Taken Love

Twilight rose from her bed the next morning from a dreadful sleep. She couldn't stop thinking about the concert the night before. She pulled her pillow close to her chest, hoping for some comfort from it, only getting more sorrow. She buried her head in the pillow and began to weep, leaving the white head rest wet from the salty tears. She heard a knock at her bedroom door and, quickly containing herself, said "It's open." When the door swung open, Spike appeared with a tray of food.

"I brought you some breakfast in bed to cheer you up. You feel better since last night?" Spike asked.

Twilight shook her head "Not very much, no. You can leave the food on the table. I'm not very hungry."

Spike put the tray of food on the cluttered nightstand and hopped up on Twilight's bed. "Look, I know you're upset. Go talk to her and see how she is. You know Rainbow Dash can't keep a good relationship that happens that fast. Even I know that."

Twilight sat up in the messy bed. "Maybe later. I just want to be alone today."

Spike gave Twilight a hug and hopped off the bed. "Anything you want? I'm headed back downstairs."

"No, thanks though." Twilight said, getting up from her bed.

She walked over to her mirror and grabbed her brush with her magic. She brushed all the knots out of her mane and tail and proceeded to look in the mirror. In the bottom left corner, jammed in the mirror's frame, a picture of Rainbow Dash lay in front of her. Twilight sighed and started for the door. Before closing the door, she took one last glance at the photo and exited her room.

Later in the morning, Twilight heard a knock at the front door. Funny. I thought I left the library closed today.  Twilight got up from the couch and opened her door. Waiting outside was Applejack. "Hey Twilight. Can I come in?"

"Sure. Yeah come inside." Twilight said rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"Rarity told me last night, after the concert, that you've been tryin' to ask Rainbow Dash out. Am I right?" Twilight nodded. "And after the concert, you heard what Delta asked Rainbow. Is that what sent you home in tears last night?"

Twilight grimaced as she thought of the events of the previous night. "Yes. What's it matter to you?"

"It matters because I care for my friends. Delta ain't no pony to get hooked with. After he told me his name, I asked around my family about this drifter. He's violent and a drunk, according to some of my cousins. Twilight, I feel bad for ya, and I'm afraid for Rainbow's safety. I think we should keep an eye on her and Delta for a while, don't you think?"

This information also concerned Twilight. She didn't want to see Rainbow getting hurt. "Yeah. We should. Have you told her yet?"

"No. I haven't seen her all day. Have you?" Applejack asked.

"I haven't left the library today at all. You think we should check on them?" Twilight asked getting more alert as time passed.

"Some time today. The clouds 'r gettin' thick anyway. In a few hours, go up to her house and check on 'er. I can't get up there, you have the wings." Applejack said, pointing to Twilight's wings.

"Heh, yeah. I'll go up there later today." Twilight said.

A few hours after Applejack's visit, Twilight flew over to Dash's cloud house. She gently landed on the doorstep and knocked on the door. When it opened Dash answered and came out. "Hey Twi" She said. Her voice sounded dry, like she hadn't had anything to drink in ages. "What's up?"

"Oh, Applejack said she hasn't heard from you, so I figured I would see if you're okay."

"Oh....I-I'm fine. Just feeling under the weather today, that's all." Dash said. Twilight notice that Dash's mane was covering the left side of her face.

"Mane's in your face." Twi said as nonchalantly as possible.

"Oh uh. I-I have to go." Dash said leaving no time for Twilight to respond, as she dashed back into her house.

Twilight turned around and immediately saw Delta standing behind her. "Hello miss. What are you doing?" he said approaching Twilight.

"Tryng to visit Rainbow Dash. She hasn't left her house all day. Even when she's under the weather she always likes to fly it off." Twilight said raising her voice.

"I'll tend to Rainbow Dash. I think you should leave." Delta said pushing Twilight aside rudely and entering the house.

Twilight took no time at all and teleported to Sweet Apple Acres. "Applejack!" she yelled. Applejack emerged from the barn and headed toward Twilight.

"What? What's wrong? Is it Rainbow Dash?" AJ asked.

"Yes. Apparently she's sick. Doesn't she like to fly even if she feels sick?"

"Yeah. Maybe she has somethin' bad."

"Yes, but she had her mane covering her face. I think something is up." Twilight said.

Applejack thought a moment. Twilight was really upset about Dash getting taken from her. "Twi, I think you should calm down."

"But-"

"No buts. Look I know you're upset. Dash was probably sleepin' when you went over there, 'cause she was sick. That's probably why her mane was in her face. I know what yr' thinkin' and I don't think Delta's done anything to Rainbow Dash."

Twilight looked at the ground. She didn't want to ruin Dash's relationship with Delta if they were happy. She felt a few raindrops on her back. She looked up and saw that the clouds had formed into rain clouds and a storm was immanent. "Yeah. You're right. I'm going home."

"Want me to walk with ya?" Applejack asked.

"No. I want to be alone." Twilight said. She turned around and headed for the library.