//-------------------------------------------------------// Just One Mistake -by Wyvern1998- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Breakup //-------------------------------------------------------// Breakup Just One Mistake Wyvern1998 Chapter 1: Breakup “Hey, ‘Egghead’ it’s time to get up.” A violet unicorn teased while shaking awake her rainbow maned companion. Rainbow Dash slowly sat up in their bed rubbing her eyes with her hooves. The couple slept in Twilight’s room in the library, since the unicorn could not walk on clouds. Her eyes were only partially adjusted to the sunlight when she said, “Twily, it’s only 9:00 am! You know I don’t like getting up early.” “And you know I hate being called Twily. Besides, 9:00 am isn’t that early.” Twilight retorted. The studious mare was up no later than 6:00 am every morning. She wrapped her hoof around Dash’s neck and yanked her out of bed. Twilight helped support the pegasus, handing her companion a glass of water enveloped in a violet aura. Rainbow took the water and muttered, “Thanks,” as Twilight wrapped her hoof around her favorite cyan pegasus, and led her downstairs where she had already prepared breakfast. Twilight had become used to this routine. She woke up every morning to sunshine in her violet eyes, trotted downstairs to read a book, do some research, or even exercise. After she finished her book or felt it was late enough, the unicorn would make breakfast for her and Rainbow Dash. After she finished preparing the food, typically consisting of a bowl of hay just like today. She would then trot upstairs to wake the cyan pony. Twilight looked across the table at the drowsy pegasus. Twilight noticed that Rainbow Dash was always tired before she ate her breakfast, but after she was ready to clear the skies. Rainbow Dash stood up from her seat and placed her empty bowl into the sink. She trotted over to Twilight and gave her quick hug and kiss on the cheek. Twilight returned the gestures and waved off her favorite pegasus. “I’m off for weather duty. You know when I get home.” “Bye Dashie! Don’t get hurt! Oh! And don’t forget to meet me for lunch today!” Twilight called as Rainbow bolted out of the open door. Twilight finished her hay, and looked about the library. She decided on reorganizing some books. “When Spike gets up, I’ll have him help me out. Unless he has his own plans.” She quickly walked over to her calendar and checked the dates. Today was open, which meant that he wasn’t doing anything. “That’s great! So he can help me today.” Today felt like a good day. She didn’t know why, and she didn’t need to. The violet unicorn went about her business reorganizing the books. Rainbow Dash flew among the clouds. She was enjoying herself, as she always did while feeling the freedom and awesome feeling that can only be obtained by flying. She zipped in and out of clouds, her rainbow trail following close behind her. Today was a cloudless, sunny day according to the schedule. It was her job, along with the other pegasi, to make and keep it that way. There was a large storm planned for next week, but that was in the future. There was no need to worry about it now. The team quickly finished clearing the skies, except for one cloud, which was always left for Rainbow. She flew onto it and laid down to doze off. Twilight looked up at the clock and realized that it was time for lunch with Rainbow Dash. She quickly threw on her saddlebags, grabbed some bits and trotted towards the restaurant. The restaurant was the same one the two had been to together when Twilight had had that one extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala. She sat down at a table and waited for Rainbow. “That pony must have fallen asleep on the job again. That’s the only reason she’s ever late.” Not five minutes later, Dash came flying down from a cloud. “I’m so sorry I’m late Twilight. I fell asleep on a cloud. Forgive me?” She took a seat next to Twilight, inching closer to the violet pony. “It’s okay, Dash, I figured you fell asleep. You are forgiven. After all, it’s too difficult for me not to. So, ready to eat?” The unicorn leaned closer to Dash as the pegasus wrapped a wing tight around her. The two ponies ate lunch happily, enjoying each other’s company. After they had both finished, Rainbow Dash using much better manners than that one time in the hospital, they went back to their jobs. The pegasus went to make sure the clouds stayed away from Ponyville, which was a much more demanding job than it seemed, and Twilight went back to reshelving her books. A few hours later, Twilight had finished reorganizing the library. She was brought to her senses by a large group of ponies gathering outside. She looked around the library confused. “Spike? Spike! Do you know what’s happening? … Spike?” Twilight trotted upstairs only to see Spike curled up napping. The violet pony couldn’t help but smile at his baby dragon snores. She went out on one of the balconies overlooking Ponyville. Deep in the Everfree Forest Twilight saw a large column of black smoke rising into the sky, as well as licks of flame shooting up. She quickly went into panic mode. She saw all of the ponies working on putting out the flames, but there was a wildfire, near Ponyville! These were common in other part of Equestria, but never their small town! Twilight began pacing around the library. She decided that she should talk to her friends and see what they thought about it. She made her way over to Sugarcube Corner. “PINKIE!” Twilight shouted as she entered the bakery at full speed. “Did you hear about the fire?” The pink party pony quickly appeared. “Of course I did! When don’t I hear about things? Are you worried about it? Because I’m not.” “Worried? Of course I’m worried! Why wouldn’t I be worried?! There is a fire, in the Everfree Forest! There’s no reason to be calm!” “Twilight, I’m not worried because all of those ponies out there know what they’re doing! Now stop being such a silly head and relax. Those ponies do allll kinds of things for other ponies! They’re used to big ginormous fires, and alll kinds of other dangerous things! Everypony will be fine!” Twilight stood there as she processed what Pinkie said. It all made sense. The group she was talking about, the Rescue Ponies, worked very hard on all of their jobs, only only one or two ponies have ever gotten hurt when they were on the job. The violet unicorn took a deep breath, smelling the baked goods. Her mouth began to water. She knew she had to buy something, even if that’s not what she came here for. She ended up buying a cupcake. “Well, I have to go. Bye Pinkie Pie! Thanks for the cupcake, and knocking some sense into my head.” “Any time! If you see anypony else tell them I said hi!!” Pinkie called out to the unicorn as she trotted away. About a half an hour later while Twilight was in the library, Rainbow Dash flew in. “Hey Twi! I’m back! Sorry I’m so late, but the weather team had to work late to keep the smoke away from Ponyville. I’m sure you heard about the random fire that broke out, right?” Twilight looked up from the chair she was sitting in and greeted Dash with a warm smile. “Hi Dash! It’s not a problem. I went and talked to Pinkie about the fire.” She stood and began to put the book she was reading away. “I started freaking out about the fire, but Pinkie Pie calmed me down.”  Twilight could feel a slight burn on her cheeks as she talked about Pinkie. When Twilight looked back to Dash, she was still surprised to see that her smile had dropped from her face. “You went and talked to Pinkie to see if she was okay… before even trying to find me? You know, I was flying around in that smoke, clearing it out.” “You were? Really? I didn’t know Dash. I figured you would have finished your job and been home before the fire broke out.” The blush at this point had fallen from her cheeks. “So… you weren’t even thinking of me?” Dash stated, looking into the unicorn’s eyes. “All day the fire raged, and you didn’t give me one thought?” Twilight stood silent for a few moments before saying, “Um… No, I guess I didn’t. But, I thought you would be okay! With all of your amazing flying skills I-“ The pegasus cut her off. “So… The first pony you thought of was Pinkie, while you forgot about your marefriend?” “Well… Yes, I guess that is how it happened. Dash I’m sorry!” At this mention of Pinkie Twilight's cheeks glowed red again. Rainbow Dash’s anger was constantly growing. She saw the blush when Pinkie was mentioned. “And let me guess, after you talked to Pinkie, you forgot all about your other friends, too, right?” Twilight again had to stop and think. She hadn’t thought about anypony else after she left Sugarcube Corner. Twilight spoke, the sorrow filling into every word. “No… I… I guess not. Dash, Please!” Dash once again cut off Twilight. “Twilight, everypony knows you’ve had a thing for Pinkie. And then you just trot over and talk to her about the fire without even a second thought about your marefriend, or any other friends? Do you truly love me? Did you ever love me? Or was this whole thing just so you could catch Pinkie’s eye?” Twilight stood there as she listened to Dash go on in her anger. Tears began forming in her eyes. “Dash… What… what are you talking about? Of course I love you! Maybe I liked Pinkie once, but not since I started dating you! I... I swear...” Tears almost pouring out she said again in an attempt to make her understand, “Dash I figured you were fine. I mean, nothing bad was happening here in Ponyville, and you’re a very skilled flyer!” Twilight tried her best to keep her tears back and to calm down the pegasus, but to no avail. Twilight thought about her promise she had just made. Was it true? Rainbow continued yelling at Twilight in the same manner, and Twilight kept uselessly defending her actions the same way, only making Dash angrier. That night, the two slept apart for the first time in their three years together. Rainbow Dash flew up to her cloud home while Twilight attempted to fall asleep. She couldn’t, as she was too stressed out and confused. In the morning Twilight rose and trotted downstairs, her mane a mess and her eyes red and puffy from crying all night. She was surprised to see Dash sitting at the table. “Good morning, Twilight.” Rainbow seemed well rested, but the bags under her eyes gave off the impression she was up late into the night. Her mane and tail were just the way they always were and her eyes were normal minus the dark bags. She looked like she always did. “I was up late last night thinking about all that I said. I realized something. You would be happier if you were with Pinkie. So… Twilight Sparkle, I’m breaking up with you.” A single tear slipped out from the corner of her eye, landing on the table. Twilight tried to stop her, but before she could open her mouth to speak out in protest the cyan pegasus had already flown out the door. Twilight stood silent for a few minutes, her mind comprehending what just happened. Once she finally understood, Twilight collapsed onto the floor in uncontrollable sobs. Eventually, she had gathered enough strength to make it to her bed. Spike tried to calm her, to tell her it was okay, but she threw him out of her room with her magic, and quickly locked the door. She laid there crying for Celestia knows how long, her sobs being heard by anypony who came close to the library. //-------------------------------------------------------// Depression //-------------------------------------------------------// Depression Chapter 2: Depression “Hi Spike, is Twi still here?” Pinkie Pie said as she trotted in. Her mane wasn’t as poofy as it always was, and it had begun to straighten out. The breakup between the two had made an impact on all of the elements. “Yeah Pinkie. She’s in her room. The same place she has been for the past four days. She’s probably just staring out her window. Pinkie, I don’t mean to insult you, but she isn’t going to want to talk. I’ve been trying since the fight to cheer her up. She’s just been throwing me out. I’m starting to think she’s going to stay like this…” the purple and green dragon stated, leading the way to Twilight’s room. “Good luck.” he murmured, almost inaudibly. “Thanks, but I’m going to get through to her! I’m going to show her that things aren’t over!” Pinkie said with a fierce face of determination. She pushed open the door, and was shocked at what she saw, even if she was expecting it. Twilight was sitting up on her bed, her mane going in every direction, and her short fur messed up almost beyond repair. When Twilight looked towards Pinkie, turning her attention away from the window, the party pony used all of her restraint not to gasp. Her eyes were red, puffy, and damp. They had large bags under them, as if she hadn’t slept in days. As Pinkie thought about it, Twilight probably hadn’t slept in days. In the most caring and compassionate voice she could muster, Pinkie said, “Hey, Twilight. I brought you some cookies. I figured you might like them, since you buy them the most often. And if you want, we could have a party! Everypony loves parties!” Pinkie trotted up and placed the cookies down. She sat next to Twilight on the bed and gave her friend a hug. “Pinkamena Diane Pie, get off of me. I don’t want cookies, I don’t want any parties, and I don’t want to see anypony, you least of all.” Twilight turned her attention back to the window. At this statement Pinkie’s mane and tail went flatter than it was before. “Okay, so you’re not ready to socialize with other ponies. I could go and get some other friends? Maybe Fluttershy? Wouldn’t it be nice to see her?” “Pinkie, you’ve done quite enough for me. Leave.” Twilight said. Pinkie used everything she had to put a smile on for Twilight. “Okay Twilight, I can tell you really want me to leave. But just let me know if you want anything else. I’ll be very happy to help you!” Pinkie turned and left the room. She could tell that she wasn’t wanted, but she didn’t have a clue why. Her mane and tail had fallen flat, and some of Twilight’s depression fed into Pinkie. As she passed Spike on the way out he saw her. “Pinkie, what happened?!” He exclaimed as he saw her deflated tail and mane. “Twilight… She’s all mopey, and I don’t like it! I’ll try again later, but she made it clear that she didn’t want to see me… But, I’ll keep trying! I’ll help her get back to the old Twilight!” As she said this, her mane stayed straight, revealing that she didn’t believe herself. Pinkie Pie left the library and headed back to Sugarcube Corner. Once she arrived she headed right up the steps and into her room. Over the following days, Pinkie attempted to cheer up Twilight at least once a day, as she promised. Every visit ended in the same way and Pinkie’s mane seemed to be even straighter and flatter than it had ever before. It seemed impossibly lifeless. After her eighth failed visit to Twilight, it seemed that her mane had begun to lose its color. Rainbow Dash was getting food supplies for a long while when Applejack came running up to her. She quickly tackled the rainbow pony and tied up her wings. Applejack used the makeshift leash to drag the resisting pony into a more private area. “So ah’ve heard all about this incident, and Pinkie has made it clear that Twilight ain’t gonna talk anytime soon. So ah want your story.” Rainbow rolled her eyes and attempted to run off, but the strong earth pony held her tight. “Nice try RD, but you can’t out muscle me without your wings!” Dash sighed. “Fine. I’ll talk. So… How was your day?” Now it was Applejack’s turn to sigh. “It was fine, Dash. Now come on, cut to the chase. What happened? And ah want the truth.” “I’d expect nothing less from the element of honesty herself. Did you hear what the CMC did yesterday? Scootaloo told me all about it. It wasn’t very cool.” “Of course ah heard 'bout it! That’s all that Apple Bloom ever talks ‘bout! Now, what happened, Dash?” Rainbow sighed. “Alright. But this is not cool. Not. Cool. Anyway, I had to stay late on weather duty to clear up the smoke, just like every other pegasus on the job, right? When I got home Twilight was reading some book and looked like she didn’t have a care in the world, even though I was late! I was thinking that maybe she didn’t hear of the fire. I asked her about it, and she told me she knew all about it, but didn’t care. She said Pinkie calmed her down. She also told me that she went to see if Pinkie was okay before she thought of me. Believe that? Her thoughts went immediately to Pinkie, before me! Oh yeah, and when I mentioned Pinkie, Twilight blushed!” At this point, Rainbow Dash’s wings were straining against the ropes bonding her. They would have flared out if the restraint didn’t exist. Applejack looked up in surprise. “Are ya sure that she didn’t think about ya at all? It doesn’t sound like Twilight to just forget about any one of her friends, yet her marefriend… Wait…” Applejack said as the last part of Dash’s explanation hit her. “She… she blushed?” “Yeah! Her face was all red when she talked about her, and then it got even redder when I asked her about Pinkie! Then I asked her if she didn’t think about me. She said that she didn’t think of anypony else or me after talking to Pinkie! I spent all night long thinking about what I should do. I was, and still am, so angry. One thing could have gone wrong I could have gotten really hurt. Really hurt! Not that it would have mattered. I mean I would have been fine later, but still that unicorn didn’t give me a single thought!” The rope seemed as if it would burst at any second. Applejack gave Rainbow a confused look “Well now, that just ain’t right! If ah had a special somepony, and a fire broke out, well shoot, ah’d do whatever it takes to make sure they’re okay!” “That’s what I’m saying! Now will you please untie me?” “Oh, sorry sugarcube. Ah forgot about the ropes!” Applejack quickly untied the pegasus and expected her to shoot off into the sky. “Hey, thanks for listening to me, AJ. I guess I kinda needed to talk to somepony.” With that, Rainbow shot off into the sky, just as she had predicted would happen. “So… Pinkie tried to steal Twilight away from Dash? That’s not right. Some ponies…” Applejack walked out of the area she had pulled Rainbow into and headed off for her farm. On her way, she crossed paths with the library. She was about to head in, but thought of all that Dash had said to her. She instead decided to continue towards her farm. Fluttershy walked into the Ponyville Library. This was her third attempt at comforting Twilight. Each time Twilight would start yelling and Fluttershy would leave right away. This time she decided that when she started yelling, she would stay through it. “Back again, Fluttershy? It’s weird. I’ve seen you, Pinkie, and Rarity. But Applejack hasn’t stopped by at all. Strange, huh?” Spike said as he pointed up the steps, where Twilight would be. It wasn’t necessary, but he still decided to do it. Fluttershy nodded in response to his gesture and hurried up the steps. Fluttershy knew what was on the other side of the door. Once she opened it, as she had given up knocking after the first time, Twilight would be sitting on her bed. Her mane would be a mess, her tail no better. Her fur would have wild patterns that seemed impossible to create with such short fur. Her attention would be turned to the window, and her first word would be something like, “Leave.” The shy pegasus pushed open the door, and saw exactly what she was expecting. “H-Hi, Twilight.” Fluttershy said in her quiet, caring voice. While Fluttershy said this, she was staring at the ground. She was unsure if she should be looking at Twilight or not. “Fluttershy, how many times am I going to have to tell you to go away? I don’t want to talk to anypony.” Twilight said, deadpan. “I know you don’t want to see anypony, Twilight, but you need to see somepony. This isn’t good for you. Staring outside of your window won’t help you at all. Twilight your friends all miss you!” Fluttershy had a look of shock on her face after she said this. Her own words had surprised her. She had looked at Twilight for a moment but quickly returned her attention the ground. “Rainbow Dash doesn’t. She was the most important pony in my life. She’s gone now. How could I get her back? No, I don’t think she would want to come back. Listen to me, dreaming.” “Twilight, p-please come outside with me. I’ll… I’ll get Rarity. I’m sure Applejack would enjoy it, but she’s probably busy on the farm. The three of us could go to the spa together! You love the spa. You’ll feel so much better after it!” Fluttershy took a seat on the floor. Fluttershy was almost helplessly pleading. “No, Fluttershy. I don’t want any spa treatment. I just want to sit here. Ah, I remember the day I met Rainbow Dash. She dumped me into a puddle, then tried to clean me up with a cloud, which only soaked me more." Twilight began, small blush creeping across her cheeks. "Ah then shy dried me off, making my mane look like Pinkie’s in a way. I looked mad, but I knew I loved her right then. She just… had that look.” “I remember that day too. The first day you came into town. Twilight, please come with us! I’m sure Rarity won’t mind a spa trip, and I need one! It will be fun!” Fluttershy continued to plead with the unicorn. “Fluttershy, it’s time for you to leave. I want no company but my thoughts.” “O-okay. So you don’t want to go to the spa? We could think of something else. What do you want to do?” “Nothing.” The single word cut through the air. Fluttershy could tell that Twilight was getting angry now, but the violet unicorn’s attention was never once taken off the window. “Surely there is something you want to do.” “Of course there is. I want to go spend the afternoon in the park with Rainbow Dash, but that isn’t happening." Twilight sighed and shook her head. "Now… Get. Out.” The last three words had even more anger behind them than before. “Twilight, I’m not leaving until you agree to come out.” Fluttershy was gathering her confidence. She now had her eyes locked with Twilight’s whose attention was grabbed in her last statement. “GO AWAY!” Fluttershy squeaked at her friend’s outburst, even if she expected it. After a few moments she said, “No… No!” The first barely audible the second nearly shouting. “Twilight Sparkle, you will come out, we will go to the spa, and the three of us will have fun.” “No, Fluttershy! I will never have fun again. NOW LEAVE!” The whole sentence almost brought Fluttershy to tears, even in her confident state. Fluttershy decided now would be a good time to leave. “O-okay, Twilight. B-but you really should come out. I know you don’t want to because you-you’re sad that Rainbow Dash got mad, b-but you shouldn’t let that ruin your life. Have a nice day, Twilight.” Fluttershy exited the room and quietly shut the door. “Nice day my plot.” As a few ponies before her had, Rarity strode into the public library. She had failed miserably yesterday at helping Twilight, but today was different. Today was new. The white unicorn sat down with Spike and had a fifteen-minute talk with him. If she couldn’t cheer up Twilight, at least she could always make the purple dragon happier. It gave her confidence. Rarity decided to try something new, and had brought a brush along with some other things to help Twilight look better than she had since this whole fiasco began. After she finished her chat with Spike, she trotted up the steps leading to Twilight’s room and walked right in. Twilight was in the same position, staring out of the same window, only after five days with no washing or brushing she looked worse. “Oh, darling, this just won’t do! Surely, if you got a bath and brushed your mane you would feel considerably better! Here, let me help.” The unicorn used her magic and moved the brush towards Twilight’s destroyed mane. Before it reached its mark, however, the brush became enveloped in a violet aura and was thrown right back at the owner. The unicorn managed to stop the brush before it hit her. Twilight looked right into Rarity’s eyes. “Rarity, I know you’re trying to help me, but I don’t need it and I don’t want it,” she said with a completely serious face, the same face she had been wearing for five days straight. “Okay, dear. I’ve given you your choices this whole time. Now it’s time that I get a say. How about you go get in the bath?” Rarity walked into the unicorn’s bathroom and began running the water for her friend, and added some bubbles to the water. She trotted back into Twilight’s bedroom. “Darling, you MUST come into the bath. I’ve already gotten it ready for you.” The beautiful unicorn went and checked on the water while Twilight stayed silent. Once the tub was full enough and the perfect temperature, Rarity came out. “Hurry dear! The bath is the absolute perfect temperature! It’s amazing! Oh you simply have to get in.” “No.” Rarity stared at her friend. After thinking for a minute, she decided to get things done. The white unicorn trotted up to Twilight’s bed and stared at her. She had used this voice with Sweetie Belle many times, and it always worked. “Twilight Sparkle, you look hideous and sitting here moping about will not get you anywhere soon. You will get into that bath. You’ll be happier now than later, as it will be too cold later.” Twilight was very angry at the tone of voice Rarity had used on her. All of her built up sadness came out as rage in her words. “SHUT UP! Mother of Celestia, help me! Would you please just BE QUIET! And STOP bossing me around! ‘Twilight you will do this, Twilight, darling, do that.’" Twilight stopped to take a breath when she saw Rarity’s expression. The white unicorn was expecting her outburst to happen, but she didn’t think that Twilight would be that harsh. A tear slipped down her face, but she knew that she had to stay strong. “Rarity, I-I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened… Please… Please forgive me. I can’t lose another friend. I-I couldn’t. I just… Please!” For the first time in five days Twilight felt bad for someone other than herself, and for the first time in five days Twilight got out of bed. “Darling, I couldn’t stay mad at you while you’re like this. Or at any time. Now please, go get a bath. You’ll be feeling better soon. I’m going to go talk to Spike. Get in the bath, and once you finish call for me. I’ll be up before you know it. And here, use these.” Rarity handed Twilight several shampoos and conditioners, along with a very expensive bar of soap that she had pulled from her saddlebags. True to her word, the white unicorn left the room, her eyes still teary from her friend’s outburst. She went downstairs and had another conversation with Spike. “Rarity? What happened?! I heard a lot more yelling than I normally do when someone goes up there.” It was then that he saw that Rarity was almost crying. “It was that bad?” “No… Not bad… just… unexpected. But no matter. Twilight should be in the bath now. If all goes well she’ll call for me in a little while.” Rarity enjoyed talking to Spike. He helped take her mind off of things. After about twenty minutes had passed, Rarity heard someone call her name. “Well, thank you for the tea and conversation, Spikey-Wikey,” she said, rubbing the scales on his head. Spike fainted. The unicorn ran up the steps and into Twilight’s room. The violet unicorn had clearly been in the bath, as she was soaked. Rarity brought over a towel wrapped in a blue aura and dried Twilight off with it. “Rarity, you were right, I feel much better after that. And I’m so sorry for snapping at you, it’s just-“ Twilight couldn’t finish her sentence, as Rarity had cut her off. “Darling, it’s quite alright. You didn’t actually think that one little snap would drive me away while you’re like this? You forget that I have dated before, and I thought that I would never get better. But look at me, Twilight! I’m fine!” As she spoke, Rarity had pulled out her brush and brushed down the unicorn’s mane. In ten short minutes Rarity had made Twilight look like herself again. “Thank you so much, Rarity.” Twilight said to her. “But… I’m still not ready to leave. And I’m still not happy. I may look like myself, but since Dash left… I haven’t felt the same…” “I understand dear. I know what it feels like and I will be back soon.” Rarity said as she left the room. “Where’s my Spikey-Wikey? Spike, give Twilight some room for the rest of the day. She needs to be alone for a little while. If anypony else comes by, please tell them to leave and that I said so. Thank you so much!” The unicorn gave Spike a quick hug and headed back to the Carousel Boutique. //-------------------------------------------------------// Breakthrough //-------------------------------------------------------// Breakthrough Chapter 3: Breakthrough Over the following weeks, Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttershy had visited Twilight many more times, each one ending with the same results. At this point, Pinkie’s mane had gone completely flat and had lost most of its color. “Pinkie, you know this is all your fault. Why do you insist on still coming?” Twilight asked during Pinkie’s last visit. “What? Twi, how is it my fault? What did I do? That day I sold you a cupcake! Did Dashie break up with you because of a cupcake? Come to think of it, you only did buy one, was Dash really that upset about not getting a cupcake? I can make her a cupcake, and then you can be happy again!” “Oh Pinkie… you’re so ignorant. Just leave me alone.” Twilight stated deadpan. And so, Pinkie left with a fake smile even though her mind was running at a thousand miles a minute. A similar, but not quite the same, conversation took place between Fluttershy and Twilight. Just this one had more yelling and Fluttershy was on the verge of tears once she left for the final time. On her way out, Fluttershy ran into Applejack. It wasn’t a very long conversation, but the strong farm pony told Fluttershy about Dash’s corrupted side of the story, and it only confused the shy pegasus more. Spike had attempted, and failed, to help Twilight. With countless hours spent on helping her and no success, he was the first to give up. Spike never seemed to understand love between two mares and couldn’t relate to the saddened unicorn. With much reluctance, Pinkie and Fluttershy soon followed the dragon’s path, and the strong farmer pony was never once spotted near the library since the whole fiasco began. But Rarity still kept trying her hardest, and she refused to give up on Twilight, even if the others did. Rarity visited every other day. She had tried to force Twilight into a bath on many of her visits, but had only succeeded a few of them. Rarity strode into the Library. This time she didn’t bother talking to Spike, as she was in a hurry. She was tired of Twilight being depressed and it needed to change. Now. Rarity walked right up the steps and into the other unicorn’s room. “Twilight Sparkle, I’m here again. How are you doing? Any better?” “No, Rarity. I’m not any better. Why would I be? Do you see Rainbow Dash anywhere around here?” “No, no I don’t. But I can tell that some of your friends have stopped by. And my guess is that you just shrugged them away. Why do you do that? Rainbow Dash is not the only pony that cares for you. You’re friends all miss you dearly, Twilight.” “Maybe. But I only care about Dash.” “Now, darling. We both know that that is not true.” “What do you know about me, Rarity?” “I know that you loved Rainbow and she went and broke your heart. Trust me, I know how a broken heart feels. I know that you do love your friends, even if you don’t think you do right now. And I also know, for sure, that you need another bath.” Rarity walked into Twilight’s bathroom and filled up the tub. She laid out certain coat, mane, and tail shampoos. Once she was satisfied with the collection the white unicorn trotted back to the depressed pony’s bedroom. “Darling, you know how I am about this. Now you go take a bath.” Twilight knew exactly how Rarity was about this. After a few moments the violet unicorn came to the conclusion that she had no other choice. She sighed and got up, but once she stood she almost fell to the floor. “All this sitting isn’t good for you.” Rarity said to her as she helped get the violet unicorn settled on her hooves. She guided Twilight into the bathroom and then left her alone. Rarity went about cleaning up Twilight’s room while the violet unicorn was bathing. She tidied up the bed, rearranged some things on a desk, cleaned up the floor, and overall made Twilight’s room look nice. After a while, Twilight came out of the bathroom wrapped in towels. She was surprised to see her room cleaned and Rarity sitting on the bed, waiting for her. Rarity patted the bed space beside her and waited for Twilight to sit down. Once she did a blue aura wrapped around the towel on her head, exposing Twilight’s mane. A brush floated over and began brushing down the violet unicorn’s mane. “Rarity?” “Yes darling?” “Thanks…” “For what?” “For everything you’ve done. I know that I’ve forced all of the others away from me. That’s exactly what I was trying to do… But you stayed. Maybe I just wanted to see if anypony would truly care if I left…” “Twilight, dear, Pinkie and Fluttershy only stopped coming out of your best interest. You wanted them to go, so they did. I just refused to leave you like this.” Twilight sighed.  “Maybe you’re right. Now I feel really bad. Worse than I did before.” “Oh darling, there’s no reason to be hard on yourself. Let’s just go and see them, then you can talk. I’m sure they’d be thrilled to hear from you!” “I don’t think I’m ready to see them, Rarity.” “I suppose that that’s fine. But you should at least go talk to Spike. I believe he’s in the kitchen.” “I guess I can…” Twilight said reluctantly. She was coming around, and for the first time in five weeks, Twilight Sparkle stepped out of her room for reasons other than using the bathroom. And it was all thanks to a very persistent white unicorn. Twilight walked down the steps and into the kitchen. Spike looked up from the book he was reading. “Oh, hi, Rarity. How’d it go with-” the dragon stopped mid sentence as he saw who was standing in the room, smiling weakly at him. It was none other than Twilight, the last pony he thought he would see. “Twilight?” the young dragon muttered. “Twilight! You- you’re out of your bed!” He ran up to the violet unicorn and gave her a hug. Rarity stood in the doorway beaming at the dragon. “Hi Spike.” Twilight said, as she wrapped one hoof around her number one assistant.  The two sat down at the table as the white unicorn stood in her same position, watching the ‘family reunion.’ After a few moments of silence, the violet unicorn broke into tears. “Spike… I’m so sorry. I treated you horribly… I know I did… But I was just so angry and-and I thought no one could help me… But I see how hard you tried, staying by my side almost every night, even going so far as to ask Princess Celestia what to do. But she’s away on royal duties, of course. Thank you, so much Spike…” “You’re welcome Twilight, and I forgive you. You have no reason to be sorry, you know. I know you were going through a rough time. You’d think the Princess would drop everything to come and talk to you. Oh well. I’m just happy that you’re happy.” “I’m not happy, Spike. Far from it. I’m just… seeing a bit clearer.” Twilight turned around, tears still slipping from her eyes. “Rarity, I know I’ve already I said this, but thank you.” She glanced at the teary-eyed dragon. “Thank you both so much.” Twilight pulled the pony and dragon into a tight hug. “You’re welcome.” Rarity and Spike said in unison. Over the five weeks that Twilight was dealing with her sadness, the violet unicorn slept only enough to keep her awake the next day. With a large yawn Twilight said, “I think I’m going to get some real sleep,” and with that she trotted up the steps and the two in the kitchen heard a closing door. “Good job Rarity.” Spike said with even more admiration than usual in his voice. “Thank you darling. You did a fair job yourself. This isn’t over yet though. I have to go talk to somepony…” With that Rarity gave Spike a quick hug and trotted out of the library. Rainbow Dash flew among the clouds, happy as could be. She hadn’t though about her ex-marefriend much since the break up. Of course, she wasn’t about to jump up and go on a date with some other pony, but she was too cool to mope over something like that. Thoughts of the Wonderbolts clouded her mind as she did daring stunts in the air. The cyan pegasus’ thoughts were interrupted when she heard an all too familiar voice call her name. “Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash, darling, please come down here! I simply have to speak to you!”  Rarity called out to the pegasus soaring in the skies. She wasn’t sure if Dash could hear her or not, but she tried anyway. Rainbow did hear the unicorn and flew down with a gust of wind, landing right in front of Rarity. The wind blew through the white unicorn’s mane, messing it up. “Oh, Rainbow Dash! Look at my mane! You could have landed a bit softer!” Rainbow chuckled. “Oh, sorry Rarity.” She watched as Rarity pushed her hair back into place with her hoof. “So what did you want to talk about?” “Twilight.” Rarity said, her face suddenly becoming more serious. “Oh. Well I don’t want to talk about that” “I don’t care if you want to or not, you must. Please, just tell me what happened, and why I haven’t seen Applejack come visit Twilight?” “Well, AJ has been with me! I told her my side of the story and she said that she didn’t want to talk to Twilight at all.” Rainbow said, her face as serious as Rarity’s was. “Really? So what, exactly, is your side of the story?” Rainbow told Rarity the same story that she had told Applejack earlier. “So basically, what you’re telling me is that Twilight stopped caring about you, and you decided that everything was terrible because of a blush? Rainbow Dash, I think you might have over reacted to this-” “No! Rarity! You’re not seeing it right! She spent all day with Pinkie Pie and came home knowing there was a fire, knowing I was on weather duty, knowing and not caring about it!” Not being restrained, the pegasus’ wings fanned out in her frustration with the unicorn standing in front of her. “Rainbow… It sounds to me like you were jealous of Pinkie Pie, and thinking that she was going to steal Twilight away from you. And you broke up with her, because she got a little blush? That hardly seems fair!” “Maybe you’re right, Rarity. But that’s the past. I’m over Twilight. We’re through.” “Darling, that poor pony has been crying her eyes out for these five weeks. She has hardly gotten any sleep, she’s bathed barely at all, and I don’t think she’s eaten at all. And you’re just flying among the clouds enjoying the day. Do you understand how much pain that pony is in right now?” “Believe me, I know. I felt the same for the first week. But I got over it. It’s lame to sit around and mope. You have to get out and get things done.” “Rainbow Dash, you’re missing the point! Twilight is one of my, and your, best friends. You really should just go and talk to her, even if you two don’t get back together. There is still a friendship that can be saved in this mess.” “I might. But not now. I have to practice for the Wonderbolts!” With that the rainbow maned pony shot off into the sky to resume her daring tricks. The white unicorn only sighed in response. At least there was hope. A/N: My third chapter is finally here! Sorry for the wait. I got busy. My original plan was the intro, 3 chapters, then an epilogue, but from what i wrote here i feel i need a 4th chapter. So there will (as of now) be 6 chapters all together. I wanted to get this posted before tomorrow since i leave for a week, so i didn't get to comb through it as much as i would have liked to. I will return on Saturday. If you see any typos, come up with small details that could be thrown in, or have any ideas for the story/plot in the future, feel free to comment. I make no guarantee that it will be used, but i will definitely consider it! Thanks for your patience and enjoying this story! You guys rock, especially my editor mevpone (http://www.fimfiction.net/user/mevpone)! //-------------------------------------------------------// Encounter //-------------------------------------------------------// Encounter Chapter 4: Encounter “Rainbow Dash! Oh, Rainbow Dash, darling, I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” Rarity called to the cyan pegasus. The white unicorn had searched all over Ponyville and finally found her at Sweet Apple Acres. “Hey Rarity! I was just getting some apples from AJ. Whatcha need?” the pegasus said as she bit into an apple. “I need to know if you’ve talked to Twilight yet.” Rarity already knew the answer, but she wanted to ask anyway. “Of course I haven’t. Why would I?” “Because, you two need to fix this problem up. Twilight has fallen apart. She needs you, Rainbow Dash. She-” “She doesn’t need me, Rarity. Twilight needs Pinkie Pie. She’s moved on from me.” Dash said, her vision shifting to the ground as her argument went on. Talking about Twilight brought up memories she would rather push away. But her thoughts shifted. Maybe I do still love her… N-no. No I don’t. Sh-she doesn’t want to be with me. I know it. “Then why was she crying for you? The poor mare barely slept, she barely ate, and she barely bathed! All because she missed you.” Rainbow Dash was about to respond when a voice spoke up, interrupting the argument. “Well, shoot, that ain’t what Dash told me at all! She told me that Twilight didn’t care for her at all.” Applejack shot Dash an angry look, turning to face her. “Now y’all weren’t lying to me, were ya?” “What? No! Of course I wasn’t lying to you! I… I didn’t think she cared…” “You didn’t think she cared? That unicorn has been bawling her eyes out for the past five weeks, and you didn’t even stop to look at her!” the white unicorn interrupted. “She turned her back on Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and I in her sadness from losing you. And you just go flying about the clouds without a care in the world.” Rarity’s voice was slightly louder than it normally was due to her frustration with the stubborn mare. Dash tore her attention away from Applejack as she stared at Rarity. “You think I don’t care?” the flustered pegasus began. She moved Rarity away from Applejack so she could talk to the unicorn in private. Her voice was at an angry whisper as she said, “The night that I went and slept in my cloud house, I barely got any sleep. I.. uh… I actually… cried… a little,” The rainbow maned pegasus cringed when she admitted to her crying. “I know it sounds… uncool… but I just… couldn’t help it.” Her facial expression and voice level suddenly changed as she said, “And you better not tell anypony that I cried!” With that Dash turned and led the unicorn back towards where Applejack stood patiently waiting. “Well… Now ah feel like ah should go and talk to Twilight.” The farmer pony said. “Ah feel terrible about leaving her all sad-like now… Ah’m sorry RD, but you just seemed perfectly happy.” Applejack trotted past the two ponies and into Ponyville on her way to see a certain unicorn. Rarity turned her attention back to Rainbow Dash. “Darling, I think it would be best if you went and talked to her sometime soon. If you haven’t talked to her by the end of the week, I’m going to tell her exactly what you just told me. Okay? Okay.” The white unicorn turned and trotted into town, leaving Dash to her thoughts in the middle of Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack strode up to the tree house door and peeked inside. Spike looked up from a book he was reshelving. “Hi Applejack! Nice to see you here. Are you looking for Twilight?” the farm pony nodded in response. “She should be in the kitchen.” “Thank ya Spike. I’ll be seein’ ya later then.” Applejack said as she walked into the kitchen. “Twilight?” she asked as she entered the room. “Applejack? Is that you? I haven’t seen you in a really long time.” Twilight stood up from her partially eaten sandwich to greet Applejack. She wasn’t smiling, but neither was she crying anymore. She just was. “Yeah… Ah’m sorry about that Twi. RD told me her side of the story before anypony told me yours. And the way she told it jus’ made me believe that you didn’t like her and all. Ah wish I coulda been more help, sugarcube. Could ya forgive me?” Twilight almost laughed. “Forgive you? I was never mad at you!” Twilight wrapped the earth pony up in a hug. “I’m just glad that you came by now. But… I’m not exactly in the mood…” Twilight’s gaze shifted to the ground as she released Applejack. “That’s alright sugarcube. If you want some space, ah’ll give it to ya. Now y’all stay outta trouble, okay?” the earth pony stated as she turned and left through the way she came. “Hey Spike, how has Twilight been doin’ lately?” “She’s been getting better everyday,” the purple dragon began. “There was a point where I worried that she wasn’t going to get better, but Rarity really helped her along. I think in another week or so she’ll be the Twilight we know and love.” Spike explained to her. “Well that’s just great! Ah’m so glad ta hear that she’s gettin’ better! Ah jus’ wish that ah coulda been here ta help her out more…” the farm pony said as she got ready to leave. “Ah guess ah’ll be back soon. Okay? Bye, Spike.” Spike waved a claw in response, “Bye!” Applejack turned and trotted out of the library and onto the streets of Ponyville. “Well that coulda gone a lot worse…” the farm pony muttered to herself. She trotted off back towards her farm. Rarity burst into the tree house at nearly a full gallop, stopping only long enough to open the door and ask Spike a question. “Spike! Where is Twilight?” “Uh… In her room, I think.” Came the surprised dragon’s response. “Thank you darling!”  Rarity raced up the stairs, pulling a brush out of her bag as she went. “Twilight, I’m here!” the white unicorn called out in warning right before opening the door. “Ah, good to see you again Twilight. Guess what we’re doing today?” Without missing a beat, Rarity continued, “Today we’re going outside. You’re going to go talk to Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. It’s been three days now, I know you can do it.” “Whoa, what? Why the hay would I want to go outside? I’m fine in here!” Twilight said in surprise to her door being flung open and Rarity striding through it with little warning. “Watch your language, young filly.” Rarity said in a semi-joking tone. “Now, it looks like you aren’t quite ready to go. Good thing I brought my brush!” Rarity began stroking Twilight’s mane into place. “I would take this time to think what you’re going to say to the two of them.” Rarity was silent for a few moments, giving Twilight the opportunity to speak. “Why are you doing this, today? Why not yesterday or tomorrow?” “Why am I doing this? Well, I was sitting at home last night, trying to go to bed when I realized that Pinkie and Fluttershy must be dying without having been able to talk to you. I remember only seeing Fluttershy twice in the past couple weeks, and I have only seen Pinkie when I went into Sugar Cube Corner. So I figured it would be best for them if you went and talked to them.” “I guess so… I was pretty harsh on them when they were last here… Sure Rarity. I’ll go outside. But you have to stay with me the whole time.” “I planned on it, darling.” Fluttershy sat in her cottage when a mouse came limping up to her. “Oh, you look hurt,” the caring pegasus stated while examining the mouse. “But… That will have to wait, if that’s okay with you. My friend is sad and alone and I’m trying to figure out how to solve it!” The mouse crossed his arms and looked at her, giving off some angry sounding squeaks. “I’m sorry but I really have to think this through. Here, take this and it might help.” Fluttershy winged over a pill to mouse. She retracted her wing as soon as the mouse took the pill from her, then sat there thinking. What if Twilight was to come outside with Rarity and I? That might work. Maybe the three of us could go to the spa. Or we could go to some restaurant? She just really needs to get out of her room… Suddenly a knock came from the door, and the yellow pegasus jumped with a squee and hid behind the couch she was previously sitting on. Muffled words worked their way through her wooden door. “Fluttershy! Oh, Fluttershy! Are you home? If you are, please open up dear. It’s me Rarity. I have someone here who said she needs to talk to you!” “Oh…” Fluttershy whispered. She walked to the door and opened it up. “So who needs to see me?” the pegasus stated while looking at the fashion designer. Her gaze shifted to the violet unicorn standing next to Rarity. Instantly her face turned to one of extreme joy. Her wings fluttered as she was slightly lifted off of the ground. “T-Twilight! Oh it’s so good to see you! Please, come in, both of you! Twilight, it’s so great to see you outside of your room! Are you feeling any better?” Twilight looked at Rarity. The other unicorn’s response was to nudge Twilight. The violet unicorn spoke up. “Hi, Fluttershy. I do feel much better than when you last visited me. I have to say that I was really mean when I spoke to you. And I’m really, really sorry about that…” “Oh no, no, no. You weren’t mean. You were just sad. I understand. You look much better now. You sound a lot better, too.” “Thank you for understanding, Fluttershy. I do feel better, but I’m not quite back to the way I was before.” Twilight walked over to Fluttershy and gave her a quick hug. “Goodbye, Fluttershy. And Rarity, I’ll be outside.” “Okay, dear. I’ll be right out.” Rarity waited until she heard the door close. “She still really misses Rainbow Dash. We need to find someway to get Rainbow to talk to her again.” “I agree with you, Rarity. But how are we going to do that? Rainbow is perfectly happy, and I don’t want anypony being not happy anymore.” “We’ll figure something out, I suppose. But right now, I have to go and take Twilight to Pinkie Pie. Wish me luck.” Rarity gave a light, almost nervous, laugh at the end. The two mares exchanged hugs before Rarity took leave. “Farewell, Fluttershy.” “Goodbye, Rarity! ” Fluttershy said with a wave of her hoof. “Oh, and good luck!” She called out as an afterthought. Pinkie Pie pulled a cake out of the oven and walked it over to the counter for decorations. Her mane was flat against her head as she went about writing silly little messages on the cake. Why did Twilight say it was my fault? What did I do? Is Twilight any better? I should go talk to her. But I don’t want her to get angry again. What should I do? Once she focused back on the icing on the cake she realized that she messed up the spelling of “Birthday.” Pinkie hadn’t thrown a party in a month, her mane had been flat since that one visit with Twilight, and her coat color was a greyish-pink. The Cakes had noticed Pinkie’s discomfort, but whenever it was brought up the pink pony would either ignore them or leave the room. She only came out of her room to work in the bakery, and she hadn’t left the bakery since her last visit with Twilight. A bell ringed at the door and Pinkie said, with no emotion in her voice, “Hello, and welcome to Sugar Cube Corner. How may I help you?” As she looked up her facial expression changed to one of delight and surprise. Rarity stood next to Twilight, who was wearing a sheepish grin. “Good afternoon, darling. Twilight wanted to come and talk to you.” Rarity said, as happy as could be. “Rarity… If you could give us a moment alone… Thanks.” Twilight said almost inaudibly as Rarity backed out of the store. “Uh… Hi, Pinkie. I just came to tell you that, um, I’m so-” the violet unicorn didn’t get the chance to finish her apology. A certain pink earth pony threw her hooves around the unicorn, nearly cutting off her air supply. The pink party pony’s mane seemed to inflate a little bit at the sight of Twilight Sparkle. “You’re here! And you aren’t in your room! Which means that you left your room, which means you’re feeling better, even if it is just a tiiiny bit better!” Pinkie said as she let go of the near-suffocated unicorn. “A little. It was mostly Rarity’s doing. Like I was saying… I’m sorry Pinkie. I know Dash breaking up with me wasn’t your fault. I just… I was so hurt and confused at the time. Looking back now I really regret yelling at you.” At these words Pinkie’s mane seemed to poof up a little bit more, and her coat had returned to its full pink. Twilight looked into Pinkie’s eyes. “Please, I hope you can forgive me?” The party pony bounced around the violet unicorn. With every bounce she seemed to return more and more to her old self. “Of course I forgive you, you silly filly. What was I mad at you about? Oh well! It doesn’t matter! All that matters is that I’m happy, you’re happy, Rarity seemed pretty happy, so it looks like we’re all happy! And that makes me even happier!” Twilight held a hoof out stopping Pinkie mid bounce. While the party pony was suspended in mid-air, Twilight said, “I wouldn’t quite say that I’m happy. I’m just… better.” At these words Pinkie dropped to the floor. “Oh… Well, I’m happy that you’re better then. See! There’s still a reason to be happy!” The violet unicorn couldn’t help but smile. “Well, Pinkie, I guess I’m going to head home now. Bye.” Twilight gave Pinkie a quick hug before passing through the doorway to meet up with Rarity. The pink party pony watched the two walk away from the sweets shop. But one thing was still on her mind. Dash still didn’t get a cupcake… Twilight didn’t say so, but maybe Dash really wanted a cupcake… Rarity and Fluttershy walked next to each other to Rainbow’s cloud home, “Now, darling, just tell her that I have something planned for the three of us. Then we’ll bring her to Twilight’s library.” Rarity said as she briefed Fluttershy. The white unicorn stayed on the ground as the pegasus began flying up to the cyan pegasus’ abode. Rarity had to urge Fluttershy up there, but eventually she got the shy pony’s agreement. Fluttershy landed on the fluffy, white landing in front of Rainbow’s door. She raised her hoof and knocked. “Who is it?” a muffled voice asked through the cloud door. “Uh… Fluttershy,” The yellow pegasus mumbled quietly. “Who? Oh, I know who. Hi Fluttershy!” Dash exclaimed as she opened the door. “Did you wanna come in?” “Um… No…” Fluttershy said from behind her pink mane. “I actually um… Wanted you t-to come down to the ground. I brought Rarity along. She said she uh… Had s-something planned for the, uh, the three of us.” “It’s not a spa trip is it?” the cyan pegasus questioned, suddenly looking worried. “N-no of course not! Rarity knows better than that! She wouldn’t tell me what it was though…” Fluttershy managed to pull off the lie. “Uh… Sure I guess I can come with.” Rainbow stepped out of her house and followed Fluttershy down to where Rarity was waiting. “Good morning, Rainbow Dash!” Rarity said as the pegasi landed. “Uh, isn’t it afternoon, Rarity?” Dash said as she glanced up into the sky, checking the Sun’s position. “Well, good afternoon! So what are we going to do?” “You’ll see soon enough, dear. I have to go and make sure everything is ready. Fluttershy will take you where you need to go. Isn’t that right, Fluttershy?” “Oh, um, yes. It is.” Fluttershy said. Rarity galloped ahead once she was satisfied the yellow pegasus knew what to do. “So, Flutters, are you sure you don’t know what we’re doing?” the cyan pegasus asked, her wings fluttering from anticipation. “I’m absolutely sure, Rainbow. She didn’t tell me anything about it, except where to go. And she made me Pinkie Promise not to tell anypony, since it’s a big surprise.” “A Pinkie Promise? Oh. Then I’ll stop asking questions.” Rainbow stayed quiet and followed Fluttershy’s lead for the duration of the trip. Rarity ran into the tree house yet again. “Spike, come here, please!” the pony’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Fluttershy and I got Rainbow Dash on her way here now. I need you to help me make Twilight presentable, and then I need you to stay out of the library until after the two are done, or I say otherwise okay?” “Wait, what? Rainb-” “Shhh!” Rarity cried, putting a hoof over his mouth. “Yes, Rainbow is coming and I need your full cooperation on this! Thank you so much darling!” Rarity pulled Spike into a quick hug. “Now, please go get Twilight. Tell I’m here for her.” Rarity pulled out her brush again, along with some fur, mane, and tail cleaners that didn’t require a full bath. As soon as Twilight came down next to Spike, Rarity ran up and pushed the other unicorn into a chair she had set up. “Spike, please start brushing down her mane, thank you!” the white unicorn called out. She started using the products she had brought with her. “Okay, now Twilight, Rainbow Dash is coming. You need to keep your mind together for this. This conversation may be the most important one you’ve ever had. Okay?” Twilight’s face instantly lit up. “What? Dashie is coming? Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! I don’t know what I would say to her! She’s going to hate me forever! What if she flat out refuses to talk to me? What if we just stand there staring at each other, and then she just leaves? ” Rarity put a hoof to Twilight’s mouth. “Shhh. It’s okay. Trust me, it’s going to go a lot better than you think it will. Just keep as calm as you can. She’s not going to be used to having you around and talking to you. It will start off awkward. But just talk to her. Things will get better from there, darling. I’ve gotten you this far, haven’t I?” “I guess you have…” the violet unicorn agreed, her tone and body relaxing slightly. Spike finished her mane and tail, and Rarity soon finished cleaning the unicorn up. “Okay, dear. You’re done. Just act natural when she gets here. You’ve done this for three years. You can do it one more time.” Rarity packed everything up and stored it away. “Okay Spike, time for you to go.” Spike gave Twilight one last hug and whispered some words into her ear before leaving. “You’re going to be fine. Just stay calm.” Rarity gave the nervous unicorn one last hug before leaving her alone in the library. “Okay, you can open your eyes now.” Fluttershy said. Rainbow opened her eyes and gasped, taking a step back. “The library?! Why are we here? This is where she lives, and I don’t want to talk to her!” “Who? Twilight? Oh, no, Rarity made sure she was out. She told me this was the only building big enough.” Fluttershy gave a small nod with a sheepish grin, hoping the pegasus would buy her story. “Are you sure?” “Positive.” “Okay… if you’re sure Flutters… I guess I will believe you.” She pushed open the door which led to a poorly lit room. As soon as her eyes adjusted to the difference in light she wildly looked around the room. Her eyes locked onto a pile of lavender fur sitting in a chair. “What?!” the cyan pegasus exclaimed. She turned around to run out the door, but Fluttershy shut it closed and held it tight. “You tricked me!” “You need this!” Fluttershy responded. “But I um… hope you’re okay with it…” Rainbow Dash turned around to face Twilight who sat only ten hoof steps away. Twilight shifted her position as her eyes darted between Dash, doors, and bookshelves. She kept her voice steady and as confidant as she could. “Hi, Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said. A/N: So.... The fourth chapter is finally out... Sorry for the wait i got really busy really fast. I'm not sure when the time will come for me to be able to finish this story. I do plan to finish it eventually, though. This chapter only underwent one basic edit between myself and my friend, so let me know anything that you feel could be improved and i'll fix it (within reason, of course). I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and i thank anyone who still is reading this. I apologize greatly for the huge delay in chapter posting, and i fear that there will be another long pause. If i don't get any other chances it will be out by Thanksgiving at the absolute latest. If it isn't then I'll shun myself. Keep Calm and Brony On, everypony! ~Wyvern1998 //-------------------------------------------------------// Intro //-------------------------------------------------------// Intro Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash have been living happily together for 3 years. They kept it secret for some time, but eventually told their friends. Rarity and Fluttershy seemed uncomfortable with the idea of two mares dating each other at first, but they soon became used to the idea. Everypony was happy for the two. Spike was especially happy because Twilight now had another pony to help out around the library, making his workload smaller and nap time longer. Of course, Twilight still spent plenty of time with the baby dragon. Nopony in Ponyville thought differently of the two for falling in love. Their relationship was what some may call ‘harmonious.’ Was. That was before that one stupid mistake made by a unicorn whom would soon come to regret every word she ever spoke.