Over The Rainbow
*CRASH! BOOM!*
An overcast of clouds roll across the sky, the thunder echoes over Canterlot City as the lightning rolls across the sky. The first drops of rain pours violently as if the very skies are angry and upset. They told Fluttershy not to go out at this hour and by ‘they’ that includes ‘everyone’. Her teachers, her classmates, even her own parents told her, ‘Don’t go out! It’s not safe out’. Had she heeded her warnings, just take their advice and go home, this scenario before her would be different.
The problem is… Fluttershy didn’t listen.
On her mind, Fluttershy desperately made for the shelter to see all her friends… the animals. Even just for a brief moment or two, it’s what Fluttershy loves to do on her way home. Visiting the animals is the one highlight of her day, to have little friends to talk to whether it’s how her day at school was or simply to make sure they are well cared for. That’s just how Fluttershy is: A girl who prefers the company of animals more than people.
Besides, someone had to be there for the animals to make sure they weren’t scared of the ongoing weather. Of course, Fluttershy knew deep down the animals would be safe in their pens once she gets there. She knew the workers take the best care for the animals, though they always appreciate her visits. But even so, it’s those get-togethers with the animals that give Fluttershy a sense of peace.
But there’s no such peace for Fluttershy right now. The pink-haired girl finds herself paying the price for ignoring the warnings. The cold, pouring rain strikes her down like daggers with no sign of letting up at any time. So hard, Fluttershy can feel her light dress turn heavy. Every few seconds, after the lightning snakes along the sky, the thunder rumbles over her head. And in all that time, Fluttershy refuses to look up for herself.
Not to say the thunder is what scares her the most… it’s the lightning itself. Between the two activities going on in the sky, she knew for a fact lightning kills those less fortunate to be in its path. Never seen it happen herself… but she took enough weather classes to know. Which makes it worse for the banana yellow girl running desperately in search for shelter and not knowing where to look. Nor even whether the nearby buildings are open or if the inhabitants inside would let her in.
The storm proceeds, for the entire time Fluttershy ran along the wet sidewalk. The flood level rises so drastically her own shoes fill with all the water coursing in. The very mud along the patch of grass in between thickens so greatly, the footprints would wash away from whence she stepped. Each step along the way, Fluttershy splashes over the puddles in her path and all she can do is un as hard as her legs can carry her.
Fortunately, Flutershy’s spot shelter in the nearest alleyway: a tiny cardboard box. A bit crude even for her but given the fact the downpour is nowhere close to slowing down she has no other choice. Probably not the best decision: The box is barely big enough to cover her head and the top portion of her body. But she stays exposed to the elements any longer, the poor girl will catch a cold by the time the rain stops. She shields herself as best as she could, the box covering as much of her body as possible.
Over the crack of lightning and the booming thunder, Fluttershy can hear children screaming in the distance. Frightened beyond words, Fluttershy sits herself upon the wet pavement and hugs her knees as close to her as possible. All while trying to keep warm under the thin cardboard as the wind’s strength increases by the minute. The rain grows so thick, she can see a blanket of fog build beneath her feet.
“I should’ve listened to the teacher,” Fluttershy thought to herself.
Flutteshy can feel the tingling feeling of loneliness creep in, as if the landscape weren’t cold enough. Under these circumstances, Fluttershy would call one of her friends or at least her parents, begging for one of them to pick her up and take her back to the safety of home. But leave it to Fluttershy to forget to charge her phone the night before. Removing said phone from her pocket, the battery symbol indicated it’s on low power.
Poor Fluttershy, quite the predicament she finds herself in. Stranded in one of a hundred alleyways in Canterlot City, unable to do anything more than hoping and praying to the heavens above. Silently begging that on the next wave of lightning, that won’t be the one that strikes her. A defenseless teenager exposed to the very elements while everyone else is snug in their homes. Just as well, Fluttershy won’t even make it to the shelter knowing it’s still far from where she is.
“I should’ve listened…” Fluttershy thought, starting to cry. “Please, please help me…”
“HELLO!!!”
Suddenly, Fluttershy’s ears prick up catching the sound of footsteps. Loud splashing off the puddles along the gravel draw Fluttershy’s attention. Fluttershy instinctively pulls the box further down, pushing herself further as the steps drew closer. The girl keeps perfectly silent and still, resisting the urge to peek from the box especially if there’s a stranger with ill intent. The last thing Fluttershy needs is unwanted attention.
Fluttershy, always insecure around people since the beginning, could hardly imagine if anyone saw her in this state: Her dress covered in dirt; her hair wet with grime. Not like Fluttershy can go anywhere, the freezing rain leaves her physically exhausted. Taking a deep breath, Fluttershy slowly lifts the box from her head. Her eyes glance toward a shadowy figure traversing through the pouring rain.
A figure’s silhouette appears, from where Fluttershy can see it appears to carry an umbrella over her head. As the figure gets closer, Fluttershy can make out a teenage girl approximately around her age. The girl pauses, for a brief moment, turning her head side to side as if looking around. The umbrella over her head keeps the ongoing downpour from soaking her to the bone. Then her head stops the moment it faces Fluttershy, as if the pink-haired girl is who the figure is looking for.
“Hello!” A raspy voice emerged. “HELLO! Anyone out here?”
The voice sounds familiar, even as Fluttershy listens closely with upmost uncertainty. After all, Fluttershy understood why she herself is all alone out in the pouring rain. Which begs the question: What is this figure’s reasoning? For that matter, how did she know Fluttershy is even out here? Is it a matter of coincidence or perhaps something more? One thing Fluttershy knew for certain is that it indeed is a girl, if the voice alone is not enough to give it away.
“I know you’re there!” The woman called out. “Not the best place to hide from a storm, you know?!”
This teenage girl, whoever it was, has indeed trailed Fluttershy to this very spot. It truly isn’t a coincidence as Fluttershy initially believed. It makes no sense for Fluttershy at this point to stay silent, if this a subtle sign from the higher-ups that her prayers are answered. Even if this feels too good to be true, even if Fluttershy expects a ‘catch’ to all this. That in a matter of seconds, she’d close her eyes and open them back to realize it’s all a vision in her head.
But the freezing cold brought upon by the rain reminds Fluttershy that this isn’t a daydream. And if she doesn’t act now, the figure will turn around and leave never to be seen again.
“Y-Y-Yes!” Fluttershy called back, shivering. “I’m in here! Please come closer!”
As Fluttershy calls out, the silhouette in the fog barely seems to move toward her direction. Fluttershy starts to ponder if this figure could even see through such thick fog. But somehow, someway, the fog starts to fade the moment the young woman begins to approach the freezing pink-haired girl. Eventually the details of the figure turn so clear, Fluttershy’s eyes slowly recognize the approaching girl.
The rainbow-colored hairstyle is the first bit of detail that sticks out the most according to Fluttershy’s perspective. The moderate cerise eyes pierce their way through the fading fog, the vision locked solely upon Fluttershy herself. The pale, light grayish skin tone is in full view of Fluttershy’s wondering gaze. A girl Fluttershy saw around Canterlot High, at least on one or two occasions. At first, Fluttershy doesn’t say a word… coming to terms over how surreal this feels.
“You okay?” The teen asked, breaking the silence.
But again, Fluttershy does not reply right away. All the girl can do is stare silently towards the young woman holding the umbrella over their heads. Either Fluttershy is in awe of the girl talking to her… or she is just too shy to answer. In any case, Fluttershy stands in the alley speechless before the presence of the rainbow-haired girl. The girl in turn pays no heed, but instead a smile forms upon her face.
“The name’s Rainbow Dash,” Rainbow Dash replied. “My friends call me Rainbow or Dash. But whatever you wish to call me is cool. So… you want to tell me your name or am I going to start guessing? I should warn you; it will take a while.”
Fluttershy’s mind seems to be on pause, as time around her seems to move at its own pace. The girl could not fathom whether she should actually talk to Rainbow or not. After all, there’s a difference between seeing Rainbow and speaking to her upfront. Fluttershy often saw her roam the school halls, acting cool amongst the athletes, and yet they never actually talked before. But here they are: Two girls in the midst of a chilly rainstorm, and Fluttershy feels a slight selfish for not addressing the girl reaching out to her.
“I-I’m… I’m… F-Fluttershy,” She replied weakly.
“Fluttershy, huh?” Rainbow nodded. “Thought that name sounded familiar. Good thing I found you out here on the way home. Why are you out here all alone, anyway?”
“I… I was… I was m-meeting friends…”
“Ah, I see! One of those get-togethers with your classmates?”
“… Not exactly.”
Silence follows soon after, neither girl knowing what else to say or add. The patter of raindrops along Rainbow’s umbrella is the only sound they can hear at this time. Still, it is fortunate Rainbow is nice enough to hold the umbrella over their heads. To keep them sheltered from the pouring rain, giving them a chance to dry. And yet, as Fluttershy looks around, she can see the rain appears to be… lighter than before.
“Why did you follow me?” Fluttershy asked curiously.
It is Rainbow Dash’s turn to ponder over the question. Her eyes turn toward the umbrella, as if Rainbow is thinking.
“Initially, I wasn’t sure,” Rainbow smiled casually. “Just found it odd a pretty girl like you would be wandering these streets alone. I didn’t think you’d get yourself caught in this weather… good thing this umbrella can fit two, am I right?”
Fluttershy bobs her head up and down, still surprised Rainbow Dash is talking to her. Looking back on her days at school, Fluttershy never had the guts to speak to Canterlot High’s top athletes. Fluttershy could barely look at Rainbow without a blush forming on her cheeks. Still, the longer Fluttershy’s eyes gaze toward her, a warmth casts itself around her like a blanket. Rainbow Dash, standing right beside Fluttershy, holding an umbrella for a girl resembling a rag doll tossed into the sewer.
And yet… as Rainbow Dash’s gaze looks onto Fluttershy, she is seeing her. Not looking through her as most students would, as if Rainbow silently acknowledges the girl’s presence. She gazes toward Fluttershy with the brightest smile the latter has ever seen. Suffice to say, the light in her smile leaves Fluttershy completely mesmerized with awe.
“You wanna come over my house?” Rainbow offered. “My folks will freak when I come home soaked, but no biggie. Mom makes an awesome cup of cocoa and you look like you could use one.”
No person until now has ever given such a generous offer to Fluttershy. Not even the kids around her neighborhood ever invited her for something so simple yet welcoming. Up till now, the shy girl never dreamt in years to even accept such an offer as she’s always been awkward around the other students. Nothing like being around baby bunnies in the shelter. Still, the moment Rainbow chuckles, Fluttershy’s smile forms… small yet noticeable all at once.
“Okay…” Fluttershy answered softly. “If you’re sure they’d be all right. I’m probably the last person you’d bring to your house.”
“Don’t be so modest,” Rainbow chuckled, shaking her head. “My parents are pretty cool once you get to know them… 20% cooler. They welcome just about anybody. If you’d like, we’ll call your folks and let them know you’re okay. I’d do it myself but…”
Rainbow reaches down the pocket of her pants, taking out her own cellphone. The battery symbol shows a tiny trace of red on the far left, a slash mark in the center, and blinking.
“My battery is small, and I know it’s going to shut off at any minute.”
“Mine too!” Fluttershy replied, showing her phone.
“Well… guess we’ll have to call your parents when we get to my place.”
“Oh, I’d hate to take advantage of your hospitality…”
“No problem at all!” Rainbow replied casually. “Besides, I knew there was something I liked about you. I see you around school, but you seemed so quiet and distant. Good thing I followed you out in this weather… could you hold this please?”
Rainbow hands Fluttershy the umbrella, her hands grip upon it gently. The rainbow haired girl proceeds to slip the blue jacket off her t-shirt, with the thunderbolt and rainbow colors on the front. Fluttershy stands silently while Rainbow wraps the jacket over the girl. She then takes the umbrella back, once more carrying it over each other.
“That should keep you warm till we get back,” Rainbow spoke. “Looks good on you.”
“But what about you?” Fluttershy asked. “I’d hate for you to catch a cold.”
“Don’t sweat it, Flutters… mind if I call you that?”
“Um, n-no… no, not at all.”
“Good! If there’s one thing to know about me, I never leave a friend hanging… and I mean never. Besides, us girls have to look out for another. After all, we’ve met before right?”
Fluttershy did not reward the statement, although what Rainbow said is true. They did see each other a few times, from the occasional walks through the school halls or seeing one another at lunch in the cafeteria. Yet it’s tough during lunch because the two girls are often in their own cliques, Rainbow with the athletes and Fluttershy with the eco-kids.
“… Maybe,” Fluttershy answered uncertainly. “Why?”
“Well, to be honest, I’m not sure how we met,” Rainbow shrugged. “And I forget 'when' given how I’m always on the go, doing stuff. But when I saw you, I did want to say hello and invite you over to my table a couple times. But for whatever reason, either it slipped my mind to talk to you or you often leave before I get a chance.”
“To be fair… I have a hard time speaking up about anything,” Fluttershy admits. “I guess I was afraid if I tried to talk to you, you’d think I’m just the weird, shy girl who’s only friends are animals.”
“Guess that makes us both weirdos,” Rainbow joked. “I mean, this is the first time we’re actually talking and I’m already inviting you to come chill at my place. A little too fast, huh?”
“Oh no, no, no!” Fluttershy waved her hands. “It’s perfectly fine. I was just… caught by surprise.”
“So, what do you say then?” Rainbow asked, holding an arm out. “Want to be friends?”
“Friends?” Fluttershy repeated.
“C’mon, don’t leave a girl hanging.”
The more Fluttershy thinks about it, the wonderful the idea sounds in her mind. Slowly, but with intent, Fluttershy takes Rainbow’s hand and shakes it.
“All right then!” Rainbow replied. “Let’s get out of this rain!”
As the two girls emerge from the alleyway, Fluttershy taking careful steps, the rain seems to vanish little-by-little. Like a heavy burden pressed upon her chests has lifted, the weight slipping away and her body feeling lighter. Up till this moment, Fluttershy is used to being ignored and any other person would’ve minded their own business and left her out in the rain. Leaving her on her own path for someone to find, yet it always seems out of reach.
So strange how a shy girl like Fluttershy seeks companionship beyond her parents, yet too afraid to reach out. Perhaps it’s for this reason why she preferred being surrounded by animals at the shelter. Just to have companions who don’t just acknowledge she’s there, but actually wanted to spend time with her. To have such furry friends around her, to spend as much time with them no matter how brief it may be, Fluttershy always feels at home in the shelter.
And then there’s Rainbow Dash, the best friend Fluttershy yearns for. Of course, she never imagined herself to see such a meeting become a reality. But the more she thinks about it, perhaps Rainbow Dash has looked out for her without Fluttershy ever knowing. Hence why at this pivotal moment, she’d reach out and help Fluttershy… almost like a sister. So many thoughts swirl in her mind, as the final drops of rain vanish and the clouds above the girls dissipate.
Though the sun has yet to fully emerge from the clouds, the golden beams of the rays touch upon the pink-haired girl as she looks up. One last drop of rain falls out of the clear blue sky, from the last cloud shortly before vanishing out of sight. The raindrop falls until it lands upon Fluttershy, contacting her lips. Her tongues sweeps the drop aside, it’s taste resembling a tear… of joy. A sign that speaks to Fluttershy, ‘I heard you’.
“Thank you… Rainbow Dash…”
“Hey, Flutters!” Rainbow called. “You coming?”
Rainbow’s words snap Fluttershy out of her train of thought, as reality returns to view. Fluttershy looks out as Rainbow Dash stands by the rain-crested streets, as the taxicab pulls up. Rainbow looks out toward Fluttershy, the cool gaze stemming from her eyes. Fluttershy did not know if Rainbow sees her the way she thinks she does. Perhaps at the end of the day, Rainbow is just looking out for a ‘friend’ and nothing more.
Still, it be quite a drive to Rainbow Dash’s house which will likely take a few minutes. Regardless of how much time the two have to spend, at least they have this chance to talk… just the two of them.
“Oh, um… yes of course!” Fluttershy smiled. “Coming!”
Her mind made up, Fluttershy walks toward Rainbow Dash, as she steps inside the back seat of the cab. Fluttershy soon joins in, sharing the cab with the rainbow-haired girl who turns right toward her and smiles. A sigh escapes Fluttershy’s lips, as she smiles back in content. The two girls hold hands together, as the vehicle proceeds to drift off into the distance ahead. As the cab drives away, the sun lifts partly over the car as a bright future begins for these soon-to-be best friends.