Hey guys! Alright, I have decided to make a slight change to original plan of the story. My original plan was to follow each and every episode in "Friendship is Magic". As you can see in my previous chapters, I have trailed off from doing that. So I am going to start focusing on my own story line. It is still going to meet up with and include details from the actual show, but not to the degree that I had planned from the start. Hope you guys like it. Enjoy chapter nine!

-TammoWoodsorel

A Great Change: Chapter Nine-An Eventful Morning

By: TammoWoodsorel

Rainbowdash woke up early the next morning. She was delighted to see the sleeping Fluttershy next her that assured her that last night had actually happened. She stayed there for a few minutes to enjoy the moment, but the reason she woke up kept prodding at her to get moving. She was hungry. Normally, when Pinkiepie says that she is going to have a party, it is set up promptly and the same day as the idea to have it. Thinking that the party was going to be that day, Rainbowdash skipped dinner. She needed to eat something. She got up as quietly as she could and began to move toward the door. She stopped when she heard movement in the bed and turned around to see Fluttershy smiling and staring at her.

Still smiling, Fluttershy said, "Good morning Rainbowdash. I hope that you slept well."

Rainbowdash leaned against the dresser, returned Fluttershy's smile and said, "Yeah, one of the best sleeps I've had in a while."

Fluttershy got out of bed and walked over to her saying, "I had a wonderful sleep as well. Um… don't take this the wrong way, but um… I didn't really expect you to wake up before me. I mean… it's just… I never took you for an early riser."

Rainbowdash opened the door for her as they both entered the hallway and responded, "Well I'm not, really. I was pretty hungry since I missed dinner last night."

Fluttershy's stomach was heard grumbling and, after they both laughed for a moment, Fluttershy said, "I missed dinner too. Come downstairs and I'll make us some breakfast."

Rainbowdash was excited that Fluttershy would be making her breakfast and they both walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. They both stopped at the doorway, surprised at what they saw. Angel was at the table, eating his way through the large helping of pellets that he normally had for breakfast. Waiting for them on the table were two bowls of salad. They both peeked around the corner when they heard a cabinet door shut. They saw Dragonshy putting away a bag of carrot slices.

It took a moment before he realized that they were there. He looked at them for a moment, not knowing what to do. He wanted them to sit down and eat the food he put out for them, but didn't know how to get them to do it. He racked his brain for information and remembered something. Whenever Fluttershy wants him to go to a certain place, she would nod her head and wave her hoof in the direction of whatever it was. He did this for them, gesturing toward the table. He was delighted to see that they understood and they both sat down at the table. As they sat down, Angel finished his breakfast and hopped out the door.

Fluttershy sat down and commented, "Well isn't this a lovely surprise."

Rainbowdash was slightly disappointed that she didn't get to eat something that Fluttershy made, but looked at the salad in front of her and was actually impressed at how good it looked. There was plenty of lettuce and a perfect amount of tomato and carrot to compliment it. She took a bite and was satisfied with the taste, deciding that this would be a close second to anything that Fluttershy would have made.

She turned to Fluttershy and said, "Yeah, where did he learn to do this?"

Fluttershy took a bite of her own salad before explaining, "I told you yesterday that he has been watching me do things and learning how to do them for himself. Yesterday I taught him how to make a simple salad."

Rainbowdash continued eating, but stopped when she saw a development between Fluttershy and Dragonshy. He had walked over to Fluttershy and looked hopefully at her for a moment. She gave a warm smile, took a leaf of lettuce out of her bowl, and fed it to him. He took his time in taking hold of the leaf and Rainbowdash was surprised to see Fluttershy take just as long to let go of it for him. He chewed it and, as he did, they both smiled to each other before Fluttershy went back to eating for herself.

Rainbowdash waited a moment before questioning the whole affair, "Uh, Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy swallowed before answering, "Yes, Rainbowdash?"

Rainbowdash did not beat around the bush in asking, "What the hay was that all about?!"

Fluttershy thought for a moment before explaining, "It's um… to satisfy his diet," at Rainbowdash's questioning look, Fluttershy continued, "Well um… Changelings, like him, need to receive love in order to survive. The easiest way for me to give him love is through small gestures like that. They show him that I care about him and rejuvenate him. I also think it's cute how much he enjoys a plain leaf of lettuce."

Rainbowdash questioned further, "It looked to me like you enjoyed doing it."

Fluttershy blushed and looked away when she talked, "Well um… I just like making everypony happy, that's all."

Fluttershy's ears perked up and she suggested, "Rainbowdash, you should try it. It really is a great feeling and he absolutely loves the gesture."

Rainbowdash just shook her head as she ate some more salad and spoke through a full mouth, "I don't think so. I think he is getting enough love from you."

Rainbowdash swallowed and turned to Fluttershy. She was taken aback by the pleading look that Fluttershy was giving her.

Fluttershy did, in fact, plead, "Please, Rainbowdash? I really do think that it would mean a lot to him for you to do it too."

Rainbowdash completely melted under Fluttershy's prodding and said, "Fine fine. Where is he?"

It turns out that when they had been talking, Dragonshy had gone outside and washed Angel's bowl without them noticing.

Rainbowdash turned to him, whistled, and said, "Dragon, front and center."

Dragonshy dropped the bowl and rushed to Rainbowdash's side to stand at attention.

Rainbowdash continued, "At ease."

Dragonshy relaxed and watched, curiously, as Rainbowdash nervously took a lettuce leaf from her bowl. She proceeded to hold it out to him. He was very surprised at this gesture but was excited to be receiving another bit of the delicious food. He grabbed it in his mouth and he went wide eyed as he felt a surge of energy rush through him. This energy was different from the one that he got from Fluttershy. When he received energy from Fluttershy, it was always a calming energy that made him feel at ease. The energy that he was getting from Rainbowdash was different in the sense that it made him feel as if he could do anything. This energy made him feel empowered. He felt as if he could do anything as long as he was with her.

Rainbowdash felt something too. She felt a sense of satisfaction and happiness emanating from Dragonshy. It made her feel… complete. This was a feeling that Rainbowdash was not used to and wished to keep it as long as she could.

Fluttershy was overtaken with joy at the sight of the two getting along so well. A part of her though wished that she could be part of it.

She slowly leaned toward Rainbowdash and whispered, "I know how wonderful it feels, but you have to let go eventually."

This statement snapped Rainbowdash out of her trance and she promptly let go of the leaf of lettuce.

As Dragonshy chewed the lettuce, Rainbowdash turned to Fluttershy and asked, "What the hay just happened? What did I just feel?"

Fluttershy shook her head and answered, "I don't know, honestly. After you two left yesterday, I tried to find something in the book that explained it. There is nothing in there that describes the experience. I think that if we really wanted to figure out what it is, we would have to talk to Twilight."

Rainbowdash thought for a moment and shook her head when she voiced her opinion, "Um… I guess we don't really need to know why we get that feeling."

Fluttershy nodded her head in agreement. They both finished their breakfast and Dragonshy took their bowls outside to wash them. Fluttershy and Rainbowdash both jumped in surprise when they heard an excited, high-pitched voice outside.

"Good morning Dragonshy! How are you doing today?" they both knew that it was Pinkiepie talking and rushed to the window.

They saw a familiar cocked head of Dragonshy staring at the pink pony when she said, "What's the matter, silly philly? It's like you don't understand what I am saying."

Dragonshy perked up at this statement, pointed at the house, and said, "Fluttershy."

Pinkiepie's face was one of sheer astonishment as she exclaimed, "Wow! That's amazing! It's like you knew what I was going to ask you!" she began to walk past him and toward the hut when she said over her shoulder, "Boy, when you finally open your mouth, you sure are helpful."

Dragonshy continued to the pond, feeling quite proud of himself.

Rainbowdash and Fluttershy looked at each other and laughed. There was a knock at the door and Rainbowdash went to the living room while Fluttershy went to answer the door. Fluttershy opened the door to see a very happy pony on the other side.

Before Fluttershy could greet her, Pinkiepie said, "Good morning Fluttershy! How are YOU today?"

Fluttershy looked pass Pinkiepie slightly (she could never get used to the excitement Pinkie always brought with her) as she answered, "Oh… I'm fine. How are…"

Pinkiepie cut her off and yelled, "I'm great!"

Fluttershy got down a little bit, with Pinkiepie's excitement making her a little uncomfortable, "Um… did you need something, Pinkie?"

Pinkiepie began to hop up and down as she spoke very quickly, "As a matter of fact, I did. As you know I am having a party today to welcome Dragonshy, but the sky looks like it is going to storm. So I talked to Cloudchaser and she told me to talk to Ditzy, who said something that I couldn't quite make out, so I went to look for Rainbowdash, but she wasn't home, so I came here to ask if you knew where Rainbowdash was, and I really need to find her so that she could maybe clear the clouds before my party, because I really don't want anypony being caught in the rain on their way to my party."

Fluttershy was completely confused from how fast Pinkiepie was talking.

Fluttershy couldn't follow Pinkiepie's story at all and was about to ask her to repeat it when Rainbowdash walked up to stand next to Fluttershy and said, "Ok, all I got out of that is that you were looking for me."

Pinkiepie stopped jumping and asked, "Rainbowdash? What are you doing here so early?"

Rainbowdash answered very casually, "Me and Dragonshy got her pretty late yesterday, so Fluttershy let me crash here for the night. So what did you need Pinkie?"

Before Pinkiepie could answer, she moved out of the way for Dragonshy as he was bringing the two bowls he washed into the house. Fluttershy and Rainbowdash made room for him and he walked into the kitchen to put them away.

Pinkiepie addressed Fluttershy, "Wow Fluttershy, he's even more socially awkward then you are!"

Pinkie had a huge smile on her face after this statement. Fluttershy and Rainbowdash looked at each other, both having confused faces. They couldn't tell whether Pinkiepie was trying to compliment him or make a joke.

Rainbowdash just shook her head and asked again, "Pinkie… did you need something from me?"

Pinkiepie, remembering why she was there in the first place, nodded vigorously and said, "Mhm mhm mhm. I was hoping that you could clear the sky for my party today."

Rainbowdash took a step forward and looked up. The sky was completely gray from all the clouds in the sky. They were big and heavy. She knew that she would need some help if she was going to get them all cleared before the rain started falling. A thought hit her and she smiled.

She said to Pinkiepie, "No problem, Pinkie. Me and Dragonshy will have it done in ten seconds flat."

Pinkiepie resumed her excited hopping as she said, "Oh, yay! I had no idea that Dragonshy was a weather pony! I can't wait to see you two in action."

Rainbowdash nodded to Pinkiepie, walked a little ways down the path, cleared her throat, and yelled, "Dragon! Front and center!"

Pinkiepie and Fluttershy ducked to avoid being hit by Dragonshy, moving fast as a bullet, to stand at attention in front of Rainbowdash.

Rainbowdash, taking command, said, "Alright soldier. We have a tough job in front of us. Your orders are to keep half a click to my left and follow my lead. Understood?"

Dragonshy nodded as he began to unfold his wings.

Rainbowdash turned to face the same way as him and began her countdown, "Three! Two! One! Takeoff!"

The two of them took off with enough speed to send a gust of wind so strong that it blew Fluttershy and Pinkiepie into Fluttershy's hut. They both poked their heads out to watch in amazement as the two pegasi went to work. Side-by-side, Rainbowdash and Dragonshy tore through the clouds to make a cross-hatch pattern in the clouds. They had quickly split up the entire grouping of clouds into smaller pieces that could easily be smashed. They quickly flew to the far end of the grouping and began to move through it, fast as lightening, in a zigzag. They went up and down, up and down, up and down, taking out row after row of clouds. They had quickly cleared the entire sky and Rainbowdash led Dragonshy to a hard landing in front of the two open-mouthed ponies.

Rainbowdash puffed out her chest, raised her hoof in the air, and said, "What did I tell you? Ten… seconds… flat."

Pinkiepie was the first to get over her astonishment and yelled, "That was amazing you two! Thank you thank you thank you! Now I can go set up the party without any worry!"

With that, Pinkiepie disappeared again. All she left was another dust cloud in her shape.

Rainbowdash turned to face Dragonshy, who was standing at attention.

She softly said, "At ease, Dragon."

Dragonshy was relieved when she said this, but before he could lie down to catch his breath, he felt Rainbowdash's hooves around his neck. He looked to see that she was hugging him.

With her head leaning on his shoulder, Rainbowdash whispered, "You were so great up there. For a second, I didn't think that we would finish in time. I had you with me, though, and that fact pushed me to figure out a way to do it. Thank you."

Dragonshy had no idea what she was saying but felt the warmth of her hug and naturally returned it.

Fluttershy gladly watched them embrace each other, happy to see them getting along. She had been worried that Rainbowdash's feelings for her would make Rainbowdash not like Dragonshy. She was glad that they liked each other and realized that she was excited to develop her relationship with both of them in the days to come.