//------------------------------//
// Truth 
// Story: At the Grand Galloping Gala 
// by Letsmlpbro 
//------------------------------//

Shining Armor got off the train and smiled. His sister was waiting for him, along with another beautiful looking mare. He approached the two, setting down his suitcase next to him. "Hey Twily. I got your message. So, about this new castle of yours. . ."
The Princess of Friendship beamed at her older brothers attention. "Yes yes, we'll get to that later. But first," she leaned in so only Shining could hear her, "I think Rainbow wanted to talk to you alone for a while." She took a step back, grabbing her brother's bag with her magic. "I'll meet you two at the castle!" then she took flight, leaving her brother behind with the other mare.
Rainbow Dash looked at the ground awkwardly. "H-hey Shining Armor." she gave him a faint smile. "Long time no see."
"It hasn't been that long." he said as he started to walk off the train platform. "Come on." he urged her gently.
Dash caught up with the stalion and cleared her throat. "How's training going?"
"The newbies need to be broken in. That's what's taking so damn long." he looked at Rainbow Dash as they walked. "But other that that it's been smooth sailing. What about here in Ponyville? I haven't been here in years."
The blue mare shrugged as she maneuvered around a puddle. "Same old same old. Nothing really goes on here anymore. Not sense we defeated Terik."
The two ponies fell into an awkward silence, the only sound coming from their hooves.
Shining was the first to speak. "Twily said you had something you wanted to talk about with me."
"Hm? Oh! Right. . ." she chewed on her words before saying, "I've been doing a lot of thinking ever sense the Gala. I think. . ." she hesitated before stating, "I think. . .that I like you."
Shining Armor almost jumped up and down with joy, but he contained himself. "Like, as a friend?" I need to be one hundred percent sure that she loves me back.
"Well, no, but yes. . .I-" she snorted in frustration, "-ugh! I love you, okay?" she blushed at her words but didn't slow her pace. "But I know that you might still have feelings for Cadence, so I understand if. . .if you don't love me back."
Shining stopped in his hoof tracks. She actually said the words. . .Rainbow Dash said she. . . "I-I think I might like you back. But you're right, I still have feelings towards Princess Cadence. They're not feelings of undying love, but they're still there. I need to heal first, if that makes sense."
Dash only nodded, stopping to keep level with the other pony. 
Oh Celestia, I hope she isn't hurt. Shining thought as the two fell into silence once more. He tried to come up with something to change the subject, but nothing came to mind. He decided to let Dash take the lead of the conversation.



"I need to heal first, if that makes sense."
Oh yes, it makes perfect sense. Rainbow thought to herself with a tint of anger. She held it back though, instead giving Shining Armor a swift nod. She started to walk again, knowing Armor would follow. 
She glanced at the stalion every so often to see if she could read his mind for any sort of hints. When she could get none, she sighed, thinking to herself, You're looking into this waaaay too much Dash. He needs space, no biggie. It's not like there's another mare or. . .anything. she quickly brushed the thought away before it had the chance to grow. "We're almost at the castle." Rainbow Dash said as they rounded the next corner. "It's quite beautiful actually. Not my taste, but hey. I'm not the princess. That's Twi's job."
Shining Armor looked at her and chuckled. "You sure are something Rainbow Dash. I like that about you."
"Thanks. . .I guess." she didn't know how to take the compliment.
As the pair approached the front doors, Twilight came running out, stopping in front of Rainbow Dash. "Omigosh! I'm so sorry to do this to you Rainbow, but the Princess has requested my presence at once. It's very VERY important."
"What could be so-" Rainbow Dash started.
"No time to explain! Show my brother around the castle. I'll be back as soon as I can." She barely said the last part of her sentence before taking off towards Canterlot.
The two ponies looked at each other. "Well that was weird." Rainbow Dash stated before walking though the two large castle doors, Shining Armor close behind. "I can show you the map room first. Well, it's kinda like a throne room, but there's this magical map and. . .ah, it's hard to explain. I'll just show you." Dash pushed her feelings aside as she walked her crush through the castle's halls.