When a Rainbow's Tale Isn't Quite as Niceby SilverInk500ChaptersAs the Story We Knew of Sugar and SpiceBut Rainbow's Easy Once You Get to Know HerWith the Help of the Magic of This Pegasus' DeviceLet's Delve Deeper into Rainbow's Philosophy (Fluttershy's POV)As the Story We Knew of Sugar and SpiceAs the Story We Knew of Sugar and Spice My coat was back to it's normal cyan color now.It's a looks odd like that color.I had gotten used to the crimson red color. It took hours to get the blood out of the corse hairs, and even longer to stop acting like a psychopath. I don't know what happened to me. I had never done that before. Maybe my sins were finally having an effect on me. But I've been doing this for over twenty years, why now. It didn't really matter now though, Scootaloo was dead. I don't even know what happened. It's all a red blur. I couldn't stop myself. Half of me wanted to crush her, make her scream in agony, and the other half felt like someone was attacking her and was trying everything it could to keep my...little sister safe. Obviously the former half was more than half as it slowly consumed the other until I could only feel hatred. I was flying home from the factory. My house wasn't that far away from work, but I was taking a much longer route today. It gave me time to think. Ponyville was beautiful from the skies. All the lights were already on and Luna's moon was slowly rising in the east, casting it's silver beams upon the wave of colors like in the factory. I sighed and thought of today. It started out normal, or as normal as it gets at the factory. We were preparing for a new shipment of Spectra, which only comes around so often. We...we had a meeting, just me and the rest of other authorities. Of course, I was the highest authority, but their opinions matter as well. What we we discussing? Something about the last attempt at an exposure. Some worker was going to send a letter to his love telling her of the Rainbow Factory and then kill himself. We stopped him in time thankfully. Sometimes I dream of what would happen if the factory was exposed. I would be free from this nightmare and thrown into another. Maybe I would be murdered. I bet being dead would be better than this. It was such a shock to me when I saw her coming to the factory. How did she fail? Why did she fail? How dare she fail me! I stopped flying about froze. What did I just think? How dare she fail me? Did I really think that way. I blinked and frantically began to flap my wings again, as I was about to fall. I had never thought that before, or had I? Felt such anger, such hatred. How DARE she fail me?!?! I shook my head, trying desperately to shake out the thoughts with no success. I took a breath and landed. A walk would do me good. Just a peaceful stroll through Ponyville. Then the fillies arrived right on time like they always did. They were pilling into the large room. Most of their eyes fell upon the giant rusty machine they feared would be their doom. I can still see their scared, confused faces. I've seen those faces so many times. More times than one pony should see. The room was filled with failures. They were useless now. They had failed the test. They were horrible ponies. They would never be someone. I remember stopping at that thought, thinking of a pony who failed the test and lived, but never speaks of it. I dismissed that thought though. It was going normally, then I stepped up to tell the little devils exactly why they were going to be brutally murdered and who they should curse with their dying breaths. But she was gone now, and I just wanted to die. I hoped no one would notice. But I wasn't too scared. No one ever noticed. Wanna know why? Because the world is selfish. Everypony thinks about themselves and doesn't care about anypony else unless they need them. So naturally, I assumed no one would notice for a few days. Unfortunately, Fate had other plans. As I walked down the path, my thinking was interrupted by a young southern voice. "Hey Rainbow Dash!" Apple Bloom greeted. "Have you seen Scootaloo?" Sweetie Bell asked with large eyes. "She was supposed to meet us after she finished her flight test thingy but it's been hours and she still hasn't come. My eye twitched. No amount of training could have prepared me for that moment. I just wanted to lash out and kill them, feed them to the machine, two perfect specimen right in from of me. I shook my head, trying to get the insane thoughts out of my head. Thankfully, the two fillies took that as a no. "Aw! I thought you would know about that stuff since your a weather pony and you had to do that too." Apple Bloom sighed. I mentally snickered, of course, when I took the flight exam it had been a very different story. "Sorry, haven't seen her!" I said in my fake stupid voice that I always talk in outside of the factory. "But don't worry, these test can take a while, she'll probably turn up tomorrow." "Oh, okay." Sweetie Bell said sadly. Looking at their faces, I wanted to cry again. Why was I lying to them, giving them false hope? I knew they would never see their friend again and I was just lying and acting perfectly happy. How long had I been lying? Over twenty years, I realized. It was too much, I just wanted to spill. Just unravel, tell the world everything. 'The element of Loyalty is betraying everypony!' I wanted to scream it to the sky and be carried off to pay for my sins. But I couldn't I wouldn't and I won't. I took a deep breath and looked at the sky. "Hey, shouldn't you two be getting home? It's getting late." I said to them. My emotion were going crazy, sad, mad, and trying to act happy....I couldn't take it! Then, with a noticeably fake smile I took off into the air, heading for home. I just needed a little alone time to....cry. But Rainbow's Easy Once You Get to Know HerBut Rainbow's Easy Once You Get to Know Her Morning came rolling around like it does everyday. The sunlight poured into my window and onto my bed screaming for me to wake up. I lazily rolled over, using my own body to shield my eyes from the light so I could go back to a peaceful world of fanasty, but it was too late. I was already awake. Yawning, I sat up in bed, my back facing the window. I stretched out my arms and wings, flapping them a bit. My eyelids wouldn't stay open for long and begged me to just go back to bed, but my mind was already awake and wanting to move on to the next thing. I hoped off my bed and made it over to my kitchen to grab some breakfast before heading to work. I trotted slowly, keeping my head low to avoid the sunlight. 'Wow, it's really bright. What time is it?' I thought. I looked around the room until I found a clock. My eyes widened as I read the time. "10:47?!?!" I exclaimed. I had gotten home late last night, but I didn't expect to sleep that long. There was something nagging me at the back of my mind, but I instantly dismissed it and flew straight out the cloud door. More like straight through it. I really needed to stop doing that. With cloud doors, if you fly through them, they instantly repair themselves, but with wooden ones, they leave you with a headache and a door to repair. I zoomed through Cloudsdale muttering the same though over and over again. "I'm late, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late-" "Hey, Dashie!" a voice stopped me. I spread out my wings and skidded to a stop in midair. "Whatcha doin'?" Pinkie asked. I turned to face her. She was hovering 200 feet in the air, kept afloat by a bundle of balloons. "Ah, just going to, uh, work." I stammered. What was wrong with me today! I had done this millions of times, why was I so nervous about lying about this? "Cool! But, I thought you didn't have work on Tuesdays?" she said with the tone of a question. I blinked in confusion. "It's Tuesday!" I exclaimed. "Well I'm pretty sure that Tuesday comes after Monday! I'll have to check that!" Pinkie laughed. "Anyways, do you have to go to work?" "Uh, no. I guess not." I said, a bit relieved. "Great! Could you help me? I'm kinda stuck here!" Pinkie giggled as she spoke. "Uh...yeah! Of course!" I said. Something was wrong with me today. I couldn't focus. I flew up beside Pinkie and untied a few of her balloons. She began to slowly descend and I carefully followed her all the way down to the ground. "Thanks Dashie! I knew I could count on you!" Pinkie said. "Yeah, well I AM the element of loyalty. You can always trust me." I said. The words came from out of no where and I instantly felt ashamed after saying that. Was my subconscious trying to tell me something or was I going completely mad? "Hey, Dashie, are you okay?" Pinkie Pie asked, concerned. "Hm?-yeah, I'm fine." I replied quickly. "Why would you think that?" "Well, you don't seem like yourself today." Pinkie said, then she shrugged. "Oh well, bye!" She began to trot off, and her hooves slowly began to rise until she was off the ground and still trotting. I zipped over to her and pushed her back down. "Whoa! Might need to untie another balloon." I said with a laugh. "Hee, hee! Yeah!" Pinkie giggled as I took off another balloon. "Thanks! See you later!" "Bye." I said. I was watching her trot off when something accrued to me. "Hey, Pinkie!" She stopped and turned to me. "I never told you I take Tuesdays off, how did you know?" "Hee, hee, Silly! I know a lot of things that you don't know thatI know but I know that you don't know that I know but then I know that if you know that I know that you DON'T know that I KNOW than if I tell you that I know that you don't know that I know then you'll know that I know, makes sense?" I paused for a moment before I could formulate an answer. "Right." Wait did that mean that she knew? Or, wait, I don't know, it's confusing. I hoped it was just Pinkie being Pinkie. "Was that all?" She asked. "Yeah." "Ok! Bye, again! Wow, that's like the third time I've said bye to you! I wait I said bye again, and then again so like five times! Anyways, bye! Six!" Pinkie said, her voice fading. I watched her happily trot away, slightly elevated by three balloon, two blue and one yellow. My mind made one last connection before she trotted over the hill. The balloons were in the exact position as her cutie mark. I smiled and opened back up my wings and took off into the air in the direction of my house. Fate can be cruel, but it can throw in something nice every know and then. Cutie marks had always fascinated me. A single mark could tell your whole life's story. With most ponies, you could tell what they do by their cutie mark. Apple Jack has a trio of apples and she works on a apple farm. Fluttershy takes care of animals and she has butterflies. Sometimes, it's not an exact picture of their lives, like with Rarity. She 's a clothes designer, but has diamonds as a cutie mark, but most of her outfits include gems and sparkles. Pinkie Pie is a baker, but she always throws parties and makes you happy. Me- I looked at my own cutie mark. You think it must be a fake or something considering what I do for a living. I sighed. Cutie marks can be interpreted in many ways. Mine could mean I can control lightning better than normal pegasi. With my job, it could mean I make the rainbows for all of Equestria as quick as lightning. But I always felt like my cutie mark didn't represent me very well. It should have been something da I guess it's how I got it that defines it. No one in the factory believes me when I told them I won it in a race. The one pony I told at the factory just laughed at me saying: "Oh yes, the great and sadistic Rainbow Death special talent is flying fast and she won it in a race where she preformed a sonic Rainboom! Haha! priceless." Yep, fed straight to the machine that one. Of course, not for that comment. She tried to escape. I actually trusted her. She was going to be my successor, little Dust Light. She used to call me Rainbow Death instead of Rainbow Dash, claiming it was "too stupid of a name for a god like you. Rainbow Death suits you better." The truth is, the was right. But I hated the idea of being called Rainbow Death. It did suit me though. She said it was like Death by Rainbows because I turned ponies into rainbows and no matter how many times I told her that I never directly fed anyone to the machine, she still insisted it was my fault since I gave the order. I slowed down a bit when I realized something. Scootaloo was the first pony I had ever directly fed to the machine. Dust always teased me about it, always calling me a softy. I guess she really was though. I remember that night, the fateful night when she died. It was time for me to leave the factory. There is only two ways in and out of the building. One is the door when the fillies come through which is always locked. The only pony with the key is me, one of my very one feathers. The other is the balcony on the top floor of the factory, which only I can enter, and Dust Light. Most ponies don't even know the floor exists. The only way to get it is through the elevator, using one of my feathers. Dust Light followed me to my loft that. I hadn't noticed her until I opened the door to the balcony, stepped out, and was about to fly off. Her voice stopped me. "What's it like." she asked softly. I spun around to face her with an angry look. She was standing in the doorway looking at the sky with a longing look on her face. "Dust! You're not allowed to be on the balcony." I snapped, but she ignored me. "I haven't seen a sunset in so long." She said sadly. "What's it like." "The sunset?" "No. Getting the honor of living out there with all the normal ponies but having to fight to keep your secret." She looked back at me. "Do you have close friends? Or do you keep your distance from everypony." "Six." I muttered. "What?" She asked. "Six, I have six close friends." I repeated. "Do they know?" I didn't reply. I turned my head to face the sunset and sighed. "Of course not." she said. "I guess your not that close." "No! We are!" "Then why don't you tell them?" "Maybe because I want to keep this factory safe, and telling an alicorn, princess, who is also the star student of Celestia herself might cause problems." I angerly shouted. "Why do you have to keep this company safe?" I looked at her in shock. "What do you mean? The world needs rainbows, the world needs us, the world needs me." "I'm sure the world can find another way!" she said with determination. She flew up above me and began to hover there. "Come on, we can go out there together, tell the whole world about this place! No one else has to die! Luna's back, right? Maybe Celestia can take back her duty of rainbows and we don't have to live like this anymore!" She had tears in her eyes and was screaming, pleading. The argument was convincing. Every word made a crack in my sheild, threatening to shatter it completely. I wanted to go with her. I honestly did. My heart scream at me to go with her. I wouldn't have to do this anymore, I didn't have to be Rainbow Death, I didn't have to be the devil. I could just go with her, tell Celestia everything. But then something happened. A fierce need to protect the company came upon me. "No!" I yelled. Her eyes widened, in shock. "How dare you say something like that! We must protect the company; I can't abandon it!" Her look of determination came back, but a hint of fear was hidden behind it. "Well if you won't, I WILL!" I with that final word she took off into the air. I watched as the flew higher until she slammed into an invisible wall, and electricity flowed through her body. She fell back onto the balcony right beside me, barely conscious. I shook my head and sighed. "I am very disappointed in you, Dust Light." I said. "I thought you were going to take my place when my time came. Might I mention there is an invisible electric field automatically surrounds this place if a pony other than myself steps onto this balcony. Such a shame too. Now I'll have to turn you into a rainbow." She coughed and looked at me with hatred, but I noticed she wasn't looking at my eyes, she was looking at my neck. I looked down and couldn't believe what I saw. "My element." I whispered. Upon my neck was the golden necklace with the red lightning symbol redecorating the center. It had just appeared there, I had no idea how. "I read about those once. Element of harmony. The lightning represents loyalty." She laughed weakly. "Figures." "I'll always be loyal to the company." I said fiercely. "Even if it hurts the ones you love." She looked me in the eyes with pity. "You really are a monster, Rainbow Death." then she blacked out. With the Help of the Magic of This Pegasus' DeviceWith the Help of the Magic of This Pegasus' Device I hate flashbacks. One minute your innocently flying along, thinking of a dear old friend's rebellion, the next minute your flat against a column because you weren't paying attention to your surroundings. "Ow." I muttered, rubbing my head with my hoof while hovering by the column. That, of course, messed up my already messy mane, but I really didn't care. I wanted to get home. I did my best to shake it off as I flew away from the column and back into direction of my house. "Hmmm, what to do, what to do." I muttered while flying. To be honest with myself. It felt great to just fly for once. Despite what it seems, I never get to just fly around much. I had never realized that before. I never really appreciated the fact that I'm the only pony allowed to leave the factory. It must be awful to have to live in that filthy place. Cooped up all day in the factory with the machine and stench of blood floating around, knowing that everything you do every single moment of the day if preparation to end a pony's life. I stopped myself, something I had been doing a lot lately. What was I thinking? I also seemed to be asking myself that a lot as well. Was I beginning to despise the Rainbow Factory. What was wrong with me? I seemed to be changing and not wanting to admit that I was. Something was different about me. It was almost as if I WANTED to do good. The thought scared me a bit. I can't remember the last time I was the good guy. I mean, I've saved Equestria millions of times before, but it was an all act. I hated it, right? The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I shouldn't ever leave the factory! This place was starting to get to me. I had dyed my heart black long ago, but the roots are still red and their growing back in. "Okay, that was the worst metaphor ever!" I laughed, but stopped myself once again. I was actually turning into her. I was turning into the crazy little kid I have to pretend to be. I was turning into that innocent fun girl who people love, who I used to be...who I still want to be. Maybe I could be her, maybe if I told them about the factory they would still care about me and still be my friend. I mean if I found out that Pinkie Pie, I don't know, baked ponies into cupcakes or something and didn't want to do it anymore and was going to stop, I would support her. Of course if she was going to bake ME into a cupcake it would be a different story. The others I would do the same, because I don't care what they do, they're my friends, and I'll alway be loyal to my friends. "No. I can't. I'm a monster! I'm loyal to the FACORY. They would hate me. I'd be killed. I'm loyal to the factory, loyal to the factory, loyal to the factory!" I repeated over and over again in my head, trying to brainwash myself. It wasn't working. I spoke louder and louder. Thankfully I was far enough away from any ponies so I wouldn't be heard. "Loyal...to..." I sighed. Why was I trying to convince myself of such an easy concept. Why was I so torn? WHY DID FATE HAVE TO CHOSE ME OF ALL PONIES TO BE LIKE THIS?!?!?! I wanted to cry. My whole life was being thrown upside down. I don't care about friends, So why can't I leave them? I hate being happy, So why do I crave it? I love the sound of other's pain, So why am I blocking it out? I loved running the Rainbow Factory, So why do I want to leave? I sighed and relaxed my wings in order to slowly drift to the ground. I officially hated my life. I felt like two ponies, one who lives in the darkness and loves the fillies' screams and hides from the light, and one who is happy and just wants to help out and be the hero. No, I felt like I was acting out two lives, one where the mare lives in the darkness and loves the fillies' screams and hides from the light, and one where the mare is happy and just wants to help out and be the hero. Like a happy mask and a mad mask, but who is the pony behind it? "Who am I?" I asked as I landed on the ground. Now that is a silly question, but it is so hard to answer. Most say you are who you are when your around you friends and people who you love, but the truth is, you are who you are when you're alone. No one would ever suspect the very element of loyalty to be betraying everypony. Not even her friends. "I'm sorry for lying." I whispered. "You okay, Rainbow Dash?" a kind voice asked. Despite the friendly tone, I still jumping into the air. "Fluttershy! Don't scare me like that!" I shouted. "Oh, im sorry, i'll just...let you get back to.." Fluttershy muttered shyly. "No, it's fine, I'm just worried, I guess." I admitted. "About Scootaloo?" Fluttershy asked. I tried to hide a look of shock. "She's been missing for a whole day now. I'm getting worries too." "Yeah, that." I said. "So, uh, why are in the middle of the valley? Shouldn't you be at work." She asked. I was impressed with her ability to create a conversation. She was getting better. "You know, just thinking." I said. "Being a weather pony is SO boring! I mean, they gave me an hour to clear the skies above downtown. A whole HOUR! So I figured I could take a break before doing that." More lies. I was beginning to hate myself more and more. I guess it's true that old habits are hard to break. There was a silence for a bit. I waited for Fluttershy to say something, but it was Fluttershy... "What do you think happened." Fluttershy questioned. "Hm? What do you mean?" "With Scootaloo." "Oh yeah, she probably took off for a bit. She'll probably turn up soon." I lied. I couldn't believe I was lying again! After I had just apologized, I was doing it again. "I don't know. It's not like Scootaloo to run off like that. I talked to Twilight about-" "YOU TOLD TWILIGHT?!?" I exclaimed a bit too scared. "Um, yeah..." Fluttershy muttered. "I mean, we really shouldn't bother her with little things like this." Was it possible it get worse at lying after being an ace at it for nearly twenty years? "Well, I guess, but she's our friend-" "And a princess! We can't bother her with missing ponies." "But isn't that a princess's duty?" Fluttershy asked. "Well, I guess." I sighed in defeat. "What did she say?" "Actually, that's why I came here, I was looking for you and our other friends. Twilight wants to have a "elements of harmony meeting" or something to discuss the issue." "Urg, again?" Fluttershy nodded. "Well I'll head on over to library." I said. "Great! I'll meet you there when I gather up the others." Fluttershy smiled. "Alright see ya!" I said and then took off towards the library. This could end badly. ~~~~~~~~~~~ I arrived at Twilight's house first, followed by Pinkie and Rarity talking some party for upperclass ponies.Then Apple Jack and Fluttershy came a few moments later. "Alright, now that everypony is here we can call this meeting to order. Today's topic of discussion: Scootaloo's disappearance." "WHAT? Scootaloo disappeared? Like poof?" Pinkie asked, worried. "No Pinkie, not like 'poof' just no pony know where she is." Twilight said after rolling her eyes. "Oh, shoo!" Pinkie said, wiping nonexistent sweat from her forehead. "Now, do we know who last saw her." Twilight said. "Ooh ooh ooh! Pick me! Pick me!" Pinkie said, raising her hoof high in the air. I rolled my eyes, resisting the urge to facehoof. "Yes, Pinkie." Twilight said with a tone of annoyment. "It was probably Rainbow Dash because she went to Cloudsdale for that test thingy." Pinkie suggested. This time I did facehoof. "Pinkie, just because I live in Clousdale, doesn't mean I see every single pony in it." I said. I wasn't lying, but it still counted in my book. I was deceiving them. That's not what an element of loyalty should do. "So, Rainbow Dash didn't see her, what about you Fluttershy?" Twilight said. "She and the other crusaders came to my house that morning asking for carrots so they could get their bunny trapping cutie marks, but that's the last time I saw her." Fluttershy said. "Okay, what about you Apple Jack?" Twilight asked. Apple Jack snook her head. "I saw her at the farm yesterday when she came to get Apple Bloom, but that's it." AJ said. "Same goes for me I'm afraid." Rarity spoke up. "And I didn't seen her at all today!" Pinkie exclaimed. Everypony looked at her "Pinkie, she went missing yesterday." Apple Jack commented. Pinkie Pie gasped. "That must be why I haven't seen her today!" She exclaimed. "Your good, Apple Jack!" I felt like I should speak up before somepony else did. "Listen, guys. This is ridiculous! I'm sure she just flew off or something! She's probably be back before we can blink." I stated, nonchalantly. "I'm not sure, Rainbow Dash. She didn't say anything to anypony about leaving." Twilight noted. "Yeah, and she's never done that before." Fluttershy said. "Oh, I do hope nothing terrible has happening to her." Rarity dramatically sighed. 'Something terrible has already happened.' I thought. Half of me wanted to scream at them that I was lying and knew exactly what had happened to little Scoots. The other half (and more stubborn half) wanted me to lie through my teeth, and that's what I seemed to be doing. "I'm sure she's fine." I grunted. "Rainbow Dash, what's wrong with you today? Aren't you worried?" Twilight asked, concerned. "Yea, usually ya freak out over every little thing with Scoot." Apple Jack laughed. "Yeah! Remember that one time when you-" Pinkie began. "I know, I know. But I don't think anything's wrong! She was fine the last time I saw her." I yelled. "Then why do you think she ran off?" Twilight questioned. All eyes were on me. The cold, uneasy feeling spread across me. I was in trouble. They knew I was lying. They could see it in my eyes. This was-what, the fifth time today I was lying? Were all my lies coming back to bite me one at a time now that I couldn't lie my way back out of it? Why was I such a bad lier today? The one day I needed to not be! "Did she say something to you, Rainbow, Dear?" Rarity asked. I couldn't take the stares. I felt like I was going to fold under all the pressure; I've never felt like that before! If any time would be a good time to tell them it would be now. It would seem a bit extreme to them, since they probably think she just told me a secret, not I killed her and turned her into a rainbow because that's what I do for a living. "Well...." I trailed off. My eyes darted around the room, looking for a way out of this situation. Then I saw the time. I faked a look of horror, which wasn't hard since I was previously attempting to mask it. "Oh my gosh! I was supposed to clear the sky an hour ago! I'm gonna be in so much trouble! Gotta go!" And with that final statement, I zipped out of the room and away for the gaze of my friends. I sighed in relief as soon as they couldn't see me anymore. I angled my wings to slowly curve to the right in the direction of the Everfree. I needed to think, and I needed to be alone to do that. It didn't take long to get there at the speed I was going. Defidently not fast enough to do a sonic rainboom, but faster than the average pegasus can fly. I didn't go far into the forest so I wouldn't get lost, but far enough to be away from the rest of the ponies. I landed on a branch of an oddly shaped tree, that resembled the one Zecora lived in, except much smaller. I took a deep breath, and then let it out. I processed to bang my head serval times on the trunk of the tree. "Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid." I said each time. "URG! What is wrong with me today? It's like somepony put a truth spell on me but didn't do it quite right!" I stopped banging my head on the tree since I was beginning to get a sever headache. "What is this? Is it because I apologized for lying? Huh, 'Fate'? Do you want me to be evil?" I yelled. "Is this some sort of evil plot twist? My live isn't a TV show!" Then, I realized I was screaming at sky... I shut up fast and looked at the ground before remembering that I'm alone. "Wow, I haven't been alone like this for years." I realized. "I'm never free to dictate me thoughts." I used to do that with Dust Light. I would tell her everything, and she would have done the same with me, but she spent her life at the factory with me, so nothing much happened with her that I didn't already know about. There were some things about me that she didn't know about, but usually she found out. She would always ask me about it, and she never really told me how she found out. I remember the time she asked me about Scoots... "Hi, Rainbow." She greeted me in the same manner she did every morning. "Hello, Dust." I mumbled. "Something wrong?" She asked. "Ah nothing, just stayed up late last night teaching..." I stopped myself before I could continue. "Ah, her. So who is this mysterious and very lucky pegasus who is being trained to fly by a god." "I'm not a god." I said. "Maybe, but you are changing the subject." Dust noted. I stopped. "Her name is Scootaloo." I said and began to walk down the hall to my left. "Well, that was easy." she smiled. I rolled my eyes. "Don't stop there! Go on." "She's just a filly right now. Her wings are deformed, but I believe that she could still learn to fly if she used the Hummingbird technic." "The Hummingbird technic?" Dust asked. "Ah, yes. The Hummingbird technic. It's we're instead of flapping and gliding, like most pegasi do, one must flap their wings very fast in order to hover and move. It's hard to learn, only the most skilled of pegasi could do it. I think she can do it. She has to! I can't bare to think what would happen if..." my voice trailed off, but Dust Light knew what I meant. "But there's no need to worry. The kid's got talent, she'll make it." Dust Light, suddenly looked sad. She stared into the distance behind me with a far away look in her eyes. "I had an older sister once." She whispered. She turned and looked me in the eye. "She said the same thing about me." "I'm sorry." I said. "But don't worry. If her time comes and her face appears in the crowd to feed to the machine, I'll be right there with you." she offered. I smiled. "Thanks." I said. I blinked, the real world surrounded me again. I hung my head and felt my eyes moisten. "I'm so sorry, Dust. I should have listened to you!" I whispered. "IF I LISTED TO YOU SCOOTALOO WOULD STILL BE HERE!" I shouted at the sky, a few tears falling down my face. "One day, you will face one whom you love, and you will have to throw her into that machine." Her voice echoed in my head. "Stop lying!" I screamed, still thinking no pony was around. But this time somepony was. Let's Delve Deeper into Rainbow's Philosophy (Fluttershy's POV)Let's Delve Deeper into Rainbow's Philosophy A few minutes earlier: Well...." Dash began. Her eyes darted around the room. She looked panicky, which is a rare thing with Rainbow Dash. Then she spoke again: "Oh my gosh! I was supposed to clear the sky an hour ago! I'm gonna be in so much trouble! Gotta go!" Her wing opened and carried her out of the room with such speed, it blew all our hair in our faces and knocked some books off the shelf. "Whoa." Twilight said, blowing hair out of her face. "What was that for." "Rainbow told me she was taking a break from work when I went to get her." I muttered. "She must be REALLY late." Pinkie giggled. "It did look mighty supisious." Apple Jack noted. "Yes, it did." Twilight said, gaining AJ's tone. "I wonder..." "Twilight, dear, if Rainbow Dash has something she wants to tell us, then she will tell us, if Scootaloo told her something and asked her not to speak of it, what kind of loyal pony would go and tell all five of us. I'm sure if the information is necessary, she will tell us. It's not Rainbow is the reason she's gone." Rarity spoke. The other ponies nodded. "Rarity is right. Besides, we have other things to worry about." Twilight said. "Like finding Scootaloo?" I said. "Exactly. Now, the last place anypony saw her was the place where the pegasus' take the flight exam." Twilight thought aloud. "So, what happened?" A terrible thought struck me, and I gasped in fear. Now, all eyes turned to me. "What? What is the Fluttershy?" Twilight asked. "No, it can't be! Scootaloo is a-a good flier." I stammered. "She c-couldn't have-" "WHAT?" Everypony asked, their voices filled with fear and curiosity. "failed the test." I said quietly. "What?" "Failed the test!" I yelled. Everyone stared at me in confusion. "So what, is she retakin' it?" Apple Jack asked. "No, you don't retake the test. You fail, you get stuffed in a cart with the rest of the failures and get taken to Celestia knows where! No pony ever sees you again." I screamed in fear. Except for me...I thought. No matter how many times I thought about it I still couldn't come to a conclusion. What I saw-that HAD to be a dream, right? The is no way that- "So you fail, that's it, you're done for?" Twilight asked. "It's not a hard test...are at least for most ponies." I trailed off. "What about you, did you pass?" Rarity asked. "I-" my voice broke. Images of the inside of the factory flashed before my eyes. The blood, the screams, the r-rai...Rainbow Dash stepping in front of me as the pegasi came to throw me into the machine. "NO! You can't take her!" Rainbow screamed to the shadowy figure standing on the balcony above us. She only laughed. "Oh, and why's that?" the figure asked, her female voice shocked me. "Because she's my friend." Rainbow replied. "Well, sorry, little Rainbow, but she failed the test, you know what that means." She motioned for the guards to take me, and they began to fly closer. "Okay, I'll do it!" Dash screamed. I looked up her. "Rainbow..." "It's okay, I got this." she shushed me, then she turned back to the mare. "I'll work her for my whole life. I'll run the factory when you're gone. I'll keep Celestia from knowing. Just please...spare her." The figure seemed to smile at her childishness. "And how do I know you will?" "I swear, if I break my promise, I can feed myself to that machine." "Rainbow, please, don't do this!" I screamed. I didn't understand what has going on, but I didn't like what Rainbow was promising to do. "She's off the hook." The figure said. The guards moved away from me. "You know, Rainbow Dash, one day, you will face one whom you love, and you will have to throw her into that machine." Rainbow Dash looked at me, then her eyes widened. "Look out!" she screamed. Something hit the back of my head, then everything when black. "Fluttershy! Fluttershy!? FLUTTERSHY?!?!" Twilight yelled my name. "Huh?" I gasped blinking. "Areyouokay,youreyeslikeglazedoverandTwilightstartedfreakingoutand-" Pinkie said. "Sorry, just...nightmare..." I couldn't speak. "Nightmare?" Apple Jack asked. "After the exam, I had this nightmare that I failed and-" my voice was gone. "It was just so terrible." "The way you look when you talk about it sounds like it was more than a nightmare." Twilight said carefully. "No! It HAD to be a nightmare. If it wasn't..." I stopped and looked at the floor."then we'd all be in danger." The all looked at me, their fearful eyes matching mine. "I'll find her, don't worry." I said and began to fly away. "Wait!" Twilight called. I stopped and looked at her. "In your dream...does Rainbow Dash-" "No, she saves me, but at the cost of her own sanity." I didn't want to say anything more so I just left. ~~~~~~~~~~~ It didn't take long to find Rainbow Dash since I knew her so well. I knew plenty of shortcuts to the Everfree since I lived right next to it. One the way, I couldn't help but think about Rainbow Dash. Her face looked terrified when Rarity questioned her. Did Scootaloo say something? Or was it what she didn't say that scared her? My head bubbled with questioned, yet one kept popping back up.... "Was my dream just that, or...." I shuddered, thinking of that possiblity. "No, it couldn't! Rainbow Dash wouldn't keep a secret like that! She's always been loyal to-" Suddenly a very disturbing thought came to mind, and I couldn't help thinking of an alternate ending to that sentence. So many 'what ifs' and 'is that why's came to mind. What if she really DID join the factory to save me? Is that why she's always so vague bout her job? What is she's the head of the Rainbow Factory? Is that why she's missing sometimes? What if she had to kill Scootaloo? Is that why she's been acting so strange? I gulped. Suddenly going to talk to Rainbow Dash didn't sound like such a good idea anymore. I couldn't imagine what years of killing, lying, and pretending could do to a pony's sanity. I shivered. I trotted much slower now. I could see the outline of the Everfree ahead. The sun was setting, which just added to the mood. It was getting colder and colder. I needed something to get my mind off things. A song instantly came to mind. I softly began singing. "Winter comes and winter goes away, But still the angels stay, Upon this moonlit bay." A gust of wind blew my hair into my face. I shrieked, but soon realized it was just air. I sighed and began to resume my song. Then, I stopped. I couldn't remember the words. It had been awhile sing I had heard it. In fact, I can't even remind where I heard it from. It was a lullaby, but that's all I remembered. The words came to me and I sand them: "Every midnight tear, And ocean waves and here, And-" I gulped. I had forgotten this part. "And everypony that's near, Will soon be filled with fear." I never thought much about the song. Nothing more that a tune in my head. Where did I hear it? "All the snowflake gather all around, And listen to the sound, But to the sky they're bound." I shivered again.The sun was fully set now. The night air was chilling and reflected the song well. "Listen to their ring, But never hear them sing, For they will always cling, To the chill that winter brings." It wasn't winter, but it sure did feel like it. Springtime was odd. It had the warm summer air in the morning, but winter still clings onto the sky at night. "But- Winter comes and winter goes away, But still the angels stay, Upon this moonlit bay. "Every midnight tear, And ocean waves and here, And everypony that's near, Will soon be filled with fear." I repeated the chorus. I was now at the edge of the Everfree, shaking in fear and in the cold air. I took a deep breath and stepped into the forest. "Frozen ice, But broken shards like knives, Will you realize, But wait-" "I'm so sorry, Dust. I should have listened to you!" I head a faint whisper. I froze. That was Rainbow Dash. I couldn't here quite what she said, but I followed the voice. "IF I LISTED TO YOU SCOOTALOO WOULD STILL BE HERE!" I heard her yell, I had no clue what she was talking about, but she seemed distressed. I followed the sound. I hoped over a log, dodged a branch, and ended up behind a rock next to a huge, twisted tree. On one of the highest branches laid Rainbow Dash, burning her head in her hooves. I watched as tears fell down her face. Rainbow Dash rarely cries-Rainbow Dash never cries. In fact, I was pretty sure Dash would rather die than be caught crying-which could only mean one thing. She didn't see me yet. If Rainbow Dash hasn't seen me, then she doesn't know I was listening to her. I couldn't help but wonder what Rainbow meant by “If I listened to you Scootaloo would still be here.” Who is the this “Dust?” Where is Scootaloo? Judging from the situation, I could only assume that Scootaloo is.... I wanted to cry. I couldn't except that. Rainbow Dash could be wrong, right? It didn't sound like that. Being shy had it's advantages, I could never bring myself to ask questions so I had to figure things out myself. I learned to read facial expressions and tones of voices. Everypony has the same basic expressions, though ponies can have different tones. Through years of practice, I became sort of an expert on these things, especial with my oldest friend, Rainbow Dash. I thought I would be able to tell if anypony was lying, because I am practically a master at detecting lies. Though a pony can be equally adapt at lying might be able to fool even me. Now I had even more questions: Could Rainbow have really been lying all this time? Was my nightmare more than a dream? I had convinced myself long ago that no pony could be that cruel. That dream was nothing more than a nightmare. I convinced myself that Celestia would never allow such a gruesome thing. Though, given the current circumstances, it would make sense if there really was a factory like that. I looked back at Rainbow Dash. She was still crying, which made we worry, she never cries. I then, as quietly as possible, stepped away from my hiding spot back into the forest. I wanted to go home, but something stopped me. Looking at her reminded me of a lost, scared animal that had no clue what was happening to them and no clue what they were supposed to do. I couldn't just leave her there. True, she could take care of herself, but no pony wants to be alone at a time like this. Well, no pony truly wants to be alone, no matter what they tell themselves. My emotion began to fight with each other and chose sides. The shy side of me told me to go home, but the kind side begged me to comfort her. My heart thudded in my ears. I made up my mind. “Rainbow Dash?” I called out, flying up above the rock. She didn't respond. I was confused. “Rainbow?” I asked, hovering over to her. She didn't move. “Rainbow, are you-” I stopped talking as soon as I realized why she wasn't responding. She was asleep. I sighed, a bit relieved. I had no idea how I was going to help her if she was awake. I slowly floated back to the ground, keeping my eyes on Dash. Once my hooves reached solid ground, I heard a voice from behind me. "Why, hello there." I jumped almost as high as I was flying. The voice gave me the chills. It was eerie, deep, and soft, and it was defidently female. It sounded like somepony was softly singing at the same time as somepony else who was barely whispering at the same time as somepony taking. Though she was speaking from behind me, I dared not to turn to face her. My eyes were glued ahead of me, and I was slightly shaking. "Um...hi." I whispered, though I doubt she heard me. There was an creepy silence before she spoke again. "Is that your friend in the tree?" I nodded. She began to move closer to me. Soon, she was within my sight. She was wearing a crimson red cloak, so it looked like top she was covered from head to hoof in blood. I couldn't see much of her actual body, just a small red tuff of hair sticking out of her hoof. She trotted in front of me, staring at Rainbow Dash. It bothered me that I couldn't see her face. The moon was up in the dark sky now. It shed silver light in the scene, adding to the effect. I always thought the Everfree was terrifying at night, but I couldn't help but imagine at what lies in the depths of it's thicket. Then, unexpectedly, she turned to faced me. Her hood shades most of her face, all I could really see where her glowing white eyes. They were rose colored, such a beautiful color. They looked just like- I nearly chocked. Could this be... No, that's impossible. Rainbow Dash told me they died long ago. But, those eyes... "Something wrong?" she asked. I quickly shook my head. "N-no! I was just....leaving!" I squeaked. Then, without another word, I turned and galloped as fast as I could away from that cursed place. ~~~~~~~~~~~ I ran and ran and ran until I couldn't run anymore. I didn't really notice where I was until I stopped. I had come all the way back to Twilight's library or house or whatever you should call it. The yellow windows where still full of light, which didn't surprise me. I could see shadows moving inside the tree. I was freezing by the time I got to the door. The decorated door opened before I even knocked. "Fluttershy! You're back!" Spike greeted me. "Yeah." I responded while trotting inside. I wasn't acting much like myself. I was so shaken up. "Did you find Rainbow Dash?" Spike asked, walking next to me. I pondered for a moment about telling them. If I did tell them, Rainbow Dash would probably get mad at me, because it would ruin her image. And if I told them about that, then I... I would have to... to tell them about that mare. I didn't know what it was about that mare that scared me so much. Her voice was something out of a nightmare, but soothing at the same time. When she looked at me, I felt like she was starring through my very soul. I couldn't bare to think about it. "No," I answered. "Ah, Fluttershy!" a new voice spoke. I easily recognized it as Twilight Sparkle. I turned to her. Slowly, she trotted over to me. "She couldn't find Rainbow," Spike informed Twilight. "I know, I heard. Well, she is the 'fastest flier in all of Equestria'." Twilight spoke with a giggle. "Yeah." I repeated. Twilight shook her head, her mood changing. She must have noticed my serious tone. She paced for a bit, like she didn't know what to say, but then spoke. "I can't stop thinking about how strangely Dash acted." Twilight sighed. "She seemed scared that we would find out about something. It could be linked to what you said What was your dream abo-" "Nightmare." I interrupted. Twilight's eyes widened in shock. This surprised even me. I rarely interrupt, so naturally she was very surprised at this. "Yes, though, it could be more than that." Twilight noted, looking me in the eye. My heart began to thud in my ear again, threatening in deafen me. I feel so scared, and I didn't know why. "It can't be! Celestia wouldn't-" I began. "CELESTIA!" Twilight gasped. "Of course! She'll know what to do! The princess always does! Spike-" "On it!" Spike said, taking out a quill and parchment from seemingly nowhere. "Dear Princess Celestia, I'm afraid our young friend, Scootaloo has gone missing, her last sighting was in the Everfree forest." "What?" I gasped. Spike looked up from the letter. "That's what Big Macintosh said. He's normally so shy, but after you left, he came straight to the library and told me that he saw Scootaloo flying into the Everfree after the test." I sighed in relief. That means my dream must be just that, a dream! "As I was saying, her last sighting was in the Everfree forest. We think Rainbow Dash has something to do with this, though we are not sure how. We wait for your orders. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle." It took mere moments for Spike to roll up the parchment and send it off. "Well, I guess I'll be leaving now." I said, but I was quickly stopped by Twilight, who steeped in front of me. "Are you crazy? It's freezing cold out there, not to mention pitch black!" Twilight exclaimed. "You can sleep here, is that okay?" "Yes, of course." I said, feeling silly. "Spike, please set up the second bed." "Why do I have to do everything?" Spike groaned, but still obeyed Twilight. It didn't take long for him to get out the bed and before I knew it, I was lying in bed looking at the wooden ceiling above me. I couldn't get to sleep though, I couldn't stop thinking about that mare. I had so many questions! Who was she? What was she doing there? When did she sneak up behind me? Where did she come from? Why did she scare my so much? How did she know we were there? Nothing made sense. I never had been so confused, but truth be told, I never wanted to figure it out. I was perfectly fine with never seeing her again. I had dismissed questions without answers before. How was this different? It wasn't different. It wasn't that difficult. It was the same Then why can't I stop thinking about her? Yet another question I couldn't answer. For a pony like Twilight, these questions would lead them to their death. I hoped that wouldn't happen to me. I turned over in the bed, facing the oval window next to Twilight. You could see a lot out of that window. From where I was lying, I could see the market place. It looked so lonely at night. There was a purple haze over the place. The empty stalls and overall stillness gave it an eerie effect. Looking at it made me feel sad. I don't know why, but somehow it did. How could something so full of life in the day be so solemn at night? There was another question. I had never realized I was that curious until now. Strange what you can find out about yourself in the oddest of times. Then, I realized I had never finished my song. I hated doing that. I softly began singing: "Frozen ice, But broken shards like knives, Will come when you realize, But wait- Let's take the dive. The lightest feet Alone can only meet The thin ice-so sweet Please end this melody. "But, Winter comes and winter goes away but still the angels stay upon this moonlit bay, Midnight tears And ocean waves are here And everyone that's near Will soon be filled with fear." With the final note, I was hit with a memory. I had just woken up from that terrible, terrible nightmare... "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" I screamed, my eyes opening wide. "Fluttershy!" gasped Rainbow Dash, who was sitting next to me. It was a warm summer night, but I was shivering uncontrollably. "Calm down." "I-I can't!" I stuttered. "Shhh!" Dash shushed me. Then, she did something I didn't expect, she began to sing: "Winter comes and winter goes away but still the angels stay upon this moonlit bay, Midnight tears And ocean waves are here And everyone that's near Will soon be filled with fear." I stopped shivering, and listened as Rainbow Dash began the second verse. "All the snowflake gather all around, And listen to the sound, But to the sky they're bound. Listen to their ring, But never hear them sing, For they will always cling, To the chill that winter brings." I was mesmerized by the beautiful tune. Noticing that I had stopped shaking, Rainbow stopped singing. "Oh, please don't stop!" I cried. "But-" "Please?" I gave her my best puppy eyes. "Okay." She repeated the chorus and flowed into the second verse. "Frozen ice, But broken shards like knives, Will come when you realize, But wait- Let's take the dive. The lightest feet Alone can only meet The thin ice-so sweet Please end this melody. "But, Winter comes and winter goes away but still the angels stay upon this moonlit bay, Midnight tears And ocean waves are here And everyone that's near Will soon be filled with fear." I looked at her in wonder. I had no clue Rainbow could sing like that. "My mom taught me that song." Rainbow Dash remarked. "Moonlit Bay, that's what it's called." "It's so pretty." I complimented. "Thanks." Rainbow smiled. I opened my eyes, coming back to reality. That was the first time I had the nightmare. Could it be that I really went to the Rainbow Factory? No, that's impossible. Twilight said that Big Mac... ....saw Scootaloo flying into the Everfree. It hit me like someone was punching me in the stomach. I felt so stupid. That doesn't mean me nightmare wasn't real. I shivered. I wanted to cry like a little filly, but I knew I couldn't. I looked over at Twilight. Her eyes were closed, but whether or not she was asleep was unknown. If I say something, I might wake her. But we've only been in bed for a few minutes. Then again, it is really late. "Twilight?" I called. Her eyes opened. "Yes, Fluttershy?" Twilight responded. "Something wrong?" I was relieved that she was awake. Should I tell her about everything? She had asked me if anything was wrong after all. "No, it's just..." I trailed off. "Are you okay?" Twilight asked. "No, I'm fine." "That didn't sound very convincing." Twilight noted. "I just can't stop worrying about Rainbow Dash." I said. Twilight closed her eyes. "Me too." "I've been friends with her as long as I can remember." I told her. "she's never lied to me. Not that I know of." "I keep thinking about that too. I mean, she's the element of loyalty, she wouldn't be lying to us right?" Twilight said, sounding unsure. "I just can't shake the feeling that she's hiding something." Twilight and I said at the same time. We both froze, not daring to break the silence as an eerie chill feel around us. We were thinking the same thing. Does that make is true? I shivered. I suddenly got the feeling that we were being watched. "That...was creepy." Twilight said. It took me a few moments to respond. "I'm just glad I'm not the only one thinking that." I tried to shake away the feeling with no success. "Well, it's not hard to come to that conclusion, given her behavior." "Oh, right." I smiled. Of course, it's silly...right? "But, if she's keeping something from us, she'll tell us eventually." "Why do you say that?" I was interested in her answer. She seemed so sure, it was almost scary. "Because she's the element of loyalty! She almost has to!" Twilight laughed. "I guess you're right." I said with a nervous laugh. Maybe she while, I sure hope she does. Rainbow Dash, what going on? With that last thought, I slowly drifted to sleep
As the Story We Knew of Sugar and SpiceAs the Story We Knew of Sugar and Spice My coat was back to it's normal cyan color now.It's a looks odd like that color.I had gotten used to the crimson red color. It took hours to get the blood out of the corse hairs, and even longer to stop acting like a psychopath. I don't know what happened to me. I had never done that before. Maybe my sins were finally having an effect on me. But I've been doing this for over twenty years, why now. It didn't really matter now though, Scootaloo was dead. I don't even know what happened. It's all a red blur. I couldn't stop myself. Half of me wanted to crush her, make her scream in agony, and the other half felt like someone was attacking her and was trying everything it could to keep my...little sister safe. Obviously the former half was more than half as it slowly consumed the other until I could only feel hatred. I was flying home from the factory. My house wasn't that far away from work, but I was taking a much longer route today. It gave me time to think. Ponyville was beautiful from the skies. All the lights were already on and Luna's moon was slowly rising in the east, casting it's silver beams upon the wave of colors like in the factory. I sighed and thought of today. It started out normal, or as normal as it gets at the factory. We were preparing for a new shipment of Spectra, which only comes around so often. We...we had a meeting, just me and the rest of other authorities. Of course, I was the highest authority, but their opinions matter as well. What we we discussing? Something about the last attempt at an exposure. Some worker was going to send a letter to his love telling her of the Rainbow Factory and then kill himself. We stopped him in time thankfully. Sometimes I dream of what would happen if the factory was exposed. I would be free from this nightmare and thrown into another. Maybe I would be murdered. I bet being dead would be better than this. It was such a shock to me when I saw her coming to the factory. How did she fail? Why did she fail? How dare she fail me! I stopped flying about froze. What did I just think? How dare she fail me? Did I really think that way. I blinked and frantically began to flap my wings again, as I was about to fall. I had never thought that before, or had I? Felt such anger, such hatred. How DARE she fail me?!?! I shook my head, trying desperately to shake out the thoughts with no success. I took a breath and landed. A walk would do me good. Just a peaceful stroll through Ponyville. Then the fillies arrived right on time like they always did. They were pilling into the large room. Most of their eyes fell upon the giant rusty machine they feared would be their doom. I can still see their scared, confused faces. I've seen those faces so many times. More times than one pony should see. The room was filled with failures. They were useless now. They had failed the test. They were horrible ponies. They would never be someone. I remember stopping at that thought, thinking of a pony who failed the test and lived, but never speaks of it. I dismissed that thought though. It was going normally, then I stepped up to tell the little devils exactly why they were going to be brutally murdered and who they should curse with their dying breaths. But she was gone now, and I just wanted to die. I hoped no one would notice. But I wasn't too scared. No one ever noticed. Wanna know why? Because the world is selfish. Everypony thinks about themselves and doesn't care about anypony else unless they need them. So naturally, I assumed no one would notice for a few days. Unfortunately, Fate had other plans. As I walked down the path, my thinking was interrupted by a young southern voice. "Hey Rainbow Dash!" Apple Bloom greeted. "Have you seen Scootaloo?" Sweetie Bell asked with large eyes. "She was supposed to meet us after she finished her flight test thingy but it's been hours and she still hasn't come. My eye twitched. No amount of training could have prepared me for that moment. I just wanted to lash out and kill them, feed them to the machine, two perfect specimen right in from of me. I shook my head, trying to get the insane thoughts out of my head. Thankfully, the two fillies took that as a no. "Aw! I thought you would know about that stuff since your a weather pony and you had to do that too." Apple Bloom sighed. I mentally snickered, of course, when I took the flight exam it had been a very different story. "Sorry, haven't seen her!" I said in my fake stupid voice that I always talk in outside of the factory. "But don't worry, these test can take a while, she'll probably turn up tomorrow." "Oh, okay." Sweetie Bell said sadly. Looking at their faces, I wanted to cry again. Why was I lying to them, giving them false hope? I knew they would never see their friend again and I was just lying and acting perfectly happy. How long had I been lying? Over twenty years, I realized. It was too much, I just wanted to spill. Just unravel, tell the world everything. 'The element of Loyalty is betraying everypony!' I wanted to scream it to the sky and be carried off to pay for my sins. But I couldn't I wouldn't and I won't. I took a deep breath and looked at the sky. "Hey, shouldn't you two be getting home? It's getting late." I said to them. My emotion were going crazy, sad, mad, and trying to act happy....I couldn't take it! Then, with a noticeably fake smile I took off into the air, heading for home. I just needed a little alone time to....cry.
But Rainbow's Easy Once You Get to Know HerBut Rainbow's Easy Once You Get to Know Her Morning came rolling around like it does everyday. The sunlight poured into my window and onto my bed screaming for me to wake up. I lazily rolled over, using my own body to shield my eyes from the light so I could go back to a peaceful world of fanasty, but it was too late. I was already awake. Yawning, I sat up in bed, my back facing the window. I stretched out my arms and wings, flapping them a bit. My eyelids wouldn't stay open for long and begged me to just go back to bed, but my mind was already awake and wanting to move on to the next thing. I hoped off my bed and made it over to my kitchen to grab some breakfast before heading to work. I trotted slowly, keeping my head low to avoid the sunlight. 'Wow, it's really bright. What time is it?' I thought. I looked around the room until I found a clock. My eyes widened as I read the time. "10:47?!?!" I exclaimed. I had gotten home late last night, but I didn't expect to sleep that long. There was something nagging me at the back of my mind, but I instantly dismissed it and flew straight out the cloud door. More like straight through it. I really needed to stop doing that. With cloud doors, if you fly through them, they instantly repair themselves, but with wooden ones, they leave you with a headache and a door to repair. I zoomed through Cloudsdale muttering the same though over and over again. "I'm late, I'm late, I'm late, I'm late-" "Hey, Dashie!" a voice stopped me. I spread out my wings and skidded to a stop in midair. "Whatcha doin'?" Pinkie asked. I turned to face her. She was hovering 200 feet in the air, kept afloat by a bundle of balloons. "Ah, just going to, uh, work." I stammered. What was wrong with me today! I had done this millions of times, why was I so nervous about lying about this? "Cool! But, I thought you didn't have work on Tuesdays?" she said with the tone of a question. I blinked in confusion. "It's Tuesday!" I exclaimed. "Well I'm pretty sure that Tuesday comes after Monday! I'll have to check that!" Pinkie laughed. "Anyways, do you have to go to work?" "Uh, no. I guess not." I said, a bit relieved. "Great! Could you help me? I'm kinda stuck here!" Pinkie giggled as she spoke. "Uh...yeah! Of course!" I said. Something was wrong with me today. I couldn't focus. I flew up beside Pinkie and untied a few of her balloons. She began to slowly descend and I carefully followed her all the way down to the ground. "Thanks Dashie! I knew I could count on you!" Pinkie said. "Yeah, well I AM the element of loyalty. You can always trust me." I said. The words came from out of no where and I instantly felt ashamed after saying that. Was my subconscious trying to tell me something or was I going completely mad? "Hey, Dashie, are you okay?" Pinkie Pie asked, concerned. "Hm?-yeah, I'm fine." I replied quickly. "Why would you think that?" "Well, you don't seem like yourself today." Pinkie said, then she shrugged. "Oh well, bye!" She began to trot off, and her hooves slowly began to rise until she was off the ground and still trotting. I zipped over to her and pushed her back down. "Whoa! Might need to untie another balloon." I said with a laugh. "Hee, hee! Yeah!" Pinkie giggled as I took off another balloon. "Thanks! See you later!" "Bye." I said. I was watching her trot off when something accrued to me. "Hey, Pinkie!" She stopped and turned to me. "I never told you I take Tuesdays off, how did you know?" "Hee, hee, Silly! I know a lot of things that you don't know thatI know but I know that you don't know that I know but then I know that if you know that I know that you DON'T know that I KNOW than if I tell you that I know that you don't know that I know then you'll know that I know, makes sense?" I paused for a moment before I could formulate an answer. "Right." Wait did that mean that she knew? Or, wait, I don't know, it's confusing. I hoped it was just Pinkie being Pinkie. "Was that all?" She asked. "Yeah." "Ok! Bye, again! Wow, that's like the third time I've said bye to you! I wait I said bye again, and then again so like five times! Anyways, bye! Six!" Pinkie said, her voice fading. I watched her happily trot away, slightly elevated by three balloon, two blue and one yellow. My mind made one last connection before she trotted over the hill. The balloons were in the exact position as her cutie mark. I smiled and opened back up my wings and took off into the air in the direction of my house. Fate can be cruel, but it can throw in something nice every know and then. Cutie marks had always fascinated me. A single mark could tell your whole life's story. With most ponies, you could tell what they do by their cutie mark. Apple Jack has a trio of apples and she works on a apple farm. Fluttershy takes care of animals and she has butterflies. Sometimes, it's not an exact picture of their lives, like with Rarity. She 's a clothes designer, but has diamonds as a cutie mark, but most of her outfits include gems and sparkles. Pinkie Pie is a baker, but she always throws parties and makes you happy. Me- I looked at my own cutie mark. You think it must be a fake or something considering what I do for a living. I sighed. Cutie marks can be interpreted in many ways. Mine could mean I can control lightning better than normal pegasi. With my job, it could mean I make the rainbows for all of Equestria as quick as lightning. But I always felt like my cutie mark didn't represent me very well. It should have been something da I guess it's how I got it that defines it. No one in the factory believes me when I told them I won it in a race. The one pony I told at the factory just laughed at me saying: "Oh yes, the great and sadistic Rainbow Death special talent is flying fast and she won it in a race where she preformed a sonic Rainboom! Haha! priceless." Yep, fed straight to the machine that one. Of course, not for that comment. She tried to escape. I actually trusted her. She was going to be my successor, little Dust Light. She used to call me Rainbow Death instead of Rainbow Dash, claiming it was "too stupid of a name for a god like you. Rainbow Death suits you better." The truth is, the was right. But I hated the idea of being called Rainbow Death. It did suit me though. She said it was like Death by Rainbows because I turned ponies into rainbows and no matter how many times I told her that I never directly fed anyone to the machine, she still insisted it was my fault since I gave the order. I slowed down a bit when I realized something. Scootaloo was the first pony I had ever directly fed to the machine. Dust always teased me about it, always calling me a softy. I guess she really was though. I remember that night, the fateful night when she died. It was time for me to leave the factory. There is only two ways in and out of the building. One is the door when the fillies come through which is always locked. The only pony with the key is me, one of my very one feathers. The other is the balcony on the top floor of the factory, which only I can enter, and Dust Light. Most ponies don't even know the floor exists. The only way to get it is through the elevator, using one of my feathers. Dust Light followed me to my loft that. I hadn't noticed her until I opened the door to the balcony, stepped out, and was about to fly off. Her voice stopped me. "What's it like." she asked softly. I spun around to face her with an angry look. She was standing in the doorway looking at the sky with a longing look on her face. "Dust! You're not allowed to be on the balcony." I snapped, but she ignored me. "I haven't seen a sunset in so long." She said sadly. "What's it like." "The sunset?" "No. Getting the honor of living out there with all the normal ponies but having to fight to keep your secret." She looked back at me. "Do you have close friends? Or do you keep your distance from everypony." "Six." I muttered. "What?" She asked. "Six, I have six close friends." I repeated. "Do they know?" I didn't reply. I turned my head to face the sunset and sighed. "Of course not." she said. "I guess your not that close." "No! We are!" "Then why don't you tell them?" "Maybe because I want to keep this factory safe, and telling an alicorn, princess, who is also the star student of Celestia herself might cause problems." I angerly shouted. "Why do you have to keep this company safe?" I looked at her in shock. "What do you mean? The world needs rainbows, the world needs us, the world needs me." "I'm sure the world can find another way!" she said with determination. She flew up above me and began to hover there. "Come on, we can go out there together, tell the whole world about this place! No one else has to die! Luna's back, right? Maybe Celestia can take back her duty of rainbows and we don't have to live like this anymore!" She had tears in her eyes and was screaming, pleading. The argument was convincing. Every word made a crack in my sheild, threatening to shatter it completely. I wanted to go with her. I honestly did. My heart scream at me to go with her. I wouldn't have to do this anymore, I didn't have to be Rainbow Death, I didn't have to be the devil. I could just go with her, tell Celestia everything. But then something happened. A fierce need to protect the company came upon me. "No!" I yelled. Her eyes widened, in shock. "How dare you say something like that! We must protect the company; I can't abandon it!" Her look of determination came back, but a hint of fear was hidden behind it. "Well if you won't, I WILL!" I with that final word she took off into the air. I watched as the flew higher until she slammed into an invisible wall, and electricity flowed through her body. She fell back onto the balcony right beside me, barely conscious. I shook my head and sighed. "I am very disappointed in you, Dust Light." I said. "I thought you were going to take my place when my time came. Might I mention there is an invisible electric field automatically surrounds this place if a pony other than myself steps onto this balcony. Such a shame too. Now I'll have to turn you into a rainbow." She coughed and looked at me with hatred, but I noticed she wasn't looking at my eyes, she was looking at my neck. I looked down and couldn't believe what I saw. "My element." I whispered. Upon my neck was the golden necklace with the red lightning symbol redecorating the center. It had just appeared there, I had no idea how. "I read about those once. Element of harmony. The lightning represents loyalty." She laughed weakly. "Figures." "I'll always be loyal to the company." I said fiercely. "Even if it hurts the ones you love." She looked me in the eyes with pity. "You really are a monster, Rainbow Death." then she blacked out.
With the Help of the Magic of This Pegasus' DeviceWith the Help of the Magic of This Pegasus' Device I hate flashbacks. One minute your innocently flying along, thinking of a dear old friend's rebellion, the next minute your flat against a column because you weren't paying attention to your surroundings. "Ow." I muttered, rubbing my head with my hoof while hovering by the column. That, of course, messed up my already messy mane, but I really didn't care. I wanted to get home. I did my best to shake it off as I flew away from the column and back into direction of my house. "Hmmm, what to do, what to do." I muttered while flying. To be honest with myself. It felt great to just fly for once. Despite what it seems, I never get to just fly around much. I had never realized that before. I never really appreciated the fact that I'm the only pony allowed to leave the factory. It must be awful to have to live in that filthy place. Cooped up all day in the factory with the machine and stench of blood floating around, knowing that everything you do every single moment of the day if preparation to end a pony's life. I stopped myself, something I had been doing a lot lately. What was I thinking? I also seemed to be asking myself that a lot as well. Was I beginning to despise the Rainbow Factory. What was wrong with me? I seemed to be changing and not wanting to admit that I was. Something was different about me. It was almost as if I WANTED to do good. The thought scared me a bit. I can't remember the last time I was the good guy. I mean, I've saved Equestria millions of times before, but it was an all act. I hated it, right? The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. I shouldn't ever leave the factory! This place was starting to get to me. I had dyed my heart black long ago, but the roots are still red and their growing back in. "Okay, that was the worst metaphor ever!" I laughed, but stopped myself once again. I was actually turning into her. I was turning into the crazy little kid I have to pretend to be. I was turning into that innocent fun girl who people love, who I used to be...who I still want to be. Maybe I could be her, maybe if I told them about the factory they would still care about me and still be my friend. I mean if I found out that Pinkie Pie, I don't know, baked ponies into cupcakes or something and didn't want to do it anymore and was going to stop, I would support her. Of course if she was going to bake ME into a cupcake it would be a different story. The others I would do the same, because I don't care what they do, they're my friends, and I'll alway be loyal to my friends. "No. I can't. I'm a monster! I'm loyal to the FACORY. They would hate me. I'd be killed. I'm loyal to the factory, loyal to the factory, loyal to the factory!" I repeated over and over again in my head, trying to brainwash myself. It wasn't working. I spoke louder and louder. Thankfully I was far enough away from any ponies so I wouldn't be heard. "Loyal...to..." I sighed. Why was I trying to convince myself of such an easy concept. Why was I so torn? WHY DID FATE HAVE TO CHOSE ME OF ALL PONIES TO BE LIKE THIS?!?!?! I wanted to cry. My whole life was being thrown upside down. I don't care about friends, So why can't I leave them? I hate being happy, So why do I crave it? I love the sound of other's pain, So why am I blocking it out? I loved running the Rainbow Factory, So why do I want to leave? I sighed and relaxed my wings in order to slowly drift to the ground. I officially hated my life. I felt like two ponies, one who lives in the darkness and loves the fillies' screams and hides from the light, and one who is happy and just wants to help out and be the hero. No, I felt like I was acting out two lives, one where the mare lives in the darkness and loves the fillies' screams and hides from the light, and one where the mare is happy and just wants to help out and be the hero. Like a happy mask and a mad mask, but who is the pony behind it? "Who am I?" I asked as I landed on the ground. Now that is a silly question, but it is so hard to answer. Most say you are who you are when your around you friends and people who you love, but the truth is, you are who you are when you're alone. No one would ever suspect the very element of loyalty to be betraying everypony. Not even her friends. "I'm sorry for lying." I whispered. "You okay, Rainbow Dash?" a kind voice asked. Despite the friendly tone, I still jumping into the air. "Fluttershy! Don't scare me like that!" I shouted. "Oh, im sorry, i'll just...let you get back to.." Fluttershy muttered shyly. "No, it's fine, I'm just worried, I guess." I admitted. "About Scootaloo?" Fluttershy asked. I tried to hide a look of shock. "She's been missing for a whole day now. I'm getting worries too." "Yeah, that." I said. "So, uh, why are in the middle of the valley? Shouldn't you be at work." She asked. I was impressed with her ability to create a conversation. She was getting better. "You know, just thinking." I said. "Being a weather pony is SO boring! I mean, they gave me an hour to clear the skies above downtown. A whole HOUR! So I figured I could take a break before doing that." More lies. I was beginning to hate myself more and more. I guess it's true that old habits are hard to break. There was a silence for a bit. I waited for Fluttershy to say something, but it was Fluttershy... "What do you think happened." Fluttershy questioned. "Hm? What do you mean?" "With Scootaloo." "Oh yeah, she probably took off for a bit. She'll probably turn up soon." I lied. I couldn't believe I was lying again! After I had just apologized, I was doing it again. "I don't know. It's not like Scootaloo to run off like that. I talked to Twilight about-" "YOU TOLD TWILIGHT?!?" I exclaimed a bit too scared. "Um, yeah..." Fluttershy muttered. "I mean, we really shouldn't bother her with little things like this." Was it possible it get worse at lying after being an ace at it for nearly twenty years? "Well, I guess, but she's our friend-" "And a princess! We can't bother her with missing ponies." "But isn't that a princess's duty?" Fluttershy asked. "Well, I guess." I sighed in defeat. "What did she say?" "Actually, that's why I came here, I was looking for you and our other friends. Twilight wants to have a "elements of harmony meeting" or something to discuss the issue." "Urg, again?" Fluttershy nodded. "Well I'll head on over to library." I said. "Great! I'll meet you there when I gather up the others." Fluttershy smiled. "Alright see ya!" I said and then took off towards the library. This could end badly. ~~~~~~~~~~~ I arrived at Twilight's house first, followed by Pinkie and Rarity talking some party for upperclass ponies.Then Apple Jack and Fluttershy came a few moments later. "Alright, now that everypony is here we can call this meeting to order. Today's topic of discussion: Scootaloo's disappearance." "WHAT? Scootaloo disappeared? Like poof?" Pinkie asked, worried. "No Pinkie, not like 'poof' just no pony know where she is." Twilight said after rolling her eyes. "Oh, shoo!" Pinkie said, wiping nonexistent sweat from her forehead. "Now, do we know who last saw her." Twilight said. "Ooh ooh ooh! Pick me! Pick me!" Pinkie said, raising her hoof high in the air. I rolled my eyes, resisting the urge to facehoof. "Yes, Pinkie." Twilight said with a tone of annoyment. "It was probably Rainbow Dash because she went to Cloudsdale for that test thingy." Pinkie suggested. This time I did facehoof. "Pinkie, just because I live in Clousdale, doesn't mean I see every single pony in it." I said. I wasn't lying, but it still counted in my book. I was deceiving them. That's not what an element of loyalty should do. "So, Rainbow Dash didn't see her, what about you Fluttershy?" Twilight said. "She and the other crusaders came to my house that morning asking for carrots so they could get their bunny trapping cutie marks, but that's the last time I saw her." Fluttershy said. "Okay, what about you Apple Jack?" Twilight asked. Apple Jack snook her head. "I saw her at the farm yesterday when she came to get Apple Bloom, but that's it." AJ said. "Same goes for me I'm afraid." Rarity spoke up. "And I didn't seen her at all today!" Pinkie exclaimed. Everypony looked at her "Pinkie, she went missing yesterday." Apple Jack commented. Pinkie Pie gasped. "That must be why I haven't seen her today!" She exclaimed. "Your good, Apple Jack!" I felt like I should speak up before somepony else did. "Listen, guys. This is ridiculous! I'm sure she just flew off or something! She's probably be back before we can blink." I stated, nonchalantly. "I'm not sure, Rainbow Dash. She didn't say anything to anypony about leaving." Twilight noted. "Yeah, and she's never done that before." Fluttershy said. "Oh, I do hope nothing terrible has happening to her." Rarity dramatically sighed. 'Something terrible has already happened.' I thought. Half of me wanted to scream at them that I was lying and knew exactly what had happened to little Scoots. The other half (and more stubborn half) wanted me to lie through my teeth, and that's what I seemed to be doing. "I'm sure she's fine." I grunted. "Rainbow Dash, what's wrong with you today? Aren't you worried?" Twilight asked, concerned. "Yea, usually ya freak out over every little thing with Scoot." Apple Jack laughed. "Yeah! Remember that one time when you-" Pinkie began. "I know, I know. But I don't think anything's wrong! She was fine the last time I saw her." I yelled. "Then why do you think she ran off?" Twilight questioned. All eyes were on me. The cold, uneasy feeling spread across me. I was in trouble. They knew I was lying. They could see it in my eyes. This was-what, the fifth time today I was lying? Were all my lies coming back to bite me one at a time now that I couldn't lie my way back out of it? Why was I such a bad lier today? The one day I needed to not be! "Did she say something to you, Rainbow, Dear?" Rarity asked. I couldn't take the stares. I felt like I was going to fold under all the pressure; I've never felt like that before! If any time would be a good time to tell them it would be now. It would seem a bit extreme to them, since they probably think she just told me a secret, not I killed her and turned her into a rainbow because that's what I do for a living. "Well...." I trailed off. My eyes darted around the room, looking for a way out of this situation. Then I saw the time. I faked a look of horror, which wasn't hard since I was previously attempting to mask it. "Oh my gosh! I was supposed to clear the sky an hour ago! I'm gonna be in so much trouble! Gotta go!" And with that final statement, I zipped out of the room and away for the gaze of my friends. I sighed in relief as soon as they couldn't see me anymore. I angled my wings to slowly curve to the right in the direction of the Everfree. I needed to think, and I needed to be alone to do that. It didn't take long to get there at the speed I was going. Defidently not fast enough to do a sonic rainboom, but faster than the average pegasus can fly. I didn't go far into the forest so I wouldn't get lost, but far enough to be away from the rest of the ponies. I landed on a branch of an oddly shaped tree, that resembled the one Zecora lived in, except much smaller. I took a deep breath, and then let it out. I processed to bang my head serval times on the trunk of the tree. "Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid." I said each time. "URG! What is wrong with me today? It's like somepony put a truth spell on me but didn't do it quite right!" I stopped banging my head on the tree since I was beginning to get a sever headache. "What is this? Is it because I apologized for lying? Huh, 'Fate'? Do you want me to be evil?" I yelled. "Is this some sort of evil plot twist? My live isn't a TV show!" Then, I realized I was screaming at sky... I shut up fast and looked at the ground before remembering that I'm alone. "Wow, I haven't been alone like this for years." I realized. "I'm never free to dictate me thoughts." I used to do that with Dust Light. I would tell her everything, and she would have done the same with me, but she spent her life at the factory with me, so nothing much happened with her that I didn't already know about. There were some things about me that she didn't know about, but usually she found out. She would always ask me about it, and she never really told me how she found out. I remember the time she asked me about Scoots... "Hi, Rainbow." She greeted me in the same manner she did every morning. "Hello, Dust." I mumbled. "Something wrong?" She asked. "Ah nothing, just stayed up late last night teaching..." I stopped myself before I could continue. "Ah, her. So who is this mysterious and very lucky pegasus who is being trained to fly by a god." "I'm not a god." I said. "Maybe, but you are changing the subject." Dust noted. I stopped. "Her name is Scootaloo." I said and began to walk down the hall to my left. "Well, that was easy." she smiled. I rolled my eyes. "Don't stop there! Go on." "She's just a filly right now. Her wings are deformed, but I believe that she could still learn to fly if she used the Hummingbird technic." "The Hummingbird technic?" Dust asked. "Ah, yes. The Hummingbird technic. It's we're instead of flapping and gliding, like most pegasi do, one must flap their wings very fast in order to hover and move. It's hard to learn, only the most skilled of pegasi could do it. I think she can do it. She has to! I can't bare to think what would happen if..." my voice trailed off, but Dust Light knew what I meant. "But there's no need to worry. The kid's got talent, she'll make it." Dust Light, suddenly looked sad. She stared into the distance behind me with a far away look in her eyes. "I had an older sister once." She whispered. She turned and looked me in the eye. "She said the same thing about me." "I'm sorry." I said. "But don't worry. If her time comes and her face appears in the crowd to feed to the machine, I'll be right there with you." she offered. I smiled. "Thanks." I said. I blinked, the real world surrounded me again. I hung my head and felt my eyes moisten. "I'm so sorry, Dust. I should have listened to you!" I whispered. "IF I LISTED TO YOU SCOOTALOO WOULD STILL BE HERE!" I shouted at the sky, a few tears falling down my face. "One day, you will face one whom you love, and you will have to throw her into that machine." Her voice echoed in my head. "Stop lying!" I screamed, still thinking no pony was around. But this time somepony was.
Let's Delve Deeper into Rainbow's Philosophy (Fluttershy's POV)Let's Delve Deeper into Rainbow's Philosophy A few minutes earlier: Well...." Dash began. Her eyes darted around the room. She looked panicky, which is a rare thing with Rainbow Dash. Then she spoke again: "Oh my gosh! I was supposed to clear the sky an hour ago! I'm gonna be in so much trouble! Gotta go!" Her wing opened and carried her out of the room with such speed, it blew all our hair in our faces and knocked some books off the shelf. "Whoa." Twilight said, blowing hair out of her face. "What was that for." "Rainbow told me she was taking a break from work when I went to get her." I muttered. "She must be REALLY late." Pinkie giggled. "It did look mighty supisious." Apple Jack noted. "Yes, it did." Twilight said, gaining AJ's tone. "I wonder..." "Twilight, dear, if Rainbow Dash has something she wants to tell us, then she will tell us, if Scootaloo told her something and asked her not to speak of it, what kind of loyal pony would go and tell all five of us. I'm sure if the information is necessary, she will tell us. It's not Rainbow is the reason she's gone." Rarity spoke. The other ponies nodded. "Rarity is right. Besides, we have other things to worry about." Twilight said. "Like finding Scootaloo?" I said. "Exactly. Now, the last place anypony saw her was the place where the pegasus' take the flight exam." Twilight thought aloud. "So, what happened?" A terrible thought struck me, and I gasped in fear. Now, all eyes turned to me. "What? What is the Fluttershy?" Twilight asked. "No, it can't be! Scootaloo is a-a good flier." I stammered. "She c-couldn't have-" "WHAT?" Everypony asked, their voices filled with fear and curiosity. "failed the test." I said quietly. "What?" "Failed the test!" I yelled. Everyone stared at me in confusion. "So what, is she retakin' it?" Apple Jack asked. "No, you don't retake the test. You fail, you get stuffed in a cart with the rest of the failures and get taken to Celestia knows where! No pony ever sees you again." I screamed in fear. Except for me...I thought. No matter how many times I thought about it I still couldn't come to a conclusion. What I saw-that HAD to be a dream, right? The is no way that- "So you fail, that's it, you're done for?" Twilight asked. "It's not a hard test...are at least for most ponies." I trailed off. "What about you, did you pass?" Rarity asked. "I-" my voice broke. Images of the inside of the factory flashed before my eyes. The blood, the screams, the r-rai...Rainbow Dash stepping in front of me as the pegasi came to throw me into the machine. "NO! You can't take her!" Rainbow screamed to the shadowy figure standing on the balcony above us. She only laughed. "Oh, and why's that?" the figure asked, her female voice shocked me. "Because she's my friend." Rainbow replied. "Well, sorry, little Rainbow, but she failed the test, you know what that means." She motioned for the guards to take me, and they began to fly closer. "Okay, I'll do it!" Dash screamed. I looked up her. "Rainbow..." "It's okay, I got this." she shushed me, then she turned back to the mare. "I'll work her for my whole life. I'll run the factory when you're gone. I'll keep Celestia from knowing. Just please...spare her." The figure seemed to smile at her childishness. "And how do I know you will?" "I swear, if I break my promise, I can feed myself to that machine." "Rainbow, please, don't do this!" I screamed. I didn't understand what has going on, but I didn't like what Rainbow was promising to do. "She's off the hook." The figure said. The guards moved away from me. "You know, Rainbow Dash, one day, you will face one whom you love, and you will have to throw her into that machine." Rainbow Dash looked at me, then her eyes widened. "Look out!" she screamed. Something hit the back of my head, then everything when black. "Fluttershy! Fluttershy!? FLUTTERSHY?!?!" Twilight yelled my name. "Huh?" I gasped blinking. "Areyouokay,youreyeslikeglazedoverandTwilightstartedfreakingoutand-" Pinkie said. "Sorry, just...nightmare..." I couldn't speak. "Nightmare?" Apple Jack asked. "After the exam, I had this nightmare that I failed and-" my voice was gone. "It was just so terrible." "The way you look when you talk about it sounds like it was more than a nightmare." Twilight said carefully. "No! It HAD to be a nightmare. If it wasn't..." I stopped and looked at the floor."then we'd all be in danger." The all looked at me, their fearful eyes matching mine. "I'll find her, don't worry." I said and began to fly away. "Wait!" Twilight called. I stopped and looked at her. "In your dream...does Rainbow Dash-" "No, she saves me, but at the cost of her own sanity." I didn't want to say anything more so I just left. ~~~~~~~~~~~ It didn't take long to find Rainbow Dash since I knew her so well. I knew plenty of shortcuts to the Everfree since I lived right next to it. One the way, I couldn't help but think about Rainbow Dash. Her face looked terrified when Rarity questioned her. Did Scootaloo say something? Or was it what she didn't say that scared her? My head bubbled with questioned, yet one kept popping back up.... "Was my dream just that, or...." I shuddered, thinking of that possiblity. "No, it couldn't! Rainbow Dash wouldn't keep a secret like that! She's always been loyal to-" Suddenly a very disturbing thought came to mind, and I couldn't help thinking of an alternate ending to that sentence. So many 'what ifs' and 'is that why's came to mind. What if she really DID join the factory to save me? Is that why she's always so vague bout her job? What is she's the head of the Rainbow Factory? Is that why she's missing sometimes? What if she had to kill Scootaloo? Is that why she's been acting so strange? I gulped. Suddenly going to talk to Rainbow Dash didn't sound like such a good idea anymore. I couldn't imagine what years of killing, lying, and pretending could do to a pony's sanity. I shivered. I trotted much slower now. I could see the outline of the Everfree ahead. The sun was setting, which just added to the mood. It was getting colder and colder. I needed something to get my mind off things. A song instantly came to mind. I softly began singing. "Winter comes and winter goes away, But still the angels stay, Upon this moonlit bay." A gust of wind blew my hair into my face. I shrieked, but soon realized it was just air. I sighed and began to resume my song. Then, I stopped. I couldn't remember the words. It had been awhile sing I had heard it. In fact, I can't even remind where I heard it from. It was a lullaby, but that's all I remembered. The words came to me and I sand them: "Every midnight tear, And ocean waves and here, And-" I gulped. I had forgotten this part. "And everypony that's near, Will soon be filled with fear." I never thought much about the song. Nothing more that a tune in my head. Where did I hear it? "All the snowflake gather all around, And listen to the sound, But to the sky they're bound." I shivered again.The sun was fully set now. The night air was chilling and reflected the song well. "Listen to their ring, But never hear them sing, For they will always cling, To the chill that winter brings." It wasn't winter, but it sure did feel like it. Springtime was odd. It had the warm summer air in the morning, but winter still clings onto the sky at night. "But- Winter comes and winter goes away, But still the angels stay, Upon this moonlit bay. "Every midnight tear, And ocean waves and here, And everypony that's near, Will soon be filled with fear." I repeated the chorus. I was now at the edge of the Everfree, shaking in fear and in the cold air. I took a deep breath and stepped into the forest. "Frozen ice, But broken shards like knives, Will you realize, But wait-" "I'm so sorry, Dust. I should have listened to you!" I head a faint whisper. I froze. That was Rainbow Dash. I couldn't here quite what she said, but I followed the voice. "IF I LISTED TO YOU SCOOTALOO WOULD STILL BE HERE!" I heard her yell, I had no clue what she was talking about, but she seemed distressed. I followed the sound. I hoped over a log, dodged a branch, and ended up behind a rock next to a huge, twisted tree. On one of the highest branches laid Rainbow Dash, burning her head in her hooves. I watched as tears fell down her face. Rainbow Dash rarely cries-Rainbow Dash never cries. In fact, I was pretty sure Dash would rather die than be caught crying-which could only mean one thing. She didn't see me yet. If Rainbow Dash hasn't seen me, then she doesn't know I was listening to her. I couldn't help but wonder what Rainbow meant by “If I listened to you Scootaloo would still be here.” Who is the this “Dust?” Where is Scootaloo? Judging from the situation, I could only assume that Scootaloo is.... I wanted to cry. I couldn't except that. Rainbow Dash could be wrong, right? It didn't sound like that. Being shy had it's advantages, I could never bring myself to ask questions so I had to figure things out myself. I learned to read facial expressions and tones of voices. Everypony has the same basic expressions, though ponies can have different tones. Through years of practice, I became sort of an expert on these things, especial with my oldest friend, Rainbow Dash. I thought I would be able to tell if anypony was lying, because I am practically a master at detecting lies. Though a pony can be equally adapt at lying might be able to fool even me. Now I had even more questions: Could Rainbow have really been lying all this time? Was my nightmare more than a dream? I had convinced myself long ago that no pony could be that cruel. That dream was nothing more than a nightmare. I convinced myself that Celestia would never allow such a gruesome thing. Though, given the current circumstances, it would make sense if there really was a factory like that. I looked back at Rainbow Dash. She was still crying, which made we worry, she never cries. I then, as quietly as possible, stepped away from my hiding spot back into the forest. I wanted to go home, but something stopped me. Looking at her reminded me of a lost, scared animal that had no clue what was happening to them and no clue what they were supposed to do. I couldn't just leave her there. True, she could take care of herself, but no pony wants to be alone at a time like this. Well, no pony truly wants to be alone, no matter what they tell themselves. My emotion began to fight with each other and chose sides. The shy side of me told me to go home, but the kind side begged me to comfort her. My heart thudded in my ears. I made up my mind. “Rainbow Dash?” I called out, flying up above the rock. She didn't respond. I was confused. “Rainbow?” I asked, hovering over to her. She didn't move. “Rainbow, are you-” I stopped talking as soon as I realized why she wasn't responding. She was asleep. I sighed, a bit relieved. I had no idea how I was going to help her if she was awake. I slowly floated back to the ground, keeping my eyes on Dash. Once my hooves reached solid ground, I heard a voice from behind me. "Why, hello there." I jumped almost as high as I was flying. The voice gave me the chills. It was eerie, deep, and soft, and it was defidently female. It sounded like somepony was softly singing at the same time as somepony else who was barely whispering at the same time as somepony taking. Though she was speaking from behind me, I dared not to turn to face her. My eyes were glued ahead of me, and I was slightly shaking. "Um...hi." I whispered, though I doubt she heard me. There was an creepy silence before she spoke again. "Is that your friend in the tree?" I nodded. She began to move closer to me. Soon, she was within my sight. She was wearing a crimson red cloak, so it looked like top she was covered from head to hoof in blood. I couldn't see much of her actual body, just a small red tuff of hair sticking out of her hoof. She trotted in front of me, staring at Rainbow Dash. It bothered me that I couldn't see her face. The moon was up in the dark sky now. It shed silver light in the scene, adding to the effect. I always thought the Everfree was terrifying at night, but I couldn't help but imagine at what lies in the depths of it's thicket. Then, unexpectedly, she turned to faced me. Her hood shades most of her face, all I could really see where her glowing white eyes. They were rose colored, such a beautiful color. They looked just like- I nearly chocked. Could this be... No, that's impossible. Rainbow Dash told me they died long ago. But, those eyes... "Something wrong?" she asked. I quickly shook my head. "N-no! I was just....leaving!" I squeaked. Then, without another word, I turned and galloped as fast as I could away from that cursed place. ~~~~~~~~~~~ I ran and ran and ran until I couldn't run anymore. I didn't really notice where I was until I stopped. I had come all the way back to Twilight's library or house or whatever you should call it. The yellow windows where still full of light, which didn't surprise me. I could see shadows moving inside the tree. I was freezing by the time I got to the door. The decorated door opened before I even knocked. "Fluttershy! You're back!" Spike greeted me. "Yeah." I responded while trotting inside. I wasn't acting much like myself. I was so shaken up. "Did you find Rainbow Dash?" Spike asked, walking next to me. I pondered for a moment about telling them. If I did tell them, Rainbow Dash would probably get mad at me, because it would ruin her image. And if I told them about that, then I... I would have to... to tell them about that mare. I didn't know what it was about that mare that scared me so much. Her voice was something out of a nightmare, but soothing at the same time. When she looked at me, I felt like she was starring through my very soul. I couldn't bare to think about it. "No," I answered. "Ah, Fluttershy!" a new voice spoke. I easily recognized it as Twilight Sparkle. I turned to her. Slowly, she trotted over to me. "She couldn't find Rainbow," Spike informed Twilight. "I know, I heard. Well, she is the 'fastest flier in all of Equestria'." Twilight spoke with a giggle. "Yeah." I repeated. Twilight shook her head, her mood changing. She must have noticed my serious tone. She paced for a bit, like she didn't know what to say, but then spoke. "I can't stop thinking about how strangely Dash acted." Twilight sighed. "She seemed scared that we would find out about something. It could be linked to what you said What was your dream abo-" "Nightmare." I interrupted. Twilight's eyes widened in shock. This surprised even me. I rarely interrupt, so naturally she was very surprised at this. "Yes, though, it could be more than that." Twilight noted, looking me in the eye. My heart began to thud in my ear again, threatening in deafen me. I feel so scared, and I didn't know why. "It can't be! Celestia wouldn't-" I began. "CELESTIA!" Twilight gasped. "Of course! She'll know what to do! The princess always does! Spike-" "On it!" Spike said, taking out a quill and parchment from seemingly nowhere. "Dear Princess Celestia, I'm afraid our young friend, Scootaloo has gone missing, her last sighting was in the Everfree forest." "What?" I gasped. Spike looked up from the letter. "That's what Big Macintosh said. He's normally so shy, but after you left, he came straight to the library and told me that he saw Scootaloo flying into the Everfree after the test." I sighed in relief. That means my dream must be just that, a dream! "As I was saying, her last sighting was in the Everfree forest. We think Rainbow Dash has something to do with this, though we are not sure how. We wait for your orders. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle." It took mere moments for Spike to roll up the parchment and send it off. "Well, I guess I'll be leaving now." I said, but I was quickly stopped by Twilight, who steeped in front of me. "Are you crazy? It's freezing cold out there, not to mention pitch black!" Twilight exclaimed. "You can sleep here, is that okay?" "Yes, of course." I said, feeling silly. "Spike, please set up the second bed." "Why do I have to do everything?" Spike groaned, but still obeyed Twilight. It didn't take long for him to get out the bed and before I knew it, I was lying in bed looking at the wooden ceiling above me. I couldn't get to sleep though, I couldn't stop thinking about that mare. I had so many questions! Who was she? What was she doing there? When did she sneak up behind me? Where did she come from? Why did she scare my so much? How did she know we were there? Nothing made sense. I never had been so confused, but truth be told, I never wanted to figure it out. I was perfectly fine with never seeing her again. I had dismissed questions without answers before. How was this different? It wasn't different. It wasn't that difficult. It was the same Then why can't I stop thinking about her? Yet another question I couldn't answer. For a pony like Twilight, these questions would lead them to their death. I hoped that wouldn't happen to me. I turned over in the bed, facing the oval window next to Twilight. You could see a lot out of that window. From where I was lying, I could see the market place. It looked so lonely at night. There was a purple haze over the place. The empty stalls and overall stillness gave it an eerie effect. Looking at it made me feel sad. I don't know why, but somehow it did. How could something so full of life in the day be so solemn at night? There was another question. I had never realized I was that curious until now. Strange what you can find out about yourself in the oddest of times. Then, I realized I had never finished my song. I hated doing that. I softly began singing: "Frozen ice, But broken shards like knives, Will come when you realize, But wait- Let's take the dive. The lightest feet Alone can only meet The thin ice-so sweet Please end this melody. "But, Winter comes and winter goes away but still the angels stay upon this moonlit bay, Midnight tears And ocean waves are here And everyone that's near Will soon be filled with fear." With the final note, I was hit with a memory. I had just woken up from that terrible, terrible nightmare... "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" I screamed, my eyes opening wide. "Fluttershy!" gasped Rainbow Dash, who was sitting next to me. It was a warm summer night, but I was shivering uncontrollably. "Calm down." "I-I can't!" I stuttered. "Shhh!" Dash shushed me. Then, she did something I didn't expect, she began to sing: "Winter comes and winter goes away but still the angels stay upon this moonlit bay, Midnight tears And ocean waves are here And everyone that's near Will soon be filled with fear." I stopped shivering, and listened as Rainbow Dash began the second verse. "All the snowflake gather all around, And listen to the sound, But to the sky they're bound. Listen to their ring, But never hear them sing, For they will always cling, To the chill that winter brings." I was mesmerized by the beautiful tune. Noticing that I had stopped shaking, Rainbow stopped singing. "Oh, please don't stop!" I cried. "But-" "Please?" I gave her my best puppy eyes. "Okay." She repeated the chorus and flowed into the second verse. "Frozen ice, But broken shards like knives, Will come when you realize, But wait- Let's take the dive. The lightest feet Alone can only meet The thin ice-so sweet Please end this melody. "But, Winter comes and winter goes away but still the angels stay upon this moonlit bay, Midnight tears And ocean waves are here And everyone that's near Will soon be filled with fear." I looked at her in wonder. I had no clue Rainbow could sing like that. "My mom taught me that song." Rainbow Dash remarked. "Moonlit Bay, that's what it's called." "It's so pretty." I complimented. "Thanks." Rainbow smiled. I opened my eyes, coming back to reality. That was the first time I had the nightmare. Could it be that I really went to the Rainbow Factory? No, that's impossible. Twilight said that Big Mac... ....saw Scootaloo flying into the Everfree. It hit me like someone was punching me in the stomach. I felt so stupid. That doesn't mean me nightmare wasn't real. I shivered. I wanted to cry like a little filly, but I knew I couldn't. I looked over at Twilight. Her eyes were closed, but whether or not she was asleep was unknown. If I say something, I might wake her. But we've only been in bed for a few minutes. Then again, it is really late. "Twilight?" I called. Her eyes opened. "Yes, Fluttershy?" Twilight responded. "Something wrong?" I was relieved that she was awake. Should I tell her about everything? She had asked me if anything was wrong after all. "No, it's just..." I trailed off. "Are you okay?" Twilight asked. "No, I'm fine." "That didn't sound very convincing." Twilight noted. "I just can't stop worrying about Rainbow Dash." I said. Twilight closed her eyes. "Me too." "I've been friends with her as long as I can remember." I told her. "she's never lied to me. Not that I know of." "I keep thinking about that too. I mean, she's the element of loyalty, she wouldn't be lying to us right?" Twilight said, sounding unsure. "I just can't shake the feeling that she's hiding something." Twilight and I said at the same time. We both froze, not daring to break the silence as an eerie chill feel around us. We were thinking the same thing. Does that make is true? I shivered. I suddenly got the feeling that we were being watched. "That...was creepy." Twilight said. It took me a few moments to respond. "I'm just glad I'm not the only one thinking that." I tried to shake away the feeling with no success. "Well, it's not hard to come to that conclusion, given her behavior." "Oh, right." I smiled. Of course, it's silly...right? "But, if she's keeping something from us, she'll tell us eventually." "Why do you say that?" I was interested in her answer. She seemed so sure, it was almost scary. "Because she's the element of loyalty! She almost has to!" Twilight laughed. "I guess you're right." I said with a nervous laugh. Maybe she while, I sure hope she does. Rainbow Dash, what going on? With that last thought, I slowly drifted to sleep
