Deep chromatic skies span on forever and ever… No clouds scheduled for the day, and have been long since cleared away. What could be expected from chosen of the wind, Pegasi of precision and position could only do well and nothing less. Transcendently vivid sky could only be shattered upon the horizon, vast in wealth and color that could easily over power anything deemed beautiful. The sage of tree and shrub cling to the mocha ranges of dirt and rock. Along bases of mountains flowed endless pastures filled with tall grasses. It is an awe-inspiring sight only viewable by the favorites of the cloud, the Pegasus of wing and weather. It was only they could appreciate the notion of looking downward from heaven.
Even with all the time spent gazing into this view, a certain Pegasus still allowed the sight to surprise her every time. Rainbow Dash, gliding along top drafts always allowed herself to be amazed with Equestria’s splendor. Even if Dash never let lips loose on the subject someponies could just tell the love she felt for the sky. It –was- blatantly obvious. The vantage, the freedom… The Speed. Simple as simple is, Rainbow Dash was anything but simple. The rush she felt from the wind generated from powerful beats of her wings flushed Dash’s head with pure enjoyment. The one purpose she had been given in life was to do the speed and be the fastest, or die trying. At least that is how she desired to be, but Dash choosing to live in the now and not the when, hardly worries about triviality such as why she exists. The fact that she did indeed exist was proof enough, as it should be.
The day, though still young was fraught with tasks that needed completing, and Rainbow Dash being the go to mare had been asked to double check that the clouds have been altercated from the sky. Dash’s vantage point was high enough to see all of her assigned area. Therefore it took few moments to conclude she was not locating any visual sign of manifesting condensation. Sensing her job was complete and early, Dash took the her position into account and angled into a steep tailspin. Her wings aligned for optimum slicing. The craving to move took hold and she just couldn’t control herself. The corners of her face stretched with anticipation mixed with joy, the smile was indeed massive but she never could catch herself before the grins took her complexion prisoner. Rainbow Dash’s target was the tiny town of Ponyville. Tiny would fit the situation from the distance her eyes currently witness the home of her friends. Ponies are as tiny as dust in the breeze and homes are only marbles, though steadily growing as Dash’s speed split the air around her body. The Sound of friction sang clearly in her ears while the descent grew even more rapid. Textures of shingles and the stones laid in roads slowly became more noticeable when Dash reached critical dissention, it was time to pull up or burn. Choosing not to end her life in an act of insanity, the smart choice was performed and Rainbow Dash stretched her wings to catch pockets of air under the feathers of her wings. Momentum died while acceleration reverted.
If you took a hammer and shattered a minute made of glass, just one of the shard remaining would be the amount of time it took Dash to streak from the heaven into the streets. Town ponies would sometimes notice Rainbow Dash’s speed demon antics. Nothing especially bad ever came about Dash’s lust for rush except maybe a random clip or graze concluding the short flight into barrel roll of despair. However bad though, Pegasi have been engineered to take a crash with grace. Therefore, the only option afterward would be taking right back into the sky. Something Rainbow Dash has amazing talent in. She also would never back down from a challenge or, new trick per say. Even if it meant biting the dust until she learned to like the taste. Luckily through skill, Rainbow was able to slow to a hover just above the town square. Before she could even wipe the smile away, an awkward yet elegant speech pierced Dash’s eardrum.
“Rainbow Dash with wind in tow, what a spectacularly impressive show!”
A wrapped visage in brown cloth stood higher than the average pony. The cloak hid most of the mystery mare, except the legs. She was just idling in street, without purpose or cause or at least this is how Dash perceived her. It’s not like Rainbows brain was challenged to figure out who this was. What normal pony speaks like that, who else could it be?
“Hey Zecora… Uh, what are you doing around the town?”
Rainbow voiced with hints of fatigue as she tried to force her vocals to carry all the distance to the others ears. The mare loosened some strings with her mouth causing the robes to lose its grasp over the head of the stranger, sliding off, revealing that it was in fact Zecora.
“To Ponyville I had to get, for seeing something made me fret.” Zecora began, with rhythm adding splendor to tones that wasn’t necessary. "This is not common I should say, you don't see colored mist each day.” Zecora added in.
Such a glamorous way of speech Dash always thought in her mind, so direct yet… In the same way, not at all. Dash’s wings sputtered more slowly giving birth to more descent. Rainbow Dash touched down with a grace unintended. Her hooves clopping on the stone raise a little dust off the grey rocks. Once land based Dash took the chance to look around her. Ponies pranced about personal business. It was pretty busy day it seemed. Justified as such, it was guaranteed to be sunny all day so everypony made plans. Dash further noted the town’s fear of Zecora has long since dissipated. Which is a good thing, but the way they play ignorant of her presence mildly pissed Dash off. No one had even said sorry for the whole fiasco of judging her, and yet Zecora was so quick to forgive. She was a good person and Dash regretted ever doubting that. Without comprehending, her thoughts had been contorting her facial muscles to that of mild disgust. Realizing she was making a sour expression was only a little embarrassing but at least she caught herself before someone took it the wrong way. Her mane became a bit misplaced and frizzed by rushing wind, but a quick mane-shake put everything mostly into order. With a quick, deep and satisfying inhale of oxygen, Dash’s body relaxed. Her heart rate was finally stabilizing after the strain and along with that so did her breathing. Stable breath didn’t come with stable mind however, -Wait, why is she here?- Rainbow Dash’s neurons fried when they tried to over use their resources in her head.
“So uh…” Rainbow retorted. “You are saying that… strange, hrm…?” She closed her jaw to think some more.
Dash completely confirmed at that moment that she was right; Zecora’s rhymes are direct but confusing indeed. “Are you telling me that you really saw uh, colored mist? As in not clear? Right…?” Rainbow Dash questioned with doubt noticeable in her language.
Dash asked in the time it took her to trot closer to Zecora. Good time management and Dash now was directly in front of the zebra. Being so close she was able to observe Zecora’s traditional fashion. Large hooped piercings of the ear and what could have been shaman ritual paint on her body, but was only the color of her natural fur. Zecora’s neck was very interesting, wielding a few think gold necklaces. Face to face, it was easy to see why people used to fear her. Her culture was extremely foreign.
"Yes Rainbow Dash I've news for you, of colored mists rainbow in hue. To Cloudsdale you must fly, to tell them of the mists I spied.” Zecora responded as if she was getting used to her speech not being received the first round.
Rainbow Dash was impressed that she had constructed almost exactly what Zecora was saying, but the news had not been well received. Dash disliked the fact this mist has Zecora herself worried, or the fact that her superiors are in charge of all weather in the land. This includes mist and fog or even haze. As far as Dash knew, there has never been a case of rainbow color mist. Being a worker at the Rainbow Factory for as long as Dash has been, she knows they would never sanction such an oddity in the fog production. Besides the fact that she doubted they even had the technology to do so. This was very troubling to Dash; the last time events like this began… Oh, it was bad…
“Being a respectable authority of the Factory I would say, I will gladly tell them about your worry.” Dash voiced with pride riding on her tongue.
It felt cool to belong to something so important to society. Rainbow Dash raised and patted a hoof to her chest while a proud expression appeared on her face. Dash was extremely prideful about her work even if she sometimes doesn’t take it seriously and occasionally lounges about. She raised her head and looked into Zecora’s eyes, showing admiration and respect for her worry. Zecora met her gaze with an understanding; she knew you could rely on the young pony. Dash was after all loyalty incarnate, and would never go back on her word. It was a pleasant change; for once Zecora could take a break and let Dash figure out the problem. All of Dash’s fearless words have been just an act however; the news had Rainbow Dash more than upset… She was racked and shaken, and for a good reason. Regardless, she would never show this outwardly and Dash was about to head back to the Rainbow Factory to make report anyways. It had been a lucky coincidence that Zecora managed to run into her in the town. Very lucky more like.
Only a few seconds of silence passed before Rainbow Dash tightened her shoulders in preparation of flight. The wings Dash sports twitched into life, rising slowly out of resting on her sides. Dash’s knees bent as her tendons loosened in the process of action. Dash resembled a runner using the very unused rocket starting position. Head low and back arched Dash’s nerves fired so precise, tightening just the right muscles. Kick off. Her wings strongly pulled, her feathers caught the air and forced it down. Dust whipped by the downwind entered the air all around her forcing Zecora to step back quickly to prevent its intrusion into her eyes or throat. Before anypony could even think the word “Fast” Rainbow Dash was already among the clouds again, or lack of. Leveling off from ascension, she began pitching her wings to obtain optimum gliding distance. Shifting her weight forward to her chest was the last step and the level was set. It all added up that flight to the Rainbow Factory begins.
Not too far now, Dash could see the city of clouds just beyond the span of a few minutes. It seems the return flight back to Cloudsdale was quicker than her parting; Dash was ready to put work behind her for the day and just relax before some practice. Traffic increased as Dash approached the City, but she was the best young flyer. Nothing Dash couldn’t handle at her speed. Over flying the edge of town with an arching flight path, Dash kept her speed up until the factory came into sight.
Once arrived in vicinity over the building Dash glided to the grounds with a spiral. It was customary to tell other ponies that she was landing so watch out. Once hooves graced clouds Dash didn’t loiter like her daily routine. She immediately trotted with vigor in hoof. Dash quickly opened the employee entrance around the in the back; it doubled as the delivery port so it was big and heavy for a door but nothing she doesn’t deal with every day. She had to get something confirmed to her, not even sharing a hello or a smile with any of the other employees like her usual self. –I hope I am wrong and this isn’t what I think it is. - Dash thought. Dash stopped in front of the office she had been trying to reach. She took a few to think, what if her fears are true, what’s the point of worrying Cloudsdale or the Factory? Dash took both frontal limbs and rubbed her face as if attempting to wash worry from her brain.
“URAH! Why am I so worried over nothing!?” Her back legs bucked on an impulse and almost kicked management’s front door right off the hinge.
Ponies behind cloud desks jolted with the suddenness, stacks of papers got knocked to the floor while some in hoof got tossed by fear, drink fell to the floor as shock locked brains into flight or fight. The faces of the desk jocks instantly flashed towards the now wide open door where Rainbow was standing. Eyes in the whole room are wide with expectation of doom, some even had jaws wide open. Even Rainbows serious expression could stop and see the hilarity and snickered a bit at how much she had scared them. It was truly a funny sight through Dash’s point of view. She lifted a hoof trying to cover her chronic smile that could not be forced back anymore. It finally smashed the serious expression previously painted on her face as her eyes tiered up. As the room’s blank stare showed no signs of changing Rainbow’s gut just could not take the situation with grain any longer. Before Dash could even point a hoof, she was on her back laughing hysterically all hooves in the air. Dash even rolled around once or twice. This act vanquished the overcast shock and low grumbles of annoyed ponies bounced from every corner of the room while they began working again. This wasn’t the first time Dash has interrupted the work day... In addition, everyone knew it wouldn’t be the last. Rainbow’s giggling only lasted for a bit, and then it was back to business. Now that the joke has been dispersed and she managed to catch her breath, her limbs nimbly pulled herself upright to begin her quest once more. Walking into the area, she glanced around the room looking for one particular pony. While she scanned, Dash noticed glares from almost all the present workers and this made her have to bite her bottom lip to stop another laugh attack. Dash’s eyes found the silhouette behind frosted glass.
“Haha, found yah!” Dash blurted, her brain didn’t even notice her mouth or tongue moving.
Rainbow Dash spotted the regional manager faster than she expected, emerging from a room in the back to see what the fuss was. She noticed the frown instantly take hold of his lips soon as finding out who was behind the mayhem. He was a broad stallion, taller than most. Light chocolate coat, with dark mane. Other than this he was completely normal and average. He wore thick round glasses and just screamed technical executive. His flank sports a small, simple weather flow chart and he just generally looked flustered by work.
“Miss Dash… as I expected, bring your detail report?” He questioned, not even asking about why she kicked in the door.
He was used to strange happenings centered on the young pony Rainbow Dash and it was just easier on his mind this way. Dash shook her head to affirm she did indeed return with the report and began stepping in-between cubicles. Carefully she avoided standing on others hooves or dropped papers. When she came upon another young mare ragging up some spilt liquids, Dash lightly fanned her wings and with a quick blitz lifted herself over the mare.
“Sorry...” Rainbow said softly, turning her head back with an apologetic look.
Rainbow felt bad for this one, the younger mare probably just started work in the last week or so. Dash could tell by the way she was made to do the gopher work. Dash new that was not her drink, somepony higher up than she was forced her to clean it up. However, the new employee just glances back with a shy smile signifying that all was good between them. At least the kind pony was not outright angry with her, and Dash felt lifted for the forgiveness. Causing anypony problems wasn’t her intent. Pranks on the road are A-OK with Dash but making someponies job harder sucks and was so not cool. Besides this time it wasn’t even a joke, Dash just got a little carried away in thought. While she was looking back and walking forward, Rainbow Dash by amazing odds ran smack into the District Janitor… And they both toppled over without fail.
“Miss Dash! Give me the report! And LEAVE!” Rainbow’s ears felt like they almost blew out.
Mr. Region Manger stood over both of the ponies that lay on the ground. He was glowering only directly at Dash. Before she could figure out what happened the District Janitor had already rose to his legs. He managed to drop items from his overall pockets. Gathering his things, a mop and some sponges, he galloped off in a scurry and without watching his way crashed again. This time into a doorframe of all things, the ironic part was that the door was even open. Mr. Region Manger heaved a burdened sigh at the comedy before him, raising a hoof to his temple. It looked almost like he was trying to hold the pain of a migraine at bay.
“Geez I am sorry…! I have things on my mind too you know.” Spiking anger seized Dash’s tongue; he did not need to be so rude.
Even if it did seem like a mad house of an office without her antics and shenanigans, she has after all saved his way of life TWICE now… With –some- help, she guessed. Besides, she had a perfectly good reason to be worried this time. Strange weather right? Who else could it be…? Dash had the staggering feeling that HE was back. It wasn’t instinct but intuition that was prodding the idea. -This was almost exactly how it started last time.- Dash thought. Her cause for worry returned, Dash quickly started hoisting herself off the ground again when the manager sighed softly taking his hoof from his head and dipped down to help Dash up. Mr. Region Manger’s frown dissolved back into his straight face. His eyes sagged with his brow while he spoke.
“Now now, I am sorry. I have been slightly off schedule all day and it has been playing on my nerves.” He retorted.
He knew that Dash wasn’t trying to make life hard for him and being the mature older stallion, he dropped his anger. It didn’t help that he keep receiving tidbits of happening around the edge of Everfree. Things that both are concerning and not his problem, but they are alarming enough to fog up his mind. He did however notice Dash was acting odd and, oddly clumsy for herself. He could just see in Dash’s face that she had something ridiculous to tell him. He would be extremely right, but for now he had things to attend so he started down the hall in the direction of managing that needed done.
“Sir!” Rainbow started in formal; after all, he was the one that gave her orders. Dash followed close behind him while she talked. “Reports of a job well done if I might say, that means no clouds left to ruin this scheduled sunny day.“ Dash finished the sentence with less vigor that what she started with.
He took the report down in a mental notepad. Some good news finally, he thought. Not even saying a word or even any sign of affirmation, he carried on with his stride down the halls. Dash still following him closely, they took a few turns here and some inclining stairs there. He looked back once or twice every moment only see what he knew was still behind him. Dash just tried to avoid eye contact, hiding her eyes by moving her head to stare at the wall. Finally, he entered a dark room with only a few places for light to penetrate. Dash was delighted. This was the perfect place and the perfect moment to ask, so Dash didn’t leave much time for a repose of her stalking. She needed to hear the what for in order to figure out what’s going on for herself. Mr. Region Manger seemed only to be passing through the room based on his angle towards the door on the other side. Dash wasn’t about to let this opportunity for a private audience slide so she speed her trot to gain on him. Once to his flank Dash tapped him on the shoulder. With one more step he ended the adventure and shifted around to face the mare.
“Can I help you further mam? I have taken your full report correct?” He was using a business dealing voice, emphasis being heavy on the word “have.” Just something he has learned to do when annoyed to avoid seeming cross.
Despite the effort, Dash could feel he was annoyed. Probably because he felt that whatever she was about to tell him, he was not going to like. However, to Dash it looked like he was faceting around the fact she was following him. Almost like, he was trying to make things a little less awkward for them both. Which she was following, and this situation was awkward, but this wasn’t the first time somepony tailed him around the factory. He was rather important after all, you know, the final say guy. Head honcho.
“I was asked by a caring citizen to tell you about some unusual mist.” Dash didn’t look at him while she spoke. “We didn’t have any mist planned for the day right?” Her mouth concluded the sentence forming in a precise manner.
Glancing at the colt’s face told stories about how much he “Liked” what was bouncing in his skull. He stood unmoving for a while as he stared into the same corner with eyes unfocused. Silence took hold of the dark room, what felt like forever. It wasn’t in actuality very long however. Before Mr. Region Manger broke the squelching spell cast over the room, he allowed his body to transformed back into the business stallion he was. He looked directly into Rainbows eyes to which she returned in kind. They held the contact for a moment.
“It wasn’t rainbow colored was it?” He finally uses this to bust through the wall of silence.
His voice was lower than usual. Almost as if he was making sure no one could over hear him. Rainbows forehead wrinkled over at that sentence. Raising just one eyebrow, this time she knew by instincts that this was not really a question. Dash wondered how he could possibly know it was colored; At most he knows what is going on. At the very least, someone else has told him about the mist already.
“Something stinks, don’t act so fishy! What’s going on anyways?” Dash demanded to know.
She was still a little bend out of shape, what if Discord was back. They only just by chance overcame his mind games the last time and she performed the most selfish out of them all. This was how it all began last time and Dash didn’t want a repeat or an encore. Once was enough for her and once was how she was going to make it stay. Rainbow narrowed her eyelids still matching her gaze with his. She was not playing around and he could tell by the aggression erupting on Dash’s face, hinted with the lines of troubles that swam in her thoughts. Mr. Region Manger suddenly shifted his gaze to his hooves and looked at them intently.
“It’s nothing, I assure you Dash, and this will be handled by other agents.” Dash’s leer intensified and he pretended not to notice. “It’s nothing to concern you with Ms. Dash; I promise that no such thing as colored mists exists.” His voice sounded reassuring, but Dash could tell what a lie was.
Mr. Region Manger made this more than obvious that something was haywire and it all pointed at this rainbow mist. Rainbow choose to drop the conversation however, if he was not going to spill details at this point, then he never will. After a bit of thought anyways she came to the understanding that if it were Discord after all, he would have made a personal appearance by now. Who knows for sure though, this could be part of a scheme he devised. –Whatever even if he is…- Dash thought, she would just deal with it then. Nothing helps worrying about something that might not even be going down anyways. –Besides Twilight would know by now and found a way to tell me.- This helped her mind to calm.
“If you say so, it’s not like we have the technology to apply rainbows to other forms of weather anyways.” It was only mildly troubling that this was the truth, but magic could be the factor unseen and strange unknown things happen in the forest all day long anyways.
Events like this could be commonplace in that dark forest for all Rainbow knows. Mr. Region Manger’s ridged face could relax now that Dash was dropping the subject. Rainbow noticed this making it clearer that he didn’t have anything under control and didn’t want people snooping around in his territory. Because weather uncontrolled by those who control the weather could de-credit the whole Factory and smear the perfect name it has built itself over years. Being the manager during such an event would be extremely embarrassing. Mr. Region Manger didn’t even bother with a farewell and turned his back to Dash. He said something quietly on his way back out the door.
“We defiantly don’t have that kind of technology… That’s what has me bent…” Rainbow Dash was not sure if he even meant to say anything, let alone something audible to her.
Dash frowned and let her back legs rest right on that spot. Sitting her back end right in the middle of that dark room, being alone didn’t even bother her when the stallion shut the door behind himself. What a strange start to the day dash decided. Dash’s look only squished more with frustration however. She didn’t like being out of the loop as much as the next pony. After a little time passed and her thought collected, she suddenly shot back to her feet and galloped out the door like nothing happened. At least her prying didn’t lead to more work she figured and with further analysis she was surprised it didn’t. She thanked her luck that it was not her problem to deal with and let a little smile paste her mouth as she continued to the exit. Dash was off work now and nothing was going to ruin the rest of the day for her… Nothing…
