Night Terrors

Chapters

Chasing Shadows
Where's Rainbow?
The Cost of Ambition
Held Back

Chasing Shadows

If you lived in Ponyville, odds are you would know the local weather manager Rainbow Dash. If you know about Rainbow Dash, then you would probably know two things. One that she's one of the most skilled flyers in the sky and two that she is infamously lazy. When she's not practicing a new trick she is likely napping in some tree branch or on a stray cloud. What most ponies don't know both activities are key to Rainbow's formula for success.

All of Rainbow's best moves were born in her sleep. Her dreams were her personal playground of experimentation. There she can plan and practice her maneuvers without fear of injury, exhaustion, or worse interruption. The pegasus couldn't count the number of times her training sessions were stopped short for one of her friends. Not that she minded, she was always willing to help out, but it did cut into her own time. Within her dreams she didn't have to worry about anypony disturbing her.

Rainbow Dash was grateful for this as she soared through her dreamscape. She was just about to unlock an awesome new move. She could tell.

Rainbow started by climbing straight up at full speed. As she rose her momentum was slowly lost. When she finally reached the peak, of her ascent, she locked her wings together and went into free fall. She kept her body narrow to minimize her air resistance. When she reached terminal velocity she locked eyes on a tuft of cloud far below her. She silently counted down as she approached her target.

three... two... one... The pegasus flipped around at the last second and contacted the cloud, her rear hooves first. She could almost feel the cool mist of the cloud bend tight against her. She opened her wings and took off with the recoil of the cloud. Her speed was instantly doubled. Rainbow smiled to herself. This was way faster than her normal take off and it was way cooler than having Applejack jump on a catapult.

Suddenly, Rainbow Dash noticed a dark figure shoot past her a breakneck speed. Not to be outrun, Rainbow picked up the pace to catch up to the mysterious figure. Getting closer did not reveal anything more about the stranger. It was obviously a pegasus with a similar build to Rainbow Dash, but there was nothing else distinguishable. It was as if it were made completely out of shadow and blackness.

The shadow turned it's head to Rainbow. "Is that the best you can do, Rainbow Dash? I could do better with one wing tied behind my back," it taunted.

Rainbow growled at the insult, "oh you want to go? We'll go right now. Nopony can beat me up here."

The shadow laughed, "We'll see. Catch me if you can." The shadow took off like a rocket, leaving dark streak behind it.

"Two can play at that game," Rainbow yelled as she shot after the black pegasus. Across the skyline they raced. Rainbow went as fast as she could, but every time she got close to the shadow it kicked in another burst of speed.

Every time they got close the shadow had some snarky insult. Which were really starting to piss Rainbow off. One time the shadow was lazily flying backwards like it didn't even care. Rainbow on the other hoof, was panting like crazy. She struggled to even stay aloft. The shadow laughed at her again, "Your tired already!? I really expected more from you Rainbow. Well I guess that's what happens when your weighed down by so called friends."

"Hey you leave them out of this."

"Why not? Just look at what your loyalty earned you. Second place, second fiddle, and second rate!" They shadow shot ahead once more.

Rainbow Dash whinnied, "I'll show you who's second rate." She climbed into the sky as fast as she could. Once she gained enough altitude she dove towards the shadow at mach speeds. In a matter of moments she made a sonic rainboom and accelerated to light speed. Rainbow chuckled, "I'd like to see if you can be that!"

But Rainbow was surprised to find that she still didn't overtake the shadow. She must have been going thousands of miles a second and the mysterious pony was still ahead. "Oh come on! How can you still be ahead of me?"

The shadow looked back, but for once didn't say anything. Instead it dived down below the tree tops dodging back and forth between the boughs. "Your not getting away from me, "shouted Rainbow Dash. That pegasus never knew how to quit, especially when she's behind. She followed right after the shadow.

Rainbow never flew so fast this close to the ground before, even in her dreams. She managed to avoid a few branches, but quickly crashed directly into the trunk of an oak tree. She tore right through the tree so her head and fore hooves stuck out the other end.

As she tried to push herself out of her trap, the shadow flew up to her. Of course it was cackling like a hyena. "That was awesome! You hit that like a train engine. You should have seen your face."

Rainbow gave up when she realized her situation. She had lost and now she was humiliated. Her normal adrenaline rush disappeared and was replaced with despair. "I lost," She mused, "how could I not catch you?"

Rainbow didn't know if it was the proximity or something else, but she could now see the dark figure in all it's glory. Instead of pure black, the figure had a black and purple color scheme eerily similar to the Wonderbolts. The shadow's cutie mark was a winged pony skull. Its mane was a bright rainbow pattern. If Rainbow didn't know better, she would say she was looking at her evil twin sister.

Then the Shadowbolt removed her goggles to reveal a pair of magenta eyes, Her eyes. This wasn't a twin, it was her. Rainbow could see it. All the same experiences and memories flashed behind them. Rainbow was often told she was a narcissist, but this was something else entirely.

The shadow Rainbow Dash grinned, "Shadows always run before the light my friend. If you want to beat 'em you must become them."

Where's Rainbow?

Rarity galloped as fast as she could towards the Twilight's new castle. She was over an hour late for Twilight's birthday party. She would have thought a 4:00 start would be plenty of time to finish her order. Alas, it was not the case. The dress proved more complicated than she originally thought. Ever since winning Manehattan's fashion week, anypony who was anypony wanted a custom dress from the designer. Especially with the Grand Galloping Gala coming up. Twilight's party was the first break she had in a week.

When she finally arrived, the party was in full swing. Her friends started up a game of pin the tail on the pony. Even though Pinkie was the one blindfolded, she was the first to notice Rarity's arrival. "Hey-ya Rarity! Do you wanna go next? I bet you can't beat me!" The pink pony pounced forward and smacked her tail just an inch away from its mark. Pinkie removed her blindfold and squealed at the results.

"I'm so sorry I'm late Twilight. I just got so tied up that I nearly missed your party. Things have been rather busy of late." Rarity hung her head in shame. This is the second year in a row she ruined Twilight's party.

Twilight smiled, "It ok. Your not even the last pony to arrive. Rainbow Dash hasn't shown up yet."

"Has anypony even seen RD today," asked Applejack.

"Ooh ooh! I saw her doing some amazing tricks in the park earlier," Pinkie Pie offered, "she was all zoooom and swish. She was moving so fast I couldn't even keep up with her."

Fluttershy piped up, "um, I saw her near the forest a couple hours ago. She looked like she was training really hard."

"Train'n or no, Rainbow wouldn't be this late to yer party Twi. Why just yesterday she was goin' on about that signed Daring Doo book she was gett'n ya." As soon as the words left her mouth Applejack facehoofed at her blunder. So much for the surprise Rainbow had planned. Granted one of those signatures was her own, but Rainbow thought it was considerate.

Twilight ignore the slip of the tongue, "I'm sure she will come eventually. Let's just enjoy the party. Can I see what gift you brought Rarity?"

The five mares and baby dragon partied on into the evening. Twilight opened her gifts (which were all books of course), they played some of their favorite games, and they all sang happy birthday to Twilight. However, as Celestia lowered the sun and Luna's moon began to crawl high in the sky they became more and more concerned with Rainbow's absence.

Finally Applejack spoke up, "Where the hay is that blue menace? Not even she's this rude."

Fluttershy had a worried expression, "Do you think she's alright? Maybe she's hurt or lost or worse. Oh we've got to find her."

"I agree," said Rarity, "this is far more than a case of poor punctuality. Something must be amiss."

Twilight nodded, "then it's settled. Sorry Pinkie, but this party is over." She cut the music short.

"Awww," Pinkie moaned.

Twilight quickly divided them into search parties. She and Spike would check downtown, AJ and Pinkie would look around the edge of the Everfree Forest, and Fluttershy and Rarity would head to Rainbow's place to see if she was home. With that they set out to find their friend.

Fluttershy peered through the windows of Rainbow's cloud home. It didn't look like anypony was home. She went down to Rarity and shook her head in dismay. The yellow pegasus was so worried she was on the verge of tears.

Rarity tried to comfort her, "there there Darling. It'll be alright. Rainbow will turn up sooner or later."

As if on queue, Rainbow Dash fell out of the sky and crashed into the ground close by. Fluttershy and Rarity ran over to check on her. The daredevil sprang to her hoofs and grumbled to herself, "darn it! I was so close. How can I get be the best if I keep choking like this?"

"Rainbow Dash," Fluttershy wrapped Rainbow in a tight embrace, "I'm so glad your alright."

Rainbow pulled out of the hug, "uh, yeah! Why wouldn't I be?"

"We all got worried when you didn't show up for Twilight's birthday."

Rainbow rolled her eyes, "oh that. Look, I'm sorry I didn't make, but I have to perfect this maneuver asap."

Rarity blinked, "surely your friends are more important than some acrobatic trick."

"No! It's not! I've already wasted enough of my life being held back by you guys. I could have been a full fledged Wonderbolt by now. I could be so much more than an ordinary weather manager in some back water town. But I can't because I'm stuck on the ground with you guys."

Fluttershy looked confused, "but we're your friends. I thought you liked being with us."

"Why should I be friends with a lost cause like you? I stood up for you since we were fillies Fluttershy. I sacrificed so much of my time and energy to get you to grow a backbone, and you made absolutely nothing of it. Every time you've shown any confidence in yourself you went right back to being a cowardly doormat a week later. If your never gonna stand up for YOURSELF then I'm not gonna bother anymore."

Fluttershy looked absolutely crushed. The ferocity and anger in Rainbow's words forced her to start crying. Rarity stepped between the two pegasi, "that is quite enough Rainbow Dash. Your not the only one who makes sacrifices. Don't you remember we were there for you in the young flyers competition."

"I remember it perfectly. I remember that both of you did more to ruin my chances than help them. I remember I had to save your marshmallow flank after you spent the entire day stealing MY spotlight. And that's not all. How about when all my 'friends' went behind my back to humiliate me in front of all of Ponyville? What about all the little favors you guys constantly ask from me? Oh Rainbow I know you hate wearing dresses, but can you please serve as my personal mannequin? Um Rainbow, will you go with me to an extremely long and boring butterfly migration even though I'll ditch you when the dragons fly by? I have put more effort into these friendships than anypony else and what do I get? A stupid necklace and eternal recognition as Princess Twilight's sidekick. I have zapped, brainwashed, captured, and magicked more times than I can count. And I'm sick and tired of it. You two can tell Twilight that I'm done being second. She'll have to find somepony else to drag to Tartarus and back. I'm done." With that Rainbow Dash took off, leaving her old friends in a puddle of their own tears.

"She did what?" screamed a shocked Twilight.

"Just like that," Rarity said glumly, "She doesn't want to have anything to do with us."

Fluttershy was still sobbing in the corner of Twilight's throne room. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were doing their best to cheer her up. Spike was just as stunned as Twilight, "that doesn't make any sense. She was just fine yesterday."

Twilight agreed, "To exhibit such a drastic change in attitude overnight. It doesn't seem natural."

"Do you think somepony is responsible for this? Maybe Discord?"

"I doubt it. If there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that Discord has changed for the better. Besides, his antics usually involve more... gloating than this. It's possible this is all just stress getting to Rainbow's head. I think we should let her sleep on it and confront her in the morning."

"A- Are you certain that we should do that," asked Rarity.

"No. I'm not, but it's getting late and it will be easier to talk to her with a full night's rest. Don't worry Rarity, we'll get our old Rainbow back."

After a solemn round of hugs the Twilight's guests returned to their homes and beds. All of them were shaken by Rainbow's outburst, especially the two who were there to witness it. Yet they still remained hopeful that their friendship will stay strong in the end.

The Cost of Ambition

This had to be the best night of Rarity's life. Finally, she had a chance to show all of Equestria her art. At last, she will join the ranks of Canterlot society like she always dreamed.

The fashionista stood backstage of a grand theater. She could hear the crowd ooh and ahh beyond the curtain at her most marvelous creations. She couldn't hide her grin as models wearing her best designs returned from the stage one by one. They were all so beautiful in every way. The birthday dress she drew up last year was perfect in its intricacy, Her shimmering fabric line shone like an Aurora Borealis, and her own latest work were completely in the now.

The crowd outside quieted down as the MC began to speak, "ladies and gentlecolts I hope you've enjoyed the show as much as I have. Clearly these pieces will define this decade, no, this century of fashion. Now let us give a warm round of applause for the creative genius behind this fabulousity. The paragon of her generation. The queen of culture. The pony everypony should know. Welcome, Rarity!"

Rarity cried out in joy as her name was called. She was ready to make her grand entrance, but when she tried to step forward she couldn't. Something was weighing her leg down. She turned her head to find her little sister wrapped around it. "Sweetie Bell? What in the world are you doing?"

The little unicorn looked up to her with big, green eyes, "Rarity guess what? I'm starring in the school play. You gotta come please, please, pleeeease?"

Rarity bit her lip. Her eyes shot back and forth between her sister and the stage entrance. The MC called for her again, "Miss Rarity? Madam that's your queue."

"I'm sorry Sweetie Bell, but I have to go."

"But you have to come. Your my sister."

"And this is the most important night of my life. My lifelong dream is about to come true Sweetie," Rarity returned a pleading look, "please let me have this. I'll make it up later, I promise."

Sweetie Bell did not look convinced. Instead she tightened her grip on Rarity's leg. The fashionista gasped as her sister's hooves turned into an iron shackle. She tugged against it but the metal dug deep into her flesh.

The MC called to her, "Miss Rarity tardiness is unacceptable for a true lady. If you wish to be recognized for your work you must come now."

Rarity screamed, "No! Wait! I'm Co-ack." Her words were cut off by a putrid green scarf with pink polka-dots wrapping around her neck and choking her. She looked back to find her parents holding the scarf with their magic.

Her mother waved to her, "hey hon, you've made quite the life for yourself haven't ya. Well you better bundle up if your going up to Canterlot. The air is might thin up there."

Rarity gasped, "Mother, your killing me with this silly sash!"

"Oh don't be so dramatic. Why with this here scarf, I bet you'll be the talk of the town." Her father finally let go of the scarf, but she was still suffocating. She struggled to free herself from her familial bonds.

The audience outside groaned at her absence. Photo Finish's voice spoke up, "Zis is unacceptable. How dare she behave so rudely?"

"She may act like Canterlot noble, but at the end of the day she is still a small town filly from nowhere," pointed out Hoity Toity.

"I guess she's not as sensational as I was led to believe," said Sapphire Shores, "I should have trusted my instincts with that girl."

"I say we leave this peasant where she belongs. She is clearly not one of us," said Prince Blueblood.

"Hear, hear," the others responded.

"No," screamed Rarity. She dragged herself towards the stage. She could hardly breath and her leg felt like lead. What's more was it seemed every step took her further and further from the stage. It was like she was trying to walk up a cliff.

The unicorn felt a sharp tug on her abdomen. She was now going backwards at the harness of a runaway diamond cart. In the cart all her friends were sitting around chatting over a few mugs of cider. Twilight took a gulp and gave a little burp, "excuse me."

Applejack laughed, "no sweat sugarcube. It's better out than in I say."BURP!

Rainbow slammed her mug down, "Ha! You call that a belch? Check this out." Buuurp! He friends laughed like idiots.

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURP! Pinkie belched so loudly Rarity's ears hurt.

Rarity couldn't believe it. Her friends were behaving like uncultured hicks and they were dragging her down with them. The rusty harness bit into her sides, drawing blood. The cart gained speed as it dragged Rarity out of Canterlot and down the mountain side. She tried to fight it the weight was too much. There was no stopping her descent.

The mountain became vertical. Without the friction of the ground Rarity was in free fall hundreds of feet in the air. She screamed in terror. She never felt so burdened in her entire life. Everypony she loved needed or wanted some thing from her. In doing so they were dragging her down, down, down to the ground. Far away from her hopes and ambitions. Far away from her happiness.

Held Back

Sweetie Bell woke up to the sound of furniture shifting downstairs. What in the world is Rarity doing at 5 o'clock in the morning? she wondered. She got out of bed and went down. She found Rarity packing the her clothing racks and fabrics in her extensive luggage collection. "What's going on?"

Rarity noticed her sister's presence, "Oh, Sweetie Bell! I'm sorry to wake you, but inspiration has struck me. I finally realize what I must do to fulfill my dreams."

Sweetie Bell yawned and ask groggily, "What's that?"

"Darling, my clientele is mostly in the capital. If I am to please them I must be where they are. So I am moving to Canterlot post haste."

Sweetie snapped awake at that. "Do you have to go now," she asked.

"Of course, the Grand Galloping is fast approaching. I must be settled in as soon as possible to finish my orders."

Sweetie Bell was in shock, "but... but-"

"Now don't worry about my room and board. An old customer of mine has an empty studio just waiting for somepony to move in. I already made him a generous offer for the space. Of course you will have to move back in with Mother and Father. So you better pack your bags. My train leaves at 8:30 sharp."

Sweetie found her voice, "but what about my school play? You promised you would come."

Rarity lowered her head, "I- I'm sorry Sweetie Bell, but I'm afraid going to miss it. I'll make it up you. I promise."

"No you won't," Sweetie grumbled.

Rarity wrapped a hoof around the little unicorn and brought her close, "I know! How about I get you and your friends tickets to one of Sapphire Shores' concerts?"

"but that's not what I want! I want you to be there for me."

"Well, I suppose I could get an extra ticket for myself."

Sweetie Bell exploded pulling away from her sister, "I don't care a flying feather about about the Sapphire Shores concert! I want you to be at the play. I want you to cheer for me in the audience and say I did a good job afterwards. Is that too much to ask?"

"Sweetie Bell, watch your language," scolded Rarity, "I must go to Canterlot darling. It's been my dream for forever. I can't join noble society if I stay here."

"Your not even listening to me."

"I AM listening to you my dear. Believe me, there is nothing in all Equestria that I want more than your happiness."

"No, no your lying to me. If you cared about me then you wouldn't be leaving," Sweetie Bell sobbed. The little filly stormed out the door in tears, leaving her sister behind.

As the sun began to peek its head over the horizon Sweetie Bell returned to Carousel Boutique with her sister's friends sans Rainbow Dash right behind her. Twilight knocked on the door, "Rarity are you in there? Sweetie Bell brought us. She says your... leaving?"

There was no response. All the mares could hear was some low muttering. Cautiously Twilight opened the door. Rarity was standing by her luggage with a distraught look on her face. She talked to herself in a low tone, "what was I thinking? Of course I should stay. Sweetie Bell needs me to show her the proper behavior of a lady. But what about my own dreams. I certainly can't be part of Canterlot society if I stay here. Maybe I can take her with me, but that means she would miss her play. I can't delay if I want to finish these ensembles." Throughout her internal debate Rarity kept switching between packing and unpacking one of her suitcases.

Twilight raised an eyebrow, "uh are you alright Rarity?"

Rarity snapped out of her internal debate to acknowledge her friends, "Twilight! Please, you've got to help me! The decision i have to make right now is the most important of my entire life! But it's so difficult to choose. Oh why must I be stricken with such agony?"

Applejack cocked an eyebrow, " beg yer pardon Rarity, but what exactly has yer girdle in a knot?"

Rarity sobbed, "You see, the past month alone my orders have doubled. I can barely keep a moment to myself between my career and everything else. The only way I can keep advancing as an artist is to move where the customers are, but in doing so I would sever all ties with the friends and family I hold so dear. I'm I'm just so confused."

"It's ok Rarity," Fluttershy cooed, "no matter where you go we'll always be the best of friends."

"Although, I think it might be best if you stay here. At least until we can figure out whats wrong with Rainbow, "said Twilight.

Pinkie popped in, "besides it will give me enough time to make a great big best friends forever farewell party."

"And maybe you can wait until my play premieres," Sweetie Bell begged, her eyes still puffy and red.

Rarity looked into her friends faces. She wiped her tears and said, "I know girls your right. Staying with ones roots is far more important than..." she cut herself off. Rarity's face contorted from hope to fear to anger. "Wait as second," she said, "your just trying to hold me back aren't you?"

"N-no that's not what we're doing at all," Twilight stammered.

"Oh but you are. You have all been holding me back. As long as I associate with you I will never be the creme de la creme. I am sorry but I must move on." She took her bags and marched towards the door only to be stopped by Applejack.

"Hold yer horses there Sally. What the hay got into yer head that any of us wanted to hold yah back? We care about you sugarcube. Why do you want to throw that away?"

"Whether you wanted to or not is irrelevant. The fact is that ponies of society consider Ponyville to be little more than a backwoods, redneck farming village. While it is true that Twilight has raised Ponyville's standing slightly, there is no substitute for contacts in the right places."

"What the hay do ya mean," Applejack asked.

"I mean that nopony here can get me any closer to my dreams. So I must find new friends elsewhere."

Now Applejack looked angry, "oh... I see..."

Fluttershy pleaded, "Applejack, please don't-"

Applejack yelled, "Our little hick town isn't good enough for ya anymore is it? Nevermind that this is where ya'll were born and raised. Nevermind every friend ya'll ever made is here. No, you need to go hang out with a bunch royal asses who don't care about nothin' but themselves. Well go ahead then. I bet ya'll fit right in." Applejack gave Rarity a stink eye as she stepped out of her way.

Rarity started out the door when Spike called, "wait Rarity! Why are you doing this? Why now? Don't you want to help Rainbow Dash?"

Rarity paused. She seemed to be trying to find the right words. Then she said, "Rainbow has made it perfectly clear she doesn't need any help. Neither do I." Rarity took off towards the train station at a gallop.

Twilight sighed, "I'm not sure that's true."

Author's Note

Well I'm back, with fresh ideas for this story. Don't worry readers I swear I will actually finish this story, though Hasbro already stole half my story in season five. That's what I get for putting this off for almost 2 years