Soarin and the Mane 6 all walked together through the downtown area of Ponyville. It still buzzed with incessant chatter from the ponies.
"You girls are feeling okay, right?" Soarin asked.
"Of course," Twilight said. "We're completely fine."
Soarin was unconvinced. Twilight's tone didn't sound fine.
"You can tell me what happened," Soarin said. "I won't judge."
"It's nothing big, really," Rarity claimed.
Soarin then remembered what Rainbow Dash had said: And it got rid of Scootaloo and her two best friends. He knew that Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were the sisters of Rarity and Applejack back home. That means that was what was bothering them all. They had losses of their own.
"You girls lost your sisters," Soarin said.
Applejack looked at Soarin and reluctantly nodded. Rarity did the same.
"And the rest of you lost somepony as well," Soarin assumed.
"Well, I guess it didn't take you that long to figure that out," Twilight said.
"Are you comfortable with telling me?" he asked them.
"Well, I guess we have been needing somepony to confide in," Twilight admitted.
"We did not," Applejack snapped.
"Girls, no fighting, please," Soarin begged. "Differences shouldn't break apart a chance of being friends. It should strengthen it."
They all looked at each other.
"Who did you lose?" Soarin asked.
"I lost my sisters too," Pinkie Pie replied. "Maud and Marble Pie."
"Apple Bloom and Granny Smith," Applejack added.
"My parents," Fluttershy reluctantly chimed in.
"Sweetie Belle and my parents," Rarity said.
"Shining Armor and Princess Cadence," Twilight said. "Shining Armor is my brother and Cadence is his wife. They were lost in an attack which is pretty common nowadays."
"Girls," Soarin said. "I want to show you a place. A place to feel peace."
Soarin led them uptown. As soon as they entered, it was just as quiet as it always was.
The Mane 6 were astonished at how quiet it was. They never heard the peaceful silence before.
"This is so beautiful," Fluttershy said.
Applejack smiled at her. "I agree," she said.
They finally agreed on something.
They took a few moments to reflect on their feelings and then the Mane 6 began to talk to each other. Soarin realized he had done a lot more than try to make somepony fall in love with him. He had begun a friendship between 6 ponies that disliked each other.
The ponies stared in wonder as they walked by, giggling and chatting together. They weren't just discussing plans or exchanging goods. They were actually enjoying themselves, introducing themselves and getting to know the others.
As each of the Mane 6 went home, they exchanged apologies with one another and promised to become closer.
Twilight was the last one that was about to go.
"Soarin?" Twilight asked.
"Yes?"
"I just want to thank you for inspiring me to give friendship a chance. I never realized how fun friends could be."
Soarin smiled at Twilight. "Of course. Goodbye, Twilight."
Twilight went inside the Golden Oak library and Soarin entered Rainbow Dash's house.
He realized the house was quiet and Rainbow Dash was asleep. He went to the guest room and set his rose on the table.
It lost its fourth petal and Soarin sighed. Rainbow Dash still wasn't in love with him. He was running out of time.
Soarin woke to the sound of Rainbow Dash laughing in the living room along with another voice which he recognized as Pinkie Pie's. Rainbow Dash must have invited Pinkie Pie over to hang out. It was nice to hear them bonding.
Soarin rolled over to see the rose had lost another two petals while he was asleep last night. He got out of bed to count how many petals were left.
His heart sank. Five petals. That wasn't a lot.
He stuffed the rose in his saddlebags and rushed out of his room.
"Oh, hey Soarin!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "Good morning!"
"I'm really enjoying this friendship thing," Rainbow Dash said. "Do you want to talk with us?"
Soarin nodded and took a seat with them.
"So, you're from an alternate universe where you're the co-captain of the Wonderbolts," Rainbow Dash said.
"It's a very big duty, but I'm glad to follow my dreams," Soarin replied.
Soarin looked over at the clock.
"Listen," he said. "We've probably gotta get a move on."
"Why the rush?" Pinkie Pie asked.
Soarin looked at his saddlebag, sadly. "Nothing personal."
Soarin was talking with the Mane 6 who seemed a lot happier than they were.
"I want to show you some of the trophies I earned as a filly," Rainbow Dash said, eagerly. "I'll be right back."
She soared off towards her house to grab the trophies.
Soarin, without thinking, got out his rose to look at it.
Twilight gasped, recognizing what it meant.
"Oh!" Soarin exclaimed, realizing his mistake.
He tried to stuff it back in his saddlebag, but Twilight grabbed the rose with her horn.
It lost another petal and was down to four.
"Storm Whirl gives this curse out all the time," Twilight cried. "Who has to fall in love with you?"
The Mane 6 looked at him, worriedly.
"Rainbow Dash," Soarin said.
The Mane 6 gasped.
"Rainbow Dash, oh boy," Applejack said. "Good luck."
"She's terrified of having her heart broken," Twilight explained. "That's why she runs away from falling in love."
"But, for your sake, we'll get her to fall in love with you!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "Right, girls?"
The Mane 6 all put their hooves in.
"Thank you, girls," Soarin said.
"But, we've gotta hurry," Twilight said. "We're running out of time fast."