Chapter One – To the Gala

It was about noon at the train station, where Pinkie Pie had been bouncing for nearly half an hour, waiting patiently and excitingly for the train to arrive. Twilight and the rest of her friends had put themselves a considerable distance from Pinkie, so certain that her bouncing would at some point cause the wooden floor beneath to collapse. They all observed dreading that inevitability, intently listening to the creaking of the floor with each ascent and descent of that blissfully carefree pony.

Fluttershy was the first among the five to speak up, softly, “um, shouldn’t one of us do something?” She asked, not willing to volunteer herself, “she’s just going to hurt herself if she keeps jumping.”

Applejack sighed at what seemed like a pointless cause, but for Fluttershy’s sake, she made an attempt. “Pinkamena Diane Pie! You get back here before falling through the floor now, ya hear?!”

Pinkie froze in midair, holding her pose until she landed. Drooping her ears, she slowly walked to her group saying, “Sorry AJ,” her mood shaken by the use of her full name, “I’m just super excited that we’re all going to the Grand Galloping Gala again. It feels like forever since the last.”

Twilight chuckled at Pinkie’s enthusiasm. “We all are Pinkie, but let’s all try to get there in one piece.”

Rarity concurred. “Indeed, the last thing you want is to get injured and be unable to come on the last minute.” The rest all hummed in agreement, except for one, Rainbow Dash, who dressed in an elegant, raw umber colored suit, with a purple bowtie. She just kept to herself, silent, staring far out along the tracks.

It was only a few months since Twilight had received tickets to yet another Gala, for herself and her friends. It had been years since the gals’ first Grand Galloping Gala together, each succeeding one being better than the last. Her friends were thrilled every time these tickets came, maybe more so than Twilight, but something was different that time. Among her five friends, Rainbow Dash had seemed distant, nervous even, despite her painfully obvious fake smile. Maybe it was merely comparing Rainbow’s reaction to Pinkie Pie’s enthrallment, Twilight couldn’t tell, but something seemed off that day, and she had just sensed that same distance between Rainbow and the group at the station. Come to think of it, something had certainly changed in Rainbow since those tickets came, up until the day of the Gala, causing Twilight some concern.

Twilight broke from the group whose focus was on Pinkie, drawing near Rainbow Dash, and asked: “Are you okay?” No reaction. She tried again. “Rainbow Dash?”

The sound of her name pulled Rainbow out of her trance after realizing Twilight was talking to her. “Huh? Uh yeah, I’m fine, just psyched to be going to the Grand Galloping Gala with my friends,” she said, finishing with a rather big grin. A fake grin. A grin Twilight did not like at all.

“Are you sure? Because you don’t seem that excited about it. If you’d rather not come this time,” Twilight gave a caring look, “I’m sure our friends will under–”

“NO!” Rainbow said, cutting Twilight off, “I mean, I really want to go. It’s just,” she paused, reconsidering the course of her words, “I’m fine, really.”

She offered a more sincere smile, leaving Twilight unsatisfied, yet at the same time unwilling to press further. Rainbow then got up on all fours and joined the others who had been focused on their own conversation. Pleased to see Rainbow being part of her circle again, Twilight likewise followed.

The train had to have been fifteen minutes away, give or take, as more and more ponies came out ready to board. These many new arrivals had begun idle chit-chat, amongst themselves and with Twilight’s circle of friends, just passing the time as they all awaited the train to make it stop. Twilight herself had become entranced by the mingling scene, forgetting entirely about Rainbow Dash’s reserved behavior. Rainbow finally had the chance to creep back into her own world to ponder the future, until:

“Are you quite alright there, darling?” Again, Rainbow snapped out of her mind. She turned slightly to find Rarity with a look of concern on her face. Hearing no response, Rarity had assumed she wasn’t heard, so she repeated, “I asked if you were alright, dear.”

“You don’t look well at all, Rainbow,” Fluttershy pointed out, poking her head from behind Rarity. “Is there anything we can do?” After vaguely hearing out Fluttershy, Rainbow shook her head lightly back into the real world.

“What, I mean no, ha-ha. Everything’s fine, just fine.” There was a pause between “just” and “fine”. Both Rarity and Fluttershy shared an analytical expression, broken by a slight shake in disagreement from Fluttershy.

Rarity persisted, “Nothing is ‘just – fine’,” mimicking Rainbow. The fashionista was simply too observant to ignore the signs. Even Rainbow’s choice of suit over the dress made specially for her raised flags in Rarity’s mind, as Rainbow played a bit with her purple bowtie.

A single bead of sweat slowly fell down Rainbow’s face. She focused back on Rarity and Fluttershy, watching as their faces went from curious to worried. What to do? Rainbow could have just…no, too soon, and not to only two of them! Certainly not out in open, but Rainbow Dash had just found herself cornered.

She sighed and thought that maybe she could use this.

“Okay, well, it’s like this,” Rainbow had to aim perfectly, “Just, I need to tell you all something.”

“Yes?” Rarity and Fluttershy both asked in unison.

Their eyes locked onto Rainbow, who then clarified, saying, “But not here, and…I need you five together!”

Fluttershy was disappointed, feeling unable to do anything to help her friend. “Oh, um, on the train then?” attempting to read Rainbow’s mind.

Rainbow nodded in confirmation, “Yeah, on the train, I promise.” Still feeling unsure, Fluttershy took a hoof to her eye, saying nothing. Getting the hint, Rainbow recited speedily, “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!”

“I’ll hold you to it,” Rarity herself promised, making simply the hoof gestures involved in a Pinkie Promise, which was just as binding. Feeling that matter was settled, Rainbow gave a nod in consent and turned to the distance, seeing the long-awaited train. This was it, she thought. The flag had been planted, the foundation established, Rainbow’s door had just opened ajar, and the exact setting was about to arrive.

Everypony saw the new train arriving, mostly silver in appearance, and had begun to organize themselves, hinting Rainbow, Rarity, and Fluttershy that they best be off finding their other friends. The search wasn’t difficult since Princess Twilight Sparkle was always granted, or rather forced, the honor of being first in line to climb aboard. Was Twilight ever going to get used to special honors?

The three mares rushed towards Twilight, only to be halted by the conductor. “Now wait just minute. You three, get to the back of the line.”

Rarity was most offended, but Fluttershy acquiesced to the conductor’s command. “PEEP! s-Sorry, we’ll just…” She turned away with a lowered gaze when not but a few steps later, she heard Twilight’s voice.

“Wait!” The conductor turned to Twilight who, halfway onboard, scorned back, “Iron Ore! You know those three ponies!” Her anger subsided only slightly. “They’re with me.”

The conductor, having removed his cap, placed it on his chest and spoke through his mustache, “My apologies, Princess. Welcome aboard,” he turned to Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow with a bow.

Rarity was the first to follow Twilight, Pinkie, and Applejack in, with her nose pointed up, eyes closed, letting out a disdaining “Hmph!”.

Rainbow was next, almost back to her usual attitude, which would have taken this moment to be likewise as annoyed as Rarity.

Fluttershy lastly followed Rainbow, whilst whispering to the conductor: “It’s okay,” hoping Twilight and least of all Rarity didn’t hear.

Finally, with all six accounted for, they proceeded to the car especially reserved for them, and them alone. Princess Celestia had often, in past times, offered to provide special escort for Twilight to the Gala since she was a princess. She even had extended the offer to her closest friends, merely for regal tradition’s sake, but Twilight had always turned down such an offer. Going by train with her five friends was her tradition and she simply wouldn’t have it any other way.

Applejack was the first to speak once all of them made their way to their car. “Say, Twi, you think all that royal biz is, at last, getting to you?”

Twilight looked at Applejack's teasing smirk. A blush came to her face. “Not at all! I just couldn’t let anypony treat my friends like that.”

She followed that with a mild chuckle, tucking in one corner of her mouth opposite to Applejack. A silence then filled the air, which was odd, as usually in such times Rainbow Dash would have come with a playful retort such as ‘yeah right Twilight’, which would have been followed by laughter from the rest, giving Twilight a hard time, as was the silly custom amongst good friends. Nopony had that specifically in mind, but the sense of something missing was there. It occurred to Rarity at that point that Rainbow had the time to say what she promised, but when she looked towards the quiet pegasus, it was clear she was deep in thought. She then went down a mental list of what might be going on inside that vibrantly plumed head. The six had finally arrived at the reserved car, according to Twilight’s instructions. Nothing special, she just wanted a good old regular car, maybe with a little higher maintenance, clean and orderly. In the past, similar to Princess Celestia, Rarity had insisted that Twilight not be so humble with her needs, but this was just Twilight. Each of the six had taken their seats in the following manner: all were seated on the left side of the car. From left to right, those closer to the front of the train were Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity. Facing Rarity was Rainbow Dash, who looked as though she was finally compiling all her thoughts to share, followed leftward by Applejack and Twilight.

Before anypony had a full minute to settle in, Pinkie Pie burst out, “Oh boy!” followed by the musically tuned, “We’re on our way to the Gala, we’re on our way to the Gala, we’re on our way to the Gala!” cut short, thank Celestia, by the giggles she couldn’t repress any longer.

Twilight smiled at Pinkie’s contagious self, then asked the group, “So any of you girls have any special plans tonight?”

Applejack was the first to share. “Well, I’ve been sharing certain recipes on certain desserts with the organizers of the Gala and I think—”

“I’m sorry for interrupting, dear,” Rarity came in rather hastily, “but there’s a more urgent matter to attend to right now.” Applejack gaped at this rude act, often being at odds with Rarity, but grew curious as the unicorn turned to Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow winced at Rarity’s stare, so she turned towards Fluttershy instead, who likewise stared. She kept turning her sights to each friend, finding that same stare, ending with Applejack who asked, “Something wrong, sugar cube?”

The most Rainbow could say was a single vowel, though the exact one strangely couldn’t be placed. Her eyes fell to the lower right. She took in a deep breath, and held it. Rarity’s eyes widened at this. It was something she had seen before. She knew that look. Well, she didn’t know it full well, but she had a pretty good guess.

“Rainbow,” she then addressed, choosing to hide her suspicions, “you said there was something important you needed to tell us: the five of us.” She put some light emphasis on that last part, re-establishing one of Rainbow’s conditions.

Fluttershy then chimed in with the second condition, “And,” she trailed off for a second, “we are on the train now.” She reinforced her point with a nod.

Cornered again. Just what Rainbow Dash wanted, yet didn’t want. She wanted so badly for no other option, but it was the option she didn’t want to take. Rainbow Dash sat up straight, fixed her gaze a little to the left, bouncing back from front to left, just wishing she could just get all her friends in one sight.

A minor inconvenience, she decided, as she began calmly, “I…have a confession to make,” speaking the last three words slowly.

The five others said together, “Yes?”

“It’s really, REALLY important that I get this out now,” Rainbow qualified.

“YES?” Her friends repeated, more emphatically, though Rarity was softer than the rest.

Rainbow took a deep breath in when Pinkie chimed in, “Ooo, I know, I know I know!” All eyes landed on Pinkie, “Is this about the time you unsorted Twilight’s books in the most unsorted, unsubtle way possible?!”

At this, Twilight barked, “That was YOU?!” Rainbow had felt the precious time was wasting away, but Pinkie continued, blissfully unaware. “Or was it the time you switched sugar with salt during AJ’s bake sale for the post Summer Sun Celebration?!”

“Say what now?” Applejack gawked at Pinkie, hoping she heard that wrong.

“How about Fluttershy’s animals when you—”

Fluttershy was by this point pleading Pinkie to stop. “Pinkie, shhh!” She squeaked, bringing both hooves to her mouth, not caring whatever Rainbow Dash had done.

Rarity finally barked out, “Miss Pinkamena!”, shooting a molten hot glare at the overly hyped Pie. It wasn’t her full name, but it was enough to tame Pinkie and indicate clearly the negativity she was bringing into the car. The whole scene felt like Rainbow had set a home on fire by her doing, and she was caught in it.

Rarity’s eyes softened as she returned to Rainbow, who was still frozen on her seat. She rushed over, taking Rainbow by the hoof, and led her to a door saying, “Oh you poor, poor thing!” Now she had improvised. “Please just... just take your time, and get some fresh air.”

Dash, amidst the chaos Pinkie had unleashed, knew nothing more than to say “Alright”, and stepped outside onto a wooden platform.

“And don’t worry, I’ll have the room cool in no time at all,” Rarity continued, as she slowly closed the door.

“Terrible, just terrible,” were the words Rainbow Dash immediately thought after Rarity had left her alone. She leaned on the metal framing that surrounded her small space, as she stared down at the tracks.

She then looked up into the skies and thought to herself, “I could just fly, right now.” But she felt the shackles of that promise she made.

“Nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise,” Rainbow thought back at what caused her to accept this trap she put herself in. She took another deep breath in, then released.

A strong scent had filled her nostrils, causing her to look to her right. She saw cropland: vast fields of wheat, corn, sunflowers, daffodils, and so much more. Where was she again? Rainbow looked out from where the train was leaving and saw Canterlot from afar. Next stop being Vanhoover and circle back to Canterlot was her best guess, never having put thought in the way trains went. The fields caught her nose again, being very sweet to the smell. It was past noon, and the sun brought warmth to the land, coupled with the rush of wind as the train sped on the tracks. Rainbow Dash smiled, the first genuine smile for some time. She continued leaning on the metal railing, and after resting her head, she was finally at peace.

Meanwhile, back in the car, immediately after Rarity left Rainbow to herself, she leaned her back against the door, panting frantically. It only took a moment to collect herself, shifting from panicked to just plain angry. She trotted back to her seat, filling the room with silence. Oh, how they all got it was the thought filling everypony else’s minds. Rarity took a second with closed eyes, then shot a hot glare at Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Twilight. Rainbow Dash was right outside, so Rarity couldn’t bring herself to speak too loudly, so she spoke barely above a whisper.

“I hope you are all proud of yourselves.”

This earned surprised expressions from the four other mares. Fluttershy ducked her head, accepting the fault. “s-Sorry,” she began, but Rarity clarified:

“Oh no, not you at all, dear.” She shifted her gaze onto Pinkie, Applejack, Twilight, then continued. “You were just as desperate for PINKIE to stop talking as I was. Our friend Rainbow Dash clearly had something important to tell us, and you trampled all over her words with your,” Rarity cleared her throat, “fond memories of pranks which now have her friends upset at her!”

Pinkie Pie’s hung her head low and her hair went flat. Rarity shifted her attention towards Applejack, who then took her hat to her chest, ready for whatever she deserved.

“Jacqueline Apple, you were…” Rarity was lost for a moment, then rolled her eyes, sighing. “I suppose you were the least worse, BUT YOU DIDN’T HELP!” Applejack sighed, still guilty, but relieved that her impact was minimal. There was one last pony to whip, the Princess of Friendship herself.

“And YOU,” Rarity inched towards Twilight.

“Me?” Twilight asked softly, confused by the whole situation.

“Yes, you,” Rarity reiterated. “Something has been eating at Rainbow for quite some time now, a matter of great importance to tell us, but after Pinkie exposed Rainbow for the ‘book disorganizer’ she was, you barked at her!”

Twilight reflected back, remembering how Rainbow was acting, not just on the train or at the station, but for the past three months. There were small changes, which progressed more and more, but Twilight had occasionally tried to figure out what was up. During that time, Rainbow always assured her how everything was fine and she had never cut herself off from her friends, but Dash had become milder, even withdrawn. Had Twilight been that blind to this shift in personalities? She didn’t want to impose her help too much on Rainbow, but now the possibility fell on Twilight that maybe she didn’t do enough, as Rarity pointed out.

“Princess of Friendship my ass,” Rarity thought. Such a phrase would never escape the lips of this unicorn of more eloquent speech, yet Twilight lowered her head in shame, as though she had heard that exact statement. She found herself tracing circles with her hoof on the seat, thinking that maybe she should have picked up more from Rainbow’s mind.

“You’re right, Rarity,” Twilight finally confessed. “that was inexcusable on my part.”

The guilty mares Twilight, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie all exchanged glances, and as they seemed to read each other’s next words, they spoke in unison.

“We’re sorry, Rarity.”

Rarity turned away from them. “Well, don’t tell me that,” she said, hinting to whom their apology should have been towards.

Fluttershy had kept quiet the whole time, but seeing how much more pacified the scene had become, she asked Rarity, “Um, what now?”

Approving Fluttershy’s desire to move on, Rarity said, “Do check up on our friend outside, won’t you, dear?” Fluttershy nodded and went without hesitation to the door leading out.

Fluttershy stepped out to meet Rainbow, who smiled serenely onto the landscape. This told Fluttershy just how well her friend was, but she needed to make sure.

“Rainbow, how are you holding up?”

Rainbow turned to Fluttershy, bearing a peaceful look. “I’m okay now. It was just getting a little too hot in there, but I’m better now.”

This made Fluttershy smile softly, as Rainbow would never lie to her, at least not over any serious matter. She looked out with her friend towards the passing scenery, understanding the sense of calm Rainbow had found. She took a rest on the railing, enjoying the quiet moment, but couldn’t resist pressing on:

“Rainbow Dash, you know I’m your friend. If there’s anything you want to tell me, I won’t tell anypony if you don’t want me to.”

Fluttershy wasn’t completely right, Rainbow mused to herself. No, she was more like a little sister. Their bond went back to a flight camp in Cloudsdale, and Rainbow had always been looking out for her. Dash had to keep that to herself, though, especially from Scootaloo.

Fluttershy, finding Rainbow unresponsive, changed the subject. “It really is beautiful out here, isn’t it? Just so yellow!” And it was, as the croplands seem to go on for miles and miles.

“Yeah,” Rainbow agreed, but not at Fluttershy’s second point. “You are my friend, my best friend,” she continued, causing Fluttershy to softly smile, “but so is everypony else in there.” She turned back towards the door.

Fluttershy understood what Rainbow had meant, but again sought confirmation. “Are you ready to come back in?” Rainbow gave a soft nod, and Fluttershy opened the door for her.

A moment after Fluttershy went out to Rainbow Dash, Rarity had begun giving strict instructions to her remaining friends. “Now girls, when Rainbow comes back in, I want her to see a room full of smiles.”

Turning towards Pinkie Pie, she continued. “Turn that frown…upside down!” This rekindled Pinkie’s giggly self, as Rarity was obviously taking a page straight out of her book, and her flat hair bounced back up!

Rarity turned to the other two, the grins of whom were far too exaggerated. “Uhh, dial it down a tad, dears.”

Applejack and Twilight showed fewer teeth, but Rarity was unsatisfied. “Little bit more,” then, “try softer now,” until at last their faces adjusted to more moderate smiles. Like they couldn’t do that in the first place, Rarity thought; nevertheless, she carried on, bidding them to strike out everything Pinkie was spouting out so carelessly before from the record, reminding them all how to be there for Rainbow in her time of need, and so forth.

The stage was set and not a moment too soon, as Fluttershy’s head poked inside to declare softly, “She’s ready.” She opened the door wider, allowing a much more relaxed Rainbow Dash to reenter the car.

As Rainbow looked amongst her peers, she almost didn’t buy into all the smiles she saw but chose not to make a fuss over it. She returned to her seat, startled slightly by a glass of water levitating near her, upheld by a bluish-gray aura. In front of her was Rarity, whose horn glowed with the same color, beckoning Rainbow to take the glass.

“Thanks, Rare,” she said, taking the cup from Rarity’s magical grasp and sipping on it.

Twilight was the first to speak up. “Sorry Rainbow, I think I could have been a bit more sensitive with you. I hope you can forgive me.”

Before Rainbow could even think up a response, Pinkie took her turn. “Oh-no-no-no-no, if anypony’s got to be sorry,” she said, lowering her voice to a whisper, “then I’ve got to be super-duper sorry.” Then, raising her voice a little, she added: “I’m the one who started it.”

Applejack was the last. “And I’m sorry for, uh,” she paused, fishing around for some kind of fault. What was it that she did, exactly?

She defaulted to what Rarity had said earlier. “Uh, sorry for not being any help in the situation, sugar muffin.” Applejack grinned weakly, causing Rarity to roll her eyes at what seemed like a weak apology, while Rainbow actually giggled at AJ’s efforts. Rarity tried to bring back everypony's attention. “Anyway,” she began, then turning to Rainbow Dash, “you have something to say.”

Rainbow blinked, finding all eyes were on her, and she was under the spotlight again. She took a longer sip from the glass of water, readying herself. She then opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her friends, sans Rarity, began imagining what Rainbow had bottled up inside. Was she kicked out of the Wonderbolts? Or was Rainbow the one responsible for the near catastrophic dust storm that had hit Appleloosa, Dodge Junction, all the way to Ponyville? Was she the one who woke the cranky dragon from the Smokey Mountains which then nearly attacked Cloudsdale? Every scenario conceivably connected to Rainbow Dash came to the minds of Twilight, Applejack, and especially the overly imaginative Pinkie Pie. Even the worse, most improbable, not to mention morbid thought arose. Did she kill somepony? Their thoughts became more ludicrous by the minute, while Rarity and Fluttershy simply waited in patience.

This was taking too long, Rarity realized, but what could she do? She couldn’t simply play twenty or more questions with Rainbow to squeeze out what she needed to say.

Still committed to her best guess from earlier, she drew Rainbow in with her softest, most caring eyes, and said, “If it’s any consolation, dear,” her smile grew warmer, “I know.”

This caused everypony to gasp sharply and their eyes to focus on Rarity. Rainbow sank into her seat as she let out a hesitant, “What?! You do? But how?”

Rarity shook her head. “I’ll tell you later, but first,” she said, making a circular gesture with her hoof, urging Rainbow to continue.

How did she know? What did she know?! Or was Rarity simply bluffing? Dash took a gulp from her glass this time. She felt a hoof on her shoulder. Applejack’s, to be specific.

“Listen here, partner. If Rarity knows what’s going on, and is okay with it,” Applejack said, sending a speculative glance towards the seemingly knowing unicorn, “which she clearly is, then I am too.”

This made Rainbow a little more comfortable, but Applejack continued, a little more harshly: “But for corn’s sake, RD, I’d like to be wise as to what I’m approvin’ here with you.”

Nothing. Rainbow just took another drink, looking away, but with a blush now more apparent.

Fluttershy was on the verge of tears now, seeing her friend in this state. “Please just say it, we’ll all still love you. I promise,” she insisted, and her remark was followed by Pinkie’s, which sounded just as desperate.

“I – Can’t – Take – The – Suspense!”

Applejack was about to continue when Twilight burst in. “GIRLS!”

Getting Rainbow’s attention, she took a hoof to her chest and inhaled. Rainbow blinked, a sign she was paying attention, and Twilight exhaled, extending the same hoof out. Rainbow blinked twice at the suddenly still Twilight, taking the same motions as Twilight, and they repeated the breathing exercise that was taught by Princess Cadence.

After a few repetitions of this, Rainbow sat back down. She heard Twilight ask: “Feeling better now?”

After nodding to Twilight, Dash turned towards Rarity, “You think you can tell them for me?” She asked.

Rarity jolted back on her seat and yelled back, “No!” Her eyes were filled with sincerity. “This is your moment, darling.”

What else could she say? Rainbow, unsatisfied, tried again. “Well then help me out here!” Rarity blinked, unsure if she should, but seeing Rainbow as though her wing was caught beneath a boulder, she simply couldn’t find it within her to refuse.

“Very well, I shall do my best to get you through this,” Rarity said, smiling. Rainbow Dash shined forth an expression of hope.

Rarity began by clearing her throat, and staring directly at Rainbow. “FIRST,” she began, softly, “close your eyes.” Rainbow did so. “Second,” Rarity continued, “put forth in your mind what you want to say in the simplest and fewest words.”

“Already have them,” Rainbow whispered back, as though she was going through some sort of hypnotic therapy.

Rarity moved on to the next step. “Now open your eyes!” Rainbow did so, seeing her friends, each bearing a neutral expression. She then looked back to a smiling Rarity. “Just say it,” she said, in a calm whisper.

Rainbow began. It was the moment of truth, and she would do it in one fast swoop. “I— ah—,” she stammered, only to collapse her words into a cough.

Recognizing her discouragement, Rarity made the rushing command: “Just relax and we’ll take this one breath at a time.”

After a single breath in and out, as Rarity gestured, Rainbow took a second breath in, managing to get the first word out, “I…” She took a third breath in, releasing the second word, “am…”

Rarity’s eyes beamed in excitement, and she insisted: “Now one big one, one big one.”

Finally, Rainbow took the last deep breath in. The others gaped, ready for anything, as Dash unleashed the final word, lasting only a mere second: “Gay.”

Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie all together straightened out on their seats, unsure of what to say. This urged Rainbow to say it again, more shortly, and in surrender. “I’m gay.”

Rarity was the first to react, letting out a high pitched and jubilant giggle, clapping her hooves together at what Rainbow Dash had just accomplished.

Pinkie Pie had just let out a nonchalant, “Oh,” seemingly almost disappointed.

Twilight attempted a redaction of Pinkie’s only word, “Is…that all?”

Rainbow Dash looked up, surprised. The first sign of approval, but her face remained concerned. She couldn’t say anything more just yet, so she settled with a gentle nod.

This was followed by Applejack’s solemn voice. “Golly, that’s gotta be one heavy wagon to pull hun.” It didn’t quite translate as ‘approval’, but it wasn’t rejection either, so Dash just smirked innocently, turning her head away slightly, keeping her eyes fixed on Applejack.

A broken whimper stole everypony’s attention as Fluttershy began to cry, not from any negative emotion, but out of pure joy. The hooves held to her mouth began to lower, revealing a smile. “Oh Rainbow Dash, I was so worried about you! I had thought something awful happened, and I—” She failed to continue, as the flood of emotions left her throat constricted, unable to let out any more intelligible words. With her loss of speech, Fluttershy just leaped from her seat, rushed over to Rainbow, and hugged her tightly, with both her forehooves and wings. Maybe a little over dramatic, but that was just Fluttershy.

The hug had only lasted a few moments, giving Fluttershy a chance to rediscover her composure and return to her seat. Rainbow Dash felt the weight lifted from her shoulders, fidgeting her wings just to make sure they weren’t carrying her away.

She was addressed by one last pony: Rarity. “You did very well, love.”

“Oh, c’mon, Rare,” Rainbow Dash protested, “I couldn’t have done this without you,”

“Nonsense,” Rarity dismissed, turning her head away. “I merely played the role of midwife. It was all you, dear.” Rainbow had gone speechless once again. “And I’m very proud of you,” Rarity said, with a wink. This sparked a giggle from Rainbow, which morphed into a chuckle, followed by a sudden rush of tears, and she found herself stuck both crying and laughing.

Fluttershy grew a little concerned once more. “Um, Rarity, should we do something?”

Rarity hummed a negative. “Nope, this is all part of the process,” she said, giving the whole group an assuring smile. She turned back to Rainbow, who seemed lost in her emotions. “Now doesn’t that feel just amazing?” Rainbow tried her best to answer.

“Yeah, it does! Make it stop,” she demanded, wishing to find self-control again. In response, and bearing a knowing look, Rarity levitated from her purse a gold pocket watch adorned with a diamond. It seemed as though it wasn’t Rarity’s first witness of this phenomenon.

After Rainbow gazed at the floating pocket watch for a moment, Rarity took a hoof to the air, “You should be at rest…” she said, as she lowered the same hoof, “…right about…” She drew the hoof back to herself. “…now!”

It took a moment, but Rainbow soon found her emotional-self begin to die down. Twilight looked back and forth between those two, impressed by Rarity’s expertise. Where had the seamstress learned these skills? How did she get that timing down so exact? Or was it merely an act of psychological suggestion Rarity was pulling? But if the latter was the case, then how? Rarity of all ponies!

Rainbow seemed relaxed now, feeling a hoof from the left wiping a few remaining tears.

“You feeling better now, hun?” Applejack asked, sweetly.

“Yeah,” Rainbow answered, With a soft giggle, and letting out a sigh of relief afterwards.

“Well, good,” Twilight said, attempting to keep up the conversation, dreading the inevitable to come. Silence, awkward silence.

Everypony looked amongst one another, hoping one would bring an end to the quiet. The only sound to be heard was the running of wheels along the tracks. Something big had just happened. Was everypony to just move on to a new topic of discussion? How was one to follow up on Rainbow’s confession? Should one even tackle the subject further?

Applejack finally broke the silence in the car. “So what now?”

Even Rarity was unsure in this particular situation when a random, squeaky “Oooh Oooh!” indicated that Pinkie Pie had an idea. “Q&A! Q&A!”

Twilight was puzzled. “Q&A?” Pinkie leaned in forward from her seat to Twilight’s face so close that their muzzles nearly touched.

“Q-N-A, Questions And Answers, DUH!” Pinkie said, playfully, drawing back to a more natural sitting position.

Twilight glared back with lowered brows, hissing through her teeth. “I know what ‘Q&A’ stands for, Pinkie!”

Rainbow Dash and Applejack glanced at each other, somewhat confused, and urged Pinkie to go further. Understanding the need for clarification, Pinkie went on.

“Well Dashie just told us something HUGE! It answers some questions, like why she never had a coltfriend—”

“I’m pretty certain none of us have Pinkie.” Twilight shot down the point.

This was followed by a soft, “Well…” Everypony turned towards Fluttershy. It led to a moment of awe and wonder. Fluttershy? She hid behind her mane. “We only went out a month,” she said, letting out a bashful grin.

Applejack tried corralling everypony. “I think we’re all getting off topic here,” she said, turning back to Rainbow Dash. “What do you say there, sugarcube? You think you are up for that?”

Rainbow Dash considered that a moment. With the biggest hurdle already passed, what’s the worst that could happen? Besides, she could use this to further her intentions that night. She needed her friends in on it, so Rainbow said, “Let’s do this!”

Author's Note

Reminder: Needs Edits
Note: When I set about to type this story, the name Summer Breeze was an independent thought. Any use of the name in fanfiction, forums, art, etc. is simply coincidental.

PS
If there are any issues, such as accidental plagiarism, or anything of the like, let me know and I will try to correct it.

[The train is different, more advanced]

[Must illustrate how Rainbow is in a suit not a dress]

[Rainbow’s suit may be raw umber 612507]