Scootaloo sat on Rainbow's bed, doing her toe nails. She was spending the night at Rainbow's. She did so about once a week, usually Friday, sometimes Saturday. Every time she did, they followed the same routine: get to Rainbow's, workout in her basement gym, shower, eat, then retreat to Rainbow's room for video games, girl talk, then sleep.

Tonight was different. Oh, the routine was the same, but Rainbow seemed distracted. She barely said anything, mostly just grunting. At dinner she just stared off. Now she just sat on the floor, half heartedly painting her nails. Scootaloo was worried. She didn't like seeing Rainbow like this.

"Dash? Something's wrong. Can I ask what?"

Rainbow shrugged. She didn't feel like talking but she did as well. She wanted to tell Scoot what she was feeling. She wanted to say that she had been hurt by Fluttershy. But she also wanted to just be left alone. In fact, part of her regretted having Scoot over.

"Dash, please. If I can help, I want to. You've always been there for me. At least let me return the favor."

Rainbow turned to face Scoot. "Fluttershy never said that."

Scoot cocked her head. She didn't know what Rainbow was talking about.

" Last week, at Rarity's party, she said Rarity saved her life. I was always there for Fluttershy. Heck, I'm her oldest friend. I was there before anyone else was. And she never mentioned me. Not even in passing." Rainbow didn't like showing her vulnerable side. It made her feel weak and helpless. She did like having Scoot there. She knew she would never judge her.

"Well, her parents never mentioned Sweetie Belle either. I don't think it was meant as a put down. I think it was just Rarity's party and people just were saying nice things about her." Scoot got down off the bed and sat beside Rainbow. She loved her idol, but thought she was overreacting.

"All she had to do was just say, ' you and Rainbow saved my life'. After everything we've been through, she could have done that." Rainbow brought her knees to her chest and just hugged them.

"Then talk to her Dash. Isn't that what you learned? When something is bothering you, just talk to the person you're having problems with. She's your friend Dash. She'll understand." Scoot placed her hand on Rainbow's shoulder and Rainbow took it.

"Thanks Scoot. You're right. I'll talk to her tomorrow. You really are the best little sister I never had."

Scoot smiled. "Thanks big sister from another mister." She then gave Rainbow a big hug.

***************************************************************************************************

Rainbow took a deep breath and walked through the doors of the animal shelter. There was Fluttershy; going from pen to pen, talking to the animals, cleaning, feeding. She loved animals and was never in such joy and contentment as when she was caring for them. Her white tank top was now replaced with a white, lace topped cami and her green skirt was now a pair of skinny jeans. It was an outfit that showed off every curve of her body and one she never would have worn three months ago.

"Oh, hi Rainbow!" Fluttershy smiled and waved to her friend as soon as she saw her. "What brings you here?"

"Um, Fluttershy, can we talk?" Rainbow looked down and rubbed her left arm at the elbow.

Fluttershy could tell by her friends voice and posture that there was something deeply troubling her. "Sure, it's about time for my break anyhow. Let's go in back."

Rainbow followed Fluttershy to the break room in back. It was empty. Not many volunteered for a Saturday and today, it was only only Fluttershy here. They sat down at the lunch table and Fluttershy asked, " So what's going on?"

"At Rarity's party; why didn't you mention me?" Rainbow had been looking down at the table but ended her question looking Fluttershy straight in the eyes.

Fluttershy's mouth dropped opened a bit. "Excuse me?" she asked bluntly.

"I'm your oldest friend. I was there for you for the divorce, I've been after you for years to report your mother and get out. My family would have gladly taken you in. So why didn't you mention me?"

"Rainbow, your family's house isn't as big as Rarity's . . . ," Fluttershy started to say before Rainbow angrily interrupted her.

"Whoa! Is this about money? I'm not rich enough for you?"

"Ah, no. All I was going to say is that I would have felt more like a burden living with you than I do living with Rarity. That's all." Fluttershy was even more shocked that Rainbow would even suggest such a thing. She knew her better than that.

"Yeah right. So what is it then, huh? What? - I don't rate anymore? I don't . . ."

Fluttershy banged the table with her hands so hard, the noise made the animals squeal from out front. "Darn it Rainbow! Listen to yourself! For one, it was Rarity's party. We were honoring her. There were lots of people I didn't mention; Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight, and you know what? - only YOU had a problem with it."

"But they're not . . ."

"'My oldest friend'? No. But, honestly, it's only because of that, that I still hang out with you! Rainbow, you've turned into an arrogant jerk! All you do is talk about how 'awesome' you are. Heck, you wrote a whole song about it! Who does that Rainbow? Who? At the sleep over we had at Pinkie's house, I saw you shut the game down when Applejack was about to beat you. It took being trapped under the stage with the Sirens about to take over the school before you'd even do one of my songs! I put up with it because you ARE my oldest friend. But it's getting old Rainbow! And I'm getting sick of dealing with it."

Rainbow wanted to yell, to fight back. She wanted to destroy Fluttershy; to make her feel miserable and to apologize for saying all those things. She wanted to make her cry. And that's how she knew Fluttershy was a 100% right with everything she had just said. Rainbow was a great athlete and guitar player; but that didn't give her the right to lord it over everyone else. In fact, it wasn't just sports and music she felt superior in, but she felt above everyone in everything.

She lowered her head in shame and said, "I'm sorry." It was all she could say. Rainbow felt broken inside. Fluttershy was the nicest person on the face of the planet. So for her to lose as she did and to say what she had said, it must have been all true. Rainbow had been jerk and let her friends down. She had let herself down.

Fluttershy got up and sat beside Rainbow. She put her arm around her shoulder. "Rainbow, you know I love you. I always will. And for the longest time I justified my abuse. It was only when I heard everything you had been saying come from Rarity, it was like getting a second opinion on a diagnosis. When she confirmed what you had been saying, I knew it must be true. And I really didn't want to be a burden on your family. But I know you always were and always will be there for me."

Rainbow hugged Fluttershy. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"I know you are and all is forgiven," Fluttershy said in return.

************************************************************************************************

The next two weeks passed by in fairly quick order. Well once school let out for the summer, that is. Twilight and Sunset started their jobs. Pinkie and Sonata also got jobs as well (Maud's orders). Applejack and Apple Bloom went back to helping on the farm full time while Big Mack and Maud went on a short vacation to celebrate his graduating from High School. Rarity worked on her fashions, Fluttershy actually got a part-time, paid position at the animal shelter. And Rainbow left for soccer camp.

Rainbow got off the bus at Soccer Camp. She already missed her friends but was happy to see her other friends she had made here over the years. She looked around and saw Gilda waiting for her. She smiled and ran over to her.

"DASH! You old cow poker you; how have you been?" Gilda called out as she saw Rainbow running up to her.

Rainbow gave her a hug. "I'm good. Great in fact. I've been through a lot this year. More than you'd ever believe. I'll fill you in when . . ." Rainbow stopped dead when she saw a boy walking across the camp. He was tall, lean, muscular, with a blue Mohawk. "Who is that?" she asked breathlessly.

Gilda looked and shrugged. "Oh, him? That's Soarin. He started at my school last year. Great athlete, doesn't talk much."

"He's mine." Rainbow said flatly.

"I don't think so Dash. Girls have been hitting on him all year and he never responded to any of them."

"They weren't me," Rainbow said not taking her eyes off of Soarin.

Gilda shook her head. "He might have a girlfriend back at his old school."

"Doesn't matter. He's mine."

"Dash, he might be gay."

"You keep talking like any of that matters. He's perfect." Rainbow forced herself to turn away from watching Soarin to look at Gilda. "And he's going to be mine."