Dash from Death

by Mavaku

Chapters

Prologue
An Empty Void
Worth A Shot
Remorse
Strong Bonds
Revelations
A Subtle Change
Impending Chaos
Rifts
Remorse

Prologue

Prologue

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Dash from Death

by Mavaku

==================================================================

Pinkie looked at her best friend. Rainbow Dash smiled back at her, and although she had lost some of her color over the past few days, she still kept Pinkie company in the basement. “She sure is a loyal friend!” Pinkie thought while giggling to herself. “Staying with me for four straight days! But then again, where would she go anyways?”

Pinkie chuckled at the thought as she admired the stand she had got for Dashie. Maybe she could try to order some liquid rainbow from the rainbow factory and try to “Rejuvenate” Rainbow Dash’s colors, or maybe add some flare to the stand! Gray just didn’t fit well at all, She thought to herself. Well, I’ve always wanted to try my hoof at art! This is a perfect opportunity! Pinkie squeed with joy at the thought. Ooh! I can’t forget to make some decorations for my party with her! What fun is a party without streamers and balloons? Pinkie continued to trot around with ideas swimming in her head until a loud ringing noise jarred her from her thoughts.

“Oh yeah! I almost forgot that Twilight’s got a cake to pick up for the picnic!” Pinkie Pie rushed upstairs to meet her friend. THUD! The pink pony’s head smacked right into the trapdoor leading to the main floor. “Silly Door! You’re supposed to open!” Pinkie tried once again to get the trapdoor to open, this time using all her strength.

She successfully got it open, and successfully managed to fly halfway across the bakery’s pantry from all the extra momentum. “Ooh! Better close that trapdoor before anypony see’s down there!” She thought to herself, “Don’t want to ruin the surprise for anypony! Because ruined surprises can be quite a bummer…” Pinkie tentatively closed the trapdoor and resumed her short trip to the entrance of Sugarcube Corner. Soon the counter was in view, and with it, a very concerned looking unicorn. The unicorn looked up at Pinkie Pie, and her mood seemed to brighten slightly.

“Hello Pinkie. Do you have the cake ready?” Twilight asked in a less than exited voice.

“Of Course!” the pink pony excitedly replied. “By the way Twi, you seem kinda down. What’s wrong?” Twilight looked at the floor as she responded,

“Oh nothing…it’s just that-” “Just what?” “It’s just that I haven’t seen Rainbow Dash for four days now! I’m starting to get very worried for her.” Pinkie thought to herself for a bit, and then enthusiastically replied to her worried friend,

“Oh I remember now! She had to go to Cloudsdale to help with a malfunction going on at the weather factory! She was really busy and didn’t have time to say goodbyes to everyone, so she told me to tell you! I can’t believe I almost forgot! I can be so forgetful! This one time I was helpi-”

“Ok that’s enough Pinkie.” Twilight’s voice sounded relieved but also slightly exasperated. “Sorry if I’m a little short, It’s just been a busy week.”

“Oh its fine! Just have a good time at your picnic and don’t forget to smile!” Twilight chuckled,

“Don’t worry, I will! Have a good day Pinkie!” And with that Twilight left the shop, leaving Pinkie once again alone with her best friend…and a huge pile of cupcakes to add some flavor to the day.

An Empty Void

An Empty Void

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Dash from Death

by Mavaku

==================================================================

“Noooooooooo!” Rainbow dash awoke with a start, sweat on her brow. “Oh thank Celestia that was just a dream! But it felt…so real…” She got up and looked around, still shaking from the horrible nightmare she just had. “That’s odd,” she muttered to herself. “This isn’t my home. In fact…where am I?” All around her she only saw one color, white. She looked up, down, and all around her, but all she saw was a white void…like a blank canvas. There was no definite floor, wall, or ceiling. “This place, it seems to go on forever!” Rainbow dash was having some serious doubts now, and was starting to panic. She flew as fast as she could, searching for something that would give her a clue to where she was, but all she only found more emptiness. “Hello? Anyone here at all? Help!” The voice echoed off into the distance until disappearing into the vacuum.

For hours she continued her futile search, until her wings could carry her no longer, and she collapsed onto the “ground”. Tears formed at her eyes, but she didn’t even try to hold them back. Soon she was openly weeping, terrified and confused, unsure of what was real and what wasn’t “I…I just want to go home…I don’t know what’s happening! Please! Somepony help!” The tears seemed to leech color right from her, and soon all her colors were a muted and dull version of what they once were. Then it hit her. The colorless and endless void, the horrible yet all too real nightmare, completely alone…It all made sense, yet as much of a possibility it was, she didn’t want to believe it was true. But the more she thought about it, the more likely it became until, inevitably, she arrived at her dark conclusion. “I’m…dead, aren’t I…?”

“But that means…Pinkie Pie…she actually did this to me? That it wasn’t a dream?” The tears flowed even more freely as the reality of betrayal washed upon Rainbow Dash.

“Why…what drove her insane? Did we do something wrong? My friends! They could be in danger! But…how can I even help? I’m stuck in wherever this place is, and even if I did escape, how could I help? I’M DEAD!” A loud caw cut Dash from her thoughts.

“What? Is that a crow?” Some hope returned to Dash as she looked around to locate the source of the noise. Off to her right, just ten feet away, a crow now stood, its head cocked as Rainbow looked at it, and its eyes bore deeply into hers. Then a smooth, yet low voice seemed to come from everywhere at once, but Dash instantly knew it came from the bird.

“Rainbow Dash, you have been betrayed by a friend you knew and trusted. The trauma of the event and your loyalty to your friends has caused you to arrive here…for a second chance…this, is” Ignoring the ominous aura about the crow, Dash perked up immediately at the mention of a “second chance”.

“Did you say a second chance?! You mean I can warn my friends?” The crow looked slightly annoyed at Rainbow Dash’s sudden interruption but continued.

“Yes, you may have a second chance…but you must first let me explain where you even are, and then you must answer a few of my questions.”

“Okay, fine…just so long as I get to warn my friends! I can’t leave them in danger like this!” The crow displayed what appeared to be a smile, then began to speak once again.

“As I was saying before, you are in what is known as Limbo: a place for lost souls such as yourself, who have unfinished business in their world. I’m sure you think you know what yours is, but soon…soon you will see how wrong of an idea that was.” Dash got up and glared at the crow, understanding what it was implying.

“Oh don’t you go and try convincing me that my friends don’t care for me! I may have been brainwashed once, but there is no way it’s gonna happen again! I know that they do care for me! That’s why I’m loyal to them! Because they are my friends!” The crow chuckled.

“Oh really? Tell me Dash, do you know how long you have been dead?” Rainbow looked confused, but replied quickly.

“A couple hours at most, not that long. But what does this have to do with anything?!” She now looked slightly annoyed.

“Oh, it may seem like it’s only been a few hours to you…but it’s been four days…and your “friends” haven’t even started to look for you, they aren’t even the slightest bit worried. Almost as if you never really mattered to them.” Dash was starting to become incredibly upset. “And why should I trust you? I hardly even know you! I don’t even know what you are!”

“What am i? Well that’s simple; I’m death…and I am all-seeing. If you doubt my word about your friends, perhaps you would like to take a look at what they are doing right now?”

A large pedestal with a bowl of water on top appeared before Rainbow Dash. From where she stood, she could already see Ponyville. She peered deeply into the waters now, the vision of her home filling her with many emotions, the strongest being longing. Oh how she longed for none of this to have happened, to once again fly carefree and have fun with her friends. Her friends! She almost forgot! Quickly she willed for the waters to find Twilight.

“If anyone would be wondering where I am, it would have to be her!” The waters blurred and rippled. Once the liquid settled, Rainbow Dash could see Twilight. She was laying on the grass with Spike, eating some seemingly scrumptious cake. Her face looked as if she was having a wonderful time, her mind on nothing other than the food in front of her and the surprisingly beautiful day, despite the fact that Rainbow Dash wasn’t even alive to clear the sky.

“She doesn’t miss me at all…or even seem to notice I’m gone.” Dash’s face drooped, and even more color seemed to drain from her. Desperately, she searched for her other friends, hoping to find different results, but for each and every one of them it was the same story. All seemed to be doing their regular routines without even a trace of worry or sadness. She frantically checked on Scootaloo. Even she didn’t seem to care about Dash’s absence, or even notice she was gone.

“They…don’t care…I really am all alone.” Once again the crow cackled. But this time Rainbow dash didn’t even flinch, she was dead… both physically and emotionally. She had fallen victim to exactly what she said she wouldn’t succumb to.

“Now you see them for what they truly are. You couldn’t matter less to them. Just a thought, have you checked on Pinkie Pie yet?”

“Pinkie…” The mention of her name didn’t cause Dash any dread, just pure hate. But as she thought about the name, a desire took place in her heart. She wanted to see what atrocities had befallen her physical form and what the heinous Pinkamena Diane Pie was doing. Rainbow Dash focused on the waters once again, and soon the basement of Sugarcube Corner materialized on the crystal clear surface. She ignored the gore and other disturbing sights, scanned for her body or Pinkie Pie, and quickly found both. Dash’s body was as dull and colorless as she was. A stand propped her up like a ponnequin at Rarity’s Boutique while Pinkie Pie stood there, talking to Rainbow Dash’s corpse as if it could respond. She had seen enough. Disgusted and outraged, she turned to the crow. “Bring me back,” she demanded, her wings flared in aggression.

The crow looked at her with a gleam in its eye. “For what reason do you wish to return?”

“To get revenge on that monster of a pony.” The words came out sharp and harsh, almost all aspects of Rainbow’s nature seemingly absent in her voice.

“What about your friends? Do you wish to help them?”

“I could care less about those ‘friends.’ What good are they? Did they help me when I was being tortured? Did they even think to look for me? No! They earned whatever fate they get. But all I want is revenge.” The words were even more blunt than before, as were the colors on her body. Almost all color had been leeched from her, leaving a monochromatic and dull coat.

“Excellent. Then you may have your wish…” The crow emitted an earsplitting caw, then all of Rainbow Dash’s vision went black.

Worth A Shot

Worth A Shot

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Dash from Death

by Mavaku

==================================================================

Pinkie woke up, ready to start a brand new day. But first, she had to check on Rainbow Dash! She scurried to the basement, ready to have a good time with the most loyal friend she ever knew. She made her way through the hallway, down the stairs, and to the pantry where she found her secret trapdoor. She unlocked it and went down the steps to her “cellar of celebration”. Of course Dashie was right where Pinkie left her. “Such a patient friend too!” she mused to herself.

“But what’s this? You’re frowning!” And indeed she was. The smile had shifted overnight from a plastered on smile to a look as if Dash had been lied to.

“Now don’t be upset Dashie! I brought you some more cupcakes! And in just two days you will get to say hi to Spitfire! I know she’s something of an idol for you, so I thought I’d move her number up the list just for you! Aren’t you excited?!” Rainbow Dash’s face drooped even more. The disappointed frown now turned into a hateful scowl. Almost all color had disappeared from her mane and body as well, turning both into a dark and dreary shade of grey. The sight was beginning to reach Pinkie, who’s face contorted into an anxious expression.

She quickly shook off the feeling and resumed her “normal” behavior. “Looks like you really do need some of that liquid rainbow, dontcha Dashie? Well good thing some came in today! Those ponies sure can deliver mail fast! I’ll be right back!”

Pinkie Pie rushed back to the main floor and picked up a multicolored jar from the counter, just as quickly as she left, Pinkie was back in the basement with a gleeful look in her eyes and a jar in her mouth.

But although Pinkie was back…Rainbow Dash was gone…

Confused, she set the jar on a nearby table and started to look around the room for her missing friend. “Dashie? Where did you go, you silly filly! Don’t you want to look fantastic?”

A low growl emanated from a pile of “cupcake scraps,” causing the pink pony to turn towards the curious noise. “Oh Dash,” she giggled. “It’s not time for hide and seek! Come on out! I have some fresh cupcakes and some of that liquid rainbow to brighten your mood up!” Knowing her cover had been blown, Rainbow Dash cursed herself before attempting to leap at Pinkie Pie from her improvised hideout.

She sprung from the pile, missing Pinkie Pie by just an inch. She quickly whipped around to face Pinkie, but by then she was already somehow at the other side of the room, laughing uncontrollably.

“You’re going to have to try harder than that to catch me! And I thought you were good at tag!”

The lack of seriousness in Pinkie’s tone just served to infuriate Dash further. “This isn’t a game! You took everything from me! Now I’m going to take that smile off your face--permanently!” She flexed her wings, which pulled at her sides from the stitches attaching them to her. Then, with speed unheard of even for herself, Rainbow Dash flew at Pinkie Pie, resulting in a miniature rainboom that was as colorless as she was.

“Oof!” Rainbow dash slammed headfirst into Pinkie, pinning her against the wall. Pinkie’s eyes narrowed, but a smile stayed on her face.

“Now Dashie, that’s no way to treat a friend! How would you like it if I went into your house and trashed everything! You look like you need a smile on your face!”

“Enough talking! You’re going down!” Rainbow Dash lifted her head and slammed it into Pinkie’s, or rather, where Pinkie Pie’s head had just been. Once again she had managed to seemingly vanish from existence.She peeled her head from the concrete wall and looked around scanning for any signs of the pink pony. Then a familiar tune hit Dash’s ears.

Let it begin!

Just give me a joyful grin, grin, grin!

And you fill me with good cheer!

The singing voice seemed to come from everywhere at once. The fact that Pinkie had escaped angered the undead Dash, but the joyful and mocking singing infuriated her.

“Come out! Then you can see how much I will grin when you have gone through all the things I had to!”

A disappointed sigh came from somewhere in the room. “You really are being a party pooper Dashie. I guess you won’t be able to meet Spitfire after all… In fact, no more cupcakes for you either! Not until you say you’re sorry!”

“Me?! Sorry?! For what! Not lasting as long as you wanted me to during the torture?! For trying to right a wrong that you did?! NO! I’m not sorry! If anyone should be sorry it’s you! I trusted you! You were my best friend! And what do you do? You electrocute me, you mutilate me, and you make me watch as you harvest my organs!” The rage in her voice was overwhelming, causing the entire room to subtly vibrate from the sheer volume of her anger. “You should count yourself lucky that I still have some mercy left in me! You will get to meet your end peacefully, a luxury that was never granted to me.”

“Sheesh! You know what? I think it’s time to call this party off! I try to have some fun and hopefully make you laugh…but you just get all angry at me for it! You’re an unappreciative friend you know that? I’m just going to have to go somewhere else now! Maybe there my friends will be more fun.”

“Oh no you don’t! I’m not done yet!” Using all her speed, Rainbow Dash searched all over the basement, not even a stray pink hair was to be found. THUD! Rainbow looked around for the source of the noise. “The trapdoor!” Quickly she rushed up the stairs to the recently closed trapdoor. She rammed right into it, but the firm oak door didn’t budge. Hoof steps sounded from just above, growing fainter by the second. “Come back here!” Continually she rammed at the obstinate barrier. It slowly gave, but still did not open for a good 8 minutes.

Rainbow Dash searched all of Sugarcube Corner, even though in her gut Dashie knew that Pinkamena Diane Pie was far-gone by now. “Great…now I may never get another chance at her. Knowing that pony, she could be on the other side of Equestria by now. How am I going to find her now?” Further enraged, she took her anger out on the surrounding items until her mind cleared, and an interesting thought entered it.

“She may have not even looked for me when I was gone…but I will admit her smarts could help me.” A long, drawn-out sigh escaped her lips. “I guess it’s time to visit my local library. But first, I need to find some sort of disguise. I don’t want any unwanted attention, and I’m pretty sure an undead Pegasus would attract a lot of that.” Relatively quickly she found a long, black hooded cloak and put it on. Now nothing other than a heavily shaded face would be seen by any bystanders, unless they really got a good look at her.

With her simple cover on, and a clear goal in mind, Rainbow Dash set off to Twilight’s Library. To get some answers, and hopefully a way to locate Pinkie Pie.

Remorse

Remorse

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Dash from Death

by Mavaku

==================================================================

“So would The Complete History of Starswirl the Bearded go under Equestrian History or Famous Ponies?”

Twilight didn’t even look up from the list she was reading as she responded. “Hmm, hand it over to me. I’ll just cast a spell to clone it so we can have the book in both sections!”

Spike climbed down the wooden ladder and gave the book to Twilight, who turned her focus from the list she was making to cast the spell on her book. Although cloning a book was easy, making sure all the words were there and in the right place required devout attention. Twilight closed her eyes in concentration, and soon her horn started to glow a vivid violet. The heavy tome started to levitate as her spell started to work its magic.

*KNOCK KNOCK* Two loud and firm knocks on her door downstairs interrupted Twilight’s concentration, causing the book to fall with a thud on the floor.

“Oh! I wonder who that could be…I’m not expecting any visitors, am I Spike?”

“Beats me, do you want me to go get the door for you?” The baby dragon inquired.

“No I will get it, just keep on organizing the shelves. I’ll be back in a bit to retry that duplication spell.”

Twilight trotted down the stairs and to the entryway of her home as Spike resumed his work. “Yes? Who is it?” A dull and muffled voice answered, and although it was distorted Twilight quickly recognized it as somepony she knew.

“Rainbow Dash”

“Oh hello Rainbow! Glad to see you’re back! Let me get the door for you. ” Using her magic, Twilight Sparkle opened the door, revealing a cloaked figure. Her curiosity as to why Rainbow Dash was dressed this way got the better of Twilight, and she quickly bombarded Dash with questions. “Are you okay? What’s with the hood and cape? Are you hiding or something? ” As she asked these questions, Twilight kept trying to peer into the hood, hoping to get a clue of what was going on.

Rainbow Dash turned her head from Twilight’s inquisitive gaze and walked further into the library. “Let’s just say I’ve had better days…” Rainbow Dash spoke in a monotone voice, giving Twilight no clues, and further raising her curiosity.

“Are you sure you don’t want to tell me? I’m willing to help.”

“Yes I am sure” Dash was starting to get irritated, and it showed on her voice. “This shouldn’t be taking so long. At least she hasn’t found out I’m dead yet, then this would REALLY take forever.” she thought to herself.

“Ok fine, but let’s at least get that hood off. I’d prefer to talk to my friends face to face.” Her horn once again glowed as a familiar looking magic aura surrounded Rainbow Dash’s cloak.

“NO! Wait!” But it was too late. Not just the hood, but the entire cloak had been removed, revealing an undead Rainbow Dash.

A loud scream erupted from Twilight’s mouth, and then she just stood there, paralyzed in fear as she stared at her friend and the horrible scars all over her body. Her eyes darted from the blood stains covering all of Rainbow Dash’s body to the stitches that closed large rips in her flesh and attached her wings and one ear to Dash. But what caught Twilight’s eye the most was Rainbow Dash herself. Her once bright and colorful mane was now so faded that the colors of the rainbow were hardly visible, replaced by various shades of grey. The same went for Rainbow Dash’s body, no longer a bright and cheery sky blue, but a stonewashed grey. Her face reflected her body as well, beaten up and almost completely without emotion; the only one showing now was minor annoyance.

A voice sounded from upstairs, followed by footsteps quickly heading downstairs. “Twilight! Are you okay? I heard screami-” Spike froze as he saw Rainbow Dash, but quickly recovered…at least enough to move, though he was still deep in the grips of terror. “Z-z-zzombie pony! I knew this would happen one day! S-stay back! Leave Twilight alone!” The baby dragon attempted to look menacing as he could, but his legs shook even more than his voice.

“Spike.” Rainbow Dash said the word half amused and half annoyed.

“I-I can breathe fire you know! So watch out!”

“Spike.” More firmness was added to her tone this time.

“Just leave us alone and nopony gets hurt!”

“SPIKE!” The voice came from Twilight this time. The unicorn having finally recovered from her shock.

Spike froze in place as he frantically looked back and forth from Twilight to Rainbow Dash.

“Y-yes Twilight?” He said with a gulp.

Twilight took a quick breath before speaking to help her think more clearly. “Calm down. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for this. And besides, she hasn’t even tried to lay a hoof on either of us, so there is no reason to be worried.”

“Then why did you scream?”

“I was…startled is all. This isn’t something that happens every day you know.”Both Twilight and Spike turned to face Rainbow Dash, who seemed as if she wanted to smile with joy for an unknown reason. Yet it was almost as if some unseen force kept her face in an un-amused frown. “Sooo…” Twilight tried to think of a way to say what she was thinking without offending Rainbow Dash. “What happened?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Just a while ago I wouldn’t believe it if somepony told me you were undead. But having you here changes that, so go ahead and try me. My mind is as blown open as it is, I can handle it.”

Dash dryly chuckled before responding. “You can handle it? Then I guess it would be easier to show you what happened. Hand me my cloak, were going on a quick trip to Sugarcube Corner.”

Twilight handed Rainbow Dash her cover and went to the door, holding it open for Rainbow Dash to head through. “Spike, you stay here and get some rest. You’ve worked hard all day and after this, I wouldn’t blame you if you need some sleep” As soon as she said it, Spike was quickly running upstairs. “Ok Rainbow Dash, let’s see what in Equestria is going on with this.”

==================================

As soon as the stench hit Twilights nostrils, she knew she was going to regret going down the stairs to the basement, but even then she wasn’t expecting the horror show she saw. Twilight’s eyes didn’t miss a single detail of the dark room, even though she wanted to stop looking she just couldn’t.

“Pinkie…she…did all of this? To all these ponies? To you?” She knew it was true, but she still felt the irresistible urge to ask, as if somehow Rainbow Dash would say no, that this was all some kind of elaborate and cruel joke, that everything was fine and none of this had actually happened. But Twilight didn’t get the answer she had hoped for; she got the one she knew was coming.

“Yes…she did all of this, to innocent ponies, to her friends. And for what? A few laughs and some “special” cupcakes! She wouldn’t even listen to my pleas and I doubt she listened to anypony else’s. She acted as if everything was fine the whole time it happened, as if we were just fooling around! She’s a monster! And worse, even when I was gone for four days, nopony even bothered to look for me! Not even you! I trusted you! I thought we were friends, yet you didn’t even care that I was gone!”

Twilight looked incredibly troubled by what Rainbow Dash had said, and her eyes filled with concern. Tears started to form at the corner of her eyes as she spoke to Rainbow Dash.

“But I did look! In fact, almost all of Ponyville was looking for you! Pinkie lied…she said that you went to Cloudsdale to help with something. It’s my fault, I believed her without question and told everypony that you were there. I’m so sorry, I should have looked harder! But I hope you understand that I do care, that all of your friends care! If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t be out here with you right now! But I trust you with all my heart, whether or not you’re dead makes no difference to me. I’m sure that all of your friends would be willing to help you too. I know that it may take a while for your trust of us back, but I hope that this is a step in the right direction.”

Tears filled with emotion now flowed freely down Twilight’s face, and Rainbow Dash looked to be on the brink of the same thing. Her eyes looked as if they were holding back a flood, and could only do that for a short while longer. But then once again, some outside force seemed to take a hold of Dash, and as quickly as the tears had formed, they were gone. Replaced with a cold, hard stare.

“The time for repairing wounds is past.” Rainbow bluntly said. “I just need your help tracking this maniac down, if your friends want to help so be it. But if they become more of a burden than a help, they can walk themselves back home.”

Twilight nodded, and then started to think to herself. “Something’s influencing Dash, I just know it. Twice she seemed to almost go back to her normal self, even some color came back to her mane and body, yet both times this happened I felt a magical presence quickly surround Dash and bring her back to this dark state. At least she is allowing me and the others to come along. This way I can see if somehow I can free her from this spell, and I’m sure my friends can help with that as well. And if Pinkie Pie really is as dangerous as Dash says, then I’m sure we will need all the help we can get.”

Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash, whose face now was completely back to its emotionless state.

“Ok, let’s see if we can get some help from our friends.”

“Your friends…not mine.” Rainbow Dash corrected, before turning to leave the basement.

Twilight turned to follow and left Sugarcube Corner with Rainbow Dash, who headed directly for a cottage off in the distance. “Might as well start with the most timid first” She muttered to Twilight. “Give her time to “Get used” to me” Twilight silently listened, but her mind was already thinking about ways to help Rainbow Dash. She was so focused on her thoughts that she didn’t notice the single crow…following her for the entire trip.

Strong Bonds

Stong Bonds

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Dash from Death

by Mavaku

==================================================================

Twilight tried to ignore all the animals scurrying away from the undead Rainbow Dash, almost hoping that Dash wouldn’t notice the commotion going on if Twilight simply didn’t acknowledge it.

“I guess a cloak doesn’t fool the animals…” Rainbow Dash halfheartedly said. “Even the bears can smell me and keep their distance. Good, they know what’s best for them.”

“Yeah…well, were almost here. I’m sure Fluttershy will be able to calmly look at this and help us out.” Twilight encouragingly said.

Dash sighed once Twilight finished her sentence. “You realize this is Fluttershy that we’re talking about…not Applejack right? Fluttershy isn’t exactly known for her bravery, especially when it comes to something like me.”

“What about that time she stood up to that dragon and saved all our flanks from it? Fluttershy also freed me from a cockatrice’s petrifying spell, by staring it down! Even if she is a little scared, I’m sure she won’t be nearly as terrified of you, her friend, than she was of Luna on Nightmare Night. Yet I still managed to get her to listen, so I’m sure she will listen to your story and help you bring an end to Pinkie’s Insanity.”

“Yeah, let’s hope. But I could care less about ending Pinkie’s insanity, I just want to end her.”

Twilight flinched a little at the cold sharpness of Rainbow Dash’s words, but it also reminded Twilight of her goal to help Rainbow escape this odd state. She walked up to Fluttershy’s door and lightly knocked on it thrice.

A soft and songlike voice replied from inside, “I’ll be right there! I just need to finish something up…if that’s okay with you. Come here little squirrels, it’s all safe don’t worry. Oh…ok, I guess you can eat later then.”

A soft flapping sound started up, and then quickly stopped as Fluttershy finished the short trip to her door. It slowly opened up, and Fluttershy stepped out. “Oh, hi Twilight. Who is that pony next to you? Is she okay?” Fluttershy looked at the cloaked Rainbow Dash, concern plain on her face.

Twilight quickly responded. “Actually, that’s exactly what we are here to talk to you about. This is actually Rainbow Dash, and why she is covered up… I guess it would be easier to show you. Now what you about to see is pretty…well…surprising, but you have to promise to remain calm and not scream ok?”

Fluttershy slowly nodded her head. “Ok Twilight I promise.”

“Then here goes…” Twilight swiftly yanked the hooded cape off of a seemingly non-caring Rainbow Dash, revealing all the horrid details to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy’s eyes quickly widened to double their normal size in shock, all memory of being told to stay calm vanished from her memory when she saw the uncovered Rainbow Dash. “Ohmygosh-ohmygosh-ohmygosh-ohmygosh!” She bolted inside her home and dashed upstairs in such a hurry that Twilight didn’t even have time to cast a holding spell.” Rainbow Dash looked irritably at Twilight.

“I knew she was going to do this, let’s just go try somewh-” A gentle touch lifted Rainbow Dash’s wing, interrupting her sentence and her entire train of thought. Dash turned her head in an attempt to see what was going on, and gasped in surprise. Fluttershy was back. This time with a large medical kit strapped to her sides. Gently she applied bandages to the connective tissue of Rainbow Dash’s wing, then swiftly flew to the other side and repeated the process.

Fluttershy started to talk as she continued her work on the stunned Rainbow Dash. “I’m so sorry I didn’t ask to help first, I just…got so worried! I hope it’s okay. Are those bandages too tight?” Already Fluttershy had bandaged all of Rainbow Dash’s wounds, and was starting to apply a medicinal salve to her joints.

“No, they’re fine.” Rainbow’s face turned up into a warm smile of genuine appreciation. Thank y-” A faint caw sounded in the distance, causing Rainbow Dash to double over in pain.

“Oh no! Did I do something wrong? I’m sooo sorry!” Fluttershy frantically flew around Rainbow Dash apologizing repeatedly while trying to find out what was wrong, until a purple aura surrounded Fluttershy, and it slowly brought her down.

“Calm down Fluttershy, I don’t think that was you. Let me see if I can cast a spell to help.”

Rainbow Dash got up before Twilight got a chance to start her spell. “No, that won’t be necessary. I’m fine, but let’s ignore that for now, that’s not what were here for.”

Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief now that Rainbow Dash was up, but seemed distressed by the sudden return of coldness in Dash’s tone. “What are you here for? I’m sorry I forgot to ask, what caused those wounds? I mean…um…if you don’t mind me asking.”

“Pinkie Pie” Rainbow’s face grew hot with anger as she mentioned the name of her murderer and tormentor, while the concern in Fluttershy’s face became more apparent.

“Oh no! Was there some sort of accident? Is Pinkie hurt? Does she need help?”

Twilight interjected before Rainbow Dash could reply, as the words Dash would have used probably aren’t the kindest statements Fluttershy’s ever heard. “Come sit down on the couch Fluttershy, I’ll try to spare you the unnecessary details, but there’s something you need to know.”

************************************

Fluttershy took the news surprisingly well, listening the entire time as Twilight retold all she knew of the story, with only a couple extra points brought in by Rainbow Dash. “Oh…oh dear, all those poor ponies. I wish I was there to help. Maybe somehow I could have convinced Pinkie to stop… doing those horrible things.”

“Heh, doubtful.” Dash said with a snort. “She makes me seem cute and cuddly. Now, are you willing to help or not?”

A new sense of resolve entered Fluttershy’s voice. “Of course! I wish there was another way, but from what I’ve heard we don’t have a choice. But I will stand by my friends to make sure that they’re safe!”

Once again a joyful look entered Rainbow Dash’s eyes, and once again a crow’s caw could be heard in the distance just a few moments afterwards. But this time the look stayed, albeit slightly less noticeable, as if fighting a losing battle against the outside influence. A caw sounded a second, and then a third time, until finally Dash’s face returned to its stone cold state. “Ok good. Then we leave in five minutes, we still have to get Applejack and Rarity and I don’t want that to take the rest of the day.”

An idea popped into Twilight’s head. “Actually… Fluttershy, if I was to write a note, would you be able to tell one of your bird friends to deliver the message to them?”

“I…I think so.”

“Ok, then I’ll make a letter telling them to meet us at the library so we can save time. I will tell them to come prepared for some drastic news, but won’t say any more. It seems to be easier to explain face to face, with proof right in front of them.” Twilight got a note and quill from the nearby desk and quickly wrote two letters, then hoofed them over to Fluttershy. “There, can you get the birds now?”

“Yes, I just need to go out back. They don’t want to come in right now.” Fluttershy didn’t mention why the birds avoided the interior of her house, but both Twilight and Rainbow Dash knew exactly why. She went out back, leaving Twilight and Dash standing there silently. Quickly the pegasus was back, minus two scrolls of parchment.

Twilight looked from Dash to Fluttershy, hope for helping Rainbow Dash recover and bringing an end to Pinkie’s terror quickly building up inside her. “Shall we head to the library now?”

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy nodded, and then turned to follow Twilight to her home.

****************************************

Applejack and Rarity paced back and forth in front of the library’s doorstep, curiosity plain on their faces.

Applejack stopped and looked at Rarity. “Now what in Equestria is going on? If Twilight said this was so important, then why the hay aint she here?”

“I don’t know Applejack, but I hope it’s nothing too serious. I think we may be getting answers very soon. Look there’s Twilight! Fluttershy is with too, as well as a pony in some horrid cloak. If I had to guess, I would say that pony is what all the commotion is about…maybe she needs that ragged old thing she’s wearing remodeled!”

Sighing, Applejack responded. “Then why would ah’ be here. Making nice and “spiffy” stuff isn’t exactly somthin’ I’m good at.”

Rarity’s face drooped in disappointment. “I suppose you are right... Well let’s head over and see what they need. Twilight! Over here darling!”

Twilight looked up and spotted the two ponies. Quickly the two groups met halfway up the road to Twilight’s home. Immediately the purple unicorn started talking. “Hello girls. Sorry to call on you both on such short notice, but I have some very dire news. I’ll explain in a bit, but first let’s head inside. ”

Rarity’s eyes brightened at the mention of going inside. “Oh that would be fantastic, it’s getting so dreary today. I could use a nice change of scenery. Especially with that crow just over there. I don’t mean to be rude, but it is really disturbing to have nearby. The thing looks like it’s gazing into my soul. ”

Twilight looked around, searching for the crow that Rarity had just mentioned. After a few seconds she spotted the crow, suspicion crawled across her face as it locked eyes with Twilight. “Yeah…let’s definitely go inside.”

The ponies went to Twilights door, which once they were all in she promptly shut and put a warding spell around the library.

Applejack spoke up when Twilight finished her task. “Ok sugarcube, now what do you need to tell us?”

“Well…it would be easier to have Rainbow Dash just show you.” Twilight responded in an uneasy voice.

Rarity looked with scrutiny at the cloaked figure, half in disbelief. “That’s Rainbow Dash? Why is she wearing that awful outfit then?”

“If you will give us some time to show you… then you will know. Now are you ready?”

Rarity started to talk, but an orange hoof in her mouth prevented her from continuing her thought. Annoyed she looked at Applejack, but then returned her gaze to Twilight and nodded along with AJ.

“Ok then, prepare yourselves.” Twilight gripped the ragged cloak in her teeth, and with one swift motion yanked it off of Dash. Rarity and Applejack stared at the revealed Rainbow, mouths agape. It took several moments, but Applejack recovered and put on a scrutinizing face.

“This is just some sorta prank y’all are pullin right?”

Rainbow Dash finally spoke for the first time in the encounter, using a cold and bitter tone with Applejack. “If this was a joke I would be smiling right now, do I look very happy to you? Not everything in life is sunshine and rainbows you know.”

“Now wait just a minute, I can tell you went through some pretty tough stuff, but I didn’t cause it so why the hay are you getting so rude!”

“Maybe because you weren’t there to help me!”

“How could I help you! I didn’t even know!”

“Yeah, because you never know anything!”

The two ponies stared each other down, both daring the other to make a move. Until Rarity snapped out of her trance and placed herself between the two before anything could happen between them. “Stop this right now! There is no reason for you two to behave like such ruffians! Applejack, I understand that Dash was being a little rude, but arguing doesn’t help anypony. And Rainbow Dash, instead of bursting out like that, please explain it calmly so we can know what’s going on.” Applejack and Rainbow dash stepped back, embarrassment and sorrow clear on Applejack’s face, while Dash’s calmed but stayed stone cold.

Twilight now walked up to Rarity, and put her hoof on Rarity’s shoulder in appreciation. “Thanks Rarity, I’m glad you’re here to help out with stuff like this. Now, let’s get back to the reason we’re all here. I’ll try to make this as quick and painless as possible, but don’t expect a short and happy tale either.”

The story, at least all that Twilight knew about it was told to Rarity and Applejack. This time Rainbow was silent for the entire recount. Immediately after Twilight finished speaking, Applejack spoke up, concern and regret in her voice.

“I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that all of this happened, or the fact that…somehow none of this surprises me. I’ve noticed that Pinkies been acting a lil’ cuckoo lately, but thought it was just my imagination. Now that I hear this I feel right foolish for ignoring my gut. I coulda stopped all this from happening!”

Rarity was next to speak. “Now unlike Applejack, this entire situation has taken me by surprise, but I know not to doubt you Twilight. We have already done that several times, and every time you end up being right. So I trust your word, that and well…you have some pretty convincing evidence.” She tried to subtly point at the undead Dash, who either didn’t notice that Rarity was talking about her or didn’t care. But she did speak up a short while later.

“Ok all this sentiment is nice and all, but we aren’t here to talk and apologize, we are here to stop Pinkie once and for all. I’m leaving to find her at five o’ clock, if anypony is coming with me that’s fine, but you only have ten minutes to decide”

Rarity and Applejack spoke in unison. “Of course I will come! I would never leave a friend alone at a time like this!”

Twilight beamed at the response. Even though it was exactly what she expected, It gave her even more hope than before and her thoughts ran wild. “Maybe now we really can get this all solved! With everypony coming with Dash, I’m sure we can get her out of this odd condition. After all, she already seemed to recover for a bit when acts of friendship were performed, with all of us here we might begin to see more lasting results! And I will feel much safer having my friends to keep us all safe, because as much as I want to make her better, Dash is unstable at the moment and I feel much safer with others around. I’m sure we will need the backup when facing Pinkie as well. Now if only I knew at least a little bit of information on why Pinkie Pie did all of this! None of that makes sense!”

A white hoof waived in front of Twilight’s face “Umm…Twilight you there?”

“I think she’s in one of them thinkin moments. Somepony get a bell or something”

Twilight shook her head, snapping out of her trance. “Sorry everypony, I’m back. Is it time to leave now?” The four other ponies nodded their heads. “Ok then let’s go!” Twilight opened the front door to let them out, then closed it behind them once everypony was outside. The five ponies stood just in front of the library, confused on what to do next. Three minutes passed until a soft voice broke the silence.

“So…um…where do we go now?”

Revelations

Revelations

==========

Dash from Death

by Mavaku

==================================================================

This next chapter will do one of two things, either it will lose you completely...or it will get you wondering what happens next. Hopefully not the first one. Either way, this chapter may be slightly confusing so read to the end of it and hopefully the events of the first scene will be somewhat explained through the second.

==================================================================

The green substance bubbled in the large black cauldron as a new ingredient entered the mixture. Quickly the striped figure standing before the brew opened up a vial. She scooped up some of the liquid and capped it before the bubbles could dissipate. Examining her work, the zebra began to speak.

“If anypony enters my hut sore,
For him or her I’ll have the cure!
But where has gone that pink pony?
It’s been so long; I now worry.
She norm’ly comes ev’ry tenth day.
I cert’nly hope Pinkie’s okay.”

Hoof steps sounded in the distance, growing louder as five equine shapes made their way to the hut. She turned her head towards the door as a light knocking sounded on it.

Twilight looked into the nearby window after knocking. “Zecora? Do you mind if we come in? We need your help with a little problem we have.”

Zecora opened the door as she replied in her usual, rhyming cadence.

“Of course, of course, my dear, good friend.
What situation must we amend?”

“Well, I don’t want to drag you into it too, let’s just say we need to find Pinkie Pie.”

“Ah yes I have been wondering where she is as well,
but where is Pinkie Pie I cannot tell.
But I do know how we can find Pinkie,
just take a sip of this and soon you will see.”

Zecora pulled out a small flask filled with a fluorescent fluid and handed it to Twilight who looked at it with a curious expression before her eyes lit up in recognition.

“Of course! Why hadn’t I thought about this! This is extract from a dreambloom isn’t it?” The other ponies looked at her with confused looks on their faces. “It's a flower. If you drink the extract, you can ‘see’ the surroundings of any other dreambloom in equestria! All I have to do is picture Pinkie in my mind, and if she has been, or is, nearby any dreambloom, we can know just where she is!”

Applejack nudged Twilight. “Spend less time explaining and more time looking! Go on, chug it down!”

Twilight nodded, opened the vial, and sipped up the surprisingly sweet elixir. Immediately her eyes glassed over and a vacant expression overtook her face. Slowly her legs went limp, and Twilight slumped to the floor. The four ponies and Zecora watched Twilight as she fell into her trance, expecting Twilight to wake up at any moment, but the unicorn stayed still. All eyes were on her, and several minutes passed without any movement, until a tear slowly formed in the corner of Twilight’s eye.

Fluttershy tentatively walked up to Twilight, concern plain on her face. “Are…are you sure she’s okay? It’s been so long, what if sh-” Something impacted upon Fluttershy’s hind leg, causing her to yelp and leap back in surprise. The others' eyes were stilled fixed on Twilight, but now out of shock rather than anticipation.

“What’s happening to her?!” Rarity asked in a trembling voice, her eyes never leaving the horrifying sight.

Zecora spoke, in too much shock for rhymes. “I…I don’t know. This has never happened before!”

A dark aura had engulfed Twilight, levitating her off the ground and threatening to swallow her completely, but her body fought back. Although Twilight remained unconscious, her face was tightened in intense concentration while her legs seized and twitched, as if in some deep nightmare. Sparks shot from her horn which now glowed in a brilliant violet hue, fighting back the darkness. The sparks turned to massive bolts of energy, arcing out of the black void which had now doubled in size and ferocity. The darkness began to grow more aggressive, now a howling gale inside Zecora’s hut. The two forces were now fighting each other with horrific power and resilience. Twilight like a star more brilliant than anything ever seen before, resisting the sheer power of a black hole. But neither side surrendered; instead, they formed a deadly sphere crackling with magical energy and swirling darkness. Finally Applejack broke out of the terrified trance that had befallen her and the others.
“Everypony outside now! This is getting mighty dangerous!”

Fluttershy yelled in protest, “But what about Twilight? We can’t just leave her here!”

“There’s nothing we can do to help! We have to she keeps herself safe! And I doubt that us getting sucked into that thing would help out much! Now everypony out before this thing blows!” The ponies quickly rushed outside, while Applejack watched to make sure they all made it out safely, but found one pony was still inside, her dead eyes locked on the destructive force. “Rainbow Dash let’s go! We don’t have much time!” The pegasus still stood there, seemingly unaware that Applejack had even spoken, or that the miniature cataclysm in front of her posed any danger.

“Now’s not the time to be daydreaming!” Applejack rushed up to Rainbow Dash, and grabbed her by the neck. Dash still didn’t respond, forcing the earth pony to use all her strength to pull Dash away from the void, while resisting its gravity herself. Energy arced from the sphere incinerating anything it touched, causing Applejack to dodge various obstacles. “Hang on!” The earth pony tensed up her hind legs, and then leapt over a pile of debris to the exit…or rather where the exit was, as now it was just a pile of impassable rubble. Applejack looked back at Rainbow Dash, who was still deep in her trance. “Any help now would be REALLY appreciated Rainbow! Unless you enjoy getting crushed by…whatever that is and a whole lot o’ house!”

A large purple pulse emitted from the chaotic void, shaking the entire hut and jarring dash from her trance. She quickly looked around, surveying the situation before wordlessly grabbing on to Applejack and using all her wing power to make a blitz for the one remaining opening to the outside world. The short distance seemed to take an eternity to travel as time slowed down around the two; all focus was on escaping alive, but another pulse broke out from the sphere, violently knocking Dash from the air and into the wall.

“No! I’m not going down here! Not until I have my vengeance!” Once again she leapt for the opening, but something held her back. A now unconscious Applejack had her tail pinned to the floor as debris continued to fall, slowly closing off the route to escape. Frantic thoughts swam through the now very alert Rainbow Dash all in an instant. “I only have time to escape if I move Applejack and go without her, the weight would only slow me down. But still, I…I just can’t leave her to die, even if she wasn’t there to help me. But Pinkie… I must get her!” The two goals clashed in her mind, corrupt desire fighting to overtake all that Dash ever was.

Another pulse, this time however it passed gently through Dash, calming her spirit and soothing her nerves. For the first time since the incident Rainbow Dash’s mind was clear. Clear of fear, of hate, of desire. Only a single thought rested on her mind. “Loyalty, that was my element…and Loyal I will stay, if not for friendship then at least for duty. So long as they stand by me, so shall I stand by them.” Slowly, she brushed the rubble off of Applejack, freeing her of its crushing weight. The one opening had long since been closed off, but Rainbow Dash no longer cared. Gently, despite the raging conflict taking place mere feet away, she nudged the limp body into a covered spot. Calmly, she lay in front of the opening; protecting the vulnerable Applejack from the same dangerous energy that she had just saved Dash from. Rainbow Dash looked around the room, a serene calmness on her face. Patiently, she waited for the end.

================================================================

“No No, it needs to be stronger! No pony should be able to get in!” Frantic hammering sounded throughout the house, instantly grabbing Twilight’s attention. Yet no pony was within her sight, so Twilight took to examining her surroundings. Viewing through the “eyes” of a dreambloom was an interesting experience. Twilight had an ethereal-like body that could freely roam within several feet of the plant itself, making for easy examination and exploration. The structure was unusually drab and dark for a house of Pinkie’s, even if she was insane. The walls were bare wood, barren of any paint and decorated solely with well-worn pieces of paper, most of which contained nonsensical images and sentences. Barriers and construction supplies littered the floor in a cluttered mess, likely throughout the entire house based on all the noise Twilight heard. The only light came from light bulbs dangling freely from the ceiling and the heavily barred and reinforced windows.

“It’s almost like some sort of fortress… Let’s see if I can get an idea where this even is.” Twilight floated over to a nearby window and surveyed the area. The outside was just as dark and dreary as indoors, with danger signs littering the area and several layers of fencing blocking off the structure from the outside world. But no clues to the actual location of this place became evident to Twilight, and she went back to looking around inside. “Maybe there is a map or something else around here that can help out more. Or…I could just look for Pinkie, now that I think about it; I still don’t know if I’m in the right place! The scenery definitely doesn’t fit. Even in the basement there were…decorations all over the place.” Twilight started to listen for any sounds, and a very faint voice could be heard a few rooms over. Quickly Twilight passed through the decrepit walls towards the source of the sound, until she found her target.

Pinkie Pie stood over a desk, her once soft and fluffy mane now flat, faded, and with frayed edges throughout. Dust clung to her legs, turning them a dull grey, while several small scrapes pockmarked her body.Her face appeared fearful and desperate. The eyes red from lack of sleep and abundance of tears shed. Pinkie’s entire body shook with exhaustion as she wrote in a crude diary, her mouth following every word that appeared on the parchment.

“I don’t know how much longer until she gets back, but when she does, I’ll be sure that she will never escape here. I just can’t risk another tragedy; too many lives have been lost… all those innocent ponies, even Dashie. Dashie, poor poor Dashie. How could she do that?! Rainbow Dash was my best friend!” Pinkie’s words now came out in muffled sobs as she continued to write. “That…monster, I can’t ever escape her, but I can try to stop her. I just hope I am never found, this may very well be the last time I’m…me. if somepony came, I…I just don’t want to think about what would happen. Everyday though, I still wonder why. Why did she come? Why won’t she leave? Why…why is she doing this? I miss my friends so much, I haven’t seen a smiling face for so long. But I can’t risk coming back to say goodbye, or even explain. Why would they even listen? After what she did, what I did, I can’t blame them for whatever they would say or do. And what if she came back? I…I don’t want anything like that happening ever again! I thought I could fight her, and what good did that do? It killed my best friend…” Pinkie stopped writing and her face went down with a thud on the desk, tears and sobs openly flowing from her, soaking the diary.

Twilight looked at the scene before her, mouth open in stunned silence and tears starting to form at the corner of her eyes. “But this makes no sense! This is nothing like I imagined. What has happened to Pinkie? I…I don’t even know what to think anymore. If Pinkie isn’t completely responsible, then who is? Unless…of course that must be it! The same aura that was around dash…I can sense it here too! But still, that tells me nothing about what it is. Either way, I need to get back to my friends and tell them all that I’ve seen! This whole mission could be one huge mistake. We don’t need to stop Pinkie…we need to save her!” Twilight concentrated on returning back to Zecora’s hut. The surrounding area started to fade…the sobbing becoming fainter and fainter, until it disappeared completely. Yet as soon as all was quiet, a faint caw could be heard, snapping Twilight back to the decrepit house and filling her with immense pain.

Pinkie screamed in hurt as well, her voice a shrill shriek. “No! Make it stop! I don’t want her back! Not yet, not ever! Just leave me alone!” The cawing continued, causing another wave of pain to course through the two ponies, sending both to the floor. Twilight struggled to stand, fighting the crippling pain. She looked up, and spoke out with a defiant voice.

“Whoever you are, I’m not giving up! I will fight for my friends, now more than ever!” The cawing stopped, only to be replaced by a ghostly wail. The pain was tremendous, causing Twilight’s vision to blur and eventually go black.

A voice as dark and deep as the pain Twilight was experiencing started to form from the wailing. “Twilight Sparkle, you forget your place. But you will learn it soon enough, just as your dear friend has.”

A cheerful yet cracked voice began to sing in the background as Twilight fought to stay conscious.

“So, giggle at the ghostly

Guffaw at the grossly

Crack up at the creepy

Just laugh to make them disappear!”

A Subtle Change

A Subtle Change

===============

Dash from Death

by Mavaku

==================================================================

Pain, nothing but pain. Twilight had started to forget what all other sensations felt like, but motivation had not been lost on her. Still she struggled against insurmountable odds. Still she fought for her friends. Still…death would not relent its assault.

“Give up; your friends are not worth suffering for… surrender your will and I will make sure the torture stops.”

Despite the immense pain, Twilight stood her ground and defiantly spoke out. “I will never stop fighting for my friends! They are the world to me, and would do the same! Pain…pain is temporary, friendship is forever!” As she bravely resisted, a faint purple aura started to from around Twilight, shielding her from the onslaught of darkness. It’s strength and size quickly grew into a solid barrier of pure magical energy, but it did not drive back the shadows, the wall merely held them at bay. That situation quickly changed however as sparks, and then massive bolts of energy erupted from Twilight’s horn, converting the earsplitting wail into a hurt shout.

“You fool! Dare you to resist me?! You know not who you fight against!”

“No, I don’t…But I intend to find out!” Twilight focused all her available energy into her horn, causing it to shine brilliantly, piercing through the thick veil of darkness in a massive pulse of magic. Twilight was finally able to see her surroundings. She was back in Zecora’s hut, though it seemed to be crumbling quickly. The unicorn now noticed that she floated freely in mid-air inside of what she assumed was the source of the damage… to the area and to Twilight herself. Twilight only saw two ponies, Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Dash seemed to be looking around, a confused expression clearly visible, before quickly latching onto Applejack while taking flight towards an opening in the ceiling.

The grim voice continued to sound in Twilights head. “You persistent unicorn. That last outburst seems to have complicated my plan. No matter, this can be easily solved”

Twilight’s heart started to ache, subtly at first, but rapidly evolving into pain greater than all the others combined. The sensation began to spread throughout Twilight’s body until it suddenly departed in a massive pulse identical in looks to the previous one, but with much more dark intentions. The magical barrier protecting Twilight shattered under the immense force, letting the darkness and continual pain flow in once again. Yet the pulse did not stop there. It kept on going, knocking Rainbow Dash and Applejack from the air and into a pile of debris. Rainbow Dash was instantly back on her hooves and attempted to leap for the exit, yet her tail was caught underneath Dash’s recently unconscious companion.

Dark laughter reverberated throughout Twilight’s mind. “A simple fix, your friend only has time to escape if she goes alone…and I know her determination to get revenge is stronger than her bonds with those ‘friends’ ”. The last word was spat out by the voice as if it were venomous.

“That’s where you’re wrong! I know Rainbow Dash, and even if you try to interfere she will remain as loyal to her us as we are to her! All she needs is a reminder…” A sudden realization snapped place in Twilight’s mind. ‘That’s it! Why hadn’t I thought of it earlier! The memory spell from the Discord incident just might work here! ’ Twilight squirmed in an attempt to be able to reach the two ponies, yet dark energies held her in place, as well as shielded Dash from seeing or hearing the lavender unicorn. Her determination hardly lessened, Twilight clenched her face in concentration, attempting to broadcast the spell. Another pulse emanated from Twilight, although this one subtly and calmly floated through the air, giving an aura of calm to everything it touched…including Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash’s hateful gaze softened. Her entire body seemed to calm in stark contrast to her surroundings as memories flooded her mind. The running of the leaves, victory at the best young flyer competition, discovering her element. Loyalty from and to her friends became more and more evident in the pegasus’ mind. Rainbow Dash calmly said something that was inaudible to Twilight, and started her delicate work of protecting Applejack.

The deep voice roared inside of Twilight’s mind, its tone filled with rage. “Irritating pest! The time for games is over! You shall meet your end, now!” Tendrils of darkness formed inside the void, rushing towards Twilight. They were met by another pulse, but not from Twilight, rather a pegasus who seemed quite unaware of the occurrence…or of anything else other than a small opening she lay directly in front of. The pulses continued emanating from the serene Rainbow Dash, supplementing Twilight’s resistance and driving back the onslaught of darkness.

Slowly the pain subsided. Slowly the shadows receded. Slowly the frustrated yell grew fainter and fainter, until it disappeared entirely. A final pulse, faint enough to be barely noticeable signified the departure of a dark aura from the hut. With the presence gone, so too did the void disappear, revealing to a suddenly aware Rainbow Dash the battered form of Twilight.

“Twilight! Thank celestia you’re okay!” Rainbow Dash checked to be sure Applejack was okay before joyfully leaping towards a very surprised Twilight, holding her in an excited and relieved embrace.
Twilight smiled at the energetic pegasus, but that smile quickly turned into a look of shock as a clearly visible change took place. “Dash, your mane!” Rainbow Dash’s mane, as well as the rest of her body, once again had color flowing through. Although faint the colors were, they still made a vivid difference on her appearance, and apparently Rainbow Dash’s personality as well. For the first time since the incident, Rainbow Dash smiled with true, unrestrained glee. Her magenta eyes glowed with warm appreciation, as if she knew what Twilight had done for her.

Rainbow Dash replied to Twilight, a calm, warm tone in her voice. “Yeah, I guess it’s starting to go back to normal. I feel better from it too. I feel more myself, more...free. But still, even with this, we can’t forget what we originally came here to do. Did you get any information on where Pinkie is?”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “I forgot to check where she even is! I got too preoccupied on what was happening to Pinkie! Should I tell Rainbow Dash about what’s happening to Pinkie Pie? No…even if she is more herself now, I don’t want to risk her disbelief. We could lose what we have just gained…my stories tend to fall on deaf ears here anyways.” Her thoughts now semi-together, Twilight attempted her response.

“Well…I wasn’t able to find any maps or anything like that, but if I was to describe the surrounding area, do you think you might be able to recognize where she is?”
“Maybe, what did it look like?”

In as much detail as she could recall, Twilight told Rainbow Dash of the scenery indoors and outdoors.

Recognition lit up throughout Dash’s face “I know that place! That’s the Pie family’s old rock farm! But that was shut down and condemned years ago…I’m surprised that she even made it there. With the Everfree Forest constantly growing, the farm is practically in the middle of it now!”

Confused, Twilight spoke out. “But how could Pinkie have even gotten to the farm in such a short period of time? The Everfree Forest is practically a maze. It should take weeks to reach the center!”

“Normally yes, it would take a very long time. But something has happened to the Everfree Forest. I first noticed it when I was flying nearby Cloudsdale. An entire patch of the forest was gone! But it was replaced by something much worse. This place makes the Everfree forest look like a cakewalk. I don’t know how it got there, but I think some of Discords energy was left behind when we defeated him. The missing area cuts right to nearby the middle of the Everfree forest. But it is much more dangerous from all the leftover…stuff. I figured that you already knew about this. Because of all the royal guards I saw heading there I thought Celestia might have told you as well, seeing as you are her personal student. I should have told you earlier…but that’s not important right now. Right now we need to get Pinkie Pie, and stop her…once and for all!”

Twilight still flinched at the mention of stopping Pinkie Pie, especially due to her recent discovery. Yet less so than usual, as although Dash was still determined to mete out “justice”, her tone was less hate filled and more dignified. Giving Twilight more room for hope and relief. “Yes, we should hurry. If everyone else is willing, we could take the same shortcut and save over a week of travel! But in order to do that, we need to find the rest too. Let’s hope they are nearby.”

A faint scraping sound, followed by a portion of rubble falling away, revealed three figures that confirmed Twilights hopes.

Fluttershy’s concerned voice floated through the remains of Zecora’s hut. “Are you okay? Does anypony need help?” Her question was met by nods acknowledging their safety from Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

Applejack as well was gaining consciousness, and slowly got up on her hooves. “Ah’m okay too. Pleasure to see y’all are safe. But what in Equestria just happened?!”

All eyes quickly locked on Twilight, their inquiring gaze provoking her to speak. “I was…attacked.”

Gasps escaped the mouths of all the ponies, which was quickly followed by the question on all their minds, but spoken by Rarity. “By what?”

“I don’t know. But I doubt that will be the last time we encounter who, or whatever it is. The best we can do is try to get to Pinkie undetected, and now that we know where she is, we just have to get there. This leads on to the next thing. She is at her old rock farm, which is now near the middle of the Everfree Forest. Getting there could take over a week. Or we can take a shortcut, but this shortcut will be very dangerous. Is everypony willing to risk that in order to set things right?”

Silent nods came from all around the room, understanding of the task that lay before them was evident on all their faces. Solemnly, and with appreciation in her voice, Rainbow Dash started to speak as she exited the worn-down hut.

“Thank you for helping with this. I appreciate what you’re doing…a lot. But as much as we all would like to rest, we can’t waste any time. We need to leave…now. Or else we may never get another chance again!”

Rarity and Fluttershy started to follow Rainbow Dash as she trotted towards their destination. Twilight delayed for a short while, turning towards Zecora to speak.

“I’m so sorry this happened to your home, and even more sorry that we can’t stay to help fix it. But we really need to hurry. If you want, feel free to stay in my library. I promise that when we get back, we will help you fix your hut up good as new!”

Zecora smiled warmly at Twilight as she replied in a reassuring fashion.

“This little disaster shall be fixed it is quite alright,
But I appreciate your offer for a place to stay the night.

But you must quickly catch up to the rest of your friends
I sense that on much more than just Pinkie this situation depends!”

“Thanks for the understanding Zecora. We will see you later!”

Twilight quickly turned around and rushed to catch up with the rest of the group as they began their journey with a clear destination now set out, and new motivations fresh in her mind.

Impending Chaos

Impending Chaos

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Dash from Death

by Mavaku

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I apologize for the short chapter, I have been very busy lately and have had little motivation to write. Hopefully the quality is still decent however, and you enjoy the story. This chapter may be drastically revised/edited later on, as this was the product of me wanting to at least get something finished by today, and here we are. Now first up, Pinkie's diary entry of the chapter! (expect this to continue for every chapter hereafter)

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The sun rose once again. Its third time doing such since the small group had left Zecora’s hut. Each one of them appeared worn, ragged, and tired. Each one of them looked determined to continue. The lead pony, her rainbow mane once again muted, but rather by dirt than outside forces, turned to look at the rest as she started to speak.

“We are almost to the entrance of the clearing. Once we get there, it should be only a day or two until we reach the farm.”

As she finished speaking the dense forest started to clear, revealing an unusually ornate gate…and a lone guard watching over the entrance. His eyes immediately locked on the five ponies, yet his head and body continued to face directly outwards from the gate. Slowly, the stallion removed his gaze from them and closed his eyes in thought.

Twilight cautiously walked up to the guard. “Excuse me sir, but my friends and I need to go through that gate. Would you please let us past?”

Without opening his eyes to look at the mare in front of him, the guard stoically responded.

“No”

Twilight raised an eyebrow in minor agitation. “No? Why can’t we? This is really important!”

“You have no clearance”

“Of course we don’t, we didn’t have time to get any clearance! But we need to get through! Is a simple piece of paper really that important?”

“Yes”

Twilight’s impatience from the blunt and simple answers was starting to become very noticeable to the rest, and Rarity trotted up to put a calming hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “Twilight darling, you are getting too worked up! Go take a quick rest and I will see what I can do about this little…situation.”

The lavender unicorn quickly calmed down, and gave an appreciative glance to Rarity before heading back to sit with the rest of the waiting group.

With a deceptively flattering smile, Rarity turned her attention to the guard, whose eyes were once again open and now sharply focused on her.

“I apologize about that, but you see, this really is important. And I’m sure such a wonderful stallion-” Wings quickly flared from his sides, signifying his building annoyance. Rarity either didn’t notice the annoyance, or chose to ignore it as she continued to speak. “Oh pardon me, such a wonderful pegasus! Now I’m sure that such a wonderful pegasus such as yourself wouldn’t mind if a few lowly ponies went through that gate would you?

The guard relaxed slightly, and then softly chuckled. “As much as I appreciate your flattery…I still won’t let you through.”

“Alright that’s it! I’ve had enough of this!” Rainbow Dash flew up directly face-to-face with the unmoving pegasus, who glanced quickly at her various scars before calmly looking Dash in the eye as she angrily spoke out. “Now listen here, I don’t care under what authority that you can’t let us through, but we know that it is very dangerous and are willing to take that risk. There is some pony we need to reach, and this is by far the quickest way of getting to them! So if you don’t move aside I will make you!”

“Good luck with that.”

The moment the words left the guards mouth, Rainbow Dash flew back, and then bull rushed the still apathetic pegasus. Silently, he stood there, only raising a single hoof as Dash raced towards him. Rainbow Dash raised a hoof to meet his, and in an overly cliché fashion, the two forces collided with explosive results. The guard still stood there, seemingly unaffected, which prompted Rainbow Dash to attempt again, giving similar results.

As the cycle continued, Fluttershy tentatively walked up to Twilight and whispered in her ear. “Um…Twilight? Don’t you think you should tell him that you’re Celestia’s personal student? He is one of the guards after all…he might let us through because of that.”

Twilight’s face brightened upon recognition of the simple, yet possibly effective answer. “That may just work. Rainbow Dash! Stop it! I have an idea! ”

The cyan-grey pegasus halted mid-charge and turned to look at Twilight. “This better work…” She said with a huff, before returning to the rest of the group.

Twilight returned her attention to the still calm guard, whose armor seemed slightly cracked from the short clash. “I know we don’t have any clearance, but I suppose I should have introduced myself first. My name is Twilight Sparkle, personal student of Princess Celestia, and these are my friends, also trusted by Celestia. Would that be enough to let us through?”

The guard paused to think, then smiled in recognition before responding. “Ah, the famous Twilight Sparkle and her friends. Yes, the resemblance is adequate, and you may enter. But first, allow me to introduce myself as well, and give you some words of advice. My name is Taren, a member of Celestia’s royal guardians of Equestria. I came here, along with others to keep this…influx, contained. While on duty here, I have noticed some things that may be of importance if you want to cross alive. First of all, I am sure you already know this from your last encounter with the spirit of Disharmony, but forget everything you know about reality, that does not exist past this gate. Second, there will be many distractions placed throughout, and the terrain changes rapidly. We have placed a path designating the safest route, stay on it and your chances of survival will increase dramatically, although still staying relatively low. Third, once you enter I cannot let back in; this gate is protected by a one-way barrier. Anything can go in, but nothing can go out. Finally, similar to the Canterlot labyrinth, your horns and wings could disappear at random times. It would be constant as the labyrinth was, but due to the uncontrolled nature of this area, it seems to be quite random. Because of this, make use of your intelligence and wits, and do not rely heavily on your special abilities...you never know when they might abandon you.”

Twilight frowned at the last revelation, recalling the lack of success when they encountered the dreaded labyrinth. “Thank you, for letting us through, and for the advice. We will be sure to take it to heart, right girls?” The five ponies behind her nodded their heads in acknowledgement.

Taren once again spoke up. “Do you wish some time to prepare, or do you need to pass through now?”

Twilight looked at the others, their faces showed exactly what she was thinking. “Now would be best, we can’t waste any more time. We are already in a hurry as it is.”

“Very well. Just remember, this chaos energy does not have Discord to control it. That means that it is unrestrained, not being used for games. It aims to kill. Always be on your guard.”

With a curt nod, Taren stepped aside and the massive gate slowly swung open, revealing the chaos within. Trees sprouted up from various places, including mid-air, before withering and dying as quickly as they had appeared. The landscape grew hills and valleys spontaneously, twisting like a writhing serpent. Various creatures, some unknown to the ponies, roamed the area, their behavior erratic and ever-changing. Rabbits preyed on bears, while timber wolves patrolled the sky. All the while, a simple cobblestone path lay directly in front of the gate, leading off into the chaotic unknown. The area around the path seemed calm…relatively speaking, as when a hill formed under that path, it stretched along with the hill and only rose at a backbreaking speed.

Rainbow dash stared wide-eyed as such an event happened, then quickly turned to face the once again unmoving guard. “What was THAT?! You call that path safe? A simple hill could launch us all into the air and kill us!”

“I said it was safer…not that it was safe.”

Applejack trotted up to the visibly upset Rainbow Dash and reassuringly put her hoof on the Pegasus’ shoulder. “It’s okay. You said so yourself that we know what we are getting into, and trust me, we understand that it’s dangerous, you just have to trust in us to keep each other safe. Okay?”

Rainbow Dash looked at her, then quickly nodded her understanding. “Ok then…we can’t waste any more time. We have work to do, and the sooner we finish it, the better!” And without any further pause, she trotted into the chaos, followed by four other mares. Each willing to risk everything they had for the others around them.

“Good luck…you will need it.” A loud thud sounded behind the five ponies as the heavy gate slammed shut, removing their last chance to change their mind. With only one direction now available, they galloped along the path…and into chaos.

Rifts

Rifts

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Dash from Death

by Mavaku

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“Watch out!”

A third bolt of energy leapt from the ground, narrowly missing Fluttershy as she quickly jumped back, crashing into Rarity behind her.

“Get up you two! Before another one comes!”
Quickly, Rarity and Fluttershy got to their hooves, looking alertly for another outburst, Yet all was calm once again. The five ponies looked at each other, then back at the long, winding path ahead of them. With widened eyes, Fluttershy spoke with a frightened tone.

“We’ve b-been out here s-so long! H-how far are we?”

Applejack sighed and looked behind them. “About twenty yards sugarcube. We best keep walking, especially since things are starting to settle down a bit, hopefully we can find a place that is a might bit cozier later on!”

“I s-sure hope so. This place is…really scary…”

Rarity smiled, albeit it was somewhat forced, and looked back at the path. “At least we can look on the bright side, we have a nice paved road! That will save me HOURS of time I would have to spend cleaning all that filth from my hooves!”

Rainbow Dash managed a chuckle at that remark, before continuing onwards, not bothering to look back and check if she was being followed by the rest as she talked back to them. “Alright, enough meandering around everypony, we have work to do!”

The rest nodded, and followed after her in a single file line. Several minutes passed uneventfully, and the five ponies started to lessen their tense stances as they walked. Rarity trotted up next to Applejack, and talked to her in a hushed tone.

“Applejack dear, this may sound like a horrible thing to say but…Rainbow Dash is really starting to worry me. Granted…she has been through some atrocities that I dare not imagine, and I can hardly blame her for being more grim now, but I fear that this journey will only result in our harm!”

Applejack turned without slowing her pace, and smiled warmly at Rarity. “I understand that Rarity, this is definitely more than anything any of us have been through, and you have right to worry. However, I will tell you this. I sense that Rainbow Dash has good intentions with this! It may have not started that way, granted…but her loyalty is not something easily broken, even if it may seem so. I’m sure everything will turn out just fine…”

A loud creak could then be heard, echoing loudly as if a challenge to Applejack’s words. Slowly, the ground began to shift in the distance, and then rapidly it began pulsating, with deep rifts and large hills rapidly forming and dissipating as the surge of Discordian energy rushed closer to the ponies.

Twilight’s voice could be heard shouting out in warning before the wave of earth reached them.
“Everypony run as fast as you can! I see shelter up ahead! We just need to make it a little furth-”

Her voice was abruptly cut off as the energy reached them, shaking the ground violently underneath her and making it difficult to speak from the heavy vibrations. Instead she ran forwards down the path, towards something barely in view in the distance. The rest of the ponies followed urgently, weaving around the obstacles in a desperate race to survive. As they ran, the changes only grew in magnitude, forming canyons in seconds that filled moments later, crushing anything unfortunate enough to fall within. The path behind them started to writhe like a snake in its death throes, pulsating up and down rapidly while moving forwards. Although it did not break, the rapid movements made it nearly as dangerous. The ponies ran as quick as they could, trying to outpace that before it could overcome them, and toss them out in to the more dangerous outlying terrain. As they did so, a panicked yelp sounded out behind Applejack, prompting her to turn her head towards the new sound. The sight of Fluttershy standing in a frightened pose caught her eye first, and then a hill on Fluttershy’s left and the rift on her right, caught Applejacks eye next, especially given how both were moving directly towards the terrified pegasus.

Applejack shouted out to her, straining her voice to be heard over the rumbling earth. “Fluttershy! Ya gotta move out of the way before those reach you!”

Fluttershy still stood there, in too much of a panicked state to do much, prompting Applejack to run towards her in a rescue effort. The two threats moved quickly closer and closer, and Applejack grimly realized that she would not make it in time. Still, she rushed onwards, refusing to give up. The rift and hill surged closer and closer, now just mere feet away, and yet applejack continued to run, that is, until a blue-grey blur rushed past her, and smashed into Fluttershy. Moments later, the two forces that had been assaulting Fluttershy collided, with the large hill collapsing into the rift in a massive rockslide while the rift began to close, spewing leftover earth out in a spray. The bluish-gray, and now slightly yellow object slowed down, revealing Rainbow Dash with a rather dazed Fluttershy on her back.

Wasting no time, Rainbow Dash flapped her wings heavily, catching back up to the rest while shouting out. “Come on everypony, we are nearly there! Just a little further!”

True enough, directly in front of them, crumbled remains of cottages could be seen, looking less than inviting, but calm as well, as if the energy avoided that place. The ponies made one final sprint, before diving towards the safer terrain. The three left on the ground landed in a bundled heap, looking quite exhausted, but relieved as well to be in a calmer area. Rainbow Dash landed next to them, setting Fluttershy Down. As she did so, she spoke in a somewhat irritated tone to her.
“Next time keep moving! We can’t have ponies getting stuck behind! It is a waste of time to us all!” Her tone then turned more sorrowful, as she realized the harshness of her words. “I…I just don’t want anything bad happening to you…okay? So you need to be sure to not get another panic attack. As much as I wish I could, I will not always be able to make sure you’re safe.”

Fluttershy managed a nod, still in a moderately shocked state, and the others got back up on their hooves. Twilight, seeming quite intrigued at their surroundings, looked around for a bit, speaking both to those around her, and to herself as well.

“Interesting, a town in the Everfree forest? I’ve heard of such settlements a couple times before, I can’t imagine why anypony would do it, but I can’t help but have some respect for it too. Just imagine all they could learn by being out here! Well…until all this chaos broke loose.” She frowned slightly, and then managed a small smile shortly afterwards. “Well, at least it looks like it has been abandoned for quite a while, I’m sure nopony was hurt when all this discordian energy was released!”

Rarity interrupted before twilight could continue talking about the settlement. “Twilight, I know all of this is fascinating and all, but it is getting really late, can we just rest for now?”

Realizing herself how tired she was, Twilight nodded in agreement. “Oh, uh, yeah, of course! Sorry
about all that. Let’s see…ah! Here is a good spot!” Twilight beckoned towards a mostly intact home, and looked inside. The house was mostly bare, save for a table missing a leg, and other aged furniture sparsely spaced throughout the settlement. “Well, it looks better than nothing, at least! Want me to look for some beds?”

Applejack shrugged. “I think most of us are tired enough, that the floor will do just nicely.”
The others nodded in agreement, and moved inside, before gathering in a circle and laying down to rest. Sleep came quickly to them all, and soon four of the five ponies were dozing quietly, with Rainbow Dash attempting in vain to fall asleep. Try as she might, her dead eyes refused to let the comfort of sleep take hold. Realizing the futility of her attempts, Rainbow Dash stood back up, and looked at those sleeping around her before quietly stepping outside of the house, and into the now black shroud of night, disappearing into the comforting shadows.

Author's Note

It has been quite a while since I have updated this story, and because of that, I apologize in advance if it is in poorer quality than my usual chapters. Grammatical errors, or objects contrasting to something that has been previously stated in the story may happen, as I have not written in a very long time. Regardless, I still hope everyone enjoys this story to the fullest, and as usual, I accept any ideas or corrections you may have!

Remorse

Remorse

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Dash from Death

by Mavaku

==================================================================

Cold, undead eyes shone blankly in the shroud of darkness that surrounded the area. Try as they might, they could not close for more than a short while, and the night provided little solace for their owner. Yet Rainbow Dash continued to stare at the starry sky provided by the lunar princess, dwelling in thought.

This whole journey…I’m starting to forget why I even started it. Was it revenge? That sounds like it, but yet…that just sounds so wrong.

The doubt lingered for but a moment, before quickly being suppressed by more malicious thoughts.

How could this be wrong? I was killed by a friend I trusted deeply! And what help were the others? Did they come looking for me? Did they care that I was gone? Of course not! They could have been glad to have a break from me for all I know! How could wanting a little vengeance against Pinkie possibly be criminal?

The pegasus shifted her position as she thought, gazing back to where the others slept. The ruined house stood serenely in the night air, a calm contrast to her thoughts, and its contents caused yet another wave of doubt.

But if my friends did not care for me, why…why would they go all this way, risk so much? Could they really be doing this all for me? Of course…I know this, but why do I keep thinking against them? I swear, sometimes I feel like I am hardly being myself, just like Pi-

As the thought entered her mind, so too did a sudden clarity as she pieced a fragment of the puzzle together. The glassy eyes took on new life as they widened in realization, and Rainbow Dash’s mind raced.

Not myself…I’m not the only one acting unlike myself! Pinkie isn’t herself either! All this time I figured she snapped, or had been hiding something, but what if she’s been in just as deep trouble as I have been..? Yet here I am, wanting nothing but revenge instead, and still some part of me craves it! I’m supposed to be loyal to my friends…and here I am bringing them into a dangerous situation, just so I can have some petty vengeance on another!

Something gently coming to rest on her frigid shoulders purged the distressed thoughts from Dash’s mind, and she turned her head slowly towards what her body registered. A hoof belonging to Twilight came into view, as did her face, deep concern very evident. Before Rainbow Dash had much more time to react, Twilight spoke, her voice soft, matching the calm night, yet determination and worry could be felt easily in her tone.
“Rainbow Dash…we need to talk.”

She tilted her head in minor confusion, which was more emotion that what Twilight had started to become used to over the journey.

“Twilight…weren’t you asleep with the others?”

Twilight let out a faint chuckle as she gave her response. “Yeah…I suppose I might have had a bit trouble sleeping in an abandoned town in the middle of nowhere…”

Dash smiled faintly. “I guess I can’t blame ya there…though I bet you are out here for more than just stargazing huh…”

Twilight’s face once again resumed its serious posture from before, and she took a breath before talking. “Rainbow Dash…you are a very dear friend to me, and that will never change…but please, hear me out on what I have to say. It may sound completely crazy…but you need to hear this. Pinkie Pie…I’m almost positive what happened to you, is not her fault.”

A short silence followed, as not even crickets chirped in the lifeless night, before Dash opened her mouth in calm, albeit struggled response. “I…I believe you.”

So used to her revelations being ignored, Twilight instinctively spoke out anxiously. “No please…you have to listen to me, I sa- …wait, you…believe me?”

Rainbow Dash nodded, her faded mane shining almost silver in the faint moonlight. “Yeah…I’ll be honest I had a lot of trouble believing it for a while. But…the more I look at things, it just…gets harder to believe. She had been a close friend for as long as I’ve known her. I don’t want to believe it’s her fault, but still, I do have trouble thinking of what else it could even be…”

Twilight nodded her understanding, then gave her imput calmly. “Well, perhaps the best way to find out is to find her. Not in an attempt to take her down…but figure out what is going on, and perhaps even help her.”

Dash could not help but minorly cringe at the mention of the word ‘help’. To her, it still felt wrong somehow. She tried to push the malicious thoughts to the back of her mind, but even there, she could still feel them quite present.

“Har-…Help Pinkie. Alright Twilight, but still…if she cannot be helped…I WILL do what needs to be done to prevent any further problems.”

A quick gasp was given in response, which Twilight quickly muffled before responding. “Y…yes of course. But I know that won’t happen, and I hope that you can have faith in her too.”

The blue pegasus nodded in a reassuring fashion. “Of course…”

Twilight tugged gently on Rainbow Dash’s shoulder, gesturing towards the debilitated house where the others slept. “Come on, we don’t want the others waking up and getting worried, do we? Believe it or not, they care for you…we all do.”

“…If you say so…” Rainbow Dash stood up, her hooves feeling quite dry, though she was unsure if it was due to the lack of moisture in the air, or the husk of a body she possessed. She stretched slightly out of habit, despite the numb body not feeling any stiffness, and followed a now more reassured Twilight back into the house.

Twilight curled up on the bare floor, near her dozing friends, not minding the dust that clung to her underside as she did so. She watched Rainbow Dash as she did the same, and feeling more satisfied and at peace, her eyes slowly closed, her consciousness quickly slipping away as well.

Silence once again fell over the area, with not a single thing making a sound, no crickets, no frogs, no cawing crows. Though still Rainbow Dash’s mind was quite filled with the noise of her thoughts; her body still unable to find sleep. The thoughts of confusion were much fainter, this time, replaced by those of determination.

Looks like I now have two reasons to find Pinkie now…discover what is truly going on, and put a stop to whom…or whatever is doing this. If it really is the friend I used to trust with my life, then so be it, but whoever it is…I WILL find out! And I WILL stop them!

Author's Note

Yeah, after 8 months it turns out I am alive after all, and finally got around to publishing a new chapter. I honestly am not sure how I did, been on hiatus for such a long time that my writing ability might have diminished. Hopefully it is still enjoyable though.