When it all falls apart

by Crimsion Ink

Rating: everyone
Tags: Tragedy, Slice of Life, Sad
Length: 3572

When Discord showed her a picture of Cloudsdale falling apart, was she devastated for her cloud home, or was it something more?

We all know how the element of loyallty was Discorded. An image of the destruction of her beloved cloud home caused Rainbow to panic and take the offered wings. In doing so, she betrayed her friends. When Discord was turned back in to his former grey self, Twilight asks Rainbow a question.

" Why did it matter so much that cloudsdale was safe?"

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-01-29 14:02:17 UTC

A flap of wings and it all falls

Gentle sun rays drifted in through the colored glass windows and shined down on the extravagant tapestries that hung from the circular ceiling. A large, crimson carpet covered most of the floor along with six chairs and a round table placed in the center of the room. Shelves with ancient books lined up around part of the wall. Two tall, heavy doors stood shut tight on the south side of the Carlu. The room was void of any ponies presence or creature alike.

However, it was not silent, as the joyous cries from outside the west wing could be heard. Hollering, whistling, cheers, all could be heard from behind the clasped doors, implying a celebration was taking place in the throne room. On and on they continued, until finally a trumpet was blown for silence. Not much could be heard after that, only the sound of a mares voice could be heard and only when she spoke with a loud tone. Eventually, that died away as well and the clapping of hooves resounded throughout the castle. Slowly but surely, that sound too could no longer be heard.

It was pure silence for a moment or two, before it could be heard. It sounded like a little tap at first, but as the ponies got closer, clopping could be heard coming towards the doors.

Clop.clop.clop.

Clop.clop.clop.

Clop.clop.clop

Boing. boing. boing.

Clop.clop.clop.

Flap.flap.flap

Stop.

A guard’s voice, though muffled, could be heard saying “ Of course, you may go in.”

The tall doors opened slowly, creaking and groaning as they went. When fully opened, four ponies trotted, the fifth flew and the sixth one actually bounced into the empty room. They each took a seat around the table and waited for the others to sit as well.

Once seated, all took a deep sigh in unison and the feeling of tension died away. Slowly, idle chatter struck up between two or more ponies and a relaxing feeling seemed to fill the room. Some talked over the weeks hardships and joys. Or perhaps something new that pony planned on buying in a day or two. No matter what it started with. all conversations ended up on one topic.

A day.

The day.

Today.

The day the Lord of chaos returned to turn their world upside down. When harmony was broken and friendship was shattered. Right was wrong and left was right. Every trace of any sanity was torn away and replaced with neverending strife and cotton candy clouds.

The six heroines tried to regain the  elements by following his twisted riddle. But running through the canterlot maze, following along with his unfair game, only led them to their own folly.

Of all the elements to destroy first, he chose Applejack. A hardworking farm pony whose honesty and integrity was known across Equestria. She was to fall first into his mismatched clutches. A clever ruse with apples having a magical “insight”, was his ploy. Along with a “all-foreseeing” pond, deception and lies were presented. Inside, she could see her friends disbanding in a world fallen to chaos. Then, at her weakest moment, a look in his eyes corrupted her. Her element of honesty became one of lies.

A similar ploy was used on the rest of the main six.

Pinkie pie was a happy, carefree mare, who wished nothing more than a smile and happiness to be shared amongst her best friends. Until Discord used her love of parties to turn her smile into a frown.

Rarity, element of Generosity and lover of fashion. He knew that anything that sparkled would catch this fabulous ponies eye and created a mirage of a shimmering diamond. With the help of Discord, her love of these shimmering jewels overcame her want to help her friends. The once very charitable mare, had become a mare of greed.

Only sweet Fluttershy was different. She did not fall for hs petty attempts to create chaos inside her. Only by forcing his crooked magic upon her did he succeed in creating the brutal side of the element of kindness.

It did not fare any better for the high flying pegasus, Rainbow Dash. Though she wanted to fight it out, Discord tricked her with a simple riddle and a twisted choice. To stay with her now former friends in an endless maze or to fly away to a crumbling cloud home that he had conjured up. Deserting her element of loyalty, she flew away, betraying her friends.

It was inevitable that the last element should fall. Twilight Sparkle, the element of magic, the magic of Friendship. Without her friends, without harmony, the magic can not remain and she died away with the rest of them. Doom seemed certain for all of Equestria.

If it hadn’t been for all those times, all the letters, Equestria might still be in an eternal state of chaos. When Twilight was about to leave her friends and home forever, she saw spike. The poor baby dragon had been receiving the letter’s that Twilight herself had written. Each lesson, each hardship, every twist and turn that she and her friends had been through, shone through all the gloom and depression. Her colors returned and the fight against Disharmony was back on!

Gathering her friends, she led them to see their true selves and one by one, each of the elements returned to their formal state of harmony. A second battle was fought against the draconequus and this time, his foul tricks could not save him and he was once again blasted into a stone casing. A magical burst of rainbow light and the world returned to normal once more.

No sooner had the deed been done, Twilight and her friends were called to canterlot.

What a sight met their eyes when they arrived. It seemed the news had reached all across Equestria as ponies from all places gathered in the great throne room. Loud trumpets bellowed through the room, signaling the entering or the six heroines. Confetti fell, flowers rained, and hats were raised in honor as they walked down the red carpet. When they reached the throne were Celestia herself was standing, they each took their place around her.

Once the cheers died down, Celestia said “ We are gathered here today to once again honor the heroism of these six friends. Who stood up to the villain discord and saved Equestria from eternal chaos.”

As the crowd roared and applauded, Celestia, using her magic, unveiled the newly finished Glass window. It was beautifully made with vibrant colors. It depicted a picture of the six ponies conquering Disord with the elements of harmony.

The mane six turned around and faced the cheering crowd. Joy filled their hearts as they basked in the praise and the knowledge that their world was set right. After a minute more of standing there, Celestia gave the consent and they began to walk back down the aisle. Once the doors had clasped behind them, the head for the west wing. Asking the guard permission, the entered the room and each took a seat around the table.

It was so silent. So silent. Everypony, just enjoying the calm moments or reflection. After all that had happened, the maze, the battle, the celebration. The moment when their friendship was broken. The sweet reunion. all of it. In one day. Its...a lot to take in. It really wasn’t an awkward silence,but more of a peaceful one. It was as if they all knew what the other was thinking and that they knew they needed a minute to collect their thoughts.

There they sat, for who knows how long. Their thoughts spinning round and round in their heads. None of them knew what to say, for there were so many choices. The silence continued on, until one pony couldn’t stand it anymore.

“I can’t believe they were able to make such a fine piece of glass not two hours after we had defeated Discord,” Rarity said, snapping each pony out of her contemplation.

“Yes, it is odd. Maybe they just have really fast window designers?” Fluttershy suggested.

“Hmm. You may be right. I do happen to know a glass window designer. She said that depending on the window, it can take days to complete one!” continued Rarity.

“Fascinating. How did you come to meet this window designer?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well, that’s a pretty fascinating story,” started Rarity.“ You see, I was on my way to canterlot…..” She went on to tell her tale and Fluttershy listened intently.

While those two chatted, Rainbow Dash gave her attention to Pinkie pie. The pink mare was behaving very oddly. Not odd as in a awkward position or doing something odd like eating pea soup. No, what was odd was that she was SITTING…..STILL!

Rainbow stretched out her hoof and taped her saying, “ Pinks...you okay. You’re...kinda freaking me out.”

Pinkie looked like a doll that had suddenly come to life. The moment Rainbow finished her sentence, she broke out of her trance like state, jumped up on the table and did some stretches.

“Wow, that was long! Did I win?” she asked cheerfully.

Rainbow cocked her head and answered, “ Um...win what?”

“The Lets-see-who-can-sit-still-the-longest-and-be-the-quietest-in-an-awkward-trance-

like-state contest,” said Pinkie.

Rainbow stared quizzically at her for a moment. “Um… we weren’t doing any stare...trance...like..contest or anything. We were just...sitting and thinking.”

“Oops, my bad!” she giggled, jumping back into her chair.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes playfully as Pinkie reached into her mane and drew out her bubble smoke pipe. She pretended to be refined, but only end up looking ridiculous.

Apple jack, who was watching Rainbow’s interaction with Pinkie, turned to her side and looked at Twilight. The purple unicorn had her head rested upon one hoof, her expression looked mildly troubled.

“What’s the matter sugarcube?” she asked worriedly.

“I was just...thinking,”she said absentmindedly.

“Aren’t we all? Mind sharing?”

Twilight looked at the window, as if she were seeing something no one else could. She said nothing, but sighed. Applejack waited and once Twilight saw that she wouldn’t stop waiting until she got her answer, she sighed and said in a soft tone.

“I was just thinking...about today...and how Discord….corrupted you all.”

Everypony stopped and looked Twilight. No one said a thing.

“Wh-what do you ya mean by that sugar?” Applejack said with a tiny tremor in her tone.

“Well, Discord...he took care of each one of you. One by one, he turned you into the opposite of your true selves. Thats how he was able to render the elements useless. Its just that, he could have just used his magic right then and there. Instead he used you! to create disharmony in your selves. Not that I’m saying it was you all that created such bad harmony. No, I just find it odd that he would use things and aspects about you to..perhaps help the create the chaos inside you. “

Everypony looked quizzically at Twilight.

“Uh...come again?” said Applejack

Twilight looked slightly annoyed. “ What I meant was, it seems weird that he would use your likes and dislikes to get to you so he could turn you bad. For instance, you Apple jack. You told me he used an apple orchard to catch your attention.”

Apple jack looked down at the table, her hooves placed in her lap.

“Ye...yes,” she said hesitantly “it was some apples that caught my eye an I went into that part of the maze. I found myself in a an orchard with some weird looking-talking apple piles. It was through those apples that he..kinda messed up mah thinking.”

“And you Rarity, “ the white mare looked surprised as her name was called, “ you told me that he used gems to distract you. As we all know you have a deep connection with gems. It was the gems that cause you to think that a rock was-”

“Yes, yes I know,” she said blushing heavily, “ but what has this got to do with anything? We all know very well how each was tricked.”

“Pinkie here saw balloons before he worked his magic,” she said pointing to the enthusiastically waving pony.

Fluttershy cowered beneath her pink bangs as Rarity gestured to her and said,“When he tried to trick her, we know he used butterflies to convince her to turn evil.”

“Yeah, and you all know my story. What’s your point?” Rainbow said  nervously.

Twilight bent her head, her eyes closed. “You all basically proved it. Butterflies, gems, apples, balloons, all things you love and are a symbol of you each. It all makes sense that he would do that for each of you all. It least, all makes sense except, “ her tone became darker as she said slowly,” for one ponies story.”

She lifted her gaze straight at Rainbow Dash, a mix of confusion, pity, and a hint of sadness in her gaze. All eyes followed and each stared silently at a confused and nervous Rainbow.

The pegasus shifted in her seat as she said shakily “ Wh-what do you mean Twi?”

“I mean, it doesn't make sense. Why would he chose to create a mirage of cloudsdale to convince you to abandon us? Why not the Wonderbolts you love so much. He could have done it to where you would choose between helping your friends to joining the wonderbolts. After all, nightmare moon even tried that approach back at the beginning of our friendship. Why, of all things to chose from, did he chose a choice between us and cloudsdale? You don’t even live there anymore. So why?”

“Why did it matter that cloudsdale was safe?”

“I- uh. you see I uh.....” Rainbow tried to say. Sweat poured down her face and her eyes shifted nervously to each ponies face. No one dared move for breaking the fragile silence. Minutes passed that felt like hours and Rainbow still said nothing, but looked down at her hooves and squirm as if she were sitting on hot coals.

Rarity thought she might have to start the conversation again, but Rainbow spoke before it became necessary.

“I...its not important. He just tricked me with it, thats all. The important thing is that we kicked his sorry flank!” she said feebly.

“That’s not my question. I said “Why”,” Twilight said gently but firmly.

“I...don’t want to talk about it…” she said looking away from Twilight’s gaze and at the floor.

Fluttershy timidly laid her hoof on her friends shoulder and softly said, “Rainbow, we're your friends. You know you can tell us anything?”

Rainbow Dash spun around and yelled in her face, “I CAN’T!”

Fluttershy looked rather hurt as tears began to stream down her face. She withdrew her hoof and said meekly, “ oh.”

“Flutters...I-I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to yell and get upset at you. I-I…please forgive me!?!,” she said, her arms outstretched.

“I do. And I’m sorry if our probing was too much for you.” Fluttershy accepted her friends offered embrace.

“ I’m sorry to Rainbow. I shouldn’t have pushed it so far,” Twilight said

“It’s okay Twi, its just….I’d rather not talk about it.”

Apple jack cocked her head and said carefully “ So, its more than just...a past home to you?”

Rainbow sighed, “ You could say that. In fact, its always been more than just a home to me.”

Everypony waited for her to continue.

“We’re listening,” Rarity said with an eager expression. In fact, everypony were basically on the end of their seats.

“ I-I don’t know.” She turned away from the group. Fluttershy pulled her chin up to meet her eyes. What Rainbow saw was nothing more than the kind look of a friend that says ”I’m here for you. You can do it, I know.”

Rainbow smiled back, and faced the mares. Taking a deep breath, she began.

“Every mare grows up differently in a different place with a different family. There are small families, large families, fair sized families. Some are fun, quiet, loud, smart. A lot of families are caring and in accord with one another. Some families...aren’t so good. The parents argue and fight, the foals are depressed and don’t receive the love they deserve. Then, there are those few, very scarce families...that...seem to forget.

They work too hard. Day and night, in and out. They never take time for their foals or foal. They may be them or it nice things. the best they can afford, but its not the same. The same as having your dad play hoof ball with you amongst the clouds or...flying in a soft breeze beside your mom. The toys they buy their kid, they can never hug you, they can never tell you how much you love and our proud of them. Because the precious moments you spend with those you love and who love you, that’s what matters most in a fillies life.

That’s what meant most to me in my filly hood life.

I loved them very much, but they were almost never there. When ever I did see them, it was always with a smile. They did love me. They thought what they were doing was best. It was the best they knew.Each parent grew up in a home with plenty of brothers and sisters. They never knew what it was like to be a single foal.

They place I grew up in was on the edge of cloudsdale, near the weather factory. Its where my parents worked. Unfortunately, not many other younger colts and fillies lived there. Ever since I was four, I grew up practically alone, always practicing my flying. I wanted very much to be a wonderbolt when I grew up and trained since there was nothing else to do.

When I was of age, I went to school like any other filly or colt. I tried my best to study, but the long hours in a desk,without the feeling of a current under my wings, I just never got much into it. I did try for my parents sake. I received a few D’s but I was a fairly good B student. I..never grew up with any friends. I knew a few fillies but they were always too girly for me. My parents...they loved me, but I never thought of them as my friends.

So it never surprised me when any of the fillies and colts asked me to play and I declined. I never did like any of the activities or clubs. Only sports caught my interest and for most of the time I spent in middle, I played on the mares hoofball team. It was actually fun and I enjoyed the competitiveness it held. I was a very good player, but..not the best teammate. I was just barely allowed to play for the whole season. When I moved up into highschool, the wouldn’t let me join again. Without any sports, no friends, no family, and that normal teenage stage, things only went south from there.

 Often when a young teen has “nothing” to do, mischief often happens. Without a team to practice for, I had a bit more time on my hoofs. I can’t say I put it to good use. Our neighborhood is split into two parts. The part I live in is clean and has a lot of good ponies living it it, but if you were to travel south, closer to the edge, its not a pretty sight.

Most of cloudsdale dump and trash is taken there, were some pegasi will take it down to the ground to have disposed of. So most of its is rather trashed and smells. Not too many good ponies live their either. Mainly four types of ponies reside there. The first is really old ponies who can’t afford much and have to live there. Secondly, some shady dealers like flim and flam usually hide out there. Hermits are the third type. Ponies who just want to be left alone without the possibility of visitors, and trust me, you won’t see many tourists in that place. The last is the worst. It’s a place for the “ cool” teens.

Basically, they vandalized and loiter around it. They are usually up to no good. I should know, I was on of them. My parents told me to never go there, but I was young and didn’t listen. I was curious and bored, so I went. I traveled the dark alleys, looking for some fun to do, but what I found was something entirely different from my way of having fun.

I was heading down an alley that reeked with the smell of garbage. I honestly thought I was going to pass out! I hugged my sports jacket closer to me, trying to keep out the damp air. It was a dead end, a large wall of brick met me at the end. I saw an old poster on it, hanging limply by an old nail. I trotted closer to get a better look. On the way, I passed a large dumpster.

Maybe if I had the sense to look around it, I would have found them, but the shadow the dumpster and concealed them from my sight. Once I had reached the poster, I saw it was an advertisement for a past circus show. I stood there a moment, shrugged, and turned to leave.