//------------------------------// // Chapter Ten // Story: Dreams of Loss // by KalenNighteyes //------------------------------// Twilight and Rainbow walked along the shoreline of a remote section of the Ponyville River. She wanted to take Rainbow some place nice, quiet, and maybe even a little romantic for a picnic. She smiled at the way Rainbow had protested going to the river, all but insisting they go out to a Wonderbolts show, or even a restaurant in Ponyville. Twilight, however, had been adamant that they needed time for just the two of them. Ever since she had been released from the hospital, the alicorn had been surrounded by her friends. They were determined to let her know they didn't care she was into mares, and that they were still as close as ever. They finally arrived at a spot by the river with an enormous shade tree sitting a few yards from the edge of the water. This was a spot Twilight had came to a lot before when she wanted to do her studies in private, but not shut up in the library. “This is the spot. I've never brought anypony here before. It's really a great spot to think, and relax.” Twilight said. Rainbow sighed, and set her bag down on the ground under the tree. “You'd really rather be here than front row at the Wonderbolts' show?” Twilight smiled lightly. “Yes. I thought this could be a special place for us, like it has been for me in the past. Here we can be alone. No pony will bother us out here.” The pegasus shrugged, and began setting up their picnic. “I'm sure you're right Twi, but next time, I get to choose our date location.” Twilight giggled, and gave Rainbow a kiss on the cheek. “Oh, Dashie. Of course you can, and I can't wait to see where you take me.” “I already know, and it's going to be awesome!” “I'm sure it will be,” Twilight said with a smile, levitating their friendship journal to her. A quill followed it, both floating out of the bag Dash had been carrying. “Hey Dash, can you set up the picnic under the tree? I've got a journal entry I'd like to make about everything that happened.” “Leave it to me! I'll have it ready before you know it!” Dash said excitedly. With that, Twilight found a comfortable spot to lie under the tree, opened the journal, and began writing. Everypony has dreams. Sometimes they are good and sometimes they are bad. The good ones can make us feel all sorts of emotions, but mostly the good dreams tend to make us happy. The bad dreams... They can sometimes be awful. I will never forget the dream—no, nightmare—world I was caught in for what seemed like weeks. Always trying to run away from of what really made the dream a nightmare to me. It wasn't the castle being on fire. It wasn't the fact that I didn't have any of my friends there with me. It wasn't even the giant black nightmare beast that wanted to keep me trapped there. It was because the somepony I care so deeply for kept showing up in that nightmare, and it always ended with her death. I always ran and hid from her, but then something amazing happened. The real Rainbow Dash showed up in my dream. At first I didn't want her there. I hated the fact that she had entered my nightmare to save me. I was worried now that she would really die. Boy was I stupid. She not only saved me, but she also managed to make the horrible beast that was after me fade away. In many ways love and friendship can go hoof-in-hoof; however, the love I feel for Rainbow has seemed to grow beyond that love I feel for my other friends. And you know what? They are okay with that. I learned that I shouldn't be afraid to tell my friends anything. Even something as big as having to tell them that I'm into mares, because true friends will always be with you, no matter what. “Are you going to write in that thing all day? We came here to relax, and have some time to ourselves!” Rainbow's voice came. Twilight looked over at the blue pegasus, and gave her a smile. “This is relaxing to me. Besides, I'm writing down the important thing I learned. I want there to always be a reminder, because I do forget sometimes.” “You're such an egghead,” Dash said, walking over to Twilight with a smile. “And I'm fine with that.” “I should hope so. You know it's not going to change anytime soon,” Twilight said, motioning for Rainbow to lie down next to her. “I know. It's like the best thing about you. I mean, if it weren't for that eggheadedness, I wouldn't have gotten into the Wonderbolts Reserves,” Dash said, laying beside Twilight. Twilight's smile faded slightly, and she nuzzled Rainbow's neck lovingly. “I owe you so much more, Rainbow. If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't be here anymore.” “Don't say that Twi. I think, given some time, you'd have found a way out,” Rainbow said, attempting to reassure her marefriend. A tear fell from Twilight's eye. “I don't think so. I was so scared in that world that I probably would have given up if you hadn't come along. There are ways I'm strong, but nothing like the strength you have.” “Hey, hey now. Don't cry. I didn't mean to upset you,” Rainbow said, using her hoof to wipe the tear from Twilight's face. “It's just... I thought I'd lost you when I came out of the dream. When I thought you were gone, I felt something. It felt like something growing within me. The anger I felt toward the Shadow was starting to overwhelm me, like it was trying to twist me into something evil,” Twilight said. Rainbow chuckled. “You, Twilight Sparkle, be evil? I don't-” Twilight frowned angrily, stood, and began walking away. “This isn't a joke Rainbow Dash.” Dash was taken aback, but she stood, and walked quickly over to Twilight, blocking her path. “Hey, wait. I'm sorry. It's just that I don't think I could picture you turning evil like the other bad things we've faced.” “Anyone is susceptible to that kind of evil, Rainbow. It's scary to think, but it's true. That feeling really has me scared,” Twilight said, turning, and nuzzling up to Rainbow again. “I really don't think you have anything to worry about, but no matter what happens, I'll always be around to help you,” Dash said, nuzzling back. “I know you would, but if I were to turn evil, you'd have a duty to stop me,” Twilight said, more tears falling from her eyes. Rainbow pulled away and looked into Twilight's purple eyes, and saw the sadness in them. “No. We'd turn you good again, like we did for Princess Luna.” “I don't think it would be that simple. Without me, or any one of us, I fear that our magic would be useless. You'd have to-” “No! Stop right there. I just got you back, and I don't plan on losing you. Ever,” Rainbow said adamantly. “Can we please not talk about this now? If that is something you are really worried about, wouldn't it be better to discuss these possibilities with Princess Celestia?” Twilight walked to the edge of the river, and stared down into the water. “I don't know. It might be, but this is a conversation that you and I will need to have at some point. I know it's hard, but it's never going away.” “You don't think I understand that?” Dash said, following her. “I may not be as smart as you, but I know when something's important. It's just... You brought us out to this secluded place to have some time away from everypony, and now you want to talk about the possibility of me losing you. I just want this day to continue being about us.” Twilight turned, and gave Rainbow a small smile. “I never thought I'd hear you say something like that. It was very romantic of you.” Dash's cheeks turned pink. “I, uh, well...I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it.” Twilight leaned forward, and kissed Dash on the cheek. “Let's not worry about this right now. I'll go talk to Princess Celestia about my concerns in a couple of days. Today is about you and me.” Dash smiled. “Alright! Let's eat! I'm starving!” * * * * * A Few Days Later... Twilight and Celestia stood in the Canterlot castle throne room. Celestia looked at Twilight with disbelief. “What you have told me is troubling, Twilight. I cannot even begin to fathom what you are suggesting. You were grieving. I'm not sure what you think is going to happen will happen.” “I know, but what I felt didn't feel like I was grieving. I was angry, and I wanted revenge.” Twilight walked to the stained glass image of herself and her friends when they found the elements. Her eyes stopped on Rainbow's image. “It's not something I've ever felt before, and I am terrified that one day something horrible will happen. If that day comes, I don't know that I could take it.” Celestia walked up beside Twilight, and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “It is not something you would have to go through alone, Twilight. Not only am I here for you when need me, but you will always have your friends. Remember to look to them in your times of greatest need.” Twilight turned away from Celestia. “Am I being selfish if I stay with Rainbow? If it's possible that I could turn bad because of something happening to her, shouldn't I remove myself from that danger by distancing myself?” “I cannot tell you what to do in this situation. I am glad you came to me, and told me your concerns. I can only advise you to proceed with caution if this truly worries you,” Celestia said. Twilight looked back at the stained glass image of Rainbow Dash, and sighed.“Then I guess I have a decision to make.” * * * * * A Week Later... Rainbow and Twilight walked together along the shore of the river. The day had been sunny, and warm—the perfect day in Twilight's opinion. However, Twilight had been unable to fully enjoy the day because of a decision she still had yet to make. “Hello? Earth to Twilight! Are you listening?” Rainbow's voice pulled Twilight back to the reality she dreaded. “I'm sorry, Dashie. What were you saying?” The pegasus rolled her eyes. “I was asking you if you were okay with going to the Wonderbolt Show with me this weekend.” Twilight tried to force a smile, but failed. Instead she lowered her head slightly. “Rainbow, we need to talk.” “Why do I have a feeling this isn't going to be good?” Dash asked hesitantly. “Because it probably isn't going to end how you want it to.” “If this is about your fear of going bad, you should just stop right there.” “We can't dodge this conversation forever, Rainbow!” Twilight exclaimed. “But we don't have to talk about it now. I don't wanna talk about it right now!” Dash replied. Twilight frowned angrily at Dash. “Then when? It's been over a week since I brought this up. I feel that if it were up to you, we'd never talk about it!” “That's because there's nothing to talk about. Nothing is going to drive you to that point while you have your friends,” Dash said. “Even if something did happen, we'd get you back!” Twilight let out a groan of frustration, and turned away from Rainbow. “We're done. It'll be better this way.” Dash's eyes widened in shock. For a moment, she couldn't move or think, but she managed to shake off the shock. She flared her wings, and flew to Twilight, blocking her path. “Whoa, whoa, whoa. You can't say something like that, and just expect me to let you walk away.” “Yes I can! I'm doing this for us—all of us!” Twilight yelled. “So you think breaking things off with me will spare us all from an evil that might happen? You think you'll turn evil if something happens to me, so your solution is to just run away?” Dash shook her head, and began walking away. “That doesn't sound like the Twilight I know and love.” Twilight's heart skipped a beat, knowing that Rainbow was right. She felt a sinking feeling in her gut as she realized how idiotic she had been. Even if something happened to Dash, how could she know that she would turn evil? She could prepare as much as she wanted for something, but when it came down to the wire, she'd always act differently. How would this be any different? “I was wrong.” Rainbow stopped, and looked back at Twilight. “What was that?” Twilight didn't look at Rainbow, but she knew the pegasus was looking at her with those beautiful, dark pink eyes of hers. “I said that I was wrong.” “What made you change your mind?” Twilight smiled, and finally met Rainbow's eyes. “You did,” she began in a whisper, voice growing more confident with every word. “I realized that you were right, and I'm sorry that I even suggested breaking off our relationship. Can you please forgive me for being so stupid?” Dash tried to maintain a serious look, but the smile she was concealing crept it's way free. “Aw, Twi. Of course I forgive you. I don't think I could stay mad at you for long anyway.” Twilight giggled, and nuzzled Rainbow's neck softly. “I love you, Dashie.” Dash wrapped a foreleg around Twilight, and pulled her in closer. “I love you too, Twilight.” Without breaking their embrace, Twilight looked at Rainbow and gave her a sly look. “So about that Wonderbolt show...”