Sailing over the sea of clouds, Rainbow Dash basked in the sun's warm embrace as her shadow raced along the ground. The dirt roads merged with the forest as the noise of the bustling city faded away to nothing. For most ponies the Everfree Forest held not only their deepest nightmares, but fear itself. The absence of light and its ominous presence was enough to cause even the toughest of ponies to flee in terror, but not Rainbow Dash. Ever since she had collided into Twilight on the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration, Rainbow knew her life was going to be different. To stand by her side and face the darkness, proved that the Everfree Forest wasn't as scarey as once perceived. Now with multiple adventures under her belt the forest seemed like just another attraction on her quest for love.
Making her way across the vast timberland, the winds grew calm as the sky darken. Shivers rocketed down Rainbow's spine as the clouds formed above her; then with a flash of lightning the swirling tempest erupted with rain. Like tiny wet kisses, Rainbow was enveloped in the storms cold grasp. Her wings grew heavy as the water seeped into her feathers. Her mane hung drenched passed her face as a look of confusion crept across her brow. Ponyville wasn't scheduled for a storm for at least another week, but then again this wasn't Ponyville. She had always heard of the mysterious way life seemed to exist without pony intervention, but never before had she seen the weather form on its own. The very idea of the weather being able to create itself was just unnatural.
Thinking back to her flight training Rainbow accelerated towards the top of the storm. She knew that she couldn't go around it, and if she were to stay the course her soaked wings would make flying impossible. Fighting against the harsh winds, her body started to tire as she climbed higher into the air. Bolts of lightning flashed around her, illuminating the darkened azure's of the skies. The raw power of the weather was not a force to underestimate, but Rainbow was a professional. Reaching the underbelly of the beast, the clouds began to part under her hooves as a small beacon of light shined upon her face. Soon she would be back on her way.
Boom! The cyan mare was bathed in light as she lifelessly spiraled toward the the forest floor. Rainbow's hooves hung limp as she passed through the net of branches onto the hard ground. Every fiber of her being screamed in agony as she laid motionless amongst the greenery. Slipping in and out of consciousness she wearily struggled to return to her hooves, but each attempt seemed more and more futile. Rolling onto her belly she slowly wiped away the rain from her eyes and proceeded to examine her injuries. Though her body was fine, her right wing proved to be sprained and slightly singed. It was clear she wasn't going to be able to fly out of this predicament.
Limping through the damp thicket the young mare carefully trekked into the unknown. Though she was able to maintain her heading, the fact of the matter was she was lost. With every step she took the shadows of the forest commenced in an overture of ghostly tones designed to strike fear into the heart of all who entered its realm, but this didn't scare her. Wisecracking at the haunting sounds her laughter was soon the only noise left when a bloodcurdling howl echoed through woods. Frozen by a pungent odor, a hot breath swept across her neck confirming the terror waiting behind her.
Lunging at her with its fierce jaws, the timberwolf' narrowly missed the young mare's flesh as it tauntingly pawed at its food. Patiently planning its next move, the wolf stared into Rainbow's eyes eagerly licking its lips in anticipation. Taking her opportunity, Rainbow quickly maneuvered through the maze of vines as the wolf hungrily followed. With a sudden burst of fury her hind hooves rocketed into the wolf's head sending its remains scattered along the path. In this brief moment Rainbow collected her thoughts as the pieces of the creature attempted to reform. If this wasn't bad enough, Rainbow's victory was short lived as two more wolves emerged out of the darkness. Their eyes shined like green balls of fire, as their glow illuminated their fangs shrouded in the shadows. Poised for attack, Rainbow studied the movements as the three wolves circled her position. One strike of those razor sharp claws and Rainbow Dash was done for. She knew she was unable to face all three timberwolves alone so she took to the defensive.
Rainbow raced through the thorns as the treeline thinned to nothing. Staring down the edge of a ravine Rainbow's anxiety slowly rose as the growing footfall of the wolves grew closer with every second. With her back towards the cliff her mind desperately raced for some way to escape her current predicament, when suddenly an idea swept into her brain. It was risky, but Rainbow Dash was never one to run from danger. Charging toward her pursuers her heartbeat started to soar as she widened the gap between her and the cliff. Her timing was exact for as soon as the wolves' breath pierced her fur she rocketed down the path. The wind rushed through her mane as her eyes narrowed on her target. The dirt billowed below her hooves as she neared the point of no return. “Come on, Rainbow. Show'em a little “dash”!” Gracefully leaping through the air Rainbow sailed across the void as a smile grew across her face. “Ah yeah! That's what I'm talking about. They don't call me “Rainbow” and “Dash” for nothing.”
Skidding to a halt. her eyes carefully studied the wolves as they hungrily paced on the other side. Any second one of those wolves could leap across the ravine, and she wasn't going to be caught off guard when it happened. Striking a violent pose, Rainbow stood strong as the sight of the wolves nervously retreating back into the cover of darkness fueled her confidence. “Not so big and bad now, huh?” Turning away from the cliff she soon found herself facing the tiny beak of a familiar creature. “Hey, a chicken.”
“Not a chicken! Not a chicken!” Hurtling through the bushes, Rainbow bolted down the path as the cockatrice casually hopped after her. She might have avoided its deadly stare for now, but if she was to make it out of the Everfree Forest, she had to be more careful. There was no telling what type of creature was lurking behind the next corner, and arrogance wasn't going to keep her safe. She needed to be at her best to survive. At least for a little while, she was. Having wandered for several minutes undisturbed, Rainbow was finally able to take in the stunning beauty that was the forest. Whether it was the ravishing blue orchids that lined the dirt roads or the way the fireflies waltzed around the trees, the grace of the vast forest was unlike anything she had seen before.
Making her way down the path Rainbow couldn't help but smile. Despite being struck by lightning and temporarily losing the ability of flight she was having a blast. This was just like a Daring Do adventure. Having met Daring Do herself, Rainbow only hoped that her performance wouldn't have let her hero down. That being said the real thing on her mind was how much she wanted Twilight to be there with her. It was Twilight who first showed her the awesome tales of Daring Do, and there was no one else who shared in this love. Rainbow knew she was not an egghead like Twilight, but when she was lost deep within the pages of one of her books she felt like maybe she wasn't some dumb jock. In those moments she believed that Twilight and her were kindred souls. Sure the idea that two ponies being destined to be together simply because they shared the same interest in a book series was a little far fetched, but this was just one more thing in the mountain of qualities that Rainbow Dash so longingly adored.
Entering into a nearby clearing Rainbow's eyes carefully scanned for looming threats as a sweet aroma whirled through the air. The bewitching smell of lilacs hauntingly lured her along the treeline until her sense were consumed by its mystical powers. Waiting amongst the sea of greens rested a stunning display of flowers unlike anything Rainbow had ever seen. Lightly touched with a light pink mist their purple petals gently waved in the breeze. Lost in their fragrance, comforting memories of Twilight raced passed her eyes as her legs softly trembled beneath her. Mustering up all of her strength she wearily staggered across the meadow as her body slowly lost all feeling. With the poison running its course Rainbow pointlessly fought to stay awake when a faint specter appeared by her side. “Twilight?”
“I've got you Rainbow Dash. Everything will be okay.” Providing support the alicorn's wing smoothly wrapped around Rainbow's slender frame as they swiftly made their way out of the meadow. Rainbow knew that as long as she was in Twilight's caring hooves, she would be alright. No longer did she have to struggle to stay awake. With fresh air filling her lungs she soon found herself deep within the realm of slumber.
When her eyes reopened the stunning vision of her love triumphantly stood against the moonlight as a light fog snaked along the ground. “Twilight, I am so happy to see you. When I heard you left I just had to come find you. I needed to tell you that I... I love you.” A great weight plummeted from her chest as those three words echoed from her lips. Longingly staring into her eyes a nervous smile crept across Rainbow's face. The air around them grew stale and cold as they both sat in silence. “Twilight? I know that you are still mad at me, but I am deeply sorry for not telling you sooner. You deserve someone who will treat you right, and I can only hope that you will let me try,” Twilight stood motionless as she blankly stared off into the distance. The silence ripped apart Rainbow's soul as tears welled in her eyes. “Twilight please, at least say something. Please.” Though her suffering was great what hurt the most was the realization of what Twilight went through, The thought of her special somepony so deeply wounded was worst than any torture. How could she possibly expect Twilight to forgive her when she couldn't forgive herself? Her journey was over, and she had failed.
Taking a step forward a sudden gust of air raced through Twilight's mane, dissolving her into nothing. The trees melted into the background as the stars cascaded across the sky until all that was left was the moon. “Don't be alarmed Rainbow Dash. This is nothing more than a nightmare brought on by the poisonous fumes of those flowers you discovered, but you are safe. You're currently lost somewhere between reality and a dream, but luckily I am capable of traveling in both realms.”
Rainbow's heart erupted in her chest as the lunar princess emerged from behind the moon. Gracefully landing in front of the devastated mare Princess Luna bared a sadden look as she graciously bowed her wings. She never enjoyed seeing her subjects in pain, but it was her burden to bare. Overwhelmed with emotions Rainbow's tired eyes looked upon her savior, uncertain what was real and what was fiction. What type of twisted dream could dangle one's desires mere inches from their grasp only to snatch it away? “Thank you Princess Luna.”
“The pleasure is mine, but you shouldn't be so hard on yourself.”
“Hard on myself!?! It was your stupid dream that was being hard on me!” Rainbow turned a bright red as she aggressively pulled away from Luna.
“No my little pony. A dream is a reflection of one's own emotions. It was not the nightmare that was causing you so much misfortune, but rather your own self-doubt.” Rainbow knew that Luna was right, but that didn't resolve her problem. Dream or reality the outcome would've ended the same. Rainbow would be alone. “May I ask you a question?” Wiping her still crying eyes Rainbow slightly nodded. “Was it you who declared your love for her, or did she reveal it to you?”
“She told me?” Rainbow's head tilted to the right as she strived to follow Luna's train of thought. “Why do you ask?”
“It sounds to me that you have already won her heart. So now you simply have to reach out and claim it.” Luna's words rang throughout her body as she released a long breath. Everything she said was right. No longer was she going to beat herself up about the past, but rather aim for a better tomorrow. Her tears began to dry as the fire within her belly reignited with a great ferocity. “Rainbow Dash.”
“Yes Princess Luna?”
“If you break her heart, I will personally turn your every dream into a nightmare. Do I make myself clear?” The brisk night's wind funneled around the alicorn's wings as she gracefully casted off the ground towards the moon. Her midnight blue mane shined with a beautiful radiance as she merged with the night sky. “Till we meet again Rainbow Dash. Good luck.” Then with a bright flash of energy she was gone, and so was the dream.
Jarring awake, Rainbow feverishly tried to shake off the bitter feeling brewing deep within her gut. Though she was still feeling the repercussions of the dream, she knew that she would be alright. To her surprise the forest had all but disappeared as she found herself staring at the haunting allure of the Appaloosa desert. The mixture of dirt and sand reflected the setting sun's rays creating an array of purples and golds that shimmered in awe-inspiring beauty. The stunning display held many truths, but none as pleasant as being out of the woods. Sitting on cloud nine, she watched as the stars slowly revealed themselves along side the moon's magnetism as a small whisper lightly floated toward the heavens. “Goodnight Princess Luna. Thank you.” Rainbow closed her eyes and slipped into the peaceful realm of sleep. It was hard to believe that she had only travel such a short distance, but tomorrow was a new day. Whatever happened next was sure to be a cake walk compared to today. One thing was for certain, she was going to be ready. Never again would she be afraid to bare her heart to another.