Lookin' a little glum, Dash.

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I looked up and narrowed my eyes at her. In the dark outside I wasn't very able to recognize her. It was only after a flash of lightning I could make out her face. The griffin stared at me, clicking her beak in frustration, only to have her expression go from bitter to a casual smile.

"Hey Dash, long time no see." she said. Her grin, although she intended for it to be friendly, contoured into something rather devious looking. I tried to speak or even smile, but I couldn't. I merely looked up at her, blinking back a few tears.

She leaned closer to me, that smile still on her face. "Lookin' a little glum, Dash." she said. "What's the matter? Goldfish die?"

Pinkie hopped over to us, smile on her face. "Oh, Hey Gilda! Listen can you be kind of nice to Dashie? She's pretty upset."

Both Gilda and I shot Pinkie a look. I didn't want Gilda to know at all. My look went with worry, and before I could open my mouth to explain, Gilda talked over me.

"Was I talkin' to you, Dweeb?!" she shouted in Pinkie's oblivious face. Pinkie tilted her head, a small smile on her face.

"Oh! Guess not, well, okay then!" she hopped back over to the counter to continue getting the dishes set up. Gilda turned back to me, her expression fell to an apathetic frown.

"So you're upset, eh? Okay Dash. Talk to me." she commanded, walking into Sugarcube corner and looking around. She clacked her beak in frustration. "This place is still lame.." she muttered.

I did not want to deal with her right now. I did not need this. I wanted to go home, go to bed and never face the light of day again. But Gilda blocked my door, and I knew I couldn't really argue with her right now. I looked over to Pinkie.

"If you really wanna know...I got into a fight with Fluttershy." I semi lied. She scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"Man Dash, that's wicked lame. Who cares what she thinks of you? She's a dweeb. 'sides, you got your other stupid dweeb friends here."

Pinkie decided to intervene again. Thanks a lot Pinkie. "Nononono you got it all wrong, Gilda!" she said in a rather expressive voice. "They were dating. Inlove, even! They broke up this morning and Dashie here is taking it a bit hard." she gave me the most sympathetic look. I knew she was trying to help but right now; she wasn't. I groaned and rolled my eyes before giving a reluctant nod.

Gilda opened her beak to say something but instead gave a rather annoyed look, and I knew why. "Oh that's funny..." she said, crouching down to meet me at eye level. "'Cause I remember you tellin' me you weren't into girls." there was a long pause that followed. "Remember when I asked ya-"

"Yes, I do!" I hissed. "Of course I remember and I said no because I really wasn't into girls but obviously that's not true now is it?" I said angrily, narrowing my eyes at her. She merely found this amusing.

"Whoa Dash, I guess that bimbo breaking up with you improved your old vivacious tude..." she walked to my side and pressed herself close against my body, leaning forward to whisper in my ear. "I like that~" she whispered. I felt a shiver run down my wings. Immediately I backed up and looked up at her pitifully, just wanting her to leave.

"Why are you here?" I asked finally, watching her casually stroll into the candy shop, looking around.

"Looking for some grub. Came a long way here and I'm only just visiting. I have a bunch of other places I need to be." she flipped her hair feathers and hopped up onto the bar. I guess this meant they were open because Pinkie hopped over. A chipper smile on her face.

"What'll it be, Gilda??" she asked happily. Gilda tapped her talons on the counter and replied.

"Chocolate shake." she said coldly.

"Comin' riiiiight up!" chirped Pinkie as she hopped over to the blender to make it. I stood in my spot, and began to turn to walk out.

"Well nice seeing you again.." I grumbled without a hint of trying to cover up my utter indifference at her arrival.

She hadn't even looked at me as I turned to go. "Is that how you talk to the Manager of the Wonderbolts?" she asked finally, dabbing her beak with a napkin as she took a sip of her shake. I froze where I was and slowly turned to her.

"What..?" I choked.

She turned to me, a devious grin. "You heard me..."

My jaw gaped open and I was about to ask how, but Pinkie beat me to it. Obviously not as in shock as me.

"Congratulations, Gilda! But how did a Griffin manage to become in charge of the Wonderbolts??" she asked, a derpy smile on her face. Gilda leaned over and grabbed a curl on Pinkie's head.

"And why wouldn't a Griffin be manager??" she accused. Pinkie merely smiled and shrugged.

"I'unno!" she giggled. Gilda rolled her eyes and released the Pinke Pony's mane and turned to me, that devious smile back on her beak.

"I came to Ponyville to offer you a spot now that I have a place higher up." she sneered, hopping off her stool, not even finishing her shake.

I shook my head. "No, Gilda. I can't. I can't leave Ponyville. I have weather pony responsibilities and-"

She ran over to me and stood infront of me. A growl rumbling in the back of her throat. "Don't give me that weather pony bullshit Dash. This redneck hick town isn't even close to good enough for the skills you possess." she loosened up and raised her head, a smile on her face now.

"Besides..with that stupid Fluttercry out of the picture..." I winched when she called her Fluttercry. "...what have you got to lose? It's your dream, Dash. Don't let some Pink maned-heart breaking Bimbo take your dream away."

I stomped my hoof on the ground, demanding she be quiet. "Alright, Alright!! How..how long are you going to be in Ponyville...?" I asked, my gaze trailing up to her eagle face.

"Two days. You've got until then to come find me and tell me your decision." she turned now to leave and walked to the door. She took one last look at me and raised an eyebrow. "And...choose wisely." with that she spread her powerful wings and took one flap, projecting her into the sky. She was gone in the blink of an eye. She was still good. I stood looking down at my hooves when Pinkie walked over to me, putting a hoof on my back.

"Dash..as much as I'd hate to see you go.." I looked at her, my face wincing in pain. I felt more tears coming on. "..I mean..this is what Fluttershy wanted.."

My expression went from sad to mad and I puffed up my chest, trotting over to the door. "You're right. This is what she wanted. She wants me to leave then I will." my confidence shrank as my stature did as well and I hunched forward, slowly walking out of Sugarcube Corner.

"I need to go talk to her again...one last time..." I mumbled. I turned to Pinkie and threw a hug around her. "Thanks Pinkie Pie...." I whispered, squeezing her tighter. She hugged me back and nodded.

"No problem...I'll always be here, Dashie." she smiled. I nodded and began to walk out of the shop and flew up into the sky as well. I had to go talk to Fluttershy again. I wondered if she was home at all. Occasionally I'd have to push myself forward. I was way too afraid to face her now and look upon her face knowing that it wasn't mine right now; or if it'd ever be again. I took a deep inhale and knocked on her door, waiting for an answer.

I promised myself I wouldn't cry, and I'd be strong, and I wouldn't show her how broken inside I was right now. Once she answered the door and I looked upon those cyan eyes and that innocent blink she did I broke that promise to myself almost immediately.