Rainbow stepped out into the calm night air, looking about she noticed the incredible silence that engulfed ponyville. How can everything be so calm around me while my whole world feels as if it is about to be turned upside down? How can everything seem so normal outside while I'm in utter turmoil? The stricken mare turned toward Fluttershy's cottage and looked to the sky, begging for a sign. She knew Twilight was right, if she was sure enough of her love to tell her, she should be able to tell Fluttershy. But still, she wasn't sure she could, there were so many what- ifs. For what felt like the first time, the brave, dare-devil of a pony was terrified.
Rainbow dredged up all the confidence she could, and started on her way, however, after a few steps sleep blurred her vision and every muscle felt drained. Rainbow debated whether she should just go home, but her body quickly chose for her.
"It would be useless to try and tell her now, besides, tomorrow is the fall festival before the running of the leaves, I'll just tell her tomorrow." And with this Dash dragged herself home with what energy she had left. In a dreamlike state, she crossed the threshold of her home and, without any hesitation crossed the room and flopped onto her bed. Her exhaustion won over her consciousness and she was asleep the moment her colorful head hit the pillow. That night her subconscious put her desire on full display, and she had fantastically lucid dreams, as beautiful as they were frustrating. In flashes she saw, yellow flank, pink mane, sea green eyes, and finally the lavender blanket. All these things had more meaning to her than anything else in Equestria, even The Wonderbolts, and her dream to be a part of them, paled in comparison to the love, the passion, the desire that she felt for this quiet pony. All of these things her dreams showed her, and she realized that all of these things were true.
In the morning when the mare awoke she felt many things, she was nervous, scared, and yet she held a sort of solace in knowing that whatever was to come , she was ready for it, and that even if heartbreak was her future, she had finally realized and accepted something she had hidden away for a very ,very long time. Rainbow Dash was in love, truly, sincerely in love with Fluttershy and despite all those pesky what-ifs, it felt amazing.
Rainbow prepared for her day as always trying very hard to stay focused and not let all these new emotions overwhelm her, she felt a fluttering in her stomach, a nervous gnawing in her chest, but she was determined to see that her feelings were known. A compulsive reckless feeling ruled over all else, and it was almost as if she didn't tell her today, then she would never get the chance. This urgency weighed on her, calling her to move forward and do what needed to be done. Her last thought before she left her home was how beautifully the sun shone, as though Celestia herself was rooting for her.
When Rainbow arrived at Sweet Apple Acres it was already bustling with activity, it seemed that every pony in ponyville was preparing for the celebrations, which would all be topped off with the annual Running of the Leaves, one of Rainbow's favorite events. She looked about and quickly saw all her friends, all that is, except a certain timid yellow pegasus. As she approached she quickly came to realize that Fluttershy wasn't just hidden from view, she was not there at all. A panic settled in her chest and she tried her best to remain calm, maybe her favorite little cheerleader was just late. She consoled herself with this thought, but it didn't instill much confidence. Dash approached Applejack,
"Hey Applejack," she said, trying to sound nonchalant "Have you seen Fluttershy today?"
"I'm sorry sugar cube, I haven't but don't y'all go gettin' worried, I'm sure she's jus' busy tendin ta her little critters." The orange earth pony said reassuringly. She had known the brazen pegasus long enough to tell that something was wrong, but the best she could do was try and calm her.
"Yeah, that's probably it, no need to worry over it." Rainbow walked off to see if there were any last minute jobs that she could do, she needed to get her mind off of Fluttershy, badly. Something to do, something to do Rainbow thought looking about her, she saw a few clouds drifting above, they weren't really a threat, but it was a job. Dash shot into the air like lightning, ascending higher and higher towards the azure sky, she went far higher than any bird dared to go, feeling the rush of the wind, for a moment she was totally free. The blue mare hover for a moment and rushed back down towards the clouds, bucking left and right until each was cleared, letting out all of her frustration, banishing all of the negatives that had built over the last day and a half. When she was done she descended feeling refreshed and calmed, however when she landed and realized that Flutter shy still had not showed something like panic settled in she went back and again asked Applejack if she had shown, but still there had been no sign of her.
For another hour and a half Dash paced around nervously trying to console herself nothing's wrong she thought she's just busy but as the main event drew closer and closer, and the hours passed she became more and more nervous.
"Hey Applejack, listen I'm going to go check on Fluttershy, she still hasn't shown, and I think something might be wrong." Rainbow said.
"Alright sugar cube, but try an' get back quick, don't wanna miss the race!"
"Yeah, I'll try. See ya AJ."
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