Fallen Angel

by Kodeake

Rating: teen
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, Main 6, Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Romance
Length: 14823

Rainbow Dash knows she's not the best when it comes to feelings, but when she accidentally hurts one of her friends, she makes a promise to make it up to her. She never could have guessed how that one promise would change her life.

On a late-night flight around Ponyville, Rainbow Dash inadvertently stumbles across a friend in the middle of a crisis. Handling it with all the grace and poise she's known for, Rainbow immediately sticks her hoof in her mouth. Now she's promised to help Twilight Sparkle with her problem, no matter what. Rainbow Dash doesn't leave her friends hanging, after all. Even if the subject matter is outside her comfort zone.

Neither of them could have guessed the ways that one promise would change their lives for the better.

Set after seasons 2/before season 3. Rated teen just to be safe for some mentions of sex down the line.

Published 2019-06-12 16:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2021-02-21 08:04:18 UTC

Chapter One; A Light on a Hill

Fallen Angel

Chapter One; A Light on a Hill

Rainbow Dash groaned, her head falling and hitting her desk with a soft thud. Furniture made of clouds didn’t exactly help when one wanted a loud noise to emphasise their misery. Not that the mare needed any emphasis; she was plenty miserable on her own, thank you very much.

“Stupid weather,” she grumbled to nopony in particular, glaring at her paperwork as though to let it know of her displeasure. She never should have taken that promotion to Regional Weather Manager. As nice as the pay raise was and as good as a management position would look on her eventual application to the Wonderbolts, Rainbow doubted highly it was worth all this paperwork.

For once in her life she missed busting clouds. The freedom to just fly around at her own pace. The exhilaration of challenging herself to do it just a little bit faster than last time. The thrill of beating her best times. Flying was the best part of her old job.

The thought struck her, and her wings twitched eagerly in agreement. Well, it wasn’t like she was getting any work done anyway. May as well go for a fly around town. The work wasn’t due until the meeting tomorrow morning, and it was… Well, judging by the moon rising into the sky, it was late. Far too late. She looked back to the dozens of scattered papers in front of her.

Rainbow Dash was out of the house in a flash, soaring through the nighttime skies with only a few niggling thoughts warning her not to be out too late. Not that she really cared; as long as she was at the stupid meeting she could spend the rest of her day napping. It was early summer in Ponyville, which meant not a heck of a lot for a weather pony to do, and this weather pony took full advantage of it. Celestia knows she put in her fair share of work during the busy seasons.

She’d never hear the end of it from Applejack if the spring or fall showers were delayed, after all. Although, she did set the weather schedules now, and her guidelines from the higher ups were usually pretty vague. Rainbow snickered at the thought of alternating Applejack’s fields between pouring rain one day and a scorching heat the next. The trees would be fine… probably. They’d toughed it out through worse. Cotton candy clouds and chocolate rain came to mind.

Not that she would, Rainbow admitted to herself with a sigh. Still, the thought was nice.

The mare was broken from her mischievous planning by the realization she was rapidly leaving Ponyville, the sleepy little town now behind her rather than beneath her. Cursing her amazing imagination, Rainbow started banking back around towards home, her brow already knitting as she thought about the work ahead of her. She was stopped, however, by a flickering light in the hills below her. Curious, she slowed to a hover, squinting her eyes to see in the darkness. Was that… a pony? Who would be outside Ponyville so late? With a big... tube… thing…

Twilight. With her nerdy telescope and her equally nerdy astrology books. Or whatever they were. She shouldn’t have been surprised; Twilight could be found stargazing outside Ponyville on most clear, warm nights.

Just as Rainbow was about to shrug it off, another idea crept to mind thanks once again to her devious imagination. It might not have been Nightmare Night, but everypony needed a little scare now and then, and Twilight was long overdue for a prank or two. She swooped down low to the ground, keeping her wings slow and quiet and ensuring she approached from behind the unicorn.

Twilight remained oblivious of course, too engrossed in her nerd things to notice the amazing prank about to be pulled on her. Honestly, Rainbow Dash wondered why she bothered when nopony was around to appreciate her brilliance. Well, at least she’d get a laugh out of it.

Landing a few steps behind Twilight, hooves rustling quietly in the grass, Rainbow slowly crept forward. The lavender mare’s ear twitched, and for a moment Rainbow feared the jig was up, freezing and holding her breath. Seconds ticked by, Twilight’s ear twitched again, then… nothing. She breathed a sigh of relief, taking another step and nearly jumping out of her skin when Twilight shouted in frustration.

“Augh! This is useless!”

Rainbow Dash was not scared by the sudden outburst. No sir. Not even the least bit startled. She was just holding a hoof over her heart so Twilight wouldn’t hear the totally normal and relaxed beating. Still, she was curious now; the bookworm wasn’t even worming in one of her books. Or looking through her telescope, for that matter. It still had a lense cap on it! Instead, Twilight seemed totally focused on something floating in front of her, the sounds of a quill scribbling filling the air.

Quiet as she could, Rainbow snuck forward until she was just a step behind the unicorn, craning her neck over Twilight’s shoulder and spying a small book with a purple backing. The writing in it was all in Twilight’s ever-elegant horn writing, and before she even realised what she was doing Rainbow started reading.

Dear Diary, the page started, and Rainbow Dash grinned. She’d struck the motherload!

I tried to ask her out again today, but I lost my nerve and just ended up sitting down and having tea with her! I know I’ve never been the best when it comes to other ponies, but this is getting ridiculous. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about her that just completely stops me from thinking logically. I’ll have to pick up some more books on the matter - I’ve already exhausted the library’s supply. Maybe I can find something that will help me ask Rarity on a date.

“You’re gonna ask Rarity on a date!?”

Twilight shrieked, the journal falling from her hooves as she jumped so high in the air that if Rainbow didn’t know any better she’d have sworn she had wings. However, as the unicorn remained a unicorn, and what goes up must come down, a screaming lavender pony quickly fell from the sky into the awesome hooves of an equally awesome mare.

“Hey there little lady,” Rainbow said, throwing on her best cow-pony accent from every cheesy western as she held Twilight bridal style. “It’s dangerous for a mare to be out alone in these parts.”

Twilight, after catching her breath and calming her racing heart, shot the cheeky mare a glare that felt like an icy northern wind. “Rainbow Dash!” She shouted, lighting her horn and teleporting out of the offending pony’s hooves. “Just what do you think you’re doing?”

“Scaring hopeless romantics,” Rainbow responded with a smirk.

Cheeks igniting a deep red, Twilight coughed into her hoof, turning away in a vain attempt to hide her blush. “You shouldn’t read another pony’s diary without permission.”

Rainbow shrugged. “Shouldn’t leave stuff like that out in the open.”

“I thought I was alone!”

“So, Rarity huh?”

Twilight’s indignant tirade ended before it could begin. “I-I wasn’t… it wasn’t… It’s none of your business!” She stuttered, crossing her hooves and turning her back on the pegasus. Rainbow sniggered to herself, hovering in the air and circling around in an attempt to get Twilight to look at her. She rolled her eyes when the unicorn just kept turning away.

“C’mon Twi,” Rainbow urged, landing in the grass next to her. “I’m just messing with you. It was funny.” Well, at least she thought it was funny.

A “Hmph,” was all she got in response.

Rainbow’s eyes narrowed. So that’s how she was going to play it, then? Fine. Rainbow could play her game, too.

“Dear Diary, today I-” Rainbow was cut off by a shriek as Twilight opened her eyes and snatched her diary out of the pegasus’s hooves, this time teleporting it out of sight.

“Rainbow Dash!”

Again, Rainbow shrugged. “You wouldn’t talk to me. What else was I supposed to do?”

Twilight’s glare didn’t relent. “Leave?”

“Don’t say that,” Rainbow gasped, holding her hoof over her heart as though she’d been wounded by the pointed words. “I’m just trying to help a friend out. Isn’t that what friends are supposed to do?”

“I don’t want your ‘help’.” Twilight made a show of making air quotes.

Sighing, Rainbow shook her head, mostly to herself. “Eh, have it your way; I’m not exactly one for the mushy romance junk anyway. It just seemed like you needed a hoof, you know? If you’re good though, I’ll get out of your mane. Good luck with Rarity.” With that she jumped into the air with a flap of her wings, leaving the unicorn to her thoughts in the flickering light of a lone lantern.

“Rainbow, wait!” Twilight called suddenly, halting the mare’s retreat. Rainbow heard the call, and she could feel a familiar, smug grin of victory stretching her lips.

“Yes, Twilight?” She asked, as sickly-sweet as her toothy smile. She could see the war waged on Twilight’s face, no doubt regretting the sudden change of heart. How could she not jump at this golden opportunity?

“This is a bad idea…” Twilight muttered to herself, and it was a testament to Rainbow Dash’s restraint she didn’t make a quip about dating an over-dramatic prude being the bad idea.

Twilight bit her lip anxiously, and Rainbow wondered if she had time to get another jab in.

“I need your help.”

That mischievous gleam in Rainbow’s eyes sparkled like the stars in the sky. “Alright,” she said, “So like, did you just want to practice kissing or did you want the full experience?” An eyebrow wiggle was added for emphasis.

“Augh! I can’t believe you!”

Rainbow fell over on the ground, laughing. “Y-your face! You should see your face!”

“I knew it was stupid to ask you,” Twilight muttered, turning away and quickly shoving her unopened books into her saddlebags. “What would you know about it anyway?”

“Aw relax, Twi,” Rainbow giggled, still clutching her chest on the grass. “It was-” The pegasus’s words were cut short by a flash and a pop, and she opened her eyes to realize she was alone in the field. “Just a joke…” she trailed off, sitting upright.

Rainbow Dash stood up, looking around. Even the telescope and lantern had been teleported away. She stayed there for a moment, feeling the lingering tingle of magic in her wings, and sighed. Okay, maybe she had gone a little too far, but how could she resist such perfect openings? Twilight was practically begging to be messed with! Besides, the egghead had a good sense of humour; she’d be mad for a little while before coming around, surely. And it wasn’t like she really needed help with Rarity.

Twilight was many things, but a coward was not one of them. In fact, Rainbow wouldn’t have to stretch to say the bookworm was one of the bravest mares she knew. It wouldn’t be long before she realised she was being silly and just ask Rarity out. Not like she had anything to lose. Well… their friendship, in the worst case scenario, Rainbow supposed. But it’s not like that would ever actually happen.

No, it was exactly like that would happen. At least, in Twilight’s mind it was. Because the worst case scenario was always what she focused on.

Rainbow slapped a hoof to her face. Of course Twilight was worried about what might happen. Of course Twilight was nervous about everything going wrong. She was Twilight! And Rainbow had just gone and made her feel even more insecure about the whole situation that was no doubt already giving the worry-wart a heart attack.

“Horseapples,” Rainbow cursed, unable to linger on her regrets as she took to the sky, already beligning for the library. On her way, however, she caught sight of the clocktower and cringed. If she didn’t get home soon, she’d never finish those stupid weather reports in time for the meeting.

Trading looks between the clock and the tree in the middle of town, Rainbow frowned. “Tomorrow,” she promised herself, turning around and heading for home. “I’ll apologize to her tomorrow.”

For the second time in as many days Rainbow Dash found herself flying aimlessly over Ponyville in the dead of night. This time, however, she knew exactly where she was going… or at least she did, until a certain lavender unicorn had the nerve to not be at the library when she was needed. Or maybe she was just avoiding Rainbow and had Spike lie to cover for her. Honestly, Dash wouldn’t have blamed her after the last time they’d spoken.

She really had intended to apologise the first chance she got, but after finishing her dumb weather work she’d managed about four hours of sleep before being rudely awakened by an alarm clock that was… well, it wasn’t ringing anymore. Or ever again. The result of which was a dead-tired pegasus that had barely managed the flight to the nearest fluffy cloud after the weather meeting. A quick nap, she’d thought, then she’d go see Twilight.

Well, here she was; her ‘nap’ had just ended, and now she was going to see Twilight. Rainbow Dash kept her promises, after all.

If only the bookworm would be somewhere easy to find.

Rainbow sighed, banking around and readying to do another loop of the outskirts of Ponyville, hoping to spot the telltale flicker of a lantern. Of course Twilight had to go stargazing tonight of all nights. Right when Rainbow really needed to apologise. It’s like the unicorn didn’t even want the chance to forgive her!

Just as she was about to head back to the library and just wait Twilight out, she caught sight of what she was looking for out of the corner of her eye; a little orange light on a hill. Perfect. Without showing much respect for local aviation regulations Rainbow turned and bolted for the light, a little lavender speck coming more and more into focus until it was a fairly pony-sized unicorn. This time without her telescope and books. She’d given up the illusion of studying, it seemed.

This whole Rarity thing must have really been getting to her.

Not really wishing to scare her again and start off a totally awesome apology on the wrong hoof, Rainbow made sure to flap her wings louder than strictly necessary before landing a few paces behind Twilight. The mare’s ears perked, and she turned, her face instantly growing sour.

“Rainbow Dash,” Twilight greeted, her tone bringing a chill to the air.

Rainbow shifted uncomfortably under the look, wishing for Twilight to just accept the apology already. When she didn’t, the pegasus had no choice but to pony up and be the bigger mare. “Hey, Twi,” she started awkwardly. “Listen, I uh…” trailing off, Rainbow scratched at the back of her neck, looking anywhere but back at the unicorn staring her down.

Twilight sighed and shook her head before turning her attention away and back to the stars. “Go ahead; make your jokes. I can tell you’re just dying to get some off your chest. I already know you don’t have the first clue when it comes to romance.”

“I’m sorry,” Rainbow said, struggling to keep the indignant growl out of her voice. She swallowed her knee-jerk reaction to Twilight’s jab, knowing that she probably deserved it.

Her words seemed to perk Twilight’s interest as the unicorn looked at her again, surprised. “What?”

“Yeah I… look, you know I don’t really do the… feel-ey stuff but…” Rainbow grunted, searching for the words she couldn’t find, and probably didn’t even know. “I should have noticed that this thing was really bugging you, so… I’m sorry I made fun of you and-” a pause for a deep breath and a sigh “-if you still want it, I’ll help you with whatever you need to sweep that prissy unicorn off her hooves.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow skeptically. “Really?”

“This thing’s eating at you, right?” Rainbow asked, pausing as Twilight nodded hesitantly. “Then I’m here to help, because you’re my friend, and I don’t leave my friends hanging.” She looked sheepish at her own admission, looking away uncomfortably.

For a long moment Twilight didn’t answer, and Rainbow found herself unable to look away from the grass beneath her hooves. Was it not enough? Sure, she might have been pretty insensitive last time, but she’d apologised and everything! Surely Twilight wasn’t still mad at her, right?

Finally, ages after the silence had gone from uncomfortable to downright awkward, Twilight answered; “I… think I’d like that,” she said slowly.

When she didn’t continue, Rainbow forced herself to fill the void. “Like I said; I’m not exactly into the mushy junk but I have dated before, you know?”

“What, did you take a mirror out to dinner?” Twilight asked with the barest hint of a smile. It was miles better than the apprehensive frown she’d had. Rainbow chuckled at the jab, and instantly felt the air get lighter.

“Yeah yeah, I deserve it. Come on; hit me with your best one.”

Twilight took the invitation with a grin. “Practice making out on your trophies? Oh-oh! Did you tape Spitfire's face to one of Rarity’s mannequins?

“Oof, that one hurt, Twi.” She held a mocking hoof to her stomach, her tone light with laughter. “I think you owe me for that.”

“Oh really?”

Rainbow nodded, unable to keep the devious grin off her muzzle. “Yeah, really. For starters, you’re gonna tell me about this whole Rarity thing and why you’re having trouble asking her out.”

The smile melted from Twilight’s face. “That’s playing dirty.”

“I can’t help you if you won’t tell me anything,” Rainbow said, fluffing her wings once before sitting next to the unicorn and looking over at her. “Let’s hear it; I promise I won’t laugh at you or judge you or anything.”

Twilight sighed, though still couldn’t resist the temptation as the corner of her lip turned up. “Like last night?”

“Aw c’mon, I already said I was sorry for that!” Rainbow protested, poking Twilight’s shoulder.

“I know…” she trailed off, taking a deep breath. “It’s just… I don’t know. I know I have a crush on her, and have had one for a couple months now. I know what I have to do, but everytime I try I just… clam up. Rarity’s noticed something’s off by now with how often I’ve been ‘accidentally’ running into her, trying to find the right moment, but… it just never is.”

Despite this being wholly outside of her comfort zone, Rainbow forced herself to keep her own uncertainty out of her voice. “Well… there’s never really going to be a ‘right time’,” she started slowly, piecing words together on the fly and hoping something made sense. “I think you just kinda have to… y’know; go for it and see what happens.”

Twilight scoffed. “Yeah right. That might work out fine for you, Rainbow Dash, but I prefer to plan things out ahead of time. One wrong move and our friendship could be irreparably damaged.”

“Do you honestly believe Rarity would let that happen?”

Opening her mouth to retort, Twilight stopped, and frowned. “I… maybe?”

“Twi…” Rainbow groaned, rubbing the bridge of her muzzle. Smart as Twilight was, she could be dumb as a sack of her nerdy books when it came to other ponies. “You gotta know that’s not gonna happen.”

“But what if it does? How can you know for sure?”

Rainbow shook her head slowly. “Because I’m not-...” she stopped herself before the word ‘stupid’ could leave her mouth. As much as it was obvious to her, it was anything but to Twilight, and the unicorn probably wasn’t thinking logically right now, either. She had to find a way to get through Twilight’s fears and make her understand that the simple act of asking her friend out wouldn’t ruin their friendship. Her eyes widened, and she smiled. “Hey, Twilight?”

Twilight had resorted to chewing her lip nervously in the silence, no doubt spiraling into successively worse worst-case scenarios. The unicorn looked up. “What?”

Grinning, Rainbow leaned a little closer. “Wanna go on a date?”

“W-what!?” Twilight jumped away, jaw hanging open.

Rainbow just shrugged casually. “I mean, why not? I figure we’re pretty good friends- why not try dating?”

“I-I-... I just told you I… No!” Twilight shook her head from side to side rapidly. “I... no! Why would you even ask?”

“Alright,” Rainbow said. She turned away, looking out over the grassy green hills. One… two… three... a sly smile spread lips as she heard the rapid, panicked breaths next to her gradually slowing. When enough time had passed, she looked back to the unicorn. “So, are we still friends?”

Twilight’s ears perked at the words, and her words came out rushed in a frenzies assurance. “Of course we are! Why wouldn’t-... oh…” her eyes narrowed. “That was-”

“Dirty?” Rainbow offered. She chuckled when Twilight’s glare intensified. “Maybe, but look; I asked you out, and even though you said no, we’re still friends, right?”

Twilight fell to her haunches, no doubt trying to find a way to refute the obvious proof paid before her. Well, obvious to anypony not… Twilight. “It can’t really be that simple… can it?”

“Dunno,” Rainbow said simply, as lame as the answer was. She scratched the back of her head. “Look, I gotta be honest here; I have no idea how this thing with Rarity is gonna go. But I can absolutely promise you that no matter what, you’ll always be friends.”

Despite mentally rolling her eyes at the admission,faintest smile tugging at the corners of Twilight’s lips. “Because we’re still friends after you asked me out just now?”

“Because I know Rarity.” Rainbow stood and stepped up next to the other mare, their eyes meeting. “And I know you. Neither of you would let your friendship go over something like this.”

Twilight’s smile finally showed. “I… you’re right.”

“Always am.”

“Oh whatever, featherbrain.” Twilight elbowed the pegasus, breaking eye contact as they shared a laugh. When their giggling quieted, and the grassy hill was silent once more, Rainbow sighed. A crisis had been averted, thanks in no small part to her quick thinking and, she liked to think, stunning good looks. Not that they really had anything to do with this situation, but they were never a bad thing to have.

“So, you gonna ask her out?”

“I...” Twilight hesitated, and Rainbow’s hopeful smile fell a little. She put what she thought was a comforting hoof on the unicorn’s shoulder.

“Hey, it’s cool if you’re not ready; I totally get it. Well… kinda,” she admitted with a halfhearted shrug. “Look, I told you I’d help with whatever you need, and I will; so just let me know, okay? Even if you need to get… ugh… mushy.” Rainbow stuck her tongue out, and Twilight giggled.

Rainbow yelped in surprise as she suddenly found herself being dragged into a hug. “Thank you, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight said quietly, holding the embrace for a few seconds longer before allowing the other mare to pull away.

Looking away to for reasons totally unrelated to the blush heating her cheeks, Rainbow rubbed her forelegs together. “Don’t mention it. Like… to anypony; I’ll deny it.”

Twilight laughed again. “Not a soul, promise.” She sighed happily, looking to the moon high in the sky. “I should probably head home…”

“Yeah, I’ve still got paperwork to do,” Rainbow agreed. The apology had been a success, but in the process she’d volunteered herself for the long haul. Which wasn’t that bad, she supposed. Twilight was fun enough to hang around. At least, when she wasn’t worrying herself sick over problems that didn’t exist. Though that did lead her to her next question. “You wanna… I dunno, meet up again and work on this thing? You’ve got me in your corner; use me.”

“I think I’d like that.” Twilight’s horn glowed to life and a scroll was summoned in front of her. “I’ve got some time tomorrow afternoon, if you’re free?”

Rainbow hummed in thought, tapping her chin. “Well, I can usually get away from work around three, so anytime after that is fine.”

Scribbling something on her parchment, Twilight nodded. “Works for me. Can we meet at your place? I… haven’t told anypony else about this, and I’d rather not be overheard in the library.”

“You gonna be able to get up to my house?” Rainbow raised an eyebrow, motioning into the air. “It’s kinda high up.”

Twilight waved her hoof dismissively. “I can teleport.” She made another note on her list, then rolled it up and teleported it away. “So I’ll see you there at three thirty?”

Egghead. Always had to have the specifics planned out in advance. “Sounds good.” Rainbow spread her wings, stretching herself languidly. “I’ll cya then, Twi.” She jumped into the air, giving the unicorn a final wave before flying off into the night sky. Keeping an eye on the rapidly shrinking lavender dot on the hill, Rainbow nodded to herself.

It wasn’t exactly how she intended to spend her afternoons, but there were worse things to do than spend time with Twilight. Helping a friend was its own reward, or something. Sompony had probably said something like that before, and it seemed to apply. Just as long as Twilight didn’t actually want to practice kissing. There were some lines that Rainbow wasn’t quite willing to cross.

Author's Note

Full disclosure; this will end up as a Twidash. Sorry, Rarilight fans.

I'm excited to get this story started, and even more excited to see what you all think of it! So, question/comments/concerns go in the box below, and I'll see you all next week!

Chapter Two; Practice Makes Perfect

Fallen Angel

Chapter Two; Practice Makes Perfect

Stupid. Rainbow Dash felt stupid. Undeniably silly. Lame-o. The opposite of awesome. Un-cool. And several other words she couldn’t think of.

“Rarity, listen,” Twilight started, and Rainbow had to try hard to keep from rolling her eyes. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Shoving whatever small shred of dignity she had left to the back of her mind, Rainbow put on a terribly forced smile. “Whatever could be wrong, Twilight darling?”

Then Twilight doubled over laughing, and Rainbow got the distinct impression she was the butt of a joke she hadn’t been told. “That accent was terrible!” She cried through her peels of laughter.

“What?” Rainbow asked indignantly. She thought she was doing a rather good impression of Rarity’s fake posh accent. “I sound exactly like her!” She cried in an over-the-top, terribly fake Canterlot accent, raising her voice as high as she could without squeaking. In other words, a spot-on recreation of their snootiest friend.

“You really… don’t.”

Rolling her eyes, Rainbow shook her head. “You said you had something to tell-” her voice finally broke and she trailed off into hacking coughs, only making the unicorn laugh harder. “Yeah, yeah,” she said horsley. “Laugh it up. This was your idea.”

Tears gathered in the corners of Twilight’s eyes as she managed to contain her giggling. “Practice is important, and the only way to practice something like this is roleplay.”

“It’s dumb,” Rainbow said flatly. “How is pretending I’m Rarity supposed to help you talk to the real Rarity? I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but I’m not exactly…” she rolled her hoof in the air, sorting through a million differences between them. Rarity’s distinct lack of coolness or awesomeness came to mind - though she did have a few points in the radical category. “I’m not very Rarity.” She summarized quickly, turning away from the still snickering unicorn and getting herself a glass of water for her terribly abused throat.

Twilight scoffed. “I know that. It’s supposed to help me get more comfortable just saying what I need to say. If I can say it to you, it’ll be easier to say it to Rarity. It’s the same reason ponies practice public speaking in front of a mirror; just saying it to somepony is good practice, even if it’s just yourself.”

“Well, I wouldn’t really know; I’ve always been awesome the first time around. No practice necessary.” Rainbow buffed her hoof against her chest, admiring the shine. She caught the look Twilight was giving her out of the corner of her eye, and smirked. “I didn’t have any problems asking you out, and that was the first time I’d even thought about it.”

“That was different and you know it,” Twilight hissed. She held her glare for a second longer before sighing and shaking her head. “Do you want me to leave?”

Rainbow’s eyes widened slightly, and she cursed herself. Was she being insensitive again? If anything, Twilight was the one being insensitive. Wanting to practice something as lame as asking somepony out on a date? What if somepony overheard? Did she even care about Rainbow’s reputation? “N-no,” she said quickly, reaching out and grabbing Twilight’s shoulder before the unicorn could turn away. “You’re fine, Twi; I promised I’d help you, and I keep my promises. I just… I really don’t see how this is supposed to help you.” And feel increadibly stupid doing it.

“You can be honest with me,” Twilight said quietly, her shoulders sagging slightly. “I know this is silly, and you must have better things to do today. I just… I’ll figure it out on my own.”

“Pfft. Yeah right.” Rainbow jerked her head back, motioning to her desk - pushed against the wall of what was probably supposed to be a dining area - piled high with stacks of parchment and covered in quills. “Nothin’ for me to do today ‘cept paperwork. I’m more than happy to put that off for a few eternities.”

Twilight’s eyes seemed to light up as they fell on the stacks of paperwork. “What is it for?” She asked, a little too eagerly for Rainbow’s taste. Or maybe it was just an excuse to take a break from practicing - which hadn’t exactly been going well. She started strong, but always fell flat on her face in the home stretch; the exact opposite of how to win a race. To be fair though, even Rainbow Dash had to admit the mumbling and blushing was a pretty cute look. Not that she would admit it. Or even think it. She definitely wouldn’t think anything like that.

Wait… what was the question?

“Eh, boring work stuff. Weather reports, temperature readings and predictions, a couple expense reports. I gotta submit a request for a bunch of clouds for a shower we’re supposed to have in a couple days. Apparently some of the farmers have been complaining about the lack of rain recently.” Rainbow made a show of rolling her eyes. “I wonder who that was. It’s like they don’t get I can’t just schedule the weather around what their crops need. Especially when their crops need different things.

“I didn’t even know that!” Rainbow shouted aggravatedly, glaring daggers at the offending papers. They sat there, unmoving, taunting her. “How am I supposed to keep track of how much sun AJ’s trees need compared to Harvest’s carrots? And don’t even get me started on the demanding flower ponies. I swear their precious plants are pickier than Rarity! Too much sun, not enough sun, too much water but not enough shade.” She groaned, closing her eyes and rubbing at her temple as she felt a headache building just thinking about everything she was somehow expected to balance. “And if that wasn't bad enough, I have upper management breathing down my neck over how many clouds we’ve been using. I swear it’s like they’ve never stepped hoof outside of Cloudsdale; we need clouds or it gets way too hot around here.”

After a moment of silence Rainbow opened her eyes and saw Twilight watching her. She blushed slightly, scratching the back of her head. “Heh. Sorry ‘bout that; I got kinda carried away. Point is, don’t worry about it; I have more than enough time to help out.”

“Are you sure? That sounds like a lot…” Twilight trailed off guiltily.

“Yes, I’m sure. Now stop asking,” Rainbow grunted firmly. “It’s nothin’ I can’t handle, and I have more than enough time before I have to get it all submitted. I might be the world’s fastest flier but that’s not the only thing I’m good at.” After all, who was Rainbow Dash if not the most dependable pony in Ponyville? The most dependable pony in Equestria, of course! The bane of the very notion of paperwork! Even if it did put up a pretty good fight from time to time.

Twilight chuckled slightly at that. “Since when did you have so much paperwork to do?”

“Eh, got promoted a while back. Regional Weather Manager-” she made a show of making airquotes “-basically I’m the head honcho for Ponyville’s weather. It’s pretty much my old job, I just have to deal with a bunch more red tape. Still, it’ll look good when I apply to the Wonderbolts; management shows leadership skills, or somethin’.”

Eyes wide in surprise, Twilight gasped. “I didn’t you know got promoted! Congratulations!”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Don’t go making a big deal out of it; it’s nothing impressive.”

“What? You don’t want to brag about something?” Twilight feigned surprise, smirking. “Who are you and where’s Rainbow Dash?”

“Har-har,” Rainbow deadpanned. “A job as a pencil pusher isn’t exactly conducive to my public image as an awesome daredevil.”

Twilight giggled, glancing again to the stacks of paper. “If you’re sure it’s not too much trouble-”

“Well I am, so enough worrying about it. Now-” she swallowed what was left of her pride and once more donned her flawless impression. “What was it you wanted to tell me, Twilight darling?”

“Rainbow…” Twilight had to hide her sniggering behind her hoof.

“Rainbow?” The pegasus asked in a spot-on recreation of Rarity’s voice. “What about Rainbow Dash?”

Twilight smiled gently. “You don’t have to do this with me.”

Returning to her normal voice, Rainbow nodded. “Yeah, I know, but you said it’d help, right? And a promise is a promise, so-” she cleared her throat “-ask me on a date, Twilight darling.”

Holding in her laughter, Twilight closed her eyes a moment. Rainbow watched her take a deep breath, then two, then open her eyes. Giving her an encouraging smile, Rainbow nodded. “Hey, Rarity,” Twilight said slowly, and Rainbow motioned eagerly for her to continue. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Why, whatever do you need, darling?” ‘Rarity’ asked, and Twilight stifled another giggle.

“Actually I…” she trailed off, and Rainbow swore she could see the unicorn’s pulse increasing. Part of her wanted to break character and cut off the looming panic attack before it could start, while the other part was confident Twilight could do it. In the end she waited, fluttering her eyelashes in that way Rarity did every chance she got, and Twilight seemed to calm herself enough to speak. “I wanted to ask if you’d be willing to have dinner. With me.”

Rainbow had to hold off the victory cry a moment longer; Twilight wanted the real deal. “Dinner?” She asked innocently.

Twilight grinned as she managed to meet Rainbow’s eyes for the first time. “Yes. Dinner. Like a… a date. Would you like to go on a date with me?”

“Why of course, Twilight darling, I’d love to!” Rainbow cried, letting her Rarity voice fall away. “You did great, Twi,” She said, offering a hoof that the unicorn gladly bumped. Chalk one up to Rainbow Dash being awesome. Well, and a bit for Twilight being awesome. Like… half a point. It was mostly because of Rainbow’s help, after all. “How did it feel?”

“It felt… good,” Twilight said, nodding more to herself than her friend. “To finally actually say it. I know it wasn’t real, but… even just doing that makes me feel a lot better. Thank you so much!” Twilight jumped forward and dragged the pegasus into a hug. Not that Rainbow minded much; hugs were a begrudgingly accepted part of life when you were friends with Pinkie Pie. Although this one was starting to last a little too long.

“Heh, alright; we’re cool.” Rainbow fidgeted awkwardly as the embrace went from friendly to dangerously close to sappy. “You can let go.”

Twilight jumped back, blushing subtly. “S-sorry, I just… I’m really grateful; I don’t know how long I’d be fighting with this thing if it weren’t for you.”

“I mean, I am pretty awesome.” She gave her signature winning smile and a sly wink. “So, you feel ready to try it for real, or is there something else you wanna practice?”

“Well…” Twilight hesitated, chewing her lip. Rainbow noticed the expression.

“Hey, we went through this; whatever you need, I’m here, right?”

Smiling gratefully, Twilight nodded. “Right. I just…” she sighed, hiding her blush by looking away. “I’ve never dated anypony. I… I don’t know what I’m doing. You said you have?”

Rainbow’s eyes widened. “Oh…” she rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. “I mean… yeah, I’ve dated a few ponies, I guess, but-” she shook her head “-eh, not important. So, you wanna know what to do on a date, or…?”

“More or less?” Twilight sighed, scraping her hoof along the cloudy floor. “I mean, I have an idea; I’ve read enough romance books since this thing started, but… well, I just don’t really know for sure. Like, where would I even take a pony like Rarity?”

“Isn’t that obvious?” Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow. “I know you know Rarity as well as I do - probably better than me - and I could tell you little miss fancy wants to be properly wined ‘n dined. Think Canterlot noble and I’m pretty sure you’ll be close.”

Twilight nodded slowly. “Right, but like… is there somewhere I can do that here in Ponyville? I can’t exactly take her to Canterlot, can I?”

“Hmm…” Rainbow rubbed her chin thoughtfully, closing her eyes. “You probably won’t be able to take her all the way to canterlot - at least not on your first date. There are a couple fancy-ish places here you could choose, but…” She sighed. “I dunno. You could always go super cliche and do a picnic.”

“Grass stains,” Twilight deadpanned. “I don’t think she’s fond of them.”

“Fair point. Or…” She peeked an eye open. “How good a cook are you?”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “Are you saying what I think you are?”

Shrugging her shoulders, Rainbow asked, “Why not? She’s always going on about finding her Prince Charming, right? Some mystery pony that’s gonna sweep her off her hooves and be the most considerate and junk. I figure a proper home-cooked dinner would fit that description if you can pull it off. It doesn’t even have to be fancy; as long as you’re the one cooking it, I’m pretty sure she’ll love it. Plus, if you do it at your place, it’s private and you have total control over, like, the atmosphere or whatever. I’m talkin’ candles and music here, Twi. Whole nine yards.”

“I mean… I do know how to cook a few things but… I’d need to practice…” she gave a shy look to the pegasus, and Rainbow grinned.

“You asking me to dinner, egghead?”

“Rainbow Dash?” Twilight called curiously, tilting her head as she pushed open the front door to her friend’s cloud home. Normally Rainbow was right there as soon as she knocked, but this time the pegasus seemed in no rush to answer her door. “You home?” She stepped inside slowly, glancing around the spacious entryway. There was still no answer to her call, and she was worried she might have been early to their meetup. Though a quick glance at a clock dispelled that fear.

“Hello?” Had her shift run long? Rainbow had never had problems getting her work done on time before.

Just as Twilight was about to leave and wait outside with a book, her ears twitched. There was a faint sound floating through the quiet house. A sound she recognized well.

A quill scratching on parchment.

Raising an eyebrow, Twilight followed the noise through the cloud home until she reached the kitchen she’d found herself in frequently over the past week, ever since Rainbow had started helping her with her feelings towards their mutual friend. Sure enough, as she rounded the final corner her eyes settled on the back of Rainbow’s head, hunched over her cramped desk against the wall. She seemed intently focused on whatever she was writing, so much so she didn’t hear Twilight’s approach.

The unicorn reached out to tap her shoulder. “Rainbow?”

The pegasus shrieked, launching from her seat with the aid of her wings and sending her once almost-neatly stacked papers scattering everywhere around the room and managing to spill a pot of ink across her desk. Twilight jumped back in surprise, gasping as she watched the chaos she’d inadvertently unleashed. As the last of the parchment floated gently to the ground, so too did Rainbow Dash, panting faintly with a hoof over her chest. “Jeez Twilight,” she groaned. “Don’t sneak up on ponies like that.”

Twilight smirked. “Aww, did I scare you for a change?”

Rainbow’s eyes widened, and she folded her wings, puffing out her chest. “No, you just-” she deflated in an instant as her gaze trailed across her workspace. “No. Nonononono please no- Celestia Damnit!” The pegasus rushed over to her desk, grabbing the paper she’d been working on and holding it up - black ink dripping from it and onto the small pool below from the spilled well.

“Oh no…” Twilight held a hoof over her mouth. “Rainbow, I’m so sorry, I didn’t-”

“I-it’s okay…” The pegasus’s voice was shaking as she righted her ink pot, doing her best to wipe the ink off the page - and only managing to make her foreleg as black as the paper. Twilight could see her teeth grinding together. “I’ll just… start over…”

The unicorn flinched at the frustration in her tone, barely restrained beneath the surface. “What… was it?” Twilight asked hesitantly, almost fearing the answer.

Taking a slow, deep breath, Rainbow turned to face her friend with a smile, crumpling and tossing the ruined parchment over her shoulder. “Nothin’ important. What did you need, Twi?”

Twilight frowned. “Rainbow…”

“Seriously; it was nothing. No big deal. Water under the bridge. Forgive and forget,” Rainbow said quickly, starting to collect the rest of her scattered paperwork. “You wanna practice somethin’ today?”

Lighting her horn, Twilight gathered all the loose parchment together into a neat stack, snatching a few sheets from the pegasus’s hooves and depositing them on the desk - making sure to also pull the spilled pool of ink and put it back into the well. She noted worriedly that the tower of work was growing larger. “Are you-”

“I’m sure!” Rainbow snapped, before quickly looking away and coughing. “Er, yeah; I’m sure.”

Twilight didn’t buy it for a second. “You have a lot of work piling up, Rainbow. Did you maybe want some help? It’s the least I could do-”

“It’s fine, Twilight.”

“I just-”

“I can handle it!” Rainbow yelled, her wings flaring and knocking over the stack of papers again. Twilight could practically hear her teeth grinding. “Just…” she sighed. “What do you want, Twilight?”

Shoulders sagging, Twilight shook her head. “It’s… not important. I-I’ll just go. You’re busy, and-”

“Twilight, wait,” Rainbow called, pinching the bridge of her muzzle. She blew out a long, slow breath. “I’m… sorry I snapped, but seriously; it’s fine. Nothing I can’t handle. I’ve still got… plenty of time…” she trailed off, glancing to a calendar hung on the wall above her desk. She’d never had to keep one before all this stupid paperwork was dumped on her. “So seriously; what did you need?”

Twilight looked over the loose papers covering the floor. “You know you can ask for help, right? You’ve been so patient with me, it wouldn’t be a problem for me to-”

“You have your own problems, Twi,” Rainbow said, waving her hoof dismissively. “I don’t need to bother you with mine. Especially since I’ve got it covered. Trust me, okay? I might not be AJ here, but I’m telling you the truth.”

Hesitantly, Twilight nodded. “If you’re sure… just promise me you’ll let me know if you do need help, okay?”

“I…” Rainbow trailed off. She looked to the ink-covered page she’d been working on, crumbled and sitting on the floor. “Yeah, sure; if I need some help, I’ll give you a call. It’s not gonna happen though; I could get all this done in ten seconds flat.”

“And just tell me if you need some time to work; we don’t have to meet up every day,” Twilight added quickly, hers eye hardening and practically daring Rainbow to disagree to her terms.

The pegasus shrugged, scratching the back of her neck. “Sure, but uh…” she blushed and looked away. “I’ve kinda been enjoying hanging out with you anyway, so it’s no biggie.”

Twilight couldn’t help but smile at that, her horn glowing as she once more collected Rainbow’s work and stacked it neatly on the desk. “What, surprised spending time with a bookworm isn’t as boring as you thought it would be?”

“Yeah, whatever.” Her blush grew a few shades darker. “At least I’m not the one head over hoods for one of our friends and too nervous to do anything about it.”

The unicorn gasped. “Low blow, Rainbow Dash,” she said, though her tone was anything but hurt.

Rainbow smirked, glancing at her friend out of the corner of her eye. “Well? You gonna do somethin’ about it then?”

“I-” Twilight hesitated. When it had begun, there mere thought of confessing her feelings nearly paralyzed her, worst-case scenarios sending her anxiety spiraling out of control. Now, though… well, she still felt nervous about it. But that roiling mass in the pit of her stomach had dimmed to a level much more manageable. She smiled. “Soon, but that’s not why I’m here; the girls wanted to get together this evening, and they asked me to let you know. I guess they noticed me coming here so often recently.”

Sucking a breath through her teeth, Rainbow threw a surreptitious glance to her paperwork. “I… probably shouldn’t…” she trailed off scratching the back of her head. “Gotta get some weather work done tonight.”

Twilight’s eyes narrowed. “You said it wasn’t a big deal.” The pegasus looked away, and she took a step forward. “You said you had plenty of time.”

“Twi, I meant-”

“You said you’d let me know if you needed help.”

“I don’t need help,” Rainbow bit back shortly. She shook her head. “I just need to get some work done tonight, is all.” She couldn’t meet Twilight’s gaze. “Been putting it off too long.”

Twilight’s glare bored holes in the top of Rainbow’s head. “If you need help-”

“I’ll let you know.” Rainbow threw her a confident smile. “And I will. Promise.” Their eyes met and an unspoken war was waged between them. Rainbow Dash pulling her best earnest look while Twilight scrutinized every facet of the mare’s face. Eventually, a winner was declared.

Twilight stepped back and sighed. “Alright, I’ll let them know you can’t be there.” She turned and started for the door. “You should get to work.”

“Don’t sweat it, Twi; I could get this done in my sleep!” Rainbow called, watching as the unicorn waved over her shoulder. She heard the front door close with a click, and once more found herself alone with piles of long-overdue reports. Glancing forlornly at the ink-stained crumpled piece of parchment in the corner that had taken her almost an hour and a half, Rainbow sighed.

It was going to be a long night.

Author's Note

So, after thinking it over, I've decided to go ahead and release this. Going forward, I'm going to take this fic easy. As much as I want it to be better than it is, and I know with enough effort I can make it better, for something that's meant to be a fun, relaxing story for me to write, it's not something I want to spend a lot of time on. Especially when I still have other large stories than need updates. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy it even with its flaws.

Questions/comments/concerns down below, and I'll see you all again next week.

Chapter Three; Break Point

Fallen Angel

Chapter Three; Break Point

Twilight sighed quietly, watching as drops of condensation ran in twisting rivers down the sides of a glass. The ice in her drink clinked audibly as the table shook with the motions of the other ponies surrounding it, and she could vaguely hear their chatter all around. The sounds were far away and muffled, her thoughts far away from the cafe.

It had been almost three weeks since Rainbow had started helping her with her aptly-named ‘Rarity dilemma’, and while she was eternally grateful for the help, she’d started to feel like a burden. As much as the pegasus assured her over and over it wasn’t a hindrance, she couldn’t help but notice the stacks of paperwork ever-present on Rainbow’s desk growing larger as the days passed. Twilight was starting to doubt the excuses Rainbow seemed all-too-ready to dole out.

Especially when their regular get togethers were missing one member more often than they weren’t, despite Rainbow always making time to help with Twilight’s problem. She had tried to reduce the number of times she visited her friend, but if she missed a session Rainbow would inevitably end up outside her window, hooves folded and an expectant glare on her muzzle.

It seemed she wasn’t letting it go until Twilight actually managed to ask Rarity out.

“Um… Twilight?”

She perked up at her name being called, and lifted her head off the table. Looking around, Twilight realized all of her friends were looking at her expectantly - minus one. “Huh?”

Fluttershy smiled gently. “We were just wondering if you knew where Rainbow Dash was?”

“Oh…” Twilight bit her lip nervously, glancing at Rarity out of the corner of her eye and feeling her heart thump just a bit faster the same way it always did. Silly as it was, her emotions still had a mind of their own when she was near her. “I… think she said something about weather work?”

Applejack scoffed. “Yeah right; there ain’t no clouds to bust, and Celestia knows there hasn’t been any rain. Despite my complaints. She’s up to no good, if you ask me. When was the last time any of y’all was pranked?”

Eyes narrowing slightly, Twilight felt indignation welling up in her chest. How could anypony just dismiss the work Rainbow did? “You know she does a lot more than just the clouds, right AJ?”

“Does she now?” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “‘Cuz from where I’m sittin’ she’s either pushing ‘em around or napping in one.”

“Do you have any idea how much work she does!?”

There was a pause, and Twilight only realized the volume of her shout when the rest of the cafe went silent, many patrons turning and looking at her. She blushed, lowering her head. “There’s a lot more to it than the clouds…”

Rarity cleared her throat. “Yes, well, nopony’s doubting that, just that… how shall I put this… she does seem to spend a lot of time, er, recreationally.”

“Slackin’ off,” Applejack translated gruffly. “And still not waterin’ mah trees. Honestly, how hard is it to jump on a few clouds ‘round the orchard? I swear she does it on purpose. I should send in another complaint. Kick her sorry flank into gear.”

Twilight’s teeth ground together, and she opened her mouth to say something. To defend her friend. Before she could, however, another voice spoke up.

“Uhm, don’t you think that’s a little harsh, Applejack?” Fluttershy asked quietly from behind her mane. “I mean, she doesn’t make the weather schedule; she just gets the weather ready.”

“What?” Twilight asked, eyes widened in shock. Even Fluttershy was unaware of Rainbow’s promotion? Did nopony know just how much work Rainbow did for the town?

The butter yellow mare flinched away from the surprised tone. “I-I mean… uhm… she…” she trailed off into squeaking.

“She means that Rainbow doesn’t control the weather, Applejack. She’s not exactly management,” Rarity supplied.

“Yeah! Dashie just puts the clouds where they tell her and gets rid of them when they’re done!” Pinkie piped up helpfully, taking a break from stuffing her face with as many cupcakes as her mouth could fit.

“Not that she’s been doing that lately, either,” Applejack grumbled. “Has anypony seen her at all?”

The question received a chorus of ‘no’s, and Twilight felt the group’s eyes on her once more. She shook herself from her thoughts. “Huh?”

Rarity frowned. “We were asking if anypony had seen Rainbow Dash lately. You’re the one who’s been going to her house almost every day.”

“O-oh… uhm…” she blushed. “Yeah, she’s… helping me. With a project. But…” Twilight trailed off, her eyebrows knitting. “And… nopony’s seen her at all, even doing weather work? Out practicing in the fields? Nothing?”

The others all shook their heads, and Twilight jumped from her chair. “I… I have to go.” She charged her horn and disappeared with a flash and a pop before anypony could ask any questions.

When she opened her eyes she was standing on Rainbow Dash’s doorstep. A doorstep she’d grown familiar with over the weeks of near-daily visits. She reached to open the door when a golden glint caught her eye. On the cloud step in front of the door a scroll lay, sealed by golden wax. Twilight lifted it in her magic curiously, examining the seal and frowning as she recognized it, a ball forming deep in her gut.

“Rainbow Dash?” She called, aggravation slipping into her voice as she let herself into her friend’s home. The scroll followed her, and the second she stepped inside the sound of a quill scratching on parchment reached her ears.

Rainbow looked up just as Twilight turned the corner. “What’s up, Twi?” She asked casually, standing from her desk. “You need to-”

“You’ve been lying to me,” Twilight said flatly.

“Lying?”

Twilight’s glare could melt a solid steel beam, and Rainbow shifted under the intense heat of it. “What did I tell you to do if you needed my help?”

“Tell you?” Rainbow asked almost hesitantly.

The scroll was placed on the desk in the only remaining space free of cluttered paperwork, its golden seal faced directly towards Rainbow Dash. A sun half-hidden behind a raining cloud; the emblem of the Cloudsdale Weather Bureau. “What aren’t you telling me? I know that seal; that’s not just more paperwork.”

Rainbow raised her eyebrow. “You’ve been going through my mail?”

“I found it on your doorstep. Don’t change the subject; what’s going on?” Twilight asked again, taking a firm step forward.

Sighing, Rainbow scuffed her hoof along the floor. “It’s nothin’, Twi, just…” she hesitated, eyes lingering on the golden seal, and Twilight knew it wasn’t the first time she’d seen it. “I just… it’s probably nothing.”

“Nothing?” Twilight’s gaze narrowed. “Then you won’t mind if I open it.” She lit her horn, but before she could pick it up Rainbow dove forward and draped her body over her desk, covering it.

“NO!”

The magic faded from her horn. “Rainbow Dash.”

“It’s nothing, Twilight.”

“You’re lying to me.”

“It’s none of your business!”

“Tell me what’s going on.”

A whine forced itself from the back of Rainbow’s throat, her head resting against her desk. “You have your own problems to deal with, Twilight.”

I…” Twilight jaw worked uselessly for a second. That same excuse she’d heard so many times. She looked at the veritable sea of work Rainbow was drowning under. Nopony had seen her outside her house in ages. Not even routine weather work. And now that letter that had shown up. “What does it say?”

“Nothing… just…” Rainbow sighed. “Probably them asking me to come to Cloudsdale for a… meeting…” the tremor in her voice told Twilight everything she needed to know.

“You’re in trouble, aren’t you?”

Rainbow’s eyes widened, and she jumped up. “N-no! I just- hey, where are you going!?” She followed Twilight as the unicorn all but ran to the front entrance.

The door was thrown open in a haze of purple magic, and Twilight spared her friend only a glance. “This is because of me, right? You’ve been putting off your work to help me, and it’s catching up to you. When was the last time you even got out to practice your stunts?”

“I…” Rainbow trailed off, shaking her head firmly. “It’s not your fault, Twi, I-”

“Yes, it is!” Twilight shouted. She lit her horn and teleported down to the ground. Rainbow growled aggravatedly, flying down to meet her.

“Twilight, where are you going?”

Twilight’s gate was firm, her head straight forward. “I’m ending this so you can focus on your work.”

“Ending it?”

“I’m going to go ask her out.”

“Twilight-”

“Don’t,” Twilight said shortly, ignoring the mare hovering behind her. “My mind’s made up; it’s time I deal with this.”

Rainbow Dash groaned. “You don’t have to-”

“Yes, I do.”

“I can handle the paperwork, Twilight!”

The unicorn spun on her hooves, forcing Rainbow to fan her wings and drop to the ground. “Really? Then why haven’t you? You think I don’t see the stacks of work on your desk? See the way you stare at the calendar when you think I’m not looking?

“If it would be so easy for you to catch up on your work why don’t you?”

“I…” Rainbow didn’t have an answer.

Twilight humphed and resumed her quick pace towards Ponyville. The sun was still well above the horizon; plenty of time to find Rarity. “All I asked was that you let me know if you needed help, or even if you just needed some time to get your work done. But you didn’t. So I’m going to fix the problem; I’ll ask Rarity out so you don’t have to spend all your time helping me with it, then we’re going to go back to your place and I’m going to help you get out from under that mountain.”

“I didn’t ask for your help, Twilight!”

“I’m not offering!” Twilight shouted as the rolling hills around Ponyville gave way to sparse houses. “This isn’t optional anymore, because it’s quite clear you are physically incapable of asking for help.”

Rainbow growled lowly, taking wing and flying around so she was floating backwards in front of the unicorn. “Twi, you can’t just-”

“Can’t what!?” Twilight demanded sharply. “What can’t I do, Rainbow Dash? Can’t force you to let me help?” She scoffed, “try and stop me. Can’t tell Rarity how I feel? Can’t get over my fears to help my friend?

“Just how pathetic do you think I am, Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow visibly winced at the accusation, hanging her head. “I-it’s not like that, Twi, I just-”

“Rainbow…” Twilight hesiated, her voice lowering from the aggravated volume it had been. The shift in tone threw Rainbow off, and as she looked the mare in the eye she was brought back to that grassy hill all those weeks ago. “Please, just let me help. You’ve done so much for me, put up with me for weeks while I went around in circles, worrying myself sick over this stupid crush. Let me at least make up for that.”

“You don’t need to…” Rainbow sighed, her brow furrowed in concern. “If you’re not ready to do this, you don’t have to.”

Twilight looked up at her, a small smile on her lips. “I”ve never been more ready than I am right now.”

“If you’re sure,” Rainbow said slowly. She turned, and her eyes were wide when she spun back to face Twilight. “Okay, she’s right over there; just like we practiced, okay?”

Taking a few deep, calming breaths, Twilight nodded. “Just like we practiced. Confidence is key, right?” She gave her best impression of Rainbow Dash’s signature cocky smirk, and though she failed to match the self-absorbed satisfaction it radiated when Rainbow wore it, it was a close enough match.

“Atta girl. Go get her!” Rainbow cheered before zipping off into the sky. Twilight watched her rainbow tail disappear behind a cloud, chuckling quietly. Her eyes lowered and landed on a pearly white unicorn navigating flawlessly through the busy streets of the Ponyville market.

From her vantage point high above, Rainbow Dash watched as Twilight approached a white and purple blob far below. She found herself chewing her lip, though she couldn’t tell if she was anxious or excited. Both, probably. Flapping her wings, she brought the cloud a little lower, making sure to stay out of Rarity’s view.

She watched as Rarity perked up and rushed over to Twilight. They were talking, but she couldn’t hear what about. Though she did clearly see the nervous way Twilight’s tail twitched and flicked, saw the way Twilight had to pause and take a breath.

“C’mon, Twi,” she whispered. “You got this.”

She watched as Twilight took a moment to look at the ground, gathered herself, then met Rarity’s gaze. Saw Twilight talking, saw Rarity’s eyes widen in… something. Shock? Surprise? By the way Twilight’s chest was heaving, she’d just forced everything out; more than just asking the fashionista out, she’d probably just spilled her feelings all over the floor.

Laid her heart bare.

Then Rainbow watched as Rarity took a cautious step back. Watched as Rarity chewed her lip, looking anywhere but at the mare in front of her. Her lips were moving.

Watched as Twilight nodded painfully slowly.

Rainbow saw Twilight turn away, her gate short and her steps uneven, head hung low, and she knew.

She’d watched her best friend’s heart get crushed.

Before Rainbow Dash even knew what she was doing she had launched herself from her cloud, landing next to Twilight in an instant. The unicorn looked up, surprised, and their eyes met, and Rainbow felt her heart cry out. There were no tears on Twilight’s cheeks, but the look in her eyes carried with it everything she needed to know. Without a thought Twilight’s shoulders were wrapped in a sky blue wing. “Come on,” Rainbow said gently. She threw a glance over her shoulder, saw Rarity standing there with a crestfallen look on her face, and sneered.

“Don’t,” Twilight whispered, her voice so quiet Rainbow almost didn’t hear her. “It’s not her fault.”

Despite the anger welling up in her gut, Rainbow nodded. “Let’s go,” she said, urging Twilight gently down the street. “You’re coming back to my place.”

“Y-your work… I should just g-go home. S-spike will be-”

Rainbow flexed her wing before Twilight could slip out from under it, pressing her firmly against her side. “We’ll deal with it later.”

Twilight’s pleas were half-hearted at best, and without the physical strength to pull away she eventually allowed herself to be led through Ponyville, watching her hooves drag along the cobbled streets. This is stupid, she told herself. You knew this could happen. You were ready for this. Get over it.

It was just a stupid crush.

Keeping one eye on the mare under her wing, Rainbow allowed the silence to stretch on. In truth, she was afraid if she said anything it would be a backhanded comment towards the mare responsible for this entire situation, and she knew that wasn’t what Twilight needed right now. She wasn’t sure exactly what Twilight needed, but she knew it wasn’t that. Whatever it was, though, she’d be there in a heartbeat to provide it.

Because Rainbow Dash didn’t leave her friends hanging.

Rainbow glanced up and saw the odd looks they were getting. She looked to her wing, wrapped around Twilight’s shoulders, and rolled her eyes. They could think whatever they wanted as far as she was concerned. There wasn’t a force in Equestria that would make her let go until Twilight decided she was good and ready. The unicorn did seem to be at least somewhat responsive to what little comfort Rainbow could provide; she was leaning against her, eyes still glued to the ground. A part of her worried Twilight was spiraling again, panicking over losing her friendship, but she could feel Twilight’s breathing with their sides pressed together, and the mare’s breaths were slow and steady. Tight, maybe, but not panicked.

Then they crossed into the grassy fields outside Ponyville, and before long the pair stood beneath a floating house made of clouds. Rainbow looked over in time to see Twilight lift her head. Her horn flickered, briefly, then the magic faded and Twilight sighed. She opened her mouth to say something, but Rainbow had already seen everything she needed.

“Hang tight,” she said, regretfully pulling her wing away and noticing the way Twilight watched it go, a distant look in her eyes. Rainbow jumped into the air and hovered a moment before reaching down and wrapping her hooves around Twilight’s barrel. “Can you at least cast your cloudwalking spell?”

Twilight shook her head. “I… no, but it’ll still be active from before,” she said, and Rainbow’s chest tightened at the hollow tone in her voice.

“C’mon, Twi.” She lifted the unicorn up into the sky, setting her gently on the porch - after ensuring she wouldn’t fall through - and then touched down herself. It wasn’t a moment later her wing was once more laid around Twilight’s shoulders and she led them into her house.

“Rainbow?” Twilight’s voice wavered, and for the first time Rainbow saw tears in the corners of her eyes.

“Yeah, Twi?”

Twilight sniffled. “W-why… why does it hurt?”

“Why…” Rainbow trailed off, a frown on her face. “Of course it hurts, Twilight, you-”

“It doesn’t make sense!” Twilight shouted, and dark trails ran down her cheeks. “It’s… it’s not like we were together. I wasn’t just dumped. I wasn’t in love with her. It was just a crush. Just a stupid, insignifigant crush. Why…” she choked back a sob. “Why does it hurt so much when that’s all it was?”

Biting her lip, Rainbow shook her head. “Because…” she hesitated, chewing her lip anxiously. “I… I don’t know,” she admitted eventually. “I just know it does. I’m so sorry, Twi.”

At those words Twilight’s last barrier fell and the tears flowed freely down her face. Rainbow’s eyes widened and she all but tackled the mare into a fiercely tight hug. Her wings surrounded her, wrapping Twilight in a warm cocoon of soft feathers as she cried.

“This is stupid!” Twilight sobbed into Rainbow’s chest. “I’m being stupid! It shouldn’t hurt this much!”

Rainbow sighed, resting her chin atop Twilight’s head and nuzzling gently into her mane. “You can’t control how ya’ feel, Twi.”

“I should be able to! I was supposed to be ready for this!”

Not knowing what to say to that, Rainbow stayed quiet, doing her best to comfort the mare in her hooves. She didn’t have the answers Twilight wanted, and she didn’t know how to make her friend feel better - despite how desperately she wanted to. Seeing her like this made Rainbow’s heart throb painfully in her chest. There was nothing in her life she wouldn’t trade in that moment just to make Twilight feel better.

But there was no wandering genie to grant her wish, and despite knowing full well she usually botched anything regarding feelings, Rainbow did what she could. To her endless relief it seemed to be helping. At the very least, Twilight’s sobbing had lowered to quiet whimpers, and her chest wasn’t getting any wetter. She cringed at the thought; she was going to have one hell of a cowlick there. Although the concern was dismissed just as quickly as it appeared - a slightly messy coat was nothing if it made Twilight feel even a little bit better.

Looking down, Rainbow smiled slightly when she saw that Twilight had stopped crying. “You okay?” She asked gently, and immediately felt lame for it. Of course she wasn’t okay.

However, instead of being scoffed at for asking such an obvious question, she received no response at all. “Twi?” She ventured worredly, and Rainbow pulled back just enough to see Twilight’s puffy eyes closed, her breaths slow and calm. Beneath the warmth of a full pegasus embrace, exhausted from the emotional turmoil, Twilight had fallen asleep as soon as she’d cried herself out.

Rainbow chuckled quietly. “Yeah, I hear ya; I could go for a nap right about now, too.” She glanced around the front room of her house - eyes skipping over her desk - and sighed. “Can’t sleep here, though. C’mon.”

It took some awkward shifting, but Rainbow managed to get the mare onto her back without waking her. A flight of stairs later and Twilight was laid beneath the Wonderbolts blanket covering Rainbow’s bed. “First time on a cloud bed and you’re not even awake to enjoy it.”

She chuckled weakly at her own joke, watching for a moment as Twilight unconsciously buried her muzzle into the pillow. Rainbow nodded to herself and left the room, gliding back down the stairs on silent wings. She flew right past her desk and out her front door. Spike would need to be informed not to expect Twilight home. First, though…

Rainbow had a stop to make before the library, and her eyes narrowed as Carousel Boutique came over the horizon.

Author's Note

So like, I could address the year-long hiatus. Explain why this story stopped updating. Prattle on about decisions I've made for this story going forward.

Or I could just go write some more. So uh... I'm gonna go do that.

Comments below, yeah? I hope you enjoy. And I really do hope to have more of this done soon.

Chapter Four; Aftermath

Fallen Angel

Chapter 4; Aftermath

Twilight groaned as she awoke, her bleary eyes opening and staring at the blank whit ceiling above her head. She could feel the crust caked on her eyelids, the matted fur of her cheeks. Her nose was still stuffed up and her eyes were no doubt bloodshot still. The tangles in her mane tugged painfully at her scalp and if she didn’t know any better she’d have sworn her tail had been put in a blender.

All in all, Twilight Sparkle did not wake up with a smile.

She lay on her back and rolled her head to the side. A large window was set in the wall, looking out over Ponyville beneath a darkened sky filled with shining stars. The full moon cast her in a pale silver light, and a part of her wondered how awful she looked.

It’s no wonder Rarity-

“Stop,” she said aloud, before the thought could go any further. It wasn’t Rarity’s fault. She knew that. It wasn’t hers, either. Even if that voice in the back of her head told her otherwise.

Rolling away from the window, Twilight for the first time took in her surroundings. All along the walls were posters of pegasi flying in skin-tight spandex and shelves lined with shining gold trophies. Medals hung from any vaguely hook-shaped object and on a small stand next to the bed was a picture she knew well. Reaching out, Twilight plucked the picture from its perch and brought it closer, smiling fondly as her closest friends smiled back at her, herself included.

It had been so simple back then.

Well, not simple, she supposed. Moving to Ponyville, learning what it was to have friends, how to be a friend… there wasn’t anything simple about that. It wasn’t easy either, sometimes. But then, it wouldn’t have been nearly as satisfying if it had been easy, would it?

Her eyes trailed over to the pearly white unicorn in the picture, and she sighed. Her heart gave a painful throb, but nothing more, and for a reason she couldn’t explain she felt a smile tugging at her lips. It all started months ago now. One day, something happened. Like a switch in her mind got flipped and suddenly she realized her friend was one of the most gorgeous mares she’d ever seen. A kind mare whose generosity knew no bounds and endless grace and poise seemed ineffable.

Twilight didn’t know why. No book she’d read could tell her that. Just that what she was feeling was a romantic interest. She’d read so many books, trying to understand her feelings. Trying to find some way to deal with them. Spent so long hiding from them, wishing for them to go away. For a long time she refused to see the obvious answer staring her in the face, and when she did it scared her more than anything else. All the what-if’s, the worst-case scenarios that plagued her thoughts and, more often than she cared to admit, her dreams.

It all seemed so silly now that she knew the answer. Those weeks and months of worrying herself sick over what would amount to… nothing. Nothing at all.

Then her eyes shifted, and a rainbow maned pegasus was smiling at her.

“I’m sorry,” Twilight whispered, her smile melting. The picture of Rainbow Dash was oblivious to her apology, and the thought struck her that the real Rainbow Dash wouldn’t have accepted the apology either. Even after she’d wasted Rainbow’s time with her stupid crush. Even after she’d made Rainbow listen to her fears and worries. Made Rainbow blow off her job to help a friend.

Twilight sighed, sinking further into the cloud bed as she set the picture back on the table. A ball of guilt sat heavy in the pit of her stomach, and she realised that even after all of that, after all she’d put her friend through, she still wanted more. She wanted Rainbow to be there with her, if only so she wasn’t alone. Her mouth opened to call out, but she hesitated. Was she really so pathetic? She couldn’t handle being alone? The pain from Rarity’s rejection had dulled, but still sat ever-present in her mind. What was once a red-hot agony had been mostly replaced by an emptiness that clawed at her heart, leaving its own deep gashes.

But still, she hesitated. Rainbow had her own problems to deal with. Had her own life that had been put on hold to deal with her silly problems. Twilight cursed herself. She hated being a burden, but that’s what she’d become. Nothing more than an obligation Rainbow had to lug around every day. If Rainbow hadn’t found her that first night, hadn’t felt bad enough to apologise and make that promise, none of this would have happened. Rainbow would remain blissfully unaware of Twilight’s plight, and be better for it. Able to focus on her work, without having to deal with anypony else’s problems.

Twilight closed her mouth, chewing her lip. The bedroom was big and empty and she felt alone, but she couldn’t bother Rainbow again. Not after everything else. Her eyes found their way to the picture again, and she frowned.

“Rainbow?” She called out, tearing her eyes away even as she felt the tears threatening to come back. She really was that weak. That pathetic.

What made it even worse was the lack of an answer. The cloud house remained silent, save for her shallow breaths. Twilight felt the cold dread of loneliness seeping into her chest, but she struggled to push it down as she crawled out of the bed. “Rainbow Dash?” She called again, and despite herself hoped desepatly for an answer. Again, none came.

Twilight made her way carefully through Rainbow’s home, navigating mostly blindly through the darkened, unfamiliar halls until she found her way back to the main floor she knew by heart. A light was flicked on, and in sudden brightness a glint of gold caught her eye. Sat at a desk piled high with parchment was a scroll sealed with a golden emblem, and Twilight already knew she shouldn’t. She glanced around, and realised the house really was empty save for herself. And the scroll. It was none of her business. Rainbow didn’t want her to know what was in it before, she certainly wouldn’t now. It was wrong to go through another pony’s mail.

Miss Rainbow Dash, it began.

Rainbow Dash didn’t waste a second of her time. The second her hooves were on the ground the front door of carousel boutique was thrown open, the bell above ringing loudly. Her eyes were narrowed and hard, and she scanned the front room quickly. There was nopony there, but a light was on from further back.

“Hello, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity’s voice called from within. “Do come in.”

The pegasus’s eyebrows lifted, but she quickly wiped the surprised look of her face and followed the voice deeper into the shop. She rounded a corner and found a small kitchen. At a table Rarity sat, two cups of tea in front of her. “I made you a cup, darling, but I’m afraid it’s gone cold. You took longer than I thought you would.”

The unicorn lit her horn, and before long the cup opposite her was steaming once more. Rarity’s smile was thin. “Please, sit down.”

Rainbow didn’t move from the doorway. “How’d you know I’d come here?”

“Please,” Rarity rolled her eyes and sipped her tea. “I saw the look you gave me. The way you walked Twilight away.” Her smile evened out into a neutral line. “You took care of her, I hope?”

“‘Course I did,” Rainbow spat, surprised by the venom lacing her own words but unable to stop them. “‘Least I care about her.”

Rarity’s eyes narrowed. “I hope you’re not implying I don’t?”

“I’m not implying anything.”

“Ah.” Rarity leaned back in her chair. She frowned slightly, idly stirring her tea in her magic. “So that’s how it is.” Sighing, she shook her head. “I do care for Twilight; quite a bit, in fact. She’s one of my dearest friends.”

Rainbow’s glare only intensified. “You hurt her.”

“I…” Rarity trailed off, and behind her eyes a moment of genuine remorse showed through. “Yes, I suppose I did. But I’m afraid I didn’t have much of a choice. I do hope the poor dear is okay.”

“She cried,” Rainbow grunted shortly. “You made her cry.”

“And what would you have had me do?” Rarity asked, her tone lacking the welcoming lightness she was known for. “I hate to break it to you, Dash, but there’s no way to reject somepony’s feelings without hurting them.”

“You-”

“Your tea’s getting cold again,” Rarity interrupted, nodding at the empty chair. “Sit down. Please.”

Rainbow’s teeth ground together. “Screw the tea, Rarity!”

“What do you want me to do?” Rarity demanded, her voice rising for the first time, though she wasn’t quite yelling. “Lead her on for a while before crushing her heart?”

“You could have given her a shot!” Rainbow shouted angrily. “Doesn’t she deserve at least that much?”

“Of course she does! Twilight’s a wonderful mare, but I-”

Rainbow lifted her forehooves and slammed them on the table, their teacups rattling atop their saucers. “Exactly! Twilight’s great. You’d be lucky to have her! Anypony would be lucky to have her!” She huffed and turned away. “You’re the one missing out. Twilight should be glad; she really dodged a bullet.”

“Excuse me?” Rarity gasped indignantly.

“You heard me! Twilight is too good for you. Too good for somepony who can’t even see how lucky they are a mare like Twilight would even consider dating them.” Rainbow had started pacing almost subconsciously. Struggling to vent her mounting anger. “I mean, Twi’s amazing! She’s kind and-and super smart, and have you seen some of the magic she can pull off? Not to mention she blows you out of the water in terms of looks.”

Rarity rested her head in her hooves, idly watching the pegasus pace furiously in front of her. “I’m not disagreeing.”

“You should be honoured to be dating a mare like Twilight!” Rainbow shouted, stomping her hooves as her pacing came to a stop. Her wings fanned out wide, feathers rustiling.

“Yes, I suppose a mare like Twilight is quite a catch,” Rarity agreed thoughtfully, a frown on her muzzle. “But that’s just the problem.”

Rainbow sputtered. “That’s a problem to you? What are you, jealous? Afraid she’ll show you up?”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Twilight is a wonderful mare,” she said, looking pointedly at the pegasus. When Rainbow’s glare didn’t relent, Rarity huffed. “Honestly, Rainbow Dash, you’re as thick as ever. Twilight’s great, but she’s a mare. I’m afraid I don’t… swing that way, as it were - all of which I explained to her as gently as I could.”

“Oh.” Rainbow’s wings wilted.

“Your tea’s cold,” Rarity said. “Would you like me to heat it again?”

Blushing slightly and turning away, Rainbow shook her head. “I, uh… I should probably go check on Twi.”

Rarity nodded. “It would be good for her to have somepony with her for a little while. Just while the initial shock passes.” She smiled. “You do seem to be rather fond of her.”

Rainbow gave her an odd look. “Yeah? She’s my friend. ‘Course I like her.”

“I see.” Rarity giggled daintily. “Well, don’t let me hold you up; the poor dear shouldn’t be alone right now.” Her smile faded slightly. “Take care of her, Rainbow Dash. She’s a good mare; I would hate for her to dwell on this for too long. And do extend my most sincere apologies that I am unable to return her affections.”

Grunting her acknowledgement, Rainbow was already on her way out of the shop, leaving Rarity alone in her kitchen once more. “And bring her some ice cream!” She called, an idle smile on her lips. “Honestly. Thick as mud, that one,” she said to herself. Her eyes trailed down to the cup that hadn’t once been touched. “And such a waste of good tea, too.”

Rainbow Dash jumped into the air, wings spreading wide and giving a powerful flap. Her destination was not her own home and the unicorn she’d left sleeping, but rather the tree near the center of town. It was a short flight, and the sun had just disappeared behind the horizon when she landed.

“Spike?” Rainbow called, knocking on the front door. After a moment, the door cracked open, a Spike poked his head out.

“Rainbow?”

“Hey, listen, Twi’s gonna crash at my place tonight, so don’t wait up for her, or whatever,” Rainbow explained hurriedly, half-way turned around by time Spike finished processing what she’d said.

“Hey hold on. Twilight’s been at your place a lot lately, but she’s never stayed overnight. Is something going on?”

Rainbow winced at the question, her wings twitching as she shifted from hoof to hoof. Painfully aware that the longer she was here, the longer she wasn’t with Twilight. “No. Well, kind of. It’s complicated.” She grunted, scratching the back of her neck. “Just… you can ask Twi about it later. I just gotta make sure she’s okay, so-

“If she’s okay?” Spike stepped outside, frowning. “Why wouldn’t she be okay? What happened?”

“She’s fine! Rainbow answered quickly. “Look, I promise, it’s nothing big, and definitely nothing you need to worry about, okay?”

Spike’s eyes narrowed. “Rainbow Dash. What. Happened.”

“I-... I have to go. Twi’ll explain everything tomorrow.”

“Hey- wait! Rainbow Dash!” Spike shouted, but it was too late - Rainbow had shot off like a rocket.

Only to come back a second later.

“Do you have any ice cream?”

“Stupid Spike,” Rainbow grumbled around the bag in her mouth, eyeing the moon as it rose higher and higher by the second. “Who doesn’t have ice cream?”

The thought that she herself never had anything in her fridge wasn’t even entertained.

“Please still be asleep,” she muttered to herself as her house rapidly approached, floating silently in the darkened sky. The last thing she wanted was for Twilight to wake up alone after what had happened. However, her hopes were deflated as she saw a light on inside, and she cursed herself for not flying faster, regulations be damned. With an extra powerful beat of her wings she shot across the sky, slowing down just enough to make the difference between a landing and a crash landing on her doorstep.

“Twi?” Rainbow called, setting her bag aside as she stepped inside. The light was coming from her kitchen, and her ear twitched as she heard the dreadfully familiar sound of a quill scratching against parchment. Her stomach dropped. “Twilight?”

The writing stopped, and after a moment the unicorn appeared from around the corner, her eyes set in a steely glare that sent a cold shiver down Rainbow’s spine.

“Heh. What, uh, what’re ya doin’?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Rainbow blinked. “About what?”

Twilight’s horn flared to life, and a scroll was pulled into view, a shimmering gold seal torn in half still clung to the bottom. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She asked again.

“You opened it!?”

“Were you ever going to tell me?” Twilight demanded, ignoring the pegasus’s indignation. “How long were you going to let this go on?”

Rainbow snorted, her wings ruffling against her sides. “I wasn’t gonna leave my friend hanging just because-”

“You're about to get fired!” Twilight all but shrieked, throwing the letter on the ground at Rainbow’s hooves. “According to that, this is your second warning. Is that what you wanted? Get yourself fired so you’d have more time to help me?”

“You needed a friend, and-”

“I didn’t need you to put everything else in your life aside to help me!” Twilight insisted, her eye softening slightly. “What would I have done if this kept going, if you got so far behind they fired you? How would I have felt knowing it was my fault? Did you ever think about that?”

Rainbow frowned, her head hanging slightly. “I, uh… no, not really.”

“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me - really, I do. I never would have been able to talk to Rarity without your help. But this-” she motioned to the letter “-this isn’t what I wanted.”

“I’m… sorry,” Rainbow said, slowly.

Sighing, Twilight shook her head. “I don’t want an apology. I want you to ask me for help. Like I kept telling you to do.”

“I…” Rainbow trailed off, chewing her lip as she stared down at the warning. She took a breath, and forced herself to meet Twilight’s gaze. “Twi, I need your help. Please.”

The barest hint of a smile tugged at the corners of Twilight’s lips. “Was that so hard?” She asked, motioning for Rainbow to follow as she turned away. “Of course I’ll help you. In fact, I’ve already started.”

“Huh?” Rainbow lifted an eyebrow as she rounded the corner into her kitchen as saw her desk. What had once been a paperwork mountain akin to something Daring Do might climb was now a set of neatly organized stacks.

“I’ve done what I can without you. I don’t really understand the work, but I’ve sorted it according to urgency based on their dates. Some simpler tasks - like recording the weather conditions - I’ve started filling out myself based on your notes. Well, the ones I could read, anyway.”

Rainbow felt her jaw hanging open and clicked it shut. “H-how long did this take?”

“Hmm? Not long. When I woke up and you weren’t here… I needed something to take my mind off everything,” Twilight admitted, a slight melancholic shimmer in her eyes.

“Twi-”

“It’s fine,” the unicorn said quickly, turning back to the work. “Having something to work on helps. And it’s certainly better than moping around in bed. Now, you start on this stack-” she pulled a pile of papers forward “-and I’ll start filling out whatever I can on these ones over here.”

Rainbow swallowed thickly at the tower of work placed before her. It was going to be a long night.

Author's Note

Shorter chapter this time, but a lot of fun to write as we transition into the real meat of this story.

Comments below, yeah?