Matthew and Fluttershy eventually found a very well hidden area on the outskirts of the Everfree Forest, far from Ponyville. It took them about half of a day to find, but it was perfect for them. Matthew lowered his suitcase to the ground and sighed. Fluttershy walked up by his side.

“So, is this where we’re going to live now Matthew?”

“I guess so Fluttershy. We can build a fine house to live in, and we’ve got plenty of fresh water, living right next to a river and all. We can get firewood and all that stuff from the forest. Yeah, I think we can make this work,” he responded. He turned to Fluttershy and smiled. She returned the smile.

“As long as I’m with you Matthew, I don’t care.” Matthew’s smile only got bigger when she said that. He kneeled down and hugged her. Soon after, they decided to get to work.

For a while, Matthew and Fluttershy lived in a small, teepee-like structure. It satisfied their needs, but they started to build a real house soon after. It took the two of them about four months to complete the house. It wasn’t anything special. It had a basic kitchen, living room, bedroom, and everything else you find in a normal home. They didn’t need much, though. All they needed was each other, and they were happy. Matthew would hunt and fish for food, while Fluttershy gathered fruits and maintained a garden. Her ability to talk to animals really helped out. Fluttershy managed to gather many animals to help her and Matthew build their home and gather food. They almost felt like a little family, but Matthew didn’t really think too much on it.

Matthew soon grew tired of the clothes he brought with him though. And, cleaning every article of clothing was a bother. Sure, he had the river to use, but it was a needless chore for him. So, he decided to get creative. He decided to make himself a new outfit. Being so heavily influenced by Assassin’s Creed, Matthew, along with Fluttershy’s assistance, made an exact copy of the outfit worn by Ratonhnhaké:ton in the Assassin’s Creed 3 DLC, The Tyranny of King Washington. And this outfit wasn’t a simple copy, it was an exact replica of the outfit.

Matthew got every detail just right, from the bear pelt covering a good portion of his body, to the lower half which he considered a kilt, getting all of the details right. Fluttershy managed to stitch the leggings of the outfit with natural elements, and the kilt/robes section was made by meshing together pieces of Matthew’s old clothes. The only real difference in the outfit was that the hood wasn’t a wolf skin. It was Matthew’s hood from his sweatshirt, however, Fluttershy added an intricate eagle design on the hood.

Matthew didn’t really have to clean the outfit, because there wasn’t much to clean. Most of his upper body was barren of any clothing. He would only have to clean it every so often that it wasn’t a bother. Along with looking really nice, it blended very well with the environment. Should Celestia ever find them, Matthew could easily hide from her. He would just need to cover Fluttershy, and that wouldn’t be too difficult. However, camouflage doesn’t work very well when you are out in the open.

Two months after Fluttershy and Matthew completed their home, they were found by a surprise guest. Matthew was out in what he and Fluttershy considered the front yard, skinning one of his catches of the day. He suddenly heard a noise from a bush. Matthew immediately took notice of this. He was now always armed, and at the notice of the sudden sound, he drew his right Beretta pistol. He aimed it where the sound originated from. Further investigating, Matthew didn’t see anything. Thinking it was nothing, he put away his pistol. His eyes suddenly caught sight of the tip of a rainbow colored tail. Matthew’s eyes widened.

“Oh shit,” he silently said. He braced himself, as Rainbow Dash shot out of the bush right at him. He tried to dodge, but she was too quick. She tackled into him, sending them both tumbling on the ground. Matthew quickly threw her off of himself, and he stood up. They stared each other down, starting to circle one another.

“Rainbow Dash, long time no see. How’ve you been?” Matthew asked in a sarcastic tone.

“Shut the buck up punk! I’m here to bring you and Fluttershy to Celestia! Now, we can do this the easy way, or the extremely painful way! You’re choice,” she responded, her voice filled with rage.

“You think I don’t know that? I know Celestia is after me, but she won’t find me.”

“Really, cause I just found you, and now, you’re gonna pay for what you’ve done.” Rainbow Dash was really serious about all of this, but Matthew was sort of playing it off.

“You think I meant for that to happen Dash? I didn’t want to kill her, she just got in the way and I reacted too quickly to think. I don’t want to be living like this! It’s your cunt of Princess that made all this bullshit happen in the first place!” Matthew was now filling with anger, but Rainbow wasn’t afraid.

“Well, it’s too late to say you’re sorry, and now, you’re going down!” Matthew was ready to fight, but he lowered his fists and relaxed. Rainbow Dash was now officially confused.

“I’m not fighting you Rainbow. I won’t kill anymore innocents. I didn’t just kill Luna, but also about ten guards. Hell, before I even came here, I killed two people, although they were anything but innocent. I just want to be with Fluttershy. Why can’t you see that?”

“All I see is a selfish murderer who just wants to steal my friend!” And with that, Rainbow shot towards Matthew. This time, Matthew was able to duck out of the way. He quickly got back up and faced Rainbow, who was coming right back at him. She managed to fly right into his chest, which sent him back. Matthew started to cough, but he got back up. Rainbow landed, turning around and readying herself to buck Matthew right in the face. As she started to kick, Matthew grabbed her legs, and tossed her aside.

“Rainbow Dash, stop! I don’t want to hurt you!”

“Too bad! If you want to survive, you’re going to have to!” she said, and she shot right back towards Matthew. He grabbed her and pinned her to the ground. She struggled to get free of his grip, but he was too strong.

“Would you just listen to me!? I don’t want any of this, Rainbow. I just want to live with Fluttershy, in peace. Being her friend, I thought you would think about what’s best for her.”

“I know what’s best for her, and you aren’t! I’m taking her back with me, even if I can’t take you with me. She’s better off without you, you worthless piece of trash!” Matthew couldn’t hold back anymore. He back handed Rainbow with all of his might.

“SHUT UP! YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING, YOU EGOTISTICAL LITTLE BITCH! DON’T TELL ME WHAT’S BEST FOR HER!” Matthew shouted right in Rainbow’s face. Rainbow was utterly shocked at Matthew’s change in attitude, but her face showed her anger and seriousness for the situation. But, shortly after, Matthew heard a twig snap behind him. He quickly turned to see Fluttershy. The anger that was moments ago raging inside of Matthew slowly faded as he saw Fluttershy in tears. He looked back to Rainbow, and he let her go. He stood up and backed away.

“Leave… now!” But Rainbow wouldn’t leave. She just stood up and readied herself to fight again.

“Not without Fluttershy!” She looked to Fluttershy, but Fluttershy didn’t look back at her. “Fluttershy, c’mon, let’s go.” Fluttershy only stood by Matthew’s side.

“I’m not going with you, Rainbow. I thought you were my friend, but all I find is you attacking the one I love the most.”

“And yet, you’re cool with him striking me across the face?” Rainbow responded.

“After you fucking attacked me!” Matthew shouted at her. “Did you really think Fluttershy was just going to go with you, Rainbow? She loves me, and I love her. Can’t you see that we need each other? Think, Rainbow.” Matthew’s words held meaning, and Rainbow actually started to think.

‘Could they really mean that much to each other?’ Rainbow started to calm down, but her thoughts just kept rushing. “I… I just don’t believe it. Fluttershy, I’m one of your best friends. We don’t want you to have to live like this, especially with him. Do you know what he did?” Fluttershy looked at her.

“Yes, I do, and I know that what he did was wrong, but he knows that as well.”

“And you think that’s just enough to forgive him for it. He killed Princess Luna! That isn’t something you just forget about and forgive!” Rainbow didn’t want to believe that these two could really be in love. She just kept trying to think of things to say.

“I know Dashie. I know that Matthew isn’t perfect, and I know that he has done many wrong things, but I love him. I don’t care what he has done. I will always love him, and you can’t change that,” she responded before Rainbow could continue. Matthew held Fluttershy close as he knelt down. Rainbow had to accept it. She sighed and lowered her head in defeat.

“Alright, fine. I guess you two really are right for each other. I’m… sorry. I won’t tell anypony about this, but, seriously ‘Shy, if you need anything, just try to contact me. I don’t want to stop being your friend, but if you do, I understand.” Before Rainbow could leave, Fluttershy walked up to her and hugged her. Rainbow was surprised, but she returned the hug.

“Dashie, of course you’re still my friend. You’ve been my best friend since we were little fillies, and I could never forget you.” Rainbow was even starting to cry now, much to her own surprise. They released from their hug, and Rainbow turned to Matthew. She walked up and extended her hoof.

“I’m sorry Matt, for everything. I know Fluttershy can forgive me, but if you can’t, I get it.” Matthew just looked at her for a moment, but soon, a smile formed on his face. He brought Rainbow in for a hug, which she returned after her momentary surprise. Letting go, Matthew spoke.

“Dash, any friend of Fluttershy’s is a friend of mine. If she trusts you, I trust you. I know I might just be making it sound like I forgive you, but I want you to know that I really do forgive you. I know you may not really like me, but I’m sure you can look past it for Fluttershy’s sake.” Matthew smiled at Rainbow, and she returned the smile.

“You got that right buddy. If you make Fluttershy happy, than I’m happy. Friends?” she questioned, extending her hoof for a hoof bump. Matthew laughed and returned the hoof/fist bump.

“Friends.” The three of them all relaxed. Rainbow assured that they could truly trust her, and they did. Rainbow now fully understood how important these two were to each other. She now knew that this was best for Fluttershy. Having accepted that, Rainbow was able to truly relax after six months of worrying over her best friend.

The next hour was spent by the three of them just hanging out. Matthew and Rainbow were now true friends, and they had just brawled only an hour ago. Rainbow was given the tour of the house, which was decided by Fluttershy. Matthew was a little iffy about that, but he was mostly cool with it. After the grand tour, Matthew cooked up the meat he had acquired earlier that day. Rainbow was surprised to find that the meal wasn’t terrible, being in fact one of the best meals she had ever had. After they ate, Rainbow decided to go. She hugged Fluttershy goodbye and gave Matthew another hoof/fist bump. She flew off back to Ponyville. She now had a secret to keep, at least until Matthew and Fluttershy decided it would be alright to tell the rest of Fluttershy’s friends of their location.

That night, Matthew and Fluttershy quickly fell asleep, now knowing that they had won the trust of Rainbow Dash. But, Matthew and Fluttershy were surprised to find that their dreams were now connected. They were able to share dreams. The dream was beautiful. Matthew had arrived to Equestria on the same hill, but instead of rushing to Canterlot, he was greeted but Fluttershy, her friends, and even Princess Celestia. Fluttershy welcomed Matthew to his new home, to which he replied thank you. Matthew and Fluttershy could only wish for the dream to become reality.