Friendship Was Magicby Skylarking the StargazerChaptersChapter 3: Kindness Was CharmChapter 4: Recoveries and RelapsesChapter 5: Still Mane SixChapter 3: Kindness Was Charm The sun beamed gently on the healthy branches and charmed leaves, birds of all species began to sing and chirp in the finest tone of love and paradise. The creatures of the notorious Everfree Forest were extremely pleased with what Mother Nature and Princess Celestia had provided them, and bowed to thank them both. These actions were witnessed by no other pony who also inhabits around the forest and smiled gracefully to the animals. Her pink hair and tail reflected across her cottage thanks to the bright excitement of the sun. "Fluttershy!" A familiar voice called out to her, "You ready to kick off this week?!" It was no other than the popular blue pegasus, who resembles the element of loyalty and a childhood friend of Fluttershy. Despite not sharing a lot of goods, these two are just so close like two wings on an alicorn. Hearing clearly and throughout, the yellow Pegasus acted quickly, gathered her food and gears, nudged her animal friends goodbye, and quickly joined up with her loyal blue skinned yet rainbow colored mane friend (of course, we all know who's that). "Oh Rainbow Dash, I'm always ready for my friend!" And hugged the blue mare. Rainbow Dash moaned, "Well we better hurry up if we want to practice for the Equestrian 500 coming up next week. THEN I CAN SHOW THE WORLD THAT I'M TRULY A WONDERBOLT!" "And picnics... If you want that..." Fluttershy added hesitantly. Rainbow Dash simply rolled her eyes and ignored her friend's suggestion, however meaning she has accepted the warm offer of the kind Pegasus. "Yay!" Fluttershy excited as they began to take off into the wondrous island of clouds... or Cloudsdale. Today was another day of practice, for Rainbow Dash signed up for the Equestrian 500, a huge and popular competition that involves ponies all over the world to prove that they are the fastest, toughest and most athletic Pegasus of Equestria, also hosted by the idols of Rainbow Dash: The Wonderbolts. However, some events required a partner to accomplish, therefore Rainbow Dash pleaded Fluttershy to help her out, despite not interested (and somewhat nervous) with competing and showing off, Fluttershy herself now was a skilled flyer, after being trained by Rainbow and herself. She improved in speed, agility and many other factors that a good flyer required to obtain, in addition, Fluttershy is a rather kind and caring pony, especially to her friends; therefore in order to fill her childhood friend's dream to become a Wonderbolt, she unhesitatingly agreed. The two lovely friends shot through the white cotton clouds, the sky was just the perfect setting for sightseeing, the buildings, the trees, the sun, friends, families, oh can anyone imagine somewhere better than this?! "Oh my, if Pinkie Pie was here, how happy she would be seeing these clouds resembling sweet cotton candy!" Fluttershy said with a grin of hunger and desire, the white moist squished and puffed, its scattered textures formed all over itself, this was truly a Pegasus art! "Oh Fluttershy!" Rainbow responded, trying to sound professional and logical, "She wouldn't be somewhere like here! She either has a lot of stuffs to do, or it will take forever for her to come into the sky, besides, it isn't guaranteed that she won't fall back down." "Well there are all sorts of possibilities..." "Now look here, Fluttershy, to be honest, I know more about the sky than you do, I have been living and spending my entire life up here! You are an exception of Pegasus as you always look after those animals near that accursed Everfree forest! It's not like Pinkie is going to float in a hot air balloon right behind me waving and then jumping on me..." "DAAAAASSSHHHIIIEEE!" A Pink colored Earth pony shouted out to Rainbow and jumped and with all her joyful heart on her back. "Oh hi there Pinkie! We were just talking about you!" Fluttershy greeted her friend, "And is that your hot air balloon behind you?" "Oh that of course! How would I even come up here! Oh my balloon is flying away, catch you guys later!" Pinkie waved goodbye to them and left off to another random place that no pony has any single hay about. "Fluttershy... Did Pinkie wave at us before leaping for me...?" Rainbow Dash asked in an tone of disbelief. "Why yes she did, how come?" The yellow Pegasus answered, and her partner almost stopped flying in a state of confusion... The two Pegasus assailed across the blue with no feeling of guilt nor stress. To Rainbow Dash, this feeling of the sun shielding her reputation and pride. To Fluttershy, she also loved the sun shining on her whole body, only making her hair and tail visible to the eye. They soon left their home in the white cottons and came back down, soaring around an uninhabited island, right above the ocean and painting the sky blue. "Man! This is swell! Just look at everything! I have never been so free in my life!" Rainbow Dash exaggerated, "Neither have I." The other Pegasus added on, glad that her friend is enjoying the paradise of stressing out for the competition. Rescue us.... Preserve us... Rainbow Dash suddenly realized that Fluttershy is keeping up with her with no problem at all, the blue Pegasus was proud of Fluttershy's training with her, it was worth the time and effort. Cleanse the trails of the growing stain left by the dead pony's blood... Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy soon entered the island viewing the stunning scenery of nature while having fun with their practice. The sun's beam on the ocean shines the sky and glitters the solid rocky land of this unknown island. The wind was behaving calmly, yet somewhat sad and strange, We are in your hooves... "The trees..." Fluttershy murmured, "Are crying..." "Fluttershy what the hay are you sayin'? Don't just go and kill the moment of refreshment!" Rainbow knocked on the silent door, "Ya know, one of my favorite band Coltplay sang this wonderful song: Viva la Equestria. So you don't have to be so pessimistic, remember what you live for!" Please... Rainbow Dash finally thought she said something smart... Until the two smelled an unfriendly scent of smoke. "FIRRE!" Rainbow and Fluttershy screamed to the top of their lungs. After panicking all over the place, instead of fleeing, the two flew around to check out the disaster. however, the fire was nowhere to be seen... Don't leave... We are in despair... Soon, strange voice of despair preached out to Fluttershy. The gentle and caring mare stopped, and tried to communicate with Dash, but her friend was busy with her excitement of viewing and flying. "I'm sorry Rainbow Dash, but I can't let the cries of nature drown in deep seas!" Fluttershy thought out, and dashed out to the beseeching whispers instead of her flying friend who was busy claiming to be the top flyer in Equestria. While the two were not together, Rainbow Dash was completely caught off guard by the burning sun and the deep yet gracious green of the humongous vast of forest. "Well Fluttershy, now I finally realized why you loved nature so much... Umm Fluttershy? FLUTTERSHY!" The "fast" Pegasus was retarded to realize the whereabouts of her friend. "Oh no, she must've been worn out! What in the name of Celestia am I supposed to do?!" Rainbow stopped, and decides to operate her search on the ground, she seemed through bushes, twirled around trees, getting chased by animals, but there seems to be no sign of the butterflied cutie mark pony. Now the tide rises above Rainbow Dash, her heart raced desperately to avoid it, it would be such a waste of time and oppurtunity to course this flying drill alone without a good friend. "It's my fault..." The colorful mare looked down on the ground, " I should've looked after my friend more often, what a narcissist I am..." "RAINBOW! GET YOUR PLOD OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!" A familiar yet angry voice yelled out, holyfeathers was Rainbow scared as a dying rat, "Fluttershy... Don't you intimidate me like that, I'm sensitive like yo...." "WHAT DID I FLYING TELL YOU! STOP HORSING AROUND AND COME!" "But I'm a pon..." And was grabbed and threw by her yellow friend all the way to another place where Fluttershy expected. Rainbow Dash got up to her hooves, and no more than 4 inches away was her "kind" and furious Pegasus friend. There is no time to free... "Listen Rainbow Dash, we've got to save these poor inhabitants of the forest, these cute creatures really have an impressive voice!" "Fluttershy... What in Equestria was that all about, your anger just..." "OH RAINBOW DASH!" Rainbow Dash trembled and ready to take off, "I'm so sorry! Please forgive me! I was just concerned for these new friends! Don't take it personally PLEEEAASE!" After a second of awkwardness, the versatile colored Pegasus took a deep breath and finally said, "Okay okay fine, but what happened to these guys?" The Pegasus quickly replied, "This forest is in fact burning from some distance away, so we need to help these little ones evacuate immediately." "Well what are we waiting for? Com'on!" And the blue pony flew off to scan all over the forest for those in distress. Fluttershy on the other hand, was trying to fire signals to alert any other Pegasi for help. Every second is another life, every step is one life closer to save... The fire that mysteriously vanished was no longer a torch, but became ablaze like wildfire invading all property of the forest creatures. Rainbow Dash tried to bring perfect clouds just enough to rain but not lightning. She then saw the innocent creatures whom failed to make a run had their fate sealed as they shined bright with their new coat of flames. "Grrr Fluttershy! What are you doing?" The loyal mare growled, "This is supposed to be your job!" Meanwhile, after done signaling for aid, Fluttershy was trying to evacuate the melancholic habitants of the forest from the bursting rays of the yellow and red light darting everywhere in seconds. As the yellow Pegasus tried to carry the old, young and handicapped victims, she was soon seen burnt and gravely wounded by the sudden laughs of the assertive fire, along with those unresponsive creatures in flesh, all laying with pools of red liquid overflowing one another. Rainbow Dash heard the explosion, and soon came few other Pegasus, panicking and trembling. "DON'T YOU GET CHICKENED OUT BY SOME DARNED FIRE! WHAT THE HAY WERE WE HERE AT FIRST PLACE?!" As aid increases from the east coast of the forest, the south was unharmed, but looking rather dried and sucked up, the west was furiously flaming, nearly bright as the sun or Celestia herself. Rainbow Dash finally received a strike from guilt; not far from her eyes, lied a familiar yellow mare, adapting the color of the bright fire itself. Rainbow quickly acted, carried her best friend out of the woods and tossed her to few other Pegasus, but soon as she heard another roar of explosion behind her, she couldn't help but to ignore it, as she also spotted a suspicious figure trotting in the untouched woods. "Hmm, that's funny, why doesn't that guy panic or do something but walk so peacefully... WHY ISN'T THE FOREST BURNING FROM THERE?!" Baffled yet angry for suspecting it as the culprit, she raced back down and used full force to ram into it; unexpectedly, the figure was fully prepared for this ambush, it suddenly formed a shield. Instead of success, it was the prideful Pegasus who was shut down; as she took her own attack as her scars, sending herself all the way back against rows of healthy trees. Fatally wounded and dripping out disloyal blood, all this humiliation further provoked the rainbow haired mare, her wings flapped open, her eye color shifted to all colors, but mainly red. She shot straight at the figure, and before the figure can even react, it was bashed into trees, and then a hard and fairly large mountain. Soon after that encounter and some brutal violence, the figure unraveled itself to be an female unicorn, she started the first line, "Well well well, look what we have here, the arrogant mare who thinks she's the fastest in Equestria." "WHO ARE YOU?! SPIT IT OUT OR ELSE!" Rainbow demanded forcefully, "Now now you don't have to worry, I know we can get along well," the mysterious Unicorn said, "the name is Stargazing Dusk, and there is absolutely a fine scenery her.." Immediately ignoring her sarcasm, Rainbow Dash send a quick right back hoof, and Stargazing Dusk simply put on the same shield that injured Rainbow before, the Pegasus was smart enough to avoid that and gritted her teeth, "Ooooh, look at that shining sets of teeth, it's as if you were trying to destroy me with light, smart play smart play... I do hate the light, but doesn't mean I'M VULNERABLE TO YOUR CHEAP FILLY GAME!" And Dusk teleported behind Rainbow Dash, teleporting her then trapping her into a group of dead trees and cold wood. While the rainbow haired mare was struggling with her escape, Stargazing Dusk simply smirked, "You can struggle in my net all day and night, but by the time you do..." She grinned an evil grin, "See you Rainbow Crash, never again!" And teleported away... The shameful defeat was inevitable, Rainbow Dash never liked losing, she took all competitions into serious business, she wants to prove herself that she has the will to become what she wanted. She never lost any major games, maybe a few matches against Applejack, but that was an imply to their friendly skirmish for Iron Pony Competition, or that funny time when Dash and Applejack played dirty on one another in the Running of the Leaves... Yep those were the good times when Rainbow remembered her losses and mistakes, this loss however, is something beyond the minority; this loss is the fate of the innocent souls of this doomed forest, her friend Fluttershy is in the brink of the border between life and death, then Rainbow herself will fare the same way. Sank from all the anxiety, Rainbow Dash stopped her struggling from the tangled woods and decides to give all wings to underworld, she thanked the cold fire for blazing so brightly and letting her see that she deserved this fate. She shuttered her eyes as the flames crept towards her, the sounds of dying woodland creatures besieged Rainbow's surroundings, she wished she didn't have to hear their dying agonies, and just be free forever... Hope is not all fading, when there is a friend, there is a way... But the last thing she saw wasn't a Sonic Rainboom... "WHAT? A SONIC RAINBOOM?! WHO ELSE WOULD'VE DONE THAT BUT ME!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed in almost envious red ball of fire herself, an insult to injury as the Rainboom was directed to... HERSELF?! But instead of viewing the downhill slope, Rainbow Dash smiled with nothing but a small smile of happiness; finally someone can continue her legacy... Rainbow Dash was in a state of dark trance once she found herself to be awake, she sees the forest no longer a forest, but a wilderness completely deserted, not a single healthy nor alive tree was spotted, she couldn't but tried to believe that this was just a whole another dream. Soon, Rainbow Dash heard a gentle whisper of a familiar voice, then a pink hair fluttered swiftly onto her hoof... This sight of the hair was even more destructive for the prideful Pegasus; she could not believe what she saw. This grieving pain was rushing everywhere within Rainbow Dash, it was unbearable, but she can only carry it around until it gets bored and wears off. The wounded Rainbow Dash can only open her mouth, but say nothing nor can she produce a soft sound. The pain struck poor Pegasus's heart, thus her vision terminated once again... Chapter 4: Recoveries and Relapses Ponyville today was an outlier compared to the other times. Ponies were silent, almost like doormats, it was a struggle between love and hate as some ponies like Rainbow Dash was involved with that forest incident, many Pegasi and the creatures in that forest were stripped away their freedom to live and flutter on. "NOT UNTIL DASHIE IS AWAKE!" Pinkie Pie happily exclaimed as the blue mare finally took a bite to open her eyes, everyone in the hospital room was in ecstasy; everyone was relieved. "Howdy Rainbow Dash, we were pretty worried that you would never wake up!" Applejack spoke first, her yellow and orderly organized hair was properly placed down from her head to the floor, only to displease Rarity on how dirty she can be. "Oh hello guys," Rainbow finally said, "YES SHE SPOK..." "Rainbow, you were sleeping for three days! Why in the wide world of Equestria would you go over there, TO THAT FOREST?!" Twilight Sparkle interrupted while keeping Pinkie from the extreme hype with her magic. "Oh..." The Pegasus replied surprisingly but keeping her cool, "Heh heh, about that, I was practicing for my Equestria 500 with Fluttershy... Wait, IS FLUTTERSHY ALRIGHT?! I HAVEN'T SEEN HER SINCE I SPOTTED STARGAZING DUSK!" The silence quickly and loudly filled up the room, all her friends became baffled. "Stargazing Dusk? Fluttershy? Who in the world are they, darling?" Rarity asked as if she was trembling from strangeness. Once again, Rarity summoned silence back, Rainbow Dash was awkward, to her, this was pure chaos mixed with pure insanity, she had no idea whether to get angry or snicker at the lofty unicorn. She finally took a shot, "Wha... What had gotten into you... Is Discord now messing with your minds? This is not the time for comedy..." "Oh was I supposed to laugh at that? Hahhahahhahaha... Am I?" Pinkie Pie interrupted, "Cut the grass Pinkie!" Applejack snapped seriously, "Sugarcube, we think that quote should direct to you instead, there are only five of us, not six..." Without any spark of explosion, Rainbow Dash flared at the Earth pony, and suddenly pounced on her, locking her forcefully with her hooves, as if she was all chained and threatened with blades. "You don't have to know that foul Stargazing Dusk, BUT WHO'S FLUTTERSHY YOU FEATHERBRAIN ASKING! HOW THE EQUESTRIA'S HAY CAN YOU FORGET ABOUT OUR FRIEND?!" Rainbow burst with tears and grief, "AFTER ALL SHE HAS DONE FOR AND WITH US, CAN YOU SIMPLY IGNORE HER EXISTENCE?!" The frustration within Rainbow Dash's soul screamed and raged, but to the rest of her comrades, she was just another filly throwing tantrums. Rainbow Dash now is gripping on Applejack's neck, ready to make the country girl spit out her honesty and truth... "That's enough Rainbow!" Twilight called out, "You should just stay alone yourself for awhile and get your mind cleared out." And the alicorn used her magic to teleport the Rainbow to a nearby park, all alone by herself. Unknown to the alicorn, Rainbow Dash seeks zero trace of whether she was lost in the Everfree forest, or that her friends were, not bonded with her anymore. The theory of magic being in effect rises inside Rainbow's head, and that such spell that can erase the memories of other ponies, "Princess Celestia and Luna... They have to be somewhat relating to this problem!" But then that thought was replaced with her emotions as she hesitated a cold pause. The dusk overlapping the shady trees, despite cooling her off, reminded her of the new nemesis she encountered on that forest island, and how all that, was the sole loss of her Pegasus friend, and then what happened today. Still, how did they just forget her like that? Rainbow Dash began remembering all the pictures of Fluttershy: when she saved Equestria from a frightening dragon; she stood up to it when her friends were down despite her fears for those flying beasts. Her support for Rainbow with her Sonic Rainboom was determined. Her bit of knowledge on fashion helped bring Rarity back to her job with full confidence. Fluttershy was told by Pinkie Pie and Rarity on how far she was trying to be assertive, and managed to overcome it. Fluttershy once again saved the day by making rain for all ponies and inhabitants in Equestria, if it wasn't for her, the Pegasi (with Rainbow Dash as the lead pony) will never reach 800 wing power to provide water for anyone. Fluttershy despite not seen as persuasive nor manipulating, still reformed Discord, the chaos of harmony, alone. "Even turning into a bat!" The she giggled, but flooding the laughter with glands instead, now that she had realized: it was Fluttershy who saved her from the fire, and exchanged her own life for Rainbow's. This teardrop, something Rainbow Dash almost never experienced in her life, wasn't just any teardrop of sorrow. She saw her front hooves wet with them, "Is this a feeling of, losing a friend?" Rainbow questioned herself as grief was scarred deep into her wings, "But why? Shouldn't I be flying high and standing on clouds? Why am I on the darn ground fussing around? Why am I not... Up there, free as I wanted to be...?" The colorful mare looked hopelessly up into the sky, her mane was rainbow no more, "I SHOULDN'T BE CRYING! THAT'S A FILLY THING TO DO! AM I NOW FLUTTERSHY?!" After these such words, Rainbow Dash was now rolling in the deep soil, ramming into trees, these responses further provoked the Pegasus furiously. The demon begins to repaint the rainbow into the dark, ugly and unimaginable color that no pony is eager to see. She disrupts nature once more knocking down rows of innocent trees, they all came collapsing down, broken. Like her own heart. Her chaos drove herself into doing the impossible: Shattering rocks. It worked effectively when she wasn't holding back like last time when Spike was being a "good" assistant to Applejack, it was still a new view to Rainbow on how would he not be exhausted just by stacking rocks that clearly surpasses his size, "I, I couldn't even do that, and he's only a baby dragon... Am I too weak?" She questioned her pride, thus is wasn't like her, she hasn't cried so hard in her life, her spirit of confidence, adventure, and courage has never died down, it was the burst of fire in her body. After shattering the impossible, Rainbow's whole body was now corrupted, all three conditions that matters to a pony the most was stored zero in the once the awesome Pegasus everyone knew. "If somepony will be here for me, it has to be Fluttershy..." Rainbow said, remembering all the times when Fluttershy cared for her, whenever she is distressed, the yellow friend would often take Rainbow Dash and place her head into her own body, it felt fluffy, and gentle... Soon Rainbow began over thinking, as the kind Pegasus was there for all of her friends as well: Twilight when she was lost and felt pressured with her duty as a princess, Applejack when she had a family conflict with all of her family members, Pinkie Pie when she was ignored and left in a puddle of tears, and Rarity when her fashion design was rejected by a celebrity. Because of these dreadful memories, Rainbow almost lost the gratitude, and "Loyalty" of her friends, she believes that her friends don't respect who Fluttershy is anymore when she was THERE for them, she now shifts her hatred not just herself, but on her friends as well, the bond was never with the right elements. "Well if they want to break the bond, THEN MY LOYALTY IS CONFIRMED, NO MORE FRIENDS IT IS!" She screamed as loud as she can, so that her friends "can" hear it, "But of course, we aren't friends anymore, how can they hear or care...?" She then convinced herself. The harsh persuasion commanded her hooves to leap off back home. Her decision was harsh, and cruel. Definitely not what her best and childhood friend wanted to be, or is. Rainbow Dash however, isn't considered a kind pony compared to the rest of the Six, she was more aggressive, and preferred her ego sometimes than actually others, she does not care any longer. "I can fix all this by myself anyways." Rainbow quietly yet in an upset way told herself, "I don't need anypony to help me!" While this experience of completely losing a friend still made Rainbow Dash shiver, she couldn't help but put it aside this time due to her injuries given by Stargazing Dusk, it almost prevented her from flying, she soon collapsed back to the ground again, the wound was severe, Rainbow can only pant and breathe heavily, blood now trickles out of her blue torso, she thought she was goner this time. Until a small turquoise colt trotted along her, he stopped, bent down, and dragged Rainbow Dash with him. Rainbow Dash was wandering in Sugarcube Corner, somehow her wings wouldn't obey her intention, then she saw a familiar Pegasus flying from above, it was her bonding partner for Equestria 500, "FLUTTERSHY!" Rainbow called out, but unfortunately even her rainbow mane could not receive attention from her; even worse, everyone in Ponyville was looking at Fluttershy only, soon the rest of Mane Six arrived to Sugarcube Corner as well, however instead of gazing at the flying yellow mare, they glared at the blue one. Applejack started out, "Well, if it ain't that clumsy old fool who thinks she is the "best" flyer in Equestria!" Rainbow stared at her, eyes ready to run wild. Did her friend actually just say that? Sure, Applejack and her may have had some competitions and, maybe some minor fillish arguments over who won or not, but this "jealousy" or insult, is more than a serious tone. "I wouldn't even give you any clothes to wear no matter how much of a "friend" you are!" Rarity added, "Umm Rarity, that's pretty awkward, just to tell you..." Twilight corrected the purple haired unicorn. To Rainbow Dash's surprise, all of her friends now are angrily glaring at her, Rainbow for the first time shivered in front of her friends, easily like that... "Look Rainbow, your actions and carelessness stole the most from you, you are not eligible to be our friend anymore! You and your Wonderbolt horsecrap completely destroyed your elemental spirit!" Rainbow was now crouching in mercy and cowardice, "Bu... But wha.. What did I... When..." "Oh Rainbow Dash, it was fun with you, but I guess that slice of cake will eventually be carved out, you aren't sweet enough to be a friend!" Pinkie Pie laughed and jumped around the Four others. Now the whole town huddled up on Rainbow Dash, the hatred evolved into heartlessness, now the blue Pegasus is targeted to be erased from the sketchbook! "HEELLLPP MMEEE! ANYPONY!" Rainbow Dash screamed and plead as the mob weighted on her back like a horde of savaging fire ants. Soon, the fluttering Fluttershy soon drilled into the crowd, and threw Rainbow Dash out into safety. The blue mare was truly relieved, she was about to leap off, unknown to her until to late: Fluttershy did not exactly "save" Rainbow from the mob, but replaced her in the same position. Rainbow after thinking for a minute or two on this, turned back, and began rushing back to her danger zone. Unfortunately, it was too late now, her kind friend was the victim instead. "FLUTTERSHYYYYYYYY!!!!" The Pegasus yelled, and tried to go back and pull her friend out, but the efforts were futile, and Fluttershy drowned deep into the darkness. "NOOO!" Rainbow once again woke up, panting, gasping for air, her heart either overworked or it must've stopped functioning. This nightmare was devastating, there is no way she would betray her friend, and seeing her good Pegasus friend leave her like that again, was just humiliating and painful... Shaking her head, Rainbow Dash looked around the room, in confusion on her whereabouts, "Is this another dream?" She asked herself, "Where the hay is this place?" She looked around, the room was fairly small, and wooden like Zecora's hut, but the furniture, color, style. More like... The home of her friend whom Rainbow used to be with. The same turquoise foal walked in, Rainbow Dash was quickly provoked to ask him questions and fill her own demands, "Who are you? Where am I? Why am I here?" All these words spat by Rainbow Dash startled the young unicorn, "Please Missie! Don't scare me! I'm sorry!" Rainbow sighed with a breath of relief, "Well, if you can KINDLY explain to me what is going on, then maybe I don't have to "scare" you anymore." The little colt looked at Rainbow Dash, their eyes shared the same color for some unknown reason. Rainbow seemed to recognize this stranger, but at the same time confident that he was new to her. The younger one was even more unconscious now, took off the eye exchange and began, "My name is Glowing Leaf, and this place is my home, I live alone. With some animals at least who seem to visit from time to time, but I can't seem to communicate with them properly. I saw you badly hurt, so I thought if I can help save a life, then maybe chaos and disorder will slowly vanish?" Glowing Leaf stopped, and saw Rainbow falling asleep, offended, he used his magic and zapped her back to shape. Rainbow jumped in the air, and tumbled on the wooden floor, "Wha- Ok ok! I heard you, but why couldn't you use your magic to carry me instead of dragging me like a pig!" The blue haired colt eyed coldly down the floor, his lips formed a frown, a piece of him was unwrapped, "I..." He paused to sniff. "I was bullied and pushed over because I couldn't control my magic, nor can I use it properly..." Glowing Leaf paused and was angry at himself for having a bad memory, so she suddenly asked Rainbow for her name again. The mare sighed, and answered him, "The name is Rainbow Dash, and the fastest flyer of Equestria..." The former proud Pegasus paused, and sank her voice, "No, just call me Rainbow Dash. I don't deserve to be the fastest anymore." The awkward silence once again swayed in the space between the two unlike ponies, finally Glowing Leaf continued, "Well, umm alright, anyways even the teachers scuffed at me for being such a wasted unicorn *Sniff sniff*, I feel like I am a nopony, I tried to explore all sorts of subjects, but none worked out for me, I'm just a clumsy and dumb unicor-" "That's complete horse stack! You must have some friends to help you out!" Rainbow interrupted, "I only have one friend, an Earth pony named Sunrise Horizon. He's always there to cheer me up, and I always believe in his words because he is always right, all the time!" Glowing Leaf proudly replied. "Honesty? Hmm." Rainbow stopped, her mane is soon spread apart due to this critical thinking, and asked, "What did this Sunrise guy think of you? Has he ever told you?" "Well." Glowing Leaf said, "Sunrise told me a few times that I am a charming and kind pony, I'm always there to help others despite my former classmates are always treating me differently." After hearing those two familiar words, Rainbow did not feel the sadness within the little colt's heart, continued to wonder what is going on with Glowing Leaf's past. "Kind... Honesty... OH I FORGOT! I have to see Princess Celestia! See ya around, and thanks for healing my wings and scars!" Rainbow Dash said as she blasted off to her task. "WAIT! RAINBOW DASH! THERE'S MORE TO TELL YOU!" The turquoise unicorn yelled out, but his weak voice plus Rainbow's speed tore their communication apart. Chapter 5: Still Mane Six The distance from Ponyville to Canterlot was pretty darn far for even a speedy one like Rainbow Dash to cover. Impatient and anxious, the gas bubble overflowed the bottle and the blue mare finally thought of using the Sonic Rainboom. She started out passing through puffy cotton clouds, twirling around them, and finally the last phase, the Rainboom itself. Rainbow dashed through watery sky, and soon a giant burst of multiple colors began to please those who saw Rainbow Dash performing the famous stunt. FLASH! Goes the rainbow. BOOM! Goes the sonic. The diameter of the colorful circle expanded rapidly, the bright excitement lightened up those who were in despair and darkness, even those who knew Rainbow Dash believed that the blue Pegasus was finally back to shape and hyped up again. However this brilliant performance forcefully stole more than three quarters of Rainbow Dash's energy... And life... Not only that, it reminded her of Fluttershy when she supported her all the way when Rainbow Dash wasn't confident to perform the Sonic Rainboom. Exhausted, deeply saddened and bleeding again, she zoomed to Canterlot, crashing through trees, sliding on the unfriendly ground, and finally into the castle where the two sisters live in... Fainted and but not to the brink of death this time, Rainbow Dash's Rainboom created a gush of large smoke, filling in the atmosphere, this quick tactic helped Rainbow Dash not being seen as an intruder (well she is). She struggled but still got back to her hooves, and quickly sprinted to a corner in the castle right before some guards can take a glance on her. Rainbow Dash's agility plus speed was quite the accurate shot, for she managed to get around the castle in no problem at all... Until she now remembers that she now shares a castle as well... Just empty without another kind soul when she needs it... Rainbow Dash grew angry again and let out an irritated neigh. "That's enough Rainbow Dash!" The demanding tone caught the blue Pegasus by her senses backwards. After that great ball of pure white light, Rainbow Dash was never seen by the guards again... Rainbow Dash woke up to her senses, she observed this grand room, filled with glass paintings of art depicting the major characters in Equestrian history. What even fumed her was the red, the one and only red carpet placed perfectly in the middle of the room... "Princess Celestia! I will fire at you all the questions I feel like against you!" Rainbow Dash spat, her hateful demon coming back once more... And not far was a glowing ball of light, the brightness was so warm that the heat was free to access all objects and living things. POOF! Was the Princess of the Sun, standing tall and supreme. Slowly, she opened her eyes and turned her head towards the redheaded Pegasus, "What brings you here, my dear friend? After creating havoc to my home, causing disruption in the ponies, and speaking to me with quite an unusual tone..." Rainbow Dash flew right into Celestia's face surprisingly, and pressured her, "Why couldn't my friends remember Fluttershy anymore?! Did you use your petty horn and make them forget who it was?!" Even with all the disrespect from an arrogant pony, the Princess simply took a deep breath, ignoring Rainbow's anger, and began to decipher her anxiety, "Rainbow Dash, would Fluttershy really want you all to suffer to remember her sacrifice? Kindness isn't an element to underestimate, the concept is like Rarity, they both think for others deeply." "But doesn't mean we have to ignore her from now on! She must've proved herself to us..." "Now now, my young mare. How many times has Fluttershy threw away her own time to save yours?" Rainbow Dash dropped her opened wings, they were boneless and mushed. "I, I—" "Forget not, your own element is loyalty; would you go against it by betraying Fluttershy's kind offer? How many times has she been hurt alone while you guys all have your eyes turned backwards? Answer me, my dear Rainbow?" The logic carried out by the wise millennium alicorn penetrated Rainbow's speechless mind, and her eyes turned into light, while all of her mane changed into a violet splash of evil, her skin grew red with tattoos of those banished cutie marks that resembled disharmony and chaos. The blue Pegasus can only roar and scream, the tension has finally elevated to the highest point. No. This is not how Rainbow Dash should look, Celestia measured carefully, aware that the young mare is struggling between the tug of loyalty. Whether she should think for Fluttershy by forgetting her and everyone will remain safe and happy, or she will continue to remember her friend and bear the fatal wound. "Argh! Stoooop!"Rainbow ordered her demon, Celestia was aware of the Loyalty strain within Rainbow's body, but the sole microscopic detail she gazed off of, was bounded to be a fatal mistake. "We have met again, Princess." The demon surprisingly spoke for the first time, The alicorn still recognized this voice, she hadn't heard it like the Liberty Bell in Fillydelphia. "In centuries, why are you still here Stargazing Dusk?!" The Princess demanded to know all. As Stargazing Dusk appeared out of Rainbow Dash's body with a portal. "S...Stargazing... D... Dusk?" Rainbow Dash followed, "You know the Princess?" Smirking, the dark purple striped unicorn instead of answering both of them, toyed with the beaten Pegasus, "What would you choose Rainbow Dash? Fight or flight?" The memories of Fluttershy swarmed in once again, Rainbow can see all the times when she cried alone, feeling depressed and stressful. Nevertheless, she still tried to help her friends at the worst state possible, but nopony... Not even Princess Twilight Sparkle herself had the slightest worry of the poor Pegasus's condition... Rainbow Dash is sucked into darkness once more: She now does not know whether her fillyhood friend wanted her and her friends to forget her, or that she needs help from them, because she never got much even after death. "Fluttershy... I..." The blue mare paused, only to let her tears gush out. "I didn't know what happened to you, but that was my fault, I should've tagged with you more often..." She paused cold, and her tears glittered, what was there more to say. She took the blame all for herself, as if that nightmare she had back with Glowing Leaf was true. No matter where her soul flew to, she could not avert the darkness that holds the truth: She was not loyal. She was never there for her kind friend, yet it was opposite of vice versa. "RRGH!" The rainbow maned Pegasus roared, tore apart by the anger and the depression, burst out all stripes of colors, every and each color is clear and solid, it was bright. Just too bright. The Pegasus however, did not seem to handle her powers well, as her lights spread in all directions, not mattering whoever it was or what it was, the light just wasn't the type of light that ponies feel in their daily routines. "That is?!" Celestia was quite shocked, as if she encountered this in her life ruling Equestria. "Ha ha ha! Celestia!" Stargazing Dusk laughed in triumph, "It indeed is the False Light, I may not had a better name than it, but this spell is the perfect medicine for the perfect pony! Now she will never become what was the Rainbow you have seen!" The white alicorn turned her eyes back on Rainbow Dash. There was a scale, and one side was Rainbow Dash's cutie mark, representing her principles and her identity, while the other one was her element, representing her faith in friendship. Both are valuable, as one can't exist without the other. "But if one outweighs the other, then it..." Celestia could not finish her speech, the truth was too grim to be even mentioned. "Then there would be no order in the character, all of her will be in disharmony. Come on Princess! This is the Element Scale we're talking about here! You should know better as a teacher and the ruler of Equestria!" The mare mocked, confident that she already has her millionth victim under control. "Furthermore," She continued, "see that swirl right below each of the two scales. If the either subject touches it..." Stargazing gazed at the chaotic Pegasus, Rainbow Dash was now restricted from free flying like she always loved to do. Wickedly, Stargazing continued, "Then this poor Rainbow will lose her colors one by one..." Ignoring her figurative language, Princess Celestia continued to analyze the situation. "No! She will never come back to her original state! If only the Elements of Harmony are..." "HA!" The unicorn interrupted, "You think I don't know anything just because I'm from the past?! Don't worry, I learned this rare and banned spell from one of the Star Swirl's secret document on sealing those petty elements!" Celestia's eyes opened wide, she could not speak once again, "... Yo... You..." "I was always prepared for your tests and tasks, Princess! Tell me when was there a time when I failed you?..." "You already failed me, for five hundred years." Celestia simply answered, angrily glaring at her former student. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash has the stain. A stain that will never come off, or that it will, but not completely demolished. All she can think of is her lost friend who saved her from the fire. By exchanging her own. "Fluttershy... You were always so kind, and nice to everypony... There would never be somepony who has a heart like yours... Who would forget you like that?" She then stopped, as she realized that she was in a blank world, filled with nothingness. "Am, am I d-dead?" The cyan Pegasus asked herself, she tried flying to all directions, but it was proved to be effectively useless, wherever she moved to, she gained no gold. Rainbow Dash finally gave up, and fell back down. However, the answer to her question became a hoof closer when a familiar looking figure walked in, it shocked Rainbow, for she cried so hard that she did not mind how everyone will judge her, and rushed to hug her pink haired friend, but instead of actually interacting with it, she went through Fluttershy. Again angry and confused, but her Pegasus friend held out her left front hoof, and began, "Now now Rainbow Dash, lets not all get so mad at one another and calm down... We may have had those moments of tough tugs when our friends argue, but as a friend you should always know what's best for them." Her gentle voice did descend Rainbow's anger, but she still worried what should she do now, and so she asked, "Fluttershy, I... Don't know whether should I forget all about you, and don't have to let you see us in grief... Or should I continue to remember you as one of our best friends. So that you can feel safe and happy even when you're a lifeless picture?" "Oh Rainbow!" She giggled, for her giggles were charming as ever, her smiles often always makes Rainbow Dash's body feel relaxed. "You don't need to stress yourself over this. Again, do what is best for you! And stick to that way, forever, because that would be the right choice for the rest of our friends." "Fluttershy, I..." Rainbow broke, for another burst of light blinded her for a few seconds. Once recovered, she could not believe her eyes... That she was in the finest paradise of Cloudsdale, and on the green, fresh and grassy ground, there were animals everywhere. Happily playing around and sharing food with one another. "Bu... But something isn't right." Rainbow Dash flew down on the ground to check, "Something is definitely missing here..." Soon, she discovered some of the little critters were quite upset with a skirmish. Then a huge gray bear walked up, and hugged them altogether in a great... Family... Rainbow was shocked again, as the critters got along just like that... "How's that even possible?" was the question flowing into her eyes and brain. When her friends and Rainbow Dash get into a skirmish similar to this, it took them quite awhile for them all to make up, but this? She pondered. "Oh Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy noticed her surprised face with mouth opened. "Don't be misguided and feel insecure because the animal friends' reunion from an argument are faster than you can clear clouds, just look at how eventually everyone gets along like that. Same can go with you and our friends, nothing will break our bond. Not even when the Elements are gone." "The Elements... Bond... I..." She paused, after everything she has said to her friends, the way she acted, it was impossible to take it back, but she can only hope that they will forgive her. She searched for the relief, and it was there waiting for her the whole time, how did she not figure this out? "Thank you so much, Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash hugged her, and this time it was real, she felt it, it was squishy and soft. Very comfortable like Fluttershy always is. The pink haired mare did the same back, and rubbed herself on Rainbow's cheek... It will be the last time that she is doing this... "Flutter-Fluttershy?" Rainbow voiced out, for her friend began emitting small, turquoise, glowing orbs that seem to resemble somepony else, but Rainbow did not care about that right now, she wanted to take Fluttershy back. "Be brave Rainbow..." She whispered out, like always, she was shy. But this time it was strong and clear. "Know your speciality... Know your dreams... Know your compassion... Know yourself... I will miss you Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy finished her last word that contained the Rainbow colored mare's name, she closed her eyes, a teardrop flew out, and touched Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy fluttered up into the bright clouds, and faded on within the limitless skies. "No... No! Stop! Don't leave me! Fluttershy! FLUTTERSHY!!!" Rainbow yelled out desperately, reaching her hoof out to touch Fluttershy, for the last time, gambling against all odds despite she expected what will happen. The touch was so close that it almost felt real. Almost " Just almost... Freakin' almost..." Rainbow Dash's mind painfully cried out. In the end, that tiny gap was large enough to decay the cyan mare's soul. She put her hoof back down, hung her head low, and stared at the grassy ground. She does not know what to do anymore even after being told what to do, her heart was iced cold, like a sting whenever a pony touches it. However, the grass was shimmering and shining, the color of the grass began to brighten up, the whole world became white, just like Rainbow earlier when she reunited with Fluttershy. Soon, everything around her came back to normal, fortunate yet unfortunate for the loyal mare... While Rainbow Dash was in trance, Celestia and Stargazing Dusk battled out each other in a deadly duel of magic. Despite the princess's almighty power, her shots do not seem to impress her former student at all, "Is that all you got, teacher?!" She laughed out loud, and created sky blue electric sparks that shocked and stunned Celestia's nerves, pinning her in place. Now seeking for the chance, charged up a purple beam, "That, I still remember." Celestia used her rest energy to do nothing but speak out her memory, "Your first magic spell... A spell... That can fatally hurt others. I took you under my wing because I wanted you to find harmony. Not this." "Just because I'm under your wing Celestia, does not mean I am influenced by it!" Finally, Stargazing Dusk fired the wide and charged beam towards the alicorn. All at last seemed to be over, until the princess lowered her horn to absorb it. Stargazing Dusk could not see her due to the large area that her beam had covered, feeling triumphant, she began to show signs of victory... SNAP! To her horror, Celestia teleported into her face and stomped her hooves onto it, suffocating her as she was attacked by Celestia's rapid Solar magic. Burning in pain and heating to die, Stargazing screamed and yelled, struggling with all her strength, and managed to time it right and cast a shield that bounced her away from the angry ruler. She huffed, "You are still worthy to be a teacher, Princess. After years studying with you and learning from you, there are just eternal lessons to be learned from your immortality, eh?" The unicorn said, expecting an obvious and pointless response. "Don't you ever call me your teacher or Princess again! You have no right to live any longer with your disharmonious ambitions!" Celestia fired back, her hoof constantly rubbing against the ground, creating gushes of burning smoke. Not intimidated by this, Stargazing was about to fire another spell, and the Princess is ready to retaliate... "NOT SO FAST! STARGAZING DUSK!" The belligerents turned around to notice a yellow mixed with blue portal open up, and out stepped the Pegasus with her mane back in shape, and a wide, confident smile on her face. "Stargazing Dusk." Rainbow began, as the purple unicorn began shaking and trembling from her return, nopony ever has successfully balanced the Element scale for five centuries. "Thanks to you I have finally realized what I should be searching for." Confounded by her words, the traitorous unicorn smirked and kept her cool, then asked back, "Oh? Tell me more." Rainbow Dash now twisted her smile upside down, and began trotting heavily, closer and closer to the villain. Her eyes were a flare of red and teeth showed like a hungry predator. She opened her mouth and began out, "The element is always inside me... No, even if it wasn't, I'm still me, and that loyalty will bear as my curse forever, a battle scar received ever since I was a filly..." "And how will that decide your fate? How will you march on? How does that direct to me in any sort?" Stargazing gritted her teeth, hoping that her questions were rhetorical enough to back the enraged pegasus down, now that Rainbow Dash is up into her face, pressing onto her nose. Nevertheless, Stargazing asked these questions, to gamble her opponent and make her confuse and trip over. Instead of answering, however, Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and tilted her head up, she flowed into the air, her mane began flowing as if a force is acting like the wind. Her mane soon whipped all colors; whether the good, bad, or the ugly. They swirled around all over the place dancing and blending in with one another. Soon, they combined and formed a huge, colorful orb that nopony witnessed to be more happy and beautiful. "RGH! WHAT'S THIS?!" Stargazing hissed, for she gets frustrated when she has no clue of what is going on that is out of her knowledge. "I have now chosen, both of you..." Rainbow turned her head towards Princess Celestia while addressing both her and Stargazing Dusk, "I will remember my friend Fluttershy, forgetting her will not only cause the rest of us grief, but Fluttershy will be lonely again. By recognizing her, however, It only makes her and us satisfied, and bonded... Forever and always..." She now turned her head back onto the trembling unicorn. "BE GONE! YOU INCOMPETENT FOOL!" Stargazing Dusk let out a beam, but simply repelled by the rainbow orb. "Wha... How's that possible—" Stargazing began to question Rainbow's strange aura. Unfortunately for her, it's already too late, the orb flashed a burst of streaming rays of again: All colors, no matter good or bad. Into the ambitious unicorn, sending Stargazing Dusk away and faded. Rainbow Dash fell back down. Tired, beat, exhausted, and still depressed about what happened not awhile ago. Rainbow wished that this never would've happened, all the trouble she caused for her dear friend, and what how she acted towards her other friends. She covered herself with her hooves to hide her tears from the one and only other pony: Princess Celestia, as she walked towards her, and smiled. "Congratulations Rainbow Dash, you have passed my test." Rainbow got up, she did not expect to hear any of this sort of words written across the white alicorn's face. Slowly, she got her head out, and shockingly staring at her. "T... Test...?" She asked, her sweat rolled down her body, for she was not prepared for anything that actually mattered to her, especially a test. She believed that was a job for eggheads like Twilight. "Mmm-hmm, you now are at another step closer to the understanding of your element and the character of your friends. You would never betray them, would you?" "B-but, what about how they forgot about who Fluttershy was? "Who said we forgot about her? You seriously stepped your hoof too far this time, Rainbow Dash." Said a familiar voice. Turning around to her left, Rainbow Dash saw a purple horn, with wings, then followed by an orange with a cowgirl hat, then a pink haired shaking hoof, finally a purple haired white body being hit by an open door. She yelled out in pain. "G-Guys...?" Rainbow could not move, she never knew why all this happened, it was truly crazy and quick. "You came for me?" Already, Twilight teleported her friends and herself into Rainbow's face, making her fall onto the ground, hugging and nudging her all over her face. Rainbow could not help but smile and laugh with her very best friends. Then again, there was one scent that was missing throughout the interaction. "How can we forget our very beloved Fluttershy? You are just so stupid sometimes." Twilight commented, but Rainbow did not feel offended at all, for she did realize her wrongs. Her ambition was let out, and it did give her a punishment enough to almost take her own life away. She simply nodded her head, and replied, "I'm sorry everypony," She wanted to cry again, it really was a bothersome thing to do, despite doing so so many times before. "I didn't mean to let this happen, I just wanted to protect her, and since I was the one... Who dragged her into this... It was my responsibility to keep everything under control..." "Snap out of it sugarcube!" Applejack put her hoof on Rainbow's nose, "It ain't your fault, it was nopony's fault..." She stopped again, and remembered something, "But that Star-whoever-it-was pony." "Stargazing Dusk..." Rainbow was about to begin, but interrupted by the Princess, "She is still alive and well out there, you girls got to be careful." "SHE STILL IS?!" Rainbow Dash flew up, her fury erupted another burst of rainbow, but thanks to Celestia's magic, she was calmed down. "Rainbow Dash, your new ability was very effective, but keep in mind that Stargazing is a cunning and rather clever student of mine five hundred years ago, I can still sense her presence out there somewhere. That was simply a clone she made with her magic." "Wha... What?!" Rainbow opened her mouth, but Twilight broke her off, changing the topic. "Princess Celestia, as a Princess myself, I know this is a very serious and important topic, but right now we lost somepony very special and important to us, and..." She wept a tear, and quickly swiped it away, trying to hold more from coming. "... We want to remember her as our one and only Fluttershy..." "N-no... Fluttershy..." Pinkie already could not hold it, she let her tears sprinkle out, flooding the area around her. Her three balloons flashed and shined greatly. Balloons eventually came out, inside shows all of her memories with Fluttershy: the tea parties, their parties, Grand Galloping Gala, so many overwhelming good times that is regretful to be lost. Rarity took out some handkerchiefs, already wetting them all, same goes for her three gems, memories floated out, Rainbow Dash smiled when she saw Fluttershy's smile once more, no matter how many times her smile is there, it's impossible for her and the rest to ignore and abandon it. Applejack took off her hat, and pressed it firmly on her chest, specifically where her heart located at, furthermore, instead of closing her mouth whenever she is sad, this time she gritted out her teeth of anger and frustration from crying. Applejack was a strong mare, both physically and emotionally. She can hold her feelings to herself, and nopony has to worry about what she is hiding because they all know that she is honest and truthful, therefore whenever they know or expect how she should feel, it was always correct. Same goes for her too, swarms of memories flew out of her three apples like Parasprites. Twilight cried silently, but her cries were just as meaningful as her friend's actions; for she was a straightforward mare, somepony who does whatever the book instructs her to do, if this is something that should be sad, then she should cry. Her tears created a great orb, combining all of the other's memories together, and the orb rushed away, all the way to the new castle that Twilight now resides in. Rainbow Dash became puzzled by the effects of her friends' sorrow, what does all this mean? The memories flowing out of her friends' cutie marks, then suddenly jointing together in Twilight's magic? Why does it happen? How did it happen? Rainbow shook her head repetitively, there was no time for any of those now, because in front of her there is something that she could not bear it herself to see how much pain her friends were in. She finally gave up, and followed her friends' influence. Princess Celestia was sorry about this loss too, but she did not show it as much as the rest by shutting her eyes, because she experienced far more lives taken and swallowed whole herself than any of the ponies crying near her right now. So much pain, that she became used to it, not in a way of not caring, but enough to make her endure what exactly is going on. She reopened her eyes and suggested, "Twilight, your new castle and the Horseshoe Memorial are the perfect spots to bury and mourn those who are gone forever, but the choice is up to you, for it can create "side effects"." "What do you mean by that?" Twilight asked, in a way having actually treated her former teacher as an equal, but without realizing. "You'll have to see for yourself..." And her horn glowed, sending a bubble to surround Twilight and her friends, teleporting them all away. Finally retrieving her privacy, she didn't need to hesitate, but weep in such an honorable way that a Princess like her always should. In front of Twilight's castle, five figures spawned within a blink of the eye: there stood, five miserable ponies, grieving for their dead friend. They knew that they had been doing this quite awhile, and it's useless to keep sobbing, but it could not be helped. Applejack grunted in pain. Rarity wept and wept in vain. Pinkie Pie cried out loud stained. Twilight sobbed and pulled her mane. And lastly Rainbow Dash, like she was bringing a storm cloud, ready to rain. But all this has to stop right now, they can't waste any more precious and valuable time, they had more lives to protect and save. Realizing first as always, Twilight gathered the remaining of the Six back together, "Listen, enough is enough. We have to accept the fact that a friend cannot be brought back, no matter what magic or spell there is, not even the divine rulers of Equestria. We must act quick, before that Stargazing Dusk can take more friends of ours away." "Bu-but what about Fluttershy?" Pinkie protested. "I believe we have already buried her." Twilight did not want to say her name anymore. "Those memories from out cutie marks joined together and was moved to this castle. She may not be here physically anymore, but she is still there with us. We can feel it no matter where or when..." The alicorn paused, and turned her head back to see her new home, the beautiful color and material made out of is not an excuse to distract her thoughts, she turned back around to see her friends still in deep blues. Twilight sighed and continued, "Stargazing Dusk will be worthy of a challenge to overcome, we must stop her at all costs, but first, we must locate her whereabouts." To be continued.
Chapter 3: Kindness Was Charm The sun beamed gently on the healthy branches and charmed leaves, birds of all species began to sing and chirp in the finest tone of love and paradise. The creatures of the notorious Everfree Forest were extremely pleased with what Mother Nature and Princess Celestia had provided them, and bowed to thank them both. These actions were witnessed by no other pony who also inhabits around the forest and smiled gracefully to the animals. Her pink hair and tail reflected across her cottage thanks to the bright excitement of the sun. "Fluttershy!" A familiar voice called out to her, "You ready to kick off this week?!" It was no other than the popular blue pegasus, who resembles the element of loyalty and a childhood friend of Fluttershy. Despite not sharing a lot of goods, these two are just so close like two wings on an alicorn. Hearing clearly and throughout, the yellow Pegasus acted quickly, gathered her food and gears, nudged her animal friends goodbye, and quickly joined up with her loyal blue skinned yet rainbow colored mane friend (of course, we all know who's that). "Oh Rainbow Dash, I'm always ready for my friend!" And hugged the blue mare. Rainbow Dash moaned, "Well we better hurry up if we want to practice for the Equestrian 500 coming up next week. THEN I CAN SHOW THE WORLD THAT I'M TRULY A WONDERBOLT!" "And picnics... If you want that..." Fluttershy added hesitantly. Rainbow Dash simply rolled her eyes and ignored her friend's suggestion, however meaning she has accepted the warm offer of the kind Pegasus. "Yay!" Fluttershy excited as they began to take off into the wondrous island of clouds... or Cloudsdale. Today was another day of practice, for Rainbow Dash signed up for the Equestrian 500, a huge and popular competition that involves ponies all over the world to prove that they are the fastest, toughest and most athletic Pegasus of Equestria, also hosted by the idols of Rainbow Dash: The Wonderbolts. However, some events required a partner to accomplish, therefore Rainbow Dash pleaded Fluttershy to help her out, despite not interested (and somewhat nervous) with competing and showing off, Fluttershy herself now was a skilled flyer, after being trained by Rainbow and herself. She improved in speed, agility and many other factors that a good flyer required to obtain, in addition, Fluttershy is a rather kind and caring pony, especially to her friends; therefore in order to fill her childhood friend's dream to become a Wonderbolt, she unhesitatingly agreed. The two lovely friends shot through the white cotton clouds, the sky was just the perfect setting for sightseeing, the buildings, the trees, the sun, friends, families, oh can anyone imagine somewhere better than this?! "Oh my, if Pinkie Pie was here, how happy she would be seeing these clouds resembling sweet cotton candy!" Fluttershy said with a grin of hunger and desire, the white moist squished and puffed, its scattered textures formed all over itself, this was truly a Pegasus art! "Oh Fluttershy!" Rainbow responded, trying to sound professional and logical, "She wouldn't be somewhere like here! She either has a lot of stuffs to do, or it will take forever for her to come into the sky, besides, it isn't guaranteed that she won't fall back down." "Well there are all sorts of possibilities..." "Now look here, Fluttershy, to be honest, I know more about the sky than you do, I have been living and spending my entire life up here! You are an exception of Pegasus as you always look after those animals near that accursed Everfree forest! It's not like Pinkie is going to float in a hot air balloon right behind me waving and then jumping on me..." "DAAAAASSSHHHIIIEEE!" A Pink colored Earth pony shouted out to Rainbow and jumped and with all her joyful heart on her back. "Oh hi there Pinkie! We were just talking about you!" Fluttershy greeted her friend, "And is that your hot air balloon behind you?" "Oh that of course! How would I even come up here! Oh my balloon is flying away, catch you guys later!" Pinkie waved goodbye to them and left off to another random place that no pony has any single hay about. "Fluttershy... Did Pinkie wave at us before leaping for me...?" Rainbow Dash asked in an tone of disbelief. "Why yes she did, how come?" The yellow Pegasus answered, and her partner almost stopped flying in a state of confusion... The two Pegasus assailed across the blue with no feeling of guilt nor stress. To Rainbow Dash, this feeling of the sun shielding her reputation and pride. To Fluttershy, she also loved the sun shining on her whole body, only making her hair and tail visible to the eye. They soon left their home in the white cottons and came back down, soaring around an uninhabited island, right above the ocean and painting the sky blue. "Man! This is swell! Just look at everything! I have never been so free in my life!" Rainbow Dash exaggerated, "Neither have I." The other Pegasus added on, glad that her friend is enjoying the paradise of stressing out for the competition. Rescue us.... Preserve us... Rainbow Dash suddenly realized that Fluttershy is keeping up with her with no problem at all, the blue Pegasus was proud of Fluttershy's training with her, it was worth the time and effort. Cleanse the trails of the growing stain left by the dead pony's blood... Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy soon entered the island viewing the stunning scenery of nature while having fun with their practice. The sun's beam on the ocean shines the sky and glitters the solid rocky land of this unknown island. The wind was behaving calmly, yet somewhat sad and strange, We are in your hooves... "The trees..." Fluttershy murmured, "Are crying..." "Fluttershy what the hay are you sayin'? Don't just go and kill the moment of refreshment!" Rainbow knocked on the silent door, "Ya know, one of my favorite band Coltplay sang this wonderful song: Viva la Equestria. So you don't have to be so pessimistic, remember what you live for!" Please... Rainbow Dash finally thought she said something smart... Until the two smelled an unfriendly scent of smoke. "FIRRE!" Rainbow and Fluttershy screamed to the top of their lungs. After panicking all over the place, instead of fleeing, the two flew around to check out the disaster. however, the fire was nowhere to be seen... Don't leave... We are in despair... Soon, strange voice of despair preached out to Fluttershy. The gentle and caring mare stopped, and tried to communicate with Dash, but her friend was busy with her excitement of viewing and flying. "I'm sorry Rainbow Dash, but I can't let the cries of nature drown in deep seas!" Fluttershy thought out, and dashed out to the beseeching whispers instead of her flying friend who was busy claiming to be the top flyer in Equestria. While the two were not together, Rainbow Dash was completely caught off guard by the burning sun and the deep yet gracious green of the humongous vast of forest. "Well Fluttershy, now I finally realized why you loved nature so much... Umm Fluttershy? FLUTTERSHY!" The "fast" Pegasus was retarded to realize the whereabouts of her friend. "Oh no, she must've been worn out! What in the name of Celestia am I supposed to do?!" Rainbow stopped, and decides to operate her search on the ground, she seemed through bushes, twirled around trees, getting chased by animals, but there seems to be no sign of the butterflied cutie mark pony. Now the tide rises above Rainbow Dash, her heart raced desperately to avoid it, it would be such a waste of time and oppurtunity to course this flying drill alone without a good friend. "It's my fault..." The colorful mare looked down on the ground, " I should've looked after my friend more often, what a narcissist I am..." "RAINBOW! GET YOUR PLOD OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!" A familiar yet angry voice yelled out, holyfeathers was Rainbow scared as a dying rat, "Fluttershy... Don't you intimidate me like that, I'm sensitive like yo...." "WHAT DID I FLYING TELL YOU! STOP HORSING AROUND AND COME!" "But I'm a pon..." And was grabbed and threw by her yellow friend all the way to another place where Fluttershy expected. Rainbow Dash got up to her hooves, and no more than 4 inches away was her "kind" and furious Pegasus friend. There is no time to free... "Listen Rainbow Dash, we've got to save these poor inhabitants of the forest, these cute creatures really have an impressive voice!" "Fluttershy... What in Equestria was that all about, your anger just..." "OH RAINBOW DASH!" Rainbow Dash trembled and ready to take off, "I'm so sorry! Please forgive me! I was just concerned for these new friends! Don't take it personally PLEEEAASE!" After a second of awkwardness, the versatile colored Pegasus took a deep breath and finally said, "Okay okay fine, but what happened to these guys?" The Pegasus quickly replied, "This forest is in fact burning from some distance away, so we need to help these little ones evacuate immediately." "Well what are we waiting for? Com'on!" And the blue pony flew off to scan all over the forest for those in distress. Fluttershy on the other hand, was trying to fire signals to alert any other Pegasi for help. Every second is another life, every step is one life closer to save... The fire that mysteriously vanished was no longer a torch, but became ablaze like wildfire invading all property of the forest creatures. Rainbow Dash tried to bring perfect clouds just enough to rain but not lightning. She then saw the innocent creatures whom failed to make a run had their fate sealed as they shined bright with their new coat of flames. "Grrr Fluttershy! What are you doing?" The loyal mare growled, "This is supposed to be your job!" Meanwhile, after done signaling for aid, Fluttershy was trying to evacuate the melancholic habitants of the forest from the bursting rays of the yellow and red light darting everywhere in seconds. As the yellow Pegasus tried to carry the old, young and handicapped victims, she was soon seen burnt and gravely wounded by the sudden laughs of the assertive fire, along with those unresponsive creatures in flesh, all laying with pools of red liquid overflowing one another. Rainbow Dash heard the explosion, and soon came few other Pegasus, panicking and trembling. "DON'T YOU GET CHICKENED OUT BY SOME DARNED FIRE! WHAT THE HAY WERE WE HERE AT FIRST PLACE?!" As aid increases from the east coast of the forest, the south was unharmed, but looking rather dried and sucked up, the west was furiously flaming, nearly bright as the sun or Celestia herself. Rainbow Dash finally received a strike from guilt; not far from her eyes, lied a familiar yellow mare, adapting the color of the bright fire itself. Rainbow quickly acted, carried her best friend out of the woods and tossed her to few other Pegasus, but soon as she heard another roar of explosion behind her, she couldn't help but to ignore it, as she also spotted a suspicious figure trotting in the untouched woods. "Hmm, that's funny, why doesn't that guy panic or do something but walk so peacefully... WHY ISN'T THE FOREST BURNING FROM THERE?!" Baffled yet angry for suspecting it as the culprit, she raced back down and used full force to ram into it; unexpectedly, the figure was fully prepared for this ambush, it suddenly formed a shield. Instead of success, it was the prideful Pegasus who was shut down; as she took her own attack as her scars, sending herself all the way back against rows of healthy trees. Fatally wounded and dripping out disloyal blood, all this humiliation further provoked the rainbow haired mare, her wings flapped open, her eye color shifted to all colors, but mainly red. She shot straight at the figure, and before the figure can even react, it was bashed into trees, and then a hard and fairly large mountain. Soon after that encounter and some brutal violence, the figure unraveled itself to be an female unicorn, she started the first line, "Well well well, look what we have here, the arrogant mare who thinks she's the fastest in Equestria." "WHO ARE YOU?! SPIT IT OUT OR ELSE!" Rainbow demanded forcefully, "Now now you don't have to worry, I know we can get along well," the mysterious Unicorn said, "the name is Stargazing Dusk, and there is absolutely a fine scenery her.." Immediately ignoring her sarcasm, Rainbow Dash send a quick right back hoof, and Stargazing Dusk simply put on the same shield that injured Rainbow before, the Pegasus was smart enough to avoid that and gritted her teeth, "Ooooh, look at that shining sets of teeth, it's as if you were trying to destroy me with light, smart play smart play... I do hate the light, but doesn't mean I'M VULNERABLE TO YOUR CHEAP FILLY GAME!" And Dusk teleported behind Rainbow Dash, teleporting her then trapping her into a group of dead trees and cold wood. While the rainbow haired mare was struggling with her escape, Stargazing Dusk simply smirked, "You can struggle in my net all day and night, but by the time you do..." She grinned an evil grin, "See you Rainbow Crash, never again!" And teleported away... The shameful defeat was inevitable, Rainbow Dash never liked losing, she took all competitions into serious business, she wants to prove herself that she has the will to become what she wanted. She never lost any major games, maybe a few matches against Applejack, but that was an imply to their friendly skirmish for Iron Pony Competition, or that funny time when Dash and Applejack played dirty on one another in the Running of the Leaves... Yep those were the good times when Rainbow remembered her losses and mistakes, this loss however, is something beyond the minority; this loss is the fate of the innocent souls of this doomed forest, her friend Fluttershy is in the brink of the border between life and death, then Rainbow herself will fare the same way. Sank from all the anxiety, Rainbow Dash stopped her struggling from the tangled woods and decides to give all wings to underworld, she thanked the cold fire for blazing so brightly and letting her see that she deserved this fate. She shuttered her eyes as the flames crept towards her, the sounds of dying woodland creatures besieged Rainbow's surroundings, she wished she didn't have to hear their dying agonies, and just be free forever... Hope is not all fading, when there is a friend, there is a way... But the last thing she saw wasn't a Sonic Rainboom... "WHAT? A SONIC RAINBOOM?! WHO ELSE WOULD'VE DONE THAT BUT ME!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed in almost envious red ball of fire herself, an insult to injury as the Rainboom was directed to... HERSELF?! But instead of viewing the downhill slope, Rainbow Dash smiled with nothing but a small smile of happiness; finally someone can continue her legacy... Rainbow Dash was in a state of dark trance once she found herself to be awake, she sees the forest no longer a forest, but a wilderness completely deserted, not a single healthy nor alive tree was spotted, she couldn't but tried to believe that this was just a whole another dream. Soon, Rainbow Dash heard a gentle whisper of a familiar voice, then a pink hair fluttered swiftly onto her hoof... This sight of the hair was even more destructive for the prideful Pegasus; she could not believe what she saw. This grieving pain was rushing everywhere within Rainbow Dash, it was unbearable, but she can only carry it around until it gets bored and wears off. The wounded Rainbow Dash can only open her mouth, but say nothing nor can she produce a soft sound. The pain struck poor Pegasus's heart, thus her vision terminated once again...
Chapter 4: Recoveries and Relapses Ponyville today was an outlier compared to the other times. Ponies were silent, almost like doormats, it was a struggle between love and hate as some ponies like Rainbow Dash was involved with that forest incident, many Pegasi and the creatures in that forest were stripped away their freedom to live and flutter on. "NOT UNTIL DASHIE IS AWAKE!" Pinkie Pie happily exclaimed as the blue mare finally took a bite to open her eyes, everyone in the hospital room was in ecstasy; everyone was relieved. "Howdy Rainbow Dash, we were pretty worried that you would never wake up!" Applejack spoke first, her yellow and orderly organized hair was properly placed down from her head to the floor, only to displease Rarity on how dirty she can be. "Oh hello guys," Rainbow finally said, "YES SHE SPOK..." "Rainbow, you were sleeping for three days! Why in the wide world of Equestria would you go over there, TO THAT FOREST?!" Twilight Sparkle interrupted while keeping Pinkie from the extreme hype with her magic. "Oh..." The Pegasus replied surprisingly but keeping her cool, "Heh heh, about that, I was practicing for my Equestria 500 with Fluttershy... Wait, IS FLUTTERSHY ALRIGHT?! I HAVEN'T SEEN HER SINCE I SPOTTED STARGAZING DUSK!" The silence quickly and loudly filled up the room, all her friends became baffled. "Stargazing Dusk? Fluttershy? Who in the world are they, darling?" Rarity asked as if she was trembling from strangeness. Once again, Rarity summoned silence back, Rainbow Dash was awkward, to her, this was pure chaos mixed with pure insanity, she had no idea whether to get angry or snicker at the lofty unicorn. She finally took a shot, "Wha... What had gotten into you... Is Discord now messing with your minds? This is not the time for comedy..." "Oh was I supposed to laugh at that? Hahhahahhahaha... Am I?" Pinkie Pie interrupted, "Cut the grass Pinkie!" Applejack snapped seriously, "Sugarcube, we think that quote should direct to you instead, there are only five of us, not six..." Without any spark of explosion, Rainbow Dash flared at the Earth pony, and suddenly pounced on her, locking her forcefully with her hooves, as if she was all chained and threatened with blades. "You don't have to know that foul Stargazing Dusk, BUT WHO'S FLUTTERSHY YOU FEATHERBRAIN ASKING! HOW THE EQUESTRIA'S HAY CAN YOU FORGET ABOUT OUR FRIEND?!" Rainbow burst with tears and grief, "AFTER ALL SHE HAS DONE FOR AND WITH US, CAN YOU SIMPLY IGNORE HER EXISTENCE?!" The frustration within Rainbow Dash's soul screamed and raged, but to the rest of her comrades, she was just another filly throwing tantrums. Rainbow Dash now is gripping on Applejack's neck, ready to make the country girl spit out her honesty and truth... "That's enough Rainbow!" Twilight called out, "You should just stay alone yourself for awhile and get your mind cleared out." And the alicorn used her magic to teleport the Rainbow to a nearby park, all alone by herself. Unknown to the alicorn, Rainbow Dash seeks zero trace of whether she was lost in the Everfree forest, or that her friends were, not bonded with her anymore. The theory of magic being in effect rises inside Rainbow's head, and that such spell that can erase the memories of other ponies, "Princess Celestia and Luna... They have to be somewhat relating to this problem!" But then that thought was replaced with her emotions as she hesitated a cold pause. The dusk overlapping the shady trees, despite cooling her off, reminded her of the new nemesis she encountered on that forest island, and how all that, was the sole loss of her Pegasus friend, and then what happened today. Still, how did they just forget her like that? Rainbow Dash began remembering all the pictures of Fluttershy: when she saved Equestria from a frightening dragon; she stood up to it when her friends were down despite her fears for those flying beasts. Her support for Rainbow with her Sonic Rainboom was determined. Her bit of knowledge on fashion helped bring Rarity back to her job with full confidence. Fluttershy was told by Pinkie Pie and Rarity on how far she was trying to be assertive, and managed to overcome it. Fluttershy once again saved the day by making rain for all ponies and inhabitants in Equestria, if it wasn't for her, the Pegasi (with Rainbow Dash as the lead pony) will never reach 800 wing power to provide water for anyone. Fluttershy despite not seen as persuasive nor manipulating, still reformed Discord, the chaos of harmony, alone. "Even turning into a bat!" The she giggled, but flooding the laughter with glands instead, now that she had realized: it was Fluttershy who saved her from the fire, and exchanged her own life for Rainbow's. This teardrop, something Rainbow Dash almost never experienced in her life, wasn't just any teardrop of sorrow. She saw her front hooves wet with them, "Is this a feeling of, losing a friend?" Rainbow questioned herself as grief was scarred deep into her wings, "But why? Shouldn't I be flying high and standing on clouds? Why am I on the darn ground fussing around? Why am I not... Up there, free as I wanted to be...?" The colorful mare looked hopelessly up into the sky, her mane was rainbow no more, "I SHOULDN'T BE CRYING! THAT'S A FILLY THING TO DO! AM I NOW FLUTTERSHY?!" After these such words, Rainbow Dash was now rolling in the deep soil, ramming into trees, these responses further provoked the Pegasus furiously. The demon begins to repaint the rainbow into the dark, ugly and unimaginable color that no pony is eager to see. She disrupts nature once more knocking down rows of innocent trees, they all came collapsing down, broken. Like her own heart. Her chaos drove herself into doing the impossible: Shattering rocks. It worked effectively when she wasn't holding back like last time when Spike was being a "good" assistant to Applejack, it was still a new view to Rainbow on how would he not be exhausted just by stacking rocks that clearly surpasses his size, "I, I couldn't even do that, and he's only a baby dragon... Am I too weak?" She questioned her pride, thus is wasn't like her, she hasn't cried so hard in her life, her spirit of confidence, adventure, and courage has never died down, it was the burst of fire in her body. After shattering the impossible, Rainbow's whole body was now corrupted, all three conditions that matters to a pony the most was stored zero in the once the awesome Pegasus everyone knew. "If somepony will be here for me, it has to be Fluttershy..." Rainbow said, remembering all the times when Fluttershy cared for her, whenever she is distressed, the yellow friend would often take Rainbow Dash and place her head into her own body, it felt fluffy, and gentle... Soon Rainbow began over thinking, as the kind Pegasus was there for all of her friends as well: Twilight when she was lost and felt pressured with her duty as a princess, Applejack when she had a family conflict with all of her family members, Pinkie Pie when she was ignored and left in a puddle of tears, and Rarity when her fashion design was rejected by a celebrity. Because of these dreadful memories, Rainbow almost lost the gratitude, and "Loyalty" of her friends, she believes that her friends don't respect who Fluttershy is anymore when she was THERE for them, she now shifts her hatred not just herself, but on her friends as well, the bond was never with the right elements. "Well if they want to break the bond, THEN MY LOYALTY IS CONFIRMED, NO MORE FRIENDS IT IS!" She screamed as loud as she can, so that her friends "can" hear it, "But of course, we aren't friends anymore, how can they hear or care...?" She then convinced herself. The harsh persuasion commanded her hooves to leap off back home. Her decision was harsh, and cruel. Definitely not what her best and childhood friend wanted to be, or is. Rainbow Dash however, isn't considered a kind pony compared to the rest of the Six, she was more aggressive, and preferred her ego sometimes than actually others, she does not care any longer. "I can fix all this by myself anyways." Rainbow quietly yet in an upset way told herself, "I don't need anypony to help me!" While this experience of completely losing a friend still made Rainbow Dash shiver, she couldn't help but put it aside this time due to her injuries given by Stargazing Dusk, it almost prevented her from flying, she soon collapsed back to the ground again, the wound was severe, Rainbow can only pant and breathe heavily, blood now trickles out of her blue torso, she thought she was goner this time. Until a small turquoise colt trotted along her, he stopped, bent down, and dragged Rainbow Dash with him. Rainbow Dash was wandering in Sugarcube Corner, somehow her wings wouldn't obey her intention, then she saw a familiar Pegasus flying from above, it was her bonding partner for Equestria 500, "FLUTTERSHY!" Rainbow called out, but unfortunately even her rainbow mane could not receive attention from her; even worse, everyone in Ponyville was looking at Fluttershy only, soon the rest of Mane Six arrived to Sugarcube Corner as well, however instead of gazing at the flying yellow mare, they glared at the blue one. Applejack started out, "Well, if it ain't that clumsy old fool who thinks she is the "best" flyer in Equestria!" Rainbow stared at her, eyes ready to run wild. Did her friend actually just say that? Sure, Applejack and her may have had some competitions and, maybe some minor fillish arguments over who won or not, but this "jealousy" or insult, is more than a serious tone. "I wouldn't even give you any clothes to wear no matter how much of a "friend" you are!" Rarity added, "Umm Rarity, that's pretty awkward, just to tell you..." Twilight corrected the purple haired unicorn. To Rainbow Dash's surprise, all of her friends now are angrily glaring at her, Rainbow for the first time shivered in front of her friends, easily like that... "Look Rainbow, your actions and carelessness stole the most from you, you are not eligible to be our friend anymore! You and your Wonderbolt horsecrap completely destroyed your elemental spirit!" Rainbow was now crouching in mercy and cowardice, "Bu... But wha.. What did I... When..." "Oh Rainbow Dash, it was fun with you, but I guess that slice of cake will eventually be carved out, you aren't sweet enough to be a friend!" Pinkie Pie laughed and jumped around the Four others. Now the whole town huddled up on Rainbow Dash, the hatred evolved into heartlessness, now the blue Pegasus is targeted to be erased from the sketchbook! "HEELLLPP MMEEE! ANYPONY!" Rainbow Dash screamed and plead as the mob weighted on her back like a horde of savaging fire ants. Soon, the fluttering Fluttershy soon drilled into the crowd, and threw Rainbow Dash out into safety. The blue mare was truly relieved, she was about to leap off, unknown to her until to late: Fluttershy did not exactly "save" Rainbow from the mob, but replaced her in the same position. Rainbow after thinking for a minute or two on this, turned back, and began rushing back to her danger zone. Unfortunately, it was too late now, her kind friend was the victim instead. "FLUTTERSHYYYYYYYY!!!!" The Pegasus yelled, and tried to go back and pull her friend out, but the efforts were futile, and Fluttershy drowned deep into the darkness. "NOOO!" Rainbow once again woke up, panting, gasping for air, her heart either overworked or it must've stopped functioning. This nightmare was devastating, there is no way she would betray her friend, and seeing her good Pegasus friend leave her like that again, was just humiliating and painful... Shaking her head, Rainbow Dash looked around the room, in confusion on her whereabouts, "Is this another dream?" She asked herself, "Where the hay is this place?" She looked around, the room was fairly small, and wooden like Zecora's hut, but the furniture, color, style. More like... The home of her friend whom Rainbow used to be with. The same turquoise foal walked in, Rainbow Dash was quickly provoked to ask him questions and fill her own demands, "Who are you? Where am I? Why am I here?" All these words spat by Rainbow Dash startled the young unicorn, "Please Missie! Don't scare me! I'm sorry!" Rainbow sighed with a breath of relief, "Well, if you can KINDLY explain to me what is going on, then maybe I don't have to "scare" you anymore." The little colt looked at Rainbow Dash, their eyes shared the same color for some unknown reason. Rainbow seemed to recognize this stranger, but at the same time confident that he was new to her. The younger one was even more unconscious now, took off the eye exchange and began, "My name is Glowing Leaf, and this place is my home, I live alone. With some animals at least who seem to visit from time to time, but I can't seem to communicate with them properly. I saw you badly hurt, so I thought if I can help save a life, then maybe chaos and disorder will slowly vanish?" Glowing Leaf stopped, and saw Rainbow falling asleep, offended, he used his magic and zapped her back to shape. Rainbow jumped in the air, and tumbled on the wooden floor, "Wha- Ok ok! I heard you, but why couldn't you use your magic to carry me instead of dragging me like a pig!" The blue haired colt eyed coldly down the floor, his lips formed a frown, a piece of him was unwrapped, "I..." He paused to sniff. "I was bullied and pushed over because I couldn't control my magic, nor can I use it properly..." Glowing Leaf paused and was angry at himself for having a bad memory, so she suddenly asked Rainbow for her name again. The mare sighed, and answered him, "The name is Rainbow Dash, and the fastest flyer of Equestria..." The former proud Pegasus paused, and sank her voice, "No, just call me Rainbow Dash. I don't deserve to be the fastest anymore." The awkward silence once again swayed in the space between the two unlike ponies, finally Glowing Leaf continued, "Well, umm alright, anyways even the teachers scuffed at me for being such a wasted unicorn *Sniff sniff*, I feel like I am a nopony, I tried to explore all sorts of subjects, but none worked out for me, I'm just a clumsy and dumb unicor-" "That's complete horse stack! You must have some friends to help you out!" Rainbow interrupted, "I only have one friend, an Earth pony named Sunrise Horizon. He's always there to cheer me up, and I always believe in his words because he is always right, all the time!" Glowing Leaf proudly replied. "Honesty? Hmm." Rainbow stopped, her mane is soon spread apart due to this critical thinking, and asked, "What did this Sunrise guy think of you? Has he ever told you?" "Well." Glowing Leaf said, "Sunrise told me a few times that I am a charming and kind pony, I'm always there to help others despite my former classmates are always treating me differently." After hearing those two familiar words, Rainbow did not feel the sadness within the little colt's heart, continued to wonder what is going on with Glowing Leaf's past. "Kind... Honesty... OH I FORGOT! I have to see Princess Celestia! See ya around, and thanks for healing my wings and scars!" Rainbow Dash said as she blasted off to her task. "WAIT! RAINBOW DASH! THERE'S MORE TO TELL YOU!" The turquoise unicorn yelled out, but his weak voice plus Rainbow's speed tore their communication apart.
Chapter 5: Still Mane Six The distance from Ponyville to Canterlot was pretty darn far for even a speedy one like Rainbow Dash to cover. Impatient and anxious, the gas bubble overflowed the bottle and the blue mare finally thought of using the Sonic Rainboom. She started out passing through puffy cotton clouds, twirling around them, and finally the last phase, the Rainboom itself. Rainbow dashed through watery sky, and soon a giant burst of multiple colors began to please those who saw Rainbow Dash performing the famous stunt. FLASH! Goes the rainbow. BOOM! Goes the sonic. The diameter of the colorful circle expanded rapidly, the bright excitement lightened up those who were in despair and darkness, even those who knew Rainbow Dash believed that the blue Pegasus was finally back to shape and hyped up again. However this brilliant performance forcefully stole more than three quarters of Rainbow Dash's energy... And life... Not only that, it reminded her of Fluttershy when she supported her all the way when Rainbow Dash wasn't confident to perform the Sonic Rainboom. Exhausted, deeply saddened and bleeding again, she zoomed to Canterlot, crashing through trees, sliding on the unfriendly ground, and finally into the castle where the two sisters live in... Fainted and but not to the brink of death this time, Rainbow Dash's Rainboom created a gush of large smoke, filling in the atmosphere, this quick tactic helped Rainbow Dash not being seen as an intruder (well she is). She struggled but still got back to her hooves, and quickly sprinted to a corner in the castle right before some guards can take a glance on her. Rainbow Dash's agility plus speed was quite the accurate shot, for she managed to get around the castle in no problem at all... Until she now remembers that she now shares a castle as well... Just empty without another kind soul when she needs it... Rainbow Dash grew angry again and let out an irritated neigh. "That's enough Rainbow Dash!" The demanding tone caught the blue Pegasus by her senses backwards. After that great ball of pure white light, Rainbow Dash was never seen by the guards again... Rainbow Dash woke up to her senses, she observed this grand room, filled with glass paintings of art depicting the major characters in Equestrian history. What even fumed her was the red, the one and only red carpet placed perfectly in the middle of the room... "Princess Celestia! I will fire at you all the questions I feel like against you!" Rainbow Dash spat, her hateful demon coming back once more... And not far was a glowing ball of light, the brightness was so warm that the heat was free to access all objects and living things. POOF! Was the Princess of the Sun, standing tall and supreme. Slowly, she opened her eyes and turned her head towards the redheaded Pegasus, "What brings you here, my dear friend? After creating havoc to my home, causing disruption in the ponies, and speaking to me with quite an unusual tone..." Rainbow Dash flew right into Celestia's face surprisingly, and pressured her, "Why couldn't my friends remember Fluttershy anymore?! Did you use your petty horn and make them forget who it was?!" Even with all the disrespect from an arrogant pony, the Princess simply took a deep breath, ignoring Rainbow's anger, and began to decipher her anxiety, "Rainbow Dash, would Fluttershy really want you all to suffer to remember her sacrifice? Kindness isn't an element to underestimate, the concept is like Rarity, they both think for others deeply." "But doesn't mean we have to ignore her from now on! She must've proved herself to us..." "Now now, my young mare. How many times has Fluttershy threw away her own time to save yours?" Rainbow Dash dropped her opened wings, they were boneless and mushed. "I, I—" "Forget not, your own element is loyalty; would you go against it by betraying Fluttershy's kind offer? How many times has she been hurt alone while you guys all have your eyes turned backwards? Answer me, my dear Rainbow?" The logic carried out by the wise millennium alicorn penetrated Rainbow's speechless mind, and her eyes turned into light, while all of her mane changed into a violet splash of evil, her skin grew red with tattoos of those banished cutie marks that resembled disharmony and chaos. The blue Pegasus can only roar and scream, the tension has finally elevated to the highest point. No. This is not how Rainbow Dash should look, Celestia measured carefully, aware that the young mare is struggling between the tug of loyalty. Whether she should think for Fluttershy by forgetting her and everyone will remain safe and happy, or she will continue to remember her friend and bear the fatal wound. "Argh! Stoooop!"Rainbow ordered her demon, Celestia was aware of the Loyalty strain within Rainbow's body, but the sole microscopic detail she gazed off of, was bounded to be a fatal mistake. "We have met again, Princess." The demon surprisingly spoke for the first time, The alicorn still recognized this voice, she hadn't heard it like the Liberty Bell in Fillydelphia. "In centuries, why are you still here Stargazing Dusk?!" The Princess demanded to know all. As Stargazing Dusk appeared out of Rainbow Dash's body with a portal. "S...Stargazing... D... Dusk?" Rainbow Dash followed, "You know the Princess?" Smirking, the dark purple striped unicorn instead of answering both of them, toyed with the beaten Pegasus, "What would you choose Rainbow Dash? Fight or flight?" The memories of Fluttershy swarmed in once again, Rainbow can see all the times when she cried alone, feeling depressed and stressful. Nevertheless, she still tried to help her friends at the worst state possible, but nopony... Not even Princess Twilight Sparkle herself had the slightest worry of the poor Pegasus's condition... Rainbow Dash is sucked into darkness once more: She now does not know whether her fillyhood friend wanted her and her friends to forget her, or that she needs help from them, because she never got much even after death. "Fluttershy... I..." The blue mare paused, only to let her tears gush out. "I didn't know what happened to you, but that was my fault, I should've tagged with you more often..." She paused cold, and her tears glittered, what was there more to say. She took the blame all for herself, as if that nightmare she had back with Glowing Leaf was true. No matter where her soul flew to, she could not avert the darkness that holds the truth: She was not loyal. She was never there for her kind friend, yet it was opposite of vice versa. "RRGH!" The rainbow maned Pegasus roared, tore apart by the anger and the depression, burst out all stripes of colors, every and each color is clear and solid, it was bright. Just too bright. The Pegasus however, did not seem to handle her powers well, as her lights spread in all directions, not mattering whoever it was or what it was, the light just wasn't the type of light that ponies feel in their daily routines. "That is?!" Celestia was quite shocked, as if she encountered this in her life ruling Equestria. "Ha ha ha! Celestia!" Stargazing Dusk laughed in triumph, "It indeed is the False Light, I may not had a better name than it, but this spell is the perfect medicine for the perfect pony! Now she will never become what was the Rainbow you have seen!" The white alicorn turned her eyes back on Rainbow Dash. There was a scale, and one side was Rainbow Dash's cutie mark, representing her principles and her identity, while the other one was her element, representing her faith in friendship. Both are valuable, as one can't exist without the other. "But if one outweighs the other, then it..." Celestia could not finish her speech, the truth was too grim to be even mentioned. "Then there would be no order in the character, all of her will be in disharmony. Come on Princess! This is the Element Scale we're talking about here! You should know better as a teacher and the ruler of Equestria!" The mare mocked, confident that she already has her millionth victim under control. "Furthermore," She continued, "see that swirl right below each of the two scales. If the either subject touches it..." Stargazing gazed at the chaotic Pegasus, Rainbow Dash was now restricted from free flying like she always loved to do. Wickedly, Stargazing continued, "Then this poor Rainbow will lose her colors one by one..." Ignoring her figurative language, Princess Celestia continued to analyze the situation. "No! She will never come back to her original state! If only the Elements of Harmony are..." "HA!" The unicorn interrupted, "You think I don't know anything just because I'm from the past?! Don't worry, I learned this rare and banned spell from one of the Star Swirl's secret document on sealing those petty elements!" Celestia's eyes opened wide, she could not speak once again, "... Yo... You..." "I was always prepared for your tests and tasks, Princess! Tell me when was there a time when I failed you?..." "You already failed me, for five hundred years." Celestia simply answered, angrily glaring at her former student. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash has the stain. A stain that will never come off, or that it will, but not completely demolished. All she can think of is her lost friend who saved her from the fire. By exchanging her own. "Fluttershy... You were always so kind, and nice to everypony... There would never be somepony who has a heart like yours... Who would forget you like that?" She then stopped, as she realized that she was in a blank world, filled with nothingness. "Am, am I d-dead?" The cyan Pegasus asked herself, she tried flying to all directions, but it was proved to be effectively useless, wherever she moved to, she gained no gold. Rainbow Dash finally gave up, and fell back down. However, the answer to her question became a hoof closer when a familiar looking figure walked in, it shocked Rainbow, for she cried so hard that she did not mind how everyone will judge her, and rushed to hug her pink haired friend, but instead of actually interacting with it, she went through Fluttershy. Again angry and confused, but her Pegasus friend held out her left front hoof, and began, "Now now Rainbow Dash, lets not all get so mad at one another and calm down... We may have had those moments of tough tugs when our friends argue, but as a friend you should always know what's best for them." Her gentle voice did descend Rainbow's anger, but she still worried what should she do now, and so she asked, "Fluttershy, I... Don't know whether should I forget all about you, and don't have to let you see us in grief... Or should I continue to remember you as one of our best friends. So that you can feel safe and happy even when you're a lifeless picture?" "Oh Rainbow!" She giggled, for her giggles were charming as ever, her smiles often always makes Rainbow Dash's body feel relaxed. "You don't need to stress yourself over this. Again, do what is best for you! And stick to that way, forever, because that would be the right choice for the rest of our friends." "Fluttershy, I..." Rainbow broke, for another burst of light blinded her for a few seconds. Once recovered, she could not believe her eyes... That she was in the finest paradise of Cloudsdale, and on the green, fresh and grassy ground, there were animals everywhere. Happily playing around and sharing food with one another. "Bu... But something isn't right." Rainbow Dash flew down on the ground to check, "Something is definitely missing here..." Soon, she discovered some of the little critters were quite upset with a skirmish. Then a huge gray bear walked up, and hugged them altogether in a great... Family... Rainbow was shocked again, as the critters got along just like that... "How's that even possible?" was the question flowing into her eyes and brain. When her friends and Rainbow Dash get into a skirmish similar to this, it took them quite awhile for them all to make up, but this? She pondered. "Oh Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy noticed her surprised face with mouth opened. "Don't be misguided and feel insecure because the animal friends' reunion from an argument are faster than you can clear clouds, just look at how eventually everyone gets along like that. Same can go with you and our friends, nothing will break our bond. Not even when the Elements are gone." "The Elements... Bond... I..." She paused, after everything she has said to her friends, the way she acted, it was impossible to take it back, but she can only hope that they will forgive her. She searched for the relief, and it was there waiting for her the whole time, how did she not figure this out? "Thank you so much, Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash hugged her, and this time it was real, she felt it, it was squishy and soft. Very comfortable like Fluttershy always is. The pink haired mare did the same back, and rubbed herself on Rainbow's cheek... It will be the last time that she is doing this... "Flutter-Fluttershy?" Rainbow voiced out, for her friend began emitting small, turquoise, glowing orbs that seem to resemble somepony else, but Rainbow did not care about that right now, she wanted to take Fluttershy back. "Be brave Rainbow..." She whispered out, like always, she was shy. But this time it was strong and clear. "Know your speciality... Know your dreams... Know your compassion... Know yourself... I will miss you Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy finished her last word that contained the Rainbow colored mare's name, she closed her eyes, a teardrop flew out, and touched Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy fluttered up into the bright clouds, and faded on within the limitless skies. "No... No! Stop! Don't leave me! Fluttershy! FLUTTERSHY!!!" Rainbow yelled out desperately, reaching her hoof out to touch Fluttershy, for the last time, gambling against all odds despite she expected what will happen. The touch was so close that it almost felt real. Almost " Just almost... Freakin' almost..." Rainbow Dash's mind painfully cried out. In the end, that tiny gap was large enough to decay the cyan mare's soul. She put her hoof back down, hung her head low, and stared at the grassy ground. She does not know what to do anymore even after being told what to do, her heart was iced cold, like a sting whenever a pony touches it. However, the grass was shimmering and shining, the color of the grass began to brighten up, the whole world became white, just like Rainbow earlier when she reunited with Fluttershy. Soon, everything around her came back to normal, fortunate yet unfortunate for the loyal mare... While Rainbow Dash was in trance, Celestia and Stargazing Dusk battled out each other in a deadly duel of magic. Despite the princess's almighty power, her shots do not seem to impress her former student at all, "Is that all you got, teacher?!" She laughed out loud, and created sky blue electric sparks that shocked and stunned Celestia's nerves, pinning her in place. Now seeking for the chance, charged up a purple beam, "That, I still remember." Celestia used her rest energy to do nothing but speak out her memory, "Your first magic spell... A spell... That can fatally hurt others. I took you under my wing because I wanted you to find harmony. Not this." "Just because I'm under your wing Celestia, does not mean I am influenced by it!" Finally, Stargazing Dusk fired the wide and charged beam towards the alicorn. All at last seemed to be over, until the princess lowered her horn to absorb it. Stargazing Dusk could not see her due to the large area that her beam had covered, feeling triumphant, she began to show signs of victory... SNAP! To her horror, Celestia teleported into her face and stomped her hooves onto it, suffocating her as she was attacked by Celestia's rapid Solar magic. Burning in pain and heating to die, Stargazing screamed and yelled, struggling with all her strength, and managed to time it right and cast a shield that bounced her away from the angry ruler. She huffed, "You are still worthy to be a teacher, Princess. After years studying with you and learning from you, there are just eternal lessons to be learned from your immortality, eh?" The unicorn said, expecting an obvious and pointless response. "Don't you ever call me your teacher or Princess again! You have no right to live any longer with your disharmonious ambitions!" Celestia fired back, her hoof constantly rubbing against the ground, creating gushes of burning smoke. Not intimidated by this, Stargazing was about to fire another spell, and the Princess is ready to retaliate... "NOT SO FAST! STARGAZING DUSK!" The belligerents turned around to notice a yellow mixed with blue portal open up, and out stepped the Pegasus with her mane back in shape, and a wide, confident smile on her face. "Stargazing Dusk." Rainbow began, as the purple unicorn began shaking and trembling from her return, nopony ever has successfully balanced the Element scale for five centuries. "Thanks to you I have finally realized what I should be searching for." Confounded by her words, the traitorous unicorn smirked and kept her cool, then asked back, "Oh? Tell me more." Rainbow Dash now twisted her smile upside down, and began trotting heavily, closer and closer to the villain. Her eyes were a flare of red and teeth showed like a hungry predator. She opened her mouth and began out, "The element is always inside me... No, even if it wasn't, I'm still me, and that loyalty will bear as my curse forever, a battle scar received ever since I was a filly..." "And how will that decide your fate? How will you march on? How does that direct to me in any sort?" Stargazing gritted her teeth, hoping that her questions were rhetorical enough to back the enraged pegasus down, now that Rainbow Dash is up into her face, pressing onto her nose. Nevertheless, Stargazing asked these questions, to gamble her opponent and make her confuse and trip over. Instead of answering, however, Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and tilted her head up, she flowed into the air, her mane began flowing as if a force is acting like the wind. Her mane soon whipped all colors; whether the good, bad, or the ugly. They swirled around all over the place dancing and blending in with one another. Soon, they combined and formed a huge, colorful orb that nopony witnessed to be more happy and beautiful. "RGH! WHAT'S THIS?!" Stargazing hissed, for she gets frustrated when she has no clue of what is going on that is out of her knowledge. "I have now chosen, both of you..." Rainbow turned her head towards Princess Celestia while addressing both her and Stargazing Dusk, "I will remember my friend Fluttershy, forgetting her will not only cause the rest of us grief, but Fluttershy will be lonely again. By recognizing her, however, It only makes her and us satisfied, and bonded... Forever and always..." She now turned her head back onto the trembling unicorn. "BE GONE! YOU INCOMPETENT FOOL!" Stargazing Dusk let out a beam, but simply repelled by the rainbow orb. "Wha... How's that possible—" Stargazing began to question Rainbow's strange aura. Unfortunately for her, it's already too late, the orb flashed a burst of streaming rays of again: All colors, no matter good or bad. Into the ambitious unicorn, sending Stargazing Dusk away and faded. Rainbow Dash fell back down. Tired, beat, exhausted, and still depressed about what happened not awhile ago. Rainbow wished that this never would've happened, all the trouble she caused for her dear friend, and what how she acted towards her other friends. She covered herself with her hooves to hide her tears from the one and only other pony: Princess Celestia, as she walked towards her, and smiled. "Congratulations Rainbow Dash, you have passed my test." Rainbow got up, she did not expect to hear any of this sort of words written across the white alicorn's face. Slowly, she got her head out, and shockingly staring at her. "T... Test...?" She asked, her sweat rolled down her body, for she was not prepared for anything that actually mattered to her, especially a test. She believed that was a job for eggheads like Twilight. "Mmm-hmm, you now are at another step closer to the understanding of your element and the character of your friends. You would never betray them, would you?" "B-but, what about how they forgot about who Fluttershy was? "Who said we forgot about her? You seriously stepped your hoof too far this time, Rainbow Dash." Said a familiar voice. Turning around to her left, Rainbow Dash saw a purple horn, with wings, then followed by an orange with a cowgirl hat, then a pink haired shaking hoof, finally a purple haired white body being hit by an open door. She yelled out in pain. "G-Guys...?" Rainbow could not move, she never knew why all this happened, it was truly crazy and quick. "You came for me?" Already, Twilight teleported her friends and herself into Rainbow's face, making her fall onto the ground, hugging and nudging her all over her face. Rainbow could not help but smile and laugh with her very best friends. Then again, there was one scent that was missing throughout the interaction. "How can we forget our very beloved Fluttershy? You are just so stupid sometimes." Twilight commented, but Rainbow did not feel offended at all, for she did realize her wrongs. Her ambition was let out, and it did give her a punishment enough to almost take her own life away. She simply nodded her head, and replied, "I'm sorry everypony," She wanted to cry again, it really was a bothersome thing to do, despite doing so so many times before. "I didn't mean to let this happen, I just wanted to protect her, and since I was the one... Who dragged her into this... It was my responsibility to keep everything under control..." "Snap out of it sugarcube!" Applejack put her hoof on Rainbow's nose, "It ain't your fault, it was nopony's fault..." She stopped again, and remembered something, "But that Star-whoever-it-was pony." "Stargazing Dusk..." Rainbow was about to begin, but interrupted by the Princess, "She is still alive and well out there, you girls got to be careful." "SHE STILL IS?!" Rainbow Dash flew up, her fury erupted another burst of rainbow, but thanks to Celestia's magic, she was calmed down. "Rainbow Dash, your new ability was very effective, but keep in mind that Stargazing is a cunning and rather clever student of mine five hundred years ago, I can still sense her presence out there somewhere. That was simply a clone she made with her magic." "Wha... What?!" Rainbow opened her mouth, but Twilight broke her off, changing the topic. "Princess Celestia, as a Princess myself, I know this is a very serious and important topic, but right now we lost somepony very special and important to us, and..." She wept a tear, and quickly swiped it away, trying to hold more from coming. "... We want to remember her as our one and only Fluttershy..." "N-no... Fluttershy..." Pinkie already could not hold it, she let her tears sprinkle out, flooding the area around her. Her three balloons flashed and shined greatly. Balloons eventually came out, inside shows all of her memories with Fluttershy: the tea parties, their parties, Grand Galloping Gala, so many overwhelming good times that is regretful to be lost. Rarity took out some handkerchiefs, already wetting them all, same goes for her three gems, memories floated out, Rainbow Dash smiled when she saw Fluttershy's smile once more, no matter how many times her smile is there, it's impossible for her and the rest to ignore and abandon it. Applejack took off her hat, and pressed it firmly on her chest, specifically where her heart located at, furthermore, instead of closing her mouth whenever she is sad, this time she gritted out her teeth of anger and frustration from crying. Applejack was a strong mare, both physically and emotionally. She can hold her feelings to herself, and nopony has to worry about what she is hiding because they all know that she is honest and truthful, therefore whenever they know or expect how she should feel, it was always correct. Same goes for her too, swarms of memories flew out of her three apples like Parasprites. Twilight cried silently, but her cries were just as meaningful as her friend's actions; for she was a straightforward mare, somepony who does whatever the book instructs her to do, if this is something that should be sad, then she should cry. Her tears created a great orb, combining all of the other's memories together, and the orb rushed away, all the way to the new castle that Twilight now resides in. Rainbow Dash became puzzled by the effects of her friends' sorrow, what does all this mean? The memories flowing out of her friends' cutie marks, then suddenly jointing together in Twilight's magic? Why does it happen? How did it happen? Rainbow shook her head repetitively, there was no time for any of those now, because in front of her there is something that she could not bear it herself to see how much pain her friends were in. She finally gave up, and followed her friends' influence. Princess Celestia was sorry about this loss too, but she did not show it as much as the rest by shutting her eyes, because she experienced far more lives taken and swallowed whole herself than any of the ponies crying near her right now. So much pain, that she became used to it, not in a way of not caring, but enough to make her endure what exactly is going on. She reopened her eyes and suggested, "Twilight, your new castle and the Horseshoe Memorial are the perfect spots to bury and mourn those who are gone forever, but the choice is up to you, for it can create "side effects"." "What do you mean by that?" Twilight asked, in a way having actually treated her former teacher as an equal, but without realizing. "You'll have to see for yourself..." And her horn glowed, sending a bubble to surround Twilight and her friends, teleporting them all away. Finally retrieving her privacy, she didn't need to hesitate, but weep in such an honorable way that a Princess like her always should. In front of Twilight's castle, five figures spawned within a blink of the eye: there stood, five miserable ponies, grieving for their dead friend. They knew that they had been doing this quite awhile, and it's useless to keep sobbing, but it could not be helped. Applejack grunted in pain. Rarity wept and wept in vain. Pinkie Pie cried out loud stained. Twilight sobbed and pulled her mane. And lastly Rainbow Dash, like she was bringing a storm cloud, ready to rain. But all this has to stop right now, they can't waste any more precious and valuable time, they had more lives to protect and save. Realizing first as always, Twilight gathered the remaining of the Six back together, "Listen, enough is enough. We have to accept the fact that a friend cannot be brought back, no matter what magic or spell there is, not even the divine rulers of Equestria. We must act quick, before that Stargazing Dusk can take more friends of ours away." "Bu-but what about Fluttershy?" Pinkie protested. "I believe we have already buried her." Twilight did not want to say her name anymore. "Those memories from out cutie marks joined together and was moved to this castle. She may not be here physically anymore, but she is still there with us. We can feel it no matter where or when..." The alicorn paused, and turned her head back to see her new home, the beautiful color and material made out of is not an excuse to distract her thoughts, she turned back around to see her friends still in deep blues. Twilight sighed and continued, "Stargazing Dusk will be worthy of a challenge to overcome, we must stop her at all costs, but first, we must locate her whereabouts." To be continued.
