“I don’t think so!  Go away…Ocupado pal!” I shouted as I put a hoof over the bathroom door.  Looking a bit menacingly at some random purple mare who walking up looking like she wanted to use the bathroom while Fluttershy was still in.

I know it’s a public bathroom that anypony can use, but Fluttershy isn’t really the ‘public’ type…she needs her privacy and won’t feel comfortable with somepony else in there.  The purple mare raised an eyebrow at me in confusion and a bit intimidated as she slowly started back up then turning around and walking away…getting lost in the shuffle of frantic hotel ponies that were busy decorating the whole place up for some reason…I saw a banner being put up by two Pegasi that read ‘Welcome to our hotel Princess Fire Fight and Princess Night Lurker!’…who the heck are they?  I saw a white unicorn in a trenchcoat at the front desk and noticed him turn and walk over to where I was…he was a colt so he wasn’t going to use the filly’s room...

“Hey…what’s going on here?” I asked him curiously in his native language before he reached the door to the Colt’s room…he stopped nad looked at me…his eyes green widening as he continued to stare at me…uhhh…why are you looking at me weirdly? “….well?” I then asked a bit louder and more serious as I arched an eyebrow at him.

“Oh…my apologies…” He apologized as he shook his head to snap himself out of…whatever the hell kind of trance he was in, “This hotel is honored to host Princess Fire Fight and her return from the battlefield and Princes Night Lurker is joining her…” He then explained as he turned a little bit and held one of his hooves out as if unveiling a prize to me or something…yeah….ok…I guess I can gather that much from all the banters…but I’m confused on one thing.

“Doesn’t she have a palace or something she can stay in?  I mean why is she staying at this hotel?”  I asked in a doubtful tone, pointing out how royalty has like castles and stuff to stay in…I can’t imagine Celestia just coming into Ponyville one day and just bunking at a hotel for like no reason…

“Sorry I can’t chat at the moment….I have someplace I need to be and fast…” He refused with a shake of his head before he passed me and opened the door to the Colt’s room…ok…whatever…thanks for…you know…not helping me.

I sighed after he entered the Colt’s room, I then leaned myself against the wall next to the Filly’s door and kept an eye out for anypony else that might enter the bathroom.  This feels very familiar…me keeping an eye out while Fluttershy uses the bathroom.  I did that so she could have her privacy and also to protect her as bathrooms were a very common place to bully Fluttershy.  I sighed again as I wondered if that’s the reason why Fluttershy is still very uncomfortable in public bathrooms…or was she always uncomfortable with bathroom even before that?

I heard the door open and soon after I saw Fluttershy leave with the door shutting behind her, “You good now Fluttershy?” I asked immediately, just so she would know I was there more than anything else.  She looked over and blinked a few times at me before smiling and nodding to me.

“Ohh…umm…yes…thank you…” She thanked a bit nervously before turning around and trotting off.  When she did I looked down and instantly noticed she was dragging something white behind her underneath one of her rear hooves.  Heh…she has some toilet paper stuck under one of her hooves…if it was anypony else I’d make fun of them for that…but considering this is Fluttershy…and we’re in a strange unfamiliar place…that’s probably not a good idea.

“Uhhh…Fluttershy.” I called out just loud enough so she could hear me and it wouldn’t catch anypony else’s attention.  She stopped and looked back at me, tilting her head confused.  I raised my rear hoof up and tapped the ground with it a few times not wanting to say it out loud and hoping she’d get the hint.  When she blinked at me in bewilderment I tapped my hoof again and then pointed to while gesturing my head towards it as well.  She finally got the messages as she looked down at her hoof…and then turning redder than Big Macintosh…

“O-Oh my goodness!” She shouted in embarrassment as she ran back and rushed back into the bathroom with her mane in front of her face, the door almost slamming shut behind her.  

I chuckled slightly and shook my head, same old Fluttershy…that wasn’t the first time this has happened…and usually it’s not her fault…I mean she’s so graceful and careful that it would be impossible for her to do that from her own clumsiness when using toilet paper…it’s usually from her accidently stepping on some toilet paper on the floor…however it’s still very embarrassing for her…even if nopony saw her since they were all busy with their welcoming stuff.

I guess I should go in and see if she’s ok…and comfort her if needed.  I entered the bathroom and saw Fluttershy with a paper towel washing her rear hoof with the red blush still very evident on her face.  I don’t get why you feel the need to wash it…yeah I know it’s a nasty piece of toilet paper but you walk around on the ground all the time…you’ve probably stepped in stuff much worse than that with your hooves and don’t even know it…but whatever…even though it’s unnecessary it’s still very understandable…

“Are you going to be ok Fluttershy?”  I asked slightly concerned, but mostly indifferent since I know she’s going to be ok.  She looked up slightly surprised and blinked a few times before nodding back to me, then tossing the paper towel in a trash bin nearby.

“Y-Yeah…I’ll be ok…I’m just happy nopony saw me with it…though that’s thanks to you Rainbow…” The timid Pegasus replied in a slightly nervous and embarrassed manner as the shade of red was still on her face…although nowhere near as prominent…yeah…just like I thought…she’ll be fine…in fact…I think I know something to uplift her mood.

“Yeah well…to quote Rarity:  ‘It’s an absolute abhorrence for you to walk around with something so wretched dangling off of your perfectly hooficured hoof!’” I then remarked as I raised my hoof and tried to look fancy…also trying to give my best Rarity impression…but instead sounding like I was sick as my voice was not made to go as high as Rarity’s and was even worse since it was cracking at points…I sounded like I needed a lozenge or two…but that was the point as Fluttershy was now giggling to herself as she raised a hoof to her mouth…I sighed as I lowered my hoof and smiled as her as she was now back to her normal self.

“Alright…let’s go…” I then said in my normal tone as I gestured my head to the door.  When she stopped giggling she looked at me with a bright smile, her clear cyan eyes showing no signs of sadness or embarrassment, and nodded in reply

I turned around and opened the door with my hoof and gestured my other hoof for her to leave first.  She trotted out the bathroom and I left behind her, closing the door after I left.  I then got in front of her and lead her to the front door.  Once again I opened the door for her and let her go out first.  When I myself got outside I was slightly surprised to the streets looking twice as packed from the time we entered the hotel…although the slight shock quickly wore off when I remembered what time of year it was.

“Oh dear…the streets look more packed than earlier!”  Fluttershy said in distress as raised a hoof to her muzzle…looking at all the frantically scurrying ponies trying to go from place to place and also setting up decorations and booths on the sides of the streets…

“They’re having a weeklong festival…they’re celebrating the return of the northern birds and the start of summer…” I informed her as I trotted up alongside her and looked around to see a huge banner hanging down above the street that read:  “Annual Start of Summer Festival!” and then another one underneath it that said “Day One, Return of the Birds!”

“Oh that sounds lovely!” Fluttershy remarked cheerfully as I looked over to see an excited expression on her face…of course…her and those animals…

“It’s really not…you’re just sitting down and watching a bunch of birds fly back from the sea…” I said a bit dryly as the thought of sitting on a beach or on top of a building watching a bunch of birds fly does not interest me in the slightest…especially since I can fly myself and put all of those birds to shame!

“Oh…I guess you’re right...it really isn’t…” The canary mare next to me agreed in a low melancholic tone as her head and ears drooped down.  Oh crap…that’s the ‘Why won’t you watch the Butterfly Migration with me?’ expression designed to make me feel bad!  Celestia Damn it…it gets me every time…I sighed as I put a hoof on her shoulder, making her look back up at me with a sad expression in her eyes that only fueled my guilt…

“Of course…that’s if you’re just sitting by yourself watching them fly back…if you’re with a friend…then that makes it awesome…” I said encouragingly as I smiled at her, hoping she wouldn’t get the impression that I don’t want to be with her.  She smiled back and raised her head along with her ears…thankfully it must’ve worked.

“Yes…doing anything with your best friend is always great…” She agreed sounding much happier as she gave a little nod at me…calling me her best friend…which I haven’t heard since we were very young…when we the only friends we had were each other…so…if we were best friends then…th…that should make us best friends now right? I mean our relationship hasn’t really changed from then to now has it?  Well…it has…I think…I…I don’t know…and I don’t want to address that issue right now…

“Yeah…like shopping…” I replied looking away a bit uncomfortable as I changed the subject to get away from this topic.

“Oh yes…” Fluttershy answered happily as I looked over to see her opening her saddlebag with a hoof and pulling out a piece of paper, “We have to buy a lot of things…Rarity has a long list…and first we need get…ummm…” She then started as she began to look at the list to see what’s first…although she’s missing once important detail…

“First you need to head down to a nearby bank…” I suggested as I pointed in a random direction, getting her attention as she looked at me confused.

“I do?” The gentle mare simply replied as she titled her head at me in befuddlement.

“Yeah…I’m assuming you have bits right?” I asked as I tried to look into her bag, not getting a glimpse though since it was on the other side of her body…and also hinting at a point which I hope she gets.

“Oh yes…I do hope I’ve brought enough…maybe we should-”

“No no…it doesn’t matter how much bits you’re going to get…you’re not going to get anything with them…” I said cutting her off as I raised a hoof up at her…she blinked at me a few times before looking even more confused than before….looking a little cute while doing so…

“I…I won’t?” She simply responded in a rather soft tone, still not getting it…well…it doesn’t surprise me…so I guess I’ll have to enlighten her…

“No…this city…hell this whole area we’re in takes a different currency…” I pointed out finally revealing to her why she needs to head to the bank first.

“O-Oh…I see…” I replied finally getting it as she looked down slightly…probably feeling stupid for not getting it sooner…which is how I felt when I learned I couldn’t buy a simple glass of cider in this city.

“Yeah…don’t feel bad about…I didn’t know that when I first came here as well…but anyways you’re going to have to go to the bank to exchange your bits for their currency…” I explained in a supportive tone as I smiled at her to get her hopes back up to at least Fluttershy levels of normal.

“W-Where’s one at?” Fluttershy asked, sounding a bit more enthusiastic now but there was still a hint of uncertainty in her voice…but that’s most likely because she thinks she has to do this on her own when she’s not…she has me…although she thought that was because I kept using ‘you’ instead of ‘we’…but I did that on purpose just so I can do this!

“That’s what your local guide and awesome translator Rainbow Dash comes in…” I then said in a very loud and boastful tone, smirking and closing my eyes to further illuminate my awesomeness.  “Just stick with me and you’ll never get lost…” I finished as I opened my eyes and saw her smiling back at me.

“I promise never to leave your side!” She replied excitedly and happily as she nodded enthusiastically at me….just the reaction I was going for!

“Great…let’s go!” I shouted in exhilaration as I opened my wings and took off into the skies heading directly to-

“Ahh!” A shout cut me off from everything as I froze…t…that was….Fluttershy…I turned around and saw her in pain as she was struggling to move her wings and get her into her air…oh crap!  Her wings!

“Fluttershy!” I shouted as loud as I could as I quickly flew back to her, “I’m sorry!  I totally forgot about your wings!” I apologized sincerely as I landed next to her and helped her fold her wings back up…I can’t believe I forgot about the long trip she insisted she do herself…a long flight like that on a Pegasus like that is brutal…hell even I wasn’t a hundred percent on my first trip…and I just went and flew off leaving her behind…

“It’s ok Rainbow Dash….I’m fine…” She replied in a soft yet positive tone as she looked up at me and gave me a weak smile…I bit my lip and looked away…I bet she’s in pain right now and is trying to hide…so I won’t worry…damn it Fluttershy…for an Element of Kindness you’re not very kind to yourself!

“It looks like I’m hoofing it instead of winging it…” I joked trying to be positive as well as I myself gave a faint smile back to her…she giggled slightly before smiling and then went to look out at the crowd which only seemed to get larger…

“I…I just hope we can make it through that crowd…and…and I don’t do anything wrong…” She then said very soft and nervous tone…looking out at the crowd now and starting to feel very anxious and fearful…which is something I can’t allow as well…

“On second thought…” I said as I reached over and put a hoof around her, catching her off guard as she ‘eeped’ in shock.  “We’re taking the express way there via Air Dash…” I then cockily said as flew up into the air and picked her up, putting my other hoof under her hind legs so she was laying back in my fore legs…however since she was now upside down her saddlebag on her back fell off her, but I anticipated this and caught her saddlebag with my hind legs….and I was in a very awkward position…I was holding Fluttershy in my forelegs, her saddlebag in my hind legs, and all while trying to stay level and balanced so my own saddlebag wouldn’t fall off…it was awkward…but easily manageable…

“W-What?  N-No!  Y-You don’t have to do this for me Rainbow…” Fluttershy responded  embarrassment as she looked at me with her cheeks starting to show a rose color…I chuckled as I start to fly off towards the nearest bank…my wings in slight pain since I’ve been using them all day but it’s nothing…especially when compared to Fluttershy’s wings.

“Ummm…yeah I can…last time I checked you’re in my hooves and I’m perfectly capable of flying us both around…” I pointed out a bit smugly as I looked at her with a grin on my face, which caused her to look away.

“Well…yeah but I don’t want you-”

“But I don’t want you to be in pain or go through that huge crowd…so just relax and enjoy the awesome flight that is Air Dash…” I then said in a soothing tone, cutting her off from continuing.  She looked back at me with a shocked expression on her face before it changed to a reluctant one as she looked down and slowly and ever so slightly nodded at me…as if accepting her fate.

I sighed as I knew Fluttershy wasn’t liking this…but I wasn’t giving her a choice in the matter and I knew that she would eventually come to liking it.  In the meantime however I focused on where I was going…it’s been awhile since I’ve been her so I don’t exactly know this place as well as I know Ponyville or Cloudsdale…so…for a while I was just aimlessly flying around…however in doing so Fluttershy began to relax and even started to enjoy the flight…so it’s not for nothing.  After eventually I realized where we were and where we needed to go I quickly turned to the direction I needed to go and flew over to the bank in ten seconds flat.

The bank was huge and extravagant, with a few statues of Pegasi warriors out front standing guard and columns right behind them.  There was also a few actual Pegasi guards next to them protecting the bank as security…seems rather redundant to have both stone and flesh Pegasi both standing very stiffly outside the bank...whatever.  When we reached there I went in between the columns to the front door and I put Fluttershy down gently.  Once she was safely on her hooves I gave her back her saddlebag for her to put back on her back.

“Thank you for flying Air Dash I hope you enjoyed the flight and join us again soon.” I teasingly said as I landed right next to her with a smirk on my face.

“It was a pleasant flight, but I didn’t get my complimentary peanuts…” Fluttershy joked back as she looked back at me with a smile.  Wow…it’s rare for Fluttershy to joke back with me…I can’t let a rare opportunity like this pass me.

“Heh…give me a break Fluttershy…it was the maiden flight for Air Dash…it’s not like I was that prepared or anything…but don’t worry…eventually Air Dash will have complimentary peanuts and refreshments for your flying pleasure and even an inflight movie...” I retorted in a boastful tone as I shrugged my shoulders and informed of her stuff that’s never going to happen.  Fluttershy started to giggle and I myself started to chuckle as well…it’s very rare for us to have banter like this…she must’ve really enjoyed that flight if she’s relaxed this much to joke around with me.

“Alright…let’s go inside…” I then said after our laughter died down.  I went ahead and opened the door for her; she nodded at me and went inside with a smile on her face.  

I entered after she passed me, closing the door behind me and turned around to see the huge room with even bigger Pegasi warrior statues in a line from wall to wall, although these weren’t standing guard like the ones outside, they were holding the roof up as it seemed.  It was impressive to say the least, and even though I’ve seen this room a few times before I was still just as impressed as I was the first time…what didn’t impress me was the huge flipping line of ponies to the only freaking bank teller…seriously…I know it’s a festival and what not but only one bank teller?

“Oh my…” Fluttershy remarked as she looked upon the large line of ponies with a hoof to her muzzle.  I groaned because I don’t know any other banks around here and we need Rio currency in order to purchase anything.  So we have no choice but to get in line and wait…the thing I can’t stand…

“Yeah…let’s get in line before more ponies come in and get ahead of us…” I advised in a low tone as I quickly trotted up and secured our position in line.  I looked back and saw Fluttershy nodding at me before she trotted up next to me.  I made a sigh before looking back forward at the immense line of what seemed like a gazillion ponies.  

The line moved very slowly…it took like minutes for one pony to get done and the line to move ever so slightly…it’s like they’re all writing a freaking novel or something.  I looked over at Fluttershy who seemed pretty content with the whole situation...not bothered by it at all…that mare was not only blessed with immense kindness but immense patience…I’m ready to start flying circles in the rooms and this girl doesn’t even look like she’s ready to make circular motions with her hoof…though even if she was impatient…I don’t think she could start flying around here…I looked at her wings to see them slightly throbbing most definitely from pain…her muscles are so weak compared to mine that I’m astonished she made it down here all on her own…it’s the getting back part I’m extremely concerned about…

“Are your wings going to be ok?” I asked in an apprehensive tone as I was worried about tomorrow when we have to fly home.  She looked up me and blinked a few times with her mouth slightly open before she smiled at me and gave me an encouraging look.

“Yes…they’ll be fine…after a good long rest they’ll be fine tomorrow…” Fluttershy responded in a gentle tone as she titled her head at me obviously not wanting me to worry about her…but it’s kind of hard since she’s my…good friend…that and I promised Rarity I’d take care of her…

“I hope so…as awesome as Air Dash is I don’t know it support carrying an entire pony all the way back to Equestria…” I pointed out as I looked ahead to see the line move somewhat again…

“We’ll be fine Rainbow….” The timid Pegasus replied in a supportive tone, then I felt something lean against my shoulder and I looked down to see her resting her head on my shoulder…which made me gasp slightly in shock that she would do that…especially right now in front of everypony, “We’ll think of something…we always do…” She then said softly as she closed her eyes…I swallowed a lump in my throat as I found myself enjoying this contact between us…and that slight twinge in my heart from earlier was now in full force making me feel very weird…damn it…why is this happening to me…especially now of all times?

“I can help somepony over here…” I then heard somepony ask in Jamarean…I looked up to see another teller opening up a few spots away from the one we were currently at.  I wasted no time, I put a foreleg around Fluttershy and rushed us over there as fast I could go and managed to get there before anypony else could even react.  I think that’s a new personal best if I might add…

“Us!  You can help us!” I shouted at the top of my lungs as soon as I reached the teller, a huge smile on my face as I looked at Fluttershy, who had a confused expression on her face…as if not knowing what just happened.

“Ohhh…two Pegasi mares from Equestria…that’s rare.”  The teller commented in Equestrian…which I’m rather thankful for because I don’t have to play translator just yet, “Are you two here because you were on Bird Escort or are you on Vacation?” She then asked as I let go of Fluttershy who regained her composure, understood the situation, and then proceeded to open up her bag to get her money out.  

“Or…are you here for more private…intimate reasons?” The light green mare with topaz colored eyes and a dark brown colored mane then asked in a rather mischievous tone as she smirked and raised an eyebrow at me.  I…I…What!?

“N-No!  We-We’re here because of the bird escort and we need you to convert these bits into your currency!” I shouted back at her completely embarrassed as Fluttershy put all her pits on the counter, obviously and thankfully not paying much to what she said as she was busy with her bits.

“Oh, my apologies…hold on and let me covert these.” The light green earth pony then said apologizing before taking all of Fluttershy’s bits to count them.  I thought this was going to take for-freaking-ever…however to my amazement she quickly scanned through the bits, moving them with her hooves with incredible speed and counting them in what seemed like mere seconds…that’s my kind of bank teller!  I can see why she’s in this line of work!

“Alright…that’s three hundred bits…that’ comes out to four hundred and eighty five rupees…”  She informed with a smile as she put the bits down below the counter and then got out two orange looking gems, along with one purple one, one red one, and then three blue ones…putting them on the counter and pushing them towards Fluttershy.

“O-Oh my goodness…that sounds like a lot of money!” Fluttershy remarked in shock as her eyes widened to the size of saucers and her cyan eyes started to quiver slightly at the sight of the admittedly very few rupees in font of…but since they had so much value it was a little off putting to her…

“It is…the Equestrian bit is very strong in this country…” The bank teller said pleasantly, enlightening her of why she was given so much as Fluttershy carefully put the money in her saddlebag…yeah that and rupees are kind of weird…I mean I think the orange rupee was once worth only one and now it’s worth two hundred…and the purple one is new…I don’t remember that from before…

“B-But…why is it so strong and who decides it?” The curious cream colored mare asked confused as she picked up the gems and looked at them in her hooves…that’s actually a good question…who the hell decides ‘Alright the Equestrian bit will be worth this many rupees and blah blah blah’ …does he get paid for that…I wonder how he gets paid since he decides the value of everything and ahhhh I’s confusing!

“I don’t know…its stupid politics that makes my poor awesome brain hurt…” I replied as I raised a hoof and rubbed my poor sore head…great now my head hurts…not from a physical attack but from a mental attack…awesome…

“Anyways…I would also like to trade some money in…” I then said as I wanted to get my mind off of the whole topic and wanting to convert some of my bits to rupees so I would have some spending money…you know…just in case…

“Sorry but you’ll have to go the back of the line…I helped her not you…” The green mare informed as she shook her head at me and…what!  You’ve got to be freaking kidding me!

“But we’re together!” I shouted back as I put a hoof a hoof around Fluttershy and brought her close to me, which made the bank teller give me a mischievous grin.  “N-Not like that though!” I then shouted as I felt my face heat up in embarrassment.

“Not like what Dash?” I heard Fluttershy ask rather curiously, I looked over at her and when I did her face was literally right in front of me…those big cyan eyes staring directly into mine…as if they were staring into my soul.

“Ahhh!  I…bwa…uh…” I shouted as I moved away from her, struggling to come up with something to say back to her.   Undoubtedly the flushing on my cheeks has most likely intensified tenfold now.  I tried to think of something to say but instead the chuckling of the bank teller mare cut me off from thinking of a reply to say to Fluttershy…thankfully I might add.

“Alright alright…I’ll do it…since you’re both ‘together.’” The light green pony then agreed after she was done laughing…great I’m glad I know all she needed was for me to be humiliated before she could do her job…

“T-Thank you!”  I shouted back not wanting to press my luck as I reached for my saddlebag and held it upside down on the counter, dumping bits onto the counter…not really counting and instead just giving her whatever fell from the bag…she nodded as she took the batch of bits after I was done and quickly counted them all up…once again showing off her speed…but unlike I’m not impressed and instead trying to focus on controlling my blush.

“Alright so a hundred bits comes out to one hundred and sixty five rupees.” She informed as she set aside the bits and then got out one silver rupee, a purple rupee, and then three blue rupees…huh that was very convenient…for me to drop a very even hundred bits…and wow the Silver rupee went up…last time I was here it was only worth five…whatever...

“Great…now if I want to buy something I’ll have some money…oh that reminds me…” I said as I took the rupees and put them into my saddlebag…then remembering something, “Do you have a map of the area…I kind of need one…” I then asked in their language, not wanting Fluttershy to know that once we get to the shopping district I’ll have no idea where the hell to go…I mean I’ve been there before…but I have a funny feeling the stores she needs to go are stores I would never visit in a bajillion years…

“Sure…”  She replied pleasantly with a smile and in Equestrian before reaching under the counter, “Here you go…” The bank teller then happily said as she got out a pamphlet and held it out to me.

“Thanks.” I thanked in a grateful tone as I took the pamphlet.  I opened it and briefly skimmed through it…it was a map of Rio De Jamaero and more importantly a section dedicated to the shopping district!  And if that wasn’t enough all the stores were listed…even the stores that weren’t in the shopping district along with what they sold…great…this is perfect…

“Alright Fluttershy let’s go!’ I then happily declared as I folded up the pamphlet and put it in my saddlebag…I couldn’t give it to Fluttershy because she wouldn’t be able to read it since it’s not in Equestrian…so it’s best that I hold onto it…though they should probably make an Equestrian version for…you know…tourists…it would be bad for business if tourists didn’t know where the hell they were going or where to go to buy things…you like Fluttershy…ughhh…whatever…

I turned to Fluttershy to see her smiling and nodding before she turned to leave.  I sighed in relief as we passed all those ponies behind us…grateful we didn’t have to stand in line for a freaking hour or so.  Before we reached the door I got out in front of Fluttershy and held the door out so she could leave before me.  When she did leave I followed her out, closing the door behind me, and followed her through the big columns and out close to the still very densely packed streets.

“Ready for another flight with Air Dash?” I asked a bit boastfully as I looked over and smirked at her.  She looked back and blinked a few times before looking down with a sad look in her eyes.

“I…I don’t know…” She responded in an unsure tone as she rubbed her hoof on the ground…she obviously doesn’t want me caddying her around everywhere…but she really has no choice in the manner…I’m not going to say that to her…I’m going to be lighthearted about it.

“I’m sorry…but I don’t have your damn peanuts…so you’re just going to have an awesome flight and that’s it…” I replied teasingly as I raised my elbow and nudged her playfully, which thankfully made her giggle as she looked back up at me with a smile on her face.

“Yeah…I guess I don’t need peanuts to have a pleasant flight with you….” She said in return before taking her saddlebag off and holding it with one of her hooves.  I got the message that she was ok with me carrying her…and that she was going to make it thankfully easier on me by holding on to her things while I carried her…I quickly picked her up like last…thankfully nowhere near as awkward and instantly flew off towards the shopping district.

I knew exactly where the shopping district was at, so I didn’t randomly fly about until my memory kicked back in.  No I knew where I was going this time and made it there in ten seconds flat….ok maybe twenty....but anyways.  When we got there I instantly noticed that the shopping square was sectioned off and empty except a very slim and powerful statue of the king in the very center.  Royal guards keeping the public to the sidewalks…there was also a huge big metal crate at the far end of the square…is this a part of the celebration?  I don’t remember this all the other times of the first day of summer…I looked around and saw banners that said ‘Welcome back Princess Fire Fight from your tour of duty!’  Ok so I guess their Princess just got back from wherever and they’re celebrating…that makes sense…and I guess the crate is just a part of the festivities…whatever…fine…

“Alright first stop the shopping district…we once again thank you for flying Air Dash and hope you fly with me again…” I said in my usual awesome tone as I set Fluttershy down on the outskirts of the crowd, then landing right next to her and giving her a smirk.

“Yes…thank you Dash…you’re a wonderful guide…maybe you should be one when we get back to ponies visiting from far off lands…” Fluttershy replied with a slight giggle as she suggested a new line of work for me and my awesomeness.

“Well…that does sound awesome…and I know I’m already am pretty awesome…from my stunts, to my weather job, to my aspirations to becoming a Wonderbolt…I’m already the definition of abso-freaking-lutely amazing…so I don’t think I need another thing for me to do you know?” I replied nonchalantly as I raised a hoof and rubbed my mane slightly…basically telling her ‘no thanks…I have too much on my plate as it is already.’  She giggled and response and nodded at me.

“I understand…I don’t want you to get any busier than you already are…because that would I mean I would see you less…” The canary colored mare responded in a pleasant tone with a smile as she titled her head…tiling it far enough to cause her mane to move to the other side of her face.  I froze in place in reaction to this…both from what she said, how she said it, and how her mane gracefully moved from one side of her head to the other…it was…sweet…

“Y-Yeah…so…ummm..what’s the first thing on the list?’ I asked as I looked away; feeling very uncomfortable as those weird feelings returned in full force…please focus on the shopping list, please focus on the shopping list, please for the love of Celestia focus on the freaking shopping list!

“Oh!  Right!” She instantly replied in realization as she raised her hoof to move her mane back to its proper spot, then thankfully reaching into her saddleback to get out the list, looking at it once she got it to read off of it.  “Umm…Genuine Rio De Jamareo fabrics…then patterns…then decorations…then-”

“It sounds like we can get most of those things from one store…that’s going to make things a lot easier…” I pointed out as I cut her off from continuing Rarity’s laundry list of stuff…I reached into my saddlebag and pulled out the shopping map…I scanned the list to the store which most likely had all that crap and more…

“Alright…I know where we’re going…let’s go…” I then said after I found the place, putting the map away and starting to walk off…Fluttershy quickly walked up alongside me…looking up at me with a smile and giving me a nod…I nodded back as I continued to lead us to the store.

Thankfully since most of the ponies were crowding to try and get the center the outer rim with all the stores was empty…for the most part.  There was still some ponies walking around but it was barren enough to where Fluttershy wasn’t going to feel uncomfortable or nervous…which is good news for the both of us…she feels comfortable and we get there without taking a freaking century.  Instead we got there in ten point ten seconds flat…I looked up at the horrible overdesigned and stuck up shop that was called ‘You know we’re fabulous and that’s why you’re going to shop here!’ ...seriously…who the hell calls their shop that…there’s snooty and uptight then there’s being this!  I should wear a shirt that says ‘Sorry I don’t like uptight stores that are excessively stupid and won’t shop there!’

“Oh this looks like a lovely…ummm…store…” Fluttershy commented a bit unsure as she raised a hoof to her muzzle trying to make out the flamboyant store in front of her that was covered in ribbons…lovely?  Lovely?!  Are you kidding me!?  Try ‘Excessive!’

“Even…it does seem a bit ummm…much…” She then remarked as she titled her head somewhat…much?  No Fluttershy…I talked to ‘much’ the other day and even he would be disturbed by this!

“Yeah…no kidding…whatever let’s go in and get this over with…” I replied dryly making a huge understatement as I looked in the window and saw an ugly oversized hat that I think even Rarity would scoff at…different tastes I guess…literally cultures apart…

I sighed as I opened the door for Fluttershy to walk in… I then groaned as I took a deep breath and entered behind her.  I swear…if I wasn’t playing translator I would never walk into this store in a quadrillion billion zillion years…but damn it…I said I’d help Fluttershy and my loyalty to her lasts longer than that…anypony else…hell no…get away from me…

“Ohhhhh!” I heard Fluttershy excitedly shout as she instantly started to roam about the store and look at all the fabrics, decorations, and other random crap hanging from the walls.  I sighed because at least somepony is having fun.  I then started to look around to see if there was at least something remotely awesome for me to look at…even if it’s a one a million chance I’m willing to take it so I don’t take a pair of scissors and try to shiv them in my eyes.

“Hello and welcome to my wonderful fabulous abode and store!  Please enjoy yourselves as you look around!” A black stallion proudly said in a high pitched voice as he trotted in, moving his head so his orange mane moved around….ehhhh did I somehow walk into a parallel universe with exact opposites?

“Yeah…uhh…thanks…” I said back in Equestrian as I raised an eyebrow at him, noticing that he had orange colored eyes…good Celestia it’s like a Nega-Rarity…what’s next…a purple colt with a blue mane is going to walk in with  red eyes and talk about how awesome orange bucking is?  …on second thought I think I’d actually pay to see that odd image…

“Oh…Equestrians…that’s rare…please take your time looking around.” He replied in Equestrian as he gestured his hoof around point to the room.  I shook my head and looked back at Fluttershy who was looking at the list in her hoof, then looked up at two decorations…most likely comparing them.

“Oh…I’m sure she will…” I responded in a bit of a dry tone as I turned to go look at what looked like a lightning bolt shaped decoration that looked like it went into somepony’s hair…a hair clip on….should I get it?  It might look cool in my…wait what am I thinking?  No!   I turned my head away to get my mind off of it and when I did I saw a Butterfly shaped one…I raised an eyebrow at it…something cheesy like that would look stupid in my hair…though…it might not look too bad on Fluttershy.   I looked over to see her walking over to me with a piece of fabric in her hoof.

“What do you think Dash?  Too prominent…too risqué…not vibrant enough…what do you think?” She asked curiously a bit excited as she smiled and raised the purple piece of cloth in front of my face…Fluttershy you’re using word I don’t think I can even spell…I didn’t know how to respond to this so I looked at her confused, shook my head, and moved my mouth in a ‘Wha?’ motion without actually making a sound.

“Oh you’re right…its way too grandiose…it needs to be a bit more understated…” She replied, taking my bewildered gesture as an reasonable opinion as she turned around and walked back to where she got it…geez no wonder Rarity wanted Fluttershy to do this for her…she’s almost as picky as her…almost…

Fluttershy went back to comparing fabrics while in the meantime I just looked back at that Butterfly shaped hair clip on…I really should get her something…I mean it would rude for me not to…and it’s cheap and simple so it’s not like I’m spending a fortune on it…ok I’ll get it for her…but I’ll get it after she’s done.  I looked back and Fluttershy continued to be very meticulous in her decisions.  I heard a slight groan from right next to me as I saw the black pony sighing and looking down at his counter.

“Something wrong?” I asked curiously as I walked over to the counter to see if something was the matter with him.

“It’s just…I’ve been doing this job for I don’t know how many years now…I’m sick of this line of work…” He explained a bit sadly as he closed his eyes and shook his head in a dramatic fashion….ummm…you don’t look that old…unless you’ve been doing this since you were a little colt…then I guess that makes sense…

“Can’t you just quit?” I then asked in a dull tone as I gave her a blank expression and raised an eyebrow at her…pretty much pointing out the freaking obvious.

“I wish I could…I really do…but I can’t…” The sad stallion then said as he shook his head again sounding very overdramatic like a certain white pony back in Equestria…what do you mean youcan’t…just quit…what’s stopping you?

“Alright…I’ll take these please…” Fluttershy happily said cutting off our conversation as she walked up and put a whole bunch of crap on the counter.  She smiled as she looked up at the black stallion.  He blinked at her a few times and then looked down at the stuff before looking up at her with a scowl on his face.

“I’m sorry…they’re not for sale…” He dryly answered as he pointed to the stuff on the-

“Nega-Rarity says what now?” I instantly replied as I looked at him confused…which caused him to look at me in surprise and stupor at what I said…but whatever…seriously…what do you mean ‘they’re not for sale’ I see freaking price tags on all of them!

“I’m sorry but I don’t sell my stuff to outsiders…it’s nothing personal it’s just I don’t like dealing with Equestrians.” He informed in a rather dark manner as he looked at me with his eyes narrowed.  What the freaking hell!?  ‘It’s not personal?’  Bullcrap!  If you’re not going to sell to us because of our nationality then it is personal you flankhole!  ‘I hate this line of work now!’  And you still have no problem being a flank…well two can play at that game!

“Fine!  Let’s go Fluttershy…let’s find a better shop more fitting and worthy of your presence and money…a dump like this is nothing to you…it’s her loss.” I retorted in anger as I put around a very upset looking Fluttershy and turned us around to leave this very selective shop…seriously!  Money is money!  Who cares whose giving it to you…as long as it’s not stolen its good!  How dare he say that to Fluttershy!

“Wait!” The stallion behind us then shouted which caused us to stop in our place, “I-Is she a rather important pony back in Equestria?” He then asked curiously and a bit nervously…I smiled as a cunning idea formed in my head.

“Important!?”  I shouted in a very offended tone as I turned back around to face him with a furious look on my face…breathing heavily like I was going to bust a blood vessel…which I was after what he said so this is very genuine anger right now, “How dare you even think of this mare as anything less than important!” I then shouted as I pointed to Fluttershy, who was turning to look at me confused…

“W-What are you doing Rainbow?” She whispered to me very nervously and afraid of what I was doing.

“Just play along.” I whispered back as I smirked at her and winked at her, which caused her mouth to drop for a split second before it closed and she nodded at me with a determined look on her face.  Then she looked forward and raised her head trying to look important...which is exactly what I need her to do right now.

“This is Fluttershy!  Thee Fluttershy!  The one and the only famous model from Equestria!” I explained in a thunderous roar as I raised both my fore hooves and pointed them both at her.  Fluttershy raised one of her front fore hooves and brushed her mane to make it flip slightly…I’m not really lying…she was a model…and she can play the part of one…well…she can now…I don’t think she was like this when she was actually a model…thank Celestia…

“A-A model?” The now regretful looking Nega-Rarity simply replied in a stutter as he started to hide behind the counter in shame…now eating from the palms of our hooves

“How dare you not think of her as a model? I mean look at her!  What other pony has this level of striking beauty and poise….what other pony could possibly come close to her divine magnificence and grace!”  I boasted sounding even more offended as I praised Fluttershy and her looks…sounding a lot like Rarity unfortunately…when I did she turned her head away and lowered it to hide behind her mane…most likely trying to hide her embarrassing looking face from after I said those things about her…which is good because now she’s really looking the part!

“What other pony would choose such fine fabrics with her own eyes…she has a desiring and selective taste for quality!  You should consider yourself lucky that she even walked in here to look at your stock!” I then declared as Fluttershy looked forward and shook her head disapprovingly, getting over her embarrassment and trying to look important again.

“I-I’m sorry…you can purchase that stuff from here…please forgive me for not knowing!” The stallion then apologized…which made Fluttershy cheer up but no…I want more than that…I want compensation for him being a total flank!

“Oh no no!  You’ve already made it clear that you don’t want our business…so we’re just going to find another store shop at and when we get back to Equestria we’re going to tell them to shop there and not here!” I declared angrily as I put a hoof around Fluttershy and turned us around to leave.  Fluttershy looked confused but continued to play along…putting her faith in me and not saying anything.

“I-I’ll give you a ten percent discount!” I then offered as he got out from behind his counter and walked up to us frantically…not wanting us to leave and now offering us a very generous incentive to stay…which is nice…but not good enough!

“Come on Fluttershy….we’ve wasted enough time here!” I said forcefully, ignoring his offer and walking past him and towards the door.  

“Twenty five!” He asked in a sorrowful tone as he walked up alongside us…nope…still not good enough…I ignored him and just kept walking with Fluttershy. “Alright, fine fine!  Fifty percent off on everything!  Everything’s half off!  Just don’t leave!”  He then begged pleadingly as he ran up in front of us and got down on his knees and looked like he was ready to kiss our hooves…which is exactly what I wanted.

“Heh…that’s more like it…we’ll make sure our agencies know about what you’ve done today and let them know about your store…” I happily lied as we stopped, I looked at Fluttershy and winked at her as she looked very happy about the discount she now got…she deserved it after the crap he tried to pull.

“Oh thank Solaris…” He thanked in relief as he raised a hoof up to his head and wiped the sweat from his forehead.  He then walked past us and back to the counter.  

Fluttershy looked at me with a big smile on her face before she turned and to the counter to pay for the stuff with the discount I got for her.  I smiled victoriously as I walked over to the door to wait for her.  It didn’t take long for her to pay for everything and when she did she placed everything in her saddlebag she turned around to leave.  When she walked up to me I opened to the door for her to leave and when she did I almost left right behind her…but I stopped and I looked back at the Butterfly hair clip.  I sighed as I walked over to it…picked up off the rack, and then tossed it to the counter….surprising the hell out of the black stallion.

“Oh and by the way...” I declared as I walked up to the black stallion, pointing to the clip on. “You’re giving me this for free…after all she got something and now I’m getting something…” I said in a threatening tone, not really expecting an argument out of him but I still tried to be menacing just in case.

“Fine…take it…it’s only worth a few rupees anyways…not like it matters.” He agreed not really caring as I expected as he just waved his hoof at me.

“Good…” I said back as I picked up the hair clip and put it into my saddlebag, turning around soon after and heading to the door.

“But a word of advice…” I then heard him say in a rather sly tone, which made me stop and turn my head around to see him smirking at me.  “If you’re going to try and impress a model like her…a cheap trinket like that is going to work…” He suggested in a mischievous tone as he raised an eyebrow at me….oh I do not need this crap from you!

“Oh why thank you…and a piece of advice to you…” I thanked very grateful and happily with a nod, I then gave a slight pause before I scowled at him angrily. “Bite me!” I then  shouted back before turning back around and leaving his store…thankfully knowing that I’d never see Nega-Rarity ever again…when I left I saw Fluttershy waiting outside for me, the smile still very apparent on her face.

“Rainbow…” She called in a sweet tone and smile as I walked up to her.

“Hey Fluttershy….get everything you need?” I asked wondering if that store had everything…so we wouldn’t have to do much more shopping.

“Yes I did…and it’s because of you Dash…thank you…” She replied in a nod before gratefully thanking me...well…yeah…but you know you helped too with your awesome acting and model looks.

“Heh…like I’d let some flank like him push us around…he messed with the wrong Pegasi Duo!” I replied with a smirk as I raised my hoof up high…Fluttershy recognized that gesture and raised her hoof up as well.

“Bump!” I said happily as we bumped our hooves together.

“Cha!” She finished as we separated them…giggling afterwards.

“Alright…so what’s next?” I then asked after I stopped laughing, getting back on topic.  Fluttershy nodded and got out the list from her saddlebag, looking over it intently.  I got out my map and started to look over it so we would waste no time and go to…wherever we needed to go as soon as we could.

“Ummm…I need to buy two very specific dresses…” The timid cyan eyed Pegasus answered…rather vaguely…but I’m sure it’s more detailed on the list and she just said that for the sake of simplicity…in any case I scanned the map and found the nearest dress shop that would fit her needs.

“Alright…a fancy dress shop isn’t too far…let’s go.” I replied confidently as I put the map back in my saddlebag, then turning around to head there…Fluttershy wasted no time as well and quickly walked up next to me.

“Oh Rainbow what’s that…” I heard Fluttershy ask curiously as we were walking, I stopped and looked at her to see her pointing a small stand with a grey unicorn mare with a white mane standing behind with a sign that read ‘Photos’…what an odd place for a place to take photos…

“That’s a photo stand where you can get your picture taken…” I answered as I turned back to look at Fluttershy.  She immediately turned around with a slightly shocked expression before an excited smile quickly grew on her face and her cyan eyes started to sparkle…oh crap I think I know where this is going…

“Oh…can we get our pictures taken Rainbow?” She then asked very anxiously as she went up to me like a little foal wanting some candy…I arched an eyebrow and looked at her confused…

“…why?” I simply replied, asking her a question in return as I backed up slightly…I remember when we went on that Butterfly migration she had a picture taken of us…for commemoration…but I want to know why though…

“To have something so we can remember this trip…as a commemoration!” She answered as her excited smile changed to a sweeter smile as she titled her head at me…yeah I know that and you didn’t really answer my question…and I’m not sure if I even want to have a photo taken of me right now…I mean group shots and single shots of me our fine but a photo of me and Fluttershy together at this place…just…makes me feel weird for some reason…

“I don’t know…” I replied uncertain as I looked away...if she wants photos of me or photos of us why doesn’t she just ask me when we’re back in Ponyville…asking me now is just…I don’t know…strange?

“Please Rainbow…” I then heard her ask in a pleading tone as looked back to see her giving a depressed expression with her ears dropped…which made me sigh because there’s no way I can say no to that face.

“Alright alright…” I simply said in agreement and in a reluctant tone as I started to trot over to the photo stand, Fluttershy trotting alongside me.

“Yay…” I heard her softly cheer in her normal mannerism as we reached the stand with the unhappy looking grey mare with what looked like a camera as a cutie mark.

“Can we get our pictures please?” I asked in her language, getting her attention as she looked up at me with almost a dim lifeless look in her eyes in her blue eyes before slowly nodding to me.

“Yeah…stand over there please…” She instructed dully and monotonously as she pointed to an X on the ground behind us and stood up, getting a camera out from under the table with a white aura surrounding it.

“We need to stand over there…” I instructed Fluttershy in a gentle tone as I turned and smiled at her, pointing to the X…she nodded and trotted over and then I did as well standing next to her and facing the camera mare…why are we standing here?  I turned around briefly to see the big Statue of the Featherless Pegasus behind us in the background…oh I get it now…

“Cheese…” She then dimly said in a poor and barely understandable Equestrian accent as she raised the camera to her face to take a picture not even really giving us enough time to prepare ourselves…yeah thanks.

“Cheese!” Fluttershy and I both said in unison as I tunred my head around to face the camera mare and smiled just in time to see the flash go off…is that necessary?  It’s broad daylight…oh whatever!

“One more…” She then instructed unenthusiastically and dryly as she held up a hoof towards us.

“Alright one more Fluttershy…” I informed Fluttershy as I kept staring at the camera…

“Closer please…” The grey unicorn said as she lowered the camera and then moved both her fore hooves up and moved them together as if gesturing us to get together…yeah…I’m not telling Fluttershy that…I think it’s better if we-

“Gah…” I lightly said in shock as I felt a warm body press up against my side, I looked over frantically to my left and saw Fluttershy right up against me looking up at me with a light shade of pink on her face.

“Sh-She…wants us to get closer right?” The timid mare asked softly in a whisper as she looked at me with her cyan eyes lightly shaking…my breathing was starting to get shallow as I did my best to force a happy comforting smile at her.

“Y-Yeah…good catch Fluttershy…maybe my expert translating skills is starting to rub off on you…heh…” I replied with an uncomfortable laugh as I looked forward feeling my face become alit from the contact of Fluttershy against me.

“Cheese...” The grey unicorn said in poor Equestrian again as she raised her camera up to her eyes again.

“Cheese…” I heard Fluttershy softly say in response as I felt her head gently place itself against my shoulder which made my eyes go wide.

“Ch-Cheese…” I struggled to say in a stutter as I felt my upper lip tremble from this contact I was getting.

The flash went off again and she lowered the camera, nodding to us letting us know that she was done.  I walked over to her as the pictures magically came out the back end of the camera.    The first one showed Fluttershy looking a little nervous with me on the otherside of the photo looking bored and unenthused.  The second one had Fluttershy looking embarrassed with a shade of pink on her face, but yet looked happy as she smiled gently with her head against my shoulder…her pink mane going down the other side of her face so it didn’t block her smile or eyes.  I, on the other hoof, looked like a complete humiliated idiot smiling nervously with a face as red as a freaking apple.

“How much for the photos…” I then asked with a sigh as I looked up at the grey mare who slowly blinked at me in response to my question and groaned a bit.

“Ten rupees…” She then answered in a dull tone as she looked down at the countertops.

“Why are you so glum?” I then asked as I titled my head and arched an eyebrow at her…curious to know why she was acting like a prisoner.

“I hate taking pictures…I hate everything about photography…I wanted to be a teacher…” She explained sadly as she slowly shook her head and stared at her camera…want to be a teacher…what the hell?

“How much does she want?” I heard Fluttershy ask me, cutting me off from asking her more questions as I realized I didn’t tell her the price of the photos.

“Oh ten rupees…don’t worry I got this…” I replied before smirking and reaching into my saddlebag to pull out two blue rupees and gave them to her.

“Thank you…come again...” She said very miserably and with a sigh as she took the rupees slowly…yeah…I don’t think that’s going to happen…you’re so cheerful.

“Let’s go Fluttershy…” I said to Fluttershy after I took the photos and then moved away from the photo stand and away from Ms. Sunshine as fast as I could.

“Thank you Rainbow…this means so much to me…” The canary mare said very gratefully and with a sweet smile as she followed me.

“A-Anytime Fluttershy…” I replied with a slight smirk as I gave her the photos.  She nodded and put the photos in her saddlebag…she wanted them anyways…so it’s only right that she hold on to them, “Now let’s go to that dress shop!” I then said happily after she was done as I started to lead the way to the dress shop.

As we walked over through the even more deserted outskirts I looked over at the gathering crowd and noticed that they were now getting very restless and frantic…it’s like something’s about to start…a show perhaps?  I don’t know…it’s not my concern right now.  Anyways…we eventually reached the large two story store that was just plain brown and said ‘Dress Shop’ on it…really…I mean really…that’s it…we went from stupidly over the top to mundane and boring…can I ask for a happy balance please?

“This is it?” Fluttershy asked both curious and a bit unnerved by the absolute snore-fest it was…

“I guess…” I simply replied as I raised an eyebrow at it…maybe I should check the map for a better store…

“Well…maybe it’s better on the inside…we won’t know until we go inside!” Fluttershy then optimistically said with a smile…

“Yeah you’re right…” I agreed somewhat reluctantly and with a sigh as I walked up to open the door for her.  Since we’re here we might as well go in…

Fluttershy walked up and entered through the open door with me entering right after her.  When I did I looked around and….wow…there were dresses everywhere…and I mean everywhere…they weren’t all completed either…some were fully finished, some looked half made, and some looked like pieces of the dress thrown about…I mean there were random assortments of dresses and pieces on the racks, on the desks, on the floor, on the walls…even clumps of dresses and bits of clothing were on the ceiling…whoever does the housekeeping to this place needs to be fired…

“Hello…and welcome to my store…” I heard someone say in a very depressed tone…also in Jamarean…I looked up and saw a half black half white male Pegasus fly down from the ceiling and land right in front of us…he was stripped black and white from head to tail…his mane, his eyes…everything…what the hell…did he think the prison look was in or something or was he born that way?

“Ohhhhhh Equestrians!  That’s a rare sight!  I’m so glad that you came all the way from across the globe to see little ol’ me!”  He then said in a very over excited tone as he leaned in toward us with a huge grin on his face…Ok can every major shop owner here speak Equestrian?  What’s the point of me being here again?

“I assume you’re here to buy some dresses…” He then added in a depressed down as he looked down at the ground…what do you think we came in here for…to check out you’re awesome cleanliness?

“No we’re here to buy waffles…” I sarcastically remarked as I rolled my eyes…

“Oooohhhh!  I have waffles upstairs if you want some…everypony needs some waffles!” He then excitedly shouted as he grabbed me and pressed my face against mine, our eyes almost touching…I pushed him away and backed up in fear….we’ve totally bypassed Weirds City and moved right on down to Creepy Town!

“Ummm…no thanks…I actually two dresses tailored…oh and I need them done in very specific ways…” Fluttershy replied a bit unnerved by this Pegasus…not as much as me though…I think we should say to hell with this guy and go find a less creepy dress shop.

“Very well…if you really need them come upstairs to my tailoring room and I’ll make them for you…” The two colored Pegasus melancholically said as he turned around and headed for the staircase behind him.

“Oh by the way!  I’m Bilateral Toned and you are?! He then happily announced and asked as he turned around gave us a big smile…yeah I can see that…

“I-I’m Rainbow Dash and this is Fluttershy…” I answered giving him both our names…though I probably should’ve gave him fake names so he doesn’t like come find us and kill us in our sleep!

“Nice to meet you…anyways lets go…” He then softly and sadly said as he turned around and started to head upstairs…I looked at Fluttershy uncertain and she nervously smiled and nodded at me before following the crazy Pegasus upstairs…I gulped very uncertain myself as I followed her upstairs…ready to protect her if this guy snapped.

When we got upstairs…it was the freaking cleanest place I ever saw in my life…everything was neatly organized, the smell was pleasant, and it looked like a completely different pony lived here…ok…moving past Creepy Town and now enter Crazy County.  I looked around even more and noticed that there weren’t any waffles like he claimed…so now he’s crazy and a liar…awesome.  The two toned mentally unstable Pegasus sat down at a very fancy looking dress and turned on the expensive looking sower.  Fluttershy walked up to him and I quickly moved next to her ready to protect her at a moment’s notice.

“So what do you need?  I can make clothes for anything…a pony, a dragon, a griffon, a ghost, and even things that have no basis in reality!”   He then asked excitedly as he leaned up towards us…I wish you had some basis in reality!

“Oh…um a normal pony mare and then a Pegasus mare.” Fluttershy answered in a calm tone not sounding very nervous anymore…I was still a bit on edge…

“Oh alright…can I have the measurements then?” He then asked in a low unenthusiastic tone as he looked down at his sowing machine.  I looked over at Fluttershy who reached into her saddlebag to get out her list.

“Oh yes…hold on.” She replied as she got out the list to give him specific instructions…there doesn’t seem to be any danger…well…why would there be any danger…crazy doesn’t automatically equal ‘going to stab you as soon you look away.’

I sighed as I walked away…yeah I was overreacting…this guy is…strange…but not dangerous…I mean he’s been living here how long and hasn’t been arrested…I might have been a little overprotective of Fluttershy in that moment…can you blame me though?  He’s scary and creepy as hell!  I can only imagine how his business is going!  I then heard cheering and screaming from outside the window.  

I walked over to it and looked out to see the crowd going nuts.  I saw the big crate shaking a little violently…making me wonder what the hell’s inside of it.  I noticed in the center of the square next to the statue of the King were two ponies…I narrowed my eyes to get a closer look and noticed that one of the ponies was an Alicorn…a female one at that…with a black coat, a dark red mane and tail along with light yellow eyes...and for some reason she had a white horn...which is odd because most unicorn horns match their coat color…she had on a whole bunch of grey armor on…ruffed up armor like she got back from a fight with a sword on her left side…her Unicorn horn wasn’t that long and it looked like she only had one wing which was on her right side…geez I can only imagine what hell she’s been through.

Next to her was a colt in what looked like a announcer’s uniform that covered his entire body…he looked familiar…yeah hey that’s the guy from the hotel!  Huh…I guess he really did need to be somewhere…he was slightly bigger than the princess but certainly not big enough to be called a full-fledged stallion…he was a white unicorn with a slightly larger than usual horn on his head that was partially covered up by his yellow, orange, and blue mane…he looked around the crowd with his green eyes and then cleared his throat to begin the….whatever it was…show or something.

“Alright, can I please have your attention everypony?”  The announcer shouted as loud as he could over the roaring crowd…instantly getting their attention as they quickly died down to pay close attention to what he was going to say…no wait…you have to speak Equestrian because for reason that’s the flipping main language I’ve encountered so far!

“It is my esteemed pleasure to welcome back our beloved princess…who has just returned from the front lines in our war against the Hippocampi and the Hippalectyron which has been raging for almost a year now…” He then said after they the crowd quiet, explain the situation and their fight between their country and the others…a Hippocampi…that’s an aquatic pony right?  I’ve never actually seen one since they mostly live in the sea and across the great eastern ocean…I wonder what the fighting is all about…and I’ve never heard of a Hippo-electron or whatever…

“And with the Changeling Empire rapidly trying to expand its borders and the continued uncertainty of the Griffon nation it seems that she might be forced to fight even more enemies in other lands…” He then went on in a slightly regretful tone as he looked down…the Changelings are up to more trouble?  That doesn’t surprise me…along with the Griffons…they’re very unpredicatable like my friend…previous friend…Gilda…kind one moment, then vicious the next time you see them.

“Even with our allies in Europa like Germaney and Central Pangea this war will be filled with hardships and loss…we’ve already lost so much and most likely will continue to do so…I don’t know if this all this sacrifice is worth it or if it’s justified…I can only hope that the souls who have been lost will have not have died in vain…” The announcer then said in a very sorrowful and remorseful tone as she shook his head in disappoint…I don’t know if he’s acting or if he really hates the war going on but in either case he has my sympathy…if they’ve been fighting for over six years I can only image the pain and suffering caused over that course of time…I don’t know how it started or who started it…I just know it should end sooner rather than later.

“However for now let us get back to the start of the festivities and celebrate what we have right now…so it is my great privilege and honor to present the illustrious Princess Fire Fight...the White Thorn!” He then said happily as his spirits lifted and he raised his head with a smile on his face, stepping aside as the Alicorn behind him stepped forward and bowed to the crowd…causing them to go nuts.  They cheered for a good couple of minutes before the princess raised her right hoof to quickly silence them...the 'White Thorn?'  I guess she earned that nickname from her strangely colored horn...I bet she painted it to stand out...

“Thank you…I am so happy to be back in my home country after many months of bitter fighting…I’d like to thank all of you for your continued support and fret not…despite the Equestrian cowards continued avoidance of this conflict I am confident I shall bring a swift victory to our homeland…” She proudly announced with a smirk on her face, offending me and my country.  Hey!  We’re not cowards!  If I was asked I would totally fight you or any other pony that threatens my home and my friends!  I should come down there right now and show you just how cowardly I am!

“Now…as a demonstration of my power and ability I shall now fight a savage monster for your entertainment and as a kick starter to the festivities!” She then declared as she turned to face the huge crate which was shaking even more as the guard unicorns keeping the crowd at bay turned around and made a strong force field around the square…so I guess no one would get hurt…oh yeah…that makes sense…you just get back after months of fighting and what’s the first thing you do…fight a monster!  Genius…

“And to show off my skill and make this a challenge I’ll be fighting without my magic!” She then boasted as she pointed to the crate, which made the spectators gasp then stomp their hooves on the ground.  As they were cheering I saw the announcer lean over and whisper something into her ear…she looked at him smiled and nodded in response to…whatever he said.  He then backed up and moved as far as he could to the edge but not actually leaving the force field...instead turning around to watch…I guess he can’t leave…or won’t leave…

“Release the beast!” She then shouted enthusiastically as she turned and pointed to the crate.  The unicorn guards nodded back to her before the turned and opened the crate up…it instantly stopped moving as soon as it was opened…and then eventually a head poked out that looked like it belonged to a huge green snake with a light grey underbelly and it looked to check out its surroundings…oh it’s a huge snake…how original…and how entertainingly safe as well…I didn’t see this on the brochure…’Come to Rio De Jamareo…we do live gladiator styled animal fighting where it’s possible for multiple casualties to accidently occur…fun for the whole family…bring the foals!’

It slowly lumbered its way out of the crate and continued to look around; it then noticed the pink shield above its head.  It tapped the shield as if trying to get out but failed as its head bounced off of it making a boing noise.  Its forked tongue popped out for a split second before its mouthed open wide and its head pulled back ready to lunge at it.  The crowd around it made a gasping noise and moved away from the shield just in case it managed to penetrate it.  However before he could make his lunging move it stopped and turned around to the princess on its tail with a smirk on her face.  It shook its head a bit violently before it snapped at the princess who quickly raised her right wing, flapped it and easily dodged its attack by getting some brief air time.

The snake wasted no time and swiped its tail at her as soon as she landed on the ground.  She jumped back at of its reached but looked up to find the snake striking with its mouth again, she rolled away from it only to be hit by the snake’s tail as it moved back and swept her off her hooves, causing her to hit the ground with a loud thud.  It then raised its tail and preceded to slam it down towards her, she barely had enough time to roll out of its reach.  She panted heavily as she got back on all fours and grabbed the sword from its sheath with her mouth.

The giant snake turned around and then slowly circled her…as if trying to decide what to do next but in doing so is giving her ample time to recuperate and retaliate…which is what happened.  After she caught her breath she raised her right wing and flapped it taking her into the briefly and landing her right on the snacks back.  She looked back up at the snake’s head before starting to gallop on its back.   The snake thrust its head at her but she jumped right before it hit her and landed on its head…she looked down and realized where she was before raising the sword and feebly striking at the back of its head.  It moved its head back violently and bucked her off, causing her to land on the statue behind them.

The snake turned around and then started to circle the statue as the princess struggled not to fall off the statue and tried to regain her composure.  The snake just continue to circle her…which is stupid considering its once letting an opportunity slip past it to finish her off.   When she did catch her balance, she turned around to face the Snake who was now wrapping itself around the statue up towards her.  When it’s head got close the she made a slash at it barely cutting its nose…another weak attack but still the crowd loved it and cheered.

Ughh really?  This display is pathetic!  Her reaction time sucks…her attacks was meek and fleeting and her dodging leaves much to be desired…especially since she only has one wing which means she can only effectively dodge to the left…not to mention unable to fly at all.  Plus…she’s going about this all wrong with her approach ughhh!  I felt my right hind leg shake in anticipation as I wanted to get in there and show her how it’s down…the snake seems pretty weak and unable to muster up a finishing blow even if it has the advantage and…and…

Whoa Dash…you’re getting way too invested in this fight…being over critical and judging each opponents moves…calm down…even though you’re a Pegasus whose race has a long history of being high class warriors and fighters…and even though you’re made to fight and have awesome instincts…that doesn’t mean you should just stroll down there and show everypony how it’s done…no…just…just…stay calm and watch this princess suck at fighting…

The large serpent tried attacking again but was met with another slash, this time it’s managed to scratch it and it fell on the ground with a loud crash...which made the crowd erupt into cheers.  When it recuperated it quickly slivered around violently, its tail moving wildly going right to the announcer who was still in the force field…he did nothing to move or avoid it and stood still as the tail came right towards him…it stopped right before it hit him however and then moved slowly away from him…w-what?

What the hell?  Why didn’t it hit him?  Hell why hasn’t the snake even noticed him and tried going after him?  Why isn’t the snake bleeding from the slashes…I mean I know it has scales but that last attacked was deep enough to warrant some blood?  Why the hell hasn’t it made a single sound upon leaving the crate…shouldn’t snakes…I don’t know…hiss?  Especially after being hurt like that?  

“Alright Dash we’re done with the dresses…what’s that racket by the way?” I heard somepony ask me from right behind me as also heard hoof steps coming up to me.  The snake began circling the statue again before it started to slither its way back up…wrapping the statue up with its body.

“Oh some princess is fighting a big snake…horribly I might add.”  I replied as I turned around to …oh crap it’s Fluttershy!  I can’t believe I forgot about her!  I know for a fact she’s not going to like-

“What!” She replied in horror as her eyes widened…she rushed up next to me to look out the window to see the snake try snapping at the princess again, only to be met with a slash, though this time it backed it’s head off to avoid being hit.

“Oh my goodness!  Why is she fighting that poor little Basilisk?” She asked in an upset tone as she looked on in dismay as the snake moved his head closer to the black Alicorn, but moved back as soon as she raised her sword up.

“Little!?  That thing is anything but little Fluttershy!” I pointed out as the sna…Basilisk…moved its head to try and strike from behind her…but it was useless as she turned to face him so it was always in her line of sight.

“Rainbow it’s still an animal…a poor frightened animal…that Basilisk didn’t ask to be brought here to be fought and slaughtered in front of hundreds of ponies…how would you react if you were captured, put in a crate, and then forced to fight somepony in front of a huge crowd?” Fluttershy responded and then asked in disgust as she looked at me in revulsion…as if offended that I said that too her…I blinked a bit in shock before looking down slightly…feeling bad because she had a point…that snake isn’t the monster here…it’s the ponies who captured it and forced it to fight for entertainment…but there was still one thing that was bothering me about the-

“No!  Don’t!”  I heard Fluttershy scream in terror as I looked up to see the Basilisk try doing one last lunge at the red hair princes, only to be met with the sword going directly into its mouth.  The snake recoiled from the blow and fell to the ground.  The princess wasted no time and jumped from the statue with her sword in mouth going directly for the head in final killing blow.

“Fluttershy!” I shouted as I reached over and pulled her into a sudden hug, moving her head with one of my hooves to look away from the attack.  She pressed her face into my chest and closed her eyes as I looked away as well.  I didn’t see or hear the final blow and instead heard the crowd erupt unlike ever before.

“Victory…is…mine!” The princess declared in a weak shout as I turned my head to see her holding the sword up as the crowd continued cheering loudly.  The Basilisk remained motionless and still as it lay on the grown with its eyes closed.  The sword looked very clean and once again there was no blood anywhere…ummm…yeah…even I know that if you stab something and kill something there should be excessive amounts of blood everywhere…but no everything looks completely clean…

“No no no!  Oh my goodness no!” Fluttershy shouted in disbelief and hysteria as she broke away from my fore hooves and started to run to the stairs.

“Fluttershy wait!” I shouted as I ran after her, not wanting her to run out in that crowd and up to that snake…I know she cares for it but she’s going to cause a scene if she does.

“Thanks for shopping here I guess…” The two colored Pegasus depressingly thanked as Fluttershy ran past him and then down the stairs. “Please please please come again even if it’s just to say hi!” He then happily excitedly screamed as I ran past him and then down the stairs after Fluttershy.  Fluttershy’s faster than I thought when she’s on the ground, if I was in the air I would catch her no problem but since I’m indoors that’s not going to happen.  When the frantic yellow Pegasus ran out the door and out into the open I knew I would get her now.  I opened my wings as soon as I left the building and then took to the air after her.

“Fluttershy stop!”  I screamed as I quickly zoomed up and grabbed her, using all my strength to pull her away from the crowd and towards a nearby bench.  

“No!  No! They…They…They killed it!  They mercilessly killed that poor Basilisk!” Fluttershy screamed with tears flowing down her gentle face as I sat her down on the bench and held her to keep her from going anywhere.

“Fluttershy…calm down…it’s going to be alright!” I shouted loudly as I forced Fluttershy into a hug hoping it would help calm her down somewhat…unfortunately it didn’t as she squirmed to break free from my grip.

“No it’s not!  I deal with animals dying all the time and normally I accept it because it’s a natural part of life but…but that…that was anything but natural!  That was cruel and callous!” She screamed as she shook her head in defiance, doing her best to try and get away from me…she’s a lot stronger than she looks as I’m finding it really difficult to keep a hold on her…when she’s really passionate about something it’s excruciatingly difficult to stop her from going all out…but thankfully I think I have a trump card to calm her down!

“Fluttershy I’m not even sure that was a real Basilisk!” I then yelled at her, desperately trying to break through to her so she would calm down.  This time it did work as she immediately stopped and leaned back to look at me with those teary cyan eyes almost as wide as dinner plates.

“W-What?” She simply responded in befuddlement as her mouth hung open a bit.  I took a deep breath and loosened my grip on her since I was certain she wasn’t going anywhere.

“Look…it didn’t make any sounds not even when it was struck with a sword…and when it was struck there wasn’t any blood anywhere…I may not be an animal expert but I at least know that things bleed when you stab them…” I explained as I recalled all the strange occurrences that I noticed during the fight.

“Well…yes…but…” She agreed as she looked down, struggling to say something else as tears were still slowly falling down the sides of her face.

“But nothing…it’s ok Fluttershy…they didn’t hurt anything…so please…calm down…” I then soothingly said as I brought her back into a hug, pressing her head into my chest and resting my chin on top of her head, into her sweet smelling mane...which reminded me of when I smelled her scent on top of Applejack’s barn…it was still just as nice as before…

“It…It still hurts…” She then softly admitted as she raised her hooves and returned my hug.  I sighed as I knew she was still going to be slightly emotional over the whole thing…and that I would still have to comfort her somehow.

“Fluttershy it was all a fake…” I replied as I rubbed the back her head and her soft mane, hoping she would take that as something not to be upset over…

“I…I know…but…it still hurts…no matter what…no matter how many times I see it…death…still hurts me…all the time…it never gets any easier…no matter if it’s a fake Basilisk or a poor bird back in Ponyville…the pain is always the same…” She explained almost in a whisper as her grip around me tightened, very hurt over something like this…over…everything in fact…the way she’s reacting…she does this all the time when one of her animal friends dies…she has to deal with it all the time and she still keeps smiling and remains her cheerful…if very shy…self…she’s much stronger than I ever could’ve possibly imagined…I myself have only dealt with it once…and I couldn’t imaging going through that pain again.

“I…I understand Fluttershy…when…when my Grandma died…I…the pain was unbearable…” I then admitted as I remembered the time when…when Grams died…and the worst night of my life…

“I know…I remember when she died…it absolutely destroyed you…” Fluttershy responded as I felt her head slightly nod….that’s right…she was there with me…and…tried to console me and my pain…but…I wouldn’t have it and…even worse…

“And…then…then…” I started as I struggled to admit the second worst thing that ever happened to me…a stupid decision I made on my own…

“You left…” Fluttershy answered in an almost inaudible whisper as I felt her face press against my chest, the tears flowing down even more as I felt my coat get that much more wet.  It was obviously a painful memory for her…just like it was for me.

“Yeah…I left…I left school, my family, and…I left you…” I then said, admitting it on my own…how I didn’t want to deal with Flight Camp…my parents…everything…I didn’t pack or leave a note or anything…I just left…and never looked back…and when I calmed down it was on my birthday and that was when I moved into Ponyville…it was when I was old enough to hold a Pegasi job and Ponyville was the only place that would accept me…

“Th…That...Tha…hurt as well…a-almost as…as much as your grandma dying…” Fluttershy then whispered in between her sobs as I felt myself starting to tear up at the whole situation…I made a horrible decision…Grams meant a lot to her as well and instead of finding comfort with each other I abandoned her and left…some Element of Loyalty I was. “I…I felt as though I lost…I lost my family overnight…my…my real family…it…it was the most painful experience I ever went through…l-losing the both of you it…it…” The all too forgiving mare then went on before stammering off unable to continue.

“I’m sorry Fluttershy…I’m so sorry!” I then shouted as I gripped her tightly, letting the tears flow down from my eyes and into her mane…feeling like the stupidest Pegasus to have ever lived…how could I do that?  So what if Flight Camp sucked and my dad couldn’t fill the horseshoes that Gram left…that was no excuse to leave this gentle mare behind…how could I do that to her?  And I know what she’s going to do…she’s going to forgive me…just like she always does…

“Don’t be…It’s alright…I already forgave you…because in the end it made us both stronger...but…I…I don’t want that to happen again…promise me Rainbow…promise me that you won’t ever do that again…don’t ever leave me again Rainbow!” Fluttershy responded as I knew she would…forgiving me…forgiving me for everything…then asking me to make the easiest promise I have ever had the privilege to agree to.

“Of course I won’t Fluttershy!  I promise you that I’ll never leave you!” I shouted as I rubbed my face into her soft mane getting my tears in its pinkness but I know she doesn’t  care…just like I don’t care that my chest is now soaked.

“Thank you…I don’t think I could survive losing my best friend again…” I heard her whisper as I felt her nuzzle against me either in happiness, sadness, or relief…either way it made me happy to feel her against me…again…but it also started to make a realization come over me.

“Best friend....”  I restated softly…remembering what Rarity asked me yesterday…how if I considered Fluttershy my best friend…now the answer was obvious….of course she’s my best friend…how could she not be?  How could I ever think of anypony else being my best friend…she’s been with me since almost forever…everypony else doesn’t even come close…there’s no one else that could take Fluttershy’s place as my best friend…

“Yeah…we are best friends Fluttershy…the best of friends…no matter what we’ll always be together…that’s a promise I’ll keep even if it kills me!” I then shouted as I hugged her as tight as I could with a smile on my face upon realizing something I should realized a long long time ago…

“Ow…ow…ow…ow…”  I heard her say in pain as I heard a strange sound that was happening in perfect sequence with her whimper of small ‘ows’…oh crap am I hurting her!?

“I’m sorry Fluttershy am I…”  I said in regret as I started to apologize, pulling away from her only to see her wings flapping in joy…I chuckled as I smirked and titled my head at her. “Oh Fluttershy…you know you can’t use your wings until tomorrow…” I teasingly said as I watched her wings continue to flap…going up and down beyond her control….heh…Fluttershy never did learn to fully control her wings back in Flight camp…and it really shows here…

“I’m sorry Rainbow…ow…I can’t…ow…help myself…ow….I’m just so happy…ow…and it’s not that painful…ow…so it’s….ow…fine…ow…I’m happily…ow…in pain…ow!” She struggled to say as her explanation was constantly cut off her by her making a small ‘ow’ in pain from her wings continuing to flap.

“Yeah…but I kind of prefer you not in pain ok?” I teasingly remarked as I broke the hug and reached out to grab her wings, stopping them and then gently putting them back in her place, “Do that again and I’ll tie them down…it’s for your own good.” I then half-jokingly and half seriously said as I raised a hoof and tapped her muzzle…causing her to giggle.

“Ok Rainbow…” She agreed with a nod after she was done giggling, raising a hoof to wipe the remnants of her tears away from her eyes…which reminded me to do the same as I sighed in relief…well I’m glad that’s all over I hate moments like those…well…not hate…just…not particularly want to go into….way too sappy and mushy for my liking…but now that it’s over we should get back to the task at hoof.

“So where to next…or are we done with the shopping?” I then asked, reminding her about the shopping we have may or may not have completed.

“Oh Right!” The canary mare responded in realization as she reached into her saddlebag and pulled out the list…looking at it a little confused, “Ummm…where can we find this?” She then asked as she held out the list with one of her hooves and pointed to the last thing on the list with her other hoof….what the heck…

“That’s…a weird thing for Rarity to want…” I commented a bit disturbed as I read the thing off the list…Rarity seriously wants this?  This would be more of something Applejack would want than that drama queen…

“Oh it’s for Applejack…” Fluttershy replied as she explained who it’s really for…oh well that explains-wait wait wait!

“Ummm…what?”  I asked in total confusion as I moved my head slightly look at her with one of my eyebrows arched.

“It’s complicated…” She simply answered as she shook her head and put the list back in her saddlebag…got it Fluttershy doesn’t know either…so that means it’s best that I don’t know as well.  I sighed as I reached into my bag and pulled out the map…looking over it to best find the place where we can find….that…

“Right…ok….so I think I found what we need…but…it’s not anywhere near us…it’s near the outskirts towards the farmlands…” I then said as I described the situation to her, putting the map back in my saddlebag….already knowing where to go.  

“So does that mean I’m going to need to travel via Air Dash?” Fluttershy then teasingly asked as I looked back at her to see her smiling happily.

“Heh…like there’s another awesome personal air service?!” I answered in a boastful ton as I got off the bench and opened my wings up, stretching them and displaying their awesomeness.

“Oh can I make a request?” Fluttershy then asked curiously as she got off the bench as well.

“Why of course…it’s the best friend exclusive service!” I replied as I looked at her and winked, which caused her to giggle slightly.

“Can we fly slowly above the city…I…I want to look around and really admire the sights….” She then asked as she titled her head…oh she wants to see the city…makes sense she probably didn’t get a good look coming into the city and flying at Dash speeds isn’t really a good way to take in the views…and even though flying slow is the last thing I want to do…I have to make an exception for her…well…I always do anyways…

“Got it…one personal air tour of the city…just for you!” I agreed with a chuckle as I flapped my wings and got off the ground, moving towards her to pick her up.

“Thanks Dash…” She gratefully thanked with a smile before taking her saddlebag off and holding them in her fore hooves.

“Anything for you Fluttershy…” I said back with a grin as I picked her up and held her in my fore hooves.  Taking off slowly into the air and leaving the shopping district.  I looked down at the crowd who was swarmed around the princess talking to her, getting her pictures, autographs the works…I didn’t see the announcer though…I guess he left…which makes sense…the job’s over it’s time to leave.

Anyways, once I got high enough in the air I slowly began my flight to the farmlands which were on the outskirts…although I made lots of detours…like to the harbor….around the huge statute of ‘The Great Featherless Pegasus Caretaker’ that was standing on top of the hill with her fore legs extended…around most of the tall buildings, of course through the tropical zone which she really enjoyed, the stadium, and even the palace was in the center of the city where the king was…there was even a huge fancy silver Airship docked outside…wow…fancy…I didn’t fly too close though…I didn’t want to get arrested…all the while Fluttershy happily pointed to all the sights and smiled…really enjoying her tour over the city…I smiled at the sight of Fluttershy so happy…her eyes beaming with joy and almost didn’t want this tour to end…but alas it had to…and eventually I flew us to the farm lands and landed us right outside the shop that we needed to go…putting her down gently in front of the shop.

“Thanks Rainbow Dash…that was…a very memorable flight…” The temporarily grounded Pegasus happily thanked with a smile as she put her saddlebag back on her back.

“Anytime Fluttershy…you know…maybe I should give that tourism thing a shot…but…just for you…”  I then suggested in a teasing tone as I gave a quick wink to her after landing right next to her…which caused her smile to grow wider as she nodded back at me accepting my fake offer.  

“Come on…let’s go…” I then said as I walked ahead of her to the door…I held my hoof out to open the door only to find it opening right in front of me.  Two large Royal Guards came out with a big green stallion with a blue mane in between them looking…very sad…oh dear was this place robbed or something?  They walked out to the road and that’s when I noticed more guards coming out of other places with stallions in between them…was there a mass robbery or something?  I grabbed the door before it shut and peaked my head inside.

“Ummm…hello?” I nervously asked in Jamarean, worried that we might be walking into something we shouldn’t.  A blue colt walked out with a cowboy hat…covering her purple mane…she walked up to me looking at me with his red eyes…Oh my Celestia a Nega-Applejack!  Alright…I know I said I’d pay to see something like that…and you know what…I’m totally willing to pay for it! Alright…who is it?  Who do I have to pay for this highly coincidental contrived stupid…come on…I know you’re out there somewhere!

“Oh…howdy partner…come on in…” The earth pony said in a rather depressed tone as he wiped his eyes…most likely from crying….oh crap…I take everything back!

“Oh…I’m sorry…is…is it a bad time?” I apologized sincerely, feeling bad for walking in and smiling a big grin over something as stupid as a ‘Nega-Applejack.’

“No no you’re fine…go ahead and look around…and ask if you need help.” He replied dismissively as he waved a hoof at us, then turning around and heading towards the counter.

“Go ahead and get that thing Fluttershy.” I said in equestrian as I turned to look at Fluttershy who was looking a little nervous…although after I said that to her she calmed down and nodded to me…then going off to look around to get that thing for Applejack…I mean Rarity…I mean for Rarity to get for…oh forget it.  I sighed as I walked up to the counter to both wait for Fluttershy and to see what’s going on.

"Equestrians?  That's mighty rare round these parts..." He commented not sounding as surprised and thrilled as the last ponies that noticed that we we're from out of country.

"Yeah...we get that a lot..." I joked with a smile which didn't seem to lift his spirits up in any way shape or form, “So what’s wrong…did something happen?” I then asked in both in concern and in curiosity as I arched an eyebrow at him.

“My…my big brother…just got drafted to the Defense Force…” He explained in a low tone as he looked at the counter…what?  They…they what?

“Really…just like that?” I asked in shock as I can’t believe they just walked in and took him off to go fight a war…I mean I know they’ve been fighting for a while…but…do they really just walk in and take ponies to go fight for them…how come I didn’t see this in the city…are they better or something?

“Yeah…they desperately need soldiers to fight the war and his cutie mark is ripe for the war cause…even though he never wanted something like that in the first place…” The blue earth pony confirmed as he nodded slightly…really sounding like he wished this wasn’t happening…which is understandable…because…they just walk in and take him?  What happened to asking for recruits or rights or that stuff…I can’t imagine this happening in Equestria.

“I…I’m sorry…” I apologized sincerely…knowing full well the risks involved with his big brother being shoved off to go fight a war he wasn’t prepared to wage.

“I am too….you know…we’re not like you Pegasi or Unicorns…we’re not magical or special…we’re simple…and…because of that…our…our survival rates are the lowest in the war…So….so I’m worried that…that...” He then said before trailed off, not wanting to say the worst possible scenario…

“It’s ok…I’m sure he’ll be fine…” I said in an encouraging tone as I held out a hoof and put it on his shoulder.  I know that Pegasi were made to be warriors and that Unicorns were perfect to back them up with their magic…and that earth ponies are the support with food and weapons…so they’re not really for combat…but I’m confident that he’ll be fine…

“Thanks Partner…” He thanked gratefully as he looked up at with a smile as Fluttershy walked up and put a box on the counter.  “You find everything you need?” He then asked as he looked at Fluttershy with the same smile.  Fluttershy blinked in confusion as she looked up at me, I nodded to her and she looked backed and nodded to him…I…I guess she got my message to tell him you’re ok…somehow…

“Ok…fifty rupees please…” He then informed as he looked at the price.  Fluttershy looked at me confused…oh yeah that’s where I come in.

“Fifty Rupees Fluttershy…” I said to her in Equestrian…Fluttershy smiled and nodded at me before reaching into her bag and putting a purple rupee on the counter…holy crap my first time actually translating something for her…and it’s for the last thing on the shopping list…can we say Irony?  …good!

“Thank you…be sure to come again please…” He thanked generously as he took the rupee.  I smiled and nodded to him before I turned around and trotted to the door.  Fluttershy put the box in her saddlebag before turning around and leaving out the door.

“Alright…are we done shopping Fluttershy?” I asked Fluttershy as soon as I left and closed the door behind me.  The timid Pegasus reached into her saddlebag once more and pulled out the list just to double check.

“Yes…we are…” She answered with a smile as she put the list back…freaking…awesome…

“Great…” I said in relief as I looked up to see the sun starting to set…my tummy starting to grumble as I was ready for some food.  “What do you say we get something to eat?” I then asked as I looked at Fluttershy with a grin as I extended my wings and took to the air.

“That sounds lovely Rainbow…” She answered sweetly and with a smile as she took the saddlebag of and held it in her fore legs.

“Cool…and I know the perfect place to do it!” I responded as I picked her up and flew off back towards the city.

I knew the Celebration of the return of the birds would begin soon and we need to be at a high place…but it also needed to a restaurant…and there’s only one restaurant I know of that’s in the skylines…and it’s unfortunately the stuffiest and fanciest place in the whole damn place…but…I think I might have a plan to get in there…I’m just going to have to use Fluttershy again like before…with a bit of help from Rarity.

I flew towards a huge skyscraper…quite possibly the tallest in the city and there it was…the fanciest restaurant in town with an open ceiling to see the stars and tables out on balconies…it really was a high class place…and just as I suspected there was a bunch of stuffy high class ponies there and a guard pony making sure that only the fanciest of ponies with high standards get in…thank goodness I’m with a pony of high standards.  I chuckled a bit evilly as I landed us behind a big bush away from every pony’s eyes.

“Oh dear…this place looks really exquisite…I don’t think we’ll get in…” Fluttershy commented, noticing the same thing as I did as I set her on cement ground.

“Don’t worry…I got this covered…you still have Rarity’s dresses she asked to be made?” I then asked in a quiet tone as I landed next to her…looking around hoping nopony noticed our landing…thankfully they didn’t as I didn’t hear a ‘Hey what do you think you’re doing’ or a ‘Get lost you crazy punks!’ when I flew in…heh…I’m so fast I’m invisible to the stuffy eye!

“Yeah…” Fluttershy answered in a confused tone as she raised an eyebrow at me…having no idea where I was going with this.

“Put one of them on.” I then commanded sternly as I pointed to her saddlebag…she looked even more confused and opened her mouth to say something back but I moved my hoof over her mouth to stop her,  “Don’t ask…just…do it!” I then said even more serious than before…Fluttershy merely nodded at this and I sighed in relief, lowering my hoof from her mouth.  She opened her saddlebag and reached into it…before stopping and looking at me a bit nervously.

“C-Can…Can you look away please….” She then asked as a tint of red started to form on her face…even though we don’t normally wear clothes…I guess it would be kind of weird if I just stood here and watched her get dressed.

“Uhh…y-yeah…sure…” I agreed as I turned around…slightly blushing because if she hadn’t brought that up I probably would’ve watched her dress…that’s a disturbing thought.  I shook my head clear of these weird thoughts…but it was hard as I heard…very weird sounds from behind me…stretchy and squeaky sounds…what kind of dress is she putting on?

“O-Ok…You…You can turn around now…” Fluttershy informed nervously.  I sighed as I turned around and-

“What in the name of Celestia is that!?” I instantly shouted upon seeing the black plastic, form fitting suit that was all over her body…covering her wings up as well…she…she’s wearing Latex...with a bowtie around her neck!  All she’s missing is the whip and maybe a gag!  Why in the hell would Rarity ask her to get that!?

“It…It’s one of Rarity’s outfits…wh-.what do you think?” The now embarrassed Pegasus asked me as she lowered her head, immediately regretting putting it on…and for good freaking reason too!  We’re trying to get into a fancy restaurant not a strip club!

“I think Rarity has some freaking inner demons she has to come to terms with!” I yelled back at her as I waved my fore hooves around like a maniac…then looking around the bush to see if anypony heard my shouting…which they thankfully didn’t notice…for some reason…I sighed as I decided to calm down and not shout anymore so we wouldn’t attract any attention.

“So…you don’t like it?” She then asked in a softer tone hoping to redeem some of her dignity back…I’m sorry Fluttershy…but in that…there is no dignity…at least for a situation like this…

“No!  It looks horrible on…and what’s with the bowtie!?” I responded also looking at the bowtie around her neck…is that really a part of the outfit…I mean I know you want to feel in charge and everything…but a bowtie…really?

“Ummmm…bowties are cool I guess?” She sheepishly replied with a nervous smile.  I blinked at her as I raised my hoof and forcefully pulled off the bowtie not amused by her statement.

“So…So I guess I should change into the other outfit?” She then suggested as she backed up slightly afraid I would rip the entire thing off of her…which is tempting now that I think about it…

“Yes!  Please!  Hurry before somepony sees you!” I agreed as I nodded over and over again.  Fluttershy nodded back as she reached up to pull the zipper down…stopping and looking back up at me with cyan eyes slightly quivering…

“U…Ummm…Rainbow…” She simply said as she bit her lip…instantly I knew what she wanted…she’s asking me to turn around again.

“Oh y-yeah…sorry!” I apologized before quickly turning around.  I heard those strange sounds again and desperately wished I didn’t.  I sighed as I looked down at the bowtie in my hoof…well…I guess I can make use of this…to help me look official and fancy.  I reluctantly tied the bowtie around my neck and straightened it as I heard Fluttershy slip into some more normal sounding clothes…no squeaking or stretching.

“A-Alright Dash…I’m ready…” She then informed sounding more nervous than before…oh god what outfit is she in now…Rarity are you a huge pervert or something?  I gulped as I turned around to…to…

“B-Beautiful…” I simply said upon looking at her gentle dress…a flowing cyan gown that fit her perfectly with butterfly shaped decorations going down the back…it was also a bit translucent so I could see the perfectly shaped curves underneath the gown …and there were was also holes for her wings to stick out and stay by her sides.  There was rainbow colored gems on her chest that went down to her stomach and …for lack of a better term…it was awesome…score one for Rarity…but…you’re still negative five for the freaking Spandex thing!

“R-Really?” She asked with a smile on her face as I noticed her wings start to move, as if beginning to flap in happiness…

“Yeah…you look perfect…and hold those wings…” I responded as I walked up and held her wings down so they wouldn’t move and cause her any strain.

“Th-Thank you…” She thanked as she blushed and looked away, hiding behind her mane…I blinked as I remembered I bought something earlier that would go great with this!

“Oh hold on a second!” I said excitedly as I opened my saddlebag and reached into get that butterfly shaped hair clip on…I pulled it out and ripped off the tags and crap that was on it, tossing it off the building...hopefully it doesn’t hit anypony when it lands.

“Did…Did you get that for me?” Fluttershy asked in shock as she looked at the clip on…I nodded as I reached up to put it in her hair.

“Here…now you’ll look beyond perfect…you’ll look like awesome solidified!” I replied with a smirk as I clipped the butterfly in her mane…which honestly looked cheap in comparison to the rest of the dress…but it still looked awesome!

“R-Rainbow…” She simply said in a whisper as she blinked a few times in shock…clearly at a loss for words.  I chuckled as I put her saddlebag on my back next to mine and put a hoof around her.

“Alright Gorgeous…just follow me, smile, and just look forward.” I then advised as I started to walk with her right next to me.  She didn’t say anything and only nodded slightly before looking forward like I asked and smiled…blushing of course but that eventually died down…eventually.

We walked out from behind the bush, and no one still didn’t seem to notice us…geez if I set the place on fire would they notice that?  Oh whatever…we walked up to the entrance where the guard pony was and I nodded at him with a smirk on my face.  He nodded back as we past him and didn’t even say a word to us…I chuckled victoriously to myself as we made it in just like I planned…

“Wow…how’d we get in so easily Rainbow?” Fluttershy asked curiously, sounding very impressed though that we made it in with very little effort…I wanted to laugh evilly at how my master plan went off without a hitch…but it’s really simple and wasn’t much of a plan anyways so I’ll be modest for once…

“As long as you look the part and walk in like you own the place nopony will bother you…” I answered honestly as I shook my head at how easy it was to look stuffy and uptight…though that’s mostly thanks to Fluttershy’s looks and Rarity’s dress…she could get inside the palace if she wanted to…and as long as I look like her guard I can accompany with her wherever she goes…

“I…I guess that makes sense.” Fluttershy agreed as she nodded a bit…well it’s true…I could walk inside a bomb factory in a worker’s uniform and it would take a long time for them to notice that I wasn’t supposed to be there…you can easily hide by hiding right in plain sight…

I looked around at the over decorated place and filled tables and tried to find us a place to sit.  I thought it would be difficult but I noticed that everypony was congested towards the center… I narrowed my eyes to see what it was they were trying to be close to…and…behold…there was Princess Fake Fight…I guess she’s here for the celebration and they all want to be as close to her as possible…fine…whatever…they can…my goal is something else.

I looked on the outskirts away from the crowd and towards the balconies.  I easily found a table outside with a perfect view of the city and most importantly the horizon.  I walked us over to the table with the fancy cloth and nice smelling candle on top and moved one of the seats out for Fluttershy to sit in.  She blushed slightly as she nodded and took her seat.  I pushed her in, took off both our saddlebags and set them by the table, and then went over to the other side of the table to take my seat.

“T-Thank you Dash…” I heard Fluttershy thank from across from me as I sat down in my chair, the blush still on her face…I chucked as I leaned back in my seat.

“No thank you and your amazing looks for getting us in here…” I shrugged off; reminding her that it was her that got us in…it certainly wasn’t me.

“I…uhh…umm…” She struggled to respond before blushing even deeper and looking down…which made me smirk at how cute she was going…wait…no don’t think that you weird-

“Good evening…may I help you…” I then heard a voice ask as I looked up to se-

“Bwah!  It’s you!  Wha…Whe…How?” I shouted before stumbling over my words as I looked up at that same damn stallion from Ponyville, the same damn one from the restaurant and the stand!  What in the freaking hell!?

“Can I start you two off with something to drink?” He asked dryly as he slowly blinked at me, not paying attention to my muddled questioned….oh you’re just trying to piss me off…and it hasn’t even been a few freaking seconds yet!

“What are you doing here!?  How did you even get here?  Are you here just to torture me and drive me insane!?” I questioned angrily as I stood up and narrowed my eyes at him, wanting to smack the crap out of him.  He didn’t respond to my question and just slowly blinked at me.  Don’t ignore me!

“I-I’ll take water please…” Fluttershy nervously replied, giving him her order…no!  Don’t give this Flankhole anything!  Just stare at him and slowly blink!  See how he likes it!

“Very good…”  He responded monotonously as he lifted up a notepad, took out a pencil and then wrote on it, “And you?” He then asked as he looked at me and then slowly blinked…his yellow eyes showing nothing just like the rest of his expression….ughhhh even if I did beat him up he’d show no emotion.

“Yeah…water…whatever…just get out of here!” I replied bitterly as I waved my hoof at him and sat back down in my seat, now just wanting him to get out of my face more than anything.  He wrote down on the notepad then thankfully turned around and walked away.

“Seriously…is that guy stalking me or something?” I theorized to Fluttershy as I looked at her and shook my head, wondering if this was all some kind of big joke that life was playing on me…I know I said I’d pay for the Nega-Applejack thing but come on!  This is just ridiculous!

“Maybe he comes from a family of loyal workers that…work at restaurants and places?” She suggested as she shrugged her shoulders at me and tilted her head, coming up with a different theory which I do not agree with one bit.

“Yeah right…I know it’s the same stallion just trying to mess with me”  “Watch this…he’s going to take a long freaking time with our water just like-”

“Your drinks ladies….” The stallion said loudly, cutting me off as he placed the two fancy looking glasses in front of us.

“Ahh!  You see!  He is trying to mess with me!  He was early on purpose!” I angrily bellowed as I pointed my hoof at him and narrowed my eyes back at him.

“Would you like to order now or would you like to take a few minutes?” He then asked as he placed the menus in front of us….for some reason expecting us to instantly know what we want to eat…wait a second!

“Oh no no no!  This isn’t going to cost me a hoof and a leg is it?!  I’m not losing all my money again!  I just got paid!” I denied as I pushed the menu away from me, knowing what his plan is…he wants me to get something expensive so I’ll be broke again….it must be his master plan…why he’s picking on me though is anypony’s guess.

“Actually…everything’s free courtesy of Princess Fire Fight…”  He responded dryly as he slowly blinked at me…oh…well…ok…I guess Princess Fake Fight is useful for something I guess…

“Ohhhhh…I’d like the Rio De Jamareo Flower Special please…”  Fluttershy then said loudly in delight as she found what she wanted very quickly…it all probably looked foreign and good to her…I’m just surprised she managed to read it…wait…that must mean it’s in Equestrian so this is the same freaking pony since he…well…no…we were speaking Equestrian when he walked up so he probably guess where we were from…damn it…

“Excellent choice…and you…” He replied with a nod as he got out the notepad and wrote her order down before asking me, as he looked at me with his dull stare.

“Same!  I don’t care!  Get out of here!  The less I see of you the better!” I shouted in return as I pushed the menu at him, not really caring what I eat as long as he’s as far away from me as possible.

“Very well…I will return with your food later ladies…” He responded with a nod as he took the menus, turned around and then thankfully walked off…hopefully that food takes a long freaking time…

“Thank Celestia…I really hate that flankhole…” I commented bitterly before making a groan in anguish, putting my head down on the table and wishing we had a different waiter.

“Ummm…Rainbow…” I heard Fluttershy ask in a soft tone, which made me look back up at her to see her with a nervous expression on her face.

“Yeah Fluttershy?” I responded trying to sound as pleasant as I possibly could as I leaned back up off the table…though the trace of bitterness was still very evident in my voice.

“T-Thank you for this…” She thanked as she looked down at the table, once again thanking me for something she helped get us into…though she should probably save it if he’s our waiter…well I’m sure that’s probably my fault as he’s probably drawn to me for some freaking reason.

“Like I said I should be thanking you for this…so forget about it.” I shrugged off yet again as I waved my hoof at her and gave a small smile at her…which made her shake her head at me.

“No…not…not just for taking me here…but…for taking me here!” She then said as she smiled and titled her head at me…so…she’s thanking me not for taking her to the restaurant…but…taking her to the restaurant…how does that make any sense?

“Umm…huh?” I simply asked as I titled my head at her and arched her eyebrow…which made her blink and lean her head back…before gasping slightly in realization what she said.

“I-I mean…taking me here…to Rio…for letting me fly with you…for being with me when I shopped…for helping me in my time of need after that animal incident…for taking me here…and…for…for complimenting my looks…” The yellow Pegasus then more clearly explained as she thanked me for taking her to this city and well…everything else…which made me smirk and rub the back of my head…yeah…I know…I’m awesome…even if I’m embarrassing myself with mushy stuff I’m still awesome!

“Do…Do you really think I look that great…I…in this dress I mean?” She then asked in almost a whisper as a deep shade of crimson started to appear on her face obviously uncomfortable with asking this question but wanting an answer regardless.

“Oh yeah…I like the see through thing a lot…much better than the other dress…I don’t really have a spandex fetish…” I replied with a smile and a nod as she looked much better than this than in spandex…I mean ewww….Rarity’s into some real kinky crap…

“What’s a spandex fetish?” Fluttershy asked in confusion as she blinked at me, confused…my eyes widened as I realized what the hell I just said and I instantly felt my face heat up upon realizing I just told my innocent friend about a spandex fetish!

“It…It’s nothing nevermind!” I shouted back as I shook my head and waved both my hooves at her which caused her to blink and gape her mouth open in shock.

“Then…what’s a fetish….and what are yours?” She then asked as she titled her head at me….I froze in my spot as my best friend just asked me what kind of fetishes I have…I…I couldn’t answer that…that’s something you really shouldn’t talk to your shy friend about…especially since she has no idea what the hell she’s talking about.  I looked around and thankfully for the love of Celestia I spotted the waiter returning with our food!

“L-Look our food is here!”  I shouted in glee as I pointed at the waiter, changing the subject as he walked up with our food on his back.  Oh thank you so much I’ve never been happier to see you…and I probably never will be again!

“Here’s your food ladies…” He said dully to us before putting both our plates in front of us…it looked weird…like a mixture of flowers, hay, and dirt…I can’t really describe the thing in front of us…this is the specialty…maybe it’s the specialty because it’s a special occasion when ponies actually order it!

“Thanks man…your awesome…” I thanked very gratefully as he turned to look at me with that blank expression on his face, not giving a crap what I say to him…geez I just thanked you generously for the first time and you still react the same!  Show some Celestia damn emotion!

“Enjoy the meal…” He said monotonous as he turned and walked away…no don’t leave me with her!  She’s going to want to know what a fetish is!  Ah Celestia damn it I hate you so freaking much right now!  I slowly turned and looked at Fluttershy who was looking back at me…it looked like she was going to say something but I held my hoof up and cut her off.

“L…Let’s dig in.!”  I suggested with a nervous smile before lowering my face and taking a bite, thankfully Fluttershy took that suggestion as she nodded and then bent her head down to take a bite of her food.

Thankfully there wasn’t any talking…we were too busy eating.  I took a sigh of relief as I continued to eat my…very unsavory food.  It wasn’t terrible…it’s just not that great…I imagined if I was actually paying for this I would complain to the waiter and demand something else….that or throw him off the roof…whatever comes first.

“Are you…enjoying the food?” I heard Fluttershy ask me curiously as I looked up to see her gently smiling at me…I smiled back very gratefully since she wasn’t going back to…that topic again.

“Ehhh I’m more or less happy it’s free…I mean…it’s ok…but doesn’t hold a torch to your cooking Fluttershy…” I responded honestly as I raised my hoof and pointed to her…making it clear that she’s the better cook here and not whatever fancy chef they have here.

“I…I see…” She simply said in response as she lowered her head a bit, another blush appearing on her cheeks…though nowhere near as deep.  I smirked as I looked off in the distance and noticed the sun was almost gone…then I noticed that most of the city lights were going out…it was time.

“Hey Fluttershy…”  I called gently, which made her look back up at me with her cyan eyes slightly quivering, “It’s starting…” I then said with a smile as I knew she was just going to love what she was going to see.

“W-What’s starting?” She asked curiously and nervously as she leaned her head back not knowing what was going to happen…I bet she’s scared that something horrible is going to happen…oh she couldn’t be more wrong!

“The Return of the Birds celebration…trust me I don’t think you’re going to miss all those birds flying back.” I elaborated in a cocky tone as I leaned back in my seat and pointed to the horizon…which I could see a huge clump of specs in the distance...which where the birds but I wasn’t going to look…birds and watching them aren’t really my thing.

“Oh my goodness!  Y-You mean you choose this place just for me to see-”

“Yep…the perfect view for you…” I answered smugly before she could fully ask her question knowing full well what she was going to ask me.

“Oh my goodness oh my goodness oh my goodness!” She shouted in excitement as she instantly got up from her seat and went to the railing, looking around and admiring the view.  “This is best view I could ask for Rainbow!” She then happily declared as she turned around and smiled to me, I smiled back but she couldn’t see it since she turned around to face the oncoming birds.

“But…But…I don’t have binoculars…what if I can’t see them properly?” She then asked desperately as she turned around and looked at me with a worried expression on her face, her eyes completely wide from the fear of not seeing the birds….oh Fluttershy…forgetting something you just learned earlier today…why am I not surprised.

“Binoculars?  What the hell do you need those for…are you forgetting something?” I teasingly asked back with a grin as I raised my hoof and pointed to my eyes, hoping she’d get the hint of what was I getting at.  A smile quickly appeared on her face as she nodded back at me repeatedly.

“Oh yes I forgot!   Thank you Rainbow!”  She thanked cheerfully and gratefully before turning around to look in the distance with her newly discovered Pegasi-eye….I chuckled as I reached forward and took a sip of my water.

“Anytime…” I simply said in response before I decided to take more bites from my food…this is her thing…it’s not really mine…she can enjoy her birds…I’ll just sit here and let her have her fun like at the Butterfly Migration.

I looked over at the sun was fully gone…however high pitched sounds were heard before booming sound filled the air.  And then high in the nights sky fireworks filled the air and illuminated the city and the birds that were returning.  Fluttershy squealed at the sight and started to bounce happily.  I chuckled and shook my head as I watched her and her foal-like excitement over birds.

“It’s…It’s beautiful…” The happy gently mare commented as she admired the fireworks going off above the city and the birds entering the city.  I wasn’t paying a damn bit of attention to the birds…instead just staring at her.

“Yeah…it really is…” I agreed, not so much about the sight of birds and fireworks but how the glow from the fireworks lit up Fluttershy and the dress she was in…everything else couldn’t even come close to the beauty she exuded…I blushed and cringed at the ridiculous thought I had and focused back on the plate of food before me.

“You’ve got to watch this with me Rainbow!” She then shouted cheerfully as she walked over me and grabbed me, pulling me from the table and over to the railing.

“A-Alright…” I agreed slightly surprised by her sudden assertiveness…geez when she’s really passionate about something there’s no saying no is there?

Fluttershy pulled me over to the railing and I ended up looking out at the city and the birds.  Once again I wasn’t the least bit thrilled, but Fluttershy was as I looked over and saw her looking around to see as many birds as she could.  I sighed as I looked forward at the sights of the flapping animals…this is kind of boring…the only thing I liked looking at that had wings was the mare next to me and not these small animals.  W-What?  I blushed at that though and slowly inched myself away from Fluttershy…getting very nervous because I was quite possibly getting into a dangerous area…an area that I wanted to stay away from…especially after that debacle with Twilight this morning…but I want to avoid thinking about that…I don’t want to deal with that situation until I get back to Ponyville.

“Thank you Rainbow…this is perfect…” Fluttershy said in content as I felt her lean her head against my shoulder, which caused me to freeze in my position, preventing me from getting away.  I slowly looked over to see her leaning against me…she cannot look happier than she does right now…it made her previous look at the photo stand look like a fake gesture to make somepony feel better…this was the real deal.

“N-No problem…a-anytime Fluttershy…” I nervously replied as I looked away, feeling my cheeks lightly heat up from the contact…even if it did feel really nice…no no don’t’ think that Dash!  You’re already in enough crap with Twilight and who knows else…this is the last thing you should be thinking!  

W-What is wrong with me?  Why am I feeling and acting like this…it…it couldn’t be because of Twilight and her…stuff right?  N-No…that would be absurd…it wouldn’t invoke this kind of reaction out of me with Fluttershy…I…I couldn’t be….no…no no that’s

just…impossible…besides...I never felt this way before so…why…why would it start now unless…unless…

“This…was one of the best nights of my life…I seem to have a lot of those with you Dash…” She then said in a soft gently voice as she nuzzled against me.  I started to shake a little as I needed to get away from this situation as soon as possible.  I looked down and saw that the lights to the city were starting to come back…I narrowed my eyes on a particular street and saw a sign light up…a sign I’ve been wanting to see as soon as I got into this city.

“Heh…yeah…and it’s about to get even better!” I happily and cockily said as I grinned and moved away from Fluttershy, finding the perfect escape and also finding the place I wanted to be above all else.

“How?” She asked curiously as she looked at me a bit disappointed, not wanting to break the contact with me…honestly I didn’t want to break it either but there’s an awesome place I need to be!

“Oh you’ll see soon enough…” I said trying to be mysterious as I walked over and grabbed both our saddlebags, putting them on my back and then walking over to her and picking her up. “So let’s get going…” I then said as I opened my wings and took to the air, not concerned about staying here and worrying about the food…it’s free after all so we can leave whenever we like.

“Wh-Where…where are we going?” She asked nervously, most likely surprised about our sudden departure…she most likely wanted to stay a bit longer to continue watching the birds but there’s a better place to be right now!

“To go get some delicious cider of course!” I shouted happily, telling her about our destination as I headed for the best bar in town…the bar I always went to whenever I came down here…I know Fluttershy isn’t comfortable with bars but she’ll be fine as long as I’m there…and you know…

I seriously need a drink to clear my mind of all this and rid these weird feelings I’m having. Next Chapter: Chapter 10 Estimated time remaining: 12 Hours, 57 Minutes