Saving Jade

Chapters

Ch 1 / A crashing love
The greatest day ever.
The worst day ever!
The blossom of love's power.

Ch 1 / A crashing love

"Ah. What a day. I'm glad I can finally just fly." Rainbow Dash said to herself contently. What a beautiful morning dark. She couldn't help but to let loose a smile as she felt the cool atmospheric winds gliding across her fur and feathers.

As she was flying she thought she might as well have some fun while up here. In a split second she was spinning through the sky like a drill through soft rock. Not a single thought in her mind. She began flying faster and faster still before shooting into the sky. After going as high into the sky as she possibly could she stopped dead in the air. Eyes closed, she floated there mind still clear breathing in the chilled air and blowing out a plume of perspiration from her warm breath.

Rainbow dove straight at the Equestrian soil. Gaining speed she had only gained a few times before. Her rainbow tail streaming a real rainbow behind her. She could feel the sound barrier bending under her outstretched hoof. She found herself breaking the barrier and producing an explosive wave of rainbow colors streaming across the sky. Seeing that she was still far from the ground she thought, "I'll make it a double!"

Just before she could even speed up however, Rainbow saw a glint of light off in the distance to her right moving at such a speed that rivaled even her own. She stared intently at the object and all she could seem to make out was a trail of glittering gold following it. "Oh No!" she yelled aloud to herself as she realized the object was on a collision course with her. Rainbow Dash didn't even have time to react before herself and it smacked straight into eachother. She found her vision blurred and she could see herself and the object plummeting toward the ground. She tried to flap her wings but was too dazed to fly. After what seemed like an hour all she could see was darkness.

Rainbow Dash looked all around her but all she could see was a vast, white, never-ending space. She began to walk before realizing that the usually quiet "Clip Clop" of her hooves was echoing loudly as if she was in a large closed cave. "Hello?" she called out to the emptiness. All she heard was the repeated sound of her voice ringing over and over in her ears.

She looked all around herself to see all of her friends Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy to her left. She tried to spread her wings to speedily fly over to them just to find she couldn't feel her wings. "Hey guys!" she yelled as loud as she could. Her friends didn't even so much as look her way so she began running toward them only to see that they were getting further and further away "Wait!" she called after them. They eventually disappeared into the vast distance of nothingness.

It was at that moment she felt her heartbeat slow and an overwhelming sense of loneliness grew in her chest. "Am I all doomed to remain alone all of my life?" All she could think of was how all of her friends had met their special someponies at some point after "Princess" Twilight's Castle grew a little while back. She also remember that despite all her attempts all the crowds of ponies crowded around everyone but her, even Fluttershy met herself a colt to call her own.

Out of seemingly nowhere she heard a low voice she had never heard before. "Hello!" Rainbow yelled. "Who's there?" The voice spoke again only louder this time.

"Please! Wake Up!" Oh good Celestia what have I done!?!" The vast emptiness disappeared to reveal sunlight as she opened her eyes.

"Wha...?" Rainbow managed to mutter.

"Oh thank Celestia your alright." a voice behind her said.

Rainbow looked down to find she had landed in a pile of leaves and thanks to her lightweight bones she came out alright.

"You are alright, aren't you?" the voice repeated.

Rainbow managed to get to her hooves. Remembering the voice she quickly spun around to come face to face with a young pegasus with pure shining gold fur, a light red mane that was almost pink, and the outline of a silver shooting star on her flank. Rainbow quickly identified that her collision partner was a mare. The pony was standing over the spot where she was laying. "Well say something" the young mare said somewhat impatiently. Realizing she was staring at her Rainbow quickly averted her gaze with a slight blush.

"Yeah I'm ok." Rainbow said a little dazed. "Wait, what does it matter to you, you're the one who ground me in the first place! she said with surprisingly less anger than she herself expected.

The mare looked insulted at the idea of it being all her fault. "Excuse Me!" the mare said with surprise.

"You heard me!" Rainbow replied slowly.

"How could this be my fault you were the one who came crashing down on top of me!" the mare said with a bit more anger.

"I wa...!" before rainbow could reply a sudden familiar foreign accent came from behind her.

"The answer you seek may come from the point of view of a witness not yourself."

Rainbow spun around to see the familiar face of "Zecora? Yes!" Rainbow said excitedly.

"This could work. Tell her how she was the one who crashed into me." the mare said.

Rainbow had no doubt of it in her mind, "This mare crashed into her." she thought surely of herself.

"It was the fault of both of you." Zecora said intently.

"But she blinded me with that rainbow explosion thing!" the mare said huffily.

Rainbow looked at the ground. She knew Zecora was right, Zecora was always right in cases such as this. She knew she could trust her. "Oh. Ok. Sorry.... Wait I never did get your name." Rainbow said regretting what she said before to this mare who she realized was only trying to help her.

"Oh, well I guess I might have maybe been at just as at fault as you so I'm guess i'm sorry too." the mare said with her head also hanging and staring at the ground.

"But what's your name? I've never seen anyone with such an awesome coat of fur before. It's almost as if it is made of real gold." Rainbow said as she looked up a bit more excitedly.

Without looking up the mare said "My name is Jade, Jade Star"

Rainbow didn't know what to think about her odd behavior. Remembering how awesome and fast Jade's flying was she couldn't hold in her excitement anymore. "C'mon I have to introduce you to my friends." Rainbow said with ever growing excitement at hopefully making such an awesome friend. Before Jade could reply rainbow grabbed her hoof and pulled her straight into the sky toward Ponyville. Before she was out of earshot Rainbow yelled "Seeya Zecora!" and Zecora just waved her hoof.

In less than a minute they were at Twilight's Castle. Jade's Eyes brightened up. "You know Princess Twilight?" Jade said enthusiastically.

"Yeah were like the best of of friends. That's how we can wield err... wielded the elements of harmony." This was the first time Rainbow could actually see Jade's eyes and she saw what seemed to be the most beautiful colors she had ever seen. "Wow she's got rainbow eyes just like my mane." rainbow thought as she felt her chest warm up and her stomach tie itself in knots. Suddenly she realized she was staring again and quickly turned to the castle doors to hide her blush. She tried to push them open to find them locked. Jade pointed to something on the door. It was a note from Twilight.

Dear Rainbow Dash,

The girls and I are away on a royal business trip for the day. Please don't worry yourself were only here to help Rarity design some dresses and she knew you would want the day off. There's enough of us to get it done in time for whatever the event is. Celestia hasn't told us yet. We also figured this would be a good chance for you to meet a stallion at the couples moonlight dance tonight at nightfall. The five of us have come together and got you two tickets to take whomever you like. Have fun and well see you tomorrow afternoon.

Sincerely,

Princess Twilight

"Oh." Rainbow thought to herself as she grabbed the tickets off the note."Maybe i'll just leave these her for now." she thought as she returned the tickests to the note.

"Well, what does it say." Jade asked curiously.

"Oh, yeah sorry it says she and my friends are out for the day. I guess that means we can hang out if you wan't." Rainbow said hopefully.

"Uhh... ok?" Jade replied a bit confused.

The greatest day ever.

Rainbow turned her head to make sure her new friend was still following her lead. "C'mon if we don't hurry were not going to make it on time!"

With that Rainbow sped faster forward and turned her head to find Jade was keeping up easily. "See that extra tall tree over there standing over the rest of the trees? That's where were going. Beat you there." Rainbow said speeding forward as fast as she could possibly go. Rainbow thought to herself there's no way she can beat me.

She turned her head again but before she could see, Jade she ran straight into blast of water from a geyser below knocking her out of her flight path right to the base of the tall tree.Rainbow landed at the tree she designated "First of course." she said to herself. Less than a second later she heard a low thud and turned to find that Jade was right behind herself.

"Wow! Your allll...most as fast as me." Rainbow felt her chest get warm again. No more than a moment later she found she was staring at Jade again but before she could turn her head Jade looked to the side and crossed her left hoof over her right in a failed attempt to hide a blush. Realizing she was embarrassing her new friend Rainbow quickly said "The top branch C'mon." Needing no further incentive the two flew up to the top branch and sat. "It'll be coming over that hill there." Rainbow informed Jade.

While they waited Rainbow got lost in thought about how she had been feeling after meeting this mare she knew little about. "I'm not a Fillyfooler so why am i feeling this way about another mare. I don't even know her that well. Maybe I was supposed to meet her all along. Or maybe I'm just loosing my cool. What will my friends think? Or worse yet what will Jade think."

Before she could dwell further on the subject the sun peeked slightly over the hill beyond them. Jade grew a huge smile and Rainbow couldn't help but follow by her lead and smile but a bit smaller than Jade while her cheeks turned a bright red. "It's Awesome!" Jade said as she flung off the branch to do an aerial backflip to land back on the branch. "Are you ok?" Jade said as she realized Rainbow staring off into the distance.

Rainbow turned her head so fast she could feel her neck make a loud "Pop". "Yeah I'm always cool." Rainbow said her heart beating faster at hearing Jade's concern for her. Rainbow then thought to herself "What if this is my chance at real love. I have to try the worst she could do is say no."

Rainbow looked over to make sure Jade wasn't looking before she scoot over as close as she could without touching her. She didn't realize it but she was swinging her tail and had touched Jade's tail. "Oh, My bad heh heh." she said trying fake a laugh. Paying Rainbow no mind Jade continued watching the sun rise over the horizon. "You may want these." Rainbow said holding a pair of sun ray resistant goggles.

"Huh? Oh, thank you." Jade said as she put on the goggles. Rainbow put on her own pair as the sun continued to creep over the horizon. It wasn't long before the sun was past the hill and the moment was gone. "Wow. That...Was...AWESOME!!!" Jade said even more excited.

"Yeah but its nothing to freak out about." Rainbow said trying to hide how happy she was that she got Jade so excited.

"What should we do next?" Jade asked enthusiastically.

Rainbow looked up into the sky while racking her brain to think of something fun the two of them could do together. Something secretly romantic. Something fun. She rubbed her head in hopes to bring something to mind. Despite all of her best efforts nothing came to mind that they could do. "I got nothin." Rainbow said disappointed in herself. "Maybe we could just fly and see if we can come across something." she said reluctantly. With that the two pegasi bolted into the sky rainbow slightly ahead of course.

Wanting to be close to Jade Rainbow slowed her pace slightly till Jade caught up and Rainbow copied Jade's speed. Every time Jade would look away Rainbow inched closer and closer to her flight partner till the tips of their wings were almost centimeters apart. Feeling her chest getting warmer and warmer rainbow couldn't help but to smile.

Flying through the air Rainbow thought of a way to impress Jade. It was the same thing she asked almost everyone whom she flew with "Hey you wanna race?"

"Race where?" Jade replied.

Having not thought of it before hand Rainbow had to look around to see if there was anything a good distance away that was worth racing to. "There, that cloud that looks like a snake." Rainbow pointed to a cloud that sat just beyond a mountain that as she said looked like a snake. Wanting to see how fast her companion could go Rainbow decided not to do her usual preemptive countdown. "We'll start at that tall rock." Rainbow pointed below them.

"Alright." Jade said happily. They flew low and landed carefully on the rock Rainbow indicated. The two carefully lined up and even Rainbow prepared herself for a good race.

"Alright, first one to that cloud. Ready" Both extended their wings to their maximum reach and angled them to the sky behind them. "Set." Again in unison they both lowered their front legs and stared at the cloud with intensity. "GO!" Rainbow yelled as they both bolted toward their destination.

Seeing Jade pulling ahead Rainbow decided to copy her speed at her speed. Rainbow could feel herself straining herself harder and harder to keep up with her friend. With the cloud nearing Rainbow knew she would have to get to her maximum speed to win. Rainbow strained her wings harder than she had ever before, the sound barrier began to bend under her hoof. "I've never done a Rainboom flying straight before." She thought to herself. She looked over her shoulder tears being forced out of her head by the speed.

Rainbow saw Jade bending the sound barrier as well but Rainbow could tell Jade wasn't about to break it anytime soon so she looked ahead again and just as she reached her destination she performed her first Sonic Rainboom flying straight and destroyed the cloud altogether. Rainbow stopped almost at a dime as Jade struggled and continued by the spot Rainbow stopped. A few seconds later Jade managed to stop and made her way back to Rainbow with a huge smile on her face. Seeing Jade's smile put a small smirk on her face.

"What was that!?" Jade asked in wonderment.

"That is what I like to call a Sonic Rainboom." Rainbow informed Jade. "It does that when I break the sound barrier."

"Whoa, would I be able to do something like that? I can bend the sound barrier but it usually just slows me down." Jade asked excited.

"Sure, follow me." Rainbow said as she shot into the sky as high as she could before it got too cold.

"Wh...Wha...What are...are we doing uhhh...up here?" Jade asked shivering.

Without so much as twitch Rainbow said "Watch me, then when I give you the signal copy my moves ok." Jade just shook her head and with that Rainbow dove straight for the ground making sure not to do the double Rainboom she hoped to do earlier so as not to upset her companion. Just as she began to reach the ground she let herself break the sound barrier and immediately slowed down to give Jade the signal.

Still shivering Jade waited patiently until she saw something flash through the clouds over and over. Needing no further incentive she dove through the same hole in the clouds that Rainbow had passed through. She could feel the barrier bending under her hoof again but this time it felt easier as her body falling gave her extra speed. Soon the sound barrier narrowed around her body and her tail turned completely into the gold trail that usually followed her. Pushing just a bit harder she burst the sound barrier releasing a huge, beautiful, gold wave of energy.

Jade burst with excitement at what she had just done she forgot to slow down and tried her best but was getting dangerously close to the ground at still great speed. She closed her eyes and felt a sense of helplessness come over her. Jade prepared for the pain the ground brings when struck. Just before she hit however she felt somepony's hooves and fur holding her close, stopping her quickly. Jade looked up to see Rainbow's gentle smile looking at her. "You're gonna have to work on that." Rainbow stated still smiling.

Jade returned the smile and felt her excitement burst. "Did you see that! I did it. Was it awesome?" Jade asked

"Yeah, that was the coolest thing I've ever seen. It made the sun so bright it almost made me go blind. C'mon lets go see if there's anything else fun we can do." Rainbow said despite feeling that her own Sonic Rainboom was superior.

Rainbow was nearly blinded again as a very bright blue light beneath them flashed right past her face leaving a blue blotch in the center of her eye. "Hey! What was that!?!" she asked as she almost flew off course.

"What do you mean?" Jade asked confused.

"How could she have not seen it?" Rainbow thought to herself.

"You can't tell me you didn't just see that carnival tent standing above all those trees with the big flashing lights." Jade said rhetorically.

Rainbow looked down to see a big circus tent sanding tall over the trees. "Oh. He he. I totally knew that." Before Jade could make up a comeback Rainbow dove at the the big top tent yelling "c'mon" over her shoulder. With a perfect landing Rainbow waited for her companion to follow which didn't take long before Jade landed with a glittery trail following her slightly rough landing. Looking at the name "Jake's Circus of Wonder and Entertainment." the two walked into the tent.

The crowd around them began to hush as the lights in the tent dimmed to the point of almost pitch black illuminated only by the light of the entrance which was quickly closed. "Mares and Gentlecolts. Welcome to the annual Ponyville Day Circus. Where wonderment is a breeze, spectacles are revealed, and entertainment is a must." An announcer said but was unable to be seen.

Rainbow looked to her side to see that Jade's eyes glowed ever so slightly in the dark with its bright spectrum of colors and could slightly see her huge smile as Jade waited in anticipation of what the announcer was rambling on about. Upon seeing her smile Rainbow felt like she was going to melt right there on that bleacher seat but she kept herself from showing it. "I'm not going to lose my cool." Rainbow said quietly to herself.

The first act was a showing of many of Equestria's creatures. They had a Manticore, a puppy Cerberus, a blindfolded Cockatrice, a bunch of Jackalopes, an Orthros, and many more who they just strut about the ring of light in the center of the tent. Around the time the Circus got to a bunch of clown ponies juggling assorted objects Rainbow decided that maybe some popcorn would be cool.

As she flew carefully over the heads of the crowd she couldn't stop thinking about how Jade's eyes glowed in such an awesome way. "That was the coolest thing I've ever seen someone do, and she didn't even have to do it on purpose. Aside from my tricks anyway." Rainbow thought with a low smile.

"Uhh... Can I help you miss?" The popcorn vendor asked.

Being so deep in thought Rainbow hadn't even realized she was at the front of the popcorn line. "Oh, yeah i'll take a bucket. And fill it to the brim." Rainbow said a bit demandingly.

"Sure thing little filly." The vendor said as if he hadn't even noticed Rainbow's slight rudeness.

"Hey! I'm not a Filly." Rainbow said in a snap.

"My apologies." the vendor replied as he returned with the bucket of popcorn. "That'll be two bits please." he said.

Reaching into her mane Rainbow untied a small coin pouch she had hidden there and paid the coins, retied her coin pouch, and returned to Jade with the bucket of popcorn in her mouth. Careful not to let her saliva leak into the bucket and soil the popcorn she set it between herself and Jade. "Want some?" Rainbow offered happily.

"Sure." Jade replied with an unusual softness in her tone.

Just as Rainbow was preparing to relax she set her front hoof on Jade's accidentally. "Oops, my b..." Rainbow tried to apologize just to be interrupted by Jade.

"No, Don't be. I...It's ok." Jade said as she looked into Rainbow Dash's cerise pink eyes. Jade then held out her hoof for Rainbow to take. Rainbow Dash couldn't believe what had just happened. Was she dreaming? After shaking her head to dispel the thoughts she happily accepted Jade's hoof. Rainbow let out a quiet squeak of excitement Jade couldn't hear. After a moment Rainbow couldn't help but wonder if this was the right choice "What will everyone think, what will my possible life with her even be like?"

After leaving the circus tent the two were still holding hooves and laughing. "How did they fit so many clown ponies in that one tiny carriage?" Jade said in between laughs.

"I don't know but the whole show was Awesome!"Rainbow said excited "but not as awesome as you." Rainbow said in a low voice trying to impress Jade. Jade just exhaled slowly and rested her head lightly on Rainbow's neck. "What could possibly make this day any better?" Rainbow wondered.

"Well, well, well." A familiar voice spoke.

"Spike?" Rainbow replied as she identified the small purple dragon in front of her.

"The one and only." Spike replied proudly.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were with the others on royal business." Rainbow said confused.

"Eh, something about it being too much travel for a baby dragon and someone needs to watch the castle and blah blah blah." Spike said in a bored tone. " But enough about me who's this lovely mare?" Spike said suggestively.

"I'm Jade, Jade Star." the gold mare said.

Upon seeing how calm Jade was about meeting Spike, Rainbow Dash couldn't help but to turn her head her whole face turning light red and saying "So you saw us?"

"Every bit." Spike responded. "But don't worry your secret's safe with me." He said as he walked away twirling a key on his claw while whistling. Rainbow felt her chest burning slightly with embarrassment at being caught with another mare by one of her friends.

After remembering she left the popcorn in the Circus tent Rainbow felt her stomach growling angrily at her. After all she hadn't eaten anything since her early morning breakfast at her home. She tried to ignore the feeling but it just kept intensifying till she decided that i could give a perfect opportunity to get to know more about Jade she still had her tail mixed with. "Are you hungry cause I'm starving." The sudden comment from Jade startled Rainbow out of her thoughts with a little jump.

Relieved to be able to avoid a possibly awkward conversation. "Yeah I'm hungry and I know the perfect place too." Rainbow replied with a laugh. Without another thought Rainbow took off and yelled "Follow me." behind herself. About thirty-two seconds later they arrived.

"The hayburger?" Jade said questioningly.

"Yeah, everything's great here and they have the fastest service in Ponyville." Rainbow said feeling a little proud of her knowledge. The two pegasi mares entered the restaurant with the jingle of a gold bell ringing above their heads. Just a moment later a familiar stallion wearing a tuxedo appeared from the kitchen door carrying a tray of food balanced on his head.

"Just a moment." the server/waiter said quickly. With surprisingly quick motion the stallion carefully flung the tray off his head making the food land unusually softly on the table and the tray landed back on his head again this time empty. The pair at the table clapped their hooves at the amazing feat that occurred before them.

"That was awesome!" Jade exclaimed as the stallion wandered back to his station to put his tray back.

"I'm glad you enjoyed the show." he replied. "A table for two I presume." he said little emotion of any kind on his face.

"Yes." Rainbow replied hastily.

"In or outdoors miss?" the waiter questioned.

"What do you think Jade?" rainbow asked caringly.

"Well... I do like a bit of fresh air." Jade replied.

"Then it's settled, outdoors." Rainbow stated to the waiter. As he led them to their table Rainbow playfully bumped into Jade. Seeing her intentions Jade bumped back trying to hold back a giggle. Rainbow chuckled a little as she bumped back into Jade only a little harder this time. Seeing the devilish look in Rainbow's eyes Jade let out a laugh an said in a low whisper "Is that all you got?" as she bumped even harder.

"Oh I'll show you what I got!" Rainbow said slightly louder than Jade but as she swung her body Jade decided to bump her at the same time causing them to whack their heads together with a loud thunk. The collision of their heads knocked them off balance and the two came crashing to the ground. Both of them laughing as hard as they could Jade's laugh a good bit softer than Rainbow's slightly rustic boisterous laugh.

"Are you going to take a seat or would you rather eat down there." the waiter asked hiding his face as he rolled his eyes. Rainbow hadn't even realized they were even at the table she was so focused on playing around with Jade. With nothing but a smile the two mare pegasi stood up and sat at the table. The waiter left a couple of menus in front of them and asked "Could i get you lovely mares some drinks?"

At the exact same time both Rainbow and Jade said "Lemonade." realizing their cooperative reply the two looked at each-other and Rainbow laughed as Jade blushed and giggled.

There was an awkward silence at the table. Usually Rainbow had no end of things to tell or boast about but talking to Jade just felt different. But then the idea came to her, something simple, a starter phrase to get the conversation going. "Soo... what kind of things do you like?" Rainbow asked in hopes of learning more about her new friend.

"Well. Things is a broad term. But, I guess I like action, adventure, comedy, but most of all I love to just fly in the open skies. It's there I can feel truly free."

"Wow." Rainbow thought "She's just like me, only more feminine but I guess I like that. Jade is so adorable when she does that little giggle of hers. She must be young, maybe a bit younger than me but not that young." Looking up at the wandering sky she replied "Yeah it's really awesome up there isn't it?" after saying this she let out a slow exhale as her thoughts calmed a bit and caught up with her.

"It sure is." Jade said copying Rainbow's long exhale. The waiter returned with a smaller tray than before which held a large cup of lemonade. Not daring his fancy tricks with a drink he carefully laid it on the table.

"Hey! What's your problem? Do you see only one pony here?" Rainbow said in a raised voice that wasn't yet a yell.

"Forgive me, but I couldn't help but think you two were a couple, I'll bring another immediately." he said a little frightened at Rainbow's angry remark.

"Wait... how did you know? Is everyone psychic in this town?" Rainbow said much more calmly.

"Well lets just say I'm good at piecing together pieces of a puzzle." he said with relief as Rainbow lost her tone.

"My bad I guess I just want to make sure everything is perfect. Don't worry about getting another just leave two straws." Rainbow said ashamed of how angry she got at something so simple.

"I assure you it is quite alright, now may I take your order?" the waiter asked.

"Oh, sure one sec." Rainbow said as she realized she hadn't even looked at the menu. To make sure she didn't make it any worse she just said the first thing that came to mind. "Uhh, I'll just have double hayburger with lettuce and cheese."

"I'll take the same." Jade replied for she hadn't looked at the menu either. Looking back at Jade, Rainbow apologized to her too for making a scene.

"Look around, were outside with almost no-one around, who could possibly see?" Jade said with a sparkle in her rainbow eyes. Relived at her understanding Rainbow leaned over the back of her chair to stretch her front hooves. Not knowing she forgot to breathe Rainbow's eyes suddenly went black and her head began to whir and spin till it gave up control of her body and she fell straight to the ground landing her head on a rock. Only seconds later she came to and found Jade standing over her looking very worried. "Are you ok?" Jade asked concerned?

"Yeah I'm... Owww!" Rainbow exclaimed as she felt the throbbing pain on the side of her head. Reaching up she felt her hand touch a warm liquid and she knew exactly what it was. Looking at the blood on her hoof all she said was "Great."

"Let me see." Jade said a good bit more concerned at seeing Rainbow bleeding.

"Nah, I'm fine." Rainbow replied trying not to lose her cool.

"Rainbow let me see it I might be able to help." Jade said again. Reluctantly Rainbow turned her head to reveal a small gash in her head that was slowly leaking blood onto her cyan fur cheeks.

"Is it bad?" Rainbow asked.

"Not too much to worry about, just a sec." Jade said reaching up and hovering her hoof just beyond the wound on Rainbow's head. A bright sparkly gold light emanated from her hoof that closely resembled the gold trail she left behind when she was flying earlier before their collision. Then the pain was gone just as quickly as it came.

"What did you do?" Rainbow asked she felt for the wound on her head to find nothing but dried blood on her fur.

"Something I haven't been able to do in a long time. I wasn't even sure if I could anymore." Jade said as she looked at the ground and crossed her front left leg over her right and blushed again. "Let's just say I have healing abilities that can only be unlocked by one thing, that thing being long gone from me until today." Needing no further explanation Rainbow sat in her chair again and Jade followed. The waiter came out the door holding the larger tray with their food. With his usual antics this time he carefully tossed the food on the table. Seeming slightly upset about the lack of hooves clapping he turned to the restaurant without a word.

"How could this day get any better?" Rainbow thought to herself. For most of the meal it was relatively quiet aside form the occasional hooveplay or gentle tail whip.

"Wow, it got really late didn't it?" Jade said as she looked up at the sun nearing the horizon.

"Oh..My..Gosh.." Rainbow exclaimed as she thought about the fact that the moon rising was even more beautiful than the sun is here.

"What?" Jade said a confused expression on her face. Without a word Rainbow led Jade to a large hill a few miles from Ponyville that overlooked a vast lake. "What are we doing here?" Jade asked more confused now than before. The only reply she got was a hoof pointing toward the left center of the lake at the exact moment the moon made its appearance over the lake's water. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh..." Jade said progressively more quiet. Beaming with excitement Jade could only manage quiet squeals.

"Hey, that's what I say." rainbow thought to herself. Rainbow once again started swaying her tail again for it to be suddenly be snatched up by Jade's tail wrapping lightly around it. With an affectionate smile Rainbow wrapped her wing around Jade as they sat close. Jade rested her head on Rainbow Dash again, but this time on her shoulder and Rainbow repaid the the favor by resting her head carefully on Jade's head. Both of their hearts began beating quicker and Rainbow could feel them beating in sync.

"It's soo... beautiful." Jade said sweetly.

"Yeah, it is pretty awesome isn't it?" Rainbow said softer than she had spoken in a long time.

The two pegasi love-birds flew away from the hill the moon now in the open sky their tails still crossed. "Well what should we do now?" Jade asked. "Maybe something even more romantic?" she asked looking at Rainbow with a soft smile.

"Romantic, that's it." Rainbow thought to herself as she remembered the note, the dance, and the tickets. "I know." Rainbow said with a smile. But we've got to hurry... again. Together they sped back to Twilight's Castle. Grabbing the tickets Rainbow thought to herself "Wait, I have to put something on for a dance like that. "C'mon, were going back to my place." Rainbow said quickly.

"What. Don't you think it's a bit quick for that sort of thing?" Jade asked confused as to Rainbow's intentions.

"That's not what I meant, I just want to put something special on for a dance I'm going to take you to." Rainbow said as she nuzzled her marefriend.

"Oh. Awesome!" Jade said with a small squeal followed by light red cheeks. Entering Rainbow's bedroom they both tried to agree on something perfect for her to wear. Despite twenty minutes of outfit after outfit they couldn't seem to find one they both thought looked good enough for the dance. Then suddenly it came and reminded Rainbow instantly. "It's perfect." Rainbow thought as she rushed into her closet.

Rainbow looked all over but could not find it until Tank dropped out of nowhere with a large box on his shell. Recognizing it immediately she quickly kissed the top of his head followed by a "Thank you." "This one is a surprise so don't look." she said as she began putting something on behind the dressing wall.

A moment later Rainbow Dash reappeared from behind the wall wearing her gala dress with the rainbow colored cloth the golden leaf earrings the purple bead necklace and the gold hoof heels.

This time It was Jade who was staring at Rainbow Dash. "You look amazing!" Jade said thoroughly impressed. "I wish I had a dress as beautiful as that one is." Jade said as she scraped at the floor with her hoof.

"That's ok you're just about my exact size, C'mon I've got something that'll look great on you." Rainbow said without hesitation. Another moment later the two came out from behind the wall Jade now wearing a sky blue dress with red frills and an emerald crested on the chest.

"It's perfect!" they both said together. Jade began a giggling fit which made Rainbow chuckle in reply. They had to end their chuckle/giggle fit when they realized they were going to be late for the dance.

As they walked up to the dance they realized they were actually a bit early and they hadn't even started yet. The bouncer looked at the two tail-crossed and asked "Are you two a pair?"

"Yeah, what's the problem?" Rainbow said actually in a calm voice.

"No, sorry I asked. Do you have your tickets?" The bouncer replied. Rainbow handed him the tickets and he unhooked the velvet blockade so they could enter. There were surprisingly more early goers there than they had expected. It wasn't long until the bright lights shut off and the moving dim rainbow lights illuminated the outside patio.

The first song playing was a slow melodic romantic instrument only song. Rainbow looked to Jade and held out her hoof. Jade grabbed Rainbow's hoof immediately and they huddled close and once again rested their heads upon one another. Rainbow closed her eyes to savor the moment.

"You really are awesome!" Jade whispered into Rainbow's ear.

"For the first time in my life I can actually say somepony is more awesome than me. And who else but you." Rainbow lulled back. "This is the first time I've ever liked any song without a drum set, rock guitar, or even a bass guitar. And yet it just became my favorite of all." she said still in a soft voice.

Rainbow felt a cool tear fall on her neck. Could it have been something she said. Rainbow recapped everything she said but couldn't think of anything offensive to anypony. "But there had to be." she thought as more tears fell on her neck. "Good goin, you just ruined your first and probably only love." Rainbow whispered angrily to herself.

"No." Jade said softly. "Huh? I di..." Rainbow started before Jade cut her off.

"No, it's not what you did wrong it's what you did right. I have never been more happy than I am now with you. More than I have been with anypony or anything ever before." Jade said sobbing even more. After hearing this Rainbow felt a surge of emotions welling up inside her. Despite her best efforts, no matter how hard she fought and held back, she couldn't help but to allow herself to loose a couple of tears but turned them off as soon as possible.

But then it hit her, "What did she mean by that?"

Before she could ask the song ended and the announcer spoke up. "That goes out to all you couples out there. Now, are you ready for the real music!? he yelled.

"YEAH!" everypony yelled. As the music picked up into a rock song the two stopped crying and all thought of what Jade said slipped Rainbow's mind as the pair began dancing like lunatics.

It began nearing the time the dance was supposed to end and yet the whole time Jade and Rainbow had barely spoken aside from the few times a colt would walk up an try to talk one of them away from the other. Back and forth one of the two would practice saying "Back off buddy, she's mine!" In one way or another.

The announcer spoke up again "Alright ponies, I'm sorry too say this is the last song of the night. Were gonna close up with another slow song so grab that special somepony and enjoy this short firework show while you dance." just as soon as the music started the fireworks followed one by one bursting like gems in the sky.

"Forget the song, look there's a low cloud big enough for two we can watch the fireworks from!" Jade said excitedly.

Looking up Rainbow could see the cloud she was talking about and replied with a simple "Ok." Smiling the two pegasi flew up and laid comfortably on their backs to watch as the fireworks reflected in their eyes like glitter flowers in a mirror. Both of them were smiling so largely their mouths hung slightly open. Rainbow felt her chest get warmer than it had all day, it even started to tingle with pure joy and happiness and she could tell Jade shared her feelings but she wasn't sure how she knew this but she just did.

"This is the best day ever!" Rainbow heard Jade say over the boom of a lone firework. Rainbow Dash found herself wondering if everything that happened is just too much, too quickly. She knows that she usually likes faster paced things in life but she really likes this mare despite only knowing her for a day. "I like her but how do I know she'll always feel the same way as tonight?" Rainbow wondered.

"What if how she's acting is just because she's having fun?" These questions kept piling up in her mind until she just couldn't take not knowing for another moment. Rainbow tried opening her mouth to speak but couldn't find any words to say. Not used to ever having to hide her feelings she began to panic a little. "I'm always straight out with everything why can't I just say it!" Rainbow thought almost aloud. Finally she just decided to start of slowly. "Jade?" Rainbow said an embarrassed look covering her newly bright pink face.

"Yes." Jade said caringly. Seeing the worried and embarrassed look on Rainbow's face she began to look worried herself and asked "What's wrong? I didn't do anything did I? Please don't hate me I'm so..." Jade tried to say with desperation in her tone.

"No, don't be sorry. It's not you. I just couldn't help but think i'm rushing you." After saying that Rainbow felt a weight seemingly fall off her shoulders.

"Oh Celestia No, this is the first time I've ever had real fun like this. I never knew how it could feel to have so much fun and in one day. I couldn't feel rushed by you, you're the best pony i have ever met in my life and... I kinda like you a bit... or a lot." Jade admitted all the while she was lovingly nuzzling her face into rainbow's furry cyan neck.

Rainbow moved a little closer to Jade cuddling her close and said "Could..." but couldn't finish.

"Could what?" Jade said looking to rainbow with full trust and care.

Seeing Jade's expression Rainbow felt a surge of renewed confidence in herself. "Could I... kiss you?" Rainbow said turning her head. With that Jade carefully turned Rainbow's head and gave her a more passionate kiss than anything Rainbow could have ever imagined. The moment seemed to last forever but as the last firework glittered in the sky Jade pulled away. Despite the seemingly perfect moment Jade turned away her cheeks burning as pink showed all over.

Rainbow was lost in a wonderland of love in her mind when it was interrupted by Jade's voice. "What... what do you think?"

"That was the most awesome thing that has ever happened to me before." Rainbow answered as honestly as even Applejack could have.

"I'm so happy. You... you know... you were my first kiss ever." Jade said more enthusiastically.

"Oh my Gosh, Oh my Gosh, Oh my Gosh. You were my first kiss too." Rainbow said a bit excitedly.

"Really!" Jade asked cuddling even closer to Rainbow's warm body. Jade laid her head on Rainbow's chest and fell asleep in almost an instant.

Rainbow felt her heart pounding harder than ever before, as she laid her own head over Jade's peacefully sleeping head as carefully as she could. She remembered how early she had gotten up this morning too and staying up so late while doing so many fun things made her realized she was exhausted.

Closing her eyes she thought to herself "I would sleep in the open everyday as long as I can be with her." And with that she let sleep envelop her.

The worst day ever!

"C'mon Dash." a confident Jade said "let's do something fun." Smiling at her remarks Rainbow flew to catch up with the beautiful gold pegasus in front of her. "Don't you just love it?" Jade said admiringly.

"Huh? Love what?" Rainbow said unable to gather all of her thoughts.

"The sky above you, the wind in your fur, the clouds softer than silk, and most of all the freedom the sky provides with such care." Jade said losing a bit of her smile a tear rolling off an eye.

Unable to see the the fading expression on Jade's face Rainbow replied a bit lazily "Yeah... I guess." Rainbow had been in the skies all her life so she took them more for granted than anything else. Looking around she couldn't help but remember her first flight. It wasn't at flight school like most pegasi it was with her dad. He was always there as she jumped off the tree branch over a hundred times trying to hover as long as she could and when she couldn't hover any more he was always beneath her with a comforting smile. Rainbow found herself wishing she had spent more time with him since no more than a year later she was an even stronger flier than either of her parents. She knows they enrolled her in flight school for her own happiness but she still wanted more time, but when she returned to her parent's house she found them gone without even a note.

"RAINBOW!!!" a voice screamed her awake. Rainbow immediately stood and searched for the source to see a huge shadowy figure flying away with Jade restrained in it's grasp.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing with her!" Rainbow yelled to the creature. It turned its head and glared its red eyes at her. She couldn't see it's face because it was shaded by it's hood. After a moment a magical blast shoved Rainbow away and the creature began to twirl in place momentarily. Seeing this as a chance to strike Rainbow threw herself as hard as she could at the thing. A bright green light emanated from it and as Rainbow was sure she would have hit it straight on she felt nothing. All she could see was white for a moment.

After a moment she found herself in a forest she had never seen before. She stood up after realizing she was on the ground. Rainbow then looked up to see the creature still holding Jade. "Help, it can't take me back." Jade screamed again as it began to fly off.

"I'm coming, just hang on." Rainbow yelled back. She tried to lift her wings to fly after them to find her right wing had been broken and she yelled in pain. "Ahhh Errrruhhh!!" Rainbow yelled in anguish. She looked up again to see the creature heading away from her. "Hey come back here." Rainbow yelled as she tucked her wings at her side and ran after it as fast as she could possibly go. Rainbow felt a sense of hopelessness as the creature and the screaming of Jade's voice continued to disappear into the distance. Eventually she couldn't see or hear anything but that didn't stop her.

Rainbow ran through the miles of forest no thoughts of getting lost ringing in her mind at all. "I'm already lost because that thing took us here." Rainbow thought to herself. It wasn't long before she came across a flaming swampland similar to the one Applejack described when she told us how Applebloom had attempted to pass through one when trying to prove she was all grown up. This one just like the forest was different, though only in that it was't nearly as small as the other, this one was huge and she could hear faint growling and hissing usually followed by a baaa. "Great of course it had to have Chimera in it." Rainbow said aloud. Without another thought she ran into the swamp just to be stopped by a gout of flame bursting from the ground. Rainbow backed away out of the swamp frustrated. "How am I supposed to go through that she exclaimed.

"You should not be here." a low almost squeaky voice stated. This voice didn't sound like any Chimera she had ever heard.

"What, who's there? I'm not afraid of you." Rainbow said truthfully her mind set on saving her love.

"You should not be here." the voice repeated again.

"Show yourself!" Rainbow said more agitated. A rustling of some bushes came from behind her and she turned around to see weird, short, wrinkly, and light brown hairless creature standing in front of her wearing weird green clothes accustomed to his small stature.

"Well met." It said.

"Who are you." Rainbow asked more confused now than angry with it.

"The name's James o'Grady m-lady. he replied.

"Why were you watching me?" Rainbow asked a bit suspicious of James' behavior.

"Well I couldn't let a poor lady like yourself go running through such a dangerous place as that there swamp." James said smiling.

"Stop calling me lady and I have to find Jade. Some creature in dark clothes took her from me after we fell asleep." James immediately lost his smile upon hearing this.

*Snap* with just a snap of his fingers Rainbow and himself were teleported into some dusty old cottage. "Wha..where did you take me." Rainbow questioned more confused by this thing than ever.

"That creature you speak of much more than something you can handle by yourself." James told her. Remembering how suddenly she left her home when following that thing here she found herself wishing her friends were here to help her save Jade. They were always around when someone needed help.

All she could manage to say was "I have to help her."

"I understand lass, love is a powerful thing. Even more powerful than most people think." James tried to console her.

"Wait what's does people mean? How do you know?" Rainbow wondered.

"You really are far away from home aren't you lass. The world around you isn't what you remember. People are like me except much bigger, paler, and way more greedy. They only care about material things and go about their lives tricking one another out of their possessions in one way or another. But the creature you're chasing is worse than anything on this planet. It sucks the very love and happiness out of anything it finds power in then feeds on the energy within you." James said looking at Rainbow concerned.

"Wait i'm not even on the same planet anymore?" Rainbow said anger welling up inside of her.

"Oh, no I didn't say that. You'r world is only one part to this amazing planet. You see this planet is essentially a multiverse but not. In other words our worlds look entire but there are hundreds of hidden worlds that think it is their own themselves and none know the others exist."

Rainbow's mind was lost at the weird explanation he had given her. "But that swamp is exactly like the one where I come from." Rainbow said.

"That's because were all on the same planet. The inhabitants that live in each magically separated part is just different." James told Rainbow.

"But I heard a Chimera in the swamp. You know Lion, snake, Goat?" Rainbow said confused. "No, there are snakes in the swamp, but you likely heard the mountain goats on the hill next to it, and as for the lion an old hermit lion tamer lives right outside that swamp." James informed her."

"Oh." was Rainbow's only reply.

"Then again he may still live in there." James said quietly.

"What? Rainbow asked as she saw him say something.

"Never you mind that. Now, just hold still I've taken care of many a bird in my life lemme take a look at that wing of yours." Remembering that Jade had healing abilities she silently hoped James did too as she reluctantly showed him her wind and he began to reach for it.

But Rainbow abruptly said "Hey no touching."

"How else am I supposed to help lass?" James responded. After trying again Rainbow let him examine her wing. Through many yipes of pain James had splinted her wing and put it in a makeshift sling neatly.

"Wait how did you know my wing was broken in the first place?" Rainbow questioned.

"Well a being with wings should have half a mind to fly over a dangerous swamp like that not go runnin through it." James said content at his intelligent statement. He laughed to himself a bit. "Anyway, you best be goin if you want to find your friend. Oh, and I only have two but you can have these flame resistant boots and a coat I took from one a them hunter people." He put the boots on Rainbow's back hooves to find they were too big, she wouldn't be able to walk in them. Walking out of the room and returning with a bit of metal wire he tied it around the top of the boots tightly and began putting the coat on her but the drawstring at the bottom made it so much easier to tighten it on her.

"What, about my flank and front hooves?" She asked looking at her backside.

"Sorry aint nothin I can do about that lass. Now go." he replied.

*Snap* After James snapped again she found herself back at the edge of the swamp once again but this time James didn't appear as well. Determined to find Jade Rainbow began trudging through the swamp on two legs. At first she was a wobbly mess but it didn't take long for her to pick up on it thanks to her light bones and muscular athletic build. A gout of flame hit one of her boot covered hooves. Ignoring the smell of singed fur from her face she turned her head to wait for the flame to die and it did quickly. Rainbow was thinking over and over about the horrible things that creature was doing to the love of her life. With more intensity she began to speed up slightly despite the suction cup effect the mud under her boots made. "Must find Jade." She said aloud to herself.

It was getting late and Rainbow knew this as she saw the sun nearing the backside of the distant mountains. "Great it had to start getting late didn't it?" Rainbow muttered to herself. Despite the help of the clothing from James a good amount of her fur on her flank and face was burned and smelled horrible. This didn't sway Rainbow in the slightest however. With her mind set on on Jade she continued to move forward and she saw the edge where the mountain and the swamp meet and headed for the closest patch.

"Gruuuhhhh!!" an unusual sound filled Rainbow's ears.

She looked all around her but couldn't see anything. "James if that's you it's that's not funny." Rainbow yelled into the swamp. *stomp*, *stomp*, *stomp*. Hearing this stomping behind her Rainbow turned around to see a large creature walking towards her. It looked like a green, unusually fat, ugly faced thing that walked on two legs like James and had huge fingers that were dragging a huge tree trunk behind it. It wasn't wearing clothes like James though, it only wore a leaf loincloth around its waist. Rainbow couldn't decide if she should dare attempt attack it or run for the mountain. "What would my friends do, think, think, think." she said in her mind. "Wait, they would try to reason with it or most of them anyway but just look at it does it look reasonable?" she argued with herself about what to do as the thing neared her. With a swallow as a bead of sweat ran down her muzzle she uttered. "H-hi there big guy, hows it goi..." She tried to say before being cut off by a deep, loud, slow, rustic voice.

"What Are You Doing In My Swamp?" it asked her eyeing her closely. Relishing the fact that he or at least what she thought was a he didn't try to pummel her as soon as it came within reach she decided to try harder.

"Uhh, just passing through." Rainbow replied her confidence building as he loosened his death stare.

"There Are Many Human Here You Should Go Back Where You Came From Little Pony." It said as it began to study her as best a dull creature like it could.

"I'm looking for somepony, her name is Jade. She was taken by a creature from your world that wore a long black cloak and could fly. It was carrying a pegasus pony like myself except she was gold. Did you see where they went?" Rainbow asked intently.

"Pegasus Pony? What That?" It asked looking like she just asked it a physics question.

"Ugh, like me she looks just like me, but gold." Rainbow said trying to hide her impatience with this dangerous thing. Before saying anything else it picked her up with two fingers and looked closely at her.

"Hey! Put me down." she said.

"Creature in cave this way I take you." It said. Despite its rough behavior she let him take her because if he really knew where she was it would make saving her love all the easier.

"Could you at least hold me differently you're really hurting my broken wing." Rainbow said as the pain in her wing intensified at the things unusual movement style.

"You Hurt?" It asked as it set her down.

"Yes." Rainbow replied as she showed it her slung wing. Without another word it laid it's hand down flat for her stand on. Rainbow reluctantly walked into and sat on it's hand.

It was completely dark by the time it made it's way out of the swamp. Surprised at the sudden increase in the sound of the thing's footsteps when it reached solid ground Rainbow woke up without realizing she even fell asleep. "Pony Awake?" it questioned her.

"Yeah sorry, guess i'm just a bit exhausted." Confused at her long word it ignored her apology and continued walking. "Soo... do you have a name big uhhh, fella?" she asked trying to distract herself from getting lost herself in thoughts of Jade again, knowing that was why she fell asleep in the first place.

"Brago My Name." It stated.

"Well, Brago thanks and all for the help." Rainbow said. Again it ignored her and continued along it's way. Rainbow sat up so as not to fall asleep again. Looking to her right she saw the endless waves of distant tree covered mountains. To keep her mind temporarily off the possible horrors Jade is subject to Rainbow decided to do one thing she never thought she would do in her life, she started counting trees in her head.

Rainbow had a surprising amount of focus as she reached two thousand eighty three trees so far. The sun was already up and looked to be around six as far as Rainbow could tell. Rainbow's new friend-ish thing suddenly came to a stop at a large boulder near a rock face in a mountainside. "Creature Here." it said with its usual tone. It lowered its hand to the ground for Rainbow to climb off of and that's just what she did. Without a word it walked over and lifted the huge boulder over it's head like it were a wooden crate, this revealed a hidden cave. It then threw the boulder far down the mountainside and began walking away.

"Wait! Where are you going. You're not leaving me here alone are you." Rainbow called to it. All it did was grunt in reply. "Well thanks... I guess." she yelled as it disappeared in the tall trees. Turning back to the cave entrance she poked her head inside yet she couldn't see anything but darkness. She then remembered she was wearing that uncomfortable garb that James gave her. Reaching down she unbuttoned the coat and laid on her back to get the arm sleeves off her legs and hoof. She then tossed it to the ground and it landed with a loud *Clank*. "Huh?" Rainbow said aloud. She quickly took of the boots and first looked at how different her cyan fur coat looked from under the coat compared to her singed smoke covered flank. She looked back at the coat and looked at a lump of which seemed to be the source of the loud clank noise.

She found a large pocket where the thing resided, it was a lantern with a note on it. "It'll get dark." it read and was signed "James." Flicking the flint carefully with her hoof it immediately lit good and bright. It must have been full but she couldn't tell because the fuel containing bottom was made of copper. "I've got to hurry." She said to herself as she ran straight into the cave.

Darkness consumed Rainbow's every thought as that was all she could see beyond the bright flickering light of the lantern hanging from her mouth. Following the many winding corridors she couldn't tell if she was even getting anywhere. It just seemed to go on forever until she saw a flame light off in the distance ahead of her. As she approached she found out it was just a torch hanging from the wall, but it was freshly lit so she must be getting close. Looking ahead to see her path was relatively well lit she blew out her lantern but set it on her back in case the torches ended. She followed the rows of torches passing many dark corridors that didn't have any torches lighting them.

"aaaooowww!...." Rainbow could hear Jade's voice screaming off in the distance down the way she was headed and she sprinted faster than she ever had before. As she was sprinting she came across five different corridors all lit with torches and she couldn't tell which the screaming had been coming from.

Rainbow could feel her heart beat faster than ever before and she knew. She didn't know how she knew but she just did "This one." she said in a low voice as she chose to follow the second corridor. She did not slow down even after running into some more multi-corridor passages she knew where to go in her heart. Jade's screaming was so loud now that it felt like Rainbow was right next to her. She stopped in a big open room with a large decorative wooden door on the far end where Jade's voice was coming from. Despite the doors great size and weight she managed to open it just enough to squeeze in.

"Jade!" Rainbow yelled as she spotted her love.

"Rainbow." Jade said weakly before her head dropped from exhaustion revealing her beaten, lashed, bloody body. Before Rainbow could begin making her way to help Jade the creature that took her stood between the two. It laughed a deep crackly laugh before removing its hood to reveal nothing but a weird skull without a muzzle much like what Rainbow imagined James' skull to be like without flesh.

"YOU LET HER GO! Rainbow yelled as she felt her rage boiling inside of her. It just laughed again. Rainbow could feel her rage becoming unbearable her head ached, her muscles trembled, and she slammed her hooves into the ground staring into the empty eye holes of the creature with a hint of fear Rainbow quickly pushed it aside as a plume of steam came out her nostrils. Out of nowhere Rainbow's hooves left the ground. She looked at her wings to find them still neatly at her side. A faint swirl of rainbow colors began to emanate around her body. With another wave of rage at seeing Jade in such a condition made the colors swirling around her brighten till it completely encased her body in it making her unable to be seen on the outside. The creature took a step back in bewilderment at the sight before it. So much power came from that small pegasus mare. Before it could do anything more Rainbow flew at it so quickly it did not have time to react initially. Rainbow struck it right in the skull that so easily mocked her. It felt it's skull to find a large crack running from it's eye socket to it's jaw.

Seeing Rainbow coming in for another strike it quickly put up some sort of shield made out of the shadows from the room that blocked even a powerful attack such as this. No matter how fast Rainbow went or how many times she tried to break through the creatures defense it was always stopped by the creature's shield of darkness. Rainbow flew around the creature trying to hit it from as many possible directions as she could before seeing it pulled a large metal scythe off the wall much like that of which Applejack used on her farm, but this one was much bigger, glowed red on the blade, and was decorated with bones of what Rainbow assumed to be it's victims. Ignoring the danger Rainbow lunged for the creature again but this time it did not block instead it swung it's great scythe and struck the rainbow vortex that protected Rainbow's body. Despite the fact the weapon did not hit her she found herself crashing into the wall of the cave. The vortex fluctuated slightly at the impact but remained strong. Rainbow went in for another attack prepared for his swing and managed to slip past hitting it square in the chest. It stumbled backward before bursting into flame burning its cloak to ashes revealing it's skeletal body.It let out a loud scratchy screech before it kept on attacking Rainbow as if the flames on it's bones did not faze it, Rainbow could feel the rainbow vortex around her fading at the repeated blows from the creature's weapon hammered on it. It let out another loud deep screech as it brought the weapon's hilt firmly against the underside of the stuttering rainbow vortex destroying it and hitting Rainbow in her chest sending her into the wall again without the comfort of her rainbow vortex to cushion her.

She fell to the floor and tried successfully to barely stand. Rainbow tried to restart her power only to see it stutter and fail. The creature neared her still engulfed in flame. One teardrop fell from Rainbow's eye which fell to the floor after rolling down her muzzle. The creature reached up and backhanded her across the floor making her crash into another wall against her injured wing. Rainbow ignored the pain and tried to stand again but was too weak to do so. She looked up to see the creature standing over her again. She watched as it raised it's scythe preparing to execute her right there on the cave floor. All rainbow could think of in that moment was all the fun she had with Jade in that one day. All she wanted was more time with the one pony that ever made her feel special for reasons beyond her abilities. She began crying making the creature stop momentarily but it swung it's weapon at her anyway with no regret. It felt like hours but she never felt the pain of the creature's weapon cutting her open. She looked up to see all of her friends standing over her creating a barrier of friendship between themselves and the creature. Rainbow felt cold and the adrenaline running through her veins was running out and the pain of her injuries overwhelmed her as she passed out on the cave floor.

The blossom of love's power.

"Oh dear they still aren't awake." Rarity said concerned.

"Well hush now if they have been through a doozy of a time let em sleep." Applejack replied.

"I do hope they get better soon." Fluttershy said with a soft worried voice.

"Don't worry Fluttershy the doctors said they're not in a coma they just need some time." Twilight re-informed her friend.

Rainbow woke from her dreamless sleep and peeked through her eyelids to find her friends standing beside her hospital bed conversing to themselves. She then decided it was probably best that she let them know of her consciousness. With that she slowly opened her eyes to their full extent. "You're awake." Twilight said happily.

"Jade." Was all Rainbow could manage to say still feeling very weak.

"Who? Your friend?" Rarity asked.

"Oh, they are a bit more than friends." Spike informed them. Rarity turned her now red muzzle away from Rainbow in order to hide her embarrassment.

"Well I'll be. Lookie here Twilight, you tryin to talk her into meeting her special somepony worked. Jus not in the way you thought." Applejack said looking over at something. Rainbow turned to see what AJ was looking at to see Jade still asleep in a hospital bed next to her own.

"How did we get back to our part of the world?" Rainbow managed to say more strongly.

Astonished at how Rainbow knew that she was in a different part of the world not a different world all she could do was quickly stutter the answer. "Celestia is the sun goddess for all the parts of the world she can move between the worlds. We saw that thing that took you two and she knew exactly what it was and sent us to save you.

"Jade." Rainbow said again as she tried to get out of bed to be beside Jade.

"Whoa there Rainbow." Twilight said as she used her magic to prevent Rainbow from leaving her bed. Seeing Rainbow of all ponies crying slightly Twilight decided to carefully lift Rainbow out of her bed and carefully set her next to Jade with her magic.

"Come on y'all I think these two need some time alone." Applejack said as she headed toward the door.

"But Jade's not even awake how could they need time alone." Pinkie Pie asked.

"Don't worry bout it lets just go." Applejack replied. With the click of the doorknob closing Rainbow looked up at Jade whose wounds were wrapped in bandages. Rainbow then looked at her wing to find it was put in a proper medical sling.

---------------------------------------------------

Rainbow felt Jade's hoof reach over her shoulder to hold her tight. Rainbow opened her eyes to see that Jade had finally awoken. "Jade." She said excited.

"Hey Rainbow Dash." Jade replied with a small smile. "Th-thanks, if it weren't for you that creature would have devoured every bit of power I have until i was dead." Jade said sweetening her smile.

"Don't thank me, I l...." Rainbow trailed off "I would do anything for you just to make sure you were safe." Rainbow said

"But it is worth so much more than thanks, it's the least I can do given our present state of being." Jade said.

"Well I uh... I kinda... love you. That's why I don't need thanks." Rainbow said quickly as she stared intently at Jade searching for any signs of a positive reaction.

Jade smiled and locked eyes with Rainbow."I love you more." Jade replied as her gentle smile grew. The two held one another close in a strong embrace. They loosened their grips and Jade nuzzled as deeply into Rainbows chest as she could smelling the sweet scent of the sky air as well as smoke and singed fur but that didn't deter her. Seeing that Jade was still upset at the events that had transpired who knows how long ago.

Rainbow reached her hoof down to pull Jade's head up to face her and wiped the tears out of her eyes and dried her tear-soaked muzzle. "I love you." Rainbow repeated as she moved in and kissed Jade with more passion than anypony has ever shown in all of Equestria. After what seemed like an hour of the long, simple, yet passionate kiss Rainbow pulled away and said "I will never let anything ever happen to you." Rainbow said returning the gentle smile.

"Ok." Was all Jade said as she felt comfort in Rainbow's words.

----------------------------------------------

It was Rarity's turn to host the monthly friendship sleepover party this month and Rainbow Dash was more excited for this one than any other before because of two things. It was the first one she would spend with somepony she loved and she was beaming with extra excitement for she had something to tell her friends that would change the groups plans for a while. As Rainbow and Jade neared the Boutique tails tightly wrapped around one another they couldn't help but to smile with all the excitement building inside of them. Rainbow reached up to knock on the door but before she could the door swung open and Pinkie Pie grabbed the two of them and pulled them inside rather abruptly. "Pinkie what the hey." Rainbow asked confused

"Your late!" Pinkie replied upset that they were indeed a little late.

"Were only seven minutes late whats the rush?" Rainbow asked.

"You don't want to miss out on even a minute of fun do you?" Pinkie replied as she began hopping toward the bedroom.

"I guess not." Rainbow replied after remembering it was useless to argue with Pinkie.

They walked into Rarity's bedroom to find everyone was already eating snacks in a circle of blankets and pillows. "Ah you did make it." Rarity said as they entered.

"Geez you act like were hours late." Rainbow said confused as to why it mattered so much at the time.

"Come darling we saved you two a place." Rarity said pointing to two empty spots in the circle. Rainbow and Jade walked over and unloaded their blankets and pillows off their shoulders to the spots Rarity designated.

"Well you two are just like the bird and the bee now aint ya, or would it be bird and the bird." Applejack said as she trailed off contemplating the thought.

Rainbow flopped on her back and got comfortable under her blankets alongside Jade who followed Rainbow's actions. The two huddled close as they prepared to tell the group the news.

"Punch!" Pinkie yelled out of nowhere.

"What?" Rainbow asked aloud at the sudden exclamation.

"I brought the punch." Pinkie said as she set the bowl of punch and glasses in front of everyone.

"Well what should we do first?" Twilight asked.

"Uh, well I err... we have something to say." Rainbow stated.

"What's that darling? Rarity asked first.

Well, were getting married." Rainbow said growing slightly louder. Everypony in the room let out a loud gasp of shock at this sudden news. Rainbow looked around to find the same look of shock on the girl's faces that went along with their gasps. "What wrong?" Rainbow asked feeling a little worried by their reactions.

"WAHOOOO!!!!" Pinkie Pie screamed.

"That's amazing sugarcube." Applejack said.

"Ahhh! I must begin work on your dresses immediately!" Rarity said as she bolted out of the room.

Twilight just let out a squeal of excitement.

"That's wonderful." Fluttershy said with excitement in her soft voice as well.

"I'll do the planning." Twilight finally managed to say as she ran out the door carrying a quill with her magic.

"I can make the food. Oh, shoot that means I better git cookin lickety split. Applejack said following the other two out the door.

"Hey, I call making the cake!" Pinkie yelled after Applejack as she followed the other three.

"Ooh, I've been working on an ensemble out of a choir of my animal friends that would be perfect. They can only make sounds not words but I think you'll love it. Oh, but this means they'll need extra practice." Fluttershy said as she levitated out of her blankets and flew out the window.

Rainbow found herself smiling even larger than before at the suddenly positive reaction that had occurred before her. "Well that went better than I thought." Rainbow said as she leaned over and gingerly gave Jade a quick kiss on her muzzle.

"Your friends are amazing." Jade said happily. "Our friends." Rainbow replied.

----------------------------------------------------

It was only two days later and everything was already getting started. Rarity was squeezing Rainbow into the Wedding dress she made just for her. "It's flashy just like you usually ask for in a dress." Rarity said with her usual pomposity in her work.

"Yeah it great just....*gasp* a little tight." Rainbow squeaked due to a lack of breath.

Upon hearing this Rarity loosened the dress a bit allowing Rainbow to breath. "Sorry, is that better darling?" Rarity asked.

"Much." Rainbow replied with less enthusiasm. Those feelings washed away as she remembered "It's my wedding day!". Her smile immediately returned as Twilight poked her head in to tell them it's time. Rainbow was more excited now then she ever was before. She peeked through the door to see that every single Earth Pony, Pegasus, and Unicorn in ponyville had shown up. With a bit of nervousness building in her head she hesitated.

"Go on darling you wanted to be the one waiting at the altar." Rarity re-informed her.

"Right." Rainbow replied. She walked down the center aisle along the usual pink carpet till she stood to the left of the altar before realizing who was going to be doing the vows as she took her eyes off her audience. "Princess Celestia? What are you at a wedding like mine? Rainbow asked bewildered.

"Well I couldn't just let anyone speak for one of my six greatest friends ever now could I?" Celestia said with her usual regal tone.

Rainbow heard a bear, squirrels, and other assorted animals began making noises to present the here comes the bride song which made her eyes shoot to the small double door at the back of the chapel. They slowly opened and Scootaloo came out proudly holding two wedding rings on a red pillow on her back followed by Sweetie Belle and Applebloom who were throwing rose petals out of a basket they each held in their mouths. Then around the corner came Jade in the most awesome and beautiful at the same time dress Rainbow had ever seen. Lost in her thoughts of how great Jade looked Rainbow didn't realize Scootaloo was talking to her. "Hey down here!" Scootaloo said trying to get Rainbow's attention quickly.

"Huh, what?" Rainbow asked.

"I just wanted to thank you for letting me be your best mare, it... is... awesome!" Scootaloo said with a squeal of excitement.

"I couldn't think of anyone who could do the job better." Rainbow replied as she looked back up at her spectacular bride. In mere moments Jade and Rainbow were standing side by side preparing to say the vows that Celestial told them to say.

After many words and vows said Celestia had only two more things to say and Rainbow was looking forward to them most. "And it is with great pleasure that I now pronounce these two mare and mare." Celestia said energy in even her voice now as she lifted the rings off Scootaloo's back and fit one neatly over Rainbow's ear then the other over Jade's ear. "You may now kiss the bride...ss." Celestia said unsure of how to go about that part. Without a moments notice the two quickly leaned in and kissed with more intent this time then before tongues quickly crossing before separating quickly to look on as their audience cheered for them and stomped their hooves thrilled by the scene before them. There were a few in the audience who looked a bit confused but at the que of the rest of the group they joined in.

"Best wedding EVER!" Rainbow said over the roar of the audience. This was her wedding so naturally it wasn't weird to say that even though she had also said that at Princess Cadence's wedding.

"How could this day get any better." Rainbow said as the two flew to Rainbow's cloud home.

"Well that's the thing, it can't as long as I'm with you." Jade replied with a cute smile. They landed softly on the cloud yard and walked up the stairs to enter her home. The familiar spinning of rotary wings meant that Tank was home.

"Tank. C'mere." Rainbow called. Immediately from around the kitchen doorway came tank holding a bowl of lettuce and other assorted vegetables. "Why don't you have a little picnic outside today, maybe Fluttershy will join you." Rainbow said pointing a hoof at the door. Tank slowly shrugged as Rainbow handed him a pre-prepared basket of assorted picnic items. "Or maybe head down to the pond and try to meet somepo... sometortoise." Rainbow said as she almost threw him out the door. "Whew now we have the house all to ourselves." Rainbow said happily.

"Well, what's that supposed to mean?" Jade asked with a sly smirk.

"Uh, well uh..." Rainbow stuttered as she tried to come up with an excuse.

"If I didn't know any better I would say that was an offer." Jade said as she gently whipped Rainbow with her tail. Jade turned to head upstairs with Rainbow close behind.

"No that's not what I meant at all." Rainbow tried to defend herself despite it actually being the truth.

"So your not attracted to me in that way." Jade suddenly said teasing Rainbow with well faked tears.

"No, uuuuhhh. No babe that's not what I meant." Rainbow said trying to console her new wife. Jade burst out laughing at the idea that she had tricked Rainbow so well. "What's so funny?" Rainbow asked at the sudden change in Jade's expression once again. Jade just stood up and began toward the door again holding Rainbow close.

"I was just joking." Jade replied with a kiss on Rainbow's muzzle.

"I'm gonna have to get you back for that." Rainbow said as they entered her bedroom.

"What do you have in mind?" Jade asked with a teasing smile.

"Oh, a few things." Rainbow said as she reached over to lift Jade up in her hooves with unusual ease.

"Oooh." Jade said followed by a squeal as Rainbow gently tossed her onto the bed.

"Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. Rainbow stated with a grin. Rainbow hopped onto the bed herself and bent her head down to mix tongues with Jade. Rainbow stopped first and could see Jade wanted more. Rainbow reached her hoof down to hold Jade's wings in them and Jade just bit her bottom lip acting casual. Rainbow wasn't fooled however, being a pegasus herself meant that she knew that pegasi wings are extremely sensitive to the touch. Rainbow began to make a circular motion rubbing Jade's wings with a slight bit of pressure and this made Jade let out a low moan. Happy to hear Jade liked it Rainbow continued a bit more vigorously. Jade reached a hoof between Rainbow's thighs catching Rainbow off guard making her gasp. "Ooh, you're kinky." Rainbow told Jade in excitement. While continuing to rub her wings Rainbow tongued Jade's mouth again before pulling away again. By this time Jade was already breathing heavily making Rainbow quit fondling Jade's wings.

Jade could feel Rainbows soft pussy come out from under her hoof as Rainbow backed up. "Don't worry i'll be gentle." Rainbow said.

"Don't be." Jade replied copying Rainbow's grin.

"Aight." was all Rainbow said before she began digging into her wife's slightly warm clit first biting it gently. Jade gasped even harder than Rainbow did as she felt Rainbow's tongue inside of her in a place other than her mouth. Rainbow twisted her tongue in was even she didn't know she could. She could feel Jade getting warmer as she worked. Rainbow could taste something. "Honeysuckle nectar?" Rainbow said aloud.

"It... was... Fluttershy's... idea." Jade said between breaths.

"Fluttershy? How would she say something like that? She's too shy especially for something like that." Rainbow said confused.

"I'm just good at talking to shy people. She says her hubby likes it." Jade replied after catching her breath.

"Hmm, it's great". Rainbow said as she resumed her work. After about three or four minutes of nothing but suckling noises, moaning, and heavy breathing Jade couldn't hold it any more so she arched her back and let go. Seeing it coming Rainbow quickly lapped her juices up quickly spilling only a little down her muzzle. She laid down next to Jade and just stared her in the eyes. This time it was Jade who began the motion for another long kiss. As they separated Rainbow said "Don't worry about me, I just want to make you feel good."

"Oh no, you're not getting off that easy." Jade said just before she abruptly spun Rainbow to her back to take control of the situation.

It took a good bit longer to make Rainbow climax but despite her best attempts to hide them Rainbow let out a few moans here and there as well as hiding her breathing. After such a romantic night Rainbow found herself really tired and felt her chest remain warm for the remainder of the night despite the chilly night air. "Love you" Jade said before she held Rainbow close and nuzzled into her chest using Rainbow as a pillow.

Rainbow laid her head down saying "I love you way more." Jade just laughed and drifted off to sleep. Rainbow took an extra minute to reflect on everything that had happened and how all of this made her feel. As she looked through a window on the roof she thought about how her life has been greater now than it had ever been and all because this gold pegasus mare came out of nowhere and burst into her life despite the hardships. Rainbow smiled as she thought of the numerous times she would be willing to do it again for Jade and of how awesome she was battling that creature. Rainbow let out a sigh of relief as she drifted into unconsciousness herself.