It's night. The past twenty-four hours have been terrible. I almost died, a filly died because of me, Applejack is going to ask Fluttershy out when I want to be with her, Fluttershy is no where to be found, just ugh! My clock says it's nine at night, but I can't sleep. I fly through a window outside, but it's pitch black. I don't care though, I need air. I need to think. I fly down to the ground, and begin to walk. I just walk. After about three minutes of walking, I bump into something. It's so dark though I can't see who or what it is. "Oops, sorry." I say, and walk around it. I bump into it again. "Ok, are you purposely getting in my way?" I ask. No response, I just walk to the right, and back to the left. I feel a soft thing on my back. I recognize the feeling, but I don't know why. The feeling made me tired, and feel safe. Yet, under the blackness, it only made me jump. "Ok, who's there?"

"Hello Rainbow Dash." It's Velvet Rose.

"W-what? But, I thought-"

"I died? Yes, I did. I'm here now though to warn you to stay away from her."

"Stay away? From who?" I ask. She begins to glow, then fades away. "Hello? Velvet?" Nothing. I want to cry more than anything right now, but before I got the chance....

"Hey! Who's out there?" Applejack yells. I run towards her voice.

"Sorry AJ, I thought I saw something." I lie. Thankfully, she thinks I'm telling the truth.

"Sorry RD, I have just been on edge as of late. All of this, you know, stress. I don't mean to sound self-centered, but I just need time to calm down and take these next few days slow." Applejack explains.

"I get it, your stressed, but hey, don't worry, I'm here." I say. She just blushes, and turns away. "Hey uh, I can't see my house, do you mind if I bunk here?"

"Sure thing, make y'all self at Home." I follow her inside, and follow her to a bedroom. "This one here is usually Applebloom's, but she's away right now at a friend's house. You can sleep here for the night."

"Awesome, thanks AJ." I get into the bed, and she walks out. But I lay there for a while though, thinking. The race I have been practicing for starts tomorrow. I'm in no condition to participate. But if I don't, I'll be a laughing stock. Then you have this whole issue with Velvet Rose and the building. I can't go out there with that on their minds, they will think I straight up murdered her. I didn't. I don't think I did, I mean, my wing cramped up, it wasn't my fault. I, I just want Fluttershy here right now, she would make everything better. She always does. I begin to cry, and cry, and after a while, I cry myself to sleep.

"Stay away from her."

"Who are you talking about? Hello?" Nothing.

"The mare with the yellow." The mare with the yellow...

"You mean Fluttershy? Why would I stay away from her? I can't even find her."

"Stay away." The forest begins to fade away.

"Hello? Anypony? Hello?"

"RD!" I sit up, breathing heavily.

"What? Where am I?"

"Your are where you were last night, in Appebloom's bed." Applejack answers.

"Oh, right. So why did you wake me?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

"Because y'all were twisting and turning and muttering words to yourself. I'm not going to let you sleep like that."

"Oh, thanks AJ."

"No problem. Now the race is today, do you really want to participate in something like that with all that has happened?" I sit there, thinking.

I want to say no. Celestia, I want to say no. "Yes. I'm not going to back down because of something that didn't make me unable to participate. That prize is as good as mine." I say as confidently as I can. Applejack just stares at me as if she can see my soul.

"Look RD, I know your nervous. Especially with all of the stuff that has happened yesterday. But don't force yourself, you'll be distracted and do worse than normal."

"What? You don't think I can win?"

"What? No, RD, I don't think you should participate."

"Well then, we will see how I do." I say, furious. I trot out before she can say another word, and fly up to the starting line, seeing as though I am already registered. I was twenty minutes early, so I was able to get ready and stretch. The announcer then stepped out.

"Good morning ladies and gentalcolts! Welcome to the Equestrian 350! Here, the greatest flyers in all of Equestria will compete, flying around Equestria 350 times! We are honored to introduce, princess Celestia!" The crowd bows. "And hoof-picked from princess Celestia herself, we have our guest onlooker, Fluttershy!" My legs turn to jello, and my wings immoderately retract. Why would Princess Celestia choose her? What if I fail? Do they know about the death I caused? What if I hit something and crash? I'll embarrass myself not only in front of the princess, but also Fluttershy. Then she will love Applejack instead of me, and I'll be alone. Then- "Begin!"

Next Chapter: The Race Estimated time remaining: 21 Minutes