The next morning had arrived in Ponyville. Rainbow Dash woke up fresh faced and full of hope and determination. She just knew one day she would be reunited with the love of her life. She wasn't sure when or how she fell for Pinkie Pie, there could have been several occasions. But all she knew was that she just happened to. It could have started on the day before Gilda arrived, the day they went round pranking everypony. They had both found out they had a lot common on that day. Perhaps the increasing bond of friendship may have further festered it. The cause was, like the mare in question, completely unexplainable, and since both Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash's love for Pinkie Pie were both unexplainable, she was happy to leave it like that.

She looked over at Twilight to notice she was still fast asleep. Maybe I should for Twilight to wake up before I tell everypony else that there is still hope Rainbow Dash thought. She knew little on the Purple alicorn's sleeping pattern, but as a friend, and somepony who accompanied her through the loneliest of times, Twilight was welcome to stay as long as she wanted. That being said, Twilight Sparkle was a bit of an, as Rainbow Dash often so kindly put it, 'egg head', so she would probably want to return to the library as soon as possible.

Rainbow Dash took a glance outside the window. Despite the height, she had a good view of most the towns activities. She saw Rarity on the front door of her boutique, beckoning some mare who looked like a high society fashion client into the boutique, Fluttershy frolicking with the other woodland creatures, Applejack hard at work bucking trees. Spike opening the Library with a large tub of icecream under one arm. Then she noticed some mare she didn't recognize. She looked as if she was leaving town. She looked old, and quite undernourished. Gray with the tiniest hint of Pink and a flat mane and tail, also gray with a hint of darker pink. No cutie mark was visible from the due to the distance between though. Rainbow Dash reasoned that this old mare was some friend of Granny Smith's.

The next scene almost frightened her. Twilight appeared outside the window, looking in at Rainbow Dash who was looking out. Rainbow Dash jumped back in shock, turned to look at the bedroom that Twilight had used to notice she had indeed woken up. She opened the window. "What the hay do you think your doing, you scared me ha....I mean, what are you doing outside Twilight? I thought you were asleep."

"well I was, I woke up and tried to speak to you, but you were so fixed looking out the window that you didn't hear me talk." Rainbow Dash ran a hoof her head and nervously laughed before Twilight continued "What were you staring at?"

"Oh an old gray mare, never seen her before." She looked around in hope to find this 'new mare' "but it looks like she has left now."

"hmm new mare? Interesting. Look Rainbow, there's som..."

Rainbow Dash interrupted Twilight "So when are we telling the others that there's hope for Pinkie?"

Twilight spoke "I was getting to that. I think we should keep this between the two of us and Celestia and Luna. I don't know how to say this but..."

Rainbows ears dropped "but what?"

"I think maybe your getting your hope built to high. I hope she's alive, believe me I do, but the others have come to terms she's dead, you didn't. It's unfair to tell them she may be alive then possibly have to tell them that she's not again. I'm sorry Rainbow Dash, but do you think you can keep this between us?"

Rainbow mulled over it for a minute or so before replying "I know she's alive, but if you think it's best to keep it from everypony, that works with me."

"by all means, if it is discovered she is alive, then naturally, we will have the task of finding her together. I must now return to the library. If you need me, feel free to pop by. Goodbye, Rainbow Dash."

"Goodbye Twilight"

***

She almost did it. Pinkie Pie had almost mustered the courage needed to attempt to go back to normalcy. She had reached the border of Ponyville, even set a few hooves inside, but then she had a strange sensation. She felt as if she was being watched by somepony. However, everypony appeared to be resuming there activities, yet that feeling she was being watched remained. This didn't at all feel welcoming. It looked like it would be a long journey back for Pinkie Pie then.

It was okay by her, she missed her friends, but she still had no idea how she would face them. Surely it wouldn't be all flowery and lovey, she thought her friends would probably hate her by now for disappearing for three years. Maybe they think she was dead. She often thought she'd be better off that way. The thing she looked forward to least of all was Applejack. She still didn't know whether she hated her, or hated loving her. Or indeed both.

She turned around and made about returning to her hovel, blissfully unaware that one of her friends had seen her, and was watching her for a while. Rainbow Dash, although Rainbow Dash didn't at all recognize her from her cloud home.

Author's Notes:

Ok, this one might be a bit short. The thing is, it was part of a massive chapter, in which another major event would unfurl (No spoilers, but it's a big story plot). However, on re reading the chapter myself, I realized that it was good to be split into smaller sections, so that I'm not forcing massive story changing events down the throats of those who read it so early, as I feel that's a mistake I made in chapter one. Anyhow, I have written two blogs apologizing for my lack of activity, and I'm going to apologize once more and extend my gratitude for your patience. I have finished College for the Christmas term now, so I aim for a chapter every other day, and i hope I can achieve it. Enjoy this part any how