The dry orange leaves crunched beneath her hooves as she trotted forward through the woods. Birds chirped in her ears, and the splash of the lake in the distance filled her heart with joy. With each hoofstep, the sun's glistening glow shone more on her skin, covering her body in a golden light.
Rainbow Dash stopped dead in her tracks and stared at an orange leaf gliding downwards until it landed on her nose. “Huh? What's up with these leaves, Twilight? Why are they all falling from the sky?”
"It's called autumn, Rainbow Dash," Twilight said, clutching a book against her chest as she stared at the leaves swarming the sky in awe. "It's so beautiful. It's when trees shed their leaves, and it apparently symbolizes death and mourning."
Rainbow grimaced and looked around. The trees barely had any leaves left; it was like their lives had been sucked out. "That's pretty depressing. How do you see this as something beautiful?"
Twilight stopped and held out her hoof. A leaf trickled down, and she caught it. "You see, with all the leaves shedding and moving on, it's a reminder of all the ponies who lived on this planet before us. It's a gentle reminder of the past."
The hairs on Rainbow's back prickled, discomforted by the somber thought. "Geez, that's really... deep. Talk about one way to kill the mood."
Twilight chuckled and rested a hoof on Rainbow's back with a soft smile. "Sorry, but walking around in the woods at this time of year just hits a little differently, you know?"
"With what you just told me, I understand why," Rainbow replied, strolling forward. The crunch of the leaves sent a shiver down her spine.
She took a deep breath, her eyes staring ahead with no destination in mind, surrounded by trees hunched together like two ponies in the middle of a snowstorm. Leaves trickled down like raindrops against a window.
Rainbow hung her head low, her eyes fixed on the leaves that graced her path.
Twilight followed behind, continuing to admire their surroundings, a smile tugging at her lips as her book rested against her chest. It felt like paradise; something so depressing could be so beautiful. There was nothing else quite like it.
Her smile faded when she noticed Rainbow's quietness, and she quickened her pace. "R-Rainbow Dash? Are you okay? You're awfully quiet."
Rainbow lifted her head and sighed. "N-Nothing. It's just... never mind. What are we here for again?"
"Hanging out. Just the two of us. Why? Do you want to go home?"
Rainbow's heart rate quickened as she turned around. "N-No! I just forgot, that's all."
Twilight raised a brow. "Rainbow Dash? Are you hiding something from me?" she asked in a soft tone, pressing a hoof against Rainbow's chest. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"
Rainbow gulped, her eyes lingering on the ground. The orange, dry leaves clung to her hooves like glue. Her hooves trembled as she turned around, quickening her trot.
"There's nothing going on, Twi. Just put that theory to bed and let's keep moving forward," she said in a disgruntled tone, not bothering to turn around. Why would she? It would only prove Twilight's suspicions right.
After a five-minute walk in dead silence, Rainbow Dash found a log resting next to a pond. Fish jumped in the air and dipped back down, while birds chirped and wandered on the grassy green land, clear as an empty canvas. Rainbow slumped onto the log, her eyes locking onto Twilight as she took a seat beside her and opened her book.
Rainbow wrapped her hooves around Twilight and pulled her into a hug, resting her head against hers.
“T-Twilight? What are you reading?”
"So, somepony is no longer quiet now?" Twilight teased before closing the book. "It's called The History of Autumn for Dummies, and it's been a fantastic read so far."
"Dummies? Why are you reading it, then? You're like the smartest unicorn in the universe."
Twilight blushed and pecked Rainbow's cheek with a kiss. "You always know how to flatter me, don't you? The reason I'm reading this book, even though it's targeted toward ponies who don't know much about the subject, is because you can always learn something new about any topic, no matter how smart you are."
"Fair enough," Rainbow said, her eyes darting toward the river. "You know, if there were any books about being fast, I wouldn't need to read them."
"How so?"
Rainbow puffed out her chest with a grin. "Because I'm the fastest pony in Ponyville! My speed is unmatched, that's why!"
Twilight playfully rolled her eyes and stroked Rainbow's hair. "You're such a little egomaniac, and it's actually cute. But the funniest part is imagining you reading a book that isn't Daring Do."
"True. There aren't any books with the same spark that Daring Do has."
"Maybe you should try out some new genres? There's nothing wrong with reading something out of your comfort zone."
Rainbow rested a hoof on her chin. "Maybe one day," she said, tilting her head against Twilight, reading the words on the page with her in a comfortable silence. Her hoof stroked Twilight's thighs with feather-light touches, the softness of her skin reminding her of the pillows at home. She wished she could go to bed and enter the realm of dreams. Maybe then the racing of her heart would slow down, and she could be at ease.
Her eyes flickered from the book to the grass below, swaying with the wind almost rhythmically as she stared at the leaves shedding from the trees. Her stomach curled as Twilight's words haunted her mind. If those trees symbolized death and mourning, why was everything else in the forest the opposite, springing with life?
Her hooves tapped against the log, her grip tightening on Twilight's thighs as a realization dawned on her. One day, she too would be gone, and ponies would mourn her. There was nothing she could do about it except simply wait for that day to come.
A tear trickled down Rainbow's cheek, and she felt something cup her chin. She turned to see Twilight staring at her with a worried look.
"R-Rainbow Dash? What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Rainbow sniffed and pulled her into a hug. "B-Because, Twilight, one day I'm just going to be like those leaves and trees, withering away until the time comes, and there's nothing I can do about it!" she cried, pressing her head against Twilight's as the floodgates opened, and more tears poured out.
Twilight patted her on the back, threading a hoof through Rainbow's mane. "R-Rainbow Dash, it's okay. That's just how life works. Sadly, we all reach an age where we begin to wither away and slow down. But that shouldn't be your concern right now."
Rainbow steadied her breathing and looked up at Twilight, her eyes sparkling with hope. "It isn't?"
"No, Rainbow Dash. In life, we all have a set amount of time to live and breathe on this planet. But the most beautiful thing about it is what we can do in that time—the goals and dreams we can accomplish, the friends we make, and the one true love we find along the way. That's what life is about, making the best of the time you have. It's beautiful."
Rainbow wiped away a tear, her lips curling into a smile. "Y-You're right. You really know the right words to say, don't you?"
Twilight nodded and rested her head on Rainbow's lap. "Always," she giggled, her body warmth comforting Rainbow's heart. "B-But, Rainbow Dash, there's something important I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Just remember that we'll be together until the very end, no matter what happens."
"Really?"
Twilight lifted her head and looked into Rainbow's eyes with a loving smile. "Of course. Now, instead of letting this autumn make you upset, how about we enjoy it, hoof in hoof, together? And watch the leaves trickle down?"
Rainbow nodded and offered her hoof, which Twilight took. "Let's do this," she said with a smile, scooting closer to Twilight. Their hooves touched as they watched the leaves pour down, the strong gusts of wind brushing against their skin. No matter how much time Rainbow had left on this earth, and even if this day was her last, she was at peace. She had accomplished so much in her life, and even if she lived many more years, at least she knew she would have Twilight Sparkle by her side.
