Lost Soul

"This day marked the beginning of an age of peace in Equestria. As for Bright Heart and Sun Blaze... They lived happily together, till the end of their days." Small dragon bowed and roar of applause filled the air.

But the two ponies still standing in the centre of the stage didn't notice it. For them the world became a blur and all sounds were a distant hum hidden behind the beating of their hearts.

Stallion and a mare were standing completely still, looking in each other eyes. She was enchanted by the green, like a meadow in the summer afternoon, it emanated with warmth, happiness, safety and calm. He was lost in the spheres of magenta, they shined like rising suns, radiating with life, energy, devotion and passion. They could feel the warmth of each other breath, their snouts only centimetres away. They were completely lost, oblivious to the world.

Meanwhile on the far side of the stage, behind the decorations, a white unicorn was staring at the two ponies with eyes wide in excitement. Her front hooves supported on the wooden crate, she was muttering through the clenched teeth. "Come on. Come on. Just a little closer." The plan was perfect! It cannot fail. Then a purple unicorn in black coat approached her.

"Come on Rarity it's time to bow to the audience. ... Rarity?" Twilight looked in the same direction as her friend and quickly spotted what she was staring at.

Sound of the applause finally reached Longwing and Rainbow Dash, bringing them back into reality. Fierce blushes appeared on both faces as they realised what was happening. They quickly turned to the audience with nervous smiles, avoiding eye contact with each other.

"Noooooo!" Rarity whined. "It was so close! So clo-" She fell silent when she noticed the presence of Twilight Sparkle who was glaring daggers at her. She gulped and smiled nervously. "Ow... Um. H-hi Twilight. How are you?"

Purple unicorn frowned. "Come on the stage Rarity, but after that we need to talk."

Rest of the troupe joined the pair on the front of the stage and all bowed to cheering audience. Then the curtain fell and they went to the back of the stage to take the costumes off. Rainbow Dash and Longwing both wanted to separate to ease the awkward feeling but their plan was wrecked by Cheerilee.

Teacher approached them with wide smile. "You were amazing. I've never seen anypony to play these roles with so much passion and dedication." She kept talking as she walked them to one of the coat-racks. "I'll leave you to change. See you at outside." She left two nervous pegasi alone and trotted off.

They started to take off the costumes, silence was unbearably awkward so Longwing decided to break it.

"Rainbow Dash?"

Mare glanced at him. "Yeah?"

"You did really good back there. I mean... I'm impressed." Uneasy grin appeared on his face. Yeah way to go Longwing. It reaaally doesn't sound awkward. He smacked himself mentally.

Cyan mare blushed a bit more. "Um. Yeah. Thanks. You were pretty good too." She continued to undo her armour.

"Thanks." Once again silence fell between two ponies.

Rainbow Dash was first to get rid of her costume and turned to Longwing. "So... Uh... See you outside okay?"

Stallion nodded and she left him to finish taking off his costume. Left alone, grey pegasus got lost in his thoughts. What happened back there? I completely zoned out. We were playing and then- A familiar voice pulled him back to reality. He realized that he walked outside and before him was standing Cheeriliee.

"Are you alright Longwing?" Mare asked with concern in her voice.

Stallion shook his head to wake up completely. "I'm okay Cheeriliee. Everything is alright. I just..." He spotted Rainbow Dash in the crowd. She was talking with Pinkie Pie, laughing loudly. After a moment he returned his attention to mare in front of him. "I just need some fresh air. It's hot in these costumes and last scenes weren't exactly static ones. I think I'll take a short flight to cool down. But thanks for concern."

Mare smiled. "Okay. Just don't be there too long or you will miss the cake."

"I'll remember." Longwing nodded and took off, heading to the outskirts of Ponyville.

Feeling of the wind in his mane calmed him down. He hadn't got much time to fly past few days and he missed it a lot. Stream of thoughts interrupted by Cheerilee returned to him. We've practised this scene on the rehearsals several times and it was okay. He leaned to the right, avoiding the small cloud. But now when I gave myself into it... It felt so right that I got lost. I got lost in the Rainbow's eyes. He pondered it for a moment. Then he opened his mouth as realization slowly came to him.

"I'm in love with Rainbow Dash."

He knew it was truth. He didn't see it earlier but he knew that it was there for some time. But I kept denying it to myself. Happines I felt during our training sessions. This strange feeling when she asked me to go to Cloudsdale with her. Strength that came to me when fighting Timber Wolves. It all made sense now.

A wide smile slowly appeared on his face. This feeling was wonderful. He made a barrel roll, unable to hold the excitement. I wonder if she is interested in me too. Was she feeling the same back on the stage? Or maybe she was just doing this so I wouldn't look like an idiot staring at her. Stream of thoughts changed into river. His heart was pounding. He was in love. For the first time in his life he felt something that strong.

"I should talk to her." He said with determination. "I wonder if... If she..." Then he spotted few groups of ponies in the park, apparently some families that weren't at the performence decided to enjoy this day there.

Family. Longiwng's mood fell instantly as he felt a sharp sting in his heart. He slowed down, anger raising inside him. He found a secluded spot and dived towards it fast. He made few sharp, aggressive turns before finally landing in front of a tall, branchy tree. He was torn. Thought of going back to his world and family faded during the last weeks.

But now it returned with full strength.

"Why this had to happen to me!" He growled and headbutted the trunk before him. "Tomorrow princess probably is going to send me back and right now I had to realize that I have feelings for Rainbow." He hissed through clenched teeth and hit the tree once again. Tears started to form in his eyes. Why?

"Longwing?"

Stallion turned around and saw a blond maned, grey pegasus mare landing several metres from him. "Ditzy? What are you doing here?"

Ditzy Doo folded her wings and trotted to him. "I wanted to talk to you after the performance but you left. You looked distressed and I got worried about you." She looked him in the eyes. "Whats wrong Longwing?"

He gave her a forced smile trying to look casually. "Nothing Ditzy. Everything's alright." But serious expression on mare's face told him that he failed.

She shook her head. "Longwing. You know me long enough to know that I'm smarter than most ponies think." Her expression softened. She gave Longwing a caring smile and put a hoof on his shoulder. "I can see that something is bothering you. I'm here for you. Let me help."

Longwing hesitated for a moment, then he exhaled and sat down. "Yes you're right." He inhaled deeply to calm down. "Ditzy, do you remember when I told you that one day I will have to leave Ponyville?" Mare nodded. "Well... It's going to be soon. I'm sorry. I didn't want to make a fuss, that's why I didn't talk much about it. I came to terms with that I'll have to leave my friends here. It hurts, but it has to be like that. I have to return to my family and I accepted that." He paused. "But something happened and it's not that simple anymore." Stallion hung his head.

"Is that because of Rainbow Dash?"

His ears perked up. He lifted his head and gave the mare a surprised look.

Supportive smile never left her face. "What? This eyes aren't just for show you know. I suspected that something was brewing up between you two for some time but I wasn't completely sure. Now it's obvious." She poked him gently in the chest. "Longwing. I think you should consider staying in Ponyville after all."

He shut his eyes and shook his head. "No it is not possible. I can't leave them like that. They don't know what happened. They think that I am missing, by now they certainly found the wreck of my motorcycle and I have no means of telling them that I'm safe and happy in a magical land of-." Longwing fell silent, knowing well that he have revealed too much. He didn't tell Ditzy about his true origins and she didn't ask. And now he was sure that she will hate him for that.

But her face didn't change. "It's okay Longwing. I know you. I know that you are a good pony and I respect your decision. You surely had reasons too keep that a secret."

Stallions ears fell a bit. "I'm sorry Ditzy. I was afraid that you would freak out if I tell you."

She giggled. "Freak out? Oh Longwing. I have seen many strange things. Your case Is one of the most normal." She noticed quizzical look of the stallion and shrugged. "Charms of hanging out with Doctor. But lets leave that for another time." Ditzy sat down in front of him. "I see that you are wiling to sacrifice your chance of happiness for you family."

Longwing sighed. "Yeah. They mean everything for me. Few days before I came here, I wasn't there for my closest friend when he needed me. I don't want that to happen again." He looked at her and shook his head.

"Longwing let me tell you something. I can see that you care about your close ones more than yourself. It's noble but you can't always go on like this." Stallion gave her confused look. "You met Dinky. You know that she means everything to me and I would be really sad if she had ever left me." He nodded and Ditzy continued. "But it would hurt me even more if someday I found out that by making me happy she forgone her own chance of happiness." She lifted her hoof and caressed his cheek. "Do you understand?"

He turned his head right, pondering on what he have just heard.

"Besides..."

He returned his attention to Ditzy.

Her smile widened. "I'm her mother. And mother knows if her child is happy. No matter how large distance separates them. Remember that Longwing, always listen to your heart. It is the best guide."

Smile crept on Longwing's face, his spirits uplifted. He was ready to make the decision.

"So... Are you ready to return at the party?" Said the mare preparing to take off.

Stallion nodded. "Lead the way. And Ditzy." She turned to him. "Thank you."

"No problem Longwing. Thats what friends are for. Besides I owed you one for what you did at the party last week."

Stallion grinned. "I have no idea what are you talking about." Both pegasi took off.

They headed to the school, Longwing was following Ditzy, thinking about his next move. He had to admit it... She was right. He wouldn't forget what he experienced in Equestria, and wasn't sure if he would be able to move on. Yeah... I would be a miserable sight for a long time. Ditzy was right. I... I'm staying. He felt a great weight dropping from his heart. A sting of guilt remained, but it didn't hurt that much. I just hope that they will forgive me.

But he still had a difficult task ahead. I have to confront Rainbow Dash. He wasn't a coward, but contact with females on that level wasn't something he could approach casually. Not today, that's for sure. One problem at a time. An idea came to him. Tomorrow at the ball. Yeah... That will be nice. A dance with the mare I love... Or at least an opportunity to chill out if she rejects me. The mare I love... It still sounds a bit strange for me.

It didn't take long for them to reach the school and Longwing was glad for it. It was a happy day and he wanted to have fun before tomorrow.

Yeah... Tomorrow.