“Midday, Bridalton Outskirts, nine hundred and ninety second celestial year, forty-eighth day of summer.”

“Hmm… hmm. Sweet chil-dren and follow my-” *knock* *knock* *knock*

Lifting eyes from feeding the little bunnies the buttercream mare focused on the door at the other side of her small cozy hovel near the Everfree ‘Now who could that be’ she thought “I wasn’t expecting any visitors.” she whispered under her multihued breath. Clearing her throat she asked in her usual timid voice. “Who is it?” she spoke barely loud enough to be heard from behind the wooden structure as she made her way across the maze of bird and animal cages that littered her home on the way to the small oak door on the opposite wall. A tomboyish voice from outside queried

“Finally! Hay Flutters do ya mind opening up I wanna talk.” It took Fluttershy a few seconds to recognize the voice while she traveled over to the door.

“R-Rainbow? Is it really you?” she exhaled as she opened the door only to get tackled in a hug from her prismatic maned friend. “Oh Rainbow Dash it really is you isn’t it. Where have you been past two years?”

Rainbow Dash took a step back and rubbed the back of her head with her foreleg “Well… you see I had to stay somewhere to hide so I spent some time with Gilda back in Griffica. It really wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. The griffons there were really nice and they seemed to like me but really in the end it wasn’t really as much as I wanted it to be so after the heat cooled down here in Equestria and the guard stopped searching for me I decided to head back and you’re the only friend I could think of that wouldn’t turn me in on sight so I’ve been searching for you, for at least three months now.” Rainbow Dash smiled sadly at the time she’s wasted.

Fluttershy’s eyes opened wide in realization of what she forgot “Oh dear um Rainbow please… take a seat oh and would you like some tea?” she asked.

Rainbow Dash coughed a little “No thanks Fluttershy I think I’ll be ok without.” she smiled up at the buttercream pegasus before her as she sat down on one of the leaf cushions Fluttershy counted as seating, while Fluttershy went to the kitchen and returned with a cup of steaming tea that smelled of chamomile.
They sat there for a few minutes one waiting for the other to speak eventually with a cough Fluttershy began. “So… Rainbow Dash. How’s Gilda been?” she asked calmly

“Oh Gilda? Well she’s been great, last I saw of her she was almost captain of one of her tribe’s war wings.” she smiled in reminiscence. “She also told me to come and visit from time to time before I left. Other than that nothing really is going on over there right now other than the fact that there’s some rumors flying around about the dragons getting more territorial around the border region.” Rainbow Dash sighed remembering one of the more vicious stories about a dragon that burned down an entire village because they refused to hand over a pair of thieving youngsters who stole from his cave, he burned down the village and all of its inhabitants. Shaking her head clear of the story she focused on Fluttershy. “So how have things been for you Shy?”

Fluttershy took another sip of her tea before beginning “Well when you left in such a hurry and you kind of knocked me off the cloud platform, anyway I was lucky enough to land on a bed of butterflies that happened to fly through, after that I sort of fell in love with the animals I saw eventually becoming their friend, I also realized I could communicate with them on a different level than most other ponies, that’s also how I got my cutie mark.” She turned to the side revealing a trio of ponies with chromatic off white, glittering butterfly wings as her cutie mark. Then she remembered to ask “Oh Rainbow I was also wondering, how did you get your cutie mark?” she said pointing at Rainbow Dash’s flanks as a reminder. Her cutie mark was a bright white comet with a blazing chromatic contrail.

Dash’s ears flattened as if to block out some unsavory sound, and grimacing in distaste. “Oh yeah that… are you sure you want to know?” Fluttershy nodded her head and shrugged her wings as if to say ‘Go on.’ Rainbow Dash visibly shivered before continuing. “Well it all started out with me joining one of the griffon combat wings. What happened was I got stationed with Gilda since she was one of the few griffons who had any knowledge on how to fight alongside a pony, anyway-” Rainbow Dash shivered again as the memories came back to haunt her. “Anyway while we were out on patrol one night we were attacked by bandits just a few miles outside of the main town.”

“Oh… my I’m sorry Dash.” Fluttershy’s eyes were wide with worry.

Rainbow Dash grimaced then smirked a little “Don’t be it wasn’t your fault.” She spoke softly in a husky voice laced with pain and regret, then frowned again.

Fluttershy smiled a little “Alright then please…, continue.” And Rainbow began where she left off.

“Our flight leader was struck down almost instantly with a crossbow bolt, then came the wing second who was struck down midair by one of the opposing griffons blades then I saw Gilda.” It was at that point that she started tearing up. “I should have pushed her out of the way” she cried. “Instead I just froze in place like a foal caught in the cookie jar as her wing got shot and then shredded by the opposing griffons claws, by the time I finally came to my senses Gilda was already half way down to the ground, I forgot about the rest of the team my focus was only on Gilda, and I couldn’t let her down, so I flew, I charged down as fast as I could but I wasn’t going fast enough, I kept pushing and pushing until I felt a rip and then as if the very wind itself made way for me… I wasn’t even paying attention all I knew was that I needed to catch Gilda and so just fifteen feet from the ground I barely caught her. And then I flew back to the safety of town only stopping at the main gate to let the claw captain know that our team was attacked by an unexpected group of bandits. Then took Gilda to the local rune caster.” she was visibly crying now “I found out three days later that the rest of the wing fell about as fast as the captain and his second, when they captured the bandit ringleader and killed the rest of his cohorts. Me and Gilda were the only survivors. Anyway this,” she pointed at the cutie mark on her flank, “I only noticed when Gilda pointed it out a day later, it must’ve happened when I broke the sound barrier to catch her.” She waited a few minutes to calm down and steady her breathing before continuing “and that’s how I got this cutie mark.” she spat as if it were a vile thing.

Fluttershy lifter her hoof to her mouth and spoke in a soft lilting voice. “Oh my… it- it can’t be all that bad can it? I mean Gilda’s doing alright and you’re here now.” She asked hoping that there was some way to salvage Rainbow’s cheerful attitude.

Rainbow Dash flicked her mane back and spoke in a calm tone having finally pushed back the pain the memories brought. “No it really wasn’t that bad it’s just that particular one. The cutie mark stands for me being fast and by fast I mean I can pull off some pretty impressive feats like breaking the sound barrier though I can’t do it at will yet I’ve done it about four times during my service amongst the griffon talons…” Fluttershy gave her a blank look “The griffon military… equivalent of the royal guard in Equestria? Though maybe not as well trained.”

Fluttershy finally raised her eyebrows in comprehension. “Oh sorry I didn’t know.” She folded her ears back preparing for a reprimand.

One that didn’t come as Rainbow Dash grunted acceptance of her excuse and continued. “As I was saying I was able to do it about four times during my time amongst the griffon talons. The first time was when I was saving Gilda, the second and third times were when I was scouting and had to outrun a couple of bandit flyers, and the fourth time was when the wings best scouts challenged the talons to a race to see who was the better group of flyers, to say the least I won by at least fifty yards.” Dash somewhat gloated then deflated as she remembered some of the less savory events with her time in Griffica “However there were times I still wasn’t fast enough but anyway at least I did what I could.” She waved her hoof in a flourish to signify that she was done.

“Then If nothing else I’m glad you’re here Dash” Fluttershy smiled in her calm loving manner.
Rainbow Dash laughed and spoke up at Fluttershy’s incredulous look “No worries I plan on staying for some time do you mind if I crash here for a bit before I begin traveling again I still want to make sure my trail isn’t being followed if you know what I mean, and I also feel a bit adventurous so I was hoping to travel between towns for a bit, before finally settling down.”

Fluttershy beamed even brighter than before “Oh that sounds like fun umm… do you mind if I come with?” she asked with big pleading eyes.

Rainbow Dash recoiled somewhat at the request but swiftly agreed “Uh sure. But I gotta ask. Why?”

“Well that’s because I’m only renting this place from Mrs. Honey Suckle the local land lady. And I haven’t been able to pay rent recently due to the lack of clientele. apparently the people here don’t like having pets so close to the griffon border, also I’m tired of having the same pony’s yelling at me every week about what they think I am doing and why I should stop being a witch when its obvious I’m nothing of the sort.” She looked up at Rainbow Dash her ears folded back in annoyance from having spoken of her problems so openly. “Not to mention the pony’s of this town are heartless to say the least. Originally when I moved here from Chittenhoof Village I thought Bridalton would have been a bright and lovely town with nice ponies and lots of cute little pets to love and take care of, instead when I arrived they were aloof at first then slowly over time as they began to see my personality and traits about me they began to start approaching me asking that I leave. At this point they haven’t gotten violent but they have gotten very vocal about their complaints.” Fluttershy stifled a few tears as she mustered a strong front. “Another reason they don’t like doing their business here is because I live so close to the Everfree forest they’re probably afraid their pets will get eaten by the cute little critters i run across every once in awhile from the forest. I’m just ready to leave I was waiting for a good reason to but then you came so now I’m ready is that ok?”

“Oh” Rainbow Dash deadpanned “Ok then… how long till your ready to go then?” Rainbow Dash asked with a fervent sincerity.

“As soon as Mr. Nuts leg is splinted and I have gone to gather my other two friends hopefully you don’t mind company?” Fluttershy asked softly.

Rainbow Dash understood perfectly and nodded “Sure you can bring some of your animal friends with us.” Fluttershy sighed in relief and thanked Rainbow Dash for the small favor and promised she wouldn’t regret it. Rainbow Dash rolled her crimson eyes at the buttercream mares antics “How long will it take though?”

“A few hours at most then we can be off.” Fluttershy answered smiling.

“I’ll be outside practicing with a sword if ya need me.” Rainbow finished with a flourish standing up and walking out the door to practice.

-Two Hours later-

“Hay Dash I’ll be right back in a few minutes with my friends please don’t freak out.” Fluttershy asked pleadingly. Rainbow Dash nodded without hesitation as Fluttershy left.

A few minutes later, Rainbow Dash was practicing a back flip slash using one of the trees as a target dummy to focus her attacks upon. She swiftly uppercutted and followed through with a front flip bringing the blade down full force making a giant slash along the bark, she was about to repeat the process when seemingly out of nowhere two giant timberwolves came bursting out of the brush at full tilt towards her before she could react the larger of the two jumped up and tackled her down to the ground then jumped on top of her, knowing how predators work realized she could do nothing to protect herself and so clenched her eyes waiting for the inevitable bite that would end her life only … it didn’t come instead she felt a light raspy tongue start rapidly dragging across her face. She stopped shivering as she realized the lack of murderous intent from the massive timber born beasts, but before she could voice any complaints at them Fluttershy called out.

“Silversong, Bugbear, get off Rainbow Dash… ‘NOW’“ the wolves whimpered as they quickly backed away from the disgruntled and disturbed mare.

Rainbow Dash shakily got back onto unsteady hooves as she continued looking at the timberwolves as if they were going to charge forth and tear her limb from limb at a moments notice. “What was that all about?” she almost screamed.

Fluttershy folded her ears back in annoyance and lowered her eyes as she walked towards the distraught mare. “Sorry but those two are always excited to meet somepony new I hope you don’t mind them… they are the companion-”

“Yeah I kind of got that when you told them off… but thanks.., for at least letting me know, oh and its ok hopefully I can adjust and everything will be ok.” Rainbow Dash’s ears perked up as she calmed down and started to accept the fact that the two feared predators wouldn’t try to eat her. She then lay on her stomach and watched as Fluttershy softly humming one of her tunes starts petting the two timber born canines their glowing yellow eyes turning bluish pink in pleasure.

“There, there it’s ok. You didn’t mean to scare Dash, you were just too excited that’s all.” Fluttershy cooed while smiling.

“Yeeeah umm Fluttershy can we go now?” Dash asked somewhat bored now that the danger was over and done with. “I know you like all this lovey dovey stuff but I don’t know how much more I can take. Alright?” she finished off exasperated, rolling her eyes, and sagging her shoulders then letting loose a small smirk. “At least it’s good to see you again Flutters.”

Fluttershy smiled as she got back up “It’s ok Dash, let’s go,” she shrugged on her saddlebags alongside the encumbered Rainbow Dash. “But where to first? We haven’t even set a destination.” Fluttershy wondered.

“OH, that’s easy we’ll be heading to the town of Crowsnest to stock up on food and supplies, then off to Daggerwound, where we can change paths and go along the dragon border, so we can see what it’s like along the Equestrian border right next to the Dragon Republic. What do you think?” Rainbow Dash quirked an eyebrow and grinned like on parade.

“That’s a good idea Dash, but what will we do about Silversong and Bugbear when we arrive at the towns I can’t just send them out into the nearby forest alone sometimes there won’t even be a forest to send them into?” Fluttershy shifted her ear towards Rainbow Dash inquiringly to which she responded.

“Well when we reach the towns we can possibly take turns watching them per town as we go.” She suggested “Maybe even skirt a few that are uninteresting it’s not like we need to stop by every single one we come across plus I doubt we will be aggravated by bandits with the assistance of these two… companions yeah I’ll go with that. Heh.” Rainbow Dash added with a blush for her lack of better words.

“That sounds just fine to me, plus it’ll give you some extra time to get used to my friends even build a relationship with them.” Fluttershy beamed with joy at her friend, her joy almost bursting at the seams. “Oh Dash this is going to be such a wonderful adventure though I hope we don’t run into any bandits along the way. I really don’t like fights or having to threaten ponies to keep them from trying to attack me.” She sighed sadly having dealt with many thieves who thought her easy prey in the night due to her somewhat timid nature “O and Dash?”. Fluttershy asked as they traveled down the road.

“Yes Fluttershy?”

“Umm… do you mind if I skip out of entering the more crowded towns and villages? There’s only so many ponies I can handle before it gets to be too much.” Fluttershy shuffled her wings awaiting the answer from her cyan feathered friend.

“Sure but remember you’re going to have to enter the towns sometimes whether you like it or not, sorry it’s just the way it is, k?” the prismatic maned pegasus released a cheery grin while facing her buttercream colored friend.

“O-ok that’ll be fine… hay Silversong come over here, oh dear there's a few nasty burr…” Fluttershy continued on watching over their companions with the motherly nature of kindness she always reveals to her friends and small woodland creatures.

Author's Notes:

Xaldon Ajide:
Read and comment as always, please if you are going to like this at the very least let me know what I'm doing right.

Edited by Ebonysdagger
Proofread by janushyde