Chapter 14: Hurricane Fluttershy
It was a glorious day out in Ponyville today as many Pegasus ponies were out in the town today. (Y/N) was just strolling along down the streets of Ponyville minding his own business until he heard a familiar female tomboyish voice up in the skies.
Rainbow Dash: Calling all Pegasus ponies! Meeting tonight!
Rainbow Dash was passing out flyers in the skies as she drops a bunch to a bunch of Pegasi down in Ponyville. She then notices (Y/N) down in among the citizens of Ponyville and smiles as she flies down to him.
Rainbow Dash: Hey, (Y/N).
(Y/N): Hey, Dash. What's up?
Rainbow Dash: There's something important that involves all Pegasus around from Ponyville and I'm passing out these fliers around since there will be a meeting tonight at the library.
(Y/N): Huh. That does sound important.
Rainbow Dash: You bet. Hey, is it okay if I ask that you be there at the library tonight as well? I mean you've got wings, so that technically means you're part Pegasus.
(Y/N): True, and don't worry about it Dash. If it's something important that involves any Pegasus, then I'm more than honored to participate in it tonight.
Rainbow let's out a smile at that as she and (Y/N) share a hoof bump.
Rainbow Dash: *chuckles* Now we're talkin'. I'll see you tonight (Y/N). Be cool or be mule.
(Y/N) then notices somepony behind her and he reluctantly points behind Rainbow Dash as she turns to indeed see a mule behind her.
Rainbow Dash: Oops, heh, no offense.
Mule: None taken.
(Y/N): Well, I'll see you tonight Dash.
Rainbow Dash: Likewise. See ya, (Y/N).
Rainbow Dash then flies off to go and pass out more flyers to someponies who were Pegasi and (Y/N) walks ahead, that is until he notices a familiar shy Pegasus hiding behind a barrel in fear. (Y/N) was concerned why Fluttershy was acting very frightened and he walks up to her.
(Y/N): Hey, Fluttershy.
When Fluttershy heard (Y/N)'s voice, she let out an "eep" before dashing off behind a tree. (Y/N) was very confused by this as he immediately walks towards the tree that Fluttershy hid behind.
(Y/N): Fluttershy, you don't need to be scared. It's just me, (Y/N).
Fluttershy peeks out from behind the tree shyly as she slowly reveals herself to (Y/N) and he tilts his head at her in confusion.
(Y/N): Is something troubling you, Fluttershy? You seem to be very nervous about something.
Fluttershy doesn't answer (Y/N) as she just hides her face behind her mane and blushes a little in embarrassment.
Fluttershy: I. . . I. . .
(Y/N) could tell that something was probably bothering Fluttershy as he simply just sighs.
(Y/N): Don't worry, it's okay if you don't want to talk about it. I won't try and force it out of you.
(Y/N) then turns to go and give Fluttershy some alone time, but not before she instead holds one of his front hooves.
Fluttershy: W-Wait. . .
(Y/N): Huh?
Fluttershy: (Y-Y/N), i-if you don't mind. . . can you. . . stay right beside me tonight at the library.
(Y/N) raises an eyebrow at that request.
(Y/N): Why? It is because that there's going to be too many ponies around?
Fluttershy slowly shakes her head no at that which made (Y/N) even more confused.
(Y/N): Then what is it?
Fluttershy: Well. . . uh. . . can we talk about that another time? . . .Please?
(Y/N) turns to her and gives Fluttershy a small smile.
(Y/N): Don't worry, Fluttershy. You can tell me anything when you're ready, but just know this.
(Y/N) then rubs Fluttershy head a little which makes her blush.
(Y/N): I'll get you through whatever is bothering you, okay?
Fluttershy blushes red from that and let out a small smile as she nods.
(Y/N): Alright, I'll see you tonight Fluttershy.
(Y/N) then turns to go and walk away as Fluttershy watches him go with a meek smile, but it soon turns into a worried look.
Fluttershy: (I don't want (Y/N) to see me as a failure.)
Soon, night has fallen as a crowd of Pegasi were lined up at the Golden Oak Library and they each walk inside as Rainbow Dash greets them all.
Rainbow Dash: All right, go on in, find a seat.
(Y/N) then walks up as the last one as Rainbow Dash smiles at him.
Rainbow Dash: Great! I knew you come, (Y/N)!
(Y/N): You kidding? I wouldn't miss an important meeting like this.
Rainbow Dash then looks inside of the library and does a head count of all of the Pegasus inside and then groans.
(Y/N): What's wrong?
Rainbow Dash: We're missing one Pegasus. One familiar, and SHY Pegasus.
Rainbow Dash took a sharp eye towards a tree behind (Y/N) when she said the word "shy" and both her and (Y/N) walk over to it.
Rainbow Dash: Come on, Fluttershy. All Pegasus means you too.
Two slightly surprised blue-green eyes wink into existence on the trunk, which splits around its circumference at about a pony's shoulder height. Fluttershy stands up as she balances the top of the tree on her head and the stump clears her hooves into vision of them.
(Y/N): Hey, I said that I promised that I would be right beside you didn't I?
Fluttershy slowly nods from that. (Y/N) then removes the tree costume off of Fluttershy with his magic.
Rainbow Dash: Fluttershy, let's go. We don't have time to waste right now. You're a Pegasus, so get in there.
Fluttershy looks down from that as Rainbow Dash walks back inside of the library. (Y/N) then grabs Fluttershy's hoof as it made her blush.
(Y/N): Don't worry, whatever is frightening you, I'll be by your side, okay?
Fluttershy nods as they both then walk inside of the library while holding hooves to join the rest of the Pegasus in the meeting.
A film projector starts to run as old 50's type music starts to play and a little toon of black and white start to play that involved Pegasi.
Film Announcer: Every living thing depends on the life-giving nourishment of rainwater, and it is up to Cloudsdale to provide rain-filled clouds to every corner of Equestria. But how, one pony might ask, does Cloudsdale gather all this extra water? Tornado power! That's right, Pegasi-driven tornado power. A team of Pegasi combine their wing power to create a jumbo tornado, powerful enough to pull water out of the local reservoir and funnel it all the way up to Cloudsdale. Remember, Pegasi, your jumbo tornado must reach a minimum of eight hundred wing power to lift that water up to Cloudsdale. So, the next time you're wondering "Where does all that extra rainwater come from?", just remem-
The presentation comes to an abrupt end when the film skips and burns away, leaving only a harsh square of white light from the projector. A bunch of confused voices are heard at the sudden malfunction and everypony glares at Spike in which coils of film stock have sprung loose from the reels, littering the floor and winding around every part of his body.
Spike: Uh. . . intermission?
Rainbow Dash then flies to address all of the Pegasi in the room.
Rainbow Dash: So, here's the scoop. Cloudsdale has chosen our own highland reservoir as a source of the rainwater they need for all of Equestria. And you know what that means. It means it's up to Ponyville's Pegasi to bring that water up to Cloudsdale.
The crowd all starts to let out some small chatter and Fluttershy gets a small uneasy look which (Y/N) notices so he pats her on the back softly which got her to feel a little less uneasy.
Rainbow Dash then pulls down several posters displaying several of the Wonderbolts and bar graphs over different cities.
Rainbow Dash: Not only that, but Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts, will be here to oversee the water transfer and record our top tornado windspeed. Now last year, Fillydelphia broke the windspeed record with a top speed of nine hundred and ten wing power. But I think we can do better. I think we can get a top speed over a thousand! . . .If each and every pony trains, and trains hard to get their wing power numbers up.
(Y/N): (Wow! Rainbow is really doing a good job at rallying up everypony.)
A random Pegasus named Thunderlane then coughs which Rainbow Dash heard.
Rainbow Dash: That coughing better be from a popcorn kernel, Thunderlane. Nopony's getting sick on my watch. Also, I want to tell everypony that we have a special guest this year helping us out with the water transfer. Our Hero of Ponyville himself, (Y/N) (L/N) will also be participating in getting the water up to Cloudsdale!
Rainbow Dash points to (Y/N) in the crowd among the Pegasi as they all turned to him and gave a round of applause to him. (Y/N) simply salutes to everyone to tell them that he's all in.
Rainbow Dash: So, are we gonna train hard?
Pegasi: Yeah!
Rainbow Dash: Are we gonna be strong?!
Pegasi: Yeah!
Rainbow Dash: Are we gonna be fast?!
Pegasi: Yeah!
Fluttershy then huddles down to the floor in fear and covers her eyes which made (Y/N) raise an eyebrow.
Rainbow Dash then flies up to a muscle bound bony named Bulk Biceps.
Rainbow Dash: Record-smashing fast?!
Bulk Biceps: YEAH!
Rainbow Dash: Who's with me?
Every single Pegasus in the place sounds to be in, judging from the amount of cheers. She grins at the effect of her pep talk, but lets it turn into a grimace upon noticing an empty patch of floor where both Fluttershy and (Y/N) had been standing.
Rainbow Dash: *sighs* (Y/N), please talk some sense into Fluttershy.
Speaking of the two, (Y/N) and Fluttershy were seen walking together outside as Fluttershy had a guilty look and (Y/N) was just worried for her in general.
(Y/N): Fluttershy, there something bothering about flying in this thing, isn't there?
Fluttershy simply nods shyly at that.
(Y/N): Do you want to talk about it now?
Fluttershy: Um. . . well. . .
(Y/N) sighs once again as he wraps his hoof around the meek Pegasus which made her blush.
(Y/N): I want to help with whatever is troubling you, Fluttershy. However, I can't help if I don't know what's bothering you.
Fluttershy bit her lip nervous about what her problem was until she started to quietly speak.
Fluttershy: I. . . I. . . *sighs* (Y/N), I honestly want to tell you my problem, but. . .
(Y/N): You're not ready to tell me yet, are you?
Fluttershy shakes her head at that as (Y/N) sighs.
(Y/N): Well, alright then take your time as long as it's before we have to make the tornado, okay?
Fluttershy nods from that with a guilty look on her face.
(Y/N): Okay, I'll see you tomorrow at the weather training.
(Y/N) walks off to go back home and rest for the night as Fluttershy gives a small smile before it turns back into a guilty one.
Fluttershy: Yes. . . tomorrow. . .
The next day, outside in the meadowlands of Ponyville, Several ponies are engaged in various exercises, and Rainbow was wearing a baseball cap and whistle while walks past a few who are limbering up.
Rainbow Dash: Stretch those glutes, Flitter! Nice flexibility, Cloud Chaser. A. . . little too much flexibility, Blossomforth. Uh, somepony give Blossomforth a hoof. Let's see some faster trotting, Thunderlane! Good pace, Silverspeed!
Rainbow Dash then sees (Y/N) doing one wing push ups with his hooves behind his back, alternating with each one so fast that it looks like he's doing it with barely any effort and runs up to him starry eyed.
Rainbow Dash: Wow, (Y/N)! That's some wing power, you got!
(Y/N) smiles at that while he kept doing his exercises and Rainbow Dash turns to the rest of the Pegasi while pointing at (Y/N).
Rainbow Dash: Now here's a pony who knows that he's ready for some action!
She then blows her whistle to get all of the Pegasi's attention.
Rainbow Dash: Keep it up! We're gonna need all the wing power we can get to break that record!
Bulk Biceps: YEAH!
Everypony looks at Bulk at little weird from that before focusing back on their training.
Rainbow Dash: Good work, everypony!
However, among all of the Pegasi in the area, there was one missing. A familiar shy, animal loving Pegasus.
Rainbow Dash: *mumbles* Everypony except Fluttershy.
(Y/N) then walks up to her.
(Y/N): We should probably go check on her. Something tells me that she's still extremely nervous about something.
Rainbow Dash nods at that as they both fly off to take a quick visit at Fluttershy's cottage.
The two arrive at Fluttershy's cottage as Rainbow Dash knocks on the front door.
Rainbow Dash: Fluttershy? We know you're in there!
(Y/N): Fluttershy, we can tell you're very sensitive of what's bothering you, so we came to talk to you about what that is and get you through it.
Fluttershy then cracks the door open to see both of them and soon steps out, dressed in a bathrobe, with red spots all over her that anypony could probably tell that it was fake. She then tries to give her best sick impression.
Fluttershy: Achoo. Hi, Rainbow Dash. Hi, (Y/N). *fake cough*
Rainbow Dash: Fluttershy, what happened to you?
She then slumps against the doorframe of her cottage.
Fluttershy: Oh, I *sniffs* I think I have *fake cough* the pony pox. I'm sorry. I really, really wanted to come to training day today *fake cough* but this pony pox has really knocked me for a loop. Achoo. *fake cough*
(Y/N): (*sighs* This was worse than when I tried to fake illness to prevent getting homeschooled by my mother.)
Rainbow Dash: Oh, you poor thing. You know, there's only one cure for pony pox.
Fluttershy: I know, plenty of bed-
A hard bolt of water from a bucket Rainbow Dash was holding comes down over her, eliciting a sputtering cry and leaving her with a faceful of red ink dribbles as the spots were painted on.
Rainbow Dash: Cold water! Those pony pox are clearing right up.
(Y/N) rolls his eyes from Rainbow Dash being so blunt and uses his magic to make her clothes and the floor dry up.
Fluttershy pulls in a soft gasp at having been bowled out so easily and backs up slowly.
Fluttershy: Oh, y'know, all of a sudden, I'm, I'm starting to feel better. *nervous laugh* I'll just get out of these robes and-
Fluttershy then clumsily tumbles to the floor directly over her wing.
Fluttershy: Ow! Oh, my wing, oh, ow, it's hurt. I guess I can't fly after all.
For the record, she was doing an even worse job of faking the injury than she was with the pony pox. (Y/N) sighs as he just makes the robe on Fluttershy disappear and it reappears on a clothes rack nearby.
(Y/N): Fluttershy, you don't need to fake any illnesses or injuries to tell us what's going on. I promise we won't think that whatever it is that's bothering you is ridiculous or laughable.
(Y/N) then gives Rainbow Dash a hard-cocked eyebrow glare.
(Y/N): *sternly* Right, Rainbow Dash?
Rainbow Dash smiles nervously at that and nods.
Rainbow Dash: Right, of course.
They both then walk up beside Fluttershy who was looking down at the ground nervously.
(Y/N): Don't worry, just tell us what's wrong and I'm sure we'll understand everything.
Fluttershy: Well, y'see, uh, well. . . oh, (Y/N), Rainbow Dash, I just can't do it! I can't fly!
Fluttershy then gets down to the ground and hugs (Y/N)'s hooves out of fear which made Rainbow Dash a little jealous, but she didn't think about that for the moment.
Rainbow Dash: What are you talking about? Just last week you went into that wicked nose dive to save that falling baby bird right before it hit the ground!
Fluttershy: But that was different, that was an emergency! This whole tornado thing, it's more like a performance, and you know how I hate performing in front of others.
(Y/N): Oh! I think I get it. You're afraid of being humiliated out there especially out there in front of hundreds of Pegasi aren't you?
Fluttershy: *nods* Mm-hmm.
She then turns to Rainbow Dash who had a concerned look for Fluttershy.
Fluttershy: Rainbow Dash, don't you remember flight camp? I couldn't gallop hard or fly fast, not with everypony looking at me!
Rainbow Dash: It wasn't that bad.
Fluttershy: You're right, Rainbow Dash, it wasn't bad. It was horrible!
(Flashback)
The two are seen as fillies, standing on a cloud along with a coach stallion in red shirt and cap, and whistle around his neck. Young Fluttershy stands nervously at the edge of the cloud.
With the wind picking up, the yellow flyer can only manage a few stammering whimpers as she looks down to see a very big drop onto a large cloud surrounded by other fillies and colts. Her pupils contract to terror-stricken points before the coach forcefully boots her off the cloud. She flails crazily in midair, gravity being asleep at the switch for the moment, and comes out in a spreadeagle position with her wings locked tight to her flanks. Down she goes, slap into the center of the cloud and the other youngsters.
Fluttershy: The other foals used to tease me, a lot!
A bunch of the foals then surround Fluttershy with cocky smiles as they point and chant a taunt at her that apparently traumatizes her to this day.
Foals: *chanting* Fluttershy, Fluttershy, Fluttershy can hardly fly!
Young Fluttershy squeezes her eyes shut and mashes her front hooves into her ears to block out the repeating taunt.
(End of Flashback)
Fluttershy then grabs (Y/N) out of worry as she knelt down completely panicking about the event.
Fluttershy: I just can't risk that sort of humiliation again.
Rainbow Dash: Suck it up, Fluttershy!
(Y/N) then smacks Rainbow Dash with his wing and growls at her angrily to tell her to change her tone.
Rainbow Dash: I-I-I mean confidence or no confidence, I'm gonna need every Pegasus to break the record, including you. I need every ounce of wing power I can get.
Fluttershy: Oh, I-I don't think so, Rainbow Dash. . .
(Y/N) then lifts Fluttershy's chin up to make her look at him as he gives her a reassuring smile which was making Fluttershy blush just by looking eye to eye at him.
(Y/N): Don't be scared. That means that this is your moment to shine, Fluttershy. To prove them wrong. If I was there, I would've given those foals a lesson in why they shouldn't laugh at you like that. But, that was then and this is now! You can prove to them that even with little wing power, you can be better than you were back then.
Fluttershy: Uh, I'm still not sure (Y/N). . .
(Y/N): Look, we'll be right beside you the whole time and make sure you won't be laughed at or humiliated at all, okay?
Fluttershy looks at (Y/N) as he still gives her his signature smile and then looks to Rainbow Dash who had a grin and she nods in agreement with (Y/N). Fluttershy looks down for a second and think about (Y/N)'s resolve before she sighs and gives a small smile.
Fluttershy: I'll do it.
Rainbow Dash zips to her excited from that as it made (Y/N) back up a bit.
Rainbow Dash: You will?
Fluttershy: I will.
Rainbow Dash: Your game?
Fluttershy: I'm game.
Rainbow Dash: All right!
Rainbow Dash got so elated from that, she grabs Fluttershy up and swoops her all around the cottage and (Y/N) just chuckles at both of them. However, once the victory lap stops, Fluttershy lets out a forced grin that meant that she was still extremely nervous in participating.
Back the running track in the meadowlands, several ponies are gathered at one end of the infield, Twilight and Spike who just arrived were near the middle, and another group watches at the outer edge. Twilight has what appears to be a four-bladed desk fan set up on the grass with a small gauge mounted at its base. She gives the blades a spin as Spike jots in a notepad and two Pegasi who were watching them, walk up to them.
Cloud Chaser: What exactly does this machine do?
Twilight Sparkle: This is an anemometer. It measures your accelerative velocity and translates it into wing power, thus gauging your cumulative H2O anti-gravitational potential. Any other questions?
The tech-savvy unicorn beams at her own brilliance and taps her front hooves together as the others around had no idea what she just said and they turned to Spike.
Flitter: Yeah. What exactly does this machine do?
Spike gets a bit irritated by this as he gives the confused Pegasi a more simple explanation.
Spike: It tells you how fast you're flying and how strong your wings are.
All of the Pegasi around them then all give agreeing chatter that they understood the simple explanation that Spike gave leaving Twilight fuming to herself seeing that she should've said that in plain English.
Someone is then heard coughing again as Twilight looks among the crowd and a can of disinfectant spray floats up under her control and out toward the noise.
Twilight Sparkle: Is that you again, Thunderlane? Please, we need to have a germ-free environment.
She sprays the said Pegasus stallion as he decided to come up with an excuse.
Thunderlane: It wasn't me, it was Blossomforth.
Rainbow Dash then flies up in front of Twilight.
Rainbow Dash: Don't worry, Twilight. Thunderlane's just cooking up an excuse to spend tornado day in bed. Why don't you get over here and be our first test flyer, Thunderlane?
He shoots Blossomforth a dirty look as he flies off. A feather falls off one of his wings as Blossomforth coughs a bit revealed to be the true culprit of the cough.
Thunderlane touches down at the starting line, drops into a crouch, and gets his wings cranked up before rocketing ahead and the anemometer spins wildly in his wake. Twilight leans down to check the gauge after it has stopped.
Twilight Sparkle: We have 9.3 wing power.
With that being said, he takes a bow for the appreciative crowd and Bulk Biceps yells once again. . .
Bulk Biceps: YEAH!
Spike jots down the said wing power and Rainbow Dash nods liking it.
Rainbow Dash: Not bad, not bad.
Rainbow Dash flies to the line and cracks every joint and feather in her body to loosen up and takes off, shedding the cap and whistle. The anemometer spins nearly fast enough to lift off on its own, Spike fights to hang on to his notepad, and every pony and dragon in the area can barely hold his/her position in the gale-force winds. The sole exception is Fluttershy, who is steadily pushed backward and eventually thrown clear of the ground. Once things have calmed down, Twilight straightens up with her mane in total disarray.
Twilight Sparkle: 16.5 wing power!
The Pegasi all start to cheer from as Rainbow Dash got a smirk and looked towards (Y/N).
Rainbow Dash: Hey, (Y/N)! Why don't you show these guys, what you're made of?
The Pegasi all looked at (Y/N) and cheered at him to do his own demonstration as he smiled and went up to the starting line of the running track. Twilight then shoots Rainbow Dash a confused look.
Twilight Sparkle: Uh, are you sure that's a good idea?
Rainbow Dash: Yeah, why not?
Twilight Sparkle: Well. . . I don't know if you noticed, but alicorn power, especially (Y/N)'s can be a little. . . much.
At the starting line, (Y/N) cracks his joints similar to how Rainbow Dash did and crouched to the ground before he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
(Y/N): (As a certain blue hedgehog would say. . . Gotta go fast.)
(Y/N) opens his eyes after that as they glowed (F/C) for a second and he blasts off at a speed that apparently had a bigger reaction than Rainbow Dash's as it made everypony in the area nearly fly off the ground and was dragged backwards from (Y/N)'s incredible speed and when he passed the anemometer, it nearly tipped over as Twilight made it sit down and Spike was being blown back as he held on to her tail as best as he could.
Things soon calmed down as Fluttershy came from behind a nearby tree after the performance that (Y/N) did. Twilight looks at the anemometer and gasps.
Twilight Sparkle: 18.7 wing power!
The crowd was in awe from that as (Y/N) takes a respective bow and Rainbow Dash jaw dropped before getting a very huge grin on her face.
Rainbow Dash: Dang, that's hot!
Rainbow Dash then flies back up in the air with her cap and whistle on.
Rainbow Dash: You see that everypony? That's some clear signs that we'll definitely set a new record! If each of you can get your numbers up to at least 10.0 wing power by the end of the week, we'll no doubt set a new tornado speed record. We'll be number one!
The cheering group flies off in all directions, exposing a huddled Fluttershy on the grass. (Y/N) sees her and walks up to her and extends a hoof out to her which she shyly accepts.
(Y/N): I know you're worried that you might have some weak wing power Fluttershy, but don't let it go into your head too much, okay?
Fluttershy nods as she gives a couple of half-hearted flaps from her wings before looking back down to the ground. (Y/N) was just so worried for Fluttershy that he couldn't bear to even know what would happen if she got humiliated.
As the trials move on, more and more Pegasi zip through their trials at trying to reach up to 10.0 wing power. Rainbow watches with a critical eye as Twilight smiles at the gauge's reading. Some numbers that Spike jot down on the notepad increased from 8.7 up to 9.9 wing power. Soon enough, Fluttershy who was last in line, runs into the stallion in front of her and topples backward. This one nearly maxes out the scale on his run, and Spike gives Rainbow a smug look when he shows her the list which was 11.0.
Rainbow Dash: Impressive. Fluttershy, your turn.
Rainbow claps her hooves and blows her whistle as Fluttershy walks up to the starting line. The weak flyer slouches up to the line, her face telegraphing reluctance all over Equestria, and immediately gets a bad case of the shakes. As the others step a bit closer to the edge of the track and one filly eagerly gets her wings going. Fluttershy then looks towards (Y/N) who gave her a nod to tell her that she's got this, so she takes a deep breath and lifts off. The fact that she actually has some forward momentum comes as a happy surprise, but Cloud Chaser and Flitter ruin the moment by pointing and laughing at her.
Fluttershy hears this and all of a sudden get's the traumatizing memory in her head.
Foals: (In Fluttershy's mind) Fluttershy, Fluttershy, Fluttershy can hardly fly. . .
(Y/N) sees the two mares laughing and gives them a deep-eyed glare while making his eyes glow (F/C). When the two mares see this, they immediately stop laughing and back up from (Y/N). Panic takes hold of Fluttershy and she slows to a glide just before reaching the anemometer. The blades turn only slowly for a few seconds. Twilight checks the gauge, but says nothing when Rainbow leans expectantly toward her.
Fluttershy turns to them as they both were discussing her score in whispers. (Y/N) get's a raised eyebrow from that as he walks up to them.
Twilight Sparkle: *whispers* Tell her!
Rainbow Dash: *whispers* No, you tell her!
Twilight Sparkle: *whispers* No, you!
They both turned to Fluttershy with nervous smiles.
Rainbow Dash: Um. . . great job, Fluttershy! You measured, uh. . . uh, .5.
Spike: .5? Isn't that like. . . less than one?
(Y/N) whacks Spike upside on the head and glares at him.
Spike: Ow!
(Y/N): Zip it, Spike!
However, the damage had already been done as the rest of the bunch slowly disperses and Fluttershy's eyes shrink to points and the taunt plays in her mind again.
Foals: (In Fluttershy's mind) Fluttershy, Fluttershy, Fluttershy can hardly fly!
The chant in her mind kept repeating as the background going red and manifesting dozens of pairs of staring eyes that gather to form a tunnel and she starts to hyperventilate. A sinister basso begins to laugh under the chant. When she can take no more of this horror, she gallops off sobbing at every step with her mane blowing back over her face. (Y/N) was surprised by that as he rushes off after her.
(Y/N): Fluttershy, wait!
Rainbow Dash sees (Y/N) going after Fluttershy and follows him as they both were flying right behind her.
Rainbow Dash: Oh come on Fluttershy, so some punks poked a little fun at you and you got stage fright, big deal.
(Y/N) smacks Rainbow Dash with his wing once again.
(Y/N): You're NOT helping!
Rainbow Dash: W-What I meant to say was, you're really going to quit just cause of that?
Fluttershy then stops and turns to face them and Fluttershy was so sad that she had tears pouring out of her eyes.
Fluttershy: *sobbing* Yes!
When (Y/N) sees Fluttershy's crying face, he then goes wide-eyed and get's a quick flashback in his head from something that apparently happened to him in his past. He was very young and was with his mother at the time on Earth. He had the same sobbing face that Fluttershy had while flying in the air over the clouds and speaking to his mother about something in his room, but whatever it was, he could not remember anything else after that.
When (Y/N) got back to reality, he shakes his head to get the thought out of his mind before getting a worried look about Fluttershy.
(Y/N): Fluttershy, please don't cry.
Rainbow Dash: We need you!
Fluttershy: *sobbing* I'm sorry Rainbow Dash. I'm sorry (Y/N), I just don't have the courage right now. . .
Fluttershy gallops away in sadness and (Y/N) reaches his hoof out to her in some vain to stop her, but it was no use. Rainbow Dash slumps to the ground as she felt bad for how Fluttershy was feeling right now.
Rainbow Dash: *sighs* I can't believe that event made her this sensitive.
(Y/N) doesn't say anything as he kept on staring in the direction to where Fluttershy went, which made Rainbow Dash confused.
Rainbow Dash: (Y/N). . .? Are you alright?
(Y/N) then turns back to Rainbow Dash.
(Y/N): Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine, Dash.
(Y/N) then get's a sad look on his face as he back at the direction that he was facing.
(Y/N): Hey. . . why don't you go back to check on the other Pegasi. I think I need some alone time as well.
Rainbow Dash: Are you sure?
(Y/N): Yeah. . . go on. Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine.
Rainbow Dash was skeptical from that before she nods and flies back to the practice track. When Rainbow Dash was out of sight, (Y/N) get's a slightly worried look.
(Y/N): What was that? That. . . memory? It was just like that dark aura that I discovered not too long ago. What happened to me back then? Why am I getting these flashbacks that just. . . give me a bad feeling?
(Y/N) then looks back to where Fluttershy galloped off to and get's a serious look.
(Y/N): I guess I can worry about that later. Right now, Fluttershy needs my help.
(Y/N) flies around the meadow to look for Fluttershy to see where she went and looks around thoroughly for her, until he sees a couple of animals run by him which gives him an idea and he flies over to where they were going. Eventually, he hears some sobbing as he flies further towards where it was coming from and eventually sees a figure laying down on the ground beside a tree and (Y/N) hides behind another tree to then peek out from it to then see Fluttershy lying by the tree roots dead ahead. She is face down in the grass, with the critters ranged around her and her rabbit Angel combing out her mane. (Y/N) was simply just getting sad seeing Fluttershy sad.
(Y/N): Poor Fluttershy. . .
A poke at one hind leg from a squirrel brings her head up, exposing a face streaked with tears and spotted with loose blades of grass, and the squirrel brings an acorn from its bulging cheeks and offers it up. Fluttershy sniffles and smiles as she pats it on the head.
Fluttershy: Oh, thank you, but I'm afraid a couple of little acorns won't solve my big flying problem.
Angel who was on her head then points in another direction, from which a quack is heard, and Fluttershy looks over to some ducks.
Fluttershy: I tried, but you should've seen those ponies laughing at me. . .
Two birds then chirp as they flutter down and each get a hank of her mane in their beaks to pull her up.
Fluttershy: I know it's important to have confidence in myself. . .
A badger standing on a tree root lets her have a piece of its mind by doing gestures.
Fluttershy: Yes, yes, I do remember. The river was swelling. . .
It chatters once again as it flops down before sitting back up straight.
Fluttershy: . . .And you were scared. . .
The badger chatters once more as it puts its paws on it's hips.
Fluttershy: . . .Yes, I did tell you to never give up. . . and to believe in yourself.
Now it all falls together, as her eyes widen which soon turns to a look filled with determination.
Fluttershy: You're right, my friends. I shouldn't give up. I will get my confidence up and show everypony that I am a good flyer!
Fluttershy then launches herself straight up and breaks through the tree's foliage to hover in the clear sky.
Fluttershy: A great flyer!
(Y/N): That's the spirit!
As soon as (Y/N)'s voice was heard, Fluttershy squealed and hid behind the tree that she was just above.
Fluttershy: W-W-Who's there?! W-What's there?! Please, don't laugh at me!
(Y/N): *chuckles* Fluttershy, it's just me.
(Y/N) then comes out of hiding and walks towards to where Fluttershy was and when her animals friends see him, they get excited as they all surround (Y/N) which made him smile.
(Y/N): It's great to see you little critters as well.
Fluttershy peeks outs from behind the tree with a blush on her face before revealing herself to (Y/N) and slowly walks up to him a little bit guilty.
Fluttershy: I-I'm sorry that I made you worried, (Y/N).
(Y/N): You don't to apologize at all, Fluttershy. Because I'm going to help you!
Fluttershy was very surprised from that.
Fluttershy: Really?
(Y/N): Of course, you want to get the courage in order to get better at your flight speed, so in order to learn, you need a coach, and I'm willing to volunteer.
Fluttershy smiles from that as (Y/N) is going to help her out with her flight problem.
(Y/N): Come on, let's go!
(Y/N) and Fluttershy along with her animal friends then go to an area to where she can train herself.
Later somewhere in a more open area in the forest, rock montage music begins to play as Fluttershy was now trotting in place with some additional attire on her with each foreleg now bearing a red/white striped sweatband, each hind one a white leg warmer with red trim at the lower edge. (Y/N) was now wearing a (F/C) baseball cap and Angel was holding a whistle. (Y/N) could tell Fluttershy was ready to begin her training as he gives a wink to Angel which signals him to blow the whistle that he had.
At the sound of the whistle, Fluttershy starts to lift herself off of the ground and fly off at a steady pace over (Y/N) and her animal friends. The animals then put on some masks that were of other ponies which causes Fluttershy to panic and clap her hooves over her eyes. She then crashes into a tree which made (Y/N) cringe a little. As soon as Fluttershy takes in the scope of her blunder, her eyes shrink to points and she covers them again, but not until (Y/N) uses his magic to teleport her in front of him and he gives Fluttershy a reassuring smile.
(Y/N): Don't worry, you're just getting started. We'll definitely make some progress.
After that, a mouse is standing on Fluttershy's back as she does push-ups using her wings and the other animals and (Y/N) watch. As soon as they clap on their masks, she loses her cool and hits the ground which makes (Y/N) sigh, but he knows that she can do it.
Next, a rope being stretched out with a red pennant attached to it is being pulled by a butterfly at full strength as the rope extends over a mud puddle. Fluttershy tries to pull on the rope with all of her might, but when she sees the masked observers before her, she stops pulling and instantly gets yanked backwards into the mud. (Y/N) carries her out of the mud and cleans her off with his magic. He then gives her a determined smile as he puts his hoof on her shoulder.
(Y/N): Keep going! Don't let your fear own what you can do!
Fluttershy gulps from that as the other animals around (Y/N) nod in agreement with him.
At another section, she leans down next to Angel and (Y/N) with a fiercely determined look. At Angel's whistle, she lifts off and zooms ahead past the crowd and a dandelion with a full head of seeds only one of which flutters loose from her passage.
She then does push-ups again with the mouse on her back, this time in a puddle of water and although she silently cries out, she keeps her wings pumping and (Y/N) slowly nods as he could definitely tell that she was trying her best.
At the tug-of-war again, set up in the grass rather than the mud pit. Now, though, it takes three butterflies rather than one to drag her over the centerline, however Fluttershy was not giving up just yet.
Her next dandelion speed trial blows all the seeds loose, and when the push-ups resume, there are two mice and a squirrel on her back. Also, she is now using only one feather on each wing to support their weight and hers. A tear starts to run from one eye as one mouse unmasks and then it sucks itself right back up where it came from as she grimaces with pain and determination. When she notices that she's doing better she looks towards (Y/N) who had an excited look as he nods vigorously and Fluttershy let's out a huge grin.
At the tug-of-war once again, she was able to swiftly yank the rope to her side, sending a small flock of butterflies winging away from the other. A few small thuds mark their impact at a tree which prompts her to fly up and look worriedly after them only to find both the insects and several birds cheering her success. (Y/N) flies up right beside Fluttershy with a huge smile as he pulls her in for a one-hoof hug.
(Y/N): That was amazing, Fluttershy!
This caused her to beam proudly, but blush in slight embarrassment.
One more speed trial strips the seeds off an entire patch of dandelions, and a grinning Angel pops up to root her on. She does one lazy twirl amid the scatter of drifting seeds, smiles gratefully down at the unmasked animals who were cheering her on. (Y/N) gives her both a smile and a wink which makes her blush for a second before she silhouettes herself against the sun with one foreleg extended in a dramatic pose.
(Y/N): (Fluttershy has improved a lot in the last hour. She's definitely ready now.)
Back the running track, many Pegasi were still gathered around for tryouts as Flitter zooms past them, Twilight, Rainbow, and Spike for another speed run.
Twilight Sparkle: That's wonderful, Flitter. Much better than yesterday.
Rainbow Dash: This is crazy awesome! We're gonna smash that record!
A squirrel then chitters, points, and nudges at Twilight's leg.
Spike: What did he say?
Twilight Sparkle: Do I look like I speak squirrel?
Spike then notices something in the distance.
Spike: What's that?
The two mares follow his gaze. "That" was Fluttershy, who was flying in with the sun at her back and her training crew running/flying to keep pace. She has removed her workout gear, (Y/N) was flying right behind her and both him and Angel have shed their cap and whistle. Fluttershy passes all the ponies and settles down behind the starting line. (Y/N) lands right beside Spike, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash as they all smiled that Fluttershy was finally going to try and fly for them.
Angel and a ferret massage her forelegs as she glares resolutely ahead. After they have backed off, she starts her engines and she barrels ahead, flapping as if her life depended on it. The anemometer spins at a lively clip, but the gauge shows that the needle has topped out barely halfway to the first mark. When Fluttershy sees this, she was baffled.
Fluttershy: 2.3? 2.3?! That has to be some kind of mistake! I worked so hard!
Twilight Sparkle: Fluttershy, that's a huge improvement!
(Y/N): And you did work so hard. I was right there with you.
Rainbow Dash: You did awesome, Fluttershy.
Fluttershy: No, I didn't. I thought I'd gotten over my nerves, but they still got the best of me! There's no way I'll fly with 10.0 wing power tomorrow!
Rainbow Dash however didn't care about that.
Rainbow Dash: So you won't fly with 10.0 wing power. Every bit counts!
Fluttershy: How would you feel if everypony else was flying with 10.0 wing power and you were flying with 2.5?
Spike: Actually, it was only 2.3, and- Ow!
(Y/N) smacks Spike upside the head once again as both him and Twilight glare at Spike and motion for him to zip it.
Rainbow Dash: Well, uh. . . I'd feel. . . um. . .
Fluttershy: Exactly! Humiliated!
Fluttershy sobs once again and she trots off with the animals following her.
Fluttershy: *sobbing* I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash, I just can't do it!
Rainbow Dash gets a concerned look from Fluttershy's uneasiness while (Y/N) was just worried for her.
Spike: It's okay, Rainbow Dash, you've still got plenty of wing power for your tornado. You'll be able to lift tons of water up to Cloudsdale!
Twilight and (Y/N) look at each other with an agreeing glare and (Y/N) does a gesture that said "get him out of here." Twilight then hoists Spike up and they both walk off. (Y/N) then walks up to Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash: *sighs* If only there was a way to lift Fluttershy out of the dumps.
(Y/N) looks towards the direction that Fluttershy went off to before getting a serious look.
(Y/N): Leave that to me.
Rainbow Dash looks at (Y/N) surprised from that.
(Y/N): I'm not sure that I'll be able to convince her to come. . . but I'll at least try.
Rainbow Dash nods at that.
Rainbow Dash: Go ahead after her, (Y/N). I'll see you tomorrow.
(Y/N) nods as he leaves for the day so that he can try and talk Fluttershy into helping out with the tornado tomorrow.
Later in the evening, (Y/N) flies over to where Fluttershy's cottage was and walks up to the front door. When he reaches it, he simply knocks on the door softly to see if there was any response, but there was nothing.
(Y/N): Fluttershy? It's me, (Y/N).
Fluttershy let's out nothing from that as (Y/N) continues to stand at the door.
(Y/N): Fluttershy, please. I know you felt like you didn't make much of a difference today, but I want to help you out.
There was still awkward silence from that as (Y/N) sighs at that.
(Y/N): Please, Fluttershy. . . please?
The same silence came once again as (Y/N) looks down before he was about to turn away and leave her alone. . . but after a second, a voice was heard from inside of the cottage.
Fluttershy: . . . . . .It's open.
(Y/N) hears that as he slowly opens the door and walks inside of Fluttershy's cottage to see her sitting down by herself alone in the dark facing away from (Y/N). (Y/N) was just feeling sad just looking at Fluttershy's depression as he walks to her and sits right beside her.
(Y/N): Are you doing alright?
Fluttershy doesn't say anything at first from that as she still faces away from (Y/N), but after a couple of seconds she immediately throws herself onto (Y/N) and hugs him and rests her head on his chest while sobbing mildly.
(Y/N) was surprised by that at first before he hugs her back and let's the meek Pegasus shed her tears as she needed a chest to cry on.
(Y/N): Public humiliation huh?
Fluttershy: *sobbing* Mm-hmm.
(Y/N): I can understand what you're going through, Fluttershy. Being the middle of a huge crowd, you do something that makes other laugh at, and it gets inside of your head for life. But you can't let that haunt you, Fluttershy.
Fluttershy: *sobbing* I know. But it just comes back. If I go there tomorrow and only go with only a few wing power, I'll be a laughing stock.
(Y/N): But Fluttershy. . .
Fluttershy: *sobbing* (Y/N), I can't! I just can't go back out there! I don't want it to happen again!
As Fluttershy continues to cry, (Y/N) couldn't help but just worry for her as he looks at her just sobbing in his chest. He didn't want to see his friends, and not even Fluttershy sad, but how does one tell them to get over a lifelong traumatization?
(Y/N) didn't know any words at first on how he can get Fluttershy out of her sadness. However, it took a minute, before (Y/N) thought of something that he can say that can help Fluttershy out.
(Y/N): Is that really what you think?
Fluttershy takes her head off of (Y/N)'s chest and looks up to him still in tears when he said that.
Fluttershy: *sniffles* Huh?
(Y/N): I know you think that everypony out there is going to think that you can hardly even fly fast, but what about Rainbow Dash? What about Twilight? They don't look at you like that.
Fluttershy: *sobbing* But (Y/N), Rainbow Dash trained her entire life to get to where she is now and Twilight isn't even a Pegasus so she wouldn't know what it was like.
(Y/N): Yes, I know that, but they don't care. And I don't care, either. But we don't want to see you wear yourself down like this.
Fluttershy: *sobbing* It's just not possible, (Y/N)! I can't get it out of my head! I CAN'T DO IT!
Fluttershy was crying harder at that point, but not before (Y/N) grabs both her cheeks to make her looks at him.
(Y/N): No! No! Listen to me! You got into their heads! You got into my head!
Fluttershy: *sobbing* W-What?
(Y/N): Those foals from back then think that you're super bad! That you don't even belong there! But the real truth is, is that they see something in you that you don't even see in yourself!
Fluttershy looks down at the ground for a second to think about what he just said before looking back at him.
(Y/N): They kept laughing at you to prevent you from seeing that! But you need to know that I'm different, many ponies out there are different! I'm not laughing at you right now at all Fluttershy because I WANT to help you! I WANT to help you see that!
Fluttershy goes wide-eyed from that as (Y/N) continues to speak as he also had tiny amounts of tears coming out of his eyes.
(Y/N): When we trained together out in the forest earlier today, I saw you make a lot of mistakes, but did I laugh at you? No! I knew you had it in you this entire time and that's what allowed you to keep going and make a huge improvement from the first time you flew out at the practice track!
Fluttershy just kept on listening as more tears came out of eyes, but this time, they weren't about her humiliation, they were about (Y/N)'s resolve.
(Y/N): Listen Fluttershy, if ponies want to laugh at you because you don't have the skills that they do, then they're the ones who need to be laughed at, not you! You have so much potential to even go above and beyond and I know that! That's exactly why I'm here right now!
Fluttershy's sad frown then turns into a small smile as tears still kept pouring out of her eyes.
(Y/N): Our friends believe that you can do it! I BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN DO IT! So please Fluttershy, please stop thinking that you'll be humiliated in front of everypony! As long as I'm around, I won't let that happen! You are like a soaring butterfly to me, Fluttershy!
Fluttershy was so taken by that for a few seconds that she sniffles before she just bursts out into complete tears, crying and she hugs (Y/N) tightly which he returns. (Y/N) hugs her back as he strokes her mane gently and pats her on the back.
(Y/N): There there. Go ahead. Just let it all out, Fluttershy. Let it all out.
(Y/N) couldn't see it, but Fluttershy had a smile on her face from hearing everything that (Y/N) just told her.
It went on for a few minutes but, Fluttershy eventually stops crying and she let's go of (Y/N) to break the hug and wipe her left over tears.
(Y/N): Feeling better, Fluttershy?
Fluttershy: *sniffs* Yes. Thank you, (Y/N). I-It's just that. . . nopony has ever said that to me before.
(Y/N): Well, I guess I'm the first. I believe in you with all of my heart, Fluttershy. Honest. I'll never leave your side, ever!
Fluttershy blushes from that as she looks to the ground shyly from that while hiding her face behind her mane.
A thought then comes into her mind as it made her blush tomato red as she didn't know if she should do something so bold, but after what (Y/N) said, she was going to try anyway.
Fluttershy: Um. . . uh. . . (Y/N). . .?
(Y/N): Yeah, what is it? Is there something else bothering you?
Fluttershy: N-N-N-No. There isn't. . . it's just. . .
Fluttershy looks up to (Y/N) before she slowly and reluctantly caresses both of his cheeks with her hooves which made (Y/N) blush.
(Y/N): F-Fluttershy?
Fluttershy bit her lip for a second before she closes her eyes to then close the gap between her and (Y/N)'s lips as she kisses him gently.
(Y/N) goes wide-eyed as he didn't think Fluttershy would have the guts to even do something like that. However, he then closes his eyes to relax and return the kiss as well. He then wraps his hooves around Fluttershy to hold her a little closer which made her squeak, but she continues to just relax with the moment that she was having with (Y/N) as it felt like an eternity.
Eventually, the kiss ended as they both break their lips from their faces and Fluttershy face was just very red from doing something so straightforward and both her and (Y/N) stare at each other for a moment before Fluttershy looks away very embarrassed and so did (Y/N).
Fluttershy: I. . . um. . .
(Y/N): . . .Y-Yeah. . .
Both continued to look away slightly embarrassed as (Y/N) rubs the back of his head.
(Y/N): I. . . guess I'll see you tomorrow so we can get the tornado up and running to Cloudsdale.
(Y/N) then goes to walk out of the cottage, but when he was about to exit, Fluttershy grabs his hoof.
Fluttershy: W-Wait. Um. . . i-if you don't mind (Y/N), can you spend the night here. . . with me?
(Y/N) blushes from that before he gives a smile.
(Y/N): Sure. I'll stay.
Fluttershy smiles from that as she hugs (Y/N) once again to then rest her head on his chest. (Y/N) smiles down at the cute, shy Pegasus resting on him as he rubs her back and rests his head over her head.
The next day at the highland reservoir outside of Ponyville, it is now daybreak, and Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Spike are gathered at the edge, along with a much larger version of the track anemometer. A long line of ponies stretches back toward the village.
Above the reservoir is Cloudsdale as a Pegasus comes out and rockets down towards the crowd of ponies at the reservoir and it revealed to be Spitfire in her Wonderbolt attire as the crowed cheers for her.
Rainbow Dash then puts her cap on and flies above the crew.
Rainbow Dash: Are we ready to do this?
Pegasi: Yeah!
The crowd cheers and Twilight adds her voice to the multitude. Rainbow lands as Spike comes running with his notepad to show her something important.
Spike: Look!
Rainbow at the notepad that Spike had which shows a list of ponies' heads, all of which are checked off except for one, Thunderlane who was marked with an X.
Rainbow Dash: Lazy Thunderlane! Where is he?! He's been trying to get out of tornado duty the whole time with his fake coughing and all. Rumble, where's your lazy brother?
A tiny little colt named Rumble speaks up at that.
Rumble: He's got the feather flu. He's down at Ponyville Hospital.
Spike: But he's not the only one.
Spike holds up his pad, flipped to a different page that shows every pony but one X'ed.
The news flash drops a very large monkey wrench into Rainbow's brain as she blinks in shock.
Spike: What about (Y/N)? Wasn't he supposed to be here as well?
Rainbow Dash: *sighs* I don't know what happened to him, but all I know is that he's trying to get Fluttershy to come. I don't know what else to add besides that I don't know if he'll succeed or not.
Twilight then was counting her math on an abacus and she uses her magic to slide the beads around.
Twilight Sparkle: Let's see, with those eight sick Pegasi out with the feather flu and two absent. . . *gasps* Oh no!
Rainbow then rushes up beside her, having ditched her cap and whistle for a pair of goggles propped on her forehead.
Rainbow Dash: Don't tell me we won't be able to break the windspeed record?
Twilight Sparkle: No. . .
Rainbow felt relieved from that, but what Twilight said was just the beginning.
Twilight Sparkle: . . .You might not have enough wing power to create a tornado powerful enough to lift the water to Cloudsdale!
Spike: Well, should we pack up?
Rainbow Dash glances toward the line, all of whose members are at a loss and Spitfire checks a wristwatch on her foreleg with visible impatience. Rainbow Dash thought for a second before getting a determined look.
Rainbow Dash: No. Of course not. Forget the record. Cloudsdale still needs water!
Twilight and Spike hurry to their posts as Rainbow addresses the crew.
Rainbow Dash: Okay, everypony! Let's give it all we've got! On the sound of the horn, we take off!
The Pegasi all then put their goggles on as Rainbow Dash glances down at Twilight, who flips switches on the back of the anemometer's base and then waves across the way. Spike sucks in a few bushels of air and lets them go through the horn, producing a bellowing blast that starts the ponies into the air. Rainbow watches them fall into formation and fly in a tight circle to start a tornado forming. The wind kicks up and the measuring device squeaks to life.
Spike: You think they're gonna make it to eight hundred wing power?
Twilight Sparkle: I sure hope so!
Twilight then takes a look at the needle on the anemometer as it slowly rises.
Twilight Sparkle: One hundred and fifty wing power. Two hundred and fifty wing power.
Inside the whirlwind, the flyers keep up the pace as Rainbow darts among them. The needle on the anemometer then goes past 500.
Twilight Sparkle: Five hundred wing power!
The water surface is now lifting up, with droplets springing up from the surface due to the pressure differential. Now the wind is so strong that Twilight has to grab one end of the anemometer's base to keep from being swept away and Spike digs his claws into the other, scoring the metal.
Twilight Sparkle: Seven hundred and fifty wing power!
Now the funnel cloud is really grooving and the water responds, a column slowly rising out of the Reservoir, but only slowly.
Spike: This looks like the best that they can do!
Twilight takes a look at the anemometer to see that it's not going anywhere above 760.
Twilight Sparkle: We need more wing power! If only there was some extra Pegasi with wings to help out!
?: Then we're happy to help!
Twilight and Spike look to see both (Y/N) and Fluttershy standing just outside of the tornado as they both had goggles on and they wave to their friends who had smiles on their faces.
Twilight Sparkle: Fluttershy! (Y/N)! You made it!
(Y/N): Yeah, don't worry, we'll make sure that the water gets up all the way to Cloudsdale! Right Fluttershy?
Fluttershy nods at that, but she looks at the tornado that was happening with a scared look. (Y/N) however puts his hoof around her to calm her down.
(Y/N): Remember, I going to be right beside you this whole time okay?
Fluttershy's fear went away after that as it turns into a determined look. (Y/N) then extends a hoof out to Fluttershy which she accepts and they both swiftly fly up inside of the tornado together to fly alongside the other Pegasi.
Back inside of the tornado, Rainbow looks back over her shoulder and smiles upon catching sight of her friends.
At the anemometer, Twilight notices the needle started to shift a lot more.
Twilight Sparkle: It's moving! They're doing it! Seven ninety five! Seven ninety eight! Fluttershy's surpassed her best wing power number!
In the tornado, the Pegasi start to pick up more speed which Fluttershy sees and begins to flag badly. Her ears perk up as the all-too-familiar taunt plays in her mind and images of three heads float before her.
Foals: (In Fluttershy's mind) Fluttershy, Fluttershy, Fluttershy can hardly fly!
Fluttershy got scared as the taunt plays in her mind, but not before she hears (Y/N)'s voice as well.
(Y/N): (In Fluttershy's mind) Don't be scared. This is your moment to shine, Fluttershy. To prove them wrong.
Fluttershy goes wide-eyed from that as she starts to hear more of (Y/N).
(Y/N): (In Fluttershy's mind) Keep going! Don't let your fear own what you can do!
Fluttershy: (Y/N). . .!
(Y/N): (In Fluttershy's mind) As long as I'm around, I won't let that happen to you! You are like a soaring butterfly to me, Fluttershy! I BELIEVE THAT YOU CAN DO IT!
Fluttershy: I am not going to fail you, (Y/N)!
With that being said, Fluttershy gets a fierce look and rockets ahead of the entire crew and (Y/N) sees this which made him smile brightly.
(Y/N): (That's it! Keep going Fluttershy!)
With all of her might, Fluttershy flies ahead and back outside the anemometer hits 800 to set off a beeper and flashing light set at this mark. The water from the Reservoir has nearly reached the top of the tornado as outside, it bursts upward to form a long, graceful arc that touches down in a large hopper at the edge of Cloudsdale. Spitfire's jaw hangs open in unadulterated disbelief as she lowers her goggles and Twilight and Spike jump happily, holding on to each other.
Twilight Sparkle: She did it! She did it! They all did it!
The Pegasi keep flying fast until the last of the water has been sucked away. Spike then half-runs, half-jumps over to the horn and blows a note. The combination of his momentum and the wind causes the thing to roll away with him. In response, the tornado slowly dismantles itself, leaving a spiral of ponies to fly up. They each come down, cheering and stomping, and both Rainbow and (Y/N) join them in short order. They both had their goggles down around their necks, and both hoof bump before looking up worriedly.
Fluttershy was still flying in circles and evidently so amped up that the "stop" signal never registered with her. However, (Y/N) flies up to stop her which ends up with Fluttershy colliding with (Y/N) as they both tumble in the air for a second before coming to a stop as (Y/N) held Fluttershy in his hooves.
(Y/N): Don't worry Fluttershy, you can take it easy now.
Fluttershy: Whuh, what? Did we do it?
(Y/N): Yes, Fluttershy! We did it! You did it!
Fluttershy: I. . . did it?
Fluttershy got so happy by that she hugged (Y/N) tightly which he returns.
Fluttershy: I did it! I did it, (Y/N)!
After they both break the hug, Rainbow Dash flies up to her.
Rainbow Dash: That was awesome, Fluttershy! I knew you would be able to do it!
They both trade a high five with their wings before they all lower down to the ground next to Cloud Chaser and Flitter.
Flitter: Great job, Fluttershy, that was awesome!
Cloud Chaser: Yeah, we couldn't have done it without you.
Fluttershy smiles shyly from that. Spitfire then approaches Rainbow Dash:
Spitfire: Nice job, Rainbow Dash. You may not have set a new record, but you showed a lot of guts.
Rainbow Dash: Thanks, but if you wanna talk guts, then you've gotta give it to my number one flyer, Fluttershy! Let's hear it for Fluttershy!
Fluttershy manages a timid half-smile, then cringes at Rainbow Dash addressing her like that. The crowd then picks up Fluttershy and tosses her in the air repeatedly to congratulate her and they also chant something that she would never hear in her life.
Crowd: Fluttershy! Fluttershy! Fluttershy can really fly!
Fluttershy couldn't help but just smile at everypony cheering for her. Spike bounds merrily away, playing a small flute made from a forked tree branch. Twilight follows him, then Rainbow and Spitfire, (Y/N), and finally Fluttershy, smiling and waving as the cheering crowd carries her off. (Y/N) takes a look back at Fluttershy which she notices, and he winks at her which makes Fluttershy blush with a smile. Fluttershy then thinks of a letter to write to Princess Celestia.
Fluttershy: (Dear Princess Celestia, Sometimes you can feel like what you have to offer is too little to make a difference, but today, I learned that everypony's contribution is important, no matter how small. If you just keep your head high, do your best, and believe in yourself, anything can happen.)
Chapter 14 End.