Daddy Told Me...
Refreshments, Tears, Flying, and Injuries
By Happy Soul

I yawn as I settle down on the grass after a smooth landing next to Twilight. She looks over at me. "That's pretty good for the first proper time in around two years, isn't it? I doubt I'll be able to do that with my wings in a long time, knowing me." She giggles as she sits on the park bench. I join her and she looks up to the clouds. "I fancy a little time in the clouds. Do you want to fly with me?"

I'm panting rather heavily and it takes a few seconds for me to formulate a response. "Yeah, just... give me... a minute," I pant in between breaths and carry on, "To get my... breath back." Twilight looks at me and over to Sugarcube Corner, then to the floor, and finally to me.

"We can wait longer than that if you want. So... are you feeling any better, Rainbow? After everything, you're finally getting back your reputation as a Wonderbolt Reserve. I'd be happy if I were you."

"I guess I'm a little bit happier."

"I bet so. I've just been thinking; want to grab a drink and a cupcake at Sugarcube Corner?"

"It's not the best thing to go flying after eating anything, or eating after flying, but a drink sounds really good now. Yeah, let's go grab a drink and sit down outside... say hi to Pinkie maybe."

Twilight agrees and we do the one minute walk to Sugarcube Corner. The two of us sit down at a table and order drinks, and when they are delivered we sip to our hearts' content, silent and looking at the world around us. After I finish my refreshment, I let out a small burp which doesn't go unnoticed by Twilight. She giggles, and I find myself letting out a small chuckle. I can't remember the last time I laughed, or smiled. I turn away but Twi is laughing. My laugh's volume raises and becomes equal to hers, and I find myself having a good time for once. "Things are really looking up, huh?" Twilight smiles, finishing her drink.

I shoot her down a little as my face curls into a frown. "I've not been happy long enough to agree on that, Twilight. Give me time, it's been almost two years of relentless bullying. I've hurt my friend to fulfill my ego, quit on my biggest dream because of bullies, and now I'm here with you, laughing.

"I may have fulfilled the destinies of the Elements, and without me Equestria would be in peril, but for years we've not had any trouble involving the Elements whatsoever. The Elements are important to me, as much as they are to anypony who's relying on them, and I care about the power of friendship, but in the long run I've created a broken friendship, and that's the worst thing of all.

"We are laughing, having a good time, but that doesn't clearly mean my life is looking up, Twilight. This memory will be a great one, but bad memories are more easily remembered than good ones. A lot of my life has been good memories, but an equal amount bad. That's why I'm more sad than happy right now, but... this might just sound ridiculous, but what I'm saying, what I've said in this whole speech, is from the bottom of my heart."

Twilight is just staring at me, shocked. If I were to be another me looking at her, I'm sure I would. I am just as boggled about this as Twilight is, so I don't blame her. And to get Twilight this messed up is some accomplishment, if I do say so myself. I'm a little worried, so I speak to her to make sure she's not completely broken. "Twilight? Are you okay?"

Twilight's mouth moves, but no words come out. Eventually she swallows and looks at me with a serene smile. "This is everything to you. This is everything to me, Dash. This is everything. This is what I've learned all these years as Celestia's faithful friendship student. And you've just said everything she wanted me to understand in a few simple words. I'm so proud of you..."

Twilight envelopes me in a hug and I just hug her back. We're both crying our eyes out. I'm sure we're creating a scene, but we don't care. That we're okay and together is all that matters now. The sunset glow is warm on my sky blue fur. We pull away and look at each other. I'm sure we hugged for an eternity but it was only mere seconds in real time.

Twilight looks away, picking up a napkin in her magic aura and brushing her cheek with it gently. She settles it down on the table and she makes a simple suggestion. "Should we fly now?"

We've just taken off and we're heading towards the burning sun like we're chasing it. "Celestia's done a really good job this time," Twilight says.

"Yeah," I reply. I sigh as my eyes drift to Ponyville below, getting smaller and smaller as we ascend. When we break through a small layer of clouds, only Twilight's Castle rises above them like a mountain's peak, majestic in all its loneliness. Like I've felt all my life starting from about thirteen. I'm twenty now, almost twenty-one.

Twilight sighs gently and looks over her shoulder to my house in the distance. I turn my head too but when I see it my eyes avert to the ground rushing by us. It isn't rushing quickly, but at just the correct speed. This may not have been love, but it was friendship, and this was good enough for me.

My purple-coated friend looks at me with a smile. "You okay?"

"Yeah, fine." I fold my forelegs across my chest and let out a sigh.

"Rainbow, I've known you for years," she says, "and this isn't the old you."

"I know, but the old me hasn't been here for almost two years. Why do you just assume everything's fine now, Twilight?" Twilight looks at me with concern. "Just because I said some words and now we're flying together doesn't mean everything's okay!"

Twilight just looks forward, not smiling. "Yeah, I guess you're right. This is going to take time..."

"Lots of time," I correct. "Lots of it."

Twilight just frowns and looks below her and through a gap in the clouds. Sweet Apple Acres is in the break when I look. Musty tears stain my eyes and I dive while Twilight's not looking and fly below the cloud line. I feel horrid, but I need time alone.

Twilight starts calling for me as I stay where I am. When I realise she's coming through the cloud layer, I plummet towards the ground in a tearful daze. My wings unfold and my landing isn't very smooth, but it'll do. My body scrapes across the floor, and I get up when I recover. The left side of my chest has a small graze on it, but it doesn't hurt that much; I've been through worse.

I find myself next to Sugarcube Corner, closing for the night. Looking up at it, I crack a small smile but walk away after, not noticing the small limp I have. Nopony's around. I can see lights turning off as the moon rises for its cycle across the sky, but I ignore the beautiful sight.

I find a wall through my blurred vision, and reach out for it. When I reach it I slump down against it, my body shaking from my tears. I only then just realise that when I wipe away my tears, my hoof has a cut alone the middle. I stare down at it for a few intense seconds before scraping it in the dirt, leaving a nasty red mark on the ground.

I don't know how long I sit there. It may be mere minutes, or it may be hours. I don't care. And, amidst the turmoil in my mind, I make a solemn promise to myself, my bleeding forehoof clenched to my chest.

"I'm going to get better, even if it kills me."

Author's Note

ATTENTION: This chapter does not include shipping, and it is not likely non-canon shipping between main characters will be in this story. But maybe. This is only friendshipping, but it may evolve into something more.

This story will be in short, sweet chapters like this and the first so I can get content out often. I hope that's okay with you :)