Although both Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie knew it was mid-afternoon, the preparation rooms they’d been guided into were pitch black save for a single torch in the center of each that made the armaments lining the walls seem to twist and dance as though each were eager to be chosen and taste blood. Many were rusted from their long period of disuse and some had even chipped or crumbled into fragments. Nearly all of them had ruddy marks at their edges that both ponies tried not to think about.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Rainbow Dash could make out the dim golden arch of the seam around the heavy stone doors. She could hear her heart beating behind her ears like an unsteady clock. In five minutes, maybe ten, those doors would open and she would trudge out to find herself face to face with one of her best friends. Possibly for the last time.

I shouldn’t be so worried. I can trust Pinkie. We may not have been able to talk to each other, but she’ll understand what the plan is. She’s probably even made one up herself. Even if she hasn’t, she’s my friend and I can trust her... But still, the more times she said it to herself, the hollower it felt.

Pushing it from her mind, Rainbow walked up and down the rows of weaponry looking for anything that might aid in their escape. She settled on a short sword that was light enough to fly with without slowing her down, but looked sturdy enough to be used as a tool once they’d made their escape. Maybe a lock would have to be pried off or something.

Or a friend stabbed, her mind added.

Sighing, Rainbow sat by the door and waited. Everything would be all right.

Somehow.

_

Pinkie stared at the floor, watching an overturned cockroach kick and struggle in the firelight. Most likely, it had eaten some poison. Its death was inevitable, slow and vicious, but all she could do was watch.

Can I really do this?

She took a step away from the slowly dying insects. Blades surrounded her on all sides.

Am I strong enough?

Pinkie turned to the racks of weapons. Her hoof floated from one to another and back before finally lowering. She walked over to the roach and crushed it under her hoof.

I am strong enough for this. I have to be. Everyone needs me.

She set aside two knives, thinking somberly as she looked over them. It’s better if there’s no fight. If it’s unexpected and quick. Painless... like when we had to put down Gummy Sr.

She saw a sword that had corroded to the point that the rust had eaten away at the cracks and it had fallen into jagged pieces. She picked one up gingerly and hid in her her cotton candy mane.

I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash. I just hope you- that everyone can forgive me for what I have to do...

_

Surreal... was all Rainbow Dash could think as her eyes adjusted to the harsh magical lighting that lined the roof.

She shouldn’t have ever thought it might be so easy as grabbing Pinkie and flying away. Of course a combat arena would be covered with a roof to keep any pegasi from fleeing. A massively thick steel cage surrounded the oblong arena, separating the condemned from the spectators.

But what Rainbow Dash found surreal was the slow, rhythmic clapping from all sides. Every seat ringing the arena was occupied by one of Discord’s expressionless griffons, each staring not at her, but straight ahead without expression as they clapped in unison.

At the northern end, atop an ornate dais of black marble that seemed to rise out of the colosseum’s very foundations, Discord sat in a matching throne clearly intended for the king. ”All right; settle down. Curb your wild enthusiasm!” he bellowed cheerfully. ”Our two lovely contestants have selected their weapons and are now ready to provide you with the very finest in entertainment. And so, ladies...” he bowed with a flourish that made Rainbow’s stomach turn, ”you may begin whenever you’re ready. Don’t let us down~”

Here it goes... both ponies thought as they slowly walked across the broad sandy floor toward one another. With each step, Pinkie’s hooves felt like they gained another pound. After what seemed like an hour, the two stood not one meter apart. Rainbow scanned her friends eyes for any sign – even the slightest glimmer – that she too had the idea of escaping, but all she saw in their depths was fear. Fear she was certain her own eyes mirrored.

Rainbow Dash needed to say something. There’d be no escape without communicating some kind of plan, but trying to force out words felt like trying to make herself vomit. ”P..Pinkie?” she squeaked.

Pinkie swallowed hard and nodded, but said nothing.

”Circle with me... we need to talk.”

They circled clockwise and counterclockwise, weapons at the ready as though they might swing at any moment, reversing direction often enough to give the impression that they were sizing each other up.

”We have to get out of here...” Dash hissed between clenched teeth. Pinkie looked dubious. ”I’m not going to hurt you, Pinks. I won’t let them play us like this. I need you to trust me and help me figure out how to bust outta here.”

”Y-you don’t want to?” Deep in Pinkie’s chest, hope started to flutter. It was quickly crushed out.

Of course she’d say that. She wants you to let your guard down. I’ll bet she has the same idea you do.

No! Dashie would never do that!

So, she’s never lied to you? Never tricked you?

Well... yes, but this isn’t some prank or surprise party! This is serious, and she’d never stab a friend in the back!

You mean the exact thing you’re planning to do?

”Of course I don’t, Pinks. Now come on; I need your help here.”

”H-how do I know it’s not a trick?”

Rainbow Dash’s eyes narrowed. ”Really? You know I don’t want to hurt you. Don’t be dumb.”

Pinkie nodded slowly. ”Really. Sorry, Dashie, but you’re kind of pointing a sword at me.”

”So are you.” Dash hissed.

”Well I can’t be sure I won’t need them. Why don’t you put down your sword and I’ll put down my knives...”

Dash tensed. ”No way! You first.”

The magical lights overhead gleamed on their instruments of death. ”...on three then?” Pinkie offered.
”Fair enough... On three.”

Together, they counted to three. True to their words, Rainbow tossed her sword aside and Pinkie dropped her knives.

”Look for anything we can use as an exit. I’ll stall for time.” Dash whispered before turning to face Discord on his throne.

”There. Do you see? Nothing can stand in the way of true friendship and get us to turn on each other. Not even you, Discord!”

While Rainbow’s back was turned, Pinkie slowly fished the metal shard out of her mane. The edge bit into her hoof and she bit her lip to stifle her whimper. Trembling, she looked at the blade in her hoof, then at Rainbow Dash, then back again.

It’s best this way. No fight. No pain. Nice and quick. She’ll never even know what hit her.

”It actually sounded kinda dumb when Twilight first said it, but friendship is the most powerful thing in the universe, and-”

Pinkie wrapped a foreleg around Rainbow Dash tenderly. ”I’m so sorry, Dashie...” she whispered and drove the makeshift blade into her chest.

Rather than crumpling to the ground instantly like Pinkie had imagined, Rainbow screamed. While her mind raced to process what had just happened as her whole body shook with the pain, she instinctively jammed an elbow into Pinkie’s stomach and tried to turn and face her. It was all too much in that moment and she fell to the ground, curling into a fetal position and holding her forehooves against her wound.

”Wh.. whyyy?” Rainbow gasped. She coughed and her mouth filled with a coppery taste she knew was blood. Her vision warped and distorted as she looked at her friend, a pink blotch against tan static.

The wind had been knocked out of Pinkie when she was elbowed, and she rose back onto her hooves shakily. Why? The word echoed in her head. Why? Whywhywhywhy? As she looked at Rainbow Dash gasping on the ground, blood trickling over her lips like too much lipstick, she couldn’t stop the hot tears from rolling down her cheeks.

She’s hurting so so so so much and it’s all my fault!

”I’m sorry!” she blubbered. She couldn’t bear to see her friend on the ground writhing in pain because of her. Pinkie scrambled to where Dash’s discarded sword lay, dragging it behind her in one hoof while the other three slowly brought her towards Rainbow Dash as she regained her breath. ”I have to... I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

Rainbow Dash tried to get back on her hooves, but the pain was unbearable. Her knees gave out and she fell back onto her side. The impact forced more blood up her windpipe and she spat crimson. It was over. Pinkie had... had snapped or something, it didn’t even make sense anymore! Nothing did! She could feel the blade inching its way closer to her heart every time she tried to move. She could imagine the tip prodding it with each beat.

Rainbow closed her eyes, resigned to what was coming...

But in the darkness behind her eyes, she could see Fluttershy’s face, eyes wide and lips trembling. She heard her voice repeating what she’d said earlier.

”No matter what happens, and I mean no matter what, you can’t let yourself die, Rainbow. No matter what you have to do...”

Gritting her teeth, Rainbow Dash tried again, growling with the effort as she regained her footing. Chest heaving, she stared at Pinkie, who stood frozen as she watched Rainbow get up.

”No... no, Dashie, please d-don’t... It’s gonna hurt so much worse if you fight it. Please...” Tears and snot ran down her scrunched face as she raised the sword behind her head, rising onto her hind legs to hold it in both forehooves.

”I don’t want to hurt you, Dashie... but- but I have to. Just let it be quick, please...”

Pinkie brought the sword down with all her might. As she swung, Rainbow rushed forward, slamming into her and knocking her onto her back. The sword slipped from her hooves and flew into the air over Rainbow’s shoulder. It bit into her wing as it did so before landing on the sand with a soft thud. Pinkie felt something crack at the base of her spine when she landed and whimpered.

”Stop this, Pinkie. You can still stop it,” Rainbow panted. She grabbed the blade embedded in her chest.

”No, Dashie! Don’t!”

Screaming with such force it tore at her throat, Rainbow Dash pulled as hard as she could on the metal fragment, ripping it from her chest. The open wound drooled bright red. She held it at her side, covering her wound with her other free hoof.

Pinkie thought she’d come to terms with the idea of having to kill Rainbow Dash, but hearing her scream like that brought forth a fresh torrent of tears.

”Just stop this, Pinkie. We can still-” Rainbow coughed. ”Still go home. We just have to look hard enough.”

Pinkie shook her head. ”No, Dashie...” she said shakily, ”there’s no happy ending for us here. You know how it has to be...” Groaning, she got back up and started walking toward Rainbow slowly, building to a gallop.

Rainbow stepped to the side and drove her hoof into Pinkie’s stomach. ”Pinkie, don’t make me do this...”
Pinkie gasped and clutched at her stomach before turning around to try again. Dash knocked her legs out from under her and she was sent sprawling. Pinkie lay where she fell, sobbing into the sand. Rainbow watched her for a moment before shaking her head and going over to her. She could see Pinkie’s will to fight was broken. It was over.

”Come here, Pinks,” she said softly. ”I know you don’t want to hurt me, and I don’t want to hurt you either. It’s not too late.” Rainbow reached out to stroke her friend’s mane. ”We can still figure this out. This thing on my chest is just...” she spat a glob of pink into the sand, ”just a scratch. Why don’t we just-”

By the time Rainbow noticed Pinkie had moved, the hoof had already hit her jaw and made her teeth crunch together with agonizing force. She fell on her back, dropping the bloody hunk of metal.

”Whuh...” she said. It was hard to make out anything clearly after the trauma to her head, but she saw Pinkie was nearly on top of her, but just staying there. The pink mare was looking over at the sword, which seemed so far away.

”Juh... juh stoh ih....” Rainbow slurred as her senses starting to come back to her. ”Somehing ih my mouf?” She found something strange behind her gums with her tongue and spat it into the sand beside her.

Half of a tooth. Jagged and bloody. Root exposed, fluttering under her hot breath.

Pinkie was looking back and forth at Rainbow and the sword, which seemed so far away now. She picked up the bloody metal shard and knelt over Rainbow.

”You don’t want to do this...” Dash whimpered.

Pinkie’s eyes squeezed shut. ”I know! But there’s no other way.”

”I’m sorry!” she screamed as she brought the blade down. All the effort caused a burning sensation where she first fell on her back, and her strike missed, burying the blade into the sand. She didn’t have long to think about it before Rainbow kicked her in the side of her head and leapt on top of her.

The pair of them traded blows about the head and neck, rolling back and forth in an attempt to get the upper hoof. ”J-just... dammit! Stop it Pinkie!” Rainbow growled through clenched teeth. She wouldn’t make the same mistake twice, having narrowly avoided biting off a chunk of her own tongue.

Pinkie managed to scramble atop Rainbow Dash and drove a hoof into her muzzle with a wet crunch. Blood sprayed over Rainbow’s lips from her broken nose. She couldn’t tell how many more times Pinkie managed to hit her after that, all accompanied by a slow but steady pitter patter of tears.

”You should have just not fought... it would have been so fast... it wouldn’t have hurt...” Pinkie bawled.
Somehow, Rainbow round the strength to throw Pinkie off of her to the side. She had no idea what she was going to do next, but she had to get out from under her. Everything was still blurry, but Rainbow managed to get up and turn to face Pinkie.

Then she noticed how Pinkie hadn’t attacked her again.

And how quiet it was.

How Pinkie wasn’t moving.

Rubbing her eyes, Rainbow stumbled over to where Pinkie lay on the ground. Her breathing was ragged and erratic. Looking down, Rainbow saw why.

The tip of the sword fragment was sticking up through Pinkie’s stomach. Pinkie’s mouth hung open, a breathless hiss escaping. She was trying to scream, but was too shocked to manage it.

Immediately, Rainbow knelt beside her friend and lay a hoof on her chest. Feeling her friend’s warm hoof, Pinkie looked over at Rainbow slowly.

”D-Dashie...” she wheezed.

”I’m here, Pinkie. I’m here.”

”How... how bad is it?”

Rainbow Dash bit her lip. ”It’s... pretty bad. But you’ll be okay. We’ll get you to Twilight. She can help you.”

”It hurts so much...” Pinkie whimpered, holding her stomach with her hooves.

”Shhh, don’t talk, Pinkie. Save your strength.”

”I’m dying... aren’t I?”

”No!” Rainbow shouted. ”No you’re not. Don’t say that!” Rainbow Dash stood and took a step away from Pinkie.

”No... please don’t leave me...”

”I’m not leaving you, Pinkie. I’m ending this. I’m saving you.” She looked up at the throne and locked eyes with Discord. ”It’s over!” she shouted.

”Really?” he said, holding a hand over his forehead. ”How’s that? It doesn’t look over to me.”

”It’s plain to see that she can’t fight anymore! This fight is over. Let us go!”

Discord shook his head slowly, clicking his tongue. ”Now now, Rainbow Dash. You can’t go and stop the game just because you don’t like the way it’s going. It ruins the game’s sense of sportsmanship. This isn’t pro wrestling. There’s no tapping out.”

”You son of a bitch, let us go! Look at her! At me! You’ve had your fun! Now-”

”Dashie...” Pinkie croaked, coughing, ”it’s okay... Just please... I’m scared.”

”Don’t be scared, Pinkie. It’s going to be all right. You’re not going to die. You’re just.... you’re just going to sleep.”

Pinkie shook her head. ”You don’t have to lie. Just hold me.” Her composure broke and she started crying again. ”I’m s-so scared, Dashie! What’s gonna happen to me?”

Rainbow Dash had absolutely no idea how to answer that question. Where would Pinkie go? What would happen to her?”I don’t know. I’m sorry, but... I just don’t. But whatever it is,” she forced herself to smile, ”I know you’ll be all right. You’re Pinkie Pie. You can make friends wherever you go. You’ll be all right.”

Pinkie smiled slowly, pushing the pain from her mind. ”I hope you’re right, Dashie. And...” she coughed, ”please don’t lose that smile.... whatever you do... don’t let this... kill... you too...”

All signs of recognition in Pinkie’s eyes faded like the dimming of a lightbulb and she went completely limp.

”Aaaaand thus ends a very exciting piece of life and death drama, folks! Let’s have three cheers for wonderful winner, Miss Rainbow Dash!”

”No no no! Come on, Pinkie, snap out of it! Don’t you dare don’t you fucking dare die on Pinkie! Don’t you do this to me!”
”HIP HIP... HOORAY!”

”Why did this even have to happen? You idiot, we were going to get away! We would’ve figured something out! Why?”

”HIP HIP... HOORAY!”

”SHUT UP! You bastards! She’s gonna die if we don’t get help! And you’re cheering?! Somebody help her!”

”HIP HIP... HOORAY!”

Rainbow Dash’s wails were drowned out by the rhythmic pounding of applause. Losing sensation across her body, she collapsed on top of her dead friend and fell into the black void
_

“Ow!” Rainbow Dash winced. Fluttershy wilted.

“Oh, I’m really sorry it hurts, Rainbow Dash, but I have to get these wounds clean or else they’re going to fester.”

“Just…” Rainbow grunted as Fluttershy wiped a cloth over a long, but thankfully shallow cut just over her wing.

“Just get it over with fast. I don’t like having to get fixed up. It just reminds me that I’m broken.”

“You’re not broken, Rainbow…” Fluttershy said softly, “but you did get really hurt in that fight. It’s a miracle that you weren’t hurt worse.”

“Yeah, a miracle…” Dash snorted. “I guess murdering your friends is a miracle now? I must have missed the memo.”

“Oh Rainbow…” Fluttershy’s eyes watered, her lips trembling. “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s all so awful, but you did what you had-”

Rainbow Dash cut her off with a hoof over her mouth. “Let’s just- just not talk about it right now. If we do.. I’m g-gonna start crying, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop. I can feel all that pain in the back of my mind, and I know that I’m going to have a long, hard cry about it once this is all over, but I just can’t face that right now. It doesn’t even seem real! Pinkie? Gone? That makes no sense! And besides… if I’m a sobbing mess, then I’ll be useless to everyone. I won’t be able to protect the ones I love the most.”

Rainbow Dash slumped over, staring blankly at her hooves. She could still feel the impact of her hooves on Pinkie’s face, but it felt like a bad dream she could wake up from if only she tried hard enough.
Fluttershy lay down beside her, wrapping her wings around Rainbow protectively.

They lay there together in silence for a few minutes, but then Rainbow said something that Fluttershy couldn’t quite make out.

“I’m sorry. What was that?” Fluttershy felt really bad for not hearing it, but it was barely a whisper.

“I… er, said that I realized something because of it.”

“What is it?”

“No matter how much it hurt, there was no way I could ever let myself be killed. Not just because they need me, but you need me, like you said. And also…” she trailed off, slowly looking up at Fluttershy, “I need you. You’re my oldest and best friend, and the closest one to me in the whole world. I can’t explain it, but I just can’t get by without you with me. Not even in heaven.”

Fluttershy had no idea what to say. Thousands of words swept through her mind, but none of them were the right words. Judging by Rainbow Dash’s silence, she wasn’t sure what to say either.

The two of them did the only thing they could think to do. Neither could explain why, but it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Closing their eyes, they leaned in and pressed their lips together.

Neither of them thought about what it meant about their orientation, their identities, the problems they might face when they returned home. None of that was important. Two souls that had never realized they were lonely were finding completion in each other. It felt like ours before they finally broke apart, taking heavy breaths of air they didn’t realize they were holding in. Fluttershy looked at Rainbow, her face hot with embarrassment and excitement.

“Did-” she stammered. “Did we just…”

“Mhm,” Rainbow Dash nodded.

“Are we… going to…”

“I think so.” Rainbow Dash whispered, gently stroking Fluttershy’s face. “Do you want to?”

“I…” Fluttershy couldn’t say the words, so looking into Dash’s eyes, she squeaked and nodded.

Rainbow Dash leaned in to kiss Fluttershy for the second time. It lacked the surprise of the first, but none of the passion.

Rainbow kissed down Fluttershy’s chin and neck. It felt amazing, but Fluttershy noticed Rainbow cringing as she moved further down her. Tenderly, she brought Rainbow’s face back up to her own and into a kiss.

“You’re still hurt, Rainbow…” she said sweetly. “Tonight, I’m taking care of you…”

“But I’ve always – I should-”

“Shhhh.” Fluttershy put a hoof to Rainbow’s lips before kissing down the side of her neck like Rainbow had just done to her.

Rainbow squirmed. It didn’t feel right just sitting back and having Fluttershy do this for her. Not after she’d been the one looking out for her ever since they were both fillies.

However, all arguments fell flat when weighed against the thudding ache in her chest.

“But you don’t know what you’re doing,” she offered weakly.

Fluttershy gave Rainbow’s shoulder a light nip and looked up at her. “Do you?”

“Of course I do! Kinda. …well, I saw it before. In one of Dad’s magazines.”

Fluttershy slowly kissed her way down Rainbow’s chest, taking care not to come near her wounds. “I think I know what I’m supposed to do. Just, um, tell me if anything doesn’t feel right.”

Rainbow nodded and slowly Fluttershy placed a trail of kisses down Rainbow Dash’s chest and stomach. As she neared Rainbow’s waistline, Fluttershy could hear her… was friend still the right word?’s breathing deepen.

“Friend” just wasn’t good enough, “lover” too cheesy. There had to be the right word for what Rainbow meant to her somewhere, but as Fluttershy nuzzled between Rainbow’s thighs and kissed along the inside of them, the only thing that mattered was how much she cared about the other pegasus and how badly she realized she wanted this.

Rainbow bit her lip and closed her eyes. As much as she wanted to stare forever at Fluttershy to reassure herself that this was all real, they closed by instinct. It was so hard to believe that this dream she’d never understood was finally coming true. Holding Fluttershy close to comfort her after chasing off the bullies that plagued her had always stirred something other than friendship within her, but it had never felt safe to ask her mother or father about what it was she was feeling. They had always told her she could tell them anything, but the words felt like a lead weight in her gut, and trying to bring them up was so unpleasant that she just stopped trying.

Right now, her best friend – the mare she’d fallen in love with, she realized – was between her legs, kissing and licking her with a passion she never would have expected from so gentle a mare. Suddenly, all the attention to her stopped. Her eyes fluttered open to see Fluttershy looking up at her sadly.

“You’re, um, not saying anything. I’m not doing it right, am I?”

“Oh, no-” Fluttershy shrank back. “No no no!” Rainbow stammered. “I mean no, you’re doing it great!”

Fluttershy looked unsure, so Rainbow bent down and kissed her sweetly on the lips. Her brow furrowed a little and she smacked her lips. “So, that’s what I taste like, huh?”

“It’s… different,” Fluttershy admitted, “but not in a bad way,” she added hastily.

Rainbow shrugged, chuckling a little. “I think you might be just a little bit biased, ‘Shy.” Rainbow kissed her again. They just looked at each other for several moments, smiling.

“So, um… should I… get going again?” Fluttershy asked with a blush and Rainbow found herself scrambling for a response that wouldn’t kill the mood.

None came.

“Umm… sure. That’d be… nice…” Rainbow grit her teeth. It sounded awful.
Thankfully, Fluttershy only giggled and kissed her way back down to Rainbow’s marehood before beginning again. Rainbow Dash leaned back and allowed herself to forget about everything in the world but the sensation.
_

With their hooves wrapped around one another, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy fell into sleep like sinking in a warm bathtub. Rainbow found herself trapped in a dream of Pinkie’s final moments. When she awoke crying, Fluttershy was there to comfort her.

Author's Note

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