>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."