It had been nearly a month since Bookworm had left Ponyville and headed back to Manehattan. Rainbow Dash had been depressed the entire time, but she wouldn’t let anypony know; not that her friends couldn’t tell. As she walked down Ponyville, she noticed a display in the window of the local book store. A book, written by Bookworm in his real name! The title read “Love At First Crash,“ while the author credit said B.F. Scholar, so Rainbow Dash was certain it was Bookworm who had written it. She ran into the store to have a closer look. She opened cover the to read the synopsis in the dust jacket:
Poindexter was your everyday unicorn scholar, who never thought he’d be lucky at love. Then one day, a pegasus athlete named Air Slicer literally crashes into him while practicing a maneuver for her future aspirations to join the Wonderbolts. From there a romance begins to blossom. But it won’t be easy, as ponies from their own social circles try to convince them that neither are right for each other. Not helping, is Air Slicer is all about her cool image, and isn’t always completely honest with Poindexter about how she really feels. Will these two live happily ever after, or will peer pressure and egos stand in their way?
Rainbow Dash was shocked; this was her and Bookworm’s relationship in print! She bought a copy immediately and took it home to read. While there were plenty of made up plot points, such as peer group pressure, this was definitely about them. How they met, their first date, and Air Slicer’s unwillingness to admit her true feelings to Poindexter; all these paralleled Rainbow Dash’s relationship with Bookworm. She had managed to finish the book in one sitting, not an easy feat considering Rainbow Dash is almost always on the news. This story, unlike hers, had a significantly happier outcome. Rainbow Dash began to tear up like crazy, partly from the happy outcome, but mostly from how stupid she felt for pushing Bookworm away. She knew she needed to finally talk to somepony about what was going on. She decided Twilight would be the best choice, seeing as how they had both dated Bookworm. She flew as fast as she could to Twilight’s library and knocked rapidly on the door.
“I’m coming, one moment,” yelled Twilight from inside the library. “What’s with all the commotion!?”
Twilight opened the door, and saw Rainbow Dash panting crazily.
“Rainbow Dash? Are you ok,” asked Twilight.
“Need…to…talk…now,” panted Rainbow Dash.
Twilight invited Rainbow Dash in and gave her some tea to help calm her down some.
“So what’s going on,” asked Twilight.
“Bookworm has a new book out,” said Rainbow Dash.
“I know,” said Twilight. “He told me about it.”
“Did he tell you what it was about,” asked a panicked Rainbow Dash.
“No,” said Twilight. “But he sent me my own copy and I’ve read it.”
“Ah crud,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “Then you know the book is about me and him?”
“Oh yeah, I guess it is,” said Twilight. “So what?”
“So what!? So what,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “Everypony is gonna know it’s about me!”
“Is that seriously your concern, Rainbow Dash,” asked Twilight.
“Of course it is, Twi,” said Rainbow Dash. “What else would it be!?”
“Maybe the fact that this story has a happier outcome than what’s been going on with you and Bookworm,” said Twilight.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” lied Rainbow Dash.
“I know all about what happened with you and Bookworm,” said Twilight. “He’s come to me on various occasions to talk about your relationship.”
“Why would he do that,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
“Everypony needs a friend to talk to,” said Twilight. “And I’m his only real friend in Ponyville. He was hoping you’d eventually tell him how you feel.”
“AHRG! Why is everypony talking about feelings,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in frustration. “Isn’t the fact that I’m with him proof enough that I care about him!?”
“No, Rainbow, it isn’t,” said Twilight. “Ponies like to hear that their special somepony say they care for them deeply. Simply going out on dates isn’t enough.”
“But…but…it’s not cool,” said Rainbow Dash.
“Would you knock it off with that cool stuff,” exclaimed Twilight. “Cool people fall in love too you know! And guess what!? They also admit their love for somepony! Some would even say love is the coolest thing in the world!”
“Wow, Twi, I’ve never seen you get so intense,” said a shocked Rainbow Dash.
“I’m just so sick of you never seeming to learn,” said Twilight. “You’re a good friend, and I love you like the rest of our friends. But it’s so frustrating when you seem to keep going back on reset on what you think isn’t cool! Remember how you used to think books weren’t cool?”
“Yeah,” said Rainbow Dash.
“And then you found some books you enjoyed,” pointed out Twilight.
“You got a point there,” said Rainbow Dash.
“And now you’ve found a pony you enjoy,” said Twilight. “And you’re just letting him slip away. Do you really want that?”
“No…I don’t,” said Rainbow Dash with a somber look. “Bookworm has been the second best thing to happen to me, next to meeting you guys. I don’t even think joining the Wonderbolts would top meeting him.”
“Of course it wouldn’t,” said Twilight. “Because fame and glory are things that can easily fade away. But love, real love, can stay with you forever. But you still have to put effort into it.”
“You’re right, Twi. I’ve been such an idiot,” said Rainbow Dash.
“I’m not going to disagree with you on that, Dash,” said Twilight with a smile. “Now go get him.”
“Do you think he’ll take me back,” asked a skeptical Rainbow Dash.
“Rainbow, he wrote an entire book for you,” said Twilight. “In fact, did you even read the dedication?”
“There’s a dedication,” said a confused Rainbow Dash.
Twilight showed Rainbow Dash her copy of Bookworm’s new novel. And there was indeed a dedication:
Dedicated to Rainbow Dash, future Wonderbolt, and the greatest filly I’ve ever met.
“GAH! I’ve been so bucking stupid,” shouted Rainbow Dash.
“So stop sulking and get to Manehattan,” exclaimed Twilight. “Get the train station as fast as you can.”
“Forget that stupid train,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “A future Wonderbolt doesn’t need some stupid train!”
Rainbow Dash bolted out of the library in a flash, causing books and papers to fly all over the place. Rainbow Dash was going faster than she’d ever gone before. Nothing was going to stop her from seeing Bookworm again. Without even realizing it, Rainbow Dash actually caused a Sonic Rainboom to emerge. She had never caused a Sonic Rainboom to flash out while flying horizontally, and had no idea what this might do to things in its path.
“Oh crap,” she yelled.