Title: FlutterDash WG Fic Chapter 1 Author: Anonymous Pastebin link: http://pastebin.com/EapbrGPM First Edit: Monday 22nd of June 2015 07:33:23 PM CDT Last Edit: Monday 22nd of June 2015 07:33:23 PM CDT “You ready, Rainbow?” The pegasus shifted uncomfortably in the tight bodysuit. “I think one of these buttons has come undone…” Fluttershy moved to the back of the pony and began some last-minute changes. “Ugh. Couldn’t you have made it at least a little bit bigger? This thing barely fits me!” “It fit you just fine when Rarity had you measured for it, and it would still fit if you hadn’t insisted on challenging Applejack to the pie-eating contest.” “Hey, how was I supposed to know she’d baked, like, a billion pies in advance?” Fluttershy finally got the last button in place and shifted back so that she was staring Rainbow Dash straight in the eyes. “Remember to be very loud, and keep that big smile on your face, okay? This is a filly’s show first, and they won’t look happy if you don’t.” “Relax, Fluttershy. I totally got this. It’s just a couple lines and flying around the stage. I could do it in my sleep!” “That’s what worries me, Rainbow Dash. I know it’s just a little play, but all of the funds are going to support important wildlife preserves all across Equestria. I want you to take this as seriously as I do.” Rainbow’s heart sank a bit. She supposed she could’ve practiced her part more… after all, Fluttershy had gone through so much work to put the show together. The least she could do was show that she cared. “I do take it seriously, Fluttershy. Don’t worry - if I fall asleep onstage, I’ll just keep on going between snores!” Fluttershy did not seem as amused as Rainbow Dash did. “Places, everypony! Five minutes to curtain!” a young alicorn was running around backstage, her own bodysuit looking disheveled and messy as she tried to keep everything except herself in order. Fluttershy’s jaw dropped. “Twilight Sparkle, you come back here! There’s no way you’re going on stage looking like that -“ Rainbow Dash sighed. “Here goes nothing…” ———————————— “… and I’ll raise my chicks with love!” The final note played on Scootaloo’s solo, and the audience cheered with delight as her Chicken-Themed Ballet came to an end. Rainbow Dash squirmed in the still too-tight bodysuit. She couldn’t see the stage past all the other rabbits in front of her and thus couldn’t see if they were supposed to go out yet. Sure enough, though, the line of latex-bound mares began bouncing onstage, so Rainbow Dash followed suit. She couldn’t help but notice that she hit the floor a little harder than the other ponies. Still, as the ponies flew in their circle and sang their song, Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but think to herself that Fluttershy had been wrong. There was absolutely nothing to be worried about, and of course she’d blow everyone away with her stellar singing voice when it came to her solo. It was just a little song about grazing and it couldn’t have been longer than three minutes anyway. “I am the bunny who hops very high…” Rainbow Dash pushed herself into the air to give the illusion of a jump, much to the chagrin of her bunny suit, “…in fact, I’m so darn good that I might just fly!” Now was her time to shine. Given that the stage was indoors, she couldn’t do very many tricks, but she still wowed the audience as she did a few flips and turns, until finally, she was ready to end with a cartwheel as she landed on the stage and - RIIIIIIP. There was dead silence. Rainbow Dash was staring straight into the frozen face of Spitfire. Her face began to contort. Then she started to laugh. Rainbow Dash looked down. Not only was her suit completely torn open, but her pie paunch - which had been hitherto unseen - was sagging down, completely visible. The whole theatre was laughing. Everypony was staring at her, laughing, cackling, and she began to hear chanting… “Rainbow Crash, Rainbow Crash, Rainbow Crash, Rainbow Crash…” All she could see was Spitfire in stitches, crying tears from laughing so hard. Rainbow Dash did the only thing she could. She bolted. ———————————— “Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy stopped on the street corner, panting. “Rainbow Dash, please! Come back!” She looked around and spotted a lump of blue flesh poking out from behind a building. Apparently, she still wasn’t quite aware of her size yet. “Rainbow Dash, just talk to me, please…” As she came around the side of the building, she found her friend in a puddle of tears on the ground, her custom-made bunny suit in shreds around her. Fluttershy couldn’t help but start to sob herself at the sight of her friend so sad. She leaned down to wrap her up in a big hug (or at least, as best she could around her friend’s noticeable girth) and just sat there for a while. Neither of the mares said a word, but as Rainbow Dash began to dry up, she managed to squeeze out a sentence to Fluttershy. “Please hide me…” Fluttershy was still emotionally drained from the good cry they had just shared and was a little confused at her friend’s statement. “The way they were *snif* all l-laughing at me… I can’t face them again, n-not when…” the poor mare didn’t get to finish her sentence as she was overwhelmed with tears once more. She buried her face in Fluttershy’s chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Fluttershy just held her closer and began to stroke her mane. She didn’t need to hear the rest of the sentence to know what she meant. “You can come stay with me for as long as you want to, Rainbow Dash. I’ll do what I can to keep every pony off of your back for as long as I can. How does that sound?” Rainbow Dash nodded, her face still submerged in Fluttershy’s embrace. As the two made their way to the small cottage at the edge of the forest, Fluttershy contemplated if Rainbow Dash would ever be willing to face the public again. She would have to put on some impressive stunts to gain the respect of her peers again, and even if they did let her join eventually, she would never really feel like a Wonderbolt, especially after seeing how nasty Spitfire’s laughter was. An experience like that - to have all of your hopes and passions set ablaze in front of you - that was something that took time and patience to heal, something that Fluttershy wasn’t sure Dashie could muscle through. She opened the door and let her friend stumble inside, eyes still wet with fresh tears. As she looked at her dearest, oldest companion, she knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, Fluttershy would do anything to help her - she would completely devote herself to Rainbow Dash.