"So is Sandal coming over tonight?" Rarity asked Fluttershy as they were coming out of their bedrooms. As soon as they get home from school; both girls go up to their bedrooms to drop their book bags off. Then one usually migrates to the others for a chat.

"No, not tonight. I was hoping you could see my brother tonight." Fluttershy spoke softly.

"Oh darling, not this again," Rarity said in fear and frustration. "I just don't think I'm ready."

"Oh but Rarity you are!" Fluttershy said almost pleadingly. "I know you are. My brother is hurting and you need to use your powers. You know, for practice."

"Darling, Fluttershy, I just don't know. I'm scared." Rarity was scared. She was scared she would fail. She was scared she wouldn't be able to use her powers. But she was also scared that she would be able to. She felt confused and conflicted.

Fluttershy walked over to Rarity and gave her a hug. "I know you are. But look at all you've faced and done. You can do this. And if not now, eventually. Just try. For me? For Zephyr? For you?"

Rarity looked down and sighed. Then she shook her head yes.

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

"Fluttershy!" her dad exclaimed as he opened the door and saw her standing there.

"Hi Dad," she said shyly.

"I'm glad to see you but surprised. I thought after the last time I saw you, you had pretty much cut me out of your life. But I'm glad to see you. Come in."

Fluttershy walked in followed by Rarity. "I did," she said softly with a hint of both regret yet defiance. "But I decided to reach out for Zephyr's sake. I, I heard he was having a tough time."

Mr. Shy looked down. "Yes. Um, he's had a tough time alright. I'm sure seeing you might help." He then looked back at his daughter. "I would like to talk to you then Flutter."

Fluttershy looked away. "Um, sure. Maybe another though. I just want to see Zeph for now."

He nodded reluctantly. Then he called out, "Zephyr, Fluttershy is here to see you."

Zephyr came down the stairs slowly but had a genuine smile on his face. "Hey Flutter." He then saw rarity. "Oh, hi." he said apprehensively. He didn't know who this second girl was or why she was here. But he did trust Fluttershy.

"Hi," Rarity responded in a meek and timid manner more suitable to Fluttershy. "I'm Rarity. Fluttershy is staying with my family."

"Oh, ok." Zephyr shot Fluttershy a confused look.

Fluttershy smiled. "She's, she's, she can help. She helped me."

Zephyr nodded. "Ok, come on up."

Fluttershy and Rarity followed Zephyr up to his bedroom.

"Sorry for the mess. I wasn't sure when you'd be back," he said as they walked in.

"It's ok, I've seen it before," Fluttershy said.

"I've seen worse," Rarity also said.

"So, how?" Zephyr asked. It was stupid phrasing but Fluttershy knew what he meant - how are you going to help.

"Zeph, you know how I came here the first time? I flew. I have magical powers."

"I got that."

"Well so does Rarity. She has the power of healing. So far only physical; but I thought maybe mental as well. So I brought her here to try."

Zephyr shrugged. "Why not? Go for it." He looked Rarity who looked at Fluttershy.

Rarity pleaded with her eyes for Fluttershy to tell her what to do. Some guidance, anything. But Fluttershy said nothing and just motioned for Rarity to go over to Zephyr. She walked over, closed her eyes, breathed deep, and placed her hands on his chest. That's how it worked in movies right?

"Um, are like reading my chakras or something?" Zephyr asked confused.

Rarity laughed nervously. This wasn't working. She felt stupid and useless. Then she thought of Fluttershy. She thought about how badly she wanted her brother healed. Then she started to think about everything she said her brother went through. Her eyes began to tear up and suddenly she felt a major power surge run through her body. She then felt her body dissolve around her. All she could feel was sparkling, pulsing energy. In her head she could all of Zephyr's past. Not just the events but the emotions. At first it was like watching them, then it was like living them, then it was like they were water droplets, falling on a hot iron, turning to vapor and then floating away.

Soon the energy dwindled and the world began to feel more solid around her. She began to feel more solid. Eventually she felt she was in the world again. Her body still hummed a bit with residual electricity; but for the most part she was back and tired. She sat down on Zephyr's bed and tried her best not to pass out.

Fluttershy looked at Zephyr who looked back at her; his eyes wide in amazement.

"It's gone. It's all gone. The hate, the depression, the self loathing, everything; IT'S ALL GONE!"

The two hugged and jumped up and down. For the first time in a long time he felt free. Free and light and like he could do anything. He turned to thank Rarity but she was fast asleep on his bed.

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

Rarity slowly opened her eyes. The room she was in was strange and unfamiliar. She tried to jump up but her body was sluggish and unresponsive.

"Easy, You've been out for about an hour." It was Fluttershy. Her voice was soft and caring. Where ever she was, the fact Fluttershy was here, made her feel a lot better.

"Where, where am I?" she struggled to say.

"Zephyr's room. I'm sorry. I didn't realize healing him would have taken so much out of you. I pushed you to do advanced healing when you never even did the basic. Please forgive me."

Rarity sat up, shook her head and looked at her friend. It took a while for her eyes to focus. When they did she simply asked, "Did it work?"

"Yes," Fluttershy nodded. "He's downstairs with our dad and step mom. I stayed up here so I could look after you."

"That's all that matter then," Rarity said. "How's he and your parents taking it?"

"He's excited and happy. Dad, well when your drug addicted son comes down screaming he's all better, well, belief is a bit strained. It'll take a while for them to believe him; but he's good."

"Good." Rarity smiled. "Anyway, if it's been a hour, I think it's time we went home."

Fluttershy nodded in agreement. She helped Rarity up and down the stairs. At the bottom, just as they were about to head out; Fluttershy's dad called out to her. She stopped and turned around to face him. Rarity knowing this needed to be a private affair said she could make it to the van and slowly walked out.

"Fluttershy, your brother, he seems like a new person. I haven't seen him this happy in years. Is this real or did you 'give' him something? You and your friend."

"We gave him healing, that's all. No drugs." She was annoyed by his question but understood.

"How then?" There was an urgency and fear in his question. He had tried therapist after therapist and nothing worked. Now, one meeting with his daughters teenage friend and all's good? It was hard to believe.

"This is how," Fluttershy felt the old. familiar power flow threw her as she floated up off the ground. Her shirt parted to make way way for her wings to grow and unfurl. Her human ears disappeared and her pony ears appeared. She heard her father gasp and her step mother shriek as she had just walked in. "Rarity and I have, are magic."

"How, how is this . . ." Hank Shy tried to say but was couldn't.

Fluttershy came back down and changed back. "Long story, but I can explain later."

"Just go with it Dad," Zephyr said from behind Hank.

Fluttershy turned around and left, leaving her dad speechless and mumbling.

Author's Notes:

Just to clarify, I've gone back in time a bit. This happens Wednesday night.