Chapters It's Got To Be My Destiny
New Princess and New Problems
Twilight Sparkle. New princess of Equestria. Gaining her alicorn hood by restoring the chaos with The Elements of Harmony. Due to a spell created by Star Swirl the Bearded, the bearers of the Elements of Harmony had their cutiemarks swapped over along with their destinys. Twilight returned the cutiemarks to the right owners by friendship before becoming the new princess of Equestria. And the coronation was bigger than any party ever, with everypony from The Solar sisters to The ruler of the Crystal Empire. From Canterlot ponies to ponies from Manehatten and Fillydelpha. It was big. Very big. Bigger than the Gala. With fireworks and streamers and a sonic rainboom. And everypony in Equestria welcomed the new princess.
After the ceremony, the five other bearers of the Elements of Harmony, returned to their homes in the quaint little town of Ponyville. Meanwhile, Princess Twilight stayed in Canterlot Castle. They took a small carriage carried by two pegasi stallions dressed in golden armour from the Royal Guard.
"I can't believe Twilight is an alicorn! Isn't that amazing?" Rarity repeated. Still mesmerised by the fact that her friend is a princess. Her grin still wide, but her indigo curls ratty and untamed from the party.
"Yes, Rarity. We know it's amazin'. But do ya have ta go on abou' it every darn minute." Applejack complained. It was late. Very late. And the five mares spent most if the night partying. Applejack was happy for her friend, but she just wished Rarity would shut up about it.
"Oh, I'm sorry, dear. I guess I'm still a bit excited. But, Twilight's an alicorn. It's hardly something you can easily let go." The white unicorn apologised.
"It's okay, Rarity." A butterscotch pegasus hushed. "We are still all excited. We're just tired. I mean, look at Pinkie Pie." Rarity and Fluttershy turned to the pink pony, who was curled up, fast asleep. Using her dress as make do blanket. A lock of pink curly hair bouncing as Pinkie slept soundly.
"Wow. Who'd though' it? Pinkie runnin' out of energy." Applejack giggled as she yawned. The amber earth pony turned her head towards a cyan pegasus. Who was staring out of the window of the carriage.
"Rainbow? Ya okay?" She asked.
The pegasus didn't respond.
Rarity noticed this too. She saw Rainbow's posture and how her wings were drooped.
"Rainbow, darling. Are you quite alright?"
"I'm fine." She mumbled.
"Are you sure? You look a tad bit unhappy. Is something the matter?"
"I said I'm fine!" Rainbow growled.
Rarity gulped as she looked at Fluttershy and Applejack with a worried look.
Rainbow Dash sighed before speaking.
"I'm sorry....I'm just...I'm just tired, okay." She never left her gaze from the window. The girls sat in an awkard silence till the stallions landed. Applejack and Fluttershy thanked the stallions, while Rarity hovered Pinkie into the air. Rainbow stumbled off the carriage. Her eyes stuck to the ground.
"Are you alright, miss?" The white stallion asked, concerned for the young mare.
Rainbow simply nodded. Still staring at the ground, like her eyes were glued to the floor.
~~~~~~
"Right, I'll take Pinkie to my place. It'll be easier. So goodnight, girls." Rarity waved as she headed towards her boutique, hovering the pink pony and the five dresses. Fluttershy also said her goodbyes and went her way home. And that left Rainbow and Applejack. Seeing as Rainbow's house is closer to Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack offered to walk home with the pegasus.
"Tha party was good, wasn' it?" Applejack asked in hope to get a converstation going. But Rainbow didn't say anything. The farmer had enough. This wasn't her confident, show-off friend. Rainbow would be whizzing around, talking about how awesome the party was. Not quietly walking. Walking. Not flying. Walking. Applejack held her hoof in front of the pegasus, and stopped her.
"Sugarcube. What's wrong?"
Rainbow abruptly stopped. Nearly tripping over her own hooves. She fluttered her wings to regain her balance. Rainbow looked at the orange hoof before looking at her friend. Applejack gasped to herself as she lowered her hoof. She stared into the pegasus' eyes. Her rose hue eyes. Her eyes would usually contain a burning fire of confidence, but now it was gone. Like somepony had thrown a bucket of water over her fire, leaving nothing but an empty space. Now, pain and sorrow filled that empty gap. She could tell that Rainbow had been crying as her eyes had a red glow. She could see the tears at the bottom of her gem-like eyes.
"Rainbow? Why are ya cryin? Are ya okay?" She frantically asked.
"Nothing's wrong. I-I'm fine." Rainbow croaked.
"Rainbow! Ya are not fine! Somethin' is wrong!! Now tell me wha' is wrong so ah can help ya!" She demanded.
"I said I'm fine!!" Rainbow snapped as she flared out her wings and shot upwards. Applejack attempted to grab Rainbow's prismatic tail, but missed. Falling face first into the dirt. As she got up, she watched the rainbow streak fade into the dark night sky. She wanted to help her friend. But how? Without knowing what was wrong with her, she couldn't do anything.
"No! Ah have ta do somethin'! Somethin' is wrong with Rainbow. An as her friend, it is ma duty ta find out wha's wrong an help her!" Applejack trotted to the front door of the Apple's house. She yawned as she stepped inside and locked the door.
"Maybe, tomorrow. Ah'm mighty tired." She yawned yet again as she dragged herself up the rickety wooden stairs and into her room. There she threw herself onto her apple themed bed. The soft covers tossed into the air as the mare jumped on. Applejack buried herself into the covers, and wiggled as she got comfortable.
"Don' worry, Rainbow. Ah'm ya friend. An ya can rely on me ta help." She mumbled before closing her eyes and letting herself get carried off into the land of sleep. "Ah...will help....ya,....Rainbow."
It's Got To Be My Destiny
"Applejack, darling. You must have been very tired. Rainbow Dash crying. Especially in front of somepony. Don't be ridiculous." Rarity scoffed as sipped her tea.
"Ah'm telling ya, somethin' is botherin' Rainbow." Applejack hit the dainty blue table with her hoof. Applejack and Rarity were sitting outside of Dandelion Café for lunch. Rarity had a cup of tea with a half eaten sandwich, and Applejack had finished her lunch ages ago. The farmer was trying to tell her friend that Rainbow was upset in some sort, but Rarity was having none of it.
"If something was bothering her, she would have told us, dear."
"Rarity. Rainbow ain't made out ta stone. She's still a pony with feelings. An righ' now, she's feeling upset!" Applejack shouted. Rarity fell backwards out of her seat. Surprised by her friend's sudden outburst. She looked around with her deep sea blue eyes, and seeing everypony at the cafe staring at the two mares. The unicorn felt her cheeks burn up.
"A-Applejack. Dear. I can that you are upset. Not Rainbow." She whispered as she sat back up. "But last night, Rainbow said she was tired. That might have been it. I mean, she's training for the Wonderbolts as well. Not only that but she's teaching Scootaloo to fly and managing the weather. And that's quite a hoof-ful." Rarity pick up her purse and placed four bits on the table. She beckoned her farmer friend over as she began to leave the cafe.
"No, Rarity. Wha' ah saw last nigh', was not Rainbow being tired, she was cryin', Rare. Cryin'. Her eyes were red."
Rarity sighed.
"She could been crying for Twilight. I know me and Fluttershy were."
"No! Rarity!! Wha ah saw was no happy tears!! Ah saw tha pain in her eyes!!" Applejack grabbed the unicorn and began to shake her. "Tha spark tha's usually there,...ain' there anymore." The orange pony let go of her friend and lowered her head. "Rarity, ah ain' lyin' about this."
"I know, darling. I believe you."
"What?!" Applejack shot up and stared at Rarity in complete disbelief. "Ya do?"
"Of course, dear. I can tell that you're really concerned about all this. So, I'll do anything to help." She placed a white hoof on Applejack's shoulder and gave a reassuring smile.
~~~~~~
"Well, she isn't napping."
"She isn' teachin' Scoots."
"She isn't at the academy."
"Where is she then?" The two tired mares slumped onto to a bench under a tree in Ponyville Park. Applejack and Rarity had been searching all around Ponyville, looking for their rainbow maned friend.
"We ain' gonna find Rainbow anywhere." Applejack moaned.
"Are ya looking for Dashie?"
"Aaahhh!!" Rarity and Applejack screamed as a bouncy pink pony appeared, hanging upside on a tree branch.
"What? What is it?" Pinkie frantically asked.
"No no, dear. You just scared us, that's all." Rarity breathed in deeply. "Pinkie. What are doing, hanging from a tree?"
Pinkie pie jumped down onto the bench.
"I heard you talking about Dashie."
"Errr...yes. Yes we are."
"Why? Is something wrong with her because I haven't noticed today when she was walking through the market?" Pinkie gibbered.
"Wait. Did ya say she was in tha market? When?" Applejack asked.
"A couple of minutes ago. Why?"
Rarity turned to Applejack who nodded.
"She's a friend so she deserves ta know."
Rarity turned back to Pinkie.
"We believe that Rainbow is upset in some way."
Pinkie's eyes widened.
"Upset?! Dashie's upset!? I must set up a party!!" Pinkie was a to run but Rarity caught hold of her tail with her blue aura.
"Pinkie. No. That won't be good idea." The unicorn huffed.
"What?!" Pinkie nearly screamed. "Not a good idea?! A party is always a good idea!!"
"No, Pinkie. We need to find out what's wrong with her. To get to the problem. A party won't make her talk." Rarity released the pony who sat down on the ground. The mares looked up to the sound of flapping wings. There they saw three ponies who landed down in front of them.
"Hey, girls. Have ya seen Rainbow?" Thunderlane asked.
"No. Why?"
Cloudkicker stepped forwards.
"She has the weather report card. And as the captain, she has to tell us what the weather is supposed to be."
"Yeah, and we went to her house but she didn't answer." Blossom fourth added.
"I thought I heard something in the house but it was probably just me." Thunderlane shrugged his shoulders.
Rarity and Applejack just mindlessly nodded.
"Yes, well um...sorry. We haven't seen her." Rarity apologised.
"Okay. Thanks anyway." Cloudkicker waved as the three of them fluttered off
"She's in her house." Applejack said blandly.
"I know. But why didn't we think of this first? Her house would have been the first place to look." Rarity complained.
"Hey. Can I help? Dashie is my bestest friend!!" Pinkie pie skipped around the bench.
"Yeah. Sure. Tha more tha merrier." Applejack nodded. Which made the pink pony squeal in delight.
"Wait! How are we going to get up to her house?" The white mare asked.
"We can use one of my flying machines and Fluttershy!"
"Umm...I heard my name." A soft voice called. A butterscotch yellow pegasus walked to the three mares. Hiding her face behind her rose pink hair.
"Fluttershy, dear. We believe that Rainbow is distressed in some way. Do you think you can help us?" Rarity smiled sweetly to the pegasus.
"I-I don't know....I probably won't be much help." She whispered.
"Please, Shy. Rainbow was cryin' last night. Ah think tha somethin' is wrong with her." Applejack pleaded.
"Crying? Oh my. She cried since her parents died. Oh yes. I will help."
"Righ'y-o then." Applejack jumped of the bench. "Let's git ta-"
"Darling, you are forgetting something, aren't you?" Rarity interrupted.
"Err...not tha ah know of." The orange pony span around to see if she could spot anything out of place.
"I'm an unicorn and and you two are earth ponies. The only pony that could get to Rainbow's house and stay on it is Fluttershy." Rarity pointed to the pegasus, who hide further into her hair.
"Well...." Applejack pondered.
"You can always perform a cloud walking spell, Rare. Like Twilight did." Pinkie bounced around the unicorn.
"That's a good idea. But, do you think I could perform that type of spell?"
The three mares nodded.
"Remember Rare, it's for Rainbow." Applejack held her hoof out. Rarity smiled and placed her hoof on top of Applejack's.
"For Rainbow."
"For Dashie!"
"Umm...for Rainbow."
The girls cheered as they trotted towards Ponyville Library, in hope that a special dragon will still be there.
It's Got To Be My Destiny
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
"Yeess!? Who is it?" A voice within groaned.
"Spike, can ya let us in?" Applejack asked.
"Nope. Sorry. Library is closed."
Four mares stood outside of the door of a grand tree. The grand tree was Ponyville library, also known as Golden Oaks Library. The girls were trying to get in, but a young dragon stopped them coming in.
Rarity pushed past the girls.
"Let me handle this." She whispered. Applejack moved aside as Rarity gently knocked on the door. "Oh Spikey Wikey! Please be a dear and open door. It's very important." She cooed.
As soon as she had finished, the door swung open.
"Hey, Rarity. You said it was important?" The little dragon smiled.
"It is. Oh thank you Spike." Rarity bent down and kissed Spike on his cheek.The lavender purple dragon rubbed his cheek as he daydreamed.
"Never washing this cheek again." He muttered.
Applejack rolled her eyes as the girls let themselves in.
"Spike. Can ya help us find a book?" She asked as she gazed at the many shelves of books.
"A book? Sure. What do you need?"
"A cloud walking spell book!" Pinkie sang as she hopped around.
"Really? Why?"
Rarity trotted closer to the little dragon.
"Spike, what I'm about to tell must not be repeated. You will not tell another soul. Okay?"
Spike madly nodded.
"We think something is distressing Rainbow Dash."
"Do you think she's okay?"
"We don' know. That's why we need ya ta git a cloud walking spell book so we can see her." Applejack picked up random books.
"I don't know Rarity. It's pretty hard spell. Shall I just send a letter Twilight?" Spike offered.
Rarity looked up to her three friends.
"It would be better if all of us were here to confront Rainbow. We should do it....that is....if you don't mind." Fluttershy squeaked but still held a smile.
"Yeah! Twilight could help us!" Everypony stared as the pink pony bounced off the walls.
"Okay then." Spike grabbed a quill and paper. And began to scribble down onto it. In no time, he rolled it up a blew onto it. Letting the scroll get engulfed in green flames.
"Now we wait."
~~~~~~
Sitting at her throne was a tall slender alicorn. Her large white wings folded to her sides and her techni-coloured hair flowing. She giggled and snortled as another alicorn told her stories.
"I don't know how Pinkie does it. She's just Pinkie." The other alicorn was lavender purple. And shorter than the other one.
"Oh Twilight. It does sound like you had fun." Princess Celestia giggled.
"Yes. We all had fun last night. Rarity was talking to Fancy Pants. Applejack was dancing with Fluttershy and some others. Pinkie Pie was doing cartwheels over the tables and Rainbow....I don't know about Rainbow. She was really quiet. Not like her at all." Twilight pondered.
"She was probably tired. The party must have worn her out." Celestia grinned as a letter popped up. Green flames flowing off it.
"A letter? Off Spike?" The young alicorn began to worry. Was Ponyville under attack of another Ursa Minor? Was it set on fire?
As Celestia's rose eyes scanned the scroll, her expression changed to one with concern.
"Celestia?" Twilight asked. "What is it?"
"Spike and your friends need you. It seems that there is something wrong with Rainbow Dash."
Twilight gasped.
"Is she hurt? Ill? What does it say?" She panicked.
"I don't know. It doesn't say. Twilight would you like to take a chariot?" Celestia rolled up the scroll with her magic and put it aside.
"No. I'll draw too much attention. I would teleport but it's long. Even if I am an alicorn, it would put a strain on my magic."
"I'll teleport you." And in a blink of an eye, the two ponies were surrounded by a golden light. Before disappearing.
~~~~~~
"How long will it take to get there?"
"Not long. It's the quickest way to send letters." Spike yawned as they waited for a reply.
Then a golden light appeared in the library. Everyone covered their eyes as bright glow filled the room. As it dispersed, two alicorns were standing in the middle of library.
"Twilight!" Spike ran up and hugged the purple pony. "I missed you so much!"
"Spike. I've been gone for less than a day." She soothed.
"But still." He hugged tighter. Twilight smiled. But as she looked up she saw the girls.
"What's wrong with Rainbow?"
Applejack walked up to the alicorn and whispered into her ear. Twilight gasped.
"Oh dear. What do we do?"
"We want you to perform a cloud walking spell on us so we can see Rainbow. She's looked herself in her house and she isn't talking to anypony." Rarity explained.
"Right. Twilight. I must go otherwise Luna might start to panic...again. So if it's okay, I'll be going. If you need anything, just send a scroll." Celestia smiled before disappearing in a surge of golden glow.
After the sun goddess was gone, Twilight twizzled round to look at the girls.
"Rarity. Applejack. Pinkie Pie." She called. The three ponies stepped forwards.Twilight's horn lit up with a pink aura. And the three mares' hooves were also pink. After a a minute or two, the glow popped and disappeared.
"There. Now let's go to Rainbow's. I'll teleport. It's easier and it's not too far. Spike. Look after the library for us."
"Whatever." Spike yawned as he walked towards his bed. He waved goodbye to the girls as the disappeared in the pink light. "Look after the library? Pttf! I'm going to sleep." He flopped onto his basket. Groaning and rolling around before he finally fell asleep. "Oh sweet bed. How I love thee."
It's Got To Be My Destiny
Five mares stood outside the door of a cloud mansion. Rarity and Twilight gawping at the Greek like structure.
"My goodness! I've seen her house before but only from afar. It's gorgeous!" Rarity complimented as the walked up to the door. Twilight placed her hoof into the fountain of liquid rainbows.
"It's lovely." Twilight mumbled.
"Err...girls. We're here ta help Rainbow. Not gawp at her house." Applejack rolled her eyes as the two mares continued to stare at the decorative cloud tower.
"Yes. Sorry, dear. Just got a bit lost."
"Yeah, come on." Twilight wiped her hoof of the rainbows and knocked on the soft door. Amazingly, the knock was quite loud. There was no reply, but a faint sound could be heard within. Twilight knocked again. Still nothing.
Applejack came forward and boomed on the door.
"Rainbow! Git ya flank out here an open this darn door!" She yelled as she pounded her hoof against the door.
Still no reply.
"Let me try." Fluttershy whispered. "Rainbow. Rainbow Dash. It's me, Fluttershy. Can you please open the door?" Fluttershy waited for a response that never came.
"Of for tha love of Celestia! Ah'm bucking tha door!!" Applejack reared onto her front hooves before kicking the door. The cloud instantly burst into nothing as the earth pony's legs came into contact with it.
"Not a very secure door." Rarity said as she stared at the empty space.
"It's cloud. It's not supposed to secure silly." Pinkie bounced into the house.
"Pinkie!" Twilight and the others called as they rushed in.
~~~~~~
"Wow! Wow! Rainbow certainly has a creative side!" Rarity whizzed from one item to the next as they walked through the house. The cloud house was beautiful. From it's swirls on the ceilings to pattern engraved pillars. To the potted Howea Forsteriana in tall blue pots to the modern kitchen.
"Rarity! Here now!!" Twilight demanded like a mother telling her foal off. The five mares stopped abruptly as they stared at markings on the wall. Words like, 'Pathetic' and 'worthless' were engraved onto the wall. As they walked further the words became more frequent and a lot worst. Pinkie cheery nature stopped as they walked down the hallway. Her 'bouncy-ness' stopped and she became more serious. Everypony quietened as they began to hear wailing and crying. The closer they walked to Rainbow's room, the louder the crying got. Applejack glanced at a smashed glass cabinet and the trophies on the floor. She saw the gold crown with two wings and a lightning bolt on the floor from when Dash performed the Sonic Rainboom, and won the Best Young Fliers Competition.
The girls gulped as they finally approached Rainbow's bedroom. Words scraped across her half open door. The pegasus' cries were loud and painfilled. The mares silently stood outside the door. Listening to the wailing mare.
"Pathetic! Unworthy piece of crap!! No wonder I have no dreams!" Rainbow cried. "I...have no talent....I have...no destiny..."
The girls shared a look of concern before slowly opening the door. They all silently gasped as a glanced at the distraught pegasus in her room.
Scratched into the walls were taunting words. Feathers spread onto the floor. Huddled into the corner, completely oblivious to the vistors in her room, was Rainbow Dash. Her prismatic mane and tail, ratty and untamed. Her cyan wings spread out. Her feathers ripped out.
Fluttershy squeaked at a sentence on the wall.
'Death is an answer. Death is my destiny.'
"Stupid....waste of space...." Rainbow croaked. Her throat sore and scratchy.
"Rainbow? Are ya okay?" Applejack quietly asked.
"I-I...don't know...AJ....Am I okay?" Rainbow didn't turn to her friends. She just continued to stare at the wall.
Twilight caustiously walked closer to the pegasus.
"Rainbow....What's wrong? You can tell us. We're your friends." Twilight assured.
"Really....I'm not worthy of your time...Just another unnecessary item to fill an empty space." The tatty cyan turned towards her friends. Her eyes red and filled with pain. Tears streaming down her already moist cheeks. "You should go....I'll just waste your time."
Twilight and the others sat down aside Rainbow. Being carefully not bump into her already injured wings. They stayed silent, listening to Rainbow's sniffs as she cried.
Rarity opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it. No words could help her now. Applejack turned to her pegasus friend, who's head was down. Her tears rolling down off her snout.
"Rainbow. Please tell us wha's wrong. It hurts all of us ta see ya like this."
"If it hurts you so much, why didn't you see it first?"
"What?"
Rainbow sighed.
"A true, true friend helps a friend in need.
A friend will be there to help you see.
A true, true friend helps a friend in need.
To see the light that shines from a true, true friend." She sang. But her voice was sad and distraught.
"What do you mean?"
"All this time....I thought my talent was flying....I thought my destiny was to be a Wonderbolt...."
The girls stared at the pegasus.
"But it is."
"No wonder I keep crashing....no wonder I haven't been accepted in the Wonderbolts..."
"Rainbow?"
The cyan pegasus began to cry again. She stood up in front of her friends.
"Didn't you see!? When Twilight fucked up our cutiemarks?! And she found out how to sort it out by making us see our talents?!" She yelled as she choked on her tears. The girls nodded. "My talent....after all this time...is bucking clouds...." She slumped to the ground crying.
Pinkie shuffled closer and hugged her best friend.
"No! Stay away!!" Rainbow pushed the pink pony. Pinkie's ice blue eyes shrunk to the size of pinpricks. Her puffy pink hair quickly deflated, and fell onto her shoulders.
"Dashie..." Pinkie whispered. Tears welling up in her saddened eyes.
"See! How am I loyal? How am the Element of Loyalty if I constantly push my friends away?" Rainbow cried even more. "I don't deserve friends....I don't deserve to live anymore." Rainbow slumped to the ground. "Just go...Just go."
Everypony just stared at the pegasus crying into her hooves. Her bloodied wings fluttering and twitching in distress.
"Please...just go...I'll only hurt you....and myself." She begged.
"Please Rainbow. Whatever is wrong, we can help you. Please Dash." Fluttershy hushed.
"Just go! Get out!! Please! Just get out!!" The colourful pegasus screamed. Her cries muffling her speech. Her face buried in her cyan hooves. "My whole life has been a lie!!"
The others stood up and began to walk away. But Applejack was more reluctant than the others.
"AJ...give her some space." Twilight whispered as she dragged the orange pony. Applejack stared at Rainbow. The pegasus crying into her hooves. The farmer pushed Twilight as she walked along with her.
"Ah....ah'm sorry, Rainbow." She croaked before shutting the door.
It's Got To Be My Destiny
"We can't leave her. Friends don't do that."
"I know. But did you see her? She's broken up." Rarity sighed as she remembered her crying friend. Her wailing echoing in the unicorn's mind.
The five mares sat down in the middle of the tree library. Still worried for their prismatic pegasus friend. Applejack however was more frustrated than the others. Fluttershy sat in the corner, comforting her pink friend. Pinkie sat quietly, with her ice blue eyes staring at the floorboards. The yellow pegasus stroked her flat, dull, pink hair. Twilight and Rarity sat together, not saying anything. Applejack paced around the library.
"We've gotta do somethin. She'll hurt herself. Bad."
"What can we do?" Rarity muttered. "She believes that she's useless and that her whole life has been a lie."
"Friends don't ditch each other." Twilight mumbled. "But she's being over dramatic. "
"Twilight. Please. Can't you see. For her whole life, she believed her destiny was flying. But you, no we, proved it to her that she's just a weather pony." Fluttershy whispered. Her voice saddened but still soft and smooth.
"I know, Fluttershy. But....I don't know!!!" Twilight cried as slumped to the floor. "I'll just asked for Celestia's help."
"No. We're her friends. She doesn't need the princess of the sun, she needs us dear." Rarity stood up and trottes towards the door. Applejack nodded and followed her unicorn friend.
"Come on. Before she does somethin' drastic."
~~~~~~
The four friends trotted back up to their sky born friend's house. Twilight teleported Pinkie, Rarity and Applejack up while she and Fluttershy fluttered.
All was silent. No yelling. No crying. Just the sound of the breeze gently blowing through the trees.
The door creaked open as the mares let themselves in.
"Rainbow?"
"Girls. Look." Rarity hovered over a folded piece of paper, and opened it with her blue aura.
Dear girls, I knew you would come back. You lot never give up. But the same cannot be said for me. For my whole life, I thought my destiny was to fly. To soar and rule the skies. You showed me I was wrong. So wrong. You showed me why I crash so much, why I can't get excepted into The Wonderbolts. Because it is not my destiny. Thank you, girls. Thank you so much. For being friends. For being there for me. I had fun on all our adventures. Nightmare Moon, Discord, the wedding, The Crystal Empire. I couldn't ask for more. I'm sorry. I am so very sorry. If I was really loyalty, I would stay. And grow stronger. But I can't. This all to much for me. After my mother's death and the years and years of abuse from my father, I was ready to give up. But you showed me why shouldn't. And that I should carry on. My little sister passed on before the Coronation. Two hours before. She was sick. Very sick. I tried so hard to get more money to pay for her treatment at Cloudsdale Hospital. I actually have three jobs. I'm the weather manager, I work at the spa and as a waitress at a nightclub south of Ponyville. That's why I'm always napping. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but I believed that I could do it myself. I still get tortured by my father. Constantly sending letters. Saying I'm pathetic. They're in the drawer by the table. I guess he was right.
I've now taken the easy way out. The coward's way out.
I'm sorry girls. I'm really sorry.
Your forever loyal friend, Rainbow Miriam Dashery."
The mares cried and panicked. They searched the house. Looking for their prismatic friend. Till finally, Fluttershy found her.
Her screams echoed throughout the cloud house. The others galloped up to the source of pegasus' cries. The bedroom.
Rainbow lay down on her fluffy cloud bed, on her stomach. Her forearm hanging limply by the side of the bed. Her bloodied feathered wings spread out over her sleek body. Covering her like a blanket. Her eyelids gently closed. A small orange pot lay open on the ground. Labelled painkillers . Empty of it's contents.
Twilight hovered the pot and read the label
Painkillers
Given for: Miss Rainbow Miriam Dashery
From: Ponyville Hospital
Reason of Possession: Due to a accident on the date of 21st April, Miss Rainbow Miriam Dashery experienced extreme pain to the head, wings and right leg.
Take 2-3 a day
DO NOT OVERDOSE
OVERDOSING CAN LEAD TO DEATH
"Rainbow? Rainbow! Wake up!" Applejack shook the young pegasus. Rarity glanced at Rainbow's flank.
"Dear, it's too late."
Rainbow's flank no longer had her tri-coloured lighting bolt with a small cloud above it. No. Her flank was bear. No cutimark at all.
Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy burst into tears. Unable to hold their sadness. Rarity turned away and quietly cried to herself. Twilight just stood there. Staring at Rainbow's peaceful expression. And Applejack cried as she shook the pegasus.
"This is not funny, Rainbow! Wake up!!..
...wake up..."
It's Got To Be My Destiny
T'was a day of sadness. Of guilt, anger and sorrow. The skies filled with bruise coloured clouds that poured their own tears. As if crying to themselves. Along with the many ponies, gathered around a small white coffin. Ponies of all sorts wore black. Showing their misery. Four grand alicorns stood in front of the pearl white coffin. A magical gazebo was placed over the ponies as they said their goodbyes to their close friend. The coffin was half open, showing the upper half of the deceased pony.
The pony wore a plain, flowing white dress. Her mane loosely placed into a messy bun with glimmering pearls. Her elegant cyan wings, clear of blood and washed, spread out. The pegasus lay on a soft layer of the softest white material. Looking like she was simply sleeping on a cloud. Her eyes gently closed, with her eyelashes curled and feminine. She wore a simple gold chain necklace, with a ruby lighting bolt. Similar to her Element. The mare's arms were crossed over her chest. And a small photo of six happy mares was carefully placed between them.
The whole of Ponyville, workers at the Weather Factory and the Wonderbolts had turned up to wish the pegasus goodbye. A purple stallion with a rainbow mane, wearing a simple black bow tie, cried uncontrollably. Many had tried to comfort him, but nothing could stop his tears.
"Dashie!! I'm so sorry!! I-I-I should have been there for you!! Like a real father." He cried for his daughter. "I'm sorry Firefly!! I'm sorry!! I failed to care for our little Dashie!! I failed to be a real father!! At least you can look after now."
Twilight and Rarity trotted up to sobbing to stallion.
"I'm sure she's happy where she is now." They soothed.
"She missed her so much. Dashie missed her mother so much. They were exactly alike. Both loved flying. The need for speed. Their beauty. Their attitude to life and loyalty. And I loved the both of them. And little Wind Speed. When my wife died, I felt half of me disappear. And then little Speeder contracted a disease. That attacks her nerve and immune system. Then the bills piled up. Treatments, gas and electricity. My job alone could not pay for all the bills. I grew angry. Angrier and angrier I got. I started drinking too. I guess I used Dashie as an object. Where I could release all my pent up anger. I still hear her cries as she begged me to stop. I don't know why I did it. I loved her. She was constantly trying to make me proud. By flying. But she reminded me too much of Firefly. I'm sorry, Rainbow!! It's all my fault, baby!!" He shouted as his tears coated his purple fur.
While the fashionista and the princess comforted the father with his new loss, Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy stood by the white coffin. Staring at the pegasus inside. Pinkie's hair was now completely flat. And she no longer radiated her happiness and big smile. She held a bunch of balloons. Six. Matching Rainbow's mane. Her sapphire eyes red from her many tears. Fluttershy was the same. She could not stop crying. Her mane was tangled and untamed, and her butterscotch cheeks were soaked through. She held a photo of herself and Rainbow as young fillies. They were both laughing. Smiling. Applejack just stared at the pony. Still. Not a single tear came out of emerald eyes. They were glued to her friend.
"Ah should ave been there. Ah should ave known." She croaked. Not moving her eyes.
"It was not your fault, Applejack. It is a surprise to everyone. Everyone in Equestria." Celestia soothed. She too had been crying. Although she did not fully know the pegasus, she was still a close friend.
"Who knew that she was so broken up inside?" Luna muttered. Her gaze elsewhere.
"It must have been the years of abuse from her father. Then she just started to crack.
Like the Mare-Do-Well thing. She was pretty upset about that." Fluttershy whispered. Her voice sore and scratchy from when she shed her tears for her closest friend. "Oh Rainbow."
The six pegasus in blue suits saluted to their trainee before zooming upwards. Smoke trails following behind them. They span and circled around in the grey sky. Everypony looked up to see spelled out in the sky,
GOODBYE, RAINBOW DASH
Celestia gently closed the coffin, the girls having one last look before their friend will be gone forever. A group of colourful birds began to sing a sad song as Fluttershy composed. The coffin was slowly lowered into the ground. The girls and Prism Skies threw flowers that were rose hue. The same colour as the pegasus' eyes. Finally, an earth pony began to bury the white coffin. Now there was just a small mound of fresh dirt in front of marble gravestone. Engraved onto the stone was a lighting bolt and some writing.
Rainbow Miriam Dashery
Element of Loyalty
Best Friend
Great Sister
Wonderful Daughter and a Excellent Flier
Equestria's Fast Flier
The Only Pony To Perform The Legendary Sonic Rainboom
Taken Away By Her Own Accord. Through The Thick And Thin Of Horrors And Tragedies.
Rest In Peace, young one
You Will Never Be Forgotten
At this point, Pinkie burst into tears. Screaming and wailing.
"Why, Dashie?! Why?! You were my bestest friend ever!! Why do you have to go?!"
Applejack trotted over and hugged the wailing mare. Stroking her dullened mane.
"There there, Sugarcube."
"Dashie is gone now!! Why?! She was my bestest friend! Friends don't do this to each other!!"
"We know. But..."
"But what?! What, Applejack?!" Pinkie screamed. Out of all ponies, Pinkie was more distraught. She couldn't hold it anymore. And it all came out in a burst of tears and screaming. Applejack staggered back as the pink pony yelled. Tears shooting out of her eyes.
"But, we jast couldn't be there for her."
"It's my fault.....it's my fault..." She whispered. The amber pony's eyes opened wide.
"No. Nonono, Sugarcube."
"If I was there, I could have helped Dashie. I should have felt it. Why didn't I see this?!"
"It was all our fault, Pinkie." Fluttershy reassured. "I knew that she had emotional problems before. But I always pushed them aside. She always saw her emotions as a weakness."
"We know. If only we could have saved her."
"Let's just hope she's happy now. She'll be with her mother now." Prism Skies stared up into the sky. "Please, Firefly. Forgive me and care for our daughter."
And as if his wife actually heard him, the skies cleared. The rain stopped and the sun shone brightly down onto all the ponies. However, as the sun began shining, a large, bright rainbow began to glow over the fresh land. Looking like the prismatic pegasus was still with them. Flying over them like a colourful angel.
~~~~~~
It was about month later after the death a certain pegasus. And it wasn't the same since then in the little town of Ponyville. The weather wasn't precise. It went all wrong. It was raining when it was supposed to be sunny. And it was sunny when there was supposed to be a storm. And this made a big impact.
Due to the lack of proper weather, the orchard of Sweet Apple Acres was beginning to die. The trees either died to the lack of rain or due to the hysterical wind. Eventually, the Apple Family had nothing left. Orchard was gone. And with no apples to sell, they had no money. They all packed their bags, said their goodbyes to their friends and left for Applelosa.
And because of this, Ponyville went into a financial crisis. With it's main supplier gone, Ponyville lost a lot of money. Everypony tried to fix all of this, but it all was crumbling apart.
Sugarcube Corner had to close. With their waitress, apprentice, baby sitter and nearly adoptive daughter gone, the Cakes couldn't hold up their business and their family. So they closed up shop. Living in a small house, by the edges of Ponyville living on the money they had saved up.
Pinkie Pie, or Pinkamena Diana Pie as she now referred herself to, moved back to her parents rock farm. Saying that Ponyville reminded her too much of Dashie. She wasn't her usual hyper self since the death of her friend. She always kept herself inside. Hardly worked. Nopony had seen her for weeks. That was until she left. She left a balloon outside everypony's door, with a note saying 'Goodbye'. Her closest friends received special gifts at their doors. Twilight received all of Pinkie Pie's cookbooks. All hoof written by the pink pony. On the note, it said, 'For my magical friend, Twilight. Here are my cookbooks. I always thought you could do with some cooking lessons. After all, you can't live on toast and coffee. Keep smiling.'
Applejack got sent a parcel. Within the parcel was all her party equipment.
'For my apple easy friend, Applejack. Carry on the parties for me, AJ. Beside Dashie, you were always a party pony. Now you can have fun with all of your new friends in Applelosa. Keep smiling.'
Fluttershy retreated to her house. Not coming out for anyone. The animals she owned fetched her supplies. Berries, fruits, nuts and water from the forest. The shy pegasus received a small box. With a green balloon attached to it. Inside the box was Pinkie's pet alligator, Gummy.
'For my kind and shy friend, Fluttershy. Here's my cute pet, Gummy. I can't take him with me. So, as a gift, I give him to you. Gummy loves making new friends. So he'll enjoy being with your other animals. Keep smiling.'
And finally, Rarity had carried on her fashion career. Still distraught over her friend. She moved to Canterlot with her sister. Still designing and creating her magnificent dresses and outfits. But she hardly went out. She always stayed inside her new shop. Even though she was well known in Canterlot, nopony ever saw her. So they all nicknamed her the 'Phantom Seamstress'. As she was never seen, but her outfits were everywhere. She also received a parcel. Inside was all of Pinkie's costumes. And even a few of her dresses made by the elegant unicorn.
'For my beautiful and rare friend, Rarity. Here are my magnificent outfits of laughter. And a few of your ones. I thank you for my beautifully made pieces of work. Keep smiling.'
The friends hardly talked to each other. They never saw each other. They were all too upset. Seeing each other would only remind them of their adventures before. With their rainbow maned friend. And unfortunately, the Elements of Harmony were destroyed. They all burst into nothing more but grey gems. Twilight tried fixing them. Every so often, rubbing her head. She was wearing her crown at the time. As it exploded.
Celestia explained to her student that once one element was gone. The others went along with it. Equestria's main force of defence was gone. Until new bearers were found, Equestria was vulnerable. Twilight hide in her library. Saying that it was her fault. She was a princess. Gaining her princess-hood through the power of friendship. But she couldn't even help a friend and her battle with emotions.
The death of Rainbow Dash shocked and upset the land. But nopony could understand the pain the pegasus' friends felt. Nopony could feel their guilt for not being there.
