Three ponies, once bearers of the Elements of Harmony, sat within the small room situated within the shelter of the planet. Everypony else, known to them or not, were off doing their own thing and getting used to the new environment they were now living within. All were buzzed with questions, some of which they came to know, others that still remained unanswered, but overall, there was one that remained.

What were they going to do now?

Even the three ponies within this room didn't know.

Rarity was, for once, at a loss of what to say or do. Not even her general hammy ways of expressing grief were enough and felt inappropriate. Instead, she made small smiles, relieved that everypony (or mostly) were safe and that they could recoup. At the same time, it was clear that she was in over her head and had no idea what to think of the tragedy that had befallen Equestria. Anypony who would ask would receive simple responses, in a tone that indicated she was trying to mask her grief.

Applejack, relieved that her friends and family were safe, was also at a loss for what to say or do. All of which they had faced in the past was a walk in the park compared to this. But, she still retained her strength in being a reliable and strong pony for her friends and family, just as always. It was all she could do to keep herself going and from breaking down in front of everypony. She did, however, take some time to hold her hat over her chest and bow her head when upon mourning what was lost.

Rainbow Dash was restless, especially since she too was out of her element and didn't know what to do. She didn't want to stay put, but upon being told she could freeze to death out there, knew better than to argue...not without trying. But her years of training and working with the Wonderbolts had managed to bring her into perspective. She was relieved that her friends, whom she was still loyal to even now, were safe and that other ponies she knew made it out just fine. One of her Wonderbolt team members, however, didn't make it. Spitfire, the Captain no less, had died trying to protect them against the dangers. It wasn't too long after hiding in an underground hurricane shelter that they were eventually evacuated as well.

Now, she had only one question on her mind. A question that nopony was able to answer. Except, perhaps, Twilight, but she hadn't been able to speak to her just yet. Beyond that, there were no answers to what she wanted to know.

The three of them sat around, occasionally making small talk, but were overall silent and reflecting everything.

A sound alerted them, to which they turned and faced the entrance of one of the Val'Kyr, alongside Princess Luna. The Val'Kyr, a man who had introduced himself earlier as Lord Matthew Ryder, approached the three ponies, looking grim, but calm. Luna, on the other hoof, had an unreadable look upon her face, nor was she quite facing them.

Ryder slowly approached the ponies, kneeling down before them to meet their level.

“How are the three of you doing?” He queried.

“...Been better, Ah guess,” Applejack responded, “Is everythin' awright?”

Ryder gave a nod, “As well as can be. However, I would like to relay some...tragic news to you three.”

“Where's Fluttershy?! Is she okay?! Is she safe?!” Rainbow wanted to know, unable to hold it in any longer.

Luna looked at her grimly, as did Ryder. He sighed, shaking his head slightly before he responded to the question.

“I'm afraid she is dead, Rainbow Dash.”

Rarity had tears in her eyes, holding a hoof to her mouth in shock. Applejack looked shocked and devastated all at once before she lowered her head, holding her hat to her chest yet again. Upon a closer look, there were tears running down her cheeks.

Rainbow Dash however, looked stricken with shock. She fell to her knees, her forelegs barely supporting her weight as she began to physically crumble.

Neither pony spoke a single word, all that they uttered were hard breaths and sniffles.

A stunned silence befell the entire room. Though it was then broken by the distraught, heartbroken, agonized of a grieving Rainbow Dash.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOO....!!”

Understandably, Rarity and Applejack were taken off guard and shocked by the sudden outburst. Even looking as if they weren't crying just moments ago. Ryder looked on, his expression unreadable, but otherwise made no other such movement. Rainbow Dash collapsed, trembling hard, not looking at either of them, with choked sobs escaping her.

The midnight blue Alicorn nodded with agreement as she took a step forward, eyeing the three of her once-subjects, “It is true. We were unfortunate to witness the horrid tragedy. One of the wretched outlanders killed her due to being annoyed by her crying...he had thrown her to the wall, in which she cracked her skull in the process. A tragedy, though she went quickly, which is fortunate.”

“...Oh...poor Fluttershy...” Rarity uttered, beginning to cry more. “But at least her nightmare is over...”

Applejack sniffled, saying nothing.

The cyan pegasus shook her head furiously, squeezing her eyes shut, “...No...no...NO! She can't be dead!! She can't be! Not Fluttershy!”

Ryder placed a hand on her shoulder, gently squeezing it to calm her down, “I know it is hard to believe, Rainbow Dash. But I'm afraid it's true. Fluttershy was killed. I am very sorry for your loss, but there is nothing I nor the rest of you can do anything about.”

“No...Not Fluttershy... Not her! No! NO! How could she be dead?!!”

“Rainbow-” Applejack spoke up, but the Wonderbolt was already speeding off away from them. She stood up to go after her friend, only for Luna to stop her.

“We think it is best if you leave her be. As it is for Twilight Sparkle, this is....a very difficult loss for her,” she said.

A sniffle escaped the white unicorn before she looked up, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief, “Twilight had spent much time with her these past few years... Rainbow Dash was her oldest friend... It surely is much harder on them. I cannot imagine what they must be feeling at this moment.”

“Ah hear ya, Rare,” Applejack agreed, a little sniffle escaping her, “But Ah cain't believe it... Fluttershy... Tha kindest an' most sweet pony ya could meet... An' she had ta face such a cruel death!”

Letting out a sob, Rarity nodded before she buried her face in her hooves to cry it out. Applejack brought a foreleg around her shoulders to comfort her, soothing her as best as she could, despite that she was clearly crying herself. Luna looked to them grimly, feeling a stab of pain in her heart as well, especially in remembering that horrible vision. She had seen many ponies die in her lifetime, this one was no different, but no less tragic. Especially upon seeing the aftermath and how it affected Fluttershy's friends.

The alicorn faced Ryder once more, giving him a nod before she sat down on her haunches. Ryder nodded in return before he stood straight.

“I will leave you all alone to grieve. If there is anything you should need, I will not be far away.”

Without waiting for an answer, he departed.

Rainbow Dash sat alone, where nopony else could see her, freely crying her eyes out. Her body shook, her heart sank to her stomach, and her head throbbed from all the crying she was doing. Weak. All she could feel right now was weak. The grief and utter torment she could feel were driving her down. Her wings were practically glued to her sides, as if they would never rise again. Which at the moment, was fine by her. Flying was nowhere near an option right now. A world without her best friend, what was the point.

While they had only seen one another on a rare occasion for the past fifteen years, they did still keep in touch through letters. Rainbow sat with her saddlebags, some belongings she had managed to salvage, which contained most of the letters from Fluttershy and her friends. Along with those letters, was a single photograph she kept, the very last one that was ever taken with the two. Two years ago, when they had met up and spent an entire week together, just the two of them. An entire week of fun. Passion.

That had been the last time she ever saw her.

Rainbow looked down at the photo which sat on the floor in front of her, her teary vision making it nearly impossible to see. Wiping her eyes to at least get a better look at it, she found it to be a bad idea, considering all it seemed to do was remind her of the good times they'd had. Good times they would never get to face again. They were lost forever.

The photo was of the two of them sitting together by the a pond at the seaside resort they'd gone to, with their forelegs around each other in an embrace. While they were trying to look toward the camera, their eyes were glued to each other, both of them wearing the brightest of grins on their faces. A tragic depiction of better times.

“Why, Fluttershy....why did you have to go? That's not fair... You had so much ahead of you...and THIS happened! Why did you die, Fluttershy?! You're not supposed to be dead! You're supposed to be right here...with all of us...” Rainbow yelled at the photo in her sobbing, trembling hard. “...With me...”

She broke into tears again, squeezing her eyes shut and hugging herself. It felt cold, very cold. The past memories of their times together all ran through her, saddening her more and yet, filling her with remorse.

“I couldn't even be there for you....I couldn't help you....I couldn't protect you... What kind of a lousy friend am I?! I couldn't stop you from dying! Why wasn't I there for you?! What kind of friend am I...if I couldn't keep my promises to you? My promise to protect you... My promise...that I...”

Rainbow continued to sob as her final words spoken to Fluttershy rang in her mind.

“I will always find you.”

She felt like a complete failure. To think that she couldn't be there for her best friend in the worst of times. Not without trying, of course, but even that had been a moot failure. The moment she knew there was trouble across Equestria, the first thing on her mind was her friends, hoping to make sure they were okay, and especially Fluttershy. The only unfortunate aspect was that she didn't even know where Fluttershy was currently at when it happened, while she herself was with the Wonderbolts in Manehattan. Try as she may, nopony allowed her to leave. For good reason, she knew, but it still brought upon her regret.

“I wasn't fast enough...I wasn't strong enough...I couldn't save you, Fluttershy... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.”

Once again, there was no response. Only silence.

Throes of shivers and tingles of pain and despair overcame the cyan mare as she continued to grieve the loss of her beloved friend. It was all she could do, all she even thought to do. Anything else was far beyond her reach, especially flying. Her wings still refused to open up, remaining closed at her sides. Probably for the rest of her days.

Placing a hoof onto the photo, Rainbow Dash sniffled, then reached into one of her saddlebags. Finding what she was looking for, it was Fluttershy's final letter. The very last letter sent before the tragic chaos began. A letter that was sent about a month or so ago. Even if a month ago felt like years ago by now.

Very slowly, she opened it, reading it.

Dear Rainbow Dash,

Everything is going fine now, though I am sorry I hadn't responded to your latest letter. But I won't trouble you with that.

Anyway, Twilight is doing fine, although I suspect she's in over her head about something. About what, I'm honestly not sure. But she is still a dedicated mentor to Pumpkin, which is still great to see. Pumpkin herself is learning so much more every day, and she's been able to do a couple of spells I knew Twilight hadn't mastered when she was at that age.

I've heard from Rarity a couple of weeks ago, and she said she might come in for a visit if she gets the time. I've seen her new designs, and they're lovely! As for Applejack, she's been busy, but she had written a letter last month, reporting some daily things. Twilight likes to read her letters, what with how simple and informative they are. I don't blame her, they are nice to read.

How are you doing now? I'm very glad things are still working out for you, especially with the new routine you all have been handling! That's amazing, Rainbow, I'm so happy for you! I promise you I'll be at the next performance, absolutely. I can't wait! Thank you again for your letter, they're always such a treat to read. I can't wait to see you soon, and finally get to spend time with you. I really miss you.

Oh, and when we do, there's something we need to talk about. I think you know exactly what I mean. If you don't mind, of course.

Good luck Rainbow Dash, as always!

I love you.

Sincerely, Fluttershy

The last three words before her signature always jumped off the paper every time she read them. A simple sentence of endearment.

I love you.

While she had been trying to figure out the meaning of the letter back then, Rainbow did end up writing her one more letter. Whether or not Fluttershy received it, let alone read it, was a mystery. A mystery that now was never going to be solved. She knew full well what Fluttershy meant, and despite her own confusion and inhibitions of the situation, there was no possible way she could say no.

But what did Fluttershy mean? If it had anything to do with what happened between them, she wondered if maybe that could have been it. But what if it wasn't? What if it really was just meant to be the way you would say it to a friend or family member?

Rainbow sighed, distraught at knowing she would never figure this out. Did she even want to at this point? It was hopeless.

Her heart sank again, her tears continued, and her body trembled as the letter slowly fell from her hooves.

I love you.

“Darn it...even now I can't be sappy! And I couldn't see you, I couldn't tell you what I was feeling!” Rainbow yelled to nothing, more tears streaming down her face, “I was confused, I waited too long, I took it all for granted! I never thought you'd die too soon, Fluttershy... You weren't supposed to! You should be here, with us, safe and sound... And I could tell you...”

Her bloodshot cerise eyes once again fell to the photograph, laying on the floor beside the letter. Placing her hoof upon it, she sniffled and managed the tiniest smile she could possibly muster.

“...I love you too, Fluttershy.”

Still no response. It was all she would ever hear when talking to Fluttershy. Dead silence.

With her head throbbing, eyes blurred with tears, body trembling, and heart utterly shattering, Rainbow Dash continued to break down. She'd never felt this horrible in her entire life. Not even her anxiety before her first performance as a Wonderbolt could ever compare to this. One of her best friends, a friend she loved, was dead. Murdered in cold blood. By someone that, should they ever show their face to her, would wish they were dead.

But there was nothing more she could do. This was a part of what killed her inside. Fluttershy was dead, everypony else who had made it to this place were saved, but what then? She couldn't turn back time and save her best friend. Many lost their loved ones in this tragedy, that much she knew. Losing somepony close to you was the worst feeling. It wasn't even just her own loss, but Fluttershy's loss.

All she could think was the last time she saw her. Their parting was sweet, but she now wished she could have done things differently and didn't wait. Given what had happened between them during their week together, it was obvious.

It had started out innocent enough. They hadn't seen one another for a few years at that point, and were greeting one another with a lot of hugs upon that train station platform. Innocent compliments ensued as they then made their way into the resort's town, heading to the hotel. Their room had two beds, as well as a lovely view of the ocean.

Fluttershy had of course offered to chip in the bill, to which Rainbow had refused and said she would take care of it. But because Fluttershy was the kind of pony who insisted on not getting something for nothing, offered to at least pay some of the other expenses. Eventually, the agreement was made.

Rainbow smiled a bit, thinking back to that great week. Sightseeing, going swimming together, candlelight dining, walking along the beach. They did all kinds of fun things together, just like any two friends would.

Things however, took quite an interesting turn during that week. She wasn't even sure how it happened. It all just started that one night. They were on the beach after the sun had gone down, and were just sitting on the surf, side by side. Small talk was made, Fluttershy was scooting closer to her, and eventually they were snuggling. Rainbow had found she rather enjoyed it, especially after not having spent time with Fluttershy in years. As it went on, they looked at one another, and it was as if a bell went off in her head. All she remembered was that she'd felt the impulse to just go for it. Go for it she did, given that they both leaned in and kissed each other.

It didn't stop there.

Not a word was spoken about their kissing, they just continued to do so. Eventually, Fluttershy had whispered that she was feeling cold and wanted to go back to their room. All too nervous, yet eager, Rainbow had agreed. They did so, quietly going back to the room. Upon arrival, while they'd tried to talk about what had happened, neither could get the words out. Especially Fluttershy, who was as flustered as could be. But then upon looking at each other, it was clear what the other wanted. It felt as if the room had gotten warmer by the second.

Blushing a bit, she could remember the way they'd thrown themselves at each other, kissing like crazy. Their intertwined bodies slamming into the walls, right into the bookshelf, just about missing their destination. It was a miracle they'd even made it to one of the beds.

The passion, the fire, the ecstasy. It continued to escalate this way for the rest of their vacation. Nearly every moment spent in their room-aside from sleeping-became devoted to seemingly endless hours of lovemaking. Even the three-day train ride back to Canterlot made it impossible for them to hold back. Every touch, every kiss, the tantalizing sounds Fluttershy made. An unforgettable experience that was never matched.

Memories of that continued to burn in her mind, saddening her all the more. After it was over and they'd gone back to their respective lives, it was never spoken of again. Only once was it mentioned, when they planned to talk about it the next time they got together. A plan that was never executed.

The cyan pegasus buried her face in her hooves, trembling as she sobbed.

'Why didn't I do something about it, why was I so stupid?! I could've been up front with her, I could've protected her. Why didn't I go back to her... I don't deserve her. I don't even think I ever did. What kind of a friend am I... And here I went sleeping with her... She must've thought it was going to be a one-time thing... She must've thought it was all I wanted. It wasn't...!'

Hearing footsteps from behind her, Rainbow stiffened. Whoever it was approached slowly, quietly, but made their presence known.

“Did I startle you?” Came Ryder's voice.

Sniffling a bit, trying to hide the fact that she'd been crying, Rainbow shook her head, “No.”

“Very well. I merely came to make sure you were all right. Your friends are worried. I...can see this is a deep, personal loss for you, Rainbow Dash.”

The cyan pegasus snorted a bit, not looking at him, “....Who did this to her. Tell me. I will make them pay...”

Ryder was silent for a few moments before he responded, “I understand your anger and desire for vengeance, Rainbow Dash. But I am afraid it is not the answer. Channelling your grief and anger into revenge will only serve to make you and those around you suffer all the more. In spite of that, however, you need not do so. The wretched being who had murdered Fluttershy is already dead.”

“.....Well, he's lucky. At least Fluttershy's nightmare is over.”

Once more, Ryder was quiet.

“I am afraid it's not quite as you might think. She is now in the Ghostlands, doomed to wander forever.”

Anger rising within her, Rainbow Dash whirled on the Val'Kyr, tears streaming down her face. She could not believe what she was even hearing! Fluttershy faced a cruel end, and now a cruel afterlife?

“WHAT?! That's IT?! After all she's been through, THAT is what she gets?! Fluttershy deserves better than that, you know! What kind of screwed up afterlife is that?!” She yelled, practically shaking her hooves at him now.

Unfazed, however, Ryder nodded, “Rainbow Dash, if it were indeed possible to give the many who die far too soon a better afterlife, I would see to it happening. But I am afraid it's far beyond anyone's control. Don't fret about it further, there is nothing you can do.”

“Then I'll find her! I promised her I'd find her! One day, I'll go there myself and find her! I lost her...and I'm gonna find her again! I promised her, guy! I promised I'd always find her!”

“It is not that simple, I'm afraid. Any who have tried through other means ended up failing.”

Rainbow Dash, having calmed a bit, could only look to him as she wordlessly cued him to continue.

Ryder did so after a moment's consideration, “Would she not want you, and your friends, to live your lives? To honour her memory as such, however you can? Should you choose to end your life over this...would it not disappoint her greatly?”

Sniffling, Rainbow nodded, “Yeah. Knowing Fluttershy, she'd be pretty upset. She'd think it was all her fault and start blaming herself for it.”

“That much is true, many a time someone will blame themselves for the misfortune of those close to them, should they be linked to it somehow.”

“I wouldn't want her to! I don't blame her...this isn't her fault! Whoever that bastard was that murdered her just...” Angrily, the cyan mare slammed her hoof against the floor. A hand was placed on her back, calming her.

“I cannot tell you what to do, but I can advise you to make this easier. Taking time to grieve is exactly what you need now, and feel free to take as long you would like. But remember, Fluttershy is not truly gone. She's still here. With all of you. In your hearts,” the man's voice was soft.

Sniffling, Rainbow continued staring down at the floor, trembling a little. The man's words were correct, she knew them well, but she could barely formulate a calm thought at the moment. Maybe in time, she would, but for now, any thought in regards to her lost best friend only ended in tragedy.

Removing his hand, Ryder stood up, “I'll leave you alone. You may go and see your friends when you're ready.”

“...Thanks, I guess,” the cyan pegasus muttered.

Ryder gave a small smile, “Do not worry. In time, we will see to her having a proper memorial place. Take care.”

Without another word, nor waiting for a response, Ryder left the grieving mare to her own devices.

Numb. Alone.

Rainbow Dash was now wandering about, unsure of where she was going or what she was even doing. All she could feel was numbed pain and misery. Nothing reached her mind, her ears, her eyes, her body. As much as she wanted to just collapse and cry while curled up in a ball, she'd already done quite a bit of that. Right now, her body's normally restless nature was finally kicking in and telling her to go do something. But what? There was nothing further she could do. The misery was eating at her heart like termites on wood.

Looking to her saddlebags, she exhaled heavily. At least now she could properly preserve the memories she had.

Hoofsteps were heard close by. Rainbow's ears perked, her body tensing as she turned away, unwilling to let the approaching pony know that she was crying. Let alone miserable.

“Rainbow Dash?” A regal, calm voice said from behind her.

Recognizing the voice as Princess Celestia, Rainbow relaxed herself a bit, “Hey, Princess.”

The alicorn came up next to her, seating herself on her haunches, “I heard of what happened from my sister. Your friends are worried about you.”

“I'll go back when I'm ready. Right now I just want to be alone!” Rainbow snapped, still not looking at her.

Unfazed, Celestia gave a slow nod, “I understand. What had happened to Fluttershy was horribly unfortunate. You were lucky to have not seen it happen.”

“Frankly, I wish I did! Then at least I could've been there for her! But I wasn't, was I?! Nope! Of course not! I wasn't there to help my best friend! I always promised I'd protect her, but I couldn't! What kind of a lousy friend am I?!”

The angered, grieving Wonderbolt continued to rant and rave, while Celestia simply remained calm and allowed her to do so. She didn't speak nor did she make much movement, she just observed as Rainbow Dash got it all out of her system. She knew all too well how she felt.

When Rainbow finally calmed down, looking defeated and numb all over again, Celestia gently rubbed her back in comfort.

Celestia smiled softly, “Nopony is ever truly gone if we keep them close in our hearts.”

“...Why her, Princess...why Fluttershy?” The cyan pegasus stared down at the floor, sitting on her haunches.

Seeing that it was a rhetorical question, Celestia looked up for a moment as she considered how to answer her, “It was indeed very unfortunate, Rainbow Dash. I do understand why you feel this way. I know exactly how you feel.”

A snort sounded from the pony next to her. Not fazed, Celestia chuckled humorlessly.

“I suppose you wonder how I could possibly know how it feels. Over the hundreds upon thousands of years I have lived, I have seen many ponies I care for soon die somehow. Whether it be by natural causes, unfortunate accidents, or malevolent actions... I have seen it many times. Never has it been any easier to bear. Especially when you yourself outlive them. And continue to do so for many years to come. You know it will happen, you know that it is inevitable to occur. But even then...” Celestia's tone dropped a bit to a more morose inflection, “...it can still overthrow you.”

“...How do you do it, Princess?” Rainbow Dash wanted to know, still not looking at her.

Celestia looked down at her with a small smile, “As sad as it may be to see them go... I would never have had such wonderful ponies in my life if I never made contact with them. Nothing would have happened if I avoided contact. Though to this day, I miss them, and long for them to live once more... I would never have traded knowing them for anything in the world.”

As Rainbow let that sink in, she felt herself smile a bit, too. Her heart, though broken, even started to swell a bit with life. She could see Celestia was right. Even if Fluttershy's life was cut short, which hurt her immensely, there were still the memories. Memories that would never have come if she didn't take the chances that she did.

Rainbow finally looked up at the alicorn, a sad smile on her face, “You know, you're right, Princess. I just still wish I could've been there for her. Been there to protect her, to help her.”

“It isn't your fault, Rainbow Dash. Nopony could have possibly foresaw any of this happening. Her death was not your doing. Do not blame yourself for it.” When Celestia looked down at the cyan mare once more, a knowing smile overcame her features, “...There's more to it, isn't there?”

“...Yeah,” Rainbow averted her gaze again.

Celestia simply smiled, nodding slowly.

Deciding to just come out with it, Rainbow sighed and ran her hoof along the floor, “I haven't seen her for two years. The last time I saw her, we were on vacation. Sure, we kept in touch with letters, and we planned to see each other again. We just didn't know when. When we'd do that, we were going to talk about what happened...two years ago...” Her cheeks turned pink at this.

“You don't have to say it. I think I see what you're getting at, Rainbow Dash.”

“Whatever! I wasn't sure when or how to do it, either. I don't even know if she did, either. All I had to go on was the last letter she ever sent me. She wrote 'I love you' in there, and I don't even know how to take it. And now I'll never know!”

“Mmm...” Celestia murmured, nodding, “That's always been something dreadful when you lose a loved one. So many things can be left unsaid. I'm deeply sorry that you two could not talk this out before she was killed.”

“Whatever. It's okay, Princess... I just...it's not even just that. I wish I could've known better, I want to tell her how much she means to me. She's my best friend, always has been. I wanted to tell her that I...” Rainbow looked down, a single tear rolling down her cheek, “I think I love her.”

The alicorn smiled gently, nodding once again, “I could see it in your eyes, Rainbow Dash.”

“That obvious, huh?” Dash chuckled without mirth, “Well, it's too late, now.”

“That's not true. There's absolutely nothing that is stopping you from continuing to love her.”

“I know! But it seems so pointless, since she can't feel it back.”

“You don't know. While I myself nor Twilight can speak for Fluttershy entirely on this matter, I do know that she has always cared for all of you. It wouldn't surprise me if she took that with her into the grave.”

Rainbow sniffled, reminded once again of the terrible existence Fluttershy now had in the afterlife, “She's in these Ghostlands...wandering around for eternity. But I won't let that stop me. When I die, I'm gonna find her. I made a promise to her, Princess. I promised I'd always find her. And I'm gonna find her when I get there. I don't care if I have to spend forever doing it. I will find her.”

For a few moments, Celestia remained silent, simply observing her subject. She could see the fire and passion in her eyes, and knew all too well that Rainbow Dash would carry out with that promise. Not even the Ghostlands were going to hold her back. It didn't surprise Celestia, she could see the fire in the cyan pegasus ever since she first truly met her. Surely it sounded like a much more fruitless effort than anything, but she knew better than to think it would stop Rainbow Dash.

She spoke again, clearing her throat, “I believe you. Now then... My sister will make sure everypony sleeps well, should they want the treatment. Would you like to have certain kinds of dreams? If for nothing else than to sleep well?”

Sniffling a bit, Rainbow nodded, “...If the only place I can be with Fluttershy...and all my friends...being awesome...is in my dreams....I'll take it for now. It'll do until I'm ready to find her.”

“Very well. I'll be sure to tell my sister of that. We'll all be in the other room when you're ready to go back to your friends,” Celestia stood then, “And Rainbow Dash?”

“Yeah?” Rainbow looked at the retreating alicorn.

Celestia smiled warmly, “You're not alone. Your friends are still here.”

With that, she left her alone once more.

Rainbow Dash produced the photo once more, gazing at it.

“I'm gonna find you, Fluttershy. Wherever you are in that place.”

Author's Note

This portion of the story ties in with chapters eight and nine of Doomsday Ascending. It's not completely necessary to read the original story, but I do suggest you do. To get a better look at what's going on around here, if nothing else.

Have I attacked you guys in the feels? :P