Twilight closed her eyes as a particularly strong current of wind rushed passed her and ruffled her mane.

For a second, she was motionless in the air, gliding on her outstretched wings. Then she reopened her eyes and dived down to where Princess Luna was flying.

"Enjoying the higher altitude?" Luna beamed with a graceful beat of her wings.

The other alicorn said nothing, only smiled. She looked at the world around her: above and below. Far, far down was the ground which was carpeted with forest. She spotted a campfire near the centre of it.

They were very near to Canterlot now. Its deep blue backdrop was decorated with stars and glowing white clouds. To her right, there was the moon, casting a perfectly dim light across the land below.

For a night who's events gave Twilight so much hope, it certainly didn't disappoint.

"Your night is...beautiful," she breathed.

Luna laughed. "Yes, it does seem more appealing when you're suspended between the land and moon, rather than if you see it from one or the other."

Twilight's eyes searched for Luna's but they were directed at the nearing Canterlot Gardens. The two swooped downwards and stopped directly in front of the statue they were looking for.

The lavender mare couldn't take more than a glance at the statue before her eyes stung. She looked down as the tears fell.

Luna approached her slowly. "Twilight, a-are you...do you want to wait a while, or..."

"No." She sniffed. "Seeing the statue reminds me of why I'm here. Of who I'm doing this for." She touched Fluttershy's stone hoof with her own. "Let's go."

There was a flash of light, and then they were standing in front of a lake. Luna instinctually dived behind a bush and Twilight did the same.

"Who's dream are we in?" She said, her voice hushed even though there was no immediate reason for it to be.

"I don't know," Luna admitted. "I would hope it's Discord's, but I can't tell."

Silence. Then,

"There he is."

Discord walked into their view and, to their surprise, so did Fluttershy.

"There they are," Luna corrected herself. She slapped her forehead. "Of course! That makes sense now!" She turned to Twilight. "I can't tell the difference between their two dreams because their is no difference."

"Huh?"

"They're sharing a dream," she whispered. "It makes sense; physically, their statue is - on the outside - one thing, one connected 'being'." She paused. "I don't know about you, but I think that's extremely romantic."

The other mare grimaced. "Well, I don't. I think it's creepy."

"Suit yourself."

They turned their attention back to the lake, where Fluttershy and Discord were standing. No, no; they were...they were...

"They're dancing," the two princesses realised in unison.

"Ha. So it isn't romantic at all, you say?" Luna grinned mischievously.

Twilight scowled, but smiled soon after. "Maybe it is teeny bit romantic. Shall I cast the spell now, or..."

"Wait until the climax of their dance," Luna advised, "then check Discord's emotions; they're sure to be at their clearest then."

So they continued to watch. It wasn't a graceful dance, nor a very interesting one since there was no music playing, but it enticed an unwelcome train of thought back into Twilight's head.

"L-Luna..." The princess turned. "When you enter ponies' dreams on a nightly basis, do you...do you find out about secrets or...more specifically...hidden love interests?"

A pause. "Yes, I do."

"Does it go down well with the pony in question if they find out?"

Another pause. "No, not...not always. But the outcomes are positive...most of the time. It generally just depends on how hard the pony takes those sorts of things."

Twilight gulped; the pony she was talking about was often a bit of a drama queen. "And...have you ever found out about love interests that you rather not have?"

"Of course. But I do the best I can to help, regardless. Twilight, which one of your friends did you test the spell on?"

"Huh?"

Luna giggled. "It's obvious to me that you only brought that subject up because you were in need of indirect advice. So tell me: which one of them was it?"

She hesitated to answer. "Rarity," she clarified finally.

"Ah, yes. Heartbreaking, isn't it?" Luna said solemnly, but she was grinning.

"Which of my other friends have romantic feelings for somepony?" Twilight inquired, trying hard not to let on how desperately curious she was.

"Shhh. Oh goodness, cast the spell; cast the spell now!" Luna exclaimed, for Discord was dipping Fluttershy. It was, indeed, the perfect time.

Twilight ignited her horn, diminishing her curiosity. She'd find out eventually, anyway, and hopefully with that particular friend's permission.

"What colour is my horn?" she asked, smiling.

"It's..." Luna peered closer. "It's...a faint crimson."

"Faint? But why would..." She gasped. "I bet it means he will. He..."

Twilight trailed off as Discord's voice came into her head, I wonder if I dare try to kiss her...

"Okay then!" Twilight forced a smile. "Good news: the spell says he will fall in love with her...ugh."

Luna sighed. "Oh, dear Twilight, you really have no taste when it comes to romance, do you?"

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Well, seeing as I've never been in a long-term relationship, I've never experienced real romance firsthoof."

Twilight began to stand up, gesturing for Luna to do the same, as if to say, "come on, we've seen all we need to see."

But Luna was hesitant. "What? Why? That's ridiculous."

"No, it really isn't," Twilight said. "It isn't weird. Frankly, I don't mind."

Luna sighed. "Oh well. I still think it's silly, because I would want to date you if I were a colt, or interested in mares."

Twilight blinked. "R...really?"

"Really really. You're an amazing, intelligent, beautiful mare, Twilight. I can relate to not wanting a romantic relationship with anypony, but I cannot fathom why you've never experienced the likes of it."

"Have you ever 'experienced the likes of it'?" Twilight arched an eyebrow, half-expecting the answer to be 'no'.

But, alas, it wasn't: "Yes, I have. Once, a long, long time ago." She dropped the subject like it was too warm to hold. "Let's go. I have other subjects to tend to tonight."

Fluttershy stared in amazement as Discord wandered carelessly out onto the surface of the lake, as though the water was a solid path.

Turning around, he offered his paw to her. Shying away from it, she declined, "No thanks. I-I'd rather not."

He scowled. "Come on! It's a dream, remember? What's the worst that could happen inside your - well, our - imagination?"

She raised an eyebrow, as if to remind him that he was, in fact, The Lord of Chaos. Biting her lip, she placed her hoof gingerly into his still outstretched paw. He instantly pulled her out onto the lake, making her squeak in fright as she stumbled across the strangely firm liquid that resembled the texture of jelly.

She smiled, looking up at him. She had to crane her neck to properly see his face, because they were so close together. She stepped back a bit, still having to look up but not completely vertically anymore.

Discord caught her staring. "What is it?"

"Hmmm? Oh, nothing." She cocked her head. "I'm just...you naturally walk on your hind legs, and I find it interesting."

"Yeah, well I'm just a different - very different - species to you. That's all there is to it."

She nodded slowly. "That makes sense."

He coughed deliberately.

"Sorry. But it does. Can you walk on all fours, too?"

"Have you forgotten who you're talking to?"

She shook her head. "That's not what I me-"

"I know what you meant." He rolled his eyes. "And yeah, I can." He fell onto his hands. "Ta da." He said it so sarcastically that it sounded like a question.

He looked odd, hunched over on his four appendages.

"Y-you look...different that way." She admitted, and silently confessed that it looked extremely painful, with his long body bent at those awkward angles.

Lord of Chaos, she reminded herself. Fluttershy noticed that he was standing upright again.

He was stroking his beard, pretending to think deeply. "Since you got me to stand on four legs, how about we do the opposite with you?" he suggested, looking genuinely entertained by what this idea of his could result in.

The pegasus' eyes widened. "Oh! Ummm...I-I don't really think I can..."

"Nonsense!"

She looked up at him uncertainly.

He rolled his eyes. "Look, how abowt I hewp you, since you're too wittle to do it on your own?"

Fluttershy would've glared at him for treating her like a little foal, but the way he gently took her hooves in each of his mismatched hands made her irritation disperse.

It could've just been her imagination, but it seemed the draconequus was being so careful that he was moving slower than he normally would've.

The mare had forgotten to breathe. She inhaled so quickly that it sounded like a gasp, causing him to look up at her in confusion. "What is it?" he asked

His concern eased the slight tension writhing in her stomach, so she smiled and replied, "Nothing."

"You aren't even wobbling," he stated, clearly admiring her stability.

As soon as her concentration flicked to her hind legs, she became unsteady. Not fancying the idea of falling over backwards and hitting her head, she made sure she fell forwards, so at least she could get her hooves down.

But her hooves were trapped.

Fluttershy panicked but her head fortunately found a softer surface than she expected. Sighing in relief, she pushed against the uneven forces encasing her hooves so she could get up.

And she caught sight of two familiar red and yellow eyes.

Gasping, she realised that she had fallen onto Discord, and also momentarily forgotten he was standing there.

A thousand things ran through her mind. "S-sorry, I...I just..."

"Lost your balance?" he finished, raising an eyebrow.

She nodded, feeling her cheeks warm.

"Well, of course you did! Make a pony conscious of what they're doing easily and they're sure to mess up!" He beamed.

She laughed uncertainly, a bit of embarrassment melting away.

"Anyway. You feel like walking? It's easy as pie!" A pie with legs danced past.

Nodding and laughing again, Fluttershy awaited instructions.

"Okay: you know that thing you do when walking on all your hooves? Well, it's exactly the same as that, except you don't need to move your forelegs." He grinned, mockingly proud of delivering such blatantly obvious information.

She didn't share his expression. Hers consisted of a hint of worry, probably from the fear that he would let go of her hooves any second now.

"It's okay! I won't let go!" he assured upon realising this. "Right then. I'll put my leg back a step, and you try to follow it with your opposite hoof, okay?" Not waiting for an answer, he placed his goat leg a few inches back.

Fluttershy took a few shaky breaths before slumping her hoof forwards, steadying herself using his hands.

"Now do the same, but with the other," Discord instructed.

This time was easier, but no less clumsy.

Foot by foot, hoof by hoof, the two moved around the lake. Their pace quickened as the mare for the hang of it, though she tripped into the draconequus every so often.

"How about backwards now?" The Lord of Chaos suggested, and watched as she wordlessly placed her left leg back with a surprising amount of ease.

He followed with his right foot, then his left, then right again, then left again.

She grew accustomed to the new method quicker than the first time. Discord surprised her by occasionally switching the direction they went in, sometimes causing her to stumble a bit before continuing.

As they continued their steps, both Fluttershy and Discord noticed it was like a dance, the former blushing upon her own realisation.

At one point, the draconequus twirled Fluttershy round with one hand until she lost her balance; admittedly, she was only supported by one of her hooves.

Her heart was racing; half from exertion, half from the nervous alarms coursing through her. She looked up at him, immediately catching his eye because he was looking downwards.

Her heart rate only increased.

It thumped against her chest. They were so close together. She was used to physical contact with friends but despite the few hugs it felt...different.

Because it was different. The gap between them held a possibility of closing. She never knew what to expect with him; at any second he could easily -

Fluttershy yelped as she trod on her tail and slipped inevitably backwards.

Stepping forward and letting go of one hoof, Discord caught her with his paw. Her eyes opened in relief, locking with his.

He found himself lost, once again, in the alluring oceans that were her eyes.

He smiled, soon receiving one back from her. She was red, flushing the most atop her muzzle and cheeks. He couldn't help but lean forwards, staring longingly into her eyes.

He had never kissed a mare before, let alone pony. At that moment, he wondered deeply what it felt like, and considered the possibility of finding out.

He could easily apologise and explain himself to her afterwards, and he would discover how kissing felt in the process. On the other hand, however, she would have less reason to trust him and he had a feeling that the whole trust thing still mattered to her. Not wanting to ruin their fresh friendship before it even began, he decided against it.

He scowled; it seemed the conscientiousness enhancement spell was getting the better of him.

Discord stood them both up properly and placed her hooves back onto the water's surface, and Fluttershy could breath properly again. She expected an awkward tension in her chest to unwind, but all she felt was the lingering feeling of terrified butterflies in her tummy.

Discord's voice caught her attention, "You did well, for a pony. Congratulations!" Suddenly, she was on a stage with roses being thrown at her by various Discords sitting in the audience. Some whistled and cheered whilst others clapped. She kept her eyes on the real, original Discord, the only one who wasn't clapping or cheering; his happy expression said everything he needed to say.

There was no spotlight hanging over her head, thankfully. Instead of trembling, a familiar feeling bubbled forwards - one she fist experienced on the day she helped Ponyville's other pegasi create a hurricane. It was pride, despite it coming from such a small accomplishment.

She wasn't overwhelmed by the praise she was receiving. She laughed gratefully, picking up a nearby rose and even curtseying a few times just to go along with it.

With that, the stage and Discord clones disappeared and they were back to standing, staring at one another. Both happy, both beaming and neither uncomfortable.

They embraced one another simultaneously, each wrapping their arms or forehooves firmly around the other.

And Fluttershy still held the rose in one hoof.

Rainbow Dash glided over Ponyville, her eyes scouring the ground for the building she was looking for.

She was in a rush, but knew if she went too fast she would crash into her destination, earning herself a few architecturally-induced injuries and a scolding from its inhabitants. And she needed to be on Rarity's good side if she wanted to accomplish her mission.

Finally, Carousel Boutique was detected on her optic radar and she zoomed towards it, ensuring she aimed to land outside a one-metre radius of it.

Clouds of dust kicked up from the ground when her hooves made contact. Shaking the funny feeling from them, one by one, the cyan pegasus trotted up to the door.

She stopped a moment before she knocked. Would Rarity laugh at her? Dash knew Applejack would have laughed if she had picked her, and Rainbow didn't fancy getting humiliated by the farm pony that day.

Pinkie Pie wouldn't have laughed, but she also wouldn't get the sincere meaning of Dash's request.

And Rainbow didn't want to endure an egghead's speech, so Rarity really was her only remaining candidate.

Sighing, she raised her hoof again and knocked. Moments afterwards, Rarity's voice sang out from inside, "I'm dreadfully sorry, but Carousel Boutique is closed now. Please return tomorrow, darling."

Rainbow knocked again. Stomping hooves, then the door swung open to reveal the white unicorn who - to Rainbow's surprise - wasn't wearing makeup and hadn't curled her hair.

"Rainbow Dash! Darling, how lovely to see you! Do come in."

The mare walked inside and the door shut behind her. She spotted something lying on Rarity's fainting couch and trotted over to it.

It was the necklace made from the ruby Spike gave to Rarity on his birthday.

The unicorn saw her inspecting it and said, "I don't think Spike knows I still have it."

Rainbow smiled. "That day was so weird. I think you should wear it, to remind him about it. It looks good on you." Rarity moved her hair aside so Dash could fasten the necklace around her neck.

"Thank you, darling."

"No problem."

Spike walked in, saw Rarity in the necklace and ran over to her. "Y...you're wearing the ruby I gave you..." He stroked it. "I thought you lost it somehow...I haven't seen it since..."

Rarity laughed. "Darling, why would I ever misplace an object as valuable to me as this?" She gestured to the gem.

Rainbow tuned herself out of their nostalgic conversation and looked around the room.

It wasn't as spotless and pristine as it usually was, with clothes and crayons scattered about the place. And ice cream tubs. So many ice cream tubs.

She sniggered."You know ice cream doesn't solve your problems, right? It just gives you a stupid stomach ache afterwards."

"That is true," Spike admitted, ending his chat with Rarity. "Trust someone who learnt the hard way."

"Yeah, see? Even Lover Boy here agrees with me!"

Spike's eyes widened in surprise.

At the term 'Lover Boy', Rarity shot her friend a look that could easily pierce the skin if it was tangible.

Rainbow rolled her eyes and held up her hooves. "I'm just speaking the truth!"

"Did you come here about something actually worthwhile, or purely to criticise an embarrassing topic for Spike? Because, if it is the latter, I have no intention of contributing to that argument and I highly suggest you leave instantly," Rarity said defensively from behind gritted teeth.

"Thanks," the aforementioned dragon whispered.
Rainbow bit her lip. She had come here about something worthwhile - well, worthwhile to her, at least - but she knew Rarity wouldn't respond in the way she wished whilst she was mad at her.

So, thinking on her hooves, she came up with an alternative - one which she initially hoped would lighten the mood, "I came here to be taught in your melodramatic ways of fainting and unnecessary sobbing." Rainbow pretended to faint, throwing a hoof to her forehead.

"You're calling me a drama queen? OUR FRIEND IS A STONE STATUE, RAINBOW! A STONE STATUE! You're the one who's not reacting accordingly! What, do you think your reputation is more important than your BEST FRIEND? OR DO YOU FEEL THAT CRYING FOR HER ISN'T THE RIGHT THING TO DO!?" Rarity screeched.

Rainbow mentally slapped herself, before staring at the unicorn with narrowed eyes and taking a threatening step closer to her. "You'd better not be questioning my friendship with Fluttershy, because if you are, you're in for it girl."

Rarity glared right back at the pegasus, pressing a hoof to her chest. "So she's your best friend, is she? Fine then! Prove it!"

Dash laughed harshly. "Oh, so I have to prove that I love my friends now?"

"I don't know, Rainbow! Because right now I've no idea what's going through your head! So yes, I'm afraid you do!"

For a second, the pegasus looked calm, her face nonchalant. But then she inhaled furiously and smacked Rarity right across the cheek.

"Rarity!" Spike exclaimed in shock. "Are you okay?"

The mare rubbed her jaw. "Yes, I'm fine, darling." She shot a demanding glare at Rainbow.

"You're right, Rarity," she snapped. "You don't know what's going through my head. You have no idea what's going through my head. Because to you, and most other ponies, I'm just this clumsy, arrogant show-off that thinks of nopony but herself. The mare you see when you look at me isn't kind, nor compassionate, nor considerate, is she?

"No, she isn't. And that's how everypony sees me. Everypony, that is, except Fluttershy. She knows that I care, that I hurt, that I feel, just like any other mare would. I just don't like to show it. I like being the awesome, rowdy pegasus, however clumsy or arrogant she may be. But I hate myself for it. I hate that can't show you guys that I really, really do care about these things, just because I can't bear to be the insecure wimp that I would become if I did."

She looked away.

Rarity was astonished, gawking like an idiot as she had no immediate way to respond accordingly to her friend.

The unicorn laid a hoof on her friend's shoulder. "Rainbow, I...I had no idea..."

Dash spun around, aggressively batting her hoof away. "Of course you didn't. You just assumed, like everypony else, that I was just a selfish, emotionless jerk."

Dash was staring into Rarity's eyes.

At first, the white pony saw eyes filled with aggression, sarcasm and arrogance, just as she was used to always seeing on her boastful friend.

However, as they both continued to stare, all that wore away. In its place, she saw sadness, fatigue and sincerity beyond the mare's comprehension.

And there were tears. First only a few, but more came and soon her eyes were brimming with the salty substance. Rainbow Dash was crying, and all Rarity could do was stare in disbelief as it finally dawned upon her exactly how much Dash truly cared.

"No, I-I didn't, really..." she started, but Rainbow had already flown out the door.

She had all the reason to, because there was no excuse for Rarity's assumptions. The image of Rainbow's eyes was still clear in her mind and, with each moment that it lingered, she felt all that more guilty.

Spike was clinging to Rarity like a scared little foal and he sighed when Rainbow flew away. He could feel the tension between the mares still in the atmosphere of the room, but made an effort not to show his discomfort.

Rarity felt his claw stroking her back. As much as she wanted someone to comfort her right now, there was somepony else that was in far more dire need of comforting than herself.

She was determined to do all she could for Rainbow, as it occurred to her that she was the only pony who would have even the slightest idea of how to talk about their current situation and get adequate, truthful results.

Rainbow needed a friend. And Rarity decided that she would be that friend, no matter what.

Author's Notes:

Wooo! Tenth chapter! Now I can put this in hiatus and forget about it!
I'm kidding, I'm kidding!
Sorry in advance to those of you who are TwiLuna shippers. I am not going to ship them, I'm only going to bind them with a powafuw fwendship. They are the best spies ever.
And now I'm seriously being reminded of MlpFluttershy's 'Fluttershy's Crush'. Y'know what? Why don't y'all go and read that story?