Christmas Morning 2005

A young Rainbow Dash flew down the stairs with excitement beating in her heart. The entire living room was decked out in reefs, Christmas lights, and tinsel. Her father, Rainbow Spectrum, a Cloudsdale police detective, was at the corner of the living room, trying to fix something when his daughter flew up in front of the Christmas tree. He abruptly stood up. “Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, it’s barely morning. Just hold up. I know you’re excited, your adrenaline is rushing and your heart is pumping just like you got a big case and this is a hot crime scene.” He smiled.

“Dad,” Rainbow complained, her voice cracking impatiently. “I just wanna see what Santa brought me.”

“And you will soon enough,” Spectrum replied, sitting in his chair. “But first, I want you to recreate everything that went down here last night.”

Rainbow sighed and looked around the room. Her magenta eyes spotted some scuff marks on the recently polished floor. “Santa came in…” She traced the path of the marks with her eyes. “Sat down, ate his milk and cookies…” Spectrum nodded in approval, urging her on. “…Put the presents under the tree….” The last of the scuff marks led to a nearby window. She turned to her father. “Then something spooked him and he ran out.”

Spectrum nodded. “That’s right. Maybe you woke up a little earlier than he thought. It’s a pity too, because he didn’t get a chance to finish putting together your brand new bicycle.” He pointed next to the couch.

Rainbow’s entire face lit up as she raced to her less-than-put-together bicycle. She looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Spectrum smiled lovingly at his daughter. “Merry Christmas, Rainbow Dash.”

Present Day 2014

Rainbow grunted as she kicked her door open with a huge box of Christmas decorations in her arms. Fluttershy rushed over and took the box, setting down on a table. “Rainbow, I wish you wouldn’t take so long,” The yellow pegasus said, shaking her head. “You know we have to get to my mom and dad’s.”

“Choosing the most awesome holiday gifts takes time, Fluttershy,” Rainbow replied. She dug into the box and held up a framed autographed picture of herself. “You can’t cut corners.” She set the picture down and began to pull out numerous items from the box. “You gotta customize, match the gift—" She held up a pineapple with a red bow tied to it. “—with the individual.” She pulled out two mini jack-O-lanterns with Santa hats on them.  “Look! Our Nightmare Night decorations!” She pressed the buttons on each one, making their eyes glow red. She grinned. “Whaddaya think?”  

Fluttershy shook her head. She seemed to be on edge today. “Can we do this later, Rainbow Dash? My brother Buddy’s train gets in any minute now.”

“Aw, chillax, you have plenty of time,” Rainbow dismissed.

Fluttershy gripped her by the shoulders. “No, I don’t Rainbow! You know he usually works during the holidays. London, Prance, Hong Kong; and now that he’s home, we have to spend as much time together as possible!”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “All that time away from home for work? Precisely why I didn’t go to law school.”

Fluttershy frowned. “That and the school part,” She pointed out.

Suddenly, the front door opened. A small pink Pegasus filly with a red checkered dress walked into the living room. Her brown mane was braided into two low pigtails and her brown eyes glittered with hope. Rainbow Dash was surprised by the sudden visit. “Well, hello there,” She smiled. “May I help you?”  

“Are you Miss Dash and Miss Shy?” The filly asked.  Rainbow Dash looked at Fluttershy, grinning in amusement.

She looked back down at the filly. “Well yeah, but you can call me Rainbow Dash, kid.” She nodded towards the Pegasus beside her. “This is Scrooge Jones.”  

Fluttershy looked far from amused.

“And who might you be?”

“My name’s Cherry Bomb.” She chirped. “And I’d like to hire you.” The two friends exchanged confused glances.

“I see,” Rainbow said. “What for?”

“To get Santa Hooves out of jail. All I have is 38 bits. I hope it’s enough.”  

Fluttershy smiled apologetically. “Oh, we couldn’t possibly accept that.”

Rainbow nodded. “She’s right. What else do you have?” Fluttershy swatted her on the arm.

“The police ponies dragged him away from Santa’s Village in Cumulus,” Cherry explained. “Please! You have to help him.”

Rainbow Dash gave a wry smile. “Don’t worry, Cherry. There are some wonderful public defenders in the North Pole. Santa will be out in no time.”

Cherry Bomb frowned. “But if he’s not out by Christmas Eve, he can’t deliver toys. You’re the bearers of Harmony. Can’t you do something?”

Rainbow glanced at Fluttershy uneasily. “U-Uh, this…is…”

“This is a matter for the police,” Fluttershy finished gently.

“Yes! And we never interfere with police matters.”  

Cherry bit her lip, and forced a smile. “I understand.” She said.

The two mares inwardly sighed in relief.

Then, Cherry started to cry, her face twisted in pure sorrow. The two pegasi faltered. They did not expect this. Even though Rainbow Dash didn’t seem like the type, but she hated it when ponies cried. It just made it awkward for her. But when kids cried… She leaned over to the side slightly. “Shy… what are you supposed to do when a child’s crying like this?”

Fluttershy was starting to cry too. “You cave.” She whimpered. “Cherry… Miss Dash and I will get Santa out a soon as we get back.”

Cherry perked up instantly. Her wings fluttered happily. “Thank You, Scrooge Jones! Thank You Miss Dash!” With that, she flew out of Rainbow’s house and shut the door behind her.

Later that Day, the two friends had arrived at Fluttershy’s Parent’s house. 10 minutes later, her family came through the door.  Her mother, Buttercup, resembled her the most. She was a pretty mare, for she had a yellow coat and she had long pink hair like her daughter. Her eyes were green and she was a little on the chubby side. Her father, Herbert, had a green coat with a dark brown mane that always looked tousled. He was wearing a Christmas sweater with a bowtie. He also wore thin glasses. Buddy trailed in behind them carrying most of the luggage. He had a light blue coat, with the same mane as his father’s. His eyes were the same color as his mother’s.

“Fluttershy, sweetie! We’re home!” Buttercup called. “We’re back from the train station!”

Fluttershy zoomed from around the corner and into her brother’s arms. “Buddy!” She cried happily.

Buddy grinned and wrapped his arms around his sister, dropping the suitcases. “Fluttershy! Gosh, I missed you!” Rainbow Dash came sauntering out of the kitchen next to Fluttershy, just having eaten a whole plate of cookies.  “I wanna hear more about this saving Equestria business,” Buddy grinned, stepping back a bit.

Buttercup nodded. “It’s very impressive.”

“As we found out a couple of months ago when they saved pony kind from Tirek,” Herbert agreed.  

“You two must be pretty good,” Buddy said. “It’s funny… I don’t remember you two shooting out rainbow beams when we were little.”

Rainbow scratched her leg. “Oh…” The Tree of Harmony had to remain a secret.

“When did this happen?” Buddy questioned.

“…High school.” The girls chorused.

Buddy raised an eyebrow. “Did you two just look at each other?”

“…No.” They said together.

“You just did it again!” He narrowed his eyes, his lawyer side taking over. “As if to collaborate what you were going to say…”

The two mares broke out into nervous laughter. “Heh… Buddy, what is this?” Rainbow giggled uncharacteristically.  “I mean… we’re not on trial here, it’s Christmas time!”

“We have no idea what you’re talking about!” Fluttershy chuckled.

“Yeah, be merry! It’s not a courtroom!”

Buddy nodded, giving them a sly grin. “So why are you both striking defensive poses?” Rainbow was crossing her arms, and Fluttershy had one arm crossed and one hoof under her chin. Both realized what they were doing and stood on their hooves normally.

Fluttershy dropped her head. “Well… uh…”

“W-We were just keeping it loose,” Rainbow said casually.

To their relief, Herbert spoke. “Well, I’m going to be late for work. Don’t forget, I’m covering the nightshift.”

Buttercup frowned. “But the kids just got here. Raytheon can wait.”

Herbert smiled. “Government trains don’t make themselves…yet!” The girls chuckled lightly.

“It’s okay, Dad,” Buddy assured him. “It’ll give me and Flutters a chance to catch up.”

Herbert nodded. “Alright, well…” He kissed his wife on the cheek. “I’ll see you in the morning then.” Everyone said their goodbyes, and Herbert left.

Buttercup turned to Buddy. “Sweetheart, your room’s all ready. And I’ll just be a little longer in the kitchen.”

“Do you need help getting this up to your room?” Fluttershy asked as Buttercup left. She flew over to Buddy’s suitcases.

“Oh, no, Fluttershy, I’ll get them, you don’t need to—"

“Oh, no, I insist,” She smiled.  She grabbed two suitcases by the handles and tried to lift them up. They didn’t even budge. She tried again, and again, her face turning red with exertion. After a few minutes, Fluttershy squeed sheepishly and grabbed one suitcase. “I doubt you’ll need all of them,” She giggled as she flew upstairs.

Buddy laughed. “I’ll get them later,” He called up to her. He and Rainbow craned their necks to see the last of Fluttershy’s tail disappear upstairs. Once she was gone, the two looked at each other and smiled. Seconds later, they embraced each other, kissing each other roughly and passionately.