My Very Little Dashie

Ponyville was usually a peaceful place.

But today it appeared a lot quiter than usual, something that would prove useful in the search of a pegasus. Finding an earth pony or a unicorn would be a piece of cake on a day like this but when looking for a pegasus the sky is the limit. Quite literally.

"I don't even know where to start looking." Twilight groaned. She looked around desperate for a sign of Rainbow's whereabouts.

"HEY TWILIGHT! WHATCHA DOIN'?!"

"Pinkie! Holy Celestia you scared me..."

"Oh, whoopsie! So err... whatcha doin'?" Pinkie whispered this time. Twilight smiled at the pink earth pony's antics.

"I'm looking for Rainbow Dash. Have you seen her?"

"Are you playing hide and seek? 'Cause you know I can't tell you, Twilight. That's cheating! CHEATER CHEATER PUMPKIN EATER!" she began to chant hopping in cirlces around Twilight until she stopped her.

"Pinkie! We're not playing hide and seek. I'm just looking for her."

"Why?"

"I can't tell you right now, Pinkie."

"Well, it'd be a lot easier for people who skipped the first chapter." Twilight stared at her confused.

"...What?"

"I guess they can go back and read it."

"Pinkie... I really need to know where Rainbow is. Have you seen her?"

"Yep. She's there." Pinkie pointed past Twilight at the blue pegasus. She was standing a few yards away buying food from a stall.

"How long has she been there?"

"Since I asked if you were playing hide and seek."

"And you didn't say anything? You knew I was..." Pinkie watched Twilight with that constant smile on her face. All she could do was sigh. "Thanks, Pinkie."

Twilight trotted over to the stall.

"Rainbow, can we talk?" her heart began to thud so hard it hurt her chest. This is it. This is the moment of truth. Whatever happens in the next five minutes will determine Twilight's, and maybe even Rainbow's, lovelife.

"Can it wait? I'm kinda about to give a speech at Scootaloo's fanclub. That chick sure digs me, huh? But can you blame her? Heh."

"I guess that would be silly. You are pretty amazing. But this is really important. And it won't take long."

"Well, alright. For a friend."

For a friend. A friend. Twilight and Rainbow are friends. Is it worth the risk? Is the odd possibility that a serious relationship may take place worth risking a certain everlasting friendship? This could change everything. Even if Rainbow felt the same and a few months down the line things didn't work out, they could never go back to how they are now. There will always be that tension, whether the feelings are shared or not.

No.

Twilight has come too far to stop now. She won't let some last minute jitters prevent the oppurtunity of a life time; a chance at romance. Twilight had led Rainbow into her library where they both sat down. Twilight had to take a deep breath a collect her thoughts before saying what she was about to say.

"Rainbow... You and I are really good friends. We have done so much together. Memories like the ones you and I have never perish in one's mind. Together we've stopped Equestria from being condemned to an eternity of darkness. We've prevented an evil invasion of changelings. You saved my life when I fell off that cliff... When we first met I thought you were just a lazy, full of herself, showoff." Dash listened to every word coming out of her friends mouth, even if she didn't understand some of them.

"And I was right." Twilight laughed. "But those are traits I have learned to associate with you and even enjoy being around them. And I mean really enjoy."

"Well, Twilight, that was quite a mouthful. And I like being around you too. If that's what you meant by all that." Rainbow got up to leave but Twilight placed her hoof on the pegasus' wing.

"I'm not quite finished yet." she slowly removed her hoof, embracing the feel of the silky feathers. "What I'm trying to say, Dash is... I..." Twilight's mouth began to dry out. "I think I... No, I KNOW I..." she looked down at the floor. "I L-Love... You." she looked back up.

"You... wha?"

"I love you..." Twilight took a breath, she suddenly felt a lot better having just said it. "I love you. I love you, Rainbow Dash!" she beamed moving closer the expressionless pegasus.

"Errr... Twilight." Dash said, putting her hooves on Twilight's shoulders. "You're great. Like, awesome. And you're right. We have had good times together. But I don't want a relationship with you. We're buddies! Best pals, right?"

Twilight sank back into her seat, her ears drooped lower than before at Rarity's.

"But... You're perfect for me." she looked up at Rainbow biting back tears.

Rainbow stroked Twilight's mane. "Hey. Maybe we can hang out tomorrow, huh? You and me. As pals. Chin up, Twi. We'll talk soon." she slowly left library feeling terrible for what she had done. Rainbow's hoofsteps on the wood flooring making dents in Twilight's heart.

"Goodbye, Dashie. I love you." Twilight whispered. A tear rolling down her cheek.

Three hours later, Spike walked in. Twilight hadn't moved. Sitting at the table was a purple lump sobbing to herself. Spike rushed over.

"Twilight..?" he put his hand on Twilight's back. "What's wrong?"

"It's Rainbow... She..." Twilight went back into a state of hysteria.

"Rainbow? What did she do?" Spike stepped away.

"It hurts, Spike..."

"Did she attack you!?"

"No! My... It hurts..." she once again went into a fit of sniffing and crying. "Rarity. I need... Rarity." She managed to get out through her quick breaths. Spike ran straight to Carousel Boutique to retrieve her.

It didn't take long for the two to arrive and Rarity immediately sat with Twilight, shooshing her and stroking her mane like a mother would.

"Twilight... It's okay... Shh. Spike said Rainbow did this. I assume you told her."

"Told her what?" Spike asked from the sidelines.

"Why not fetch us some tea, Spike?"

"Rarity... You were wrong. She didn't love me back. Why did you lie..?"

"Now, I didn't say she would love you back. I said she would be grateful for your honesty. And was she?"

"What?!" Spike said going into a stupor.

"It hurts, Rarity."

"I know, dear." Rarity continued to stroke her mane and hold her close.

"You know those books I let you borrow about th-the two ponies who f-fall in love and one ends up heartbroken?"

"I remember the ones."

"Well, I always thought it was an exaggeration... B-But it's n-not. It really does hurt. It f-feels like a part of me is missing." she buried her head into Rarity's chest and began to cry even harder.

"I think the best thing to do is go to bed and see how you feel in the morning. Would you like me to stay here?"

"Y-yes, please."

"Alright. Spike, escort Twilight to her bedroom. I'll make the tea."