“Hey Scoots,” Apple Bloom smiled as Scootaloo came into the clubhouse the next morning, then stopped as she saw her friend’s face, “Whoa, what happened to you?”

Scootaloo shivered a bit as she sat down in one of the chairs next to Sweetie Belle, “Mom… felt me up last night.”

“What?!” Sweetie Belle exploded, eyes wide, “W-Why did she do that?!”

“I… I don’t know,” Scootaloo said, sort of in a daze, “She called me down to talk, and while we were talking she… ran her hand up my leg. Stopped right over… between them… it was really weird.”

Apple Bloom’s jaw dropped, while shame overcame Sweetie Belle’s features.

“No… No… this is all my fault!” Sweetie Belle cried, “Scootaloo, I’m so sorry! It was my fault! I egged her on! I tried giving in and getting her to do me! I was tempted and I-I tried to… She kissed me and almost did it, but some drugs she took stopped her! But I still goaded her and tried to seduce her! Oh man, I’m so sorry!”

Scootaloo shook her head, “D-Don’t be. It wasn’t… bad per say it was… just weird. You know… she’s my Mom. And she touched my… weird.”

“It must’ve still be uncomfortable,” Apple Bloom said, biting her lip.

“Oh no…” Sweetie Belle murmured, wiping her eyes, “Did you tell Fluttershy about it?”

“They broke up,” Scootaloo sighed, “They had some fight before I got home. She’s gone.”

“WHAT?!?!?” Sweetie Belle screeched, then fell to her knees, shaking, “Oh no no no no no! That was not supposed to happen! This is all my fault! If I’d had just kept what I felt to myself, none of this would’ve ever happened!”

Apple Bloom looked stricken as she sat down, “That’s terrible… Ah can’t believe it…”

“Honestly AB, I don’t know how I feel about it,” Scootaloo admitted.

“I practically made her cheat…” Sweetie Belle moaned, beginning to cry, “I didn’t even care about what anyone else thought… Wait, what do you mean you don’t know?!”

“I don’t know!” Scootaloo half-shouted, “I mean, I’m not happy about it! But what can I do?! Mom said ‘She’s dead to me now’ and told me never to talk to Fluttershy ever again! What am I supposed to do?! I can’t just go against her, she’s my Mom now!”

“Hello?! This wasn’t supposed to happen!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, “We can’t just let them sit there on being broken up! Fluttershy’s still pregnant and I know they still love each other!”

“I don’t know,” Scootaloo cringed, “Mom was pretty mad. She broke a few things after she was done… touching me.”

“Wow…” Apple Bloom breathed, “Applejack does that sometimes when she’s really mad.”

“Breaks things, or touches you?” Scootaloo asked.

Apple Bloom gave her a flat look.

“You’re right, stupid question.”

“What are we gonna do?” Sweetie Belle sniffled, “I’m partially responsible for this.”

“What can we do?” Scootaloo asked, “This isn’t just some hiccup. The neighbours were saying they were screaming at eachother.”

“That’s just it!” Sweetie Belle put in, “I know why they broke up! It was because Rainbow Dash had to tell her what she did with me! What I made her do! Fluttershy must’ve gotten upset and pretty much tore into her, and then you know Rainbow Dash, right? Hot temper? They must’ve been really angry about what happened! We can’t just let them split like that!”

“Maybe, but we can’t say fer sure,” Apple Bloom said, “An’ Ah doubt they’d listen to us.”

“And would it be a good idea?” Scootaloo asked, “I can handle her doing that to me, but what about you two?”

Sweetie Belle sighed a bit, “We’ll have to think of something. Otherwise, she’s going to snap and take it out on you, then maybe the two of us as well.”

“Ah don’t doubt they love each other. But we also cain’t intrude on their problems, we’d have ta find a way ta help without goin’ too far,” Apple Bloom said.

The three of them all sat in silence for a good few minutes, before Scootaloo spoke up, “So… any ideas?”

“We gotta get Fluttershy’s side of the story,” Sweetie Belle said, “Scootaloo? You should go see her, alone. I know, I know, it’s probably not gonna look good to her, but I think you need to hear it most. Apple Bloom and I, we’ll… I don’t know, we’ll do something.”

“Should we go now?” Apple Bloom asked, “I mean, it does seem pretty quick to be trying to fix everything. Maybe it’ll get better once they’ve both cooled off?”

“It’s been a day… Is that enough?” Sweetie Belle asked neither in particular, “But I guess we could give it more time if we have to. They probably need to be by themselves for a bit.”

“We probably should,” Scootaloo shrugged.

Nodding, Sweetie Belle hesitated, then hugged her, “Scoot, I’m so sorry. I broke them apart and I nearly cheated on both of you. I-I’m never doing that again. Ever. Now that I see what it could’ve done, what it did do… I-I can’t. I’m sorry, you guys…”

Apple Bloom joined the hug, “Ah’m a little upset, but Ah forgive you.”

Scootaloo hugged the both of them, “I forgive you too, Sweetie Belle.”

Sniffling, Sweetie Belle held them closer, “I don’t deserve you guys… but thank you… I promise I’ll do everything I can to make it up to you.”

The two of them looked at each other, then turned a grin back to Sweetie Belle.

“...What?” Sweetie Belle blinked, confused, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

The two of them advanced on her, lifting her dress over her head, “You know why we’re looking at you like that.”

“N-Now?” Sweetie Belle blushed, but didn’t otherwise protest.

“Oh yeah,” Scootaloo smirked, “Now.”

“Yes,” Apple Bloom agreed, nuzzling her, “Right now.”

Scootaloo kissed along her neck, “Why? Something wrong with now?”

“No I just, I didn’t expect it,” Sweetie Belle brought her hands to Scootaloo’s head, wringing her fingers through her hair.

Coming behind Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom gently felt up her sides, kissing her shoulders, “Well Sweetie, ya can make it up to us by lettin’ us love you…”

Scootaloo reached a hand down Sweetie’s panties, “What do you say, huh Sweets?”

“Y-Yes… I want to love you both, too,” Sweetie Belle whispered, giving in completely.

Scootaloo backed away from her as she undid her shirt, “Alright then. Off with the panites, Sweets.”

“Allow me,” Apple Bloom purred, pulling them down Sweetie Belle’s legs and tossing them aside. She then did the same with her bra, leaving the other girl nude before them. With that she pulled down her overalls, tossed aside her shirt, and discarded her undergarments.

“Oooh, been working how, have ya AB?” Scootaloo teased as she discarded her own undergarments.

“You know it,” Apple Bloom winked, coming up behind Sweetie Belle again, cupping her breasts.

“Oh, girls…” Sweetie Belle moaned, smiling now, “I’d be lost without you both…”

Scootaloo came up between her legs, pushing them apart, “We know you would, Sweetie.”

“We would be, too,” Apple Bloom whispered in her ear.

“W-Wait!” Sweetie Belle pulled back a little, “I should mention this. She kissed me.”

Nothing. They just looked at her expectantly, curious.

“...I didn’t like it. I didn’t say it like that since I didn’t want to be mean, but I really didn’t like it,” Sweetie Belle admitted, cringing, “It was not as cool as I thought it would be. It felt… like it was weird and awkward. I didn’t feel like I do when I kiss you girls…”

Scootaloo grinned, “So we’re better kissers, huh?”

“Well, that and we all actually love each other,” Apple Bloom smiled, “Ah hardly think she was givin’ her all.”

“Now, back to business!” Scootaloo grinned before going back between Sweetie Belle’s legs.

“And our next caller, who wishes to remain unnamed, wants to dedicate this song to someone who broke their heart! It’s dedicated to-whoa, too many inappropriate words to say over the air! But let’s just say that it’s not pleasant, folks! Let’s kick it off with Adele’s ‘Rolling In The Deep’!”

Fluttershy cringed, knowing full well of Adele’s talent in creating tragic, heartbreaking break up songs. She wondered, could it have been…? No, it was probably just a coincidence.

She finished up tending to the animals in her care, before then collapsing onto the couch; sniffling and burying her hands in her face.

‘What have I done… I-I gave in to my fears… I made Rainbow believe that I thought she was a sick, perverted woman. I cheated, then I felt I was going to be cheated on. And I… just… what have I done… The way she looked at me… the anger… Everything… She hates me. She hates me! Hates me… All of our years together… She hates me...’

Looking down at her hand, it was only then that she realized she still had the ring. Its silver band and emeralds glistened and shone in the light. She uttered a wordless sound, moaning sadly.

“We could’ve had it all…” Fluttershy uttered along with the song.

‘She gave me everything. She exposed herself to me in many ways… asking for nothing more than my love and support. And I stomped all over it… I shot her down when she needed me the most! I don’t deserve her… I’ll always love her… She’ll be the most wonderful girlfriend I could’ve ever asked for… I will never be that happy again...’

Tears streaming down her face, she collapsed onto her side, shaking a bit.

For a moment or two.

“...Wait.” Fluttershy murmured to herself, realizing something, “Wait. No. I can’t just take this. No! What am I doing?” She sat up, wiping her eyes, “I can’t just sit here and take it. We have one argument… a common argument couples can get into… and all of a sudden it’s worth throwing away?”

Angel, who was sitting nearby, looked up from the carrot he was eating, ears perked.

“No… I can’t just let her go. We were getting married… We’re having a baby…” Fluttershy spoke to no one in particular, standing up, “We were just angry. We said things we regret. I said things I regret. I wasn’t there for her… She needed me, more than ever… The one person she could count on, lean on… and all I did was get upset. No, no, I wasn’t wrong in that. But she was only trying to tell me the truth, so that she could help this along and I blew it up in her face. I pushed her away when she needed me the most. It’s my fault. All my fault. I could have worked this out with her but instead I… made her out to be the monster she isn’t. No! I’m not going to give up on her. I need to talk to her!”

Eyes wide, Angel gave a nod of approval.

“I just… need to figure this out,” Fluttershy murmured, “Before I do…”

She looked off to one side, seeing her bottle of anxiety medication on the side table. Taking it, Fluttershy went to the kitchen, poured some water into a glass, and drank down a couple of the pills. Relaxing a bit, she went and sat back on the couch. All the while, Angel got up and went to sit himself on her lap. With a smile, she reached down and petted his ears.

“Well, Angel Bunny… this is going to be quite a journey. But I will win her heart back. I’m going to talk out my issues more with Doctor Firebrand, then I’m going to see her. Even if I have to break down her front door, I’m going to talk to her. I’ll fight for her. I’m not going to let my issues come between us. She didn’t do anything wrong… She just had a moment of weakness and she deserves to be forgiven. I’m not going to let her go.”

Angel nodded, giving her an expectant look.

Fluttershy looked at him, puzzled, “What?”

He tapped her arm, keeping the same look.

“Okay… I’m not a sex object with her. I never was. She loves me, she loves me for who I am. She isn’t about to leave me for any of them, especially the girls,” Fluttershy said, looking off into space, “She doesn’t want to replace me. I’m not too old for her. She wants to be with me because we love each other.”

Angel tapped her arm again.

“I can’t let my anxiety dictate my life and how I feel,” Fluttershy sighed heavily, “I need to stop letting my worries get the better of me. I’m always going to worry, it’s in my nature, but I need to stop letting it control my life. I need to help myself.”

Once more Angel nodded, looking on with approval.

“Well, I can’t change overnight. It’s going to be a process I have to take on. I need to stick to it, to commit to it, and to keep taking my medication,” Fluttershy resolved, stroking Angel’s back, “But I’ll do it. I will do everything it takes to win her back. I ran away when a relationship wasn’t working before. I was a coward. I always have been a coward. Avoiding confrontation of my problems because I was scared. Scared I would fail. Fear of rejection and fear of failure have always held me back. It has controlled my life. I can’t let that happen anymore. I won’t!”

Angel gave her a look that said “And?”

“I… I do deserve happiness,” Fluttershy took a breath as she said that, “I do! I won’t let my mistakes be a life sentence! I’m going to make up for all I can and to achieve what I want! And I want to help myself and win back the woman I love!”

“When are ya gonna stop monologuing and open the door?!” came a voice outside as whoever it was continued pounding on the wood.

Eyes wide, Fluttershy’s attention drew to the door, having not heard the knocking over her thinking-out-loud and the radio.

“S-Sorry! I’m coming!” She called, turning off the radio and going to open the door.

Scootaloo rushed inside, shivering from the cold, “Thanks. It’s really cold out there.”

“No problem, Scootaloo,” Fluttershy smiled warmly. She took a blanket from the couch and wrapped it around the younger girl, “How are you doing? I haven’t seen you since I left.”

“Uh… things are going alright,” Scootaloo said, shrugging, “Mom’s been kinda going off the deep end, though.”

Stricken, Fluttershy faltered for a few seconds. She then led Scootaloo to the couch, sitting her down, “How so?”

“She’s been a lot more angry lately, won’t let anyone into the house except Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Twilight. She’s started bringing women over and… uh… I can tell you anything, right?” Scootaloo asked.

Though worried, Fluttershy nodded, “Of course you can, Scootaloo. Tell me what’s bothering you.”

“...She’s been touching me,” she said, looking away.

The words sunk in, to which her eyes went wide and her jaw fell with a gasp, “W-What? She’s been touching you?!”

Scootaloo nodded, “Since you left last week.”

“...Oh my gosh… Where? Where has she touched you?” Fluttershy asked in worry, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Scootaloo cocked an eyebrow, “You know exactly where, Shy.”

“I figured, I just…” Fluttershy sighed heavily, “I’m so sorry, Scootaloo. I’m partially responsible for this.”

“Actually, that’s why I came over,” Scootaloo said, “Me and the girls were gonna try and get you to talk to her about it, but I think tonight, like right now, would be better.”

“Oh…” Fluttershy said, nodding, “I-I see. Well, I agree. I want to try to talk to her, because what happened between us was just… it was anger and not handling the situation well. I’ve calmed down since then and I think it is time I did something about it.”

Beaming brightly, Scootaloo ran over to the door, “She’s coming, guys!”

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shivered a ‘yay’ from outside.

“Oh don’t complain, Sweetie Belle,” she called out, “You’re the one who refused to wear pants!”

“Hey, I wanted to make the best of it before I swear off dresses for a while!” Sweetie Belle called back.

“She’s swearing off dresses?” Fluttershy asked.

“For less easy access,” Scootaloo explained, “Now come on!”

Taking her coat, Fluttershy nodded, “Let’s go, girls.”

As the four of them bolted down the street toward Rainbow’s house, Fluttershy turned to Scootaloo.

“What do you mean by less easy access?” she asked, curious.

“She’s kinda going through an ‘I feel sexy’ phase,” Scootaloo explained, “Sure, it’s nice to watch her twirl and dance like that and she’s got great legs! But what I mean is, think about it. You wear a skirt, all you gotta do is take off the panties and you’re good to go! She’s felt awful about what happened before… so she’s taking to wearing pants and stuff, so that she won’t be so tempted and not get into trouble. Pants don’t always make easy access!”

“No, but if they’re tight enough they make for a better view,” Fluttershy giggled, then her face went into serious mode, “Oh I’m going to hell for that.”

Scootaloo blew a raspberry, “Never mind! She’s just gonna wear pants and shorts and stuff for a while. Sure we’ll have to undo ties and straps, even belts, but whatever!”

“Sounds cute,” Fluttershy smiled.

The four of them came up to the door as the sound of something smashing came from inside.

“YOU DID WHAT?!” came a startlingly familiar voice.

Fluttershy rushed to the window and peered inside. Rainbow was on the couch, clutching her nose as a very angry redhead stood over her.

“Oh no…!” Fluttershy uttered, her heart sinking, “Girls, you stay outside!”

“No! You’re pregnant!” Scootaloo protested, “What if she hits you, too?!”

“We should all go in there!” Sweetie Belle put in, “Hurry!”

Fluttershy reached into her pocket, finding she still had her key, and unlocked the door, hurrying inside, with the Crusaders following behind her.

“Girls, stop this!” Fluttershy yelled.

“Shut up, Fluttershy,” the both of them snapped.

Ascentia rounded on her, lifting Rainbow up by her hair, “Now, listen closely, or this time I’ll break the fucking thing. First, you’re going to call social services and tell them what you did to Scootaloo. Then, you’re going to call Rarity and tell her what you did to Sweetie Belle.”

“NO!” Both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle yelled.

“I’m not letting them take me away!” Scootaloo shouted, “I’m fine, see?!”

“Don’t tell Rarity!” Sweetie Belle pleaded.

“And what are you so scared of?” Ascentia frowned at Sweetie Belle.

“I’ve forgiven her! I’m fine! I don’t need anyone else to know! It’s gonna make everything worse for all of you!” Sweetie Belle protested.

“Well you know what? I think a little getting worse is just what this little scumbag needs,” Ascentia growled, the most cruel smirk spreading across her face, “Maybe a few months in prison’ll teach you to control yourself more than that quack ever will.”

“NO!” Scootaloo and Fluttershy both yelled.

“Get your filthy hands off her!” Fluttershy snarled, stepping forward, only for the Crusaders to come and block her from the front, “So she had her moments of weakness and all of a sudden that’s a life sentence?! What right do you have to call her names and to even condescend her method of getting help?! Let her go right now or I am calling the police!”

“Oh please. I’m twice your size, what are you gonna do?” Ascentia asked, “And I’m married to the Princess, so what are the police gonna do? But go ahead, Shy. Call them. Molesting a minor is about fifteen to twenty years.”

The room was quiet for a few seconds.

“I’ve taken on men twice my size before. I’m stronger than I look. I could break your nose and paralyze you before you can even turn around,” Fluttershy said calmly, “Just because I’m small doesn’t mean I can’t kick your ass. But I’m not going to. Unlike you, I don’t believe in violence to solve my problems. Now, you let her go right now and get out. Whatever she’s willing to do to fix this is up to her.”

“Oh my god, are you listening to yourself?” Ascentia asked, her expression one of flabbergasted disbelief, “If this were anyone else you’d be throwing them to the wolves. But no, this is your pwecious widdle Dashie. She could never do anything wrong, it can all be fixed by some kind words and my undying psychotic devotion!”

“You’re one to talk,” the Crusaders all muttered just loud enough for them to hear.

“Oh… really?” Fluttershy snorted, “Hello, Pot. I’m Kettle. Remember me? But we’re not here to talk about that. I see your game. You’re trying to get me angry, aren’t you? To have something against me. So we could be the monsters we’re supposed to be? So I could get committed for anger issues and she put away for touching a minor? You are some piece of work… I am going to ask you, one more time, to leave. This does not concern you. Now, please go.”

Ascentia rolled her eyes, “I’m not going anywhere until-”

“Put. Her. Down.”

All of them turned to the door, where a very angry (and at the same time very calm) Twilight was standing.

“Put her down,” she said softly.

Ascentia lowered Rainbow Dash to the ground.

“Get over here, now.”

Striding past the girls, Ascentia followed Twilight out the door. Pausing, Twilight turned back and glared at the others.

“You have 24 hours,” she said softly, “If something isn’t done about this by then, I’m bringing the Royal Guard in to arrest Rainbow.”

She closed the door and led her wife out to the car, leaving the rest of them alone.

Scootaloo sniffled, shaking a bit, beginning to cry. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom hugged her, comforting her silently.

Stricken by this, Fluttershy wiped her eyes, going over to where Rainbow was and helping her to her feet, “Are you all right?”

Rainbow pushed her away, “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“I went to her, Mom,” Scootaloo spoke up amidst her tears, “I’ve had it with what you’ve become! You’re angry, you touch me, you yell, you break things, you bring sluts over every night, you don’t shower, you barely eat… you don’t even talk to me! And don't tell me you don’t miss her! I know you do! I hear you crying and begging for her every night! EVERY NIGHT! If you don’t talk to her, I swear, I’LL call the Royal Guard or something! I want BOTH my Moms back! Because now I don’t have either of them!”

“Hey, I wouldn’t have to bring whores over to the house if you’d drop your damn pants already,” Rainbow sneered.

Fluttershy visibly recoiled from this.

Rainbow, on the other hand, glared at her, “See, there it is. You actually believe that shit! You think I’m a monster. Well get out! I don’t need you to keep accusing me of being a monster, I can just be one on my own!”

“No,” Fluttershy stated, advancing on her, “I’m not going anywhere. I would not be here right now if I truly believed that. No. I’m not giving up on you like that. I’m doing what I should’ve done before. I’m not falling for your game right now. I know you want me to confirm it. I know you want me to believe you’re the monster you think you are. Now you sit down and listen to me, you!

“I was wrong for the way I handled things. You needed me more than ever and I just turned away because I couldn’t handle what I heard. I felt cornered and as though my own problem wasn’t validated. That’s why I was upset. However, it’s not about that now. All you were trying to do was to be honest with me about what happened. So you could come to terms with it and not have to hide it so it would get worse. I-I commend you for it. I’m glad you told me. I-I didn’t handle it very well and I am so sorry. I’m so sorry it made you believe I thought of you this way. I don’t, I never have. What I did was terrible and there isn’t a word I can say to make up for it. But I can tell you this. I’m not leaving you again. I am not walking out that door with you like this. Look at yourself… What’s happened? Scootaloo is your daughter, not a plaything. You just need to keep getting help. Look, just, calm down, and you talk to me. Tell me what’s bothering you about all of this, about what I did. Please. Tell me everything and I’m going to listen to you. I love you… and I want to be there for you. As I should’ve been all along.”

Rainbow’s lip trembled but she held her glare, “No. Just get out, Fluttershy.”

“No!” Fluttershy said firmly, “I am not walking out on you again! Not this time!”

“Mom, please…” Scootaloo begged, crying more now, “Please talk to her. I want you guys back! Stop doing this to us! Please!”

Rainbow rolled her eyes and turned around, storming up the stairs, “Get out of my house! The four of you!”

Neither of them moved, hearing the door slam upstairs.

“I’ve seen this a thousand times,” Sweetie Belle said, “It’s that ‘Get out because you’re telling me what I don’t want to hear but need to hear’.”

“I’m not leaving her,” Fluttershy moved toward the stairs, “I know her. She just won’t admit it. She’s trying to burrow herself deeper into the rabbit hole, because she doesn’t want to appear weak or wrong.”

“W-What are we gonna do?” Scootaloo sniffled, “This isn’t working…”

“Did you expect it to?” came a voice from the doorway.

Turning around, they saw Twilight standing there, frowning.

“Did you expect to say some magical ‘I love you’s and make everything better?” Twilight asked, “I think I’m walking proof that just doesn’t work. Girls, I know you love Rainbow and want everything to work out, but it’s not some quick fix. Fluttershy, even if you’ve calmed down now, what’s to say what you’re going to be feeling in a week or so? You have some of the worst anxiety I’ve ever seen, and every other day you’re freaking out over something else.”

Sighing heavily, Fluttershy nodded, “I’m aware of that. I’ve been getting help, but I do still have a long way to go. But I’m not giving up on her. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Twilight moved closer and sat Fluttershy down on the sofa, “Fluttershy, not to be rude, but pull your head out of the clouds for one second. This is your problem, Shy. You’re either terrified of everything, or you’re bull rushing into a problem without thinking. Especially where Rainbow is concerned. Ever since we were kids, you were always bending over backwards for her, and vice versa. If I can be completely honest with you, you two always sounded like the worst idea for a couple I’d ever heard.”

Fluttershy frowned. The fact that this was coming from Twilight of all people made her feel either ashamed of herself, or wanting to slap the woman. She couldn’t decide which.

“But that’s not the point,” Twilight said softly, “My point is that you need to realize that this is not one of your romance novels. You’re not going to burst into Rainbow’s room, have some heartfelt apology and make love into the sunrise. And Rainbow isn’t going to just come around because you made an apology that she’s heard from you a couple dozen times already.”

“Then what are you trying to say? I should just give up? Accept it? Throw it all away because of this? No. I’m not. Maybe right now wasn’t the best timing, I can see that. It’s going to take more than just an apology. I get that,” Fluttershy stood up, shaking her head, “If you’re going to tell me to give up on her, to think that we’re apparently a horrible pair, then you’re wasting your time, Twilight. Maybe I am, but that’s of no concern to you. I am not leaving this woman again. I am doing what I should have done before. This is her baby in here my stomach! This is a ring she gave to me in hopes of making a life together! I am not going to just give up because of this! If it’s going to take six months, a year, anything to get things moving forward, so be it! I’ve given up and have been a coward about things I can’t face up for far too long! No. I’m not giving up because she’s stubborn and I need to take care of my anxiety!”

Twilight put her face in her palm, “Are you listening to yourself Fluttershy? You keep going on and on about what you have to do, but you’re not even thinking about how you’re going to do it. I’m not saying you should give up, I’m saying you need to stop being so goddamn reckless and jumping into fire like a lovestruck puppy!”

“WHAT, then?! What do you want from me?! What do I have to say or do to get the Twilight Sparkle Seal of Approval?! I’m hearing a lot of criticism but no solutions!”

Sweetie Belle ran into the room, grabbing hold of the hysterical woman and giving her a hug. Fluttershy faltered, then collapsed to the floor, clinging to the younger girl and crying.

“I just want her back…” She sobbed.

“She needs help,” Twilight said softly, “And not just from one therapist a day’s train ride away. She needs proper, regular professional help. I’m recommending her for… involuntary care.”

“What do you mean?” Scootaloo asked, coming into the room with Apple Bloom in tow.

“Tomorrow, some doctors are going to come by and take Rainbow to a live-in facility in Canterlot,” Twilight explained.

Fluttershy looked stricken, as did Scootaloo. The two exchanged glances, nervously.

“...If that’s what it takes…” Fluttershy managed, her voice broken, “I don’t want her to go, but… But I want her to get help and be herself again.”

“Me too…” Scootaloo sniffled, “Fluttershy? Can I stay with you until she gets out?”

“Of course,” Fluttershy wiped her eyes and brought her arm around her, “We’ll do what’s best for her. We’ll help her any way we can.”

“There, see?” Twilight smiled, kneeling down in front of them, “This is what I’m talking about. A solution that actually has a chance of working. I already dealt with all of the paperwork after I first got the news of what Rainbow was doing to you, Scootaloo. Custody was given to Fluttershy until Rainbow is cleared for release.”

“What if Rainbow refuses to go?” Apple Bloom asked.

“They’ll make her go,” Twilight said flatly.

“...Can we go visit her?” Scootaloo then asked, wiping her eyes.

Twilight nodded, “Yes, you can. Supervised, of course.”

“Okay,” Fluttershy stood up, sniffling a bit, “I’m going to leave now. Scootaloo? Are you staying here?”

Biting her lip, Scootaloo looked from her to the stairs, then sighed, “I may as well go, too. I don’t think there’s anything I can do. I tried… but she won’t listen to me.”

“I think it’s best that you go with Fluttershy,” Twilight nodded, “I don’t think you should be here when they come tomorrow morning.”

Scootaloo cringed, “I guess… Okay, I’m coming, Fluttershy.”

The two went the door, taking one glance toward the stairs, lingering. But then Fluttershy stepped outside, Scootaloo following after her.

“This is all my fault…” Sweetie Belle sniffled, “If I hadn’t tried pushing the limit, none of this would’ve happened…”

Twilight frowned, “I don’t think I need to give you a lecture. I’ll let your sister deal with that.”

“I’ll tell her what happened myself,” Sweetie Belle said, “I think it’d be better if she heard it from me.”

“Ah can go with you to help,” Apple Bloom offered, “Ya know, for support.”

“Okay,” Sweetie Belle sniffled a little, wiping her eyes, “I’d better get back anyway, Rarity should be home from the spa by now.”

Twilight sighed and rubbed her eyes as she took a key and dropped it in the mailbox for the doctors in the morning. Feeling the tension rising in her, she trudged back to her car and got into the driver’s side door, gripping the wheel tightly. She’d actually done it. She’d institutionalized one of her best friends. Maybe it was for the best, or maybe she’d just end up making the whole problem worse.

Feeling a strong, but gentle hand on her shoulder, Twilight reached up and touched Ascentia’s hand.

“Do you think either of us will get better, Kitten?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Ascentia replied.

Sighing, Twilight shook her head, “Me neither. I just hope I did the right thing… I don’t like nosing into my friend’s business, but I think it was time I did.”

Ascentia shrugged, “I’m not the thinker, Twilight. That’s your thing.”

“I know that, I just…” Twilight leaned back in her seat, exhaling, “No. I shouldn’t just dwell on it like that. I did what I had to do and that’s the way it’s going to be. From here on, it’s their problem to work out. I just… hope they do. I really do. So… let’s get home. I think it’s been a long day for all of us.”

“Yeah,” Ascentia agreed, pulling an arm around Twilight and kissing her cheek, “Let’s go home and go to bed. I’m exhausted…”

“You read my mind,” Twilight smiled tiredly, kicking the ignition into drive and heading off into the fading twilight.

“There you go,” Fluttershy pulled the covers over Scootaloo, making sure she was cozy, “Do you need anything else?”

Scootaloo shook her head, “No… I’m fine.”

“Okay,” Fluttershy nodded, “I… guess this is going to be quite a transition for both of us, isn’t it? It’s funny… whenever I was sad, or just needed someone to talk to, I’d always call her… Even in the middle of the night. Yes, she sure got annoyed when I did that, but she still listened to me when I just needed a friend. Now, now it’s really going to hit me soon… Will you be all right, sweetheart?”

“Y-Yeah,” Scootaloo replied, “I think I will be. I mean, she’s gonna get out soon, and she’ll get better from it, right?”

Sitting on the bed, Fluttershy stroked her hair comfortingly, “I hope so. But I think she could be. When I was… well, when I was trying to talk to her, I could tell she was trying to listen. But she’s very stubborn, she wasn’t ready for this at all, not yet. I think maybe it will take having her lose just about everything to really realize what needs to be done. I do, too…”

“Yeah… I guess,” Scootaloo hugging Fluttershy tightly before settling into the covers, “Goodnight, Fluttershy.”

“Goodnight Scootaloo, I’ll be downstairs if you need me,” Fluttershy kissed her forehead, then stood up to turn out the light before leaving the room.

Going downstairs, she sat on the pull-out bed of her couch that she was using for herself, before laying down. Wiping the tears that had begun to pool in her eyes, Fluttershy looked upon the ring still on her finger, twirling it gently.

‘This won’t be easy… The woman I love and my best friend will be institutionalized… But I have to do this. At least our time apart will let me get more help too... And hopefully we can come out of this with a much stronger resolution.’

Looking at a framed photo of the two of them on the wall, when they were kids, Fluttershy exhaled, curling into a ball as she hugged a cushion, “I know you’re in there Rainbow Dash… And we’ll be there… I just hope it works.”

As the rain fell outside, she soon fell into an uneasy sleep. Next Chapter: With Your Insignia On It Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 6 Minutes