Friends in High Places

Chapters

Where a Season Ends, One Begins
Seeing Pink and Red
Soarin' High
Puppet and Master
Just Another Day
Two Chained, One Set Free
Return of Chaos

Where a Season Ends, One Begins

Chapter 1- Where a Season Ends, One Begins
A huge explosion tore across the sky in a beautiful array of color and magnificence. Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight all sat and watched the spectacle unfold right before their eyes. The free tickets they had been given for the show were amont the best in the stadium, they were centered in the arena and just below the princess’s private box. The final Wonderbolts show of the year was always fabulous, this was the end of Rainbow Dash’s first full season flying with them. The maneuver that had just been executed had involved Dash flying straight down and as she broke the sound barrier the rest of the team flew outwards in a circular pattern creating a flowering affect as the rainboom ripped through the stadium. The maneuver had brought on ‘ooohs’ and ‘ahhhhs’ from the crowd just as the Wonderbolts always managed to do.

After the show was the end of the flying season and the beginning of winter, which meant that Rainbow Dash would be able to come home for the first time in almost a year. All five of the friends missed Dash very much. They longed to spend a winter hanging out and having fun with their celebrity friend. After the show the five went as close as they could to the backstage area to try and meet Dash. They spotted her briefly through a curtain, she was apparently having a conversation with Spitfire and Thunderwing about the show tonight.

“RAINBOW DASH!” Pinkie was ecstatic about seeing Dash and was having trouble controlling herself as she bounced all over the place, literally appearing to be on the floor, wall, and ceiling at once.
Rainbow looked over in the direction from which she had heard her voice. “Hey guys!” She smiled and quickly pardoned herself from the company of Spitfire and Thunderwing and started trotting over to the group of her best friends, still in uniform. However on her way over to the assembly she was intercepted by Soarin who, stopped her and said something to her which the other five could not understand and they began trotting away together in the directin of the rest of the team.
Dash shouted back over her shoulder, “sorry guys! I’ll catch up with ya later!. Offical business and all!”
Pinkie instantly stopped her bouncing and seemed extremely dejected. “B-b-b-b-but Dashie…” A frown crossed her face and her hair went almost straight.
“Its ok Pinkie,” Twilight seemed sincere and concerned for her pink friend, “She is just doing some business, she is a celebrity now after all.”
“Ok,” the tone of pinkie’s voice was a little happier and her mane was starting to curl again. “I guess I’ll just have to go PLAN A WELCOME HOME PARTY!” With those words she bounded from the room towards the airship they used to get into Cloudsdale.
Twilight was the first to speak up, as usual, “Come on girls, we had better get home, we can meet Rainbow there when she isn’t busy.” The others agreed and they all started off towards Ponyville.

The Wonderbolts, sat around in their private lounge drinking and celebrating their good performance and an amazing season. After changing out of her flight uniform and showering Rainbow Dash had join the rest of the team in the lounge. She shared a few good laughs with Spitfire and Thunderwing about minor mistakes in training, or even in shows. She discussed important business information such as training camp return dates after winter and publicity options with the team’s manager, Cloudwalker. Dash had been offered a pay raise for the next season, but she had kindly declined it. She made plenty of money now, more than she could ever spend in one winter by herself. She wanted nothing more than to get back home to Ponyville and spend a winter with her friends relaxing from the physically taxing and demanding season she had just completed. Rainbow loved the rest of the Wonderbolts, they had grown over the season to be great friends, but Dash missed her best friends, the ones that she had know for the majority of her life.
“Hey Rainbow!” She looked up from the window which she had been looking out, lost in thought. Soarin was walking over to her, “We’re all goin out to celebrate tonight, you wanna come with?”
“Sorry Soarin, I need to get back home, my friends are waiting on me.”
“Aww, come on Dash, you got all winter with them! Just tonight, us Wonderbolts, out on the town, my treat!”
Dash was torn, she really wanted to spend one more night out with the team, but she knew her friends would be disappointed if she didn’t return tonight. But he did have a point, she did have three months in Ponyville before Fall training started up, and even then she could spend a few hours at home for another month or two. “Ok ok Soar, I’ll go.” Dash smiled at Soarin, there would be time for apologies to her friends later. The eight members of the team headed out for one last night of fun.
After roaming the streets for several hours, the team finally settled down in a restaurant called ‘The Restless Stallion” which Spitfire, had called ahead and reserved the whole building in order to get some privacy without all the fans and publicity around. The team casually ate their meals and conversed about whatever happened to come up to talk about, from new potential acrobatics to the economical state of Equestria. Dash wasn’t going to lie to herself she was having a great time, especially since Soarin was paying for all her food. Still, she felt bad about having ditched her friends, she knew that Pinkie probably had a party planned for her return. She really enjoyed Pinkie’s partys, it was her special talent after all. Dash chuckled to herself and she decided that it was about time to leave and return to Ponyville.
“Excuse me everypony, I’m sorry, but I need to get going back to Ponyville.” Dash stood up to leave and with a little bit of contempt, they each said their goodbyes. When it came time to say goodbye to Soarin her leaned into her and whispered something so that only they could hear.
“Take care of yourself dash, and remember, don’t tell anypony yet.”
Dash simply nodded and smiled at Soarin. She wouldn’t call what they had a relationship but it was definitely a strong friendship at least. Nothing at all had happened between save for one short kiss that wasn’t talked about by either of them after the next day, but she did see the possibility of a relationship in the future, but nothing more.
Although her wings were tired from the earlier show she felt it would be faster to simply fly back to Ponyville rather than wait for some sort of transport. She always enjoyed flying, the wind in her mane, the way it felt under her wings as she dived and rose. Her mind drifted back to the time she had become a local celebrity for a while. She had let the publicity go to her head and it had taken her own friends to snap her out of her selfish trance. She had promised herself after she had been offered her contract that she wouldn’t let the celebrity status go to her head again.
Finally she saw it; the top of Ponyville’s town hall had peaked over the horizon. She would be reunited with her friends soon. The thought brought a smile to her face, until she remembered that she would have to explain her absence to the others. Should she lie and say that the meeting ran over? She didn’t want to lie to her friends, she was the element of loyalty after all. I’ll just have to cross that bridge later. When she finally came up on Sugarcube Corner the lights inside were on and Dash saw all of her friends sitting inside but there was clearly no party going on. Dash opened the door and walked in.

Seeing Pink and Red

Chapter 2 – Seeing Pink and Red
“Hey guys!” Dash smiled and waved at her friends. They all had looks of annoyance and frustration on their faces. “Sorry I’m late, I was finishing some business stuff with the team.” Dash was satisfied with that, it wasn’t exactly a lie.
After that statement the other five’s moods seemed to lighten instantly and they were bounding over to Dash showering her with hugs and excited laughter.
“We’re so glad your home Dashie!” Pinkie was ecstatic as always, bounding around the room as if she were no heavier than a feather.
“Well go on dear! Tell us all about your time with the Wonderbolts! We’re dying to hear all about it!” Rarity exclaimed.
“Yeah!” The others in the room had said it almost unanimously. Dash began telling stories of all the shows they had done, all the time training and all the time hanging out with the team. The whole time Dash was telling her story the others were very intently listening and aside from an occasional question, never spoke.
“That sounds so totally awesome!” Pinkie was growing more excited by the moment and was obviously happy to have her friend beck home.
Rarity chimed in with one of her usual remarks, “so what are you going to do with us normal ponies now that you’re a celebrity?” The remark brought looks of honest concern and quizzicality from her friends.
“Guys, just ‘cuz I’m a celebrity now doesn’t mean anything has changed.” Dash Smiled at her friends, “I would never forget about my family.” Her words were followed by a unanimous “awwwwww” and suddenly the group was in one large six pony hug.
“ITS TIME TO PARTY!” Pinkie bounded up and started the music which she then turned up loud. The party was one of typical Pinkie fashion, and Dash couldn’t be happier to be with her family again. However the party might have been short lived when the Cakes woke up due to the music, but Dash offered them free tickets to a show in exchange for permission to stay up. The Cakes reluctantly agreed and the party continued through the night and until the sun rose the next morning.
The next afternoon after her usual nap that she had missed so much during the show season she went for a walk around the town, it was nice to get away from the publicity and the fans crowding her. When she walked through the town square she noticed a poster on the side of a building. When she looked closer it was a picture of her and writing on the poster said: Rainbow Dash! The Wonderbolt from Ponyville! Dash smiled realizing that it must have been the Cutie Mark Crusaders doing. She decided that she would go see them, Scootaloo was always happy to see her anyways.
Dash approached the clubhouse that the three fillies used as their headquarters. When she knocked on the door Scootaloo opened it and when she looked up to see her idol standing in the doorway she was paralyzed.
“Heya!” Dash just smiled at the filly. “Mind if I come in?”
“N-n-n-not at a-a-a-all,” Scootaloo almost seemed nervous around Dash.
“Something wrong? You seem nervous around me.”
“O-of course I am! You’re a bucking Wonderbolt!”
“Hey watch that tongue of yours,” She joked with the filly. “But seriously, its still just me, nothing has changed except who I work for. Your still my favorite fan.” Dash smiled at the filly and gave her a pat on the back. “Here, I brought this for you.” It was the poster she had found in the town square, only now adorned on it was a signature, bearing the name Rainbow Dash.
“My poster? Why did you take it down? I mean I extremely happy for the autograph but I’m just curious.”
“I took it down because when I’m here at home in Ponyville I want to get away from the publicity and the crowds and fans and just relax.” Dash simply sat and smiled at the now three fillies in the room, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle had entered since the start of her conversation with Scootaloo. “You understand, don’t you?”
“Yeah I do.”
“Good, now who wants to hear about my time with the Wonderbolts?” The three fillies were excited to hear her stories of glory, fame, and celebrity and the whole time Dash was speaking they, just like the other five the night before, listened intently.
After her story telling to the three young fillies, which had taken several hours, Dash decided that she would go pay Fluttershy a visit since they hadn’t spoken much even at the party since Dash got back the night before. Dash decided to walk to her cottage to give her wings a much needed rest. Her walk was filled with many shouts of ‘Hi Rainbow Dash!’ and while she didn’t mind the attention she also didn’t want to feel like he hometown thought of her any differently now than they had before. ‘I guess that comes with being famous’ Dash thought to herself. When Dash finally came up on Fluttershy’s cottage and knocked on the door she discovered that Fluttershy wasn’t home. Dash thought this was odd seeing as Fluttershy was always taking care of her animals about this time of day. ‘Maybe Applejack has seen her’ Dash started off towards Sweet Apple Acres to find the orange earth pony. In order to save time Dash decided to fly, the sun was already dipping below the horizon to the west.
“Heya Applejack!”
“Oh, howdy Rainbow! What brings ya here at this hour?”
“I was just going to visit Fluttershy but she wasn’t at her cottage, I was wondering if you’ve seen her.”
“Oh, well silly me, we all forgot to tell you at the party in all the excitement.”
“Tell me what?”
“Fluttershy and Big Macintosh are out on a date right now, they’ve been goin strong for close to six months now.” Applejack smiled, “quite the cute couple if ya ask me.”
Dash was both shocked and impressed at the relationship between the two ponies. She was glad that they were clearly happy together… but suddenly she felt, dejected. She came to realize that while she was away with the Wonderbolts, she had little to nothing to do with what happened in her friends lives and took no part in any of it whatsoever. I guess this is the price you pay. “Oh, well good for them!” Rainbow put on a fake smile for Applejack. “I’m happy for them!”
“Yeah, Ah am too!” Apple jack looked like she was tired from a day of bucking and collecting apples.
“Well I gotta go, sorry I couldn’t stay any longer.”
“Its ok Rainbow, I catch ya later!”
“Bye!” Dash flew back to her home. Her new revelation had really opened a door for her mind to wander through. While I’m away its like I don’t exist here… Dash went to sleep early that night, feeling dejected and excluded from her friends. Over the following weeks Dash's depression slowly faded into the background of her thoughts. Soon she had forgotten about the whole ordeal.
A month of winter had passed and the snow that blanketed the ground was deep and a luscious white color. Applejack and Rainbow Dash, on sleds, were racing as fast as they could. They had been competing like this almost all week, not for any real competitive means, but just because it was fun. Applejack was in the lead but only just. With a small spurt from Dash's wings she sailed into the lead. Dash sped across the finish line and stood up of her sled.
"Ah, almost beat you this time!"
"Yeah it was close!" Dash almost felt bad about cheating though. She actually didn't know what had compelled her to use her wings, she had just felt this impulse. She had felt odd lately, she had been doing things and making decisions that she was not aware of or felt she had no control over. It had only happened around her friends and she was curious as to why. She had gone to both Twilight and the doctor to see if someone had an answer, according to everyone that she had talked to she was completely healthy. She figured it was just her imagination and shrugged the feeling off. The rest of the winter was fun and cheerful, Dash was at home with her friends and she was happy.

Soarin' High

Chapter 3 – Soarin’ High

Rainbow Dash was in her home on the last day of winter, she was busy packing her things up to finally go back to her friends with the Wonderbolts. She was incredibly excited to get back to what she loved to do. Ever since her revelations about her status with her friends at home she had been next to miserable in Ponyville. She put her flight suit on the top of the stack of things in her travel bags and closed it up. She was running a little later than scheduled so she just grabbed her bag and without a word to the others, she left. She flew towards Manehattan where it was prearranged for her to meet Soarin and Thunderwing before they went for the first training camp together.

It was a rather dull flight, but she made good time, reaching Manehattan in less than two hours of flight time. They had arranged to meet in a small café near where Soarin lived. Since Dash had arrived earlier than she had planned she sat down and ordered a drink.

“Hey guys!” Pinkie was in her usual bouncy mood.”You guys seen Rainbow Dash?”

“No Pinkie, I haven’t seen her.” Twilight was trying to remember the last time she saw Dash.

“Ah haven’t seen her either sugarcube.” Applejack looked around as if she was trying to spot the Pegasus. “Iddn’t she supposed to leave back for training today?”

“Yeah, that’s why I was looking for her, I wanted to say bye.”

Twilight thought this was odd, “She wasn’t at her house?”

“No she wasn’t, I hope that she didn’t just leave.” Pinkie started to tear up and her mane was slowly uncurling. The rest of the afternoon was spent looking around Ponyville for Dash.The search was given up around six in the evening and the five friends met in Sugarcube Corner with sorrow in their hearts.

“I-I can’t believe that she j-just left us.” Pinkie’s hair was completely straight by now and she was openly crying.

“Ah don’t know what got into her sugarcube.” Applejack was half furious at Dash and half worried for her. “Ah wonder why she left in such hurry though.”

“Well we will worry with that later for now winter wrap up is tomorrow and we have planning to do.” Twilight was trying hard to pull her friends minds off the subject of Dash. She hoped that Dash was ok.”

Dash awoke with a splitting headache and the taste of alcoholon her lips and she was in a bed, she didn’t remember a bed. The last thing she remembered was drinking at the café. She had drunk a little too much and she was heavily intoxicated when Soarin had walked into the room… then… Soarin had taken Dash back to his place and… Dash looked to her side and saw Soarin laying next to her with a hoof wrapped over her body. Dash’s first reaction was shock with herself, how could she have slept with Soarin? The hours earlier started to come back to her slowly. She faintly remembered that, she had kissed Soarin first. She had insisted that they go back to his place. But she came to realize that she actually liked Soarin, she didn't think that it was just an irrational decision based on alcohol. She rolled over on top of Soarin and kissed him firmly on the lips. When he opened his eyes she was staring into them.
“Hey, Dash.” Soarin said calmly.

“Hey,” Dash rolled off of him and got out of the bed and stretched before looking at the time. “The camp starts in an hour!”

“Don’t worry Rainbow we got plenty of time.” He seemed to have absolutely no concern in his voice whatsoever. A quizical glance at the clock changed his carefree attitude. He rolled out of his bed and grabbed his bag which, like Dash’s was already packed. “Although, we wouldn’t wanna be late.” The two of them left Soarin’s home without a word. The silence between them was very awkward, considering what they had just done. Dash finally struck up a conversation with Thunderwing when they finally met up at the transport station. The three Pegasus flew up to Cloudsdale to get ready for the camp. The three of them arrived just as the rest of the team was readying to head out to the field. When Dash and Soarin walked into the lounge together the strange looks from the rest of the team caused Soarin to start laughing. Dash shot him a look that said ‘what’s so funny?’

Soarin leaned in and whispered to Dash “Its your mane babe.” He continued laughing and he walked away to go get ready for the practice session. Dash ran to a mirror and looked at her mane, it was still frizzed and messy from sleeping with Soarin the night before.

“So, how was it?” Dash turned around to see Spitfire standing behind her.

“How was what?”

“Oh don’t play dumb, every one of us in that room knows you slept with Soarin.” Spitfire smirked, “that and he’s bragging about it in there.”

“Oh, well that’s embarrassing,” Dash blushed and shied away from Spitfire.

“Look Dash, were all grown up, there is no need to be embarrassed about it, it really isn’t a big deal.” Spitfire just smiled at Dash. “So how was it?”

“Well to be perfectly honest I don’t remember much of it.” She felt a little ashamed when she said it, “I was really drunk when it happened.”
\ “Oh I see, well Soarin seem to have a way with mares.” She chuckled as if she was remembering something. “But I happen to know that he really likes you. He might actually settle down for you.”

“Well I hadn’t thought much of a full blown relationship with him.” She unwillingly put stress on the word. It had been so long since she had had a relationship. She hardly knew what a relationship was, most of her experience had been in meaningless one night stands. But, she did feel differently about Soarin. “But I guess I’ll give him a shot.” The two mares laughed for a while.

“Well come on Dash we need to get our training started.” Dash followed her out of the room and into the main lounge where everypony else was waiting for Spitfire to start the training. “Ok guys, lets go! First today is going to be some simple endurance exercises.”

A week went by and one Saturday morning Spitfire announced that they were getting a few days off for rest. After only a week Dash had grown into a full blown relationship with Soarin. They had even started sharing the same room after practice every day. The rest of the team took it well, as long as the relationship didn’t mess with their training then they didn’t care and Dash was truly happy for the first time in four months.

Puppet and Master

Chapter 4 - Puppet and Master

Somewhere far below the depths of Equestria's deepest caves, an evil force gathered strength. Fifteen years he had been imprisoned here by that wretched Celestia. The whole time he had tried to escape, but the magics that bound him here in this statue-like state were too strong, even for him. But over time constant attempts have worn away at the shielding, allowing him to reach out in short bursts to affect minor things. A decision here, an action there, all in preparation for his inevitable escape. The magic that held him down was cracked, all he must do now is put a wedge in it and tear it apart. But still he waited, he waited for the opportune moment to break the chains. He delved deep into his mind, into the plot that was already months underway. He saw his target, that 7 colored pegasus that called herself the element of loyalty. He had reached out to her many times before, had made her think she was late when she left Ponyville. He had mede her drink just a little too much before that other pegasus had arrived. He laughed to himself, the low pitch of his voice echoing throughout the cavern that was his cell. The Rainbow colored pony was slowly growing ever so distant from the rest of her friends, the ones who bore the 'Elements of Harmony' the only ones who could defeat him. But as soon as the blue pegasus was out of the picture, he would be unstoppable. He reached out to her once more, his hands resting on the strings that controlled her life, the low rumble of laughter echoing as he bent the innocent pony to his will.

It had been a particularly tiresome day of training. The new formations and routines they were trying were very demanding but Spitfire was certain they could pull it off. Tired and sweaty the Wonderbolts all showered and got ready for rest and a free weekend. Dash had set aside time that weekend to go back to Ponyville to visit her friends. She had planned to wake up early in the morning and leave, arriving in Ponyville to surprise her friends.

"Hey Dash!" It was Spitfire, she was walking towards Dash. "We were planing to go to a publicity event tomorrow, you gonna be there?"

"I'd love to but i was going to go visit my friends back home this weekend." She felt an all to familiar pull on the back on the back of her mind, the same one she had felt many times over the past month. She had begun to trust it, usually she willingly did what the feeling demanded. However this time she tried to fight against it and not follow what it said. But this time the pull seemed urgent and necessary, like something needed to happen. Then something happened that had never happened before, it seemed to control her and it forced her conform to its will. "But, they can wait, this is more important."

Dash couldn't believe that she had heard herself say it. She had no control over her body now it seemed to pull ever so stronger against the walls of her head. She started to hear a low laughter, but it was only a whisper. The pulling turned into a headache and she lost all control over her thoughts and actions.

"Ok Dash, be up bright and early tomorrow, we wouldn't want to keep the crowd waiting." Spitfire smiled at her and walked away back into the lounge.

Still he sat with his hands on the strings. He had been more aggressive this time, he had pushed harder than he ever had with his little puppet. But thats all she was to him, nothing but a puppet, a meaningless pawn. This time he had full control, a root for his power that he could stay latched on to indefinitely. from here on out, the Rainbow mare would have no free will at all. She would carry out life as if it were her own, she wouldn't even know that he had control, and she wouldn't remember a thing. Once more the laughter filled the cavern while the hands of Discord played on the strings of Rainbow Dash's life as if it were a simple violin.

After Dash showered she went back to the lounge. Soarin was sitting on one of the many couches around the lounge. He beckoned for her to come sit with him. She complied moving over to him and sitting down. She nuzzled up to him and kissed him on the cheek. She couldn't wait to spend the weekend with him.

"Heya Dash," he smiled at her, "good flying today!"

Dash joked at him, "thanks, but don't you think we are a little past simple small talk?"

"Well what do you wanna talk about?" Soarin winked at her, "we could go buck right now."

Dash was taken aback by the sudden and blunt comment. "Shhh! Don't say that kinda stuff around others!"

Soarin laughed again, "Its not like the others here don't know. I'm pretty sure you keep them up all night every time we do it anyways."

Dash visibly blushed, "am I really that loud?" seeing her obvious embarrassment Soarin put a leg over her and held her close, doing his best to comfort her.

She went to bed with Soarin that night, the embrace of his wing over her body providing warmth and comfort. She fell asleep quickly with a smile on her face. However, her dreams that night were not good. They were of a dark cavern with an evil laughter seeming to come from the walls themselves. A puppet danced around the room, the only light in a pitch black darkness. The laughter got louder and louder and the puppet danced closer until Dash was the puppet, dancing around the room to the sound of an evil laughter which penetrated every fiber of her being. She awoke in a cold sweat, her heart racing, and she had no idea why.

Just Another Day

Chapter 5 - Just Another Day

Another sonic rainboom ripped through the sky, the colors turning the sky into a seven colored collage. The Wonderbolts landed, having finished their show, they all took a bow and walked out of the arena. Usually these shows exhausted Dash, but not recently, she felt more alive than ever as if an invisible force was driving her to perform harder. After the team did their usual autograph and photo session they retreated to the safety of their lounge and quarters. Dash was fresh out of the shower and was busy checking all the fan mail that she had gotten. A particularly ornate envelope caught her eye. Upon reading it she discovered it to be an invitation to the wedding of Fluttershy and Big Macintosh. The wedding was scheduled to take place during the 3 week off period the Wonderbolts had in the middle of the season which started after the next show.

"Hey Dashie, whatcha readin?" Soarin had just finished showering and he was checking in to she how Dash was doing.

"Oh just a wedding invitation from some of my old friends back home." Dash gave him a questioning look as if she was asking if he wanted to go.

"Oh, ok," he laughed. "Weddings are just dreadful to sit through, never been my thing."

"Ok then, we won't go." Dash smiled at him. "I kinda wanted to spend our break with you in Manehattan anyways."

"Thanks Dashie," he gave her a kiss on the cheek, "I'll be in the lounge room having a drink if you need me."

Soarin left and Dash wrote a simple letter in reply to the invitation, it read: Sorry, I will not be attending the wedding.

Dash joined Soarin in the lounge and they had a few drinks together before they went to bed for the night.

"What do you mean she isn't coming!?" Pinkie Pie was distraught at the news of Rainbow Dash's letter.

"T-that's all the letter says, it does not give any kind of reason." Fluttershy was obviously upset with the Rainbow mare.

"Well ah should go up to Cloudsdale right now and tell that pony what for!" Applejack was more furious than she had been in a while at the rainbow mare.

"Calm down Applejack, I'm sure she is just busy." Twilight was trying her best to keep the group in order.

"Yeah busy," Applejack rolled her eyes at the word. "Busy being full of herself if you ask me." Applejack stormed off in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.

Twilight looked at the yellow mare who was distraught, "Hey, Fluttershy, why don't you go to Cloudsdale to see if you can find out why Dash can't come?"

"Oh, um, well I'm sure she really is busy. I mean she is a Wonderbolt and all." Fluttershy was obviously sad about the situation and everypony else knew she didn't want to go to Cloudsdale alone.

"Ok Fluttershy, if your sure that it will be ok with you." Twilight was questioning in her tone. The yellow mare nodded and turned away to hide the tear dropping from her eye. Without saying another word she slowly walked off towards her cottage.

"Rainbow Dash had to know that she would be affected like this." Twilight was starting to feel anger towards the mare. "What if Applejack is right and she is just being full of herself?"

"Y-you mean she doesn't need us any more?" Pinkie's mane was perfectly straight by now and she was hanging her head low. Twilight hated to see her like this. It was almost scary the way Pinkie seemed to go crazy in times like this. Trying to cheer Pinkie up was useless, she just ran away and locked herself up in her room. Giving up, Twilight went back to the library to see of she could find a Wonderbolts show schedule or something similar. She felt like something was wrong. She noted that, even during the summer, Dash had seemed, very un-Dashlike. she need to find out what was up.

Once again Rainbow Dash woke in the night in a cold sweat. It was an unexpected effect of his control on her. When she was sleeping, her unconscious mind had full control over itself, all he could do was send images to create a dream of sorts. While he was having a fair amount of cruel fun with the blue mare's dreams, it was possible that she could become aware of his control. He had been wiping her memory of the dreams every morning, just in case. He turned his attention back to the mare. He had made her get up since it was almost time to wake up anyways. It was rather boring really, just sitting there. He wanted to move, he wanted desperately to set his plan into motion. But with the rainbow mare still in the picture, his defeat would be inevitable. Oh well, it wont be too much longer...

Finally it had arrived, the first day of their spring vacation. Dash was excited to finally get to spend three whole weeks with Soarin without interruption. Her bags were already packed and it was still only six thirty in the morning. She usually didn't wake this early but something had compelled her get ready early. She laid down with Soarin who was still sleeping and waited for him to wake up.

NOTES: Sorry about the short chapters thus far. I am a busy person and writing is time consuming. When the story picks up a little more the chapters will be longer. Thanks for all the kind words and support. - BeanPole

Two Chained, One Set Free

Chapter 6 – Two Chained, One Set Free

Twilight sat in the library early in the morning. She didn’t usually get many ponies coming to borrow books this time of day, but she still liked to be up just in case. The birds outside chirped and the wind rustled the leaves of the tree which housed her library. She slowly sipped her hot tea, savoring the flavor of the new brew that Rarity had recommended to her. It was only one week until the wedding of Big Macintosh and Fluttershy. With the date so close everypony was super busy getting ready for the event. Fluttershy was supposed to come by sometime that morning to visit with Twilight. The yellow mare was obviously stressed about the wedding. All the planning and all the preparation that had to go into it was taking a real toll on her. Twilight had invited her over to try and help her relax a little bit.

"Um, hey Twilight."

"Oh hey Fluttershy, come sit down," Twilight smiled at the timid mare. Fluttershy moved over to sit down at the table across from Twilight. The two talked about various random things for close to 3 hours until the conversation drifted over to the wedding.

"I'm really excited and all," Fluttershy started, "but I'm really upset the Rainbow Dash isn't going to be there. She has been one of my closest friends for as long as i can remember and she didn't even give a reason for now showing up." Twilight could see tears starting to well up in the yellow mare's eyes.

"Look Fluttershy, none of us know what has gotten into her recently and quite frankly i think she is just being full of herself. Personally I think if she decides to come back she doesn't deserve to be our friend anymore." A look of slight shock at what She had just said flashed across Fluttershy's face. It was quickly replaced with acceptance and sorrow. Without a word the pink maned pony stood up and walked out with her head held low.

What Twilight had said her her too. But she had accepted it as the truth. Even though Dash had been a great friend to all of them she wasn't the same mare she used to be... It hit her like one of Pinkie's Parties. She ran as fast as she could to her bookshelf. She had some studying to do.

Finally the moment had arrived, Fluttershy walked slowly down the isle between the rows of chair where all of her friends sat. Well... most of them, her thoughts turned to Rainbow Dash. They had been best friends since flight camp so many years ago, and now she didn't even show up to her wedding! She shook off the thoughts quickly, what Twilight had said the week before had been true.

She reached the altar and Celestia began talking about love and magic. Finally Fluttershy and Big Mac Shared a single short kiss, the one kiss that bound them to each other for eternity.

A low rumble rolled through the air. Seeming to permeate from the ground itself. As quickly as it happened it stopped. A look of fear flashed across everypony's faces. Even Celestia seemed confused and lightly fearful of what was to come. The white princess congratulated the bride and groom and quickly flew off in the direction of Canterlot. The crowd at the wedding quickly dispersed, leaving the city streets completely void of all life.

The last show of the season had been a hit as always. Rainbow Dash stripped out of her uniform and took a quick spin through the shower. She found Soarin in the lounge waiting for her.

"What took ya so long?" He joked at her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She laughed and smiled at him.

"So you ready for the vacation this off season?"

"Hay yeah! I've been ready for months!"

All of their bags were already packed. Only thirty minutes after the final show had ended the couple was in the air on their way to Manehattan.

Finally it was time. He shoved the wedge in the crack and tore it apart. The magic that had held him shattered like fine crystal under a hammer. He finally loosed his grip on the blue mare, the sheer impact of her own reality suddenly returning knocking her unconscious. His low rumbling laughter filled all of Equestria and then, he was gone without a trace to be found. Discord had escaped.

Return of Chaos

Chapter 7 - Return of Evil

Falling. All she remembered was a flash of a strange puppet that seemed all too familiar, and then just falling for several seconds before passing out. She awoke back in the air on the back of somepony else. It was Soarin, she didn't remember being with Soarin. The last thing she remembered before the fall was kissing him, but she didn't know where they were now. After regaining some sense of coordination she rolled over off Soarin's back and let her own wings support her weight once again.

Soarin seemed taken by surprise at her sudden movement. Dash thought he looked concerned for her.

"You okay Dashie?" he asked her with obvious and serious concern.

She was slightly taken aback by the use of her nickname, "Uhh, yeah, I'm fine. I just don't know what happened."

"We were flying to my place to start our vacation and you just passed out while flying. I managed to catch you but at the expense of my suit case." He shrugged it off. "Oh well."

Vacation? Dash was seriously confused. They still had eight more shows until vacation! She also found it odd that she was going on a vacation with Soarin, she barely knew him. She tried to rack her brains to find some bit of info that she was missing but soon realized that she couldn't remember anything before joining the Wonderbolts.

"How long has it been since we first kissed and had drunken sex?"

Soarin was taken aback by the sudden and blunt question. "Well umm, about a month and a half?"

Rainbow Dash stopped flying in mid air and just hovered pondering what she had just learned with a dumbfounded look on her face. How could it have been that long? She didn't remember a single thing except the drunken sex and some Celestia damned puppet that kept flashing through her mind.

"You ok?" Soarin look a little confused.

"No, I'm not." She responded bluntly to the question. "Look Soarin, I'm sure that in the last month and a half we have had a great time together but I need to confess that..." She paused a moment before saying it and a look of distress flashed across Soarin's face. "I don't remember anything since that night that we first got together." The look of distress turned to one of sorrow.

"Oh..." It was all that he could say through the tears welling in his eyes.

Dash thought about going home but, she didn't remember where that was. " Look Soarin, I know I don't remember anything but I'd still like to come with you if that's okay." She paused a moment before continuing, "you know maybe you could fill me in on what has been going on the past month."

"Sure thing Dash." Happiness returned to his face at the news that she still wanted to be with him. "Are you sure you don't need a doctor or something?"

"Yeah I'm sure i do." She let out a soft giggle. "But i hate those places so it can wait."

The pair shared a laugh and flew towards Manehattan together.

Twilight ran back and forth in her home trying to find something that indicated what that rumbling sound that they heard at the wedding was.

"Twilight!" Spike's voice called from the other room. "I got a letter from the princess!"

Twilight dropped everything that she was doing and rushed to the other room to read the letter.

Dear Twilight,

I know you have been working on figuring out the strange noise we heard. I believe I know what it was and would like you to come to Canterlot to discuss the matter

That was all the letter said. Twilight focused on her magic and with a sudden pop and a flash of light she was in the Canterlot castle throne room.

"Ahh, Twilight, I'm glad you came so quickly." The princess had a look of distress on her face. telling Twilight that whatever she had to say it wasn't good. I'm afraid that Discord had escaped."

"How did he escape?"

"I don't know but i went to check his prison and he was gone. My guess is that there was some hole in the enchantment that i used to containment and he found it. But luckily he doesn't have the elements of harmony this time, can you get all your friends together with the elements?"

"That might not be easy." Twilight said, "none of us have heard from Rainbow Dash in well over a month. She didn't even show up to Fluttershy's wedding. It completely devastated her."

"Well as the element of loyalty that doesn't sound like her at all." She paused as if thinking before continuing. "I'm sure if you found her then you would find out that she was just busy and couldn't be there that day. Do you know how to find her?"

"No, I checked the Wonderbolts tour schedule and they are on vacation right now. She could be anywhere in Equestria right now." Twilight well well aware that they needed Rainbow Dash for the elements to work but at the same time she had really meant what she told Fluttershy about not wanting anything to do with her.

"Well hunting her down is first priority. All we can do until then is try and avoid discord, which won't be easy." Celestia had almost a desperate tone to her voice. "I need you and the others to start searching as soon as possible."

"Will do, princess." With that she ran as fast as she could out of the castle and made her way back to Ponyville she didn't have enough energy left to teleport back so all she could do was catch the first train.

Soarin and Rainbow Dash sat in his house, just like the had for the past few hours while Soarin filled Dash in on everything that had happened in the past month that she had forgotten. They heard a noise from the other room so they got up to go investigate. Sitting on the bed was none other than Discord. He was laying like was was tanning on a beach with sunglasses and everything.

"Well hello you two lovebirds!" He mocked as if he was just noticing them. Suddenly he struck out. With an evil laugh rolling through the building the couple blacked out.

Author's Note: Hooray! I finally pulled up the inspiration to write again. Well today (July 1st) is my birthday so I'm gonna publish this chapter now and you can expect to see chapter 8 sometime this weekend. Love you guys *Brohoof*