16 - Alone, Together

"Rarity," I panted. "I'll be gone for...I don't know how lo –"

"You're not giving in to her, are you?" She looked worried and fragile.

"Of course not, I'm trying to do the opposite. Wish me luck," I smiled, leaving.

Rarity caught my airborne hoof, dragging me to the ground. With one kiss, I was free to leave. Time to save us. Everyone. If we've got a broken Dash that leaves all of the Elements of Harmony out of question when it comes to using them as weapons, especially when we have a massive battle just around the corner from our campsite...

I darted into the overgrown forest near us. It was nearly pitch black, with just the tiniest moon reflection giving me a little help. Whoa, looks like they were right about the carrots. Rainbow Dash was clearly visible. Her mane didn't do her any favours. "Hey, Dash!" I whipped over to her side, taking on a soft tone. "I'm so sorry. I'm thinking of you...it's just...envy doesn't get you anywhere. What if Rare and I aren't having such a great time after all?"

"Hmph. You guys seemed crazy in the water earlier. You're happy!" She was enraged, no doubt.

After a long pause, a thought hit me. I spoke it, aloud. "Dash, want to spend some time with me? Alone?"

"When?"

"Now."

"Eh...sure." Little did she know that this was a test. A test of her will, of her true envy. Maybe it was to be a test for me, too, since if she failed, things would be worse for all of us.

We spoke for what felt like forever, about many things – her life, how it felt to Sonic Rainboom...and eventually the more personal things like her greatest fears, now that she trusted me. I stayed careful; my loyalty was with Rarity and that wasn't going to change for anypony.

A dream slipped into my mind, silent as Luna herself. Maybe it was her after all? Tests are for eggheads. The only tests I'll take are of my awesomeness, spoke the image of Rainbow Dash in my mind. Somehow, it didn't seem like her actual thoughts, but a dream. "Wait a second...I just heard something...." Having let her shyer side crawl out from behind the solid statue of a cool, confident Rainbow Dash, the mare clung to me as I spoke.

No, don't lose it, I begged. Don't put me there. Don't kiss me. Don't kiss me. Part of me expected her to shower me in over-romantic cliches. Another expected her to just kiss me, like she'd never done it before. Another just held on to its sanity for fear that it might be thrown out of the window by the new queen of rage. No.

Relieve yourself, Game Changer. She cannot take you from your greatest love if she is undeserving. Do not fear. The inevitable will come.

And it did. Luna was right. Rainbow Dash had failed the test of her envy, and a storm was to brew.

My eyes were pinned open in shock. My face was as red as my hair used to be, not that I missed it at all. Everything was out of place, except my lips. She'd landed a perfect hit, hers on mine. I couldn't pull away. The only things free to move were my eyes, which wandered like plan-lacking idiots in the Alps without maps. Anything. Anything but those eyes. Her lashes stroked my face as they lifted. No...this isn't happening...there's no reason for me to go on... I couldn't leave. Fate had glued me in place to endure the torture.

"So," Rainbow spoke in a low voice, "was that the ride of your life or what? Hearing things? Heh, well played!" She winked.

"I was serious. Luna was our witness, and trust me, she's with me on this one. I don't want to make things worse for you, I know I might, but...it's my choice, and I'm staying with Rarity."

"Staying with Rarity?" She spoke at the same time as me, an obvious trick to sway me. I wasn't falling for anything...or anyone, Rarity aside. "Why would you do that?" I also wouldn't let her unleash my anger. She wasn't worth it.

"Well...she got me first, and I like her, so..."

"Is that all?...is that all!?" Her true emotions were beginning to show. That wasn't love, and I knew it. "Why don't you cut past the dainty dresses and stupid shoes and get to where it's at? That's me! Don't you see it?"

"I...No!...Um..." I turned away from her, trying to think. She rested on me, seemingly still thinking there was progress to be made. "Rainbow Dash..." I sighed. "I'm sorry. This is how it's meant to be. It's something none of us can change, but..." I stopped restraining myself so much. As much as Rarity was a great friend to have, so was Dash. Her body felt cool resting against me. I sunk into the feeling a little more. Maybe I should've taken her for her personality behind the mask of that cool, heroic Rainbow Dash everyone else sees. Maybe I chose wrong. Maybe... "...it's something I'll do my best to. It'll take time."

"Thanks..." She smiled up to me, drifting off to sleep. Nononononowait! We've gotta get back!....

"Hang on tight, Dash!" I lifted the mare up with my front hooves and did my best to drag her through the sky. My efforts were no better than a falling, burning plane. Oh no...am I gonna have to pick her up? Oh...no... I swung her up into my arms.

"Game..." she murmured in her sleep. "I..."

No, Dash. No. Please, no!

"Love..."

My thoughts soon flew out between my gritted teeth. "Nonononono...no, no!"

The worst thing worsened.

***

Her eyelids rose with the grace of ballet dancers and the style of automatic garage doors. I can't do this. No. No. I stopped on the spot. "Hey, don't stop," she croaked. She can't have slept long enough for that voice to kick in! "Keep going," she continued. "Anyway, where was I?" Something slipped around my neck, and something else. I turned to realise I was wrapped in her embrace, frozen by her loving eyes. "Y'know, love's more fun if it's not meant to be..."

I wished for blankness. Her kiss had thrown me into wild brainspin once more. Do I choose her? What about Rarity?

Hey, Mr. Optional Sidequest! Wake up! You're getting too loved-up, I don't like it.

Starlow? Why didn't you say so?

Ugh, I was too busy throwing up.

But you can't, right?

Strange magical discharge, my friend. I can't explain it. Never mind, you carry on. You're in a mess, pull yourself out. But just trust me, whichever way you go, it'll be worth it. For Equestria, for the mare, and for you. Trust me. Bye!

Heh, nice insight. But could you clean up my mind first?...Eh, he's gone.

I woke to find the kiss still in motion. Whichever way you go... I decided on leaving both checkboxes empty. I was confused, so I just enjoyed the kiss. I wish this would last. I wish Rarity didn't have to... I stuffed a mental hoof in my mental mouth. No, I can't just wish her away! No!

I guess I'll just have to wait for my mind to clear...