The Fleeing Wing

"Citizens of Ponyville," Twilight began as the different voices of the ponies died down.

It had been a week since Rainbow Dash had left with Tank and Scootaloo. Now the remaining five friends were stood on the stage as Ponyville's residents gathered in front of it.

Nopony except the five knew why Rainbow Dash had left, and the citizens didn't even know where Mare-Do-Well had gone either.

Princess Celestia instructed Twilight to inform them all, but fear was gripping her like an icy hoof and she felt a drop of sweat trickle down her forehead. Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Applejack were on the stage with her, but it was Twilight who had to do most of the talking, her friends there so they could answer questions if they needed to.

Twilight gave a heavy gulp.

"I am sure you have all been wondering why and where Rainbow Dash and Mare-Do-Well have gone. Well, I am here to inform you all of the answers."

The residents had her full attention. She breathed heavily and closed her eyes.

"Well, last week, before Rainbow Dash left, we saw her in her fan club. We thought she was acting so full of herself... So we selfishly decided to take her spotlight to teach her a lesson... We were mare-do-well the entire time."

Gasps were heard from the crowd and Twilights ears dropped.

"We feel awful about what we've done," Applejack stated, "and we are going to get her back."

"But how? A pony in the crowd asked.

"We have informed Princess Celestia about what has happened, and she is going to find out her current location... How we will get her back, we are still trying to figure out. What we did was a big mistake, and we feel like we have betrayed our dearest friend. She was our hero. We thought she was being selfish, but she was only giving her fans what they wanted," Twilight said, ashamed.

"We will get her back every pony!" Pinkie Pie yelled, "and when we do we can throw her THE BEST PARTY EVER!"

She very cartoonishly grabbed a party popper from behind her back and activated it. Confetti flew from it and swirled into the front of the audience.

That evening, Twilight was sitting in the library and looking at her photos.

There were pictures of her friends everywhere. Picnics, Pinkie Pie's parties, but the one she was particularly staring at was of Rainbow Dash performing her 'best trick yet'.

Twilight remembered it so vividly. They all cheered Dash on as she did her wild mid-air performance, and then they went to Raritys boutique to enjoy some lemonade.

They were so happy, and they thought their friendship would last forever.

Twilight sighed. She couldn't get over what she had done. She had broken a special friendship, and now Rainbow Dash was gone.

Even if they found Rainbow Dash, it was extremely unlikely that she would want to come back to Ponyville. Everything that had happened would never really be forgotten. Things could never go back to how truely happy they once were.

Twilight felt tears in her eyes, but she suddenly heard the door slam as Spike returned from his outing.

"Gee, it sure is cold out there now!" Spike clutched his stomach and shivered, "and I'm starving. What are we having for dinner, Twilight?... Are you ok?"

Twilight stared at him and faked the biggest smile she could.

"I'm sorry, Spike. I've been so busy... why don't you make your own dinner tonight? You can have anything you like!"

Spike gasped and grinned.

"Really?! Thanks, Twilight!" He yelled, running into the kitchen.

As soon as he disappeared, Twilights ears dropped again and she sighed.

"Twilight?"

Twilight looked up suddenly and stared at the kitchen. Spike was standing there.

"Are you sure your ok?"

Twilight smiled at him again.

"Yes, Spike. I'm fine. Don't worry about my dinner. I'll make some for myself later."

Spike smiled and ran back into the kitchen. The next thing Twilight heard was the clash of pots and pans.

"My bad!" Spike shouted.

Twilight shook her head and smiled bleakly, but her heart immediately plummeted again.

She sighed and walked upstairs slowly. She lay on her bed, grabbed a pillow and began to cry on it.