Rainbow heard the blood curling scream from behind her. Even though she couldn't prove it, deep in her heart, she knew it could be her one and only love, Fluttershy. She took a ragged breath as she turned quicker than a flash of lightning, eyes alert as she looked around. She couldn't see the sickly creature anymore, but she cringed as she heard the scream again, this time filled with even more agony.

She started trotting wildly about, her eyes straining to see any signs of her mare friend. She heard another cry of pain, and she followed it through some thorny bushes. She felt the small thorns tear at her skin through her fur, pulling the already bloody wings. She pushed though the pain, eyes shut, the only thing registered though her mind being the yellow mare she was sure was in danger.

She finally found her through the thorny bushes, falling out of the brush to land in the clearing. She shook the shrubbery off her body, panting. Her legs felt weak, her heart racing. She looked around, and what she saw made her stomach hurl what little was left in her.

The same sickly skinless creature was crouched on the ground, it's misshapen wings fully spread. Dash gasped in horror as she saw the pool of blood, and what was left of a corpse. She felt her heart shatter, its coat was yellow, stained almost everywhere with red. Little strands of pink ripped out.

That's when Dash noticed the creature look up from its meal. Rainbow could finally tell once it was illuminated in the moon light. It was skinless, but it clearly still had pieces of its rainbow mane. It looked up, blood smeared all over its muzzle, its upper lip missing. It had magenta eyes, they were beginning to glow red. Rainbow Dash let out a painful scream.

"Fluttershy!" the rainbow mare screamed out as she shot up out of bed. She looked about, distressed to see that her mare friend wasn't there. She panted hard, it was still dark in the room. She started whimpering as she fumbled to get to her hooves. All of a sudden a spark was lit right in front of her face. She jumped back, still rattled by her nightmare.

"Gah!" she yelped out as she made out the serious face of Angel Bunny, holding the match right in front of her face. She breathed heavily, as he continued to stare her down. Rainbow Dash collected her thoughts as she sneered at the rabbit. "Where's Fluttershy?" she demanded. He simply waved his paw to blow out the match, leaving the fast flyer in the dark again.

She gulped, not knowing what was going on. She shut her eyes and grimaced as the bedroom lights were turned on. She opened one eye to see Angel next to her again, pointing to a note on the bed side table. She ignored the rebel rabbit and picked up the note.

Dear Rainbow Dash,

I wanted to let you know I will be busy for most of the day today, I will be at Applejack's helping her get things ready for Winona's litter. I know that you don't want me there. But I am begging you, please rid your mind of these nasty thoughts, and trust me. I am your mare friend, your best friend. We have known each other for so many years now, I wouldn't just throw away everything we have worked for. And our friends love and respect you to, they would never willingly hurt us. Please Rainbow Dash, I beseech you, trust in me. I promise when I return home tonight, we can talk. But I have a good feeling you will understand me soon enough. Please, try and have a good day.

I Love You,

Fluttershy

Rainbow Dash put down the note, feeling cold inside. She rubbed at her temples, as the thoughts of her nightmare were replaced by the nightmare that was her reality. "You love me huh? Then why aren't you here? Why would you go over there when I specifically told you not to?" she thought to herself angrily. She held back the tears she felt from the pain in her heart. She rubbed at her runny nose. "Why doesn't she trust me? I know I'm right about it. All the signs are there. They are all after her. My gut feeling is never wrong about this."

She groaned to herself as she finally looked at the time, "Horse apples! I'm late to work! Thanks Fluttershy, couldn't even wake me up on the most busy day for the weather team!" she grumbled to herself as she flew to the bathroom to start her day. She took a quick shower and burst out the door, not getting anything to eat. Too upset to be hungry. She growled and grumbled to herself the entire flight to work.

She got to work, to have everypony notice how late she was. Her boss chewed her out, adding to her already bad day. She worked like a dog, preparing the skies for the fall, her eyes drifting to the ground to see if she could spot the familiar pink and yellow. Eventually her work day ended, in her eyes it dragged on forever. It was still early enough in the afternoon.

She flew over Sweet Apple Acres, deciding only to get a birds eye view, since if she got on the ground, she was afraid of what she might do. She saw the big red figure that was Big Mac pulling three carts of apples into the south barn. She scoffed at the Apple Family property and flew back to the cottage to let off some steam.

On her way home, she did a few laps in the air, the exercise helping to clear her head. Even flying didn't cheer her up today. She returned home, pushing the door open with unnecessary force. Some animals popped their heads in to greet the flashy pegasus, "Fluttershy! Are you home yet!?" the cyan mare yelled rather loudly. The critters scattered away from the hostility in her voice. "Damn it. She's still not home." She mumbled under her breath.

She hopped in the shower, washing off all the grim and sweat from a long day at work and an intense flight. She exited the shower, shaking off the water. She looked in the mirror to see her sad face, mane stuck to her head. She frowned, thinking of all the times her and Fluttershy were intimate in the shower. She went down stairs again and ate some left over vegetables.

She cracked open a bottle of beer. She chugged it down with her meal. She then had another, and another. By her fourth she heard a knock at the door, and thought it was maybe her love. "Why would she be knocking at her own home?"

She felt a smile return, not sure why, they were still mad at each other. She rushed to the door to be greeted by the Cutie Mark Crusaders, looking happy as ever. She frowned again, a grunt escaping her lips. The three little fillies didn't seem to notice, as they were happy to see the rainbow pegasus of coolness. "Hi Rainbow Dash! May we come in?" they said in unison.

The weather mare groaned inwardly. She wasn't in the mood to be hanging out with little fillies, especially when she felt this rotten inside. She opened the door more and let them in, "Sure, come on in." she responded flatly. She couldn't help but feel her blood pressure rise at the sight of Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. They looked so much like their big sisters.

She sat on the sofa and watched the CMC explore the living room and say hi to the little animals that were hiding. "Come on Dash, they're just kids. It's not their fault their sisters are stabbing you in the back. They are still good fillies. And Scoots is like family now." She reminded herself as they took a seat in front of her, excusing herself after she burped.

"So… what are you three here for anyway?" Dash asked, hoping to get them out as fast as possible, wanting to wallow in her own bad mood, really feeling the beer setting in.

A look of realization crossed Sweetie's face as she nudged Applebloom. "Oh, right. Er hrm. My sister and Fluttershy say they need your help at the north barn. Said it was important."

Rainbow shot up in attention at what the little farm pony said, "What! They want me there now? What else did they say?" she questioned eagerly.

Scootaloo stepped in front of the yellow filly, "They said you can show up around six. They need someone big and strong and cool and fast for something awesome. Uh, for Winona?" Scootaloo tried to correct and contain herself, Sweetie Belle shoving her out of the way.

"Yes, so if you could please meet them there, Fluttershy said they would be much obliged!" The little unicorn finished.

Rainbow took a seat on the ground in front of them. "What else did they say? What else did you see in the barn? Did you notice them acting funny?" Dash bombarded them.

The CMC giggled into their hooves as they started trotting away, much to the dismay of the full grown pegasus. She took a step to follow, but stopped when she felt her head grow dizzy. "Sorry Rainbow, but we got to work on our cutie marks!" they skedaddled on out of the cottage, Rainbow Dash unable to stop them.

"Ok, why would they want me there? And why in two hours? What's their gimmick?" Dash pondered as she paced back and fourth in the living room. She started to feel panic enter her being as she continued to dwell on her thoughts. "Oh my gosh, what if she is planning on breaking up with me." She said as she stopped dead in her tracts.

She fell to the floor, trying to control her pain and rage. "She wouldn't leave me. She can't leave me." She growled to herself as tried to still her shaking hooves. She felt like she was snorting fire as she tried to find reason in these turn of events.

"No, she could never leave me. It must be the rest of them, corrupting her mind!" she picked herself up and started walking towards the door. She willed herself to stop as she rested a hoof on the door knob. "Fluttershy told me to wait for her here so we can talk. Now she says come to the farm where that back stabbing Applejack is?"

She started pulling at her mane. "What am I supposed to think? What am I supposed to do?" she leaned against the door and grabbed her chest where her heart was, "What am I supposed to feel?" she whimpered out. "I'm losing her. I'm losing everything. If I go now I will probably piss her off." She let herself fall to the ground again, "If I wait and do nothing, I can't protect her from them."

She shut her eyes and placed her fore hooves over her face. Her skull on fire as a war raged in her heart. She started breathing even harder as terrible visions came to her mind.

An innocent Fluttershy sat under an apple tree, a cool drink of apple juice at her lips. She enjoyed the cool breeze as she rested against the bark. She heard hoof steps coming her way a she turned around.

Applejack came up, strutting her stuff, carrying a little picnic basket. She placed it in front of the nature loving pegasus and tipped her hat at her, "Hey there sugar cube. You look mighty pretty in that there green scarf. I reckon the prettiest." She flirted in her southern drawl.

Fluttershy blushed as she hid her face behind a wing. "Oh Applejack, stop it. I'm not the prettiest mare around. Besides, I'm sure Dash wouldn't like you to be saying all these things about me." Fluttershy managed to speak. She giggled as the earth pony took a seat next to her and nuzzled a sweet spot against her ear.

"Well phooey on RD. I can speak the truth, you are the prettiest mare I see. And sides, she ain't your owner Shy." Applejack continued getting closer, Fluttershy not fighting her back. Applejack reached in the basket and pulled out the perfect bottle of hard apple cider. "I got me the best batch of the stuff. I know I promised it to that hot headed mare friend of yours, but this pegasus deserves it way more." Applejack sweet talked as she served them each a glass.

Fluttershy took her new drink and sipped it, the strong stuff already making her light headed. "I guess you're right. She is always bossing me around when all I want is to be treated nice. To think I gave her a chance." Fluttershy complained as she took a big swig of her drink.

She hiccupped and noticed an orange hoof stroking her wing. "Well you deserve better than what she can give you Shy. And I can show you some southern hospitality if you really want to know how it's done. You got such soft feathers." Applejack whispered in her ears.

Fluttershy cooed and moaned as Applejack laid her on the soft grass and started tracing her hooves through the yellow feathers. The cider taking over, she just relaxed and let the farm pony work her magic. Their lips closed in for a kiss.

Rainbow Dash screamed as she banged her head against the front door, making it crack, a few splinters of wood in her mane as some bits landed on the floor. Her sudden outburst pushed the thought from her mind. She shook her face, her vision clearing up as she walked into the living room. "That no good apple bucking jerk, she's probably getting Shy drunk to seduce her and convincing her to leave me!"

She grunted, a few animals running away while a few brave ones tried to calm her down. She ignored them, too lost in her thoughts.

Fluttershy walked to Carousal Boutique and knocked on the door. When no answer came, she was surprised to see that it was unlocked. She got nervous, thinking something bad had happened to her friend. "Oh no, Rarity!" she ran in and what she saw stopped her dead in her tracks.

There was a trial of tiny candles and rose petals that lead from the front door to the living room. "It smells so heavenly." Fluttershy said to herself as she became entranced by the trail and followed it. She gasped when she entered the living room. "Oh my."

Rarity lay sprawled out on her fancy sofa, two long palm trees mysteriously fanning her. She wore a delightful black lingerie that hugged all her curves, covered up by a see through lace pink robe that was so long it dragged to the floor. The unicorn beckoned her with a hoof, "Fluttershy, darling! You arrived just in time. Come here my sweet."

Fluttershy gulped to clear her dry throat. She walked slowly to her friend, her wings fully extended, blue eyes wide. "Rarity, I d-don't know what to say."

"You need say nothing my dear. I have been wanting this, as I know you have. I can see the way you look at me during our spa dates. And to think you have been wasting your time with this ruffian pegasus who does not know how to treat a mare as gentle and sweet as you."

Fluttershy finally reached the sofa, resting her fore hooves on it near the purple maned beauty. "Oh Rarity, you look more beautiful then I have ever dreamed. I have been longing for you so."

Rarity grabbed the yellow pegasus in her magic and lifted her to float over her body. "You deserve the very best. Somepony who can really love you. I can be so much more tentative and romantic then Rainbow ever could." She started tracing her hooves along Fluttershy's excited body, "If you let me show you, I can make you mine. I need you Fluttershy."

Fluttershy reached out her hooves to feel the soft luxurious mane, "I need it Rarity. Show me, I need you." Rarity let go of her magic hold and caught the creamy pony in her arms as they embraced and kissed.

The braver animals tried to hold Rainbow Dash still as she kicked over the coffee table. She didn't even realize what she had done as she punched a hole in the wall. She was fuming, her eyes wide with rage, pupils looking more red like. "Stupid sexy Rarity using her body to steal my Fluttershy!" She started stomping around the living room.

She fell to the floor, covering her face with her arms as another vision hit her. She had tears in her eyes at the overpowering thoughts.

Fluttershy trotted happily into Sugar Cube Corner, ready to feast herself on some sugary snacks. She tilted her head in confusion as to why it was so empty, but ignored it and went to the counter. She rang the little bell once and sat patiently.

Pinkie Pie popped up behind her, startling the poor pegasus. "Hi Fluttershy! What brings you here? Oh wait, maybe a cupcake? Or a croissant, donut, éclair, parfait?" Pinkie continued her list of dessert.

Fluttershy took her friend's ramblings as a chance to catch her breath and settle her nerves, "Oh Pinkie, you startled me." She breathed out.

A dreamy look crossed the pink pony's eyes as she invaded Fluttershy's personal space. The yellow pegasus didn't pull back though, she just smiled at her friend's happy look. "Oh no, you know I never mean to be anything but sweet to you Flutters. Being a big ol meany pants is Dash's job." Pinkie laid her hooves on Fluttershy's shoulders and rubbed them.

"Oh no, she isn't all that mean." Fluttershy tried to defend, but was getting lost in the massage.

The baker moved her hooves to her chest and lower, a playful smile on her lips, "Then why is she always yelling at you? You know you deserve a pony who can be sweet and make you smile. A pony like me." Fluttershy continued to moan and relax at the soothing touches as Pinkie brought her lips dangerously close. "So what sweets did you come here for?"

Rainbow Dash yelled again, unknowingly flipping over the sofa and kicking over the little writing desk. By now the animals in the cottage had evacuated the home. Even Angel and Tank were too afraid to face her in her blind rage. "I swear if they lay a hoof on her…" Another thought flashed before her eyes.

Fluttershy sat on the library floor, quietly reading a book to herself. Her eyes opened wider as she read a very clear message on the next page, "Look up" She did just that and saw Twilight Sparkle right in front of her. Fluttershy smiled at the sudden appearance, hiding behind her mane. "Oh, hi Twilight. Do you need this book?"

A purple magical aura took hold of the book and neatly placed it in the shelf, "Spike's gone Fluttershy. And I was wondering if you could help me with an experiment?" the purple unicorn stated smoothly as she leaned forward and nuzzled the cream colored mare under her chin. "Mmm, you smell so good." She whispered.

Fluttershy blushed and leaned back, raising her hoof to her chest. "That tickles, teehee. So what did you need help with Twilight?" Fluttershy innocently asked. She gasped as a purple magic mysteriously locked the doors and pulled the blinds over the windows. The pegasus felt a bit of panic set in as she was surrounded by darkness. "T-Twilight?" she stuttered.

Fluttershy shut her eyes as a soft lavender glow appeared in her face. She slowly opened one eye to see that light was being emitted by Twilight's horn. "Don't be scared Fluttershy, I'm right here." Said the student of Celestia, a smile plastered to her face.

Fluttershy scooted up closer to her studious friend, her fear of the dark getting the better of her. She felt a pair of hooves wrap around her and hold her close. Before she knew it she was against the librarian's chest, and oddly enough, she felt safe. She made a small whimper sound as she looked up, noticing how well her friend looked in this light.

"To answer your question Fluttershy, I noticed how powerful the magic of love is. After all, love is built off of friendship." Twilight explained as she played with the pink mane, making both ponies giggle. "And I think we have a very special connection, you and I. we can really harness this power, learn something new and wonderful, just the two of us."

Fluttershy leaned in closer, "That does sound interesting, and wonderful Twilight. But I'm still with- Damphy" the shy mare tried to explain as twilight silenced her with a hoof.

"Think logically Fluttershy. She is too rough, too wild for a mare like yourself. You need a pony who is more knowledgeable, who can read the signs of their lover. A pony who can give you the freedom to grow. A pony who cares, who is understanding. A pony, like me." A hypnotic glow emitted from the lavender eyes, easing Fluttershy.

Fluttershy fell deeper and deeper into those eyes, becoming lost, "A pony, like you Twilight. You have always been such a good and caring friend. Always willing to go slow for me." She admitted.

Twilight brought their faces closer, "I can bend time and space, just for the two of us. All she can do is that old Sonic Rainboom. Let me show you what real love is…"

Rainbow Dash hurled herself forward and shook her hooves in the air, trying to dissipate the offending thought bubble. Little did she know she was knocking off all the knick knacks that were decorating the room. "Yeah, stupid Twilight is probably using her magic mumbo jumbo to hypnotize poor Shy!" She panted heavily as she laid on her back, tears falling from her eyes, "I thought they were my friends." She muttered. She dragged herself to the kitchen as she poured herself a shot of whiskey her dad gifted them from the kitchen. Her hooves shook and she spilt some as she poured, "Gotta calm down." After a few thoughts her stomach started hurting. She grabbed her head as another thought appeared.

Fluttershy was back on the Apple Family Farm. She was walking along side of the bard when she bumped into something huge and red. She fell on her rump, shaking her head to regain her senses. She saw Big Mac, starting down at her concerned.

"Well I am sorry about that Miss Fluttershy. Didn't see you there." He apologized in his deep yet soft voice.

Fluttershy smiled at the kind stallion who was about as shy as her. She noticed how his muscles flex as he carried a few bushels of hay on his back. "It's ok Big Mac, accidents happen. Aren't those heavy?" she asked, trying to make polite conversation.

He looked to his load he was carrying on his back, then back down to the tiny mare. "Eeyup." One of his signature answers. He noticed as Fluttershy started to blush, seemingly attracted to him. He decided he had been working hard all day, and now was his chance to play. He tipped the hay off his back and turned to fully face Fluttershy. "So, you wanna take a roll in the hay?"

Fluttershy smiled, hovering in the air, "Oh, yes please!" she answered excitedly, happy to finally be with a stallion. They walked side by side into the barn, where the doors shut.

"That's it! I am heading down to that barn right now, whether she wants me there or not! I am putting an end to all this!" She pushed the door harshly open, making it creak and wiggle off its hinges slightly. She took off in the air, full of rage, flying unevenly. "Stupid Big Mac with his way with words and his studly ways." The flying mare complained as she neared Sweet Apple Acres.

She landed roughly, kicking up a small dust cloud. Her heart was pumping, head throbbing, her jaw hurt from all the clenching and teeth grinding. Everything about her body language was screaming for a fight as she approached the barn they told her to meet her at. She placed her ear at the door and recognized everypony's laughter.

"Oh Flutters, you're the best." Came the muffled voice of Pinkie Pie. Dash felt her blood boil as she dragged her hoof across the ground.

"Yeah, that Rainbow Dash will never suspect a thing. I bet my hat on it!" Another round of laughter was heard as Dash's wings flapped and her hooves shook with fury. She snorted steam, her vision going slightly blurry as her head ache increased.

She head butt the door open and forced her way in. She frowned at her friends' surprised faces. Rainbow Dash had pieces of debris in her mane, making her look ragged and fierce. The rainbow pegasus glared at Fluttershy, who lowered her head and gaze to the ground as a reaction. The first one to react was Pinkie Pie, who hopped over to great her friend. "Surprise!" She yelled, hovering in the air.

"Shove it Pinkie, I don't want to hear it!" Dash huffed out, making the happy pony fall from her position in the air. All the ponies gasped at Rainbow Dash's sudden hostility.

"I just knew this wasn't a good idea." Fluttershy squeaked out from behind her friends. Rarity and Twilight both leaned against her for comfort.

Rainbow continued frowning at the ponies she grew so close to, feeling the pain of betrayal and the anger it brought throughout her body. She gave her head one good shake to try and calm herself, sending some of the debris in her mane to fall.

Applejack stepped forward to be in between Pinkie and Rainbow, "Now that ain't no way to behave RD, where are your manners?"

Rainbow Dash shoved her face aggressively against the farmer's, neither of them budging as they glared in each other's eyes. "Is it good manners to get MY Fluttershy drunk and try to take her from me?" Dash accused.

AJ reared her head back in confusion, raising a brow. "What in tarnation are you talking about Rainbow?" Applejack continued to stand her ground against the raging pegasus. She sniffed the air close to her athletic friend, "You been drinking?" she whispered.

Pinkie Pie found her voice and was right beside her orange friend, "Yeah Dashie, why are you being such a Grumpy Gus instead of the happy cool Dashie we all know and love?" Pinkie asked, earning a snarl from Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash shoved her way past the two earth ponies, not passing a sideways glance as she stomped up to the two unicorns and her mare friend. "Shut up with your over the top friendly bull shit Pinks, I know what you are all really after." Both unicorns shot her a dirty look as she pulled Fluttershy to her side. Fluttershy meeped but stayed silent at the sudden change in her lover.

"Why in Equestria are you acting like such a cur Rainbow?" Rarity questioned, appalled by her friend's attitude.

Rainbow Dash felt another head ache, rubbing at her head. As much as she felt hurt by all the ponies present, she was still the Element of Loyalty, and still wanted to remain loyal to them all. But she was damned if she wasn't going to protect the pony she cared most for.

"Why? Are you all deaf or just stupid? You have all been trying to take Fluttershy away from me and keep her to yourself! Well I'm not having it! And now all you jerks want to meet up here and challenge me for her. Or try and convince her I'm not good enough. Well too bad, she's mine!" The cyan pegasus declared as she flared her wings and stomped her hooves, her face turning red. She was too lost in her rage and paranoia to realize how crazy she sounded.

She snarled again as she felt Fluttershy try to wiggle out of her grip. Twilight stepped forward as blue released yellow. "Rainbow Dash, you don't seem yourself. Sit down for a minute and drink some water, tell us what's wrong." Twilight said, concerned for her friend.

Rainbow Dash stomped the ground again, "Stick that forked tongue back behind your teeth, snake!" Dash shouted. She heard all her friends gasp. "Friendship is magic my flank!"

"Dashie, what's wrong with you?"

Rainbow Dash looked to the yellow pegasus who asked her the question and stole her heart. "What's wrong with me? What's wrong with me!" Dash's voice escalated. Fluttershy stood her ground, the rest of their friends circling around the quarreling pegasi. "Don't look at me like I'm the crazy one. Everypony is trying to get their dirty hooves on you, I'm just trying to keep you safe. Fluttershy, I love you, I'm not having you taken from me. You aren't LEAVING ME!" Dash yelled again.

A cross looked touched the earth loving pegasus' features as she took a step back. "Enough is enough Rainbow Dash. I am not cheating on you, I'm not looking around for another lover, nopony is trying to steal me away! Look around you, you're acting like a fool!" Fluttershy yelled, worry and hurt in her voice. She rushed over to a small table that had presents on it. She placed her hoof on the table, trying to explain. "Look, presents! Dashie, it's your birthday tomorrow. We were throwing you a surprise party."

In one jump Rainbow Dash landed in front of the table and kicked it so hard it flipped in the air, the sturdy table shattering to pieces, presents falling hard to the ground. Gasps were heard all around and AJ's calls for her to calm down were faintly registered in her ears. "Stop LYING TO ME!" All of Dash's fears and rage came out as she stood in front of the ponies she held so dear. She shook as she fought the urge to punch and kick. She would not listen to reason. She had to shift her balance to remain upright, the flight and yelling making her more dizzy.

"You're a monster!" Fluttershy spoke in a shrill voice, backing up a step, flash backs of the night her lover had teared her down with her words flooding her mind as she held back frightened tears.

Dash visibly flinched at her mare friend's words, feeling hurt and betrayed again. With the way everypony's eyes were on her she felt the need to defend herself. "Bite me! Before you go and bite yourself again-" The words came out so effortlessly and full of spite. Some form of logic came through the cyan mare as she folded her ears back and covered her mouth.

But the damage was done, it was all apparent on Fluttershy's face. Those moments when one is so heated up that they say something they truly don't mean and will forever regret, Rainbow Dash had done it again. A single sniffle came from Fluttershy as silent tears fell. "Dear Celestia no!" Dash pleaded in her mind as her lip quivered. All the rest of the world disappeared from Dash's sight as all she could see was her Fluttershy looking like she was just struck by her own hoof. She shakily and slowly reached out her hoof to touch her face.

Fluttershy took a few steps back as tears continued to stain her face. She turned to have her back face her rainbow mare. She suddenly made a buck motion, kicking up dirt and hay into Dash's face. Rainbow Dash shut her eyes and covered her face as she coughed at the rude yet deserved gesture. "Cough… Fluttershy! Wait."

Dash rubbed at her eyes to see a trail of pink and yellow bolt out the barn yard door. She felt her legs grow weak and her heart strain as she labored to breath. She looked to her friends' faces, only to see disgust. Her eyes finally open as she really took in her surroundings. She noticed the decorations, the streamers and balloons. The Happy Birthday Dashie banner tied up high. She saw the buffet spread out on a long table, with a giant cake at the end. She felt devastated to notice the Cutie Mark Crusaders sitting silently in a corner, not daring to speak with the way she acted, Pinkie and Spike standing guard in front of them. "How dare you act this way in my home, in front of my family, the girls! How DARE you yell at Fluttershy!" Dash heard Applejack roar. She shut her eyes, tears squeezing out as she shook her head.

She started sweating bullets as she flew as fast as she could out of there. She couldn't face anypony right now. She couldn't face herself, not after what she had done. She flew and she flew, higher and further, not looking back.

Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Twilight all sat together, not knowing what to do. They had sent the CMC and Spike to Applebloom's room while they tried to figure things out.

"I cannot believe Rainbow Dash would act so beastly, and to Fluttershy of all ponies. Who knows what the poor dear must have gone through when no one was looking!" Rarity spoke as she leaned on Applejack, her hoof dramatically on her forehead.

Applejack was about to open her mouth when Pinkie cut in, holding the big birthday cake, "I know, she won't be having a happy birthday now! I don't even think she will be having a mare friend." She tossed the cake in the trash, pulling out a handkerchief and blowing her nose, "This is so sad, their love is falling apart before our very eyes! Wah!"

Applejack sighed and opened her other arm to hold both Pinkie and Rarity as they let out the tears, rolling her green eyes some. Twilight ran her hoof through her dark mane as she let out a sigh of her own. "There is something terrible going on here girls. I know we shouldn't take Rainbow's actions lightly, but we are all still friends, and I think she may need some serious help." Twilight tried to explain.

"Yeah, me to. I was worried something like this might happen. I told those two to watch out, and I told RD to keep that anger of hers in check. When she had her face pressed against mine, I smelled alcohol on her breath. She reeked of it." The farmer said as the two ponies she was holding finally calmed down.

Twilight nodded, "Maybe that's why she was so wild about all of it, and looked so funny. I think for now Dash will be ok, but we should check on Fluttershy. This can't be easy on her, and with her past history." The lavender didn't even want to continue.

They all started walking out of the barn, all thinking the same thing, that they should have heeded Fluttershy's advice and not thrown the party. Twilight's horn glowed as she teleported them to their friend's cottage.

Fluttershy ran home, weeping sadly. She gasped as she saw her front door looking like it was about to fall off its hinges, with a head sized hole in it. She wiped her tears and felt a pang of anger fill her. She stopped at her door as she noticed the empty beer bottles and the half empty whiskey. All her animal friends rushed to her, all trying to tell her the same thing.

Her eyes widened as she couldn't believe what they told her. She rushed to her living room to see it wreaked. She slowly walked in, feeling her heart break with every step. She eventually let herself fall in the middle of the wreak, all her animals at her side.

She cried some more, holding her face. "Why did she do this? Am I really that bad of a mare friend, that she would destroy everything in here?" Fluttershy thought to how much she loved the rainbow pegasus, and started questioning if she were good enough. Angel cuddled against her face, holding her in his paws. "Can you all believe she made fun of my w-wings, accusing me of b-b-biting them off?" she stuttered.

She laid on her side, defeated, too overcome by grief. She placed her hoof on her heart, "If we can't be together, what's the point of you beating?" she stopped her thoughts right there. She shut her eyes tight and took some deep breathes. She looked to all her animal friends, all their eyes desperately on her. Angel hugged her, she felt his tears on her neck. He was the smartest and knew the most. She held as many of them as she could, "No, I won't think like that anymore. I worked so hard to get where I am now. And I deserve love and respect!"

She sat back up on shaky legs, "I am better than what she gave me credit for. I'm not going to just lay down and die! If Rainbow Dash doesn't realize how wrong she is, h-her loss!" the canary yellow mare finished, feeling weaker by the moment. She clutched at her chest again, her heart still breaking, "Then why do I feel like the loser?" she sadly thought.

She heard a bundle of unsteady hoof steps. She looked to the doorway to see her friends run to her side. "Fluttershy, darling, are you ok!" Rarity yelled.

"Did RD come here and hurt ya?" AJ asked, looking at the mess and her down hearted friend on the floor.

Fluttershy traced her hoof gently on the ground, trying to hide her tear stained face behind her mane. "N-no." she gently let out.

They all looked at the mess the usually neat cottage was in. "Fluttershy, did you do all this?" Twilight asked, afraid for her friend. Pinkie and Rarity both looked cautious, remembering how vicious Fluttershy could get if pushed over the edge as Twilight remembered a particular wet memory of Fluttershy and a bucket along with mean words.

Fluttershy laid down, and her friends could see the utter helplessness in her eyes. "No, I came home to- sniff- to all of this. My animals said Rainbow Dash had done this." Fluttershy muttered, whimpering a little.

The other four Elements looked to each other with sad eyes. They all went to their sad friend and group hugged her, Fluttershy's walls breaking down as she sobbed into them. They all shed tears, feeling the pain the Element of Kindness was going through. "T-thank you girls. For being here for m-me."

"Hush now Fluttershy, we will all always be here for you." Rarity said as she stroked her back.

Fluttershy kept crying, "I'm not sure if Rainbow will be." They all frowned at this, and feeling angry and worried for their other pegasus friend.

"Don't think about that now. I know Dashie, that knuckle head will be kicking herself in the morning when she sobers up, and we will all help her get things straight. But she won't be off the hook that easily." Pinkie warned in a scarily calm tone unlike her, sending a shiver up everypony's spine.

They finally let the pegasus go as she stood up. "Thank you again girls. So very much. You don't know what it means to me. It's just, coming home to this is killing me." Said the animal care taker, still looking miserable.

AJ tipped her hat, "Well it may be dark, but it ain't late. I say we can all stay and help fix this place up for ya. With all of us working together, we can get it done toot sweet!" the orange earth pony bent low and even pet some rabbits that she usually chased off her land, "I reckon these here critters would like to help." The animals all nodded their head eagerly, happy to help fix their home and cheer up their care giver and friend.

For the first time since before Rainbow Dash barged in the barn, Fluttershy let out a real smile, brightening the room, "Thank you all." She looked to all her friends, and then down to her animals, "Every single one of you. Let's clean up this place!" she cheered with new vigor, trying to focus on the ones who loved her who were here now instead of the one she loved who was nowhere to be found.

Rainbow Dash was flying at alarming speeds, the events of the day wearing her down fast. She was crashing, she felt it, so she finally decided to land on a cloud that floated along the outskirts of Ponyville. She landed harshly on the cloud as she shivered from the cold. Her tears continued to fall and fill the cloud. Before her drunken mind was filled with anger, and now it was filled with sorrow. She clutched at her aching head, each cry shaking her frame. She wept and wept, unable to stop the tears, "Why? Why did I do this. What am I going to do?"

She buried her face in the cloud, wiping her tear stained face on its softness. She continued to sob, "What have I done? I hurt her again!" she wailed, pain in her voice. She shivered and cried on her small cloud, not having the heart or energy to return to her cloud home, or her real home with Fluttershy. She eventually cried herself to sleep after an hour of tears and pain.

Alright, so there was chapter 21. It is by all means, not a fun and happy chapter. Things started turning a little dark, although not as dark as the first few chapters. It was a tough one and I had to go back and decide what I really wanted to keep in here. I wanted Fluttershy's reasons for throwing a party to be believable, her friends convincing her that Dash would love it and make her feel better. I had trouble deciding if I wanted Dash drunk or sober, adding fuel to the fire. Also, haing the CMC in this chapter altogether was another one. It appears our element of loyalty has reverted to her angry ways, something she has kept in check, but not learn to fully deal with coupled with her jealousy. I wanted to show the severity of words, and I am ashamed to say at a few points in my life I have gotten so mad that I said terrible things to someone I dearly love, really hurting them. It's important to know that sometimes, words are worse, and we should always try to be kind. I also wanted to show how Fluttershy has grown internally, finally learning how to deal with these feelings she has. She may continue to feel inferior, she may feel like giving up, and there may always be someone out there that can hurt her, but I tried to show how she chooses to love herself and deal with things better. This was a serious one and she will continue to be faced with this feeling for a while, but I wanted to display her growth. I hope I did those things. Next chapter will hopefully be happier, as Dash tries to resolve things, and gain the respect and forgiveness of her friends and Fluttershy. Let me know what you think, and if I made the right calls. Thank You.