I'll be the first not to just post 'feels'.

Very well done. Though I feel like such deep thought is a bit out of character for Rainbow, this is easily a real problem that ANY pony could have. And with the voice you gave her, somehow I feel like she was telling me a story personally. Even moreso than if she said 'you' directly.

Bravo. Very, very well done.

>>18673521867352 Thank you most sincerely! Don't mind the feels guy, he's my prereader.

The fact that "deep thought" is considered OOC for Rainbow Dash is quite frankly depressing. In my opinion, she is the most underdeveloped character in the show. She was pretty well-rounded season 1 but season 2 kept things pretty one-dimensional for her. If it were not for the lack of good development, she would totally be best pony.

This is an attempt to rectify that. Thanks for your thoughts.

Happy Holidays!

>>18673671867367

I'm not saying 'deep' thought is. I'm saying VERY, VERY deep thought like this is. I'm not saying she can't think a lot, but to delve into levels of thought that I'd only expect a philosopher to? That's...a bit extreme.

I do agree that she needs more development, and that she isn't so 2 dimensional. But keep in mind she does have limits to her...

>>18673771867377 Yeah, maybe the end is a bit much. But I wanted to go out with a bang, y'know? I'll keep that in mind for the future.

Lol 69 views.

>>18677601867760 I got the notification. AT LAST!! REGIDAR HAS COMMENTED ON MY STORY!!

And then this. Am I surprised? No...I suppose not. But still, the little flutter of hope in my heart was ruthlessly crushed.

Still, 69 views. Likeabauss I suppose. Have a good day, sir.

HNNNNNGGGG THE FEELS

I have just realised something

Season 3 is the last ever season of MLP: FIM think about it

Rainbow Dash getting into the Wonderbolts?

Scoots becoming RD little sis?

Hasbro trying to have it go out with a Bang for the fans

>>18679821867982 Is it really the last season? I thought I heard rumors about a season 4.

Most saddening. Here's hoping season 3 ends favorably then.

Season Three, I find your lack of faith in the letters to Celestia disturbing. Here, I'll go ahead and fix that for you.

Just a little addendum I wanted to tack on to the story. I'm marking it as 'complete' now. Thanks a bunch to everyone who read, favorited, and dropped a comment and/or thumb. It's pretty cool to see nothing but upvotes up there.

Happy Holidays!

Ha that's what I've noticed wrong with season 3

There's barely any letters to Celestia and that makes the episodes seem hollow

>>18725331872533 Come on, Hasbro. It ain't hard. Ten less seconds of ads won't kill you.

They think with their pockets (wallets?) not with their minds

>>18725521872552 Truly. We need a team of talented brony animators, stat! I'd give them all the moneyz.

The Double Rainboom project??

Ever heard of it

>>18725641872564 Can't say that I have. Google, I require your services!!

It's a large group of Brony animaters that are getting together to create a fan made episode that has the same standards as the show. which is actually coming along nicely

It's gonna be posted in six parts on HERE

This should explain things

Info blah blah blah

Y'know I havnt watched ep 8 yet But I'm not gonna watch it

>>18726141872614 I didn't like it. This Double Rainboom project looks awesome though, definitely keeping an eye on that.

I love Manowar

How is this story not getting showered in love? It's brilliant, well written, and very in character for the show.

5/5 happy ponies

>>18738301873830 If I knew the answer to that, I'd be a much happier brony. Oh well, maybe I'll hit the featured box someday...

And that's why it's more than just a cartoon.

>>18772981877298 Most certainly.

Hmmmm awesomeness incarnate. I predict here and now that it will be on Equestria Daily.1/5/2013

Aaaaand... >>19105761910576 called it. Congrats on the EqD feature!

I liked the story - and the lesson Rainbow learned - a lot.

Dang, there's a load of powerful emotions in this fic and they are all portrayed perfectly. Everypony was in character, the plot was realistic and relatable and you really captured Rainbow Dash. Bonus points for the Rainbow/Pinkie friendshipping. Thumbed, faved and headcanoned. Bravo,

This is deli- er... I mean, beautiful.

Beautiful story. Great way to express the emotions inside Rainbow Dash and her friends. Characterization was excellent.

One can feel every single thing.

Awesome work you have done. Congratulations and thank you for such a great story.

Darth Cygnus

>>18679821867982 "In total, 60 episodes have been produced and broadcast. The third season, consisting of 13 confirmed episodes, aired in North America on November 10, 2012. Investment documents for DHX Media's 2012 financial year indicate that they have also been paid to produce a fourth season." According to Wikipedia.

Cool story, bro. I really liked it.

>>18772981877298 Woah woah WOAH! Don't go crazy, this is just a piece of fanfiction!

Why am I so good at visualising?

>>19209701920970 yeah it was a great story wasn't it

>>19105761910576 Psychic being! Keep your powers away, foul spawn!!

>>19204561920456 Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

>>19205841920584 Yeah, I cried when I wrote this. Friendshipping is best shipping. And the fact that I made you headcanon is a huge victory for me, I was trying to patch up the holes in that episode. Thanks so much for your thoughts!

>>19207391920739 Thank you!! Have a cupcake!

>>19209051920905 Thank you for your kind words sir, and you are very welcome!

>>19209701920970 Sweet! Fourth season is best season! Thank you for your thoughts!

>>19211451921145 But it IS more than a cartoon. IT IS LIFE!!

Fool. Once you go crazy, there's no going back.

That soothed my own soul too in the end x3

>>19211451921145

Yes it is.

What I mean is that it fits. This fan fic doesn't feel out of place. Like some random story with ponies with it but something that is a product of how characters are presented. They're simply good enough to handle this sort of heavy stories and the fact that we care about them it makes for good final efect

And double points for the story for the fact that I expect Rainbow having some sort of PTSD saving her friends from so many close calls.

that... Was... Just.... D'awwwwww!

The way Rainbow Dashie was ..... Awwwwwe

My heart is now OVERSIZED!

I now need an operation to take away all the LOVE...

I shouldn't bother because.. I'll probably re read it and it'll happen again!

I think it's my second FAVE FIM Fiction!

My Little Dashie is my FAVE!

>>19211691921169 I hope that means I successfully provided something to visualize!

>>19212801921280 Happy endings are best endings. Don't get me wrong, I love good conflict, drama, darkness, and overwhelming odds as much as the next guy but sad endings are downers, ya know? Thanks for your thoughts!

>>19214751921475 My Little Dashie was great. Sure, it could've been better written as many claim but I'm a sucker for a good feels fic like that. I'm honored that you think this is even slightly comparable! Thank you!

>>Shanenator  no prob and I LOVE this SO much!

Congratulations on getting featuerd on EqD, now there's some attention ^^

Nah, but really, this fic deserved it. It tackled an issue that I at least haven't found in many other fics, just that made it original.

Then, the fact that everything was wellwritten, in character, and detailed, didn't really lower the opinion.

I've said it once, and here it is again: Great fic

M

>>19216111921611 Thank you so much! I wasn't sure what EQD was going to say about this, but apparently it's not that bad. Thanks for your thoughts!

A wise man once told me:

"Tears are good. They are like puking for the soul."

Would Rainbow Dash really use the word "Imperiled"? I guess she may have picked it up from Daring Do, but would the author of Daring Do really use the word "Imperiled"? That unnamed author would be likely to use "peril", but "imperiled" would be more likely uttered by an egghead or a villian than the hero of the tale in those books...

Sorry. Great story all around. If I am hung up on a single instance of diction, ya done good.

>>19216651921665 I like that quote...

>>19216771921677 Yeah, I know. I tossed it around. Personally, I decided to go with it just because I really like the idea of Rainbow Dash being a rather intellectual individual. Is it OOC? Maybe a teensy bit. But whatever, it's the direction I personally would really like to see RD move in.

Thanks so much for your thoughts!

Wow. This is gorgeous.

>>19217581921758 Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

i usually hate sad stories, but this one looks interesting, i'll give it a go

>>19220971922097 I'm very happy you're willing to do so! It's not too sad, it has a happy ending.

I for one love sad stories, but tragedy is the one tag I always stay away from.

aw man...dem feels. manly tears have been shed.

my hat to you, fine sir

I... tears. Thank you.

truly a wonderful story, great work. on the topic of the missing letters to the princess, i believe that with her success in the test in the opener, she was sent to her next level of studies, one that no longer required constant messages to the princess. i still wish they had them, but thats my story and im sticking to it

>>19224871922487 *Takes hat and noms happily* Thank you so much!

>>19225291922529 So did I, sir. So did I. You're very welcome!

>>19225541922554 Actually that's not a bad argument. This one requires some synthesis. Regardless, does the same hold true for her friends? And even if it doesn't, I think we can all agree that the situation was rather...extraneous. Thank you for your thoughts!

Oh jeez. The feels...the feels are everywhere! Stop them!

But, seriously, that was an incredible read. It was so deep and so thought-provoking, and just so awesome. I really, really love it.

Great job!

>>19229511922951 Thank you so much! I'm a sucker for feels myself. Glad you liked it.

this is the best story so far that i have read! it almost made me cry

>>19229731922973 This?? The best story?? Unacceptable. March yourself over to my page and look at the box that says "Read these or you are a disgrace to bronies everywhere." There you will find stories more worthy of that title.

I kid, I kid. I am most honored that you think so highly of my story, however. Thank you!

That was so beautifully written. I like to think that Dash is a lot deeper than she lets on and this story demonstrated it perfectly. I absolutely loved it!       

THIS IS SADER THEM MY LITTEL DASHIE!!!!!

>>19231031923103 I have to agree. It is a victory for my writing that you think that. Thank you for your thoughts!

>>19232101923210 I am honored that you think so. I do like them feels. Thank you for your thoughts!

This isn't friendship. It's love They are no longer friends, they are family, (Oh Celestia my own comment is making me tear up irl [dammit heart!!!]) It' s truly a beautiful thing, this story. If only everybody had such amazing friends

To anypony who needed a good cry, got close by the end, but didn't' t quite make it, this should put you over the edge [not necessarily from sadness] If you don't wanna cry, don' t click da pic.)

Image: http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/190/f/d/never_stop_smiling_by_sharktino-d56npyn.png

This is my favorite mlp picture, even though it always makes me cry a bit

P.S. Even though I don't own the image, I would appreciate it if the author made a sad fic based on it. This story am the best soul-healing cry story I've read since My Little Dashie, and I need more from this guy

>>19237481923748 This is the mane reason (dammit brain the other main!) why I will never accept intra-mane six shipping as "canon." Their relationships with each other are all so powerful that they are more of a family, and I feel that none of them could love any of the others any more than the rest of the group. Sure it's cute and sappy and nice, but not entirely real to me. They're just really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really good friends.

And oh god...that picture...you made me cry son. That is beautiful. As for the story about the picture, I'm afraid I'm not your guy. I am open to lots of ideas for stories in this fandom (including cloppy ones) but I stay away from the 'tragedy' tag. Yes, the mane six will eventually die. Yes, I have read stories where that happens and I can accept that (The Keepers of Discord comes to mind). But I don't read stories where one of the mane six dies before her time in some sort of accident or whatnot. I can't handle the emotion. Nor would I be able to write said story (I would never finish lol). So sorry, but I only deal in happy endings, and death doesn't get along with those without being unrealistic.

I'm glad you enjoyed the story so much, thank you for your thoughts!

This is one of those fics that make me wish for something between Thumbs up or down.

I can't say I disliked the story. The theme is great, it is written very well, and your characterizations are good, you really get Rainbow Dash as a multifaceted character. I specially like the letter to Celestia at the end, it was a great way to wrap the story up.

Still, you packed more angst here than you could find in a Simple Plan concert. I get it that Dash is sad and worried about the whole affair, that but it feels like the fic is beating me over the head until I feel sad, when the whole point was driven home a lot earlier. I guess I'd rather have a little more subtlety than what I got here.

>>19238861923886

But...B-B-But I needs it!!! You're making me cry the BAD sad tears naow

>>19214751921475

From the looks of things, you're getting the d' awwwww feels confused for the soul- healing weeping feels. Soz if I simply misread comment.

>>19239311923931 What's between an upvote and a downvote, you ask? A comment, my good sir/madam.

Oh yes this fic is angsty. I confess that's one of the driving points of the fic. When I write, what is my goal? It is to be remembered. To create a lasting impression. I will admit, nothing really happens in this fic. Sure, it (in my opinion) fixes a few of the plotholes in the episode, which is something I'm always eager to do. It gives Rainbow Dash some much-needed character development. But that's not much of a story, is it?

No, this needed something more. And I also confess that I'm a sucker for fics that tug on the heartstrings, and for me the only way to draw tears is to pull multiple times. I love crying after a good read. I loved My Little Dashie. I loved Past Sins. I loved Xenophilia. Perhaps it was just a bit of selfishness from me then, that made this so sad. Because I will say: this was very, very satisfying to write. Want a story catered to your needs? Write it yourself.

I thank you most sincerely for your thoughtful comment. Although it may not look it, I am not an experienced writer. I just know the rules and technicalities, and being an engineer it is child's play for me to apply them. It is the deeper things, the underlying subtleties that make stories truly great, that yet elude my complete understanding. I will take your comments to heart, and attempt to use them in the future to improve my work. But yeah, I made it angsty on purpose hehe. Apologies if that isn't quite your cup of tea.

>>19239741923974 ...You know what? I will consider your request. I will not lie: that picture is powerful and moved me to tears. I just got a spark of an idea that would allow me to use it in a satisfactory manner. At least, one that is satisfactory to me. However, brainstorming is the hardest part of writing for me and I do not have a fully-formed idea yet. I will meditate on this picture and see what comes to mind.

>>19241261924126

... (Please don't take this the wrong way)

Image: http://iambrony.jsmart.web.id/mlp/gif/laughing.gif?1318143902

Oh, sweet, SWEET irony!!! Brainstorming is dash easy part for me, but getting the ideas on paper in the way I feel they should be expressed is a bitch I have several ideas for the pic, if you''re interested (Yes, sadly there' s some tragic [I hate tragic...], but if it works right, it'll make lots o feels (How do I know this, you ask? The storyline I have in mind ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME, and I couldn't stop smiling from the feels for a week )

>>19242071924207 If you have some ideas, then sure I'll hear them. Feel free to send a PM. However, there is one idea that I will be implementing, and I'll let you know what that is.

And don't worry, I never take things the wrong way.

Cheers!

>>19242441924244

Just read your likes / dislikes... Are you sure you aren't ME from either the future or a parallel universe? We share too many likes and dislikes for it to be a coincidence... But there are a few things we do disagree on ex. NYX AM BEST CMC

>>19242631924263 Hahaha I'm glad you enjoy life as I do. And yes, Nyx is a great CMC but I felt I had to make a canon choice.

>>19242951924295

Google her sometime, and click on images. With how popular she' s become, I' m surprised that they haven't added her to the official show!

Image: http://ompldr.org/vYWtvZQ/nyx_disguise_by_bronyboy-d48gkxu.png

Nyx am best cuteness pony

>>18679821867982 It's not the last season, why does everyone keep saying it is. They have not stated whether it is or not, and the only reason it is being spread that it is the last season is due to two things. First Parasprites, and second most cartoons stop at 65 episodes, and once Hasbro hits that 65 episode mark they can start broadcasting the show on other networks, like Cartoon network, Nickelodeon, and others. Also they had to shorten the season due to other shows needing time in the spotlight, if they didn't shorten this season then other shows like The Littlest pet shop wouldn't have time to get recognition. So please stop saying this is the last season, because they have not said and it would be a very poor business decision on Hasbro's part to drop a show that brings in so much money for them.

>>18684021868402 Trust me it's not the last season, season 4 has already been paid for and if you need other reasons then check out my Reply to the one that said it was the last season.

>>19245241924524>>19245311924531 Sweet. That fear is laid to rest, then.

>>19245241924524 it says on Wikipedia that they're getting paid to make season 4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_My_Little_Pony:_Friendship_Is_Magic_episodes#Season_4

>>19245241924524 whatever

actually chapter two made me more sad than chapter one.... 'cos i realized that i don't have that kind of friends....

Anyways, great story And good feels!

Image: http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m85wosGYyF1romofeo1_400.gif

>>19265631926563 Aaaah, there's the feels gif I've been waiting for! Thank you so much, glad you liked it!

That was fantastically well written.

>>19273761927376 Thank you so much!

I usually stay away from sad fics because they cast the characters in a light that's not easy to take. When you see characters you care about going through pain and loss, it weighs you down. My Little Dashie was like that, leaving my heart feeling incredibly heavy for the better part of a day. I don't regret reading it, but it's not something that I'll look for in fics that often.

This, however, was different. The author puts us inside the mind of Rainbow Dash, casting her earlier brush with death in a vivid, tangible light. Were I in RD's horseshoes, I'd probably be feeling a lot of what she wrestled through in this story. Her internal dialogue adds a lot of depth to how I normally see her. That isn't all that makes this story good, though. It's how the artist brings about the all-important denoumount.

When Dash is finally confronted by her friends, you get to see how they approach this conflict as her friends. They don't want to see her suffer any more, so they stand with her as she faces her own worst fears. And therein, o reader, lies one of my favorite parts of a story like this: the catharsis. With each falling tear comes healing, with each gut-wrenching sob comes a peace that is felt by more than just the characters in the story. You reach the end of the story and breath a sigh, reflecting over what you've experienced.

Granted, this isn't the first story to approach this kind of internal struggle, nor will it be the last. However, it most definitely is unique, and is one that I'll hopefully remember for a while. So with that, I give you a hearty Four Hooves Up, author. I think you've done a fine job, and I look forward to more of your stories in the future.

>>19294011929401 W-wow...

That was an amazing description of my work. I thank you most sincerely for that. I hold much the same opinion as you do, and that is why one of the two types of stories I never read are tragedies. Nor will I ever write a story with the 'tragedy' tag, it places my beloved characters in abhorrent situations. The other type is grimdarks. Seriously, fuck those things. And whoever is twisted enough to come up with something like Cupcakes...*shudders*

Aaaanywho. Thanks for your delightful thoughts, I really appreciate it! Friendshipping is best shipping.

Literally in tears

I'm sorry *sniff* I can't stop crying because this story is too beautiful

Why do Ponies make me feel emotions!

>>19308201930820 Because they're so human! And because true friendship is a beautiful thing. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

WOO SHANENATOR! EQD! YEAH BABY! WOOHOO!

I really liked this fic I think you did a wonderful job really thinking about how RD felt and how she would respond. I liked that you really put yourself in her place and thought about her thoughts. It was very in depth  - as it should be, since glazing over a topic like this would make the story less captivating, which you achieved beautifully! However, there is one thing that I would say bothered me, and that was that when Dash finally told everybody, they told her not to be so silly and she agreed, and it almost felt as if they all thought her feelings were unjustified and she was being foolish for having them. Her feelings were genuine and having them does not make her weak or foolish, it shows she cares. I am sure you tried to convey that but, I think a better reaction would have been to for them to stay on the topic of letting the past go, even if it was scary or painful. That would have drove the moral of the story (if there was such a thing, I don't know you're intentions as you wrote it) home. However, don't let me influence you're vision, it's your story! Anyways, that got long and I have a tendency to ramble I want to leave you with good things! That was really amazing and I really enjoyed reading it, it was very different than most fics I have read and the way you conveyed Dash was very in character and believable. I thought it was magnificent and was very in awe of how well it turned out

Personally, I headcanon that Twilight put her cloudwalking spell on them all before they left. After all, they were heading to a pegasus training ground.

>>19324411932441 WOOO! I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE IT WOOO! Thanks for the support! Now let's go smoke crack together.

>>19338531933853 They didn't tell her that she was being silly (well maybe Pinkie did but she always says 'silly filly' ), they told her that she need not be bogged down by the past. I think almost everyone sees some truth in the statement "don't live in the past." Yes, it should be remembered, but no, it should not be wallowed in (I guess I found what ponies wallow in). Rainbow let her fears and worries consume her, when she should've simply left the past alone and moved on with life. It took her friends and a good cry to see that.

Or at least, that's what I HOPE I conveyed. I read what you have said and I think to myself, 'isn't that...what I said?' If there was some err on my part I wouldn't be particularly surprised hehe. Thank you so much for your thoughts, thinking critically about my own work is how I improve. And don't mind the rambling, I'm prone to it as well. Glad you enjoyed it!

>>19351161935116 Or...maybe BOTH are true!!

Wonderful fic. It made me sad. But in the good way. You showed us through Rainbow on of the most important lesson of friendship. Thank You for this amazing work

>>19368281936828 You're most welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

It's funny... ordinarily, I'm not a fan of stories like this. They tend to get hyper-dramatic, I find the attempts at "feels" to be artificial, they just do nothing for me.

And yet this one... it works. It really does. You capture a great deal of emotion by keeping the story within Rainbow Dash's head, and examining her inner-most thoughts. I do still think it gets a bit over-dramatic at times, but it's never enough to ruin the story for me.

So overall, a very emotional story with a righteous, and sweet, ending. Good work!

>>19952661995266 Thank you so much! I'm glad I was able to strike a good balance. That's what always does me in. If it's not strong enough, I resist the urge to cry. Too strong, and I just shrug it off. But just right... Glad you enjoyed it!

>>19243491924349 this "Nyx" is fucking adorable. LOOT AT HER WITTLE EYES!

>>20162592016259

Not to mention her special talent is kicking evil flank (technically, it's protecting other ponies, but whatever)

>>20345312034531 sooooo.... she is the closest thing to a cop/bodyguard in Equestria?

Great story! Very emotional and convincing!