Growing up Dash felt as though she never had the same dreams as other fillies. They dreamed of marrying princes or working boring, normal, ordinary jobs like baking or gardening or teaching.
Hobbies, in her opinion.
It was odd how in a world of so many unique ponies many of their life goals… weren’t.
Dash, however, knew she was born to stand out. Racing was her passion, her dream, it was what she was born to do and she excelled at it. She flew higher and farther and faster than anypony in Equestria. She was a racer, a showpony, a filly determined to get wherever she wanted to go at the speed of light, determined to fly alongside the best flyers in all of Equestria. And that lifelong dream of hers, to join the wonderbolts? She had made it a reality.
Then came the day she learned: when one dream is fulfilled another dream can be realized. And that new dream? It was definitely there, just waiting to be fulfilled.
On that day she realized how she wanted to spend the rest of her life with somepony by her side. Somepony who was fast, and brave, and as determined as she was. Somepony she could trust to fly by her side, always. Somepony who could embrace her competitive spirit. Together they would push themselves to the limits and beyond them, they would explore every possibility.
She wanted a pony who would love and adore her, somepony she could love and adore in return. That somepony just so happened to be Soarin, a fellow wonderbolt. A teammate.
True to her nature she went after what she wanted. And she would give everything to get it.
Well, as it turned out, she didn't have to give everything, just her heart. And, in return, he gave her his.
Now, she wasn't a sentimental or a mushy mare by any means, but man, she loved that stallion. Before they’d even shared their first kiss she knew she was going to spend the rest of her life with this amazing pony. She had been right.
It wasn't long before he’d stood bashfully before her with his heart on his sleeve and a ring in his hoof. It was with loving words and a tender smile that he had asked for her hoof in marriage. Of course, she said yes. Soarin was an amazing stallion and there was no way in Equestria she was letting him slip through her wings. According to him, the feeling was mutual.
That had brought them to today, their wedding day. The happiest and most terrifying day of her life.
“Dash?”
She could only recall one other day that had her feeling like this and that was the day of her first performance with the wonderbolts. It was thrilling, anticipation filling every bone, and hair, and feather within her, anticipation of the start, the first wingbeat and every beat, turn, and rush that would follow. Yet, she was terrified all the same. She was shaky and queasy and wanted nothing more than it to just start, and end, and be over with. It was either that or for her to go hide away in some abandoned corner and let that cacophony of emotions consume her. It was one of those feelings that mixed in an interesting sort of way, but couldn’t quite be described all the same.
Today, it seemed worse. And it terrified her.
“Dash,”
The pegasus mare blinked, shaking out of her trance, her deep thoughts releasing hold of her attention. She hadn’t even realized she’d been lost in thought. It was something that just, sort of, happened. She’d zoned out completely, eyes unfocused yet staring deeply into her own reflection.
“Dash, are you alright?”
Rainbow Dash glanced up to the side where her best and lifelong friend, Fluttershy, stood. The mare’s rosy pink mane had been done up in an elegant braid bun, a flowing pink Gracian style dress draped over her petite figure. At the shoulders, two golden medallions pinned up the delicate fabric, an emblem of a butterfly flying over a cloud engraved into those golden circles. Her perfectly kind teal eyes, which held a hint of concern, were accented with just the lightest touch of makeup.
“Yah, yah,” she smiled gently, “I guess I just… got lost in thought, y’know,”
Fluttershy nodded gently in understanding, “Thinking about today,”
“Yah, and everything that got us here,”
Dash, despite her deep piercing nervousness, couldn't help but smile at her dear friend's own grin, which filled the room with light and could clear any clouds in an instant. That smile helped settle her nerves just a little and for a moment.
“Exciting isnt it?” Fluttershy mused at Rainbow’s side as she, Dash's chosen matron of honour, made a few last minute adjustments to the bride’s appearance.
Meanwhile, the cyan Pegasus’s gaze returned to the mirror she sat in front of in order to truly take in her reflection. The first thing she saw were her own bright raspberry eyes staring back at her, accentuated by the littlest bit of mascara and eyeshadow she had allowed Rarity to put on her face. Other than that her face was left one hundred percent natural, her soft blue coat shining beautifully in the light. Her gaze then lifted to her usually wild rainbow mane. The bangs had been combed softly to the side and the rest tamed and up into a simplistic bun, held in place by a ring of golden leaves. A ring of laurels.
Then there was the simple white dress she wore flowing perfectly from her shoulders down to her hooves and accented by golden pins and belts and a set of thin plate armour which had been draped over her wings.
A Gracian warrior. That’s what she felt like. Unstoppable, brave, and, admitebly, gorgeous. Rarity had captured the vision perfectly, and every one of Dash’s bridesmaids had been dressed to match. Each looked like a Gracian beauty in their own right.
Though Dash felt like a warrior of ancient mythology, she knew the mare beside her was a goddess, one that radiated comfort and strength, who would watch over her and make certain the day was absolutely perfect: such was the duty of the matron of honour.
“You look absolutely stunning miss Dash,” Fluttershy smiled proudly at the sight of her friend dressed and ready to walk the aisle, “I wouldn’t be surprised if that groom of yours fainted at the sight of you,”
The rainbow mare quirked a brow, a sly grin gracing her features, “Oh, like yours nearly did?”
Fluttershy couldn’t help but giggle at the mare’s remark, even more so when Rainbow’s laughter joined her own.
“I’m surprised you noticed that,”
“Of course, every pony did,” Rainbow Dash chortled merrily, “You’d think for an immortal being of chaos he’d be less prone to fainting spells!”
The two were taken in another round of full bellied laughter at the memory of Fluttershy’s own wedding day. The laughter slowly faded leaving big smiles behind. A happy sort of silence settled on the room as they both gazed into the mirror again. Rainbow Dash, however, felt that feeling creeping up on her. It was that extreme sort of nervoucitement that threatened to take hold of her and never let go. Her smile faded, her eyes fell to her hooves and her form drooped.
“How are you feeling?” Fluttershy asked, placing gentle hooves on her friend’s shoulders, noticing her unease.
Dash paused. Hesitated, and ultimately found the words to answer truthfully.
“I don’t know,”
“Rainbow-”
“How did you do it Fluttershy?” her eyes remained downcast.
“What?” The buttercream mare was taken back by the question, more surprised than anything.
“How did you do,” her hooves gestured in clumsy frustration to the white gown she was wearing, “this, all of this. How did you do it? I mean, when we were little fillies you were so... timid, and quiet, and, and... scared of your own shadow for Celestia’s sake!” She stopped. Took a breath and calmed herself, “For as long as I’ve known you, that’s how it’s been... Meanwhile, I thought I was so brave. I thought I could do everything without an ounce of fear. But, right now, I’m terrified. So how? How did you, of all ponies, do it?”
Fluttershy paused a moment allowing her eyes to meet her own in the reflection, deeply considering the question. Then slowly, subtly, she shrugged her shoulders.
“I think- deep down, I just knew it was right. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified for once. Putting on my dress that day and walking down the aisle was one of the most frightening things I’ve ever done. But, seeing Discord up there, with that goofy smile of his and those adoring eyes, filled me with such confidence. I felt I could do anything knowing he’d forever be by my side. I knew in those moments that, come what may, we’d make it through. That we are better together than we ever were apart, and knowing that made every, terrifying, moment so absolutely worth it,”
Rainbow Dash’s eyes remained downcast her hooves fidgeting with uncertainty, “And what about me, Flutters? I just... I don’t know if I can do this,"
The buttercream pegasus moved to kneel in front of her childhood friend, eyes focused and sure of what she was about to say, it was a look that commanded attention from the cyan mare, one ponies didn't see often from Fluttershy, “You may never know that you can, but today isn’t always about knowing for certain. Today is about love and trust,
"I will tell you what I do know, Rainbow, I know you, and I know you adore Soarin. You wouldn’t have said yes to him otherwise. As strong as you are, the two of you are undoubtedly stronger together. I know you trust him, because you are two members of the same team with an unbreakable bond. That’s what matters.”
“But, what if-”
“No ‘what if’s’.” Fluttershy sternly interrupted, determined to reach her friend, “do you love this stallion, your fiance, the one you intend to spend the rest of your life with. Do you honestly and sincerely love him?”
“Of course I do!” She sat taller gaze snapping up to meet the mare’s teal blue eyes; she felt almost appalled that Fluttershy would even consider suggesting otherwise, “He means the world to me.”
“Then why risk losing him out of fear?”
Fluttershy’s words cut through the air and reached their target. For a moment the room was deftly still and silent as those last words sunk in. And then, she continued, her tone once again gentle, her eyes soft and comforting.
“Dash, I’ve never seen you happier than when you are with him. I can promise you life won’t be without doubts, and struggles, and hardships, but, you can, and will, navigate those together, because you are meant for eachother.” A beat, “So... what are you waiting for?”
“… Nothing.” It had begun hesitantly yet ended with confidence. It was a wonder how soothing Fluttershy could be, even Rainbow Dash, a high strung, hot headed mare, found herself calmed by the gentle mare’s voice and touched by her words. She knew Fluttershy was right, she always was. This moment, this decision would change her life forever. But it was bound to happen one day or another. Today, her life would be changed for the better. Things would be changed for good. This was meant to be. This was right.
“Go get him tiger,” Fluttershy winked, “and know that Soarin and I will be right there for you, no matter what,”
Rainbow nodded gently as her eyes began to fill with tears that threatened to spill over. Sweet Celestia, she was never good with emotions, but she smiled anyways as she scrubbed the tears from her eyes with her hooves, careful enough not to smear the mascara.
For a moment all she could offer was a grateful, watery-eyed smile, one that was returned with another assuring smile from Fluttershy. After that she was overcome with that gratitude and before she knew it, she’d slipped from her seat kneeling on the floor besides Fluttershy, hooves enveloping the sweet mare in a warm, grateful hug. It was an outpour of understanding, relief, joy, and peace. A dozen emotions meshed together powerfully in that moment of connection.
“Thank you, Fluttershy, I really needed that,” she whispered, voice thick with the emotions that threatened to overpower her.
They hadn’t even made it to the ceremony and she, tough as nails Rainbow Dash, was about to start crying.
“Always.”