Dear Rainbow Dash,

I read about what happened in the newspaper. Celestia knows when I saw that headline, I nearly had a heart attack. I was so scared something had happened to you. But instead, you ended up being the hero. Just like on the train. You’re really incredible.

I don’t know how you deal with it all. To be honest, I still have nightmares about the trainwreck. There was this pony who smashed into a steel rod when it happened. It blinded her. She was bleeding so much, and screaming, “I can’t see, I can’t see!” She wasn’t one of the ponies to survive to Manehatten. I have nightmares about her a lot.

Sometimes, when I wake up and open my eyes yet, I think I’ve become her. I think I’ve been blinded, and I’m bleeding, and dying. I was screaming, once, but the other ladies I room with got mad at me. I sleep with a rag in my mouth now, just in case I wake up screaming again.

I wish I knew how you dealt with it all.

My brother Zephyr Breeze came to Manehatten. I haven’t seen him in years. But he just showed up at the apartment one day, and told me he’d wanted to come see me one last time. He was conscripted into the army. I can’t remember the division. But if you meet him, please protect him for me. There’s no one else I trust so much as you.

I’m scared of what will happen to him. I’m scared of what will happen to you, too, I always have, but you’re brave. He’s cowardly, and lazy, and sometimes, a little stupid. I’m scared of losing anyone else.

In my last letter I mentioned that my parents died, and you asked if I wanted to talk about it. No, not really. My father was a front line nurse, and my mother was a cadet, early in the war. They both died, and so now I’m scared for you.

Okay, I’d done talking about that now.

In your last letter you joked about feeling as cramped as a can of sardines. I hope it’s not weird, but I included a can of sardines in the care package I’m sending with this letter. Sorry if it’s weird. I thought it might make you laugh.

The care package will also have a jar of apple cider (it might be a bit flat by the time you get it) a quilt I stitched at the donation effort, and the newest Daring Do book. You might have already read this one, though. They don’t come out very quickly because of the war.

It might not matter, though. I heard from Butter Daisy that the packages arrive later than letters do anyway, so you might not even have it yet.

Did you get enough training? The papers said that after the attack, the survivors would be sent off to their new assignments without further training. I worry you won’t be okay. I’m probably being silly, though. You’re so strong, you'll be fine. You have to be.

The paper also said you refused comment because you were badly wounded. If it was too bad, though, wouldn’t you have been sent home? I’m really worried about you. I think about you a lot more than I should. ~~I actually stitched my mane to a quilt by accident because I was so busy thinking about you.~~

~~I wanted to tell you because I hoped you’d think it’s funny, but now that it’s down on paper it sounds kind of weird.~~

Last letter you mentioned you’d send me a souvenir from every place you go. You were probably joking, but I know molting season is coming up soon, so could you send me one of your feathers? It would make me feel less worried to have it be around. But if you think it’s weird, you don’t have to send one. Sorry I asked. Just worried.

Please write back soon. Stay safe, and please don’t take any risks. ~~I can't lose you~~

~~Love~~
~~Thinking of you~~
Sincerely,

Fluttershy

Author's Note

A little peek at what Shy's been up to, and a bit more . . . ship fuel