna rubbed her back. “Rainbow Dash!”

“When we are ready,” Luna replied evenly as she continued to assist her lover. “Not everypony is as fast as thou, Rainbow Dash.”

“Oh, well...” Dash went to take a sip of her cider and realized it was empty. “One sec- anypony want another? Looks like my cider ran out when I wasn’t looking.”

“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” Fluttershy prompted, her voice barely audible above the general hub-hub.

“Na,” Dash grinned. “I can have at least three more before it affects me. Twilight? Luna?”   

With a swish of her starry mane, Luna threw back her drink. “Yes please.”  

“I’m fine, thanks,” Twilight added.

“Okay!” Dash happily trotted off to the bar to place the order.

Twilight turned to her marefriend. “You seem to be holding on well.”   

Luna smirked. “Many centuries of enjoying strong drinks does give one a certain level of resistance. Although if I didn’t know better, I would assume that in the case of Rainbow Dash, it likely runs in the family. Her capacity for hard cider is most impressive.”

“It does,” Fluttershy noticed both alicorn’s eyes on herself and placed her glass down. “Run in the family that is. Her dad was ... well- um... yeah. Some days I fear that more than just resistance to alcohol runs in the family. Her brother refuses to taste any alcohol, but my Dashie does love her cider. Just like her dad used to...”

“Should we cut her off?” Twilight asked tenderly.

“Oh, no. She doesn’t get to go out as often anymore and she is enjoying herself tonight. I don’t mind carrying her home. I just wonder what Scootaloo will think.”

“How is she?”

“I think she’s well settled. She seems to be enjoying her new life.”

“Who is?” Dash loudly asked as she placed the two new drinks on the table.

“Scootaloo.”

The Wonderbolt grinned as she laid a wing over her mare. “Oh yea, she’s super cool to have as an adopted daughter. But I think it makes Fluttershy wish for a foal that’s ours too. Then Lil Cheese would have somepony his own age to play with!”

The cocky pegasus pulled her lover in for a tighter hug and added a quick peck on the cheek.

Fluttershy hid behind her forehooves, her muzzle on fire.

Luna glanced at Twilight, the couple shared a moment’s surprise together before their attention returned to the pegasus couple.

“So... is it possible?” Dash expectantly gazed at the alicorn couple.

“Sorry, what?” Luna asked softly, surprised by the unusual question.

“Fluttershy,” Twilight lent closer to the shy pegasus.

“Yes?”

“Do you want your own foal too?”

“Um... yes. I mean, it would be nice. But I understand that we are both girls... so...”

Twilight glanced at Luna. The darker alicorn shook her head ever so slightly.

“Hey, telepaths! What is it?” Dash asked then took a large draught from her fresh alcoholic cider.

“Nothing,” Luna replied then threw back her mixed drink in one go. “I’m merely off to seek a refill.”

Dash gazed at the empty glass for a second then hastily chugged back her own. “One for me too, please!”

“T’would be my pleasure,” Luna levitated the two empty bearers of drink from the table then trekked away from their corner.

“I don’t know who’s egging who on more, you or her.” Twilight pointed out to the maybe slightly drunk Wonderbolt.

A blue hoof casually waved the comment off. “Hey, if I knew Moonbutt would make such a great drinking buddy I would have invited her to the sessions with Cloud Kicker and the rest of the weather team.”

“Her name is Luna.”

“Egghead,” Dash poked her tongue at the lavender alicorn.

Twilight rolled her eyes and took another sip of her drink. The strong herbal smelling drink lingered in front of the young princess’s muzzle as she closed her eyes and inhaled the aromas for a few blissful moments.

The speedy blue pegasus took the opportunity to sneak a kiss on her lover’s neck.

Fluttershy giggled as her spouse lay a series of butterfly kisses along her neck. As the cheeky kisser reached her shoulder she playfully fought her off. “Dash- not now.”

Rainbow Dash withdrew slowly, full of giggles. “Awww... but you were getting all cute and flustered.”

A mug floated in front of the element of loyalty. Dash lit up and accepted the cider. “Thanks!”

Luna gracefully took her place beside Twilight and sipped her new drink. Several shots worth of black rum sloshed around in the glass as it was placed back on the table. Luna smiled as the spices in the rum tingled on the way down.

Rainbow Dash eyed the drink. “What’s that?”

“A spiced rum that caught my eye,” Luna replied with a slight smile.

“Mind if I have a taste?”

Fluttershy shook her head.

Twilight noticed and nudged her marefriend. Luna glanced over to her lover who motioned in the direction of the shy pegasus.

Rainbow Dash took a hearty swing of her cider.

Fluttershy lightly shook her head again.

The princess of the night noticed the timid mare’s action this time and levitated her glass carefully to her own lips. She sipped, drawing it out, enjoying the attention from the hopeful Wonderbolt as she supped. Once half the glass was finished, Luna placed it back down. “Thine wife said no, I’m afraid.”

Rainbow Dash shot her lover a reproachful look.   

Fluttershy bopped the blue nose. As the yellow forehoof met soft blue Rainbow Dash recoiled as though struck. “Owww... right in the kisser! I’m never gonna be able to smell again!”

Fluttershy leant in close, took a deep breath then unleashed it right in front of her mare’s nose.

Blue forehooves waved around wildly to dispel the smell and powerful wings shot up for balance as Dash almost fell off her stool. “Too winey...”

“Awww...” Fluttershy cooed then placed a kiss right on her spouses’ snout. “Is that better?”

“You kinda smell of wine,” Dash pointed out needlessly.

“And you smell like the bar. Does that make us even, my love?”

Rainbow Dash took a draught from her mug then belched loudly back. “Now it does!”

Fluttershy withdrew and took a light sip of her wine. “Graceful as ever, Rainbow Dash.”

The bold pegasus smirked, “you know it.”

Rainbow Dash placed her drink back upon the table, shuffled a little closer to her mare then placed her right wing securely around the precious yellow barrel.  

Safe and warm in the blue cacoon, Fluttershy nuzzled her lover.
 
“Thou art adorable together.”

  At Luna’s comment, both pegasi seemed to remember they were not alone. Fluttershy flushed crimson while Rainbow Dash coughed awkwardly and took another sip of her drink.

“Just forget you saw any of that, Luna.” The blue mare shot the large alicorn a reproachful glance.

“One shall require more drinks if they are to forget that.”  

Rainbow Dash downed her mug of hard cider. “Is that a challenge I hear?”

Luna threw back her rum. Dark blue wings flicked out as the burning drink warmed her. “And if it is?”

“Then we need more hard cider!”

“Or rum.”

“No rum.” Fluttershy’s assertiveness faded instantly as the others glanced at her. “Uh... if that’s okay?”

“Of course,” Twilight agreed. “I’ll get you both two hard ciders to get started.”

Well into the night, four ponies exited the Hay & Clover.

Rainbow Dash staggered, using her mare for support. A rather embarrassed Twilight had Luna half mounted on her, dark blue forelegs wrapped around her neck. Luna kept mumbling and nuzzling the top of the younger princess’s head. The dark alicorn’s hind legs worked with a slight lack of coordination to hold up the tail end of the usually mighty alicorn.

“Good night!” Twilight called out to Fluttershy.

The yellow pegasus grunted as her spouse sagged against her. “Good night. Are you sure you’ll be okay to get home?”

“I should be asking you that,” Twilight replied with a laugh.

“I’ll be okay.”   

“Alright, well-” Twilight tried and failed to reposition her fellow alicorn. “I’ve got to get this deadweight home.”

“Not art a weight dead,” Luna mumbled as her wings lazily rose then fell.

Twilight giggled. “Shush, let’s just get you home, Moony.”

“Hast we ever toll thine how much we love thy flank?”

Twilight’s muzzle flushed, she glanced around and was thankful that no other ponies were around. “Love you too Luna.”

The mare of the night nuzzled shamelessly into her lover’s mane as they stumbled along. Incoherent humming broke out as Luna’s tune lifted then wandered between random ancient songs.

Twilight was sorely tempted to teleport home to avoid anypony spotting them. As she was about to focus on the spell, a memory caused her to falter. Her father had told her never to teleport after drinking anything alcoholic. The young princess sighed and tried to pick up the pace. Three drinks might be few enough to qualify as safe, but with her special somepony on her back, Twilight suddenly didn’t feel like risking it.

Meanwhile, as Fluttershy guided her spouse home, she felt the athlete begin to shake with mirth.

“I won!”

“What?”

  “Saw Luna,” Dash giggled some more. “I total beat her drunks!”

“Yes, you did,” Fluttershy responded dutifully.

“Hey Fluttershy?” Rainbow Dash grinned drunkenly at her spouse.

The shy pegasus once kept her silence as she focused on walking along in time with the stumbling pace of her lover.

“Fluttershy. Hey!”

“Fluttershy.”

“Flutterbunbun.”

“Snuggly.”

“Cootie bear.”

Fluttershy took a deep breath, scrunched up her muzzle a little but remained quiet.

“Snuggly-wuggly.”

“Baaaaabe?”

The heavy weight upon Fluttershy’s side suddenly lifted and she was suddenly so light she almost took off into the skies.

A sniffle broke out in the night. “D-did I do bad? Why you not speak to me?”

The demure yellow mare spotted her lover sitting, wings splayed out on either side of her. “You did nothing wrong, my love. I’m just focused on getting you home safe.”

Fluttershy closed the distance between them, did her best to ignore the strong smell of hard cider as she kissed her lover on the lips. After holding onto the sweet action for a few moments she withdrew and lightly placed a kiss upon the forehead of her spouse. “There... is that better?”

Blue forehooves reached out and delivered a loose hug. “Hmmmm... cuddle meeeeee...”

“I will. We’re nearly home.” Fluttershy carefully pried the blue forelegs off herself. “Come on.”

Dash bolted to her feet, took a few steps then faceplanted into the grass at the side of the road.

Fluttershy rushed to her mare’s aid and helped her up.

“Ow... Who dun that?” Dash moaned as she rubbed at her snout.

“Come on, we are nearly home Dashie.” Fluttershy carefully helped the athlete up, careful to not allow her to rush off again.

The couple eventually made it back to the cottage at the edge of Ponyville. With a sigh of relief, Fluttershy deposited her lover on their bed. She gave the drunk pegasus a quick kiss then wandered into the adjacent room. This was a recent addition to the cottage, attached to the upper story that was once just Fluttershy’s solo bedroom.

Inside this room was a cloud bed with a nightstand next to it. On the bed lay Scootaloo in peaceful slumber, a Daring Do book clutched lightly in her forehooves. Fluttershy smiled at her adopted daughter as she crept closer. The proud, tipsy pegasus stood there for a few moments as she admired the strong filly who was so close in her heart.

The demure mare carefully removed the book and placed it on the nightstand. She lifted the sheet to better cover the slumbering teenager. With a final check to make sure everything was in order then returned to her spouse.

Atop the much loved lookout cloud of Rainbow Dash, the young filly in question was about to take off for another glide with her brother when Spitfire called out. She had spotted their mother.

The grey-blue mare was out of breath as she settled down in front of the surprised trio. “Your father- he’s is in hospital.”

“What!” Dash exploded with surprise.

“He is suffering from alcohol poisoning! Whatever he drank this morning nearly killed him.”

Cold terror followed the words of the mother mare. There was no way...

Dash’s gaze darted between her brother and mother, “but- but. Dad can’t die...” Sure she had wished for a cool father, but that did not mean she wanted to lose her dad!

Soarin sat awkwardly on the edge of the large lookout cloud, unable to believe his ears. The thought that his dad was suffering alcohol poisoning threw him back into the ugly nightmare. He jolted as something brushed up against his side. It was Spitfire. She was giving him a hug. The normally chill colt melted into the affection.

“He’s gotta be fine... remember what I said Soarin...” Spitfire tenderly nuzzled her coltfriend.

With a shudder, Soarin broke the snuggle and Spitfire gave him a peck on the cheek.

Dash gazed at the open display of affection in shock.

Gust broke the moment by once again speaking up: “He’s being treated right now. Anypony want to come with me to check up on your father once they allow us in to see him?”

“Yeah, I mean- of course!” Dash exclaimed.

“I gotta make sure dad is okay,” Soarin added.

  “I’ll come to,” Spitfire flicked her wings ready for action.

“Alright, come here girl,” Gust instructed her daughter.

Dash quickly rushed up to her mother who gave her a quick hug then helped her up onto her back. “Uh... you gonna be okay to fly me to the hospital, mom?”

“Of course...” Gust replied as she stood tall. “Now let’s go.”

The castle of the princess of friendship lay quiet under Luna’s moon. A flash of light from the bedroom window of the princesses suite briefly disrupted this peace. Darkness returned. As did peace to the outer bounds of the crystalline castle.

Inside Twilight’s bedroom, a midnight blue alicorn stallion stood before the mare herself. The bridge of his nose was lightly dappled right up to his forehead. The spots resumed around the base of his mane where they tailed randomly down his back to merge with his cutie mark.   

The lavender alicorn’s horn flickered out, her jaw fell loose and she felt her wings rise. The princess paid them no heed. “Yeah... I think it works. But, uh...”   

Luna smirked at the stunned look on his marefriend’s face. “Yes?”

“Did the spell accidentally add those cute spots?”

Luna glanced at his back. His wings rose in surprise. “Oh. Those.”

“What do you mean, those?”

“My dapples. It has been ever so long since We last saw them. We had almost forgotten the concealment spell was ever there.”

“Why would you hide them? They are soo cute! Even on a stallion, they make you adorable!”  

The stallion coughed awkwardly. “Yes... well. A princess does not need to be fawned over. These dapples ruin my tough image.”  

“But I like them...” Twilight coed as she drew near and placed a kiss upon the closest dark spot on the bridge of her lover’s nose.

The dapples on Luna’s nose were joined by a rosy dark tinting as the now-prince of Equestria flushed.

As Twilight withdrew she spotted something else that caused her wings to rise once more.

Luna noticed the unsubtle wing signals and felt pleasurable sensations rush through his system.

“You look really good as a stallion.”

“You don’t mind me like this?”

The smaller alicorn pressed herself closer and laid a series of kisses upon the jaw of her lover. They quickly found themselves on Twilight’s large bed, hooves entwined as they shared more kisses that grew in passion and heat.

A swish of magic knocked Twilight off the stallion and she found herself gazing at her marefriend. “Why did you do that?”

Luna lay there panting. Her one free wing was up like a flagpole, a clear show of her ...excitement. “Because you know as well as I do where that was going.”

“I know,” Twilight tentatively crawled closer and slowly wrapped her marefriend in a hug. She noted that the dapples had, in fact, remained after the sex change and filed the information away for later. “What if I wanted it too?”

“Then surely thou can wait till we are wed.”

“You mean do you want to marry me?”

Luna nodded. “Then we can share in the next step of intimacy.”

“Okay,” Twilight agreed as she settled in closer. “I’m sure it will be worth waiting for.”

“Now we know we can experience it both ways too,” Luna grinned.

“Yeah. Although I might always let you be the stallion when we want that. You really did look nice.”  

“Should we inform Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy that there may be a way to fulfill their desires of creating their own foal?”

Twilight placed a kiss upon her mare’s lips then smiled into the vibrant eyes that shone in front of her. “Once we test it ourselves.”

The waiting room at Cloudsdale hospital was a squat wide open room. The walls were a fluffy white and the place smelt overly clean. Opposite the front desk, there were five rows of seats, filled with a couple of individuals and the occasional family. One particular colourful family of pegasi took their seats at the back.

Rainbow Dash rounded on Spitfire as the older filly settled down beside her. “Since when do you kiss my brother?”

The filly in question gave her coltfriend an apologetic glance before she turned back to Rainbow Dash, “since we are now dating.”

“You’re what?” Dash almost fell off her seat in shock.

“Yea, Spitfire is my fillyfriend now.” Soarin proudly extended a light blue wing to cover his fillyfriend’s back protectively.

Dash sat there, completely unable to believe her eyes and ears, “you asked spitfire out?”

“Kinda... yea.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah...” Soarin replied slowly, stretching the solo word out as for as long as he could manage.

Dash rounded on Spitfire, “but I thought you said you wanted my help to get him to notice you!”

The filly in question sank into her seat sheepishly. “I did...”

“You asked my sister to help you what?” Soarin’s gaze darted between the two fillies, surprised by the admission.

Gust let loose a brief laugh as she stood in front of her young ones. “Don’t be too surprised Son, I think the only pony who failed to realize she liked that way was yourself.”

“What are you trying to say?” Soarin eyed his mother with a cautious eye.

“You can be as dense as your father,” Gust replied with a cheeky grin as she settled into her chair beside her daughter.

“Oh...” A sinking sensation filled the pit of Soarin’s tummy.

“After all kinds of failed attempts, I ended up cornering him in the locker rooms and kissing him. That got his attention.” A faint blush tinted the grey-blue mare’s cheeks at the pleasant memory. Caught up in the past, she failed to notice her sons’ sour change of mood. Her out of focus gaze lingered in the direction of the ward where her husband was being treated.

Dash faked a gag in response.

That reaction was one her mother did notice. “Oh come on Rainbow Dash, I’m sure that one day you too will see colts as something more than icky creatures with cooties.” Gust gave her daughter a playful nudge then noticed her son had vanished. “Wait... where did Soarin go?”

“To the little colt’s room?” Spitfire offered. “He suddenly had to go. On second thoughts, I think I need to go too...”

The vibrant yellow filly snuck away quickly before anypony could refute her excuse to vacate the waiting room.   

Dash turned to her mom. “Is Spitfire acting weird?”

Gust smiled down at her daughter, “I think it’s because they are in love, isn’t it precious?”

“Eeugh... I think it’s gross... dunno why I ever said yes to help her to get him...” Dash wrinkled her muzzle up. “Why do you think Dad did that?”

“What?”   

“You know...” Dash shuffled awkwardly in her chair. “Had enough stuff... to uh- end up in here... I don’t like this place... it’s all stuffy and boring...”

Gust gave her daughter a loose winged hug. “Well, I’m sure they will let us see him soon.”

Soarin, Spitfire and Gust strode down bland cloud hallways behind a bubblegum pink nurse dressed in white. The mother mare shifted her weight a little as her sleeping daughter stretched out on her back and murmured something in her sleep. The nurse came to a stop in front of a door. Soarin glanced nervously at his fillyfriend who gave him a light winged hug in return. Gust carefully slipped her daughter off her back, sat down then cradled Dash gently in her right forehoof. After a few blissful moments of gazing at her precious little girl, Gust gave her a kiss on the forehead then a nuzzle.

“Whaaa?” Dash moaned as she came to. “We there already?”

“Yes,” Gust replied softly. “Ready to see your father?”

Rainbow Dash stretched awkwardly. “Yeah, lemmie down please, Mom.”

With a final quick nuzzle, Gust deposited her girl on solid cloud then turned to the waiting nurse.

The bubblegum pink mare with a white and purple mane rested her hoof on the doorknob. “He’s just inside here. The doctors have finished with him for now but please, keep your voices down. We don’t want to wake him up.”

“Thanks,” Gust fired back as she strode right up to the closed door and stood expectantly in the mare’s face.

“Uh...” The nurse timidly eyed the imposing weather pony in front of her for a few seconds before she obliged and opened the door. The strong smell of disinfectant wafted out and hit the family’s senses.  

Gust wrinkled her nose then strode in without a word. She approached her husband slowly, her face set like stone.   Rainbow Dash quickly rubbed at her eyes then hurried in behind her mother. She daintily approached the bed, attention divided between the hard expression her mother bore and the bedridden purple stallion.

“He- he’s gonna be okay, right?” The words were little more than a whisper as the young filly fought to not tear up at the sight.

The unconscious pegasus lay on his back looking rather peaceful as he slept.

Soarin nudged his mother.   The mare unfroze and shuffled a little closer to the love of her life. His breathing was shallower than normal. A grayish purple hoof reached out and captured the right forehoof of the bedridden pegasus. Standing this close, Gust could smell the foul scent of alcohol. Whatever was in the final bottle he had opened was truly nasty. Thankfully, it was a lot weaker than when she had found him earlier in the day.

The haggard weathermare lent in and tenderly nuzzled her husband. “Come back to me...”

Rainbow Dash watched the exchange with wide eyes. “Daddy’s gonna be okay, isn’t he?”

“Yes,” Gust coarsely replied.

Spitfire gave her worried coltfriend a hug. His set jaw melted under her affection and his eyes scrunched shut.

As the hug drew on, Rainbow Dash turned away from her brother and approached her mother and father. The light greyish-blue mare gave her girl a boost and set her carefully on the bed.

Rainbow Dash recoiled as her sire breathed out slowly. She buried her muzzle into the purple barrel of her dad.

“You sfink ‘ad,” the muffled complaint brought a sad smile to Gust who gently rubbed her daughter’s back.

Soarin shuffled up alongside his mother. As her wing descended upon him she realized her feathers had settled upon two young pegasi. She glanced down at the couple. Soarin snuggled up close to his mother and gave her a hug while Spitfire nuzzled his chin comfortingly.

The mother mare smiled. “See... he’s going to be okay... We’re going to be okay.”

As the small family left the downed stallion’s room, Gust turned to the bubblegum pink nurse. “Thank you.”

The kind looking pegasus smiled back, her eyes upon the rainbow maned filly who sat atop mum. “You’re most welcome. As we don’t have unicorn magic to purge his stomach, Blaze is expected to be unconscious for at least the rest of the day. But don’t worry, our methods of healing appear to be well received by his vessel. Providing he continues to react this way to our care, he should be allowed to return home tomorrow sometime. Thank you for bringing him in as soon as you did, I have a feeling that you might just have saved his life.”

Gust nodded, the news caused the clearly stressed pegasus to relax somewhat. “Thank you.”

  With a flick of her wings, Gust stood tall and strode down the hallway. Rainbow Dash nuzzled deeper into her mother’s mane, her wings drooped by her sides.

Soarin and Spitfire trudged silently along beside the older pegasus. The young couple failed to notice that there was a vibrant yellow wing extended across the colt’s light blue hindquarters. They received several curious glances and smiles as they made their way through the hallways, out past the reception and to the front door.

“Son?”   

“Hm?” Soarin paused at the front door.

“You do know that you both are putting on an absolutely adorable show for everypony?”

“Wha-?”  

“Whooops!” Spitfire hastily removed her wing. “Sorry. I-”

“No, no it’s fine- I... it was so comfy and nice, I-I guess we both forgot.” Soarin stuttered.

Dash faked a gag but couldn’t help but grin down at her embarrassed brother.

Gust smiled happily down at the couple. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. I just thought I might tell you before we stepped outside.”

“Thanks, mom. But you could have told us earlier.” The colt gave the door a light shove and hurried outside.

Gust laughed then followed.

Spitfire glanced around the reception room of Cloudsdale hospital. She recognized none of the bored or antsy looking ponies. She shrugged. Maybe that had been okay. The growing filly hurried out.

  The wide, open air street outside the hospital had the odd pegasus walking lazily along. Everpony else was enjoying the late afternoon air in the skies.

The teenaged filly trotted up to the small family, “where to now?”

“Well...” Gust sighed. “It’s getting late in the afternoon. I feel like an early dinner. How about we go out for dinner then go home?”

“Fine by me,” Soarin shrugged.

“Okay,” Dash agreed as she played with her mother’s mane. “Can I invite Fluttershy out to dinner with us?”

“Only if Soarin and Spitfire will take you to her house. I don’t feel like flying all the way there.”

“Okay,” Soarin spoke up. “I think it’s about ten minutes from here to Fluttershy’s place. Then where do we meet you, mom?”

“How about... Freddy’s diner?” The weathermare offered.

Soarin perked up. “Sounds good.”

Spitfire grinned at her coltfriend’s reaction. “You don’t mind me sticking around do you, Mrs. Dash?”

“Of course not.”

“What if I was to stay the night?” Spitfire tentatively asked.

“But we don’t have a guest room for you.”

“I can sleep in the lounge,” Spitfire responded hopefully. “I just wanna be close to my coltfriend in case he needs me.”

“Or... you could... you know. Sleep with me?” Soarin offered rather eagerly.

The teens shared a glance. Soarin blushed lightly. They turned to the mother mare who shrugged. “I feel like having family around. And it feels like you’ve been a part of this family since before you started dating my son, so why not...?”

Soarin broke out into a grin too, “Okay, thanks mom.”

“Get permission from your mother first.”

“Okay,” Spitfire nodded. “Hey, Soar?”

“Yeah?”

“It’s what, less than ten minutes from Fluttershy’s to my Mom’s house?”

“About that, yeah?”

Spitfire thought for a few moments, “so if we see you... in about thirty minutes?”

Gust shrugged, “fine by me.”

The tough weathermare settled down on the soft cloud roadside and allowed her daughter to dismount. “I’ll do some more cleaning at home then meet you all there.”

“Okay, thanks mom!” Dash gave her mother a quick supportive nuzzle then rushed to her brother for a ride.

As the family parted ways, Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but glance back at the receding form of her mother. “Mum will be okay, won't she?”

“Of course,” Soarin replied with as much confidence as he could muster. "She's the strongest pony I know."

Dash tried her best to smile but failed, “yeah.”

A trio of pegasi arrived at the serene home of Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash carefully leapt off her brother’s shoulders, rushed up to the door and knocked briskly. Her forehooves began to tap rapidly as boredom ate away at her.

 “Rainbow Dash?” Autumn gazed down at the bold little filly in surprise as he opened the front door. “If I didn’t know better, I would guess you lived here.”

The joke fell on flat on the three young pegasi in front of the stallion. The pale green stallion’s muzzle scrunched up, “Somepony die?”

“Dad got himself sent to hospital for drinking too much,” Soarin shot back sourly.

Autumn’s gaze hardened. “Shit. He gonna be okay?”

“I think so,” Soarin nodded hopefully.

  “I hope he’s kept home for a few days to recover. I don’t wanna see him looking wrecked at work.”

“You won’t see him tomorrow,” Soarin sighed as his mind went back to the downed stallion in hospital.

“Yeah,” Dash spoke up softly. “The nurse said something about keeping him there.”

“Till tomorrow, but then he will be able to come home,” Spitfire added quickly.

“Daddy? Who’s- Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy leapt out the door, rushed up to her friend and gave her a quick hug. “Why are you back already?”

“Dad’s sick in hospital,” Dash explained as she returned the hug.

“Oh no! Is he okay?”

“Yeah, I think. Mom offered to take us out to dinner. I wanted to ask if you wanna come too.”

“Oh,” Fluttershy turned to her father. “I-I don’t know... mom just started making our dinner.”

“It’s fine. You go support your best friend.”

Fluttershy gazed up at her dad with wide eyes. “A-are you sure, daddy?”

“Yes, but your mom and I would like to see you home as soon as dinner has finished.” The pale green stallion turned to the teenaged couple. “As long as you two make sure she gets home safe and sound after dinner, I don’t have a problem.”

“We will,” Soarin replied firmly.

“Okay, be good Fluttershy.”

  “Thank you, daddy,” Fluttershy rushed up to her father and gave him a hug.

Once the red maned pegasus had retreated inside, the latest addition to the party turned to her best friend. “What happened to your dad?”

Dash sighed, “He- He... ugh...”

“Dad is sick because he had too much of a bad drink,” Soarin carefully spoke up. “He’s in hospital for the night so they can make him all better.”

Spitfire eyed her coltfriend. He met her gaze.

Fluttershy gave her best friend another hug. “I’m sure he will be okay... why don’t we go? Food will help you feel better.”

“Yeah...” Dash straightened up a bit. “Yeah.”

The multicoloured filly’s grip on her best friend lingered for a few long moments. She coughed nervously then rubbed her eyes. “Okay... let’s go.”

Soarin waited patiently for his sister as she meandered over to him. He picked her up in his forelegs and carried her off. Fluttershy curled up in Spitfire’s forelegs as she too was picked up, her eyes squeezed shut and she let out a little “eep!”

Once the small group was cursing along the flight lane toward the diner, the shy filly relaxed a bit. Her eyes cracked open and she spotted her best friend.

Rainbow Dash had a smile on her face. Her wings were open and she was being carried like a little pod under a larger carrier airship. Pale blue forelegs tethered her firmly in place and she was doing her best to mirror her brother’s positioning as he cursed along. Soarin wore a stoic, flat expression as he concentrated on his flight and the safety of his little sister.

The shy filly glanced up at the darker yellow teen who carried her.

“You want to try that too?” Spitfire offered.

Fluttershy briskly shook her head and curled up a bit more.

“Okay.” Spitfire relented and continued to fly in the more upright position she was maintaining for easier bridal style carrying.

Rainbow Dash found herself in her bedroom. The sun had set. It was time for little fillies to go to bed. But for some reason, she could not seem to find blessed sleep. The youngster picked up the plush toy of her father from his position by her bedside.   She gazed at it for a few sombre moments before she clutched it close. A few tears escaped as she wiggled back and forth in bed. “Please come back, Daddy... I promise I won’t say mean things about you, ever again...”

The young filly’s mind wandered to her best friend. Fluttershy would be cool to have around right now. Why did she have to go home after dinner? It was a shame she couldn’t spend another night out at her house.

It had been nice, playing together in the bath... sleeping together... and ...snuggling.

How in the world was snuggling cool?

It should have been uncool.

Yet somehow, the thought of snuggling up at night with Fluttershy was especially appealing to the lone filly right now.

As her mind wandered from her friend she quickly found herself wondering about her poor father.

“Dumb dad... why did you do that...?” Dash uttered.   The raincloud walls and plush toy failed to answer the filly who sighed.

A light blue muzzle poked around the corner of her open door, “hey, Dash?”

The normally vibrant filly shot up in bed. She quickly hid the toy. “Soarin? Whatdoyouwant?”

“Spitty and I can’t sleep. Wanna come and play a game with us?”

“Sure.” Rainbow Dash leapt off the bed and approached her brother.

The colt remained in place, his gaze upon the spot where the purple plush with a rainbow mane had been hidden.

“Soar?”

“It’s okay if you wanna bring dad too.”

“Y- you sure? He’s just a toy.”

“Yeah. I think I want him too.”

Rainbow Dash nodded slowly then rushed back to her bed and fished the plushie out from under the sheet. The young pegasus gazed into its static eyes for a few moments, wishing she could be looking at the face of her real dad.   Rainbow Dash snapped out of her trance as a wing fell upon her back. “Do you... want a hug, sis?”

Rainbow Dash nodded as she fell into the waiting hooves of her older brother. “Thanks...”

“You know, if you ever need anything, I’m here for you, right?”

Rainbow Dash nodded briskly. “Yeah. Let’s go. I’m sure your fillyfriend is waiting for us.”

Soarin tenderly eyed the plush toy grasped firmly by a blue forehoof. “Okay. Yeah.”

Once outside her room Rainbow Dash paused again, her gaze upon the door at the far end of the hallway. The door to her parents’ room.

Soarin noticed, “she’s sleeping Dash. I think today wiped her out.”

The small blue filly nodded then cantered to the kitchen where they found Spitfire dealing out three hands at the dinner table. The older filly noticed the plush toy that was reverently placed between the two siblings as they took their seats. The vibrant yellow filly elected to not comment as she continued to set up the card game.

Chapter 16: Joys and Memories

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A grey pegasus mare with a black mane that was trying hard not to turn grey with age flew alongside her husband, a rainbow maned stallion with a proud purple coat. Both were powerfully built from their respective careers in the skies. On the stallion's back sat a rainbow maned filly of about six years. The sunny yellow filly buzzed her wings with excitement as her grandfather pulled off a large loop.

Grey forehooves picked the cheery filly from her ride. The youngster found herself suspended by two strong forelegs as Gust continued to fly. The sunny filly cried out with joy as the weathermare put on a burst of speed and raced toward the floating cloud house that hovered near the border of the Everfree forest.

With the precision of a Wonderbolt, Gust dived toward the cloud platform on the right side of the regal structure. Gust flew in so sharply and low that bright yellow hooves lightly skimmed the surface of the rainbow pool. The flyer banked and killed speed. The weathermare touched down with her granddaughter secure in her grasp beside the filly sized rainbow pool.

The tiny filly giggled as she was released. “That was fun grandma!”

“I’m glad you think so dear,” Gust replied with a smile.

“I think you fly cooler than grandpa!” Declared the foal with much excitement.

“Hey!” An offended looking Blaze touched with an exaggerated huff.

Pink eyes glittered as they grew wide. “I- I’m sorry Gran-”

“Now don’t you worry,” a laugh escaped the now grinning stallion as he strode over and gave his quaking granddaughter a hug. “I was just having you on.”

The front door to the cloud house opened as the little filly’s breathing stilled. Gust locked eyes with the mare who stood in the doorway.

“Dad? Mom?” Dash froze at the sight of her parents. “What are you two doing here?”

“We wanted to see our little girl.” Gust offered. Her husband smiled as he nodded.

“That's... nice. You uh... haven’t spoken to anypony else in town have you?”

“They spoke to me!” Spectra declared with much delight as her grandsire continued to lightly hug her.

Rainbow Dash visibly relaxed. “I thought you would be off playing with your friends?”

“I met Gran and Grandad,” declared the little filly. “My friends will see me tomorrow.”

“Okay, cool.” Dash eyed her parents. “You wanna come in then?”

“That would be lovely dear.” Gust smiled.

The light blue speedster withdrew into the floating family home “Fluttershy! My parents are here!”

Spectra leaped into the small pool of rainbow then raced inside with a delighted shout.

The two proud grandparents eyed the multicoloured hoof prints for a few moments before they turned to one another, smiled then followed at a more sedate pace.

Inside the family dwelling, the older couple spotted their daughter reclining on the love seat. Spectra eagerly raced up to her mother and leapt up beside her.

“So how have things been for you, Rainbow Dash?” Gust asked casually as she sat on a wide comfy looking couch opposite the loveseat.

“Awesome.” The speedster spotted her wife incoming from the adjacent room and made room for the lanky mare. “Although...”

“What?” Blaze asked cautiously.

Spectra released herself from her mother’s side and raced over to her grandparents.

“I did dream of my foalhood last night.” Rainbow Dash’s admission caused her daughter to glance back with wide curious eyes.

“You did?” The rainbow maned stallion seated himself beside his wife and laid a well kept wing across her withers. The grey mare snuggled her spouse and snagged her granddaughter.

With a surprised ‘eep!’ Spectra found herself in the clutches of her grandsires. With a quick glance upward, the filly spotted their pleased expressions and ceased fighting.

Witnessing her daughter’s relaxed state of being, Dash couldn't help but grin. The fact that her own misses was snuggled against her too totally had nothing to do with it. “Yeah. I did...”

The yellow filly perked up. “What kinda dream mommy?”

Dash caught the adoring look in her lover’s eyes and smirked. “Well...” Her gaze settled on her own father. “Uh... I woke up when we were about to see how close you came to poisoning yourself, dad.”

Blaze scowled. “Why were you dreaming of that time? That was rough. For all of us...”

“Yea, I know. It’s silly.” Dash replied. “Fluttershy and I had been remembering all the fun we had as fillies, especially before we, you know... started dating and getting all mushy and stuff. I still can’t believe how much you both have changed.”

“Speak for yourself,” Gust smirked at her daughter. “I feel like the biggest change in myself has been the increase of grey hairs in my mane. It’s almost matching the rest of my coat now.”

The older mare’s gaze lingered on the younger couple as thoughtful silence fell. “Whereas you two grew up and have had an incredible life down here. Your father and I could not be more proud.”

“Yeah! Go Rainbow Dash!” Blaze cheered with a cheeky grin.

Rainbow Dash flushed red while her mate chuckled softly.

The purple stallion settled down once more with a cheeky grin, “I’m still surprised that you two were the first to give us grand foals...”

“My brother is still addicted to his job. And I can confirm that because I work with him now,” Dash shot back with a cheeky grin.

“Neither he nor his wife visit us often. He appears to have taken after the other males in this family and managing to be both lazy and a workaholic.” Gust added sourly.

  “But-” Fluttershy spoke up, “don’t you both live in Cloudsdale?”

Gust sighed as she played with the many colours of her granddaughter’s mane. “That we do.”

“Oh...” Fluttershy gazed hopefully at her spouse.

Dash sighed as she took the hint. “So uh... dad... I hear you’re retiring from the factory soon.”

The purple stallion nodded. “Yeah. Figured I got enough bits and would follow Autumn’s hoofsteps.” His gaze fell to his grand foal.

“You can go in there?” Spectra asked as she gazed up at her granddad in awe.

Blaze nodded as a grin ripped across his muzzle. “Sure can little filly. In fact... your mothers weren’t all that much older than you when they set foot inside the Rainbow Factory for the first time.”

Spectra spun around to face her parents. “You got to go in there when you were little?”

“We were older than you Spectra. We were what? Nine?” Dash turned to eye Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy had just turned nine, hadn’t you?” Blaze grinned. “My girl, your birthday was still coming up. I remember that as though it were yesterday...”

“You caught them in the rainbow factory unsupervised?” Gust rounded on her husband.

The stallion shot the younger couple a guilty look. “Oops. Uh... you can forget that I said anything. Right, dear?”

Gust lent closer to her husband, till grey met purple. “I am most interested to hear what happened?”

The two elder pegasi continued to gaze at one another, nose to nose till Blaze tried to turn the contact into a kiss. His lips met grey forehead then he found himself tacked onto the couch.

Spectra slipped out onto the floor and three sets of eyes watched the playful wrestling of the elder couple as they fought for dominance on the couch.

“Ouch! My back!” Blaze cried out.   Gust was quick to sit up and release her husband. “You okay?”

The purple stallion rose slowly and nodded. He lent against his wife and sighed. “This getting old stuff sucks.”   Blaze glanced down at his granddaughter, “don’t you go getting old kiddo, stay young. You can’t do all the fun stuff you used to when you hit my age.”

“How old are you grandpa?” The little filly asked.

Deep laughter broke out from the purple stallion. “Now that would be telling, but I’m sure I’m the oldest one here in the room.”

“By two months.” Gust playfully added.

Blaze sat back as though he was the boss of everything. “Exactly.”

“But it does not get you out of answering me. Why did you let two fillies, both family wander the Rainbow Factory?” Pink eyes met Amethyst with a challenging stare and Blaze turned away with a cough.

“Uh, Fluttershy and I just had some fun, that was all!” Dash exclaimed. “Yea, it all started when I decided to take Fluttershy out and show her a good time. She had just had her ninth birthday and her family had been too slow and boring. So I decided to spice it up a bit!”

“By endangering her?” Gust replied, deadpan.

Dash scoffed. “No way, we were perfectly safe!”

Only Rainbow Dash missed the look her wife gave her as she prepared to continue with the tale.

Spectra giggled at the funny expression on Fluttershy’s face while Blaze snickered.

Dash shot her father a look. “I remember that day super clear like it was yesterday. It was the day after my best friend's birthday party! Back then there was none of this girlfriends or love stuff. Just two best friends off to explore...”

“Hey, Fluttershy! Look where we are!” Rainbow gestures to the building ahead of them.

The building was majestic, gigantic... a centrepiece of Cloudsdale. It was none other than the acclaimed Rainbow Factory. The very place that all of Equestria’s rainbows were made in just the right kind of spectrum of colours and beauty. Awe washed over Fluttershy, having never been so close to the legendary building before.

“That’s amazing... but um... why are we here?” Fluttershy queried nervously.

“Both our dad’s work here, of course!” Rainbow declared, a large grin set upon her muzzle. “We’re gonna go inside and look around!”

“But- won’t they be mad at us for coming here? My daddy says it’s not safe for little fillies in here...” Fluttershy’s eyes grew wide as she slowly backed up

Dash strode toward the entrance, her small saddlebag bounced slightly from her energetic pace. “No way! My dad’s one of the big bosses of the factory! Dad’s a real lazy old thing, I’m sure we won’t be caught or anything!”

“Oh, but my daddy works here too... He’s not lazy like your daddy. A-are you sure it’s sure?”

Rainbow Dash scoffed, “of course I’m sure, it’s gonna be cool! Come on!”

Fluttershy continued to hunker like a frozen bunny, caught in the middle of a busy road. “I- I don’t know...”

“Come on, it will be fun! And if we do get caught... I just tell them I have lunch for my dad,” Dash briefly motioned to her saddlebag then strode right up and hoisted her best friend to her feet.

The lanky filly sank back down to the cloudstuff underhoof. “Oh... I don’t know Dash. Daddy made it clear that he did not want me to go in there ”

The bold filly scoffed. “Don’t be such a buzzkill Flutters. I wanna give you a cool day out. Do you want in or don’t you?”

The shy filly glanced up at the imposing cloud structure. Green eyes met shining red. Fluttershy sighed and hunkered close to her insufferable companion. “Okay.”

“That’s my girl!” Dash cheered.

Yellow cheeks tint pink.   Before Fluttershy could formulate a proper response she found herself dragged inside the mighty workplace.

The cyan filly dragged her shy companion off to the side. A few grown ups passed by. None of them noticed the intruders. Dash grinned. “Isn’t this great!”

The loud whisper caused Fluttershy to jump.

Dash giggled, “come on, let’s go have fun.”

Little blue wings out and tail erect, Dash strode purposefully off.

Fluttershy allowed herself a moment to admire the funny posture of her friend. She really was sure to grow up to be a cute big filly.

Rainbow Dash turned and noticed her companion was not in fact following. “Hey, you wanna get caught? Come on...”

With a fearful glance around Fluttershy took off as if her tail was on fire. “T-they won’t be mean if they find us, will they?”

“Yeah sure...” Dash murmurs with a roll of her eyes. “We gotta stay clear of some of the mean ponies here. They think I’m a bad little runt and try to throw me out every time I come here. Even if I just come to bring dad his lunch when he leaves it at home!”

“Oh. I’m sorry.” Fluttershy softly murmured.

“Fluttershy, it’s not you who needs to say sorry. Just stick with me and stay tight.” Dash announces, trotting off eager to show her best friend the sights.

“O-Okay, Rainbow...” A very nervous Fluttershy hurried closer till she was pressed up anxiously against her brave companion.

Dash smirked back. Just as she was about to relax a large white pegasus strode rounded the bend up ahead. The speedy filly grabbed her friend and hurried into a small room. She hid them both off to the side of the doorway, hopeful that the incoming big pony would not look inside.

The pair huddled together for long slow moments till they head the soft clop-clop of hooves on cloud pass their door. Dash held tight onto Fluttershy for another few moments then relaxed. “Close one... feel that rush Fluttershy?”

“Rush?” Yellow hooves continued to hold the smaller filly in a death grip. “That was terrifying.”

Dash giggled softly, “yeah. That’s why it’s a rush.”

Fluttershy scowled at her best friend. “W-what happens if I decide I’m not having fun?”  

“But-” Dash fell silent as voices approached from down the hallway.

The two intruders held their silence as tightly as Fluttershy held her Rainbow.

 As the voices faded away a loud gasp escaped Rainbow Dash, “you got a real strong hold there pal.”

“Oh..? sorry...”

Rainbow Dash playfully gave her filly a boop. “It’s fine. If I had that strength I could easily beat all the big mean colts.”

“But- but fighting’s bad...”

Vibrant red eyes were rolled slowly and obviously. “Yeah. Come on, I think it’s clear.”

“Wait, Dash I-”

“Sssh, let’s go.” A blue hoof waved frantically for the yellow filly to follow.

Fluttershy hurried to her friend’s side and together they hurried onward. Rainbow Dash led with the authority of one who had done the trip before.

The pair trotted along well adorned hallways. Rainbow Dash would occasionally pause, listen carefully then continue. With an increasing frequency, the pair had to rush off into hiding at each and every sign of other ponies. When a bolt hole into another room was not close, they hid behind small pillars, boxes, other clouds. Fluttershy trailed like a blind filly, completely lost and at the mercy of her friend’s guidance. As they walked deeper through what appeared to be a series of storage rooms, Fluttershy began to find a small, shy measure of courage starting to emerge. Dash hurriedly shifted into yet another alcove in a fairly large room. Fluttershy found herself moving in time with the speedy filly. She smiled to herself. Maybe this could be fun after all.   Rainbow Dash caught the shy smile and grinned back. They hid from a group of excitable looking stallions who walked past as if they were on a mission.

“R-Rainbow... Where are we going?” The gangly filly poked her head over her friend.

Dash carefully lent out and gazed around the large storage room, scanning for signs of unwanted life. There was nothing but large crates, colourful clouds and big bins that smelt of spices

“You’ll see. We’re in the storage right now cause it’s easier to hide. But, where we’re going... it’s super awesome!” The excited guide replied, glancing up at her friend. “You know, I wish I was tall like you.”

Fluttershy giggled, smiling brightly, “Awww... You’ll catch up to me one day, Rainbow! Why, I bet you will be taller than me!”

“I don’t want to be a giant...” The cyan filly replied softly, defending her stance on size.

“Really? Then what do you want?” Fluttershy tilted her head curiously.

“Just to be aerodynamic. It’s a really really big word my mom sometimes says. It means… something cool about flying fast. yea.”

“Oh....” Fluttershy smiled a bit, leaning down toward her best friend. “At least then I won’t have to reach down to...” She blushed and turned her gaze away. “Never mind. Shall we go?”

“Sure thing.” Dash leapt into the air. Her gaze quickly scanned the room. No grown ups were around. This was perfect.

With a spring in her step, the colourful ball of fluff led the way out of the room. “You know Fluttershy, you can be really weird sometimes.”

Rainbow Dash glanced over at her shy friend, glad that they were walking in step this time. “But you're cool.”

The creamy yellow filly couldn't help but emit out an excited squeal. She scooped the little ball of blue and rainbow a big hug. Fluttershy couldn’t help but feel delighted at being considered “cool” by Rainbow Dash!

“Hey... not in the middle of the road. We don’t want some bigshot seeing me like this!” Rainbow gently pushed her buzzing friend off, smiling at her. “But I did mean it. You being cool.”

“Yay!” Giggled a very happy Fluttershy.

“Can you catch a rainbow?” The speaker grinned back at her blushing friend, a cheeky look upon her face.

Rainbow Dash sprinted off. She gave her rainbow tail a good swish, illustrating her point.

The tantalizing rainbow captivated the blushy filly’s eyes and she grinned goofily back. “Yes!”

Fluttershy chased after her cheeky friend. She took short leaps and bounds to try and capture the elusive ball of spectrum. “Come back here, Rainbow!”

“Never!” Comes the cheeky filly’s cheerful, laughing reply as she kept eluding capture. “Catch me if you can!”

The energetic ball of colour glanced back at her pursuer, poking out her tongue. She blew a raspberry. The world exploded into stars and pain. Rainbow Dash had just slammed into a column in the wall.

The downed filly lay there stunned, “whaa..?”

Panic crossed Fluttershy’s face. She rushed over to her crashable friend. “Rainbow! Ar-are you okay?”

The stunned filly groggily stood. She tentatively rubbed at her temple. “Awww... remind me to look where I’m going next time.”

“You do that too much... you don’t want to be sent to hospital, do you?” Fluttershy nuzzled the downed filly. “I’m sorry, Rainbow... I mean-”

“No. You’re right.” Rainbow Dash cut off what was obviously an apologetic ramble set off by assuming she was offended.

“I- I am?”

The cyan filly briskly nodded.

The sound of two stallions conversing broke the pair out of their little moment.

Fluttershy grabbed her friend and hid behind the small column, hopeful that whoever was coming would not notice the two fillies in their rather poor hiding spot.

Dash grinned as the grown ups passed by. She was pleased that her friend finally appeared to be somewhat enjoying herself too.

As the voices faded Fluttershy sighed. This was both nerve wracking and ...something. Something that made her head feel light. It was like fun, but also stressful. She hoped her friend would guide her to where they were going soon... A sudden idea struck the timid filly.

“Fluttershy... what are you doing?” Dash eyed her best friend cautiously as her vision filled with yellow and pink.

“I’m kissing it better, silly...” Fluttershy murmured back as she planted a kiss upon the head of her friend, right on the spot where the bonk happened. She held it for a moment. A lanky yellow hoof caressed the rainbow mane. Once, twice, then again.

Rainbow Dash blushed. A strange feeling coursed through her body causing her heart pound as though she was racing. It sure felt odd yet nice at the same time. The contact calmed her nerves and eased the thumping pain. The light blue filly grinned happily.

The shyly smiling filly withdrew slowly. “D-does it feel better now?”

“Yep! Thank you, Fluttershy.” Dash hurried to her feet and shoved all such sappy thoughts out of mind. “Come on. I still have a factory to show you.”

Said shy pony nodded in agreement, glad that her best friend is okay. The bold filly took the lead as they set out once more. After what felt like a long time Rainbow Dash perked up. She ran up to a large closed door and paused. This closed off room had a door that looked as if it had been doused in a red rainbow fluid.

The leader held up a forehoof as her friend wandered up to stand beside her. “Wait here Fluttershy. I’ll be back.”

“W-W-What? Wait! W-Where are you going?” The shy filly shrank into a ball with the fear of being left behind.

“I need to make sure the coast is clear. Don’t worry, no pony can stop me, I’m Rainbow Dash.” The cocky filly shot a grin at her best friend.

Fluttershy continued to hunker, worried. “Okay...”

A sigh of exasperation escaped the leading filly. “Really? That bad? You can’t wait for me without dying of worry?”

“No, it’s just- uh... I don’t want you to get caught, Rainbow.” Fluttershy murmurs.

“Look, I won’t uh... come on scared filly... follow the awesome rainbow. But you better be prepared to run fast if somepony is out there.”

“.....No, never mind. I’ll wait.” The shy filly sat down, ashamed of herself.

“Okay. Um... I’ll go check if the coast is clear then.” Rainbow Dash tentatively inched the red door open, glanced inside then rushed in.

“Please be careful...” Fluttershy whimpers. Anxiety and fear clashed with the confident words of her best friend as the one filly tried to sit patiently.

Tense moments continued to pass by like water flowing under a bridge. Fluttershy began to knead the hard clouds underhoof, ‘where is Rainbow Dash? She should be back already! I knew I should have gone with her... Oh Fluttershy, how could you abandon your best friend like that? All just for the sake of still looking cool in her eyes? How could you be so selfish?! Rainbow Dash!! Where are you? I’m sorry!! I’m not cool, I never was! I don’t deserve to even call myself your friend...’

“Back!” The soft cocky call made Fluttershy pretty much jump out of her skin.

“Rainbow!!” Fluttershy quietly squealed. “Don’t do that... you frightened me!”

“Oh-c-come on. Really?”

“You were gone so long. And then- you scared me when you just... appeared again.” Fluttershy whimpered, gaze downcast, ashamed at her own weakness.

“Yeah, sorry about that... I might have almost got myself caught by Piston Wing. I thought Gear Grinder was supposed to be working today... So it kinda took a little for me to-”

Almost immediately, the cyan filly finds herself caught in the golden hooves of her companion, who was lightly shaking and almost crying.

“I’m sorry, Rainbow! I’m sorry...! I should have gone with you! Oh, you were almost caught! I can’t let that happen anymore! Rainbow...!!” Fluttershy whimpered, crying into her neck. “I don’t want to lose you...!”

The bold speedster sighed, patting her friend’s back. “It’s okay ‘Shy. We just gotta take the long way now, that’s all. Besides... What are they going to do, turn me into a rainbow? I’ve already got a matching set.”

“I don’t want you to get in trouble. A-and I don’t want to lose you. You’re the only real friend I have.” Fluttershy near-sobs, whimpering.

“You’re the only true friend I have too, Fluttershy. There’s no way I want to lose somepony as awesome as you. This is why I really had to take a look before I took you in there. Piston was shouting something about the latest shipment of something not being in on time and there was these other ponies around so I really did have to be careful, you know.”

“...Oh...” The creamy yellow filly sniffled, pulling back a bit to look at her friend. “I...I understand...” She nuzzled her companion, sweetly.

“Come on... I’m awesome, I’m also your protector.” Rainbow Dash puffed out her chest proudly.

“Thank you.” Fluttershy giggled, looking happy again. “Um. You- you think I’m awesome..?”

“Yep. In a ‘special’ kinda way.” The bold filly confirms, grinning.

Fluttershy squealed with happiness and tackled her best friend again, snuggling her.

“Am I interrupting something here...?”

Both youngsters froze at the voice of a mare.

The creme and orange pegasus in question stared down at the pair. “Now how did two little fillies get in here?”  

“My dad works here,” Rainbow Dash quickly stood tall and proud.

“So does at least a hundred other parents. I’m one of them. My children are not allowed in here.” The mare shoved her poofy short orange mane out of her vision. “What makes you so special that you think you can just wander around?”

“Yeah, well...” Dash faltered a bit, “my dad is kinda one of the bosses... so um... I just wanted to see him at work. Please?”

“Are you that little trouble maker who sometimes delivers food to her father but then goes exploring in places that are off limits?”

  “Uh...” Rainbow Dash glanced at her friend.   Thankfully, or... maybe not, Fluttershy failed to register any surprise from the news. Rainbow Dash turned back to the impatient looking mare, “I might be, yeah. What’s it to you?”

The mare stared at the bold filly in mild shock at being spoken to in such a manner. “If you do in fact have food for your father in your bag, I can take you to him. But I’ll escort you both.”

Rainbow Dash deflated. “Well... you see... I kinda wanted to show my best friend something too. Do you think you might let me show her?”

“Show her what?”

“Uh... well you see... it was kinda... uh- the mixing room.”

“No.” The stony expression on the adults face made the little blue filly’s heart sink.

“Awww, come on. Please?”

“No. Now, you two are making me late. Come on, I’ll take you out then I need to get back to work.”

  “Awww... fine...” Dash sighed.

Fluttershy gave a sad look up at the adult. “I-is the mixing room dangerous?”

 “It’s where the different colours of the rainbow meet. It can be dangerous. But it is a pretty process. I can see why your friend wanted to show it to you. Not that she should know about the mixing room...”

Rainbow Dash shrank under the creme mare’s hard gaze. “Uh... funny story.”

  “I don’t have time. There’s a big order for Canterlot today and you’re messing up my schedule. Move, or I’ll carry you both.” Creme wings twitched with annoyance as the mare slowly advanced upon the two fillies.

“Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash exhaled slowly in defeat.

“Yes?” The shy filly turned to her best friend.

“Come on.” The fuzzy short filly gave her lanky companion a light shove.

As the creme-orange pegasus relaxed, Rainbow Dash grabbed her lanky friend and shoved her through the closed door to the room she had scouted. The pair burst into a room filled with closed boxes and vats of red spectrum. Several pegasus ponies paused at their tasks as the creme-orange mare exploded through the door after them with an angry cry.

“Come back here you two! Don’t just stand there, get them!”

A stallion with a large wooden crate accidentally dropped it in shock. Rainbow Dash zipped between his legs. Fluttershy clutched on for dear life as they barreled through as fast as their little legs would carry them. The pair raced past several adults who tried to grab them.

Rainbow Dash unleashed an adrenaline fueled cry of joy.

Fluttershy held on for dear life, terrified to stop but also terrified at the thought of capture.

Two balls of colour raced out of the room and into another hallway.

With four stallions and the creme-orange mare on their trail, two fillies frantically ran down one then another hallway. Rainbow Dash grinned as she spotted the rich artwork adorning the walls. Delight lit the speedster’s face then she shoved her friend through an open door into a room full of skinny walkways. A good drop below at least a dozen vats of spectra lay. In the middle of the room was a half full water tank that looked big enough to fit two dozen swimming earth ponies. To their right was a control panel with all kinds of strange data on it. The mare at the control desk turned and spotted the pair then froze in surprise.

“Here we are Fluttershy, the rainbow room!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed joyfully.

The world seemed to slow down in that moment as Fluttershy beheld the wonder of the sparkling vats that lit the room with a soft calming light. It was magical, it was-

“Rainbow Dash! I told you not to sneak into my factory.” The angry tone of Blaze broke the almost perfect moment.

Both fillies froze.

Blaze advanced along the catwalk toward the two frozen fillies. “What did I tell you, little pony?”

“H-hi dad.” The little speedster glanced back the way they had come. Five pegasi blocked the way out. Rainbow Dash hunkered down beside her quaking friend.

A purple stallion stomped up to the pair. “What are you two doing here, you know this is off limits!”

“Yes dad...” Rainbow fearfully faced her sire.

Blaze continued to glare at his daughter while he addressed his workmates, “I’ll take it from here. Piston Wing... Cream buzz. I hope they didn’t do any damage.”

“It’s fine.” A slate grey stallion replied. “I just wish your daughter would stop invading our workplace.”

“So do I...” Blaze growled softly. “Follow me...”

The rainbow maned stallion advanced towards his frozen daughter with an angry expression upon his tired face.

“W-Wait!!” Fluttershy squeals, holding out her hoof.

“What is it little pony? I don’t have all day...” Blaze glared down at the pair.

“Please... it’s not her fault.” The shy filly’s voice was so thin it broke for a moment. “I-it was my birthday yesterday and she wanted to do something special for me...”

“You thought the rainbow factory would be a fun place to bring your best friend?”

“Uh... maybe?”

Blaze sighed and rubbed his forehead. The mighty stallion took several deep breaths. All eyes remained fixed upon the “Rainbow, Fluttershy. Come with me. This is not a place for youngsters like yourselves.”

With a sorry glance at her best friend, Rainbow Dash slogged back toward the open door. Fluttershy hunkered close by as they walked.

The stern father took the lead as soon as they were out in the hallway. “Follow me and no running off.”

The duo nodded mutely. The stallion was about to turn left, from where the pair had come but paused.

Both fillies gazed fearfully up at the seething purple stallion who sighed after a few moments. With his jaw set, Blaze headed off to the right instead. Both youngsters quietly followed behind.

After several awkward moments of quiet walking, Rainbow Dash tried to catch her father’s gaze. “Please don’t tell Fluttershy’s dad.”

  “Why not?”

“Because... it was all my dumb idea. I don’t want her getting in trouble.”

“I’ll consider it.” Purple wings flicked in annoyance as Blaze hiked up the pace a little.

Rainbow Dash gazed around in contemplation as she realized her father was leading them deeper into the working heart of the Rainbow Factory. She began to wonder what the old stallion was up to... She allowed her father to lead them down another right hand turn. To the left, she could hear the sound of somepony singing and the far wall shone with rainbow sparkles.

As they came to a large open room Blaze paused, his chin set like a rock and his wings tucked tightly at his sides. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy froze at the sight. A lot of stout box like machines with pipes that connected into the floor was spread out in rows along the wide room. Each row had a pegasus pumping bellows by hoof to assist the air flow through the machines. An open cone on top of each large squat box pumped out clouds. Pegasi with long mixing sticks hovered between machines mixing and managing clouds. A few pastel pegasi wandered between machines keeping a close eye on the clouds produced. A pair of stallions with buckets worked to take water from a holding tank on the right side of the room. Near the water tank was an arched door with colourful swirls that danced like the wind. The greater wall also bore faint cloud grey cloudy artwork that spiralled lazily around like a dream.

Beyond the columns, at the far side of the room the wide open sky beckoned. Fluttershy gazed around with wonder while Rainbow Dash looked up at her sire with wide eyes. “Uh dad...”

A hint of a smile lit purple lips as the stallion winked at his daughter then addressed the workers, “good job everypony. I’m escorting these two out. Ignore them.”

A few of the pegasi nodded and kept at their tasks.

After a few moments admiring the care put into creating the clouds she normally took for granted, Fluttershy felt a soft nudge.

“Alright little ponies, time to keep it moving.”

The pair obediently obliged the purple stallion who led them between two cloud machines and through the door to the right.

Blaze kept up his pace as he led them through a room with a large tank of water in the middle. “This is where we store the majority of the water we collect from towns and cities.”

Rainbow Dash gazed up the clear tank, “but that’s gotta be like... billions of gallons or something...?”

Blaze shot his daughter a lopsided grin, “something like that. It usually takes eighty pegasi to lift this much water to Cloudsdale.”

“That’s a lot...” Fluttershy murmured softly.

“Right you are, filly. My wife has even led a few local weather teams who brought us water.”

Dash grinned, “Yeah... mom’s cool.”

As they circumnavigated the tank, two ponies gave the trio brief passing looks. Blaze simply nodded and kept walking.

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy quickly found themselves back in the large reception hall. The purple stallion scooped up both fillies and soared out the door. He deposited them on the steps outside and sat beside them.

“Thank you for showing us around,” Fluttershy shyly gave thanks.

“Yeah, that was cool dad.”

“Well, I didn’t show you two everything, but I hope that has salted your desire to look around.” Blaze gave his little girl a pointed look.

Rainbow Dash nodded briskly, “it was awesome!”

“But will you stop trying to sneak in?”

The small speedster wilted a bit, “uh... sure.”

“You don’t sound sure.” The purple stallion hunched down a bit and faced his daughter nose to nose.

Rainbow Dash grabbed her best friend in a loose winged hug, “since you were cool enough to let Fluttershy have a look around, I think I can wait till you let us see more.”

The shy filly squeed with joy and hugged her best friend back.

“Good. Thank you.” Blaze smiled brightly, all traces of his previous anger completely gone. “Now, I believe your mother is making something amazing for lunch.”

“She is?”

“Yes.” Blaze nodded. “I think I’ll join you.”

“Y-you will?”

“Yep. Since my little girl promises to be good, I’ll take the afternoon off.”

“Won’t your boss wonder where you have gone?” Fluttershy wondered out loud.

Blaze laughed, “little filly... I’m the boss of the production. Your dad is boss of the paperwork. All he has to know is that my side of the factory is running smooth as and I don’t think he has to know his little girl was in the building.”

“Oh, thank you,” little yellow wings buzzed with relief and delight at the announcement.

“Now, who wants to ride forelegs and who wants the back?”

“I call forehooves!” Dash cried as she raced to stand between her father’s forelegs.

Blaze knelt down a bit to let the gangly filly on top. Fluttershy complied and gingerly stepped up onto the broad purple shoulders where she settled down for the ride across town.

“Yea, good times.” Blaze smiled.

“I’m still thankful that you didn’t stay all angry at us.” Rainbow Dash added.

“Oh, I had a moment of clarity in that hallway just as I was about to lead you straight out. I wondered to myself if a little tour for your friends' benefit might help persuade you to behave and it worked out. I’ve also discovered it’s hard to stay mad at my precious little girl for long.”

Rainbow Dash pulled a crazy face back and Fluttershy giggled softly.

“Can you show me too?” Spectra bounced up and down eagerly.

“Maybe when you're a little older.” Blaze replied carefully.

“Awwww...” The little sunny filly pouted.

Fluttershy smiled sweetly as she slipped out from her spouse's hold and scooped her daughter up. “Trust me, it will be worth the wait.”

Spectra gazed at her mother in thought for a few moments then nodded.

Fluttershy turned to the greying couple, “would you like to stay for dinner?”

“We would love to,” Gust smiled brightly.

Fluttershy wandered over to her Dash then deposited the rainbow and yellow ball of filly beside the wonderbolt. “Great, I’ll see what I can make.”

“I can help,” Gust offered quickly.

“Oh, it’s okay. I think you should keep talking to Rainbow Dash, I’m sure you have a lot of catching up to do.”

Blaze smiled as his missus settled back down. “We do, but Gust did mention she wished to speak to you about something while I chat to my daughter.”

“Oh, well... okay,” Fluttershy replied as she headed for the kitchen.

Rainbow Dash glanced down at her little girl who had decided to hug her foreleg. “Wanna drink dad?”

“Only if it's cider.”

“Normal or alcoholic?”

“The boring stuff.”

Dash smirked, “still keeping off the booze huh?”

“I’m worried that if I ever try it again I’ll die.”

“Oh,” Dash shot her father a reproachful look as she momentarily covered her daughter’s ears. “I guess I’ll get us both the normal stuff and we can uh... catch up.”

“That would be wonderful.” Blaze smiled.

As the wonderbolt extracted herself from her daughter, Spectra bounded back over to her grandsire. “Grandpa?”

“Hmmm..?”

“When will I be big enough to see the rainbow factory?”

The purple stallion took a deep contemplative breath, “well... I guess your ninth birthday could do.”

“Promise?”

The purple stallion smirked. “Alright, promise.”

Chapter 17: Scool Days, Afternoon Blaze

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A family of three pegasi stood on the porch of their cloud home as Rainbow Dash’s parents leisurely departed into the night.

“You know Fluttershy... that was actually kinda cool having my old folks come around...” Dash mused as she placed a wing over her partner. Their daughter was franticly waving goodbye to the diminishing figures in the skies.

“It was nice, yes. Maybe you should go and visit them sometime too.”

Rainbow Dash eyed her mare. “Yeah, I suppose I should. It will just be weird, you know.”

Fluttershy tenderly nuzzled her speedster. “But they would love to see you.”

“And I wanna see the Rainbow Factory!” Spectra chimed in eagerly.

Rainbow Dash smirked. “If you are good, I’ll take you there when we visit grandma and grandpa.”   

“Yay!” Cheered the young filly. A yawn erupted and the youngsters’ parents shared a smile.

Fluttershy picked her daughter up. “Time for bed little one.”

“But I don’t wanna...”

  Fluttershy giggled as she strode past Rainbow Dash. The motherly mare paused in the doorway, “coming honey?”

  “Yeah, gimme a minute.” Dash nodded. A grin split her muzzle in two as her sleepy daughter yawned.

As the door closed, the blue pegasus turned to gaze at the sky. Far in the distance lay Cloudsdale. The faint puff of the mighty city was almost impossible to see.

 Just like her departed parents. Maybe it was a good idea to visit them sometime.

Rainbow Dash’s mind began to wander after her parents…

…and settled on the time, when she was a first year student in Cloudsdale central school. Soon after she almost lost her cool ol’ dad.

Cloudsdale central flight school exploded with activity as the lunch bell trilled. Excited young pegasi of all kinds of ages and colours vacated their spaces of learning in favour of the outdoors.

Happy that the morning class was over, Rainbow Dash eagerly led her friend over to one of the speedster’s favourite spots in the playground. The basic flight course lay ahead, low flying clouds hovered over a soft cloudy blanket below. The course clouds were spaced at intervals within gliding distance at the closer side. Further away from the young pegasus pair, the clouds began to climb into the sky with less regular gaps for those who could fly. There were a few floating hoops and other cloudy obstacles around. Rainbow Dash grinned, the new arrangement looked fun. Although there were other ponies already there, she hoped that Fluttershy could be encouraged to fly alongside her. As her eyes followed one of the older students graceful flight, her gaze drifted beyond.

Dad.

With the immediate surroundings suddenly feeling fuzzy, Rainbow Dash could almost see her father in hospital. The purple stallion lay there, his breathing shallow, the white sheets cold and uncaring against his naturally colourful side.

“Um...Rainbow...?”

With a start, Rainbow Dash found herself back in school grounds. A young tan pony had just leapt off the starting cloud that she sat on. That filly looked so carefree. Like she didn’t have a daddy who had nearly poisoned himself.

Fluttershy started concerned into the troubled red eyes before her. “A- are you okay?”

Rainbow Dash gave her wings a flick then nodded briskly, trying to force thoughts of her dad away. “Yeah, I’ll be okay.”

“It’s okay to be worried.”  

“Pfft- I’m not worried.”

Fluttershy scooted a little closer till their coats were almost touching. “Yes you are, I can tell.”   

“Fine. But I just... I don’t want to think about him.”

“Does it hurt?”

Rainbow Dash hunched up a little bit and shot her best friend a sour look.

Fluttershy half lifted a supportive wing before she caught herself and straightened up. “Okay... Okay...” She glanced around at the intimidating flight course. “You want to try this new course?”

“I sure do.” Dash puffed out her chest, took a deep breath then confidently strode onward, toward the edge of their cloud.

“Well...” Fluttershy plonked herself down, ready to watch. “Okay, well, I enjoy watching you glide. You can do it, Rainbow...you’re the strongest and coolest filly in Cloudsdale... you can do it.”

The young athlete soaked up the praise like a sponge. Her small frame expanded slightly along with her ego. Rainbow Dash rushed back to her friend and yanked her up. “I know I can. You can too Fluttershy. That’s why you’re here with me. Then we can be the first two in the class to fly like big fillies!”

Fluttershy sagged like a soggy cloud. “No... I can’t. But you can! You have much more of a chance than I ever could.”

“Oh come on ‘Shy... at least try. You promised, remember? We can even do that reading thing right after we fly!” The speedster begged as she slipped out of the hug.

“But there’s so many other ponies around...” Fluttershy shrank back, her eyes fearfully scanning the area.

Rainbow Dash sighed. ‘Dad is okay. He has to be okay. Help Fluttershy... Don’t think about dad...’ “So? Look at me. Not them. Come on.”

Noticing the returning pain in the pretty red irises before her, Fluttershy did her best to perk up. “Okay, Rainbow. I’ll try.” Fluttershy nodded slowly, her eyes continued to dart around nervously as she stood back up. “For you... I’ll try.”

“Cool! Good filly.” Dash relaxed. “Now, let’s get going. We need to show these other ponies who’s the coolest.”

The blue filly confidently strutted over to the edge of their wide cloud. She eyed the nearby clouds, quick to pick one that was within easy glide distance.

Fluttershy followed shyly. She continued to notice just how many ponies were on the flight course and other nearby activities. “You first! Um... if that’s okay with you.”

Blue wings flickered, eager and ready. “No. Both together. Come on.”

Fluttershy nodded and took a few tentative steps to stand at the edge, her gaze was quick to fall to the safety cloud below.

Rainbow Dash nodded and quickly lifted the yellow chin upward to the skies once more. She released her shy companion and pointed to the chosen cloud before them in the middle of the large flight course. “You see that cloud, right there in front of us?”

Fluttershy nodded.

“That’s where we are going. Just stay on my tail and you will be fine.”

Although Fluttershy felt more like running away, she nodded slowly and lifted her wings to half mast, trying to look ready.

“Great!” The bold cyan filly leapt off the small cloud, flapping like crazy to try and gain altitude. Failing, she saved grace by turning her failing flight into a slow glide. Rainbow Dash took aim at the low hanging cloud above the safety net. This was going to be easy.

Fluttershy’s proud smile fell as she realized who was supposed to be flying next to Rainbow Dash. With a deep breath, she leaped out into the open sky. Tiny wings flapped frantically as she tried so hard to gain altitude, to finally soar the open skies like she dreamed! To finally impress her best friend, to make her proud!
For a few, brief seconds, she remained in the air!

And then... with a flail of lanky hooves, Fluttershy found herself plummeting toward the clouds below. Yellow wings clamped shut and a brief shriek escaped.

The high pitched shriek caused Rainbow Dash to turn. Fear raced through her system as she helplessly witnessed Fluttershy’s nosedive. White filled the little blue filly’s vision as her body crumpled sideways into something soft. With a pained groan, she fell from the floating cloud to the soft safety cloud below.

Winded, Rainbow Dash gazed up at her hooves for a moment before she realized she was in fact on her back and the sky above was not a wonderful endless sea of blue. The little blue speedster shook her head and rose with a forced giggle. “Did you see that-“

Fluttershy lay there on the soft safety mat. Tears welled up in her eyes as she accepted just how completely and utterly she had failed. Squeezing her eyes shut she cured into a ball, crying softly. Fluttershy could already hear the incoming taunts that she knew were sure to erupt from every creature who had seen her.

With a surprised Eeep! Fluttershy found blue forehooves invading her space.   Rainbow Dash slowly coaxed Fluttershy out of her huddle. “Hey... what’s wrong...?”

Sniffling, Fluttershy trembled a bit, though she manages to relax slightly. “I failed… I couldn’t do it.”

“Hey... it’s not that bad. I hit a cloud!” Rainbow Dash again forced a smile.

Fluttershy cast her friend a reproachful glance, “only because of me.”

  “What? No. Don’t worry Fluttershy. Even as super cool as I am... you know...” The bold little equine placed a hoof to her own chest. “I still am learning to fly properly too...” Dash’s muzzle scrunched up at the admission. With a slow breath, her pride seeped away, replaced with concern for her friend.

“...Oh...” Fluttershy murmurs, sniffling and wiping her eyes. “I’m sorry...”

“You don’t have to say sorry pal.” Rainbow Dash pulled her friend up. “Now... do we try again? ... Or do you not feel up to it?”

“You can try again... But I’m just going to fall...” Fluttershy’s ears drooped in defeat.

“Aw come on, you won’t get better if you don’t try.” The young athlete gazed pleadingly at her friend, hoping to change her mind. “Come on Fluttershy. I just know you can get good like me...”

“...Why do you want me to try so much....? I’m just going to fail over and over and disappoint you... all the hard work for nothing...” Fluttershy uttered tearfully.

“I know you can do it,” Dash stated. She wiggled a little closer and began to tenderly rub her distraught companion’s back.

“But why?”

“I just know you can do it. You can.” The smaller filly put on her best grin, trying to look as encouraging as possible.

The duo remained like that for a few moments. Rainbow Dash slowly became aware of others flying overhead. Ponies were probably seeing her be all soft and sappy. Ignoring the temptation to move, Rainbow Dash remained, supportive of her best friend.

Fluttershy nodded. “...I’ll try...”

“Well... let’s go then.” Dash slipped out of the embrace, eager to continue her training.

The taller filly sighed. She reluctantly followed Rainbow Dash as they ascended back up to where they had started. As the pair reached the top, Derpy barreled on past and took a flying leap into the open playground. The pair of fillies watched as the grey pegasus completely missed the two lowest clouds in the middle and tumbled onto the soft mat. With a shake of her head, Derpy sat up. The crosseyed pegasus smiled. With a gleeful squeal, she bounced along till she returned to the duo.

“Hi!”

“Hi Derpy.” Rainbow Dash replied. “That was uh... good attempt.”

“Thanks, I’m trying to make it to that cloud over there.” A grey hoof indicated the cloud Rainbow Dash had impacted with.

“Oh yeah...?” The fading imprint gave the normally proud filly cause to grimace. “That’s where I’m gliding to.”

Fluttershy giggled.

Derpy lit up, “want to fly with me? I wanna glide through the hoops, but those are far out.”

Rainbow Dash eyed her best friend. “I’ll join in if Fluttershy does too.”

The smiling yellow filly froze. “Oh... I... okay.”

“Yes! Just follow me!” Filed with confidence, Rainbow Dash crouched down and prepared for a spectacular take off.

Derpy was quick to join the confident filly, “I’m ready.”

“Go!”

As Rainbow Dash and Derpy took off, the timid filly watched with wide eyes. “Come on wings...don’t fail me this time! Make me fly! Make Rainbow proud of me!”

With one final breath Fluttershy forced herself into the sky, undersized wings buzzing frantically. Green eyes remained fixated on the wiggling blue rear and sparkling rainbow tail ahead. She was going to do it.
This was it.

Suddenly Fluttershy realised the two ponies in front of her had stopped. With a surprised eep! the gangly filly slammed into the cheering Rainbow Dash the pair tumbled into the soft cloud.

“You did it!” Rainbow Dash grinned up at the dazed pegasus on top.

“I- I did?” Fluttershy shook her head and slowly sat up.

Derpy grinned like a crazy pony at the pair, “we all did. See!” A grey hoof pointed to the safety cloud below.

As Fluttershy neared the edge green eyes flared wide and she stopped, transfixed.   Right there below, the soft safety cloud lay untouched.

Filled with glee, Rainbow Dash hugged her best friend. “Told you!”

Realizing the sappy contact for what it was, the speedster was quick to separate. She settled instead for a delighted grin. They made it.

“Hey, I bet you two can glide through that hoop.” Rainbow Dash smirked as she directed her two companion’s gazes to a floating hoop that hovered a little further away.

“Let’s go!” Derpy was the first to launch herself off their small cloud.   With a sideways glance, Rainbow Dash was pleased to see Fluttershy beside her, ready for action. With few brisk paces, Rainbow Dash threw herself into the skies, Fluttershy right at her side.

Two fillies walked into classroom 2 and spotted the pegasus they had hoped to find.

Rainbow Dash glanced at her best friend for support before returning her gaze to the grown up. “Hey, Mrs, breeze?”

The teacher quickly turned at the sound of her student’s voice. She smiled and quickly rearranged her sky-blue mane. “Yes, dear?”

“I- I’m uh...” Dash glanced outside, the playground was out there. Lunch was not over. Why did she, of all fillies, have to do this?

  The cloud-white mare sighed, “you’re not having more problems with the other foals are you?”  

“No. Not that!” Rainbow Dash retorted, quick to settle down again. With a deep breath, she quietly continued, “I’m having trouble... uh, reading and... uh... writing...”

“What was that?” Mrs. Breeze perked up and leaned across her desk, attentively.

“I said... I’m having trouble reading and writing.” The normally supremely confident filly fidgeted.

A smile lit the face of the friendly teacher and she settled back in her seat. “Thank you for telling me. I’m proud of you.”   

“What?” The nervous cyan filly gazed up at her teacher, shocked to hear words of praise where she expected ridicule.

“Rather than letting yourself continue to slip behind, pretending that everything is okay, you have chosen to tell me. Now I can help you. Thank you, Rainbow Dash.”

The surprised filly glanced at her shy friend for support only to find Fluttershy looked delighted. “Err- thanks?”

“Would you prefer to spend a few minutes after school or during lunch to improve your writing and reading skills?”

“Um...” Dash again referred to her best friend.

Fluttershy shared the look. “How about lunch? We can always play some more after school when our moms pick us up.”

“Yea, lunchtime! I mean, if that’s okay with you Mrs?”

Mrs breeze nodded. “I am more than happy to help you.”

“Um… is it okay if Fluttershy comes too?” Rainbow Dash gazed hopefully back at the pony who had promised to help her.

“Does she need help too?”

The shy filly shook her head. “I’m okay.”  

"You want a support buddy?" The teacher asked.

"Yea, that’s right!" Dash gazed at her friend hopefully. “ You don’t mind, do you Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy gave her best friend a light winged hug, Dash’s blue muzzle flushed at the contact. “I would love to help you.”

“Alright then,” the teacher clapped her hooves together. “How about, the first ten minutes of lunch on Monday.”

“Okay, thanks Mrs. Breeze!” Dash replied. A happy smile lit her muzzle and she turned and cantered out.

“Thank you,” Fluttershy added with an appreciative smile before she too took her leave.

As the two young ponies wandered down the hallway, Rainbow Dash turned to her friend. "I didn't think..."

"What?" Fluttershy softly prompted.

Dash suddenly sat down in the middle of the hallway, her pensive gaze resting somewhere below the clouds. "I thought she would laugh at me or something for being dumb."

"Oh Dash." A comforting yellow wing slipped across the blue filly's back.

"But she really nice, you know."

"I know."

Rainbow Dash met her friend's gaze, "I'm glad we got Mrs. Breeze as a teacher."

"Me too."

A smile crept across Rainbow Dash's lips. "Let's go play."

"Okay." Fluttershy rose, happy to join in.

With the afternoon glow on the soft constructs of Cloudsdale, the day reached that important moment for many young ponies. The clock ticked over to read three thirty and the school bell chimed. Moments later the gates of Cloudsdale’s central school for young ponies opened its floodgates. Fillies and Colts of all colours poured out, eager to enjoy the rest of the afternoon.

One less than enthusiastic young pony strode alongside her best friend near the back of the pack. Eyeing the few hundred young ponies, Rainbow Dash slowed to a stop.

 Quick to notice, Fluttershy returned to her friend’s side. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. But...” Dash glanced around. Noticing a complete lack of interest from nearby ponies she took a deep breath. “I wanna keep playing with you and having fun. Even class was okay today. But dad...”

“I’m sure he will be okay.”

“Yeah. Yeah... He...” Rainbow Dash trailed off as her eyes spotted a rainbow mane in the crowd of waiting adults. “He’s here!? Dad!”  

A little rainbow blur sped through the other foals. Rainbow Dash collided into her father like a bolt of lightning. Gust chucked as her husband staggered back a step and almost hit the shop behind him.

“Woah there Dashie, you almost knocked me over girl!”

“You’re here, you’re okay, dad...” Rainbow Dash clutched on for dear life as she buried her face into her father’s chest. The excited filly began to nuzzle up to the clean purple coat of the often less than well-kept stallion. Blaze kissed his daughter back, delighted to see her too.

  Gust eyed the yellow filly that wandered closer. “Hello, Fluttershy.”

The shy filly ducked her head and smiled. “Hello, Mister and Misses Dash.” The little filly gazed up at the rainbow stallion, “it’s good to see you’re feeling okay.”

The Blaze glanced at his wife and after a quick meaningful glance, he forced a smile to his lips. “Yeah, everything is fine. I feel okay now. You still want to come back to our place for a bit?”

“Yes please.”

  Rainbow Dash slid down her father’s forehoof as he placed it back upon the soft cloud. The delighted filly sat, awkwardly holding her father’s hoof but unwilling to let go. Her wings quivered with excitement. The stallion slowly lifted his forehoof only to find his daughter still clinging on.   With a chuckle, Blaze swept her into a tender hug.

“Please don’t do that again dad. You scared me.” Rainbow Dash whimpered softly.

Blaze sighed. “I know, daddy’s sorry.” A purple nose lightly caressed the bright blue coat of his little girl. “I promise I won’t do that again.”

“What was that?”   All eyes shifted to the teenaged colt with a dark blue mane who strode closer. Soarin paused several paces away and stared up at his father, looking almost as though he was ready to fight the larger pegasus. “I don’t think I heard correctly.”

“Son, I said I’m sorry.”

“And..?”

With a quick glance at his wife, Blaze motioned for his son to come closer. The teen tentatively strode up to his sire. As soon as Soarin came within hooves reach, the purple stallion snaffled his son up in a tight hug. With a powerful wing, he drew his mare in close too.

After kissing each of his precious family on the snout he became serious. “I mean it. No more alcohol for me. No hard ciders... nothing. I want to be there... and not the bar... or drunk on the couch.”

“You mean, no more bad stinky?” Rainbow Dash piped up.

Blaze nodded, entirely serious. “That’s right my girl.”

The first fruits of a smile broke out on Rainbow Dash’s muzzle.

Soarin relaxed as he withdrew slowly. “Alright Dad, but if I see any more of your bottles I’m throwing them out.”

Blaze snorted a laugh. “I’m sure Gust has gotten rid of my powerful drinks already, but I’ll keep that in mind for the future.”

Soarin nodded. “Lemme tell Spitfire that you’re okay, then I’ll catch up.”

“You can bring her round if you like.” Blaze offered with a grin.

 Soarin shook his head then took off.

Gust wriggled out of her husband’s winged hold. “Would you like me to carry you, Fluttershy?”

“Oh, sure that would be nice, thank you.” Fluttershy meandered over to the greyish-blue mare.

With a meaningful glance at her husband, Gust carefully wrapped Fluttershy in her forehooves and took flight for home.

Rainbow Dash glanced at the few ponies still nearby and was relieved to see that none appeared to have paid the family moment any attention. She gave a sigh of relief.

  “Yeah, I’m glad to see you too.” Blaze gave his daughter a quick nuzzle. “But how about we catch up.”

  “Race mom home?” Rainbow Dash asked hopefully.

Blaze shook his head. “Na. Maybe some other time Sweetie. Besides, she’s carrying Fluttershy.”

At the mention of her best friend, the small filly lit up. “Fluttershy glided really well today Dad. She and me and Derpy were all super cool. We almost finished the whole lower course at lunch!”

“Well, that sounds quite exciting.” Blaze smiled as he carefully lifted off. “Was it all gliding, or a little flying too?”

“I did some.”

Blaze eyed his indignant filly. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. I was super cool too.”

Blaze chuckled softly, “I’m sure you were.”

Night had fallen and in the residence of Rainbow Dash, said filly was preparing for bed. Soarin collected both siblings’ toothbrushes and placed them in their holder beside the sink. They wandered out of the bathroom together and started off down the small hallway to their rooms.

Gust wandered out of the kitchen and watched with tired eyes as Soarin whispered something to his sister and they both giggled. The greyish-blue mare smiled, delighted to see her children happy.

As the siblings made it to Rainbow Dash’s room they realised their mother was watching and paused.

“Just putting Dash to bed,” Soarin explained.

“Good. If either of you has trouble sleeping, I’m only a few rooms away.”

Rainbow Dash nodded, “yep. Thanks Mom.”

Soarin “I should be okay. I can keep a watch on Dash, you look like you need some sleep.”

“Heh, yeah. Goodnight sweeties.” With a quick glance back toward the lounge, the mother mare wandered up to her children and kissed them both on the foreheads. After a quick nuzzle and a winged hug, she resumed her wander till she disappeared three rooms down.

“Alright you. Raaaagh!” Soarin picked his sister up and with a quick flap of his wings for balance, he raced into wonderbolt decorated room and dunked Dash into her bed.

The blue filly giggled loudly, “You made me crash land.”

“Exactly. Now sleep.”

“What if I don’t wanna..?”

Soarin shot the smaller pegasus a sage-like look. “I know somepony is tired. I can sense it.”

“But I’m not.”

“Yes you are.”

“Am not.” A small yawn escaped the five year old filly.

Soarin giggled then lightly booped his sister’s tummy. “I’ll stay here and make sure you get to sleep.”

As she wiggled around in bed to get more comfortable, Rainbow Dash gazed up at her guardian. “You don’t have to do that.”

Soarin straightened up. “But here I can protect you from all the bad dreams.”

“What happens if it’s Nightmare moon?”

“Then I’ll fight her too. And win. Because you’re my little sister.”

With her eyes closed, Rainbow Dash smiled. “Sounds like me and Fluttershy... I’m her protector.”

“I can tell. You’re a great friend to her.”

“Yeah. The best...”