Stairways and Serenades

The mare trotted towards Carousel Boutique, alone. Rainbow Dash was not at her side, like she'd expect. A few more hoofsteps, and she found herself knocking on the door.

Rarity was quick to answer it, leisurely motioning with her hoof. “Oh, hello Applejack. Please, do come in.”

“Hey Rarity.” Applejack trotted inside, trying to find some way to distract herself. She looked around as if there were a point in doing so, nothing new caught her attention.

Rarity seated herself on the couch she held lying around in the room. “So, Applejack, does anything new happen to be going on?”

“Well, I don't know where to start...” She sighed, pacing around the room. “Your sister tell you anything?”

Rarity sat back and wiggled around a bit.. “Maybe, I don't suppose you mean...”

Applejack turned her head away, muttering slightly. “Twilight, yeah. Your sister heard?”

“Yes, indeed. Pinkie Pie really needs to quiet down sometimes.”

“Yeah, sometimes...” Applejack smiled, swivelling back to face Rarity. “So, I guess all six of us are gonna find out soon.”

“Six?” Rarity asked. “When did this happen?”

“Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie are helping Twilight out with a serenade.”

“A serenade?” Rarity's eyes lit up as she lifted herself off the couch. “That is so romantic! A-And she asked for my assistance? Go on, please.”

Applejack sighed. “I was supposed to stall Rainbow for half an hour, turns out I'm a really bad liar.”

“Who would have thought?”

“Real funny.” Applejack rolled her eyes. “Well, I think I just made it worse. She looked pretty darn mad to me.”

“Did she now?”

“I've just been thinkin', what if this doesn't work out 'cause of me? Fluttershy and Pinkie are doin' their parts, you mentioned you helped the poor girl out, what about me?”

Rarity promptly moved closer to comfort her friend. “Oh Applejack, please give yourself more credit. Besides, Rainbow would have to find out anyway, what difference does it make if she's bitter about it now?”

Applejack smiled, looking at Rarity who returned a grin of her own. “Heh, I guess you're right.”

“I assume you've stalled her to an appropriate extent?”

She paused for a while before nodding. “Yep.”

“Well, that's just as pivotal as anything the rest of us have been doing. Never devalue your own contribution, Applejack.”

“Makes a lot a' sense. Thanks Rarity.”

“Please, think nothing of it.”

Waiting, and more waiting. As it turned out, half an hour was more than enough time. Applejack must have surely been doing her job well. Twilight held a crimson Maneblaze electric guitar in her hoof, using her magic to have it switch places with the acoustic guitar Fluttershy gave her. Rarity's precision tutoring from last week had not been in vain, as the exchange was smooth.

Though nearly impossible, Pinkie Pie passed the time by twirling a drumstick around with her hoof. The 'Lightning Pink Crusade' had a few of it's unnecessary drums removed, as to make it look less monstrous and more simple. It blended in well with the new tapestry Fluttershy quickly hung up. The lighting in the room had the rims of her toms glow modestly.

Fluttershy spoke quietly and softly to her birds, each one of them nodding in return. They looked beautiful, hopefully it wouldn't be too much for Rainbow Dash to handle. She fluttered in the air, the black bass hanging loosely from its strap. She hovered over to a round table to retrieve her pick before approaching the other two.

“Is everypony ready?” Twilight asked, faking a smile. Because I'm definitely not...

“More than ever,” Pinkie said, simultaneously twirling two drumsticks at a time.

Fluttershy looked back to her songbird choir, all of them tweeted in unison. “We're ready.”

“Alright then, now we wait.” Twilight sighed, she'd spent week of restless practice with them, learning new things in the process. She'd bettered herself in such a short time frame, yet questioned her chance of success. “Before this starts though...” She closed her eyes. “I'd like to thank you both for helping me out, not to mention Applejack and Rarity. You should both know that whether Rainbow feels the same or not, I appreciate it very much.”

Twilight glanced over to the other two. She found it hard to tell if Pinkie was blushing due to her pink coat. Fluttershy simply offered a smile. With that, the three observed their respective instruments. Fluttershy started playing a bassline to warm herself up. Pinkie soon found herself casually drumming along. Before she knew it, Twilight was following along with some chords, breathing softly into the mic in front of her.

The door swung open as a cyan pegasus flew into the room. Air pushed out from beneath her wings, waving the leaves of the few house-plants. The three instantly stopped playing, looking towards her.

Pinkie Pie stood up on her hooves, popping out over her drum kit. “Dashie, you're he-”

“Twilight, what's up with all this?” Rainbow Dash asked.

She stammered, bewildered. “Oh, h-hi Rainbow. What's going on?”

“That's what I'm asking.” She shook her head. “You ask me to keep this a secret, and all of a sudden, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie are all in on it!” Fluttershy and Pinkie exchanged nervous glances towards one another. Twilight continued to watch Rainbow. “Then what? You make Applejack try and lie to me about something. You know how weak that is?”

“Dash, I-”

“I search everywhere for you, turns out that's not enough, so I have to waste another thirty minutes trying to find out why Applejack's acting so weird!” She ranted, tossing her hooves in the air.

“But I never anticipated that, it was all impulse,” Twilight said. “And... my fault.”

“You know what pisses me off the most?” She brought herself closer to the unicorn, lowering her voice. She was denied a response, only receiving silence. “I give you my full support from all that I know, and you do everything in your power to keep me in the dark about all of this. It's like you don't even trust me.”

“It was meant to be a surprise, Dash. I do trust you!”

“Come on then, whatever happened to that 'Iced Equestria' thing we did last week? That was pretty awesome, right? Why couldn't you ha-”

“Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy spoke up, clenching the bass harder in her hooves. Twilight closed her eyes, hoping for the best. “She's been trying her hardest to prepare this for you, the least you could do is give her some respect!”

She tilted her head, sighing to herself. “You know what? Yeah, sorry.” She turned back to Twilight. “Just thought you'd realize how happy I was that you were... more metal than I expected.”

“Don't think that way, I understand,” Twilight said. “I only kept it a secret because I thought it'd be better for you. I just want you to enjoy this piece. Please.”

“Sorry for freaking out about the whole deal, just don't think I'm gonna cheer up soon.” Rainbow seated herself, looking over to the three all ready to do what they've practised for the past week. “Alright then, if this is what you've been planning for me, then do your thing.”

Twilight expectantly looked at the other two, and then back to Rainbow Dash. She closed her eyes, getting a feel for the fretboard of her guitar. She could be anything: the songwriter; the perfect guitarist; the new Yngwie Malmsteed; but her goal, was to be with her. Rainbow attempted to offer a slight smile, encouraging in contrast to her previous attitude. Twilight nodded back, and then it kicked in.

Pinkie gave her a four count with the hi-hat, sending a tingle down her spine.

Twilight started on her acoustic guitar, each fret being read out in her mind. The sound of her hoof sliding across the fretboard gave a meek ring. Rainbow Dash's ears perked up as she began to think of where she'd heard the tune before.

A portion of Fluttershy's songbird choir started to sing in accordance with Twilight's playing, causing the yellow mare to give them a subtle nod. More of the birds started to sing as their part began to sound louder. They continued, reaching much higher notes. Rainbow smiled towards the cute avians. She could see why Fluttershy kept them around.

Soon, she returned her gaze back to Twilight, now adjusting herself to sing into the mic. She felt a pang of regret for lashing out on her like that, if she'd put so much work into this. Twilight's voice was soft, in contrast to what she'd expect from the metal-loving unicorn. It was perfect.

There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold

And she's buying a stairway to heaven

When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed

With a word she can get what she came for

“Ooh, ooh, and she's buying a stairway to heaven,” Twilight sang. Rainbow grinned intensely, getting lost in the performance.

There's a sign on the wall but she wants to be sure

'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings

In a tree by the brook, there's a songbird who sings

Sometimes all of our thoughts are misleading

Twilight's playing got more intense; more complex. Her hoof began to slide across the fretboard quicker, and the sound of her pick running across the strings offered a natural vibe. Fluttershy began to pick the strings on her bass as her songbirds birds sung in a lower range.

“Ooh, it makes me wonder,” Twilight reminisced all the times she had watched Rainbow Dash fly from the comfort of her balcony. Some ponies would speak out against that, but who were they to judge? “Ooh, it makes me wonder...” She could be anything she wanted.

There's a feeling I get when I look to the west

And my spirit is crying for leaving

In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees

And the voices of those who stand looking

Twilight's horn began to glow. The Maneblaze started to play by itself, surrounded by a lavender glow. “Ooh, and it makes me wonder.” Rainbow watched as Twilight tensed up, struggling to concentrate on two guitars at once, in addition to vocals. “Ooh, really makes me wonder...”

And it's whispered that soon if we all call the tune

Then the piper will lead us to reason

And a new day will dawn for those who stand long

And the forest will echo with laughter

Rainbow Dash picked herself up, getting closer to the unicorn. Twilight found herself further losing concentration, almost making a lot of mistakes. How could she focus though, when she was getting closer? Her, the mare she'd been thinking of for so long; the reason she was playing there in the first place. Dash was quick to take the mic into her hooves. Pinkie excitedly started up on the drums.

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now,

It's just a spring clean for the May Queen

Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run

There's still time to change the road you're on

Twilight was impressed by Dash's vocals. She looked over to Fluttershy, rocking out on her bass. “And it makes me wonder.” The pegasus grinned, bobbing her head along with the music. Twilight watched as she moved gracefully. Once more did she find herself slipping. Keeping her eyes fixed on the guitar, she tried to ignore her. How could she though, if that was the whole reason she was playing?

Your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know

The piper's calling you to join him

Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow, and did you know

Your stairway lies on the whispering wind

Twilight's horn lit up even brighter, her acoustic being replaced with the Maneblaze, now hanging from her shoulders by it's strap. It was a nearly perfect exchange. The acoustic was left untouched as Twilight played the interlude, hooves sliding back and forth across the neck. She was getting ready for the solo, ready to pour her heart out to the music, and for Dash.

She began playing it only using her hooves. She gave herself some time to recuperate for the magical loss she'd recently experienced. It didn't last for long though, as her horn lit itself once more, manipulating the strings by it's nimble force.

She started shredding harder and faster than she'd ever done before. She'd always made mistakes during the practices, as she slipped up a few times right there. There was no room to dwell on mistakes though, only to make the rest perfect for Dash, who watched in awe as Twilight picked a series of notes very quickly.

At that moment, she knew she was doing it right. As long as Rainbow Dash enjoyed it... As Twilight ended the solo with many pull-offs, Rainbow held the mic back up to her mouth.

And as we wind on down the road

Our shadows taller than our soul

There walks a lady we all know

Who shines white light and wants to show

How everything still turns to gold

And if you listen very hard

The tune will come to you at last

When all is one and one is all, yeah

Rainbow Dash leaned back, letting her lungs empty themselves. “To be a rock and not to roll!” They slowed down, it was about to be over now. All those hours of practice, it's purpose was coming to an end.

Just a bit longer...

“Twilight...” Rainbow Dash looked down as she trotted from Fluttershy's cottage alongside the unicorn. It was dark out, but calm. Twilight found it to be a perfect contrast to the raging tides a few minutes ago.

“Yes?” she smiled. She'd felt success before; accomplishment, but never as big as this. She could say it was comparable to being accepted into Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns, but this was perhaps better.

The pegasus got up and gave her a very tight hug. “That was amazing!”

“Heh, yes. You've said that four times already.” Twilight blushed. In honesty, she didn't mind.

“I know, I know, just can't get over it.” The pegasus shook her head. “So, you guys just do that for fun? Like, I know you kept it a secret from me, but I'm cool with that.”

Does she still not understand? Twilight looked away. “Well, not exactly...”

“Hey, well... Why'd you play it then?”

Twilight paused for a moment, Dash stopped walking as well. She stared at the ground, and then back into Rainbow Dash's eyes. They were beautiful to her, her lips, her wings, everything about her. A week had passed so that something like this could happen. Yet, why was it so hard to do it now? She looked up towards the stars, the moon, the trees swaying in the distance. It was perfect, yet the bead of sweat trickling down the back of her neck was very real. She lifted her head back up, forgetting everything that held her down.

The unicorn turned to press her lips against Dash's. Her eyes widened momentarily, but she found herself closing them soon after, wrapping her hooves around Twilight. The two lost themselves in one another, letting the wind blow freely around them.

Twilight broke the kiss, looking down. Her lips quivered, the words failing to come out of her mouth.

“Twilight?” Rainbow asked, putting a hoof around the mare. “So... All this time? The lack of sleep, the guitars, all that... For me?”

“Y-Yes, a serenade.” Her gaze shifted from Dash, she closed her eyes and spoke softly. “I just couldn't help it when I found out we had that in common...” She ran a hoof against the ground. “Thought that it'd be my only chance to tell you how I feel.”

Rainbow Dash looked at her expectantly. Twilight managed to gather the resolve to look back. “I-I love you Rainbow Dash. I just want to know if... if you feel the same way.”

For once, Rainbow found herself losing her ability to ass her way through a situation. No way to play it off, only humility; honesty. “Twilight, I can't say I'm sure... I've been thinking, but I don't believe I've loved anypony who actually...” She stopped herself there, looking at the mare across from her.

Twilight's eyes filled themselves with tears, gazing directly into Rainbow's beads of rose. She closed her eyes and took to her hooves, galloping along the road. Dash sat down, defeated, watching her fade into the night. Shaking her head, she flapped her wings open, shooting through the air.

“Twilight,” she said, hovering next to the unicorn. “Please, please stop this!” Trees passed by in her vision, wings beating against air, hooves beating against the ground.

“No, you know I can't!” she cried out, sprinting as fast as her heart would allow her.

Dash wasn't sure how long she would go for, but if she had to guess, she'd have to say that Twilight could have been trying to outrun her, of all things. “Come on, Twi', this is gonna last forever!”

“You heard me already, I'm not stopping!” Twilight continued to gallop, and sooner than they thought, they were now in Ponyville, the outskirts stretching from behind them.

A stallion and his marefriend watched as Dash followed the frantic unicorn. Fading discretely away from the scene.

“Twilight, please. I want to talk.”

Twilight found herself giving out. Her heart churned as she continued to push herself. Her legs ached, and her chest heaved breath after breath. Dash furrowed her eyebrows, moving farther from Twilight's side. She made her descent, swooping down and tackling her. The two rolled into the slums of Ponyville.

Twilight angrily tried to get up, the weight of Rainbow Dash's body holding her down. “Dash, I don't want to-”

“Shh, It's okay, Twilight.” She stroked the unicorn's mane with a gentle hoof. “I didn't mean for that to happen.”

Twilight opened her mouth to say something, but broke down once more, tears flowing down her face.

“Don't you cry tonight...” She continued to comfort her. “There's a heaven above us both.” She got up, giving Twilight some space.

“I-I can't...”

“Twilight,” Rainbow said. “I don't want you to stay like this. I care for you, I really do. It's just that every time I think I've loved somepony, I've just been lying to myself.”

The unicorn continued to whimper. Rainbow Dash looked down, continuing. “I don't think I've felt this way about anypony, but... I just want you to be happy, even if I'm not.”

“Rainbow Dash?” she asked, now taking in deeper breaths of air. The pegasus looked up. “It's alright, you don't have to try and make me feel better.” She managed to speak momentarily, sniffling in the process.

“Hey, don't say that. It's the truth.” She walked next to Twilight, the two heading back to the library. “That's how I honestly feel, I want to spend more time with you, you've got to believe me!” She received no response. She herself grew frantic, hoping not to blow her own chance.

“Look, the serenade, that was beautiful.” Twilight turned her head away. “But that's not why I like you... I like you, because you're different. You did something to set yourself apart from the rest, how many other ponies do you know would reach the level you did back there?”

“I don't know, Dash.” Twilight continued to walk, paying no attention to her surroundings. She just wanted to get back home. To go to bed, and forget that this happened; to forget the guitars she loved, the music she played, everything.

“Well, not a lot. Sure, I may not know how I feel, but that doesn't mean we don't have a chance.”

Twilight looked back at Rainbow Dash, still trying to remain bitter, yet failing her own intentions. “You think so?”

She took in a deep breath. “The thing is, if I'm willing to lose so much of myself to make you happy... Then maybe that is how I feel about you. Maybe I wouldn't be lying to myself after all.”

The two mares stood outside the library, the lights were all off.

“Spike's probably already asleep. You want to come inside?” She received only a nod as she entered and turned on the lights. “Oh, and I'm sorry for... losing it back there.”

“Come on Twilight, there's no need to blame yourself.” Rainbow nuzzled Twilight, who sadly looked down at her own hooves. “Listen, I may have claimed I don't know how I feel, but I just don't want to hurt you, just in case...” She looked into Twilight's eyes, holding her hoof. “I think this is real though. Now I'll ask you, do you feel the same way?”

“Of course Rainbow Dash, I know so.”

Rainbow smirked. “That's what I wanted to hear.”

Twilight moved a hoof along her back. “Just can't believe we've come so far. I've gone from... From watching you, to being here with you tonight.”

“I know Twilight, and I'm real proud of you.”

“Not just me though. All of us,” Twilight said. “Do you think I'd have the courage without the other girls? I have to thank them just as much as myself.”

Dash scratched the back of her neck. “Yeah, I guess I should do the same. I really don't think it can get better than this.”

Twilight tilted her head, pulling her hoof away from the pegasus. “Aren't you... What about that whole, 'lying to yourself' part?”

“Screw that, it was just the shock of that kiss. I know how I'm feeling right now, trust me.”

The two fell silent, standing next to each other. Rainbow Dash put a hoof around Twilight's shoulder. “You know, I'm sorry for freaking out earlier at Fluttershy's place.”

Twilight nuzzled the pegasus, who blushed in return. “Well, it just shows you cared.”

They shared yet another moment of silence together, Twilight resting her head on Dash's shoulder. She gently stroked Twilight's mane. “It's been a really long day, you know...”

“It has been,” Twilight replied. “So, do I get any reward, love?”

Dash wrapped both of her hooves around her, tilting her head and pressing her lips against Twilight's. She was driven to a state of euphoria, the days of restlessness finally paying off. She caressed Rainbow Dash, returning the kiss for as long as she could hold it.

“Good enough?”

Twilight licked her lips, grinning widely. “Perfect.”

“Yeah, well, it's getting pretty late.” She looked up towards the clock. “Well, way late.”

“Going already?” Twilight asked, slightly disappointed. Dash shrugged in response. “I'll see you tomorrow, right?”

“Pfft, you kidding me?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Of course! See you Twilight, stay metal.” She walked towards the door, turning briefly. “...And stay just the way you are.” Twilight didn't move an inch as Rainbow Dash walked out the door. She gave herself a bit to breath, slumping down on the couch from her exhaustion.

A long day, a long week, even the month was full of new emotions; new limits. Twilight propped herself back up to cherish what she had. She sung softly, sealing her place in Rainbow Dash's heart for as long as she could sing.

And she's buying a stairway to heaven