Can they work it out?

Chapters

Should one expect heartache?
Does one stand higher than the other?
Does one event outweigh the rest?

Should one expect heartache?

Was this really what she was to expect of those five ponies? Betrayal? Distrust? Lies? Did they think her strong confident stance could withstand such an assault from whom she respected and trusted most? These were among many questions that prevented Rainbow Dash from sleeping. It was 5 A.M. and she could not even feel the slightest bit tired, because all she felt was hurt, irritated, angered, but above all else, the feeling that scared her the most, was loneliness. In a town of four hundred ponies, many of which she knows personally, she felt more alone then anyone in the history of Equestria could have ever felt.

She could still remember the day, because it haunted her ears with the words and plagued her eyes with visions of what had transpired in the ally on 8th street. All five of them, glaring her down, saying that of the six of them, it was her who had gone too far. Her who had brought this all upon herself. Her would made Scootaloo, her number one fan, the closest thing Rainbow Dash had to a sister, up and leave her to admire the new town super hero. Even she could admit now that while she may have stepped over the line, her so called friends jumped right of the same deep end in a carriage and hit her with the door before they launched.

"Not fair..." She whispered to herself as she turned her head and looked out her window. "It's not fair..." Dash slowly stood up and leaned out the window. "IT'S NOT FAIR!" Rainbow breathed with boiling blood. Her shout had fallen on deaf ears with her homes fair distance to the town, but if given the chance, she'd yell it right in those five mare's faces. The only reason she didn't the previous day, was because it hadn't really sunk in what transpired. She was so hit with shock that it was her friends, that she failed to come to grips with what happened for almost an hour. It was after, on the trip home, that the spear those ponies stabbed into her hit her heart. She had only left to go get some lunch, and she hadn't left the house since. Truly pulling in and realizing what had happened. She didn't even actually write to Princess Celestia, she asked Twilight if she could have some time to hash out what she should really say, and the pony agreed to let her have some time, but now Dash didn't even want to see the purple unicorn. Not today, not tomorrow, maybe not ever again.

She walked back down to her bed and plopped herself down on it. The last couple of days had been rough, but whereas she thought they'd lead to a good relaxing break, it only ended up where she is now, and another day was about to begin. A day of glares from passing ponies who hadn't forgiven her actions. A day of actively avoiding five particular locations, and even then, being extremely careful on the roads themselves. But among all, it was a day Rainbow had planned for a short while, and now thinking on it, she might as well get going. She hoped it would be as easy as it was in her mind. Dash slowly climbed down her house and passed by a picture of them all, one of her favorites. It was all of them not too long after they became the Elements of Harmony. Sworn protectors of Equestria, and just as written in the corner of the picture, "Best Friends Forever". Rainbow stared at the picture nearly five minutes, recalling the entire day. The quest, the fight, the ceremony, and finally ending with the picture being taken by all of them. She raised her hoof up and held the frame for a moment, then laid the picture face down. Then with her cheeks still stained of tears no one would ever know she cried, she shot off from her home and headed for Canterlot. The moon was still over the land, the sun was a few hours away, and Rainbow Dash could fly to Canterlot in whatever little amount peace she could find.

***

A few hours after their friend had left, unannounced to them, the four Mare-Do-Wells gathered at the boutique with the dress maker. Who took their outfits and stowed them away, to be salvaged on later projects.

"I must say girls, this fabric could come in handy for my winter collection this year." Rarity spoke hanging the last one up and envisioning a nice purple set.

"If ya say so, ah'm jus' glad we ain' have ta go prancin' around in 'em no more. They ride up a lil'." Applejack commented on the tight design.

"Well maybe next time YOU can labor on such short notice for four exactly identical outfits. I just made them all the same size to save some time."

"Thank you again Rarity, believe us though, it was way harder then it looked, costume problems aside. I'm more than happy letting Rainbow do all the heroics around Ponyville." Said the purple pony.

"Speakin' of, do ya girls think we might a bit of been a bit...out of place? Doin' somethin' like that to Dash?"

"We've gone over this before Applejack, Rainbow's the kind of pony that when things get going to her head, it's that much harder for her to hear reason, you saw how much she barely listened to us."

"Ah don' know, ah think we still could've tried."

"I have to agree with Applejack though." Came the white unicorn. "We may have done a bit too much. I think we could have tried talking her down, but then again, as Twilight said, she is the kind of pony where things fly over her head easier the bigger her own head gets. Though, maybe it being the five of us might have been a bit harsh, but at the same time we each had skills to fit only certain parts."

"Exactly, and you know, sometimes for ponies to see the truth you have to be a little harsher with them, and you all saw how she was when she caught Pinkie, she understood what we were trying to get across to her." Twilight and the others gave a small nod of understanding. They had thought this out in the heat of the moment, but it had it's reasons. "Which reminds me, I need to swing by her house."

"Why's that?"

"Rainbow hasn't written her letter to Princess Celestia yet. She wanted some time to really think it over and figure out what to say. I was just going to go over and see if she was ready.

"Why don't we all go? We could all have a nice little get together and have lunch and make sure there's no hard feelings." Rarity piped up. The others all agreed that would be a nice idea. The six of them hadn't hung out like that in a good while, the closest being those couple of times Dash paraded herself for the heroic attention, so maybe this time they could just be together as friends.

***

With the moon still out, Rainbow Dash knew this meant Princess Luna was on watch in one of the towers of Canterlot. She was the mare Dash needed to speak to most of all, but she didn't want to tell Luna straight away what it was, so she came up with a hypothetical story that might get her the answers she needed. While there were others Rainbow Dash wanted to speak to, she also wanted to make her decision today, and Luna would sleep a good portion of the day, so Rainbow figured it would probably be best to ask her first, though she had the hardest, oddest, and most difficult question to answer Dash. She needed to know, for above all else, the only pony that might be able to keep all six of them together was Luna. The trick would be getting passed the guard, but she hoped that the Princess would see her unmistakable rainbow trail and allow her in, since it wasn't often either of the six came to Canterlot Castle and made sure one of the Princess's saw them. To ensure this, she made a few circles around Canterlot itself, leaving a needed lengthy trail, before landing close to the gates and strolling slowly up to them. The two guards there dropped their spears in her path, just to her expectation.

"Halt, visiting hours start at nine." One said.

"I need to speak to Princess Luna, it's important."

"I'm sorry, you'll have to wait."

"But I'm an Element of Harmony. Saved Equestria a couple times? You know, nothing special or anything."

"Princess Luna is not to be disturbed unless-" The large white doors of the castle swing open, and before them all stood the mare in question. Standing taller than them all, she looked down at the pegasus, who, just like the guards, had bowed instantly upon seeing her.

"RAINBOW DA-whoops. Sorry, Ahem, Rainbow Dash." Old habits really did take long to die off. But they had all gotten used to it, but that didn't mean it stopped their ears from ringing.

"Princess Luna, I...uh...I wanted to ask you something. Could we uh...talk a little more privately?"

"Of course Rainbow Dash, please come in." Ushered in, Rainbow didn't even gawk at the beauty of the castle, for she had seen it and much more many times before. Instead, she hung her head and ears a little low as she and the Princess walked to a more private balcony that over looked Canterlot. When it was only them, Dash felt a bit more safe asking the question.

"So, uh, Princess...I was wondering...about the Elements." The alicorn's look changed a good ways. Dash was not the kind of pony to really question the Elements in any way, she expected this from Twilight, who had already done so on multiple occasions, so now she was twice as curious.

"Yes?"

"Uh...let's just say...uh...let's say that Applejack stopped being honest. Especially to the rest of us Elements. Could she still be the Element of Honesty? Or would someone else have to take her place?"

"This is quite an odd and vauge hypothetical story Rainbow Dash. But, to answer to see where pray tell you are going with this, it would depend. If Applejack felt she could no longer be honest with the other Elements, and if she held the reason firm, then she could in fact no longer be an Element, but only because it could jeopardize the fate of Equestria if not the world. But an Element signifies more than just a bond between friends. They are the six elements that tie us all together. Honesty, Laughter, Magic, Kindness, Generosity, and Loyalty are what brings everyone together in some way shape or form. The Elements draw from that power as much as they do you and your friends bonds. I'm sure you've noticed Applejack has lied or fibbed at least one time or more since becoming an Element, and Pinkie Pie does not laugh all the time, yet you six still come together to defend us all and pull through in some of the darkest of times."

"Okay...so...if Applejack was...mad at us. So mad, and for good reason, that she stopped being honest to us because of it, she could be replaced by another pony?"

"Yes and no. She could be replaced absolutely, but have you not seen before that whenever you or your friends aren't quite "all together" then the Elements become useless? If "Applejack" were to stop being her element, unless another pony took her place with the same connections and bonds to keep the others uplifted, their depression from the loss of their friend could prevent them from using the Elements."

"Oh...really?"

"Indeed, so I must ask, why would you desire to leave behind your work as an Element? I'll answer your questions honestly, but only if you speak truthfully and honestly with me. Your friends have done something to you that hurt you, have they not? Is that why I found you not sleeping this morning? Is this why you weave a hypothetical tale, dancing around the true issue and not admitting the truth?" Luna stepped calmly over and rested a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. "Such a question is not easy to ask, and such a pain needed to desire the answer is not easy to bare. Whatever the issue it may be, Rainbow Dash, rest assured, will only be between us. I've had my own problems with whom I've called friends, and so I extend my hoof to you to aid you how it may be needed. But while I have told you how the elements work, the choice is entirely yours. If you wish to leave this life for another, it can be done, and if you so deem to, I will support your freedom to choose so. But you must speak with me first, and allow me to see if the damage is repairable."

Rainbow looked up to the princess's eyes. The soft smile on her lips and the glisten in her eyes of hope to help the poor pony. Dash took a small second before giving a nod, to which she was offered an easier and warmer stay with tea, in the privacy of Luna's chamber, as Celestia would be raising the sun soon. The pegasus was hopeful as they strolled through the castle walls. Of her meetings she hoped to have today, of which none were with the alter egos of Mare-Do-Well, if anypony could rekindle the flame that they all had, the good times they've all shared, it would be Princess Luna. While she could speak with Celestia as well, for some reason she felt safer and more trusting of Luna of their conversations. Possibly because Twilight's not her pupil working to learn Friendship, so for her teacher to hear of Rainbow's possible desertion of them all, the sun princess may try to intervene, and who knew what would come of that. Whatever the reason or result might have been, today the only pony Rainbow needed to see in this castle, was serving her tea in her chambers.

Author's Note

I'm not looking to make a sad story, I don't expect to make anyone cry. I was just irritated that every single Mare Do Well story has either a Romance in it, Rainbow Dash forgiving her friends WAY too easily, and or a plot twist that yanks back the entire day as if it didn't happen. It did. It's canon. I just wanted to make one where she takes her time and considers all options, she got hit with a lot that day, so here's my kindling for the fire.

Also if you have the idea somepony might be over reacting, stick around for the second chapter.

Thirdly, I've never really tried my hand at "sad"/"deeply impacting" story lines like this. In other words, I'm not well experienced in story lines that would leave a mark on a character. So any input would be appreciated.

Fourthly, if you do enjoy this and would like to see more, I'd appreciate it if you could say more than just "moar plz". I like hearing people want more, don't get me wrong, but I'm just saying to pick between the two I'd rather read people say what they liked, pass on advice, say something more than just "I would like to read more".

And Finally, the time jumps might get a bit awkward, but understand that Rainbow's doing her things Earlier than the rest of the Mane Six.

Does one stand higher than the other?

There had been a silence for nearly six minutes upon Luna and Dash retreating to the Princess's chambers. Rainbow could piece together why from the alicorn's expression. Calm, attentive, anticipating. She was waiting for the cyan mare to recall the last couple of days to her, and though Rainbow understood why and how much Luna could help by talking with her, to recall the memories was to recall the pain they caused. The loneliness from the towns abandonment of her for Mare-Do-Well, the revelation that it was her friends that were behind it all, and the shear forced guilt and hurt that came from them standing on their "moral high ground" proclaiming to the gods above that it was Dash's fault entirely. To recover from such pain often required something like this, a point of talking it out with someone else, but she didn't want to. From Rainbow's silence Luna knew all she needed to know, and decided to help.

"Rainbow Dash, I would like to make an offer to you." She said calmly on the other side of the small table with tea pot and cups on it.

"An offer?"

"I understand fully that retelling the events from start to finish is never fun, nor does it provide any closure, it only serves to remind us of things we wished we could forget or take back. So I'll make an offer to you, if you do not wish to tell me, then allow me to peer into your mind. Using my magic, I can view the memories through my own eyes. Watch you and your friends across the week or less of events and deduce for myself where I shall stand."

"You can do that? How?

"Yes, it's quite simple really. To perform such a spell, I will need to induce you into a sleep like state, from there, you will dream. I shall use my magic to focus your mind on the events in question, and you shall dream them with me as witness. However, it would be a lie to say that this couldn't be seen as an invasion of privacy. So I must ask you to trust me, and understand what it is I am going to do, and that I shall only look at the recollection of those days and nothing more." Rainbow was sort of shocked to hear such a spell could be performed, but at the same time, Dash felt like this might end badly for her. Even she could admit she got ahead of herself, REALLY ahead of herself, so maybe Luna will perform the spell and come back saying that Rainbow stepped way over the line and that she deserved it, to which would bring her down lower and feeling even more irritated and saddened that no pony else supports her side. But the same could end up being said about her friends. From the gentle gaze of her eyes though, Dash felt at ease a little. That Luna would be unbiased in her opinion of the memories. And that she would speak objectively as a friend if anyone was over reacting, or over the line, and the comforting look seemed to assure her that even if Dash was entirely to blame, Luna would comfort and help her through the struggle.

"Okay...uh...should I lie down somewhere?"

***

"Rainbow? Rainbow?" Fluttershy knocked weakly on the door while the others stood far underneath. The lights were all out and it seemed that no pony was there, which was unfortunate. Because on a weekend, this was the five's best chance at finding their friend unless they at some point knew about other commitments she had. So with Dash no where to be seen from the boutique to her home, made them a bit curious.

"She might be out and about somewhere. Perhaps she went and saw Scootaloo at the tree house?" Rarity offered the idea.

"Yeah, all three o' them crusaders are out on the farm. She might've stopped there." Applejack added, already starting that way since there was no reason to stick around. "If not, maybe we'll see her flyin' around er somethin'." Not to far behind came the rest of the group. "Hey...so uh...what should we say to her?"

"What do you mean Applejack?" Twilight walked closely behind the farmer. It was apparent that she was still not fully coming to the fact that they did the right thing.

"Is jus'...I don't know..."

"Applejack, why do you still think we stepped over the line?"

"Ah get why we did what we did, ah ain't about to stand here and say talkin' to her might've fixed everything. I'm just sayin' we didn't even try. Ah still think we should've tried, even if it was worthless. That mare's surprised us before." With a small sigh Twilight could see that unless Rainbow looked them all in the eyes and said "It's okay girls it's fine", that Applejack just wouldn't let go the idea they should have spoken to her. However Twilight wouldn't lie that she didn't understand the orange pony's point of view. Dash's ego was no hard kept secret, and as Rarity put it earlier, it easily avoids things when it gets bigger, but Applejack was also true saying that though it could have been a worthless endeavor, it still could have been done.

"Twilight! Twilight!" Came a distant voice. Everyone stopped and looked over to see the small and unforgettable Spike rushing his little legs off over towards them, only to arrive panting heavily. "Twilight...I've got...a letter....for you....from...hold on a second..." As her assistant caught his breath, Twilight took the letter from his hand and opened it up, to which her eyes widened as she saw who it was.

"Princess Luna? She wants me to come to Canterlot and speak to her privately within the next few hours." A private conversation like this didn't seem to worry the others, but on any occasion where it was merely Luna wanting to chat with Twilight about her studies or anything, she gave the unicorn a planned meet up date that was later down the way. Not so abrupt with little explanation. "Okay, I'll head to Canterlot and see what it is that Princess Luna wishes to speak with me about, I'll catch you girls later." Before they had even said their goodbyes, Twilight teleported herself to the library momentarily to make sure she was looking her best before making the quick rush to the train station to get a ticket, since she hadn't learned how to teleport that distance.

***

Rainbow Dash was slowly heading back towards Ponyville. Her visit with Luna was as long as it needed to be, and there had been much back and forth. Ultimately though it gave Dash more than she had before, a second opinion from her side of things, but one wasn't enough. As she reached the edge of her town, she turned right and flew towards the Everfree forest. Along the way she saw something that stung her, a hat. A hat with the Mare-Do-Well image on it, worn by a filly playing in the park. Even though Twilight and the others explained themselves to the mayor and Ponyville, the sight of that hat still hurt. It reminded her of when Scootaloo, her biggest fan, switched sides. Turned her back on her, but she couldn't blame the kid. Someone out shined Rainbow Dash, someone else took Rainbow's thunder, someone else swooped in and took the respect and recognition from Dash and stomped it into the dirt, and that someone else ended up being five mares she thought she knew well. Well enough to not do something like this, but she was mistaken, but after he talk with Luna, she now asked herself if she was misjudging them and being to harsh.

Luna had made a case though that she was not over reacting, to a degree. To have one pony do these things to you all in the name of "friendship" was heartbreaking enough, but five? Five teaming up across several days to outshine her on purpose? Five ponies who didn't even bother walking up and saying "Hey Rainbow Dash, you're acting like a hot head, tone it down. It's great you're being seen as the town hero, but you need to be humble and restrained. Do it because it's the right thing, don't do it for the glory"? That was too much, but...was it enough? Was it enough to turn her back on them? Leave them all behind and even risk the safety of Equestria? Not being an Element and the possible lack of defense from the Elements was only a side effect, but an unfortunately forced one if she did in fact leave. But it wouldn't be her choice, it would only be because she could no longer feel loyal to them, trust them, or feel like they're still her friends.

The cottage hidden in the Everfree Forest was her last stop, minus one more she would have to decide if she would go to. Luna had told her that she would speak with Twilight about the ordeal after she left, and she would tell her about the same last stop. So until then, Rainbow would have to make her mind as to whether she'd attend that meeting of the minds. Though it was an odd choice, Zecora always had wishful thinking and advice. So maybe some of that could be rubbed her way.

***

Twilight was escorted passed many halls and doors until coming to a dark colored "moon and night" themed door. Entering it, she was left alone only to the mare that lived within. A tall dark mare, who was looking down at the pony she had invited, for understandable reasons to her, but not to the unicorn.

"Princess? Is something wrong?" Twilight asked as Luna's face showed signs of disappointment.

"Yes, there is. Earlier I had spoken with an upset Rainbow Dash. Who told me and showed me what it was you and your friends did as the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well." Twilight's heart about exploded. Applejack was right, Rainbow wasn't alright, and they had gone over the line. Or did they? She came back to herself a little bit and really thought about it. "She was troubled, she was hurt, and she needed enlightening. I gave her answers and questions she needed to ask herself. However, I have asked you here so that the full truth may be revealed."

"Full truth?"

"As I said, Rainbow Dash had showed me what had happened, through a spell I know that allows me to see past memories of a ponies life. From them, I made the argument that she endangered ponies lives, acting with selfish means and no haste to help others. Between her arrogance and her boasting of her abilities, I told her she was over reacting. However, I wish to do the same to you also, as Rainbow's mind only allowed me to see what SHE saw, so she did not see you and the others plan, she did not see you and the others execute this plan, and she did not FEEL the same emotions you did as this went on. All of these I wish to objectively learn, for I have my own theory on you all, and you are the one who will give it validity." The unicorn felt saddened now, to realize that they had hurt their friend, that was a feeling she hoped to have never felt, but at the same time as Luna brought it up, Twilight didn't feel as surprised. As if she already had the seeds of doubt to herself and their actions, even before Applejack's doubting words.

"Of course Princess Luna, anything that might help. I never meant for it to hurt Rainbow as you say it has."

"Noble intentions do not always bring desired results. Understandable and unfortunate this all has been. I hope to aid you all however I can. I shall perform the same spell on you as I did with Rainbow. You shall fall into a sleep like state and from their I shall venture into your mind and see what I can learn. Do you trust me, Twilight, to do so?"

"I do Princess."

***

Twilight later awoke upon Luna's bed, feeling drowsy and awake fully at the same time. Luna was waiting near the bed, her adventure into her mind over, and now the unicorn would learn the result. Hesitant, though, she was hoping that this would lend some helpful advice to pull their friendship back from the abyss it seemed to be aim towards.

"My theory has been validated, thanks to you, Twilight." She said with a serious look, though not unpleasant, it wasn't gentle either.

"What theory, Princess?"

"That both of you are wrong." She raised herself up and began to slowly walk around the bed. "Neither one of you has a moral high ground. You five and Rainbow Dash both went too far. Though of you all, it sounds that she is the only one who is over reacting to what this may end up causing. She asked me what would happen if she felt she could no longer be loyal to you five, and what it meant as her role as an Element, and whether she could be replaced. Should she have doubts of her loyalty? Perhaps, but to that extent is a stretch I felt. Rainbow became very arrogant and became irritating in her confidence as it lent itself to her failures as the town hero, as well as leading to more harm nearly being done, such as the hot air balloon instance where she took to signing autographs first before saving the rider. Or when she caused other incidents to just to be the hero and show off. She did deserve some if not much of the back lash as a result and it's understandable just how far it had gotten to her. However, you five fair no better. You upstaged your friend, took support from her, bragged secretly in front of her, and just how long did you intend to keep it going? You got your own parade in honor of you, and had that not shoved Rainbow over the edge, it seemed you would have been prepared to let it go further, or perhaps you planned to unveil yourselves at the parade? Still, this was over the course of several days, several days in which you could have simply stepped in by yourselves without costumes. The hot air balloon incident for example. Rainbow made it worse, so you could have stepped in and saved it, to which you could have scolded Dash a little to remind her to be more humble and focus on being heroic and to help ponies in danger rather than sign autographs. At that moment, the town would have praised you, to which, in fact, would have been the perfect moment to demonstrate a humble attitude and to help her accept humility. Instead, five ponies she thought friends, masquerade as a hero to show her how to be humble and to accept some humility, by never once demonstrating it? Disappearing as soon as you arrived? And only when the entire town is in attendance of the parade, you hold yourself before them, without saying a word? You do not bring the entire escapade to an end? You have no reason to feel as you did. Proud, accomplished, feeling that you did as asked by my sister and learned more of Friendship. And neither should Dash, she should not feel the betrayal and pain caused by you five's motives and actions. I have shown you two just how wrong both of you are, but I am not the one who can help you any further. It is up to you, all six of you, to work things out and decide if you can work passed the issues. If you wish to try and regain your friend's trust, I asked Rainbow Dash to consider meeting you at a small diner down the road tomorrow afternoon, I would ask the same of you and the other elements. You all are to blame, all six, but I'll tell you what I told her, it'll take more than outside opinions to resolve this. You, ALL OF YOU, must talk about it, pony to pony."

"I will...we will...I think we all had a little doubt...I am not trying to ease the blame. It was our fault, and we'll make it right, at the very least, she'll know we're sorry." Twilight said with a couple of tears. To which Luna's hoof came to a gentle rest on her shoulder.

"Remember though, you are both to blame for the ordeal. If you blame only yourselves, only half the blame is dealt with. But head my words carefully, this does not give you leave to put all the blame on Rainbow. You ALL must own up to the actions you have each done, only then can this be worked at and helped." Twilight gave a solid nod. She needed to go get the others and hope that Rainbow hadn't given up on them enough that she wouldn't show up at the meeting, and even if she did, Sparkle was willing to hunt the pegasus to the ends of the earth if it meant she'd know that they were sorry. Swearing on it in her heart, she bowed, and made her way quickly back to Ponyville.

Author's Note

Like I said, the blame isn't on one or the other. It was a chain reaction really, an unfortunate one especially. But while Rarity may be the drama queen, I have no doubt that Rainbow would over react at first just from the overwhelming feelings. Did you see Testing...123? If you disagree, feel free to explain why to me down below in the comments.

Does one event outweigh the rest?

Finally, Rainbow Dash had arrived at Zecora's cottage, and to a bit of luck, she was home. She trotted up to the door and gave it a couple of knocks that echoed a little bit around her. Needless to say, the zebra didn't expect it to be Dash as she excused another guest who was just leaving. Zecora had some tea cooked up but Rainbow declined as she entered the small home.

"So my dear friend in rainbow colors, what brings you out here without the others?"

"Well...have you heard about the whole...Mare-Do-Well thing?" Rainbow was more confident speaking with Zecora thanks to what little words of advice Luna gave her. Plus, the sooner this was resolved, the sooner she might be able to move passed it, somehow that sounded like a more viable option than it did earlier that morning.

"Indeed I have, and quite a show, but your expressions tells me there is more to know."

"Well, yeah there is a bit. Okay so...when I was saving ponies before that, the uh...fame started getting to my head. I can admit that now. So then Twilight and the others go and rush off and become Mare-Do-Well and show me up left and right." It didn't take either of them long to realize that vague an explanation makes Rainbow out as the victim.

"There are more details than this story you've told, let your emotions and belief come unfold."

"Okay, okay. So, they kinda tried one time to tell me to be respectful or humble or something, but I was so ahead of myself I barely even heard it. So they become Mare-Do-Well, ran around saving ponies, and as they did, the whole town starts to favor them over me, because I couldn't match up to Mare-Do-Well, who could fly, was super strong, had pinkie sense, and had magic because it was Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight. They start bragging about themselves in front of me, but they did that secret crud where they talked about Mare-Do-Well, which meant they were actually talking about themselves, and everyone just sort of abandoned me. Even Scootaloo went and favored them over me. I mean...okay fine, it was stupid and selfish and extremely dangerous of me to make problems happen so that I could save the day, but..." Thanks to Luna as well, Dash could now be a bit more open about her own missteps, no matter how big they were, over the week.

"You sound troubled from this story you trot around here, so that I may help tell me it all without fear." It took Rainbow a good minute or two before she began to detail it out. She started from when the foal in the baby carriage was flying down the hill. She even quoted things that Luna had told her, because there were some details of the even that even Dash didn't fully comprehend until she had explained them. Zecora was a good listener, and as the pegasus took notice, she questioned if maybe she was unfair a bit. She was getting two outside opinions on the event, maybe she could have just talked to them directly? She hadn't done that yet because earlier the pain felt...more heavy. Now, having opened up about it, she felt better.

"From where I sit, my friend of blue, they aren't better and neither are you. You seem upset still at the actions they took, I doubt you've given any of them a second look."

"You sound just like Princess Luna. She said neither of us sounded in the right. But..no...I haven't seen any of them all day, like I said I don't want to until I can figure out what to do."

"This is why you have come to me then? To seek the answers to bring this to an end? You said you spoke with our princess of the night, what more could I say she did not say already to help your plight?"

"I...I don't really know. I just...kinda wanted to see some ponies and see what they thought. I mean...I don't expect much, heck you'll probably say the same things she said, but I think even that would help me a little." Zecora stood up and began to whip up some sort of powder from a few flowers and other ingredients she had scattered around her hut. As she did, the house fell silent. Rainbow thought back to all that had happened across the last few days again, and was glad now she could do so without feeling as much pain.

"Here my friend, a quick recipe to aid you dearly." Zecora poured some tea into the cup and handed it to her. "Recall happier times with the others more clearly." Dash took the drink and looked at it the drink, all the herbs from the powder were clearly seen floating around in it. She took a small sip, and it seemed the herbs weren't for a better flavor.

"Okay...um...one of the funnest and best memories I have of them, was when we were all at Sugarcube corner and we all talked about how we got our cutie marks. We all went in a circle, and I was last. As they were all going I started to realize they all had the same thing in common, me. I pulled off a sonic rainboom, and on that day me and all of them got our cutie marks because of it." Whatever was in the tea was giving Rainbow's mind pure focus. She was recollecting the day as if it were literally five minutes ago. The sweat smell of the bakery, the individual stories gently rang in her ears. "We had no idea...it was so cool...that we were all sort of friends before we had even met. That I had helped every single one of them in probably the best way possible when they really needed the help." A small smile grew on the pegasi's face as she remember them hugging after they realized it all. The tea made her feel their embrace again, it was warm, tight but soft, she could hear the happy giggling in her ears, and smiled at their smiles in her head.

"Good, very good indeed Rainbow my friend, think of another one from beginning to end."

"Well, uh, I remember one time before Twilight came to town. My first home was beaten badly by a storm, so while it was getting remade for me in Canterlot, I didn't have a place to stay. Pinkie Pie let me bunk with her in Sugercube Corner. We made so many cupcakes...I thought I'd never lose the weight...and then...one time I got a little out of hoof and I was put on leave from the Weather Team. Applejack took me and put me to work bucking apple trees and helping out across the whole farm so that I could make the hospital payments on my leg, she gave me far more bits than I deserved even from working for her...but she didn't care, she just wanted to help out her friend. Fluttershy organized a surprise birthday party for me. That had one of the best cakes I had ever eaten, she made it special just for the occasion." With each memory coming in so clear, the feelings and love she felt those days came right back hard. She felt them just as powerful as they were one those days, it was thanks to whatever Zecora had whipped up, and even Dash started to realize what she was about to say.

"Rainbow Dash, think hard of what I had you recall. Think of your friends one and all. The memories you shared and bonds made strong, is it all to be thrown away on a single wrong?"

"Well-"

"A wrong by one pony is hard to accept, from five there is no exempt. To see all your friends as you found out, is painful to understand without a doubt." Rainbow sighed deeply as she listened to Zecora's words.

"I know...I know...we've been friends so long now, and they've done all kinds of really good things for me, a lot more than I deserved...but...I just never thought to myself that one day it would end up like this. All five of them lying in front of me...and going behind my back."

"No friendship is perfect my dear, but that is no reason to fear. A bond between friends is deep and strong, again it shouldn't be thrown away on a single wrong. Large that wrong may be and painful it must have been, I was not there, so it is not something I have seen. But the choice remains yours Rainbow Dash, act how you will be it slow or brash. You witnessed it from start to finish, you will decide if it must diminish. But remember this the next time you see your friends, is it worth bringing this friendship to an unfortunate end?" The pegasus pondered the words a good and quiet while. She ended up staying at the cottage and had some tea as she sunk all the pieces together. The memories before Mare-Do-Well and the revelation of who the caped crusader was as well as the additional tidbits they had done, such as secretly bragging their accomplishments in front of her. She mentally weighed all the memories she could conjure and the feelings each presented, before Rainbow said her thanks and left the house hidden in the trees.

***

For one more night, Dash failed to sleep thoroughly. The words of Luna bounced around in her mind, the feelings Zecora gave her felt strong and tugged at her heart. She didn't see any pony else after that, because there weren't many in Ponyville she trusted enough or felt likely enough to give her the advice she needed. That was left with the ones she did see, and she also knew now that Twilight had spoken with Luna and was probably offered the same meet up in Canterlot as she was. To talk it over pony to pony, the one thing none of them really did but had every opportunity to. Rainbow even felt like it could be a good idea. This morning she felt she could barely spit in their general direction, now she had the confidence and backing that she believed she could stand her ground. That she could admit her wrongs and point out there own. From what Princess Luna said though, she felt that perhaps both ponies were in the wrong. Though she would only know Twilight's side after Dash had left, she still hinted that the blame was probably more balanced than the pegasus believed. So she wouldn't be nearly has hard on the five as she wanted to be, if she went to the meet up. They would be there, she could feel it, sitting there waiting for her. Giving her all the time they felt she needed to pop up. After a nearly two hour mental debate that last from twelve to two in the morning, she decided if she caught enough sleep and didn't stay in bed, she'd meet them at a decent time.

***

The day after, as Luna had instructed, Twilight was sitting with the others at a restaurant in Canterlot. There was outside seating, which all five of them took and brought a sixth chair over. Needless to say, none of them had a smile on and nor was the table very talkative. When Twilight told them what the Princess told her, all of them about felt sick to their stomachs hearing just how much their actions had caused their friend pain. They didn't know but they all felt like they did. That they all just tip toed around the entire thought with their excuses. Well they were going to end it, if Rainbow Dash showed up. Luna swore that the pegasus would arrive, but they had been there an hour and there was no sign of her, but they would be patient.

Each on thought ahead to her arriving and what they would say. How they'd apologize, and admit their wrong doings. Rarity considered even burning the costumes so that the thought of them could never be brought back up. Pinkie Pie was planning a big apologetic party for Rainbow Dash, but she hadn't thought of a good name yet though for it. The other three kept to what they would say now, and kept their eyes searching for the last of their band of friends. Luna wanted them to be ready for this meeting, she asked all of them to wait another day and really think of their actions before, and what they'd do today. Five out of six had shown up, and as time slowly passed by, they wondered at one point if they'd be the only ones to show up.

Soon enough though, Twilight tapped the table an got all of their attention. Down the road among all the dressed up and sophisticated looking Canterlot ponies, was a familiar cyan and rainbow colored pony calmly walking down the street towards them. She saw them all, and her expression matched theirs. Unsure, a twinge of worry, and regret. The distance Dash walked to them was maybe fifty feet from the corner she turned, but it felt like miles. Everyone tried to compartmentalize exactly what they would say and how. As Rainbow got to the table, all of them stood and walked in front of her and looked at each other.

"I...I...I was stupid...and I made mistakes, I went too far, but you all went too far too." Dash started. She accepted the length of her actions as well as theirs. Her endangering of ponies and their going behind her back for so long. "I admit my problems. I admit it, I got ahead of myself. I admit it, I got cocky. I admit I started problems just to be the hero of them. But...when I finally found out the truth, instead of you girls trying to ease that feeling of...of betrayal away...you stood their and yelled at me that it was all my fault."

"Rainbow..." Twilight wanted to speak but a cyan hoof was raised that stopped her.

"You know...before that "Thank you" parade you all got...I was sitting on a cloud on the out skits of the park. Crying..." Rainbow looked all of them in the eyes. Silence fell upon them all for that moment. "That's right...you heard me...I was crying. The great and unstoppable Rainbow Dash, fastest flyer in Equestria and the strongest mare this side of Everfree, crying like a little filly. I was crying because I had NO ONE. You girls weren't there, the town wasn't there, and Scootaloo was only there to tell me her "new favorite hero" was getting a parade. I've felt alone only a hoofful of times in my entire life, and that was by far one of the most painful I had to deal with." She swallowed the knot in her throat. "How am I supposed to be loyal to you girls when you do things like this to me? How can I trust you to not do that to me again?" The five other pairs of eyes bounced off of each other for someone to speak.

"You can't..." Came the purple unicorn.

"I thought so too...but..." Dash took a second to herself. "The fact that I didn't act when I was supposed to, and the fact that I got so head strong in my abilities that you girls had to step in like this for me to realize what I did...it was mostly my fault. I mean, there was a million things I could have done differently, from start to finish. I didn't do any one of them...and here we are now...you girls had no other way to really step in and make me listen to what you girls were going to say so...I'm sorry girls...I over reacted and I went way too far..."

"No Rainbow, you didn't. You can't and shouldn't trust ponies who would do such things...understandable reasons or not, Rainbow, we went too far. We thought we "knew" how you would react, and we were wrong. Dead wrong, and there is no thing more that I wish and pray I could take back more than what happened the last couple of days. All we wanted to do was try and help you, to teach you how to be a humble hero. We...we're so sorry Rainbow Dash...we we're absolute idiots and we didn't realize just how badly we'd hurt you, we chose to think we knew how when we didn't. We dressed up as a fake hero and purposefully jumped into the lime light so that you could see how a real hero should act, and that was not what we should have done at all. Not only that but we felt so ahead of ourselves, we felt we were the righteous ones, and we were much harder on you than we should have been, we should have known, and we did, but we didn't listen to ourselves. Applejack doubted what we did the longest, but I think every single one of us doubted what we were doing a little as well.. We want to make it up to you...we'll do...whatever it may be, to earn your forgiveness and your trust again..." Rainbow stared them all down a short moment.

"I...I do forgive you...all of you...already. I know why you did it, and I admit I wasn't exactly known for being a level headed pony or a good listener. But...it's going to take a bit before I can trust you girls as much as I did...I mean I still do thinking about it now...we're like a family...we have ups and downs. This was a big down. It'll take a bit of time...but...I'm not about to turn my back on my friends...my family..." The pegasus had cooled down greatly from yesterday morning, but while she did trust them and still called them family, it wasn't to the same degree as before. But she meant it when she said they could all work together to get that back up there.

"Rainbow...w-we..."

"We both did things we shouldn't have...but I don't want that to stop us from being friends. We had so many great times together...too many to throw away like this. But...do...uh...yo...uh....do you think we could...talk about it? Just a little bit...and then forget it ever happened?" Rainbow was never one for talking about how she felt, not with one person in private, let alone with five in public. But if anything showed those five how trusting she still was of them, this was more than enough. Eyes all fell on the pegasus, and the all looked into those magenta ones they had been waiting to see for the past day.

"Absolutely. We should. Talk it out and then leave it in the past." Twilight held out a hoof to shake Dash's hoof and opened her mouth to speak again, but before she could say another word, it was Rainbow who made a move. The whole way here she thought of what Zecora and Luna said. How neither of them were completely wrong, neither were right, and that this was only one, though a big one, hiccup in their relationships. One slip like this is not enough to bring it all crashing down on top of them. And having now had some extra time to really think of it, the heat of both moments got them all worked up pretty easily, and now it was time to pull back and talk pony to pony with them all. The five of them she thought of as, and still did consider friends. The five ponies she helped save Equestria from Nightmare Moon and Discord, the five she was most loyal to, and the five she care for the most. The blame was being bounced around already, Dash took it first, then they did, which meant that they had both been changed in their views, which meant it as a whole could be worked on more easily. In a quick action, she collected all of her friends in her hooves and hugged them all tightly, just like they did a way back in Sugarcube corner, to which they all instantly wrapped themselves around her in return. They were silent a few long minutes that felt like hours, just hugging each other and letting the feeling wash over them. They didn't need to say anything at that point, just embrace the fact they were all together now. Rainbow held them all close, held their memories close, held their bonds close, because they were her friends and she wasn't about to give them up now. Though earlier she questioned them and herself, now she didn't care. Their intentions were good, as were hers, their actions were bad, so were hers. Neither were right and neither were wrong, but all together, they were still friends, they were still family, and Dash and the others intended it to stay that way.

Author's Note

As I said, I don't expect to have people crying saying "That was so emotional dude, I am tears." I just wanted to toss a hat into the ring as to how I felt it would go. No Romance, no plot twists that take away the entire day or otherwise, etc. Would Dash over react and question herself as the Element of Loyalty? A stretch but maybe. Would Twilight defend their actions? Probably if not definitely at first. Would it take a couple outside opinions to straighten them out? Definitely a yes. Would they still be friends after all was said and done? No, they'd still be a FAMILY after that.

It's short but it's not a 180 degree turn around forgiveness that's only minutes after it all happened.

This is just my sort of short, sweet, and to the point story of how I would think they would all deal with this situation.

Also with my collection of stories it seems I'm only writing stories about Rainbow Dash. I see nothing wrong with this, but maybe I'll write something different later.