//------------------------------// // Epilogue: One Month Later... // Story: Abstracted Spectrum // by Abstract Spectrum //------------------------------// ONE MONTH LATER, AT PONYVILLE HOSPITAL... Rainbow Dash opened her eyes slowly. She was in the hospital. But something... or someONE was near her. Very near her. It was Soarin'. When Rainbow Dash had awoken, Soarin' was kissing her gently, hoping that she'd wake up to him in the act. Rainbow slowly pushed Soarin' back, breaking the kiss. "Soarin'? How... how did you..." Rainbow stopped when Soarin's hoof filled her mouth. "Sometimes, it's best not to ask questions. All that matters right now is that we're together, right?" Soarin' said, showing off his and Rainbow's rings around their hooves. Rainbow Dash's eyes beamed at such a glorious sight. She looked up at Soarin' with watery eyes, and kissed him gently. "So how are you feeling now?" Soarin' asked, breaking the kiss. "Pretty um... wow... amazing actually!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, hopping out of bed. "Well c'mon, let's get you suited up for our next show, Captain!" Soarin' said, pulling out Rainbow Dash's new Wonderbolt Flight Suit that read "Team Captain" on the front. Her eyes gleamed again at yet another beautiful sight. This time, the kiss was intense, and more "I love you" than "thanks for not being dead". A FEW MINUTES LATER, AT THE CLOUDASIUM... Rainbow Dash stood in her brand new flight suit behind the curtains, ready to burst out and perform. She suddenly heard her name behind her from a very familiar voice. "Twilight! I'm so glad you're here! I've got so many questions! What happened a month ago? How is Soarin' alive? Why am I married to him? W-" "Hold on there, Rainbow Dash! There's no time, I'll explain everything later, but you've got a show to do!" Twilight told Rainbow Dash, as she heard the announcer outside broadcasting their arrival to the crowds of ponies. AFTER THE SHOW... Rainbow Dash didn't have time to tell Soarin' where she was going. She wanted answers, and she wanted them now. Rainbow hurried over to Twilight's house after she show, where she suspected she'd be. Through the window, she saw Twilight reading her books, like she usually did. Rainbow Dash casually slipped into her house. "So Twilight, you were gonna tell me about how this all happened?" Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight said nothing. She simply closed the book she was reading and gave it to Rainbow Dash. "It's all in here." She said. Rainbow Dash looked down at the book, and simply nodded as she walked out. BACK AT HOME... Soarin' passed by Dash after leaving the bathroom and noticed her and her book. "What are you reading?" he asked. Rainbow Dash closed the book, since she'd just finished it right then. "A little story... about how a little filly wanted to be big and famous when she grew up, but learned that it wasn't as easy as it sounded. She needed friends, real friends to show her the way. And eventually, true love kept her safe where her friends led her to." Rainbow Dash said, not looking at Soarin' but instead at the book. "Well that sounds powerful interesting. You coming to bed, Dashie?" Soarin' asked. "Yeah, just a minute." That night, Rainbow Dash thought about what she'd read. It all made perfect sense, she didn't know why it had to be done, but she was just fine with it. All of her friends still remember that day a month ago, when they helped her realize who she really is, and what she really needed all along to help her through life. That same night, she dreamed of her parents one last time. "Mom... dad... you're back!" "Yes we are, sweetie. We're just here to tell you how proud we are of all that you've done, all that' you've accomplished. It was always our dream to have you grow up this way, and you've done it. Thank you." Dash's mother said, kissing her lightly on the forehead. "From the day you were born, we knew that up until know, you'd be dreaming, be waiting, to fly with those brave ponies. The Wonderbolts, with their daring tricks, spinning 'round, having kicks, and performing for crowds of thousands. And now, your life from now on will always be showered with diamonds, Dashie. We love you, sweetie." Rainbow's dad said, as he and her mother hugged Rainbow Dash one last time, before Rainbow Dash woke up the next morning next to Soarin'. It was all she ever dreamed, ever waited for. And so much more. Through Rainbow's life until now, the sun shined bright, yet the rain poured on. Rainbows were there one minute, and then they were gone. Her dreams shined over the storm that led after it, and when the storm hit, it was a mighty powerful one. Even though those powerful storms don't evaporate, every storm clears away naturally sometime, to show the big blue sky, waiting right behind the clouds. For Rainbow Dash, it was clear skies from there on out, as far as she could see. And she could see her whole life ahead of her. THE END.