This sound was not unheard of in this room. To some, it signified hope, the hope of a beating heart, the hope that the pulsing in their chest would stay steady and that they soon wouldn’t require a machine to tell them that. To others it was a noise of despair. It mocked, them reminding them that they were not yet stable, and the cold embrace of death loomed over them, and even if they did make it out they may never be normal again.
To Rainbow Dash it was the latter. It had been a day since she’d awakened with a scar on her chest. Said scar was the result of a surgery that took away a part of her only to be replaced with something that did the job but was nowhere near as good as the original it had replaced.
Pace maker, the word rung in the cyan mare’s head. She didn’t know whether she was thankful or appalled. It saved her yet the magical artifact also limited her. She couldn’t push it as hard as she had the heart that gave out on her. A high speed flight was out of the question, and a sonic rainboom, impossible.
The magic artifact would last her whole life, serving only to remind her of the day an artery in her heart suddenly had a spasm, blocking her heart for long enough to damage most of it. Now the only thing keeping her alive was a hunk of enchanted metal pumping blood through her body.
The Pegasus cried into her hooves, her rainbow mane in shambles. How could this happen to her. Of all ponies it had to be the one who trained every day and was in near perfect heath. All those years of training for the wonder bolts, gone. She could never even think of joining them in her condition.
“Miss Dash?” A nurse called for her.
“Yeah?” A Disgruntled Rainbow replied, still sobbing into her pillow.
“You have a visitor.”
Dash’s ears perked up a bit. One of the only things keeping her sane were her friends. “Who is it?”
“It’s Ms. Sparkle.”
“Well, let her in!” Dash insisted.
In walked a lavender alicorn, her purple mane flowing behind her. Of all of her friends the egghead was the one that Rainbow held closest. Maybe it was the fact that they had the most in common. Sure she was an egghead, but at the same time, both loved fiction, gazing at the stars, and were even flying buddies. Honestly, Dash felt the most comfortable around her.
“How you holdin’ up?” Asked a worried Twilight.
“Better than yesterday, thanks to you!”
“Oh it’s no trouble, charging the heart with my magic was the least I could do.” Twi smiled warmly walking over to Dash’s bedside.
“You saved my life Twi, that’s more than the least you could have done!” The prismatic Pegasus insisted.
“When will you get out of here?”
“In a week.”
“Better than nothing, I guess.”
The two mares engaged in idle conversation, just enjoying each other’s company, one mare significantly more than the other. Soon the time came for Twilight to return to the library, much to the chagrin of both ponies.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Twilight bided. With that, the sterile hospital room seemed less lively to rainbow.
Twilight sadly walked out of the hospital. One week, one week until the mare she loved was on her feet. 3 days ago, when her love’s heart failed, was supposed to be the day Twilight would finally confess. Unfortunately fate had other plans when it gave Rainbow a heart attack. Twilight hung her head as she made her way to the library.
As she made into the hallow tree, the alicorn called for her assistant. It took the lack of an answer to remind her that he had gone to Canterlot on business. This only added to the loneliness she was feeling. Surely, she’d be counting the hours until the apple of her eye made her way back into the world.
She didn’t know when she had first fallen for Dash; as far back as she remembered the alicorn had admired the former speedster so an exact moment was hard to pin down. If she were to hazard a guess it was when she used the memory spell on her friend. Doing so not only allowed her to pass her memories on but sift through Dash’s. That made her realize exactly who her friend was, and she loved who she was.
But now the object of her affection was in no condition to be stressed about what she wanted. Twilight had to be there for her, and she would. She could only hope that she wouldn’t lose her nerve. With her mind a buzz, she decided to read before bed.
Two days crawled by, for Rainbow Dash. What time she didn’t spend reading Daring Doo or talking to her friends, she'd be crying or have certain thoughts. These were not thoughts she was proud of. Of all of her friends, Twilight was the one that would stay the longest. Though she was grateful, Dash didn't think much of this after all they were best friends.
If that were true maybe she should open up to Twilight, she knew that Twi would understand, but could Dash afford to put her walls down, even for a second. For Twilight, why not? Her best friend wouldn’t judge her. The cyan pony decided to wait for her friend’s inevitable arrival.
It didn’t take long for the alicorn to show up. Rainbow greeted her and offered her a seat.
“Twilight, what I’m about to tell you doesn’t leave the room, okay?”
The purple pony’s wings twitched. “Of course rainbow, you know you can trust me.” On the outside she was smiling but on the inside she thought, ‘Please tell me she loves me! I’d do anything to get her to tell me she love me!’
“I’ve been really depressed over this whole thing. I can never be a wonder bolt, even though I've been training for so long. And recently I’ve been having… thoughts.”
“Thoughts?”
“Twilight, I’ve been thinking,” The rose eyed Pegasus sobbed. “I’ve been thinking of ending it all.”
Twilight’s eyes widened. “What!?”
“Twilight I’m sorry, I don’t want to I really don’t. But I can’t keep these thoughts away.”
“Don’t do it! Please for the love of Celestia don’t!”
“I know I have a lot to live for, but I can’t control myself.”
“Please Dash, I don’t know what I’d do without you!”
“I’m so, so, so, sorry twilight. Oh you’re taking this even worse that I thought you would.”
“Rainbow, please.” Twilight embraced her friend. “Don’t do this.” She cooed softly.
The one time that she’d decided to lay her heart on the table, and this had to happen! She may have crushed her best friend. It was obvious that Twilight didn’t mean to spill the beans but had accidently blurted it out. Dash didn’t know how she felt on the matter. Sure she was flattered and even greatly admired Twilight but did she return Twilights emotions?
“Please don’t leave me Dash; I couldn’t stand to be without you.” The former unicorn sobbed.
“I won’t Twi.” The Pegasus replied unsure what she was saying was true. “I couldn’t let my best friend down like that, especially not now that I know.”
“Thank you!” Twilight dug her head into the crook of Rainbow’s neck. Then it hit her. “I just told you, didn’t I?”
Rainbow could only nod.
“Rainbow I’m so sorry!”
“Sorry? For what?”
The exacerbated alicorn paced about the room. “I know that you’ve probably got a lot on your mind, and I didn’t give you any more baggage.”
“Twilight, its fine.”
The lavender pony stopped. “Are you sure?” She gave Rainbow a worried look.
“Of course it is Twilight.” Dash smiled at her.
“Well do you…” The princess’ voice became quiet. “Feel the same.”
The rainbow maned Pegasus sighed. She really didn’t know. Twilight was her best friend and she was closer to her than Rainbow had allowed any other pony to become, but the same time Rainbow had no experience in love. Rainbow saw Twilights face, it had anxiety written all over it. She couldn’t bear to break Twi’s heart, but couldn’t lie to her, that would only be worse. Suddenly, a thought struck her.
“I’m really not sure Twilight, but there’s only one way to find out.”
Twilight’s ears perked up. “Do you mean?”
“Twilight Sparkle, will you go on a date with me?”
The alicorn lit up, her eyes growing wide with enthusiasm. “Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!” The ecstatic mare bounced around the room.
“How does seven o’clock on the day I get out of here sound?”
“Perfect! I’ll be below your place by then.”
“Then it’s a date!”
“Great, I have to go now Rainbow. Don’t do anything stupid while in gone.” Twilight’s face became stern.
“Sure thing, Twi.” Dash smiled having a reason to keep going for now.
Twilight left the room happier than she’d ever been.
The next few days were rather uneventful. Twilight still came by every day, and they decided to keep the fact that they were going on date to themselves, at least until they knew if Rainbow would want to be Twilight's marefriend. Just thinking about that made butterflies swarm in Twilight’s stomach.
Their conversation eventually led to Rainbow’s heart.
“I think my body’s getting used to this pace maker.” Dash commented.
“Dash it’s not a pace maker, it’s an artificial heart.” Twilight told her potential lover.
“What’s the difference?”
“Well,”
“Oh boy, it’s lecture time!”
“You asked for it”
“Got me there.”
“Anyways, a pace maker is for when ponies have an irregular heartbeat, they help control it.”
“Well, why couldn’t I have a heart transplant?”
“Because they don’t exist. We can transfer simpler organs like a kidney, but we haven’t managed to successfully transfer more complex organs like the heart. Luckily, we have magic so we can make a mechanical heart.”
“Why can’t we use magic for a heart transplant?”
“Because we can start a mechanical rig made specifically for magic relatively easily, but a real heart is a lot harder to start. It either beats too hard or too softly.”
“I think I get it.”
Twilight looked at the clock. “Well I have to go; Spike needs me back at the library.”
“Alright, see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah see you tomorrow at seven.”
“Oh yeah!” Rainbow lit up. “Tomorrow’s our date!”
Twilight smirked.
“I mean,” Dash backpedalled. “I mean, I get out of here tomorrow.”
“See you then Dash.” Twilight left the room beaming.
The big day had finally come for Twilight Sparkle… And she was cowering in the corner of the library. Today she was going to go out with the mare she loved, and the Princess of Magic was completely terrified.
Spike walked up to her. “Come on Twilight, its six forty-five you need to go!”
“I can’t do it Spike!” Twilight stroked her tail nervously. “What if something goes wrong?”
“Like what?”
“Like what if my breath stinks?”
“Your breath is fine Twilight.”
“But what if Rainbow is pulling some elaborate prank? What if she doesn’t wanna give us a shot?”
“Look, you she wouldn’t do that. Besides, there’s only one way to find out Twi.”
“Your right Spike,” Twilight finally came to her senses. “I guess I should get going.”
With that Twilight slowly walked out of the library her mind still racing. She made her way through the quiet town of Ponyville. After about five minutes of walking past the quaint homes and Sugar Cube Corner she made it to the city limits. There floated a cloud home and just below it was a cyan Pegasus, impatiently digging a grove in the ground with her left fore-hoof.
Anxiety, it was a feeling Rainbow Dash was more familiar with than she’d like to admit to. Though she presented herself with a boastful nature, in truth the spent a large sum of time worrying about if her life would be successful. But now she was panicking over something she never thought she’d give a chance, love.
Being a Wonder Bolt would mean she’d have to cut her ties with ponies who weren’t a part of her team. She could visit her home occasionally, perhaps once every 3 months, but most contact with her friends would be through letters. For this reason Dash preferred to keep others at a hoof’s distance. But with her new heart there’s no reason too, she would never be a Bolt.
“Rainbow?” Her purple friend snapped the Pegasus out of her thoughts.
“Sorry Twi, I was just thinking.” She explained.
“Wanna talk about it?” Her date offered.
“I dunno Twi. I’d still need to think some things over.”
“Well if you ever wanna bring it up, I’m all ears.” Twilight smiled.
“Thanks Twi. So where you wanna go for this date?” Dash changed the subject to the matter at hand.
“Well,” Twilight started. “I was thinking we could go to that Karaoke place near the bank.”
“Karaoke? Really?”
“Yeah why not?”
“Well I guess it’s as good an Idea as any other and truth be told I’ve always wanted to try karaoke.”
“Well, than why haven’t you?”
“I guess I just kept putting it off.”
“Fair enough I guess.”
“Alright than, let’s go!”
The two mares continued their conversation as they walked through the quiet town of Ponyville.
“So how did today go Dash?” Twilight made small talk.
“O-oh you know,” Dash stuttered. “S-same as ever. Well almost, just n-no flying.”
“Dash come on, you can trust me.” Twilight wanted this to work but if Dash wasn’t honest with her there was just no way. She knew about some of her insecurities from the memory spell, but during that she did her best to keep away from Dash’s secrets, though she did take a peek here and there.
“I know Twi. I’m fine really.” Dash offered weekly.
“If you say so.” Twilight wasn’t convinced.
Minutes of uncomfortable silence went by. Soon they arrived at their destination. Rainbow pulled the large glass door. The room was expansive and adorned in mostly red. The furniture was crimson and rosy velvet covered the walls. Booths covered the back wall.
“Welcome to Midnight Melodies!” Said the mare behind a scarlet counter. “How can I help you?”
“Hi.” Twilight started. “We’d like to rent a booth.”
“Okay, that’ll be thirty bits for ten songs.”
Dash stepped up. “Lemme pay Twi.”
“No I wanna pay.” Twilight insisted.
“Twilight please.”
“Look lets meet the middle, I pay fifteen and you pay fifteen.”
“Sounds fair.”
The two mares hoofed over the bits and headed to their booth. They closed the one way glass door, and turned to the magic screen in front of them. The booth was covered in sound proofing and the room was big enough for four ponies, so both mares had more than enough space.
“You go first Dash.”
“Okay.” Dash turned to the screen and pressed her hoof to the screen. She browsed the selection. “This one!”
A melancholy keyboard tune filled the air accompanied by a bass. Soon a guitar started playing a riff in the background. Dash closed her eyes and began to sing.
Summer don't know me no more
Eager man, That's all
Tears Formed in twilights eyes from the raw emotion in dashes voice.
Summer don't know me
He just let me love in myself
Cause I do know, Lord,
from you then
just dying
Dash closed her eyes. As she did so Twilight stepped in towards her and Sang back up.
I saw that day,
Lost my mind
Lord, I'll find
Maybe in time
You'll want to be mine
Dash opened her eyes, tears glazing them, and stepped back.
Don't stop this sound when it comes
It's the dawn, you'll see
Money won't get there
Ten years passed tonight, you'll flee
Twilight moved in as Dash sobbed slightly. She took over for the next line.
If you do that,
I'll be someone to find you
They began to sing in unison.
I saw that day,
Lost my mind
Lord, I'll find
Maybe in time
You'll want to be mine
Twilight moved next to the Pegasus. She lay still. The alicorn leaned in and gave the other mare a soft peck on the cheek.
I saw that day,
Lost my mind
Lord, I'll find
Maybe in time
You'll want to be mine
Maybe in time
You'll want to be mine
Maybe in time
You'll want to be mine
“Dashie,” A sentimental Twilight spoke up. “Can we stick to happier songs?”
“Yeah.” Dash replied hiding behind her mane. “You go next.”
Twilight turned to Rainbow. The Pegasus could only blush.
I'm just a cross hair
I'm just a shot away from you
Twilight closed her eyes and continued to sing.
And if you leave here
You leave me broken, shattered, I lie
Her eyes fluttered open. And she glanced at the ground.
I'm just a cross hair
I'm just a shot, then we can die
The alicorn looked to her date, her eyes shining. That stare was one of longing and adoration. Dash could only blush.
I know I won't be leaving here with you
The music slowed into a heavier sounding guitar riff. Twilight rocked and bobbed her head to the groove filling the air around them. Twilight stepped slightly closer to Rainbow.
I say don't you know
You say you don't know
I say... take me out!
I say you don't show
Don't move, time is slow
I say... take me out!
Twilight stepped back, eyes closed, and still bobbing her head to the beat.
I say you don't know
You say you don't know
I say... (Twi’s eyes opened) take me out!
If I move this could die
If eyes move this could die
I want you...to take me out!
Rainbow was swaying to the beat to but couldn't help keeping her eyes on twilight. She looked amazing as she rocked to and fro.
I know I won't be leaving here (with you)
I know I won't be leaving here
I know I won't be leaving here (with you)
I know I won't be leaving here with you
This time rainbow stepped forwards and gently caressed the lavender pony with her wing. She sang with Twilight.
If I wane, this can die
If I wane, this can die
I want you to take me out
Twilight gave Rainbow a quick hug.
If I move, this could die
If eyes move, this could die
Come on, take me out
Both mares separated and danced to the music. Twilight made a small adjustment to the lyrics as she sang the final verse.
I know I will be leaving here
I know I will be leaving here
I know I will be leaving here
I know I will be leaving here with you
Dash clopped her hooves to the floor. Twilight blushed at the mock applause, but bowed just to continue their little act.
“Wow Twi, I never noticed how good a singer you are.” Dash noted.
“Thanks Dash, you’re pretty good yourself.” Twilight smiled.
“I think you mean pretty awesome Twi, and thank you.”
“Of course,” Twilight playfully rolled her eyes. “So it’s your turn Dash.”
“You go again Twilight, I can’t decide between two songs.”
A steady synth keyboard filled the air. It was accompanied by a drum and bass. Eventually Violins played a bitter sweet melody over it.
Up on melancholy hill
There's a plastic tree
The alicorn turned to Rainbow.
Are you here with me?
The Pegasus pony’s ears flopped down. She looked sheepish.
Just looking out on the day of another dream
Twilight offered her dear a smile. Dash perked up a bit.
Well, you can't get what you want
But you can get me
Dash blushed.
So let's set out to see, love
'Cause you are my medicine
When you're close to me
When you're close to me
Dash moved towards twilight as the violin returned. She nuzzled her slightly.
So calling all submarines
'round the world we'll go
Does anybody know, love?
If we're looking out on the day of another dream
Twilight caressed Rainbow gently with a hoof.
If you can't get what you want
Then you come with me
Up on melancholy hill
Sits a manatee
Just looking out for the day
When you're close to me
When you're close to me
When you're close to me
Twilight felt it was the time to ask as the song drew to a close, that and she was growing impatient. “I know we’re still relatively early in the date Dash, but would you please be my marefriend?”
“Twi, I’ve met a lot of ponies in this world, and none of them have made me feel as appreciated as you do.” Dash started. “I’d be an Idiot not too.”
In one fell swoop Twilight embraced her lover. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!”
“Come on Twi, I know I’m pretty awesome but don’t make me change my mind.” Dash teased.
The two mares gleefully sang their lungs out in their cozy compartment. Twilight was having the time of her life, and Rainbow surprisingly felt great comfort in being so close together. Finally, the mares had reached the last song of the night, and decided they would perform a duet.
“Ready?” They asked simultaneously.
“Yeah.” Twilight answered. “You mind if I pick the song?”
A slow acoustic guitar filled the air around the two ponies. They rocked back and forward, with their eyes closed. Twilight decided to sing first.
Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now
A Cello accompanied the guitar, soon to be joined by a bass and drums.
Back beat, the word is on the street
That the fire in your heart is out
I'm sure you've heard it all before
But you never really had a doubt
I don't believe that anybody feels
The way I do about you now
Twilight stared deep into Rainbow’s eyes, and lost herself in the rose colored pools.
And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would
Like to say to you
But I don't know how
Noticing her longing stare, Rainbow looked back in to Twilight’s eyes. She had never noticed how beautiful they were before.
Because maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall
Twilight finally shook herself out of her daze and blushed as she continued singing.
Today was gonna be the day
But they'll never throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you're not to do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do
About you now
And all the roads that lead you there were winding
And all the lights that light the way are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
But I don't know how
In one quick motion Rainbow embraced her marefriend in her hoofs and wings. Twilight blushed but nuzzled her neck. The feeling of being this close to Rainbow was intoxicating.
I said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall
I said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
And after all
You're my wonderwall
I said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
You're gonna be the one that saves me
You're gonna be the one that saves me
The two mares broke their hug, Rainbow blushing heavily and giving Twilight a sheepish grin.
“That was beautiful, Dashie.” Twilight smiled warmly.
“Thanks Twi.” Dash hid behind her mane, smiling. “You were pretty awesome too.”
“We should get going,” The alicorn walked next to her date. “We have dinner to eat.”
“Where are we going?” The cyan mare tried to keep her cool persona up. It wasn’t working particularly well.
“Well I was thinking we could go to my place. I had Spike make us some food while we were here.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
The walk back was silent. It was not an awkward silence but a very comfortable one. Both ponies trotted together in quiet admiration of each other. The lilac alicorn’s plan had gone perfectly. She’d spent days selecting what song to sing and when, and to think she’d almost lost her nerve. Now she was enjoying the fruits of her labor; a beautiful new marefriend.
‘I’m the luckiest mare in Equestria!’ Twilight thought.
Soon the two mares reached the Golden Oaks Library. They as they entered the book case lined tree, a delicious aroma filled their noses. Whatever spike had made smelled mouthwatering.
In the center of the room was the source of the smell, a huge mound of pasta sat there on the set table steaming. The two ponies wasted no time digging in. As she ate Twilight could hear a soft snore coming from the kitchen.
‘He must have gone to sleep there to give us some privacy.’ Twilight concluded. ‘I’ll have to treat him to some gems tomorrow.’
“Give Spike my compliments, Twi.” Dash remarked after licking her plate clean. “That was awesome.”
“I’ll be sure to do that Rainbow.” Twilight agreed.
“Hey Twi.”
“Yes Rainbow?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” Twilight was puzzled. “For what?”
“For never letting you in before.”
“What?”
“I used to think that forming attachments to other ponies would slow me down, but today has got me thinking differently. Earlier today when you came by, I was still unsure, but now I know I should have told you that I was scared things wouldn’t work out, and that I would never be able to reach my dreams. I had more fun than I’d ever had today and it made me realize something; I thought I needed the love and adoration of millions to be happy, but maybe I only need that from one mare. Maybe I only need it from you.”
Twilight couldn’t hold herself back any more. She tackled Rainbow. Rainbow braced for impact with the floor but instead saw a bright flash and felt herself land on Twilights bed. Twilight pressed her lips to her marefriend’s and sparks began fly. Rainbows eyes glazed over as she returned the kiss. She’d never felt so good in her life. Eventually the need to breath overcame them and they had to separate.
“I love you Rainbow Dash!” Twilight laid next to her lover.
Rainbow rolled over on top of Twilight. “I love you too, Twilight Sparkle.” Dash looked down at her lover with hungry eyes. “I really love you.”
Twilights only reaction was to blush as rainbow gave another passionate kiss.
