Chapter 1

Rainbow Dash sighed softly as she looked over Ponyville from her cloud. A cool autumn breeze drifted through the sky, bringing with it a chill that bit into the warm orange glow of the sunset. It was thanksgiving in Equestria, and ponies everywhere were preparing to enjoy the comforts of a warm home, a big meal, and a loving family. All ponies, that is, except for Rainbow Dash. The petite pegasus was alone this year, as she seemed to be every year. Not that it bothered her. Not too much. Her parents were long since gone, victims of the great war. She wasn’t the only one of her friends who had suffered a loss; Fluttershy lost her father, and Applejack lost both of her parents, but they had others in their family with whom they could bear the sorrow. Over time, they all filled in the gaps left by those lost, and moved on with their lives. Rainbow had moved on too, but there was no one left she could call her family.

As the setting sun sank lower in the horizon, Dash ruffled her cyan wings, shivering as the cold set in. With weather duties long over, and her friends otherwise occupied with their families, the pegasus had nothing to do. She hadn’t bothered to cook an elaborate dinner. With nopony else to enjoy it, she really didn’t see the point. Getting up, she spread her powerful wings, expertly sensing the air currents flowing past her. Finding one she thought favorable, she lifted off her cloud, and angled towards the town center. At the very least, a walk through town would stave off boredom more effectively than flying home.

Rainbow braced herself against the wind, the air biting her as she accelerated. She had always preferred flying in the summer. Her body was built for speed, and while her small frame greatly aided in this pursuit, it didn’t leave her with much insulation by pegasus standards. Ignoring the chill, Dash leaned into her downward assault, streamlining her body into a more aerodynamic shape. Rooftops grew larger and sped past as Dash cruised effortlessly into town. Flying, even if it was just gliding, always instilled a sense of pride in the rainbow pony. She was fast. Period.

Approaching the ground, Dash’s primary feathers twitched ever so slightly to steer her into a perfect landing right in front of Sugarcube Corner. Dash looked the bakery over, and thought of Pinkie Pie. As usual, the bubbly earth pony had gone home to her rock farm for the holiday. To this day, Rainbow Dash could not comprehend how such a peppy pony could have come from a place as dull as a rock farm. By this point, Pinkie was probably in the middle of singing one of her many songs. Probably about food, or maybe the joy of family. That last thought struck a chord in Rainbow’s mind, bringing her back to reality. It must be nice to have a family to go home to, she thought, as she began her walk through the town.

Rainbow Dash was content with her position in Ponyville. She had a beautiful home in the sky, and good friends she could hang out with regularly. It was only rare occasions like this that she ever felt alone.

Her travels brought her past Rarity’s boutique. Though she was no expert in cooking, Rarity had been all too happy to close shop in order to prepare for her family’s stay. She always went all out to cook her family the fanciest meal she could manage to put together, even if they did not all enjoy it as she intended. At this, Rainbow heard a muffled shout come from somewhere inside the boutique, followed by an equally loud retort. Rainbow smiled slightly. More than likely it was Rarity and Sweetie Belle arguing again. Probably over something silly like which fork to use. Rainbow dash giggled as she thought of all the times she had watched the sisters duke it out over the tiniest of misunderstandings.

As she passed Rarity’s boutique, Twilight Sparkle’s library came into view. Twilight had mentioned earlier that she and spike would be spending Thanksgiving with Princess Celestia in Canterlot. Her brother and parents would probably be there too. Not exactly the most typical of family structures, but the love was there. In many ways, Celestia was like a surrogate mother to Twilight, and even though Spike had no biological family, and wasn’t even a pony around, Twilight considered him just as much a part of her family as Shining Armor and her parents were.

Thinking so much about her friends served only to depress Rainbow Dash. She considered herself very lucky to have such wonderful friends, but with all the emphasis this time of year had put on family togetherness, Dash couldn’t help but think about what she was missing out on. She stopped walking, her motivation to keep herself occupied having been overcome by the paralyzing feeling that her walk was pointless. Strong and independent as she seemed, Dash was not immune to the loneliness that seemed to plague her life. As much as she tried to keep up with her friends, it always seemed like there was something in everypony else’s lives that she couldn’t catch up to. Something that she would never be able to experience. Thoughts of her parents ran through her mind. Old memories of her mother baking dinner, or of her father telling her bedtime stories.

What it all came down to was that Rainbow Dash missed her family. Feeling a chill run heavily up her spine, Dash grit her teeth and braced herself against the cold. Except she knew that it wasn’t the cold that bothered her. Her eyes watered, and her chest felt heavy. Forcing herself to move forward, Dash began trying to think of something to distract herself. She thought of Fluttershy in her cottage. Fluttershy’s family had died around the same time as Dash’s, and in the beginning they had always been a huge support to each other. Dash knew that if she needed, she could always go to Fluttershy’s, and share in the feast that she and the other woodland critters were having. Her door was always open. But something inside of her made Rainbow Dash decide that she didn’t want to bother her. Fluttershy would probably worry, and it really was something that shouldn’t be that big a deal. Dash reassured herself that she’d be able to overcome whatever sadness she was feeling. She could handle a little loneliness. She was awesome. Right? But in the back of Dash’s mind, she knew that she couldn’t.

Overcome by sadness, Rainbow Dash stopped in the street, grimacing in an effort to fight back tears. She felt pathetic for feeling this way, and she was glad the streets were empty. She knew she had to get home before somepony saw her, but just couldn’t manage to find any strength in her wings. Sitting down, Dash felt the light trickle of a single tear running down her cheek. Temporarily distracted from the world around her, Dash was oblivious to the sound of hoofsteps approaching from behind.

Author's Notes:

First fanfic! Split it up into a few chapters, because I think it helps with the flow a bit.

Chapter 2

“Dash?”

Rainbow Dash jerked upright, startled by the country drawl of her friend. Turning to face Applejack, the blue pony quickly brushed away her tears.

“Oh, uh, hey AJ! What’re you doing here?”

“Ah’m just pickin up some cupcakes from Sugarcube Corner. Granny Smith’s fritters are great, but no one makes cupcakes quite like Pinkie Pie. What about you? Shouldn’t you be at home with your family right now?”

Dash’s trademark smirk faltered slightly. She looked away and rubbed the back of her neck, trying hard to save face.

“Oh, uh, they’re at home right now. I just figured I’d go for a quick fly around town is all.” Dash flashed one of her trademark smiles, though there was no feeling behind it. This did not escape Applejack, who raised one eyebrow skeptically.

“Alright, if you say so. Best be heading back soon though. I’m sure everyone will be missin ya right about now.”

Her composure beginning to fail, Dash winced, as the tears from before once again began to well up in her eyes. Seeing that her friend was upset, Applejack became concerned.

“Are y’all doin ok, Dash?” The orange pony cooed.

“Wha-huh? Me? Oh, yeah, totally fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Dash was fighting hard to maintain her composure, partially so as not to worry her friend, and partially because she didn’t like the idea of what crying in public would do to her reputation.

“Yer cryin…”

“I wasn’t crying, I just got something in my eye, that’s all. I don’t cry!” Dash defended herself valiantly, even as her trembling lips gave her away.

“What’s wrong, Dash?”

Backed into a corner, the emotions behind Dash’s urge to stay strong and her urge to just burst into tears were tearing her apart. The silence filling the area as Applejack waited for an answer seemed to push the pegasus over the edge. As much as she thought herself weak for it, Dash just couldn’t hold it together anymore. Grimacing again, Dash shut her eyes and hung her head, as tears began to stream down her cheeks in a few quiet sobs.

Applejack had never seen her friend like this. She didn’t know if anypony had, actually. It hurt her to see her friend like this. She laid down the cupcakes she had been run to Sugarcube Corner to pick up, and pulled her friend close to her, hugging her tightly. She felt the smaller pony tremble and tense, fighting her own depression and trying to forcefully snap herself out of her funk.

“It’s alright sugarcube. Everything’s alright.” Applejack whispered. “Let it all out. Tell me what’s wrong. I’m here for ya.”

Still fighting herself, Rainbow Dash hesitated before whispering out, “My family isn’t at home.”

Applejack froze, unsure of what her friend meant.

“They’re...my family isn’t around anymore.”

After a brief silence, Applejack hesitantly decided to press for more information.

“Where are they?”

“Th-they’re..they’re d-dead!” Rainbow Dash began sobbing uncontrollably. She buried her face into Applejack’s chest as the orange mare pulled her closer. Applejack felt pain in her heart from seeing this side of her friend. Tears soaked Applejack’s fur as years of pain that had been bottled up seemed to empty as the rainbow pegasus cried. Loneliness, doubt, and guilt fueled her sorrow as Applejack began to cry with her, unable to bear seeing her friend in so much pain.

As the two fillies embraced each other, they gradually calmed down. Sniffling, Rainbow Dash pulled away, but did not make eye contact.

“I-I’m...sorry AJ. That wasn’t...I mean…”

Applejack put her hoof over her friends mouth to stop her.

“It’s alright sugarcube. Everything’s gonna be ok.” Applejack smiled softly as Rainbow Dash looked up at her friend, her rose colored eyes still streaked with tears.

“Ah know life ain’t always been good to you, and ah can’t imagine how hard it musta been fer you to handle all that pain on yer own. But it’s ok to cry. Yer allowed to be sad, and there ain’t nopony who’s gonna judge ya for it.”

Rainbow Dash looked down at her hooves again and sniffled. She was breathing a little easier now that she was no longer trying to choke back tears. Her problems weren’t gone, but crying had helped her feel better. Suddenly the breeze picked up again, reminding the pegasus of how cold she was via a fit of shivering. Looking over her friend with concern, Applejack determined that Dash was definitely not gonna be spending this holiday alone. The Apple family always had room for another family member. She stood up and gently nudged her friend, prompting her to do the same.

“Come on now, Sugarcube. You’re coming with me.”

Applejack gave her friend no time to argue as she began forcing her to walk forward in the direction of Apple Acres. Not that Dash was feeling particularly up to arguing at that point anyways. As much as she didn’t want to bother anypony with her problems, being around her friend felt good, and right now she really did not want to give that up. Timidly, she began walking as her friend moved next to her, keeping her warm body close in order to keep Dash warm. Wordlessly, they slowly walked in the direction of Apple Acres.

Chapter 3

The two ponies walked in silence. The wind picked up as they left the shelter of the surrounding buildings, and made their way through the orchard. It swirled around the leaves on the ground, ruffling hair and drying tears. With Celestia’s sun now below the hills in the distance, the sky took on a deep red glow, providing the ponies with just enough light to guide them the the front porch of the Apple’s home. Hesitating momentarily, the cyan mare turned to face her friend.

“Listen AJ, I really appreciate this, but I don’t wanna be a bother or anyth-”

“Now listen, Dash.” Applejack interrupted, giving Dash a stern look. “You ain’t gonna be a bother at all. You’re perfectly welcome here, and we’re more than happy to have you. Ah know we may not have been born into the same house, but sometimes that just don’t matter. Just because ya ain’t kin don’t mean ya aren’t family, and you’re just as much a part of my family as anyone in there, Rainbow Dash.”

For the first time all day, Rainbow Dash gave a genuine smile. Taking advantage of the change in mood Applejack opened the front door and shoved her friend inside. Cheerfully following behind her, Applejack greeted the rest of her family with a smile.

“I’m back y’all! And look who decided to join us fer dinner!”

Rainbow Dash felt the warm air wash over her like a blanket, banishing the cold from outside and warming her to the bone. The festive cackling of the fire in the hearth protected the room from the cold night outside, and cast its bright orange glow around the room. Wonderful smells of apples and cinnamon assaulted Dash’s nose, making her mouth water as her mind filled with all the possible things that might be cooking. Taking a break from their feverish working, all the ponies in the room turned to greet the two with beaming smiles.

“Yay! Rainbow Dash is gonna have dinner with us!” Applebloom loudly cheered as she bounced all around the room, smiling from ear to ear.

“Well, ain’t that lovely.” Granny Smith said with a smile. “Always good ta have another friendly face at the table. Ain’t that right, Big Mac?”

“Eeyup!” Answered the red stallion.

As everyone gathered around the dinner table, Applejack brought in a chair next to her own for her friend. Sitting down, Rainbow Dash was met with a feast of apple themed foods. The spread that lay before her looked delicious, and smelled heavenly. As they dug in, the smile that had remained on Rainbow Dash’s face grew wider and wider. Basking in the warmth of the fire and the company of friends, she soon forgot all the troubles that had plagued her earlier. Before long, hours had passed. Hours that she spent talking and laughing with the Apples.She remembered that she was not alone, and she knew that with her friends around she never really would be. As the night passed, Rainbow Dash found herself feeling more at home than she had in a very long time.

The following morning found Rainbow Dash standing on the front porch of the Apple house. She gazed across the apple orchard, skeletal but for a few straggling leaves who had yet to let go. Celestia’s sun once again was beginning its daily trek through the sky, and cast its loving rays of warmth upon Equestria. The pegasus found the cold bracing as usual, but it did not bother her as it had yesterday. Yesterday she did not have a home, or a family. She was alone in the world, to fend for herself and to bear her burdens. Now, however, she had a home and a a family. This wasn’t a new development, but it had taken the kindness of her friend to remind her. Soon, and without a word, Applejack joined her on the porch. For the second time ever, the cyan pegasus began to shed tears in front of another pony. But these tears were not bitter or painful. They were tears of happiness. A smile formed on Dash’s face, as she quietly whispered to her friend, “Thank you.”