With Tired Eyes We Dream

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight was stunned for she could not believe her eyes. Was this a cruel joke played upon her by some evil nightmare or was this the genuine article? Twilight didn't care for she was overwhelmed with emotions as she stared at her beloved friend. With a powerful puff of air she erupted off of the ground as she tackled Rainbow Dash in a warm heartfelt embrace. Even if this was just another dream she was going to enjoy it as long as she could.

“Hey Twilight. It's nice to see you too.” Rainbow Dash wiggled and squirmed as she attempted to escape Twilight's awkward grasp. Gently she patted at the alicorn's back as if to signal the end of the hug. “Twilight you are embarrassing me in front of my fleet. The leader of the Wonderbolts has to maintain a certain image. You are making me look soft.”

Twilight slowly unwrapped her hooves as Rainbow's words sunk into her head. “Leader of the Wonderbolts?” Her eyes started to water as she realized this may be the only time she would see Rainbow as a Wonderbolt, let alone the leader. Even if this was just an illusion she was going to see this one out.

“Twilight, are you feeling okay? You act like you didn't know that.” Rainbow hovered into a beam of sunlight as she struck a triumphant pose. Rainbow's metals glistened in the sun as her bomber jacket fluttered in the cool breeze.

“Yeah. I'm fine. I'm just so happy for you.” Twilight's voice trailed off as she began to sadden by the very idea of it all. She couldn't fool herself. This couldn't be Rainbow Dash. She saw her die, yet just then she seemed so real. There was something special in her eyes that the other projections didn't have.

“Hey. Since you are here, you should stick around for the show. You won't want to miss out on the new trick I have been working on. I don't want to brag, but it is awesome. Like me of course.” Rainbow Dash trotted in midair as she gracefully fell into formation with her fleet. “Hurry up Twi. You better go get your seat.”

The filly Celestia bounced up and down with excitement as she clapped her front hooves together. “Oh, oh, ohhh. Can we stay for the show? Please, I will be good. Please.” Celestia's head tilted to the side
as her eyes widen. Celestia's puppy dog eyes glinted in the sun as she stared into Twilight's very soul.

Twilight closed her eyes as she began walking toward the edge of the runway. Was she really going to put herself through so much pain for a few more seconds with Rainbow? Wearily she found her way to an empty seat as music started pumping from a nearby speaker. Starting soft the music crescendoed to epic proportions as the sky filled with a light fog. Then with an explosion of sound and color three pegasi ripped through the mist with both grace and style. Twilight's mouth hung open as Rainbow Dash led the charge as she twisted and turned through the air. She was beautiful. With every pass through the air Twilight couldn't help but fall in love. With ever nosedive Twilight's heart stopped as she was captivated by Rainbow's daring tricks. Twilight and Celestia watched in awe as all of their favorite moves were preformed.

The show grew to an end with everypony at the edge of their seats. All of the pegasi had cleared out of the skies when a thunderous voice screamed over the speaker. “Alright everypony, the moment all of you have been waiting for. The amazing Rainbow Dash will now preform the frightening and most difficult trick any pony has ever tried. The dreadful Triple Pony Death Drop. That is right fillies and gentlecolts the Triple Pony Death Drop. Only two other ponies have dared to try this stunt and neither one of them survived. So give it up for Rainbow Dash!” The crowd erupted with cheers as their heroine raced pass her roaring fans leaving a rainbow colored streak in her wake.

Twilight's heartbeat grew louder and louder as Rainbow Dash made her final lap before the stunt. Sitting in awe she took a moment to check on Celestia only to find that she was missing. Where could she be? Twilight scanned the stands for the white filly as a sinking feeling crept over her body. Ever since they first met Twilight knew that she was trouble, but she let her kindness blind her from the truth. Trying not to draw attention to herself Twilight snaked through the crowd in search of Celestia when out of the corner of her eye she saw her. High atop the lowest hanging cloud stood the tiny alicorn. Her eyes grew black, and a dark green aura engulfed her horn. Before Twilight could react Celestia faded into the surrounding clouds forming a mass of dark green rain clouds. Twilight froze in horror as her attention turned toward the rainbow streak shooting by.

Rainbow Dash took her position and began her descent toward the crowd. The sky funneled around her as she gained speed for her final act. With her goggles pressed tight against her face Rainbow Dash was fearless against the harsh winds. Dash was fierce rocketing through the air. With every loop and spiral the crowd grew quite as they were stunned by the sheer beauty. Even flying at high speeds Rainbow Dash notice a change in the weather. Soon the skies were black as cold rain pierced the harmony of the skies. With a bright flash of energy Rainbow took to the defensive as a lightning bolt scorched by her wings. The lightning was one thing, but when the rain turned to hail she found she had a problem.

Twilight shielded herself from the growing storm with her magic as she took to the skies. Flying as fast as she could toward Rainbow Dash she tried to dream the storm away, but whatever filly Celestia had done it couldn't be wished away. Twilight couldn't see a thing in the midst of this weather, but she wasn't going to lose Dash again. Every second the hail grew larger in size causing Twilight to rethink her methods.

Crash. For a brief moment the air was clear as the bolt of lightning broke the darkness. To Twilight's horror the image of a pegasus free falling was burnt into her eyes. “Not again.” Without thinking Twilight found herself shooting through the rain and hail toward the ghostly sight. Memories of Rainbow's burnt remains raced through her head as she approached the storm beaten mare. Though she was lightly hurt it was clear by her blacken wings that Dash was struck by lightning. With outstretched hooves Twilight brought her in close to her body safely guiding her back to the ground.

Hiding in a nearby hanger Twilight nursed Rainbow's wounds as she watched the skies for danger. Rainbow was alright, but was still stunned from the blast. Rainbow Dash looked toward Twilight with tired eyes as she faced her hero. “Thank you.” It was all she could say for she couldn't understand what she was feeling. Twilight had saved her before, but no one has every tended to her like this. Carefully she nuzzled her head deep into Twilight's wings as a feeling of security and warmth filled her heart. Twilight's body turned red as she felt Rainbow press close to her body.

Twilight had dreamt of this moment for too long, but it just didn't seem right. She had to know the truth. What should have been a lovely scene turned to anger as Twilight leaped to her hooves. “No I can't do this. Rainbow Dash, I saw you die. So I have to know one thing.”

“You saw me die?” Before Rainbow could finish her sentence her eyes widened with confusion. Her face turn bright red as she found Twilight's lips pressed tightly against her's. Her heart raced faster than it had ever done before as a weird feeling churned inside. Embarrassed and confused Rainbow shoved off the cold floor and hung in midair. She didn't know what to say for she really didn't know what just happened.

“Rainbow Dash?” Twilight suddenly felt sick to her stomach as she grew uncertain of her actions. Her heart grew louder and louder as she awaited Rainbow's response.

Rainbow slowly lowered to the ground as she attempted to slow her breathing. “Twi, Why did you just kiss me? It wasn't because of that whole mouth to mouth thing was it?” It was unlike Rainbow Dash not to speak with confidence, but at this moment she was trembling with every word.

“Because. Because, I love you Rainbow. Ever since the Equestrian Games I just can't help but want to be with you. The way you fly and are so confident in yourself. I just... What did you just say about saving my life?” Twilight's eyebrow raised as a that spark of life returned to her eyes.

“Yeah after the smoke... Wait! I remember. But that means.” A sharp pain surged through Rainbow's skull as all of her memories rushed into her head. “It's all coming back to me.”

“What do you remember?” Twilight grew excited as she hoped that this was the real Rainbow Dash.

“The phoenix came crashing through the platform, and then I woke up back in the castle. When I got up no pony seem to know anything about what happened so I just thought it was a bad dream.” Rainbow Dash lowered her head as her voice became rough, “Three years! Three years I lived in this nightmare!” Her anger grew as tears began to flow down her face. “I became a Wonderbolt. I started a family with Soarin. I fell in love, and it was all this stupid place.” In the middle of her rage she noticed Twilight had dropped behind her wings. Quickly her mind returned to the kiss as she realized what she had said. “Twilight?” Rainbow carefully walked over to her. “I am sorry, but I don't like you that way. I like stallions. I mean I love you, but I'm not in love with you.” Twilight only drew deeper into her wings as shame and embarrassment crept over her.

“Aurgh. Twi, don't be that way. I'm sure you will find your special somepony, but it is not me.” Cautiously Dash plunged her hooves into Twilight's wings and brought forth her face. With a soft grin Rainbow leaned her head forward and gave Twilight a light kiss on the cheek. “Just for the record that was some kiss.”

“Whoa is it really Rainbow Dash, the leader of the Wonderbolts?” Out of the rain trotted in a wet and happy filly Celestia. Unaware that Twilight had seen her transform into the storm she galloped up to the two mares. “You were amazing out there. Do you mind signing something for me?”

Smack! With a powerful buck of her hind hooves Twilight sent Celestia flying across the hanger. “Twilight, what is your deal? You just kicked that poor filly.”

“That was no filly. She is the nightmares.” Twilight fell into attack position as she planted her hooves firmly into the ground. Her eyes shot around the room trying to find the nearest doorway.

“Well done. It seems that I have underestimated you once again, but no more.” The small filly dusted herself off the ground and aged into a full sized alicorn. Her eyes grew dark green as her sun cutie mark blacken into an eclipse. Smoke and shadows danced around the room as she slowly towered over the steadfast mares. “You will not be so lucky this time. You will die!” Like a clap of lightning the shadows snaked around the room creating a small army of shadow mares.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash look at each other, and they each said okay. Releasing a fierce battle cry the two ponies charged into the army of shadows. The two mares fought with all of there might landing blow after blow. With every attack the shadows merely reformed and rushed back into battle. Twilight had had enough. As the shadows swarmed around them, Twilight's horn grew bright breaking the darkness of the room. With a surge of power the shadows were washed away leaving only Nightmare Celestia standing in their way. Together the two mares galloped forward inciting their attacker to do the same. Moments before they collided Twilight's horn gave off a flash, teleporting her and Rainbow Dash in front of the exit.

Making sure Rainbow Dash walked through first the two ponies busted into the grand hall of the castle. Almost instinctively they gathered as much items as they could to place against the small wooden door. Knowing that no place was safe only safer the two mares took a second to breathe.

“Twilight? I think we have company.” Rainbow lightly tapped Twilight on her shoulder. Slowly she turned around to find that the suits of armors had surrounded them. Each wielded a board sword the knights stood strong. Slowly they closed in on the pair.