Friends Forever
Remember the Days
Everyone remembers the days that they spent growing up, attending their school and spending time with friends as the years went by, one after the other. Though whenever the time comes to say goodbye we try to hold onto those dear memories and never want to let them go, the days we laughed, the days we cried and the days we spent learning and having fun together. However as the usual saying goes, time waits for no-one and eventually even all good things must come to an end.
A young filly, whose eyes burned the brightest colour of cyan, whose coat emitted the most beautiful colour of yellow and also had the prettiest pink mane, had the toughest time making her way through school during her youngest years and her name was Fluttershy. As she was indeed a Pegasus pony, she and the other Pegasus ponies often heard the tales of the land below. Being too small and inexperienced with using their special and unique wings, the younger fillies weren’t allowed to leave their home of Cloudsdale.
The newest generation of learning Pegasus ponies had started, it was their first year of flight school and learning of the world around and below them. So far Fluttershy hadn’t enjoyed the experience of learning and playing with the other students in her class, she was always teased and the others often isolated her because she was too shy and always had trouble talking with them.
It had come to the end of another day within the flight school and all the young learning Pegasi had been waiting for their parents to come and pick them up, some of them had dared to sneak off home alone, however Fluttershy had been awaiting her only known, living relation which was her grandmother.
The little filly had been scraping and scratching her hoof along the soft, plush clouds that was laid out beneath her and as she hid away most of her face behind that lengthy curled pink mane, she watched onwards as the others within her class gradually got picked up and left the school grounds for the day. It wasn’t long before the little pony was left by herself and the chatter of everyday school life had vanished and sighing as she did, she continued the wait for her dearest grandmother.
It hadn’t been long until Fluttershy’s grandmother made her long awaited appearance, and as she gradually made her way forward, she called out.
“Fluttershy, dear, I’m coming lil’dearie stay right there.”
The much older Pegasus slowly walked her way toward the young filly it was quite strange to see that an older Pegasus wasn’t using her wings to travel around Cloudsdale, though it seemed that she was in quite a-bit of pain and moving any faster than what she currently was would have been asking the impossible. She shared a similar coloured coat to Fluttershy and her eyes had a green gaze upon them and her mane was that of a light red, her cutie-mark consisted of a stemmed blue-flower.
Fluttershy smiled and jumped with a spark of excitement once she had spotted and heard her grandmother approaching. Rushing toward her, regardless of what her guardian had instructed she met her grandmother with a loving cuddle, nuzzling her best she could.
“Nana, I missed you!” Fluttershy called out, cuddling more-so against her grandmother.
“Oh, dearie you couldn’t have missed me, I seen you this morning didn’t I?” She laughed softly offering back a warm embrace for her grandchild.
“Y-Yes, but I still missed you Nana.” Fluttershy broke away and offered her a heart-warming smile.
The mare shook her head and gazed down toward her darling grandchild and nodded her head gently, turning as slowly as she did walking back the way she had come. It was time to head home and the young filly had something on her mind, something that had been bothering her from earlier in the day.
Though as eager as Fluttershy was to inform her grandmother of the problem she was having, she didn’t want to bother her with such details and waited until they both got back home. Both mare and filly continued along the clouded path and keeping her grandmother company, they finally reached home and as both entered through the doorway her nana went straight for her cloud-crafted rocking chair, pushing herself up onto it.
“Aaah… there we go all nice and comfy.” Fluttershy’s grandmother whimpered.
Nana looked around as she sighed, observing the room and inspecting it she knew it would be a matter of time and as a gentle smile spread across her face, she admired all those photographs resting upon that rainbow-coated mantle, all those times she spent with her darling grandchild growing up from when she was just a foal.
She soon followed up coughing and hackling as she caught short of breath, wheezing gently within her chair. When Fluttershy heard this, she entered the room with a half-eaten carrot stick which was resting between her lips, her expression dropped to that of a saddened gaze watching as her poor grandmother coughed.
“Nana, are you okay? C-Can I get you a drink?” She offered.
Of course as her grandmother heard her offering, she shot a smile down toward the young filly and shook her head, showing her that she was quite fine and that it was just a cough that had been bothering her.
“Not at all dearie, just a-little cough that I’ve been trying to get rid of, is all. Did you eat your carrot sticks?” Nana replied.
Fluttershy couldn’t help but nod her head gently, the soft crunching noises that followed as she finished off that carrot stick she was nibbling upon, before moving closer and as she stared up toward her grandmother again, she looked back to observe her wings, concentrating to make them flap. Her pretty wings started flapping and as she lifted herself up, she raised herself up and lowered herself down into her grandmother’s lap, before turning and offering her a small smile.
“Hey, N-Nana… can I tell you something…?” Fluttershy whimpered as she stared toward the floor of the room, waiting for her grandmother’s approval.
Nana’s ears twitched as she heard the soft voice calling out for her attention, nodding her head down toward the young filly and spoke out. “Why of course dear… what’s on your mind?”
Things had gone silent within the room the lowly-puffing sound of that cloud-rocking chair was all that could be heard, as both rested upon it. Nana knew something was troubling the mind of her sweet grandchild, though she never wanted to force it out of her, wanting her to be more assertive with expressing herself.
“Well… the other ponies make fun of me, b-because I’m so shy… and… and… I don’t have any friends… and tomorrow… we need a partner to help with our flying… and… I-I don’t have a partner… I don’t have any friends…” Fluttershy whimpered, sniffing gently, shredding a-few tears at her own discomfort.
It was to be expected, the poor dear had no confidence and every-time she tried to co-operate with the others within her class, they simply shunned her. No-one wanted to be with the girl that couldn’t speak for herself or whimpered in whispers. Though as Nana heard this, she smiled and started stroking her hoof along Fluttershy’s mane, shushing her.
“It’s okay, little one… no-one is perfect you know. You have to be brave and be willing to make the tough steps to push forward in your life.” Nana sighed happily. “When I was your age, I had trouble making friends too, but I reckoned that there was always one special friend out there, someone who’d go through thick and thin to keep you happy.” The old mare chuckled gently.
“But, you’ve got to stand up for yourself dearie. You do your old grandmother a big favour tomorrow, okay?” Nana added and as she finished, she watched as Fluttershy’s ears perked.
Saying nothing as did, the young filly remained seated upon her grandmother’s lap and her eyes just scanned the room, stopping upon reaching one of those photo-frames that rested upon the mantle. It was a picture of herself with her grandmother, back a-few weeks after she was just born, being held, safe and protected in her grannies arms.
“Alright, Nana… I’ll t-try.” Fluttershy said, in a confident-tone of voice.
“Tomorrow when you go back into school… I want you to try really, really hard to search for a friend. Look really carefully and you’ll find the one person that will be your friend forever. I know you can do it, but you’ve got to be really serious and try really, really hard okay my dear?” Nana said in a soft and caring voice, as she released her young grandchild and placed her back down on the floor.
As the small filly was placed down on the floor, she turned and looked back up toward her grandmother and had a large smile on her face, nodding showing her nana that she was serious and would indeed give this task a try.
“Okay, Nana. I will, I promise. Then I’ll come home and tell you all about it!” She replied.
Upon hearing this, Nana was quite proud of her little girl she was growing up so fast and as she nodded her head with a caring smile, she spoke once more.
“I know you will dear, now, go onto bed you’ve a long day ahead of you.”
As Fluttershy heard her words she moved over toward her grandmother and climbed up with her forelegs offering her a loving nuzzle as she climbed down and turned making her way toward the bedroom, she was indeed tired and always trying hard within her class to do her very best, she found it to be tiring at most times.
The young filly entered her fluffy bedroom, rainbow colours littering the roof and there seemed to be a design of clouds lining the walls to her room, as she climbed into bed, she was soon followed by her caring guardian whom smiled sweetly watching as the young female tucked herself in.
“Always the caring you, you’ve been Fluttershy dear, let me tuck you right.” Nana spoke.
Fluttershy couldn’t settle as she was restless, though once her grandmother leaned over tugging that blanket up over her and tucked it in, she gave her a warm loving look and stepped back a-little.
“Alright, dear… it’s time to go to sleep.” Her grandmother stated as she started to hum gently.
As her grandmother’s voice was heard, her ears perked and those darling eyes locked onto her guardian mother as she sung that loving tune she always sang to her upon going to bed. A sweet hum filled the air and already the filly was yawning, her hooves hugging the edge of that blanket, snuggling herself in.
“Hush now, quiet now, it’s time to lay your sleepy head…
Hush now, quiet now, it’s time to go to bed…
Drift, Drift, off to sleep, exciting day behind you…
Drift, Drift, off to sleep, let the joy of dreamland find you. ~
Nana hummed as she sang that little hymn for her darling grandchild and once she drifted off into a deep sleep, she couldn’t help but smile and admire that cute, angelic face leaning over and planting a small tender kiss upon her forehead as she eased away and turned. Making her way toward the door of the room, she stopped and gazed back.
“Goodnight my little Fluttershy.” Nana whispered, before closing the door over, letting her sleep for the night.
The next day had come, the sun rose high in the sky shining it’s brilliance over the entirety of Cloudsdale, and as always everypony within the clouds seemed busy with usual outings. While some ponies had been busy making rainbows and others making clouds another special event was taking place today, for within the flight school of those little fillies it was time for their biggest test.
While none of them had officially been recorded as being able to fly, they had all been preparing for this big test and while some had been better prepared than others, this test would identify the ready from the not-so ready.
However back within Fluttershy’s grandmothers house the young filly had slowly come to awake, as she rested within her bed. Fluttershy yawned softly and as she stretched she slowly sat herself up and looked around searching for a means of time. Looking to the small cloud-crafted clock resting upon her bedside table, her eyes blinked once and then twice… before she squee-fell from her bed onto the floor.
“Oh no, I’m late… I’m really, really late!”
Fluttershy squirmed as she gathered herself up from the floor, galloping toward her door she pulled it open and moved quickly into the small corridor that connected all their rooms, before she came to a quick and sudden halt upon entering the living room.
The young filly blinked repeatedly as she made clear the situation affront of her, her dear old grandma was fast sleep, rocking gently back and forth within her favourite cloud-rocking chair and beside her on the small table was a small box when a small note pieced atop of it. Fluttershy slowly and quietly trotted her way over toward it and looked down toward the small note.
‘Good luck today my little Fluttershy. I know you can do it.
Remember your Nana is always watching and looking out for you.
I knew I’d probably fall asleep, so I packed your things and a lunch.
Show them what Equestria’s kindest little pony can do. Love, Nana.’
A large smile scrolled across Fluttershy’s face as she read over the note and after she was finished, the young filly shook her head and quickly fetched a blanket and when she returned she threw the blanket up and covered her grandmother as she slept.
“Thanks, Nana. I won’t let you down.”
Fluttershy whispered and as she reached forward she would take hold of her little saddle-bags placing them over the arch of her back, before she would take hold of her little lunchbox and place it into one of the small pouches as she made toward the main doorway of the house. Once she pulled the open, she looked back and gave her grandmother a warming smile as she passed through and the door was closed soon behind her.
As the young Pegasi quickly ran along the cloud-surfaced roads of her wonderful home she panicked, panting and ranting to herself about her failure to get up at the correct time this morning, she watched ahead closing the gap between herself and the school.
“Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, I’m gonna be late, I just know it… I need to get there, I need to prove I can do this, I just know I can! I just know it!”
The flight school was coming into view and Fluttershy zipped left and right, snaking her way past other Pegasi that had been walking along the same path, before she finally dived over the gate-line and sighed happily as she heard the callings of her teacher.
“Phew, I just made it… that was lucky, oh I’m so glad.” Fluttershy smiled.
“Hey, that was a pretty cool entrance. You came up with that yourself?”
Another voice sounded out as the shy Pegasi lay upon the ground, and as soon as she heard the voice, Fluttershy squeaked out loudly and pulled herself up and backed away from the stranger. Though of course, naturally this caused a-bit of awkwardness between the two ponies.
“…”
“Huh? Are you okay, I didn’t freak you out or anything? Did I?” The mysterious voice asked.
“Mm…” Fluttershy responded.
A small giggle-snort soon followed after the shy response from Fluttershy was heard. The laugh sounded controlled and squeaky and the mysterious stranger reached forward with an offering hoof-shake, smiling brightly at her. This was strange. Someone was talking to her, and it wasn’t insults or names, just, someone being friendly.
“Hehe, pleased to meet you. You seem pretty cool, my name’s Rainbow Dash, you’re that super shy pony in class that everyone keeps talking about, ain’t ya? Well don’t worry about those guys I’ll be your friend, so tell me, what’s your name, huh? I think it was… it was Flutter… Butter… “
The blue coated filly that had identified herself as Rainbow Dash had gladly introduced herself to the shy Pegasi and while trying to remember the name she had heard her teacher call out she paused as she squeaking sub-sided.
“Um… my n-name is… Fluttershy…”
Fluttershy struggled and squirmed out her name, having remembered what her grandmother had said, this was her opportunity to finally communicate with another pony that wasn’t giving her a hard time and as she heard the giggle-snort of Rainbow Dash she couldn’t help but bring a smile to her own face, already finding something unique and aspiring to this new filly-friend of hers.
“Hey, yeah! That’s what it was. Fluttershy, I remember it now, well it’s pretty awesome to meet ya. Looking forward to the test later? I’m gonna show everyone that someday, I’m gonna be a wonder-bolt, awe yeah!”
Rainbow Dash was clearly getting herself pumped-up for the main event or otherwise known, their school’s flight testing. Fluttershy nodded her head having heard what Rainbow Dash said and while smiling she too decided that at this time, sharing her ideal dream would creative.
“Oh, wow… the wonder-bolts? That’s a-amazing… I’m just hoping that I can have some nice friends and that I make my grandmother very, proud of me.”
“Wait, you don’t have any parents, just your grandmother?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I didn’t know my parents… but all I know is that my grandmother has been taking care of me, s-since I was born.” Fluttershy sighed gently.
Rainbow Dash felt that flood of sorrow wash over herself upon hearing those words, she turned and faced down toward the clouded texture of the ground under them both and scraped her hoof gently, before finally coming around to shake her head in response.
“Hey, c’mon don’t worry about it. We’re friends right, so let’s totally just chill out together we’ve only got the future to forward too, right? Anyway we better get going Miss Marilee’s calling for us.”
Rainbow Dash stated, as she nodded her head within her teachers direction starting to trot forward as the young shy Pegasi followed. Fluttershy was smiling, this was something that Miss Marilee hadn’t seen before and it did bring a small smile to her face as she called out toward both fillies.
“Let’s go now my little ponies, your big test is going to start soon.”
Miss Marilee chuckled as both fillies past her, making their way inside the school and placing their little saddle-bags up on the hooks that held their gear and lunches before making their way into the classroom so they could listen to their instructions from their teacher.
“Alright everypony settle down please! Now, as you all know today is the big test for you little fillies and colts that are able to take place for today’s test flight. Now, if you follow me outside please.”
Miss Marilee said, as she walked from behind her desk toward the door to the side, having just only pushed it open. A light breeze could be felt as it entered the classroom and as she waited by the door, she was making sure that every little pony would leave accordingly and in a quiet neat fashion.
As everypony lined up outside, the chosen and ready candidates were placed out together in another separate line, this had consisted of Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and another three known as Billy, Hoops and Score. It seemed that these five ponies had been selected for the trial process.
“Now, everypony is ready. So listen carefully my little ponies because we’ll be instructing you on what to do too pass the test. Now, first we’ll do each pony separately until we’re done. Second when it’s your turn, you must walk up to the starting line and then run and leap from the clouds edge into the sky.”
Miss Marilee had stated, already Fluttershy was trying to keep her game-face on. The poor filly wanted to do her best today and though she was picked for the test, it was because she had shown plenty of potential. Fluttershy looked along the line and seen the anxious four wanting to start as soon as possible, growling gently, she looked at Rainbow Dash trying to copy her expression.
“Now, don’t worry if you fail to actually take off. We have two emergency catchers to go get you if such a thing occurs, just concentrate on doing your best. Just all you must do is catch flight, once you leap from the edge you have to maintain flight for one minute.”
Miss Marilee said warmly as she nodded toward the examiners, giving them the indication that she was finished preparing the basics of the test and that the examination was ready to get underway. With that in motion, the examiners simply nodded their heads and awaited the first pony.
As the old stallion would call out in that loud, boring yet booming voice he would instruct the first pony to approach the starting line.
“Billy, can you step up to the starting line please?” He said.
The young colt smirked and nodded his head toward his two best friends, obviously a sign of confidence in his abilities as he then leaned forward and snorted loudly.
“Hey, check me out Rainbow Crash! Watch and see how it’s done!” He taunted.
As Rainbow Dash heard this, she snorted and flicked her tail in annoyance before narrowing her eyes to watch him. Fluttershy turned her head back and forth before she leaned closer toward Rainbow Dash to speak out.
“U-Um… sorry for a-asking Rainbow but… why did he call you that?” Fluttershy asked.
Rainbow would hesitate for a moment before shaking her head, blowing her tiny fringed-mane from her eyes.
“It’s nothing don’t worry about it, he’s just trying to put me off.” Rainbow Dash snorted.
Fluttershy fell quiet again and as each and every pony watched onwards they awaited the beginning of the test and were eager to see if Billy would succeed in his first flight exam.
“Now Billy, if you could please start when you’re ready.” The examiner asked.
“Ha-ha… this’ll be a piece of cake.” Billy smirked with a smug grin upon his face.
When the young colt stepped up toward the starting line, he stretched and once he was finished he leaned down and pushed himself forward running as quickly as he could until he reached the end of the runway before leaping up and into the air. With all his effort he pushed down on those little wings and started with ease to fly around in the air, keeping his balance and form easily for the one minute.
As the young colt remained within the air, the examiners nodded their heads, some idle chatter was heard and the light sound of scribbles could be noted as they began to write down on their clipboards on what they thought of the successful flying attempt.
“Good, good. Successfully completed for one minute, thank you Billy you can come down now and rest.” One of the examiners stated.
The sounds of chatter continued as they discussed Billy’s performance and happy as they were, they would call up the next pony that would partake in the test.
“Next in line is Hoops. Could you make your way toward the starting line please?” The examiner said.
“Told ya, it would be easy.” Billy chuckled, offering a bro-hoof to Hoops as he passed.
“Uh-huh-huh-huh… yeah, easy!” Hoops replied as he too would step up to the mark.
Once Hoops had gotten himself in the correct position to attempt a start on the test, he waited for the instruction of the examiner before doing anything at all. The large-dumb smile spread across his face and that curtain-mane coming down over his eyes. Compared to Billy he was clearly just another lackey.
When the examiner was ready he nodded his head toward Hoops and spoke out. “When you’re ready young colt, you can begin.”
As soon as Hoops heard this he was ready to get going, raising his hoof up to give his friends, his teacher and the examiners a salute he dug his hooves into the clouded texture under himself and galloped out toward the end of the starting line before pushing down and leaping up, right into the air.
“Yeaaaaah!” Hoops yelled out.
The young colt pushed down on those wings of his, flapping more and more as he ascended correctly into the air, he swished and swayed around within the air and was obviously showing that he was more than capable of holding his flying state for more than a minute.
“Good. Very good indeed. Now if you could come down and rest yourself we’ll move onto the next student.” The examiner spoke out.
Whenever Hoops had come down from his flying, as he landed he couldn’t help but chuckle a-bit more to himself and while making his way over toward Billy and Score he performed a double-bro hoof as he moved himself back in line.
“Uh-huh-huh-huh-huh… that was pretty fun…” Hoops said in-between laughs.
As the examiners once again broke out into small-talk regarding the second performance of the series of tests, it seemed that the next pony in line was Score. As he was the biggest pony in his class, he’d naturally have more power behind his much larger wings and the examiners talked among themselves regarding the next performance.
“Alright and next up, the last of the young colts to do the test I presume. Score, would you like to make your way to the starting line?” The examiner requested.
The larger than life sized pony moved slowly from his standing position and slowly but surely made his way toward the starting line and while having that stern gaze upon his face, he couldn’t help but ignore the words of Billy that was being yelled in his direction.
“Score! You better concentrate or you’re gonna regret it!” Billy grumbled.
As the examiners got themselves ready and soon they would nod their heads toward the large colt and acknowledge him to begin when he was ready. Upon hearing this the large pony took a deep breath and started galloping toward the edge of starting line, not saying a single-word as he pushed down with all his weight and leaped up and out into the air.
The expression on every-ponies face was priceless as they watched the large colt merely jump up and off the side of the cloud. This was a clear indicator that the heavy colt had failed in taking flight and with a quick bolt the catcher was already on his way down to catch and stop the young colt from falling too far.
Upon the catchers return, he placed the young colt back on the clouds as the examiners shook their head in disappointment and worry that he would do something so reckless without proper preparation.
“Good form and effort, but not enough to take flight. Consider training your wings to work harder young colt and you’ll do great.” One of the examiners stated, as the sounds of scratching upon parchment was heard again.
Score snorted as he made his way back toward Billy and Hoops and once he reached their sides he got in line as he was before and said nothing, scratching his hoof along the surface cloud beneath him. Already a loud sigh followed from Billy who was clearly annoyed that his buddy wasn’t able to pass the test.
“Hey, way to go you guys. Though I figured you all were gonna fail.” Rainbow sneered.
“Oh yeah? We’ll see how well you and your best friend do when it’s your turn and speaking of which.” Billy said with a crafty smirk. “Break a leg, Rainbow Crash.” He finished.
The colourful pony huffed and snorted as she made her way past the group of colts and toward the starting line, assuming she was up next and as she moved up toward the examiners a light giggle and a confident smile came forward.
“So, I’m up next huh, yeah-yeah-yeah--yeah? Let me do it! I’ll totally show you what I’m made of!” Rainbow Dash trotted on the spot, spinning in circles.
A-few raised eyes had been displayed by the examiners as they looked down toward the small filly, before dragging their expressions over toward her teacher Miss Marilee. It seemed that they didn’t cater greatly toward Rainbow’s attitude, however her confidence in her ability was what attracted their attention.
“Well, uh… she’s a very excitable young filly and she shows a lot of promise I’m proud to have her as my student and you’ll see why.” Miss Marilee chuckled.
“Hmm… well we’ll soon see. Now, would you like to make your way over there and stand ready at the starting line dear? You may proceed when ready.” The examiner stated clearly.
The young face on Rainbow Dash lit up dramatically as she grinned and quickly turned toward the starting line and as she already galloped toward the edge of the clouds, she yelled out before she pushed down on the clouds, throwing herself into the air.
“Awe yeah! Let’s do this!”
With a-few quick spins, thrusts and twirls within the air the young filly made her point toward the watching audience and all those that watched with awe, Billy wasn’t impressed, smirking as he turned his head aside letting the success of the filly carryon without letting it further bother him.
Fluttershy watched onwards in amazement, this was the first time she had seen Rainbow Dash fly so gracefully and professionally. Her large eyes focused on the rainbow coloured Pegasus as she swept through the air with such precision and delicacy.
Soon the examiners had instructed her to land writing down upon their clipboards of her results. Rainbow Dash smirked upon hearing their voices and soon landed back down onto the clouds as she threw her head back in that confident style, showing off her victory.
“That was excellent work young Rainbow, I do believe you’ll be something, very, very great in the near-future. Continue to train yourself and maybe someday you’ll be able to join the wonderbolt’s along with some of your classmates in the future.” One of the examiners stated, who was quickly joined by the others in agreement.
“Huh? Really, Yes?! That’s totally awesome! Woo! I’m totally gonna do it!”
Rainbow Dash yelled out in continued victory as she trotted toward Fluttershy, bumping her flank against the shy ponies and giggle-snorted while sighing, finally having calmed herself down.
“Hehe, you hear that? Even they said I have a chance of joining the wonderbolts!” Rainbow added.
Everything dulled down and while a small amount of chatter was heard among the ponies that where present, it seemed that Fluttershy was next in line. Swallowing gently she awaited her name to be called out, trying not to panic she trotted on the spot.
“Oooah, what If I can’t do this? I’ll let myself and my grandmother down, I-I don’t think I’m ready… c-can I forfeit?” The young Pegasi worried.
“Hey, calm down you don’t need to worry about a thing. I know you can do it, I’ve seen you try lots of times. Just remember to stay focused and concentrate and you’ll come out on top.”
Rainbow Dash spoke, the little filly was trying to persuade her best friend and give her the much needed confidence to continue with her test. As she leaned forward she’d push the shy Pegasi forwards toward the starting line and the examiners using her head, shoving her along.
“Go on show them what you can do!” Rainbow Dash finished.
“O-Okay… if you say so.” Fluttershy replied as she walked slowly toward the examiners.
“Now, you are Fluttershy yes? If you could go and line yourself up at the starting line and when you’re ready you can take off, alright?” The examiner smiled.
The shy Pegasi didn’t say anything in return besides offering them all a small nod of her head. As she turned toward the starting line she slowly carried onwards toward it and finally came to a stop at the base of the line. Fluttershy looked down toward it and scratched her hoof with nervousness before shaking her head.
“Alright Fluttershy you can do this… you’re doing this for you’re doing this for grandmother…”
“Woo! You can totally do it Fluttershy, go on show them what you’re made of!” Rainbow Dash called out.
As Fluttershy turned her head towards Rainbow, she smiled upon hearing those words. “…You’re doing this for your best-friend.”
Just as Fluttershy finished murmuring to herself, she turned her head back to face the runway with a confident expression upon her face and while letting out a snort, she scraped her hooves against the clouds under herself and started galloping toward the clouds’ edge.
Everypony watched on with curiosity at this point, waiting to see how the young filly would fare with her test. Miss Marilee leaned forward from her standing spot, eagerly waiting the success of her quietest pupil. Rainbow Dash was also standing in awe, chewing upon her lower lip she wanted her new best-friend to succeed, she wanted to watch and see if she would successfully take off.
Continuing to gallop toward the runways end, she chewed at her lower lip and just before she reached the very edge she closed her eyes and pushed down upon the cloud’s surface to spring herself up and out over the edge into the sky. Though her wings wouldn’t flap, she opened her eyes and soon those little legs wobbled and searched for ground under them.
“O-Oh dear… oh dear!” Fluttershy squirmed in her panicked state.
The young Pegasi had now become the victim of the mistress known as gravity, and as the shy pony fell directly down, gaining speed and losing altitude she struggled her hardest to make herself fly. The catcher was already on their way down to lend an assist to the young filly and was gaining in on her.
“I’m not going… I’m not going to fail… I’m not going to fail this! I am not!” Fluttershy yelled out.
As the voice of the young pony bellowed from the bottom of her gut, she gathered her focus and concentration and once she mustered up her own ability, her beautiful wings opened and straightened out either side of her body, allowing her to glide through the air, swooping upwards toward the top of the clouds again for all to see.
“Look! I’m doing it! I’m flying! I’m actually flying on my own! This is amazing! Woo! Look at me grandma! I’m actually flying!”
Fluttershy yelled repeatedly as she flapped her wings, pushing herself up more and more toward the top of the examining area. The catcher smiled and seen that the young filly had managed to overcome the fear and shyness that was holding back her potential and was now soaring with open wings.
Happily flying around in the air above the staging area, she stopped and with the biggest smile ever she hovered herself in the air looking down at her teacher, classmates and the examiners whom were all taking notes while showing obvious signs of being pleased at her efforts and success.
“Bravo, well done. Well done, indeed. We have seen some display of effort, ability and bravery today and we are most pleased with the results that had been shown in today’s examinations. Please, Fluttershy come down and join your classmates for your award.”
The examiner stated as they made ready the awards that would be given to the little fillies and colts that succeeded and deserved their great award. As Fluttershy landed, she was quickly greeted by Rainbow Dash who offered her an epic bro-hoof and placed an arm around the shy Pegasus’ neck.
“That was awesome! The whole jumping, then diving and then flying up and whoosh! That was just great I knew you could do it. Now we get our awards to say we can fly on our own!”
“Hehe, well… I couldn’t have done it without your h-help Rainbow, thank you so much.” Fluttershy smiled happily.
The two ponies shared their victory together and soon their teacher, Miss Marilee called out toward them wanting them both to come over and get their photograph taken with the rest of the successful students. This was something that always happened when students passed their first flight test and it was something to be honoured upon. All ponies would get the opportunity once they passed just some got it faster than others.
Miss Marilee arranged the line-up, standing behind those four little ponies as the schools photographer was ready for the shot. Measuring up the shot he smiled and spoke out instructing them all too smile nice and wide and hold up their award certificates and once they did the shot was taken.
“There we go, now you can all head back home and enjoy the rest of your day off. I’ll see you back at school tomorrow. Take care on your way home!”
The rewarding teacher said as she rewarded them with the rest of the day off from school. Everypony cried out happily as they heard the great news and while the classroom emptied with everypony grabbing their saddle-bags. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash stood outside the school grounds enjoying the now fallen silence that had come over them.
“Well, that sure was an exciting day, huh?” Rainbow chuckled.
“Oh, yes it was. I can’t wait until I get home to show my grandmother. She’s going to be so happy.” Fluttershy giggled.
“Oh yeah? That’s gotta be awesome, well I’m gonna get going and hang this baby up on my wall. I’ll catch you around, Fluttershy.” Rainbow smirked, before running off in one direction.
Fluttershy stood and watched as her best-friend ran off home obviously she was going to show it off to her family and Celestia knew who else. Following her example Fluttershy quickly darted off in her own direction, keen on getting home and showing off her prize to her grandmother.
“I can’t wait until I get home to show granny my award, she’s gonna be so happy!” Fluttershy got more excited, just thinking about it.
As the young filly got closer and closer to home, she arrived and pushed open the door and while standing in the doorway, the poor little filly panted for breath, gasping as much air as she could before she would start with her cheerful banter.
“Grandmother I did it! I did it! I got my award for being able to fly on my own and I made a new friend today! She’s called Rainbow Dash and she’s amazing, she can fly really, really fast and she thinks that I’m uh… awesome!” Fluttershy smiled widely as she moved toward her grandmother that was resting within the chair.
When Fluttershy approached the chair and looked up toward her sleeping grandmother, the young filly couldn’t help but seem confused at the situation. Her grandmother was resting in the same place as she was this morning. Fluttershy removed her saddle-bag and placed it on the ground as she leaned in closer.
“Nana…?” Fluttershy peeped again.
It was still no-use. Every-time the little filly spoke out toward her grandmother she got no reply and soon she leaned closer and started to nudge her gently. After a-few moments she still got no movement nor did she get any speech.
“…G-Granny? Are you… are you o-okay?” Fluttershy squirmed her eyes starting to fill with tears as she lay against her grandmother and started sobbing, hugging her grandmother tightly as she snuggled as best she could against her body and sniffled while she cried.
“I… I wasn’t ready to say goodbye… why did you have t-to go… I… I wanted to tell you about m-my day and… that I made a new friend… “The upset filly whimpered.
The room was filled with sorrow, pain and loss as that little filly expressed her feelings toward her grandmother, snuggling and crying against her. Having wanted to tell her grandmother about everything that happened today, about how she achieved her flight award and finally learned to cope with flying on her own. Also more importantly, she had made a new best-friend that would always be with her, forever.
“I love you granny… I love y-you so much… I will tell you someday about it and I know you’re always w- watching me in the sky with the stars… I won’t let you down granny… I promise… “
Fluttershy whispered and there she would remain for the rest of the day, spending those selfless moments with her recently deceased grandmother. Whenever the young filly was done with her goodbyes, she climbed down from her grandmother’s lap and left to inform the other residents of her grandmothers passing.
A few days had passed and Fluttershy was outside, sitting upon the cloud’s edge gazing out toward the beautiful Rainbows that coated across the skies of Cloudsdale. She was alone, spending time with only herself when she could. With a small sigh she felt the arm of another placing their foreleg around her neck and pulling her into a small cuddle.
“Hey, doing alright champ?” Rainbow asked.
Quietness filled the air around them and nothing was said. Rainbow Dash understood that the young filly had no family left and really all she had now was just Rainbow Dash herself. Smiling she watched as the other Pegasi turned to gaze at her.
“Oh… hello Rainbow Dash…” She said resting against the other.
Both ponies stared out toward the endless blue sky-line before them. Rainbow offered her another light squeeze and rubbed the ponies’ cheek trying to add an-extra layer of comfort for the young filly.
“I… I don’t know what I’m going to do now… I-I just feel so alone.” Fluttershy whimpered, tears beading within her eyes once more.
Rainbow Dash shook her head, trying to hold back her own sorrowful tears.
“Don’t worry. I’ll always be here for you, Fluttershy… I’ll always be here… as a best friend should be, forever and ever...”
Many days and nights passed, as did the years over Equestria. Times changed, locations changed, everything within the land changed, even the ponies that lived within it. It was a beautiful star-lit night and the stars shone brightly within the night’s sky and within the town of Ponyville everypony was fast asleep, except for one.
Pushing open her bedroom window, Fluttershy leaned out to stare up at the stars sighing happily and admired the beautiful sight that was before her. A few moments had passed and as she thought back to all those memories she had when she was younger, all those important memories she spent with her grandmother and Rainbow Dash as they grew up before she ended up falling to the earth.
The young filly would shake her head and the laugh gently as she gazed up once more toward the blinking stars.
“I did it grandmother. I made lots of friends and they’re the best thing anypony could ever ask for… I miss you lots and I hope you’ll keep looking out for me. I love you Nana… and I’ll always miss you.”