Rainbow Dash sat atop her favorite cloud as the sunset blazed across Equestria. Another day in the bag and another rough practice complete. The Wonderbolts had really put her through the ringer this time, and she knew that she'd be really sore tomorrow. The mare didn't mind however, stretching her well toned, slender body against the cloud's poofy texture. She lazily flipped onto her back and gazed at the sky, flashing colors of red, yellow and orange. She smiled as memories came back to her, sloppily letting her wings relax.
She remembered when she got the acceptance letter into the Wonderbolts. Pinkie Pie was so happy Dash thought she might explode! Of course, she threw her old friend a huge party, a sort of ''good luck we all still love you'' type of party. Twilight had received the same type of party after her coronation. All her friends were there, including her new teammates. Spitfire even managed to show up as well. They welcomed her into their ranks with open arms, ready to add another superior flyer to their roster.
The months seem to fly by as she traveled with them from show to show, even performing for all four Princesses in the Crystal Empire, including Twilight. That specific day was probably the highlight of her life; either that or the day she performed that Sonic Rainboom to save not just the Wonderbolts, but her friends as well. She was critically acclaimed to be a national hero, and not just because of her Element bearer status.
The memory faded as another took its place, seeing Twilight with her fresh wings clumsily flopping around in the sky. She chuckled as her eyes closed again.
"Egghead..."
Dash remembered sharing some intimate moments with her long time friend too, showing her how to preen her new wings for the first time. The technicolor mare was never one to show to her emotions out-rightly, but that one moment was burned into her mind forever. Something happened that day that stuck with her, and since then, she couldn't get Twilight out of her head. She was always there in her subconscious, hanging around like a filly looking for an autograph. Nevertheless, she flopped lazily back onto her haunches, her rainbow mane blowing almost photogenically in the evening breeze.
Possibly one of the hardest things to do was accept the fact that sometimes her Wonderbolt duties might come before being a friend. It took up most of her days and nights, rarely seeing her friends anymore, except for at shows. It pained her heart to see the Mane 6 that were once so tightly wound slowly unravel and float apart. Loyalty was always in her blood, and it was hard for her to accept that fact. Spitfire was there for her when things got too tough, breaking her supposedly indestructible tom-boyish front. She felt like she was abandoning them and life was taking them in opposite directions.
It had been years since they defeated Tirek and peace had dominated their fair nation. The Mane 6 had all achieved their life goals.
Rainbow Dash was a Wonderbolt.
Twilight a Princess overseeing Ponyville.
Fluttershy owning and running an animal sanctuary outside of Ponyville.
Pinkie Pie opening her own party supply shop.
And Rarity getting to run with the big, mainstream designers in Equestria and across the seas.
But Applejack....
Applejack...
She teared up as she thought about the weathered earth pony, always steadfast and headstrong, stubborn even. Dash had to admit, she admired that about the orange mare, willing to give her life to protect somepony she loved or cared about. It was too bad that mindset was tested and proven correct.
Rainbow Dash cleared the tears from her magenta eyes and continued to stare with her mind's eye, watching years of memories float by like a slideshow. A warm smile spread across her muzzle again as it landed on a particular memory, farthest back. It was of when Twilight first arrived in Ponyville, Dash remembered locking eyes with her and thinking one thing.
That she was the most beautiful mare that she had ever seen. And that one memory held more valor and meaning than all of the others. Combining them with some of the others was almost overwhelming as the mare mentally kicked herself for holding something back for the longest time.
Never telling Twilight that she loved her.
It ate at her heart every single day from when she had the opportunity to. But one thing held her back: Dash didn't want to loose one of her closest friends. She fell in love with Twilight years ago, and hasn't told her at all. Nopony else knows besides Dash and herself. It was one of her many life regrets, one that she couldn't follow up on now.
Why didn't I just tell her? she mentally mused, a gust of wind blowing her tail around her body. She thought it was mostly the fact that Twilight wouldn't know what to do, or even ow to react, making Dash in turn look like a total idiot. The two most classic, cliche scenarios ran through her head before she shook it to clear them out. The cyan mare reflected more as she watched the sky turn dark as night blanketed Equestria in its loving embrace. It was a beautiful sight, and even though Dash saw it constantly, it never ceased to amaze her.
She just wished she had somepony to share it with. The inconvenient truth was that Dash didn't see much attraction to stallions, and now not only a Bearer, but also a Wonderbolt only added to her image. One that she could not and would not tarnish. She had to remain loyal to both sides, and that's what made her fall silent on some bus rides to shows.
She cried, not even caring if somepony heard her. She was scared that moment in time, afraid of loosing a friend, scared to death of destroying a trust that was built upon for several long years. She remained stoic, her love happily carrying on, oblivious to the torture Rainbow put herself through. To shove those emotions and feelings back down into oblivion. Princess Cadence once told her that you can't hide from true love, no matter how hard you try to. That statement held fast to this very day.
Rainbow covered her muzzle as she wept quietly, her favorite cloud turning dark from her emotion. It rumbled slightly before she smacked it, returning to its light, fluffy color. Tears streaked down her face as she lazily fell off the cloud and glided downwards. She didn't know where she was going and didn't really care frankly.
The one thing that would have made her life one hundred percent complete was not going to happen anymore. That road was closed and shut permanently. It was a heavy things to swallow, and years later Rainbow still hadn't gotten over it. But time heals everything, even if it leaves us scarred.
She looked herself over, her body covered in battle scars from past adventures and scruffs with other ponies. Rainbow didn't want her scars to fade for one good reason. The story that they tell fades with them. She remembered each and every one; where she got it, how she got it, and how much it hurt.
Another thing dawned on her as she swam through the sky. She was at the top; she had completed her long term goal, the end of the road she had been traveling her entire life. Twilight had always told her that if she stayed focused on one goal and dedicated her entire life to it, she wouldn't know what to do after she had achieved it.
Twilight was never more right than now. Dash had it all, and didn't know what to do with it. Hovering in mid air, she sobbed again, holding her head with her hooves, darkness lovingly embracing her for the brief few moments she closed her eyes. Wiping more tears from her eyes, she started to glide away from Cloudsdale and her cloud, towards the place where it had all started. The countryside blurred under her as she effortlessly cruised towards Ponyville, passing Sweet Apple Acres & pausing to look over the rustic old farm. It was quiet and vacant, the fields expertly trimmed and managed.
Applebloom is doing a good job... Rainbow mused as she turned back towards the small town. A single tear streaked down Rainbow's muzzle as she let out of a heavy sigh, remembering years gone by, and good times. With the sun behind her, she flew over Ponyville towards the looming castle in the distance.
Landing just outside of the castle's entrance, she paused, looking back at her old home. Not much had changed since she left. Sugarcube Corner was still there, Rarity's boutique sat in the distance and Fluttershy's cottage was just barely distinguishable on the horizon of Dash's vision.
In that moment she knew, that no matter what happened, her friends would always stick together.
Always...
Always...
"Always."