Author's Note
A letter from me to one of my favourite ponies.
Letter to Her and She
''Is this really true?'' Rainbow Dash asked as she sniffled. ''You really feel this way?''
Yes, Dash. I do.
''You mean it?''
Of course. If anypony is deserving of such words and praise, it's you, Dashie. Not only that, but you should see how adorable you are when you blush. It makes me want to pinch your cheeks.
''S-Stop it! I'm not adorable! You're just teasing me!'' She said, curling herself up behind her rainbow tail to hide her embarrassment.
Teasing is what I do. Making those who are unappreciated happy is what I do. So, why are you unhappy, Dash?
She tensed. ''I-I'm happy!'' She insisted, pushing herself off of her bed and doing a small somersault in the air with a swift beat of her wings before she landed down gracefully, smiling. ''See? I'm as free as a bird!''
You keep saying that.
''I will.''
Then do it.
''I will!''
Okay, then.
''Fine.''
Fine.
''Fine!''
Her chest puffs out and she glares to the sky, as if searching.
''Where are you, anyhow? If this is another prank, I---''
You'll what?
''Well, I...I don't know!''
Well, that's a start. The prankster feels like she's being pranked, yet she doesn't know what trick has been unfolded. Remember? Nightmare Night? When you were tricked by everypony in town into thinking they were turned into some breed of cookie-craving, mindless and rainbow-tainted zombies?
''Okay! I get it!'' She shouted before falling backwards onto the bed, spreading her limbs out as she gave a tired sigh. ''I guess I went a little overboard.''
Hey, what is it you always say? You win some, you lose some? Look on the bright side, Dashie, you didn't lose. If anything, you won that round.
Her ear twitched.
You proved that you could take responsibility for your actions. If that's not lesson enough, then I don't know what is. Rainbow Dash, you did yourself proud, so don't go denying it to yourself.
''Huh. I suppose that makes sense.'' She sat up and swivelled her hooves to hang over the side of the bed. ''So, why do I feel bad?''
Because you thought you accidentally killed your friends by turning them into a horde of-
''Alright! Jeez! Enough of that!'' She threw her hooves up in the air before she faltered and allowed them to drop back down. ''So...why don't I feel happy?''
Beg pardon?
''I know it was almost a year ago, but I still feel bad.''
Hey, Rainbow?
''Yeah?''
Why do you never act like this with your friends?
Her features froze. ''I, well, I,'' She coughed into her hoof. ''Because I...I don't know!''
Oh? I think you do know, Dashie. I think you know the answer very well. You just don't want to be honest with yourself. Take a breath and look back over the years. See what you've been through. Your journey in life. Come on, think about it.
''I...''
Think, Rainbow Dash. Trace your steps back from fillyhood and your teenage years. You know the answer lies somewhere beneath that thick skin of yours. Only you can find it.
''Are you calling me fat?!'' She shrieked, pulling her hooves to herself as her face heated up.
What? No, of course not! I actually think you look pretty hot right now.
She stammered, clearly unprepared for that response. She tensed up, her face glowing like a pink lightbulb at the comment.
Shall we just ignore this part?
''I...Yeah, let's.''
Right. Now, where were we? Oh, right! Now, come on, Rainbow: you must know the answer.
''I think that I, um, did I forget to feed Tank again? Uh, I'll be right back!''
No, you fed him. I can tell - he's got a whole cabbage in his cage. Come on, Rainbow, quit stalling! I know you're not transparent or lacking knowledge. So tell me, what's the whole deal with the way you act?
She flopped onto the bed and curled up into a ball, wrapping her tail around herself in the same, adorable and cute manner as before.
''It's because I...I always feel like I'm the worst type of pony so I do my best to be the best!'' A tear escaped her eye and she made no attempt to hide it or rub it away. ''I always feel like I'm nothing more than a pony that wants attention and adoration. Well, I'm not!''
Just who are you, Rainbow Dash? It's alright, you can share your feelings. I too know the feeling.
''You...you do?''
Indeed. I always try my best because I want to be a somebody. I do what I can do be successful and respected, but others see my attitude as overbearing and snobby. In the end, I'm always showered with their spite and they fail to see the real me.
So, you see, Dash, I do understand what you feel like. I'll tell you another thing: You're not alone.
''But I can't see you! How else can I know I'm not alone?''
You have friends that will listen to you, Dashie. Take it from me. You can't see me, but I know you can hear me. In my book, that makes me count as an ear to your troubles. Afterall, what's loyalty when you don't give some of it back?
''You're sweet, I'll give you that much.'' Her lips were graced by a small, warm smile. ''Anyway, howcome you wrote me that note? Not that I'm ungrateful or anything.''
Well, Rainbow Dash, I figured that I'd finally speak up instead of lingering in the shadows. I saw your worth and troubles, so I decided to lend a hand. Besides, you've taught me quite a lot of stuff over the years I've spent with you. You may not have been able to see me, but I was always with you.
''Heh. I am pretty awesome.''
Ah, see? There's the spirit of the mare I adore. Just remember something for me, Dash.
''What's that?''
You're never alone in this world.
I love you, Dashie.
