Rainbow Dash zipped through the streets of Ponyville, her eyes darting from building to building as she scouted for her target. She spared a quick glance to the skies, which grew darker and darker by the minute. The scheduled rainfall she helped prepare was due to begin soon, though the rain itself wasn't at the front of her mind. Her saddlebag was beginning to fall when—
"Rainbow Dash?"
Rainbow skidded to a stop and turned around, spotting a familiar yellow pegasus with a pink mane slowly catching up. "Hey Fluttershy, what's up?"
Fluttershy paused in surprise. "Oh? Um, I'm fine. I was just going to ask you that, Rainbow. Are you looking for something?"
Rainbow nervously rubbed the back of her neck. "Yeah, actually, do you know where the Quills and Sofas shop is?"
"You've... never been there?" Fluttershy asked in confusion. "It's on the same block as Rarity's boutique. Do you need a spare quill? I have a fe—"
Rainbow cut her off. "Thanks, I'm actually just getting an umbrella."
"For the rain? The last time I saw you with one was when you first met Pinkie. Is it... one of those incidents again?"
"Oh, it's not for me. Thanks though!"
Rainbow quickly sped off in the direction of the boutique before she could make out Fluttershy's response.
A light jingle signaled Rainbow's entry into the shop. A male earth pony with a brown coat and mane waved from the side.
"Hey, Rainbow!"
"Hey, Davenport, got any umbrellas I can buy?"
Davenport blinked. "Uh, yes actually." He walked over to the check-out counter and pulled out a red umbrella from underneath. He tossed it to Rainbow, who caught it in her forelegs. "That'll be three bits."
Rainbow fished through her saddlebag for the payment and passed it over with a wing.
"Thanks, Rainbow. What do you need this for, anyway? I know there's a rain coming, but you can just fly over it, can't you?"
Rainbow chuckled. "Yes, but it's not for me. Thanks again!"
With a final wave, Rainbow soared out through the still-open shop door.
Rainbow brought her flight to a hover and looked up once more. The sky was getting darker still. Rainbow licked a hoof and raised it, feeling the wind. There seemed to be about twenty minutes or so before the rain was scheduled to fall.
"Rainbow!"
Rainbow looked down at Twilight, who waved at her from near Sugarcube Corner. "Twi? What is it?"
Twilight cocked her head in confusion. "You have an umbrella for the rain? I could've sworn you said you love flying in it."
Rainbow laughed. "Oh, it's not for me, it's—"
"Are you planning on reading something? I can enchant your books with a water-proofing spell! Or if you want, I can—"
Rainbow cut her off. "Thanks, Twilight, but it's not for me. Don't worry about it. I'll be fine!"
Twilight stared into Rainbow's eyes for a moment before looking away and chuckling softly. "Alright, just be careful out there. I've never even seen you hold an umbrella before, so I'm just making sure you're all good."
"Like I said, Twi, I'll be fine, but I gotta go! Oh, and make sure your windows are closed so your castle floors don't get all wet again!"
Twilight blushed. "Thanks, I will!" She looked back up, but Rainbow had already taken off.
The sky was now fully overcast, stretching as a gray, rolling canvas as far as the eye could see. Rainbow hovered high as she swept her gaze across the landscape far below. Finally her eyes landed on a distant speck of orange against the dark greens. She descended carefully towards her favorite pegasus filly and chuckled. "And what are you doing out here, squirt?"
Scootaloo jumped in surprise and nearly fell off her scooter. "R- Rainbow Dash! I was just heading back home from school. What are you doing here?"
Rainbow laughed and pet her helmeted head. "I'm here for you, Scoots!"
"Me? Why—" Scootaloo blinked as she noticed the umbrella in Rainbow's forelegs. "Why do you have an umbrella? Do you-"
Rainbow waved her off with a hoof. "Nah, it's not for me." She gently placed it into her forelegs. "It's for you."
Scootaloo almost fumbled with the unexpected item. "Me?! I don't- I mean, thanks! But what's it for?"
Rainbow's grin shifted into a gentle smile. "It's a reminder."
"A reminder of what?"
Rainbow quickly glanced around to check for nearby ponies before pulling Scootaloo closer with a wing. "It's to remind you that no matter what happens, I'll always be here for you. I'll never leave you. Sometimes, I might not be around, and there might be a time when I won't be around at all anymore."
"Rainbow, what are you—," Scootaloo began, but Rainbow gently silenced her with a boop to the muzzle.
"I'm sort of just winging it here, squirt, so you're just gonna bear with me here."
Scootaloo nodded, still a little confused but comforted nonetheless.
"While I'm here, I'll always be there to cover you with a wing, or carry a cloud over your scooter for you, or just to hold you close. But when I can't, I need to know you'll be safe without me, that you have a way to weather through the rain when it comes."
Rainbow took the umbrella from Scootaloo and opened it. As if on cue, the rain began to slowly fall, but neither pony felt any drops.
"This umbrella is me, protecting you when I can't, keeping you safe from the heat or dry from the rain, but you'll need to make sure to remember it and bring it so you don't get caught in the rain."
Scootaloo smiled and wiped a small tear from the corner of her eye. "I'll always remember you, Rainbow."
Rainbow felt Scootaloo lean closer into her embrace and smiled softly at her little sister, knowing that no matter what, she would have her umbrella to protect her from the storms.
