Dashing Your Friends Away

The scene was all too surreal for Rainbow. Rarity was gone, and she wasn't coming back. That sense of uselessness is difficult for a pony to accept, and Rainbow was no exception.

...What happens now? I can't just stay here, if someone comes in, it'll look like-

BAM!

The door to the room flew open, revealing the ghastly scene to the ponies watching, mouths gaping wide.

"Dashie! We heard you scream something about… wait, Dashie... what happened to Rarity?" a familiar voice said in disbelief.

Sure enough, it was Pinkie Pie, aghast at the scene that brought no laughter to the usually happy pony's face. The situation seemed too unrealistic for anypony - the ponies simply stared at the disastrous scene before them.

"Pinkie… please, please believe me when I say this, Pinkie…" Rainbow said through fresh, falling tears. "I didn't do this, I'm trying to find the colt that did it. He jumped out-"

"We aren't falling for that. The evidence is all here, and I came as soon as I heard you mention that you'd kill someone. Rainbow Dash, for crimes committed against the town of Ponyville, I place you under arrest in the name of Celestia," a pony stark in blue officer clothing called out from the crowd.

Fearing persecution, Rainbow fled to the window, cursing her injured wing the whole way.

I can't just let myself get caught. I need to bring Dawson to justice and avenge Rarity. But I can't fly out of here with these wings…

Backed against the window with no other way out, she jumped outside, trying desperately to evade capture.

She couldn't move her wings herself as she braced for a sudden impact, but none came. Her wings caught the air and spread out themselves, allowing her to glide through the air with no effort, albeit the cool air stung her wings a little.

Looking back, Rainbow saw the horrendous scene and felt her gut wrench. The officer was bolting down the stairs, attempting to get out in time to find Rainbow, but that wasn't the scariest part. Pinkie was at the window, looking at Rainbow intently with the biggest sense of disbelief on her face that she could muster.

No… even my friends think I'm a monster…

Even after Rainbow was approaching the ground, still gliding into the direction of Everfree forest, she could see the horrified and upset face of Pinkie behind her, with the officer nowhere in sight. She was "safe" in Everfree forest for now, safe to think about what happened and what she'll do next.

I'm safe physically, but mentally…

Would anypony believe her story? It was a lost cause, Rainbow knew the evidence was too strong against her. As the only witness of the crime, she was the primary suspect.

Without sight of mane nor hoof of Dawson, there wasn't much Rainbow could do.

Heading back to Ponyville will mean getting caught and certain persecution. Here, I will die of something eventually. Dawson is nowhere to be found. Honestly, what am I supposed to do?

An idea struck her at the word "honestly". If she was being honest, there was only one pony who would believe her. A pony that can tell if you are lying or not. An honest judge of character…

Rainbow's thoughts crashed along with her body as a tree halted her progress, stinging more than just her wings.

As she peeled off of the tree, landing onto the ground, she cursed her wings again and sucked in the pain.

It's nothing serious compared to how my wings felt earlier in that dress.

Laying on the ground, the summer night filled her vision with brilliant shades of blue and black, along with the dazzling light coming from the moon and stars.

Maybe Rarity is in a better place, up there with the beautiful stars. It'd be better than-

Her thoughts were washed out by a distinct red glint at the bottom of her eye. A little ways up, she saw a business-like smile accompanied by a pair of ever thinking eyes. She'd seen this face before, and she knew exactly what to do.

In a split second, Dawson was pinned to the ground by a frantic Rainbow Dash, still smiling all the while.

"You monster! Do you even know what you did?! Isolated me from Ponyville, tricked innocent ponies and killed the most generous pony in Equestria, who so happens to be my good friend!" Rainbow yelled, angrier than she had ever been.

Dawson only chuckled slightly, prompting a solid slug to his jaw by Rainbow's hoof. A small stream of blood pooled down his smiling mouth, seemingly amused by the attack.

"Well, well, Rainbow Dash. Looks like you've escaped the town. How convenient it is that I've found you. Now, I suppose I have no choice but to answer your questions, but that cannot happen just yet."

Lowering the hoof she had slugged Dawson with, a puzzled look appeared on Rainbow's face.

"You think you're in a position to negotiate? Ha! I'm going to bring you to justice so I can clear my name and avenge my friend!" Rainbow taunted.

Dawson merely kept his composure and looked at Rainbow with delight.

What is wrong with him?! How crazy do you have to be to kill innocent ponies and be happy about it?!

"Oh, you don't think so?" Dawson said amusingly. "In fact, it's quite the contrary. I know you won't turn me in, because you need answers. Answers I have, but won't give."

Rainbow stood her ground on Dawson, unfazed by his words.

"You are stubborn, yes. Which is precisely why you need the answers you clearly seek. The impact your friend Rarity had on you was so strong that you need to understand her death to have closure. Believe me, that's what you are thinking sub-consciously."

'Closure' seemed to be the magic word for Rainbow, sub-consciously releasing her pin on Dawson and taking a step back.

Would… would I really give up the opportunity for justice to have closure with Rarity?

Dawson stood up as if nothing had happened to him and began to trot away into the dark of the forest.

It's all… hey, wait! Why did I let him go?!

"Wait! Get back here!" Rainbow yelled out. "I'm not finished with you yet!"

Dawson stopped for a brief second, turning to face Rainbow.

"Oh, you'll get all the answers you seek. I still have a few… housekeeping duties I need to do before that happens. I'll be seeing you soon, stay alive in the meantime!"

Rainbow had been sprinting to catch Dawson before he finished, but she was surprised to discover that he had disappeared after going behind a few trees.

How did he fly away so stealthily?

There was no evidence that he was in the sky, but it's the only thing Rainbow could come up with.

I need to find him again. I can get the answers I need, then I can bring him in. But more and more questions seem to keep popping up…

Dawson's visit seemed to make a noticeable impact on Rainbow. Vengeance turned into confusion, justice turned into a thirst for answers. Her emotional drive was changed by such a simple word, 'closure'.

Closure…

If there was one pony that could help her out with this, it was Applejack. She'd know Rainbow isn't lying, her innate gift of judgement was unparalleled.

I'll need to find an opportunity to get her attention from a distance. I don't want her seeing me and attacking me…

It wasn't a journey's length distance into Ponyville, but it might as well have been. No doubt the officer reported the situation to other authorities. Considering murders are so rare, a lock down was probably in order, with Rainbow as the main target. And Sweet Apple Acres was on the other side of Ponyville…

In the distance, Rainbow caught sight of a gathering of ponies outside Twilight's library. Although their faces were obscured, their colours and features were still apparent. Several guards around were dressed in brilliant shades of gold armour, most with wings and equipped with attachments for spears.

So flying and going through is not an option, even when my wings heal. Even then, I can't just wait here without food or water…

Observing further, it appeared that a purple coloured mare was speaking to the gathering, most likely Twilight meeting about Rainbow's supposed murder. Close by, the familiar colours of Fluttershy and Applejack were nodding in agreement.

So now all of my friends think I'm a monst- wait a second, where's Pinkie?

The group of ponies appeared to be all of the village, but no pink coat nor mane was noticed. Left and right, there was blue, red, grey and other distinct colours, but no pink. The way she seemed at Sugarcube Corner, Rainbow was expecting her to be front and center, speaking out against how horrible Rainbow was.

Watching the group’s reactions, agreements and tears of sadness, it seemed as though they were making a plan to capture Rainbow. Sure enough, that was the actions they proceeded to take once Twilight - or what appeared to be Twilight by her purple coat - finished her speech. Most ponies went inside and barred their doors, and the guards started marching to surround the city both in the skies and the perimeter on the ground. There was no way in or out of Ponyville without having to deal with them.

Sighing in defeat, Rainbow decided to let her wings rest for awhile, and maybe the guards would loosen up by the time they fully healed. How to get food and water was something that could be dealt with in the morning.

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Eyes still closed, Rainbow attempted to keep them that way despite the bright light trying to force it’s way into her eyes from the forest opening. It was no use - any position she changed into would still leave her feeling the effects of the bright sunlight.

Well, better to wake up now so I won’t be out in the bright light, open and noticeable.

It wasn't until Rainbow collected her bearings that a delectable smell filled her nostrils, alerting her sense of starvation of the presence of food.

Darting her head left and right in the forest, there appeared to be nothing but herself and trees around her.

Too far to be Ponyville. I really need to find where it… Aha!

Protruding out of an old, rotting tree stump, a curious pink, patterned knot from a fairly large bag was in sight. The wave of the scent’s general direction pointed towards the bag, masked a little by the soggy smell of the stump.

The smell felt wonderful to Rainbow, but she couldn't figure out what it was with the stump masking some of the smell. Wasting no time, she grabbed the bag from the stump and set it on the ground, mouth drooling in anticipation.

Then her rational, collected mind kicked in and stopped her. Looking down on the bag and thinking about the events of last night made it clear that this was not a coincidence.

So I found a bag of what seems like delicious food in a tree stump. Less than likely this bag was made naturally; it had to have been made in Ponyville. Where everyone wants me gone. Do they think I'm stupid?

Despite the protests of her stomach, Rainbow turned away from the bag and chewed on some leaves from a nearby tree.

It's all I have now- *pitoo*- ugh! Disgusting! Everything in this forest is old and soggy!

Rainbow took another look at the appetizing bag, mouth still drooling from the smell.

Well, there isn't really any way that it's a dangerous bag, and I need to get this taste out of my mouth…

Grabbing the pink bag with her hooves, Rainbow ripped it open with her teeth, allowing the contents to spill out.

Despite the cautions she took, the contents of the bag were not fitted to the smell. The reality was even better, composing of a few golden apples, a couple of apple tarts, some jugs of water and a first aid kit.

Rainbow hadn't been this surprised since Rarity was fatally injured, but this was a different feeling. Happiness, and hope now flew through her mind.

Now she can survive here for a few days to heal without going hungry, but her mind was back to it's previous state - thirsty for answers. As she consumed the apples, the questions stemming from the bag consumed her.

Drinking the last bit of water from one of the jugs, Rainbow knew rationing was essential for her survival. She needed to act rational first, so she wanted to satiate her thirst for answers by analyzing a couple of questions.

Who delivered these? Clearly, the apples and first aid kit make it seem like Applejack, but she was nodding her head in total agreement at the meeting. She's too honest to lie about that, so she's out.

Without any other leads, Rainbow decided to tend a little to her wounds. Opening the first aid kit, there were substantially more bottles of medicine and bandages instead of the more serious wound treatments. It appeared to suit Rainbow's needs perfectly, just as the food had suited her hunger.

Taking another look into the forest to make sure her mysterious gifter wasn't watching, Rainbow abandoned any belief that this was an enemy and proceeded to apply medicine-soaked bandages onto her wings.

The wings are top priority, the rest of my body can wait. I need to get flying soon before I run out of this food.

Judging that sleep would suit the healing best, Rainbow proceeded to resume her rest on a dark, shaded patch of grass on the side of a nearby tree.

As her eyelids drooped down, a peculiar sound came from the tree stump.

Shooting up in a flash, Rainbow noticed a hooded figure dashing away from the stump, having left another small bag.

"Hey! Wait up!" Rainbow called out. "I'm not going to hurt you, I want to thank you for the gifts!"

The hooded figure kept running into the forest, briefly turning around to check if Rainbow was chasing her.

Well, just because that 'thing' is helping me out doesn't mean I shouldn't know who it is.

Rainbow gave chase, quickly making ground on the fleeing figure. Just as she was within spitting distance, her side seared with pain. Her wing caught a branch hanging loosely from a tree, increasing the pain already present in the injury.

Argh! That branch... wait, I’m not bleeding? Then I can still run!

The hooded presence looked back, seemingly worried about Rainbow while continuing to flee the scene. Her progress was halted by an unnoticed tree, to which Rainbow promptly dashed to the knocked down figure, despite the aching in her wing.

The hooded escapist knew that it was futile to try and escape, deciding to lift it’s - her - hood to show Rainbow.

Rainbow no sooner saw the face staring right into her eyes than remembered that face staring at her out from the window of Sugarcube Corner.

“Pi...Pinkie?”

END OF CHAPTER TWO