The new Dash

"So, how ya doing today, Rainbow?" Applejack asked.

"I'm fine, I guess," Rainbow Dash said quietly.

It had been a couple of months since Twilight vanished into thin air, and the other five were starting to lose hope of ever finding their beloved friend. Rainbow Dash, being the embodiment of the element of loyalty, took the possibility harder than most. The past few days, she'd started to become distant from the others. Each day, she only got worse, and it had her friends worried. She would try to stay in the air so she could be alone. She had gotten to the point that even becoming a Wonderbolt no longer mattered to her.

"We all miss Twilight, so ya ain't alone in this matter," Applejack said.

"I know, it's just... she was the best friend I've ever had," Rainbow Dash said, "Well, other than Fluttershy".

"She was like a sister to all of us, so it's not like that for just you," Applejack said, "Plus, you know darned well that she'd have a fit if she saw you right now".

"I just don't understand how you and the others just moved on," Rainbow Dash said.

"We all have lives to live," Applejack said, "And you do too".

"It's just not the same!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"Well, why don't ya help me out around the farm?" Applejack asked, "Might help clear your mind".

"Eh... alright," Rainbow Dash said.

For the next hour, Rainbow Dash helped out with chores around Sweet Apple Acres. The work did take Rainbows mind off Twilight, but not for long. She tried to put on a tough face, but it was just a façade that everypony could see right through. After the chores were complete, Rainbow Dash felt like taking to the sky again.

"Just remember, Dash, we're your friends. We're here for ya, no matter what," Applejack said.

"Thanks," Rainbow Dash said before spreading her wings and lifting off the ground slowly.

"Ah wish she'd let me help her more," Applejack said to herself as she watched Rainbow Dash take off into the horizon.

As Rainbow Dash flew on, she found herself over the fields just outside Ponyville. She took in how empty the land was, and it made her feel truly alone. She closed her eyes and smiled as the air breezed through her mane. That smile quickly went away when the loneliness finally hit her full force. She thought she was better off on her own, but what she really needed was somepony there beside her. Though she would never admit it, Rainbow Dash wanted somepony to just talk to, something to lash out at, a shoulder to lay her head on and just cry. The empty field that she wanted to enjoy could now bring her nothing but pain. The only comfort that she had was that nopony would see the tears that were now flowing down her cheeks and possibly think she was weak. Though depressed, Rainbow still held to her pride like it was the only thing keeping her alive.

Eventually, Rainbows wings grew tired, and she landed. She had flown in circles over the field for a couple of hours, and dusk was now approaching. As she looked into the sunset, Rainbow couldn't hold her pain in any longer. She didn't care if anypony saw her anymore, she didn't care if her tough reputation was ruined. She couldn't bear the pain any longer, and just curled up in the soft grass and just cried. As the tears flowed, and her wails filled the air, the pain eased up. It never truly left, but at least it was bearable again. Rainbow Dash didn't stop crying, however, until her energy had left her and she literally cried herself to sleep.

When she awoke, Rainbow Dash was inside. She didn't notice somepony pick her up and carry her inside. As she got up, she stretched her legs before trying to walk. After stretching, she called out to see if the pony who brought her inside was still there.

"I'm coming!" Called out a voice from another room.

The voice sounded familiar, but Rainbow couldn't quite give it a name. She plopped down and sat on the floor for what felt like forever before she finally took notice of something poking her in the side. After she shook her head to clear her daze, she looked over to see who was poking her. What she saw was a very familiar yellow pegasus with a pink mane.

"Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked weakly.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're alright," Fluttershy said, wrapping her legs around her rainbow maned friend in a tight embrace.

"Of course I'm alright, I'm just awesome like that," Rainbow Dash said.

"When Angel said he found you sleeping in the rain, I ran as fast as I could to help you," Fluttershy said, "I was just so worried".

"It's raining, huh?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"It was pouring down last night, but it's not so bad now," Fluttershy said.

"Well, thanks for getting me out of it," Rainbow Dash said.

"Why were you out there anyway?" Fluttershy asked.

"I just needed a place to rest after flying," Rainbow Dash said, "It wasn't raining, though".

"You're still tearing yourself apart over Twilight, aren't you?" Fluttershy asked.

Rainbow had known Fluttershy basically her whole life. She felt like she could tell the yellow pegasus almost anything. However, until now, she hadn't even gone to Fluttershy for comfort. She was past the point of caring now, and so she felt like she should just throw it all out there. Not like Fluttershy would let her leave until she told her friend everything. Though normally a push over, Fluttershy wasn't about to let her closest friend suffer through this pain alone. She would tie Rainbow to a chair if she had to till she got her to admit her pain so that she could receive some help and attention.

"Ever since she vanished, I've been trying to find her. The past two months have been tough, but I've pushed through. I can't, anymore," Rainbow Dash said, tears starting to form in her eyes, "Other than you, Twilight was the best friend I've ever had. The very thought of never seeing her again just... it just hurts".

Fluttershy just moved over and pulled Rainbow Dash into another embrace. Rainbow now had two things she never wanted to admit she'd wanted: somepony to talk to, and a shoulder to cry on. As she returned the hug, she couldn't help but let all her sadness come to the surface.

"Just let it all out, Dashie, it'll be alright," Fluttershy said quietly.