Rainbow Dash finds herself caught in the center of a love rectangle that can only end well.
Seven years after the death of the love of her life, the bottled up emotions come back to haunt Rainbow Dash; causing her to lash out and potentially do something socially unacceptable. Where will this love rectangle between a colourful weather pony, her colt-friend, her secret lover and her secret crush eventually lead? --- Contains adult themes and sexual references. --- Cover art by Featherbolt on devientArt
<b>Author’s Note:</b> The events of this story are based before the events of the “Friendship is Magic” Show (About 1 year before). So there is no Twilight and Dash hasn’t become the spirit of Loyalty yet, among other things.
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Upon a cloud somewhere over the Whitetail Woods lay 2 young pegasi fillies. One was a cherry coloured pony with a yellow mane, while the other was blue with a brilliant mane of many colours. They watched the sun slowly dip down into the horizon, they did not speak; their company was enough. The yellow maned pony rolled over and hugged the rainbow coloured pony from behind. “Dash?” Rainbow Dash turned around to look the other pony in the eyes, “Yes Cherry Puff?” “Do you love me?” Rainbow Dash smiled and kissed Cherry, “Of course, more than anything else in the world. No matter what happens, I will always be there to protect you, I promise. Not even Celestia could tear us apart because I love you.” A tear ran down Cherry’s face and she embraced Dash. A crack of lighting and bang of thunder interrupted the intimate moment. Cherry whimpered in Dash’s arms. Dash caressed her hair and spoke softly, “It’s all right; I’m here, nothing can harm you.” Dash looked around and saw rogue clouds forming, as black as obsidian. “We’d better get out of here.” Dash kissed Cherry on the cheek and stood up. “Those clouds are between us and Cloudsdale, so we’re going to have to fly around.” Another crack of thunder and the timid Cherry squeaked, then looked to Dash and nodded, confident that nothing bad could happen while Dash was watching over her. They took flight, with Cherry flying close to Dash; first heading north to avoid the storm, then east towards Cloudsdale. However, Dash had miscalculated their trajectory and lead them strait into the storm. Vision was minimal, and the high winds where picking up stray branches from the forest below and flicking them around like an angered foal as well as making controlled flight very difficult. Dash looked around for Cherry; she was already 200 feet away, her wings were not strong enough to control her own flight. Just then a large tree trunk struck Cherry, knocking her out and entangling her body in its branches. “CHERRY!!!” Dash turned around and flew towards Cherry, but she was fighting against the wind and she wasn’t fast enough, even as she pelted her wings as fast as her body could handle. She watched helplessly as Cherry’s body fell. She hit the ground with a sickening thud, the tree-trunk on top of her. Dash’s heart sank. She flew down to the ground as fast as she could. She tore the trunk off Cherry’s lifeless body. She nudged her, “Cherry… Cherry, wake up... Cherry… <b>CHERRY!!!</b>” Cherry didn’t move. Dash just sat there, watching over Cherry’s body. She didn’t hear the cracks of thunder. She didn’t feel the icy rain. She was empty. She sat motionless for what seemed like an eternity. Even as the weather team arrived and dealt with the storm. One of the weather ponies landed next to Dash and checked Cherry’s pulse. After a long pause she put a comforting hoof on Dash’ shoulder. “I’m sorry… She’s gone.” Dash closed her eyes, a tear running down her face, “I failed.”
---------- 7 Years Later ----------
The rainbow coloured streak flew across the sky at high speed, passing through the clouds and forcing them to enter her slipstream. She then did an 180degree sharp turn, going strait through the clouds, spinning around at high speed, knocking shards of cloud in various directions as she headed strait for the ground. Moments before she hit the hard earth below she fully opened her wings, hitting the breaks and slowing down just enough to land on her feet. She then flitted her wings, dispersing the remaining cloud and revealing the rainbow pony striking one of her usual poses. The tan earth-pony stallion watching clapped his hooves together and walked up to Rainbow, “Well done, you’re getting better at that trick, you didn’t end up in the infirmary this time.” Caramel chuckled, and Dash playfully hit him in the arm.
---
Neither Dash nor Caramel could be bothered preparing food this time round, so they just ordered Ibexian. It wasn’t the healthiest food choice and was very greasy, but was tasty. Caramel put down his bowl of rice and deep-fried vegetables. Creeping behind the couch, making sure Dash didn’t see him. Sneaking up on her from behind, he wrapped his hooves around her and kissed her neck passionately. Dash giggled, placing her own bowl on the table then pulling Caramel over the back of the couch. They wrestled until Caramel lay on top of her, holding her down and kissing her. After about a minuet Caramel stopped and looked down at Dash, “is there something wrong my dear?” Dash gave him an inquisitive look, “Nothing’s wrong.” “You just seem a little less… Responsive.” Dash kissed Caramel, “There’s nothing wrong, Sugar.” Dash quickly rolled, ending up on top of Caramel, “Now… Where were we?”
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Dash began her journey home as Celestia began to raise the Moon. A yellow pegasus walked past, she recognised her as her friend since childhood, Fluttershy. Dash landed and called out. The yellow pegasus squeaked and looked at Dash. Almost immediately Dash felt warm, despite it being a cool night. “Hello Rainbow, how are you?” Dash walked up to Fluttershy, “You shouldn’t be walking around by yourself, it’s late.” Dash smiled warmly, “Do you want me to walk you home?” “Yes… I’d appreciate that… Thank you.” Fluttershy smiled and they began walking. They did not speak much, but it was not an awkward silence. They had a way of knowing how the other was feeling and responding at a non-verbal level, almost like a psychic connection. They reached Fluttershy’s house. When Fluttershy closed the door behind her, Dash leant on it, thinking for half a minuet before heading home. “Get a grip Rainbow, you have a coltfriend, so stop thinking about Fluttershy. She’s your best friend, and THAT’S IT!”
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Dash reached her cloud home. She had just finished building it a few months ago, so it was mostly empty save for the bare necessities. She went upstairs and lay on her bed, which was nothing more than a cloud that had been smoothed out to make it more comfortable. She reached over to the bed-stand, picking up a photo. The photo portrayed two young fillies, a light red pegasus, along with a blue pegasus with a mess of multicoloured hair. It had been taken just after Dash had won first place in the Windsoar Speed Competition, shown by the gold medal around Dash’s neck. The two pegasi were laughing about something, she’d forgotten about what. Next week would be the day the red pegasus was killed in a rogue storm. Dash looked out at the moon through an open arch in the wall. The Mare on the Moon was carved on its silver surface. Dash wished she could have a second chance, to be able to redo that day and not fail. Dash could have sworn she saw the image on the moon wink at her. She rubbed her eyes and looked again, but there was nothing different about the moon. Dash rolled over, “Don’t be stupid, Cherry is gone, dead, buried. Not even wishing to the stars can bring her back.” That knowledge brought tears to her eyes. She hugged the photo, she didn’t stop crying until exhaustion and sleep took hold of her.
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The dark blue stallion would not be called in to work for several hours, so for now he just took a stroll through Ponyville and was planning on eating out for breakfast. On his way he saw a blue pegasus with rainbow coloured hair. He smiled, making sure his feathers were strait before approaching the pony. “Why hello there.” Dash turned around to see a rather handsome pegasus. His wings were unfurled and she saw they were quite big. She had to keep check of her own to make sure they behaved. “Uhh… Hi there.” “My name is Tornado, would you be interested in accompanying me for breakfast?” Dash blushed, “Sure… Where do you want to eat? My names Rainbow Dash by the way.”
---
They’d eaten breakfast together, they talked, and then Dash found herself lying on a cloud with him. When it occurred to her where she was she blushed heavily. Tornado leant over and kissed her, Dash’s eyes widened and she pulled away. He just smiled softly, “Oh? What’s wrong?” Dash rolled over, “You’re hot but… I already have a coltfriend.” Tornado just chuckled, hugging her from behind and kissing her neck, “Who said he has to know?” Dash turned around, pushing Tornado off her, “I don’t believe this.” She said angrily, spreading her wings and taking flight. “See you later Dash!” When Dash was gone he smiled, “You’ll be back.”
After a long day of napping, Dash began to head home when she saw a familiar dark blue pegasus. “You again?” Tornado walked up to her with a charming smile, “Sorry, we seem to have gotten off on the wrong hoof yesterday.” Dash sighed, “It’s fine.” Dash couldn’t understand why, but something about his smile made it impossible for her to stay mad at him. Just then it began to rain. Tornado looked around and smiled, “Oh dear, we’d better find shelter.” “My cloud-home isn’t far from here.” With that they took flight.
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The cloudhouse was above standard raincloud level so it was dry inside and actually quite cozy. It wasn’t until they reached her home that Dash realized she didn’t have anything to feed her guest save a couple of frozen meals in the fridge. Tornado seemed fine with this however. After they ate, Dash led him to the upstairs area, which mostly served as her lounge room. She turned on the fireplace to dry off while Tornado had a look around at her various medals and posters. “I see you’re a fan of the Wonderbolts.” Tornado said, chuckling, “I’ve always been a Windsoar fan myself… Who’s this?” Dash turned around to see Tornado holding a photo, “Just a memory… An old friend who died in a freak storm.” “I’m sorry to hear that.” Tornado said, putting the photo down. Dash turned away and began to cry. Tornado smiled, walking up to her and hugging her. “Hey… I’m here for you.” Dash turned to him and cried on his shoulder, just letting her emotions go. She just needed someone to hold, someone to keep her warm. She let herself go with him. She let him lye her onto the bed, she let him kiss her, he let him touch her. It wasn’t until it was too late that her judgment took hold. She lay there, with his arms around her. she stared at the photo on her bedside-table. The face of the red pegasus was smiling, but her eyes were stained with disapproval. “What have I done?”
---
“Oi… Dash!” “Huh? Wuh?” “You haven’t touched your food, and it’s my shout remember.” Caramel looked at Dash concerned, “You seem a little out of it today.” “It’s nothing.” She said, taking a bite of her sandwich then looking back at Caramel. “I… Couldn’t sleep last night.” She watched Caramel carefully to make sure he wasn’t catching on. Caramel eyed her then returned to his own meal. “Maybe we should skip flying practice today, we don’t want you getting hurt again.” Dash signed in annoyance “This current repertoire of tricks is dangerous. I know I crashed the other day, but can you stop rubbing it in?!” Caramel looked at her, a little surprised at her sudden outburst. She sighed again, “I’m sorry.” Caramel smiled and put a hoof on her shoulder, “Don’t be. I can see the stress is getting to you. Listen… The competition is a month away, and you’ve already perfected most of the tricks you’re learning. Yes, this is a big one, but I know you can do it.” Dash smiled, “Yeah… The competition.”
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After eating breakfast they decided to goto the park. They lay at the edge of the lake, and listened to the flow of the water. Caramel wrapped his arms around Dash and licked her neck, only to be pushed away a little. Caramel gave a concerned look to Dash, “What’s wrong?” Dash looked pausing for several seconds, “It’s too public here.” “Well that doesn’t seem to be stopping anyone else.” Caramel said humorously. Dash looked around to see the lakeside seemed to be a popular make-out location for at least 3 other couples. She blushed heavily and Caramel stroked her cheek. He then looked at the fog-watch he’d brought with him. “Oh shoot, I’d better get to work. If I’m late Big Mac’ll kill me.” He kissed Dash on the cheek before running off. As Dash prepared to leave, herself, she heard a familiar voice, “Hello again Rainbow Dash!” Dash turned around to see Tornado with his usual smile. “What the hay are you doing here?” She asked quietly. “Aren’t you happy to see me?” He said as he nuzzled Dash’s neck. “No I’m not,” She said, pushing him away, “You’ve caused me enough trouble as it is.” Tornado chuckled, “You’re the one who’s been cheating, not me.” “Just leave me alone.” Dash glared at him then flared her wings and flew away.
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Dash sat on a high level cloud, somewhere in the mountains. “Rainbow? Rainbow!” A yellow pegasus flew up next to her. “Rainbow, are you ok?” Dash looked up at Fluttershy, “Yeah… Every-things… Fine.” Fluttershy gave her a knowing look, “You only ever come up here when something’s wrong.” “Fluttershy… There’s nothing wrong.” Her voice became a little impatient. Fluttershy nuzzled Dash, “It’s alright Rainbow, you can tell me.” “<b>I’M FINE!</b>” Dash pushed Fluttershy much harder than she intended. The timid pony squealed and was knocked over. Dash’s eyes widened and she helped her up, “Fluttershy!!! I… I…” “Its… Its fine.” Fluttershy said, slowly stepping away. Dash could see the fear in her eyes, “I… I… I can see you just want to be left alone.” Fluttershy reached the edge of the cloud and nearly lost her footing. Seeing there was nowhere to go, she took flight. As she left Dash could see the tears running down her face. Dash watched her friend fly away, “I’m so sorry.”
Rainbow knocked on the door of Caramel’s home. Caramel answered and as she entered she saw Fluttershy sitting on the couch, the concerned look on her face was shared by Caramel. Caramel asked Dash to sit down. “We need to talk.” Dash’s heart sank and she began to sweat. “Me and Fluttershy have been talking. We’re worried Dash. You’ve changed. You’re pushing us away.” Caramel put a comforting hoof on Dash’s shoulder, “Please. Tell us what’s going on.” Rainbow Dash closed her eyes. What was she supposed to say? That she was a disloyal dog? That her response to her relationship with Caramel falling apart was to make love to another colt? It was too late to make amends with Caramel, but the thought of what Fluttershy would think was too much for her. “I have to go.” Dash headed for the exit, but was blocked by Caramel leaning on the door. “I’m sorry to do this Dash. I’m not letting you out until you explain what’s going on.” Dash panicked, she looked around like a cornered animal, then spread her wings and smashed through a window. Caramel and Fluttershy exchanged looks then ran to the window. Unlike the shattered glass, the pieces began to fall into place in Caramel’s head.
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Dash flew back to her cloud home. It wasn’t until she landed and put weight on her front hoof that she noticed the shard of glass sticking into her. Sneering, she pulled it out with her teeth and threw it into the bin. Drops of blood fell from the wound, which were absorbed by the cloud floor, leaving a light pink stain. After bandaging herself up she went to the upper floor. “Hello Rainbow Dash.” Dash’s wings flared up in fright. She looked around to see Tornado and her wings lowered again, “What are you doing in my house?” “Sorry for startling you.” Tornado’s wings were spread out in an attractive and dominant display as he walked towards Dash. Dash looked away, she already knew what his intentions were, and she didn’t have the strength to fight against herself as well as him. He licked her neck. She didn’t stop him. It didn’t matter anymore. An image flashed through her mind. A face, a yellow pony with long pink hair that had a way of hiding her right eye when ever she turned away. It wasn’t much to go on, but it gave Dash purpose. It gave her something to live for. It gave her a reason not to... “What the hay am I doing?” Dash pushed a confused Tornado off her. “Hey, what’s going on?” “I have to go.” Dash said, getting off the bed. Tornado smiled, “But things are just getting steamy.” He got up, holding her and nuzzling her neck. Dash turned around, “I’m serious!!! … In fact, just get out of here, it’s over.” Tornado continued smiling, “Oh really,” His tail began to stroke Dash’s side. “Well I think your coltfriend would be interested in hearing about what’s been going on.” His tail tapped her flank. Dash stopped, she closed her eyes and sighed, “You’re right.” Tornado’s smile grew wider, “That’s a good girl.” “He does deserve to know.” “What?” Dash hopped to the side to get a clear shot then bucked Tornado in the groin. Tornado yelped and took a step back. He’d been standing too close to an open window and fell out. Dash ran to the edge and looked down, seeing Tornado flail his wings and hit the ground after a 4-story drop. A nearby pony, who saw the fall, ran over to the pegasus. When Dash had established that Tornado was ok she spread her wings and flew away.
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Dash flew back to Caramel’s house and opened the door. Caramel looked up from sweeping up the glass. They exchanged knowing looks. “We have to talk.” Dash told Caramel everything. When she was finished Caramel just sat there. Not speaking for several minuets. The silence was broken by a chuckle. Caramel began to laugh hysterically. Dash took a step back, frightened. Just as suddenly as he’d started, Caramel stopped laughing and gave Dash an angry look, “Get out.” After a pause, he picked up a plate and threw it at her, it would have hit if she didn’t duck and instead smashed against the door. <b>“GET OUT!!!”</b> He threw another plate. Dash turned tail and ran out the door, followed by a trail of tears and an assortment of dishes.
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Dash sat on a high level cloud somewhere in the mountains. She’d been crying for what seemed like an eternity and the cloud had already turned black and heavy from her tears. A yellow pegasus landed next to her, “Hey… Um… Are you ok Rainbow Dash?” Fluttershy nuzzled Dash, who didn’t say anything. She just looked down over the edge of the cloud and wondered how long it would take to hit the ground from this height. “Hey~!” Dash looked up at Fluttershy, “I heard about what happened, and thought… maybe… I could keep you company~?” Dash looked into Fluttershy’s eyes, “You don’t hate me? You don’t think I’m just a flank trotter?” “A… Um…” Fluttershy nuzzled Dash, “I don’t care what you are… You’re my best friend… And nothing can change that.” Dash’s eyes widened. The pieces all fell into place. Fluttershy had always been there for her. Fluttershy had never left her side no matter what happened. Fluttershy was the most beautiful pony in the world. Dash closed her eyes and kissed Fluttershy on the lips. Fluttershy’s eyes widened but she did not pull away. When Dash realized what she’d just done she slowly pulled away. After a long pause Fluttershy muttered, “… My first kiss?” For the first time ever, the silence between them was full of awkward tension. “I should… Um… Be going…” Fluttershy spread her wings and flew away, leaving Dash with her thoughts. “Smooth move Rainbow Dash.”
---
“Ay RD!!!” an orange pony in a large brim hat called up at the Dash who was sitting on a low level cloud in the town. Dash looked down to see one of her closest friends, “Hey Applejack, what’s up?” she hoped the earth-pony didn’t know about Tornado, she’d take it very seriously if she did, coming from a contemporary upbringing. “I saw Fluttershy fly off just before… She looked pretty upset.” “Oh…” Dash didn’t want to upset Fluttershy, she knew she came on a little hard but… “Where did she go?” Applejack paused for a second, “I think I saw her heading for Whitetail Woods.” <b>“WHITETAIL WOODS?!”</b> Panicked, Dash jumped down from the cloud and shook Applejack. “What the hay does she think she’s doing? There’s a high risk of Rogue Storms in that area today! I’ve got to find her.” With that Dash flew off at high speed.
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Fluttershy hadn’t been paying any attention to where she was going. Her mind was a mess and her emotions were out of control. She didn’t know what to think anymore. It wasn’t until half an hour ago that she realized Dash even felt that way about her and before that, Fluttershy had always seen Dash as her best friend. But if that’s what Dash wanted she was willing to give herself up for the pony she cared for more than anything in the world. A faint voice broke her train of thought. She turned to see Rainbow Dash calling out her name and beckoning her over. Fluttershy tried to comply but she suddenly felt herself being pulled back by a powerful force. She became scared. Her wings stopped working and she was actually going backwards. She screamed as she was suddenly pulled into a deadly vortex. Dash’s heart sank, without even thinking twice about it, she flew strait into the storm. Dodging loose branches, she looked around for Fluttershy, but the storm made it hard to see anything. Within a minuet she heard a high-pitched squeal and headed for the noise. She saw Fluttershy, unable to control her own flight pattern and getting knocked around by branches. Dash sped towards the pegasus and grabbed her, hugging her and protecting her from the debris. They continued to hurl uncontrollably through the storm until a particularly large branch knocked them apart, then an even larger tree trunk smashed into Fluttershy. <b>“FLUTTERSHY!!!”</b> Dash flew towards Fluttershy but she was fighting against the wind and she wasn’t fast enough, even as she pelted her wings as fast as her body could handle. She watched helplessly as Fluttershy’s body fell. Just then a spark ignited inside of her. She closed her eyes. She’d promised to protect Fluttershy no matter what happens. A part of her awakened, a part of her she didn’t even know existed until now. A part of her soul that gave her more strength than she’d ever thought possible. Her eyes opened with new fire, <b>“I’M NOT GOING TO LOSE YOU AGAIN!!!”</b> Dash’s speed doubled, then tripled. She flapped her wings so fast they began to ache but she ignored the pain. She broke free from the storm’s grip and sped towards her falling friend at a perfectly vertical angle. She grabbed Fluttershy then opened her wings fully, moments before she hit the ground. Together, they crashed into the fallen trunk. Bits of wood flew in all directions however the 2 pegasi remained relatively unharmed. When the smoke cleared and the adrenalin-rush subsided they both lay on the ground, drinking in the realisation of what just happened. “… You saved me.” Dash stroked Fluttershy’s mane and kissed her, “Of course, because I care about you more than anything else in the world… No matter what happens, I’ll always be there to protect you, I promise… Not even Celestia could tear us apart because I love you.”
