//------------------------------// // Chapter 20: I Need You // Story: Happiness and Tears // by flaminkomage //------------------------------// Happiness and Tears RDcrystalheart Chapter 20: I Need You Soarin contemplated his current situation while sitting in the couch of his bedroom. A lamp hung above his shoulders, not allowing much light to get through. Soarin didn't mind though; his mood was anything but merry. He had two choices. One, to forget about Rainbow Dash like his father had asked him and marry Spitfire unwillingly, or two, go behind his family's back and be with Rainbow Dash; risking his entire legacy and reputation in society. Soarin had an image to maintain. And to do so, he needed to do what his father thought was the 'right' thing. Of course, he himself and Dash would probably get hurt in the process. But his heart longed so dearly for the other option. To risk his entire future by being with the mare he actually wanted to be with. Spectrum's words kept replaying over and over in his mind countless times. He... did have a point, in whatever wretched way to think about it. Rainbow Dash wouldn't bring pride to the Skies' family. But she would bring pride to him. Rainbow Dash wouldn't withhold such honor. But she would for him. Whenever Rainbow Dash cried, he cried. Whenever Rainbow Dash laughed, he laughed. No matter how cheesy that sounded... But could he risk his father's wrath? Spectrum was a stallion of few words. But whatever he did say, stuck. He had grown up with the expectation of getting whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. And right now, he wanted Soarin to marry the mare he chose for him. And he expected to get it. Because Soarin had never let the his father down. He had always followed through all of the tasks he had given him. Whatever Spectrum asked, Soarin delivered. It was Soarin's reputation of being the perfect son... the perfect model figure. Even for his little brother. Speedy... If Soarin disobeyed his father, and Speedy came back from college to this huge mess... Soarin couldn't bare that thought. Speedy didn't deserve that. Not at all. He knew what he had to do. He was going to go through with his father's plan. He was going to forget about Rainbow Dash. The streets of Ponyville were dark and damp. Rain splotches covering Soarin's now wet coat. He looked around the usually cheerful town, frowning as he noticed there was nopony in sight. Every house was empty. Soarin furrowed his eyebrows, slicking back his wet mane as he made his way deeper into the town. Ponyville Town Square was crowded. Ponies dressed in black gathering around something in the middle. Soarin gulped, looking at the sea of dark figures. Something was going on. Something big. He pushed his way through the crowd, looking at everypony's face. They were all looking down, tears staining their eyes as they silently cried. It looked like... a funeral? But who for? Soarin tapped the shoulder of a pink mare with a long curly two-toned brown mane. The mare turned to look at him, her black umbrella casting a lone shadow overhead. "Uh... excuse me, but what's going on?" he asked softly. The mare sniffled, bowing her head low. "Something terrible has happened. Rainbow Blaze..." Soarin's mind stopped. Rainbow Blaze? But wasn't that... Rainbow Dash's father. Soarin's head snapped up as realization dawned upon him. Oh no. "And it's not just that... but Firefly didn't take it too well either," the pink mare continued. "She left." Soarin's eyes widened as he took in the new information. That was... that was an absolutely horrible thing to do to a young, sensitive mare like Dash. And imagine what Scootaloo must be going through. Soarin murmured a soft 'thank you' to the mare, before making his way deeper into the crowd, his eyes darting left and right, looking for Rainbow Dash. In the middle of the Town Square, an empty path was found, Soarin following it quickly, leading him up to the main ceremony. A thick black coffin was sitting in the middle of the grass, a periwinkle-coated stallion resting upon it. Rainbow Blaze. Soarin looked further ahead, his eyes resting on a cyan mare who's eyes were wrinkled, she was trying her hardest not to cry. Scootaloo was a little farther ahead. Applejack held Rainbow Dash's hoof in a comforting way, salty tears trickling her own eyes as she stared at her best friend's father. "We pay our respects today... to honor the wondrous life of a home-style stallion, who loved his wife, and children both very much. Rest in peace," a squire said gently, allowing three other stallions to hoist up the body in preparation to leave for the graveyard. Soarin watched Rainbow Dash as she suddenly snapped, beginning to struggle under the strong hold of Applejack. "NO!" she cried out, breaking free from her friend, and running up to her father. She wrapped her hooves tightly around his body, tears now streaming freely out of her eyes. "NO. NO PLEASE, DAD. DAD PLEASE, YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME. PLEASE! PLEASE YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME!" she kept yelling as ponies ran up to her, trying to pull her away from her father. They all proved unsuccessful. "NO... NO YOU CAN'T. YOU CAN'T LEAVE. DAD... DAD I'LL BE COMPLETELY ALONE. I WON'T HAVE ANYONE... DAD PLEASE. PLEASE!!!" Soarin's heart broke at the sight of Rainbow Blaze being carried away and Rainbow Dash being left to wail in the arms of her friends. He looked between everypony, his father's words stinging in his brain. "Do you really think such a low-class girl could ever fit in to our family?" "Do you think she'll ever understand us? Understand the legacy I've built for our family?" Soarin nodded to himself slowly. "Yes father..." he whispered. "Yes she will." She was right. Dash was completely alone now. She had no one to look after her... after her parent's depart. He needed to do something. He couldn't stand his lover like this. He looked back at Rainbow Dash, her limp, crying figure resting on the ground. "Sis..." someone called from behind her. Dash turned to see Scootaloo running up to her, throwing her hooves out as the two embraced tightly. It was then when Dash glanced his way, their eyes locking in one, sad instance. Soarin started walking. He walked slowly up to her, not breaking their eye contact. He stopped when he was right in front of her, a determined look plastered on his face. Slowly, he reached his hoof out, gently taking hers and staring deep into her eyes. The corners of his mouth quirked up gently, giving her a comforting, sad smile. His expression suddenly hardened, Rainbow Dash still looking up at him in shock. "Marry me."