Dash was sitting in the factory cafeteria, moving her food around. Even if it had been edible, she just wasn’t that hungry. Finally, she got up and left, headed to her own office for the remainder of the break. The sudden “FOOM” of a rainbow being created made the workers in the café jump and swear, and Dash chuckled as she left. She had almost made it to her office when Cold Stone walked in front of her and blocked her path.

“Rainbow Dash,” the creator of the harvesting machine growled. “We need to talk.” Dash shot him a rude gesture and shoved him aside, walking into her office. She sat down in her posh chair.

“Whatever you have to say, I’m in no fucking mood,” she growled back. “So get your self-righteous flank out of my office before I call somepony and have you removed that way.” Cold Stone’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“You wouldn’t dare,” he said. “Just because you’re the manager of the Spectra production, you think you can push me, the machine’s creator, around?”

“Dr. Atmosphere,” Dash smiled into her intercom. “Cold Stone is in my office after I asked him to leave. Kindly send somepony up to remove him.”

“Yes, Miss Dash,” said Dr. Atmosphere. His sigh of annoyance was clearly heard before he cut the signal.

“You little, worthless whore,” Cold Stone hissed. Dash’s eyes narrowed into threatening slits.

“You’re still here?” she asked. At that moment, a burly pegasus came into the room and dragged Cold Stone out the door by his shoulder.

“This isn’t over!” he shouted. Rainbow Dash waved smugly.

Dash was back in the killing room, shouting at the workers below. The machine had jammed, and the department was behind schedule.

“Can’t you worthless shits do anything right?” she shouted. “It’s a clog, so clear it!” A sudden noise from the chute higher up on the wall startled the cyan pegasus. “Scoots?” she asked as she looked in the direction of the chute. But it was just another zombie. Sudden tears stung Dash’s eyes. That had been the chute Scootaloo had used to try and escape, but it had instead lead to her doom. She headed for the door.

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” asked Cold Stone. Dash looked at him.

“Out,” she answered. “I can’t stand to be around you anymore.” With that, she zipped out the door and back home.

Dash was startled when she walked in the door and a very jovial Applejack greeted her.

“Well, howdy there, Dash,” the farm pony greeted heartily. “How was your day at the weather factory?”

“It was fine I guess,” Dash sighed. “As fine as my job can be anyways.”

“Aw, shucks it can’t be that bad,” said Applejack.

“You have no fucking idea, sister,” snorted Dash. She suddenly smelled dinner. “Did you cook dinner for me?”

“Hell no,” laughed Applejack. “Y’all know I can’t cook worth shit. Fluttershy made it. She cleaned the whole house, too.”

Dash sped into her living room, her alarm fading when she saw Blue Devil propped up in its customary place. Applejack followed her in.

“Wow, that old thing’s still here?” Applejack laughed. “Y’all really should throw it out, Dash. Scootaloo ain’t usin’ it no more.”

“Just what in the hell is that supposed to mean, huh?” Dash was suddenly very defensive, startling her friend.

“Well, she’s flyin’ everywhere, right? Hey, speakin’ of her, where in tarnation is that little pegasus at? She was always with you until a month ago.”

“She failed her flight exam,” muttered Dash. “The rules in Cloudsdale said she had to leave and never come back. That scooter is all I have to remember her by.”

“Oh,” said Applejack. “Sug’, I’m sorry, I had no idea.”

“It’s fine,” said Dash. “C’mon, lets eat. I’m starving.”

Dinner had been delicious, and Rainbow found herself laughing genuinely for the first time since her guilt had set in. Her friends had all joined Applejack after dinner, and they were all laughing hysterically at Pinkie’s latest misadventures.

After a while, Twilight and Fluttershy pulled Rainbow Dash into her room and shut the door. They looked at Dash concernedly.

“Dash,” started Twilight. “How are you holding up?” Dash’s smile faded and the laughter went out of her eyes.

“I was doing really good, but…” Dash fell to her knees. “God, Twilight, I almost cried in the killing room today. A zombie came out of the chute Scoots used to try to escape, and for a moment I…I thought it was her…”

Twilight hugged her friend, stroking her mane. Applejack knocked on the door.

“Y’all okay in there?” she asked.

“We’re fine,” replied Twilight. “We’ll be right out.” She hugged Dash a little longer, then looked at her.

“Come on,” she whispered. “Let’s get back out there and have some more fun, okay?” Dash nodded, her eyes remaining downcast.

The three walked into the living room, and the fun resumed. Rainbow found herself in mediocre spirits the rest of the night, however. After everyone left, she got up and wandered over to the window. Staring sadly out, she could see Applejack wishing Pinkie and Rarity off before heading back in. Down on the ground, she could see the small obstacle course she had made for Scootaloo. It now stood empty, falling into disrepair as the weeds began to slowly take over.

Dash’s ears twitched as she heard phantom whistle blasts and Scootaloo’s shouts of joy every time she made a new time record. Dash bolted towards her bed, running past a startled Applejack. The bedroom door slammed shut, and Applejack frowned; she could hear Dash’s wrenching sobs even though she was obviously crying into a pillow.

“Sug’?” asked Applejack as she crept into the dark room. “Are you okay, Rainbow Dash?” She turned on the light.

Dash’s eyes were swollen, and tears ran down her face in rivers. Her chest heaved with each sob, and Applejack almost found herself crying as well.

“Sug’, what’s wrong?” she asked in concern.

“I…I…” stuttered Dash. “I…I miss Scoots.” Rainbow buried her face into her pillow once more, drawing a hug from Applejack.

“Well, shucks Rainbow,” laughed Applejack. “Y’all can just track her down again. She can’t have gone very far, and I imagine she misses you somethin’ fierce as well.” This statement only made Dash cry harder. Applejack was suddenly very uncomfortable.

“Look, um,” she said. “Whatever’s wrong, I don’t really know how much of a help I can be. Do you want me to call Twi’ over?” Dash nodded her head, and Applejack walked over to the phone. She picked the phone up and dialed Twilight’s number. It rang twice before Twilight picked it up.

“Twilight, it’s me,” said Applejack urgently. There was a short pause before Twilight answered.

“How bad is she?” asked Twilight softly. Applejack wondered how Twilight had know what she had wanted, but shook her head.

“She’s pretty bad,” replied Applejack. “She’s curled up on her bed cryin’ harder than I’ve ever seen anypony cry before. It’s like she killed somepony.” There was a grim silence.

“I’ll be right over,” said Twilight as she hung up.