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Flying High, Falling Hard

by Soundslikeponies

Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Rainbow Crash

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Rainbow Crash

Flying High, Falling Hard by soundslikeponies

Twilight went inside the library and slammed the door shut behind her, throwing her pink scarf on the floor, not caring where it landed. She paced back and forth restlessly, letting out a frustrated shout.

“I can’t believe Dash just did that! You don’t just kiss somepony out of the blue and expect them to be fine with it!” She let out a grunt and collapsed on the floor, grabbing a pillow with her magic and burying her face in it to let out a long, muffled moan.

Her first kiss. It was her first kiss, and it was with Rainbow Dash. She had no doubt it would stick with her forever, and the way Dash just went and kissed her without any sort of permission or prompting was inappropriate.

A part of her knew she had been too harsh on her friend, but the kiss had left her confused about everything. She had no idea something like that had been what was bothering her friend. She didn’t understand why though, and she hated not understanding things.

She didn’t understand why Dash grew to have those kind of feelings for her; she had never done anything to even hint at being a fillyfooler, nor had she ever hinted at being interested in any kind of romance for that matter.

Shifting through her memories of the last few days, she thought about how strange Dash had been. She wanted to kick herself for not noticing her friend’s feelings sooner, but she never would have thought another mare would crush on her, and she certainly didn’t think one of her friends would for that matter.


A shooting star flew by, leaving a speckled star dust trail behind it that lingered across the sky briefly before fading away. Dash couldn’t bring herself to appreciate the sight. She was too busy feeling sorry for herself, and cursing her childish naivete. She should have seen the rejection coming, but an optimistic part of her wouldn’t stop saying, “What if?”

Dash let out a small whimper.

But she had blown it. Now Twilight probably never wanted to see her again, and Dash didn’t know why she had ever thought it was a good idea to tell her in the first place. She could have at least tried to ignore it, but now it was too late. Kissing Twilight, she completely opened up, something she had never done to anypony before, and she got hurt in a way she had never experienced before.

Dash stood up and fixed her watery eyes on the library.

She wouldn’t just let Twilight walk away. She wouldn’t accept leaving things between them like this, tucking her tail between her legs, and going home. And she knew Twilight didn’t want to talk to her right now, but she’d be damned if she didn’t try her hardest to get her friend back.

Steeling herself and blinking away the tears that lurked in the corner of her eyes, she marched towards the library as it began to rain.


Twilight stood at a round window, with her hooves rested upon its sill, resting her chin on them and looking out at the grassy hills surrounding the library. A lone tree stood atop one of the hills, some filly or colt’s kite stuck firmly in its branches and being tugged at by the wind. She tried to forget about what had just happened with Dash, but her mind kept wandering back to it.

A knocking at the door tore her gaze away from the window. Letting out a weary sigh, Twilight went to answer it, knowing very well who it would be. She swung the door open to see Dash standing there with a grim look of determination on her face.

“I thought it was obvious I didn’t want to talk to you.”

Dash swallowed the lump in her throat. “It was, and I’m sorry, but I want to apologize. I didn’t think enough about how you might take it.” Dash looked at the ground in shame. “I was selfish to go about it like that, but I don’t want to lose our friendship.”

Twilight clenched her eyes shut, feeling a bitter taste in her mouth.

“I don’t like other mares Dash,” Twilight replied. “Not only that, but it was also my first kiss, which now, I will always remember was with another mare!” She shook her head, letting out a disappointed sigh. “I’d have to lie to say I’m not mad at you right now. I’m sorry. Like I said, I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

A frown spread across Dash’s face as Twilight went back inside, closing the door behind her.

“I’m not leaving here until I fix what I did wrong you know!” Dash’s muffled shout came through the door.

Twilight stopped, turning around to the door and opening it once more.

“What?” she asked in flat tone, Dash staring defiantly back at her.

“I won’t leave Twilight. Not until I fix this,” Dash asserted, stomping the ground.

“You’re going to stay out here? By yourself? In the cold? Yeah right,” Twilight scoffed. “Go home, Dash.” She shut the door, with a bang, deciding to head to the loft and get some sleep.

Climbing in under the bed covers, she closed her eyes and listened to the raindrops striking the roof, just wanting the day to be over.


Twilight woke up and let out a long yawn. Getting out of bed and stretching her hooves, she arching her back to work a kink out of it, resulting in a small pop. The morning sun filtered in through her bedroom window, and the fields outside glistened with dew.

She fumbled down the steps to the kitchen, still half asleep, and opened the fridge, trying to decide what to have for breakfast.

Her ears twitched as she heard a faint noise briefly. She swiveled her ears to where she thought it came from, trying to figure out what had made the sound.

"Achoo!"

The sound came from the library door, and she slowly turned around to look at it.

"Achoo!"

No way.

Her mind on full alert, Twilight rushed from the table, knocking over her glass of carrot juice in her haste, and slammed the front door open.

Dash sat soaking wet and curled up in a ball at her doorstep. The pegasus’ mane, which had been well groomed the night before, was a mess, and clung to her coat with water. Her coat was pale and wet, and she was shaking like a leaf, and she had darkened lines under her eyes as she looked up at Twilight standing in the doorway.

“Twilight, I...”

Twilight stared at Dash, her mouth hanging slightly open. “Are you out of your mind!?” she screamed at the top of her lungs, looking over the pegasus with worry.

“I just w-want you t-to stop b-being mad at me,” Dash stuttered, her teeth clacking together.

Any anger Twilight had for her was pushed aside, replaced with overwhelming concern for her friend’s health. She lifted Dash with her magic and brought her inside, taking her upstairs to her bed and tucking her under the covers. She didn’t care if the pegasus got them dirty or wet.

Twilight ran back downstairs, grabbing a towel and running it under warm water in the sink. Taking the towel out from under the tap and pouring a glass of water, she rushed back upstairs.

Dash’s eyes were closed, breathing in short, labored bursts through her mouth. Twilight walked to her bedside, placing the warm towel on her forehead and tipping the glass of water to her mouth so she could drink.

Dash swallowed the water and let out a refreshed sigh, opening her eyes and giving Twilight a weak smile of gratitude. “T-t-thanks.”

Twilight blushed and looked away. “You’re dumb as a mule, you know that?”

Dash tried to chuckle, but the action turned into a small coughing fit. “Yeah,” she said, closing her eyes as her coughing died down. “I know.”

Twilight stayed at her bedside while she slept, replacing the damp towel on her forehead every half hour. She knew sleep was what Dash needed more then anything right then, so she simply watched with worry as the sickly mare slept, watching her chest rise and lower from shivering breaths.

Twilight let out a long sigh.

I’ve been doing that far too much since last night.

She had been certain that Dash would just give up and leave if she had ignored her. Her loyalty was an admirable trait. Even if she didn’t return Dash’s feelings, the gesture was touching, and it also served to make her feel like a jerk for how she had acted last night. She still couldn’t agree with how Dash went about showing her feelings for her, but it must have meant more than Twilight realized for Dash to risk their friendship over it. All Twilight could think about was one thing Dash had said last night while looking up at her with a broken heart.

“I really like you, Twilight.”

The way Dash’s ears had been drooping, her mouth quivering as she sat there on the verge of tears, was stuck in her head. And the more she thought about how she had reacted, the more she began to regret it.

The sick pegasus coughed in her sleep, her towel slipping off the side of her forehead. Twilight glanced up, reaching a hoof over to slide her towel back in place.

She really has it bad for me, doesn’t she? she thought with a frown.

It still baffled her that without even trying she had gotten somepony, one of her best friends no less, to fall head over hooves for her. She always thought she was far too boring and plain for anypony to like her in that sort of way. Sure, she was the Princess’ student, but she was also a shut-in and a bookworm. She couldn't think of a single reason that would make Dash like her in the way that she did.

I just don't feel the same way about her, and I don't know if we'll be able to put this behind us, and be friends the way we were before. What if every time we talk I feel as tense and nervous as I do right now, just from sitting next to her?

Twilight sat down, and laid her head on the bed next to the sleeping pegasus. She hadn’t managed to fall asleep until quite late the night before; she had too many emotions swimming around in her head.

Crawling up onto the bed and crossing her hooves on it to use as a pillow, she gave one last look at Dash, before falling asleep herself.


Groaning as she woke up from her nap, Twilight opened her eyes, feeling of déjà vu as she saw Dash’s face inches away from her own.

“Gah!” Twilight shouted in alarm, tumbling off the side of the bed and falling onto the floor. Lying on her back, she moaned, rubbing her sore backside, which had taken a brunt of the crash.

“Twilight?” Dash asked, poking her head out over the edge of the bed. “What happened?”

Twilight blushed, remembering that she climbed up on the bed while not really thinking and fallen asleep.

“Nothing, just um...” Twilight looked around nervously, trying to think of something. “Here, let me change your towel,” Twilight said, grabbing the cold towel off of Dash’s forehead, running away to go change it.

Twilight slowed to a walk as she entered the kitchen, feeling her blush die down. Twisting the faucet, she waited until the water grew warm before running it over the towel.

A knock at the door made her jump. “Coming!” she shouted, turning off the tap, setting the towel down, and opening the door to see Fluttershy standing outside with a cheerful smile.

“Hello, Twilight. I was just wondering if I could check something out if you aren’t too busy.”

Twilight bit her lip, glancing towards the sink. “Sure. What do you need?”

“I have a bee hive over at my place, and wanted to find out which flowers’ pollen would make the best honey for the bees,” Fluttershy answered, stepping inside the library.

“You’re probably looking for the Botany Encyclopedia then,” Twilight said, scanning the bookshelves for it. “Here it is! This should have exactly what you’re looking for.” Twilight handed Fluttershy the book, who took it and placed it under her wing, nodding thankfully.

“Thank you,” Fluttershy said, turning to leave.

“Wait! Fluttershy!” Twilight called, making the other mare pause and turn back to face her. “You sort of have some veterinary knowledge from all the animals you take care of... right?”

Fluttershy pawed the ground nervously. “I’m not as knowledgeable as a real vet by any means, but I do know some things. Is there something you need to know?”

“Well, if somepony slept outside during a cold and rainy night and got sick, how do you help them get better?”

Fluttershy let out a gasp, darting in close to Twilight’s face with a serious expression. “Did something happen? Is somepony sick?”

“It’s just for a research project I’m doing,” Twilight fibbed. “It has to do with this spell they use in this book I read, and it all seemed sort of unrealistic, so I was just a little skeptical of it!”

“Oh.” Fluttershy suddenly realized how much she had gotten in her friend’s face, and backed up a little bit. “Sorry,” she mumbled. “If they’re running a fever you’re supposed to get them under some warm blankets if you can.”

Check.

“They’ll need water, and a warm towel for their forehead to reduce the fever, if you can get one.”

Check.

“Also, if they look pale, and are shivering a lot you should get under the blanket with them and stay close to them so that your body heat warms them up.”

Twilight blanked. You have got to be kidding me.

She didn’t feel at all comfortable with the idea of getting under the blankets next to a mare who had just last night kissed her, and told her she had feelings for her.

“Was that helpful?” Fluttershy asked, turning around in the doorway to look at her friend.

“Yeah, I just don’t...” Twilight paused, letting out a sigh and facing Fluttershy with a smile. “Yes, it was helpful. Thank you, Fluttershy.”

Happy her advice had been at least somewhat useful, Fluttershy nodded and left, leaving Twilight to shut the door and head back inside.

Picking up the towel again, Twilight turned the tap back on with a sigh, wetting the towel and watching the water run over it, before taking it back upstairs. The stairs creaked, the wood groaning under her hoofsteps.

Dash was in bed fast asleep. Twilight gently placed the warm towel on her forehead, noticing how Dash was shivering in her sleep. The sleeping mare relaxed slightly as the warm towel was placed on her forehead, but it didn’t get rid of the shivering altogether. Taking a look at her cyan coat, Twilight cringed at how pale she was.

Twilight looked at her for a while, biting her lip, before finally letting out a sigh of resignation. I’ll try the last suggestion. For Rainbow’s sake.

Lifting the covers, she slid into the bed next to Dash, trying not to disturb her. She hesitantly, and with great reservation, put her hooves around the pegasus, instantly noticing how frigid she her body was. Closed her eyes, Twilight tried to ignore the feeling of Dash’s frigid back pressed against her chest, and slowly slipped asleep.


The first thing Dash noticed waking up, was that she felt incredibly warm. The second was that there was a sleeping Twilight hugging her side. She didn’t know why Twilight was hugging her, but deciding not to think on it too much, Dash turned to face her, wrapping her hooves around the other mare.

Twilight’s eyes snapped open. Seeing Dash hugging her, she quickly broke the embrace and climbed off the bed, much to Dash’s dismay. Twilight was quiet, a bright blush on her face.

“You’re kind of sending mixed signals, you know,” Dash said with a slight frown.

“What?” Twilight said, blinking. “No! It wasn’t anything like that! You were pale and shivering, so I used my body heat to help keep you warm!”

“Oh,” Dash said. It did make a lot of sense. Her frown disappeared quickly though, realizing what her friend had said. “Well, thank you for doing that.” She rubbed the back of her neck, trying to think of what to say. “And I never got to say it, but I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable last night. I acted stupidly and invaded your...”

“Privacy?” Twilight supplied.

“Yeah, that.” Dash turned to her back, reaching a hoof up to touch the towel on her forehead. “Anyways, I understand if you don’t feel the same way about me and everything, but I would still like to be your friend.”

Twilight was silent.

Dash looked over at her, wondering why she wasn’t saying anything. “Twilight?”

“I don’t like things I don’t understand,” Twilight finally said. “I don’t like surprises either. I didn’t understand where that kiss was coming from, and it also surprised me.” Twilight looked up, seeing Dash silently hanging on every word she spoke. “I was freaked out, and I overreacted. I do want to stay friends. You just never gave me any time to cool off.”

Dash looked away sheepishly.

“I’m not going to lie though, things won’t go back to normal right away,” Twilight added.

“I don’t doubt that. I mean... I guess I screwed up big time. But I’d like to try and have things go back to normal.”

Twilight nodded and smiled at her. Dash felt a tug at the sides of her lips, and soon she was returning the smile.

Next Chapter: Chapter 7: Amidst the Wreckage Estimated time remaining: 6 Hours, 57 Minutes
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