A Rainbow In the Night Sky

Seeing Applejack hurt. It hurt a lot. The cyan Pegasus tried with all of her might to stay brave and not let her remaining love for the orange farmer ruin the ‘fixed’ bond they had currently. But nobody had told Rainbow that heartbreak could feel so strong.

How long had it been now? Six months since they broke up? She felt like she couldn’t even look at another mare without her mind drifting back to Applejack. She needed to see her again. Tell her she missed her. Anything for Applejack to give her another chance.

Without thinking; the cyan Pegasus dashed out of The Cloudominium’s front door as fast as her wings could take her, the iconic rainbow trail following after her.

It didn’t take Rainbow Dash long until she reached Sweet Apple Acres, hoping to spot the orange earth pony. “You can do this, Rainbow.. just tell her you miss her..”

Her magenta eyes scanned the farm before spotting her former girlfriend bucking an apple tree, the apples falling into an empty basket, the orange earth pony wiping the sweat away from her forehead. “Wow..”

Rainbow Dash took a deep breath before slowly approaching the earth pony, until she heard a new voice coming from the distance.

“Applejack!”

Within an instant; Rainbow Dash stood completely still when she saw the orange earth pony cease her apple farming and run towards something she had never seen before in all of her adventures.

The orange mane, the red horn, the cloven hooves running and her golden eyes glistening with joy as she and Applejack ran towards each other, wrapping each other in a hug.

“I’ve missed you, Applejack!” The newcomer said as she smiled at the apple farmer. “Missed ya too, Sugarcube!” Applejack said as she playfully nuzzled her associate.

‘Calm down, Rainbow..’ Rainbow Dash thought to herself, trying to remain positive. ‘They are probably just friends. Applejack calls everybody ‘Sugarcube’.. it’s probably nothing..’

“Ah can’t believe it.. mah familiar get to meetcha today! They will be surprised to see a Kirin in their home.”

A Kirin? What was a Kirin?

“I look forward to it, Applejack. I just hope they accept me.” The Kirin turned to Applejack and nuzzles her cheek affectionately.

“Autumn Blaze, you are a real treat. Ah sure hope mah familiar accepts ya as mah new girlfriend!” Applejack smiled lovingly at Autumn Blaze, kissing the Kirin’s cheek. “They’ll love ya!”

Girlfriend… girlfriend… That word raced through Rainbow Dash’s mind like an angry colony of flash bees.

“Wh-what…?” The pain started to settle in, her magenta eyes unable to look away from the couple as they walked into the farmhouse, somewhere Rainbow Dash had once been.

How could she? While Rainbow Dash was mourning the termination of their relationship, Applejack was nuzzling and loving her brand new girlfriend. It wasn’t fair.

The cyan Pegasus no longer felt the point of being here, when the mare she loved was with another. The tears trickle down her cheeks before landing onto the ground beneath her. Before the prismatic maned pegasus could dash back to her safe haven, she was met by a pink unicorn. Big MacIntosh’s wife: Sugar Belle.

“Rainbow Dash? What are you doing here? It’s been a while.” The unicorn smiled cheerfully before that bright smile instantly faded as she saw the tears running down Rainbow Dash’s face. “Oh… Rainbow, you-“

“Yeah.. I saw.. She’s with someone else.” Rainbow Dash said to the worried unicorn. “I’m too late..”

Sugar Belle sighed sadly, knowing how much Applejack had once and still meant to the cyan Pegasus. “I’m so sorry, Rainbow Dash..”

Rainbow Dash felt like she could hardly breathe, the cyan Pegasus taking a seat on a haybale, wiping her tears away from any prying eyes. “How long..?”

“How long what?” Sugar Belle said as she sat next to the distraught Pegasus. “How long have they been dating?”

Rainbow Dash couldn’t speak when the word ‘dating’ left Sugar Belle’s lips before she gave a nod.

“For a couple weeks now.. Rainbow, I know you’re hurt but-“ Sugar Belle couldn’t find the right words or any answer to soothe the Pegasus. “If she could move on, why can’t you?”

“I love her…” Rainbow Dash sniffled, trying her hardest not to choke on her tears, still facing the pink unicorn beside her. “I.. I don’t think I’ll ever move on from her..”

Sugar Belle gave a sad smile, her eyes never once leaving Rainbow Dash. “Do you want a hug?”

“No… I actually need one..” That statement alone made the pink unicorn wrap her forelegs around the cyan Pegasus who returned the favour, crying into her pink fur. “Shhh.. it’s okay to cry.. it hurts, I know..” Sugar Belle said, trying her hardest to soothe the heartbroken Pegasus, carefully rubbing her back. “You’ll be okay.. it just takes time..”

“I know someone who is in a similar situation. Do you remember Night Glider?”

The mention of the fellow speedy Pegasus mare made Rainbow Dash pull back slightly, looking at the pink unicorn, still devastated but with a hint of curiosity. “Night Glider lost someone she loved too?”

“Mhmm.” Sugar Belle nodded her head gently. “She used to date Party Favor until they broke up not too long ago. She still sometimes writes to me about her remaining feelings.”

“But.. what does this have to do with me?” Rainbow Dash questioned, the pink unicorn giving her a gentle smile. “I think you and Night Glider could find some common ground. She knows how it feels and maybe you’re the pony she needs right now. When you and your friends left Our Town after Starlight’s defeat, she spoke highly of you and your loyalty. If any creature could make her feel better, it’s you, Rainbow Dash.”

“I… I..” Rainbow Dash stuttered, trying to muster out any words. “Maybe.. does she like The Wonderbolts, Daring Do?”

“Oh she loves The Wonderbolts! She said her cousin, Fleetfoot is one of the top fliers.”

“Fleetfoot is her cousin?! Lucky! That’s so cool!” Rainbow Dash was so surprised. Fleetfoot did mention something about having a cousin being a fan of her. Now it made a bit of sense. “Wow.. I’ll definitely drop in to see Night Glider, I feel bad for not getting to know her better.”

Sugar Belle giggled lightly, the gentle smile never once leaving her face. Big Mac really chose the perfect mare for his life. “I think she’ll be happy to see you again. Do you feel a bit better?”

Rainbow Dash gave a sad smile, nodding gently. “Yeah.. it still hurts a ton but.. maybe talking to somepony who is also going through this will help. I’ll probably ask Starlight to take me there tomorrow..”

“No no, I’ll take you there! I need to see how my old shop is doing and if my wacky cousin is taking care of it. I’ll come with you and then you can go and see Night Glider, okay?”

“Yeah.. Thanks, Sugar Belle! Big Mac is so lucky to have you in his life..” Rainbow Dash smiled, gaining more respect for the pink unicorn then she did prior.

“Anytime, Rainbow. You’ll be okay.. it takes time..”

“I should probably get outta your hair. Applejack probably wants ya to meet… her..” A small hint of jealousy laced Rainbow Dash’s voice.

“Will you be okay?” Sugar Belle questioned, reluctant to leave the Pegasus alone. “Yeah, I’ll be okay.. in time..”

“Take as long as you need, Rainbow Dash.” Said Sugar Belle as she got up from the haybale. “If you need anything, just drop by Sugarcube Corner. I’m normally there with Mrs Cake.”

“Yeah, I will for sure..” Rainbow Dash said before she too got off from the haybale and prepares herself to fly up into the clear blue sky. “Thanks again, Sugar Belle. I’ll see ya.”

Sugar Belle nodded, waving to Rainbow Dash as she took off into the sky. “I’ll see you soon! Take care of yourself today!”

Rainbow Dash, despite the pain still lingering, smiled softly as she dashed back the way she had once come. “Tomorrow is gonna be awesome!”