I watch over her with worry. Rainbow Dash isn't herself and it's scaring me. She just rocks back and forth in a ball on the floor, singing silently over and over a small part of a song I am unfamiliar with. Free me from my fears. Rid me of my tears.
It sounds rather sad. I don't know how that helps her, but I will not be the one to confront her on it. She's so scared of performing in the Young Fliers competition. I just want to help her. That's why I offered to join the competition in the first place. I myself have no intention of stealing the spotlight, though I would like to show off my wonderful, new wings a bit.
Rainbow Dash looks over to me with frightened eyes. I wish to console her, but alas contestants are not allowed to interact with one another.
Either way, I have full confidence in the fact that she will do well. In fact, I hereby swear that I will do everything in my power to help her achieve her goal of becoming a Wonderbolt because she deserves it. Rainbow Dash will do well. I just know it.
The mare escorts us out into the field. We are the last two ponies. I immediately fly upwards to make sure that I'm not a distraction. I'm perfectly happy to watch up here. I'm right in the middle of the action.
She flies out shakily and begins. Rainbow Dash starts off messing up a bit. She fumbles around while flying and I can tell that she's silently getting mad at herself for messing up.
Slowly, she eases into the harder stuff and gets comfortable out there. Rainbow does corkscrews, dives, spins, twirls and many other things. She's just so agile. I'm especially happy to see that she's fully aware of her surroundings and she no longer fears them.
The spark of adrenaline and courageousness is back. I'm so happy to watch her do so well. The crowd simply adores her. They're cheering her name so loud that I bet they forgot about me entirely. As much as I love the spotlight, I love it even more when others have it.
Suddenly, a burning smell fills my nostrils and a sharp pain reaches the surface of my wings. I turn and nearly faint at the sight. My wings are on fire. The sun shines onto my glorious wings and they just simply turn to ash right before my eyes.
Before I know it I'm falling. Nopony notices of course. They're engrossed with Rainbow Dash and, quite frankly, they should be. She's amazing.
I feel at ease knowing that she's happy. I wouldn't want to mess up her performance. She's worked so hard to get this far.
I close my eyes and allow the wind to take me. I inch closer to the ground, but I do not feel even an ounce of panic. I've devoted my life to generosity and this will be my most generous thing yet. Rainbow Dash's dreams will be accomplished and I know that I have done something beautiful. No matter what happens, I know that I've made the right choice.
A single tear slides down my face as I smile proudly, accepting my fate. This is my destiny and it is for the best.
I know that you will do great things Rainbow. I will miss you mares. Goodbye. I love you all.
The sound of a body hitting the ground and a blood curdling scream echo throughout the stadium. The sound of bone ripping from bone and a life ending accompanies it. Blood pools around the body, the body of a mare who gave her life knowing that it would help her friend reach her dreams.
The sound of screaming frightens me. I would know that scream anywhere. I turn around a look up, expecting to see Rarity there, beaming down at me, telling me that I'm doing fabulous. But, the space that once occupied her is empty.
What happened?! I know that I must look down, but I don't want to. I don't want it to be true. It can't be. I finally force myself to look down. Her lifeless body lies on the ground. She looks so peaceful.
Tears fill my eyes quickly and I rush down to see her, to check her pulse, to see her beautiful smile. Her mane is still perfect even as her body is mangled. Oh Rarity, you were even perfect in death!
I put a hoof up to her neck and rest my head on her chest. I know that she's gone, but I can't let her down if she still has a chance at survival. Her silent heart and still pulse tell me that she is really dead. I can't even understand how it happened. How did I not notice?! One second she's with me and the next she's gone. It's my fault. She would never forgive me for not paying attention to her well-being.
I wrap my trembling hooves around her body and sob into her blood stained fur. A scream escapes me as I shout for help, for somepony, for anypony. How can she be dead?!
The others shout to me. They, too, are crying hysterically. Twilight is teleporting them each down here. I ignore them and focus on one of my best friends. We may have been different and we may not hang out as much as we do with the others, but we were close all the same. I can't believe that in the blink of her perfect mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow covered eyes she's dead.
She was so young. She was such a nice pony. She deserves more than this! She was supposed to meet her prince charming! She was supposed to become a world-wide fashion designer! Now she can never achieve her dreams.
I stroke her mane softly and tremble in her now cold embrace. I grab her hoof and tell myself that it's okay. The crowd is no longer there to me and I'm completely oblivious to those who are trying to speak.
I lie there for a while before I cry myself to sleep. I dream of the good times with Rarity. I'll wake up and Rarity will be fine. The competition will just be starting and we'll fly out together, smiling with no worries as our troubles melt away.
I stand on a cloud, miles above the ground. I watch the ponies below me go about their regular day and the birds flying freely in the wind. A tear rolls down my cheek at the sight.
It's been nearly a year and everypony says that you're gone Rarity. They have moved on. Sweetie Belle and Fluttershy have taken over the boutique. Everypony rarely talks about you.
When I mention the topic they assure me that it wasn't my fault that you died. I was the one who begged you to join and I was the one who didn't notice that you were falling to your death. It's my fault and I just can't get over it.
I step closer to the edge of the cloud. A small amount of fear rises in me, but I also have peace because I know what I must do. I made it into the Wonderbolts. They loved me at the performance and thought that I was strong for dealing with your death. I know that you would've wanted this, but I still feel so terrible. I'm so sorry Rarity. I have missed you. The others miss you too. They are just too afraid to speak of you. Your fabulous legacy lives on. Ponies everywhere have come to buy your clothes. Everypony smiles when they see somepony classy and sweet because they remind them of you.
Tears flow down my face as I take the final plunge and jump over the edge. I lock my wings to my sides and smile because I know that I'll be with Rarity soon. Goodbye, mares. I'll miss you.
The sound of a body hitting the ground echoes in the air.
Author's Note
This story was inspired by Echoes by Clavier. Also, to clear up any confusion, there are no quotes in this story because nopony speaks in it, their thoughts speak for them.
