//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: A Princess and Five Shadowbolts // Story: True Loyalty & Honesty // by ThePegaKris //------------------------------// It was still the middle of the night and Scootaloo was still over at Rainbow Dash's house. She was starting to feel worried that something might've happened to her, so she went upstairs to her bedroom and the door was already open. "Oh Rainbow Dash! You're starting to sleep without me?" She yawned. "I guess...it's time for me to sleep too." She hugged her like a real sister and began to sleep by her side. "Ah, good night..." The next morning, Dash woke up and was happy to see Scootaloo in the same bed with her. "I hope you slept well, kid! Hmm, who's calling me? Hello?" "Umm...good morning Rainbow Dash!" said Fluttershy. "Where did you...go? We were worried about you and Applejack." She had to pretend that she wasn't spying on them at Canterlot High. "Hey Fluttershy," R.D. replied. "I'm...fine! I think we both had to get home early, if you know what I'm saying!" Fluttershy looked confused. "Well...as long as you're both happy, then so are we! So do you have any plans today?" Her friend became alarmed. "Oooh, I...don't know! What day is it today?" Fluttershy said, "Sunday. Rarity, this world's Twilight, and I will all go to the nail salon later. Maybe...you can join us?" "M-maybe," Dashie said back. "But for now, I'm going to see...our other friends." Fluttershy had an idea for who they were. "Oh, them! Well, I hope you have fun! And remember, your friends are there for you if you need anything!" "Thanks Fluttershy and maybe I'll join you girls later! See ya!" They both hanged up and carried on. Once again, Equestrian Twilight was able to go back to the other world in order to help her friends. But she had to do just a few things before she could step through the mirror. "I'll be back as soon as I can, big brother! My friends over there really need me!" "We know you can fix whatever problems they have," Shining Armor said. "Cadance and I have our hearts on you, which is a sign of our faith." Princess Cadance puts down Flurry Heart in her cradle to help Twilight even more. "Also, Twilight, take this." She lends her a special charm. "What's this?" Twilight assumed. "This necklace, when worn, gives the holder the ability to be destined with the right one for him or her. My magic can sense love from anywhere, even in another dimension, and since I know who you're giving it to, there shouldn't be a problem." "But what if I can't get...one of them to wear it?" Twilight asked. "Will I fail?" "You won't," Cadance said. "Like your brother has said, we have faith in you and even if you do fail, it's not your fault. We know you always try your hardest!" "Thank you all," Twilight said as she hugged her family. "I must go and tell Flurry Heart that I'll be back." The baby woke up and looked at her. "Bye-bye!" Twilight was in awe and finally said her goodbyes to everypony in the room. She finally stepped through the mirror. When she reached the other side, she didn't expect Pinkie Pie and Sunset Shimmer waiting right in front of the Wondercolts' statue. "Twilight!!!" She was happy to see them, but had to gather herself for a bit. "H-hey girls! How did you know that I would be here at this time?" Sunset rolled her eyes and laughed. "It's Pinkie's hunch, remember? Anyway, let's sit at the stairs. Pinkie, c'mon!" "Comingggg! This is going to be super duper fun!" As they all sat down, Twilight had to get an explanation. "So how...are those two? Did they finally get together?" "They did, but we don't know if it's officially true yet," Sunset replied. "Applejack's not here, but I'm pretty sure she still doesn't want to be get caught with us by Rainbow Dash. Remember, if a secret that we know is revealed at the wrong time, we're to blame then." "You're right," Pinkie added. "I wonder what Dashie is doing right now." "Probably doing awesome things again!" Twilight chuckled. "There's no need for them to be afraid, but a secret is a secret. Do you want to see if Applejack's awake?" "Let's go, there's no time to waste!" Sunset acknowledged. "The only ones at her house, usually at this time, are her siblings." As the three raced to Applejack's house, Rainbow Dash went further into the city to meet her new friends from Crystal Prep Academy. They went to have a discussion at their local library, much to Rainbow's confusion. "Uhh, why're we here?" Rainbow whispered. "Aren't libraries supposed to be quiet?" "We know, but there's an area where talking's allowed," said Sunny Flare. "Come, we'll show you!" She led her friends to their favorite spot and they all sat down. "So...is there anything new you would like to share?" Indigo Zap smiled. "We all have some great things to say, but we're fine with you going first!" "Totally!" Sour Sweet added. She turned around and whispered, "I really wanted to go first!" "Yeah, it's something a bit serious, but I don't know if you're interested in hearing this," Dash undoubtedly said. You see... My best friend, Applejack, who is now your best friend, and I...had the same feelings for each other and we didn't even know about it." The five Shadowbolts all dropped their jaws, but we're also amazed and surprised. "This got very interesting," Sugarcoat pointed out. "Did you both...kiss?" "Yes," Rainbow said. "There are two things I'm now worried about: I don't know if I'm ready for a relationship like this and even if I am, the students in my school would humiliate me for being too soft! What do I do??" "Woah, calm down, girl!" as Lemon Zest tried to calm her down. "Ya don't have to worry so much about what'll happen to you. No matter how soft or sweet you get, there'll be a way to stand up for yourself. If you can't do that, you'll always have your friends to back you up, and the same goes for your girlfriend, if she becomes yours." Her friends were impressed by her statements. "Wow, thanks Zest!" Rainbow Dash thanked. "I'm glad I both befriended you all and that I got to share this!" Lemon Zest winked at her. "We're also glad you're our friend, too," Sunny Flare replied. "We all wanted to be friends with the students at Canterlot High, despite winning a lot in the Friendship Games, but..." "...until Principal Cinch had to enforce us into becoming strict," Indigo Zap finished. "That's why we were so competitive and hateful. But, we want to thank your other friend, Sunset, for making our friendship stronger and meaningful again!" "Indeed," said Sugarcoat. "Back on topic, it all completely depends on you, Rainbow Dash. Be careful of your actions and words since it'll affect you...and you know who in the end. When everything goes according to plan, then you know she's the one." Dash closed her eyes for a bit. "Okay, I got it! Thank you girls so much for understanding and I appreciate you for helping me!" "Rock on, Dashie!" Lemon Zest accidentally yelled. Other strangers angrily said, "Shhh!" She apologized to them. "Well, we're going to see a movie," said Sour Sweet. "Do you want to come with us?" "I wish I could," R.D. answered. "But, I gotta go back and meet some of my friends at the nail salon, sorry!" Sour Sweet both giggled and frowned. "That's okay! Aw man! Well, have fun with them while we do the same!" "Bye girls!" as Rainbow Dash ran out of the library. Her new friends waved back at her. Meanwhile, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie were at A.J.'s house, filling each other in on their current situation. "I'm flattered that y'all came to visit me, I really am!" Applejack said. "It's nice to see you again, Twilight! But where's Spike?" "He's hanging out with Big Macintosh, and it's the one from Equestria, in case you're wondering," she replied. "I'm also happy to see you too!" "Ah, I see! But would any of you folks like to explain why you're here?" "Oooh, oooh, me, me, me!!!" Pinkie begged. "Haha, go ahead Pinkie!" Sunset laughed aloud. "Okay, okay! We'd like to know how you've been doing with Dashie, even though it's only been two days." "Wait a minute..." Applejack got suspicious. "Were y'all by the statue yesterday? Because I thought that we heard somebody." Her friends all gulped except for Twilight, being that she only came today. "No, no, no!" they lied. "I just got here," Twilight said. "Phew!" relieved Applejack. "For a moment, we thought someone was stalking us like crazy, but we were wrong. Anyways, it's a heck of a long story, but I'll get to the point. It turns out that Rainbow Dash...loves me back, but...I'm not sure if...we're a real couple already." Twilight realized that her friends are not trying to get caught, judging by their scared faces, so she went along with them. "I see... And you don't know if she's the right one?" "Exactly," A.J. answered. "You've known Rainbow Dash your entire life, so she has to be the one," Twilight acknowledged. "Try talking to her later about how you really feel and maybe she'll understand. If she does, I want you to give this to her." Twilight pulls out the special charm necklace that Princess Cadance gave to her earlier and Applejack notices it. "A necklace? Why do you want me to give this to her?" Twilight explained, "My sister-in-law gave this to me as a gift and I thought it would be nice to let you...or Rainbow Dash wear it. She said that whoever wears it is destined to be together with the other person of interest. It's a sign of faith and love that I'm sure Rainbow will love as well!" "Are you sure she will, Twilight? Usually, Rarity's always the one who loves accessories, but I don't know about Rainbow Dash!" "Trust her, A.J." as Sunset Shimmer puts her hand on her shoulder. "We're your friends and even if Rainbow Dash doesn't really love you back, she'll still be your best friend and so will the rest of us!" "Agreed!" Pinkie Pie pointed out. Applejack started crying again, but it was tears of joy this time. "Thank...y'all so much! I don't know what I could do without you! And Sunset, you're right! If she doesn't love me back, I'll still love her and y'all as my best friends!" They hugged her back. "We love you too, Applejack!" as they all cried & hugged too.