Diamond Dancer.by A Rare SightChaptersHaunted Memories.Broken.Dawn of a New Day.Haunted Memories.Author's Note This is an opening chapter to Diamond Dancers story. It is taking place about 25% into the overall arc. I found this would be a great place to start off this story. Anyway This Oc Character belongs to RarityEQM.- If you have not read her stuff I insist you do, she is quite the lovely writer. While giving her stories a well deserved read, I say also look into Diamond Dancers Character sheet.- it is very interesting to say the least. I only hope I can do the character justice. Anyway please enjoy the story, coming chapter's will be longer. and updates will be more frequent than my other works. Thank you all, Rare. Haunted Memories. " There it is! " Crimson Rose yelped in delight to her PFF Diamond Dancer, both small fillies sitting atop a large pile of trash across the street of a old building. Diamond Dancer was a small eight year old pegasus with a beautiful silver coat, though at the moment was a bit dirty with brown blotches across her body. Her Icy blue mane was a tangled mess from a lack of a decent bath in a while, her matching colored tail swishing side to side nervously. " I don't know Rose.- I have a bad feeling about this. " Dancer sighed, her crystal blue hues gazing down softly to the trash under her hooves. Crimson Rose the earth pony of the same age rolled her dark green eyes, she had a sleek orange coat covered in the same blotches. Her mane was a mixture of dark red and orange, giving it the affect of being on fire at times if you could catch it in just the right light. " Oh c'mon Dancer!- not like you can't take a hit. " Rose rolled her eyes towards her friend. " Maybe.- But that doesn't mean it still doesn't hurt. " Dancer replied shrugging her shoulders cutely. " I'm telling you, I saw like three stallions carry a chest into that building!- and what do chests hold? " Rose bit her lower lip happily a small squee escaping afterwards. " Clothes? " Dancer giggled with an eye roll, enjoying annoying her friend. " Yes!- I mean No!- Har-har it means treasure!, enough to get both of us off these streets. " Rose slowly gazed down to the ground with green hues, her ears folding back sadly. Dancer felt a pinge of guilt within her small frame, ever since the first day she took to the streets of Manehatten alone leaving behind the cold walls of " Sunny Skies." it was Rose who had always been there for her. Sharing what little food she had and even teaching her how to "Borrow" from others to survive. If it was not for her she might not have made it this long within the city., Dancer knew she couldn't refuse her friends request. " Ok.- I'll help. " Dancer took a deep breath before flashing a smile to Rose. " Yes!!! " Rose squealed jumping atop her friend playfully, both fillies rolling around in the trash giggling. " So...do we go now? " Dancer smiled as she playfully pushed Rose off her, the earth pony giggling. " Not quite now.- I want to wait till night fall., better for a getaway. " Rose winked. " Tonight our lives change forever." Rose smiled gazing up towards the sky as she fell back onto a large trash bag. Dancer nodded along, deep within hoping her friend was correct. If only she knew ahead of time, how much this night would change their lives. She would have never agreed to help. Dancer gazed to her friend in silence an odd feeling of deja vu overtaking her mind, everything around her started to become hazy and numb. The large building's around them started to decay, the streets turning dark and murky as the sky turned a pitch black. " You ok? " Rose asked tilting her head to the side. Dancer looked to her friend worriedly., the world around her turning a dark red a sudden surge of light flashing before her eyes. Within seconds the Rose she knew was gone., replaced by a filly who was sickly and tormented. Roses body was sunken inward, her ribcage clearly visible through her fur. The mane that once looked colorful and vibrant was now dull and falling out. Worst of all her limbs were twisted and bruised. Her eyes gazing to Dancer with a look of hate. " You did this. " Rose spoke weakly in spite, her breathing loud and shallow. " No...I tried to help. " Dancer whimpered softly, ears folding back as she took a few steps away. " You failed. " Rose growled. " I'm sorry. " She replied in a quivering tone. " No.- You're not sorry..." Rose hissed slowly standing to her hooves, the bones in her legs shattering under the simple weight of her body. Dancer felt sick, the sight of the bones poking through her fur glistening in bright red blood sent a chill down her spine. " Not yet. " Rose whispered her lower jaw dislocating, as Dancer screamed aloud. Everything around her growing pitch black. With only the sound of breaking bones to keep her company. " Please! " Dancer struggled to catch her breath as she jolted up from her slumber. The filly struck the nearby ledge of the rooftop hard with her hoof, a loose brick swiftly falling free and popping the young one in the head with a a dull thud. Yet no blood dripped from her forehead nor did a yelp of pain escape her lips. Diamond Dancer merely huffed aloud annoyed, her clear blue eyes gazing up into the dark sky over Manehatten in deep thought. The days of her past running through her mind swiftly, such as a shooting star in the sky. Dancer had always thought of herself as a normal filly in the world of Equestria, yet to others around her they all could see something special within her. That special something was none other than her gift. What Gift? Since the day she fell from the sky high above, down to the unforgiving earth below. She has had the ability to take more physical damage to her body, than a normal pony should. Not like able to take a punch across the cheek either, more akin to being able to plummet from a cloud floating above the world, strike a rock on the way down and roll off into a ditch kind of damage. Which is sort of what she did, the day she truly began to see the power of her gift. Was the same day she lost her parents as well. Found alone on the outskirts of the city as a foal, having fell from the sky, with not a scratch upon her body. From there she had been placed in a home for lost foals by the name " Sunny Skies.", Despite the namesake that place never felt like a home. It was more a less a cold and bleak place, ponies swept the lost children into, and out of the way of other's. It was there she was called a "Nudge." a derogatory term for a Pegasus foal that was pushed off from a cloud to it's death below, most foal's stricken with this fate were due to the parents wishing not to be held down my a child in their lives. Diamond knew that wasn't the case with her, deep inside her heart she knew she had accidentally fallen below. That out there even now her mother and father were searching for her, only wishing to hold their daughter in their hooves once more. It was at Sunny Skies she stayed for year's to come, unable to make friend's due to her gift. Fillies feared her as the colts would simply taunt her with the namesake of being a freak. Or simply try and pick fights with her, to prove she wasn't invincable. Fight's which they all lost. Foster homes were no better, each just a house never a home. Fake smiles and small two week stays with familes, filled her days until her eighth birthday. Unable to find her a home and coupled with the fact she was what they called a "Problem Filly.", Sunny Skies made the choice to send her off to Luna knows where. She knew if she didn't make a go of it, then her life would be just a series of heartbreaks. So under the cover of night she made a break into the city, vanishing onto the street's to survive day by day. And soon meeting her friend Crimson Rose.- A friend she ran with until that nightmare. A theft gone wrong had left Rose crippled for life. Her condition getting so bad, that Rose had to be left at the nearby medical center. Confined to a bed, test's run upon her constantly in search for a cure. Alone afterwards, Dancer had stumbled upon a teenage pegasus named Star Strider. He had taken her in, which is where she found herself presently. Helping Strider do simple con's, most of which annoyed her. Such as getting hit by carriage's then hamming it up, as he stole every nearby vendor blind of their snacks and food. That kind of thing.- It wasn't glorious, but better than being alone. The sound of hoofsteps caused her ears to perk up cutely, slowly sitting up on her hind hooves, she glanced behind her to see a dark raven coat shimmer in the glow of the night. A white mane with a slight buzz cut style blew back, a crisp night breeze passing by. " Hi Star." Dancer spoke in barely a whisper gazing down to her hooves, it had been a long day today and she had gone and woke up Star Strider. The colts soft blue eyes weren't filled with anger nor annoyance, but instead that of slight worry for the young filly. Or perhaps it was pity? Dancer had to admit, she sometimes had trouble reading other's. " What's the racket bout Danca? " Star asked with a yawn, his accent that of many found in the lower part of Manehatten. " Not much- just thinking about the past. " The filly narrowed her eyes in slight sadness to the larger colt, Star walking over to her in silence as he plopped down with a thud. " Dangerous pass time kid.- You know what I say..." Star began to speak the filly cutting him off mid sentence. " Ya can't change da past, so why worries bout it. " Dancer did her best impression of the colt, earning a slight glare shot down to her from above. " I don't sound like that kid. " Star rolled his blue hues, the filly giggling some which he enjoyed, at least she was calming down a bit. " I'm sorry Star, and I know I can't do anything to change what's been done but..." Dancer folded her ears back completely, Star raising a brow in silence. " I just wish that once, just once I could find a sign.- that maybe would lead me home." Dancer placed her muzzle down sadly, small hooves folding across her face to hide the tears within her eyes. Star huffed slightly in a deep thought, he felt bad for the child, she was so young yet had already seen enough to break some ponies for life. Against is cynical outlook, he decided he should give the filly just something to hope for. Blue hues darted about the rooftop of the abandoned building they were upon, in search for anything he could make up a fib about. With a single glance to the sky, the twinkling stars above gave him his muse. " Pfft.- That is kinda possible, didn't you know? " Star remarked in a casual tone, the filly gazing up to him with sparkling tear soaked eyes. " It...is? " She asked a bit confused, the colt smirking sheepishly. " Uhhh yeah!- you see if ya wish upon a stars and such, you can get a wish granted kid. " Star spoke unsure of what he was trying to say, yet the filly perked up with happiness and renewed hope. " Any star? " She quickly snapped her neck upward, eyes filled with the reflection of the dozens of stars in the sky. " Whoa!- not any star kid, what ya think wishes be a dime a dozen? " Star quickly replied before the filly began wishing on every star in the cosmos. " No kid!- it has to be a Shootin Star and you have to wish with a pure heart and the such.- you do that and ya golden! " Star smirked saving his own hide with some quick thinking. " Wow! " The filly whispered in awe, her eyes locked upon the sky. " You feeling betta now kid?- cause I'm a beaten horse. " Star yawned aloud, eyes drooping sleepily. " Mmmmhmm." Dancer hummed in a soft tone, curling up in a small ball next to Star. " G'nite kid." Star sighed closing his eyes, lying beside the filly. " Good night Star.- Thank you for talking to me. " Dancer whispered as she softly nudged the colt with her muzzle. " Mmmmhrrrr..." Was the only reply she got back. Looking high into the sky, Dancer watched closely for a Shooting Star to appear. Thought's filling with the idea of having any wish granted. She could wish Rose better. Or wish to be normal, like everypony else. Maybe wish Star and herself off the streets. Or perhaps. Just maybe. Wish she could be home.- safe with her mom and dad. Would wishing for her own happiness be pure? Dancer slowly closed her eyes, drifting into the dreamworld. Mind heavy with questions. Broken.Author's Note Sorry for the slight delay. Had a wedding to attend last week. The final scene between Strider and Dancer was Written by RarityEQM. A cute scene in my opinion. Broken. The sun outside slowly began to rise, lifting higher and higher into the sky above Manehatten. Its warm ray's pouring into the small open window of Lifeline Hospital, the white room within growing brighter as a small orange filly awoke from her slumber. Crimson Rose was placed on her side facing the window, small hooves placed at her side with the upmost of ease by the nurses of this hospital. She loved waking-up to the sun rising, its rays warming her fur while reminding her of better days. The days she wasn't bound to a bed, unable to move a hoof or swish her tail. The smallest of movements threatening to shatter her bones to pieces, much like a priceless work of art, she was to be seen and rarely touched by other's. That day when whatever was in that chest dropped upon her, haunted her memories, the day she had been infected with what the doctor's here called The S-Virus. A horrible condition that caused her bones to become brittle with each passing day, the pain of simply lying down sometimes too much to bare. Dr.Holiday the head doctor here, did the best he could to treat her, having found her at the door to the hospital on a dark stormy night. Her old friend Dancer had carried her across town to Lifelines front steps, worried that she might perish once odd symptom's had begun to appear. It once was simply aching in her joints, now within the span of just two year's she had been stricken to complete bedrest. Any movement not under the care of Dr.Holiday himself, could shatter her completely. A life unable to move, unable to play. Or simply bathe herself. This existence felt closer to a nightmare, every passing day. If it wasn't for him, she might have already given up. " How is my lovely Rose? " The voice of a stallion spoke as the sound of a door opening caught the fillies attention. " I'd be lying da...doctor if I said I was fine. " Rose sighed hearing Dr.Holiday walk around her bed into her view, the earth pony was a brilliant mind and caring to boot. He treated her as if she were normal, everyday reassuring her, he would cure her in time. His words sparking hope deep within her soul, those promises keeping her warm during the cold nights. In her eyes he was more than a doctor, he was like a father. " Now don't go losing hope my love, each day we come a bit closer to a cure. " Holiday smiled as he ran his hoof delicately across her withering mane, the filly flashing a weak smile. " I'll try..." Rose spoke with a smile, her voice filled with doubt. Holiday sighed, the lean earth pony slowly sliding his hoof into the right pocket of the lab coat he was wearing, his slick black mane swept back neatly. He did feel pity for this child, but her body was a goldmine of information. He had ran across many deadly diseases in his time, but none came close to the S-Virus. It was filled with defenses to survive and the abilities to destroy. The closest thing to death itself he had seen, if he could crack what made this virus tick, then he might be able to create cures for other illnesses for generation's to come. Would this filly survive to see that day? Most likely not, but she didn't need to know that. Removing a slender box from his coat, he placed it before the filly in silence, her eyes widening in fear at the mere sight of it. " Must we do that again? " She spoke voice quivering. " I'm so sorry Rose, but I need more samples. " Holiday replied his voice calm and soothing to the filly. Gently clipping open the box, he lifted its top to reveal a slender shot within. A long pointed needle shimmering in the light as he lifted it up to his eyes. " Just relax, think of happy times.- I'll be as quick as I can. " Holiday smiled to his patient, slowly walking to the other side of the bed, the filly closing her eyes awaiting the pain to come. Crimson knew no matter what she thought of, the pain would be unbearable. Holiday took a deep breath, lifting the needle as it slowly began to pierce the childs backside. " Ready? " He asked in a reassuring tone. " Just do it! " Rose spoke through gritted teeth, a single tear rolling down her cheek. The stallion nodded in silence pushing the needle deep into her backside, the wickedly long needle pushing inward into the childs spine to take another sample. Rose screamed aloud in pain unable to control her body, her right hoof lifted in pain , the sudden lift in weight causing the bone in her leg to snap. Her scream's filling the hallways of the hospital. " So when ya hit the ground. try to aim for a carriage. " Strider spoke with a calm tone of voice, holding two rotten tomatoes, one in each hoof, his gaze filled with focus. " Isn't falling off top a building good enough? " Dancer rolled her eyes, small hooves atop the ledge of the building as she gazed down below, watching many ponies walking about through the streets. " I will admit kid it's impressive, but no. if you can't hit a moving carriage, smack into a pony or sumthin. " Strider spoke in a serious tone before crushing both rotten tomatoes atop the childs head. A rancid stench filling the air around her, as the young stallion smeared the red juices all across Dancers coat. The small filly lifting her hoof to her muzzle and taking a whiff, eyes widening in pure shock. " Ohh!- I smell like I died week's ago!! " Dancer placed both small hooves over her nose to block out the smell. " It ain't that bad kid, the bag I found em' in had four in it- I ate two and they tasted alright." Strider smirked as the filly lowered her hooves down in shock. " Ewww!, you ate some? " She asked with a squeal, the pegasus just shrugging nonchalantly, his hooves quickly pushing her off the ledge, plummeting down to the street below. The fall down to the street below, came in what felt like slow motion, the wind softly caressing her mane as her small frame sliced through the air with ease. For a split second it felt soothing to her soul, then she snapped open her eyes, just in time to come face to face with the roof of a carriage. The small filly smashed face first into the roof of a moving carriage, her body bouncing with force to the right side, only to hit the roof of another carriage. The pony gasping for air as she rolled off the roof and onto the road, a passing carriage unable to stop, simply running over the small child with multiple thuds. " Oh My Celestia!!! " A mare screamed in horror as she lifted a hoof up and fainted. Ponies from every corner of the street rushed around the child, her fur soaked in what they thought was red blood. Vendor's, driver's and simple ponies just out for the day, formed a circle around her limp body. Dancer kept her eyes as closed as she could, hearing the sad whisper's of those around her. Taking shallow breathes, she prayed to Luna that Strider would hurry up and steal some fresh food, she hated being the center of attention, most of all when everypony thought you were dead. " Stay back everypony!- nothing to see here." A guard on duty from a local store spoke in a calm tone, trying to usher ponies away from the scene. Strider swiftly making his way to the many fruit vendor's unattended, swiping as much food as he could, while the crowd was busy. Within the crowd one young pegasus slowly stepped outward towards Dancer, she had a flowing bright red mane that almost sparkled in the sunlight. Her coat was a pale yellow color, a small basket of freshly picked flower's tied around her neck. The yellow filly folded her ears back sadly, approaching Dancer in silence, gazing upon her, the child placed the flowers she had collected around Dancer with the upmost care, the guard too busy holding back the crowd to notice. " Dear Celestia, this girl is just about my age, I know not how she fell nor how she lived, but please offer her a place within your warm embrace and take away all the pain she might have felt. " The pegasus spoke in the most melodic soft tone Dancer had ever heard, yet above all thing's she was offering a prayer to her. Dancer slowly crept her light blue eyes open completely, watching the yellow filly continue her prayer holding back tears. She felt really bad for fooling this girl and everypony else, a pinge of guilt growing in her small frame. " Phst.- I'm ok don't cry. " Dancer lifted up her head slowly, tomato juice running down her head and onto the ground eerily. "........AHHHHHH!!! " The filly screamed in horror quickly bolting off towards the alleyway, everypony quickly gazing over to her in shock and confusion. " I...sorry!! " Dancer stumbled over her words, cheeks blushing a light pink color before she ran off after the frightened filly. The crowd unsure what just happened slowly began to disassemble, Strider barely making his way behind the corner of a nearby dumpster. He had swiped some food but not as much as he would have preferred, what in Equestria caused that kid to jump up like she did was beyond him. Dancer struggled to catch her breath as she ran deeper into the alleyway, taking a few twist's and turn's around the grimy streets. Following the yellow fillies hoofsteps she hoped she could catch up to her, yet in a surprise the hoofsteps lead right to a dead end. Dancer came to a complete stop, gently plopping down to her hind hooves, eyes darting about the narrow alleyway and towards the tall wall before her in silence. " I'm sorry for scaring you, it's just I was caught off guard by your kindness! " Dancer yelled out into the alley, her voice echoing around her. " My dumb friend made me do it, please don't be mad at me! " Dancer folded back her ears slowly. " I hope you're alright, you just remind me of a old friend..." Dancer sighed aloud slowly walking back the way she had come, unknown to her a small dirty box beside a large dumpster lifted up, the yellow pegasus watching Dancer walk away in curiosity. " So, tell me 'bout this pal o' yours. " The voice was harsh and unexpected, but riddled with a rare warmth Diamond hardly heard slip from Star Strider. The teenaged pegasus was laying next to her on a hilltop- at the outskirts of the city of Manehatten, where the two of them had gone to partake in Diamond's new favorite past time- watching stars. " Who? Crim? She's just...you know...she was my friend..." Diamond muttered idly, not giving into the prying curiosityshe could feel tugging at her from Star's voice. The colt didn't give up though. " Look, kid, it ain't exactly like you're miss popularity out here. Friends is what I'd call a rare commodity for ponies like you, and me. You want as many as you can get. What happened to you two? " Star Strider asked, lifting up on his elbows to peer into the black sky above him. " We were doin' a job and things went south. Like, really south." Diamond sighed quietly. A spark of excitement flashed in Star Strider's eyes and his ebony lips twisted into a ivory grin. " Oh yeah? So what your sayin is she's locked up? Hey, no problemo- All we gotta do is spring the kid, you are talkin to the primo lock picker in all of Manehatten! " Strider purred quietly, but Diamond rolled her eyes. " No, she ain't locked up. She's at...She's at Lifeline Hospital. She got real sick...got covered in this goop or somethin, I...I tried to save her, Strider, I really did! " Diamond blurted out suddenly. Star Strider winced quietly. Sure, he felt bad for her friend, but the opportunity to make a new connection was gone, and that irked him. Well...maybe not... " So you're sayin' she ain't locked up? Well, why don't we just take a stroll to Lifeline and- " " She don't wanna to see me. Fact is if she could, I bet she'd try and strangle me to death for what I did to her. She's real sick and it's all my fault." Diamond sighed. " Awww, come on kid, I bet she don't hate you. She probably misses you a whole bunch! Sides, we could probably swipe a buncha medicine from the hospital, and sell it to- Whoa, whoa, whoa, evil eyes, geex, calm down kiddo, you could kill somepony with a look like that, take it easy! " Strider whimpered, catching a death glare from Diamond. " Alright, alright, we'll nix the medical discounts, but I still say you oughta drop in on your friend. " Strider offered with a sheepish grin. Diamond gave another little huff. " Me and she? We ain't friends...not no more." Diamond grumbled. Star shrugged his shoulders, and leaned back on the soft grass, peering up to the sky quietly. " Well...tell you what, make a wish and tomorrow we'll see how you feel about goin' ta talk to her, alright? " " ...Alright, Strider..." Diamond said softly, and gazed up to the twinkling dots high in the night sky. " Star light... Star bright..." Dawn of a New Day.Author's Note Credit to RarityEQM for help with some scenes and character development. Dawn of a New Day. The moon glowed eerily in the dark sky high above, no star's sparkled within the vast sky, instead dark grey cloud's floated overhead in silence. A clear warning that something bad was about to happen on this cold chill night. Crimson Rose allowed her small tongue to stick out of the side of her mouth, small delicate hooves gently feeling across the large weather worn wall of their target for this night. Diamond Dancer was keeping a look out in a uneasy manner, her eyes darting from the empty street behind her to her friend before her. " What are you even doing Crim? " Dancer pouted as the orange filly in front of her rolled dark green hues, using her small hooves to knock softly against the many bricks across the wall. " If you must know, all these old building's in the city are falling apart..." Rose narrowed her eyes cutely at the lower edge of the building. " From decade's of nopony giving a flying hay! " Rose folded her ears back, doing a small turn she bucked the chosen area with all her might. A sudden sound of brick's nudging, filled the air around the children. Rose giggled giving the wall a few more bucks, until the lower wall gave way, the brick's falling over with a thud a small hole appearing on the wall. " Ta-da!- we have our very own door! " Rose happily snickered as she quickly lowered her belly to the ground, cutely sliding herself into the hole, only to have her round little backside get stuck on the outer edge. Diamond sighed watching Rose kick her little legs back and forth, trying with all her might to squeeze into the building. The Silver filly slowly walked over to her friend in need, using her hoof to gently poke Rose on the backside a few times. " I think you might be big boned Rosie..." Diamond giggled as she nudged Rose on the butt with her hoof playfully, only to have her friends tail slap her across the face swiftly. " Not funny!- help me!! " Rose yelped in a muffled tone as Diamond rolled her eyes. " One for the bit's and two for the show..." Diamond spun around lifting her hindlegs up, with a small smile she swiftly bucked her friend softly through the hole, a small thud filling the air. " Ow....thank you..." Rose mumbled through the hole, Diamond slowly lowering to her own belly and swiftly sliding through the hole with no problem at all. Inside both fillies gazed ahead in awe, the room was filled with many boxes, some towering high close to the roof, while other's were small and neatly stacked against the corners of the room. Each box had weird labels written across them, neither Rose nor Diamond had any idea what they could mean. " Pr-Oooo-je-k?- thir-theeen? " Rose spoke aloud, tilting her head to the side cutely as she tried to read a label off the largest box. " Project Thirteen? " Diamond whispered as she slowly walked up behind her friend. " Phst, I forgot you're a egghead Dia. " Rose rolled her eyes as she trotted away from the shadow of the large box. " I'm not a genius or anything, just Sunny Skies kinda doubled as a school. " Diamond huffed following after her friend, trying to keep quite, the large cold room sending a slight chill down her spine. " Book smarts is overrated, Street smarts is what will get a filly through a tough time. " Rose blew a soft raspberry to the silver filly behind her, trotting across the worn dirty floor's carefree in attitude. Diamond was a bit more conservative, keeping her ears folded down and aware of her surrounding's. She was expecting something to pop out from the shadow's any minute now, to chase them out of the building and probably down the street. Yet no shadowy figure pounced towards them, nor did a monster of darkness attack the young children. Only silence surrounded them this night. Rose let her dark green eyes gaze around the room, searching for the old wooden chest that haunted her thought's. Diamond kept close to her friend, hoping deep inside they might find nothing, so they could both get out of the small cramped room and back outside into the cool open night. The orange filly pushed a few boxes out of the way with her hooves, small rattles of metal or glass could be heard from within as they shifted about. Diamond wondered exactly what could this building be used to hide, if somepony went out of their way to stock item's in this dark eerie place, it couldn't be good. " I found it! " A loud yelp from Rose caught her attention, followed by a small sweet squee. Diamond snaped her head forward, watching as her friend pulled the large chest out from the middle of a group of boxes. Rose giggled with delight, eyes lit up much like stars in the sky, small hooves clutched on the side before she quickly flicked the turn lock on the front clockwise. A small click echoed through the room, both fillies casting a curious gaze to the chest. " This is it!- tonight our lives change girl! " Rose smiled, both fillies placing their hooves on the lid, giving a slight push they pryed open the chest, both swiftly gazing within in awe. No gold bit's nor gem's of every color greeted them, instead within the darkness of the chest was simply a glass vial of dark red liquid. Rose gently scooped up the vial in her hooves, gazing upon it in disappointment. " It's...nothing." Rose sighed, her eyes gently closing in a solemn silence. " Rose.- We should go." Diamond spoke up, knowing her friend was feeling the sting of all her dream's fading away into the abyss once more. " Is it too much to ask Dia, for one break in life? " Rose placed the vial at her side, trying with all her might to hold back tears from cascading down her cheeks. " It'll get better Crim, we just have to keep our faith alive..." Diamond tried to ease her friends mind, placing a delicate hoof atop the sad fillies shoulder. " Always waiting for your shooting star huh? " Rose huffed with a slight roll of the eyes, listening to what her friend had to say, yet not believing a single word of it. The growing silence within the room was suddenly broken, the sound of the front door to the building swinging open caught both children off guard, Diamond quickly shoved her friend forward to hide. Rose winced in slight pain, her hoof crushing down on the small vial at her side, the glass shattering in a soft echo, cutting into her hoof deeply while the strange red liquid found its way into her body. Both fillies hid behind a large wooden crate, ears folded back unsure what to expect. Rose let her eyes fall to her hoof, a burning sensation spreading up her leg slowly. The door came to a close after a second, as two large stallion's walked into the main area of the room. Both were dirty and walked with a slight slouch, just from a small gaze Diamond figured they were probably thugs. The first stallion a large grey coated fellow, gazed about the room, eyes filled with a sense of apathy. " Where is this so called "Sample" anyways? " The stallion yawned, his friend a large black stallion with a fading grey mane trotted up behind him swiftly. " It should be in the chest, be careful with it too-the boss said it's dangerous. " The black stallion rolled his eyes, pushing past his friend before gasping aloud. " Holy Buck! " He yelled in slight fright, eyes falling upon the broken vial shard's and the dark red liquid seeping into the wooden floor. " Phst. Looks like it's broken. " The white stallion shrugged. " No! Really? " The friend snapped eyes darting around the room, spotting Roses tail swishing side to side near the corner. " Damn the boss is going to have our asses on a silver platter." The white stallion groaned, his friend quietly reaching into a small nearby drawer, lifting out a crossbow ever so slowly. " Maybe.- but he might take it easy on us if we can catch him some rats..." The black stallion spoke aloud, pointing the crossbow towards the wooden crate. Diamond was scared to move her hooves, let alone try and poke her head out of the corner to see if they could make a run for it. Blue hues gazed behind her, Rose looked a bit pale in color, her hoof was bleeding quite a bit. Diamond knew if she didn't get it mended soon it could be bad. Collecting her courage, she counted down till she would peek out from behind the box. " Is it clear Dia? " Rose asked in a soft whisper, holding her hoof up in a small limp. Diamond huffed softly, quickly poking her head out from behind the crate, a loud popping noise filled the air shortly. Swiftly much like lightning, a bolt sailed through the air, the sharp metal edge hitting her square between the eyes. Where most fillies would of toppled over and bled out from there, Diamond merely winced softly, the clang of the bolt simply falling to the ground with a thud. " Nope just got a headshot. " Diamond quickly shook her head side to side cutely, before nudging her friend firmly, both fillies speeding off past the stallion's, who simply stood there in shock and confusion of what had just happened. " Get them! " The black stallion yelled, dropping the crossbow to the ground. The grey thug pounced hard onto Rose who screamed in terror, Diamond glared holding her head down and rushing forward. A loud crack filled the building as the small filly headbutted the full grown male with enough force to send him toppling back. Rose yelped softly breaking free as she quickly bolted off out the front door, Diamond shook of a slight daze quickly running off towards the door as well.Stopping only for a second to spin around and give their attacker's one last gaze. " What are you? " The black stallion asked never budging an inch, Diamond only sighing aloud before dashing off into the night. " Then, after a few days, she got sicker n' sicker still. In ain't no time at all, there was nothin' I could do. " Diamond spoke in a soft almost distant tone, light blue eyes filled with the formation of tears. " I...I pushed her. That's how it broke, ya' know? It was my fault! " Her voice whimpered with guilt. " I pushed her and it broke, tryin' ta hide. I said I'd go into that building- Said I'd follow her. Shoulda said somethin' then!- I Shouldn't have let her go! " The filly winced, a trail of tears running down her cheeks. Star Strider lifted a hoof to comfort the child, only to have small hooves swat him away. The sun in the sky had just begun to rise, the day starting off with his curious nature. Deep within his soul he knew he shouldn't have asked about Dia's mysterious friend. " No!- Don't ya' try and say it wasn't my fault!- I've stayed in the company of lies far too long." The filly spoke in a quivering tone, using delicate hooves to gently brush the tears away. " To be honest kid.-I wasn't goin' ta say that. " Strider stretched his hooves a bit, giving his wing's a slight pop. " If ya' think you're at fault, so be it!-But to wallow in fear of your mistake's is for rookies." Strider turned away from the small child, who glared towards him in silence. " I don't wallow! " Diamond pouted as the young stallion shrugged. " Phst!- then prove me wrong kid, go and face up to your past- It's the only way you'll ever really be able to move on." The stallion turned to face the child, his tall frame towering over the her smaller one. " If ya' can't do that!- I'm afraid you'll just be wallowin' and I don't have time for no babysittin' ! " The stallion flaunted a hoof as he quickly turned his back to the filly, hiding a small smirk. Diamond slowly wiped the tears away from her eyes, knowing deep down Strider spoke the truth. She had been running for so long, unless she faced her past, she'd never truly know peace. " I...You..." Diamond tried to find the right words, only to stumble over them. " I know! , I'm right!- Want a private escort to the hospital kid? " Strider smirked, turning his head slightly towards the filly. " Yes please. " Diamond spoke her eyes locking with the stallions, this day had begun cloudy yet she could sense the sun on the horizon.
Haunted Memories.Author's Note This is an opening chapter to Diamond Dancers story. It is taking place about 25% into the overall arc. I found this would be a great place to start off this story. Anyway This Oc Character belongs to RarityEQM.- If you have not read her stuff I insist you do, she is quite the lovely writer. While giving her stories a well deserved read, I say also look into Diamond Dancers Character sheet.- it is very interesting to say the least. I only hope I can do the character justice. Anyway please enjoy the story, coming chapter's will be longer. and updates will be more frequent than my other works. Thank you all, Rare. Haunted Memories. " There it is! " Crimson Rose yelped in delight to her PFF Diamond Dancer, both small fillies sitting atop a large pile of trash across the street of a old building. Diamond Dancer was a small eight year old pegasus with a beautiful silver coat, though at the moment was a bit dirty with brown blotches across her body. Her Icy blue mane was a tangled mess from a lack of a decent bath in a while, her matching colored tail swishing side to side nervously. " I don't know Rose.- I have a bad feeling about this. " Dancer sighed, her crystal blue hues gazing down softly to the trash under her hooves. Crimson Rose the earth pony of the same age rolled her dark green eyes, she had a sleek orange coat covered in the same blotches. Her mane was a mixture of dark red and orange, giving it the affect of being on fire at times if you could catch it in just the right light. " Oh c'mon Dancer!- not like you can't take a hit. " Rose rolled her eyes towards her friend. " Maybe.- But that doesn't mean it still doesn't hurt. " Dancer replied shrugging her shoulders cutely. " I'm telling you, I saw like three stallions carry a chest into that building!- and what do chests hold? " Rose bit her lower lip happily a small squee escaping afterwards. " Clothes? " Dancer giggled with an eye roll, enjoying annoying her friend. " Yes!- I mean No!- Har-har it means treasure!, enough to get both of us off these streets. " Rose slowly gazed down to the ground with green hues, her ears folding back sadly. Dancer felt a pinge of guilt within her small frame, ever since the first day she took to the streets of Manehatten alone leaving behind the cold walls of " Sunny Skies." it was Rose who had always been there for her. Sharing what little food she had and even teaching her how to "Borrow" from others to survive. If it was not for her she might not have made it this long within the city., Dancer knew she couldn't refuse her friends request. " Ok.- I'll help. " Dancer took a deep breath before flashing a smile to Rose. " Yes!!! " Rose squealed jumping atop her friend playfully, both fillies rolling around in the trash giggling. " So...do we go now? " Dancer smiled as she playfully pushed Rose off her, the earth pony giggling. " Not quite now.- I want to wait till night fall., better for a getaway. " Rose winked. " Tonight our lives change forever." Rose smiled gazing up towards the sky as she fell back onto a large trash bag. Dancer nodded along, deep within hoping her friend was correct. If only she knew ahead of time, how much this night would change their lives. She would have never agreed to help. Dancer gazed to her friend in silence an odd feeling of deja vu overtaking her mind, everything around her started to become hazy and numb. The large building's around them started to decay, the streets turning dark and murky as the sky turned a pitch black. " You ok? " Rose asked tilting her head to the side. Dancer looked to her friend worriedly., the world around her turning a dark red a sudden surge of light flashing before her eyes. Within seconds the Rose she knew was gone., replaced by a filly who was sickly and tormented. Roses body was sunken inward, her ribcage clearly visible through her fur. The mane that once looked colorful and vibrant was now dull and falling out. Worst of all her limbs were twisted and bruised. Her eyes gazing to Dancer with a look of hate. " You did this. " Rose spoke weakly in spite, her breathing loud and shallow. " No...I tried to help. " Dancer whimpered softly, ears folding back as she took a few steps away. " You failed. " Rose growled. " I'm sorry. " She replied in a quivering tone. " No.- You're not sorry..." Rose hissed slowly standing to her hooves, the bones in her legs shattering under the simple weight of her body. Dancer felt sick, the sight of the bones poking through her fur glistening in bright red blood sent a chill down her spine. " Not yet. " Rose whispered her lower jaw dislocating, as Dancer screamed aloud. Everything around her growing pitch black. With only the sound of breaking bones to keep her company. " Please! " Dancer struggled to catch her breath as she jolted up from her slumber. The filly struck the nearby ledge of the rooftop hard with her hoof, a loose brick swiftly falling free and popping the young one in the head with a a dull thud. Yet no blood dripped from her forehead nor did a yelp of pain escape her lips. Diamond Dancer merely huffed aloud annoyed, her clear blue eyes gazing up into the dark sky over Manehatten in deep thought. The days of her past running through her mind swiftly, such as a shooting star in the sky. Dancer had always thought of herself as a normal filly in the world of Equestria, yet to others around her they all could see something special within her. That special something was none other than her gift. What Gift? Since the day she fell from the sky high above, down to the unforgiving earth below. She has had the ability to take more physical damage to her body, than a normal pony should. Not like able to take a punch across the cheek either, more akin to being able to plummet from a cloud floating above the world, strike a rock on the way down and roll off into a ditch kind of damage. Which is sort of what she did, the day she truly began to see the power of her gift. Was the same day she lost her parents as well. Found alone on the outskirts of the city as a foal, having fell from the sky, with not a scratch upon her body. From there she had been placed in a home for lost foals by the name " Sunny Skies.", Despite the namesake that place never felt like a home. It was more a less a cold and bleak place, ponies swept the lost children into, and out of the way of other's. It was there she was called a "Nudge." a derogatory term for a Pegasus foal that was pushed off from a cloud to it's death below, most foal's stricken with this fate were due to the parents wishing not to be held down my a child in their lives. Diamond knew that wasn't the case with her, deep inside her heart she knew she had accidentally fallen below. That out there even now her mother and father were searching for her, only wishing to hold their daughter in their hooves once more. It was at Sunny Skies she stayed for year's to come, unable to make friend's due to her gift. Fillies feared her as the colts would simply taunt her with the namesake of being a freak. Or simply try and pick fights with her, to prove she wasn't invincable. Fight's which they all lost. Foster homes were no better, each just a house never a home. Fake smiles and small two week stays with familes, filled her days until her eighth birthday. Unable to find her a home and coupled with the fact she was what they called a "Problem Filly.", Sunny Skies made the choice to send her off to Luna knows where. She knew if she didn't make a go of it, then her life would be just a series of heartbreaks. So under the cover of night she made a break into the city, vanishing onto the street's to survive day by day. And soon meeting her friend Crimson Rose.- A friend she ran with until that nightmare. A theft gone wrong had left Rose crippled for life. Her condition getting so bad, that Rose had to be left at the nearby medical center. Confined to a bed, test's run upon her constantly in search for a cure. Alone afterwards, Dancer had stumbled upon a teenage pegasus named Star Strider. He had taken her in, which is where she found herself presently. Helping Strider do simple con's, most of which annoyed her. Such as getting hit by carriage's then hamming it up, as he stole every nearby vendor blind of their snacks and food. That kind of thing.- It wasn't glorious, but better than being alone. The sound of hoofsteps caused her ears to perk up cutely, slowly sitting up on her hind hooves, she glanced behind her to see a dark raven coat shimmer in the glow of the night. A white mane with a slight buzz cut style blew back, a crisp night breeze passing by. " Hi Star." Dancer spoke in barely a whisper gazing down to her hooves, it had been a long day today and she had gone and woke up Star Strider. The colts soft blue eyes weren't filled with anger nor annoyance, but instead that of slight worry for the young filly. Or perhaps it was pity? Dancer had to admit, she sometimes had trouble reading other's. " What's the racket bout Danca? " Star asked with a yawn, his accent that of many found in the lower part of Manehatten. " Not much- just thinking about the past. " The filly narrowed her eyes in slight sadness to the larger colt, Star walking over to her in silence as he plopped down with a thud. " Dangerous pass time kid.- You know what I say..." Star began to speak the filly cutting him off mid sentence. " Ya can't change da past, so why worries bout it. " Dancer did her best impression of the colt, earning a slight glare shot down to her from above. " I don't sound like that kid. " Star rolled his blue hues, the filly giggling some which he enjoyed, at least she was calming down a bit. " I'm sorry Star, and I know I can't do anything to change what's been done but..." Dancer folded her ears back completely, Star raising a brow in silence. " I just wish that once, just once I could find a sign.- that maybe would lead me home." Dancer placed her muzzle down sadly, small hooves folding across her face to hide the tears within her eyes. Star huffed slightly in a deep thought, he felt bad for the child, she was so young yet had already seen enough to break some ponies for life. Against is cynical outlook, he decided he should give the filly just something to hope for. Blue hues darted about the rooftop of the abandoned building they were upon, in search for anything he could make up a fib about. With a single glance to the sky, the twinkling stars above gave him his muse. " Pfft.- That is kinda possible, didn't you know? " Star remarked in a casual tone, the filly gazing up to him with sparkling tear soaked eyes. " It...is? " She asked a bit confused, the colt smirking sheepishly. " Uhhh yeah!- you see if ya wish upon a stars and such, you can get a wish granted kid. " Star spoke unsure of what he was trying to say, yet the filly perked up with happiness and renewed hope. " Any star? " She quickly snapped her neck upward, eyes filled with the reflection of the dozens of stars in the sky. " Whoa!- not any star kid, what ya think wishes be a dime a dozen? " Star quickly replied before the filly began wishing on every star in the cosmos. " No kid!- it has to be a Shootin Star and you have to wish with a pure heart and the such.- you do that and ya golden! " Star smirked saving his own hide with some quick thinking. " Wow! " The filly whispered in awe, her eyes locked upon the sky. " You feeling betta now kid?- cause I'm a beaten horse. " Star yawned aloud, eyes drooping sleepily. " Mmmmhmm." Dancer hummed in a soft tone, curling up in a small ball next to Star. " G'nite kid." Star sighed closing his eyes, lying beside the filly. " Good night Star.- Thank you for talking to me. " Dancer whispered as she softly nudged the colt with her muzzle. " Mmmmhrrrr..." Was the only reply she got back. Looking high into the sky, Dancer watched closely for a Shooting Star to appear. Thought's filling with the idea of having any wish granted. She could wish Rose better. Or wish to be normal, like everypony else. Maybe wish Star and herself off the streets. Or perhaps. Just maybe. Wish she could be home.- safe with her mom and dad. Would wishing for her own happiness be pure? Dancer slowly closed her eyes, drifting into the dreamworld. Mind heavy with questions.
Broken.Author's Note Sorry for the slight delay. Had a wedding to attend last week. The final scene between Strider and Dancer was Written by RarityEQM. A cute scene in my opinion. Broken. The sun outside slowly began to rise, lifting higher and higher into the sky above Manehatten. Its warm ray's pouring into the small open window of Lifeline Hospital, the white room within growing brighter as a small orange filly awoke from her slumber. Crimson Rose was placed on her side facing the window, small hooves placed at her side with the upmost of ease by the nurses of this hospital. She loved waking-up to the sun rising, its rays warming her fur while reminding her of better days. The days she wasn't bound to a bed, unable to move a hoof or swish her tail. The smallest of movements threatening to shatter her bones to pieces, much like a priceless work of art, she was to be seen and rarely touched by other's. That day when whatever was in that chest dropped upon her, haunted her memories, the day she had been infected with what the doctor's here called The S-Virus. A horrible condition that caused her bones to become brittle with each passing day, the pain of simply lying down sometimes too much to bare. Dr.Holiday the head doctor here, did the best he could to treat her, having found her at the door to the hospital on a dark stormy night. Her old friend Dancer had carried her across town to Lifelines front steps, worried that she might perish once odd symptom's had begun to appear. It once was simply aching in her joints, now within the span of just two year's she had been stricken to complete bedrest. Any movement not under the care of Dr.Holiday himself, could shatter her completely. A life unable to move, unable to play. Or simply bathe herself. This existence felt closer to a nightmare, every passing day. If it wasn't for him, she might have already given up. " How is my lovely Rose? " The voice of a stallion spoke as the sound of a door opening caught the fillies attention. " I'd be lying da...doctor if I said I was fine. " Rose sighed hearing Dr.Holiday walk around her bed into her view, the earth pony was a brilliant mind and caring to boot. He treated her as if she were normal, everyday reassuring her, he would cure her in time. His words sparking hope deep within her soul, those promises keeping her warm during the cold nights. In her eyes he was more than a doctor, he was like a father. " Now don't go losing hope my love, each day we come a bit closer to a cure. " Holiday smiled as he ran his hoof delicately across her withering mane, the filly flashing a weak smile. " I'll try..." Rose spoke with a smile, her voice filled with doubt. Holiday sighed, the lean earth pony slowly sliding his hoof into the right pocket of the lab coat he was wearing, his slick black mane swept back neatly. He did feel pity for this child, but her body was a goldmine of information. He had ran across many deadly diseases in his time, but none came close to the S-Virus. It was filled with defenses to survive and the abilities to destroy. The closest thing to death itself he had seen, if he could crack what made this virus tick, then he might be able to create cures for other illnesses for generation's to come. Would this filly survive to see that day? Most likely not, but she didn't need to know that. Removing a slender box from his coat, he placed it before the filly in silence, her eyes widening in fear at the mere sight of it. " Must we do that again? " She spoke voice quivering. " I'm so sorry Rose, but I need more samples. " Holiday replied his voice calm and soothing to the filly. Gently clipping open the box, he lifted its top to reveal a slender shot within. A long pointed needle shimmering in the light as he lifted it up to his eyes. " Just relax, think of happy times.- I'll be as quick as I can. " Holiday smiled to his patient, slowly walking to the other side of the bed, the filly closing her eyes awaiting the pain to come. Crimson knew no matter what she thought of, the pain would be unbearable. Holiday took a deep breath, lifting the needle as it slowly began to pierce the childs backside. " Ready? " He asked in a reassuring tone. " Just do it! " Rose spoke through gritted teeth, a single tear rolling down her cheek. The stallion nodded in silence pushing the needle deep into her backside, the wickedly long needle pushing inward into the childs spine to take another sample. Rose screamed aloud in pain unable to control her body, her right hoof lifted in pain , the sudden lift in weight causing the bone in her leg to snap. Her scream's filling the hallways of the hospital. " So when ya hit the ground. try to aim for a carriage. " Strider spoke with a calm tone of voice, holding two rotten tomatoes, one in each hoof, his gaze filled with focus. " Isn't falling off top a building good enough? " Dancer rolled her eyes, small hooves atop the ledge of the building as she gazed down below, watching many ponies walking about through the streets. " I will admit kid it's impressive, but no. if you can't hit a moving carriage, smack into a pony or sumthin. " Strider spoke in a serious tone before crushing both rotten tomatoes atop the childs head. A rancid stench filling the air around her, as the young stallion smeared the red juices all across Dancers coat. The small filly lifting her hoof to her muzzle and taking a whiff, eyes widening in pure shock. " Ohh!- I smell like I died week's ago!! " Dancer placed both small hooves over her nose to block out the smell. " It ain't that bad kid, the bag I found em' in had four in it- I ate two and they tasted alright." Strider smirked as the filly lowered her hooves down in shock. " Ewww!, you ate some? " She asked with a squeal, the pegasus just shrugging nonchalantly, his hooves quickly pushing her off the ledge, plummeting down to the street below. The fall down to the street below, came in what felt like slow motion, the wind softly caressing her mane as her small frame sliced through the air with ease. For a split second it felt soothing to her soul, then she snapped open her eyes, just in time to come face to face with the roof of a carriage. The small filly smashed face first into the roof of a moving carriage, her body bouncing with force to the right side, only to hit the roof of another carriage. The pony gasping for air as she rolled off the roof and onto the road, a passing carriage unable to stop, simply running over the small child with multiple thuds. " Oh My Celestia!!! " A mare screamed in horror as she lifted a hoof up and fainted. Ponies from every corner of the street rushed around the child, her fur soaked in what they thought was red blood. Vendor's, driver's and simple ponies just out for the day, formed a circle around her limp body. Dancer kept her eyes as closed as she could, hearing the sad whisper's of those around her. Taking shallow breathes, she prayed to Luna that Strider would hurry up and steal some fresh food, she hated being the center of attention, most of all when everypony thought you were dead. " Stay back everypony!- nothing to see here." A guard on duty from a local store spoke in a calm tone, trying to usher ponies away from the scene. Strider swiftly making his way to the many fruit vendor's unattended, swiping as much food as he could, while the crowd was busy. Within the crowd one young pegasus slowly stepped outward towards Dancer, she had a flowing bright red mane that almost sparkled in the sunlight. Her coat was a pale yellow color, a small basket of freshly picked flower's tied around her neck. The yellow filly folded her ears back sadly, approaching Dancer in silence, gazing upon her, the child placed the flowers she had collected around Dancer with the upmost care, the guard too busy holding back the crowd to notice. " Dear Celestia, this girl is just about my age, I know not how she fell nor how she lived, but please offer her a place within your warm embrace and take away all the pain she might have felt. " The pegasus spoke in the most melodic soft tone Dancer had ever heard, yet above all thing's she was offering a prayer to her. Dancer slowly crept her light blue eyes open completely, watching the yellow filly continue her prayer holding back tears. She felt really bad for fooling this girl and everypony else, a pinge of guilt growing in her small frame. " Phst.- I'm ok don't cry. " Dancer lifted up her head slowly, tomato juice running down her head and onto the ground eerily. "........AHHHHHH!!! " The filly screamed in horror quickly bolting off towards the alleyway, everypony quickly gazing over to her in shock and confusion. " I...sorry!! " Dancer stumbled over her words, cheeks blushing a light pink color before she ran off after the frightened filly. The crowd unsure what just happened slowly began to disassemble, Strider barely making his way behind the corner of a nearby dumpster. He had swiped some food but not as much as he would have preferred, what in Equestria caused that kid to jump up like she did was beyond him. Dancer struggled to catch her breath as she ran deeper into the alleyway, taking a few twist's and turn's around the grimy streets. Following the yellow fillies hoofsteps she hoped she could catch up to her, yet in a surprise the hoofsteps lead right to a dead end. Dancer came to a complete stop, gently plopping down to her hind hooves, eyes darting about the narrow alleyway and towards the tall wall before her in silence. " I'm sorry for scaring you, it's just I was caught off guard by your kindness! " Dancer yelled out into the alley, her voice echoing around her. " My dumb friend made me do it, please don't be mad at me! " Dancer folded back her ears slowly. " I hope you're alright, you just remind me of a old friend..." Dancer sighed aloud slowly walking back the way she had come, unknown to her a small dirty box beside a large dumpster lifted up, the yellow pegasus watching Dancer walk away in curiosity. " So, tell me 'bout this pal o' yours. " The voice was harsh and unexpected, but riddled with a rare warmth Diamond hardly heard slip from Star Strider. The teenaged pegasus was laying next to her on a hilltop- at the outskirts of the city of Manehatten, where the two of them had gone to partake in Diamond's new favorite past time- watching stars. " Who? Crim? She's just...you know...she was my friend..." Diamond muttered idly, not giving into the prying curiosityshe could feel tugging at her from Star's voice. The colt didn't give up though. " Look, kid, it ain't exactly like you're miss popularity out here. Friends is what I'd call a rare commodity for ponies like you, and me. You want as many as you can get. What happened to you two? " Star Strider asked, lifting up on his elbows to peer into the black sky above him. " We were doin' a job and things went south. Like, really south." Diamond sighed quietly. A spark of excitement flashed in Star Strider's eyes and his ebony lips twisted into a ivory grin. " Oh yeah? So what your sayin is she's locked up? Hey, no problemo- All we gotta do is spring the kid, you are talkin to the primo lock picker in all of Manehatten! " Strider purred quietly, but Diamond rolled her eyes. " No, she ain't locked up. She's at...She's at Lifeline Hospital. She got real sick...got covered in this goop or somethin, I...I tried to save her, Strider, I really did! " Diamond blurted out suddenly. Star Strider winced quietly. Sure, he felt bad for her friend, but the opportunity to make a new connection was gone, and that irked him. Well...maybe not... " So you're sayin' she ain't locked up? Well, why don't we just take a stroll to Lifeline and- " " She don't wanna to see me. Fact is if she could, I bet she'd try and strangle me to death for what I did to her. She's real sick and it's all my fault." Diamond sighed. " Awww, come on kid, I bet she don't hate you. She probably misses you a whole bunch! Sides, we could probably swipe a buncha medicine from the hospital, and sell it to- Whoa, whoa, whoa, evil eyes, geex, calm down kiddo, you could kill somepony with a look like that, take it easy! " Strider whimpered, catching a death glare from Diamond. " Alright, alright, we'll nix the medical discounts, but I still say you oughta drop in on your friend. " Strider offered with a sheepish grin. Diamond gave another little huff. " Me and she? We ain't friends...not no more." Diamond grumbled. Star shrugged his shoulders, and leaned back on the soft grass, peering up to the sky quietly. " Well...tell you what, make a wish and tomorrow we'll see how you feel about goin' ta talk to her, alright? " " ...Alright, Strider..." Diamond said softly, and gazed up to the twinkling dots high in the night sky. " Star light... Star bright..."
Dawn of a New Day.Author's Note Credit to RarityEQM for help with some scenes and character development. Dawn of a New Day. The moon glowed eerily in the dark sky high above, no star's sparkled within the vast sky, instead dark grey cloud's floated overhead in silence. A clear warning that something bad was about to happen on this cold chill night. Crimson Rose allowed her small tongue to stick out of the side of her mouth, small delicate hooves gently feeling across the large weather worn wall of their target for this night. Diamond Dancer was keeping a look out in a uneasy manner, her eyes darting from the empty street behind her to her friend before her. " What are you even doing Crim? " Dancer pouted as the orange filly in front of her rolled dark green hues, using her small hooves to knock softly against the many bricks across the wall. " If you must know, all these old building's in the city are falling apart..." Rose narrowed her eyes cutely at the lower edge of the building. " From decade's of nopony giving a flying hay! " Rose folded her ears back, doing a small turn she bucked the chosen area with all her might. A sudden sound of brick's nudging, filled the air around the children. Rose giggled giving the wall a few more bucks, until the lower wall gave way, the brick's falling over with a thud a small hole appearing on the wall. " Ta-da!- we have our very own door! " Rose happily snickered as she quickly lowered her belly to the ground, cutely sliding herself into the hole, only to have her round little backside get stuck on the outer edge. Diamond sighed watching Rose kick her little legs back and forth, trying with all her might to squeeze into the building. The Silver filly slowly walked over to her friend in need, using her hoof to gently poke Rose on the backside a few times. " I think you might be big boned Rosie..." Diamond giggled as she nudged Rose on the butt with her hoof playfully, only to have her friends tail slap her across the face swiftly. " Not funny!- help me!! " Rose yelped in a muffled tone as Diamond rolled her eyes. " One for the bit's and two for the show..." Diamond spun around lifting her hindlegs up, with a small smile she swiftly bucked her friend softly through the hole, a small thud filling the air. " Ow....thank you..." Rose mumbled through the hole, Diamond slowly lowering to her own belly and swiftly sliding through the hole with no problem at all. Inside both fillies gazed ahead in awe, the room was filled with many boxes, some towering high close to the roof, while other's were small and neatly stacked against the corners of the room. Each box had weird labels written across them, neither Rose nor Diamond had any idea what they could mean. " Pr-Oooo-je-k?- thir-theeen? " Rose spoke aloud, tilting her head to the side cutely as she tried to read a label off the largest box. " Project Thirteen? " Diamond whispered as she slowly walked up behind her friend. " Phst, I forgot you're a egghead Dia. " Rose rolled her eyes as she trotted away from the shadow of the large box. " I'm not a genius or anything, just Sunny Skies kinda doubled as a school. " Diamond huffed following after her friend, trying to keep quite, the large cold room sending a slight chill down her spine. " Book smarts is overrated, Street smarts is what will get a filly through a tough time. " Rose blew a soft raspberry to the silver filly behind her, trotting across the worn dirty floor's carefree in attitude. Diamond was a bit more conservative, keeping her ears folded down and aware of her surrounding's. She was expecting something to pop out from the shadow's any minute now, to chase them out of the building and probably down the street. Yet no shadowy figure pounced towards them, nor did a monster of darkness attack the young children. Only silence surrounded them this night. Rose let her dark green eyes gaze around the room, searching for the old wooden chest that haunted her thought's. Diamond kept close to her friend, hoping deep inside they might find nothing, so they could both get out of the small cramped room and back outside into the cool open night. The orange filly pushed a few boxes out of the way with her hooves, small rattles of metal or glass could be heard from within as they shifted about. Diamond wondered exactly what could this building be used to hide, if somepony went out of their way to stock item's in this dark eerie place, it couldn't be good. " I found it! " A loud yelp from Rose caught her attention, followed by a small sweet squee. Diamond snaped her head forward, watching as her friend pulled the large chest out from the middle of a group of boxes. Rose giggled with delight, eyes lit up much like stars in the sky, small hooves clutched on the side before she quickly flicked the turn lock on the front clockwise. A small click echoed through the room, both fillies casting a curious gaze to the chest. " This is it!- tonight our lives change girl! " Rose smiled, both fillies placing their hooves on the lid, giving a slight push they pryed open the chest, both swiftly gazing within in awe. No gold bit's nor gem's of every color greeted them, instead within the darkness of the chest was simply a glass vial of dark red liquid. Rose gently scooped up the vial in her hooves, gazing upon it in disappointment. " It's...nothing." Rose sighed, her eyes gently closing in a solemn silence. " Rose.- We should go." Diamond spoke up, knowing her friend was feeling the sting of all her dream's fading away into the abyss once more. " Is it too much to ask Dia, for one break in life? " Rose placed the vial at her side, trying with all her might to hold back tears from cascading down her cheeks. " It'll get better Crim, we just have to keep our faith alive..." Diamond tried to ease her friends mind, placing a delicate hoof atop the sad fillies shoulder. " Always waiting for your shooting star huh? " Rose huffed with a slight roll of the eyes, listening to what her friend had to say, yet not believing a single word of it. The growing silence within the room was suddenly broken, the sound of the front door to the building swinging open caught both children off guard, Diamond quickly shoved her friend forward to hide. Rose winced in slight pain, her hoof crushing down on the small vial at her side, the glass shattering in a soft echo, cutting into her hoof deeply while the strange red liquid found its way into her body. Both fillies hid behind a large wooden crate, ears folded back unsure what to expect. Rose let her eyes fall to her hoof, a burning sensation spreading up her leg slowly. The door came to a close after a second, as two large stallion's walked into the main area of the room. Both were dirty and walked with a slight slouch, just from a small gaze Diamond figured they were probably thugs. The first stallion a large grey coated fellow, gazed about the room, eyes filled with a sense of apathy. " Where is this so called "Sample" anyways? " The stallion yawned, his friend a large black stallion with a fading grey mane trotted up behind him swiftly. " It should be in the chest, be careful with it too-the boss said it's dangerous. " The black stallion rolled his eyes, pushing past his friend before gasping aloud. " Holy Buck! " He yelled in slight fright, eyes falling upon the broken vial shard's and the dark red liquid seeping into the wooden floor. " Phst. Looks like it's broken. " The white stallion shrugged. " No! Really? " The friend snapped eyes darting around the room, spotting Roses tail swishing side to side near the corner. " Damn the boss is going to have our asses on a silver platter." The white stallion groaned, his friend quietly reaching into a small nearby drawer, lifting out a crossbow ever so slowly. " Maybe.- but he might take it easy on us if we can catch him some rats..." The black stallion spoke aloud, pointing the crossbow towards the wooden crate. Diamond was scared to move her hooves, let alone try and poke her head out of the corner to see if they could make a run for it. Blue hues gazed behind her, Rose looked a bit pale in color, her hoof was bleeding quite a bit. Diamond knew if she didn't get it mended soon it could be bad. Collecting her courage, she counted down till she would peek out from behind the box. " Is it clear Dia? " Rose asked in a soft whisper, holding her hoof up in a small limp. Diamond huffed softly, quickly poking her head out from behind the crate, a loud popping noise filled the air shortly. Swiftly much like lightning, a bolt sailed through the air, the sharp metal edge hitting her square between the eyes. Where most fillies would of toppled over and bled out from there, Diamond merely winced softly, the clang of the bolt simply falling to the ground with a thud. " Nope just got a headshot. " Diamond quickly shook her head side to side cutely, before nudging her friend firmly, both fillies speeding off past the stallion's, who simply stood there in shock and confusion of what had just happened. " Get them! " The black stallion yelled, dropping the crossbow to the ground. The grey thug pounced hard onto Rose who screamed in terror, Diamond glared holding her head down and rushing forward. A loud crack filled the building as the small filly headbutted the full grown male with enough force to send him toppling back. Rose yelped softly breaking free as she quickly bolted off out the front door, Diamond shook of a slight daze quickly running off towards the door as well.Stopping only for a second to spin around and give their attacker's one last gaze. " What are you? " The black stallion asked never budging an inch, Diamond only sighing aloud before dashing off into the night. " Then, after a few days, she got sicker n' sicker still. In ain't no time at all, there was nothin' I could do. " Diamond spoke in a soft almost distant tone, light blue eyes filled with the formation of tears. " I...I pushed her. That's how it broke, ya' know? It was my fault! " Her voice whimpered with guilt. " I pushed her and it broke, tryin' ta hide. I said I'd go into that building- Said I'd follow her. Shoulda said somethin' then!- I Shouldn't have let her go! " The filly winced, a trail of tears running down her cheeks. Star Strider lifted a hoof to comfort the child, only to have small hooves swat him away. The sun in the sky had just begun to rise, the day starting off with his curious nature. Deep within his soul he knew he shouldn't have asked about Dia's mysterious friend. " No!- Don't ya' try and say it wasn't my fault!- I've stayed in the company of lies far too long." The filly spoke in a quivering tone, using delicate hooves to gently brush the tears away. " To be honest kid.-I wasn't goin' ta say that. " Strider stretched his hooves a bit, giving his wing's a slight pop. " If ya' think you're at fault, so be it!-But to wallow in fear of your mistake's is for rookies." Strider turned away from the small child, who glared towards him in silence. " I don't wallow! " Diamond pouted as the young stallion shrugged. " Phst!- then prove me wrong kid, go and face up to your past- It's the only way you'll ever really be able to move on." The stallion turned to face the child, his tall frame towering over the her smaller one. " If ya' can't do that!- I'm afraid you'll just be wallowin' and I don't have time for no babysittin' ! " The stallion flaunted a hoof as he quickly turned his back to the filly, hiding a small smirk. Diamond slowly wiped the tears away from her eyes, knowing deep down Strider spoke the truth. She had been running for so long, unless she faced her past, she'd never truly know peace. " I...You..." Diamond tried to find the right words, only to stumble over them. " I know! , I'm right!- Want a private escort to the hospital kid? " Strider smirked, turning his head slightly towards the filly. " Yes please. " Diamond spoke her eyes locking with the stallions, this day had begun cloudy yet she could sense the sun on the horizon.
