The smog grew thicker in the air as the train pulled closer to the ash covered mountain. Sitting up in her chair the young pegasus carefully studied the looming volcano as her hoof slowly moved towards the emergency brake. A small lump formed deep in her throat as her heart soared high in anticipation. It was time. Pulling down on the thin cable, a loud scream rang out along the track, sending the quaint cabin lurching to a sudden stop.
Stepping down the metal steps, Rainbow's legs were stiff and unresponsive as she hobbled across the rough ground. The massive rock formation didn't seem that big when she arrived, but the closer she got to its base the larger it seemed. With the sun's rays shining against the darkening skies, the ash falling from the peak reminded Rainbow of snow in the way it drifted down and gently caressed her face. Was this the right place? More importantly how was she going to find Twilight here?
Roooaarrrrr! Exploding out from behind the billowing tower of smoke, a blood red dragon rushed through the air. Its powerful yells shook the very earth Rainbow stood upon as she coward beneath her wings. Rainbow was always up for a fight, but she knew in her weakened state she didn't stand a chance against the awesome might of a dragon. When suddenly, the realization of what she needed to do raced into her mind. Standing amongst the many blends of gray's and brown's of the mountain, a cyan colored mare was an easy target to pick out. Moving fast, Rainbow's hoof carefully skimmed along the ash covered floor, gathering as much debris as possible. With it, she could smear a thin layer over her coat and darken her hue. Though it wasn't the greatest of plan, it was better than nothing.
Slyly snaking her way towards the summit the young mare cautiously scanned her surroundings in constant fear of the looming threats above. It was unclear which scared her the most, the powerful dragons flying high above her head or the boiling volcano rumbling below. Though she would never admit it, she was terrified. Was she in over her head? Could it be that Rainbow Dash, the element of loyalty, was out matched. Feeling the ground crumble under her hooves Rainbow's fear grew exponentially, for one foul move could easily send her tumbling to her demise. Regaining her hoofing a slight grin crept across her face. Even though she was afraid, she always seemed to fight her hardest when standing off against her fears. If nothing else they kept her focused on the importance of the matter at hoof.
As her ascent continued to steepen, the luxury of having soft dirt beneath her hooves soon faded as it was replaced with the hard, unforgiving touch of stone. Rainbow Dash was no mountain climber. To be fair she never needed to be. The very idea of life without flight was foreign to her. How could earth ponies live without knowing the wonders of the sky? Never being able to enjoy the wind rushing through their mane on a beautiful spring day astonished her. At least unicorns could use magic, but earth ponies didn't seem to have anything. It just wasn't a life Rainbow wanted to consider. “Rooarrr!” Jarring her back to reality, another dragon glided along the rocky floor. Oh, what she would give to find Twilight and get out of this mess, but as much as she longed for it to be easy, she knew that it was the challenge that made it all worth the while.
With her eyes fixed on the furious beast circling the smoky skies, Rainbow stretched her hooves towards the edge of the cliff. Forcing herself up the peak of the hill her focus turned to the boiling lava below. The smell of sulfur filled the air as the radiating heat blurred her vision. Dragons of all shapes and colors had gathered around the fiery pits of the volcano as their collected greed manifested as a mountain of jewels. The many diamonds and gems shined against the incandescent light of the flowing magma as if it was a shrine deserving of royalty, but this wasn't the reason for this particular gathering. Having seen these migrations before, it was clear something was different. It would appear that love was in the air, for all of the dragons seemed to be in pairs.
Scanning the whole of the crater, a tiny glimmer of light shone through the growing smog like a lantern glowing high a top a misty tower. As her eyes quickly searched for the source of the curious sight, her spirits slowly began to soar. Hiding amongst the basalt and brimstone was a pair of black binoculars. “Twilight?” Rainbow's voice remained soft as her whisper sailed from her lips. Her breath seemed bated as she pressed her body against the warm, rock surface and slowly scooted around the edge of the volcano. The narrowing path dissolved under her hooves as her lavender beauty emerged amongst the bland local. Unable to breathe the young pegasus stood in awe. Like Rainbow Dash, Twilight's mane was covered with ash and soot leaving her fur a smeared gray. Desperately longing to race to her side all she was capable of mustering was a single word. “Twilight?” Rainbow's faint whisper fell on deaf ears as she nervously took another step forward. Drawing on her collective courage her voice grew in intensity. “Twilight!”
Rocketing into the air Twilight let out a horrified screech as she landed in a defensive stance. Gasping for air the young princess quickly lowered her guard as she realized there was no threat. “Rainbow Dash?! What are you trying to do? Kill me?” Anger pulsated from her eyes as she stared at the apologetic, cyan mare. “What are you even doing here?”
Rainbow's knees turned to jelly as her head began to swirl. Just like quicksand, the more Rainbow fought the deeper she found herself lost in the muck. She couldn't breathe. She refused to let it end like this, especially after all she had been through. Letting out a long breath, Rainbow's shaking hoof lightly caressed Twilight's shoulder as she could feel her frustration soften. Lost in Twilight's purple eyes, Rainbow Dash spoke with absolute certainty as the words poured straight from her heart. “I love you Twilight Sparkle, and there is no where I'd rather be than here. I can only hope that you would let a foolish mare like me spend the rest of my days proving it to you.”
Tears welled up in Twilight's eyes as her face flushed in embarrassment. “Rainbow Dash? I....” Boom! The earth trembled under the massive weight of the dragon as he towered over his prey. Lost in their emotions the two ponies had completely forgotten the mass gathering of dragons mere inches away, let alone the loud scream that was exhaled from Twilight's lungs. Like the final showdown of a western, the two mare stood motionless as warm smoke snaked across their necks. His tongue tauntingly licked his lips as a look of satisfaction covered the dragon's face. He knew there was nothing they could do to stop him. Then like a bolt of lightning, a dark green claw exploded out of the mist and into Twilight's body. Her frail frame rippled upon impact as she was sent crashing into a kaleidoscope of jewels. Before Rainbow could react the dragon had swooped up the still motionless princess, and rocketed into the sky. With Twilight dangling in the dragon's cold grasp Rainbow desperately attempted to chase after them, but with only a few thrusts of his powerful wings they were gone.
With the dragon steadily disappearing into the black smog, Rainbow knew that without her wings there was no way she was going to catch the majestic beast. Charging along the ridge, her wings slowly extended as her teeth ripped away the cloth bandages concealing her burnt appendage. Now exposed, the coarse wind bathed her feathers with pain as it gingerly caressed her delicate skin. This didn't stop her though. Rainbow's never ending hooffall thundered through the hills as she swallowed her agony. With great speed and ferocity she forced her body off of the ground only to come smashing down onto the hard rock floor. Feeling a bruise form on her face she struggled back to her hooves. Adrenaline filled her veins as each attempt for flight ended with pain. Her torn wing burned like fire as her knees began to tremble. Despite her deep desire to continue her body was telling her different. Time was running out. With the strain on her wing becoming unbearable a final idea ignited in her mind as the cliff's edge appeared before her.
The stretch of land between Rainbow and the cliff grew shorter by the minute as her body lost momentum. Knowing what she needed to do, Rainbow Dash gave one final push for the cliff's edge and leapt into the growing fog. Plummeting headlong into the dark abyss, her teeth clenched in suspense as the shrouded ground raced towards her. Then with a bright explosion of colors the shadows were ignited with light as her rainbow streak surged across the sky. Its radiant beauty shimmered with magnificent grace as the renewed pegasus led the charge against the darkness building around her. Screaming with excitement her cries of pain turned to pride as she raced towards her target.
Before she knew it, she had climbed high above the savage drake. Hiding amongst the rising smoke of his nostrils Rainbow carefully planned her attack. Not only was the dragon stronger than her, but caution had to be administered for her every action could endanger Twilight. Speeding along the dragon's side Rainbow studied his every move. Almost as if they were performing an elegant ballet of aerial feats the beast and his pursuer danced and swirled amidst the dirty browns. With ever bank the dragon made Rainbow Dash wasn't far behind. Narrowly skimming through small gaps along the rocky exterior left little room for errors, but for a skilled flyer like Rainbow Dash it was a walk in the park.
Having endured enough of this minor annoyance the creature slowly turned its massive green head and released a thick cloud of smog. As the smoke consumed the last bits of light the dragon was quickly shrouded in darkness. Rainbow's heart pulsed through her chest as her lungs screamed in pain. Barely able to open her eyes amongst the searing vapors she attempted to find some sign of hope, but all she could see was black. Escape seemed fruitless as she defensively hovered in anticipation. Time slowed to nothing when a sudden beam of light surged through the shimmering gloom followed by a radiating column of fire. Its flames rippled like water as the blazing inferno scorched passed her face, slicing through the darkness like a knife to butter. Narrowly missing her soft fur the young pegasus needed to act. Closing her eyes the cyan mare folded her wings tight against her body as her hooves formed to her side. Like a bullet firing from a gun she dropped into the abyss. One thing was certain, if this was her last dance then she wasn't about to sit it out.
Plummeting through the sweltering inferno, the sweet sensation of fresh air rushed through Rainbow's feathers. Its cooling effect washed away the rotten stench of sulfur as she was once again able to breathe. Like a eagle triumphantly catching its prey, her cyan wings jettisoned from her sides as she sailed toward her assailant. With grace and beauty she dodged his attacks as she narrowly eluded the dragon's wrath. Her hooves skimmed along his scales as the warm air funneled around her body. Screaming at the top of her lungs, she forcefully impacted the monster's claw with her hind hoof, sending a jarring blow rippling through his hand. The powerful strike ripped Twilight's lifeless body from his cold grasp as she limply fell into the dark abyss. Twilight's mane whipped in the wind as every second seemed more important than the last. Rainbow's body trembled in anticipation as her hooves carefully wrapped around Twilight's smooth frame, sealing her in her warm embrace. Though her plans seemed to come to flourishion, there had to be a spanner in the machine. Flying was hard enough with her damaged wing, but with the extra weight of an alicorn dragging her down, flight was out of the question. What was Rainbow to do?
Roar! With the dragon barreling down on them, every clap of his thunderous wings frightened the cyan mare as she desperately searched for a way out. Flying was no longer an option, and she definitely wasn't going to simply saunter down the hill. Hope had seemed to dwindle as the shear weight of the situation sank in. There was nothing left to do. Forcibly impacting the hard ground the cyan mare stumbled to her hooves, trying with all her might to carry the still unconscious alicorn on her back. Another bolt of fire scorched passed them as the dragon circled their location. As if it was playing with its food the dark green brute devilishly taunted its victim. The horrifying sight of their impending doom raced toward them with great speed and hatred. Fire welled in his eyes as smoke billowed from his huge nostrils. It was time to end this petty game of cat and mouse.
Scurrying for their lives Rainbow Dash prepared for the worst as the ground beneath her hooves seemingly disappeared. As her body tumbled into the hidden cave, panic swept over her tired soul. A mighty gust of wind raced passed the opening of the cave as the still shaking mare clunge to her friend. Some how they were still alive. As her hooves quickly scanned her body in disbelief a sudden sigh of relief raced from her lungs. It didn't matter though. The dragon was sure to find them at any moment, and their only chance of escape was out cold. She had to try something, but what?
Wrapping her hooves around Twilight's head, Rainbow lowered her mouth to the princess's ear. “Twilight? If you can hear me, you have to get up. I need you to get up. Please. I love you.” Her eyes began to glaze as her words seemed unanswered. The sound of the dragon's claw scratching upon the rock walls of the cave echoed throughout the small chamber as the threat grew ever closer. A tear rolled down her Rainbow's cheek as she lovingly pressed Twilight's face into her breast. “Well, This is it, Twi. I guess this is goodbye.” Leaning in close the cyan pegasus gently brushed Twilight's mane over her ears as she longingly stared down at her beloved. There was nothing else to do but wait. Closing her eyes Rainbow's crown lightly met Twilight's as their lips slowly touched. Twilight's cool, soft lips drove Rainbow's heart aflutter as the sweet taste of Twilight's cherry chap stick delighted her senses. Though she had fantasized about this moment in her head, she only wished it was under better circumstances. Where was her happy ending? Gently raising her head, Rainbow sensually opened her eyes to the glorious image of Twilight's alluring face.
The violet hues of her eyes shined with beauty as they lovingly stared back from her waking slumber. ”It's nice to see you, too.” Twilight playfully shifted on the ground as she passionately looked up at her savior. “I love you, Rainbow Dash.”
“I love you too, Twilight Sparkle.”
Bam! The earth violently shook as the two lovers were ripped away from the emotional scene only to be forced back to the matter at hoof. The dragon's snarling jaws filled the entrance of the chamber as his tongue flicked inches away from them.“Aaaw! Let's get out of here!” Twilight's horn erupted with light as the dirt around them drifted into the air. Then with a flash of energy the small room was engulfed in light as the two ponies disappeared to safety.
Whoosh! Collapsing onto the floor the two mares laid motionless as they stared up from the base of the mountain. The haunting beauty of the volcano shimmered in the distance as fresh air danced along their bodies. The setting sun's rays lightly warmed their skin as time calmly slipped away. They made it. They were safe. Taking a second to regain their composure Rainbow's hooves tightly wrapped around the alicorn's frame. “Twilight you are the coolest. I can't tell you all of the things I went through to see you. So, how about we hop onto the next train back to Ponyville, and leave this awful place forever?”
“While I am flattered that you are here, and I really appreciate the grand gesture,” Slyly slipping a small peck on Rainbow's lips Twilight was quick to return to point. “But I can't just leave. I promised Celestia I would study the dragon's mating habits this migration, and its my duty to see this through. I mean, the next time this will happen isn't for another hundred years.”
Rainbow's head lowered in sadness as Twilight's words sank in. “Well if you are going to stay here, then so am I. Besides there's no where else I'd rather be than by your side. If, that is all right with you?”
“It would be my pleasure.” The two mares shared a warm embrace before they started back up the mountain. “As long as you are a little more quiet this time.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I was really happy to see you.” Watching as Twilight started up the path Rainbow paused to take in all that had happened. She had faced her fears, and love was her reward. All she had to do now was spend the rest of her days proving it to her. “Hey Twilight? There is one thing I didn't get.”
“What's that Rainbow?”
“Why didn't you bring Spike with you. I know you were probably upset, but with it being the dragon migration I'd figured you would have probably brought him along.”
“I love Spike to death, but the last thing I needed is a growing dragon getting any ideas.”
“Oh. I see what you mean.”
“That doesn't mean, we can't.” Twilight's head slowly turned as she seductively gestured up the hill.
“I really, really love you Twilight Sparkle.” Rainbow's cheeks shined a bright red as her wings rocketed into the air.
“I know Rainbow Dash. I know.”
The sun set on the two mares as they snuggled against each other. With the glowing lava illuminating the scene, everything shimmered with beauty. To them, it was a sight of pure fantasy. What was stolen in that single moment had been returned. Rainbow had found her heart, and along the way she had found herself.