Hurricane Fluttershy, part 5

[no_vampires_plz]

Tornado duty training has been progressing smoothly, despite the absence of a certain yellow pegasus. As the last day of workouts draws to a close, it's time for one last speed check before the big day.

So far, the news has been good.

"That's wonderful, Flitter," calls Twilight as Flitterheart zips past. "Much better than yesterday."

"This is crazy awesome!" Rainbow Dash pumps her forehooves in the air. "We're gonna smash that record!"

An excited chittering noise rises from the vicinity of Twilight's ankle. She looks down to see a squirrel tugging urgently at her fetlocks and pointing toward... something.

"What did he say?" asks Spike.

Twilight gives Spike a dubious look. "Do I look like I speak Squirrel?"

The dragonlet squints in the direction the squirrel is pointing. "...what's that?"

Comments

[nponyc]

Rainbow Dash floats down with a wide grin. "You did awesome, Fluttershy," she tells her friend, nudging her shoulder.

[needs_fern]

"No, I didn't!" she mopes. "I thought I'd gotten over my nerves, but they still got the best of me. There's no way I'll fly with 10.0 wingpower tomorrow."

Surely Rainbow Dash can understand that much, at least?

[nponyc]

Her expression falls as Fluttershy's does. "So you won't fly with 10.0 wingpower," she tries to shrug. "Every bit counts!"

Chin up, Fluttershy--literally! Rainbow Dash will help.

[needs_fern]

Why doesn't she get it? Fluttershy scowls at Rainbow Dash.

"How would you feel if everypony else was flying with 10.0 wingpower, and you were flying with 2.5?"

("How would you feel if" is a question very central to Fluttershy. Though she doesn't often use it this way.)

[no_vampires_plz]

"Actually," Spike pipes up, "it was only 2.3--ow!"

That would be the sound of Twilight clocking him on the head again.

[nponyc]

Aw man. Rainbow Dash nervously pulls off her cap. "Well, uh, I'd feel..." she hedges.

[needs_fern]

"Exactly! Humiliated!" Her point made, Fluttershy can't stay angry. She starts to cry again and turns away. "I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash, I just can't do it."

And with that she leaves.

[no_vampires_plz]

"It's okay, Rainbow Dash," says Spike. "You've still got plenty of wingpower for your tornado. You'll be able to lift tons of water up to Cloudsdale!"

...yeah, Twilight's just gonna be hauling him back home before he sticks his foot any further into his mouth.

[nponyc]

Rainbow Dash's glum expression doesn't change as she watches Fluttershy leave. She barely even notices how tactless Spike is being.

With a sigh she pulls her cap back on. "If only there was a way to lift Fluttershy out of the dumps."