The stars shone in the night sky as the moon dimly lit the forest of Macalania. Bevelle was in an uproar after hearing what had happened near the palace, after witnessing the airship fly in earlier today and that amazing phenomenon of rainbow colors flying out in the sonic boom Rainbow Dash made. Hiding deep in the forest, the group rested far from any of the patrols in their campsite. All of them had taken off their clothing after being nearly torn to shreds going through Bikanel, invading Bevelle to try to stop the wedding, and surviving the underwater labyrinth of death known as the Via Purifico.

Fluttershy and Spike weren't with them at the moment, though they were hidden safely from the patrolling warrior monks as the dragon watched her. After everything that had occurred earlier today, she was a little shaken up and wanted to be alone for a little. Realizing Bevelle was lieing to everyone in Spira, her faith in Faust's religion was broken. Rainbow Dash could tell this was heartbreaking for her, her father having followed the path of a summoner and possibly knew about Bevelle Temple's machina. Everyone else was pretty much broken too, hearing the maesters had known all about their unsent grand maester, spitting on Faust's teachings using machina, despite them being told that they were allowed under her consent, and being accused as traitors by the corrupted leaders. At least the dragon maester, Yiazmat, safely left and was just as appalled by what they kept secret from him. Whether out of racism against dragons or not, at least the dragons aren't a part of this false religion anymore.

While they relaxed, Rarity was busy fixing up all their torn clothing, making them good as new after they were dried off from being thrown in the flooded dungeon. "Sheesh, Rarity. Do you always carry a sewing kit with you?"

"Rainbow, you should never underestimate how useful travel-wear can be when on a long journey," Rarity chided the pegasus. "Besides, one can't wander the world without fashionable gear. It gives the pony a certain aire to them that tells them their personality. Your father in his blitzball uniform showed his personality all too easily: egotistical, a drunkard, and a stallion who fools around with mares. Sounds like somepony else I know, only without the 'drunkard' category."

"Oh ha ha. That was so funny I forgot to laugh," Rainbow said in a sarcastic tone.

"Dashie doesn't know how to laugh anymore!? I'll fix it!" Pinkie bounced in front of the pegasus and began making weird faces to try to make her laugh.

This only annoyed Rainbow as she gently lowered her head away from her face. "Face it, sugarcube. Ya'll are also pretty stubborn. Ya jump at the chance to do somethin' good when ya don't know what ya get into. Though, when ya do say ya'll can do somethin', ya don't really back down and prove ya could."

"And, as much as I disliked you at the start, you did have good intentions, breaking the rules or not," Twilight said, Mog and Smarty Pants smoothing out the unicorn's mane and tail. "Seeing just how corrupted Bevelle is...I guess you were right to be suspicious about everything. Especially Blueblood."

"I hope he stays dead this time," Rainbow grumbled, never wanting to see that creep of a Guado, or anymore Guado again. She got up from her spot on one of the branches in the nearby trees, hovering down to the ground. "I'm gonna go check on Fluttershy. Just to make sure she's ok."

Rarity looked up from her sewing as Rainbow Dash left the camp to find Fluttershy and Spike, shaking her head as she smirked. "About time."

"'About time,' what?" Applejack asked.

"Oh nothing. Rainbow Dash is going to help Fluttershy feel better is all." The unicorn looked at her work, having finished repairing Fluttershy's clothing. "At least, I hope so."

Thankfully for Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Spike weren't too far away. She found them at another spring similar to the one where they found her father's sphere, the only difference was that the area seemed peaceful and no fiends were around. Spike watched Fluttershy from afar, the yellow pegasus standing in the middle of the spring.

"Hey, Spike." She got the dragon's attention, who seemed a bit worried. "Why don't you head back to the camp? I'll look out for Fluttershy."

"I really don't want to leave her alone with you," Spike teased, receiving a glare from the pegasus. "I am a bit tired though...Maybe I should get some rest."

"After you tried to take on Blueblood by yourself and nearly died? You deserve a medal for being the dumbest dragon in Spira." Spike slapped Rainbow hard in the back, sending her crumbling to ground.

"And the rest of you deserve one for coming back and putting Fluttershy in danger," he said.

"B-Blame Flutters...It was her idea," Rainbow weakly said.

"Same lame excuse." Spike chuckled and headed back, able to trust Rainbow Dash to watch Fluttershy.

Groaning in pain, the pegasus got back up, cracking her back as she felt her spine had been aligned awkwardly from Spike's hard slap. As soon as he went back to the others, Rainbow walked up to the water's edge. She seemed to be looking at the tree, lost in thought. She wanted to cheer her up, get her mind off of all of this: her pilgrimage, Blueblood, the maesters' lies, the machina in Bevelle, all of it.

"Hey, Fluttershy." The summoner turned around, watching Rainbow Dash joining her in the water. "You doing ok?" She shook her head and looked back at the forest. Rainbow sighed, trying to figure out what to say to her. As much as she didn't want to bring up the truth about her pilgrimage, she had to tell her that she knew. "...How come you didn't tell me about what happened to you when your pilgrimage is over?"

"...They told you?" Fluttershy asked as she turned back to Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah." The two stood in silence. They both had felt guilty, Fluttershy for hiding this from her close friend, and Rainbow for everything she said over her ignorance to the truth. "...I'm sorry, Fluttershy. I mean, everything I said about going to Zanarkand...and going after Sin...I know why you didn't tell me, but still..." Seeing that she was only making her apology seem worse as she grew more guilty, Rainbow groaned in frustration. "I'm such an idiot."

"I'm sorry," Fluttershy apologized.

Sighing, Rainbow swam around for a little as she looked at the stars. This didn't seem to be working as well as she hoped. She looked at the distraught pegasus as she lazily floated in the water.

"...Why don't you just give up your pilgrimage?" Rainbow asked, surprising Fluttershy as she looked up at her. "Just forget about fighting Sin, and being a summoner. Live a normal life."

"B-But what about the others?" the yellow pegasus asked. "I-I don't think anypony would want me to give up, even if I did say yes."

"Pinkie would obviously understand." Rainbow swam up to Fluttershy. "By the way, why didn't you tell me you two were related?"

"Huh?" Fluttershy had no idea what she meant.

"Back at Bikanel, we met your uncle, Cid. He's Pinkie's dad, which makes you two cousins!" Rainbow exclaimed. "I kind of wondered why your eyes were different colors, and I think it makes sense since you're part Al Bhed...I always thought they were kind of cool."

"R-Really?" Fluttershy asked as she blushed. "I-I didn't think they were."

"Sure they are!" Rainbow assured. "And if the others don't agree with you quitting, I'll have to annoy them all into accepting it! Even Rarity and Twilight. Those two can be a bit too strict with all those dumb rules."

"I-I know...But, what can I do if I do quit?" The two began to think, Rainbow swimming around to figure out what Fluttershy can do if she quits being a summoner.

She did like animals, especially chocobo. It was pretty funny to see the tame and docile creatures always flock to her. Rainbow Dash did wonder if she really was able to talk to them if they instantly liked her. She soon began thinking of some of the animals she saw growing up as a filly back in Zanarkand. Maybe, if it was possible, they could go back in time and live in the city, where Sin won't actually appear and they could live in peace.

"I got it! Let's go to Zanarkand!" She received a confused gaze from Fluttershy. "...Uhh, not the one here in Spira. My Zanarkand! We could all fly there on that awesome airship, and we'll have a party at my place!"

"And we can watch you and the Zanarkand Wonderbolts play blitzball?" Rainbow nodded her head, managing to cheer Fluttershy up a little bit. "And we can all watch you play...But, what about after the game?"

"Then we go out into the city and have even more fun!" the cyan pegasus said.

"Late at night?" Fluttershy asked.

"Of course! Straight through dawn! Zanarkand's a city that never sleeps!" Rainbow exclaimed, swimming around as she explained everything she never told Fluttershy about her home. "There's lots of things we can do downtown! There's a bunch of restaurants we can eat at, tons of shops to look at, and I think there's a zoo somewhere. Haven't been there in a while, but I think it's still there.

"And I gotta show you this awesome spot, right when the sun's about to rise." Rainbow looked up at the sky as she tried to hide the growing blush on her cheeks, imagining how the moment would play out in her head. "The lights go out in the city, the stars fade away, and as soon as the sun peeks up over the vast ocean, it makes the water glow, almost as if it was a gentle fire...Then it spreads to the sky, then the buildings in the city...glowing brighter and brighter until it fully rises.

"...I know I'm being a little sappy, but...it's actually really...pretty." Rainbow scratched her head, trying to compose herself. It was a romantic spot to see, and she really wanted to show Fluttershy. It would have been a lot better than the sights they've seen throughout Spira. "I know you'll like it."

"...I'd like to see it...someday," Fluttershy quietly said.

"Of course you can." Rainbow turned around to face Fluttershy. "I'll wake us up bright and early to-" She paused when she saw the summoner's head slightly lowered, her damp mane hiding her face. She saw the water ripple under head head as her tears streamed down her cheeks. "...Fluttershy?"

"...I-I can't...I just can't." Fluttershy sniffled, unable to hold back her tears as she sobbed. "I-I can't go...I never will...None of us can!"

She broke down and cried, everything Rainbow promised would never come true. She knew they would never see her Zanarkand. She knew there was never going to be any peace whether she continued her pilgrimage or not. Everything would never get better. All of her life, as well as others in the past millennium, have only known suffering and despair, from Sin, wars, racism, fiends. Even if she wanted to, she never be truly, even if she sacrifices herself.

Rainbow's ears drooped as she watched Fluttershy cry. She never once saw her this upset, and it hurt just hearing her sob. The pegasus only fooled herself, thinking they could go back to her home, and it only made Fluttershy feel worse. There didn't seem to be anything in Spira that could cheer anyone up, even after realizing the truth about something they believed in ever since they were young that turned out to be nothing but a lie. She's been through too much. Everyone has. All Rainbow Dash suffered through was a father who ignored her, losing both her parents and growing bitter against her dad for ruining her life. Even after being tossed into Spira for over a week, she hasn't experienced the same amount of pain Fluttershy has.

"...Flutters..." Rainbow needed to do something to make her feel better, though telling her how she really feels about her might not be a good idea with her this upset.

Ignoring the worst case scenario that might occur, she was going to go through with it. Rainbow Dash gently pulled Fluttershy closer, wrapping her hooves around her. Confused, the summoner looked up at her, tears staining her cheeks. Swallowing her inhibitions, Rainbow gently moved her head forward and pressed her lips against Fluttershy's, kissing her softly.

The summoner's eyes widened in shock as she was kissed by her pegasus friend and guardian. Her mind couldn't process what was happening, frozen solid with her wings having flared out in surprise. Though her first kiss was wasted on Blueblood through their staged marriage, she hated it because it was the lips of a Guado with evil intentions, who was also dead, that touched hers. But with Rainbow's, it was a lot different, both of them mares and it was with one of her guardians. And surprisingly, she liked it.

She began to kiss her back, shutting her eyes as she leaned closer to Rainbow. Their kiss deepened as the summoner wrapped her hooves around her guardian's neck. Rainbow held her closer as the two pegasi were lost in pure bliss, alone in the spring with the moon shining down and making the crystals deep in the water sparkle.

They soon went under the water and floated down to the deepest part of the spring. They grabbed each other's hooves as they broke their kiss, looking into each other's eyes, not even caring they were underwater. All that mattered to them was each other, both mares relishing this moment as much as they could, having gone through too much for it to end. Keeping a firm hold on each other's forehooves, they floated around the water, keeping their gazes on each other.

Even though it was a gutsy move on Rainbow's part to kiss Fluttershy like that, but it at least helped a little. It was a surprise to know she also felt the same way about her, fearing she would have pushed her away and thought it would have been weird for the two to ever be together. She was gladly proven wrong, though if Fluttershy knew about her feelings, her subtlety not that great in the past when she tried to hide it, or if she really felt the same way about her, it didn't matter anymore.

They both pulled each other close to one another as they stared deep into each other's eyes. Fluttershy blushed and looked away, feeling Rainbow's hoof gently brush against her cheek. She looked back at her guardian, her friend, her lover, happy to have met the cyan pegasus mare, happy to have her by her side through all the rough patches on her pilgrimage. She leaned closer and kissed Rainbow Dash, gladly returning it, the two pegasi continued floating in the depths of the spring, wanting this moment to last forever.

After spending almost an hour under the water, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy sat on the shore of the spring, enjoying the silence of the forest as they cuddled. They had no idea how they were able to hold their breath that long when they floated underwater. Whether it was by some magical force or the water of the spring actually was made of oxygen, they didn't care. All that mattered was each other's company.

Even though they should be happy, they weren't. Rainbow Dash knows that Fluttershy still wanted to continue her pilgrimage, unable to argue with her about the subject. She wanted to help Spira, and she still wanted to sacrifice herself just to keep Sin from destroying everything. It worried the pegasus, as they seemed to be getting close to the end of their journey, and time was running out.

"...Fluttershy?" The summoner looked up at the pegasus, sensing the sorrow in her voice. "...Please don't continue your pilgrimage...I'll understand if you keep going, but I still don't think it's worth it to get yourself killed..."

"...I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash...I have to keep going." Rainbow sadly sighed, nuzzling her marefriend.

"Am I gonna get fired from being your guardian?" she asked as a joke to try to lighten the mood.

"No," Fluttershy said. "I want you to stay with me...until the end."

"Not until the end." Rainbow gave Fluttershy a soft kiss on the lips, holding her tightly as she rubbed her cheek against hers. "Always..."

"...Ok. Always, then." While the two nuzzled, they didn't realize that they were being watched by Spike from behind the trees. He grinned and headed back to the campsite to leave them alone for a little more before they headed back and caught him spying on them. "I think the others are going to wonder where we went...Maybe you should head back first."

"Alright." Rainbow stood up and stretched her limbs. "Whatever you say, boss."

She gave a mock salute, along with a wink, and began to head off to the camp. Before she could even leave the area, she heard Fluttershy run up to her and accidentally bump into her as she stopped.

"Uhh, actually, let's go back together," Fluttershy said.

"Can't make up your mind, huh?" The two giggled as they both walked back together, Rainbow draping a wing over Fluttershy as they intertwined their tails.

As they reached their campsite, the others had been waiting for them, though by the looks on their faces, they seemed to have known what had happened between the pegasi. That and the way Rainbow had her wing over Fluttershy explained any questions they didn't need to ask.

"So, you two enjoy yourselves?" Rarity teased, making Rainbow pull her wing back to her side as she blushed heavily. "Oh quit hiding it, Rainbow Dash. You're not the most subtle of ponies."

"Figuratively AND literally! I mean, have you seen your hair color!? You stick out like a sore hoof in a claw factory!" Pinkie said.

"N-Nothing happened," Rainbow denied, though she wasn't changing their minds.

"Umm...everypony," Fluttershy said, diverting the others' attention to her. "...I'm going to continue my pilgrimage. We'll leave at dawn...I'm sorry I have to put you all through this."

"Don't apologize, darling," Rarity assured. "We all knew what we were getting into. Let's all get some rest. The Calm Lands are just ahead, and these plains are quite large to cross in order to reach Mt. Gagazet."

While they got to sleep, Twilight had frozen in fear at the mention of the Calm Lands. Even Smarty Pants was frightened, but Mog looked confused, despite its expression looked neutral with his closed eyes. She wasn't able to fall asleep a half hour after the others, trying to control her emotions before she broke down.

By the next morning, everyone set out from the woods, making sure to stay far enough away from the entrance to Bevelle. It wasn't too far as they climbed up the hill that overlooked the Calm Lands. As soon as they reached the top, Rainbow stared in awe at the vast plains down below, where many pieces of the land seemed to have been struck by earthquakes, or something smashing the land repeatedly. This would be the place where Fluttershy, and many summoners before her, would have to face Sin, calling the Final Aeon to destroy it and their summoner.

While the rest of the group stared at the landscape, Twilight tried to compose her shivering as she looked beyond the plains. "We're here," she whispered. "...That place...It's just beyond here...We won't go in there...Just walk past it...To Mt. Gagazet."

"You say somethin', Twilight?" Applejack asked as she heard Twilight muttering to herself.

"N-Nothing! L-Let's get going! Don't want to get caught fighting tons of fiends when we get to Mt. Gagazet!" Twilight nervously chuckled as she began heading down the hill to the ground level of the plains.

On Twilight's back, Smarty Pants was shuddering in fright, though it had gone unnoticed as she was walking. Applejack shrugged it off as they caught up to the lavender unicorn mage before she ran into the fiends that roam the Calm Lands. Next Chapter: Chapter 35: The Cavern of the Stolen Fayth Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 35 Minutes