When a Rainbow's Tale Isn't Quite as Nice

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