Never Let Go

Never Let Go
A Story By: Fly Away

“Rainbow... have you ever thought about the future?” Twilight asked, looking up at the beautiful velvet night sky.

“Like… seeing into the future? Or what will happen?” Rainbow responded, turning to face Twilight Sparkle. Her marefriend’s eyes shone under the starlight.

“No, I mean… our future.” The purple alicorn inched closer to Dash. Rainbow wrapped her arms around her protectively.

“Well, wherever we are, I’ll always be behind you. I’ll keep you safe. That much I can see.” She said, gently kissing Twilight’s nose. Twilight giggled, and nuzzled deeper into Rainbow’s grasp.

“I love you, Dashie.” Twilight said, looking up into the Pegasus’ eyes.

“I love you too, Twi.”

Just before their lips met, the scene faded into white. The sounds of crickets chirping and Twilight’s steady breathing were replaced with a voice, yelling; “Rainbow, Rainbow…”

“Twi?” I murmured, still half asleep. “Twi, I’m here…”

“No, silly!” A voice said. “It’s Pinkie Pie!”

I opened my eyes to find a mess of pink hair and Pinkie’s wide smile in my face.

“Aaaargh!” I cried, scooting back so that I touched the headboard of my bed. Well, I should really say Twilight’s bed. I slept in the Library last night, again. But Twilight was never there. She was in Canterlot, fulfilling her Princess duties.

“How did you get in here?! And why are you here anyway?”

“Silly, don’t you remember?” Pinkie squeaked. “We were all going to meet at Sugarcube Corner to go to Rarity’s to get measured for our new dresses for Twilight’s wedding! But you weren't ready so I told Applejack and Fluttershy that I’d check here. Fluttershy’s at your cloud-house and Applejack’s just waiting for us.”

I let out a groan at the mention of Twilight’s wedding. Rolling over, I put the pillow over my head. “Pinkie, I’m not going.” I snapped, breathing in the smell of the sheets. They still smelled faintly of my Twilight.

“C’mon, Rainbow Dash, pleeeeeease?” It’ll be so much fun! Twilight said she’s so excited to see everyone and you gotta look nice…”

“Fine.” I said, rolling out of bed. Pinkie cheered, and proceeded to drag me out the door. I squirmed out of her grasp, spread my wings, and flew towards Sugarcube Corner.

“Rainbow! You’re here!” Applejack cried as she saw me fly over the town plaza. I pasted on a fake smile, flew downwards, and landed next to her friend.

“She was in the libraaaaaaaaaary!” Pinkie said, bouncing towards A.J. and Fluttershy.

Applejack shot me a worried glance. I looked away, and trotted towards Pinkie. “Shouldn’t we be going over to Rarity’s?” I asked, quickly changing the subject. “Oh, yeah, right!” Pinkie cried, as if she had forgotten, and suddenly started galloping towards Carousel Boutique.

“Uh, Rainbow? Can I talk to ya?” Applejack asked me just as we arrived at Rarity’s.

“Sure, A.J.” I said, turning around to face her. “I’m ready to talk!”

A.J. eyed the other ponies, and then leaned in and whispered to me; “I mean alone.”

“Oh!” I said, stepping off the path and under a tree. “This good?” The earth pony nodded and stepped over next to me.

“Rainbow… I know you miss Twilight- we all do- but don’t you think it’s time to let go? She’s gettin’ married for Celestia’s sake!”

“Let go?” I snapped, suddenly furious at the world. “Let go?! You want me to just forget about what she did to me? We had everything- everything two ponies in love could have ever wanted, but she just... she… I…”

I buried my head in my hooves and burst into tears.

“It’s okay, Rainbow. There, there.” The filly said, stroking my mane. I pushed myself away from her. Only Twi ever touched my mane.

“It’s not okay, Applejack, and I don’t think it ever will be. But I’ll try my best to hide my feelings for her at the wedding, okay?” I said, sniffling and wiping away the tears from my eyes. This was totally undeniably, unquestionably, un-Rainbowish. I had to step up my game. I couldn’t let the other ponies know that anything was wrong; it would ruin the awesomeness of my ego.

Applejack nodded. I stood up, brushed off my mane, and looked up at the cloudless blue sky. “Ready for some medieval torture?” I asked, thinking of Rarity wrapping her measuring tape around every visible limb. Applejack laughed and playfully nudged me. “There’s the old Dash.” I grinned, and opened the door for her. “After you.”

~