Farewell

Rainbow opened her eyes, she was laid in her hospital bed in Fluttershy's living room, warm and comfy, dressed in a set of Shy’s pyjamas, all yellow with pink butterflies. Her bandages were clean, and she was hooked up to that infernal machine. Rainbow hated it. Looking about now she was properly awake she saw her four friends and fiancé sitting around the bed, all wearing the same worried expression, except Twilight, who was busy snoring quietly, her head lolling to one side in the arm chair she was slumped in.

“Y’all makin’ a habit outta blackin’ out on us sugar. Gonna start thinkin’ you like the attention stumpy.”

Rainbow shot Applejack a daggered stare before cracking a grin, “Screw you Appleslack, I can still beat you in a race and you know it.” Pointing at Twi she asked “What happened to Sleeping Beauty?”

“She teleported all six of us here after you blacked out, levitated you into bed and then slumped there, exhausted. You've both been out about two hours darling.”

Fluttershy reached over and stroked Rainbow’s arm, sniffing gently. Dash looked at her properly, saw she looked like she’d been crying for two hours. “You ok Dashie?”

Flashing Flutters her best cocky grin, Rainbow assured her she was alright “I'm fine, Shy, don't worry about me. Hey, would you mind getting me a coffee sweets?” Nodding slightly, Flutters got up and drifted towards her kitchen, shooting worried glances to Dash over her shoulder as she went. Returning her gaze to the slumbering Twilight Rainbow asked them “Can you wake her?” Pinkie obliged, jabbing a not so subtle elbow in Twi’s ribs that shocked her awake with a startled snort. Before she could object to the rude awakening Dash hurriedly said what was on her mind before Shy returned.

“Thanks you guys for getting me back here,” she shot a quick smile at Twilight before continuing. “I need to ask you all for a favour and a promise. I, I know I'm not going to last much longer….” She held up her hands to quiet the chorus of objections, “I know I'm not, ok? Now please, after I'm gone, promise me you'll look after her. Flutters will need you there for her.”

“I dunno RD, she’s tougher’n ya think sugar.”

“Listen guys, this'll hit her hard when I go, I know it will. I'm not going to last the six months the docs gave me, I feel like death now. Just care for her, please.” Shakily they all nodded in silent agreement. Fluttershy opened the kitchen door and walked back over to the group, balancing five cups of tea and a coffee on her serving tray. While she was handing them out Rainbow quietly mouthed “wedding, wedding!” To her friends, hoping they’d catch what she meant.

Rarity caught on, quickly taking a sip of her tea before addressing Fluttershy as she resumed her seat at Dash’s side. “Have you two set a date for the wedding?” Flutters looked about nervously, “I um well hadn't planned it much really, beyond, you know, what we did earlier I mean, sorry.” She flushed a bright red and tried to hide behind her hair as Rainbow cut in. “Well I thought we could have a nice long engagement, take it steady, after all there’s no rush or anything….” They all let out a snigger at her sarcasm, even Rare, who knew she’d walked into that one.

Twilight suddenly had an idea “You could have it the day after tomorrow if you like, I can conduct the service just name the place.”

Fluttershy looked beside herself “you can do that?

“Well,” the Alicorn smiled in a smug manner, “What's the point of being a princess if you can't abuse your power every now and again, especially for my friends?”

"Thanks egghead." Rainbow leant towards Twilight, offering her a high five which she returned with a smirk. “You're welcome jocktard.”

As the late afternoon became evening and then night, the six friends spent the rest of the time planning the details of the wedding. Rarity insisted on creating outfits for them, the fashionista simply wouldn't allow her friends to attend any kind of ceremony, let alone a wedding in old dresses. Although on the condition, as she stated quite firmly, that they leave her alone to get on with it and not pester her like that time she made them dresses for the Gala.  The only one who wouldn't need something new was Rainbow as she insisted vehemently she was going to wear her Wonderbolt uniform, to the delight of Fluttershy and the approval of the others. Pinkie and Applejack volunteered to take care of the catering and decorations respectively. Even with one day's preparation Applejack was confident that her huge family at the farm could easily handle any amount of food that was needed, as she put it If I need more help sugar ah’ll look under tha nearest bush, there’ll be an Apple under there willin’ ta help. Likewise Pinkie was as enthusiastic about her decorations for the event, unnerving them all slightly as she detailed with maniacal glee her latest invention, which turned out to be six large party cannons all linked up to a single detonator. The only thing left to sort out was the location, Twilight had suggested the new library, which was an excellent idea until Dash insisted on detonating the party cannons inside, at which point Twi hurriedly changed her mind. Many ideas were put forward, Cloudsdale was ruled out because as Rainbow said, how am I supposed to get there? Eventually Flutters came up with the ideal place, the spot at the edge of the Everfree where they had the picnic earlier. Everyone agreed it was a beautiful location, the towering trees on the edge of the clearing, the crystal blue lake in front of the mountains in the distance made for a setting so perfect it had to be used. Twilight assured them in addition to her role as minister there wouldn't be a cloud in the sky, she’d make sure it was the perfect weather. That just left Rainbow and Flutters to work out their vows.

With one last group hug Rainbow sat back against the pillow in her bed, taking the opportunity to take a good long look at her closest friends and fiancé sat there around her. And she saw them, really saw them then for what felt like the first time, arrayed around her, there for her. She saw Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Twilight Sparkle. For the first time she saw more than that, Rainbow saw Kindness, Honesty, Laughter, Generosity and Magic. She knew then she need anything else, everything she’d ever need was right here in this room around her bed. She felt cheated that she couldn't have more time with them, but Rainbow Dash was determined the time she did have left was going to be spent doing things right. She was going to make damn sure Flutters had a great wedding, that she would be a good wife to her. Rainbow owed her that much. This shy, reserved, quiet beautiful young lady deserved nothing less than the best Dash could give her, and if that was only a few months then Rainbow promised herself she’d make it the best few months she possibly could.

The wedding had gone off totally without a hitch, to everyone's surprise nothing had gone wrong. As FlutterDash laid contentedly next to her wife in their bed, both comfortably snuggled in Flutters’ yellow wings her mind couldn't help but wander over the events of the day. Their day. The most magical wonderful day of Fluttersh..........no, she thought, not Shy anymore, Dash. She was a Dash now. Smiling beside her bride she didn't care they were both still wearing their wedding attire, they'd both been so exhausted they simply flopped into their new bed and fell in their comfortable embrace together. FlutterDash didn't even notice the ever present machine at the side of the bed anymore, so content was she in her snuggles with Rainbow. Suppressing a giggle as her lovers gentle snoring tickled her bare neck and shoulders Flutters allowed her mind to wander, joyfully reliving the best. Day. Ever.

Rarity really had outdone herself with the eight dresses. Not only had the very talented fashionista created Fluttershy's amazing dress from scratch, she had also made custom dresses for their friends and gone the extra mile of making bridesmaids dresses for Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, and a trouser suit each for Scootaloo and Spike. Those two were so thrilled to be Rainbow and Shy’s best men. Scoots always regarded Rainbow as her older sister and to be asked to give her away made her so happy.

She conjured up the clearing in her minds eye, picturing the scene she’d always remember. It was a perfect summers day. As per Twi’s assurance there wasn't a single cloud anywhere, and Celestia’s sun hung majestically in the azure sky, bathing the landscape in warmth that shimmered off the nearby lake. At the edge of the lake stood a simple white pedestal, surrounded by a handful of white wooden chairs. This was what Fluttershy had requested, a simple ceremony attended by just her closest friends and immediate family. Shy had never liked crowds.

She paused to appreciate the moment before her, she wanted to capture this in her mind. Everything was perfect. Her long pale yellow dress hung just off the ground, the pink butterflies matching her cutie mark barely visible on the sides. Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie followed behind her and Sweetie Belle and Applebloom both held the edges of her train. Looking ahead she saw Twilight at the pedestal and Rainbow waiting patiently for her, looking thoroughly magnificent in her Wonderbolt uniform. Shy noticed she’d even had her unruly hair smoothed back into something resembling a pony tail. She felt her heart melt at the sight, especially little Scootaloo in her suit, looking so full of pride to be giving away her “big sister”.

She walked towards the pedestal, Spike at her side and her bridesmaids behind her as her other three friends seated themselves behind her. A hush fell over the clearing as Twilight, in full princess mode began her opening speech of the ceremony. Rainbow and Fluttershy held each other's hands getting lost in each other's eyes as Twi addressed them, saying what an honour it was, how lucky they were……and if Fluttershy was honest she wasn't really listening. When Twi got up a head of steam she could go on for hours, and she was entirely lost in this golden moment. She was only vaguely aware of Rainbow speaking now, saying her vows that she’d spent all day preparing the day before. She should pay attention now she thought, it was rude to be so zoned out. But she knew the words by heart anyway. All too soon it was her turn. She hadn't prepared anything, she knew she didn't need to. She looked up into Rainbows beautiful eyes and told her very simply how much Dash meant to her, how much she loved her, how much she’d always be there for her and that no matter what she’d always be there for her Rainbow. Finishing up Shy took the pink rose from her hair and gave it to Rainbow, just like the one Dash had given her on their first date together. Looking at Twilight, the princess announced it was time to kiss the bride. Happily they did as they were told, leaning eagerly into each other. It was a long, tender gentle kiss that seemed to last forever as Rainbow and Flutters folded their right and left wing respectively around each other. Eventually they broke apart as Twilight called for Scootaloo and Spike to present the rings. Scoots put her ring of Shy’s finger, Spike put his on Dash’s. As Twilight called for them to embrace once more Pinkie took her cue to set off the surrounding party cannons, showering the air with streamers, balloons, glitter and confetti as all their friends present cheered Mrs and Mrs Dash.

Once they were finished Twilight and Rarity summoned their magics and teleported them all back to Twilight’s huge library for the reception party. Here Applejack and Pinkie had both surpassed themselves with the catering and décor. Almost everyone from the university had been invited to this, causing Twi to almost have a “smartypants” incident at the thought of her library getting dirty. The happy couple stayed a while as the guests started arriving, and after making sure that they greeted and thanked absolutely everyone for attending they announced to disappointed groans they were leaving. Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity and Applejack stopped them on the way out, concern on their faces as they asked if Dash was ok. Assuring them all she was, Rainbow told them she was getting tired, and she’d need the machine again soon, and they both told them all to keep the party going as long as possible – Rainbow whispered to Pinkie not to forget the hidden party cannon.

Laughing between themselves at the practical joke Twi would enjoy later Rainbow and Flutters walked hand in hand leisurely back to their cottage, their home. The thought gave Rainbow a quiver in her belly that was nothing to do with needing that machine. They meandered along, Flutters resting her head on Rainbow’s shoulder. Rainbow couldn't remember seeing her so at ease. They reached their home, Flutters giggled as Rainbow held the door open with a bow, allowing her wife to enter their married home. Hearing a startled gasp Dash hurried in after her and stopped dead beside Flutters, not believing their eyes. The living room had been totally rearranged, the sterile looking hospital bed had been swapped with Flutters’ own from upstairs, and streamers and balloons hung everywhere. There was a crate of twenty year old Sweet Apple Cider on the bed along with a note signed to “The Happy Couple.” Opening the envelope they had read it together.

Hey guys

We knew you’d want to take off early so we crept in and left you this surprise.

Congratulations and enjoy.

With love

T, P, R, A

With a laugh and a silent thanks to their friends they threw the note down and flopped together on the bed. Rainbow took a few moments to sort herself out with her ‘infernal’ machine, making sure the tubes where hooked up correctly to herself, and to quickly change the padding that hid the connecting ports that helped to filter out the waste her body couldn't do on its own anymore. Sure she was ok, she turned back to her wife, and they both welcomed each other into their embrace, neither bothering to undress.

As FlutterDash’s memories approached the present moment, she couldn't help but wonder at how lucky she was to have Rainbow, if only for a short time. She bent her head and lovingly kissed her wife's forehead, eliciting a sleepy groan from Rainbow. Snuggling back into her again, Mrs and Mrs Dash allowed sleep to overcome them, unaware as they rolled over together that Rainbow’s tubes had broken loose .