Clover just turned to dust beneath Rainbow Dash. Just poof, and she was gone. Rainbow Dash spat wildly when some of the dust landed on her tongue. The bitter taste of dear-Celestia-hopefully-not-pony-ash still on her tongue, Rainbow looked up. Twilight was leading Rainbow's brother back to them.

Rainbow Dash fell in line with them. "So... that's that?"

"I guess it is." Twilight sighed. As they trotted closer to the villagers, Starswirl slowed down, bowing his head in shame. Using her magic, Twilight got rid of the chains holding the ponies in place.

"Star!"

Two Pegasi galloped forward. Firefly scooped up the colt. Torch wrapped the both of them into a hug. Bean and Bug raced to their family, worming their way into the hug.

"You're okay, you're okay!" Firefly and Torch held their boys tightly, crying into their manes.

"I-I'm so s-s-sorry." Starswirl choked out.

"Do not think it was you. Don't you dare." Firefly kissed her son's forehead.

Twilight and Rainbow Dash watched the reunion silently. Rainbow raised her eyebrows when she realized something. She wasn't angry. She wasn't jealous.

Firefly looked up briefly at her daughter. Still overwhelmed with emotion, Firefly simply mouthed the words, Thank you.

Rainbow Dash nodded, trotting over to them. "So," Rainbow Dash began, catching her brothers in a second hug. "We haven't officially met. I'm Rainbow Dash-"

~~~

Rainbow Dash watched morosely as the villagers scuttled back and forth. Saving the boys was well and done, but the volcano would still be pushing out hot lava. If the ponies here wanted to survive, they would have to find a new home.

"So... what do I tell Dad?" She asked Firefly.

"Nothing," Firefly sighed. "I'll talk to him. It's high time that I stopped running away from my responsibilities."

Rainbow Dash raised her head. "So, you all decided to come to Equestria?" Firefly nodded. "But... you're still gonna stay with your family."

Firefly nodded again, the pained look in her eyes making her look much older. "Two wrongs don't make a right, Rainbow Dash. I'll stay with my husband and sons." She looked at Rainbow with some hope in her eyes. "But you're always welcome to be part of the family."

Rainbow Dash chuckled wryly. "I have Dad, and a sister back home. Adopted," She added at Firefly's confused look. Rainbow turned her head to where Twilight was helping some villagers move supplies. "And I might even have a partner of my own, soon."

"I see."

The mother and daughter duo sat for some time.

"I'll visit," Rainbow Dash promised. "Whenever I can. Hang out with the boys, and stuff."

Firefly smiled. "Thank you. I think they'd like that." Firefly ruffled her wings. "Well, I'm going to go help Torch move our things. I love you, Rainbow Dash."

Firefly left, leaving a kiss on Rainbow's cheek. Rainbow Dash felt a mental urge to wipe it off. The rest of her mind proceeded to beat it up and give it a swirlie.

Spotting Twilight again, Rainbow Dash unfolded her wings, gliding down to where the Alicorn was catching her breath.

"So. Lover, huh?"

Twilight jumped, her face red before she even turned to face Rainbow Dash.

"Uh, um, huh? Idunnowhatyou'retalkingabout."

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes slightly. "Oh yeah, allow me to correct myself: 'one-sided crush, or unrealistic infatuation'."

Twilight slumped. "I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. I just didn't want to tell you, given everything that had been going on."

Rainbow Dash nodded. "Okay. So... what next?"

Twilight shrugged. "I have no idea."

Rainbow Dash peered at Twilight, smiling a bit. "I thought you were into stallions, anyway. What happened to that Flash guy?"

"Rainbow," Twilight chuckled. "Flash Sentry is a handsome stallion, but I look for more than that in a pony."

"Like what?"

"Are you willing to find out?"

Rainbow Dash paused to think. "I don't know. I want to just close my eyes and trust my instincts. But it's not as simple as letting the stars guide you on a long, cold flight. It's like just around the corner, there's only heartache. But I don't want to let that keep me down. So, yes." Rainbow Dash inhaled through her nostrils, courage sweeping over her.

"Even if sometimes it hurts, if you want to, I'll give it my all, and... and I won't even look back."

Twilight stared at Rainbow Dash, stunned. "That... wow."

Rainbow Dash blushed. "Yeah, that sounded a lot smarter in my head."

"No, no. Pro tip, Rainbow Dash," Twilight giggled. "Girls love poetry."

"Poetry?" Rainbow Dash laughed. "What, with like stanzas, and meters? Not a chance."

The two mares shifted on their hooves, both unsure who should make the next move.

"So, does that mean we're together, now?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I think it does."

Rainbow Dash grinned. "Good. So, I guess now it's okay if I do this." She slid forward, wrapping one wing around Twilight. Before Twilight realized what Rainbow Dash was doing, their lips had already met. Twilight felt her wings stiffen as Rainbow Dash worked her magic.

It wasn't nearly as glamorous as Twilight pictured. But it was warm, it was firm, it was Rainbow Dash. When Rainbow's comforting lips pulled away, Twilight opened her eyes. Rainbow Dash turned her head and coughed slightly.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, nothing," Rainbow Dash coughed again. "It's just that you still kinda taste like pickles."

Twilight scoffed incredulously. "You have no room to complain!"

Rainbow Dash snickered. "No, I guess I don't."

For a minute, they just sat there silently. Eventually, Rainbow Dash's attention was caught by a pulsating glow originating from Twilight’s flank.

"Hey, look at that. It's time to go home."