Even though Rainbow had long ago learned to love practising her guitar skills alongside her friends, there was no denying that she was nevertheless an incredibly talented solo player. And today seemed to prove that, as she shredded away with her beloved instrument in her and her friends' favoured hang-out spot, the Canterlot High music room. On and on she played, with a look of utter confidence upon her face, never once hitting a bad note or missing a beat as she demonstrated just how skilled she was at this. And moreover, she certainly seemed to be doing well enough that her one lone audience member, Fluttershy, had a wide smile herself, as she listened to the loud yet entertaining song that was being played for her. But, as with all things, this solo came to an end, and Rainbow let out a long sigh after her performance, looking to Fluttershy with her usual look of bravado.

"Well?"

Standing up from her chair, Fluttershy gave an enthusiastic clap of her hands.

"That was very good, Rainbow! Music must be second nature to you by now!"

Chuckling, Rainbow set her instrument to the side for the time being, sweeping aside some of her multi-coloured hair, before placing her hands upon her hips and speaking back to her friend.

"Yeah, as nice as it is to practice with the girls, I gotta admit, I love a solo moment every now and again."

Looking over to the nearby clock on the wall, she gave a silent nod to herself, before then looking back to Fluttershy.

"Speaking of the girls, it's probably time that we..."

But, she didn't get the chance to speak, as just then, she felt an incredibly unpleasant shiver pass through her spine, causing her to grimace. Fluttershy noticed this immediately, and stepped forward towards her, her face one of obvious concern.

"Rainbow? What's wrong?"

Letting out an irritated grunt, Rainbow turned her eyes to the door of the music room.

"Flutters...I know that feeling. It's the feeling I always get when..."

Just then, the door opened, and there, standing confidently on the other side, was Fluttershy's younger brother, Zephyr Breeze.

"Hey there, ladies! Guess who?"

Fluttershy, though surprised to see her brother, soon developed a look of understanding, turning to Rainbow once more.

"...Oh."

"Yep," Rainbow concurred.

Zephyr, who was so far unaware of the discomfort he’d just caused by simply being here, stepped into the music room in earnest, still possessing that usual swagger of his as he approached Rainbow.

"Yeah, I know, it must be pretty overwhelming, getting to see me again, right, Rainbow?"

Rainbow rolled her eyes.

"Oh, I'm definitely feeling something, Zephyr."

Frowning, Fluttershy then looked to her younger sibling.

"Zephyr, pardon my rudeness, but Rainbow and I were just about to head out."

But the boy simply waved her off.

"Now now, sis. I'm sure that, whatever you two were doing, it can wait. I mean, I'm pretty sure being around me changes your priorities, right, Rainbow?"

Rainbow gave him a frown even deeper than the one his sister was giving him.

"Zephyr...Fluttershy's right. We had plans. And besides, I'm not really in the mood for...well..."

She then just generally gestured to him.

"...whatever this is."

But Zephyr, who still wasn't getting the message, let out a hearty chuckle, stepping beside Rainbow and, to the latter's chagrin, draping his arm around her, holding her closer.

"Oh, my sweet little Rainbow. Always thinking of my sis, eh? It's so sweet you two are such good friends. It really is inspiring."

Then, after looking around, he leaned in closer to her.

"Mind you, you wouldn't believe how relived I was when I heard she'd started dating Pinkie. I'd spent a good long while worried the two of you might actually end up together. And if that happened, then phew, what chances would I have to hook up with you?"

Slowly, Rainbow gave him a narrow glare, as indeed did Fluttershy, but the two said nothing as he gave yet further oblivious statements.

"But, looks like the way is clear, eh? Rainbow Dash, my sweet little baby-doll."

And thus was laid the straw that broke the camel's back.

"OKAY, THAT DOES IT!!!"

Rainbow gave him an unceremonious shove, pushing Zephyr off her and glaring at him with pure anger. Naturally, the boy was taken aback by this, but, so too was Fluttershy.

"Rainbow...?” she started.

But Rainbow shook her head at her childhood friend.

"No, Fluttershy! I know he's your brother, and I know you love him, but this has got to stop!"

Looking back to her unwanted admirer, Rainbow resumed her look of distaste.

"Zephyr...it's time I said to you something that you should have understood a long time ago!"

Hearing that, Zephyr was at a loss for words, and even made a loud gulp just before the girl started to speak firmly to him.

"For as long as I've known you, you have been, without question, the biggest creep I've ever met! Every time we're even remotely close together, you act as though you and me was some destined thing to happen! You act like I should be fawning all over you, that you're some great and spectacular prize that me and other girls should be drooling at when we see you!"

Stepping forward, she pointed an accusing finger at him, placing it square in the middle of his chest.

"But you know what? You're not any of those things! You're not slick, you're not cool, you're not a so-called "chick-magnet", you're..."

Grunting, she brought her face right up to his, squinting her eyes so tightly that it caused Zephyr to start sweating.

"...you're just...a creep."

The words had been spoken with such venom that Zephyr was made utterly speechless by it. And likewise, Fluttershy had been so taken aback by the aggression that Rainbow had displayed towards her brother that she too struggled to really think on what to say right now. Eventually, however, Zephyr brought himself out of this stunned state, looking to his older sister with an almost pleading look.

"F...Flutters?"

His sister knew what was going on in his head right now. He wanted reassurance, some words of comfort to make him feel as though Rainbow was just being "overly mean" or perhaps "overreacting" to the things he'd said to her. He wanted validation, to feel like he was in the right, and that others believed that too. But, his sister knew that wasn't going to happen. Slowly, Fluttershy turned to Rainbow, and the latter folded her arms and gave her a stern look. In her heart, Fluttershy knew what had to be done, and what had to be said. So, taking a deep breath, she looked to her brother, stepped forward, clasped her hands together in front of her skirt, and spoke in as calm a tone as she was capable of giving.

"Zephyr...when it comes to girls, you are, quite probably, one of the least pleasant boys they have known. You act as though you are divinely appointed to be desired by women, even though nothing could be further from the truth. They give you hint after hint after hint, and yet you are either oblivious to it, or wilfully ignoring it."

She frowned.

"And neither option puts you in a good light."

Raising her hand, she pointed straight to Rainbow, while keeping her eyes squarely on her brother.

"Zephyr...Rainbow is not interested in you. She has never been interested in you. And in all likelihood...she is never going to be interested in you."

Again, she took a deep breath, closing her eyes.

“Maybe, one day, you will find a girl who likes you...but it won’t be like this...and it won’t be Rainbow.”

She paused, but only briefly.

"Your efforts to woo her have, and always will be, unsuccessful. And if you have even the tiniest shred of respect for her as a girl and a person...you will take what we've said to you, accept it..."

Slowly, her eyes opened again, bearing sternness to them.

"...and never pursue her again."

Silence like the grave. That was what the music room was like now. Zephyr, as he had been for some time, was completely quiet, looking like he had just been given the worst new it was possible to hear. Gradually, he looked to Rainbow, who continued to maintain her appearance of displeasure towards him. Then, he looked back to his sister, and again, it looked as though she too was not going to budge on this matter. He had been told the truth, and it was bitter to hear. So, after taking a moment to get his bearings, he took a step back from Rainbow, brushed himself off slightly, then looked to her with an expression like he had no idea what he was doing right now. A sentiment that was further reflected in the unsure tone he now spoke in.

"I...I'm...sorry."

Rainbow blinked, slightly surprised by those words coming from him. But, surprised or not, she nevertheless stood her ground on her position, facing him fully and speaking firmly.

"Don't be sorry...be better."

Slowly, Zephyr gave a small nod, then turned away from her. Both Rainbow and Fluttershy watched him head towards the door of the music room, and as he opened it, he looked over his shoulder to his sister.

"I'll...see you back at home, sis."

Fluttershy nodded to that, then she watched him leave, closing the door behind him. Now alone, Fluttershy let out a deep exhale, and Rainbow could see the discomfort on her face.

"You okay?"

To that, Fluttershy nodded.

"Yes. I...I suppose I always knew I'd have to say that to him one day. I just...I thought I'd always hoped he would have...I mean...before."

Rainbow sighed, nodding.

"I hear ya. But, as Sunset would say, sometimes you need tough love. Nobody likes being told what they don't want to hear...but if we didn’t say all that to him...you know what would have happened."

Looking to the door, Fluttershy answered.

"I know...he'd have just kept on doing it."

Walking beside her friend, Rainbow raised an eyebrow to her.

"Think he'll get over this?"

Looking back to her, Fluttershy smiled.

"I think so. He'll feel bad for a while, but...I think, perhaps...he needed that. You were right, we'd have done him no favours by staying silent. And perhaps, now that he knows...he can start doing something about it."

Rainbow chuckled to that.

"Here's hoping, Flutters. Now..."

Looking back to the clock, Rainbow gave another nod, then looked back to her friend.

"...I think our friends will probably be waiting for us. Don't want our milkshakes to go to waste, right?"

Giggling, Fluttershy smiled back to her.

"Yes, Rainbow...I think we could use some right now."

Then, to their slight surprise, the door slowly creaked open again, and a sheepish-looking Zephyr poked his head in.

“So...just for the record, was it the baby-doll remark? Or was it just me calling you little?”

Naturally, the two girls simply gave him further glares, prompting him to slowly retreat back out.

“Right...got it...shutting up now.”