One Hour Later,
Fluttershy’s Cottage,

Rainbow Dash approached the entrance to Fluttershy’s house. She felt butterflies in her stomach as she prepared to apologize for the strong words she had exchanged earlier with her timid friend. Raising her hoof to the door, she knocked three times.

The door quickly swung open, startling Rainbow Dash. Seeing no one there, she was confused. Suddenly, she heard the all familiar thumping of Angel’s foot. Looking down, she saw Fluttershy’s bunny glaring right back at her with his beady eyes.

“Hey there Angel,” she said awkwardly, uncertain of whether or not the petulant animal had heard her and Fluttershy earlier. “You don’t mind if I come in? I need-”

Before she could finish, Angel grabbed the door and attempted to slam the door shut in Rainbow Dash’s face. It was only the swift decision by Dash to put her hoof in the way of the door which saved her from being locked out.

Wincing in pain from having her hoof pinched, she countered Angel by throwing her weight against the door, easily overpowering the bunny on the other side. Racing into the living room, she tried to find Fluttershy, calling out to her. When she didn’t receive a response, she began to worry about where Fluttershy was.

“She’s got to be around here somewhere,” thought Rainbow Dash to herself.

After landing on the ground and tucking her wings in, Rainbow Dash listened intently, looking for any sign that Fluttershy was still in the cottage. Ignoring Angel’s pathetic attempts to kick her in the shines, she honed in on the sound of Fluttershy crying upstairs, presumably in her bedroom.

Immediately, Rainbow Dash zoomed upstairs to Fluttershy’s bedroom, slowing only to turn the doorknob. The sight that she saw made her heart wretch. Sprawled out on the bed was a weeping Fluttershy, their whimpers filled with anguish.

Rainbow Dash didn’t know whether it would be appropriate for her to rush up and give her a hug or to give her space. Rainbow Dash decided to err on the side of caution and give her personal space.

“Hey Fluttershy,” said Dashie, alerting Fluttershy of her presence.

“How did you get in?” asked Fluttershy, turning to face Rainbow Dash.

“Angel let me in,” lied Rainbow Dash, averting her eyes from Fluttershy’s tear stained face. After a few moments pause, Rainbow Dash continued, “I’m here to apologize for my behavior earlier. I shouldn’t have gotten so upset with you.”

“It’s nothing Dashie,” said Fluttershy.

“It clearly isn’t,” replied Dash, gently fluttering over to Fluttershy’s side. “I hurt a friend of mine and lashed out in a fashion that you didn’t deserve. Please forgive me.”

“I forgive you,” said Fluttershy as she gently put her hoof in Rainbow Dash’s.

“Thank you Flutters.”

“I also have a romantic secret that I need to confess to you,” added Fluttershy.

“Please let it be that you want to date me,” thought Rainbow Dash to herself, her hopes soaring.

“I’m engaged,” added Fluttershy, her frown transforming into a grin.

Rainbow Dash’s heart sunk at the news that not only did Fluttershy like somepony else, but that she was also set to get married. However, she knew that her friend was looking at her and for the sake of Fluttershy’s happiness, Rainbow Dash donned a smile.

“Congratulations Fluttershy, I’m so happy for you,” feigned Rainbow Dash. Who’s the lucky stallion?”

“Actually, he’s a draconequus,” said Fluttershy.

“Wait… you mean to tell me that you’re marrying Discord?” asked Rainbow Dash. While she had guessed for quite some time that Discord and Fluttershy had been seeing one another, she was still surprised that they were engaged.

“Yeah... is that a problem?” asked Fluttershy, defensively.

“Not at all!” yelled Rainbow Dash. “Good for you guys,” she said, blinking back tears. Rainbow Dash didn’t want to accept the fact that the love of her life was getting married to somebody else. But she knew that she had to fake approval, if only to maintain her friendship with Fluttershy.

“So when’s the wedding?” asked Rainbow Dash, curious.

“Well were planning on eloping sometime in the Spring.”

“Why is that?”

“Well I know that a lot of ponies around these parts still don’t exactly trust Discord, especially after he turned Ponyville into the ‘Chaos Capital of the World’ a few year back. We have decided that it would be best if our marriage was already a fait accompli by the time we announced our romantic relationship to our friends and family.”

Rainbow Dash wished that Fluttershy and Discord had decided to have a traditional wedding with their friends and family invited. She thought it was a shame that they weren’t willing to share that moment with the rest of the world. “To each their own,” though Rainbow Dash to herself.

“I wish you to the best of luck. If there’s ever anything that I can do to help you guys out, let me know.”

Fluttershy suddenly leaned over and gave Rainbow Dash a tight hug. “You’re the very best friend I’ve ever had. I’m blessed to have you by my side. I hope that nothing will ever change that.”

“I won’t let it happen,” replied Rainbow Dash as she reciprocated Fluttershy’s hug, healing the wound that had formed between them.

Author's Notes:

The next chapter will focus on characters besides Rainbow Dash