As the funeral wound down, Scootaloo brought herself back to the present. When the ceremony ended, everypony came up to Scootaloo to offer sympathy, maybe hug her, and offer words of support. Her two best friends stayed by her side the whole time. One by one, everypony offered their sympathy, but with everypony so sullen and glum, it was hard to find comfort in their words. Even the normally happy, energetic Pinkie Pie shared the same gloomy mood as the others. She was quiet, and slowly walked instead of bouncing around, and her curly, bouncy mane and tail were now straight and lifeless.

The last pony to come up to her was Rainbow Dash. All day, Scootaloo had tried to avoid thinking about her. Rainbow Dash was her idol. Her everything. She was the one who helped her through her fear of those scary stories when they were camping. She was the one who helped her overcome her lack of confidence and encouraged her to represent Ponyville in the Equestria Games. It was Rainbow Dash who was there for her when she could finally fly, Rainbow Dash was even for the proudest moment of her life; the day Scootaloo finally got her cutie mark. Dash was there for it all. And now, Scootaloo might never see her idol and sister figure ever again. She certainly didn't want Rainbow dash to remember her like this- sobbing, wallowing in self-pity, scared and alone. She looked up at the rainbow mare, expecting to hear words telling her to toughen up.

But that's not what she got. No, instead Rainbow Dash only offered a warm half-smile, too choked up to say anything. She then wrapped Scootaloo in a hug, and Scootaloo could feel tears coming up again.

"Thank you," Scootaloo said, barely above a whisper.

"For what, kid?" Rainbow Dash choked out.

"Everything," Scootaloo told her,"You've always been there for me, Rainbow Dash. I loved my parents, but I was never that close with them. We never shared any of the same interests. I mean, we weren't even the same types! That's why it took me so long to fly. They couldn't teach me, and it's not like we lived in Cloudsdale, where everypony learns from a young age. But you were always there for me Rainbow Dash. Always."

Now Rainbow Dash was feeling like crying. She needed to say something to Scootaloo. There was something she had to tell her. Something she had meant to tell her. But what? She couldn't remember. Scootaloo's words scrambled her brain. She wasn't expecting a heart-felt thank you from the filly, and it threw her through a loop. She tried to say something, anything, but the lump in her throat had her too choked up.

"Well, if this is our last goodbye, then thanks again Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said once more in a low, quiet voice,"You've meant so much to me." And she began to walk away.

"Wait-" Rainbow started, but it was no use. Her voice cracked, and it only came out as a whisper. Scootaloo was too far away to hear.

Rainbow Dash stood there like a statue, dumbstruck. Only now did the actual weight of the situation hit her. Her mind was doing backflips, trying to recover her thoughts. Only then did a soft, timid voice bring her back to reality.

"Rainbow Dash?" Rainbow Dash jumped a little, and turned to the source of the quiet voice. It was her oldest, dearest friend Fluttershy.

"Fluttershy? How long have I been standing here like this?" she asked. It had felt like hours.

"Oh, about five minutes," Fluttershy responded. Dash mentally facehoofed.

"What do I do now, Fluttershy? I can't lose her, I just can't," Rainbow Dash said. Fluttershy thought for a moment.

"I think you know what to do. You have to talk to her. You have to tell her the truth," Fluttershy said. Rainbow Dash cringed. The truth? It was a conversation Dash had always feared, but knew it had to be done eventually. Only Rainbow Dash's oldest friend Fluttershy knew the truth. The truth about her past. It was something Rainbow Dash never wanted to face. But now, she had no choice.  It was a situation she was thrust into, but if she wanted to keep Scootaloo, it had to be done.

"You're right, Fluttershy. I have to tell her, it's now or never," Rainbow Dash said with a new-found confidence.

"I'm glad to hear that, Rainbow. Scootaloo's on her way back to Sweet Apple Acres now. You might be able to catch her," Fluttershy said. Rainbow Dash smiled wide, and flew off in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.