Fluttertree
What if Fluttershy really was a tree?
"No." Rainbow Dash said flatly, but definitively.
"Dash, we have to." Twilight Sparkle responded.
"I'm not moving. Ponyville is where my friends are! Plus, I can't leave Fluttertree! I've been tending to her since I was a filly!" Rainbow Dash said, sounding desperate.
"We just don't have a choice anymore!" Yelled Twilight Sparkle. She saw Rainbow Dash wince under the volume of her voice and she mentally reproached herself. "Look, it's only for three weeks. After that, Princess Celestia will be able to come and repair Ponyville." She said, her voice softening.
"What if something happens to her? What if a storm comes through and I'm not here to keep the clouds away? What if…" Rainbow Dash was interrupted by the sound of the door opening.
Pinkie Pie and Applejack stood in the doorway, saddlebags full and eyes expectant. Rainbow Dash looked back, tears just beginning to well up in her eyes.
"Rainbow…" Applejack started to say before Rainbow Dash galloped out the back door, leaving it ajar. Applejack gave Twilight a sympathetic look before Twilight trotted after Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash was lying in the cool, lush grass, sobbing at the base of a small tree which she had wrapped her arms around.
"Fluttertree, I… I need to… we have to…" Rainbow Dash sobbed out before giving up any attempt at communication, save for her weeping.
"R-Rainbow Dash! Calm down! What's wrong? You're not hurt, are you?" Fluttertree asked, sounding very concerned.
"Fluttertree, we have to leave for a while." Twilight Sparkle said, emerging from the back door and trotting lightly towards Rainbow Dash.
"How long will you be gone? Where are you going?" Fluttertree asked, growing more and more anxious.
"We're going to Canterlot. It'll be about three weeks. Princess Celestia is busy repairing Fillydelphia and Manehatten. Last winter really took a toll on everypony." Twilight explained.
"B-b-but I-I can't, Rainbow Dash and I have never been separated more than a day or two! What's going to happen? I can't!" Fluttertree started talking faster as panic set in.
Rainbow Dash drew herself up slowly. Her legs were shaking violently and tears fell from her eyes. Her eyes were still fixed on the ground as she began to speak.
"F-Fluttertree, you're going to be fine. I'm going to be fine too. You have to get through this." Rainbow Dash could feel the lump in her throat. She was speaking as much to herself as she was to Fluttertree.
"I-I'll try, Dash. I'll try." Fluttertree said, her eyes welling up.