"Dammit, Rainbow. Where are you?" Soarin mumbled to himself as he soared the skies. He spent at least an hour looking for the rainbow maned mare. And with no luck. He had asked around town, but all he got was "It's Soarin the Wonderbolt!!", "Please sign me an autograph!", "Sign my flank!", "Take my foal!". He even asked a drunk mare. Which was a bad idea. The stallion shuddered as the mare tried to get off with him in public, and then started screaming that he assulted her. He was about to give up when he heard a quiet sobbing, by the Everfree Forest. He slowly made his way down. Trying not to crash into any trees and not to disturb the pony.

He quietly walked through the forest. His hooves squelching as he stood on the damp dirt. As he walked further, the sobbing became louder and louder with each step. Eventually, he walked up to a large clearing. And right by the far side was a huge, dark mansion. Windows smashed, tiles fallen off and vines growing around. It's original rich brown coat, peeling off as nature took back what was their's.

Soarin trotted up to the house and gazed at the patterns engraved on the rotting porch. He noticed a rusted plaque on the side of the door. He wiped the dirt and moss off of it and read the engravings.

He staggered back as he realised where he was. He began to imagine the house in all it's glory. With it's rich brown paint, and the shiny, clean windows. The lights inside and out, lit up giving the grand house a homely glowing. The smell of homemade food like bread and soup, wafted out the open window. Soarin's stomach growled as he remembered he forgot lunch.

He snapped out his daydream as a pony spoke up.

"Hey. What are you doing here?"

Soarin turned to see Rainbow Dash. Her hair knotted and untamed. Her beautiful rose eyes puffy and red from her many tears. Her cyan wings ruffled by her sides.

"I asked you a question." She croaked.

"I was looking for you."

"Why?"

"Cause I can."

"Why are you looking for me?"

"Well, I'm not looking for you anymore, as I'm staring at you right now." Soarin smirked at his own joke. But Rainbow sighed.

"Why? What is it you need?"

"Nothing."

"So why did you come to find me?"

"Because...I'm worried for you."

"What?"

Soarin trotted over to the mare.
"I'm worried for you. Not only me, but your friends. But, I'm more worried for you. How Spitfire shouted at you. You didn't deserve that." He gently placed his wing over the pegasus mare. Rainbow stared at his friendly gesture. As much as she wanted to punch him in the face, it felt....nice. She felt herself warm up. Especially her cheeks.

"Why would you care? To everypony, I'm the pony that just fights for them. For their freedom. I'm nothing but an object. I lost my meaning for life when he died." Rainbow gently pushed Soarin away.

"You do matter, Dash. You matter to everypony. And you matter now. Everypony needs you. The assassins need you to lead them. Twilight and the girls need you to fight fot them. You still have a meaning for life and a destiny, and that is to be the one how brought Equestria it's peace. To save everypony and grant them their freedom."

"W-Why...why are you saying all of this to me?"

"Rainbow.....I love you. Since the day I set eyes on you. I can't stop thinking about you. Your bright rainbow mane. Your soft cyan blue fur. Your elegant wings and your sleek body. Your confidence and brash nature. Your determination. And," Soarin looked up to Rainbow's eyes. Still sparkling despite the tears of pain. ",and your beautiful rose eyes. I love you, Rainbow Dash. I need you in my life. I don't care if you're an assassin, you are still the mare I love!!" He shouted out passionately.

Rainbow staggered back with shock. She loved the stallion, but she was still confused with her feelings. She was resisting the urge to run over and kiss him. Tackling him to the ground. Feeling her fur against his soft light blue coat.

"I-I-I...."

"Rainbow. Please." He began to walk away "It's okay if don't. I'm fine wi-"

"Wait!!"

Soarin quickly twizzled around. Rainbow walked up closer to him and nuzzled his neck. Soarin's whole body tingled as the mare of his dreams was nuzzling him. Right there. In a clearing in The Everfree Forest.

"I'm not sure, Soarin. I'm still confused with myself. But I'll give you a chance. But no kissing or hugging. I don't want to grow attached by you."

Soarin was snapped out of his little daydream.
"What? Why?"

"If grow attached to you, you'll die." Rainbow looked up to him. Staring into his emerald eyes. Getting lost in a sea of green. The stallion's expression softened.

"I won't die, Rainbow. I'll be here. For you. Forever."

"That's what Thunderlane said!!" The mare wailed. "He said we'll be together. Forever. But then he died." Rainbow crying into the stallion's chest.

"Shush shush now. Just cry it all out." He hushed as they both sat down. Soarin stroked the mare's mane as she cried on to his shoulder. Crying out her sorrows.

~~~~~~

Author's Notes:

Big bit comes next.

And I'm really really really happy that so many people like this story. I can't believe how many good comments I've received on the story. And to think that I wasn't going to write up the sequel.

I'm really glad I did now. :D