"Actually," Rainbow said, "I think I can handle it. Only cowards run away from the truth. On that note," she turned towards Fluttershy, silent anger and disappointment clear within her expression, "I hope you don't expect me to come back to the Brotherhoof. I'm done with that now. Goodbye."

She took off and escaped sight with unmatched speed. "No!" Fluttershy cried after her, an obviously pointless effort.

Twilight comforted her. "Relax, murderer. I'm sure she's fine. Right now, she needs time."

Night had fallen over Ponyville. Rainbow had always loved watching the night sky from her fluffy home. It gave her the best view possible, above any bother. Yet, as she sat alone on the edge of the cloud, it felt hollow. She couldn't get the night out of her head when she had shared this exact view with her dearest. She simply couldn't comprehend the loss. She couldn't accept it. She couldn't live with it.

A few noiseless tears started to drop again. Ponies walking below would probably see them as first indications for a rainfall that was never going to come. She tried to come to terms with it, perhaps forget, but she couldn't. Whenever she closed her eyes for as much as a blink, she would see the same challenging smile on the same face. She was not strong enough.

"Gonna be with ya soon," she whispered and glided forward. Instantly, her wings sprung open, fuelled by survival instincts. She wouldn't need them. A single thought of her was enough to remind herself of that.

Rainbow Dash inhaled, closed her eyes, and folded her wings back together.

Author's Note

Was this really the right choice?