Angels Paradise
Two fillies walked into class, yellow behind cyan, making a beeline for their seats at the back.
"And why are you two late?" Ms Breeze doesn't miss a thing.
"We slept in." States Rainbow Dash defensively as her shy friend cowers behind her.
Several of her classmates find this funny and make it clear by poorly concealing their giggles that pass through the class like a wave.
Noticing it, Mrs Breeze speaks up. "Quieten down class." She turns her full attention to the two latecomers. "You are not making a good start here Rainbow Dash. I want you to see the headmaster after class and explain to him what's going on. I'm sure we can help you."
"Whatever..." Dash turns away from the excitable teacher up front, continuing towards her seat. "Make it quick though, I got things to do with my fillyfriend!"
A look of shock crosses Mrs Breeze's face. "Your what?"
Undeterred, Rainbow just looked at her. "My fillyfriend! Fluttershy! We've got some things to do after class and I don't exactly want to make her wait!"
At this, a look of mortification writes itself across the older mare's face. Several of the fellow class members crack up into fits of giggles.
Glancing around, Mrs Breeze took it upon herself to do something before things got out of hoof. "Young filly, come with me. Both of you." She stormed out, waiting impatiently on the other side of the door for them to follow.
Once all three pegasus were outside, Mrs Breeze promptly shut the classroom door. "I didn't realise you two were together." She rounds on them with a stern look.
Dash just blinks, confused. "Well, yeah. We're always together!"
"I think you two would be wise to wait a few years before entering into a romantic relationship together. Not that I have anything against fillyfoolers, but I think you two should just slow things down a little you know? I know you are a speedy young filly Rainbow Dash but you've only just met Fluttershy. Don't you think things are going a little... fast?"
"Oh please, we're-...wait, what?!" Dash cries, her eyes going wide and her jaw dropping.
"Um..." Fluttershy realizes where this was going.
"Whoa whoa whoa! Ewwww! No! I would never date my best friend! That's...that's weird!" The cyan filly makes a disgusted face.
At this small explosion, relief floods Mrs Breeze's face. "Oh thank goodness..." She runs a hoof through her mane, relaxing. "I thought you two were going out as a couple. I've never had to deal with fillies your age falling in love."
Fluttershy looks down at the floor sadly, trembling a bit. She isn't sure why, it just kind of stings her a bit.
Dash rubs her friends shoulder with a hoof, not realising the internal dilemma facing the shy filly. "Phew... For a moment... that was getting really... mushy and ewww... I'm happy we have that sorted." A grinning cyan filly lights up her shy friends face as well.
A smile lights up the energetic mare who stands at the door, ready to open it. "Oh and... this might just be me but..." She awkwardly rubs the back of her head, willing herself onwards. "You two do make a cute couple, even if you aren't together."
Fluttershy beams at this, elation filling her gangly young body. Rainbow Dash scowls, cute is not part of what she considers normally considers 'cool' especially if some adult is telling her.
The stern figure of their teacher opens the door, leading the way back into the classroom. Giggles, snickers and other rude noises come from the seated bunch of young pegasi who all look guilty at the unexpected reentrance of the energetic teacher.
"Quieten down class." Before anypony can grumble she continues with gusto. "Okay class, enough work, who wants to have some fun?"
Everypony lights up, hoping that they aren't going to be forced to do something boring that their teacher considers fun.
Ms Breeze chuckles to herself, "Good, then how about our first flying lesson of the term?"
Excitement buzzes through the class, first flight lesson of the term. Rainbow Dash feels almost like she is about to burst from excitement. She barely notices her shy friend sinking down into her seat. Fluttershy squeaks in fear as a cyan hoof grabs her. A rainbow and pink streak exits the class as the buzzing cyan filly propels her companion on, eager at the prospect of a flying lesson.
The fillies and colts line up obediently in front of the teacher in the beginners flight course. It is a mostly bare, well carpeted expanse of cloud that looks like it is built to accommodate foals who are unsure on their wings. Aside from the soft clouds underhoof, the hoofmade looking grounds had only sparsely placed cloud obstacles dotting the expanse. Behind them sits the playground in all it's glory, several of less confident fillies and colts eyes drift to the fun zone wishfully.
Their teacher looks as excited as most of her class does as she addresses them. "Alright class. Now I want one of you to come up to the front. I have a few things to show you before you try and fly."
Several small hooves shoot up into the air as several foals, eager to show off, vying for their teachers attention.
Rainbow Dash almost bursts with excitement, waving her little hooves in the air, barely containing the shouts sitting upon her lips.
"Okay, new filly, up you come." Mrs Breeze notices the newest addition to the class and the excitement that is overflowing from her.
Rainbow puts on a smile of awesomeness, waltzing up to the front.
"Alright. I would like to you to do your best run up take off. Just make sure you flap those wings like you mean it because flying isn't as easy as you might think young filly."
Looking as if she were about to ignore the instructions, the bold little ball of spectrum trots up to take her place at the start line. "Watch this." In Rainbow Dash's mind she was performing as the lead mare in the wonderbolts.
The cocky cyan plush ball charges at the tiny cloud ramp, springing off and into the sky blue expanse beyond. She works her wings madly, just like she had during lunch break. The tiny filly sort of flew several meters before she came crashing down onto the padded white cushioning clouds below.
She springs back up to her hooves, flicking her spiky mane heroically to the appreciative hoof stomping of her class. She smirks at the bullies who are glaring at her for her performance as she struts back to her position next to Fluttershy in the line.
"Alright class. There's a good example of what I would like you all to do. Although this time I would advise trying not to crash land Rainbow Dash."
"You got it!" The puffball soaks up the praise, missing the advice following it.
"Now I would like you all to have a go. There's enough space here for all of you so no need to be mean about it." The easy going mare instructs.
Every filly and colt spaces themselves out along the line and do drills as explained by Breeze.
Charging along. Flapping their wings while she tells some to go harder and corrects other ponies form. One grey Filly crashes into the teacher.
"Derpy. That way." The teacher redirects the cross-eyed filly gently with a forehoof, using extra dose of caution with the young impending disaster.
"Oops! Sorry miss!" The energetic filly chargers off after her classmates, zig-zaging all the way.
They reach the walled off end of the cloud track. A bold grey colt strides up to her and a very quiet Fluttershy.
"Hi there, Rainbow Dash. That was a pretty awesome display there. I'm Galechaser and this is my twin sister, Airsplitter. You wanna hang out after school."
"Yes! I mean, sure, why not." Dash grins cockly at the duo. The prospect of getting to hang out with some other cool foals is one the rainbow maned filly finds extremely appealing.
"Alright class. Now I want to you all to run back here. This time keep your wings up to the side as if you were gliding."
Dash crouches down in position, ready to charge with a massive grin on her face.
"Alright, go for it."
They gallop back towards their waiting teacher
They do so once more, further complements flying the cyan furball's way. Dash laps it all up, enjoying the spotlight thoroughly.
They complete yet another set of exercises. The cocky multi-coloured filly remains top throughout the whole thing, eventually spinning around to see Fluttershy trailing at the back. The poor shy filly wears a downtrodden look upon her face that drives a stake through the daring filly's fun.
Dash canters over to the downtrodden young pegasus, a look of worry on her young blue face. "What is it Fluttershy?"
The shy filly doesn't even meet her gaze, "nothing…"
"Oh. Okay then. Hey, wasn't that awesome?!"
Rainbow receives a shy nod in confirmation.
Throughout the rest of the lesson Rainbow Dash continues to gather a following as the class enjoy her showing off. The only pony not taking part in her ego boosting is her best friend Fluttershy who became more and more depressed the whole time.
"Wasn't that totally cool?" Rainbow Dash bounds across to her lonely friend, a pack of other youngsters following the self centered young pegasus. "Best lesson ever!" She wraps the near tearful filly in a big, bold hug.
The egotistical filly turns to the small crowd. "Everypony. This is my best friend Fluttershy. Say Hi everypony!"
Silence met the speedsters energy. A silence that made the shy filly want to run and hide, she knew no welcome would ever be forthcoming.
The next week passes in a blur for the young Rainbow Dash, yet drags on forever in Fluttershy's world.
Never ever does a day goes by where Dash doesn't wind up deep in trouble of some sort. Their teacher quickly learns to keep a watchful eye on the prankster, who is more than willing to dish out a few side surprises to the initially unwitting mare. Often Dash ends up serving after-school detention, further separating the bold filly from her best friend. Despite all the time out, nothing seems to cool the hot headed youngster off and no pony ever slows her down. Of course, the only one truly worried is Fluttershy, but even she didn't have much chance to voice her concerns.
The bold filly became undoubtedly popular. That in itself wasn't so bad, at least, for the most part. Fluttershy was glad that her friend is getting some attention and recognition for her skills, that much she deserves.
It just comes at the price of Fluttershy herself being left in the dust. Always. Rainbow Dash is always hanging out with her followers, always going out there and showing off. Whenever the yellow filly tries to approach her, the showoff is always too busy, or fails to hear her. Further days stretched into the longest week of her life. Each night the shy, distraught filly puts herself to bed well before her bold friend can burst into the room and spot her in such poorly condition.
On this particular day, the very same thing was coming to pass.
Fluttershy hunkers down by herself in the playground near the puffy classroom blocks, watching as Rainbow pulls little tricks to her followers. It hurts to watch, considering it was always 'their' thing, without a huge audience along with her. But what right does Fluttershy have to complain? No such right or chance.
She just can't believe they had a chance to watch her awesomeness, to hang out with her whenever they wanted. A privilege she is clearly slowly losing. But Fluttershy isn't like them, no wonder.
'Am I...not good enough for her anymore?' The sad creamy yellow filly thought, pawing at the cloud ground. 'Doesn't she want to hang out with me anymore? ...Of course not. I'm nothing like her. Nothing like them. I'm not cool, I'm not daring, I'm nothing. I'm just pathetic, shy, weak, lonely Fluttershy.'
Feasting her teal eyes over at her friend, her only friend. Her friend, now moving on to bigger, better things.
But she wonders sadly to herself.
Do those friends care? Did those friends really like her? Did those friends help her? Did those friends make her smile? Would they be there to cuddle her when she had a bad day?
Fluttershy picks herself up. She was getting nowhere with this. Standing up, she trudges away, sadly, with no more options. All she can do now is leave, leave to avoid the pain of loss. Her world is like an emotional desert and she felt trapped in the middle. So alone, more than she ever had ever been in her life. It was indeed lonelier to lose the perfect friend than to have never had one in the first place. She hangs her head as she plods along, tears of pain leaking down her delicate yellow face.
Drip, drip, drip.
A small trail of sadness makes the path of the outcast as she makes her way to her room to cry away the rest of the day. Forget the rest of lunchtime. Forget afternoon class. Her tummy rumbles, but the plea for food goes unanswered. There is no point in anything anymore.
Later on, as the hour of twilight draws to a close, Fluttershy sits alone in the shared room, completely miserable. She pulls her head out of her tear-stained pillow. What is she going to do now? They are still sharing a room, even after a week apart. But what can it all mean now? Where can it possibly go? Fluttershy not only felt saddened by that, but worried. Despite how uncaring the speedy filly had seemingly become, she was always back by now.
Was Rainbow okay? Was she going to make it back just fine? Or worse, what if she would indeed transfer to another room to get away from the borning shy filly? What if being near Fluttershy going to harms her newfound popularity?
Sighing, feeling as if Equestria is on her shoulders, Fluttershy lies back down on her bed stretching out her lanky limbs. She was always powerless, but right now, she doesn't just feel powerless. Fluttershy feels defeated. Her muscles ache, her heart low, her eyes watering with tears, it was all too much for her. Was she ever going to get her friend back?
Further waterworks arrives and the room swims in a river of desolation. She faceplants into her pillow. Why can't things go back to how they were before that fateful flying lesson?
The door opens, interrupting her saddened reverie. Unable to help it, the timid pony sits right up, ears perking. Her eyes trail to the door, seeing Rainbow Dash slowly walk in. She looked as eager and proud as ever, wearing a confident smirk upon her features.
"Rainbow! Where...have you been?" Fluttershy manages, her voice soft, laced with worry.
"I was just hanging at the park with the gang, that's all," Dash scoffs, staring at her weirdly. "Why does it matter? I was going to come back soon, I was just a bit late! Lost track of the time." The speedster attempts to brush the issue of time aside.
"...Of course," Fluttershy mumbles, her voice flatter than she intended.
"Jeez, what's got your feathers tied in a knot?" Dash begins to trot towards her first friend, curious to know what is wrong, irritation writing itself across her features. "I'm FINE, Fluttershy."
Sighing, Fluttershy just lies back down again, looking away from her, "At least you had fun with your...friends."
Dash frowns, a little confused by this point, "Fluttershy, what's your problem? Why are you all upset? I didn't get into any trouble, honest!"
The yellow filly doesn't respond, sighing through her nose, casting her gaze away from the other little pony. Not one who enjoys being ignored, Dash practically marches over to the bed and flies up onto it, landing next to her friend.
"Fluttershy, why are you so mad?" Confusion continuing to etch itself across her face, turning it into one of care.
Again, Fluttershy fails to answer.
"Fluttershy?"
Nothing.
Dash's eyes narrow warningly. "Fluttershy..."
"Just...leave me alone..." Fluttershy whimpers, hiding behind her mane as fresh tears pool in her pretty little eyes.
"What?! Why would I do that?!" Exclaims the surprised cyan filly. "What's going on?! Why would I do that?"
Sniffling, Fluttershy just buries her face in her hooves, making incoherent babbles.
"Will you talk to me?!"
"Why?!" Burst the upset Fluttershy as she finally turnes around, sad and passionate tears running down her face. She wasn't angry, just really upset. "Why would I when you won't talk to me anymore?! If you don't...want to be my friend anymore...j-just say so!"
Eyes going wide, Rainbow Dash is taken aback by her shyer friend's passionate outburst. She has seen this side of her. It is strange to think that such a shy, quiet, soft-spoken filly like Fluttershy actually has such fire power. For whatever reason, Dash feels a strange tingling of excitement that sparked inside her heart, coursing along her chest and muscles. Whatever it was, she actually kind of liked it.
But now wasn't the time for that.
"Fluttershy..." Dash begins, faltering. "I don't want that! Why would you think I didn't want to be your friend?"
"You have far better friends! They're much cooler, much more interesting and daring than...than me!" Fluttershy wails softly, crying harder. "Just go...you don't have to worry about my ruining your coolness. You don't need me... So...I'll let you go. You're free. You don't have to worry about weak, pathetic, stupid-"
"STOP!" Dash yells, her voice ringing louder than she intended, but it doesn't matter. She just...couldn't bear to hear that. Fluttershy has problems, sure, but that doesn't mean she has to tear herself apart like this. For whatever reason, it felt worse than if Fluttershy had said that to her. A lot worse. "Fluttershy, stop saying stuff like that...! You're my friend, too! Just because they are doesn't mean you're not!"
"You don't get it, Rainbow... I'm not like them, I never will be...! I will only slow you down. That's all I've ever done..." Fluttershy whimpers, sniffling.
Shaking her head furiously, Dash places her hooves on Fluttershy's shoulders, gently shaking the taller filly just a bit. "Fluttershy, stop it! That's not true!"
"Yes it is! I just...Rainbow, please. Just make it easier for yourself. You don't have to be my friend, you really don't. I...I'll understand..." The shy filly turns her gaze downwards.
"No! Fluttershy...! I don't CARE about any of that! I want you there with me! You're my best friend!" Rainbow near-shouts, tears pooling in her eyes. Realizing this, she pulls away, wiping her eyes, quickly, "I don't want to stop being your friend! Those guys are cool and make me feel awesome...but...Fluttershy, I still want you there with me! I can't explain it! I can't even say it! I just...I don't want to stop being your friend, okay?!"
Looking to her with wide, teary eyes full of suprise, Fluttershy is left speechless. It never occurred to her that Dash actually felt this way about the situation, about her. That an end to their friendship would hurt the cyan filly just as much, if not more, if they stopped being friends. Why had she not thought of it that way? Did she really expect Dash to be so eager to end their friendship?
Heart falling, Fluttershy hugs her best friend tightly, trembling a bit as fresh tears and sobs escape. Taken aback, Dash all but softens, hugging her in return. If any of her followers saw this, yes, they wouldn't find her nearly as cool, but she couldn't care less about what they thought right now. Neither of them here would, those ponies would never know about this. It was between just her and Fluttershy. Nopony else. It was the Flutter and Dash Club, no members allowed except Fluttershy and Dash.
"I'm sorry..." Fluttershy murmurs, she pulling away, looking to her best friend tearfully. "I didn't want to lose you...but..I also...didn't want to hold you back. You do have an image you want to maintain, and I-I understand..."
"I know, I know! I'm Dash and I'm awesome!" Rainbow Dash grins, the moment of confidence fades quickly and she grows softer once more, "I'm sorry I made you feel left out, Fluttershy. I just... just. Ah... why's this so hard?"
"I-it was one week..." Teary cyan eyes glisten in the darkness, pleading to her bold companion.
"I know... But... that doesn't make it any easier!" The speedster rages at herself.
Having since let go of her friend, Fluttershy rubs her hooves together nervously. But then, she smiles softly, holding her forelegs open in an invitation for a hug. "Would...this help, Dashie?"
"Okay. Just for you, Flutters." Wearing a smile upon her cyan face the bold filly wraps her friend in a joyful hug.
A tiny squee of happiness escapes the bigger filly who feels herself fill with joy at the heartwarming contact with her best friend. The two fillies hug for some time, cherishing the embrace. Even Dash can't help but feel such a happy feeling course to her heart. It is strange how Fluttershy can do that to her, but for once, she doesn't care. It feels nice to be able to share this kind of thing with her.
"Dinner time!" The sound of one of the teachers rings out along the hallways startling the two content friends.
Rainbow removes herself from the embrace she shares with her shy friend. The happiness of the moment remains despite its premature end.
"We should probably go have some food. I'm starving."
Fluttershy giggles at this. "You're always hungry, Rainbow."
The athlete bumps her flank against her friend then swaggers toward the exit. "No I'm not!"
"Yes you are." Fluttershy galops after her, her previous pain forgotten.
The excited filly leaps upon her friend and hugs her back.
"Hey! Not in the hallway!" Dash rolls on her back, fighting her fellow filly off, giggles escaping from both parties as they enjoy the pre-dinner playtime.
The rainbow escapes her pink maned captor and races off with Fluttershy in hot pursuit.
They charge into the dining area. In her haste Dash crashes into a table, somersaulting through the air. Almost immediately, Fluttershy swoops in and grabs her best friend from behind, full of giggles and smiles. Despite the commotion, nopony is paying much attention. It was just two fillies having silly fun with each other, nothing strange.
Rainbow is pretty much ready to chew her friend out for doing this in public, especially right now, but she can't bring herself to do that. Not with how happy Fluttershy is, after what had happened earlier. Instead, Dash feels completely melty.
"That was awesome Fluttershy! Now what do you want for dinner?"
The bold filly pushes into line dragging her friend with her. Her normally shy companion is too elated to attempt to back away now and allows herself be led to the front without question.
"Um... Dash?" the bold youngster passes her companion a serving tray, appearing to ignore her inquiring look.
"Come on, Fluttershy." Dash proceeds to busy herself, filling up her tray in a matter of seconds.
She bounds across to a lone table and plonks her try down. Slipping into her seat she energetically pats the seat beside her, indicating the magic spot to Fluttershy.
The meal passes without any fuss. Both enjoy the simple bonding moment between friends and regale each other with short stories, each time Rainbow Dash just has to have the better tale. Despite the small accumulated fan base Rainbow devotes most of her attention to the pony she owes so much to after a short week of meeting new ponies.
After dinner, it was already getting to be a little bit late. Taking the long way back to their room, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy walk along together, side by side. Practically glued to each other, to which, Dash for once just doesn't care. She's just glad to have her best friend back, and vice-versa.
Fluttershy is, meanwhile, just completely grateful for the turn of events. She can't help but wonder if maybe, this is bringing them closer together? It sure feels that way. Especially since, on the way back to their room, Fluttershy decides to...offer little nuzzles. Test the water as such. Elation fills her as the strong multi-coloured filly returns each one!
The two youngsters slip into their room, still bound together by apparently magical forces. Okay, that as very silly, but it sure does feel as if that were the case. Regardless, even as they came into the room with the door closed behind them, it was getting increasingly harder to separate. Even Dash is just unwilling to do so. But it was getting late, and they know it's a good time to get ready to go bed.
With that, Rainbow Dash goes into the bathroom to brush her teeth, as per usual. Fluttershy eagerly joins her, unwilling to leave her side. The two fillies now brush their teeth at the mirror, side by side, just as they did almost every night before the big flight lesson. Dash finishes first, rinses, then traverses back into the bedroom. Moments later, Fluttershy does as well, heading to her own bed.
Both fillies now rested, not sleeping yet, just relaxing as they hope to soon be claimed by the wonders of the Sandpony. However, it is chilly tonight, even for a night at the end of the summertime season. Dash especially feels it as she shivers a little bit, already unwilling to sleep like this. But what can she do?
Glancing down at Fluttershy, she can see the creamy yellow filly laying on her back, looking as relaxed as can be. How is she able to relax like this?
Suddenly an idea pops into the cyan filly's head. A warm, cuddly idea that on any other night would cause the speedster to gag. However gazing over at her friend, she just can't help but entertain the thoughts of how nice it would be to warm herself up, just a bit.
Throwing caution to the wind the rainbow picks herself up and stealthily wanders over to her friend's side. She smiles down at the peaceful look upon her friends face as it melts her world. The athletic filly hesitates for a few more moments before taking the plunge. The sky blue plush ball slides into bed with the gangly yellow form, planting herself on top of the bigger filly. An explosion of warmth rocks her world. She snuggles into the lanky heat source relishing the soft touch of the filly beheth her. Fluttershy's eyes flare open in surprise, confusion filling her pretty little face. All that disappears in when she sees the radiant smile worn by the one on top.
"Awwww... " at the adorable sight, Fluttershy simply can't help herself. There can't possibly be anything cuter than her little blue pony friend, all cuddled up against her, what with how small she was compared to her own lanky form. Oh, it was too adorable!
"Awww... Oh, Rainbow..." Fluttershy cooes sweetly, stroking her friend's mane, "You're so cute like this."
"Cute? You mean awesome!"
"No Rainbow. You look cute." She nuzzles her blanket of a friend who giggles back. They rock around in bed for a few moments, allowing the laughs the two settle down for a good nights sleep.
Suddenly the night doesn't feel so cold. Dash isn't even sure if the most warm, fluffy, wool blanket could be warmer than where she is right now. Nopony would ever have thought that snuggling was actually so cozy.
Under any other circumstance, the daredevil filly would never let this slip. Ever. It was even slightly embarrassing to think about. But for Fluttershy, she is all too happy to partake. After all, it seems to make Fluttershy feel happy, so why not?
Even the shy filly herself feels a little bit warmer...
