//------------------------------// // Rainbow Dash // Story: Welcome Home, Twilight Sparkle! // by Buckseed //------------------------------// “Thank you ever so much for the help, there’s just so much to do!” Rarity said to Spike, who had agreed to help her in her shop while Twilight dealt with the movers in their new home. “No problem Rarity, I’d do anything for a friend.” he replied, moving a box of gemstones to their appropriate area. “That’s a good policy to have, but I’d still like to show you some thanks.” the fashionista replied, putting a finger to her chin while contemplating how to thank the young man. “I’ve got it! How about I let you have an outfit for Pinkie Pies’ party today?” she asked, Spike took a second to think about it. He’s seen Raritys’ outfits and can’t deny they look amazing, but they aren’t really something he needs at the moment, he has plenty of clothes back home and he even picked out an outfit already. “Actually, I was...well I was sort of hoping you would…” “Go on Spike, what is it?” she asked, seeing he was having a bit of trouble forming his words. “I was wondering if we could maybe, if it’s alright with you that is, share a dance at the party?” he finally managed to say, a blush forming on his tanned cheeks. “Aww of course I’ll dance with you, my little Spikey Wikey!” Rarity said, a very slight blush adorning her cheeks as well. “Spikey Wikey?” Spike asked, questioning the new nickname. “It’s a nickname. Is it not in good taste?” she asked, not wanting to offend the boy by mistake. Spike gave a bit of a chuckle. “It’s fine if it’s just you calling me that. It’ll be your own personal name for me.” Rarity smiled. “Agreed.” she said with a slight nod. It was then that the door to the shop swung open and a purple haired girl walked in. “Rarity, can I talk to you about something?” Twilight asked, taking off her coat, before noticing spike was present. “Oh, uhh...can I speak to you in private?” The fashionista perked up a bit. Usually when someone talks to her in private, she can hear some juicy gossip. “Why of course Twilight! We can go upstairs to my living quarters. Spike, do you mind waiting down here for a bit? Or possibly begin organization of the basement?” she said, not waiting for a response as she began to make her way upstairs. “Uh, yea, sure.” he replied, a bit upset that his Rarity time was interrupted. “Sorry Spike.” Twilight whispered to him before following the other girl up the stairs. It was no secret that Rarity lived above her shop, but not many people knew what it was like up there. Twilight was one of those people obviously, given her situation. She was admittedly surprised when she did see it though. The building itself was three stories. The first floor was obviously the shop itself. The second floor consisted of two rooms, one of which was labeled as a guest room, as well as a bathroom and kitchen. Much like in her own home, the top floor consisted of a master bedroom and bathroom. All of these things looked, for lack of a better phrase, so Rarity. “Wow Rarity, this place looks amazing.” Twilight said, admiring the other girls room. “Why thank you Twilight!” Rarity replied “I’ve been trying to get Sweetie Belle to let me redesign her room, but she’s a stubborn one that girl.” “I’d love to to hear more about her, she was so young when I last saw her. Five years old I think.” Twilight said, remembering the small girl with the squeaky voice “I have something I desperately need to ask you.” The thought of gossip was now out of Raritys’ mind, her friend sounded like she was in need. “Why, whatever is wrong Twilight?” “I need you to tell me what is wrong with Applejack.” she began “I went to see her yesterday, as you already know, and I didn’t see the girl I grew up with.” Rarity let out a sigh. “Twilight, it really isn’t my place to tell you what someone else is going through.” “I know that,” Twilight said “but I’m not asking for you to gossip about her. I want to know what’s wrong with my friend. I want to know if there is anything I can do to help her.” the girl pleaded, feeling a slight pain in her chest just thinking about what could be bothering her friend so much. Rarity looked to the floor, a downcast expression on her face. “You were always the smartest of us.” she stated “You received that invitation to study at that prestigious Canterlot school. We were all so happy for you. You left, and we promised to write all the time. But, of course, real life caught up with us all and there seemed to be no time for anything at all.” “Rarity?” Twilight called the other girls name out, placing a hand on her shoulder. Rarity looked up at her, her eyes watering a bit. “It’s because of Rainbow Dash.” “Rainbow Dash?” Twilight asked “Who’s that?” “Right, you don’t know her. I suppose that would make sense. I’ll start from the beginning then.” Rarity said before taking a deep breath and sighing. “So much changed after you left, and again, I am sorry we couldn’t keep you updated.” “That’s fine Rarity, go on.” Twilight replied. “It was about half a year after you left, Twilight. The Apple Family took a trip to Cloudsdale, having apparently heard of some sort of sporting competition in which Applejack joined. I myself am not completely sure of the events that transpired during the competition, but upon her return, Applejack had many stories to tell about her new friend she met in Cloudsdale. The friend was apparently a girl named Rainbow Dash.” Twilight gave the girl a moment to breath and gather her thoughts. “What could this girl have possibly done to make Applejack act this way?” she asked. “She showed her love.” Rarity replied. “What? Love? You mean she and A.J were together?” Twilight asked, not against the idea of two women being together, but simply not expecting it from Applejack. “Yes. They were inseparable really. None of us actually got to meet her until about another six months after the competition. She was a wonderful girl, and an amazing friend, although she was a bit brash at times.” she said, reminiscing about her friend. “But what did she do? Did she dump her? Cheat on her?” Twilight asked, still legitimately confused about the situation. “Oh goodness no!” Rarity exclaimed. “I highly doubt the thought would ever cross her mind. If there was one thing I can say Rainbow Dash was, it would be loyal. She was loyal to Applejack until the very end.” Twilight felt a sudden weight on her heart. “What do you mean by until the end?” she asked, already having an idea. Rarity took another deep breath and continued. “Its been about two years now, almost to the day.” she said. “I don’t personally know all the details of their relationship, but I knew they were deeply in love. Everyone could see it, and it was no surprise when they announced they would be getting married and the wedding would be held at the city hall. I was picked to decorate, I still consider it my greatest honor.” “Rarity,” Twilight said, feeling a lump in her throat “what happened?” Tears now fell from Raritys eyes and her voice quivered a bit. “It was the night before the wedding. Rainbows family was driving in from Cloudsdale, but needed a bit of help getting to Ponyville. Rainbow Dash planned to drive out and meet them so she could guide them safely. From what I heard, her motorcycle hit a patch of black ice on the road. She didn’t make it.” Twilights hands flew to cover her mouth, trying to suppress whatever noise she felt was about to escape. “Applejack wouldn’t talk to anyone after that. Even now we don’t see her nearly as much as we used to. I can’t exactly say I blame her, I’ve no idea how anyone would react to such a situation.” she finished, grabbing some tissues from a box on her nightstand and handing a few to Twilight. Twilight accepted the tissues and wiped the tears from her eyes. “I can’t imagine what she’s been through.” she said after a moment. “But there has to be something we can do to help, right?” “We’ve tried.” Rarity said. “Everyone has tried something and nothing has really worked. The most we can do is just be there for her.” Twilight nodded her head. “I have to let her know that I’m here for her too. She’ll be at the party tonight right?” Rarity gave a bit of a shrug. “I honestly couldn’t tell you. She was invited but it is ultimately up to her whether she will turn up or not.” Twilight stood up and began to walk out of the room, Rarity following her lead. “I guess for now we can only hope. Now I need to get home so I can get ready. The movers unpacked everything and put it away but I still need to fix up a few things.” she said as she made her way down the stairs. “I’ll see you tonight...and thank you Rarity, it means a lot that you would share this with me so I can try to help.” Rarity nodded “Absolutely Twilight, I’ll see you tonight. Sweetie Belle will be there, she’s grown so much.” Twilight smiled. “I look forward to seeing her.” she said as she walked out of the shop. Applejack sat on her bed, holding a small piece of paper in her hands. It read ‘You’re Invited To Twilights Super Awesome Welcome Back Party!’ “It wouldn’t hurt to go.” she said aloud to herself. “Ah was a bit rude to her yesterday, she’s been gone so long and just wanted to catch up.” She sighed as she stood up and placed the invitation on the nightstand next to her bed. “Do ah even have anything to wear? Ah would show up in my work clothes but ah don’t wanna hear any complaints from Rarity.” she said as a small smile began to form on her face. She walked to the closet and slid it open, her eyes scanning the many jeans of various shades of blue, and more flannel shirts than a person would usually have. There was the odd sun-dress here and there, gifts from Rarity of course. Her smile vanished as she looked at the very end of her closet, a frilly white dress hung there. It was still in the same plastic bag from when she bought it, only ever wearing it when she tried it on for the first time. She closed the closet with a slam, her heart beating faster than it was moments ago. “Maybe ah should take a shower before deciding anything.” she said before exiting the dark room.