Twilight Sparkle walked happily around the library as she put books away with her magic. Today was the day that she and Rainbow Dash were going to spend the day together flying. She and the pegasus pony had been doing that a lot lately. Twilight was beginning to feel a special connection forming with Rainbow Dash and it made the alicorn happy. She couldn't be sure if Rainbow felt the same, but right now, she didn't care. She was just happy to spend time with her friend.
A knock on the library door interrupted Twilight's thoughts. “Come in!” she called over her shoulder as she continued shelving books.
The door opened and Rainbow Dash stepped into the main room. “You ready to do some more flying Twilight?”
As the last book floated into place on the shelf, Twilight turned and looked at her friend. “Of course I am! I've been looking forward to this all week!”
“Great! Shall we get going then? I want to take you north a ways, over the snowy mountains up that way,” said Rainbow.
“Sounds cold! Should I bring a scarf or something?” Twilight asked.
“Nah. We won't be there for too long. The snows up there are pretty much uncontrollable, even for all of us pegasus ponies. We've never been able to make snow stop coating those mountains,” explained Dash.
“I see. Well, let's get going then! I'm really excited. I think I've improved quite a bit,” Twilight said, walking out of the library with Rainbow close behind.
“You've been doing okay. I think with more time and practice, you'll be even better!” Dash exclaimed.
Twilight blushed and gave Rainbow a smile and with that, the both spread their wings and took off into the sky, flying toward the snowy mountains.
* * * * *
Twilight opened her eyes slowly and looked around. The area she was in was dark, so dark she could only just see a few objects in front of her. Not only was it dark, but it was cold too. Very cold. With a shiver, she tried to push her way onto her hooves, but a sudden twinge of pain in her head made her stop and fall back to the ground. “Ow! What happened?” she muttered to herself. Twilight closed her eyes for a moment and tried to remember what had happened, but it was all just a big blur.
What she did remember was that she left Ponyville with Rainbow Dash. They were going on a longer flight to try and help Twilight get more control of her wings and become a better flier. Then it hit her. Where was Dash? Ignoring the pain her head, Twilight managed to get up. She wished she could have a little bit of light, but she wasn't sure she could do it. She felt so weak. “Here goes nothing,” she said and channeled her magic through her horn, attempting to gain a little light.
To say that she got the light she wanted would have been an overstatement. The light only made where she was seem scary. She had a small radius of light that would only let her see something when she was right on top of it, but that didn't matter. She had to find Rainbow. She knew she had to be somewhere close.
“Rainbow? Are you there? If you can hear me, please answer me!” Twilight shouted. No response. With a slight gulp, Twilight began walking forward. “Dash, can you hear me? Give me some sign that you're alright.”
Off to her left, Twilight thought she heard a groan and she stopped dead in her tracks. For a long moment, she stood there just listening. Another groan. “Rainbow? Is that you?”
“Twilight? Ow! Where are you?” came Rainbow's voice from the shadows.
“Oh, thank Celestia! Stay right where you are! I'll come to you,” Twilight said and began walking again. It felt like ages before she finally rounded a corner and saw Rainbow laying on the ground. “There you are!” Twilight said, running to the blue pony's side. “Can you move?”
“I don't think so. My wing is in pretty bad shape, I can't really even move it. Could you look and see what's wrong with it?” Rainbow asked.
Without a word, Twilight walked around to the other side of her friend and shone the light on the wing. There was a stalagmite sticking through it. Twilight gave a small shriek, put a hoof to her mouth, and turned away.
“What? How bad is it,” Dash asked, wincing at the pain she was feeling.
Twilight walked back around and looked her friend in the eyes. “Your wing is … impaled on a stalagmite.”
Rainbow Dash turned to where her wing was. “Shine the light over here please Twilight,” she said simply.
“Dash... It's pretty bad. Are you sure--” Rainbow cut her off.
“Do it Twilight!” Dash ordered.
“Alright, but I did warn you,” she said and walked back around to the rainbow-maned pony's wing.
Dash let out a gasp when she finally saw how bad the wound was. “What do we do Twilight?”
“Well, I don't think we should pull it off the stalagmite. It could cause you to bleed out and...” Twilight trailed off. She couldn't bring herself to think about Rainbow Dash dying. Especially since it would be my fault. Twilight thought to herself.
“I can't stay in this one position forever! We need to be trying to get out of here!” Dash exclaimed.
“I know that! What do you think I'm trying to do right now Rainbow?” Twilight said, losing her temper slightly.
“Hey, don't you yell me! I was just making sure we were going to be trying to get out,” said Rainbow, a sharp edge to her voice.
“You're right. I shouldn't have yelled at you. I'm sorry,” said Twilight.
“Well, where are we? Do you know?” Dash asked.
“I don't. Some cave in the mountains. I can't quite remember how we got here. Do you remember anything?” Twilight asked.
Dash nodded slowly. “We were flying over the mountains and a snowstorm came up. High elevations like this usually have uncontrollable snow storms. We got separated for a minute, but I found you again. You'd crashed down onto the side of the mountain. When I got to you, you were unconscious.”
“Guess I'm not ready to fly through snow storms... This is all my fault. I remember telling you that I'd be okay flying through. You urged me not to and now look at where we are. How did we get down here?” Twilight asked.
“Well, I tried putting you on my back and flying us out of harms way, but it was no good. I'm an excellent flier, but having you on my back and fighting a blizzard is not something I could do,” Dash said.
Twilight sighed and looked down at the ground. “I'm so sorry Dash... If I hadn't insisted, we wouldn't be in this mess. I can't think of how we can get out. My magic is no good, I'm just too weak right now and you can't fly us both out even if you could.” Twilight snuck another look at Dash's impaled wing. “I'm just... so sorry,” she said, tears welling in her eyes.
Rainbow Dash couldn't help but feel sorry for Twilight. Her friend took a lot of things on her shoulders and Dash thought that was unfair. Dash put on a smile and placed a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. “Hey. No crying. Your tears will freeze to your cheeks!”
Twilight let out a small giggle and wiped her eyes. “I'm sorry. I just know that your wing is going to take a while to heal. That is... If we ever get out of here.”
“It's not a matter of if; it's a matter of when,” Dash said, placed a hoof around Twilight's leg and pulled her closer. “I promise you that we are going to get out of this. No matter what. We will find a way.”
Hearing this made Twilight happy, even if part of her was still scared that she and Dash were doomed to die here. “Thanks Rainbow. That gives me some encouragement.”
“Hey, what are friends for?” Dash said with a smile.
Twilight knew it wasn't the time, but she couldn't help think about the feelings she had developed for Rainbow Dash. The pony just had such good qualities about her. She was so laid back, so happy, and her loyalty would last until the bitter end. That, and Rainbow had good looks. Especially her eyes. Twilight felt she could get lost in the cyan-pony's beautiful pink eyes.
“Twilight? You okay?”
Twilight's thoughts returned to reality. “Hm?”
“I asked you if you were okay,” Dash said.
“Oh, yeah. I'm fine. I was just … just thinking about how I could get us out of here,” Twilight said, blushing slightly.
“Ah. Well, I was wondering if we'd be able to at least break off part of this stalagmite so I don't have to be stuck in this one place. I'd really like to do more than just sit here while you do all the work on getting us out,” Dash said.
“How can you even think of wanting to move around? Your wing has been impaled. Doesn't it hurt?” Twilight asked.
“Well, duh. Of course it hurts! I just don't want to be useless,” Rainbow said, lowering her head.
Twilight's heart sank. She hated seeing Dash upset. With a sigh, she walked around to the stalagmite and studied it for a moment. “I don't know. I'm not sure I can break it with my magic. I'm still not feeling up to par, and it's getting colder in here.”
“Just try? Maybe you can kick it and it will break?” Dash suggested.
“I just said that I don't know how much strength I have. It's not only mental strength that magic needs. I'm kind of lacking in the physical strength area right now too,” Twilight said, sounding more annoyed than she actually was.
“Alright. It's fine. I'll let you walk around and do all the work. I'll let you get weaker, while I sit here and either freeze to death or out live you,” Dash retorted.
“I'm thinking about your safety! We don't know what will happen if you drag your wing around with a chunk of rock stuck in it!”
“At least I'm willing to try!”
Twilight's anger got the better of her. “Fine! We'll do it your way!” In one swift motion, she spun around and kicked the stalagmite with all the force she could muster. The first thing she heard was a rocky sounding crack and then Rainbow Dash cry out in pain. When Twilight turned back around, the sight she saw made her queasy.
Dash was laying on the ground now unconscious. The piece of stalagmite that was to have stayed in her wing had fallen out when Twilight broke it. Blood was oozing from the open wound. Tears welled up in Twilight's eyes as she rushed forward to take a closer look at the damage she had caused. Twilight, you idiot! How could you be so stupid! Focus, she thought to herself. You need to do something for Rainbow and you need to do it fast.
“Twilight... What's going on?” came Rainbow's weak voice.
“Oh Dash, I'm sorry. The chunk of rock that was supposed to stay in your wing didn't stay in place. It fell out and now you are bleeding. I'm going to do what I can to make it stop,” Twilight said, a few tears falling from her eyes. “Just try not to move.”
Twilight composed herself as best as she could and focused on the oozing wound in her friend's wing. Her horn began to glow and a few sparks flew from it. Twilight closed her eyes tightly, trying with all her might to make the spell work. Suddenly her horn just stopped working and Twilight fell to the ground, breathing hard.
“Twi!” Dash called weakly and turned to face Twilight. “Come on Twilight. Are you okay?”
Twilight's eyes opened and met the cyan-pony's gaze. “I'm sorry Rainbow... I couldn't make it stop completely.” Fresh tears began falling from her eyes.
Rainbow Dash put a hoof on Twilight's and shook her head lightly. “Oh, Twilight. You tried. That's what matters.”
Twilight sat up slowly and pulled Rainbow Dash to her, wrapping a foreleg around the injured pony's waist. “Of course I tried. I can't lose you, Rainbow.”
It was as though Rainbow got a boost of energy. She looked over at Twilight, a confused look on her face. “What do you mean?”
Twilight shook her head and laughed lightly. “It's such a bad time for me to even be thinking about this, but I am. I don't even really feel bad about it either.”
“I don't understand,” Dash said.
“Don't you get it yet? I have feelings for you Rainbow. We've spent so much time together since I got my wings. You've helped me a lot. I've grown very fond of you and I don't want to lose you,” Twilight said.
Rainbow Dash pulled away from Twilight and moved a few feet away.
“Dash? What's wrong? Don't tell me you don't feel the same,” Twilight said.
“That's the thing Twilight... I don't,” Dash said, lying. She looked down at her wing and watched the crimson stream flowing from it. I'm sorry Twilight. It looks like I could die here and I'd rather not put you through double the pain.
Twilight tried to fight back the tears that began brimming in her eyes. She was so sick of crying already. Instead of pressing the issue further with Dash, Twilight moved close to her again. “Alright. Then you don't feel the same way. We need to huddle together anyway. We're both starting to shiver in here. Our body heat should keep us warm … for a while at least.”
Rainbow didn't object when Twilight put a foreleg around her again. She was right. “I'm sure the other ponies are looking for us. We've been gone for way longer than intended,” Dash said, resting her head on Twilight's shoulder.
The alicorn couldn't help but smile and rested her head against pegasus's. Even if Rainbow didn't share her feelings, this made things a little better.
* * * * *
Several more hours passed and still no one had come. Rainbow Dash had fallen asleep a while ago and, as long as she was still breathing, Twilight didn't mind letting her sleep.
Twilight's thoughts wondered back to Ponyville and her other friends there. She wondered what they were doing right now. They were all probably worried sick and combing all of Equestria looking for she and Dash. Would their friends find them in time or would they find the two of them frozen, clinging to one another in a last ditch attempt to keep warm?
Twilight shook away the thought. Their friends would find them. She knew that, eventually, he friends would come through for them.
“Twilight...”
Rainbow's voice pulled Twilight from her thoughts and she looked down at the pegasus. “Yes, Rainbow?”
“I... I have to tell you something,” said Dash.
“You need to rest--”
“I lied to you earlier.” Dash said quickly.
Twilight was confused for a moment, then realized what Rainbow meant. “You mean...”
“I do care f-for y-you Twilight. You w-were right. A-all the time we've b-been spending together has been great. I do share the feelings you have for me,” Rainbow said through all the weakness and pain she was in.
Twilight pulled Rainbow Dash even closer to her and kissed the pegasus on the cheek. “Thank you for telling me the truth. When we get out of here, I'm treating us both to a warm fire and giant mugs of hot chocolate.”
Rainbow Dash laughed weakly. “S-sounds good t-to me.”
“Now, rest. You need it,” Twilight said, kissing Dash once more, this time on top of the head.
Twilight was determined to stay awake in case the rescue party came, but sleep overtook her.
* * * * *
When Twilight awoke, she found herself in the warmth of a bed. She blinked slowly and sat up, taking in her surroundings. She was in Ponyville's hospital.
“Twilight! You're awake!”
Pinkie Pie's voice startled Twilight. She turned her head and saw, not only the pink pony, but Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy approaching her bedside.
“You sure did give us a fright girl! We thought you were a goner for sure!” Applejack said.
Rarity scoffed. “I knew she would pull through. Twilight is a strong pony.”
“Oh please, Rarity. You were cryin' yer eyes out just a couple hours ago,” Applejack said with a grin.
“Well, I'm glad to that you're okay, Twilight. Things just wouldn't be the same without you,” Fluttershy said, patting Twilight's hoof.
“Oh I'm so glad to see you all!” Twilight said, and looked around. “Where's Rainbow Dash?”
When the other ponies said nothing, Twilight's smile faded. “Is she... Did she...”
“Come on guys, knock it off. You're scaring the poor girl!”
Twilight perked up as soon as she heard Rainbow Dash's voice. Rarity and Applejack stepped aside and now Twilight could see Rainbow in the bed next to her. Without hesitation, the alicorn jumped out of bed and hurried to the bedside of the pegasus.
“Hey! You should get back in bed. Nearly freezing to death can be hazardous to your health I hear,” Rainbow said, sarcasm coloring her voice.
Twilight glared playfully at Rainbow, then planted a kiss right the pony's lips. Behind her, she could hear her friends cheering. After a moment, Twilight broke the kiss, gave Rainbow a sly smirk, and walked back to her own bed.
The group of ponies stared at Rainbow Dash, who lay there with a look of shock on her face.
“Rainbow, you okay?” Applejack asked.
Rainbow just nodded slowly and the rest of the ponies laughed. “Come on. Let's give these two a little privacy, shall we?” Rarity chimed in. With that, the four ponies said their goodbyes and left the room.
Once the others were gone, Twilight got back out of her bed, walked over to Rainbow's bed, and slid into it with her.
“Uh, Twilight, what are you doing?” Rainbow asked.
However, Twilight couldn't answer. All she could do was pull herself close to Dash and start crying.
Rainbow smiled lightly, and put a foreleg around Twilight. “It's okay Twilight. I'm not going anywhere any time soon. I promise.”
Author's Note
This was a pretty big trial for me to write. Never having written for any of the Mane 6 yet, I hope that you all are pleased with what you read. Thank you for reading. Constructive criticism is always welcome!
