Dash runs out of the building with her friends, but when they stop, she keeps going, tearing up. She doesn't stop when they shout after her. She has seriously fucked up. She had seen Luna. Even a foal could tell she was hurt, and then to have Loyalty betray her… Thinking to use her wings, Dash accelerates to near-rainboom speeds.

After a few minutes of going in circles, constantly berating herself, Dash decides to land. Not caring where, she starts to glide, not realizing she is above the Everfree until a tree scratches her wings.

Dash falls to the floor with a shout. Once she lands/crashes, she sighs, bitter that she was going through this. I'm too awesome for this shit! She pounds the ground a few times in frustration. Deciding that her spot would be safe enough, she eventually decides to rest until she feels better. More awesome and less… blegh. After all, she needs some alone time. She deserves some alone time.

THREE HOURS LATER

James was walking through the forest, as he did when he could not get sleep. Back home, that is. It was so magical and beautiful here, in the wild, helping him calm down more than once. Unless he was in a jungle. Then he hid.

Those weren't at home or here, though. Sighing, he trudges along. He knew it was dangerous to be out here, but they thought it was dangerous. He thought it was a cake walk.

Reminded of his time in South Africa, he decided to sing a little song, maybe a bit too loud.

FIFTY FEET AWAY

Dash stirred, hearing something approaching. Yawning, she perks her ears as a familiar voice starts an unfamiliar tune:

(https://youtu.be/oyIGFckkRWU, great song)

"There's a yellow rose in Texas,
That I am going to see.
No other fellow knows her,
No other only me.
She cried so when I left her,
It liked to break my heart.
And if I ever find her,
We never more shall part."

The voice was a stallion's. It sounded familiar, but some words - 'Texas', 'girl' - were not. Getting up, Dash starts to walk towards it, entranced. She wants some comfort right now, and maybe she could restart with whoever this was. Be loyal for once. She smiled weakly at the thought. You can do it, you're awesome enough!

James keeps on singing and remembering; South Africa, Ryan, his dog… good times. If only, that stupid... His thoughts getting darker, he switches focus back to the song.

"She's the sweetest rose of colour,
This soldier ever knew.
Here eyes were bright as diamonds,
They sparkled like the dew.
You may talk about your dear Miss Mae
Or sing of Rosa Lee.
But the yellow rose of texas
Is the only girl for me."

At this point, Dash can see the strange Earth pony. He looks familiar, Dash thinks. Oh! The trial! She wonders what he's doing out here. The jury had pardoned him. Luna had… The thought of Luna brought her close to tears, however. Stupid element. Making me cry.

James felt tears coming. Ryan had been the only guy for him. He had been the only boy for him. Had been. He sighed a defeated sigh.

"Where the Rio Grande is flowing,
And the starry skies are bright.
She walks along the river,
On the starry summer night.
She thinks if I remember
When we parted long ago.
I'd promise to come back again
And never leave her so."

Dash is about to step forward, but something catches her hoof. She remains quiet, pulling it off with her teeth. Damn! I can't let him get away! She hurries up, and let's out a squeal of joy. Wow, he didn't notice...

James feels the tears coming up. What had I done wrong? I guess I was broken, but still...

"Oh now I'm going to find her,
For my heart is full of woe.
We'll sing the songs together,
Which we sang so long ago.
We'll play the banjo gayly
As we play the songs yore.
And the yellow rose of Texas
Shall be mine fore… ever... more…"

At the end, James was breaking up. Plopping to the ground, he finally let a tear shed. Not one more, he vowed.

"Is that the end?!? That was great!" Dash shouts, trotting out of a bush. She hoped she looked happy. James looked up, startled, and started to cry more.

"Wh… who are you?" His voice sounds weak.

"Rainbow Dash, Element of Loyalty!" Dash triumphantly says. "You're the stallion from the court trial, right?"

"Oh, that? I suppose I am," That evidence used was damning. Do not think about your friends! he demanded in his head. It had the opposite effect. Damn it.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Dash winces, seeing she had done something wrong. He started to cry more, almost making a river. "Hey… wanna go home?"

"That would be nice," he says, only then realizing that he had no house, only that damned cell.

"... Where is it?"

He laughs. "My house… not here. Not anymore,"

"Oh…" She looks as if she feels bad. "I have a spare room in my town house,"

"That… you'd trust me?" As James says this, he looks up, still crying.

"Of course. My frie… my heart says I should, and it hasn't been wrong yet,"

"Thank you," he muttered, noticing the stammer. You got good at that in the army.

"What, is something wrong? Well, did I do something wrong?" Dash corrects herself, wincing at the mistake. Of course you did, you-

"Last time I did this… didn't turn out well for the host. So thank you," James gathers his stuff and stuffs it in his pack.

"Well, what happened?" Dash says, suddenly fearful. She didn't want to get hurt.

"Nazis," he says, grunting as he gets up.

"What're those?"

"Let me tell you a little story…"

Author's Note

A bit late, but this didn't feel right. Here is the final version. Chapter 6 us being done rn.