Fluttershy looked up towards the bright sky, and smiled.

The yellow pony entered Ponyville's Library, escaping the reach of the sun which shone across the town. The pegasus could see her friend, Twilight Sparkle. She was sorting the last of a few books piled on top of each other onto some bookshelves. As the lavender unicorn finished handling the books, she turned around to see Fluttershy.

"Oh, hello Fluttershy!" Twilight happily greeted her friend. "Anything you need?"

"Hi Twilight. I was wondering if you knew anything about Rainbow Blossoms." she replied.

"Rainbow Blossoms?" Twilight scratched her head. "Never heard of those. Sorry."

"It's a rainbow petaled flower." Fluttershy stated. "I'm not sure where to find it though."

"Well, I probably have a book on it." the unicorn said, walking towards the "G" section of the library. "Here, maybe this will help." Twilight levitated a book onto the beige table in the middle of the room.

Fluttershy walked away from the door to the Library, and approached the book. She read the title, "Guide to all Equestrian Flowers" and raised her hoof to open the book, flipping through pages as her eyes narrowed in on it.

"Find it yet?" The lavender pony asked.

"I just did. It says I can find them at Fable Peak." Fluttershy answered, a smile appearing on her face.

Suddenly, the smile vanished, Fluttershy's face turned pale. Her happy expression turned to one of fear. The yellow pony's eyes glanced around the room as she let out a gasp.

Twilight tilted her head at Fluttershy. "Is something wrong? You don't look so good."

"Fable... Peak..." The words just barely came out of her mouth.

Twilight Sparkle looked even more confused. "Yes, I heard that. I still don't understand what's wrong."

"I-It's really high up there... And so c-cold." the pegasus whimpered. "Can... Can you come with me?"

"I'm sorry Fluttershy, but I can't. Rarity's picked me to model for her at a fashion show in Manehattan!" Twilight Sparkle said, looking quite happy as she mentioned the second point. "It's pretty important for her, and I guess she just thought that her dresses would look best on me." she kept her smile, cherishing the fact that Rarity thought she looked the nicest.

Fluttershy, wasn't nearly as amused as she was. Twilight Sparkle looked sympathetic. "I still wish I could help you though. I'm sorry Fluttershy."

"Oh... It's alright Twilight." the yellow pony gave a dejected look. "I'll see if Applejack can come with me. Have fun with Rarity in Manehattan" she said, leaving the library.

"I will, good luck finding that flower!" Twilight said, as the door shut behind her friend.

Fluttershy, now outside the library, sighed to herself. Not only would she have to climb the rough, unyielding mountains of Fable Peak, but neither Twilight Sparkle or Rarity could come with her. She wouldn't let these thoughts, or these obstructions get in her way though. She needed to obtain that flower. She needed to obtain it for her...

Fluttershy was walking southwest towards Sweet Apple Acres. There, she would find her sturdy and reliable friend, Applejack. Sugarcube Corner was closer, but going with Applejack would be more comfortable, and Pinkie Pie would most likely ask her over and over again as to why she wanted the flower.

She wanted it for a special reason. The one mare of her dreams, Rainbow Dash. They've been friends since they were fillies, but now, after all these years, Fluttershy was starting to feel more than just friendship around her. It was a feeling that none could accurately describe, and one that she needed to let out.

As shy as she was however, she couldn't actually bring herself to tell it all to Rainbow Dash. She was tomboyish, sure, but what if she didn't like fillies? Fluttershy could never deal with the possible rejection, and she feared losing her best friend, Rainbow Dash.

The flower though, was beautiful. Rainbow Blossom, it was called, due to it's multiple hues and beautiful shape. She thought it complimented her crush very well, and perhaps that would make Rainbow Dash like her more. She would do anything for Rainbow Dash's approval at this stage, and a mountain wasn't going to be enough to stop her.

Sooner than she thought, Fluttershy had finally arrived at Sweet Apple Acres. Glancing to her right, she found Applejack, who bucked a tree, causing every apple on it to fall neatly into the worn buckets below it.

"Applejack!" she called out loudly. It was loud in comparison to her usual way of speaking, at least. She flew to the orange earth pony, who turned to her friend.

"Howdy Fluttershy! What's goin' on?" Applejack asked, tilting her hat with her hoof.

"Hi Applejack, I... I need to go to Fable Peak... To get a flower." Fluttershy shyly spoke. "They're called Rainbow Blossoms, they only grow there."

"Well that's a pretty long way from here." Applejack stated. "You might want to take someone with ya'." she mentioned.

"I know, that's what I came here for." Fluttershy spoke. "Would you like to come with me, Applejack?"

"Ah'm sorry, but I didn't mean me. I've got a lot of apple buckin' to do." she replied.

Fluttershy looked more desperate, "Please, Applejack? I-I don't want to go alone." she said.

"Sorry sugarcube." Applejack patted her hoof down on the pegasus' shoulder. "Ah got work to do. Big Macintosh ain't gonna' do it for me! Gotta' get back to work now. Bye Fluttershy." she said, walking to the next tree to be bucked.

"It's alright Applejack... Goodbye." she fluttered away, looking more nervous now. Now going back to Ponyville, Fluttershy was left with her thoughts again.

Fluttershy had asked Twilight Sparkle and Applejack. Rarity couldn't come, and not Rainbow Dash either, as the flower was meant to be for her. Her only choice now, was Pinkie Pie, an ecstatic earth pony with a pink coat. She'd probably ask a lot of questions about the flower, and was probably clever enough to find out about Fluttershy's feelings towards Rainbow Dash, but she would be sure to keep it a secret.

The walk back to Ponyville seemed a lot shorter than the one she took going to Sweet Apple Acres. She was thinking about Rainbow Dash, and how she would accept the Rainbow Blossom. How she would admire the radiant flower. Fluttershy would then tell her about her feelings, and then they could be together. Yes, those thoughts alone were rewarding enough to make this task worth the journey.

Nearing Sugarcube Corner, Fluttershy took a deep breath before entering the building. As she entered through the door, she was greeted with a pleasing aroma. The pink interior of the building comforted her, as counters and tables topped with sweets filled the room.

"Fluttershy! So nice to see you again." A rose-maned earth pony greeted her.

The yellow pony responded with a smile. "Hello Mrs. Cake. Is Pinkie Pie here?"

"Of course dearie, I'll bring her here for you." she said, turning from the counter to enter the kitchen behind it.

Seconds after Mrs. Cake left Fluttershy's sight, a pink earth pony with a fluffy mane ran out in front of the yellow pegasus.

"Hi Fluttershy! What's up?" She asked, her eyes wide open.

"Pinkie Pie... Can you come with me to Fable Peak?" Fluttershy asked.

"Nope! Sorry! Sugarcube Corner's got a lot of Cupcakes to bake, and I'm baking them!"

"Oh..." Fluttershy looked very sad, about to cry. Nopony could come with her to Fable Peak. Either she'd have to go by herself, which was very unlikely, or she wouldn't be getting that flower. Her hopes were crushed.

"You look sad Fluttershy? Something wrong?" Pinkie Pie asked, finally breaking the smile she usually maintained.

"I-I really need to go there." Fluttershy sniffled. "And not by myself... Twilight can't come... Rarity can't, neither can Applejack. I guess I just can't go to Fable Peak."

"Cheer up you silly filly! Rainbow Dash was talking to me in the kitchen for a while. Dashie can come with you!" she said, bouncing happily and quickly back into the kitchen.

"Wait! Pinkie Pie!" Fluttershy called out. It was too late though, Pinkie Pie already left her sight. Rainbow Dash couldn't come along with her. She couldn't have that happen, she wanted to bring Rainbow Dash the flower, not the hardships of escorting her across a huge mountain!

Soon, the cyan pegasus entered the room. "Hey Fluttershy! What's up? You need to go somewhere?" she asked.

"Oh... Hi Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy blushed. "Yes, I... No."

"Uh, Fluttershy? Pinkie Pie told me that you needed someone to take her somewhere." Rainbow mentioned.

"I-I don't know what she's talking about." she looked away.

Rainbow Dash's expression changed to one of affliction. "Fluttershy, if you don't want me to come someplace with you, just tell me." Her eyes narrowed further. "You don't have to be like that you know."

"I'm sorry Rainbow!" Fluttershy cried out. Rainbow Dash sighed, making her soft-hearted friend cry made her feel guilty.

"Fluttershy." the cyan pony spoke, walking up to her friend. "Fluttershy." She said again, nudging the yellow pony with her hoof. She just continued to cry.

"Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

The pegasus yelped in surprise, picking herself up to her hooves.

"I'm sorry about getting mad at you." Rainbow Dash said sympathetically. "Can you tell me why you don't want me to come to this place though?"

The pink-maned stuttered. "I-I... I can't."

"Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash sighed. "I just wanted to spend some time with you. Do you just not like being around me? Is that it?" she looked hurt.

"No... It's not that!" Fluttershy retorted. "I love being around you!"

Rainbow Dash raised her eyebrow hearing that from her friend. "And yet I can't come with you." the athletic pegasus replied. "You sure? I really want to hang out with you again."

Fluttershy had to make the decision, and almost collapsed to the floor under pressure. "Oh... Okay." she whispered. "Y-You can come with me."

What had she gotten herself into now? Rainbow Dash was already quite angry at her when they climbed up that mountain to speak to the Dragon sleeping near Ponyville a while ago. She didn't like how Fluttershy was such a burden to the group, and a burden was exactly what she would be to Rainbow Dash during the journey to Fable Peak.

Still though, Rainbow Dash already didn't like the fact that Fluttershy kept trying to avoid her, and how she felt unaccepted in whatever it was she wanted to pursue. Who know,s it could have gotten worse.

Rainbow Dash shot Fluttershy a smile. "That wasn't so hard was it? So where are we goin'?" the cyan pony asked.

"F-Fable Peak. It's a big mountain, past the Whitetail Woods." Fluttershy stated. "I'm sorry. I hope I'm not a burden like last time."

To her surprise, Rainbow Dash just looked to her and said, "That's all good. You saved all of our flanks last time, and you're definitely cooler because of that. Don't sweat it Fluttershy, it won't bother me."

"Oh... Thanks Rainbow Dash. Let's go then." Fluttershy stated, very happy with what Rainbow Dash said to her.

Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad, and maybe with Rainbow Dash, there was nothing to be afraid of. No scary creatures, and no mountains, and no heights to fear.

As the two left Sugarcube Corner, the few clouds in the sky were being cleared by weather ponies, letting more of the sun shine down on the two ponies. A breeze calmly passed the duo, blowing it's goodbye to the two ponies.

Once more, Fluttershy looked up to the bright sky, and smiled.

Fluttershy had been walking with Rainbow Dash down Ponyville's clean, cobblestone roads. From here, they would move east through Whitetail Woods, where the "Running of the Leaves" would occur every Autumn, and continuing east, they would find Fable Peak.

Still in their hometown, the cyan mare looked towards her friend, who had been smiling for a while, entranced in her happy thoughts.

Rainbow Dash spoke, quietly so she wouldn't startle the mare. "Fluttershy?"

"Ah!" she was surprised anyways. "Oh... Sorry, what is it Rainbow Dash?"

The athletic pony shook her head and sighed. If Fluttershy was going to be this scared of her surroundings, maybe this excursion wouldn't be worth the trouble. Still though, there was some thought in her head, some feeling, some unearthly caress, guiding her to continue.

Rainbow Dash paused for a few seconds before replying to Fluttershy again. "Just wanted to know where this, "Fable Peak" is."

Her friend didn't seem to notice her delayed reply. "We're going east, into the Whitetail Woods, and if we just keep going east. Then we'll be at the mountain." she said.

"Oh right, I ran the Running of the Leaves in those woods with Applejack." Dash commented.

"I know..." Fluttershy quietly stated. She secretly wished that she was a bit more athletic. She had decent cardio strength, but still was an inadequate flyer because of her clumsiness in flight, and her fear of heights. The shy pegasus wished she could be more like her crush, and in some way, her idol, Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy sighed in defeat.

"Something wrong, Fluttershy?" Her friend sincerely asked, a troubled look on her face.

"Oh, it's nothing..." the withdrawn pony lied. It was something. Perhaps if she were braver, and stronger, Rainbow Dash would like her more. "I-I just wanted to know how you became so fast..." she asked.

Rainbow Dash lit up a smile. "Well that was easy! It just took a lot of training, and effort. Intervals, long-distance, I trained for all types of flying. After all, somepony's gotta' be the fastest flyer in all Equestria." she bragged.

The rainbow-maned pony didn't actually train that often though. She was brash in nature, and sometimes unorganized. Training didn't matter to her though, as long as there was nopony fast enough to challenge her. Fluttershy didn't notice the lie, too mesmerized in her words to realize that.

"Oh... I'll never be able to do that." Fluttershy looked to the ground, almost embarrassed at how athletic Rainbow Dash was in comparison to her. She frowned in defeat, and Rainbow noticed this.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll get better." Rainbow Dash mentioned. Seeing her friends sad always made her unhappy as well. Her smile faded as she slowly drifted into anguish. Something about Fluttershy being down got to her, moreso than her other friends.

In order to change the subject, she impulsively spoke. "Oh hey, the woods!" She lifted herself up into the air and pointed her right foreleg forwards. "Want to start flying now, Fluttershy?"

"Um... O-Okay." Fluttershy spoke softly. "Okay Rainbow Dash." She repeated, but louder.

Something about flying always made Fluttershy feel uneasy. This lack of control she always had is what convinced her to walk most of the time. Even when in danger she would only use her wings occasionally, like when she once ran away from a hydra in the Everfree Forest. She only really felt comfortable flying in Ponyville, where she felt warm and secure.

Slowly, the reserved pegasus spread her wings and started flapping them, gradually increasing speed as she raised herself from the ground. She looked happily towards Rainbow Dash, who smiled in return. It didn't take long for both to move at a comfortable pace.

"Having fun?" Rainbow Dash asked, noticing her friend's glee.

"Y-Yeah!" Fluttershy spoke, gliding along with her friend.

"Awesome." the cyan mare looked ahead again.

For minutes the two would fly through Whitetail Woods. Rainbow Dash keeping a pace which barely stressed her at all, with Fluttershy ignoring any fear or struggle that she had when flying. The trail in the woods would wind and turn slightly, hills appearing every once in a while. Fluttershy's view would alternate between her surroundings, and to the pegasus she loved.

The now elated pony looked towards her friend, and felt the pressure and bulk of the maple tree in front of her. She fell to the ground a few feet below her, and the strength she had been graced with a while ago had faded.

Rainbow Dash looked to her side, and then behind her as she heard a soft impact. Her eyes widened. "Fluttershy!" she called out.

"I..." Fluttershy attempted to speak, but instead began to cry.

The rainbow pony settled down to her hooves next to her hurt friend. "Fluttershy, you okay?"

"N-No..." she continued to cry.

"Fluttershy, we weren't flying that fast, it can't possibly hurt that much." Rainbow Dash spoke, but then felt a surge of guilt overcome her for saying that. It probably wouldn't bring that much pain to other ponies, but it did to Fluttershy. "Can you get up?" she asked.

Fluttershy sniffled as she held her hoof against the side of her face, which had made contact with the large she rested next to. "S-Sorry, Rainbow..." she whimpered.

"Yeah, that's okay." Rainbow Dash nudged Fluttershy with her hoof. "You gonna' get up?" she asked once again.

"Y-Yes." she said, holding back the rest of her tears from the soft impact with the tree. She slowly rose up to her hooves, swaying slightly as she stood in place.

"You really gotta' watch where you go." Rainbow Dash suggested. "What were you looking at that made you crash right here?" she asked.

Fluttershy's interest in Rainbow Dash hadn't been so strong before. Only in the past few weeks did she realize that she had to eventually let her feelings out. "Uh, just the..." Rather than continuing her sentenced, she just decided to squeak.

"Ugh, doesn't matter." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "You're okay, right?"

"Y-Yeah." the timid pony replied, slowly walking down the trail again.

Rainbow Dash trotted to her side, and walked next to her friend. "It doesn't hurt, does it?"

"No, not really." Fluttershy said, but it was quite clear that she was in pain.

Her pegasus friend saw through the lie, but decided not to act on it, as to make sure Fluttershy didn't think of the pain as much. "Great, you'll be fine, don't worry about it."

Thinking of a way to get her mind off of the pain, Rainbow Dash changed the subject. "So... Did you hear that Twilight's modeling for Rarity at a fashion show in Manehattan?"

"Oh, yes. She told me." Fluttershy looked up to her crush. Apparently, changing the subject worked. "She seemed pretty happy about it."

"Yeah, of course she would be." Rainbow Dash said, grinning.

"But why? I didn't like modeling for Photo Finish..." she stated.

The athletic pony rolled her eyes. "Really Fluttershy? You don't know why that egghead wants to model for Rarity?"

"No... Why?" she asked again.

"She's totally into that flank." Rainbow Dash tilted her head back. "I've seen the way she looks at her."

"Rainbow Dash..." Fluttershy spoke. "Are you saying that Twilight likes Rarity?"

"No, not at all." she said sarcastically.

"Oh... Sorry." The modest pony apologized. "Do you think Rarity likes her back?" she asked.

Rainbow Dash thought for a moment. "Yeah, probably. She thinks she looks nice and always says that "Darling" stuff around her." She weakly imitated Rarity's voice momentarily.

The athlete chuckled. "I bet that bookworm's not smart enough to tell Rarity she likes her though."

Fluttershy thought about that, comparing it to her situation. Would she gain Rainbow's approval by asking her sooner? She disregarded her thoughts, she wouldn't tell Rainbow Dash soon. Not now at least.

The sportsmare changed the subject. "So... Fluttershy, how much of that mountain do we have to climb to find these flowers?"

"The very top." Fluttershy stated. "Sorry, Rainbow Dash, I hope I don't drag you back too much."

"Again Fluttershy, that doesn't matter to me. What matters, is that you get that flower which means so much to you." Rainbow Dash spoke.

It wasn't actually the flower that meant so much to her. It was the act of bringing it to Rainbow Dash. Of course the shy pony wouldn't actually tell her love that.

"Wait." Rainbow Dash interjected. "How do these flowers even grow at that height?"

"It's not known fully." Fluttershy spoke. "The book that I read in the library said there was a magical connection between Fable Peak and the living organisms there."

"Living organisms, that includes us, right?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously.

Fluttershy thought for a moment, and smiled. "Well maybe something magical will happen." A feeling of joy raced through her.

Rainbow Dash looked confused, not understanding what her friend meant. Fluttershy noticed this, but it didn't matter. That was all part of the magic.

The expanse of trees nearly to an end, as only a few plants separated the two ponies from the road, which would quickly lead them to the mountain. The great mountain, Fable Peak.

Yes, Fluttershy was certain that something magical would happen.

The prize, it was more than a flower, more than this Rainbow Blossom. The plant was beautiful, radiating with a graceful range of colors, but that was just a device. Just a substitute for words which Fluttershy could never say, for actions that she could never perform. The real prize was Rainbow Dash, the mare she adored. The thoughts she had of her, and the words that she would speak, these were the forces driving the seemingly timid mare to her goal.

A river flowed down in the area, water moving so calmly as it forked into two separate paths. One stream was right between the two mares and the mountain, a bridge lay over it, the other bridge lead into the base of the mountain, as water descended into lower elevations. A breeze of cold air passed the ponies, almost warning them of the dangers of climbing the mountain. The great mountain, Fable Peak, staring motionlessly at the pegasi who had finally reached it's base.

"Alright Fluttershy, ready to fly up there with me?" Rainbow Dash asked. Her wings spread quickly as she looked determined.

Fluttershy's wings locked up, she shivered in fear. "N-No. It's... so scary."

"Fluttershy, are we really gonna have to do this again?" The athletic mare threw her hoof against her face.

"Sorry Rainbow Dash... I just can't though." the timid pony responded.

The cyan pegasus sighed. She already knew that Fluttershy wouldn't be flying up to the top of Fable Peak from the start. It was just some hope that she would overcome her fear and start flying, saving a lot of trouble. It wasn't that bad though. She liked just being here, accompanying her friend.

"Alright. Walking it is." she spoke.

The sun beginning to set, as evening approached. The two ponies walked onto the brown, oak bridge which spanned across the river. Crossing the bridge, the road now took them up the mountain. The cobblestone being overtaken by cold and dry ground after a few metres of ascension up Fable Peak.

The two ponies were very soon, off of the road, hooves beating against the rough earth beneath them. Snow placed itself on the mountain unnaturally, as Fable Peak's Weather was not maintained by any weather team. It was these areas, these places so far away from any sort of civilization that were so intimidating, so mysterious.

"Hey Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash spoke.

"Yes, Rainbow Dash?" her friend responded.

"There's something I want you to see. I'll show you when we get high enough to see it." the cyan pony gave off a slight smile.

Fluttershy looked confused. Confused, but at the same time, very interested. "What is it?" she asked.

"Can't tell you." she said. "Just wait, you'll love it."

The two ponies continued ascending Fable Peak. Fluttershy wondered what her love was talking about. Rainbow Dash said she would love it though, and Fluttershy placed her trust in her.

What seemed like a small amount of snow quickly grew, as more white appeared instead of the grey, rocky terrain at lower elevations. The temperature dropped in a way that most ponies never felt in the pony-controlled weather they were used to.

Fluttershy broke the silence. "You can do this Fluttershy. I know you can."

Her crush looked confused, and then smiled a bit. "Really Fluttershy, talking to yourself?" She giggled a bit.

"Oh my, I didn't mean to! That's not like me Rainbow Dash, you know that." Fluttershy's face lit up.

"Don't worry, that was cute." the mare replied with her smile growing, causing Fluttershy to blush even more.

Fluttershy attempted to say something, but could only make out a squeak. Rainbow Dash could only snicker at that.

"Oh man." she thought to herself. "This is awesome."

The pair continued up the mountain, any shrubbery or other form of multicellular life slowly disappearing. Fluttershy was still blushing, thoroughly embarrassed by her actions and Rainbow's words. Her crush however, blissfully walked alongside her, a large smile on her face.

An hour passed, the two ponies sharing their thoughts with one-another. Rainbow Dash listened intently on what Fluttershy had to say, which filled Fluttershy with joy. Rainbow Dash would tell her admirer about her interests in racing, occasionally about some weather job accidents.

"Yeah, ten seconds flat, my flank!" Rainbow Dash laughed. Fluttershy laughed with her, smiling at her love.

"I'll tell you, there isn't anypony who can match my talent." she added.

Fluttershy up towards the sky. "Of course not, you're Equestria's best weather pony." she added.

"Thanks Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash stopped again, moving her foreleg in front of Fluttershy to make her stop as well.

"Hey, here's what I wanted to show you." Rainbow Dash motioned to her right with her head. "Look over there."

"Oh... It's beautiful!" Fluttershy exclaimed, her cheeks filling with redness, and her heart, with joy.

It was a view of the ocean on the side of the mountain opposite to that of the Whitetail Woods, a large body of water which didn't often form in Equestria. The only few ponies who actually saw oceans were travelers, or pegasi. Fluttershy may have been a pegasus, but she didn't enjoy flying, nor did she like large heights. Rainbow Dash however, had seen plenty of them. She knew about Fluttershy though, she knew that the mare would love to see one.

"You like it?" she asked.

"Of course, Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy beamed. "It's wonderful. Thank you!"

Rainbow Dash felt something she didn't often feel. Some sort of warmth, a feeling of being back home, yet somehow a feeling of being at her prime. "No problem." she said. This feeling however, rose quickly, "Anything for my favorite pony." it guided, almost forced her to say.

"Dashie..." Fluttershy spoke. She didn't often call her that, but she thought it was cute, never really having enough courage to actually call her that. "Do I really mean that much to you?"

Rainbow Dash gave a bewildered look. "Awkward, much?"

"Oh no!" Fluttershy thought. "That's not good." A worried look appeared on her, perhaps she took that too far. "Uh... Sorry, just asking." she said, starting to whimper.

Rainbow Dash looked confused, and then sorry for a while. "Nah, my bad. Of course you mean a lot to me!"

The now guilty pony sighed once more. "Look Fluttershy, that just sounded a bit... personal. Don't take it too hard. You can ask me anything you want and I won't get mad. Alright?"

Fluttershy looked up to Rainbow Dash and nodded. She thought of asking Rainbow Dash if she liked her, but disregarded those thoughts. She'd save it for later, once they were out of this mess.

With that, the two ponies continued up the mountain. Hours passed, with Rainbow Dash thinking of thoughts that were never known to her. She was a bit hard on Fluttershy, yet at the same time, a bit more sympathetic to her. These were things she never really cared about, at least until now.

It was getting dark. Luna's moon would arrive soon, to dimly light the barren mountain. The ponies needed a place to sleep, but they had no lighting. They didn't have the specialized fire-making equipment that ponies could easily use, here at this mountain. They needed to find some place though.

"Fluttershy, we've gotta' sleep soon. You know that right?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Fluttershy nodded. "But where?"

The sportsmare thought for a moment. "Wait right here. I'll bring a cloud close enough for me to carry you to. You'll be okay, right?" she asked. She could carry Fluttershy for a while, but not up an entire mountain.

"Y-Yes." she lied.

"Great, it won't take long." Rainbow Dash replied, zipping off into the sky.

Fluttershy decided to take the time to curl up and look at the sky above. It was cloudly, but not with denser masses of clouds, only fog.

"Oh Dashie... Do you love me? Could you ever love me?" Fluttershy asked herself. "If only we could be together at this very mome-"

"Back!" Rainbow Dash interrupted, as she threw the cloud she was holding with her hooves behind her.

Fluttershy jumped. "Oh, Rainbow Dash! You startled me!"

"Ah, sorry." she said, holding Fluttershy's sides while lifting herself over the yellow pony. "Alright, let's get you to that cloud."

Rainbow Dash flapped her wings harder, and she lifted the combined weight of the two ponies a few feet up into the air. Quickening her pace, she flew over to the cloud which both pegasi could sleep on. Softly letting Fluttershy down onto the cloud, she smiled.

"Okay, I'm gonna' get us some food now. It won't be long."

"Alright." Fluttershy spoke. "Just a little cold here."

"Sorry Fluttershy... No other options for you though. If you could fly here, that would be great. I could go back to Ponyville, but I'm not gonna' do that to you. Just stay here." she said, zipping back down to the base of the mountain where there was more vegetation.

It didn't take a while for Rainbow Dash to get back to Fluttershy. This time, her mouth was stuffed with shrubs. It looked silly, but they needed something to eat. Fluttering down to the surface of the cloud, she laid the shrubs down.

"Not much." she chuckled. "We'll last, though. I'll get some for myself now." she said, repeating the process.

In a moment, the two ponies were on the cloud, both with around a mouthful of shrubs to eat for each of them. It didn't take them long to finish the small amounts of food they had.

"Alright then, time to get some sleep!" Rainbow Dash said, laying with her belly against the cloud. "Good night Fluttershy."

Fluttershy slowly curled up on the cloud, she hadn't been on one for a long while. She preferred to stay on the ground. "Good night, Dashie."

A half-hour passed. Neither pony could get any sleep. It wasn't a feeling of nervous, but rather emptiness, dissatisfaction. That so much has happened, yet so much hadn't. What hadn't happened that they both wanted, neither of them knew.

"Fluttershy, you awake?" Rainbow Dash was almost certain that she was still awake, but asked anyway.

Fluttershy spoke. "Yes. What is it?"

"Just can't sleep." she commented. "It's pretty cold and all, I don't think that's it though."

"What is it?" Fluttershy asked.

Rainbow Dash paused for a moment. "Not sure, just feeling some things at times. I don't really want to talk about it."

"Please Rainbow Dash. You can ask me anything." Fluttershy stated.

"Thanks, you're a good friend." she replied., her pride being replaced with sentimentality. "I'm not sure if I have anything to ask though. It's just so vague, you know?"

The two laid down without any speech for a while. Finally, Rainbow Dash broke the silence.

"Fluttershy, do you like anypony?" The cyan mare asked.

The timid pony blushed. "Uh... I-I like everypony."

"You know what I mean. Do you, like, like anypony?" she asked again.

"Well... Yes." Fluttershy admitted.

"That's awesome." Rainbow Dash commented. "Who is it?"

"I... I can't tell you." That was just what Fluttershy said about why she wanted that flower so badly, or why she didn't want Rainbow Dash to go with her.

Rainbow Dash closed her eyes. "Fluttershy, there's definitely something you're hiding from me. Doesn't matter though, I'm not gonna' force you to tell me."

"Not going to make you do something you don't like." she added.

"Oh... Thanks." Fluttershy was relieved. "Rainbow, can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah." her love approved. "Anything."

"Can we share some warmth?"

"Oh... Of c-course." Rainbow Dash spoke. "Yeah, why not?" she rephrased her previous sentence to one which suited her better.

"Great." Fluttershy softly spoke, rolling over to Rainbow Dash and wrapping her arms around her.

It was cold, any both ponies needed some heat, so the weirded out pony decided to let that one slide.

"Oh horseapples." Rainbow Dash thought to herself. "Now this is awkward. Feels so right though. Speaking of awkward, what in the hay was that? How often do I stutter? Celestia forsake 'Sentimental Dash', 'Ms. I'm so deep and philosophical.'" Still though, she felt like she needed to get those words out. She didn't often speak the way she did to Fluttershy, to other ponies.

Rainbow Dash continued to think to herself. "How often do I say this stuff to my friends? But then again, maybe she's more than a friend. But then, what is she? What would she be?"

"But again." she thought. "This feels so right. Just right. Feels like I could stay like this forever."

A feeling of warmth surged through both ponies. Both physically, and on a plane of existence which neither of the ponies knew of. The two slowly drifted off into sleep, thoughts of one-another manifesting into their dreams.

An image of contrast appeared to all who could have seen it at that time. The barren and loveless reaches of Fable Peak and the cold air, and then the small place of retreat, and of affection.

Fluttershy shared her love's thoughts. "I could stay like this forever." she thought, drifting into her dreams.

Rainbow Dash slept on a field of endless grass. She opened her eyes to see this field, as well as the sky, almost blackened, with no clouds obscuring the perfect view of the moon and stars. She felt the soft caress of a pony, feeling so familiar to her.

"Dashie..." a voice spoke to her. It was Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash closed her eyes again. "Yeah?"

"I could stay like this forever." Fluttershy commented.

"Yeah... I could too." The cyan pony spoke again. "Hey Fluttershy."

"Yes, Rainbow?" Fluttershy was listening intently.

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes again. "I have a feeling that... I think I might be in love."

"Is this love?" she asked.

Fluttershy didn't respond. She only hugged her idol more tightly, yet falling asleep at the same time. Suddenly, she faded from view, and her grasp dissolved into nothingness. Rainbow Dash flopped over, onto the grass rather than against her friend, who was nowhere to be found.

Rainbow Dash tapping sensation on her back as her eyes instinctively shut themselves.

"Rainbow Dash..." an ominous voice spoke to her, it came at her from every direction.

"Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash called out, opening her eyes, revealing a new, brighter setting.

"Oh my!" Fluttershy jumped from her place. "I- I didn't mean to startle you. Sorry Rainbow."

The athletic mare looked around. She could see Fluttershy, the cloud they were on, and the sun shining through the foggy air in the sky. To her right, was part of Fable Peak. She had just woken up.

"Oh, right." Rainbow Dash apologized. "My bad."

"It's okay. What were you dreaming of?" Fluttershy asked. "You looked so relaxed until you called my name."

"Oh, nothing really." Rainbow Dash blushed. "Just you..." she shoved a hoof over her mouth. She needed to change the subject.

"Wait, you were watching me sleep?" she asked.

"Well, of course. You just wouldn't wake up." Fluttershy stated. "Are you angry? I'm sorry..." she looked a bit guilty, making Rainbow Dash feel guilty as well.

"So, you d-dreamed of me?" she asked, blushing as well.

Rainbow Dash accepted her defeat. "Yeah, I did. It's just about what we talked about last night. It's following me, I can't make it go away."

"Well, maybe it doesn't need to go away, Rainbow." Fluttershy stated.

Rainbow Dash changed the subject, once again. She was starting to get way too embarrassed. "Yeah maybe, now let's go. Back to the top of that mountain! Still need me to carry you there?" she asked.

Fluttershy nodded. "Yes please."

Rainbow Dash lifted herself above Fluttershy, grabbing the yellow pegasus with her forelegs. Beating her wings harder, she quickly but unsteadily moved to the mountain before her strength gave out. She softly let her companion down onto the mountain surface.

Fluttershy started walking up the hill again. "Thank you, Dashie." she referred to her love by that name again, she was starting to like it.

"Uh, no problem." Rainbow Dash said, following her friend. "So how many of these flowers are you gonna' take with you?"

"Just one." Fluttershy replied. "I only need one. Not many grow anyway, so there might not be any."

"Will you be mad at me if there aren't any rainbow blossoms left? Will you hate me?" she asked.

Rainbow Dash looked down to her hooves and the rocky ground beneath them. "No. I'll never hate you. I promise you that."

Dash looked back to the shy pony. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"It's... It's nothing." the yellow pegasus lied.

"I know you don't want to talk about it." Rainbow noticed. "That's alright."

"Thanks, Rainbow. I'm glad you're here for me." she smiled.

"It's cool." Rainbow Dash spoke. "And I'm happy to be here with you."

The two marched on for around an hour, slowly ascending the mountain. It wouldn't be long until they reached the very top of Fable Peak, and it wouldn't be long until Fluttershy would finally get that flower. Things would be so much better, she would finally confess her feelings to Rainbow Dash.

A cold flurry of air and snow whipped past the two ponies. Fluttershy ignored this. She could face her fears with the strength of Rainbow Dash, and the love she had for her. The ocean wasn't nearly as visible as it used to be, fog obscured it's presence. Something about it glared viciously at Fluttershy. It was intimidating, yet also calming.

None of this mattered though, the two had to continued. Rainbow Dash broke the silence.

"So, what does that flower look like again?" she asked.

Fluttershy was delighted to hear a voice rather than the ominous sounds of the nature which she for some reason didn't like up here. The sounds of the whipping winds, and the hard, cold hoofsteps were not nearly as comforting as the sounds in a forest or field.

"They're beautiful." she remarked. "They're slender flowers, a blue-shaded stem, with rainbow-colored petals."

"That sounds... great." Rainbow Dash sighed. "So you're doing all this just for a rainbow flower?"

"Two rainbow flowers, actually." Fluttershy just realized what she said, blushing.

Dash looked confused. "I thought you said you were only getting one?"

"Sorry, nevermind. Yes, just one flower." she oddly said. She had to change the subject just as her idol did.

"Too much moisture will make the petals wither away. I'll have to grab it by the stalk." she said.

"Alright then." Rainbow Dash said nothing more. She was starting to think more about her feelings. These feelings, she knew were now about Fluttershy. She could just tell. Was it love, perhaps? That could very well be it. She didn't want to ask Fluttershy about it though, didn't she already say she was in love with a pony already?

Rainbow Dash thought to herself. "I don't have a chance now. If only I had realized this sooner."

Soon, Fluttershy started running. Rainbow Dash could see the peak of the mountain, no longer obscured by fog, and quite close to their position.

"Hey, wait up!" Rainbow called out, running after her beloved.

Very soon, they found themselves at the top of the mountain. It was different than the other parts of the mountain. Despite being at the very top, a patch of green, fertile grass lay in the center of the peak, a single rainbow blossom gracing it.

"There it is! The rainbow blossom!" Fluttershy cheered, quite loudly compared to how she usually spoke.

Rainbow Dash simply smiled as she watched the happy pony run over to the patch of grass, slowly and calmly walking to the flower once she got close enough. Fluttershy lowered herself, and picked the flower by its stem using her mouth. The yellow mare turned around to Rainbow Dash, and smiled at her.

Rainbow Dash spoke. "Congratulations! I'm very happy for you, ready to walk down now?"

"No." Fluttershy commented, Rainbow Dash looked concerned.

Fluttershy no longer felt fear. She was this close, this excited to escape the mountain's reach and tell Rainbow Dash of her love. Her wings spread apart, wind blew from the motion.

"We can fly down." she said with the flower still in her mouth. She looked very determined.

Rainbow Dash looked surprised, and then amused. "Atta girl! Let's go!" she started flapping her wings, going back west to the Whitetail Woods. Fluttershy followed her.

"Oh Rainbow, I'm so happy!" Fluttershy exclaimed, the flower still in her mouth, slightly loosening from its position.

"Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash looked down. "That makes me just as happy."

The pink-maned pony's heart lit up. Warm blood moved to and from her heart, pumping with love. Fluttershy felt even happier than she previously did, she broke out into a fit of uncontrollable laughter.

Her mouth opened, and a single Rainbow Blossom fell out from it. Fluttershy continued to laugh, until she spoke again.

"Dashie..." she spoke, smiling. "That just makes me even happier." Rainbow Dash smiled in return.

Fluttershy soon noticed that there wasn't a flower in her mouth. She had lost it. She quickly turned around and bolted downwards. Passing through the fog, she could finally see the flower falling into the stream a few hundred metres below.

She was too late though. The flower submerged itself in the water. Soon, only an assortment of dead gray petals appeared, along with a withered stalk.

Rainbow Dash turned around and followed Fluttershy's direction. She stopped to see a crying pony, moving uncontrollably through the air, before losing control over her muscles and plummeting straight down into the ground.

"Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash called out, just like in the dream. She wouldn't fade away this time, she couldn't.

Rainbow Dash zipped through the fog and quickly got her forelegs around her love, carrying her throughout the speed and pressure of the flight. She was feeling tired, but she wouldn't let that get to her. She eventually got to the ground level, and set Fluttershy down on the road connecting Fable Peak to the Whitetail Woods. Rainbow Dash rolled over just in front of the bridge they crossed, she was breathing heavily.

After a few seconds, Rainbow Dash got up. "Fluttershy." she spoke. "Fluttershy!"

They yellow pony was curled up into a ball, still crying. Rainbow Dash quickly fluttered to her dearest, setting herself down to her level.

"Fluttershy..." she comforted her, stroking her back with her hoof. "It's okay."

She continued to stroke her back for a while. She spoke again. "I'm here for you, don't worry."

"Dashie..." Fluttershy finally spoke, still crying. Her voice was weak, It wasn't barely audible beneath the sounds of her crying.

"Yes Fluttershy. I'm here." her idol moved her head in closer.

"I-I..." she sniffled. "I just wanted to bring somepony that f-flower." her crying grew.

"That's why you wanted to get it?" Rainbow Dash asked. "That's okay, I'm sure it's fine with that pony."

"No... It was g-going to be a surprise. I love her..." she commented.

Rainbow Dash looked sad as well. "Her?" she asked. "That's fine by me. I'm sure she loves you back. I know she'll appreciate how you made this effort."

Fluttershy continued to cry, unable to speak any longer.

"Look Fluttershy, just don't cry." Rainbow Dash started to tear up. "I can't bear seeing you this sad much longer. Please, Fluttershy!"

Fluttershy's crying ceased. "That pony, is you." she commented.

Rainbow Dash looked towards Fluttershy, unable to comprehend what she just said.

"I love you Dashie." she spoke.

Rainbow Dash was unsure of what she was hearing. Was this also a dream? Everything went by so quickly. She remembered how they felt as fillies, just friends. She remembered the start of this journey, helping her out in the Whitetail Woods, the troubles they got through together. She remembered the night they spent on that cloud, and the dream that came with it.

Finally, she spoke again. "I... Fluttershy?"

"Yes... T-That flower was for you." she tried to smile, but it didn't really show.

Rainbow Dash smiled, she wrapped her forelegs around her prize and confessed, "I love you too Fluttershy!"

Her lover returned the embrace, and both of them had their heaviest burdens released from them. They laid on the ground by the bridge for minutes, which seemed like hours. Each of them thinking only of each-other, without one of them saying a word.

Fluttershy gave her love soft peck on her left cheek. Rainbow Dash giggled, and gave one back.

Rainbow Dash reluctantly got herself off of Fluttershy, and onto her hooves. She nuzzled her marefriend's neck, which got her to stand up as well. Together, they walked back through the Whitetail Woods, walking side by side through the woods.

"Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash spoke.

The yellow pony smiled back at her. "Yes, Dashie?"

"Just wanted to tell you again, that I love you." The rainbow pony said. "I don't need the flower to be happy, just you. That's all I need."

"Thank you, and you'll have me, forever. I'll have you too, right?" Fluttershy asked.

"Definitely, I'm never gonna' leave you. I promise." she said.

The lovers walked for two hours through the Whitetail Woods. Neither of them wanted to fly. They just wanted to spend this time together, in these quiet woods. Nothing but the quiet woods, and each-other.

Finally, they were out of the woods, and into Ponyville.

"So, what do you want to do now?" Fluttershy asked.

"I want to tell everypony about this. Let's start with Pinkie Pie." Rainbow Dash replied happily.

Fluttershy looked worried. "What if they don't like this? What if they won't be our friends anymore?" she asked.

Rainbow Dash didn't break her smile. "That doesn't matter, I know that they'll be okay with it. Don't worry about it." she paused. "Even if nopony would like us anymore, we've got each-other, and nothing else matters but that. Got it?"

"Yes, Dashie. I have you." she spoke. "And you have me."

After a bit of walking, the two entered Sugarcube Corner. They walked through the door and found their four friends, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, and of course, Pinkie Pie.

All of them were surprised to see each-other.

"Hi girls! How did your trip go?" Pinkie Pie ecstatically asked.

"Oh, it was just wonderful." Fluttershy spoke softly.

Twilight stepped up. "That's great to hear! Did you find that flower?"

"Yes." Fluttershy responded. "Right here." she nuzzled Rainbow Dash's neck, who giggled.

"What in tarnation?" Applejack asked. "Rainbow Dash ain't no flower."

"Yeah silly!" Pinkie added "Dashie's a pony!"

Rarity interjected. "It's a metaphor, and I was really happy to hear that from you. So... Both of you are into..."

"Yep!" Rainbow Dash nodded. "It's all true!"

Twilight already knew from experience, that she loved Rarity, but still never told her. The two being in love with one-another was okay with her.

"That's great!" she said. "We're still your friends, no matter what!"

"So how'd your trip to Manehattan go?" Fluttershy asked.

Rarity lit up. "Oh, it was fantastic, and Twilight here was such a doll the whole way through. I'd love to go there again."

The lavender unicorn blushed upon hearing that.

"So, why are all you girls here right now?" Rainbow asked.

Pinkie Pie bounced in place. "We were talking about throwing a party for when you came back. But when you came back is right now and that means we can have a party right now!" she didn't skip a beat.

"So why don't you all go somewhere for a while and come back in an hour?" she asked.

Applejack smiled "Sounds great! We'll let ya' take care a' this party Pinkie Pie."

The five ponies left the building, giving Pinkie Pie an hour to set up the party. An hour was more than enough time for her. The pink party pony could set up parties very quickly.

The five ponies took a long walk around Ponyville. They all talked about what they found interesting, with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy talking about their love.

Rarity was the pony who found this the most interesting. These were the stories she would always read about. Maybe the same thing would happen with her and Twilight one day.

The new lovers walked beside eachother, nuzzling eachother every once in a while. The three other ponies followed behind. All of them were having fun, and the hour passed in what felt like minutes.

Back at sugarcube corner, Rainbow Dash lead the group and opened the door. The place was elaborately decorated with streamers and balloons. Hanging from the ceiling was a banner which read, "CONGRATULATIONS FLUTTERSHY AND RAINBOW DASH!" in yellow and cyan writing.

In the center of the room was Pinkie Pie, wearing a party hat. "Hey everypony!" she said.

All the ponies were now in the room, and each of them grabbed a party hat. There was dancing, games, and music. Everypony had a lot of fun there, but the most fun to be had was just hanging out with eachother. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy stayed together the whole time, not wanting to be away from their lover.

It lasted for hours. Finally, the party was over, and it was starting to get dark outside. Neither Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy had eaten a lot yesterday, or that morning, so they ate more cake here than they ever had at any other party.

"Thanks for coming, Rarity!" Pinkie Pie said, as the ponies left one by one.

"Thanks Applejack." she said, "Thanks for coming Twilight."

Finally, the other two ponies were leaving. "And thank you two the most, or we wouldn't have this party in the first place! Have fun girls!"

"We will, Pinkie Pie." Rainbow Dash said.

"Goodbye Pinkie." Fluttershy walked behind her idol.

"It's getting dark, want me to walk you to your cottage?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Fluttershy nodded. "I'd love that." The two started walking.

"You know, I could say this is the best day of my life. I've been happier today than I'd been making that Sonic Rainboom." Rainbow Dash said. "I owe it all to you Fluttershy, I love you."

"I love you too, Dashie." Fluttershy replied, nuzzling her lover's neck as they walked.

They had finally reached Fluttershy cottage, and it was very dark. Both of them were extremely tired, but they were still smiling.

"Alright Fluttershy. I'll be going back home now, I can't wait to see you again tomorrow." she said, giving the shy pony a kiss on her cheek.

"Bye Fluttershy." she said, turning around.

"Wait." the yellow pegasus called out. "Are you going to leave right now? Why don't you stay here tonight?" she asked.

Rainbow Dash smiled. "That would be great. Wanna' just go to sleep? I'm really tired."

"Okay." Fluttershy agreed. "I am too." They both walked upstairs into Fluttershy's bedroom, waiting to get some sleep.

Fluttershy opened her door and got into the farther side of her bed, leaving space for Rainbow Dash, who jumped onto the bed.

Rainbow Dash spoke. "Night, Fluttershy."

"Good night, Rainbow." Fluttershy said.

With that, the two descended into sleep very quickly because of how tired they were. Rainbow Dash found herself in her dream-world once again.

She opened her eyes, in that same field of grass in the blackness of night. She could feel Fluttershy behind her, now glowing more warmly than she did in the previous dream.

She raise her hoof to grab Fluttershy's which was wrapped around her chest. The yellow pony in turn, nuzzled her neck and kissed her on the cheek.

"Dashie..." Fluttershy said.

Rainbow Dash closed her eyes again. "Yeah?"

"I could stay like this forever." Fluttershy commented.

"Yeah... I could too." The cyan pony spoke again. "Hey Fluttershy."

"Yes, Rainbow?" Fluttershy was listening intently.

"Fluttershy." she spoke. "Is this love?" she asked again.

Fluttershy just hugged tighter, not saying a word for a while. Rather than her fading away though, everything else seemed to. Every emotion of fear or doubt had vanished like it had never been there in the first place.

The yellow pony finally spoke, her words reaching Rainbow Dash more clearly than anything else ever had.

"Yes, Rainbow Dash. This is love."