Chapter 1 - Everfree Forest

Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace.
- Amelia Earhart, pegasus -

Except for a few fluffy clouds, occasionally chased by one or two playing pegasi, it was a gigantic sun that reigned supreme in the spring sky, above Equestria.

A pleasant, inviting and refreshing breeze blew across the country, to the delight of everypony who enjoyed this beautiful afternoon, under the warm rays of the bright sun, the luminous emblem of Celestia's power, which extended its light from the small village of Apple Loosa, in the south, up to the gates of the immense castle of the Crystal Empire, in the north.

And yet, despite the radiation of the star, high in the sky, there was still a place in Equestria that seemed indifferent to this summer sun. A forest that seemed, on the contrary, to absorb the heat of the rays of light in its sinuous mass of dark and twisted trees.

At the edge of Everfree Forest, a young and magnificent winged pegasus with a light yellow coat and long pink mane was stumbling along the path, in the shade of the sinister trees.

The pretty Fluttershy looked carefully at the sky, in between frequent frightened glances at the dark and disturbing forest. This place terrified her, yet it was essential to her in order to ensure the well-being, comfort and food of her many beloved animals, the permanent, but nevertheless beloved, tenants of her cottage.

With great kindness, her most precious quality, Fluttershy felt compelled to look after the fauna of Equestria and had vowed to always take care of all the animals. This ideology sometimes required some sacrifices like, for example, searching for ingredients within areas of the frightening forest that were sometimes magical, sometimes unknown and, on very rare occasions, dangerous.

Naturally, while thinking of the element of kindness, her greatest treasure and irrefutable proof of her greatest quality, Fluttershy began to think about one of the other five elements of harmony, that of a pony she had been waiting for a few minutes already; Loyalty.

Only the presence of her faithful and courageous friend, Rainbow Dash, would give Fluttershy the strength to face, once again, the hostile dangers of Everfree Forest and its sinister occupants.

While waiting for the blue pegasus, Fluttershy began to hum a sweet song, full of the tenderness that characterized her so much. She needed courage, that quality that was cruelly lacking in her and she hoped, at the very least, to acquire, with the help of her melody, a little bit of serenity.

Three passing birds, attracted by Fluttershy's charming voice, landed in the grass near the yellow pegasus. Fluttershy, faithful to her element, welcomed them with her most beautiful smile. Then, without ceasing to sing, gently nodded her head in order to invite them to mix their voices with her.

Charmed and eager to please the pegasus, the birds quickly joined their songs to Fluttershy's and, in a few seconds, the melody harmonized to reach an astonishing complexity where the sweet voice of the pegasus orchestrates itself perfectly with the low and high voices of its three improvised guests.

Fluttershy closed her eyes and, with joy, began dancing gracefully to the music. The melodious notes, carried by the breeze, soon rocked her tenderly to the sound of an elegant symphony that finally succeeded in calming her apprehensions a little bit.

But, too quickly, the song was over, bringing the pegasus back to the present moment. Always polite, whatever the circumstances, Fluttershy gave her feathered companions a warm smile.

“Oh thank you! Thank you so much misters”, Fluttershy said to the birds, overflowing with gratitude. “You have all been marvelous. This was a very beautiful song and your voices played a big part in this success. You should all be very proud of yourselves.”

When the birds began to chirp their thanks and praise to her about her beautiful voice, Fluttershy could not help but blush.

Extremely shy, the pegasus felt her cheeks burning under the effect of praise. She had always felt embarrassed by compliments gave to her by one of her close friends and even by her beloved animals.

Fluttershy took note mentally to work on this aspect of her personality that had always caused her a lot of communication problems in Ponyville’s community, to the point that she chose to live a little further away from the village, surrounded by her animals, in a comfortable little cottage.

However, she had never regretted this decision. There were so many happy memories there...

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Lost in a whirlwind of comforting memories, Fluttershy saw, too late, the menacing shadow that was coming straight at her, promising the pegasus a violent death. The birds fled in all directions, leaving Fluttershy alone in a state of shock.

Instantly, terror came. A feeling far too familiar for her.

Cold sweats descended along Fluttershy's neck and back as her muscles tightened painfully. Then her strength suddenly abandoned her and her knees gave way, throwing her to the ground where, terrified, Fluttershy closed her eyes and covered her face with her hooves.

All trembling, from hooves to her head, she made a little moan of distress, the only thing she could still do, waiting for the fateful blow.

It never came, but was instead replaced by a frank laugh that Fluttershy knew only too well because she heard it several times, often at her own expense.

"Sup, Fluttershy! I didn't scare you too much, did I?"

Fluttershy painfully loosened her legs, still tense, and lift her head, displaying an air of reproach and relief mixed together at the sight before her eyes. In front of her stood her best and oldest friend.

Proudly standing on her legs, her wings still half-opened after her flight, a little panting, and showing a little smile of satisfaction, Rainbow Dash stood in front of her, radiant, admiring the effect that her little act had caused.

“Oh... my... goodness!... Dash! You almost scared me to death!” shuddered Fluttershy, relieved, however, to see her good friend.

Rainbow could not hold back a loud burst of laughter.

“Pwa ha ha! You should've seen your face, you dropped to the floor so fast I thought you were gonna dig underneath it. You didn't even try to flee!” gently mocked Rainbow Dash by handing her hoof to Fluttershy who hurried to take it to get up, still a little shaky after the blue pegasus joke. “Sorry Shy for the fright, really I am, but I couldn't resist.”

“It's... it's okay Rainbow... I don't hold it against you. But.. hum... you know... I don't react very well during stressful event… Oooh, I hope you are not mad against me... I wanted to fly but my legs collapsed and... I fell on the ground. I am really... really sorry...”

“Huh?”

“... but I will try to do better next time Rainbow... I... I'm sorry,” she continued before quickly adding, “Please don't be mad...”

“Really, Fluttershy? Argh. Why are you apologizing for my prank? Listen, I was trying to get you to scream like you just did! What's your fault if I'm so awesome you can't help but fall for it?”

“So... sorry,”

“Oh, for the love of... Fluttershy! Stop apologizing already. Why should I even be mad at you, jeez... I just told you I was trying to get you scared.”

“Oh!... well, in that case... I'm really happy to have reacted this way.”

Despite her apology, Fluttershy knew she just did something wrong again because Dash did something very uncharacteristic of her: she hovered for a few seconds, looking at her in pensive silence.

“Shy, you're a mystery. Even for me,” Rainbow finally said.

With a shy, yet warm smile to her friend, Fluttershy began to dust her flanks with her wings. She was quickly helped by Rainbow, still showing a puzzled look echoing her confused thoughts. Between the two of them, it didn't take long to chase away the sand and blades of grass that had stuck to Fluttershy's body.

Once cleaned of the dirt that covered her, Fluttershy set out in search of a small basket of pale brown wicker nicely adorned with small yellow and pink ribbons, a gift from her good friend Rarity, which she found a little further along the path to the dark forest.

While Fluttershy, clearly nervous, slipped a wing under the handle of the basket she was about to carry on their way into the darkness of Everfree Forest, Rainbow came to position herself, in a protective manner, near her side and looked defiantly at the black trees as they seemed to stretch their long branches towards the pegasi with futile hope of grabbing them.

“So Shy, why are we going into Everfree Forest today?”

“Well... I need to find some plants for some of my animals, including Angel. The poor dear is quite often sick,” Fluttershy told her.

Urgh... Only Fluttershy would love this little white rabbit from hell so much, thought Rainbow without expressing her thoughts aloud.

“These herbs will serve for medical infusions. I have read the recipe in a book that Twilight kindly lend me... Unfortunately, these plants only grow in this forest... and that's why I've asked you to accompany me if... if it's okay with you... that is...” admirably pleaded Fluttershy in her softest voice.

This voice...

Rainbow knew it very well and could not resist it. Gentle and begging, it was the secret weapon that Fluttershy unconsciously used against her, without any evil intentions, however, ever.

Fluttershy was desperate, frighteningly desperate.

Rainbow turned her gaze away from the horrible forest and set her eyes on Fluttershy, who was nervously waiting for her answer, eyes wide open, head and ears slightly lowered, cheeks rosy because of the embarrassment of having made such a request to her friend.

Rainbow sighed, amused, she couldn’t refuse anything to the yellow pegasus when she asked for help, especially in this way.

“Of course I don't mind, you know you can always count on me Shy... but let's go get those plants quick then,” pressed Rainbow by pushing her with her flank. “Pinkie's having a party later and she made us promise to be there.”

With a smile, Rainbow took a higher tone of voice that reminded Fluttershy a lot of the voice of their energetic friend, Pinkie Pie.

“Remember,” Rainbow said in a more than correct imitation of Pinkie. “The most important thing is...”

“... to never break a "Pinkie promise",” they said in unison, laughing heartily as they recalled the crazy gestures associated with the promise they had to perform at the request of the overexcited pink mare.

“I've sorted it with Twilight. She will cover us if needed.” Fluttershy announced to Rainbow once their hilarity had passed. “I told her we needed to go into the forest before the evening... If all goes well, we just need a few hours.”

“Don't worry Shy. Everything will be alright if I’m there.”

With these words, she winked at Fluttershy who felt a wave of heat and well-being invading her heart. Her doubts and anxieties were dispelled by the friendly gesture of the blue pegasus.

I hope so, thought Fluttershy as she walked towards the gaping mouth of Everfree Forest. With her loyal friend on her side, there was not much left to fear. At least that's what she hoped with all her heart.

Once she arrived under the cover of the tall trees, Fluttershy, still a little worried, turned her eyes one last time towards the sunny, warm and hopeful landscape that she would leave behind for the benefit of the darker and crueler Everfree Forest. She took a deep breath and began to trot nervously after Rainbow Dash who was already moving, without fear, towards one of the many paths that snaked into the heart of the forest.

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As soon as they entered the forest, the landscape changed into a gloomy vision. It was dark and cold under the foliage of the tall trees and the two pegasi had to wait for their eyes to get used to the lack of light.

All around, winding roots twisted out of the ground, tree trunks were twisted and seemed to make angry faces and, to top it all off, an unhealthy fog hovered over the forest floor. It seemed, for Fluttershy at least, that the forest seemed even less welcoming than any of her previous visits.

“Rai... Rainbow, now that I think about it, the plants can wait a little more... Let us leave this place, please? I don't like the atmosphere in the forest today. Something is not going... as usual,” begged Fluttershy, less and less at ease, already taking a few steps backward.

“Fluttershy, stop being afraid,” Rainbow said nicely. “You said that these herbs are super important and, besides, you have me to watch your back. With my training for the Wonderbolts, I don't know when I will be able to come back here. So hang on, Shy, and let's find theses plants then let's get to party at Pinkie's house!”

As she recalled the evening ahead and the good times she would have with her friends, a pale smile came to the lips of the little yellow pegasus. Her friends, the other heirs of elements as important as hers, were always a source of comfort from which the pegasus drew hope.

In addition, Fluttershy was pleased to see that Rainbow took her request at heart and was committed to finding the plants at all costs. It filled her with a tenuous joy, a feeling she desperately clung to, despite the fact that she was still convinced of the need to get out of the forest as soon as possible.

Seeing Rainbow continue on her way, Fluttershy put her doubts to one side and forced herself to follow her blue friend through the sinister wood.

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They walked far, far too far for Fluttershy's taste, without any problem, however, except for some twig cracks that scared the poor yellow pegasus a little.

After a long walk along the banks of a wide river that flowed lazily eastward and near which the ruins of the castle where Nightmare Moon was defeated could sometimes be seen in the distance, Fluttershy began to relax a little.

She knew she tended to be frightened easily. Too often since the beginning of her life, that was what she was blamed for, but she couldn't help it. Fluttershy was wondering if her horrible sense of apprehension was due to a disposition toward fear rather than a real danger when she heard them.

The howlings, certainly very far away, nevertheless enjoined her to quickly travel the short distance that separated her from Rainbow to come and take refuge, side by side, under the protective wing that her friend extended over her.

“Ti... Timberwolf,” Fluttershy whimpered, trembling so hard that Rainbow felt the jolts of the yellow pegasus body.

“I think so too,” Rainbow confirmed as she looked through the dark wood. “But they are away, far, far away,” she added as she saw Fluttershy looking frenetically around her.

After a few moments, mostly filled with fear and tension, Fluttershy finally made the same observation. She breathed a sigh of gratitude.

“Let's get going Shy,” Rainbow gently said after giving her some time to recover.

Then Rainbow hesitated. Since the beginning of their journey, she was only following Fluttershy's timid directions and had no clue about where they were going.

“Hum Shy? How long before we arrive?”

“We... we're not far away, fortunately, from the place the plants grow,” announced the shy pegasus with a note of hope in her voice.

Satisfied, Rainbow folded her wings against her flanks and friendly disheveled Fluttershy's mane with one of her hoof. This small gesture comforted the yellow pegasus, who found enough courage to continue her march towards the heart of the forest, Rainbow bravely walking by her side.

“Shy, where are we going anyway?”

“Well... To answer that, I guess I would have to start at the beginning... if, if you're okay with this.”

“Sure, why not?” simply nodded the blue pegasus, who had nothing better to do anyway.

In order to calm down, Fluttershy took advantage of the last stage of their journey to tell Rainbow the reason explaining the distance between the forest's entrance and the place where these plants grew.

According to Twilight's book, an ancient volume about the magical properties of plants, this kind of medicinal plant, in order to grow properly, required a place where moisture was very present. Everfree Forest, with its large and very dense twisted trees, easily kept the wetness trapped in its foliage. That was, according to Fluttershy, the speciality of this forest.

But these medicinal plants, in addition to constant humidity, had to have access to a bright sun during the day to literally absorb the brightness of the rays of Celestia's favorite star and to a silver moon, at night, to transform the sun's brightness into a magic juice to which Luna's favorite star gave the benefits of a night of restorative sleep.

These two conditions had to be met to obtain the plants whose juice would be used in the medical decoctions that Fluttershy intended to prepare for winter.

“...so that's why we will find these plants in one of the very few clearings of Everfree Forest. It is the only places where the light of both the sun and the moon enters while the humidity stays,” Fluttershy concludes by pointing out, to Rainbow, the closest clearing they reached a few moments later.

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As they entered the clearing, the two pegasi had to wait for their eyes to get used to the strong presence of light in this area. The clearing, compared to the rest of the forest, was like an islet of light in the middle of a sea of darkness. Fluttershy was happy to bathe in the warmth and brightness of the place. For the first time since the beginning of their journey, she finally was able to relax completely.

Fluttershy, charmed by the magical atmosphere of the clearing, placed her basket on the ground and walked a little further into the vegetation with a light and graceful step. It didn't take her long to find the first shot of herbs she was looking for.

“They really are magical.” Fluttershy was ecstatic as she studied one of these plants, whose fragile petals, dotted with bright droplets, were sucking in a ray of sunlight. “They're beautiful”

She happily waved her hoof to show the flower to Rainbow, picked it up and then placed it in the basket. Some luminous drops had remained on her coat and were now slipping along her hoof. Fluttershy watched the liquid light make furrows on her skin. She let out a little crystalline laugh.

Rainbow, on the other hand, took off to land on a large rock, about in the middle of the clearing. This way, she enjoyed a view of the entire plain surrounding her.

She saw, in addition to the dark vegetation dotted with luminescent flowers, other rocks like the one she was standing on. They were scattered here and there, heavy and immobile, unlike the grass that was sometimes agitated by rare wind breezes.

Tall tree trunks were lying further down on the ground, broken, silent witnesses to a pack of timberwolves that usually left this kind of chaos in their path.

Time passed slowly, pleasantly.

Rainbow enjoyed watching Fluttershy make endless round trips between the basket and the various herbs while humming a sweet melody.

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The two pegasi each enjoyed, in their own way, the late afternoon sun which caressed them both with its warm rays and rewarded them from time to time with a cool breeze bringing a pleasant smell of woodland, tree leaves and sap.

Fluttershy thanked Rainbow many times for bravely accompanying her. The presence of blue pegasus was very important to Fluttershy. She felt safe around her best friend and knew she would never have made it to this clearing without her courageous and loyal friend.

The sun, under the supervision of Princess Celestia, continued its infinite revolution over Equestria as Rainbow and Fluttershy talked about everything and nothing, safe in their haven of light lost in the middle of a sea of shadows.

Fluttershy told her friend about her fears about the quality of her medical infusions. She was afraid that she would not be able to create remedies effective enough to cure her animals during the harsh winter months ahead. Rainbow quickly reassured her that Fluttershy was the best placed, and especially the most motivated, to succeed in making these infusions.

Fluttershy blushed when she heard Rainbow praising her efforts to preserve the health of all her animals.

Aware of her weaknesses, Fluttershy also took advantage of Rainbow's presence to ask her to give her some flying lessons to fill her gaps. Rainbow, surprised although flattered by her friend's request, quickly accepted, way too happy to help Fluttershy get rid of this handicap which, according to the blue pegasus at least, had long prevented her from fully enjoying the benefits of being a pegasus.

Rainbow, in turn, asked Fluttershy, an expert in animal care, for advice on how to keep her little turtle, Tank, healthy. She also explained to an attentive Fluttershy the basics of her weekly training to become the next Wonderbolt recruit. Then Rainbow, proud and fearless, began to list to her friend the new tricks she was practicing for a future air show.

“Oh my goodness! This sound impressive Rainbow, at this rate you will be the next Wonderbolt in no time. I'm sure this is making you happy.”

“Happy isn’t even the beginning of it, Shy! It's my life goal, my biggest dream! For Celestia's sake, this is the most important thing I want!

Fluttershy laughed, a laugh shy but overflowing with affection, at the optimism of the blue pegasus.
This clearing is so quiet, it's perfect, Fluttershy happily she listened to Rainbow praising her future exploits with renewed enthusiasm.

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Fluttershy was delighted, contemplating the basket of her lovely fashionista friend, filled to the brim with medicinal plants. She had insisted on staying a little longer than necessary in order to avoid, as much as possible, coming back for more. When she declared itself ready to depart, Rainbow, not far from there, stretched out in finesse on the top of her rock, preparing to leave.

It was time, the sun was already beginning its descent among the trees, creating a dark and somber contrast in the glade in which some rays of sunlight still stood out, promising the coming arrival of the favorite star of Luna, princess of the moon.

A breeze, stronger than the previous ones, suddenly blew into the clearing. A breeze that had wild hints of old oak, wet tree moss and rotting meat. Rainbow straightened up, all her senses alert, remembering that Applejack had already warned her about this strong smell that was characteristic of one kind of animal: the Timberwolves.

Rainbow caught a glimpse of Fluttershy, who was standing by the basket admiring her harvest, still unaware of the danger that was threatening them.

“FLUTTERSHY!” Rainbow Dash shouted as she quickly flew over the trees to see where the threat came from, which she finally identified coming from the north. “FLY AND GET OUT OF HERE, NOW!”

Fluttershy jumped when she heard Rainbow yell at her. The tone of her voice had nevertheless had its effect. Panicked and trembling, Fluttershy tried to fly towards Rainbow.

Wasted efforts.

As soon as terror took possession of her being, Fluttershy, struggling with an insurmountable psychological block, lost all her means. Her body simply refused to obey her once again.

Her wings, although made of light feathers, now seemed to weigh tons and refused to open, resolutely tight and cramped against her sides. She was shaking like a leaf and, every second, her heart was beating more and more, threatening to explode in her rib cage. Her breathing became more and more erratic as tears of helplessness and terror rushed down her cheeks.

“I... I can't fly...” Fluttershy panicked. Then she started screaming in a strangled voice. “RAINBOW! I CAN'T FLY!”

Terror and despair crept into Fluttershy's brain and swept away what little hope remained in the heart of the pegasus. Short of a solution and unable to find the strength to calm down, Fluttershy began to rush, completely frightened, towards her friend, the only person who could get her out of this bad situation.

Fortunately, she was already flying in her direction. Rainbow had heard Fluttershy scream her distress and she was now diving towards her at full speed.

If the situation wasn't so urgent, Rainbow would have slapped herself for having left Fluttershy alone. She had wanted to assess the threat as she used to do in her Wonderbolt training classes, but she had forgotten Fluttershy's tendency to lose control over her body in the worst moments. It wasn't the yellow pegasus fault, Rainbow knew it, but this handicap was putting Fluttershy and her in a very critical situation.

Rainbow then heard a loud noise of cavalcade interspersed with the sound of uprooted trunks. Shouts broke out and she knew that she and Fluttershy were now being hunted. Rainbow growled in frustration. She mistakenly thought, in view of the situation, that the timberwolf was further away.

She could see, or rather hear, the wolf, which was finally far too close to her taste. Time was playing against them, but, a few more moments and she would have joined Fluttershy. They would then quickly leave the clearing, together, by flying, even if it meant dragging Fluttershy along the entire length of the forest.

This somewhat wobbly plan was quickly eclipsed when, halfway between Rainbow and Fluttershy, the trees at the edge of the clearing exploded as a result of the entrance of a gigantic Timberwolf.

Large pieces of gutted tree trunks and multiple splinters of wood swept the entire clearing. One of these massive pieces of trunk hit Fluttershy on her left flank, in the middle of her run, and both of them crashed a few meters further from the initial point of impact.

“FLUTTERSHY, NO!” Rainbow screamed with terror, her fragile hope of escaping unharmed from the forest, broken, like the body of the yellow pegasus. “NO, NO, NO!”

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Fluttershy had never run at such high speed in her life. As soon as she had felt the Timberwolf’s musk a few moments earlier and failed in her attempt to fly away, Fluttershy started running as quickly as possible towards her friend, her only hope. But the distance from Rainbow was so great.

In her distress, overwhelmed by guilt, she blamed herself for releasing her guard and vowed to be more attentive from then on.

Then, to her great misfortune, Fluttershy had seen the huge Timberwolf entering the plain with a crash but, while running towards her friend, she could never avoid the big trunk that hit her hard, breaking a few ribs and the bones of her wing.

As she was propelled into the air, she felt a great pain on her left flank invading her and she fell to the ground in a loud, inert, stunning crash. Then all the lights in the world faded away.

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Rainbow had watched helplessly as Fluttershy was being swept by the trunk like a rag doll and was now lying motionless on the ground among the wood debris.

Miraculously unharmed, unlike Fluttershy, Rainbow stopped in mid-flight to face the Timberwolf, which was shaking his massive body a little further into the clearing, releasing fine wooden particles that floated in the air, visible in the last rays of the sun.

Wishing to protect Fluttershy's poor body, covered with wood debris and branches, Rainbow initiated a flying attack on the Timberwolf.

He tried to bite her by slamming his monstrous jaws but only managed to catch some air, while Rainbow hit him with all the strength of her hoof as she passed. The timberwolf, surprised by the violence of the attack, was destabilized, but he quickly regained his balance, growled and then set his huge yellow-green eyes on the blue pegasus.

“You... will... pay... for what you have done,” Rainbow threatened him, tears of rage running down her cheeks.“FLUTTERSHY WAS MY FRIEND!”

Rainbow plunged towards the timberwolf and the battle resumed violently, like the rage that was bubbling in Rainbow's heart.

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There was absolute silence in the forest as the terrible battle to the death between the brute force of the Timberwolf and the agility of Rainbow seemed to eclipse any other noise. Only the concert of blows, screams and growls of frustration testified of life inside EverFree Forest.

The wolf was a monster made for carnage. Sharp claws, razor teeth, solid and resistant oak body, he was a fierce predator and a strong opponent.

Rainbow, on the other hand, used her speed to strike her enemy with powerful blows. This proved to be very effective. The timberwolf showed signs of pain where Rainbow had managed to break its wooden shell, exposing sensitive areas that she had struck as vehemently and forcefully as she could.

Unfortunately, Rainbow's efforts were paid for in blood, her blood. Several times, as she kicked the monster, the claws and fangs of the powerful predator found flesh to torn.

A hiccup of pain, blood and tears seemed to be the price to pay to save her friend's body, Rainbow observed with anger.

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Time went on forever. Rainbow was unable to remember when the fight had started or when it would end. Every second passed at the rate of an eternity.

Her physical exhaustion was felt. Her movements were slower and her breathing more shallow. Her burning lungs were craving for oxygen, which she spat out violently with each blow from the timberwolf. Blood was flowing at the corners of her lips and multiple bruises started appearing on her body.

The fight seemed endless but, after a brief but particularly violent scuffle, Rainbow wounded the wolf, who, yelping in pain, withdrew further into the plain to lick his wounds with his moss tongue.

Taking advantage of this moment of respite, Rainbow flew as best she could, with her wings shaking, towards her friend. Her arrival looked more like a crash than a landing.

Crawling with difficulty towards her friend, Rainbow was relieved to find that Fluttershy, despite her twisted wing in a more than worrying angle, was breathing faintly, testifying to the spark of life that still inhabited her.

“Shy... wake up, I beg you,” Rainbow begged as she stroked her fragile friend's hair and cleared the debris from her body. “We have to go... now...”

Fluttershy moaned and then opened her eyes, weeping and humid. Tears had run down her cheeks creating mud furrows on her face soiled by the debris. After a great effort that threatened to send her back into unconsciousness, she raised her head with difficulty and looked into the eyes of her blue friend.

“Rain... bow? I'm hurt... really hurt... and I... I'm stuck. I can't move...” Fluttershy began, bathed in a confused fog of pain and fatigue.

“I'll move that thing Shy, then, we'll get out of here... fast,” Rainbow said with a pale smile, pointing to a trunk that was crushing Fluttershy's wing. “I won't let us die here.

Rainbow struggled to stand up and put her flickering hooves against the trunk, drawing on her last strength to move it. Despite her ardor, she did not have enough strength to move it and had to suppress severe nausea caused by her intense effort.

To make matters worse, the Timberwolf, having noticed the weakness of his prey, regained his fighting spirit and approached them with the confident step of a winning predator. The ancient magic of his race had done its work and the wounds of his previous fight against the pegasus were healed.

Rainbow, exhausted, trembling and wounded, stood as proudly as possible, in her condition, in front of the wolf, protecting Fluttershy who was fighting her comatose state.

“Don't worry Shy,” Rainbow courageously said to the little yellow pegasus behind her. “As long as I'm here, I will prote...”

She was not able to finish her sentence. Her energy drained and her wounds much more severe than she thought propelled her into the dark world of unconsciousness. Her eyes reverted and she collapsed from exhaustion beside Fluttershy.

At that moment, the timberwolf bent its legs and rushed towards the two pegasi at its mercy, reducing in a few seconds the long distance that still separated them a few moments earlier.

With his fangs uncovered and his tongue hanging out, he looked at his prey. His gaze drifted to Rainbow, breathing with difficulty, exhausted and covered in blood, then to Fluttershy, struggling with pain, her wing trapped under a trunk.

The Timberwolf straightened up to its full height, in front of its prey. The moon, which had sneakily replaced the sun during the length of the fight, bombarded its rays on the creature's back, darkening the wood of his body to such an extent that the wolf looked like a monster of black darkness haloed with light. A striking image in this clearing, an image that came to an abrupt end when the Timberwolf, his snout pointing towards the sky, shouted his thanks to the forest for this perfect meal.

Then he leaned over to his dinner, salivating in advance at the thought of tasting the pegasus flesh. To his great misfortune, however, his big yellow-green eyes came across Fluttershy's eyes.

Instantly, he was terrified.

A feeling of terror was compressing his heart. The menacing eyes of the yellow pegasus told him to leave them alone, immediately, promising him unnamed pain and horror if he did not turn around in the second. Horrible images started creeping into his head.

He was afraid. He was no longer a predator, he was a prey. The prey of the pegasus with terrifying eyes.

Fluttershy's gaze finally overcame his will, a frightening look that froze his blood and drove him to run away, which he did the next moment, forgetting even his meal ideas. He went far, at full speed, without ever looking behind him even once.

Seeing, from her blurred vision, the massive body of the Timberwolf leaving the clearing by the path he had entered, Fluttershy silently thanked Celestia, Luna and the whole sky for having given her the gift of the "Stare". She didn't like to use it and used it as little as possible, but she could not ever be more happy to have it that at this exact moment.

After painfully glancing at Rainbow beside her, wounded but still alive, Fluttershy, under the protection of the moon and its starry vault, finally allowed herself to sink into the sweet world of unconsciousness, the place where the painful wounds on her side would no longer make her suffer.

“I am... so sorry... Rainbow...” Fluttershy said weakly, devoured by remorse, just before darkness invaded her consciousness once again.

Chapter 2 - The Invisible World

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One may not reach the dawn save by the path of the night.
- Khalil Gibran, unicorn -

Chaos, pain, sadness, regret.

Fluttershy no longer felt any of this, trapped in a world of darkness that had savagely ripped her of her memory. But perhaps she simply had never felt these emotions.

Fluttershy was lost in an ocean of confused dreams, without any memories and without the slightest reminiscence, however vague and incomprehensible it may be, which could give her a clue as to her presence in this gloomy place, empty of any trace of life.

The pegasus cast a dull glance at the landscape. A greyish and dense fog lazily floated everywhere behind her. So dense in fact, that it was almost solid, threatening. It was omnipresent in this mysterious place.

Yet, in front of Fluttershy, stood a forest of different shades of grey and black. It extended over the entire horizon in an infinite straight line, to get lost, much, much further, in the fog that surrounded the forest.

As Fluttershy quietly approached the trees, she began questioning herself about the total length of this strange forest. It gave her, curiously enough, a vague feeling of guilt.

The trees at the edge of the wood slowly, quietly, created a gaping opening, like the mouth of a huge nightmarish creature that was about to eat her.

A path opened at her hooves. Fluttershy thought it was similar to the monster's tongue that she imagined hidden, lurking in the branches. It was inviting her to enter, obediently, towards her death.

She wasn't afraid, not really. She was vaguely anxious, certainly, but no more. She wondered however if the decision to follow the trail was her best choice.

But after one last look at the mist behind her, Fluttershy had to admit there was absolutely nothing left interesting enough to make her stay any longer in that place. So she set out on the path, unaware of what the future had in store for her.

As soon as she had walked a few dozen steps under the black foliage, the mouth of the invisible beast closed, cutting off the pegasus from any retreat to the world outside.

A rather unusual fact that the fragile yellow pegasus noticed almost instantly in her new prison was the silence. No rustling of leaves or twigs interrupted the monotonous atmosphere of this place. Everything was calm and vaguely scary.

Another surprising detail was that she didn’t see or hear any creature. It gave her a strange feeling of emptiness.

Was it because she loved animals?

Maybe.

She didn't know anymore.

Uncertain, she turned her attention to the forest, on the lookout for the slightest noise of a rodent running or an acute chirping of birds. Unfortunately, without success.

Fluttershy quietly resumed her journey, her heart loosely tightened.

On both sides of the small dirt road, tall twisted trees with night-black trunks silently stretched their long branches in the wild hope of grazing the little yellow pegasus that wandered, head down, among them.

Fluttershy felt a slight sense of unease as she walked there, without memories, through this dark forest of obscure intentions. She hoped to be able to trace back the events that had led her to that point soon.

At that moment, like a gift to answer her prayers, her memory graced her with a distant reminiscence. One name, only one, came back to her, a name that accompanied her all along her journey even she didn’t understand its meaning: Everfree.

Fluttershy sighed.

More like never free, she thought.

_________________________

Far behind Fluttershy, at the entrance of the woods, the dense mist was slowly spreading through the forest.

Voracious, the fog seemed to swallow up the trees as it slowly moved. Driven by its own will, it followed softly in the footsteps of the little pegasus, greedily consuming everything in its path until there was nothing left.

_________________________

Fluttershy was trying as best she could to put her confused thoughts in order. She was unable to remember anything about this place. Was it the first time she came here?

Probably not.

She still had that distant sense of guilt that grabbed her chest whenever she looked at the trees along the path she was following, her mind still haunted by the name Everfree.

A name that sounded like a prison.

Every time that name came to her mind the same feeling of vague sadness filled her heart. Fluttershy could not repress a shiver at the thought of being trapped in this strange forest.

Will I ever leave this place? wondered the anxious pegasus.

Only the deafening silence of the forest answered her.

_________________________

Time did not matter here.

Fluttershy was unable to estimate the number of hours spent walking under the dark grey and, most recently, slightly greenish foliage of the trees. As soon as she tried to count the minutes, her mind would fog up. She couldn't think clearly. Soon after, she didn't even try anymore.

It may had been forever since the pegasus wandered aimlessly through the infinitely wide forest, it was impossible for her to know.

_________________________

The path suddenly widened, opening up to an unexpected vision that broke the monotonous atmosphere of the pegasus journey.

In front of her, at the end of a clearing, stood a gigantic wall of black flames. High as the tallest trees on the forest, it was dominating the clearing. Its light illuminated the dead pale flowers and rocks scattered all around, all engulf in flames.

Columns of greyish smoke escaped from the fires and rose to the sky to get lost in the dense fog. A cloud of bad omen, that floated everywhere above the forest.

The little pegasus advanced towards one of these flames. She was unable to feel the slightest fear at the sight of these black fires, scattered everywhere. She was fascinated by them. The black flames danced in the eyes of the hypnotized pegasus and, closer up, she could see a weak but captivating dark red glow within them.

Fluttershy was under their spell.

An infinite amount of time passed before she was able to avert her gaze away from these dark bonfires. A feeling of imminent danger was ringing alarm bells in the pegasus brain. She looked frantically at the clearing in search of a potentially deadly threat hidden across the landscape.

There, Fluttershy observed with horror as she notified the path, the same one that had allowed her to enter the clearing, disappearing into a thick mist. A mist whose threatening shapes, vaguely reminiscent of wolves, were avidly devouring the last trees at the edge of the clearing.

Fluttershy didn't like that mist.

A single glance at it was enough to convince the pegasus to be very careful. She had the unpleasant conviction that she would disappear for eternity if that fog covered her completely and she certainly did not want to disappear like the forest that was already being gradually swallowed up.

Condemned to wander endlessly through the misty meanders of this forest, what a tragic fate!

Soon, the pegasus began to look for another way out that she easily found, without being sure, however, that this was her best escape route.

At the end of the clearing, behind a wall of high black flames, another path went deeper into the forest, free of any threat.

Cautious, Fluttershy carefully approached the wall of flames. She was caught in between the fog wolves and the burning wall.

Frightened at the thought of being the foggy monster’s next meal, and without thinking about the possible consequences of her choice, Fluttershy crossed the curtain of fire. She would rather feel the temporary bite of the pyre instead of the fangs of the fog’s creature.

The flames threw themselves at her and wrapped her on the spot, slipping on her body, drowning her in darkness, until she managed to come out the other side, intact. She was not burned, the fire being strangely cold, even icy.

Fluttershy, despite being intrigued by this phenomenon, had to put her curiosity aside in order to leave the mist behind and keep on walking further down the path.

_________________________

Fluttershy looked at the strange trees along the road. Unlike those on the other side of the gigantic black wall of flames, which seemed to have no malicious intentions, the trees on this side were oozing with unconcealed malice.

They were twisted and grinning. They wore cruel faces with scary smiles but it was the yellow-green gleams in their empty orbits that awakened a distant sense of terror in Fluttershy’s heart.

These impure sparks stirred a distant memory buried in her mind. An unpleasant memory, no doubt. This was a feeling that she was hardly able to explain to herself at the time, since she had no memory left, even though the lights vaguely reminded her of a terrifying and gigantic monster with a body covered in branches and moss.

She postponed the vain exploration of her memories until later because of the greater danger lurking over her shoulders.

What made her extremely uncomfortable, for the time being, was not far behind.

_________________________

The mist had resumed hunting, having finally consumed the clearing and smothered the gigantic wall of fire. It had rushed into the trail following Fluttershy and was floating about a hundred meters from the pegasus, eating away at the distance between them.

Threatening, it seemed to be catching up with Fluttershy little by little, making up for the lost time.

_________________________

Once again, notifying the mist, much too close for her taste, Fluttershy tried to extend as much as possible the distance between the dark fog and herself.

Once done, Fluttershy began to consider the conflicting emotions that had plagued her since the beginning of her journey in the forest. She made two observations.

The first was that many of her feelings were felt in a very vague way, as if suffocated by the thick air of this strange world. Since each of them evoked lost memories, far away in her consciousness, she associated these emotions with echoes of sensations related to her past experiences, before her arrival in this place.

Thus her vague uneasiness towards the forest and the absence of wildlife as well as her feeling of stifled terror at the gleams in the trees and the image of the wooden monster were related in some way to her past. The vague guilt she felt when the name "Everfree" was mentioned must therefore also have been related to her past.

Interesting. But does this mean that the name of this creature is Everfree? she thought.

The second observation of the pegasus, on the other hand, was that she felt very well the emotions related to this strange world.

She still had this poignant uneasiness about the mist that was running around and the flames of the clearing had properly seduced and captivated her. What she felt in that place was very intense. Her emotions were a hundred times more intense than the vague echoes of her past.

This world is really strange... Strange and dangerous, Fluttershy admitted, thinking about the fog that was lurking somewhere behind.

_________________________

The path that Fluttershy followed, for a little over two hours, according to the uncertain estimate of the pegasus, led to a small wooded area, smaller than the previous clearing.

Open to the sky still overcast with mist, the place emanated a spectral aura. Not without reason, because in the middle of the woods, a ray of light, coming from an invisible star in the fog above the trees, illuminated the skeleton of a pegasus whose broken wings littered the ground.

All around, in the clearing, small pink butterflies flew here and there, peacefully. Their flight amazed Fluttershy who raised a hoof on which one of the small insects came to rest a few moments later. The pegasus was fascinated by the peaceful creature, the first one she encountered in this wood.

The butterfly was light, with transparent pink wings bordered by golden circles. After a short break, he resumed his flight to land on the skeleton, at the level of the back thigh bone. This vision somewhat upset the pegasus who associated this emotion with an experience related to her enigmatic past. She felt as if she knew the pegasus that lay there, with broken wings and her heart told her that the butterflies were the silent guardians of the burial place of the skeleton.

Fluttershy lowered her head to say a silent prayer for the poor soul who had taken her last breath in this dark place. She was really and purely saddened by the unfortunate fate of the stranger.

But as the mist reappeared in the distance, Fluttershy set out again on a path that the forest had just created for her, uprooting trunks that moved away to replant their roots further away, freeing a passage just wide enough for the comfort of the pegasus.

_________________________

It didn't take long, no more than a few minutes, before the fog took over the place.

As soon as Fluttershy had left the small clearing, the mist poured into it, preceded by its monstrous foggy wolves.

Together, the monsters quarreled with the prey, devouring the butterflies that withered instantly upon contact while the mist, with a growing appetite, absorbed the skeleton of the pegasus, reducing the bones to powder and swallowing them to the last grain of dust.

It quickly wiped out the rest of the small clearing and resumed hunting with its pack.

_________________________

Fluttershy walked a short distance, barely an hour's walk according to the still nebulous estimate of the pegasus, before arriving in front of a new landscape, a large bridge that extended over a wide gorge.

The footbridge connecting the two sides of the precipice, strangely circular and made of solid braided straw, rose abruptly on the sides of the structure to bend gently once at the top.

Apart from the unusual shape of the footbridge, a curious thing caught the attention of the little pegasus.

The bridge had no safety parapet.

Fluttershy tried to fly to the top of the bridge, certain to find something related to her lost memories.

But for some reason, her wings denied her this option, remaining firmly attached to her sides. She made several unsuccessful attempts to open them, but her wings, far from being painful, remained tense.

She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, she would do without her wings if necessary. Trying to look for clues about her body's strange behavior would plunge her once again into the mists of her brain. She didn't risk it.

Without further ado, because the fog was probably not far behind, Fluttershy began to clumsily climb the structure to the highest point. She took care to stay in the center of the bridge so as not to fall. Once perched at the apex of the bridge, catching her breath, she took a look below and witnessed a surprising revelation.

The structure on which she was standing was not a bridge, far from it.

It was the handle of a giant light brown wicker basket.

Vertigo suddenly seized the pegasus when her mind was being assaulted by a bunch of diffuse memories. She had already seen this basket, she was sure of it.

At the bottom of this large basket, the ground was shaking under a waving sea covered with small plants that rocked to a breeze that Fluttershy was unable to feel. Through these plants, yellow and pink ribbons fluttered everywhere, flapping their curls in the same way that a bird would flap its wings to fly.

Admiring the surrealist landscape created by this collection of lively things, Fluttershy almost failed to see the last element that completed the picture.

Lost in the middle of this canvas of green, yellow and pink, stood a single blue spot. By paying attention to this splash on the global landscape, Fluttershy distinguished a small pegasus with a blue coat and rainbow mane.

Perched on top of a flat rock across the ocean of grass, the blue pegasus stood motionless, her eyes closed, insensitive to the chaotic charm of the world around her.

Looking at her more closely, Fluttershy saw that the body of the little blue pegasus was covered with hideous scars. However, her deep wounds did not prevent her from sleeping soundly as evidenced by her chest rising and falling gently to the rhythm of her peaceful breathing.

The scene before her brought back a distant pain in her heart. All this was sadly familiar to her and the vision of the poor blue filly, covered with so many scars, plunged her into a diffuse confusion.

Another experience from her nebulous past estimated Fluttershy, slightly afraid that one day she would discover the truth at the source of her unhealthy feelings. It seemed she had been through a lot before she ended up in this forest and she was no longer sure she wanted to know what had happened to her in the past.

She felt a deep outpouring of affection, a strange feeling in this strange universe, for her comrade in misfortune.

Maybe she's lost, just like me, the pegasus began to hope. Maybe we can help each other.

She took a deep breath and tried to shout to attract the attention of the blue pegasus and warn her to flee the threatening mist.

“…”

She was unable to make a cry, not even a coherent word, not even a pitiful squeak.

Fluttershy was simply unable to speak in this strange universe and she was frustrated.

Wake up... the mist will be here soon... please wake up, did she growl, internally angry at the situation, tears of helplessness running down her cheeks.

_________________________

The fog wolves silently entered the clearing with a murderous mood. Their prey gradually escaped them and they hated it. However, they were unable to get too far from the mist, their mistress.

They spotted Fluttershy, who was standing high up on the handle of the basket and rushed to gnaw at one end of the handle.

The pegasus was now shedding bitter tears, forced to cross over the precipice and carry on the path that plunged even further into the heart of the forest.

As the wolves saw their prey, who was slipping further and further away, they opened their mouths wide and shouted silent howls of frustration.

They calmed down instantly when their mistress arrived. They lowered their heads, in a position of submission, and prepared, as always, to carry out her desires. The order didn’t take long to come, they had to make the chaotic landscape disappear. It was going to take a long time and the wolves sighed collectively at the magnitude of the task.

Then, they notified the blue pegasus, sleeping at the bottom of the basket. They exchanged a dark smile without any warmth. A carnivorous smile.

Their hunting instinct took over, and with fierce joy, they threw themselves into the pit. For the first time since the hunt began, they temporarily forgot the yellow pegasus in favor of another prey.

_________________________

Fluttershy, safe in the small dirt path, tried to wipe away the tears that ran down her face, but to no avail.

She had thought about going back to the cliff, trying once again to attract the attention of the pegasus. Then she stopped, mortified when she saw the wolves rushing into the pit. From then on, she could do nothing but hope that the intriguing blue filly had the chance to escape the monsters.

She quickly gave up hope.

The blue pegasus hadn’t flown away.

Fluttershy would have seen her fly out of the pit, otherwise.

With her hoof, she wiped a few more tears and then decided to continue on her way, after a short prayer for the poor victim of the fog.

Poor soul, she will never be free again... regretted Fluttershy.

_________________________

The wolves impatiently scraped the ground, facing the dirt road, fangs uncovered.

The fog had almost consumed the entire clearing, hunting would resume any moment now. It was necessary because the track leading to the pegasus was getting cold by the minutes, as was the pack's patience.

Proceed, my beloved, find her and trap her. But don't kill her... yet.

The order resounded in the heads of all the animals. They rushed into the forest as far forward as possible while remaining on the periphery of the invisible link that connected them to their mistress.

_________________________

Fluttershy looked curiously at the trees along the side of the road.

These were no longer twisted or frightening. They displayed shapes of various horses. Pegasus, unicorns and ponies, the entire equine race was represented in all its grandeur in the hardwood trunks of this part of the forest. The frozen sculptures seemed to tell silent prayers at Fluttershy, enjoining her to continue her journey.

The wooden statues evoked a slight feeling of familiarity, hope and friendship but also nostalgia for the lonely pegasus who was struggling to understand these feelings in her heart.

One of the sculptures had a pair of wings proudly opened, evoking to her the image of the blue pegasus of the previous clearing and her heart tightened at this memory. Two other statues, unicorns this time, reminded her of two fuzzy shapes. The first, white and violet, the second, two shades of purple and one of pink. The next two other statues, simple ponies, evoked two other fuzzy shapes, one all pink and the last one orange and yellow.

Without knowing why, these sudden visions warmed her heart. She continued on her way with the feeling, for the first time since her arrival, that she was no longer alone. She hoped that this was the case.

_________________________

After a half-hour walk, Fluttershy, noticing that the distance between each of her halts was decreasing, rightly thought she was getting closer to the heart of the forest. She didn’t know, however, that her next stop would be her last

Since the beginning of her journey through the forest, Fluttershy had also noticed the subtle and increasingly bright color changes.

At the beginning of her journey, everything was dull, drowned in demoralizing shades of white, black and grey.

Now, as she ventured further towards the heart of the forest, the colors seemed to add to the picture, to embellish themselves, becoming more radiant, more alive.

However, the fog acted like a fuzzy filter permanently applied to these colors, which always remained a little cloudy, refusing to be fully displayed in this dark world.

Fluttershy began to dream about what this forest would look like with full, honest and joyful colors.

She didn't have to wait long because as soon as she had passed the last of the horse sculptures, the impressive view that opened up to her at the end of the path took her breath away. A bright, almost unreal explosion of colors painted the inside of a gigantic clearing.

The first thing that stood out in this plain was a majestic and colossal stone arch that stood in its center. It was impossible not to notice the dazzling architectural masterpiece that dominated the landscape.

Made of rocks, flaring bronze and silver and a multitude of gems shining with a thousand fires, the sculptures that ran across its surface told the story of the creation of a world that Fluttershy did not recognize. The last sculpture, at the very top, represented a proud alicorn, its wings wide open as if to welcome Fluttershy into her domain.

The stone arch, of tremendous size, was twice as tall as the tallest trees in the area. Hundreds of navy blue, white and black flowers stretched out at the foot of the arch and everywhere else on the plain, delighting Fluttershy with their beauty and sweet scent.

And above this fantastic landscape the sky opened up in a royal and dark blue, without any unhealthy fog, dotted with millions of bright stars surrounding a magnificent full moon whose craters formed the abstract profile of a serene alicorn that contemplated the clearing below.

Everything in the plain evoked peace and tranquility. Fluttershy was charmed.

_________________________

Not far behind, on the path that the pegasus had taken to enter the plain, the fog continued to advance inexorably, sucking in the carved trees.

Unlike the young yellow pegasus, the mist had a perfect knowledge of the ponies depicted in the trunks. Still, it did not prevent her or her wolves from destroying each of the trees while heading towards the only exit still existing in the forest.

The next clearing, by its symbolic nature and eternal function, was the only place in the forest free of the fog.

The only place left where the pegasus was safe.

For now...

_________________________

The moon was caressing Fluttershy with its soothing rays while the stars of the sky pulsed in rhythm to the sound of a melody impossible to hear for the ears of the pegasus. Dozens of shooting stars of different myriads of colors occasionally crossed the landscape to imprint their way into Fluttershy's seduced eyes.

When the pegasus finally stopped contemplating the magnificent sky, following a hunch, a bad feeling, it was already too late.

Fluttershy, having caught a glimpse of the mist slowly heading in her direction, was reluctantly about to leave the clearing when she noticed the trap she had fallen into. The fog covered the entire edge of the forest.

She was trapped in the clearing, with no way out. She tried flying out but once again, her wings refused to cooperate.

The fog surrounding the plain was no longer moving forward, simply blocking the way out for the pegasus who knew she was trapped. The path that the pegasus had taken to enter the clearing closed last, destroying Fluttershy's ultimate hopes of escape.

Fluttershy took refuge near the arch, frightened by the fog’s wolves who were impatiently scratching the ground, waiting for the fateful order of their mistress to attack.

Now she waited, worried, but nothing could foresee the terrible vision that the pegasus then had, which froze her blood so much so that she temporarily forgot the threat of the fog’s wolves.

A tiny part of the mist broke away from the fog and entered the plain, metamorphosing into an elegant vaporous alicorn that, despite its neat appearance, gave off an impression of cold intelligence in perfect harmony with an icy heart.

The creature walked slowly and came to meet Fluttershy, coming to a halt a few meters from the shaking pegasus.

When she spoke, Fluttershy heard two distinct voices speaking to her. One was gentle and compassionate, the other was authoritarian and full of bitterness.

”Welcome Fluttershy,” said the voices. ”Welcome in the invisible world, a country that very few ponies had the honor to visit.”

Fluttershy did not feel particularly honored at the thought of being in this forest. She preferred to remain silent while judging her host with a suspicious look, trying to determine what she was.

“I am the nothingness and I am the whole” replied the alicorn with both her voices after reading Fluttershy's thoughts. “I am the eternal guardian of this arch and, if you want to associate myself to something more concrete, look up bearer of the element of kindness.“

With its misty hoof, she pointed the top of the structure representing the gigantic alicorn with its wide-open wings that watched over the stone arch. From where Fluttershy was, the moon formed an immaculately white halo around the head of the statue, giving it a mysterious and royal air.

A true princess, thought Fluttershy.

“Princess Luna,” confirmed the alicorn. “Mistress of the night, dreams and death. I am an ethereal replica of this princess, created by her very own magic. I guide the souls in their long journey to the great beyond, the country of the eternal dream. But it happens sometimes that a soul, just like yours, Fluttershy, finds herself trapped here. Trapped in between the realm of Celestia, queen of the sun and life, and the realm of Luna, her sister, queen of the moon and death. This is the invisible world. A chaotic world in the perpetual changing state, built upon the last memory of the soul that is journeying across.“

The news upset Fluttershy.

She was dying if it wasn't already done.

She felt that the alicorn didn't mean her any harm, yet she didn't want to stay here, lost in the fog forever. She had no memory of her past that had led her into this world and she thought it was unfair. The idea of dying seemed unbearable to her. Not here, not like this.

“Your case is a special one, young Fluttershy,” said the alicorn who was reading the pegasus thoughts.

“Your demise can be avoided. Your mind is keeping you in a comatose state over there, in your world, but you can return to it, at any time. This arch, behind you, hold a lot more mysteries than you can imagine. It possesses a divine power, to bring life back to somepony. It opens only for those who can, like yourself, return to the world of Celestia. Let me show you its power.“

At these words, the alicorn rose two meters above the ground and then opened two large luminescent white eyes and, as if echoing this signal, a white dot of the same intensity appeared in the center of the arch. The point widened to become a horizontal line that touched the sides of the two pillars of the arch, then widened in height to encompass the entire structure.

The arch had become an impressive gateway to the other world.

The bright white light of the big door dimmed to reveal a blurry world on the other side. A bright, colorful, joyful world. Fluttershy only had to cross the curtain of liquid light between the two to return to the living.

A breath of hope invaded her as she prepared to enter the veil of light. But the alicorn landed on the ground behind her and started talking again, forcing her to turn around.

“Fluttershy,“ severely said the shadow with her two voices. “Here you are confronted with an important choice which allows no step backward. I recommend you to consider attentively both the options that will be presented to you. By crossing this arch, you will return among your kind, back to the realm of Celestia, the land of the living. On the other hand, I offer you to stay with me. I will erase definitively all of your painful memories and shall lead you to the realm of Luna. You will leave behind any sadness and wounds and you will begin a new life there.”

She stopped only to ensure Fluttershy understood her options.

“Here are the proposals which are offered to you. Now, make your choice. But know that you have nothing to fear about death, it is only the beginning of the eternal dream.“

Once the alicorn solemnly concluded her speech, the darkness of the starry sky had faded to announce the incoming dawn.

However, before giving her final verdict, the yellow pegasus wanted to know one last thing. Obsessed and harassed from the beginning of her journey, she now wanted to know what the name Everfree meant. She thought it was the name of the beast she had briefly glimpsed among her diffuse memories.

“Everfree is a forest,“ corrected the alicorn with her two voices, one expressing sadness, the other anger. “Everfree is the last place you have visited, the place which saw the tragedy which brought you here Fluttershy.“

Dawn was dangerously close, but Fluttershy had made up her mind.

To live rather than die.

She was about to politely decline the offer of the alicorn, ready to turn her heels and cross the liquid curtain.

“Wait!“

The alicorn had suddenly spoken with its two voices, one authoritative and the other supplicant, in such a low tone that Fluttershy had no choice but to come closer to hear the rest.

“Fluttershy, my duty is to guide the souls towards their final destination, somewhere free of worries, pain and sadness. As the element of kindness, you have been through so much.“

I… I have?

The lyrics were haunting, the voices were both seductive and manipulative, and Fluttershy was finding it becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate. Her thoughts became confused and she took a few awkward steps towards the unicorn, under the spell of her charm.

“Yes! Yes you have! And I can take all of this away. The land of the eternal dream is way quieter, peaceful, the perfect place for someone like you.“

I… I’m not sure... I should go.

“Why not? Do not be so modest Fluttershy, you deserve your place there. Don’t you feel the call of the eternal dream, this sweet feeling of fatigue? Wouldn’t you like to sleep to make everything go away?”

I… do.

“Then come to me kind one, let us go on our way.“ whispered the alicorn as she reached out her misty hoof to Fluttershy.

Moving forward as if in a dream, the pegasus was almost within reach of the alicorn's embrace.

It was at this moment that Fluttershy fleetingly recalled the image of the blue pegasus. The charm vanished with every blink of her eye. In a flash of lucidity, Fluttershy realized the horror of what she was about to do. She sharply withdrew the hoof she had unconsciously stretched out to the alicorn.

You tricked me!

Fluttershy was outraged when she realized that the fog wolves had sneaked up on her while the alicorn used its charms. The closest ones were standing back a dozen meters from the pegasus ready to jump to devour her.

All the charming sweetness of the alicorn suddenly vanished and its two voices became icy.

“Poor Fluttershy, you almost made the right choice, but your stubbornness just made everything worse. I don’t understand how one could choose to go back to Celestia’s chaotic realm and deny herself the peace that mistress Luna’s dream world can provide. I can’t let you go. No! I won’t allow it!“

It is still my choice!

“Not anymore!“ hissed the alicorn, then she gave the fateful order to her wolves. “Get her!“

The wolves threw themselves forward with their mouths wide-open as Fluttershy turned around and ran towards the big gate.

At that moment, the first rays of sunshine lit up the Arch. The curtain of light flashed furiously and the brightness began to fade. The door was closing.

About twenty meters separated Fluttershy from the door. Most of the pack was behind her, but some wolves went around the arch to trap her viciously. She was surrounded. About ten wolves were now standing between her and the gate. Fluttershy increased the pace, not wanting to give the wolves a chance to swell their ranks.

The first wolf threw himself too hastily at Fluttershy and just missed her. But the second wolf managed to claw her as it passed. Although the fog paw passed through her flank without leaving a physical trace, excruciating pain tore Fluttershy's entrails, forcing her to slow down.

The sudden slow saved her from the claws of two other predators that had thrown themselves into her path with too much hasty momentum. But the fifth and sixth wolves managed to injure the pegasus.

One hurt her hoof and the other bite the flank of the pegasus. The seventh threw himself towards another of Fluttershy’s hoof and she managed in extremis to avoid the predator's mouth.

Only three wolves still stood between Fluttershy and the flashing door, but already the pain was physically incapacitating the pegasus. She was struggling to maintain a steady speed, tortured by her wounds.

She continued to run, however, frightened at the thought of disappearing in the middle of the tide of ravenous wolves.

One of the remaining wolves threw himself on Fluttershy’s left wing. His jaw closed on the wing and bones of the pegasus, which silently screamed in pain. Fluttershy fell out and rolled on her side, barely avoiding a bite to the throat from the second wolf. His jaws snapped in the air, but one of his paws still tore across the pegasus shoulder.

Fluttershy, shaking, quickly straightened up, more injured than ever, and began to run with desperate energy towards the door, which had become incredibly dim.

It would only remain open for a few more seconds.

The gigantic pack was gaining ground and Fluttershy could feel the predator's jaws snapping near her thighs. Two other wolves had rounded the arch and the new trio stood just in front of the door, three meters in front of the pegasus.

There was no more time to lose and, without any finesse, Fluttershy threw herself towards the door in a prodigious leap. The three wolves pounced on her and Fluttershy felt every bite and claw as they went through her.

The pain reached a frightful peak and Fluttershy uttered a long, silent cry as every fiber of her being convulsed with pain. She lost consciousness, but her momentum threw her into the last remnants of the curtain of liquid light.

She heard none of the fog wolves who howled their fury as the door closed on the invisible world.

Chapter 3 - Embrace Of Life And Death

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Until the day of his death, no pony can be sure of his courage
- Jean Anouilh, earth pony -

Chaos, pain, sadness, regret.

A chaotic symphony of torture and agony accompanied Fluttershy as she abruptly returned to the world of the living as her soul, emotions and memories brutally reintegrated her body.

The sounds were too loud for her sensitive ears, immediately causing her a horrible migraine. An incessant pulsation in the inside of her head. A pounding that split her skull in two while her brain suffered an incessant mental rape of twisted and violent images depicting a horrible blood-covered timberwolf.

When she tried to open her eyes, the blinding light caused her an intense pain that pierced her skull, forcing her to close her eyelids to temporarily take refuge in the darkness of her mind.

She tasted blood in her mouth. Her throat was dry. She needed water, fast.

Aggressive smells of antiseptic made her feel nauseous, soon the taste of blood was replaced by bile, threatening to escape from the corner of her lips.

The sheet, placed on her sore and delicate body, seemed to weigh tons on her chest. Her lungs were already struggling to accumulate an adequate supply of oxygen. She was about to faint suffocated.

Her cheeks were wet… the position she was in, the pain in her left flank and wing… insufferable.

She tried to change position, a sharp pain made her scream with desperation. She immediately abandoned the fight, more wounded than ever.

A generous soul released the strands of her hair to apply a cold water compress to her burning forehead.

Fluttershy was overwhelmed by the soothing feeling of freshness. A few drops of cold, pleasant water ran down her feverish face. She let herself be comforted by the softness of the compress, letting it apply a balm to her wounds.

After a few minutes, the migraine subsided very slightly, allowing her to concentrate on her environment and the horrible noises around her. Repetitive and aggressive sounds, strident alarms of all kinds resonating in her brain as she struggled to fight the pain.

“Her vital signs are stable. Miss, keep the compress on her forehead while she wakes up, she will need it.”

Fluttershy vaguely recognized that voice, she had heard it on rare occasions.

“I'm afraid that if things continue this way, she will soon be short on painkillers and the pain will come back, stronger than ever.”

As the migraine faded, little by little, Fluttershy ventured to open her eyes. They flickered for a short while until she got used to the artificial light of the place.

She was in a hospital bed.

She was connected to machines that made high pitched noises in rhythm with the weak beats of her heart. A strong smell of disinfectant and antiseptic hovered in the air… a morbid scent that gave her chills.

Fluttershy recognized nurse Redheart, a little further in the room. The mare who had spoken a few moments earlier.

With an exemplary discipline, she was examining the almost empty IV pouch of painkillers, the end of which was stuck in Fluttershy's front leg.

A second pony, a unicorn, was present a few hooves away from Fluttershy. This unicorn, a reassuring vision in this uncomfortable universe, was holding the compress on the pegasus’s forehead.

It was none other than one of Fluttershy’s very good friends. A unicorn with purple hair and white coat, blurry yet recognizable among thousands.

“Ra...rity?”

As soon as she heard that weak whisper, Rarity threw the compress on the bedside table and hugged her with infinite tenderness. Fluttershy noticed the way Rarity paid particular attention not to touch any of the bruises scattered over her body.

How much blood had she lost under those dark marks? How much more would pour out, if her wounds were to reopen?

“Fluttershy, my dear Fluttershy, we… we were so afraid for you!” Rarity wept without worrying about the tears running down her face as she affectionately brushed her friend's pink hair. “Celestia be praised, you are finally awake.”

“I… I had to… came back. Ra... Rarity... I need... water... tru... ly thirsty.”

Rarity was too happy to satisfy that request. She needed to focus on a simple task that would allow her to forget the hours of anxiety that preceded Fluttershy's awakening.

“Be careful, Fluttershy. Please, avoid moving as much as possible, if not at all... and... and do not drink too fast. You have lost an enormous amount of blood ... Be very cautious, dear. You are in a very weak state...”

Rarity floated close a cup of water and, while Fluttershy was quenching her thirst, she gave her some basic care to ease her poor friend's pain a little. She wasn’t a nurse, but she applied to the best of her knowledge.

Under her tears, Rarity could not help but sketch a trembling smile, full of sincere joy at her friend's miraculous awakening. She had feared the worst that, fortunately, had not happened. As she carefully held Fluttershy's head with one of her legs she took great care to ensure that the pegasus did not choke on a sip.

For her part Redheart, who was evaluating her patient’s state, called Nurse Tenderheart and asked her to fetch Princess Twilight Sparkle.

Back at her patient's bedside, Redheart, under the watchful eye of Rarity, started performing a long series of preventive manipulations with Fluttershy. She was aiming to determine the possible consequences of Fluttershy’s misadventure in the forest.

While waiting for Twilight, Rarity explained to Fluttershy how the long, anxious night, that she and their other friends had experienced, had unfolded.

_________________________

“Oh! Oh! Ohhhhhh! My Pinkie sense is going craaaaazy!”

It had begun with a simple sentence pronounced by Pinkie, overwhelmed at the thought of welcoming her closest friends in the comfort of her home, for a nice and sweet evening.

She had thought of everything. Fruits, muffins, candy, cupcakes and also balloons and streamers to achieve the bestest of all house parties.

But more importantly, her friends were there.

Well, almost all of them. Fluttershy and Rainbow were probably on their way. They wouldn’t miss the party. They promised to be there.

It was at that moment that her Pinkie sense started tingling.

“Twitchy tail, twitchy tail, numby hooves, another twitchy tail and... Oh! flappy ear!” experimented Pinkie with obvious pleasure.

Applejack, Rarity and Twilight approached with curiosity, while keeping a "safe" distance from Pinkie and the chaotic consequences that her Pinkie sense had the tendencies to bring on them.

Boring!!!

Pinkie despised "security". Pinkie loved "chaos".

She was always excited by every surprise that her Pinkie sense foretold her because it brought the "extra" out of "extraordinary". Otherwise she would be stuck in an infinite loop of "ordinary" and that very idea was just so silly.

The fundamental laws of the universe were such a pain to apply that Pinkie had long made the vow to never be bound or limited by them.

She was free of this world restraints and her Pinkie sense was just one of the many gifts she received following her vow.

That other ponies would not do the same was beyond Pinkie’s understanding.

But enough of that. She had to focus on the vision, the reaction of every part of her body. She felt excitement growing. She began imagining all the possibilities.

I hope it’s going to be...

Please let it be a genormous chimichanga!

Oh! Hi voice-in-my-head-me! Didn’t see you there!

Of course, silly! Hahaha! I don’t have a body. You can’t see me!

You’re right! That is silly, Hahaha!

Hey girls! Whatcha’re up to you two?

Oh! Pinkimpossible the third! It's been so long! How are you?

Pinkimpossible the third was the surname Pinkie gave to the third voice in her head after Twilight said that it was physically, irrefutably, and all-sorts-of-word-that-ended-by-ly, impossible to have more than one consciousness.

Pinkimpossible the third was then the first of a succession of three hundred and fifty-seven Pinkimpossible.

I’m good! I’ve been exploring a little since Twilight tried to catch me with that thing!

Oh yeah! the thing!

Hahaha yeah! Typical Twilight, she does the craziest stuff sometimes. But hey! Enough of that! My Pinkie sense has been tingling for a while. Our friends are dying to know what I’m sensing.

They look pretty lively to me!

Even with her friend moving very slowly, bounded to the physical limitations of time and space, Pinkie could tell they were all alive and well. But still, every millisecond was of importance and she would hate herself to let them wait one more second.

And don’t worry about finding the meaning all by yourself, I brought some backup. Right girls?

Pinkie’s head resonated at the shout of a thousand other Pinkies. Not all of them named after Pinkimpossible’s legacy. Together they started exploring all the possible ending and possibilities foretold by her Pinkie sense.

“That should mean...” began Pinkie.

The final answer soon appeared in her brain and the smile on her face, blooming a short while earlier, dried up instantly. Her hair became stiff as a result of an intense emotion of sadness.

“Oooooh... But... why would they do that? They are my friends... so... why?” Pinkie whispered, almost for herself.

Twilight gently called Pinkie’s attention.

“What is it Pinkie? Tell us, what’s wrong?”

“It's about Fluttershy... and Rainbow. They broke their pinkie promise Twilight… They're not coming...at all... and I don't know why...”

A sad Pinkie Pie was a rare sight for everypony.

It wasn’t the first time her friends saw her sad, frowny, or even tearing up. They were her friends, of course they had been together through good and bad times.

Twilight especially thought that her good friend Pinkie Pie was, at times, overly emotive and susceptible.

She used to dislike ponies like that. They were noisy, meddling… a distraction foremost. Not that she knew well since she did her best to avoid distractions. Even after discovering the true meaning of friendship and realizing that she had behaved as a technical party pooper, she still considered Pinkie Pie to be over the top at times.

She had regretted this many times afterward. With time and patience, she had learned that Pinkie was one of the sharpest friends she had ever encountered. And, with a lot MORE patience, she had learned one crucial, empirical truth.

Never doubt the Pinkie sense.

Putting her book down, she quickly analyzed the situation as her friend was about to break down in tears right in front of her.

They were having a pleasurable picnic, her and all her closest friends aside for Spike, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. Check

Pinkie Pie just had a PSE (Pinkie’s Sense’s Episode). Check

Pinkie Pie was worried about Rainbow and Fluttershy. Check

It didn’t make much sense to her. Usually, Rainbow and Fluttershy were… or at least Rainbow was capable and resourceful. Very little would put her in danger if not her recklessness, but…

Where were they, even? She needed the full picture to think properly.

Fluttershy told her that Rainbow would escort her in Everfree Forest before Pinkie's party. Check

Just that last name popped one more useful fact in her head.

Everfree Forest is DANGEROUS!

That word scared her a little. It was a scary word. The images attached to it and applied to her friends situation especially. But fear didn’t help her think properly. It wouldn’t help. So she told herself that they had all ventured into the forest so many times and nothing too serious had ever happened.

In fact, she had grown into believing that going there was nothing more than a trot in the park at that point.

…

There still was a chance, though.

Put together all the previous points. Her friends weren’t there as planned and their last known location was, allegedly, Everfree Forest. A dangerous place. Now Pinkie just had a PSE and was really worried about those same friends.

Conclusion: screw thinking she was worried!

No, don’t “screw thinking” Twilight. Thinking is useful and served you well. Just think right.

In this case, think worried.

What do you do when you have a missing friend and you’re growing worried with every second?

First, reassure your friends.

“Pinkie!”

Twilight stood up and approached her friends. They all wore mildly concerned faces, while Pinkie was trying to hold back her tears.

Yes, a rescue party could reassure everypony but she had to speak reassuringly.

“Are you sure Dash and Shy aren’t coming?”

Pinkie shook her head.

“I see… well, I’m sure they’re just being late.” She turned around and raised her voice. “But just to be sure, I think we should go to look after them. I know that they were supposed to go into Everfree Forest so that’ll be the first place we look.”

“Well, whaddaya waiting for?” shouted Applejack. “Ah know Everfree Forest like the back of my hoof!”

“Ok. Pinkie and I will first go to Fluttershy’s cottage in case they already came back. I hope we find them there and have a good laugh about it. Rarity, if any of us finds something, we’ll fire a flare towards the sky...”

_________________________

After splitting into two separate groups, each heading towards one of the Everfree forest clearings at Twilight's suggestion, it was Applejack and Rarity's group, after a few hours, who made the sad discovery.

“Sweet Celestia, what happened here?” Rarity asked, horrified. “Applejack look at the wounds on Rainbow... and the bruises on Fluttershy. They both must have suffered so, so much... I... How could this happened?”

“Timberwolf happened,” Applejack replied after smelling the air. “Rarity, call Twilight, they need help.”

Rarity was no longer listening, her gaze shifting between the two unconscious bodies, she was stumbling over the many pieces of wood debris, staring at her friend’s wounds, looking at them with a haggard look.

“Look at Fluttershy's wing, and those bruises... She… she must have a dozen of broken bones! And... and Rainbow... don't even get me started on Rainbow.”

“Rarity! Would you please buck up and call Twilight, now! We need to save them!”

“Absolutely horrid... I... I wouldn't even... Wait... did you say something?” Rarity asked, turning back to Applejack, looking absent-minded.

“Just call Twilight would ya?” snapped Applejack. Then she continued with a softer voice. “Look, Rarity, ah'm also worried about the gals but the best way to be helpful to them is to act fast.”

Applejack's speech finally managed to get Rarity out of her morbid torpor.

“Of... of course... Sorry... Applejack. I will call Twilight right away.”

_________________________

Pinkie was in mourning. After that night, nothing would be the same as before, she knew it, she felt it. Sadder and sadder, she followed Twilight through the wood.

She didn’t even feel relief when she saw a flare going high in the sky, meaning that Applejack and Rarity had found Fluttershy and Rainbow or, at least, found something of interest.

She could just not give into the same optimism that took hold of Twilight as they galloped in the flare’s direction.

_________________________

When Pinkie and Twilight arrived at the chaotic site of the carnage, they were struck by the unfortunate sight of the two pegasuses littering the ground, wounded and unconscious.

Without delay, the two survivors were hoisted on stretchers magically created by Twilight with the wooden debris scattered across the plain, testifying the violence of the clash. Once the survivors were well installed, the order to depart was given.

The four ponies rushed towards the hospital in Ponyville with their unconscious friends safely tied on the stretchers.

_________________________

The group of ponies entered the medical center late at night.

Redheart and her team, witnessing the gravity of the horrible situation, hurried to help them. With unparalleled expertise, the nurse quickly and accurately diagnosed the major problems of her new patients.

Fluttershy was diagnosed with massive internal bleeding in her flank and was urgently treated in a different room than Rainbow, who suffered from several serious external injuries.

Two urgent cases for a short night.

Twilight, despite her reluctance to leave her friends' bedside, was sent to complete the reports inside an office with a nurse. Applejack and Pinkie promised to stay at Rainbow's side who was in a very sorry state. Rarity had chosen to stay at Fluttershy’s side.

In the early hours of the morning, when Celestia's first rays of sunlight began to bathe the room in reddish light, like a cruel irony of life to remind everyone about the recent drama, Redheart's team managed, after several hours of anxiety, to stabilize Fluttershy's precarious state by stopping the internal bleeding in her flank and wing.

All that was left to do was hope that Fluttershy would resist fatigue and emerge from her comatose state.

_________________________

Celestia be praised, it’s what she did

Rarity’s heart was overflowing with gratitude.

Despite her obvious fatigue, She took upon her to comfort her friend. Using her magic, she picked up the cold water compress once again and began to wipe Fluttershy's feverish face until Twilight’s arrival.

It was all Rarity could do to ease her friend’s suffering.

_________________________

Twilight was drained of her energy. She had been reading the same document over and over without ever retaining any information.

Her eyes were glassy and she was constantly yawning, the first signs of a day that had already been long. She threw her head back and closed her eyes for a short moment of respite.

“Hum... Princess Twilight... sorry to bother you…”

Twilight allowed herself a tiny sigh. Her little break was over. In front of her stood a nurse who was very embarrassed about having to disturb the princess's rest.

“Please, no need to be sorry Tenderheart. Anything new?”

The nurse nodded her head positively.

“Miss Fluttershy is awake, princess.”

“Thank you Tenderheart. I'll go in a few minutes.”

She smiled. She had to. It was just enough to reassure the nurse. This way, she would turn around and let her recollect herself. So she did, and Twilight had her few minutes.

She needed those few minutes.

She was supposed to be happy. It was supposed to be good news. Of course. But what kind of good news is Hey, one of your friends might live through this horrible night?

She sunk her muzzle into her hooves. She felt her moist eyes burning against her skull.

Fluttershy had just woken up… just a few minutes…

She took a little longer than necessary to collect her few notes. Unable to delay her departure any longer, she stood up and asked Tenderheart to guide her to Fluttershy's room.

She had bad news to tell Fluttershy.

_________________________

Joining Rarity to stand by her right side, Twilight took a good look at Fluttershy for a moment. She wondered how to deal with the painful subjects she had to inform her about.

Exhausted by this long night, her emotions about to burst… she couldn’t hold back a sigh of relief and a few tears. Fluttershy was suffering but she was very much alive, slowly emerging from her horrible experience thanks to the good care she was given.

Part of her wanted to hug her friend… but she had a job to do. Twilight used her magic to organize her notes, feather up, ready to write new pieces of information.

“I’m so relieved to see you awake, Fluttershy. Do… do you know where you are?”

“At the hospital,” Fluttershy breathed, tired.

“Yes, yes you are.”

Keeping her feather within reach, Twilight gave her a smile of encouragement and then continued with her questions. In less than five minutes, Twilight asked her enough questions to be sure that Fluttershy's memory wasn’t altered.

Much to her relief, her answers held up well. It was likely that her brain hadn’t suffered any lasting damage.

Twilight then shifted her questions toward a particular subject. She took care not to rush the bedridden friend. She was getting at the sensitive part of her interrogation and feared her reaction.

“Fluttershy, I'm sorry to bring this up but can you tell me what are your last memories?”

A big timberwolf in a clearing, and a huge trunk flying straight towards her.

A very blurry vision of Rainbow Dash waking her up and then falling to the ground beside her, exhausted, unconscious.

The monstrous wolf that leaned towards them to eat them. The same wolf fleeing away in the end.

She also had the impression, or rather the conviction, of having had a strange dream…

“Rainbow and I were looking for... plants... in the forest. We found the place... but a timberwolf attacked us,” Fluttershy cried, tears rushing down her grief-stricken face. “I was so afraid. Ra... Rarity... Twilight... I had to use it. I had to use the "stare". I didn't want to... I really didn't... but he... he was going to devour us. He... he...”

“Enough with that dear, it’s over now, you are safe. You must save your strength.” Rarity intervined.

While Twilight hastened to transcribe each painful word, Rarity took care of comforting Fluttershy, drying the tears on the pegasus face with compassion and ignoring the tears that flowed on her own cheeks.

At that moment, upon seeing her friend devastated by sadness, Rarity promised herself to help Fluttershy recover from this tragedy and bring back joy into her life no matter how long it would take.

Twilight nodded her head as soon as she was done with her task. Fluttershy's testimony and the information Rainbow had given her earlier in the night were consistent and complementary. Thanks to her notes, Twilight now had a good idea of the horrible evening that her two friends had been through.

“Fluttershy, I’m so sorry...” Twilight whispered in such a weak voice that neither Rarity nor Fluttershy heard her.

Twilight sighed, ready to tell Fluttershy the first bad news.

Let’s start with the one that will hurt the less, she thought.

“Fluttershy, can you… are you currently able to look at your left wing?”

She could, and she did.

Fluttershy, in stunned silence, watched her twisted wing. The nurses had replaced the broken bones as best they could, but some parts would remain scarred for life, bumpy or cicatrized. Her wing was really in a bad state. Covered with bandages from the base of the flank up to the center, her wing exhibited, at the tip, ruffled feathers that would never regain their former luster.

“Fluttershy...” Twilight began.

But Fluttershy wasn't listening anymore.

She remembered.

It was her fault that she had suffered so much. If she had been able to rise only three meters up, everything would have been different.

But she hadn’t succeeded. She had failed, in a very lamentable way.

What a beautiful pegasus I am, unable to fly to save my own skin... she thought.

The sound of a throat clearing brought her back to reality. Twilight was trying to talk to her.

“Fluttershy, the nurse has informed us that there’s a high probability you’ll never be able to fly again. I’m so sorry... Your wing has suffered severe damage, multiple fractures that have destabilized its bone structure. The nurses have inserted some metal rods in the places where your bones had received too much damage to repair over time.”

Fluttershy tried to get the bad news positively. She never really used her wings for her daily activities, except on rare occasions. She thought it was a small price to pay for still being alive even though the idea of never flying around the sky with some of her feathered animals again saddened her a little.

When Rarity saw Fluttershy's disappointed face, she felt sadness piercing her heart.

“There’s still a probability that you can make it,” Rarity tried to encourage her. “With a little luck, my dear, it’s very much possible that your wing will heal well enough to let you fly again.”

“Not as fast, however, as that time when you helped to create a tornado for Spitfire,” added Twilight. “You will never attain this flying speed or else you will be at risk to break the link between your bones once again. But Rarity does have a point, it’s not impossible for you to fly again one day.”

Her friends’ optimism gave Fluttershy a feeling of hope and put a faint smile on her face.

“I will be able to live without flying if I need to. Better be my wing than Rainbow's... By the way where is she?” Fluttershy suddenly worried, looking at the other beds in the room, all empty. “Is she okay?”

Like the flame of a candle that suddenly went out, the hope that was blossoming in her withered instantly when she noticed the glance that Rarity and Twilight exchanged, obviously uncomfortable.

Not getting an answer, she began to struggle to push the blanket back off her body, trying to get up. A sudden movement on her part reawakened the wounds in her wing. Wounds that pierced her and made her cry with pain and frustration as she limply fell back on the bed in a concert of moaning pain and shuddering breath, while the nearest machine screamed.

“Fluttershy! Calm down, I beg you!” Rarity exclaimed, immediately joined by Redheart. “Don’t move like this, you have broken ribs. Stay still, you will hurt yourself again!”

Rarity and Redheart quickly controlled the weak Fluttershy who, exhausted, frustrated and worried, twisted her gaze to Twilight, holding back her tears with great difficulty.

“Twilight?” Fluttershy begged in an anxious voice between two sobs. “Where... where’s Rainbow? Is... is she...”

She was unable to finish her sentence, starting crying again instead.

Twilight would have preferred to wait a little more, Fluttershy needed rest, but she didn’t have the heart to deny her the truth about her friend. Not after witnessing that scene.

Twilight sighed.

“She's... in another room, a little further down the hall, Applejack and Pinkie are there to check on her. Fluttershy... do you remember the state Rainbow was after the timberwolf's attack?”

“Rainbow was... I... She was...” stammered the pegasus between her sobs…

Fluttershy had to admit she couldn't remember it.

Her vision at that time, blurred by her tears of pain, had prevented her from really seeing Rainbow before falling back into unconsciousness in the clearing.

Have I misjudge Rainbow’s condition so badly? she couldn’t help but think.

“She's very weak, Fluttershy,” Twilight told her. “Even more than you. She fought the best she could... but...”

Twilight was reluctant to tell her the rest. She hated herself for being the bearer of such cruel news, but Fluttershy had to be made aware of it one way or another. As much as it pained her, it would be best if Fluttershy heard the news by one of her close friends and Twilight was ready to make this sacrifice.

“... she's dying, Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy's heart sank into her chest. She heard the words distantly, suffocated, as if in a dream, but she refused to believe them.

It… it can’t be... Surely Twilight is wrong…

Fluttershy turned her head towards Rarity, sure that her friend would reassure her, tell her that this was all a big misunderstanding. But she only saw the sad truth in Rarity’s teary eyes.

She could almost hear Rarity saying “I’m sorry Fluttershy”.

Tortured by her whole left side, Fluttershy tore off the solute needle in her hoof, pulled out the blanket and clumsily rolled out of bed to the surprised exclamations of her friends.

She had to see Rainbow, they both had to wake up from this nightmare.

She ignored Nurse Redheart's vehement warnings to go back to bed as much as the stabbing pain that ran through her whole body, plunging her into a wave of agony.

Then, Fluttershy got help from Rarity. They walked down towards the hall with a flickering step, letting Twilight apologize to Redheart for the inconvenience caused.

Just before going into the hall, Rarity picked a clean towel from the room using her magic and wrapped it around Fluttershy's bloody leg, where the needle had been torn off. Offering her body as a crutch, they went out into the corridor.

_________________________

Rarity led Fluttershy through the hospital.

Fluttershy was leaning on her friend's side, supporting herself as best she could with her right wing over the white unicorn's body.

After a long walk that seemed like an eternity to Fluttershy, the painkillers no longer working, they finally arrived in sight of Rainbow’s room.

It was then that they met Applejack and Pinkie Pie, as they came out of the room looking down, joyless and tired.

Applejack wasn’t wearing her signature stetson on her head, she was holding it against her heart with a trembling hoof.

Pinkie, for her part, had a discomforted face. Her mane, usually puffed and bright, was hanging sadly, stiff and dark, on the side of her head.

They froze in shock as they saw Fluttershy standing in the middle of the corridor. Then tears of joy quickly came to lighten their eyes. Pinkie even sketched a smile, quite weak compared to the smiles she usually put on the faces of others.

Cautious about the recent bandages around Fluttershy's wing and flank, Applejack and Pinkie took turns hugging her. They were all so relieved to see each other again, to the point of tears.

After a while, the three friends wiped their eyes.

“Fluttershy, sugarcube, we're so happy to see you, we were so afraid that... that you...”

“We were afraid that you would be late to your "get better soon" party,” Pinkie sadly interrupted. “That would have been a terrible surprise...”

Then, Applejack, Pinkie and Rarity agreed to leave Fluttershy alone with Rainbow. They both deserved this moment of intimacy. Perhaps the last of all.

As she arrived at the door, Fluttershy, anxious, breathed to calm herself.

A simple wooden door separated her from her friend, but it might as well be said that it was made of the heaviest lead so much the prospect of opening it and discovering the dark truth hidden on the other side exhausted Fluttershy.

“Be strong, sugarcube,” Applejack whispered as her friend passed by. “Be strong, for her...”

Before pushing the door, Fluttershy turned her head towards her friends. She would have liked to see an encouraging smile on their faces, but she only saw sorrow and helplessness.

“Thank you, Rarity, to have brought me here... I could never have done it by myself. Thanks to all of you who came rescuing us Rainbow and I. And... and thank Twilight on my... No... On our... behalf when she will come back.”

And she crossed, towards darkness and suffering.

_________________________

A shiver ran down Fluttershy's spine when she painfully, clumsily, entered the room. She could feel the shadow of death prowling around the room. The curtains had been drawn to prevent the sun from lighting up the chamber. And everything was shadow except for one place in the room, lit by a pale light.

As in her own room, further away, only one bed was occupied. Two nurses, Sweetheart and Snowheart, appeared and disappeared in the shadows surrounding the bed, taking care of their patient's health, a pegasus covered with bandages, asleep... or dead.

The bandages were stained with dried blood. Worse, in some places the blood was still oozing, fresh and sticky. So much red on this poor pegasus with a light blue coat, like the sky.

Too much red... and so little blue... Fluttershy painfully thought.

Tears rushed down Fluttershy’s face as she approached the bed as gently as possible, each step towards her poor friend tearing her heart more and more. She wanted to scream and cry to get rid of the pain of this unjust situation that had cost Rainbow and herself so much.

As if she had felt her friend's presence, Rainbow opened her tired eyes and gave out a beautiful smile, overflowing with the tenderness and affection they felt for each other.

It was too much for Fluttershy. She burst into tears, flowing in a stream over her face as she took refuge in the arms that her friend was holding out towards her. Disregarding their wounds, they embraced each other with love, ignoring the two nurses who, embarrassed, decided to wait a little further away and erased themselves in the shadows.

“Shy... I’m so happy to see you,” Rainbow whispered as she stroked her friend's hair. “I was worried for you, you know.”

Fluttershy was unable to speak. She clung to Rainbow, silently thanking Celestia, Luna and the whole sky for still being alive, Rainbow and her.

“But I can see that your wing is in worse shape than I thought...” Rainbow sighed as she saw the irreparable damages that were disfiguring her friend's wing.

“Rainbow..., I... I would break my other wing if... if it could heal you,” Fluttershy began in a broken voice, interspersed with tears. “I am so sorry... If you are in this state, it is only because of me... If only I had managed to fly away, in the clearing... If I wasn't such a coward... I... I regret so much to have gone there.”

Crying even more, Fluttershy laid her head on her friend's chest. Her tears mixed with the blood on Rainbow's bandages creating a sticky liquid substance in which the two bathed, squeezed together.

“I'm sorry... Rainbow. I'm so sorry,”

“It's not your fault, Shy. I was happy to go there with you, truly I was. Don't worry, I don't hold it against you. Not at all.”

Nodding to the nurses, Rainbow asked them for a moment alone with Fluttershy. They agreed and then, after showing Fluttershy the location of the emergency care button, they went out into the hall to explain the situation to their friends waiting on the other side.

Once alone with Fluttershy, Rainbow allowed herself a resigned sigh. The air was heavy and, more and more, she was having trouble breathing. She took a deep breath. She had to be brave, even for this last time.

Rainbow raised Fluttershy's head to wipe the tears and blood off her best friend’s cheeks.

“Shy, You’ve been an awesome friend.” Rainbow began painfully. “I was happy to get to know you and I know I can give you Tank back with my absolute trust... Keep being kind, Shy, Equestria needs that. I wish you nothing but happiness. And know that I'll always be with you...”

Rainbow put a weak, trembling hoof on Fluttershy’s chest.

“… somewhere in here.”

Upon hearing these words, Fluttershy felt a shiver running down her spine. Rainbow's words became cold, distant. It was a final farewell, and Fluttershy didn't want to hear it. She didn't want to believe that her friend was dying.

“Rainbow? What are you... You can't die Rainbow! Don't do this to me!” Fluttershy strangled as she felt Rainbow's body gradually relaxing as her eyes quietly closed. “Rainbow... no! You... you can't die now... Stay with us, remember your life, you want to become a wonderbolt... It's your biggest dream... do not give up yet!”

Fluttershy heard Rainbow produced a small chuckle, so weak, so pathetic, so different from her usual cocky laugh.

“You know Shy... my last wish... in Everfree Forest... it wasn't to become a wonderbolt... I didn't even think about that. My wish was to see you... alive, one more time. You were my last wish Shy... and now that you are here with me, I can go in peace.”

Rainbow's confession had moved her and destroyed her. Fluttershy was unable to speak, the pain compressed her throat and her tears ran down her friend's chest as she listened silently, broken, to the last weak words of her first true friend.

Rainbow's heart rate decreased.

Fluttershy stretched her arm towards the emergency button but Rainbow, drawing from her last ounce of strength, raised her hoof to stop her.

Then as Fluttershy plunged her tearful eyes into Rainbow's, strangely alert, she saw that her friend had started crying too. It had never happened before and Fluttershy, more than ever, saw Rainbow's weakness.

“Don't do it, please,” begged Rainbow. “If you do that... They will get you out of here. I'm so scared Shy. I... I don't want to go... I don't want to die... alone... without a friend... without you. Please stay with me until the end Shy, I beg you!”

“Rainbow...” Fluttershy whispered sadly as she gently hugged her. “Please don't go. Fight it! You are strong, you’ll overcome this.”

“No Shy, it's too late for that... I’m so tired... I fought to have the chance to say goodbye to you. But look at me… I’m a mess. I know it and you do too… But it was worth it, I did it Shy! You’re alive and I get to see you one last time… I got to tell you how much important you were to me, how much I loved you. I just have one last thing to ask of you. Don’t forget me Shy... because I’ll wait for you... wherever I’ll go...”

Weakly pushing her back, Rainbow made a final effort to reach one of her feathers with her teeth, which she tore off and then offered it to Fluttershy, who instantly understood the symbolic nature of this gesture. A promise from her dearest friend.

“I promise I'll wait for you, Shy... Loyalty's speaking...” Rainbow concluded with a smile as she hugged Fluttershy again.

Then her last forces abandoned her. Her arms gradually released their embrace around Fluttershy to fall back on the bed, inert. Her eyes closed gently as she engraved Fluttershy's image in her memory before her long journey through eternity. She breathed her last breath with a peaceful heart in Fluttershy's arms.

She went to confront death, calmly, ready to join Luna’s realm of eternal dreams.

Fluttershy, defeated by sadness, laid her head on the body of the blue pegasus, her ear on Rainbow's chest. She listened to the last beating of her friend's heart. A weak beat, another one, then another one, and finally...

Silence.

Death, the fateful end.

“Rain...Rainbow... do...don't leave me,” Fluttershy begged in a broken, pathetic, moaning and sobbing voice, hugging Rainbow as tight as possible despite the stabbing pain in her wing. “I beg you... don't leave me alone... I love you too... come back to me, please... I need you so much... Don't leave me...”

Exhausted and devastated, her emotions crushed what remained of her energy. She fell asleep crying over her friend's still warm body, praying to Celestia and Luna to die as well and join her.

She never pushed the emergency button.

She wanted to stay there, holding her best friend in her arms for as long as possible. One last time, a whole eternity.

“Rainbow, don't leave me...”

Chapter 4 - The Promise

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Deep in her breast lives the silent wound.
- Virgil, earth pony -

An eternal nightmare, without hope, with no way out...

Since that fateful day, Fluttershy hardly spoke.

Her coat and mane had lost their luster and she was becoming paler and paler. She had taken refuge in the back of her room, hiding in the darkest corner. That, along with other things, worried the medical staff.

At night, she dreamed of Rainbow but her sweet dreams quickly turned to nightmares and, when she woke up with a jolt, grief and guilt prevented her from falling asleep again.

It got so bad that Rarity was allowed to stay in the same room at night. The nurses knew she hated the idea of leaving Fluttershy alone during her convalescence and they hoped the closeness of a friend would improve her recovery. They probably thought of Rarity as her closest friend... after Rainbow.

Often, when Fluttershy woke up crying, it was Rarity who came to join her in her bed to comfort her until the morning, holding her against her heart while paying attention to her wounds, caressing her hair while giving her words of encouragement or singing soothing melodies.

Sometimes, under Rarity's gentle attention, Fluttershy would manage to sleep a few more hours before the nightmares came back to haunt her.

At dawn, Rarity would leave Fluttershy to the nurses. Her ignorance in the medical field made her useless during these difficult moments.

In addition, for the past three days, a special order had been waiting for her at her shop, a project for Fluttershy.

Working on this commission helped the fashionista to mourn Rainbow's sudden and brutal death. As a true professional, she worked with great passion and pride despite the tears she sometimes let flow freely on her cheeks when she knew she was alone, alone with her pain.

She had this idea after one of her daily visits to Fluttershy. Rarity could not help but see the pegasus slowly decaying in her hospital room. Deeply wounded to see Fluttershy in this condition, she went to the main office and had Nurse Redheart called for medical guidance right away.

_________________________

“Good evening, Miss Rarity, How may I help you?”

“Nurse Redheart, Fluttershy's condition is worrying me. This simply won't do! Have you seen the paleness of her coat and the deplorable state of her hair? She's ill and it's getting worse every time! Poor thing, she needs help...”

“Miss Rarity, my staff is ready to do anything in their power to satisfy even the slightest of her needs during her convalescence... but... she refuses to eat. She's starving to death and her sleep deprivation makes it more difficult for her to heal. Miss Fluttershy seems to let herself slowly decaying... since the day her friend passed away.”

“Yes… I see… The poor dear, she adored Rainbow, more than anything, she was her best friend after all... I just wish there was something I could do to cheer her up...”

At that moment, a solitary ray of sunshine pierced the heavy black clouds in the sky and flood through the large window of the hospital's entrance hall, creating a giant rainbow all across the reception. Everypony basked in the warm glow for a few seconds, feeling comfortable and at peace.

The shimmering colors seemed to ease the suffering of the patients and eclipsing the fatigue of the nurses. For a brief second, everything was right.

The rainbow ignited a spark of hope in Rarity's heart.

But the black threatening clouds quickly swallowed the sunbeam plunging the hospital into the artificial lighting of its long corridors once again.

It was an extremely quick event but the magic of the moment had worked its charm and warmed Rarity’s heart.

Was that Rainbow’s doing?

Then Rarity had a flash. A simple yet ingenious idea, well suited for her talents. She was going to be able to revive Rainbow, in a way, just for Fluttershy’s sake.

“Sweet Celestia. I have a marvelous IDEEEEA! Oh! So sorry, Redheart. I didn't mean to scare you but a spark of inspiration struck me and I. Must. Follow. Through!”

And with that said, she galloped towards her friend in need.

Rarity had spent a little over an hour with her bedridden friend. She refused to leave until Fluttershy had eaten at least a tiny part of her meal, something she only did when Rarity was by her side, an achievement that neither the hospital staff nor Applejack, Pinkie or Twilight could ever do during their visit in Fluttershy’s room.

At the end of Fluttershy’s meager meal, Rarity had a little chat with the pegasus. Kind of a one-way discussion, since Fluttershy remained silent the whole time. They kept at it until the early afternoon, when Rarity, eager to start her new project, said goodbye to her friend.

“Fluttershy my dear, try to take some color, please... I will come back tonight. Oh! I can’t wait to show you your new... Ahem! No, it’s nothing. Nevermind my rambling. For now, just try to get better, ok? Better things will happen, Fluttershy. Sooner than later.”

Fluttershy didn't answer. She just watched the unicorn leave the room.

As soon as Rarity left, tears began to fall down her face, tainting her sheets as she cried in silence.

_________________________

This routine lasted a whole week, during which Rarity slept in the hospital at night and went back to work on her secret project at her shop once the day was up. Not without having spent the morning with Fluttershy, of course.

It is unworthy of a lady to leave her friend alone in these hard times without having exchanged some words of encouragement, Rarity thought to herself, although Fluttershy was not the most eloquent.

On a few rare occasions, however, Rarity was rewarded for her efforts when the pegasus timidly intervened in the discussion. Fluttershy was certainly more withdrawn than ever, but she was not irrevocably silent either, much to Rarity's delight.

_________________________

At the end of this long week, Fluttershy was discharged from hospital, two days earlier than expected. Since Fluttershy's condition was now stable, the nurses agreed at Rarity's request to let their patient pursue the recovery at her residence.

Redheart couldn’t help but notice that her patient seemed slightly happier and more cooperative when Rarity came to visit her. She hoped that this change of scenery would help the pegasus on her path to recovery.

And so, Fluttershy left the hospital under a heavy, icy rain. The sky was hidden over black clouds that had been pouring over all of Equestria since Rainbow's death.

Rarity wanted to play her part in Fluttershy’s recovery.

For now, Fluttershy was walking by her side, brooding.

Rarity had no doubt about the identity of the pony Fluttershy was bitterly thinking about. Rainbow's funeral was scheduled in two days. The date has been set according to Fluttershy's wish, who was dead set about being there.

Rarity hoped she would be able to brighten her up a little before the funeral.

_________________________

Carousel Boutique, Rarity's residence, had not changed much since Fluttershy's last visit.

The large window curtains were still as silky and pretty as they were on the first day. Rarity's workshop was loaded with plans and textile patterns for the many orders she received every day. A stack of perfectly folded clothes and a basket of colored threads stood next to the sewing machine. The unicorn shop was as welcoming as ever.

Fluttershy, despite her depressed mood, noticed a new element.

One of Rarity's many ponyquins in the corner of the room was wearing a new dress that Fluttershy had never had the chance to see.

It was a very beautiful black silk dress, completely open at the back. The front of the dress was supported by two silky ribbons that wrapped around the ponykin’s neck. The tail of this wonderful set was soft and smooth.

Small, discreet crystals decorated the back set of the dress. Divided into five rows, a red row first, then a yellow one, followed by a green, a blue and finally a purple row, the whole thing created a magnificent rainbow of precious gems. And despite the lack of brightness due to the rain, each of the gemstones shone intensely as if a fire was constantly burning in each of them.

Modest light-blue lines separated each of the rows of precious stones and a silk ribbon of the same color served as a belt that was attached to the flank.

The result was incredible.

As on rare occasions during the last week, Fluttershy momentarily regained the use of her voice and for the first time since the Everfree Forest incident Rarity saw a flash of passion, igniting in the eyes of her friend.

“It is so... magnificent,” Fluttershy said in a broken voice, tears in her eyes, overwhelmed by the sparkling jewels that painfully reminded her of Rainbow's mane. “It's a... it’s such a beautiful dress.”

“I am really happy to hear that you love it, Fluttershy dear. Because it's yours. I made it for you in anticipation of Rainbow’s funeral, so that you may be her personal rainbow. You will be the most beautiful in the crowd that day, for her...”

Fluttershy remained silent for a long time, to the point that Rarity, uncertain about her lack of reaction, wondered if there was a possibility that she had not heard her words.

As the unicorn was about to speak again, Fluttershy, careful about her left wing and flank, threw herself at Rarity to squeeze her with affection, unable to speak because of her emotionally tied throat, her eyes shining with tears.

Rarity, reassured, felt all Fluttershy's love and gratitude in this silent embrace that she willingly, though very gently, gave her back. Fluttershy suddenly began to cry in her friend's neck, her tears wetting even more Rarity's body, already soaked by the rain.

Fluttershy wept at the joy of having such a caring friend and for the painful loss of another one, in such a brutal way. Rarity kept her close to her, holding her for a long time, allowing her to comfortably evacuate her pain.

Once Fluttershy's flood of tears had subsided, Rarity, wishing to change her mind, offered her protégée to try on her new dress, if she so wished.

“But first, dear, we should dry ourselves, don’t you think?”

Rarity’s tone was light and friendly with just the tiniest hint of distress that Fluttershy knew her for.

Something was making Rarity uneasy and, since she was looking everywhere but the floor, that’s where Fluttershy looked first.

The ever-growing puddle and the dirt under their hooves meant bad news for the carpet’s future.

Such a shame, Fluttershy also liked that carpet.

_________________________

The two friends dried themselves with soft towels. Rarity helped Fluttershy to dry her left wing to avoid unnecessary injury. Then Fluttershy timidly agreed to put on the dress, much to Rarity's satisfaction.

As Rarity had expected, some minor alterations were required, but overall, the dress looked great on Fluttershy. Besides, the opening in the back of the garment would likely not injure her wing. Fluttershy would be the sunshine of this macabre funeral, Rarity was sure of it.

The unicorn admired Fluttershy again.

“Such a delightful sight!” Rarity shouted in amazement, then taking hold of her composure, she took up a softer tone. “Hum... Fluttershy dear, once I’ll be done with the small touches, you’re going to be even more charming. There isn't a lot of work to be made, fortunately, so I would suggest we take advantage of this to savor a good cup of tea, what do you say?”

Fluttershy nodded in agreement, the bad temperature freezing her to the bottom of her bones.

Once tea was poured, Fluttershy took a sip.

Cinnamon. A nice blend.

The tea was radiating a soothing heat through her body. It got even better when Fluttershy warmed her hooves against the edges of the cup. For the first time in a week, she breathed a sigh of relief for she was no longer cold. The tea had done wonders.

After this brief yet calm moment, they returned to Rarity's workshop.

While she was working on the last details on Fluttershy's dress, Rarity kept an eye on her protégée, a little further in the room. Fluttershy had gone to take refuge on a pile of cushions near one of the shop's large windows. She watched the rain fall outside with a vague and afflicted look, lost in her thoughts, undoubtedly dark and tinged with despair.

Rarity, noticing her sad mood, wished for the sun’s return soon. Fluttershy needed its rays and warmth to help her fragile health. For a week now, the sky had been pouring tons of water continuously, as if it was also mourning the loss of Rainbow.

Which is technically the case, Rarity recalled. The weather pegasus team did schedule rain as an act of national grief in honor of our dear Rainbow. But still...

The bad weather was affecting everyone's spirits, especially Fluttershy's, who was constantly brooding.*

_________________________

It took two hours of minor adjustments to Fluttershy's funeral dress to fully satisfy Rarity, the eternal perfectionist. But once it was done, Rarity judged her work, allowing herself a little smile.

A simple glance at Fluttershy confirmed that she had not moved from her previous location. Fluttershy was doing some light exercises to strengthen her wing, following nurse Redheart’s advice. Sometimes she would wince with pain when a movement a little too abrupt awakened the pain in her left wing or her flank.

Feeling as she was being watched, Fluttershy turned towards her friend and saw Rarity's tender gaze as she smiled affectionately.

“Fluttershy dear, I didn’t want to disturb you during your exercises,” said Rarity “I simply intend to let you know that your dress is finally done. Would you like to try on your dress one last time?”

Fluttershy shyly agreed.

She looked so frail in her silks, but Rarity could not help but see the inner strength of her friend instead. Fluttershy was struggling to carry on with her life despite the recent tragedy. For that reason, Rarity admired her.

Rarity delicately tied each ribbon of the dress. She had altered them so as not to injure or put pressure on any of Fluttershy’s wounds.

With her back fully exposed, Fluttershy had complete freedom of movement for her wings. But Rarity could only see Fluttershy’s graceful silhouette and the way her mane was falling freely all around her exposed shoulders.

The dress fit Fluttershy’s curves perfectly in a seductive way without being provocative.

When Rarity had a good look at the final result, she could no longer stop praising Fluttershy’s elegance, to the point that Fluttershy’s cheeks were burning with a bright redness.

Fluttershy moaned a timid thank you as she tried to hide behind her mane, embarrassed by such compliments.

Once the fitting was finished, Rarity carefully picked up the dress and put it back on the ponyquin, the place where it would stay until the day of the funeral. Happy about Fluttershy loving her new dress, Rarity turned her head towards her protégée who had again taken refuge in her nest of cushions near the window.

“Fluttershy dear, now it's time to get you back on your feet,” whispered Rarity. “Celestia help me if I ever fail you.”

_________________________

After a light and simple meal, Rarity led Fluttershy upstairs to prepare a hot and relaxing bath for her.

While Fluttershy was bathing, Rarity prepared the bed they would share. She lit aromatic candles and then changed the sheets and pillows to replace them with others, perfumed with lavender.

Lavender hmmm? I should ask Fluttershy about her favorite flower. I could try that later, I’m sure it would cheer her up. And voilà, perfect. Everything’s ready here, I should get back to Fluttershy.

In the bathroom, Fluttershy was almost done washing herself, but because of her injury, Rarity had to help her clean her sensitive wing.

With pleasure, Rarity cleaned each of Fluttershy’s feathers, one by one, humming a sweet and soothing melody. Then Rarity started brushing Fluttershy’s mane, and her thoughts started wandering.

Taking care of the aesthetics of others was the pinnacle of the activities that Rarity adored to do. And Fluttershy, thanks to her long, silky, beautiful mane, always held a special place in Rarity’s heart. Even after her grueling stay at Ponyville’s hospital, Fluttershy still gave a weak aura of pure grace that Rarity could not help but admire.

Rarity suddenly came back to earth when she felt something pressing against her.

“I’m so sorry Fluttershy! I got lost in my little world, are you okay?”

“Mmmh, yes, I was listening to your song, I like it, it helps me get to sleep. I must have dozed off.”

“Oh? Am I that boring?”

Fluttershy gave her a look of pure fear mixed with guilt. She didn’t want Rarity to think she was boring.

Rarity quickly intervened.

“Fluttershy! I’m sorry! It was a jest! A bad attempt, I thought it would make you smile… Ohhh I’m so sorry. I know what you mean. And I’m glad I can help.”

Fluttershy eased up a little.

“Rarity, you already helped me a lot. You’re a good friend, I could never think that you are boring.”

“Thank you, dear, you are also a very good friend, Annnnnd, there! You’re all clean now. Let me join you, I also need to bathe.”

Rarity entered the bathtub next to Fluttershy. She telekinetically grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses. She poured the wine and gave one glass to Fluttershy.

“Consider this a proper apology for the fright I gave you.”

Rarity’s first sip temporarily chased away all the black thoughts of the last week. She took the opportunity to converse with Fluttershy, who preferred, for her part, to silently sip her glass of wine, somewhat intimidated by her friend’s sudden proximity.

_________________________

Once clean, half an hour and half a bottle of wine later, Fluttershy and Rarity moved into the other room, ready to go to bed.

“The bed is ready dear. Here’s your side. That way, you will be able to sleep on your right flank, I will sleep on the other side... where I can't hurt your wing. You’ll have to excuse me, dear, I don't think you’re quite ready to sleep all alone just yet” Rarity said with a sheepish look. “The good side of this situation is that I will be close if you need anything.”

Fluttershy stopped following Rarity when she realized that they were going to share the same bed. Having never done such a thing with a friend, not even Rainbow, Fluttershy had to admit being embarrassed. Rarity was a very good friend, certainly, and Fluttershy liked her, but the sudden proximity of the unicorn caught her off guard.

They both seemed to be closer than ever, and Celestia knew how much Fluttershy needed comfort. But after that bath and in front of the prospect of sleeping next to Rarity, she began to feel a little anxious. She noticed the candles everywhere.

Isn't it too intimate? she thought, with her cheeks now a dark red matching the wine left in the bottle.

She lay down, carefully, on her right flank, to avoid applying pressure to her wing and left flank. However, in this position, she was facing Rarity who occupied the other part of the bed.

Ohhh it’s definitely too intimate. Fluttershy thought, troubled.

Once under the sheets, Rarity magically blew out the scented candles, plunging the room into darkness to the great relief of Fluttershy and her burning cheeks.

Hidden in the darkness of the room, with her eyes closed not to see Rarity’s shape a few inches away, Fluttershy was finally able to breathe more calmly and let sleep come to her. She focused her thoughts on the soothing breath of the unicorn.

Fluttershy eventually fell asleep until she woke up crying, late at night, after one of her nightmares. She spent the rest of the night sobbing in Rarity's embrace, who gently pulled her in her hooves.

_________________________

The next morning, one day before the funeral, the sun finally showed itself. With great joy, Rarity took Fluttershy, still exhausted from her restless night, to the shop's large windows.

Fluttershy, well nestled in the soft pile of cushions basking in the sunlight, was savoring a moment of relaxation away from the incessant strident noises of the hospital's machines. For the first time in a long period, she felt another thing than the omnipresent pain in her heart.

Soon, the serenity that reigned in the shop and the bright rays of sunshine that began to warm her up won over her sadness. Her eyes closed gently and she ultimately fell in a peaceful and refreshing sleep, the first since the incident. A world of soft, happy dreams welcomed Fluttershy, tenderly.

In that place, she didn’t feel the pain of her wing, nor the pain of not having been able to save Rainbow. Her bad dreams could not reach her there. For once, she had found peace.

_________________________

About ten hours later, when Fluttershy regained a little bit of color, Rarity gently woke her up.

She was happy to see that Fluttershy had recovered a good amount of energy thanks to her nap.
Fluttershy looked much more rested and looked much better than in the last few days.

If she didn't look so sad all the time, she would be the same as the "Fluttershy" before the accident, Rarity thought with regret, promising herself to do everything in her power to see that smiling "Fluttershy" again one day, the one she was missing so much.

Hoping to help her retaking control over her life and to distract her from her pain, Rarity asked Fluttershy to come and join her in the kitchen to prepare the evening meal.

Slightly happier, after her nap, Fluttershy accepted the offer, mostly to please her hostess. Once their tasks were completed, they enjoyed a good hot meal in honor of her recovery.

Featuring a steaming soup of garden vegetables as a starter, a tomato salad with hot goat cheese and, for dessert, a very good apple pie, a gift from Applejack, the meal gave Fluttershy a good dose of energy, which she needed so much. The wine that Rarity had bought for the occasion was delicious and suited the salad perfectly.

She hadn't eaten so well in a long time. Fluttershy temporarily broke her silence streak to thank Rarity for this more than nourishing dinner.

“Thanks, Rarity... for everything, for the dress and also for these past two days. It did me a lot of good and... I... I am eternally grateful to you for it...” shyly began Fluttershy.

Rarity, feeling that Fluttershy wanted to tell her something important, chose to keep quiet, waiting for the second half.

Fluttershy rarely spoke the past few days and this was her first conversation’s initiative in a long time. As she had anticipated, Fluttershy started talking again.

“But... since I came here, you never have free time anymore. You must be exhausted and that is why... hum... I... I believe that I should go back to my cottage tomorrow... if... if you don't mind,” concluded Fluttershy, with a faint, unconvincing smile.

With a flip of her hoof, Rarity swept away Fluttershy's crazy proposal. She knew why Fluttershy was doing this and she wanted to set the record straight.

“Puhhl...ease! Fluttershy, my dear, it pleases me to keep you with me. I appreciate that you're concerned but I assure you that I am absolutely fine and I wish to take care of you. I desire to see you smile again, my dear Fluttershy, and I shall not stop trying until you have found the happiness stolen from you. I want that when you will leave this shop to return to your home it is because you will have found a reason to rejoice in life and not because you think of being a burden to me, which is absolutely not the case. ”

“But... but...I...”

“No "buts" my dear,” Rarity stopped her, by raising one hoof. “You stay with me. At least until the time when I shall judge that you are done with your mourning. Is that clear?”

Relieved and moved by Rarity's fervor, Fluttershy sketched a small smile, pale but honest, to indicate her agreement to stay a little longer at Carousel Boutique. Rarity, pleased by this shy smile, smiled back at Fluttershy

“It is a good start, but it will take more than this to convince me to let you leave,” Rarity replied, accompanying her remark with a wink.

Once their glasses of wine were empty. Rarity, under the watchful eye of Fluttershy, once again confined in silence, cleaned the table and washed the dishes. After half an hour, when everything was in order, Rarity looked at the clock. It was time to let Fluttershy know.

“Fluttershy dear, I have a surprise for you. I took the liberty to ask Aloe and Lotus to prepare us a small evening of relaxation at their spa, for us as well as Twilight, Pinkie and Applejack. Tomorrow is an important day and we quite need to be rested for what waits for us.”

Upon hearing Rarity’s mention about the day of the funeral, tears ran down Fluttershy's cheeks. Rarity hastened to wipe them tenderly with her hooves, smiling at Fluttershy, with tears in her eyes as well.

“A funeral is never easy Fluttershy, but we will all be together with you, helping you to bear the pain,” Rarity said as she lifted Fluttershy's watery face with her hooves and kissed her on the forehead. “Always near you, even Rainbow.”

When Fluttershy was soothed and ready to depart, they left together, braving the darkness of the evening, to meet with their friends at the spa. They had all accepted Rarity’s invitation for the evening, even Applejack who usually refused to indulge in this kind of luxury.

_________________________

Lotus and Aloe, who had learned the unfortunate news about Rainbow's death, refused to charge Rarity, one of their good customers, for the evening. They fully understood the group's need for relaxation and wanted to do everything they could to bring some comfort in their lives. The services offered to the group were generally quite expensive but that night they would be free, a gift from Aloe and Lotus.

And despite the strong pain still in their hearts, the five friends had a nice time, even if they were unable to fully appreciate it.

Applejack, still aching from all the work she was doing at Sweet Apple Acres farm, particularly appreciated the virtues of the massage of the talented Aloe and could not help but growl a few moans of pleasure under the divine pressure of the pink pony's hooves.

“Oh yeah! Right there sugarcube,” Applejack said, feeling her muscles loosening. “This is darn good, Ah think ah should come here more often.”

Pinkie, who had mysteriously found back her spark of joy since the last time Fluttershy saw her, was now trying the seaweed bath as Rarity had suggested. She was enjoying strutting around in her tightly packed plant outfit.

After throwing herself into the mud pool, Pinkie, in a physically impossible way for anypony other than her, began to swim in the mud, like a dolphin. As easily as if it were pool water.

Personifying the element of laughter, she tried, consciously and by all possible means, to bring joy around her, despite the grief in her own heart. Her efforts were eventually rewarded by a few laughs from Applejack and Aloe who saluted her performance in the mud bath.

Lotus, on the other hand, was supervising the entire evening, providing refreshments to Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy who were thirsty after their passage in the dry wood sauna for which the establishment was famous. The three friends then went to relax in the large central basin.

Fluttershy carefully entered the pool, taking care to keep the scars of her wing out of the water.

While Twilight was discussing with Rarity about her progress for Rainbow’s farewell speech, Fluttershy closed her eyes and let herself be rocked by the gentle stream of water. The beneficial warmth of the pool temporarily drove Fluttershy's worries away, allowing her to distract herself from her sad thoughts.

The evening also saw its share of tears shed, especially Fluttershy's. Every time Rainbow's name was mentioned, the pegasus would silently shed tears, quickly comforted by the pony closest to her, likely Rarity.

Surrounded by her close friends, Fluttershy felt a little better, despite the feeling of emptiness caused by Rainbow's obvious absence. Fluttershy could not help but notice that the world seemed much less colorful without her friend.

It probably would never be again.

_________________________

At the end of the night, when it was time to return to Rarity’s boutique, Fluttershy took time to timidly thank Applejack for taking care of the animals at her cottage during her convalescence. A task that Applejack did diligently during Fluttershy's stay at the hospital.

Then after having hugged each of her friends including Aloe and Lotus, who expressed their sympathies to her, she went into the night, accompanied by Rarity.

The warm water in the pool had reduced the permanent pain in her wing, which would suggest a good night's sleep. She thanked Rarity for thinking about that evening that had done her the most good.

Once back at Carousel Boutique, Fluttershy, tired and exhausted from her day, only had to close her eyes to fall asleep in the soft bed next to Rarity, without even having a thought about their shared proximity.

Her nightmares woke her up only once that night. She jumped quietly, her heart beating after dreaming of Rainbow, shredded by the jaw of a timberwolf. She hadn't screamed, Rarity hadn't woken up.

Carefully, Fluttershy approached Rarity, being cautious not to make any sudden movements that might wake the sleeping unicorn or hurt her flank and her wing. Then, delicately, Fluttershy hugged against Rarity, looking for comfort.

Fluttershy focused her breathing on the unicorn's soft, deep breaths, then eventually fell asleep against her.

In the middle of the night, by a happy coincidence, Rarity awoke in turn because of a radiating heat against her left flank.

When Rarity noticed Fluttershy, curled up against her, she smiled tenderly. She gave her back her embrace with love. Fluttershy was warm and soft, much more alive than at the beginning of this horrible week. Rarity's little attention and their little "soirée" at the spa had already begun to work wonders on Fluttershy's health.

Rarity concentrated her breaths on the calm and soothing ones of Fluttershy, then fell asleep against her.

_________________________

“Fluttershy dear, may I ask you why you keep that feather?”

In the early morning, while preparing her dress and Fluttershy's, Rarity saw the pegasus sitting on her side of the bed, contemplating a cyan feather with wet eyes.

She could easily guess where that feather came from, but she was worried. An obsession could be harmful to Fluttershy's recovery, so Rarity slowly approached.

“I understand that it’s a memory of our dear Rainbow... but I can't help but notice that for you it seems to be a little more than that and, in all honesty, I'm a little concerned about what you see in that feather.”

Fluttershy didn't answer right away. She wiped the tears off her cheeks and then, after a resigned sigh, she placed the feather on the bedside table.

“It's... it's something we used to do... Rainbow and me... when we were younger,” Fluttershy explained, as Rarity sat by her side. “Whenever one of us made a promise to the other... and... and I mean a very important promise... the one that made the promise would give one of her feathers to the other... as a reminder of her word. It was also symbolic of our will to keep those promises.” She chuckled. “It’s a thing little pegasi do… at least, that’s what she said. I didn’t really have other friends at the time… She’s always been so brave…”

“Oh Fluttershy...”

“Rainbow... gave me this feather after promising to wait for me... on the other side...” Fluttershy couldn’t hold more tears from falling. “She died soon after. This feather... it's the only thing I can hold to remind me of her. She's waiting for me Rarity... and I miss her, I want to get her back.”

Rarity rubbed Fluttershy’s back, letting the crisis pass. Of course, there was nothing she could do to shoo away the pain or the sadness. She just didn’t mean as much as Rainbow to Fluttershy.

No, it was wrong to put it like that. That sounded too much like a competition, which was simply ridiculous.

But it was disheartening to see her friend like that. What could she do? Surely, there had to be a way to help her move forward. But what could ever help Fluttershy to endure Rainbow’s loss? There was nothing else she was thinking of if not…

...Rainbow herself.

She looked at the feather again and an idea came to her. For the second time, she felt like her friend was still giving her inspiration even from the afterlife.

She waited for the pegasus to calm down a little before telling her her idea with a soft voice.

“Fluttershy, I’ve just noticed but that feather would make a great hair accessory with your dress.”

_________________________

Rainbow's funeral was celebrated on top of a sunny hill.

Yet, on the horizon, a storm was approaching. Heavy black clouds began to drift towards the crowd assembled in front of the coffin, blasting lightning and pouring cold rain in their path. Rainbow's departure had reminded everypony how hard it could be to tackle the weather without her.

Celestia and Luna, distinguished guests at the funeral, had made sure to establish a protective shield around the crowd to protect the guests from the cold rain that would soon fall on the hill.

Lightning-shaped black balloons floated around the coffin draped in dark rainbow-colored draperies. Black banners, strategically placed around the guests, displayed photos representing the most important stages in Rainbow's life.

A recollection book, already well filled, awaited the guests' comments at the entrance. Memories, thoughts and condolences were the main annotations.

Pinkie had worked hard to give the blue pegasus the ceremony she deserved. Everything in the setting honored Rainbow and despite the sadness of the event, Pinkie's talents made many smiles bloomed.

The guest list was most impressive and Pinkie had done an incredible job of organization to place all the guests. And she had perfectly succeeded in meeting all the demands regarding the guest’s comfort.

Princesses Celestia and Luna stood in the front row alongside Princess Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Applejack, Spike and the small group of cutie mark crusaders.

Sweetie Belle and Applebloom were consoling poor Scootaloo as best they could. How the latter was going through that day, it was anypony’s guess.

The second place was occupied by the Wonderbolt troop, who came to pay tribute to their best recruit. At their side stood Lightning Dust who, despite the differences she had had with Rainbow, had wanted to say goodbye to her biggest rival.

Further away, in the third row was Daring Do, dressed up as always. Next to her were Zecora and all the staff at Ponyville Hospital, regretting more than ever that they had not been able to save Rainbow.

Bulk biceps, Derpy, Cloudchaser, Flitter, Thunderlane and several other pegasus were in fourth place. And Gilda, not wanting to get any closer to Rainbow's friends, was in the last row with other ponies that Rainbow had known during her too-short life.

When Twilight came to stand by the coffin, accompanied by her four friends, they each in turn placed a bouquet on the pegasus' coffin. Each of the bouquets had a different color and when combined, they formed a rainbow of the same color than Rainbow's mane.

As Twilight magically amplified her voice to deliver a farewell speech for Rainbow, all eyes were on Fluttershy.

She was magnificent in her black dress adorned with her wonderful powder blue accessories, including Rainbow's feather, which was dominant in her mane. The jewels at the back of the garment began to sparkle with a thousand lights when one of the few rays of sunlight, that still pierced the black clouds piled up above the hill, illuminated them. Their brilliance produced a rainbow halo that seemed to surround the pegasus as if Rainbow was hugging Fluttershy.

For a few seconds time seemed to have stopped. The audience held their breath as they saw this vision of incredible beauty. However, this ephemeral image soon disappeared with the sun, swallowed by the black clouds. Then the rain started pouring, it fell hard on the protective dome.

The yellow pegasus, for her part, only had eyes for the coffin in front of her. While Twilight recited the speech, she silently prayed for her courageous friend, thanking her for her bravery and loyalty. Fluttershy apologized for her unforgivable decision to stay a little longer in Everfree Forest and for not being able to found enough strength to fly away that day.

Fluttershy looked at the sculpture on top of the tombstone. It was a bust of Rainbow with wings wide open. Very detailed, Fluttershy could almost believe it was her friend. The sculpture had the same expression of pride as Rainbow. Fluttershy lost her gaze in the granite of the stone pegasus.

While the coffin had gone underground with, at Twilight's and her friends' request, copies of all the letters mentioning Rainbow that the five friends had written to Princess Celestia, Fluttershy's eyes filled with tears. As the earth gradually covered Rainbow's coffin, trapping this spirit of air in an underground prison, Fluttershy realized with horror that, from then on, Rainbow’s tombstone bust would be the only thing that would remind the whole world of Rainbow.

_________________________

The ceremony lasted just over an hour, with everyone having a say about the fantastic pegasus that Rainbow had been.

It ended with the testimony of one of Rainbow’s coworker from the weather factory.

“I think we all know about Rainbow sense of humor.”

She pointed to the heavy rain bouncing on the magical dome and gave the crowd a wink.

“That’s a good example of our Rainbow going overboard. That girl could make the weather goes crazy bad in ten second flat. But wow! She didn’t kid around this time! She made damn sure we’ll never forget her. Mission accomplished I’d say. So... See ya Rainbow and take care!”

The guest smiled at that and with a lighter heart, they got up and walked away.

While some guests were recollecting near Rainbow's grave, a sumptuous rainbow-colored cake covered in black icing, courtesy of Pinkie Pie and the Cake family, was served to guests waiting down the hill.

At the end of the funeral, Celestia and Luna expressed their thanks and sympathies to Pinkie, Twilight, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy and then left for Canterlot to perform their royal duties. As they left, the protective dome magic ceased and the rain fell violently on the hill. The guests took turns leaving and in the end, only the five friends remained.

Each of them said goodbye to their friend whom they had loved so much.

Fluttershy, soaked as never before, was the last to grieve in front of the grave. Her other friends had left one after the other, sad, tears running down their cheeks. Rarity, was the last to go, waiting for Fluttershy at Carousel Boutique where she was running a hot bath for her.

Finally alone in the rain, Fluttershy let the tears she had been holding on, since the beginning of the ceremony, to flow and fell on the freshly covered grave. Her embarrassment had prevented her from saying goodbye to Rainbow in front of all the guests. Now she could do it in peace.

“Rainbow, I already miss you... You're not here anymore and I'm hurt... so hurt. The ceremony was very beautiful. Pinkie did all the work... You know how she is... so devoted. It's her tribute to you. Twilight, as for her, did a very moving elegy in your honor... and Rarity created this magnificent dress to represent you.”

At that moment the tears were flowing harder than ever on her cheeks. She sighed, then continued her speech.

“You see Rainbow... Each one of us wanted to pay you a tribute in their own way… But me, I don't know how to give you a proper tribute. How can I say that I’m your friend if I'm not able to represent what you are worth to me... I don't deserve you... still, I would like you to be here to give me some advice... I need you so much Rainbow!” Fluttershy ended in a broken voice.

Sad and distraught, she bowed her head sadly and then crashed into the mud, staining her black dress, praying for a miracle. Her wing had suffered from the fall but the pegasus silenced her pain. Her tears were for Rainbow, not for her injuries.

She would have given anything to see her friend again, alive. Her rainbow mane, her disarming personality and her mischievous smile. She was missing Rainbow and the pain of her abrupt departure was vivid in Fluttershy’s heart who so desperately wanted to be able to show her one last time the importance that their friendship had in her heart.

She wished for a miracle.

A bright flash of light illuminated the sky and thunder broke out somewhere in the distance. At that moment, inspiration arose in Fluttershy's mind, obsessive, such a simple idea but one that was truly a miracle.

She knew what to do to pay tribute to Rainbow.

It was an ambitious project, one that would require a lot of effort and enormous doses of courage and perseverance. Some qualities that perfectly represented her friend. And the final result would be spectacular, a perfect tribute to illustrate the impact Rainbow had had on Fluttershy’s life and the strength of the bond of friendship between them.

With a steel resolve, she lifted her head, her gaze set on Rainbow's bust. Proudly, she stood up from the muddy puddle at her feet and carried a mud-covered hoof to her heart to make a solemn promise to her friend.

“Rainbow, I know what I want to do,” Fluttershy announced in a determined voice, after silencing her crying. “I know how to give you a proper tribute.”

Following the old custom between Rainbow and her, Fluttershy, carrying Rainbow's blue feather in her mane, tore one of her feathers from her unharmed wing and buried it in Rainbow’s tombstone soil.

At the same time as she was making her promise to Rainbow, the most intense lightning bolt that Ponyville had ever seen illuminated the entire sky.

“Rainbow, in one year, I will do a sonic rainboom.”

Chapter 4.5 - Peace Of Mind

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In all tears lingers hope.
- Simone de Beauvoir, unicorn -

Pinkie Pie was looking out the window of Sugarcube Corner. Her heart was full of immeasurable sadness, her face was empty of any smile.

Mr. and Mrs. Cake had never seen Pinkie Pie so devastated.

There had indeed been days when she had shown a long face. And that was quite normal because nopony can avoid life's torments forever. But this time, however, the couple had the dreadful impression that Pinkie had indeed lost her smile forever.

Pinkie had been showing the same injured expression for a week. Since the day Rainbow died.

She had lost everything that made her the bearer of the element of laughter. Her cheerfulness, her good humor and her desire to bring joy into everypony's life, all of that died the moment Rainbow took her last breath.

The first to suffer from her new attitude were the two twins, Pound and Pumpkin. They instantly felt Pinkie's pain as soon as she arrived, early on the morning of the tragedy. She looked tired and infinitely sad. She had gone up to the second floor without even looking at them, the ones she normally considered to be precious brothers and sisters.

At first, Mr. and Mrs. cake were taken aback by Pinkie's strange behavior, but they quickly understood and shared in her grief when they heard the news from Twilight a few hours later as she came by and begged them to spare and support Pinkie as best they could over the next few months.

And since the day of Rainbow’s death, passers-by could often see Pinkie leaning against the window on the second floor of the pastry shop. They even had the impression that her mane and her coat were of a darker shade. Always lying still, silent, her hair hanging in an eerily straight fashion along with her head.

To the disappointment of all those who met her and who knew her reputation, she no longer returned greetings, nor did she smile to those who greeted her politely. Her behavior left more than one perplexed. And as an infection, Pinkie's lethargy and sadness spread to many people in the surrounding area.

Joy and happiness were abandoning Ponyville.

_________________________

Pinkie looked out her bedroom window for the umpteenth time, letting her dull look soar over the puddles in the street. For a few days, she had been trying without success to regain her dynamism to get back to work.

When Rainbow died, she took responsibility for the upcoming funeral ceremony.

The despair that had seized her, however, was felt in her work. Her legendary inspiration was dried up and she felt more and more powerless in the face of the deadlines that were fast approaching. After all, she only had two days left to finish everything.

Many things were ready.

The invitations were sent, the seats assigned, but Pinkie just couldn't give the ceremony that original touch that would remind everyone how amazing and flamboyant Rainbow was. Pinkie had vowed to create an event that would live up to the pegasus' reputation.

But she couldn't do it.

Her grief acted like an anchor that pulled her heart towards an abyss of despair that she had never been suspecting before. And as the days went by, discouragement settled in her heart.

The element of laughter was doomed to disappear.

Pinkie sighed and leaned back against the window frame, tears flowing down her cheeks.

She cast an evil glance at the heavy black clouds, high in the sky. They were pouring their own cold and cruel tears over the entire region. Celestia's sun was rarely seen these days, and its absence took away Pinkie’s creativity.

_________________________

The hours went by, long and boring.

The bedroom door suddenly opened behind Pinkie who continued to stare down the street, insensitive to the presence of her guests.

A wing-buzzing sound filled the small room as Pound, holding Pumpkin in his arms, came to rest on the bed.

By dint of incessant twittering, they finally caught Pinkie’s attention who, after wiping the tears off her cheeks, finally deigned to take her eyes off the monotonous street for the benefit of her guests.

Pound and Pumpkin were watching her. Pinkie could see the worry on their faces. She sloppily but softly got on the bed next to the fillies.

“I'll be fine, don't you worry you two... I'm just... tired, that's all,” Pinkie said, giving the twins a smile that was not sincere, eyes still reddened with tears that threatened to start flowing again along her cheeks.

They were not fooled.

They threw themselves into the hooves of the mare who, surprised, only caught them at the last moment. In Pinkie’s hooves they multiplied the hugs, their only known recourse against sadness, so much that after a while, Pinkie sketched a small smile. A weak one but genuine.

“Thanks, I needed that,” she said.

She kept them against her for a while. Pound and Pumpkin, proud of their achievement, happily let themselves be rocked and cuddled by the pony until Mr. and Mrs. Cake entered the room.

“Ah, so that's where you two were! Sorry Pinkie,” apologized Mr. Cake. “I hope the twins didn't give you too much of a hard time.”

“Not at all. They are pretty... lively. And right now... I really like lively...” Pinkie said, threatening to burst into tears.

Mr. and Mrs., Cake exchanged a knowing glance. Those of parents worried about their offspring. Pinkie needed comfort, a discussion with her was necessary.

Nodding at her husband, Mrs. Cake begged him to pick up the twins and go down to the first floor while she took care of Pinkie.

“Pound, Pumpkin, let's go make some cupcakes.”

The twins rushed down from Pinkie's bed to follow their father. An embarrassed silence fell between the two ponies once the room was empty. Mrs. Cake sat on the bed taking care not to rush Pinkie.

“How are you doing Pinkie?”

“Super duper really finey Mrs. Cake!” exclaimed Pinkie a little too loud, her voice shaking and showing another fake smile. “I'm super good. Everything's... fine.”

A little bit like Fluttershy, Pinkie was also using her hair to hide her face from Mrs. Cake.

“Pinkie, you know that if something is wrong, you can talk to my husband or me. We feel like you need some help and we would like to help you in any way we can.”

She started rubbing Pinkie's back. Under her hoof, Pinkie was shaking like a leaf and was trying to silence the jolts of her body that were betraying her suffocated sobs.

Pinkie took a few shallow breaths. Then after a short break, she turned her head towards Mrs. Cake, still showing her sinister smile.

“Thanks, Mrs. Cake, but I'm fine. Everything's fine. The preparations are almost done. The ceremony will be... so… fine.”

She didn’t sound convincing.

“Pinkie. Are you really sure you're alright?”

Pinkie didn't answer right away, hidden behind her long, hanging mane. Then she threw herself at her, hugged her, and started crying profusely. In turn, once she got over her surprise, Mrs. Cake gave her a heartfelt hug back.

It was only after a long time, full of comforting caresses, that Pinkie was able to talk again.

“I... I can't do it. It's too hard!”

Mrs. Cake continued to rub the filly's back, encouraging her to tell her more.

“I've tried all I can think of. But I... I can't create a ceremony as awesome as Rainbow was. She should... No! She deserves to have the bestest of all the funeral ceremonies but I... I just can't do it.”

Pinkie looked up at her with tears in her eyes, begging for an answer to calm her anguish.

“Why can't I do it? Why is my special talent so useless right now?”

Mrs. Cake drew a small smile, relieved to have a chance to try to lighten the mood of this mare who so selflessly brought joy to everypony around her.

“You’re hurt, Pinkie. You’ve experienced the biggest shock in your life less than one week ago. You’ll need time to heal completely. It’s normal to feel sad and depressed from time to time, but I think that you’re only focusing on the sadness that Rainbow's death brought into your life. My advice about your ceremony would be to focus on the happy memories of your time with Rainbow. This will help you to get the inspiration you need. Try to take some time to remember all the good times you had with your friend.”

Pinkie remained silent for a moment, considering the advice.

“I… I'll try that,” she said after a little while, busy drying her last tears.

She straightened up and gave Mrs. Cake a little smile.

“Thanks, Mrs. Cake. I feel a little better right now.”

“I'm really happy to hear that Pinkie. And remember, you can always speak to us if you ever need to. We will help you the best we can.”

She hoisted herself out of bed and walked to the door, letting Pinkie meditate on her words. Then, near the exit, she turned back to Pinkie.

“Oh! Pinkie, will you be eating with us tonight?”

Still feeling out of sorts, Pinkie shook her head. She needed to be alone.

“Sorry, I'm not... very hungry. Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll pass.”

“I understand Pinkie. We’ll keep you a plate, just in case,” said Mrs. Cake just before closing Pinkie’s door.

Alone again, Pinkie trotted to the window, overwhelmed with worries. She was not entirely satisfied with the funeral’s preparations. There was so much to do.

Pinkie tried to put Mrs. Cake's advice into practice. A few anecdotes of her adventures with Rainbow came to mind and even though she did not find her creativity or new ideas to integrate into the ceremony, each of the memories she revisited warmed her heart a little more.

In her darkest periods, Pinkie knew she could always cling to the happy memories of the time when Rainbow was still walking among the living. This idea comforted her somewhat.

She continued to revisit her past in search of the spark that would revive her creativity, her imagination, her spirit.

It didn't work, unfortunately.

She did experience a few fleeting smiles, but her legendary dynamism did not return to illuminate her life as she had hoped.

Her most precious memory was that of that summer when she and Rainbow had spent a whole day, together, without anyone else. They had spent a day making harmless little jokes in every corner of Ponyville.

Scratch-off powder in a bouquet for Rarity, invisible ink in Twilight's inkwell, water-based paint on Applejack's beloved apples, and a fake stuffed animal to destabilize poor Fluttershy.

The highlight of that day had undoubtedly been the trick they had played on Spike, using thunder to scare him. The dragon's uncontrollable hiccups he got soon after had resulted in the instantaneous transport of about twenty scrolls directly to Canterlot.

Even if it had never been proven, Pinkie had heard, to her great joy, that Princess Celestia had been the victim of an avalanche of letters that day.

It was a wonderful memory, a personal memory that belonged only to her... and Rainbow.

But even this feeling could not get her out of her sad lethargy.

Discouraged, a more than familiar feeling lately, Pinkie sat on the wooden ledge of her window, which she opened wide, despite the rain, to let the fresh evening air chase away her dark thoughts.

Just like everyday of the week, it was still raining. Heavy black clouds were massed in the whole sky, roaring.

This time however, Princess Luna’s moon and a few dozen stars were visible in the sky, peaking between the clouds from time to time.

“Rainbow, I could really use some help here...” Pinkie whispered towards the starry sky before singing melancholically. “Don't be a meanie, give me back my creativity...”

Then she waited a long time, again and again, in search of a sign that never came. From time to time, to overcome the boredom, she continued to sing her melody, filling the small room with nostalgic music that, if it didn't talk about death and sadness, would have made a wonderful lullaby.

Soon, Pinkie, exhausted, found herself falling asleep. Fatigue took possession of her being. She closed her eyes, slumped against the beam of her window. She repressed another yawn, raised her eyes to the moon, then stretched, preparing to close the window to go to bed.

She didn't even try to hide her disappointment. Pinkie had hoped that by following Mrs. Cake's advice, some kind of manifestation of Rainbow, one way or another, would come forward and reignite the flame of laughter in her heart. But her hopes had quickly vanished, out of her reach, to join Princess Luna's stars.

“I guess it's my fault. I shouldn't have put so much hope in this.” Pinkie simply said bitterly. “Hey, Rainbow, let's... not do that again... ever. It hurts me too much. We had so many fun memories but thinking about it just makes me sad.”

A gigantic lightning bolt illuminated the sky and came crashing down right in front of Sugarcube Corner, instantly preceded by an intense rumbling sound. Pinkie, shocked, backed away at full speed and crashed on the bedroom floor, eyes turned towards the window, still stunned by the violent shock of the bolt.

Pinkie remained silent for a short while, uncertain, with her fast-beating heart. And then...

“Hic!”

Surprised, Pinkie brought her hooves to her mouth, trying to stop the hiccups of stupor she felt coming from her lower abdomen.

“Hic!”

A shadow of a smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

“Hic!”

Her smile widened with each hiccup that followed, and soon she began to laugh. A melodious, frank, charming laugh. A worthy laugh fitting the element of laughter was heard throughout the room, punctuated by hiccups.

“Ah haha hahaha! Rainbow! Hic! You big... Hic! meanie... You... Hic! You've waited all this time to... Hic! ...to scare me!”

She had to wait several minutes before the hiccups faded and before she could stop laughing. Her mane had recovered its bouncing curves and her body was now a much paler pink than before.

That dose of laughter had done her a lot of good. Hope and creativity had returned in the unexpected form of a flash that reminded her of the trick Rainbow had played on her long before, scaring her in the same way, causing her the same happy hiccups.

“Alright girl! You want it, you get it! We'll see who can best surprise the other, You had your chance, now it's my turn! I'll make you the most super duper awesome funeral ceremony you will ever have the chance to see!” Pinkie shouted, pointing a hoof towards the sky. “Just wait and see, Rainbow!”

She quickly walked to the bedroom door, completely forgetting the late-night hour, she went into the kitchen, opened the stoves, took out bowls, flour, eggs, sugar and a wide variety of ingredients and threw them all over the counter.

“First we'll start with the cake. Oh! Oh! I have so many things to do but I won't fail you Rainbow!”

_________________________

“Urgh...”

While Pinkie was in a much more jovial mood and was designing one of her most important cakes, Twilight, with a terrible migraine, was raging at another piece of parchment that she threw distractingly behind her.

The paper ball landed at the top of the bin already filled to the brim, bounced and then fell on the ground to join about twenty other drafts of speeches on which Twilight had been working for a few moons already.

“It's no use Spike, I can't do it. I just... can't,” sighed Twilight, rubbing her tired eyes with her hoof.

“Of course you can Twilight. You're the best at writing stuff. And if you don't write it, who will?”

“But it's not an ordinary letter Spike, it's a funeral speech. For Rainbow nonetheless. I wasn't prepared for this. At least, not so soon and certainly not like this! This whole situation is… so frustrating! After everything we have endured... together, this is how it ends...”

She started crying again. It was happening quite frequently in the past few days, especially in the late hours of the night when she could let her emotions run free. Alone. Without being pressured by the duty of the royalty, a duty requiring her not to show any emotion that could be associated with weakness.

Twilight had to be strong, even in front of her close friends. Only Spike had witnessed Twilight’s grief and she knew she could count on his discretion and support.

Spike came to take refuge against her side, wrapping his arms around her in an embrace filled with affection.

“Twilight, I can't think of no one better than you to write that speech.”

And he stood by her side, patiently, quietly. He gave the princess all the time she needed to regain the courage required for her painful task.

He fell asleep shortly after against Twilight, he was still only a young dragon after all.

_________________________

Spike woke up with a startle for the fourth time.

This time, however, he was not slumped against Twilight's side, but huddled in his basket, wrapped in a warm blanket. Twilight had made sure he was comfortable while she was writing again.

An obvious failure in light of the new and huge mass of paper, crumpled, scribbled, scratched, which was lying on the floor of the library.

Spike sighed as he saw Twilight standing near her work table, surrounded by candles that had melted to the point of spreading wax all over the table. She had been working all night on her speech if the dark bag under her eyes were of any indication. And the dawn that began to brighten the sky heralded a hard day for the princess.

“Good morning Spike,” Twilight weakly said. “Sorry to bother you so soon but could you write a letter? I need advice from princess Celestia. Last night was not very... fruitful.”

Spike didn't have the heart to refuse her this service. After a series of small growls and yawns, the dragon set out in search of a feather and a scroll, stumbling through the countless drafts of texts that littered the ground.

Thousands of words, carrying intense emotions that would never be heard...

“I'm ready,” Spike simply said, still fighting the sleep that was spreading its grip on him.

Twilight gave him a little smile both to apologize silently and to thank him for his constant efforts. He really was his number one assistant. Without further ado, Twilight began to dictate her letter, adopting a dull tone reflecting her obvious fatigue.

“Dear Princess Celestia...”

_________________________

“… Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. Thanks for your patience Spike, please send it as soon as you can.”

The sun was now shining its first rays in the bookstore, meaning that Princess Celestia had begun her royal duties.

Receiving no answer she turned to Spike who was staring at the long letter he was holding. His gaze impressed Twilight. He seemed shocked, as if struck by a sudden illumination.

“Spike? Is everything alright?”

The dragon laid eyes on her with the same strange expression. He looked at the scroll again and opened his mouth ready to spit his green flame on Twilight's letter and send it to Celestia.

Then he changed his mind.

“Twilight, I won’t send it.”

”What? Why? Is something wrong? What did I do?”

“You... you did nothing wrong Twilight. It's just that I... I think I have an idea. And if it works, we won’t need to send that letter.”

“Oh... Okay then. What is it?”

Spike seemed nervous, he was looking for the exact words, which would allow him to explain his idea, his intuition without it sounding too crazy. Twilight, as for her, was waiting, attentive. Twilight's gaze on him was one filled with insatiable curiosity, but also filled with hope.

And that was what Spike was afraid of.

He knew the extent of the pain Twilight was hiding behind her princess mask. But Twilight's eyes were begging him to reveal the idea that would allow her to get rid of that burden, to evacuate her pain and guilt for having failed to write her farewell draft text.

In the end, Spike finally decided to have trust in Twilight. She would respect his opinion, however foolish it may have been.

“I think you should write your speech as if you were writing a letter... to Rainbow,” said Spike, worried that the princess might not like his suggestion.

To his great surprise, this was not the case. Twilight straightened up, thoughtful. She had spent so much time last night trying to find a way to say goodbye to her friend, but she had never considered writing her a letter. An intimate letter to her deceased friend.

Maybe it was worth a try.

“Thanks, Spike... I think I'll try that.”

She used her magic to rid her office of all the papers that cluttered it, old drafts of text that she had quickly rejected. She kept only the essentials, a blank parchment, her inkwell and her faithful pen.

She was about to write, pen magically raised, when fear paralyzed her.

A drop of ink formed at the end of the pen’s tip and after a few moments that lasted for an eternity, the drop detached itself and crashed into the parchment. Twilight was experiencing the anguish of putting too much hope in a situation that could later plunge her into confusion.

Spike came to stand beside her and put one of his hands on Twilight's shaky hoof. The princess shuddered and then turned her head towards her assistant, to whom she offered a magnificent smile of gratitude. Then after a deep breath, she placed her pen on the parchment and began to write her first words.

Dear Rainbow...

_________________________

Dear Rainbow,

A week ago, you were still walking by our side, more alive than ever, a beacon of excellence and a close friend. A life full of exploits and dreams awaited you. A path in which we were ready to follow you side by side. Six friends united by an indestructible bond.

We had plans, a future traced in the hoofsteps of friendship. But all this was taken away from us, on a tragic day that will remind us all of the fragility of existence. Now, even as the sky weeps with tears in your memory, we struggle to believe the tragedy that took you away from us.

However, you have shown unfailing loyalty to the very end, reminding each of us of the qualities that made you a strong and extraordinary friend, true bearer of a sacred element of harmony. Your courage and sacrifice saved your best friend; Fluttershy, and for that, we will be eternally grateful to you.

We will honor your memory every day, and while you first explore the ends of this other world where we’ll join you one day, joyful and with hearts full of stories to tell you, we solemnly promise to live each day as the last.

We will live our lives as you did, intensely, and proudly represent the elements of harmony that unite us again and forever the same way that you have so faithfully represented the element of loyalty.

On our behalf, Rainbow, allow Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rarity and me to wish you a safe journey. The tears we shed today, filled with bitter sadness, will turn into tears of joy when we meet again at the end of the rainbow.

Wait for us with the same impatience that we feel at the thought of seeing you again one day. And, while waiting for that moment, let your element live among us. Let it shine in our hearts so that it gives us the courage that guided your steps. Become the light that will illuminate our dark days.

Our friend who is and will always be awesome.

See you someday, Rainbow.

Your eternal friend, Twilight Sparkle.

_________________________

Twilight wiped the tears from her eyes.

She had succeeded. She had completed her speech. Her heart swelled with happiness and she sighed happily. The anxiety and pain in her heart gave way to the hope and love she felt for Rainbow.

Twilight could finally rest while waiting for the funeral the next day. She dropped into her bed, tired from her sleepless night, and fell asleep quietly after a short prayer to Rainbow.

See you someday, Rainbow....

Chapter 5 - The Journey Begins

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But then the mind much sufferance doth o'erskip
When grief hath mates and bearing fellowship.
- William Shakespeare, unicorn -

“Fluttershy, my dear, are you feeling alright?” Rarity asked, alarmed by the words of the mud-covered pegasus. “You simply can't perform a sonic rainboom! It's impossible!”

_________________________________________

Rarity had just finished closing the cap on one of her bottles of fragrant oils. An aroma of vanilla escaped upwards from the hot bath she had prepared for Fluttershy, as the feeble light of the candles coaxed the room into a relaxing setting.

She allowed herself a long, slow, warm sniff. A simple taste of what awaited her blessed guest.

SLAM!

Rarity flinched, jumped and turned around in fright.

Fluttershy had burst into the room, shaking, dripping and dirty, a puddle of water growing at her feet, her precious black dress stained with mud.

Horrified, Rarity had to steel herself just so as not to faint in front of her protégée's horrendous appearance.

Luxury having become a necessity, Rarity ordered the pegasus to enter the bathtub to remove all the dirt that stained her coat and mane. Then she immediately retrieved the dress and put it in the wash, as quickly as possible, while Fluttershy, frozen to the bones, carried out Rarity's order, her lips blued by the cold rain.

Once assured that the dress had been saved, Rarity returned to Fluttershy’s side, gracefully waving an elegant fan to enjoy a gentle cool breeze through the bathtub steam. Behind the two ponies, a mop was magically working to remove the puddles of mud smearing the floor.

It was under Rarity’s benevolent gaze that a feverish Fluttershy, well immersed in hot water, explained the promise she had made to her friend thirty minutes ago on top of the rainy hill.

Rarity had silently listened, although everything in her posture evoked her concern and abnegation about the project Fluttershy had in mind. And, once Fluttershy’s story was over, Rarity had placed her fan on a nearby table and put her hoof on Fluttershy's forehead to take her temperature.

As Rarity thought, the pegasus had a burning fever. This did not surprise her, Fluttershy was still very fragile and the torrent pouring out of the sky on that evening must have finished breaking what remained of her immune resistance.

Fluttershy was in a state of delirium, which was the cause of her excitement and confused thoughts.

So Rarity walked across the room towards her pharmacy and came back near Fluttershy shaking a small bottle. She made Fluttershy swallow two tablets and then applied a fresh cloth to her forehead. Rarity hoped that the water’s vapor, the wet cloth and the medication would help reduce Fluttershy’s fever.

Then Rarity expressed her concerns about Fluttershy's health and her project.

_________________________________________

Rarity had spent the last half hour trying to reason, without success, with Fluttershy who was convinced of the validity of her promise.

“My dear Fluttershy,” she said, lovingly washing Fluttershy’s mane. “Although I find your intentions praiseworthy, I still think that it’s impossible for you to perform a sonic rainboom. It was Rainbow's specialty after all. Furthermore, your wing has not recovered yet...”

“I will succeed Rarity... I made a promise to Rainbow... and I must keep it,” Fluttershy replied, more and more drowsy as the effect of the bath’s heat started to add to her fever.

“Fluttershy dear, when you say "promise", you can't possibly mean a... a...”

“A feather promise... Yes, that's what I meant.”

“Oh Fluttershy, I really don't...”

She stopped to think, silent, uncertain.

The unicorn was facing a dilemma. An inner struggle between two important choices.

On one hoof, Fluttershy looked as if she had found comfort in her promise, something necessary for her morale and emotional balance. And Rarity could not wish for something better as she was just recently looking for ways to rekindle the spark of life in her protégée’s heart. The fervor with which Fluttershy had explained her intentions left no doubt, her heart was full of hope.

On the other hoof, this whole sonic rainboom project seemed quite dangerous and Rarity was not keen on exposing Fluttershy to new dangerous and possibly destructive situations. She was concerned about the consequences and risks that might befall Fluttershy if she decided to follow that path.

Rarity had to choose which side she would support.

I have to think this through...

_________________________________________

When Fluttershy was washed of all the mud that covered her, Rarity led her back into the bedroom, still haunted by her doubts.

Fluttershy fell asleep as soon as she put her head on the pillow. Her delicate coat had been washed of all the mud, and her fever had subsided.

Even after making sure of that, Rarity couldn’t sleep. She stayed next to Fluttershy, laying on the other side of that comfortable bed thinking until very late.

I don’t like this one bit, Fluttershy should focus on getting better. This is no time to put herself at risk. Don’t you see Fluttershy? Don’t you see all the obstacles on the path you chose?

And that promise! Dear Celestia, that promise! You can’t do a sonic rainboom Fluttershy! We don’t even know if you’ll be able to fly again!

Rarity sighed.

I can try to take some of the burden Rainbow’s death put on you, darling, but I’m not sure I can take the burden you put on yourself.

And I don’t want to see you fail. I don’t want you to put too much effort into something so futile just to get hurt in the end.

No, I can’t let this happen. I need to stop you from doing this. Tomorrow, once you wake up, we’re going to talk about your promise.

Surely there’s a way to take it back, yes?

Sleeping peacefully in bed, Fluttershy leaned tenderly against Rarity. Her cheeks were still red, but she looked slightly less feverish as she was dreaming of her future exploits. Her regular and serene breath caressed Rarity’s coat.

Rarity, charmed, moved a strand of hair that hung over Fluttershy’s face. Fluttershy was dreaming of wonderful things, Rarity was happy to see, for a fleeting smile lit up her protégée's face for a few seconds.

And that was it.

That smile right there.

Oh… Fluttershy... Why did you smile? Why now when I finally decided to stop you?

Are you really set on making this happen Fluttershy? And me? Am I to extinguish, to crush that hope you have? Am I to send you back into despair?

Did you tell me all about your promise because you were looking for my support? My approval?

Rarity pouted.

You had to smile… You know I can’t win against that. I don’t want to be the one that steals your hopes and dreams. I can’t be… I won’t be! I want to see you succeed. I want you to fly! But I’m just not sure if this is the way to do it…

I have to find a way…

There must be another way...

Rarity glanced one last time at Fluttershy. She looked so peaceful, so serene. She was so...

Okay! Okay! You win! I will allow you to try doing a sonic rainboom. But I will set the rules!

Rarity finally made her choice.

She was going to help Fluttershy with her project, to the best of her ability.

“My beautiful Fluttershy,” Rarity whispered to avoid waking up the pegasus. “Be careful, you still seem so very fragile...”

_________________________________________

The next day, Fluttershy’s fever had mostly receded. She still remembered her promise as well as Rarity’s uncertainty about it.

She needed to talk to her. She had to try to convince her somehow. She had to…

She sighed.

No... this isn’t about her... not really. It’s about me… I need her support. I need someone on my side… I… I need someone to believe in me.

Fluttershy naturally walked towards the workshop. And there she was, sewing a dress with a little frown of concentration on her face.

“Rarity?” asked Fluttershy over the sound of the sewing machine.

“Yes, dear?”

“I would like to…”

Fluttershy stopped when she saw Rarity. She almost didn’t see the bags under Rarity’s eyes that she tried to conceal with make-up. Almost.

Rarity was tired from a restless sleep and yet, she was still hard at work this early in the morning. Fluttershy was amazed by Rarity’s dedication.

“I’m sorry Rarity, is this a bad time? I can come back if you…”

“No, no. I’m fine darling. I could use a break. What can I do for you?”

“I… I would like to talk to you about... my promise.”

“Ah… I see... I also had to talk to you about it. I… I thought about it mostly all night. I still don’t like the idea of you trying to do a sonic rainboom...”

Fluttershy opened her mouth. Rarity stopped her before she could protest.

“But... I’ll let you do what you think is right. I would rather have you full of optimism rather than sadness. If your promise helps you heal and find a new purpose in life, I won’t try to stop you. As long as, and this is very important Fluttershy, as long as you promise you will not put yourself in any sort of danger. Am I clear?”

“Yes! Yes! Rarity, I promise I won’t do anything that can hurt me! Oh thank you, Rarity!”

Fluttershy carefully embraced Rarity.

“I needed you to be okay with this Rarity, I… I really needed that. Thank you so much”

“Remember our promise Fluttershy, do that and I will forever support you”

Fluttershy started giggling.

“I like the sound of that.”

Then Fluttershy went upstairs, toward the bedroom’s window. She had another friend to ask for support.

She looked at the sun shining in the sky, already way above the trees.

“Hum...Hi... Rainbow, please give me the strength to succeed in making a sonic rainboom in your honor. I beg you... if you are okay with this... of course.”

Enjoying the caress of the sunshine, Fluttershy closed her eyes. She hoped that her friend had heard her prayer.

At that moment, Rarity melodiously called Fluttershy’s name from the first floor.

Fluttershy opened her eyes wide and, with one last begging look towards the sun, she left the room to join Rarity.

_________________________________________

The next day began Fluttershy’s journey.

A major task awaited her.

From that morning on, she had twelve months to heal her wing, rehabilitate herself to fly and learn how to make a sonic rainbow. An almost impossible project. But she had to succeed, her promise had become the most important thing.

A new conviction in her project had taken hold in her since Rarity told her she would support her. For the first time since Rainbow’s death, Fluttershy had a purpose, a mission and nothing in the world would prevent her from keeping her word.

I even tore off one of my feathers when I made that promise. I can't go back now, Fluttershy recalled.

_________________________________________

The first month, for she couldn't risk flying because of her broken bones, Fluttershy spent her free time doing various activities.

She regularly took long walks in the cool spring breeze, sometimes accompanied by Rarity, when she had no projects to work on. Her escapades often led her under Rainbow's cloud house, abandoned and sadly floating in the sky.

Fluttershy still had trouble coping with her friend's sudden disappearance.

She always expected to find Rainbow on a scattered cloud sleeping peacefully or hidden in a grove ready to frighten her as she so loved to do. Eventually, the harsh reality would hit Fluttershy with a sharp abruptness. The blue pegasus would not return, she was dead, buried under loose soil on top of an anonymous hill.

And all because of me... often said Fluttershy to herself, consumed with remorse.

_________________________________________

This day had begun like many others.

Fluttershy was at her cottage.

She sighed as she looked at the fragile dried plants on her table, the very one that Rainbow and she went to fetch in Everfree. They had cost her far too much.

Applejack had retrieved the basket the night of the tragedy and brought it to her cottage while she was stuck in Ponyville’s hospital. Once she got out, it took another week before she could brace herself to even touch them. She felt nauseous just looking at them.

But eventually, she had to do it for the sake of her critters.

Manipulating the plant wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be. They didn’t cause her any harm other than making her remember her loss. She could work with that. She just had to take a few pauses to cry or to deal with some sudden anger.

After one week, she had collected the magic juice of each bright plant.

She had placed the herbs on her dining table and left them to dry, so she could later use them like tea leaves. Once dry, she would simply need to infuse them in a steaming cup of chamomile and honey.

She could make a delicious medicinal drink that could cure many ailments.

And today, they were finally ready to be cut and put into jars.

But Fluttershy’s heart was just not into it.

In another sudden outburst of anger toward the Timberwolves she thought of shredding the precious plants, to throw them into a fire and watch them burn. But this would have overruled their efforts, of Rainbow and herself, to harvest them. And that would have been an insult to her best friend's sacrifice.

Her element of kindness, fortunately, preserved her from the torment of resentment and fury. She took three deep breaths. This helped her not to engage further on the path of resentment. Being resentful and bitter was unnatural for her. And, despite her pain, she knew she was unable to live on from hatred and revenge.

She picked up everything she needed. A knife and lots of jars, and began her task.

_________________________________________

One hour later, Fluttershy was done.

She had enough leaves to go through all the winter. Maybe even more, if luck was on her side.

This left Fluttershy with a lot of free time for the rest of the day. She went to check on her animal and found that Applejack, once again, had done an exceptional job in caring for her animals.

Fluttershy knew she could count on Applejack to do the heavy work that she currently wasn’t able to manage because of her injuries. She was always happy to lend a hoof to help Fluttershy do her chores.

Together, busy working hard on the various tasks, that ranged from repairing the henhouse to treating an animal's disease, they both managed, temporarily, to forget their respective sadness.

Thanks to Applejack and Rarity, Fluttershy started to open up to the world again, at her slow pace.

She had begun to reconnect with some of the people around her, still as timidly as before, however.

Lost in thoughts about her personal progress since the beginning of the month, Fluttershy did not immediately feel the repeated patting on her leg.

The thumps became more insistent and Fluttershy finally looked down at the little ball of white fur overflowing with energy at her feet.

“Angel!” Fluttershy sweetly called out as she held the rabbit in her arms. “I’m very happy to see you too. I missed you since my last visit.”

Regretfully, she had to hastily put back the rabbit on the ground due to a slight pain in her side, reminding her of her recent wounds.

Around Fluttershy, all the animals of the cottage gathered, eager for caresses and little attention from their mistress who did not hesitate to cuddle them with a timid smile, tinged with sadness but sincere.

Angel, with loud noise and big movements, pointed towards Fluttershy’s twisted and scarred wing, trying to make her understand his message. Fluttershy immediately understood his question and answered it.

“Yes, Angel, my wing feels a little better. It still hurts but thanks to Red Heart's exercises the pain is more... bearable and I can move it now. Soon, I will be able to fly once again... and fulfill my promise to Rainbow.”

Of course, she didn't know when and if she could fly again, but she refused to give up hope. Only Rarity, her intimate confidant, was aware of her doubts and fears. For all her other friends and animals she displayed a confident mask, a fragile mask that often broke in the unicorn's arms at night when the pegasus woke up after a horrible nightmare.

Fluttershy recalled the feeling of joy that momentarily warmed her heart when Pinkie told her she was fully on board with her project. Without any surprise, she had joyfully expressed her agreement, already talking about the ceremony she would create that day for Fluttershy.

What did surprise her were the confetti and the party hat she pulled out of her mane. A "Pinkie Pie, party planner for the celebration of Fluttershy’s sonic rainboom" party hat.

How did she know about Fluttershy’s promise, it was anypony’s guess.

Then there was Applejack and Twilight. Fluttershy had quickly become disillusioned when the time came to announce the same news to her two friends who had greeted her announcement with greater resistance.

Applejack, true to her element of honesty, strongly opposed Fluttershy’s idea. She considered, like Rarity, that the project was too risky to be attempted. The tone of her voice showed her concern about Fluttershy's fate, the only remaining pegasus of their small group.

Twilight, for her part, had given the pegasus a series of statistics mentioning the improbability of carrying out her promise to the end, even reminding her of the words she had said to her a month earlier at Ponyville’s hospital.

Faced with their negative reaction, Fluttershy felt something build up in her chest. An emotion she was not expecting.

Anger? No.

Motivation? That’s new...

She was welcoming the challenge. Her friends were doubting her? She would show them! Fluttershy’s heartbeat went up, she felt her confidence rising, she felt strong.

She started speaking and vehemently defended her promise with a courage she was not known for.

In the end, they didn’t argue, not really. Twilight and Applejack simply forfeited and agreed to give Fluttershy a chance to prove them wrong.

Now, all that is left to do is to succeed, Fluttershy thought.

_________________________________________

Every evening since the beginning of the month, Fluttershy had to reassure her animals that she would return soon. They missed Fluttershy as much as she was missing them.

She visited them almost every day but as she no longer lived among them, they all felt her absence. And she would no longer live with them until she had recovered from her grief. She had promised it to Rarity and she intended to keep her promise, despite the difficulty of keeping her word.

After a few caresses and a last friendly greeting to all her animals, especially Angel, Fluttershy set off towards Carousel Boutique.

These last few days, Fluttershy had been helping Rarity a lot with the daily tasks in order to thank her for the treasures of generosity that she displayed to make her stay in her shop more welcoming.

Fluttershy helped Rarity with dinner, washing and cleaning, or any simple tasks that would not hurt her wing. And since Rarity was often busy creating various orders for some prestigious Canterlot ponies, all the help Fluttershy could give her was welcome and very much appreciated.

_________________________________________

As she entered Carousel Boutique, Fluttershy naturally directed her steps towards the workshop, as quietly as possible.

As she suspected, Rarity was leaning over her work table, busy completing an important order, hat and stage dress for one of her clients.

The whole ensemble was pretty and would make its owner very happy, Fluttershy had no doubt about it, but she clearly preferred hers.

Back on the ponyquin in the shop, Fluttershy's black dress was as beautiful as ever. She reigned as the masterpiece of the room, a true jewel of design. It was Fluttershy and Rarity's favorite dress and they never got tired of the flaming glitter of precious crystals on the train.

Fluttershy spoke as gently as she could, almost with regret for disturbing the unicorn's concentration.

“Hum... Rarity,”

“Hmm?” Rarity replied distractedly, before looking up from her textile patron. “What is it dear?”

“I... I'm going to start dinner's preparation. But...after the dishes... could... could we go...I mean... If it's okay with you... I would really like to...” stammered Fluttershy.

“Of course dear. We’ll go see her.”

Fluttershy nodded happily. She began to withdraw towards the kitchen and then stopped on the doorstep to turn back towards Rarity who was looking at her, an interrogating look clearly visible on her features.

“Thank you Rarity,”

A slight smile came to paint Rarity’s face.

You're very welcome, my dear Fluttershy.

“Oh, Fluttershy! Before you go away, tell me how was your day?”

“It was... fine. I’m finally done drying the plants, I have plenty of them so I cut them and put them in jars. I have plenty enough for my animal and even more. So if you get sick this winter, I’ll brew you something.”

“I’m glad to hear that darling, I just hope we will not have to resort to this. And what about your animals? I think I recall you saying something about the chicken coop.”

“Oh yes! The chicken coop needed new fences but it seems Applejack already took care of this. I’ll have to thank her for that. It must have been so heavy all by herself.”

“We should pay a visit to Applejack soon. You could thank her and I could get us a basket of apples. We could cook an apple pie.”

“That’s a very nice idea, Rarity. Maybe we can go later this week?”

Fluttershy smiled.

It was part of Rarity’s routine. She was always asking about her day whenever she didn’t get to spend time with her. It was Rarity’s way to connect, to bond with her. And it was nice for Fluttershy to confide in her.

Rarity was the one Fluttershy always went to whenever a problem arose. She has been there for her since the day of the tragedy, taking care of her, soothing her. Rarity had made herself a special place in Fluttershy’s life.

That’s comforting to see Rarity’s interest in me, I kind of like it, Fluttershy thought, feeling a nice warmth spread in her body. I hope we’ll keep bonding like that.

_________________________________________

They went to visit Rainbow’s grave after dinner, an almost daily custom between the two of them.

Rarity understood all too well Fluttershy's need to visit their friend's grave. She gladly accompanied Fluttershy whenever her work allowed her a short break.

“I have to say, dear, I am pleased with your recovery, The scars and bruises on your flank are healing quite well”

“Yes… They’re almost gone... but it’s still painful. Not too much but it will stay sore... Nurse Redheart says it’s gonna be like that for a while.”

“I was afraid of that as well, but I can assure you that you’re already in better shape than a month ago. Getting you out of the hospital was the best solution.”

“I feel the same way. And I have to thank you for this. You did so much for me, to make me feel comfortable. Carousel Boutique really is the best place to help me recover, so thank you Rarity.”

Rarity smiled.

“You say that now, but it’s only because I managed to keep Sweetie Belle away for a time. Wait until she gets back then you’ll see the dark side of Carousel Boutique,” teased Rarity, making Fluttershy smile in turn.

“I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”

As night preyed upon them, They arrived in sight of Rainbow's tomb. A chilling breeze blew a few leaves around them, a cold shiver ran through Fluttershy's limbs.

“And... here we are dear. I’ll let you go first. Take all the time you need, I’ll be right here”

“...Thanks... Rarity”

Fluttershy made her way to the top of the hill.

Rainbow’s carved bust was waiting for her. Looking at her with fierce, brave eyes of cold stone, so different from the lively magenta of Rainbow’s eyes.

“Hi Rainbow… It’s me.”

_________________________________________

Rarity always waited until Fluttershy came down sadly, heartbroken, sometimes crying.

This time was no different. After an hour or so, Fluttershy came back, sobbing. She took some time to console Fluttershy, grabbing her in a tender embrace until Fluttershy felt better.

Then she climbed up the hill to say a little prayer at Rainbow's grave.

They went back to Carousel Boutique with a lighter heart.

This routine, which they had started a month earlier, was a great source of comfort for Fluttershy. It was making her feel a little better every day. She was still very sad, but the wound in her heart was finally starting to heal.

_________________________________________

“Yes! Right – mmmh – right there Rarity! It feels so – W...Wow! – please don’t stop.”

“I... I feel it too Fluttershy. Sweet Celestia, you are so stiff.”

Rarity’s cheeks were beet red. Good thing Fluttershy could not see her face right now.

She felt Fluttershy’s soft body melt under her hooves. Was her wing massage that good? Another moan from Fluttershy gave her the answer.

I never heard Fluttershy moan like that. it’s so... A... Anyway! I should really thank Aloe and Lotus for the tips. It really helps.

Rarity smiled.

She was doing it! She was helping Fluttershy getting better, in her own way. And as such, Fluttershy’s moans were her rewards. Nice, sincere, hot...

Rarity took a deep breath to steady herself. What am I thinking? Take a grip girl!

She needed a distraction.

“How’s the pain Fluttershy?”

“It’s almost gone. Thank you Rarity.”

“My pleasure, dear. But I can’t help to think that four flying sessions a week might be too much. It only has been three months since your accident. Don’t you think you are rushing this? Maybe you could switch to two sessions a week? That way, your wing might be less sore.”

“I trust Redheart’s judgment, Rarity. She thinks I can handle that much. I... I believe it too. I can deal with the pain. It’s already less painful than my first session. And... you always take good care of me after.”

Oh, you little minx! Aaaaand I’m back with the burning cheeks. It’s really getting hot in here...

Rarity magically opened one of her bedroom windows. Gratefully accepting the wind’s caress on her face.

She took a deep breath.

“So Fluttershy, have you succeeded? Did you fly?”

Fluttershy shook her head.

“No... I did hop and mayyybe glide a little but I didn’t fly... yet.”

Optimism is a good sign.

Rarity smiled.

“Well Fluttershy, whatever happens, I believe in you.”

_________________________________________

With four training sessions a week under Redheart's constant supervision, Fluttershy regained enough strength and vigor to perform her first miracle, early in the third month following Rainbow’s funeral.

On a beautiful late spring afternoon, Fluttershy, in the middle of one of her rehabilitation sessions, managed to stay in flight for a dozen seconds before touching down. The pain in her wing was sharp but it was her own surprise that put an end to her movement.

In astonishment, she looked at her wing, not daring to believe what had just happened. Then her attention was distracted by an ecstatic cry of joy.

Rarity, who had taken advantage of a break between her many orders to come and cheer on Fluttershy, was the first to throw herself into her friend's arms, crying.

“Fluttershy, my dear Fluttershy! You have succeeded! You can fly again! It's a miracle! Oh Fluttershy, I am so proud of you!”

Redhearth looked at Fluttershy's wing from all its angles, nodding with satisfaction and allowing herself a wink and a smile towards the pegasus.

“Miss Fluttershy, I think it's safe to assume that you have just beaten all our forecasts. Congratulations, you will definitely be able to fly again, and sooner than we thought.”

Tears of joy ran down Fluttershy’s face. She smiled at the two ponies in front of her. A smile worthy of the one she had before the incident. A wonderful smile promising better days.

Rarity burst into tears when she saw Fluttershy's happy face. The miracle she had been waiting for such a long time had arrived, the spark of happiness in Fluttershy's heart had reignited.

“Fluttershy! We must celebrate this success! I’ll tell the girls, I’m sure they can spare a moment of their time and gather for a toast to your recovery! And… and...Oh!”

Rarity suddenly stopped mid-sentence to gaze at Fluttershy.

”I’m so sorry Fluttershy! Where are my manners? I should have asked… Are you free tonight?”

Fluttershy giggled

“Yes. Yes Rarity, I am free. I just need to drop by my cottage but I’ll go straight home once I’m done.”

Rarity gasped in shock.

“ Fluttershy! What did you just say?… Home? You… You just… It’s the first time I hear you call the shop home!”

“I… I guess I did? I’m sorry Rarity, don’t be mad. It’s just that with all that happened… Carousel Boutique does feel a little bit...like home.”

Rarity was beaming

“Mad? How can I be mad Fluttershy, I’m so happy that you feel this way. I don’t want you to feel any other way about it. Carousel Boutique is your home as long as you desire it to be.”

It was Rarity’s turn to giggle.

“Then It. Is. On! I’ll wait for you at home. You, me and the girl will have the best of nights!”

_________________________________________

News of Fluttershy's recovery quickly spread around Ponyville and, at the end of the day, once Fluttershy finally made it to Carousel Boutique, Applejack, Pinkie and Twilight came to congratulate her.

Fluttershy gladly hugged them all.

Applejack removed her hat

“Fluttershy, Ah’m sorry. It seems Ah was wrong when Ah told ya you shouldn’t try to do a sonic rainboom. Ah feel like you wouldn’t have done what ya did today if ya had listened to me. So... yeah. Ah’m truly sorry.”

“I know you were concerned for my well-being Applejack, so there’s no need to apologize. I already promise to Rarity that I will be cautious when I’ll train for my sonic rainboom,” Fluttershy said.

“You… you have my support from now on sugarcube.”

“Thanks, Applejack. It means a lot to me,” replied Fluttershy.

“Stop moping around girls!“ exclaimed Pinkie. “We’re here to PAAAARTY!”

“I concur, darling,“ Rarity intervened. “And I think we should all have a toast in honor of our dearest Fluttershy. Oh, Twilight! Here’s your glass.”

“Thanks Rarity.”

They all took a sip of the wine that Rarity a bought for the occasion.

Fluttershy spent a pleasant evening with her friends. They toasted at the successful efforts of the pegasus and her lucky star. Somewhere in the brightly lit vault of thousands of stars, Rainbow’s one watched over Fluttershy, illuminating her path.

The party ended up late into the night.

Before going back home. Applejack turned to Fluttershy.

“Mighty work out there ah dare t'say, sugarcube!” Applejack exclaimed with a wink. “Ah'm darn proud of ya, that's fer sure. And ah've got an idea to celebrate your hard efforts. Y'are gonna know a little more about this in the next few months. It takes a lot of work but it's worth the trouble. Honest truth, ya can believe me.”

And she left, leaving Fluttershy with no clue about Applejack’s idea.

A little bit bothered by that, Fluttershy helped Rarity clean up before going to bed.

_________________________________________

During that night, Fluttershy woke up with a scream. Still confused from her nightmare, she struggled against the blankets that clutched her like the paws of the Timberwolf she had dreamed of.

She uttered a second scream when two hooves gently grabbed her. Then a comforting voice was heard.

“Hush Fluttershy! It’s okay, it’s me, Rarity! You’re safe! You’re safe.”

“Ra... Rarity? Oh thank goodness,” began to cry Fluttershy.

Under the effect of Rarity's voice and the caresses in her hair, Fluttershy gradually calmed down after a few minutes.

“Fluttershy, I will light some of the candles, do not be afraid, I’ll be right there. Close your eyes, darling.”

Fluttershy obeyed and through her closed eyelids, the darkness dissipated as Rarity lit the candles in the room. She cautiously opened her eyes and watched the unicorn finish her task as she wiped away the tears that had run down her cheeks.

Her nightmare had made her sweat cold and even the warm breeze blowing gently through the window did not warm her up. Fluttershy pulled up the blanket to cover her body as much as possible.

Rarity joined her shortly afterward and pulled her towards her so that Fluttershy’s head was comfortably laying against her flank.

Soon, Rarity's heartbeat calmed Fluttershy, still wrapped in the blanket.

“It’s been a while since your last nightmare Fluttershy,” Rarity began while rubbing the pegasus back with one hoof. “Was it the same nightmare?”

Fluttershy dried her eyes with her hoof one last time before answering.

“Yes, it was the same nightmare... except for the ending...”

“Oh? What happened at the end?”

Fluttershy hesitated for a few seconds before continuing in a weeping voice.

“You... you died Rarity. Not Rainbow... you!”

“Hush darling, in the end it was nothing but a nightmare. As you can see, I’m safe, we are safe,” said Rarity, leaning her head on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “And I intend for us to keep it that way.”

Rarity waited patiently for Fluttershy to recover from her distressing nightmare, but as the minutes went on, she still felt the tremors of the pegasus body. She raised her head, a question on her lips.

“Fluttershy, what’s troubling you?”

Fluttershy didn't answer right away. She turned to face Rarity, her head still on the unicorn's flank. Rarity caught a glimpse of the pegasus gaze filled with sorrow but also great guilt.

“Rarity,” whispered Fluttershy. “I’m scared that I’m beginning to forget about Rainbow. I dream less and less about her and, tonight, it was the first time she was not in my nightmare. Not even a glimpse. Do... Do you think I’m starting to forget her?”

With her hoof, Rarity spread a strand of hair off Fluttershy's face to get a good look at her.

“You are not forgetting her, Fluttershy. Maybe your nightmares from the past are starting to mix up with some stressful situation from your present, hence why you ended up seeing me, but you are not forgetting her. Neither of us will ever forget Rainbow. She was too precious of a friend for that to happen. She will live in our hearts if we remember her story. And I know you will never forget her story and I promise I will never forget either.”

Fluttershy stretched out her hooves to pick up Rarity's, which she squeezed affectionately.

“Thank you, Rarity. I’m glad to hear that, and I’m glad you’re here... with me... safe.”

“I’ll always be there for you my dear Fluttershy. But I can’t help but wonder, did something happen today that could have re-awaken your nightmare?”

“Maybe. Earlier at my cottage, I was doing an inventory of the medicines I stored there. Then I started thinking about the next time I would need to go to Everfree forest to gather ingredients. I felt a little bit anxious ever since. I know I can’t just not go there ever again but at the same time, it scares me.”

“We could try and buy some of your items at the market. Can we?”

“Yes, almost everything I need can be found at the market, but it comes at a price. That’s why I don’t always go there. And sometimes, it’s best to gather what I need in the forest. Some of the items on my list need to be as fresh as possible.”

“Fluttershy, I’m sure we’ll find something in the end that will work for you. But I’m pretty sure it won’t be tonight. You think you’ll be able to go back to sleep?”

“I... I think so,”

“I’ll sing you to sleep then,” said Rarity with a warm smile.

And she started humming the charming lullaby she used to sing to Fluttershy so many nights ago at the hospital. And she continued humming long after Fluttershy had closed her eyes and her breath had become more regular, more serene.

Rarity stopped singing only to magically extinguish the candles and curl up beside Fluttershy as if to protect her in the world of dreams.

_________________________________________

The next morning, Fluttershy was pleasantly awakened by a bright ray of sunshine that showered her with a gentle warmth.

She closed her eyes for a minute and stretched out quietly, lazily, enjoying this little moment of relaxation.

Rarity was not at her side.

A pleasant smell coming from the ground floor told her that Rarity was probably cooking. She loved watching Rarity cook. She decided to enjoy the show, right after putting the bed covers back on.

Because of the perfect control of her magic, everything Rarity did was filled with grace. Once again, as Fluttershy could see when she discreetly entered the kitchen, Rarity was stunning.

The unicorn was singing a pleasant melody while all around her, a ballet of eggs, milk and flour waltzed to plunge into bowls or the frying pan where a whip was hard at work.

Behind Rarity, a spatula was putting cooked pancakes on plates that flew towards the dining table. And further down the sink, the dirty dishes were cleaning themselves, scraping through the water and drying themselves with the dishcloth.

Fluttershy was charmed by the show. She couldn't help but appreciate Rarity's dexterity.

“Ah! Fluttershy, you’re here,” finally noticed Rarity. “I was not sure if you would be eating with me this morning. Are you feeling better?”

“I am, thanks to you.”

Rarity gave a little smile and Fluttershy felt the joy that her response had brought to Rarity. On an invitation from the unicorn, Fluttershy sat down at the table.

“Are you gonna work on an order today?” asked Fluttershy.

“I will, but later. I want to discuss something with you. Are you free after breakfast?”

“Hum... I don’t really have anything planned except a visit to my cottage, why?”

“Would you like to come with me to the market?” innocently asked Rarity. “To buy some seeds. I would like for us to try our hooves at gardening.”

Fluttershy couldn't believe her ears.

Rarity, the pony that despised dust and manual labor, wanting to try to do some gardening and getting her hooves dirty?

“Are you sure about that Rarity? Why would you want to try to tend a garden?”

Rarity had a little laugh.

“Well... Although we both know that I’m not the best at this kind of labor, I was thinking it would be nice to try to grow some of the plants or fruit that you usually gather in everfree forest in a secure garden by the house. What do you think? Would you like to try this... with me?”

“Oh,” said Fluttershy before realization struck in. “OH! YES! Of... Of course Rarity! Of course I’d like to do this with you! How could I not? That’s a fantastic idea!”

“I’m glad you think that. And we can always ask for Applejack’s help. I’m pretty sure she knows a thing or two about growing plants and tending a garden. But Fluttershy?”

“Yes?”

“Let’s just grow plants and fruits that will not try to kill us, shall we?”

“Of course,” said Fluttershy with a laugh that Rarity soon joined in.

_________________________________________

I think I’m getting the hoof of this gardening thing... maybe?

Rarity had just gotten out of the bath, washed off all the mud and little herbs that disgraced her body. She had been working in the garden that morning, weeding the weeds that had begun to appear through the shoots of plants, fruits and vegetables in the garden.

It had been a month since Rarity and Fluttershy started their garden. And without some wise advice from Applejack, they probably would have never managed to get their first crop to survive.

But now, even though they started their gardening project a little late, they would still have enough crop for when mid-fall would come.

It hasn't been easy for Rarity, but she had put a lot of effort into it, and she couldn't deny that she took some pride when the first shoots started to germinate. This had almost managed to eclipse her regrets about the small gashes on her hooves.

Almost.

But since Fluttershy spent a lot of time with her in the garden, their work became much more fun.

Today, however, Fluttershy wasn’t there. And for that reason, Rarity’s heart ached at that thought.

I hope she’s having more fun than I do.

She sighed.

I miss her.

_________________________________________

Fluttershy was taking a well-deserved break under the shade of a tree.

Fluttershy had continued to work on her endurance according to her rhythm so that by the end of the fourth month, in early summer, she was now able to fly on short distances, much to the delight of the nurses who were now taking turns attending Fluttershy sessions. They couldn’t help but admire Fluttershy’s constant progression.

They were full of praise for Fluttershy's exceptional efforts, praise that always ended up making the shy pegasus cheeks blush.

But even when she hid behind her mane to hide her embarrassment from the nurses' cheers, Fluttershy could not hide her smile. She was delighted with her flight progress and she wholeheartedly hoped that Rainbow, wherever she was, had been able to witness her continuous improvement.

She also needed to tell Rarity about her day.

Maybe I could tell her while tending the garden. Or should I wait until dinner?

Fluttershy started giggling.

Funny how it is me who is now looking to tell her about my day. I should ask how her was, for a change.

Chapter 6 - Blooming Anew

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Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love.
- Lao Tzu, earth pony -

“Oh! My! Sweet! Celestia! This is bothering me to no end!”

Rarity dropped the eraser. She had reviewed that design several times over the last week and was still annoyed. Although she was confident that she had not only met all the requirements but even created another couture gem, something was amiss.

The dress that would result from her work would be superb, undoubtedly, but it would not represent its owner. And Rarity still couldn't figure out why.

Lost in thought, her eyes eventually fell on the other dress in her shop, her most sublime creation, the black dress she had designed for Fluttershy in anticipation of Rainbow's funeral.

Proudly displayed on the central ponyquin, the black dress hadn't been moved for four months, since Rainbow was buried. Rarity always felt a deep sadness when she laid eyes on the elegant dress as the glow of the jewels that adorned it often reminded her and Fluttershy of the one that had left them.

She had put all her ardor, talent and tears into the making of this treasure that she had willingly given to Fluttershy.

But now Rarity feared she had lost her magic touch making Fluttershy's dress. She laid her eyes one more time on her newest sketch, looking for the problem.

This simply won’t do! Is it because of the jewels? Some of the accessories maybe? What can I possibly be missing? Think Rarity, think, think, think!

The unicorn gently massaged her temples, dreading the long hours ahead. And although her client wasn't expecting her dress for another three months, Rarity had already fallen behind on her original schedule. But never would she dare start cutting the fabric without being sure of the final design.

Using her magic, Rarity picked up a pencil through her… artistic mess. The movement of the pencil pushed away a few sheets of incomplete sketches that gently landed on the floor among other sketches and some poorly sharpened pencils.

After a tiny sigh, Rarity leaned back over her sketch again, studying the patterns, the curves of the dress and its dimensions. She placed the tip of her pencil on the paper and drew an elegant line...

Until the pencil’s tip suddenly broke, leaving a trail of lead on the paper.

Very much like the pencil, Rarity's patience had just broken.

“Oh you little, insufferable and vile inanimate object!” began Rarity, ready to break the pencil into dozens of pieces and throw them away to the other side of the room.

Fortunately, before she could sketch out a single gesture, the front door of the shop opened, ringing a small bell, and a melodious voice called out her name from the entrance hall.

“Rarity?”

Oh! My sweet Fluttershy!

Rarity wisely regained control of her emotions. Her name resounded like a charming melody rocked by the tenderness of Fluttershy's tone. As Rarity put down the pencil and tried to put up a serene facade, discrete steps announced Fluttershy's arrival in the room.

“Rarity,” Fluttershy repeated softly one more time when she saw her friend. “I’m back home.”

Recently, Fluttershy had confessed to Rarity that she had started to consider Carrousel Boutique as a second home, a place where she felt safe. But what Fluttershy didn't know was how moved Rarity had been by this revelation.

And from that day on, those simple words always managed to fill Rarity's heart with happiness and warmth.

“Welcome home dear”, replied back Rarity with a little smile.

Fluttershy gave her a shy smile back. Then she walked into the room, towards Rarity, her smile turning into a worried expression.

“What’s wrong Rarity? You look... exasperated.”

“I... Well, yes!” Rarity marveled at Fluttershy’s insight. “Though it’s hardly something of importance... How could you tell by just looking at me?”

Fluttershy laughed melodically.

“I’m starting to get better at knowing you. And...”

Fluttershy showed Rarity the mess in the shop.

“This chaos might have given me a clue.”

“Oh my,” Rarity said with a chuckle, “It really does look a little bit messy isn’t it? I think it’s time I call it a day.”

“Good idea Rarity, you look very tired, you need to take a break.”

Fluttershy's face suddenly lit up and she grabbed Rarity's hooves between hers.

“Rarity, I’ve just thought of something. Let’s go to the spa, just you and me!”

If Rarity was at first surprised by Fluttershy's offer, it was with a sincere smile that she responded to her friend.

“What a sweet and marvelous idea, Fluttershy, I gladly accept your lovely invitation. Let me grab my purse and we’ll be on our way.”

“Oh! Um... No, please,” timidly intervened Fluttershy. “I... I mean, it’s on me this time. I’ve been trying to figure out how to thank you for all you have been doing for me, for taking care of me and helping me every time. So I... I really, really want to treat you to the spa.”

“Fluttershy, I assure you that you don’t need to feel like you owe me something, it has been a pleasure to have you here and...”

“Rarity, I’m trying to be assertive, kind but assertive, so please don’t make this hard for me.”

Fluttershy’s shy but nevertheless cute attempt made Rarity laugh. Fluttershy joined in soon after.

“You win dear,'' said Rarity once she regained her composure. “I’ll let you treat me to the spa. Oh! Fluttershy?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you. I’m glad to have you around.”

“You’re welcome Rarity.”

Fluttershy displayed an air of triumph, proud to have stood her ground and won.

_________________________________________

A few hours later, the two friends were basking in the warm water of the spa.

Rarity had spent a lot of time praising Fluttershy’s constant progress.

Fluttershy had managed to change her fate and happiness was finally making its way into her heart.

And from that day on, Fluttershy had only moved forward. Rarity was nothing but happy, of course, and yet…

“Fluttershy, we don’t hang out together as much as I’d like to,” admitted Rarity while tenderly smoothing the sensitive feathers on Fluttershy’s left wing. “If only I could find what’s wrong with the dress I’m working on, I could spend more time with you.”

Fluttershy was too happy to let Rarity lead the conversation, allowing herself to be pampered. She let the unicorn play with her long pink mane as she so loved to do. It was one of Rarity’s simple pleasures that Fluttershy would never dare to take away from her.

After all, it was also pleasant for her.

When Rarity began to smooth out the feathers on her wing, the one she couldn't reach well because of her wounds, Fluttershy began to sigh. A happy sigh. The softness of Rarity's hooves were a soothing balm over the pain her training was causing.

A good pain after all, since it testified of her progress.

The massage did her a lot of good, but soon she had to start fighting a growing desire in her lower abdomen. Her entire attention was focused on not moaning too much, as she did every time Rarity stroked her sensitive feathers.

Fluttershy was convinced that Rarity had noticed the subtle change in her moaning. She had probably sensed that Fluttershy’s simple pleasure had made place for a burning desire, a growing need. Fluttershy just had to wait a little bit more for Rarity to stop the massage and give her a little respite, like she always did.

Ra… Rarity?

To her surprise, Rarity did not stop. She began to massage other parts of her body, adding to the excitement she felt rising inside her. Fluttershy could no longer suppress the thrill. Everywhere, under Rarity’s caresses, Fluttershy's skin shivered with pleasure.

Oh! My! Goodness! St… stop teasing me Rarity!

Her cheeks were on fire and her breath became shaky under the effect of intense impulses. She was no longer able to think clearly. She needed a distraction.

Fast.

When Rarity confessed her regret, she jumped at the opportunity.

“Teach me Rarity!” almost cried Fluttershy, panting and burning with desire.

“Wha... what do you mean Fluttershy?”

To Fluttershy's great relief, her reply had managed to distract Rarity long enough for her to interrupt her massage.

The wave of desire that had overwhelmed her slowly receded and she turned to face Rarity.

To her astonishment, when she saw Rarity's expression, Fluttershy realized just how confused her friend was. Rarity was so focused, lost in her thoughts about her dress, that she probably hadn't even noticed what had just happened between them, what she had triggered in her body.

Fluttershy should have felt relieved. Why then was she disappointed? Why then was she hoping Rarity to sensually start massaging, caressing, touching her body again?

What am I thinking. She’s just a friend, Fluttershy! Nothing more! Don’t do something stupid!

“You... You said that you would like to spend more time with me but working on your dress takes too much of your time. I... I say teach me how to make dresses. We can spend time in the workshop, together. I can help, even if it’s just a little.”

Then she waited in awkward silence, barely daring to look at Rarity.

Rarity had a puzzled look. She was seriously evaluating Fluttershy's proposal.

“Teach you, you say?” pondered Rarity. “I surely could use some help at the boutique and teaching could be an interesting opportunity. But you, Fluttershy, are you sure you want to do this?”

“Yes, I’m sure,” simply replied Fluttershy with a big smile.

Rarity also had a wonderful smile on her face.

“Then I accept! Of course I accept! My dear Fluttershy, you don't realize how much you mean to me. Now, more than ever, so thank you! Thank you so much, Fluttershy!”

Rarity tenderly embraced the pegasus. And Fluttershy, very moved, returned the gesture with affection.

“It’s a pleasure Rarity. You have done so much for me in the past few months that I want to do the same for you. I also want to spend more time with you.”

“Oh, we will! We are going to have so much fun!”

_________________________________________

At the counter, Fluttershy took care of the bill as she insisted while Rarity waited patiently by her side.

“Thank you dear, but know that next time will be on me.”

Fluttershy turned her head towards her friend.

“Rarity it’s okay this was a gift I’m not expecting you to...”

“Fluttershy, I’m trying to be generous. Charming and generous,” teased Rarity “So please don’t make this hard for me.”

Remembering her own words from earlier, Fluttershy couldn't help but laugh heartily followed closely by Rarity.

After greeting Aloe and Lotus, they both walked out of the Spa.

Left alone at the counter, Lotus turned to her sister, her two big eyes sparkling with happiness.

“Miss Fluttershy looks better don’t you think?”

“Yes, I thought so too. It’s reassuring to see that miss Rarity took such great care of her friend,”

“Friend? Seriously Aloe? We know they’ve been living together for a while. And now? Look at them! They are paying each other’s spa bill! I’m telling you, these two have been sleeping...”

_________________________________________

“... together? Yes I think we can manage to work together on some ensembles. I will take care of the most difficult task while you, my dear Fluttershy, will help me with the minor task. I have no doubt you’ll be a perfect...”

_________________________________________

“...bottom! She has to be, Aloe! Miss Fluttershy is too pure and innocent. She wouldn’t dare to be the...”

_________________________________________

“... top! And I’m always aiming for it, Fluttershy, but I want you too tell me if I’m putting you in a embarrassing...”

_________________________________________

“... position Lotus, we are care provider not a matchmaking service. Their relation is not our concern until they tell us about it.”

“But Aloe! You have to admit, it’s almost a certainty! And I must say I’m a little jealous. I mean, Rarity has such a nice...”

_________________________________________

“... plot! It was exquisite. All that love and devotion! That book has been a source of inspiration ever since I read it. I’m sure you’ll love it Fluttershy.”

“Thanks, I’ll take good care of it.”

“Oh I’m sure you will. But I must warn you that it contains some scenes that are quite...”

_________________________________________

“... sexual! I mean, do they not feel the tension? Even our sauna can’t produce that much heat! Everytime I come in, I feel like I’m intruding on something special.”

“I know the feeling Lotus. And in retrospection, we should not be surprised. After all we did prank miss Rarity into teaching her some ways to make a pegasus...”

_________________________________________

“... very excited Rarity. They all are whenever I go to the cottage. They all gather around and they have so much to tell.”

“Alright Fluttershy. I’ll go with you tomorrow. We will feed your animals. It will give me a well deserved break from work. Oh! Sweet Celestia, it’s getting late dear, shall we go to bed?”

“Yes, please. Wow, we’ve been talking a lot, I’m exhausted.”

_________________________________________

“It’s love, I can’t see it another way Aloe. Our favorite clients are in love... I call it, it has to be or I’m doing something wrong.”

“Yeah! Your job!”

Aloe joyfully threw a towel at Lotus.

“Now fold the laundry Lotus, so we can close the spa and get home where you’ll have all the time to fantasize about miss Rarity.”

“Okay, okay. I see how it is. What about you Aloe? Who would you date between miss Rarity and miss Fluttershy?”

Aloe winked at her sister

“Miss Fluttershy of course. She’s the best choice!”

“NOW LISTEN HERE YOU LITTLE...”

They closed the spa, laughing and teasing each other.

_________________________________________

“Magnificent work Fluttershy! This scarf is simply exquisite! Who knew you had such talent hidden inside of you?”

“It’s all because of your teaching Rarity. You gave me some great advice.”

“Oh please dear, my teaching could not have produced such an interesting pattern. This one’s all yours. And it’s lovely.”

Rarity was holding the fruits of Fluttershy's efforts in her hooves.

A purple scarf with a subtle gradation of two darker shades of purple towards the tips which only the eye of an expert, such as Rarity, could detect.

The most incredible thing, however, was the fine details that held the scarf’s padding in place. The seams, a fine line of white thread, were arranged in crystals of the same shape as those that adorned Rarity's side. Together, the crystals formed a bunch of elegant snowflakes that grew bigger towards each of the scarf’s ends..

Fluttershy had worked hard over the past two months, between her flying sessions, to implement Rarity's advice and produce this scarf that she felt so proud of.

Rarity, for her part, could not help but appreciate Fluttershy's innate talent for fashion. She knew that the pegasus had an interest for it, but she could never have imagined the ease with which Fluttershy had learned the fundamentals of sewing. They’ve been at it for no more than two months and yet...

Rarity had found much more than just a talented and dedicated student. She had found a partner. With Fluttershy by her side, the unicorn felt more inspired than ever. She had thought her work was enjoyable before, but since she and Fluttershy had started working together in the studio, Rarity was adoring her work.

Fluttershy would always bring judicious remarks that the unicorn didn't always think of. And on several occasions, many of Rarity's sketches became more complex as they became the product of two minds. Under their combined efforts, Rarity continually explored new styles that she and Fluttershy were eager to try out as soon as possible.

Fluttershy still had a lot to learn about the art of the dress but Rarity had already asked her to work with her on future projects. To which Fluttershy gladly agreed.

“I’m happy you love the scarf Rarity. Because it’s yours. I did it for you. As a token of appreciation for the dress you made for me.”

“Oh Fluttershy! Come here, you!” Rarity happily replied, hugging Fluttershy in a tight embrace. “I’m so lucky to have you around. Thank you so much for the scarf. I’ll wear it as soon as winter comes.”

“You are very welcome Rarity. It’ll keep you warm,” whispered Fluttershy in Rarity’s ear, hugging her back.

“I love warmth,” replied Rarity with the same sweet whisper.

“Me too,”

Still sharing their embrace, neither Fluttershy or Rarity knew if they were still talking about the scarf.

_________________________________________

Fall season has arrived in full force. The leaves were turning red, orange or yellow. They were beautiful but they would soon start falling, blown away by the cold breeze.

Fluttershy felt a chill down her spine, her wings trembled, feathers fluttering.

“How’s ya wing Fluttershy? You hurtin’ from practise? You can tell Redheart to take it easy ya know.”

Fluttershy smiled.

“Oh no Applejack, I’m fine. It’s just a little chill, that’s all. And... I’m not practising with Redheart anymore...”

“Huh? Ya... Ya had a fight or somethin’?”

“No, nothing of the sorts. She just thinks that I don’t need help anymore, that my rehabilitation is complete. So she will be helping other patients.”

“It... sounds like a good thing... So why do ya look so glum?”

“I’m a little sad it has to end... These sessions mean a lot to me...”

Fluttershy took a deep breath.

“But it's okay! I’m okay with my session ending. After all I have...”

“... Yes? Ya have what?”

“I... huh... I have a... a better confidence in myself”

It was Applejack's turn to smile.

“Ya truly do.”

Fluttershy turned around to hide her blushing face from Applejack. She almost said Rarity and for a strange reason she shied away and blurted something else.

Why am I reacting like this? As long as I have Rarity close by, everything turns out fine. I shouldn’t be embarrassed to say it.

As soon as Rarity had some free-time, she spent it with Fluttershy. Fluttershy was charmed by each of Rarity's little attention towards her. She loved the reassuring presence of her friend beside her, which protected her from the torments of loneliness.

It was similar to the friendship she once had with Rainbow.

Was... because Fluttershy had to admit that it started to feel somewhat different.

When Rainbow friendly ruffled her hair, she would never blush as she did whenever Rarity tenderly stroked her hair.

And when Rainbow would accidentally graze Fluttershy, and their flanks touched each other, she felt no discomfort. But when the same thing happened with Rarity, Fluttershy felt strange shivers crawling all over her body.

And that particular session at the spa! Even months later, Fluttershy could never forget the feeling that overwhelmed her at that moment. She could easily remember the feeling of Rarity’s caress all over her body. She had failed to stifle some moans of desire at that time.

Luckily for her, Rarity was too focused on her thoughts to grasp the situation. It didn’t have any impact on their friendship. Or did it...

Is... is that only friendship I feel? Am I.... falling in love.... with Rarity? And if yes, how does she feel about me? ...Oh Fluttershy! Look at you! You’re so silly, you shouldn’t have these kinds of thoughts...

“... mmer please?”

Fluttershy shook her head

“I’m sorry... What?”

“Can ya pass me the hammer, please?”

“Oh! Yes! Right away Applejack!”

“Ya’ve been quiet for quite some times sugarcube. Ah almost thought I lost my partner for a second there. Do ya need some time off or ya’re still good to repair the fence?”

“I’m sorry, I was thinking about something and I ended up lost in my mind. But it’s fine, I’m fine! And I really want to repair the fence today. So thank you for coming all this way to help.”

“Ah wouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't lend a hoof when ya needed one, so don't ya sweat the small stuff, t'was my pleasure ta help ya. And I also had mah reasons. Ya remember 'bout the surprise I told you a few months ago?”

“I... think I do?”

“ Well, it's almost finished! Pinkie helped me to get som'things done so everything's gonna be ready soon. In three days, Rarity and ya're invited to Sweet Apple Acres to a soirée to celebrate all your hard work and showin' ya mah tribute to Rainbow. Can ya tell Rarity for me?

“Of course Applejack. I’m sure Rarity will be pleased”

“Thanks. And now, let’s get t’work these hooves!”

Applejack winked at Fluttershy, who responded with a shy smile.

_________________________________________

While Fluttershy and Applejack were working hard, Rarity was trying to figure out her biggest puzzle. The mystery of the dress in her workshop. It seemed to taunt her every time she laid eyes on it, challenging her to find out what was wrong with it.

The deadline was coming up at the end of the month and she still hadn't gotten past the sketching stage.

That was annoying and somewhat worrisome.

Rarity had the shop to herself since Fluttershy was gone at her cottage to do some chores. That upset her a little, she could have used Fluttershy’s insight to resolve this mystery. And since working with Fluttershy was much nicer, the studio always seemed duller when the pegasus wasn't there.

Before getting down to work, Rarity stopped by the kitchen to make some tea that she could enjoy while working on her sketch. As soon as she put the kettle on the stove, her front door opened with a loud bang.

Far from being surprised, Rarity could almost already guess the identity of the intruder who had just invited itself into her home. An overexcited voice finally convinced her.

“RARITYYYYY! RARITYYYYY!”

The voice became louder and louder as the sound of a gallop towards the kitchen was heard.

“RARI... OH! There you are!”

Rarity's little sister stopped her cavalcade as soon as she saw her.

“Hello Sweetie Belle. How nice of you to join me. By any chance, would you have forgotten about ringing the doorbell like I told you last time?”

“I... I’m sorry Rarity, I just forget because it doesn’t look that important to me.”

“Well, it will become important at some point in your life Sweetie. Not just the doorbell of course... What I’m trying to teach you are manners. It’s important to have good manners, ponies tend to be more kind with somepony who shows an ounce of decency.”

“Ounce of decenwhatnow?”

“Aaaaand it seems like it’s gonna be a lesson for another day... So, what brings you here Sweetie?”

“I need to talk to you about something important.”

“Oh really? What is it?”

Before Sweetie had time to tell anything, the kettle made a shrill sound. The water was ready to be poured and the tea was ready to be brewed.

“Oh I’m sorry Sweetie. Can this wait just a few more minutes?”

Sweetie nodded.

“Perfect! Be a dear and go wait for me in the workshop. I’ll just finish things here and we will have some tea while I listen to your important thing. Is that good?”

“Okay.”

Rarity put a blend of leaves in the kettle, took two cups and magically lifted the whole tray. She made her way to her workshop.

When she entered the room, Sweetie Belle was perched on top of her table, looking at the drawing she was meant to work on.

“Careful Sweetie! I beg you! I can’t lose whatever small progress I made on this design. So please come and join me so we can talk,” invited Rarity while magically gathering a pile of purple cushions for them to comfortably sit on.

Once her sister was nicely tucked next to her, Rarity started pouring tea in her cup. A subtle cinnamon’s aroma started pleasantly floating in the air. Rarity’s favorite tea was already making wonders as the unicorn felt her body relax.

“Now, what did you want to talk about?” asked Rarity, carefully holding the cup, waiting for her sister to take it.

“Well... We had a discussion at school today,” began Sweetie, holding her cup with her hooves. “It was about love. About our important somepony.”

“Oh my! Such an interesting subject!” beamed Rarity. “So what about it Sweetie?”

“Miss Cheerilee talked about the signs that shows we have a special somepony, like making plans with them, wanting to spend time with them. She also said that when you truly love somepony you’re ready to do empre... imporba...”

“Improbable?”

“Yeah! That’s the word! Miss Cherilee said that when you truly love somepony you’re ready to do imporbable things for them, things to show them how you care and love them.”

Rarity didn’t even try to correct her.

“Well, Miss Cheerilee seems to be a smart mare. More importantly, she’s right Sweetie. Being in love usually changes you for the better. You might end up doing things you wouldn’t normally do on your own, just for the sake of that important somepony. In the end, it’s not so hard to imagine you might end up making things together like projects, travels. Have foals, maybe.”

Ahhhh summer filly love, how exquisite…

Rarity smiled. She was happy that her sister started to take interest in the affair of love. She was at that age and Rarity was more than happy to answer whatever question Sweetie would have.

“Is there someone in this room who would be in love by any chance?” teased Rarity.

“Well, yes. You are!”

Rarity was so surprised that it took several seconds before she regained her composure.

“Ex… Excuse me, Sweetie, surely I misunderstood, you said I am in love? That is news... To me, at least. And who, if you please, is the lucky one?”

“Fluttershy,” simply said Sweetie Belle without flinching as Rarity started choking on her tea.

“I... WHAAAAT?” said Rarity in a high-pitched voice, heart pounding. “Now hold on just a second Sweetie Belle!”

Deep breath Rarity! Deep breath! in and out, in and out... aaaand calm...

“Sweetie, what could possibly make you think I am in love with Fluttershy?” finally asked Rarity in a more normal voice.

Well you kinda do everything with Fluttershy now, and... and I really, really like Fluttershy. But I could not do all these imporbable things for her like you do. You go to the spa with her, you go on long walks with her, you work on dresses and cook and tend the garden with her. A garden, Rarity. You. Tend. A. Garden!” said Sweetie Belle as if all of this was evidence.

“But... but these thing can hardly qualifies as proof that I am in love with Fluttershy,”

“It’s not just that! You took care of her when she was at the hospital, you helped her bathe when she was hurt, you sang her to sleep often. And once she was out of the hospital, you invited her to stay here.”

“That is only natural, Sweetie! I don’t...”

“You are living together and you want to work with her in the future! I might be young but I can tell you are different when she’s around, you smile more often. Your dresses are more beautiful because you work on them together. I can tell there is something about you two. See! Even now! You’ve been beet red since I said you love her!”

“Okay, okay! You made your point! You provide some very insightful arguments... It’s just that... I... I never quite saw my relationship with Fluttershy like this... I think?”

“Why not? Fluttershy is a kind mare. I like her. She could be a very nice somepony and I can tell you are happier when she’s around. So why not? I wouldn’t mind if she was your somepony.”

“I don’t think I would mind either Sweetie, I... I just never envisioned things that way before.”

“I felt like I had to tell you, because you didn’t seem to see all those signs! I’m sorry if it has made you uncomfortable... I didn’t want to trouble you.”

“Oh Sweetie!” said Rarity, bringing her sister in a tight embrace that made her giggle. “This is certainly not the conversation I was thinking we would have, but I am glad nonetheless. I know that I like Fluttershy a lot and yes, maybe I have started to get feelings for her, but that is something I will have to look for myself when my emotions will have calmed down. I just can’t think straight now.”

She then let go of Sweetie Belle and took another sip of tea, she needed to think about other things. She really did. Her sister’s words were... impactful to say the least. She needed a distraction.

She looked at Sweetie Belle who was carefully drinking her hot tea.

“Say Sweetie, was the rest of your day uneventful or did Cheerilee mentioned other mind-blowing subjects?“”

_________________________________________

An hour had passed while the two sisters energetically discussed their day. The sky was beginning to turn dark when Rarity decided that her sister should return to their parent's house.

Just before she left, Sweetie Belle confided one last thing to her sister.

“I like your design,” said Sweetie Belle showing the drawing on Rarity’s workbench. “I bet Fluttershy will love her dress.”

“What? that dress? Oh no, no, no. It’s not for her, Sweetie.”

“Are... Are you kidding me? Are you sure it’s not for Fluttershy?”

“Positively, why?”

“The dress is green...”

“Yes, to match the buttery coat of my client!”

“Some of the accessories are pink...”

“Pink complements green perfectly I’ll have you know!”

“You designed a butterfly brooch!”

“I most certainly... did...not?”

A quick glance at her sketch however, told her otherwise.

The evidence was there, in the lead line of the sketch. Her sister was right, she had added these details and colors without even realizing it.

“Oh! My! Sweet Celestia! you are right! This... this is a dress for Fluttershy!”

“Told you!” said Sweetie Belle with a victorious smile. “I have to go now, bye Rarity! I love you!”

“Love you more!” distractedly replied back Rarity as she bent over the sketch once again.

Rarity vaguely heard the bell on her door chimed as Sweetie Belle made her exit. Her mind was entirely focused on the piece of paper on her desk.

That was it!

The thing that bothered Rarity from the beginning was the fact that she was designing a dress for the wrong owner. She designed the dress with the unconscious thought of another mare in mind.

A pegasus that she had learned to appreciate over the days spent in her company.

A pegasus to whom she taught the art of dress and who would become a work partner and with whom she tended a garden, a project she would never have done of her own volition.

The same pegasus who lived with her and shared her bed, with whom she confided and took pleasure in cajoling.

Maybe Sweetie Belle was right after all, her heart seemed to try to tell her something, and for once she was interested to listen to it.

She leaned back over the sketch again, overwhelmed with those happy memories, and a smile blossomed on her face. Now that she knew what was wrong with the dress, she had a thousand ideas for altering it.

_________________________________________

Rarity put the finishing touches on the sketch. She could start working on the cutting and assembly the very next day. She was truly happy with the result and for once, she could say that the dress would really belong to the right owner.

It was so simple, and yet, without her sister's advice, Rarity would still be at the drawing board looking for something that should have jumped right out at her.

The front doorbell rang joyfully and a gentle step was heard towards the workshop. Rarity turned around just in time to see Fluttershy enter.

The cool evening air had coloured her cheeks with a subtle tint of red, could not help but notice Rarity.

“Rarity, I’m back home,” said Fluttershy with a beautiful smile.

“Welcome home, dear,” said Rarity with an equally charming smile.

These three words had never sounded so wonderful to Rarity’s ear.

“How was your day Fluttershy?”

And Fluttershy told her all about it while Rarity listened quietly, smiling. These days, Fluttershy's passion ignited her speeches, and her stories always ended up putting Rarity in a cheerful mood.

This time around was no exception, and Rarity found that hearing Fluttershy tell of her adventures plunged her into a bewitching serenity. She loved those moments with her friend.

“Oh! Rarity?”

“Yes, dear?”

“Applejack would like to invite us for a soirée in three days. Would you... would you like to go with me?”

“A soirée? Heaven’s yes! It would be a pleasure!”

Fluttershy had a happy little laugh.

“I’m happy to hear that Rarity,” blushed Fluttershy. “I really am.”

Suddenly, Rarity grabbed Fluttershy’s hooves between her own. Her eyes were shining with hope.

“Fluttershy darling, if we are to go to this event, can I be selfish enough to make a request?”

“What is it? I’ll be happy to oblige if I can.”

“Could you...” cautiously began Rarity. “Could you wear your dress for the event?”

Fluttershy glanced at her precious dress.

Her expression became worried and Rarity waited for her response in a frozen silence. The unicorn didn't even dare to breathe as the silence of the pegasus kept on going.

“I... I don’t know what to say,” finally said Fluttershy. “I... I guess it’s time I start using it more often. I... I mean you did spend a lot of time on it. It would be a shame to not wear it from time to time.”

Her eyes returned to Rarity's who took a deep breath, impressed by the determination she could read in them

“Okay, Rarity! I... I will wear my dress at Applejack’s soirée!”

Rarity breathed a sigh of relief.

“And I will wear your scarf, darling. Evening tends to be a lot cooler these days. And I’m eager to wear the scarf you put so much effort into,” said Rarity with a genuine smile.

“Yay!” said Fluttershy, clapping her hooves with overflowing joy. “Oh! It’s getting late! I should start supper!”

Fluttershy headed for the exit. But just before leaving the room, she gave Rarity one last look.

“Don’t come near the kitchen, I want to surprise you! And no peeking okay?” begged Fluttershy

“I promise I won’t,” said Rarity with a little laugh. “Thank you dear, I’ll leave the supper to you.”

The answer seemed to satisfy Fluttershy.

“Great! I’ll let you work on your things now.”

As Fluttershy trotted happily towards the kitchen, to prepare her mysterious supper, Rarity returned to her workbench, her heart fluttering. She suddenly had a lot of inspiration.

A ballet of ribbons, fabrics, threads and needles surrounded her as she let herself be swept away by a whirlwind of creativity.

Fluttershy had never ceased to bring her comfort and joy in every one of the charming little attentions. Remembering her sister's words earlier in the day, Rarity could not help but wonder who had changed the most for the benefit of the other.

Fluttershy or her?

The answer seemed obvious to her.

Thank you for everything, my dear Fluttershy.

_________________________________________

Fluttershy put the plates on the table. Rarity had recently delighted her with her favourite meal, she wanted to do the same.

Once she discovered the surprise, Rarity became speechless, charmed by Fluttershy's efforts.

They enjoyed a meal with, as a starter, a salad with nuts, cheese, tomatoes and olive oil. The main course consisted of a truffle and lentil gratin and a rosemary sweet potato side dish.

To top it all off, Fluttershy, having long searched for her host's favourite dessert, proudly presented to Rarity a raspberry yogurt cake topped with a layer of dark chocolate chips. All served with two bottles of good wine.

Rarity spent a pleasant evening away from the stress of her busy schedule. Fluttershy, on her part, was simply and sincerely enjoying her friend's delight.

If Rarity was happy, so was she. That was all that mattered.

_________________________________________

Shortly after supper, Rarity suggested to Fluttershy that she accompany her to share a digestif. She had opened a bottle of "Special Berry Punch" vermouth.

Rarity and Fluttershy had spent the rest of the evening talking for a long, comforting time They finished the bottle late at night.

At bedtime, comfortably tucked under the blankets, Fluttershy, half asleep and a little drunk, surprised Rarity by kissing her tenderly on the cheek.

“Good night Rarity,” Fluttershy whispered gently as she curled up against Rarity.

Although alcohol played a major role in this, Rarity felt her cheek getting hot under the effect of Fluttershy’s kiss. The kiss had surprised her, but she certainly did not regret it.

Fluttershy, you're so bold! I would never have thought you capable of such a thing, Rarity wondered, but after a few seconds, she nevertheless allowed herself a smile and laid a tender kiss on the forehead of the pegasus.

“Good night, my darling, and thank you for the supper,” whispered Rarity. “It was lovely.”

_________________________________________

Three days later, after a short visit to Rainbow's grave, Fluttershy and Rarity happily discovered Applejack's surprise.

A cider tasting event.

Applejack, after a surprising harvest of zap apples, had succeeded in creating a very special cider in honor of Rainbow and Fluttershy; the "Shy Rainbow Cider". Fluttershy was given the very first bottle of this rainbow-coloured cider.

The transparent bottle showed five slices of different colors. Each colored section was separated from the other by a thin layer of ice that prevented the mixing of the different liquids while allowing the cider to remain always cool.

The instructions were simple. Taste each of the unique ciders. A stem was provided with each bottle to break the delicate layer of ice that protected the next section to be enjoyed.

Fluttershy took her first sip.

The red layer was an ordinary apple ice cider, used to titillate the taste buds in order to whet the appetite.

It’s so good! But it was to be expected, it’s Applejack’s cider after all.

Then came the yellow layer.

Huh? Wow! I can taste honey in it! And it’s subtle, not aggressive. Just the perfect mix! That is fantastic!

The green layer was even sweeter that the previous one.

Oh! There’s caramel in this one, it’s so creamy! I really, really like this one. It’s getting better everytime. I can’t wait for the next one!

The blue layer was an ambitious mix of apple cider and cinnamon that surprised everypony.

Spicy? Is that cinnamon? I wasn’t expecting this, it’s a surprisingly refreshing taste. It’s even better after the sweet caramel one. How bold of you Applejack!

The last purple layer was a cider mix with dark chocolate. A unique and delicious taste that offered a perfect finish to the "Shy Rainbow Cider".

Oh Applejack, you really pushed your limits for that one! And it’s so good! That last part, especially, is sure to please a certain unicorn I know.

The cider was a marvel of ingeniosity that earned Applejack a loud cheer, satisfied although somewhat embarrassed by all these compliments.

As always when Applejack made cider, the event attracted a large portion of Ponyville’s population who were absolutely stunned with the result of the whole Apple family's work.

Fluttershy, dressed in her black dress, spent a pleasant evening with Rarity. The two of them took pleasure talking and partaking in the tasting ceremony.

Strong ties had formed between these two since Fluttershy moved into Carousel Boutique. They had forged a friendship that now almost rivalled the one Fluttershy had with Rainbow.

But is it just friendship or more? wondered Fluttershy for the umpteenth time. Something that was happening more and more these days.

She loved Rarity's overflowing generosity and benevolent presence. And although these two things made her deeply uncomfortable during their first night together, Fluttershy had learned to get used to it and, to some extent, to appreciate it. Often even, and this idea always made her blush, she had to admit that she liked the contact of Rarity's warm coat against hers, the unicorn's caresses in her hair, her massages to relieve her sore wings...

Enough!, said the pegasus, feeling the blush on her cheeks, her legs suddenly weak. Calm down Fluttershy! You can't think of her in that way, she's your friend!

She shook her head vigorously and then tried to focus more on the conversations of the guests beside her.

Fluttershy received many nice comments during the evening. Those who had never seen Fluttershy's dress before that evening were speechless in front of the masterpiece of beauty that Rarity had created. As for the others, they had the opportunity to remember how beautiful Fluttershy was in her splendid dress.

Fluttershy, red in embarrassment, was troubled by so much attention but nevertheless took great pride in the encouragement and congratulations concerning her recovery.

Rarity, for her part, received many rewarding comments about her design skills and received many promises for future orders. She had to admit to be flattered.

Rarity's cheeks were also a little rosy because of the incessant praise she received, although her embarrassment had absolutely nothing to do with the obvious embarrassment she saw on Fluttershy's face.

But that was what she loved about Fluttershy, her cute shyness and humility. She idolized the natural beauty of the pegasus.

At the beginning of her stay at Carousel Boutique, Fluttershy seemed lost, uncertain, but in the recent months, she had adopted a calmer, more serene pace. Rarity was happy about it and, although she would never admit it, because a lady should not think about such things, she appreciated when Fluttershy stuck to her at night, she liked to feel the regular breath of the sleeping pegasus on her coat, the softness of her mane, of her body...

Enough already Rarity!, said the unicorn, feeling a little more red, her legs becoming flickering, knowing very well that Applejack's cider was not causing this. You must calm down! You simply can't think of her in that capacity! She's your friend after all!

In turn, she mingled with the surrounding conversation to chase away those ideas she considered more than immoral.

The two friends managed to distance themselves from their thoughts long enough to almost forget them until, during the evening, at random in a conversation, Fluttershy and Rarity exchanged a look and a smile.

Their last thoughts immediately came back to haunt them again and they began to blush intensely. They quickly looked away when they heard a familiar voice speaking to them.

“How is your cider "Miladies"?”Applejack asked them in a more or less appropriate imitation of Rarity's vocabulary.

“Oh! Oh! It is simply divine, my dear, you absolutely have to give me the recipe,” Rarity commented, playing the game while trying to forget her last haunting thoughts.

“Hum...She's right... It's delicious, Applejack,” Fluttershy whispered in her sweet voice, also trying to calm her imagination, which coloured her cheeks with dark red.

“Thanks girls, it means a lot to me. And do ya... well...” Applejack began with an embarrassed look. “Do ya think Rainbow would have loved the cider?”

“Don't you fret dear. I know she would have enjoyed this exquisite cider,” assured Rarity.

“Rainbow always thought highly of your cider Applejack...And I'm sure she would have loved this one more than the rest,” Fluttershy added with a shy smile. “That's a very beautiful tribute to her. And... I really like the name you gave to your cider.”

Applejack smiles generously at her friends, her doubts gone.

“Thank you girls! And I like that name too. "Shy Rainbow Cider", it's a mighty fine name to represent two extraordinary pegasus.”

_________________________________________

Pinkie and Twilight finally managed to join them a few minutes later.

Pinkie moved around jumping on the heads of the other guests (her impossible lightness wasn’t a big deal since everypony knew that Pinkie had always had the power to break the laws of physics) to the great discouragement of Twilight who followed her and apologized to all those who had served as Pinkie's steps.

“Urggh Pinkie!!! I don't know how you make this, but you have to stop jumping on everypony's heads! This behavior is simply...”

“Impossible to make head and tail of?” innocently suggested Pinkie with a big smile.

Putting words into action, Pinkie, with a frightening bone snapping sound that would have frightened old Granny Smith herself, made a movement only she was able to do.

The pink mare now seemed to have her head where her tail normally was and, inversely, her tail gave the illusion of being where her head was a few moments before.

That triggered the hilarity of several guests from the surrounding area. Twilight, for her part, was prepared for a new round of admonition.

“Sometimes Pinkie, I swear that...”

“You'd like to have my head on a platter?” Pinkie told her while literally holding her head on a tray.

More bursts of laughter. Twilight’s stupor was too much.

After a long moment of silence, she gave up. Her laughter joined the chorus.

“Okay Pinkie, I give up... for now. But someday, I will find how you do all these crazy stuff even if, right now, it's way over my... Urggh...”

It was too late and she knew it. Pinkie leaned towards Twilight with a mischievous look and a big smile on her face.

“Say it Twilight, don't be shy,” gently teased Pinkie. “Say it or else I will say it myself.”

Twilight hesitated for a moment and then sighed, resigned this time.

“Your strange behavior is way over my... head...”

More laughter, all around her. Pinkie was the first, quickly imitated by Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity and, finally, Twilight. They were all having fun.

Everyone was happy.

_________________________________________

Surrounded by her friends, Fluttershy had a fantastic evening, one of the most pleasant she ever had following Rainbow’s death.

She considered once again her incredible progress. For the past seven months, her determination had enabled her to beat all the discouraging prognostics about her. She was stronger than ever, had regained her former strength and her future seemed bright.

She took a sip of the blue part of her cider thinking about the last five months before the end of her promise. On a toast to Applejack's delicious cider, she smiled.

She was progressing so well, five months was enough time.

Fluttershy broke the last layer of thin ice in her bottle then drank the purple section to the last drop. She then looked to the sky, towards Luna’s moon and silently renewed her promise.

Rainbow, I’m gonna make that sonic rainboom!

Chapter 6.5 - A Worthy Harvest

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To have meaningful work is a tremendous happiness.
- Rita Mae Brown, pegasus -

“Ah, horse feathers!”

Applejack struck hard at the soft soil of one of the many fields of Sweet Apple Acres.

“That's not good, not good at all!”

An appalled silence followed as Big Mac and Granny Smith stared at the source of Applejack’'s frustration, an empty bottle sitting on a crate.

Granny Smith put a comforting hoof on Applejack's shoulder.

“Now, now, Applejack, ya're being too hard on yourself, I tell ya. The cider's fine. Ain't that right Big Mac?”

“Eeyup!”

Applejack had a sorry smile. She explained herself in a calmer voice.

“Ah know the cider's fine, Granny, but that's just it. It's only fine... Ah would like it to be memorable. Rainbow was mah friend, she deserves our mightiest cider. The gal loved it so much...”

Applejack refrained from shedding tears, she didn't want to let her sadness show, even in front of her close family members. Her pride prevented her from doing so.

Yet she had to admit she was disappointed. Her tribute to Rainbow should be something spectacular but this cider was no different from anything else she had ever made. As good as any, sure, but of the same ordinary quality.

Rainbow deserved better.

“I'll go buck some apples before t'night. We need to make an'ther try. Ya ready Big Mac?”

“Eeyup!”

“Then let's get t'work.”

_________________________________________

The night had spread its black cloak over the sky before Applejack returned to the farm.

Lit by the glow of a few lanterns placed across the orchard, the mare had spent the rest of the evening bucking trunks and picking apples.

When she opened the barn door, late into the night, to drop one last tub of apples, her legs were sore and tired. Only then she payed her throbbing hooves some attention.

Hissing, she bit down a curse and gently caressed her muscles.
She knew she couldn't buck trunks and pick apples all night, but maybe...

Ah should have enough energy to fill another few baskets after a short break.

She hoisted herself up on the most comfortable-looking bale of straw and began to stretch her legs.

She closed her eyes, covering her face with her trusty Stetson hat to take a few minutes of well-deserved rest.

Right then, she heard a noise. A muffled sob, up there on the second floor of the barn.

Her ears perked up and she waited a few seconds, alert, trying to hear something that would confirm she hadn't imagined the sound. It wasn't long before she heard another series of sobs that someone was deliberately trying to silence.

With no regard for her poor, tense, burning legs, she threw herself down her haystack and headed for a ladder to the second level.

“Who's up there?” asked Applejack

There was a few seconds of silence, then another sob.

“It's... it's just me, Applejack...”

“Scootaloo?”

No answer. Applejack started climbing up the ladder.

Once upstairs, in the faint light of the moon, Applejack caught a glimpse of the little pegasus silhouette on the window sill.

Hiding her face away, ferociously wiping her cheeks, the little thing was doing her best to not show any sobs, or tears.

“It really is ya,” Applejack finally said as she approached the trembling filly. “What're ya doing here, all alone? Ah thought you were all sleepin' in Applebloom's room. It's getting late Scootaloo...”

“I couldn't sleep... and I didn't want to wake them up... so I came here,”

Scootaloo looked at her. Applejack saw those naive, reddened eyes. Before realizing it, she was already sitting next to her.

“Please don't tell the other girls... about me... crying... they think I'm fine...” pleaded Scootaloo.

“Did Applebloom did somethin' to make ya sad? Ah told her ta well behave if ya where ta stay here all week.”

Scootaloo shook her head and sighed.

“No... It's not about Applebloom... or Sweetie Belle. They did nothing wrong.”

“Then what is it, sugarcube?”

Scootaloo turned her gaze to the stars, which she looked at for a long time before answering, between sobs.

“It's about her... It's about Rainbow...”

Of course it was.

“Oh sugarcube... c'mere,” Applejack said while she put a comforting hoof on Scootaloo’s shoulder.

Scootaloo took refuge against the mare's flank, freely expressing her grief. She cried, moaned and sobbed until her stream of tears dried up, long after.

_________________________________________

Once soothed, her eyes still a little watery, Scootaloo saw Applejack who was tenderly smiling at her.

“Why are you smiling?” Scootaloo asked her, wiping the last traces of tears from her cheeks.

“Ah was just thinking. Ya're just like me, Scootaloo.”

“Huh? Why? What did I do?”

“Well...” Applejack began with a little wink. “Ah think ya're looking at the stars, like me, because ya think yer loved ones are up there in the sky. Mah mom and mah dad are up there, ya know?”

Applejack showed her two particularly bright stars, far out in the sky.

“There they are, Scootaloo. Ah think Rainbow's there too and since Ah saw ya lookin' at the stars, Ah think ya have figured the same thing. Ah'm I right sugarcube?”

Scootaloo nodded her head, embarrassed, her cheeks a little red.

“So?” Applejack asked. “Where is Rainbow then? Where's our friend?”

The little pegasus timidly pointed another star, quite close to the moon’s right side, brighter than the ones Applejack had shown her.

“I... I think she's there.”

To Scootaloo’s surprise, Applejack shed a tear as she looked at the star. A tear that flowed down her cheek and, once it reached her chin, fell on the window sill.

Then, a warm and honest smile grew on Applejack's features. She was satisfied by Scootaloo’s response.

She amicably tousled Scootaloo’s mane.

“Ah think ya got a mighty good eye for that stuff Scootaloo,” finally told Applejack. “Ah think ya're right. Ah'm sure she's there, lookin' at us.”

_________________________________________

They kept on admiring the starry vault, clearly visible in the sky above the farmhouse. They talked a little about Rainbow, but soon took refuge in a comfortable silence that allowed them to enjoy the fresh air of that summer night.

When Scootaloo yawned and showed signs of fatigue, Applejack, who was also tired, decided it was time to go to sleep.

They quietly returned to the family home, and when they arrived at the doors of their respective rooms, they wished each other a good night's sleep.

Before going into the room where Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were sleeping, Scootaloo turned her head in Applejack’s direction, the one who had sacrificed her time to console her.

“Applejack?” whispered Scootaloo

“What is it, sugarcube?”

“Thanks... for tonight... I feel better now.”

Applejack gave another smile.

“Ya're very welcome Scootaloo. Rainbow liked you a lot and she always said ya were an extraordinary filly. Ah guess t'night Ah finally saw the truth in her word. Ya're very kind to yer friends, Scootaloo. Ah mean, hidin' yer sadness to not make them worried, that's very brave of ya.”

Scootaloo smiled back at her and on a final goodbye, the little pegasus entered the room and gently closed the door.

Scootaloo, ya're very much like me, thought Applejack as she entered her cool, cozy room.

She went to her bedroom window to close it. Just before she did so, however, she said a short prayer to Rainbow’s star.

“Rainbow, ya got up there too soon. None of us were ready. Ya shouldn't have left us, sugarcube, especially not Scootaloo. She's lost without ya...”

Then, in the darkness of her room, far from any witnesses, the tears began to fall down her cheeks in a continuous, inexhaustible stream. Held back for too long, her emotional dam broke under her sadness.

“And Ah'm lost too, Rainbow. Ya leave me and now... more than ever, Ah would need yer help,” Applejack whispered between her sobs. “Ah can't make a cider worth yer fame, ya know?”

And she cried bitterly, silently, taking care not to wake the sleeping fillies in the room next to hers.

She continued to plead her case to her friend, looking at the distant stars with tears in her eyes.

“Ah only need one more chance, only one, to make the most incredible cider Ah ever made, the one Ah always wanted to present to ya. Apple bucking season is almost over and if Ah don't succeed in makin' the best cider ever, Ah'm just not worthy enough to be called yer friend.”

She took a deep breath. What she was about to do had happened on rare occasions. She put her pride aside to formulate her request to her friend's star.

“Rainbow. Ah will only ask for this once but Ah really need yer help. Can ya lend me a hoof in this?”

Hoping that her friend could somewhat hear her prayer, she closed the window and took refuge under the blankets of her bed, her last tears wetting her pillow as she fell asleep. She dreamt of a late summer day when she and Rainbow were enjoying a cider under the shade of an apple tree.

_________________________________________

Applejack slept no more than a few hours before being brutally dragged from her sleep, at dawn, by powerful howls of rage.

Surprised, she fell out of her bed, entangled in her blankets. Although her first impression was one of dismay, she quickly became angry when she recognized the monsters behind the howls.

“Those damn Timberwolves varmint!” she squeaked before running to the window to open it and shout her response to the horrible creatures. “DON'T YA DARE COME TO THIS FARM YA HEAR? AH WILL NEVER LET YA HURT ANY OF MAH FRIENDS AGAIN!”

Then her attention was distracted by a concert of metallic noise further down in the barnyard, a melody of clanging pots and pans. The maestro was none other than Granny Smith. She was running around in circles shouting at the top of her lungs, with no less than six pots hastily tied together and thrown on her back.

“THE TIMBERWOLVES ARE HOWLIN', THE ZAP APPLES ARE COMIN'!” Applejack heard her screaming from her bedroom window.

Applejack stepped back into her room, stunned by the unexpected news.

“The zap apples are comin'”, she murmured, not believing her luck. “Rainbow, sugarcube! Ya did it! Ya answered mah call and woah nelly ya did it big time! Ya really gave me one more chance and Ah swear Ah will not let ya down!”

Looking at Granny Smith, Applejack began to carefully consider her next actions.

She then went to Big Mac's and Applebloom's room to tell them to meet her outside for a meeting she described as "important".

Even before Celestia's sun was shining above the Sweet Apple Acres orchard, the entire household was gathered near Applejack, even Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo whose half-closed eyes gave a glimpse of the tiredness that still gripped them, unaccustomed to the early riser schedule of the Apple family.

“Good mornin' everypony, Ah'm sorry ta wake all of ya so early. Somethin' extraordinary is happenin' right now! We have a last chance to make the most incredible cider we ever did, usin' the most fantastic kind of apple ever discovered: The zap apple! Startin' now, Ah would need the help of everypony to make this project a reality.”

She glanced at the rows of apple trees behind her.

“First, we'll get rid of the last bunch of apples 'cause we'll soon be harvestin' zap apples!”

_________________________________________

The rest of the day passed quickly, with Applejack and Big Mac working hard to clean the cider vats, put the old apples into bags to sell at the market, and clear the orchard of rotten apples that had fallen off their branches and wasted away on the soft grass.

At supper, gathered in the dining room around a steaming vegetable soup, Applejack looked at Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, who were chatting animatedly about the future projects of their club. She asked them a very special request.

“Girls, Ah just wanted to say that this cider thing is a surprise to everyone but ya. Ah hope Ah can count on yar discretion fer this.”

The three friends shook their heads positively, promising to keep the secret.

“Ah'm also tellin' ya this 'cause Ah would need yar help. Ah can't tell much more pony. That wouldn't be much of a secret if Ah did. So ya will be the only non-apple to help with the zap apples harvest.”

“Us?” asked Scootaloo, skeptical. “Are you really sure you need us to help you bucking tree?”

“Yeah,” added Sweetie Belle. “The last time we tried, we kind of figured that it wasn't our special talent.”

Applejack had a small laugh.

“Ah reckon ya made quite the mess. But no, Ah have something else in mind. Especially fer ya Scootaloo. Ah'm curious to check somethin' Rainbow praised ya fer.”

Her face expressing boundless pride, Scootaloo vowed to do her best, quickly imitated by Applebloom and Sweetie Belle.

“Now finish yar meal and hush to bed girls. Ya need strength 'cause tomorrow's a big day.”

_________________________________________

Applejack stood at the edge of the family orchard. A good night's sleep had given her energy and rest, and she was now awaiting the weather phenomenon that would herald the second sign of the Zap Apples' arrival.

A strong breeze suddenly began to blow through the orchard, twirling between the trees, carrying a pleasant scent of apples. It crashed down on Applejack's chest, as she stood firmly on her feet, knowing what to expect and staring up at the sky.

As if in response to her gaze, heavy black clouds, carried by the strong breeze, piled up in the sky, black, threatening, dark. The air became charged with electricity, so much that Applejack felt tingling all over her body.

“The second sign, just in time,” she simply whispered.

All this accumulated charge suddenly poured out in a long electric arc that ran through the orchard all the way to the horizon. A myriad of small electric currents climbed up the trunks and wrapped themselves around the branches, creating buds on their length that opened under the effect of the current, revealing long hanging leaves.

“They look healthy enough... Now, time to get t'work this flank off!”

She spent the rest of the day looking for damaged branches scattered throughout her apple trees, ones that could produce deformed apples. She was helped by Big Mac. He carried to the barn the heaviest bundle of wood to be burned in the family home during the long cold winter months to come.

The work went on until late in the evening and, back home, after a delicious meal with her family, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, Applejack took advantage of the luxury of a bathtub filled with hot water to loosen up her aching muscles a little.

The hard day ended under a cozy blanket. After a thankful prayer to her parents and Rainbow’s star, Applejack closed her window and left behind the cool night air to warm up under her quilt where sleep soon closed her eyes.

_________________________________________

The family's rooster powerful call woke Applejack up in the early light of the dawn.

Throwing away the warm blankets to get up, without even a sigh for the magnitude of the task ahead, Applejack went to the kitchen to prepare a hearty breakfast for the whole household.

Eggs, pancakes, hay bacon, toast with last year's zap apple spread, tomatoes, fresh cheese and, of course, a basket of crisp red apples, Applejack had prepared a feast to fill up everypony with energy that would be wisely spent in the orchard.

Applejack, Applebloom, Big Mac, Sweetie Belle and Scotaloo spent all morning cleaning the many bottles and then putting them away in the crates where they would wait patiently until the day when they would be bottled and distributed.

_________________________________________

True to the tradition of the third sign, a little later in the afternoon, the sky was once again covered with heavy and impressive black clouds pushed by a strong wind.

And at the center of this chaotic landscape, hundreds of ravens. They were coming from all directions and started to perform, driven by a mysterious instinct, an aerial choreography above the orchard. It took the form of apples.

A new electric arc formed under the surface of the clouds, and it flew towards the ground, crossing and dispersing the cloud of crows to voraciously throw itself on the trees below.

Small flowers, with golden pistils, appeared and bloomed under the influence of the current, releasing magnificent petals of an electric blue color among the foliage.

Everything seems to be in order.

Applejack had witnessed the advent of the third sign alongside Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

“Now girls, we should go help Big Mac. Ah know he's strong and all, but he can't do everything without us. And if ya work hard enough, Ah'll let you see the fourth sign tonight.”

The small group of cutie mark crusaders allowed the joy brought by this rare opportunity to flow freely. Accompanied by Applejack, the three fillies set off for the family barn.

_________________________________________

Later that evening, the day's tasks had all been completed and supper was over.

True to her word, Applejack allowed Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to join Big Mac and Granny Smith in the garden. She would also join them soon enough to see the fourth sign under a beautiful starry sky.

Applejack hastened to finish the dishes, a huge pile by the counter. This would be a big task, for on the eve of the arrival of the Zap Apples, a large part of the Apple family, strong, eager, cheerful and talkative cousins, and benevolent aunts and uncles, had come to help Applejack, Big Mac and Granny Smith for the next day's harvest.

A charming attention for which Applejack had warmly thanked each of the pony who had volunteered to help. The Apple family had once again proven the strong bonds that united each of its members, Applejack remarked.

And, as if in response to her silent thanks, four of her cousins entered the room to help her to take care of the dishes. Apple Fritter, Apple Bupkin, Apple Cobbler and...

“Pinkie Pie? What in tarnation are ya doin' here?” Applejack exclaimed in disbelief as she watched the pink filly walking casually toward the sink.

“The dishes, silly!” Pinkie laughed deliciously before changing to a worried look. “Or is it not what we are doing? What are we doing Applejack?”

“Huh? No... wait Pinkie. We are doing the dishes but I meant what are ya doin' here?”

“I'm here because you need help from every available member of your family for the upcoming harvest of the zap apple to make a cider that will match the fame of our friend Rainbow Dash!”

Pinkie said all that without a break. Then she grimaced.

“That was an easy one Applejack, you will have to try harder next time.”

“What? How did ya know about all this? T'was supposed to be a secret to everypony.”

“Everypony except for a member of the Apple Family, silly!”

This had the effect of a slap in the face for Applejack, who could only stare at Pinkie, mouth wide open, at a loss for words. Then a smile lit up her face and she started washing the dishes again, with obvious pleasure.

“Ah guess ya're right Pinkie. Well, Ah'm glad ta have ya aboard. As long as ya can promise me to keep this whole thing a secret.”

“Oh ohhh ohhhhh! I promise I will keep this a secret! I Pinkie Promise!”

“That's good enough fer me, sister.”

Pinkie's laughter rang out across the room.

“I'm not your sister, silly! I'm your cousin! Applebloom is your real sister!”

Then the pink filly started laughing even more, dragging Apple Fritter, Apple Bupkin, Apple Cobbler and, finally, Applejack into her delirium. The kitchen was filled with a warm atmosphere as it was at every Apple family reunion.

_________________________________________

When Applejack walked out of the house with Pinkie and her cousins, free from the mountain of dishes, the sky was deep black, lit by a thousand stars.

Many tents were massed on the edge of the orchard. They would soon be used by the ponies, which for the moment were gathered in a circle around a great fire, scanning the sky in search of the fourth sign. An omen awaited by all, which could happen at any moment. Applejack could feel it.

Apple Fritter, Apple Bupkin and Apple Cobbler naturally headed towards their close family members, Applejack and Pinkie did the same and went to sit next to Big Mac and Granny Smith.

Applejack noticed her little sister and friends in the company of Babs Seed and other young cousins. The scene was touching for the mare, for whom family was one of her most important values. And a sincere smile lit up her face at the thought of one day seeing her offspring playing and bonding with family members.

A cry of wonder echoed somewhere to the right of the campfire, prompted by Jonagold. And several ponies, including Applejack, followed the direction of his hoof and looked up to the sky to see a shooting star crossing the sky.

Then, dozens, hundreds and thousands more appeared on either side of the galaxy, converging on the orchard. One star for each of the greyish apples that magically began to appear in the foliage of the trees.

The phenomenon lasted more than an hour during which a ballet of shooting stars illuminated the galaxy to the delight of the fillies gathered around the pleasant warmth of the fire, wrapped in warm blankets.

The fourth sign disappeared with the passage of one last shooting star and calm returned among the stars.

Soon, the fatigue of a busy day gave way to the excitement of the event, especially among the younger ones who yawned without restraint, their eyelids getting heavier and heavier.

“Okay everypony!” Applejack shouted. “Tom'rrow is a big day fer all of us so, fer now, Ah suggest we shut our eye and hush ta bed. Good night y’all!”

_________________________________________

At dawn, Applejack was busy in the kitchen with Granny Smith, Pinkie Pie and a few cousins who had offered to help provide a nutritious breakfast for all those who would be working in the field. This would be a great start to a beautiful day with clear skies.

Pitchers of milk and orange juice followed one another in great numbers amidst pies, toast, pancakes, cereals, steaming dishes of scrambled eggs and beans, baskets of fruit, mostly apples, cupcakes and muffins, courtesy of Pinkie, on makeshift tables of wooden boards mounted on crates, set up outside the house so that everypony could gather in one place.

“SOUP'S ON EVERYPONY!” Applejack shouted at the top of her lungs once the last plates were put on the tables.

_________________________________________

“Thank you sugarcube. Ya really helped me this morning. The cupcake and muffins were delicious, everypony agreed on that.”

“Ahhhh, thanks. I was super excited to try this recipe. I'm glad you all like it.”

Pinkie and Applejack were sitting in the shade of an apple tree, their stomachs full. Waiting for the fifth sign, they took the opportunity to have a little chat.

All around, everyone was busy with small tasks. There was increasing energy, almost palpable in the air. Everypony could feel the imminent arrival of the last sign. Another hour, at most, and the picking could begin.

“Hey, hey Applejack! Do you think we will be able to gather all the zap apples before they disappear?”

“Ah can't see why we wouldn't Pinkie. We're a lot more than usual. And if it's not enough, Ah got a secret weapon. Ah still have an ace up my sleeve.”

Pinkie let out a loud laugh.

“Applejack, you need to stop saying silly things! You don't have any sleeves. You don't even wear clothes!”

Applejack breathed a little amused sigh while Pinkie started giggling again. Then, after a while, the pink mare got serious again.

“What is that secret weapon you were talking about Applejack?”

“Not what, Pinkie but who. It's Scootaloo.”

Pinkie opened her mouth only to be interrupted by a small orange and purple ball.

“You called me, Applejack?” asked Scootaloo.

“More like Ah was talkin 'bout ya. Ah was sayin' to Pinkie that ya will be very useful to everypony today.”

“Me? Why?” said the troubled filly.

“'Cause Rainbow praised yar performance on this scooter of ya. She said ya were mighty fast with that thing. And Ah need ya ta make quick runs between the barn and the trees to bring all the zap apples to Granny smith. Ah choose to believe in what Rainbow said. Do ya think ya can do it?”

If Applejack's words surprised her at first, it was a smile of pride that lit up Scootaloo's face, who, much like her idol Rainbow, smiled slyly.

“Leave it to me, she simply said.”

_________________________________________

“An'ther one here Scootaloo!” Applejack shouted over the noise of the surrounding cheerful conversations.

“We're on it!” replied Scootaloo after stopping her scooter, in an impressive skid, in front of the mare.

With a nod at Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, the three friends hoisted the apple basket, filled to the brim, and set off again, at full speed, towards the ancestral barn of the Apple family.

“Ya were right Rainbow, the gal is incredibly fast,” Applejack whispered before getting back to work.

The fifth sign had appeared over the trees less than an hour earlier, after a brief but intense storm that had filled the sky with dark, stormy and threatening clouds.

The compact mass of clouds was pierced and dissipated by a gigantic rainbow which seemed to be made of a strange vapor which the apples hastened to suck into them. Their colors changed from the most neutral grey to the shimmering shades of the rainbow. They swelled with a sweet juice that deformed the apples into a more squared shape.

A final ray, still displaying the colors of the rainbow, had lit up the sky before it died out. The Apple family had given a loud cry of joy and the harvest had begun with laughter and song.

And within an hour Applejack, with the help of her family members, had filled a hundred barrels of apples that Scootaloo, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle rushed to take to the barn.

At this rate, Applejack predicted a harvest five times more impressive than the previous ones. She took a satisfied look at her entire orchard and the ponies working in the warm afternoon sun.

“Pinkie?” Applejack then asked, immediately catching the attention of the pink mare a few yards away from her, who was busy juggling a few apples to the delight of the younger members of the Apple family.

“Yes Applejack?”

“Our family has been workin' hard. They deserve some happy time. Do ya think ya could throw a party fer them t'night?”

“Well duh! Of course I can! That's my special talent! For dessert, I'm thinking zap apple pie. What do you think?” asked Pinkie, displaying a big smile.

“Perfect idea,” replied Applejack with the same warm smile.

_________________________________________

It took three months before Applejack enjoyed her first vintage of Zap Apple cider.

After harvesting, storing, brewing, washing the apples, grating, crushing, vatting, pressing, first racking, fermentation and second racking, Applejack could finally taste the fruit of her labor.

And what a cider! Pure, exquisite, delicate yet rich in flavor.

Yet, Applejack was still not completely satisfied. Something that Granny Smith and Big Mac immediately reproached her for.

“Yer crazy Applejack. I tell you, this is the best cider Ah ever tasted. Isn't it right Big Macintosh?”

“Eeyup!”

“Sorry Granny Smith, Ah misspoke. The taste is incredible, no doubt 'bout it. It's just not yet representative of mah friend Rainbow. But Ah know just what ta do. Listen close y'all...”

_________________________________________

Some time later, during an evening at her farm, Applejack proudly presented all the guests with a memorable cider displaying the colors of the rainbow fondly named "Shy Rainbow Cider".

Chapter 7 - Doubt

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There is no love of life without despair of life.
- Albert Camus, unicorn -

She wasn't making any progress...

After eight months of intense effort, personal sacrifices and sweet dreams that had replaced the awful nightmares of the early days, Fluttershy had finally hit the insurmountable wall she had long feared, as predicted by Nurse RedHeart.

Just a month earlier, at the superb evening at Sweet Apple Acres, Fluttershy was confident that her wing would fully recover. She was enjoying Applejack’s exquisite "shy rainbow cider" with her friends, already anticipating the joy that her sonic rainboom would bring her.

Then her luck suddenly turned. Ever since that month, nothing had worked, nothing was progressing.

She hadn't made any significant changes since that important night.

Worse still, she had not been able to reach her maximum speed. The same speed she had reached long before, the day Spitfire visited Ponyville to use the flying force of the pegasus to create a tornado.

She had noted this major problem during one of her sessions.

She found herself unable to increase her speed any further without experiencing excruciating pain in her left wing, which cramped every time she tried to go faster.

The situation was becoming dangerous. Fluttershy had almost crashed several times to the ground, the pain in her wing paralyzing her in full flight.

The first time the injury occurred, it had worsened to the point that Fluttershy had to stop her session. And even after touching the ground, the pain kept drumming continuously in her wing, forcing her to clench her teeth, subject to constant torture.

_________________________

“Goodness! Owww, owww, owww!” Fluttershy whimpered as she landed on the ground. “What is happening to me?”

Confused and injured, Fluttershy decided to end this horrible session.

The strange pain was way too strong, she had no other choice than to walk to Carousel Boutique.

Her wing, in addition to the sensitive and still apparent scars, was now tense and stiff. Something was very wrong and this made her worry.

A lot.

That pain... it’s like that day in Everfree! When the trunk hit me and… owww! This is unbearable!

Every time Fluttershy took a step, she suffered from her phantom wound. It was causing a tearing pulse in her wing... She almost fainted a few times, bordering on unconsciousness, but finally arrived in sight of the shop, her cheeks dripping with tears and her legs shaking and flickering.

Please Rarity!, Fluttershy prayed silently, weaker and weaker. It hurts so much, I… I need you!

_________________________

Something feels wrong...

Rarity could not shake off that feeling.

Celestia’s sun was high up in the sky, its rays shining through the kitchen window. The atmosphere was warm, cozy, comforting. Ideal for a dinner break in between two orders. And yet...

Something definitely feels wrong...

She was on edge. She shouldn’t be.

Granted she had many orders she had to work on during the upcoming days, but this was all easy work. Scarfs, coats, things she could do in her sleep. Same as always.

Did I make some sort of mistake for Carrot Top’s order? No! She did ask for a light green scarf. And I’m sure it will match her eyes perfectly... Then what is it?

She put on her apron and started cutting tomatoes. She settled down for a simple sandwich with some tomatoes and mayonnaise. It was always like this around that time of year when orders started piling up. It became her to-go food when she was in a rush.

She wouldn’t call it a tradition, but it usually brought her comfort to fight off the most stressful of days.

Usually...

What is this dreadful feeling?

She had just set her sandwich on a plate when a horrible apprehension suddenly seized her heart and urged her to look out the window.

She hoped that this dizzying presentiment was simply due to the stress of her multiple commands, but she quickly disenchanted when she saw the pegasus in the distance.

It's way too early though, she shouldn't be here for several hours,, Rarity worried, quickly taking off her apron.

But only on her doorstep did Rarity realize how urgent the situation really was.

I knew it! Something is wrong!

She was shocked to see Fluttershy in such a sorry state, limping and shedding tears. Driven by panic, Rarity rushed outside to join her, fearing that another tragedy might have disrupted her friend's life.

Fluttershy, extenuated, threw herself into her arms, crying her heart out. Rarity could feel the tremors and jolts running through Fluttershy's body. Curiously, however, Fluttershy didn't seem to be suffering from any external injury.

“Fluttershy darling, what is happening to you?”

Fluttershy, with great effort, took deep breaths to calm herself and interrupt the flood of her tears. She raised her head to Rarity. Her eyes, usually joyful, expressed a mixture of despair and incomprehension.

Seeing Fluttershy's eyes, Rarity felt a shiver run down her spine.

“I... I don't... know! My wing horri...bly hurts me...Ra... Rarity,” Fluttershy sobbed. “I tried to... to fly faster... and I... I think that something in my wing... broke again...”

At that moment a painful spasm ran through Fluttershy's wing again. The whimper of the pegasus broke Rarity's heart.

Fluttershy had been through so many hardships already. Rarity prayed to Celestia that this was not yet again the case. After so many happy months, Fluttershy didn't deserve to fall back into the world of suffering and despair she had just left.

Fluttershy started crying again, hugging Rarity a little harder against her in a trembling embrace.

Rarity sat down in the grass. never letting go of Fluttershy as she cried in her neck.

Rarity patiently lulled her the same way she used to during Fluttershy’s period of nightmares. She hummed with infinite tenderness the melodies she had sung to soothe her. She waited for Fluttershy’s tears to fade and for her breath to return to a normal rhythm.

After a long time, Fluttershy managed to calm down, despite occasional sobs. Rarity lifted the pegasus head to lay a kiss on Fluttershy's forehead.

“Oh Fluttershy, my beautiful Fluttershy,” softly said Rarity. “Wipe your tears, please. You are so much prettier when you smile. Do not let your charm be wiped away by these horrible tears. I beg you, I do not want you to lose that gorgeous smile again, darling.”

Rarity tenderly wiped the Fluttershy's tears with her soft hooves.

Minutes later, Fluttershy had stopped crying but was still huddled up with Rarity. Nestled close to the unicorn, she felt safe and secure... Rarity's gentleness pleased and soothed the pegasus, which now, more than ever, needed her friend's comforting presence.

Fluttershy's cheeks became red and warm where Rarity had caressed them with her hooves, chasing away the tears that flowed on them.

“Fluttershy darling, may I examine your wing? I would like to see if you have any external wounds. We shall then go to the hospital to verify if you have nothing broken.”

Fluttershy nodded softly and shyly.

Delicately, patiently, Rarity smoothed every feather on Fluttershy's wing. She then massaged it to the great relief of the pegasus, which could not help but have a shiver of pleasure. Rarity's massage soothed the pain she had been feeling since the end of her flying session.

Slowly, taking advantage of Rarity's caresses on her wounds, Fluttershy was recovering from her unpleasant experience.

Then it happened.

Rarity grazed an extremely sensitive area of Fluttershy’s wing immediately causing her intense pain, violently tensing her wing again. Fluttershy let out a brief cry of pain and surprise.

“Fluttershy! I’m so sorry! You are right, something is wrong. we need to go to the hospital. Can you walk?”

Fluttershy whimpered.

“I… I might need your help… Please?”

“You don’t even need to ask, darling!”

_________________________

The nurses were pleasantly surprised by the impromptu arrival of their miraculous patient, the one that had surprised the entire hospital staff with her extraordinary recovery. Fluttershy was their little ray of sunshine, the living proof that an iron will could change a dark destiny.

Through perseverance and intense effort, Fluttershy had performed a true miracle.

The nurses walked over to Fluttershy and Rarity, all smiling, to inquire about Fluttershy’s new progress. But then, they noticed Rarity and Fluttershy worried expressions. Their smiles faded.

“Ladies, we have a problem. We need to see nurse Redheart.”

_________________________

The X-ray procedure was more complex than expected.

Fluttershy had a hard time moving her wing to position it properly without hurting herself. With a lot of effort, moaning and a few tears of frustration, Fluttershy finally succeeded, with a little help from Rarity who was trying to ease her suffering as best she could.

While Fluttershy nervously waited in the other room with Rarity, Redheart carefully examined her X-ray. She had a pretty good idea about the origins of Fluttershy's problem. As she suspected, unfortunately, she quickly identified the problem.

She sighed.

She would have liked to reassure Fluttershy, persecuted by such a cruel fate, but she was once again the bearer of bad news.

She went to them.

“Miss Fluttershy, miss Rarity, over here, please,” Redheart told them as she invited them into a meeting room.

Fluttershy reluctantly entered the room with Rarity. She felt as if she was entering a tomb, as if the air had suddenly thickened, along with her apprehensions.

The X-ray procedure had awakened the stabbing pain in her wing once again. Since then, Fluttershy did not dare to move it until the final verdict had been pronounced.

She was afraid to hear what she feared and only the comforting presence of Rarity at her side gave her the strength to face the nurse in front of her, rather than flee out of the room, out of the place that had seen Rainbow take her last breath.

After closing the door, Redheart faced the two mares with a smile that was meant to be reassuring, but Fluttershy still had a bad feeling that she couldn't suppress.

“Miss Fluttershy, I have examined your X-ray and I am now convinced that you have no broken or disrupted bones. Everything is in order.”

Rarity immediately lifted a hoof to her heart and breathed a sigh of relief.

“Celestia be praised, that’s marvelous!”

Fluttershy, for her part, said nothing and kept staring at Redheart. She guessed that the nurse hadn't said everything and that a darker truth was hiding behind these encouraging words.

Redheart's uneasiness increased when she noticed Fluttershy’s fixed gaze on her. She understood that she was waiting, aware that something was coming. She decided not to wait any longer.

Poor Fluttershy...

“However, miss Fluttershy, I must warn you. Your pain seems to be due to the metallic pieces implanted in your wing. It would seem that at a certain speed, the way the air interacts with your wounded wing makes all the metallic pieces in it quiver and put pressure on your bones, creating this unbearable pain you felt.”

Goodness… No!

Fluttershy understood immediately.

It was very bad news. The worst.

Suddenly dizzy, she felt like she was falling into a bottomless well as a powerful vise crushed her heart. She held her breath, unsure if she wanted to hear the rest. She didn't want Redheart to confirm her suspicions about her promise.

Sadly, the nurse did just that, shattering Fluttershy's last hopes.

“Miss Fluttershy, my colleagues and I know about your intention to get back at the best of your flight capacity for your... sonic rainboom project. It’s a wonderful thing in our opinion. But I'm deeply sorry to say that you will never be able to reach your past speed. This is your new limit. To go past this limit could turn out to be extremely dangerous.”

Fluttershy felt like falling again. Her dream, her wish, her promise, made to her most precious friend, was flying out of her reach...

Redheart began to speak again, but Fluttershy couldn't hear anything as she sank into an abyss of despair.

“… try to see the good side. You worked so hard to fly again... please, do not risk everything for your project,” concluded Redheart in a tone that expressed her deepest regret.

Fluttershy burst into tears in Rarity's arms.

_________________________

Since she had received the bad news, there hadn’t been a day when Fluttershy had not shed bitter tears. She had spent the rest of the entire month making futile attempts to increase her speed.

Always without success.

Every time she tried to fly faster, the dreadful pain came back and threatened to paralyze her in midair, and if it did, her flight would turn into a violent and potentially fatal fall.

Since the evening at Sweet Apple Acres, none of her many attempts had worked, and despair, through her countless failures, had quickly returned to her heart.

With just over two months left for achieving her promise, she was stuck, unable to reach even half the speed required to perform Rainbow’s sonic rainboom.

Fluttershy was hopeless.

_________________________

That morning, after a horrible snowstorm, the most intense since the beginning of winter, Fluttershy had started her session in the same dreary way as any of her previous sessions. She was more depressed than ever, her morale destroyed by her ever-increasing failures.

But she had to try to display a confident attitude.

I can’t let all my efforts go to waste. Come on Fluttershy! You are stronger than that!

In front of the animals in her cottage, who encouraged her as best they could, she had taken to flying higher and higher in the sky.

The day before, Fluttershy had prayed once more to Celestia and Luna to give her the strength to make her promise come true. Now it was time to see if her prayers had been answered.

At the ideal height to perform a sonic rainboom, Fluttershy began her descent, letting gravity help her reach her maximum speed. Once that speed was reached, unsurprisingly, she felt the excruciating sensation in her wing.

Usually, at this point, she would stop her movement to catch her breath and rest her painful wing.

But not this time…

I. Made. A. Feather. Promise!

Determined to fight against the fate that had been foretold, Fluttershy decided to keep going. Biting her lip, she continued to descend, the pain bringing tears to her eyes. Then when it became too unbearable, the pain threatening to make her lose consciousness, she tried to stabilize herself.

To no avail.

Her wing was no longer responding as she was so stiff.

She panicked when she saw the ground approaching rapidly and redoubled her efforts. At the end of the most perilous maneuver of her life, she managed in extremis to stabilize herself to avoid a fatal collision with the ground. She violently zigzagged in the air, her tensed wing preventing her from performing her manoeuvers properly, then she landed hard in the thick snow cover from last night’s storm.

Every one of her creatures who had witnessed the scene rushed towards the snow-covered pegasus, worried that she hurt herself.

Fluttershy whimpered, aware of how lucky she was to be alive. As her animals gathered around her to comfort her, Fluttershy cried bitterly, disappointed and resigned at the unlikelihood of her project succeeding.

At the end of this particularly dangerous and demoralizing session, Fluttershy sadly greeted all of her pets and walked back to Rarity's shop, brooding all the way there.

Whatever flame of hope that had been trying to survive in her heart since her last visit to the hospital, had just been abruptly extinguished.

Nurse Redheart had tried to brighten the pegasus mood, reminding her of the tremendous progress she had made. But what was the point of having come all this way if she couldn't reach the goal she had set for herself?

Fluttershy had tried to rebel against fate, proving to everyone once again the strength of her will, but this time she seemed unable to make a difference.

It was impossible for her to perform a sonic rainboom, impossible for her to honor her friend the way she wanted, the way Rainbow deserved.

I… I can’t do it... I let you down Rainbow...

More demoralized than ever, Fluttershy sadly made her way back to Rarity's home, her left wing extremely sore, hanging limply along her side, the tip of her feathers making furrows in the light snow.

_________________________

It didn’t take long before Rarity noticed Fluttershy’s ever-growing sad mood.

Fluttershy had returned from her snow-covered session with red eyes. She had cried again, leaving no doubt about the result of her training.

All that sadness crushed Rarity's heart and she took her shivering friend to her bathtub. Fluttershy needed to be warmed up as quickly as possible to prevent an illness from adding to the growing list of her problems.

_________________________

As she combed Fluttershy’s freshly washed mane, Rarity thought back to all the happy months they had experienced not so long ago. The long walks, making dresses, and…

I guess even tending the garden was... nice… sort of.

Yet, all of that went awry in just one month.

One month since the optimistic, smiling Fluttershy had given way, a second time, to the sad, gloomy Fluttershy. Since the evening at Applejack's farm, her morale had begun its dizzying descent into the deepest abyss. All of her previous confidence and joy had dried up. And tonight, more than ever, Rarity was feeling Fluttershy’s pain.

Rarity wanted to help her friend recover from Redheart’s unpleasant news, but Fluttershy had locked herself in silence again to the dismay of the unicorn and their friends Applejack, Pinkie, Twilight. Rarity felt as if she had gone back in time, ten months earlier, when she was taking care of Fluttershy during her stay at the hospital.

Shortly after the bath, Rarity took Fluttershy to the kitchen for a nice meal. She was concerned about Fluttershy's health.

No helping with the household chores tonight, she needs to rest!

While Fluttershy was napping under a warm blanket, Rarity resorted to asking Sweetie Belle for a little bit of help making supper.

“Rarity, is Fluttershy gonna be okay?”

“I hope so, Sweetie. She had suffered too much already, I am not about to fail her. I will cheer her up”

“Well if you told her that you lov… Hmph!”

Rarity removed her spoon out of Sweetie’s mouth.

“Hush now little devil! Fluttershy has enough on her mind. I do not wish to trouble her about feelings that I’m not sure I fully understand myself. Plus, I don’t want her to feel even worse if she has to turn me down. This is not so simple Sweetie, a confession must be done at the right time.”

Rarity then took an unimpressed glance at the smoke coming out of the stove.

“Speaking of time Sweetie, how’s the dessert coming along?”

“Oh… Oh no!”

_________________________

They all settled down to eat and even though cooking was not Sweetie Belle forte, Fluttershy ate all of the crème very brûlée without flinching. She even managed to put on a faint smile when Sweetie Belle asked her how it was.

Sweetie Belle was the first to finish her meal. She quickly left to join her friends Applebloom and Scootaloo in a hurried goodbye to the two mares. Left alone with Rarity, and after a long time, Fluttershy suddenly broke the silence in a trembling voice, her eyes watering as she stared at Rarity.

“Rarity... Am... am I a good friend? I feel so useless, I am incapable of doing the only thing that I promised to Rainbow. I can't do anything right... I... I do not deserve to be her friend...”

“Sweet Celestia, Fluttershy darling, surely you jest!” Rarity interrupted her, shocked by her words “Of course you are a good friend! Rainbow was lucky enough to have you as her friend! Pinkie, Applejack and Twilight also! Celestia be my witness, I have the chance to be your friend! Darling, please, don't be so hard on yourself!”

“But... I... ”

“But nothing,” Rarity continued in a softer voice. “Fluttershy, when you decided to make that promise to Rainbow, you didn't even know if you would be able to fly again. The odds were against you but you never stop trying. You made it for you and for Rainbow. And look at you now, darling, you fly like one of your lovely birds. You are a treasure of perseverance. You have honored the memory of Rainbow by showing so much courage. She would be so proud of you and you should be too, my darling.”

Fluttershy certainly needed reassurance, but Rarity’s word came right from the heart. No false flattery, just honest comments.

Applejack would be proud, the unicorn thought, relieved to see Fluttershy smile faintly and continue eating.

At the end of the meal, Rarity decided to take her protégée for a trip to Ponyville’s spa. She and Fluttershy needed comfort these days and haven't seen Aloe and Lotus in a month.

Poor girls, they must be worried sick.

_________________________

“MISS RARITY AND MISS FLUTTERSHY!” shouted Aloe and Lotus in unison, happily stamping the ground with their hooves when the two mares came in the hall. “WELCOME BACK!“

“We were worried for our favorite customers,” said Lotus

“It's been a few weeks since your last visit, no?” added Aloe

“Thank you, ladies,” Rarity said.“You are correct, we didn't come here for what feels like an eternity, well... a month if I remember correctly. We shall need a complete service this evening. Fluttershy and I need relaxing care and you two are the only ones capable of taking care of this task.”

“Oh? Could it be that our advice on the proper way to massage a pegasus isn't enough anymore?” Lotus whispered in the unicorn's ear with a naughty little smile at Rarity's sudden embarrassment.

“Hum... No. Your... Your advice was indeed a big help in the last few months, but this evening we need a little more... comfort... than usual.” Rarity said, destabilized by the knowing smile the two sisters exchanged.

“Please, follow me then,” invited Aloe. “I suggest starting with a massage.”

The following hour was beneficial for the two clients who let themselves be massaged by Aloe and Lotus expert hooves

Rarity, always the curious lady, had talked a lot with Aloe and Lotus about the latest rumors in vogue at Ponyville, the couples of the hour, secret love affairs and the most outlandish anecdotes. The unicorn was savoring the moment while keeping an eye on her sad protégé, hoping this could lift her spirit.

During the massage, Rarity noticed that Aloe forgot to massage some parts of Fluttershy's wing.

No! Wait a minute…

On further inspection, Aloe did not forget them… she purposely avoided them. Rarity realized with dismay that these were the same areas that made Fluttershy moan with desire.

Those little minxes! They tricked me into arousing Fluttershy! Rarity realized without knowing whether to be angry or amused by the audacity of the two sisters.

Aloe caught Rarity's eye and smiled when she realized that Rarity had probably figured out their little scheme.

Fluttershy, for her part, had listened to the latest gossip with a distracted ear. She had also politely answered questions from the two sisters who were dying to know how she felt about her move into Rarity’s house.

“A gossip which has circulated a lot around here,” said Lotus with a wink to Rarity and Fluttershy. You know, two mares, sharing the same bed, the usual thing...

The two friends reacted exactly as the two sisters had hoped. Rarity's cheeks became red but she held her head high in front of Lotus and Aloe's amused gaze, while Fluttershy, twice as red, preferred to hide behind her long mane after emitting a shy squeak.

Aloe allowed herself a smile.

I like what I see.

After the massage, a beauty mask, a trip to the sauna and mud bath, Rarity and Fluttershy ended up basking in the large central hot water pool.

Aloe and Lotus made sure the two friends had everything they needed and then they slipped away, leaving the unicorn and pegasus in their privacy. Once away from their ears, the two sisters began to converse with excitement.

“Even if miss Fluttershy looks a little bit down tonight, I feel they’re even closer now. Come on Aloe! You can’t still pretend they’re not a couple.”

“I never said they weren’t a couple, Lotus. I just said they need to tell us first. But they sure do look cute together. I just hope miss Rarity will be able to comfort miss Fluttershy. ”

“Nothing better than a soak in the spa to let a tongue loose. I’m sure they’re having a special talk right this moment. Let’s see how it turns out. Maybe we’ll witness a love declaration tonight.“

“That would be marvelous. Oh! By the way, I’m pretty sure miss Rarity knows about our little scheme.”

“Great! Then she knows who she needs to thank later!”

They exchanged another knowing smile and then went off to their respective occupations, far from the two friends who shared, alone, the large pool of water.

_________________________

“I am very sorry Rarity,” Fluttershy whispered, ears dropped.

“Sorry? For what purpose, darling?”

“For today... Rarity, this morning I did something very foolish, dangerous even. You asked me to never do anything that may be risky and... I didn't respect that rule. I… I could have died...”

She then told Rarity the whole story.

Her intention to carry out her promise, ignoring the limit imposed by her condition. Her fear when her wing became so tight that it no longer obeyed her, and her catastrophic landing. Once she was done, she dared to look at Rarity.

The white unicorn had let her tell her story, without interruption, looking even paler than usual. Her lip was trembling. Her watery eyes expressed great sorrow and the pain of Fluttershy’s betrayal.

She was wounded.

Fluttershy closed her eyes, she didn't want to see Rarity's broken look again. She wished the unicorn would slap her with all her might rather than see that devastated look on her face again. She wanted to apologize once more.

“Why?”

The question pierced Fluttershy’s heart with its cold and poisonous tone. She looked at Rarity.

“Wh...What?” Fluttershy asked, unsettled.

“I said why. I once asked you one thing, one simple thing: to not put yourself at risk while trying to do your sonic rainboom so why did you do such a reckless thing, Fluttershy?” Rarity asked again, a cold glow shining in her eyes as she pronounced each word as if it were poison.

When Rarity began to move towards her, an aura of unhealthy anger emanating from every pore of her skin, Fluttershy began to retreat to the edge of the pool.

“Because... because I had to do it,” clumsily tried to explain Fluttershy's getting more and more uncomfortable. “Rarity you... you don't understand, I must do a sonic rainboom.”

“No, you don't have to do it, you just want to do it, Fluttershy. The only difference between the latter option is that you deliberately put your life in danger,” said Rarity, her tone becoming more and more acute, threatening to become a scream of rage. “After all the things Applejack, Pinkie, Twilight and I have done to help you, that's how you thought of thanking us... by dying?”

Fluttershy was now squeezed between the pool wall and the fashionista bubbling with rage. She whined, tears in the corner of her eyes.

“Ra... Rarity I... I never meant to do you any harm! It's just... I really need to do a sonic rainboom. You... you all did your tribute to Rainbow... and I can't do mine... I had to try pushing my limit!”

“NO!” finally exploded Rarity. “NO, YOU DIDN'T HAD TO, FLUTTERSHY! YOU, OF EVERYPONY, OWE NOTHING TO RAINBOW. SHE DIED HAPPY, KNOWING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED! STAYING ALIVE SHOULD BE YOUR TRIBUTE TO RAINBOW!”

Fluttershy whimpered

“Rarity, please, try to understand! I need to do a sonic rainboom... I... I made a feather promise!”

“WHO CARES ABOUT THAT PROMISE? YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO A SONIC RAINBOOM FLUTTERSHY! YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO! BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT RAINBOW!”

“I... I'll keep trying,” said Fluttershy, tears running down her cheeks.

“THEN YOU WILL DIE TRYING! ANY WISH FOR THE EPITAPH ON YOUR TOMB? SHALL I CALL TWILIGHT SO WE CAN START WORKING ON YOUR EULOGY?”

Fluttershy's last resistance broke and she began to cry intensely. She pushed Rarity aside, got out of the pool, and ran out of the room rushing past the two sisters at the reception desk, who exchanged a sad look as they watched her leave in the night, galloping with tears streaming down her cheeks.

“That wasn't what I had in mind,” Lotus sighed.

_________________________

Left alone in the pool, Rarity didn't take long before she felt regrets. She had spoken in anger and said things she would probably regret for the rest of her life.

Oh Rarity, you foolish soul... You have been such a horrid friend. Why did you react so violently? Against Fluttershy of all else. The poor thing didn't need that.

She should never have raised her voice to Fluttershy like that. And yet, it was infuriating to see the pegasus throwing her life away like it meant nothing. Did Fluttershy not understand how important she was to her friends?

Doesn't she understand how much she means to me?

Sweetie Belle's words about her relationship with Fluttershy came back to haunt Rarity. The life of the unicorn had changed so much at Fluttershy's side. She couldn't, no, wouldn't imagine a world without the pegasus by her side.

All her thoughts were about Fluttershy.

And the horrible way she treated her.

Determined to apologize to Fluttershy, Rarity walked out of the pool and immediately went to the reception desk to meet the two perplexed sisters there. The unicorn quickly paid the bill, preparing to go out to find the pegasus.

“Is everything alright, Miss Rarity? We saw miss Fluttershy a few minutes ago and... she didn't seem... well... relaxed...” said Aloe

“It's my fault, we had a fight and I said some very bad things tonight. I must find her now... and try to make amends... if possible.”

“We wish we could help but she didn't say where she was going,” apologized Lotus

“I think I already know where I can find her,” Rarity reassured them. “Now if you'll excuse me, I have a friend to comfort.”

_________________________

In the cool air of that sweet late winter night, Fluttershy was looking up at the stars, sitting in front of Rainbow's grave, tears still streaming down her cheeks. She didn't even wipe them off, she didn't have the strength to do so. Rarity was right, she had put her life on the line, without even thinking about the pain her actions would have caused her friends if she had died.

She understood the anger that had driven Rarity out of control, but she couldn't help crying. Her friend's words, though true, had hurt her badly.

Her sad thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a cavalcade. The sounds of galloping diminished to stop completely a few steps behind her.

Fluttershy didn't turn around, she knew who was behind her. Only one pony knew of her tendency to take refuge near Rainbow's bust at every moment of intense sorrow. Her friend Rarity.

If she still considers me a friend...

“Why, Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy held her breath, this question had been at the very heart of the drama of this evening. However, the question was no longer threatening but rather insistent.

“I'm sorry Fluttershy, I... I can't ask you to forgive my horrible behavior at the spa but, I want you to know that I care about you. Very much. In the end, even if you don't make a sonic rainboom, I will still like you. And I think that I'm ready to hear your side of the story, darling, so... why a sonic rainboom?”

Fluttershy didn't answer right away, enjoying her friend's last words that put a little balm on her heart. However, the rest was much more delicate. The answer to Rarity's question might break the bond of friendship between the pegasus and the unicorn.

Forever.

“Because Rainbow's death is my fault, Rarity...”

Fluttershy ignored Rarity's hiccup of stupor and revealed the secret she had kept buried in her heart for too long.

“I asked Rainbow to stay a little longer in the forest that day. I wanted to gather as many plants as I could take. I... I didn't want to go there until much later. If I hadn't asked her to stay, we would have come back sooner, and we would never have met the timberwolf. I never told anyone but you Rarity, because I feared the reaction you and the other girl would have. But I can't keep this secret anymore, I will tell the other girls too... soon. Rarity... It was my selfishness that took Rainbow's life.”

Only the silence of the night answered her, which did not stop her from continuing.

“Rainbow did the impossible in order to save me, and she succeeded. I will always be grateful for that. I feel like I should do the same for her. The sonic rainboom is an impossible dream for a pegasus like me and I think it's only fair that I give my all in this project as a tribute to all the efforts Rainbow went through to save me,” concluded Fluttershy as she turned to face Rarity. “That way, I'll feel like I'll have saved her, somehow...”

She waited for Rarity’s reaction. She would understand if Rarity, disgusted by her selfishness that had cost Rainbow’s life, decided to end their friendship. She wouldn't blame her.

To her surprise, two arms pulled her in a passionate embrace. This time, it was Rarity who was crying.

“Fluttershy, you’re such a fool! Why didn’t you speak to me sooner? I had no idea of your torment! Of course I forgive you! It's not your fault, you never knew what would happen. I could never, ever blame you for what happened. Rainbow is gone and we... we have to accept that fact. But you, darling, promise me that you will stay with us... After Rainbow's death, I shall not survive your demise. We will find a solution for your sonic rainboom... together, okay?”

Fluttershy, touched, simply nodded her head in agreement.

Rarity cried for a long time, gently clutching Fluttershy's body. The unicorn's tears ran down her cheeks and crashed on Fluttershy’s chest

When her last tears had subsided, Rarity stood up to look the pegasus straight in the eyes, holding Fluttershy's hooves in hers.

“Fluttershy darling, I will forget about this morning's incident if you promise me you will never... ever do something as reckless as this.”

Fluttershy promised her on the spot, all too happy with the outcome of the discussion. To her surprise, Rarity kissed her tenderly on the cheek.

“This... is my way to seal our promise,” Rarity whispered in the pegasus ear, her cheeks burning as much as Fluttershy's. “This way, you will always remember it.”

They hugged each other for a long time in front of Rainbow's tomb, savoring the magic of a comforting, reconciled friendship. Fluttershy was beginning to slumber on Rarity's chest when they decided to return to the shop after a short prayer to Rainbow.

_________________________

Back at the shop, Rarity noticed Fluttershy's increasing fatigue and suggested she go to bed.

Fluttershy, her cheeks still rosy from the unicorn's kiss, obeyed and dragged herself, empty of energy, to the second floor.

Once the dinner dishes were washed, Rarity went up to the bedroom to join Fluttershy.

The pegasus was already sleeping peacefully.

Her serene expression led the unicorn to believe that Fluttershy had recovered from their violent altercation a few hours earlier. The unicorn breathed a tiny sigh of relief, happy to have preserved their friendship. The thought of hurting Fluttershy beyond healing had cruelly wounded her own heart.

Quietly, Rarity climbed into bed beside the pegasus, caressing Fluttershy's pink hair with affection, wishing for a brighter future for her. She adored Fluttershy and wished only for her own good.

Rarity made a promise. Starting tomorrow she would look for a way to rekindle hope in the heart of her protégée once again. Fluttershy had thanked her many times for her generosity and loving care since her first day in the store, but Rarity was determined to do even more to make Fluttershy happy.

The last news Fluttershy had received from Redheart had wiped out all the efforts the unicorn had made for more than nine months, but Rarity would not give up.

She fell asleep, holding Fluttershy close to her, certain that she would eventually find another solution.

_________________________

When she woke up the next morning, Fluttershy wasn't by her side.

Rarity was used to this sort of thing and didn't worry too much about it. Fluttershy would often get up very early to train and leave quietly, leaving Rarity to sleep in peace. Another act of kindness that characterized Fluttershy.

What a lovely pegasus, thought Rarity as she stretched thinly under her sheets before getting up to start her workday. She's so nice.

_________________________

The hours passed at a frightening pace for the unicorn, busy as she was finishing multiple orders, and the evening quickly came to extinguish the last rays of the sun. But only when the moon was high in the sky did Rarity begin to worry about Fluttershy’s delay.

She was beginning to put on a warm garment to protect herself from the snow and cold, more biting than the night before, when Fluttershy burst into the shop.

Rarity, with one glance, noted the subtle change in the pegasus behavior. A small glow burned in her eyes, a glow that the fashionista instantly identified as a glimmer of hope.

Deeply relieved, Rarity put her coat back in a closet, then helped Fluttershy take hers off, trying to learn what the pegasus had been doing all day.

However, Fluttershy, for the first time since moving to Carousel Boutique, preferred to keep her activities of the day secret despite Rarity's many attempts to get her to talk.

“At least promise me that whatever you do, it is not dangerous,” Rarity begged resignedly.

“It isn't,” Fluttershy swore with a faint smile, touching the cheek that Rarity had kissed the night before. “I didn't forget our promise. I'm not doing anything dangerous. On the contrary, what has happened today was... inspiring.”

That night, Fluttershy couldn't resist the call of Rarity's big, soft bed for long. Visibly exhausted, Fluttershy went to bed almost immediately after a light supper with Rarity.

The same routine went on for four weeks, during which Fluttershy carried out her activities in complete secrecy. She always got up at dawn before Celestia’s sun rose and only returned when Luna’s stars illuminated the sky, preventing her from continuing her mysterious occupations.

_________________________

A month and a half before the end of Fluttershy's promise, Rarity was focused on the arduous task of making a dress for a very important client.

As she was putting the finishing touches on her new creation, she was startled when she heard the shop door slam intensely.

Strange… Was Sweetie Belle supposed to come over today?

Soon after, Fluttershy entered the workshop, out of breath and very excited. She had obviously been running to get there faster.

“Rarity! I… There’s something I need to show you!” Fluttershy said, trying to catch her breath. “I… I think I managed to find a way to do a sonic rainboom!”

“Huh... What? How? How is that possible?”

“I will show you... tomorrow... It's too dark now... Rarity, I think it might work. I am so happy! I just need you to confirm if that works.

Proud of herself despite her obvious exhaustion, Fluttershy couldn't help but smile at Rarity. A true smile, the most beautiful Rarity had ever seen. And her heart melted in her chest, overflowing with love for the pegasus that seemed so resplendent at that moment.

So beautiful, Rarity thought dreamily.

_________________________

The next day, after a good night's sleep, it was a more-smiling-than-ever Fluttershy that brought Rarity to her cottage.

When the two mares arrived, all of Fluttershy’s animals came to welcome them, happy-chaotic like. Rarity noted that they were all excited, probably knowing what Fluttershy wanted to show her

Soon they all sat down in the snow, waiting for the next move. Rarity made her way through the gathering of creatures to sit among them, warm and cozy on that chilly early spring morning.

Rarity and the animals watched Fluttershy slowly rise from the ground to gain altitude. She flew softly to preserve the strength in her wing.

Please, be careful! silently wished Rarity. Please, please, please.

At an appropriate height, Fluttershy glanced at the crowd assembled far below. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and took a few seconds to thank Rainbow.

_________________________

Ohhhhhh I see.

Upon seeing Fluttershy’s idea, Rarity started wondering.

If she uses the time that remains to perfect her idea this could… no! This will surely work! She can pull a sonic rainboom.

As soon as she touched the ground, Fluttershy came to see her.

“So, what do you think? I need you to tell me the truth Rarity, do you think I can do a sonic rainboom?“

“Yes, yes I do! A hundred times yes! I can't believe it, Fluttershy! You will succeed! There’s no denying it! You just need to work your technique a little. But sweet Celestia! The potential, the audacity of your performance! Fluttershy you are simply incredible!“

“Yay!” said Fluttershy with a pretty smile. “I’m glad you think this way because I need your help for the next step. If you are okay with it, of course...”

“Please, do tell me. If I can help in any way, it will be my pleasure, darling,”

When Fluttershy explained her intentions regarding the last day of her promise, Rarity flashed a knowing smile at Fluttershy.

It was an ambitious project, but Rarity was willing to put all her heart and talents into it. She would do anything to make this the best day of Fluttershy's life. She owed it to her, at least that much.

“Oh! You can count on me, darling. This will be a memorable day, for all of us!”

Chapter 8 - Sonic Rainboom

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Conquering any difficulty always gives one a secret joy, for it means
pushing back a boundary-line and adding to one's liberty.
- Henri-Frédéric Amiel, earth pony -

It was the big day, the long-awaited finale.

A shiver of excitement ran across Fluttershy’s body. Everything was finally ready, she and Rarity had seen to it in the short amount of remaining time.

Since Rarity had a lot of experience managing fashion shows, she had overseen the assembly of the impressive wooden platform on which Fluttershy was now standing.

An enormous golden metal rod was holding up large sky-blue curtains on which the unicorn had embroidered Rainbow's cutie mark. For now, the closed drapes hid Fluttershy from the eyes of the crowd, just as she wanted.

Fluttershy had asked a personal favor to Rarity, begging her to create a special costume and make-up, just for this last time. For Rainbow’s tribute.

Fluttershy was now admiring Rarity’s effort.

Rarity...

Rarity had moved heaven and earth to create all the little details that Fluttershy wanted to find in her costume and choreography. The white unicorn had spent long hours in front of her sewing machine in her workshop to provide Fluttershy with nothing less than perfection.

And perfection it was, just like the unicorn who had worked so hard to help Fluttershy in any way she could. For all this, Fluttershy loved her all the more.

Oh Rarity, if you only knew how much I appreciate your generosity and your charming little caring acts, I love you much more than you think, Fluttershy whispered behind the curtain, her cheeks on fire afterward. If you only knew…

There, she said it.

She had only recently realized it. She loved Rarity, yet she didn't have the guts to tell her.

She felt the thrill of pleasure with every touch of the unicorn. She loved to cuddle her at night. She loved watching Rarity get beautiful every morning, just before she went to work in the workshop or the garden, even. Not to mention all their pleasant spa outings...

But most of all, Fluttershy still remembered the emotion that overwhelmed her when Rarity kissed her on the cheek. The resulting wave of pleasure had allowed Fluttershy to discover her true feelings about the unicorn.

You've done so much for me, Rarity. And I love you even more, thought Fluttershy.

But Rarity has not been the only one hard at work. Fluttershy had been working non-stop for a month and a half perfecting her tribute to Rainbow, all for this special day.

She had worked very hard for a whole year, overcoming more difficulty in that short time than some ponies do in a lifetime, and she was now looking forward to performing her act one last time.

Just one more time.

She wasn’t nervous, she felt serene.

In the outfit that Rarity made for her, Fluttershy felt like a new mare. The exact opposite of the shy pegasus she was.

While waiting for the moment of her performance, she took another look at the crowd, well hidden behind the curtains. She soon spotted her beautiful Rarity in the front row, alongside Princesses Celestia and Luna, in the VIP section. The unicorn was chatting animatedly to Twilight, Applejack and Pinkie.

_________________________

“Rarity, not ta doubt your honesty or anythin' but are ya sure that Fluttershy can do a sonic rainboom? Everypony's talkin' bout it. Ya swear that's possible?”

“Oh yes, my dear Applejack. She can, and she will!” confirmed Rarity with pride, drawing the curiosity of the ponies within earshot of her voice, Princess Celestia and Luna included. “I saw her working on her tribute. At first, although magnificent, the execution was a little bit confusing, some would say chaotic, even, but now it’s precise and marvelous. Unique, just like our beloved Fluttershy.”

The ponies who had heard Rarity's words looked at the scene with renewed impatience, looking for Fluttershy, but the gigantic blue curtains remained resolutely closed, veiling the pegasus.

Pinkie started bouncing all around.

“SO COOL! I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE, I’M SO NERVOUSCITED! I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE HER SONIC RAINBOOM! THIS IS GONNA BE SO SUPER DUPER AWESOMELY AWESOME!”

She suddenly stopped in mid-air, between two leaps, in perfect suspension a few meters above the ground, while another thought sprang up in her head.

“OH! I hope I have enough balloons for my "Congratulations for your awesome sonic rainboom, Fluttershy! You’re the best and you really deserve all those balloons and Oh. My Gosh! This is such a long title for a name in progress" party! Mmm yeah, I'm sure I have enough.”

She shrugged her shoulders, visibly satisfied, and gravity finally brought her down to the ground, to her friends who preferred not to wonder too much about the impossible phenomenon they had just witnessed. After all, it was a typical Pinkie Pie thing.

After a few seconds of silence, Twilight cleared her throat to get Rarity's attention. She had that puzzled look. Skeptical yet really intrigued.

“Rarity, I still don't understand how she could manage to do it. Both you and the nurses told us that she wouldn't be able to increase her flight speed. Thus, at least theoretically, she shouldn't be capable to create a sonic rainboom.”

Rarity replied with a melodious chuckle.

“Dear Twilight, Fluttershy was ingenious in her approach, she used her very own special talents to remedy this problem. Therefore, speed has nothing to do with her sonic rainboom. And the result is worth the wait, I promise you.”

Rarity couldn't help but feel a touch of pride at the thought of being the only pony to have witnessed Fluttershy's miracle. She considered it a supreme honor, although she knew that at the end of the day, this honor would no longer be exclusive to her.

Fluttershy had kindly shown her the fruits of her efforts. To her alone, her best friend... after Rainbow, of course. This was of great value to the unicorn, who loved Fluttershy more than ever.

Fluttershy, my darling, you don't know how much I appreciate your kindness and unique charm, I love you to an extent you don't even suspect, sighed Rarity inwardly. If you only knew...

It had been a few months since Rarity had faced reality. She loved Fluttershy.

Rarity hadn't told her because she didn't want to embarrass her friend, but Fluttershy had probably won her heart the night she had tenderly kissed her on her cheek, stirring up feelings in her heart that had never ceased to evolve until that evening. And without the help of Sweetie Belle, Rarity might still be ignoring those feelings.

Fluttershy had become Rarity’s inspiration, she was her muse. She designed her clothes with the love she felt for the pegasus, much to the delight of her clients, who were always amazed.

The unicorn loved waking up next to Fluttershy. She loved to snuggle and pamper her. She loved to spend her free time with the pegasus may it be at the spa, the workshop or even in the garden. Fluttershy was so beautiful, a pure diamond.

I love you so much, Fluttershy, Rarity declared silently.

“… also begin to look forward to seeing this marvel,” Twilight concluded, stretching her neck towards the wooden stage.

“Oh… Right! It should not be very long anymore,” Rarity warned them, suddenly coming out of her reverie.

After another two minutes, Pinkie started jumping on the spot. She started shouting.

“FLUTTERSHY! FLUTTERSHY! FLUTTERSHY!”

Soon, everypony joined in and began to trample the ground to the rhythm of Fluttershy’s name.

Amidst all the noise, Rarity managed to whisper in Twilight's ear.

“Twilight! Look at the scene. The show is starting!”

_________________________

On stage, the drapes moved apart. The lightning bolts embroidered on them started moving supernaturally.

Fluttershy was ready.

The wooden stage on which she was standing had been built at the foot of the hill leading to Rainbow's grave, at her request.

In the darkness that still hid her from everypony’s eyes, Fluttershy was looking at the crowd massed in the clearing.

Bordered by trees on almost all sides, the place was big enough to accommodate the hundreds of ponies that were trampling the ground, eager to see the spectacle.

She had her reason for choosing this place. She wanted to do her sonic rainboom as close as possible to her friend, who had watched over her progress for a full year, up there among the stars.

“FLUTTERSHY! FLUTTERSHY! FLUTTERSHY!” was eagerly shouting the crowd. “FLUTTERSH...OOOOOOOOOHHH!”

Fluttershy stepped to the front of the stage, leaving the darkness behind to let the light of Celestia's sun reveal her to all eyes.

The rhythmic trampling suddenly stopped.

Seeing the expression of the spectators in the front row and hearing the many exclamations of surprise in the crowd, Fluttershy had the confirmation that her illusion, perfected by Rarity’s talent, had surprised everyone.

Rarity had spent much of her time designing the costume Fluttershy proudly wore. The hardest part was applying make-up to Fluttershy’s body. But, as Rarity had assured her, the wig held in place and the makeup had not faded.

On the stage, in front of everyone, stood Rainbow Dash, a reincarnation of flesh, feather and bone.

With a proud look on her face, her feet firmly planted and sporting the cocky smile that everypony knew her for, Rainbow was more alive than ever, looking at all of them. Her short, rainbow-colored mane, dancing to the rhythm of the wind.

She wore her light yellow wonderbolt rookie outfit cut in a lightning bolt shape on the front and dark blue on the sides and back. The yellow collar of the suit touched the bottom of her ears and she had her aviator glasses on top of her head. Not covering her legs, the garment showed Rainbow's cutie mark, the famous rainbow lightning bolt and the white cloud.

_________________________

Rarity was at the front row seats to the show and was delighted to see the effect her hard work had achieved.

As several guests exclaimed their surprise, including Twilight Applejack and Pinkie, Rarity smiled.

Only Fluttershy could so accurately mimic Rainbow Dash's character.

I must admit, You are very convincing. I could almost fall for the illusion. Your great acting just brought Rainbow back to life. Well done, Fluttershy dear! You're wonderful! So much success already and the rest will be memorable.

_________________________

The choreography could begin.

Fluttershy took flight, before the stunned eyes of the crowd still under the charm of her illusion.

Performing some of the easy but impressive maneuvers that Rainbow used to do to warm up, she heard the cheers of the crowd as they watched her twirl. She gained altitude and continued with the show.

She finally reached the desired height that would allow her to perform her tribute safely without being too high for the eyes of the spectators below. She wasn't worried, she had been performing this number over and over for over a month.

Everything would be fine this time.

She raised both arms to the sky towards the sun and whispered a short prayer.

“Please Rainbow, give me the strength to succeed, one last time”

Fluttershy performed three impressive loops in the sky. The crowd cheered in thunderous applause.

After seeing it several times, Rarity easily recognised this important sign of Fluttershy's choreography. An elegant way to tell she was ready to move on to the next phase.

The music was about to start.

Any minute now...

And, just as Rarity had predicted, a sweet melody sung by thousands of voices rose softly in the clearing, enveloping the audience in a complex symphony.

The music came from all directions, undetectable but omnipresent.

All kinds of voices mixed together to form the melodious song, from the lowest to the highest pitch. The melody was hypnotic and, one by one, the spectators fell under the spell of the voices that composed it.

It was bewitching, full of melancholy. Tears ran down the face of the most sensitive ponies while others tried to catch a glimpse of the authors of this mysterious melody.

Even the foliage of all the trees surrounding the clearing began to dance softly to the rhythm of the music as if they heard the song.

_________________________

High in the sky, Fluttershy could hear every chant, in perfect harmony.

Hidden among the trees, they sang the melody that Fluttershy had taught them in anticipation of this day.

Fluttershy let herself be carried away by this melody which gave her strength and courage, savoring this lullaby’s secret. The music was the same song Rarity used to sing her during her dark nights at the hospital, when awful nightmares continually woke her up.

Then she began the second phase of her tribute by performing a giant figure-eight-shaped whirlwind.

At the sight of her signal, they answered her call in tens, hundreds, thousands.

_________________________

The trees surrounding the clearing began to shake more and more intensely in a wild, rhythmic dance.

A veritable flock of thousands of birds of different sizes and shapes came out, their bright plumage coloring the plain below them.

They rose into the sky, forming six colossal spirals of distinct colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.

Each of the columns bent dynamically towards Fluttershy. Without ceasing to sing, they flew straight towards the pegasus, then, at the last moment, they whirled all around her in a complex choreography and broke off to fly even higher in the air to form up a gigantic image in the blue sky: Rainbow's cutie mark.

The crowd loudly burst into awe at the image that occupied most of the sky, a magnificent reminder of the cutie mark that was Rainbow’s pride.

_________________________

Fluttershy, heart pounding, stood in the middle of the action, at equal distance from the crowd below and her birds above.

She could feel the same emotion that Rainbow had when she was entertaining a crowd. While impersonating her friend, Fluttershy was able to forget her shyness. It felt like Rainbow's spirit had taken possession of her body to help her fulfill her promise.

Just like Rainbow, Fluttershy raised her arms in a victorious sign, drawing the cheers of the captivated crowd. Then she rose a little higher to reduce the distance between her and the birds, a crucial step for the rest of the events.

It was time to keep her promise to Rainbow.

“Now Rainbow, look at me! This is my tribute to you! My sonic rainboom!”

_________________________

Halfway down the distance between Fluttershy and the birds, Fluttershy performed a final aerobatic trick, which Rainbow would have been proud of as it was one of her favorites.

She closed her eyes and let herself fall to the ground, accompanied on her descent by the bird’s melody.

The crowd held its breath, everypony had understood that the final moment had arrived.

The sonic rainboom.

At last.

The birds, without ceasing their melody, had broken their formation and swooped down a few meters behind Fluttershy. They had grouped themselves into their color groups so that, for the crowd below, the picture was perfect.

Fluttershy, disguised as Rainbow, was diving closer and closer to the ground followed by a real, live, melodic rainbow of thousands of birds. Fluttershy spun around as she descended and the six columns of birds skillfully followed the movement. Their song became louder and louder as they dived towards the crowd, following Fluttershy's trail.

_________________________

For Fluttershy, time seemed to stand still... like every time she performed her sonic rainboom.

She felt that gravity was pulling her to the ground at high speed, yet she felt like she was falling in slow motion. The music itself seemed to have adopted a slower tempo. She could see the thousands of birds following her, so slowly that they seemed frozen in time, separated into six colorful columns. They were obviously making intense efforts to follow her.

Fluttershy also allowed herself a glance at the crowd below. Her eyes fell on Rarity. Tears of joy were running down her cheeks and a beautiful smile was growing on her beautiful face.

Fluttershy smiled at her.

It was time to finish her sonic rainboom.

Time suddenly returned to normal.

Fluttershy was ready.

She lifted her paw in front of her and immediately the air around her seemed to thicken as she punctured it to begin the final stage of the sonic rainboom.

Fluttershy straightened her wings at the last moment, immediately changing her course direction. The pain in her wing suddenly woke up, but it was bearable and would not make her lose consciousness.

Then the world around her exploded in colors.

As Fluttershy rose towards the sky accompanied by half of the thousands of birds, just above the astonished crowd, the rest of the birds separated from the rainbow columns with a powerful cry, melodious, but deafening like a thunderclap. They flew over the crowd and moved away, forming a gigantic rainbow circle just like the circle of light that occurred every time Rainbow made her sonic rainboom.

_________________________

A sonic rainboom, lively, powerful and melodious. Her tribute to Rainbow.

As the crowd loudly cheered the breathtaking finale of this show, vigorously trampling the ground and joyfully shouting, Fluttershy flew over the stage a few times, still followed by the lively, colorful columns of the remaining birds.

She finally landed on the wooden planks facing the crowd. With a smile on her lips, she greeted the ponies who were cheering her vehemently.

The birds quickly flew off in all directions, leaving the pegasus to face, alone, the wave of ponies rushing towards the stage to congratulate her on the success of her sonic rainboom and thus the fulfillment of her promise.

_________________________

Princesses Celestia and Luna were the first to congratulate Fluttershy on her wonderful idea. They politely complimented Fluttershy's performance while she was blushing at the praises.

Luna sketched a mysterious smile.

“Thank you for your invitation, Kind One. Your tribute was a splendid sight to behold! This day is yours but so will this night. For dreams can bring many gifts,”

Fluttershy took a bow, a little bit confused by princess Luna’s strange message.

“Thank you... princess Luna… Oh! And thank you as well, princess Celestia ... Oh my, I... I didn't want to...”

“No need for excuses, Fluttershy,” Celestia reassured her, amused by the obvious embarrassment of the pegasus. “You did nothing wrong.”

Then she sighed.

“Now you’ll have to excuse us but our royal duties require that we take our leave. Such a shame for my sister and I would have loved to hear about the event that led to your magnificent tribute. Goodbye Fluttershy, it has been a pleasure to see you.”

In a final greeting, Princesses Celestia and Luna left Fluttershy on the stage, puzzled and surrounded by a lot of ponies.

She had worked very hard for a full year and deserved every one of the congratulations she received. And as Fluttershy patiently endured the embarrassing amount of compliments, the words of Princesses Luna came back to haunt her.

What was in store for her that night to come? No matter how hard she tried to imagine what might happen, she had to resign herself to wait until the next night to receive an answer.

No matter what would happen to her, she would know soon enough...

_________________________

The sun was high and hot.

Fluttershy had taken off her wig a long time ago, letting her pink hair fall freely over her shoulders. The make-up had run off, due to the high spring heat and her sweat, allowing the other ponies to see her coat, streaked with sticky blue make-up.

Twilight, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie were the last to get up on the stage.

Fluttershy was relieved to see them.

All the stress of the last hour of being the center of attention for all of Ponyville’s residents went away upon seeing them. The ponies warmly congratulated Fluttershy who, despite the state of her disguise, still gave that strong aura of Rainbow's pride and power. An astonishing contrast compared to Fluttershy's usual shyness.

“Congratulation sugarcube!” Applejack began with a wink. “T'was a darn good sonic rainboom ya did there, partner. T'was the most beautiful thing ah've ever seen, ah swear.”

“It was marvelous Fluttershy darling,” continued Rarity. “It was even more gorgeous than I remembered. You were spectacular!”

“It was fantastic, extra, with an awesome final, Pinkie Pie style!” Pinkie added, hopping on the spot and throwing confetti on the pegasus. “I must do a party as wonderful as your sonic rainboom. Oh, this will be so cool!”

“I must admit, Rarity was right,” said Twilight, impressed. “You have been simply ingenious Fluttershy. You manage to do a sonic rainboom without the required speed. Using birds to do it. I can’t believe it! How did you come up with this idea.?”

“Thank you so much girls... As for this idea Twilight, it is rather Rarity you should congratulate,” said Fluttershy, somewhat embarrassed. “She gave me this idea, after one of our discussions... When she told me that I was flying like a bird. It gave me the idea for my sonic rainboom. After that night, I only had to convince my little friend to join me in my project. But without Rarity... I might never have come up with this.”

“Me?” said Rarity in shock. “Oh pfft! Fluttershy darling, it is very kind of you, but I would never take the credit in your place. All of this is your doing. Your tribute to Rainbow, and it was perfect.”

She affectionately nuzzled Fluttershy, who nuzzled her back with a little laugh.

“Still, there's something I still don’t understand,” Twilight said. “I saw you tore the air, even without half the speed Rainbow needed to make it. How did you manage that?”

Fluttershy and Rarity smiled in complicity. Rarity took the lead on that one.

“What you saw, dear, was only diamond dust. Fluttershy’s costume had two secret pouches full of that exquisite powder. With just the right touch of magic, the illusion of Fluttershy tearing the air came to life.”

While she spoke, Rarity used her magic to pick the powder and create a halo around Fluttershy, emphasizing her point.

“Simply incredible...” Twilight muttered.

“That’s some darn good thinking! Ya got me there!” Applejack added.

“And that was so pretty!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“Well, that was the intention. But enough of that! Fluttershy, Rainbow would have been so proud of you! We all are, am I right, ladies?”

Twilight, Applejack and Pinkie shook their heads in agreement.

Fluttershy threw herself into the arms of her friends, moved but happy because her soul was finally at peace. She had endured so much in the past year. But in the end, by performing the sonic rainboom, she had finally been able to fulfill her promise.

She would always miss Rainbow, but now she was able to fully appreciate every moment of her life, to move away from the pain. She was cured.

Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief, soon eclipsed when Rarity whispered in her ear to remind her of their discussion less than three months earlier.

“Fluttershy darling, I think there will never be a better time to let our friends know about your concern about Rainbow's death. But knowing the girls, you have nothing to fear from them. Don't be shy, I will stay right next to you.”

“O... Okay... Thanks, Rarity,”

“Anytime darling”

Fluttershy leaned lightly against Rarity's flank, drawing courage from her support. Then, after a shy squeak to attract the attention of her friends, she began her story.

“Hum... Girls, I... I have something to tell you... it's about Rainbow...”

_________________________

“...I... I can't tell how sorry I am, girls, and if... if you don't want us to be friends anymore, I... I will understand,” finished Fluttershy, watching her friend’s reaction.

Twilight, Applejack and Pinkie had listened attentively to Fluttershy’s confession.

At the end of her speech, while Fluttershy waited anxiously for their judgment, in Rarity’s shadow, big smiles bloomed on their faces.

“Oh sugarcube... Ya shouldn't have worried that much. T'was not your fault. Of course we'll stay friends, Fluttershy. We can't be mad at you for Rainbow's death. Ya could never have predicted what would happen that day.”

“Yeah, you silly little pony,” Pinkie joyfully added. “How could we be mad at you for an accident? I can't believe that you'd think that we would stop being friends. That's just silly.”

“Fluttershy, I can't believe you kept that secret to yourself all that time, you shouldn't have feared to talk to us. We're your friends and that sad unpredictable circumstance will never change that fact. We will never hold it against you,” Twilight concluded.

Fluttershy breathed a sigh of gratitude, visibly relieved.

“Thank you so much girls. It… it means a lot to me.”

“You see, darling?” Rarity beamed. “I told you there was nothing to be afraid of. What happened to Rainbow is tragic, but it never was your fault. Now girls, with this unpleasant secret out of the way, we should celebrate Fluttershy's magnificent sonic rainboom and, if I am not mistaken, I seem to recall Applejack mentioning, a little earlier, that she had a box of Shy rainbow cider to give you.”

“Eyyup. Ah’ve kept a whole box just for ya. Ah think we should open a few bottles later.”

“May I suggest my home then,” invited them Rarity. “Are you all free tonight?”

They all agreed happily, pleased at the thought of tasting once again Applejack’s delicious cider.

“Then it's settled, Fluttershy and I will see you tonight, ladies.”

They then dispersed to go and perform some tasks before the nice evening that awaited them a few hours later.

Twilight had to fill out a stack of documents for Princess Celestia. Applejack had to take care of some fields adjacent to Sweet Apple Acre's farm and Pinkie had to go and bake an incredible cake in order to celebrate Fluttershy's wonderful sonic rainboom.

Only Fluttershy and Rarity remained much to the unicorn’s delight.

“Fluttershy darling, with this heat, I'm sorry to say this but your make-up is a mess. What do you say we go to the spa to clean ourselves up before our little soirée? My treat!”

Fluttershy gladly accepted Rarity's invitation, too happy to wash her body of the sticky make-up that was covering her.

_________________________

Having attended Fluttershy's performance, Lotus and Aloe were happy to receive the two friends and even offered them the royal treatment. Today would be a very intimate session since nopony had booked an appointment at the spa.

Fluttershy and Rarity had the whole spa for themselves.

In the large central pool, Fluttershy let the warm water gradually loosen her muscles and then began to rid her body of all the blue make-up.

Rarity quickly came by to wash Fluttershy’s long, pink silky mane. She loved that activity, which had allowed them to spend so much quality time together and build a strong bond of friendship.

“Oh darling, I love these little moments we have, just the two of us. Your mane is so pretty, I will never get tired of taking care of it. I think I'm in love,” Rarity whispered, gently playing with Fluttershy’s hair.

“Hum, Rarity? I... I need to talk to you about something too... ”

Her sorry tone instantly filled Rarity's heart with grief.

“Please, speak your mind Fluttershy, I... I think I know what you are about to say but I must hear it from you,” Rarity encouraged her, trying to hold back the sobs she felt coming up.

“I... I'm really grateful for all you have done for me Rarity, really I am, but... it's been a year now... and since I'm finally at peace, I... I think it's time I return to my cottage. My animals, they need me, Rarity. I… I think I should get back to my home... tonight.”

“Fluttershy, please, if you are so minded to return to your cottage, which is a perfectly reasonable demand, at least spend this one last night at my boutique,” pleaded Rarity, tears in her eyes.

“O... Okay,” agreed Fluttershy.

An awkward silence fell in the air.

Rarity was infinitely sad. She somehow had that hope that they would keep living together, but Fluttershy was right, she was now cured and she needed to go back to her cottage to take care of her animals.

A normal feeling, Rarity thought, despite the pain it was causing her.

However, she promised herself that she would always be there for Fluttershy. They still had plans, the garden, the studio, right?

She continued to wash Fluttershy’s hair, savoring that last intimate moment between them. She secretly hoped there would be more.

“So... one last night...” Rarity murmured, letting her tears rush down her face.

“Rarity...” Fluttershy apologized, also tearing up, turning toward her friend and taking her hooves in hers. “Please don't cry, this will never change the way I feel about you! We will still see each other regularly, to make dresses and tend the garden.”

“I... I know darling,” Rarity said, wiping away her tears in an apologetic gesture. “But this whole situation is so sad. The boutique will feel so empty without you. I love having you around, you bring sunshine into my life.”

“Rarity, I will always stay around, I promise,” Fluttershy quickly reassured her. “Don't worry, I will keep visiting you as much as I can. And maybe... if you’d really like to... maybe I could stay over some nights. What do you think?”

“Oh! Of course, darling, I would be more than happy! My house is always open for you, my beautiful lovely Fluttershy!”

With a sudden impulse of her heart, Rarity closed her eyes and leaned over to kiss Fluttershy’s lips. A sweet, gentle and passionate kiss.

There was no thought behind that action, she was simply following a compelling and spontaneous desire.

Then she abruptly ended the kiss when she realized what she was doing... and with whom.

“Ra...Rariiiity?” Fluttershy stammered, cheeks wine-red, letting go of Rarity's hooves as her wings opened wide from the shock.

“Oh! Oh my...” Rarity began with a tight, uneasy laugh. “Fluttershy darling, I... I am so sorry. I didn't think before... Please pardon me, dear, I don't know what came to my mi...”

The rest of her sentence died on her lips as Fluttershy, as red as ever, placed a shy kiss on Rarity’s lips.

“Fluttershy!” Rarity exclaimed. “You don’t need to do this... I assure you... You don’t have to feel guilty or indebted for a fault which is completely min...”

Fluttershy cut her off again with a slightly longer, firmer kiss. She leaned towards Rarity, delicately putting one hoof on the fashionista's chest.

“It's fine Rarity... I'm not doing this because I feel obligated to,” Fluttershy whispered in Rarity's ear, causing waves of pleasure in the unicorn's body. “I... I do it because I’ve really wanted it.... for a little while.”

She gave Rarity a beautiful smile, enhanced by the red of her cheeks after such an embarrassing declaration.

Rarity's heart began to melt.

Fluttershy, sweetheart, you're so very forward, but let me show you just how much I can be as well, Rarity thought, smiling in turn at Fluttershy.

“In that case, darling, allow me to take advantage of it,” Rarity whispered back, releasing one strand of Fluttershy’s hair to caress her cheek. “I also wanted it for quite some time actually.”

They kissed again, at first shyly and then more and more passionately.

Each of them wanted to prove to the other the feelings they had been secretly nurturing for the past few months. The seconds passed and they broke their embrace, panting, to catch their breath.

Everything had happened so fast, but they were happy.

“Rarity?”

“Yes Fluttershy?”

“What… what does this mean for us? Are we… are we marefriends now? Everything happened so quickly, I feel a little bit confused. Happy but confused.”

Rarity looked at Fluttershy, her natural grace, her kindness, her long silky hair, her flanks, so soft to caress. And her beautiful sparkling cyan-blue eyes. The unicorn could only thank her lucky star for bringing Fluttershy into her life.

Through her contact, Rarity had learned the value of Fluttershy’s infinite kindness. Not wanting to be a burden to the unicorn, Fluttershy had deployed an arsenal of small, affectionate actions to relieve the fashionista's overworked daily routine.

This kindness had made its way into Rarity's heart, and it was now being felt in her daily life and work.

Seeing Fluttershy, her muse, Rarity had hundreds of different clothing ideas to showcase Fluttershy. With pleasure, the unicorn thought of some clothes that would be designed just for her private eyes.

Fluttershy, meanwhile, was drowning in Rarity's deep azure blue eyes. The unicorn was her most precious jewel, her beautiful maiden. Fluttershy admired the seductive unicorn. The perfection of her appearance, her perfect curves, her generosity and charming attention that had gradually won Fluttershy's heart. Fluttershy considered herself to be the luckiest of all ponies. And she intended to prove it to the unicorn.

At her side, Fluttershy had discovered the boundless generosity of the unicorn.

Rarity had redefined, in Fluttershy’s eyes at least, the term generosity. Not only had the unicorn willingly offered her every little minute of her free time, but she also illuminated Fluttershy’s every day with charming attention. An encouraging word, a gentle caress on her wounds, an evening of relaxation, and her sacrifice to work in their garden.

And unbeknownst to Rarity, Fluttershy had acquired some of that element that had finally made her realise her feelings. She then generously gave her heart to Rarity.

“I’m a little bit lost as well Fluttershy. But I know I have strong feelings for you.”

“I do too, Rarity.”

Rarity gave Fluttershy a beautiful smile.

“I’m so happy to hear that darling. And here’s what I think. We’ve been living together for one year and been friends for longer than that. I never felt any regrets about our friendship and I think I would very much like to try this new adventure with you. As a marefriend. How does that sound Fluttershy dear, should we give this romance a try?”

“I would really much like that, Rarity.”

“Then let’s move forward... together.”

Gently, Rarity drew Fluttershy to her. Fluttershy obediently allowed herself to do so by wrapping her arms around the unicorn's neck. They kissed passionately again. Their hearts beating in perfect harmony.

After a few seconds, a slight noise, a little further to the left, brought them back to reality. They turned their heads.

Lotus and Aloe were crouched on the edge of the pool, their heads resting on their hooves. They smiled mischievously as they looked at them, their eyes shining with pleasure.

“EEEKKKK!” shouted Fluttershy, crimson red, quickly retreating behind Rarity.

The two sisters got up at the same time.

Their eyes still twinkled from the scene that had taken place a few moments before. They clearly were pleased by the sudden turn of events.

“Initially, we came to know if the water was at your taste, miladies,” said Aloe.

“But the show had us a little... distracted,” added Lotus with a wink.

Then they grinned at the two extremely embarrassed ponies in the pool.

“Congratulations,” they said in unison. “You make a very beautiful couple.”

Rarity took a few seconds to compose herself again, she needed it.

When the fire on her cheeks was extinguished, she looked at the two sisters. Rarity nodded and gave them a pleasant smile.

“Thank you ladies, your congratulations are accepted with pleasure. However, I hope I can count on your discretion until the time Fluttershy and I are ready to announce our union more... let us say... publicly? What do you say, Fluttershy?”

“That... would be nice... please,” said the pegasus shyly, still clinging to Rarity, unable to look at the two sisters so much she was embarrassed.

Rarity gave her new life partner her best smile.

Fluttershy shyly smiled back and hid her face in Rarity's neck, both to hide from the gaze of Aloe and Lotus, and also to kiss Rarity’s neck who started quivering with happiness.

The two sisters excitedly stomped the ground and promised to keep the secret, then, after making sure the water was to their client’s liking, they slipped away to give them some privacy, not without a last interested glance in the direction of the two new lovers.

“Told you they would make a great couple, didn't I?” Lotus said to her sister with a note of triumph in her voice.

“Yeah, but must I remind you that I also thought the same thing? We're twin sister Lotus, we basically think the same almost every time,” Aloe sighed as she closed the door leading to the central pool.

“Aha yeah! Sometimes I just forget,”

Lotus stuck her tongue out, teasing her sister.

“Geez, Lotus. You are so hopeless,”

They both started to laugh.

_________________________

On the other side of the room, in the warm water basin, Rarity and Fluttershy were conversing quietly, tenderly cuddled up against each other.

“I am happy, Rarity,” said Fluttershy while carelessly tracing a little heart shape over Rarity's hoof with hers. “So very happy. I feared that returning to my cottage would somehow... darken our friendship.”

“Never! Fluttershy darling, you are my best friend and now, starting today, you are even more than that. I love you so much, and would never think of leaving your side.”

“I... I love you too,” Fluttershy said shyly, with red wine cheeks again.

Rarity lifted Fluttershy’s chin to give her another languorous kiss, to which she surrendered with a pleasuring squeak.

They continued chatting in the large central bath all the rest of the afternoon, sometimes exchanging a few kisses in a comfortable embrace, and then, at the end of the day, they set off for Rarity's shop for their evening with the other girls.

_________________________

Gathered at Carousel Boutique, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Twilight and Rarity enjoyed a delicious meal accompanied by the delicious "shy rainbow cider". Many bottles were emptied after Pinkie’s fantastic cake.

Going for honesty rather than keep it a secret from their close friends, Rarity, with the permission of a darker-cheeked Fluttershy, told their three other friends about the events that had taken place earlier at the spa.

When they learned of their friend's new status, Twilight, Applejack and Pinkie warmly congratulated them. Rarity and Fluttershy were delighted to see their friend's sincere joy. Pinkie raised her glass and a new toast was celebrated in Fluttershy’s and Rarity’s union.

Throughout the evening, the five friends recalled their shared adventures with Rainbow, their successes and their setbacks. They laughed and talked until midnight, each of them eager to share anecdotes about Rainbow.

Fluttershy was happy to see that each of her friends lived with a nice memory of Rainbow in their hearts. They would all miss hers, but she would never be forgotten.

It was a soothing balm for Fluttershy.

_________________________

Late at night, in a last greeting to Rarity and Fluttershy, the other ponies left for their home, quite happily drunk. The evening had been a dazzling success.

Fluttershy and Rarity went upstairs and went to bed together, tenderly embraced. After sharing one last kiss, Rarity magically turned off the lights.

“Good night Rarity,” said Fluttershy, sleepily, her brain a little foggy from all the alcohol.

“Good night Fluttershy,” Rarity whispered, drowsy as well.

Comfortably curled up in Rarity's hooves, Fluttershy smiled as she thought of all the new experiences that awaited her the very next day.

A whole new relationship with Rarity was beginning and although it frightened her a little, the love she felt for the unicorn, mutual love in light of the day's events, was well worth it. And, besides, another adventure awaited her during the night.

As the strange words of princess Luna came back to her memory, she fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes and laid her head on the pillow.

Chapter 9 - The Dream World

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A promise made is a debt unpaid.
- Robert W. Service, pegasus -

Fluttershy slowly opened her eyes.

She was comfortably lying under a foreign sky lit up by hundreds of bright stars and a full, perfect white moon that illuminated the entire landscape. An aurora of the purest blue ran across the entire sky while gently undulating.

The grass on which she lay, the air, the scenery, everything felt strangely familiar to her. As if she had been there before, long ago.

She got up carefully.

She was in a huge clearing, surrounded by blue, white and black flowers that spread a sweet scent in the air. And…

Before her stood a large, majestic stone archway topped with a beautiful carving of an alicorn with her wings wide open. Fluttershy admired the sculpture bathed in moonlight. The alicorn looked like she was watching over the dark sky and its many stars.

Fluttershy knew only one princess with such a serious gaze.

Curious, the pegasus approached the arch to admire the bas-reliefs of stone, silver and jewels carved on the structure’s pillars.

Two of them represented the rather famous battles of Princess Luna. One against Discord and the other against King Sombra. Two other bas-reliefs illustrated Luna's daily task of raising and lowering the moon. The rest seemed to focus on the princess building a world unknown to Fluttershy.

It’s a secret world created by Princess Luna only...

She looked away from Luna’s sculpture to touch one of the pillars. The rock was warm under her hoof, just like the air of this pleasant night. Everything was rather comfortable.

In response to Fluttershy’s hoof, the arch suddenly lit up, making her jump. What she witnessed after, she could only describe as strange and hypnotic.

Light of the purest clarity appeared in the center of the arch, stretching horizontally in a thin line to both sides of the arch and then opening vertically towards the base and the top of the structure, flooding the clearing with brilliant light.

The arch had become the gateway to another world, almost within her reach.

Fluttershy looked at the amazing landscape on the other side through the liquid curtain of light. This mysterious world opened up into a large clearing atop a cliff.

Fluttershy saw the same kind of blue, white and black flowers spreading on the other side of the door. They could be counted by hundreds and Fluttershy suspected that they ran on all the surface of the cliff up to the big valley, a hundred meters below.

Trees of dark blue crystals stretched as far as Fluttershy could see. And on the top of a mountain on the horizon, Fluttershy could see a huge kingdom a thousand times bigger than Canterlot. A lot of small windows were lit. Candlelight, probably judging by the flickering of it.

This castle is so amazing! I wonder who lives there?

It was also nighttime on that side, yet the landscape was clearly visible.

In the sky, filled with hundreds of millions of stars, far more than in the sky over Ponyville, three full moons shone into the night. Two were white and the last one had a bluish tint. They bathed the valley in a strange, subdued light.

The mysterious land, bathed in a supernatural halo, seemed peaceful, asleep, as if in a dream.

But far away, in the middle of the valley, Fluttershy could see a dark figure flying at great speed towards the curtain of light. Mysterious little stars shot out from the shadow's mane and body. They floated in the air only for a few seconds, then flew up into the sky to join the other stars in the galaxy.

Princess Luna emerged from the curtain of light, spreading small floating liquid particles of light all around her. These strange lanterns illuminated her as she landed on the ground with a majestic elegance worthy of the princess she was.

In a heartbeat, she came to meet Fluttershy.

Fluttershy paid her respect to Princess Luna, her head bowed to the ground. The sweet scent of the flowers was heady, it made her head spin.

“Good night Kind One, stand proud and be welcome in this world.”

“Thank you, Princess Luna for your... hospitality? If... if you don't mind, can I ask you... where are we? I feel like I know this place… yet I’m pretty sure I never came here before.”

Luna smiled enticingly.

“We are in the invisible world. Since you are the dreamer, it has adopted the same appearance from your last visit, one year ago. And that kingdom, behind the arch, is the eternal realm of dreams, my domain. It's a secret dimension which somepony can only access when death overcomes life.”

Fluttershy was struck by horrors. She gasped for air.

“I… I can't be... Princess Luna! Am I dying?”

Princess Luna let out a little crystalline and melodious laugh that helped Fluttershy calm down a little.

“Not at all Kind One. Do not be afraid for your life is not threatened. I invited you here only to offer you a special present, on the behalf of my sister and me. The Generous One told us everything about you. I was impressed to hear your tale. It speaks of hardship, perseverance and hope, qualities that I hold dear to my heart. It gave me strength to face some of my own fear...”

I wonder what kind of thing princess Luna would fear, she looks so strong...

“… For this gift you gave me, I shall grant you one as well! I think you will be very pleased.”

Oh no… Please don’t change me into an alicorn. That would be way too much pressure.

Princess Luna spread her wings in a graceful movement that sent flying away from the particles of liquid light still suspended around them. She flew towards the arch and stopped in the middle of the door.

Her eyes became as luminous as the curtain of liquid light as she began to sing a sad and sweet melody whose notes resounded, in the night. A vibrant and poignant call for a soul from the world beyond.

Once her mournful melody was complete, Princess Luna flew back towards Fluttershy.

The soul she had called had answered, a link now connected her to the princess and she was coming to them, Luna could feel it.

As soon as she landed in the flower-covered grass, a dark figure broke through the curtain of light to meet them, shaking off the liquid particles of light that were flowing down her mane.

_________________________

Fluttershy had seen the figure approaching on the other side of the curtain of light.

Since she couldn’t identify it, she waited in the safety of Luna's shadow.

Then she saw the entity exiting the light curtain, spreading floating luminous particles that began to float around, illuminating her face and body.

Fluttershy gasped in shock then covered her mouth with her hooves, now that she could clearly see the figure.

Her hair had grown a lot, giving her a more feminine look, but the blue pegasus with the long rainbow mane standing in front of Fluttershy was recognizable among thousands.

“Sup Shy! Long time no see, huh? You look pale, you’ve seen a ghost or what?”

Rainbow was just as Fluttershy remembered, smiling, confident and just as cocky.

She had spoken so candidly to Fluttershy, as if they had only left each other the day before, as if the terrible accident, a year ago, had never happened.

Fluttershy didn't answer Rainbow's mocking question. She jumped into her best friend's arms and hugged her tightly. Rainbow returned the hug.

To Fluttershy's surprise, their embrace was warm, real. Alive, and overflowing with love.

“Oh Rainbow! It's really you! Oh my goodness! I... I can't believe it! How is that even possible? You were dead!”

“Spoiler alert, I still am, but it seems that princess Luna called me to let us talk. You and me”

Fluttershy and Rainbow lay there for a long time, silently enjoying the magical moment. The friendship between them was beyond words and when they ended their embrace, Fluttershy admired her friend again.

Rainbow was more beautiful than ever. Mysteriously, her body was no longer covered with the horrible scars, the bloody signature the Timberwolf had left on Rainbow's body. She also seemed to have grown a bit taller since the last time.

Fluttershy absentmindedly played with one of the long locks of the blue pegasus' beautiful mane.

“Such a change Rainbow, your mane… it’s beautiful, But I thought you prefer them... shorter,” she said with a shy smile.

Rainbow shrugged and moved a few strands of her face with her hoof.

Oh! That’s new! I never saw Rainbow do that before!

“I tried something new. and I got used to it. They add an interesting effect to my sonic rainboom. You should see that!”

Rainbow shook her head

“But seriously Shy, from the two of us, it’s you who has changed the most during this year. I can't believe that you did a sonic rainboom! It was the most awesome thing I've ever seen! Mine is very cool, of course, but yours was insane! I mean birds! Thousands of them, how cool is that? I was so proud of you Shy!”

Rainbow’s comment made Fluttershy blush from head to hooves. She was very happy and relieved to hear that her sonic rainboom had pleased Rainbow that much.

“Rainbow, you can’t even understand how much your words mean to me. I’m so happy, I’m about to cry! But... hum... How did... well... how did you see my sonic rainboom from here?”

Rainbow looked at princess Luna who had kept quiet since the beginning of their discussion.

“Princess Luna showed me. I... can't really explain it but... let's just say that princess Luna has some powerful spells. Powerful... and a little scary, to be honest.”

Upon hearing these words, Luna gave a small amused smile and quietly walked towards the arch.

Before crossing the curtain, she stopped for a moment to look at the two pegasus in the middle of the flower field.

“Loyal One, I will wait for you on the other side. Come to me when your discussion is over. I will wait. Just be sure to come back before the rising sun. As for you Kind One, to return to your world, simply lay down on the ground, through these flowers, and sleep. You will wake up, back among your friends. For now, I wish you a good night.”

Fluttershy and Rainbow bowed at the princess of the night.

Luna tilted her chest, stood up and flew through the curtain of liquid light towards her distant kingdom bathed in the rays of the three full moons.

Rainbow watched absentmindedly as the princess's figure flew further and further into her kingdom. She was brought back to reality by the slight sensation of Fluttershy gently gripping her hoof. So gently in fact, that she almost didn't feel it.

Fluttershy was looking so sad.

“What is it Shy?”

“Rainbow? Do you really have to go back to Princess Luna? I thought of having you back once again... I thought that you would return to our world... with me...”

Fluttershy tried hard to hold back her sobs, to no avail. Soon her face was flooded with tears. Rainbow held her close as she sobbed into her shoulder and mane.

“I can't go back to your world again Shy. There's nothing left of my body anymore, except for the bones maybe. But don't cry Shy, I’m living a peaceful life here and one day, we will all be reunited together. You, me, Rarity, Pinkie, Applejack and Twilight. Now is just not your time, it seems.”

“But it’s so unfair! It’s… it’s my fault Rainbow, it’s because of me that… that you are trapped here! We should have left sooner… If I haven’t asked to stay a little bit longer… you… you might have...”

“You don’t know what would have happened, Shy,” Rainbow interrupted. “Everfree is full of danger. Anything could have happened… I didn’t die because of you, I died because I chose to stay and fight a timberwolf.”

“You had to fight… because I was… unconscious… I… I failed to...”

So that’s what this is all about...

Rainbow could tell Fluttershy harbored such guilt towards herself that even if she would have ultimately come to peace with the tragedy’s event, she wouldn’t have come to peace with her own actions.

I’ll be damned if I let that happen.

“Shy, look at me...”

Fluttershy raised her head. She locked her teary cyan eyes into rainbow’s magenta gaze.

“I am not blaming you for my death, Shy, so please... stop blaming yourself.”

Fluttershy kept looking at Rainbow, in silence, for a very long time. She lowered her head, her forehead resting on Rainbow’s chest then she started crying anew. Almost with gratitude.

She needed to hear this.

_________________________

After a while Fluttershy's sobs became more spaced out, less numerous. Fluttershy put her arms around Rainbow, seeking comfort in their embrace.

Rainbow could feel Fluttershy's heartbeat. A strange sensation she hadn't felt in a year. Fluttershy's heart was beating hard as her sobs quietly subsided.

Rainbow decided to change her friend’s mind.

“Now Shy, I beg you, stop crying and tell me instead what happened to you during this whole year. I'm dying, sort of, to know what the girls and you have been doing all this time.”

Rainbow sat down in the grass to look at the stars, inviting Fluttershy to do the same.

After a moment of hesitation, Fluttershy approached and sat next to her, flank to flank, to look at the sky and its twinkling stars. Rainbow used her wing to rub Fluttershy's back.

Comforted by this sweet gesture, Fluttershy took refuge a little more against Rainbow’s flank and began to chat about the sorrows and the joys of her friends and herself. She told Rainbow about her life since the accident, her difficulties but also her successes.

A whole year worth of stories.

_________________________

Talking with Rainbow consoled her.

“In the end, I... I did my best, like all the other girls,” says Fluttershy, modestly. “Surely, you saw their tributes too?”

Rainbow shook her head

“No, I only saw yours, Shy”

“Oh my... They were all so fabulous. The girls did so well. Let me tell you everything...”

And she told her everything. Twilight's magnificent eulogy, Pinkie’s beautiful burial ceremony, Applejack's amazing “shy rainbow cider”…

“Awww come on! She couldn’t think of zap apple cider before I died? That is so uncool! She better brew some for me when she’ll get here!”

Fluttershy had a little laugh.

“I’ll be sure to let her know, Rainbow.”

“Please do, I’ll be forever in your debt for that. And... what about Rarity?”

“Oh! There’s a lot to tell about Rarity!”

“I have all night, Shy.”

_________________________

“… she also helped me create a lot of details for my sonic rainboom like the costume and the make up. She actually used some diamond powder to create the illusion of air tearing around my hoof. She did so much for me during this year. I still think I might not have succeeded without her. She's so kind!” Fluttershy concluded with a thought for the one who now shared a part of her heart.

“Wow! You’re right Shy, that was a lot!” teased her Rainbow “But damn, she sure really seems to care for you. No complaints about the element of generosity here, she deserves it, hooves down! We're lucky to have her around. Looking out for you, that was nice of her.”

Fluttershy had just noticed how long she’s been talking about Rarity. Her cheeks took on a wine red color.

She was nervously pulling the blades of grass, trying unsuccessfully to think of anything else than the unicorn that was probably holding her close, far away in their bed in Ponyville. Her thoughts were drifting dangerously towards Rarity and Rainbow quickly realized her friend's behavior.

“Shy, is everything alright?”

Fluttershy shivered

“Hum… Well... Yes, I'm fine but... hum... It's rather embarrassing to say... without Rarity... I... I mean she's the one who told the girls... Oh! This is so hard! This year has been really stressful and sad, you see, and I... I spent a lot of time with Rarity. We... well... we became very close. And now... now we...”

Rainbow winked at her.

“I think I get it, Shy. You think that becoming closer to her would change our friendship. Don't worry, we're still the best of friends. Rarity might be your new best friend, but, in the end, I'll still be your oldest friend.”

“What? No! No Rainbow, I... I never even thought of that, of course you're still my best and oldest friend. I'm so sorry if I said something to make you think otherwise. I am such a bad, bad mare. I'm sorry Rainbow I didn't want to hurt your feelings. I never meant to...”

“Shy, I'll say it one more time, you apologize way too much. So what is it then, about Rarity and you?”

“Well you see... we are...”

Her words became unintelligible as she hid behind her mane to squeak the rest of her sentence.

Rainbow even had to lean closer trying to hear Fluttershy’s inaudible whispers.

“Shy, I didn't understand a word you said. Can you repeat, please? Louder maybe?”

Fluttershy took a deep breath and raised her head to face Rainbow. Her cheeks were burning, redder than ever, but she had a firm, determined look in her eyes.

“Ra... Rarity and I are a couple now... since today... actually. I'm her marefriend and... she’s mine.”

“Oh!” said Rainbow. Then realization struck in. “OH!”

She quickly regained her composure.

“WOW! Congratulations Shy! I'm pretty sure Rarity and you will be a beautiful couple. I'm just a little sad to not be able to congratulate Rarity too.”

Fluttershy happily sighed. All their friends had approved of their relationship. This took a weight off her heart. She smiled at her friend.

“Don't worry Rainbow, I'll tell her.”

“Yeah and tell her that I want her to treat you well, otherwise I’m going to haunt her flank!” teased Rainbow. Then she sighed. “I'm a little envious though, after all I was the first to check you out.”

Fluttershy's cheeks turned red in reaction to Rainbow's confidence.

“WAIT, WHAT?... you were... checking me out? Sin… Since when?” managed to stutter Fluttershy with burning cheeks.

Rainbow preceded her answer with a playful wink.

“Oh, I've been checking you out from time to time. But in the end, I knew we were too different, Shy. We’re both pegasus but other than that, we were too far apart to be happy as a couple. I then gave up the idea of asking you out.”

“This... is rather sudden, Rainbow. I... I don't know what to say. I'm flattered you thought of me that way... and maybe, if things were different, it may have worked out. But now, my heart belongs to Rarity. I'm so sorry Rainbow.”

“You don't need to be, Shy. I decided to not confess to you. And, I consider myself really happy to just be your friend. Your best friend!” Rainbow said with a smile, emphasizing the last two words.

“Yes you are,” Fluttershy said, laying her head on her friend's shoulder, smiling in turn.

“But wow! I still can’t believe that Rarity decided to tend a garden! A garden! How crazy is that! Heh! I guess it shows just how much she’s ready to go to support you. Urgh! I so want to see this! Our little drama queen, fighting plants with a rake. That sounds hilarious!”

“Now, now, don’t laugh Rainbow, she’s doing a great job. But you? What did you do during this whole year? Tell me about your life here.”

“Oh! You would not believe all the things I did!”

_________________________

They talked a lot, catching up on the time they had not been able to spend together, separated by Rainbow's untimely death.

Finally, after a long time, Rainbow stood up, stretching, and then extended her hoof to Fluttershy to help her up as well. The night was less dark, dawn would come in a few hours.

“Shy, it’s time for you and me to go back to where we belong. Before I leave, just know that I am extremely proud of you. You were, and still are my best friend, eternity won't change that, loyalty's speaking, heh! I will wait for you and, when your time comes, we’ll do a sonic rainboom, together.”

“Is that a promise?”

“You bet it is!”

True to their ancient tradition, Rainbow plucked one of her blue feathers and put it in Fluttershy's mane, sealing her promise.

Fluttershy responded with a sad smile.

“You know Rainbow… I am happy to see that you are in good health and that this place seems so calm and peaceful, really I am... but I can't help being sad also... Seeing you has been such a pleasure... but it was way too short. Tell me Rainbow, do you think I’ll ever be able to see you another time before my death?”

Tears welled up in Fluttershy's eyes. Rainbow gave her an encouraging smile.

“Shy, I think we should just be grateful for the opportunity we had to chat one more time. It’s not the end, not really. We’ll see each other again one day and if it’s any consolation, I’m going to be the first to show you around when you’ll join me. Better? ”

Fluttershy hugged her friend with all her might.

“It does help a little bit...”

She then took a long inspiration and let go of Rainbow

“I will miss you Rainbow.”

“Me too, Shy.”

“I hope you know this but… I will always remember you... always.”

“Is that a promise?” teased Rainbow with tears in the corner of her eyes.

Fluttershy plucked one of her yellow feathers and placed it in Rainbow's mane.

“You bet it is!”

Her cheeks were covered in tears, but her voice was cheerful.

They laughed, smiling at each other while wiping their tears away.

With a final goodbye, Fluttershy watched Rainbow cross the curtain of light and open her wings to fly away to the distant castle.

Like a waterfall that stops flowing, the liquid light gradually diminished until it disappeared, plunging the clearing into pale darkness. However, the moon and the stars still allowed Fluttershy to see the giant stone arch that stood silently before her.

Fluttershy smiled.

Sad, yet somewhat grateful for this night, she lay down in the middle of the flower field under the rays of the fading moon.

The flowers around the pegasus released a sweet anesthetic scent that began to fog Fluttershy's brain. She was getting sleepy and couldn't think straight.

A distant memory emerged in her mind as the words of a misty alicorn echoed in her mind.

Remember though that you have nothing to fear from death, it is only the beginning of the eternal dream.

“I was happy to see you Rainbow. It really was a sweet, sweet dream,” Fluttershy murmured.

She fell asleep under the stars.

_________________________

While her soul reintegrated her body, curled up against Rarity in their bed, the memories of this dream accompanied her, engraved in her memory.

A ray of the moon shone silently through the window, basking the lovers in its soft light, watching over their dreams.

Fluttershy was sleeping peacefully, in the arms of her beloved. And in her pink mane, a blue feather materialized.

A Pegasus Promise

by Waterwindearthfire

Chapter 1 - Everfree Forest

Chapter 2 - The Invisible World

Chapter 3 - Embrace Of Life And Death

Chapter 4 - The Promise

Chapter 4.5 - Peace Of Mind

Chapter 5 - The Journey Begins

Chapter 6 - Blooming Anew

Chapter 6.5 - A Worthy Harvest

Chapter 7 - Doubt

Chapter 8 - Sonic Rainboom

Chapter 9 - The Dream World