Brighter Skies

by xXtacosaregoodXx

Rating: teen
Tags: Princess Luna, Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Gilda, Slice of Life, Sad, Main 6
Length: 5194

Rainbow Dash has been keeping a secret for too long. She explains in great detail her relationship with one of her old so-called friends.

This is my first story after all, and I'm looking for as much feedback as possible! Thanks guys!
But here's how the story goes-
Rainbow just can't take her secret for any longer. She thinks Applejack would be able to help- so she turns to her in Sweet Apple Acres for advice.
It turns out that Rainbow Dash and Gilda weren't friends at all.
Big thanks to sotoco on DeviantArt for letting me use the cover art!
ALSO HUGE thanks to my bros askdashie and Rollins Strum for helping me critique it and come up with the idea! And for askdahsie's badassery -.-

Published 2013-07-08 21:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-07-10 21:32:04 UTC

Can't take it anymore.

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It was a warm, sunny summer day in Ponyville. Sun shining, sky clear. The weather pegasi, including Rainbow Dash, had already finished clearing the sky so it was as blue as it could be. Rainbow, who had been working hard earlier, had flew up to her cloud house to rest. Everypony was just tending to business; Applejack working at Sweet Apple Acres, Rarity bustling to make new outfits for clients, Twilight studying up, Pinkie baking sweets at Sugarcube corner, and Fluttershy tending to her animals. Rainbow, however, was not as satisfied. Something she remembered from long ago struck across her mind today.

Many ponies before such as her friends in the Mane 6 had thought that Rainbow Dash's friendship with Gilda was nothing more than just a seemingly normal relationship with a friend from childhood. Dash couldn't let anyone know the truth, though. Gilda swore she would kill her if she said anything about what her Griffin friend had done to her in the past. She didn't only scar her with hurtful words, but beat her up with sharp talons and a beak like a knife. They were good friends at one time, but it all changed when the thing happened. The thing is still imprinted in Rainbow Dash's mind. Dash was glad that she finally thwarted off Gilda when she came to Ponyville, but that probably just put her in more danger. She was living on the edge of fear now.

Despite Rainbow's usual tough, self-centered ego, she was a real softie inside. But of course, she didn't want anyone to know that. She would swoon at puppies, and, believe it or not, she was actually a very big fan of dresses. It made it all the more hard to tell someone about her secret. But she figured it was time to take a stand. She couldn't hide behind her tough-pony image for any longer if she didn't spill this out. What kind of friend would she be then? She was the element of Loyalty and if she wasn't true to her friends, she might as well have been called a liar. But she can't tell everyone, then the rumor would get out. She needed to find someone willing to keep their mouth shut.

"Why can't I just let it GO!" she yelled to herself in the empty cloud house. "It was in the past." Dash still couldn't shake the feeling that if she said anything about the matter then she'd be in deep trouble. Not to mention Gilda's strong talons again. She just wanted somepony to know what she's been through. She couldn't live like this any longer. But who could she trust to tell? Dash thought about it for a while, overlaying each one of the Mane 6's personality in her head to find the perfect person to tell. Pinkie Pie was her best friend, but she needed to work today and Rainbow didn't want to bother her. Rarity was the gossip type, couldn't trust her. Twilight surely wouldn't know how to comfort her if she became sad. Fluttershy was a viable option, but Dash was afraid she'd make too big of a deal about it.

It was noon and most of the busy ponies in Ponyville had taken a lunch break. All except for Pinkie Pie, who was still bustling around the ovens in Sugarcube Corner to feed the ponies in the shop. But Rainbow Dash was heading all the way to Sweet Apple Acres. After a moment of thinking, she remembered Applejack. She was the toughest and most honest pony in Ponyville, Right? She would surely keep her good friend Rainbow Dash's secret. Dash took the long fly over to the apple farm to find Big Macintosh waiting for someone to show up at the barn door. Rainbow Dash and Mac hadn't spoken to each other in a long while, so it was kind of awkward.

"Well hey ther, Rainbow. Have ya seen Applejack around anywher?" The large stallion said with a smile to Dash.
"Sorry Big Mac, I haven't. I was about to ask you the same thing." Rainbow Dash said. The two sat awkwardly for a few minutes until Applebloom came Running out of the doors of the house.

"If y'all are lookin' for Applejack, I think she's out in the orchard, buckin'." The yellow filly burst out, running down the dirt path to the newly appeared Scootaloo and Sweetiebelle, the Cutie Mark Crusaders then running off. She caught a glance of Scootaloo staring at her. Typical, wanting to be like her bigger sister.

"Well, thar's yer answer." Macintosh said to Rainbow Dash.
"Thanks Big Mac! I'll see you later."

Rainbow Dash zipped off into the hoard of apple trees to the east of them. she was excited to find Applejack and finally not have to hide her pain behind a smile for so longer. She knew Applejack would be eager to listen to whatever she had to say.

When Rainbow finally reached Applejack, she was sweating, as was AJ for so many hours of bucking apples off the trees. Dash was actually surprised at how many apples she had bucked already. Applejack was not one to step down from her work. She was the most hard working pony in Ponyville, after all.

"Applejack..." Dash said panting, "I need to talk ..to you."
"What is it.... sugar..cube?" AJ said, also panting.
Both of them were glistening from the summer heat in Ponyville.

"Phew, its hot." Dash complained, slicking back her rainbow mane.
"Yeah, it is. That's not all yeh wanted teh tell meh, is it?" Applejack replied while taking her hat off and fanning herself.

"No, it's not. There's something I've been keeping in for a while and you were the one to tell."

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Author's Note

Alright well here's the first chapter! It may seem kind of bland but just wait until the next chapter. Please leave me feedback, I sure would appreciate it! The other chapters I promise will be longer since I have so much to describe. I'll have Chapter 2 out in a few days if anybody wonders! Thanks :D If you have any questions or suggestions please feel free to kik me at derpyhooves130

Confessions

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The blue pegagsus pony sat down in front of her friend Applejack to confess all the news.
"AJ, I," Rainbow Dash started, but got cut off.

"Whoa whoa whoa, Sugarcube. Hows about we go inside first? This heat is killin' meh." Applejack stated, still fanning herself with her hat.

"I guess that would be a smart idea, wouldn't it?" Rainbow chuckled. The two walked to a nearby apple cellar way far out in the part of the orchard Applejack was harvesting in. It was a cool little place, and not a lot of ponies knew about it. AJ could tell that Dash had something important to tell her, so she figured this would be the best place to listen: where nopony could be spying on them. Applejack led her friend into the cellar and grabbed her a chunk of ice from the icebox in the corner.

"Thanks AJ, that sun was unbearable." Dash said, feeling relieved. She was pressing the ice up against her face with her forehoof.

"Don't I know it," the orange Earth pony replied, also cooling herself off with some of the ice. "Now, you wanted to tell meh somethin' Dash? Whatever it is, yah know you can trust me."
Rainbow Dash wasn't prepared to tell her right away, so she took her time talking about random things.

"I see the apple harvest is looking good this year, huh?" Dash said, awkwardly smiling.
Applejack gave her a concerned frown. "Rainbow, I know you want to get something off 'yer chest. Just come out of that shell!" AJ said again sounding concerned, tapping on Dash's head lightly with her hoof."

"Okay, okay you got me. But Applejack, after I tell you this, I don't want you to think of me any differently than the Rainbow Dash I am now, okay?" Rainbow said, now looking confident.

"I know. I'm just here to help y'all."
"Well, here goes nothing..."
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The young, confident filly Rainbow Dash trotted down the Main Street of Cloudsdale, beaming and excited. She was off to practice her flying at the edge of the city. She had been working on a bunch of small tricks: flips, backflips, barrel rolls, and tons of other stuff. Her best friend, Gilda, was confidently striding beside her. They were the ultimate flying pair. Although Gilda was a Griffon, she was just as capable of everything a pegasus could do. They were off to find Rainbow Dash's special move. They didn't quite know what it was exactly yet, but they had a feeling they were going to find it this time.

"Gilda, some day we're gonna be famous!" Filly Rainbow Dash said to her aspiring double.
"Yeah, Dash! Won't it be awesome?" Gilda replied, sounding just as sure as her friend.

The duo reached the edge of the cloud city, and practiced a few tricks. After, the sun was high in the sky.
"Maybe your move has to do with the sun," Gilda remarked, pointing a blunt talon up at the shining sun.

"You think so?"
"Maybe... Try somethin'!"

Rainbow Dash shrugged and flew high up into the clouds, her tufted rainbow mane flipping backwards. She wasn't quite sure to do next, but she figured to try something new. She had ridden roller coasters before, and the drop was the most exciting part for her. Maybe I'll be like a roller coaster.. she thought. As she reached peak in front of the sun, she let her wings close as she dropped down near the ground.

The speed was so overwhelming, she got a few bugs in her eyes. And, finally as she was reaching the tree tops, she heard a loud crash behind her. She took a crash landing in Ponyville on her feet. Quickly, she looked behind her. Up in the sky, she saw a huge explosion of all of the colors of the spectrum, glittery and bright, almost like a firework.

"What the.." Gilda stood motionless as she watched the beautiful scene that unfolded before her eyes. Immediately, her brain spiked to jealousy.

"Ow.. my flank is tingling.." Rainbow complained, not aware of the mark that had just been imprinted onto both of her sides. "Wha- my Cuite Mark!!" she screamed. "Yes yes yes! First in my class!" she yelled. A bunch of ponies came to congratulate her on the ground.

"Good job, Rainbow Dash!"
"That was awesome, Rainbow."

"How did you do that?"

Gilda frowned. She didn't have any special moves. No special talents.. nothing. She was just basically Rainbow's sidekick now. They had been friends for a long time, ever since Gilda moved to Cloudsdale. They always got equal praise for their shenannigans. But now, she was left out.

"Stupid Rainbow Pegasus..." Gilda marched back to her house in the cloud city. She didn't have anything to do with Rainbow Dash.

"Hey Gilda, why are you so sad?" Dash asked worried at school the next day.
"Oh I'm not sad, Dash. I'm just... nevermind. But I'm not sad."

Dash noticed that her voice got deeper and more throaty than when she had last seen her: yesterday.
Gilda gave a fake, but realistic looking smile. "Nothing's wrong Dash."

"Well, ok," Filly Rainbow replied, still sounding unsatisfied with Gilda's answer. "But if anything is, you can tell me!."
Rainbow Dash ran off to her other friends to show off her cutie mark.

Gilda crushed a pencil in her talons as she watched her new nemisis escape.
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"So 'm gettin the drift that Gilda was super jealous?" AJ said, tilting her head.
"Yep."

Author's Note

Here it is! I got it done so quickly because I had a lot of time today and I had already laid out the story in my head so, there you go. Again I will most likely have another chapter out tomorrow if I don't have anything important to do so you can look forward to that! Also after this fic I'm writing one about Scootaloo's cuite mark.. so if you want to wait for that be sure to follow me for that, this, and all of the stories I'll write in the future! Critique is much appreciated! /)

A True Smile

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"It got even worse after that, as you would imagine," Dash said to AJ, sounding disappointed for some reason.
"I kinda figured that would happen," Applejack said, sounding equally concerned. "You can continya' if you feel comfortable."

Dash went on.
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Gilda wasn't the type to easily move on. She would hold a grudge for a very long time, if she needed to. She usually didn't like to show this type of behavior to other ponies, but sometimes something inside her would spike up and make the Griffon unusually jealous, sometimes for no reason at all. It seems that was what was happening to Gilda after Rainbow Dash got her cutie mark.

She didn't mind that SHE didn't have a cutie mark herself, obviously because she was a Griffon. But she at least wanted to feel special, like she could do something that would blow people's minds, especially coming from a very broken home.

Rainbow Dash was walking to her locker, as bubbly as could be, when the large Gilda appeared at her side. Gilda knew she couldn't take her anger out at school, so she improvised.

"Hey Dash," she proposed to her ex-best friend. "How about we go to the park today? We haven't gone there in a long while, you know. It would be fun, just to relive the old days?"

Rainbow turned to Gilda. "Well, sure! That sounds like a great idea, Gild. Meet you there in an hour?"
"Sounds good!" Gilda said, trying to sound as happy as she possibly could. Dash walked away to her locker and packed up her things. In a minute, she was out the door.

Gilda sure didn't know what to do when they got there, because she's only taken anger out of inanimate objects before, like pillows and things. She didn't really want to hurt Rainbow Dash, either, just scare her a little to stay away. It was tricky figuring out how to do so, but her brain told her that reasoning was the first step to go.

"Hey Dash, can I tell you something?" Gilda said, as the duo were eating apples at the picnic table in the park.
"Sure you can, Gild. That's what I'm here for!"

"Well, Rainbow," Gilda began, afraid to say more, "I have to admit I felt a little jealous when you performed the Sonic Rainboom. Is that okay? Am I still your friend?" Gilda had melted a little of the anger off before, so she approached calmly. But if Rainbow Dash tried anything, out came the talons.

The blue pegasus looked at her sincerely. "Of course you're still my friend, Gilda! Just because you haven't found your talent yet doesn't mean you have to be jealous of me. I'm perfectly fine with my Sonic Rainboom, you should be too."

Gilda lost her smile. How could she be fine? Rainbow Dash wasn't understanding at all. The time for talk was over. The time for action had begun.

Gilda let out a fake sigh, causing Rainbow to look at her, concerned. Gilda instinctively turned quickly towards her and swiped a razor-sharp talon across her face, knocking Dash to the ground.

"Gilda, what are you-"
Dash was cut off by Gilda swooping over her and dragging her hind-talons across the pegasus's stomach. To finish her off, the Griffon used her huge, strong beak to lift Dash up, to only throw her back down on the ground again.

"If you tell anypony, I'll do it again."
This, of course, left the rainbow pony bruised and bleeding, with a confused look on her face as Gilda sped off back into Cloudsdale.
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"Dash, that's terrible!" Applejack said, hugging the Rainbow Dash who was now starting to tear up. "Please tell meh you told somepony?"

Rainbow Dash shrugged. "I did once, but then I got this." Rainbow lifted up her left wing revealing a huge scar descending all the way to the tip of the appendage.

"Oh, Rainbow..." AJ said, covering her mouth.
"Every time I told, she gave me a new scar."

Dash preceded to point out every mark Gilda had ever laid on her body, ranging from burn marks around her neck from beak-piercings under her ears. Gilda wasn't afraid to hurt her at all. She knew she'd get away with it, because she'd been a good friend of Rainbow Dash for so long, and nopony would believe that Gilda, of all people, would do that to her. This went on for a few years until Gilda moved away again, and Rainbow Dash met her friends in Ponyville.

Rainbow Dash, of course mentally scarred from Gilda's beatings, was afraid to tell anybody again even though Gilda had long moved away. Dash was paranoid, up until this moment when she had built up enough courage to tell her friend Applejack.

"Dash, we can't let her go unpunished," Applejack said, as the two were walking from the cellar into Ponyville to fetch something from Sugarcube Corner. Dash immediately looked at her with a worried face.

"No, no. We absolutely CANT do that." She said.
AJ shrugged. She had something else up her sleeve.

When they got to Sugarcube Corner, they were greeted by the ever-happy Pinkie Pie.
"Oh Goodie! I've been waiting for someone to come by AAALLLLLL day!" The bouncing pink Earth Pony exclaimed.

"We're here now, Pinkie!" Rainbow Dash said, now bubbly and normal from telling Applejack everything. Applejack couldn't help but feel that her friend was unsatisfied with what she just confessed to her. She wanted to do something about it.

"What can I get for you two?" Pinkie Pie said, folding her forelegs on the counter and resting her head atop.
"We'll take some good 'ol fashioned Pinkie Pie cupcakes. Am I right, Applejack?" Rainbow Dash stated, turning her head quizzically to AJ. She nodded. The orange pony was still deep in thought.

I bet Rainbow would feel better if she were to see Gilda one more time... to tell her what's up. Applejack thought. But how could she arrange for Gilda, a mean, strong Griffon to come back to Ponyville all the way from where she had originally hailed? It would take days, maybe weeks to get to Ponyville by train from there. If only there were some other way.... A spell! Applejack immediately thought of Twilight. She was great at spells, surely she could find one to transport Gilda from there to here? She'd have to see.

After they had eaten at Sugarcube Corner, Rainbow Dash said she had some things to do at home, so Applejack went over to see Twilight. She didn't want to confess Rainbow's secret, but it was for good in the end.

"So that's why I came to see ya, Twi," she said. "I want to reunite Gilda and Rainbow."
Twilight looked shocked at first, but understanding. "I understand, AJ. But a spell of that magnitude would require the magic of TWO ponies at rank of myself. It's not possible without the help of another unicorn."

Applejack thought. Rarity was a unicorn, but could she pull that off?
"How about Rarity? I hear she's been'a practicing magic on the side, too. Should I ask her?" Applejack asked.

"Did someone say Rarity? Where is she?" Spike burst in from the other room.
"She's not here spike," Twilight informed him, comically rolling her eyes at Applejack.

"Darn..."
"You can ask her if you want. I think she would love to help." Twilight said to Applejack, smiling.

"Thanks Twi. I'll see ya tomorrow, it's gettin' pretty dark."
"Goodnight, Applejack!" Spike and Twilight said as their friend walked out the door to the library. She would ask Rarity first thing in the morning.

The journey home was long in the night, but worth it. Applejack got a good night's sleep and she was off that day, so she had plenty of time to figure out matters with the Gilda and Rainbow Dash situation. On her way to Rarity's Boutique, she saw Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds. Again, she didn't look satisfied. Or maybe that was just Applejack. She also saw Fluttershy, who was on Fog Patrol clearing the park of mist that had rolled in this morning from the north. The weather pegasi were sure good at their jobs.

"Helloooo? Anypony home?" Applejack said rather loudly, tapping her hoof on the door of the boutique. A few moments later, out peeked Rarity, still in her morning robe and facial mask.

"Oh, hello Dear! You surprised me there for a second, please do come in!" The Unicorn said, still with curlers in her mane.

"Sorry I've caught you at a bad time," Applejack said, "But I just had a really important question to ask 'ya."
"That's quite alright dear," Rarity said, pulling the curlers out of her mane to reveal the usual, poofy style. "You can ask me anything you need!"

Applejack told her about what Gilda had done to their friend Rainbow Dash in past years. "Oh that's simply awful!" Rarity would respond with. She agreed to help in any way she could. When Applejack told her about the transportation spell, Rarity held a perplexed look on her face and used her magic to flip open a book on the kitchen table Twilight had leant her. She flipped far and wide, looking for the spell her friend was talking about.

At the end of the dusty book, she found the right page.
"This the one you're talking about dear?" Rarity set the book down in front of Applejack for her to read.

Applejack read the page out loud.
"Long Distance Transportation: A Spell for Advanced Magic Users. This spell may require the magic of two beings capable of producing magic nearly equal to a magical being. To perform the spell, hard concentration must be indulged by both beings, concentrating specifically on the object or being they want to transport directly to them." She Continued. "For the spell to work, a magical being has to be present to provide extra support if anything goes wrong. If the spell works correctly, both beings' auras will be fused together to zap the thing or being they want present." She closed the book.

"Do you think you could do that with Twilight?" Applejack asked, excited to hear an answer.
Rarity thought for a few minutes. "I'm quite certain, yes."

"WOOHOO! Let's go tell Twi!" Applejack burst out, hugging Rarity.
"Whoa whoa, let me get decent first," Rarity Chuckled. She preceded to wipe off her face mask and tidy up a bit. Then, the two walked to Twilight's library with the book in hoof.

Rarity tapped on her door. "Twilight? We have exciting news!"
The excited Twilight Sparkle opened the door. "Please, come in come in!" She said, motioning the two inside.

They sat down at her table in the library.
"So Rarity, what did you find out?" The purple unicorn asked immediately.

"Well, I've predicted we are both capable of performing the spell." she said. They all celebrated.
"But we need one of the princesses to be in attendance," Applejack said, now more disappointed. "Don't we?"

Rarity and Applejack sighed. But Twilight had an idea.
"I could write a letter to Princess Celestia, maybe her or Princess Luna could come and assist us, and some guards too, in case Gilda gets a bit out of control" Twilight said.

"Wonderful idea, Twilight! Shall we get started?" Rarity asked.
"Yeah, let's write that letter now!" Applejack said encouragingly.

"Alright alright, Spike! Take a letter."
Spike the dragon appeared from upstairs, pen and paper at the ready.

"Dear Princess Celestia," Twilight said clearly, "I am sorry to approach you without further attention, but my friends in Ponyville and I find ourselves in a troubling situation." She went on to explain the past situation with Gilda and Rainbow Dash. "For the spell to work, we need at least one Celestial Being to attend. Also, some of the royal guard to take Gilda away for what she's done. All I ask, is if you or Princess Luna were free either today or tomorrow, to come to Ponyville with part of the Royal Guard. You may do what with the Griffon what you wish. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

And they didn't have to wait long for a letter. They all assumed the princess wasn't up to anything busy, because they received a letter almost instantly from Spike.

"Applejack, shall you do the honors?" Twilight said, giving her the letter.
"Certainly." She cleared her throat. "My Faithful Student, I appreciate the need of you calling upon me for assistance in this spell, and I would gladly accept. However, I have royal matters to attend to here at the castle, and I am unavailable. I have spoken to Princess Luna, and she said she would love to help your friend reunite with Gilda. Surely, I would send the Royal Guard for further punishment. Rainbow Dash needs to make ammends, and I understand. Princess Luna will be in Ponyville shortly. -Princess Celestia."

They all gasped.
"We need to round up everypony!" They all said at the same time. They all ran out of the library.

Once they had all of the Mane 6 gathered around in Twilight's library and they were notified of what had happened, Princess Luna had arrived. 10 members of the Royal Guard had come along with her. They lined up the walls. and everypony but Twilight and Rarity were in the middle of the room.

"Applejack, what's going on?" Rainbow Dash said to her in the small group where the rest of the Mane 6 were seated.
"Shh, it's 'yer surprise." AJ hushed her.

"Princess, please have a seat." Twilight said, bowing as the rest of the room bowed with her. Princess Luna took a chair at the Library table facing the unicorn duo.

"You may begin the spell, now." She said in a thoughtful voice, ready to observe. Rarity and Twilight stood in front of the open book, restudying the words.

"Ready?" Rarity asked her.
"Let's do it. For Rainbow Dash!"

The two unicorns sat down in the middle of the room with their eyes closed. Everypony was completely still, not moving a muscle and anticipating something to happen. After a few moments, both of their horns started to glow with their auras. They grew stronger and stronger after every minute, the two beams of unnatural light getting closer to touching together with every pulse. Soon after, the auras finally touched together. A purple-blue glow filled the room, and magic was emanating from their horns like never before. A beaming white outline appeared in the center of the two of them, in the shape of a Griffon. It was working, Gilda was appearing before their eyes.

"Ponies? Wha- where am I?" the familiar throaty voice rang out. The magic stopped flowing and Gilda was in the middle of the room.

Rainbow Dash backed away into her crowd first, but then stood up proud. She had figured out what they wanted to do for her, and she appreciated it. It was time to show Gilda who's boss.

"Gilda, don't think I don't remember what you did. I still have the scars. Just because I've built up the courage to stand up to you now, doesn't mean you should be any less afraid. It's not cool to be jealous, okay? Just be thankful for what you have! You don't need anything else. I know I should've said all this a long time ago, but here it comes pouring out." She said confidently.

"Gilda, I never want to see you again."
The Griffon tensed up her talons but had no response. "So, can I go home now?"

Princess Luna stepped in from where she was sitting. "Gilda the Griffon, for performing countless acts of beating and disregarding and slaughtering the true meaning of friendship, you are being banished from Equestria. Your punishment remains uncertain, but it will not be merciless. Guards!" The Alicorn said in a stern voice.

At her command, the 10 strong stallions hoisted the Griffon with a confused look on her face outside and threw into a caged cart and locked the door.

"Dash, that was long ago! You can't do this, I'm sorry!" The Griffon Pleaded.
Rainbow Dash walked right up to her and stuck her face right next to hers. "What do I know," she whispered, "I'm just a stupid pegasus pony."

The cart rattled away in the direction of Canterlot. As she saw her helpless ex-best friend struggling and cursing in the tiny cage, Rainbow Dash let out a true smile for once in her life. Pinkie came up behind her and put an arm around her best friend's neck. "What a meanie."

"Thank you so much Princess," They all mentioned to her at one time, bowing.
"It was my pleasure taking that monster out of Equestria," she said in a regal voice. "We won't be seeing her for a LONG time." Rainbow had noticed a few ponies in their windows and on the street had been clapping and cheering as the cart rolled away.

As everyone else was talking, Rainbow Dash walked up to Applejack.
"Thank you.." she bursted out, slinging her arms around AJ's neck, crying.

"It was no problem, Sugarcube. It's all brighter skies from here, don't you worry."
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Epilogue

Rainbow sat on the balcony of her cloud house that night, enjoying the wonderful nighttime stars. She really appreciated all of her friends banding together to let her stand up to her fillyhood bully. It made her feel whole again, like there wasn't any emptyness inside to speak of. And there wasn't. She could live her life now, with everyone knowing what she's been through, also knowing that she stood up to it, and that Gilda was long gone. But that night, she noticed something odd in the night sky. The moon didn't quite look the same as it had before, it seemed as if it had gained a new crater. But then Rainbow Dash noticed what it was. All of the craters had formed together in the shape of a Griffon. Yep, the wouldn't be seeing Gilda for a while.

Author's Note

Here it is! I was going to separate these two parts but I figured the second part was just too short to be a chapter itself, so I combined them. It's a little longer than the others, but that's okay. Don't worry, I have more work planned. To see what I've been up to lately, go to my latest unpublished story at my profile and put in the viewing password: unpublished!
That story will probably be out by next Tuesday or later.