I felt the elastic-type air of the sound barrier pushed at my hooves, that went along with the churning and butterflies in my stomach that held the fear of me failing and being thrown back into the air looking at every pony as they would have witnessed my failure. For a split second I thought of stopping pretending I injured my wing but I heard the audible stretch and I pushed on.
The glorious sound of the boom deafening my ears. I looked back like I had done many times before as my mane flowed out 1000 times longer and the rainbow filled the sky.
I touched my hooves lightly to the ground as my friends crowded around. At first I expected them to congratulate me and say how spectacular it was. I lowered my head but there was a silence in the air, so I looked up. I looked around at the four tear streaked pony faces as they stood before me. Wait, there's something wrong four there should be five. I checked off the two purple manes, the blonde mane, and the light pink mane. There's the mane I’m missing. I rose a little bit up and looked over their heads for Pinkie Pie's mane to come bouncing into view but it never came. I swirled around but she wasn't there either.
"Where's Pinkie?” I choked out.
Twilight Sparkle took a small step forward and looked up at me.
"It went wrong but I-", Twilight started.
"What went wrong," I said as worry filled my thoughts.
"When you did the rain-boom, uh... Pinkie was in the way and she was blown away. I'm doing immediate resear-", I cut her off
again.
"Where is she?!” I squeaked out.
"Dash, we don't know the rain boom did travel a long way, she could be anywhere in Equestria or even past here.” She explained.
I felt the muscles tighten on my face. I bit my lowered lip fighting the tears.
"It wasn't your fault.” they all chorused.
"You said it yourself it was the Sonic rain boom. I'm the only pony who can do that it is my fault.” I choked out.
I ran off and couldn't bear to look at the rainbow that glistened in the sky. I flew up to a small grey cloud and landed on it. I felt my body shake with sobs. What have I done?
**
"Pinkie why, don't you come home?!" I called out into the empty forest.
Once you have someone taken away from you and it's your fault it hurts you a lot. It cups deep into your soul, until it's a tattered old remain of what it used to be. That's what I’m like.
***
"Oh Rainbow, we know you didn't mean, to. We forgave you. It was a mistake. Do it just one more time for Me.", coaxed Twilight.
I shook my head no. Now I won't even come off the small cloud. I haven't had the courage to it's like I’m chained here.
"Please get up and do it one more time we want to see a rain boom again. we haven't seen it since that day.", she tried again.
At the mentioning of the exact day from someone else about it brought back the memory and it hung over my head all day like a dark cloud. Fluttershy says that I’m now attached to the cloud since I haven't left it in 3 months. It may have been 4 months since the accident, but it still feels like yesterday.
"Darling, your bones are showing. If you want to look good that isn't the way to do it, honey.” called out Rarity.
"I don't care what I look like.” I mumbled into the cloud.
"Pinkie will be home soon. I've been doing res-.” suddenly Twilight cut off.
I don't care if she cut herself off. I'm glad I don't want to hear them anyway. I just want to sleep forever. I listened to the mumbles the spread through the small group standing near me.
"What is it now?” I said grumpily.
"I think ya' need to look for ya-self, Sugar.” said Applejack.
"Here.” said Rarity as she put the small compact in front of my face.
I looked deep into it and thought it was a trick mirror but the image didn't change. My mane was white. I twisted my neck to look at my tail and saw it was white, too.
"Great." I mumbled.
I already have enough problems and I sure didn't need this one. Why can't everything just go back to normal? Now I've lost Pinkie and I have no reason to live. She was my only reason besides my friends and joining the wonder bolts, but they really haven't been enough to change my mood despite their efforts and it doesn't look like I’m getting into the wonder bolts anytime soon.
"Oh please, just get up once for Me.", said Fluttershy.
I looked at her innocent face and I couldn't resist. I placed my front hoofs in front of me and tried to pull my body up ward but I was too weak. I collapsed back to the cloud and looked at my torso it was extremely skinny. It was like my skin and fur were just a piece of plastic tightening over my rib cage
I tried again this time using more effort, but I again collapsed to the cloud. I looked up at the hopeful faces waiting for me. I saw Fluttershy staring at me with pleading eyes and I pulled upward again and this time got to all fours for about two split seconds. I looked at my friends for help and then Twilight was there extending her hoof. I held it tight as I stood up wobbly. I stumbled a bit and crashed into Rarity who just steadied me and encouraged me.
***
"Thanks Fluttershy for letting me come over for dinner. You're a great friend.” I said to Fluttershy as I entered the small cottage.
"Oh it's nothing I just want to make sure you're okay since lately you haven't been yourself.” She responded.
"So what are we having?” I asked curiously.
"It's a surprise.” she joked.
About an hour later she called me to the table where she had displayed a beautiful array of all my favorite sweets that Pinkie used to make for me.
"Oh, oh... Fluttershy thank you.” I said resisting the urge to cry.
"Oh it was nothing. I knew you needed something to cheer you up so I thought this was the perfect thing.” she said.
I wrapped my forelegs around her neck as I sobbed about everything. The memories of me and Pinkie instantly flooded back to me as I bit into everything.
I and she were in the park having a picnic and she had made me a special rainbow cupcake. She said it was for her special Dashie.
I had seen all the times where she was overly excited and also too depressed. On days she went from having the best day of her life to straight mane and moping. She tried to hide it by putting curlers in but it always grew a shade deeper when it was straight so every pony could tell.
I looked at Fluttershy who sat across the table. She wasn't touching anything. She was just watching me.
"Don't you want some?” I asked.
"Oh, no. I like seeing you happy and I know this made you happy like she did. I want to make you happy like she did. I just hate seeing you sad.” she said.
***
I hadn't really noticed that Fluttershy liked me. She made that clear when she told me tonight even though it took a bit of coaxing to get out. I just couldn't deal with it at the moment but was she right maybe I did need to move on it would be better. Pinkie would want me happy. But all that makes me happy is being with her.
Then Fluttershy was in front of me. She looked exhausted.
"Look Rainbow Dash I just wanted to say I’m sorry for just blurting that out. I don't want to get in between you and Pinkie or anything. I know you love her and I can live with that. I know to have a relationship both ponies have to be in love. Well, I just had to tell you that. I'll see you another time.” she blurted out.
"Wait, why don't you stay at my cottage for the night? I mean you're already in Cloudsdale and it's getting dark. I know you live by the Ever free Forest and there are a lot of dangers over there." I said.
"Are you sure?" she looked around timid at the small cottage.
"Of course I am.” I replied.
"Ok, I suppose." She said.
Rainbow what are you doing? You just can't be jumping into something like this? I can't do this especially knowing Pinkie is still alive. Is she?
"Um, Rainbow where's your extra bed?” Fluttershy asked.
"You know I have a guest room down the hall at the end.", I said.
"Oh yeah I now”, she said kind of looking disappointed.
I wonder why she looks disappointed but I do have my thoughts of why. I heard mumbling come from the guest room and I was curious.
“I know I can't help her but I want to so badly. She's hurting. I hope she doesn't take everything the wrong way.” she mumbled in the room.
I'm happy she's not I still need to find Pinkie. I've searched everyday for so long. The memory is still fresh in my mind and I don't think it will ever leave.
***
I adjusted the saddlebag on my back and was getting ready to go farther that before to find Pinkie. I might even go past Equestria. If there is anything past Equestria.
"Are ya sure ya wanna do this, Sugar cube?” said Applejack.
"I have to." I said determined.
"At least let one of us go with you." insisted Twilight.
"No I have to do it alone.", still determined.
"Ok but please be careful.” said Twilight finally giving in.
"Wait, I made you this outfit it will keep you hot when you need to and cold when you need to, and of course it resembles the latest fashion.” said Rarity.
"Thanks. Well, I have to go now. Goodbye and I will miss you all.” I said.
"Wait, please do one more Sonic Rain boom for us. We haven't seen one since that day and we will be able to remember you by It.", Fluttershy said.
"No, I can't risk hurting one of you guys, again.” I said hesitantly.
"Please.", they all chorused.
"I don't know.” I said.
I looked at their pleading face and couldn't resist.
"Ok." I said hesitant.
***
I was up on the cloud preparing to dive over 1000 feet. I had done this trick so many times before. But now the ground and view looked foreign, unfamiliar, and kind of scary. I place my hooves firmly on the ground getting ready. I shot towards the next cloud starting my unfamiliar routine. I don't think I can do this. I started shifting my way down and soon I was breaking through the barrier. I shot up and completed the rainbow.
I reached the ground afraid that I may have made the same mistake. My friends came to me. Their faces a look of astonishment.
"What did I do now? Did I mess up again?” I said afraid starting to worry.
They all just gaped in horror at the rainbow behind me. I turned around and stood slack- jawed and surprised.
"This can't be possible. There is nothing that has happened like this before. I have to do immediate research.” said Twilight.
I still couldn't speak and I could hear the mumbles and gasps of horror behind me as a large crowd formed.
"How is this possible?” I heard many ponies say.
"What went wrong?” said another.
I looked again at the all black rainbow with streaks of Pink. Pinkie's color. Her exact color. I fell to the ground and cried.
"It's not possible." yelled out another pony.
I turned and saw recognition in Twilight's face. She immediately started explaining.
"I know, this is because you miss Pinkie. The rainbow is what made Pinkie disappear in the first place and you're just remembering her. This is you're way of remembering her." she said knowingly,
"Does this mean she's dead?” I choked out.
"I don't know." Twilight said.
I stood up weakly and said," I still have to find out. I'm still going."
They all nodded understandingly.
***
I have been searching for a month now. I have no hope and I don't think I can on any longer, The only reason I don't return is because I know I’m lost and can't find my way back. I wish I could just have my 5 friends, including Pinkie come bursting through the trees but that's impossible. Pinkie is probably dead and I should just face that fact but I can't because there's a nagging feeling that something is wrong and I need to find out what.
I think I’ll have a better chance in the air. So I take off and the heaviness in the bag has subsided over time I’m running out of food but surprisingly I don't feel hungry. Honestly, I don't feel anything besides the nagging feeling. There's something in the corner of my eye and it near4s closer. It's a pegasi. I didn't know any ponies lived out here, it's a desert out here there is nothing but sand and the hot sun. It keeps getting closer and I don't really want t confrontation so I fly a bit faster.
They catch up a lot faster than I thought they would. I hear a sickening thud against my side and I’m thrown to the hot sand. The pony or should I say allicorn stands tall over me. It's a male and he's about twice the size of Celestia making him four times the size of me. He's very tall obviously has a long royal purple mane, matching tail, and very black coat. His nose is flaring and his eyes are bloodshot. He leaned in closer.
"Who are you?” he practically growls.
"I'm Rainbow Dash.", I said quietly.
"Why are you all the way out her? You look like an Equestria pony.” he said raising his head an inch.
"I'm looking for some pony.", I said.
"And who might that be?” he asked.
"Her name is Pinkie Pie.", I said hoping he might've seen her.
"Why are you looking for her all the way out here?"
"Because I did something that knocked her out of Equestria.” I said.
"What did you do and how do you know she's not in Equestria?” he said stepping off of me.
"I don't want to talk about it and I already searched all over Equestria."
"Oh, I understand. I did something wrong, too."
I saw a shift in him. He went from menacing to sulky in one minute.
"What did you do?” I said growing curious.
"I don't want to talk about it either.” he said.
"Ok I’ll make you a deal. I won't ask or talk about why you're out here, if you do the same. Does that sound okay?" I said.
"Yeah I guess, but I could help you look for this Pinkie Pie if You help me find Cloud storm.”, he said.
"Wait, who's Cloud Storm?” I asked.
"She's the pony I’m looking for her. She used to make the clouds out here. It was such a beautiful place. There was a lot of farms and we had so many beautiful orchards. There wasn't many pegasi around so she took on most of the responsibility of the weather. One day something went wrong because of me and she was never seen again. I sent out immediate search parties that went to Equestria but there was no luck. Soon, there were no pegasi ponies here and no one could make clouds. I never knew how to so the orchards and farms went dry and I couldn't take of every pony so they left.” he explained.
He seems to like to open up to any pony probably because no pony is never around to talk to.
"Oh well I guess I could help you.” I said
"Really thanks, you're so great Rainbow Dash.", he said.
"How long has she been gone?” I asked.
"Oh, it's been around 10 years.” he mumbled.
"Whoa, and you think she's still out there?” I asked.
He looked at me like he was about to cry.
"Why wouldn't she be?” he asked.
"She is surely still alive. I promise you that.” I said.
"Well, why don't we start looking?” he said hopeful.
"I need to rest first. Is there anyplace I can?” I said.
"All there is the rundown land.” he said.
"It will have to do.", I said
I was still cautious of this pony. I don't know much about him and I don't know how crazy he is. I didn't even know his name.
"Hey, wait up. What's your name?” I said
"Oh it's Firestorm, like Cloudstorm but fire instead of cloud.” he said.
"You really miss her, huh?” I asked.
"Yeah, and you really miss Pinkie don't you?” he asked.
"Yeah, it's been really hard without her.", I said
***
We arrived at the land that used to be called Ponyville.
"Her, I live in Ponyville. It's a small town, not a whole large place like this.” I said
"Oh really, that's cool.” he said.
I looked over the small hill at the land before me. I could see how magnificent it used to be. The buildings were run down and broken but they had a certain beauty to them. The dying trees looked amazing. They seemed to still have life in them despite not being watered for so long. You can see the plots of land that used to be farms, and the old farmhouses that stood next to the plots.
"I do have to warn you about 4 ponies did stay all this time, and they don't take well to company.” he said
"Wait I thought you were alone.” I said.
"Yeah, I kind of am, they stay to themselves and don't really talk to me." he said.
“Oh, well do you ever try to talk to the,?", I asked.
"Not really. Normally when I do they ignore me.", he said.
***
We walked up to the small group of ponies, and said," Hello". They looked at us as if we were the craziest ponies they have ever seen. They didn't reply, they just stared.
"Well, I’m Rainbow Dash and I’m here, looking for a pony named Pinkie Pie. Have any of you seen here?” I said
They just continued to stare in silence.
"Hello, is one of you going to answer me?” I asked annoyed.
"No, we haven't seen any new ponies come here in over 10 years.” the small blue one said.
"Oh, well thank you anyway.” I said
"Wait!” the same small blue pony called out.
"Are you going to stay her for a while?” he asked hopefully.
"I don't know. Maybe, it depends on how long it takes for me to find Pinkie Pie.", I said.
"What about after you find Pinkie Pie? You two could stay here.” said a normal sized red unicorn.
"I don't know. I would have to get back to my friends.", I said
"Oh, well that's fine." she said disappointed.
"I have a question or you guys. Why don't you ever talk to Fire Storm?” I asked.
"We try to but it's like he never hears us.” the small blue one said.
"Oh, well I’ll talk to him about that.” I said.
I wasn't really intent on the idea of finding out why they won't talk.
"Well I’m going to go check on him. I didn't even realize he left till' now.", I said.
"Wait, we didn't get to introduce ourselves yet.” said the blue one.
"Ok I guess I have enough time.” I said.
The small blue one stepped up first.
"I'm Electric Shock. I can make lightning and contort it into shapes.” said the small blue one.
"I am Fashionista. I love to make fashions, and might I add I do love your outfit.” said the red unicorn.
"I am DJ. I love to make music.” said the grey one.
"I'm Missy. I'm good with making treats.” said the one that resembles Pinkie the most.
Missy had a curly purple mane and a white coat. Her cutie mark was a heart cupcake.
"I'm Babel. I used to be a weather pony until I lost one of my wings.” said the old one.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I couldn't imagine losing one of my wings.” I said.
"Yeah, it was hard, but you get over it eventually.” Babel said.
***
I found Firestorm sitting on top of the hill where I had first seen the land of Ponyville. He looked sad and disappointed.
"What's wrong?” I asked.
"It's just those ponies took to you so well. They seemed eager to talk to you.” he said.
"They told me they do try to talk to you but you don't hear them.", I said.
"Well, they never hear Me.", he said stubbornly.
"Listen, I don't have time for these problems, I need to find Pinkie and I can't deal with that, I’m sorry but that's just the way it is." I said.
"I understand.” he said defeated.
***
"Be quiet I hear someone coming.” I urgently whispered to Firestorm,
He nodded his head and I went bask to cowering behind a tree in a forest that oddly resembled the Ever free Forest. I heard the clop of running hooves through the silent forest. I heard them stop abruptly about 50 feet in front of the tree.
"Shh, I can sense some pony else is here.” said the running Pegasus.
"Really, I sense two.” said the other Pegasus.
"Just be quiet.” groaned the unicorn beside them.
They crept slowly towards us, and soon they were fight in front of the tree. Then, what I had been dreading came true. The Pegasus circled the tree and ran straight into Firestorm.
"Run Cloud!", yelled the Pegasus.
At the mention of the name, Fire was out from under the Pegasus in no time. He was flying faster than I had ever seen him fly before. He was dodging trees but the small pony that was running was just always one step ahead of him, and I knew he wouldn't be able to catch her by himself, so I shot after her to.
I shot past Fire in a couple of seconds and I was closing in on Cloudstorm. I knew the only way to find Pinkie was to help Fire. She stopped dead and removed the robe that covered her head. She was no Pegasus she was a unicorn. I flew straight into a tree and sat on the ground dumbfounded.
Then fire burst into the clearing a minute later, looking at the unicorn who lay there unconscious. It looks like she flew into a tree, too. he went over to her and poked her slightly. She groaned in pain. He turned and looked at me coldly.
"This isn't her!” he growled.
The pony on the first day I had met here returned. He seemed so menacing. His mane grew out longer and seemed to flare.
Now he was towering over me.
"Do you want to find out why they call me Firestorm?” He asked.
I shook my head wildly back in forth, not trusting my voice. At the moment I also realized how peculiar all the ponies special talents were out here. They weren't normal talents.
The unicorn across the clearing groaned and he turned his attention to her.
"Where is Cloudstorm?” He yelled.
"I thought you knew. Fire she died. We found her body about 9 years ago.” she squeaked out.
He stepped back amazed and clearly he didn't know this. But instead of understanding he seemed to grow taller and angrier.
"Where is she? I know you're hiding her and I won't let you keep her from me.", he yelled.
"I'm not, we're not. Do you want to see her grave it's true fire and you're going to have to accept it.", she yelled back.
He just stepped back and lowered his head. He looked at me and said,’ I’m sorry". He flew away a second later and I followed him but now he was really trying to get away and I couldn't catch up.
***
I left all the ponies behind. I couldn't take it any longer they weren't helping me look and I don't think I was going to get any answers on why they had such peculiar talents. I still need to find Pinkie. It's been about a year and three quarters now.
I really don't want to lose hope but I do think it's time to head back.
***
I was halfway home and suddenly after I had left the desert area my hunger and thirst hit me blindingly fast. If I hadn't had the food in water still in my saddlebag I don’t think I would have survived. I was in a thick forest that hid me well. When I heard a springing noise. It reminded me of the noise Pinkie used to make when she hopped along but I know it wasn't her, it could never be her.
I saw a pink mane bouncing along and a glimmer of hope burst in my chest and I shot straight after it. I knocked the straight maned pony to the ground. It was Pinkie Pie!
"Pinkie is it really you?!", I yelled.
"Who's Pinkie?", asked the confused pony.
"You, silly.” I said.
But now the pony looked more confused than ever. It was Pinkie I was sure of it I would never mistake her.
"I'm sorry but you're mistaken.” she said.
"No, I’m not that's your cutie mark Pinkie Pie.", I said growing more determined to prove it was her.
"I don't know how I go that cutie mark and I don’t know what it means all I know is that I’m not Pinkie Pie.”, she said determined.
"How did you get to this forest?” I asked.
"I don't know. I just remember waking up here.” she said.
I knew there was only one way to prove it top her but I was afraid to make her go missing again, but if she goes missing I have nothing to lose, except her.
I positioned myself on the cloud and shot down. I pushed at the sound barrier realizing how important it was to do this, but the barrier seemed stronger over here. I pushed but it started pushing back. I saw Pinkie down on the ground looking bored and I pushed harder until it broke and I flew over looking at my flowing mane that had finally done a normal rainbow again.
I returned to the ground and watched as Pinkie's mane grew curly again at the same moment mine turned rainbow again. She ran and jumped on me.
"Rainbow it's really you. I didn't believe it was you until I saw you do the rain boom and I knew it was you. I knew you would find me but I didn't know that I knew that you were going to find me until you found me.", she laughed.
"I missed you Pinkie.", I said.
"I missed you, too, Rainbow Dash.", she said.
***
Epilogue
We have returned to our Ponyville and it was hard at first getting Pinkie used to everything again but I did it. I will never let her go now. I haven't performed a rain boom in years and I don't think I want to.