Dash loses her rainbow


                                            >The warm evening breeze blew across the open field where you walk, blowing the grass sideways in a manner resembling waves of an ocean on the beach.

                                            >You were making way to see your best friend, she normally comes to this spot to hang out.

                                            >Of course, she had been rather down lately.

                                            >It hurt, too see her so distraught. She cared so deeply of her mane.

                                            >It's color, it's "not so kempt" style she always had it. From performing and training everyday of course.

                                            >Flying through the air on a daily basis at mach speeds would undoubtedly leave one's hair a little unkempt.

                                            >A lightning strike accident while performing a stunt one show with the Wonder Bolts had caused her mane to lose it's rainbow coloration, leaving it a shining streak of silvery-white.

                                            >While you personally may not really care what her mane looks like, she cares deeply. It was in her name for fuck sake.

                                            >"Rainbow" Dash... Still though, you thought it actually looked pretty nice.

                                            >Hot actually. It did surprisingly well to compliment her light blue coat, and even the magenta in her eyes.

                                            >Those however, were just some of many features about her that made you like her so much.

                                            >Her spirit. Her pride.

                                            >While at times her brashness may make her seem smug and can even be annoying, it gave her personality.

                                            >And made it worth being her friend so much more when you got too see the subtle moments of how soft she can really be...

                                            >You eventually make it to the top of a hill overlooking a small pond, where you immediately see her sitting at it's edge.

                                            >Even from here, you could see the sorrow in her expression. And you could swear up and down that you could almost see a tear fall into the lake, sending tiny ripples through the water.

                                            >Quietly, you head down to where she sat and stared into the lake's crystal-like surface, acting like a jumbo-sized mirror.

                                            >Being only a few feet away, you can now hear her quiet and subtle sobbing.

                                            >At this distance you can faintly make out part of her face in the lake's reflection, only from the nose up.

                                            >All that was needed too see the sorrow she was feeling.

                                            >She runs a hoof through her mane, bringing it the front of her face.

                                            >"How? How can I be me without..." She flicks the strand of hair and closes her eyes, letting her head droop down. "Without my color...?"

                                            >"I'm n-not me anymore... I look...l-look..."

                                            "Fine."

                                            >She jumps at the sound of your voice.

                                            "You look fine, Rainbow."

                                            >Apparently you were better at being sneaky then you thought.

                                            >Or, more likely she was just too deep in thought to even notice you approach her.

                                            >"A-Anon!?"

                                            >She quickly wipes her eyes and slumps down to cover her mane with her hooves.

                                            >"D-Don't look at me! I-I-I'm not! I mean, I... I don't..."

                                            "Rainbow Dash you look fine," You give a comforting smile, trying to be as supportive as possible, "your mane shouldn't dicta-"

                                            >"Don't call me that!!"

                                            "Call you what, Rainbow?"

                                            >"That!"

                                            "...Your name?"

                                            >"That can't be my name anymore..."

                                            "Is just 'Dash' okay?"

                                            >She turns away and looks to the ground, keeping her mane covered.

                                            "Well?"

                                            >She turns back to look up to you and replies only with a nod.

                                            "Well alright then. Dash, listen. The color of your mane doesn't dictate who you are. Only you can do that."

                                            >The shocked look on her face tells you that you clearly could have chosen your words better.

                                            >"Are you joking?!" she cries out, "My mane was one of my most signature features! It helped make me who I am! I'm not 'Rainbow' Dash without it!"

                                            >She takes an aggressive stance and continues lashing out.

                                            >"How could you possibly think this is fine Anon?? HOW!?"

                                            >Rainbow Dash falls back to her original position, looking into the lake.

                                            >Well fuck... what else can you say? Now shes sad /and/ pissed.

                                            >Way to go, dick.

                                            >You walk next to her and sit down, resting your elbows on your knees and look into the lake with her.

                                            >"Every time I look at my reflection, I only see the lack of color in my mane. Like a big piece of me is gone and I'll never get it back..."

                                            >She stares deeply once again into her reflection, tears now beginning to well up in her eyes.

                                            >"I just... I don't know how I can be 'Rainbow Dash' without my Rainbow..."

                                            >A single tear rolls down her face and drops into the water below, sending another tiny wave of ripples through its once seemingly solid surface.

                                            >God this hurts.

                                            >Like, really hurts.

                                            >Seeing her in such a state.

                                            >You feel a wrenching feeling in your chest, like each pulse sent it's own ripple of pain through your heart.

                                            >You could admit, this little mare had made a bigger impact on your life then she even knows if seeing her like this hurt this much.

                                            >Great, now your about to start crying as well.

                                            >Taking a deep breath, you try to think of something to say that can make her feel better.

                                            "Hey, Dash?"

                                            >*sniff* "What?"

                                            >You look at her reflection in the lake once again.

                                            "Wanna know what I see?" You say turning to face her.

                                            >Dash takes her eyes off her reflection and wipes away the tears she couldn't hold back, meeting your eyes with hers.

                                            >"W-What?"

                                            "I see..." You reach out and grab her ears, "a pair of ears"

                                            >She gives a quiet yelp as you grab her ears unexpectedly.

                                            >"S-stop it, c'mon..." She says with a light pink hue in her face.

                                            >You move your hands down to her cheeks and get the remaining waterworks from her fur with your thumbs.

                                            "I see two magenta eyes. As well as a little blue nose."

                                            *boop*

                                            >"Anon, c'mon! C-cut it out" she says with a meek giggle and covering her mussel.

                                            "Wanna know what else I see?"

                                            >Her brow raises as her eyes meet yours once again.

                                            "I see a Pegasus, whose ticklish!"

                                            >Without warning you inflict your wrath of tickle upon her mid-section, causing her to begin laughing uncontrollably.

                                            >"AHH! A-Anon! St-Stop it! Don't m-make me, AH!"

                                            >You ignore her plea and continue the assault, making her laugh even louder.

                                            >"C-cut it out! I-I'm gonna g-get you for this!"

                                            >Struggle all you want, the tickle monster knows no mercy...

                                            >"Seriously! S-St-Stop! I'm gonna pee!!"

                                            >You cease and desist, freeing her from your grasp and letting her regain her composure.

                                            >"That...that was low!" She says trying to hide her laugh.

                                            "Remember, I have that kind of power."

                                            >She scoffs at your remark, "Your such a dork Anon..."

                                            >Her expression was no longer sad, or at least not full-on tear jerk mode.

                                            >Maybe now she will listen.

                                            "Like I said earlier, your mane doesn't make you who you are. Only you can make you who you are."

                                            >"Yeah, I know." She says with a sigh.

                                            "And besides, just being honest here, that silvery mane? It looks kinda...good on you, actually."

                                            >She gives an unimpressed look.

                                            "No, really! I mean yeah its not your normal color but, that doesn't mean it still doesn't make you look good."

                                            >A slight blush appears on her face. She of course tries to hide it.

                                            >"Y-you really think so?"

                                            "Sure! I mean, it kinda compliments your coat and your uhh..." You hesitate for a second, trying not to sound too sappy, "It helps your eyes stand out, I mean."

                                            >You rub the back of your neck with your hand, trying to keep your cool.

                                            >Dash looks at her reflection one last time and sighs in contempt, now smiling at her new appearance.

                                            >"You really mean that? About my eyes I mean?" She says no longer hiding her red face.

                                            "Well yeah! Course I do. I mean...yeah."

                                            >She scoots herself over to your side and leans against you, slightly nudging your arm to raise it and get against your chest.

                                            >The subtle moments where she shows how soft she can be...these moments are what made being her friend so damn worth it.

                                            >You raise your arm to bring her in close and embrace her, feeling her warmth against your side.

                                            >May not seem like it at times, but she definitely has a heart of gold.

                                            >A moment goes by and you both remain silent, taking in the view of the setting sun.

                                            >The horizon glows with a beautiful blend of orange, red, and blue, Putting you at ease.

                                            >"Hey, Anon?" Rainbow asks, getting your attention.

                                            "Yeah?"

                                            >"Thank you...for everything."

                                            >She nuzzles the side of your chest and rests her body completely against yours.

                                            >You pick up your hand and gently stroke the top of her head, petting her mane from her forehead to her ear.

                                            >"Mmmm..."

                                            "Anything for you, Rainbow Dash."