Thunder and Lightning

by AVeryStrange


Chapter 6

Chapter 6

In the low lighting, Vinyl Scratch's purple goggles looked black, lifeless. No emotion showed on her face.

"Vinyl..." Twilight began. Dash had curled up again.

"Would you girls excuse us?" Scratch asked, measuring her words carefully.

"Um, no thanks, we-" Pinkie Pie began, trying to smile, but stopped as Twilight nudged her. She looked back, and seeing Twilight's worried look she dropped the smile. Twilight on her tail, they walked around the bed and out the room, brushing by Vinyl. Scratch entered and shut the door behind her with telekinesis. Rainbow Dash shivered, though the room was quite warm.

"I should get off your-"

"Stay." Scratch's voice was commanding but level as she walked slowly around the bed. Dash stopped moving. Vinyl climbed carefully onto the end of the bed, and there she sat.

"You never mentioned Fluttershy." she said. "What's she like?"

"She, uh..." Dash's throat was suddenly dry.

"She a pegasus?" Vinyl prompted. Dash nodded.

"She's, uh, got a yellow coat" Dash offered. "She's...really quiet. Long pink mane."

"And?" Scratch asked, removing her goggles. Dash closed her eyes.

"Blue eyes. Big, blue eyes." she peeked one eye open as she heard a shuffling sound. Scratch was moving up to her on the bed.

"That first night, Dash. When I told you to wait for me - and you actually did. Out there in the alleyway, of all things. You were going to say something. You thought I didn't notice, did you Dash? What were you going to say before I kissed you?"

"I was....you already know..." Dash said.

"Yeah, you stayed outside to turn me down. You were just too much of a nice girl, and didn't want me to wonder. So I am wondering. Why'd you come home with me?"

"I thought...I thought maybe if I was with you..."

"You'd stop loving Fluttershy?" Vinyl asked. "It doesn't work that way Dash. Tell me, I wanna know. Who do you see when you look at me?" her voice was cold and quiet. Dash wouldn't look up.

"Who do you see? Look at me!" Vinyl shouted. Dash began to cry.

"It's not like that!" she shouted back through her tears. "That was the first night. A-and maybe the second. But then, but then..." she picked herself up, sitting opposite Scratch. "It changed! I love you Vinyl!"

The blow sent Dash spinning, even if it wasn't actually enough to knock her down. Vinyl Scratch sat there, teeth gritted, one hoof still extended where it had struck Dash's face.

"Don't you dare say that! You don't have the right!" she growled.

"It's t-true!" Dash cried, tears streaming down her face.

"Why? Is it these ol' baby blues? Do I look enough like her for you?"

"No, it's not-"

"Then why? Am I cool enough for you Dash? Do I make it easy for you to forget? Or was I just convenient, just some filly who came along? What is it Dash?"

"It's....it's...."

"I thought so-"

"Yes." Dash said quietly, staring at her hooves. Vinyl paused.

"What?"

"It's all that. You wanted me. No one had ever...but you wanted me. And not because I was cool, or fast, or champion of the junior speedster's competition or anything. You just said you liked me." she sniffed. "It was like there was this whole other world, where I could forget them and be with you. And you were 'cool' enough Vinyl. You were cool enough to understand. And when I wouldn't...when I stopped you, the first night, and wouldn't go all the way...and the next and every night, you were cool enough then."

"Dash, that's still no reason-"

"Shut up, I'm not done." Dash said, color coming back into her voice. "You were cool, you were calm, you always had something to say. You're right - I do have a big head, kinda. So you helped me, I guess. You made me slow down and listen to you." she leaned forward, catching Vinyl off guard.

"And there's still a million reasons." Dash continued, looking Vinyl straight in the eye. "I hated myself after the first night. And the second, and every night. And I hated you too. I didn't get why I kept coming back. Until one day..." she was leaning forward so far that Vinyl had started to lose balance. She toppled onto her back and Dash stood up over her, maintaining eye contact. Vinyl felt a splash on her face and realized tears were still leaking down Dash's cheeks.

"One day I realized I didn't care. I still like Fluttershy. I still love her, I guess, I don't care. I didn't want her anymore - I wanted you. And I wanted to love you. I-I don't care if Fluttershy came through this door right now. I don't love her like that. I don't love her like I love you."

"Rainbow..." Vinyl breathed the word. "Say it again."

Rainbow Dash bent down, and pressed her lips to Scratch's. She had kissed Scratch plenty of times before, but this time she was in charge, instead of just letting the unicorn do as she pleased like always. She bit lightly on Vinyl's lower lip before moving on, reaching inside with her tongue and guiding Vinyl's out to play.

After several moments, Dash finally stood back up. Vinyl took a breath, no doubt her first in a while judging by her dazed expression.

"Vinyl, I love you." Dash said, eyes wet but no longer crying.

"And I love you Dash." Scratch replied.

"Really?"

"Yeah. You were supposed to be a fling," she smiled, "then you went getting me to care about you and all, ya idiot". Dash bent down to nuzzle against Scratch briefly.

"So you forgive me?"

"Oh, I wouldn't say that." Scratch teased. She stopped when she saw Dash's worried frown.

"I'm kidding, light bulb." she laughed, nudging Dash's face playfully with a hoof. Dash winced.

"We should get you some ice for that." Scratch said with a frown. "Now that one's my fault. I'm sorry Dash."

"Hey, no worries" Dash told her with a smile, stepping back to let Scratch up. "Ponies have wanted to knock some sense into me for years. They'll be jealous of you."

"Pffft, when they see what I have to put up with they won't be so jealous." Scratch replied, getting up. "Hey...I mean it, you know."

"What- oh." Dash looked away briefly. "I do too. But...I wish I didn't feel anything for her."

"Now don't say that. You don't mean that."

"I...guess. How can you love me Scratch?"

"You want a sonnet? Come on Dash. We're both just crazy enough for each other. Now, let's get off this bed before I decide not to let you leave at all." Scratch told her, hopping off. Dash followed her with a nervous laugh.

Scratch opened the door and heard a small yelp. She looked around as she exited and saw Twilight and Pinkie sitting a little off in the hall. They were still scrambling to get into place as Scratch exited. She gave them a calm little smile.

"You were right not to want to leave her alone, Pinkie." she said, voice quiet. "I'm surprised you didn't jump in there and take me down."

"Rainbow can handle herself." Pinkie Pie replied. Instead of her usual bubbly smile, the grin on her face was a more knowing smirk. Twilight said nothing, looking conflicted.

"Well, you two can come while we get ice on Dash's face before it swells up like a balloon."

"Heh, don't kid yourself. You don't hit that hard."

"Hit? I'm talking about stopping your swollen ego." Scratch teased as they headed downstairs.

"Hee hee, Dash you'd make a funny balloon!" Pinkie said, apparently back to her old self. Twilight lagged behind.

Vinyl's kitchen was off from her living room, and was the tidiest room yet. Only a sink overflowing with dishes and yet more electronic equipment piled on the table keeping it from true cleanliness. At the least, there was room for the four to sit as Dash held a bag of ice to her face.

"Dash, you know this is your last chance." Vinyl said slowly. Dash tried to give her best questioning look with half her face numb.

"To back out, I mean. I'd understand."

"Heh. I'd hit you for that if I thought you had more ice." Dash replied, making Vinyl smile. Pinkie Pie tilted her head.

"You guys are both so silly." she told them. "Don't you know you're supposed to kiss it better?" she asked of Scratch. Scratch grinned from ear to ear (a disturbing feat for a pony).

"Heh, Dash, show me where it hurts so I can kiss it better."

"Oh, yeah?" Dash grinned back. "Well it really hurts right about-" she began to shift in her seat.

"A-Hem" Twilight cleared her throat loud enough to derail Rainbow's remark, as well as get all eyes on her.

"This is... an interesting development. But Dash, what does this mean about Fluttershy?"

"I...I don't know..." Rainbow admitted. "I don't know if I can talk to her."

"You can't let that one go, Dash." this came from Scratch. "Not if I'm to believe half of what she means to you."

"What if..." Rainbow looked away. "What if I start to love her again?"

"Dash, and what if that happened?" Scratch asked. Dash gave a sad smile, eyes downcast.

"I don't know if I could see her again."

"Sometimes I wonder if you're soft-hearted or just soft-headed." Vinyl replied, shaking her head. "I appreciate it, but that answer tells me you don't need to worry. I mean it girl, I don't want some downer around all the time."

"I think you really should try talking to her, Rainbow." Twilight added.

"But, what would I say?"

"Duh!" Pinkie Pie piped in. "The truth." all three ponies looked at her for a moment. Across the table, Scratch and Twilight's gazes met.

"You know..." Twilight began.

"That's not a half-bad idea." Vinyl replied, getting a nod from Twilight.

"What?! The truth?" Rainbow asked frantically, "No, see, that's exactly what I couldn't tell her."

"Dash, come on." Twilight said. "Keeping secrets is what started this whole mess."

"Besides" Scratch added "Could you live with yourself?"

"I guess you're right...." Rainbow Dash said. "Maybe tomorrow"

"Rainbow..." Twilight and Scratch said in unison, and in the same tone of voice at that.

"Argh, now I get it twice?" Rainbow complained. "Alright already"

"Oh, and one last thing" Twilight said. Rainbow Dash gave her a flat look.

"Well since you're going out anyway....is there anything you could do about this rain?" she asked.

"Oh, that. Yea no problem" Dash put down the ice bag.

"Hey now, no one said it had to be this second." Scratch told her, reaching out towards Dash. Rainbow began to head around the table.

"Yeah, but you know me. I'll be back before you have to leave for the club." she reached Vinyl and leaned in. They shared a meaningful kiss, stopping just shy of making out.

"That's how you're supposed to do it." Pinkie Pie whispered, leaning over to Twilight. The purple unicorn had decided she was very definitely going to look anywhere else, and was currently studying the ceiling with great fascination. She looked down only once she heard Dash's hoofsteps again. The cyan speedster was already out the door.

"Aww, I didn't ask her if that meant the party was on!" Pinkie Pie complained.

"Pinkie-"

"Party?" Scratch turned to her. Pinkie Pie nodded.

"I wanted to throw it to make Dash feel better. About who she is."

"Now ain't that sweet. Tell you what Sprinkles, why don't you wait until tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Sure. Tomorrow's my day off."

Pinkie Pie gasped. "You wanna come too?" her face lit up in saccharine joy.

"Would ya have me?" Scratch asked.

"Of course! Oooh, ooh, this is so exciting!" Pinkie Pie was bouncing where she stood, looking ready to explode with glee.

"I think it'll be a bit different from the club, you know." Twilight offered.

"Yeah yeah." Scratch shook her head, still smiling. "Hey, I DJ some normal events too. I know when to tone it down."

"Alright, well, I hope to see you there. Come on Pinkie Pie, we should leave."

"Oh, okay." Pinkie Pie bounced around to Twilight. They trotted towards the front door, Vinyl following just behind.

"So, just one last question." Twilight tried to sound nonchalant. "Do you give nicknames to everypony or what?"

"Nah" Scratch said. "Just the ones I like." she gave a wink to Twilight, making the young mare blush.

"We'll see you around, I guess." Twilight said as they headed for the front door.

"You know Twiddles? Something tells me we'll be seeing a lot more of each other in the near future." Scratch had a coy look about her. Twilight was about to say something when she heard the door open and Pinkie Pie gasp. Both unicorns looked towards her.

"Wow." they said in unison, eyes skyward.

---

Minutes ago, Rainbow Dash stepped outside with a mission. The rain was still coming down steadily, and it was pretty dark out by now. She had places to be. So this storm cloud? It was kinda in the way. She didn't have time to rope it in or spin it away or anything. There was only one thing she could think to do. Drastic times called for drastic measures.

She took flight in the rain, step one being to get above the clouds. She eyeballed the center of the storm from there and took off towards it. She veered slightly around the center point in a curved path, and then with just the slightest twist of her wings managed a near hairpin turn. She again swerved slightly off center. Then she did a wider turn and came around again. Again and again, she didn't quite hit the center but came at it from every angle. She pumped her wings the entire time, gathering enough speed that she began to leave a multicolored streak in the air behind her. Soon her loops became so fast that she doubled back on her own streak, criss-crossing it in the air. She was disturbing the air, sending it in every direction, and the winds began to collect in the middle. Her constant dodging of the center created a pocket of swirling winds, circling around and around on itself, each pass added momentum. The multi-colored streak she created began to collect as well, creating a rainbow sphere, churning constantly. It was only the size of a small apple cart, but Rainbow knew it'd be enough if she just gave it enough oomph...

"Here we go." she said to herself, gritting her teeth. Pouring it on, she gathered altitude, streaking straight up until her wind-sphere was a speck below. She turned around and shot back towards earth. The wind rushed past in her ears as she headed straight for the sphere.

With a low whoomph and a thunder-like rumble, Dash hit the concentrated winds. The force of the impact was so great it actually knocked her clean sideways in the short time she was inside it, meaning her exit path was parallel to, but off from her entry. The winds dispersed themselves with great force from Rainbow's hit and quickly spread out through the sky. Like ripples in a pond the winds spread out through the storm, creating waves in the system.

The effect of these winds, however, was much greater than that of mere ripples. The storm was pushed out from the center, forcing a hole of clear sky. As the clouds' momentum pushed them against other clouds, more gaps appeared, and soon the entire thing began to break apart. Dash smiled and flew off, not observing her handiwork. So she didn't notice how the broken orb had left a faint ring of rainbow in the sky, or how her path into the sphere had left a much brighter zig-zag cutting clean through the circle. With the fading light making the sky dark, it looked rather eerily like a record with a lightning bolt struck through it.

---

Dash slowed down as she got to Fluttershy's house. Only the last rays of sunlight remained to give her light to see by. Fluttershy might not even be up, she realized, and she faltered. However, all Dash had to do was think back to Vinyl Scratch to know she had to go through with this. Honestly, the unicorn's eyes were different. They were deeper, more knowledgeable, the eyes of a pony who had seen the wide world. And combined with her wild blue-fire mane, her pale coat over her lithe dancer frame...Rainbow nodded, resolve returning, and knocked loudly on the door. She had to do this.

"Fluttershy! Fluttershy, we need to talk." she called. She heard nothing in response, not even Angel came to the door.

"Fluttershy look. I know you're mad. And you should be. You're my best friend. As in are, not were. I know I can't just fix this, but will you at least let me talk to you?" she shouted at the door. There was silence for a moment before the door cracked open.

"Fluttershy?" Rainbow peeked in. The room was dim, the lights off. She stepped in, spying Fluttershy just getting back on her couch. She didn't do anything to acknowledge Dash as she entered.

"Look. I'm...sorry's not enough." Dash said, walking over and sitting down on the floor in front of her friend. "I was stupid, I was foalish, and...I was scared, okay? I was afraid of what would happen. Because you meant too much to me." she poured her feelings out, and couldn't stop what came next.

"I love you Fluttershy." the words came so much easier then she expected. Something inside of her of just clicked. Her words weren't false, but....something changed as she said it.

Fluttershy had said nothing however... so Dash kept talking.

"I guess it was when we were still in flight camp. You had the best smile, and you always loved to hug. Or, maybe it was because you thought I was cool before anypony else did. I don't know." she swallowed before continuing.

"And then, after school...I came to Ponyville because you did. Sure, we made friends, but....I just still wanted to be with you. I knew by then that you weren't like me. That you didn't like me back, not like that. But I couldn't stop liking you. So I just figured I'd keep my mouth shut. Because it'd be awkward, and you'd hate me, and I couldn't be your friend. And the longer it got....the worst it got. How could I do anything? You were my best friend."

"Well....I'm done." Rainbow Dash said with a sharp nod. "If I really loved you...I should have told you. I should have done something. But Fluttershy. I...I was wrong. I really am a fillyfooler, and I really do love you....but I was being stupid. You're my friend, my best friend, and that's all you're supposed to be. That's all I want you to be. So, what do you say? Are we....still friends?"

Fluttershy shifted slowly, until she was resting on her underbelly, head up. She looked into her hooves.

"Rainbow?" she asked. If there had been any noises about, Rainbow was sure she couldn't have heard her friend, but everything seemed dead silent except for the two of them.

"You....I don't understand. You love me? But...."

Rainbow walked up closer, sitting just by her. She was smiling. "I do love you. I thought I wanted you to be my fillyfriend." she wished she could think half as quick as she could fly, because she barely understood what she was getting out. "Turns out, I just didn't know....like how....clouds!"

"Clouds?" Fluttershy was only more confused.

"Yeah clouds. Look, you know how to an earth pony, a cloud's a cloud? But we know all the different clouds there are, and which ones make rain, which ones form at which height? It's like that."

"You love me...like a cloud."

"No no. I'm saying I'm a fillyfooler, and like an earth pony with clouds, I thought that meant that if I loved you, that meant I wanted to be your fillyfriend. That there was only one type of love. But I know better. There's different kinds of clouds, just like there's different kinds of love. And I love you....but not like a fillyfriend or anything. You're my best friend, and that's just as special."

"Rainbow Dash...." Fluttershy closed her eyes. "I believe you. I understand."

"You...do?"

"Yes, because I love you too." Fluttershy said. She opened her eyes. "I thought, I thought you didn't tell me because you didn't trust me. I thought I had done something wrong. I thought...I wasn't your friend anymore."

"No. I wish I could do it all over."

"I don't." Fluttershy said, smiling and turning to face Dash.

"Huh?"

"Because, well, now I know how special you are to me. And, um, me to you?"

"Yeah" Rainbow said with a smile.

"I'm, um, sorry I ever doubted you, Dash."

"Sorry? I'm surprised you didn't give me a matching bruise." Rainbow Dash replied, brushing her cheek.

"Oh my gosh!" Fluttershy leaped to her feet "Rainbow, are you okay? What happened?"

"Heh, I'm fine. You can say I finally got the sense knocked into me."

"Let me get you some ice." Fluttershy insisted, getting off the couch.

"I'm fine, really!"

"Stay here." Fluttershy wasn't hearing it. Dash sighed. She glanced to the door, briefly considering making a run for it, but decided it better if she stuck around.

"There we are." a moment later, and Fluttershy was holding another ice bag to Dash's face. Dash flinched away.

"I can do it Fluttershy." she complained.

"Hold still please." Fluttershy insisted, reaching up and pushing against Dash's unbruised cheek to force Dash's head straight. And suddenly, there they were. Face to face, inches apart. Dash stared into her big, innocent eyes, and....nothing. It was just Fluttershy.

"Thanks Fluttershy." Dash said. Her best friend in Equestria blushed and let go.

"I'm sorry."

"Nah, it's fine." Rainbow assured her, taking the ice from her.

"Would you...can you make it home at this time of night?" Fluttershy asked, turning to the window.

"Time of - ahh, it's nighttime! I'm late!" Dash jumped up as she saw the last rays of light fade from the sky. She dashed to the door, froze, and turned around.

"ThanksFluttershyIloveyoubye!" she practically tackled Fluttershy into a hug, holding the other pegasus tight. She dashed out the door again, leaving behind the ice pack. Fluttershy reeled, but was smiling brilliantly.

---

"Great party, Pinkie Pie!" Twilight congratulated her friend as she entered the Sugarcube corner. It was a typical Pinkie Pie bash, and most of the guests didn't even know what it was for. The guest list had been 'sure, come on in', so as far as anypony knew it was a party because it had been more than three days since Pinkie Pie had thrown her last one.

"Thanks! Isn't it nice?" Pinkie Pie bounced along as Twilight trotted inside. "Oooh, and there's the guests of honor!" she turned back to the door right before it opened. Twilight didn't question how she knew, but sure enough in stepped Vinyl Scratch and Rainbow Dash, hip-to-hip, right on cue. Pinkie Pie was upon them before they were all the way through the door. Twilight looked beside her to only see a Pinkie-Pie-sized void where the party pony had just been. She rolled her eyes and trotted up to them.

"Hey Scratch, hey Dash. I haven't seen you pretty much since yesterday." she directed the second half of her comment at Dash.

"Heh. Sorry Twiddles." Vinyl responded first. "I was keeping her busy." She smirked, her goggles glinting mischievously in the light. "Sweet party Pinkie Pie. Thanks for not throwing it any earlier."

"Thanks! There's cake, and punch, and surprises, and, and I hope you like the music!"

"Haha, it's awesome. Come on Dash, you haven't seen me cut a rug, have you?"

"Who actually says that?" Dash teased, following Scratch onto the dance floor. Twilight laughed and shook her head.

"You know, I really think those two are right for each other." Twilight told Pinkie Pie. The pink partier nodded excitedly.

"I'm so happy for them!" with that, she bounced off. Twilight decided to enjoy the party herself and walked around, eventually getting some punch. She came across Rarity at the table.

"Hi Rarity, are you enjoying the party?"

"Hmm? Oh yes, delightful as always." Rarity gave a distracted reply, not noticing Twilight for a moment. Twilight looked to where she had been and noticed Rainbow and Vinyl dancing. Vinyl was as smooth as she claimed, her hooves going in time with every beat, her tail sashaying with perfect rhythm. Rainbow Dash wasn't so experienced, but bopped along well enough besides her.

"It is simply hard to imagine. I mean, I never would have expected this. From Rainbow Dash or Vinyl Scratch, honestly."

"Did you know Vinyl?" Twilight asked.

"Oh, not personally. I do prefer the more...eloquent side of fashion, but I do pay attention to what's considered 'hip'. And according to Pony magazine, Scratch defined hip in Manehattan."

"Oh, I didn't know that. She never mentioned."

"Mhm, I guess she really did leave it all behind. To be honest, doesn't she seem a bit...odd?"

Twilight gave a nervous chuckle. "Rarity, you could say that about all of us, really." upon seeing Rarity's expression, she added, "Oh, except you of course."

Rarity mulled this over. "No, I suppose you're right. I'm sorry dear, don't mind me. I'm sure she's a lovely pony. It will take some getting used to is all."

"Well, that's...understandable" Twilight said weakly. The song ended, and Pinkie Pie could be seen trotting up to the record player. Scratch intercepted her, leaned in, and whispered into her ear. Pinkie Pie nodded enthusiastically.

"Alright, fillies and gentlecolts!" Scratch called out over the din. "Hope you don't mind a slight change of pace." she walked up to the record player, her horn glowing. Twilight saw the record player change, just slightly. The speaker seemed wider and bulkier than before. Scratch flipped the record over, put the needle to it, and let the music play.

"Oh, what is this noise!?" Rarity asked as Scratch's music began to play. She had clearly done something to the record as well, for it certainly wasn't Pinkie's usual fare. The music was faster, much faster, and Twilight couldn't imagine what instrument would make these noises. And Scratch was still doing something to it - occasionally she would stop it with her hoof, even wind it the other way, interrupting the fast beat with strange scratches and noises.

"If this is hip, she can have it!" Rarity complained, shielding her ears. Most ponies, however, seemed to warm up to it, finding their heads bouncing in time with the rhythm, including Twilight herself.

"I like it!" she retorted, trotting away from Rarity and towards the dance floor. She could see everypony having a good time; in the middle of the floor, Pinkie Pie seemed to have reinvented the robot on the spot. Twilight laughed and looked around for the rest of her friends. She spotted Applejack and Rainbow Dash dancing together to the side.

"Hey guys!" she said, finding her hooves skipping along of their own volition.

"Whooee! Howdy Twilight! Enjoying the party?"

"Ha ha, I sure am! Here I thought Scratch would have wanted a day off from work." Twilight found the skipping wouldn't stop, her hooves demanding she dance to the beat.

Dash grinned as she pranced about. "Hey, music's what she does. You don't take a break from magic, do you?"

"I guess not." Twilight said. "I didn't think about it that way."

"This music ain't what Ah'm used to, but it sure does move yur hooves, don' it?" Applejack asked. Twilight nodded, but realized that it was probably imperceptible from the normal bobs of her head right now.

"I'm really happy for you, Dash. She's a great pony." Twilight said earnestly. Dash beamed, prompting Applejack to give her a quick nudge.

"You're head over hooves, ain' you pardner?"

"I guess." Dash replied, still smiling but with a slight blush to her face. She looked towards Scratch, who was immersed in the music, her horn glowing as the rhythm suddenly changed.

"So what about it, Dash?" Applejack prompted. "You two keepin' it under hat or what?"

"You know what?" Dash trotted away from both ponies without another word. Applejack and Twilight traded a confused glance. Dash made her way towards Vinyl. She waited for the song to end before getting up to her.

"Thank you ladies and gentlecolts. It's a..." she trailed off as she saw Dash approaching, grin on her face. A smile spread across her own face, and her goggles glinted brightly.

"Got something to say, light bulb?" she asked. Dash shook her head, got right up to Vinyl Scratch, leaned in, and planted a soft kiss on her lips.

"Well now..." Applejack said softly, watching the display. A lot of ponies had noticed the interruption (especially as the kiss dragged on) and there were confused and surprised murmurs all about. Then, there was a single little cheer.

"Oh, aren't they the cutest?" Fluttershy asked, clopping her hooves against the ground excitedly. The other ponies around were taken aback - Fluttershy barely talked to her friends, but now she was quite happily turned to any pony in range.

"I'm so happy for them, aren't you?" she asked one pony. "Love is so beautiful." she told another.

"Excuse me!" a square-jawed stallion said behind her, looking disgruntled.

"Yes?" Fluttershy drew out the word as she turned around. And there it was. Ponies only glanced by her Stare would later recall feeling like they had looked into a starless night, a void so pure it threatened to swallow them. Others simply around Fluttershy felt a sudden chill, finding themselves backing away.

"Good for them." The stallion said, looking as meek as a mouse. Fluttershy's gaze shifted, and with a smile she went about chatting with the other ponies, all of whom agreed (either readily or reluctantly) that it was great to see Rainbow Dash had found someone, how brave they were to come out, and how nice it was that they all lived in a town that understood that love was love.

"You got some amazing friends, light bulb." Scratch whispered as they ended their kiss. She stroked Dash's cheek.

"Don't I know it?"

"Encore, encore!" Pinkie Pie cheered from the dance floor. Scratch grinned.

"I don't think she means the kiss." she said.

"Bring the noise, Thunder."

"You got it, Lightning."

---

Epilogue

Dash headed over to the drink bar the club offered, which was the farthest from the stage as she could get. While normally a bit of a journey thanks to the crowded dance floor, tonight it had taken her practically half the night to make it. After her little coming out party, every pony in the club had something to say or ask her about. A few were wondering about coming out themselves, figuring maybe it wasn't such a shameful thing to be a fillyfooler. Some just wanted to know how serious she and Scratch were, which was a bit annoying. And a lot, a whole lot of ponies wanted to know about Fluttershy. Half still didn't believe they didn't have a chance. Rainbow rolled her eyes recalling that.

Still, even though Dash had always reveled in attention, it felt a little weird to have everypony's eyes on her. There were a few in the town that didn't seem comfortable talking to her, though no one had said anything untoward. They seemed to know - either first hoof or by word of mouth - that anyone who had something to say to Rainbow Dash would have to go through Fluttershy. Not that the rest of her friends hadn't been there in their own ways.

Rainbow got herself a drink and looked around. She really should get to know some more ponies around the club better. She still had hours to spend before Scratch had her break, let alone was ready to leave. The unicorn insisted that Dash didn't have to be here every night, but for now Dash still wanted to hang around. She could tell that deep down, Scratch was thankful for it. However, that still left Dash several hours with nothing to do. She needed to find somepony in the club to get along with, ideally somepony who wouldn't make a move on her either.

"Haha, thanks for the advice. I don't know I'm ready to try yet, but we'll see." a familiar voice caught Dash's attention from nearby. She turned around, and her jaw dropped at the pony she spotted chatting to Lyra.

"Twilight?!"

The End.