Rainbow Dash flew through the chilly air with a grief-stricken look on her face as she hung her head low. Flying would usually get her mind off of things, but right now all she could think about was what had happened between her and Soarin.
She looked up, and saw Ponyville’s fountain in the middle of town come into view as she slowly started to descend towards it. She wanted to sit out here for a while since it was empty and she really didn’t feel like going home at the moment.
She landed nearby the fountain and took her saddle bag off and leaned it against the side of the fountain, then walked up and sat on the edge looking at her reflection in the water as Ponyville's streetlights flickered all around her, the sound of the soothing, running fountain water filled the silent darkness.
Twilight was taking one of her evening walks at this hour, a contented smile on her face, the cold air hitting against her felt great.
She then saw something from the corner of her eye near the town’s fountain.
“Rainbow Dash?” Twilight whispered to herself and trotted over to see if her eyes saw what she thought they saw.
Twilight walked up behind a very quiet and sad looking Pegasus mare.
“Rainbow Dash? What are you doing here?” Twilight asked.
Rainbow Dash turned her head around and looked at Twilight with disconsolate eyes. Her usually bright, colorful mane seemed dull and not as vibrant due to her current expression.
Twilight was shocked to see her friend looking so upset.
“What happened to your camping trip? Pinkie Pie told me all about it after you left.” Twilight asked with concern.
“He’s a big jerk.” Rainbow Dash’s voice quivered as she still looked at her reflection in the water.
“Huh? Who?” Twilight asked and raised an eyebrow.
“Soarin.” Rainbow Dash replied flatly.
Twilight sat down on the fountain edge with Rainbow Dash.
“That stallion from the Wonderbolts that you went camping with?” Twilight asked.
Rainbow Dash nodded.
“Mind telling me what happened?” Twilight asked her sad friend.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Rainbow Dash said quietly. “I’m still mad at him.”
Twilight noticed that Rainbow Dash looked more depressed than mad; she was a very smart mare and could read pony’s expressions just as well as well as she could read books.
“I can’t help but get the feeling that you’re not actually angry at him.” Twilight said.
Rainbow Dash sniffed. She looked like she was about to cry, but held her tears back because she didn’t want Twilight to see her cry.
Rainbow Dash sighed. “You’re right... I’m not... I guess I’m just really upset at him for what he did because I–” Rainbow Dash paused; the words she wanted to say got caught in her throat. She wasn’t used to expressing her feelings to others.
Twilight leaned her head to the side to get a better look at Rainbow Dash’s face.
“Because…. You…” Twilight hesitated. “Like him... Don't you?” Twilight asked, finishing Rainbow Dash’s sentence for her.
Rainbow Dash looked down at her reflection in the water, shut her eyes tightly, and slowly nodded as a response.
Twilight’s heart grew heavy from seeing her friend in the condition that she was in. She knew Rainbow Dash as the tough, strong, brash mare that would never let anything get to her. She’s never seen her this way before.
“Well, then... What's holding you back?” Twilight asked softly.
Rainbow Dash opened her eyes and stared at her sullen expression in the water.
“My parents…” Rainbow Dash whispered. Twilight was barely able to hear her.
Twilight knew about Rainbow Dash’s mom and dad.
“What do you mean?” Twilight asked quietly, wanting Rainbow Dash to clarify.
Rainbow Dash took in a deep inhale then let out a loud exhale of the cold night air then looked at Twilight with her big, sad, magenta eyes.
“I can’t go through what my dad went through… I just can’t.” Rainbow Dash’s voice cracked and quivered as she spoke. “I don’t want to have someone that I care about, only to just one day have them be gone forever…” Rainbow Dash sighed and looked away.
Twilight swore she heard her own heart shatter.
Both mares were quiet for a moment before Twilight spoke up.
“Rainbow Dash… I’m sure if your mom were here, she would want you to be happy.” Twilight said comfortingly. “She would be proud to see what a great mare you’ve become.” Twilight said reassuringly and gave her a warm smile.
“You really think so?” Rainbow Dash sniffed then looked up at Twilight with watery eyes.
“I know so.” Twilight replied softly. “I can’t guarantee that a few mishaps won’t happen, but you have to take the chance before you’re stuck with this feeling forever.” Twilight said.
Rainbow Dash gave her friend a bittersweet smile while wiping her nose and both mares stretched out their arms and hugged each other.
“Thanks, Twilight.” Rainbow Dash said quietly. A single tear rolled out from Rainbow Dash’s eye, and onto the floor.