The Melancholy Of Absolution

"This is the end, isn't it?"

In response to the voice, Rainbow Dash turned from the window and faced him.

"I feel it now just like I did eight months ago. This is the end."

Her gaze rampant with confusion, the cyan pegasus approached the mahogany brown alicorn.

"Look, Arthur. I know you're still recovering from whatever happened before you came here, but you need to at least try to be happy. Nobody's going to appreciate this 'the end' junk."

Arthur looked down at her, into her rose-colored eyes. Though in the midst of his best friend, he couldn't help the worrisome frown that had dominated his tired face.

"At least smile. Please?"

The edges of Arthur's mouth twitched, trying to etch a happy grin over the frown, but to no avail. He closed his eyes and bowed his head before her.

"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. I've forgotten how."

She sighed and wrapped a hoof around his neck, hugging him tightly.

"It's okay. I think I have too. I'm just so confused."

Arthur couldn't bring himself to hug her back.

"I need to go to the market and get a few groceries. You can wait here, right?" asked Rainbow as she ended the embrace and withdrew from Arthur's warm body. He nodded.

As she grabbed her shopping bag from her dresser and dumped several bits into it, Arthur followed in silence. Standing in front of the door, she looked back at Arthur.

"Be back in a few," she said, trying to wince a smile. When she found she couldn't, Arthur nodded again. Slowly, as if to savor the feeling of being inside, Rainbow Dash opened the door of her floating house and flew down, into the center of Ponyville. Arthur stepped onto the threshold of the doorway and watched the little blue speck which was Rainbow Dash disappear into the bustling town below.

"This is the end..."