12 - Dashed Hopes

We emerged from privacy for the second time on this great adventure, no longer two different ponies but one great team. The atmosphere this time was certainly different. The crowd were gossiping wildly. If they'd seen us, they sure had done a great job on stealth. Some were excited, some were jealous, and some didn't speak (I assume that was for fear of scorning us). Even the princesses looked across at us happily.

I looked around in search of the two pegasi I was worrying about the most – Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. "Rarity, mind if I leave you for a sec? I don't care about what anyone will think about us, I just hope nobody's feeling hurt, that's all."

"Yes, darling. That's fine," she smiled.

I fluttered up, remembering all those times in the episodes I used to watch where Fluttershy would go on hoof. I couldn't stand that logic. It was a mere few seconds before I caught the pastel blue and yellow duo. "'Scuse me, guys," I alerted the clique below me. "Dashie, Fluttershy, are you OK?"

"I'm so happy for you!" Fluttershy smiled enthusiastically. "I forgive you for earlier, I can see you're not like that. You chose well!" Rainbow Dash added nothing. As Fluttershy moved away, Rainbow Dash dragged me aside forcefully.

"You said I wasn't missing anything!" she whispered, in a snakelike voice full of envy.

"I haven't got time to argue," I said, "I've made my decision. If it affects you, then I'm sorry, but I can't change it for the sake of one pony."

"So you dropped my infinite loyalty, just so Rarity can give you stuff!?" Dash's voice raised just beyond the loudest whisper. I could feel the venom flowing through her. "Who saved your neck? Who saved HER neck, by doing the impossible!?"

"Firstly, she isn't just physically generous. She's given you her friendship, her love. You don't want to lose that, do you? Secondly, that was a team tactic, and finally, you've done the Rainboom at least three times over. Barely impossible, huh? Just please, leave us alone – together..."

"Hmph," shrugged the blue mare, turning her back and soaring into the distance. I sighed. There's always one. Anyway, never mind. I have my diamond now.