2.1
“Come on, just a couple minutes. I’m sure you two will like each other.” Do not tell me no again.

Soul looked down at the sleeping cyan pony. These two would make great friends. Seriously. The way that Blight held Dash earlier, why it looked a lot like she really cared for her. Even if it were just for protection. The two of them could certainly hit it off if they just got the chance but Blight is always so stubborn. Such a waste. Hate to push her, but the way she was holding Dash… so sweet.

But no. Soulblight was too busy sitting atop one of the large boulders, her perch for so long. Just sitting there keeping her back to Soul’s request. She can’t just sit there and ignore me. Soul had a whole plan set forth for helping the two of them become friends and how much it would make her happy to see. Because Blight would also be plenty happy. So easy to predict that outcome. As was her consistent response. Silence. A solid no in it with how she refused to turn around anymore.

“I’ll introduce you to her. Trust me, she will listen to you.”

“I don’t want to” Blight said. Geez. Such a hard thing to accept. It kind of hurt Soul to hear how blunt her friend was in denying any opportunity to talk with a new pony. How Blight’s wings fell a little lower against her sides. She turned a bit. Just glancing one eye back to where Soul lay with her rainbow tailed companion. Soul locked eyes with her. Not at all seeing any change in Blight’s look, she still looked so indifferent. Leaving them, Blight stared off to the dirt before the boulder she sat on. Just leaving it at that with no more words.

2.2
No point in prying anymore. It was so frustrating. All the opportunity for the three pegasi to become good friends and always able to play and enjoy each other’s company. Really, three good friends there for one another. Together in this world that all of them now had the chance to share. Soulblight was no less afraid to even talk to Dash. Not even wanting Rainbow to know she was here.

I always see Blight as such a strong pony, but that’s not true. She is still afraid just like I often am. So much shame to ask her to do something as hard as meeting new ponies. Even with a Pegasus like Rainbow Dash.

To be able to see Dash right in front of her with her own eyes. She even touched her. Cradled her. None of it was enough to push Blight over that very edge that Soul herself would find hard to cross. It was so hard. Soulblight… you’re not a tough pony. I understand. Soul accepted it. Because we both have that problem. She’s a shy pony, so troubled. But that was not all. Soul had an idea just by how much the Pegasus was acting right now. Not even wanting to be in the same place as a strange pony. A tough exterior masking shyness… but more. Soul was mad at herself now when she thought how Blight may feel about this situation. Just like in the snowy wasteland.

She showed me how she is. How she acts now. Soulblight was afraid. Here I am trying to force her to do something uncomfortable and for something so selfish. It just sounded like a good idea to get to know one another now, when the time came for Dash to wake up. Soul had no idea how to make any of it work now.

“I’m sorry” Soul said. “I just…”

2.3
“Wanted my help with her?” Blight finished for her. Almost, but Soul nodded anyways.

Yes, I’m afraid of talking to her… all alone.

Just a little better to know she had a pony with her to help talk. …In the right way with all three pegasi here. But that was just half the truth. What if these two can become such good friends. Blight… she needs friends. It’s something I do want. For it just to make all of them happy, especially Blight who deserved so many more friends and Dash, Dash was always the best friend to have.

“You’ll do fine” Blight said. “It is Rainbow Dash after all.” Yeah, …it is Rainbow Dash. That frightened Soul a little more. One mistake and… no chance that the three of them could ever be friends. All because of what I did to her before. So many terrible things. If only things could just be different.

“Don’t beat yourself up over it. Okay? Just remember the Dashie you grew up with” Soulblight spoke so caring and kind over to her. “Yeah” Soul nodded her head. Looking over at the long rainbow tail set on the dirt next to where she sat her head. So long. Much longer than the kid Soul remembered. But it still retained the same beauty from before that intoxicated Soul’s very eyes. She did change, hopefully not too much. Hopefully not because of me.

“I just wonder if she will be angry with me.” Soulblight shook her head with a sigh. “I told you before…”

That rainbow tail moved. Like its wag cut the sentence that Blight spoke in half, catching Soul’s eyes immediately. Seizing her. Bringing about a complete silence in the wind that only one little raspy voice came out into. Rainbow Dash moaned and groaned behind Soul.

Dashie still likes you.

Soulblight had left her perch, leaving a barren boulder. Empty was the space around them and Soul found herself alone… with Rainbow Dash.

2.4
The cyan pony stirred at her side. Soul just watching. Seeing how she ruffled her feathers around along her side just like her tail did sway up and down before it sat still. A kick of her hind legs and… she spun her body around. Rainbow’s belly facing where Soul was watching her, and a little sigh from below. Soul waited a second. Just to see if anything else may happen but… it did. Dash glided her wings along her sides. Unfolded and trembling a little. All those feathers covering her. Moving all along, showing she was indeed awake.

She’s awake. I’m… scared… but also glad.

Soul got up. Scraping her own hind legs along the dirt and pushing herself right onto her side, reclining next to where Dash lay. So both ponies may see one another’s faces. Those burning magenta eyes staring at her from below. Down there where Soul’s hooves met the dirt. The same position Soul watched at from what Dash may see. Soul looking down with her yellow eyes. …And… silence fell over them.

What… should I say? This. This was happening faster than she wished it to. Not even having any time to think on how to do this. What to say to her when Rainbow Dash finally woke up. Not like this. Practically laying so close to one another that… it’s like when we were kids. When we slept together the one time. She really could just hold her like this. Both of them.

Rainbow Dash clearly did not have the same idea with how she started to get up. Pushing herself up to sit above Soul. A little quip of her wings and… she winced. Something really was wrong. She must be in pain, maybe she was trying to fly off but just not able to.

2.5
The cyan fur touched down on the dirt again. Surprising Soul. Seeing Dash lay right back down, …face to face. Dash… she actually reclined on her side as well.

Dash was so close. Soul’s heart took a little leap. Dashie isn’t running from me. She grunted a moment when she moved but found a comfortable position to rest against her side. Letting it all come to rest. A moment for both of them to share. Such an incredible moment. Soul was speechless. Yet, a voice did grace her ears and it was the voice she wanted to speak to her. To let her know what was going on was perfectly okay.

“Was I out long?” Rainbow Dash’s question to her. Nothing bad or scary. No, just a little, innocent question.

Thank you so much Dash. Thanks cuz I had no idea what to say. Hope she doesn’t see how nervous I am. Soul did now notice her own legs were fidgeting. Quick to calm them down. Quick to answer. “No, not long at all.” Soul shook her head. Not sure if she was lying or not. It didn’t feel long. Dash giggled. “I guess I messed up. Probably looked a bit bad, huh?” Considering the scratches and how her cyan wings trembled behind her, …not bad at all. “I’ve been through worse” Soul admitted.

Dash will never be able to see just what it was I went through. I never want Dash to see that. Neither of them deserved to see the other in pain. “I’m sorry I made you crash though” Soul said. Dash blinked. “Oh yeah, it was into the tree. No.” She shook her head. “That was my fault, shoulda been paying attention to everything around me.” Yup, looks like you have that problem too. Don’t worry, I don’t think any Pegasus can be aware of everything when they are distracted. I sure can’t.

“Just like I tried to teach you.” Soul laughed a little. Not as much as Dash did as a result of their combined voices saying out those words at the same time.

2.6
Rainbow Dash punched her hoof into Soul’s shoulder. Just a light hit. It made Soul jump a little before she realized how innocent it actually was. It made her smile.

“I can’t believe you’re actually back” Dash said. “How long has it even been?”

“Twelve years.”

Rainbow fell silent, her little smile quickly turning. It was a shocker. No need to hide it. How long we were apart, long enough for Dash to not even recognize me. No matter how good of friends we were, guess I changed too much for her. Still, Soul was so relieved Dash saw her as the one and only Soul Serenity. Well I’m back, we can be together again.

“Twelve… years” Rainbow whispered. “It’s been so long.” “Yes.” Soul hated that it had been that long and it had been such a terrible time away from one another. Everything they both missed out on. All that stuff. Hell, I have no idea what Dash has been up to all this time. Dash has no idea what I have been through.

So many years they could have had together like this. It hurt her heart to think about it.

“So when are you gonna grow up?”

Soul burst out laughing. Joined alongside by the very pony who made that joke. At least Dash can still make jokes. A pony to make her laugh. “No really” Dash said. “You look awesome!” Soul felt Dash’s eyes going up her. Really getting the chance to take in exactly how Soul looked now and she was really flattered to be noticed like that. Get a compliment about how she looked. At least it all worked out. All her grooming and attempts at cleaning paid off. Still would be nice to get an actual bath for once. Good enough right now. Even for Dash to like it, she never often said anything about how I looked. So nice of her.

“Thank you, you look great too” Soul said recalling how easy it was to see that both of them had changed a lot over the years. Especially in the flank department. Maybe Dash saw my mark. Well, I’d love to show her.

2.7
“Almost like nothing happened, huh?” Rainbow slammed a hoof right up against her own mouth the instant she said that. Looking so very flustered in Soul’s eyes. Her eyes glued right on the Pegasus. She looked horrible. Horrified even. Rainbow Dash left in silence. Rainbow looked away. Looks like it’s a lot to take in. It’s okay. Okay if she remembers.

…Even if Dash were to remember all the bad things that happened. What happened… to cause this sadness welling up in Soul’s chest. How much it hurt and made her want to cry just by seeing exactly what things were like now, all etched in Dash’s face. What had happened. Lost to one another for so long. Just memories leading up to this point with so much pain left that it made Soul squirm. Trying her best to hide how bad it was. Keep a straight face.

“Sorry” Dash said without looking at her. “I uh…” “No, it’s alright” Soul lied. A lie that hurt her just as hard as what Dash said. “I uh… don’t mind talking about it.”

“Soul I…” Rainbow quit her sulking. Reclining herself right back again, comfortable to push herself a little closer to where Soul lay. “It wasn’t right for me to say that. I’m sorry. I just… don’t know.” Soul also came a little closer. It’s okay. I am here to listen. Anything to let Dash get whatever she had off her chest. All the questions she must have. All the pain built up over these years that Soul inflicted on her. I’m here to make it all better, to make us better.

“I’m just confused” Dash admitted. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s so great to see you again” she said in an increasingly chipper voice. “But…” Soul could tell what she hesitated to say. It was plain because it was a thing that made Soul what she now was to all of Equestria. What she was to Dash. She had hurt so many. Hurt this most beloved pony of hers. Soul too, had no idea how to act in this situation. This impossible situation. But to make Dash better, was worth a try. “It’s weird to see me come back” Soul said.

2.8
“I probably never should have, cuz most ponies would prefer me not to come back…” Like Celestia or any given Pegasus pony. Any?

“That’s not true” Dash said. “I’m very glad you came back.” Soul sighed inside. Rainbow sounds so weird saying that. Like it was a struggle. Was she struggling to say this stuff? She is. I am a murderer to her and all these ponies. I said I hated her. That’s all ponies would see right now. But, at least she’s letting me talk. Of course it took her old friend to be the one to give her that chance. That was good enough to give her a little smile.

“I’m happy to see you too.” Soul lay her head down. Watching too as Dash did the same. Both of them just there together to lay in the grass with just the wind blowing in the treetops above. Trees and wind of this world that had accepted her, so why did Soul not belong? They just seemed to tease her. If only she could have been here for those twelve years. No bad things could have happened. Happier times. For Blight to come to her in a better way, then all three of them being the best of friends with no end. Too late. Everything has happened. I lost my chance.

Rainbow Dash has been home, making the right choices this whole time. She was a good pony. One worthy of respect.

“What have you been doing all this time I’ve been gone?” Soul asked her out of curiosity. Rainbow Dash held her tongue. Glancing back up at the trees above them. Rubbing her hoof along the grass.

“Well…” Her hoof circled now. She took time and consideration. How sweet. Soul appreciated her for that. “I was mostly just trying to help ponies out whenever I could in the middle of my training. Plus some nice napping too.” Short but that sounds like her. Probably had way too many stories to tell for right now. A pony like Dash, she must have hundreds of stories. So many for each of the things she claimed and they all sounded interesting. Hell, I want to hear how her napping went.

But… helping others. Did she do for others what she did for me? A really kind spirit.

Well she’s certainly modest.

2.9
“I see you’ve been hard at work training too. That flying of yours and…” Dash pointed her hoof to the wings Soul held at her sides. “Those puppies of yours.” “Yeah.” Soul flashed her free wing up a little. Give her a good sight of it. These beautiful wings of mine, they may be a pain sometimes but they are my babies. The best things about she had to show. “They look so strong. I bet they brought you back here, huh?” Dash asked.

Brought me back? Ha, that was my original plan. From where in this world, Soul did not know. No idea how far she may have had to travel, no distance too far. These wings could have done it if only… things were easier. But if Dash wanted to think that, then sure.

Can I lie about it? I just want to be sure. I know you helped a ton but… not sure how to explain it.

Sure.

Yeah, just give her this story for right now. Still it felt so bad slipping off her tongue. Just do it for Blight. No need to explain how she got here. No need to make Blight scared.

“You know me, I never give up.” “I knew it” Dash punched her shoulder again. “That’s my girl. Howz about we go back to Ponyville, get you an ice cream or something?” Oh, that sounds good. Like anything that involved just being around Dash and doing things with her. Especially if it involved eating something that she had missed so much. So many things I missed eating and… now I can eat them!? Rainbow Dash was offering her ice cream? Looked like she was serious. Dash sat back up. Practically begging for Soul to do the same. The motion alone just to sit back up, it really worked hard to make her wings sting. Not as bad as a little while ago. Plenty bad to wince.

“Besides” Rainbow Dash looked around at the trees that surrounded them. “It’s not safe for us to be in the Everfree forest. So we should head back.” We really are gonna do this. After all this time, Dashie wants me to come back to town with her. Soul didn’t know what to say. Accepted back into this life like this, it felt too good to be true especially after what Dash had said earlier. The pain in her face. It was also very confusing. Terribly so. For any Pegasus who knew Soul to even consider to doing something as nice as that for her, Rainbow just ignored everything.

Isn’t she afraid of being caught with a pony like me? Getting punished? But she did nothing to indicate that she was joking in any way about the two of them being together in a town in Equestria. Weird of her to act like that. Still hard to believe.

2.10
“Wait” Soul pressed a hoof close to where Dash sat. Looking around to the dark of the forest, somewhere out there where she knew Ponyville to be again. Where they were supposed to go together now. “W-why are you acting like this?” Soul asked.

Dash cocked her head. “What do you mean?” Sheesh, I need to explain it? Either that or Dash was doing a good job at ignoring how obviously weird this was. Never expecting of her to be so open. “Umm… you know. After what happened. When… I was banished. Don’t you care about what happened?”

“You mean…” Dash’s voice fell to the earth. Just like her entire demeanor. She slumped down. “The… thing you… were involved in?” If only Blight could be here to explain all of this perfectly. But no, without her, how to tell her? All I can do… is just go along. As much as it hurt, she had to nod. Acknowledge what it was that Dash was referring to. To remember all of it. Like… having to bring all of that back. When everything was destroyed. One incident after another. All leading up to a moment when Dash… could just walk away and leave. Never wanting to deal with it again. Always thinking it was Soul. Both of them to still be hurt.

So… why would Dashie not even act like it happened?

She’s talking to me and wants me around. It wasn’t right. But she did it anyways, Soul admitted to it as slow as she could. Rainbow Dash paused. Both pegasi locking eyes again, those sad eyes Soul wore that she could see in the eyes of that old friend. I look so pitiful. When I have no right to be.

2.11
“I don’t care” Dash spat out.

What?

“I’m just glad you’re finally back.” There can be no way that was it. Soul was not buying it. Yes, she was also happy to see Dash and Dash did a good job of showing the same but… to not care about it. She should care. All the pegasi cared.

“Seriously” Soul raised her voice. “I got accused of doing something no other pony had ever done before and… you don’t care. You’re not even afraid?”

“Afraid?”

Soul pointed to herself. “Afraid of me.” Rainbow let her ears droop. She didn’t give any sign she was afraid, more sad. As was her voice. “Soul, I’m not afraid of you. Okay, buddy? I still don’t care what they said about you.” “How can you not care?” I really need to know now. Because Dash needed to stop lying to her. All these years, hearing what it was that Soul had done. Dash, there was no telling what she really thought. I was never here to tell her it wasn’t me. To prove it. Anypony… would be afraid… of a murderer like me. Especially since I told her I hated her. I told her that. A killer who hates her. So why not be afraid?

“Because I never believed any of them” Dash yelled. “Soul…” She rose her hoof back up, high up. Soul winced.

No don’t!

Soul raised her own hoof. Covering her face. “Please don’t hit me again.”

It never came. Rainbow rested her hoof down, how sad she looked. Don’t touch me. Not now. Just don’t.

“Soul, I’m sorry. …I could never see you as a pony to do those things. Like, why do you think I’m talking to you now? I’m not running from you.”

You did run. Earlier. From me. Because of the pain I caused you… so stop lying to me. No matter how nice it felt to hear Dash talk like this, she needed to stop lying.

“All because I ignored all that crap about you. I still believed in you.”

Soul sighed. No longer with anything more to say. This was pointless to argue about. So pointless. For Dash to live on in her own fantasy about what happened. No, I know the truth. Nopony would ever go one moment without seeing me as a mean and cruel pony… with blood on my hooves. It hurts that ponies think of me that way. I could never...

Soul felt something touch her shoulder. Softly. Finding Dash had set her hoof down upon her.

2.12
“I’m not afraid, Soul. Not like those pathetic ponies back home. Come on now…” She inched in closer. Soul lowering her wings a little more. Feeling weird having Dash so close to her, touching her like this when talking of things that made no sense. All of it a mess. I was never ready to come back here. Another day or two would have worked wonders, just to plan this out. Now… she had to suffer for it. Suffer in her heart. It left her silent.

“Hey” Dash said. “I still believe in you. So stop being down. I even… fought for you while you were gone.”

Soul cocked her brow. Fought for me? Actually drawing Soul to look back at her now. Making Dash grin a little. Like a tough pony. “You remember our old friends?” Old friend… wait. Friends? Does she mean the other two ponies? Remember them? Who… who were they? It made her have to shake her head. It had been way too long. There were two other fillies but… who were they?

“Breezy and Amber” Dash said almost on cue.

Oh… yes, that was their names. Such a shame. She had forgotten them. Guess… I’m not that good of a friend.

“I stopped talking to them. They had things to say… about you, but not me. So I didn’t want to deal with them anymore. Cuz nopony talks bad about my buddy.”

Amber and Breezy? They… of course they did. Every Pegasus did. Soul regretted it. Like Dash wanted her to feel better hearing that, but… it didn’t help at all. Painful… even if Dash was such a good friend to have done that, she regretted not giving those two ponies more reason… to believe in her. Anything to prevent them from feeling that way… for Dash to stick together with them.

So… I… I ruined their friendship? That… no…

“D-do you keep in any contact with them?” Dash shook her head. “I haven’t seen them in years. Not sure what they’re doing now but so what? They were jerks.” Oh no. So… they never made up? But… we all got along. No! I need to apologize to them. Make things right. She only hoped they did not have a grudge on her. For them all to be able to meet again without any pain of the past to hurt them. Twelve years, so much can happen. So many bad things. All because of what Soul did. So how can Dash really be acting like this? I hurt her, just like in my nightmares.

Hold in the tears. Not in front of Dash.

2.13
“I-I’m sorry” Soul squeaked out. That was close. She almost had let lose her tears just by saying that. Feeling it billowing in her chest. “Hey now, you don’t need to be sorry” Dash put her hoof back on Soul’s shoulder. Just a light tap. Nothing to show she caught any whiff of what Soul had not wanted her to see.

“What’s important is that you’re back. So welcome to Ponyville.”

Rainbow arced her back up to the air, stretching her thick wings out with a satisfying moan, right before she stood up on all fours. “Time for us to go back, I’m getting sleepy.” Funny. You just woke up, watching you for so long. Seeing how pleasantly she slumbered. Must have been a good sleep. At least she got that thanks to Soul.

Guess it’s time to go.

Soul was about to join her. But something stopped her. Rainbow Dash fell. Slamming her hooves down just in time to catch herself from slamming right down into the grass… and she shook. Dash…?

“Whoa…” Rainbow raised a hoof to her head. Seeing how it trembled in midair right before it rubbed against her own forehead. Just like her wings had been doing earlier. Such a pity. Soul did the same thing not long ago, but Dash got out of it easier with just a few scratches on her face. Still, didn’t take a genius to see Dash was in bad shape. A pretty bad effect of slamming head first into a damn tree. The Pegasus just laughed over it, probably hoping to just shrug it off.

“Umm…” Dash turned back to the darkness ahead hidden inside of all those thick lines of trees. “Let’s go.” She flapped her wings a few times. Soul just left to watch her walk off with shaky legs. Almost tripping on herself again. It made Soul shake her head.

2.14
Now it was too hard for me to fly without stretching. Every moment making her wonder if she would collapse mid-flight. A constant fear of falling.

Dash, I’m not letting you fly like that.

She really should have a better idea than this. You don’t have to do this. Not have to fake being strong, like this was not hard. Just by how she walked… she couldn’t fly like that.

Soul got up. Giving her wings a quick test. They hurt. Just a little. Only when she rose them up, then a gentle relief once they came back down. But they recovered well in the time they had. With Dash stumbling about to take flight, Soul took that opportunity.

She ran right up to her. Stopping right in front of her. You aren’t going anywhere. Stopping Dash in her tracks. There won’t be any flying like this. So maybe now, now I can show you I am the same Soul Serenity you used to know. Kind of embarrassing to do this… but Soul knelt down before her. Low enough. Anything to help her. Even if Dash… didn’t look like she was going to be light weighted.

“Get on” Soul presented her back to Dash, kneeling down on her hind legs. I’ll let you… ride.

Is she gonna get on? Nothing happened. Come on. This isn’t easy to do. But I’ll do it to help you. You are the only one I would give a pony ride to. But… Soul looked over her shoulder. The cyan Pegasus stood there staring at her back and then up to her. “Say what?”

“Come on” Soul unlatched her massive wings. Letting their great lengths show she was serious about this. Really just wanting Dash to just stop asking question and accept her offer. Because this was not easy at all to do. For what reason? Soul questioned why. Why she felt heat rushing over her cheeks thinking about this, making her turn away a little. Probably because… I must look silly to her. Or… her touching me?

2.15
“We have to go home, right? Get on and I’ll get us home safely.” “Uh, Soul… I’m not that bad off” Dash muttered. “Just a little dizzy.” Of course she was going to fight this. But no reason to give up. It’s the right thing to do. So Dash may not need to suffer on the flight home, it’s my way of repaying her. Just giving me this moment to talk to her. Ignore the pain of the past for just a moment… and do something nice. A pony ride was the least to do.

Soul lowered her wings a bit more. Certain she presented a comfortable spot between them for anypony to fall into. Even a full-size mare… do it for Dash. That’s all that mattered.

“I can totally fly on my...”

“Just get on” Soul interrupted her. Being extra sure to give Dash the hint she saw through her crap. That she was in no condition to fly and both ponies knew that. Swallow that pride of yours… just like I’m swallowing mine. “And quit being stubborn. I only want you to be safe.” “Safe?” Dash paused a bit. Soul could hear her hooves stepping up behind her, shuffling the grass out of the way and then she appeared at her side. Glad I stopped blushing.

“Buddy, I don’t think you can carry us both home. I can still fly.” Maybe. Why take the risk? I can do it for you this time. You’ve done enough flying for today. And you’ve done enough crashing. You can crash some other time but, for now, just sit back and enjoy the ride that I’d never give anypony else. Just let the day die off on at least one good note that Soul pushed her on to accept.

“You wanna bet I can’t do it?” Soul leaned herself a little closer so her back could be presented a bit to where Dash now stood. Just a little hint that she was still open to the idea. But Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. Looking off away from where Soul offered her service, and her own wings flapped at her sides.

2.16
“If you tell anypony… I’ll deny it.”

Dash’s wings flapped once more and then folded up. Much to Soul’s elation… she felt so happy to see her old friend turn back to her. Somehow able to smile at her. So maybe she did like the idea. Quickly giving up her denial to ride in the first place. Wanting it. Definitely, she walked off behind Soul. Right out of her sight. Now, I have to carry her. Well, I committed to it. Hopefully she isn’t too heavy.

The time to figure that out came fast. Soul felt a pair of legs set down right on her shoulders. Seeing those cyan hooves run up in front of her sight and settle on her shoulders just above where her wings lowered themselves more. Making a little more room when an even bigger weight came down on her. Dash huffed in her ear right when Soul could tell her old friend’s stomach had set down on her back, her legs grabbed on tight and nothing but the softness of her fur there to tickle her back, and how she clenched around Soul’s neck and shoulders. Soul took a moment to look down at the legs Dash had wrapped around her. It… felt… good.

It’s like she’s hugging me.

Wonder if she likes this. Does she see it as a hug? Maybe not. Dash did sigh a little. Squirming a bit, a little kick to Soul’s side, before settling down.

Do you have this?

Soul shifted her body a little to get a little more comfort along her shoulders when a small pain came out right where Dash was holding on to. Yeah, I got it.

“You ready back there?” Soul felt a small brush come over her ear. Like… what touched it? “Yup.” Right in her ear. Must have been Dash’s nose. Wow. She was actually so close now. Soul able to tell now that Dash was right against the back of her head, and when she stood up slowly, it changed. All when Dash’s muzzle swiped across Soul’s mane right before Soul’s legs trembled. Shaking so hard. Rainbow Dash really was no feather anymore. Soft like one but, well… a problem to carry. It sure did not feel good anymore. Just that.

One thing did feel good. Standing up, Rainbow was now laying on her back. She’s so warm. All along Soul’s back. The touch of her old friend’s muzzle to the back of her head and she set it down. Rainbow Dash was back there getting herself comfortable. Soul looked back. Yeah, she was laying her head right in between her shoulders, right where Soul’s wings split from her back. Nice and cozy it looked and she smiled at Soul. Clenching all four of her legs more.

Alright, let’s just get her out of here.

2.17
Soul beat her wings hard into the grassy surface, sending out a massive gust of wind to flurry all that dirt around her. Just one flap. Her wings continued to amaze even her and it must have been a sight for her companion when that single flap was enough to pick both of them up, leaving all that grass behind. It took a few more flaps and an adjustment here and there to level herself out. Carrying a second pony made it a lot more wobbly at first. She got it down in the end. Keeping herself in a low hover till she got it and every flap she made, she could tell Dash was clutching her tighter. Scared of falling off or both of them falling from all this.

I got it under control, but it does hurt a little. Along her wings. But, now that she was used to this and certainly enjoying the feel of Dash holding on to her tightly, it was truly a pleasure. Not as bad as Soul thought. It was just hard at first. Hard trying to carry Dash on her legs. Wings… that was another story. Dash must be impressed. I didn’t even know they could carry us both.

“Hey Soul.” Soul looked back, trying to get sight of the pony covered up in her own silver mane sent wild in the wind of her wings. “You sure you got this? Your wings are shaking.” Soul rose an eyebrow. Looking off to her left wing that flapped gracefully at her side. Sending so many plumes of air and dust fluttering about with every stroke. Each stroke marred by the most subtle of shakes running along their lengths. Easy to miss. She almost missed them but… they were starting to hurt. “It looks painful” Dash commented. She was right.

“I just forgot to stretch earlier when we raced. So… yeah, I’m suffering the consequences essentially” Soul admitted. Not too bad though. We can make it on this, a little pain like this nothing compared to so much pain amidst all the ice and snow. This was a treat.

“You’re hurt? Well then…” Soul felt as Dash shifted along her back. “I can fly on my own then.” Rainbow, you’re so considerate even to a pony like me. But, for once, she just needed to sit back and enjoy some luxury from a pony who owed her a lot. Soul was not going to have any of this. You aren’t getting away that easy. I’ll do anything to show you I am still the friend I used to be. The one who caused too much pain and heartbreak to her. Not deserving of anymore.

“No, you’re not” Soul said. Tilting her wings forward and giving one final flap stronger than the ones before. Blasting off right to the treetops above them. Even hearing Dash shriek for a moment back there, still holding on, but tighter than before. It worked, how fast she was going now, there’d be no way Dash would do something stupid like let go. Especially at this angle. An angle she used to rocket out through the branches and thick leaves and into a serene world above all the dark forest. Cast in the light of a setting Sun shining a glorious red light along the land and brightening Soul’s wings. Shining right off her feathers, she could see the glory of her glow now that she was back into the sky carrying her beloved friend with her.

2.18
“Looks like I’m stronger than you thought” Soul said back. Definitely, able to glide perfectly in the sky amidst all the red and orange shining it last farewells across the world. Rainbow gave Soul one more squeeze. “You’re impossible.” Yup, and I’ll never let you go. Dash accepted this. Fully embracing the ride Soul gave for her, one made so much better now that she had plenty of open space and wind to work with. Her wings beat and burned but kept up their pace so very well. Not at all giving Soul any reason to doubt their capability to carry both of them home.

Dash pointed her hoof past Soul’s face and off to a direction to their right. “Ponyville should be off in that direction.” “Got it” Soul said. Tilting her flight just a bit in that direction and keeping up that trajectory. One leading to nothing but an endless expanse of trees and vines curling along the leaves below and reaching out to where the Sun did set. Somewhere ahead of all this was the place she did not belong, yet welcomed there anyways. Such kindness she can never match. The best being just letting Dash enjoy this safe and comforting ride.

Not a bump or list in her flight, not even enough pain to let her cringe. Nope, this was going very well and Rainbow Dash did nothing more to avoid it. In fact, Soul loved the new feeling wrapping her up when something touched down against the back of her neck and up against her head. Burrowing right into her mane.

Is she laying on me?

Must be. It made her giggle a little inside. With Dash back there resting her head into Soul’s long mane. Must be comfortable. Good. The first step to mending all the damage she had done all these years. Show Rainbow Dash that she was not the mean and cruel pony she had to be to cause all that. Hate and heartbreak, leave it all behind. Let the pony I wronged enjoy the ride. Rainbow even breathing right against the back of her ear so that it tickled. Unaware of how much Soul liked that feeling. Just stay back there and rest, let me do all the work.

2.19
“I’ve missed flying like this” Dash said back there. Right when a flash of cool breeze wiped across Soul’s mane and relaxed her. Subtle breezes like that being the only thing up here to join the ponies flying through the sky. “But next time… let’s use our own wings” Dash advised. “You sure that you’re okay?”

Oh Dash, such a sweetie right now. Strange for her to be talking so pleasantly right now, like her voice caught in a mix of concern and calm. Just to make Soul feel an ache in her heart remembering exactly what it was she had been talking about, so many years ago. Gone forever, all those chances and now, now she had them back. Maybe. Only if Dash wants them back. Not be mad at me anymore. But her concern was admirable. She really was sounding much more like the Rainbow Dash she remembered.

“I’m okay” Soul answered. “Just relax back there. I’ll get us home.”

Dash did just that. Soul feeling every move she made back there, laying down firmly against Soul’s back and even a little brush wiping across her sides. A feeling made by feathers. Rainbow even letting her own wings relax and rest against Soul. The little trembles they made, the shaking along her body as if she were shivering, but she was content. Doing nothing to say otherwise. Burrowing her cheek right against the back of Soul’s neck. Her breathing steady. Graciously giving Soul the satisfaction of gifting her with all this.

I hope we can fly again like we used to. So much needed to be done and it all hurt. Hurt so much. Thinking about it all. It was impossible to leave it behind just knowing that I… hurt her more than I thought. Never could she imagine that Dash had been so convinced Soul would never return to her. Carrying the burden of hatred that tore the pegasi apart and leave it all behind with those three cursed words she delivered to a pony who never deserved them.

It must have hurt just as bad when she said it to me. How is she so okay with riding on me like this? Soul doubted she could do the same if she were in Dash’s position.

“Soul.”

2.20
Rainbow brought Soul out of her stupor. Happy to still see she had not fallen off on her flight. Humiliating she had gotten distracted enough just then. She heard her though.

“What is it?”

“Can we hang out tomorrow?” Dash asked. Not a question Soul expected her to ask or for anypony here to ask of her. But it sounded nice. Even more mysterious with how her old friend was acting now. One moment she’s upset, the next wanting to do things with her. Well, whatever it was, there is no reason to deny it. Maybe Dash has something in mind.

“Sure thing” Soul accepted. Receiving a tighter grasp around her neck from this false hug Dash was giving her back there. “I bet… you’ve had a hard time lately. So… we can have some fun tomorrow. Just for you.”

Rainbow Dash. She wants me to have fun? But what? What could we possibly do? They couldn’t just go out together in this scary new environment… together with Rainbow Dash. What if somepony recognizes me? Dash would get in trouble. Soul was supposed to be the one to do things for her instead, if only she had any idea of what to do.

How much had Dash changed? Did she even like doing all the same things as twelve years ago? Had new things happened in her life to make any mundane activity Soul had in mind seem worthless? But… damn it. I got to stop thinking like this. It always ended with her heart aching so badly. …Just like every time I wake up.

Rainbow Dash wants to do things with me. It was her plan, her town. She has every right to do whatever she wanted and it would make her happy if I say yes. So she did. “Okay. That sounds nice.” Dash giggled back there, planting her cheek deeper into Soul’s mane. Such a warm feeling. It alone, like it alleviated all of Soul’s pain for just a moment. …So good.

If only the roles had been reversed. I want to be the one holding her. Would she like it? Love me treating her so nicely?

“We’ll make you feel welcome here” Dash said. “Me and my friends.”

2.21
Oh yeah.

Dash seems to be well known around here. Plain obvious earlier. So she has new friends now? Of course she would. She was just that type of pony.

Well… at least I was also able to make a friend. Soul smiled. She didn’t care if she heard that little laugh at the back of her head, deep inside.

“Your friends?” “Uh huh” Dash said. “I’ll totally introduce you to them tomorrow. Trust me, you’ll love them.”

More new ponies. D-did Dash think this through right now? What if one of them recognizes me? Really, we can’t rush this. But… Rainbow was no fool. She must be back there thinking this out. Probably trusting herself in this decision. Soul needed to trust her too. She would not mess this up or do anything to suggest to Dash that she doubted her friends. They must be very important to her, trusting to her. A better friend than Soul was for sure. All of them, and make sure they all felt welcome to Soul. Do nothing to ruin their friendship. Split Dash away from other ponies. Such a nightmare scenario. It made her begin to shake a little. Her voice coming out in a tremor. “T-tell me about them. Are they nice?”

Dash huffed in her ear. “They’re the best bunch you’d ever meet, Soul. Trust me, you’re going to love them. You already met Applejack.”

Applejack? Oh, that orange Earth pony from earlier? Well yeah, but didn’t get much out of her. Soul nodded anyways. So Dash and that ‘Applejack’ pony are friends. Well… she did look like a nice pony. Acted like one too. Easy for those two to be friends. “She’ll protect you good and never, ever lie to you” Dash explained. “I already know you two will hitch it. Besides… she owns a farm and can hook you up with some great food.” Now that sounded like Dash was trying to tantalize her, and it worked.

“Her family’s apples are to die for. I get all my food from them.” Well she did sound and act nice… maybe it would be okay to meet her. Dash sure was fortunate to have made such a great friend like that. All the time they must have spent together and all the fun and joy. Soul wished for it more. Fortunate enough to have Soulblight… if only for a little bit. “She sounds nice.”

2.22
“She’ll be real good to you. Don’t even get me started about Pinkie Pie, though. That pony is going to be your real buddy. Hell, if anything she’s gonna want to be your friend immediately. She actually works at that shop we were at earlier. Making all the cakes and sweets.”

She works there?

“Damn” Soul said. “She has the best job.” For a pony to want to be Soul’s friend right off the bat, that sounded too good to be true. This Pinkie Pie girl must be something else. A real gem actually. Not many ponies wanted to just be my friend. Pinkie… would want to be my friend? Another thing she could not mess up. Anypony nice enough to like Soul would only get her best effort to make them happy in return. “Though she might want to throw you a party, being our party pony and all, so be prepared for that” Rainbow said.

“Fluttershy is… well… shy, but I bet she’ll be happy to meet you. She actually really likes meeting nice ponies like you so long as you don’t mind her pets...”

“She has pets?”

Soul’s eyes lit up. Now this sounds like a pony I want to meet. All of them did but this one likes animals? She… what if she can show me animals I’ve always wanted to see? So many I didn’t get to see back in Cloudsdale.

“A lot of them” Dash confirmed. Wow, if she has a lot then that must mean she really does love animals. “I think I might like her” Soul said. Surely it would be a nice thing to have her as a friend too. Dash had quite the companion right there that they should have both met much sooner. Going out into the wilderness together as fillies, it’d be nice to know an animal lover back then.

Maybe she can be around to teach you about animals. I bet you’ll like her. Shut it.

2.23
“Next is my buddy Rarity. She does… sort of have an obsession with fashion. I don’t think you’d be interested in that, but she is like the poster child for an awesome friend. She will be there for you all the time, and…” Soul felt her shuffle around back there, moving forward it felt like. Yes, her breath was right in her ear. Practically able to feel the fur of her muzzle touch that of her ear. “…She is quite the looker… hint, hint.”

Soul’s eye widened. Why… why are you saying that to me? “Shut up!” Dash reeled right back, laughing a little so obnoxiously. One that did not help with Soul seeing the stupidity in what she just said. Geez, Dash always had to pull some sort of joke about anything, just when I was wanting to listen to her. Hearing just how genuine these ponies sounded. Enough to have as much an impact on Dash as to be able to just talk about them in such high regards. They must really be good ponies. Ones she was curious to see for herself. Though she got a tad bit of the butterflies in her stomach at the idea of meeting them all.

But Dash had only good things to say about them… including that last bit but whatever. That wasn’t important to her.

It was a long shot, maybe they will accept me too. Not be mad at me or make fun of me. Though, none of them should. None of them would hurt me. And I have Blight. Always able to rely on that pony to comfort her. Up there right now probably hearing everything Dash had to say. If only she would be there with me to meet them. May that day come. Until then, Soul was on her own in this with just her beloved friend’s support… from the side.

Hopefully all those ponies will like me in the end. Just as much as they liked Dashie. Obvious to see. “They all sound lovely. You made some good friends while I was gone, huh?” “Hey now” Dash scooched forward on her back. “You know they’re gonna be your friends too. I keep telling you to trust me and I’ll say it again. They’ll love you. I do have one more friend though who will be just as eager to meet you.”

2.24
One more friend? Seems like that isn’t really the case. How many friends does she have that she just isn’t talking about? Too many to most likely. A pony like her was the exact type to get so many friends. Especially five like she now claimed.

“Her name is Twilight, or you can be one of the few ponies that call her Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

Princess? Soul glanced back at her, that title… a princess… from a pony she had never heard of. “Princess?” Soul asked. “Yup, she’s our resident alicorn.” Rainbow Dash is friends with an alicorn princess? One I never knew about. Looks like I’ve been gone for too long. For there to be a new one. Alongside Luna finally coming back too. For there to now be three alicorns here, one right in the midst of the town she was going to be in.

One I’m going to meet?

That sounded terrifying. For there to be another alicorn, one so close. Would she be much like the other one? All the other friends Dash had made sounded friendly enough to her, all except this one. “Do… do you think she’ll be okay with me?” Soul asked. “What do you mean?” Well this will be my first time meeting an alicorn since… last time. If she was a princess, then she must govern Equestria. Know a lot about it… and a lot about me.

“Will she recognize who I am?”

That question took some time for Dash to answer. Soul left to just listen to her old friend hum in wonderment of whatever the answer could be. She couldn’t wait. This alone could ruin all of this.

“Does she rule the town or something? Does she help Celestia?”

“Not really” Rainbow said. “She’s more like a friendship enforcer or something like that. But she doesn’t rule anypony or help Princess Celestia rule. Look, don’t worry about it. You can trust her, totally. She definitely doesn’t even know what you would look like even if she heard about you.” Soul hoped her to be true as she flew over the last vestiges of this forest and towards the rolling hills cast in the shadow of the orange clouds overhead. Beyond that, far ahead, was the very town she knew all this to be waiting for her.

An alicorn princess is here. I really wish that all of these ponies would accept me. Dream of it. Even with her body shaking a little at the idea of seeing new faces that she had only Dash’s words to rely on. Reassuring her. She wants me to think an alicorn would accept me? Would she… if she knew who I am? Soulblight never told her it would be this hard just to fit in to this world. Her old world. It really did feel like… like everything had changed. Twelve years and nothing was right.

What if they can never know my real name? I can’t even proudly use my name. No, Soulblight was not in the wrong. She knew this was going to be so hard to achieve. All on her own with only what Dash had said to give her a semblance of comfort for what may happen tomorrow. She held those words in her. Wanting to trust those words about these ponies. Not wanting to doubt them under this setting Sun.

Soul let it die. Nothing more to say. Nothing more she wanted to know. She had enough already. Enough to make her shake. Unknown if Dash was back there, feeling just how afraid Soul was. She only lay back there. Silent. Breathing deep against Soul’s ear with one glance finding the cyan pony hanging her head right on Soul’s shoulder watching out at the scene ahead alongside Soul. Not one bit of worry on her face. Lucky.

2.25
A quick glide over the tops of all these beautiful and humble buildings brought them right back to a familiar spot to Soul. Quickly spotting the water circling and shining the sunset along the giant pony fountain from earlier. Surprising to see just how much this area had cleared out over time. Soul only spotted a small group of ponies here and there. Some saw her come in, watching her, probably seeing how she carried Rainbow Dash on top of her. Soul did feel her old friend squirm a little back there. Shifting and placing herself right behind Soul’s head. Trying to hide? That had to be it. She doesn’t need to worry. So what if these ponies see me carrying you? Nothing to worry about.

But I think I’ll let her off. This looks like a good spot. Right in what she could determine from up here was the middle of Ponyville. She let up on her wings and one final flap before Soul came right in. Quick to plant her hooves down in the soft grass once more and, again, she felt how everything did change for her. Rainbow Dash did not feel so light anymore once Soul’s wings let up and sent jets of dirt blasting out from their landing. Soul felt her legs begin to buckle.

Soul quickly sat herself down and her ‘passenger’ slid right off, felt so much better now. Able to feel to cool breeze sweep across her back once more. “Thanks for the ride” Dash said walking around on her own hooves now to stand next to Soul. Her wings flashed out briefly. Sending those cyan feathers to slice the air once then twice. She was stretching her wings, and they shook a little in response.

Dash held her breath, locking eyes with Soul like she may be expecting something. What? Soul cocked her head. Glancing over to the wings she had been stretching and caught right back once Dash started to giggle. “Guess I’m still a little messed up” she said. “I wouldn’t mind walking home from here.” Good I need to rest… she has no idea how hard it is to carry her fat ass.

2.26
“Would you like to walk me home too?” Dash said… and she batted her lashes with a smile. …Damn it, Dash. Soul looked away from her and just listen to the pony laugh at her. Whatever. Well Dash still has her sense of humor, doing it a lot lately. Walking her home too, she doubted Dash needed that, even if it was true in what it was Dash was offering to her just now by saying that. Rainbow is wanting me to come with her to her house.

“No thanks” Soul spat. “I think you’ll be safe.”

“You know, I wasn’t joking” Rainbow said. Making Soul look back at her. Then she offered her hoof to her. Placing it right in the air before her as if wanting Soul to grab it. “What… do you mean?” Soul asked.

“Come on, dummy. I’m saying that you can sleep over at my place tonight.”

So it’s like that. That is what she wants from me. Go over to Rainbow’s house. Already. Oh no, but I can’t. That idea, Soul felt her stomach drop thinking about sleeping in the same house as this pony. This pony of all ponies, and why does she want me to anyways? We’d be together in a house… just the two of us. I… I couldn’t. Not after what I did to her. How bad it must have been for her after I left.

No, Dash was better off having friends she could actually trust to sleep over at her house. Like those other ones she wants me to meet.

So… why consider it?

Soul realized she was still staring down at the hoof before her. Actually considering to place her own hoof in it. Get pulled up on her legs and walk home with Dash, wrapping legs around the other’s neck as they walked. No. it’s not right for me to impose on her. I don’t even need to sleep, no. I can just spend the night out here and hang out with Blight. Dash doesn’t need me there.

2.27
Oh what to do? What to do? It gave her goosebumps. Heating up her back and going along to her chest. It was this very fear that… that made her hurt Dash in the first place. She couldn’t. Not again.

Dashie can sleep better without having a mean and dangerous pony like me around.

Soul reached her hoof up. Aiming right for the one in front of her and then… she pushed it back to Dash. Giving it back.

Soul shook her head. “No, thanks” she said with as good a smile she may give. As much as it hurt to say all this, really badly since she had to admit to herself it sounded lovely to sleep with Dash again. After so long. How much changed? Does Dash still live with her parents? Do they hate me too? Or did she get a house of her own now? Being Rainbow Dash, her house must be quite the sight befitting a skilled Pegasus such as her. She always did do things in excess. But Soul had to lie in the end.

“I got a place to stay for tonight.” It almost twisted her tongue to lie like that. Especially with how dismayed her old friend’s face became. Disappointed even. She said nothing. Nothing to doubt what Soul said. Just a simple “Okay” as her ears flopped down.

It’s for your own good, Dash. You wouldn’t want us around for so long anyways. Not till you trust me again. Forgive me. So much needed to be done first. All of it can start tomorrow.

“How about we meet at Sugarcube Corner tomorrow morning?” Soul suggested. Fully accepting the idea that the two could do tomorrow. A new day. New possibilities. None that may exist tonight. But Soul wanted to kick herself in the butt now for losing the chance to sleep with Dash. Anywhere near her and just… spend more time with her. But I already lied to her.

Much to her surprise, …Rainbow Dash… she nodded. “Tomorrow morning, then” Dash said. Soul nodded too. She accepted that better than Soul imagined. There was one thing Dash did not keep with her all these years, proven now and back in the forest, Dash lost her stubbornness. A bit of it, though. “You can still sleep over, if you want.” That’s okay. I’m sure the grass can be comfortable enough to lay on. At least it wasn’t that cold as the Sun began to die off in the distance.

She gave Rainbow a little push. “Go home” she said playfully. “Sweet dreams, tonight.” Soul wished it for her. Dash accepted it. Managing one last smile and her hooves turned around. Leaning away from her. Wanting to leave, she almost did. One last thing she did first.

She glanced back to Soul. “Thanks again for flying me home. Sweet dreams.” And there she goes. Soul left to just watch that rainbow tail sway away from her. Caught between the movement of her old friend’s hind legs that carried her off down the open path between the homes where all these ponies had earned to call their own. One day. One day I can join them… may it be soon.

It almost made Soul cry watching Dash leave, joining with what few ponies remained to ignore her. Off down the path, away from her. She did want to cry. Feeling one tear go down her cheek. I shouldn’t have lied to her. If only things could be different.

You know, you worry way too much.

2.28
“Dashie, wait a moment!”

Soul slammed her hoof right back to her mouth. Too late to stop those words that she saw had been heard by the very pony they were meant for. Rainbow’s ears perked and she turned back. Soul slowly glided her hoof out of her own mouth. Rubbing her chin slowly; don’t say anything else. Don’t say anything more, Blight.

Rainbow Dash came right back to her. Almost like she was happy now. “What is it?” What is it? I… I don’t have anything to say. Blight, why did you do that?

Because now you have your chance to tell her the truth. She wants you to sleep over, go ahead and take it.

Tell her? Soul looked back up. Rainbow Dash had come back. Right in front of her and… she looked so sweet. Soul giving her a good look like… like Dash wanted her to talk to her. Really did want to know whatever it was she had to say, if she had anything. Besides the truth. One truth she could not possibly come to say now that she had lied to her old friend. Alongside the butterflies in her stomach of thinking about sleeping in the same house as Dash again. They really got strong now. Really frightened her. But those eyes that looked at her, wanting her to speak, they like a wash of the sunset sea calming her. So sweet. A really sweet pony. A pony I lied to.

I can’t. I’m… too embarrassed. Embarrassed about what? She wants you to come over, just like when you were kids. Soul, you can’t lie to me.

I… I didn’t lie to you, though. I don’t want to burden her. What if something bad happens? I’m scared.

I don’t want you to feel scared, Soul. But you shouldn’t doubt yourself. If you want to go over, then you should.

And how can I be certain I won’t mess anything up? I… I don’t want her to be angrier with me. I haven’t done anything to earn her kindness… she is probably still mad at me after what I did to her. I only made things worse for her. How can a pony like me get anything nice from a pony like Dash?

2.29
Do you want to mess things up? Do you want her to be mad at you?

Soul looked back up at those eyes shining of her own fur color. Dash said nothing. Didn’t even move. No, she waited. Patiently for Soul. The center of attention for this Pegasus. No. I would never want to make this pony mad.

Then you should stop thinking you will. Just go with her, she really wants you over… and you want to go as well.

I do want to go. Maybe, if Rainbow Dash wants me over, maybe it’s safe. As safe as any for Dash to invite the worse pony in her life to sleep in the same house as her, and she felt so terrible to want to accept it right now. So much that it ached. She wants to spend time with me after all I did to her, I doubt I could do the same.

But I did do the same. Blight.

I forgave her. Even after what she did to me. And she forgave me. We… we are there for one another. So much that she means the world to me. I would never feel bad about sleeping in the same house as Blight. …Does Dash… really, is she okay with me coming over?

Rainbow Dash. Soulblight. I vowed to be strong. I am a coward for lying to her. “Hey now” Dash whispered. Soul opened her eyes. A cyan hoof right in her face, so close it made her reel back a little, but she stopped. Stopped to let it slowly come back to her, right to her eye, and Soul watched as Rainbow Dash gently rubbed it under her eye. Pulling away with the little tear she never knew had fallen. “What’s wrong?” Rainbow knelt in. Looking with such sweet eyes into Soul’s eyes. So much care, like the touch she just shared. Soul still feeling the gentle caress that hoof gave to her face. Not a strike. No more hitting. Gentle and kind.

Rainbow did indeed grow up to be a strong pony. She definitely is the greatest friend anypony can have. It was time Soul started acting like one too.

2.30
“I’m sorry, Dashie. I… I lied to you.”

Rainbow’s eyes widened. She didn’t move. She stood her ground. Not leaving the caring stance she made in front of Soul like giving her a shadow of comfort to shield her from anything that may hurt her. Really feeling like she could trust this pony with the real truth. Rid one more lie between them. I can rely on her. I always could. Rainbow can rely on me too. So no more lies. None of that to ruin us.

Not like the one lie I told her the last time I saw her. The last words and the greatest cruelty of her life.

The truth was… “I don’t have any place to sleep tonight. Forgive me.”

“I kind of figured you didn’t” Dash said. Shaking her head briefly. So weird she never let her smile go. “And I’m happy you told me the truth. You’re not a good liar, Soul.” I know. Never was good at it. But at least the truth was out now, and Soul gladly looked back into Dash’s eyes. Not sure what to expect from her. If she may hit her across the face for lying. Her cheek did burn in anticipation. Almost wanting her hoof to come up and scratch at the wound. Whatever was to come, it was all up to Dash now. Soul would accept anything. But one part of her told her something sweet. Either it was her, or the smile that her friend wore. That it was okay to tell Dash how I feel.

“You wanna sleep over tonight?” Dash offered. The chance to see whatever Dash lived in, wherever it was. How beautiful it may look to compliment the kind heart of this pony. Just one night together… finally since they were kids and, maybe, …sleep together. Soul’s back tingled.

I shouldn’t ask for it, but I want her to hold me again. Just go home and be together. Soul nodded. “Please, I want to spend the night with you.”

Rainbow Dash, her smile grew wider. She let her hoof come out to Soul again. Hanging there lacking one crucial thing that was needed for this night to be made worth it. For this trip home to be worth it. Both of them together.

Soul put her own hoof on it.

“Well, let’s go home” Dash said. Pulling Soul along.

2.31
“That’s it up ahead.” Dash pointed her hoof right at where Soul had been wondering all this time, constantly doubting that to really be where they were going. But, when she saw it on the horizon right as they left Ponyville, she had a nagging feeling that told her this work of wonder that floated high in the sky must really be where Dash lived.

Now there was no doubt. For Soul to be left astonished at its sight even more than before.

“That can’t be your house.”

“It is” Dash said, bringing her hooves back around Soul’s neck. A lot less tight than when she was holding on earlier. Not moving around as much. No, she seemed perfectly fine with riding on Soul’s back now. “Welcome to Chateau Awesome.”

Soul glided in over the last bits of dirt patches and trimmed foliage that was the remains of Ponyville and out in the wild land whose sole occupant was that house floating over the lush green hills rolling about between snaking rivers and the dense forests that shrouded the ever-darkening landscape beyond. Flying in over one of those rivers, seeing how it still managed to shine the last light of the day in its crystal-clear waters alongside the light of the world that one may mistake to be Rainbow Dash’s mane or tail. They may as well be. For they shined off the light that came from the house that Dash claimed to be her own. A house that practically brimmed in rainbows. Bursting high and over the house, whose entire image became clearer the closer Soul got to it. How it mimicked that of a scene she was still familiar with.

Rainbow’s house looked a lot like Cloudsdale. Even sharing the same rainbow fountains spurting from its walls and covering its surface in that light before it fell off to the grassy land below. Coloring the world in it.

This house really was the very thing that Soul loved the most with how beautiful and bright it was. It was like the sky. Rolling clouds and shimmering rains sweeping all around what she now made out as blue walls hidden well under all those clouds. Streamlined in columns that held those very clouds about the structure. All leading up to the dome that blanketed the entire sky in such a rainbow that Soul had not seen in too long. Like that massive one over Cloudsdale.

This place is like the sky and Dash lives in it! What an amazing house. Bringing shame to any house that could exist back in Cloudsdale, and this work of wonder was all here for Ponyville. Dash must make so many ponies jealous. And she’s letting me sleep in this. I wonder what it looks like inside. If it looked this fantastic outside, a true representation of Rainbow Dash, it must be a sight to behold on the inside. Rainbow waterfalls, furniture made from clouds, …a hot bath given life from a hanging cloud showering water down into it. Dash must really go hard.

I get… to sleep in this house!

2.32
She spotted the door, easy to miss. As shaded as the clouds that hung over it. Like they sheltered the door itself. An extra layer over a layer, like shielding the house. Coming in closer and finding every minute detail that dotted the clouds, walls, the rainbow falls. Like Dash herself personally tended to every little thing about it. Even giving the clouds around the door a good trimming. Completely flat for any Pegasus to land upon. Lay upon even. They did look so soft. Finishing up this scene with all those rainbow falls streaming down into paths that led all around the open area of this landing.

“Your house is amazing.” Rainbow dash giggled back there. “Thank you.” She lives here all on her own. Got a house like this. She really is a lucky pony and so nice to let me stay here tonight. To land on it, which was exactly what her hooves did. Touching down against the clouds so soft, she could feel their comfort even through her hooves. They bounced her up gently before she came right back down on them. Accepting her to stand before the doorway, under all the rainbow light. Greeting her with a little kiss of raindrops falling from above with such light care. …And Dash, she even had a special something right above her doorway. Almost hidden as well under those clouds.

Sparked in the reds, yellows and blues of her mane… of her cutie mark. It really was her cutie mark, that one thing she got a small glimpse of, a big one of it right over the door. The lightning bolt’s colors glowing in the light of the setting Sun with how much rain water soaked it. Soaking all the clouds around it and making the door glimmer.

This was all made for the pony who slid off her back and joined Soul in standing outside this doorway. How could Rainbow even afford this?

“You’re… actually okay with me sleeping here tonight?” Soul asked in a whisper. “I… I don’t know what to say. It’s all beautiful.” Rainbow tugged her own mane down as she trotted past, hiding her face from Soul’s sight. She still spoke under it all. “Oh come on, it’s… it’s not that impressive… but thank you.” She made her way up those cloud steps, standing proud above Soul in front of this entrance to her amazing house. Letting her mane go again, Rainbow generously rubbed one of her hooves over the clouds. Her smile still there, still that of a compassion Soul was so not used to seeing. Compassion or… wait, …Dash is blushing. Just a little. She must really like it when I compliment her house. I would be too. Finding herself to be lucky enough to make Rainbow Dash feel appreciated like this. Like all her work on this house was being noticed and acting like some sort of shy mare now. Maybe she really didn’t get too many visitors here, otherwise, Soul imagined her to be used to compliments.

Good, I made her happy.

2.33
Rainbow Dash looked away, opening the door to her side with a subtle creak and leaving the darkness of the inside ahead that Soul could not pick out no matter how much she struggled to sate her curiosity of what was inside. Only one way to find out.

Soul picked her hoof up, ready to go. “I really can come inside?”

“Did you want to sleep out here on the clouds or in a bed? Your choice” Dash offered. Of course, I want to sleep on a bed. Spend time with Rainbow, get to know her better, all of that inside this house. Inside Rainbow Dash’s own house! Oh, it had been too many years and now she got the chance to really step inside another Dash residence.

Soul stepped forward and up onto the steps. Coming up to join Rainbow in going inside. Stopped immediately. Right when Dash’s hoof came out and touched against Soul’s chest. “Hold on” she said. Turning around ready to go inside too. Leaving Soul. Why wait?

“Give me a few. …Look I…” Dash scratched one of her hooves over the top of her head. Refusing to look at Soul directly as she talked. Is something wrong? I hope she isn’t regretting letting me sleep over.

“I didn’t expect a guest today. Could you… let me clean up before you come in?” She wants to clean? Oh no, I don’t want her to feel pressured to clean just from me being here. Maybe I should go. Even if Soul really didn’t care about a mess, no way will she make Dash work for her right now. Keep her from going to bed. Rainbow had been yawning a bit on the way here.

“You don’t have to clean for me” Soul said. “I can…” What can I do? Soul looked about trying to think of something to make this work. So Dash didn’t need to worry about anything right now. “…Sleep out here.” Soul pointed to the open patches of clouds that made up Dash’s ‘yard.’ Totally open to it, these clouds were soft and sleeping under the night sky in a warm world such as Equestria, brilliant. Good enough for her.

“You know I can’t let you do that” Dash protested. “You’re sleeping in here tonight and I won’t take no for an answer.” She held the door open for herself to slip on into the dark interior beyond. Lit only with the light of her rainbow tail that Soul could still see swaying in the darkness. Colors in the dark to ease her, and how they moved, why… they calmed her as much as those caring words Dash said. She wants me to sleep inside? Rainbow wanted to… “I’ll be done in a flash and be right back for you.”

Rainbow Dash slid her hoof around the door and closed it, leaving just her muzzle and eyes looking out from the dark to her. “Don’t you go anywhere.” The door clicked shut. Leaving Soul alone. Alone in the final moments of the Sun dying off behind the trees, and Soul to just listen to the sounds of crickets chirping all about far below where she stood.

She sighed. You really want to clean up for me? Your house is gorgeous enough. She turned back to the landing below the steps and set hoof back down on the open clouds. Right where the last step ended. Letting her sit down on it, watching out at the night sky that fell upon her and the twinkling stars above. I hope she comes back. Soon would be nice, so Soul may stop feeling this worry in her heart. Right as a chill struck against her back and a small breeze wailed out there. Looks like it won’t be so warm tonight. A nice blanket and a bed would be lovely, and only Dash seemed willing to let her have one.

I guess we have to wait. Soul stared off to her right, over to where the rainbow streams flowed down along the sides of the stairs and going onwards to join the pools mixing about on the cloudy porch. At least she had this scene to keep her busy. Reaching out to it, not sure what it may feel like, but her curiosity at all this new stuff. Unseen by her in all her life. Dash got to see this stuff every day. The beauty of the day, all the colors of this world. The feeling. Even the clouds she sat on felt heavenly on Soul’s butt. Hopefully, Dash is okay with me staying here for a while.

Her hoof touched the rainbow stream. Gasping when she felt it. Because it felt like… like water. Warm and splashing about her hoof. Picking it right out from that stream and… her hoof was a rainbow now. Dripping colors of red and yellow back down to the stream it came from. Soaking her fur. As if Dash had come back and wrapped her tail around that hoof. Kept it warm.

Soul followed her eyes back along the path this rainbow went down. Seeing all the ripples and slushing falls that it made. It did feel calming to see all this. Listen to it. Water splashing about and then… a rush of water coming down just ahead of her. Sprinkling rain down from the house itself and watering the clouds. Just for a moment, looking much like a real rainfall.

2.34
Soul watched more rain come down, splashing and mixing with the rainbow streams below. Seeing how that rain water did transform before her very eyes once it hit the rainbows. Becoming those very colors themselves just as they merged. Exactly like her hoof did. She cocked her head at this marvel, this thing Dash achieved out here. So very different from all the scenes she remembered from… from hours ago.

This was a whole new world. Nothing like the snow. It’s like I’m back… at Cloudsdale. How did Dash even make all this? Speaking out words to fit this very situation that Soul found herself in, under this, the final moments of the sky of the very one who took all this from her, and now she could actually find something worth her wonder. “What the hell?”

2.35
That Soul. Like she is trying to get to me saying that stuff about my house. I can tell she loves it. Just seeing that sparkle in her old friend’s yellow eyes as they ogled every little detail all around. Not needing to say much to let Dash know that she was completely in love with this house.

Bet she’s out there staring at everything. I only made all this to make it feel like home, not for any guests. I never thought anypony would spend the night over here. But somepony finally said they like my house. Paying so much attention to it all. Even getting such a good look at how her rain clouds still watered the clouds of her porch. Fascinated by it.

How dare she make me blush.

Rainbow set her hoof against her cheek. Rubbing it vigorously to make certain that heat was all gone. Oh well, at least Soul gets to see the place. Hope it makes her feel more at home. At the very least, raise her spirits. Especially after all the frustrating crap that had gone down ever since Soul arrived. Even more frustrating with why on earth she felt the need to lie about actually wanting to sleep over.

I wanted her over, totally willing. She’s still such a timid pony. Even crying over having lied. The way she looked at Dash the whole time. The memory of it. There was something so very wrong with her. Dash grimaced. I hate to think of what she went through. Even after… what I said to her when we were kids. I just made it all worse. Must have.

But Soul, the real Soul Serenity, she came back anyways. Back to me. She… she really is such a kind mare now. Very kind and so very troubled. Hope she’s not too mad at me for what I said to her long ago. I vow to make things better for her. She pumped her hoof up, ready to make it work so much more. For her to be the one to make Soul happy after she had been the one to make her sad in the first place. Never gonna happen again. Starting today. That began with making this place no longer a place for Rainbow Dash. Soul was here now, so it needed to be a place for her too.

2.36
Rainbow glanced over to where the light switches would be, hidden somewhat in the dark that came down over her house, but still right there for her to see in the moonlight shining in from her windows. Flipping her hoof over them, her house came to life. Turning on the chandelier hanging over the doorway and lighting up the halls further down.

Home, sweet home. Just the way I like it. She could only hope Soul will like the blue and white finish she made to the walls and ceiling. Soul was a Pegasus after all, and a superb flyer. She may love an air themed house exactly as Dash did. Lined in so much gleaming texture all about that gave off the sheen of the lights above. Just a nice empty space with just a few chairs and sofas about perfect for guests… the ones she rarely got. Now she had one, and this will be the first sight that guest will see. All of it a clever ruse that hid what Dash was well aware lay up ahead.

“Geez, I can’t take too long.” Rainbow took to the air, flapping her wings just a bit and that effort alone almost made her shriek in fear when she bobbed a bit in the air. Right before she got the strength to level herself out again. Not shaking the feeling of weakness along her spans. She glanced over at the two of them, stroking the air to her sides. Poor guys. Soul is nice flying me here. It… really was a fun experience. Nopony ever flew me home before.

Just a little work and I can get some sleep. Maybe… Soul would like to join with me? Nah, I’m not sure she’d be okay sleeping with me again… it’s been so long. Or the… no, not with how Soul has been acting. Rainbow couldn’t blame her. It would be so hard to earn her trust again, enough for them to sleep together. There was always the possibility too that Soul may have grown out of that too.

I hope she hasn’t. I feel… like a kid right now… wanting that. Hope she hasn’t grown up faster than me. But, she couldn’t expect Soul to want to. Better to just give her the guest bedroom. A big, open bed all for herself. Rainbow will be sure to make it extra cozy just for her. As thanks.

2.37
She flew right on over to the side of the hallway, grabbing hold of the first tie she had around the window curtains and pulled it lose. Letting her cloud-bejeweled curtains close in and seal away the open world outside. Feeling a small breeze come over her right before it closed. Can’t let the house get too cold for Soul tonight. She did the same with the next. Closing each and every window she had along the hallways on her flight path down to where all this stretch ended to where it was time… time for her to get to work.

“Okay, what to do first…” Rainbow glanced around her vast living room, given way to the light of her chandeliers to fully expose what was the answer to her question. Her excitement died out fast.

“Oh… damn.” I was that bad last night? Worse than what she remembered. Only now seeing just how much of a mess she had made. Leaving all her stuff out. Even stuff she didn’t recall bringing out in the first place. Like why were there so many balls lying about? The same ones that I, oh… that was right. I wanted to see how high I could kick them, almost broke my lamp. Dumping them all into her living room where some of them even continued to roll about like they were commenting on her messiness. Passing by the board games Twilight lent her and the guitar left draped over the sofa on its strap and dragged out onto the floor. Right up against the table that still sported dozens of empty glasses set among the Daring Do books. One of them still left out propped open. Twentieth time reading that one. Complete with the Daring Do costume she left out right for her to slip back into on the couch.

Damn, I was crazy last night. Not a good impression on any guest to her house. Really wondering how she was going to clean this up. Stack them up on the table? But what if Soul wanted to eat there? She’d have no room. No, that won’t work. “Oh shit!” Rainbow looked back over her shoulder, off to where the kitchen lay behind the risen counter overlooking her living room.

“I don’t have any food.” Not enough in there for a meal.

Oh, Soul must be starving. So many hours out there, she must have been wanting to get dinner tonight and I forgot about that. Crap! Really should have considered that possibility. Too late now. Rainbow wanted to leave out, go on a trip back to the town with Soul, but no. All the shops are closed now. Damn.

“I hope she’ll be fine with apples.” What a great way to welcome my old friend back. She wished. If only she had some strawberries.

2.38
This whole day was just going down the drain now. Soul was out there expecting some sort of effort on Dash’s part to welcome her home, after all that Rainbow had to put Soul through just for the two of them to get here, and she had nothing really to give. Just a bed… and an aching stomach. Nothing more. Forget it.

Rainbow flew down to land amongst the balls and games she left lying about. Reaching about and gathering up all the games in between her hooves. Can’t let Soul down any more than I did before. That meant being a little rough.

She flew back over to where the closet was of her living room, propping it right open for her. Exposing the empty space within. “Sorry, Twi.” Rainbow tossed her friend’s board games right in. Soul would have no reason to look in here. Not until much later, once Dash had gotten everything straightened out. Had the time to. The bouncy balls went right in as well. Kicking them along until each and every one of them were left to roll about in the closet. Just throw this stuff in here but… Dash gently grabbed hold of each Daring Do copy she had laid about on her table. Stacking them right up, held with such care inside her free leg. No time to organize these yet, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t be careful in the process. As precious as these books really were.

Hmm… maybe Soul would like to read them at some point. I’d be okay lending them to her. Adventure and awesome butt kicking, right up Soul’s alley. Then we can both go to cons together! That almost made her shriek in excitement.

She stacked all the assembled books up on the top shelf of her closet, right with all the rest of them. All five rows. Rearrange these newly placed books into the sixth row once things settled down. Maybe get a costume for Soul too. Rainbow couldn’t tell which one to get for her. Another Daring Do outfit or Caballeron? Whatever. I’ll order one right away. As soon as Soul got right into it. One just like the outfit she picked up off her couch. Gathering the hat as well. Putting them right in with all the rest of the stuff.

2.39
Able to close the closet back up now. She sighed in relief. Going right back to it now that that was done with. Closing all the curtains and blinds of the living room. Propping her guitar back up against the wall. Right with the speakers. Completely opening up the couch to anypony who wanted to lay down on it now. Taking a moment to scan over the rest of the room, coming over to straighten out a few of her posters and portraits hung along the walls and, satisfied with her effort, she brought herself back down to the ground.

Eyeing the many glasses she left behind. Remembering them, it made her giggle a little.

That really was a fun night. Good way to pass the time reading until she fell out on the couch. The glasses still reeked of cider. Unfortunately, she had none left in the fridge. I’d pour a couple glasses for us. Another thing she needed to get. That is, if Soul was up for drinking.

Rainbow did her best to gather up as many of the glasses as she could. Clunky and bulky, she managed to get plenty of them huddled up in her legs for her to bring over to the kitchen. Flying right over the counter and on to the shapely sink. Thankfully, the kitchen was rather clean. Not for long. Soul would have to forgive me for this. Rainbow was forced to leave the dirty glasses piled up in a group next to the sink. Feeling a kick in her gut for forcing herself to not exactly clean up this mess, but this was around thirty minutes of dish washing. Taking several more trips to gather up all the remaining glasses and letting them join the first group in completely covering the whole countertop next to the sink and beyond. It still made her swear one last time over it, and she buzzed right off.

Upstairs now.

2.40
Dash flew her way up the flight of stairs. Ringing around the columns and being sure to flip the switch as she passed it. Lighting up the stairway and the hall above. Clambering to a halt at the top of the steps. Feeling a pain start going off in her wings from flying so much now.

Rainbow’s heart jumped, all when the hall ahead began to spin a bit. It kind of hurt. In my head... She had to grab hold of it. Leaning against the wall. “…Oh man.” I can’t believe I let myself crash so badly. I really do need to get some sleep. If only it would come much sooner. Especially… if Soul is going to sleep with me. Just find the courage, get this all done, …and ask her. Yeah. Wouldn’t hurt to try. Even if Soul says no.

Rainbow shook her head. Cleared enough to start back up. Walking down the hallway and on to the open doorway to what was her room and… Dash frowned. “Sweet Celestia.” Clothes everywhere. That was right. She groaned. Smacking a hoof against the front of her face. Today was laundry day and left all her cleaned clothes out, draped all over the bed. So much so that she couldn’t even see the blanket that bore her cutie mark anymore. Now Soul had no way to see just how much of an effort Dash put into making her bed look cool. So much laundry and it would take too much time to put it all away. She groaned again.

Right when I wanted to ask her to sleep with me… first time in twelve years. Once again. Now, …this. What to even do? Rainbow looked about her room. Finding all her posters looked perfect around her walls and everything else had been kept neat and tidy. Her rug freshly vacuumed to bring out the blue of her room. Complete with her walls of clouds and rainbow banners that generously would accept any Pegasus to enjoy in how much effort she made to make them all soft to the touch. Just like her own bed sitting in the middle of it all. Illuminated bright by the lamp left on to show her this mess all over the bed.

Well, the bed was still made. Pillows fluffed and blankets straightened out. Complete with two blankets. Plenty of space for both of them… soft to the touch just for Soul. So, just having to clean up the clothes then. Rainbow stepped right in. Looking about at how much she left to ‘do for later’ and later was now.

Really wish I had known Soul was coming back today. Then none of this would be happening. Exactly when a sharp breeze blew outside. Stopping Dash right in her tracks to listen, and she felt it. It blew the curtains and blinds of her windows to coil that cool night air about and strike against her own ears. Her fur and mane blowing gently to her side.

That one didn’t feel nice. Rainbow actually surprised herself when she shivered a little from it. She was shivering. Soul, she must be cold out there, and her eyes. Soul did look worried about something. Probably, …she’s probably out there thinking I’m gonna abandon her again. All alone in the cold. That made her shiver more than any chill ever could.

Soul suffered long enough. Wherever she had been sent, was no more. Now she was home and Dash needed to make it feel like home. Immediately. Leave it for later.

2.41
Rainbow closed the door to her room. Leaving that mess behind so nopony could see it. That was fine. Soul doesn’t need to see my room tonight. If anything, we can sleep in the guest bedroom. I didn’t mess that up. Ready for anypony to crash in. Sometimes, even Dash used it just for the hell of it. Now… now it could be used for what it was meant for. But first, one quick stop.

Rainbow stepped down the soft clouds of her hallway’s flooring and right over to the room that sat between her room and the one they’d be sleeping in. Just in case Soul needed to use this, it had better be prepared. She pushed open the door right into her bathroom. Lit well by the Moon itself. That great orb, always such a treat to see it in the dead of night right here, under the skylight lining her entire ceiling. It was her ceiling. Always being a great thing to look up to when she bathed in the great tub sporting the far wall of her cloudy bathroom. Even a little drip of rain water greeted her from those welcoming clouds. Truly all proof that she kept it all in working order.

Really… she hated to admit to anypony. But, this bathroom was her pride and joy of her house. It was too many relaxing hours in that tub. Kind of an unfair advantage to every other room of the house. Now, Soul gets to enjoy it too. That pony kind of smelled a little bit. Just a little. Not enough to make Dash revile.

Something about her mane. Dash remembered how she couldn’t take her nose out of Soul’s soft mane. It still smells… like fresh air… even after all this time. I don’t know how she does it. The only part of that pony that doesn’t smell like wet fur. Must have been a long time since she had a bath. She can take one whenever she wanted. My treat.

She slipped in around the puffs of clouds sent out from the floor, as if by her very hoofsteps to hover about the air around her, gifting more water down upon the fluffy floor. Glancing all over to be sure it still looked good. Yup, except for the one reason she came in here. Right past the toilet, she knelt down. Getting a good look at what was lacking next to it. Only a few left. Gotta make it perfect.

Rainbow slid her hoof in and released the tube from where it was latched, tossing that one right in the trash where it belonged so that she could slide a new one in. Placed perfectly against the wall and latched in for anypony to use now. New toilet paper. There we go. Alright then, time to get Soul’s bed ready.

2.42
“You know, it still is scaring me. No matter what you say” Soul said over to where Soulblight stood off at the far end of the cloudy porch. Clearly the Pegasus had no intention on showing that she was paying attention to Soul’s continued requests for help tomorrow. Over there doing something. Like she’s just staring at the scenery. Off in the dark that she nearly blended into, only her bright eyes stood out well in it all. Looking down at the one other light that stood out. The rainbow stream that she had been fascinated in since they were left out here.

Blight tapped at it, following its flow, all the while not even giving Soul one straight answer. Anything really to keep her calm and just the same thing over and over again. Her rejection to the idea and just going out and saying that she will do fine. But how? How could she really expect me to do fine? I’m about to meet a bunch of new ponies, ponies who might know who I am. The concept never left her mind. Really, if only Blight would be there with her to help her speak the truth to all these ponies. But no, she continued to hold it off. A shy pony exactly like she was.

“And I insist that you have nothing to be afraid of” Blight said over there. “Seriously, how do you expect to get through tonight if you keep worrying about it? Just stay calm, we can deal with it tomorrow.”

Dealing with it tomorrow, no! That’s insane, not when she was right there in the situation with nothing to say or do. Probably look like an idiot in front of them, or worse. If they know who I am. Should I even tell them what my name is? That was another big problem. Soul Serenity was certainly off the table, but… Soul. There could be a chance that one of them may be able to know who she was just based off that alone. I don’t think Soul is a common name around here. Especially… to a princess. Oh man.

“I’m sorry. I can’t help it.” Soul looked back at this house she had been marveling at. The chance to see this house alone was a true treat for her. To see what it was that Rainbow Dash had made of her life in these years, and to see everything that had been presented to her today. Really, how often would a pony like Soul be able to experience such things in her life? When she had recently gone through moments thinking stuff like this would never come to pass. This land was so beautiful. So very different from what she remembered. Like everything changed just to make her happy. Left in wonderment. Wanting more of that happiness. All of it able to be lost forever just because of her name.

Rainbow Dash… she has done nothing to get rid of me yet, but what about the other ponies? Would they be as nice as those two stallions earlier? Those ponies didn’t know my name. These others, they will know my name. I have to tell them and can’t even get Blight to help me. Then that… I need to stop worrying so much. Right when she looked back over to her dark coated friend. Stopping everything when she saw that her Blight was moving.

Her legs were moving, while staying in place. Blight was shaking. Staring off into the dark sky above them with her burning yellow eyes. I know what that is. She’s afraid…

It’s okay, Blight.

I won’t ask again. If it made Blight scared, then I need to stop. I will do it myself, so I don’t need to hurt others.

2.43
“I’m sorry, Blight. I am being a bit childish.” “You know…” Soulblight interrupted her. She turned around. Leaving the pools of rainbow water so she may come back to where Soul sat on the steps. “It’s not going to be that bad. It hurts me to see you worried.” Blight came up the steps. Wasting no time to rejoin her best friend atop the stairs, and she planted herself down. Giving off a nice sigh when she sat.

Just having Soulblight sitting as close as she was, after so long not being able to spend any time with her today, it felt so relaxing right now. Soul just felt so calm. So she may listen. She wanted to listen to whatever it was Blight had to say. Anything to make it all sound not so bad, just like Blight claimed.

Soulblight leaned forward, glancing off to Soul. “You were worried that things would be terrible on the first day you got home. Well…” she pointed a hoof off to the Moon. “Day is done and nothing has happened. You actually get to sleep in the same house as Dashie tonight.” Yeah, I hope I’m not imposing on her. But it is something. I… actually got what I wanted. I get to see how Dash lives nowadays. Maybe even live alongside her for just a day. At least. Soul fidgeted her hooves thinking about that.

“Also, are you actually telling me that you are not the least bit excited about meeting these new ponies? I thought that Fluttershy one sounded like a good match for you.” “Well, we both like animals. So there’s that” Soul admitted. Up until the point when that Fluttershy would learn Soul’s full name, then it’d all go downhill from there. …Unless we just keep this going. Always hide my name. Perhaps those ponies would not recognize her based squarely off her first name. Yeah, keep it up until we can work this all out.

“Exactly, see” Blight said happily. Clearly more chipper than Soul wished herself to be. A little jealous at how her friend could still keep up this attitude right now. “You’ll have new friends in no time. …And they’ll be right there with you no matter what. Just like me.” Soul looked over to Blight. Locking eyes with her best friend. Soulblight had no idea just how comforting that was for her to say that. At least Soul could crack a smile now at that. A real smile.

“Thank you.” “Aww” Blight flicked her tail up with a rise of her shoulders. “Feeling better now?” Soul wanted to tell her to shut up but held her tongue. Really feeling more than a little tease from her friend. No, Blight was looking out for her just like back in the tundra. Because there was care in her tease. As much as the consideration she had when cheering her up a little. Really, this pony is so good at cheering me up.

Soulblight moved over there. She held her forelegs out, out to Soul. A motion she recognized instantly. “Come here, you.”

2.44
Soul did as she asked. Scooting herself along the step. Right until she and Blight practically touched one another. Even more so when Soul indulged herself in what she really needed. Falling right into Blight’s legs so those legs may curl up around her, pull her right into the chilly embrace Blight provided. No less soft than it had been before. Especially when Soul’s cheek fell against Blight’s chest. Held against her thin stomach. Hiding her well under all the fur of her forelegs and… it felt really nice. Really safe. Soul did the same for her. Not wanting to be selfish. Right when she really adored this pony for wanting to give her a hug in the first place and how it even melted away all her worries for just a moment. A moment she used to bring her own forelegs up around Blight. Pulling her best friend closer to her as well.

“It’s all going to be okay.”

Blight placed her head down atop Soul’s head. Oh Blight, you’re such a nice pony. Caring and giving. So much so, Soul felt she may fall asleep right here in Blight’s grasp. I hope everything will be okay. I miss calmer days. Like days where we could all sleep together, you and Dashie… but those days haven’t happened. We haven’t even all hugged. Things aren’t like years ago.

She burrowed herself in a little deeper thinking of that. “Don’t think you have to do this alone, alright” Blight said above her. “I’ll be here for you. I will help you.” I believe her, no reason to think she’s lying. This was just another hard situation for the two of them standing in the way of true happiness. Get through it like the other times they got through together.

Soulblight let go of Soul, sliding one of her hooves along her side, tickling her a little but, she felt it come up. Touch her chin. “Look at me” Blight whispered. That hoof pushing up at her chin. Soul didn’t hesitate. Looking up from her burrow against Blight’s chest and up into the dragon eyes of her best friend. That loomed over her like two Suns adjacent to the beaming Moon dominating the darkness. They blinked. Lighting up her lovely smile. The smile Soul adored. Just like before. Soulblight really does have the best smile. So much to ease her heart.

She let go of Soul’s chin. Next thing Soul knew, a touch to her back. Then another. Pushing her forward slightly with each press as Blight was doing what she knew as patting her on the back. A light thud with each hit. “Everything will work out. We got this, buddy.”

Blight. Soul leaned her head back down. Planting it against her friend’s chest again. Touching the fur with her own fur, feeling it all locking together and the soft touch of that hoof on her back. Soul was able to fall right back into that hug, …and then she fell.

2.45
Whoa! Soul caught herself just in time. A real surprise. Because, all of it was gone.

She blinked again and again but the darkness was gone from her sight. Nothing touching her anymore. No more lovely words gracing her ears except…

“I’m done.”

Soul held her breath. Now that she could hear the sound of a door creaking open behind her. Mixing in with the voice. Finding none other than Rainbow Dash poking her head out from the door until she flung it wide open. The cyan Pegasus standing proud above her, square in the middle of her doorway.

Soul lifted herself back up. Finding she really did almost fall flat on her face. As quick as Blight had disappeared. “You falling asleep down there?” Dash asked. Huh? Oh man, could’ve warned me, Blight. Well… fine… let’s say I was falling asleep. As long as Dash doesn’t think anything is up.

Soul stood up again on all fours. Leaving that moment behind. “Yeah” Soul said. “Just a little.” Not precisely a lie considering she still felt so comfortable from the hug she had been receiving. Really wishing it had lasted longer. “Well, come on up” Dash stepped aside. Fully revealing the doorway to her. “I got the place ready for you.”

One difference was the lights were on inside. From the steps, Soul saw that there were chandeliers lighting up what looked to be a cloud engraved ceiling inside of there, high above where Dash stood, waiting patiently for her.

Won’t keep her waiting. Dash wants me to see. Time to see it.

Soul came up the steps. Hesitating when she looked inside. Just enough to peek her head in and see just how magnificent it all looked even from out here. As if the sky itself was ahead waiting for her to walk on it, and she did. Taking the first step into her old friend’s house. Right down on the sky blue floor.

2.46
Rainbow closed the door behind her. “Welcome home” she startled Soul with a light smack to the back of her neck as she trotted past. Taking the lead down the hallway. “What do ya think?” she asked back. That could not get any just answer. This, this hallway alone, it was something Soul felt must have fit for Dash’s house but… it still left her in awe. Did Dash paint all this herself? It looked like somepony had perfectly painted the likeness of the sky across the walls of this hall. She could pick out little marks of clouds and bigger ones taking up whole sections amidst an ever-flowing current that whished about the entire lengths of the walls. Curling in dark blue lines like patterns. Patterns she called out as wind blowing across the sky.

A pale blue sky and countless clouds reaching up and over the ceiling. All this went all the way down the hall. Down to where Dash was waiting for her. She waved Soul to follow. But Soul, she couldn’t move. Staring all over.

This place… “It’s…” Soul looked all around the fantastic scenery that she felt so at home in. Blending it in well with what the world outside would look like right now if the Sun were out. It’s like all the lights in here were like little suns. A work of art really. Like something I could fly through. I feel… so at home. “Beautiful.” A horrible understatement that left her a little ashamed she could not think of something better to befit this.

Rainbow Dash giggled up ahead. “Thank you. Come on.” The cyan Pegasus excitedly ran off into whatever room lay ahead. A show that made Soul actually laugh a little herself. Looked like Dash likes showing her house off. So like her. That pony always did like showing off to me. Especially her home. Or anything of hers in general. Except for… I wonder… does she have any baby pictures around? Maybe a couple, I will totally find them if she does. Oh that would be so funny.

2.47
Soul continued to pass by the absolutely perfect scene all around her, giving it more and more praise in her head. Really able to pick out every minute detail Dash put into making this entrance to her house a real pleasure to a Pegasus such as herself. It all was so inviting, even how chilly it was in here. Not at all like outside, it felt just right. Like the perfect environment to fall under some warm blankets in… or to fly in. It all led down to a wide-open room as blue as the hall had been. Rainbow really being sure to make her whole house fell like flying through the clouds.

“Are you hungry?” Dash asked, barging herself right in front of Soul. Her… her forelegs were shaking a little. Soul caught that move before Dash stamped them down onto the floor. Is she nervous? Oh Dash, you don’t need to worry. I’d never judge your house. Hehe, it’s just like when we were kids. I could tell you went all out the first time you had me over as a kid. She did a good job in being a host back then, still is. Soul had to give her that. Kind of flattered she was doing much to make this ‘sleepover’ a welcoming one for Soul.

Soul shook her head. Telling Dash the honest truth as she glanced over to the other side of the room the two stood in. “I’m good. Thank you for asking.” Fascinated by what she saw on the other side of the room, like it was gleaming over there. Immediately catching her eye.

“Okay” Dash said. “Well, the kitchen is over here.” She pointed off to what Soul made out as the refrigerator amongst cabinets and even a huge stove top all along one hell of a finish in glistening blue that made the countertop. All of it right behind some other countertop with some stools around it. “Help yourself if you get hungry” Dash offered. “…I got apples.” Apples sound nice. But, I won’t pig out on her food right now. She is already giving me a place to sleep. More than enough, more than what Soul could ask for. More than what she really should get out of this, but that was Dash. She always was trying to impress.

2.48
Dash was no less drained of energy. She went on ahead. Happily trotting off into the middle of this big room. “Come on, let me show you the living room.”

Wait, this huge space is the living room? Soul had to see it now. Pushing herself on into this vast space, this big circle of a room, looking like it could fit an entire party of ponies in here. So much space to do that. Soul could easily just walk on in, lost in the welcoming embrace of this cozy room with its sofas around a lone table. One such sofa was where Rainbow Dash climbed on top of. Pulling herself right up and she lay down upon the bright red cushions so comfortable that she even bounced up once she lay on them. Reclining all over it and stretching her long legs. As if she wanted to just go to bed on it. Much too excited for that. “So this where I crash after a long day.”

Wow, it really is so impressive. Dash has all this space to herself. She has a house like this. It must really be a treat to come home every day to such an inviting and lovely house. One with so much to offer. Soul bet that Dash really could hold parties in here if she wanted and those sofas looked really nice to lay on. Much as why Dash was practically cozying up on it now. There was even some sort of… is that a guitar?

It was one. Just left out against the wall with so many speakers around it. All connected to the butt of the guitar which bore all the same colors as Rainbow’s tail.

Does Rainbow even know how to use that? That… I want to actually hear her play sometime. Soul would happily sit down and listen. “This place is so…” Soul turned around to find herself face to face with the very thing that did catch her eye. Propped up in front of her, she almost smacked her nose against it. Good thing she didn’t.

She looked up at how impressive this thing was. How important it must be. Held up on top of some sort of stand, set atop it exactly… like a crown.

2.49
It was a crown. Right on top of a pillar shaped like a pony’s head. Placed right between its ears as a magnificent adornment such as it was. For it to glimmer in her eyes. It captivated her. Called to her to stare at it for it was beyond any treasure she had seen before. It shone of pure gold light, reflecting the light of the chandeliers off of it. Like it lit up the entire room itself. Banded in a golden circlet all around the pony’s head and given life by… by the wings it wore. Wings as gold as the band itself that they were attached to. The very wings for this fake pony so it too may fly. Outstretched, ready to take off and join with the open sky that was Rainbow Dash’s house. Wings she… she wanted to touch. Wanting to bring her hooves out and stroke that glowing gold finish, put it on her own head.

How would I look… wearing something this cool?

No, don’t touch it. She steadied her hooves. For this to be held out like this adorned on a mannequin for anypony to see, it must be important to Dash. Like a prized possession or something she maybe made. The jewel of her house.

What even is it?

Soul looked along it, trying to find something to it. Just given more and more sight of its everlasting beauty. The brilliant design of its wings. They looked almost as real as her own wings. She looked back around the front of it. Interested it had nothing more to it.

“What is this…” her eyes picked out something. That was easy to miss. With these wings being so beautiful, she should not have let them take her attention enough to miss it. …There was an engraving. Words written down into the mannequin itself. Right under the crown, emboldened in shiny grey wordings stretching across the chest of the pony.

First Place.

Going down to the next line under that.

Best Young Flyer…

2.50
Soul shuddered. As if her entire gut kicked itself up into her abdomen. Because that last line. The words it spoke…

Rainbow Dash… she did it.

“…Competition” she whispered the last word on that engraving.

Wow, so this was the prize she got for winning it. It really does fit her. No doubt, I bet Dashie likes to wear it and feel just how great she is to have won it. Just how beautiful it was and how well it portrayed the talent she had for flying, a talent great enough to be able to participate and win that competition, she deserved to show it off. An example of what she went through. The challenge she persisted through. All for her chance to prove herself to all the other pegasi of the hard work and determination that she had.

At least… she got that chance. So I shouldn’t cry over it.

I need to be proud of her for winning it. At least, Dash was able to do it for both of us. What we both wanted. Did Dash think about me whenever she performed for other ponies and wowed them all? Did she remember our goal? For us to both do that together… as Wonderbolts. She carried out the dream, and I missed it.

She did it. She got into the competition and blew them all away without even a challenge. A challenge I wanted to give to Dash.

Soul wiped a tear from her cheek. Stop crying and be happy for her. Just as I would have been if I had been there to see her win. She certainly would have beaten me so… so there is no reason to cry over not being able to participate. No matter how much I wanted to do it. All the other ponies would just yell at me anyways. Ignore me. Just as they always proved to do.

I have to stop looking at it. Every moment of seeing this, these words and this showing of all she failed to do, it was too much. For how could anypony ever bare this terrible burden? No other pony did. None of them ever will. That was why Dash was so lucky. Because she did everything right in her life.

2.51
Looking away… it did not help. I can’t believe I missed all this. Like it all was making fun of her. Just for being around her, to stare at her from every corner.

Perched up across the living room to hang over her. Loom down on her when they were all solely meant to give a little hope to the one who put them up to begin with.

Aim high -Spitfire Keep your dreams close

Each of them had some sort of thing written right on them to match with the actual message behind each and every one of them. Alongside their truth. That Soul had missed out on everything. Everything she wanted to do alongside her dear friend. Did she, did she think about me when she accomplished all of this? Was it painful for her that I was not there to be her wingpony? When she won all these competitions. Carried out what we were supposed to do together, make new friends as well. As well as… all these posters, did she finally become the thing we both wanted to be?

My dream to show what I could become and how much I can achieve no matter what is thrown at me.

Rainbow Dash, with all these posters and examples of her endeavors. The uniforms marked in yellow bolts staring down at her. Did Dash think of me during all her time to join the group we were supposed to join together? Did it hurt? Because it really hurt Soul right now that she had not been there to stand next to Rainbow as they both crossed that threshold to their ultimate goal. Dash accomplished it all, and Soul… Soul had to lose out on all of it. But this was all just more of her punishment. So much of her life being a punishment all because of the mean things she did to everypony.

I’m so lucky Blight stuck with me. How lucky she was for this… for a cyan hoof to slowly wrap around her neck. Gently warming her up, finding Rainbow Dash standing next to her now and the care in her eyes.

Soul felt herself being pulled away from this all. Pulled off to Dash. I hope I’m not crying. I should just show how appreciative I am of her. Since it was Rainbow Dash who was the one showing her even a semblance of kindness that she didn’t deserve. Giving her a place to sleep and welcoming her to this world once again, and she was the pony who had the least reason to do just that. She truly was a kind and gifted pony, one worthy of all the great things she got in life. A kindness she shared by pulling Soul away from this all.

Soul followed on where Dash tugged her. Leaving these things behind.

“Come on, let’s go upstairs” Dash whispered. Soul nodded. Perfectly alright with putting this stuff behind her. Until… until she was sure she’d be reminded over and over of how much she never wanted any of this to happen.

How hard it will all be?

2.52
It was very strange Dash wasn’t saying anything. Not one word came out her mouth the whole time they went up the stairs and she had been so energetic ever since they came in together. Such a shame. Is it because of how I acted down there? That really was it because, right when Soul had looked back, she got nothing but a cold stare away from her. That should be no excuse to make Dash upset. It wasn’t a big deal, not at all, so Dash may go back to being her happy self. Show me around the rest of the house.

Coming up the stairs and onto the landing above leading down to the next hallway, one that was actually dark. Just one little light could be seen shining out from a door on the far end, and there were two other doors. One closed. Maybe it was a closet.

Dash said nothing even as they came up here. Come on, Dashie. Don’t be down. I can handle this. Exactly like I handled everything so far. This… this is nothing. So how about we stop this silence.

“Is the bathroom up here?” Soul asked. Doing her best to break that silence with a question about the house that Dash would certainly be more than happy to answer. “Yeah.” Rainbow led on ahead of her, flashing the bright colors of her swaying tail in the darkness of the hallway. At least she took the lead now, and her voice was just as it sounded downstairs. So, perhaps she felt better. Pointing a hoof over to the open door on the left ahead of them, just after the closed door that Soul curiously paused at. “And this room?” Rainbow stopped in her tracks. Seeing what it was that Soul was asking about and, a long pause. Long before she spoke out her parted lips.

“That’s… my room.”

“Oh.” Soul looked back to the door. Wondering why it may be that it was closed ad Dash was doing nothing to try and give her a tour of it. She probably has something in there she doesn’t want me to see. Well, if she doesn’t want me in there, that’s fine. Still though, it was a wonder as to why she kept it closed off to her. If she developed any habits or something. Soul could only remember her room as a filly, how cool and open it was back at the house of Rainbow’s parents. Except she did have stuff everywhere. Really the one flaw in it.

“I got your room all ready up here” Dash said from up ahead.

2.53
Soul went after where Dash had been standing and waiting for her this whole time. Leaving her behind in her moment of wonder. But now, she got to see one of Dash’s bedrooms. Right where the open door was that flooded light into the hall. Where Rainbow Dash held a hoof out to invite her in.

“The guest bedroom is yours. Make yourself at home.”

Soul turned the corner. Wandering right in to see what it was Dash had in store for her and it was… quite a sight. A room of fluffy white clouds that seemed to even be moving were she so inclined to believe. Paintings of clouds all along the walls and just a wonderful scene of the open sky. Pictures of flowers and a valley side. So beautiful. And… it’s so soft. The floor itself was literally clouds. Tickling at the bottoms of her hooves, centering that all around the… Soul’s eyes widened.

The huge bed that sat up against the far wall.

Why… it looked wider than three of Soul. Maybe even big enough to fit three ponies. Looming proudly over all the other furniture of the room. A chair in the corner next to nightstand that adorned a lovely lightning encrusted lamp bringing light to all of this. A dresser with a mirror atop it so tall, that it connected to the ceiling itself. Even a ceiling fan up there.

It… it all looked so simple. Soul could not have asked for a better room for her to sleep in. Like a true bedroom unlike what she had to sleep in for years now. The floor didn’t creak at all as she stepped in. Dash even closed all the windows for me. Keep out all that chilly wind outside. None of it to ruin how precious this room felt. Like it’s all made for me. Welcoming her, and Soul almost giggled knowing she was actually allowed in here. To indulge in this. Wandering about to get a good look at it all. Rainbow Dash followed in after.

“I gave you a couple extra blankets if you get cold. Umm… I hope I made it good enough for you.” Good enough? I could never ask for anything better than this. When she saw just how cozy the bed looked from down here with its thick mattress wrapped in white sheets buried under two entire blankets and a third one folded up at the foot. Big, thick blankets and one them colored in a rainbow. It may as well be as good a blanket as what Blight could make. Soul completely amazed by it, looking over this bed she was being given for tonight. Not helping herself in touching it. Stroking a hoof along the soft blankets. Leading up to two huge pillows ready for her to fall into.

2.54
Rainbow Dash yawned in the back, breaking Soul out of her infatuation with this gift. “Sorry…” Dash muttered, smacking her lips.

“That’s okay, it is bedtime anyways” Soul assured her. Rainbow must have had a long day before all of this. The Pegasus earned some rest, especially with this gift she gave. Dash took one step forward, ceasing it. She slid it over the cloud floor sending up puffs of white to disappear into the air after a mere second of flight. “Umm… is there anything you need?” Dash asked. Giving her a little smile.

Soul shook her head. Slipping her hoof down and under the first blanket. Feeling just how warm it was under there. No, I can’t ask for anything more than this. Nothing else she could ask for. Nothing that would be right. For all this, this stuff. A kindness she expected nopony to give her, Soul could ask for no more from her. It would just be best to let her old friend sleep now. Get rid of all her troubles and enjoy a peaceful and relaxing dream with nothing to worry her. Sleep well because I think we have a long day tomorrow.

“Well then I…” Dash flipped her tail back and forth behind her. But… she turned away. So strange. It almost sounded like… she had something to say. But nothing more was said. That rainbow tail turned to her, with but one little glance given to her from behind a shoulder.

“Sweet dreams, …Soul.” Yeah, I guess it is goodnight now. Even so, it hurt. Just a little. Deep in her chest, a pain. Only growing worse with every step Dash made. Building up… Soul felt like she wanted to cough now. It never came. Not even to ruin what it was she said. Kicking herself a little with a hind leg that it was the only thing she said.

“Sweet dreams.”

Dash left her, one final glimpse of that pony behind a door that slowly shut. Soul just able to catch one last look of those magenta eyes, as they turned to her and blinked. Right before they disappeared behind a small click and silence.

Dash was gone. Out on the other side of that door, leaving Soul with this… she looked around the room once more. This prize, a most beloved place given to her for tonight by that pony. I should have thanked her. I should have… Too late now.

2.55
I hope she does sleep well. Please, Dash, do not worry about me tonight. I just want Dash to go back to doing her normal routine, even with me here. Don’t mind me. I shouldn’t intrude. Not until everything was back to normal. If normal may ever come.

Was this even normal? Having to sleep, practically live in the same house as Rainbow Dash. What was normal? Who cares? If Dash went out of her way to give Soul a little semblance of what her normal life was, then she needed to accept it. This bed was a great thing, at least, to come back to.

She looked over at it. “I get to sleep in this tonight.” She made her way past that bed, over to where the lamp burned bright. Just a simple little light. Not a fire to keep her warm and give her a way to see. This was how she remembered it, and it had a little button right on its backside. One tap and it was completely dark.

Soul sighed. Staring off to where she could still see the outline of that lamp in the dark and turning back to where the bed was. So… this is what I missed out on. The last time this happened, …what were those times like? Her laying in bed right as another pony turned off the lights and wished her goodnight. Or for darkness to fall upon her right when the one next to her brought them to such a peaceful night. One they shared in together. When… I held Dashie… in a room just like this. Things really have changed. Now alone in here, having to turn the lights off herself. Wander aimlessly right now until she smacked into the side of the bed.

So much, so different and all just because of the more and more mistakes she made. She really regretted it now, but she had to deal with it. Regret the words she failed to ask.

Soul climbed up to the top of the bed. Letting her wings fall down against the soft blankets. Dragged alongside her. Letting them share in the softness of this. Clambering along and kicking the blanket over right where a nice and wide spot was left for her. “Oh… wow…” Soul moaned once her back fell in against the incredible thing she got to lay against. This mattress may as well be clouds. Maybe better. Clouds were never this warm. Warmed well by the blankets that covered it, this mattress blew away what she was used to. Sending a tingle down her spine. So much so that her legs twitched a little. Her wings fluttered in appreciation, beating against the mattress.

2.56
Soul fell over onto her side. Planting her head against the cushiony pillow; soft and delicate. Caressing her very ear and head. It was cool. Such a perfect combination. This bed was probably the best part of this house. Rainbow Dash got to enjoy stuff like this all the time, now I get to as well. Amazing. I love it a lot. Wrapping herself up in the two blankets. Pulling her into a whole new world of comfort. She sighed happily. Able to give one bit of how very appreciative she was for this. Never expecting the day to end like this.

“What a day.” Though she never could have expected any of what happened. This place is so different from what my life has been lately. More different than even Cloudsdale. All foreign, unfamiliar. Scary. It would get even more scary tomorrow. Because that day was closing in now. In… who knows how many hours, she… she would meet the other ponies. That sent another chill down her spine. One the blankets failed to dampen.

I don’t know how I should do it. See what happens? That’s all that can be done. A truly frightening idea with but one thing left to keep her having a little bit of hope for what may happen. “You still gonna be with me tomorrow?” Soul lurched backwards. A surprise, like… making her jump for the feeling of how she was falling. Falling into something. Until she felt the chill… and the soft touch against her. Softer than the blankets that warmed her. More gentle than any pillow. It was a feeling she knew well.

It… that feeling alone made her silent. Accepting what was happening as somepony breathed into the back of her head. Snaking their legs over her body and pulling her closer against their stomach. “I already am” Blight said back there. Hugging her tighter under the blanket they both shared. A bed they both got to share once again.

2.57
Soul rubbed her cheek against the pillow. “Thank you, Blight.” I think I can fall asleep now. Not have to worry much. Just… let the night pass. Held in a feeling better than any blanket or bed. Her cool touch, still a gift beyond anything she could be given. Able to keep a hold on this precious friendship they shared, always there even in this new world. Under a new roof. Such a shame though. This was two times now. Blight needs to let me hold her more often. But… whatever kept her happy. It’s fine with me.

But one day I will ask, like I didn’t do tonight… with Dashie.

Soul closed her eyes. Keeping them closed away from the sight of this new world and just remembering the times when she slept like this with another pony, better times without worry. Maybe, for just tonight she could stop worrying. Soulblight’s hug made it a little easier. Opening her eyes once more to the sight of sleepy yellow eyes greeting her in the mirror over there, with another pair of yellow eyes behind her. Blinking softly. Glancing down at her in the darkness. As if she grew two pairs of eyes now. She still saw the difference. One of them were so kind. That was why she felt safe falling asleep. Closing her eyes to it again. Just how comfortable she felt… she sighed.

No worries for right now. Just for now, one brief moment.

“Goodnight, Blight.” One hoof stroked along her side. Up and down. It tickled, it… made her smile. A gentle touch. As gentle as the voice behind her. “Sleep well, my little pony.”

2.58
“I know, Soul” Blight whispered. “This is all so very hard for you.”

Can she hear me? Sleeping right there, becoming one with the dark that took the room over. Not one of her furs moved. Not the slightest difference under the blankets they shared. So hard to tell. I’m not sure what I want from her. Talking to her for so long now. If I want her to hear me or not, hear me in whatever dream she may have. Make her feel a little better. For as hard as that was. Because, no matter how it turned out, it seemed nothing was easy.

Maybe we should have waited a little longer to come back. When… you should have had more time to prepare for all this. The result, having to listen to how Soul suffered all day long. Watch as everything she secretly hoped to happen did not in the end. All the opposite except for one. Soul at least managed to sleep in the same house as Dash again. Sharing that treat with Blight as well.

These blankets are so soft, just like Soul’s back against my belly. Her mane against my face. Was it always so fitting for bad things to feel so good? Was Soul comfortable too? She really could have been.

I… wish I could be the one… Blight stroked her hoof softly against Soul’s side, bringing it up out of the blankets and… she placed it gently against the sleeping pony’s cheek. Feeling up there what it was she knew she could not prevent. Touching against her own fur now. Soul…

She could have done it. She had the chance, she wanted to, but Soul did not take it. Take the chance to make this ending to this day truly different. They may as well be back in the snow. Sleeping together on that old bed.

I know you wanted to ask her? Blight rubbed her hoof along Soul’s cheek. Hoping for the pony to be able to at least feel her care while she slept. “Why did you not do it?” If she had, this… this would not happen. Things would be so happy. I am so sure of it. A real change to make things so much better for you.

I’m her best friend, but I can’t do it. No. Just let it happen, stop feeling that way. Then… she would be the one sleeping with you, instead of me.

2.59
It’s so hard for you… to see and know everything wrong. Wrong with this world that you have to deal with. The world that was taken from you. Even if you got one thing back. You got Rainbow Dash back… if only it had been as easy as that. Instead, Dash was out there with her perfect life shrouding this stupid game these two pegasi were playing with one another. When it should have ended earlier.

But it could not end. It had not ended in twelve years. Why now? Why when it was made so easy to destroy any chance they had together long ago. All of it. So I guess I get to watch what happens now.

“I hate being useless.”

There really is nothing I can do for you.

Soul sniffled up there. Blight widened her eyes. Feeling her hoof go over that clammy thing running along Soul’s cheek. “What can I do?” Nothing. Proof by how Soul was acting now. Why she was acting like that. Until today, she got to see it right in front of her. Worse than anything she could have imagined. Built to end like this. It was miserable to watch. Watch as she could do nothing to solve it. None of her words worked. None of her actions. All because I’m just me and not her.

I hate seeing you afraid. And Rainbow Dash… she makes it no easier. Amazing. These two. They were astonishing. Neither of them did anything to solve it. But there was no way to blame them. No. As she listened to Soul crying right in front of her, she knew who to blame. She was looking at her. Across the room, atop where Soul lay still in her bed. In another bed. Two of the same ponies to exist in this room. Glancing at the one who trembled, and up… above that pony to those split eyes. Needle thin eyes glaring back at her in the red that rushed the room.

It’s okay to feel this way. At least it gave her something. Some feeling when faced with all this. Making her let go of Soul’s cheek, she held Soul tighter. “Because… I have reason to make things work for you…” she whispered into Soul’s ear. Only when… I feel like this. Because of one true fact over this feeling. It is inside of me. Like her whole stomach quaked within. Exactly like the red that stared back at her.

I’m sick of seeing you afraid. I hate it. …All because of me. The day can’t come sooner when you never have to feel this way again. The day you are no longer held back. Held back by what she felt inside of Soul, that she was truly and undeniably hurt. And I get to hold her, I get to hold the pony I hurt. I have to be the one to make her feel better when I cannot and never should.

2.60
Blight held herself. Held it all back. Seeing and hearing the world before her flash in an instant. Like it all disappeared… but was one with itself again. Turning before her eyes into a burst of gleaming red light shining off so many bits. She blinked. Again and again. Still seeing that shine. As it reflected off from where she had watched. All around, leaving but the sound of crackling and pain in her ears. Shattering apart exactly like… like the vase that crackled.

It took her too long to notice that. Too long, as the world spun around her for but a moment. Just a bit, like her innards did. That rush inside her. She had to look down. Down to see that Soul was still sleeping. Still crying. Not even noticing how Blight disturbed the bed with the pitiful feeling going all over her, making her shake.

Blight watched her leg tremble along Soul’s shoulder. Felt her wing beat against the blanket. Against the mattress she lay on. As the entire bed shook alongside her. Nothing. Soul really is a heavy sleeper. Thank goodness.

Blight sighed. Looking back to what she did. Now, nopony needed to know what she did. Looking over there at her work. The destroyed vase sat atop the dresser, all its shattered pieces flaking down from there. Shattering once they landed. Bursting their pieces back up to the pile that they came from. Rising with the mayhem she caused. I need to calm down. Acting out like this, not good while Soul slept. I already know what I did, I can’t take it out on anything. Especially Dash’s furniture.

Like the mirror with the long cut that split her eyes apart in it. Running up the entire height of that mirror. From where the vase sat in its pile. Like the whole mirror may just fall to two. Shatter on the floor. I’m so lucky I didn’t cut the dresser in two. Might have woke Soul up.

She took a moment to breath. Listening to the silence. Total silence, even the crickets outside had stopped. There to watch her red eyes watch back at her. Guess I get to fix that up. The only use I have for the rest of the night. But just… let me lay here for a bit and listen to you breathe. Calm me down.

She buried her nose back into Soul’s mane. Because there was a genuine hint of some peace in her sleep right now amidst the tears. Not from Soul, no. Blight hated to admit it. She was the one who felt peace and that truly disgusted her. “You’re so selfish and filthy” she spoke. That pony over there in the mirror. Maybe there was a chance the hug she was giving to Soul gave some comfort. But for who? Who gets that comfort? Who gets to feel happy? You shouldn’t.

The pony blinked back to her with those slits in its eyes. Flashing in yellow once more. For you to feel calm, ...but Soul can’t. Soul, tomorrow won’t be bad. I will make sure of it. No day will be bad for you. It will all work. Just don’t be afraid. Stay calm and I will be with you through it all, exactly like I said I would.

She stared away from those eyes. Calmed by the flash of light that did light the room for but one moment. How it roared outside. She blinked. The curtain followed. Moving as one with her, with the stroke of her hoof along Soul’s fur. The droning roar of thunder.

Blight grinned. Even she felt the breeze come over her. It must be soothing for Soul as well because it sure did feel good for her. Like she was being touched.

“You got this in the bag, Soul. We both do… I will do everything in my power to.” Lightning flashed once more, just for her. Like it did do it all for her, just to see the silver and violet glow of her best friend’s mane to her face. I just hope you will want to hold me just like this. Give a selfish mare like me her reward. Please. So I can… she stopped herself right there, right when a tear let loose from her.

Crying over this? No. No more.

Blight closed her eyes. She already did enough for me and, tomorrow, Soul will get so much more. She can count on it.

2.61
Rainbow Dash finally got her chance to just take a breather. It sure took long enough to put all the clothes away, surely Soul would have been waiting a long time if she did this earlier. Surprising that took as much out of her as it did, she could feel her eyes were so heavy right now. Even as she bit into the sweet taste of the cold apple she held up to her gripped in the feathers of her wing. Planting her head down on her pillow.

Finally, some rest.

She gave a long exhale. Taking another bite out of the apple. Man, Soul should have at least had one of these. They tasted good and would have been a respite from all the crap that happened today. Or tonight, to be specific.

What a disaster. This entire night turned out nothing like I hoped for. Now, here she was, all alone eating her apple. Impossible to get the sight of those sad yellow eyes out of her head. Never seen them like that before. All because of me. I should have put all my stuff away. But no, just had to straighten out all my posters. Left everything out for Soul to see.

“I really ruined it for her.” When this was supposed to be a genuine house tour to let Soul know where it was that she would be crashing from now on. Nope, not at all. She groaned. Right before she took another bite. I really wish it had turned out different. Like when we were kids. Soul loved being over at my place. This… this was not at all like that.

Which of the many things made it all turn out wrong? Too many for her to count. May as well have been when she failed to get her a warm meal to come home to or seeing everything she missed out on. When both of them were supposed to do that stuff together. Soul… at the Best Young Flyer Competition. Shit. It’s been so long since I thought about that. Though, many things that happened today were things she never anticipated happening. Especially after the other thing that may have ruined the night… twelve years ago. Then it all turned out like this, in the end.

Soul Serenity is back. Here in my own house. Sleeping in the room next to me. …It should all be different.

2.62
I guess I ruined that. Certainly this is all so much for Soul. So… why should I have expected her to make a move? Though I really wish she did. For Soul to have said something. Then, would I have accepted it? Like I wanted it back then. Perhaps. After all, Soul did like it. It may have even played out the same way too. Laying here alone in her bed, when it could have been more. Just one thing and, possibly, she’d be right there with Soul for the rest of the night. Just like when they were kids. For it to be exactly like back then. For things to go back.

Go back twelve years. Without this pain in her heart. Without this longing.

She placed a hoof against her cheek. Would she have… kissed me again? Right here?

I still feel it. Right there, like it never left. That… feeling. So many nights that I think about it. That night we had together. In the same bed. No. So much had changed. Too much.

Soul… why did she not ask me? Why did I expect her to? When I should have been the one to ask. Dash did want to… right there on the tip of her tongue. What an idiot. So much so that she wanted to hit herself for chickening out. Acting like some sort of foal. I can’t expect Soul to do everything, no, I have to. I have to do more for her. To show her that… not everything has changed. That we could still have something after all these years, and for all the anger to not stand in the way.

“I really should have asked her.” She could still see Soul accepting it. Being that silly filly from back then completely enthralled with the idea of Dash wanting to sleep with her. For all the time that was put between then and now, may that not have made Soul too mad at her. I hope it didn’t. Dash really did want to show her that not much had changed, when too much had. For both of them.

Rainbow shook her head, tossing her apple aside. Just let it fall to the floor. Not even able to concentrate on eating it. Not when she knew that another pony was right next to her, possibly still hurting all because of what Dash did. How she acted. Acting in a way she never wanted to again, and…. she did it again today. Damn it! This whole day really was a disaster. Did any high point happen? I looked and acted like a fool in front of her. I made her sad. Because I never thought of how to do this. Should have just been myself. So… why am I acting like this around her? When I have no right to. Making so many mistakes. …Like in the past. Even forgetting to do what made her finally smack a hoof against her face.

“I even forgot to thank her.”

Soul has been so nice to me since she came back. Acting a little shy, yes, but still… she even waited by me. Waited for me to wake up. Was that not deserving of her thanks? Idiot. This could not have gone any worse.

2.63
Maybe I am the one who changed. Soul never did. I just made it harder for her. Especially after not even making this, her own welcome home, a pleasant experience. No, I just made her sad. I never did that before… before that time. Now, she got to see right now that Soul was so unhappy.

“It hurts to see you like that, buddy” Dash placed a hoof to her chest. I don’t want you to be upset. Now that you’re home. After all this time, we can be together again. But how to make you smile again? How to make you the pony I remember? So you can trust me. For us to be happy again.

Rainbow rolled over onto her side, over to the big and open spot of her bed. Where the second pillow did lie, empty. So strange. When she woke up this morning, just like this, seeing that empty spot in her bed, she never expected any of this to happen. Funny how things worked. To now be expecting Soul Serenity of all ponies to be there to fill that space once again. To make her smile and go back to a time long lost. No longer as kids, but now, now we’re adults.

Were those twelve years horrible for you? Did you have a hard time wherever you were? Too many questions. Dash hated not having answers. To know exactly what happened. What saying those terrible words to Soul ended up doing to her over these years. Anything? All those thick layers of muscle along her spans among wings so large and impressive that Dash still could not get them out of her head. How strong she is. What did she have to go through to get all that? To fly as great as I do. Really a feat she never saw from any other Pegasus pony.

Are those wings still as sensitive as they were when we were kids? Whatever the case, they grew so strong without Dash around. Beyond anything she could imagine. And… Soul herself. Dash brought her hoof up to her cheek, embarrassed by it. Ashamed even. But too hard not to see it. Blushing because of it. …Such strong looking legs and… she’s so slim now, and her face. Soul had grown to become so beautiful. Absolutely amazing. Does… does she think the same of me? Dash wished for Soul to have maybe been a bit impressed at how she turned out too over these years. For Dash to still look like the same pony that she remembered, just more beautiful. Unfortunately, as Dash’s blush rid itself, she could not remember what it looked like for Soul to be happy.

This Soul Serenity, she knew it now, this was not the same one she parted with. How terrible… that I did this to her.

“I’m being pathetic. Damn.” Dash brought herself back up to sit on the edge of her bed. What a total mess.

2.64
The crack of thunder made her ears perk up. Turning her attention to the one window she left open to her room. Out in the dark. Not even able to see it, but she sure did hear it. So strange. She wondered to herself. Like this served as a distraction for her, it was a good one she admitted. Taking her mind off this mayhem to wonder as to why weather pegasi were bringing a storm in tonight.

They really should get some sleep, but… oh well. Some pegasi pushed way too hard for their own good. Maybe a farm needed a late rain shower or something. I don’t know. Sure seems weird at this hour.

She turned to look over at her wall. Past the Wonderbolts posters and beyond to where she knew Soul to be sleeping. Banished all this time, was this Soul’s first taste of Equestrian weather after so long? Maybe… “I should go check on her.” Just to see if she had been woken up by the thunder. …“I could… still ask her.” Maybe. She sighed. It wouldn’t hurt to try. To be nice to her at least and show that she was a little worried and be sure Soul could sleep well in this storm.

More thunder. Yup.

Dash kicked herself off the bed. Giving her wings another good stretch like earlier before she continued on to her door. Just giving the door a light tap to creak it open and reveal the dark hallway beyond, given light by the lamps of her own room. Lighting the way to where she saw Soul’s closed door. Soul was not out and about so she must still be in her room. Looked like the light was off in there too.

Dash made her way down the hallway. Careful to step softly and make no noise. Satisfied with herself in keeping it quiet despite another burst of thunder rumbling around the house. Checking down below the door one last time just to be certain. Yup, the lights were off. Soul probably was still asleep but it still wouldn’t hurt to check in on her. Just to be sure.

2.65
She carefully turned the knob. Just enough to make it move, not enough to make any noise. Thank Celestia. I don’t want to be the pony to wake her up. She opened it up slowly. Just casting a tiny bit of light in from the hall, shining well over the mirror to where she saw from here where Soul was in it. Right under her blankets. She looked over to see. Soul was certainly fast asleep. A dark shadow right under the blankets with small bits of fur here and there.

Lightning flashed in from outside, lighting up the whole room for but a moment. Doing nothing to wake the Pegasus up. Rainbow Dash nodded approvingly. Good. Though… She stepped in. Hesitating just a moment. See if Soul did anything to her walking in. Not a bit of movement. …Motivation enough.

Dash continued, creeping silently over the cloudy floor with eyes fixed on her old friend. Breathing deeply under her blankets. She sounded so peaceful. Like nothing was wrong. No more sadness or pain. Just because of the bed, though. It had to be. It sure did look like she was comfortable. I wish I had asked her.

Rainbow Dash stepped up to where her old friend’s head rest atop the pillow. Shrouded in her shadow, Soul made no move. No yellow eyes to stare back at her in the dark… just like she remembered. A better time. Now, now Dash was stuck like this. Having to just hope this were better. Watching down at this slumbering pony. Unsure. Worried. So much to make her feel so. It all rushed around, swirling like the wind that blew in through the cracks of her windows and sent a small chill down her spine. Geez. She glanced back over her shoulder. Cursing the weather for tonight. This dumb weather. How it probably made Soul feel cold.

Dash stepped up. Finding right where the blanket was over Soul. I’ll make it better for ya, buddy. Grabbing hold of the blanket’s edge in her mouth and pulling it right over Soul’s neck. Shame, nopony tucked her in. Maybe I should I have done that. This whole evening, it was all just a mess. She did nothing to make it better. Not making this a pleasant end to this day, the day of their reunion after twelve grueling years.

2.66
Maybe Soul would have liked something more from me to end it. After all, it was me who did something so horrible the last time we were together. Leaving so many years for it to soak into Soul, it must have hurt. Because it hurt me.

“And you should expect better of me” she whispered. “Soul…” I know you are not able to hear this but… she still should be able to. A bit late, but Soul deserved it one way or another. To show you nothing has changed. I am still the pony you remember. I want you to be the pony I remember too.

“Thank you for today.”

Rainbow Dash leaned down. Finding right where it was in the dark of Soul’s shroud. Remember when you did this? I still do. Hopefully, it will make her happy just like it made me so happy. Somewhere in that slumber, for her to feel it.

Dash felt the feeling of Soul’s soft fur to her lips. Right there in the same spot Soul did for her. She’s so… warm. You’re the only pony I’d do this for. The best way for her to end this reunion. Rainbow kissed Soul’s cheek. Glancing over her old friend’s face as she did. Wondering if, maybe, Soul was watching her. Happy that Dash was doing this. To feel what it was like for Dash to be her greatest friend again. Like I failed to do for so long. I hope you’re not mad at me. I’m not mad… and, I’d never admit this to any other pony but… I wish you could do this for me again. For us to go back. So you don’t…

Dash stared. Watched on in silence. Feeling no more of what she was doing, not able to care when she saw it. Gleaming like lightning itself in the glow of the mirror. Sparkling. So much as it fell right down the very cheek she kissed. That very thing she never wanted to see Soul suffer from. Now, right now, was it because…

Because of me?

Dash let go of her cheek. I thought Soul would like this. She would like… coming home. Coming back to everything. But no. Even in her sleep.

Soul, did I do this to you? I…

“You’re just like…”

Dash shook her head. Seeing one more tear fall in the shine of the light. Falling from Soul’s eyes. No. I… I never wanted this to happen to you too. Damn it.

Rainbow Dash ran off.

Soul, you really should have asked her.

Next Chapter: Part 3 Solace - Act 3 Estimated time remaining: 17 Hours, 40 Minutes