Moving On- Epilogue

Twilight and Fluttershy made their way down the empty hallway. Their destination was getting close, if the guard’s directions were anything to go by at least. As they made their way around the corner they found themselves facing the cell.

Rainbow Dash was sitting before them in a tidy white cell. She had a metal belt secured around her midsection that tied off her wings. Near her stomach a red badge hung from the belt that said “Prisoner 293, Mental Rehabilitation Division”

“Hey girls.” she said weakly as she let a sad smile come to her face. Her face seemed torn with exhaustion and her eyes seemed pleading, sorrow filled but with placed hope in something.

“Hello Rainbow Dash, why did you ask us to come here?” Twilight said sternly as Fluttershy and herself took a seat near the cell door.

“I don’t expect either of you to forgive me, but I need to get this off my chest as best I can.” Rainbow took a deep breath, “I’m sorry, to both of you. Fluttershy, I-I thought I was right. It was all I knew. Whenever I saw somepony doing things differently I’d always scoff at them as they weren’t getting what they could from the relationship. Now I know I was the one with less... I never really felt love, I just thought I did...” Rainbow paused to try and clear her throat. ”What I put you through-” despite the sad smile Rainbow was forcing onto her muzzle, the tears began to roll down her cheeks as she spoke, “was..was horrible. Nopony should have experienced it, and I’m torn apart to know I did it to you, my first friend.”

As Rainbow finished she placed her head in her hooves and softly sobbed for a time before she could raise her head to meet their gaze again. “I don’t deserve it.” Rainbow gave a mock chuckle to try and lighten the mood. Trying her hardest to act as if she was her old cocky self just explaining a new trick. ” But do you think after I get out of here I might... I might get to know you all again? Maybe... maybe try and be friends sometime down the road...

Twilight’s stern look softened just a shade as Rainbow spoke, as she finished the unicorn sighed. “Thank you for apologizing. I won’t lie to you. Maybe, Rainbow.” Twilight turned to walk away but was momentarily stopped by Fluttershy who whispered in her ear. After the quiet words Twilight nodded and made the turn to the hallway they’d just exited.

“Rainbow.” her eyes were stern but held a glint of hope, or at least Rainbow wanted it to be hope. “Thank you so much. I can’t accept the apology, but I want you to know it means a lot. As for us getting a chance to know each other as ponies when you get out of here, we’ll see.” Fluttershy said the final words as kindly as she could, her element shining in her heart as she felt that she meant it, even if all it was was hope.”I’m- I’m sorry I called you a monster.” Fluttershy felt her throat close a bit as she said it, the word only brought her horrible images of Rainbow and mythical terrors. She didn’t want to remember that part of Rainbow, despite all that had happened. Rainbow gave a sad smile at this to which Fluttershy returned.

As she rose to leave and made her way to the corner Rainbow spoke up, “I’m happy for you two.”

While Rainbow didn’t see it, Fluttershy’s smile grew as she made her exit.